Coming to you live from a very steamy journal post~
Why, hello there, kittens! I'm Kanji, esteemed reporter of all things fabulous and ever so delightfully naughty, and I'm here with a most special update for a fandom just beginning its long, hard... journey into adulthood~!
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: PERSONA 4 KINK MEME
In this scintillating post of mine, you can comment anonymously with any pairing ( Read more... )
SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI: PERSONA 4 KINK MEME
In this scintillating post of mine, you can comment anonymously with any pairing ( Read more... )
“Dude, you were right! I saw it. And, didn’t that person look familiar?”
“Y-yeah. I think I know who it is.” Souji paused.
“So? Spill it already!”
“Look, tomorrow’s Sunday. Do you think you can come over?”
“Hey, what’s wrong? Why won’t you tell me?”
“Yosuke,” Souji began, wondering how he should even articulate the line of thought that just occurred to him. “I have a really weird feeling about this. I think…I think we can’t tell the others if no one else saw it.”
Yosuke didn’t say anything for a moment. “Why?”
“I don’t know! Just promise me you’ll be here tomorrow morning. We’ll figure it out then.”
“And what if they did? I mean, it didn’t even start raining until around midnight, but someone else might’ve been up.”
“I know. I’ll think of something.”
“Tch. This isn’t like you at all, Souji. But fine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Yosuke hung up without a farewell and Souji followed suit. There was no way he would be able to sleep tonight. He wondered if he should call the police station. Just to be sure.
Making his way downstairs, the house seemed unnaturally still. The rain outside had become more mist-like now, and he couldn’t even hear it against the house. Pushing Nanako’s door open slightly, he peeked inside to see her sleeping peacefully in the glow of her Iwatodai lamp. He sighed; his stomach hurt all over again just thinking about how she would take the news that her father was missing. But maybe she wouldn’t have to know.
Moving toward the kitchen, he spied Dojima’s work number scrawled across a yellow Post-it stuck crookedly to the refrigerator. Punching the numbers hard into his cell, he allowed himself no time to hesitate. Someone answered the line almost immediately.
“Inaba police department.” The voice was gruff, obviously tired and ready to leave work.
“Is Detective Dojima available?” Souji disguised his unease with bland politeness.
“Dojima-san left hours ago, son. What’s this in regards to?”
Souji ignored the question. “Did he get off early today or something?”
“Is this his nephew?”
“Yeah. I’m…just staying over at a friend’s tonight and I could’ve sworn he said he’d be working late. But if he’s already gone I’ll just try the house.”
“I see. Nope, far as I know he was gone by eight or so. Said he wasn’t feeling well.”
“Oh, okay, thanks. Sorry to’ve bothered you.”
Souji clapped his phone shut before the officer on the other end could get another word in. There was always the possibility that Dojima had hit the bar with that lanky partner of his. But that didn’t seem likely. Souji would just have to wait until the morning came until this could be resolved.
The medicine cabinet in the bathroom became his next priority. With any luck there would be some strong nighttime cold medicine he could take to knock him out for the rest of the night. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, Souji scowled. He really did look like he could use some rest-faint bluish crescents hugged the undersides of his eyes. As he pried the mirror open, he was relieved to find that something out there might be watching over him after all. After a few quick jerks to the cap, he downed a gulp of the bitter black licorice-flavored syrup without bothering to measure it first.
Trudging back to his room, he mused over what he had seen. There had never been more than one person at any given time on the Midnight Channel before. But then again, the two women were so motionless the entire time that they didn’t seem alive in the first place. What did it all mean?
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Taking these factors into consideration, it seemed Souji had subconsciously decided that any rescue party had to be small. Now he was positive of it. Whatever Dojima’s shadow would be like, no matter how the situation would play out, there was little doubt in Souji’s mind that Dojima would definitely not cope well with the knowledge that so many eyes had seen his inner turmoil once his shadow had been defeated. No, it was better if he kept his friends in the dark about this one. Yosuke would be enough. They’d been through so much already, right from the very beginning. Together, they could do it.
It wasn’t long before the sedative began to take control of his body and Souji’s thoughts trailed off. With heavy eyes, he submitted to the first wave of drowsiness without protest and fell under soon after.
