Persona 4: Golden Music

Chapter Eleven

School Life in Inaba

Part Four

(Junes, Food Court)

“This is the cheap place you were talking about? They don’t have grilled steak here.” Chie pouted as Yosuke appeared at the table the four of them were sitting at with a tray that had four burgers and drinks on it.

“Yeah, well, once you hopped on the freeloader train. I had to change my plans.” He said before taking a seat at the table.”Dude, this isn’t my place or anything.”

“What does he mean by that?” Vinyl asked as she leaned in her seat while levitating a burger over to her along with a drink.

“Oh, right. I haven’t told you yet, huh? I moved here from another city about six months back. This location just opened up, and my dad was assigned to manage it. So our entire family came out here.” he said before noticing Vinyl using her magic to levitate her food over to her. “Welcome to Inaba you two.”

“Thank you very much.” Octavia said before taking her meal and jabs Vinyl’s side.

“Yeah, thanks dude.” Yosuke nodded with a smile before looking over at Chie. “Satonaka, yours is on me too.”

“Yeah, I know.” She said before taking her meal as well. “It’s only been half a year since this place opened up, but I haven’t been to the local shopping district much since. A lot of stores there started closing, and...Oh, uh…” Chie said before pausing and looking away awkwardly.

“You can’t blame it all on Junes, can you?” He asked before looking over at Vinyl and Octavia for an answer. The two mares looked at each other as Vinyl simply shrugged.

“Can’t blame a company for trying to do what it’s supposed to do. That would be like blaming video games for kids acting like idiots.” She said before noticing Yosuke going silent while looking off to the side. “Something wrong?”

“Hey, it’s Saki-senpai!” He yelled before standing up to walk over to the human girl. “Sorry, be right back.”

“Didn’t know he has a girlfriend.” Vinyl said before hearing Chie laughing.

“Haha, he wishes. That’s Saki Konishi. Her Family runs a liquor store in the shopping district. I think she’s working here part-time, though I think it’s mainly because the store hasn't made much money since Junes opened up.”

“Wait, this place has a liquor store? As in alcoholic beverages?” The unicorn asked as she flinched upon seeing Octavia giving her a stern gaze. “H-Hey, relax. It’s not like I can drink it due to my age...sadly.” She said before listening to Yosuke’s conversation.

“Hey, how’s it going? You look beat.” Yosuke said as Saki turned her attention to him.

“Heeey! I’m finally on break...What’s up, Hara-chan? Boosting the family business by bringing your friends here?”

“Madam, you wound me!” The young man said in dramatic fashion. “Kidding aside...You look down. Did something happen?”

“It’s nothing. I-I’m just a little tired.”

“Hey, if you need to talk, I’m always willing to listen. I…” Before he could finish, Saki interrupted him by chuckling.

“I’m okay, really. Thanks, though.” She said before letting out a sigh. “Why’d I leave school early yesterday?” Just as she turns her head a bit, she notices Vinyl and Octavia sitting off in the seat across from her. “Hey...aren’t they the cosplayers who transferred here?” She asked before getting up from her seat and headed over to them with Yosuke following after her. “Are you two the new transfer students that I’ve been hearing about at school?”

“Yep, the name’s Vinyl Scratch. And the lovely mare next to me is my partner in crime, Octavia Melody.” Vinyl said as Octavia rolled her eyes.

“Not a partner in crime. I’m her friend that keeps her out of trouble...at least I try to for the most part.” Octavia said as she noticed Saki eyeing the two up and down. “Is there something wrong?”

“How did you two pull off such amazing cosplay outfits. They look so real, like something you would see on a cartoon show or something.”

“That’s because we’re actual real ponies.” Octavia said as Vinyl levitated her own food in front of Saki as poof, causing the girl to yelp and recoil back a bit from this. “...Not the example I wanted to show her, Vinyl...But I guess that will do for proof. You see, we’re ponies from a country called Equestria. I’m an earth pony, while Vinyl is a unicorn as you can see.”

