11/6
Nanako and Namatame had been taken to the Inaba Municipal Hospital, where Dojima was also being treated. Yui and her friends were seated in the hallway outside Nanako's room, after being informed that Nanako would be prohibited from seeing visitors until her condition improved. Namatame was still unconscious, so he would have to be questioned later. While Yui tried to maintain a face of confidence, her friends seemed to be depressed and worried.
"Will Nanako-chan be OK?" Rise asked.
"We can only hope." Yui stated.
"If only we'd rescued Nanako-chan sooner! I shouldn't have asked Namatame for his motive!" Naoto growled, blaming herself for Nanako's state.
"Hey Naoto-chan, don't beat yourself up! You helped us stay calm when tensions were high, especially me. We wouldn't have saved Nanako-chan without you!" Yui reassured Naoto.
"You know what? She's right! Standing around feeling sorry for ourselves isn't going to make Nanako-chan better. We have to live the best we can, stay strong for her and trust that she'll get better." Yosuke stated.
"Yeah! I can't thank everyone enough for all they've done. We're a great team!" Yui said confidently.
This cheered everyone up quickly, and they agreed to live happily until things went back to normal.
When Yui got home from the hospital, she found it to be incredibly quiet with both Nanako and Dojima absent. She breathed a gentle sigh, accepting that this was just how things were going to be for a while.
11/9
Chie offered to stay over at Yui's place for the rest of the school day, something Yui greatly appreciated. They cooked a meal consisting of tofu patties and stir fry vegetables. Yui allowed Chie to give it a try herself, and was pleased to see that she was able to avoid burning anything, and instead overcook it. Eating Chie's cooking wasn't the most enjoyable thing to do, but Chie's enthusiasm made up for it completely. When Yui finished cooking her food, she brought it with her to the couch, with Chie sitting right beside her.
"Hey, thanks for staying over, Chie-chan. You didn't have to do this." Yui told Chie.
"Sure thing. And to be honest, I wanted to give you some space for a couple days. I hope you're OK with me keeping you company today." Chie replied.
"Honestly, I should have asked you sooner. With my family recovering, you and the others are more important than ever. You can stay as long as you want, until you need to go back home."
"Thanks, Yui-chan."
Chie gives Yui a kiss and leans against her, causing Yui to wrap an arm around her and pull her closer.
11/11
After class ended, Yui went to the hospital to visit Nanako and Dojima. Unfortunately, the doctors didn't allow Nanako to have visitors due to her condition, though they did allow Dojima to have visitors. Yui stood next to Dojima's bed with a sincere smile.
"How are you feeling, Dojima-san?" Yui asked Dojima.
"I'm fine. Still hurting, of course. How's Nanako?" Dojima asked Yui.
"She's in another room, being treated by the other doctors. She's safe now. I kept my promise, Dojima-san." Yui told Dojima.
"Thank god. I'm so relieved."
"When you both get better, why don't I make a celebratory dinner? You both deserve it."
"That sounds nice. Thank you, Yui."
"Well, I have to go home now. Have homework to do."
"Sure. Don't let me keep you. I'll see you at home, hopefully soon."
"See you again soon, Dojima-san."
11/13
At home, Yui received a call from Rise, who clearly wanted to check up on her.
"I'm doing alright. I appreciate your concern, Rise-chan." Yui said over the phone.
"You're welcome, senpai! How's Marie-chan, by the way? I haven't seen her since we rescued Nanako-chan." Rise said.
"She's fine. I checked up on her a couple days ago, and she just seems happy to know that Nanako's alright. Did you want to see her? I can bring her along." Yui replied.
"I'd love to see her, of course. But you don't have to go out of your way. She'll still be around for a while, and I'd like for you to do yourself some favors." Rise insisted.
"Thanks for being so thoughtful, Rise-chan. Though I really don't mind. I'll visit her again soon, ask her if she wants to hang out with you again."
"Thanks, senpai!"
11/14
Yui ran into Naoto after class and decided to check up on her, making sure she didn't still blame herself for Nanako.
"I'm happy to hear that you're taking this so well, senpai." Naoto stated.
"I just have to trust that they'll get better, that's all there is to it. How has that stuff with the Phantom Thief been going? Have you made more progress?" Yui asked.