When he awoke, it was to the rude alternation between a determined knocking and the doorbell’s shrill chime. Blinking groggily, he hauled his body out of bed and lumbered down the stairs to the source of the din. When he opened the door, the brightness of the morning sun assaulted his unprepared eyes and they watered immediately. Squinting in pain, he managed to make out Yosuke’s irritated face staring back at him.
“The hell, man? I’ve been knocking for like ten minutes!”
“Wh-what? Where’s Nanako?” Panic skirted his disorientation and he whipped back around to scour the house. All remained still, but it didn’t take him long to spot the note written in Nanako’s rounded hand resting on the table. He grabbed it up and read its contents, breathing a sigh of relief as he did so.
“Thank god,” Souji mumbled to himself. “She’s only gone to Mai’s house for the day...”
As he set the note back down, his relief crumbled anew as the previous night’s memories flooded back. When Yosuke touched his arm he jumped and wheeled around, having forgotten his friend was there at all.
“Damn, dude, you’re really wound up today. What the hell is going on already?” Everything about Yosuke’s presence radiated pure concern.
Souji looked at him sadly for a moment. “It was Dojima. He’s in there, Yosuke.”
Yosuke’s bottom lip fell open and his eyes widened as he processed what his friend had just relayed. “Dojima-san? Are you sure? But how?”
Souji shook his head. “I don’t know, but he never came home last night. I called the station, but they said he left early.”
“Shit.” Yosuke pulled his cell from the back pocket of his red jeans. “We have to get everyone over to Headquarters right away.”
As soon as Yosuke’s phone was open, Souji instinctively slapped it out of his hand and knocked it clattering to the floor. Yosuke looked angry as he bent to retrieve it. “What the fuck, Souji?!”
Once his line of thought from last night had returned, Souji’s determined mind began to operate seamlessly. It must have showed, because Yosuke’s irritation quickly dissolved. “Come sit down.”
Once seated on the living room sofa, Souji told Yosuke everything he knew about his uncle’s troubled past and his reasoning for not wanting to tell the others. Yosuke’s face betrayed his dubious feelings as he listened, but he nodded in affirmation every so often.
“I see,” Yosuke said once Souji had finished. “I guess I get it, but, isn’t it kinda dangerous for just the two of us to go in after him? I mean, how are we gonna find him in the first place?”
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“Teddie? But why? Rise’s the scouting pro now.”
“Look, I just don’t think it would be a good idea any other way. We can trust Teddie, too. It’s not like he’s completely lost his nose.” Though he wouldn’t tell Yosuke, something inside went off like an alarm bell at the sound of Rise’s name. He wanted to keep the girls away from this one at all costs, though he wasn’t sure exactly why. Whatever it was, he refused to question it. He’d learned long ago to implicitly trust his instincts when it came to his Persona and the other world.
Yosuke looked at him earnestly for a long moment, searching for something in Souji’s eyes until the latter finally looked away out of discomfort. Sighing, Yosuke wordlessly speed-dialed Teddie’s number.
“Hey, Teddie, you up yet? Oh…yeah…okay. Hey, listen, I need you to meet me and Souji over at Junes asap. It’s a secret…ugh, I don’t care, Ted! Just be there in fifteen, got it?” Yosuke clacked his cell shut and stood, facing away.
“You’ve been our leader all this time, so whatever’s telling you to do this, I know I’ve got to believe in, too.” Yosuke turned to his friend. “I can’t say I agree with it, but I trust you, man.”
Souji stood and touched Yosuke’s shoulder. “Thanks. I can’t do this without you.”
Yosuke’s face blossomed into a fierce blush. Turning away, he scratched at the back of his head and made a quick beeline for the front door. “L-let’s just get going. Nanako-chan will worry when she comes back.”
In no time the two were headed for Junes, neither talking, but each lost in his own uneasy thoughts about what they would find that day.
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Love the setup, love love love. I love that you even DID a setup! but now I'm sad there isn't more! Your writing is well-crafted, well-paced, and enjoyable to read, I hope there's more soon!
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Hooray, the continuation! I too am loving the setup. I'm kind of dreading yet really looking forward to finding out what's up with Dojima's shadow.
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Also, there WILL BE GAME SPOILERS in this story soon...
