Chapter Text
They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, but this may be the first time Yu has ever truly understood that statement.
As he watches the frosty, December landscapes whizzing by through the small, somewhat rusty, train window on his right grow increasingly tranquil, he finds a small sense of nostalgia making itself more and more known in his chest. The 18 year old feels a sense of calm wash over him as a familiar warmth fizzles up to the surface in his heart - it would appear his other self, Izanagi, is attempting to offer encouragement.
Yu allows a small, soft smile to cross his features at that, reaching a gloved hand up to touch his heart in a silent show of thanks. He knows that he could just think it and Izanagi would hear the sentiment just fine, but the teen has always been more of an actions person.
Then again, he supposes, so is Izanagi. 'I am thou, thou art I', and all that.
Honestly, the trip out was all incredibly unexpected.
It isn't technically the holidays yet, but the night before, when he had returned to his family's current residence in Iwatodai, his parents had surprised him with the news that they had made travel arrangements for him to get to Inaba the very next day.
Stunned by the out-of-character declaration, Yu had barely managed to get a word in about it before his mother had launched into a spiel about how her brother had called and told her that 'Nanako really misses her big bro', and, 'they hope he can find the time to visit them again soon'.
If you had told the Yu from last year that his parents would allow him to miss several days of school so that he could go and visit friends and family in the middle of nowhere instead - and that it was their idea - he'd probably have given you a blank stare before swiftly walking away.
Now, however, he doesn't know what to think about it all.
Ever since he originally returned from Inaba, they had seemingly been trying to pay more attention to him.
Up until now, it was all small, slightly stunted attempts; asking him how his day was when they never had before, his father asking about a book he saw him reading, his mother trying to find out more about his year in the countryside while they were working abroad, awkward family dinners, just trying to make time for him in general - things like that.
Yu isn't entirely sure what caused them to start acting like that, and certainly neither he nor them are used to it yet, but he finds that he can't bring himself to complain regardless of how odd it feels.
It's almost like a smaller part of him, one that he thought had disappeared long ago, had begun to stir once more. A childlike part of him that always wished for the attention and is happy to finally, finally, be getting it - regardless of how much his older, current self may quietly resent the fact that it's taken them 18 years to actually give it to him in the first place.
He feels a gentle rumbling in his chest from Izanagi and takes a breath.
He had gotten lost in his head again, silver stare distant and winter landscapes forgotten. It's been happening a lot lately, but when you've got nobody to talk to, Yu supposes, it's pretty much guaranteed. He's just been so busy, especially with graduation and entrance exams on the horizon, there's hardly been time to simply message his friends.
Now that he thinks about it, it had been a while since he'd properly spoken to any of them.
Yu had wanted to, of course. It was so lonely without any of them there and he misses them dearly every second he has to be apart from them all but there just wasn't any time and they were probably all so busy too and-
Another rumble, this time abrupt and loud, so very loud like thunder, resounds in his head, cutting off his spiralling excuses with a wince.
He knows.
He can't lie to himself after all, he's seen first-hand what happens when you do, multiple times in fact.
In a way, it's comforting that Izanagi won't allow him to spiral like that, but he does wonder why the Persona is still here. He knows it can't actually leave him fully, it's still a part of him, but the TV World is peaceful now - there wasn't a reason for Izanagi to stick with him now, at least not physically.
There's a rush of sadness at that notion, followed closely by an almost offended sounding grumble echoing through his mind.
Before that train of thought, or possible argument, can go any further though, the conductor's crackling voice fills the cabin.
'Attention passengers. The next stop is Yasoinaba Station. I repeat, the next stop is Yasoinaba Station. This is the train's final stop. Please prepare to disembark…'
Stepping out onto the frosty platform, Yu hadn't expected anyone to be waiting for him.
It's a weekday afternoon, meaning all of his friends are currently sat in lectures at Yasogami High, much like Yu technically should be at Gekkoukan. Unfortunately, just because Yu has been given time off, it doesn't mean that his friends have too - which is a shame.
