Part 32: Up, Down, and Up Again

Update 28: Up, Down, and Up Again

WARNING: This post contains the LP’s first sex scene (appropriately censored, of course).

(Silence)

As we arrive at my classroom, Emi gives me a quick kiss and heads down the hallway, Rin in tow.

Katawa Shoujo OST - The Student Council (Shizune’s Theme)



I turn to enter the classroom, to be met by the duo of Shizune and Misha.


SHIZUNE: "..."

Misha seems to be fighting a losing battle to keep from breaking into a fit of giggles while she translates Shizune's latest rant.


MISHA: "While we are pleased, nay thrilled, to see how well you've managed to make new friends and forge relationships - and with such a cutie too, Hicchan~..."

I think that last part was probably Misha.


SHIZUNE: "..."


MISHA: "We nevertheless feel compelled to politely remind you that public displays of affection are strictly forbidden - really? That's disappointing, Shicchan - by section eight of the code of conduct laid out in the student handbook."


SHIZUNE: "..."


MISHA: "In this case, however, ignorance of the law may be your excuse, as we are feeling lenient..."


SHIZUNE: "..."


MISHA: "...and the paperwork required to punish the both of you would only add to the already mountainous volume of work which confronts us, the sole members of the Student Council - and besides, you two are adorable together~!"


SHIZUNE: "..."


MISHA: "Therefore consider this a formal warning, and please refrain from such displays in the future. At least when Shizune can see you, Hicchan~!"

This whole spiel is so patently ridiculous that I can't help but reply in the same pompous manner.


HISAO: "Well, I for one feel enlightened. I apologize profusely for my rash actions and will strive to contain my baser impulses which, I fear, impel me toward such inappropriate displays of public affection. It is hardly my wish to burden an already overworked Student Council with such petty matters, and will do my best to make your lives easier in this matter in the future. At least, when Shizune's watching."

This last line is delivered with a wink to Misha, who finally loses control of her laughter.


MISHA: "Wahaha~! Well said, Hicchan~!"

Chuckling a little myself, we enter the classroom.

(Silence)

Class is uneventful, and after the final bell rings, I find myself alone with Mutou again.

Katawa Shoujo OST - Everyday Fantasy




MUTOU: "So, it looks like we've all assembled for the second meeting of the Science Club. Or is it the first? What do you think, should we count yesterday as a meeting?"


HISAO: "Well, we did form the club yesterday, didn't we? That seems like club business, so we can safely call yesterday a meeting.

Mutou smiles in his usual stilted and awkward way. I wonder if the muscles in his face are just not shaped correctly to let him smile naturally.


MUTOU: "You really do have a knack for this, I think. Logical thought processes, that is."


HISAO: "I guess so?"


MUTOU: "A scientist speaks with authority, Hisao. The answer here is “Yes, I do.” When the world wants to know how it works, we tell it. Even if all we've got is a decent hypothesis. But we must sound certain anyway, because we're the authorities on the subject, right?"

He chuckles, to go along with his awkward smile at his awkward joke. I'm doing my best not to grimace, but I don't think I'm being too successful.


MUTOU: "That's entirely false, of course.”




MUTOU: "We know a lot, sure, but nobody's an expert on how the world works, if only because nobody can be sure. With no certainty, there are no experts. But we like to pretend, sometimes."


HISAO: "There's some things we can be certain of, right?"


MUTOU: "Yes... but no. We know gravity's there, for example."

To illustrate, Mutou picks up a pencil and drops it.


MUTOU: "See? Still there. But it's good to check every once in a while. That's why you'll still see researchers mucking about with gravity. We're pretty sure we know how it works, but there's always a chance that something isn't how we think it is. So you check, and check, and check. That's science in a nutshell, Hisao."

The whole time I've listened feeling rather spellbound. Mutou seems to really be passionate about this stuff... I think. It's hard to tell, sometimes. How the world works... How humans work. How the universe works. All these questions to be answered. And, depending on what I go into, maybe I could even figure out a way to fix my heart. That said, I don't think that's a real priority for me. Besides, as we start discussing the book he gave me yesterday, I find myself more and more interested in that than my heart condition. Before we even realize it, an hour's gone by.


