Chapter 58 / Rush

July 27th, 2012 / Late Afternoon
YU'S POINT OF VIEW

"Whoa... What do we have here?" Yosuke blinked as we all stopped. The place we were heading into now was more vibrant than where we had come from before. The atmosphere felt different too. Just what was all of this about?

"It's way different than before," Chie comments, staying close to Yosuke. "It was a circus for a while back there, but this feels more like... nightlife, don't you think?"

"Mm-hm. I wonder what the person who made all this is trying to accomplish," Yukiko added.

"The person who made this, huh... Yeah, it's not like the TV world where everything reflects the mind of the one trapped inside. So, the most reasonable guess would be that that voice made all this," Yosuke speculated. "Who the heck is it, anyways? It's been all voice and the only one we've seen is that fake Shadow of Kayane-senpai!"

"Who me?" as if we summoned him, he appears with an irritatingly amused chuckle. "You aren't having fun here? Given the theatrics of the whole presentation I thought it would be right up your guys alley. What with all the things you've done and seen in your past. This is probably a walk in the park by comparison. All you must do is express yourself here. No need to be violent."

Was he trying to taunt and anger us? What would be the point in doing that? Making us waste time? Or to make us rush? It seemed like that whatever he was up to he needed time. The difference here was obvious, Kayane had a Persona. He had defenses against this fake Shadow. Meaning whatever he was doing he had to first wear down Kayane's defenses. We were up against a clock. But without know what he was doing there was no way in knowing how much time we had left. We were at a massive disadvantage. And I doubt that Rise is thinking clearly with Kayane not with her. It was a good thing that Naoto and the others were with her.

"No matter what you do, you will ultimately fail," Yukiko spoke up.

"Oh, so confident, aren't you? Well save your speeches, what you believe doesn't matter," the Shadow dismissed Yukiko's words as if it wasn't even a possibility. With the way he talked and his expression then it could only mean that it was progressing the way he wanted. But what did that mean?

"Why are you here?" I asked him as I remained defensive. Even if violence wasn't allowed here. I was sure there were ways this being had thought of in order to trick us or act against us.

He eyed me, "Are you worried about Kayane?"

"You bastard. The last person that gets to say his name so casually is you," I growled and curled both my hands into fists.

"Oh? How interesting," he laughed and moved towards me. Walking right up to me. "And you believe that you've earned that right? That any of you have earned that? Tell me, what is it that you know about Ikakure Kayane? You know… what? That he's suffered? That he's lost people he cares about? And what? Does that give you some sort of way to comprehend what he went through? To know how he has felt over all these years. You truly understand nothing."

Yukiko was the one that stepped forward and got into the face of the fake Shadow, "We understand more than anyone. And if you underestimate Kayane then you will be the one that suffers in the end. He's stronger than you know."

The Shadow shook his head and laughed, stepping away, "You fools truly are interesting. But if you didn't resist up until the very end then this wouldn't be any fun for me. Hold on to your pitiful hope for the future. The true stage is almost set." And with that he disappeared like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

Yukiko turned to me and took my hand, "Relax Yu. Don't let him rile you up. We keep moving like we have been, and we'll save him. Don't try and shoulder this alone."

"That's right, partner. Kayane-senpai is waiting for us," Yosuke comforted me. "We'll save him just like we have before."

"That's why, we have to keep moving," Chie added.

Of course, what was I getting so hung up on? We couldn't just wait, "Let's move." I started moving, jogging as we all entered the next area of the stage. It seemed like the fake Shadow had drawn attention away from us for the moment. I doubt it would stay that way for long. Everyone fell into step with me as we could see a figure not that far ahead of us.

"There!" Yukiko pointed out.

"That's definitely her. Those wistful eyes. That alluring look. That flowing hair. That's Kanamin Kitchen's leader, Tomomin the soft lamb. Wow, I mean WOW! Holy crap, this is a... ugh!" Yosuke was talking but had suddenly tripped and tumbled onto the ground as we all stopped in front of Tomoe. "What the hell!?

"You want to swoon over some girl in front of me and expect to get away with it?" Chie growled at him.

"Oh, come on! You know you're the only one for me. But idols are something else," Yosuke tried to defend himself.

"So, what, you just settled for me then?" she glared.

"No that isn't what I mean," Yosuke scratched the back of his head. "You can be so impossible sometimes."

Tomoe runs the rest of the distance towards us, "You were with Rise-san, right? Narukami and Amagi." She is looking at both Yukiko and I.

"Tomoe-san, I'm glad to see you're safe," I try to give a comforting smile.

"Are you hurt at all?" Yukiko asked inspecting her, ready to use her Persona to heal the idol if necessary.

"I'm fine. But I couldn't find anyone else. I don't know what to do... I-I'm so worried... Sumomo, Tamami, Nozomi... and Kayane-senpai. I hope they're okay..." Tomoe was really in a panic. Not the calm and collected person I had met when we were practicing. This must be how she really is when the spotlight is off her.

"We just rescued Tamami-san. Rise found Sumomo-san and they should be with Ochimizu-san now. The others should be on their way to rescue Nozomi-san. And we'll rescue Kayane after that. So don't worry," I reassured her.

"R-Really? Oh, thank heaven... I was afraid something might have happened to them," Tomoe sighs in relief. We weren't out of the woods yet, but there was no point in worrying her considering the complexity of the situation and that Tomoe wouldn't know heads or tails of it if we tried to explain it. She then gasps suddenly, "Where's Tamami!? I-I need to see her! She must be feeling terrible right now..."

"Calm down, Tomomin. You're not really acting like yourself," Yosuke said meaning to calm her but his words might have triggered something else. Had he not made the connection?

"O-Oh my god, I'm sorry! I can't believe th- I-I'm so sorry!" Tomoe replied.

Of course, this is when a voice decided to enter with its usual laugh, "Come now, Tomoe. That's not the you that everyone wants."

"You again? We won't let our guard down this time!" Chie and the rest of us stood protectively around Tomoe.

But in this place, I wonder if there was truly anything we could do to stop it. This world that outlaws violence. Perhaps even self-defense was counted in that way.

"Let's go, Tomoe... Your greatest performance is about to begin," the eerie voice spoke out. That eerie song ever present in the background, began to play louder. "This is all for your sake, after all. Right, Tomoe?"

"N-No! I'm not going. I don't wanna perform here," Tomoe refuses. Had the voice tried to convince her before this point?

