Part 3: 4/8/09

4/8/09

This place may be beautiful in the spring, but not everything is quite perfect around here. It seems there’s some weird disease or something going around.



Loud Student: Oh, um… something about… a bathroom?
Gossiping Student: N-No!
Not that one! I mean the story about the first-year student!
Not only did she stop coming to school, she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day.
If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, “It’s coming… It’s coming…!”
Loud Student: Huh. How about that.
Gossiping Student: You don’t believe me…?

Ms. Toriumi seems pretty nice so far.



Ugh… why him?
I’d rather teach Utsubo Kubota.
He became famous as a singer, but he’s also produced fine literature.
I wonder why it’s not in the textbook. Well, I’ll just bring Kubota’s book next time.
…Hey, Junpei! Were you listening?
Who did I say was my favorite author?
H-Huh? U-Ummm…
Psst! Who does she like?

That is unless you weren’t listening in class while she’s talking about her favorite author. Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be bailing out Junpei a lot this year?



That’s right! So you were listening to me after all!
Eheheh… Well, you know how I like to pay attention!
Man, you saved my bacon, Aelita!
> You hear your classmates whispering…
Classmate: Aelita gave him the answer… She must pay attention in class!
> You became slightly more popular.
> Your Charm has increased.

Anyway, I’m kind of tired and I don’t know much to do in town at the moment so I just headed back to the dorm. There was a weird guy in the lobby talking with Yukari.

Video- “The Chairman”

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> Yukari is already here, talking with an unfamiliar man…
Oh, she’s back.

Turns out he’s the chairman of the school. He said he was here to welcome me, but I don’t think I really buy that.



Good evening.
My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I’m the Chairman of the Board for your school.
“Ikutsuki”… Hard to say, isn’t it?
That’s why I don’t like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes…
I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations.
However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment.
Is there anything you’d like to ask?
Why did you come here?
To welcome you, of course.
Speaking of which… Where’s Mitsuru, Yukari?
She’s upstairs.
As diligent as always. Although, it doesn’t hurt to come down and say hello…
Do you have another question?

I guess there’s a guy who lives here with us. I haven’t run into him yet, though.



There are only four students in this dorm:
You, Yukari, here, Mitsuru…
And a senior named Akihiko Sanada.
I hope you all get along.
Do you have another question?
I saw something odd…
You saw something strange? …Like what?
……
You were probably just tired. I wouldn’t worry about it.
It’s bad for your complexion, you know.
> Something doesn’t seem right…
Do you have another question?
No, not really.

I’m pretty sure he’s not telling me something, but I’ve got no idea what that might be.



Now, if you’ll excuse me…
You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early.
As they say, “The early bird catches the bookworm”!
…Please forgive the bad pun.
* chuckle *
……
You’ll get used to his lame jokes.
> …You should rest for today.
> You decided to return to your room and sleep…

Too tired to think about it right now, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

Video- “Hour of Darkness”

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So, how’s she doing?
She went to bed a little while ago. She’s asleep now.
Mr. Chairman, do you think she’s…?
Well, let’s wait and see for now.
…The Dark Hour is approaching.





> Upbeat music is playing from the radio that the man threw away…
Radio DJ: KJ Radio presents, The Bay Tuners. Tune in again next week for more of the hits!
Radio Announcer: This program is brought to you by Kirijo Electronics. Kirijo Electronics: always there when you need them.
The time is now midnight.



Man: …What the…?
Wh… What’s happening to me…?



Man: Waaaaaaaaaagh!





The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 midnight; you could say it’s the “hidden” hour.
During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs.
Then, she must be…
As you can see, she’s retained her human form.
She’s asleep, but she’s definitely experiencing the Dark Hour.
The only question that remains is whether or not she has the potential.
Although, she must. …If she didn’t, they would’ve preyed on her by now.
Scary…
In any case, we should continue to monitor her for a few more days.
Yes, Sir.
I feel kinda bad, though, spying on her like this…

I just had the weirdest dream and decided to write it down before I forget it.

Video- “Igor”

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Voice: Master Aelita Tolstoy…



There was a strange door...



And an even stranger room behind it.



Still, nothing was as strange as the man sitting in the room.



My name is Igor. …I am delighted to make your acquaintance.
This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter…
Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place…
> The paper you signed at the dorm is lying before Igor…
Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room.
You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so.
I only ask one thing in return…
…that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices you make.

I guess this guy’s connected to that little kid somehow? I don’t know, he looked scary but somehow I didn’t feel at all threatened by him.



Hold on to this…
> Obtained Velvet Key.
There is still one more resident of this room, who unfortunately could not be present for your arrival.
But I’ll make sure you two are properly introduced. Another time, perhaps.
‘Til we meet again…

Too tired, I’ll think about it later.