Part 206: 1/11/10-1/12/10

1/11/10

Coming of Age day today, so no school.



Here we are bustin' our asses, and they go and pull this crap.
You can't just blame the cult.
The cult exists only because there are people willing to believe in it.
I guess that's true…
Well, we have to do something…

Gives us some time to rest up, so I won't complain.



Everyone is talking about how the world is going to end, as if it's a fact.
Man, why are people so weak?
Not everyone can be like us…
Unlike robots, humans are all unique.
Some people never give up, while others submit immediately.

Sadly there's nothing much we can do but get ready until the final day.



I wonder how many people truly believe in it.
It seems much of the public is openly saying that the end of the world is coming.
Yeah, even people I know.
Most of them got interested through friends.
I heard some people talking the other day, too.
They were saying that every day is so boring, the end of the world wouldn't be so bad…
In other words, this cult is kind of like shopping…
It helps people fill the emptiness they feel inside.

It's not like we can cure the emptiness of people's lives.



Myself, I would never believe in it.
When I think of my friendship with Natsuki-chan, I have no need to join the cult.
The bond of friendship…
It sounds like a fairy tale, but I believe it is what all humans seek.
I agree, the most important thing is the connection two people share.
That's right… No one can survive alone.

That's something everyone has to help each other with.

1/12/10

Ugh, today. Where to start.



Loud Student: Are you still talking about that?
By the way… I wanted to show you this magazine that hit the stands today.
Gossiping Student: Magazine…? Don't tell me it's about cults.
Loud Student: Well, just read it for yourself. You'll see how true it really is.
> The first bell has rung.

Mitsuru came to me at lunch, saying she had to talk to me about something.



Do you have any plans after school today? I'd like to talk to you…
So far, nothing.
I see…
Well, would you mind keeping me company? I don't have anything to do today…
…Let me know what you decide.

So yeah, I figured it must be important.



I'd shine as bright as the sun!
You all know what plating is, right? It's a process to cover objects in a thin metallic layer.
Tin plating is done by plating iron with tin. For corrugated galvanized iron, you plate iron with zinc.
Gold medals, by the way, are created by plating silver with gold.
So technically, Olympic athletes don't win gold medals.
It's kinda sad.
The night sky is beautiful these days. It's because the air is clear…
…Stars produce light via nuclear fusion, and visible planets reflect the stars' light.
That's not to say that one's superior to the other… They both have their own purposes.
Life is the same way, though it might be hard for you kids to understand that now.
Have you heard the news that's going around now? The media makes it sound supernatural…
But, don't listen to them.
That kind of rumor spreads every now and then, like a drop of dye on a specimen. It'll die down soon.

But, I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was.



> You accompanied Mitsuru to the library to help her with her research.
……
> Mitsuru is looking at the bookshelf.
Looking for something?
No, I'm not. Thank you, though.
> Mitsuru seems to be pondering something.
Looking through the literature section made me realize something…
There are a lot fewer books about marriage and family life than there are romance novels.
Do you think that means the most exciting time in one's life is before marriage?
Is marriage worth the sacrifice?
> Mitsuru seems melancholy…
Well, to be frank, the Group is in turmoil over the inheritance issue.
To be honest, I'm having difficulty understanding the expectations of the other members…
But, I'm the daughter of the head of the Group. I'm expected to lead the company…
…even if that requires me to sacrifice something to do it.

I mean forcing her to marry some guy she's never even met?



He's the new president of one of our affiliates, and he's much older than me.
But, if I agree to the marriage, the future of the company will be secured.
He's planning to announce the partnership and our engagement at the same time.
Doing so will give the appearance that the company is stabilizing.
It's the best solution for everyone involved.
It's the first I've heard…
Well, of course it is.
You're the only person I've told.
> Mitsuru is forcing a smile.
My parents chose the same path.
So, I won't run from my destiny.
You should reconsider!
If I reconsider and decline the engagement, then what will I do?
Leave everything behind and go on a journey of self discovery…?
……
Wherever I run, he road will lead to regret…
……
> Mitsuru forced a smile.
> Mitsuru has confided something in you with something important to her…

I… I guess he could be okay? I mean her father was kind of scary but I think deep down he was a really nice guy. Maybe this guy will be the same…? Even if he is, it's like Mitsuru's father's death all over again. She just looks kind of dead inside.



