A/N: Before the chapter, I'd like to thank everyone that was understanding when I messed up the prefix for Kyoko, using 'he' by accident, since I was ripping it from the game. FanFic writing has always been tiring, so thank you everyone.
And now, Kyoko tries to explain to Yosuke and Chie how her TV tried to eat her last night.
Kyoko was at her desk, putting away all her supplies as she overheard students. They were all talking about the body that was found. She couldn't help but scoff slightly. These girls didn't know how terrible these sorts of things really were. She was brought out of her thoughts as Yosuke walked up to her. His expression was troubled.
"Yo, um…"
"Yosuke?"
"It's, uh, it's not really that important, but…"
"Nothing is unimportant, Yosuke." She reassured. "Everyone has their priorities."
"Thanks. Well, yesterday on TV, I…"
He trailed off, putting a hand on his forehead.
"Oh, uhh… Never mind. Look, I'll tell you later. Ahaha…" He said, trying to brush it off.
Kyoko raised an eyebrow at the behaviour, as Chie walked up.
"Yosuke, did you hear the rumor?" She asked. "Saki-senpai's supposedly the one who discovered that body."
"I wonder if that's why she looked so down… She doesn't seem to be at school today either." He noted.
Kyoko remembered the news report, and how they only censored her eyes and the voice changer wasn't really well done. That was why she seemed so familiar, she realized. She was so deep in her thoughts, that that she didn't notice Yukiko stand up to leave.
"Huh? Hey Yukiko, are you helping out at the inn today too?" Chie asked her friend.
"Things are really out of hand right now." She said. "I'm sorry."
She then left the classroom, expression downtrodden.
"Is it just me, or does Yukiko-san seem way stressed out today?" Yosuke observed.
"I guess they're running her ragged…" Chie said, somewhat sad at her friend's problems. But that expression soon changed. "By the way, did you see… it… last night?"
"Huh…?" Yosuke said, almost surprised. "Uh, well… What about you?"
"I did! I seriously saw a girl!" Chie exclaimed. "But… my soulmate's a girl? What's that supposed to mean?"
"…are you a lesbian?" Kyoko asked. Yosuke held a laugh in at Kyoko's blunt statement.
"Wha- no!" Chie said, face red as she started to describe what she saw. "Besides, I couldn't tell who it was, but it was a girl for sure… Her hair was brown, about shoulder length. She was wearing our school uniform, and…"
Yosuke's eyes widened. "Hey… I think that's the same person I saw. I couldn't make out much detail, though. The image I saw was much blurrier…"
"Wait, so you saw it too!? And we saw the same girl…? Does that mean… we have the same soulmate?"
"How should I know?" Yosuke said.
"I thought you said you weren't lesbian?" Kyoko asked Chie.
"I know! I just said… ugh, never mind."
Yosuke turned to Kyoko. "How 'bout you? Did you see it?"
Kyoko's expression grew grave. The two looked at her in anticipation.
"Well… yes I did. I did see the same girl that Chie described, but… there was something strange. I heard a voice and I felt as if I had a migraine. The voice told me to reach into the TV and I did… and my hand went straight through the screen, and something tried to drag me in. I pulled away until I broke free and struck my head against the table in my room. It was then I decided to go to sleep."
"…well, it sounds like we all saw the same person." Yosuke said. "But weird voices aside, what was that about getting sucked into your TV…?"
The disbelief in his voice was apparent, and Kyoko couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Were you that tired last night? You must've just fallen asleep in front of your TV." He guessed.
"That'd be one interesting dream though." Chie said. "I like the part where you got stuck 'cause your TV was too small. That's pretty realistic. Well, if it had been bigger, the—Ohhh, that reminds me. Our family's been talking about buying a bigger TV."
The sudden change of topic surprised Kyoko.
"Oh yeah? Well, flatscreen TVs are definitely in these days." Yosuke said. "Wanna go check 'em out on the way back? We're beefing up our electronics department this month."
"Oh, definitely! My parents don't know anything about electronics, and I've just gotta see my Kung-fu movies on the big screen! Hwa-taaaa!" She yelled, striking a pose.
"We've got some pretty big ones in stock. I bet they'd be big enough for you to fit into, hehe."
Kyoko was irritated at their disbelief, but she didn't stay too mad. After all, such an outlandish story would be hard to believe. But, there was one way to make them believe her…
Kyoko stood in front of one of the large flatscreen TVs as Yosuke was showing her and Chie the TV selection. Earlier, the two tried to phase through the TV, but to no success. They laughed it off, but all that did was make Kyoko even more determined to show them the truth.
What I saw wasn't a dream. I know it. And to prove it...
She stuck her arm out towards the screen... and her hand touched glass. For a split second, she felt like a fool, and doubted herself… until her hand phased through.
"Oh yeah, Kyoko." Yosuke said, turning to face her. "What kind of TV do you-"
The words died in his throat as he saw what the girl was doing.
"Huh? Something wrong, Yosuke?" Chie asked.
She turned to see what Yosuke saw, and was equally as shocked.
"I-Is her arm… in the TV…?"
"Whoa… Uhhh… Is that some kinda… new model? L-Like with a new function?" Chie asked, voice shaky.
"Hell no!"
The two ran over to Kyoko, who had not moved, nor changed her expression from an intrigued one.
"You gotta be kidding me… Did you really stick your hand through the screen?" Chie said in disbelief.
"Well, I am doing so, am I not?" Kyoko asked her.
"Oh man… This is for real… That's some magic trick, Kyoko! So how's it work, huh!? What's the magician's secret!?"
"I'm no Ultimate Magician. I don't know magic tricks." Kyoko said. "But perhaps…"
Kyoko took her arm out, before leaning forward and sticking her head into the TV. Like her hand, it phased right through.
"H-Hey, don't do that! What're you doing!?" Yosuke yelled, panic rising in his voice.
"Oh my God!" Chie said, putting both hands on her cheeks.
"Not the time for that, Chie!" Yosuke said. "Well, yes to the expression, but… never mind."
"It's very odd." Kyoko said from the TV. "It's only empty space inside."
"Wh-What do you mean, "inside"!?"
"Wh-What do you mean, "empty space"!?"
"It seems quite spacious in here." Kyoko said, ignoring their freak outs. She had grown used to them when working on cases with those that weren't prepared. While she herself was very surprised, she hid it quite well.
"Wh-What do you mean, "spacious"!?"
"I mean, what's going on!?"
Yosuke then held his stomach. "Holy crap… I-I think this is all too much for my bladder…"
"What the-?! Are you gonna pee your pants!?" Chie yelled, taking a step back.
"I've been holding it in all day! I-I haven't had a chance to go…" He whined. "Aarrgh! Can't… hold it… anymore…!"
He ran off… only to come rushing straight back.
"Shit! Customers! They're coming!"
Chie began to panic more as well. "What!? But we've got a girl half stuck in a TV here! Wh-What're we gonna do!?"
"It's fine." Kyoko said. "I'll just take my head out and-"
The sudden bump from behind caused her to fall forward. In that moment, she realized that in Yosuke and Chie's panic, they must have run into her. All she could feel was open air as the three of them fell through the TV.
Kyoko didn't know how long they fell. All she knew was that upon hitting solid ground, they were all still alive.
"Ow, I landed right on my wallet…" Yosuke groaned.
Chie sat up and looked around. "Where are we? Some place in Junes?"
"No, we fell into a TV… I think…"
They all stood up, observing their surroundings. There were a few objects here and there, but all they could see was fog everywhere… as far as they could see.
"Haa… So… uh… We're still alive… right?" Chie asked.
Kyoko put her fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse. "I believe so. Are you two alright?"
"I think my butt's cracked now..." Yosuke groaned.
"Of course it is!" Chie said.
Instead of snapping back, Yosuke looked around. "Whoa!"
"Wh-what now?" Chie asked. "Did you wet your pants?"
"No, stupid! Look around!"
While mostly everything was covered by a thick fog, they could make out a few steps. Some wire, grated pillars and lights.
"Is this... a studio?" Chie wonders aloud. "All this fog... Or is it smoke? There's no place like this in Inaba, is there... ?"
"Hell no..." Yosuke said. "But man... this place is huge..."
"What're we gonna do...? Chie asked, panicking slightly.
"Let's look around." Kyoko suggested. "There's no answer if we just stay here."
