Chapter 55 / Stage
July 24th, 2012 / Afternoon
Tokyo - Takura Productions Studio
Everyone would be showing up soon. And we would be together for the next five days...well six days as they wouldn't be going home until later on Sunday. Obviously today was Tuesday. The next three days were rehearsal days for all of us. While everyone had the dance down, this would be the last minute adjustments that were to be done to account for everyone being on stage. Plus we needed to have a few days of all of us just being together. It will be the first time of us coming together without having something horrible happening. Not that I believe it would stay that way. Still it was hard not to remember the reasons we had been together the last few times.
Labrys being taken and thrown into the TV, and despite Izanami being defeated the TV world had reverted to it's previous state, although the fog had been fully removed from that world. It still served the same purpose as before. It had made me wonder that maybe anyone could awaken to their Persona if put into that world and they were able to overcome themselves. I wonder if anyone had been able to do so on their own. All of my friends were only able to do so because everyone else had been there. Having that support was important. I don't think it was impossible to do it on your own, but you had to have a strong will. One that could look at your own faults and not be easily swayed by them. Nothing is ever that easy though.
If simply having confidence in who you are was all you needed then maybe it just meant we all doubted ourselves far too much. We needed the extra push and support to get us to admit it. I was likely simplifying the situation far too much.
It was less than a year still since all of this had begun. I had been kidnapped and I was rescued by Yu, Rise and the rest of the once called Investigation Team. Life was changing but it was obvious to me now that there was no real end to the fight ahead of us. I guess having a Persona meant that was just what your life would involve. You could no longer pretend that things weren't happening to you. To face reality head on. Yeah I guess I can understand why the phrase ignorance is bliss can come to be. After you know what the world is really like, its impossible to go back.
Persona...a mask you wear to face adversity. The psychological term worked just as well practically. When the term was created by Carl Jung, I doubt he had any idea that the terms he created had literal physical representations. Or maybe he did. Not that anyone would believe him if it was based on things he experienced. I wonder what's true...I doubt Shadows just starting coming up out of no where. If anything its just always been something a part of this world.
I sat alone in the studio. The other band members were grabbing various supplies from the nearby stores. I'm not sure exactly what they were grabbing but Reiko had insisted that it was necessary. Rise was meeting with the others at the train station to lead them here. Well...Setsuko wouldn't be arriving for a few more days closer to the actual festival. She was busy at the the Shadow Operatives headquarters after all. That's another situation I'd rather not think about.
For the moment I was in front of the piano alone inside a large studio. It was meant to be large for all of us to dance. Practice the full performance...placement on the stage and everything else. There was so much to do I was amazed I had time to think about anything else.
"Oh, but you don't want to think about anything else, right?" My Shadow was here. To taunt me as he often did. "I wonder just how bad this is all going to go...isn't that what you are really thinking about?"
I wish I could say something to the contrary but it was impossible for me when those thoughts had definitely been in my mind. So I did the only thing I could think to do and started to play the piano. The moment I did the presence of my Shadow disappeared as I ran my hands along the keys of the piano and continued to play. Music was my only real escape. The only way that I could deal with the ongoing pressure and demands that the world seem to make for me. This song was one I hadn't played in quite some time. It wasn't one for the band Synchronicity but something I had heard a long time ago. It was a soothing melody that seemed to calm the soul. And as I felt to be in constant turmoil, it was a nice change of pace.
As I played I didn't even notice when another individual had entered the room. It wasn't until she was standing next to me as I was playing. It wasn't who I thought it would be. Instead it was someone else. I slowly came to a stop and looked over at her.
"Oh, umm...hey Kayane-san," the dark brown haired girl spoke. It was rare to see her so casual with us so close to the Festival. Whenever I saw her she typically had her wavy pink hair wig on, so this was unexpected.
"Kanami-san, I hope my playing wasn't distracting in any way," I say but she starts shaking her head.
"No, no...its very...nostalgic for some reason," Kanami took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "I am envious of you to be so skilled at playing the piano."
"Considering all the things you do, my skills seem rather paltry by comparison," I shook my head. "You are able to meet your fans head on and smile so easily. That's a strength I don't really have. If it wasn't for Rise, I wouldn't be here."
"You shouldn't undermine your skills you know," Kanami leaned up against the piano looking at me. "I do have a question though. Do you really not remember us meeting when we were younger? I don't but you're a couple years older so I thought you would."
I eyed her for a moment as she relaxed a bit and leaned onto the piano more. "Would it matter if I did?" I said after a moment and turned my gaze as her shirt was much lower cut than I expected and she was showing far too much of her cleavage to me. She can be so carefree when she isn't working. I had run into her a number of times after she was done for the day and she had grown increasingly relaxed around me and the rest of the members of the band. "Kanami-san, even if we did...we knew each other for only a few weeks. Hardly enough time to make us childhood friends or have build up anything really meaningful."
"I guess you're right," she said her eyes looking away from me.
"Kanami-san," I waited for her to look at me. It was a few moments before she did. "Don't think about it too much. The past is the past, right? We have a lot in the present we have to worry about. A big concert for one. You hardly need encouragement from me. You've been at this a lot longer than I have."
She blinked but then smiled big, "Yeah, you're right!" This was more like the usual Kanami. "Sorry if I made you worry about me, Kayane-san."
I shook my head, "It's no problem. That's what friends do, right?" Kanami seemed to have a brighter smile after I said that.
"This place is huge!" a new a recognizable voice came from an emerging group of individuals from the far side of the studio. Yosuke seemed to be impressed. I got to my feet.
"There wasn't much time before, but want to meet my friends? These are the ones that will be on stage with us," I offer my hand out to Kanami. My friends were making conversation as they were heading down towards us.
"She's the lucky one," My Shadow had returned. I saw him in the corner of my eye but I didn't bother looking at him. "Poor, poor Kanami-chan doesn't remember the truth of what happened. What she stumbled across and found. But you do, don't you? After all, you were right there with her. And saw that idol hanging from her neck."
That's right...I had seen it. I remembered it. And it was for that very reason that I didn't want Kanami to remember what had happened back then. It was of little consequence that she didn't remember me either. It was probably better this way. Everything from when I was younger was better off forgotten.
Kanami had taken my hand as I led her to my friends. I let go of her hand and indicated, "You guys met her before briefly before, but I'll introduce you to my friend Mishita Kanami. Leader of the idol group Kanamin's Kitchen. And before you ask, the pink hair she usually has is a wig."
"Umm... Nice to meet you all," Kanami gave a bow to the others. She was nervous, likely because of our conversation before they had shown up.
The others all introduced themselves as I thought about just how crazy this weekend was going to go. Nothing really today, it was more for everyone to arrive, get a feel of where everything was and so they can settle in at the hotel they would be staying at. Which was the same the rest of the performers were at. Normally we wouldn't need to be here for so many days before the show. But it was different because it was our debut performance as a band. Synchronicity would make itself known in just a few days. I think we were all nervous. But because our performance had a lot of people on stage we needed time for rehearsal. And Yu and the rest of them needed time to get acclimated to it as well.
