Persona 4: Golden Music

Chapter 9

School Life in Inaba

Part two

“Okay, so let me get this straight.” Chie said as the group continued to walk down the streets of Inaba. The plan, simply show Vinyl and Octavia around town a bit before taking them to Junes so they can get well adjusted to their new environment around Inaba. At least for the limited time they have outside before the sun began to set, which was hard to see due to the sky being cloudy. “You two came here after getting on a train, thinking that you would get home after Vinyl got drunk from losing a drinking contest with Neon Tight?”

“Neon Light...Stupid copy cat pony. My wubs are better than his wubs!” Vinyl grumbled as Chie and Yukiko looked over at Octavia with raised eyebrows.

“It’s what she calls her music. I don’t know why she says that, I’m just making sure she doesn’t get into trouble with the law.”

“Hey, I don’t get in trouble with the law!” Vinyl said as Octavia raised an eyebrow at her. “What happened when we got here was not my fault this time. I paid the colt his money.”

“Still didn’t help that you caused a scene in his establishment.”

“Hey, I’m sure things could’ve been worse for you two. You both could’ve been in jail for who knows how long.” said Chie as she walked ahead of the group. “But I will give you two a fair warning. There really is nothing here exciting wise other then you two. That’s what makes it nice, but there is nothing much we can show to people...or ponies from outside. Though, there is something from Mt. Yasogami...I think our dyed clothes or pottery or something is kinda famous.” She said thinking for a moment before snapping her finger. “Oh wait, and there’s the Amagi Inn! Yukiko’s family runs it. It’s the pride of Inaba.”

“Huh? It’s...just an old inn.” Yukiko said as Chie turns her attention at her.

“No way, it’s been in all sortsa magazines as a hidden treasure.”

“What’s so great about the Amagi Inn?” Vinyl asked as Chie looked over at the unicorn.

“It’s a great inn! Great hot springs, delicious food, and relaxing beds. It’s been going for generations, and Yukiko here is going to take over someday. The inn actually gets a lot of visitors to Inaba. It pretty much keeps this town going.” Chie answered as Yukiko spoke up.

“...I don’t think that’s entirely true.” She said before Chie looked over at the ponies.

“Reminds me of the inns in Canterlot, only a bit different. But if this inn is as good as you say it is, then I wouldn’t mind spending a night there.” Vinyl said as she looks over at Octavia for her input.

“Well, it would be interesting to experience another’s culture and try some of their foods. I suppose I’ll join you as well when the time is right. That and to make sure you’re not keeping the residence up with your music.”

“Well as long as you two are here, we’ll try to help you out and stuff if you’re having trouble during your stay.” Chie said as the two nodded to her help. As the group continued down the street, Chie noticed a group of people gathered together on one part of the street. “Huh, what’s that?”

“It looks like there’s something going on down there.” Yukiko answered as they continued on walking until they reached the gathering of people. Once there they saw people talking to each other and a policeman securing the area while making sure no one walked over to the scene that they were investigating. Before they could figure out what happen, they overheard some of the adults talking.

“So that high schooler left school early, and as she came down this street there was a dead body hanging from the antenna.” said a gossipy looking house wife as her friend gasped in surprise by this.

“Wow. Who could imagine THAT hanging from an antenna?”

“I wanted to see it too.”

“Uh, you got here too late. The police and fire department took it down just a moment ago.”

“Well, I think it’s terrifying. I can’t believe a dead body showed up around here.” said another human, chiming in on the conversation which took the group of girls and mares by surprise upon hearing the dead body part.

“Wait...what did she just? A dead body!?” Chie asked as she looked over at the other to confirm that she wasn’t the only one that heard that.

“Yep, she said a dead body was found.” Vinyl said as she couldn’t help but smirk. “And you said that nothing interesting happens in this town.” She said as the tomboy deadpans at her. Chie was about to say something to what the DJ pony just said, only for it to be cut short by a familiar voice calling out to them.

“Hey, what’re you doing here?” The group looked over to their left to see Dojima walking up towards them.

“We were just walking by after getting out from school.” Octavia answered.

“Huh...I should have figured that’d happen.” he said while rubbing his head in annoyance. “That damn principal. We told him not to let them through here…”

“Do you two know him?” Chie asked at the mares both nodded.

“Yep, he’s the guy that took us in after explaining what happen to us. At first he didn’t believe us, but after using some of my unicorn magic he started to believe us in what we told you two before.” Vinyl said as Dojima spoke up.

“I’m Detective Dojima, their guardian as you can put it. Uhh...well, how should I say this...I hope you two can get along with them and see that they stay out of trouble...mainly Vinyl.” He said as Vinyl rolled her eyes underneath her shades. “But enough with the introductions. You four really ought to stop wandering around and head straight home.” Just as he turns around to head back into the crime scene, only for him stop as Adachi ran past him with his hand covering his mouth. The five of them turned their attention onto Adachi who began to throw up off in a nearby bush.

“Reminds me of the first time when I drank to much cider two years ago...only without getting yelled at by my dad for drinking while under age.” Vinyl said as Dojima gritted his teeth in anger from this.

“Adachi! How long are you going to act like a rookie? You want to be sent back to the central office!?”

“I-I’m sorry...Nngh..” Adachi said before continuing to vomit again.

“And there’s the yelling part.” Octavia added as she looked away from the poor weak stomach human. “Just looking at it is making my stomach turn in disgust.” she said as they heard Dojima sighing in disappointment.

“Go wash your face. We’re gonna go around and gather information!” he said before continuing back to the crime scene. Adachi used his sleeve to wipe off any bial that was around his mouth as he quickly followed after Dojima.

“Was this what that announcement was about?” Chie asked before hearing Yukiko speak up to her question.

