Chereads / The Path to the Truth: Male Reader X Naoto / Chapter 31 - The Hierophant’s Wisdom

Chapter 31 - The Hierophant’s Wisdom

Evening

Dojima is actually home tonight.

"Hey Y/n, how're things? You should be used to life here by now. I guess we really haven't had the time to talk like this since you got here, huh? Uhh, well, how's school?" He asked

"It's fun." I said. Not really, it's more the after school activities I enjoy.

"I see, that's good to hear. Your school days will be over before you know it. Make sure to have fun while you can. What else? Oh yeah, how about your friends? Looks like you made plenty of them. I'm not saying who you can and can't hang out with, but, you know what I'm talking about right?" He asked

"Say it straight out." Because I am confused as hell

"You got guts. For some reason, whenever there's an incident, there you are. That's not going to look good on you, especially because of your record. We were lucky we were able to keep that quiet. I wish I didn't have to consider this, but the killings began right about when you got to town. My job is all about eliminating the random element, I only look at the facts. If you keep getting caught up in my job, then-"

Nanako walked up to us,

"What's wrong? Big bro didn't do anything bad." She said

"I-I know, I didn't mean it like that." Dojima said

"But you're bullying him." She said

"I'm not bullying him, we're just having a little talk. It's getting late, go to sleep." He said

"Ok."

Nanako walked off to her room.

"Sheesh, she's really taking a shine to you. Look, just don't get yourself involved in anything dangerous, as long as you're safe, everything's fine. Your siblings didn't ask me to raise your grades or anything." He said

It seems like Dojima is actually concerned about me, I didn't get that vibe when we first met, maybe I misjudged him a bit.

Thou Art I, and I am Thou

Thou hast established a new bond

It shall bring thee closer to the truth

Thou shalt be blessed when using the power of the Hierophant Arcana

Hierophant Social Link: Rank 1

"Things might be a little bit different from what you're used to, but this is a good town. Though, it's a little dangerous right at the moment. Now then, it's about time for you to turn in. Get some sleep. 'Night." He said

I said goodnight to Dojima, then I headed on upstairs for bed.

May 7

It's pouring again, and will apparently be going till evening. Well, such is life.

After school, in the classroom. It's currently thundering outside.

"Hey Chie, I bought you a new copy of that "Trial of the Dragon" flick. It was a greatest punches version for 980 yen. If I had known then, I'd have just replaced it instead of buying you grilled steak." Yosuke said

The thunder crackled again.

"It's clearly getting closer." Chie said nervously

"Huh? What are you, scared of a little lightning?" Yosuke said

"Quiet you! I'd be a goner if even one of those things hit me! Ahhh!" She said as it crackled again.

"Hahaha, you're freaking out way too much. Come on, doesn't weather like this help out your Kung fu training?" Yosuke asked. "A bolt of lightning would hit you, and it'd give you inspiration for a new move! There was a scene like that in your DVD wasn't there?"

"You jerk! You don't even care how I feel! If lightning has to strike someone, let it be this guy!" Chie said

Annnnd the power got knocked out.

"Huh? Is this a blackout?" Yukiko asked

"That's what you get for saying that stuff Chie. Looks like I better hurry up and head to work. Depending on how produce sells today, I might get a little bonus on my pay for the week. This weather might keep customers away, but I gotta do my best if I'm gonna save up for a motorcycle!" Yosuke said as he got a phone call. "It's from my manager."

"Yosuke kun? Hmm, some of the power in the store is out after that lightning strike. Can you come in early today? All of our refrigerated shelves have stopped running. It's looking like we'll have to close up the produce section early today."

"Wait, what!? But my pay..."

"Anyway I need you to come here and deal with this mess, I'm counting on you! Goodbye!"

"Wai-"

The manager hung up. Yosuke is staring angrily at Chie.

"What're you looking at me for!?" She asked

"Ugh, why did this have to happen!?" Yosuke asked

"Hey Yukiko, can we just go home?" Chie asked

"Chie do you know this story? A girl forgot her homework, so she snuck into the school in the middle of the night, but she suddenly needed to use the bathroom. She ventured into the girls' room where all the lights were shut off. No one should've been there, but in the mirror-"

"Hold it right there! What're you talking about!?" Chie asked

"It's a ghost story, I thought you liked them?" Yukiko asked

"Yeah but why tell it now!?" She asked

Author's Note: and now we get to add in points where the character says what he does, but doesn't do anything to describe it. Kinda out of my hands for the most part, in game there's implied to be some kind of conversation, but nothing's actually said.

I comforted Chie.

"Thanks, I'm glad you're here." She said

"*sigh, why don't you just have him escort you back home Chie?" Yosuke asked

"A-Are you making fun of me!?" Chie asked

"Well yeah with how freaked out you are, can you blame me?" Yosuke asked

The power turned back on.

"Oh! The power's back! C'mon Yukiko let's go home!" Chie said

The two of them left in a hurry.

At this point we're just waiting for another rainy night. I wish there was a way we could set some kind of trap, but we still don't know how or why a person appears on the Midnight Channel.

Outside of the classroom was that girl I bumped into the other day.

"Did you read my letter?" She asked

"I have." I asked

"H-H-How could you!? You jerk! I didn't even have the courage to sign it, and yet a totally random person now knows my secret! Argh! What's the point of trying to be secretive anymore!? I've already embarrassed myself this much, I might as well go confess! How do you like that!?" She said

She's gone now. I may as well head home today.

Nanako got left at home by herself again, I SHOULD do some more investigating- nah, I can't ignore her. She's too adorable.

"Ohh, um, big bro..." she started, she's fidgeting right now.

"Go ahead and ask." I said

"Okay! Um, well, are you an only child?" She asked

"Not quite, I've got two older siblings, but, we, it's, difficult to explain." I said. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't tell Nanako about why I'm really here, OK IN REGARDS TO THIS WORLD'S timeline.

"Oh, well now you've got me and Yu too! A while ago daddy told me that our family won't get any bigger, but now I've got two big brothers!" She said

She's got such a huge grin on her face. I'm glad that she's able to stay so happy during all this, especially with her dad being gone most of the time.

Justice Social Link: Rank 2

"Let's talk big bro! Um, I wanna hear about your school!" She said

Her and I talked about various things. It got pretty late, so I put her to bed and went to my room.