Chapter Text
Yu startled, as the door slid open, slicing through his musings. Nanako sprinted past to get the door as Dojima announced his arrival.
Yu shook his head, as if to dislodge the creature responsible for making his head all fuzzy. What day was this? Even though he hadn't returned to the TV World in some time, he felt like he'd spent hours trawling through palaces and cleaning out shadows.
He dimly registered Nanako telling Dojima about the kotatsu. The kotatsu.. Of course. They'd tried to use it a few nights ago, but they couldn't get it to work. Or was that last night? The last month had become a blur, as the days ran into each other, trickling into a stream of school, work and sleep.
'Is that a letter?' Yu peered at the envelope Dojima was holding. 'It's for you, but...' Dojima trailed off as he handed the letter to Yu. He flipped it over a few times, but didn't see the sender's name or return address. Odd. There weren't even any postage stamps or anything. Just his name, written in sharp black ink.
He hadn't heard much from his parents since he first arrived in Inaba, but he doubted it was from them. He slid his finger in and shucked the letter out of the envelope.
There was no punctuation. No 'best wishes'' or 'To whom it may concern's'. Just one spine chilling line.
if you dont stop this time someone close will be put in and killed
Yu's heart stopped. He felt pins and needles prick through his head as his hands developed a small tremor. Yu dropped the letter, pressing his hands together in an attempt to quell the tremors before they could grow.
'Hey, what the hell is this?' Dojima snatched the letter off the table, where Yu had dropped it. He read the letter, flipped it over, before grabbing at the envelope as well. 'Not often we get letters with no return address on them. So I was right.'
Dojima crouched down to Yu's eye-level, as he put a firm hand on Yu's shoulder. 'Be straight with me. You're involved in the case, aren't you?'
Yu swallowed. He could feel his head buzzing, like a great many bees had suddenly decided to make a new hive out of it. He wrenched his eyes shut, trying desperately to clear his head. Dojima gave him a short shove. 'What are you up to?!'
Yu knew that Dojima wouldn't understand the TV World, Shadows or the Midnight Channel. Even if he could convince him to take them to June's at this hour of the night, he couldn't trust himself to defend Dojima from whatever creature would manifest as his other self. Not in this state. No, there was no way he could take Nanako to June's. Certainly not now. He couldn't take that chance.
'I can't explain everything, but you need to believe what I do tell you.' Yu hadn't spoken in a while and his voice felt rusty. He cleared his throat and continued. 'I don't know who the true culprit is, but Mitsuo isn't responsible for all of this. We have suspicions that he was responsible for Morooka, but he isn't connected to the kidnappings or the first 'disappearance'.'
Yu gave a sideways glance to Nanako. He knew she was in the room when the news reported on Mayumi Yamano's death, but he still felt sick at mentioning death terms in front of her. He wasn't sure how long Dojima's temper would last, so he quickly pressed on. 'We have methods of helping people who have been taken and the true culprit knows about us. The kidnappings connected to this case failed. It doesnt matter that you have a scapegoat culprit to blame this on. The real one is out there and will not stop the attacks. That letter proves it.'
Yu pointed a shaky hand at the letter. He'd given up on holding the tremors back. His voice had grown increasingly unstable as he'd talked, but he'd held it together to avoid upsetting Nanako. He could've explained so much more, but just saying this much had taken a lot out of him. He looked at Dojima, imploring him to believe him.
Dojima narrowed his eyes. Yu winced, as Dojima grit his jaws together. Yu knew what was coming. He'd seen that look appear when Adachi blabbed about one too many case details. He'd failed. Dojima wouldn't listen to him.
'So you're not going to be honest with me.' Dojima had a steel glint in his eye, the type that he would usually reserve for his interrogations, Yu suspected. 'I've been treating you like family. That's why I never questioned you on this.' Dojima gaped at him, stunned that Yu could've kept this from him for so long. A small unbidden thought crossed Yu's mind, wondering if Dojima would throw him out. He shook his head, forcing the thought out of his mind. It would do little to help him now.
Dojima eyed him before he continued. 'But I see that was a mistake. I should've intervened much earlier because I care for you. I will have the truth from you today.' Yu cursed himself. He should've steeled his initial response to reading the letter. He had no doubt that Dojima would include his reaction to the letter and being questioned when he relayed this to the officers at the station.
'Dad?' Nanako's timid voice cleaved through their staredown. Dojima looked at her, before returning his eyes to Yu's. 'We'll continue this somewhere else. But I'm not letting you leave until I'm convinced.' Yu sagged slightly. He would have another chance to explain this. He would have to meet up with the others to work on how best to inform Dojima about all of this.
