Okay, so I will try to update this story at least once a week (never happened). I have been very consistent so far and will try my best to keep it that way. Thanks again to thelovelydissidiacharacters for some of the awesome dialogue. Had a lot of fun incorporating it into the story. Check out his profile when you get the chance. Thanks for all the reviews and followers too, your support makes me smile! Read and review! Every one counts!

The Amagi Obsession

Chapter 4: Deception

Yukiko didn't return to class that afternoon. After Yu left the classroom, she acted hastily. Yukiko gathered her belongings and made her way out of the classroom. Exiting school and finding Chie were her top priorities. The faculty would probably call her mother once they discovered she was cutting class, but the thought didn't bother Yukiko. Something much more dire caught her attention, Chie's disappearance.

Yu made it clear that he wanted Yukiko and the rest of the Investigation Team to enter the TV world today. This would be the beginning of their manhunt to find Chie.

"What if they find her? She'll surely tell them that I'm the one who shoved her in the TV." Yukiko spoke aloud. The possibility of it alone stressed her out. She couldn't let it happen.

If Yu found out the truth of her deception, he would be devastated and would never trust her again. That aside, letting Chie die wasn't an option either. She still felt guilty about shoving her into the TV world, but she didn't want Chie's blood on her hands either. Yukiko still had what little moral compass left.

The hug she shared with Yu moments before he had left felt so right to Yukiko. She had no doubts that Yu was meant to be with her instead of Chie. He needed her there to support him and that's exactly what she intended to do. The thought of going through with this plan frightened Yukiko, but she had already gone past the point of no return.

At this stage, she knew what she was capable of. Look at her hand she clasped them together and said. "I have to get in contact with Teddie."

Yukiko took out her cell phone and quickly texted their friendly neighborhood bear.

"Hey, Teddie?"

She waited quietly for a response, and it was near instant.

"YUKI-CHAN TEXTED ME!?"

Yukiko imagined Teddie with a large, adorable smile on his face, but shook the thought out of her head. Now wasn't the time. She rarely texted Teddie, so he was probably too gullible to be suspicious of her. She was safe messaging him.

"Are you free by any chance? Want to meet up?"

His reply was instant. "OF COURSE! WHERE!? WHERE?! ANYTHING FOR YOU YUKI-CHAN!"

"He sure loves caps." Yukiko mumbled to herself, cracking a half smile.

"Great then it's a date! Meet me in Junes in 20 minutes. I'm on my way right now."

Her phone lit up once more with his reply. "A DATE! HOLY BEAR! LET ME GET READY!"

Yukiko didn't bother to reply.

The cellphone closed and she let out a sigh. That was that. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on her forehead. She was really going to go through with this. "There is no going back." Yukiko whispered. She didn't know what would happen once she found Chie. She could be hurt, unconscious, or worse. There was a possibility that Chie would be gunning to continue their fight.

Yukiko arrived at the lockers in front of the school entrance. She exchanged her slippers with her winter boots and threw on her large red coat. After closing the locker, she hurried and made her way towards the door. As her hand reached towards the handle, it suddenly opened before her.

Yukiko took a couple of steps back startled.

As she stumbled back, a hand reached out and caught hold of her.

"Oh, senpai?" In front of Yukiko stood her kouhai, Naoto Shirogane, Yasogami High's newest transfer student. Also, the Investigation Team's young hotshot detective prince. Naoto helped Yukiko to her feet and apologized. "Sorry about that."

Yukiko tried her best to maintain a smile on her face, but it was tense. The girl didn't have time to waste on Naoto. She had to meet Teddie before the others could get into contact with him. Yukiko straightened her composure before trying to make her way around Naoto. "Well Naoto-kun, I will see you later."

"Wait, senpai." Naoto replied, grabbing Yukiko's wrist, stopping her unceremonious exit. "Is something amiss?"

Yukiko shook her head and Naoto released her hold on her. "No, nothing is wrong." She responded quickly. If there was anyone that Yukiko wanted to avoid at all costs, it was Naoto Shirogane. The young detective likely heard about Chie's disappearance by now. She had close contacts with the police and Yukiko wasn't in the mood to be questioned further.

