Chapter 13 / Save
November 5th, 2011 / Evening
Kayane's Home
I let out a long sigh as I make the final click on my computer to publish the song. It was a rush job and more than likely I would need to re-record some of the tracks as they weren't quite up to the quality I wanted, but this was more than enough to keep my promise with Nanako-chan. I looked over at the clock on the wall at the time. It was already pretty late. I got up and gathered up my backpack as I waited for the song to finish up.
"And here I thought I would never see you go out at night to see a girl," My Mom is laughing as she stands near the door of the studio.
"She's just Narukami's young cousin," I said dryly.
"Even still, you haven't ever made promises with anyone before," My Mom's voice became softer and I knew what was being left unspoken. The only one I had ever promised anything before had been Miyuki. Now I had two girls in my life that had gotten me to make a promise. Rise…and Nanako. I wouldn't have it any other way either.
"If I'm going to change…I have to put in the effort, right?" I said smiling at her. "Though it feels like it has been a very long time since I have done…anything." The effort involved here was probably more significant than I was alluding to. I hardly thought I would ever be in this kind of position. Then again I had never really thought of the future until now.
My Mom walked over and slowly drew me into her arms. She was the one person in the world I had always found comfort in after Miyuki had died. Not once had I ever reacted to her like I had others. My psychologist linked this fact to my memories of Miyuki also being tied to Nanase...my Mom. Even if that was the case I had still treated her coldly since I was a kid. I had taken my relationship with her for granted, because I had forgotten how to live. And now...every day I felt reminded of how much I had to make up for. "Kay-chan…you've grown into a wonderful young man. But you've spent far too long suffering. It's time for you to live the life you deserve. And you deserve to be happy." She kissed the top of my head, which I ended up having to lean down a bit so she could do so. "Just make sure you don't put off your studying with exams coming up."
I laughed as we parted and I checked the songs progress on the computer. "Thanks, Mom."
"One of these times you'll have to invite Nanako-chan over for dinner. Maybe on one of the days when you and Rise-chan are working on the album. I'm sure she would love it," My Mom smiled big.
The file had finished so I copied it over to my mp3 player and disconnected it, "I'll ask her as soon as we come up with a schedule for the recording. Probably after I finally manage to write some new songs." I stuffed the mp3 player in my pocket and picked up my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder. The weight of it told me that my sickles were still in there. I felt better knowing they were there…mostly because something still made me feel uneasy…and I had no clue as to why that was. "Alright, I'm off, Mom. Oh the rough cut is finished but I'll have to go over it with you later so we can smooth it out."
"Okay, Kay-chan. Have fun with Nanako-chan," she smiled as I disappeared out of the studio and before long was on the road on the way to Narukami's place.
I flipped open my phone and opened my contacts and called Narukami's cell number and hit call. I placed it to my ear as I made my way down the street. A few rings later his voice mail picked up and I couldn't help but frown and hang up. I shrugged, more than likely he just left it in the other room or something. Still I picked up my pace and headed over as quick as I could to see Nanako-chan.
As I approached I noticed that Dojima's vehicle was gone. So did that mean he was going to be out late again? I did notice the scooter in front of the house. He wondered if it belonged to Narukami…it would seem like something he would have. I approached and knocked on the door. A moment later came a familiar voice from the other side.
"Who is it?" Nanako asked.
"Kayane, and I got the tip top secret exclusive with me," I said a smiling coming across my face without even meaning to. Man…I would have never have guessed I could be this…cheerful.
"Kay-chan!" She had a big smile on her face when she opened the door for me. "Come in! Come in!"
I laughed as Nanako eagerly grabbed my hand and pulled me inside and closed and locked the door behind me. I slipped off my shoes and walked into the living room putting my bag next to the table as I sat down. "Hey, is Narukami working again or something?" After a moment I realized that Nanako had grabbed my hand and my body hadn't reacted at all. Was it because she was so much younger than me? Why did my reactions only trigger for certain situations? No...I suppose it made sense from a psychological point of view. I just didn't like the fact that Rise had triggered that response in me...I wonder if there was a different reason for that.
She shook her head, "Actually he…"
The phone suddenly started ringing, she looked at me for a moment. "Go ahead, Nanako-chan. I can wait." She nodded and crossed over to answer the phone.
"Hello…?" Nanako seemed more eager to get back to what I had brought than talk on the phone.
