Part 23: 06/09/09 - 06/12/09

Last night wasn't anywhere near as intensive (for us) as the previous two Full Moon events. It's consistent though, so whatever.

Want To Be Close (Reincarnation) / Time



Do you think Mitsuru-senpai saved Fuuka because it was the right thing to do?
Or was it just because she's a Persona-user and we need her...?

Let's be honest, Mitsuru is more pragmatic than kind-hearted.

......
So, you think so too?
...Well, whether or not she joins us is up to her...
Sorry to bring this up out of the blue.



What to do today is a bit of an open question. We want something that's bound to be light and relaxing, so that writes off... pretty much everything available. Chihiro'll have to do, I guess.

Joy



> The rich aroma of coffee fills the air.

> The time flies while you sip your drinks.



I haven't been feeling well lately... I couldn't even finish my lunch today.

> Chihiro looks pale.

I may have caught a cold...
I'm sorry, Makoto-san, but can we go to a drug store?

It's really not too far, to the Pharmacy so sure I guess.

> You agreed to go to the drug store with Chihiro.



One fade to blue later. I feel like I've said that a lot in the past while, huh...





It's always a good sign when his own nameplate is calling him a creep.

Troubled

Wh-What do you want?

Creep: You just came out of the drug store, right? What'd ya buy? Hm? Hmm!?

L-Leave me alone...! Go away...!
Makoto-san...





Joy



I-I wouldn't want you to... to fight... because of me... but just now, you were... um...
Y-You, um, helped me, Makoto-san, and I'm not scared anymore... b-but...
Why am I still shaking?



It's pretty odd that Makoto gets absolutely no dialogue during this entire scene. He technically does say a thing here, but it's non-specific stuff which... uh...

If you say so, Makoto-san.
Thank you... I'm okay now.



...It helps at least. Really wanna know what he said here.

Wh-Why all of a sudden... do I feel short of breath...?
Makoto-san, I...

> Chihiro seems to truly appreciate your help.

> Your relationship is stronger now!





...Um, b-by the way! Th-Thank you for saving me today!
Ex-Excuse me!



> Chihiro ran away blushing...

> You decided to go back to the dorm.

Iwatodai Dorm



I wonder how she's doing...
Oh, by the way...



Maybe we should go check it out sometime.

Yeah, it IS the 9th of June now so we definitely need to do that.



...so we won't be going to Tartarus tonight.



Ikutsuki-san said the owner would help us out.
How the hell can an antique shop owner help us out?
Unless she has this amazing item created a million years ago that can annihilate Shadows...
Yeah, I'm sure that's what it is...
Just ignore him... But yeah, you should really check it out.

I definitely plan on doing that, since it's a thing that's been on the list for a while.



The fight between those with umbrellas and the driving wind is still being waged today...

That was our special report. Next, the news, followed by a look at everyone in recovery from the Apathy Syndrome.

When The Moon's Reaching Out Stars / Way of Life



So, the Antiques store is... very special. Very, VERY special.



Officer Kurosawa tells me you're fighting against the Shadows.
To the public, this is merely an antique shop... but privately, I create weapons.



Weapon Fusion! There's something that you don't really see all that often nowadays.



Persona 5 brought it back, and improved it at least.

I'll give you one for free. to start out with. Here you go.



From now on, you'll need to find your own. The golden Shadows carry such materials.

Well, that's mildly inconvenient but it gives us a reason to keep caring about Thebel in perpetuity, I guess?

There's another thing you should know, though I'm still researching it, so I'm not certain of this...



Weapon Fusion in general can be pretty great, but the special stuff is the reason why you care. It's all only obtainable here and it's always very worth it.

All I can tell you is to experiment for yourself.
If you bring me jewels, I'll trade the goods I carry here for them.



So, nothing in this store cost any money whatsoever.



As you'd expect from the early game, we can't mkae any unique weapons but what we CAN make is pretty good. Berith makes for a pretty decent 1h Sword if we feel like giving him up for that. Which, well, I'd rather not right now. It is better than anything else we can get that isn't from Liz but I'm gonna hold onto the Nihil Sword.



You may have noticed an option to Trade for Cards. Yeah, we can take gems that are absurdly common drops from basically everything in Tartarus and turn them into stat boosters. This is absurdly good since this just takes a couple gems and gives you the stat booster straight up. I'll almost certainly not bother but if you want to, this makes making a Persona with 99 in everything absurdly simple.



