Part 19: 05/07/09 - 05/28/09: The Butterfly Effect

May is done, so I think it's time for a quick jaunt through another timeline once again, don't you?



Since not every day will be unique to this reality, we'll just hit the highlights as per usual.

After School





Oh, guys can't really come to places like this with each other...

> Junpei seems a little embarrassed...

Where do guy friends go?
Uhh... Karaoke, Wild-duck Burger, the manga cafe...
......





Still, this is some damn good coffee.
You can tell that the guy who owns this place is really picky about the beans.
He probably roasts them all differently using special waters for each type...

Even before Persona 5 came into being, we had Coffee Trivia. Completely okay with that!

You know a lot about coffee.
Heheh... I just really like coffee. That's all.



Oh yeah, what did you order, Kotone?
Hot cocoa.
Oh, hot chocolate? That's a girly drink.



> The two of you chatted about different things for a while...

By the way, are there any guys you're interested in?

Well, that changed gears quickly!

If you want I'll totally help you out. It'd be fun being your Cupid.
Oh yeah, what about Akihiko-senpai? You know girls are crazy about him.
You'd better be careful that he doesn't play you!
Wait... Akihiko-san's not that type of guy, so you don't need to worry.



Actually, why don't you try and get him? Seriously?
A transfer student swoops in and steals the heart of the boy every girl wants...
Don't you think that would be totally cool?
Haha, it'd be something right out of a manga.
Maybe I should give it a try, then.
Ahaha! What do you mean by "then"!?
Well, if you're serious, feel free to talk to me about it.



> The two of you chatted about different things for a while...

> You feel like you understand Junpei a little better now...





Man, I really enjoy being around you, for some reason.
Well, let's head back.

> You and Junpei went back to the dorm together.

Joy



We have no choice over this one. Unlike before, this is a scene we get no matter what on the 8th of May.

You haven't joined any committees yet, have you?

Does student council not count...?

I know this is sudden, but there's some positions that just became vacant that I'd like you to take on.
I mean, students are obligated to join a school committee.
I'll let you choose which one you'd like to join.



Well, if I have to pick right now... uhhh...

Inside Kotone's Head Right Now posted:

That'll do.

Library committee.
All right, thank you. Well, go on over to the library after school today.

> ...You joined the library committee.

> You must go to the library after school is out today...

Freedom is illusion, and we are all shackled to fate.





Allow me to introduce Kotone Shiomi from class 2-F to you. She'll be joining the library committee.
If there's anything you don't understand... Oh, let's see... Hasegawa!



You're on duty today, right? Teach her how to get around here.
Well then, I'll leave the rest to you.
Understood.





Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't notice.
Please feel free to go home. I'll take care of the rest for today.
We're really sorry. See you later...

> The other members leave...



They're all just very busy...
Um... Let's see, where should I start explaining things to you...?
...Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't even introduced myself yet.



I'm very pleased to meet you.
Heh... There's no need to be so formal. I'm a junior, just like you.
You don't have to be so polite to me.
But that senior a moment ago...
Did you notice?



I'm the oldest student in the school right now.

Gee, I wonder what her problem that we'll have to talk through is going to be about...

...That's why the upperclassmen all speak politely to me.
I really wish they'd stop... but I've pretty much given up about it.
...Still, considering that we've just met, it'd be nice if you didn't feel you had to be like that around me.
...Could you just try?
Of course I can!





> You get a mature and quiet impression of Saori, probably because she's older than you.

The Power of the Heart





Whew boy, so, it's not a big surprise that there's more than two different S.Links this go around. The vast, vast majority of the changes are generally agreed to be for the better (don't really see any people clamouring for more Kenji, for example). Saori is the exception. Most people would think that she's worse than "Maya" for the Hermit and I... kinda agree, really. I know I'm normally contrary and snooty about SMT opinions but this time I am the mainstream. Sorry.

Joy



We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but we do get a couple of days off before exams.
First, let's go over how to check books out. Each book has a barcode on the back cover, so...

> You were taught the skills you need in order to perform your duties as a member of the library committee.

> You spent time with Saori in the library until it was time to leave...

Time



Minor sidebar: since we have manual control, after beating up The High Priestess we don't get new AI commands. We still totally could but we don't. Instead, we get this extra bonus.



It's like an All-Out Attack but not. It focuses on one target that is not yet knocked down and, well, knocks that Shadow down. It's not very exciting but it comes up sometimes.



Also, the prices for the compendium here are identical to the prices in Hard in FES. Maniac isn't actually any more difficult (it's easier in fact!), it's just the hardest here because it doesn't let you have NG+ goodies carry over. Doing it fresh means, uh, basically nothing really. At least it sounds fancy.

Anyway, where were we? Right, hanging out with cool new people.



rio please sleep at home and not in class

Joy



> You can hear Rio's coaching voice...