…Tolstoy.
Why was I born a woman…?
I have put forth so many times more effort than others so that no one could look down on me because of my sex…
And yet… What has that brought me?
In the end, I cannot escape from the fact that I am a woman.
Marriage to a near complete stranger, having my name and group stripped from me, expected to conceive an heir…
Through marriage, the Kirijo Group will prosper…
…Because I am a woman.
Where in there, however, am "I" needed?
……
I apologize… It's not something I should be burdening you with…
You too, work hard as our leader…
I was the one who chose you…
……
Perhaps I forced the position on you…
…so that you could prove to me that there is no difference between men or women…
……
Excuse me, but I'm leaving now…
> After saying goodbye to Mitsuru, you decided to return to the dorm.

It's funny, because I've been wondering myself about just that. Why do people let themselves get bogged down in differences that they've been told should separate them from others? It's poisonous thinking like that that's responsible for this damn cult. Oh, the cult, right, so this next part of today's story starts with Akihiko owing me and therefore Junpei ramen for a bet I apparently won when we were in Yakushima? No idea.

Video- "Strega"

Watch

Oh, there you are.
We're all going to Hagakure. Wanna come?
Definitely!
Wow, that was easy.
…Akihiko-san's buying. Him and me had a little bet at Yakushima.
I can't really go into details, but in the end, I guess you're the one who actually won.
Haha, and you didn't even know you were part of it!
Well, I don't look a gift horse in the mouth, y'know? Anyways, I've just been waiting for you to get back.
Everyone else already left, so we gotta jet!

So yeah, the others were already waiting at Hagakure.



> Akihiko, Aigis, and Yukari are already sitting there.
Is the special okay for everyone?
Yep, sounds good!
Okay, five specials, please!
Man, this is awesome!
Akihiko-san's NEVER treated us all to ramen before.
Hey, why do I have to treat everyone?
My bet was only with Junpei…
Tch, not this again…
Come on, Akihiko-san, a bet's a bet. Pay up!
Alright, alright! I never said I wouldn't.
…What's wrong, Aigis? You doubting me too?
No, but…

Aigis had noticed something that proved rather… enlightening.



There's an article in it that looks highly disturbing…
Which magazine?
It's this one…
"Emergence of a Messiah: The Charismatic One Speaks"
> Aigis brought over the magazine and handed it to Akihiko…
It must be about that doomsday cult. They're all over the Internet, too.
……?
Hey, look at the photo in this! Check our the so-called "Messiah"…!
Wh-What the!?
I-Is that Takaya!?
> Takaya is indeed grinning provocatively in the article's photo…
…I thought something was up. So, Strega's behind that cult…
Tch, I've lost my appetite.
> Disgusted, Akihiko passed the magazine back to Aigis…

I figured that Strega might have been behind this crap, but seeing proof just pisses me off even more.



"Mankind is currently imprisoned by the sins of hate and anger."
"But soon, a savior will descend upon this world to break the chains that bind us, and lift us to new heights."
"This great being is Nyx. I have beheld her glory, and she has blessed me with power beyond belief."
"In Nyx there is no pain… no suffering…"
How the hell does he know about Nyx!?
Wait, he's saying that Nyx will save the world!? That's not true!
I don't think he really means what he's saying. This is all just a game to him.
That son of a bitch...

Especially since he doesn't understand this power we have at all. This strength we have comes from the will to face down death, not the cowardice to succumb to it. Saying the two are the same, it's like some kind of sick cosmic joke.



