Rise Kujikawa

> Souzai Daigaku...
> You came at Rise's earnest request...

I can't take another bite.
My stomach's full...

But that really hit the spot! I've been
wanting to come here.
But it's a little embarrassing to show up
alone, you know?

What do you mean why...? A girl shouldn't
be eating meat by herself on the side of
the road.
Besides, everyone would think I'm letting
myself go, after taking a hiatus.
It's kind of annoying...
...Though it's also kind of true.

> Rise looks like she's having fun...

Nope!
If someone snapped a photo of me doing
that, I'd hear it from my agency.
The last time I ate out was at a festival
when I was still a little kid.
Back then, it was me and my family...
It was fun.

> Rise is smiling nostalgically...

How little you know, Senpai!
It's the atmosphere that's important.
The meal itself isn't everything,
you know.

> Rise's voice is swelling with pride
for some reason.

To tell you the truth, I've wanted to do this
since I was a child.
My parents were actually pretty strict.

I didn't really have many friends.
Though I guess that couldn't be helped,
since I hardly ever showed up for school.
......

Er, that's enough talk about that!
What a depressing subject, huh?
Let's talk about something fun.
After all, I don't want to waste the
time we have together!
It's so great that I came to this town
and met you.
Really, I'm serious!

> Rise smiles naturally...
> You feel your relationship with Rise
has grown deeper...

Why don't I start by asking what kind of
girl you like?

> You dealt with Rise's barrage of
questions until it became dark, then
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Okina City, at Okina Station...
> Rise took you here.

Whew, that was a long trip...
It'll take time to get back, so let's
walk around quick!

Yeah. You know there's not much of
a selection where we live, right?
Since I've got a mule with me today,
I think it's time for a shopping spree!

> Rise looks like she's having fun...

No way!
All they have is Junes!
"Every day's great," but it's not
THAT great!
Though the sweats they have over there
aren't bad...

> Rise is smiling sheepishly...

A one-piece, of course!
Make sure you take notice when I wear
it, okay?

> Rise is smiling mischievously...

Oh, come to think of it, where does
Kanji buy his clothes?
You can't find pointy stuff like those
at Junes, can you?

Does he buy them online...?
......
Maybe he makes them...?

U-Umm...
A-Aren't you Risette?
I, I-I-I-I...

No... I'm not.
Let's go, Senpai.

> Rise dragged you away...

> Many people approached Rise over the
course of the day...

They just never learn!

*sigh* But I told them!
I told them today, Senpai!
"No, I'm not." "You're mistaken."
"I'm not Risette!"

And it's true... I'm no longer "Risette"...
I'm just an ordinary girl...
*giggle* Which is fine with me!

I never thought I'd be out in public like this.

I love Inaba, Senpai...
You see the same faces every day, rumors
spread fast, and there are times when it
gets on my last nerve...

And sometimes I feel I might be better off
if I was in a big city full of strangers...

But even then, I love that town.
You're there, Grandma's there...
And above all, there's something I can
do there.
Let's keep at it, Senpai!

> You can sense Rise's passion...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even better...

I didn't see any one-pieces that clicked
with me, so I guess we should go home.
Let's go, Senpai.

> You walked Rise to her house and
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

But even then, I love that town.
My grandma's there...
And more than that, my friends... You, too.

> You sense an innocent kindness from Rise...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even better...

> Central shopping district...
> You decided to walk Rise home after
eating at Aiya...

The flavor was a little strong,
but it was good.
My grandma's food is kind of bland.
Though tofu is good for you, so...

> There is a suspicious man in front of
Rise's house...

Is that a reporter...?
Or... a stalker?

> Rise is worried...

...W-Wait, Senpai!
We shouldn't cause a scene...

> Rise looks troubled...

Y-Yeah, go ahead...

> Rise looks relieved...

Uh, th-that's alright. We don't know
if he's really dangerous or not.
Let's just wait and see, okay?
But... thanks for that.

> Rise no longer seems worried.

Hmm, but still... That guy...
Where have I...?

Inoue-san, is that you!?

