princeofjunes | Track 08

[PHONE - AFTERNOON - Filtered to: Persona casts (all), Ruri, Shana, SHIKI, Gilgamesh, Lancer, anyone I forgot that he has a moderate amount of CR with]

Hey guys, it's Yosuke. I just thought I'd check in, see how everyone's doing. I know it's been sort of rough lately, so...

[PARK - EVENING - OPEN]

[He's been coming here a lot lately. It really isn't a bad place to spend time. The park is usually nice and peaceful, and it gives him plenty of time to think. To reflect on his time there, to figure out what he wants, to try and piece together what bits he's learned about the town. Really, he can think about whatever strikes him that particular day.

Today it seems the focus is on himself - him, and the choices he's made recently and not so recently. Decisions he's made, decisions he hasn't made. Time he's spent waiting. Other people he's heard about. Is he really doing what's best? If he has to be stuck in this town, doesn't he deserve to be as happy as he can be? Is he doing what he can to that end? Is the road he's on the right one - hell, is it even going anywhere?

Too bad there are no easy answers.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Do you know what you want to do when you grow up?"

Not a clue!

[He smiles broadly, squeezing her hand again]

I've been in retail for a while, and sometimes I like it, sometimes I hate it. But if I don't stick with it, I don't have a damn clue what to do. It's not like I'm that good at anything else. You've got a leg up on me there - you've already been to university.

"Hrm... Maybe with a smile like that go into politics."

[She grins slightly]

"Maybe Mr. Japan could tutor you."

Politics? Yeah right, I'm already tired of having to kiss asses when people return products they broke and try to pass them off as defective.

If I had to kiss a bunch of politician ass too? I think I might snap and just start beating them. Don't they frown on that sort of thing?

"Usually they do. But I don't know. You're in a small town, maybe some day you could be the mayor or something. I can't see you working retail your whole life."

[She squeezes his hand a little then moves next to him, leaning against him slightly]

Yeah, me either. Still... mayor? You really think? I never thought I'd be really cut out for politics.

[When she moves next to him, he throws hesitation to the wind and puts an arm around her shoulders]

Politics really couldn't be worse than retail, right?

[She closes her eyes]

"I don't have a clue. I've never done either."

Retail is fun, sometimes.

Most of the time it's a pain in the butt. You'd have fun though. With that wit of yours, I don't think the customers would ever know you're making fun of them.

"Most people know when they're called an idiot that they're being insulted. Still... When I went in costume to those places I got mobbed... When I was just a ramen girl, no one knew who I was."

Yeah, well... you're you at least. You're the same amazing girl whether you're a princess or an idol or a ramen girl.

[Oh wow it got warm in here. One of these days, Yosuke needs to learn to keep control of his facial expressions]

But if you want to go back to being a ramen girl, why not? If it'll make you happy, right?

"It was being with Akito and Yurika that made me happy. I'd give just about anything for them to be alive again."

[She wipes her eyes on his shoulder a bit]

[He turns and puts his other arm around her, pulling Ruri into a proper hug against him.]

I know... I know it's rough to lose someone special like that.

Go ahead and let it out.

"I... I'm glad no one is here to chastise me for poor work..."

[She buries her head in his chest and closes her eyes, a few tears noticeable]

"You would think after 2 years it wouldn't be like this."

If anyone says anything, I'll punch them. Then run off with you into the sunset.

[He probably would, too.]

Those two were everything to you, right? Of course it's going to take time to get over. But - and this is going to sound really cheesy - they sort of live on through you, right? In your hopes and dreams, in what you do.

And I didn't know them, but... I'd bet they just want you to keep going. To find a way to be happy.

"I...."

[Congrats Yosuke, you have a girl in a bikini crying her eyes out into your shirt]

[Well, he didn't expect this when he woke up.]

[But that's okay - he doesn't mind holding her there, rubbing her back gently and generally trying to be comforting until she's cried as much as she needs to.]

[Ruri is not emotionless, she just has a very tight leash on her emotions... That being said when they boil over it takes a while to get a handle on them. By the time Yosuke's tea is cold she'll be sitting up and just sniffling slightly]

[Who needs tea anyway - Ruri is more important. His hands are still on her shoulders and he's looking at her with a warm smile]

Feeling any better, Ruri? If you need more time, that's fine with me.

[She shakes her head a little and slides out of her seat into his lap]

"I'm sorry... You shouldn't have had to see something so embarrassing."

[His arms circle back around her to keep her from falling out of his lap, holding her tight]

I care about you. That means I don't mind seeing the embarrassing stuff.