Part 142: 10/6/09

10/6/09

Elizabeth wanted me to get her a samurai helm, so naturally there was only one person to ask.



> He’s wearing a fine helm…
Hm? Oh, it’s you, Aelita.
Did you have a question about my lecture—Hey, what’re you staring at?
Is it my helm…? Could that be it?
Is this really happening! Whoooop! That’s a discerning eye you’ve got there, kid!
Isn’t this helm great? Isn’t it?
It’s a historic masterpiece Masamune had since he was young…
> Mr. Ono’s story goes on and on…
* sniffle * So Masamune gave this helm to his vassal before he departed…
Such generosity! It’s as if he foresaw his fate…
* sob * * sob *
…And that’s why I couldn’t possibly part with it.
I could give you something else from my personal collection, though, one with no connections to Masamune.
If you still want one… You do still want it, right?
Come see me again, and I’ll let you have it.
> You enjoyed the tales of Masamune.
> You feel that your knowledge of history has deepened…
> If you come to the Faculty Office again from tomorrow on, you may be able to get a helm from Mr. Ono…

Speaking of, she called me when I got back to the dorm after hanging around at the shrine for a bit.



Hello? This is Elizabeth.
I’m calling to inform you of a change in Tartarus…
I believe a path that was blocked is now open…
I thought you would like to know.
…I wish you a safe journey.
> The call ended.

Ken was still missing, he must have slept outside.

Video- “Vengeance Ends”

Watch

> Ken is crouching in the shadows…
……
You look half dead.
……
What are you doing here?
……
When Mom died protecting me, no one would believe the real reason for her death…
To this day, it’s still on file as an unexplained accident.
That’s why I wanted to make it clear…
I thought that’s what she would have wanted… Maybe then she’d finally be at peace…
They said he was the victim of some violent crime, right?
No one knows the truth. …Just like with Mom.
And once again, I’ll be left behind…
You’ve been left behind twice… Did you ever think there might be some meaning in that?
……
I’m not here to drag you back…
You can stay in this place until you die, if that’s what you want.
…But if you still have the will to fight, then come back and stand on your own two feet.

Dumb kid.



> Ken turned away from Akihiko as he left…
I’ve known it all along; I’ve just been lying to myself…
I was consumed by hatred…
I couldn’t face the thought of being alone…
But… that’s exactly what happened…
> Ken slammed his small fist into the cold wall…
All this time, I’ve just been running away…
……
> Ken soon stood up…
I’ve made up my mind…
I won’t run away…
I swear… that I won’t run anymore.
Shinjiro-san… I’ll see it through to the end.
So you don’t need to worry.
> The resolution in Ken’s heart has awakened a new Persona…

Making his family worry like this.



I’ll be okay now, Mom… Goodbye…

Anyway, it was starting to get to the point where we needed to go look for him even if it was going to be almost impossible to find him.



> Everyone is here except for Ken and Akihiko…
It’s already been a day…
…Yes, it has.
So, where’s Akihiko-san?
He said to leave Ken-kun alone, but I don’t know… Maybe we should look for him…
What’s your opinion?
Let’s start looking!
You think so, too…? He IS still a kid…
…I can’t wait any longer! I’m going right now to—
> The front door opened…

I’d be mad that he just waltzed in like nothing had happened, but I was happier to see him alive.



Woof, woof!
Ken-kun!?
Thank goodness… I was so worried…
You were?
Amada… Are you able to fight?
Yes. …I won’t run off again.
You sure?
Yes.
It’s alright… We can trust him…
…Geez, don’t make us worry like that, okay?
…Alright, I’ll talk to the Chairman.
…Get some rest.
Yes.

I’ve not seen them yet myself but Aigis swears Akihiko and Ken have totally new Personas.



There may be more metamorphoses to come, so I will remain in observation mode.

It’s a good thing I think that Junpei doesn’t really get what he’s talking about.



I’d be so depressed… Probably for like three days… or maybe even a week…
But just one day? Geez, he’s nuts!

Ken is pretty tough, though.



I admire his fortitude.

The news is already back on Apathy Syndrome, especially now that these idiots think they have any idea what’s going on.



Newscaster: So far, all of their hypotheses have been correct…
Many are happy to finally have some concrete information about the Syndrome.
One of the anthropologists is now trying to pin down a clear date for the next victims to appear.

Aren’t they going to be surprised when it all comes to an end this month? Anyway Ken’s sorry he made us worry.



You could’ve said no, but you let me come back…
I’ll make it up to you guys… Shinjiro-san too…

To be real honest I’m still working on that whole forgiveness thing, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to him.



To be honest, I was really worried… I mean, what if something terrible had happened to him…?
Yeah…
It’s so sad… all that he’s been through. He’s just a little kid.

Pharos showed up again.



…It’s cold tonight.
Can you believe it’s already autumn? It’ll be winter before you know it.
You seem tired.
…Did something happen?
A good friend was…
…Is that so?
In this world, people die every day.
Until recently, this was the same to me as the blowing of the wind.
But now, I see things differently…
For the first time, I have a friend.
Lately, I’ve become more certain of something…
You know the end I’ve spoken of? Some people refer to it as “the Fall,” but regardless…
…It’s drawing near. Don’t you sense it…?
We are kindred spirits, you and I, so why is it that only I can remember?
…This is a heartrending matter.
Is my existence something you are unable to accept?
> Pharos is smiling sadly…
> You feel a bond with Pharos…

Whatever this Fall is, I’ll stop it. Whatever it takes.



Forgive me if I have said anything peculiar today. …Perhaps it is the change of seasons.
Of course, our friendship remains steadfast.
Well… I shall bid you farewell for now. Good night.
I’ll always be by your side…
> Pharos disappeared…