CHAPTER 2 / Listen

October 16th, 2011 / Daytime
Junes Food court

I yawned as I put my bag on the table in front of me. I spent more time on my appearance this morning mostly because I felt I needed to put some effort in for my kohai. So I had my short black hair spiked up and I was clothed from top to bottom in black. Black steel toe boots, black pants that had silver spikes along its threading. I wore a black long sleeve turtleneck shirt and then over that was a black jean jacket. I also wore a silver necklace that had a cross showing clearly on my chest. On my left hand on the index finger I had a claw ring that looked like the claw of a dragon that had a small chain that went to a wrist band just a bit higher up on my left arm. I suppose if there was a label that had to be associated with me it would be Goth. I could have gone all out with eye liner and finger nail polish but I decided against it since we were going to school the next day. And honestly I only did that when there had been a lot of people trying to get close to me. So I hadn't gone that far in a long time. I'm surprised I bothered to spike my hair because usually I don't even bother with that anymore. Maybe...I just wanted to show them how I presented myself when not at school.

"Whoa, I almost didn't recognize you," Yu said as he approached. "How's it going this morning, Senpai?"

I chuckled by his almost non-reaction to what I was wearing, "Not bad. I dunno for some reason everything just feels different."

"Hopefully in a good way," Yu commented as he put a stack of books on the table and sat across from me.

I guess that was the real question...everything did feel different but was it good? I mean everything definitely felt better and I could only guess it was because I had people that knew quite a bit about my past and the guilt I carried with it. Yet all of them were meeting up with me today...to explain to me what had happened and had already accepted me as...a friend. That was something that no doubt was affecting me. But whether or not it was a good feeling...that remained to be seen.

After not too much longer the rest of the group showed up and a barrage of hello's and exchanging of greetings happened rather quickly. They all quickly took a place at the table with Rise snagging a spot next to me.

"Looking good, Senpai. You know I wore something in the same style for a couple photo-shoots that I did. Maybe I could show you some time," she winked at me and had the biggest smile I had seen on her yet. But wait...did she say photo-shoots? She was a high schooler but...she did look somewhat familiar...had she done modeling then? I feel like I should know who she is.

"Rise-chan, I'm not even sure Ikakure-senpai even knows who you are," Yukiko said from next to Yu. She must have picked up on my confusion...but should I have recognized her? I mean I probably should.

Rise blinked a couple times and looked at me with a blank stare, "Seriously?"

I looked around at the others and then back to her. I honestly had no idea but judging from the way everyone looked at me I guess it was something I should know. "I'm sorry but I really have no idea who any of you guys are."

Rise looked like she was going to pout for a moment but then broke into a smile and did a pose that I instantly recognized. Her identity clicked into place just as she spoke, "I'm the one and only Risette!"

My mind went completely blank. This girl next of me was one of Japan's top teen idols! How could I have been next to her this whole time and not known! I felt my face rise several degrees in temperature as I know doubt had a red face. "Really? THE Risette? I have all of your music! It's constantly in my playlist…as a matter of fact…" I scrambled through my bag and pulled out my mp3 player and put it in her hand as I switched it on. "Recently I've been doing nothing but listening to your newest album on repeat. "

The thing was...it was more than that...the songs of Risette had a big impact on me...if anything it was what had kept me going ever since I had first heard her. And now that I thought about it...that meant something else as well...my mind was definitely having a hard time wrapping itself around this. I just never made the connection that Risette would be here. Wait...there was some news about her taking a break or something right so she went to her hometown. I feel like a moron...her hometown WAS Inaba. Had I really missed teh fact that she would be coming here?

"Wow, I think he's a bigger fan of Rise then Yosuke," Chie laughed.

I was having a total geek moment and had totally forgotten about the others until Chie had spoken. My face must have gotten a couple shades redder as the others all joined in on the laughter. I turned away, completely unable to face the others. How could I explain to them how big of an impact her music had made on my life...or just what it meant because of when and how I had first heard her music.

"Hey, how did you get some of these tracks?" Rise suddenly pulled on my arm and force me to face her. I forgot...I literally had all of the tracks she ever had on here...some which were not ever released to the public.

