Part 31: Chapter 6 (Part 2): Feene, Narika, Chloe

~Bonding Focus: Chapter 6 (Part 2): Feene, Narika, Chloe~

Everyone brace yourselves. Feene's route is about to get soap opera as HELL.


-Old Schoolhouse-

I just can't help but wander over here after school...

Hm? Wait. Is that a note?



[Feene's Note]: "I couldn't bear to say it, so I'm leaving without seeing anyone. My life at the Academy was so unlike my life before. But it was fun... It was so very fun. I have faith that we will meet again. --Feene"


Come on, Feene. You really just left a note and took off like that?

That note is dated today.

What are you doing here?



So, what are you going to do? I think Feene wants you to stop her.

Excuse me?

She doesn't really want to go home! That's why she left this note... Are you that dense!?

She left this note to say goodbye. She has stuff she has to do at home in order to protect her friends.

Are you stupid!?

*Aya slaps Wake*

The fuck did you do that for!?

You need a good slap! She came to see me yesterday... She was all upset because she had to say goodbye to you.



How am I being selfish you idiot!? I tried to stop her and she explained her reasoning for going through with it, so I respected her wishes. Why is she even going home if she doesn't want to then!?

Why don't you ask her yourself!? I don't like it, but you're all Feene talks about lately. And if you let her go... You might not ever see her again. Can you really live with that?

She's not going to another damn planet you know. She's going to her hometown. The E.S. Savage could get me there in like, a day. Worst case scenario I take public travel and get there in like three days.



Are you even listening to me?

I don't know. Does it matter? You don't even know what you want to say.

I want her to stay. But she's--

Don't tell me! Go tell her!

Fuck it. If it gets me away from your crazy ass then I'll go.

Hold on. Here are the keys. Take my gearcycle.

Fine, whatever.

*Wake fucking books it*

*sigh* Leaving a note that you don't even know if he'll see... It's so obvious you want to stay, Feene.



*distant* By the way! You're going to pay for slapping me! Don't think you're getting away with that shit!

Hey, wait! What are you planning!?

Settle in for one of the most made-for-TV moments in this game. I'm not going to edit Wake's dialogue for this short scene. It's just way too hammy.


-Countryside? Bus route? School route? We're somewhere outside-

*pant* *pant*



C'mon... Make it!



And the person sitting in the back... That's Feene!

..... .....? Wake....

D-Damn it, I'm not going to make it... Wait! Wait, Feene...



I won't let you go like this!

Huh...?

W-Wah!

*Wake crashes the bike and the resulting impact is enough to knock him back to his senses*

Wake! I-I'm sorry, could you please stop the bus!?

*The bus stops and Feene runs over*

*pant* *pant* *pant*



I'll be honest... not really sure... Something with Aya, then I kind of blanked...

What are you saying...?

Oh, wait.

Feene, I really want you to stay here.

Wake...



But... But, I'm so... so happy. I actually wanted you to stop me...

(Girls are weird.)

But... I can't. I have to go...

But why?

I... I received another message from my hometown.



He was wounded during a fight with a monster...

If I had been there, none of that would have happened! I have to go. I don't know what would happen if I got that news again...

So... I'm sorry. I cannot be by your side anymore...

Damn it, Aya. This is exactly what I told you. Sorry, Feene. Not sure what got into me.

No... Thank you for trying to stop me...



We'll always be friends...


-Airport? Skyport? Dock? We're at the place where the airships are-

This is goodbye...



I'll send pictures. I can keep the Photography Club going on my own.

I'll send pictures, too.

I... I have to get on.

Take care, Feene.

Let's meet again.



If we complete our mission, we'll meet again.

Until then...


[???]: Hey, hold on! Where do you think you're going, Feene!?


That voice...



R-Raul!? What the...!? Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?

Whole thing's blown out of proportion. Look at me, I'm fine. Mostly. Look like it's a good thing I didn't miss you. Some lady at the Academy told me you were heading over here... Aya, I think?

Wha... You idiot! And to think I even spent a minute worrying about you!



You flatterer.

I like Raul. I wish he had a bigger role in the game. He seems cool.

I-I'm sorry. This is Raul, my childhood friend. He was supposed to be dying...

Man, imagine my surprise when I heard you were suddenly coming back. And why do you sound so prissy? You got this whole delicate flower act, don't ya?



You're making a fool out of both of us...

Haha, there you go. This is the Feene I know.

