Part 42: July 10: VI. The Lovers

Sorry I couldn't find a memeless version.



> You can hear sirens in the distance...Did something happen...? Your cell phone is ringing. It's from Chie.



-Who's There?-

They found a dead body just outside the shopping district! I don't get it! I mean, we...Look, we're all meeting at Junes. Come over right away!

> Chie hung up. You're sure that you rescued Rise...It would be best if you hurried to Junes.






The body was hanging upside down on an apartment's rooftop railing...
But...how could that...?
That's not all. The victim this time...It was King Moron.
K-King Moron...!?
You mean THAT King Moron!? Senpai's homeroom teacher?
Wh-Why...!? What on earth's going on here!?
How am I supposed to know!? But I talked to a guy there who saw it!
It's true...There's no mistake.
Gotta be shitting me...Ain't the killer targeting people who get shown on TV? I ain't never seen King Moron on the Midnight Channel, or any other programs!
Why...? Why did this happen?
I thought we finally figured some things out...Were they all just a big coincidence...?
Maybe the Midnight Channel doesn't have anything to do with this...
Dammit! We came so far, and now we're back to square one!?
Were we in over our heads, trying to catch a culprit that even the police couldn't find...?
We have to move on.
Yeah...You said it, Senpai!
We started this thing 'cause the police can't tell their asses from their elbows. We give up now, and that shithead's gonna be on the loose forever. This ain't the time for bitching and moaning...We just gotta keep on keepin' on.
Kanji-kun...
Hmph...Big talk from someone like you, Kanji.
Wh-What's that s'posedta mean!?
*sigh* I know...We're dealing with a murderer here. But we've all risked our lives to get this far...No way we'll back down. And we promised the bear, too...
Hey, that's right! Maybe Teddie knows something about this!
Well, since moping around won't do us any good, let's go see him!


Now that's unusual...
Hi there. Did something happen?
Female employee: Ah, Yosuke-kun.
Male employee: Great timing. Did the manager tell you anything about this? There's been this weird mascot around our department for quite a while now...Is there some kind of campaign on today?
Mascot...?
Female employee: He said his name was...Uh, what was it? Terry? Eddie?
Male employee: Well, there's no customers around, so I guess it's fine...I better get back to my station.
Please don't tell me...
Whoa, h-he's here!



-Like A Dream Come True-


It took you guys long enough! I've been waiting.
Teddie, are you okay on this side!?
How did you even leave your side!?
Of course I can come out. There's an exit. It just never occurred to me to do it before. But spending time with you all sparked my curiosity about this world!
I did wonder if it was a good idea, but my feet started moving before I could decide.
And when I thought about it, I had nowhere to go, and it was a waste to go back. So I waited here for you. Oh, someone asked for my name. So I told them, "I'm Teddie."
So that's why...
Oh yeah, there's something we need to ask you!
How long have you been here, Teddie? Did anyone enter the other world?
I stayed until the fog settled in on my side, but no one came.
You're positive? You really didn't sense a single person?
I just said that I didn't! I was there all by myself, like always. Hmph!
And your nose wasn't clogged or anything...?
Grrrr, aren't you listening!? I was utterly, totally, and 100% alone! That's why I came over here! But I can understand if you don't believe me. My senses aren't that good lately anyways...
I believe you.
Oh! Sensei's heart is radiating pure kindness...!
Well, it's true that the Midnight Channel was blank last night.
And even before that...Teddie says he didn't sense anything, right?
Does that mean...King Moron was never on that side?
Hmm...What's going on?
Hey, hey, I wanna go somewhere!
Huh? Now ain't the time, dude...You seriously don't plan on going back, do you?
Where do you wanna go, anyway?
I wanna give this to Rise-chan. It's for her.


Rise-chan will probably back us up from now on! So I'm gonna fight alongside you with everything I got!
Don't think of me as the same cute little Teddie! I'm an all-new model! I have a powerful attack, an unbeatable defense, and a winning smile! Today begins the New Legend of Teddie!
Wow...A new legend...

> Teddie has joined the group as a front line fighter! He'll definitely be a strong asset in your battle against the Shadows.




C'mon, let's go somewhere else!