"Huh? B-But... Look, we need to get home and-!"
She turned around, and the words died in her throat.
"Huh? Wait a minute... Which way did we come in from? I don't see a way in... or out!"
"What? That can't be right! H-How could that be!?" Yosuke said.
"I don't know! Don't ask me!" Chie said, hands on her head. "I can't take this anymore! I wanna go home!"
"Okay... so how!?" Yosuke snapped.
"Both of you, calm down." Kyoko said. "Panic will make things worse."
"Y-You're right. Okay... okay." Yosuke said, taking a deep breath. "Let's calm down and think about this. All right, so we need to find a way out."
"Is there really a way outta here...?" Chie asked.
"That's why I suggested we look around." Kyoko said.
"Yeah. We got in... so we must be able to get out somehow." Yosuke deduced.
"That's true, but..." Chie started.
"If there's no exit, we're trapped, so let's cross our fingers and look around." Yosuke said.
They nodded, and walked through the fog. Unbeknownst to them, something had picked up on their presence.
They walked for what felt like an eternity, before stopping.
"What is this place...? It feels different from where we were before..." Chie said.
"It looks like we're in some kinda building." Yosuke said, straining his eyes. "But damn, this fog's so thick, I can hardly see."
"Are you sure we're not wandering farther away?"
"I can't be positive, but we've gotta trust our instinct a little."
"I know, but..."
"Let's just keep moving." Kyoko said. They kept walking... until Yosuke noticed something.
"Hey, is it me or is the fog lighter here?"
Kyoko looked around. Indeed, it felt somewhat clearer, and she could make out more details through the fog. Yosuke pulled out his phone and, as he guessed, no service.
"Can't you guys slow down a little?" Chie said, catching up. "It's hard enough to see where you're going..."
She trailed off, as the two noticed something behind her. Confused, Chie turned around and joined them in their shock. "Huh? What the...!?"
They were in a room of some sort. The details were still clouded by to fog, but was clearing up slightly. There were torn posters all over the walls. There was also a bed and chair.
"It's a dead end! There's no exit!" Chie said.
"It keeps getting creepier and creepier the further we go..." Yosuke said.
His hands went to his stomach. "Aargh! I can't hold it any longer! My bladder's gonna explode!"
Yosuke ran to the corner of the room, and the two girls heard unzipping. Kyoko merely turned away, while Chie was shocked.
"Yosuke!? What're you doing!?"
"I gotta let it out before I piss my pants!"
"You're going here!? Oh, you have got to be kidding!"
Yosuke looked back, an irritated expression on his face. "T-Turn around! I can't go if everyone's watching!"
"Already done." Kyoko said, her back to him.
After a few more minutes, Yosuke groaned. "Aaaaargh.. I can't do it! It's all your fault if my bladder bursts!"
"Like I care..." Chie said.
Yosuke zipped up his pants before rejoining the two.
"Anyways... what's with this room?" Chie asked, looking around. "Check out these posters... Their faces are all cut out... Somebody must really hate this person..."
Yosuke noticed what was in the middle of the room. "Dude... this chair and rope... That kind of arrangement is never good." He put a hand on his chin. "It's tied in a noose... Is this a scarf?"
"C'mon... Let's go back to where we came from, and look somewhere else for an exit..." Chie said nervously.
Yosuke and Chie walked to the door, but Kyoko was observing the torn posters.
"Kyoko?" Yosuke asked. "What's up?"
"I believe I've seen this poster before, but I can't exactly recall where."
"Oh, really? Huh... now that you mention it, it looks awfully familiar..."
"Who CARES!?" Chie yelled. "Let's go! I am sick of this place! And... I'm not feeling so good..."
"Now that you mention it, me too..." Yosuke said, hand on his forehead.
Kyoko noted that her body felt heavy... but then recalled that she had felt like this earlier as well. Could it be this place's oppressive atmosphere? But if so, what had caused her sickness earlier?
"Alright, let's go back. I'm seriously starting to feel sick..." Yosuke said.
They walked out of the room and through the fog again. They didn't know how long they had walked, but they made it back to the studio.
"Whew. We finally made it back here..." Chie said, before looking around. "Wait... What's that...?"
Yosuke and Kyoko looked up, before taking a quick step back. "Th-There's something over there!" Yosuke said.
They heard footsteps, as something walked out of the fog. As it came into view... it was...
"What is this thing?" Chie asked. "A monkey? A bear...?"
Some strange cartoonish animal stood in front of them. It was dressed similarly to a clown, but was seemingly a bear.
"What in the world...?" Yosuke stammered.
Cute... Kyoko thought to herself.
"Th-That's what I wanna know! Who are you guys...?"
Chie gasped. "It talked!" She quickly composed herself. "Uhh... What are you!? Y-You wanna fight!?"
It took a few steps back, cowering. "D-Don't yell at me like that..."
Kyoko stepped forward, taking a softer approach. "I'm sorry my friend scared you. But we need to know; what is this place?"
"This place is what it is." The bear said, no longer cowering. "It doesn't have a name. It's where I live."
"You... live here?" Yosuke asked.
"If I was you guys, I'd hurry back to the other side." Teddie said. "Someone's been throwing people in here. It's a big headache."
"Huh? Throwing people in? What're you talking about?" Yosuke asked, confused.
"I dunno who's doing it!" The bear said, comically stamping its feet. "I just want them to think before they go doing things like that!"
"Hey, what's your problem?" Chie yelled, making the bear cower again. "What gives YOU the right to yell at us like that!? What ARE you!? Where are we!? What the heck's going on here!?"
The bear ran behind Kyoko, almost as if for protection.
"I already told you... A-Anyways, you should hurry back."
"What it comes down to is, you want us to get outta here, right?" Yosuke deduced. "Well, so do we! We just don't know how, dammit!"
"Urrrrgh! That's why I'm saying I'll let you out!" The bear said, stamping its feet again.
"Like I keep saying, we don't know where the frickin' exit- Wait, what?"
The bear tapped its feet twice, and a stack of TVs popped up out of nowhere.
"What the hell!?" Yosuke said, stunned.
"Wh-Where did these TVs come from!?" Chie stammered.
They walked around to the side where the screens were, still confused.
"Okay, now go, go, get outta here! I'm a busy bear!"
The bear pushed them towards the TVs.
"What's going on now!? Whoa! Hey, what're you doing!?" Chie yelled.
"S-Stop pushing!" Yosuke complained.
But a few shoves later, and they were through the TV.
"Huh? Is this...?" Chie said, looking around.
"Did we... make it back?" Yosuke asked.
They stood up. Sure enough, they were back in Junes. Right in front of the TVs where they had entered. The intercom boomed.
"Attention shoppers. Our daily limited-time sale will now begin at the side dish area on the first floor. Why not try the delicious, fresh produce Junes picked for you this morning as your side dish for dinner tonight? All ages are invited to take advantage of this incredible bargain!"
"Crap, it's already that late!?" Yosuke noticed.
"Looks like we were in there for quite awhile." Kyoko said, looking at her watch.
"That's right..." Yosuke realized. "Now I remember where I saw that poster before!"
He pointed to the wall. "Look over there! That's the poster we saw!"
Chie was confused, as Kyoko looked to where Yosuke was pointing.
"You're correct, Yosuke." Kyoko said. "It was hard to be certain because the posters were missing the face, but now that we see the original... it's unmistakably the same."
"Well, she's been all over the news lately." Chie added. "Something about... her husband having an affair with that announcer lady who died the other day."
"Hey, so does that mean...?" Yosuke noted. "That weird room we saw... Could it be related to that Yamano lady's death...? Now that I think about it... there was that creepy noose hanging from the ceiling..."
He shook his head. "Yaargh, stop! No more! We gotta stop talking about this. I'm gonna wipe what happened today from my brain. I don't think my poor heart can take anymore."
"I'm feeling a chill too..." Chie said. "Let's go home... I wanna lie down and rest."
The two walked away, but Kyoko stayed for a bit, looking at the TV. She had to admit, she did feel slightly faint, but her curiosity was pushing that feeling down.
Just what was that other world...?
"Yo! Kyoko! Hurry up before the store closes!"
She took one last look, before walking away.
Kyoko entered the Dojima residence, walking in to see her uncle and Nanako sitting at the table, waiting for their cup ramen to cook.
"Hey, welcome home." Dojima said.