Ugh... I-I'm sorry. I'm not trying to trick you or anything... How do I... put it... I can't help but speak differently when it's to you...

I've been playing this with the English voices (mainly because I don't want to hear 'sugoi' or other such words yelled at me in high-pitched tones for 30+ hours), but I would imagine that Feene probably lets a Kansai accent slip out during this scene or something. This seems like the typical setup for that kind of thing.

In English, Feene's speech just becomes more relaxed. It's a bit more subtle, like she's trying to maintain her usual speech in front of Wake, but you can hear her relax and loosen up. Up until now she's been stiff and very formal. It's a neat change that reminds you just how much she admires/respects Wake.

It doesn't bother me how you talk Feene. Just do what you feel is natural.

Oh... O-Okay. Um... Thank you... so very much... I'm glad you understand...

Wow, he's quite the guy.



Quit it! Raul, you better knock it off!

Well, we can make with the chit-chat later. Feene, we're going to get your transfer request withdrawn.

Hey. that's right! Why are you here in the first place? I want an explanation!

Later. Hey buddy, I'm borrowing Feene.

Ah... Y-You idiot, quit pawing at my arm! He'll get the wrong idea!

*Feene gets dragged off*

Well, that just completely deflated the tension.

At least this means that Feene is going to stay.

That certainly was a tearjerker, wasn't it? It's like an entire season of a soap opera condensed into 5 minutes.


-2nd-Year Classroom-

Wake, did you hear?



Yeah, I heard about that. It was a big success.

Yes. I only saw it as backup from the rear, but... The Academy's Disciples, the Church, and AngelMarker Industries all worked together.



Our side had very few casualties, and there was no damage to the city at all.

All our hard work paid off! Even Sasami was happy with the results.

I can't believe I was in the Labyrinth when you guys went ahead with the plan. You know how much I was looking forward to wiping out a bunch of monsters. Sorry, I missed it...

It's okay. I know you were busy fighting in the Dusk Circles.

Well, I'll get over it eventually. The important part is that the plan worked. Congratulations.

Thank you. Would you... mind if we walked back together?



I guess so. Just, no slinky dress this time, okay?


-Downtown-

This place looks a lot busier now. Way more people on the streets than before.

It's because we exterminated the monsters. Everybody looks much happier now. I'm glad I could help the people here in whatever small way...

Um, Wake, since we're together...



Yeah, that sounds good. I could use some relaxation.

Thank you. I'm glad I mustered the courage to ask.

Well, why don't we try going to that shop we went to last time?

You're not going to brow-beat the shop owner again, are you?

*Fuuko arrives on the scene*



Oh, hey Fuuko.

Oh, you're with Narika.

Are you heading back too, Fuuko?

Uh-huh! Oh... was I interrupting anything?



Oh, well, good! I was actually looking for you, Narika.

For me?

We're having a party tomorrow night and we wanted to invite you. How about it?

What's the occasion?

To celebrate the success of the operation, of course!



You sure you want me there too? I mean, I wasn't part of the operation.

Hahaha, why wouldn't I? It's not like we're strangers!

Then of course I'll be there. A party sounds like a great way to ease some tension.

Come to think of it, you transferred here along with Fuuko, didn't you, Wake?

"Transferred" is a strong word.

Uh-huh. He saved Chlotz and me back then.

Ah, those were simpler times.

So, what do you say, Narika? You're our guest of honor!

Oh? Um, well, let's see. I should be...



Narika? Is something wrong?

*The screen slowly fades to white and then back to normal*

Nnngh....

Narika? Are you okay?



Really? You sounded like you were in pain.

Gonna back up Fuuko on that one. Those didn't sound like "I'm fine" noises.



Oh, good... Whew, you scared me there! All moaning like you were in pain.

I'm still a little concerned actually.

Anyway, I apologize, but I won't be able to join you tomorrow. I actually promised Wake we'd go shopping together.

Wait, weren't we going to do that today?

So while I appreciate the invitation, I'm afraid I can't make it.

Oh, that's too bad. You should have said something earlier, Wake! I can move the party if you tell me when you're free, though. No point in having the party without its guest of honor!

All right. I'll let you know once I figure out my schedule.



Um, sure. Just let me know.

Let's go, Wake.

Actually, I kind of want to check with Fuuko on something real quick. Could you--Whoa!

Sweet tat Narika. Forehead is kind of an out there choice for it though.


