4/15 - THURSDAY, RAINING.
MEANWHILE, THE SHOPPING DISTRICT

The morning fog lifts... a teen girl's body hangs from a telephone pole.

There's a scream - "What the hell!? Big sis-!?"

Meanwhile, at the Dojima Residence

"Ah, I'm off." Dojima stated, as Tsuyoi sleepily went down the stairs.

He left once he came to the ground floor.

"...Dad has to go do something. He got a call, so he left."

"Oh."

SAMEGAWA FLOOD PLAIN, EARLY MORNING.

Tsuyoi heard people talking.

"When I looked, I saw three police cars zooming by."

"You live by the police station, don't you? Did you hear anything?" Said a girl holding a white umbrella.

"I heard some yelling, but nothing more. Total disappointment."

"Geez, you need to pay more attention to stuff like that. How else are we supposed to get the juicy stories?"

Tsuyoi distantly heard police sirens.

It seems an accident has happened...

EARLY MORNING -> AFTERNOON

Tsuyoi, Chie and Yosuke were in the gym, apparently there was a urgent message the principle had to give.

"She's not responding to my texts..." Yosuke mumbled, texting someone.

Tsuyoi, bored, starting to eavesdrop. It's a skill he obtain from his times at grade school, because he'd rather be with his senpais from Magatsu (it's a gang in Tatsumi Port) then some kids who don't even like him or his sister.

"Hey... did you see it yesterday?"

"Of course not... What, is that rumor for real?"

"I dunno, but it seems like a lot of people have seen it."

Overhearing people gossiping about something. Life in Inaba is riveting.

"Yukiko said she'd be here after lunch... I wonder why they're holding a school assembly all of a sudden." Chie groaned, missing her best friend Yukiko. "Hey, what's wrong, Yosuke?" Chie asked.

"Oh, it's nothing..." Yosuke mumbled, putting his phone in his pocket

Mrs. Sofue walked to the podium, her gaudy pharaoh crown glittering. "Everyone, please settle down, the school assembly is about to begin." She states. "First, the principle has something to say."

She walked to the side, letting an old man with a ivory beard take the mic.

"I... regret to say that I have a terrible announcement for all of you." He pauses.

Tsuyoi grits his teeth for what the old man has to say.

"One of our third-year students, Ms. Saki Konishi of Class 3... has passed away." He says, trying not to tear up.

"Passed away...!?

Yosuke face goes blank in horror almost saying "No way...! This can't be real life!!"

"Ms. Konishi was found deceased early this morning... The reasons behind her passing are currently under investigation by the police. If they ask you for your cooperation, I urge you, as students of this school, to provide only the facts. All right, please quiet down...I have been assured by the faculty that there's been no evidence that bullying was involved in the incident. So mind what you say, not only to the police but to anyone who asks..." The principle lectured.

"Found dead...? How could this happen...?" Chie asks.

Yosuke stays silent.

The Principal's address continues...

YASOGAMI HALLWAY

Tsuyoi stood with Chie near the bulletin board. Yosuke was in the restroom.

(Was he releasing his bladder so there wasn't another embarrassing incident like yesterday? Crying his heart out because his sweetheart Saki Konishi was dead?)

Two girls walked by (a tall lanky girl with a black bob and a normal uniform, white stockings and a smaller, chubbier girl with a similar hair cut).

The tall girl told her gossiped to her tinier friend. "She died the same way as that announcer, right? That's so creepy..."

"Well, Ozawa-senpai, last time, it was from an antenna, but this time she was hanging from a telephone pole. It's gotta be a serial murder case..." The small girl explained. "Someone said the cause of death was some unknown poison." She added.

"Unknown...? C'mon, this isn't some sci-fi drama. Oh, by the way, did you hear? Someone saw a girl that looked like Saki on that Midnight Channel thingie." 'Ozawa' gossiped.

"They said she totally looked like she was in pain. Isn't that scary?"

"Haha, sounds like someone had a nightmare. The media's been broadcasting their interviews with her nonstop, so maybe they just had Saki on the brain." The two walked off.

