Persona 4 FYL

"Happy Birthday, Nanako-chan!"

The large hotel suite in the Amagi Inn was filled with laughter and applause as Nanako Dojima blew out her large, twelve-candled birthday cake, her cheeks flushed with joy and happiness at the sight of all the familiar faces. She brushed her long, brown hair from her shoulder at the clapping, looking a little embarassed at all the attention she was receiving. "Thanks, everyone, for throwing me this party. It was really sweet of you."

"Hey, don't mention it!" said Yosuke Hanamura, cutting into the cake and beginning to hand out slices. "You're practically one of the group, after all."

"Considering this is the first time we've met in ages, that doesn't seem like much." Chie Satonaka looked glum for a moment, but she fell back into her usual smile. "But it's good that everyone's back together now. We can catch up on current events!"

Nanako looked slightly crestfallen as she said softly, "Almost everyone..."

"Hey, cheer up, kid!" Kanji Tatsumi grinned as he handed Nanako a gift wrapped in pink paper and topped with a red bow. "You're supposed to be happy on a day like this."

A look of surprise filled Nanako's eyes as she hastily unwrapped the present, squealing in delight as she withdrew a stuffed doll clothed head to toe in a cute, frilly dress. There were many more accessories at the bottom of the box, and everyone seemed impressed.

"Thank you, Kanji-kun!" Nanako hugged Kanji, who was unsuccessful in concealing his flushed cheeks. "This is perfect!"

Yukiko Amagi giggled at the pair, then turned her gaze to the doll itself. "Hey, is that a platypus?"

"It is!" said Nanako, who gave Kanji a mock-reproachful look as she examined her gift more closely. "Dad told you, didn't he?"

"Uhhh... maybe. I'm glad you like it, though. I was sorta worried that I wouldn't do well with a platypus doll." Kanji leaned in and pointed out some of the finer points of the design.

"Aren't they supposed to have claws?" said Rise Kujikawa, who had moved to Nanako's other side and begun helping with the examination.

"No, silly!" said Nanako with a giggle. "Only males have the claws! Big bro told me."

The room fell into an uneasy silence that was broken by Yukiko, who stood up. "I should check on the front desk. I don't want to leave it unattended for too long. I'll hurry back, though!"

Everyone nodded as Yukiko reached for the door, but it was pulled open before she could grasp the handle. Blinking, her brow creased with worry as she looked directly at her mother.

"Oh, sorry mom! I was just on my way back down." But instead of the stern glance and reprimand she expected, Yukiko was astonished to see her mother smiling at her.

"You let me worry about the desk for a while, sweetie. Actually, you have something more important to do."

Yukiko blushed a little. "Mom, they understand that I have to work."

"It's not about the birthday party, Yuki-chan. It's about the homecoming party Dojima-san scheduled about six months ago. It was his expressed wish that you attend. And besides, you've been working far too hard lately." Her mother's voice was filled with concern and love, and Yukiko couldn't help but sigh.

"Homecoming party?" said Yosuke with a laugh. "Why weren't we invited?"

Yukiko gave Yosuke a reproachful look, but her mother simply smiled.

"You were. All of you."

Everyone blinked as Yukiko's mother stepped aside, allowing someone much taller to step inside. There was a collective gasp, the sound of a box being dropped, and multiple squeals of shock and delight.

"Big bro!!"

"Souji-kun!!"

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Before Souji knew it, he was being embraced, patted, punched, and smacked by his old friends. Nanako had reached him first, bounding over the table to hug him tightly. She had grown much taller, only a head shorter than Souji now. Instead of pig-tails, a long plat of hair flowed down Nanako's back. She was wearing a very colorful dress that was most likely a gift from Rise, and he suddenly felt a punch to his arm that obviously meant she had been hanging around Chie too much.

"You jerk! Why didn't you tell me you were coming to visit?!" She was smiling in spite of the upset tone of her voice. After a moment, she hugged him again. "No, save it for later. This is the best birthday present I've ever had!"

Souji felt a blow to his shoulder as Yosuke playfully threw a punch at him. "Right now, it even feels like my own birthday! Welcome back, partner!"

Both Chie and Yukiko both hugged Souji once Nanako released him. "You really should have called, you know!" said Chie, who seemed to be holding back tears. "We would have given you a much better welcome than this!"