Or we could turn them into items. This is a big reason why I'm not particularly shy about using most of the better restoratives.



There's also some stuff in here that's harder to get in large quantities but can be worth the time and effort. In theory. By the time it becomes viable, however...



Oh and there are 4 weird items in here that are like the Perfume. Unlike the Perfume, we might actually want some of these for reasons other than dealing with a shit mechanic that got axed very quickly.



For now, we'll just make note of the fact that we can make some absurd weapons if we want to. Nothing too ridiculous yet, of course, but the option is there if you're not haemorraging money at 4x the usual rate because Hard mode. If I was playing on Normal I would absolutely just flip Berith into a sword and buy him back no questions asked, but that's too expensive here right now.



...And, yeah, I tried to use the bathrooms a couple times throughout the day to fix this but this time the RNG didn't play nice. Well, we'll get Academics up by the time its necessary anyway, so I'm not too worried.

Want To Be Close (Reincarnation) / Time



So, what's next?
We'll need to invite Yamagishi to the dorm and explain what happened. We could definitely use her help.



Well, let's get through it real quick, then. First, the Taika Reforms.
They happened in the year 645. Just remember that.



Yeah, the Taika Reforms are only among the most pivotal moments in all of Japan's history. Nothing important there.

Later on, in 710, there was the Heijo-Kyo. That wraps it up for the Nara era.
What, you want to know more? Okay, here's a question for you about the Nara era.



Oh that's easy. I know that one! It's--

...I don't feel like picking on anyone today, so I'll just tell you. It's the Man-yoshu.
We're supposed to cover the Kokin Wakashu, too, but I don't really care. Ask Mr. Ekoda, if you want.
Argh... I don't care about any of this!
I wanna get to the Sengoku era! It's calling out to me!



I'm sure there's one sensible member of staff somewhere in the school. Probably. I don't know where they're hiding though...



Anyway, uh, hi Andre.

Joy



Makoto-sama, you 'ave gotten much better at zis! Subarashii! Wonderful!
Thanks.
I 'ave to get better too!
I am glad to 'ave such a great friend--tomodachi--as my rival!



Makoto-sama.
I would like to make somezing Japanese, but what?
Something traditional?
A kimono!!



It 'as to be a kimono!
But... zat is very 'ard to make...
I don't know 'ow. Plus, it eez expensive...



Makoto-sama, you are ze only one I can talk to 'ere...
You are so nice!

> Bebe seems truly grateful.

> Your relationship is stronger now!





> You decide to go back to the dorm.

Andre's link is pretty great, honestly. The guy knows what he likes and is just so happy and eager about, like, everything.

Iwatodai Dorm



Man, I wonder when she'll be ready to come along...
Hey, don't just assume that she'll be joining us...
I hope they're not trying to push her into it...

Neither Junpei nor Yukari have anything new to say, right now. There's also absolutely nothing on TV either.



So I guess we'll just go drink a lot more coffee and get the Charm rank 3.



Academics is still firmly at rank 2, but it's just chugging along. It'll get there eventually, I'm sure.



The 11th is the first day in a while in which we don't have any scene at the front gate. It's always a bit weird whenever that happens. I dunno.

Afternoon Break



But at least there's... something that happens today.

> It's from Akihiko.



Honestly, that's insanely impressive considering Makoto was out for like half a month. Fuuka's just 3 days which is ludicrous. Different circumstances sure, but you'd think she'd be longer what with running around Tartarus for so long before her Awakening...

> "We'll talk to her this evening."

> "Come to the command room as soon as you get back."



So, uh, between the Perfume we bought from Tanaka and the stuff in the Antique Store... I think it's about time we dive headfirst into The Worst Mechanic. Chihiro's the easiest to do that with right now.

Joy



So, how was it?
Huh? Oh! You mean the Sweet Shop...
Sorry. I have something more important on my mind...



> Chihiro is blushing.

...Remember when you saved me from that creep, Makoto-san?



It... It's been two days.

I guess I'll tell you, Makoto-san, since you've been so nice to me...!
...B-But, don't think I'm weird, okay!?
L-Last night, um... I-I... You see, I had this...



It's been two days.

It's just a coincidence.
I-I thought it was probably just a coincidence, too, but...



I dream about you every night... This has never happened to me before.
I appreciate how nice you've been to me, Makoto-san...
But... one of these days, I... might want to be more than just your friend...

> You sense that Chihiro cares for you.



It's a very one-sided degree of serious...