Kyoko only nodded and sat down, feeling tired from the events that transpired today.
"Uh-Hmm... Well, I doubt you'd know... Actually, you probably do." Dojima said. "But have you heard anything about a student named Saki Konishi?"
"Saki Konishi? Well, she wasn't at school today. I do know she was the one that..." She looked at Nanako, who's eyes were glued to the TV screen. "...discovered what happened a while ago."
"Oh. I see..." Dojima said, in thought. "Well, to be honest... we got a call from her family. She disappeared. We've got people looking for her, but she hasn't been found yet..."
Kyoko's eyes widened as Dojima sighed.
"Work just keeps piling up..."
The TV continued on with the news report.
"And now, more on the case still casting a shadow over the foggy town of Inaba. Not long ago, texlevision announcer Mayumi Yamano was found dead in the small town. Up until now, her whereabouts prior to her death had been unknown. But the police investigation has found that she had been staying in the region's famous Amagi Inn."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow. The Amagi Inn... the one that Yukiko's family runs...
"She had apparently been staying there alone. Perhaps she was taking a vacation to recover from her ordeal...?"
"Oh yes, the Amagi Inn! Their hot springs are first-rate! The manager's teenage daughter also works there, and it's rumored that she'll take over the inn this spring. If that happens, she'll be one of the youngest managers on record! I should book another trip there!"
"Uhh... I-I see... Moving along, it's time for the weather report. The rain has begun to subside. From now until morning, heavy fog warnings will be in effect in the Inaba region. Visibility will be severely reduced, so please be careful if you pan on driving in the area..."
The news continued, but Kyoko tuned it out. So Mayumi Yamano had been staying at the Inn... why did that give her a bad feeling? Not only that, Saki was missing...
"Is the ramen ready now?" Nanako asked.
"Give it some more time." Dojima said.
"Tch-choo!" Kyoko sneezed into her sleeve. She felt a slight chill.
"Are you sick?" Dojima asked. "You're probably still adjusting to the new environment."
He turned to his daughter. "Nanako, could you get her some cold medicine?"
Nanako nodded before standing up to get it. Dojima turned back to his niece.
"You should get to bed after you take it."
Kyoko nodded before feeling another sneeze. "Good idea. Tch-choo!"
Kyoko walked down the next morning to see her Uncle grab his coat.
"Ah you're up. Well, I'm off."
He left the house without saying another word.
"...Dad has to go do something. He got a call, so he left." Nanako said.
Nanako looked worried for her father, but Kyoko was more concerned about something else. That uneasy feeling she had earlier didn't go away.
What happened now? She wondered.
Kyoko stood in the gymnasium. The principal had called some sort of assembly. Standing by Yosuke and Chie, she recalled her walk, overhearing gossip and police sirens. Was this related to what had happened?
Chie closed her phone. "Yukiko said she'd be here after lunch..." She turned to Kyoko and Yosuke. "I wonder why they're holding a school assembly all of a sudden... Hey, what's wrong Yosuke?"
He looked up at the two. "Oh, it's nothing."
It was clear that something was bothering him however. Before Kyoko could ask, the teachers asked for total silence. The principal walked onto the podium.
"I... regret to say that I have a terrible announcement for all of you. One of our third-year students, Ms. Saki Konishi of Class 3..."
Yosuke looked up, eyes wide. Kyoko saw his expression, one of concern and fear.
"...has passed away."
The chatter started up once again.
"Passed away...?" Chie said.
Yosuke winced, and looked down with a pained expression.
"Ms. Konishi was found deceased early this morning... The reasons behind her passing are currently under investigation by the police. If they ask you for your cooperation, I urge you students of this school to provide only the facts."
Everyone kept talking.
"Alright, please quiet down... I have been assured by the faculty that there's been no evidence that bullying was involved in the incident. So mind what you say, not only to the police, but to anyone who asks..."
"Found dead? How could this happen?" Chie wondered.
Yosuke's expression was still downtrodden.
Kyoko didn't know what to say as the principal continued on.
After the assembly, Kyoko and Chie were walking down the hall, when they overheard a few other students.
"She died the same way as that announcer, right? That's so creepy..."
"Well, last time, it was from an antenna, but this time she was hanging from a telephone pole. It's gotta be a serial murder case..."
"Someone said the cause of death was some unknown poison."
"Unknown...? C'mon, this isn't some sci-fi drama. Oh, but the way, did you hear? Someone saw a girl that looked like Saki on that Midnight Channel thingie. They said she totally looked like she was in pain. Isn't that scary?"
"Haha, sounds like someone had a nightmare. The media's been brodcasting their interviews nonstop, so maybe they just had Saki on the brain."
They walked away, still chattering. Chie scoffed. "Sheesh, it's easy to toss around theories if you're not personally involved."
Yosuke walked up behind the two. "Hey... Did you guys check out the TV last night?"
"Yosuke! Not you too!" Chie said, exasperated. Kyoko held out a hand in front of Chie.
"Let him continue. What was it, Yosuke?"
"Well, something kept bothering me, so... I watched it again, and..."
...
"I think the girl on the screen... was Saki-senpai. There's no mistaking it. Senpai looked like... she was writing in pain...And then... she disappeared from the screen."
"What...?" Chie asked.
"You heard Senpai's body was found in a similar situation as that announcer's, right...? Well, remember that guy you told us about? How he was all excited that his soulmate was the announcer? Maybe... Just maybe, but..."
"You're guessing that Ms. Yamano might've been on the Midnight Channel before she died as well." Kyoko deduced. Yosuke nodded in confirmation.
"What's that supposed to mean...?" Chie asked. "Hold on... are you saying...? People who appear on that TV... die...?"
"I can't say for sure." Yosuke said. "But something tells me... I just cant dismiss it as coincidence."
"I agree Yosuke. There's too many factors that add up." Kyoko added.
Chie was still speechless.
"Plus, remember what that bear thing said? How that place was dangerous, and we should leave before the fog clears?" Yosuke added. "It also said that someone's been throwing people in there. And that room with the posters on the wall... It has to have something to do with the announcer's death. I mean... don't you think there's some kind of connection there? Couldn't that world in the TV have something to do with Senpai and the announcer's death!?"
He turned to Kyoko. "Well...? What do you think...?"
"I agree, but I have a feeling what you might say next."
"Yeah. If the room with posters were related to the announcer's death, there should be something related to Senpai's."
"Yosuke." Chie said. "Don't tell me..."
Yosuke nodded. "Yeah... I'm thinking about going in again. I want to find out for myself."
"D-don't do this." Chie tried to argue. "You should just let the police handle this, and-"
"You think we can rely on the police!?" He snapped. "They haven't made any progress on the announcer's case. Besides, even if we told them about the world inside the TV, there's not way they're gonna believe us!"
"Well, I could always just show them, but then I'd be taken into custody." Kyoko said, looking at her gloved hand. "They'll want to figure out how I'm able to do this, and then make less progress on the case itself."
"Yeah!" Yosuke said. "Look, if I'm completely off-base with this, that's fine... It's just... I need to know Senpai had to die like this."
"Yosuke..." Chie said.
"After what I've seen and what I've put together, there's no way I can ignore it now..." He turned to Kyoko. "Sorry... but you're the only person who can help me. I'm gonna go get ready. I'll be waiting for you at Junes."
He quickly ran off, as Chie turned to Kyoko. "I can kinda understand how he feels... but we can't be sure we'll be able to get out safely again. What should we do...?"
Kyoko thought, before turning to the school exit.
"I'm going with him." She said.
"Y-You serious...?" Chie asked.
"I'm the one that can enter the TV. Being a detective also has some perks as well."
"Ah... well, anyways, let's go."
They ran after him.
Entering the TV department, they saw Yosuke standing there waiting for them, holding a few supplies. A golf club, a rope tied around him and medical kits.
"You guys came!" He said.
"Well, we can't really stop you." Chie said. "But still... you really shouldn't do this. It's too dangerous."
"I know." He said. "But we were able to come back once, right? If we go in from the same location, maybe we'll meet that bear again."
"'Maybe' isn't good enough!" Chie said, stamping her foot.
"Look, I can't just act like everyone else and pretend this has nothing to do with me."
"That's true, but..."
"Chie, please stop." Kyoko said. "You won't be able to convince him." She turned to Yosuke. "I'll be going with you. I can't leave this alone."
