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Possibly one of the sadder social links in all of Persona 4 Golden, Naoki Konishi begins the game with the sudden, gruesome murder of his older sister, Saki. Naoki’s family was already struggling with the arrival of Junes, leading to a decline in business at Konishi Liquors, but the untimely death of Saki shakes their foundation entirely.

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While Naoki is initially stuck in mourning and receding into himself to cope, it’s his friendship with Yu that helps him turn things back around. For a little help in helping this sullen schoolboy, we’ve got your guide to Naoki’s Persona 4 Golden social link down below.

This article contains spoilers for Persona 4 Golden.

persona 4 golden naoki introducing himself

Though you’ll see Naoki (and even Saki, before her murder) around Inaba, you’re not able to begin speaking to him until after 6/8. It’s on this day that Mooroka signs Yu up for the Student Health Association, and you meet Naoki through this enrollment.

However, there are two more triggers before you can formally begin Naoki’s social link in Persona 4 Golden. After meeting him at the Student Health Association, you need to talk to him two more times before the social link starts.

The social link won’t begin until you’ve reached Rank 3 Understanding, which is – well, understandable, given the nature of the things you’ll be discussing with Naoki. Once you’ve spoken to him twice after reaching the appropriate rank, the social link will begin.

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persona 4 golden yu and naoki eating at chinese diner aiya

By the time you begin hanging out with Naoki, you’ll be no stranger to the affinity system in Persona 4 Golden. You can maximize your earning potential by keeping a Persona of the matching arcana in your party when you spend time with one of your social links.

Tragic but fitting, Naoki represents the Hanged Man arcana for Persona 4 Golden.

Keep this in mind when you visit the Velvet Room before seeing him, as a Hanged Man Persona can accelerate your social link dramatically.

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

He expressed his gratitude...

"No, thank you."

-

-

"Thanks for what...?"

-

-

"It was a big help."

-

-

"Um, I apologize for saying I hated you when I first met you."

"I didn't mind."

-

-

"You're usually more polite."

-

-

"I was hurt."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I usually eat here a lot because it's so close to our place, but for some reason, I haven't eaten here recently."

"Too busy?"

3

2

"Tired of the food?"

3

3

"Because of the murder?"

2

2

"I mean... What exactly is an 'admirable life,' anyway?"

"Contributing to society."

3

2

"Making your parents happy."

3

3

"Leaving something behind."

-

-

"I don't know."

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

Naoki is laughing like he's having a good time...

Ask him to tell another story

3

3

Tell your own tale of failure

3

2

Tell an American joke

3

3

Naoki is biting his lip...

"I'll go tell them off."

3

3

"You're not saying anything?"

3

3

"Let the gossipers gossip."

-

-

persona 4 golden yu and naoki eating in the shopping district

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

Naoki looks distressed...

Talk back to the lady (Requires Rank 4 Courage)

3

3

Flatter the lady (Requires Rank 4 Expression)

3

3

Keep quiet

-

-

"I'm sorry... It's a little awkward to be around me, huh?"

"It's not your fault."

3

3

"Let's forget about it."

-

-

​​

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"......"

"That's a good idea."

3

3

"I don't know about that..."

-

-

"...I have to do it."

"Good luck, Naoki."

-

-

"You've got other choices."

-

-

"You should think it over."

-

-

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"They got all suspicious of me suddenly. I wasn't expecting that at all."

"I wouldn't have, either."

-

-

"Just forget about them."

-

-

"Don't worry them too much."

-

-

"Am I really that pitiable...?"

"Yeah, you are."

-

-

"You're not the only one."

3

3

"I know what they mean."

3

2

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"I wanted to apologize for that."

"I don't mind."

3

3

"Last time?"

3

2

"How do I get out from that...? What would be best for me, for Sis...? I just don't know."

"Take your time."

-

-

"Take action."

3

2

persona 4 golden yu and naoki talking about saki

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Ironic, isn't it...?"

"They're trying to be kind."

-

-

"Charge 'em extra."

-

-

"Yosuke-san sure is nosy. Oh wait, so are you..."

"Don't lump me in with him."

3

2

"We can't just ignore you."

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"Because I wasn't able to cry like the actors on TV, I thought that maybe I didn't actually like Sis..."

"That's not true."

3

3

"People are different."

3

3

"You're just inept."

3

2

"She must've wanted to live more, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm sure of it."

-

-

"I don't know."

-

-

"Live for her sake."

-

-

Naoki is biting his lip...

"It was out of your hands."

2

-

"She can hear you."

3

2

"Just let it all out, Naoki." (Requires Rank 5 Understanding)

3

3

Dialogue

Your Response

Points Earned With A Matching Persona

Points Earned Without A Matching Persona

"It's all thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything."

3

3

"That's right. Be grateful."

3

2

Keep the tables above in mind, and you'll have maxed out Naoki Konishi's Persona 4 Golden social link in no time.

NEXT: Persona 4 Golden: Relatable Things Every Player Does