In a wierd way, Souji is really just a mix of all his friends. He wants to be a hero too, wants to have some control over his life and to be accepted for not being perfect all the time and just be himself. But, he wants to be able to find himself first but also must keep behind a wall. Never allowed to cross the boundaries between 'real' and 'I-will-be-whatever-you-need-me-to-be'.

I'm well aware that you've probably stated this in your story, but really. This is absolutely brilliant. It shines light on what Souji's shadow could be. - TG20

This is by far my favorite one-shot I've read from the Persona 4 fandom. This take on the MC's role in Persona is just deep and realistic, and I liked how you relate Naoto's issues to the MC's, forgetting their true self behind tough walls like that. This actually is the thing that could bring these two closer than anyone else, and you nailed that right. Souji's continuing to hide being his facade at the end is really something hard for me to swallow though, but it's just feel right because it's totally not easy for anybody in Souji's case to act against what they always do. It's interesting to imagine the scene about one day that Souji snaps, it would be crazy.

I think it would be nice if there really is a fic about Souji's shadow based on this fic.

Anyway, thank you for a great fic.

Oh man, this has got to be one of my, if not only, favorite Persona fanfictions ever.

It speaks great volumes of how little control the main character has. How much a slave Soujji is to the role of perfection that is demanded from him by (Himself? His friends? His family?)

That’s what I don't like about the Megami Tensei: Persona series. You can't play as yourself you have to cater to everyone’s needs and feelings abandoning you own for the sake of the victory in the end, but is that any real victory? You must become everyone’s "Hope" while discarding your own, but what about your own happiness?

This gives me a clear vision to what Souji's shadow may be like. (Since there are no such fics written that really focus on that, COME ON PEOPLE!) :(

Thank you for writing this story, you are an amazing writer and you were able to give so much character to a character that really needs it.

My heart goes out to you~3 (sorry Teddy!)

wauw, when i read this fic, now i understand how sucks to be Souji, or should i say "Souji"

the title for the perfect almighty leader, not truly a name, just a title, which everyone depends on you. Stood up against your buddy's problem, while on the other hands, he never had any chance to be helped at all. Nobody asked for his problem, nobody cares, just like humanity and 'friendship' these days.

Thanks for writing this, it's really inspiring!

beautifully chilling

I really like your characterization of Souji... Along with his continuous inner debate with himself, but yeah, this really makes sense for me, since Souji always looked so perfect in the game...

Okay, 1 word for sure: nice. And sorry for being late to review your stories...

Wow, I really enjoyed that.

It was very new and clever to personify Souji's very character by using his 'max attributes' along with addressing the fact that...no one KNOWS or SEES the hard work he has to do to be so good.

Reading books about the worst sort of gangsters and spending time taking care of children for understanding. Hanging out at a hospital at night for courage. To be a perfect leader requires alot of practice that no one sees.

And its such a sad but true thing that in order to BE that perfect leader you have to give up yourself. I found it interesting myself that Naoto is the only person that ask Souji about himself! But in the end he can't be himself, he has to be better then himself for every one else.

Its sad and happy all at the same time, very nice fic!

OH MY GOD

THIS WAS SO-ASDFGHJKL OH CHIISA CHIISA CHIISA

YOU SHOULD WRITE MORE REALLY BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT YOU WROTE ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE WOAH AND BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING AND FABOLOUS AND ASTONISHING AND YEAH

p.s. sorry for the caps-abuse. i just couldn't resist it, really. :P

Sorry for the very late review~

I'm busy lately (oh tests, how I hate you -thrown-)

Oh my, it's good! xD

I love your characterization, Sensei! xD (what the?)

Oh wow, everybody was so serious for this challenge, and all of them are doing a great job for this... (my second POV challenge fic was lack of quality things... oh TT_TT)

My english sucks, err.. sorry :P

I really enjoyed this fic. There are some pretty simple language errors but overall it was pretty easy to read, and got me really thinking. Very deep.

Awesome.

I don't know if it was your intention, but I ended up chuckling a little. I loved your use of the max status in some sort of ironic way and the way the MC is just a fake person. That's a pretty nice view of his personality, considerating the game let you create your own character, without giving any indication of who the MC really is. Kudos for you.

This is very deep... Me like! Me like!

your seriously great English makes me feel envious! hand over that talent! -slapped- just kidding, haha, :D

in fact, the great descriptions and the mastering of English words are just... wow!

as always, the story is good and lots of great impressions can be found in it

just... keep on writing! and congratulations that you have finished the second POV challenge. feel free to participate more and more, haha, XD

... Bravo! BRAVO! I love this!

But... *ehem*... what's... Ruthenium?