It certainly wasn't going to be an easy week. Then again, I think it would be worth it in the end.
"Don't think too much on your own. You can always tell me," Rise's voice made me realize she had moved close to me. "It's going to be stressful, so let me know if you need some time, okay?"
This had been how Rise was as of late. Probably too concerned about me and everything that could happen. Then again I couldn't exactly blame her for being worried about me. "I'm just focused on what we need to do."
"Kayane, looks like you've done pretty well since we last saw each other," Yu approached me and offered his hand. I raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think it's been that long," I shook his hand nonetheless. Shaking my head I looked to the others. "I hope you all had a good trip here."
"It wasn't bad. But Yosuke was so pumped for the trip that he fell asleep like an hour in to the train ride. Just like a little kid," Chie teased her boyfriend.
"Oh, shut up! Don't pretend you haven't been excite to come here," Yosuke immediately called her out.
"Of course I am! I've been practicing like mad. I bet I can dance circles around you," Chie claimed proudly.
"Will you two, cut it out?" Yukiko pulled her best friend away from Yosuke.
"Yeah, c'mon, we've only been here like twenty minutes," Kanji commented.
"Oh, um, Kayane-san," Kanami moved back to me. "I actually did have a favor to ask of you."
"A favor? What's up?" I asked her. I guess my playing piano hadn't been the real reason she had come in here.
"Could you help me with the last part of Calystegia? My voice coach was kinda hard for me to follow and I don't feel like I am hitting the full range I should," Kanami explained her dilemma. Interesting. Why come to me though? Well, I was going to be playing the piano for them on that number so I guess it makes sense. The decision was to have everyone come out during the last song of the Festival. Mainly the two main attractions, which was our two bands. Well, one band and one idol group.
"Alright," I nodded and moved back to the piano to sit down. "Is your voice warmed up?"
"I could probably use a warm up," she said.
"Alright, basic warmups first," I said as I started playing the piano and running Kanami through the warmups that I usually did with Rise. I focused on Kanami doing her scales and then testing her range. Kanami's voice had a large range to it, though not as much of range that Rise had. It was still quite impressive. "Alright kanami-san. Let's go from the last chorus. Just sing it like you always do."
She nodded. And I began to play the song a few measures back before moving in to the chorus.
"Same time, Same feeling,
We'll understand each other, no matter what day,
And this flower that you gave to me, of all people,
I want to give it to everyone.
Keep on loving me,
But not only me,
Nobody loves me,
I want to connect to somebody,
Lala… Surely, much more than we think,
Take it easy, it's alright,
Because you're here with me…"
Kanami finished singing and looked to me. I see why she wanted to come to me. "It's the final lead up to the end that is throwing you off, isn't it?" I asked her.
She nodded, "Yeah but my voice coach kept saying that but she didn't really tell me how I could help it."
"That's because its a tempo change. It's subtle but there are a few extra beats. What's throwing you off is that you're timing is slightly off," I tell her. "Here I'll go over it once more and count it out..."
Soon without realizing it, I had been working with Kanami for about an hour before I stopped. "Well I think you got it now."
"Thanks a lot, Kayane-san. I don't think my voice coach understood what my problem was. I didn't realize there was a few extra beats in there that I wasn't noticing," Kanami bowed but I just smiled and shook my head.
"You were mostly on it, but it was just an extra breath you needed in order to nail it. I just noticed it is all," I really hadn't done much but she was fun to work with.
Kanami reached for her phone, "Oh no, I have to get going. Sorry Kayane-san. I'll make it up to you later." She said as she was scrambling to the door. And in a rush she was gone.
"She hasn't changed at all," I sighed and shook my head.
"Oh, not going to deny you know her? How surprising," My Shadow spoke from somewhere behind me. "It makes you wonder how long until she breaks. Oh but that couldn't happen right? Not unless she were to remember. But don't you wonder? Is anything ever truly forgotten?"
My Shadow taunted, but he was right. I certainly had not forgotten about anything that had happened to me in my life. I don't think that was something you were supposed to do. But if Kanami didn't have that burden then hopefully it stayed that way. But my Shadow was likely right. She would remember eventually. But how she remembers would likely be the important part.
"She looked a bit frazzled, don't you think?" Rise asked as she came up to the piano.
"Probably all the stress of the festival. Can't say I blame her," I shrug.
"You two seem close," Yu said as he moved up as well. "It's good to see you've adapted well to the environment."
"You call this adapting? It's more like I've been working so much that I can't take a moment to think about how terrified I am to get on stage. Thats what all of you are here for. Distract the crowd so they don't look at me," I said and half joking...and half wishing that they actually could do that. "Not that I can avoid the attention when I'm singing...but I can hope."
"You'll be fine. I'll be with you the whole time," Rise assured me and pulled me up from the piano. "Come on. Let's take these guys to the hotel and then we can all go out to dinner."
I nodded. Yeah, it was a good idea.
"Yeah, just pretend nothings wrong. But you know something is coming. And the storm will only continue to grow bigger and bigger." My shadow taunted. I ignored him and followed Rise and the others out.
"Is everything alright, Kayane-san?" Naoto asked making her presence known to me as we all headed for the exit.
I nodded, "Yeah, I'm alright."
She looked unconvinced but dropped the inquiry all the less. My Shadow was more frequently making his presence known. Yeah, I don't think I was alright at all.
July 25th, 2012 / Evening
Tokyo - Hotel Lobby
SETSUKO'S POINT OF VIEW
"Don't mess with it too much, Labrys. But it should help hide the more obvious mechanical parts. As soon as Mitsuru-sama can acquire the parts I need it should be even less of a problem," I assured Labrys as I pulled her hand away from her hair. Labrys' original head piece made it resemble that of a helmet from the middle ages. You would think Dad's rather obvious Greek influences would have made Labrys appearance a bit different but either way I had to question why the headpiece had basically been attached the way it was. "Honestly, I don't understand what Dad had been thinking in some of your design choices. I guess I can't blame him too much, technology at the time didn't exactly lend itself very well to the work he was doing."
"Oneesan, are you sure it looks okay?" Labrys was worried about her appearance. I mean it was something I had been working on for a while since I joined the Shadow Operatives. I thought that maybe the Kirijo Group had a decent understanding of the Mechanical Maidens after all these years, but I was wrong. Other than routine maintenance they didn't understand about how the core of them worked. Not that I expected people to understand my Dad's work when he had taken steps to protect it.
"You look fine. I'm sure Kay-chan will notice it too," I quietly assured her and pulled her blue-gray hair back. With the headpiece removed her hair looked more natural and behaved just like you would expect hair to be. So it also meant she needed to style it or pull it out of her way. "Still a lot of improvements to be made." I spoke more to myself as I noted that Labrys' joints were too obviously robotic. But a pair or loose fitting blue jeans a dark long sleeved turtleneck shirt and gloves were enough to make any casual glance at Labrys enough to hide what she was.
