7A/N: I truly love this pairing please leave your thoughts below.
The snowflakes are falling down as Narukami Yu sits next to his girlfriend, one Amagi Yukiko, in the gazebo on the Samegawa Flood Plains. Its a bit cold but they're well bundled up and Yukiko's dark hair actually looks even prettier with snowflakes being caught in it. He's actually glad she called him out today, he's got something to tell her. So, carefully and a touch nervously, Yu scoots closer to her and says, "Yukiko, um..."
"Hmm?" his red loving girlfriend hums. "Oh, you're probably wondering why I called you out here today! Sorry about that, asking you her so suddenly. I felt a bit awkward going home today..."
Deciding to clarify himself instead of just jumping into what he had wanted to say, Yu smiles warmly and says, "It's fine with me. You should know by now that I love spending time with you."
She lets out a warm laugh seeming very relieved and says a simple, "Thank you." Her dark eyes fully meet his and he blushes a little. He's been with her for six months now, ever since his confession that day at the shrine. And still... He still can't quite understand how she fell for him. But that doesn't stop him from seeing the love in her gaze. A warmth like the fire she can call. He hopes that in spite of the Personas she claims to see spin in his eyes she knows that he loves her with all of them.
"Its actually Customer's Day for me today," she says interrupting his thoughts.
"What's Customer's Day?" Yu asks, this being his first time hearing of it.
"That's a day where the inn's employees take turns being customers," Yukiko explains. "We've done it every now and then for a while, but I decided to participate this time, too. I wanted to see from a customer's point of view if our inn is truly satisfying. So I asked them to sign me up."
"That's a great thing to do," Yu says, smiling and unable to keep his pride out of his voice. Not even a year ago she'd been hoping it would close, now she's taking even further steps to protect it. "You sound really dedicated."
"Y-You think so?" Yukiko asks, turning red. "I was embarrassed..."
Yu nods, smiling at his girlfriend. "Definitely. I kinda wish I could go with you."
Yukiko grows scarlet at his words and turns away for a moment. "I played customer once before too..." she explains turning back. "But it made me a little uncomfortable. It was strange, having mother and everyone else say things like, 'Welcome!' to me. That's why I wanted to stay out a little longer. But I brought it on myself."
Yukiko giggles at her last words and Yu's feeling so comfortable and happy that he leans over to kiss her on the cheek. "It makes sense though. I mean, you grew up there after all. And grew up with all of them, too."
His girl but blushes but then looks at him seriously though light still dances in her eyes, "I told everyone at the inn I hadn't planned to take over as manager..." she confides. "That I had planned to leave Inaba."
Despite his surprise, Yu's voice regains the proud tone. "That was brave of you, Yukiko."
"I thought it would be me finally coming clean to everyone. But they all just laughed..." she continues. "And said they knew already!"
"Did it feel good, them telling you that?" Yu asked, a trifle uncertain of what to say.
"It made me realize how small I was. I was surrounded by good people but I didn't realize that at all. I had myself convinced I had to bear my problems alone..." Yukiko says quietly, looking at the ground. "I lied to myself, looked away from small opportunities... and only put my efforts into leaving it all behind..."
Then she looks at him and her lips spread in a smile. "But after making so many good friends, like you and Chie... I realized something," she says her voice soft but strong. "If I'm going to take one step at a time away from here, every step I use to run will take me some place I don't want to be. And if I keep averting my eyes, one day I might find myself blind to everything..."
She stands up then and stares out towards the frozen river. Yu can't help but notice how strong she seems and how mature she's grown over the past year. Yukiko's still gazing into the distance when she speaks, "When I open my eyes, I see how vast the world is. If I was alone, I think it would be incredibly scary. But fortunately, I'm surrounded by kind, supportive people... Now, I hope I can grow into someone who can support them in turn."
Yu pushes himself to his feet, the bench clanking underneath of him. "You already do Yukiko. You supported me, Chie, the others... I'm pretty sure some of us are alive because of you."
Yukiko turns and stares into her boyfriend's eyes before blinking suddenly. "My Persona...? I see... So I can still change..." she says her voice thoughtful. "Ever since I fell in love with you, I've felt myself changing into someone completely different. I keep finding sides of myself I never noticed before, and I love every one of them. It would make me happy if you did too. Please continue to stay at my side." Yukiko's voice has grown soft and her cheeks have turned crimson now.
Yu knows now is the right time to drop his news and carefully pulls her hands into his. "Of course I love them, 'cause I love you most. And about that... Well I talked to Dojima about something a couple days ago. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. I won't be leaving Inaba in March. Or at all, til we go to college. And then I'll come back. That's where I belong. At your side."
"Yu... You're not leaving?" Yukiko says, shock and joy making her voice soft. "You're going to stay here, with me?"
"This town... It's become home to me," Yu says quietly, his face red from embarrassment. "I spent my life moving constantly, never growing to call a house home. But thanks to you, Nanako, Dojima, everyone... This town has become home. And you're where I belong. I love you."
"Yu, I love you too, but what about your parents?" she's trying to contain her excitement should it come back to bite her at a moment's notice.
"They're okay with it," Yu says, a slightly wry tone entering his voice. "It makes it easier for them honestly."
She kisses him then, pulling him close. The snow falls quietly around them holding each other close, looking forward to a future where they walk arm in arm, hand in hand.
