Kana

Available During Chapter 1:

Event 1:

Kana: They can't seriously be saying they expect us to kill to get out, right? No fucking way in hell am I letting that happen!

What should I do? Should I invite Kana to hang out?

Invite Kana to hang out

See who else is around

Kana: I mean, yeah, you seem cool. Wanna go steal some fruit from the garden?

It's kinda icky, cause none of it is ripe enough yet, but that just makes it super funny!

Looks like Kana and I grew a little closer today.

Would you like to give Kana a present?

Definitely!

Not really...

#107 Under the Sea Highlighter-- A highlighter palette in resplendent purples and blues for a mystical mermaid appearance. Also waterproof, so you really CAN be a mermaid if you want to be a mermaid. Because, really, who doesn't want to be a mermaid?!

Kana: Alriiiiiiiiiiight! This is fan-fucking-tastic! Thank you! I'll be sure to repay the favor!

...

Kana: Hey, Fujiko! I admire your moxie from back when we first heard this bear bitch is keeping us trapped! You definitely got everyone pepped up!

Fujiko: Wh-What? Noooo, that was nothing. I just think everyone here looks really capable, y'know? If you've got something nice to say to somebody, there's no point in holding back, right?

Kana: True, I guess, but when someone compliments you back, you really oughta just accept it instead of being all overly humble.

Fujiko: You seem really confident, Kana! I think that's super neat!

Kana: Thanks! Confidence is key, after all! If you look like you trust yourself, other people are gonna assume that you know what you're doing. And if that's the case, they're willing to listen. I think everyone has certain propensities toward being a leader or a follower, but it can totally fluctuate.

Fujiko: Um, I'm super duper sorry, but I don't understand what that means. I'm kind not the smartest bulb in the bush— I-I mean shed! See what I mean?

She laughs in that full-chested way.

Kana: Basically, I think people have different levels of "leader" and "follower" inside them. But if they behave differently, they can BECOME more of a leader or a follower. This group needs leaders and followers. Without leaders, we've got no morale, no chance whatsoever. Without followers, everyone'll always be clashing, potentially even killing each other. If escape is our goal here, then we need enough leaders but not too many!

Fujiko: You're absolutely a leader! No doubt about it!

She puts a hand on her hip and smirks.

Kana: Damn right! At least in this situation I am. Cause I can be as confident as everyone needs me to be. But it's like that stupid saying goes, "With great power comes great responsibility." I know plenty of people who bluster their way into a position of power and then make stupid choices that don't benefit anyone but themselves. But no leader can be ONLY a leader. Each one of them needs to know how to listen, too! That's something I've had to learn. That's also where I think... a few people here are lacking.

Fujiko: Oooh, gossip? I totally shouldn't be into gossip, cause it's kinda rude, but I sorta think it's maybe necessary here? Y'know, for intel's sake!

Kana: Absolutely. And c'mon, it's not like we're spreading vicious rumors or anything! It's just girl talk. If it makes you feel better, we can compliment everyone, too, cause nobody strikes me as a particularly bad person yet!

She scoots in closer and I can feel my cheeks heat up. We tell each other all about our opinions on the other participants until she realizes that it's time for dance practice and goes to whisk Monterio away.

Kana's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with her.

Event 2:

Kana: Y'know, it's actually really fun making this costume for the party! I'm gonna be the hottest magician you've ever seen! ...Well, it'll probably look kinda janky, but I can wear anything well.

What should I do? Should I invite Kana to hang out?

Invite Kana to hang out

See who else is around

Kana: Sure, I could go for a break! Maybe I could teach you a little about hip hop dancing? I don't know a bunch, but it could be fun!

We head to the parlor and I have an awesome time dancing to the beat! A positive self-image is very helpful in this situation, so it's a good thing I believe that I'm pretty!

Looks like Kana and I grew a little closer today.

Would you like to give Kana a present?

Definitely!

Not really...

#13 Sonic Bubblegum-- A pack of bubble gum that makes an obscenely loud sound when popped. It was developed by a candy maker who is only known as "Miss Sugar Pink."

Kana: Alriiiiiiiiiiight! This is fan-fucking-tastic! Thank you! I'll be sure to repay the favor!

...

Fujiko: I kinda miss my family.

