Yosuke let out a sigh, as the four of them talked after class, Chie being brought up to speed about what the other three talked about.

"Given the pattern so far, Kanji's already inside the TV…" Yosuke said, as the others nodded.

"I wonder what the Midnight Channel really is…" Yukiko said, while Yosuke put a hand on his chin in thought.

"At first, I thought it was one of those "paranormal" things, but when I gave it a try… it was real." Chie said. "Turns out it's actually connected to another world…"

Yosuke then realized something. "If there's a rumor going around, that means a bunch of people are watching it."

"How did the rumor go?" Kyoko asked.

"Well, I believe it went like this." Yukiko said. "If you stare into a turned-off TV on a rainy night…"

"No one in their right mind would try something that ridiculous, don'tcha thing? Unless someone urged them to." Yosuke interrupted. "But if you actually try, it does work. And not just once. And if this rumor spreads and everyone starts watching the Midnight Channel."

"It could cause a huge panic…" Chie realized.

"If Teddie is right, the missing people themselves create the stuff we see." Yosuke said. "So it's not random. It's specifically related to whoever goes missing."

"Hmm… but Yukiko had a show too, and she doesn't remember doing anything like that." Chie said.

Yukiko raised a hand. "Um, this might be a little off subject, but… The culprit is probably watching the shows that come on… right?"

"No doubt. He's probably sitting back and enjoying-! Wait a sec… I bet he IS enjoying it!" Chie realized. "He's probably laughing his head off watching the "show" that comes on after he throws people into the TV!"

"Ahhh, I get it." Yosuke said. "Yeah, it's definitely possible. Ugh, now when I think of the killer, I get this image of a total sicko. All like "I wanna see everything about you, Yuki-chan!""

"Urgh, ugh, eww!" Chie groaned. "Wait, so if people saw Yukiko's show, do you think people were watching what happened to me too!? Oh, that is IT! That killer is dead meat! I'm gonna leave footprints all over his face!"

Chie held up a fist. "Guys! First, we save Kanji! Then, we crush the killer! Finally, we crush the killer and send him to hell! Got it!?"

"That would just result in all of us becoming killers too." Kyoko said.

"Huh, was that a joke from you of all people?" Yosuke chuckled.

Kyoko just gave them all a dead serious look, causing them all to get a bit nervous. Though she broke it by giving a small smile. "Yes, it was a joke."

The other three laughed, as Kyoko heard glass shatter and felt their bond become stronger.

While the other two had finished, Yukiko was still laughing, holding a hand over her mouth.

"The joke… wasn't that funny." Kyoko said, a bit embarrassed.

"N-No, not that. I just realized what Chie said." Yukiko said between laughs.

"Huh? What did I say?" Chie asked.

"Ch-Chie, those last two were the same thing…" Yukiko said.

"Uh… I know…"

"I suppose that the redundancy of your statement made her laugh." Kyoko said, as Yukiko went into another one of her laughing fits.

The four of them walked out of the classroom and made their way down the steps. They decided to talk to Teddie and see if he can track Kanji down. But they found themselves stuck in the entranceway of the school. Several students were all stuck, and looking over, Yosuke saw that there were several students crowded right outside of the school as well, right behind the gate.

"Hey, what's the hold up?!" Yosuke called over the crowd.

"There's a biker gang parked in front of the school!" One student shouted back.

"What?" Chie said. "A biker gang?"

The four of them squeezed forward, with thankfully not too much resistance as the crowd was distracted. As they got closer, they could hear shouting.

"You delinquents better buzz off, before I call the cops!" Came the voice of Mr. Morooka.

"Shut the fuck up, assface!" Came another voice, and one Kyoko recognized. "Maybe I might be able to fix that horse mouth if you ask nicely!"

"Whoa, who's throwing hands with King Moron?" Yosuke asked.

"I think I know who…" Kyoko said with a sigh.

They managed to get to the front, and saw Morooka was in a shouting match with a tanned, muscular teenager with a dark-brown pompadour. He wore a high-collared black overcoat that reached his ankles, with matching baggy black pants and a simple white shirt underneath the coat.

"You bring out Kanji Tatsumi, and then we'll talk!" The biker said, leaning back on his motorbike and slamming a metal bat on the concrete, causing Morooka to back into the crowd in fear.