“Wow...Um...I...don’t know how to reply to that for the most part.” Saki said before eyeing Vinyl a bit. “Wait...you’re the girl that got tazed by the police a few days ago.” She said which caused Octavia to blink in surprise and Vinyl to groan.

“Wait, how did you know about that?” Vinyl asked as the human pulled out a phone and pulled up a video of Vinyl getting tazed. “...It was...recorded.”

“Yeah, so far it’s been hitting up a storm on the internet. I thought it was just something weird, but I was glad I was able to download it from a friend of mine.” Saki said which caused Octavia to smirk at the unicorn.

“Don’t give me that smug look. I’m pretty sure you have moments where you messed up like I have, Octavia.”

“I’m not going to say a thing...though I am going to save that moment as “Proof you’re an idiot.” for when you say that you’re not an idiot.”

“Still finding it hard to believe you’re...real.” Saki said before putting her phone away. “Still, nice to see Hana-chan having new friends. He’s a good guy, but he can get noisy sometimes. You gotta tell him right to his face when he starts to annoy you.”

“Reminds me of a certain mare that tends to be noisy at times.” Octavia said which caused Vinyl to roll her eyes.

“Nah, he's a great guy. Especially when he offers us food for free.”

“Heh, I know. I’m just kidding.”

“C-C’mon, Senpai. There’s no need to worry about something like that.” Yosuke said as Saki turned her attention to him for a moment as she gave him a weak smile.

“Well, my break’s just about over. Back to work I go.” She said before walking off towards Junes. “Laters!”

“Oh, uh, Senpai…” Yosuke said, a bit disappointed for a split moment before taking a seat back to where Chie, Vinyl, and Octavia were sitting. “Hahah, Saki-senpai says I’m annoying, but she’s noisier than me. She has a younger brother, and she treats me pretty much the same way.”

“Ohhh, you don’t want her treating you like a brother, huh? Haha, I get it. So that’s how it is.”

“The daughter of a local family-run liquor store and the scion of the invading chain...Hehe, the flames of forbidden love! I love to see how that turns out for you dude.” Vinyl added as Yosuke blushed in embarrassment.

“What!? Dude, it’s not like that.”

“Oh reaaaally...well, I know just the thing to cheer up that lovesick heart.” Chie said before looking from side to side and whispers to the group. “Have you ever heard of the Midnight Channel?”

“The Midnight Channel? What’s that?” Octavia asked as Chie grinned.

“It’s a mysterious TV channel that comes on at midnight. You’re supposed to look into a TV that’s switched off, and, at exactly midnight on a rainy night. While you’re staring at your own image, another person will appear on the screen. And they say that person’s your soulmate.”

“What? For a second, I thought you were actually going to say something useful.” Yosuke said as he rolled his eyes to what Chie said. “How can you get all excited over such a childish urban legend like that?”

“Childish, huh? You don’t believe it, do you!?”

“Of course I don’t. Given your track record on stuff like this, I don’t believe a word you're saying about this Midnight Channel.”

“Well, it’s raining tonight! Let’s all try it out, then you’ll see!”

“Try it out?’ Vinyl said before lifting her shades and looked over at Chie. “Wait you haven’t even tried it yourself?” She asked which caused the human girl to blush a bit as she looked off to the side. “...Wow.”

“All that aside...you know that “incident” yesterday? You guys think it was murder?” Yosuke said before grinning a bit. “Ooh, what if the culprit behind it was still lurking around? Heehee.”

“Sheesh, you shouldn’t joke about stuff like that. Now who’s the childish one?” She said before taking a sip from her drink. “Look, all I’m saying is, you guys better try it out tonight.”

“Might as well give this thing a try.” Vinyl said before returning to eating her food. “You’re onboard with this right, Octavia?”

“I’m not into the whole superstition stuff like ghosts and curses. But I wouldn’t lie and say that I’m not curious as to see what this Midnight Channel is. Might lead us to some clues as to how Vinyl and I can get back home.” Octavia said as Vinyl’s eyes widened to this.