I took out my mp3 player and then reached in my bag and pulled out a small speaker accessory to plug into it so we could hear the song together. For a brief moment my eyes linger on a stack of papers in my backpack. I had looked into the politicians visit but I just couldn't make a connection. I knew I was missing something but what was it? My only lingering thought is the school girl that the politician talked about. I felt it was the only thing about it that stood out. So that little girl was from Inaba...and matching that up with the image on the Midnight Channel seemed like it matched up. But there was still little to no clue to lead to who that girl was.
"No. He got a weird letter, and Dad saw it and got angry…He took Big Bro to the police station," Nanako's words quickly brought me to my feet.
"Nanako-chan, is that one of Narukami's friends?" I asked as I tried to pace myself and not scare Nanako. If it was another letter like he had gotten before then this was more serious than Nanako could ever possibly know. She nodded in confirmation. "Can I see the phone?"
"Hold on, Kay-chan wants to talk to you," Nanako said into the receiver before passing me the phone.
"Kayane here," I said.
"Senpai? Did you see the letter she was talking about?" It was Yosuke. He sounded to be on the verge of a panic.
"No I just got here a little bit ago. Nanako-chan is the only one here. Look, there isn't anything I can do here. You call the others and see if you can go down to the police station and figure out this mess. I will stay here with Nanako-chan until someone comes back home," I quickly thought about what I should do. My only thought was to stay with Nanako-chan.
"Good idea, Senpai. I'll call you once we know anything," Yosuke said and hung up.
"is Onii-chan going to be okay?" Nanako asked me.
I smiled at her, there was only one reason why Dojima freaked and dragged him down to the police station. He was scared that Narukami was the next victim. And it made sense from the Detectives perspective. He was just as likely to be a victim as any of the rest of them had been. "Don't worry, Nanako-chan. Your Dad took him to the police station because he wants to keep him safe."
"Is he…in danger?" Nanako asked the next logical question.
"No, not at all," I said as I put back the phone and walked back to the table and leading Nanako over as well. "Tell you what, I'm gonna stay here with you until someone comes home, alright? You want to hear the song I brought with me?"
"Can I?" Nanako started to cheer up despite the worries that were no doubt in her head.
Dojima…how could you leave your little girl here all alone? Still it was a good thing I had come. If I hadn't then Nanako would have been all alone. And if those threatening letters came directly to this house…then it was a good chance the killer knew that Nanako was here alone. Or they had planned it to happen that way.
I pushed play on the mp3 player and the song started. It was similar to how it was at the Culture Festival. It started off with just the sound of the piano…but soon other instruments joined in…then slowing down just before I began to sing. Then it moved through familiar parts but the other instruments only made the sound more rich and full, complementing mine and Rise's voices even further. Soon the song came to an end…but by the end Nanako was clapping.
"That was beautiful," Nanako said. "So Rise-chan saved you?"
I looked at her with a blank moment for a moment and then laughed, "Yeah, I guess she did. But it wasn't just her. It was your brother and his friends that reached out to me…and accepted me. All of me. And you too, Nanako-chan. You saved me too."
"You have a great smile," Nanako commented which had my face turning red.
"Nanako-chan, you certainly have a way with words," I laughed nervously. "But thank you. And you have a great smile too." This little girl and her outlook on life was infectious…no wonder why everyone seemed to have a soft spot when it came to Nanako. I checked my phone for the time and placed it on the table after I was done. It was pass midnight already. "You getting tired, Nanako-chan?"
She went to answer me but then the doorbell rang. "Delivery," came the call from the door.
"Isn't it kind of late?" I asked.
"Dad sometimes gets late night deliveries," Nanako said as she got to her feet and headed towards the door.
It made sense…being a detective didn't mean you ran on the same schedule as everyone else. And sometimes needing files or things from the big city meant getting overnight deliveries. Then…as looked down at my backpack…it hit me…the last piece of the puzzle. Delivery. Every incident reported no suspicious vehicles or individuals...but there would not be anything suspicious as a delivery man...and a truck was more than big enough to hold a TV.
As I rushed to my feet, I reached into my bag and pulled out my sickles…I ran towards the door…but I was too late. The delivery man was putting Nanako into the cab of his truck. "LET HER GO!" I screamed. This only made him move faster. I didn't have time to think about it. I looked around and saw a key hanging on the wall, it had to be the key to the scooter out front. I put on my shoes quickly and ran out the door…leaving the rest of my stuff behind. I put the sickles at my belt and ran outside, not wasting time to shut the door behind me.
