Yu and Nanako watched as the in-game version of Yu ran to the stairs as the game reminded them that he promised to try the Midnight Channel that night. It then showed the in game version of Yu sitting on a couch in his room as it was raining outside. It then reminded them of the rumor Chie had mentioned earlier, "Your soulmate appears if you look into a TV on a rainy night."
Yu frowned slightly seeing that. "Nanako, the rumor Chie mentioned about seeing your soulmate on the Midnight Channel is wrong, isn't it? There's something else, it's connected to the dead body isn't it?"
Nanako just frowned before nodding as the game began to play a cutscene showing a streetlight and the lights being shown through the window though the rain was distorting them a bit as a clock appeared showing it was nearly midnight. Seeing that the in game version of Yu stood up and stared at his television screen only to not see anything and turn away before hearing static as he turned back only to see the image of a girl spinning in front of a store but only brief glimpses as static kept interrupting the image as a voice suddenly echoed from out of nowhere. "I am thou… thou art I. Thou are the one who opens the door."
Hearing that voice the Yu in the game approached the TV and touched the screen only for his hand to pass through as he cried out and passed through the screen with his head and arm but fortunately the screen was too small to fit his shoulders through as he struggled to get free but when he did he lost his balance and hit his head on the table causing Yu to wince. The in-game version of Nanako then asked if he was ok and after Yu and Nanako chose the option to ask if they woke her up, she mentioned hearing a loud noise.
"Oh, it's getting late, I should head up and see if there are any differences with the Midnight Channel, and tomorrow I'll see if Yosuke or Chie is willing to take a look at this game." Yu mentioned getting up.
"Ok… oh, should we stop now and redo the Midnight Channel part when we play again?" Nanako asked as she looked at the screen. "We don't get to save for a long time."
Hearing that Yu closed his eyes before nodding. "Yeah, that makes sense. Good night Nanako."
"Good night." Nanako smiled turning off the game as Yu went up to his room only to pause and look outside where it was starting to rain.
Checking the clock Yu noticed that it was nearly midnight as he got up and turned to his television to see if there were any differences between reality, and the game. Getting up he moved to stand in front of the screen before hearing a voice in his head. "I am thou… thou art I. Thou art the one who opens the door."
Suddenly feeling a pressure in his head Yu groaned and put it in one of his hands as he looked at the screen only to see the same girl his in-game counterpart saw only he took the time to try and make out details of her appearance but other than the Yasogami uniform nothing really stood out before the screen went dark again. Frowning he looked at the screen one more time before deciding to go to bed.
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The next day Yu was frowning on his way to school only to hear footsteps as Chie ran up to him and got under his umbrella.
"Perfect timing! Sorry, move over!" she mentioned causing Yu to blink but let her under his umbrella. "Thanks."
"No problem." Yu smiled as they walked together. "Did you forget to bring an umbrella today?"
"I did have my own, but I saw this kung-fu movie where they used an umbrella to pull off some sweet moves…" Chie admitted awkwardly causing Yu to just nod. "And… I accidentally broke mine trying to mimic the movie."
"I see, so that's why you don't have one." Yu nodded as he offered her a spot under his umbrella. "Well, we can walk together if you want… Just don't try to copy the movie with my umbrella too, ok?"
Chie blushed a bit but nodded. "Deal, no kung-fu moves with your umbrella Yu."
"Thanks." Yu chuckled as he shifted the umbrella so it would cover them both only to pause. "Oh, actually I wanted to talk with you and Yosuke about something."
"Huh? Oh yeah that reminds me… did you see it?" Chie inquired uncertainly.
Hearing that Yu nodded. "Yeah I did."
"So you did see it." Chie nodded only to pause and frown. "Actually, why don't we talk with Yosuke when we get to school?"
Yu nodded at that idea as the two of them continued to walk towards Yasogami before Chie looked down in thought.
"Huh, is something wrong Chie?" Yu asked noticing she was looking down.
"Well… it might be a bit awkward to bring this up all of a sudden, but we're pretty close." Chie admitted. "I think I'll just run the rest of the way, if I'm quick I won't get soaked too badly."
Frowning Yu looked at her. "You'll get soaked if you do that, and I don't mind sharing my umbrella."
"Are you sure?" Chie asked hearing that only for Yu to smile gently. "Well ok, thanks."
"Don't mention it." Yu smiled as the two of them walked into the school together.
(Yu has witnessed the Midnight Channel in the game as well as in real life but hasn't noticed anything different between the two so far and is planning to talk with Yosuke and Chie about the game. Next chapter Yu will attempt to reveal the existence of the game and Yu, Yosuke, and Chie will end up in a mysterious new location. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)