“Oh yeah, that might help too. Now we definitely gotta watch it tonight.”

(Dojima Residents, Evening)

After spending some time with Chie and Yosuke over at Junes, Vinyl and Octavia made their way back to Dojima’s home. Once inside they make their way into the front room as they see a plate of sushi, and three bowls of miso soup in the middle of the table and Nanako at the foot of it. The trio began to eat the meal given to them by Nanako as they heard the front door open for a good five second before closing.

“I’m back.” Dojima said as he made his way to Nanako and the others. “Did anything happen while I was out?” he asked as Nanako looked over at him with a huffy expression on her face.

“No. You’re late again…”

“I’m sorry. Been busy at work.” Dojima said as he took a seat on the couch with a sigh of relaxation escaping his mouth. “Can you put the news on for me?” He asked as Nanako begrudgingly complied as she changed the station on the TV to the news.

“Next, more details in the developing story on the incident in foggy Inaba. Announcer Mayumi Yamano’s dead body was found hanging above a house in this isolated rural town. It is confirmed that Ms. Yamano had been involved in an affair with Taro Namatame, husband of enka singer Misuzu Hiiragi.”

“You know, if we had stuff like this back home. Normal life would be somewhat interesting.” Vinyl said before realising her mistake. “Television, not what’s going on in the news.”

“Ever thought of reading a book to pass the time?” Dojima asked.

“The only time Vinyl reads a book is if it involves some new equipment to her turntable.” Octavia answered. “Other than that, she’ll either be at another gig or drinking at a nearby tavern or bar in her attempt to beat Neon Light in a drinking contest.”

“Hey, I had him by the ropes last time.”

“Yeah and look how that turned out for you.” She said before turning her attention at the news.

“The Police plan to investigate this relationship and question any personnel involved with them. In addition, we now bring you an exclusive interview with the local student who found Ms. Yamano’s body.”

“An interview with the kid...where the hell did they find her?” Dojima asked as he focused on the news.

“What went through your mind when you saw it? Could you tell she was dead? Did you see her face?”

“U-Umm…”

“Hey, that’s the girl we saw at Junes food court today. Saki Konishi, right?” Vinyl said as she lifted her shades to get a closer look at the TV screen.

“Don’t you think it’s scary that someone was killed on a foggy day?”

“Huh? She was killed?” Saki asked as the news reporter tried to correct his mistake.

“Oh, errr...So did you see anyone suspicious around here?”

“No, not really...unless you count those weird cosplayers down by the food court today?” She said as it caused Dojima to look over at Vinyl and Octavia with a bit of a worried expression on his face.

“Before you say anything. I didn’t cause any trouble, we only introduced ourselves to the girl and idle chatting. Nothing more.” Vinyl said before placing her shades back on. “

“And I’m sure they won’t pay much attention to that given how she called us cosplayers...which I find very offensive for the most part.” Octavia added.

“A tragedy that occurred near the local shopping district. Many storeowners are raising concerns about losing customers as a result.”

“Hmph. If they lose more customers it’ll be because you’re making such a stink about it.” Dojima said with a tired expression before dozing off to sleep.

“It really is a bizarre case, isn’t it?” said a male commentator. “I mean, hanging someone upside down from an antenna? I’d have to say it’s a warning or a sign from the culprit.”

“Yes, but so far, no one has come forward to take credit for the crime.”

“So the cause of death is still unknown? And they don’t have a single suspect yet? Taxpayers’ funds are going to a police force who can’t even figure out if this is an accident or a homicide?”

“I don’t see you doing anything about it pal.” Vinyl said while levitating a piece of food into her mouth. “Seriously? I hate ponies that say stuff like that without any knowledge of what it takes to get stuff like this done.”

“You have one that works for the police?” Nanako asked as Vinyl nodded.

