Chapter Five

Inside the Dojima household, a small little radio sat on the corner in the kitchen, shaking as tunes flew out of it.

Naruto smirked as he shook his hips side to side, expertly flipping strips of sizzling bacon.

"Ba ba bacon. It's a bacon! Everyone loves it~" Naruto sang in a cheery tune.

He pointed to Nanako.

Little Nanako, wearing her pink apron, cracked eggs into a bowl, whisking them with a giggle.

The aroma of crispy bacon filled the air, blending harmoniously with the comforting scent of steamed rice cooking in a nearby rice cooker.

"I've got the eggs, and you have the pan. We can make a nice breakfast, yes we can~" Nanako sang as she poured a pinch of salt and pepper into the bowl before mixing.

Naruto looked out, seeing the blue sky and birds passing by. "Let's make breakfast, you and I. As the morning passes by~"

Nanako, whether it was the cheerfulness that infected the area, began to do something that made Naruto's jaw drop.

She began to rap.

Nanako twirled in her spot as she grabbed a separate pan and placed it on another spot on the stove, heating it up. She whisked away at the eggs once more as her lips started to move.

"I'll scramble the eggs, so let's make it fun~ With a dash of love, breakfast has just begun! Stirring and sizzling, a morning's dish. Bacon and eggs, we truly commit~!" Nanako ended as she placed down the whisk before tipping the bowl over the heated pan, as the eggs started to flow before bubbling at the heat.

"Ay yo!" Naruto clasped his mouth, pride evident in his eyes. He snapped his fingers at Nanako, "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Not to be outdone by this rookie, Naruto put in new bacon as the oil popped around. He rapped which was as natural as breathing the fresh air.

"I'll flip the bacon so you can watch it fry~ Crispy deliciousness, a magics bind. Golden and crispy, a crunchy delight. Ba ba bacon! Oh, man. What a sight~!"

Naruto and Nanako both stopped to stare at each other. Before they both smirked at the same time.

"Bacon and eggs, sizzle away~ Starting our morning in a perfect way!" They both rapped.

Naruto pointed at himself with a wink. "I'll do the bacon~"

Nanako, scrambled the eggs on her pan, "And I'll do the eggs~"

They both sang, matching each other's beat. "This will be the best breakfast with family, I bet~!"

Their friendly banter continued as they finished cooking. Naruto skillfully arranged the bacon and eggs on plates, while Nanako elegantly scooped rice into small bowls, placing them carefully on the kitchen table.

Once everything was ready, Naruto struck a dramatic pose, holding up a plate of bacon and eggs triumphantly. "Behold! The breakfast fit for a king!"

Nanako giggled again, adding the final touch of garnishing the rice bowls with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. "And don't forget the princess!"

They both grinned at each other, feeling a sense of accomplishment not just from preparing breakfast, but from enjoying each other's company in this simple, everyday moment.

Not only that, but Nanako actually rapped! Rapped! Who knew what in the world possessed her to do so.

If the food wasn't cooked well on the stove, it was definitely cooked from the fire emerging from their combined raps.

Naruto pulled out a chair for Nanako, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Shall we enjoy our masterpiece, my princess?" Naruto asked with a grin.

Nanako nodded eagerly, taking her seat.

She held her head up high with a prideful look, "I shall, my king!"

Naruto sat on the opposite side.

The two grinned, "Thanks for the food!" they dug into their meal with hearty appetites, exchanging small talk and laughter between bites.

Nanako enjoyed how crispy the bacon was while Naruto praised Nanako on how soft the scrambled eggs were, but still good at the same time to taste the flavor.

After finishing their food, the two worked together to wash the dishes before leaving the house.

Though, Nanako took a bit of time to make sure everything was off including the radio that poured music into the room.

Entering the Samegawa flood plain, Nanako waved goodbye before following her friends to the elementary school.

Naruto waved, flicking his fingers at a few people looking his way.

It was a good day.

Well, for most people…

Just at the intersection, when he was going to cross, he felt a rush of wind pass by him before a crashing sound was heard.

A student's bike was lying on its side, while its rider currently has his body stuck inside of a trash can. His lower half kicking in sight.

Naruto winced.

He looked around again as other students just stared at the sight before going off in their own ways.

"Seriously? Again, what the hell guys? None of you are going to help him?!"

In response to Naruto's question, the remaining students ignored him as they ventured off.

Naruto rubbed his temple. "Good grief."

"S-Someone… help…" yup. It was Hanamura Yosuke again.

"Don't worry, Yosuke!" Naruto shouted as he ran, "I'll save you!"

Yosuke groaned.

Naruto gripped the side of Yosuke's waist over him, "Don't move! I'm gonna try to pull you out."

"Mmmkay…" Yosuke's muffled voice replied.