"Yeah, Nanako's right. You really are a jerk." Yukiko laughed and gave Souji an affectionate squeeze. "But we're glad you're back."

"It hasn't been the same without you, senpai." Kanji patted Souji on the back, grinning broadly at the sight of him. "Where does the time go?"

"Hey, that's my line," chuckled Souji as yet another person hugged him. He didn't expect the kiss on the cheek, which made him flush slightly.

"No phonecalls, no e-mails, no nothing! That's just rude of you, Souji-kun!" Rise winked, her voice playful. "You really are trying to make me cry, aren't you?"

"It never fails," said Chie with a grin. "Still can't keep your hands to yourself."

"What are you gonna do? Arrest me?" Rise purred.

"I wish you'd exercise your right to remain silent," replied Chie with slight irritation, causing Yukiko to fall into one of her trademark laughing fits. Everyone joined in, though, and the group directed Souji to sit beside Nanako at the center table as everyone else sat back down in their own seats.

Souji took the time to examine his dear friends. Yosuke had cut his hair, but it was the same vibrant orange. He still wore his typical white t-shirt and slacks, and his headphones remained around his neck. Chie's sandy blonde hair was slightly longer, and she wore a blue blouse with a long, blue skirt, boots that extended up to her thighs, and her green and yellow jacket was wrapped around her waist. Yukiko had maintained her style of red, dressed in a lovely business-casual outfit, her long black hair pulled up into a stylish bun and held in place by her red cloth hair band. Kanji was a surprise, his black wife-beater undershirt apparently traded in for a white-collar button-up shirt. He still maintained his bleach-blonde hair color, however, and kept the silver chain around his neck. Rise was the same as ever, clothed in a fashionable orange dress, her brown hair divided into two high ponytails. They all smiled quite easily, and seemed to be having the time of their lives. Yet someone was missing.

"So what have you all been up to?" asked Souji, intensely curious about his friends' activities.

"Me first, I guess," said Yosuke, leaning back as he enjoyed his slice of cake. "I decided to take Junes a bit more seriously after graduation, so I spoke to dad about promotion opportunities. Well... now I'm an assistant manager!" He beamed at Souji with pride at this admission. "Not the easiest job in the world, but it pays the bills... and Chie's random mooching."

"Hey, I'm not THAT bad!" said Chie indignantly. "I admit, I ask you to spot me once in a while when my stove acts up, but other than that-"

"Whoa, whoa, wait a second!" interrupted Yosuke. ""When my stove acts up"? You burned boiling water! That's not the stove's fault! That's the CHEF'S!"

"He has a point. You have done that," piped up Yukiko.

"Once," said Yosuke.

"Or twice," said Yukiko.

"A week."

"This summer."

"Alright, I get the point!" shouted Chie, who gazed shiftily at a giggling Yukiko and muttered "Traitor..." under her breath.

"Do you have your motorcycle now, then?" asked Souji, and he smiled as Yosuke nodded.

"Oooooh, can I ride it with you?" asked Rise, hopping up and down in her seat.

"Sure thing!" said Yosuke, obviously stoked. "Wow, I'd get to ride down the street with Risette around my waist! Think of how many people would be jealous of that!"

"I'd rather not," said Chie, and everyone laughed.

"Your turn, Chie," said Souji.

"Well, let's see... Obviously, I'm in the Inaba Police Department now. I'm SO glad I spoke to Dojima-san about joining before I graduated! He REALLY put me through my paces. I'm officially a rookie detective now!"

"Have there been any incidents?"

"Not a single one. Well, not like BEFORE, of course. Just minor stuff. Robberies, vandalism, biker gangs disturbing the peace... I usually just grab Kanji-kun for the latter one, though, and knock the stuffing out of them when I'm off-duty." Chie grinned sheepishly as everyone looked at Kanji, who had narrowed his eyes.

"I thought we agreed not to mention that little outing."

"Aw, c'mon! They're our friends! They wouldn't snitch!" Chie gazed at everyone sternly. "Right?!"

There was a general murmur of assent, to which Chie beamed at everyone with pride. "See? No problem!"

"I guess it's my turn, Souji-kun?" asked Yukiko. Souji nodded, and she cleared her throat. "Well, nothing's happened to me, really. I'm helping manage the inn now, and it takes up a lot of my time. It's hard work, but really fulfilling."