MUTOU: "Well, let's call this meeting over for now, okay? We'll have another meeting... tomorrow, or uh... the day after."

He considers this for a moment.


MUTOU: "Call it the day after. I've got a lot of grading to do."


HISAO: "Okay. See you then."

(Silence)

As I exit the classroom, I realize that I don't really have anything to do tonight. Emi and I didn't make plans, so... I guess I'll go to the library.

It beats doing homework in my room, anyway.

Katawa Shoujo OST - Fripperies

The library always seems cooler than the rest of the building. Probably to keep the books from getting damaged by excessive heat and humidity. Books are sturdy objects, but if you want to keep them in good condition it takes a little effort. I've got several books that are so well-worn the pages are barely clinging to the spine. It seems impossible for them to still be usable, but if you handle them with care... I make my way to the main desk, where I spot Yuuko busying herself with something or another. She smiles at me as I enter and waves.



Can’t tell if this sprite looks cute or unnatural.


YUUKO: "Hello, Hisao. Good to see you again! What are you looking for this time?"


HISAO: "Nothing in particular, I guess. I just didn't really feel like going back to my room, is all."

Yuuko nods.


YUUKO: "Well, if you're unoccupied, maybe you could help me look for something?"


HISAO: "Sure, what do you need?"

(Sudden Silence)

Yuuko brings a finger to her lips and looks around furtively. She seems to be looking for eavesdroppers.


YUUKO: "Come closer."

I take a few hesitant steps forward while feeling distinctly unnerved. Yuuko lowers her voice to a confidential whisper.




YUUKO: "I'm on the trail of the Yamaku Cat Burglar."


HISAO: "The what?"

Katawa Shoujo OST #19 - High Tension


YUUKO: "Shh! The walls have ears, Hisao! Or they might. But listen! Those missing books, remember them?"


HISAO: "Er, yeah?"


YUUKO: "Well, they weren't missing! They were stolen! I'm convinced of it!"


HISAO: "I remember you saying something of the sort earlier, but how do you know?"

Yuuko leans in closer and, if possible, whispers even lower.


YUUKO: "Because I found one of his hiding places!"


HISAO: "You did what?"

Yuuko looks triumphant.


YUUKO: "Found one of his stashes! It was under one of the stairwells in the boy's dorm! Three books I'd been looking for, all there! I'd suspected a thief before, but this proves it!"


HISAO: "So did you take back the books?"

Yuuko looks as if I've just suggested she walk around naked.


YUUKO: "Are you nuts? He can't know I'm on to him! He might go to ground and evade capture!"


HISAO: "Uh... huh. So what do you need my help with, then?"

Yuuko casts another glance around the library and leans in closer.


YUUKO: "You've got to spy for me."


HISAO: "Spy?"


YUUKO: "Yeah, like when you're in the dorms, you know. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity."

What constitutes suspicious, anyway? I mean Kenji's a pretty suspicious dude, but I'll wager he barely goes to class, much less sneaks into the library to pilfer books. Still, what's the harm in saying yes? At the least it'll get me out of this weird conversation.


HISAO: "Yeah, I can do that. No problem."

Yuuko straightens up and claps excitedly.


YUUKO: "Great! Now, hurry up and talk about something else in case someone comes in!”

Katawa Shoujo OST - Katawa Shoujo OST - Generic Happy Music


YUUKO: "How's the school treating you?"


HISAO: "Er, pretty well, actually. I've been running in the mornings with—"


YUUKO: "Emi Ibarazaki, right?"


HISAO: "Uh, yeah. How'd you know?"


YUUKO: "I served you two in the teahouse, remember? I deduced that if you were going to run with anyone, it would probably be her."

She looks pleased with herself.


HISAO: "Impressive. Anyway, yes. We've been running in the mornings. And uh, we kinda started dating."

Yuuko claps her hands together excitedly.


YUUKO: "Really? That's great! I'll bet you two are great together! I love seeing people find one another like that, you know? I even thought to myself when you walked into the Shanghai that one time, “I wonder if that kid will wind up with one of those girls.”"


HISAO: "...Really?"

Yuuko doesn't seem to notice my somewhat weirded out tone and nods affirmatively.


YUUKO: "Yup! I could tell that you'd wind up with one of them, you know. I've got an eye for that sort of thing. Of course..."