Naruto tightened his grip, ignoring Yosuke's small squeak of surprise, "A-one,a-two,a-three…"

And then with a few tugs, Yosuke was finally freed from the confines of the trash can.

"Are you fine, Yos-" Naruto gagged at the smell.

Yosuke blinked before wiping a hand over his hair. Bringing the hand close to his nose, he smelled.

And then proceeded to gag.

Like two odd weirdos, the two proceeded to gag with each other on the road, ignoring the various amounts of stares locking in on them.

"H-Here!" Naruto took out a water bottle while pinching his nose, "Wash your hair for crying out loud!"

"T-Thanks dude. I owe you one." Yosuke grabbed the bottle.

Naruto shook his head, bending over to pick up the fallen bike. "Seriously. I think Chie was right about your bike. She told me that you keep crashing it. Dude. Buy the new bike."

Naruto spoke with a serious tone.

One that Yosuke waved off, hair now wet, but lost the odor from the trash can. "If I said it once. I'll say it twice. There is nothing wrong with the Hanamura mobil." he took his bike underneath Naruto's suspicious eyes.

"Uh huh." Naruto muttered as the two started walking.

Perhaps afraid that Naruto will point the issue again, Yosuke just held onto his bike as the two walked their way to the school.

"Say, remember what happened yesterday at school with the announcement? Apparently last night on the news channel there was an incident near the Samegawa River near the housing. They found that announcer lady hanging from an antenna!"

Yosuke said with shock in his voice. A murder in the quiet town of he didn't see it on the news, he would have thought it was a prank or something.

"I heard about it." Naruto thought back to the news channel last night. "Her name is Yamano Mayumi, some 27 year old announcer at the television station, right?"

"Yup. That's the one." Yosuke nodded, "You… think it was some kinda warning? There's no way something that weird could've been an accident."

"I don't know, maybe murder? Besides…" Naruto's face showed a scared expression. "I should be the one worrying! I just got here and a body appeared hanging over the antenna! Oh, why me?! M-Maybe I should buy a train ticket out of here or something…"

"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! Stop right there! Dangling a dead body over a roof like that… That's just messed up. But that doesn't mean that you should up and go. You just got here!" Yosuke argued.

He looked sure of himself. "Just watch, everything will be back to normal soon, and we will put this thing past u-oh crap!" Yosuke looked at his watch with wide eyes.

"We're late!"

Yosuke hopped onto his bike, looking at Naruto with a wink.

"Hop on. It's a little squeaky, but it should be fine." Yosuke scooted up, leaving some room for Naruto to sit.

Naruto sweatdropped, "Um." his face was unsure, "I think I'll pass, Yosuke. But… thanks for the offer."

Naruto went to pass Yosuke until he was literally dragged onto the bike.

Yosuke smirked as he started pedaling, ignoring the screams Nauto made on his way.

"Yosuke!" Naruto teared up, the wind pushing against his face. "I hate you!"

"I know!" Yosuke shouted back as he pedaled faster going down a hill. "This thing is a beast!"

Seeing that Yosuke couldn't hear him due to the rush of the wind, Naruto did the only thing he could think of.

He manly, did he mention, manly, screamed.

By the time the two got to the school entrance, Naruto was leaning against a pillar with shaking legs. His face was pale.

"Gonna… kill him."

Yosuke, as happy and as blissful as ever, whistled while locking his bike up in his usual place in the bike racks.

"Oh hey, Naruto, right?" a pretty dark blue haired girl came up to the shaking blond under the giggles and stares of her two friends. "I know you are new here, but… I was just wondering…"

Naruto looked up.

The girl smiled confidently at him.

Then Naruto rushed past her and hopped, leaning his head over in the trash can.

"Blaaaaaaarggh!"

He puked out his breakfast into the can.

The girl was dumbfounded while her two friends and many female onlookers who wanted to glimpse at the hottie, had disgusted faces.

Their interest in the Uzumaki suddenly disappeared.

"W-What?" the girl finally got her bearings back before glaring at Naruto with a disgusted face. Who does he think he is? Vomiting at the mere sight of her? Huff.

"Whatever…" she huffed, walking back to her two friends.

"He's so disgusting." one of the girl's whispered.

The girl wearing a ribbon in her hair nodded, "What a waste for such a pretty face." she whined, "so much for being stud material…"

Naruto, not paying attention to their comments, wiped his mouth with his sleeves.

"Ugh." Naruto groaned, "Not a good day, dattebayo."

Yosuke came up and slapped Naruto on the shoulder.

"Hey, Naruto. Let's head over to the cafeteria to see what they have to offer for breakfast?"

Naruto could only blankly stare at Yosuke.

Yosuke smiled.

Naruto's lips opened to answer.

"Blaaagh. Uuurgh…"

A loud gasp and cries of disgust echoed. "My shoes!"

Later on, an unhappy Naruto and Yosuke entered the classroom.