I whipped the scooter around and jammed the key into the ignition and brought the scooter to life. I hit the gas and tore down the road as fast as the scooter could go. Another vehicle passed me…one that looked hell bent on a mission. It was Dojima…he was chasing down the moving vehicle. I pushed the scooter as fast as it could muster to try and catch up. Dojima pulled up beside the moving truck and hit it from the side. Both vehicles came crashing to the side of the road. The sound of metal scrapping along the road hit my ears. Somehow the moving truck stayed upright and came to a stop…But Dojima's vehicle hit the side railing hard. I came up quickly as I noticed the man in the moving truck come out with Nanako in his hands. He was looking around…weighing his options.
Then he saw me. "RELEASE HER! LET HER GO YOU BASTARD!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I came to a stop and jumped off the scooter, throwing it to the ground in the process and made a mad dash towards him. He scrambled into the back of the moving truck and disappeared into the back.
I heard ambulances coming…it meant I had no time to spare. I jumped into the back of the moving truck…and saw a huge TV but no Nanako. He had done it…he had taken Nanako and himself to the TV world. Without hesitation or even a single doubt in my mind…I dove into the TV.
November 5th, 2011 / Late Evening
TV World
This wasn't like normal. Not like how it was when entering through the TV in Junes. Still as I fell I managed to land on my feet. From my belt I pulled out my sickles…and then realization hit me. I didn't have my glasses. The fog was thick and made it hard to see exactly where I was. I wasn't completely blind…but it was enough to be an annoyance. "NANAKO! NANAKO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" I screamed out. I was welcomed with nothing but silence.
I needed to calm down…calm down and think. First off…why Nanako? Had she been on TV? All there was…was the politician visit. Wait…that was it! In all the reports about his visit the politician, he kept quoting something a student had said. That student had to have been Nanako. And since she is the daughter of a detective, people would have known who she was. She fit the established pattern just fine with only one change in detail. Nanako had been heard…not seen on TV. That meant all that really mattered was that someone had become well-known but yet been anonymous. If I had done a little more investigating I probably could have figured it out sooner.
And the delivery man…was none other than Taro Namatame. The same man that had made countless deliveries to My Mother and I. It was such a simple method. The truck was more than big enough to hold a large TV capable of throwing people into. Dojima must have made the connection as well. Things went so fast...maybe it was the way that Nanako's fame spread that caused the Midnight Channel not be as clear just the night before?
Either way, I needed to find my way to Nanako. So I started walking down the path in front of me. This would be hard to deal with. Without the others here…I wouldn't have back up. I wouldn't have Rise to tell me what attacks were more effective. I was on my own.
Then again…this was something I could deal with. Solitude was nothing new. But I had something to fight for…something I wanted to do. And right now that was to protect Nanako. First I had to get to her. I picked up my pace, bit by bit as my eyes slightly adjusted to the fog…making it a little bit easier for me to see in, but nowhere near as clear as it was with those glasses.
"Mom…where are you…?" It was the voice of Nanako. But I knew this wasn't her…it was her inner self…it was something that this place did to anyone that entered. What worried me more was what this place might do to her since she was so young. "Why did you disappear? Why did you leave me? No…come back…"
I could understand this pain. Losing someone so important that no logic or any one thing could stop it from hurting. Nanako knew that pain just as well as I did…except for her…it was still relatively fresh in her mind. I needed to get to her…and quickly. There was no telling what would happen if I didn't.
I started a light jog when I heard it. A Shadow. I couldn't afford to waste my energy…so I kept going and dashed past the Shadow as it came into view. I slammed open a door and ran up its stairs. I couldn't have been too far away from where Namatame and Nanako had landed. And I was right. The door was right ahead of me.
I came into the room. "Nanako!"
"Kay-chan!" Nanako replied as I moved towards her. I ran up the stairs and pulled her into my arms.
"Thank goodness," I sighed in relief. "Are you okay, Nanako? Everything…" Her eyes got big and I realized I had made a big mistake. I barely had time to register what was happening until I felt those hands on me. Something put over my nose and mouth…and then my consciousness quickly faded.
I felt strange as I forced my eyes to open. When had I fallen asleep? I have never done that in class before. Something definitely felt off...and I wonder exactly what could cause it. This was a place that I knew relatively well. It was my old school. I was sitting alone and had been resting my head on my desk. As I at up I looked around for a few moments. How did I get here? And what had I been doing before? My home teacher, Sakaguichi-san, was lecturing about something history related. That wasn't what grabbed my attention.
My whole body seized up as the door to the room slid open. A large sharply dressed man stepped out and took the attention of the whole class. Somehow I knew what he was going to say.
"Sakaguichi-san, may I borrow young Ikakure?" The man said politely.
