Author's Note:

First, thank you to everyone who sent me your OC's information; this chapter is still very Taiga-centric, with her Shadow and whatnot, but I promise I'll use them in the next couple of chapters. :) This story is just to cover some of her thoughts and give insight to her character, rather than do a play by play. (That's what P4:R is for, ha ha.)

Also, thank you to you reviewers! I really love you guys so much, and your feedback means the world to me. :)

Paper Airplanes
a Persona 4 (© ATLUS) fanfiction

Chapter Three
Selfish Dolls

Opening Song: "The State of Dreaming" - Marina & the Diamonds

Millions of girls float on their one quote,
living on their last hope, on their last hope
I live my life inside a dream
only waking when I sleep
I would sell my sorry soul, if I could have it all

( Daddy, Daddy, Daddy… Daddy, the Air Force pilot. Daddy, the Fallen Hero. Daddy, the Beloved. Look at all those medals and honors. Look at all those plaques hanging on the wall… What an honor. What a blessing. What a total sham. )

I love Daddy so much. He's the most important person in the world to me.

( He was never home. He left me alone with mom and Yuuka. He didn't care about us — about me. )

He has to serve the country. He's doing it because it's his duty. He's a hero. He's my hero. I admire him so much.

( He cared more about his planes than he did about his wife and kids. They're honoring a guy who treated his family like shit. We saw him three times a year. He called in once a month. It was like I didn't even have a father. )

W-what? Yes, I do miss him, but… I understand what he has to do. I understand that he's helping his country and his people. He loves us, I know, even though he's away so often. I'd be selfish if I said I wanted him to come home more. I'd be selfish if I said I wanted him to stay. I'd be selfish if I said I wish he had a different job. He loves what he does, so I should support him. My father has always supported me.

( "You're so strong, Taiga-chan." "Your parents really depend on you." "Your family is so proud of you." "Your father really depends on you to keep your mother and sister safe." "You're so young, but you're so mature and independent." )

No, I'm okay. Please don't worry about me. Truly, I'm happy. I don't mind helping out at all.

( I am sick of having everyone depend on me. I am sick of doing what people ask of me. I am sick of being told what to do. I'm a teenager! Maybe I want to be dependent! Maybe I want to be weak! Maybe I want to tell people how stupid they are or how much I hate them! )

T-that's not true… I don't allow myself to be used. Well, perhaps he could have taken more responsibility, but… I don't mind taking on more responsibilities. I just want to help. I just want you to be happy. I think… I think that everyone deserves to be happy.

( Daddy depends on me. Kiba depends on me. Sano depends on me. )

I do wish that I'd see them more often, but…

( I'm so angry with them. )

No, I'm not angry. I love them very much, and I'm so incredibly honored to have them as my brothers and father. I can only hope that someday I too will be able to contribute to my country, as they have. They are incredible role models.

( I… )

I love them.

( I hate them! )

Truly, I'm being honest. They make me strive to be a better person. They make me want to become better. They… They're the reasons why I'm strong. They've made me strong and independent. I… I've been shaped by them.

( I'm just a little girl. )

I needn't any aid. I can do it myself.

( I need someone to hold my hand. )

I'm happy.

( I'm so angry. )

I want to help people.

( I feel alone. )

I don't need anyone to worry about me. I'm okay.

( I don't want to do everything on my own anymore. I don't want to hold back what I'm feeling because I'm afraid of hurting other people. I'm sick of bottling it all up inside. I'm sick of staying quiet. I'm sick of being docile. I don't want to do this anymore. I can't stand on my own anymore. )

Really, I'm grand. I am so blessed. I'm happy.

( Please don't leave me behind. )

Closing Song: "Shake it Out" - Florence + the Machine

Aaaand done! I'll probably focus on her relationship with other members of the Investigation Team for the next couple of chapters. Again, if you'd like your OC to show up, just me know and I shall do my best! :3

arrivederci, amore mio,
der kapitan