-Deduction-


Nobody was over there, except for you, until the fog came back. Correct?
That's what I've been saying.
He didn't show up on the Midnight Channel either...
What's up with that?
No clue...
But I think we can be sure now that King Moron was never thrown into the TV.
Then what, he was killed over here? Why not throw him into a TV, like all the rest?
They couldn't throw him in.
They couldn't...?
Well, they've done it a bunch of times already, but I guess everyone screws up sometimes...
Maybe the culprit thought he couldn't kill any more people by throwing them into TVs.
I mean, we prevented his last three attempts in a row.
Ahhh, I get you...That could be it!
So they snuffed someone on our side this time to make sure it worked.
Dammit...If that's true, then we have no way of preventing more murders unless we catch the killer!
We need more clues...I wonder if Rise-chan's up and around yet.
Yeah...We'll have to put our hopes on her.
*sigh* It's so hot out...I'm taking this off.
Wait, you're not talking about your head, are you!?
Cut it out! There's kids watching!
Geez...They'll be scarred for life if they see an empty mascot walking around. Have a little consideration, man.
I'm glad you're back to normal, though. Your fur's all fuzzy again!
C-Can I...Can I feel it...?
No!
Actually, I'm no longer a hollow bear! Mwahaha! I trained and trained, hoping to someday score with Chie-chan and Yuki-chan...And now I finally have an inside!
Yeah...good job with that.
Come on! Can't we give it a rest with the whole "scoring" thing?
Dude, you're hollow. Taking your head off isn't gonna cool you down!
But I just told you! I'm not hollow anymore!
Agh, it's too hot. I can't stand it...


Hngh...urgh...aargh...it's so hot!




Whoa--what the!?


Aaaah...much better.


No way!!


*dook dook dook dook dook* Aaaahhh. Now that hit the spot.

-Like A Dream Come True-


Y-Yes...?
Do you have anything to wear? I'm basically like a newborn at the moment...
T-Teddie? Is that really you...?
Umm...
Wait, did you say you're like a newborn!?
Then don't take the bottom part off!
You need some clothes, right? C'mon, let's go look around...


He said he's not hollow anymore...So, like...he grew himself a body in there?
What kinda creature would do that!? I mean...what IS he?
PERSONAL TRAINERS HATE HIM! This ordinary housebear from Inaba gained %ERROR percent muscle mass following one simple tip! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!
*sigh* Then again, this is hardly the first bizarre thing we've seen...
And I gotta admit, it's probably better than him walking around in his bear suit.
Oh, hey, weren't we gonna see about talking to Rise? I was so shocked that I lost track of what we were talking about.
Let's head over to Rise's place. As for Teddie...He's with the girls, so he should be fine.

> You went home to change before heading to the shopping district...


Dude, how many are you gonna eat? You're gonna get a stomach ache.


How'd it take you that long to find clothes for Ted?
Whoa...! I-Is that you, Teddie...?

-New Days-


C'est magnifique.
Uh, don't encourage him. I have to say, it totally blew my mind, but he's Teddie alright.
This guy had to make it a huge ordeal...Everything was new to him, so it turned into a big mess. He was so excited in the women's section that he started blabbering...
Hey, you can't just go around doing whatever you please when you're in this form, got it?
Well, he can't help it. It's his first time in our world.
*sigh* All right...You don't need to get all mopey like that.
I never said I won't forgive you!
I'm so glad! I was worried that you didn't like me anymore.
*chuckle* Man...If you can behave yourself, you'll be pretty cute.
Is he cute...? What do you think, Kanji?
Huh? What're you asking me for?
Well, I was just wondering if he was your type.
Ohhh...I get it.
What you're really asking is..."Will you please beat the shit out of me, Kanji?"
Snrk...*chuckle*
It ain't funny, Yukiko-senpai.
S-Sorr--heehee...
*sigh* You'll have to forgive Yukiko. She's helpless when she gets this way...
Oooh, please, everyone! Don't fight over me, baby!
Shuddup! You picking a fight with me!?
Ahahahahahaha!
Geez...oh well.

> Yosuke handed a 1000-yen bill to Kanji.

