7/11

We're gonna get a new teacher today, I hope they're not as bad as King Moron. Just then, a woman walks into the room. Just one look at her and I can tell that I'm gonna hate her. Her shirt was unbuttoned, showing her bra in the process while also having a shorter skirt than the uniform. She's not a teacher. "Goooood mornin'!I'm Noriko Kashiwagi, your new class teacher starting today. You all probably know already, but now that Mr. Morooka has passed away... I'll be taking good care of you instead. Okay, why don't we start off with a moment of silence for Mr. Morooka. Close your eyes, everyone..." We all close our eyes yet not even five seconds pass, "That should be good enough." She was now on the teacher's desk, obviously trying to make sure people saw her cleavage. "I'll do my best to fill Mr. Morooka's shoes. So our regular exams are still on track for next week. As your principal said, 'It's times like these when the schedule is most important, Nori-chan.' It must be tough for you. But that's what it means to become an adult, little by little." Sigh, she's way too old to be saying this stuff to kids in that manner. Other students were whispering about her.

"I already can't stand her..."

"First King Moron and now Kashiwagi...? How much worse can it get?"

She coughs to get our attention, "Oh, and one more thing. That idol in our first-year class... Ms. Kujikawa, was it? In person, she's nothing like she seems on TV, so don't get your hopes up, mmkay? What's so great about an idol anyway, right class? She's just a piece of inexperienced jailbait. Her brother though is another story..." Okay yep, I really don't like her.

"What's up with her...? Does she think she's Risette's idol?"

"She doesn't stand a chance against Risette. I mean, I heard Kashiwagi is on the wrong side of 40..."

"I bet King Moron would've been ecstatic to hear Risette had enrolled here. Someone told me they saw him buying Rise's pinup book..."

"That sounds kinda pervy. He annoyed the hell out of me, but I feel bad that he got killed..."

Yeah, that's basically how I feel about King Moron dying...

"Oh, you know what? Risette was on a striptease show."

"Huh? A striptease!? Dude, if that was true, the paparazzi would've been all over it."

"I'm serious! But the reception went bad right when it was getting to the good part... It was on that Midnight Channel everyone keeps talking about."

"You actually believe that crap? How friggin' dense are you? Trust me, you were dreaming it..."

So people have seen Rise on the Midnight Channel... crap... "The rumor of the Midnight Channel is spreading further..." Yeah... "We'd better wrap this case up quick. Anyways, let's meet up later. Don't make any plans for this afternoon." Got it!

~Timeskip~

With our group being bigger, we left the small round table to the bigger table. I got me a few sticks of dango while we talked. "Ugh... finals are next week... It's been a while since I failed any subjects..." Chie groaned, "Yeah, if by 'a while' you mean 'all the time.'" I couldn't help but chuckle as Chie glared at me. "Sh-Shut up! Both of you! Like you guys ever saw my scores!" You are right, I haven't seen your scores. But that one exchange after our midterms says a lot. "But Chie always has above-average marks in the subjects that she doesn't fail!" And that's not that bad. "H-Hey! Why'd you tell him!? My scores just... vary! Yeah, that's it!" Ah yes... they 'vary'. Rise started laughing, "R-Rise-chan, you too...?" "Sorry... I'm not laughing at you. It's just... I thought it would take me a while to make any friends at my new school." Now that's sweet. Her brother, on the other hand, was brooding on the far end of the table. Though I did see a small smile grow on his face.

The tomboy sighs, "Too bad we met under such awful circumstances." True... I guess Kanji saw me tense up because he patted my head. I don't know why but I'm noticing a lot of head pats. I don't mind it though. They make me feel special without them knowing about my family ties. "Oh yeah... What do you guys think about King Moron's case? He didn't show up on the Midnight Channel even once." He could be unrelated, but we don't have clues that support that other than the Midnight Channel. "If this person had been inside the TV, I would've sensed it. My nose isn't as sharp now, but I can tell that much." That too, but that doesn't stop the killer from killing in the real world. "But they found the body on a foggy day again, right? They said on the news that that crime scene was just the way it was for that announcer and Saki-senpai." Well, there are things like copycat murderers. "I really wonder about the culprit's motives... Why was Mr. Morooka targeted?" Yukiko, have you not paid attention to the stuff he said in class?

"Hope it wasn't personal, 'cause there's too many people who hated King Moron's guts." As much as I hate to admit it because he just died yesterday, that is a fact. "But didn't you say it's people who get famous on TV who are targeted? If the killer's choosing targets by watching TV, I picture him as someone who doesn't know the victims at all. I don't think it's worth trying to figure out motives for that type. There are too many people who hold grudges against you for no reason, even if you've never met them before." Rise said. That's... actually a good point. "So instead of focusing on 'why?', focus more on the 'how?'." Ryuto summarised as everyone caught onto what the twins were saying. "Haha... You sound like you speak from experience, you two... But with King Moron, he didn't appear on the Midnight Channel or the regular TV... Uurgh! I don't get this at all!" Chie slammed her head on the table in agitation as Kanji sighed, "Man, two victims in a row from our school... That's gotta set off the police's alarm bells. They're not gonna leave any stones at school unturned." Meaning we need to check out corners even more.

