Fate/Reach Out (Fate/Stay Night x Persona 4)

[Xamusel]

Hot... wow!

[Kieran]

Dramatic, terrifying, and oh, so sad - tragically perfect for Sacchin!

. . . And emotionally draining, too. If only I wasn't too terrified of nightmares to go to sleep now . . .

In all seriousness, though, thank you.

[Kishou the Badger]

Inaba Chorus 3: Heartbeat, Heartbreak

July 27th, Junes, Electronics Dept., Evening

The blue-haired, blue-capped boy had passed by the large TV screen about a dozen times now. He stared at the blank screen for a few moments before glancing at his pocket watch. “How much longer will this take?”

Naoto knew he shouldn’t complain. He lacked the means to fight with the others, but he had no obligation to actually wait for them by the store either. He avoided suspicion by window shopping and watching a few other TVs than the portal one, playing select stations that would engross other kids.

Not everyone knew he was a cop much less a detective. It helped with blending in, but that veil would be removed soon given time. He’d come to this town because of a murder, and regardless of how today turned out, there would still be one to solve.

After all, Satsuki proved to be a mere copycat.

She arrived after the murders started and had laid low. She only started killing when it seemed to be at a standstill, and by coercing her “brother” Mitsuo to do it. As for the Kubo parents, police had found traces of blood and chewed up remains of flesh in the garage matching their descriptions.

The town would be talking about these additional murders for weeks to come, and the true killer would have a preemptive opportunity on their hands. Either they could maintain the momentum by finding another victim while everyone was busy wondering about the Kubos or skip town while the heat was off.

Just as Naoto was about to make another roundabout, the TV lit up in ripples as the Investigation Team started to exit one by one. All accounted for. And before he forgot, he clicked his watch to end the timer he’d set.

Huh, a hundred and thirteen minutes. A good reference to their outings.

“You’re back,” Naoto said, relief showing in his voice as he greeted them. Though he noticed that the others didn’t look as enthused. They were exhausted, as expected, but it weighed on their hearts more than their bodies. Everyone was here though, so what was wrong?

“Did… something happen?” he asked hesitantly.

“We won,” Shirou said, sparing a glance to Yosuke. “At a great personal cost.”

“I see.” Naoto could only surmise that it meant Satsuki Yumizuka was no more. Bringing that up now would be tactless in light of Hanamura’s emotions. He didn’t know what else to say.

In fact, no one seemed to know. They stood awkwardly in the store, nursing their bruises and fatigue. Fujimura-san broke the tension with a loud yawn and cat-like stretch of one arm after the other.

“I don’t know about you kids, but I’m ready to hit the hay,” she declared.

“Uh, is sleep really a good idea?” Chie asked.

“Hey, we survived, stopped a worst-case scenario, and it’s the start of summer break. What better time for a victory nap?”

“How about trying to figure out where the real killer is? And where are you going Yosuke?!”

The downtrodden teen briskly walked away from the group, only noticed by the others when Chie called him out. He didn’t turn around or stop. “If it’s all the same with you, I’ve got a shift to worry about. Coming, Ted?”

“Uh, sure,” the bear nodded. He spared the others a quick bow before trotting after him.

“I think that settles that,” Shirou said. “Let’s go home for now. We’ll call and meet up tomorrow.”

Chie looked agitated but she conceded as the others one by one left the electronics store, notably in pairs. Yosuke and Teddie, Shirou and Fujimura, Chie and Yukiko…

Which left Naoto in the awkward company of Kanji and Rise. One of whom the latter wasn’t entirely fond of

“You know you don’t have to follow us back to the shopping district,” she said, as they waited at the bus stop. “It’s not like you live there.”

“I have to follow Kanji there,” Naoto affirmed. “You are welcome to go ahead or leave later at your own convenience.”

Rise frowned, and hesitated. She seemed to want to respond right back, but she failed to find the right words to do so. In the end, she kept silent and looked away.

“Hey, no fighting,” Kanji said to his ward. “We just got our asses kicked badly, so we’re a little on edge. Not as bad as Yosuke-senpai is feeling, but still.”

“I wasn’t fighting,” Naoto insisted. Fighting would be trying to assert his presence in an uphill battle against elitists. “And regardless of the outcome, you all won, correct?”

“It sure as hell doesn’t feel like a victory,” Kanji groaned.

And from there it was silent until the two teens returned to their homes. No other commentary, no questions, barely a parting wave as they left the bus.

<><><>

Naoto stayed and rode the bus to a private property just at the edge of town, a place surrounded by a beautiful forest ripe with green pines and leaves in the humid summertime. Just a brisk walk through the aged stone road, with a lesser known worn-down path to the side that led to a secret base he had since outgrown.

To a humble yet exquisite monochrome painted mansion tied to history, as veiled of a mystery as those that solve them. A place that had become Naoto’s home for the last decade or so.

Such was a normal ritual of home that he opened the door and greeted aloud, “I’m home, grandpa.”

The house was mostly vacant, with rooms full of trinkets and trophies from cases solved. A few rooms were briefing rooms full of stringboards that had been left up to see the process at work. Others were guest rooms comparable to hotel rooms in tidiness and comfort.

Which is why it was a surprise to Naoto to see one of those guest rooms had been left open. That, along with some shifted covers of a recently used bed, told him they had company.

But why? And so soon at that?

“Grandpa?” he called again, hoping for answers.

He heard his grandfather’s voice call from further down. “Ah, Naoto-kun. Come in, we have a visitor.”

Well, that explained some things. Naoto wasn’t sure if he could handle more surprises after dealing with the vampire so soon.

The library was a favorite room for Naoto and his grandfather both. The dark humid colors with most of the light coming from a well-kept fireplace. Naoto had fond memories sitting by the rug in her his pajamas, listening to gripping noir detective stories. Cases from fiction and non-fiction, even tales embellished from the long line of Shirogane detectives and their allies such as the Kuzonoha clan.

The most Naoto attributed to the library was a handful of his own cases, as well as every manga book he owned from his favorite stories: Great Detective Conan, Rurouni Kenshin, and Yu Yu Hakusho to name a few. Conan was still on-going, so maybe he needed to check if a new volume had come out yet?

Naoto’s musing in memory lane stopped as he noticed his grandfather sitting in his favorite armchair, talking with the surprise guest in the rocking chair across from him. The young sleuth could make out a long streak of cerulean-white hair in a ponytail, under a hairband with dark lines, and red eyes. A young girl by the features of her round face and frame, even with how rigid she was managing the rocker. Or maybe she was just unable to stop because of how fun it was or how it creaked back and forth.

The Shirogane patriarch turned around, greeting Naoto with a warm smile through his aged and wrinkly eyes. “You’re back, Naoto-kun. Did you finally solve that case with your friends in the Investigation Team?”

They weren’t his friends. He didn’t need or want friends. But Naoto never did have the heart to disappoint his grandpa, so he humored him. It didn’t even surprise the younger Shirogane how he knew about Emiya-san’s group or their cases, his grandpa knew where to look for whatever he needed to know. A true private eye.

“More or less,” he admitted. “They’ve at least accomplished a big hurdle for now.”

“I see, I see,” he mused. “Well, I’m sure you’ll have a fine story to tell and share once you solve it. But where are my manners? I was catching up with Kirijo-san the other day and she wanted to check up on things in the area. So, her associate here is visiting on her behalf.”

Kirijo? Why did that name sound familiar? Well, knowing grandpa, Naoto assumed it was one of his many clients and allies that he’d garnered over the years.

The long-haired guest smiled and bounced up, saluting to him with red gauntlets for arms. “Super Secret Agent Labrys, reporting for duty Ms. Naoto!”

W H A T

So many alarm bells were ringing in her his mind, but he grounded out with a steady cough into his hand. “Uh… secret agent?” Was this girl mocking her him?

“Ah, oops!” Labrys smiled, and playfully bonked her head with her hand. “I’m here on official business with the Kirijo group, so I’m kinda excited. You’re related to Shirogane-san so I guess it’s okay, but please don’t tell anyone.”

Okay, so it wasn’t a personal attack. And if Labrys was a ‘secret agent’, maybe she’d been briefed on certain details. Fair enough.

“Just… don’t call me Ms. Naoto. Ever again.”

“Ah, was that inappropriate? I just assumed because you’re a gi-“

“You are mistaken,” Naoto grounded out through clenched teeth. “I just prefer to be seen as a boy.”

“But my sensors indicate you have the reproductive organs of-“

“Then keep that information to yourself!” Naoto cut off again, startling the poor girl. “As far as anyone is concerned outside of this room, Naoto Shirogane is a boy. End of discussion. Good night, grandpa.”

With that said, the young Shirogane turned and stormed out of the library to the comfort of his bedroom. His grandfather stared sadly at his grandchild’s departure, and how shaken Labrys was left from the exchange.

“Do forgive Naoto-kun,” he said consolingly. “She’s very peculiar about her gender.”

For her part, Labrys seemed contemplative about Naoto’s outburst and showed no signs of conflict. “I think I understand. What I don’t get is how you can just call her a girl like it’s no big deal.”

Grandpa Shirogane chuckled. “Well, I’m her grandpa! I have family privileges.”

“Must be nice to have a family,” Labrys smiled. The smile turned bitter as faint memories echoed in her mind, as well as the numbers 024.

Her body stiffened, despite being metal, when she felt Shirogane’s hand on her shoulder. “Well, as long as you’re here, consider us your family too. Naoto-kun could use a sister like you.”

