Chapter Text
Souji glanced at Ken. The boy's eyes were on the white dog taking up his entire lap. He didn't seem too fazed by the long stretch limousine they were in. Nor did Koromaru. Maybe they were used to traveling in style.
The limo kept reminding Souji of the Velvet Room. It wasn't the Velvet Room—it was Mitsuru Kirijo's limo, and there wasn't any brandy—but he kept thinking of it, anyway. It was very high-tech. The maroon leather seats wrapped around a large computer terminal that was currently displaying an estimated time of arrival at forty-three minutes.
Probably just over an hour, then, until he'd see Nanako-chan again. The thought of her made him smile a bit to himself. He wondered how long her laundry list of 'things to do with big bro' had become since Culture Day. It probably spanned several pages now, front and back. He'd do his best to fulfill all of her wishes, even if it reminded Yosuke to call him "sister complex" again...
Mitsuru was seated at the other end of this 'room' in the limo, chatting with Aigis and Labrys about the Amagi Inn, where they planned to stay.
Souji had asked Ken if he'd like to come to Inaba with him to enjoy the winter holidays, and somehow it had led to Aigis asking him if Labrys would be welcome, too. Of course he'd agreed.
Labrys... He was relieved to see her again. Her 'upgrades' had finally been completed. Apparently during the time she was with the scientists, she had also been taught how to be more human, although her appearance was too robot-like for her to fool most people, even if her speech and mannerisms were spot-on. Well, almost spot-on—she'd retained that oddly-endearing dialect of hers.
Right now, Labrys seemed rather bashful. She wasn't all that talkative, and as the ETA ticked down, she seemed to get more and more nervous. She kept scratching at a vent port near her upper arm. "It's all right," Souji assured her. "Everyone will be happy to see you."
"Ya sure?" she asked. Her bright red eyes were troubled. "It's been a while since Golden Week..."
"I'm sure. Right, Ken-kun?"
The boy looked up from petting Koromaru. "Uh, Seta-san... I have never met your friends."
"But you're my friend," Souji said. "And you like Labrys-san."
"Since I'm your friend... does that mean I'm strange, too?" Ken sighed. "I know all your friends are strange."
"You're wearing shorts in winter," Souji pointed out.
"That's hardly relevant." Ken faced the platinum-haired robot maiden. "Labrys-san, unfortunately, I've only met you today, but I don't think anyone would forget you, if that's what you're worried about. That would be like me forgetting Aigis-san. It can't happen."
Labrys's shoulders relaxed, her metal wings drooping a bit, and Aigis smiled at Ken in silent thanks.
Souji watched the snow-covered fields pass by outside the windows and recalled his very first trip to Inaba. He'd had visions of the Velvet Room on the train then and had attributed it to a dream caused by overtiredness and stress. He hadn't been looking forward to Inaba at all. Just another year of being shuffled off to family he had never met before. It was funny to think about it now. He'd never expected his life to change so much... to become so attached to his uncle and cousin.
The blanketed fields gave way to the first houses in Inaba's outskirts. Mere minutes later the limo was rumbling very conspicuously down the town's small central shopping district. As it passed the bookstore, Souji saw a familiar sight that had been missing during his last visit: the Velvet Room door. He blinked and glanced at Aigis. She caught his eyes. She had seen it too.
Soon the Samegawa river was in sight, and then they were at the Amagi Inn. Souji made sure Mitsuru and Aigis were taken care of by the inn's staff—Yukiko didn't seem to be there at the moment. He presumed that she was out with Chie.
Then he invited Ken and Labrys to go into town with him. It was a long walk, but after being cooped up in the limo for so long, everyone welcomed it, especially Koromaru, who bounded along excitedly, barking and sniffing at everyone and everything they came across.
During the walk, he took the opportunity to call Yosuke on his cell phone. He told him to gather everyone at Junes, since it was still the best place in town to meet at. He expected most of his friends to be free. They knew he was coming to Inaba today, just not exactly when. "You'd better be off work today," Souji said. "I have something for you."
"Y-yeah, I am, partner," Yosuke replied. "Uhh... What is it? Now I'm curious."