"Y'know, to be honest... Somewhere deep inside, I thought maybe King Moron was the killer... The news says that he was the second victim from Yasogami High, but we all know that's not the case. And I've heard him say more than once that so-and-so deserves to die... But now... I feel bad that I doubted him. He was a capital-A asshole, but that doesn't justify killing him... And not just King Moron... I feel sorry for all the victims... I can't forgive the killer, no matter what!" Yosuke looked fired up as Chie placed her hand on his shoulder, also pumped up. "Well, we'll do what we can, for King Moron's sake too! At this rate, you have to figure that the killer has something to do with the school, right? So why don't we split up and-" She was cut off by a familiar voice. "That won't be necessary." We all turn to the source of the voice to see Shirogane, walking up to our table. He had a blank expression on his face, something you would expect someone older to have. Instead on him, it seemed forced in a weird way.

Kanji was shocked to see him again while the rest of us tried to act normal. "There is no need to examine the case of Mr. Morooka any further." Huh? Did they... no, it won't be that easy. The tomboy questioned what the young detective said, "Apparently, the police have found a suspect. It would be best to let them handle the case from here." You've gotta be kidding me. If it wasn't for the stuff Igor and Margaret told me, I wouldn't be this skeptical. This time it was the brunette's turn to question the young detective, "H-How do you know...?" "I'm on this case as a special investigator, by request of the prefectural police." So you are the guy Dojima got pissed about. Had a feeling. "What!?" "They found a suspect...!? Who is it!?" Oh yeah, the have a suspect!?

Shirogane adjusted his hat, "As to his name, I haven't been informed. I do know... that he is a high schooler. It isn't public knowledge yet, but he isn't a student of your high school. It seems they are quite confident that this boy is the killer... They have testimonies directly linking him with the incident. I expect it's only a matter of time before he is apprehended. Soon, this case will be solved, and your town will once again be its peaceful, rustic self.". Why is he telling us this? "The suspect... is a high schooler...? All right... So why come tell us? That's confidential info, right? Why run right here and spill it?" I'm with Yosuke, you're not Adachi. "Your 'game' will soon reach its end. I felt I should at least let you know that." D-Did he just call what we do... a 'game'...? You have got to be kidding me... My fists clenched in rage, I really wanna do something.

"Don't act on your rage, my other self..."

It's annoying, but I won't Izanagi. "This is not a game to us, Shirogane." I said with an angry tone. Remembering all the fights with everyone's Shadows, remembering all the hardships and danger we were in too. This is surely not a game to us. "You don't deny, then, that you have involved yourselves in the matter? Well, no matter. I have no reason to say anything further." My hands gripped on the hem of my skirt. Why did I have to say that? Rise saw my expression change and spoke up, "A game...? Aren't you the one who thinks of this as a game?" This took Shirogane aback. "I don't give a single shit if you're a special investigator or an amateur sleuth... All you're doing is solving mysteries. What could you possibly know about me and these people? You're the one who's playing a fucking game here." Ryuto yelled, breaking his silence. "One of the victims... She meant a lot to me. How could I possibly treat this like a game? Plus... We made a promise..." Yosuke turned to Teddie and smiled as Teddie returned it. My heart ached a little when he alluded to Konishi but I didn't do anything.

"A game... That may be quite true..." Huh? That took me by surprise. Why the change? Chie asked that before I could. "Oh, I get it. I was wondering why you'd be wandering around like this when the police have a suspect... What, did they get rid of you now that they have their man? Is that why you came here? You were lonely?" Yosuke, that's kinda going a bit far. "Detectives normally aren't involved with arrests. And we never harbor any special emotions regarding a case, either. Still...Detectives normally aren't involved with arrests. And we never harbor any special emotions regarding a case, either. Still... It is rather unfortunate that people are only attentive so long as our services are required. But then, I'm accustomed to it." Shirogane... "Much about this case was perplexing, but its solution was surprisingly simple... Well then, I'll be going now." He turned and started walking away. I feel... kinda bad for him. Maybe we shouldn't have said all that stuff to him, we don't know if he has his own struggles.

"What was that about...? He just said his piece and left...? He said they have a suspect... but is this really gonna solve everything?" The grip on my skirt hem tightened, if this was the end then I would know. Well, Igor would tell me. But I don't wanna worry them. "Who knows..." Yosuke sighed as we decided to go our own ways. I could see Yosuke wanted to ask me something but Teddie stopped him by dragging him further into Junes. I chuckled at the scene before leaving. On my walk home, I was thinking about many things. But the main thing on my mind was what would happen now? Will there not be anymore meetings? Would we just stop hanging out with each other?

Will... will we even still be friends when this is over...?

I stopped in my tracks. It was like I was frozen where I stood. The gentle summer breeze hit my face, making my hair dance. My head tilted up to see the clouds above me while unconsciously, a tear fell. A single tear turned my vision warped as more tears formed.

I don't want to leave them...

"My other self..."

Izanagi...?

"You are not alone... believe in your bonds. Your Personas are proof of them..."

My... Personas...?

"Izanagi's right! We're hee-re for hee ho!"

Pyro jack...

"C'mon! Up and at 'em, Yui! Get off your lazy butt and stop doubting yourself!"

You too, Ara Mitama...?

"YOU STRONG! BE PROUD!"

Oni...? Heh, never expected to hear that...

"You're friends love you, they won't leave you. So there's no need to worry!"

Alraune...

"C'mon, young one. Keep your chin up.

High Pixie...

"It's best not to think such silly thoughts."

Ippon-Datara...

"En la unión, existe una fuerza."

Matador...? I need to look up what that means.

"Matador basically says that your strength is with your friends. Never give up on that."

Izanagi... everyone... I feel a warm embrace from all angles. It was as if all my friends were hugging me.

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