The smiling wink was enough to send Labrys over the moon. A sister! She missed this feeling! A big sister to Naoto-! Labrys stopped and blinked. “Wait, does that mean I have to call her my ‘little brother’ for now?”

“Well, baby steps,” Shirogane said.

Labrys could work with baby steps.

<><><>

July 29th, Inaba Hill, Late Afternoon

Every weekend there was a gathering of children on the otherwise absent hill overlooking the town. It was perfect for outdoor exercise and fun, granted if someone could keep a handle on the children that went there.

“Hey mister, let’s play tag!” A young boy in red shorts and a blue shirt asked.

“No, he promised to play house with us first!” A young girl in a sundress insisted. A pair of other girls nodded behind her.

“Huh? But that’s for girls!”

Kanji laughed even as his arms were tugged in two different directions. “Hey, the girls did ask first, but tell you what. I’ll run with you a bit and then come back when the girls are ready. But only when they’re ready, okay?”

“Yes, Kanji-san.”

“All right, mister! You’re it!” The boy smiled, already running and zipping through other groups of playing kids, much to their surprise and annoyance.

“Wh-hey! No fair, man!” he yelled, starting to chase after him.

<><><>

Anyone looking into the situation from an outside perspective would probably wonder how the hell Kanji Tatsumi got there.

Sometime after his harrowing rescue, he had decided to get a part-time job outside of his ma’s store to get some independent skills. The only thing that sounded remotely interesting though was watching some rugrats at a daycare on weekends.

The daycare ladies were less than thrilled about him being around, as the whole “biker gang” thing followed him. At least they were willing to give him a trial run.

The kids loved him. They didn’t care about gender crap as much, so he could play cool, rough games in the dirt or more docile ones with dolls. He could arm wrestle with the boys and have tea parties with the girls.

He was content in finding a place where he could be manly and soft without getting ridiculed. The matrons overlooked his appearance and hobbies because he could entertain all the children. Even Yuuta Minami.

The fact that there were boys and girls that didn’t let gendered norms bother them made his day, like a young boy who liked playing with the girls’ dolls. Made him almost think back to Shana-chan, who he hadn’t really seen since she got whisked off to juvie.

He really owed her for back then, but he didn’t know how to fix… whatever they had. Maybe properly apologizing? Maybe he should ask Shirou-senpai for some advice first. But for now, the most he could do now was keep an eye on the kids.

Speaking of keeping an eye on… the daycare shift was just about over, and all the kids had been picked up by their families. Except for Yuuta.

The two of them stood and waited on the hill. It was like a switch had been flipped in that his rumbustious, sort of troublesome energy was all spent and in his place was a timid boy. Kanji had worked at the daycare for a while, so he picked things up from gossiping matrons to what little he saw firsthand.

It was hard to forget Eri Minami. Her clothes looked a little fancier and city-like than the country mothers in Inaba. Long purple dress, brown coat, and almost always a frown on her rather young face. Almost always when picking up her son Yuuta.

Yuuta’s mother wasn’t his birth mom. She had moved into the countryside at least six months ago and seemed to dread every time she came over to pick him up. Their father was a busy-body businessman, or so he heard, so the one thing connecting mother and son to their family was absent, leaving them to figure out their dynamic.

And today, it seemed like Minami-san was running late… again. Not that he blamed her for wanting to avoid the other gossiping mothers, but she should know the timing by now.

“Hey, Yuuta,” Kanji said, startling the boy. “I’ll walk you to your ma’s house.”

He saw a lot of himself in Yuuta, from the absent father to the gossip out of earshot. They all said Yuuta was a bad kid, but all he saw was a lonely boy trying to fit in.

“No!” he huffed. “I don’t wanna go home!”

Anyone else would have either given up or appealed harder. Kanji attempted the latter, but remembered that this was Yuuta, who preferred to do things differently.

“Yeah, you’re right,” said Kanji. Yuuta relaxed, with a sort of conflicted expression on his face. “Walking over there sounds like a dumb idea. How about a race instead?”

“I don’t wanna go anywhere near home,” Yuuta insisted. He didn’t sound all that against running, though.

“What, you chicken or something?” Kanji jested with a smile. “Think you can’t outrun old ‘mister’ here?”

“N-No way! I’m the fastest there is! You’re on!”

Without even waiting for a starting countdown, Yuuta bolted down the hill towards his home. Kanji was surprised by his dastardly lead, but he always intended for the kid to win anyway. He just might catch up to him before the end if he paced himself.

He did hope the two found common ground soon, but he was never a smart guy to figure these things out. He’d keep an eye on Yuuta until then, though.

<><><>

August 1st, Junes, Afternoon

The last few days were a blur for the Investigation Team. They did call and meet up, but none of their hearts or minds were on the case. Yosuke was completely withdrawn and didn’t interact with the others unless it involved working at Junes.

It all came to a head when Satsuki’s body showed up on a telephone pole after half a day of rain.

Reports came up that a girl matching her description was responsible for not just the Kubo parents, but Morooka’s death as well. There were conflicting arguments though as some would attest that Satsuki Kubo wouldn’t hurt a fly, though she matched the data of a similar missing victim Satsuki Yumizuki from the next city over.

As far as Inaba was concerned, she was a victim of the serial killer, just like Mitsuo and Morooka. It only added another rumor wrinkle to the murder’s rep and garnered more infamy without even trying.

And Yosuke had to keep working at Junes until then. Surprise sales, friendly smiles, and premiere customer service (whatever the hell that meant). He was just now sitting and enjoying his break after a long shift, listening to their song on his MP3.

A shrill voice overwhelmed his earbuds. “Hanamura!”

Internally he groaned and hit pause as he saw two pain-in-the-neck part-timers march over to him. He could barely remember their names but knew them to be gaudy and snooty. “What is it?” he asked.

The gaudy yellow parka student glared at him. “How come Kazumi-chan has the day off but not us?!”

Yosuke blinked. “Huh?” He looked over their clothes, and the lack of work aprons.

“Not today,” the snooty, red-dressed student said. “Saturday the Sixth! We made it clear that we can’t work Saturdays, remember!?”

“And they said that they’d fire us if we didn’t! How is that fair?!”

Yosuke fought the urge to show any sign of annoyance from sighing to rolling his eyes. These two were honestly only working for a paycheck. They wanted money to burn but were rude and condescending even to other customers. Granted they knew how to reign in their behavior but then they’d complain to him for some random concession.

Such as less time working and more pay, which was unreasonable.

“Kazumi-chan is a hard worker who asked in advance for some time off,” he explained. “Whereas I recall you two taking absences without leave lately.”

The two students bristled, before the gaudy one cleared her throat. “I-I just forgot to come in,” she began weakly. “But that doesn’t matter! I have a date planned that day!”

“And hard worker? You’re just favoring Kazumi-chan just like Konishi!”

Yosuke stiffened. That’s right, they were around when Saki was still alive, so they’d know her too.

“We all know you had a thing for her and treated her special!”

“You even told the other workers to ease up on her. Why does she get the manager's son's treatment?!”

“Saki Konishi has nothing to do with this discussion,” he said coldly. “This is about you two failing to properly communicate with management about concessions to your work.”

“See? Even now you’re defending her! She never even liked you!”

“And don’t think you can go running back to your girlfriend, either!”

“Yeah, they found her on a telephone pole! Just like Konishi!"

…were these two being serious right now? They were kicking him down now because they knew Sacchin was dead?

“Kazumi-chan has a boyfriend of her own, by the by! So don’t think you can rebound on her like the other two!”

“Not that you had good taste in girls before. First a liquor store girl, then an out-of-towner?”

By this point Yosuke had tuned them out and was trembling. It was one thing to badmouth Saki-senpai, a girl he thought he knew and tried to move on from. But to do the same to Sacchin, not even a day after her wake in which her whole “family” turned up dead?

He had put up with enough shit in his life to let one more person push him around. No more.

“Okay.”

The girls stopped and blinked. They exchanged glances, disbelieving. “Okay?” one of them echoed.

“Your complaints have been heard,” he stated. “And I’ll make sure you’ll have all the time you need when Saturday comes around.”

They looked so smug and satisfied hearing that. It made the feeling of revenge all the sweeter as he uttered the next words-

“Because you’re fired.”

-And to see those faces slowly morph to confusion and horror.

“…what?!” the other girl yelled.

“You’re fired,” he said again. “You’ve gotten too many write-ups, and while the decision is up to the manager, as assistant manager I can let him know you two were more concerned about a coworker’s time off than earning your own. You’ll get your last check in the PO Box, don’t worry. Now you’ll have all the time for your date and stuff.”

He made a show to up and leave the table. The conversation was officially done, but he knew they wouldn’t let it stand. So, they ran to intercept his retreat and cry foul.

“Y-You can’t do that!”

“Yeah, this isn’t fair!”

“Fair!? Let me tell you something about ‘fairness’!” Yosuke finally yelled, shocking the two broads to silence. “It’s putting in the effort to work even when it inconveniences you! It’s about making tough decisions to help someone else! It’s about saying please and thank you and all that kindergarten stuff that our kid customers would know from watching our commercials!

“You two act like you know everything but you couldn’t be any more wrong about people! Saki-senpai never did things half-assed! She did everything asked of her even when she was tired! And Sacchin was only scary towards people that ticked her off! Otherwise, she was caring and sweet and even felt guilty!

“So what if Saki-senpai hated me?! So what if Sacchin killed my teacher?! I already knew all that, and it doesn’t matter anyway!” His anger finally subsided, and his gaze fell to the store tiles. “They’re gone now… they left me behind.”

