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Oh gracious, I turn a blind eye for just a sexond and the second post fills up! Darlings, sweetpeas, do please forgive my tardiness. I bring you now our third installment of the fantasticousity, and would indeed love to, ah, beg your pardon in being so late about it.
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: PERSONA 4 KINK MEME
PART THREE
In this scintillating post ( Read more... )
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: PERSONA 4 KINK MEME
PART THREE
In this scintillating post ( Read more... )
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Hanging out with her senpai rather than her classmates is probably a little weird, but they never let it show. They treat Rise the same as they do each other, and in return she shows the side she thinks they'd like: cheerful, bubbly Risette who flirts like a master and never misses a word of gossip. It's not a lie, just another facet. Rise knows she ought to pull all these pieces together and quit pretending to be things she isn't - or at least something that isn't the full her - but it's hard to know how. Naoto wouldn't have that problem. Based on what Rise's seen, he definitely doesn't care about pleasing other people all the time.
Eventually she might not either, at least with the senpai, three of whom don't seem the slightest bit interested in Risette and one who's managing to keep his fanboy tendencies in check. Rise spends a lot of time with them over the following week, usually at the June food court. She feels a little bad about that, given the circumstances, but Yosuke tells her it's the only place they can agree on. Chie, overhearing, says it's really because one of their senpai works there and Yosuke wants to hit on her. After that, both of them spend ten minutes bickering loudly at the drinks counter, Yukiko looks confused, and Souji just smiles.
Yukiko's nice, but she's usually too busy working at her parents' inn to hang out much. Souji's the one Rise likes best. He's cool and composed, a little like Naoto seemed on the television, except he's kind and he actually knows how to look happy. Handsome, too. A transfer student, apparently, but he doesn't talk much about himself. Rise, both curious and not a fan of well-kept secrets, makes it her mission to find out more.
"So, why are you in Inaba?" she asks him one day.
"My parents are abroad for the next year, so I'm staying with my uncle. You?"
"You probably know who I am." And he's probably just trying to be nice.
"Nope. I've only heard your name from Yosuke. Saw your picture on his wall, too."
Rise isn't surprised by that, but she'd still rather not think about it. "I used to be an idol. I quit, came back to Inaba to stay with my grandmother."
Souji's eyebrow arches. "That's a lot to give up. Why did you--"
"Lots of reasons," Rise quickly says, because even if she thinks she could talk to this guy, that he might listen, she barely knows him. "Hey... Chie-senpai wants us to watch a movie later, some new DVD she has. Are you gonna go?"
Souji shakes his head. "Not this time. I have to go home and help my cousin with her homework."
"Your uncle doesn't do that?"
"He's a detective, he's usually home late." His fingers tap against the table. "Especially with these murders."
Two woman at the table opposite suddenly stop talking and turn to glare at him; mutter something under their breath about disrespectful kids. Rise shoots them a winning smile right back, but Souji, cool and impassive, doesn't even blink.
Just like Naoto would act. Maybe you always want what you don't have.
She swallows. "Your uncle, the detective. Does... does he know that guy who was on the television? The Detective Prince?"
Souji winces. "Yeah. Unfortunately. They... don't get on. Apparently the prince is a little difficult."
"Oh." Even though she isn't surprised, Rise can't help feeling disappointed. "I guess I can see it."
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She hears enough about him in the meantime just from working at the store, and none of it's complimentary. The media might be all over the murder case, but people in Inaba hate to even hear it mentioned - things like that don't happen in nice, rural towns - making a detective who won't stop asking questions about it pretty unpopular. Rise doesn't even know Naoto, not really, but she still tenses up every time she hears interfering brat or weirdo kid.
Naoto's still a jerk, sure - but he's not weird. She's sure of that. He's just really into his job, and Rise tries to convince herself that's why she sees him from her bedroom window one early summer evening, walking side-by-side with Kanji Tatsumi.
It's not like they're walking close or anything. But when Rise leans further out the window (nearly falling out, which she isn't proud to admit) she can see their faces - and though Naoto's expression is utterly blank, all Kanji's doing is glancing sideways, messing with his hair, biting his lip. Since starting at Yasogami High, Rise's heard a lot of things about Kanji, including the reason why he's never been seen with a girlfriend.
Maybe Naoto's... it would make sense, wouldn't it? He's cute and smooth and he dresses sharp, all big warning signs, and even though that stuff's supposed to just be from stereotypes, Rise can't help wondering. Especially since he reminds her of a few guys she met in the business who leaned that way.
And especially since he doesn't seem interested in Risette, she thinks - then immediately winces. Modest as ever, Rise.
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In the end, she doesn't make it to Tatsumi Textiles until well after sunset. Kanji's sitting on the step outside in the near-dark, long legs sprawled in front of him, almost glaring a hole in the road.
She uses her best voice, the chirpy one that the senpai seem to like. "Hey, Kanji-kun."
"Wha'?" It's more a grunt than a real response, and he doesn't look up.
"Just came to say hi! We haven't met, at least not in a long time. I'm Rise."
She makes a point to introduce herself for two reasons. First: she's trying to do the same with everyone, because she isn't just Risette now and people need to remember that. Second: pierced, tattooed Kanji-kun doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'd be lining up to buy Risette's latest album or hopping around at one of her stadium concerts. He's probably never even heard of her.
