CHAPTER 3 / Leap

October 21st, 2011

The bell for lunch rang, which saved me from the continuing boring lecture we were getting. It was only a moment later that my cell phone vibrated from my pocket. I opened it and saw a text from Yu.

'Have something to discuss about the Investigation. Meet us on the roof if you can. – Yu'

The investigation huh? I guess things may never be dull for me ever since I got thrown in the TV. Though I guess it might look weird that I suddenly started hanging out with a bunch of my kohai. I shrugged and picked up my boxed lunch and headed out of my classroom. Obviously as a senior I was on the third floor so it was just down the hall and up the last flight of stairs to get to the roof. It had been a few days since we had all gotten together because of mid terms...and technically I still had a day to make up for the first day I missed.

I made my way up to the roof and saw the others there. "Hey guys," I said as I took a seat on one of the raised cross sections of the roof. Most of the others were already sitting down except Yu, Naoto and Yukiko.

"Here, take a look," Yu said approaching me. He handed me a plastic bag and on the inside of it was a piece of paper where three words were written. 'don't rescue anymore' It was definitely a threat. I gave a grim look as Yu took it back and pocketed it.

"No punctuation or capitalization…What a cliché," Chie shook her head.

"Ain't this a prank? The kinda stuff that only happens in the movies?" Kanji spoke up hopeful of that possibility.

"Did you show this to your Uncle?" Yosuke asked Yu.

Yu shook his head, "Showing him would only cause more problems."

"Senpai… Dojima-san is trustworthy, but it may be best to keep this to ourselves. He will ask why you received such a letter, and if he were to put you under surveillance, our hands would be tied. If this letter is real, what's most important isn't what it says…It's the fact that it was delivered to the Dojima residence, addressed directly to you. This means the culprit knows in great detail who has been interfering with his crimes…And of all of us, he chose to deliver his message to the Dojima residence, home of a police detective. I'd have this letter checked at a crime lab if I could… But even then, I doubt they'd find anything." Naoto ran off the possibilities out loud.

"Shirogane is right. At least for the moment," I said wondering about the complexities that this could entail. Yu had been slowly filling me in on the other details of the case...such as how Morooka, their old homeroom teacher, and how his death had been a mere copycat killing. Naoto had affirmed this with a theory and had gotten herself kidnapped to prove it. Shortly after when when I had been taken.

"Well we can be sure that this is definite warning. But the subtext expresses the culprits confidence that we can't use it to pinpoint his identity," Naoto stated.

"But he knows ours," my statement caught everyone in alarm. Which meant that everyone here was in danger...that didn't sit well with me.

"It's true, that he must know that we're all connected to this case and probably the reason why the ones thrown in the TV aren't killed," Naoto shook her head.

"So it would be useless to call the police…In fact, that would make things worse," Chie groaned.

"Cross your fingers it's just a prank," Yosuke said, but seemed to know it was a useless gesture.

"I think the chances of that are slim…This message is too specific, too perfect to be a prank. But how could the killer know so much about us? Could he be watching us from somewhere?" Yukiko voiced her own thoughts. And she was probably right...we were being watched...meaning the person that had attacked all of us was in a place they could observe us...

"Teddie's been saying for a while that when we're over there, he senses someone watching us. Wait, every time we went to the other side to rescue someone, did we end up on the Midnight Channel ourselves?" Yosuke quickly added.

"I dunno. It doesn't seem like anyone else knows what we're doing. I haven't heard rumors about us around the school. Even the people that check the Midnight Channel haven't said anything. The only gossip I heard was about the people who have disappeared," Chie let out a sigh of frustration.

"Well you guys told me that it shows the repressed feelings of the person that was thrown in right? If that place is centered on them, then it would make sense that it would probably only broadcast those feelings," I suggested. It seemed unlikely to me that people would be watching us through the Midnight Channel...although I had less sense of how it worked then the rest of the Investigation Team...I only knew what they had said at this point.

"So you think that it is basically the Midnight Channels only real function…that it doesn't really display what is happening within the TV world?" Yosuke thought about it for a moment. "I mean, it is possible it isn't like we have a way to test that out. Come to think of it, how the Midnight Channel works is still a mystery."

