Part 167: 11/11/09-11/12/09

11/11/09

Things are definitely starting to settle back down, though Mitsuru’s still pretty much out of commission.



Loud Student: Oh yeah, I did! Ryoji, right? He’s kind, handsome, AND rich!
I’m going for him for real this time!
Gossiping Student: Th-Tha’s not fair! I called dibs!
> The first bell has rung.

Actually had a mostly uneventful day, aside from helping Junpei.



I’m thinking about visiting Chidori at the hospital.
So, uhh… Think I should bring anything for her?
Just talk to her.
That’s all? I was thinking about some kinda present…
……
But you know… maybe it would be enough just to talk. I mean, she’s at the hospital all alone…
I dunno if she’ll listen to my stories, but I’m gonna try.
> Junpei seems a bit relieved.

Gotta do my part to save him from his own efforts to sabotage his love life.



Maybe it was because of his parents…
No one knows anything about him.
He’s so mysterious…

It’s really amazing how quickly Ryoji has fit in at school.



And I still don’t know exactly what it is about him…
But, I want you to remain cautious around him.

There’s definitely something odd about him but given my friends I’m probably not a good judge of that.



I don’t exactly know how I got over it, but…
I still remember how I shut myself away from the world.
Those were very dark days…

11/12/09

Ran into an unexpected face on the way to school this morning.



> …Ryoji is waving to you.
G’morning!
What a coincidence.
* chuckle * Some people might call it “destiny.”
Look… The sun’s shining off the ocean beautifully.
This view really lifts my spirits…
I think I understand.
Huh? Really?
* chuckle * I’m glad to hear that.
I thought that the world was being especially dazzling today…
…Could that be because you’re standing here with me?
> Ryoji laughs pleasantly…
Oh, we’re almost at school already. That’s a shame…
Is school fun?
Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.
> Ryoji seems happy…
You know… It’s probably because I know I can see you there.
Everything’s glimmering there, just like this ocean…
> Ryoji laughs easily…
> You feel like you understand Ryoji a little better now…

He’s got some kind of industrial grade smooth, I’ll give him that.



Oh, we’re here.
I hope today turns out to be fun!
> You hurried to school with Ryoji…

I will remain firm in the face of such things, however.



Today, we’ll be examining regional forms of magic.
First up is India, one of the birthplaces of magic.
You may not think of India as an especially magical place, but…
It’s precisely the opposite.
If you think about it, esoteric Buddhist magic came from India…
It was a definite influence on Gnosticism, and a foundation of modern-day theosophy.
It’s said that the Upanishads, part of the Vedas, are the original books of magic.
Many ancient Indians were passionate in their search for magic.
These Indian magicians emerged in similar circumstances as other places around the world.
In India, it’s traditional to lead a pious life…
But eventually, some people claimed to have gained immense power through Tapasya.
At first, their claims were rejected, but they slowly gained power and numbers…
Eventually, they were accepted into common practice.
They are the asceticists mentioned in the Upanishads.
However, a normal human wouldn’t be able to mimic their skills.
The tapasvins have surpassed the limitations of humanity.

If some crazy monks can go months without eating I can resist some guy’s cheeseball lines.



You’d die before attaining any powers!
So, it’s understandable that the Buddha rejected such extreme asceticism.
Of course, the Upanishads aren’t all about such wild practices.
They contain very practical methods, too. Yoga, for instance, was also introduced in these scriptures.
…Are you all listening? No out-of-body projections, now! Eeeheehee.
Perhaps a test is in order, to see if you were listening…
Get it wrong, and I’ll pile on some extra bad karma. Om vajra-ratna Om…
Who should I call on? How about you, Aelita? I ask thee…
What is the ancient Indian magical text I mentioned today?
The Upanishads.
Correct! Remember to live an honest life.
Moving forward… Yoga is full of variations.
Some asanas are for health, while others are for prayer and worship.
One important system is Hatha yoga, the type of yoga people are most familiar with today.
In this yoga, one cultivates a healthy body to attain purity of mind…

Speaking of eating Fuuka had something pretty complicated she wanted to work on with me today.