Her expression droops slightly.


YUUKO: "I'm not so good at it myself."


HISAO: "Aw, I'm sure that's not true."


YUUKO: "Oh, it's true. I met this guy once... We got along really great, but it turned out he was younger than me. And that was kinda weird, but not terribly so.”




YUUKO: "What was really weird was that he disappeared one day, and I've not seen him since then."


HISAO: "Huh. That does seem kind of odd."


YUUKO: "Doesn't it? I hope it wasn't something I did..."

I feel compelled to reassure her.


HISAO: "I'm sure it wasn't."

(Sudden Silence, Buzzing Sound Effect)

I intend to try and calm her down further, but the both of us jump in surprise at the ringing suddenly coming from my pocket. Yuuko sighs to steady herself as I pull the phone from my pocket. I feel a little sheepish for indirectly causing the incident.




HISAO: "Emi? What's up?"




EMI: "Oh thank God I haven't called your phone before so I didn't know if this number would work or whether you would pick up and I can't—"

Katawa Shoujo OST - Stride


HISAO: "Woah there Emi, slow down. What's wrong?"

There's a pause on the other side of the line, during which I can hear Emi trying to control her breathing in order to calm down. Something's got her terribly agitated, and it's starting to agitate me.


EMI: "Can you just...”




EMI: "Can you stop by? Like, now? Or shortly after now? I really, really need to talk to you."

There's a tone of pleading in the last sentence that I don't think I've ever heard from her.


HISAO: "Of course, I'll be right there. Hold steady, okay?"

In my increasingly agitated state I've apparently started saying things that don't quite make sense.


EMI: "Okay. I'll be okay."


HISAO: "See you soon."

I press the button to end the call before slipping the phone back into my pocket, apologize to Yuuko for running off, and run off. Perhaps at some point I would have stopped to think about the time, or how suspicious it looks for a guy to enter the girls' dorm at this hour. Except right now I'm just concerned with getting to Emi and finding out what's wrong and how I can help her.

I knock on the door and am greeted with a subdued “Come in.” Something is very wrong as I stare at the scene before me. Emi's there, yes. But she's in a wheelchair. And her legs are missing. I glance around the room and see them sitting in a corner, looking like they've been thrown there.



Emi responds to my entrance with a lopsided grin that is both pleased to see me and completely, utterly heartbroken.


EMI: "Hi, Hisao."

It looks like she's been crying, but if she was, she's stopped now. I notice that I'm a little out of breath, having taken the stairs two at a time in order to get here. My heart doesn't seem to mind the strain, though. I file this happy fact away for later consideration. Like when I am not staring somewhat dumbstruck at my girlfriend in a wheelchair. Realizing I've still not responded to her greeting, my brain lurches into gear.


HISAO: "Emi? What happened?"


EMI: "Guess I should've listened to you, Hisao.”




EMI: "My leg's got a nasty infection. I'm not allowed to run on it for at least a couple of weeks."

She gives a bitter laugh that shouldn't be coming from her.


EMI: "Heh, I can't even walk on it. I could have used a crutch and kept one of my legs, but I didn't see the point. Why hop? You can't run on one leg. At least this way I can still, I dunno, roll fast or something."


HISAO: "Y-yeah, that's good, right?"

My awkward attempt to look on the bright side seems appreciated, but not really effective. Emi shrugs again.


EMI: "It's just... kind of a nuisance. I mean, we can't even eat up on the roof now. No wheelchair access."


HISAO: "Yeah, but that's not a big deal, right? I mean we can still eat together, and that's the important thing."

That lopsided grin again. It hurts to look at.


EMI: "I suppose so, yeah. But like I said, it's a nuisance. I mean, I haven't really used a wheelchair in..."

She thinks for a minute.


EMI: "Maybe seven years? Something like that, anyway. A long time. I'm afraid I'm a bit out of practice."

(Silence)


HISAO: "Well, fortunately it's only temporary, right?"

Emi nods.


EMI: "Oh yeah, of course. It's not like I've lost 'em permanently. But it's a pain in the ass all the same."

I nod sympathetically. There's not much else I can do, after all. What am I gonna do, say “I told you so?” Although I did tell her to get that leg looked at. But by the time I noticed, it was too late anyway.