"Jeez, that guy's seriously scary!" Chie whispered. "Just who is he?"

"I suppose the streets around Hope's Peak weren't enough, were they Owada?" Kyoko said with a raised voice, as she walked forward.

All of the anger seemed to drain from the delinquent. "Kirigiri?"

"Kanji Tatsumi wasn't at school today." Kyoko said. "So I suggest you tell your gang members to stop blocking the entrance."

"So he ain't here?" He said, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, shit. Get a move on, boys! I'll catch up later!"

The Crazy Diamonds all nodded, before revving their engines and driving off. The students at Yasogami quickly left the premises, a few of them briefly looking at Kyoko, but the gangster glared at them, scaring them off.

Eventually, all of the students left, while Kyoko and the other three met up with the gang leader a few blocks down. Yosuke and Chie were practically shaking as the guy stared them down. Yukiko hid her discomfort better though.

Kyoko and the gangster stared at each other for a while, letting the silence grow, before Kyoko spoke first.

"It's been a while, Mondo-"

The gang leader pulled Kyoko into a one-arm headlock, causing the other three to step back in shock, but then they saw that he had a grin on his face.

"Damn straight it's been a while, Kyoko!" He laughed.

"...huh?" Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko said together, confused.

"Mondo. Air." She said, tapping his arm. The teenager let go, and Kyoko caught her breath. "Though, I'm curious why you were surprised that I'm here. I did mention it, and I'm sure Mahiru did when she got back."

"Eh, you know me, Kyoko." The gang leader said. "Things tend to slip my mind."

Kyoko sighed as the gang leader let out a hearty laugh.

"Uh, Kyoko?" Chie asked. "You mind telling us why you're so friendly with this guy?"

"Guess I ought to introduce myself." The tall teen said. "Name's Mondo Owada! I'm the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader! Me and Kyoko were in the same class, so we know each other well."

"You're an Ultimate?" Yosuke asked. "Wait… how is being a gang leader a talent? You're like, good at riding a motorcycle or something?"

"It's a lot more advanced than what you might think." Kyoko explained. "Mondo's not only a skilled biker. He's very strong and tough and an expert mechanic. He's also an excellent leader, surprisingly."

"Hehe, yeah!" Mondo said. "Wait, whaddya mean "surprisingly," Kyoko?"

"You're friends with a gang leader?" Yukiko asked. "That's… really cool."

"And scary…" Chie added.

"But anyways, why are you in Inaba, Mondo?" Kyoko asked.

"Eh, I've been driving up and down the streets back home and around Hope's Peak for so long I got bored." He said. "So I took the boys out for a ride into the countryside. When I left 'em alone for a while to check out the area by myself, I came back to find them all with their asses handed to 'em."

"So you're looking for the guy that did it?" Yosuke asked.

"Damn straight." Mondo said. "No one messes with my boys like that, so I gotta settle the score."

"Well, Kanji Tatsumi's been missing since yesterday, so I doubt that you'd have much luck waiting out at the school, Mondo." Kyoko said.

"Huh, so he's a coward, eh?" Mondo said. "Well, I'm staying here for a bit, so I'm sure I'll find his sorry ass, sooner or later. Well, it was good seeing ya, Kyoko. Catch ya around."

He got back on his bike and revved the engine.

"Oh, and one thing I won't forget." He said, looking back at her. "All the other peeps back at Hope's Peak say hi!"

Kyoko smiled and waved as Mondo drove off, giving her a thumbs-up on the way.

"So… that was an Ultimate, huh?" Chie said.

"I think I lost a few years of my life from fear." Yosuke groaned.

"How many other Ultimates are there, Kyoko?" Yukiko asked, eager to learn more.

"Many. That's all I'll say." Kyoko said simply.

After the encounter, the four entered the TV World, where they found Teddie looking down.

"Hey Teddie, someone's here, right?" Yosuke asked.

"Oh… Yep. I think someone's here." The bear said, disheartened.

"You think…? Do you know where he is?" Chie asked.

"I dunno." Teddie said, sadly.

"We think it's a boy named Kanji." Yukiko said.

"I dunno." Teddie repeated.