"Yeah, I know you," Kanji mutters.
Rise's heart sinks.
"Seen you in the tofu store. Kujikawa-san's grandkid. Ma keeps telling me to go talk to you."
"Oh. She does?"
"Yeah, says you're nice." He shrugs. "You probably are. Just don't do good with girls."
Figures. Rise's been the subject of rumors herself, more than she can count, but sometimes they're actually true. "...Oh. Is that why.."
Kanji's eyes narrow. "Why what?"
"I...I saw you walking with that detective. Naoto Shirogane. Kinda short, dark hair, wears a cap?" she adds, pointedly not including 'and super cute' in the description.
Even in the dim light, she sees Kanji's cheeks almost turn scarlet. "Wh... it ain't like that! I dunno who he is, okay? Why would I know him?"
"Well, you were talking together! I saw you from my bedroom window!"
"He just... he wanted to ask me some questions, thass all! I'm not like that, alright?"
For all the bluster, it doesn't sound like she's the one Kanji's trying to convince. "Okay, whatever. I'm not gonna ask. And I won't tell anyone."
"Good." Kanji attempts a scowl, but it ends up more nervous than terrifying.
Rise has no intention of sharing his secret - which isn't a secret at all, according to the rest of town - but years in the industry have taught her the importance of bargaining. "In return... if he comes by again, Kanji-kun, you have to tell me, okay?"
"Forget it! I, I'm not gonna see him again, no matter what he--" Kanji stops dead. "Hey, why'd you even care?"
This time, the heat rushes to her face instead. "I just do. And it's none of your business anyway!"
Kanji stares at her for a long moment, as if he wants to ask something - as if he's afraid of something, even - then turns away. "Right. Fine. Just... keep your mouth shut, yeah?"
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Naoto nods, tipping down his cap. "Good afternoon, Kujikawa-san. Kanji Tatsumi said you wished to speak with me."
"You were hanging out with him again?" Rise asks - snaps, really - before she can catch herself. Don't introduce yourself first, Rise, that'd be too normal.
"No. Do you have information regarding the case?"
For all her supposed cleverness in getting Kanji to send Naoto here, Rise didn't actually plan this conversation. She doesn't even know why she wanted to see him again, especially when he was mean last time and she doesn't have anything worth saying.
"...N-no, no I don't. Sorry," she manages - and waits for Naoto to turn around and leave.
But he doesn't. Instead, he just looks at her, and it's a long time before he speaks. "Is something else wrong?"
He doesn't even remember. Probably doesn't think he did anything bad. And even if he didn't, really, even if most of this is just her feeling like an idiot, Rise's still pissed. "You are. You were such a jerk, Naoto Shirogane! And see, I had to find out your name from the television, you didn't even tell me!"
Naoto doesn't blink. "It wasn't relevant at the time."
"Not relevant? Of course it was, I-I thought, maybe..." Rise gives up, throws up her hands. "Oh, like it even matters!"
"What doesn't?"
"Nothing. Nothing." Rise tips up her chin. "Why were you on television anyway, Mr. Big Shot?"
"Not by choice. I am reasonably well-known and the police requested I appeal for information from the public." Naoto's shoulders stiffen, and for the first time since Rise met him, he looks uncomfortable. "It was not an enjoyable experience."
How something looks isn't always how it really is; Rise should've remembered that. For a moment, she feels just a little guilty. "It's not that bad. You get used to it."
"I hope I don't need to," Naoto says, then shakes his head. "I was unaware I'd upset you, Kujikawa-san. I apologize."
It might be monotone, it might lack any facial expression to match - but somehow, Rise's certain he means it. It takes a monumental effort to ignore the odd, warm feeling curling up in her stomach and actually answer. "W-well, that, that's fine. Just don't be like that again!"
"I'll attempt to improve." Naoto looks at her from under his cap, eyes cool but... different, maybe. "Was that all you required?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it was." Arms folded, Rise glares down at him from the doorstep - he's even shorter than she thought - and tries to sound confident. "So I guess you can go, if you want. But, but you have to stop by here again, okay?"
For all her skill as an actress, Rise doesn't always think things through before speaking. She's grateful when Naoto nods, says goodbye and walks away - all without asking her exactly why she wants him to come back.
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Nice~ I'll mark this as the definitive starting point in their future relationship! It makes the fangirl in me squeal with joy!!!
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And especially since he doesn't seem interested in Risette, she thinks - then immediately winces. Modest as ever, Rise.
Another random line I really liked. I just thought it showed a really human/realistic kind of thought process...that kind of almost-conceit I think most have in the back of their head sometimes, and then the instant revision. Idek I just love your writing 8)
I'm always so sad when the chapters are over ;A; but it gives me something to look forward to! This is really A+, anon, I couldn't have dreamed of anything better :>
ps. captcha sez, 28% deadpan. ffff if we're talking about Naoto, I think it's a lot more than that 8|
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Trying to keep Rise sympathetic, too - she tends to get a hard time from some fans, but she's actually a really interesting character. (And this is never-met-Shadow Rise, as well, quite a few insecurities going on.)
Thanks so much for the comments, too, I will try to keep the standard up (and yeah, captcha is WAY off ;))
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