How Could You? (Souyo)

Severed

Yu's POV:

"Good work, everyone," I nod, patting Teddie on the back.

He purrs softly, nuzzling into my hand.

"Quit it," Yosuke snaps lowly.

I frown, opening my mouth to question him when Chie interrupts.

"That was a great work out, but, uh... When are we moving on to fight Naoto-kun's Shadow?"

"Chie's right," Yukiko sighs. "We've been dealing with weaklings for hours now."

"W-Weak?" My eyebrows raise.

"You didn't think so, Senpai?" Kanji scoffs.

I feel my face heat up in embarrassment. They weren't weak at all... I've had to use more items on myself than any other time...

"What did you think, Yosuke?" Chie asks.

"Huh?" He grunts. "Whatever."

"Sheesh, what's the deal with you?" She frowns.

"Nothing," he grunts. "Everything is great."

I know damn well that this is about Yuna. I would offer him a shoulder to cry on, but it's my fault he's like this to begin with. That, and I need to figure out why the hell I'm struggling so much in battle.

I've had Surt equipped this entire time. Primarily because, yes, I've just fused him, but... I like to have a Persona of the Magician Arcana on me at all times.

It sounds stupid, I know, but I want that sense of closeness to Yosuke. Hell, it's not like he knows, anyway.

"I think I know the problem," Rise grumbles.

"Huh?" I splutter, watching as she dismisses Himiko.

"Your Persona... It's losing strength, Senpai."

My face falls. "What?"

"The hell does that mean?" Kanji snaps. "We can't afford that. Fix it!"

"Personas can't lose strength," Teddie scoffs.

"Sheesh, Teddie, shut up for a minute while I try to figure out what's wrong," Rise yells.

I shuffle a little in place, because all eyes are on me now. Well, all eyes excluding Yosuke, who seems to be staring at the ground in a depressive sort of state.

I bite my tongue, calling out to him. "Yosuke."

"What is your deal?" Chie scoffs, frowning at him. "Lighten up, will you?"

"Get lost," he snaps.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that," Kanji shouts.

"Shut up," he grumbles, murmuring a name of some kind beneath his breath. I can only imagine just what name it is.

I sigh.

"You should get this checked out," Rise says finally.

"Huh?" I splutter.

The Velvet Room?

"It's certainly not from exterior damage," she says. "So... It's gotta be something deeper."

"Alright," I nod. "Let's head back to the entrance."

"Can we go back after that?" Yosuke grunts.

"What?" Yukiko scoffs.

"Yosuke—" I try.

"I just can't deal with this right now," he murmurs.

"Then go home," Teddie groans. "We can handle this without you."