A/N Atsuki has lightened up- it's a vacation, so he naturally will - he was probably being uptight because he was on the job... Also note that Souji will not talk in speech marks, I'll explain what he says, omitting the annoying .

"Surprise" would be a word that applied to both parties in this instance. For Atsuki, he was not expecting a full repertoire of his friends... and his friends were not outright expecting him. What made this reunion even more awkward was that young Nami would be unable to forget because the animals would be unable, and Rui had awakened the wiped minds of her friends.

The gang was all here. Rui, Ryo, Akira, Shinji, Mika, Nami, Yayoi... and was that Hibiki? This truly was everyone. Atsuki felt a tear build up in his left eye.

Everyone expressed their disbelief. It wasn't manageable, after being created, wiped, reawakened, but never reaffirmed...

"Hey. Ryo told us there would be a new guy. Why don't you introduce him?"

Souji entered.

"He doesn't talk much" said Natsuki.

Souji announced his name to the group.

"Souji Seta... that's a nice name." said a red-haired girl

"It's kanji for 'Protagonist', isn't it?" said Ryo.

"Hey Yayoi, I bet you want him to be your hero!" said a blue-haired girl.

"Stop it Mika, I said I wasn't looking." replied Yayoi.

Over the course of the next two hours, Souji makes friends and Atsuki catches up with old ones. Whatever was there has not gone, but Akira said it best. "Atsuki, have you ever lightened up!"

Souji asks about what he means.
"I mean, when he first came to Kisaragi, he wasn't the most approachable. A little uptight, a little silent... But man, you're still ever the same."

Atsuki pipes up – he remembers something that Akira said. "Hey... how's your Bushido coming along?"

"Saijo, I ... Bushido isn't something that 'comes along, y'know! It's discipline and honour to the death!"
Rui placed a hand on Akira's head, and scrubnutted him. "What he means is, he's been reading up quite a lot."

"Heh, Ryo helped quite a bit... I mean, without him finding that book, I never would have made such awesome progress!"

Rui noticed that Souji looked a little left out. She eyed the silver bangle he was wearing. "Hey... what's that silver bangle for?"

Souji rubbed it momentarily. He blushed, remembering what happened.

"Was it a girlfriend?" Souji nodded. Yayoi sneaked in. "Who?"

Souji rubbed his head. He told them they wouldn't believe it.

"Meh, we've seen some interesting things around here. Try us!" said Mika.

Souji told them – Rise Kujikawa, also known by her stage name Risette.

Rui, Mika, and Yayoi joined each other in chorus. "PSHAAAAAW!"

Slowly, day passed into night. Souji talked more. Atuski opened up more. Natsuki had to make the short journey home after getting slightly sick from the cake and ending up tired. The party finished and Souji left. Going to school would be a lot easier next week.