Rise-chan!

Wh-Why are you here...?
I already settled everything with
the agency...!

I'm here because... Personally, I can't
accept that.
I've watched over you this entire time
as your manager...

I'm no longer a "personality"!
My private time doesn't belong to
a manager anymore!
Go home. If you don't, I'll call the police.

W-Wait!
Could you just think it over? I strongly
believe that no other actress can play
that role better than Rise Kujikawa.
Your fans were looking forward to
the movie, too...

You still want me to act...!?

Huh...?

...Anyway, I'm through with it! I have
nothing to do with showbiz and all that
stuff now!
I...

I-I've decided to marry this man once
we graduate high school!

I said before it was only a hiatus, but
I've changed my mind! There's no way
I'm coming back!
sees the real me...
He's so gentle...!

> Rise is desperate...

> You went along with her story...

S-See? I told you...

> Rise looks relieved...

> You denied Rise's story.

...H-He's just too shy to admit it!
A-And why wouldn't he be? I-It's a big deal
to marry Risette!

> Rise is trying to fix her story as
her face reddens...

......
I understand. I'll go home... for today.
B-But I...

Go away! Now!

Oh... U-Ummm...
...That was Inoue-san. He was...
my manager.
I'm his daughter's age, so he treated me
like one of the family...

But... he's a stranger now.
......

S-Senpai, umm...
I'm sorry... Lying about marrying you
and all...

Senpai...
You're so mature...

> Rise smiled a smile of relief.

That's... true, but... It was just a little
white lie...
Senpai, do you really want me to get
dragged back into showbiz...?
Could you solve the murders if I wasn't
here? I mean, without me...
......
...N-Never mind.

> Rise looks gloomy...

Huh...?
"Was it a lie?" O-Oh... Senpai...
W-Wow...

> Somewhat at a loss, Rise is smiling
sheepishly...

You really are a nice guy.
Th-This isn't good... I feel like I'm going to
depend on you even more...

...J-Just kidding!

> Perhaps due to her relief, Rise is
smiling sheepishly...
> You feel your relationship with Rise
has grown deeper...

I wish I could spend more time with you,
but... I'll save it for next time.
See you later, Senpai.

> You watched Rise walk in and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

That's... true, but... It was just a little
white lie...
Senpai, do you really want me to get
dragged back into showbiz...?
You're okay with me not being not around...?
......
...N-Never mind.

> Rise looks sad...

> The hill overlooking town...
> You came here at Rise's request,
as she says she likes it here...

When I first got to town, I used to sit here
and do nothing...

I would just listen to the sound of the
river, the sound of the birds, the sound
of the rain...
I felt I could forget "Risette" and
find myself that way...
But...

Senpai, have you ever thought that
you're pushing yourself too far, or
that you were just acting...?

Really...? Then you might even be
a better actor than me.
But I see... You've been through
a lot, too...

> It seems Rise is a bit relieved.

I see... But I guess that makes sense...
No one can be their "normal self" all
the time, huh?

> Rise is smiling sadly.

Hmmm, so this is your normal self
right now?
Are you sure?
*giggle* I'm just kidding you.
But that's incredible.

> It seems Rise is impressed...

I feel like I've been able to relax
after coming to Inaba.
Meeting all of you, laughing together...
Watching the store, reading comics,
playing with the cat...
...When I was at my parents' house,
I was on my best behavior around them...
Oh, but Grandma doesn't ask me anything.
Y'know, like why I quit or what I'm
thinking of doing next...

She just talks about tofu. She says...
I'm like tofu.
I had to ask her what that meant.
The way she explained it... Tofu looks
weak and fragile, but it's actually
pretty resilient.
Even though it stands out because it's
not like any other food, it can be mixed in
with any recipe or flavor...
Tofu is incredible.
I'm nothing like that...
......

I...
I was actually bullied at school before
I made my debut...
I wasn't good at talking, and always
looked at my feet...

I was alone the entire time...
But I didn't have a problem with that.
No one expected anything of me.
And then... the application my relative
sent without telling me passed the
first audition.