"Any more of those weird television crews snooping around?" asked Chie.

Yukiko shrugged. "Not really. Maybe once in a season, if that. Now that the murders are ancient history, things have gone back to their normal, quiet state."

"We've just moved on, that's all." Kanji pulled another cake-laden plate toward him. He already had two empty plates in front of him. "But my turn? Yeah. I have a new line of dolls out now, and it's really taken off. That platypus is a part of it, but I think it'll be a limited edition. Oh, and... uh..." He muttered something under his breath.

"Huh? I didn't catch that." Rise leaned in and pretended to try putting her head on Kanji's lap.

"HEY! I said I have a GIRLFRIEND!" Kanji moved back, his cheeks flushed with embarassment.

The girls ooooh'ed at the news, and Yosuke gave Kanji a thumbs-up. "Good going, man! I told you it wouldn't be that hard!"

"You didn't hear the whole story. Senpai did, though." Kanji looked directly at Souji as he spoke. "Her name's Mina. She's the girl who I repaired the bag for when I was little. She showed up in one of my dollcrafting classes one day and she came up to me afterwards. She suddenly just... poured her heart out to me." He blushed again, but he was smiling. "She said that she cried because she felt bad about giving the other kids an excuse to pick on me. So we got to talking, and we have a lot in common... so we hooked up."

"Awww, that's so cute, Kanji-kun!" Rise giggled, giving Kanji a playful push as he rubbed the back of his bleach-blonde head. "Now my turn! I'm proud to announce that Risette has finished making her third feature-length film and has decided to take a well-earned vacation!"

"So where ya going?" asked Chie. "Hawaii? New Zealand?"

"Nah," grinned Rise. "Somewhere closer to home. Here! In Inaba!"

"Well, we're glad to have you back, Rise-chan," grinned Yosuke. "It hasn't been as peppy without you around."

"I have to agree there," replied Chie, and everyone gave a nod of agreement. Rise flushed pink at the affection.

Souji was slightly downcast at the missing people. Teddie's lack of presence was understandable, but where was...?

"She should have been here by now," said Yukiko with concern. "I hope she hasn't forgotten."

"I understand if she can't come," said Nanako with a soft smile. "Dad's the same way sometimes, but it doesn't mean he isn't there in spirit."

"Bathroom," Souji sighed as he stood, everyone looking at him in concern. As he opened the door, however, a blue-clad person ran into him, almost knocking him down.

"I apologize! I understand I should be punctual, but I... I..."

Souji blinked as he stared directly into the soft grey eyes of Naoto Shirogane. She had also grown taller, but she was exactly as he remembered her, dressed in her formal blue suit and wearing her detective's cap. Her hair was slightly longer, but her cap seemed fuller than before.

It took her a moment to register what had just happened, her mind working frantically to piece together the information that had surged into it. At first she thought it was a dream, that Souji couldn't possibly be there. Hearing a beeping sound, she looked down at her watch... the special watch that she had made to match one she gave Souji on Christmas Eve five years ago. In bold green lettering, the display read:

"Distance: 1m"

She looked up at him.. and smiled more broadly than she ever had before. "It IS you..." Her voice quivered slightly, a blush flooding her cheeks as she pulled her hat down over her eyes in embarassment as she inched closer to Souji, sighing gently as she allowed his warmth to envelop her. "Five years.. quite a long time..."

"What took you so lo-"

"Shut UP, Yosuke!"

Souji and Naoto broke apart with a blush, gazing at Yosuke in embarassment as Chie punched him squarely on top of the head. "Good job, sherlock! You completely ruined the moment for them!"

"OW! I'm sorry!!" Yosuke held the top of his head and grimaced. "You didn't have to hit me that hard, you know!"

"You're lucky it wasn't another 'critical hit to the nads'!" Chie fumed, stomping back to her place next to Yukiko. "I swear, you have no tact whatsoever!"

"So what DID take you so long, Naoto-kun?" asked Yukiko, clearly trying to repair the mood. "Did work keep you busy again?"

"It did, as a matter of fact." Naoto moved into the room, not looking at Souji again out of fear that she might blush again. "Actually, I just returned from out-of-town. Dojima-san collected me from Yasoinaba Station and transported me here. He should arrive here any moment."