"Looking good, Labrys-chan," Yoko said as she came walking out of the bathroom of the hotel room. Yoko was in a white day dress, and looked like she was prepared to turn some heads her direction.
"You aren't going to try and hit on any guys we meet, do you Yoko?"I ask her raising an eye brow as I picked up a brush and ran it through Labrys' hair.
"Hit on? I certainly have no idea what you are talking about, Onee-chan," Yoko feigned innocence.
"I'm serious Yoko. This is really important to Kayane. And I want us there to support him. Both him and Rise-chan," I said as I used a scrunchie to pull Labrys' hair back.
"Chill out, Onee-chan. And no one said you couldn't have fun along the way. It is a festival you know. Besides they still have a few days of rehearsal before the main event happens," Yoko said as she grabbed her straw hat that was on top of the dresser.
"I can't fault you for that I suppose," I sighed as I finished with Labrys' hair. Along with the scrunchie the last of Labrys' more obvious mechanical parts were covered now.
"Thank you, Oneesan," Labrys said and got up from the chair. "Ya think he'll be happy to see us?"
Happy? I think that was a good question to ask. It was hard to say exactly what his reaction would be. "He's been doing a lot of work lately. Plus there is that Shadow of him running around somewhere. But we haven't made progress on that either. So we're here to make sure he doesn't have to worry about any of that."
"And to cheer on his musical debut," Yoko reminded me.
"Things have just changed so quickly. It's hard to imagine that just a little bit ago I didn't know I had a brother," I tried to calm myself down by taking a deep breath.
"If you hadn't figured it out, Oniisan would have come to you eventually. He was just adjusting to knowing more about his family, ya know?" Labrys spoke in a soft tone. That's right when she reunited with Kayane, he didn't remember or know anything about what had happened. But how could he? He was only 3 years old at the time.
"If were being honest, Onee-chan. I think you've adjusted to it a lot better than he has," Yoko added.
I think on some level I knew that. Although I had been spending quite a bit of time with my brother, he has always felt distant to me. As if there was something in the way of us really getting to know each other. I had spent my life delving into our Father's research. I had been looking for clues... answers for part of my own past. Because for the longest time... I couldn't remember any of it. Labrys... Kayane... I didn't even remember what Mom and Dad had looked like. All of that had changed when I had finally broke the encryption on my Father's research files. The truth had been hard for me at first. That might be putting it lightly actually. I was still adjusting to the fact I had a brother, and his presence had certainly affected my life.
"He spent most of his life believing he didn't have anyone. From what Rise-chan talked to us about I would presume he's not even used to having Rise in his life. Who is to say that if even Rise knows all he is thinking," I said and looked over Labrys one last time. She looked good to go. There was no real hint of what Labrys was now. "He's my brother though. And I want to do all I can to support him. And I want to be ready when he is finally able to speak what is on his mind. So I think this concert is an important step towards that."
"I couldn't agree more," Yoko smiled. She then checked her appearance in the mirror behind the sink of our hotel room. "Shall we get going? Shouldn't let your brother wait too long."
That was true enough. I took a deep breath and double checked my own appearance. I wore something my sister had helped me pick out. It was a deep blue day dress, similar to Yoko's white dress. But mine had black embroidery of mechanical cogs because Yoko found it funny. It was less a reference to my mechanic leg and more about the fact that I was so skilled with mechanics. It was why Yoko had insisted I wear it. I didn't want to admit to her that I actually really enjoyed how it looked. She would probably enjoy that waaaay too much though if I told her.
Labrys stood as well and we finally left the hotel. We were meeting Kayane and all the others at an Italian style restaurant in Ginza. Which was not far from the hotel we were staying at. We left the hotel and quickly made our way to the train station. It was only a couple stops down from where we were at.
It didn't take long and soon we were stepping into the restaurant in Ginza and looking around for my brother and his friends.
"Setsuko-chan," the voice of Rise made me turn my head to see the girl out of her usual pigtails and instead with her hair down and a much more casual and mature look. "Oh and Yoko-chan and... whoa! Is that you Labrys-chan?" Rise immediately stepped towards Labrys and stretched out her hand toward Labrys hair but stopped.
"Do ya like my new look, Rise-chan?" Labrys grinned, her nerves from before seemingly gone and her accent maybe coming out thicker than usual. "It's all thanks to Oneesan."
"It's amazing. You look great," Rise smiled big. "How did you manage, Setsuko-chan?"
"Well her design is modular by nature due to my Father's... Well the details aren't important. Suffice to say it wasn't that difficult other than the fact that Labrys spent so long stored away," I probably could have ranted a lot about it. It was also because Labrys had sustained a good amount of battle damage from when she was sealed away. Not to mention the crude additions they had made in their attempts to control Labrys. Removing it had been a delicate affair as it was naturally connected to core parts of Labrys. But I had finally removed all of it and now there was no threat of Labrys ever being controlled again. That was something Kayane had mentioned to me several times. He had been clearly worried about it. If it was one thing I had learned about my brother, he worried a lot.
"Well I kind of want to hear all about it but we should get in. The other's are wanting to dig into the food," Rise said as she took my hand and Labrys and pulled us towards the far side of the restaurant. Then after going through the door we were brought into a large dining hall like room. A long table with more than enough spots to seat everyone. And there certainly was quite a lot of people here.
Sitting at the end of the table was my brother, Kayane. He seemed to be conversing with Narukami Yu, the silver haired friend of his that was also a Wild Card user... capable of using multiple Persona. Well, it wasn't something I had thought was even possible until I had met Hamuko, my cousin. Then I learned the whole truth about the incident with the Dark Hour that I had personally experienced for so long on my own. Then I learned that the world was not simple and that the threat of Shadows never disappeared with the Dark Hour. Shadows, were never gone, only out of reach. Typically, they resided in the world of the sub-conscious... a world that should never be able to be accessed. Well, it isn't like the world has ever been that simple to begin with. Not for me, and not for anyone before me.
It seemed like the other members of the band weren't here... it was just Kayane and his friends from school. Well... the ones he had fought alongside with during the events in Inaba. It must have been a rough year for him. No, it was probably more than just rough. And likely there was no simple way to explain all he had been through. I suppose that could be said for anyone in this room that had to deal with Shadows. Having to face yourself or the horrors of reality at such young ages. How could any of us really come out right? That was likely a subject I didn't need to think too much on.
Labrys wasted no time and made her way towards Kayane. "Oniisan!" she called out to him. He turned to her and the moment he looked at her his eyes widened.
"L-Labrys? Is that...really you?" Kayane blinked.
"You know it," she grinned and even spun in her outfit to make a point, her hair moving naturally and clearly displaying that all parts in her head that made her look obviously like a robot had been removed or altered. With her current outfit she likely looked very close to being just a normal girl.