"Let's put aside for now the matter of what that world truly is. There's too little data to go on. For now, we need to keep in mind that the culprit knows who we are. As long as we are aware of that, it will be enough for now," Naoto surmised.

"Yeah…Guess there's no use thinking about stuff we can't understand. Freaking out over speculation is just what the killer wants us to do…right?" Yosuke looked around to the others.

"Actually he probably just wants us to be nervous. He wants us to be aware of the fact that he knows what has happened so far. And that he is going to be watching us even closer now," I sighed a bit and shook my head. "Man looks like I joined the team right when the fun begins." It was odd because the one responsible for putting us all in danger...did not directly do anything beyond the initial act of throwing us into the TV. I didn't know if that meant he was a coward...or a man that simply bides his time. If he had orchestrated each incident and had a good place to observe them then...he could very well be dangerous beyond what we knew. More than that...if that was the kind of individual he was then his threat was not something to be taken lightly.

"We must be making the killer nervous," Rise added. I could agree with that...if he was a coward that felt he was just playing a game and they had repeatedly ruined that fun by saving its victims.

Yu took the note back from me and looked at it for a moment, "You know this could come in handy."

"Did you have an epiphany or something, Narukami?" I said with a grin. I understood what he meant though...the fact that he gave them a letter...a threat to discontinue their actions...it had multiple implications for what it could mean. And it could be just the action they needed to finally figure out who the killer is.

"Well not really. But either way we have no choice to wait until the situation changes." Yu shrugged.

"I'm kinda disappointed," I frowned which had Yu laughing.

"Well then do you mind if I change the subject? The culture festival is just around the corner. What's our class doing?" Chie interjected with a topic change. Probably best considering dwelling on that note was not a good thing for us to do.

"Oh yeah, it hasn't been decided yet, huh?" Yosuke chipped in.

"I heard we'll be voting for it soon. But aren't they still gathering ideas?" Yukiko asked her classmates. Yu merely shrugged in response but the way I saw Yosuke's eyes got big must have meant a thought had occurred to him.

"Whoa, I think Yosuke just got hit by a bolt of inspiration. Whatever it is, it'll be out there. I'd bet my lunch on it," Chie's words suddenly reminded me of my lunch.

"Speaking of lunch, I better dig in before I run out of time," I said as I pulled out my chopsticks and opened my lunch. Actually I was also avoiding another subject as well.

"So Ikakure-senpai have you made a decision. It is after midterms you know," Yu quickly redirected the conversation. And to what I had just been thinking about as well...Yu was pretty scary how he maneuvered the conversations.

"Yeah, we're dying to know if we can expect to see you and Rise-chan on stage," Chie was sitting next to me and really did look eager to know.

"Guys, don't pressure him," Rise said as she walked over from where she was sitting before to sit on the other side of me. "Oh hey, did you make this yourself?"

"Hmm?" I looked up at Rise as I took another bite of my food. "Well yeah. It's the best way to ensure I eat what I want."

"Can I have a bite?" Rise tilted her head and smiled at me. And let me just say that if there was one person that should have to license their smile as a lethal weapon it would have to be her. Or maybe it was just lethal to me because of who she was.

"I don't mind, but it's really spicy. I hold nothing back." The others all started laughing after I had said that. I looked at all of them wonder what exactly was so funny.

"Just give her a bite," Yosuke winked at him.

I shrugged and picked up a piece of the meat in my lunch and turned to Rise. I didn't know what the big deal was. She giggled and readily opened her mouth as I placed the meat in her mouth. The others looked like I had done something amazing. I just put my chopsticks back into my lunch and grabbed another bite.

"It's like he just strolled in and scooped up Rise. That was like the killing blow," Yosuke was apparently making this comment to Yu but I had definitely heard it.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked slowly as I narrowed my eyes at them. I didn't really care but I'm not sure what they were trying to insinuate I had done to Rise...I had done nothing. I was still surprised that I was this close to Risette. And the reason for that was something I still hadn't told...but I was starting to think that I probably would before too long.

