Part 131: 9/24/09
9/24/09Back to school today.
It feels like fall since the typhoon passed, doesnt it?
* sigh * I hope the fighting ends before winter comes
Im sure it will.
I hope so
At least the typhoon didnt wreck anything.
Believe it or not, crying can relieve stress. The tension is washed away with all those tears.
But if the root cause of the stress isnt addressed, itll become a vicious cycle.
By the way, does anyone here know the number one cause of stress?
For men, its their job and for women, its their husband.
Men got stressed from dealing with their bosses, coworkers, and so on. When they seek comfort at home
It passes on to their wives. They, in turn, relieve their stress through personal hobbies.
Thats how a successful marriage functions.
You know, except our damned afternoon.
Ahm, there will be no classes this afternoon.
However, that doesnt mean youll be allowed to goof off.
Youll all have to work together to clean up the displays and decorations for the school festival.
Ill assign you into three groups for the cleanup.
The first group will go to the science lab. Your leader will be
> Afternoon classes were cancelled, and youll be cleaning up after the school festival instead
I feel pretty bad for all the people who spent a bunch of time setting stuff up only to have the festival get cancelled.
> Youre assigned to clean up alongside Yukari, Junpei, and Aigis
Well, lets get this over with. Umm
Lets break up into groups of two. One person takes down photos, the other binds them together.
Alrighty.
Lets do this quick.
Geez, youre so serious all this time. Were allowed to take this easy, yknow?
> You began cleaning up with everyone.
Sucks for the photography club that they took so many pictures and no one got to see any of them
Oh, isnt this from the summer fellowship?
Look, heres Aelita. You guys went to a school in the countryside, right?
It was fun!
Lucky! They had a hot spring too, didnt they?
I wanted to go in one too.
Well be going to one soon enough.
At least weve got the school trip to look forward too later on in the year. You know, as long as were not killed by Shadows or Strega.
I cant believe were going to Kyoto
Eh, its where everyone goes. I really wish they wouldnt make us go to all the shrines and stuff.
Yeah, seriously.
> Kenji and Kazushi have arrived
> They seem to have brought cleaning supplies with them
So, Yukari-san. Why dont I show you around Kyoto when we go?
How did we jump onto that subject ? Anyways, did you find a nail puller?
Yeah, Kazushi brought all of them.
Youve got a bunch to choose from.
We just needed one or two Arent the guys in the other classes going to need them, too?
Oh, y-youre right Ill go return the rest!
Uh, well I dont think you need to go right away. Just if someone asks.
I-I see Then Ill leave them here!
You know When youre with girls Well, more like when youre with Yukari-san
Wh-What?
Nothing. Huh So thats how it is. Heheh.
God I must sound depressing, hah.
Popping stuff ?
Ohhh! The bubble wrap.
Uh
Good call, Kenji. Go get it. You know where they keep all this stuff, right?
Well, yeah, but I just got back from there.
You go get it. Youre the one who forgot in the first place.
Huh? Are you sure? You really dont wanna go?
That place is like a paradise, you know that? Some fine chicas there whod be just your type
W-Wait, are you serious!? Be right back, guys!
Yeah, like Id fall for that, dumbass. What kind of supply room is stocked with hot babes?
Ugh, were never gonna finish at this rate. If youre gonna talk, talk while you work!
Shes like a pissed-off samurai
I heard that!
Geez Are you stupid or something?
More like Stupei, I think.
D-Déjà vu !
* sigh * Fine Ill go to the supply room later
Anyway we all really missed out I think when the festival got cancelled.
There was some hilarious stuff planned. Like a cross-dressing pageant
They said it would be open to everyone, so I was planning on jumping in.
Huh? You, cross-dressing!? Oh hell no
Nah, no way
You were imagining it just now, huh? I mustve been super cute.
Where in the world does your confidence come from ?
Well, Id be a lot better at it than you. Youd just look creepy.
I dont think you needed to go that far.
I mean, hey, Id be cuter than Kaz here, right?
Me? Why would I
You hear that, Kaz? He just said youd lose. Are you gonna take that from him?
Wha !? Theres no doubt that Id be the cutest!
Id be the cutest one in school!
I will not lose either at dressing up as a girl.
