The Puppet on the Strings

True to His Word, but Not True to Mine

"You're a little too happy there, Mona," Ryuji stated. Morgana spun around, a loud meow aimed towards Ryuji. 

"Oh, you know I'm right!" Ryuji exclaimed. I laugh, Morgana jumping back onto the table.

"Oh yeah. She can't hear him," Ann mentions.

I look at her. "So you can actually understand him?"

"Only if you've been to the Metaverse," Akira states.

"Could I visit my palace?"

Morgana meows towards Akira. I sit quietly, waiting for one of them to translate for me. "He says you shouldn't. It could mess something up with the palace."

I frown, sinking into my seat. "Still, I appreciate everything you've done. Is there something I should do?" I question.

He shrugs. "I can't say."

"This was new to us," Ann states. 

I sigh, holding my head. "Okay..." I grab my phone to check the time. "Then could you fix me? I really don't like to ask, but I want to at least have enough confidence to live how I want."

Akira looks at the three of them. "Do we all agree on this?"

They nod. "As long as she's okay with it," Ryuji states.

"I am." I hold a straight face, tapping my foot nervously. It's a complete lie. I just have no other way in. I want to see what's holding me back for myself. I barely know myself and this is the best way to learn.

Akira stands up. Morgana jumps into his bag as Akira pushes the strap onto his shoulder. "We could go in tomorrow," Akira states. Ann and Ryuji stand up as well. 

"Works for me," Ryuji states. 

I grab my bag and approach the door. "Thanks for your help."

"Wait!" Ryuji exclaims, pulling something out of his pocket. He pushes it into my hand. "Read this real quick."

I flip the paper around. The swirls of red and black are interrupted on the front only through a strange logo. The paper is thick, too. Maybe an old postcard or something.

When I flip it around, I'm greeted with letters from magazines cut out and taped down. They spell out:

"To y/n l/n, the silent sloth. While you are aware of how shitty the world really is, you fail to take any action against it yourself. That's why we've decided to steal your distorted desires and make you change your ways."

Ann punches Ryuji in the arm. "Ryuji! That's too much!"

I shake my head. "No. It's fine. Is this necessary to help me?" I question. I'm honestly not mad if it isn't. It's still true.

"Yeah. It lets us steal your treasure," Ryuji states, rubbing his arm. "It's a calling card. I made Kamoshida's, too."

I smile softly, giggling. "Wish I could've seen it."

Akira grabs his bag, placing it over his shoulder. "Message me anytime you wanna hang out," Akira states, heading out with Ann and Ryuji. I wait a moment before heading down, following to see if they were leaving. I want to go in with them. I can't sit around and ignore myself anymore. What am I really like?

I keep my distance, but stay close enough to hear. They turn into an alley, Morgana jumping out of the bag. His meows are faint with the bustle of students, but their voices aren't.

"We ready to go then?" Ryuji questions, holding his phone. 

Akira leans against the wall, stretching his arms. 

"I don't know how I feel about this..." Ann states, Morgana meowing at her. I sigh, tapping my foot impatiently. I wish I understood what that cat was saying...

"Besides, she asked us to do this. What's wrong with going in this time?" Ryuji asks. "It went fine with Kamoshida, didn't it?"

"But what if it was a fluke? What if changing hers has something else happen?"

Akira pushes himself off the wall. "I know the consequences, Ann. But you didn't hear her when she asked. The consequences of ignoring her could be worse. Especially after I promised to help."

My face heats up. How does someone like him care so much about me? How is someone like him supposed to be a dangerous criminal?

I wish I knew more people like him. I wish I was like him. Why can't I fight back? Why can't I fix myself?

Why do I need to rely on him?

"It's decided then! Let's go!" Ryuji exclaims, his thumb now on his phone. My legs started moving without thinking, running into the alley. How do they fix people like me and even people like Kamoshida?

"Crap!" an unfamiliar voice exclaims, my vision becoming blurry.