"Ay yo." Chie called out with a teasing look, "If it isn't Vomit-to and Barfedon-suke~"

The boys groaned.

Naruto swayed to his seat, rubbing against his head. "I blame Yosuke."

Yosuke sat in his seat with a sigh, "And I blame me too."

"Aaw~ Look at us, all of us here bonding together." Chie laughed in her spot.

Just when she and Yukiko arrived, there was some pretty interesting news about the transfer student suddenly barfing on someone in front of the school's entrance. Normally, news like this is slow and is usually forgotten, but since this time it involved the 'Stud Man' the news traveled fast.

Mixed reactions appeared, some with disgust, others with amusement.

"Congratulations, Naruto." Chie clapped, "I heard because of your little incident. The girls who were originally interested in you decided to pass on the news that you were a loser who throws up at the mere sight of a girl."

Naruto groaned while Yosuke gave a small laugh.

True, he was part of the reason why Naruto was like this, and his shoes were barfed on, but at least Naruto was on the same level as him now.

Us city boys have to stick together!

"Um." Yukiko turned to Naruto with a small smile.

Naruto looked at the soda on top of his desk.

"Since you aren't feeling well, why not drink a soda? Me and Chie already had ours on our way here even though it's morning. It's a spare. Drink it, Naruto-san. It will make you feel better." Yukiko's kind smile was like a beaming light through the surrounding darkness.

Naruto was so happy that he burst into tears, "Yukiko… You're so nice! Much nicer than plain old boring Chie!"

"Hey!"

"I… I could kiss you!" Naruto thanked Yukiko with the highest regard.

"K-Kiss?!" Yukiko jolted back in shock. "U-Uh. N-No need to go to-too far to t-thank me…" a warm blush on her face.

Naruto smiled back, opening the soda.

One sip was enough to make him happy.

"Wow. You know, despite such a rough morning. I think today will be a pretty awesome day-" Naruto's words paused as the door to the classroom slid open with a bang.

"Awright. Awright! Take your seats now you bunch of idiots!" Mr. Morooka barked while the standing students scrambled to their desks.

"Ah shit." Naruto grimaced.

"Huh? Is that…" Mr. Morooka narrowed his eyes before speed walking quickly to Naruto's desk.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Um, what?"

"Um, What me you idiot!" Mr. Morooka screamed.

Hearing his angry tone, Naruto jumped. "What I'd do this time?!"

"Don't give me that lip, Uzumaki!" Mr. Morooka leaned and gave a big sniff. "Yup. Just as I thought. It's not only soda, which I prohibit drinking during class hours, but also orange flavored soda! And I hate orange flavored soda!"

Mr. Morooka scowled as if Naruto broke into his house and stole his personal music collection records. "That's it, Uzumaki! After all this time, you should have known the rules around here!"

Naruto protested, "But I literally just got here, Mr. Morooka-sensei!"

"...so you like talking back!" Mr. Morooka screamed, waving a finger in Naruto's face. "I knew when I first saw you that you were going to be a trouble making delinquent! And look what you're doing! Ruining the once peaceful nature of our class!"

The other students had question marks hovering above them.

Peaceful? Since when was your class once ever thought of as peaceful?

And King Moron… you… you are the only one creating such trouble with your fuss about things…

Mr. Morooka crossed his arms, looking proud at catching Naruto slip up on his act. "That's it! Because of your foolery, not only are you still on my rotten shit list, but you are also on my detention list… starting today!"

Naruto's jaw dropped. He stood up, slamming his hands on his desk. "Detention?!"

At this action, Mr. Morooka was spooked for a second before barking out with fire in his eyes. "What? Committing violence is it?! I was going to be the better man and allow you to get lunch in the afternoon, but forget about it!"

He brought up a finger, "Okay, Uzumaki. You just brought yourself, mmm, one hour detention!"

Naruto gasped, "Huh?!"

Mr. Morooka scowled, two fingers up. "Two hours detention!"

"B-But…" the students in the class didn't even feel like laughing, all they felt was sympathy for their whiskered friend.

"Three hours!"

"But…"

"Four hours detention! Now shut your mouth. Roll call will begin in a minute!"

Naruto slumped on his desk, sighing.

He went to take another sip when the can was snatched out from his hand.

"No drinking in the classroom!" Mr. Morooka threw the can with all his strength into the trash can.

Naruto sat backwards in his seat, his soul leaving his body.

At the end of the day, after the school bell rings, only after when Mr. Morooka left that some spirit managed to be regained in Naruto's eyes.

"So…" Yosuke came next to Naruto's side with a wink. "You getting used to this place?"

"No. In fact with everything so far I feel like wanting to go home…" Naruto sadly said.

"Wow. Down in the dumps already? Don't give up!" Yosuke encouraged, "Besides you haven't got a good look at the town yet. Sure, there isn't much to do here compared to the big city, but there is that certain… something you can't see anywhere else."

