-Challenge Continued-

"Liar. I don't believe you."

"Whaaat? Why not!?"

"There's just no way Yukiko-chan confessed to you—especially if she was the one to kiss you first." There were voices in the background. "Look, I've got to go. I'll be home in like a week."

'Click.'

"Idiot," Chie grumbled, hanging up her phone. She was sitting on the school rooftop as she normally did around this time, waiting for the others to join her for lunch.

"Who was that?"

The warrior jumped, but it was only Yukiko. The long-haired teen smiled affectionately and crossed the tiled roof, coming to sit beside her—best friend? Girlfriend?—and handing the other girl a melon soda. "Hey…"

"Hey."

"The summer festival is coming up."

That's right, it was. Inaba's residents would be dressing up in yukata and eating festival food and playing rigged games for prizes.

Oh… Shouldn't they go… Together?

Chie's cheeks heated and she stared down at the cool aluminum can in her hands. Crap… How could she possibly ask that?

"Would you like to go with me, Chie?" Yukiko bit her lower lip. "I'd, um, love if it could be just us."

Holy—How was it possible to be that cute?

"I-I would love to!"

Yosuke would be back by then. She'd prove to him that she wasn't a liar.

Monday…

Yukiko was leaving her homeroom class when, suddenly, a slim form smashed into her with enough force to knock her off of her feet. The papers she had been carrying flew up into the air and dispersed, fluttering lazily to the hard wood floor as a familiar voice gasped, "Yukiko? Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!"

The older girl rose to her feet, assuring the still frantically apologizing Chie that, yes, she was fine and, no, she wasn't upset. "Why were you in such a hurry?"

Instantly, the stream of apologies stopped and the short-haired girl clapped her hands together, holding them in front of her face and blurting, "I-I have an exam coming up soon and I really, really, really need your help!"

A stern look. "You waited until the last minute again, didn't you."

"Ahaha… Funny story…"

Yukiko frowned minutely. She knew the younger girl had a tendency to put her schoolwork off until the very last moment. "How soon is 'soon'?"

"Er… Tomorrow?"

"…"

"Ugh… This is so hard!" Chie groaned and allowed her head to fall forward, her forehead connecting with the shiny, laminated surface of the table before her. Yukiko had dragged her to the library in hopes of cramming as much information as she could into the athlete's thick skull. "I don't understand how you do it, Yukiko," she grumbled, her voice muffled.

The raven-haired youth chuckled quietly and nudged the other girl. "Come now, you won't learn algebra like that."

"I don't want to!" The sudden outburst drew a disapproving look from the matronly librarian at the front desk and Chie slouched fearfully in her seat, saying at a much more appropriate volume, "Math stinks."

"It does. Still, you have to do this, Chie. Now show me how to solve for x."

"I don't even know where to begin." This was hopeless.

Yukiko leaned into her, reaching across the table for the pencil the martial artist had chucked in her fury, and beginning to rewrite the problem in a neat, elegant pen. "Okay, look. First you…"

Unfortunately, the jasmine scent of that curtain of long black hair overwhelmed her senses and Chie found herself zoning out entirely.

"Okay, wait. Say that again?"

An hour passed before, finally, Chie shoved her chair back, threw her books unceremoniously into her school bag, and announced, "I'm done."

It seemed the concern that she expressed prior to their study session had disappeared completely.

"C'mon, Yukiko." Once outside, she released an elated yell and pumped a fist. "Let's go get some steak skewers! I'm starving."

Yukiko shook her head as she hustled to catch up, honestly curious as to where the petite girl put the vast quantities of food she consumed.

Tuesday…

"Thank you for your help today, Chie."

The martial artist nodded mutely, her cheeks unusually hot. The combination of that long, elegant pink, floral-patterned kimono coupled with that warm, gentle smile made it almost impossible for the smitten teen to meet Yukiko's dark gaze. Instead, she focused on centering her balance as she stood on tip-toe atop a stepladder, reaching for something above her on the highest shelf in the storage closet.