"Of course Touma-san," My home room teacher obliged.
I complied hesitantly as all the eyes in the classroom focused on me. However I was out in the hall quickly where their gaze could not follow. I wasn't sure what this could be about. I never did anything wrong...never acted out and did my best to never be noticed by anyone. I was a nobody. Who would take time to waste on me?
"This way young Ikakure," The man named Touma led me down the familiar halls and to the faculty office and slid the door open. A familar figure sat in a chair and was crying. Her eyes looked up to me and her tears seemed to increase even more. I knew who she was...it was Miyuki's Mother. Why was she here? I thought she worked out of town this week...
"Kayane..." Miyuki's mom managed. What had happened? Why would she be here to see me? It didn't make any sense. There was no reason for her to be here. Tsukio Nanase was the mother of my best friend...only friend, Fujikara Miyuki. It took me a while to understand why their last names were different...apparently Miyuki's Mom was pretty big in the music industry and had established herself before she was married. So in order to retain the name they opted for her to keep it the same until after she had retired before she would finally change her name. I liked Miyuki's Mom but...she had never come to see me at my school...so I asked the obvious question.
"Why are you here?" I asked with a my usual flat unemotional voice.
"Its Miyuki...she's..." she hesitated. Whatever she was about to say...she didn't want to. "She died this morning."
"Died?" I repeated with complete disbelief. Miyuki's Mom wouldn't lie to me. Miyuki always told me to trust her Mom. Just not her Father. What happened? But I knew all too well who was responsible. I felt rage like I have never had before come to the surface. "It was him," my voice came out like a growl.
"I am such a bad mother. I never realized what was happening in my own house. Or what was happening to her close friend," Nanase held her hand out to me. "Both of those bastards are going to prison for what they have done, I promise you."
"My Uncle?" I felt numb...Miyuki had found a way to protect me even in her death. But what was the point? Without her in my life...and it hit me. She was gone...and like the breaking of glass something in me had shattered. I looked up at her...my only living connection to Miyuki...broken. "Are you here to take me?"
She wiped away her tears and nodded. "I am taking you to the hospital first...there are things we both have to do. And I will do all I can to protect you from now on. Without Miyuki we are the only ones we have left."
I nodded. She was right. But it didn't matter to me...any desire to live or fight died with Miyuki. I might as well had been killed as well. A life without Miyuki wasn't one that I wanted or could even comprehend. My heart was numb but I took Miyuki's Mothers hand and she pulled me into a hug. But I felt nothing and I doubted I would feel anything ever again. As she held me I felt a darkness rush over and claim me once more.
"Kay-chan...Kay-chan...we're here," It was the voice of Nanase, it was quick to stir me from my sleep...wait...had I been sleeping? I'm not sure what was happening but I better get up. I had grown rather accustomed to hearing her voice...but it also was a reminder of the events that had occurred thus far. So I looked up at her with an expressionless face. The eyes that looked back at me understood well the loss I had suffered...what she had suffered. But in Nanase's eyes also showed another emotion...guilt. Perhaps that was why she had adopted me. Despite the circumstances of the situation...the courts quickly approved for Tsukio Nanase to be my adopted Mother. I said nothing to the contrary. When they asked...I simply told them that I wanted to stay with her. Nanase was the last connection I had to Miyuki and my memories.
Due to the traumatic experience they had required me to see a child psychologist as soon as we settled in to our new home. That was the place we had just arrived at. I slowly got out of the car and found myself in front of a large one story house. A man with a large hat approached Nanase.
"I did the preliminary estimates. It will cost around 300,000 yen or so depending on the difficulties of the project. But I think it will be no problem," The man said to Miyuki's Mother.
"What is he talking about?" I asked.
"I am going to make a sound studio here. That way I will never have to be away from home. I will always be here to protect you...It is a promise to Miyu-chan and you Kay-chan," She smiled sadly and pulled me into her arms. So that was why we were here.
It had barely been a full day since I had been under Nanase's custody as her child. But we left town without caring to look back. The only thing that the city held for us was pain and regret. And nothing we had back there was coming with us...This place had all new furniture and even new wardrobes for the both of us. She had taken me shopping and I had easily chosen the clothes with dark colors to them. I had no real reason for the preference...but that was just how it was. Everything that was brighter just reminded me of Miyuki. I just wanted to forget it, even if it was only for a little bit of time. Maybe just a reason I could feel anything more than just this numbness that had replaced my heart.
