A/N: Yes, this is a re-upload. I decided to change the order of events. If you've read the original upload, the first part is pretty much the same. The last part is completely different.

Please enjoy.

I stepped out of the TV.

"Welcome back." Yosuke walked up to me, eyebrows furrowed. "I told you not to go alone. Though I knew you would anyway..."

I glanced at my feet. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I understand. I'll keep it a secret from the others, and I won't ask about Adachi for now. But come on. You should trust us more."

I sighed. "I know, I know. I do trust you guys. But..." I shook my head.

Yosuke smiled. "Don't let it get to you too much, all right? I'm just glad you're safe. Ahem! 'Attention, customers. It is now closing time. Please visit us again tomorrow.'"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I get it. Let's get outta here."

When I tried to sleep that night, my Shadow's words rung through my head.

"It's better to live alone."

"What's the point of bonds? They only hold you down."

"People are a bother."

"They don't understand m—"

I sat up and shook my head.

How could Adachi do this? We had a bond. We had a Social Link. Was it really all just in my head?

My phone dinged. I got up and glanced at it. Naoto texted me.

"ARE U OK? Y/N"

"I'm ok. Thx for asking. Wbu?"

"I'M OK."

"Can we meet up at the hill rn? ik it's late though."

"LET'S MEET."

Naoto was already there, waiting on a bench.

He stood up when he saw me. "Misaki-san, is something wrong?"

"... Can I hug you?"

His eyes widened, and he blushed. "Y-Yes."

I walked up and wrapped my arms around him. His hands weakly rubbed my back.

"Sorry," I said. "I'm pretty... down. About everything."

"That is understandable. So much has happened, especially with Nanako in the hospital..."

"... I just went to see Adachi in the TV world."

He pulled away. "What? Do you know how unsafe it—"

"I know! I know, okay? It's just... I wanted answers. It was personal."

Naoto sighed. "Would you mind telling me what happened?"

I sighed. "You know I was pretty close with him, right? I talked to him when he was slacking off, invited him over... So I tried to talk to him. I asked him about his bond with me and my uncle. He didn't give any answers, of course. He just said it's all in my head."

Naoto glanced away.

"I don't know what to think anymore. Was it really all in my head? But if what he said was true and he did all that... then he was the one who indirectly put Nanako and Uncle in the hospital." My eyes burned. "He started it all. I don't understand. At least Namatame had a good reason. He thought he was doing good! But..."

"We can do nothing but confront Adachi directly on the other side. With our teammates this time."

I sighed, my vision getting blurry. "Of course. I'm just..."

Naoto put a hand on my shoulder. "We will apprehend him and get the answers we need. Stay strong, Misaki-san."

I hugged him and sobbed into his shoulder.

I didn't know how long it was until I stopped crying.

"Do you feel better?" Naoto asked.

I pulled away and wiped my eyes. "Yeah. Sorry for ruining your coat. And thanks for listening to me. And dealing with me."

"Please don't worry about that. I'm simply glad you feel better."

I smiled. "You said you have a tin ear for others' feelings, but I don't know if that's quite true."

He blushed. "Do you really think so?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks again."

He shook his head. "It's really no problem. But please take care of yourself. And... don't be afraid to reach out to me if you have any further troubles."

"Thank you, Naoto. Same to you, all right?"

He nodded. "It's quite late, and you need some rest. I'll accompany you home."

"Thanks."

The next morning I went downstairs to make breakfast. I almost grabbed an extra plate for Nanako before I realized what I was doing.

I sighed and put it back.

My phone rang. It was Naoto.

"Hello?" I greeted.

"Misaki-san, are you feeling better?"

I smiled. "Yes, thanks to you. Why'd you call me so early?"

"I wanted to ask about Adachi." His voice was tense.

I sighed. "What about him?"

"When do you want to apprehend him? I believe everyone is free today."

"... Sorry. I need time to calm down first. I'm still not thinking straight."

"Then please let us know when you're ready. And let us know if you need any help."

"Of course."

"I'm sorry if I am rushing you too much. Seeing Adachi treat you like this is..." He sighed. "I cannot describe the anger I feel."

I almost cried again, but I held it together. "Thank you for your concern, Naoto. But I don't want to lead you guys astray, especially since it seems like he's got a lot of power in the TV world. But we will get him. Don't worry."

"All right. Take care of yourself, Misaki-san."

"You too."

I hung up and leaned against the counter.

After class, I went into the Velvet Room. Marie had dropped another poem. The handwriting was so messy I could barely read it.

"RELEASE YOURSELF"

RELEASE YOURSELF!

FROM DESIRE! FROM IMPULSE!

LOGIC AND RATIONALES

ARE EXCUSES FOR THE WEAK!

RELEASE YOURSELF!

YOUR HEART'S VOICE! YOUR INTERNAL SCREAM!

IN EXCHANGE FOR A LOST VOICE

GRAB HOLD OF YOUR PROOF OF LIFE!

NEVER LET IT GO!

Marie quickly snatched it away and grumbled at me as usual.

"Your internal scream." I certainly did want to scream. At Adachi. At the Shadows. At whichever gods decided to play this prank on us.

"Misaki?"

I looked up.

"Is something wrong?" Margaret's eyebrows were knitted.

"I'm fine. Anyway, can I do some fusions?"

I visited Nanako and Dojima.

Dojima was still asleep, but he didn't look as pale as he did before. I sat there, watching him for a little while before seeing Nanako.

I sat at her bedside, listening to the machines whirring. Nanako was still asleep, pale as ever.

I held her hand. "Hey, Nanako. I hope you're doing better. I'm sorry for putting you through all this."

No response, of course.

I sighed. "Everyone's itching to chase after Adachi, but... I don't want to see him. It's funny. Just yesterday, I was so angry at him for betraying me. For betraying all of us. But the more I thought about it... the more I realized he was probably right. Maybe our bond really was all in my head.

"... Y'know, when I first came to Inaba and discovered my powers... I became friends with people just to make myself stronger. The more friends I made, the more power I had. I mean, I care about them now. They're not just tools anymore. Seeing them succeed makes me happy. But even after all that... if I say that I'm not using them anymore, I feel like I'd just be lying to myself."

I shook my head and smirked. "Then I guess I don't have the right to be angry at Adachi for that when I just used other's bonds to make myself stronger, huh? I'm pathetic, aren't I? Why am I complaining about all this in the first place when I don't even have a right to? Hell, I'm using you right now. I'm dumping all this on you even though you're still recovering."

I paused, staring at the fog outside. Seeing the fog roll past the windows made me queasy.

"I'm sorry. I should let you rest instead of listening to me drone on and on. But... thanks for listening, Nanako. And... sorry again. Sorry for getting cold feet at a time like this. It's just... if I mess up, if I can't lead my team right... the entire world's gonna pay for it. I can't afford to make any mistakes. I'm... scared."

I sighed again and stood up. "Sorry... I just keep going on and on. I really should let you rest. I'm sorry, Nanako. I hope I can make it up to you."

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this. I know its a drastic change, but I hope it isn't a bad one. If you guys have any thoughts, please let me know! I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you for reading.