HISAO: "Do you need help with anything? Er, that is, can I help with anything?"



Emi shakes her head and there's a bit of her usual grin back.


EMI: "Nah, I can manage fine by myself. Although if you want to help me over to my bed, it would save me the trouble of rolling over there myself."

I blush, in spite of myself.

Katawa Shoujo OST - Letting My Heart Speak

Emi giggles.


EMI: "You're such a prude, Hisao."


HISAO: "I'm not a prude! I just wouldn't want to take advantage of a young woman such as yourself. It's ungentlemanly."

I wheel Emi's chair to her bed, and easily scoop her up and deposit her there. She quickly sorts herself out and sits on the side. She's actually a little heavier than she looks. It would be rude of me to observe this aloud, of course.


HISAO: "Man, you're kind of heavy."

(Smack!)

Emi hits me with a pillow.


EMI: "Ass."


HISAO: "Just sayin', is all. Must be all that running."

At the mention of running Emi's grin falters slightly.


EMI: "Heh, well I guess I won't have to worry about that for a bit, huh? Maybe I'll lose some weight."


HISAO: "That's what you do to lose weight, right? Cease physical activity?"


EMI: "I'm pretty sure that's what the nurse would recommend."


HISAO: "Speaking of which, are you going to still be showing up in the mornings? I'd hate to run alo—"


EMI: "Ah, shit..."

Emi's sudden interjection, more a disquieted muttering than anything too profane, causes me to look over in shock. She's leaning forward, trying to cover the fact that she's crying by covering her eyes with a hand. Of course, the subdued sobbing makes it pretty obvious that she's crying.


HISAO: "Hey, I'm sorry. Forget I said anything, okay?"

I place a hand gingerly around her and pull her close. I can think of nothing else to say or do. How do you comfort someone who's just lost their legs again? Emi wraps me in a hug and stays that way for a while.


HISAO: "Sorry. I'm pretty bad at this whole comforting thing, I guess."


EMI: "Don't say that. I'm fine, really."

Her voice is slightly muffled by my chest. I pat her head reassuringly.


HISAO: "That's the spirit, right? You'll get through this fine, I know it. Besides, I'm here to help you, remember?"

Emi lifts her head and stares at me with tear-stained eyes.


EMI: "Can you? Can you really?"



She's grinning lopsidedly, and something sparkles in her gaze. I can't tell if I'm being mocked or not.


HISAO: "Of course. I mean sure, you're a bit heavy, but -"

Mmph! My witty comment is cut off by the sudden press of Emi's lips on mine. I'm caught off guard, and am rewarded by hitting my head on the wall behind her bed.


HISAO: "Ow."

Emi pulls back, trying to look concerned rather than like she's about to laugh.


EMI: "Are you okay? Sorry!"

I rub my head ruefully and grin back at her."


HISAO: "Caught me off guard, there. Is that going to become a habit? Am I going to be lectured by Shizune and Misha more?"

At the mention of the duo, Emi giggles.


EMI: "Honestly, those two... If I didn't know why, I'd be utterly confused as to why she hangs around with someone so bossy."


HISAO: "Which one are we talking about?"


EMI: "You know exactly which one, Hisao. Misha's hardly bossy."


HISAO: "So what's the reason, then?"


EMI: "Huh?"


HISAO: "The reason why Misha hangs around Shizune."

Emi waves my question off with a smile.


EMI: "No idea."


HISAO: "I see."


EMI: "Anyway, you seem to be forgetting the original question, don't you?"


HISAO: "Oh yeah, I guess I am. You wouldn't mind giving a guy a little warning, would you? Otherwise I'm liable to wind up with a concussion."

I emphasize the point by rubbing at the back of my head. Emi giggles madly.


EMI: "You could wear a helmet. Some kids here do, you know."

(Sudden Silence)


HISAO: "Or I could just take revenge!"

I grab a pillow from beside me and whack Emi over the head.



Emi topples off the bed and lands on the floor with a thump. Her arms promptly reappear on the bed, and she manages to pull herself back up. She really has a surprising amount of strength in that little body. Her face is turned downwards and away from mine, making me think I might have accidentally hurt her.