That seemed to get everyone's attention. I looked at what ones she was referring to and took a moment to try and calm myself. "Mom used to work in the music industry I guess. She sometimes gets asked to review things and so she often asks what I think. Well she does some work still every now and then." How could I have known that something like this could happen? This was Risette in front of me...but I didn't consider myself like her other fans...I rarely watched her appearances in other media...my main exposure to her was only through her music.

"What is it, Rise-chan?" Naoto asked. Rise was definitely surprised by the tracks on my mp3 player. I probably shouldn't have showed her in hindsight.

"These are all my demo tracks and even a few songs that never got onto my new CD...or any CD," she stared at me which made me a bit nervous. "You really do have all of my music. What's your Mom's name?"

"Tsukio Nanase," I answered still wondering how I was holding myself together. Though honestly I wasn't because my face had to be a bright red and I was still having an internal geek fest. She was Risette...I don't know how to properly describe why she was important to me...and also why it was hard to be near her. I also felt horrible realizing that she knew so much about me.

"Really? Oh my goodness! You realize that she is one of the biggest music reviewers in the industry? Almost everything with the company I work for has to go past her first before it gets released," Rise's news made the entire group stop and blink. I think I knew where this was going and...I felt more nervous because of it.

"All this time I thought people just liked sending her stuff, I didn't realize it was part of her job. I don't really read the news or music reviews. I just listen to the stuff that comes in and…" I couldn't look at her; it was really, really hard knowing who she was. "I've been your fan since before even your first track was officially released." More than that...I wrote a review for that first song...one that had supposedly been a key part of moving her career forward.

"That makes me so happy, Senpai," Rise said and put her arms around me, I froze up the moment she did. Only a second later she let go. Still she definitely sounded happy for what that is worth. I am sure others would be happy to get a hug from her...but now I moved away from her and kept my eyes down.

"Kujikawa, did you know that Ikakure-senpai can play the piano and sing?" Yu suddenly spoke up. I looked up to him...somewhat panicked more than I already am...was this what he had been talking about last night?

"Are you serious? Senpai we should totally do something for the culture festival!" Rise said taking her hands and this time grabbing my face and forcing me to turn towards her. I flinched away from her instinctively but felt my thoughts go empty.

"Us? Together?" My brain must be malfunctioning because there was no way I could have heard that correctly.

"You could even write a new song for the two of you to sing," Yu suggested casually. That young man was incredibly dangerous just like I had first thought. And clearly he didn't realize the work it took to actually write a song.

"You write songs?" Rise asked me with an obvious increase in enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I'm not sure if they are any good though," I said trying to put down the raging inferno that Yu was continuing to throw gasoline on. To which my mind was almost incapable of doing.

"Only one way for us to find out," Yu said with a grin.

"You really are a dangerous and powerful individual, Narukami," I said narrowing my vision to him. He merely grinned at me. Still a part of me was okay with this...and another thought crept into my mind and wasn't letting go now. "Alright, alright. After we are done here and studying you can all come over to my place and you can hear first-hand. But only after we finish studying, got it?" I needed to regain my focus...and school tests were a perfect way to do that. Still Rise was obviously a very physical person so...maybe I needed to talk to her about that.

"Yes, Senpai," came a unanimous groan from my kohai.

"Then there are things we should explain before we get to that," Yu said as everyone relaxed in their seats. Rise had made a point to move closer to me now and she was basically bouncing in her seat next to me. It was really going to be hard for me to concentrate knowing that the pop idol I had been admiring for some time was actually sitting next to me and so close. At the same time my body was fighting to not move away from her...if she noticed it she didn't acknowledge it.

"This is about my…kidnapping?" I asked to which everyone at the table nodded.

"You're the eighth victim in this case," Naoto was the one that started to explain it. "Starting with the death of Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi, did you see any of this, Senpai?"

I shook my head, "I really don't watch TV…and I don't exactly have any friends at school that I talk to."

My response seemed to invoke several different reactions from the people around the table. I merely shrugged, it was just the truth. I had never had a reason to become friends with anyone, and up until this whole kidnapping I had never cared to seek one out. But looks like fate had a different idea for me. Things were rapidly changing but I wanted to know what had happened for this to occur.