"Oh, you're still interested in that? Well, I wanted to contact my Grampa to confirm the items the thief stole, but I wasn't able to. Our secretary told me he went to America to visit an ill friend of his. They're fine, I'm sure. Some time ago, I received a new challenge in the mail. I have already solved it, but I'd like to know if you can solve it yourself."
Naoto held out a letter, allowing Yui to read its contents:
"Jury to not rest, or rout for fable."
"Minus 40, Minus 4"
"What in the world is this?" Yui asked, perplexed.
"Ha ha, your reaction is similar to mine when I saw this. It was gibberish to me at first, until I understood that 'Minus 40, Minus 4' was hinting at the solution. What do you think it is?"
Yui pondered for a couple minutes before snapping her fingers, the answer now clear to her.
"I've got it! You have to subtract 40 and 4 from the phrase. Not the numbers, but the words!" Yui declared.
"Nicely done, senpai! That is indeed the intended solution. When you remove the necessary letters, you are left with the phrase, 'Junes, table'. Understanding what it meant, I went to Junes and found this taped underneath a table in the food court." Naoto said, impressed by Yui's quick work.
Naoto pulled out a pen and showed it to Yui.
"It's a pen, but it's also a flashlight and miniature telescope. I thought I lost it, but I suppose Grampa still had it with him. We both cherish a lot, it seems."
Naoto leaned against the wall, contemplating her past.
"When this pen still belonged to me, I was just a child, dreaming of one day becoming a detective. But I never really thought about being a man or a woman. Truly, I had no friends, no one to compare myself to. So why is it that I worry more now that I'm with you and the others?" Naoto asked aloud.
"It's because you have more to lose now." Yui replied.
"Is that so?"
"There was a time I felt completely alone, even though I still had my parents and my old classmates. For the longest time, I didn't understand how that was possible. That was until I learned that being around others, isn't the same as being with them. You never know what you're missing until you have it. And you often don't know what you have until you no longer do. I think inherently, we're always afraid of losing what we have…" Yui pondered.
"You mean to say that I'm afraid?" Naoto asked.
"Well, are you?"
"Perhaps I am." Naoto said with a sad smile.
Naoto looked up at Yui, her eyes displaying a sorrow that she perhaps didn't wish to reveal.
"The need to change, and the desire to remain the same. Both stir within me, and it scares me…" Naoto muttered.
"And that's OK, Naoto-chan. Self awareness is a good thing." Yui responded.
"You're so much wiser than you let on, senpai."
"Thank you, Naoto-chan."
"Please take care of yourself."
"You too."
11/15
When Yui walked past Naoki in the hall, he grabbed her attention, mildly startling her.
"Oh, hi Naoki." Yui greeted.
"Hey. We haven't talked in a while. Are you alright?" Naoki asked.
"I'm...fine. Something happened with my family, and I've had to be at home by myself until they recover." Yui stated, purposefully leaving out details.
"Oh, sorry to hear that."
"What about you? I hope you've been holding up alright."
"Well, my parents shot down my idea of quitting school. They thought I just hated school and was running away from it."
"I mean, yeah. I would've thought the same if I were a parent."
"If I wanted to run, I could do that forever. Nothing I do matters anymore. I can show up to class late, leave class early, take tests home. They take away any responsibility until it doesn't even matter if I'm there. I don't have to do anything...I don't have to exist…" Naoto stated gloomily.
"That's terrible."
"Yeah, I'm sorry for saying all this. I don't mean to make it all about me."
"Don't be. You're going through far worse than I am."
Yui thought for some time before coming up with an idea.
"Hey, Naoki?"
"Hm?"
"This might seem weird, but...do you want to go to Junes with me?"
Naoki's eyes widened a small bit, before he corrected himself and reverted to his neutral expression.
"I know you probably have...complicated feelings towards that place, but I…" Yui said anxiously.
"OK, I'll go." Naoki said with a gentle smile.
"Really? Great! Let's go then!"
Yui and Naoki sat down at a table in the Junes food court after walking around the store. Despite Naoki's stoic demeanor, he seemed to enjoy himself a bit.
"The grocery department downstairs was incredible! They had so many kinds of liquor, and at prices way lower than ours. There's no way we could compete." Naoki stated with a smile.
"It's just how it is, I guess." Yui replied.
"You know...I like cream puffs. I know, it's kind of girlish…" Naoki admitted.
"Are you kidding me? Cream puffs are great! That's not girlish at all!" Yui said with a chuckle.