Things may have changed quickly but for me...I was trapped in the past. Life went past me...and I barely took notice. Slowly...days turned to weeks...turned to months...and into years. So I never took notice of the people around me or what happened in school. The only thing that I ever took solace in was music. It was the one thing I continued to enjoy. But perhaps enjoy wasn't the correct term for it...It was all I had that made me feel...anything. I eventually began to call Nanase as my Mom. I knew on some level that she was the only one in my life that qualified for that. And the only one I felt I would ever be close to. Still it was hardly at an emotional level I was more than aware I should be at. Still Mom had smiled big the first time I had called her it. Yet now there was an unspoken agreement to not talk about Miyuki.
Time passed and here I was in the studio...the sound studio that allowed Mom to work from home so that she was always with me. I ran my hands along the piano as I was testing the notes as it had been a while since the piano had been tuned, it was a habit I had developed over the years. It was strangely comforting feeling the cool keys under my fingers. I paused and saw my Mom lingering at the studio entrance. She entered after a moment with a small wrapped package in her hand.
"Happy birthday, Kay-chan," She said and placed it on top of the piano.
"Birthday?" I was confused for a moment.
"Yep, don't think for a second I would let you forget your own birthday. January 22nd is an important day to celebrate," She said sitting next to me at the piano. "Go on...open it."
I had forgotten...along with so many other things. It just didn't mean much to me. All I cared about was music. Still I took the package and opened it. In it was a mp3 player. A really nice one. I felt a rare smile come to me. I turned and hugged my Mother. "Thanks Mom. This is a great." She was the only one I had in my life...and even if I wasn't really living...I suppose things could be much worse if I had ended up at an orphanage.
"I knew you would like it. But that isn't all," She pulled out a magazine from next to her and flipped it open. Then I saw an article that was instantly familiar to me. Because I had written it. "The magazine was only allowed to publish a portion of your review but I want you to know that the girl Kujikawa Rise has the start of her career because of you. Well I guess their going to sell her as Risette."
Those words made me pause. I suddenly felt undeserving of that outcome. My words meant nothing...they shouldn't be allowed to carry weight like that. And I think my Mom knew instantly what I was thinking.
"Don't worry Kay-chan. You may have given her an opportunity but it is up to her now to prove herself to the world. Hopefully she will create more music that will invoke those same feelings you wrote...not just for you but for the whole world. But she would only have that chance because of you and you should feel proud of yourself." She gave a soft smile. "But enough of that. What would you like to do for your birthday?"
There was only one thing I wanted to do. Mentioning that song was enough to invoke my own inspiration for writing my own and being reminded of it wanted me to finish it, "I was wondering if you would help me finish the melody on the song I wrote..."
Of course, I had no idea the real significance of what I had done with simple words on paper. And just how much a few moments of really being passionate over something, would affect someone's life…and in such a big way. Not only in her success…but her loss of self-identity. And funny enough it would lead that same girl into my very life. How did any of these events that had occurred make any coherent sense? And now…where was I? In the TV world…a place that shouldn't even exist…a place that becomes a reality for the one who enters it. Is that why I had seen those memories that I had tried to keep buried for so long?
At first it made no sense…then it shone through with perfect clarity.
I was walking along a path and came across a familiar setting. The grade school. It was pouring out…but a lone girl stood outside by the side of the sidewalk instead of under the cover from the rain. She simply was looking down the road expectantly. I approached the young girl and stood next to her but she didn't turn towards me.
"Is it true that my Mom is in heaven, Kay-chan?" she asked. This was Nanako…and she was inside the TV along with me and the bastard that had forced her in. Were we both dreaming within the TV world? Had the combination of events allowed us to connect like this? Still her question to me had a lot of layers to it that I think Nanako could understand better than most at her age.
"Why wouldn't she be? I know Miyuki is," I said without hesitation and looking down the road that Nanako was. "That isn't an answer that anyone can tell you though. There will come a time where you will know the truth."
My words caused her to look at me, "The truth?"
I nodded and looked back at her, giving her a smile, "That no matter where they are…there is only one thing that we can do for them."
"What's that?" she asked.
The answer was simple. Regardless of the things that may happen or the people we may become…there is no greater tribute to someone that has passed on before us…and it all led to one word, "Live."
"That's it?" she said, seemingly confused by my rather simple answer.
"No matter what happens we have to live as long as possible and see all the things we can…so that way, one day when it is our turn. We'll have a lot to tell them," I couldn't help but chuckle. Talking with Nanako gave me insight into my own thoughts and feelings and forced me to put them into a form that I couldn't avoid. "That isn't too hard to do, right?"
Nanako shook her head, "Just live? So that way…I can tell Mom all about my life?"
