A/N: I was bored, and had Yosuke on my brain... Terrible, I know *slapped* I had to do something about it. Anyway, this was inspired by a rp between myself, and SuperNova23. I'm thinking this is more of a filler chapter, or maybe a flashback—I'll leave it up to you to decide~

Some days, Inaba feels like the stage of a movie set (if that's the case, then she must be an extra). It's almost unreal that she's here (in love), apart of a murder investigation. In a town she used to be sick of.

But behind the scenes—when she can be alone with him like this, laying in the grass talking about the future; when they're just two ordinary teenagers without a care in the world—she falls apart. Because no matter how close they get, the only thing they'll ever be is friends. And she isn't sure how much longer she can keep up with this act, pretend everything is fine when it clearly isn't (inside her head).

She settles against him, fingers curling into the hair at his nape, a radiant smile spread across her face. This is the only place she feels free anymore. Even though the sun was about to set (the Samegawa river sparkles like wine), it was warm enough for them to wear their summer attire—she's dressed in a light blue spaghetti-strap shirt, and black shorts, and he wears a white v-neck, and red pants.

For that moment, her heart hammers in her chest (heat rises to her cheeks), the beats slowly melting, melding in time with his. His free hand laces around her own (soft music pours out from the headphones around his neck—a slow song she doesn't recognize. She makes a mental note to raid his CD collection the next time she's over—but it's mostly played for background noise). They're both aware of how close they are, but neither say a thing.

Erin speaks after a long stretch of silence, eyelashes fluttering like tiny butterflies, "It's kinda funny... Before I met you, I... I hated this town." Her smile wanes slightly (she notices too late that her hold on him has tightened, shoulders have involuntarily tensed); he's rubbing in soothing circles across her skin with his thumb, "It was just a bitter reminder that I was stuck here, and Airi-san... Well, wasn't." She swallows, "But you were so nice, showing me around when I moved here...You became my best friend, a-and I..."

Love you.

"—I'm so glad to have known you." It's not wanted she wanted to say, but decides it's close enough.

Yosuke laughs, but it's a hollow sound (he wishes he had rehearsed this). His eyes meet hers for the first time that day—murky brown and cloudy grey. His voice is thoughtful against the breeze that floats by. "I hated it here at first too... Heh, I guess Inaba's an acquired taste~?" She manages a small smile in reply, but it's just not the same. "I'm glad you came here, and... That you're here now." It's not a confession (not even close), but it fills her with the hope that maybe (someday) they can work.

They look back up at the sky, making up shapes from the clouds.

"Yeah... So am I..."

This story has no plot anymore.