Kana: SAME. I thought it'd be great to get out of my chaotic as fuck house for a month, but I already miss them and it's only been a week. I guess that's what happens when you're being held against your will.

Fujiko: What's your family like?

Kana: A bunch of devils, all of them, and I love them to bits! They're the biggest pains in the ass, the most overconfident motherfuckers, and life is never, ever boring in my house. They're also mega-embarrassing, because I am the youngest child.

Fujiko: Gimme a role call, honey!

Kana: Tatsuya is the oldest kid. I guess you could technically call him the responsible one, but in saying that, I basically just mean he works the hardest at school and keeps the rest of us from accidentally blowing a hole through the roof or lighting the house on fire. Basically, he's the impulse control in a group that riles each other up. He's also the de facto leader of any rebellions we throw against our parents or any adventures we go on without them.

Fujiko: R-Rebellions?

Kana: Y'know. Boycotts to get stupid rules taken out. Putting together our allowances to buy things that our parents didn't want us getting our grubby hands. That sort of thing.

I can't help but giggle imagining this.

Fujiko: Who next?

Kana: The twins, Emika and Shohei. The thing is, even if they have distinctly different personalities, they're also the classic double trouble. Emika is a massive flirt. Kind of like a mix of Ren's forwardness with your sweetheart attitude. She can pretty much wrap any guy around her finger. She doesn't manipulate people-- not purposefully, at least-- but she KNOWS she's appealing. Shohei is the absolute worst. He's most likely to urge the other two to pick on me, and he knows how to set up all sorts of weird-ass booby traps. Still a really nice guy when it counts, though. He's the guy you come to when you need petty revenge.

Fujiko: They sound like a lot of fun!

Kana: For sure! Then there's me, the sporty one. My dad is a big ol' goofball. He gives off a really intimidating aura, but he's as sweet as can be. Scared the hell out of Monterio the first time they met, but he's remarkably casual. Mother is way too proper for this family, but Mom-- my stepmom-- is free-spirited and powerful. I love her.

Fujiko: OH.

She pouts, but angrily, not in sadness.

Kana: There's no need to make that face. It happened when I was two, and it was just cause they didn't work well together anymore. Not every kid of divorced parents thinks it's there fault or has super serious grief over it. At least not for well over a decade. I don't even remember them being married, for God's sake. I see her for a weekend every month. In my mind, my family is perfect. There were a couple of years there when my siblings and I didn't like each other a whole lot, but we grew up, thankfully. And everything's great!

Fujiko: Aw! That's really cute! I hope that we can get out alive and I can meet them.

Kana: Let's make it happen!

We high-five. She checks the clock.

Kana: Oop! It's time for dance practice with Monterio! Later!

She runs off after one last flip of her beautiful bangs. God.

Kana's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with her.

Available During Chapter 2:

Event 3:

Kana: Yoooo! How's it going?

What should I do? Should I invite Kana to hang out?

Invite Kana to hang out

See who else is around

Kana: For sure! Let's watch some movies in the new screening room! I'm feeling like I'm in an action mood, but I have a feeling you're a romance girl. What do you wanna do?

We watch action movies, because there's no way I can watch romance movies with her and not cry/die of shame.

Looks like Kana and I grew a little closer today.

Would you like to give Kana a present?

Definitely!

Not really...

#64 Buff Gun-- A plastic toy rifle full of styrofoam bullets. This one is automatic, for the true bringers of chaos.

Kana: AHAHAHA! YES! I HAVE TRANSCENDED, PUNY MORTALS! FEAR ME!

...

Fujiko: So, I kinda had a bit of a personal question. You can totally, totally feel free to not answer if you want! I-It's no big deal!

Kana: What is it? You don't have to be so jumpy anymore, girl!

I have to hold back from screaming that yes, yes I do.

Fujiko: You said that there were a few years where you and your siblings didn't get along very much... could I maybe, possibly know why?

Her expression falls a bit.

