Author's Note: A little change (rather, a major change) to the story folks. For this chapter I'm using the 1st person POV. When I started this story I had the intention of using the fourth wall breaking monologues used in the show House of Cards, and figured a 3rd person narrative would make the 1st person monologues stand out more. I also thought a 3rd person narrative would allow Yuu to seem really distant, which is what I was going for. I've discovered that it's really hard to mimic the narrative feel of House of Cards in a story. A 3rd person narrative with constant 1st person monologues breaking the fourth wall proved confusing. So, I decided to go POV for this chapter. Let me know what you think works better for this story.
Also: Note the italics in block signify Yuu is talking to the audience. :)
It's early Sunday morning, and I've got my cell phone to my ear as it rings. I've got the rest of the day to get my house in order, and prepare for an inevitable political showdown with Yukiko. The girl I'm attempting to contact is likely scrambling to locate her phone under a pile of mess in her room. After several rings, I finally have her on the line.
"Hello?," comes the sound of Chie's voice through the phone.
"Chie, it's Yuu," I reply.
"Oh, hey Yuu, what's goin' on? Sorry I left ya hangin' there for so long. I couldn't find my phone. It's hard to keep this place spic and spam with my dog always getting into things, hehe," her voice cracks.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm not on a tight schedule today or anything. It is Sunday after all. I've got nothing but time on my hands," I reply.
"Yeah, that's true."
"Yeah," I say with a chuckle. "Anyway, the reason I called is to see if you got my text message yesterday after school. I was down at Junes and thought you might like to come along and we could work on the election strategy."
"Text message? No, I don't think so. I've been in my room studying since I got home yesterday to be honest. I've kind of barricaded myself in here. I know that sounds a bit out of character, but I figure I better buckle down before exams roll up on us. But no, I don't think I got messages from anyone the whole time."
"Oh, maybe I texted the wrong person. I should have guessed as much, since you're always so quick to get back to me. I really like that about you," I admit coyly.
As you can well imagine dear reader, I sent no such text. I just need to hear her reason for not receiving it. If she said she must have missed it because she was out with Yukiko, I'd have been in real trouble. But that's not the case. I've still got a chance to keep this seed from sprouting. If this seed blooms it could be a Venus Flytrap with shark's teeth, politically speaking. It looks like Chie is still in the dark about Yukiko's political ambitions.
"Oh Yuu, don't flatter me, you're making me blush," she confesses.
"No, I'm serious. That's one of the reasons you're so important for us to win this election. You always keep your word, and people respect that. What's more, you're a fighter, and people look up to people like you who never back down."
"Yuu, come on! I'm turning red. If I didn't know better I'd say…" she says, but stops mid sentence.
"You shouldn't be so modest Chie," I tell her. "You've got some great qualities, and you should embrace them."
"Thanks Yuu," she replies softly. I can practically hear her heart melting.
"There's another thing that I've been thinking about too. I might be wrong on this one, but hopefully this makes sense. The thing is, Inaba is a really small town. You've lived here your whole life, so it's probably not as obvious to you as it is to Yosuke and I, who are still pretty new here. But, I think some people in town still look at Yosuke and me as outsiders, especially Yosuke because of the whole ordeal with Junes putting the local businesses in jeopardy."
To continue with the seed metaphors, dear reader, I've just planted one of my own with that remark. Now all that's left to do it water it and let it bloom.
"Yeah, what can I say, some people have a really small town mentality, even in this day and age," she acknowledges with a sigh. "I wish they didn't, but some do. You don't deserve to be seen as an outsider."
"Yeah, I would love to be accepted by everyone. But, I was thinking, since you're born and raised in Inaba, maybe you'd stand a better chance of winning if you ran for president. Maybe you should run for president and I should run for vice president. Does that make any sense to you? You've got that fighting spirit and honesty that people love. Do you think it's a good idea?"
There's a long pause now. One I anticipated. She finally interrupts the silence.
"Yuu, you're the leader of this group. You've been the guy that's brought us through all the hard times. I don't think anyone else could have been the one to do that. I'm really flattered that you think I'd be the best person to be the face of this campaign, but I think it's got to be you. I might be a fighter with strong convictions, but you're more than that. I've got my share of weaknesses that make me, um, how should I say it, unqualified to be speaking on behalf of the student body. I can be over emotional at times. I think a clear headed person like you should take the helm."
The thing I love most about Chie, dear reader, is that she knows who she is. She's honest with herself. Most people aren't. Most people lie to themselves about who they are their entire lives. You know with Chie that she's always going to do what she thinks is right. Do you remember what I said about knowing what people will do before the decide themselves, dear reader? Of course I don't want her to run for president. Right now, I just need to make sure she doesn't jump ship for Yukiko. Feeding her romantic day dreams is a sure way to keep her aboard.