"It's okay, Tomoe. I know you're just saying that... You will come with me. It's what everybody wants... See?" the eerie voice spoke and the gate that continued on. the empty stands around the stage suddenly filled with Shadows. I see, we weren't fast enough this time.

"The Shadows here are connected by those ribbons, too," Yukiko pointed out. Strange... there was something more to this. Maybe something we were missing.

"Come on, Tomoe. You're the leader. It's your job to live up to everyone's expectations, isn't it?" the eerie voice spurred Tomoe further. "Are you going to turn your back on them and run away?"

"Th-The leader..." Tomoe's eyes fell.

"Don't listen to it, Tomoe-san. Being a leader doesn't mean you have to appease everyone," I attempt to convince her. I knew that being a leader was tough. It was something that I had to do. I made my own mistakes. If it hadn't been for my friends that supported me, then I might have succumbed to these sorts of thoughts as well. Kayane, don't tell me that this was some of the thoughts you struggled with too. Wouldn't you come to me if you had? No, I guess you wouldn't.

"Rise, are you there?" Yukiko called out. A moment later a familiar connection surrounded us. "I understand how you feel Tomoe-san. When everyone has high hopes for you, you want to make them happy. But your own feelings are all mixed up. You don't want to disappoint anybody, so you struggle. It's always on your mind, you don't know what to do. It hurts."

"Yukiko, is that..."

She smiled at me, her brilliant smile that always caught me off guard. The smile I had fallen in love with, "But you can only be you. Nothing good comes from lying to yourself. I made that mistake before, but I won't do it again. Telling others who you are, and being understood, makes life so much better. I know it's difficult, but you have to make that attempt."

"So, you think you understand?" that eerie voice chuckled. "I'm afraid you don't understand anything. No one wants a bond that only brings you pain. Connect with me, and it'll all be so clear."

The song intensified further, overpowering us. Driving the Shadows into a frenzy with dance. Tomoe-san is buckling under the pressure.

"Senpai, sorry to keep you waiting. Are you alright?" Rise comes in with a panic.

"I need my song! There are Shadows all around us!" Yukiko replied.

"Got it! Here we go!" Rise was trying to juggle a few things at once. Splitting up might have been the most effective but Rise was with double the workload.

"Sorry, Rise-chan! I promise to make it up to you and Kayane when we're out of here," Yukiko called out.

"It's fine! Just promise me you'll use everything I taught you and make it your best performance!" Rise replied. That was more the Rise I knew. Yukiko was able to calm her amid this chaos. I couldn't be prouder of my girlfriend. "This is for you Yukiko!"

The music blasted, overpowering the other song as Yukiko went right into her routine. This song... it was one of Rise's songs... this must have been one of the remixed tracks on Synchronicity's album because the mix of music and even the beat had been altered. The vocals were different... everything was tuned to fit Rise. This had Kayane's work written all over it.

"Snowflakes blowing and the view's
Obscured by history, I still remember it with you
Like I'm stuck in mixed realities

This is where we say goodbye
And I'm stronger for the time I shared with you
It helps me hold my head up high

In my heart I'm with you

This is where the snow falls now
Cold and hard, and yet it melts upon my brow
Something keeps me warm inside

Some dream that keeps me going through the night"

The music kept moving as Yukiko poured her heart into her movement and it had its effect on the Shadows. One by one the ribbon tying the Shadows together were erased and the mass of Shadows were freed as they joined Yukiko in her song rather than that horrid one that had been playing before. The song came to an end. The shadows all have disappeared.

"Thank goodness. It looks like they understood me," Yukiko smiled as she moved towards me. "Dancing is hard, but you really can reach out to people if you put your heart into it."

"That was excellent, Yukiko. Beautiful and elegant as always," I can't help but return her smile with my own.

"So, you've poisoned them, as well," the eerie voice interjected.

"That's not how it really is... and you know that, don't you? Chaining Shadows down here isn't going to help anyone," Yukiko called out.

"If you want a bond that bad, go out into the real world. It might be tough. You might feel a lot of pain, but you gotta find someone who'll hear you out, and show them the real you," Chie supported Yukiko's stance.

The voice hesitated to respond but only for a moment before chuckling in its usual manner, "You kids really are interesting. But you don't get it. Do they, Tomoe? The more you act as yourself, the farther you push people away. You know that better than anyone. Have you ever been loved, even once, for who you truly are? You only get hurt and betrayed. Isn't that right, Tomoe?"

Even after what had just happened, that song is playing again in the background and the words the voice say are like a vice around Tomoe's heart. I see. Is it the fear of rejection? The hopelessness of never satisfying those around you. No matter how good you are, or how hard you try. There are somethings that even effort and honesty can't overcome. That was the hang up here, right?

"Do you really want that? You're the leader. If nobody loves you, how can you protect anyone?" the eerie voice called out. Then in an instant before any of us could react, those yellow ribbons knocked us away from Tomoe and wrapped around her. The gate that blocked us before slams open and pulls Tomoe down, only hearing a cry from her when it happens. The eerie voice laughed, "What did I tell you? Tomoe isn't going with you." The voice laughs and faded away.

All of us started giving chase, "It manipulates their insecurities. Ones we have no way of knowing." I speculate out loud.

"It's no different than the TV world. We didn't know each other's insecurities either. And it was hard for all of us to face the truth," Yosuke added.

"But this connecting business is different! The voice doesn't want them to deny who they are. It wants them to feel hopeless to fight against reality, against how the world sees them. It is turning them into a sheep controlled by the masses," Yukiko hit the nail on the head. It made complete sense. But why? Why is that what they were aiming for? And Kayane he... my eyes widened. Is that what it sought? To make Kayane feel truly hopeless?

We moved to a new stage area, where it is covered in bright neon light... shelves lined with liquor bottles and gaudy, chintzy decorations all around. Just what was this place? This was the stage prepared for Tomoe. And standing in the center of it was Tomoe, herself. She was there yelling out around her, "No! I'm not doing it because I want to!"

The eerie voice laughed, "True. You aren't the sexy type at all. In fact, you're so shy, you've never gone out with a boy. And that hobby of yours... Hahahahaha!"

"Wh-Who are you? Why do you know about that?" Tomoe demanded.

"But Tomoe... No one needs THAT you. If people are disappointed, their hearts will abandon you. Poor girls. Left behind by their own leader..." the voice provoked.

"I... I... Sumomo... Nozomi... Tamami... Kanami..."

"Tomoe-chan!" Yukiko and Chie cried out as we tried to close the distance to her.