"Well, come have some cake!" Nanako smiled, holding up a filled plate. "I made sure to save you a piece before Kanji got it!"

Everyone laughed as Kanji defended himself, and Souji smiled as he left the room to locate the bathroom. They were all there now, everyone who could attend the party. Even Naoto, whom he had missed intensely over the past few years, had managed to arrive. The closeness they had just shared after so long, however brief, had been like a drug. He could still feel her against his front, the sensation of her hands touching his arms burned as though a flame had been lit along his flesh. He also noted something else that he hadn't expected; the slight scent of perfume. Something in his mind clicked as he washed his hands, and he shook his head as he returned to the room, smiling to himself. Opening the door, he saw that Dojima had arrived, laden with gifts and balloons. Yosuke and Kanji helped relieve him of the burden so that Nanako could hug him.

"You told her, didn't you?" Souji's smile widened as he saw Dojima and Naoto exchange a worried look.

"I didn't tell her! I promised, remember?" Dojima appeared nervous in spite of himself.

"You... um... forgot to remove your luggage from the back seat." Naoto blushed again, her eyes averted. "I merely confronted Dojima on the matter, and his hesitance confirmed my suspicions... That's why..."

"That's why she made me rush to get here," said Dojima. "I nearly sounded the siren just to clear the road."

Souji blinked in awe at Naoto, who looked him right in the eyes with as much love and affection as she could muster. He smiled. "I guess I should have been more careful around a professional detective, huh?"

"Yes.. you should have..." said Naoto, and she smiled back.

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The party lasted for a few more hours. Rise gave Nanako a live karaoke performance of her latest single as her present. Yosuke's present was the latest Junes-brand music player. Yukiko provided her with a coupon for a free soak in the hot springs, Chie gave her a pair of black leather boots (Souji had a sneaky suspicion that they were five-year-old hand-me-downs), and Naoto presented her with a junior detective's kit which Nanako and Dojima both enjoyed looking through.

After many exchanges of thanks and welcome-backs and see-you-laters, Souji exited the inn. He breathed deeply, allowing the crisp night air to fill his lungs. He had never been so thrilled to return to Inaba, and the afternoon with his old friends seemed to reinforce that feeling. Silently wishing that tonight wouldn't end, he was somewhat surprised to feel a pair of arms embrace him from behind. The touch was gently, and the fire it ignited was vividly familiar.

"I've missed you... so much..." said Naoto, leaning her head against Souji's back. She felt his hands clasp her own, and she smiled widely, glad that he couldn't see her blush. "Your uncle was correct... When I discovered you had returned, I couldn't restrain my emotions..." She felt him squeeze her hands tighter in his own, which spurred her on to continue. "I know we haven't conversed recently, and I apologize... The prefecture had requested my assistance on multiple occasions, and I couldn't refuse. I've been attempting to lessen Grampa's own case-load, as well... He's not as young as he once was, you see..."

Naoto embraced Souji more tightly as he tried to turn around. "No... not tonight. Please. I need time to... sort out my emotions. Perhaps in a few days, we can... get together... I'm currently taking a leave of absence now..." She smiled softly as she released Souji from her hug. "I'll... call you later, okay?" She stood up on her tip-toes and kissed him softly on the cheek. "And... welcome home, Souji-kun..."

"...You too..." He returned the kiss, and Naoto felt her cheek burn hot in response. She turned quickly and pulled her hat over her eyes once more, moving to the black vehicle that had just pulled up. Souji recognized the driver as Yakushiji-san, the secretary for the Shirogane estate, and he waved a greeting to him as he exited the car to open a door for Naoto. Waving back as he returned to the driver's seat, Yakushiji pulled out into the street. Leaving his hand up, he waved to Naoto, who waved back with a bright smile.

Slowly lowering his hand, Souji began walking into the Inaba evening, deciding to pay a visit to the Shopping District as he sorted out his thoughts. But he was only half a mile away from the inn as another familiar voice spoke behind him.

"You've returned... Perhaps fate has a hand in this."

Souji turned to see a supernaturally beautiful woman with long, black hair, and wearing a pure white gown of silk. He would never forget her face as long as he lived, but he sensed no malice from her this time. He smiled softly, his grey eyes peering into her interested face.

"It's been a while... Izanami."