"My apologies Naoto-kun, but I'm feeling a bit ill. So, I'm going home early today. Please, send my regards to the others." Yukiko said curtly before making a quick exit. She briskly walked away not wanting to be in her kouhai's presence any longer.

Back by the school entrance, Naoto stared at Yukiko's fading figure, startled at what had just occurred. She had left the police station not long ago to come to school. One of her objectives was to find Yukiko and ask her some questions about Chie. She was sure she'd be at the assembly, but her sudden illness was conveniently timed.

Naoto rubbed her chin. Something was off with Yukiko.

"Hmm, perhaps she is just disgruntled about Chie-san's disappearance." Naoto pondered. "Surely, she had already known about Chie's disappearance. Perhaps the questioning from Dojima-san left her feeling ill. Chie-senpai is her best friend after all."

Naoto decided to ignore the rather odd interaction and made her way towards the assembly hall. The detective prince was worried about her missing senpai and seeing Yukiko in such a sickly state reaffirmed her mission. Finding Chie had to be her top priority.

It was her responsibility as her friend and a seeker of the truth.

…

Walking through the thick layers of snow slowed Yukiko down. Her boots grew heavier with each step through the thick white blankets. The weather had delayed her arrival to Junes, but she had finally arrived. The pavement outside the store was covered in thick sheets of ice. Carefully navigating the ice, Yukiko made her way to the entrance.

Posted up near the front door were two employees dressed as elves. They unenthusiastically rang the holiday bell, asking the passing customers for donations. Normally Yukiko would stop to help those in need, but she had more pressing matters on her mind. She ignored the elves as they tried to hail her and made her way into the warmth of the store.

Yukiko relished the heat that enveloped her. She removed her mittens and rubbed her hands together for warmth. Taking a glance outside, she noticed the snowfall had picked up. She shivered a bit; the winter in Inaba was beginning to become unbearable. Yukiko had always preferred the calm of fall over the stinging cold.

A vibration from her phone drew her attention from the snowfall. She fished around in her pocket for the device. On the screen was a notification from Yu.

"Hey r u feeling alright? Naoto said you went home?"

Yukiko smiled, placing the phone to her heart.

"He's worried about me." She whispered.

"I'm okay, I was just feeling a bit ill was all." She replied. "The news about Chie really bothered me. Just need to lay down and get some rest. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be joining you all in the TV world today."

"It's fine! just take your time getting better. I'll, come check on you soon."

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. The thought of Yu coming to look after her while she is sick made Yukiko's face flush. None of that would ever happen if Yu found Chie today. However, there was business to attend to first. Thinking back to her objective, finding Teddie took precedence.

Yukiko glanced around the lobby looking around for the blond boy. Yukiko shot a glance at her wristwatch. It was ten minutes after 11.

"Where is he?" Yukiko muttered annoyed. She was late herself, but she didn't have the time to wait on Teddie. School would be out in four hours; the window was closing. Yukiko decided to walk around the department store and look for him.

She searched around every section in Junes' main store until she finally spotted Teddie siting outside in on a bench. Yukiko saw he was waiting patiently for her. Teddie snuggled up in his large white marshmallow snow coat. His ears were covered in bright blue earmuffs. He had been shivering from waiting for so long.

Yukiko wanted to scold Teddie for being so ridiculous by waiting out in the snow. She sighed and called out to him. "Teddie, over here!"

Perking up at the sound of her voice he waved. "Oh, Yuki-Chan!" Teddie called out, as he ran towards Yukiko. "I've been waiting for you Yuki-chan!"

Yukiko managed to smile. Teddie was draped from head to toe in snow. The cold had made his nose beet red. Yukiko shook her head with worry.

"Why were you sitting out in the snow like that you silly bear?" She doted on him. If there was any way to win over Teddie's trust and silence, then it was going to be with inexplicable affection. The young Amagi wiped the snow off the top of his head causing Teddie's face to grow even redder.

"I- I was waiting for you Yuki-chan! I even showed up extra early! What bear would want to be late on his first date?" he enthused.

"Still, it's no reason to torture yourself out in the cold silly. Now tell me, what bear would want to be sick on his first date?" Yukiko chided him. "Come on, let's grab something to eat. You look like you're freezing." Yukiko wrapped her arm around Teddie's making him yelp in surprise. She ushered him towards the food court.