Here, Kanji. Get whatever ice cream you want, just share it with Teddie. We're gonna head for the tofu shop. Wait here until we get back.
"We'll be about fifteen feet in that direction, so use the smoke signals if you need anything."
Wow, you're rich!
I can't just take this from you!
Think of it as a welcome-back party for Teddie. Just don't go around making a racket.
Whoa, Yosuke, what's gotten into you? You're acting like a real senpai all of a sudden.
Oh, I get it. You might say differently, but you're still nice to Teddie. I'm glad Yosuke's developing into such a mature adult. Someone who doesn't let trifles bother him.
What...? You're worrying me, Chie.
Oh, it's about Teddie's clothes, that's all. We didn't have the money for them, so we charged the rest to you.
Charge?
WHAT!? You put it on my account!? What the hell, Chie!? I never said you could do that!
What else were we supposed to do!? That stuff was expensive, even for Junes!
You seriously charged it to me?
Wh-Why would you do that!? You know I just bought a motorcycle! I'm broke!
So? If you're already broke, a little more debt isn't going to make much of a difference.
What!?
C'mon, baby. Stop fighting over--
Shuddup! This is your fault, y'know!
Grrrrr...
You listen here, Ted...You better take really, really, REALLY good care of that. If you put even a single tear in it, I'll make your next set of clothes out of the bear hide you took off!
Yo Teddie, don't let it get you down.
Let's go get some Topsicles.




You're...!
Are you here to ingratiate yourself with Rise Kujikawa now?
Geez...Why did the clerk even let them charge it to someone else...?


Precisely. I don't believe we've met since then--In fact, I don't believe I've ever introduced myself. My name is Naoto Shirogane. I'm investigating the multiple murders that have occurred here. Mind if I ask you a few questions on the subject? The latest victim, Kinshiro Morooka...He was a teacher at the school you all attend, correct?
S-So what?
The public is focused on the fact that he is associated with the second victim's school...But in truth, that's irrelevant. What intrigues me is the inconsistency. This Morooka...has never appeared on television. What do you make of that?
...How are we supposed to know?
Well, we'll leave it at that. For my part, I'd like to solve this case as quickly as possible. I'll be keeping an eye on you all.




It felt like he completely saw through us...He even knew about the TV thing.


Rise-chan!
Are you okay now...?
Good, good...
Are you all here to check up on me?
Well, yeah...
Oh, um...Do you guys have a moment? There's something I want to tell you. Follow me. My grandma's taking care of the shop today.
Huh? Sure, okay...

> Tatsuhime Shrine...


When I came to, though, I was already in the other world.
Still no real information on the killer...
We met this weird kid named Naoto a second ago...
Oh...He's come to the shop several times. He asked me a lot about the incident.
I didn't tell him anything about the other world, though. I figured it'd be a waste of time. Actually, he asked me about you guys too, but I just made up some stuff. Like, "They found me unconscious on the roof at Junes."
Well, I guess that's close enough to the truth.
Um...so...
Hm...? What's up?
Um...I-I really appreciate what you did for me...
Thank you soooo much! I love you guys!

-New Days-

Huh...? Awww, you don't have to thank us!
Dude...She's so cute...Man, it's finally hitting me that you're the real deal. You really are Risette.
Well, I know I sounded gloomy and all from stress, so...I-I thought you might not like me that way...Do I...sound weird?
Oh, but I guess it sounds more "natural" this way to the public...I'm sorry...I've practically lost touch with what the normal me is like.
Haha, no need to apologize. Just do what comes naturally.
I think everyone has multiple sides to them. You don't have to force yourself to decide on just one.
Haha, it sounds convincing when Yukiko says it.
Huh...? R-Really?
Thanks.
*chuckle* I'm glad you're the first people I got to know here.
Oh yeah, we almost forgot your present. The Teddie Glasses. Um, you don't have to take them, but...Well...

> Teddie gave you a pair of glasses to hold onto for when Rise joined you. But what should you say when giving them to her...?



Senpai...Would you be struggling without my help? I can help you in that world, right? With my power...So wouldn't it be better if I joined the team?

> You handed the glasses to Rise.

These are kinda like proof that you're one of us...