"Well during that time Satonaka, Narukami and I had checked out a local rumor called the Midnight Channel. The rumor said that if you stared into an off television at midnight when it was raining then it would show your soul mate. While the whole soul mate business was just a fabrication when we all tried it, it had worked. The night before Konishi-senpai was found she had shown up very vividly on the midnight channel. And the next day she was found dead," Yosuke was the one explaining this.

"So I'm guessing this Midnight Channel is a key element in this whole thing?" I asked and was immediately answered with a nod from everyone. "So it was showing who the next victim was going to be?"

"That was exactly the line of thinking we had," Yu started to speak this time. "However the Midnight Channel doesn't always show them clearly. The first time someone shows up, it is usually too blurry to make out anything. But it gets clearer every time it rains. The first one to be kidnapped was Amagi Yukiko. We still didn't know everything yet but there was something else that we had figured out. That there was a world on the other side of the TV. A place that I was able to get us to."

"So you're saying that the world inside the TV was the place that I had been? Exactly how do you even get there?" I asked.

"We use one of the big TVs right here at Junes," Chie supplied.

"I guess that makes sense…it isn't like too many people cruise the electronic section here unless there is some sort of sale going on," I said thinking out loud.

"You're so smart, Senpai," Rise smiled from next to me. I was trying to stay focused but I was vividly aware of when Rise was moving next to me. I couldn't help it...I wanted to ask her a bunch of questions and at the same time I also wanted to run away. I focused more on what they presented me.

"But wait…how are people taken? They get thrown into the TV at some point right?" There were a lot of questions that I wanted to ask but I should get the primary ones out of the way.

"Yes," Naoto spoke. "And if it is consistent with my own experience then it wouldn't be far from where you got kidnapped at."

"So the culprit has a big TV with him. Wonder how he gets it around," I muttered to myself. I shook off the thought, "Well obviously you rescued Amagi-san since she is here with us. But how many of you were actually kidnapped?"

"The only ones here that weren't kidnapped were Narukami, Satonaka and Hanamura. Everyone else was kidnapped," Naoto quickly answered.

"We met Teddie on the other side. And he's the main reason that we started looking in to the incident. It was becoming more apparent that this was not something that the police would be able to handle. So we formed the Investigation Team. And we promised Teddie that we would find the culprit. After all Teddie lives in that world," Yu gave a smile as no doubt it had stirred some memories in him. And ones that he looked back on fondly. "Although I guess he really has been living in our world for a while now."

"Speaking of, where is Teddie?" Chie asked.

"Come to think about it, Kanji-kun isn't here either," Yukiko added.

"Well Teddie is busy working today. He's still paying for the fiasco on the school trip. And who knows where Kanji is. Hell, I bet he's still asleep," Yosuke laughed. "Right, where were we?"

"Well I think I get the basic idea of how things have been happening. Basically you see someone on the Midnight Channel and then you go into the TV world thing in order to save them. And I'm guessing it has to do with Shadows…that thing that had been so determined to kill me," I surmised.

"There are a lot of Shadows in the TV world. When someone falls into that world it literally becomes reality for that person. And the most predominant feature is their most suppressed emotions and memories that we try to hide the most," Rise explained softly from next to me. "The things we would never want to admit to others or ourselves."

"If I hadn't experienced it myself I would tell you that you're all crazy. But I'm guessing you guys are just giving me the broad strokes," I looked over to Yu.

"There are a lot of details to go over, but it's best if you get the general idea of how things have happened up to this point. We've come up with a list of criteria that a victim has to meet for them to be targeted by the culprit," Yu was quick to elaborate. "First it is someone that has become well known through the media. Specifically the television."

"Wait, so how do I fit the mold? I don't remember being on television any time in the recent past," I said scratching my head.

"Actually you were," Rise answered from next to me. "You just didn't know it. No one else in Inaba really dresses like you, Senpai. But that program was so stupid! They were saying that Senpai fit the profile of a potential trouble maker just based on what you were wearing!"

I was surprised there had been something like that or that Rise would be so offended that he would be shown in that kind of light. "I guess I wouldn't know since I don't really watch TV. Thanks for feeling that way though, Kujikawa-san."

"Awe, Senpai," she smiled. "You can just call me Rise."