"They have acquired the same power as I; yet they abuse it, using it for their own personal gain."
"These miscreants are the ones to blame for the recent tragedies that have been plaguing our streets."
Wait, is he talking about us!?
Shhh! Not so loud!
Oh, sorry. Hey, what's up with them calling him the "charismatic one"?
How'd he get so popular all of a sudden!?
Well, Jin's pretty well-known on the Internet…
He's probably pretty good at stirring up trouble.
Yeah, I bet he orchestrated Takaya's rise to fame…
Ugh, those two make me sick…
"Brothers and sisters, I shall go forth to make preparations for Nyx's arrival…"
"But, do not fear those evildoers who desecrate their gifts. Nyx shall right their wrongs."
"May your hearts be filled with peace as you await your salvation."
"Blessed are those who take joy in the coming of Nyx."
"The revolution is here!"
"Revolution"!? People can't seriously be buying this crap, can they?
Throughout history, those who have changed the future have often been highly charismatic…
…That's the end of the article.
It appears that after the interview, Jin and Takaya disappeared again.

Joke's going to be on the jokers, though, because when I find Takaya I am going to cram him straight up Nyx's ass. Assuming Nyx has one, of all the things not to ask Ryoji before he pulled his disappearing act.



They must've been planning this all along.
Takaya's words have changed the mood of the entire city.
Even though they won't admit it, they are all afraid…
Yeah…
I mean, why else would people believe this nonsense Takaya's preaching?
I guess people just need something to believe in.
Well, no wonder there's a sense of doom in the air… We're all gonna die.
But, is that so surprising?
The fact that all life ends one day has nothing to do with Nyx.
Death is a natural occurrence in the cycle of life. Don't all humans realize this?
I guess…
To tell you the truth, I never even would've thought about my own death if none of this had happened.
But since we've made up our minds, why don't we just leave it at that?
Our objective is Nyx. If Strega gets in our way, we'll just have to deal with them too.
I agree.

Because frankly I am sick to damn death of just accepting this crappy broken society that apparently everyone hates so much they're just as happy dying.



However you look at it, we're the obstacle standing in their way.
The promised day will soon be here…
I say bring it on.
Haha, fearless as ever.
Alright, and if that's the case, then we're gonna need lots of energy! Let's eat!
Excuse me! I'd like to order a Hagakure Bowl!
Junpei, don't forget your'e having half of Aigis's food too.
Oh, don't worry. I'm starving.
…You just better eat it all.

The society that says Mitsuru has to marry some doof because a woman can't run a company or whatever.



Would you?
Nah, I wouldn't either.
I assert my individuality through boxing, so there's no room for the cult to come into my life.
You seem to have an activity that you assert your individuality through, too.

The stupid conformist swamp everyone's been convinced they have to live in.



So, if people have enough confidence, Strega probably can't influence them.
So then, we should just ignore their preaching, right?
Right.
So, no matter what, just don't forget who you are. That's the key.

A media so jaded they just report whatever crap they think will sell, no matter how irresponsible the content is.



They're acting careless… Do they think that they can just write whatever they want as long as it helps sell magazines?
That's wrong.
Yeah, it's definitely a breach of business ethics.

Well, I'll show them the truth of this false "Messiah".



Don't they know that Strega's all behind it…?
Can't they see through all of Strega's negative teachings?

I'll stop Strega and stop Nyx.



He's very popular, and has a lot of support from his followers. He's a very charismatic figure.
I can't believe he's the same Jin as the one from Strega…

When the world promptly fails to end, they'll have no choice but to at least realize how silly they were acting.



But, I'm a little disappointed in the media for being so easily controlled by them.
Do you think the media were paid off by Strega to promote them?
…Actually, that would be even more disappointing…

And yeah, maybe I'll die. Hell, maybe we all will. We have no idea what we're going to be up against.



Then, would Strega be considered to be in the remaining 5%? The answer is no.
They don't have charisma. They're just agitators who are stirring up unrest in society.

But live or die, there's no way we're going to lose to some creep, his toady, and some moldy old death god.