Persona 4 FYL

Author's Note: Before you read this chapter, I wish to explain my methodology with regard to writing this particular excerpt.

As any Persona player knows, a staple of the series involves the inclusion of at least two endings: a Bad Ending and a True Ending. One of my pursuits in writing FYL is to remain true to the series and the fanbase, so I felt it was necessary and proper to include a "Bad Ending" chapter with the story itself.

However, take heart: there is more FYL to come, and the grand finale of the True Ending is swiftly approaching. Thank you all for your continued support and reviews. Now, without further adieu, please enjoy the Bad Ending, and I hope you'll all stay with me as the True Ending arc plays out to fruition, beginning with Chapter Fifteen, which shall be published shortly!

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“...I'll stay here.”

Rise gawked at Naoto in utter confusion. “Huh?!”

“You're kiddin', ain't ya?” said Kanji in disbelief.

“He's... better off without me.” Naoto stared down at her trembling hands, shaking her head slowly. “Look at me. I'm no good for him... or for any of you, for that matter. I always seem to weigh him down...”

“Are you blind?!” hollered Yosuke. “What good will it do to stay here when he obviously needs our help?!”

“He'll be fine,” said Naoto, but without any real conviction. “He's survived a lot worse than this before now. I would only make things worse for him.”

“Do you really think he feels that way?” asked Yukiko, trying to remain calm and talk some sense into her friend. “He loves you... You would never be a weight on him.”

“I don't deserve his love,” winced the detective, lowering her eyes to the ground. “I don't deserve him.”

“But Naoto-kun-” began Chie, but the sleuth held up a hand for silence.

“Enough. I would only get in his way, and I dare not trouble him any more than he's capable of handling. I've made my decision; I'm staying right here.” She closed her eyes, her fists clenched as though fighting a mad desire to change her mind. “I apologize, but... that's my final word.”

Everyone became instantly startled as lightning surged around them, and their eyes were drawn toward the Rift. The deep gash slowly closed, reality mending itself as though it were a rapidly healing wound, and a deep, gray dawn began to make itself known. The lightning continued to arc along the dense clouds, and no sunlight pierced through the thick covering, as the scent of approaching rain filled the party's nostrils.

Teddie sniffed the air, his expression anxious. “It smells different. The Shadows are gone, but... I don't know. I have a bear-y bad feeling about this.”

Rise moved closer to Teddie, her eyes shining with intense worry. “Do.. you think Souji-kun's okay?”

“I don't know,” said Yosuke, rubbing his eyes exhaustedly. “We should go to the school and check, just to be safe. Naoto,” he turned back to the young sleuth, noticing her eyes were hidden beneath the brim of her cap once again, “I think you should come with us, too. Anything could still happen, and frankly, I think it's best that we stick together until we're sure everything's fine.”

“You have nothing to worry about,” said Naoto, but shook her head in resignation all the same, “but if only to prove my point, I'll accompany you.”

The group slowly exited the Shirogane Estate grounds and made their way through the silent town. With the evacuation order, it seemed deserted, almost like a ghost town, and the atmosphere sent chills down their spines. The storm clouds overhead continued to threaten the town below with their thunderous din as everyone made their way to the school grounds, walking up the familiar path that all of them had taken five years ago.

“...The gate's open,” observed Yosuke, looking more deeply concerned. “That isn't right... it should be locked on Sundays.”

“I don't like this at all, you guys,” muttered Kanji uneasily. “This place is givin' me bad vibes.”

“Me too,” whimpered Chie, hugging herself tightly and moving closer to Yosuke's warmth. “I feel... so wrong. I really hope Souji-kun's okay...”

“You're... imagining things,” said Naoto, doubt creeping into her voice. “He's probably waiting for us on the roof.” That... That was where...

The party entered the school grounds through the open gate and slipped inside through the front doors, passing by the familiar shoe lockers and climbing up the central of flight of stairs more slowly than they felt they should. All of them hesitated as they approached the door to the rooftop, but Naoto slowly stepped forward and turned the knob, pushing it outward and stepping out into the cold, damp air.

The seven youths entered the roof and looked around. Nothing seemed different or wrong at first glance, but none of them made a move to separate themselves from the rest of the group.