"Well, there's this cream puff shop by our house that makes really good ones. Sometimes I buy some and take them home. I'd put them in the fridge for later, and Sis would eat them without asking. She'd always make up a lame excuse, like, 'Oh well, they were going to expire, so I had to eat them for you'. We always fought over that. But...the last ones I bought...when I put them in the fridge...they stayed there until they went bad. That's when I realized, 'Oh, maybe...maybe Sis isn't here anymore…'" Naoki told Yui, his voice growing sadder and sadder.
Yui suddenly burst into tears, to the surprise of both herself and Naoki.
"Narukami?!" Naoki said.
"Sumimasen...I didn't expect to start crying." Yui said through sobs.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry…" Naoki apologized.
"No, it's not your fault. You reminded me of when my grandma died. When they took her away from the bed, I saw her glasses on the nightstand, and I said, 'Her glasses! Grandma needs those!'. But then I realized, 'oh...no she doesn't…'" Yui explained.
Naoki looked away to hide his sadness.
"I guess sometimes, we don't fully grasp that someone's no longer with us until we notice things are off without them." Yui stated.
"It's funny. We've actually been doing pretty well lately. After Sis died, some people have been buying from us out of pity. I know they're trying to be kind, and it's better than selling nothing, but...it's over for us. Our family is in complete shambles. My parents never say a word about Sis, try to pretend as if she never existed. Then at night, they cry. What do I do? What CAN I do?" Naoki stated.
Yui wondered what to say next, until she noticed Yosuke walking by.
"Hey! Yosuke!" Yui called to him.
"Oh! Hey, Yui!" Yosuke said as he walked over.
Yosuke looked over at Naoki, suddenly becoming awkward.
"Oh, it's you." Yosuke said nervously.
"Hi…" Naoki muttered.
Naoki did his best to make eye contact.
"This is my first time at Junes. I don't hold any grudge against you, but my parents and neighbors would have said something if I ever came here." Naoki stated.
"Guess we're in the same boat." Yosuke said with a humorless laugh.
"It's cool seeing how big this place is. It makes me full just seeing how much food there is. It's like its own country."
"Hey, your sister said the same thing!" Yosuke stated with a grin.
Naoki looked away again, hiding the pain.
"You know, your sister talked about you a lot. Always boasting about you. She was proud of you, definitely. I liked her..." Yosuke told Naoki.
"Past tense, huh?" Naoki responded.
Yosuke sighs.
"I'm doing what I can right now for my sake, and your sister's. You need to do the same. She wouldn't want you sitting around sulking." Yosuke said with a patient smile.
"Hm…" Naoki mumbled.
"Hey, today's grilled steak day! Why don't I buy us some?" Yosuke said cheerfully.
"How kind of you, Yosuke!" Yui responded with a smile.
Yosuke went to buy steaks for the three of them, leaving Yui and Naoki alone again.
"Yosuke's so nosy. But then again, so are you…" Naoki stated.
"It wouldn't be right of us to just ignore you. We have to support whoever needs it." Yui said.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"No problem."
When Yosuke came back with the steaks, Yui and Naoki sampled them at the same time.
"How are they?" Yosuke asked.
"This steak sucks." Yui and Naoki said simultaneously.
Yosuke burst out laughing.
"Glad we all agree on that!" Yosuke said in amusement.
11/16
Kanji came up to Yui after class, asking how she was doing. When she told him that she was doing fine, he asked if they could talk somewhere quiet. Yui suggested the Samegawa picnic table, which was coincidentally what Kanji was going to suggest. Once they got there and sat down, Kanji took a deep breath and looked toward Yui with a serious expression.
"You remember my dad?" Kanji asked.
"Yes. What about him?" Yui responded.
"The other day...I went to visit his grave. It was the first time I went on my own." Kanji stated.
"How did it go?" Yui asked sincerely.
"It was...I felt like I could finally face him. A bit late for that, but still." Kanji said with a humorless chuckle.
"The departed are good listeners. It's for your own good, rather than his." Yui stated.
"Before he died, he said to me: 'If you're a man, you have to become strong.' It's like he was telling me I wasn't a real man. It pissed me off. So I changed my looks and pushed myself away from people. Everything I did, fighting gangs, catching the killer...I thought doing all of that was what would make me strong. That I was making up for all the trouble I caused." Kanji went on.
Kanji shook his head dismissively.