That being said, even if his friends did miraculously have the day off from school today, due to the suddenness of his trip, Yu hadn't exactly told anyone that he's in town aside from his uncle.
To Yu's knowledge, his uncle Dojima is working extremely hard on a case he's been assigned in order to ensure a day off on Christmas to spend with Nanako.
Therefore, you can imagine his surprise when he sees said uncle waiting for him as he leaves the station, arms crossed and gaze kind, but firm. Just as always.
"There you are!" Dojima exclaims, waving him over, "Hurry it up, will ya, it's freezing out here."
'Clearly,' Yu thinks, walking swiftly over to where his uncle is waiting, 'You're actually wearing your blazer for once.'
Izanagi chuckles, budding argument on the train apparently forgotten about. For now, at least.
As annoyed or hurried as Dojima sounds, the great, big smile breaking out across his face completely gives away his true feelings. He opens the car door for Yu as the boy gets closer and gestures for him to get in, before walking around to the other side and climbing in for himself.
Yu, wasting no time in these temperatures, follows immediately.
The thing with Dojima that Yu appreciates is that, although it was a rocky start, he's steadily come to somehow just know what Yu or Nanako need. Not all the time, mind you, but he's gotten a lot better at it.
Aside from the small greeting of, "It's good to see you", and a remark about the soft, gentle sounds of the radio playing a familiar tune, the man stayed quiet for the duration of the car ride. Last year, Yu would have brushed this off as neither of them being particularly good at starting a conversation - which is still true - but now he knows better. And he's incredibly grateful. Travelling takes a lot out of people.
So the two sit quietly.
Yu takes the time to look out of the window, watching the snow-covered country town pass by. He realises that, because of the case, he didn't really get the time to properly enjoy Inaba in the snow. Not fully, anyway.
At this point last year, a lot of the time he had was spent worrying over Nanako, worrying over Adachi, worrying over Marie, worrying over his impending departure. But this year is different.
As they drive past the petrol station Moel, where everything originally started, he realises that he doesn't have to worry about anything this year. He can truly just spend time with everyone he loves.
No TV World, no Shadows, no murder case, no vengeful entities (divine or otherwise).
No Midnight Channel.
No suffocating Fog.
No dread.
He takes a breath. Allows it all to sink in.
Of course, Yu had known this logically. The case had been closed for months now, and, with the very brief exception of that weird dance related debacle a few months ago, showed no signs of opening again.
They saved the world. They survived. Now they can actually rest and enjoy their time together.
They can be normal. They have been normal.
He sighs.
…It's nice.
He's suddenly jolted out of these thoughts with a slight tap on his shoulder. When he turns, he sees Dojima stood outside of the car, leaning over with raised eyebrows and an outstretched hand.
Upon seeing Yu blink up at him a few times in confusion, the older man leans back with an amused expression on his face, standing up properly as he steps to the side, revealing the old, wooden walls of a very familiar building.
"We're here."
Looking around, Yu, belatedly, realises that they are now, in fact, parked in the Dojima Household driveway and that he should probably get out of the car.
He can feel his face burning with embarrassment at the fact he got caught so lost in his own head, moving to join his uncle by the front door. Thankfully, Dojima doesn't say anything about it, focusing instead on getting them out of the cold as soon as possible.
As Yu lines up his shoes at the entryway, Dojima finally turns to him.
"Your room is the same as you left it," he starts, "Nobody knows you're here yet - thought you'd want some peace before you start getting pulled from all sides." Dojima chuckles, shaking his head a little bit.
Yu can't help but smile at that. It's a fair statement - he had made a habit of running all over Inaba last year.
"I appreciate that."
Dojima laughs and gestures to the stairs.
"I'd get unpacked while you can. Once Nanako gets home, I doubt you'll get another free moment."
Yu nods, picking up his bags and making for the stairs. But before he gets too far up, Dojima calls for him again, causing him to turn back.