“Are... you sure he's here, Naoto-kun?” asked Yukiko meekly. “I don't see him anywhere.”

“He must be here,” said Naoto-kun, feeling her desperation rise. “This is the only place he could--”

“...Sensei...”

The bear's voice made Naoto's heart stop, the pain and anguish reflected within making her freeze stock still. Naoto felt everyone turn toward the far end, the familiar place where so many lunches had been eaten that fateful year, and she followed their movements mechanically, silently, like a ghost.

All eyes fell upon a prone body laying on the concrete. The dimness of the morning light, obscured by the dense clouds, made it difficult to make out many details, except that the physical characteristics were obviously male. It remained motionless as they stared upon it from a distance, none of them willing to move closer, fear constricting their hearts.

Then the sound of soft footsteps made them all jump, and they turned to see Naoto walking calmly toward the fallen man. Her face was hidden behind her cap once again, but her walk seemed heavier than before, as though weighted down by a tremendous burden. Her arms hung limply at her sides, the trembling gone, replaced by an unnatural stillness.

“N..Naoto-ku--” Rise whimpered, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. “...It... you couldn't have kno--”

“Let her be, Rise-san.” Yosuke's voice was husky, almost to the point of hoarseness.

“But...” Yukiko moved closer to Kanji, leaning against his strong arm and closing her eyes tightly. “Shouldn't we... console her or something?”

“This... is hard enough on her as it is,” whispered Kanji, not daring to look forward at Naoto. “I don't think anythin' we'd say would make her feel any better.”

Naoto's feet ceased their movements when she found herself standing mere inches from the body on the ground, and she slowly lowered herself to her knees. Her eyes dully scanned the fallen man without truly recognizing him, staring at the almost foreign physique. Her thin fingers traced the curve of muscle along his biceps, gently touching his shirt as she moved up along his broad shoulders. Trailing up his strong neck and up to his ear, she ran her fingertips gently through shining silver hair as she stared deeply into lifeless silver irises.

“...You... How could you have...” Naoto's breath was ragged as she gasped out the words, her voice a mere whisper. “...You stupid-- ...It should have been obvious. How blind can you possibly be? The... answer was right in front of you the whole time, but you ignored it... like everything else that was important to you.

“You... were needed. Wanted. Loved. What possessed you to do something so incredibly... stupid? It makes no sense... Even if it may have seemed sensible before, it was an idiotic and... childish... thing to do. And now... you have to deal with the consequences of your decision. You have to deal with the fact... that... that he's dead...”

The sleuth clenched her fists, the cloth of the man's shirt pulled between her fingers. She leaned forward, pressing her cheek to his, and she shuddered uncontrollably as she still felt the lingering warmth in his skin.

Her control broke completely.

“You... stupid, foolish, deluded CHILD!!” She screamed the last word, grief consuming her entire being. “How could you-- Why did have to make such a-- He NEEDED you!! How could you LEAVE him like that?! And now he's gone! Souji's dead because of you! Now everything is... darkness! You have nothing left!! NOTHING!!

“All because... you were a stupid, stupid, STUPID CHILD!!”

She threw her arms around Souji's lifeless form, sobs tearing through her as her heart was torn asunder by the flood of emotion surging through her body.

“Come back...! Come back!! Souji, come back!! Please, I need you!! I was wrong!! Please forgive me!! Please, come back!! Don't leave me here alone!!”

Rise gave a strangled cry as she buried her face in Teddie's shoulder, the bear hiding his face in the idol's neck as he too let out a loud sob. Yosuke and Chie had already embraced, comforting each other in their intense grief. Yukiko held Kanji gently as she wept, consoling him as he covered his eyes with his left hand, unwilling to let anyone see him break down.

“Souji...!! Soujiiii!!”

Naoto's grief overwhelmed her, the pain too great to bear. She felt as though her heart would burst, and almost felt thankful when it finally did.

“Sou...” she panted as the pressure released inside of her, feeling oddly lightheaded and weak. “Sou...”

Everyone turned to see Naoto slump forward upon Souji's prone form, her cap sliding from her head. Landing on the ground, it rolled along the concrete rooftop for a few brief moments before the rains began, lightning pealing across the cloud-strewn skies.