"Forget who you really are, Tomoe. Sexier than anyone, dominant over everyone, the mature leader... That's the you everyone wants. Here, listen to what everyone has to say..." The voice said and something about the sudden increase in that eerie song brought us all to a stop. As new voices called out.

"I love how she seems so... seductive. In control. Like, they're supposed to be 'edible idols,' but it feels like she's the one doing the eating," one voice spoke overcame us.

"That better-than-you attitude gives me chills. I love that sultry look, like she knows exactly what you want," another man spoke. These voices meant to solidify the hold over Tomoe...

"Without Tomomin, there's no sex appeal. I don't feel like supporting them without a little incentive. I have to admit, it's the sexy ones I get the hots for. And that's Tomomin all over." The voices continued to spout their garbage opinion at her in a collective attack.

"I-I... Ahhh..." Tomoe shook her head trying to not hear them.

"See, Tomoe? Everybody wants the sexy, confident you who has men wrapped around her little finger. Now... just accept it. There's no place for the real you." The eerie voice had its grip around Tomoe already.

"That's... right. This is... all I have," Tomoe was then wrapped in the yellow ribbons an instant later. This time much more thoroughly than before. She is laughing sadly as a black mist also covers her body. Then it engulfs her completely. And it starts to take a different shape. "Everybody is happy this way. The real me is worthless."

"Not again... Why does it have to end up like this!?" Yosuke was frustrated. I could understand that.

But we didn't know the whole picture. Words and actions have a way of hurting people without us knowing. Even your friends, people close to you can hurt you. Life is cruel and unfair, and the things that pain us are even harder to forget and let go. Even if we know that people don't mean it... it still hurts.

Tomoe form changed much like how it had for Tamami, but this time the form had a blue butterfly mask, and overly large breasts. Meant to be overly sexualized, for sure, "Ahhh... I feel so hot! That's right, I am the butterfly... the queen of the night! It's useless trying to show the real me anyway. No one would ever understand. C'mere, babe. Connect with me and feel the heat. Leave it all to me, and I'll show you the time of your life. Don't you prefer pleasure over pain? Why go through the pain of expressing yourself? You get nothing out of it!"

"That's not true!" I yell out, I had enough of this. "Tomoe-san, you're just hiding behind someone else's desires!"

"Yu is right! Maybe nobody has understood you yet, but you can't give up that easily!" Yukiko supported me.

"Watch me, Tomoe-san. I'll show you what it means to express yourself!" I had to be the one this time. "Rise, can you hear me? I need my song."

"Loud and clear, Senpai! Okay, here comes the beat," Rise chimes in quickly. The next moment, music begins to play. A song I had practiced on several times.

A song written by Kayane, a new one he wrote while they were recording. So it was the last one added to the album. The song had a simple title but held a lot of weight. The song was called, Reminder. On its own, the title does not convey much. Even the contents of the song would not mean much to those that didn't know the events of Kayane and Rise's past. The first time I heard this song, it had filled me with a number of emotions. My friends had gone through so much in their lives. But we were all moving forward now. However, Kayane, and the reason he wrote this song was a reminder of the past. This was because as Persona users we could never hide from what makes us who we are. After all we all gained the power of Persona by accepting who we are. And everything that comes with it. The past makes us who we are.

"Is every day a gift
Of new untold adventure
How can my spirit lift
When the road here was filled with terror"

I let myself be swept up in the music. This song was one of hope, and someone's ability to fight. This song had words that fit Tomoe. A young woman that had her physical beauty emphasized and used to sell albums. It was something that came with being an idol. But many, like Rise hoped to be something more than that for their fans. And Tomoe would be no different. Plus, her actual personality was different than the one they presented for Kanami's Kitchen. But what this eerie voiced offered her was nothing but honeyed words and a lie that was supposed to offer them bliss and popularity in return. But it meant giving up everything that you are. And no one should ever accept that. That isn't true bliss, that wasn't real success.

This feeling, and message of this song, I had to bring it out further with my dance. I let my expressions be carried with the music. The song, was a journey, questioning the reason to keep struggling, but then moving past that and looking forward to the next day. Don't be weighed down by the thoughts of others, when it takes so much to accept our own. How hard has it been for Kayane? When for so long suicide was a thought that was with him every day. To be questioned and blame himself for the death of his best friend. And feeling such solitude and loneliness that even his Mother couldn't get through to him.

I poured these thoughts and feelings into the dance, as I ended it by summoning my Persona, Izanagi-no-Okami. The power I gained through the bonds of my friends. That included Kayane. I know I could get through to her.

"Did he do it...!?" Chie said as the music faded, and the out of control Tomoe returned to her real form.

"It... It burns...! Ahhhh!" it yelled as the Shadow like form withered away.

"Tomoe-san!" Yukiko said as she and Chie both moved forward to Tomoe.

The dark blue haired girl slumped to the ground, "What... have I done...? I denied myself, and ... a-and everyone saw... that..."

Yukiko shook her head, "It's okay. Everything, the good parts and the embarrassing parts... It's all part of you, Tomoe-san."

"We're the same," I spoke up. "And I'm sure there are people out there who will accept you as you are, Tomoe-san." It was the same for all of us, after all. When I had moved out to Inaba I wasn't sure what I would find. It wasn't like I had some grand life I had been leaving behind either. My parents were ambitious always working something. Because of that we had always been moving, but this last time it took them overseas. I guess it was why I didn't have any real direction in my life. I saw how successful and adventurous my parents were, and they were both inspiring as much as they were daunting to grow up with. It wasn't until Inaba and all the things that happened where I finally figured out my own path.

Tomoe took a deep breath and seemed to settle herself before she finally spoke, "When I was a student, I... I told a friend about my hobby. She laughed so hard... I got scared, couldn't face her... and before I knew it, we weren't friends anymore."

"Huh...? W-Wow, I'm... sorry..." Yosuke seemed surprised by the revelation.

"I guess that was when I learned to distance myself from everyone else... I was scared to be myself," Tomoe admitted.

"I don't know the details, but I doubt they meant any offense," I scratched my head.

"It's alright, Narukami-kun," Tomoe shook her head. "I know. Thinking back on it, it's only natural that she laughed. But... thank you. All of you. I really appreciate it." She hesitated again, pausing for a long moment, "I... I-I... I'm... WEIRD! I love manga, I watch TV at home all day, I just can't get out of my kotatsu! On my days off I stay in my PJs, eat snacks, drop crumbs all over, and waste hours online checking my favorite sites! I-I'm too scared to hold hands with a boy, I'm not good talking to people, and I always spend New Year's on my own! I see manga I like, and I buy it, then I realize I already have that volume, but oh well, you know! God... I'm awful..."