"But I realize now, this wasn't what Dad meant. I'm still not really sure WHAT he meant, but lying to myself isn't how I'm gonna find out. No more being scared of everyone, no more hiding my hobbies, no more staying away from people…"
"No more staying in the closet?" Yui joked.
"Well...I still kind of have to do that around some people. You know how it is…" Kanji responded regretfully.
"*sigh* You and me both…"
"Still, anytime, anywhere, I'm gonna bust right through as my own self! That's how I'll deal with that other me in the TV world! I'm not afraid anymore!" Kanji said confidently.
"I'm happy for you, Kanji-kun. Good job!" Yui congratulated.
"It's thanks to you, senpai!" Kanji said happily.
"Me? Not really. I just nudged you in the right direction."
"We're putting those dolls of mine for sale at the textile shop."
"That's awesome!"
"Yeah. I gotta go buy more supplies though. I'll catch you later, senpai!"
"See you, Kanji!"
11/17
Yui visited Marie in the Velvet Room, letting her know what's been going on lately, and most importantly, letting her know that Nanako was safe, being taken care of in the hospital.
"That's good. I'm glad she's alright now." Marie said.
"Yeah...but I can't sleep soundly at night until she's all better, until she's at home where she belongs." Yui stated.
"You really are her sister if you're that worried about her."
"If only…"
"Hey, can we go now?" Marie asked.
"Sure! Want to see Rise-chan?" Yui asked with a smile.
"Not...necessarily…but sure." Marie muttered as her cheeks turned pink.
Margaret chuckled at this, loud enough for Marie to scoff in annoyance.
As Yui and Marie walked over to Rise's house, Marie told Yui about a vision she had.
"...or was it a dream? I don't recall." Marie said.
"What was it about?" Yui asked.
"Well, that's the problem. I don't have a clue what it meant." Marie responded, shaking her head in frustration.
"What did you see?"
"I was on a very small stage, singing into a microphone. I can't remember what I was singing though. But the strangest part was that I was trapped in a cage made of red ropes, and there wasn't an audience. It was a bunch of TVs filled with static. Except...some of the TVs had pictures of you and the others...of my friends. The ropes started to twist together, closing in on me until I could barely move. That's when the vision stopped…" Marie explained.
Yui stared in bewilderment listening to the scene Marie described.
"That's...bizarre…I have no idea what any of that could mean." Yui commented.
"It's probably just a stupid dream. Dreams don't always mean anything."
"Hm...maybe."
They stepped inside the tofu shop and called for Rise.
"Rise-chan!" Yui called.
"Hi senpai! Hi Marie-chan!" Rise greeted cheerfully as she went downstairs.
Rise went up to Marie and gave her a hug, spinning both of them around the way a ballerina figure spins in a music box.
"You seem really happy today." Marie commented.
"Yeah, I guess so! Seeing you does that to me!" Rise said with a smile.
Marie leaned in to kiss Rise, pleasantly surprising Rise, since it was usually her who initiated them.
"I'm going to Kanji-kun's place. I wanted to check out the textiles. Wanna come?" Rise asked Yui and Marie.
"Sure! What about you, Marie-chan?" Yui said.
"Wherever you go, I want to go with you." Marie replied.
"Where senpai goes, or I go?" Rise asked.
"Both of you." Marie said.
Rise held Marie's hand as the three of them went to Tatsumi Textiles. Yui giggled as she watched Rise and Marie walking together, barely hiding the fact that they were a couple.
"What?" Marie asked.
"You two are so gay." Yui joked.
"I'm not gay! I'm bi!" Rise joked back.
"That makes two of us." Marie said.
"Hey, senpai. Hey, Rise-chan. Oh, you too, Marie-chan." Kanji greeted as Yui, Rise, and Marie entered the store.
"Hi Kanji." Yui replied.
The three of them looked around to see that Kanji had put his knit dolls on display, arranging them to go along with the colored fabrics.
"Wow Kanji, they look great here!" Yui complimented.
"They're really cute, Kanji-kun!" Rise said.
"Thanks. Made em myself." Kanji stated.
"Really?! Uh…"
"What?"
"Oh, nothing! I just...didn't expect that…" Rise said, almost apologetically.
"Look at this one." Marie told Rise, pointing to a knit rabbit doll.
"I really like that one! Can I buy this, Kanji-kun?" Rise asked Kanji.
"Oh...never mind that. You can have that one, if you want…" Kanji replied awkwardly.
"Thanks, Kanji-kun!" Rise thanked, taking the rabbit from the display shelf.