I wasn't interested in being an idol, but...
I wanted the chance to change myself.
And just by chance, I won.
Haha... When it happened, I panicked,
thinking maybe I should turn their
offer down.
Then I thought... if I appeared on TV,
I could make friends...
That was literally the only reason
I went through with it...

After a while... I realized something.
The person everyone likes, the one they
say "hi" to on the street? That's not
the real me.
Risette is the one everyone likes...
The fictional character they sold
the public.

...It's the same with you, isn't it?

You don't have to deny it...
I won't be mad.
You're with me right now because I'm
Risette, yeah?

Yeah...
I guess I should say... I'm glad to be
Risette, huh?

> Rise smiles wryly...

......
I'm sorry. That wasn't a fair question.
...But I'm happy you said so.

> Rise smiles weakly...

W-Wow, I'm kinda surprised...
You project this image of strength, so
I didn't expect you to say that...
But I see... You're just a year older
than me, huh?
I never thought of that...

> Rise is smiling sheepishly.

When I got back to school after my debut,
no one bullied me...
I was happy at first, with people I didn't
even know talking to me...
But they weren't suddenly interested in
Rise Kujikawa...
They wanted to hang out with Risette.
The bullying stopped, but... I felt like
none of them saw the real me.

In my heart, I've always thought...
"This isn't the real me..."
Funny, huh? I was the one who wanted
to change, and...

But none of that matters now! I'm done
being Risette!
Now I have people who know the real me.
Plus, I have power that can help everyone...
I love that!
This time, I'm going to change into a Rise
that everyone can like!
Keep an eye out for her, Senpai!

> Rise is smiling...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even more...

> You walked Rise to her house and
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

But none of that matters now! I'm done
being Risette!
Now I have people who know the real me.
Plus, I can go to high school like a normal
girl... That right there is enough to make
me really happy.
This time, I'm going to change into a Rise
that everyone can like!
Keep an eye out for her, Senpai!

> Central shopping district...
> You walked Rise home after a trip
to Okina City...

*giggle* I placed lots of special orders.
Come with me next time when I go pick
'em up, Senpai.

I had tons of fun today. Not many people
tried to come up and talk...
...Maybe they already forgot who I am.

Oh, yeah. Want some tofu to take home?
I helped make them today.
Wait right here.

Excuse me... -san, is it?

Ummm... Sorry about the other day...
I'm Minoru Inoue, Rise Kujikawa's
former manager.

I'm sorry to bother you, but...
Could you give this to her?

> Inoue handed you a letter...

A fan letter came, you see...

I don't think she'd take it from me...
And Rise always did look forward to
this girl's letters...

...You may be right.
But Rise always did look forward to
this girl's letters...

I'm one of her fans myself.
Her talent is captivating...
Rise always looked forward to this
girl's letters, so I...

In today's cult of personality, being
popular carries its own problems.
Your schedule fits together, minute by
minute, like a jigsaw puzzle... Every day
you're squeezed utterly dry...
But even knowing that, I still want her
to come back...
She was genuinely brilliant... Not only that,
but she's strong enough to use her pain
as a foundation.
From what I could see... she's relying
on you.
So could you...?

Sorry, Senpai, but we're all sold out...

Inoue-san!? Quit pestering me!
Wait... What did you say to Senpai!?

I-I'm sorry. I'm leaving now...
Goodbye...

Hounding me even after I quit...
He's practically a stalker!
To think I trusted him... I feel betrayed!

Wha--Why are you siding with him!?
Y-You're not with me on this...?

> It seems Rise was shocked to
hear that...

No... He just wants Risette back.
The "me" he created...

> Rise is biting her lip...

Senpai... Why are you asking me that
all of a sudden?
Inoue did say something to you,
didn't he!?

> Rise is furious...

So... what did he come for?

> You told Rise why Inoue came and
handed her the fan letter.

This letter...
She wrote again...
I see... But he came all the way out here
for this...?
......