"Please be careful," Yukiko chastened as the piece of furniture wobbled precariously.

Her fingertips brushed against the package of light bulbs she had been searching for and she grinned. "Got it—Wh-whoa!"

Yukiko started forward as Chie fell and the fighter swore she glimpsed a flash of crimson petals as she curled into a ball around the object in her hands, a plume of warm air rose to cushion her fall, allowing her to bounce a few times and roll to a stop rather than suffer a potentially debilitating injury.

"Chie!" Yukiko gasped, kneeling next to the curled-up warrior a moment later. "A-are you okay?"

There was a pause for a heart-stopping moment. Then, the short-haired girl groaned and uncurled, pushing something into Yukiko's lap. "There ya go."

The light bulbs… She had protected the fragile glass structures with her body—that was why she had fallen in the position she had.

For a moment Yukiko was dumbstruck by the incredibly sweet sentiment behind the other girl's actions and she leaned down, planting an affectionate kiss on Chie's forehead.

"Wha…? What was that for?" She didn't seem to mind, though her cheeks turned red.

"Come on, let's hit the hot springs. You'll probably be sore from the impact later."

"A-are you sure it's okay for us to be in the baths alone like this?"

Yukiko blinked, shooting an incredulous look over at doorway between the changing room and the baths. "We bath together all the time, Chie."

"Y-yeah, but… Um… That was before…" She peeked around the edge of the wall, chewing on her bottom lip nervously as she clutched her towel to her chest. "You know."

"Oh…" It was her turn to blush. "R-right…"

There was a heavy silence until, finally, Chie frowned determinedly and crossed the rough stone floor, sinking into the soothingly warm waters just across from her best friend.

'I'm being silly.'

Yukiko was right. They had bathed together in this very bath many times before—had frolicked in the water, and washed each other's backs. Nothing had changed.

Yukiko was right, but that didn't change the apparent shift in perception her brain had gone through over the past two days, because the raven-haired beauty's heat-flushed skin was awfully compelling all of a sudden.

"Er… Thanks again for helping out today."

"No problem. You know you can ask me for anything."

She received a warm, grateful smile. "I know."

'Ba-bump.'

"S-so, um, you m-mind washing my back?"

"Y-yeah, sure." She waded across the pool and took the washcloth that was offered, pouring soap onto it and working it into a lather. Instead of reaching out and washing Yukiko's shoulders, however, she balked, her face very, very hot.

Why was she getting so worked up over nothing?

…Okay, it wasn't nothing, but still—!

Finally, the girl got a hold of herself and reached out to scrub soft skin, her cheeks burning ever hotter.

She suspected that she'd have caught fire had she not been standing in water.

"Chie, may I ask you something?"

The gentle ministration paused. "What is it?"

"May I… K-kiss you again?"

It was impossible to be this darned cute, yet the beautiful young maiden was doing it quite well.

"Of course!" Chie cleared her throat, realizing how horribly eager that sounded. "I mean… If that's what you want."

Without another word, Yukiko turned around and kissed the younger teenager, a gentle meeting of lips that had them both smiling like idiots once they parted.

"You don't mind sharing a futon with me, right?"

Oh geez, her heart was going to give out at this rate.

Wednesday…

"Chie-senpai, you in there?"

The short-haired martial artist shook her head to recall her wandering thoughts, smiling sheepishly at the boy as she did so. "Sorry. What is it, Kanji-kun?"

He looked down at his feet, the very picture of uncertainty. "Ah… You mind going with me to Okina City? I wanted to check out some new threads at the boutique they have out there."

She didn't mind, really, but she had so much stuff to do that weekend and—

"Oh, I haven't gone clothes shopping in quite some time…" Yukiko commented. "I'd love to go if you'll have me, Kanji-kun."

"O-of course, Senpai! That'd be really cool."