"What's wrong?" Chie asked. "Not feeling well?"

"Well, I sniff and I sniff. But I still can't tell where the smell comes from." Teddie said.

"Aren't you thinking too much about too many things?" Yosuke asked. "I mean last time, you were wondering about who you really are and how long you've been here. You're head's empty to begin with, dude. Don't stress out over stuff too much."

Teddie turned away. "You're right…"

The others were surprised that Yosuke's snark didn't set Teddie off.

"Whoa… He's seriously down about this…" Chie said.

"If you can't figure out where Kanji is, we're in deep trouble." Yosuke said to Teddie. "We can't just wander around aimlessly in a place like this…"

Teddie looked sad, before a look of inspiration came across his face. "I know what might help! You should give me a clue about this Kanji person! It's just a feeling I have. I think I could concentrate better with it. Do you have anything that could give me a good understanding of him?"

"Something about Kanji, huh?" Yosuke asked, before thinking. "I can't really think of anything besides all the rumors about him."

"Yeah, it's not like we know him that well." Chie added.

"Yukiko?" Kyoko said. "You said you knew him when you were younger?"

"I did." She replied. "But I'm not sure if that's reliable, since people do change."

"I just need some sort of hint… Something that tells me what he's really like." Teddie said.

"Who don't we ask around and find people who know Kanji-kun personally?" Yukiko suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." Yosuke said. "And hey, we got a competent detective to help us!"

"I'm not the answer sheet." Kyoko said, annoyed a bit as the others laughed.

But going around, they found that finding information was difficult. They couldn't just exactly ask random people, since not everyone had information that would help them. Not to mention that most people are scared shitless of Kanji, and don't normally talk to him. Thankfully, Kyoko wasn't the Ultimate Detective for no reason. Kyoko had asked the obvious person, his mother. She told them that the same young man with the hat had actually come into the textile shop earlier, asking about Kanji. That led them to their next task, locating the young man that had met with Kanji.

They all split up and spread out through Inaba, trying to find the young man from earlier. Kyoko wound up in Junes, thinking that the high-traffic location would be very helpful. Sure enough, she found the person she was looking for.

"Is there something you need?" The blue-haired young man asked.

"I have a few things to ask." Kyoko said. "I'm glad I managed to find you here."

"Many people from the town come and meet here. It's a very convenient location, isn't it…?" The young man said. "Anyways, what is it?"

"You recall how you had met up with Kanji Tatsumi earlier, correct?" Kyoko asked. "Do you remember if there was anything strange about him?"

"You're asking if he was acting strange…?" The young man said, putting a hand under his chin. "Hmm. Very well. It seems to be an urgent, so I'll simply tell you."

The boy crossed his arms, as he retold the events of what happened during their meeting.

"If you're asking about recent events, then yes, there was something out of the ordinary. It was something I felt when I was with him… So I told him outright that he seemed to be an odd person. After I said that, his expression changed all of a sudden. I was quite surprised. On that basis, I believe his actions were forced and unnatural throughout the time I was with him."

"His actions were forced and unnatural…?" Kyoko repeated, hand under her chin.

"He may have some sort of complex, though I have no proof of this." The young man finished.

"Hmm… thank you for this information." Kyoko said, before turning around to go and report this to her friends.

"What is your name, by the way?" The young man asked.

"Kyoko." She responded.

"I'm Naoto." The young man responded. "Call it a gut feeling, but it seems that both of us were cut from the same cloth."

"Perhaps." Kyoko said, turning to face Naoto.

Kyoko stared at Naoto for a few more moments, before leaving. But Naoto couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

That girl… did she realize it…? They thought. But the name… Kyoko…

They remembered the news reports and stories they head read, about the famous Ultimate Detective. Could it be…?

If that's true… Naoto chuckled. Perhaps I've unintentionally found a rival.

One trip through the television later, they were in front of Teddie once again.

"Oh, you found out more about Kanji!" Teddie said, once Kyoko had repeated what Naoto had told her. "So… a complex… Th-That's it!? That's all I have to go on? You're working me to the stuffing..."