"You look amazing," Kayane smiled, something that just didn't seem to be something he did very often. Ever since I had met him I had always worried about it. Was my brother really happy? I honestly couldn't tell. Even now, the smile he had didn't seem so genuine. I glanced to Yoko who was giving a curious look at my brother.
"He's stressed," Yoko spoke softly so only I could hear. "Considering how important the next few days are, he likely isn't dealing well with it. Especially if you consider his previous history." Yoko was blunt with hard facts.
"Yoko..." I still breath in a whisper.
"Would you rather I keep those thoughts to myself?" Yoko met my gaze.
"No, I think you're right. I just... Don't want it to be true," I reply back in a whisper as I watch Labrys smiling and talking with my brother. Well, our brother. But it didn't sit well with me that Labrys' smile seemed more natural than Kayane's.
I didn't really know his friends that well. I had gotten to know Rise though, as she had made a point to get to know me. I think I've talked to her more than my brother. Well from what I did know of my brother that was probably to be expected. So many things had changed in a short amount of time. I found out I had a brother, but now that I was a part of his life... I was only learning that despite what my brother was about to do in his life... he might not actually be happy. But why? What was it that I didn't know about his situation?
After some brief hello's with the rest of them we took our seats at the table as they started to bring out the menu of the night. Which apparently was a variety of different pizza's. Well, it isn't something I typically have on a regular basis so I could welcome something different.
"Since everyone is here, I have something to say," Narukami Yu got to his feet from his place at the table. His place, naturally, being next to his girlfriend Amagi Yukiko. "First and foremost a congratulations to both Rise and Kayane and the new part in their lives."
Everyone gave a round of applause. It was a huge step in their lives, that was definitely true.
"It has been almost a year now since we met Kayane. And in a time where things were more precarious to say the least. Non of us could have predicted the future or that all of us would be preforming on such a large stage in just a couple days. Still, I just want to say how glad I am that Kayane entered our lives. Without him, I'm sure our life would be incredibly different," Yu said before sitting back down.
I took this moment to get to my feet, "I have something to say as well. Discovering my Brother has been one of the most important things to happen to me in my life." I took a deep breath and glanced briefly at him. His expression was neutral though, so I was unsure what he was really thinking. "I know I still have a lot to learn about him as well as us trying to figure out how to be brother and sister. I spent most of my life ignoring my past. But I'm not going to ignore my future. So Kay-chan. I hope we can become closer as family, and I wish you and Rise the best on your endeavor. I'll be supporting you the whole time."
"And so will I," Yoko chimed in. "We may not be related but I hope that even we can be family."
"And don't forget about me," Labrys spoke up next. "You've got such amazing friends, Oniisan. I'm super pumped to see ya all perform on stage."
Kayane gave a smile,"Thanks all of you. But it isn't just my day you know. Rise deserves a lot more praise. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here."
Rise smiled from next to him as the group began to talk. All of his friends started chatting. Narukami Yu, Amagi Yukiko, Satonaka Chie, Hanamura Yosuke, Tatsumi Kanji, Shirogane Naoto and Teddie. Kujikawa Rise, sat next to Kayane and was ensuring her boyfriend was eating. It looked like such a friendly and heart warming scene and yet...
Why did I feel so uneasy?
July 26th, 2012 / Evening
Takura Productions - Meeting Room
I sat down and let out a long sigh. Everything felt like it was going well. I was somewhat surprised at just how skilled all my friends were. But maybe I shouldn't be. After everything we had done this year it probably made sense. All of my friends were more than capable fighters. And fighting was in a way a form of dance. Dancing was definitely easier and less stressful than having to fight Shadows. Rise was still working with a few of the others in one of the practice rooms and going over some of the more difficult parts of the dance. I had opted out as I was supposed to meet Mom to talk about the final details of our schedule for two days from now. The Love Meets Bonds festival starts tomorrow but we would have another day before it was our turn to go on stage.
I was attempting to relax a bit but as I did the door to the meeting room opened. I turned my head to see four girls enter the room. The four members of Kanamin Kitchen, Nakahara Nozomi, Uesugi Tamami, Ujima Sumomo and Sayama Tomoe.
"Ikakure-san? I'm surprised to see you here," Tomoe spoke up. Tomoe had dark hair that had a tint of blue to it. Her outfit was primarily blue but had other colors to bring out more attention.
I raised an eyebrow, "Did you four just come from a dress rehearsal?"
"That's right! What do you think, Kayane-san? Don't I look super cute?" Sumomo bounced in towards me and did a playful spin in her outfit. Her hair was shoulder length and mulberry in color. Her eyes were brown and her shorter hair and outfit tended to draw you towards her eyes. Her outfit was a bright pink with polka dots with a magenta lace ribbon tied in a bow at around her neck. The dress went to about her mid-thigh as she swirled around to show off the outfit to me.
"I doubt you need me to tell you what you already know," I shake my head but Sumomo gave a fake pout anyway.
"You always take the easy way out," Sumomo followed by crossing her arms.
"Saw some of your friends. You really sure you're going to be okay with them performing on stage with you?" Tamami seemed less than impressed with my friends abilities. She was fashionable as always. She had light brown hair and done up in pigtails, and brown eyes. Her outfit was more fit to her body than Sumomo's and meant to accentuate her figure. I guess in a way Kanamin Kitchen was meant to appeal to different members of the audience. Tamami was very proud and always looking for a way to improve herself. Though sometimes she comes off as arrogant.
"Hard to please as always Uesugi-san," I shook my head. "You already know why they are here. It's not like I would be able to confidently perform on my own."
"You are plenty talented, Ikakure," Tamami said simply but didn't elaborate. I never expected her to though.
"You look tired, Ikakure. Is everything alright?" The taller and often more mature of the four, Nakahara Nozomi walked in and then sat down at one of the seats next to me. Nozomi was the tallest of the girls but she was probably the most out of her comfort zone than the others. She has short auburn hair and has the least amount added to her outfit. Her figure was slim but she carried herself with confidence. But that was a character she played. Even now. But I had gotten to know these girls a bit over the last month as I had seen them off and on as the festival had slowly approached us.
"It is my first performance after all. Even with Rise trying to take as much off of me I can't help but feel stressed about all of it," I admitted and took a deep breath.
"You'll do fine, I'm sure of it," Tomoe had crossed over into the room as well. Soon all the girls were sitting down close to me.
"What brings you girls here? If you just had dress rehearsal you're pretty much done with today, aren't you?" I was curious as to why they would stop by here of all places.
"Inoue-san was supposed to meet us here, but he might have stepped out," Nozomi explained.
"Probably about the schedule. My Mom was supposed to be here too. Things change quickly so maybe the Producer is flagging them down for something," I shrugged and sat back just trying to calm myself. There was a brief silence but it didn't last long.
"Kayane-san, are you really dating Rise-chan?" Sumomo asked suddenly.
"Let me guess... Rise said something?" I gave a shrug. "We aren't really hiding it from you guys."