"Thanks Chie," I say softly.
"I should be thanking you," she says giddily, "I can't remember the last time anyone said so much nice things about me. That really makes me happy right now Yuu. This studying business kind of had me feeling down, but you've really made me feel appreciated…and wanted."
"You are appreciated and wanted Chie." I'll let her interpret that last part however she wants.
Another long silence passes, and I'm sure I'd be able to hear her heart beating if she held the phone a little lower. I decide it's time for the next objective.
"Well, I better let you continue studying. I'll talk to you later Chie," I whisper. She says goodbye and I hand up.
The wheels are now in motion and I'm shifting into second gear, dear reader. I'm closer to my destination, but I've still got some calls to make.
I pick up the phone and dial another number. This time, it's Rise Kujikawa.
"Hello," Rise answers, in her usually flirty manner.
"Hey, it's Yuu," I reply.
"It's you? So, it's me?" she answers, giggling at herself.
"No, not that you, the other Yuu," I say dryly, not letting on that I'm aware of the joke.
"The other me? I'm one of a kind, there's only one me," she says, obviously having fun flirting with me.
"Narukami. It's Narukami." I say sternly.
She bursts out into full laughter, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear for a moment until she regains self control.
"I'm sorry Yuu, I don't mean to tease you. I just get so happy when you call me that I can't help but have a little fun," she confesses.
I know how much Rise Kujikawa loves to flirt with me. I'm not sure where the impression that it's some big secret comes from to be honest, dear reader. Sometimes it can be irritating, but right now it's going to work to my advantage.
"That's okay Rise, I love that you're so playful. It's refreshing in this day and age. Too many people are such prudes," I reply.
"Oh, I knew you'd say that Senpai!" she squeals. "You and I are two-of-a-kind. We really compliment each other well!'
"We sure do Rise," I confirm. "Speaking of which, have you heard about the elections at school? I was hoping you'd like to help out. I'm running for president and I think you'd really be able to help me win."
"You've got my vote Senpai!" she says excitedly.
"That's great Rise. But, I was hoping you might be able to help sway some voters. You're celebrity status could really play a deciding factor in helping me, Chie and Yosuke. We're running for president, vice president and treasurer."
"Say no more Senpai, I'll help you anyway I can. The same goes for the rest of the group," she says, still giggling.
I knew I had a certain masculine charm over Rise, but this went far smoother than I expected. I'll need her not just for winning the male vote, but also to keep her from joining Yukiko's campaign instead of mine. If Yukiko and Rise were to join together, it could be game over. They'd have that whole "girl power" angle and what not. It's unfortunate for democracy, but if Rise and Yukiko teamed up, most males would vote not with their brain, but with their…you know. Except perhaps for Kanji.
"That's awesome Rise, thank you so much. We'll talk more about it at school. For now, I've got some other stuff to do." I end the call and take a breath. Things are going well.
I decide to go for a run. That should clear my head and allow me to plan my next move. Plus, it's a beautiful day. I quickly change into my gym clothes and sneakers. A few laps around town, a quick stop at the Junes food court for a smoothie, and another lap back home. The sun is going down before I know it. I step back in the front door of Chez Dojima as twilight falls.
It's no surprise that Dojima is not home. Nanako is keeping herself busy as usual, so I decide to head upstairs. Before I climb the stairs, I notice Dojima left his cigarettes on the kitchen table. I don't want Nanako getting any bad ideas and trying one of those, so I shovel the package into my pocket and go to my room.
The run didn't quite clear my head as I expected. I sit at my desk and look into the small TV that rests there. I flick through the channels, but there is nothing good on as usual.
I sit in my chair and lean back with boredom with my head still unclear, when I reach into my pocket and feel the cigarettes. I recall that Dojima usually drags on a cigarette when he's got brain cramps over details of a case. It usually loosens him up. I figure I'll give it a try and see if I can relax and figure out my next move. But I don't want to get caught smoking, that would not end well for me. I can't stink up my room with tobacco smoke, and I can't stand at the front door and wait for Dojima to catch me.
The solution to this problem feels so obvious when I see it. I pull out a smoke and find a lighter in my desk. I place the cigarette in my mouth and light it. I take my first drag, and tell myself that one won't kill me. I inhale deeply and use my free hand to turn on the TV. As my lungs fill with smoke I lean towards my TV and exhale. All the smoke enters the TV, and disappears into the world of the Midnight Channel.
In there, it should be well hidden within the fog.