"Be there," Souji said. He hung up before his friend could pester him for an answer.
He didn't head straight to Junes, however. First he planned to stop at home. He had to drop off his duffel bag, for one.
"This is where you live?" Ken asked as they approached the Dojima residence. A striped tabby cat was lazing around in front, Souji was happy to see. He wondered if his habit of feeding strays had rubbed off on his cousin. Koromaru barked at it, but it didn't move.
"Yeah. It's my uncle's place," Souji said.
"Your family ain't gonna mind that I'm...?" Labrys queried.
"They won't," Souji said with confidence. He set his duffel bag down on the doorstep. Ken gave him a questioning look, but Souji ignored it and rang the doorbell.
From the house came a muffled, "Nanako, will you get that?" Soon the door opened to reveal his little cousin. The girl's hair was shoulder-length and she wore a pink and white dress. Her big brown eyes widened dramatically upon seeing the visitors. "Big bro!" she squealed and ran right into Souji's open arms.
If Souji saw Ken glare at him upon hearing the words "big bro," he chose to ignore it.
When Souji put the girl back down, he introduced his friends. "This is Ken-kun and Labrys-san. And... Koromaru!"
"Woof!" The shiba inu padded forward and Nanako-chan squealed again and gave him a big hug too.
"Behind his ears, right?" she asked. She began to scratch there and the dog let out a throaty rumble of happiness.
"And, uh, this is my cousin, Nanako-chan. She's eight."
Ken bowed formally, and Nanako seemed surprised. Labrys lifted one of her hands in a small wave.
Dojima stepped forward from where he'd been watching the scene unfold and introduced himself as Souji's uncle. "Nice dog. Bring your stuff in, make yourselves at home." He seemed resigned to playing host, but Souji could tell the police detective was happy.
Now would be a good time to bring up his little plan. After placing his duffel bag unceremoniously in the middle of the floor in his old room, Souji returned downstairs.
He found Dojima joking with Labrys. "If Souji's hair got any lighter, you could be siblings."
"And then Nanako-chan could have a big sis?" Souji said when Labrys seemed uncertain on how to reply.
Dojima scratched his head. "I don't have room for any more kids..."
"Actually, uncle, about that..."
The detective's eyes narrowed. "What now?" he asked softly.
"Could Ken-kun stay here for the break?" Souji asked.
"Seta-san!" Ken exclaimed. He turned to Dojima and lowered his head in respect. "No, sir, I couldn't impose upon you. Besides, Labrys-san and our other friends are staying at the inn. I'm sure I can stay with them."
"Oh..." Souji didn't hide his disappointment. He was sure Ken and Nanako could become friends... Not to mention he wanted Koromaru to stay with him.
Dojima wiped his face and made a resigned sound. "Whatever the kid wants. Honestly, I don't mind, as long as you aren't inviting everyone to stay the night. I have a reputation to maintain, you know. 'Host to a bunch of teenagers' is not part of it."
"Well, we'll talk about it later," Souji said. "Uncle, we're going to Junes for a while..."
"Junes!?"
"Yes, Nanako-chan, you're coming, too."
The girl paused in brushing Koromaru to clap her hands together and sing the Junes tune. She became embarrassed when she realized everyone was looking at her. Souji eyed Ken and Labrys meaningfully. "Uh, it's definitely going to be great," Ken assured her, and Souji nodded. "Especially for Labrys-san," he promised. The robot shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other with several metallic creaks.
Souji held Nanako's hand the entire way to Junes—he didn't really have much choice. She wasn't going to let him go. When someone in the street eyed Labrys with suspicion, Souji grabbed Labrys's hand with his free hand. It took her by complete surprise, but she seemed to be reassured by his touch. Now, if only he could get Ken to take Nanako's other hand, or something, Souji thought while Nanako-chan chatted about her friends at school.
After riding the elevator in Junes, they entered the food court. The majority of the Investigation Team was already there: Chie in her typical green jacket—she was wearing shorts, maybe Ken wasn't alone—next to Yukiko in a crimson dress. Naoto was dressed warmly in her deep blue double-breasted cardigan coat. Souji assumed she was also wearing her green and blue plaid pants, but he couldn't say for sure because she was sitting on the far side of the table. Teddie was wearing some frilly lacy thing made of cheap, thin material—luckily he seemed to have an immunity to cold. Kanji had his school jacket draped over his shoulders, as usual, and he was so intent on his knitting that he didn't realize Souji had arrived.
