Part 163: Free Time Roundup #13

School Mode Free Time Roundup #13: Kyoko Kirigiri





: Next on our list of survivor Free Time Roundups is Kyoko. She has four events in total.



> Spend time together



: I suppose a change of pace is necessary sometimes...
: Fine then, why don't we take a little break?

I spent some time with Kyoko doing nothing in particular... Kyoko and I grew a little closer today.



> Yes, definitely



Voice-Changing Bowtie: This originally belonged to a detective who has the body of a child but the mind of a genius. The bowtie lets its user speak in a variety of voices.

: Hmhmhm... I actually feel...pleased. How strange...

I get the impression that she liked it. That's good...





: ...Are you scared, Makoto?
: Huh...?
: Being trapped in a place like this...
: Wh-Who wouldn't be...? Of course I'm scared, being trapped in this insane school...
: Ah. That's good.
: That's...good?



: Fear is proof that your imagination is functioning. Frankly, I feel bad for anyone who can't feel fear.
: Without imagination, you can never deduce which action to take next.
: But what about you? You seem totally calm. You don't act afraid at all.



: I'm scared too, of course... I simply hide my emotions. There's no advantage to be gained from letting others see how you feel.
: You hide...? Huh?
: What I mean is, I'm not as foolishly open as you are.

Foolishly open...?



: Also, the "fear" I experience is a little different from yours, I imagine.
: You're afraid of what you might lose, right?
: But I'm afraid of what I've already lost.
: I'm sorry...I don't understand.



: I know.

She didn't bother answering any further. She just turned, and...

: Goodbye. *leaves*



With that, she was gone...

: Well, we're still just getting to know each other. Maybe we'll talk more next time.

I don't think I understand her at all yet...

: This event gives us SP+1. In the original PSP version, this event gave you the skill Observation. It's our ability to see all the points of interest in a room by pressing Triangle. Starting with the PSP Greatest Hits version, it was made into a basic ability that you start the game with, like the ability to run in the halls.
: The second event takes place in the dojo.



: There's no reason to decline. And I'm not the type to decline, anyway.
: Besides...I find myself more and more intrigued by someone like you.

I spent some time with Kyoko... Kyoko and I grew a little closer today.



> Yes, definitely



Self-Destructing Cassette: Once you record a message onto this, it sets up a chemical reaction that will destroy the tape a few seconds after it's played.

: I must admit, I'm intrigued. Can I hold on to it?

I get the impression that she liked it. That's good...





: ...

Quiet as ever... I guess she doesn't like to waste her words.

: Hey, um...Kyoko?
: If you're expecting a conversation, don't. There's no need for it.
: But, I mean...don't you think talking is important? I feel like if we're gonna get out of here, we all need to be on the same page... And to do that, we need to get to know each other.



: You could certainly make the argument that forming friendships may help prevent killings.
: But are you asking for some kind of deep connection?
: ...Huh?



: You could just be deceiving us, pretending to be everyone's friend so you can gather information.
: N-No, that's not--!
: Well then, let's do a quick test, shall we?
: A...test?



: If you're as gung-ho on friendship as you claim, this should be an easy question.
: O-Oh, okay... So I just have to answer your question, is that it?
: Are you ready? You consider Hina one of your friends, yes?
: If that's true, what is her ultimate ability?
: That's an easy one...

Hina's ultimate ability... She's training for the Olympics, and...



> Swimming

: Hina's the Ultimate Swimming Pro, of course.
: Well...asked and answered.





: Then your pleas of camaraderie are true.
: Of course...!
: Yes, of course. Such a foolishly open person as you could never lie. Everyone would know right away.

Again with that "foolishly open" stuff...

: Okay then, as promised... What would you like to know about me?
: Oh, um...let's see... What school did you used to go to, before you came here?



: Before I came here...? ...I guess I was living abroad.
: Abroad...? Was it an exchange program? Or do your parents work overseas of something?
: ...My parents? I suppose?

Why all the question marks...? Anyway, okay... So she was living abroad because of her dad's job.

: So what kind of work does he do?
: ...Foreign government? Top secret clearance...?

More question marks? Okay, so he does top secret work for other governments... All I can think of is...assassin?



: I kept up my end of the deal.
: This should be enough, right? I'm leaving now. *leaves*



She left without even waiting for a reply...

: She's so full of mystery.

And hearing what she had to say just added to even more mystery on top of everything...

: This event gives us SP+1.
: The third event takes place in the Physics Lab.



> Yes, definitely



Bojobo Dolls: Made from seeds and coconut fiber, these are used in Buddhist prayers. You determine your wish based on how you position the arms and legs.

: How did you know I was interested in this?
: You're an enigma, Makoto Naegi...

Seeing Kyoko so pleased with something I gave her makes me happy!



: ...
: Oh, Kyoko...!
: ...
: How do you stay so calm, Kyoko?
: ...Calm?
: I mean, you never lose your cool. You never show emotion...