Rise played with the doll in her hand, mimicking the ~pyon-pyon~ of a rabbit.
"Mwah!" Rise said as she pressed the doll into Marie's nose, making it as if the rabbit were giving her a kiss.
"Hey!" Marie replied, feigning annoyance.
As the two of them giggled at each other, Kanji came up to Yui.
"Hey, senpai?" Kanji asked Yui.
"Yes, Kanji?" Yui replied.
"Can I talk to you about something? Outside?"
"Sure thing."
Yui told the other two to wait inside the store, allowing her and Kanji to go outside to talk.
"I get it now. I understand what my dad was saying to me back then." Kanji stated.
"You do?" Yui asked.
"All this time, I've been giving up on myself. I've been keeping my distance out of fear. Of course nobody understood me. So I decided to do things my way, even if it was tough. But then I realized, it isn't just about being around people who understand you, and telling the others to 'get bent'. You have to make an effort if you want others to understand you. I wasn't even trying to do that." Kanji explained.
Yui stayed quiet, allowing Kanji to continue reflecting on himself.
"It's not just my hobby either. When the cops suspected me...I didn't even think to try to explain my story. I just let them assume whatever they wanted. And because of that, you, Ma, and that kid all got wrapped up in it. Instead of trying to get them to understand, it was easier for me to act tough." Kanji continued.
Yui smiled and nodded, causing Kanji to smile back.
"From now on, I've got two rules. Rule one: Be myself. Rule two: Get others to understand me." Kanji said proudly.
"Right on, Kanji-kun!" Yui said happily.
"Senpai, I want you to have this."
Kanji handed Yui a cutesy phone strap, similar to the one he made for the boy.
"It's great. Thanks, Kanji-kun." Yui said gratefully.
"No, senpai. Thank you. You're my hero!" Kanji said sincerely.
"What will you do now?"
"I'm gonna start holding classes! I wanna teach people how to make the stuff I make. For my first class, I'm thinking, 'Oven Mitt Puppets'!"
"That sounds like a great idea!"
"You want to be my first student, senpai?"
"Oh, how can I say no?"
11/21
Yui, Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko were all walking to school together, taking notice that today was a particularly foggy day, the fog being colder and thicker than ever before.
"The fog's pretty thick today, isn't it?" Chie commented.
Yosuke was reading the news on his phone when a significant article of interest caught his attention.
"Guys! Check this out! It looks like Namatame regained consciousness!" Yosuke told everyone.
"According to police interrogation, Namatame testified that he regrets what he did and was just scared." Chie read aloud.
"So he's confessing to his crimes." Yui noted.
"It's finally over!" Yukiko said in relief.
"Oh, by the way! I got a call from the hospital this morning. They said Nanako's able to have visitors now!" Yui said enthusiastically.
"Really?!" The others asked, brightening up at the good news.
"Wow! That's great news!" Rise said to Yui after she told her the news about Nanako.
"Nanako-chan's feeling a bit better now, huh? Awesome!" Kanji said cheerfully.
"Where's Naoto-chan? I want to let her know as well!" Yui asked them.
"I don't know. She wasn't in the classroom when I checked." Rise replied.
"I think I might know…"
Yui went to the library, and confirming her intuition was Naoto, sitting at a table and reading a newspaper.
"Oh? Senpai." Naoto said.
"How are you doing, Naoto-chan?" Yui asked.
"I'm fine."
"The hospital called to let me know that we can visit Nanako-chan now."
"That's great news." Naoto said with a nod, though she seemed to remain distant.
"Is there something on your mind?" Yui asked Naoto.
"Ah, not really. It's just that I'm having a hard time believing that this is all really over." Naoto responded.
"That's just like you. Always searching for the next intrigue."
"I assume we're going to go visit Nanako-chan after school?"
"Absolutely!"
Yui and her friends all went straight to the hospital after classes ended. Yui stood next to Nanako's bed, watching as Nanako's eyes lit up from seeing her "sister" coming to visit her.
"Onee-chan…" Nanako whispered.
"I'm so glad to see you, Nanako-chan." Yui told her.
Dojima was sitting in a wheelchair, with Adachi transporting him to Nanako's room at his request.
"She's not recovered enough to talk very much. Still…" Dojima stated.
"Dojima-san! You came here again?!" One of the nurses said as she entered the room.
"Er, you see…" Dojima began to say.