Short Hair: Rio, can we take a break yet...?
Huh? But we're just getting started!
Short Hair: But we're all tired! It's not like we're gonna make the finals or anything anyway!

I see someone needs to watch Haikyuu!!

We could if we tried!
Club Members: Huh...?

> The club members look at each other in confusion...



Club Members: ......

> The club members fall into a sullen Silence...

Member: You're the only one that wants to take it that far...
...Who said that?
Club Members: ......



> Rio sighs...

Hair Buns: ...I don't think we're in the mood to keep going today. Let's just go, guys.
But the bell hasn't--

> All the other members leave...



Wh-Why don't you leave too? Looks like practice is over for today anyway...
I'll be fine on my own...
I can't leave you alone.
...You're so weird.



> You and Rio finished practice together...

Ah, it's almost time... Um... About today...
Is it always like this?
...Yeah.

> Rio laughs...

All I want is to play volleyball.



......
Oh, I shouldn't be saying this to someone who just joined up.
If... you wanna play volleyball, it'll be a lot of work. But you're welcome to change your mind if you want.

> Rio laughs...

> You feel like you understand Rio a little better now...





I'm so hungry. Why don't we go grab a burger or something?

> After finishing up with the club, you decided to stop by a burger place before returning to the dorm.

Like, okay, I kind of get that there'd be some people here who just signed up because Student Club Is Mandatory or whatever, right? But the entire club is a little extreme. There has to be something else to it than that, surely...



Oh well, worry about that later. For now, we'll hang out with Yukari since we can do that.







I dream about having a room just full of flowers one day.
Hey, what's your favorite flower?

Garde you gave me a list and its not on it? wow that sucks

I like gerbera.
Oh, I like those too. It's like they're cute, but full of energy too.
I like how they come in so many different colors.



...Back in the day, my house used to be filled with flowers.
My mom really liked flowers, so she always bought a lot of them. She'd decorate with the ones I'd pick, too.
That's probably why I like them so much... But for a while, there was a time that I didn't like seeing flowers.
They would bring back memories... And they reminded me that what is beautiful can quickly wither away.

It's appropriate that we're in high school, because this is some textbook high school level philosophy right there.

But, I don't feel that way lately. I even feel like getting some flowers for my own room.
*chuckle* I wonder why... I don't really understand this myself.

> Yukari stares at the flowers with a nostalgic look in her eye...

> You feel like you understand Yukari a little better now...





Excuse me! Can you make me a big bouquet for something like 3000 yen?
...Huh? No!?



> You decide to purchase a small bouquet and return to the dorm...

Y'know, I'm thinking we keep this SEES train rolling right on along...



Plus it's nice to have a Magician S.Link available here that doesn't annoy me.

After School



Ramen or a meal... Maybe a beef bowl... Oh wait, what about takoyaki...?
Uh, what do you want to eat?
Ramen!
Ooh, you're up for it, too?



Okay, let's go.



> Junpei is looking at a middle-aged man standing off to the side...



> He's also yelling something...



Do you think he's okay?
He's fine.



> Junpei grimaces...

> The drunk notices you looking at him and approaches you...



Whaddya want...? Get outta here.

> Junpei looks disgusted.

Did something happen, Mister?
Kotone! Just leave him alone! Let's go!



> Junpei seems to be in a bad mood...



I mean you're a girl... It'd be bad if anything happened to you!
*sigh* Uh... Sorry.
I... don't like seeing drunks like that.



> Junpei laughs dejectedly...

You...



......
I know that this'll make me sound like an ass...
But I kinda envy you...



That's not true!
Oh... Sorry.
You must've had good parents.
...Sorry.



Honestly, I know the music notes are just a visual cue for "you got points" and all, but between that and the happy music I'm getting some real tonal dissonance right now.

> The ramen you ordered arrived.

> But, the heavy atmosphere makes it taste oilier than usual...



He'd just sit there and drink, all by himself.
......
And every time he did, he'd get violent over the stupidest stuff...
......
But... it doesn't hurt at all anymore.

No really, what? This music is super inappropriate for "Junpei's dad was a drunk and also beat him sometimes."

Also, man, that is one hell of a bomb to just drop on someone like that.

When I was a kid and I acted up, I'd get spanked and it would really hurt.



......
Whoa... Sorry for bringing that up. I must really be boring you.

Bored is the wrong word for it. By, like, a lot. It's a good thing this is in the timeline where the main character actually can do empathy.

C'mon, let's talk about something fun!

> Junpei laughs...

> You feel like you understand Junpei a little better now...





*munch munch*

> You and Junpei returned to the dorm together.

Way Of Life



So, this Sunday we're gonna do something a little bit different. We're gonna use this thing here. This is the first time that's happened, but the long and short of it is...