"Yeah... I thought not, being a detective and all." Yosuke said. "I'm glad to know you're that kinda girl."
Yosuke turned to Chie. "Don't worry, I'm not going in without a plan. Chie, I'm leaving you in charge of this."
He handed her an end of the rope. "We'll go in with this tied to me, so I want you to hold on to this and wait here."
"Wh-what? Then is this a lifeline? C'mon, wait a sec..."
"Here, Kyoko, this is for you." He held out the golf club and medication, and she took it in her hands. "I thought it might be better than going in empty-handed."
"I understand." Though she felt uncomfortable holding the golf club, she held it tightly. She put the medical kits in her pockets.
"Alright... Let's go. There's no use wasting any more time. Chie, whatever you do, don't let go of the rope."
"Hey! I said wait!"
The two plunged into the TV. After awhile, Chie pulled on the rope, only to see that it had been severed. "See...? I knew this wasn't gonna work... Now what...?"
"Owww..."
The two of them landed where they had started the last time. The studio.
"It appears we've made it." Kyoko said, looking around.
"So it's the same place as last time, so they are connected from place to place!" Yosuke noted.
"Y-You guys... Why'd you come back...?"
The strange bear walked up to them again, right out of the fog.
"Oh, now I get it! You're the ones behind this!"
"You're that thing from last time!" Yosuke said. "Wait, what the hell did you just say!?"
The bear turned around. "Lately, I can tell someone's been throwing people in here. It's making this world more and more messed up..." He turned back around. "This is the second time you guys came here. And I don't think anyone forced you in. That means you're the most suspicious! You guys must be the ones throwing the people in here, raaaawr!"
"Soundless logic." Kyoko said. "But that's all still a theory, so until it's proven, don't label us."
"What're you talking about, 'throwing people in'!?" Yosuke said. "If someone was thrown in here and they couldn't get out, they might die! Who would do such a-"
He stopped, realizing something.
"Wait a sec... All this talk about someone throwing people in here... Does he mean... Senpai and the announcer? Did that 'someone' throw those two in here? H-Hey... What do you think?"
"There's a lot of unknown factors, but I want to say that's the most likely answer." Kyoko affirmed.
"Yeah... I agree."
They turned back to the bear. "Let's assume he's telling the truth. Could it be that someone's throwing people in here, intending to kill them? If that's the case..."
"What're you guys mumbling about?" The bear asked. "Why'd you come here anyways!? It's a one-way door! You can't get out once you're in!"
"But you let us out the last time." Kyoko remembered.
"Yeah, whatever." Yosuke said, smirking. "We don't need your help this time! This time we got a life...line..."
His words trailed off as he held up the broken rope.
"Whaaaaat!?"
"I had a feeling that would happen." Kyoko said.
Yosuke changed his tone. "H-Hey! You better let us out once we're done investigating here!"
The bear stomped its feet. "Grrrrr! I'm the one who wants to investigate! I've lived here for a long time! But it's never been noisy like this till now. Do you have proof!? Prove to me you're not throwing people in here!"
"I'm afraid that it doesn't work that way." Kyoko said. "If the accused are giving proof, it could be false. You'd need a third party to give proof."
"See! So it is you guys!"
"That's not what I said."
"For the last time, it's not us, so we've got nothing to prove to you!" Yosuke yelled. "Hey, you better answer our questions. This isn't like last time, when we came in by accident. We're dead serious! Listen up, 'cause people have died in our world. Every time the fog appears, a dead body shows up with it. It has to be related to this place somehow! If you know something, tell us!"
The bear looked confused. "A dead body? Whenever the fog appears? Well, I know that if it's foggy on your side, the fog lifts here. It's really dangerous when the fog lifts. That's when the Shadows get violent."
Kyoko and Yosuke looked at eachother, unsure what the bear meant about the shadows. On the bear's side, he got an idea.
"Aaah... I get it..."
"Huh? If you get it, then explain it to us, dammit!" Yosuke demanded. "If it's foggy on our side, it isn't in here...? Shadows get violent...?"
"That's why I said to hurry back! It's dangerous when that happens!" The bear said. "Okay, no more questions. I know you guys did it! You better stop right now!"
"I've told you and told you, we're not the ones doing it!" Yosuke said, clearly having enough. "I've about had it with you. Why the hell won't you listen to what we're saying!?"
"I-I'm just saying, you might be the culprits." The bear stammered. "I'm just making sure..."
"What...?" Yosuke said, face in his palms. "Man, this bear's driving me nuts."
"What is this place, anyways?" Kyoko asked, looking around. "It looks like a TV studio. Is something being filmed here?"
Yosuke realized something. "H-Hey, don't tell me... Is that weird show being filmed here!?"
"Weird show? Filmed? What does that mean?" The bear asked.
"Uh... I'm asking if someone's been filming the people that get thrown in here."
"...I don't get it." The bear said. "This world has always been like this. No one has ever done that filming thing here."
"Always been like this? What do you mean?" Kyoko asked.
"Only me and Shadows are here! I told you before!"
"Ugh, we don't know what these Shadow things are! Or what you are either, for that matter!" Yosuke said, exasperated. "You keep telling us to prove our innocence, but you're the most suspicious thing here! Maybe you're the real culprit!"
"Yosuke." Kyoko said. "I don't think-"
"And what's with that stupid costume!?" Yosuke yelled, ignoring her. "I'd say it's time you showed your face!"
He went over to the bear, grabbed the head and pulled it off with a pop. To their surprise, it was empty. The bear suit was completely empty.
"Wh-What the hell are you...?" Yosuke stammered. "It's empty inside..."
The bear suit managed to grab it's head and popped it right back on, as if nothing had happened. "Me...? The culprit...? I wouldn't do such a thing. I just live here. I just wanna live here peacefully."
The two of them were silent, until the bear spoke up again.
"Okay, I'll believe you two aren't the culprits, but I want you to find the real guy who did all this. You have to stop him. Promise me, or else I'm not gonna let you guys outta here."
"You little-!" Yosuke started.
"This can't keep going on! My home will become a mess, and..."
The bear started crying.
"Wh-What're you crying for all of a sudden?" Yosuke said, confused. "Geez, this thing's really weirding me out..." He turned to Kyoko. "Hey, what should we do?"
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought, and recalled the words that Igor had told her...
It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you...
Could this be the mystery that will be thrust upon her? What was that contract that Igor spoke of? Could finding the culprit and solving the case be part of this promise? In any case there's no other option for them to leave...
"You're the only ones I can ask. Will you promise me...?"
"I promise. On my honor as a detective."
"Th-Thank you!"
"Damn bear... Practically holding a gun to our heads..." Yosuke groaned. "But, it's true that we came here to figure things out. So far, we're completely in the dark."
He crossed his arms. "Look for the culprit, huh? Bring it on! You got my word too. Might as well introduce ourselves."
Yosuke pulled off the rest of the rope that was around him. "I'm Yosuke Hanamura, and this is my friend, Kyoko Kirigiri. You got a name?"
"...Teddie."
"Heh. Figures. But how are we supposed to find the culprit in the first place?"
"I dunno. Oh! But I know where the last person came in."
"The last person...?" Yosuke said. "You mean Saki-senpai!?"
"I mean the person who came in and disappeared last time. I dunno the name. I'll take you there. You might find clues."
"Alright then, take us there, Teddie." Kyoko said.
"Oh, one thing first." Teddie said. "You two should put these on."
Teddie pulled out two pairs of glasses, and gave one to Yosuke, and one to Kyoko.
"What're these glasses for?"
Kyoko put them on, before taking a step back in surprise. "Yosuke, put them on."
The teen looked confused, but listened. Once he did, he saw what caused Kyoko's shock. Everything was much clearer now, literally. The glasses made it seem as if the fog was almost non-existent.
"Whoa! The difference is like night and day. With these on, it's like the fog doesn't exist." Yosuke said.
"They'll help you walk through the fog." Teddie said. "Well, I've been here for a long time. So you can rely on me! But... uh, I can only show you where the place is. You guys will have to defend yourselves."
"What happened to relying on you!? Th-There better not be any monsters! You understand!?" Yosuke said, his pitch an octave higher. "We brought weapons, but I mean... they're more for show!"
"Well, the golf club maybe, but I actually brought a real weapon." Kyoko said.