"No way, I could never address you so familiarly," I quickly protested. Thankfully Naoto saved me from her reply. Besides me...first name basis with Risette? No way could that ever happen.

"Naturally, the other criteria are that you showed up on the Midnight Channel. And even though you had never been named during the TV program, Inaba isn't really that big of a town, a lot of people knew who you were regardless of the mosaic they had used to hide your identity. As Rise-chan stated there isn't anyone else in town that dresses the way that you do. And your hair is quite distinct as well," Naoto pointed it out.

"Thanks, I guess," I muttered. "Let's go back to the Shadows for a bit. I know I saw you guys fight mine but I wasn't sure what you did. Is it something like that being that merged with me? His name was Tsukuyomi."

"That's a power we all have. It's called Persona," Yu smiled once again.

"Persona huh? And that is how you fight Shadows?" I let out a long sigh. "Man, this is nuts."

"It's a power you only get because you were brave enough to face yourself and accept it as a part of you. Just think of it as if your weakness becoming your strength," Yukiko added her smile alongside Yu's. It was a nice way to think about it, and in a way that was kind of how it happened. But I knew that accepting your weakness and it becoming your strength was something entirely different.

"Well, Yu is the exception," Yosuke laughed.

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"He's the only one that hasn't faced his Shadow. But not only that he is the only one among us that can use multiple Persona's…as a matter of fact he has new ones all the time," Yukiko's explanation certainly got my curiosity going.

"This has to do with you somehow being able to go into the TV beforehand?" I asked. Oddly enough my question seemed to have a ripple effect in the group because they all looked over to Yu.

"I don't know. It could certainly be a possibility. No way to really know for sure though," Yu gave a shrug.

"Maybe you just have a natural talent for it. You might not have found out about it if you didn't end up having to come here for a year," I said with a chuckle which made Yu do the same in response.

"You might be right," he smirked.

"Well I think I got the general idea for now. You guys can fill me in on the details as I need them," I said as I pulled out a few of my books from my bag.

"Would you be willing to help us?" Yu asked me straight out.

I looked up at him for a moment, "You guys want me to help?"

"Of course! You got a totally amazing looking Persona, Senpai," Rise grabbed my arm and pulling me towards her a bit, which had me going red once more. I struggled a bit but I pulled away from her. I couldn't handle that...it was Risette and somewhere I thought it be okay if she got near me...but I guess it was no good. She frowned when I did so but didn't say anything.

"I'm not sure how much help I'll be but, I'll do it," I said and caused the whole group to break into smiles.

"Welcome to the Investigation Team, Senpai," Yosuke grinned with his hand extended towards me. I took it and shook his hand and then found myself doing so with everyone on the team. Handshakes were at least easier because it was quick and over just as quickly as it started. But this was the most physical contact I had been subjected to in quite some time. And I seemed okay with it...but cautious still. I was...really more relaxed around them...more than I had been with anyone in a long time.

"Okay everyone, on to the second event, studying," I said looking at everyone, which most groaned at the sound of it. I noticed most of it came from Yosuke and Chie. I took out my cell phone from the pocket in my jacket and looked at the time. "Lunch time already? Guys want to get some food before we start?"

"Oh, Definitely!" Chie was the first to respond.

"Why am I not surprised that you'd be the first to reply," Yosuke let out a sigh.

"Well that's one, anyone else?" I asked with a laugh.

"Will you buy me something, Senpai?" Rise batted her eyes at me which immediately made my face turn red. Me, buying lunch for Risette? I have to be dreaming still.

"Of course," I replied as calmly as I could. It was going to take me a long time to get used to her presence…assuming I had the capacity to do so. I got a general idea of what everyone wanted and got to my feet. Yu got up with me.

"I'll come help you," he stated simply as the two of made our way over to the food vendors.

"You're a calculating man, you know that, Narukami?" I laughed. Honestly, I felt a little set up because he hadn't said anything about who Rise is.

"What do you mean?" he looked like he had some idea of what I meant but wasn't quite sure.

"You must have figured that me being a fan of music that I would know who Risette was and so you not so subtlety nudged along that whole event," I said just knowing my face would go red thinking about it. "That was so embarrassing."