"I understand you're worried about your daughter, but you need your rest as well." The nurse said gently.
"Sumimasen…" Dojima muttered.
"Sumimasen! I'll take him to his room!" Adachi apologized to the nurse.
Adachi began pushing Dojima out of the room, ignoring his protest.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Dojima shouted as the door closed behind them.
"Onee-chan…" Nanako whispered again.
"It's OK, I'm here." Yui told her, rubbing her forehead.
"I'm so glad…" Nanako said with a smile.
Adachi sat with the others as he drank a can of coffee, informing them of some new information he gathered.
"This is supposed to be a secret, but I feel like you all should know." Adachi stated.
"Know what?" Yui asked.
"There was some weird stuff about Yamano and Konishi in Namatame's diary."
Adachi looked around himself, as if to check for anyone who was eavesdropping. He then leaned in and dropped his voice to a whisper.
"It seems like Namatame was making passes at Konishi. That pig!" Adachi whispered.
Everyone gasped in shock and disgust at this information. Yosuke in particular was visibly trembling with anger.
"We think that might have something to do with why he killed her." Adachi stated.
"That bastard!" Yosuke growled.
Adachi quickly realized that he had said enough and got up to leave.
"Sorry! Gotta go!" Adachi spouted as he left.
"Yosuke?" Yui asked Yosuke.
"I'm good…" Yosuke replied.
"When do you think Nanako-chan and Dojima-san can come home?" Chie asked the others as they walked out of the hospital.
"No clue. Soon, hopefully." Yui replied.
In the distance, two women in the shopping district were gossiping about the fog.
"This fog is awfully thick, isn't it?" One of the women said.
"I heard someone's child got sick from it. I wonder if the fog really is poisonous..." The other woman stated.
Suddenly, a man wearing a gas mask came running by.
"Run! Evacuate this place! This is poisonous gas! It's filled with viruses! You'll die if you keep breathing this fog!" The man shouted in a panic.
As the man ran off, the women stood bewildered.
"What's with that guy? He was kind of creepy." Rise asked.
"That was a bit of an extreme example, but I've noticed that people are becoming increasingly paranoid." Naoto said.
"It's not just in Inaba. People everywhere are talking about the fog." Yosuke added.
"It's abnormal for fog to persist this long." Naoto observed.
"It's so hard to see through it. It's almost like…" Yukiko began to say.
"Eh?! Senpais! Put on your glasses!" Kanji exclaimed.
Everyone turned to look at Kanji, who had put on his TV world glasses out of curiosity. They all proceeded to do the same, coming to a shocking realization.
"Oh! I can see now!" Yukiko stated.
"What the hell's going on?" Yosuke asked in a panic.
"The glasses are letting us see through the fog. Just like in the TV world!" Yui stated.
"Do you think the fog is leaking into our world?" Chie asked.
"Is that even possible? If so...that can't be good…" Yui muttered.
11/22
Naoto brought Yui to the shopping district after class, informing her of sightings of a suspicious man in the shopping district. As they walked along the street, they took note that the fog had not let up since yesterday, and in fact seemed thicker.
"So what's this about a suspicious man?" Yui asked Naoto.
"From what I've heard, he's not a local, and he doesn't appear to be a tourist or shopper. I talked to the owner of the Shiroku Store. She said she saw the man a few hours ago." Naoto explained.
"If that's true, he must be trying to hide one of your belongings somewhere." Yui assumed.
"I thought the very same thing. We may be able to catch him in the act."
"We seem to be coming to the end of this mystery. I'm a little sad about that, weird as that sounds."
"You too? Heh. This has been a fun experience. It's quite a bit like how I imagined being a detective would be like as a child. Anyway, I have an idea where he might be trying to hide. Come with me, senpai."
Yui and Naoto went to the Tatsuhime Shrine, deciding that it was the best place to hide something within the shopping district area. They saw a strange looking man standing at the fortune box.
"Wait! You're…" Naoto began to say, seemingly recognizing the man.
The man turned around and pulled out a knife from his pocket.
"Stop!" Yui shouted, running up to defend Naoto.
"Wait, senpai! It's just a toy!" Naoto exclaimed.
The man dropped the knife and made a run for it, leaving Yui very confused.
"What?! What just happened?" Yui asked.
Naoto walked over to pick up the knife, turning it over to examine it.
"This is a knife-shaped radio. It's not a weapon." Naoto explained.