-Men's Dorm-

What the hell was that about, Narika? I just needed to ask Fuuko something. Besides, didn't you want to go shopping again?

I just remembered something Chlotz said the other day.



You can't listen to Chlotz about stuff like that. He does that all the time when it comes to me, often completely apropos of nothing.

But...



Really? I didn't really notice.

Yes... I can tell... You... like her better...

Better? Narika, what are you getting at?

No... never mind.



I don't know what came over me.

Narika, something is going on with you. Just--



*Narika fucking books it*

Hey! Wait!

...Was something glowing under her hair?...

(I am all different kinds of fucked up in the head right now. I can't tell what to think anymore. I wish someone would just back me up on this.)

Poor Wake. Is he crazy? Hallucinating? Something actually wrong with Narika? Who the hell knows. Well, I suppose we will once the final bonding update rolls around.

One last thing to take care of though. I do not like this one last thing though, because it forces me to give kudos to someone I don't like.


-Hallway-



Why the rush?

Mr. Watts asked me to come to the Counselor's Office. Can you go with me? I'm a bit nervous...

No problem. I'm still your manager after all. I go where you go.

Thanks, let's go then.


This is the part where Chloe gets her turn to invade Wake's personal space. There's some bikini shots in here in case you consider that NSFW.

-Guidance Room-

Excuse me.

Come in.

*Wake and Chloe enter*



As I mentioned, the Field Hospital and the Chairman of the Board made a decision. The Choir Club's concert at the hospital has been approved. I recognize their decision and will not fight it.

Thank you for understanding.

Hmph. That in no way excuses you from what you have done. You besieged the Announcement Room and agitated the Disciples.

Actually, I'm pretty sure I was responsible for a large part of that.



(He's so mad. This is great.)

I cannot simply ignore your flagrant disregard for school rules. As punishment, you two will be put on duty to clean the pool for a week.




-Pool-



(Oh, no. This is such a terrible punishment. I sure do regret my actions.)

Going with that swimsuit again, huh? It looks good.

Really? It's my favorite. I was worried that you wouldn't like it.

I'm glad you do.

It looks cute. You're rocking it.



I try. Well, let's get started then. This place definitely needs a cleaning given certain elements of the Aquatics Team.

At least the punishment isn't that bad. I mean, we could've been kicked out of school. I know I was ready to accept the worst punishment they could think of...

You're the only one then. I wasn't worried a bit. They can't afford to kick out an S Rank or teacher, let alone God's Gift.

*And so the pool was cleaned*



Let's stop here for today.

Sounds good. I'm gonna go take a shower to get the soap off my feet.

*Chloe leaves, but returns shortly after*



Just use the men's shower. I'll wait out here until you're done.

Well... If that's the case... Why... don't we just shower together?

Uhhhhhh.....



(Not again...)


-Shower-



Well, it is meant for just one person at a time.

Oh, the water's so cold!

Careful! Don't move around so much, it's slippery!

*shriek*

Whoa!

Ow... sorry... I had to grab on to you or I would have fallen.



Y-Yeah, how about that?

(Eat Takoyaki!)

(Damn that's effective.)

Are you okay? Didn't hurt yourself, did you?

Yeah, I'm fine.



Because of you, I was able to reach everyone. You had a look on your face like you'd protect me no matter what happened. I really like you. Hehe.

That's um... that's great to hear. Glad I could help.



Um... Can we stay like this a little longer?

If that's what you want.

()

There we go. Now all three focus heroines have invaded Wake's personal space.


-Hallway-

Taking a shower together was really fun. And surprisingly refreshing!

That's one way to put it.

Have you finished cleaning for the day?

Yes, and we'll continue cleaning every day for the rest of the week.

So, mind explaining how the concert decision got reversed?



Yeah, well, I'm not most. What do you know?

The hospital never intended to approve the concert. However, Chief Ruby insisted that the concert occur.

Chief Ruby? Why?



(Crap, Ruby did something halfway decent as a human being. Now I have slightly less reason to hate her.)

Ms. Chloe, I feel you should know that I will be in attendance at the concert.

Huh?



That means a lot to me, Mr. Watts.

Don't get the wrong idea, and you better not think of skipping cleaning duty. Good day.

Everything worked out in the end. Kind of makes me wonder what ball Ruby has the Hospital Director by, though. He was pretty militant about not doing the concert. Maybe she just pulled her power-trip nonsense and the Hospital Director just didn't question her on it, like nobody else in this game seems to do when it comes to matters of authority.