"Just taking bets on if you'll do the concert with Rise-san or not," Yu expertly deflected my question and back to his initial question.

Well...it didn't matter to me what they thought...still I took a moment to look at everyone in the Investigation Team I could tell that even Kanji wanted to know my decision. And for the first time I didn't want to let someone down. I couldn't keep running away. Not when I had such amazing support behind me. Plus how many times would I have a chance to sing on a stage with Risette?

"I'll do it," I said and brought a smile to everyone's face.

"You won't regret it," Chie said.

"We'll see about that," I muttered. The one who I thought would be the most excited hadn't said anything, but then I quickly realized why. Rise was currently looking around for something to drink…and I noticed that one of the peppers in my boxed lunch had disappeared. "Kujikawa, you aren't supposed to bite into the seeds." I reached over to my side and offered her my drink.

She quickly drank it and instantly relaxed, "That was so spicy! And was that milk?"

"If you eat spicy food you should always have either milk or bread with your meal. Helps ease the burn you might get if it's too much for you," I smiled at her.

"Doesn't rice usually work to?" Yukiko asked.

"Well sure, but not the rice in my lunch," I grinned.

"At least you know what you're doing when you're cooking," Yosuke comment made me think that there was probably a story behind it.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Yosuke, if you don't want the girls to kill you, I suggest you not say another word," Yu gave a warning.

"I'm totally missing something, aren't I?" I frowned.

"Who knows, maybe you'll hear about it some time," Yu started laughing but the girls certainly did not seem amused.

"Anyway, is there anything special that we have to do so that Kujikawa and I have a place to do a performance?" I asked the others.

"You can probably ask your class rep," Yukiko suggested.

"Ugh, I really don't want to talk to that guy," I grumbled. Still if I was going to do this...I needed to put the effort in and really commit to it. "Alright, I'll look into it."

"This will be great, Senpai," Rise insisted from next to me. "But we need a song to sing too, and we'll have to have rehearsal. We don't have much time to practice either."

"I guess my house is the logical place then. Maybe we can talk to my Mom for suggestions," I wasn't sure what else to say. I wasn't sure I could write a song and the music in time for the Festival. Finding something may stop us from being able to play at all.

"Oh man, this is going to be an amazing Festival. No one is going to see this coming," Yosuke grinned. I had my reservations about that...but it would definitely be one I would more than likely never forget.

Evening

I picked up my claw ring from my dresser and slipped it on to my left hand index finger. I'm not sure I can say why but I just felt more comfortable with it on. I guess that doesn't really make much sense. Still I watched myself visibly relax as I attached its chain to the wrist band. I could hear a knock come at the front door from my room, and that could only mean that Rise had arrived.

I suppose one reason I enjoyed dressing or using what I did, such as my claw ring,...because it created another layer of protection against others. There isn't anything that was surprising about this fact to me...only that I never really thought about it until recently. I had been doing some degree of research into psychology and sociology subjects in preparation for college but it had given me more insight about not just myself...but what had been said about several issues as I had grown up. Especially during the court cases of my Uncle and Miyuki's Father. While I still didn't like the thought of it...There was a mess of psychological reasons and problems that were really the core reason for all of it taking place.

I didn't need to think about that...we had a limited time to work on the performance. We were taking up a considerable challenge. There wasn't many days left until the Culture Festival. And coming up with a good song and rehearsing it was going to make things a little hectic for Rise and I. Still I couldn't help but wonder why Yu was so insistent on the whole thing happening. Yu knew his friends incredibly well…and enough to know what strings to pull to get results that he wanted. It was definitely manipulative but Yu believed it was best for not just me, but Rise as well. Yu had also brought up another reason.

Why was Rise here in Inaba? How come she gave up her career as an idol? Yu obviously knew the reason…and possibly the only one that didn't know in the group was me. I had looked up some old articles about her departure on the internet. All of those were vague and didn't give a definitive reason as to why it happened…but it was clear that the decision had been hers alone. What suppressed emotions came through when they had to face her Shadow? What was it about life that had caused her pain?