The boy tilts his head with a raised eyebrow. His uncle looks a bit embarrassed, like he didn't think before he spoke up.
"…Welcome home."
Dojima wasn't lying about Yu's room being untouched.
Looking around, everything was exactly where he had left it. The model robots on the shelf, some of his old books, the second-hand game console he'd found in Okina, his fishing line, and, of course, his multitude of cat toys for any strays he befriended around town.
The room didn't look lived in anymore. Nothing was really dusty - the Dojimas were doing a wonderful job of keeping it clean for him - but the space had somewhat reverted back into it's storage room-feeling self from before Yu's original stay.
Silently, he stares at it all for a moment.
It had only been a few months since his last stay. He hadn't been able to make it to Inaba for Golden Week because of the move to Iwatodai, so he'd made up for it during summer.
"Made up for it" is probably too lax of a term for what he had been like. As soon as he'd stepped off the train, it felt like he'd been supercharged, like Izanagi's electricity was truly buzzing through his veins. The entire summer he'd run all over Inaba, spending time with anyone and everyone he'd come to know during his time here.
Because by far the most surprising thing Yu learnt over his year in the sleepy town wasn't the fact that he and his friends held mysterious, magical powers, or even the TV World's very existence.
It was that he, Yu Narukami, the boy who infamously feared attachment, is undoubtedly and undeniably… a People Person.
Being away from everyone had solidified this theory. Admittedly, he had even looked up if there was such a thing as getting withdrawal symptoms from friendships while studying in Gekkoukan's library one day (the answers he got varied and were overall not that useful).
Even now, although he had only seen Dojima so far, the knowledge that Nanako would be home soon, the knowledge that he could walk to Yasogami right now and surprise his friends at the gates, fills him with a joy he hasn't felt for too long.
This place is truly his home. Being away hurts. Seeing this room, his room, look so lifeless hurts. Having to hear about his friends chasing their futures instead of being here with them hurts.
'Being alone hurts.'
He jumps a bit at Izanagi's voice, so used to it only speaking through various pulses and hums.
'You should tell them.'
He feels a tugging sensation in his mind, urging him towards the door. Or more specifically, Yu realises, to Dojima.
'Be honest.'
Almost as if on cue, he hears Dojima's voice calling him from downstairs.
'Go on.'
Yu nearly doesn't want to. Would prefer to stay in here and unpack his things properly.
But even so, he takes a breath.
And leaves the room.
"There you are," Dojima exclaims, one foot in the door and continuously glancing off somewhere outside, "I told Nanako to wait in the car so we can do this whole… surprise thing properly."
He sounds a little bit awkward about it, despite this apparent surprise being entirely his own idea, but Yu smiles at the attempt all the same.
"Do you want me to hide?" Yu asks, already glancing around for a good spot.
Dojima chuckles, "Do whatever you'd like. I just wanted to give you a heads up."
Yu nods, eyes falling on the TV in the corner. He gives his uncle a thumbs up as he walks to it, switching it on and flicking to the channel with all of Nanako's beloved quiz shows.
Meanwhile, Dojima seems to get the message and goes to get his daughter.
Yu quickly pulls his and Nanako's cushions to her usual spot in front of the TV and takes a seat, listening to Nanako's muffled exclamations of excitement as the two get closer to the front door.
"Is Teddie here for Loveline? Did Kanji make me a new doll? Is Rise-chan visiting? Oh! Is Yosuke-nii here to play again?"
She sounds so happy. It makes Yu glad to know everyone has been playing with her while he's been away. He knows they have been, they all promised that they would, but to hear it from Nanako herself, and in such a delighted tone, makes it infinitely better.
He's missed her so much.
But now…
"…Big Bro?"
Yu waves at his little sister, who's stood with wide eyes and a huge smile in the entryway, staring at him as though he might disappear if she looks away. Like she can't quite believe he's there at all.
"Hi Nanako." he grins.