He didn’t care that everyone in the store could have heard him. He didn’t care that his ex-employees were staring at him gobsmacked from his rant. He didn’t even care that he’d likely get written up by his dad after all this.

Yosuke was just drained and tired and left the store without another word. He’d probably feel madder about the reaction if he were less upset.

Because those two bitches were right. He did hide. All the time.

When he first moved, he latched onto Saki as a lifeline. Perhaps that’s why he got so obsessed with her. Then after she died, he latched onto Shirou next. And whenever he wasn’t around, he followed the sexy and self-assured vampire Satsuki.

Before he knew it, Yosuke was out by the floodplain river, sitting on the grass hill just beside it. He just stared out to the river, wondering what he should do now with his life.

Even if they found the killer tomorrow, that wouldn’t bring those two back, would it? Perhaps there was some magic that could bring them back, but he had seen enough anime and played enough games that such a feat was far more trouble than it's worth. “The rules of equivalent exchange” this and “find seven to make a wish” that.

He’d have better luck asking the grim reaper for their souls back.

No, he’d keep fighting because he wanted to keep Inaba safe. The town that Saki-senpai convinced him was worth something. Where he made all his new friends, where he met Sacchin.

A town that had its unique charm and residents like… a lady in black mourning?!

Yosuke had to double-take to see if his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him, but sure enough, there she was. An old, frail looking woman dressed entirely in black, holding a cane as she also sat down on the grass hill with a small blanket under her seat. Spots of pale white skin were visible from her neck and face, covered partially by a black veil from a small cap over her aging purple hair.

She turned and looked at him, almost serenely, and spoke, “A young man like yourself shouldn’t be associated with me.”

“Wh-Why not?” he asked.

She replied, “I am Death.”

Yosuke blinked. She sounded so sure, so certain, and given everything he had seen and done, it was probably not that odd of a thing to happen to him. Almost like she came up as he was rhetorically thinking about asking for souls. But at the same time, she didn’t seem all that “supernatural”. Maybe she just never grew out of her chuuni phase?

Still, a response like that deserved another. “Huh. I thought you’d look a little younger.”

It gave the woman pause. Then she started to chuckle which quickly shattered the illusion that she really was Death. “You’re quite a flirt, aren’t you?”

He smiled, happy to have both broken the ice and getting complimented. “You should see my best friend. He’s got like three girls into him right now.”

“Oh, I’m sure you must have a sweetheart or two in your life, young man.”

“Had two,” Yosuke admitted, frowning. “You took them both away.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, you called yourself Death, right?”

He felt a little bad saying a joke like that. It didn’t feel funny at all. The woman looked mortified, but understood completely and stared at him with pitying, sad eyes. “…I’m so sorry.”

No words were spoken for a long while, as they both stared awkwardly at the riverbed.

“You… lost someone too, didn’t you?” he finally dared ask.

“Yes,” she said. “My late husband passed away quite recently, in fact.”

“Does it get any easier?”

“I’ve been asking myself that since the day he died.”

Yosuke wished Shirou were here. He’d probably figure out a better way to help this old lady.

Yosuke also wished to know why he wanted to help the old lady. He had his own problems sorting out his feelings for Saki and Sacchin, and this widower who may or may not be Death incarnate, was having a similar funk.

Maybe seeing someone else feel miserable made him want to lighten the burden?

A few more seconds of deliberation passed before he stood up, walked, and sat next to her. “My name’s Yosuke Hanamura.”

The widow seemed to brighten and looked him over once more. “Ah, I thought you looked familiar. Your family runs the new Junes store.”

“So, are you mad about us ruining the town’s culture too?” he asked, wanting to kick himself immediately after. Dammit, hanging around with Shirou too much gave him no filter! He wanted his best helping qualities, not his worst!

The woman laughed again, so his worries were unfounded. “When you get to be as old as me, Yosuke-kun, anger is the least of your worries.”

Ah, this woman was actually very nice. Very sad, too. “So, may I ask the lovely lady for her name?"

She smiled under her veil. “It’s Hisano Kuroda.”

“That’s a much better name than Death, if you ask me.”

That earned him another grateful laugh, as if it soothed his own aching heart.

<><><>

August 2nd, Junes Department Store

Teddie was officially the Junes mascot.

His costume was just perfect: comical, colorful, and appealing to children. There was apparently an “interview” that he had to sit through with not just Yosuke’s parents (the owners of the Junes in Inaba) but also sitting in with some other branch directors.

He got measured, probed, asked questions, and even served as the sort of “alpha” bear for what other Junes employees would aspire to. It felt so fulfilling to see his costume be made for future Teddies!

Of course, he was still the one and only for now, especially as he was to be tested and graded by some executives on how effective he was selling his brand, whatever that meant.

Because as the Hanamuras and other coworkers warned him about, summer was gonna be brutal. He was NOT looking forward to the heat again.

But if Yosuke could handle this, he could too. And he knew just how to woo the crowd to his presence. Being himself!

“Mommy, mommy, there’s a bear on the massage chair!”

“A… bear?” A lady and son shopping duo stopped and stared at Teddie. Indeed, Teddie was reclining on an electric massage chair.

“Ooooohhhh, hihihihihih therererererere!” He greeted them before turning the machine off and hopping off. “Welcome to Junes, where every day is great here!”

“Uh, thank you?” The mother said hesitantly. Teddie shook her hand, which was actually tough given his portly shape and limited arm range.

“You look tense. How would you like a few minutes on our patent massage chair?”

“No thank you, I can’t afford that.”

“Oh, me neither. For a place that promotes cheap deals, there’s no way I can buy it. I can barely afford Topsicles!"

While the woman was put off by his friendly demeanor, he took the opportunity to lead/drag her over to the chair anyway. “That’s why I keep coming to Junes. Using the chair here is free!”

“B-But I already-!” the woman’s already weak protests ended as she was pushed into the seat and it turned on. The woman practically melted in euphoria and her tension ebbed away.

Another satisfied customer!

“Now, while your mom takes a well deserved break,” he started, talking to her young boy. “Wanna see a magic trick?”

“Do I!” The boy agreed, and Teddie wowed him with his stuff. Small light flashes.

Sock puppetry. Super small balloon balls. What would start with one child would always gather a flock in no time.

Teddie made himself known as the “magic bear of Junes”. Management always asked how he did it, but he reminded them that a magician never revealed his secrets. He also made a point to do what his sensei called “stage magic” stuff. The book he had was helpful.

And so, while one child and parent left, he was already on the prowl to appease another. Not everyone was welcoming or patient, though. Sometimes rudely telling him off. He didn’t let that get to him, as he could still make another kid’s day.

“WOW!”

Such as right now, as he wandered near the grocery aisle, a young girl in a pink dress and brown hair rushed up to him. She was the epitome of innocence and wonder, eyes sparkling as she got close, matching his costume height. Teddie had seen plenty of young children excited to see him, but there was something special about this one, he could tell.

“Hi, I’m Teddie! What’s your name?”

“Nanako!” Nanako, as sweet as the apple of her name implies.

“Well Nanako, how can I help you today?” He asked, making an exaggerated attempt at looking around. Manager Hanamura said kids love silliness. “Maybe find your parents?”

“My dad’s working, and my mom is up in heaven.” ACK! Bad Teddie, kids don’t like being reminded about death! “And my big bro’s doing shopping right now, but he said I could help!”

Okay, he could bounce back with this! “Oho! Shopping for your brother, I see! Do you know what he likes, Nanako-chan?”

“He tends to cook Japanese-style food like rice and katsu.”

“Then you’re in luck! We have a special sale on pre-made bentos! Plenty to eat, or use for cooking! The designs are super cute too, or so I’m told?”

“Really?”

“Well, not to brag, but I think I’m pretty dashing to have a Teddie-shaped bento, but those haven’t been made yet.”

“I’d love to have one like you, Teddie!”

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks, Nanako-chan!”

Nanako’s smile was a treasure, he decided. One he wanted to see more by helping her shop for her groceries.

Ah, there’s Shirou-sensei! Just by the check-out lanes. Though he couldn’t really call out to him since he was on the clock while helping Nanako.

Nanako noticed him too, and her smile seemed to grow wider. “Big Bro!”

Wait, WHAT?

As Teddie processed this development, Nanako rushed over to Shirou-sensei’s side and they talked animatedly. He could make out her saying how he helped her, and how surprised she was to hear Teddie was his friend too.

It made so much sense. Only a sweet and pure girl could be related to the indomitably amazing Shirou-sensei!

And it completely made his day to see them both smile and wave goodbye as they left the store. Teddie returned the gesture, and before he knew it, more kids swarmed him asking for toys or balloons.

Such pure glee and joy. Life was good.

[Kieran]

Labrys?! Well, she's active early - I wonder what the story is there . . .?

Character growth for Yosuke (always good), and a dose of karma for those twits - lovely to see! (Though I wonder who's going to take the old lady's place in Shirou's Arcana of Social Links, then . . .)

And finally, a bit of sweetness and light as a finisher; just what I needed after the last few chapters. Well done, and thank you.

[Kishou the Badger]

Chapter 52: Summer of Affection


<><><>


August 13th, Samegawa Flood Plain, Late Afternoon
​

Summer vacation was a welcome change of pace for the Investigation Team. With the case on hold, no one had much reason to check in at Junes, and they were all busy with their own ventures. Yosuke and Teddie were so swamped with Junes sales that they had to ask Chie and Shirou to pitch in for a whole week. Yukiko, while still prepping for her secret elopement plans, was helping the family inn deal with an influx of summer tourists. Chie took to exercising before and after the Junes rush, and Rise spent her days at Okina watching people while remaining incognito.