"You know though, she's seen the past you've had and ever since then she hasn't stopped talking about you. It's rare for relationships to begin with the worst of you already in view," Yu stated this fact so calmly that I was unsure how to respond back. After a few moments I finally pieced something together.

"Yeah, I mean it would be hard for me to have a friendship with anyone but why does it feel like you were basically pushing her towards me?" I eyed him suspiciously.

"Because I think the two of you can help each other. That's all. It's not my place to explain what happened with Rise-san but there is a reason she is here in Inaba and not working as an Idol. And well…that's really all I can say about that," Yu's explanation pretty much left no room for questions. It was strange that Rise was here…and while some of them had seen her Shadow and her hidden feelings, they were all respectful and didn't talk about it. Probably some unsaid agreement that no one would talk about their Shadows. And Yu was right, it was Rise's decision if she wanted to tell him or not.

After grabbing food for everyone the two of them brought back four full trays of food to the table. It seemed a conversation was currently ongoing.

"Hmm, Yosuke-san and Chie-san sure seem to get along well," Naoto noted quietly from the other side of Rise.

"Why don't you two date?" Rise was quick to direct this at Chie and Yosuke.

"Never!" Chie's answer was almost instantaneous.

"That was quick…" Yosuke muttered to himself.

"You too, Naoto! You could go out with Kanji!" Rise moved on to her next target.

"Please, stop it," Naoto was trying to brush off the comment but had obviously affected her.

"Aww, how cute. Hey, Yu-Senpai…wouldn't Kanji and Naoto make a cute couple?" Rise redirected her attack.

"Hmm, I wonder," Yu jokingly overly exaggerated his answer.

"Senpai! I mean…well Kanji-kun is an interesting sort but…" Naoto was now completely flustered.

"Sounds like he might have a chance to me," Yosuke added.

This topic was interesting but totally derailing the purpose of today. So I very loudly cleared my throat, "You know we aren't leaving until we cover all the subjects for the rest of the final. And well I don't have to tell you that you won't be able to come over if this goes on too long into the night."

Rise got a serious look on her face, "That's right guys, no more playing around!"

"You're the one that started it," Yosuke shook his head.

Well…this was certainly going to be one of the most entertaining study sessions I had done in...well...ever. I kept myself focused...and tired not to think about tonight I would be welcoming friends to my home for the first time...and among them would be none other than the pop idol, Risette who I had long been inspired by.


October 16th, 2011 / Evening
Kayane's House

"I'm home," I said as I slid open the front door of the house with quite an entourage behind me. We had even picked up Teddie and Kanji for the visit to my house. Fortunately my house was bigger than average.

"Welcome home, Kay-chan," my adopted mother, Nanase.

"Oh my goodness! It really is Nanase-san!" Rise was the first to fumble forward and slip off her shoes and cross over to my mother. "I'm so glad I'm able to finally meet you!"

My Mother looked confused for a moment before she recognized our guest, "You're Risette? It's an absolute pleasure to have you over. Kay-chan you should have messaged me that we were having such a guest."

"Well I wasn't sure if you'd believe me or not," I said as I rubbed the back of my head. I had tried to text her about it but I had no idea how to word it. "Anyway, everyone come in. We'll go out to the studio, if that's okay with you Mom."

"Alright, Kay-chan. I'll make you guys some tea so go on ahead," she motioned for the rest of them to come in as she disappeared into the kitchen.

"So what did my Mom do that have you so pumped, Kujikawa?" I asked incredibly curious. Curious because I hope it wasn't what I thought it could be.

She pouted a little bit, "You should use my first name, Senpai."

I frowned, "I'm not sure if I can do that…" No...I knew I couldn't do that...

"Well anyway, you're Mom gave me an amazing review to my demo song that got me green lit for my first CD," she grinned.

"You mean to the song 'Star Bright'?" I asked tentatively.

"That's the one," She grinned.

I felt my brain go numb. "Is that right?" It was what I feared it was.

"Of course, I'll never forget it, I have the review laminated and I looked at it all the time," she grinned. "Where are we going?"

I pointed down the hallway, "Last door on the left." I felt like the energy I had left my body as I said it.

Rise and most of the others made their way down the hallway. I could even hear their amazement as they walked into the room. I didn't move from my spot...I couldn't...it was unbelievable what Rise had just said.