With that, she kicks back into gear, nearly tripping in her haste to get her shoes and coat off (he's almost certain he saw Dojima's life briefly flash before his eyes when he saw her almost fall over). She runs towards him, practically tackling him with a hug that's as tight as her little arms can muster.
"Welcome home, Big Bro!!"
…Now he's truly home.
Yu holds her as tightly as he can without crushing her, all thoughts of loneliness completely forgotten in that moment. When they separate, both of them have smiles so bright, they could put even the sun to shame.
"When did you get here? Don't you have school? How long are you here? Can we play tomorrow?"
Nanako immediately launches into a hyperactive game of 20 Questions, and Yu tries his best to keep up with her and answer each one, much to Dojima's amusement if that laugh he heard from the kitchen is anything to go by.
Eventually, Dojima grabs both of their attention when he places three mugs on the small table, and they all gather around, talking as they drink their coffee with the quiz shows playing quietly in the background.
"Big Bro," Nanako says, between sips of her incredibly sweet, more suitable for an 8-year-old, version of the drink during an ad break, "Why hasn't everyone else come to see you yet?"
"They don't know he's here yet, Nanako." Dojima replies, glancing at Yu with a discreet, questioning look in his eyes, like he's also been wondering but didn't want to outright ask. He must have assumed that Yu would have let them all know by now.
"Oh! Are you going to surprise them, too?"
Yu hadn't really been planning on surprising anyone, if he's quite honest. The only reason he hadn't told them was because the trip was so last minute and he'd been travelling all day (and maybe also because he knew full well that a certain partner of his would have skipped very important classes to meet him at the train station earlier, but that's besides the point).
(Also besides the point is that Yu nearly wanted to turn a blind eye and let him).
Instead of saying any of that, however, Yu just nods.
Nanako squeals.
"Oooooohhh!! Like a reverse Welcome Home party! Are we gonna make a cake?"
Once again, Yu nods along.
It may surprise you to learn that Yu had not, in fact, been planning on making a cake or throwing a so-called 'reverse Welcome Home party'. But he is now.
Sometimes he thinks that Nanako's smile should be considered a superweapon.
"Don't worry! I'll help you get all of the ingredients from Junes!"
He lets out a brief sigh and smiles.
"Thank you, Nanako."
She grins right back.
"Daddy!" she exclaims, turning to Dojima, "You need to keep it a secret too!"
Dojima puts his hands up in a mock surrender, a small smile on his face.
"I won't say anything, Nanako, don't worry."
Satisfied, she turns back to the TV.
The next day is shaping up to be an interesting one, inadvertent as it is.
Eventually, Yu returns to his room, having bid Nanako and Dojima 'goodnight' and more than ready to pass out on his old but surprisingly comfortable futon following his day of travel.
So naturally, he startles a bit when he feels a discontented and perhaps disappointed hum from Izanagi.
Ah. Right.
Izanagi had wanted him to talk to Dojima.
"Nanako was there," he whispers, finding some pajamas in his (still not unpacked) bag to change into, "Everyone was happy. I didn't want to ruin it."
Izanagi hums again, this time more insistently.
"I will tell them," he assures, "Just not today."
Izanagi quiets.
In the corner of his eye, Yu swears he sees the TV flicker.
'You know what will happen if you repress this.'
Yu knows. He knows all too well, has seen it happen, as have all of the Investigation Team.
He'd very much rather that it didn't happen to him. Just because it hasn't doesn't mean that it can't.
'I do not wish to hurt you.'
"I know."
'Then talk to them.'
"I will."
'Thank you.'
The silence becomes a little uncomfortable afterwards.
He knows the Persona understands his point, but even so, it's not pleased. Worried. Has been for a while.
Yu appreciates it, really.
In turn, he understands what Izanagi is saying. Knows that what it says is the truth.
But for right now, he's exhausted.
So he pushes it all aside once more, bundles himself up in as many spare blankets as he can find to ward off the old house's chill, and sleeps.
It can wait for another day.
Besides, now that he's back, he can see everyone again. He won't be lonely anymore. It's all totally okay.
He's home, after all.