Chapter Text
Even in winter, when the skies are grey and air frigid, the Samegawa remains to be a place of solace.
Inaba is a quiet town. It's gotten more lively in recent months thanks to the residents' newfound sense of pride and love for their home, but it's still nothing compared to the bustling city. Regardless of how energetic the town may get, however, the Samegawa remains peaceful, untouched by any fuss.
Aside from his friends and the Dojima house, the Samegawa is truly the one place Yu misses the most when he has to leave.
Having to trade the calming sounds of gently running water, musical crickets on summer nights, soft grass cradling him as he casts his beloved fishing line or runs his hand through a stray's fur, for the disruptive car horns and never ending chatter, artificial lights and smog, is truly unfair in his opinion.
It's seen many very important events in Yu's life, despite him only having stayed for a year. Whenever he found himself with some time to spare, his friends knew that they would always find him down at the Samegawa. He smiles, remembering the moments fondly and feeling truly at peace.
Even Izanagi, who'd notably been giving him the 'more silent than usual' treatment since last night, let out a pleased little grumble.
The calm was more than welcomed given the sudden stealth mission he'd just endured.
At Nanako's unknowing request, Yu had spent the morning picking out a good cake recipe for the so-called 'Reverse Welcome Home Party'.
He'd actually had one picked out and ready to go within the hour, but before she left for school that morning, Nanako had asked to help him get the ingredients from Junes, and who was Yu to deny her anything, really?
Of course, waiting for Nanako meant that he'd missed the 'safe period'.
By the time he and Nanako had been ready to leave the house, Yu had received a message from Yosuke, complaining about having to work a full shift after a day of classes while Teddie gets to sit at home. Meaning Yu had to somehow navigate Junes without being spotted by his 'way more perceptive than people give him credit for' partner who could be literally anywhere in the store at any given moment in time.
Nanako had the perfect solution.
Twenty minutes later, Yu found himself playing spy with his younger sister, as they sneakily made their way around the department store grabbing everything they needed.
Unfortunately, it appeared that Junes had shuffled their layout since Yu's last visit, and neither he nor Nanako could find the last ingredient on their list.
Meaning they'd have to ask for help.
From a Junes employee.
All of whom knew his face from the multiple times he showed up to help Yosuke last year. And who would no doubt tell Yosuke that he was there, thus ruining the surprise.
They were stuck.
Or at least, Yu thought they were stuck, until Nanako once again came to the rescue.
As they looked up and down the store, she suddenly pushed him around a corner. He turned around to ask what's wrong, but she quickly silenced him with a finger on her lips and pointed to the opposite end of the aisle.
There, restocking shelves with a tired, full force customer service smile and barely suppressed murderous aura that only retail workers are capable of, was the infamous Prince of Junes himself - Yosuke Hanamura.
Nanako, not sensing any of Yosuke's inner struggle for sanity, happily ran over to him.
"Yosuke-nii!" she had called, and Yosuke looked up towards where her voice had echoed from, a great, big, genuine grin on his face. Like seeing Nanako had given him an extra battery - Yu understood that feeling perfectly.
"Nanako-chan!" he exclaimed, opening his arms just as Nanako barreled into him for a hug. He gently patted her on the head as they pulled away. The sight made a matching dopey grin break out on Yu's face too.
"Are you busy?" she asked, looking at the cart Yosuke had been pushing around to restock the shelves.
Yu saw Yosuke shake his head, despite the fact that he very clearly was busy if the amount of things still left in the cart had been anything to go by.
"Are you sure?" Nanako, rightfully, sounded doubtful.
Yosuke's smile was soft.
"I told you already didn't I? I'm never too busy for you, Nanako-chan. What's up?"
Nanako nodded, reassured.
"Can you help me find the vanilla? It's moved."
Yosuke chuckled and stood up with a dramatic flourish, holding out a hand to Nanako, who took it, giggling at the display.
"Yes, of course, Miss! Right this way!"
And he swiftly led her off to another part of the store while Yu waited in his hiding place until Nanako returned.
Remembering how gently Yosuke had treated Nanako brings another smile to Yu's face as he stares out over the water.
He trusts his friends more than anything, of course, but seeing for himself an example of how they promised to take care of Nanako while he's away… it warmed his heart.
