Part 195: 12/27/09

12/27/09



Huh…? Junpei-kun?
Oh, hey, Fuuka.
What are you doing here?
Nothing, really…
I come here when I’m feeling down…
Is that Chidori’s sketchbook…?
> Fuuka points to the sketchbook Junpei is holding…
Hm? Oh, yeah…
This was where I first met her…
What’re you doing here, Fuuka?
Oh, I went home for a bit. I’ve been going back there a lot lately.
…I see.



You’re totally different from when you first came to the dorm.
Really…?
Yeah. You were so timid back then, but now you’re so… strong.
You’ve changed too, Junpei-kun.
Yuka-tan said the same thing. But I don’t think so.
I mean, just the other day I got all freaked out about being scared.
I even lashed out at the leader. I’m one piece of work, aren’t I… * laugh *
That’s not true.
But, I really was scared. Actually… I’m still scared.
…But after thinking about it, I realized that I don’t want to lose my memory.
If I forget everything, that means I’ll forget about Chidori, too.
…And I wouldn’t even be alive right now if it wasn’t for her, ya know?
…So I say “f” that.



That’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Fuuka…
That’s why I want to protect everyone…
Think about it. The Dark Hour is really scary too, isn’t it?
But our Personas awakened, and we’re here today…
The future hasn’t been decided yet…
And I want to be true to myself…
True to yourself…
…You’re really something, Fuuka.
We should fight.
I agree.

It’s almost time.



I wonder what we’ll finally decide…
Whatever it is, I hope we won’t regret it.

I can see it all now.



Narrator: Episode 45: Hot Cocoa of Victory! Find the Demon Robot’s opening and defeat it!
Newscaster: …And now, the news.
We’ll be going over by 15 minutes today to go over ways of preventing Apathy Syndrome with famous…

How silly it would be to even consider running away.



That? That’s a token of gratitude the missing housewife left with us.
You rescued her, right? I won’t ask questions. Just take it.
> Obtained Diamond x 8.

How silly it would be to get all depressed or worried about what’s coming.



You finished the story?
No, not quiet yet. …Almost, though.
> Akinari is smiling.
I just got back from the hospital. They were going to admit me, but not anymore.
…I guess my body is too weak to undergo surgery. So, I refused my medication as well…
So much for the hospital, right…?
…Now I’m just waiting for the end.
But, I don’t feel like I’m the only one being singled out anymore.
Everyone is waiting to die if you think about it. …Some just have longer to wait than others.
But one the time comes, it’s the same for us all.
…I’m still a little lonely, but I’m not sad anymore.
> Akinari smiles slightly.
…I want to remember what you look like, Aelita…
You are… beautiful… You’re like… a pristine lake…
> Akinari’s smile is tinged with sadness…
> Your relationship is stronger now!

I mean Akinari was right, this all only turns out one way in the long term.



Thank you… I’m… I’m a little bit tired today…
The story is almost done, so…
…I can show it to you soon…
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

Since we can’t change that we’ll die someday, there’s no point being afraid of that fact.



Four more days until New Year’s Eve…
I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do on the 31st…
I was afraid I might go crazy from fear…
But, I was wrong.
I feel strong…
…because everyone is with me.

Instead we can focus on what’s important: making damn sure that someday isn’t today.



They’re probably sitting by the fire, drinking hot chocolate…
* sigh * I wish we could do that.

That’s what really matters.



But I don’t think that you can truly live if you’re always running away from danger because you’re afraid.
By facing our fears, we feel alive…
So, I…

So we’ll scramble and fight with everything we have.



…and I won’t forget that.
I’d rather die than forget.

It’s all we can do.



Urrrgh! It’s freezing out here! Hey Koromaru, lemme borrow your fur.
…You already made your decision, right?
Yeah, I made mine too.
I just wanted to let you know…
……
Oh, I saw Fuuka today.
She’s pretty tough. She wasn’t like that before, but she’s gotten way stronger.
Talkin’ to her was like... that last little shove I needed.
Girls are tough… and that’s no joke.
> You spoke with Junpei for a while.
Woof.
> It seems Koromaru is done playing.
Hahaha! Are you saying “Me, too!”
Don’t worry, dude. Everyone knows what a tough doggie you are.
> You decide to go back to the dorm with Koromaru.