The path to the truth: Male Reader X Naoto

Red and Green.

06/10

The Scooter should hopefully be in soon, I ordered it in last night before I went to go Tutor.

I decided to go train with Chie today.

"In the movie I watched the other day, this guy knocked down a tree using only his leg! How does someone kick that hard? Just practice?" She asked.

Takeshi walked up to the two of us.

"Ch-Chie!" He said.

"Oh, hey Takeshi. W-Were you robbed again?" She asked.

"No, I took off right after that, right? So I thought I'd apologize." He said.

"Why don't you be a man and admit you ran away?" She asked.

"Wh-what? Were you this anal before? Tch, if you lose that sunny attitude, you won't have anything left." He said

"Shut up!" Chie said.

"Speaking of which, what's up with Yukiko-san? I saw her with you the other day. She seemed weirdly cheerful, she had this funky laugh, y'know?" Takeshi asked.

"That funky laugh, that's how really she is." Chie said.

"Oh you've rubbed off on her, huh? I can't believe it. That's not Yukiko-san, she was better gloomy." Takeshi said.

Chie was getting annoyed.

"Look, if you get into trouble again I'll step in and help." She said.

"Huh? Oh, uh thanks." He said.

"So why don't you shut your mouth about Yukiko!? You don't know anything about her, she's a good person, got it!?" Chie snapped back.

"What the hell!?" Takeshi said.

He walked away before it could escalate.

"I just remembered. Way back, I saw Yukiko sitting by the road, holding a dog. I asked her what's up, and she said she ran away from home. She picked up the dog, but her parents told her she couldn't have a pet, and that she'd have to get rid of it. She looked like she was dead or something, I tried everything I could think of to make her laugh, and that's how we became friends. From that moment on, I told myself I'd protect Yukiko. But, somewhere along the way I messed up, and that shadow popped out. After that, I tried to focus on what was good about me. I swore to quit being nothing but the girl Yukiko can rely on. So, I just tried my best. At finding the culprit and stuff, just generally being more reliable, that's all. I feel like I missed the point." She said.

"That's the first step." I said.

"Thanks, you're too kind. Maybe, half a step? I wonder if there's anyone out there who can say "this is what makes me worthwhile!" I guess everyone's looking for it." She said.

I was able to help Chie take a step forward and face herself. Our bond has grown deeper.

Chariot Social Link: Rank 8

"Oh yeah, that dog Yukiko picked up? It's gotten really fat at my place. Come by and see it sometime! It smells, but it's cute! Maybe I'll walk it over to your house." She said.

Her and I talked about various things on the walk home.

Evening.

I went out for a walk, and bumped into Adachi.

"What are you doing out so late? It's dangerous at night. You must have a lot of time on your hands, Dojima-san will be on your ass you know." He said.

The two of us headed to Souzai Daigaku, and found it was closed.