Part 10: 4/25/09-4/26/09

4/25/09

I heard that the bookstore at the strip mall was going to reopen today.



Gossiping Student: Huh? A bookstore?
Loud Student: Yeah, leave Iwatodai Station, go straight for a while, and it’s after you cross the crosswalk.
We’ve been at this school for a while… You should explore more often!
> The first bell has run.

I decided to head down there after school.



> An old man and woman are behind the counter.
…Welcome.
What would you like today? We have fresh mackerel…!
…Sorry, as you can see we don’t sell fish here.
Hey, you’re a student, aren’t you? You must be from Gekkoukan High, right?
That means you’ve probably seen the persimmon tree there…
Persimmon tree?
Do you think I’m making this up!? …I’m serious!
It was planted right beside a walkway in a courtyard at the school.
> It seems there’s a persimmon tree somewhere at Gekkoukan High School.
> But, it’s not clear how the tree and this old couple are connected…
I’m sorry. He’s rambling on like an old man.
…Just ignore him.
> After saying goodbye to the old couple, you decided to leave the bookstore.

I realized after I’d left that I did remember a weird tree on campus.



> It must be the persimmon tree that the old couple at the bookstore was talking about.
> ……
> You found a leaf on the ground.
> Obtained Persimmon Leaf.

I headed back to the bookstore to show them the leaf I’d found.



How many guests? Smoking or non-smoking?
Hm? Excuse me, but may I see that leaf in your hand…
> The old man is interested in the Persimmon Leaf.
> Would you like to show it to him?



Oh! Is this a leaf from that persimmon tree?
It must have grown quite a bit to produce such splendid leaves…
…Wait, so you didn’t come here to buy books? Did you come here just to show us this?
Yes, I did.
I knew it!
I knew right away from the start that you’re a kind young lady!
> The old man is showering you with praise.
I’ve been meaning to go see that tree for a while now, but I’m not sure if these stumpy old legs will make it that far…
…That was meant to be a pun. You know, “stumpy,” “tree stump.” Catch my drift?
Very clever, dear.

Turns out the old couple are named Bunkichi and Mitsuko, they seem like nice people.



If you don’t mind, would you tell us your name?
So, your name is Aelita Tolstoy…
Then, we’ll call you Aelita-chan from now on!
> Bunkichi and Mitsuko seem happy you told them about the persimmon tree.
> You got to know the old couple a little better.

This supernatural power thing is like rolling off a log really.



> It’s getting dark out.
We’re open every day except Monday.
Come visit us if you get bored.
> After saying goodbye to Bunkichi and Mitsuko, you decided to go back to the dorm.

Akihiko is concerned there might be another Shadow attack outside of Tartarus.



…Y’know, you better be training while I’m out.
If anything happens, it’ll be you guys who have to deal with it.

He also had some advice, not being able to train is really killing him.



But, if you stumble across an enemy, you might have to fight it by yourself.
That can be pretty dangerous…
But if you’re strong enough, the enemy will be afraid of you, so you won’t have to worry.

We’ve got some vacation coming up soon, the news was talking about people’s plans. Of course, none of us can leave thanks to the Shadows.



Newscaster: It’s a popular vacation choice this year, it seems.
Airports are filled with air travelers…
According to a survey, the most popular destination is once again Hawaii.

I couldn’t find Mitsuru at first.



Oh, but if you wanna go to Tartarus, she said it was alright.

Junpei’s pretty tired, though, so we’re going to skip Tartarus for tonight.



When you’re tired, you don’t hit as hard, so it takes longer to beat an enemy. Plus, you get hit more easily.
“You youngin’s don’t know what’s good fer ya… Back in my day, we knew when ta rest!”
I understand your point, but what’s with the corny impersonation…?

I’ll get some rest too, not going to complain about not having to battle monsters to the death tonight.

4/26/09

It’s nice to have days off, but it’s always tricky to find things to do.



Are you?
I’m staying in today.
I don’t have anything I need to do. Plus, I’m still injured.

Mitsuru and Akihiko just stayed in.



You can study or go out. It’s up to you.
What do you do?
Oh, I prefer to stay in and read.

The Lost are all over town, it’s very worrying.



Woman: Ah… Uu…
> It’s one of The Lost—a victim of the Apathy Syndrome that’s causing such a stir.
> You cannot get a meaningful response out of this person.

I ran into Yukari while I was heading to pick up some more medicine for our next trip to Tartarus.



Yep, that’s right.
This mall is pretty convenient. You can buy almost anything here.
Next time we’re here, I’ll show you some stores that sell really cute clothes and accessories.

I was thinking of seeing how the old couple at the bookstore was doing, and ran into Junpei on the way.



Just wandering around.
Oh, okay. Well, you just got to this town, so…
Wandering around is good! You’ll get to know the place better.

Oh yeah, they have this really weird stall at the strip mall that sells fake takoyaki.



Vendor: Our takoyaki is delicious! And it’s only 400 yen!
It’s our own special recipe, with no octopus… Want some?
Thanks! Come again!
> Obtained Weird Takoyaki!

It was actually pretty good for not having any octopus in it. Anyway I went down to the bookstore for a bit.



What was your name again?
I’m from Gekkoukan…
I’m just joking. I know who you are. I’m not that old.
My wife and I were just talking about you, Aelita-chan.
> Bunkichi seems happy.
Aelita-chan, do you like Melon Breads?
Someone gave them to me, but I have more than enough. Go ahead, take one.

Free melon bread is almost as good as supernatural power.



Don’t worry about it; it’s just a Melon Bread. There’s no need to thank me.
Aelita-chan, you’re so polite. I wish HE had been that way…
> Bunkichi seems impressed.
Do you want one for a friend too?
…Because it’ll take us forever to finish them all.
I’ll take some.
Alright, here ya go. Um… uh… err…
What was your name again…?
Remember, dear? This is Aelita-chan.
I’m sorry, Aelita-chan. He’s terribly forgetful lately.
Here you go.
> Obtained Melon Bread.

It seems they lost their son a while back.



He should be here helping customers… I’m sorry, Aelita-chan.
It’s okay.
I’m sure you’d rather be with kids closer to your age rather than talking to an old man like me.
…If all goes as planned, you’ll become my daughter.
> Bunkichi is smiling…
I’m sure he’ll come back soon. Right, dear?
Must you, dear…?
> Mitsuko seems sad.
Who’s ‘he’?
…Oh, that’s right. Our son is deceased…
My apologies, Aelita-chan. I hope I’m not making you feel uncomfortable.
> Bunkichi and Mitsuko shared their painful past with you.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

I wonder if there’s anything I can do to help them out?



> It’s getting dark out.
H-Hey, hey, why the gloomy faces?
It’s dark outside. I don’t need it to be dark in here too.
…Please come again. We’ll be waiting for you, Aelita-chan.
> After saying goodbye to Bunkichi and Mitsuko, you decided to go back to the dorm.

Yukari’s coming down with something, so it looks like it’ll be a few days before we can go back into Tartarus.



All you need to do is perform a surprise attack on it.
However, if the enemy’s ability level is equal to yours, there is a lesser chance it will become distressed.

I heard that the revamp of Featherman is supposed to be surprisingly good, I should record that some day.



Narrator: Episode 10: Instant Ramen Smorgasbord: Feather Swan!
Newscaster: And now, the news.
Our first story is about the many youngsters with only part-time employment…

Junpei was getting all excited about weird things, as usual.



I’m en fuego, baby!
But, it’s weak against wind…
* sigh * I guess my flame gets blown out by the breeze, huh…

I just hope Yukari feels better soon, as Akihiko keeps saying we never know when something might come up.