"It's like a full studio," Yosuke could be heard from down the hall.

"So what's the truth, Senpai?" Yu asked as he moved in front of me, he had not followed the others.

"I wrote that review. My Mom said she wanted to get a different opinion. After all I was a part of the target demographic that Risette is marketed towards," I shook my head. "I didn't think that my review had that big of an impact though." I had unknowingly been a deciding factor for Rise's entire career. This revelation absolutely floored me.

"I'm guessing that even though you wrote it, your Mother's name was what was on it," Yu asked to which I gave him a simple nod. Obviously Mom had gone through the review I written, corrected it and re-worded parts of it as well as added something of her own to make it sound more cohesive and finished...but it was by and large...what I had wrote.

"Well I am nobody by comparison. My Mother just states that she does some peer listening sessions to review some of the tracks, but mostly it's just me," I sighed.

"Maybe you should tell Rise-san," he grinned.

"Are you kidding? No way. Besides it would be a huge scandal for my Mom if anyone ever learned that I write a lot of her reviews," I said looking over to Yu.

"And yet here you are telling me," he laughed.

"You are seriously a dangerous man," I stated with a flat tone realizing that I had done just that. This guy knew too much about me. I sighed.

"Come on, you don't want to keep your audience waiting," Yu gave me a playful push.

"You're enjoying this far too much Narukami," I said as we made our way down the hall and into the studio. Everyone was looking around, which I didn't mind too much. The room had several different instruments as well as microphones and other sound equipment. Then in the back was another room which was basically the sound booth. And there was yet another room that was used for recording singing. It was my Mother's personal recording studio. She often did work for the local network and occasionally other things, but mostly it was her one and only hobby. Music. She knew how to play pretty much every instrument in the room.

"This place is amazing, Senpai," Kanji definitely seemed impressed. "Can you play any of this?"

"Well I mostly know how to play the piano, but I can play a little bit of everything, but nothing fancy. My Mom is the real musician in this house after all," I said with a laugh. Still everyone seemed to be pretty impressed with this fact. But to me music was the only saving grace in my life...it was what had stopped me from actually trying to commit suicide more than I did. But I had still continue to cut after that and...ugh I don't need to think about that right now.

"Kayane, is it true that knowing an instrument can help you pick up girls?" the blonde haired one that was apparently Teddie, out of that weird bear suit was quick to approach me. It felt odd having someone call me by my first name but Yu had informed me that it was normal. And typically Teddie often assigned nicknames to everyone. Well mostly just the girls…apparently. But he called Yu, Sensei because of his abilities with Persona. They had met Teddie in the TV world...so they weren't exactly sure what kind of existence Teddie was.

"I have no idea, Teddie. Other than you guys and my Mom no one even knows I can play anything at all," I shrugged. "Besides picking up girls is not a good reason to pick up an instrument. That's what Mom has always said." Strangely it was my Uncle that had given me lessons to start...and the only good memories I have of the man...maybe it was part of while I still did so...to remember that my Uncle wasn't completely bad.

"Hmm…so you say that I need another reason to play an instrument?" Teddie seemed to be thinking about it. "What do you play for?"

"Me? Lots of reasons, I guess. I think it's easier to understand a musician when he's playing," I said and walked my way over to the piano. "Besides you guys wanted to hear me play, right?" I also didn't have to think while I played either.

"Woot!" Rise took a seat in front of the piano which everyone else followed suite. I shook my head finding it really funny that a week ago this kind of event would have never happened. And certainly not having Risette sitting down to listen to me.

I ran my fingers over the keys of the piano without pressing them in. It had been so long since I played, I wasn't sure what to do. So I just played whatever came into my head. The moment I hit the first note, I knew instinctively what song I had begun to play. It was one that I had written not too long ago, and maybe it was the most appropriate because of my audience. The music slowly built up as I added layer upon layer to the music, I took a moment to steal a glance at my audience, and was surprised to see how captivated they all were. But as I went back to the piano I allowed myself to be swept up into the music.

Now I close my eyes, and began to sing.

