Part 162: 11/5/09

11/5/09

You’d think we could get a day off of school for being almost murdered, but nope.



> You wonder if Mitsuru-senpai is alright…
> ……
> You wonder what else the future holds…

The rumors have already spread about Mitsuru’s father. Nobody knows the truth of course.



Loud Student: About the Student Council President? I heard her dad passed away from his illness…
I bet it’s tough to live without your parents…
Gossiping Student: Yeah, I know… I think I’ll help my mom cook dinner when I go back home…

I hurried back after school, since we were going to have a meeting about what happened last night.



> It’s from Akihiko.
Text Message: > “I need to talk to you all.”
> “Meet me in the command room when you get home.”

Mitsuru was still busy, and I think they’re running tests on Aigis to figure out what Ikutsuki did to her and make sure it can’t happen again.

Video- “Moving On”

Watch

> Everyone is here except for Mitsuru and Aigis…
The Chairman’s room has been cleared out…
Well, that’s no surprise, considering what he did.
Aigis isn’t here either…
* sigh * I just can’t believe all this…
It’s in the papers, too…
“Sudden Death of Kirijo Group’s CEO.” They blame it on illness, though.
Yeah… It’s never the truth.
…Nope.
Mitsuru-senpai’s not here, huh…?
She’s an only child, so there’s a lot of matters to be settled, including the funeral and the family business.
I’m sure she’ll be busy for at least a week.
That sounds rough… I hope she’ll be okay…
So, what’re we supposed to do now…?
……
…What’ll happen to Chidori?
No word yet. They’re probably too busy to be thinking about that.
In fact, the entire Kirijo Group must be in a state of shock.

None of us have any idea what the hell is coming, but whatever it is we’re going to be ready.



Yeah…
What the hell…?
Am I just supposed to wait for them to get their act together?
Mitsuru is meeting with the Board of Directors. That might explain the delay.
I see…
…But still, what are we going to do?
We have no idea how to get rid of the Dark Hour… We don’t even know what we’re fighting against.
What was that he said about “the Fall”?
What would’ve happened if we had been sacrificed?
There are so many unanswered questions.
No use worrying now.
…True.
But, there is one thing we know…
Tartarus is still around, and there’s a bunch of Shadows inside it.
We should train, so we’re ready for whatever it is we might have to face.
I agree.
Arf!
All right, let’s break for tonight. Rest yourselves well… even if you can’t sleep.
Got it…
I hear ya…

I think Fuuka had something for Yukari that she’d found, I saw them talking.



Yukari-chan…
…Hm?
What’s this? A disc…?
Umm… There were traces of a video on the Chairman’s hard drive…
Most of it was deleted, but I was able to restore some of it.
I thought you might like to see it.
Thanks, Fuuka… I’ll watch it later.
Uh-huh. Make sure that you do!

Not sure what it was, though.



…So it’s just a normal DVD?
All right, let’s see what’s on here… Oh, there we go.
I pray that this recording reaches safe hands…
…That video!?
My employer has become obsessed with a loathsome idea.
This experiment should have never even been conceived…
That’s why I had to interrupt it.
However, in doing so, I set free a number of Shadows that are certain to torment future generations.
But if I hadn’t, the entire world may have paid the price…
Please, listen carefully…
I cannot stress this enough… You must not hunt the Shadows that have dispersed!
Huh…? This part’s…
I wasn’t able to stop this madness…
He won’t listen, no matter what I say… He’s under the devil’s spell…
Now, the Shadows are trying to eat one another… But if they’re reunited, then we are all doomed!
I’ll say this once more… Leave the Shadows be!
This is the original video… before Ikutsuki changed it.
Dad tried to stop the experiment…

I did hear her crying, though.



I have just one favor to ask…
Whoever finds this… Please… Give my daughter Yukari this message…
I know I promised I’d be home soon… and I’m sorry to break that promise…
But, I want you to know… Daddy was the happiest man on earth when he was with you.
…Dad…
…I love you, Yukari. Please take care of yourself…
Dad!?
Daddy!!
* sob * * sob *
I know one thing for sure now…
I was right to believe in him.
> Eventually, Yukari’s tears stopped, and she lifted her head…
Are you listening, Dad? …I’m doing okay.
It took awhile, but I finally got your message.
> The resolution in Yukari’s heart has awakened a new Persona…

I’m not going to press if she doesn’t want to talk about it.



I’ll fight for what I believe in…
That’s what you would have wanted… Right, Dad?

Mr. Kirijo dying even made the news.



Newscaster: As a result of his death, an emergency meeting has been called…

Ken’s concerned with what Ikutsuki was talking about before he died. Meanwhile I’m wishing Pharos wasn’t gone, because I’m sure he mentioned something about this Fall.



He died before explaining the most important thing…
I never thought he would be capable of doing such a thing.

Junpei’s pretty mad, rightly so.



Dude, I’m so pissed off. This would be a great time for one of those mind-erasers.
I’m never gonna trust an adult again.

Akihiko’s really worried about Mitsuru, meanwhile.



But, it’s as if she just got her insides ripped out.
I hope she’s alright…

Even that fortune teller lady at the club can’t see what we should do.



Yes, please!
Woman: Very well…
Under the fat crescent moon… A feeble light at the hollow tower…
A gunshot rings out, shattering my vision into a thousand pieces…
I am sorry… I can see no further…
But I can say this… The shadow yet remains…
Farewell, then… May your future be bright…

That weird guy looked a bit down, so I figured maybe trying to cheer him up would do the same for me.



Man Drinking Alone: Hey, it’s you. We seem to run into each other a lot lately, huh?
> He seems to be severely depressed today…
Man Drinking Alone: …I haven’t had a single good night’s sleep lately. I keep having this weird dream…
* sigh * And I know exactly why…
It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, but…
I… Well, I cheated on my girl.
You remember, the one I said I was stuck with? She… might be pregnant.
I’m starting to feel guilty about the whole thing. Haha… stupid, isn’t it?
Hey…
Do you think it’s an unforgivable sin to cheat on someone? Or is it just human nature?
I think it’s natural.
Man Drinking Alone: Wow, not the answer I was expecting from a girl.
But the consequences of a guy my age cheating on his partner are more severe than for a high schooler…
When I was young… I thought my life was just beginning.
But now I’m past thirty, and nothing ever seemed to have got going for me.
Every day is more of the same betrayal and acting on my ridiculous desires…
……
I wonder if I’m gonna have that dream again tonight…
Shit! I feel like I’m going insane…

Yeah didn’t work, now I’m even more depressed what with him reminding me I’m going out with the best friend of a guy I also liked who’s in a coma. Anyway I headed down to the Velvet Room for a moment, and I’m glad I did because it gives me something to look forward to tomorrow.



I also feel like I’ve harnessed some kind of new strength since yesterday.



As it turned out, I spent a bit more time in the Velvet Room than I’d originally intended.

Video- “Reminders”

Watch



I don’t need to be reminded that I made a commitment to do this, though.



As I’m sure you are aware, you are currently in a dream.
Now, then… There has been a change in you recently. Have you noticed?
And I am not referring to your change in circumstances.
I am referring to the change in your mentality.
That is why I have summoned you here tonight.
Going forward, there is one thing you mustn’t forget.
> It is the contract you signed.
I see you recognize it… Shall I remind you of your commitment?
“I chooseth this fate of mine own free will.”
There is no need to worry…
Whichever path you choose, I shall respect your decision.
However, only you will bear the responsibility for your actions…
…no matter what end they may bring about.
Please remember that.
Well then, I bid you farewell.

And I’ll keep it, no matter what happens.