Rise only knew a part of the truth about me. I had vaguely hinted at some of it that day they had rescued me from the TV. I still felt uneasy being with all of them. They definitely made it easier and on occasion I would almost forget about how awkward I felt. Even the times that Rise had grabbed me, I occasionally didn't resist her or have my usual reaction. However, most of the time I usually flinched or some other visible reaction to her touching me. It was a subconscious thing; after all I didn't have many good memories associated with someone reaching out to me. Actually it was more that I could never forget about the beatings I endured as a child. I had noticed that Rise had become more aware of that and seemed to make an effort to keep a good space between the two of us. But she also did her best to slowly close that distance too.

I made my way from my room and saw my Mom welcoming Rise into the house.

"It's good to see you," my Mother smiled. "You two are sure putting a lot of work on yourselves."

"I think it's a great way for us to make this Culture Festival something unforgettable," Rise said as her eyes looked over to me as she slipped off her shoes and came into the house.

"We're going to have some curry tonight if you want to stay for dinner. It might be a little spicy because that's how Kay-chan likes to have it," my Mother asked.

"That would be great!" Rise made her way to me. "Come on, let's go into the studio."

"Alright. Hey Mom, would you want to help us?" I asked.

"Well I could but…I think you two should just try and find it yourselves. You should both pick something that speaks to both of you. You should both just spend tonight going over your options," my Mother expertly deflected it back to me whom I had to agree with. "Now you two better start, it's definitely going to take some time."

I nodded and walked with Rise into the studio. I had a table and music player set up along with my mp3 player loaded with a bunch of duets on it for us to listen through. I sat down in one chair and Rise made a point to drag a chair that had been on the opposite side of the table over to sit closer to me. I didn't say anything in response. I just pulled over the mp3 player and scrolled through the playlist.

"What kind of song should we sing? Any thoughts?" I said trying to consider what to play first.

"I dunno, I'm not sure you'd feel comfortable singing something like I usually do," Rise was obviously teasing me.

"That's not true. I just don't write songs like that. Playing and singing any kind of song is no problem to me," I defended myself. I couldn't really properly explain why I constantly wrote music that was more or less depressing. It's just that whenever I tried to write something more upbeat it would just turn into something else.

"Yeah but like your Mom said, it should be a song that speaks to both of us," Rise said as she snatched the mp3 player away from me and selected a song to play. "Let's just listen to a bunch of songs and write down any that we both like, okay?"

I nodded and then time seemed to go into fast forward. We went through all manner of songs and varied genre's. Love, betrayal, tragedy, comedy, ranging in pop, rock, jazz and even country. We had some songs that we liked but none of them really jumped out at us and grabbed our attention. After a while my Mother finally came in to tell us that dinner was ready. The both of us were a little saddened after going through so many songs and still not really hitting anything we wanted to do. Somewhat dejected we moved into the living room and all sat around the table.

"Seems like you two aren't having any luck," my Mother commented.

"None of them seem like they would strike a good balance between Senpai and I," Rise sighed.

"I doubt you'd be able to find a song that would perfectly compliment you two. Well, you could always try playing a couple of them. After all the only music you'll have with you is Kay-chan playing the piano, right?" my Mother often pointed out the facts. And really we had been more focused on the song than how we would be playing it.

"Yeah but even still…even on lyrics alone I don't think anything so far has really jumped at me," I said as I took a bite of my curry. "Oh extra spicy, thanks Mom."

"If you want some tomorrow you better make sure you save yourself some," my Mom added.

"Tomorrow? I think my class is finally making its decision for the festival," Rise looked thoughtful as she took her first bite of curry. She grinned, "This is really good."

"Thank you, dear," my Mom smiled.

"Yeah a lot of the classes have come down to the last second on what to do. Speaking of I tried to talk to my class rep but…it didn't really go very well," I rolled my eyes just thinking about it. "Just because I haven't really don't much interaction in class…I talk to him and suddenly everyone wants to know what the hell is wrong with me. Anyway, it just got stupid after that. And mentioning that I can sing and was going to be doing so with Kujikawa Rise would probably be unbelievable to them anyway."