Even Taiga was busy training her kendo swing lately. Something about a promotion exam later in the year. Now if she could only actually pass it and not get disqualified again...
Shirou felt a little sad that he didn't see his friends as much, but he made do. Kanji had nothing but time, since even Naoto was busy with a certain guest of his grandpa's coming to visit. Which was just as well as he was busy helping a young boy find his doll, who threw it away because of peer pressure from teasing boys. It belonged to a young girl who he was friends with, and he was wallowing in despair when Kanji and Shirou found him.


Which led them to now: two high school students and a preschooler wading through the Samegawa river for a stuffed toy.


"I-It's not here," the quiet young boy said, waist deep in the shallows.


"It'll turn up, don't worry kid!" Kanji assured him from his searching spot. The water was starting to numb his hands, but at least he wasn't melting in the sun. He grumbled and glared at the third member of the search party. "Dammit, senpai, I told you to watch him by the bank!"


Shirou was instead closing his eyes and holding his hands in a prayer state, trying a new tactic for the search. He had the awareness to respond to Kanji, though. "He feels responsible for throwing the doll away, and three sets of hands are better than one."


"He's gonna catch a cold like this!"


Shirou opened one eye to glance at his kouhai. "And we aren't?" he asked bluntly.


"Hey, if we did this my way, then only I'd have to worry about ticking off 'ma with wet clothes." Kanji huffed, slamming his palm down with a splash. No doll here either… and now his senpai was laughing! "What's so funny?!"


"Sorry, it's just good to know how nice a guy you are, Kanji."


Shirou's honest praise mollified Kanji immediately. He was still not used to people giving him the benefit of the doubt like his new team. Sure, they could be a pain in the ass sometimes, but not Shirou-senpai. He never mocked or humiliated him. Knowing they came from troubling childhoods was very humbling, and perhaps why he felt the need to help Kanji with this goal.


Seeing that kid feel horrible about betraying a girl's trust… no man should ever live through that.


Meanwhile, Shirou felt the fruits of his labor in Margaret's lessons finally paying off. He always had a knack for determining "smells" with magecraft, so it helped in identifying anything magical around him. It was no use in a mundane situation like finding a toy, but he could refine his senses to focus on oddities in the area around him. After getting used to the salt of the river and rock grains, picking up traces of wet cotton was mere troubleshooting.


He followed the scent, and noticed the doll had tumbled quite far away from the initial spot where the boy said he threw it. The current must have dragged it some distance, only to get snagged by some stubborn rocks. They could have been here all day and come out of it with nothing.


"I think I found it," he called out, plucking the doll up.


"Really? You found Sana-chan's bunny?!"


"Awesome, you the man, senpai!"


"Don't thank me just yet," Shirou warned, walking over and lifting the bunny doll in front of them to see.


Kanji's face fell. It was a bunny doll all right, but the once vibrant fabric was faded and soaked. It was a dripping mess that no small amount of squeezing and drying would wring out. Worse, it was cut across the belly, deflated with some wet stuffing flaking out.


"I'm really sorry," Shirou said, giving the doll to the boy. His face was distraught like he was about to cry all over again.


"No… no, thank you misters," he said quickly. "You helped me when no one else would… I didn't think I'd see it again. Sana-chan will be so sad, but… I'll give it back to her. And apologize. That's what I'll do." His head lowered as he sniffled. "E-Even if she…"


Even if she never wanted to talk to him again, Kanji thought. It was definitely like Shana-chan…


"Lemme see that," Kanji said. He didn't wait for confirmation and just plucked it out of his hands. Looking and feeling the water damage, yeah it was bad. But not entirely a lost cause. He might need to double-check his tools back home, but…
​

"Tell ya what. I'll see about getting this doll spruced up in… a week. No- two days from now. Meet me at the hill where the daycare kids hang out. After they're done, I mean."


The boy's mood brightened into hope and surprise. His tears dried up immediately. "R-Really? You'll fix it?"


"I'll make it as good as new," he promised. "Think Sana-chan can wait a couple of days?"


"Yeah!" the boy nodded before he jumped up and hugged Kanji around the waist. "Thank you so much, mister!"


"H-Hey, I'm not old enough to be a mister!" Kanji complained hotly. The boy didn't care as he was beside himself, skipping away from the floodplain.


"That was really nice of you, Kanji," Shirou said with a smile.


It was one thing to get thanked by a kid, but praise from his senpai left Kanji embarrassed. "I-It's nothing, just didn't want the brat going home crying."


"Would you like some help fixing the doll? I'm more used to engineering, so you'd have to direct me on what to do."


"No thanks. I appreciate the offer senpai, really. But I'd rather do this on my own. It's the only thing I'm good at so I want to make it right."


Kanji tried to downplay his emotions, although it was clear that he was determined and excited to get to work right away. He was strong in a fight, but his true passion was in crafting and sewing. Seeing his friend more certain of himself than when they first met made Shirou happy.


And yet, he felt sad that once the murders were solved and the culprit caught, they'd all go their own separate ways. He would have to return to Fuyuki at the end of the year, too. And yet he had no real goal of what he'd do after. Sure, he told himself that he'd be an Ally of Justice, but what did that really mean?


Well… worrying about it now was futile if they couldn't solve the immediate problem of the murders first. And it was summer break, so Shirou decided to enjoy himself like the others were.


<><><>


August 15th, Shopping District


If there's one thing Chie couldn't stand, it was bullies.


A police officer had warned her about some hooligans harassing people in the shopping district; repeat offenders from a biker gang no less. She completely forgot about them on the scale of how dangerous they were, especially considering the timing.


She didn't think to tell the others what she heard; this was just a minor issue. She'd find those bullies and set them straight herself.


Fortunately for Chie, she didn't have to look far. A group of teenagers, dressed in casual "cool" attire, were heckling a smaller boy about Nanako-chan's age whose distinctive trait was holding a big stuffed bunny.


One of the bullies snatched the pittance of coins from the kid's hand. He sneered after quickly counting it. "A 500-yen allowance? You're holding out on us, kid."


"B-But it's all I have!"


"Don't lie to us. That bunny you're holding must be worth a few thousand, easy."


"Wh-wha-?" The boy clutched his bunny tighter, skirting away from the older jerks. "No, you can't have it! It's not yours!"


The bullies laughed. One of them even stepped forward to reach for the toy. "Aww, the widdle baby luvs his bunny. Are you a boy or a girl?"


She'd heard enough. She ran forward and skidded to a halt between the boy and the bullies. Her legs bent and firm, her arms wide and loose. She was ready to cut loose if necessary.


The jerk at the front of their group eloquently expressed his surprise in one word: "Huh?"


Chie ignored them, turning her head to the boy with the doll. "Don't worry, you're safe now." She smiled at him, and he nodded back, somewhat assured.


"Hey girl, this is Rabbit business," a bully told her. "Get out of here if you know what's good for you!"


"I told you, idiot; we are not calling ourselves that," another argued.


"Yeah, I wanted to be the Porkers!"


"We are not calling ourselves that, either!"


Chie rolled her eyes. If they were this distracted by team names, they probably hadn't been at this for very long. She had seen and heard of biker gangs more organized than this. "If you want a doll, go ask your moms for one," she told them. "Though I'd hate to be the one who raised even one of you buttfaces."


"B-buttface?!" The bully in front of her bristled, as did another. They did look like they had a face only a mother would love, not just in attitude.


"If you're still open to names, that's not a bad one for a bunch of thugs," she teased with a smile. "'Hey everyone, look out! It's the Buttfaces!'"


The boy behind her giggled, even as the bullies grew red in the face. Except for one, who suddenly had a calm, slimy smirk on his buttface. He stepped forward to put a hand on his associate's shoulder.


"Calm down, guys," he told them, "Chie-chan is just getting you riled up."


Chie was startled, but she didn't let the shock show. She just narrowed her eyes. "How do you know my name?"


"We ran into a pretty skittish guy with more money than sense," he explained. "He sang like a canary. Told us all about you, your little hero stunts as a rugrat, and how you were best friends with the inn girl."


"Ah, yeah, that guy!" Another snickered. "He made it sound like you were his bodyguard. He thought he was all tough threatening us when he was just begging."


"None of my friends would do that," she replied hotly. Emiya, Kanji-kun, even Hanamura and Teddie were better than that.


"Aww, poor Kuono is gonna be sad when he hears that," the smug bully teased.


Takeshi-kun. Chie shouldn't have been surprised. Takeshi was always a bit of a coward as a kid, and from their brief reunion he hadn't changed much. It hurt her to know how her former friend used her name like this, but it just validated her stance. Her real friends wouldn't do that to her or Yukiko.


"But he also said you were a Plain Jane kind of girl. So unassuming compared to Yukiko-chan. Probably couldn't get any action either, if you know what I mean."


…when this was over, she never wanted to see Kuono ever again.


"So how about this?" The leader leaned towards her, a cocky smirk never leaving his face. "You can either walk away as we finish our business with the kid with the bunny here. Or… we could negotiate somewhere private and see you get some 'fun' for once."


They were seriously bribing her for…?! She felt disgusted and revolted all at once.


"M-Miss," the boy pleaded behind her. She took the moment to look at him, anything but those bullies' sneering faces. "I-I don't know what's going on, but… please don't let them take this bunny. I lost it once already, when I threw it away. I don't want to lose it again. Please help."


"Yeah, Chie-chan. Please 'help' him'," the leader mocked. So assured in thinking she'd cave then and there.