Seeing that Naruto was depressed and empty like a shell at the beach made Yosuke scratch his cheek in thought.

He snapped his fingers with a smile. "Hey. Yeah. That's it!"

Naruto looked at him with confusion.

Yosuke smirked, "Check it. Do you know about the local delicacy here?"

"No…" Naruto said, eyebrows furrowing in thought.

Yosuke became a little more excited. "It's grilled steak, man! Like that's anything special, huh? Hear me out. I know a place where you can get it cheap. Wanna come? You helped me out this morning, so it's on me."

"What about me?" hearing this from the sidelines, Chie came running over once she heard about a place where you can get cheap steak.

It sounds too good to be true! She has been to countless restaurants in the area and no place ever had cheap steak, unless… Yosuke was hiding the goods from her!

The nerve of him! After all these days of talking together he doesn't trust her with this small piece of information, ugh, Hanamura, you're the worst!

"What about you?" Yosuke asked with a raised eyebrow.

Resisting the urge to kick Yosuke in his nads again, Chie decided to bring back up the past.

"Remember? My 'Trial of the Dragon.' Where's my apology for that? Hmm." Chie emphasized, standing in a way that if Yosuke backed out. Something awful would happen.

Seeing Chie twitch her legs made Yosuke groan.

A certain area of his remembered and a phantom pain came on.

"Urgh… You always come around when I'm talking about food…" Yosuke complained.

Chie smiled, turning to Yukiko with sunshine on her face. "How about it, Yukiko? Don't you think he should treat us, too?"

"Yeah, Yukiko, let's go." energy poured into Naruto, "If Yosuke's the one offering let's empty him dry."

Naruto's plan made Chie's eyes light up.

However, that plan had one issue.

The issue was that the person who was going to treat them was standing not too far away.

In fact, he was standing so close that he heard that information from Naruto's mouth.

Yosuke's lips twitched.

"Oh, sorry." after putting her books away, Yukiko turned to the group. "I'll pass… I don't want to gain any more weight."

"Weight?" Naruto blinked. "But you look so skinny like a log…"

At this, Yukiko smiled brightly. "Thanks for the compliment, Naruto-san."

"That…" Naruto murmured, "That wasn't a compliment…"

Yukiko talked once more, "I need to help out at the inn today, anyway."

"Oh ho ho." Yosuke smirked at the Amagi heiress. "Wow, Yukiko-san! You started training to take over the business?"

Yukiko's lips thinned. "It's not… It's not like that!"

Yosuke, Naruto, and Chie blinked in surprise from the outburst.

"I'm sorry." Yukiko sighed, "I'm just… helping out when it gets busy. Well, I should be on my way."

Watching Yukiko leave, Naruto was hesitant. "She looked kind of sad didn't she?"

"I know. I know." Chie nodded with a helpless expression. "But she's so strong. If it was me under all that pressure from handling the family's business I would have collapsed. But anyway…" Chie narrowed her eyes.

Naruto raised an eyebrow before turning.

Seeing that he was caught by the door, Yosuke laughed nervously.

Chie smirked, "Come on, Naruto. We should get going too."

"Free food. Free food!" from the fact that Naruto had to go to detention for lunch, he was so hungry that he could eat a whole cow!

He was even thankful that Yosuke decided to offer him something to eat.

Yosuke grimaced, "Huh? Do I seriously have to treat two people…?"

Naruto and Chie looked at each other before turning to Yosuke.

Naruto nodded, "Affirmative!"

Chie nodded, "You got that right, buster!"

Yosuke groaned.

Turning to the door, he looked over his shoulders at the pair of freeloaders. "Come on." he waved to them helplessly, "follow me…"

"Alright!" Chie got pumped. Once she got to whatever that place Yosuke said, she was going to mark down that location in her mind so she could go back to it another day, either by herself or Yukiko this time.

A place that offers cheap grilled steak, it's really too good to be true.

"You're so awesome, Yosuke!" Chie chirped, "I could… kiss you!" she beamed with happiness.

At this, Yosuke made a gagging motion. "Please don't."

"What's this? Yosuke turning down a free kiss from a willing girl." Naruto teased.

Yosuke looked at him with a 'What the heck' expression, "Bro… It's Chie…"

"Yes yes. I am Chie." Chie bobbed her head like a chicken before running past Yosuke.

"Chie hungry! Feed Chie!"

Yosuke groaned while Naruto came up and gave him a comfortable pat on the shoulder.

Now seated on a round table at the Junes Food court, Naruto looked around. Music was playing as families were seated in different areas. Bags by their side while eating food with smiles.

"So this is Junes?" Naruto muttered. "It's almost like the malls in the city. Nanako must really like this place…"

As Naruto was looking around, Chie had a dark expression on her face.

