Part 188: 12/14/09-12/19/09

12/19/09

Well, exams are over.



1185.

Easy as always.



Oxygen.

I wasn’t ever really worried I’d do badly on them.



Left-hand rule.

I mean not even Armageddon is going to screw up my perfect grades.



“Winter mornings are pleasant.”

That’s just how it is.



Cacti.

Some things don’t change.



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

They’re just fixed points in the world. Like Junpei’s exam scores.



Call a taxi… I can’t walk home.
……
Just kidding. I’ll manage.

Then again, some things do change.



Well, it makes sense… An entire octopus would be too much food for one person.
* sigh * Sometimes I’m amazed at my ignorance of the world…
> Mitsuru seems dejected.
Anyways, let’s eat.
Y-You’re right…
I will have one takoyaki, please.
…What? Takoyaki isn’t sold in individual pieces?
So, I can buy a dozen at this price!?
> Mitsuru seems amazed at the low price.
> Mitsuru is enjoying her takoyaki.
So, it’s filled with diced octopus inside. Interesting…
Mmm… It tastes slightly sour…
Are there other ingredients in addition to the octopus?
Well, whatever they may be, they taste absolutely delicious… C’est tres bon!
> Mitsuru has discovered how delicious takoyaki tastes…
> You feel that you understand her better now.

I think Mitsuru’s finally starting to just chill and have fun a little.



That reminds me of what Akihiko was talking about when we walked past here…
……
Don’t you think Akihiko has been acting differently lately?
I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just that I’ve known him for such a long time…
Perhaps he’s just maturing…
Does that make you happy?
…Of course that makes me happy.
With all we’ve been through, it can be difficult to get over our pasts.
…However, Akihiko is trying to learn from his experiences.
I’m very impressed by him.
> Mitsuru seems happy.
When I look a Akihiko, I’m reminded of so many things about myself.
I can’t explain why, though…
I think you’re lonely…
As Graduation Day approaches I do find myself feeling sad from time to time.
* laugh * You may not understand because you’re only a junior.
> Mitsuru is forcing a smile.

It’s kind of sad when you think about it, she’s never gotten to just live without crushing responsibility.



Sorry for subjecting you to my incoherent ramblings… Please forget what I just said.
Okay, I will.
Thank you.
> Mitsuru seems relieved.
The takoyaki was absolutely delicious. We should eat here again sometime.
> After saying goodbye to Mitsuru, you decided to return to the dorm.

Well, now that I’m really starting to get it I can help try to share that burden.



After exams were finished…
I went for a walk around town…
The number of The Lost is increasing. I saw them everywhere I looked.
Perhaps that has to do with the Fall.
We have to do something.
Yes, I agree.
We must continue going to Tartarus until the very end.
Whether our opponent is a Shadow, or whether it is fate, we will need to be strong to win.

The holiday season has sort of snuck up on us amidst all this tragedy.



Weatherman: For everyone who was looking forward to a white Christmas: too bad!
Now, let’s join the rest of the gang back in the studio!
Newscaster: Welcome to Hyper-Action News, bringing you all the day’s news, and more news besides!

It feels kind of weird to celebrate at a time like this.



But, how can I be expected to concentrate when I know the world is going to end…?

Then again, maybe that’s exactly why we should celebrate.



How do couples normally celebrate Christmas?
Do we go out somewhere, or give each other presents?
I’m not very good at this sort of thing…
I think of a workout regimen for you really quickly, though…

I mean we’re alive, and when Aigis finally returns we’ll all be together again.



Good.
Wow, that’s great.
Given the situation you were in, you did an amazing job.

When you get down to it that’s reason enough to be happy.



This is the same way I felt after the last midterms…
We thought it was going to be the last battle, but it wasn’t…
* sigh * The more I think about it, the more depressed I get…

I mean what else do we need but each other?



But, one day they will realize that the jolly old man doesn’t really exist.
They will be sad, but their sadness will lead them to maturity…
…and then they will leave their childish toys behind.
Christmas… What an interesting holiday…

Wait, did Aki seriously offer to come up with a workout regimen for me?



How do you think you did on the finals, Aelita?
I think I did well.
Oh, that’s wonderful. I think I did pretty good, too.
But, there were a lot of questions I know I missed, so I’ll have to review them later.

Okay, I need to find some time to explain to him why you don’t offer a girl a gift that suggests she’s fat.