—it looked as though she was going.

Why had she agreed to this again?

After wandering from store to store (Kanji had gone absolutely ballistic upon seeing a sale at the craft store and now he had several shopping bags full of various supplies) for a few hours, the trio had finally found their way to Croco Fur, the boutique near the 30 Frames Cinema.

Chie kicked the toe of her shoe against the ground, fidgeting anxiously as the gazes of her friends burned into her. She was wearing a sundress of all things, an electric green affair with little ribbons along the knee-length hem.

"I thought we were here to buy stuff for Kanji-kun!"

"No offense, Senpai, but you could use some new threads, too." He gave her a once-over. "This is much better than that jacket you always wear."

"You're a fine one to talk about jackets," the girl mumbled, referring to the black, street-punk looking thing he habitually wore.

"I think you look great, Chie-chan."

The appreciative tone made the short-haired girl blush, hard, and Kanji blinked. "I've been getting a weird feeling from you two. Did something happen?"

"Uh…"

"We're..."

"… Dating."

"WHAAAT?!" Kanji's jaw dropped, though his eyes sparkled. "That's awesome! I mean, I kind of already knew it would happen, but congrats!"

"You "knew it would happen"?" Chie repeated, incredulous.

He shrugged his shoulders, reaching for a pale blue shirt on one of the racks. "I dunno, you two are real close and there's always been this weird tension." He held the top—a baby blue v-neck—against his front, frowning in thought. "What do you girls think?"

When they both began to giggle, he looked confused.

"Geez, Kanji-kun, could you be any more flamboyant?"

He bristled. "What're you tryin' to say?"

"I think it's lovely, Kanji-kun," Yukiko giggled. "The colour really suits you."

"Y-ya really think so?" As the boy turned a shade of red better reserved for tomatoes, the two simultaneously reached out and each pinched a ruddy cheek.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure you leave here looking amazing."

Thursday…

Chie plopped down next to Kanji at a table in the Junes food court, sighing wearily and rolling her shoulders. "Man, what a day." He grunted, his mouth full, and she smirked. "So how did your classmates react to the new you?"

To which, curiously enough, he choked and began to cough violently, his eyes watering. When at last the pounding on his back dislodged the chunk of food from his esophagus, he wheezed, "Shit, Senpai. You nearly killed me!"

"Sorry…" Her curiosity got the better of her, however, and she questioned, "So… I'm guessing it was a good day?"

His scowl softened into a small, shy smile. "I, uh… Someone asked me out."

"Oh yeah?"

"Y-yeah. A… dude." He paused, his expression almost expectant—as though he thought she'd be disgusted or something. When she only grinned, he relaxed visibly. "I told him yes."

"Awwww! Congrats, Kanji-kun! Anyone we know?"

The two chatted amicable until, finally, the entire group—sans Yosuke—had assembled.

"Alright, guys, let's do our best!" Rise cried.

The sky was dim by the time the high schoolers emerged from the TV world and parted ways, and there was a heaviness in the air that suggested rain.

"I'm beat."

Yukiko chuckled, looping her arm through Chie's. "Me too."

This wasn't an unusual action, yet the martial artist found her senses zeroing in on the point of contact between their skin.

'Chie… You've got it bad.'

"You wanna go to Aiya's with me? I'm starving."

"When aren't you hungry?" Yukiko teased, nudging her side gently.

"Hey, I need to keep my strength up for my training!"

The girls headed for the restaurant though, about halfway there, the clouds broke open to release a torrential downpour upon their heads, forcing them to break into a run. One mad dash through the streets later and the two soaked teenagers stumbled into Aiya's, an Asian restaurant located in the central shopping district.

The owner, a kindly spectacled Asian man, quickly procured some fluffy, dry towels for them and seated them at the counter. "You girls look like you could use some hot food. There's a beef bowl special whenever it rai—"

"You had me at beef," Chie interrupted. "We'll take two."