: You say that like I'm some kind of inhuman beast.
: N-No, I didn't mean it like that.
: Well, I *am* human. I *do* have emotions. I simply keep it to myself. I don't show it in my face or in my voice.
: You make that sound way easier than it is. Especially in these kinds of circumstances...
: Well, you should consider trying. Your naive honesty makes you an easy target.

She keeps saying things like that. It's kind of irritating... Isn't there anything I can say to get a reaction out of her...?



: Protect against deception, and never allow others to read your emotions. And whoever stands before you, don't let them push you around.
: Remember that.
: And that's why you hide your own feelings? But... But that's such a--a waste!
: ...Hmm?
: Your smile is just so cute! Hiding it behind that mask is such a waste! A bright smile is way better!



: Wh-What are you talking about...?
: C-Cute? It's much too soon to be bringing up...things like that...!
: Ah, looks like I got you to show a hint of emotions, didn't I?
: ...What? You... Makoto, you...!





: Y-You...deceived me!?

Huh? Wait...

: I don't believe this...! To use the word "cute" to deceive someone...! That's just...too cruel!
: S-Sorry! I just got carried away! B-But still... I did deceive you, but...it's not like it was a total lie!

♪ Music cuts out. ♪

: ...You see how easily you yourself are deceived?
: ...Huh?





: You would never just come out and call someone cute like that. Completely out of character. You thought I wouldn't pick up on such an obvious ploy?
: What? You mean...

I thought I'd tricked you, but I was the one getting tricked...?

: Watch yourself, Makoto. You're honest to a fault. *leaves*



With that, she was gone.

: ...

The most formidable opponent...

: This event unlocks the skill Neural Liberation. With this skill equipped, your Focus Gauge will decrease at a slower rate. This skill is actually really useful because there are a lot of opportunities to use the Focus Gauge in trials. It's also pretty easy to unlock since Kyoko's around for the whole game. You just need to have a good chunk of SP available, since it takes 5 SP to equip.
: The fourth and final event starts in the Dressing Room.



: I was just about to head to the dining hall to get something to drink.
: Did you want to come with me?

I went to the dining hall and drank some tea with Kyoko... Kyoko and I grew a little closer today.



> Yes, definitely



Rose In Vitro: A small rose stored inside a test tube. It's good for both hellos and farewells. In the language of flowers, a red rose means passionate love.

: Thank you. This really means a lot to me.

Seeing Kyoko so pleased with something I gave her makes me happy!





: ...Can we finish this already?
: Huh? Finish...?
: If we truly want to trust each other, we must truly know each other. That's what you believe, isn't it?
: Well...yeah, but...



: I understand why you feel that way, but...when it comes to me, I think you should probably give up.
: What? Why!?
: Because I don't have anything to talk to you about.
: Does that mean...you don't trust me?





: ...If you get too involved with someone, you're apt to lose any sense of good judgment.
: I learned that lesson myself all too well. Personal experience is a ruthless teacher.
: Personal experience...?
: Surely by now you've noticed what I always wear, something unique to me...

What is it Kyoko's always wearing...?



> Gloves

: It's...those gloves, right?
: That's right.
: But why did you bring them up? Does it have something to do with getting involved like you mentioned?



: Simply put, there was a time when I grew attached to someone, and I made a bad decision. I was forced to learn a very powerful lesson, and these gloves are a daily reminder of that. So on these gloves, I swore to never make the same mistake again.
: S-Sorry, but...I'm not sure I completely understand. Can you tell me any more about it? Maybe then I could...
: I'm sorry, but I can't. That's the end of it.

The end... So then, I never got to learn anything about her, about how she feels.



: ...Anyway, don't get too depressed over all this. The reason I'm not willing to talk about it isn't because I don't trust you. In fact, I do* have faith in you. Which is why I decided to tell you what I have.
: I want you to understand *why* I can't tell you. I can't show you myself, just like I can't show you what's beneath these gloves. I can't remember the last person who saw what was beneath my gloves.
: That long...?
: That's right. And I can't imagine a point where I would show them ever again. Only someone I could call family would be worthy.
: Family...?



: Are you going to volunteer?
: Huh!?
: Got you again... Hehe...



: You really are foolishly open.

She did get me again. And laughed at me again... But... I've never really heard her laugh out loud like that. I think that must be her natural laugh. It is, right? That wasn't fake. So maybe in the end...she did show me some part of herself. Maybe she showed meher true feelings...

: I know I always tell you to be careful and protect yourself, but...to be honest, I hope you don't change. I prefer you this way.



: This is...you.



In the end, I never did really figure her out. But at least I got a little bit closer...

: This final event gives us SP+1. It also gives us a star on our Report Card and a bronze Playstation trophy titled "Hope's Peak Confidential."


Kyoko Kirigiri's Character Art