"Souji-kun!"
"Sensei! Nana-chan!"
"Labrys-san!?"
The last was Yosuke, who was bringing a couple of drinks to the table. He'd stopped in his tracks to stare dumbly at the robot girl.
"I told you," Souji said. He allowed himself a smug expression.
"H...hi," said Labrys.
Souji attempted to push the robot girl towards Yosuke, but it was quite impossible due to the strength of her metal frame. She seemed to get the idea anyway and stepped forward.
Souji woke up early in the morning. He tiptoed past Ken who was sound asleep on the spare futon in his room. Koromaru was downstairs in Nanako-chan's room. He didn't want to wake anyone.
Yesterday had been a great day, minus the long ride. Souji was surprised at how well Ken got along with his friends, but maybe he shouldn't have. The boy had been prepared since Souji had told him almost everything that had happened in Inaba, so he understood a lot of their reminiscing, and despite the boy's formality, he had a good sense of humor.
They had some things in common as well: upon seeing Labrys, Chie had asked about Akihiko, and Ken piped up since he knew the man. From there it became a nice long discussion about Akihiko's training regimen when he had been in SEES. "He was obsessed with protein back then too?" "Yes, yes he was."
The happiness of the reunion staved off Souji's melancholy until he finally had some time alone. This morning his memories and nostalgia were weighing on him heavily. Now that he'd solved the Apathy Syndrome mystery, there was something he had to do.
He was just planning to make some toast for himself before he went out—hopefully he'd return in time to make a proper breakfast for Ken and Nanako—when he was interrupted.
"Huh? You're up early. Thought you'd be out for another couple of hours, at least."
Souji looked up from buttering a slice of toast. "Oh... uncle. Would you like some toast, too?"
"You always were diligent," Dojima muttered, mostly to himself. "Yeah, sure. I'll make us some coffee."
Souji wasn't exactly in the mood to talk, although he recognized that this would be the perfect time to catch up with his uncle. Still, he didn't know how to start the conversation so he contented himself with putting another couple slices of bread into the toaster.
After starting up the coffee maker, Dojima sat comfortably at the kitchen table. "So," Dojima said conversationally. "Gekkoukan High, huh? Down in Tatsumi Port Island. I thought you were going to Yago... something."
Souji paused for a very long moment. "A better opportunity presented itself," he said. His words were clipped and dry.
"So I heard. Souji. I called your mother after Culture Day." Souji stiffened. "I was just... curious that you keep visiting here for all your holidays. Don't misunderstand—I enjoy having you over. But it seemed odd to me that she and your pop never come to visit, too."
The butter on the toast that Souji was holding had melted and began to drip onto the counter. Contemplating a response, Souji didn't notice.
"I'm a selfish son," he finally said. He set down the toast and began to use the butter knife to cut off the crust with jerky motions. "I... I know they love me, but they don't know me. And... they don't really listen..."
"Souji... Back in March, I tried to convince them to let you stay here another year."
Souji looked up and blinked at his uncle in surprise.
The detective nodded. "Yeah. I tried. Didn't work," – he spread his hands in a shrug – "but I tried."
"Thank you," Souji said simply.
"You're family, kid. I've told you before... Don't believe me?"
"I... I do..."
"If Nanako heard your voice like that, she'd think we're fighting again!" The detective chuckled. "But Souji... You know what? I'm glad you're taking responsibility for your life. Ah, look at me. I didn't mean to preach at you, and the coffee's ready."
The conversation died down as Dojima poured the coffee into their family mugs. Souji handed him a plate of toast and they ate in amicable silence.
Souji saw Dojima off, and then readied himself to leave. He wasn't far down the road before Koromaru suddenly ran up to him. He frowned at the dog. He shouldn't be out, he should be with Nanako-chan...
"Seta-san!" Ken called from behind. "Good morning."