"Unfortunately, that was the best information I could find. I'm sorry, Teddie." Kyoko apologized. "If this isn't enough, we could ask around more-"

"Oh, no worries! I'll just have to open my nose up real wide and sniff real hard!" Teddie reassured, before taking a deep breath and sniffing as hard as he could. "Hrmmmm…"

"You got something, Ted?" Yosuke asked.

"Oh, I think I found something! It feels like our target! Is this it!?" He said.

"Only one way to find out." Chie said. "Lead the way, Teddie!"

"You got it!" He said, spinning on his bear heels. "Follow me!"

Teddie ran with surprisingly incredible speed, as the others followed right behind him. Making their way through the TV World, they found themselves in front of the bathouse that they had seen on the TV earlier, though it was a lot muggier than they had expected.

"Is it just me… or does the fog here seem kinda different?" Chie asked.

"My glasses are fogging up." Yukiko said, as she wiped them with her sleeve.

"It's not fog. It's steam." Kyoko realized.

"Man, it's hot in here." Yosuke groaned, pulling at his collar. "This place is like a-"

They all stopped moving, as soft, slow, jazz music began to play.

"C'mere, pussycat~" Came the soothing voice of a man.

"Oh… Such well-defined pecs…" Came another.

"There's no need to be scared~"

"Uhhhhh…" Chie said, words lost on her.

"Oh… God…" Yosuke said in disgust.

Kyoko and Yukiko didn't say anything, as the steam clung to their glasses and made their eyes unreadable.

"Now, just relax~"

The awkward silence around all of them just grew. Thankfully, Yosuke broke it for them.

"W-Wait a sec! I-I don't wanna go!" Yosuke protested.

"Is… Kanji-kun really here, Teddie?" Yukiko asked, hoping that it wasn't true.

"The nose knows!" Teddie insisted with a nod.

"We're… really going in here…?" Yosuke groaned. "Urgh, I can already feel the sweat rolling down my back…"

"That's because it's so hot." Chie said, trying to alleviate the situation.

"If you're really uncomfortable, Yosuke, you can stay behind." Kyoko said. "Keep the exit route secured."

"Wait, really?" He said, relieved.

"Oh hell no!" Chie said. "Yosuke's the only guy here. He's got to come with us!"

"Um…" Teddie felt invisible at that statement.

"That's why I'm suggesting it." Kyoko said. "I've already deduced that… no one in there would be interested in us. Meaning, we should be safer than Yosuke."

"...Kyoko? What are you guessing goes on in there?" Yosuke asked.

"Well, I'm not one to go against the leader's suggestion." Yukiko said. "But there is safety in numbers. Plus, Yosuke can work as a healer too."

"That's a good point." Kyoko realized. "And there's no evidence saying that Yosuke would be safe out here, alone."

"Guys?" Yosuke asked, just as invisible as Teddie at this point.

"Very well, we'll all go in together." Kyoko said.

Yosuke just groaned. "Aw man… I could lose something I'm not ready to yet..."

Kyoko raised a hand. "Yosuke, I swear on my honor as a detective, that no… "harm" will come to you in that bathhouse."

"Just… don't make me the meat shield." Yosuke said.

"Don't worry." Kyoko said. "That's Chie's job."

"Yeah-wait, what?" Chie said.

"Sounds like a plan." Yukiko agreed.

"Yukiko?!"

"Then we're all in agreement." Kyoko said, fixing her glasses. "Let's go save Kanji."

"Right!" Yukiko and Yosuke agreed.

"Wait, what was that about using me as the meat shield?!" Chie asked as they ran through the steamy doors.

The mission to save Kanji Tatsumi, had begun.

A/N: Sorry it's been a while since the last update. I've been mostly working on Symphogear X2 over this one, but don't worry, I plan to keep working on this.

I don't have much to say about this one, other than the interaction of another Ultimate Student. If you guys got any other Ultimate Student interaction ideas, feel free to tell me.

See you all next time.

Kyoko's Social Links:

Magician (Yosuke Hanamura): Rank 6

Chariot (Chie Satonaka): Rank 4

Priestess (Yukiko Amagi): Rank 1

Justice (Nanako Dojima): Rank 1

Hierophant (Ryotaro Dojima): Rank 1

Fool (The Investigation Team): Rank 3

Hope (Hope's Peak Academy Students): Rank 1