"So it's true then?" Tamami seemed to be more curious about this subject than I expected. Maybe I should stop having any expectations when it come to people around me. Especially idols. Rise had certainly blown away any preconceptions I might have had about Idols the more I got to know her. Then again my view of the world used to be a lot more narrow.
"Yeah, it is," I said after a moment not really having anything more to add to it. It would be more than I could possibly explain how everything that happened. I mean, how do you even make up a cover story for meeting a girl after you were kidnapped and thrown into a TV? Yeah, not to mention Persona and Shadows. As if any of that would have any way of making any sort of sense to anyone. I experienced it and if it wasn't for my Persona I probably would have tried to forget the whole ordeal. Can't say that a part of me doesn't wish I could still forget it.
"We just wanted to hear it from you and not Kanami or Rise-chan," Tamami said. "Those two are usually so busy it's hard to really have a good conversation with them. All we've heard are just some weird rumors in between all our rehearsals. And Kanami seems to be-"
"-More stressed than usual?" I interjected.
"Yeah," Tamami nodded. "Do you know something about it?"
"Did Kanami ever tell you girls that her and I knew each other when we were younger?" I pulled out my phone and briefly checked my messages before putting it down on the table.
"No, she didn't," Tomoe and the rest of the girls seemed surprised.
"She doesn't really remember it too well herself because something bad happened around that time. It was before she was officially taken on as a Idol of Takura productions. It was when she was originally trying out. I met her during one of her breaks. I was in Tokyo at the time as Mom was helping them with the selection process for their next wave of incoming talent. I think we got along pretty well. But something horrible happened at the time so Kanami-san blocked most of those memories out," I didn't have the right to elaborate on it. "You probably noticed that Kanami avoids this building. Although somewhat unconsciously."
The girls all shared a glance before they looked back to me. "Do you know why?" Sumomo spoke up to ask.
"Whether I do or not doesn't matter. It isn't my place to tell you about it," I was surprised when they all seemed to accept it. "But Uesugi-san what were you saying before, some sort of rumor?"
"Yeah, we heard something from the stage crew. Something about going to the festival website at midnight that it plays an unusual video. Supposedly it shows an idol that is known to be dead dancing in it," Tamami answered me and it immediately made my eyes widen.
"Yeah and they say if you watch the video to the end you are taken away to some other side and will never awaken... It's kinda scary actually," Sumomo said.
"It was enough to ruin or last rehearsal," Tomoe added.
"I'd say we were pretty distracted already before we heard that rumor," Nozomi added. "What do you think of this rumor, Kayane-san?"
A dead idol shown on a video on the festival website that shows itself at midnight. It sounds like any ridiculous urban legend. But if it was connected to this place, I couldn't ignore it. It was likely that this was...
"-All completely true," A voice cmae from the other side of the room. "That's what you're thinking, isn't it, other me."
I turned and standing there was my Shadow. But he wasn't alone. A shadow of Rise, Hamuko...and someone with blue hair. I think that was the one named Minato. Each with the gold eyes.
"What? Another Kayane-san?" Tamami spoke. I got to my feet. They could see them! How?
"How? How are you here?" I got to my feet and placed myself between the group of Shadows and the girls.
My Shadow grinned and pointed up at the ceiling. Above us was a... opening. Like something that led to a different dimension. "You've already made the connection right? Who the dead idol is. And if you did watch the website just like the rumor indicates you know something would happen. But I won't waste your time with the details."
"Come member of Kanamin Kitchen and Ikakure Kayane. I've prepared a place all or you. A place for each of you to call your own," a voice seemed to come from the widening portal that now seemed to give off an odd purple light into the room.
"What the hell?" Sumomo called out.
Then the next instant bright yellow ribbons appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around me. But not just me but all the girls too. I tried to move but the ribbons constricted my movements to the point that I could no longer move.
"You see my other self. It's a place that has been specially prepared for you and your friends. It's been waiting for you. To take you all to that place. I just gave it a little help," My Shadow grinned as he stepped towards me.
Then Shadow Rise left his side and came directly up to me. "We're going to have so much fun together you and I."
"Get away from me," I glare at her.
The yellow ribbons then started to pull us up towards the portal.
"Kayane! Kayane! What's going on?" Tomoe called out to me. So did the other girls as each one of them was now being pulled through the portal.
I stared back at My Shadow, "No matter what happens. When all is said and done. I will be the one who wins."
He simply laughed, "You won't be so confident once the real fun starts."
I was then pulled through the portal... The collection of Shadows following behind me. I don't know what was happening, but if it really was connected to the events back then... I'm sure it will all work out. My friends won't take this lying down. No matter what, they'll figure out a way to fight back and get everyone back. It's what they do best after all.
July 26th, 2012 / Evening
Takura Productions - Rehearsal Studio
RISE'S POINT OF VIEW
"It's really late," I sighed as I picked up my water bottle and took a quick drink. Some of the others had already gone back. The only ones that were left here was Yu, Yukiko and Naoto. Chie, Kanji and Yosuke had taken off a while ago. Those three had their parts pretty much down which I wasn't really surprised with considering how talented they all were. Though each a bit differently. Chie was a natural due to her practicing martial arts. Yosuke seemed to have a very natural rhythm so he picked it up pretty easily. And Kanji, he had been a surprise with how well he had memorized the steps and how he put in a bit of his own style into it. It was pretty impressive actually.
But where is Kayane? He's been gone a while now. He needs the rest sure but I'm always nervous when he isn't around. Maybe because he's just been so on edge lately and I know the stress of the performance was starting to get to him.
"Everything okay Rise?" Yukiko asks as she is next to me.
"Yeah, it's fine. I'm just... concerned," I admit after a moment.
"About Kayane?" Yu asked as I saw my other friends taking a seat on the chairs near by.
I nodded as I took another drink of water. "We've been so busy lately it's been hard to get time to really talk with him. When we do spend free time together we don't really talk."
"It has to be stressful for you too. I doubt you would want to talk about anything serious when you both get a chance to catch your breath and just spend some quiet time together," Naoto said to comfort me as she was taking a drink from her own water bottle.
"He has been gone for a while though. Wasn't he going to be gone for only an hour or so?" Yu asked.
He likely needed the time to himself. He was likely putting on a front for me so I wouldn't be so worried about him. That was just something that he did. I'm never sure if I should feel flattered or concerned about it. "With how busy we've been I want to let him handle things at his own pace. And with Kayane, constantly asking him if he's alright doesn't help things, it just makes him less likely to want to talk about anything. It's frustrating that I have to basically play a guessing game to know whether or not he's being truly honest with me or not."
"It isn't like he has ever lied to you though," Naoto commented.
"I know that," I sighed. "Kayane doesn't want me to worry about him. It's just the way he is. But the way he goes about it, is just to keep quiet when something worries him, or he is stressed. I just need to confront him about it."
