Part 31: Super High-school Level Update #27

Ding dong ding dong







Good morning, you bastards! It’s 7 am in the morning! Time to wake up!
Let’s all strive to do our best today!





Well, then. I should get going to the cafeteria...



I followed our daily custom and headed into the cafeteria.

But...





Is that... everyone? There are considerably few of us...

Just as they said yesterday, Togami-kun and Fukawa-san were nowhere to be seen.



The dining table... became larger again...



Three became victims and two more are boycotting the assembly.
With five people gone, it’s no wonder the table doesn’t feel as small as before...



But... even if we leave Togami alone, shouldn’t we go call Fukawa-chan here?



Nah, it’s fine. She’s so tedious.



That’s a cold thing to say so plainly. It’s as if you’re an iceberg lettuce...



No, iceberg lettuces aren’t cold! They’re green!!



...the real problem is that bastard Togami.
If we leave him alone that kid is really going to go and kill someone. He seemed very serious...
We should tie him up with a rope or something...!
T...that’s a little too much...



That’s right, Oowada-kun! The scariest thing in this kind of situation is recklessness within a group of peers.
Haven’t you heard the stories about the activities of radical student movements?!



Aa? What activities and movements are you talking about?! Do you plan to have a rope pulling contest!?

I hate doing a straight translation note, but this one didn't come out as invisible as I like. Ishimaru is talking about the student movements (gakusei undou) of the '60s. There were riots involved, and other things Ishimaru probably doesn't approve of. Oowada heard the word "undou" and thought of an "undoukai" - the sports festival held annually in Japanese schools, where a tug-of-war contest is often an event.



What--? You’re...



A real clueless idiot!!



WHO'S THE IDIOT...!?



.............
Hey, what’s the matter, Fujisaki-san...? You don’t look too good...
I’m currently busy... hating myself...
Hating yourself...?
Yesterday... when Togami-kun yelled at me... I got scared and couldn’t even answer back...
Oowada-kun had to rise up to defend me... he even called it “bullying the weak”.....
I really hate it... being so weak...



Ah, I see, so it’s Oowada’s fault you feel down...



Huh, my fault!?
I didn’t have any bad intentions, did I!? Isn’t it natural for girls to be weak, for the most part!?
............



U...uuuuu...uuuuu......



H...hey... Are you crying...?



It’s because you raised your voice at her, isn’t it...?
Uu....uuuuuu......



H...hey, don’t cry... I... I’m sorry... I won’t shout again...



Reeeaaly? You sound veeery suspicious...
Y...you don’t have to be so mean...!



...All right! I’ll give you my word as a man!



Your word... as a man...?



I told that story before...
Ever since I was a little boy, it was something my brother always taught me...
A man’s word is absolute... Those are the words my brother left me.



“Left”...?



Aa... My brother is dead...
I’m... sorry...
Well, let’s leave that story for another time. I can’t let my eyes get wet right now!



But anyway... I will definitely not shout at you again. So you don’t have to cry anymore!



Y... yeah...



Thank you... Oowada-kun...



S...sure....



But... I can’t go on that way... I must get stronger...
It’s no good if I just give up and cry so easily...
But you shouldn’t strain yourself just to get a little stronger...



...No, I want to become stronger.
I think I should also... start working out......



If you are intent on that, I shall be happy to help.



Y...you’ll ruin her... You’re going to ruin Chihiro-tan!!

I don't think we had -tan before. It's a cutified version of san/chan, used mainly by people who look like Yamada.



...oh, just shut up.



Hee hee... hee hee hee...



Ah, so you’re finally laughing?



Y...yeah...
Thank you, everyone...

Thank god... somehow Fujisaki-san cheered up again...

That’s right... we should support each other that way more often...
If we do so... I’m sure some day we’ll be able to escape this place together...

Surely... some day......



But the most worrisome thing...
Are Togami-kun and Fukawa-san, who didn’t show up at the cafeteria this morning at all.

What should we do to make those two understand...?



Well then, what should I do today...?

Social linking, that's what! We start with Aoi Asahaina. Take one guess where she is.





Even when things get tough, I must endure! Endure, endure!



That's something Samuel Wanjiru, the marathon runner, said.



But there are limits even to endurance...

The game was written and published a few months before Wanjiru died a tragic death. I couldn't find an English source for that quote. It's probably something he said when living in Japan.



Spend time together / Go somewhere else



So, you want to take a break together?
Ah, if we’re taking a break, that means...



Yeah! It’s time to go swimming in the pool!

I took a break with Asahina-san in the pool.

I feel we became a little closer.
Should I give her a present?



Give / Do not give



Kitten Hairpin: A hair pin with a kitten-shaped badge attached. It's a minor accessory, but it makes girls shine.



Eh!? Is it really okay!? Can I really borrow that!?



Ah~! I’m so happy~!

I can't help but feel happy that she's so pleased with it...!



Hmm... Y’know, somehow...
What is it?





I suddenly feel all pumped up!
Eh!? Why!?