Yosuke looked confused as she handed him the golf club. Kyoko reached into her coat and pulled out something. Yosuke thought it was something like a pen, until she clicked a button on the side and it unfolded into a long black knife. The length however, made it more akin to a short sword.
"Wh-Whoa, what the hell?! Where did you get that?!"
"It was a gift from one of my friends back at Hope's Peak Academy." Kyoko said. "I never thought I'd have to use it, but I brought it just in case."
"Whoa, do you actually know how to use that thing?" Yosuke said, awed.
"Well, I did receive self-defense training from a couple of my friends as well." Kyoko said.
"...dude, you gotta tell us some stories about your friends later."
"I'll keep that in mind." She said.
"Very good!" Teddie said. "You two can defend yourselves! I can also support you from a distance, how does that sound?"
"Dude." Yosuke said. "Can you really not fight?"
Kyoko walked over and gently pushed Teddie. Almost immediately, he fell over, struggling to get back up. "N-Noooooooo..."
"I-Is this thing for real?" Yosuke asked, laughing. "This is so lame..."
Soft... Kyoko thought.
"We swore to find the culprit, and this is all the backup we get...?"
"Oh yeah. Can I ask you something?" Teddie asked as he stopped struggling. "Who's this Saki-senpai person? Someone you know?"
The same pained expression made it's way onto Yosuke's face. "That doesn't matter right now. Anyways, at least now we know that Senpai might have been thrown in here."
"Let's get moving then." Kyoko said. "We might find more information."
"W-Waaaaait!" Teddie said, struggling again. "Don't leave meeeeee!"
Eventually, they made to where Teddie had said he had sensed Saki had been.
"What is this place?" Yosuke said. "It looks just like the shopping district. What's going on here?"
"Some weird places have appeared her recently." Teddie said. "Things are getting so tangled, I dunno what to do..."
The turned around to see that Teddie was purposely lagging behind.
"Uh, by the way, why are you standing so far from us?" Yosuke asked. "You better not be planning to high-tail it if something does come up."
"Of course not!" Teddie said, sounding offended. "I mean uh, I can't stand too close. I'd get in your way..."
Yosuke groaned, but continued to look around. "Man, they really went all out on this. But of all places in town, why'd they replicate this one?"
"How should I know? This is reality for the one who's here." Teddie said.
Yosuke sighed. "As usual, nothing you say makes any sense. But if this is our shopping district, we're not far from Saki-senpai's..."
Yosuke turned and ran. Kyoko and Teddie followed him.
"Yosuke! What is-"
"I knew it! This is the liquor store that Senpai's parents run." He said.
They stood outside the store, where there was a strange red and black entrance.
"Does this mean... Senpai disappeared here?" Yosuke said. "What could have happened?"
Yosuke walked forward, but Teddie shouted. "W-Wait a second. Th-They're here!"
"What?"
"Shadows. I had a feeling they were going to attack!"
From the red and black entrances were some strange faces. They drooped out out, creeping towards them. They took form of some strange creatures resembling floating mouths.
"Wh-wha-what is this?!" Yosuke yelled falling backwards.
Kyoko held up her knife, heart pounding in fear, but almost dropped it. Her head was pulsing again, as she heard a female voice.
I am thou, thou art I! The time has come, open thine eyes and call forth what is within!
Kyoko opened her eyes, and in her hand was a strange tarot card, like the one Igor had. It began to glow. The words came to her immediately, though she didn't really know what she was saying.
"Per... so... na!"
Blue flames erupted from the card, which she crushed. She shouted as the blue flames surrounded her and subsided, as behind her now stood a specter like-figure, garbed in a black coat and holding a strange lance.
"Whoa... Kyoko... what...?" Yosuke stammered.
"Alright!" Teddie said, seriously. "Stay calm and listen! Some shadows have weaknesses. I can tell this one has a weakness too! If you can pinpoint that weakness and take advantage of it, the battle will be a lot easier! Try stuff out and see what works!"
Yosuke was stunned at how serious Teddie was. Kyoko however, brandished her knife, holding it at her side. She held up a card before smashing it again.
"Izanagi! Zio!"
The spiritual guardian zapped the shadow with a blast of lightning, knocking it down. Kyoko realized that it must have been weak to it. She blasted it with lightning yet again, vaporizing it.
"Kyoko! Look out!" Yosuke called.
In her distraction, the other shadow snuck up on her, striking her with its tongue. Partially disgusted the saliva, she felt it burn. She deduced that it probably had some acidic properties, as it had left small burn holes in her clothing. She smashed another tarot card, having Izanagi blast the shadow with lightning.
"Now, cleave it!"
Smashing yet another tarot card, Kyoko felt her health drop slightly, as Izanagi slashed the last shadow to pieces. Izanagi faded away into a tarot card, which landed in Kyoko's hands.
"Whoa... Kyoko, what was that!?" Yosuke said, running up. "Did I hear you say 'Persona'? What was it-? I mean, what did you do!? Hey, you think I can do it too?"
Kyoko fell to one knee. Yosuke dropped to her level. "Hey! Are you alright?"
"Sorry, a little tired." She said. Yosuke noticed that there was burn on her leg, and pulled out some of the bandages he had brought.
"Good thing I brought this, huh?" Yosuke said. "Don't worry, I know I thing or two about first aid."
Kyoko nodded, as he went to work bandaging her leg. "Man, that was awesome though. So how did you-"
"Calm down Yosuke, you're troubling Sensei." Teddie said, waddling over.
"S-Sensei?" Yosuke repeated, pulling the bandage tight, causing Kyoko to wince slightly.
"Gosh almighty! You're amazing, Sensei! I am one impressed bear! I can't believe you were hiding such an amazing power! No wonder the Shadows were scared of you!" Teddie gasped. "Are you the one who's able to bring people into this world?"
Kyoko nodded, as Yosuke helped her stand up. "Yes, I am Teddie."
"Hah!" Teddie said. "That's what I thought! This is really something. Don't you think so, Yosuke?"
"Dude, you call her Sensei and then don't show me any respect!?"
He pushed Teddie over with just enough force that the bear was able to roll back onto his feet again.
"Sorry..." Teddie said, sheepishly.
"W-Well, your support wasn't bad, though." Yosuke complimented. "I gotta give you some credit for that."
"Huh? R-Really? Heehee." Teddie chuckled, blushing. Though how a bear suit blushed would be a question no one can answer.
"All right, you two keep it up, and I think we'll be fine from here on out." Yosuke said. "Now let's get back to the investigation!"
They walked back in front of the store, stopping right before entering.
"Man... I wonder what could have happened to senpai here."
Voices began to echo from somewhere. They all looked around, but couldn't pinpoint the source.
"I wish Junes would go under..."
"It's all because of that store..."
"Wh-What the...?" Yosuke said.
"Oh, I heard that Konishi-san's daughter is working there."
"Oh my... How could she, with her family's business suffering like it is...?"
"I heard their sales have gone downhill because of Junes."
"S-Stop it..."
Kyoko turned to Yosuke. She had never seen this side of him before.
"That poor father... to have his own daughter working for the enemy."
"What a troublesome child..."
"Hey... Hey, Ted!" Yosuke said. "You said that this place is reality for those that are here, right!? So... does that mean this was Senpai's reality when she wandered in here...?"
"I... only know about what's over here." The bear meekly responded.
"Fine. Whatever's going on here, we'll find out ourselves."
They ran into the liquor store, not knowing what awaited them.
Yosuke in particular couldn't prepare for what would happen next.
Running inside, they found that the place seemed a lot more spacious than what the outside would have you believe. While the voices stopped for a short while, they started up again once they got inside. They heard a man yelling.
"Saki, how many times do I have to tell you!?"
"I-Is this... Senpai's dad...?" Yosuke wondered aloud.
"You know what the neighbors say about you, right!? Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're the eldest daughter of a family who's owned this store for generations. Is it the money? Or did you meet some guy there? Just tell me why you have to work THERE of all places!"
Kyoko looked around, seeing the bottles and barrels of liquor. It appeared that the store wasn't the only thing passed down through generations.
"I... I can't believe this... She seemed like she had fun at work... She never said anything like this to me... You're telling me THIS was how Senpai really saw things!?"
They ran over to a desk near the back.
"These photos... Hey... Is this...?"
Yosuke picked up one of the photos.
