[4th wall]

[wildmagician]

If you see a guy who looks like me [Yosuke looks at a reflection to show himself through Sensory Livestreaming.] but has creepy golden eyes and creepy fog tagging him, do me a favor and don't listen to what he has to say.

He might get aggressive if he's as bored as I think he is and ... I should know. Since he's me.

[And then a desperate attempt.]

Do you hear that you damn shadow? You're me. Come back here!

Comments

[wildmagician]

I see. It would be weird to have a shadow here without being in a dungeon of any kind...

[Though he wouldn't be surprised, with how he's been feeling about Wild Card things and such. He just hopes the guy's not a real threat.]

... yeah.

[He doesn't want to admit it, but his talk with Izanami kind of brought the thoughts from before the last Jaunt back on.

... and being a slave who was happy with what position he had been given hadn't really helped. Because it almost felt like a parody of him who would have accepted being the ~second choice~, never the actual hero.]

[shiroganeheir]

Are you certain?

[Her tone seems very worried.]

If you would like to talk, I am always here to do so.

[wildmagician]

[After a quiet moment, he chuckles a bit.]

I have a feeling denying something's wrong would be a bad when there's a shadow risk.

Can we meet somewhere private?

[shiroganeheir]

Absolutely, Senpai. No matter how private we take things, there are always those who believe others' business is their own on the network.

Name a place, and I will meet you there.

[wildmagician]

Well, I've somehow managed to rebuild a very familiar place.

[Enjoy the nostalgic image of Junes food court, some didtance away from the Workshop.]

ACTION

[shiroganeheir]

I will see you there, Senpai.

[It isn't long before she's there, walking over with a worried expression on her face.]

Hello, Senpai.

[wildmagician]

Hey Naoto. Nostalgic isn't it?

[There's a small grin - mostly to try and make Naoto worry a little less.]

It's kind of fitting for a talk.

[shiroganeheir]

It is. I miss home more than I want to admit to lately, I think.

[She sighs, but sits down next to him.]

What is it Senpai? What is on your mind?

[wildmagician]

I haven't been a Traveler for long, so I guess my memories of home are still enough to keep me satisfied.

[Or something.]

First, Konishi made me realize that it's not my shadow that's running around. I can summon all my Personas. [That's good to get out of the way first.] ... I was just worried because of what my overlay was in the Jaunt.

[shiroganeheir]

Oh good. If you can Summon, then whatever Shadow that is here is not yours specifically.

[Damn Shadows. Being a pain.]

What specifically is worrying you, Senpai? Perhaps talking it out would help.

[wildmagician]

Antamonides was really satisfied about being a slave. Being who he was and not desiring to me something better. Just doing what he was told.

I felt that the Trumps were making fun of me.

[shiroganeheir]

[Naoto shrugs. She's satisfied about her lot most of the time.]

I don't think so, Senpai. There is nothing wrong with doing what you are told. Your overly was a well respected individual and he valued that.

[wildmagician]

I can understand that... but the whole thing just reminded me that I'm not satisfied with what I have. Following Souji's social links, not forming my own. Meanwhile every other wild card gets to great their own story.

It's kinda tragically hilarious they'd give me an overlay who's opposite in opinions.

[shiroganeheir]

I had an overlay who was a princess and used her femininity and flirtation as a weapon. Sometimes, we have overlays who seem to be a stark contrast to who we are.

Perhaps it is not making fun of you, bit hoping that you will learn from him.

[wildmagician]

... infiltrating is a real pain in the ass.

[That much he can say after experiencing it just once.]

What, learn that I should accept that I'll never be anything more than a substitute Wild Card? Oh yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll just do that and all my troubles will go away.

[shiroganeheir]

No. That's not at all what I meant.

[She sighs, shaking her head. She's terrible at this, at comforting people, or trying to help them through things. Gods help the universe where she had to form social links.]

Your overlay was his own person. He had his own ideas, and his own thoughts, even though he was following in someone else's footsteps. I still think that you need to take the situation for yourself, and make it your own. You can't just... be someone else. You have to be you, whatever situation you're in.

[wildmagician]

[Yosuke knew he overreacted and started to calm himself down almost right after his burst. There were just so many frustrations and mixed feelings about... everything really. Not only Antamonides, but also his little meeting with Izanami as well that made him hate the whole timelines mess even more.]

I... I'm starting to feel the same, but I don't know how. How do I change the situation to my favor?

[shiroganeheir]

That, I wish I knew, Senpai.

[Naoto sighs, glancing out across the food court.]

For now, though, perhaps taking your mind off of it would be good.

[wildmagician]

[Yeah, distractions sound good, definitely.]

Do you have any ideas?

[shiroganeheir]

Well, hm. There is always throwing things to get your mind off of things.

[She reaches into her coat and pulls out a pair of kunai.]

I have picked up a few things on Jaunts.

[wildmagician]

[Yosuke looked at the weapons - clearly confused.]

You know it's kind of odd to see someone else from the investigation team using my weapons. Not bad, just odd.

Though new tricks using them could come in handy.

[shiroganeheir]

Well, there's also this.

[She pulls a metal battle fan out of her coat as well with a smirk.]

But anyway, these kunai are magnetic, so....

[She flings one at a metal pole with amazing accuracy. It cuts an awning's line and flattens against it.]

Something like that.

[wildmagician]

Woah. You're getting scarier.

[Yosuke laughs.

At the kunai throwing, he lets out a small whistle.]

That's cool.

[shiroganeheir]

I am not that scary, Senpai.

[She smiles a bit and pulls anot her pair of magnetic kunai out of her coat.]

I could teach you if you are interested.

[wildmagician]

Wait, I could learn how to use magnetic kunai? That would be really awesome. Please teach me.