This girl is a middle school student.
She writes to me all the time.
I did this public service campaign once
to stamp out bullying...
She said it inspired her... She wrote that
she wouldn't let bullies get her down,
that she'd try to make friends...

Ever since then, she wrote me letters...
"This happened to me today," "I was
able to say this," stuff like that.
"Seeing Risette work hard encourages me,"
"It makes me feel like I can still hang
in there..."
Haha, she doesn't really know how
it works, huh?
But still, every time I read her letters, I felt
like Risette actually meant something...
So whenever things got tough, I would
read them over and over...

Senpai... Do you still have some
free time...?

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Tatsuhime Shrine...

> Rise seems to be deep in thought
after reading the fan letter...
...She's worried about me.
Officially, I'm taking a break due to
illness, so...
......

Before I quit, there was talk about a part
in a movie...
She sounds like she was really looking
forward to it...
"Please get well soon and come back,"
she says...
......

I'm so glad you were here. I was scared
to read it alone...

I gave up on being Risette. I can't meet
her expectations...

I have no regrets.
...At least, I think not.
I mean, it was such a relief to quit.
To go back to being the real me...
Haha...
......

> Rise has a lonely smile on
her face...

Y-Yeah...
You're right. Nothing I can do about it
now, huh...?
......

> Rise is trying to smile...

Yeah...
I hope someday... I can say, "Thank you."
And "I'm sorry."
......
Sorry, huh...?
...There's nothing to be depressed
about. Haha...

> Rise's eyes seem to be watering...

Anyway, Risette doesn't exist anymore.
It's not just this girl. I disappointed
lots of other people...
The president of the company told me that
over and over, and I knew already...
I knew this was the path I chose, but...
......

Maybe I'll just inherit the tofu shop!
I'm the shop's main attraction now.
I bet I could make it thrive!

...Senpai.
Maybe we should really just do it...
Y'know, what I was saying a while back.
You could marry me once we graduate
high school, and the two of us could work
at the tofu shop together.
Doesn't that sound fun? H-How about it?
Haha...ha...

......
Senpai, you'll say that to just
anyone, huh?
It's dangerous to try to tell everyone
what they want to hear...
Too bad, though! Risette wasn't fooled.

> Rise is smiling...

If I'm serious...? I think I'm pretty serious...
You're always so calm.
But... I like that.

> Rise is smiling sheepishly.

Hahaha! Senpai, you're so cute!
...You're too honest, though.
Well, I already knew that... You're not
interested in me.

> Rise is smiling a bit sadly...

Thank you, Senpai. For being with me
all of today...
I feel a bit better.
Yeah... I'm fine.
I can contribute something...
And it looks like there are still plenty of
things only I can do...

> You can sense Rise's quiet will...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even more...

Sorry for dragging you around all day.
I'll let you go now.

> You walked Rise to her house and
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

Thank you, Senpai. For being with me
all of today...
I feel a bit better.
Yeah... I'm fine.
This town... I belong here.
I can help out my grandma and all my friends,
and you're here too...

> You can quietly sense Rise's feelings...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even more...

> Okina City, in front of Okina Station...
> Rise invited you to go shopping with her.

Today, we're buying for you!
I'll put together the best outfit for you,
so be prepared.
I've already checked out most of the
stores. First is... over there...

That ad...
I see... So Kanami is the new poster girl...
......

Oh, uhh...
That store's sign has a girl who was
at the agency with me.
Kanami Mashita... She was my junior...
...She was cute, so I figured she would sell.

Er... Senpai...?
That's not a question you should be asking
when I'm standing right here.

> Rise is pouting.

No way. I have nothing to do with any
of this now.
I'm glad for her... She worked hard...

> Rise is smiling...

...Huh? Oh, yeah.
If some other girl takes off, I'm sure
the agency will leave me alone.

> Rise is smiling...

> You overhear a conversation between
some teenagers...

Man, Kanamin is sooo cute.
It's crazy that she's still in middle school.
I like how she's not so fake, like Risette.

Yeah, Kanamin's like... plain, and honest.
Somewhere between a little sister and
the girl next door. Like, the kind of girl
you want to protect.