Well, duh. Youre
I am a female type, so female clothes would be
Okay, okay! Lets just stop there!
You know as I think about it wearing clothes at all is sort of cross-dressing for her.
Aigis, of course.
I have won.
Dammit ! Just wait til next time!
Alright, you better move outta the way. You guys are holding everything up.
S-Sorry.
You know, if you judge just by appearance, Yuka-tan is already super cute
Whatre you trying to say?
Uh, nothing
He is saying that your personality is not cute.
Yeah, I got that.
Ai-chan, you gotta know when to speak up and when to stay quiet.
If you dont, Yuka-tans gonna give you the evil eye
See what I mean!? Noooo, stop choking me!
K-Kaz! Say something!
Y-You gotta use your guts!
For what!?
Kenji managed to save Junpei, fortunately for him.
Huh!?
Ughhh So word got out about that. Im relieved it never happened
But I bet lotsa guys were really disappointed right, Kazushi?
Huh? R-Really?
Wait, whats a maid?
A pure soul !
Oh,its something that guys like Junpei dream about.
Junpei
W-Wait a sec, whats that look for? You act like I did something!
Junpei-san
You gotta be kidding! You too, Aigis!?
> You finished cleaning up while chatting with everyone
Saoris finally back from her suspension.
Im not suspended anymore
The school committee is meeting today. Im going to attend
Good.
> Saori seems relieved
Not that its really made her life better.
> There are students using the library, but few of them line up at Saoris section of the counter
> Saori hangs her head low
Dont let it get to you.
Aelita-chan
> Saori seems relieved
You shouldnt be talking to me. If someone sees you
Theyll get the wrong idea, like when we were both called to the faculty office together.
I dont want to get you involved.
I dont mind that at all.
You should, though
But Im glad to hear you say it.
> Saori smiles weakly
Um
She had some pretty bad news.
When!?
Once the paperwork is done
My parents said that Im an ungrateful child and a shame to my family
Theyre going to send me to a private school far away.
Thats fine with me, but
I dont really like that Im going to be separated from you
> Saori smiles sadly
> You sense a bond between you and Saori
Ill be sad to see her go, shes such a good person.
I need to start packing
Still, I dont really have much luggage to take along.
Whenever I came back from overseas, my room would be empty Just like it is now.
I dont need anything.
> You said goodbye to Saori, then returned to the dorm.
The Lost are growing in numbers again, just as they do every month.
Newscaster: Police say that the lack of a struggle most likely means his assailant was familiar with him
The victim had likely contracted Apathy Syndrome, preventing him from fighting back.
Were close to ending all of it, though.
Once we defeat them, there wont be any more news about The Lost.
Were so close.
Every time I think Shinjiro might be opening up, he tries to isolate himself again.
Well, I dont care what you guys think about me.
Im doing things my way
and theres nothing you guys can do about it.
But he doesnt have to be.
That was a really good meal
Theres more to him than meets the eye.
He has all of us now.
Does he like to be alone ? Or is he just shy ?
To be honest, Im a little worried about him
He must be so sad being alone all the time
Kens another one I still dont get.
> Ken ordered a ginger pork meal
> But, he doesnt seem to be eating much.
Whats wrong?
Oh, nothing
> Ken begins eating hurriedly
Urp.
I had some snacks a little while ago
Is it true that you wont get big and strong if you dont eat right?
Its true.
I-I see. Then, Ill eat all of this too
> Ken tries hard to eat the food in front of him
> Could something have happened to him ?
Why do you want to be bigger?
Hes in such a hurry to grow up, but hes fine just the way he is.
> Ken seems a little embarrassed
Um Itd be nice if I could be like Akihiko-san
Um
Aelita-san
Y-Youd prefer someone like Akihiko-san too, right ?
Nope, not at all.
Oh, r-really?
I think hes cool.
> Ken looks downwards
I want to hurry and become an adult.
> Ken has a serious look on his face
> There must be something on Kens mind
> You feel like you understand Ken a little better now
I mean you only get to be young once.
Oh, you cant eat any more, Aelita-san!
If you get any bigger
I wont be able to catch up to you.
>
> Ken continues wolfing down his rice
> You finished your dinner with Ken and returned to the dorm together.