"Ah, good morning, Ken-ch—Ken-kun." Souji tried not to look unhappy to see them. He'd planned to go alone. Maybe the kid was used to getting up early.
"What are we going to do today? Nanako-chan said something about ice skating somewhere...?"
"Oh, at Okina City? We could probably do that," Souji agreed. "However, it'll be later. I was going to... umm..."
"Is something wrong, Seta-san?"
'You neglected to tell Amada about Konishi,' Margaret had said. Souji bit his lower lip and then nodded. "I was going to visit an old friend. A Shadow killed him last summer."
The boy blinked his brown eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry... And here I am thinking about what fun we're going to have..."
"It's all right. You're welcome to come with—or you can go back and give Nanako-chan company while I'm gone. I shouldn't be too long."
Ken looked down at his clothes. He was wearing an orange jacket and shorts. "I'm not really dressed for it, but I would like to come with."
"He won't mind," Souji told him.
The Konishi family grave was well-tended. White flowers perhaps a few days old were already present at the memorial stone. The Konishi family may have moved out of Inaba, but maybe they were not too far away. Souji brushed away some dirt and snow that had piled onto the stone's base and then placed incense before it.
He offered a prayer, but he didn't know who or what to direct it to. Having met a couple of goddesses in his lifetime, he was quite conflicted, and the act of prayer didn't comfort him at all. Usually going through the motions helped, but not this time.
In fact, quite the opposite was happening.
"...My fault... they're dead..." he muttered.
"Seta-san?"
Souji clenched his fist. "If I'd been smarter, if I'd figured it out sooner, I could have saved Saki..."
"Umm..."
"And Naoki... Damn it...!"
"Seta-san!"
Souji was good at bottling up his emotions. He'd become an expert while growing up. Anything that could bring on tears was especially held within. Crying had never done anything for him. It had never changed his situation, and only made his mother scold him further.
He hadn't even cried when he thought that Nanako-chan had died last year. He'd immediately buried the face of reality so far down within him... He didn't even turn it into righteous anger like Yosuke had... He'd simply turned stone dead inside.
He had complained to Mitsuru-san that he wasn't being allowed to grieve for Naoki, but his complaint had been misdirected. He'd been the one to push away the grief. He'd been angry for a bit, but it hadn't lasted. He hadn't forgotten the grief, it was just buried.
And it was coming out now.
His fingernails dug into his palms, and he sniffled, and then he started sobbing. Short sobs, and then full-on bawling...
He let it all out. Grief, sadness, fear, regrets, even some anger and happiness. It wasn't limited to Saki and Naoki now. Dozens of things that he'd wanted to cry about...
The battle with Izanami, his friends dying one by one before his eyes as the goddess looked on with cruel, unfeeling eyes...
Nanako-chan, that tiny child's body in that oversized hospital bed, hooked up to that breathing machine, her heartbeat flat-lining while he held her hand. 'Big bro is here... Please be strong...'
Old lady Hisano, calling herself 'Death'...
Yumi Ozawa's father, also dying in a hospital bed...
Marie's desire to stop living altogether...
Dojima-san's trust in him to save Nanako-chan when she'd been kidnapped... That he considered Souji part of his close family and asked his parents to let him stay...
Hell, even Adachi... Souji had trusted that bastard—the betrayal had hurt...
And... and... that great Seal, Minato Arisato...
When Souji finally cried himself out, he found Ken patting him on the back. There were tears in the boy's eyes, too; his grief must have rubbed off on him. "Th-thanks, Ken-kun," Souji managed. "I'm better now." He wiped his eyes and sniffled.
"Sometimes you just need a good cry," Ken said with a helpless little smile.
The unshed tears in Ken's eyes were just waiting to be released. Souji knelt and pulled Ken to him in a tight embrace. The boy didn't resist, and soon his tears were wetting Souji's shirt. Souji rubbed his back, and the boy's body jerked because he was trying to muffle his sobs. Souji just held him tighter. It seemed to him that maybe the boy didn't have anyone to be there for him like this.
He heard a whine nearby, and then Koromaru was there, too, pushing up against his side. He made room for the dog to let him snuggle in between him and Ken.
Maybe it would take them longer than he'd planned to return home.
THE END