"Yu- Yuki-chan, you're being awfully forward today." Teddie commented, visibly embarrassed.

"Oh, really? Am I?" Yukiko led Teddie towards a bakery that she often went to. Her chest pressed against his arm. Teddie was a very simple minded bear, so Yukiko made sure to lay on the charm. "I'm just trying to warm you up Teddie."

Teddie was speechless.

"What do you say about getting some crepes?" Yukiko suggested.

"Of course!" Teddie responded by taking out his wallet. In a hurry he bought them both of a pair of strawberry crepes.

Yukiko sat down at a nearby table and ate alongside Teddie. She did feel a bit bad about using Teddie, but her mission was too important. Going into the TV world alone wasn't an option, and she couldn't just ask Rise to help her out. The idol may have been a pop diva, but she wasn't dense. She would ask too many questions.

Teddie on the other hand was gullible. He was won over at the word date.

A much easier target to exploit.

Yukiko nibbled on her crepe and passed along an idle chat with Teddie about school, work, and life in the Amagi Inn. If there was anything she had learned from her mother, it was how to be a good hostess. She could carry on a conversation with anyone with relative ease. After finishing up their crepes Yukiko finally decided it was time to talk to Teddie about the real reason she called him Junes. She glanced around. There were a lot of people around now.

Yukiko wondered if any of her classmates were in Junes at the time. She didn't want to risk anyone hearing the conversation she was about to initiate.

"Teddie, I need to speak to you in private. Would that be alright?"

Teddies ears perked up. A big, perverted grin crossed his red cheeks. "Alone? With Yuki-chan? IS THIS MY MOMENT TO SCORE WITH YOU YUKI-CHAN?!"

Yukiko cringed. She wished he would keep his voice down. Still, she managed to force a smile. Teddie was already trapped in her web, now it was time to sink her fangs. "That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about Teddie. Do you really want to score with me?" she coyly asked.

"More than anything Yuki-chan!"

"Then," she paused. "If you really want to score with me, promise you won't tell the others what I'm about to tell you." Yukiko grasped Teddie's hands making him squeak.

"No- not even Sensei?"

"Especially not Narukami-kun."

Teddie had doubt in his eyes. He looked away. "I- I don't know Yuki-chan?"

Yukiko tightened her grasp on Teddie's hands. She caressed his cheek, gently rubbing her fingers against his smooth skin. Her thumb trailed its way down over his nose and ending on the lips. The unfortunate thing about working at an Inn was all the scenes she had reenacted; she had seen play out in a similar fashion. Men seducing women, lovers throwing themselves all over each other, or people of influence coercing one another for favors.

"Please Teddie-kun? For me?" she pressed.

"A- anything for you Yuki-chan!" Teddie gulped. His nostrils were flaring. "My lips are sealed!"

"Then shall we go find somewhere private to speak?" Yukiko asked. She stood up, still holding Teddie's hand. Without hesitation she led him back towards the Junes department store.

…

"Do you sense anything that doesn't belong in here Teddie?" Yukiko asked, staring curiously at Teddie.

The destination that Yukiko had in mind for their conversation was none other than the TV world. No one would be able to hear them here, or interrupt what she had in mind. Still, she had to be discreet around Teddie. Even though he had sworn his secrecy to her, if he were to find out about her search for Chie, Yukiko was sure he would spill the beans.

Teddie had been skeptical at first. Going into the TV world without the others would be dangerous, but Yukiko was persistent. Previous methods of seduction proved to be effective. She was too attractive for Teddie to resist. With that, Yukiko swayed Teddie to entering the TV world.

She managed to convince him that she had forgotten something on their last foray together and only wished to retrieve it. Teddie didn't ask much more than that, Yukiko didn't give in the chance to. He put on his familiar bear attire that seemed to appear from thin air and they entered the TV world.

Teddie stood on his toes and sniffed the air. "Well… the fog isn't as thick as it used to be."

That much she could tell. With the defeat of Adachi and Ameno-sagiri, the fog had all, but vanished from the shadow world.