......
Yeah, yeah, I'm "fake."
That's the role I played...
It was all an act... Everything...

...Hey! All that stuff about Kanami
is an act, too!

......
Let's go home, Senpai.
I don't want to be here.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

Oh, uhh... Remember that Kanami I mentioned
once before?
Kanami Mashita... The girl on that store's
billboard...
We were at the same agency and she was just
below me.
Well, she's cute, so it's no surprise that
she's getting work.

> Samegawa flood plain...
> Rise dragged you back here...

......

Senpai, are you... happy right now?
Do you like being with me... like this,
the way we are now?
You like having such a cute underclassman,
right? I'm an ex-idol, after all.

......
Why are you being so nice...?
I-It doesn't make sense...

> Rise is biting her lip...

......

> It seems Rise was shocked to
hear that...

Y-Yeah, of course not... What am I saying?
You see me as Rise, huh...?
The real me...

> Rise seems anxious for some reason...

...I'm sorry. I was just irritated...
I dragged you all the way to Okina, then
just came back without doing anything...
I'm really sorry...

Oh, big bro and Rise-chan!

Oh, Nanako-chan... Y-You going home?

Yep!

Oh, I know...
H-Hey, Nanako-chan, umm...
Well...
Do you know who Kanami Mashita is...?

Ummm... Kanami... Mashita...
......?
Oh, you mean Kanamin?
Yeah, I know her. Some of my friends
like her.
I tell them, "Rise-chan's way better!"

Y-You do, huh? Hahaha, thanks...
B-But I'm totally different from how I am
on TV... You must be disappointed...

Nope.
I like you.

Huh? Oh... thanks.
But that means... you like the "me"
over here, huh...

The... "me"...?
Aren't you just Rise-chan? I like you,
that's all.

Oh, er... ummmm...

...Thanks, Nanako-chan. I like you too.

Yay!

Oh, the show's about to start!
I'm going home now!

"You're just Rise-chan," huh...?

Wh-What was I thinking, asking all that
to Nanako-chan...?

*sigh* Risette...
I quit so I wouldn't have to think about
stuff like this...
......

...I have no regrets about showbiz.
I wouldn't want to go back.
Why would I sacrifice my real self!?
I just want to become a Rise who's
needed by the ones who see the real
me. Like you, Senpai.
That's the "me" I want to be. It's the truth.

> You can sense Rise's passionate will...
> You feel that you understand Rise
even more...

I... got a little upset today when I heard
those kids talk about Kanami.
...I'm sure I'll forget it by tomorrow.

> Rise looks helpless...

Senpai... Thank you.
I'm okay. I feel better now.

> Rise seems relieved...

S-Stop, Senpai...
...Though maybe I'm in the mood to be
close to you right now.

> Rise is smiling sheepishly...

H-Hey! That's mean!
I'm serious here. You're making me
look stupid.
......

*giggle* I see... Maybe I am kind of stupid.
Thank you, Senpai... I feel a little better.

> Rise seems relieved...

I'm sorry for being so selfish today.
......
When I was working, I met lots of people,
but at the cost of free time to meet people
outside of work.
I had no free time at all...
So when I was alone, I was truly alone.
Whatever I was thinking about... I had to
keep it to myself.
So...
Right now... I don't want to be alone...

Stay with me... just a little longer...

> You spent time with Rise until it got dark
and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> Souzai Daigaku...
> You came with Rise, who seems
enthusiastic about eating out...

What should I have...?
Heck, maybe our shop should do something
like this.
How about a "ganmo kebab"?
Or a "tofu croquette"?

Well, if it isn't Rise-chan.

Ummm, you're the deputy mayor... right?
Good afternoon...

I heard the news! You know, about the
upcoming film!

...Hm? You haven't heard yet?
You know Kanamin, right? Kanami Mashita!
They're going to be filming nearby, right?
I hope they stop by Inaba, too.
Oh, I know! Why don't you ask?

Kanamin...
...I don't have anything to do with
them anymore.

