Part 146: 10/12/09-10/17/09

10/12/09

Not much happened today, just sort of hung out.



The exams start tomorrow… It looks like you are all serious about doing well on them.
But as for me, I am more serious about what comes after the exams… the final battle.
I will fight with all my strength. …We cannot lose.

I headed down to the mall for a bit.



Yes, please!
Woman: Very well…
A light dims… The shadow grows darker…
But the dimmed light will live on in a strong, new light…
You have reached a turning point… The light has begun to challenge the shadow…
Your time is coming… soon…
Farewell, then… May your future be bright…

Oh and I ran into that weird guy again.



Man Drinking Alone: Hm… What’s up?
Ah… Yeah, I remember you from before.
You’re… in high school, right?
I remember back then. Makes me a little jealous of you.
…So, are you seeing anyone?

For a certain definition of the truth I was truthful with him.



Man Drinking Alone: Heh, good for you. Things were so much simpler at that age…
Once you get to be as old as me, love loses some of its luster. Romance gets harder to enjoy.
So enjoy it while you still can… Haha, this isn’t any of my business, is it?
…But seriously, I envy you.
I’m an adult now. I can’t be as carefree as I used to.
I’ve got a girlfriend, and we’re stuck with each other, but I’m screwed if things keep going the way they are.
* sigh * I’m not the marrying kind.
You give up much of your freedom once you become an adult… Heh.

Freedom, huh? I guess he’s right. Maybe after exams I should exercise some of that.

10/17/09

Exams were easy again.



Husbands.

Could do these silly things standing on my head.



Moses.

Which is good because I didn’t study at all.



Zero electrical resistance.

I mean it is for chumps.



Coup of Meiou.

Anyway I blew through my last day with no problems.



> The questions are just too easy.
> ……
> Your pen won’t stop moving!

Still couldn’t find Mr. Ono.



> Mr. Takenozuka, the physics teacher, is here muttering to himself…
I should get going, but there’s no time to waste. If I power-walk to the station, it’ll take seven minutes…
But if I consider the speed the train pulls into the station, three minutes might not be enough…
Oh yeah… I’m in charge of dinner tonight, so that’s another 12 minutes to getting groceries…
I better compensate for the pressure ration when mashing potatoes to avoid inefficiency…
If an average potato’s diameter is about 12 centimeters, then that comes out to…
…Oh, forget it! Going home isn’t worth the bother! I’m staying at school!
Oh, it’s you, Aelita. Do you want to stay the night at school too?
…You’re looking for Mr. Ono?
Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen that helmet lately… I mean, that teacher.
I don’t have time to fritter away looking for him either, so try again later.
You know, that helm of his really is a nice piece.
I’d never say so to Mr. Ono’s face, because I’d never hear the end of it, but it’s fine craftsmanship.
The curved line at the top… It’s an ideal arc, for absorbing impact.
An arc like that can absorb about 48% of the impact from above.
Then there’s the material. It’s not just a thick chunk of metal.
It’s an extremely thin metal, in fact, layered with finely-braided hemp for added practicality…
> Mr. Takenozuka’s lecture goes on and on…
…So that explains that. See? Isn’t it a wonderful specimen?
Hm? Its origin? I wouldn’t know anything about that. Archaeological details don’t interest me.
> You learned about the construction of ancient helms…
> Mr. Ono doesn’t seem to be returning.
> You decide to give up for today.

Despite exams being over, I don’t think anyone’s happier.



I’m thinking about Shinjiro-senpai.
I fear for the worst, and it makes me worried…

Between waiting for the results, Shinjiro, and the last Shadow there’s still lots to worry about.



Unfortunately, my examinations were not on these subjects.
Therefore, I do not think I did very well.

Akihiko’s doing his best not to let things get him down.



Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about it.
The only thing that I can do is continue training.
I won’t be able to perform my duty if I let myself get complacent at my current power.

I don’t know that I’ve been as fair to him as I should have been.



Yeah, I don’t either.
That’s what I thought… Well, it’s probably because the last operation is coming up soon.
I’m worried about Shinjiro-senpai, too…

I mean he’s a really nice guy, he’s just bad at talking to people.



Are they difficult?
No, not really.
Really? Wow, that’s good to hear…

I’m amazed the Chairman’s not back to joking. It’s like something’s terribly wrong.



You did an excellent job on your exams.
You should all go out and enjoy the weekend.

We’re all a bit out of sorts.



I had a hard time remembering terms and equations…
…which are usually no problem for me.
What about you, Aelita-chan? How did you do?
Pretty good.
Then you must have gotten a good grade.

Mitsuru gave me the same news she gave Akihiko, and it wasn’t good.



They say it’s a miracle that he’s still holding on…

Junpei was really bored, so he came along with me and Koro-chan on a walk.



Man, going on a job on a day like this just feels right. It makes me forget all the tests I failed!
Look at that. Koromaru’s so worked up.
I’m sure he has stuff to think about, too, like… recent events.
……
Dogs are just so honest, y’know?
When he looks at me…
I get embarrassed, like he can see right through all the lies I tell myself…
…You just can’t lie to Koromaru.
Heh, that dog.
> You spoke quietly with Junpei…
Woof.
> It seems Koromaru is done playing.
Oh, and here comes The Dawgster himself. Guess it’s time to head back, huh?
> You decide to go back to the dorm with Koromaru.