"All that work and they didn't even have it in my size." Chie said in frustration.
"Well, it was still fun to look right Chie?" Yukiko asked.
"Yeah, you're right Yukiko." Chie said. "Oh yeah, do you two have time to catch a movie?"
"Actually I have something to take care of, maybe next time you two." Yu said calmly.
"Alright, well see you guys later." Chie said with a smile.
"Goodbye." Yukiko said calmly before walking towards the movie theater with Chie.
"So now what, we're heading back to the Velvet Room?" Marie asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to talk with Igor-san about something." Yu said. "I'll make it up to you next time."
Thou hast strengthened thy genuine bond… It leads thee closer to the truth… Thou power to fuse Aeon Personas has increased.
"Alright." Marie said before the two of them walked off back towards the Velvet Room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Welcome to the Velvet Room, how may we be of assistance?" Igor asked calmly.
"I just wanted to ask you something." Yu said before taking a blank card out of his pocket. "The power you gave my friends, it was originally part of mine wasn't it?"
"The power of the Wildcard, the ability to use multiple personas is indeed unique to you." Igor said.
"However, your power is strengthened by the bonds you form with others." Margaret said. "In other words the gift my master bestowed upon your friends is as much their power as it is yours."
"That makes sense, well thanks again." Yu said respectfully.
"Of course, now until we meet again." Igor said calmly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I had a feeling I'd find you here partner." Yosuke said with a grin. "So what were you talking with them about?"
"I just wanted to double check something about the power you guys were given." Yu said. "Anyway, what are you doing here Yosuke?"
"You know the school trip's coming up soon right?" Yosuke asked. "Well you're supposed to go in groups so I was thinking the four of us, could request to be in the same group."
"That actually sounds like a great idea. Did you tell Yukiko and Chie about it?" Yu asked.
"Not yet, but I'm planning on telling Chie later today." Yosuke said.
"That sounds like a good idea." Yu said. "Well I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sounds good to me. See you tomorrow." Yosuke said calmly before walking off.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Oh you're back." Dojima said calmly while searching through a folder.
"Yeah, is everything alright uncle?" Yu asked. "You look upset about something."
"It's nothing you need to worry about, I'm just looking at some old cases that haven't been solved yet." Dojima said.
"Do you think I could help somehow?" Yu asked. "A second pair of eyes might catch something you missed."
"No, this is something I need to take care of myself. I can't let this one go unsolved." Dojima said.
"What do you mean, what happened?" Yu asked.
"It isn't something we talk about it this house." Dojima said simply. "Just drop it alright."
"Then let's go outside, if something's wrong I want to help you and Nanako." Yu said. "We are family right?"
"Family, yeah I guess you have a point." Dojima said before closing the folder and taking a deep breath. "It happened back when Nanako was in nursery school, my wife was on her way to pick her up when she was involved in a hit-and-run."
"I didn't know, I'm so sorry." Yu said sadly.
"It was a cold day, and the body wasn't found until much later. We never did find any clue as to who the culprit was, but that isn't the worst part." Dojima said before looking down. "Until they told me what happened Nanako was waiting all alone for her mom that wouldn't ever get there."
"That sounds terrible, poor Nanako." Yu said sympathetically. "Does she know what happened?"
"She does now, she knows that her mom died but she doesn't know we still have no idea who did it." Dojima said. "I'm not giving up though, no matter what it takes I'll catch the guy who did this."
"What about Nanako?" Yu asked.
"She'll understand why I'm doing this." Dojima said.
"Are you sure, Nanako feels like you're never around. She feels like she didn't' just lose her mom but she lost you too." Yu said. "You still have Nanako, don't let the case come between you two."
"Yeah, maybe you have a point." Dojima said thoughtfully as Yu started walking to his room. "Yu, thanks. I needed that."
Thou hast strengthened thy genuine bond… It leads thee closer to the truth… Thou power to fuse Hierophant Personas has increased
"You're welcome uncle. Good night." Yu said calmly.
"Night." Dojima said quietly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Good morning Chie." Yu said walking into the classroom.
"Morning, so Yosuke told you about his idea for the school trip?" Chie asked.
"It makes sense, we're all in the same class too so they should let us be a group." Yukiko said thoughtfully. "Oh, and since the first and second year classes are going on the trip we just need to let Kanji-kun know where to meet us."
"Oh yeah, I can let him know after school." Chie said just before Yumi walked into the classroom.
"Yumi, is everything alright?" Yu asked.
"I was just wondering if you had some free time, we don't have drama club but you can never get enough practice." Yumi said.
"I guess you have a point, do you want to practice at the flood plains after school?" Yu asked.
"That sounds good, let's meet up and head over after class." Yumi said before leaving the classroom.
"Oh yeah, you joined the drama club a while ago didn't' you?" Chie asked.
Just as Chie asked that, Morooka walked into the classroom.
"Alright shut your traps." Morooka said abruptly.
(Yu is continuing to strengthen his social links, and Yosuke has suggested the members of the Investigation Team form a group during the school trip. Next chapter Yu will spend some time with Yumi, and Yosuke will increase Jiraiya's strength in the Velvet Room. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)