"Sheesh, it's easy to toss around theories if you're not personally involved..." Chie groaned.

Yosuke exited the bathroom, face slightly red. "Hey... did you guys check out the TV last night?"

"Yosuke! Not you too!"

"Just listen for a sec!" Yosuke barked. "Something kept bothering me, so...I watched it again, and..."

"I think the girl on the screen... was Saki-senpai. There's no mistaking it. Senpai looked like... she was writhing in pain. And then, she disappeared from the screen." He said depressingly.

What...?

"You heard Senpai's body was found in a similar situation as that announcer's, right? Well, remember that guy you told us about?" Yosuke explained. "How he was all excited that his soulmate was the announcer? Maybe... just maybe, but Ms. Yamano might've been on that Midnight Channel before she died, too."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chie asked.

"Hold on. Are you saying...? People who appear on that TV... die?"

"I can't say for sure. But something tells me... I just can't dismiss it as coincidence." Yosuke answered.

Chie was silent in confusion.

"Plus, remember what that bear thing said? How that place was dangerous, and we should leave before the fog clears? It also said that someone's been throwing people in there." Yosuke rambled.

"And that room with the posters on the wall... It has to have something to do with the announcer's death." Tsuyoi added.

"I mean... don't you think there's some kind of connection there? Couldn't that world in the TV have something to do with Senpai and the announcer's death!?" Yosuke asked Chie, anxiety in his soft hazel eyes.

Yosuke turned to Tsuyoi. "Well? What do you think?"

"You might be right."

"...So it's not just me, huh? If there is a connection, then it's a good bet that the two of them went inside that world. That would explain the posters in that room. Which means... if we look around, we might find a place that has something to do with Senpai, too."

"Yosuke, don't tell me..." Tsuyoi asked, crossing his arms.

"Yeah... I'm thinking about going in again. I want to find out for myself."

"D-Don't do this...You should just let the police handle this and--"

"You think we can rely on the police!?" Yosuke blurted, then paused. "They haven't made any progress on the announcer's case. Besides, even if we told them about the world inside the TV, there's no way they're gonna believe us! If I'm completely off-base with this, that's fine. It's just... I need to know why Senpai had to die like this."

"Yosuke..." Chie stated softly.

"After what I've seen and what I've put together, there's no way I can ignore it now. Sorry... but you're the only person who can help me. I'm gonna go get ready. I'll be waiting for you at Junes." He said, looking at Tsuyoi and walking down the stairs.

Yosuke asked me to accompany him to that other world...

"I can kinda understand how he feels..." Chie paused. "But we can't be sure we'll be able to get out safely again. What should we do...?"

"We should probably stop him." But actually, it does sound intriguing... that other world...

"Yeah, I agree. Anyways, lets go to Junes. We can't leave Yosuke alone..."

YASOGAMI HIGH -> JUNES ELECTRONICS DEPARTMENT

Entering the electronics department, Yosuke held a golf club and a rope strapped around his waist.

He looks dorky, but in a cute way.

"You guys came...!" Yosuke squeaked.

"We came to stop you, idiot." Chie told him, face palming. "C'mon... You really shouldn't do this. It's too dangerous."

Yosuke nodded. "I know...But we were able to come back once, right? If we go in from the same location, maybe we'll meet that bear again."

"'Maybe' isn't good enough!" Chie told him.

"Look, I can't just act like everyone else and pretend this has nothing to to with me."

"That's true, but..."

"What about you? Could you just walk away?" Yosuke looked at Tsuyoi, asking.

"I'll come with you. Don't worry, Yosuke." Tsuyoi answered. "But I'm worried about Chie-san."

"Yeah, it'll just be you and me." Yosuke agreed. "Don't worry, I'm not going in without a plan. Chie, I'm leaving you in charge of this." Yosuke stated, handing Chie the end of the rope.

"Huh? What's that? A rope...?" Chie asked.

"We'll go in with this tied to me, so I want you to hold on to this and wait here."

"Wh-What? Then, this is a lifeline? C'mon, wait a sec..."

"Here, Tsuyoi.This is for you." Yosuke told him, handing the golf club.