"Night has fallen across the sky
And I've left myself in pieces once again
Death is falling across the sky
And there is no putting me back together again

Under a solitary light
Where the real world has no place

You silently plead for me to fight

But there is no longer a purpose to this plight

So before my final breath
I will extinguish all that is my life

Don't let me fall
Can you catch me before the end?
And if you save me…
Will you love me?
Or am I simply a lost cause?

Don't let me fall
Can you catch me before the end?
And if you save me…
Will you love me?
Or am I simply a lost cause?

A shadow has fallen across the sky
And I'm nothing more than a hollow mess
The reaper slowly falls across the sky
His course is set to take me to emptiness

The last ray of light
It's my world's last refuge
You stand there only smiling
But are you really there?
Before I take my last breath
I ask you listen to my last selfish request

Don't let me fall
Can you catch me before the end?
And if you save me…
Will you love me?
Or am I simply a lost cause?

Don't let me fall
There is no second chance
If you take this moment
I will love you
From here on, and forever more"

The music continued on playing up into a crescendo and then slowly coming to a stop. When I removed my hands and looked over at the others I was welcomed by varied response from the entire group that had come here. Yu looked really impressed as did Yosuke and Kanji. Actually Kanji looked like he was fighting off tears. Yukiko had seemingly lost that battle but started clapping her hands, which in turn led to all of them clapping their hands. Which seemed to give most of them a chance to regain their composure.

I stood up and felt something fall down my cheek. I wiped it away, I guess I wasn't immune to the feelings that the song brought. And well I guess it would affect me the most as I had written it. Still I wasn't sure how good it was. I was sure that the lyrics needed some tweaking, some parts seemed to naturally flow better than others. And I wasn't sure if I should lengthen or shorten the musical introduction at the beginning of the song. I was just an amateur after all. Most of the song...had simply been my emotions given form.

"I haven't heard you play a song in months. It's absolutely beautiful," my Mother said as she walked in with a large tray of cups. Yukiko took this moment to cross over and help my Mom out.

"Let me help," she said but seemed like she was still dealing with how she felt with the song.

"I just…I have a hard time working with the lyrics I write. I'm not really good at writing happy lyrics you could say," I muttered nervously.

"It's amazing," Rise said. "Although it is kind of sad it doesn't end that way."

"What do you mean?" I ask wondering what she meant.

"The whole song is a journey. We learn of a struggle within him. Something that he knows he inflicts on himself, and at the beginning he has no hope of his future. But then we're introduced to someone else. Somebody that symbolizes his last hope and the one thing he still believes in, but it seems out of his reach. Then he becomes panicked and desperate, calling out to his last hope. Then at the end he can see that other person clearly, and he pleads with them to save them…telling them that if they do he will always love them. It's beautiful," Rise got up and walked towards me. She reached out to me but I shrank back in reaction. It was an automatic thing. I had done it every time Rise had reached out to me. The only times I hadn't was when I hadn't been consciously aware she had approached me or at a time when I simply had wanted it. She frowned but like before she said nothing about it.

"It's like the beginning of a love story," Chie added with a smile.

"I have to agree. It feels like the first part of a story," Naoto added.

"Teddie, you totally can pick up girls using music," Yosuke commented. I wasn't sure why he had said that until I noticed that all the girls seemed to be flushed red. Had I really been able to invoke that powerful of an emotion? No...I'm sure that if they had no idea who I was and had heard it not knowing why I would write about something like that and...

"You must teach me, my Sensei," Teddie was in front of me and bowing like I was some sort of god.

"I already told you, you don't play music to pick up girls. Didn't you learn anything from what I just played?" I sighed. Connecting with people and their emotions was only one aspect of music...to be able to do that was what many musicians aimed for. I was still young and lacked the insight or experience to know if I could even come close to accomplishing it. "Did you guys really like it?"

"It was great, Senpai. I mean I knew we were gonna hear you play, but damn I didn't know you could sing too," Kanji said and I was genuinely surprised by all of their reactions.

"Yeah, I gotta say, I was really surprised by how well you can sing," Yosuke said. "Do you know how many girls would go nuts over you if they heard that?"

"No thanks, that is not really something I want to experience," I shuddered at the thought of being on stage and having thousands of screaming fan girls. Some people may want that but that was definitely not on my list. But considering how the girls seemed to avoid looking at me...except for Rise...I must have had some effect.