Quite literally. He had felt Izanagi's elation in the moment too.
Letting out a slow, steady breath, Yu watches the wondrous dance of soft lights over the river's surface as the sun sets. He's glad he decided to come out again, even if being here is somewhat of a risk. While the floodplain is generally quiet, quite a few people pass through throughout the day and any one of them could recognise him.
But after the chaos of the afternoon? Well, let's just say he felt a certain need for the Samegawa's serenity.
So he'll stay here just a little bit longer. Until the sun is no longer peeking over the horizon.
Yu closes his eyes and just takes the time to breathe for a while, feeling Izanagi's gentle hums in time with his heartbeat.
He's missed this peace dearly.
In fact, Yu is so at peace, that he doesn't hear the soft crunch of footsteps on the frosty grass as they get closer.
So relaxed that he doesn't sense the new but wonderfully familiar presence that's come to a stop by his side.
So zoned out, that he doesn't hear the small murmur of "I knew it", or pay any mind to Izanagi's sudden excitement as the Persona sets off tiny, harmless, almost giddy shocks through his body.
So completely unaware of everything around him that when he feels a warm hand gently tap his shoulder, Yu genuinely jumps.
He gasps, head snapping to the side, before his stance softens as he registers who exactly reached out to him.
"Hey, Partner."
There stands Yosuke, hand slightly drawn back and an amused but surprised look on his face, as though he's shocked he managed to catch Yu off guard.
"Man, you were out of it, huh? Usually you can hear anyone coming from a mile off."
Yu smiles, finally feeling Izanagi's incredibly pleased shocks and hums at the joy of talking to his partner face to face again.
"Yosuke…"
Said boy grins at Yu, and for a moment he swears it feels a little warmer, somehow brighter despite the skies above getting darker. He's certain at this point that it's just an effect Yosuke has, at least whenever he's in Yu's vicinity, like he has some sort of weird aura that just radiates light ('Fitting,' he hears Izanagi chuckle, 'Seems he lives up to his name.') even despite the now noticeable bags beneath his eyes.
"Are you.. okay?" Yu asks, squashing down the thoughts of light and Izanagi's comment and focusing entirely on the clear weariness etched into Yosuke's expression, before realising a second too late that 'Oh, that sounds a bit rude-'
Luckily, Yosuke just laughs at him.
"Wow, Partner, what a way to start a conversation," he replies sarcastically, but Yu can tell that no genuine offence was taken, "Way to make a guy feel special - could have just said you missed me or something."
Yu starts to laugh too, once again grateful that Yosuke understands him enough to know exactly what he had meant. Even though it's been a while since they last saw each other, or even spoken to each other properly, suddenly it feels like no time has passed at all as they seamlessly fall right back into their usual rhythm.
"Seriously though," Yosuke continues, once they've eventually calmed down, "I'm fine. It's just the busy season so I've been in work more, same as last year."
Yu nods, giving him a small smile to mask the guilt he can feel creeping into his heart.
"Sorry I haven't been here to help."
It isn't just an apology about Junes. Not by a long shot.
Yosuke scoffs, a gentle understanding in his voice.
"Hey, stop that. Besides, dad let me finish early today so it's not all bad - especially since you're here now."
Yu hums.
'Say what you mean.' Izanagi urges, 'He will listen to you.'
He knows that. Believe him, he knows.
But where does he even start? He can't just unload on him like that, it's not fair.
Like, 'Hello, Yosuke, sorry it's been a while - I know we haven't properly had a conversation beyond a few scattered messages between school and work and that you're probably ready to pass out right now but every time I'm away from this place and everyone it feels like a hole is being physically ripped through my heart because I worry that you'll forget me, but even if you do it would only be my own fault since I'm the one who hasn't been keeping in touch as much I should have been but even then you all don't really need me around here so it's fine, don't worry about it, anyway see you around."
He shakes his head and sighs.
'Absolutely not, that just sounds like a poorly composed email from one of my classmates.'
"Yosuke…"
Yosuke tilts his head.
"Can you…" (Listen to me for a while?) "not tell anyone you saw me here?"
Yosuke narrows his eyes slightly, giving him an almost knowing look.