But no, that boy did help. By reminding her why she did this. Why she wanted to be less like Kuono, and more like Emiya-kun. "We're not talking about anything," she said slowly, before shoving the man away. "And you're not taking his bunny, either."


"We're gentle lovers," he tried again with his pitch. A very "try hard" attempt.


"No thanks. I don't have low enough standards to settle. I'm not pathetic like you three buttfaces."


That finally got the smug leader's face to fall to an angry scowl. His hand whipped to his pocket to pull a knife. "Why you bi-IIIIIIIIIIIII!"


But Chie's leg was faster. It flew high like a crack of lightning up to his crotch. The groveling gangster collapsed like a puppet without strings.


"Oi! You've done it now you-!"


"EAT SHIT, ASSHOLE!"


"What the f-YAAA!"


While Chie was so focused on the guy in front of her, she didn't notice the other two trying to jump her. And they in turn didn't notice getting bodied and slammed to the asphalt of the empty street.


"Haha, good form, senpai! You got it on the first try!"


"It helped to have some experience. You used it on me when we met in Okina, after all."


Chie blinked, surprised by the two unlikely rescuers and their banter over the act. "Emiya-kun?!"


"And Mister!"


Kanji flinched, snapping and marching up to the boy. "I'm not a-!" then he thought better of it, seeing the boy's beaming smile and relief. His short-lived anger gave out with a sigh of relief. "Oh, nevermind. You're not hurt, are you?"


"Nuh-uh," he said. "Miss came to help me, and then you came too, mister!"


"That's good," Shirou smiled. "We have Satonaka to thank as well for her intervention."


Chie was torn. She was truly happy that Shirou came to her rescue, but she also felt angry and upset. Like she wasn't good enough to handle three pervy jerks on her own. It left her conflicted.


It turns out she wasn't the only one. "I wish I was brave like you guys," the boy lamented. "I didn't do anything."


"What are you talking about? You saved your friend's bunny here," Kanji said, gesturing to the toy. "You could have given it to them when they asked, but you stood firm and told them no. That takes guts, kid."


"B-But they would have taken it anyway. I'm weak."


"It's easy to think that when you're against bullies who throw their weight around," Kanji assured. "But if they ever give you trouble again, just give me a holler and I'll come running."


"You promise?"


"Of course. I always keep my promises, remember?"


"Hehehe, yeah!"


It was a weird coincidence that the boy she was rescuing was acquainted with Kanji-kun and Emiya-kun as well. While Kanji entertained the boy, she turned to her other savior, suddenly awkward and a little shy.


"So… what do we do with them?" she gestured to the road.


"I'll call Doji-nii and let him know to pick up and question the uh, 'buttface' gang," Shirou said.


A ghost of a smile graced her lips. "You heard that?"


"Yeah."


"How much else did you hear?"


"…enough to know I hate Kuono now."


That was fair. But it left her conflicted again. Hurt. "So, what? You were waiting for the right time to rescue me?"


She should have been mad. She wanted to be mad, and part of her frustration bled out in her voice. But Shirou looked downright guilty that he couldn't even keep eye contact. "I… didn't want to insult your pride like they did."


"Huh?"


"You're strong, Satonaka. Stronger than any of us give you credit for. If anyone needed saving it was those three idiots." Chie smiled, realizing he was right. "If it was serious like a repeat of another Shadow fight, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But it wasn't. So, I waited."


"And Kanji-kun?"


"He arrived late; took one look over the corner, saw the boy was in trouble and ran like a bull. At that point I just followed him."


That… made her feel a whole lot better. It was sweet that Kanji-kun had a soft side to help the boy like that (and she had a feeling it was a bit deeper with the toy connecting them), and Emiya-kun would swoop in to save her if she really needed it. That he stood back because he had confidence in her.


Smiling and blushing, she held out a fist to him. He stared at it, confused.


She then shyly asked, "Allies of Justice?"


Recognition dawned on his face, as he smiled back. "To the bitter end," he replied, bumping fists with her. Then without thinking, her fingers uncurled and palmed his fist.


Shirou blinked again, and Chie stammered. "Ah, sorry! I just reacted!"


"Actually, let me try something," he told her. His hand unclenched and turned, before his palm met hers and echoed in a clap. Shirou grinned. "There. Now we have a secret handshake."


A secret handshake? She… she never realized how much she wanted one! And it flowed so smoothly, too! It wasn't complicated or long, just a fist-bump and then a horizontal high-five!


"I love it!" She blurted out. Then she blushed, seeing Kanji and the boy stare at her. "Th-The handshake I mean. I love the idea of it."


"Y-yeah, of course," he answered, just as shyly.


"Wait, you guys got a handshake going on?" Kanji asked. "Sweet, can I see?"


"Sorry," Shirou told him. "It's for Allies of Justice only."


The police arrived shortly after and took their statements. Kanji was labelled almost immediately as the instigator, but the accounts of three people (one of them being a boy insistent that Kanji made the bunny for him) dispelled those notions rather swiftly. And because one of them had a knife, they were justified in self-defense. Though they were reprimanded for trying to confront them on their own.


Kanji was annoyed, but satisfied the kid was safe. Shirou shrugged in resignation over the incident. And Chie just didn't care; her heart didn't stop swelling over their secret Allies of Justice handshake.


<><><>


August 17th, Tatsumi Shrine, Afternoon


Tama's shrine turned out to be a very popular location for Yukiko to gain a moment of respite. She didn't have to worry about some stupid tabloid reporters finding her here like at Junes or the family inn. The fox was also good company who loved to be scratched. Sitting just at the end of the stoop of the donation box, Yukiko could let her mind wander and relax.


Like what to make of her feelings. Of her inn. Her future. And Shirou Emiya.


Yukiko wasn't blind; she could see how enamored Rise-chan would act around him since joining the team. And Chie never opened up to another boy like Emiya-kun. They were so alike in mannerisms and behaviors that they were like brother and sister.


So… should she allow one of her friends (preferably Chie) to pursue Shirou for a husband? That would be fair, except… she'd be giving up without trying again, wouldn't she? She knew that she liked Shirou for his kindness and support in her goals. She couldn't trust anyone else to understand. And she might have insisted that he was someone special to her to the staff at the inn, resulting in them being eager to meet him, as well as teach her how to cook better. Or at least take over and have her watch…


She would NOT make a repeat of the Sin. Or Mystery Food X. Then when she perfected cooking, she'd be wearing only an apron and greet him with a piping hot dish and a smile and say—


"Ah, hello Amagi."


Yukiko blinked out of her daydream and stammered at his approach. "E-Emiya-kun?! What are you doing here?!"


"Just to check up with Tama," he said casually, approaching the fox. "The wish has been fulfilled: the family's dog is back home."


Tama mewled in a sound difficult to discern and circled around Shirou in evident glee. More wishes granted meant more word of mouth, and more people willing to donate to the shrine.


At least the fox knew what she wanted in life, which was more than Yukiko herself could say. What was her plan again? To move out of town? Where would she go?


Then a thought occurred to her. "Emiya-kun? Can you tell me more about where you came from?"


"You mean Fuyuki City?" he asked back, looking up from Tama brushing against her leg. "What's there to know?"


"Well… if I'm to move out of Inaba, I'd like to be somewhere that's familiar. Maybe close to your home?"


She tried not to make it sound too desperate or… flirty. Guys like girls that are hard to get, yes? It seemed to work, as he was suddenly flustered. Thank you, Kasai-san!


"W-Well, it's big," he said slowly. "It's actually two towns split up by the river Mion that runs through it. Miyama Town is where a lot of the older buildings and districts are. It's where my house is too. Oh, and they're split between traditional eastern homes and imported European ones. I guess the Ryuudou Temple is important too – Not that it's better than your shrine, Tama!"


He said that quickly as the fox by his leg stared at him disapprovingly. After a moment she decided to magnanimously accept his apology with a nod.


"I see," she said. So, Fuyuki had some grassroots too. "And the other town?"


"That's Shinto Town. It has had a lot of renovations over the years. You could say that Miyama is where the residents live, while Shinto is where they go to have fun."


"Have fun?" Yukiko echoed. "Like what?"


"Well, there's a harbor my late dad used to go for long trips. He said it was good for fishing. Then there's the Copenhagen, the bar I worked at—"


Yukiko gasped. "You worked at a bar?!"


"Part-time!" Shirou insisted. "And I didn't touch the drinks either. Neko-chan insisted. She's the owner."


"Oh," she sighed, relieved and disappointed. He wasn't fully tainted by bar life yet. Unlike the regulars at her inn; them and their King's Game.


"Let's see, what else," Shirou mused, making an adorable thinking pose with his arms crossed and lip quirked. "Fuji-nee mentioned something about a coffee shop. Not Chagall. Ahnene… something. Then Verde, a shopping mall not unlike Junes." Okay, the parallels to Fuyuki and Inaba were getting concerning for Yukiko now… "And there's Exciting Splash which is some sort of… water park?"


"Water… park?"


"I don't remember the specifics, and I didn't care enough to ask, but it's some place you could swim indoors."


"I want to see it!" Yukiko blurted out. An indoor water park?! It even had the word exciting in its name, so it had to be amazing!


"Hah, I'll take you there sometime then." Shirou told her. With a soft smile that might as well be sparkling in her eyes.


Yukiko's brain jolted, and a hundred scenarios ran through her brain at once. All of them involved dating Shirou, laughing at the beach, splashing each other, holding hands—!


