The four of them cut their way through the Shadows. This time, they wore lighter clothing so they wouldn't overheat like last time.
"This is so much easier!" Yosuke shouted, as Jiriaya shot a gust of wind at the enemy.
"I'd say I'm all fired up, but it's the opposite!" Chie said, kicking a Shadow in the face.
"So, cooled down?" Yukiko asked, confused.
"Eh, that wouldn't work as a battle catchphrase." Chie said.
Kyoko stabbed another Shadow as Izanagi skewered it alongside her. Clearing the floor, they continued on their way. Voices echoed throughout the hall once they made it to the next floor.
"A man's got this thing called pride… Heheh, I'll never lose..."
"Hrmmm… It's no good." Teddie said. "The steam's getting worse, so I can't tell where Kanji-kun is at all… Maybe it's already time for me to retire from being a guide..."
"Don't think about retirement plans in the middle of a mission!" Yosuke yelled, throwing a knife into another Shadow. Kyoko had Izanagi blast electricity at several boulder-like Shadows, cracking and blowing them up. Before they could continue, Teddie shouted.
"This feeling… The other Kanji's staring at us!" Teddie said.
"Hey there, cutie pie!" The Shadow's falsetto voice called.
"Ew…" Chie groaned, protectively hugging herself.
"Are you trying to break the barrier of the acceptable, just like me?"
"Barrier of the acceptable…?" Kyoko asked.
"No! Sensei came to rescue Kanji!" Teddie said.
"OoooOOOOoooh! Does that mean you're yearning for me? Is that so? Oh, that makes me sooooo happy!"
"Did…did..." Yosuke stuttered. "Did he just nu-?"
"DON'T FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" Chie yelled at him.
"Well then, I simply MUST prepare something spectacular for you! I'm so looking forward to seeing you soon! Well, tootaloo!"
"I can feel my skin crawl…" Yukiko muttered, rubbing her arm.
"Sensei… This little bear's getting too scared to go on…" Teddie groaned.
"Hey, if we have to go, you're coming with us!" Yosuke said. "Let's go-Kyoko?"
Kyoko seemed to be staring off, some of the words Kanji's Shadow self said were repeating in her head.
The barrier of the acceptable...
"Hey, Kyoko. You alright?"
She snapped back to reality to see her friends looking at her, concerned.
"Oh, um, yes. I'm fine." Kyoko said. "Let's continue on."
"Well, alright." Yosuke said. "Don't hesitate to tell us though, alright? Even the leader needs some rest too."
Chie and Yukiko nodded in agreement, and Kyoko had a small smile on her face.
"I appreciate it, everyone." She said. "But I'm fine. Let's keep going."
Taking out several more Shadows, they found more stairs and got to the next floor. When they did, their vision became severely deteriorated.
"Yeeek!" Teddie yelled. "For some reason, this floor is really steamy. Hang in there, guys!"
"Really steamy?" Yosuke said. "That's an understatement, I can barely see a foot in front of me!"
"It's worse than the fog…" Yukiko commented.
"Yosuke, Yukiko. Stick to the wall. And Chie? You keep to the front." Kyoko suggested. "Your ice abilities are the best for clearing the steam."
"Oh, good idea!" Chie said. "Tomoe, Bufu!"
Tomoe spun her weapon and shot a blast of ice. The cold managed to cool down much of the steam. It was still quite thick, but their vision improved.
"Try to do that periodically." Kyoko said. "Preserve your energy."
"Got it." Chie said.
They slowly moved alongside the wall, as Chie shot ice forward to help clear their vision. They took down Shadows that jumped out of the steam every now and then, but thankfully, they weren't too difficult. Noticeably, there was only one other door once they made a full round trip. Looking at the bottom, there was a lot of steam drifting in from the other side of the door.
"Well, there's no other option." Yosuke said, with a sigh of resignation. "Let's go."
He pushed open the door, and the others ran in right behind him. Standing in the room was Kanji's Shadow, with a huge muscular Shadow that looked like a pro-wrestler.
"Welcome to Man's World!" The Shadow boomed. "This place is heating up from the sudden entry of a fine young man!"
"W-Wait, I'm the only guy here…" Yosuke paled.
"I'm here too!" Teddie said.
"Don't think you count, and I doubt you want to be counted." Chie said.
"To celebrate this encounter, I've prepared a special stage tonight!" The Shadow said, before turning and running off. "A single match with no time limit! Who will be left standing in the end? Now, pour out your hot blood and guts!"