***
With a mechanical groan, the power doors leading into Junes slid open once the two approached and Souji bumped headlong into a suited man leaving the department store. Surprised, Souji’s mind instantaneously processed the familiar red tie practically smashed against his face and his heart skipped a painful beat. A hand clapped around his shoulder to keep him steady.
“Whoa there. Sorry ‘bout that.”
The voice was definitely not Dojima’s. Naturally, it wouldn’t have been. Souji looked up to see Adachi wearing his usual sheepish smile, a plastic Junes bag hanging from the man’s arm.
“What are you two up to?” Adachi asked. “Wasting a gorgeous day like this going shopping?” He glanced at Yosuke.
“We could ask you the same thing,” Yosuke casually pointed out.
“Oh, this?” Adachi lifted the bag on his arm a little. “Yeah, well, a man’s gotta eat! Too bad I’m such a lousy cook, though.” He smiled at Souji. “Dojima-san tells me you’ve got some culinary prowess yourself.”
Souji shrugged, agitated at this roadblock. “I manage.”
“Yep. Dojima-san’s sure lucky to have you around.” Adachi’s gaze practically glimmered as he eyed his partner’s nephew. “Well, I’d better get going. You kids be careful now.” He began to depart but suddenly paused and turned back to them. “Oh yeah, speaking of which. Tell Dojima-san to hurry and get better soon.” With that, he strode off.
The two boys watched him walk away for a moment before Souji looked to his friend. “Come on, we’ve wasted enough time already.”
“Hey, you don’t think we should’ve mentioned something about this to Adachi-san do you? I mean, they are partners after all,” Yosuke suggested.
“Are you nuts?” Souji scowled. “He still works for the police, remember?”
“Yeah, but… I mean, he’s helped us out on the sly before.”
“Forget it, Yosuke, we’re not taking that risk. Now let’s go.”
Before long the two were seated at their usual table in the food court; Teddie was already there, waiting for them in his bear suit.
“Wow, I’m impressed, Ted,” Yosuke declared. “You got here pretty quick.”
Teddie, however, did not appear flattered. “Wh-what’s going on? Are we going into the TV world today or something?”
With a meaningful glance from Yosuke, Souji nodded. “We need your help.”
“But, where are the others?” the bear all but whined.
Souji gestured with his hand. “This is a special mission, Teddie. Now listen. You have to promise to keep this a secret among the three of us. No matter what, okay?”
Teddie looked skeptical. “But why?”
“We made a promise to help figure out what you are, remember?” Yosuke chimed in. “Don’t you trust us?”
“Huh?! Of course I do!”
“Then promise.”
Teddie looked down at his feet, his expression sullen. “Okaaay. I promise.”
Souji breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright. Let’s get going. I’ll explain the situation once we’re inside.”
Standing quietly near the stack of TVs, Souji and Yosuke watched Teddie keenly. Souji had left out a few details in his reiteration of what he had previously told Yosuke, but it was enough. Teddie didn’t need to know everything, after all.
“Someone’s been thrown in all right. I…definitely smell something different.” Teddie tilted his head this way and that, nosing the murky air. Suddenly he stopped and pointed excitedly into the distance. “Oh! I think he’s this way!”
“You found him?” Souji asked and approached the bear. “Quick, take us there!”
Souji’s wild determination momentarily took Teddie aback. “P-please, be careful, Senpai. I don’t know what I’d do if you got hurt…”
Smiling, Souji tried to put Teddie at ease. “Hey, don’t worry. I will. We both will.”
Nodding firmly, Teddie turned toward the source of the interference. He led the pair through the dense fog before two hazy red blots of light winked on in the distance.
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“Principle and…desire?” Yosuke read aloud. “What does that mean?”
“I still have a bad feeling about this,” Teddie complained.
Souji turned to the bear. “Thanks, Teddie, Yosuke and I can take it from here. Wait for us.”
“Um, sure thing. Good luck, guys.” Teddie frowned as he watched the boys disappear into the ominous gateway, but resolved to uphold Souji’s wishes by repressing the urge to follow.
Inside the house a long, cold hallway immediately greeted them. Everything from the walls to the flooring appeared to be made of some sort of drab, gray stone.
