Yu's POV:
"...I should get back in time for afternoon classes." Kanji stands up with a sigh. "You coming?"
I frown. "You don't have to go, you know."
"I can't let my mom down, dude," he shrugs. "I can't be another thing she has to worry about."
"But-"
"If you don't wanna come, that's fine. I'll just tell them you're ill."
"...I don't want to be alone," I whisper.
"...Senpai," he sighs.
I bury my face into my knees. "It's fine. Honest."
"Don't make me feel all guilty..." He grumbles, sitting back beside me on the riverbank.
"I'm sorry," I sigh. "I don't mean to."
"Come back with me, won't you?"
"...What will Yosuke say if he sees us together?" I mutter. "He'll just think that-"
"It doesn't matter what he thinks."
I shake my head. "Just go, Kanji."
"You can't avoid him forever."
"I just... need time."
"Just... Just talk to him," he pleads. "Just tell him that... well, that this is who you are."
"...I can't."
"Why not?" He frowns.
"Y-you know what his reaction was towards you..."
"You're different," he shrugs. "You're his best friend. His partner, Yu."
"And he still looked disgusted by me."
"The last thing you can do is pretend to be someone else for his sake," he mutters. "Your Shadow could be the next we face."
"That's ridiculous," I murmur.
"If he cuts ties with you, that's on him, okay?"
"Kanji-"
"You could have such a better life without him, you know."
"He is my entire reason for all of this," I say. "I... I can't do this without him."
"...Who knows," he sighs. "Maybe... Maybe he'll come to his senses. But, if he doesn't... Don't change for him."
I bite my bottom lip. "Mhm."
"I know you're nervous to come out and say it, but... I'll be right there for you."
I nod. "Thanks, Kanji."
"And, uh... What was the deal before?"
"Hm?" I ask.
"W-with Naoto... You were bein' all... friendly and stuff with him."
"Don't start," I grumble.
"But... Why'd you tell him to come hang with us?"
"Isn't it obvious? So you can spend time with him."
"B-but..."
"Why make us both miserable, huh?" I shrug.
"Th-thanks..."
"...Just don't mess it up with him, got it?"
"Got it, Senpai."
~~~
"You gonna finish that?"
"Hanamura-san..." I splutter, looking up. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I work here," he chuckles.
"Right," I mumble. "Stupid question... I'm sorry."
"...Is everything alright, Narukami?"
"Hm? Y-yeah... Everything's... Fine."
"Well, you might wanna head inside," he says. "Weather report says it's gonna rain soon."
"I... I'm not staying long," I sigh.
"...And what are you doing, not in school?" He folds his arms.
"I... Well, uh..."
"Listen. I'm not gonna say anything to anyone," he shrugs. "But... Is this something to do with Yosuke?"
"Wh-what are you...?" My eyes widen.
"He came home last night, and... Well, he was acting strange..."
"D-did he... did he say anything?" I ask.
Hanamura-san shakes his head. "He just... was very agitated, to say the least. He looked shocked and hurt and angry and... overall confused, if I'm being honest."
"I... I see..."
"...Did the two of you fall out?" He frowns.
"...Something like that, I suppose," I say.
"Aw, cheer up, Narukami." He pats me on the back. "You guys'll get over it. I know you will."
"I hope so..."
"Yosuke isn't really a stubborn guy, so... Just give him a day or two to calm himself."
"Are... are you sure I haven't completely messed things up?" I mutter.
"Now you're being ridiculous," he chuckles. "He may not admit it, but my son absolutely idolizes you, Narukami."
"...Really?" I whisper.
"Uh-huh," he nods with a small smile. "Some stupid argument isn't gonna ruin your friendship, you hear me?"
"...Will... Will you speak to him for me?" I say.
"If that's what you'd want," he shrugs.
"...Thank you, Hanamura-san."
"You should head come before the rain sets in," he says. "Do you wanna borrow an umbrella?"
"O-oh, no, that's fine..." I chuckle. "Thank you, though. I'll... see you around, Hanamura-san."
~~~
Yosuke's POV:
I watch as the raindrops trickle down the window, crash landing at the windowsill.
Man... Class can be so boring at times...
"And, if Hanamura-kun would kindly pay attention, you'll see that—"
"Hm?" I stand up, facing the front.
Sensei sighs. "Really, Hanamura-kun? I said pay attention, not be the center of it."
"S-sorry." I sit down quickly, embarrassed.
"Idiot," Chie chuckles, nudging me in the arm.
"I- I wasn't listening..."
"I could tell," she scoffs.
"Geez, you're such an ass, Chie," I frown. "Yu wouldn't laugh at me."
Yu...
Dammit.
"Pretty sure he would have if he saw that disaster," she smirks.
"Hey, um... Is the rain gonna keep up?" Yukiko whispers.
"Think so," Chie shrugs. "Oh, you're thinkin' about the midnight channel, right?"
"Mhm-hm," she nods.
"Should I... Call Yu?" I ask. "To... To remind him?"
"I'm thinking the same..." Yukiko sighs.
"Guys, quit worrying," Chie groans. "It's not like he's gonna forget."
"I'd like to think so, but—"
"Even if he does forget, I'm sure Kanji-kun will remind him."
Kanji.
And then everything flashes back to me.
Him, Kanji... The whole... freaking bathroom scene...
"Uh... You alright, Yosuke?" Chie frowns.
I blink a couple of times. "Y-yeah..."
Why Kanji...?
There are so many girls who want to date him... Why a guy? Why... why did he...?
Why did he kiss me?
I feel my stomach flurry at the thought.
It's not like I enjoyed it, but... I don't know. Thinking about it... It's... weird, I guess.