> You explained the effect of the glasses to Rise.

I see...I do remember you all wearing glasses over there.
Thanks, Senpai. Now I'm part of the team, too!

> Rise Kujikawa joined the group! She'll definitely be a strong asset in solving the case.


I'll be going to Yasogami High, starting tomorrow. But I don't have any friends yet, so don't ignore me, alright?
I do owe you my life, so...you know...
Wouldn't it be Teddie she owes, if anybody?
Leave it to me.
W-Wow...I didn't realize you were so cool, Senpai.
This sure is a rough time to transfer here, though. The kidnappings, King Moron's death...All that, and exams are soon, too.
*sigh* Exams...Now I'm depressing myself. I wonder if there's any chance they'll be canceled...
I doubt it. They always hold exams, rain or shine...
*chuckle* I almost got killed by those monsters. Compared to that, exams are nothing.
Alrighty then, let's discuss the case some more tomorrow at our special headquarters.
Yo. How's it going?


Though if you count the ones I had before, that makes six, so I still win.
No one asked...
We're all done talking already!
Let's go, Senpai!
Uh...When did you get so chipper?
Do you go to Yasogami, like Senpai? I'll be starting school there tomorrow, so I hope we get along too.
Huh? Oh...cool. Uhh...What grade are you in?
...Snrk.
So where's Teddie?
He's over there, finishing up his fifth Topsicle. What are we gonna do with him?
Well...I guess I'll take him home...


Announcer: The serial murder case in Inaba has claimed a third victim. The news shocked local residents, who had not seen another murder in three months, and assumed the spree had reached its end. The deceased taught at a local high school. Since his body was found arranged in a similar manner as the last two victims...

> King Moron's picture is on the news. It seems he really was murdered...

What's wrong?
Was it someone you know?...He died?

> Nanako seems scared...

I'm here with you.

> You calmed Nanako down.

I'm all right...

> Nanako seems somewhat relieved.

Announcer: This marks the second consecutive death, after Ms. Saki Konishi's, where the target was involved with Yasogami High. Mr. Morooka was known for his strict teaching methods, and is said to have had constant friction with his students. The police will be pursuing this line of inquiry, and are planning to begin a large-scale investigation tomorrow. We now turn to our reporter at the scene for more details...

> The news is livelier than usual...

Dad won't be coming home again today...

> Maybe you should try another magic trick...





TREMBLE IN AWE, PITIFUL MORTAL

Huh!? Do it again, do it again!




It moved! Hey, how did you do that? Tell me, tell me!

> Nanako seems to have cheered up...You put Nanako to bed and decided to call it a night as well...

-Aria of the Soul-


Welcome. It's been quite some time...

> It seems that you've been called to the Velvet Room...

Do not be alarmed. You are fast asleep in the real world...I have summoned you within your dreams. How are things proceeding...? Are you gradually drawing nearer to a solution to the mystery...?
I don't know.
Indeed. The fog clouding your path is thick...
The season has changed, but your future is not yet closed. In time, a path will open to you.
Our true reason for calling you here tonight is to provide a new form of assistance to help you achieve just that. Fusing Personas...Have you been using our services diligently? The aid we will henceforth provide is an advanced form of fusion...I speak of the power to fuse four or more Personas at once. I am quite certain that this will enable you to command even stronger powers...

> A new type of fusion is now available!

Now...your journey will soon reach its climax...And as a result, many challenges--which I cannot foresee at present--await you. Most interesting...*chuckle* Well, until we meet again...Farewell.

Teddie is back and loaded for bear.



He--or possibly, the boy who has murdered him and stolen his skin--is a well-balanced jack of all trades, like Yosuke. His element is ice instead of wind, and he forgoes Yosuke's ailments & debuffs in favor of better healing and extra support skills.



Now that Teddie's in the bullpen, his previous cheerleading/SIGINT duties will fall to Rise.





For the moment her abilities are more or less the same as Teddie's were, namely:
A) Advancing the plot,
B) Announcing what just happened in battle two seconds ago, and
C) Gushing about how incredible Sanzo is.

That will change...drastically. Just keep in mind that the team couldn't actually defeat Rise's Shadow before she accepted it.