“Geez, it’s frickin’ cold in here!” Yosuke wrapped his arms around his chest to suppress his shivers. “What do you think this place is, anyways?”
Souji shook his head. Something was definitely familiar about the entryway itself, though. It wasn’t like the rest of the hallway, but was instead floored with wood. Even a well-used mat lay underfoot. It was almost as if…
“It looks like the house,” Souji realized as he scouted his immediate surroundings. “I mean, it looks just like the doorway to my uncle’s house.”
It was true. Everything there was the same, but something remained missing as well. No shoes rested anywhere in sight. Souji hadn’t realized it until now, but the sight of Nanako’s shoes at the door always made the Dojima house feel, well, contented. Like there was someone there that would always welcome you home. But this house was empty and devoid of warmth.
When he came back to the present, Souji saw that Yosuke had already begun trekking up the hallway. He jogged to catch up.
As the two walked, the hard stone hallway yielded several closed doors on either side. Though he tried to push them open, and though the freezing knobs were clearly unlocked, Souji could not get any of them to budge. It was as if something, or someone, behind those doors held them shut with determined force. The further he and Yosuke walked, the more dispersed the doors became. Even the doorframes began to look different; hard, jutting edges replaced the smooth sterile order forming the previous structures. Here, everything seemed more hastily and unstably thrown together. Even the stone tiles making up the floor attested it. The squares rested at haphazard angles: both overlapped and separated by wide spaces, as if they had been flung from a distance like frisbees and subsequently cemented down.
“Is it me, or is it actually getting warmer?” Yosuke asked and turned to look behind them. The path from which they’d come had been swallowed in seething darkness. He nearly tripped on a lump in the floor, but Souji caught him.
“Careful,” Souji warned and helped Yosuke recover. “I think you’re right though. It does feel warmer now. We may be close.”
“Yeah. I get that feeling, too.”
Still, the odd house remained strangely empty. The path was straight and long-impossible to get lost on. They had neither seen many Shadows along the way. It was all going just a little too easily, and though that fact didn’t sit well with either of them, neither vocalized their concerns.
Finally, the stone motif gave over completely to ancient, rich woods. Sconces bearing mysterious light spotted the walls between the jagged doors and occasionally spit up red sparks. The hallway walls and floor seemed to creak with each step they took. Yosuke paused to run a finger over a plank in the wall. When he drew it back, an ashy film covered his fingertip.
“Dust,” he declared and wiped the matter on his jeans.
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Yosuke looked wide-eyed at Souji, a blush covering his cheeks. “Y-you don’t think?”
Souji scrutinized the doorknob for a moment before covering it with a shaky hand. When he twisted, however, nothing happened. The lewd sounds continued uninterrupted and he had to fight to keep from blushing himself.
“I don’t think it’s this room. Let’s keep going.” Souji hurried away.
Though the doors they encountered at this point were few, each boasted events along the same unseemly lines as the first. Souji had to swallow his disconcertment and attempt to open each one, though none would yield to him.
“This really is too much,” Yosuke nearly whispered when he heard the sharp cries of pleasure from another door’s unseen side. When Souji looked at him, he had to turn his burning face away.
“Are you okay?” Souji asked.
“Y-yeah! I mean, it’s nothing.” Yosuke tugged on the front hem of his shirt and stepped to the front line where Souji would be unable to get a good look at him. The fog had grown thicker than usual, and he was very nearly thankful for it. What he hadn’t anticipated was nearly running smack into a dead end almost immediately after his retreat. Another door waited there.
“This has to be it,” Souji said as he stepped up beside his friend. “Ready?”
Yosuke breathed deep to compose himself. “As ready as I can be.”
Souji nodded, and as he turned the handle the door practically flew open for him.
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I really like your description of Dojima's bit of shadow-space. Looking forward to the next part!
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“They’re not here,” Souji said as he eyed the corners, searching for even a flicker of life.
“What’s not here?” Yosuke asked, not daring to go inside first.
“Those women I saw. The ones with blindfolds.”
“Oh yeah. But that’s a good thing, right? We’ve got our hands full with just your uncle as it is.”
“I don’t know…” Souji finally braved a step into the room.
Once Yosuke had followed, the door slammed shut and locked behind them. Yosuke turned and stared incredulously at it before trying to pry the thing back open. Failing, he turned back to Souji. “Dude, what the fuck is going on? This isn’t cool!”
