The Puppet on the Strings

Fulfilling a Promise

Morgana jumps up onto the seat, looking overhead. "Actually, I think we're just tiny."

The three of us look at each other in confusion, climbing up the chair with Morgana. Ryuji had a hard time climbing, losing footing every few seconds. Ann and I had to pull him up when we reached the top. We followed Morgana's gaze, seeing a large stage with what looked like a stand where you would give a puppet show to little kids. The curtains were open, someone standing in the middle of the small stage. Two figures towered over them, each holding strings in their hands that connected back to the figure's limbs.

"This is horrible..." Ann stated, staring at the scene in front of us. 

"How is this in her heart?" Morgana asks. 

I jump to the next row, continuing towards the stage. "Y/n!" I keep running forward. I know it's her shadow. I know it isn't her, but I can't stop myself from moving. She's been feeling this alone?

The shadow lifts her heads, looking at me. "Akira...?"

Her shadow isn't hostile. Their voice is small, but they don't move. 

The figures behind her now have a light shining on them, moving her strings now. I jump into the small stage, looking at y/n. Her head is down, but soon is raised. A knife falls out of her sleeve, her arm swinging out towards me. I jump back, grabbing my dagger. "You shouldn't be here," she mutters, approaching me again. 

I dodge her arm, swinging my arm by hers. I'm not trying to kill her. I just need to stop her from attacking me. 

Her movement is sloppy. Her body moves almost like she's boneless. I slide underneath her, looking above us. Are they supposed to be her parents? How are her parents in control of her shadow?

She's pulled up a bit, her arm swinging towards my neck. I kick her back, jumping back onto my feet and swinging towards her strings. When my knife comes in contact, I'm blown off the stage and into a theater seat. 

She looks to me again, her face sullen. "I don't want your help."

Morgana, Ann, and Ryuji jump onto the chair I landed on. 

"It won't work. She only wants us to look, remember?"

I look at Morgana. "Wait, what do you mean?" Ryuji questions.

"Look at her shadow. She doesn't have control over this place at all. She isn't even in control in her movements," Morgana states.

"So we need her permission to steal her treasure?" Ann questions.

I shake my head, standing up. "No. She didn't give permission and she doesn't plan to."

Morgana looks at Ann and Ryuji. "She wants him to tell her what the problem is. Looking now, it's clear that her parents are why she feels this way."

"Can we change their heart?" Ryuji questions.

"No. This isn't another Kamoshida. This is someone asking us. We can't force a change unless she is okay with it."

I look back at the stage, the lights off. Despite lack of visibility, voices echo through the room.

"We don't know who this kid really is." The voice sounds feminine, but it's entirely unfamiliar. Maybe her mother?

"I'm not a stupid kid anymore. I'm not..." 

"Y/n?" 

"I'm trying to be his friend so I have someone to confide in. I don't wan't to be alone anymore. It hurts..."

"This is how she feels," Morgana states, looking up at me. 

"Is she talking about me?" I mutter to myself.

~~~

My thumb pushes down on each finger, waiting for the inevitable but fulfilling crack sound. Akira still hasn't texted. Maybe he decided it wasn't worth the time. It isn't like he's actually gonna change me. I don't fully trust him, but I thought it would be best to check now. If he really is checking for me and doesn't do anything, I'll trust him fully. In case he does try something, I had wrote a note to myself to remind me. I don't want to be controlled by anyone anymore. All I can do for myself is remind myself about who I am.

But is this right? Did I give him too much trust too soon?

No. I still feel the same. He hasn't done anything I haven't asked.

How do I really know, though?

I don't. I hate this feeling of helplessness, but it does help me ask for help. It makes me feel weak, but it also makes me feel like I have support. 

I don't care if it's selfish. It's all I can do right now.