[ This feeling wasn't altogether foreign to Kanami. But it was different than the Midnight Stage, and her friends weren't here with her. The last time, Rise-senpai and the others were there with her; this time, she was all alone. ]
Sumomin, Tamamin, Tomomin, Nozomin... I really am all alone here, aren't I? What am I gonna do?
[ There wasn't anyone there to hear her, she knew. Even hearing her own voice in the wide, open void wasn't reassuring. But she had to keep talking. An unsure giggle rises from her throat. She wasn't strong enough for this. ]
But if I'm here, then maybe the others are too. I just have to keep going. They might need my help. If they really need it, I mean...
[ Kanami shook her head suddenly. ]
No, I can't think like that! I can still help out! I might not be strong like the others, but there's still something I can do.
[ She's just going to keep talking to herself in the dark at this rate. It's at least somewhat comforting. Kind of. Maybe. ]
[B1]
[ Wow, look at all of these people! Ahh, was that--no way, everyone here was so famous! It was really overwhelming! Kanami Mashita, better known as Kanamin to her fans, didn't normally have a problem turning on her charm in front of the camera, but she was more than a bit starstruck here.
Come on, get some courage, strike up a conversation! You were supposed to be here too! She was in an adorable dress and looked like a million bucks, it would be a sin if she didn't socialize. Not to mention her manager would be super angry with her if she didn't! That guy was scary! ]
I think I need something to drink.
[ Said to absolutely no one, the teen made a beeline for the refreshment table, grabbing a flute of something she assumed to be some kind of sparkling cider and downing it quickly without a second thought.
Then a second.
By the third, she was feeling surprisingly good. The lights around the room were inviting, and she felt cozy and warm. Wow, she felt much better, actually! This was great! Giggling a bit at herself and her good idea, she started to walk--wow, when did it get so hard to walk in heels, hahaha--looking for the closest person, big celebrity or not, to strike up a conversation with. Carpe diem and all that!
Never mind that she had no idea what to talk about. Details. ]
Hi! This is a pretty great party, right?
[B2/3]
[ As the night wore on, and as the driving bass beat began to carry through the air, the magical party juice that Kanami managed to down was finally starting to get to her head. A dull ache hovering between her eyes, the young woman excused herself at the first possible moment, moving from the dance floor toward one of the walls, before finally making her way outside. ]
It’s way too hot in there…
[ Who was she even talking to? Whatever. Leaning against an outside wall, bending over slightly, her salmon-colored curls spilled over her shoulder. What was going on, she wasn’t normally this bad. Come on, Kanami, pull yourself together! You were a star! People wanted to see you, and no one else. What would they say if they saw her doubled over like this? ]
That’s right. Your fans wouldn’t want to see you like this. I just have to keep it together.
[ For her fans.
And for the other girls, too. ]
Su— Ah!
[ There was something at the tip of her tongue, and as she spoke, the pain came on like a flood. She hadn’t been prone to headaches before just recently, but they were never that strong. Her muscles tensing up, and shoulders trembling for some unknown reason, she leaned further into the wall, trying not to shake.
N… no, she had to hold it together. It was some kind of fit, or something. The headaches were no big deal, they always went away. Then why was this…
Tears? Reaching up to touch her face with a trembling hand, she looked down at her wet fingertips. What was going on? ]
Kanami Mashita | Persona 4: Dancing All Night
Haha, I'm by myself, aren't I? Great...
[ This feeling wasn't altogether foreign to Kanami. But it was different than the Midnight Stage, and her friends weren't here with her. The last time, Rise-senpai and the others were there with her; this time, she was all alone. ]
Sumomin, Tamamin, Tomomin, Nozomin... I really am all alone here, aren't I? What am I gonna do?
[ There wasn't anyone there to hear her, she knew. Even hearing her own voice in the wide, open void wasn't reassuring. But she had to keep talking. An unsure giggle rises from her throat. She wasn't strong enough for this. ]
But if I'm here, then maybe the others are too. I just have to keep going. They might need my help. If they really need it, I mean...
[ Kanami shook her head suddenly. ]
No, I can't think like that! I can still help out! I might not be strong like the others, but there's still something I can do.
[ She's just going to keep talking to herself in the dark at this rate. It's at least somewhat comforting. Kind of. Maybe. ]
[B1]
[ Wow, look at all of these people! Ahh, was that--no way, everyone here was so famous! It was really overwhelming! Kanami Mashita, better known as Kanamin to her fans, didn't normally have a problem turning on her charm in front of the camera, but she was more than a bit starstruck here.
Come on, get some courage, strike up a conversation! You were supposed to be here too! She was in an adorable dress and looked like a million bucks, it would be a sin if she didn't socialize. Not to mention her manager would be super angry with her if she didn't! That guy was scary! ]
I think I need something to drink.
[ Said to absolutely no one, the teen made a beeline for the refreshment table, grabbing a flute of something she assumed to be some kind of sparkling cider and downing it quickly without a second thought.
Then a second.
By the third, she was feeling surprisingly good. The lights around the room were inviting, and she felt cozy and warm. Wow, she felt much better, actually! This was great! Giggling a bit at herself and her good idea, she started to walk--wow, when did it get so hard to walk in heels, hahaha--looking for the closest person, big celebrity or not, to strike up a conversation with. Carpe diem and all that!
Never mind that she had no idea what to talk about. Details. ]
Hi! This is a pretty great party, right?
[B2/3]
[ As the night wore on, and as the driving bass beat began to carry through the air, the magical party juice that Kanami managed to down was finally starting to get to her head. A dull ache hovering between her eyes, the young woman excused herself at the first possible moment, moving from the dance floor toward one of the walls, before finally making her way outside. ]
It’s way too hot in there…
[ Who was she even talking to? Whatever. Leaning against an outside wall, bending over slightly, her salmon-colored curls spilled over her shoulder. What was going on, she wasn’t normally this bad. Come on, Kanami, pull yourself together! You were a star! People wanted to see you, and no one else. What would they say if they saw her doubled over like this? ]
That’s right. Your fans wouldn’t want to see you like this. I just have to keep it together.
[ For her fans.
And for the other girls, too. ]
Su— Ah!
[ There was something at the tip of her tongue, and as she spoke, the pain came on like a flood. She hadn’t been prone to headaches before just recently, but they were never that strong. Her muscles tensing up, and shoulders trembling for some unknown reason, she leaned further into the wall, trying not to shake.
N… no, she had to hold it together. It was some kind of fit, or something. The headaches were no big deal, they always went away. Then why was this…
Tears? Reaching up to touch her face with a trembling hand, she looked down at her wet fingertips. What was going on? ]