"Yeah, like about your Onii-chan, and your Dad. And what your hobbies were…what you learned at school…if you went to college…or who you got married to. You see…there is a lot of things in your life you'd be able to tell her," I said as I saw the familiar sadness in Nanako's eyes. The one thought that plagued my own mind for a long time. She was thinking if she died too, she could see her Mother again. I had been able to handle it when thinking about myself…but to consider a girl as young as Nanako to seek that kind of end. There was no way I could let that happen.
"I want to see my Mom," Nanako said blatantly. I had expected those words this time.
"I want to see Miyuki," I countered. Nanako didn't seem like she knew what to say so I pressed on. "It gets easier, Nanako-chan. It may not feel that way for a long time…but it will happen. But make no mistake…you will always miss your Mother…just like I will always miss Miyuki. But neither one of them would forgive us if we died just to see them. How angry would your Mom get?"
"She'd get really angry…how angry would Miyuki-chan get?" Nanako seemed interested.
"Oh geesh…let's just say she would find a way to kill me all over again. And then after that she'd really give me an A class lecture. The likes of which you would never want to be subjected to…" I groaned and rubbed the back of my head. "That's why I made up my mind."
"For what?" Nanako finally turned fully towards me now.
"I'm going to live to enjoy life from now on. And I am going to have such a great life that when I finally get to see her again…I know what she'll say to me," I smiled as I could picture Miyuki in my head. For emphasis I put a hand on my hip and wagged my index finger in front of Nanako's face. "Kay-chan, I want to hear all your stories…in order and in full detail! Bonus points for being extra descriptive."
Nanako giggled, "She would do that?"
"Yeah…I'm pretty sure she would have grown up to be a teacher…but she loves a good story. And I think she would like where the story of my life is going now. But if we are going to reach a happy ending then…we have to get out of here," I said offering a hand to Nanako.
"We have to get away from him," Nanako said reaching her hand out to me, but stopped just a bit away from my own.
Then I noticed why the hesitation…this place…it wasn't real. Somehow our minds or hearts were connected and the power of the TV world had shown a reflection of my own heart…the things that I had faced. Things that I continued to bury…and most of it was subconsciously. I had to still be unconscious then…and yet…the power of the TV world had manifested in a strange way. I felt a tug in my mind and I knew instantly that it was Tsukuyomi, my Persona. Even if this was a dream within the TV world...I could probably force this connection to bring us back to reality. I couldn't allow myself to be continually stuck in a world of memories.
"Don't worry, Nanako-chan. I'm going to get you out of here," I said as the Arcana card floated down in front of me, and I reached behind me and found my sickles as if they had been there all along. "Persona!"
November 6th, 2011 / Daytime
Heaven (Nanako's Dungeon)
"Murder? No, I'm saving them…" It was the voice of Taro Namatame. I couldn't quite open my eyes, but I know that whatever had kept me in that dream like state was gone. Hopefully the same was true for Nanako-chan. But I felt heavy…as if all my energy was gone. How long had it been since Nanako and I had fallen into the TV world?
"How's that different, huh? All you're doing is killing people," that voice was Yosuke. That was good, that meant the Investigation Team was here. That meant Nanako was almost safe. I tried my best to move but my body refused to respond. Like there was still something holding me here. Was it Namatame?
"If you want to think that, go ahead…" Namatame laughed…but it seemed unnatural. "I know…you chased us all the way here…to kill…ha…haha… Well, to bad… I'm gonna save her…"
"Ngh…" Nanako's voice…was he holding her? Then that meant I had to be restrained in some way. I forced open my eyes…only to realize I had some sort of blindfold on and…was I gagged? Yes, I was. My hands and feet were also bound…quite tightly as well. That sure made it hard for me to be of any use to them.
"Senpai?" it was Rise's voice…coming in telepathically through her Persona. She had done so a few times before…but this was odd, if only because I wasn't usually tied up like this. Because of it her voice felt odd but gave me comfort that helped me relax my muscles for a moment after being so tense.
"I made a stupid mistake," it was the first thing that came to my head so of course it is the message I would send back to her. "I walked right into the trap without minding my surroundings and I got captured. Now I'm next to useless to you guys."
"Are you okay?" I heard it…or rather felt it through this brief connection I had with her. Overwhelming concern that was directed squarely at me. It threw me off. Maybe because I hadn't felt this kind of connection with her before. She wanted me to know...to feel her concern while also comforting me. It washed over me so that I was momentarily confused on how to answer, because I could feel myself wanting a stronger connection than this. No...I needed to focus. Nanako needed me to. She was more important than anything else right now.