"It's the photo we took the other day with the other part-timers at Junes... Wh-Why's it cut up like this...?"
He handed the photo to Kyoko, who saw that the scrap was of Saki Konishi smiling. Yosuke is standing right next to her.
"I... never had the chance to say it..."
"Is that... Senpai's voice!?" Yosuke said, looking up.
Kyoko looked around. For some reason, Teddie was gone. Not only that, the atmosphere seemed to grow thicker.
"Yosuke, I believe we have to lea-"
"I always wanted to tell Hana-chan..."
"Huh...? Me...?"
"...that he was a real pain in the ass."
Yosuke's arms dropped to his sides.
"I was nice to him just because he was the store manager's son, that's all. But he takes it completely the wrong way and gets all enthusiastic, what a dip."
"P-Pain in the ass...?"
"Who cares about Junes, anyway? Because of that store, our business is ruined, my parents hare me, the neighbors talk behind my back... I wish everything would just disappear."
"I-It's a lie... This can't be... Senpai's not like that...!"
"Yosuke..." Kyoko said.
"It's *sniff* so sad... I feel so sorry for myself... Boo hoo..."
The two of them whipped around. Standing there, was Yosuke.
Wait, what?
Kyoko looked at the Yosuke next to her, then the one that was standing further away. Two Yosukes? What was going on? Looking closer, she saw some sort of malevolent aura surrounding the second Yosuke, and that his eyes were an unnatural shade of yellow.
"Actually, I'm the one who thinks everything's a pain in the ass. Hahaha..."
Teddie ran up to them, and voiced Kyoko's thoughts. "Huh? Two Yosukes...?"
"Who are you!?" Yosuke yelled. "I-I wouldn't think that..."
"Hahaha... Yeah, right. How long are you going to keep deluding yourself? Screw the shopping district, and Junes too! You're sick of everything, especially living out in the sticks!"
"What're you saying...?" Yosuke said, stunned. "That's not true, I-"
"You put on a good show of being carefree and happy-go-lucky 'cause you're so terrified of being alone. The more the merrier, right? You've gotta be surrounded by people to block out the pain of isolation. And what's this about checking out this world for Saki-senpai's sake? Hah! I know the real reason you came snooping..."
"S-stop it!" Yosuke said, covering his ears.
"Hahaha! Why so panicked? I thought I was just spouting bullshit! Or maybe... I DO know everything you're thinking! Why's that...? Because I AM you!"
Yosuke just covered his ears, hoping to block out the voice of his double, but every word was like a knife penetrating through him.
"You just came because you thought it sounded like a good time! What else is there to do out in this shithole? A world inside the TV-now that's exciting! You didn't have a single other reason for coming here, did you!?"
Kyoko's eyes were just shadowed by her hair. Her grip on her knife tightened. She knew what was probably about to happen, so kept ready. Still, if what that other Yosuke was saying was true... she couldn't help but feel some slight disgust to Yosuke.
"That's not true... Stop... Stop it...!"
"You're just trying to act like a big shot... If all went well, hey, maybe you could even be a hero! And that Senpai you were so sweet on? Her death was the perfect excuse!"
Yosuke's expression was one of outrage. "That's not true! What are you!? Who are you!?"
The copy just chuckled. "I already told ya. I'm you... Your shadow... There's nothing I don't know about you!"
"Screw that!" Yosuke yelled. "I don't know you! You can't be me, you son of a bitch!"
The shadow began to laugh. "That's right! Say it again!"
"You're not me, you're nothing like me!"
"Humph. That's right. I am me now. I'm not you anymore, see?"
The shadow kept on laughing, as dark energy spewed, revealing it's transformation. Yosuke took several steps back and fell on his posterior. Kyoko protectively ran in front of him as the energy faded away.
Standing there was a strange monster. It resembled a centaur, having a human torso and arms on a quadrupedal creature's body. The bottom was all colored in green camo, while the top was garbed in black leather, with a red scarf, huge yellow gloves, and eyes shaped like stars. The walls fell over, revealing several metal support beams from similar to the TV Studio from earlier.
"I am a shadow... The true self... I'll crush everything that bores me... starting with YOU!" It declared, pointing at Kyoko.
It slammed down into the ground, sending a burst of wind that knocked Kyoko into a wall, causing glass bottles to shatter and spill around her. She crumpled to the ground.
"Stop! Leave her out of this!" Yosuke demanded, standing up.
"You shut up, I don't need you anymore!"
It swung at Yosuke and he braced himself, but thankfully he had a savoir. In a flash, Izanagi appeared in front of Yosuke, blocking the strike with its weapon. Kyoko was back on her feet, covered in alcohol as well as a few cuts, but she was fine.
"Sensei! Be careful! This one's much stronger than the last type! Be careful! Whenever you feel threatened, just defend yourself!" Teddie advised.
"I'll keep that in mind." Kyoko said, brandishing her knife.
"Oh, you wanna act big too? Try this on for size!"
Yosuke's shadow swung out at her, but Izanagi unleashed a small burst of electricity, shocking the shadow (both figuratively and literally) and knocking it down. She followed up by slashing it with her knife.
"You pain in the ass!"
It held its arms up, trying to defend itself.
"Izanagi!" Kyoko called. "Rakukaja!"
In a burst of light, Kyoko felt herself get tougher. Shadow Yosuke unleashed another burst of wind, knocking her back, but not as far this time. A pillar of light surrounded Shadow Yosuke, before it got ready to attack again. Kyoko ran up and jumped, attempting to slash again, but the shadow grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against one of the steel support beams, causing her to spit up blood on impact.
"Gotcha now. DIE!"
"No! Let her go, dammit!"
Picking up a glass bottle, he ran up and stuck the shadow. The bottle shattered, but the shadow was unaffected.
"Pathetic, you can barely do anything. But I know you. I know everything about you."
"Shut up, shut up-!"
The shadow struck him, knocking him onto his back. Thinking quickly, Kyoko flipped her knife into reverse-grip and stabbed it into the shadow's hand. It shrieked in pain, as he let go of her. Dropping to the ground, Kyoko called back Izanagi, who swung its blade at the shadow. Shadow Yosuke jumped back to avoid the strike.
"You bitch. I'll kill you for that!"
"I said stop! Please!"
Yosuke was on his knees, eyes shut and hands over his ears.
"Please... just stop...you're wrong..."
"You want me to stop? Then just admit it!"
Izanagi dove at the shadow with its blade, engaging in a duel against it. It deflected the strikes from the weapon, before knocking it out of the Persona's hands.
"ZIO!"
The familiar burst of lightning shot at Yosuke's shadow, but it blocked it with his hands.
"You're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong!" Yosuke cried. "You're not me! You're not!"
"YOU'D BE BETTER OFF DEAD!"
"IZANAGI!"
CRACK!
SMACK!
Izanagi had punched the shadow in the face, while at the same time, Kyoko had slapped Yosuke across the face, knocking him to the ground.
"Kyoko! What the hell?!"
"Yosuke, you liked her, right?"
"Huh?"
Despite the wounds she had sustained, and the fact that her Persona was still fighting against the shadow, she smiled at Yosuke.
"I mean Saki."
"...yeah." He nodded. "Actually, I loved her."
"Then isn't that enough?" She said, shakily holding out her hand.
"...yeah...you're right." He gently pushed her hand away. "It's fine, I can get up by myself and you're hurt."
He turned to his shadow, which was still fighting Izanagi. "I probably knew that deep down, but I couldn't bring myself to actually to believe it. I wanted so desperately to try fit in, I pretended things were cool. Sometimes even I think I'm a pain in the ass."
Yosuke pulled a movie ticket out of his coat. "But no matter what, my feelings for Saki were real."
He put it away and walked towards the shadow, which had knocked away Izanagi.
"So that's a part of me, huh? I guess if I'm gonna be honest, all of this is a part of me."
Despite the shadow lacking a face, it looked stunned. "Huh?! What is this bullcrap?! I'll kill you-"
In that one moment of vulnerability, Izanagi struck. It launched a huge burst of electricity, frying the shadow and causing it to transform back into resembling Yosuke. He crumpled and fell facedown, fizzling with something resembling TV static.
Kyoko pushed up her glasses, as she fell to her knees, exhausted.
"Sensei! Are you alright?" Teddie asked in concern.
"I'm fine." She said, looking at Yosuke, who had knelt down to his shadow, and put a hand on its shoulder. It looked up at him.