"Yeah, don't bother with that conversation, I've told him for years he'd make it as an Idol himself but he wants nothing to do with it," My Mom quickly chipped in. "The tea is ready, everyone. Yukiko was it? You want to help pass them out to everyone?"

"I'd be happy to," Yukiko picked up a couple cups and brought them over to where I was. She handed one to Rise and then one to me. "I really enjoyed it, Ikakure-senpai. I hope we get to hear you again sometime." Yukiko was then turning around to give everyone else more tea.

I scooted over on the bench and motioned for Rise to sit down. I took a sip of my tea and took a deep breath afterwards. I didn't realize how tense my performance had made me. But a strange thought had come back to my mind...so I figured I needed to act on it now while it was still there. "So you still want to do something for the Culture Festival?"

"Would you do it?" Rise asked looking over at me. "Being on stage and singing with me will get you more attention than you want, right?"

"Well I guess…" I took another drink of my tea. She was right though…performing at the cultural festival would be like put a huge neon light over my head. I would also go from a non-entity to talk of the town before the song would even be over. But...never performing on a real stage...was that something I want to just let go by? Plus it was only a cultural festival...if there was ever a time to do it...it would be a place that didn't mean anything in the long run. So succeed or fail it wouldn't mean much of anything. Ideally...if I was ever going to perform...it would be a good place to do so.

"Don't worry about it, okay?" Rise said but didn't look at him. The tone in her voice clearly told him how disappointed she was. I could feel my insides twisting in unfamiliar ways when I heard it so I responded.

"Well, can you give me some time to think about it?" I asked her very suddenly. She looked at me seeming to be somewhere between surprised and excited.

"Really?" She eagerly asked.

"Yes," I nodded. I didn't want to dismiss this opportunity...plus...performing with Risette would be something that has only happened in my dreams.

"You can't take too long, the culture festival isn't that far away, you know," Rise was quick to point out.

"I'm aware, just give me until after midterms," I said with finality.

"You got yourself a deal, Senpai," she smiled and looked like she was going to hug me and even started to move to do so but when I flinched she stopped. "So do you know how to play any of my songs?"

"Is this you testing how much of a fan I am of you?" I raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Maaaaybe," she giggled.

"Name your song, Kujikawa," I challenged her.

She frowned, "Call me Rise."

"I'm telling you, there is no way I can do that," I groaned. The night turned into a small concert of sorts...with me playing Rise's songs as she sang and trying to trip me up with holding onto some notes longer than others. This all had to be a dream...one that I hoped I would never wake up from.


A/N:

Implementing an original character into a plot is challenging for a lot of reasons. For one just the presence of the character can immensely change a lot of scenes so there are always different ways to go about it. As Fan Fiction sticking close to what is familiar is a way to ground readers into territory they already know. Then from there you change things in a more natural way to kind of ease people into the idea that things are different. Though honestly there is no right or wrong way in a medium like this. Fan Fiction for me is just a creative outlet that helps me practice. Mostly I just love the world of Persona and I can't help but be inspired for it which is why I keep coming back to it.

Anyway, in this Chapter Kayane gets the broad strokes of what had been happening up to this point. Not any details are listed here but unlike the others he hasn't really noticed what has been going on as he rarely ever pays attention to the events of the world around him. He's still somewhat recovering from his experience but at the same time is wanting to push forward with his life. Even more so than before. At the same time he still doesn't know how to handle the Investigation Team calling him a friend...something that has been...honestly not part of his life.

No big changes in this chapter compared to the original on my deviant art...but as I will be implementing some events from Golden, some parts may get expanded...but nothing here. However I actually just finished writing a new chapter that will happen between the original Chapter 3 and 4...so essentially we'll have a brand new Chapter 4 and all the other Chapters will be pushed back as a result.

Another week goes by and here is the chapter. I hope you all enjoy this so far and I hope the changes I've been making here and there are helping to improve things and not the opposite. Haha. Let me know what you think. In the mean time I will see you all next week with the next chapter.

Also I am not a song writer. And I know that the lyrics could probably be a ton better but...eh, I work with what I can. I have been trying to work on it though. Still any suggestions on that front I will take generously.