"Oh. Could have fooled me." Yui said.
"Even so...what you did just now was horribly reckless!" Naoto shouted.
Yui flinched at this, not expecting Naoto to shout at her at all.
"Sumimasen...I didn't mean to raise my voice…" Naoto apologized.
"It's alright. Funny...I remember saying the exact same thing to Chie-chan when she stood up to a bunch of bullies. She really is rubbing off on me…" Yui said with a chuckle.
"Is that true? What a coincidence. It's just...suppose it were a real knife-" Naoto began to say.
"I still would have stepped in, even if I knew it was real. I mean, I thought it was real just now, and I still went to protect you."
"Why?" Naoto muttered.
"Why? Because you're my friend, of course." Yui said firmly.
"Right. I should have known better." Naoto said with a smile.
Naoto still seemed ashamed for some reason.
"As a detective, I should be able to protect others, not the other way around." Naoto insisted.
"There's nothing wrong with confiding in others. We all need help every now and then. You helped me in my darkest moment. Never forget that."
"Don't worry, senpai. I haven't."
Naoto lowered her hat.
"I'm...going home. You don't need to worry about the Phantom Thief anymore."
"Are you sure?"
"I'll explain some other time."
"Alright."
"Goodbye. And thanks…"
11/24
After class, Naoto asked Yui to come with her to the flood plain, promising to explain what happened the other day. When they got there, the man from before was waiting for them.
"I humbly apologize for the other day. My name is Yakushiji. I am the secretary of the Shirogane estate." The man said with a polite bow.
"I want to apologize as well. Though I hadn't known about this. I unwittingly got you involved in this." Naoto stated.
"What's this about?" Yui asked.
"This was all an act put on by my Grampa." Naoto explained.
"My master has been saddened by Naoto-sama's state of affairs. She had been devoting all her energy into her work since she had no acquaintances. So he decided to remind her of the joy she felt in her past. When all she ever wanted was to be a detective." Yakushiji explained further.
Yakushiji gestured to Yui.
"It was not my intention to threaten you with a knife. Do forgive me." Yakushiji stated.
"Don't worry, sir. I don't hold anything against you." Yui replied.
"Naoto-sama. I have one last challenge for you. I trust you will be able to solve it with ease."
Yakushiji handed Naoto one last card before making his departure. Naoto read the contents of the card aloud.
"I did what you can't stand to at a place you'd be fond of. But underneath, rather than inside." Naoto said.
"A place you'd be fond of...is it the hilltop? It's a pretty popular place." Yui guessed.
"It's true. But then...'I did what you can't stand to do'. There are several possibilities to that phrase."
"I think you mentioned before that you don't like to...throw things away."
"I see! The last item is hidden at the hilltop underneath a trash can, rather than inside it. Excellently done, senpai!"
"Come on then, let's go get it!"
Yui and Naoto found the last item where they deduced it would be, and Naoto's eye almost seemed to light up.
"I forgot this existed. 'The Detective's Pocketbook'. All the things I had forgotten about are packed into this book." Naoto muttered.
Suddenly, Naoto tossed the book to the ground in irritation, but quickly picked it back up again while staring at it begrudgingly.
"This childish game...Grampa really is selfish. Forcing me to recall all this now. I was trying so hard not to be underestimated, not to be condescended to!" Naoto said in frustration.
"Hey, it's alright Naoto-chan. I don't think that was your Grampa's intention." Yui said gently.
Naoto sighs and goes over to sit down on a bench. Yui follows her and sits beside her.
"I told myself that everyone would accept me if I solved this town's murder case. That's all I really wanted. To be accepted, to be needed. But the original reason I wanted to be a detective was because I was intrigued by mysteries, and I could help people by solving them. Do you remember the time I faced myself in the TV world? I had to accept the self that screamed, 'I want a reason to stay'. But solving the case was not the only reason." Naoto said to Yui, but mostly to herself.
"What's the other reason?" Yui asked.
"You...everyone...gave me a reason, by giving me a place to stay. Making me feel like I belong." Naoto replied.
Naoto tried smiling to hide the fact that she was crying.
"By telling myself that I have to be an adult, that I have to be a man, I was running from myself. I don't need to look for something to change, or look for something to accomplish. I just have to have faith in myself." Naoto said further.
"Well, do you?" Yui asked.
"Yes. I think I can finally accept myself. That I haven't yet become the detective I want to be. And that...I'm a woman. I'm a woman AND a detective!" Naoto declared.