This… is the place that had 'cheap' steak?

She had been here countless times before… not only that…

But… They don't even have grilled or any kind of steak she likes here!

Seeing Yosuke approaching with a few plates and drinks in his arms, Chie growled like a bear.

What made it worse was that smug face of his, ooh, she wants to kick him so bad!

"THIS is the cheap place you were talking about…? They don't have grilled steak here!"

Yosuke rolled his eyes, gave Naruto and Chie their own trays and drinks, setting down his own in front of him as well.

"Whoa-oh-oh!" Naruto gasped, looking at his meal there was some rice, a few slices of meat, as well as some vegetables on the side.

He took a sip from the drink, meh it was fruit punch, but it was free so…

"Thanks for the grub, Yosuke! You're the coolest!" Naruto gushed.

Yosuke crossed his arms with a smile. He snorted at Chie, "See, Chie. That's how you thank someone…"

"Don't change the subject!" Chie screamed at Yosuke, defying the tray in front of her.

And yet, even though her face showed dislike, her hands were dishonest as they already opened the cover to see the inside contents.

Yosuke rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, once you hopped on the freeloader train, I had to change my plans."

"Wha! Ugh! The nerve!" Chie growled, angrily sipping her soda. "Still, that's no reason to take us to your place."

A question mark flew over Naruto's head, after chewing, he said. "So what? This is Yosuke's favorite place to hang out?"

Yosuke glared with annoyance. "Dude, this isn't my place or anything."

Seeing that Naruto was confused, Yosuke clarified. "Oh, right. I haven't told you yet, huh? So you already know that I moved here from another city about six months back."

He gestured to the market area, the arcade, the whole building. "This location just opened up, and my dad was assigned to manage it. So our entire family came out here."

"Ah, I get it." Naruto nodded, "So your dad was assigned to be the manager overlooking this branch?"

"Yup." Yosuke nodded with a smile. "You'll get used to it and we have a bunch of great products as well." he lifted his drink in the air.

"Anyways. Here, this is to welcome you to town."

"Ay." Naruto lifted his drink and bumped it against Yosuke's. "Glad to be here… despite, ya know, the murder and all."

Yosuke helplessly smiled.

"Don't worry, Naruto. Anything that Yosuke can't show you, I will!" Chie grinned, lifting her drink and bumping it with Yosuke's and Naruto's in the air. "That and I promised the detective, don't want to go back on my words while he's around."

Naruto grinned, "Once more. For Yasoinaba! On the count of three! One, two, three!"

"For Yasoinaba!" The three cheered before drinking their drinks.

As they dug into their food, all three exchanged some small talk. The conversation became more animated once they began talking about their personal lives.

"No way!" Chie's eyes sparkled when Naruto talked about that small prank he did on his teacher back in middle school. "You did that!"

Yosuke was also dumbfounded, "How did you even manage to bring a whole bucket of paint into the classroom without being noticed."

Naruto smirked, tapping his head. "To be honest, I knew that there would be the faculty doing bag checks, so I personally climbed to the second floor without being noticed. When class started, the teacher opened the door and the rest was history."

Yosuke shook his head with a smile, "You're literally insane."

Naruto winked. "Thanks for the compliment."

Chie gave out a small laugh, looking around before a thought came to her. "Oh, yeah." she placed down her drink. "It's only been half a year since this place opened up, but I haven't been to the local shopping district much since."

She looked a bit concerned, "I mean. A lot of the stores that were open started closing…"

Yosuke winced.

"I can't really blame them for closing down. Do you even see this place!" Naruto waved his hand around. "I've only been here once, but it looks like they have everything. From house supplies, to electronics, video games, even the food here tastes great."

Yosuke sighed, "...You can't blame it all on Junes, can you?"

"He's right." Naruto sided with Yosuke. "At the end of the day it's the customers decision. The shopping district can't decide where the customers could go, and in a small town like this… whenever something new pops up, it becomes the next big thing, right?"

"I guess…" Chie pouted, "But I miss Old Ma's candy store. It's been opened up here since I was in elementary. Now, it's closed down. I wonder where she went after all this time…"

Yosuke coughed in his hand before looking to the side.

His eyes suddenly widened and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Hey… It's Saki-senpai! Sorry, be right back."

Watching Yosuke walk up to a girl who was sitting on one of the tables, Naruto looked at Chie with a teasing look. "Chie, look. Yosuke is getting away! If you don't chase after him… tsk."

Chie rolled her eyes, "As if. That's Konishi Saki. Her family runs a liquor store in the northern area of the shopping district… I think she's working here part-time, though."

Naruto looked back over his chair to get a good look at the girl.

With a sweet smile on her face, Saki had long thick wavy hair and brown eyes. Attire consisting of a long-sleeved white shirt, faded navy jeans and sneakers.