It's like my heart starts racing and my body goes all warm.
Why... why wasn't it like that in Rise's dungeon?
I know it's probably because of the situation. I'm embarrassed, I guess. I mean... Anyone could have walked in.
These feelings are completely natural. But... Even then, I hate it. It makes me feel... disgusting.
Did... he feel the same?
I bet he does. There's no way he can be completely normal about... Well, about kissing another guy.
I know he regrets it. And... I'm willing to forgive him.
Not having him in class sucks.
He's still my best friend. My favorite person.
All I need is some sort of apology, right? Or some... excuse? Like... It was a joke? A dare? It... didn't mean anything?
I don't even give a crap why he did it. Just so long as it's forgotten between us.
~~~
Yu's POV:
Damn. I shoulda taken Hanamura-san up on that offer of an umbrella.
It's freaking freezing out here...
"Narukami?"
I turn my head, shielding my eyes from the rain. "Kou?"
In the next moment, Kou and Daisuke are both by my side, holding their jackets above us like some sort of parachute.
"Geez, man... What're you so unprepared for?" Daisuke snickers.
"I, uh..." I groan. "A lot has been on my mind."
"What's the deal with you skipping practice?" Kou asks.
"...Actually, I haven't been at school."
"I see... Why?" Daisuke asks.
"Geez... You can't ask something like that," Kou snaps.
"It's fine," I shrug. "Just, uh... Feeling under the weather, I guess."
"...Get well soon, man," Daisuke shrugs.
"But, seriously... This rain cannot be good for you. Let us take you home," Kou offers.
"Don't worry," I chuckle. "I was just on my way."
"We can walk with you, if you want," he smiles.
"Listen... I appreciate the offer, but—"
"We're not taking no for an answer," Daisuke scoffs.
"...Alright, then," I sigh.
"Hey, uh... What's the deal with Hanamura?" Kou says, as we head back to my place.
"What... what are you talking about?" I ask.
"You know... I just never knew he was such a ladies' man."
"...A what?" I frown.
"At lunch," he shrugs. "Hanging out with Chie-san, Yukiko-san and Rise-san! All alone..."
"Listen... You've got the wrong end of the stick, alright?" I snap.
"Sheesh... I never took you as the jealous type, Narukami," Daisuke smirks.
"I'm not—"
"It's not like he can keep all three of them under his wing for long," Kou shrugs. "So what if you get second pickings?"
"I don't... I don't want second pickings!"
"Geez! Okay, then—"
"As if anybody would wanna go out with him anyway," I snap.
"D-dude..." Daisuke splutters.
"I mean... He's selfish and arrogant and doesn't give a shit about anyone else's feelings."
"C-calm down, Narukami..." Kou says.
"What kind of girl wants that, huh?" I yell. "He's... cynical and conceited, and–-"
"Alright, alright, we get the picture..." Daisuke sighs.
"...Why are you saying all this?" Kou frowns. "I... I thought he was your best friend, man..."
"He's..." I trail off. "I don't... I mean, I..."
Fuck.
~~~
Yosuke's POV:
"Kanji?" I frown.
"...Hey," he shrugs.
"I... I thought you skipped..."
"Only the morning."
"But... Yu—"
"Don't act like you care about him."
"Woah, Kanji-kun... Where's all this hostility coming from?" Chie splutters.
"...Doesn't matter," he grunts.
"You saw him, Kanji?" Rise smiles. "How is he?"
Kanji scoffs. "Still not giving a shit about you."
"Kanji-kun!" Yukiko snaps.
"O-oh..." Rise mutters.
"Ignore him, Rise," I groan, standing up from my seat. "Kanji... Is he okay?"
He shrugs. "Dunno where he's at."
"What... what does that mean?" I frown.
"It means... I don't fucking know where he's at," he scoffs.
"...D-did he say where—"
"Oh, please," he shakes his head. "Don't try to play hero. This is your fault to begin with."
Chie sighs. "What have you done, Yosuke?"
"Nothing!" I say. "He's just... really sensitive—"
"Sensitive?" Kanji snaps. "God... You wouldn't know sensitive if it hit you in the face."
"...The hell does that mean?"
"Everyone, just... calm down," Yukiko sighs. "Let's leave it here, okay? We'll all watch the Midnight Channel tonight and discuss it tomorrow after school, okay?"
"Sounds good," Chie smiles.
"Hm," I grunt.
~~~
Yu's POV:
"Who the hell are you two?"
"O-oh, u-um..." Kou splutters.
"Friends from school," I sigh, closing the door behind us.
"Hm. So you actually did go in today," Dojima-san mutters.
"Huh?" Daisuke frowns.
I give him a pleading look, and his reaction quickly changes.
"...Well, I don't see why they're here, of all places," my uncle murmurs.
"I-it's raining outside, sir..." Kou begins.
"Am I playing detective, or are you?" He sneers.
"S-sorry, sir..."
"Guys... You can go," I shrug. "Thanks for... today."
"...No worries, man..." Daisuke nods. "See you tomorrow, right?"
"...You betcha."
I see the two of them out, before unwillingly turning back to my uncle.
"I... I'm gonna head upstairs," I say.
"And do what?" He frowns.
"Study," I snap. "Is that okay with you?"
"Hm."
"...Whatever."
I sigh, heading upstairs.
~~~
Summer break, huh?
Just a day away...
I toss my calendar to the side, sitting back on my couch.
Summer. That means no Yosuke for weeks... Unless...?
No. I can't... I shouldn't.
I just... don't know anymore.
My eyes flicker to the TV screen as a highschooler appears.
He has big dark eyes and a malicious grin. "Catch me if you can."
~~~
thanks for reading:)
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