But wait... How many are coming?
We only have small bed-and-breakfasts
around here...
Got it! They can stay at the Amagi Inn!
Alright, I need to go tell that manager guy
I was just talking to!

......

Oh, Rise-chan. Nice to see you.

Inoue-san... What do you want today...?

I'm down here scouting film locations,
so I thought I'd come see you.
I wanted to hear your answer one more
time, face to face.
...Are you sure you're not coming back?

......
I...
I'm not going back...
......

I see...
Okay... I understand. Well, now I can focus
on my new job.

I signed up as Kanami Mashita's manager.
Remember how we were talking about
doing that movie? They picked Kanami
as your replacement.
...We're going to sell Kanami.
I have every confidence she'll be just
as popular... no, even MORE popular
than Risette.

I-I see...

Although... Kanami is an ordinary girl.
We have to "polish" her so she sells...
......
But you had that spark...
You learned fast, adapted well to new
situations, had that smile that could be
as strong or weak as you needed...
And those acting skills of yours!
You were like an old pro.
You could have reached heights most girls
could never dream of...
...That's what I think, anyway.

So... I just had to hear it from your
own mouth.
Well, then... goodbye.
Stay healthy, okay?

......
What the heck... That's not fair...
After he made me answer...
He never told me any of that when we
were still working together...
Acting skills...? Of course I have 'em.
What the heck...? Telling me all that stuff
now... It's too late...!
......

> It seems Rise is crying...

Hey... Why... am I crying...?
There's no reason to cry...
There's nothing... to be sad about...
Nothing...

Senpai... I... I don't know why I'm crying...

Haha... It's too late now...

Haha... I can't... My eyes will be all
swollen tomorrow...

I... I lost... everything...
I don't know how... but...
I lost everything...
I'm scared... I'm sad... What's going on...?
Senpai...
Please, stay here...
Stay by... my side...
Senpai...!

> ...You sense this is an important moment.
There's no turning back.

S-Senpai...
Senpai...

> Rise began pouring out tears...

Senpai...
I have you... I have the others...
I didn't lose everything...
There are people who need me, right...?

> Rise is smiling through her tears...
> You feel your relationship with Rise
has grown deeper...

> ......
> You can feel Rise's warmth as
she trembles...
> There's no turning back...
> Your relationship with Rise has
become intimate.

I'm going home now.
My head's all messed up...

I need time to think it all over.
About how I feel now...
I don't want to lose anything more...
Goodbye, Senpai...

> You watched Rise walk off and
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> The hill overlooking town...
> You came here at Rise's solemn request...

Senpai... I thought about it.
Why my mind just went blank when
I heard about Kanami...

I mean, I ran away from showbiz because
I was tired of being an idol...
So I shouldn't have had any problems...

And yet... I felt so angry about it...
Why do you think that is...?

Yeah... I thought I didn't, but I guess
I did...
Risette's name in lights...
Idolized by the masses...
That was "me," too...
And once that "me" disappeared...

> Rise is smiling gently...

Mrrm...
Yeah, yeah. Sure, I'm selfish.
But yeah... You're absolutely right.
Risette's name in lights...
Idolized by the masses...
That was "me," too...
I didn't want to lose that "me"...

> Rise is smiling as though she's
annoyed with herself...

Yeah... You knew all along, huh...?
Haha, but really... that's how it was.
Risette's name in lights...
Idolized by the masses...
That was "me," too...
I didn't want to lose that "me"...

> Rise is smiling sheepishly...

There's no way to become someone else...
I ran away from my plain, gloomy self...
Then I ran away from my idol self...

Right now I'm the homicide detective self,
I guess?
I would've run away from that as well,
if I didn't realize...
I've been trying to become how I wanted
to be.

I pick a role... When I'm through with it,
I continue chasing the "real me" by
picking another role...
...When in fact those roles are all "me."

I don't want to run away anymore.
I don't want to search somewhere else
for myself.
I'm gonna hang in there... as the
complete me.

> Rise spoke her mind, looking straight
at you...
> You feel your relationship with Rise
has grown deeper...

