Part 37: 6/5/09

6/5/09

Well, today was the day we were going to talk about this ghost story again.



Let’s talk about it some more tonight…
Sounds fun!
Yep, I heard some interesting stories…
Don’t forget, okay?

Junpei’d already forgotten, somehow.



Did you two ask around, like we said?
Huh? We had something planned for today?
Junpei, I TOLD you—
I know, I know! I’m just kidding!
Man, you have such a short temper…
Then, we’ll meet in the lounge after school.
Don’t forget!
Yes, Ma’am…

I ran into Bebe in the halls, decided to hang out for a while.



Let us go to ze Home Economics Room!
Sewing eez so much fun!
> Bebe seems happy.

Sewing is actually pretty fun.



‘Ow about zis? I, ze master, shall teach you.
> Bebe is pointing at a how-to guide for making a cute Japanese-style phone strap.
> You decided to try and make one.
Line up zis side and zat side, zen sew, sew, sew!
Sew on ze cord… et voila!
Ze color, it is suteki, beautiful! Good job, appare Aelita-sama!
> Thanks to Bebe’s thorough instructions, it turned out well.
> Obtained Japanese Strap.
> You could give this to someone while on a date…

Bebe wanted to go out somewhere after we were done.



Let’s go to ze Sweet Shop, Aelita-sama…
Zis is my first time going, so will you teach me?
Sure.
Ohhh! You are ze best! Thank you, arigatou!
> Bebe seems excited.
Well zen, shall we go?
We’ll go togezer, my tomodachi! My friend!
> You decide to go to the Sweet Shop with Bebe.

Bebe’s enthusiasm for, well, everything is kind of infectious.



> You are having a delectable time with Bebe…
Oishii! Zat dessert was delicious!
I am so ‘appy, ureshii! I love ze culture of Nihon! Japan eez sugoi, amazing!
It sure is!
Hai! Hai! Yes! Yes!
Japan’s culture eez number one, ichiban! I wish I was born ‘ere.
> Bebe seems very happy.
I want to learn everyzing about Nihon and become Japanese!
Zank you for bringing me ‘ere, Aelita-sama. Arigatou!
I ‘ave an aunt who lives back ‘ome. She ‘as been ‘elping me…
I must tell ‘er zat I ‘ave made a great friend! Tomodachi!
> Bebe seems truly grateful.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

Oh and I’m already regretting messing with him last time, because he’s still saying it.



Ohh, look at ze time!
I would like to ask you more about Nihon…
I’ll talk to you later! Aishitemasu!
> You decide to to back to the dorm.

Anyway when I got back we had that meeting about the ghost story.

Video- “Yukari’s Plan”

Watch

Wow, you’re really into this.
Of course. I got lots of good info.
It turns out no angry ghosts were involved.
Oh, so that’s what’s important, huh?
Hmph. First off, let’s talk about how this rumor got started…
Since the girl was found on school grounds, there’s at least one similarity to the ghost story.
But, why did the rumor spread so fast, if this was the first time anything happened?
It was the third time!
Correct!
But yeah, I was surprised when I found out the reason…
Over the next few days, there were two more similar incidents.
All three victims had to be hospitalized. No wonder people were talking.
Next.
The victims are in different classes, and they don’t seem to be connected.
However, they did have one thing in common. What was it?
What is this, a quiz show?
Do YOU know?

I’ve heard they were a gang of bullies to be quite honest.



Yup, that’s right!
Not just once or twice, either.
They got in with a bad crowd, and were always hanging out late.
It can’t be just a coincidence…
So, to find out what happened, we’re gonna do some field research.
Field research? Are you kidding?
Yeah, there’s this one place where the three victims were regulars.

You’d think Junpei had seen a ghost right about then.



Oh, you’re familiar with it?
You can’t go there!
I’ve heard some nasty rumors about that place!
Is that so? Well then, we should all go together.
You’ll come, right?
Of course!
Thanks!
Forget it… That place is bad news.
I mean, don’t you think we’re getting in over our heads?
Up to now, all we’ve done is take orders.
Does that feel right to you?
I know what you mean, but… Man, did you have to say it like that?
I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?
Okay, we’ll go tomorrow night, then.
> You agreed to go to the hangout tomorrow night.

Naturally we didn’t tell Mitsuru or Akihiko what we were up to.



Though I think he suspects we’re going to do something dumb.



I don’t want to let on to Yukari that I’m kind of freaked out myself about going to this place, I mean I’m supposed to be the leader around here.



Tomorrow, I’m going to put a stop to that stupid Junpei Zone thing.
I hope you’re not too freaked out, Aelita-kun.
I’m fine.
Really? I’m glad.
You’re so dependable, just like how a leader should be.

I’m half convinced Junpei’s going to try and back out on us when the time comes to go.



All these thugs get together… It looks like a reunion for ex-convicts.
Hey, aren’t we planning on going there tomorrow…?
Shit… We’re in serious doo-doo.

I headed down to talk to Mutatsu-san for a while, maybe if we die horribly he can talk over us.



I’m feelin’ down today, kid. So listen to what this old monk has to say, will ya?
…Those folks downstairs, they’re probably around your age, eh?
It looks like they’re havin’ fun drinkin’ and dancin’ don’t it?
But, if you look closely, their eyes say otherwise.
I bet they come here to relieve stress. But, I wonder if any of ‘em are actually enjoying themselves…
Stress won’t go away unless you take care of its source. …You can forget about it, but it’ll always come back.
This place is more like a refuge for me than a club.
If those kids really wanna relax, we should switch the music to the Heart Sutra, and…
…Hey! There’s a microphone over there. Bring it over, kid! I’ll perform a live sutra reading.
You probably shouldn’t.

Yeah I don’t think this is really the place for that.



> Mutatsu seems like he’s having fun.
But, I guess you’re right. This place is too small to recite it properly.
I have a son… He’s about the same age as those kids down there.
He’ll be 21 this year… if he’s still alive, that is.
> Perhaps because he was thinking about his son…
> …you felt an almost fatherly concern from Mutatsu.
> You understand Mutatsu better now.

Still, he’s definitely right about stress.



> You are getting sleepy…
You think it’s okay to leave the future of this country in their hands?
…I mean, what if they all end up like me?
Well, it’s not like I’ve got high hopes for the future anyways…
All things are unique, yet not singular.
…Oh, sorry, kid. I’m done talkin’.
Go home before it gets too late, alright? …I’ll see ya later.
> You decided to go back to the dorm.

And the only way to relieve our current stress is to find out what the deal with these people is. Even if that does mean a little danger…