"Well everyone knows she goes to your high school, but I guess people are still a little star struck around here. Considering she is known to only hang out with a certain group of people," my Mom said it as if it was just general knowledge, but she laughed when she saw my blank face. "What do you think their reaction will be when they actually see you on a stage singing with Risette?"

"Angry, confused, jealous…" I sighed heavily. "Anyway, I'll just have to go above my Class Rep to set up our performance. Even if he did listen to me no one in my class would ever believe it." I didn't care too much about the aftermath of what would happen because I would be seen preforming with her. Like most things people would forget in time. I would simply be the guy they saw with Risette that one time.

"I could always come visit you in class. We could ask your Class Rep together," Rise suggested. Her smile was bright and radiant as it always was. And always seemed to derail any thoughts I was having at the time.

"Well they'd have no choice but to believe it then…" I let my thoughts trail off and took a few more bites of dinner. Maybe I was just thinking too hard about this.

"Hmm…actually we should try and keep it a secret. Let's go to the faculty office tomorrow and just get permission from the staff. It won't be hard to do," Rise's tone certainly made it sound like it would be no big deal. I knew that it was probably for a reason that I wouldn't understand. I spent most of my time avoiding people so it wasn't like I understood much about how people treated Rise.

"If you say so…" I couldn't think of anything else to say. Either way I knew that things were going to change for me. Once people saw what I could do I wouldn't be able to remain just the guy that everyone ignored. And really I wasn't sure what I felt about that. I had never wanted attention in my life and I certainly didn't crave it now. But the thought of performing with Risette had probably overpowered my sense of reason. There was also the fact that I couldn't forget how disappointed that she had looked when I had insinuated that I wouldn't do it. I knew nothing about what troubled Rise but it seemed to run deep. It had been enough that she had decided to stop being an idol.

I was the first one to finish dinner, and kind of mindlessly gathered up my dishes and took them to the kitchen after I excused myself. Things were pretty relaxed for the moment. This situation with Rise was like a dream to me, but there were also other problems we couldn't forget. After Yu had received that threatening letter I hadn't really stopped thinking about it. Sure it was probably at the back of everyone's mind on the Investigation Team. It was hard for me to believe a lot of it because I hadn't been a part of the situation as long as everyone else. I didn't question what had happened to me though. I knew that all of that had been real.

How had it been for the others? It had to be difficult for all of them to overcome. And situations like that would have ruined most people's relationships but instead it inexplicitly brought them all closer together. Possibly more than any group of friends could ever be. Yu had phrased it as a unique opportunity. Well maybe not exactly like that but I understood what he was getting at. They had all seen the darker side of his history and instead of turning him away they embraced him. That just wasn't something that usually happened. And despite what Rise had seen about me, she was here…willing to perform on a stage with me. Still we barely knew each other and maybe it was just my anxiety over the drastic changes that were happening to me, but things were moving fast. Really fast. It hadn't been that long since they had rescued me from the TV world. Yet...Risette was here with me...I think my initial shock of knowing who she was caused a brief problem for me but...things were fine now. And maybe it was just I never knew what to do or say to begin with. I wasn't any good at dealing with others.

Why was she wasting her time on me anyway? I really wasn't worth the time. It was probably only a matter of time before I started to clam up and retreat back into my comfortable solitude. Even with that promise I had made to myself at Yu's house…I could feel how easy it would be to just revert to how I was before. It was so much easier to run and hide from problems than facing them head on. And here I was…planning to go on a stage in front of most of the student body to perform with one of the most popular Idols in Japan? Yeah…that isn't nerve wrecking at all. Now I'm just going in circles…I really need to get my mind off of this. I felt as if I was just going to make a mistake and ruin the whole thing anyway...and it wouldn't be good for Rise and...I shook my head. I needed to stop thinking about it.

I'm not sure how long I had this little inner debate but when I headed back to the living room. I could hear the two of them talking. I don't know why…but I decided to listen in.

"I really wanted to thank you. Your review of my demo was what gave the final push for them to give me the go ahead for my first CD," Rise certainly sounded thankful.

