Part 17: 5/7/09-5/8/09

5/7/09

Junpei wanted to walk home with me after school.



> It seems Junpei wants to walk back to the dorm with you…
Oh, really? Then let’s stop by somewhere.
> Junpei seems happy.

We went to get some coffee.



Oh, guys can’t really come to places like this with each other…
> Junpei seems a little embarrassed…
Where do guy friends go?
Uhh… Karaoke, Wild-duck Burger, the manga café…
……
…That sounds a lot lamer now that I actually say it out loud!
> Junpei laughs…
Still, this is some damn good coffee.
You can tell that the guy who owns this place is really picky about the beans.
He probably roasts them all differently using special waters for each type…
You know a lot about coffee.
Heheh… I just really like coffee. That’s all.
> Junpei seems proud…
Oh yeah, what did you order, Aelita?

The coffee here really is quite good.



Oh, you got the same thing I did, then.
I like the bitter taste. I feel all tough and cool when I drink it.
> Junpei laughs…
> The two of you chatted about different things for a while…
By the way, are there any guys you’re interested in?
If you want, I’ll totally help you out. It’d be fun being your Cupid.
> Junpei laughs in a carefree manner…
Oh yeah, what about Akihiko-senpai? You know girls are crazy about him.
You’d better be careful that he doesn’t play you!
Wait… Akihiko-san’s not that type of guy, so you don’t need to worry.
It’s like the opposite… He’d be way too serious if you were in a relationship.
……
Actually, why don’t you try and get him? Seriously?
A transfer student swoops in and steals the heart of the boy every girl wants…
Don’t you think that would be totally cool?
Haha, it’d be something right out of a manga.

Junpei being weird aside, I certainly wouldn’t mind getting to know Akihiko better, he seems like a nice guy.



Ahaha! What do you mean by “then”!?
Well, if you’re serious, feel free to talk to me about it.
> Junpei laughs…
> The two of you chatted about different things for a while…
> You feel like you understand Junpei a little better now…

Still, Junpei’s alright.



Oh crud, is it already this late?
Man, I really enjoy being around you, for some reason.
Well, let’s head back.
> You and Junpei went back to the dorm together.

He kind of wanted to go to Tartarus but Yukari’s not feeling that well.



Hey, have you noticed how many of those freaks are in town lately…?
Other than that, nothin’s been going on…
Man, talk about boring…
Let’s go to Tartarus for a little action.
Maybe I should come along… I’m dying of boredom, too.
…Akihiko, are you trying to make me angry?

From his expression, I think Akihiko was worried about dying from something a lot faster than boredom if he got Mitsuru mad.



How do you like living here?
It’s great.
C’est fantastique!

But yeah, with Yukari down for the night we’re taking a break tonight. This ‘ordeal’ is almost here, can’t afford anyone being sick.

5/8/09

Ms. Toriumi came up to me at lunch, she had something to ask me.



You haven’t joined any committees yet, have you?
I know this is sudden, but there’s some positions that just became vacant that I’d like you to take on.
I mean, students are obligated to join a school committee.
I’ll let you choose which one you’d like to join.
Which of these would you rather join? The school health committee or the library committee?
Library committee.
All right, thank you.
Well, go on over to the library after school today.
> …You joined the library committee.
> You must go to the library after school is out today…

What’s one more thing I have to do at this point?



Allow me to introduce Aelita Tolstoy from class 2-F to you. She’ll be joining the library committee.
If there’s anything you don’t understand… Oh, let’s see… Hasegawa!
Yes, Ma’am?
You’re on duty today, right? Teach her how to get around here.
Well then, I’ll leave the rest to you.
Understood.
Well then… could you come over here so I can explain?
Female Senior: U-Um, Saori-san? Excuse me, but we, um…
Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t notice.
Please feel free to go home. I’ll take care of the rest for today.
Female Senior: We’re really sorry. See you later…
> The other members leave…

The girl who showed me around, Saori, seems really nice.



They’re all just very busy…
Um… Let’s see, where should I start explaining things to you…?
…Oh, I’m sorry. I haven’t even introduced myself yet.
I’m Saori Hasegawa.
I’m very pleased to meet you.
Heh… There’s no need to be so formal. I’m a junior, just like you.
You don’t have to be so polite to me.
But that senior a moment ago…
…Did you notice?
I’m actually two years older than you. I studied abroad, and took some time off from school.
I’m the oldest student in the school right now.
…That’s why the upperclassmen all speak politely to me.
I really wish they’d stop… but I’ve pretty much given up about it.
…Still, considering that we’ve just met, it’d be nice if you didn’t feel you had to be like that around me.
…Could you just try?

It is nice being able to just treat someone normally, I’m happy that’s what she wanted.



Heh… I’m glad to hear that.
> You joined the school library committee and met Saori Hasegawa, a fellow junior.
> You get a mature and quiet impression of Saori, probably because she’s older than you.

It’s always nice to have more friends.



Oh, I’m sorry. I’m supposed to explain our duties here.
We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but we do get a couple of days off before exams.
First, let’s go over how to check books out. Each book has a barcode on the back cover, so…
> You were taught the skills you need in order to perform your duties as a member of the library committee.
> You spent time with Saori in the library until it was time to leave…

Tomorrow’s supposed to be the day. The day of this ‘ordeal.’



…It’s odd, really, how quiet it’s been.
You’re referring to the Shadows, I take it?
It’s been a month since the attack, yet I’m certain that won’t be the last time they appear outside of Tartarus.
True… Lately, it seems like The Lost are everywhere.
So, something must be going on…

Even the news has noted how out of hand things have gotten.



Reporter: Anxiety is spreading near Port Island, where many of the victims are from.
This is Kaede Kuroki, reporting from Tatsumi Memorial Hospital.

Whatever comes tomorrow, though, I am confident we’ll be ready…