“Let’s just stay calm,” Souji reasoned, despite his pounding heart. “We won’t get anything accomplished if we let this place get to us.”
“I know, but-”
The faint sound of water abruptly ceasing cut Yosuke off. The two tensed and turned toward the mysterious door, waiting for whatever would emerge.
Hardly a moment later, the thing slowly swung open. A cloud of hot mist billowed forth and mingled with the omnipresent fog. Then, Dojima stepped out.
Souji, caught completely off guard at his uncle’s state of undress, could only stare for the moment. He had never really entertained visions of Dojima’s physique before, but seeing most of it now he became almost dumbstruck at how well maintained the man actually looked. It was clear that Dojima was not the type to have weight issues; his muscles, though not necessarily ripped, were undeniably well toned and overall age had looked rather kindly on him.
Dojima’s damp body was wrapped about the waist in a white towel and his wet hair dripped water over his shoulders; thin rivulets snaked down his arms and chest. He appeared at ease, completely comfortable and relaxed. But when he spotted Souji and Yosuke, his aura shifted to that of bitter amusement. He smirked sardonically, but said nothing. Instead, he reached back around the bathroom corner and pulled out a pristine pack of cigarettes. After a hard smack against the heel of his hand, a single cigarette shot halfway out from the rest. Dojima raised the pack to his lips and drew the projecting stick out slowly, almost provocatively. As he lit its end, his gaze never left either of their faces. The light of the flame made his eyes appear demonic. Then, with a steady drag, he chucked the pack and lighter carelessly over his shoulder and let them clatter to the floor.
As he exhaled a long, heavy stream of pale smoke, his mirthless smile returned. “Well well well. Look who’s here.”
“Careful,” Souji advised and braced himself with a hand on his katana’s hilt. The dark tone of man’s voice did not sit well with him. “I think that’s his Shadow.”
Dojima’s smile touched his eyes now, and he laughed deep and long. After a moment he calmed and returned his affections to his neglected cigarette. “Ahhh. It really does feel good to laugh. I’d forgotten.”
“Where’s the real Dojima-san?” Yosuke bit out, hands ready on his kunai.
“So, the Junes kid speaks after all,” Shadow Dojima drawled. “What a shame.”
“Answer us,” Souji pressed.
The man’s eyes flickered with golden light. “That all depends on your definition of ‘real,’ now, doesn’t it?”
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“Of course I know what you mean, you worthless little fuck. Have you forgotten that I am a detective?”
“Then tell us!” Souji worried at the Shadow’s elevated tone, hoping his uncle had not succumbed to any harm.
“He’s just having a…minor breakdown of sorts. A mid-life crisis maybe? Huh.” Shadow Dojima jerked his head toward the room from which he came. “In there.” He snorted in disdain. “It’s the funniest thing, really. I think he wanted you to show up. As if you might save him from this so-called nightmare.”
The Shadow flicked his half-smoked cigarette at Yosuke, who barely dodged it before it would have collided with his face.
“Heh. But I know he wanted you here for other reasons. I wonder if you’re prepared to accept them, though. Hmph. Well, it doesn’t matter in the end. Gratification. That’s what matters most. We’re nothing if we never attain what we want.”
Souji stiffened at the Shadow’s words.
“The hell are you talking about?” Yosuke snapped.
“I know. Let’s strike a deal.” Shadow Dojima seemed to grow serious. “Put down those toys of yours, and maybe I’ll let you see for yourselves.”
Souji furrowed his brow and looked to Yosuke, who did not seem to have any other alternative in mind. “Let’s just go with it for now,” Souji whispered to his friend and carefully set his blade on the floor.
Yosuke looked distraught at this turn of events, but followed Souji’s lead. With their weapons laid beside them, the two had no choice at the moment but to stand at guard. Shadow Dojima smiled and turned to mumble something into the bathroom that neither could hear. Soon, another foot stepped from the mist and Souji’s uncle emerged. Unlike his Shadow, he remained in his full detective’s ensemble.
Dojima looked at his nephew, his face written in turmoil. “Souji. Why. How did you get here?”