Fortunately for her sanity and five-alarm flushing face, he continued on listing other landmarks of his city. He didn't seem to notice her behavior. "There's also a Christian Church, but I'd rather not go there if I have to. And wasn't there a civic center? No, wait, that's gone and replaced with—"


Suddenly he wasn't talking anymore. Yukiko was all embarrassed and giddy for one minute, but now the mood was tense and dour enough that it gave her whiplash. "What's wrong, Emiya-kun?"


He snapped out of whatever faraway look he had in his eyes and looked at her. He tried smiling, more to convince himself than to assuage her. "It's nothing, Amagi. I'm fine now."


No, he was not fine at all. Shirou Emiya had demons that would make their own Shadows look tame in comparison. Yukiko had only ever heard stories and hints of this: when he had a panic attack rescuing her from her Shadow, being chased by monsters during Golden Week, the summoning of his black-card Persona Kagutsuchi, and his acute yet often ignored pyrophobia.


Goodness, did he secretly fear her because of her Persona's fire powers?


"Emiya-kun," she began slowly. "You know you can talk to me, or any one of us, about what bothers you, right?"


"Yes?" he said uncertainly.


"So, if it has something to do with you being afraid of fire, and how my Persona fights using fire magecraft, I'd understand if you—"


"Amagi," he said suddenly, firmly. "I have not, nor will I ever, avert from associating with you over that. You're a valuable member to the Investigation Team, and your healing, both in magecraft and in sheer presence, is a massive boon a hundred times over."


Yukiko was happy to hear that, truly. He knew how to make her heart sing without even meaning to; but she still felt he was dodging the issue. "Then if it's not me, it must be something else. When you were talking about your hometown. I've only ever known you to be kind, brave, and true. Seeing you haunted, even for a moment… It scares me. Because I don't know how to heal that. If you died again—"


Again. Yes, he did die once, now that she thought about it. When fighting Kanji-kun's Shadow, he bled out from his arm and under duress summoned that monstrous Kagutsuchi.


"Amagi," she heard him say. Softly, concerned for her. Like he wasn't the one in pain. Then he sighed. "It's just… you know my legal guardian is Fuji-nee, right?"
She nodded, somewhat scared.


"My parents died in a fire that broke out in Fuyuki ten years ago. Along with countless others. It was a miracle that I'm still here, and I have Kiritsugu Emiya, who found and adopted me, to thank for that. That's why I keep fighting. That's why I save people. Because I know what it feels like, wanting to die. Because if I don't, then I'll doubt myself and…"


Shirou lost his voice again, once more a tormented look in his eye. It was gone as he started to brush it off and walk away. "I'm sorry, forget I said anything. It's nothing to worry about now."


Without thinking, Yukiko stood up and grasped his arm before he could leave. The one that was cut off, feeling the part where her Recarm mended flesh back together. It was still real, still there. Still strong as if it had never been amputated to begin with and thus replaced with a prosthetic.


"A-Amagi?!" Shirou squawked. She didn't blame his reaction; she would likely be flustered too if she were touched so closely. So intimately. Making sure he couldn't leave unless he really wanted to pry his arm off.


But there was a time and place for such reactions, like when to laugh or when to feel scared.


"Emiya-kun," she said. "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this. So please, don't think of it as a burden. Not living… and not confiding in us. You're our leader, our dearest friend."


She pressed his hand to her cheek, to feel the warmth still there. "You've been there for us at our lowest. It's only fair we share your burden."
Goodness, she never realized how troubled a life he had before coming here; torn from his family in one accident and losing another shortly after. It made her Shadow's rant about the Amagi Inn and Inaba feel absolutely childish.


And yet he never complained or showed weakness. He didn't seem to hide bitterness either as he lived life so assuredly. Because he didn't believe his own problems were worth it. It was enough to make Yukiko cry for him. He really did remind her of Chie, and all her best qualities.


No wonder she was so drawn to him.


Shyly, almost uncertainly, Shirou's fingers gently creased against Yukiko's hair and skin. His way of returning the embrace she had on his arm. And the way he looked at her… a smile, so small, unsure, yet so grateful that he wasn't turned away. "Thanks, Amagi."


"Mhm," she smiled back and nodded, ever so nudging closer to his hand.


It was a small gesture, but she hoped it was enough to ease his burden.
<><><>


August 18th, Okina Station


Rise comically stretched her hands out in front as she marched. "Wooo! What a day! Can't wait to head back and scrub my troubles away with a bath!"


Shirou followed her dutifully, carrying only a full arm's worth of bags for her (she was a considerate girl for his services!). "It would probably be better if we didn't spend the day out in this weather," he said.


"Senpai, senpai, senpai," she tsked, shaking her long magenta locks in the air. "Everyone knows that a bath feels better when you put in a hard day's work!"


"All you did was point at outfits you didn't try on."


"Well, duh. It's more for Chie-chan and Yuki-chan's sake. They have very limited attire, you know?"


"I… suppose," he said.


On one of the earlier days of summer vacation, he had Marie meet up with most of his friends, and she was quick to dub them with nicknames. Kanji was "Old man", because he looked the part. Rise (to her chagrin) was "Pinkette", as some mutation of her idol name and the color pink. Chie and Yukiko were "Green" and "Red" respectively. Marie's reason was their color aesthetic made it seem like they were part of a Christmas theme, and it was hard to unsee when that was pointed out.


Especially when they were tripping over themselves to pick out new outfits that weren't their favorite colors.


"But I got plenty of clothes for myself too! Oh, and for Marie-chan. You say she's stuck in a limousine in the middle of nowhere?! Wouldn't she get lonely, or hungry?"


"She has company, so she won't get bored. As for food and drink, well… all I ever saw in the Velvet Room was wine, so—"


"Ack!" Rise dramatically choked with a stern frown. "A limo is fun to ride once or twice, but trust me, it makes a sucky place to sleep in. A real gilded prison."


It made sense to Shirou, for her to feel that way. She was an idol before quitting so suddenly, and was now enjoying the freedom of a girl her age growing up. Sometimes he was tempted to give up pursuing magecraft, but things like that stay with you.


More than that though…


"Well, we're done here for today. The sooner we board the train the sooner I can get home for that nice bath."


Shirou frowned. It was common for Rise to bring up something from her idol experience only to not dwell on it. If this was her way of moving on from her Shadow, she needed a firm reminder otherwise.


Fortunately, over the summer, he finally got around to fusing a Persona for the Lovers Arcana. Undine: the chief spirit of the Water element as coined in Paracelsus' books on alchemy. If there was ever a time to "clear the pool of her mind" as Undine put it, it would be now.


"Actually Rise, do you have a moment?" he asked her.


Immediately she spun and turned to face him, hands clasped and eyes blinking through her thick sunglasses. "Anything for you, senpai!"


He pointed to an alley, just shy away from the station back home and the many stores across the way. Rise followed him with no hesitation, though she did joke about his destination. "Geez, if you weren't such a boy scout, I'd accuse you of planning something naughty here, senpai!"


Shirou wasn't good at tact, and he knew what he was about to ask was something Rise didn't want to hear… so he just blurted it out. "Do you ever want to go back? To being an idol, I mean."


Rise's smile fell immediately. Suddenly she wanted to hide deeper in the alley, but her feet remained stuck to the ground. "What brought this on?" she asked instead, coldly.


"You've been in the business most of your life, haven't you? It's not something you can just decide to do on a whim, nor is it something most in your position would leave."


"That doesn't answer my question," she accused.


"You didn't answer mine, either," he reminded her.


"No, I don't want to go back to being an idol. Why are we even talking about this?"


"Why don't you want to talk about this?"


"Because I quit, remember?"


"Quitting is one thing. Pretending that it never happened and ignoring any sort of talk acknowledging it is something else."


By now Rise's mood soured and she glared at him. "God, you're just like Inoue-san! Heckling over my life choices. Maybe I want to pretend it didn't happen because I hated it! Or did you miss the whole 'make me a martyr' spiel my Shadow made when she nuked you to hell and back?!"


She huffed and looked away, staring at the wall. Stupid Shirou. Him, of all people, trying to pry into her idol life? She'd put that chapter behind her and was putting all her energy into finding the bastard that was making Inaba his bloody playground.


She thought he was better than that. Better than all the other fans that lusted over Risette. So why here? Why now?


"Then wouldn't it be better to talk about it?"


Rise's scowl dropped. She was tempted, oh so tempted, to look back at him, but held her gaze on the wall as she was more angry than curious.


"You've locked away all your experiences about that life. Because you feel no one could possibly understand what it's like. The sacrifices you made to make it work. How it shaped your life for better or worse. It might be easier to hide your bitter emotions away. But it doesn't mean it's not still there, festering with regret."


Thinking back, he mentioned something similar back after he rescued her and beat her Shadow. Shirou-senpai convinced her that the Shadow, her ghost of Risette, was still a part of her and could be part of a greater whole that was herself. She accepted it and had been using Himiko to the best of her abilities ever since.


But Rise was still stubborn and hurt, not willing to acknowledge he was right. "Being a wizard isn't the same as being an idol."


"Magus," he corrected offhandedly. "And you're right, it's not. But I think we can both appreciate and empathize with each other more than anyone else could."


"Right, because you were so open about your magus double life. Hypocrite."


She heard him wince. Good, the stupid jerk was regretting this topic. "You're right. Though the others do know about me being a magus, it was only by accident because I couldn't keep my big mouth shut."


Oh. Well, that didn't mean anything.


"And if I had kept my magecraft a secret from them and never come down to Inaba, I'd probably be face down in an alley like this in a pool of my own blood."
Rise finally turned back to him. Hearing him say that alone was a shock to the core, but his face was stone hard and firmly believed in what he was saying. "What?"