She was currently wearing the Junes Apron uniform set that the servers wear in the food court.

Not bad, not bad at all, and she was easy on the eyes. Almost reminding him of Ino.

Naruto whistled, "Wow, he sure is lucky. I would die if I had a pretty girl like her by my side…"

While Naruto appreciated the sight, Chie frowned.

And then she ruthlessly stomped on Naruto's feet.

"Gah!" Naruto pulled back his foot, "The hell was that Chie!"

Chie pouted, angrily biting her food, pretending it was Naruto's stupid blond head. "Nothing!"

"Huh?!" Naruto said.

Meanwhile with Yosuke, he stood with shaky confidence. His back was straight as he gave Saki his signature smile.

"Hey, how's it going?" Yosuke paused until he finally noticed the tired look on her face. "Are you… feeling alright?"

"Mmm." Saki smiled, "I'm just a little tired, that's all. But at least I'm finally on break." She cheered softly.

"I know. I know." Yosuke nodded in understanding, "And considering that it's the afternoon, this place is getting more busy."

Saki nodded, massaging her neck. She turned to the two people that Yosuke came together with. "Are those classmates of yours, Hana-chan? Boosting the family business by bringing your friends here?"

Yosuke dramatically held his heart as if wounded by her words. "Madam, you wound me!"

The two chuckled.

"Kidding aside…" Yosuke had a frown on his face. Was it him or did Saki-senpai's smile look forced?

"You look down, Saki-senpai." Yosuke whispered. "Did something happen?"

Saki looked a bit hesitant before sighing. "...It's nothing. I'm just a little tired from working the shift. That's all."

"Hey, if you need to talk. I'm always willing to listen. I…" Yosuke was about to say it, when his brain shut down from seeing Saki smiling up at him.

"Um." he blushed, standing there awkwardly.

Saki chuckled, "I'm okay. Thanks, though… it really means a lot, Hana-chan." in the back of her mind however, she was not smiling, even cursing a little.

Why… Why did she leave school early yesterday? If she had only hung back or taken her time then… she would have never seen that horrifying sight.

She looked over and closely observed Hana-chan's friends. Her eyes spotted Chie, but only briefly before landing on Naruto.

Naruto had a grin on his face as he joked around with Chie, his blond spiky hair shaking with every joke he told. His eyes glowing with joy as if talking to Chie was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Saki squinted her eyes at his whiskered cheeks. "Hey… is he the kid who transferred here?"

"Hm?" Yosuke turned around. "Oh yeah. I'm showing him the ropes around here. Nice guy, I can tell you that. Between you and me, I kind of feel bad for him, considering he just got here and he transferred to King Moron's classroom."

"Ah." Saki had sympathy drawn on her face. "Poor guy."

"Yup. Poor guy indeed." Yosuke sighed, looking at his fellow city-men. "Not only that, but just when he got here suddenly there was a murder involved, and near the school too…"

Yosuke didn't see the flinch that Saki gave at the mention of the murder.

"But he'll be fine. After all, It's Hanamura Yosuke showing him how it's done around here." Yosuke looked confident as he winked.

Somehow, this silly act of his caused Saki to smile a bit more, getting out of that gloomy funk she was in.

"Is it true?"

"Hm. What is?"

Saki had a teasing look in her eyes. "I heard from somewhere that because of a certain someone riding his bike too fast, the transfer student got dizzy and threw up on his shoes~"

Yosuke grimaced, "For the love of… please don't mention that again. I just want to forget about it."

Saki cutely crossed her fingers. "No promises."

Yosuke sighed, "Figures. Hey, while you're here. Why don't I introduce him to you?"

Saki tilted her head in thought before nodding.

Naruto was shyly grinning while Chie snorted her drink through her nose.

Not even phased, Naruto laughed.

Chie punched Naruto's shoulder. "I can't believe he did that to you! Press charges! Press charges!"

"I don't have the heart to do that, ya know, besides the One Thousand Years of Death was-"

"Yo, Naruto." a voice came from behind.

Naruto and Chie looked over.

"Hey, Saki-senpai!" Chie waved.

"Good afternoon, Chie." Saki nodded back.

She turned to Naruto with a friendly smile. "Uzumaki Naruto, right? My name is Konishi Saki. Nice to meet you."

"Yo!" Naruto waved, "Nice to meet ya."

"It must be nice to have someone else from the big city to talk to, huh?" Saki nodded to Yosuke, "I don't see Hana-chan hanging out with the other guys much."

"Eh, Hana-chan?" Naruto was stunned.

Seeing Naruto's lips curve upwards, Yosuke glared at him.

He looked at Saki with a nervous look. "Uh. Not necessarily…"

Not seeing his look, Saki kept talking. "He doesn't have a whole lot of friends, so I hope you guys get along good." she patted Yosuke on the shoulder. "He's not actually bad, he's pretty nice, but if he starts bugging you then just let me know. Okay?"