"But can you sense anything?" Yukiko pressed him for answers. She was growing impatient and running out of time.

"Well," Teddie continued sniffing. "I do smell something familiar, but my nose just isn't as good as it used to be. I can't sense what direction it's coming from. I'm sorry Yuki-chan."

Despite her better judgment Yukiko wrapped her hands around Teddie's head and brushed her lips against his bear cheek. She moved her head back to his ear and whispered. "Try your beary best Teddie. I'm really counting on you."

Teddie's eyes widened and he stammered to speak. "We- well I- I suppose one more sniff can't hurt."

The bear stood on his toes and once more took in a huge whiff of air. Like radar he rotated around in three large rotations before he stopped and pointed north. "It's that way! The smell's coming from there!"

Yukiko placed her familiar red glasses on and looked north. All she could see was the TV world's electric rafters stretching for what seemed like miles. She glanced at Teddie who appeared doubtful at what lay ahead.

"Are you positive it's coming from that direction?" she pressed. That way looked all too familiar to Yukiko. It was the direction of the fake Inaba the Investigation Team had traversed when they were pursuing Adachi.

"I'm beary positive!" Teddie replied. "My nose became 100% accurate with that kiss Yuki-chan!"

Yukiko was glad she made the right call.

"But Yuki-chan about that smell? It's awfully familiar for one reason."

The girl narrowed her eyes at Teddie as he continued.

"It's growing fainter with every minute."

"Right." Yukiko murmured. Something was happening with Chie. She had to get there fast. "I can't let her die." Yukiko gripped a baseball bat she had found in the sports section of Junes. If she was going after Chie alone, she would want to a blunt object to fight off the shadows. Utilizing the usual fan might not cut it this time. It was useful for spacing her flames, but she didn't have her teammates to cover her flank. She began her stride forward. "Well than I'm off."

"Wait- I can't come with you?" Teddie squeaked.

Yukiko turned around and placed a hand on Teddie's head. She brushed his fur and comforted him. "You've been more helpful to me than you can ever imagine Teddie. Now be a good bear and wait for me here. I'll be back shortly. And when I get back, we'll finish our date okay?"

Teddie opened his mouth to object, but Yukiko had already began sprinting away.

Yukiko ran, her feet carrying her as fast as they could. The girl wanted to save herself from the shame of putting Chie in danger. However, something else was resonating inside of her. Worry. The thought of finding Chie dead wasn't something Yukiko could live with. If she had fallen into a dungeon, shadows would continuously attack her.

"I have to find her! I have to!" she gasped. Yukiko checked her watch. She had three hours left before the Investigation Team got released from school. She was running out of time.

…

Deep in the TV world's fake Inaba, Chie fought off as many shadows as she could. Her persona, Tomoe, flung multiple shadow beings from her back into the stack of Tatsumi Textiles store. "Bufula!" Chie commanded, casting an icy spell.

Tomoe flung her halberd towards the shadows and froze the surrounding area in ice. The shadows stopped in place, ceasing their assault on the pair.

Chie didn't stop, she tried to keep moving, but soon collapsed to her knees.

The girl was exhausted. Her senses were beginning to wane, and she felt close to blacking out. Summoning her persona was becoming more and more difficult with each mob of shadows that she encountered. The combination of being exposed to the TV world conditions for so long and constant fighting was taking its toll on her body.

"I won't die here." She grunted, managing to lift one foot off the ground. "I can't die here. I have to see Yu again! An- and Yukiko too."

Tomoe watched her silently.

Chie wondered if her persona pitied her in this pathetic state. After the fall into the TV world, she had no idea where they'd landed. She spent hours wandering around aimlessly until finally coming across the fake Inaba. The familiarity had been a glimmer of hope for her, but fighting shadows for so long was beginning to take its toll. What's worse, is that she was starting to lose track of time.

"I have to get out of here." Chie remarked, only to hear the cries of more shadows heading in her direction.

Chie glanced back and saw multiple Kings and Hands heading right at her. She didn't have the strength to fight all of them off. The girl took a step forward and prepared to run, but her leg buckled. A bad bruise she had received from an earlier encounter was coming back to haunt her.