"I'm a novice, Rise," Shirou said. "My Gradation Air magecraft, creating swords out of thin air? It might look amazing to you and the others, but to any real magus worth their circuits, it's a parlor trick. I've been self-taught ever since Kiritsugu died, and only did I recently learn that what he taught me was lacking by design. Even my Personas are fallible; if it weren't for my benefactors helping me fuse new ones every so often, I'd fall behind everyone and be useless."


Her hero, Shirou Emiya, useless? No, she couldn't believe that. He was so strong and capable, their rock in all their fights and leads on the case. They were all still living and breathing because of him, from day one.


She wanted to assure him that it was okay. That even if he would never amount to the greatest of magi, he'd always be her number one hero. That she'd work extra hard to catch the serial murderer. Unfortunately, all she could do was look at him in pity and dismay. "Senpai…"


He smiled at her, a simple gesture that left her relieved and baffled. Like she needed comforting instead of him. Then he scratched the back of his head. "I, uh… don't know where I was going with this."


Rise wanted to be offended. Him pouring his heart out about being a magus, and he lost his train of thought? It was stupid… and yet so like him. She couldn't help but giggle.


"And yet here you are, still being a magus despite it causing no small amount of heartache," she noted. Her smile fell as she stared into his eyes. Resolute, bright, and yet… distant. "Why do you keep doing it, Senpai?"


"Is it wrong to want to help people?" he asked.


"It is if you hide behind it as your only reason. That's like me saying all my idol problems are because of Risette."


Shirou recoiled as if slapped. Another nerve touched.


"I think I get what you're trying to say though, senpai," said Rise. "You see that I'm hiding a lot more problems under the surface because of what you've been through. The thing is, it works both ways. And what you're hiding… It's scary. So scary even you know it's not for the faint of heart, and that you go out of your way to pretend it's not there. Just like me."


This was not how Shirou intended their talk to go. Rise was able to read people better than he ever could. Maybe it was acting practice, or her Persona ability? Either way, she was able to discern more about him in a few months than others could in years.


She was amazing as Risette, the idol that charmed a world with such quick success. But even as someone who threw her career away for high school, her natural strengths shone brighter than a limelight.


"Rise is very translucent," Undine commented. Shirou agreed. And he felt almost guilty to have someone as amazing as her as a friend.


For her part, Rise looked a little nervous now that things were quiet. "…too much?" she asked.


Shirou smiled assuredly at her. "More like you hit the nail on the head. I guess I'm not as stoic as I thought I was?"


"But you are, senpai! It's part of your charm!" Rise assured quickly. "And everyone has an off day where they just need to relax. Like shopping, train-riding, bathing…"


Shirou laughed nervously. "All right, all right, you made your point. But if you ever feel the need to talk about something, you know where to find me."


"Only if you promise the same with your magus baggage."


"Deal." That was more than fair.


"Great!" Rise grinned and clapped her hands. "Now let's get back before one of us gets naughty ideas in this cramped alleyway."


"You know I wouldn't do anything remotely untoward to you, Rise," he said.


"I know," she said slyly. "That's why we need to hurry."


Shirou wondered if ignorance was truly bliss. Because in the time it took to reach the train, he was mulling over those words.


Undine offered her own council. "It appears Rise is not as pure as the idol agency would imply."


That much wasn't hard to discern. Her Shadow lamented being overrun and stressed from work being a perfect image, and she took her frustration out with a lot of innuendo and… dominating…


Oh Lord.


On the train ride back, he couldn't stop blushing, nor could he bear to look towards Rise. His head was further tormented with Lilim's uproarious laughter.


<><><>


August 20th, Tatsumi Shrine, Evening


The Tatsumi Shrine should have been bustling with activity during the summer festival. The night was young, decorative lights were out and stalls for games had been set up down the small road. But most people were too scared to venture out after dark, due to fear of the serial killer all year. While there were people out celebrating tonight as intended, it was still a small turnout.


It was evident when three young girls, in summer kimonos of distinct colors and patterns, climbed the steps accompanied by the clicking of their geta. They hesitated when they saw only a few small groups enjoying themselves, and the three exchanged looks. "Geez, we didn't come too early, did we?" Rise asked. Her yukata was a vivid pink color with white-etched butterflies.


Chie, in her white and yellow yukata with green and blue flower spots, shook her head. "We came here late because of all the effort putting the yukata on for all of us, including Nanako-chan."


"I'll have to remember to thank my staff for getting them prepared for us," Yukiko noted. She glanced down at her own blue yukata with white-etched snowflake designs, and an obi in a dichotomy of white and pink as opposed to the orange sashes her friends both wore. What wasn't shown was the many towels wrapped underneath to protect her modesty, as well as theirs. It was a lot more complicated to wear than the inn-standard nemaki.


"You don't think Nanako-chan was scared when she rode on the back of Fuji-san's bike, do you?" Chie asked. The five of them had dressed up at Yukiko's place, and while the plan was to head over together by bus, Taiga had her own motorcycle and just enough space to have Nanako ride in her lap.


"Are you kidding? She couldn't jump on Fuji-san's bike fast enough. I swear I could hear her laughing over the engine."


"They do seem rather close. Fuji-san even begged her to keep calling her Ti-"


"Waaaah!" Chie suddenly cried, covering Yukiko's mouth. "Ixnay on the T-say! You saw what she did on TV!"


That was enough to get Yukiko's face to turn blue as she timidly nodded. Rise wasn't convinced. "I didn't see it. So, she just doesn't like hearing that one word. So what?"


"So don't say it!" Chie yelled as she pulled her hand away from Yukiko. "It's probably a part of her Shadow thing. You know what that's like."


"I would, but only after I had Kanji-kun for reference."


"Are you still hung up about that?"


"I've been on the team long enough to deserve some context on your bad days."


"Girls," Yukiko placated, moving to stand between them and hands held up. "This is supposed to be a fun night. Let's just meet up with the guys like we planned and enjoy ourselves without Personas, okay?"


""Fine…"" They chorused their shared sentiment, and Yukiko smiled with relief.


"Speaking of the guys," Rise said, pointing over. "I see Nanako-chan!"


The trio hurried over down the road; they recognized Nanako's cute brown locks anywhere, as well her pink-checkered yutaka over her small frame. She was holding hands with her ride and chaperone, Taiga, in (what else but) a tiger-striped yukata of yellow and black and matching black obi. The duo were walking down their way, Nanako releasing Taiga's hand to run up to them.


"Oh, Rise-chan! Yuki-chan! Chie-chan!"


"About time you three showed up," Taiga greeted, waving her paper fan. "We've already started without you."


"Tiger got me cotton candy!" Nanako said happily. Her face was beaming as she waved the wand of pink sweetness, while Taiga tried poorly to hide her own glee upon hearing her talk.


"That's great, Nanako-chan!" Chie said, rubbing her hand playfully on Nanako's hair.


"So, where are the rest of the guys?" Rise asked Taiga. "I can't wait to see their jaws drop from our yukatas!" While her heart still pined for Emiya, she was indeed giddy to see how they'd react. Teddie would be enamored, Kanji a stuttering mess… maybe even get something out of the aloof Naoto and poor Hanamura too.


Her hopes were dashed as Taiga winced and glanced away. "Yeah, about that? Turns out they're no-shows."


Chie, Yukiko, and Rise all stared at her in shock. All that time wearing their yukatas was for naught!


"What?!" Chie yelled first. "But why?!"


"Your guess is as good as mine," Taiga lamented. "Naoto-kun just flat out refused to attend; believe me, I tried all week. And I assume Yosuke-kun wasn't in a festive mood, which isn't much of a surprise." Indeed, it wasn't. Not after what happened to poor Sacchin. "But Kanji-kun's house is literally next door, and Teddie was all about the yukata girls ever since he heard about it. Yet neither of them showed up, and the festival started like an hour ago."


"Even Emiya-kun?" Rise asked worriedly. He shouldn't have any reason to ditch, unless he felt no one else was coming.


"Big bro is coming with dad!" Nanako said. "He said he's bringing a surprise!"


A surprise? What could that possibly be, they wondered. Well, at least someone from the team was still coming, and the most important guy too.


"I can't believe you talked me into this." A familiar voice rang out from the shrine entrance.


"It's the best way to celebrate the summer festival, and it'll make Nanako happy," another voice chimed in.


Hearing her name, Nanako's head snapped towards them, and her face brightened. "Ah, they're here!" Nanako cheered and ran ahead.


It was indeed a surprise. Dojima was wearing a black-clothed yukata with braille-etched designs of an eastern long dragon, almost camouflaged to the fabric. Shirou's yukata was tame and plain in comparison, colored in navy-blue with a white obi tying it together.


"Big bro! Dad! Your yukata looks great!" Nanako said to them both. "I'm so happy you're dressed up!"


"Yeah, well, your brother convinced me," Dojima said. Sure enough, Dojima's unease went away as he saw how animated and happy his daughter was, stretching his arm to rub the back of his neck.


"You look pretty as well, Nanako," Shirou told her with a smile. A rather innocuous reaction that made Nanako giggle, but it was dazzling for the rest of the company.


"Whoa," Rise said aloud. Yukiko and Chie dumbly nodded. They thought they would get men to turn heads in their own yukatas. Seeing Shirou and Officer Dojima both dressed for the summer festival was as intriguing as it was enticing, like they were seeing them in a new light. Shirou was always the apple in their eye, but they could see it didn't fall far from the tree in regards to his uncle.