Tomoe let her confession come out all at once and nearly tripped up her words a few times along the way. Honestly, I wanted to laugh. The worries of a pop idol had to be many. Your interests and everything have to take a back seat sometimes. That was what I had gathered. Some things are best to keep private, but that didn't make it unacceptable or something to be ashamed of. If anything, I think it was a great thing to have interests unrelated to the work you do. Meanwhile, Yukiko does start cracking up next to me.

"Hmhmhmhmhm! Ahahahaha! Buying... two of the same manga...? I do that too...! Hmhmhmhmheeheehee!" Yukiko couldn't help herself.

"Yukiko-san! Now's not a good time for that! What if this traumatizes Tomomin even more!?" Yosuke seems a bit panicked, but he was a bit quick on the draw.

Tomoe starts laughing herself, "Ah...! *snrk*... Hahahaha! No, it IS funny, for sure! I mean, who'd need two, right!? Ahahahaha!"

"Ohhh boy. So, she's THAT type. And I thought ONE was tough enough to deal with..." Chie shakes her own head.

But Yukiko and Tomoe were laughing together now and couldn't look at each other for more than a second before the laughter livened up once more. I'm more than aware that my girlfriend is a bit on the dorky side. Her laughing fits can be triggered by some of the most random things sometimes, but it is this side of her that I love so much, when she is just so honest and carefree. If anything, it is in this moment when I can see her without the pressure or weight of responsibility on her shoulders. And I can see it is the same with Tomoe-san. As they do, a beam of light appears, and a door. Same as it was with Tamami.

The two stopped laughing as we all looked to the door.

Tomoe blinked, "Is this... the door to the dressing room at our office? How come it's here...?"

"Why don't we go inside? Uh, carefully... We don't know yet if it's safe inside.," Chie reached forward and opened the door. It seemed identical.

"Seems the same as last time," Yosuke noted as we all nodded and stepped inside.

"Can't hear that eerie song here either," Chie added as the door closed behind us.

"I wonder how the others are doing," I walk in and sit in a chair. I'm sure all of us were a bit tired but we couldn't afford to wait for long.

Then a few moments of silence before I felt that familiar voice.

"Senpai? Are you okay to talk?" Rise and her power connected all of us.

"Yeah, we're good. We just saved Tomoe-san," I answered.

Tomoe had a different reaction, "H-huhhh!? Oh, no... I can't be going crazy! I can hear Rise'san's voice inside my head...! And Narukami-kun is talking back to her...!?"

"Oh boy, here we go again," Chie sighs.

"They can't help it. IT is getting repetitive, though," Yukiko smiles and launches into an explanation to Tomoe. Chie is helping along the way.

"How is it over there?" I ask Rise.

"We should be coming up on Nozomi soon. Seems like you were able to rescue both Tamami and Tomoe," Rise sounded relieved but I could still feel the tension in her voice. She wanted to get to Kayane, and fast. I did too, but it was hard to tell how much more it was affecting her. I needed to get her mind off this.

"Rise, about Ochimizu-san. It seems like the Shadows don't attack her for some reason," I tried to refocus her.

"I noticed that too. She seems to be aware of it and is using it to move around as she pleases. I assume you met up with her," Rise speculated.

"Yeah, we have," I confirmed.

"If it wasn't for Kayane's Mom she likely would be different in terms of being approached. Seems her previous reputation might be intention on her part. Still, as soon as we can save Nozomi we can get them out of here before going after Kayane," Rise said.

"That is what I was thinking as well. Stay alert, and good luck over there. We'll catch up once we meet up. We're going to rest up a bit," I quickly tell her.

"You got it," Rise says.

"Oh, and Rise. Good work so far," I added quickly.

Rise didn't respond though and instead cut the connection.

"Yu," Yukiko is next to me and points to something that is attached to the mirror. "It's like when we were with Tamami-san."

I move to the note and start reading it, "The morning glory won't bloom, no matter how hard I wish. I've already forgotten my true face... My love for music has grown cold. I'm scared to sing, scared to get on the stage, scared to face my fans' expectations. How would she feel if I left? I don't want to make her sad, but nothing can fill the void in my heart."

"This person's having some hard times... It's even worse than the last note. Ghost or not. This is just plain scary," Yosuke shook his head. Chie was next to him and took his arm. Chie wasn't good with this kind of stuff, but still this was a bit unnerving to say the least.

"Could these be all notes written by the idol that committed suicide?" Yukiko suggested.

"Could be. Still too soon to judge," I shook my head. It would fit though and more than likely the connection was there in this world. This place fit these feelings perfectly, almost as if this Midnight Stage was created in response to it. Someone who lost their love of music, who lost themselves trying to meet the demands of their fanbase. Drowning in a sea of expectations set by everyone around them. It was hard to imagine it any other way. Is that why the fake Shadow of Kayane brought the real one here? Was Kayane falling into those same thoughts? Had we unknowingly placed expectations upon him?

We saved you, so you should be okay now. You should be happy like all of us. Your relationship with Rise should be like mine and Yukiko's. Why can't you let go of the past? Those had to be the kind of thoughts that Kayane was having. Kayane, had I failed you as a friend again? I was supposed to be the leader and I didn't notice you suffering. Or Rise. The past is not so easily forgotten. You can't simply forget and move on. Maybe I just wasn't good enough to realize that. After all, I couldn't relate. I didn't have anything close to a past like Kayane's. I wasn't abused, and never saw a close friend die. Maybe I was just too naive to believe that being there for him would be enough.

"Calystegia?" I heard Tomoe speak up, looking at the note on the mirror. "It's another name for morning glory but... don't tell me..."

She looks shocked and seemed to be attempting to remember something.

"Do you have an idea what the note is about?" Yukiko asked.

"No, but it reminded me of something I heard when our appearance at LMB was finalized. A very popular idol who was with Takura Productions passed away a few years back. It was apparently big news back then. Just before she died, she wrote one final song, Calystegia, a flower commonly known as morning glory. And that song, Calystegia, that's the new song we're debuting at the LMB Fest," Tomoe said.

"An idol that belonged to Takura Productions, who has a connection with Kanamin Kitchen," I noted. A thought occurred to me. "Tomoe-san, do you know why that particular song was selected for Kanamin Kitchen?"