Obtained Kneecap Smasher, destroyer of kneecaps.

"I thought it might be better than going in empty-handed. Alright... let's go."

"There's no use wasting any more time."

"Chie, whatever you do, don't let go of the rope!" Yosuke called back, as he and Tsuyoi entered the TV.

"H-Hey! I said wait!" Chie squeaked.

Too late, they're already there. A voice rang in her mind.

She pulled the rope back... revealing it had ripped into two.

She collapsed onto the ground.

"See? I knew this wasn't gonna work..."

Now what...?

📺 the other world 📺

Slam.

Shit, Jesus, why was the entrance to this world always the roof!?

"Owww..." Yosuke moaned, getting up. "Is this...? Look, this is the same place as last time! So they are connected from place to place!"

"Y-You guys...Why'd you come back?" The mysterious bear was back.

"Hello, Kuma-san." Tsuyoi greeted.

"I get it! You're the ones behind all this!"

"You're that thing from last time! Wait, what the hell did you just say!?"

"Lately, I can tell someone's been throwing people in here. It's making this world more and more messed up... This is the second time you guys came here. And I don't think anyone forced you in. That means you're the most suspicious!" The bear ranted.

"You guys must be the ones throwing the people in here, raaaawr!" And he uh, assumed.

"Of course not," Tsuyoi said, gripping the golf club in one had and slowly reaching for his knife.

"What're you talking about, 'throwing people in'!? If someone was thrown in here and they couldn't get out, they might die! Who would do such a--"

"Wait a sec... all this talk about someone throwing people in here... does he mean Senpai and the announcer? Did that 'someone' throw those two in here?" Yosuke pondered. "H-Hey... what do you think?" He asked.

"Plausible."

"Yeah... I agree. Let's assume he's telling the truth... could it be that someone's throwing people in here, intending to kill them? If that's the case..."

"What're you guys mumbling about Why'd you come here, anyways!? It's a one-way door! You can't get out once you're in! Remember? How I had to let you guys out?" The bear asked profusely.

"Yeah, whatever." Yosuke sassed. "We don't need your help this time! See, this time we have a lifeline-" Yosuke held up the rope.

Which was ripped.

Which meant there was no "lifeline".

"Whaaaaaat!?" Yosuke squawked. "H-Hey! You better let us out once we're done investigating here!"

"Grrrrr! I'm the one who wants to investigate! I've lived here for a long time. But it's never been noisy like this till now. Do you have proof!? Prove to me you're not throwing people in here!" The bear snapped back.

"It doesn't work that way..." Tsuyoi stated, squeezing the golf club.

"See! So it is you guys!"

"For the last time, it's not us, so we've got nothing to prove to you! Hey, you better answer our questions. This isn't like last time, when we came here by accident. We're dead serious! Listen up, 'cause people have died in our world... every time the fog appears, a dead body shows up with it. It has to be related to this place somehow! If you know something, tell us!" Yosuke ranted.

"A dead body? Whenever the fog appears...?" The bear asked. "I know that if it's foggy on your side, the fog lifts here. It's really dangerous when the fog lifts. That's when the Shadows get violent." He paused.

"Aaaah... I get it..."

"Huh? If you get it, then explain it to us, dammit! If it's foggy on our side, it isn't in here...? Shadows get violent...?" Yosuke asked in a semi-threatening tone.

"That's why I said to hurry back! It's dangerous when that happens! Okay, no more questions. I know you guys did it! You better stop right now!" The red bear asked in confusion.

"I've told you and told you, we're not the ones doing it! I've about had it with you... Why the hell won't you listen to what we're saying!?"

"I-I'm just saying... you might be the culprits. I'm just making sure..."

"What? Man, this bear's driving me nuts..." Yosuke mumbled, face palmed. "What is this place, anyways? It looks like a TV studio. Is something being filmed here?" He asked, squinting through the fog.

"Hey, don't tell me... Is that weird show being filmed here?" Tsuyoi asked back.

"Weird show? Filmed? What does that mean?" The bear said in a genuinely confused voice.

"Uh... he's asking if someone's been filming the people that get thrown in here." Yosuke responded.