Okay, so this is a really shit mechanic that was immediately removed for Persona 4 thankfully. See, now that (in Chihiro's mind at least) we're "dating", there is a 60 day timelimit to spend time with her again.



That doesn't sound too bad, but that time limit gets 15 days knocked off if we hang out with a different high school girl, like say Yuko. This applies even if you do it on days when you can't spend time with Chihiro in the first place and if neither of them would rank up at the time.



It's fucking dumb and there IS a really awful consequence if that time limit hits 0 from either naturally running out of time or spending time with the "wrong" people at most 4 times.

I-I get so nervous when I'm around you, Makoto-san...
...especially when you look at me that way...

...Bored and uninterested?

Sorry...
Don't be hard on yourself.
I-I'm always talking about my problems... Makoto-san, you're just too nice...



...I-I think I'm starting to overcome my fear of men!

Oh, I guess the game hasn't forgotten her androphobia after all. It's just... completely irrelevant aside from it being implied that's maybe the reason she was awkward around a creepy fucko. Instead of him being, y'know, acting super inappropriate and like a shit.

So far, I can only talk to boys I know, but... I can almost look them in the eye!
With your help, Makoto-san, I feel like I can do even better!

> Chihiro closed her eyes...

As long as it's nothing scary... I'll be fine!





Okay, so this is so blatantly obvious what's sensible, what the game wants you to do and what's transparently the wrong option.

...Hmm...


Hmm, yeah, I'm getting a weird feeling that we probably don't want to pick the blatantly wrong choice.

Joy



Makoto-san...



> It feels like Chihiro will never let go.

It's so rough... and strong... and warm...



Oh right, uh, opting to not h*ld h*nds doesn't prevent "dating" because it's part of the S.Link. It's part of almost all the S.Links with girls, because one of the directors did not - and still to this day does not - believe that men and women can only be friends.

Troubled





*chuckle* Relax, there's no need to be nervous. Why don't you have a seat?
Everyone, you did an excellent job uncovering the truth. I also wanted to let you know...



What a relief...
From what I understand, they each came to school around midnight and waited for the security guard to leave.



However, the facts became twisted because of rumors concerning a ghost story.
I knew right from the beginning that it wasn't a ghost.

What? No, you didn't.



...Are you kidding!? You were the victim!
But, I made so many people worry...
Hey, don't think like that...



You saved our lives. You should feel good about yourself.
You have a special power that you can use to help others.



We call it "Persona."
You could be a tremendous help to us. Will you lend us your strength?
Are you asking me to join you...?
Mitsuru-senpai...
You know, we're not trying to pressure you, so if you need some time to think about it...



I'll help you!
A-Are you sure!?
If you join, you'll have to live here...



We really appreciate this.
We'll have the school talk to your parents, to resolve any issues.
Thank you.
...Wait a minute. Aren't we dragging her into this a bit fast?
Um, it's okay, really...



We still don't know where they're coming from. But, Akihiko is right about one thing...



So, they're kinda like werewolves then, huh?
It's a big advantage for us to know when to expect them.
Now, on the day of the fight, we'll be ready to get in the ring.
......



> You wonder if this is what the boy was trying to tell you...

> It seems that you should start paying attention to the moon's phases...

I'm pretty sure there's no "trying" about it. That strange kid told us this outright like twice already.

Iwatodai Dorm



Hey, Makoto, whaddya think of her?
That all you think about?
Dude, you need to lighten up.
This is what being in high school's all about...

The more things change, I guess.



Even though in the end it was her choice...
I don't feel good about this...



Today was a great day for all of us.
Hm? Oh, I asked Mitsuru and Akihiko to walk Fuuka home.
She shouldn't be walking home alone.

Ah, that explains why those three aren't around anywhere.



According to wedding planners, the number of June brides is steadily decreasing... The month is less popular with married couples in their 20s and 30s.

There's not much we can do today, really, so let's see... It's Thursday which means...



At least we can take photos for 3x the price of coffee but 2x the Charm points. It sounds like a bad trade when I put it like that, but it really works out as better in the end because we need this maxed by a specific date and all.



Academics is just... Academics. It's going to get somewhere eventually, I guess. It just takes forever.



Normally I'd cut it at the end of the 11th, but we have time for one more day so let's do just that.

Want To Be Close (Reincarnation) / Time



Hey, Makoto-kun... What do you think about Fuuka?
She's very helpful.
You think so? I mean, yeah, her Persona ability is great n' all, but...
Doesn't it kinda seem like she was forced into joining us?
I hope she'll be okay...