Seeing Souji at a loss, Yosuke entreated on his behalf. “Dojima-san! Are you okay?”
When his eyes slid to the auburn-haired boy, Dojima’s expression darkened slightly. “Why are you here?”
“We came to save you.” Yosuke looked back at Souji, wondering why his friend remained silent. Something about Souji’s face betrayed his desperate unease.
“We don’t need saving,” Shadow Dojima growled and approached Yosuke.
Standing before him, the Shadow took Yosuke’s chin roughly in his hand. Yosuke, shocked at the sudden contact, tried to free himself, but the grip on his face only tightened against his efforts. He whimpered in pain.
“As if two kids with delusions of being some kind of agents of justice could do much along those lines anyway.” The Shadow swiveled Yosuke’s head a bit and looked closely at his face. “Hmm. Not all that fascinating to look at, is he?” He glanced over at Souji, who remained frozen to the spot. “I’ll bet he’s a lousy fuck as well. Has he ever even made you come without touching your cock?”
“S-stop it,” Souji whispered. He could practically hear his blood flowing in his ears.
Shadow Dojima shoved Yosuke away, causing the latter to stumble and fall hard to his knees. With a hand braced on the floor to balance himself, Yosuke rubbed tenderly at his throbbing jaw and glared at the Shadow, who was now walking in a slow and appraising circle around Souji.
“Stop what?” The Shadow’s tone dripped with fatherly concern.
“It’s…not like that.” Hearing those words from his uncle’s mouth, even from that of his Shadow, made the heat rise unbearably to Souji’s head. It was too embarrassing. The last thing he wanted his guardian to speak of, to know of, was anything about the gradual turn Souji’s feelings had taken for his best friend recently. His male best friend. He was having a difficult time adjusting to it himself. He felt his hands begin to shake again, and though he tried with all his willpower to control himself, he could do little to ease his anxiety.
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Souji squeezed his eyes shut against that fiery, intense stare and his body instantly stiffened when he felt something warm and slick on his face. Shadow Dojima ran his tongue from Souji’s jaw up along that curve until he reached the boy’s ear, where he playfully bit on its lobe.
“You taste good. I can only imagine what the rest of you tastes like. And I have imagined it, again…and again.” Though the Shadow said this into Souji’s ear between licks, it was not lost on the others.
Dojima, who had up until now been in a kind of trance with his back to the wall, snapped to attention, furious. “That’s not true, you sick son of a bitch!”
“Oho, I beg to differ.” Shadow Dojima moved quickly, letting go of Souji’s hair and gripping his wrists together behind his back to keep the boy from fighting. A strangled cry rattled Souji’s throat as he stood at the Shadow’s mercy.
Seeing his friend in such peril, Yosuke jumped to his feet and swept up a kunai in one fluid motion. His face contorted in passionate fury. “Bastard!”
But before he even had a chance to swing the blade down, Shadow Dojima had lashed out with his free hand and punched Yosuke hard in the face. Souji could hear the connection of bone against bone separated only by fragile layers of skin. He watched Yosuke reel, completely dazed. His lip had been split, and blood already oozed thickly from his nose as well. Red stained the pallor of his skin in vivid, cruel streams, and Yosuke slumped unconscious to the floor next to his fallen kunai. His blood dripped steadily down his cheeks, already lost within the vermilion rug.
“Yosuke!” Souji called out, but the Shadow covered his mouth. He could smell Yosuke’s blood on that hand. Tears sprang to his eyes.
“Shh.”
Seeing the scene’s escalation, Dojima finally broke free from his stupor and moved to confront the being wearing his face.
“Stop,” his Shadow warned and then reconsidered. “Or don’t. Maybe you want to see him bleed as well?”
Souji looked to his uncle with glassy, reddened eyes. Seeing that vulnerability, Dojima immediately yielded. “What is it you want from me?”
The Shadow seemed pleased. “Acknowledge me. Admit that we’re the same.”
“The same?” Dojima echoed.
“Yes.”
Dojima grimaced, his anger mounting. “No, I’m nothing like that. Do you hear me?! Nothing at all!”
The Shadow’s eager expression melted into controlled rage, golden eyes smoldering. “You’re a fool. But, then again, we’re the type that’s better swayed by actions than words, aren’t we?”
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~a!a
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