Part 23: 5/14/09

5/14/09

I helped out at the library a bit earlier.



There’s a committee meeting today. Can you come?
If you’re busy, I can go alone.
Really? I’m glad. You seem to be having fun today?
> Saori seems happy.

Even with exams coming up, there weren’t many people using the library.



> …You’re bored.
We haven’t had many visitors today.
Oh, that’s right. Ms. Ounishi said that some new books have come in.
Can you help me put barcodes on them and enter them in the system?
Of course!
I’ll go get them. If anyone comes to the counter while I’m gone, help them.
> Saori seems to be enjoying herself…

She ran into one of her classmates, literally. It seems like she’s pretty uncomfortable around people.



> Saori bumps into a female student who just came through the door…
Student with buns: Oh, I-I’m sorry. Uh, Saori-san… Um…
> The girl is obviously flustered for some reason…
Me? What is it?
Student with buns: Well… um… C-Could I borrow your physics notes?
The teacher erases the blackboard too fast for me to copy them down…
Oh, of course.
I’ve been taking a lot of notes for physics, too…
I’m not too good in that class myself, so I need to pay attention.
Student with buns: Oh, um… That’s all right.
…I see. Give me one second.
> Saori pulls a notebook from her bag and hands it to the girl.
Student with buns: Oh, great. Thanks…
> The student leaves.
> Saori sees her off…

I’m not sure why that girl was acting so weird, though.



Do you two not get along?
Hmm, I really don’t know.
But, it feels good to have people rely on me.
So…
……
> Saori smiles, slightly sadly…
I’ve never gotten used to this school.
…You’re a transfer student, but you seem to have grown accustomed to this place really quickly.
I see you sometimes in the hall, and you always look like you’re having fun.
You should’ve come talk to me.
Hm… I thought other people would think the wrong thing if we started getting along well…
> Saori smiles…
> You feel like you understand a little bit about the situation Saori is in…

I wonder what it is she meant by that?



Um…? What was I doing?
Oh, I was going to get the new books. Watch the counter while I’m out.
> You did your duties in the school library committee and left school with Saori…

Oh, Junpei’s going to fail all his exams because there isn’t a test on video games, which is pretty much all he’s been studying.



Hey, let’s go to Tartarus.
You can study anytime. We need to get stronger ASAP.
Me n’ Hermes will take down the next big Shadow ourselves!
You should study.
C’mon, gimme a break, man…
How are your grades, Iori?
How are yours—Never mind, I already know.
I’m currently studying college-level material, for your information.
Man, now I don’t feel like doing anything at all…

Elizabeth was asking to check a portable game system out, and it turned out Junpei had a spare.



Admit it, Aelita—you’re hooked!
Weeeelll… I just got the redesigned COMPstation Portable to replace my original model.
No sense in keeping ‘em both, so you can have the old one.
I’ll go get it for you. Wait one sec.
Here y’go.
I’ll take you on anytime!
> Obtained Handheld Game.

I remember some dumb rumor about the COMPstation that it can summon demons. Like that could ever happen. Anyway Elizabeth had second thoughts when she actually saw it.



I’ve heard these have special mechanisms that make the player forget about the passage of time…
How frightening…
How does it work…? Does it send slight shocks to addle your mind…?
I don’t think I’d like to try this anymore. Please take it with you.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Two-Handed Sword.

I’m sure Junpei will appreciate this. Oh, I headed down to the club to check out that rumor Rio heard.



> The lazy-eyed monk is drinking.
> You have mustered up enough Courage to talk to him.
…Booze! Where’s my booze?
I don’t got nothin’ to say to anyone who doesn’t have any booze.

I still don’t know how I convinced the bartender I just wanted it for that monk, I should try that myself some day.



Bartender: …Oh, it’s for the monk upstairs, huh?
I see. In that case, how ‘bout you do me a favor first… Can you go around and take everyone’s order?
If you do that, I’ll bring a drink upstairs for him.

I wish everyone weren’t so indecisive, though.



Woman: Okay, um… Can I have a margarita?



Woman: Darn, I should’ve checked my horoscope for today’s lucky drink.
Maybe I should get an apple martini…
Nah, too sour. An Oolong tea might be good…
Wait, that’s kinda boring. I’ll have a Bloody Mary.



Man: I’ll have a draft beer.
Wait, actually, I think I’ll have a margarita instead.
Never mind, make that a Screwdriver. I’ll drink till I drop!



Man: Oh, you’re taking orders… In that case, bring me a ginger ale.
Wait, I changed my mind. Make that an Oolong tea.

I brought the bartender back everyone’s order, and managed to get a drink for the monk.



Bartender: Hey, you got everyone’s order right. Thanks for your help.
…So, what was it you wanted?
Oh yeah, a drink for that monk upstairs. I bet he wants brandy again.
Okay, I’ll take it up to him.

He was quite impressed.



> That must have impressed him, because he started talking with you…
You look awfully young, kid. You still in high school?
What’re the employees here thinkin’ lettin’ you in…?
Well, since ya got me a drink, I’ll pretend I’m your parent so ya don’t get thrown outta here.
…Well? C’mon, kid, sit down. Havin’ to look up at ya is strainin’ my neck.
> You sat down next to the monk…
So, you wanted to see where adults spend their time, eh?
Well, don’t worry, in two or three more years you’ll be old enough to hang out here unsupervised.
Just take it easy, kid. You’ll be legal before ya know it. No need to rush.
Actin’ like an adult only makes ya look more like a kid.
Heh… I guess that sounds funny comin’ from an alcohol-drinkin’, cigar-smokin’ monk, eh?

I’m going to be honest his drink smelled kind of like paint thinner.



Some day it does…
I just drink to get drunk. It makes me feel good.
You seem to be optimistic about the future…
Well, don’t get your hopes up too high, kid. That way you won’t be disappointed when things don’t work out.
Cuz then you’ll hafta smoke and drink just to get through the day…
You’re nothin’ like those punks I see runnin’ around town these days.
…Always bein’ taken in by the police for questioning…
…I’m gonna remember your face, kid. And next time you come in here, I’m gonna have you thrown out. Got it?
> You became acquainted with the monk.

I’m not sure what sort of monk drinks and smokes cigars, but I guess I’ll be finding out.



> You are getting sleepy…
Well, when you’ve had your fill, go home… and don’t come back.
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

I’m pretty sure now that this whole voice thing is happening because I’m supposed to be helping people with their problems, which I would do even if I weren’t getting something in return. The supernatural powers thing is really just a bonus.