Yu nodded, "Yeah, I think it's also a good idea to keep in mind that unlike the rest of us, Kayane hasn't spent much time with many others as he's grown up. I think it's too easy for him to come to a wrong conclusion on how we deal with our problems."
"I would add to that by saying that our particular group is not necessarily normal in terms of how we interact. In general, our society is not one that typically is open with our personal problems. But we all know what happens when you keep those types of issues to yourself, or you let it build up to an unhealthy amount," Naoto added but then looked towards me. "You should talk to him, I'm sure he would open up about his concerns if you breached the topic."
I nodded, she was right. I would take the time to talk to him tonight.
"All things considered, it is really impressive with all that you have done with him. He has come a long way to get to this point. To be standing next to you on a stage and singing. It's something I can't help but admire. He's been trying so hard, and we all know it isn't easy for him," Yukiko commented as she moved next to Yu.
I couldn't agree more, considering how badly he had been shaking after our performance at the culture festival it was crazy to think he would ever agree to become a performer like this. It was amazing to think about just how much progress Kayane had made in really coming out of his shell and taking a chance. He had done most of that for me. That is what he says at any rate. I want him to do it for himself but at least he was taking steps forward.
Naoto then shifted the conversation, "I wanted to bring something up. Something that is somewhat concerning."
"Is it about what we overheard earlier?" Yu asked which made me immediately concerned about it.
"Yes, and considering what time it is I thought it would be worth discussing," Naoto nodded.
"What are you two talking about?" their tone had definitely made me more than curious.
"We heard a couple of workers talking about a rumor. It's related to the Love Meets Bonds website. We normally would have dismissed it but the details of it were hard to ignore. Supposedly if you are on the website at midnight you'll see the image of a dead Idol, and she'll then pull you in and never let you out," Yukiko was the one who said this, and I know she had an interest in stories like this but her tone was serious and I immediately realized why it had caught them.
"At midnight?" I repeated the detail that had stuck with me.
"It is similar to what we experienced in Inaba and the Midnight Channel," Naoto nodded.
"Plus the Midnight Channel also started out as just a rumor," Yu pointed out as he pulled out his phone and checked the time. "It's nearly midnight now."
"Are you suggesting we check it out?" I ask knowing the answer. But hoping he'll say something I don't expect.
"We should, just to dismiss the claim. That way it is one less thing for us to worry about," Naoto said after a brief pause. I could tell the unspoken part of her message, without getting Kayane involved. If it escalated further, then we would tell him.
Kayane was under enough stress as it was. Though I didn't like hiding anything from him. He deserved to be told the truth about what was going on. But... if we could quickly dismiss the claim then it wouldn't be a problem.
Naoto had moved to the solitary computer in the room and had already navigated to the Love Meets Bonds website. We all gathered around her as the time slowly clicked to midnight. But there was a nagging thought that lingered in my mind, What if something does happen? I pulled out my phone to check the time. And was welcomed by an image of Kayane playing his piano. I had snuck a picture of this a long time ago when we were first getting to know each other. Even after all this time I still had an image of him from before I really knew him. This picture was from the night of the storm, and we had rehearsed as normal for the approaching culture festival. To this day I think Kayane looked his sexiest when he was lost in his music and playing his piano.
"The site appears to be operating normally..." Naoto makes a comment that pulls my attention.
"Let's wait till it actually hits midnight," Yukiko insists.
I lean forward to the screen, just as it clicks over to midnight on my phone. Static fills the computer screen and an eerie light begins to flicker. And deep in the image is a many shadows that seem to sway. It was hard to tell but it still caused a chill to go down my spine. Then I could see something... no it was definitely the outline of someone... someone dancing. No different than that of an idol. What was this? I stepped back as I felt that something was wrong... very wrong. Kayane? Where was my Kayane? And what was this noise? It wouldn't go away.
"...What is that?" Yukiko voiced.
"...Did you hear something just now?" Naoto asked.
"Yeah, I heard it too," Yu nodded.
"I don't like it," I speak up.
Then a voice could be heard... it's tone low and hard to distinguish. Was it laughing? But as I tried to figure it out... a strange purple and pink light began to pour into the room. I look up to see it's origin coming from the studio ceiling. Not only that but some sort of odd fog was coming through.
The voice then became more distinct and understandable, "Come, Kujikawa Rise... I've prepared a place just for you."
"Who're you? How do you-" I started but suddenly gold ribbons came from the light source and wrapped around me. But not just me but all of my friends. Everyone yelled out in surprise but before we even had a chance to resist we were pulled up to the ceiling. The light got insanely bright and I could no longer see. I could tell we were traveling and the next moment I hit the ground.
I was still blinded, I couldn't see a damn thing. I put my hand on the ground... it was different than the studio floor. I put one foot on the floor and stayed knelt down as I put my other hand over my eyes as if attempting to will my eyes to focus.
"Yu, are you okay?" It was Yukiko.
"Yeah, I think so. Thanks, Yukiko. Rise, Naoto, are you two all right?" Yu and Yukiko seemed to be close by but I still couldn't focus my sight.
My eyes were still adjusting but I could feel Kouzeon at my side and letting me know that my friends were fine. "Yeah, everyone seems okay." I said as the light was starting to fade but instead we seemed to be surrounded by darkness.
"It's so dark, where are we?" Yukiko asked. I couldn't really see them but the others weren't that far from me.
"My guess is the place that the dead idol supposedly pulls you into from the rumor. The rumor seems to have been true in a way," Naoto noted.
Then that eerie laughing starting again, "Welcome, Kujikawa Rise, to our Midnight Stage."
"Midnight stage?" Yu echoed in a questioning tone.
"This place is an ideal world where no one hurts or gets hurt. I only intended to invite Kujikawa here... but oh well," the voice spoke. "I prepared a stage for you all. Here, take a look." Then everything around us lit up. And we were standing on a stage with pink and purple lights and a clear heart motif. And clearly seen up in the stage lights was my name.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" I called out to the eerie voice.
"Tell me, Kujikawa, haven't you always wanted to connect with everyone? To know exactly the way people see you?" the voice said and gave attention to the beings that surrounded the stage. Silhouette like beings that... no way... Shadows? "Come now... won't you sing? Dance for them. It'll make everyone happy."
What kind of sick joke was this? But as the eerie voice prompted the mass of Shadows that surrounded the stage began to sway... waiting in anticipation for a performance. And considering the name above the stage, it wasn't meant to be mine. Wait, the Shadows' bodies all seem to be connected with ribbons... similar to the ribbons that had dragged all of us here. A rogue thought entered my mind.
Kayane, where was Kayane?
"Oh, did you realize it already?" another voice made me turn to see something I didn't expect. Kayane. No, not him. It was the Shadow... the one that posed as Kayane. "Kayane is here, you know. In this world."
"Where is he!?" I demanded and jumped towards him.
He tilted his head and grinned, "Be careful this world has very specific rules. And our host won't accept those rules being broken."