"Don't lose, Yosuke!" Teddie said.
"Hey, don't hang me out to dry like that!" Yosuke yelled, pulling out his kunai.
The Shadow flexed twice, before charging at Yosuke.
"Zio!"
Kyoko zapped it with a burst of electricity, but it didn't slow down. Yosuke quickly ducked under a swing and slashed at its legs, but barely made a scratch before rolling out of the way.
"Agi!" Yukiko shouted, unleashing a small burst of flames at the Shadow. It heavily damaged it, searing its skin. Roaring, it charged towards her.
"Yukiko, move!" Chie shouted, as she jumped in between them. "Buf-!"
She failed to cast her ice skill, before getting slugged in the gut as a result.
"Chie!" Yukiko called out, as her friend was sent flying back, landing in Konohana Sakuya's arms.
Kyoko and Yosuke jumped and slashed at it's back with their weapons, but it barely did anything.
"How dare you!" Yukiko yelled. "Agilao!"
Konohana Sakuya gently put Chie down, before unleashing a huge burst of flames that incinerated the Shadow into ashes.
"Nice work, Yukiko!" Teddie said. "I knew you guys would win!"
Kyoko noticed something in the ashes and picked it up. "A key?"
"I bet this'll get us deeper into the place." Yosuke said, before making a face. "Ugh, can't believe I just said that…"
"We should retreat for now." Kyoko said, looking at Chie who was wincing after that nasty hit from the Shadow.
"No, I can continue-"
"No, you can't." Yukiko said. "You're getting some rest, Chie. And that's final."
"But-"
"Call it a gut feeling, but I think we're getting close." Yosuke said. "We can spare some time."
"Fine…" Chie groaned.
They left the bath house quickly, though the steam was getting thicker...
"How's Chie?"
She and Yukiko were talking after school.
"She's doing fine." Yukiko told her. "Thankfully, the hit wasn't too much. Only left a small bruise on her chest."
"That's good."
Yukiko nodded. "Chie's always been a tough girl. But, I am still a bit worried."
"...are you doing anything later today?" Kyoko asked.
"Hmm?"
"If you want, I could accompany you." Kyoko said. "If you need someone to talk to."
"O-Oh, thank you, Kyoko." Yukiko said. "Actually, I am going to Junes later. You're fine coming with me?"
"That's what I just said, yes." Kyoko said, with the same flat expression on her face.
"In that case, okay!" Yukiko said.
The two were in the Junes grocery department. Kyoko stood next to the shopping cart, as Yukiko looked through the produce.
"Why are there so many different types of food…?" She muttered. "Even eggs come in so many varieties…"
Kyoko recalled a certain Ultimate Cook, but knew he'd probably instead make inappropriate comments, so she pushed him out of her mind.
"Making dinner at the inn?" Kyoko asked.
"Huh? No! I'd never dream of it!" Yukiko said, a little surprised at the question. "I don't think my food's nearly good enough to serve to the guests."
Despite saying that, Yukiko looked happy.
"I was just thinking of practicing my cookin, since I've decided to leave town. Eating out all the time is bad for you, right?" Yukiko said. "So I'm going to get some practice while I can!"
"I wish you luck." Kyoko said, pushing Teruteru out of her mind.
"Thank you, Kyoko." Yukiko said, with a happy nod, before remembering something else. "Oh, yes. I was thinking that maybe you could taste-test my food sometime..."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow as Yukiko continued.
"I want someone to eat it and let me know how it is. I thought I'd improve quicker that way. And knowing you, I'd get an honest opinion. So… will you?"
"I can't tell if I should be offended by that statement or not." Kyoko admitted. "But I don't mind being the taste tester."
"Really!? Thank you!" Yukiko said, smiling.
"I've lost count on how many times you've thanked me." Kyoko said, hand behind her head.
"Oh, ha ha, sorry about that." Yukiko apologized.
"Now you're apologizing for thanking me." Kyoko said.
"You don't have to be honest right now!" Yukiko cried.
The two laughed a bit, before Yukiko continued.
"When I obtained the power of Persona, I thought, "I can do it…" I used to think I couldn't do anything on my own, but maybe I really can…" She said. "I depended on others up until now, but from this point on, I want others to depend on me..."
"You've already been supporting us." Kyoko reassured her. "You're an invaluable teammate and friend."
Yukiko nodded. "I'll do my best!"
Kyoko sensed Yukiko's iron will, as their bond grew deeper.