"You are a part of me." Yosuke said. "And I'm a part of you."
His shadow smiled and nodded, as it began to glow blue. It transformed into a humanoid similar to Izanagi, except its traits were from the berserk from of the shadow earlier. It had a long red scarf, ninja stars on its hands, and a black head with two appendages, almost bearing resemblance to a certain cartoon mouse. Yet at the same time, it resembled more of a frog. It faded away, transforming into a tarot card which landed in Yosuke's hands.
"So this... is my Persona. Jiraiya, huh..."
He crouched down. "When we heard Senpai's voice... I wonder if that was something Senpai had been keeping down inside... Haha... "he was a real pain in the ass," huh? What a way to find out... Geez, this is so embarrassing."
Kyoko slowly got up and walked over to him, smiling.
"If you weren't here, I don't know what woulda happened." Yosuke said. "Thanks, Kyoko."
She simply nodded. Yosuke stood up.
"Hey, Teddie. Could Senpai have been attacked by her other self here? Like how it just happened to me?"
"I think so." He responded. "The Shadows here were originally born from humans. Sometimes the fog clears. Then they all go berserk. And you saw what happens next. A strong-willed Shadow draws others to it. And the big mass of Shadows kills the host."
"So that's why people die when it gets foggy in our world..." Kyoko realized.
Yosuke groaned in exhaustion.
"You two are pretty worn out. This world isn't made for humans. It's not comfortable for you here." Teddie said. "I don't hear any more voices. I think we're done with this place. Let's go back."
They nodded, and between Yosuke's exhaustion and Kyoko's wounds, the two were supporting each other on the way out.
"Man, you reek of alcohol." Yosuke said.
"Don't remind me." Kyoko said.
They made it back to the TV studio, where Yosuke asked a question.
"Hey, Teddie. You said that this place is reality for people who enter, right? So that shopping district, and the weird room we saw before... Did they exist because the ones who died entered this world, and it became their reality? I guess what I'm trying to ask is, did those places form because of the people who entered this world?"
"I dunno." Teddie answered. "It's never happened before. But that's probably where they were when the Shadows attacked them."
They were silent.
"The fog does lift here sometimes. The Shadows get really violent then." Teddie continued. "I always get so scared. I have to hide when it happens. I sensed people here twice before. But both of them disappeared after the fog lifted..."
"So let's get this straight." Yosuke said. "Senpai and that Yamano lady were thrown in here, and since they couldn't get out, they wandered around. After a while, that Shadow thing came out of them. The fog cleared, it went berserk, and it ended up killing them. Does that sound right?"
"I believe that summarizes what we know." Kyoko said.
"So if I'd been here until the fog cleared, I woulda been in much deeper trouble?"
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure." Teddie stated. "You were lucky. Sensei and me were here with you..."
"Dammit..." Yosuke stuck his fists in his pockets. "Senpai and that announcer... They were stuck here all alone... No one could save them..."
"Yosuke..." Kyoko said.
"They disappeared when the fog lifted. But they were safe before that. No Shadows attacked them." Teddie said. "They attacked us, though. Maybe they're keeping a close eye on us. They might see people who investigate this place as enemies. It'll be dangerous, but we might be able to fight them! We might save people!"
"Are you saying, if anyone else gets thrown in here, we can save them before they disappear!?" Yosuke said, expression brightening. "Like how you guys just saved me!?"
"That appears to be the case, Yosuke." Kyoko said. "With that, not only do we save people, we'll be on the trail of whoever's throwing people in."
"Yeah." Yosuke crossed his arms. "If we save them, we'll eventually catch up to the bastard doing this."
"U-um, hey, can I ask something too?" Teddie asked. "If Shadows are born form humans, what was Teddie born from?"
"You don't even know where you came from!? How should we know?" Yosuke said.
"I know some things. Mostly about this world, but I don't know anything about myself. To be honest, I never thought about it until now..."
"You serious?" Yosuke asked. "No wonder we couldn't get a straight answer out of you..."
"Will you guys... come back here?" Teddie asked, a downtrodden expression on his face.
"Of course. We made a promise." Kyoko said, smiling at Teddie.
"You'll keep you word?" Teddie asked.
"Well, you're the one who said you weren't letting us out unless we do." Yosuke said, chuckling a bit.
"Oh! Th-That's right!" Teddie said, almost slapping himself in the face. "Okay, I'll let you out. But there's one thing. I'll be waiting for you guys here. You need to come in from the same place every time, so we can meet up."
"So I can guess that entering from a different location in our world will result in a different location here?"
"Yep." Teddie said. "You might show up somewhere I couldn't get to you. Then you'd be doooomed... Got it?"
"Well, pretty much." Yosuke said, ignoring Teddie's little attempt at humor. "Alright, can you show us the way out?"
"Roger that! One exit comin' right up!"
Teddie tapped his feet, creating the stack of TVs.
"Cool. First we need to make sure there aren't any employees milling around out there..." Yosuke said.
"Okay! Go go go! Squiiiish!" Teddie said, shoving them.
"Argh! Hey! Stop squeezing, you little-Whoa!"
They landed back in the TV department. Chie, who had been sitting there the whole time, sobbing, jumped back in surprise.
"Y-you guys came baaack...!" She cried.
"Chie? Are you alright?" Kyoko asked.
She responded by throwing the rest of the rope at Yosuke's face.
"Ow! Why me...?"
"The nerve of you two! You're such morons! I can't believe this! You guys suck!" She was wiping her eyes. "The rope got cut off... and I had no idea what to do... I was so worried... I-I mean scared stiff, dammit! I hate you both!"
She ran off, tears in her eyes.
"I... I think that might've kinda sorta been our fault." Yosuke said, standing back up. "Maybe we did go a little too far. Let's apologize to her tomorrow-oh, right! Your wounds! We should-"
It was at this point the two noticed Kyoko's state. Her clothing was completely undamaged, and all the wounds had sealed up, no evidence at all of even been there in the first place. Not even the alcohol stains from earlier remained.
"Whoa, you're completely fine!"
Kyoko looked at herself, checking for any damage, finding none. She was still exhausted however.
"Maybe anything bad that happens over there just stays over there." Yosuke thought. "Well, I dunno."
He yawned. "I'm completely wiped out... I'm gonna go home, soak in the shower for a while, and get some sleep. I'll... probably sleep well tonight."
"I might as well do the same." Kyoko said, stretching slightly.
"Heh. Well, see you in the morning!"
The two went their separate ways, a smile on both of their faces.
Kyoko was walking down the flood plain with the umbrella in her hand, hearing the rain splatter against it. She had forgotten that they had gone to Junes during school hours (then again, school was cancelled thanks to the incident), and as a result, she was heading home the same time she usually does.
"Oh! Kyoko!"
A voice called out to her. Turning, she saw that sitting under the gazebo was Yukiko. She walked over and sat down next to her, closing her umbrella.
"It's nice to see you, Kyoko." She said with a smile.
"Likewise. I'm surprised by your outfit, though."
"Oh, I'm wearing a kimono because I'm filling in for my mother at the inn we run." She answered. "I was just sent out on an errand, and I'm taking a quick break."
"I see."
Trying to make conversation, she continued. "Um, are you getting used to your new town and school?"
"To be honest, I like it here."
"Really?" Yukiko said, surprised. "But... It must be difficult, moving to a place you know nothing about."
"I've grown used to it." Kyoko said. "I've been around many places."
"Well, I've never been out of Inaba, so I wouldn't know what it's like to transfer to a new school." Yukiko said. "Oh! Are you getting along with Chie? i mean, I always leave early, so... Umm..."
"She's quite a handful, to say the least." Kyoko said, smiling.
"I see. She's always full of energy. She's very supportive, you know. It's always her who gives me the little extra push I need." She said, talking about her friend. "We had homeroom together last year too, and I still remember how we'd cut class sometimes."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow. Yukiko? Cutting classes? Seemed unlikely.
Yukiko checked her watch. "Oh... I should get going. I need to make tomorrow's arrangements with our head chef. Our inn can't function without me right now."
She stood up and grabbed her umbrella. "Um... I'll see you at school, then."
"Mmm." Kyoko nodded.
Yukiko walked off, thinking to herself. She turned back to see Kyoko walking away.
Kyoko's hard to read, but... I can tell she's a good person underneath. If only I had more time to talk with her...