"You're all here to dance," the eerie voice insisted. And the Shadows around us begin to move in time with a song... a song that continues to get louder... but something about the music is wrong. Something washes over me as if it is robbing my strength as it does so.
"What is this...?" Naoto mutters.
"It's like it's draining me," Yukiko called out.
"Isn't it wonderful? This song is my gift to everyone," the eerie voice called out. "Don't you feel it...? How they all desire to connect with you...?"
"So that song and the Shadows' dance is what's affecting us!" Yu calls out.
"Points for the silver haired boy. I guess that is part of the reason you're the leader huh?" The Shadow Kayane grinned.
"Yu! We can do this," Yukiko was grabbing on to Yu.
"Persona!" both Yukiko and Yu called out and coming out was both of their Persona's and attacking the Shadows. But their attacks hit nothing and instead their Persona's shattered into nothing.
"Huh? Our Persona and attacks did nothing?" Yukiko's eyes widened with surprise.
"So, this is what you meant but rules that can't be broken," Yu looked to the Shadow Kayane.
"I told you earlier... No one gets hurt here," the eerie voice called out.
Another wave of energy rolled over us. The pressure hurt my head more than I could imagine. "What do you want from us?" I called out as I clutched my head, as it seemed to pulse worse and worse as the song grew louder and the Shadows continued to dance.
"We're just asking you to accept us. Come on... let's connect with these eternal bonds," the eerie voice called out. "Won't you be good children? It's all right. Please just dance for us, Kujikawa Rise."
It hurt... why? I stumbled back but Naoto was there to steady me. But it only grew more intense. This sound, it was as if it was trying to tunnel it's way into my skull. I collapsed forward and as I did, something happened. Falling from my side was my headphones and my mp3 player. It hit the ground and must have hit the button on the side of the ground and music came from my headphones.
Like being hit with water, there was a comfort that washed over me, as I heard Kayane's singing voice instead of that horrible sound that had been playing before.
"We can move!" Yukiko called out.
"Is it the music?" Naoto looked to me and then something must have clicked. "This is a place that violence can't exist, but there is still a way to fight back. Music, expression... dance, we have to dance!" Then a ribbon sprang forward and took Naoto's leg. I tried to grab her but she was rapidly pulled away from my reach.
"Naoto!" Yu called out. But she was pulled into the mass of shadows.
"Now what?" Yukiko was behind Yu as he stood there protectively.
It sounded absurd. But looking around it was obvious that the Shadows were being affected by the music that came from my headphones. Could I do something with this? I had an idea. Then I suddenly felt more confident about the idea. Kouzeon was telling me I was right. I stood confidently, "I can use my Persona to play the music. But it will have to be up to the two of you."
"Okay, we'll give it a shot," Yukiko confirmed with a nod.
A world without violence, but still filled with Shadows. Shadows that were moved by music. It wasn't that we couldn't fight, it's just the the rules of how we fought were different. I summoned Kouzeon as I picked up my mp3 player from the ground. Music, words and movement used to express how we feel... What would Kayane say to a place like this? I placed my headphones back on and then changed it to a song that I knew that Yukiko and Yu would be able to move to.
The song was upbeat and was a mix on one of my previous songs. But it had been changed with a new arrangement done by Kayane. Memories flooded through me as the words from the song started.
Do you dream of me (Dream of me)
The way I always seem to dream of you
Do you wish for me (Wish for me)
Somehow, I know your not a dream
That's right, this song had been one of my favorites early on in my career. I wish that I had written this song. It echoed a lot of what I felt when I had been starting out. I dreamed of meeting someone, it wasn't necessarily something like me meeting my Prince or the love of my life. It was just me meeting someone that would accept me for who I am. It isn't like I didn't dream of love either though. It wouldn't be a surprise to think that I think of Kayane when I sing this song now. My relationship with him had been like something out of a dream.
I just want to see you
I just want to see you
Because you aren't just a dream
I saw you again in my dreams, last night
You said, One day I will come to you
How can you say so little
And yet promise so much?
Well, I guess I came to Kayane, not the other way around. Not exactly an orthodox meeting. Having been thrown into the TV I learned so much about him before we ever really talked. And even after he had been reluctant to be involved with me. For a long time he refused to use my first name. Maybe I had been too pushy or familiar with him. But the more I learned of him, the deeper I was drawn in.
I just want to see you
I just want to see you
Because you aren't just a dream
Days turn to months to years
But dreams of you will not fade
Do you dream of me, like I dream of you?
Do you know the wish I hold in my heart?
I just want to see you
I just want to see you
Because you aren't just a dream
The song came to an end and I opened my eyes to see both Yu and Yukiko summon their Persona, each with an instrument to give a powerful boost to the ending notes of the song. And the Shadows disappeared, as if they were no longer tied to this place. I felt a big smile come over me.
"Great job guys! That was a fantastic performance," then I shook my head. "Actually, what was with your Personas just now? They were both different."
"I'm not sure," Yu started and shared a look with Yukiko. "I was thinking about wanting to convey my feelings to the Shadows and my Persona seemed to respond and resonate with my emotions."
"Yeah, it was the same with me. I felt like I had to show them that there is a way to connect with people by being yourself, you know?" Yukiko and Yu definitely had been in sync with each other.
Even now these two continued to show me why they were my Senpai. But I pushed that away as I saw Naoto getting up from where she was. With the Shadows gone she simply looked tired.
"Naoto," I rushed over to her. "Looks like you were right. Yukiko and Yu were able to convey their feelings and disperse the Shadows."
"Yeah, if it wasn't for them I would still be connected to them," Naoto took a deep breath. "That ribbon had essentially forced me to follow their line of thought. It was as if I had wanted to be the person they all saw me to be. It made me believe I wanted to be tied to the Shadows. Even though it meant discarding who I actually am. What's worse, is I felt that it was what I needed to do. Like it was the right thing to do."
"So, it's a mob mentality," I comment as I avert my eyes for a moment. How appropriate for it to be a crowd at a concert. It has been said that the crowd of a concert can lead to some rather dangerous situations, and people have been known to do things that they would never do in other situations. "That's scary."
"Indeed. It must be all a part of the power of this place. And the ribbon is how it directly influences you. Since the world has a rule against violence there is no direct attack... but it instead directly attacks your mind. Even with the power of Persona being connected to that ribbon would be hard to resist." Naoto added more speculation.
"I think it's more than that," Yukiko spoke up. "While Yu and I were dancing, it felt like the oppression would get to us if we relented."
"We couldn't let our guard down for a second. If we had, the Shadows likely would have had the opportunity to carry us off like they had you," Yu said looking to Naoto. "While the ribbon does it directly, that horrible song and the Shadows' dance likely have the same capabilities."
"We stayed focused on our dance. To show them that we would always be us, and that we wouldn't be so easily convinced." Yukiko answered.