There’s no special reason! But since I feel that way, let’s have a race or something!
Um... I think I’ll pass... it’s not like I have a chance of winning...



...is that so? Well, maybe I should go run a few laps alone!!
...You know, you’re always so full of energy, Asahina-san...



Ah! Why are you saying that...? Are you making fun of me...?
N...no... I think it’s admirable...



Are you sure...?
Sometimes guys talk behind my back. They say I am an “energetic idiot”.
...”energetic idiot”?



They see me spend the winter wearing shorts, and that’s what they say.
It’s them who don't have enough energy to win against the weather, though!
But, won’t you catch a cold?



Catching a cold means you’re too soft! It’s better to wear light clothing especially when it’s cold outside!
It’s just one more aspect of my training!

Training... is it...



...Could it be that you’re the type who catches a cold easily, Naegi-kun?
Yeah... I get them every winter...
See? Too soft! You don’t train enough!



Right! I have a great health trick to teach you! Make sure to try it starting tomorrow!
Eh? A health trick...?
I do it every morning myself.
You strip to the waist, and rub your skin with a dry towel!
It’s called...
Um...



Huh? What was it...?

Stripping to the waist and rubbing the skin with a dry towel... that’s...



Yoga / Kanpumasatsu / Aodakefumi

Kanpumasatsu is a real thing. Some Japanese believe rubbing your body with a dry towel will keep away the flu and keep you healthy. I haven't tried it myself, so I can't vouch if it works or not. Aodakefumi, by the way, is another health technique where you massage your bare feet on a length of bamboo.



It’s kanpumasatsu, isn’t it?



Yeah, that’s it!
Standing in my apartment’s porch and doing kanpumasatsu in the early morning breeze...
It’s such a great feeling! I did it every morning!

Standing on the porch stripped to the waist...

Is that... really alright...?



You should really try it! Health is the most important thing, y’know!
If you catch a cold here, it’s me who’s going to get worried.

After being introduced to a health trick by Asahina-san, I returned to my room.

We get a skill, Running, which is going to be a lifesaver for me. It's one of the three skills usable outside the courtroom. This one allows me to hold the cross button while moving through the 3D school to go double speed. Incidentally, this one, as well as the hotspot reveal skill we got from Kirigiri earlier, come pre-equipped in the new budget version of the game, and the Social Link events give you an SP upgrade instead.





I still have time today...

Where should I go...?

To see Touko Fukawa, of course. You just can't keep away, Naegi. She's in her room again. She really doesn't go out often.



Let’s try the intercom...

* Ding-dong *



W...what is it...? Do you... need something...?



Spend time together / Go somewhere else



Y...you... want to spend time with me...?



I... I don’t know what you’re scheming, but...
Do... as you please...

I spent some time with Fukawa-san...



I feel we became a little closer.
Should I give her a present?



Give / Do not give



Oblaat: A thin, easily dissolved film made of starch. It's a treasure trove when you have to take a bitter pill or speak ill of somebody.

I don't even know. I looked it up on Wikipedia. You can do the same.



Getting something like that from someone like you...
I...it’s not like I’m happy... it’s bothersome, really...

I think she’s a little happy...?



.............

I was convinced Fukawa-san just plainly didn’t like me...

.............

But she doesn’t try to avoid me... she doesn’t start a conversation either, though.

H...hey... Fukawa-san...



W...what is it? Do you want to ask me something? Is there something about me you want to know, as a friend...!?

Huh? She’s happy...?

Well... I tried to ask you before, but how do you usually spend your time, Fukawa-san?



I’m... writing novels... I have a serialization deal in a magazine, so I’m very busy...!
I have to both study in school and keep deadlines...! Someone half-witted like you probably wouldn't understand...!



Aa, I did it again...! I said something I shouldn’t have again...!
It’s probably settled now... you hate me... you’re just going to bully me from now on...
N...no... I don’t really mind...
I think writing novels is amazing. And on top of that, to be recognized for them...
But, I wanted to know... how do you come up with the stories?
Are they based on real experience...?





Are you an idiot!?
Eh...?

Fukawa's exact line here is, "Anta, Baka?!". This should be instantly recognizable to Evangelion fans. Anyone else, never mind.



You know this, don’t you? I write romance novels...!
How could someone like me base love stories on real experience...?!



It’s fantasy! It's all fantasy!
If it's fantasy I can be loved as much as I want! Even when I have no idea how it's done in reality!
Are you saying... only someone who was in many relationships can write romance stories?
N...no... that’s not what I meant...



I... I don’t really mind. I’m used to being made fun of...
B...but...



O...one day I’ll show them all... I’ll become pretty and show them all!

Leaving me with burning-hot words of revenge, Fukawa-san went away...

After all that... she must hate me even more...

After parting with Fukawa-san, I returned to my room.

This encounter gives us an SP upgrade.





............

For some reason... I feel a little hungry...
I should go eat something before it becomes Night Time...

I think I'll go visit the cafeteria...

This day isn't over yet! Join us next time, but for now - Happy new year!