"I don't get it... this world has always been like this. No one has ever done that filming thing here."

"Always been like this?" Tsuyoi blurted.

"Only me and Shadows are here! I told you before!"

"Ugh... We don't know what these Shadow things are! Or what you are either, for that matter! You keep telling us to prove our innocence, but you're the most suspicious thing here! Maybe you're the real culprit! And what's with that stupid costume!? I'd say it's time you showed your face!" Yosuke ranted.

Yosuke walked over to the mascot and pulled his head off.

Which in retrospect was a horrible decision.

Instead of seeing some guy or girl in there... nothing. Empty black. Okay, how about no?

"Woah!" Yosuke squeaked. "Wh-What the hell are you? I-It's empty inside..." He said promptly putting the head back on.

The bear regained his bearings (get it? bear?) "Me? The culprit? I wouldn't do such a thing! I just live here. I just want to live here peacefully..."

He sighed. "Okay. I'll believe that you guys aren't the culprits. But I want you to find the real guy who did all this. You have to stop him. Promise me, or else... I'm not gonna let you guys outta here."

"Y-You little...!" Yosuke snapped.

"This can't keep going on! My home here will be a complete mess! And then... and then I... Waaah..." the bear cried.

"Wh-What're you crying for all of a sudden? Geez, this thing's really weirding me out..."

That mysterious bear is asking them to find the culprit behind all this. Someone on the outside is throwing people into this world. If the culprit isn't Tsuyoi or hell, Yosuke, he wants to find the real culprit. The mysterious bear seems serious about this...

"Hey, what should we do?" Yosuke sighed.

Tsuyoi remembered the words of the mysterious old man who called himself "Igor"...

It seems you will encounter a great misfortune at your destination, and a great misery will be imposed upon you.

Could this be the mystery that will be thrust upon me? What was the "contract" Igor spoke of? Could finding the culprit and solving the case be part of this promise? In any case, since I cannot leave the TV world on my own, there seems to be no other option...

"You're the only ones I can ask. Will you promise me...?" The bear whined.

Tsuyoi bent down, releasing his iron grip on the golf club. "I promise."

"Th-thank you!"

"Damn bear... Practically holding a gun to our heads..." Yosuke groaned. "But... it's true that we came here to figure things out. So far, we're completely in the dark."

"Look for the culprit, huh? Bring it on! You got my word, too. Might as well introduce ourselves... I'm Yosuke Hanamura." Yosuke greeted in a somewhat friendly tone.

"I am Tsuyoi Birodo." Tsuyoi introduced. "You got a name?"

"... Teddie Kuma."

Yosuke groaned. "Figures..." He shook his head. "But how are we supposed to find the culprit in the first place?"

"I dunno..." Teddie said in a cute voice. "Oh, but I know where the last person came in."

"The last person? You mean Saki-senpai!?" Yosuke asked the bear worriedly.

"I mean the person who came in and disappeared last time. I dunno the name. I'll take you there. You might find clues." Teddie responded.

"Oh, one thing first. You should put these on." Teddie said, handing Tsuyoi and Yosuke glasses.

The glasses were black and the other orange - the black pair were normal ray bands whilst the orange were star shaped.

(For more context - Tsuyoi got the ray bands and Yosuke the star ones.)

"What're these glasses for...?" Yosuke asked, "I already have contacts but..." Yosuke stated, but slipped the glasses onto his face.

"Dude!" Yosuke squeaked, looking around. "Put these glasses on! It helps you see through the fog!"

Tsuyoi awkwardly put the glasses on.

As you put on the glasses, your vision instantly becomes much clearer! The strange voice in his head spoke.

Thanks.

But, as the voice in his head stated, the world he and Yosuke were in was no longer foggy anymore.

"Whoa- The difference is like night and day." Tsuyoi stated. "With these on, it's like the fog doesn't exist."

"They'll help you walk through the fog. Well, I've been here for a long time. So you can rely on me!" Teddie exclaimed. "Uh... but I can only show you where the place is. You guys will have to defend yourselves."

"What happened to relying on you!?" Yosuke angering asked.

