When Haruto arrives at the food court after returning his previous attire back to his room, he can see her sitting on one of the chairs while texting someone.
"Oh sorry, Haruto-kun. I didn't notice you're already here."
Naruko then turned off her cellphone before putting it away inside her handbag.
"Have you eaten lunch already? Or do you want to get something to drink?"
Haruto shook his head but was nevertheless grateful for her offer. Instead, he withdraws his memo pad again to convey what he had been meaning to ask.
Naruko-san, is it alright if I inquire something of you?
The girl merely smiled at his question, albeit with a slight hint of sadness in her expression.
"Of course… Just write them down all at once. I will do my best to answer your curiosity"
Having received her reply, Haruto responded by writing his questions in his memo.
What brings you to Inaba?
What do you know about me?
What happened before I lost my memory?
Naruko took a deep breath before giving him her answers.
"A part of my reason for being here is due to a certain job of mine. There is something else beyond the homicide case happening in this town and I'm here to investigate it"
Haruto nodded at her answer. His earlier hypothesis was correct after all.
"As for your second question… Your name is Haruto Namikaze. You may not remember it, but we were classmates for the 2nd year of high school. That was two years ago. You are also a very important individual to me."
Two years ago? But that means he must be at least 18 years old by now… And yet his appearance is relatively younger than that. Come to think of it, if what she said is true then Naruko must also be 18 years old. Her appearance resembles that of a high school student more than it resembles a college student of her age.
"For your final question, I do not know exactly what causes you to lose your memories, but I have a speculation… I did something unforgivable, and you paid the heavy price for it. Perhaps it has something to do with that…"
There are many unanswered questions that lingered in his mind, and they only increase after he had spent some time with Naruko. But whatever that "unforgivable" act is, it must be terrifying enough to make Naruko scarred for life, given her current expression.
"Oh, hello there Namikaze-san, Uzumaki-san. It's surprising to see you two here."
Haruto heard the voice that greeted them from behind him. It was Yu Narukami, the one who rescued him from that world along with Yosuke. Beside Yu, he can also see Yosuke and that short-haired girl wearing a green jacket.
"Good afternoon, Narukami-san, Hanamura san, and Satonaka-san. Have you finished your preparation yet?" asked Naruko.
"Yeah, we're ready to go anytime," Yu answered her, before looking at Haruto. "But we could give you some time, if you want?"
"It's alright. It might be best if we go there as soon as possible," Naruko stood up from her seat. "Thank you for today, Haruto-kun. I'm sure you still have some questions left, but I'm afraid I'm not ready yet to tell you everything. Will you wait for me until that time comes?"
Haruto nodded. It's true that he's not satisfied enough with her answer, but he know better than to pressure her.
Naruko gave him one last smile before walking away with Yu and the others. He can hear bits of their conversation even from some distance.
"So, what was it you two are talking about?"
"It can wait. For now, let's focus on saving Amagi-san."
Haruto stood up from his seat. He will not force her to tell him everything, but if there is a chance he can find his answers in that world, he will not hesitate to grasp it. He decided to follow them in secret.
If Haruto remembered correctly, the first time he awakened was inside that world. After that, they went through some sort of portal and ended up arriving at the Electronic Department. Could it be that the gateway connecting the two worlds is located somewhere in there?
Fortunately, he arrived in time to catch them in the act. He can see Yosuke put his hand inside one of the television screen before diving in completely, as if being swallowed by it. Naruko soon did the exact same thing Yosuke had done, followed by Yu and that other girl. All of them had mysteriously disappeared into the television.
The Midnight Channel
04/19 Tue
Daytime
Naruko can't help but feel amazed by the sight before her. A world completely engulfed in fog as far as one can see. Even during all those time working for the Shadow Operatives, she never encountered something this big. The only thing that comes close to this is Tartarus, and it still wasn't enough to rival the sheer dimension of this world.
"So, this is the world inside the TV that you spoke of…" Naruko murmured to herself.
"Yeah, Teddie said it doesn't have a name but we usually refer to it as the Midnight Channel." Yosuke replied.
"Who's Teddie?"
Before he could answer her question, a strange looking bear appeared from beyond the fog and approached them.
"That would be me, madam!" The bear strolled happily in her direction. "Gosh, aren't you a cute babe? Do you want to score with me later?"
"Uhh—"
"Shut it, Ted. Now's not the time," Chie reprimands the strange bear.
"Teddie here is our support in fighting the Shadows. He provides us with analysis regarding the enemy's weaknesses." Yu explained to Naruko.
"Must be a scanner type like Fuuka…"
"Come again?"
"It's nothing. So, how do you guys summon your Persona?"
"We kinda imagine them in our heads first before these strange looking cards suddenly float around in the air. After that, we just need to break those cards and uh, you know, our Personas just appear like that."
"Chie, you make everything seem more complicated…" Yosuke commented on her crude explanation, earning a smack on the back of his head.
"It's better if we show it to you."
Yu raises his right hand to the air before summoning a tarot card which floats around on his palm. He then shouted his Persona name while crushing the card in his hand.
"Izanagi!"
The summoned persona appeared above Yu. It resembles that of a masked warrior equipped with a large pole arm and a black suit. Izanagi stared at Naruko for a moment before disappearing in a blue light.
"Izanagi… Isn't it the name of the primordial god in Japan's mythology?"
"Yes. Although I don't think it's the same one mentioned in the legend. For Yosuke, it was Jiraiya and for Chie, it was Tomoe." Yu answered her.
"I see…"
Naruko then imitated what Yu had just done. She focused her mind to summon the card before crushing it in her hand.
But nothing. There is no Persona floating above her.
"… Looks like I still can't use my Persona… As expected…"
"As expected?" Yosuke asked.
"Yes, as expected…" she repeated her words. "It doesn't matter, I will use 'that' instead"
After Naruko said that, a katana suddenly appeared on her left hand. It has a silver scabbard made of lacquered wood and decorated with a golden Sageo. The handle is braided with white and light blue Tsuka Ito. It also has a golden guard in the shape of an oval.
"How do you—"
"Long story…" Naruko smiled at the trio. "Shouldn't we head out now? "
"Wait, there's something else. Teddie, do you have any spare glasses for her?" Yu asked the bear.
"Of course, Sensei! Here's one for you, babe," Teddie gives Naruko small glasses with a red frame. "I made it for Yuki-chan, but I can always make an extra pair later"
When Naruko wears it, the sight around her suddenly becomes crystal clear. As if the fog never existed.
"Ah, so this is why you wear those glasses…" Naruko murmured. "Thank you, Teddie. I'll treasure it." The girl patted him with her right hand, causing him to let out a purr.
"We wasted enough time… Let's go." said Yu.
Yosuke, Chie and Naruko nodded. The four of them ventured deeper into the fog, followed by Teddie.
Unbeknownst to them, another mysterious figure appeared not long after they left the entrance.