"Now then, um…" She looked around the store. "Where do they sell lobsters?"
Suddenly, Kyoko regretted her choice in agreeing to be Yukiko's taste tester. She could only hope that she'd survive.
"I still think you should rest." Kyoko told her.
"Well, this is resting!" Chie said.
"Well, you should have rested more."
The two of them were standing outside of Souzai Daigaku. They had finished today's training and came here for a snack. Kyoko insisted on Chie resting, but it was hard to change the girl's mind.
"Have you had the steak skewers?"
"I've tried the croquettes, but not the skewers." Kyoko said.
"The meat is tender and delicious, and they hardly cost anything!" Chie said. "...it might not even be cow meat."
Kyoko looked a bit alarmed at that, before Chie snickered.
"Just kidding." Chie said. "Whoa, thinking about it, that's kinda gross, haha…"
"Please don't give me a heart attack like that again." Kyoko said. "The last thing I want is to be eating something that's-"
Kyoko looked over Chie's shoulder, looking at something. Chie saw her eye move and turned around to see an officer.
"The police are here…" Chie said. "Th-Then this place is really serving fake meat…?"
"D-Don't be absurd." Kyoko said, as the officer turned to Chie.
"Excuse me." He said.
"Y-Yes? I haven't eaten any of the meat today, I swear!" Chie said, panicked.
The officer looked confused at what Chie said, but continued to speak. "Lately, there's been several incidents with a group of teenages bullying people around here."
"Bullying?" Chie asked.
"Extortion, if you will." The officer said. "Have you seen anyone suspicious?"
"N-No, no one in particular." Chie said.
"But we'll keep an eye out." Kyoko said. "I wouldn't want my Uncle to have to deal with something as trivial as this."
"Ah, you're Dojima's niece." The officer realized, before nodding. "Well, the extra help is appreciated, but be careful nonetheless."
He walked off with a wave. Chie let out a breath of relief. "I'm glad it wasn't the meat. But still, bullying!?"
"That's what he told us, yes."
"What cowards, ganging up on the weak like that!" Chie grumbled.
"That's also exactly what they are." Kyoko said.
"It's so cruel!" Chie said, outraged, before adding; "And stupid!"
Kyoko tapped her fingers in thought, as Chie spoke again.
"We'll grab 'em and make them apologize! Right, Leader?!"
"I don't believe there's another option." Kyoko said.
"I knew you'd say that!" Chie grinned before striking a pose. "Mowing down villains and saving the weak, a lone female fighter stands… To protect the town's peace, she throws herself into the battlefield, unbeknownst to all…!"
"...try not to use lethal force." Kyoko told her.
"Aww, but that sounded cool…" Chie pouted. "But anyways, leave it to me!"
"You're not going in this alone." Kyoko told her. "I am a detective, after all."
"I had a feeling you'd say that too." Chie said. "And that just makes things even greater! The fighter and detective, bringing justice-!"
"Please stop this." Kyoko said, putting a face on her hand to hide the blush from second-hand embarrassment, while feeling their bond grow deeper.
"Oh uh… whoops." Chie said, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. "A-Anyways, let's get something to eat!"
They were back in the bathhouse again, taking care of the Shadows that swarmed them. The voice was echoing throughout the halls.
"No… No, dammit! That ain't important to a man's man… That's not what I want to become… That ain't it at all!"
"Hey, sensei?" Teddie asked. "The world you came from seems really complicated. Ever since I met you, I really had to think hard about stuff like what I am… So I can kinda understand how Kanji feels."
Kyoko slashed apart another Shadow, before turning to Teddie and raising an eyebrow.
"Sensei, we gotta save Kanji!"
Kyoko smiled. "Your will is getting stronger, Teddie."
After taking care of the horde they made their way up another set of stairs as the voice echoed again.
"This place is great… It's wonderful here…"
"S-Something definitely feels wrong!" Teddie said. "Sensei, we need to hurry!"
"Well, that's a good observation, Teddie." Yosuke said. "Buuuuut…"
The steam had gotten much thicker, and they could see a few more Shadows within. They needed to hurry, but rushing in blind wouldn't get them through this.
"Any ideas partner?" Yosuke asked.
Kyoko put a hand under her chin as she thought.
We need to get through, but going in and taking out every enemy in sight would be a foolish decision. We would be too exhausted in case of an emergency. So how are we going to proceed?
She snapped her fingers. "We need a diversion."
"A diversion?" Yukiko asked.