My Mother started laughing a bit, "Tell me; what do you think of Kayane?" I noticed she didn't comment about the review.

I'm not sure how Rise looked when my Mom asked that but there was a significant pause before she spoke. "He's amazing," her voice was a lot softer now. "But it feels like there is so much holding him back. Like he's afraid to live his life. No that isn't it…he spends his time building walls so that he can't get hurt."

She was right, of course. I spent my time avoiding people...or rather avoiding problems. I learned that speaking up was never a quick solution...telling the adults the truth often led to more sessions with a therapist...or a psychologist or a councilor...whoever they thought might have a better success with me. All they found out was that I had an aversion to physical contact and I didn't like to talk. Things that didn't require a ton of money to figure out.

"Seems like you've observed him for quite a while," my Mother's voice seemed curious as to how Rise responded. It wasn't just that though...she knew more about me than most did.

"I think I've seen more sides to Senpai than he ever wanted anyone to see. But…I want to be someone he can trust because…I want to know more about him," Rise's words caused my heart to immediately begin to quicken its pace. I either needed to go elsewhere or walk in pretending that I was in the bathroom or something. But a part of me refused to move. I couldn't believe those words...want...to know more about me? Why?

"Rise-chan, he has a heart covered in thorns. Getting close to him means that you can get hurt too," My mother's voice was sad…almost heart broken. She wasn't wrong...I could never deny that. And...I knew that if I continued to get closer to people...I would simply be hurting her...even if I didn't mean too.

"I know that," Rise sighed. "The few times I've grabbed his arm he was so tense. I don't even think he realized it. I've never had someone want to pull away from me so badly before. I thought it was because of me for a while. But I think I can tell when a heart has been so deeply wounded as Senpai's."

Unable to hear this conversation anymore I made my way down the hall and into the studio. For some reason my mind felt numb…as if the conversation I had heard was happening somewhere else. Some different planet all together even. Had I really reacted like that to her touch? Yes, of course I did. I couldn't deny how I got physically sick whenever anyone came close to try and touch me. It was worse when I was touched. Even when Rise had grabbed me I remember that panic in my mind of me wanting to push her away. That was when I became more aware of her and my body physically readied itself whenever she was nearby. My body was ready to retreat. I had tried to fight that impulse but that wasn't exactly the easiest thing to do.

Could I really change who I was? I remembered Yu saying that it took a lot of courage to face your Shadow and that was a definite sign that I wasn't a coward. But did that mean I could go this far? Could I really do such a thing as perform in front of the school? And next to Risette of all people? I'm not sure if that is a question that I could answer. I had to at least try…but there was a chance I could have a major breakdown.

I shook my head; thinking about what could happen wasn't what I should be worried about. It was obvious that I would think about it in a negative light. After all this was all out of what I had established as my comfort zone.

I absentmindedly sat down in front of the piano and ran my fingers lightly over the keys. My mind was so over loaded everything that I began to play without thinking. This piece was slow and encompassed a wide range of sounds. It was something I had written some time ago when I had felt compelled to challenge myself to use as much of the piano as I could. As a result as I played my hand moved along the entire length of piano as the notes went high and down to the lows. I had imagined this piece like a battle…first the hero faces impossible odds but through perseverance he manages to turn the battle into his favor. His allies join the battle but in a tense moment the hero takes a mortal blow. The music was meant to match the entire journey. Multiple crescendo's that built up more and more as it led to the hero's final battle. While mortally wounded he fights the evil lord and strikes him down as the hero himself begins to take his final breath. Even though he dies he knows he had done all he could and that the people after him would not have to live with the tyranny of the evil lord.

I let out a long sigh as my hands finished the song and stared at the piano. In the end I think the real question I had for myself was if I could be that hero. But that took an amount of courage that he wasn't sure he could continually pull from. Would he get scared and run away? What would Miyuki say to me now? She would probably tell me to suck it up and just do it. That would certainly seem like her. Miyuki...for so long I had avoided even thinking about her...now after what had happened...everything seemed to bring thoughts of her to the surface.

"Hey, Senpai," Rise suddenly approached me, forcing me to bring my thoughts back to the present. "What was that you just played?"