"Are you sure, miss? It's a lot of—"

"I accept your challenge."

The man blinked. "Coming right up!"

"I think… I'm going… To explode…" Yukiko released a tiny, lady-like belch behind her raised hand. "Chie, how are you still eating?!"

The kung-fu enthusiast didn't reply, her mouth crammed full with succulent cuts of beef and a huge amount of rice. Finally, she managed to chew and swallow her mouthful. "Sorry, what? I'm focused."

Yukiko shook her head, impressed and a little nauseated by the terrific feat the younger girl was managing. "Don't mind me…"

As she returned to her plate with gusto, the raven-haired beauty smiled to herself.

'You've got it bad, Yukiko.'

"Ugh. I can't believe I didn't finish the challenge… Again!"

Yukiko stretched her arms over her head, mindful of the phone cradled between her head and shoulder. "There's always next time."

"Yeah… But we can't waste time when it rains anymore. Not with the way things have been."

That was true.

"I'm… Um… Really glad you got a Persona, too, Yukiko. I couldn't imagine fighting without you at my side."

The brunette bit her lip—was it warm in her room or was it just her? "I feel the same way."

Chie cleared her throat. "Well, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow"

"Sweet dreams."

Friday…

"So."

"So?"

"Where's Yukiko?"

"She went to go get me a drink."

"Nice of her."

"Mhmm."

Yosuke fidgeted impatiently, something clearly on his mind, but the girl only gave him a pleasant smile. Finally, he broke down and asked, "So you guys are really dating?!"

"Yeah… I really like her," she admitted.

"Uh-uh…"

"Why would I lie?"

"You just really want my money. You'll probably use it to buy steak or something."

At the word, her stomach gave a low growl. "Speaking of, pay up."

"What? I have no proof!"

"Why would I lie?" she repeated incredulously. "Come on, Yosuke. I completed the Amagi Challenge like you bet me. Pay up." Money wasn't really important to her, but it was an important factor in showing the smug jerk up. She was so busy gloating that she missed the way his eyes widened. "I told you I could."

There was a dull sound of something hitting the rooftop and the kung-fu enthusiast wheeled, her blood going cold as her hazel gaze registered the dark-haired beauty standing in the stairwell, her expression utterly blank.

"A bet…" She said it so quietly that Chie had to strain to hear her. The devastation in her tone, however, was loud and clear. "So that's why…"

This sudden pain in her breast… Was this what dying felt like?

"Yukiko—"

There were tears in dark eyes as the older girl whirled and fled, leaving her friends in a stunned silence.

"That… Was awkward."

Chie clenched her teeth, sincerely wishing she could Galactic Punt Yosuke off the roof. "Shut the hell up."

Without another word, she ran after Yukiko.

Sunday…

Yukiko had holed up in the Amagi Inn for the past two days, refusing to see anyone—especially not someone named 'Chie,' one of the helpful employees informed her. She wasn't answering her phone, either.

They weren't sure what was going on, but they told the girl that the young Amagi had been locked in her room, the only sound coming from within being the heartbreaking sound of sobbing. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't leave her room, and wouldn't communicate with anyone other than that initial insistence that she wasn't accepting company.

Chie was beside herself with worry.

She desperately wanted to apologize—to clear the horrible misconception the girl had gotten from overhearing their conversation—but she didn't want to make things worse.

And so she waited.

It was Sunday afternoon when there was a knock at her door and she headed downstairs, still wearing her PJs. No sense in getting dressed.

"Stop your moping." Yosuke stepped past her, closely followed by Rise, Yu, and Kanji. "I know you're upset, but sitting in solitude isn't going to make Yukiko-chan any less upset at you."

"The female heart is a fragile, beautiful thing," Teddie commented helpfully, waddling in in his bear suit. "You just have to be patient and do something grand—something to show her that your love for her burns with the white hot intensity of a thousand-no, a billion suns!"