It uses your daytime slot to give you 10 points with the person you choose.



There's also a random event that is actually random.



Since it costs 100 yen to use, we just made a profit out of this. Nice!



Junpei still acts like a creep when he finds out about Fuuka, but at least here we can double-team him with Yukari. And it's deserved, let's be honest.



Right, anyway, back to school we go!

Joy



> ...Most of the members are missing...



No clue.
Girl's Voice: Excuse me! Could I borrow some of you guys' tape?





Well, here's an unexpected surprise. It's a girl we've definitely never met before, honest.

...Doesn't look like you have too many people here today, huh.
...Yeah.
I wonder where they heard about that group date...
Seriously, I don't know if I should be appalled or jealous...
Hey, you idiot!



Oh... Ohhhhhh... You didn't know...
Sorry, I heard the girls in the tennis club talking about it at the shoe lockers...
So, everyone went to that?
That's stupid...



...You'd get angry if we told you.

She also got angry because you didn't tell her. Perfect plan.

Of course I'd get angry!
W-Well, calm down...



You call a group date "taking a breather?"
Yes! I don't expect someone who's never been in a relationship to understand it, though!
And what's with that attitude of yours all the time!? Who do you think you are!?
What...!? I'm your leader! You're the ones that nominated me! Or did you all forget about that!?
If we knew you'd turn out like this, we never would've nominated you!



No, wrong argument! Abort mission! Abort mission!

Screw this! This isn't worth my time... I'm done with this stupid club.
You're a pain in the ass, and I don't care about keeping up with you. I bet everyone else is gonna quit, too.

> The other members left...

Hey! I'm not done--
......



...It's not your fault, Yuko.
...Hey, I know that I'm butting into another club's business here, but...
You... really should make peace with them. I'll try and help, too...
They're the ones that are wrong.
Uh... That's true, but...
...Oh.

> The .girl approaches you and whispers something in your ear...



She doesn't know how to interact with people sometimes... To be honest, I'm kind of worried about her...
I try to lend a hand when I see things aren't going great, but I don't know much about your club...



Nice to meet you.

> Yuko left, still concerned about Rio...



...Sorry, but I want to be left alone right now.
Not gonna do it.
Haha... You really are strange.



> Rio seems hunched over and sad...

> You feel like you understand Rio a little better now...





No, you didn't miss anything there and neither did I. That's really just how it ends.

Time



Speaking of ends, since it's easier to get a reward in this reality, we managed to get something from Mitsuru even without coming first.



It's just a small set of cards for upgrading our Personae, mind you.



Since each card does Luck and another stat, we can upgrade all five stats. Strength, Magic, Agility and Endurance once and Luck four times. Gonna hold onto these for later, though. When something actually warrants them, I'll... probably forget I have them to be honest, but you never know.



We would hang out with Yukari again here, but since it's basically identical to Rank 3 in the "main" timeline we'll hold off on that for now I think.



So, instead, we'll hit up the last thing that is unique in this version of May. And that means more Junpei.

After School





C'mon, eat up!

> Junpei is awfully generous...

Thanks for the food!
Yeah, dig right in!



...You look like you're in high spirits, like always.

> Junpei seems relieved for some reason...

Were you worried about me?



I, uh... what?

> ...?

> What is he talking about...?

> ...You decide to ask him about it.

Uh, well...

> Junpei seems hesitant to speak...



Guess I shouldn't have brought it up...
...Okay, okay, I'll tell you.

Troubled

Um... Don't get mad at me, okay?

What did you do, Junpei?

...Supposedly, there are these photos of you going around.



...That's pretty weird!

There are other girls in them, too, but you're right up in the center, so...
I think whoever took the pictures was aiming specifically at you.
That's disturbing...
Yeah, seriously.
I mean, school is a public place, but it's kind of like peeping on you.

Kind of, nothing. We're getting into some real major violations of privacy with this one. Dang.

One of the guys in a different class found it.
He came over to me and was like, "Isn't this the girl in your dorm?"



> Junpei looks troubled...

After School

Still, you must really be popular. This kind of thing isn't normal.

That is really not helping!



I'd have to find who it was and kick his ass if that happened, heheh...
......
But seriously... Be careful, alright?

> Junpei seems genuinely concerned about you...

> You feel like your bond with Junpei has grown a little stronger...





...Well, I'll think about it. Don't let it bother you too much.
But man, photos...?



Oh... No, never mind, haha...

> You and Junpei talked for a while before heading back together.

Well, that ended on a bizarrely heavy note. At least it was made pretty clear that despite coming across as a scumbag a lot of the time, Junpei DOES have the ability to actually be a cool dude and not creep on people just because they are girls. Alas, this is relegated to the S.Link Zone but it's nice to know it's there all the same.