Tadaa! It’s a decorated cake!
> The notebook that Fuuka held out to you has a detailed recipe written in Fuuka’s handwriting.
> She’s even drawn a picture of it. …It seems to be a whole cake with tons of fruits on it.
Let’s make a small one and split it. * giggle * I’m really looking forward to it.
> You decided to make a fruit-filled cake together.
Flour… Um, you use a sifter for this, right? To use the sifter…
> Fuuka is consulting her notes while meticulously going through each step…
60 grams of sugar…
Oh, this is salt…
> Fuuka is slowly making progress and checking each ingredient…
> This must be the “method of cooking for those that aren’t good at it” that Fuuka invented…
> …A fragrant aroma is wafting from the oven.

I don’t say this enough but I’m really so grateful that I’ve got such awesome friends.



umm, now to decorate it…
Whipped cream and fruits are put between the layers…
That reminds me, I bought a chocolate plate, too. Can you write something on it, Aelita-chan?
What should I write?
Umm, hmm…
How about “Congratulations” or “You Did Your Best”…?
…Wait, that’s what I want to hear.
> Fuuka is laughing…
> What should you write…?
Friends Forever!
Friends… * giggle * Thanks. This is one really delightful cake…
> Fuuka seems happy…
Should we eat this at the dorm? If you don’t mind, come to my room.

I don’t think I would have had a chance of making it this far without their support.



Here’s your drink. It would’ve been nice if we had some candles, too.
Well then, let’s eat.
* giggle * This is delicious. I bet it tastes just as good as the ones they sell in stores.
> …The cake is a little too hard and the whipped cream is kind of watery.
> But Fuuka is happily eating it…
…I’ll never forget the flavor of this cake I made with you, Aelita-chan.
…Thank you.

Also in case one of the guys, say Junpei, is reading this (and I cannot stress how angry I will be when I catch you so you should really stop) you’re probably getting really excited right now but she just gave me really good headphones moron!



I want you to have this.
> You received something from Fuuka.
> Obtained Headphones.
Since you’re always listening to music, I thought you might like these.
Remember how I told you that I was pretty good with mechanical devices?
I wanted to thank you with something that I’m good at!
…No, it’s not because I want to repay you for your kindness. I just wanted to give that to you.
…I felt that I just really wanted you to enjoy them.
You’re a precious friend of mine, after all…
> You replaced your old headphones with the ones Fuuka gave you…
> …!
> The sound is amazing!
> The technology she used must be revolutionary.
These are amazing!
I-It’s nothing really. Just a hobby of mine…
Feel free to use them if you’d like…
> Fuuka seems happy…
> You sense a strong bond with Fuuka…

I mean I don’t know what you envision happens in a situation like this but I guarantee you it is not accurate.



Nor your business if it was. Which it isn’t.



> You had fun chatting with Fuuka for a while…
…Oh, sorry. Look at the time…
Time flies by when you’re having fun…
…Then again, we live in the same dorm and go to the same school, so I can see you any time…
Thank you for today.
Oh, and about the cooking club, I’ll be all right on my own. Of course, I’d be happy if you kept coming…
But I know that you’re busy, and I’d feel bad if I took up all your time…
* chuckle * But it would be nice if I could have you all to myself.
> You spent a long time together with Fuuka.

Consider the agony of not knowing your first punishment. Oh, yeah, so Elizabeth wanted dog food.



> Koromaru seems to be happy, thanks to a full stomach of dog food.
……
Awooon…
> He thinks you’re hungry…
> Koromaru is looking at you with eyes full of sympathy.
Arf!
> Koromaru brought you some of his own dog food.
> Obtained Gourmet Dog Food.
Arf!

Stopped questioning these a long time ago.



Fitness Expert: “Chinyan” means “Lover.” If you catch Apathy Syndrome, you won’t be “Chinyan” anymore!
That’s all for this week! Back to the news!

Not even really doing them for the rewards either.



Psh! That’s just his M.O.
He’s just trying to get the ladies interested in him by being secretive.
He’s just a normal, good-looking guy. …Like me!

I mean she’s… I don’t know, is friend the right word? Let’s go with it even if that’s not exactly right.



Hmm… The label says it’s expensive dog food, but…
Oh, it’s fit for wolves and tigers, too?
It does have an enticing aroma… Wait, this must be…
I’m slightly jealous of dogs who are regularly served this…
For the first time in my life… I wish I was a dog.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Cross Dog Suit.