"Oh it's…something I wrote a long while ago," I said my eyes going to her for a moment not realizing that she had been there. Then again I had started playing the piano so it would only be natural for her to hear it. "It's called 'A Hero's Sacrifice' but it really isn't that good." No...almost everything I had done was simply for an escape...so I didn't think about the present. That didn't seem like something I could do anymore.

"No, it really is good," Rise's voice was seemingly softer and more thoughtful than it had been before. I didn't think that the music was very good myself. It was just something I made up as a means to tell a short story. It was more like I was providing a soundtrack to my imagination. "Would you sing some of the other songs you've written?"

"Kay-chan, I think I know what you should both sing," My Mother entered and holding a bundle of sheet music and brought it over. Handing a copy to myself and Rise. I looked at her questioningly before looking down. My eyes widened as I realized what it was it was something I had written a long time ago...something that was probably my most complete of all my compositions...but...

"Mom! But this isn't even…"

"Don't worry, it just needs some modification and additions and it will be just fine," My Mom smiled.

"This is perfect!" Rise grinned.

I looked at it for a moment. And then I sighed in defeat. Of course I knew this song very well…it was one of the songs I had written. Still seeing Rise's reaction had me agreeing to it. Now it just needed to be reworked to be a duet and…Yeah I wonder how all of this was going to go but I couldn't turn back. It was somewhat funny in a way...this song was one I had written after first hearing the first album of Risette...to sing this song with her? That was just crazy...but still no matter how much I doubted myself…I needed to take this first step. I think that was what my Mom was trying to help me do. I just hope I could actually pull it off.


A/N:

We make a few strides here in this chapter. As we are in the early chapters a lot of this is setting up for future developments. But Kayane has a long ways to go to move forward. Maybe I should take a moment to talk about this a bit.

Kayane's character and more specifically his backstory is based off my own experiences as a child as well as a couple friends of mine. Which one of which I constantly talk to her about this story and she often helps buff out points in the story as well as gives me her opinion on how I should show certain characters during events. Plus it helps she knows quite a bit on psychology so it definitely helps with me determining Character motivation. And most of this story revolves around Kayane and Rise and their growing relationship. So a lot of what I write when it comes to Kayane becomes quite personal to me and my friend...so we often go back re-reading sections to make sure it fits the story...and sometimes we aren't the best judge of it.

Child abuse is a rough subject to approach because it happens more often then people realize...and there is a strict line and difference when it comes to punishment and abuse. What makes it different? Well intention is definitely the deciding factor. An important thing to remember is that if the child receiving punishment does not know why they are being disciplined then...its abuse. Children...more than anyone else needs to know exactly why something occurs. The whole point of punishing a child (in whatever method the parent uses) is to teach when a behavior is unacceptable. That part is common sense but if a child doesn't know why they are being punished...then they begin to come up with those reasons on their own. This can lead to the development of destructive habits. We'll touch on that later on in this story but this is very much Kayane's past. His Uncle was an angry man and simply punished Kayane for things he wasn't aware and wasn't responsible for. Along with the physical abuse, there was constant verbal abuse that leads to Kayane's constant self deprecating thoughts and severe lack of confidence. So while he is consciously aware of what he does and he is trying to combat those thoughts...they have a way of sneaking back in.

This is probably the hardest thing about his character...the rest of the Persona 4 is generally good at keeping a positive attitude. Especially Rise. But Kayane has to fight to keep positive thoughts without it turning the other directions. Ultimately, left to himself his thoughts do turn that direction. But that's why this is a struggle...and I thought that kind of character would create some good conflict and drama in the P4 cast. So...that's why we're here.

Anyway, this chapter had a few small changes here and there but nothing too big. However something completely different is coming next Chapter. Chapter 4 will be completely new and was not in the original writing of the story. And will also feature one of the very few times that...you know I'll keep that as somewhat of a surprise. Hope you enjoy today's chapter and I hope to see all of you when I release the brand new Chapter 4 next week. As always, feel free to leave a comment/question or whatever in the reviews. Thanks for your time!