"Ochimizu-sensei selected it," she answered. "The song originally never saw the light of day. After what happened, its release was put on hold indefinitely. But Ochimizu-sensei said that''d be a key selling point."

"Seriously?" Yosuke shook his head.

"Tomoe-san, if you don't mind, can I ask you the name of the idol that passed away?" Yukiko asked.

"Oh, yes. It's..."

"Osada Yuko," another voice answered and cut off Tomoe," then the door closed again and standing there was none other than Ochimizu.

"Ochimizu-san? What are you doing here?" Chie reflexively asked.

"Yuko's curse," Ochimizu shook her head. "The notion is so ridiculous; I'd expect to find it on the cover of a tabloid. Then again in a place like this, it's easy to think some monster or ghost is responsible. But that is impossible to be true to begin with."

"You must have a reason for saying that," I pointed out, but she turned her attention to Tamoe instead.

"Tomoe. Choose your words more carefully if you don't want to make a fool of yourself. See what chaos you've caused?" Ochimizu looked to the young Idol.

"I-I'm sorry!" Tomoe quickly said.

It's easier to be influenced by words and intention here. It could be part of the reason why things are so effective. To be able to release Shadows by using dance. A world where expression is amplified. Dance specifically was given more power here, but there was a lot of aspects to dance. What was to say that any kind of expressive intent couldn't also be massively increased? We were in this dressing room for now, but who was to say if we were completely safe here and out of its influence.

"No, I'm sorry Tomoe-chan," Ochimizu sighed. "I know how stressed we all our in this situation."

"Why are you here, Ochimizu-san? Is Tamamin okay?" Yosuke asked.

She nodded, "Yes. I came after you. I figured if you saved another girl, she would need looking after, like in Tamami's case. As for Tamami she's fine. That room seemed safe, and she's calmed herself down. Idols aren't THAT fragile."

If Kayane and Rise were any indication of that then yeah Idol's were strong. But they all have their limits. Still these rooms did seem safe. For all the good that did us in our situation. The problem was that there were two distinct entities that had different goals. The eerie voice and the fake Shadow Kayane. The voice definitely originated from this world. Shadow Kayane was using the world's unique properties for his own gain. To likely attempt to get Kayane to deny himself and take claim of his power, Symphonic Discord. And yet we...

"Anyway," Ochimizu's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "You've successfully saved Tamami and Tomoe. I'd like to thank you, but I think I'll wait until this whole mess is over."

"Then we'll go as we did before. We'll continue on for now," I said as I got back up to my feet.

"It's always like that... Every crisis I face, I'm made aware of my powerlessness," Ochimizu says, but to no one in particular. Shaking her head, "Get going, I'm sure Rise-chan could use the back up with Kayane missing."

I noddded. She was right, but still her comment about powerlessness was a little unsettling. If what was covered in the meeting with Mitsuru-san was any indicator, all of this might be more deeply connected. And Ochimizu might be as well. And might be a reason why she wasn't targeted or constricted by that eerie voice either. I headed for the door with the others behind me. Keep moving, time was of the essence.


July 27th, 2012 / Late Afternoon
RISE'S POINT OF VIEW

We had been walking for a while now. This place was more straight forward in terms of layout compared to the TV world but the atmosphere and that song that spurred on the Shadows always felt like it was threatening to start at any moment. It didn't really bother me though, as I would prefer a more direct route right now anyway. Kayane was still nowhere to be seen. I was growing impatient, we needed to hurry. Because of it I kept increasing my pace. Everyone was quick to match my pace.

The environment was changing, instead there was a motif like a castle with imagery of wild roses. The colors of pink and red were the most prevalent here as we moved, but I slowed down as I could feel something closing in on us.

"Quickly she goes wondering if her beloved is safe," an echoing voice speaks, and we come to a stop when we see that it... is one of the Fake Shadows. This was the Fake of me. Seeing myself with those yellow eyes was disturbing enough but her outfit, while identical to mine, had no qualms leaving her top undone, leaving the black bra underneath exposed. She brought us to a stop as she blocked our path. "But you don't have to worry, he's having the most wonderful of dreams. Seeing visions of the past, but maybe not quite the way you remember them."

"What are you doing to Kayane-senpai?" Naoto couldn't stop herself from asking.

"We're just reminding him of the truth. That he is nothing more than an object of desire. Isn't that what an Idol is?" the Fake of me laughed. "There are so many girls that wouldn't mind getting a piece of him. Wouldn't you agree, Naoto-kun? Rise knows it's true. Those girls on Syncronicity want him too. Saya and Tsubasa... I wouldn't be surprised if Kanami wanted to get in on the action too. Bu no matter what the truth is, it is what I believe. Jealousy is such a delicious emotion but our lovely Kay-chan is often oblivious to it. But don't worry, I've been singing him a special song so that he knows just how desirable he truly is.'

My eyes widen at the thought of it. They were using the properties of this world against Kayane. But were they truly using it o show him that? I know there had been times where I personally have lusted for more with Kayane. I couldn't dismiss the fact that the others, even Naoto could have thought similar things in the past. What others had felt towards Kayane wasn't the concern here, it was the fact that they were using song and expression to affect Kayane. Whatever their goal was, this place was aiding them.

The fake Shadow of myself walked towards us, moving to my side as she did so. The rule of no violence in this world was more painfully obvious now as I couldn't do anything as she did so. "Come on, Rise-chan. You've got no time to waste before Kayane loses something very precious. But it's fine if he loses it to me, right? I mean I am you." The fake me laughed before somehow disappearing, leaving only that haunting echo in my ears.

"What the hell was that about?" Kanji muttered.

"Kayane needs us," Teddie had a determined look.

"They truly were after the properties of this world. If they are after Kayane-senpai's power of his persona, then they must be trying to twist his perception..." Naoto speculated.

I started walking again. I didn't want to think about it. She didn't have to tell me what the purpose was. To get Kayane to deny himself. To undo all the healing that Kayane had. They were trying to break him. Kayane, please hold on. I'm coming for you. Just stay strong.

We moved forward and saw a silhouette ahead of us, wandering around like a lost kid. It could only be Nozomi. As we closed the gap, she noticed us but hesitated to approach us. Even taking a step away from us.

"H-Huh? Oh... Rise-san... A-Are... are you real?" Nozomi was confused. And I couldn't blame her. All of this was too much for anyone, and to have to deal with it on your own would make it harder.