Kana: Oh. That. Alright then. This might be kind of tricky. I promise I'll explain as much as I'm willing to. It's not that I don't trust you. Okayokayokay. So. My siblings and I went to the same grade school. I was a pretty meek kid, and making friends was kind of scary, so I just hung around my sibbies all the time. They were like a security blanket to a little girl. Apparently, it was kind of because of Mother. Being a toddler, I guess I was freaked out that we stopped living in the same house with her, so maybe I was just trying to make sure my siblings didn't go away, too? Every recess, I would run out and find one of them to play with. They were kind of embarrassed, cause they had to think about their own reputations. It's kinda uncool to be followed around by your baby sis. But they were always so good and patient about it, for quite a long time. Eventually, they tried to push me into making friends with my peers, and it was okay for a while.

Fujiko: For a while... what happened?

Kana: Um, well, I had adopted really clingy tendencies. People were weirded out by how much I constantly needed to be around them. Plus, it didn't help that I always talked so much about my family. I barely had any hobbies back then, so it was really all I could talk about. Naturally, as is the way of the world, the weird ones are looked down upon. It got really bad, so my dad had me transfer schools. I decided that I had to do something to prevent it from happening again.

Avoid Everyone

Become a Bully

Abandon Your Siblings

Fujiko: What, did you just totally avoid all signs of life?

Kana: That probably would've been a better idea. Well, actually, I don't know. But anyway, no.

Avoid Everyone

Become a Bully

Abandon Your Siblings

Fujiko: Did you leave your siblings behind? Is that why you didn't get along?

Kana: No... I wasn't with them at school anymore, but I obviously saw them at home. It was for a different reason.

Avoid Everyone

Become a Bully

Abandon Your Siblings

Fujiko: Kana... to avoid the bullies... you... became... ?

She gives a heavy sigh.

Kana: That's right. And when my siblings noticed me change, they started to really hate me. I tried to pretend I'd stopped for a while so they'd be my friends again, but I didn't stop until middle school. I'm not proud of who I was, but owning up to it every day is my penitence... er, the way I'm making up for my wrongdoings, I mean.

Fujiko: I think that's super admirable! I never would've known based on how you act! You've always treated me so kindly!

Kana: You really do always have something good to say, huh? That means a lot to me.

We hug, and I feel my heart pang. After a while of sitting in silence, Ren peeks his head in asking about the movies we were watching, so as Kana rambles about them to him, I excuse myself.

Kana's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with her.

Available During Chapter 4:

Event 4:

Kana: Ah, hey, it's my bestie! Come hang out with me!

What should I do? Should I invite Kana to hang out?

Invite Kana to hang out

See who else is around

Kana: Thanks! I totally appreciate it! Wanna do my makeup in the beautician's?

I play with cute combos on her face! It's pretty stinkin' fun, I have to admit.

Looks like Kana and I grew a little closer today.

Would you like to give Kana a present?

Definitely!

Not really...

#34 Link Rings-- Two simple rings. One is black, and one is silver, but each one has a small portion of each other's metal. Meant to be given to someone who you feel has deeply impacted who you are as a person.

Kana: Aww, wow! I'm usually not the sentimental type, but this is really meaningful. Thank you.

...

Kana: Huh. It's been a while since we've really gotten to just talk freely. First we had the code, and then the schism shortly after the trial. And then ANOTHER trial. Jeez... honestly, this is starting to get to me.

Fujiko: Hey, you never actually told me how you got better. I think it could be a nice story to clear your head!

She giggles.

Kana: Ah, you probably already know what the catalyst was for me improving as a person, right?

Fujiko: Of course. You don't get the title of "Life Partner" without doing some truly fantastic stuff, I'm guessing!

Kana: Yep. I'd seen Monterio around school for quite a few months before we actually met, but we were both infamous-- me for being a mythic bitch, him for some nasty rumors and bullshit. Thank God I never participated in that particular rumor mill; karma would've probably whooped me in the ass. But I sure as hell spread other ones. I saw gossip as this sort of... checks and balances system for social power. I thought it would protect me if I kept other people as non-threatening as possible, when it comes to popularity. I was "in" with the same type of people who had hurt me, so I needed to keep that status safe. We gossiped about each other, too, but I just figured that was the way it goes. After... too long of this, my dad suggested that I try an extracurricular outside of school, so I chose ballroom. And there he was... the scary as shit guy from school.

I can't help but giggle at the idea of Monterio scaring Kana-- especially as a middle-schooler. She laughs, too.

