MineGeorgi: Yo! As I'm sure you've noticed, I'm still jot updating regularly. Unfortunately, this will probably continue to be the case, as you may have heard from LookitDom in one of our or her other stories, we'll be concentrating a lot on completing our entry for the Rising Stars of Manga competition. As well as that, I'm also working on my entry for a writing competition (I will be a writer! I swear it! And I will win the cash prize! Not that the cash is the reason I'm entering . . . lol). I will still carry on with this story though; you have my word on that. So please continue to R&R!

One last thing. This will probably be my last AN for a while in this story, so basically this will be the last direct comment from me for the next few chapters. As I won't have a chance to do this in that time: Thankyou to everyone for all your previous and future reviews! You're all awesome and great at firing me up to write! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

There must be something I can do. Best start with the facts:

I am stuck in a book.

I have no knowledge of how to get out of the book.

Daisuke has not contacted me for a while. This may or may not mean he is in danger. It could simply be that I am now unreachable to him.

But if that's the case, am I still where I thought I was? Perhaps I should look at things in a different light:

I am stuck in a book that has the power to entrap a person and to open portals to dangerous dimensions, yet it is not a Hikari work.

I have no knowledge of how to get out because the book won't tell me how or help me.

I have not heard anything from Daisuke for a while.

This is not helping Daisuke!

So, what can I do? I have no magic at my disposal, do I?

My pure existence at the moment is just as words on paper. I am useless.

Although . . . this 'place' is a dimension just like the 'Santaka''s realm, and technically that's where I am. Is it possible to build bridges between dimensions? Maybe I should try to find a way through-

Or not? The book said I would be unable to help Daisuke in physical form. But I don't know if I can trust that thing anymore. Is it really a personification of my thoughts? And if so, why isn't it helping me?

Heck, this really is starting to sound like a diary.

Wait! Maybe the book itself is the key . . . and if not, then maybe the 'Santaka'. I wonder if they're linked. It could explain why the book was able to open the portal in the first place.

Maybe you're not supposed to find a way out?

Daisuke!

Hey.

Did something happen again?

I don't know. Everything just went kinda dark for a second. It's still dark actually. I can't see a thing.

But you can still read the writing, right?

Daisuke?

Satoshi . . . I don't know how I'm talking to you.

Oh.

I- I'm pretty sure I'm not writing anything, especially since I lost the pen. Umm . . . am I actually hearing your voice or just imagining what you're saying?

Words. We're communicating using words. Blasted book.

Uh . . . I'm inside it with you?

I don't know.

Oh. Oh, well. I still need to find Dark.

Oh, well? Oh, well! Dark shouldn't be your priority at the moment, Daisuke. We could be in danger here, or Are we in danger?

I don't know.

There. What's the point in moping then? We ought to figure something out, so let's do it.

Sometimes I wonder if you're too upbeat, Daisuke.

It's called 'hope', Satoshi.

I . . .

Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound nasty.

No, you, you just . . . reminded me of something the book said to me once. It told me to fight back. To have hope.

It's a good thing to have.

By the way, um, something just occurred to me.

Mmm?

Shouldn't Krad be in here with you?

Actually . . . I haven't even felt his presence since I woke up here . . . and you're separate from Dark . . . This can't be just coincidence.

Daisuke, you know what this thing is, don't you?

The book? Yeah. Well, kinda. You see, Grandpa gave it to me saying it would be useful, but, um, I . . . I lost it. Maybe it dropped into your bag or something?

Satoshi?

If I wasn't just words I would be laughing, Daisuke. You're unbelievable! Completely and totally It's not like I meant to lose it! I don't mean to be clumsy!

You are unbelievable though.

You don't have to rub it in.

You're unbelievable and amazing. Unbelievably amazing. Or amazingly unbelievable. You're the cutest, sweetest guy on earth, yet you can pick a lock in three seconds and beat a trained soldier on an assault course.

I think you're giving me too much credit.

You're incredible, Daisuke.

Um, thanks.

So what do you know about the book?

Wha-? Oh, uh, um . . . well, you know how most artworks have a story?

Yes.

Well, um, this book is kinda like an artwork, with a story, but you see, it, um, its story doesn't exist until someone starts writing in it.

I don't think that makes sense. It sounds like you're describing an ordinary book.

Umm, Grandpa tried to explain it to me, but I'm not sure I understand either. I think, basically, you have to use the book to 'activate' it, and in doing so you give it its purpose, and part of that depends on the kind of person you are.

Giving it soul . . .

What?

The book. It told me that because when I started writing I'd decided to use it as a diary. I gave it part of my soul, so it became a diary.

You know earlier it was saying it was a personification of your thoughts and stuff? If that means it's a part of you, wouldn't that make you the key? Like, the key to getting out of here?

Satoshi?

I think you're right.