Part 116: 9/7/09

9/7/09

Junpei seems really stuck on that girl Chidori.



It doesn’t seem like Chidori is gonna talk, does it?
Junpei is really worried about her…
I wonder what happened…
That’s Junpei.
Yeah, you’re right. But still, I’m a little worried.

I really feel bad for him, I can’t imagine falling in love with someone then finding out you’re expected to fight them.



I’m going to the hospital to see Chidori…
No one better try and stop me…
If they do, I’ll be pissed!

Elizabeth asked me to try and find her a mahjong tile with a peacock on it, so I snuck down to the back alley.



> Two men are leaving.
Gambler: …I lost it all, man.
Come on, kid, gimme some luck…
No, don’t say a word! Ready…
Rock-paper-scissors!
Scissors.
Gambler: Wha…? I lost?
…I guess my luck has dried up.
Thanks, kid.
You made me realize that gambling’s a lost cause. Startling today, I’m stopping cold turkey.
Here’s a little something to say thanks…
Anyway, you shouldn’t be hanging around a place like this…
Now, beat it!
> Obtained Mahjong Tile.

Elizabeth was happy.



That Mahjong Tile you’re carrying…
It’s just what I requested.
It has such a lovely design on it.
It’s a game piece, is it not?
I truly appreciate your efforts. Thank you.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained S. Outfit Akihiko.

Volleyball practice is a lot more fun now that Rio’s not taking it quite so seriously.



Short-Haired Member: Let’s clean up, then! Oh yeah, Rio. Did you give any thought to that group date?
Hmm… You know, you can leave me out. I don’t need a boyfriend.
Short-Haired Member: C’mon… You need a better man to love than Kenji. Seriously.
I don’t think one exists…
Member with glasses: Great, then we’re all doomed.
Very funny.
> The other club members went back to the school, leaving you alone with Rio…
Oh, Aelita…
…This feels like it was a while back, when it was just the two of us practicing together.
Stuff like group dates and everything… They’re all being nosy, aren’t they?
I… never thought that I’d be asking other people about things like love.
> Rio laughs…
I thought it was right to sacrifice everything and devote myself to the club…
No matter how tough things got, knowing I was getting better and showing results would relieve my suffering…
…But I had forgotten something very important.

She saw it too.



I forgot the joy of volleyball…
Take a look at this.
> Rio holds a worn-out book in her hand…
It’s a beginner’s guide.
When I first started playing volleyball, I was so excited that I couldn’t even sleep.
I’d read this in bed, while I ate, even during class.
I want to give this to you.
I want you to have the thing that gave me so much inspiration back then…
I think… It’ll help me remember that I’m not alone.
So… please.
> Obtained Annotated Guide.
Thanks.
I’m the one that should be thanking you.
It’s all because of you that I came to realize all these things.
You’ve been with me every step of the way, giving me the extra push that I needed.
You always kept an eye out for those around you…
…Thank you.
> Rio bows in a slightly embarrassed manner…
> You sense a strong bond with Rio…

Though I still don’t know what she sees in that creep Kenji.



He’s such a weirdo.



Volleyball’s a team sport, but I was trying to play it by myself.
As long as I kept thinking that way, things would never turn out right.
Maybe… the same thing can be said about life, too.
Ha… I’m only 17, anyway!
> Rio laughs, embarrassed…
Hey, let’s change and get to Wuck. Everyone said they’d meet us there!
C’mon, Aelita!
> You had a fun time at Wild-duck with the other club members…
> After an enjoyable meal, you returned to the dorm…

I hear the questioning isn’t going well.



…Our senpai are at the hospital and won’t be back ‘til later.
From what I hear, that girl Chidori won’t say anything…
Maybe we should wait to go to Tartarus until things are under control…

I went down to the club to talk with that fortune teller lady again.



Yes, please!
Woman: Very well…
A dark past, sinking into the deep shadow…
It enfolds the people who are involved, and captures them…
Who are the ones that are trapped…?
Hard though I try to see them, my vision blurs, and everything becomes obscure…
Can you see…?
Farewell, then… May your future be bright…

Oh and there was this really weird dude there too.



Man Drinking Alone: Hm…? Lookin’ for someone to chat with?
Alright, tell me… have you ever had a dream where you’re falling?
Yes.
Man Drinking Alone: Really?
I wonder if it’s true about the rumor that if you don’t wake up before you hit bottom, you die.
……
Forget it, sorry. Shouldn’t have brought it up.
I’ve been having the weirdest dreams lately… Geez, what’s wrong with me…?
Why don’t you head on home instead of wandering around a place like this?
Well, you’re a kid… I always wanted to see what this kind of place was like when I was your age, too. Haha…

Hope his dreams get better, I guess. Anyway Ken’s worried about how things with Chidori are going as well.



Their questioning of Chidori must not be going well…

Anyway Shinjiro was just sitting around, so I decided to ask him out.



> You feel a wall between you and Shinjiro…
> As the leader, maybe you should be friendlier with him…
Want to go for a bite?
…What, with me?
Okay…
I don’t know any fancy places, though.
> You decided to go eat with Shinjiro.

We headed down to Hagakure.



I like this place.
…You’re an odd one.
> Shinjiro laughs a little…
Well, let’s eat.
Watch the soup, it’s hot. Phooooo…
Ow…
What’s wrong?
…Forgot I had a cut in my mouth.
It’s ‘cause Aki punched me.
Sheesh, that guy’s gotta learn how frickin’ heavy a boxing champ punches…
Were you two fighting?

He sometimes seems a bit unreliable, but Shinjiro really cares about the team.



> Shinjiro seems to be feeling a little awkward…
…I gave him a little “lecture” on how his fighting style’s too reckless, and this is what I got in return.
Well, we get in fights all the time. Just get used to it.
All right.
Yeah, thanks.
> Shinjiro looks slightly embarrassed and laughs…
But man, you’re actually younger than him…?
……
We’re lucky that you’re such a reliable leader.
> Shinjiro talks in a way that sounds like he’s mocking you, but you sense that he’s being serious.
> You feel like you understand Shinjiro a little better now…

I wonder why it is that he left SEES in the first place…



…Oww.
……
That reminds me… I cut the inside of my mouth the first time he punched me, too.
I couldn’t eat for a while because of that.
When did that happen?
…We were kids. I forget why.
> Shinjiro is laughing nostalgically.
* sigh * This just ain’t gonna work… I’ll have to wait until it cools down.
> You ate with Shinjiro, then returned to the dorm…