Yui gave Naoto a bright smile.
"I'm happy for you, Naoto-chan!" Yui said cheerfully.
"Thank you so much, senpai. You were right, after all."
11/26
Yui invited Naoto to her house, at first just to sit around the living room and chat, but when Naoto asked to see Yui's room, Yui felt obligated to agree to it.
"Your room is quite fascinating, senpai. There are many sketches strewn about, though I can't help but notice there aren't many finished pieces in sight. The way your TV is positioned, I imagine you watched the Midnight Channel from the couch." Naoto stated.
"You should sit down, Naoto-chan." Yui insisted.
"Ah, right. How silly of me."
Naoto sat beside Yui, continuing to look around the room.
"I know, it's nothing special. If I'm not going to finish any projects, I should at least tidy up…" Yui began to say.
"Senpai?" Naoto suddenly said.
"Yes, Naoto-chan?"
"I...I made this for you."
Naoto held out a detective's badge, similar to the one she used to have.
"I want you to have it, please." Naoto insisted.
"This is cool! Arigato." Yui said thankfully.
"It flashes too. If I could go back to the estate, I'd add even more features, like a camera or a transceiver…"
"It's alright, Naoto-chan. This is well enough."
"Senpai?"
"Yes?"
Naoto fell silent again, which was a bit concerning to Yui.
"...do you find the pitch of my voice strange?" Naoto asked.
Yui's eyes widened in shock at this question.
"Naoto...why are you asking me such a question?" Yui asked.
"I just thought I'd try...raising the pitch of my voice to be more feminine. Like this…" Naoto explained, raising her pitch as a demonstration.
"I really don't mind how your voice sounds, Naoto. You don't have to change it if it feels unnatural to you." Yui said sincerely.
"Are you sure?" Naoto asked with uncertainty.
Naoto quickly stood up, revealing a bag of some kind.
"I also went out and bought a new outfit for myself. I...wanted to have your opinion on it." Naoto stated.
"A new outfit? Why did you…"
Yui's jaw dropped.
"Oh no...you didn't." Yui said in dread.
"Wait here, senpai! I'll get changed."
"Wait, Naoto-chan-"
Naoto already left the room, shutting the door behind her a bit too hard. Yui was left in a state of worry and unease until Naoto came back.
"Here it is…" Naoto said.
Naoto had put on a very feminine blue dress and stockings, even going so far as to strike a girlish pose. Despite this, Yui could easily tell that Naoto was not comfortable.
"How do I look?" Naoto asked in a slightly shaky voice.
Yui sighed and shook her head.
"Naoto-chan...no. Don't do this to yourself." Yui said.
"What do you mean?"
Yui stood up and placed her hand on Naoto's shoulder.
"I understand you're accepting your identity as a woman. But...being a woman isn't strictly about wearing feminine clothes and doing feminine things. It's about being happy and confident with being the way you are. You can be a detective as a woman. That goes for everything else you do." Yui told Naoto firmly.
Yui lifted her hand from Naoto's shoulder as Naoto stared at the floor.
"Keep wearing your regular clothes. Your hat, your pants, your tie. Keep using the voice you have been using. That's being a woman too. Because I can tell right now that you're not comfortable at all. And I don't want that for you." Yui insisted.
"I...I see…" Naoto muttered.
"Naoto-chan. I like you the way you are. You don't have to be a 'man'. But that goes for being a 'woman' too. Be 'you'. Understand?"
"I...yes! I understand!" Naoto said with a smile.
Yui gave Naoto a hug, causing Naoto to hug her back.
"Thank you for being so honest, senpai. I still have a lot to learn about this." Naoto said happily.
"No problem, Naoto-chan."
"So...it's not good?" Naoto asked again.
"It's hideous. On you, anyway."
Naoto laughs.
"I see. I'll go and return it."
"Actually…"
"Hm?"
"Why don't you give it to me? I could use the fabric for a project."
"Ah, is that so? Then consider it a gift!"
"Right. After you change out of it."
"Yes, right away!"
Naoto stepped out of the room and tore the dress off of herself, putting her regular clothes back on before donating the dress to Yui. Yui thanked Naoto for spending time with her before letting her go back home.
Author's Note(10-20-23): Sorry for this one taking so long. I actually lost part of the original document after my storage drive died on me. Always back up your files in multiple places, friends.