MG: Yikes. I didn't realise this fic would get so weird. Honestly, I hope you understand it. Does it seem like I'm going off-subject a little in the fic? (If ya know what I mean) Hmm . . . I think in the next chappie I'll try and get more of a diary-like narrative from Satoshi, with lotsa thoughts on Daisuke. Btw, am I still writing in-character for Satoshi? I'm worried I may be changing his voice a bit . . . Please tell me all your thoughts and ideas in a review! If it seems like not too many people are interested in this fic then I might end up dropping it TT

It is quite strange after all . . .

Why did you stop writing?

Did you leave?

Satoshi?

I'm here.

What happened? You were the one being all pushy for an explanation, and then you just stopped writing!

I collapsed. Krad had another . . . moment of power.

Ah. Must be a bugger having to live with something like that in your head.

For a mostly blank book, you seem to know a lot about me.

Of course I do. It's 'cuz I'm your diary. A diary should know everything about its owner because that is the purpose of its existence.

And what if I had decided to use this book to record notes and research?

Then I would be a notebook, stupid. But I'm not, so you better start treating me like a diary and write about diary stuff. Normal people do not hold conversations with their diaries.

I am not a normal person Agreed. and I was under the impression that it was you who chose to begin a conversation. Please do not interrupt me when I am writing. It is very disconcerting.

Sorry.

I didn't mean what I said, you know. You're not all that boring, and you don't have an obsession with this Daisuke lad. You are kinda stupid, though.

Thank you for pointing that out. I am sure

Well? Are you gonna finish the sentence or not?

Uh-oh.

Should I be sorry for not writing sooner? I am afraid I collapsed again near the end of the last entry. And it happened again, a few days ago, while I was at school. It was very inconvenient that I happened to be standing by the lockers at the time, so I attracted a large crowd with my screaming. Daisuke got drawn into it as well, like always. Thankfully Krad did not manage to take over, but Daisuke's presence did not help either.

Do you intend to contribute at some point?

I'm listening – if 'listening' is what you call it, anyway. Carry on, you sounded like you were on a roll.

Indeed.

Well, come on then! I wanna know what happened!

Fine. I was in agony so the school arranged for me to be taken to hospital. Daisuke insisted on coming. He stayed with me through the afternoon, till the evening. I think he'd forgotten that he was supposed to steal the 'Torka Nai' at nine, though he did leave eventually.

I was kept in hospital for two days, and he visited me at the end of each. He even offered to walk me home afterwards – I would have refused, but I didn't want to seem rude, not when he was so clearly worried about my condition.

So he knows where I live now. He won't leave me alone.

Well, what did you expect? He wants to be your friend; he probably thinks he IS your friend. Why do you shy away from his friendship?

Because Krad will Bullshit.

Excuse me?

Excuse you? You have enough excuses without me giving you more. Krad's your excuse for everything.

That is not When you started writing it was because 'Krad made you too weak to move', and when you stop writing it's because 'Krad made you collapse', and when you won't talk to Daisuke it's because 'Krad Krad Krad Krad'.

But this Even now you're trying to make an excuse, an excuse for giving an excuse. How stupid! Do you know what you are, Satoshi? You're a coward. I know you are 'cuz I'm your diary, remember? You're a spineless weakling who's unsociable and an uncaring prick to boot. You want 'normal', Satoshi? Your family got kicked out of 'normal' a long time ago. You're a freak.

Can you hear Krad laughing, Satoshi? Can you hear your excuse echoing in your head? He's you endless chasm of angst, isn't he, Satoshi? An excuse for you to feel oh-so sorry for yourself . . .

I don't think Satoshi?

I think you should stop writing. Now.

Am I welcome to write again? I can understand if I am not. What you said . . . it is true. And I suppose it is a truth that has been haunting me for a long time. I am a coward, and I hide behind a façade that is just an excuse to distance myself from others.

There are too many truths that you will not admit to yourself, Satoshi. But not all of them are necessarily 'true'.

I do not understand.

I know. I did not expect you to understand. Is a belief automatically a truth?

No.

Well then, very little of what I said yesterday may have actually been true.

Again, I do not understand. I realise that a person's beliefs will be based on opinion rather than fact, but you know everything about me, so why lie?

I do not know everything about you. I know only what you think of yourself.

You are saying that it was my view of myself you presented me with?

Exactly.

This idea disturbs me.

Hey, I guess secretly thinking you're a wimp isn't too bad, right? Even an unsympathetic wimp is ok. Right?

I need to go somewhere else to think for a while.

Sure thing.

You gave me much to think about. I had previously thought I understood myself. It seems you have proven me wrong.

No surprise there, seeing as you're an idiot. So, what else is new?

In terms of my life? It seems Dark postponed his theft of the 'Torka Nai' until tonight. I have a feeling it is because he knew I wouldn't be there to face off with. He is strange like that.

Daisuke informed me of the change today, as he probably realized I hadn't heard. He didn't need to have done that. It remains a mystery to me why he shares details of the Phantom Thief's movements with me.

Seems pretty obvious to me.

But still, friendship aside, he must know that when it comes to Dark I am the enemy. He must know.

He probably does. But from the sounds of things, he probably doesn't care either.

That would be typical of him. At some point though, he is going to have to learn that we cannot be friends.

Why not?

Must we discuss this?

Yes. But not now, I suppose. First get your head straight regarding yourself. Stop consuming yourself with worries about Krad. Then we can move on to the matter of Daisuke.

For a book, you give very sound advice.

What can I say? I should have been a psychiatrist. Now, don't you have a thief to chase?

Indeed. Till tomorrow then.

Definitely, and you betta have sorted your head out by then 'cuz the next time you write I'm gonna pick your brains clean on this Daisuke fella!

How delightful.