"Kujikawa, don't worry about me right now. Help the others rescue, Nanako-chan. I'm not in danger here. I'm positive that Namatame and even my presence here might have a more adverse effect on Nanako-chan's time in here. So the priority here is Nanako-chan first…got it?" I had to keep her focused. There would be time to talk and all that business later.
I could hear Nanako coughing…struggling to breathe. "Onii-chan…I can't…breathe…"
She was close by! Without caring about myself I rolled on the ground towards Nanako's voice and hit something hard. Namatame's legs. I felt something fall on me…it had to be Nanako. I had no way to see or communicate so I just fidgeted in a direction to get her to run. She didn't have to be told twice and took off, I could hear her feet on the ground as she ran off. I was glad…now it was just up to the Investigation Team.
"You!" Namatame growled towards me.
"Nanako-chan…" It was Yu…someone who hadn't spoken until now. Then his words became louder and directed. "Now back off from our Senpai." That was the most pissed off I had ever heard Narukami. I wasn't even sure he had been capable of such anger until this moment.
Namatame kicked me hard in the gut…and with the gag in my mouth I could hardly react to it. Sure it had hurt…but it was nothing compared to what abuse I had taken in the past. The only difference was right now I was out of energy…and pain never helped that situation. I hardly cared though...Nanako was safe and if they could get her out of here fast enough there hopefully wouldn't be any adverse effects.
"Give…Her…Back! I'm…I'm going… to save her!" Namatame groaned…and then I felt something…not physically…but as if something was reacting to Namatame. I knew what it had to be…shadows. They were gathering towards him. I don't know why I knew it...but I could just feel it. Wait...had Rise stayed connected to me? Yes...she had...I could feel her comfort as if she was trying to heal me from what was happening. But Namatame let out a scream. I could feel it through Rise that this was my chance.
I took this moment and rolled away from him…not knowing any real direction except for where Yu's voice had come from. Suddenly I was tumbling down stairs. I picked up speed and every time I hit the stair brought a new pain with it. Until suddenly I stopped and was caught by several different hands. Gently I was brought down to what seemed like a flat surface and then I felt the bindings on my feet and hands get undone. Followed by my blindfold. My eyes was flooded by light…and the fog but I recognized the people around me so I did something that seemed to becoming a more common occurrence. I smiled…and realized I still had the gag in my mouth.
I pulled out a long rag from my mouth and coughed in response. "Is Nanako okay?" It was the first thing I asked as I sat up.
The small girl in question soon had her arms around me, "Kay-chan, you're okay." She said weakly. Nanako was more than exhausted. She needed to get out of here soon.
"Watch her for me, Senpai," Yu said, trying to hide his anger from Nanako no doubt. But I knew what it meant. He meant to beat the ever living crap out of Namatame. I could understand that…but there was a part of me that felt responsible for all of this…if I had been able to protect her…none of this would have happened. And Namatame would have been in custody already.
I merely nodded my head. It was hardly a time to feel guilty…the first priority was to get Nanako-chan to a safe place.
"What's happening to him?" it was Naoto…pulling everyone back into the present.
"If we don't do something, this could get bad! His powers are attracting more Shadows to him!" Teddie had a good knowledge base when it came to Shadows…but as a general rule the gathering of more Shadows could hardly ever be a good thing.
"You guys got any suggestions?" Chie's voice seemed a bit shaken…and when I looked over at the amassing Shadows…I could understand why.
"He's merging with the Shadows!" Rise exclaimed.
Shadows from all over collided with Namatame and then a burst of wind flew past them. As a reflex I grabbed Nanako and held her close to protect her. The others stood ready to fight the Shadow that appeared. But this was something completely different from the Shadows before. For one there had been no Shadow split from him. Instead the Shadows had gathered in Namatame himself. So...why? Why was this different? Was it because this place was made from Nanako's heart? Or was it that Namatame's true shadow hadn't truly emerged?
The Shadow came floating down...somehow levitating because of the red halo like ring above its head. And the expression on its face was not one of the aggressive shadows they had constantly faced before. This one looked to be in a panic...no desperation. It felt to me like it...truly believed in something...but there was something wrong...twisted.
"I am going to save her. Don't interfere!" The large shadow extended its hand in my direction...specifically Nanako who was in my arms. What if it was that simple? What if that was exactly what it meant...but then why did he merge with the Shadows? What exactly was going on?
"How solid is his grasp on reality?" Naoto muttered not too far away from me.