Kyoko walked over and knelt down by a crossway of the hall, before motioning the others to follow her lead. They knelt down by her.
"What's the plan?" Yosuke asked.
"Yukiko, aim a blast of fire down the hall on our right." Kyoko said.
Nodding, Yukiko had her Persona unleash a small Agi skill. There was a small burst of flames as it hit the wall.
"What did that-?"
Kyoko put a hand to her finger, as she pointed. While the steam made it difficult to see, the Shadows were all rushing through towards the sound.
"Ohhhhh." Yosuke said. "I get-"
"Move." Kyoko said, as she quickly ran in the other direction.
"Right, right." Yosuke said, rolling his eyes.
They made their way through the dungeon, distracting Shadows by launching attacks in the opposite direction. While a somewhat tedious process, they managed to find the next set of stairs, before finally finding a large door.
"Hm? I can sense Kanji!" Teddie said. "He must be behind this door!"
"Alright everyone." Yosuke said. "Deep breaths. Let's do this."
They all nodded, as Kyoko and Yosuke pushed open the doors, before they all ran inside.
"Ah, there they are!" Chie said.
Sure enough, there stood Kanji Tatsumi, staring down his Shadow self.
"Kanji!" Yosuke shouted.
"I-I…"
Kanji didn't even seem to notice them.
"Oh, come now, enough with the charade." The Shadow said. "Isn't it awful to deceive people? To deceive yourself? What's so bad about doing what I want to do?"
"That has nothin' to do with it…" Kanji muttered.
"I'm what you really want, aren't I?"
"Hell no!" Kanji yelled.
"Ohh, how I hate girls~" His Shadow said. "So arrogant and self-centered! They cry if you get angry, they gossip behind your back, they spread nasty lies..."
Kanji's Shadow pointed at himself dramatically.
"They look at me like some… some disgusting THING and say that I'm a weirdo. Laughing at me, all the while!"
His Shadow put on a sneer as it repeated the insults that Kanji had heard before.
"You like to sew? What a queer!"
"Painting is so not you."
"But you're a guy…"
"You don't act like a guy…"
"Why aren't you manly…?"
Kyoko frowned and tightened her fist. Has Inaba not progressed like the rest of the world?
"What does it mean to be "a guy"? What does it mean to be "manly"? Brrr. Girls are so scary..."
"I-I ain't scared of 'em!" Kanji yelled.
"Men are much better… They'd never say those awful, degrading things. Yes, I vastly prefer men..."
"Nah." Yosuke shrugged. "I think we can be total pricks too."
"Not helping!" Chie said.
"Hell with that!" Kanji yelled. "What makes you think you can say that shit with my face?!"
"Why, you're moi, and I'm tu. You do know that, don't you?"
"No… Nuh-uh! No way!" Kanji yelled.
"Get ready, everyone." Kyoko said.
They all nodded, knowing this was inevitable as they prepared themselves.
"There's no way in hell that you're me!" Kanji roared.
Kanji's Shadow let out a maniacal chuckle. "You're me, and there's no denying it!"
In a burst of shadowy energy, the Kanji's Shadow enlarged itself and revealed it's true form; a muscular body with Kanji's Shadow sitting in roses welding two large weapons in the shape of the male symbol.
In the process, it unleashed a large shockwave, knocking Kanji into a wall.
"Kanji-kun!" Yukiko shouted in concern.
"Damn…" He groaned, holding his shoulder.
"Just stay there, Kanji!" Chie called, though she wasn't sure he heard her. "We got this!"
"On guard! On guard!" Teddie yelled, waving his arms.
Kyoko saw that Kanji's Shadow had also called in backup from two muscular Shadows.
"Let's do this, guys!" Yosuke yelled.
They all smashed the tarot cards.
"Persona!"
The battle against Kanji's Shadow had begun.
A/N: Aaaand cliffhanger. Wow, that and a shorter chapter? I'm just the worst, aren't I? Don't worry, the next chapter will be longer than this (I hope).
So we got some more character interactions again.
Also, I don't know why I made Shadow Kanji speak French in that one sentence. It just fit.
Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.
Kyoko's Social Links:
Magician (Yosuke Hanamura): Rank 7
Chariot (Chie Satonaka): Rank 6
Priestess (Yukiko Amagi): Rank 3
Justice (Nanako Dojima): Rank 2
Hierophant (Ryotaro Dojima): Rank 1
Fool (The Investigation Team): Rank 3
Hope (Hope's Peak Academy Students): Rank 1