Yu inwardly braces for being called out, feeling his Partner's eyes practically digging into his soul. He can't help but avert his gaze, schooling his features into his infamous impassiveness.
"…This wouldn't have anything to do with why Nanako-chan lied to me earlier, would it?"
Wait, what?
The confusion must break through his mask, because Yosuke just chuckles.
"Nanako-chan never lies, so she isn't very good at it. Though that's probably a good thing for the daughter of a detective, right?"
That's true enough. Last year, when Yu first met Nanako, it was easy to see how lonely she really was. She would keep reassuring him that it was okay, that she was okay, and that she can watch the house and do the laundry all by herself, but she was hurt.
At first, he didn't really know how to help her, but hearing how sad she sounded every time Dojima would call to tell her that he'd be staying late at work again, how the spark would leave her eyes and replace itself with a resigned dullness…
It had scared him.
Because he recognised that feeling. It was too familiar, too similar to himself and the reflection he'd gotten used to seeing whenever he looked in the mirror. An expression that doesn't belong on anyone's face, much less a child's.
Yet Nanako didn't ask for help, despite it all. Well, she did, but it was never for what she truly needed.
'Like sister, like brother." Izanagi sends a small but unpleasant jolt through him. He ignores it.
Instead, he asks,
"What happened?"
"Like you weren't there." Yosuke grins.
"Maybe I wasn't, you don't know." he teases. Yosuke sticks his tongue out at him, still grinning. Yu decides to pretend that the sudden heat he can feel in his cheeks is because of the cold finally getting to him.
"Sure, Partner, whatever you say." Yosuke replies, obviously rolling his eyes in a show of complete and utter belief of Yu's totally real and compelling rebuttal, "She asked me to help her find something unusual, and when I asked her what for, she said it was for Dojima-san."
Ah.
"That's fair. I'm not sure uncle even knows vanilla extract exists, let alone how to bake with it…"
Yosuke's eyes light up for a split second,
"Oh, really?"
This time, Yu narrows his eyes at Yosuke.
He seems like he suddenly knows something Yu doesn't. It's unnerving. But regardless, he isn't going to say a word about the cake. Yosuke might know he's here already, but he can at the very least keep the whole party thing a secret. He refuses to let the stealth mission he and Nanako endured that afternoon be completely for nothing.
"..Yes? Everyone knows he can't cook. Though, I can't say I know much more about what Nanako's up to either." he replies carefully.
Yosuke smirks.
"You sure about that, Partner?"
Suddenly, Yu can't help but feel a little too much like a mouse trapped under the gaze of a particularly cunning cat.
"Positive."
Yosuke leans closer, placing a hand on Yu's shoulder as his smirk grows larger.
"That so?"
Yu nods insistently, willing his face not to get any redder when Yosuke leans even closer, right next to his ear.
'Oh, this is new.'
"Partner…"
"Yes?" he has to focus so hard on keeping his voice steady.
"….I didn't say anything about vanilla extract."
What?
….Oh.
He hears Yosuke snickering as he pulls back, before breaking down into a full on laughing fit when he sees Yu's near shell shocked expression at whatever on earth just happened.
"Your.. your face.." he manages to get out between breaths, and Yu just remains frozen for a little bit before the sound of Yosuke's laughter becomes too infectious to resist.
Honestly, it's a wonderful sound - even if it is at Yu's expense.
He huffs, playfully glaring at Yosuke, who's still trying to calm himself down.
'And he says my laugh could rival Yukiko's…'
Eventually, Yosuke does pull himself together, and the two find themselves sat under the little shelter on the hill. At this point, the sun has disappeared over the horizon, and the stars are making themselves known in the darkened skies.
Usually, the floodplain can get a little bit eerie at night. That's what Yu always thought, whenever he'd come out here to fish on those rainy nights. Any moment now, he's certain they'll hear the howl of that one dog who always showed up to keep him company. He hopes it's been well.
"…So," Yosuke starts, "You arrived yesterday, and then Nanako-chan had the idea for a surprise party, which is why you were both sneaking around Junes earlier and didn't tell anyone you were in town - that sum it up?"
Yu nods.
"And because of that, you don't want me to tell anyone I saw you today either?"
"Please."
"Alright."
Yu nods, pleased with the easy acceptance. He knows Yosuke can keep a secret well when he wants to.