Troubled



Nosy Girl: Ekoda's in hot water!
Gossip-Lover: Really? What'd he do?



Gossip-Lover: Hahaha, I can totally see that!



Gossip-Lover: Quiet, she can hear you!

Um...



She's right in front of you, so I guess no? She's not in here?

Moriyama-san...?
I heard you started living in the dorms.
Y-Yeah...



Let me know if you need someone to talk to.
You could probably use a friend, huh?
Moriyama-san...
Oh, come on.



Just in case you were thinking that she was being sarcastic or something, this flies in the face of that.

...Thank you...

A nice scene to give Fuuka a real friend for the first time, huh. How sweet.



Speaking of real friends, Andre has... something we should talk to him about today, I think.



> Bebe, who's usually very talkative, is quiet.

Are you alright?
You can tell somezing eez wrong!?



Uhh... Last night...
My dear aunt...



Calm down.
...I will try...

> Bebe seems sad.

S-Sorry, gomenasai...



And now, she 'as been taken away...
She 'elped me so muchm and... I could not do anyzing for 'er...
I was 'olding zis inside...
...because I know zat crying will not 'elp...
But, seeing ze look on your face, Makoto-sama... I...

> He seems devastated by his loss...

> Bebe has confided in you.





...Hasta la vista...

Andre...

> You decide to go back to the dorm.

Iwatodai Dorm



But, no guys allowed...
It's cool, though... I'm just glad she's coming. She'll be here tomorrow, ya know.



They're cleaning it up. You know, dusting and mopping...
They said they'd call us if there are any cockroaches that need to be killed.

I'm pretty sure they can handle a couple cockroaches. I mean, they can definitely handle way tougher stuff so...



Might as well go say "hi" anyway. Seem to be taking a break right now, at least.

But, preparing for Yamagishi's move has taken longer than I anticipated.
So, that's that... As you can see, the girls' rooms are on this floor. Males are not permitted.



Please don't let there be any cockroaches...



What you're seeing is a prototype of an artificial rain generator. For a country like this, where water is becoming scarce...

Oh yeah, I've heard of that. It's called "dance powder." It's pretty useful stuff!



Anyway, we're gonna have a low-key evening this week. Could spend time with Mutatsu, sure, but I think we should focus more on Charm for the time being.



That leaves us with a bit of studying to close out the day. Now, tomorr--

The Voice Someone Calls





It doesn't seem so certain, considering the vast potential within you.
As a matter of fact, your power seems to have changed quite a bit.



I'm very curious about you... Is that okay?
Yeah, whatever.
*chuckle* I see your point. You haven't had much say in the matter.



You may call me that if you wish.

The Power of the Heart



> A mysterious voice rings in your head...





The Voice Someone Calls



I'm already looking forward to our next meeting.

Alright, so we have Fuuka as our formal navigator officially as of tomorrow. We're also, uh, very low on money so his is a good time to check out what she can do For Real, so an early Tartarus trip is in order I think.



Mitsuru's been upgraded into a playable character, and her weapons are 1handed swords. Because she can fence, you see. She's, uh, notably a higher level than anyone else by a decent margin, even.



Penthesilea is mostly balanced and so kinda boring, but she has a notable Magic bent and already starts with a multi-target spell. She can heal a bit and if she knows the enemy is vulnerable to it can cast Marin Karin to fish for Charm procs. If she is using Marin Karin, it will work. Remember this. It might just be important.



Yukari, by contrast, is currently a lower level than anyone else but because EXP scales we can help her catch up pretty quickly. Right now, her only real use is that she can cure some ailments (that won't come up much) and deal Wind damage.



Junpei is pretty alright for what he needs to do, realy. Re Patra is like the worst spell ever, though, since it removes Knock Down from 1 ally. It has very niche uses, though. Rakukaja can also come in handy, if he can't contribute much damage. (And once he hits level 18, he can Akihiko better than Akihiko can.)



Akihiko can now live up to his original visible purpose and do a bit of everything. Sonic Punch is decent Strike damage, Dia lets him heal, Zio will be very useful and Tarunda can work well as what is functionally a multi-target Rakukaja. Plus both can work out very well if necessary.

Now, since we have 5 characters we need to leave someone on the bench. Makoto has to be in the party at all times, so that leaves three slots. With this in mind...

Vote for who we DON'T bring along on this excursion.

I'm not gonna bother grinding everyone upto 18 because that'd take way too long and it really doesn't matter.