I pushed my thoughts of Kayane away and focused on the moment, I needed to help Nozomi first, "Are you okay, Nozomi? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Huh-o-oh, I'm... fine... But... Where am I...?" Nozomi's voice was unsure, scared.

"Ooooh hoo hoo hoo hooo, I can't believe this! Nozo-chan, the Prince Charming of Kanamin Kitchen, right in front of me!" Teddie seemed to ignore Nozomi's apprehension to the situation. I looked towards him and wondered if him living with Yosuke was really the best thing. I hadn't realized they were such big fans of idols.

"Prince Charming? She's a chick, Ted. What're you blind?" Kanji butts in. Seeing Nozomi tremble as she is he had a more natural response. And shows that Kanji, unlike Yosuke or Teddie, didn't know much about the Idol scene. Teddie is referring more to the stage personality that Nozomi had, which was more confident than her actual demeanor. But this... this was the real Nozomi.

"Tsk tsk tsk... Oh, poor innocent Kanji, you just don't get it, do you? Nozo-chan's big appeal is the forbidden charm of being a handsome boy when she's actually a girl!" Teddie stated as if it was fact.

"A... A girl... pretendin' to be a boy...?" Kanji glanced over to Naoto.

"Wh-Why are you looking at me!?" Naoto shook her head.

"No, Nozomi is different from Naoto-kun. It's pretty much a character the agency cooked up for her role in the group. She's really shy-I mean, she gets nervous just talking about herself," I explained and shaking my head. I used to be shy like that too when I was younger. But for Nozomi it was harder for her to break out of it. Which is why it was so impressive how well she was able to do that role while on stage. But it was also because she had the other girls with her that she was able to slip into that role. I had no doubt about that.

"First Momo-chan, and now Nozo-chan, too!? I've suffered a critical hit to my hopes and dreams... The showbiz world really is a cruel place... Can a small-town bear like me really reach mega stardom!?" Teddie was being over dramatic as usual.

"You ain't in showbiz, Ted," Kanji groaned.

"Anyhow," Naoto cut in. "We're glad that you're safe. Let's move to a safe location. And just so we're clear, I'm hardly any good at talking about myself either. Er, that... as uncalled for, wasn't it? My apologies..."

I raise an eyebrow at Naoto's comment. It wasn't like the two of them were competing but maybe Naoto was trying to comfort Naozomi? I suppose it was true that Naoto wasn't much good about talking about herself. She is more comfortable talking about others, but that likely was what came with being a detective. It wouldn't matter as my thoughts are interrupted by the eerie voice from before.

"Hmhmhm... There you are, Nozomi. How come you ran away? You can't do that..."

"Ah... Ahh, no... This voice...!" Nozomi stepped back and glanced around. It was hard to determine where the voice originated as it seemed to come from all around us.

"Everyone keep your guard up! Kanji-kun, cover Nozomi-san!" Naoto called out.

Kanji quickly confirmed and moved to Nozomi's side. Nozomi was shaking uncontrollably because of the voice.

"Hahaha... Whatever you're thinking of doing, it's no use. Our bond is stronger than anything. Listen Nozomi... You want a bond too, don't you? A bond with people who really understand you..." the voice called directly to Nozomi once more.

"A... A bond...? B-But..." Nozomi wrapped her arms around herself unsure what she could do to keep herself safe from this voice.

"Shut the hell up!" Kanji yelled. "Let her think for herself, dammit! Stop tryin' to decide things for her! Stay outta her business!"

"Oh? But it's for her own good. Nozomi doesn't need to think... All she has to do is accept us. It's pointless to worry and suffer... After all, there was never a need for anyone other than the Nozomi everyone wants..." the eerie voice called out.

"What kind of crazy talk is that...!?" I shook my head. Hiding from who you are, just being the person people expect you to be... This was the sickening lie that it wanted people to believe here.

"It claims to be doing this for Nozomi-san's sake, when in fact it's ignoring her will and forcing its own thoughts on her. You could never build a relationship in that way!" Naoto calls out.

"You just don't get it, do you? But I know I'm right. Look... This crowd is here just for Nozomi... How can she not be happy...!?" The door that lead's further slams shut and the once empty place around the stage pathway is filled with Shadows. The Shadows connected by that ribbon just like we had seen a couple times up to this point. The strange thing about this was unlike the TV world they didn't originate from here. And the ones we had defeated previously here were clearly not coming back. As the path that we and the others were on no longer had Shadows from where we started to our current locations. So this eerie voice had to have a way of bringing in Shadows. The eerie voice spoke as if to answer my unasked question, "Didn't I tell you? There are plenty of others who crave bonds... You really should accept us too, you know? Being yourself will only disappoint people."

That damn song was suddenly cranked up as the Shadows' around the stage begin to dance and a horribly uncomfortable lethargy attempts to remove all our sense of self.

"Dammit...! It still gives me the creeps!" Kanji growls.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer. This is one song I refuse to dance to!" Naoto said.

"Nao-chan's right! I'd rather be dancing freestyle to the funky groove, sharing the excitement with everyone! Oh yeah!" Teddie stepped forward.

I can't help but crack a smile, "You go, Teddie! So what if people want you to be a certain way? That doesn't make it right for them to stomp out your true feelings. They might not understand at first, but don't let that stop you from expressing yourself! Kayane's music is his true expression, his real self. That expression is us too. Even as Idol's we may play the part from time to time but our love for music and our fans is always real."

"Correct on all counts. Please stand back," Naoto moved to an open area of the stage so the Shadows could clearly see her. "I shall handle this."

"Nao-chan's all revved up!? Hey, what about my turn!?" Teddie relented the spotlight to Naoto either way.

"Okay, Naoto-kun. You're all cued up, so let 'em have it!" I tell her.

"If you're afraid of being hurt, you can never reach out to anyone... No one will understand you... Hah, how true it is. I could have used that lesson myself, not long ago. Now... Let the music play!" Naoto spun and entered a starting position for her dance.

This song... It was one we all knew well. Because it was the first song that Kayane had ever played for us. I could remember that moment as if it had only happened yesterday. It was called, "Don't Let Me Fall." It happened to be one of the tracks on our CD that Kayane sang on his own. Hearing his voice as I played the song for Naoto's dance reminded me of how much I needed to see him. I needed to know if he was okay. But considering what the fake Shadow of myself had said, I knew he wasn't. He had to be suffering.

