Part 169: 11/15/09-11/16/09

11/15/09

Ryoji called me earlier, wanted to hang out a bit.



Do you have some time to spare?
It’s okay.
Why don’t we go out somewhere? The weather’s great.
That’s great! Just thinking about seeing you makes me happy. I’ll head over immediately.
> Ryoji seems excited…

It’s funny, though, because I don’t remember giving him my number.



It’s because I’m here with you.
Haha, you knew what I was going to say.
> Ryoji laughs happily…
You know, all these people around us… I’ll bet they’re all couples.
> Now that he mentioned it, you see romantic couples everywhere in the café…
Being lovers means there’s nobody else in the world that you care more for, right?
That’d be wonderful, if it were really true.
It’ll happen to you someday.
* chuckle * I see.
> Ryoji laughs amiably…
You know, sometimes I think…
I would still like you, no matter if you were a guy or a girl.
Why, ‘would’?
Haha… Well, we did just meet fairly recently, after all.
> Ryoji smiles gently…
Actually, I’m lying. I’m positive that I’ve seen you somewhere before.
…When I’m with you, I just get this feeling that I’ll find out how I know you, and we’ll become closer…
But… For some reason, that makes me want to cry.
…I’ve never cried before.
> Ryoji seems sad…
> You feel like you’ve come to understand Ryoji a little more…

I probably should stop seeing him, but for some reason I just keep agreeing to meet again.



I… want to spend time with you alone like this.
If I’m not bothering you… would it be all right if I asked you out again?
You’re not a bother at all.
I see… I’m happy to hear that.
…Oh, that reminds me. That school trip’s coming up soon, right?
Let’s find some time to go somewhere together while we’re there.
Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it…
> Ryoji laughs happily…
> You left Ryoji and decided to go back to the dorm…

I just wish I knew why.



Narrator: Episode 39: Roll Those Dice! Save the world with a natural 20!
Newscaster: …And now, the news.
The thief who targeted Apathy Syndrome victims was caught yesterday…

Anyway we’re going to Kyoto in a couple of days, and that should be fun.



It’s funny how everyone these stereotypes of that place…
…especially Junpei. He’s running around yelling, “Geishas, geishas!” * sigh *

Or soul crushingly depressing, if the way Mitsuru and Aki are acting continues.



* sigh *
What’s going to happen…?
Woof! Woof!
You’re probably saying, “Don’t worry,” right Koromaru? You’re such a brave dog.

Mitsuru’s putting on a brave face but when she doesn’t think we’re looking it’s like she’s dead inside.



This is not good, man. What if the seniors decide to quit SEES?
I don’t know if we can handle it without them, man.
Junpei-san! Don’t say that!

And I can see how much Aki cares about her by how much this is hurting him.



Dammit! How long is this gonna continue!?

What a mess…

11/16/09

We’re leaving for Kyoto tomorrow.



Loud Student: Of course! Yukata, bathing suit, flashlight, snacks…
A-And my checkerboard.
Gossiping Student: …You don’t travel light, do you?
> The first bell has rung.

It’s funny because Ekoda takes ownership of his horribleness.



Some teachers believe you should visit foreign countries… But, I steadfastly oppose them each year!
It’s shameful, the way we’ve lost our passion for our homeland…
Why don’t we spend some time today learning of our nation’s innate beauty?
I’m sure your teachers haven’t covered that subject…
You all know that our national flower is the cherry blossom, right?
However, in the days of Man-yoshu, if you were to ask someone, they would tell you it was the plum.
Anyhow, one day my neighbor invited me to her house…
She fed me gruel… I’ll never forget the taste!
I tried to give her something in return, but she never accepted my gratitude…
Humility is the true Japanese way…! By contrast, children today are nothing but…
> You stayed up and listened to the lecture…

At least we’re not sleazebags like him.



So we’ll always have that going for us.



Are you nervous, Aelita?
Not really.
You seem calm. Perhaps you should be a little more nervous…

I helped out with the final prep work for the trip since Mitsuru’s been so out of it.



> Hidetoshi whispers something to you…
…Aelita-kun, I want to talk to you after the meeting.
> The Student Council meeting is finished.

Hidetoshi wanted to tell me how things had turned out.



I’m sorry to drag you up here, but I wanted to tell you something…
The cigarette butt incident will be dropped. …They say it’s my fault, for asking so many questions.
I wanted to be Student Council President next year, and the P.E. teacher agreed to endorse me.
But, I lost any chance of achieving that goal when I disagreed with him.
The student body is also annoyed with me.
I rambled on about rules and fairness, but all I really proved was that I was desperate for power…
Don’t blame yourself.
…Now I know why the President asked you to join Student Council.
Those aren’t just empty words… nor sympathy. You genuinely mean what you say.
> Hidetoshi seems to be looking at you with admiration.
The systems only works if you have people’s trust, and trust is not something you force them to feel.
When the P.E. teacher suggested that you should be a suspect, I felt as if I was being bullied by an ignoramus who just had more power than me.
I felt like the truth was being bent and I might lose a friend as a consequence.
If it wasn’t for you, Aelita-kun, I would’ve gotten carried away. Thank you.
> Hidetoshi seems genuinely appreciative.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

And also… something else.



> It’s getting dark out.
…That teacher may not be a complete numbskull.
“Fall for a girl,” huh? He’s right.
……
Aelita-kun. No, Aelita…san.
It seems… I am attracted to you.
To exaggerate a bit… I like you.
……
Why are you surprised? I’m only human, I have emotions, too.
…You don’t need to answer. I just wanted to tell you.
Right now, both you and I have things we need to do…
When I’m confident that the time is right, I’ll say it again…
So…
…Until then, I guess I can dream.
Now, let’s go home.
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

At least he’s not getting, you know, weird about it. Anyway, the trip’s tomorrow and I’m not going to worry about this.



Tomorrow’s the school trip, dude!
I’m so psyched!
…It kinda sucks that we’re only going to Kyoto, though.
Hm, Junpei-san seems to have his energy back.
I guess there was no reason to worry about him.
Huh? What’re ya talkin’ about? I’m always energetic!
By the way, you better behave while we’re gone. Don’t go throwin’ any parties, got it?
I won’t.
Oh, and please don’t worry about bringing me back a souvenir.
…Hey, are ya tryin’ to use reverse psychosis on me or somethin’?
No, of course not.
…It’s just that Kyoto has a lot of great-tasting snacks.

I’m just going to focus on having fun.



Female Reporter: Today’s subject has blue hair, strange makeup, a guitar case, and an odd way of walking.
He’s both a sushi chef and a band leader. Today’s his birthday!
…Next is news. Apathy Syndrome, go away!

You know, seeing the sights.



So, it’s better to focus on those things you can.
Got that, bro?
Alright, then! Let’s have an awesome time on the school trip!

Getting to spend time with the people I care about.



Maybe it’s because I’m going with you…
Oh, uh, I don’t mean—Well, that is, just…?
…What am I saying? Sorry, don’t worry about that.

Not having to worry about all this craziness.



…but I don’t think it will help us decide what to do.
It’s just a chance to relax for a while.
That’s not necessarily true, Aigis…
* sigh *
I wonder when the answer will become clear…

No matter how hard that is.



But, that won’t make things any easier…
But, a school trip is a rare event.
It would be a shame to miss it.
Yeah, I guess.

Because the alternative is that we’ll stay just the way we are right now, and we can’t survive like that much longer.



The school trip won’t be any fun if everyone’s sad…
I want to look back on this trip with fond memories…
I understand how you feel…
……