Shopping District
04/18 Mon
After School
"How is Igor doing?"
Yu and Naruko are walking through the Shopping District together when she suddenly asked that.
"So you do know him…"
"Of course. After all, I'm your predecessor and a former guest of the Velvet Room" she answered.
"Then why did you lie when my friends asked you back then?"
"It is not something that you should tell to anyone else. Isn't that your own reason for lying to them in the first place?"
Yu was taken aback by her question. Indeed, he also lied to Yosuke and Chie when they asked the same thing before.
"Those of the Fool Arcana are blessed with a unique skill," Naruko explained. "They can look deep inside people's hearts, but are also able to hide their own thoughts."
"In other words, both of us are natural liars…" Yu murmured
"Exactly…" Naruko smiled.
Naruko's explanation reminded him of something Margaret told him before. The heart is shaken more by a single action than a thousand words. Maybe this is why she always urged him to prove his intention with his actions instead of his words.
"Looks like my bus is waiting for me." Naruko pointed to the large vehicle near the bus stop. "Thanks for today, Narukami-san. It's very kind of you to walk me here."
"Likewise, thank you for your insight, Uzumaki-san… And for what it's worth, I'm sorry for doubting you…"
"It's okay," Naruko smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
Amagi Inn
04/18 Mon
Evening
When Naruko arrives at the Amagi Inn, the sun has completely set on the horizon as the sky is turning dark. She adjusted the red handbag on her shoulder before heading to a certain part of the building.
Finding her way to the receptionist isn't that difficult. After all, she had stayed here before with her Volleyball team back in high school. There isn't that much difference from back then, with the exception of several refurbished furniture.
When she entered the lobby, she couldn't find anyone inside. She pressed the bell tap in the hope of calling the receptionist, to no avail. It's only after a while that a middle aged woman appeared to greet her.
"My apologies to have kept you waiting" The woman bowed to her. "Welcome to the Amagi Inn, would you like to reserve a room?"
"Yes please, I'd like to stay here for three days"
"What type of room do you want?"
"Single is fine."
"Alright, 3 nights in a Single Room will cost you a total of 50.000 Yen."
Naruko took her wallet out of her bag before giving the woman her payment card. The price they offered for that type of room and duration is actually quite reasonable, and Naruko herself is loaded thanks to her job. But depending on her current case, she might need to consider renting a small house as a cheaper alternative.
"Your payment has been accepted," said the woman while returning her card. "Thank you for choosing us. Please follow me."
Naruko followed the woman through one of the halls leading to the western part of the building. Despite the two murders that have been happening in Inaba, the inn still has plenty of visitors as seen by the crowded dining hall when they walked past one.
"This is your room," the woman opened one of the slide doors to a small but luxurious room. "Do you want to use the dining hall or would you like to have your dinner brought here?"
"It's fine, I'm not hungry"
"I understand, will there be anything else you require?"
"No, that will be all. Thank you."
The woman bowed to her before excusing herself.
Naruko sighed. She needs to report today's meeting, but she was too tired to even lay out the futon in her room.
Just when she's about to lie down on the tatami to rest for a bit, she could hear her phone ringing from inside her bag. It was from Mitsuru.
"It's me," Naruko greeted her.
"Thank goodness, you're okay…It's been hours since you last contacted us. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine. I'm sorry for not contacting you sooner…" said Naruko. "How about your mission, Senpai? Is it going smoothly?"
"Fortunately, yes. Right now, everyone is with me at the HQ," Mitsuru answered. "Wait, let me put you on speaker. The others want to talk to you."
Naruko can hear Mitsuru placing her phone on a flat surface before tapping the speaker button.
"Naru-tan, we heard everything from Mitsuru-Senpai and Akihiko-Senpai! Have you seen him already?!"
"Stop it, Stupei! Can you be more considerate to her?"
"Ufufu it can't be helped, Yukari-chan, we haven't talked to her in a long time."
"That's not fair, I want to talk Naruko-san too."
"Don't worry, we'll meet her as soon as our mission here is done."
"Yes, I look forward to seeing you again, Naruko-san."
Despite the noise from hearing many people on the phone, Naruko can identify each and everyone's voices.
"As you can hear…" It was Mitsuru speaking. "Everyone is really worried about you. How are things over there?"
"There is no doubt this homicide case is related to Shadow. Starting tomorrow, I will be cooperating with several local Persona users to apprehend the suspect."
"Understood, but what I mean is how are you feeling? Have you seen him yet?" Mitsuru asked her.
"I'm fine… I've confirmed it was truly him, but right now I prefer to stay focused on my mission."
"Naruko… Isn't it time for you to let go of your guilt?"
"…"
"Ever since last year, you were always blaming yourself for what happened… To be honest, it pains us to see you like that…" This time, it was Yukari speaking.
"We always wish for your happiness, Naruko-san… So does Haruto-san, that's why he left everything to you," said Aigis. "Please, let us share your burden."
"…"
"…"
"… I saw Haruto this afternoon, the jerk looked just like I always remembered…"
"I see… What did you say when you met him?" Yukari asked.
"Nothing… He doesn't even remember me… And he couldn't even speak, even if I wanted to talk to him…"
"Naruko-san…"
"I wanted to cry, but Haruto… He patted my head with his soft hand… Just like he always did to me…"
Naruko began to sob as the tears started to fall from her eyes, glittering as they flowed on her cheeks.
"I-It's not a dream, isn't it?! H-Haruto… My Haruto… He really did come back, didn't he…?!"
Her sobbing turns to an uncontrollable cry, as Naruko releases all the emotion she held within her.
"We're happy for you, Naruko-san…"