"Th-There better not be any monsters! You understand!? We brought weapons, but I mean... they're more for show!" Yosuke squeaked again.

"Wait, don't you have a knife?"

"Butterfly." Tsuyoi answered. "Its a practice switchblade."

"And anyways - we just got here! If it's so dangerous, why don't you do something instead of relying on us!?

"Uh-uh. No way. I've got no muscles. Oh! Oh! I'll give you guys moral support from a safe distance! How's that sound?"

"Can you really not fight?" Tsuyoi asked.

Try touching Teddie, the voice stated.

Tsuyoi did as he was told, feeling borderline insane, and walked over to Teddie and touched him.

Teddie was soft, very plush doll like.

And also Teddie toppled over, fell flat on his ass (back?) and waddled.

"N-Noooo..." Teddie moaned.

"I-Is this thing for real!?" Yosuke stuttered. "Ugh, this is so lame..."

We swore to find the culprit and this is all the backup we get?

"Oh yeah. Can I ask you something? Who's this Saki-senpai person? Someone you know?" Teddie asked.

"That doesn't matter right now..." Yosuke mumbled.

"Anyways, at least now we know Senpai might have been thrown in here. Maybe we can find more information, too. Let's get moving, Tsuyoi."

📺 TEDDIE'S HOME 📺

Teddie's home was a lot easier to traverse with the glasses on - because no fog was a lot easier on the eyes.

Except where they were now.

A rotting shopping district. Red and black sky. The smell of death.

"What is this place...?" Yosuke asked. "Looks just like the shopping district..."

"What's going on here?" Tsuyoi asked aloud.

"Some weird places have appeared here recently. Things are getting so tangled, I dunno what to do..." Teddie answered the teens.
"Uh... by the way, why are you standing so far from us?"

"You better not be planning to high-tail it if something does show up." Tsuyoi threatened, gripping his golf club.

"Of course not!" Teddie squeaked. "I mean, uh, I can't stand too close y'know, I'd get in your way."

"Hrrrm. Man, they really went all out on this... But out of all the places in town, why'd they replicate this one?" Yosuke asked loudly.

"How should I know?" Teddie responded. "This is reality for the one who's here."

Yosuke sighed. "As usual, nothing you say makes any sense." Yosuke paused. "But if this is our shopping district, we're not far from Saki-senpai's..."

Yosuke ran ahead, with Tsuyoi and Teddie following suit.

Yosuke stopped at a small, drugstore.

"I knew it...!" Yosuke panted. "This is the liquor store that Saki-senpai's parents run."

"Does this mean... senpai disappeared here? What could've happened?" Yosuke pondered. Yosuke placed a hand on his head. "Wait something..."

"W-Wait a second. Th-They're here!" Teddie squeaked.

"What?" Tsuyoi asked.

"...Shadows. I had a feeling they were going to attack!"

From the liquor store, a blue stone-mask spawned from the door and slithered out, forming a gross black form.

Giant lips surrounded the lips, and a pink stripes covered it, and finally a long, pink tongue sprouted out.

Yosuke stumbled back, shocked.

I am thou... thou art I... thine time has come! The voice yelled.

Tsuyoi recoiled in shock, grappling a fistful of his own gray hair.

Open thine eyes, and call forth what is within! The voice continued.

A white card formed in Tsuyoi's hand.

Only one word can come to his mind.

I am Izanagi, the original one!

"Per..."

He grips the card.

"...so..."

And he smashes it.

"...NA."

A blue light surged out of Tsuyoi, and he felt the presence of a being much greater than him.

He glance behind him - a large armored being in a large, black and red coat wielding a nagitana.

"REACH OUT TO THE TRUTH!!" Izanagi yelled, holding his nagitana in hand threateningly.

... and then dissipated into white petals.

"Stay calm and listen!" Teddie spoke, "Some Shadows have weaknesses. If you can pinpoint that weakness and take advantage of it, the battle will be a lot easier!"

Tsuyoi ready the golf and slammed into a shadow, making it give a pained scream.

Call open thy! Izanagi spoke within his mind.

Tsuyoi gripped the card - which was now miraculously better - and thusly destroyed it again.