"But," Yu adds, "Could you tell everyone to visit Nanako in about two days? I should have everything made by tomorrow night."
Yosuke gives him a thumbs up, quickly checking the time on his phone.
"Thank you."
Yosuke smiles.
"I've got you, Partner."
Yu smiles back.
"I know."
He feels something odd in his chest when he says that. An almost disbelieving rumble. He chooses to ignores it - he knows he meant what he said.
Standing, Yosuke stretches a little, smile turning a little sad. Yu tilts his head.
"Sorry, dude, you know I'd stay talking with you all night if I could, but mom'll send Ted out looking for me if I don't go home soon."
Yu finally decides to check the time for himself and, 'oh, that's later than I thought-'
"I should probably start dinner for Nanako, anyway." he replies, standing as well.
"Tell her I said 'hi', yeah?"
"Of course."
Yosuke looks at him for a moment, something in his gaze searching. Though for what, Yu doesn't know. His Partner's eyes flicker with what looks almost like frustration as he takes a breath.
Yu blinks, then feels arms around him.
It's nice. Warm. Comforting.
Like it's screaming "I'm here."
He returns the embrace. When he does, he can feel the electricity beneath his skin, buzzing, needing to be let out.
He doesn't let it. Refuses to ruin the moment. Besides, as Yosuke said, he needs to get home. There's no time now. It can wait.
Just knowing that Yosuke is still here is enough for now.
So, ignoring the steadily growing shakes of thunder thrashing in his chest, he just lets himself be held, and hold in turn, until it finally fades away.
He can smell citrus.
"I thought you said this was for girls?" he jokes, hearing Yosuke sigh out a short chuckle in response.
"Shut up."
Yu laughs silently.
Yosuke draws away, slowly, like he doesn't want to let go. That's okay. Yu doesn't really want to let go either.
He's found that he never does when it comes to Yosuke.
Eventually, they separate, and Yosuke takes a few steps back, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Anyway!" he exclaims, a little louder than he probably should, "I-I'll see you on Friday, Partner!"
Yu nods, giving Yosuke a little wave, watching as he turns and walks swiftly away down the path. Absently, he notices that a gentle snow has begun to fall, and hopes Yosuke isn't too cold in just his jacket.
When Yu arrives home, he's greeted by both Nanako and his uncle, who have seemingly just finished setting out some Junes brand sushi for dinner. In all honesty, he's very glad for it, relieved that he doesn't have to cook - as soon as he'd stepped through the door, it had felt as though a tidal wave of exhaustion decided to crash down on him.
He manages some brief conversation during dinner, but it's Nanako who finally puts her foot down and tells him with a hug to go to bed when she sees him attempt to discreetly yawn four different times in the span of two minutes.
Naturally, Yu does as she says, retreating to his, now thankfully mostly unpacked, room.
Almost as soon as his head hits the pillow on his futon, he's out like a light.
He doesn't even notice the weird absence in his chest.
-bzzzzzttt-
Yu feels himself wake up at some point later on. He doesn't know how much time has passed, debating going back to sleep before he slowly registers that the room looks lighter than it should be.
Odd. He knows he definitely turned the lights off.
'What..?'
Instinctively, his eyes wander to the clock on the wall.
It's midnight.
-bzzztttt-
At the sound of static, Yu jolts awake.
'No. No, no, no, no, no, the case is over, it's off the air, I didn't even look at the TV-'
Yu reaches for his phone and takes a breath, steeling himself. As much as he can feel his own anxiety rapidly setting in, he needs to look before the picture fades. Someone needs help, and he has to make sure they're saved.
That's the priority. Figuring out how it happened can come later.
Steadily, he shifts his gaze upwards, bracing himself for the horrible sight of his uncle, or anyone he knows in town without a Persona.
He gasps, eyes wide, when he sees the actual victim, feeling anxiety give way to stone cold dread.
The face on the screen…
Is his own.
A near perfect mirror image glaring down at him with glowing, golden eyes from among the fuzz.
It reaches out, and the buzzing gets louder.
He feels a sharp tug on his wrist.
Then there's a sudden pain in his head as he drops the phone, and then he's falling, the world shifting around him, vision fading into static.
He passes out before it all stops.