Taiga was staring as well, but she was having worse internal struggles. She barely had the state of mind to hide her flushed cheeks behind her paper fan. Don't panic, Taiga. So what if Shirou and Ryotaro look handsome in their yukata. It's just a bathrobe, after all! Think silly! They're Nanako-chan's silly family! T-Try to imagine them in their underwear!


Her face suddenly burned brighter as she fidgeted in place. OH NO THEY'RE HOT!


Dojima finally noticed the girls and addressed them. "Thanks for watching over Nanako. I'll take over from here."


"O-Oh, are you sure?" Chie asked.


Dojima nodded. "It's not every day this town has festive events. You kids should enjoy it while you can." Then he turned knowingly to his nephew. "That includes you, Shirou."
Shirou balked and blinked. "Eh?"


"It wouldn't be fair to your friends who dressed up for the festival to leave them waiting, now would it?" he teased.


"What does-?" he started before turning and noticing the girls for the first time. And their yukatas. He was caught staring for a few seconds, eyes glancing at their frames, even Fuji-nee's, before snapping away in a flush. "What does that have to do with anything?"


"You can thank your cool uncle later," Dojima smirked, before turning to his daughter. "All right, Nanako. Want to try the target pra-I mean, play a game with me?"


"Hehe, okay!" Nanako giggled, finding it silly that her dad thought like a cop just now. As they walked to a different stall, she turned and waved to the others. They happily waved back. "Have fun, big bro! Don't catch the cooties!"


"I-I won't…?" he assured awkwardly. Then he glanced back at the young ladies, who seemed to feel as awkward as he was. "So, uh…"


"No one else is coming," Taiga told him.


"Ah. So, you've heard."


"Heard what?" Yukiko asked.


"Oh, you didn't?" Shirou asked. "Well, it was kind of last minute to be fair. Yosuke still hasn't gotten over what happened with Satsuki, and Naoto shut himself inside all summer. Kanji said he was going over to Naoto's place to bring food from the stands, and Teddie decided to invite himself, his date, and Yosuke over."


"Ah, that's nice of them," Rise smiled. It sucked they seemed to decide on a boys' night out, but at least they were helping out one of their own. Then her mind violently backtracked. "Wait. Teddie has a date?!"


"His words, not mine," Shirou quickly argued. "Something about a 'voluptuous vixen' he saw."


Rise scowled. "That sounds super sketchy, though. How and when did that bear find the time to bring a hussy over when I'm here?!"


"Well, perhaps he can finally drop the 'scoring' thing," Yukiko shrugged, more than relieved for the bear to be moving on.


"This sucks, though," Chie huffed. She would have stomped her feet if not for her painstakingly put on robe. "We planned ahead and everything. Do you know how long it takes to put these on?"


"I do," Shirou said, lifting his arm up with the loose robe sleeve riding down. Chie flushed and felt silly to complain about it to him.


"It really is a nice yukata, Emiya-kun," Yukiko said. The girls nodded with her.


"I'm surprised you packed the thing," Taiga noted. "You must really be attached because you haven't worn it since… well…"


"Yeah," Shirou frowned. "Since Kiritsugu died."


To the four young women, a chill filled the shrine, despite the warm summer night. By now, they were all familiar with the pain in his heart, and how much he hid it from others.


And yet, Shirou just shrugged like it was no big deal. "I figured with all the fighting that's been going on, it would be nice to share thanks with the Shinto spirits tonight. Maybe slip Tama some of my paycheck at the offering box."


"And after that?" Chie asked.


"I thought about spending the night with Doji-nii and Nanako, but since they've excused me it would be rude and awkward to just ruin their fun."


"Shirou," Taiga said sternly. "No one would ever think that; least of all them. And even Kiritsugu would want you to have some fun."


"Fun, huh," he muttered to himself, still unsure.


"Yeah!" Rise cheered. "We lasted this long chasing some serial boogieman, even slaying a vampire! I mean, it sucks for Hanamura of course, but the point is we earned this. We need to make memories worth the yukata we're all wearing!" She then surprised everyone by suddenly latching to Shirou's left arm. "So let's enjoy ourselves, senpai!"


"Eh?!" Shirou panicked. He knew Rise was clingy, but this was hardly the time for her jokes. "Ah, Rise-"


He didn't get a chance to finish his words before Yukiko made a similar action on his right arm, even making a knowing, lingering touch on his scar under the sleeve. "Amagi?!"


Chie and Taiga had similar, shocked expressions: shrunken pupils, dropped jaws, and even faded colors. They were the most surprised to see the demure inn heiress stake a claim.


"Hey, I picked Shirou-senpai first!" Rise pouted, clinging tighter around Shirou's other arm.


"A burden shared is lessened between friends, remember?" Yukiko said, smiling up at Shirou's face. "It's a little unusual this year, but why don't we all have fun together?


"To-together?!" Shirou squawked.


"HOLD IT!" Taiga yelled. "It's questionable enough when kids your age go out in pairs during the summer festival, but a trio is too much!"


Rise and Yukiko both felt their spirits drop. "But-!" "Aww…"


Meanwhile, Shirou and Chie exhaled sighs of relief, thanks to Taiga. Who was now walking behind Shirou and planted a hand on his shoulder.


"Which is why you need adult supervision!" she declared.


Chie blinked. "Wait, what?"


Shirou looked worriedly at his guardian. "Fuji-nee?"


"You're hardly the adult in this situation," Rise sniped, getting more annoyed with the divided attention of her senpai.


Taiga took that as a challenge. "I'm sorry, who here has a driver's license again?"


"Whatever. Just tell Yuki-chan to let go."


"You should be the one to let go, Rise-chan," Yukiko remarked darkly.


"Either you both let go or suck it up," Taiga scolded. "Because like it or not, I'm your chaperone."


Shirou seriously doubted that was her intent, as she seemed just as hotly enthused to engage in this… whatever this was. He turned to Chie, his only hope for sanity, with pleading eyes.


Chie was torn. She did pity poor Shirou, for being caught like a slab of meat between her friends. Taiga's attempt of compromise, while well-meaning, might have just thrown fuel on the fire as she low-key hinted that she wanted time with him too. While Chie felt obliged to defuse the fight, it would be a lie if she didn't want to enjoy the night with Shirou too.
…she could do both and make everyone happy. Including her fellow Ally.


"Yukiko, you should let go of his arm for now. You too, Fuji-san."


While Taiga reluctantly obliged, Yukiko was too shocked to react other than gasp. Her best friend, telling her no? "Chie?!"


"Look, Rise-chan got first dibs," she mediated, much to the former idol's delight. "She'll take him to one of the stalls, then you'll get your turn. Then Fuji-san, then me."


"Huh?"


"Look, there's four of us and one of him. We can't really pull on his arms all night, so we take turns. So long as we don't run him ragged."


Slowly, Yukiko nodded and let go. She was convinced, as was Taiga. Shirou was still a bit concerned how it got to this point, but they were reaching a compromise to give him some breathing room. Not everyone was satisfied, though.


"But… I want Senpai all to myself," Rise complained.


"Did you ask him what he wanted?" Chie asked pointedly.


Rise pouted, now finding herself in the center of stares from the group. Looking at Shirou's face, one that was hesitant but expecting, waiting… it made up for the little grievance she had having to share this. "Uh… do you want to do kingyo sukui?"


His face warmed to a smile. "Sure, Rise."


With a fire lit in her, she dragged him to the stall with the goldfish scoopers. Chie turned to the other girl with a smile. "There! Everybody wins!"


Yukiko smiled back, and Taiga gave her a thumbs-up.


<><><>


Shirou tried not to think much about summer festivals. He liked the yukata, the watermelon, and the fireworks, but those memories weren't as fond to him now as they were before. Because those memories were overwritten with Kiritsugu as he grew older and frailer, and even sadder.


"Being able to save one person means not being able to save anyone else."


Shirou didn't know what to think of those words at the time. Saving someone still had to mean something, right? But after Sacchin, he understood better. Perhaps Kiritsugu spoke from personal experience, also having someone he failed to rescue.


Maybe being an ally of justice was just something unattainable and ridiculous.


And yet… right here, with the company of some of his closest friends, celebrating a new day, made him realize something.


"Come on, let's get a group photo, senpai!"


"Oi, Shirou! There's a pachinko game! Let's win something!"


"Emiya-kun, is that a steak skewer in your hand!? I-I'll trade you my corn for it!"


"Eh? I-It's just a ketchup stain, Emiya-kun! You don't need to fix it, really!"


Even the most impossible dreams were worth fighting for, for the smiles and exuberance of joy that followed.

[Kieran]

A nice, relaxing interlude chapter with warm and sentimental (which does not always mean "warm") vibes throughout - a wonderful thing.

Honestly, your characterisations are spot-on; it's like spending time with old friends again. Thank you for that.

. . . And Taiga now threatens Rise's position in the group as "funniest when horny." Her reaction to Dojima was hysterical!

(. . . Wait - Teddy has a girlfriend?! I need to reread everything, in case I've forgotten something!)

[Kishou the Badger]

A nice, relaxing interlude chapter with warm and sentimental (which does not always mean "warm") vibes throughout - a wonderful thing.

Honestly, your characterisations are spot-on; it's like spending time with old friends again. Thank you for that.

. . . And Taiga now threatens Rise's position in the group as "funniest when horny." Her reaction to Dojima was hysterical!

(. . . Wait - Teddy has a girlfriend?! I need to reread everything, in case I've forgotten something!)

That's because it came up just this chapter. And there wasn't a good time before to bring it up. I do appreciate the praising words... it feels like there isn't a lot of engagement for this chapter compared to other updates. And I thought the shipping would galvanize readers.