Even if Dojima closed his doors to Yu, he would have enough time to pack a few belongings and stay with a friend for a few nights. Yosuke probably had his hands full with Teddie and Kanji was busy making new designs for stuffed animals in mini outfits, but maybe he could rent a room at the Amagi Inn, or he could spend a few nights at Kou or Daisuke's. He'd even settle for the floor of the Velvet Room. Igor knew about the other worlds, surely he wouldnt mind if Yu slept in the corner. Wait, would that work? Did time pass the same way over there, or did he just blip back to whatever time it was when he first entered? Is that how the TV World worked?
'Hey,' Dojima squeezed Yu's shoulder, breaking through his frantic thoughts. 'This is for your own good. Got that?' Yu dimly registered that Dojima seemed hazy. He forced himself to nod and saw Dojima's image swim before his eyes.
Dojima turned to hold Nanako's hand. 'It's alright, we're not fighting.' Fojima rubbed small circles into Nanako's palm. 'We'll be right back, so don't wait up for us to get to bed. Okay?' Yu fought to keep the tremble out of his voice as he looked at Nanako. 'We'll be back soon.' Nanako couldn't know what to make of all of this, but she put on a brave smile. 'Okay... I'll be waiting.'
Without warning, she launched herself into his arms. Yu held her tight to his chest, as he felt Dojima's eyes burrow into his head. He needed to release this sob that was building up, but he couldn't. Not here. Not in front of Nanako. He had to be strong for her.
Dojima gave him a strange look when Nanako released him, but he didn't speak. He led Nanako to her room, dragging Yu along by the arm. Yu supposed it was to keep him from bolting. In some ways. He was grateful. Now he could finally tell Dojima everything. He was sick of sneaking around and disappearing off into the TV. He had exhausted his supply of excuses for Shadow related injuries several months back. He needed this.
It wasn't until Dojima shunted Yu to the door when he finally pushed back. 'No.' 'NO?' Dojima eyed him incredulously. 'We can't leave Nanako. Not here. Just let me call a few friends and we'll arrange for Nanako to stay with them.' Yu spoke quietly to avoid Nanako hearing, but he hoped Dojima would understand the urgency of his words. 'Please. I will tell you everything, I'll swear on anything you like, just please don't leave Nanako here.
'How do I know you're not up to something?' Dojima glared at him. 'YOU DON'T!' Before Yu fully registered his own actions, he had wrenched his arm out of Dojima's grip and had his hands wrapped around his shoulders. The fluidity of his movements jarred him. Yu gasped, staring at his hands in horror. Dojima frowned, before pushing Yu off.
'That's it. We're leaving. Get a coat.' 'I-' Yu wanted to apologise, to make up for his stupid mistake. 'I'm sorry, I-' 'Save it.' Yu staggered back. He had never heard such venom in his voice before. 'Nanako is fine here. It's you I'm worried about. How could you possibly-' Dojima pressed his fist to his forehead, unable to continue. 'Look, just get a jacket and meet me in the car. I don't want another word out of you until we get there.
Dojima swept out of the room, as Yu hung his head, nodding and heading up the stairs. He didn't trust himself to speak back. He grabbed his phone and tapped out an urgent message.
I'VE BEEN FOUND OUT. WILL CONFESS TO DOJIMA. NANAKO NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROTECT HER. KILLER SENT ANOTHER WARNING. SOMEONE CLOSE IS NEXT. CALL WHEN YOU CAN. LET THE OTHERS KNOW. IM SORRY. YU.
Yu grimaced at the crude message, before pressing his eyes into his elbow. He knew he couldn't keep Dojima waiting much longer, much less let him catch him like this, but he didn't know what else he could say. He wouldn't get another shot with this. As Dojima's ID lit up on his screen, he realised he had to set up a fail-safe. As he darted down the steps, he added: NAOTO IS EMERGENCY LEADER IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME. DONT LET THIS STOP US. He sent one to Naoto, Yosuke and Chie, before stuffing his phone in his pocket and heading out to face Dojima.
'Big bro?' Nanako had crept out of bed just as Yu reached the end of the stairs. Yu crouched down to her. 'I'm really sorry for all this, Nanako. We'll be gone for a little while, but I'll see you as soon as we get back.' A sudden sting of lightning flashed outside, followed by a distant rumble. 'Listen, I don't have long, but I'm gonna make it up to you. Don't open the door if you're still awake when Dojima comes home. You'll be safe in your room.'
Nanako's face was full of concern, but she set her jaw and nodded firmly. 'Promise you'll tell me what's happening when you get back?' Yu held out his hand and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. 'There are some details I'm still not sure on myself, but I promise I'll tell you all I can.' Nanako's face crumbled and Yu quickly gave her a hug. 'Come home safe, big bro.' Nanako's muffled voice sounded against his shoulder. Yu squeezed his eyes shut, grateful that Nanako couldn't see. 'I will.'
Nanako slid out of his arms as Yu headed to the door. He waved goodbye, steeling himself, before heading into the garage.