Back to Reality

I arrived back in my room, and decided to head downstairs for a bit. Looks like Dojima's back.

"Did you and Nanako make the flowers on the family altar? Oh yeah, it was Mother's Day, thanks." He said

I stood there in silence for a few minutes.

"I don't consider myself an old man yet, but when it comes to high schoolers I don't know what to talk about. Are you that bored? Well then have a seat." He said

I sat down with him at the table.

"So, what have you been doing after school?" He asked

"Working and hanging out with friends." I said

"Oh Really? You're pretty responsible for your age. Whoops, this is turning into an interrogation. But it's not as if we have much in common, except for the murders." He said

"Tell me about yourself then." I said to him.

"About me? You're interested in the strangest things. It's just what it seems. I'm a simple country detective living with my daughter. There's nothing about that to interest a High School Kid. But you know, it really is good to have you around the house. I didn't think Nanako would be so happy, hell I'm already tired of hearing "Big Bro" this and "Big Bro" that. You're more like a very young brother to me than a son." He said

"That's stretching it." I said

"What!? You're saying you can see the years on my face! What a punk! Treating a regular guy like an old man!" Dojima laughed. "I think it's been a while since I've laughed this much."

Dojima and I were able to have an open conversation, well, it's a start.

Hierophant Social Link: Rank 2

"Alright, I have to finish processing some data from work. Don't hit the sack too late, ya hear?" He said. "'Night."

I said goodnight and headed to bed.

Author's Note: The rest of the days are literally just exams.

May 12

After school

"It's finally over." Yosuke said. "What a load off! I bet every student feels like this after exams are over."

"Hey quiet down! So what did you write for number 7? The one about what "that" referred to in the sentence?" Chie asked

"Um, I put "her sorrowful expression"." Yukiko said

"Oh crap! I got it wrong! I put "the rice cakes on top of the table"!" Chie said

"Rice cakes? Wait, then was that what the story was about?" Yukiko asked

"Alright, I'm giving up on composition. I'm gonna bet it all on geography. What did you choose for the tallest mountain in the solar system?" Chie asked

"Olympus Mons." Yu said

"Ack! I got it wrong!" Chie said

"Oh I put that one too!" Yukiko said

"Whoah you too!? Then it's probably the right answer. Boy I can't wait for our grades to be posted out in the hall where everyone can see em, geez." Yosuke said

"Hey did you hear? A TV station's filming here in town!"

"They're probably just doing more stuff on that hanging corpse case."

"No it's not that. You know that highway nearby? They're gonna cover those biker gangs that hang around there. A friend of mine goes to the biker meetings sometimes, I heard it from him."

"Dude, what are you doing hanging out with a guy in a biker gang? Well anyways, what do you think about tomorrow's group blind date? We were gonna meet outside but, it's gonna rain soon right? Won't it be better to play it safe tomorrow too?"

"Biker gang?" Yukiko asked

"Oh yeah. They raise a ruckus from time to time. I guess your place is too far away to hear 'em." Chie said

"We live right by the road, the noise can drive you insane." Yosuke said

"I hear that some guys at this school are part of it too." Chie said

"I know there are rumours about a first year student here who's a total hell raiser. One of the guys working at Junes, says the dude's been a legend ever since middle school. Although, was he in a Biker Gang?" Yosuke said

"Did you say he was a legend?" Yukiko asked

"It's not what you think Yukiko." Chie said

Morooka walked into the room, he looks more pissed off than usual.

"Alright settle down! It turns out the principal has decided to make a last minute transfer. Seriously, why do I have to be stuck with all these idiots." Morooka said.

A male student about my age walked in.

"This is Cal Kido, he just transferred here from the city like the other two. He'll be joining us for the rest of the year. You can sit over there starting tomorrow." He said while pointing at a desk behind Yukiko. "Alright, dismissed."

I headed out to the hallway, and ran into the girl who sent the letter by mistake.

"Oh! Hey you, listen! The confession! It worked! I can't believe it! I'm so happy! I'm glad I got his shoe box confused for yours! Oh that's right! I need to give my thanks at the shrine! My wish came true! I'll make a big offering." She said

I should report back to the fox when I have time. Drama time!

After some acting exercises. Yu was there as well.

"Hey Y/n, have you heard that the drama club's going to be in the school concours? I'm going to have the lead role this year! Can you help me with my part later?" Yumi asked

A girl ran in.

"Yumi! your mother collapsed!" She said. "There was a call from the hospital!"

"Huh? Oh, er, what should I do? We're still.." she said

"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked

"Huh!? Oh no, it's ok. I-I'm going!" She said before running out of the room.

"The hospital? Huh I wondered what happened? I think we're all worried to get anymore practice in. Let's call it a day!"

I better go after her. Yu decided to tag along too.

The hallway in the hospital.

Yumi is standing in front of a woman that's sitting down.

"Hey.. what's going on!?" Yumi asked. "What is HE doing here!? Why are you with him!? You didn't collapse!? You lied to me! I can't believe this! Tell me what's going on!"

"Yumi, he's the one who collapsed, not me, but I knew you wouldn't come if I told you that. So yes, I did lie to you, I wanted you to see him." Her mom said

"Mom, do you think I want anything to do with that man?" Yumi asked

"No. I know you've suffered a lot. I feel responsible for what happened too. But you see, it was his last request. He doesn't have much longer, that's why he wanted to see you." She said

"S-So what!? I don't care whether he lives or dies. He's a complete stranger! He's not my father! Mom, you and I, he abandoned us both, and now what? He's on his deathbed and he expects us to forgive him!? Don't give me that crap!" Yumi said

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to stay by his side until he passes away. Letting him die alone would be too cruel to think of."

"Are you stupid!? No, you're not doing this!" Yumi said

"Yumi, it's what I want to do."

"Then go ahead! It's not my problem!" Yumi said

Her mother walked off.

"After all, I've been abandoned before. W-When did you guys get here!? Were you listening to me?" She asked

"Yeah we heard." I said

"You, eavesdropping on people's private conversations! You're a real sicko!" Yumi said. She's at a loss. "Mom didn't collapse. When I got to the hospital, it turns out the person in bed is the man who used to be my father. He abandoned my mother and me about ten years ago. He found another woman, he's a dirty sleezebag. And now he comes crawling back to his daughter because he's dying!? Yeah after getting dumped by his bimbo. Talk about shameless. This sucks so much, I'd forgotten about him after all this time. His name, his face, his very existence! I completely blocked him out! Even worse, mom's still going to look after him until he kicks the bucket. She's being stupid, how gullible can you get!? HE left HER, Understand? Now he's a hand me down from the other woman who dumped him when he got sick. They're both pathetic!"

I tried to comfort her.

"Shut up! What do you know about me!? I'm sorry, I've calmed down. What are you two even doing here? All this, it must be hilarious to watch huh?"

In a small way, we were able to comfort Yumi.

Sun Social Link: Rank 3

"I'm going home, let's walk together." She said.

We walked her home, poor girl, this is just, wrong. No one should have to go through losing someone like this.

I headed on home for the evening.