"Right. Right." Chie nodded, looking at Yosuke who was shaking his head at her from behind Saki, she smirked. "He also lied about cheap grilled steak. Can you believe that, Saki-senpai~?" she whined.

"He also refuses to buy a new bike." Naruto also complained. He gave Saki a pleading look. "Saki, ya think you could…"

"Oh." Saki blinked. "Is he still crashing with that old thing?"

She turned to Yosuke to say something only for Yosuke to put a hand up to block her face.

"Hold it! Even if you are Saki-senpai, the Hanamura mobil is completely fine and off limits!" Yosuke crossed his arms with a defiant look.

The three of them sweatdropped.

Saki shrugged as Naruto and Chie groaned.

"At least you tried…" Chie groaned.

"Dang." Naruto clicked his tongue. "Not even a pretty girl like Saki is able to convince him…"

At the compliment, Saki smiled, a bit more energetic than before.

At the same time, Yosuke and Chie narrowed their eyes on Naruto.

Chie stomped on Naruto's foot again.

Hearing Naruto scream caused Yosuke to smile happily.

Watching Chie and Naruto argue once more, Saki became more amused.

"Well, about earlier. I was just joking around." Saki said.

"Um, Saki-senpai. That wasn't all too funny. Hehe." Yosuke said with a hesitant smile.

"Well. Nice to meet you all again, but I think I should be taking off right now." Saki giggled, turning away after giving one last wave. "See you later~"

"Bye, Saki-senpai!" Chie waved without taking her narrowed eyes off Naruto.

"By, Saki!" Naruto waved, staring straight into Chie's eyes with furrowed brows.

Both their eyes were on fire.

Chie was annoyed with how Naruto kept acting towards Saki. It's like the times when those perverts keep looking at Yukiko.

And Naruto, damn, he didn't know the reason why Chie kept stomping on his foot. Now he just wants to catch all of the smoke.

Chie learned kung fu, but did she ever practice self defense?

"U-Um, Saki-senpai!" Yosuke called out before Saki could leave the hearing distance.

Yosuke swallowed nervously. A blush forming on his cheeks. "About that thing. I…"

"Hm?" Saki turned her head, giving a quick smile as she sped her walking speed. "Oh. Mmhm. Sounds fun. We can make plans for my next break. Okay?"

Yosuke's mouth was wide open with a gigantic smile. "Ahaha! Okay! See you soon, next break!"

Once Saki was out of sight, Yosuke pumped his fists in the air. "Booyah!" he cheered.

"Wait a go, Yosuke, my man." Naruto slung an arm over his shoulder. "Congratulations. Hey, how about another round of food to celebrate?"

Naruto winked over at Chie whose eyes sparkled.

"Yeah." she ran to Yosuke. "Let's celebrate this next step forward for you and Saki-senpai!"

Seeing the expectant looks on their faces, Yosuke grinned happily. "Alright, guys, second rounds on me! You all won't be leaving here with an empty stomach!"

"Yahoo~!" Both Chie and Naruto cheered.

And so the three ate until there was no tomorrow before calling it a day, going their own separate ways.

But before Chie left, she mentioned to the two about the Midnight Channel. Telling the both of them to look into a tv that's switched off, alone, exactly at midnight on a rainy night to see their soulmate.

And it just so happens that tonight will be raining!

She asked, no, demanded that they both stay awake and watch the Midnight Channel, who knows. Maybe tonight will be the night they will catch an interesting sight?

Keeping that small note in the back of his mind, after walking and exploring the Junes mall and the shopping district for a bit, Naruto got tired and went straight home.

Time passed as Naruto and Nanako watched cartoons before Naruto cooked dinner for them.

Nanako finished her dinner, but a smile wasn't close in sight.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

Nanako, who had her eyes on the door this whole time, lowered her head.

Disappointment clouded her eyes. "Nevermind."

Her ears jumped at the sound of the door being opened.

A bright smile on her face. "Oh! He's home!"

Nanako ran and hugged Dojima's legs.

Dojima had a tired look on his eyes, but managed to give out at least a small smile to his daughter. He patted her hair before slumping on the couch.

"What a day…" he muttered. "I'm back. Did anything happen while I was out?"

"No." Nanako pouted, taking her father's coat to hang. "But you're late again…"

"I-I'm sorry… Been busy at work." Dojima said with a sigh.

"Need anything to drink, Old Man?" Naruto asked.

Dojima smiled, "Water is fine."

"Got it." Naruto gave Dojima a smile and went to fetch him a glass of cold water.

Dojima turned to Nanako. "Sorry. Can you please put the news on for me?"

Nanako changed the channel.

Naruto lent Dojima the glass before sitting down.

Dojima watched the news while drinking his glass.