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

Under a solitary light
Where the real world has no place
You silently plead for me to fight
But there is no longer a purpose to this plight

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

I remember my thoughts of this song when I heard it back then. Kayane was not someone who would call for help in a convention sense. He would never tell his therapist or psychologists that he wasn't getting better. Of the loneliness or sadness that continued to plague him. The fact he felt at fault for the death of his childhood friend. Or that there was no one that could understand the pain and sorrow he went through. But this song could reach out to so many people that felt the same way. He never mentions the cause in the song, only that he feels alone and that he had no place in the world. Perhaps this song was fitting. Naozomi was a shy girl, one who found it hard to speak about herself. Yet she could still confidently play her part in Kanamin Kitchen.

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

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

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

When I had first met Kayane, it had been in the TV world. I had probably been too shallow then. We had known the broad strokes of what he had been through in his life. So, I felt sympathy, maybe pity more than anything else. But it was something quite different when I went there. It was so... cold. His location was a house, that was covered in ice. It was a cold, dreary prison of his heart. Even his own Shadow hadn't cared we are there. No, it had been surprised we were. The Kayane from that time didn't believe anyone truly cared for him. That no one would come to save him. This song reflected that. It was everything that Kayane used to be. But he still had hope in his heart, that was why the end of the song changed.

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

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

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

Hearing the familiar end, with the piano mixed in with the instruments of the band, it made me smile. We saved him then. We would save him now. And this song would be one of many that would help us get back to him.

I had been so lost in my thoughts that I had missed Naoto's performance, but the end was accompanied by the Shadows dissolving into beautiful light and fading back to where they came from. These Shadows were free now. There was no doubt that Naoto shined in a show. When she stops thinking and allows herself to become fully immersed in the performance and expression. If she hadn't her thoughts and feeling would not have been felt by the Shadows. After the Shadows faded away, we were back on the stage path and the door that had closed was open.

"I did it. I've still got a ways to go, but I managed to make them understand..." Naoto smiled a bit and turned back to us.

"Wow... She's cool..." Nozomi was beaming at Naoto.

"No... You mustn't let their poison take hold, Nozomi," the eerie voice interjected.

"That's it! I'm fed up with all your crap!" I yell and spinning around hoping for some sort of source. "What's your problem, anyway!? If you've got something to say, then come out and say it to my face!"

"Hmhmhm... Why, though? What good would that do? You and I are getting along because we're not hurting each other, right? Why not keep this comfortable distance? I even wanted you to be happy, though, as a friend. No one gets hurt, everyone is happy... That's what this world is about," the eerie voice said.

"You say that, then where is Kayane! The ones keeping him are hurting him! If what you say is true, then lead us to him! Stop them from hurting him!" I called out feeling desperate.

"Hahaha... My, my. What am I to do...? I see, then does Nozomi not matter to you?"

"That ain't what she's sayin'! Besides if you really wanted to be friends then you'd come out here as an equal, face to face!" Kanji quickly retorted.

"Nozomi, do you think you can stand face to face and talk with them...?" the eerie voice changed its focus again.

"Huh...!? N-No way...!" Nozomi said and backed up away from us.

"Nozomi!? What are you saying?" I was alarmed. Had I missed something?

"Right...? It's okay. If you push yourself, you'll just end up getting hurt," the eerie voice pushed Nozomi more. "These people want you to show them the 'real you'. Hmhmhm... What a horrible thing to ask, don't you agree? If you do as they say, you'll have to go through a lot of pain and suffering... Are you up for that?"

"No, I'm... Th-That's too much... I can't...!" Suddenly those same ribbons like with Sumomo wrapped around Nozomi. We're knocked away from her by those ribbons that bind her. "Ahhhhhhh!"

"Nozomi!" I called out only to see her pulled down the path, leaving us in silence. All of us quickly recover. "We don't have time! Come on, let's go!"


? March 20th, 2012 / Daytime ?

Rise's Room

Again? Another dream? A vision of the past. This place was unmistakably Rise's room. I had been in this room quite a number of times. The room was primarily wrapped in the color of pink and red, and items around the room related to the Idol industry. Staked in a corner in no particular manner was obviously items related to her as the Idol Risette. If I had been more observant back then maybe I could have noticed something more important about this. A much different collection was around her desk, new books as well as magazine's pertaining to piano and classical type music. Had Rise been researching more to try and approach me differently?

"What is on your mind? What is it that keeps pulling your eyes away? You've been doing it a lot," Rise was behind me. The what she worded it... I remembered when this was. It was when I told her about the Shadow.

"I wanted to try and understand what was happening to me before I told you," I felt my voice shaking as my body voluntarily repeated words from the past. I wonder what perverse way this memory would be changed. "Because I'm scared about what it might mean."

"Kayane, I want to help you. I'm here for you, but if you keep it to yourself then I can't help you. If you do that, it won't be any different than how you dealt with your problems before you met me," Rise had been trying so hard to reach out to me. And all I ever thought about was saving her from that. How much of a fool am I? To keep pushing away the one person that only wants to help me.

"Rise, what if I told you that my Shadow has been around but only, I can see him," I looked to the ground just as I did then. But I didn't hear my Shadow, who was there and taunting me at this time.

"A Shadow?" Rise replied, she was hesitant to believe it. After all it went against what we believed to be established about Shadows and Persona. No way could my Shadow be out while I had a Persona. "And the Shadow is here now?"

I nodded, "Yes. He likes to pop up and make comments about everything. And try to make me doubt myself." My Shadow did a lot to make me doubt myself, "No, I guess it probably has to do more with me not wanting to admit certain things."

"Kayane. You know every secret about me. My insecurities, my fears and all the things that made me want to give up being an idol," Rise spoke softly as she gently pushed me down onto the bed, and I found myself not fighting her as she straddled my lap and then down with her arms on either side of me and her eyes looking into mine. "You're scared of this. Not because of me, not because of you. But because your scared of that influence and what will happen when you experience it."

"I don't want to have that kind of power over you," I remembered the look she had then. The irritation of my words.

"Wake up, Kayane! You already have that power over me! I love you. Do you not realize what that means?" her frustration was more evident now than before.

I felt like I was beginning to panic, "I don't know. I thought I did but maybe I don't have a clue."

"Kayane, its fine if you don't know," her voice dropped to a whisper. "You already know what you do to me. But just like everything there are multiple sides to it. You make me smile, giggle, laugh and then you make me frustrated, irritated, and sad. You make me think, you make me worried. You also make me so damn horny sometimes I want to strip you down and pounce you until we both can't take anymore. All of these emotions, every single thing that I feel for you is the power you have over me. And that is something you cannot change without getting rid of me. You would have to cut everything between the two of us off to not have any sway or power over me. But you know that even that isn't true. Because if you did that, I would be devastated. It would be like you cutting out my heart and leaving me to die. And I know you don't want that. I know you also have that side. The side of you that wants to have me for himself. That doesn't want to share me with anyone. I've seen it."