"Moving on, we think you should leave the house," Rise explained. "Yosuke told us what happened and I think Yukiko-senpai will totally forgive you! … Eventually."

In the end, she didn't really have much of a choice as she was bodily removed from her home.

The festival should have been fun. The families milling about the crowded streets all seemed to be having a blast, laughing and pointing excitedly at the sights. There were food stands, games, a lottery—even a fortune telling booth.

And the fireworks would be launched soon.

The festival should have been fun and yet Chie found herself even more depressed.

This would be the first year ever that she didn't watch the fireworks with—

"Yukiko?!"

All eyes went to the long-haired maiden: she was kneeling in front of a prayer shrine in a dark gray kimono. She looked up at the sound of her name, but the expression on her face said she regretted the action. "Hello Rise-chan. Yu-kun. Yosuke-kun." Teddie and Kanji had gone off to get more Topsicles. "Are you enjoying the festival?"

Chie's heart throbbed painfully—as though a giant hand was squeezing it mercilessly. "Yukiko…"

"Er, c'mon, guys," Rise blurted, ushering the boys away. "Let's go get our pictures taken."

The moment they were alone, Yukiko's gaze hardened. There wasn't any anger in the expression, however—just hurt. "You should go with them."

"I—" Why wouldn't the words come out…!

The older girl rose to her feet and turned to leave, only to be stopped by a firm grip on her wrist. "Let me go, Chie."

A Bufudyne spell was warmer than her tone at this very moment.

"We need to talk."

"I believe I've heard enough."

"Please, Yukiko… Just one chance…"

"…"

Strangely enough, the hill that overlooked Inaba was deserted despite it being almost time to launch the fireworks. Chie sat on one of the benches and waited hopefully for Yukiko to join her, but it seemed the other girl preferred to pace instead.

She cleared her throat, butterflies in her stomach. Despite the situation, she couldn't help but think that the long-haired teenager looked absolutely stunning—

Yukiko's expression was surprised, but she muttered, "thank you" and looked away.

—had she said that aloud?!

"Look, Yukiko, I'm sorry. I know it seems really bad from what you heard, but I really do—"

"I should have known better," the young Amagi murmured, her shoulders drooping. "Why would you be interested in me?"

'Huh!?'

"What are you talking about?" Chie demanded.

Her expression became dark. "No one will ever want someone as worthless as me…"

"Yukiko… You're beautiful, you're talented, you're smart, and you're one of the kindest people I know." She rose, closing the distance between them in favor of clasping Yukiko's hand between her own. "That whole bet thing was just an excuse for me to pursue you. I really…" She blushed. "You mean the world to me, you know? Without you…"

"What?" Yukiko prompted, her heart racing just a little.

"Without you, I wouldn't really have a reason to live." Chie chuckled ruefully as those butterflies suddenly became raptors. "I love you, you know. Always have, always will."

For a moment, Yukiko just stared, the expressionlessness of her gaze a bit unnerving. Finally, she blinked, her eyes unusually shiny, and threw her arms around the younger girl's neck. "That was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Hesitantly, the martial artist raised her own arms to return the embrace, a relieved sigh leaving her when she wasn't rejected.

They were going to be okay.

A loud sound overhead made both girls jump, but it was only a firework—the first of many to light the darkness that night in a fantastic display of glimmering colours.

As the pair gazed up at the sky in wonder, Yukiko entwined her fingers with Chie's, leaning into the shorter girl. Despite what had happened, the head-strong teen was the one that she leaned on—both literally and metaphorically.

"Hey, Chie?"

"Hm?"

When the short-haired girl turned her head to look at her companion, Yukiko leaned in and kissed her, a gentle meeting of lips that conveyed the intense emotions—gratefulness, affection, relief… and something else—that she was feeling at that very moment.

"I love you, too."

The smile that spread across Chie's pretty face was bright enough to overpower the glow of the fireworks.

-Fin-