"Next, more details in the developing story of the incident in foggy Inaba. Announcer Yamano Mayumi's dead body was found hanging above a house in this isolated rural town." the Announcer said.

"It is confirmed that Ms. Yamano had been involved in an affair with Namatame Taro, husband of enka singer Hiiragi Misuzu."

"It may be a murder, but spill the tea. Spill more of the tea~" Naruto had his eyes glued to the tv, not seeing the odd look Dojima sent him.

Dojima yawned, eyes slowly closing.

"The police planned to investigate this relationship and question any personnel involved with addition, we now bring you an exclusive interview with the local student who found Ms. Yamano's body." the video shifted to a reporter questioning a student.

The camera only showed half of the student, stopping at the nose area.

Naruto sat up with narrowed eyes. That hair…

"What went through your mind when you saw it? Could you tell she was dead? Did you see her face?" the male reporter asked as he brought up the microphone to the female student.

"Well… I only…" she was stuttering.

Before she could even send out a sentence, the reporter was right back to her face with another question.

"Did you see anyone whom seemed suspicious to you?"

"No… not really."

"Ah!" Naruto cried out, waking up Dojima who was beginning to slumber. "That's Saki!"

Dojima frowned, his head becoming more clear. The interview didn't mention a name and her face was not shown. "And how do you know her?"

"I just met her today. Yosuke introduced her." Naruto scratched his chin. "Was that why she looked so drained today? Seeing a dead body was probably not on her to due list."

Dojima was silent before speaking up. "Keep her identity a secret, Naruto." Dojima warned.

"I know. I know." Naruto waved him off before staring at the tv, with a frown.

Nanako kept silent, feeling the atmosphere of the room suddenly becoming heavy.

"Ah, Junes!" Nanako's eyes widened seeing her favorite commercial.

"Ah, a rap, incoming!" Naruto flipped on his microphone as a tune ranged out.

Dojima and Nanako's eyes widened.

Dojima lifted a hand, "Wait, no…!"

"It's too late!" Nanako cried.

They could only watch as Naruto rapped his heart out to the world.

Later in his room, Naruto looked outside as heavy rain poured.

"Huh? What did Chie say again? At midnight?" Remembering that rumor that the girl mentioned, Naruto looked at the clock and it was only… 10:56 pm.

He hissed with wide eyes.

"The hell, Chie! As if I'm staying up all the way to 12:00 midnight!" Naruto huffed. He changed into his pajamas and slid into his bed like a snake.

"Hehehe…zzzz…"

Soon snores were heard.

Meanwhile at the Hanamura residence, at around 11:59 pm, Yosuke was wide awake watching the television.

His tv was off, he still stared into his reflection.

Although he knew the rumor was just a rumor that some guys at his school probably made to pass the time. He couldn't help but look forward to it.

What if it's true, and he saw Yukiko-san or even… Saki-senpai?

Yosuke gulped.

Seeing that the clock hit exactly at 12:00, he stared at his reflection on the tv.

He stared, and stared.

Staring some more…

At the end he sighed with a wry smile.

"Yosuke, you idiot! What were you thinking? Soulmate? The Midnight Channel? It doesn't exi-" before he could finish, light flickers across the television screen.

Yosuke slowly turned to the tv with wide eyes. "Did that tv just…"

And then, the tv went out before blooming once more.

There on the tv. It was static at first, but now there was a clear image… a clear image of Saki-senpai!

Yosuke was stunned before grinning. Saki-senpai was on the tv! The midnight Channel was real! Didn't that mean she… was his soulmate?

As Yosuke fondly stared at the tv, he frowned, suddenly noticing something was wrong.

"S-Saki-senpai?" He was hesitant.

Saki-senpai. Her face looked scared. Even though the image started flashing, Yosuke recognized the area she was in.

It was the shopping district…

Yosuke kept quiet, eyes focused on the screen.

Saki-senpai was shaking, looking left and right.

Yosuke caught her eyes widening with fear before her whole body moved. It was completely dark besides the lights that were shining from the street poles. She was running up the street from the southern area, going to the northern part of the shopping district.

She was running with fear on her face.

When she turned, she saw something. Something that shook her to the core. When she finally screamed, Yosuke broke out of his daze.

"S-Saki-senpai!" Yosuke yelped, hurling himself towards the tv.

His hand touched the television screen before the oddest thing happened. The screen rippled like flowing water, making small gray waves.

Yosuke pulled his hand back and the ripples stopped.

"Wh-What the…" Yosuke slowly inched his right hand onto the tv screen and tapped. The screen rippled once more, creating small gray waves.

He took a deep breath before trying again, and to Yosuke's shock, his hand did not stop, no, it continued going forward into the tv until half his arm was basically in.

Yosuke was stunned beyond belief.

"Bro…"

What… What the hell was happening…