“Well back in Equestria, we called them the Royal Guards. They’re kinda like the police force here. Just without guns...or cars...or anything that the police use here...Man we are somewhat underdeveloped.”

“I mean...yeah you’re right about that Vinyl. But Equestria’s not so bad.” Octavia said before taking a piece of sushi and eating it. “We at least got the radio to listen to stuff like this.”

“Yeah, but hearing it is kinda boring at times.”

“We’ll be right back after these messages.” The announcer said as a building of Junes appeared on the screen.

“At Junes, everyday is Customer Appreciation Day. Come see for yourself, and get in touch with our products! Every day’s great at your Junes!”

“Every day’s great at your Junes~!” Nanako sang before looking over at Dojima. “Hey Dad. Can we go to Junes together sometime?” Nanako asked as she looked over at her father, who was sleeping like a log.

“Wow, must’ve been a hard day at work for him to pass out like that.” Vinyl said as she noticed a huffy expression on Nanako’s face. “Need help getting him to bed?”

“No, I’ll wake him up when I’m about to go to bed. This wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened before.”

“If you say so.” Vinyl said as she heard the rain falling. The unicorn looks over at Octavia who was looking back at her with a nod. “Need help cleaning up Nanako? I can use my magic to help you if you need it.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.” She said before standing up and taking the dishes off the small table they were eating from and heading towards the kitchen.

“Okay, we’ll be upstairs in the guest room doing school work. Feel free to come hangout with us if you want.” Octavia said as she and Vinyl headed upstairs to the guest room. Once the two entered the guest room, Octavia quickly closed the door behind them as Vinyl looked over at the clock.

“It’s midnight. Now if what Chie said about the midnight channel is true your soulmate appears if you look into a TV on a rainy night. You think that it’s true, Octy?”

“Hard to say.” She said before walking over to the TV along with Vinyl. Just as the unicorn took a step forward, a sudden sharp pain radiated throughout Vinyl and Octavia’s head. The pain soon vanished as the TV screen started to flicker on and off as they saw what looked like a human girl on the screen for a moment before turning off.

“...What the hay just happened?” Vinyl asked as she shook her head from the sudden pain she felt.

“I-I don’t know. But something tells me that this Midnight Channel might be the cause of it.” Octavia said as she walked over to the TV. Once there, she tapped on the screen as it caused it to move like water when someone throws a small stone into the water. “Okay that’s just weird.”

“Yeah, very weird.” Vinyl said before pressing her hand onto the TV screen as she soon felt herself being pulled into it. “Oh shit!?”

“Vinyl!?” Octavia yelled before quickly pulling onto her tail and tried to pull her out of the TV. In a matter of seconds, she successfully pulled the DJ pony out of the TV as she hit her head on the edge of the table and Vinyl fell face first onto the floor.

“Are you two okay?” said a familiar voice as they heard Nanako’s voice from behind the door.

“Yeah, we’re fine. Just messing around with Octavia and stuff.” Vinyl quickly answered.

“Well, okay. Good night.” Nanako said as the two heard the human girl walk off into her room.

“Okay...so that’s something weird.” Vinyl said before pulling herself up from the floor and looking over at Octavia. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just hit my head on the table.” The earth pony said as she felt the pain in her head leaving and was replaced with a warm fuzzy feeling. Looking up, she noticed Vinyl’s horn glowing as she pulled herself up. “Thanks for doing that....what just happened?”

“I don’t know. But it's a good thing that you pulled me out, otherwise I might end up in who knows where through that portal.”

“How do you know it’s a portal?”

“Pretty sure it’s a portal seeing how the TV didn’t spout eyes and attack us like it did back home when Discord attacked Ponyville that time.” Vinyl said before backing away from the TV. “But I can say that this Midnight Channel thing might be something that could take us home...I think.”

“We should run this by the others tomorrow. Maybe Chie might know something more about this seeing how she mentioned this channel.”

“Yeah, lets get some rest and talk with her tomorrow.”