“What do they mean..it was hanging from the antenna?

“Hey, Yukiko? Why don’t we go to Junes some other time?

“Good idea.” She said as she and Chie turned their attention at Vinyl and Octavia..

“Hey, sorry about this. But we’re gonna have to call the trip around and to Junes off for today.” Chie said as the two mares nodded.

“Understandable. Especially with what just happened here.” Octavia said as she bowed politely at the two humans. “We hope to chat with you tomorrow when we meet up at school. Right Vinyl?”

“Yeah, you two seem okay to me. So I wouldn’t mind hanging out with you.” Vinyl said as she place her hands behind her head.

“Okay then. Starting tomorrow, neighbors, let’s do our best!” Chie said as she and Yukiko start to walk off down the street. Once they were out of ear sight, Vinyl and Octavia started to head off to Dojima’s house while talking to each other along the way.

“Wow, less than a day and something interesting happens down in the sticks.” Vinyl said as Octavia rolled her eyes to her comment.

“I do wish you’d take things a bit more seriously instead of playing it off like it’s a joke or something.”

“What? Well it is true. You heard what Chie said about this place. So hearing that there was a dead body found hanging from an antenna will possible spread around town in less then a day or two. And when we go back to school, everypony will be talking about it.”

“That may be true, but you shouldn’t talk light of situations like this. What if whoever did this will go after somepony else, or worse...they might come after us?”

“Hey, you have nothing to worry about. Do keep in mind that I can still use my magic in this place. So if somepony did try to attack us, they would get a blast of pony magic to the face...that or I toss them to the police station for Dojima to take care of.”

“I guess...if that were to happen, can you at least promise me that you won’t try to show off your magic, or beat them into a bloody pulp?”

“I promise on the showing off part, but for the beating them into a bloody pulp...I make no promises, but I’ll try.” Vinyl said before pausing and raises an eyebrow at Octavia. “Since when have I ever showed off?”

“Drinking contest, battle of the bands, and magic school that time when you wanted to show how well you can play twelve instruments at once.”

“Hey that last one was because of an dare. Which I won by the way.”

“Before or after one of the reeds from your saxophone you were using flew off and hit Princess Celestia in the face?” Octavia asked with slightly smug grin on her face. Vinyl stared at the earth pony for a moment before saying nothing and walking on ahead of her. Octavia couldn’t help but laugh at the unicorn’s response as she quickly followed after her as the two of them continued talking to each other.

(Dojima Residence)

Afternoon

After settling down and helping Nanako with some of the chores around the house, Vinyl, Octavia, and Nanako sat in the living room with the TV on as they watch what was on the station that was being played.

“I wonder if Dad isn't coming home again tonight…” Nanako said, with a sad expression on her face.

“Well he does work with the police to make sure you and anypony else in town is safe. So think of him as a superhero off fighting crime at night.” Vinyl said as Nanako perked a bit from that and gave a small smile to her reply.

“Y-Yeah, that is true. But it would be nice for him to spend time at home.”

“I’m sure when things settle down, I’m sure he’ll be able to spend the night here and not at work.” She said before hearing the news coming on the TV.

“Our top story this evening concerns a bizarre case in a quiet suburb. Around noon today, a woman was found dead near the Samegawa River in Inaba.” The new reporter said as both Vinyl and Octavia were taken by surprise when they showed the school zone where they came from being shown on TV. “The deceased has been identified as Ms. Mayumi Yamano, a 27-year-old announcer at the local television station. The initial results of the Inaba Police Department’s investigation have revealed.” he said as Vinyl and Octavia looked over at Nanako upon hearing her gasping in shock.

“The Inaba Police Department! Th-That’s where Dad works!”

“H-Hey now, he’ll be alright. He’s a big strong colt. I’m sure he’ll be able to knock a pony down with just one punch.” Octavia said, trying to make Nanako less worried about Dojima. Though given the expression on her face, her act of cheering her up didn’t work so well.

“I-I know. That’s his job, so this stuff happens.”

“The body was found hanging from a large television antenna atop a local resident’s roof. Authorities are uncertain as to why the body was in such a state. With the cause of death also uncertain, police continue to investigate whether the death is an accident or a homicide. A thick fog common to the area has slowed their progress, and plans to fully canvass the area are delayed until tomorrow.” The announcer said as a commercial came on.

“They found her on the roof? That’s scary.” Both mares didn’t know what to say at this point as they give worried expressions to each other, as if trying to think of something to help cheer the girl up. As fate would have it, Nanako looked over at the television upon hearing a familiar tune. “Oh, it’s Junes!”

“Junes?” Both mares said as they looked at the television displaying a giant store on it.

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

“Everyday’s great at your Junes~!” Nanako sang which caused Vinyl and Octavia to stare at her with raised eyebrow. “Is something wrong?”

“N-no...just didn’t expect to hear a nice voice like that coming from you. Are you in a chores or something?” Vinyl asked as the human nodded.

“Yeah, I’m the best one in the class.”

“Seems like you and Octavia have something in common.”

“Really?” Nanako looked over at Octavia who quickly blushed upon seeing them both looking at her.

“W-Well. I mean I was the head of my class for Celestia’s school for the gifted. But that was a long time ago.”

“It’s also the reason why you became the youngest filly who won in almost every classical music competitions. Ranging from vocal to instruments.” She said before seeing Nanako eyes sparkle in excitement. The earth pony looked over at Vinyl with a worried look on her face as the DJ raised a thumb and smiled.

“Talk to the girl. This will get her mind off of what she just heard on the magic picture box thing.” Vinyl whisper before the earth pony’s attention was now focus on Nanako and sighed with a smile.

“What would you like to know Nanako?”