Part 25: 5/16/09-5/17/09

5/16/09

Akihiko’s started training again, he says he’ll be back in action soon.



Running late?
* huff * No…
The doctor said I’m almost fully healed, so… I couldn’t wait to get some exercise.
I’ll be ready for battle after midterms.
But, that means I’ve got to start training now.

I don’t know if the math teacher is on something or what.



50 sextillion times 1,200?
…60 septillion?
Multiplied by… 1,820?
10 octillion, 920 septillion!?
……
These numbers are too big to fit on the blackboard… Errm…
Oh! I was using the wrong equation. If you plug the numbers into the correct equation…
The answer comes out to 3.
What a beautiful equation this is!
Huh? The exam…? Oh, right, the exams start next Monday.
It’ll cover up to page 34. This formula won’t be on it.
It’s so beautiful, though…
Maybe I should put it on the exam, too.
Kidding! Kidding! Don’t give me that look…!

I went down to the shrine after class to check on that little girl who was there last time.



I was waiting for you! Let’s play!
Sure, Let’s play!
> You decided to play with Maiko.
What do you wanna do next?
It’s up to you, ‘kay? Your choice!

I suggested something we could do together, but it didn’t turn out quite as well as I’d hoped.



…But the See-saw makes my butt hurt…
But, I don’t wanna go home yet.
…I don’t like it there.
> Maiko seems sad.
Can’t we stay together for a little longer?
> Maiko seems to enjoy hanging out.
> You got to know Maiko, the grade-schooler.

I guess having parents doesn’t always make things better, sadly.



…So, my mom and dad…
…they fight a lot.
They’re going to get a divorce, huh?
I tell them I want us to be happy, but they don’t listen.
They probably hate me, too.
…...
…Hey, we can play again later, right? I think we’re friends now.
I’m here Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays… I’ll be waiting for you…
> You decide to go back to the dorm.

It’s a shame it’ll be a bit before I can play with her again, with exams next week.



No, I don’t.
Very well. Spend tonight and tomorrow night studying for the exam.

Akihiko’s just now realizing that Junpei is doomed.



Is that just coincidence or is he that big of a slacker?

I mean I’d feel bad but he’s doing it to himself.



Okay, so maybe that’s not true.
I started out fine, but then I got lazy.
I don’t know how everyone can study so much…

I dropped back in on Mutatsu-san at the club.



Even Buddha’s not that forgiving. Alright, that’s it. I’m gonna hand you over to the bouncer and…
…Wel, there’s no Buddha in this world, so… Alright, kid. Stop lookin’ at me like that and sit down.
…So tell me, is it fun pesterin’ an old monk like me whose own wife and kid left him?
…How come you’re always alone when I see ya? Don’tcha got any friends, kid?

I guess I get all philosophical late at night. I mean I have a lot of friends, but I still haven’t really been here long enough to get to know anyone.



Either ya like being alone, or ya got problems… In any case, well said. No hesitations whatsoever… heheh…
> Mutatsu seems amused.
Don’t worry if ya don’t have any friends. Most of life’s troubles have to do with others.
…Let’s define a “friend” as… someone you hold dear.
True friendship is seen through the heart, kid, not the eyes…
People always want somethin’ in a relationship. They only really love themselves.
You don’t call someone who doesn’t like you your friend, do ya? No, you don’t…
…’cuz you know you won’t get nothin’ from ‘em, right?
Which means, in this world, there’s no one you can hold dear.
At the end of the lonely road of love, kid, you’re the only one left standin’ there.
But, you see those dames over there, the ones on the dance floor?
If you can bring one of ‘em over here, I’ll be your friend in return. Eh? Whaddya think?
> Mutatsu seems to trust you.
> You understand Mutatsu better now.

You know what I said last time, about him maybe not being that bad a person? He kind of is, what a terrible way to live.



> You are getting sleepy…
…Your eyelids are startin’ ta droop.
Go home for now, kid. You’re gonna come back again anyway, even if I tell you not to, right?
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

Even if I don’t have anyone I truly hold dear right now, I can’t agree that means it’s not worth trying.

5/17/09

I don’t even know how Tanaka gets away with selling some of this stuff.



It iiiiis… All-Purpose Katana! This’ll make you much stronger!
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe its wonderfulness!
But wait, there’s more!
We’ll throw in 2 Cadenza for only 4980 yen!

Feinne’s Fourth Wall Lectures:
For those who are now really confused, Fusion spells are now items we can use if we’ve got the right Personas in stock instead of normal spells because Armageddon means we can’t have nice things.

I’m not sure who else is buying all this weird stuff but I guess I can’t complain. Oh, and there was good news about the persimmon tree when I headed to the book store.



* sob *
> Mitsuko is crying.
What’s wrong?
Don’t worry. She’s crying because she’s happy.
She always cries at happy events, like the day we first met!
> Bunkichi seems excited.
All the graduates from my son’s class have gathered at the school.
They’re collecting signatures to save the persimmon tree!
They say the tree is a memorial to their former teacher… They don’t want it to be cut down.
Thank goodness…
Many of them came to our son’s funeral…
It’s been so many years… but they still remember him…
> Bunkichi is deeply touched.
They’ve given their precious time… * sob * for our son… I-I don’t know what to say…

Bunkichi is convinced I had something to do with this, though I really didn’t.



I haven’t a clue.
There’s no need to be modest, Aelita-chan…
> Bunkichi seems happy.
You’re a samurai, Aelita-chan! A modern day samurai…
…What’s the female version of a samurai? A kunoichi?
> Bunkichi and Mitsuko seem to think that you’re the one responsible for the petition.
> They seem very appreciative.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

Oh well, now they think I’m some kind of ninja.



…Don’t forget about us, even after you’ve graduated and become an adult.
Someday, I’d like to go have a drink together…
But, let’s wait until you’re legal.
> Obtained Cielo Mist.
See ya later, Aelita-chan.
> After saying goodbye to Bunkichi and Mistuko, you decided to go back to the dorm.

I don’t know how we even get Jamaican soda here. It used to be kind of bad until they changed the formula a bit, but it’s surprisingly good now. Oh, Ikutsuki was here tonight.



I’m happy everyone is studying for their exams, but I’m feeling a little lonely.
By the way, I hear someone yelling every now and then… Who is that?

I had a bad feeling I knew.



> You can hear Junpei complaining loudly about his homework…

I’m feeling confident, so I stopped by the club again for a bit.



Well, if you’re attractive enough, anyone would open up to ya, though.
> As you spent time with Mutatsu, the bond between you two grew stronger…
> You feel that your relationship will grow stronger soon…
> It’s getting late…
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

I’m not really that worried about exams, I guess I’ll find out soon if I was right not to be.