Nanako held on to me tighter and I found my eyes looking at this Shadow. No this wasn't Namatame's Shadow…it was something different…he had such strong emotions…and I could feel something similar…something familiar to me. No…this was something similar to what we had already experienced.
"Kujikawa! He's just like the Shadows we faced," I said which garnered the attention of most of the Investigation Team.
"What do you mean?" Rise's voice entered my head, and I felt myself being connected with the rest of the Investigation team directly through her power. It was an odd sensation to be sure.
"The Shadows we went against us weren't really our Shadows, but they shared our pent up emotions and because of that they were attracted to us and pulled us in. Creating a world that was meant for us to probably break down further. And possibly…if it's possible…revert or Personas to Shadows," I spoke my voice connecting telepathically through Rise's power to the entire Investigation Team. I understood why Rise was connecting us like this. Because the others were currently fighting the Shadow and they needed to be focused on the fight and not trying to hear me. I relaxed a bit but tensed up when I felt Nanako shaking at me. She needed to get out of here, which meant finishing this fight quickly. "The Shadows he attracted…it is amplifying his emotions rampantly. And it's probably acting this way because of this world wasn't meant for him. His Shadow is still in him…but because…"
"Because of us…his emotions quickly escalated…and the Shadows took the opportunity to merge…and amplify his own feelings," Yu provided his own thoughts seemed laced with guilt. "I was so fixated on Nanako I just…"
"This isn't the time, Yu." I said bluntly using his first name to stop his thoughts and get the attention of everyone in the Investigation Team. "This man…he vehemently believes he is doing the right thing. But the emotion the Shadows were attracted to was much worse."
I looked up at the Shadow…one that was somewhat formed like a depiction of a savior. A man who thought he was doing the right thing…and considering the way things were…maybe he truly was saving them. In a strange twisted way…and maybe I was the only one twisted enough to look at it that way. Put people into a TV and save them? Where…no one can get to them. Yeah…that was a possibility. Just like everything else…they just didn't know.
"What is it, Senpai?" Naoto asked.
"Desperation," I cradled Nanako in my arms and got to my feet, forgetting the pain I had been in so far. I walked over to Rise, "Hey, watch Nanako-chan for me."
"What are you going to do Senpai? You are in no condition to fight," Rise said but took Nanako anyway.
"This isn't about being able to fight. Tell me something, Kujikawa. I know you've felt the same thing I have. About wanting something…even knowing that it is impossible," I said as I picked up my sickles that were on the ground.
"Yeah, but Senpai…I…"
"For me…I wanted to bring back Miyuki…I was young and stupid…but I didn't listen to anyone…and when I finally realized that she couldn't come back…my mind flipped around," I spun one of my sickles in one hand and turned towards the Shadow. "Just like that…my mind went from trying to bring back life…to wishing for death…equally but opposite of each other. All because of something I didn't understand."
"Senpai, you…don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you," Rise spoke…probably knowing what I was going to do.
"You're right," I chuckled. "You've been with me since before we even met. When I heard the song 'Star Bright' it started it all for me. I found my inspiration…so I wrote for the first time in a long time about how powerful that song was to me, and gave it to my Mother. And she sent that off as her review of your song."
"What?" Rise's shock to what I said was apparent.
"You're the reason I didn't try to commit suicide again. Why I felt that maybe I could find a reason to live…but it took more than that…I had to be pushed further, to finally see that…that's why…" I took off in a sprint towards the Shadow.
"Senpai!" she yelled towards me.
"…for once in my life…I'm gonna be the one that does the protecting!" I ran past the others as I headed straight towards the Shadow.
"Senpai!" The other members yelled at me.
Yeah I know…I'm doing something stupid and probably completely unnecessary. But I couldn't let other people fight my battles for me. And this was my fight. I made a mistake when I should have been more cautious. I may not have been able to protect Nanako from getting kidnapped, but I wasn't going to have them waste another second in this world. "Let's go! TSUKIYOMI!"
A/N:
Happy Holidays to those that celebrate it. Either way here comes the new Chapter. I leave it in the middle of the confrontation but I think there is a lot that is covered in this chapter. There are some quick scene changes as Kayane is put through multiple memories of his own past. I had to wonder for a while on how things would become different if he chased after Nanako...and the nature of it will eventually come full circle to the overarching plot. How that fits in...well...I guess you'll have to see what exactly changes here.
Not to much I have to say this time around. Pretty busy with the usual holiday stuff at home...and deadlines coming up at work. Anyway as always, feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think. Hopefully you like the story so far. Thanks for your time.