Kana: And it turns out we were the only ones who could handle each other. So I insisted that we stay partners, and he agreed. But it was a lot of testing the waters at first. My group of friends constantly talked shit about him to my face, and everyone was wondering what I saw in him, but the whole time, I was wondering what he saw in me. In this... broken, awful girl. But he treated me like a person. He even trusted me to tell me the truth behind his rumors. So when my friends started to ask him intrusive questions in front of everyone, I cussed them out and screamed the real explanation.

I gasp.

Fujiko: What happened then?

Obviously, I got called a hypocrite, but then he came up to bat for me, too. He said, "I hope you can all grow up and find your way like she has, and like she's helped me to do." It was the first time a lot of these people had heard him speak at all.

Fujiko: Wow. That's incredible.

Kana: I sure thought so. After school that day, he let me meet his family, and he gave me a ring just like the one you just gave me. I love you both. Thank you for being a shining example of a friend, Fujiko.

Fujiko: I love you so much!

We hug again, and this one is a hug without any sorrow on my part. We're just happy.

Kana's Report Card has been updated based on your experience with her.

Event 5:

Kana: Hey... I really need to vent. Don't worry, it's not about Monterio or anything, we're doing perfect!

What should I do? Should I invite Kana to hang out?

Invite Kana to hang out

See who else is around

Kana: Thank you. Can we go to my room real quick? I don't have any illusions about privacy with the microphones, but I guess it just feels comfier?

I follow her to her room and braid her hair until she's ready to talk.

Looks like Kana and I grew a little closer today.

Would you like to give Kana a present?

Definitely!

Not really...

#80 Universal Joy-- A set of flat stars and planets that you can stick on your ceiling or walls. They glow in the dark in their respective colors, so that it looks like the galaxy is within reach. It's said that the person whom this galaxy hangs over will feel immense courage.

Kana: Aww, wow! I'm usually not the sentimental type, but this is really meaningful. Thank you.

...

Fujiko: So, what do you need to vent about, darling?

Kana: You already know everything about my past. Because of that, you know all about the person I used to be. And... if I'm honest, I'm... always living in fear that she might rise up in me again. I don't wanna be a "mythic bitch" ever again. But I keep making mistakes.

Fujiko: What do you mean? You definitely aren't that girl anymore. I can promise you that. She isn't coming back.

Kana: Back when it was at its worst... I told a girl to... Fuck, I can't even say it... k-y-s... Fortunately, she never tried, but I can't ever forget it. I can't help but feel like this is the universe's way of getting back at me for being so flippant about something as precious as life.

Fujiko: Oh my God. Sweetie, you being here isn't your fault. We were imprisoned. You couldn't have possibly known.

Kana: I know that, but I've been tested since I got here. A lot. And I sometimes feel like I'm fucking it all up. Part of why I reacted so strongly to the schism is because I want to be TOLD when I'm messing up. Because I didn't know about your feelings, I had to worry that maybe I led you on. And because Monterio didn't tell me he was feeling drowned out, I had to worry if I was trapping him. And then, since I don't like being sad, I just let myself get angry instead, and that wasn't fair to you guys.

Fujiko: You weren't leading me on, I promise. Also, it's kind of impossible to do that if you don't know! I think you're just finding reasons to beat yourself up.

Kana: But now I don't even need to. The motive this time around is literally based on gossip, and it just makes me realize how much I talk about people. None of it is lies, but I worry that I might be slipping back into my old patterns.

I'm starting to freak out a little bit.

Fujiko: N-No, you're doing just fine! You truly are!

Kana: I'm not sure anymore!

I stand up abruptly before I can even understand what I'm doing.

Fujiko: K-Kana Omori, you are not a bully and you never will be again! Stand up, dust yourself off, and march bravely toward whatever comes next! Your feelings toward your past are the ultimate motivation to never sink to the lows you hit back then, so get fucking confident like you always are! You're the fucking badass bitch who contributed so much to every trial! You can overcome anything!

She gasps and stands up.

Kana: Right. Right! I've got this!

And then her eyes light up.

Kana: Do you remember how I said that people can become more of a leader or more of a follower?

Fujiko: Yes?

Kana: I'm rubbing off on you. What you just did right now? You're a leader.

She hugs me tight and I can't help but squeal. After all of the stuff we've had to deal with together, I'm proud to call Kana a true friend.