If ever there was a time that Sachiko had hoped she had only just awoken from a dream, the time was now. But the cynic in her told her that yesterday was no dream. Heck, the cynic in her reminded her that the cynic in her had come out just that day. It made Sachiko wonder, was that shadow still around, watching her and judging her? Or had it retreated to some small part of her subconscious? Or was it now that "persona" thing? Thinking of the persona creature made Sachiko wonder more about that too. Did it live inside that card that always showed up when she needed it? Did it live in some strange dimension, having a normal life until Sachiko rudely slapped her hands together and brought it out? Or did have no life, and simply exist to be called upon whenever necessary? 

[b]"Sachiko! Are you still in there?"[/b]

It was her mum's voice calling. Despite her urgent tone, Sachiko didn't even notice. She was still thinking. She only became fully aware when her mum barged into her room, assumedly to check up on her.

[b]"Sachiko, what are you doing? You'll be late if you don't get up now."[/b]

[b]"Ah, right...."[/b] She was talking about school. Sachiko had forgotten about school. Who could think of school after having a wacky adventure in a bizarre new world? She hadn't breathed a word of this to her parents when she came home, and retreated to her room as soon as possible. She got up and made for the door.

[b]"What is with you lately?"[/b] Her mum was still talking. [b]"The day before yesterday, you come home and storm up to your room without a word. And then you do the same thing last night. And now, you're sleeping in! You never sleep in! I was shocked I woke up to something other than you banging around in the morning for once! There's something going on with you, isn't there? Please tell me."[/b]

[b]"It's nothing."[/b] Sachiko replied curtly. But she knew that wouldn't satisfy her. [b]"It's just some silly drama with friends. It'll blow over."[/b] She followed up quickly, before her mum could get angry over her initial short reply.

[b]"It's not that police boy again, is it?"[/b] That was her dad. Sachiko and her mum had made it to the dining room by now. [b]"That kid would cry if he stood on a cockroach."[/b]

[b]"He's tougher than you think he is. Don't talk about him that way."[/b] Sachiko told him. Her dad looked back at her, seemingly shocked. [b]"Such a direct reply! The Sachiko I know would be more like [i]"Oh, maybe, but Kami's a nice guy, so you shouldn't say such things~"[/i]."[/b] She chuckled slightly at his impression of her. [b]"It's official, Aki; the snatchers have replaced our daughter. Where did you guys put the real thing?"[/b]

[b]"Very funny, dad."[/b]

[b]"I'll bet. But seriously, what's with the attitude? Your mum's right, you've been in a funk for a while now."[/b]

[b]"I..."[/b] She really did want to open up to her parents. But she was smart enough to know that telling them the truth would never work. [b]"I already told you. Just drama. I need to get ready for school."[/b] She quickly left the room. [b]"But you didn't even eat breakfast!"[/b] Her mum called after her. [b]"Leave her be. Sachiko always bounces back, you know that. She'll have that dopey smile back on her mug by tomorrow."[/b] Her dad's words didn't do a lot to placate her mum, but she did agree that their daughter would likely come around.

Sachiko was less sure than they were. Getting changed hurriedly, she was out on the street before she knew it. She really didn't want to face any more probing questions, from her parents or anyone. She needed to question herself before she could feel comfortable answering others. What was she going to say about all this? When the strange man from last night calls her and the others, what would they be doing? If they had to fight more of those stupid tongue creatures, how would that affect her life? In spite of all these questions mulling about her brain, she knew one thing for sure; she wasn't going to ignore this problem. Something serious was going on, and she might be one of the few that could do something about it.