"You want me to believe that?" it was my voice, but I know for sure that I had not said anything like this at that time. I could only watch as I turned Rise onto the bed, and it was my body that now pinned her. My hands on her wrists, constricting her. What the hell? Up to this point I had been the one on the receiving end but this... The voice of myself became a sultry whisper, "I know the truth though. You want more, you want me to satisfy your every desire."

Instead of seeing some sort of rejection to my sudden change in demeanor and behavior I saw her eyes become eager, "More than anything."

"Lusting after a worthless fool like me? Do you crave my touch, you bitch?" my voice egged her on even more.

"Yes," she answers eagerly, a lustful edge to her voice. "I want to feel your hands against my body."

No, this couldn't be right. Did Rise want this? She wanted me to take control... to be aggressive and crave her. Despite the actions not being my own I could still feel the warmth of Rise's body. The smell was her I could never mistake it. Continuing its movement without my consent, my hands released her and went to the hem of Rise's shirt and pulled it up, revealing a red bra and her bare stomach. At her waist, the edge of her matching panties could be seen. One of my hands, ran along the smooth skin of her stomach and led to her bottoms, where my fingers playfully teased going further. Rise bit her upper lip, begging for me to go further.

"All of her is yours for the taking," My Shadow appeared, and I saw him nearby. "Yet, time after time, you push her aside, denying even the simplest of actions. She wouldn't even mind if you got a little rough. Come on. Allow me to give you the experience you've been missing."

My hands then ripped away Rise's shirt, as my body pulled Rise up and into a kiss. One of fierce intensity and passion. I could feel it as if it was me doing this action. The panic and shaking that I usually experienced wasn't there. At least with my body. But it didn't stop my mind from feeling it.

NO! NO! NO! STOP! I screamed internally to nobody.

But my body indulged itself on Rise. While kissing Rise it easily unhooked her bra and tossed it aside to the floor of the room. Rise responded by pulling my shirt off. I could feel it, her skin against mine, but no, not like this, anything but this.

"Struggle as much as you want, Kayane. But you will see the true power you've held and denied using." the Shadow laughed.

Then in a moment what turned to passion turned to violence. My body pushed her against the bed and slapped her hard. Then put a hand to her throat, choking her as my other hand somehow ripped and pulled off the rest of her clothes, without any regard to her. I felt as my hands went from pleasuring her, to causing her pain. The look in her eyes changed to fear, as she tried to scream out. I could still feel it...

STOP IT! NO! PLEASE STOP!

The laughter of the Shadow echoed through the room, "Never forget this feeling. Of what it is like to hurt your beloved."


A/N:

A lot of things seem to be out of control lately. Not just for me but a lot of people in my life and well, everyone. The holidays always add that extra level of crazy too. Writing has been a difficult lately due to being laid off from my job and a few other things in my personal life. But here we are. Finally, a new chapter. But enough about me, let's talk about the chapter.

It's funny that I've been writing this story for so long, considering the concept of my original fic and Kayane was completely different. Originally it was Yu in his college days. Going to one in Tokyo, where one of his friends was Kayane. Then Kayane, had a younger sister, and he was going to end up in the TV world, except it was a bit different but, in the end, I scrapped it for a specific reason. There was no development to be had for the P4 crew. These were characters I loved so I wanted to see them grow more and differently than they had in the original game. And the character of Kayane had never been set in stone at that point.

Writing Yu is somewhat complicated I feel. Mostly because everyone has an image of how the main character acts. Plus, there are also differing characterizations for him in the Persona 4 anime and his appearance in Persona 4 Arena and Ultimax. So, among the fanbase there are wildly different interpretations of his character, especially in fan fiction. The biggest difference is naturally people's preference to his romantic interests. It makes sense, we all have different tastes. And with all the different viewpoints on Yu himself, his love life would be equally as different. In this aspect, Kayane was almost a counter point to Yu for me. To me, Yu's journey as the Fool and his time in Inaba was one of self-discovery. His close bonds and facing down Izanami at the end cemented himself in his own identity. He knew what he wanted for his future. He didn't have doubts. But Kayane, he never stopped having those doubts.

The mind is complex and temperamental. But it never forgets the most tragic events in our lives. Our minds work this way as a defense mechanism. It is meant to remind us of danger and situations to stay away from. Imagine what it would be like to have your comforts constantly ripped away from you while you were young. Even before you could remember. Kayane lost his family, his parents dying when he was so young in an accident, he was also a part of. His sister also lost her leg and was equally traumatized enough that she blanked out on those memories, forgetting her own brother. Kayane forced to move in with his Uncle, who in the end never showed him affection. I imagine it wasn't that bad when he first moved in, but over time his Uncle resented Kayane. Likely due to Kayane's appearance being much like his father. So Kayane became close to Miyuki, unknowingly emotionally dependent on her due to the lack of support elsewhere in his life. Miyuki then died to primarily save Kayane from the abuse he suffered from his Uncle and to save herself. She envisioned a future where Kayane and her could be happy. She got the strength to confront her Father because of Kayane. Her death marked another trauma on Kayane's mind. Years passed since then but for Kayane it was as if time had never advanced. A different mindset was made. That he was at fault, that he could never get close to anyone, because he would eventually lose them anyway. This on top of all of his other insecurities and fears.

To Kayane, he was always the victim. He didn't want anyone to be a victim with him. So, what would affect him more? Him being the victim? Or him being the perpetrator? To be honest, it's a complicated answer. There is significant research done in what people that were abused young in their life grow up to be abusers themselves. From a psychological viewpoint this could be a learned behavior that a part of their mind believes is acceptable. Then again it is also said your morals will either be identical to your parents/guardians or the opposite of them. Kayane is the latter of the two. So, for him, being the abuser, it would affect him that much more.

With almost all the girls rescued from Kanamin Kitchen, we're also close to things from Dancing All Night beginning to go in a somewhat different direction. We still got a lot more to cover before DAN is over though. How much more… it is hard to say. If you guys have your own comments to make about how the story is going, feel free to leave a review or send me a message. And I hope to see you all at the next chapter. Which I hope will not take nearly as long as it took to get this one out.