Desperation began to creep as she shouted at her persona. "SAVE ME TOMOE!"

Tomoe began to fight off as many shadows as it could, but it was quickly becoming overwhelmed at their sheer numbers. Chie could also feel the pain of her persona, which didn't help. The shadows one by one piled on top of Tomoe, until the persona could no longer maintain its ethereal form. Tomoe shattered into glass. The girl stared with horror as the shadows diverted their attention to her.

Chie sat motionless; she had never felt so hopeless in her entire life. Her lips quivered. "Yu…save me…"

The shadows reared themselves, ready to attack Chie, but when all hope seemed lost a streak of red filled the air. The fire was so bright that Chie had to close her eyes. The flames obliterated every shadow in its path.

"MARAGION!"

Chie heard the familiar voice behind her.

Konahana Sakuya flew in to protect Chie from the flames whilst burning everything else in its path. The shadows shrieked in pain and one by one fell to the flames. The persona let out a shriek of victory, leaving only ash in its wake.

Chie heard footsteps approaching her from behind and turned around to meet the smiling face of the Amagi heiress.

"Yukiko!" Chie gasped, beginning to tear up. The girl flung herself around Yukiko's waist as she began to sob. "I- I thought I was done for."

Yukiko bent down and rubbed her best friend's head. Yukiko was relieved, she had made it in time. "It's okay Chie, I'm here." She soothed. Yukiko had seen enough to know what had happened; she was just grateful that she arrived in time. If she hadn't, well Yukiko didn't want to think what would have happened. "Are you hurt?"

Chie nodded, proceeding to massage her left leg. She winced at the touch and replied. "Yeah, I got this bruise, it's pretty bad. It hurts too much to stand."

Yukiko took note of that. "I'm just glad you're safe Chie."

Chie smiled and curiously looked around. She didn't see the other members of the Investigation Team. "Where are the others?" she asked.

"I didn't want anyone to jump to conclusions." Yukiko murmured looking down. "So, I came by myself."

This caught Chie off-guard, but she soon began to recall how she ended up in the TV world in the first place. She and Yukiko had gotten into a fight, over a boy. Chie knew Yukiko must have felt terrible about what happened and she herself was partly to blame. It all seemed so silly now.

"Oh Yukiko," Chie gave a sigh of relief. "Listen I'm sorry, I should've told you that Yu and I are dating. If I had earlier, all of this could've been avoided."

Yukiko returned the sentiment. "No, it's alright Chie, I understand. You didn't want to hurt my feelings or anything. I'm sorry Chie…" Yukiko began to choke up, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm just so sorry! I acted rashly! We were in the heat of the moment!"

Chie felt relieved that it was Yukiko who had found her. This was how it should have been in the first place. With both of them talking it out. They were best friends. A boy could never come between that.

Yukiko caressed Chie's cheek and whispered. "I'm sorry Chie." The girl massaged her cheek, and moved her fingers through Chie's sandy blond lock, twiddling each strand. Yukiko tilted her head to the side growing silent.

Chie sighed out of relief. They had managed to reconcile, but when she tried to step back from their embrace, Yukiko's grip tightened. There was something uneasy about Yukiko's eyes. Chie stammered. "Uhm Yukiko? Wh- what're you doing?"

Yukiko moved her other hand and slipped Chie's glasses off of her face, light fog obstructing her view. "I'm so sorry Chie, because I can't allow you to escape."

Before Chie could process what Yukiko had said, she was smacked with the butt of a baseball bat. Chie's body slumped in an instant, knocked unconscious from the force of the blow. Yukiko dropped Chie's glasses under her boots and smashed them. There was no going back now. With a tight chest, she exhaled. "Forgive me."

Whatever good will was harbored between her and Chie was dead now.

"Konahana Sakuya!" Yukiko shouted, pointing towards Chie. Her persona followed her commands and lifted the unconscious girl into its arms. She checked her wristwatch once more. It had taken her nearly two hours to find Chie. She still had time, limited amounts. She knew exactly where to leave her. There was a castle nearby, familiar castle to be exact. "Follow me."

Shadow Yukiko's Castle was their destination.

A/N: 7/3/2023, revisions done to the dialogue and sentence structuring.