After arriving at the Dojima residence, Kyoko had sat down with Nanako in front of the TV.
"Dad's late." Nanako said, as the news continued.
"Our next story is an update in our ongoing report on the bizarre murders occurring in Inaba. At around 7:00 A.M., local high school student Saki Konishi was found dead in Inaba's residential area. Since the body was positioned similarly to the last victim, and since Ms. Konishi was the one who discovered that body., police are proceeding under the assumption that this may be a serial murder case related to the death of Mayumi Yamano. The coroner's report has established Ms. Konishi's time of death at around 1:00 A.M. last night. The body went unnoticed until this morning as a result of the heavy fog blanketing the area."
"Another incident..." Nanako muttered. "Dad won't be coming home tonight."
Kyoko looked at her younger cousin, wondering what to say to comfort her. Nanako saw Kyoko's concerned expression.
"I'll be okay. Can you help me do some stuff around the house?"
Now that, was something Kyoko knew how to do. She was still surprised at how reliable and hard working Nanako was, despite her age. The TV continued, showing another report.
"…Amagi Inn, located upstream of Samegawa River, is the town's oldest historical landmark. Vacationers are known to travel surprising distances in order to visit its open-air, radium-rich hot springs. After the incident with Ms. Yamano, the manager has stepped aside, leaving her daughter Yukiko to fill her shoes."
Kyoko looked at the TV, seeing Yukiko on-screen, still wearing the kimono.
"In other words, she's a manager who's still in high school. Now that has a nice ring to it… Let's see if we can interview her. Excuse me!"
"Hm…? Um… Are you speaking to me?"
"We've heard that you're the new manager. Is it true that you're still in high school?"
"Oh, well, I'm only filling in temporarily…"
"Someday, though… That aside, wow! You're looking gorgeous in that kimono. You must have a lot of male visitors."
"Huh? No, um…"
The reporter's rambling kept going on and on. Kyoko balled her fists. She'd go down and arrest the reporter, it wasn't for the fact that by the time she'd get there, he'd be gone.
"This is boring." Nanako said, standing up. "Oh, I need to do the dishes."
Kyoko stood up and followed her. Thanks to the extra help, the housework was done in half the time. Nanako sat back down to watch the TV. Checking her watch, Kyoko saw she still had some time left before midnight.
I have some time. She thought. I may as well wash up.
She walked into her room, towel around her hair. She was wearing a white t-shirt and light-purple shorts. She had just put her gloves back on. Unwrapping the towel, she looked outside to see it was raining again. Looking at the clock, there were only a few minutes until midnight.
The TV was already on, talking about the heavy for that's expected for throughout the year.
She walked in front of the TV, switching it off and waiting for it to turn on by itself.
Nothing appeared for a bit, until it glew yellow. The same static was shown again, and Kyoko saw a silhouette.
Kyoko strained her eyes, but could barely make out the details. She thought she saw them wearing a kimono, but it was so blurry and out of focus it was hard to make out.
Curiosity rose, and she reached out. What would happen if she touched the image? Would she be able to touch the person on the screen? She phased her hand through, and the image disappeared.
...
I had better speak to Yosuke and Chie about this tomorrow.
Kyoko yawned, deciding to go to sleep. She folded the towel and placed it on the table. She then took off her gloves, folding them and placing them on top of the towel.
She looked at her hands, which were still covered with the ugly burn scars from years ago. After today however, she felt them begin to hurt again.
She shrugged it off, and went to sleep.
Opening her eyes, she found herself in a familiar blue leathery room. Sitting at the back were Igor and Margaret.
"Welcome." Igor said. "Do not be alarmed. you are fast asleep in the real world..." He assured. "I have summoned you, within your dreams."
"Why have I been brought back here?"
"This is a space that only those who have, in one way or another, entered into a contract may enter. In your daily life, you subconsciously heard the call to awaken, and you chose to follow the destiny of your inner voice. Thereby, enacting your glorious awakening to your power." Margaret answered.
"Hold on to this." Igor said.
A blue key floated down to Kyoko, who grasped it.
"A key...?"
"From this night forth, you are our guest in this Velvet Room. Your destiny will require you to hone your power, and for that, you will inevitably require our help. There is but one price for this assistance."
"And that is...?"
"You must abide by your contract and assume responsibility for all decisions you may make."
"... I understand."
"Very well." Igor said. "The Persona you have acquired… It is a side of yourself that shows itself when you face the world around you. Perhaps you can think of it as… a facade of determination you wear to face various difficulties in life. You Persona ability, however, is that of the wild card… Compared to that of others, it is very special. It is like the number zero… empty, yet holding infinite potential within itself."
"Special...?"
"The Persona ability is the power to control one's own heart… And the heart is strengthened through bonds. As you form bonds by becoming involved with others, your own Social Links will gradually develop. The power of these Social Links is what will determine your Persona's abilities."
"Control one's heart...?"
"Social Links are necessary for more than strengthening your Persona." Margaret said. "At times, they will help light the way to the truth you are searching for."
"Where will your awakened power of the wild card take you…?" Igor wondered. "I look forward to traveling the road of your destiny together…" He chuckled. "'Til we meet again…"
Kyoko was walking to school the next morning, when she heard a bicycle bell ring. Turning around, she saw Yosuke riding towards her.
"Yo! Morning!" He said, stopping his bike.
"Good morning Yosuke." Kyoko greeted. "Sleep well?"
"Better than ever, actually. Ever since I got all that stuff off my chest. Anyways... You saw what was on last night, right?"
"I did."
"I couldn't tell who it was, but if someone's shown on TV, we can't ignore it. Let's go check it out after school. Maybe Teddie can tell us something."
"I was considering that as an idea as well."
"Yeah... Even if it is something about that place that's killing the victims… If someone's using that world as a weapon, that's unforgivable." Yosuke said. "We need to find the culprit… no matter what it takes!"
"I agree. We're the only ones that can solve this case."
"There's no way the police can do it… Who'd believe that the murderer kills people by throwing them into the TV?"
"...I know several people who would."
"I want to say that you're joking, but seeing how serious you are, you aren't." Yosuke said. "But yeah. We got to bring an end to this."
"Yes. It has to be us." Kyoko said, a determined expression on her face.
"Hehe… Cool. It's reassuring to hear someone else say it." Yosuke said, grinning. "You know, I tried sticking my head inside the TV last night, the way you did, and it actually worked."
"Oh? I'd guess it's because you also have a Persona now."
"Yeah, I guessed that too. Feels like we got this gift from someone specifically so we could solve this case. Then again, you managed to go inside the TV and get your Persona first… I feel like, as long as you're with me, I can find the culprit and crack this case."
"Is this because I'm a detective?"
"No, more than just that. You saved my ass back then, when I couldn't even fight. This time, I'll be watching your back."
Kyoko smiled. "That's very reassuring."
Yosuke held out his hand. "Well, let's do our best!"
Kyoko took the handshake, on the inside very impressed at Yosuke. Even with so much mystery swirling around, Yosuke is trying his hardest to move on. She felt a friendship bloom between them.
She heard the sound of shattering glass.
Thou art I... And I am Thou...
Thou has established a new bond...
It brings thee closer to the truth...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Magician Arcana...
Kyoko recalled Igor's words.
"The Persona ability is the power to control one's own heart… And the heart is strengthened through bonds. As you form bonds by becoming involved with others, your own Social Links will gradually develop. The power of these Social Links is what will determine your Persona's abilities."
Social Links... Is this bond with Yosuke what Igor was talking about...?
She smiled. Friendship... bonds... just like back at Hope's Peak Academy...
"Oh, crap." Yosuke checked his watch. "We're gonna be late at this rate. We'd better jet. Wanna-"
Kyoko had already hopped on the back.
"...that was fast."
"Well, you said we were going to be late, right?" Smirk on her face. "Let's go."
"Heh heh. At her majesty's command." Yosuke chuckled.
Yosuke biked them both to school, both of them having an even stronger bond than before.
So there really is a serial killer. Kyoko thought. It'll be difficult to chase them down, but... She smiled. At least it won't be alone.
A/N: Man, this one took a lot of energy out of me. With all the stuff I'm working on the side, this took me less time than I thought. I actually wrote up over 75% of this in one day. Imagine that.
No real updates, still working on all of my stories.
See you all next time.