"And likely as a response to your power overcoming theirs I was able to remember who I was and free myself from the ribbon and the Shadows,' Naoto nodded and likely felt that was the logical answer to what had happened. "It's ironic that the key to this confrontation was the 'true self' I once tried so hard to deny. One shouldn't abandon one's self just because they've been connected to others. I feel that those Shadows were released from the ribbon's binding because they sensed that as well. What do you think Rise?"
I shook my head, "I get what you're saying but for me, I was focused on the song. It flooded me of memories of when I was younger and the wishes I had when I performed it so long ago. A lot has changed since then."
"That song...its Want to See You from your first album, right?" Yukiko asked.
"Yeah, it fit my mentality for a lot of the early parts of my career. I had wanted to fit in, to make friends, and that song embodied a lot of those feelings. But I never wanted to compromise who I was to make those friends. Yet I really hadn't known who I was," I couldn't help myself and allowed a chuckle. We were left on a big empty stage as the remnants of the Shadows and ribbons disappeared into sparkling light above us. I felt Kouzeon telling me something as I looked up. "Shadows are leaving... returning to where they belong...?"
"Returning? To where?" Naoto asked.
"I don't know, but that's the feeling I get from Kouzeon. Without the ribbon, they've all disappeared from this world. Maybe it's like you Naoto and they realized something wasn't right," I suggested.
"Still... what could those Shadows have been? They certainly aren't like the Shadows we know," Naoto shook his head.
"Enough thinking about that. We should try and figure out a way to get out of here," Yukiko interrupted.
"Yeah, good point. At least the immediate danger has passed," Yu nodded.
"You don't like this stage? After all the trouble I went through to prepare it...?" the eerie voice from before spoke to us and immediately put us all back on guard.
"You again...! I've had enough of this! Is your idea of 'eternal bonds' tying up the Shadows with that thing!? You've got one twisted mind!" I called out.
"That's right! If this is the 'connection' you speak of, then it's much too one-sided!" Naoto supported me.
The voice laughed in response.
"And here I thought if anyone would understand this, it would be you, Rise," another voice spoke up and we all turned. We saw a familiar and unwelcome sight sitting in what was once crowded with Shadows. He looked like Kayane, but we knew instantly that it was the fake Shadow Kayane. "Be what others want you to be, what they believe you to be. Isn't that what you have done as your time as an Idol? Doing as your told to sell records and be the pretty package that was every idol fan's wet dream? You were so good at it that you were the number one idol in just a year after they started promoting you."
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Oh... just to tell you that my new friend and I have created a special place for some your friends. And well, I don't have to tell you who the other person is do I?" he sneered, full of malice and pride in what he had done.
"Where is Kayane!?" I screamed as my mind went into full panic mode.
"He's safe. He can't be harmed here, you know," his laugh a dark one that sent chills to my bone. "However, the four of you have worn out your welcome. Since you've made it clear you're rejecting my friends most generous offer."
"And don't get so cocky just because you sent those Shadows back. Our bonds are eternal... There are countless others to forge them with," the eerie voice spoke up.
"It's time for all of you to leave the stage," Shadow Kayane added.
"The next performances will be beginning soon... featuring Tamami and the others," the voice said.
"Tamami!? You took the other girls along with Kayane?" I realized the situation was more dire than we knew. Quickly I summoned Kouzeon. "There are other places where Shadows are bunched up. One, two... five total? Hold on I found someone. It's Tomoe."
"No playing around in the venue. It's off-limits to unauthorized personnel..." the eerie voice informed us. Before we realized it those same ribbons from before had wrapped around all of us.
"Goodbye for now," Shadow Kayane laughed.
"No! No! Kayane! Kayane, I'll save you I swear it!" I screamed out before being pulled into a blinding light.
It was a few seconds before I could see again, but even when I could I already knew we were back in the studio we had been in before. I sat on the ground of the studio... my mind feeling like it had gone numb from what had just happened.
"Looks like we made it back," Naoto comments. "We rejected the bond so we were forced to leave."
"Why is the fake Shadow Kayane there?" Yukiko asked after a moment.
"I would assume he is taking advantage of the powers of that world for his own objectives. If you all remember he had used Kagutsuchi for his benefit, if there is some other entity behind this world, there is enough to believe he'll do the same here," Yu spoke up.
"And he targeted Kayane-senpai again. That's why he was gone so long. Him and the girls from Kanamin's Kitchen had likely been together and they were all taken at once," Naoto speculated.
"That place was huge, I didn't have any time to identify the others but one of them was definitely Tomoe. More than likely the other four locations were the others and Kayane," I bit my lip. "Dammit!'
"Rise, relax, getting angry about this isn't going to-"
"Don't you dare try and calm me down! My boyfriend is at the mercy of that fake Shadow of his! He needs me right now and we got thrown out and we don't know how to get back!" I got to my feet.
"Losing your temper is not going to save Kayane!" Yu glared at me.
I know that. But what was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to get to him?
"We have to tell the others. And we should inform Kirijo-san," Naoto spoke up. I turned to look at her. "Kayane is a member of the Shadow Operatives now. Plus with Kayane's Fake Shadow being involved we need to tell them. At the very least it could also give us some additional resources to figure this out."
"You're right," I admit and take a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Yu-senpai."
He shook his head, "It's fine. We're all frustrated right now. But we do know they can't hurt Kayane... not physically anyway."
That wasn't what I was worried about. With the power of that world... who knows what Kayane might have to suffer. But why Kayane? Why was he being targeted again? But what happened now? I guess the next step was gathering everyone. From there we would plan our next step. Please... please hold out until I can reach you Kayane...
A/N:
It has been far too long since I last posted a chapter. A combination of life events just continued to stack up. Plus working a mass amount of overtime made it hard to get anything productive done. But it isn't like I haven't been writing. I've also got something else I've been working on which I will eventually share. But time to refocus on completing this one. It might be a while between chapters but I'm hoping to get back into a groove and get moving to the end of Last Symphony.
The Story of Dancing All Night has officially started with this chapter. Although there are definitely things that are different. Unlike the original story the Shadow Operatives and other characters will play a part here. Though I won't spoil what this is all leading to. There will be more focus on backstory and characters and the relationship and connection they have to Kayane through this arc. Obviously dancing isn't something that is in particular that fun to read. Especially since dance is a visual performance and even describing in detail dance moves it would not be something that is exciting or fun to read. At least that is how I think of it. So more than likely the dance segments will be similar to what happened in this chapter. It just gives me the different challenge of writing lyrics for songs.
Obviously there are a lot of alterations to the story that are going to come just because of the nature of the expanded cast, but we're also inching closer to the final arc of the story. So while it's been some time since I've posted anything, I'm hoping to ramp it up and make a push to the end.
So I want to apologize for being go so long, but I'm back. I can't guarantee what my release schedule or when the next chapter will be released, but I'll try to ensure it wasn't as long as the wait from the last chapter to this one. Let me know what you think and what you hope to see in this arc or as we head into the last part of the story. Thanks for giving me a bit of your time for my little corner of this website.