HISAO: "Emi? You okay? You didn't hit your—"

A hand shoots up and grabs my collar. She pulls me in with a sharp tug, her face now barely an inch away from mine as she grins cheekily.


HISAO: "Emi...?"

She gives me a sharp headbutt, our foreheads making quite a loud thud. I sit back and rub my now sore head as Emi smirks victoriously.


EMI: "How's that for revenge?"


HISAO: "No fair! You can't take revenge for revenge!"

For someone missing most of her legs, Emi's surprisingly agile. I swipe at her, but she deftly rolls out of the way and lands a hit with her pillow. Of course, the odds are against her. I can stand up, for starters.

Oof!

Guess I can't, after all. Emi seems to have effectively tripped me up, and is now sitting primly astride me as I lay on my back. I'm not even sure how she managed it.




EMI: "I win!"

Her eyes twinkle mischievously. I've been thoroughly defeated, and by a girl that's a fraction of my size, at that. Then again, being defeated doesn't seem quite so bad. Emi being positioned over my waist isn't something that I, or my body, can ignore easily. I open my lips to speak, but Emi's head darts downwards before I can get so much as a word out. I give no resistance as she presses her mouth to mine, not that I'd want to. This is... different, somehow.

She pulls back, nips at my lower lip, and reinitiates the embrace. Her tongue darts inside my mouth, exploring. I can feel a warmth spreading through my body as my heart begins to beat faster. My mind starts to go foggy, and I become vaguely aware of my hand traveling up Emi's blouse…

Katawa Shoujo OST - To Become One

Guess what time it is? That there is the sex scene theme, and this is how I’ll be representing them in the LP. First off, if you disable adult content, instead of , you see…



… Photography. In this case, cuttlefish. And yes, this is a screenshot, the screen fades to pink and this image throbs on the screen for a second or two before switching back. In future updates, I'll lead in with the theme, post the picture, and include a brief worksafe(ish) description in spoiler tags. To whit:

Emi challenges Hisao on who will blush first. They partially strip and awkwardly but enthusiastically make love. It tires both of them out a bit.

Exciting, wasn’t it? Future scenes will give us more characterization, and I’ll discuss that when it comes up, but this one could be safely be wrapped up in a couple sentences. But yeah, that’s the first sex scene! Anyway, let’s get back into –



– whoa, topless. I disabled adult content! This screenshot contains visual proof! But we still get an eyeful here, enough that the ordinary pause box doesn’t even cover all of it up. I guess you can only take so much H out of an H-game. That sprite sticks around for the rest of the scene, too.


EMI: "So... did I blush?"


HISAO: "I didn't notice. Did I?"

Emi shrugs, still breathing a little heavily.


EMI: "Didn't notice either."


HISAO: "Well, maybe we should—"

Katawa Shoujo OST - Katawa Shoujo OST - Generic Happy Music


RIN: "I need to use your window."

She just… Waltzes in, face blank.

My first instinct is to hide, but then I realize that I'm still utterly exhausted and sitting next to a topless Emi, so there's no running anyway. Rin's eyes pass over Emi, and me, and focus on the window.


RIN: "There was a cloud."


EMI: "A cloud?"

Rin nods.


RIN: "I was watching it from my window, but it didn't stay in my window. So I need to use your window."

Emi shifts a little, causing me to cough in order to cover up a giggle of my own.


EMI: "How long do you need the window for? We're uh. Busy."

This time I can't contain my laughter. Rin ignores both Emi and me and peers out the window. Her shoulders slump, and she looks disappointed.


RIN: "Hmm. It changed into something else. Disappointing."

Emi is having trouble keeping a straight face.


EMI: "Sorry to hear that, Rin. Could we have a little privacy now, please?"

Rin shrugs, as if to say “Can you?” and hooks her foot around the door, pulling it closed behind her. We both dissolve into raucous laughter, unable to deal with Rin's bizarrely timed visit any other way. After our laughter dies down, I look to Emi. We're both a total mess.

(Silence)


HISAO: "Well."

Emi raises an eyebrow.


EMI: "Well?"


HISAO: "Again?"

Emi grins and laughs, and then she nods.


EMI: "We should probably ditch the clothes, this time."

And SCENE.