I'm glad I came to this town.
After all... it's where I met you.
......

I have to go home now...
......

I wish time would just stop...

I'm glad I came to this town.
I'm glad to have met you, and the
others too!

*giggle* Let's go home, Senpai!

> You walked Rise to her house and
went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

Right now I'm a high school girl just
enjoying school life, I guess?
I would've run away from that as well,
if I didn't realize...
I've been trying to become how I wanted
to be.

I pick a role... And then after a while,
I keep chasing the "real me" by picking
another role...
...When in fact those roles are all "me."

> Your room...
> You brought Rise here at her request...

Uh, ummm...
...I am currently in Senpai's room.

It seems quite clean for a boy of his age...
Uh, ummm...
Th-There doesn't seem to be anything
lying around that he wouldn't want me
to see...

Now then, where could the goods in
question be hiding...!?
I'll ask the man himself! So--where do you
hide them!?

Oh, stop acting all normal...! You know
how embarrassed I feel right now? Geez...
I've never been in a guy's room before,
so I tried covering it up, and you...
You meanie...

Huh!? Oh... Hahaha!
I-I don't...
I'm sorry...
Umm, i-it's not that I wanted to know...
I just got kinda embarrassed, so...
You meanie...

...Really?
......
I see... Good!
I'll bring my photo-book next time.
The swimsuit one. It's reeeeeal cute.
......

Senpai... You're leaving in the spring, right?
I've made up my mind about something.
You see...
......
I'm thinking of going back into showbiz
this spring.

I am Risette, after all...
And when I consider it that way,
I think I can have more fun working.
I know how hard it is for a star to make a
comeback after an entire year's absence...
But even then, I want to start over
from the beginning.

Do you remember the fan who gave me
that letter? I'll do it for her, for my
old manager, Inoue-san...
For my family, everyone, you...
And for myself.

> Rise's eyes are shining...

Senpai, this...

I want you to have it, Senpai.

> You obtained .

It's the one we took at school.
I look really normal, don't I?
But even then, I signed it Risette.
A Risette without a fake smile...

Senpai... I won't make the same mistake.
There's no such thing as a me who isn't me.
So I won't run away... I won't try to be
someone I'm not.
There's a lot of Rises inside me...
I won't try to change them.
Instead... I'll let people know that
those Rises exist...
That's the me I want to be.
......

> Rise's strong will that allowed her
to accept and overcome her weakness has
awakened her heart's true power...

This means... my powers have changed...?
I see... I've become a little stronger.
Thanks to you... being with me...
......

Umm... Senpai...
As long as you're watching me...
I'll do my best...
So... ummm...
Well... I'm happy doing anything if
you're there with me...
Well...
......

> You can sense Rise's unconditional love...
> You feel a tight bond between you
and Rise...

No matter what I'm doing... I am me.
I can say that for sure now.
And the strength to say so... It was you
who found it for me...

I'm going to like the me you found.
After all... I like the you who found her...
Senpai... I love you...

...I love you.
......
Senpai, keep watching me... So I won't
mess up again...
Look at me...
......

> You passed a long while with Rise.
> ......
> It has gotten dark, so you walked Rise
to her house...

> Rise's Persona has been reborn...!
> Himiko has transfigured into
Kanzeon!

Umm...
I'm sure I can hang in there as long as
you're watching me.
Because...
U-Umm...
You're special to me...

Oh, c'mon! I've confessed my love
hundreds of times on TV!!
Why can't I do it in person...?
......

> Rise, her face red, is at a loss
for words...

Umm...
Well... I...
I've never gone through this kinda thing, so...

Umm...
If we were on a TV set, this'd be a wrap...
So, uh... What am I supposed to do
after this...?
......

> Your room...

...I'm back.
This is the only place we can relax
together...
......
But... It's still kinda embarrassing...
being alone together...
......
......
So, I want to make you even happier and
happier...

> You passed a long while with Rise.
> You feel that the tight bond you have
with Rise is irreplaceable...
> ......
> It has gotten dark, so you walked
Rise to her house...