"Izanagi!" He could only think of one word after. "Zio!"

Izanagi formed again, and slashing around its nagitana - and shocked the shadow.

The shadow dropped like a fly and disappeared.

{1 MORE!!}

Tsuyoi ran and slammed the gold club into the other one - again making it shriek.

It recoiled, slamming its form into Tsuyoi, which knocked him a few inches back.

"Izanagi!" He yelled, and Izanagi appeared. "D-do that thing! Cleave!"

Izanagi strikes the shadow with his nagitana, and the shadow died.

Cool.

Tsuyoi panted. Yosuke stood up. Teddie was a happy boy because Tsuyoi won.

Izanagi floated proudly, nagitana in hand.

"Tsuyoi has faced his other self... He has obtained the facade used to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Izanagi!" Izanagi spoke firmly, and dissipated into petals.

Yosuke grabbed Tsuyoi's hands. "Whoa... what was that!?" Yosuke asked in excitement.

"Did I hear you say 'Persona'!? What was it-- I mean, what did you do!? Hey, you think I can do it too...?" Yosuke stuttered in awe.

"Calm down, Yosuke. You're troubling Sensei!" Teddie scolded.

"S-Sensei?" Yosuke and Tsuyoi spoke in unison.

Teddie spun around Tsuyoi. "Gosh almighty! You're amazing, sensei! I am one impressed bear!"

Tsuyoi blushed. "Thank you, Teddie."

"I can't believe you were hiding such an amazing power! No wonder the Shadows were scared of you!" Teddie gasped. "Are you the one who's able to bring people into this world?"

"... I'm not sure."

"Hah! That's what I thought! This is really something." Teddie blushed. "Don't you think so, Yosuke?"

"Dude, you call him sensei and then don't show me any respect!?" Yosuke squeaked, nudging Teddie.

"Sorry..." Teddie mumbled.

"W-Well, your support wasn't bad, though. I gotta give you some credit for that." Yosuke added.

"Huh? R-Really...? Heehee. All right, you two keep it up, and I think we'll be fine from here on out."

"Now let's get back to the investigation!" Yosuke cheered, looking at the entrance to Konishi Liquor.

⚔️
TEDDIE'S FUN BATTLE CORNER ~KUMA~!

Izanagi
The Fool
Lv. 2
Spells: Zio (bolt of electricity), Cleave (A slash from Izanagi's Nagitana), Rakunda (Up defense)

Tsuyoi Birodo
The Fool
Lv. 2
Weapon: Golf Club, Switchblade.
Armor: Plain Pollo
Accessory: Silver Wristwatch
Costume: Yasogami Uniform V. Winter

- ?????? ???? -

Tsuyoi Birodo (The Fool) - A seventeen year old boy from Tatsumi Port City. Is living in Yasoinaba because of his mother's work. Is of The Fool arcana and wields the Persona Izanagi. Izanagi - Tsuyoi's persona and of The Fool arcana. The elder god and creator of Japan and his name means "He Who Invites".

Yosuke Hanamura - A sixteen year old in the same class as Tsuyoi. Works at the local Junes.
Chie Satonaka - A seventeen year old girl in Tsuyoi's class. Loves to practice Kun Fu.
Yukiko Amagi - A seventeen year old girl in Tsuyoi's class. Is the future owner of the Amagi Inn.
Teddie Kuma - A strange bear from the TV World.
Ryotaro Dojima - Tsuyoi's uncle and police detective.
Nanako Dojima - Tsuyoi's seven year old cousin.
Igor - A man helping Tsuyoi's destiny and runs the "Velvet Room".
Margaret - Igor's assistant.

NEXT TIME ON PERSONA 4: THE WRITTEN

ROCK THE CASBAH, CHAPTER SEVEN. PART TWO OF TWO OF ARC ONE - LET'S HELP YOSUKE HANAMURA, THE MAGUS AND JUNES PRINCE!

"It's-" Something - sounded like Yosuke, but with a distorted voice, sniffles. "-so sad... I feel so sorry for myself. Bøø høø..." Yosuke(?) cried.