Part 41: 6/10/09

6/10/09

Mitsuru had some news for me as we got in to school.



…You might like to know that Yamagishi and Moriyama are healing up well.
That’s good.
Yes.
We’ll need to invite Yamagishi to the dorm and explain what happened.
We could definitely use her help.

The history teacher continues to be absolutely terrible.



Well, let’s get through it real quick, then. First, the Taika Reforms.
They happened in the year 645.
Just remember that.
Huh? What were they about? Oh, nothing important, really.
Later on, in 710, there was the Heijo-Kyo. That wraps it up for the Nara era.
What, you want to know more? Okay, here’s a question for you about the Nara era.
What’s the name of the anthology consisting of about 4500 poems leading up to the Nara era?
…I don’t feel like picking on anyone today, so I’ll just tell you. It’s the Man-yoshu.
We’re supposed to cover the Kokin Wakashu, too, but I don’t really care. Ask Mr. Ekoda, if you want.
Argh… I don’t care about any of this!
I wanna get to the Sengoku era! It’s calling out to me!

Elizabeth wanted a few more things, it turned out.





Including another trip to the real world.



So I decided to take her out again.



I’ve been expecting you. Shall we be on our way?

We started out down at the station.

Video- “Elizabeth in Iwatodai”

Watch

> Elizabeth is running down the escalator.
> ……!?
> For some reason, she is running down the up escalator…
Phew…
Flowing stairs that must be mastered by those who would try to pass… So this is an “escalator”…
It looks simple, but one false step and challengers will be mired in an exhausting ordeal…
Annoucement: Warning: Please refrain from going up the down escalator, and vice versa. Thank you.
> You have been warned…
> …It seems Elizabeth doesn’t realize that the warning was directed at her.
And… what’s this!?
Please watch your step…! There’s a pitfall just ahead.
…Where is it?
It’s over here.

It was an open sewer, I guess they were doing some work on it.



It’s marked with eye-catching signs, which state in bold print: “Do Not Enter”!
Humans frequently crave that which is forbidden to them…
This is a crafty snare, that goes against the common notion that pitfalls must be hidden…
A stairway that tests one’s wits, and a pitfall that tests one’s inner strength…
Human authorities have a great deal to contend with in their quest to defend the town’s law and order…
I’m very moved by their plight.
Let’s continue forth, our thoughts dedicated to the unsung heroes who love this town so very much…

We headed to the strip mall next.



This…
This fragrant aroma—it can’t be…!
> Elizabeth took off running!
Takoyaki Cook: Whoa, you can figure out our secret ingredient just by its smell?
Oh, I guess you don’t wear those funky clothes for nothing, lady.
Well, there ain’t a law against takoyaki shops cooking stuff besides octopus.
How ‘bout it? Wanna buy one? It’ll make you smile so wide, your cheeks will fall off!
Cuisine so luscious that one’s cheeks fall off…!
…Such a result would cause havoc in reality, but I’d definitely like to experience this.
> Elizabeth produced a bulging wallet.
It’s not that expensive…
Elizabeht: I appreciate the concern, but my curiosity exceeds any monetary—
Oh… I see. Upon closer inspection, one package is only 400 yen…
……
W-Well, then. Two packages, please.
Takoyaki Cook: Thanks! Here you go, and come again!

Fortunately neither of our cheeks actually fell off.



This distinct texture… the firm, chewy outer skin… There’s no doubt about it.
I must say, I’m surprised to come across this used as an ingredient in food…
Are your cheeks okay?
They seem to still be in place…
And in any event, there are many other delicacies I feel I must try.
I must take care not to lose my cheeks before sampling each and every one of them.
> You finished eating takoyaki.
There appear to be several dining establishments around… I wish to try all of them.
My first priority is to visit something called a “manga café” and obtain the foodstuff known as a “smoothie bar.”
This “smoothie bar” allows for an infinite combination of flavors by mixing various ingredients…
Just thinking about it gives me a sort of electric tingle across my tongue.
> You decided to show Elizabeth around the eateries.

I guess when you’re supernatural you can just keep eating and it’s not a thing.



Now that I think about it, you haven’t eaten much since our fourth meal…
Still, I’d like to move on to the food group known as “sweets”…
Alright, let’s go!
Don’t tell me…
“Sweets go in a different stomach…”
That incantation known to every woman in this world…
I have witnessed a true wonder today.
> You walked around eating sweets with Elizabeth…
We appear to have exhausted the culinary possibilities in this area.
I have to thank you for the tasty experience.
If you don’t mind, I’d very much enjoy accompanying you again.
> You headed back to the Velvet Room with Elizabeth.

Still, I had a lot of fun out there with her.



The fascinating rides, the dangerous traps… and of course, the cornucopia of curious cuisine.
The people’s lives there were quite different from those at Paulownia Mall the other day.
So that I might not forget what we saw, I’d like to recreate some of the dishes we tasted.
First, I must hunt for ingredients… Haha! This will be so much fun!
As for your reward, I’ve again prepared something special.
With this, you can fuse Empusa.
Its looks remind me of a beautiful beast… yet she, too, rises from the sea of your soul…
I wish I could gain a greater appreciation for what your soul is like.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Blue Scale.

I found the Idol Elizabeth was after at the antique shop, and I had a hunch where I could find the ‘shell of a man.’



> You hear voices inside.
Teacher’s Voice: Well, what should we do with it?
We can’t burn it, because that would release harmful chemicals.
Maybe we should just throw it away…
Oh, hi… Aelita, right? From the junior class?
Do you have any interest in this anatomical model?
We were about to throw it away…
It’s old and ugly, and the students think it’s creepy…
I can’t say that I disagree with them, either.
But, if you promise not to make any mischief with it, you can have it.
Please take good care of it.
Well, we’re about ready to leave, so if you’ll excuse us.
> Obtained Anatomical Model.

She had some more of those weird reinforced clothes for me in exchange for that idol, though these were for Mitsuru and not for me.



It looks quite old… but I’m certain someone put a great deal of time and energy into making it.
If I’m not mistaken, there’s a Persona this item resembles…
…Please take that back.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained W. Outfit Mitsuru.

And for that scientific model, well… I don’t even know how this thing is supposed to work but it’s just so beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes.



An Anatomical Model is merely a replica of the human body.
I don’t understand what people find so repulsive about it… If you ask me, it’s rather charming.
Oops… The face came apart…
…Anyway, you have my gratitude. I’ll take good care of it.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Beam Naginata.

I stowed my crazy superscience weapon back at the dorm and then headed to Volleyball practice. Rio was a bit out of it, though.



> You sweated it out with the other club members…
> …?
> Rio seems somewhat dazed…
Short-Haired Member: You want us to start practicing our serves next?
……
Oh… Sorry, what was that?
Member with glasses: Geez… You haven’t been concentrating at all, Rio!
Huh…? S-Sorry…
Short-Haired Member: We’re not getting anything done like this.
…I mean, if you’re not gonna act like your normal self, this might be the worst club at this school.
Member with glasses: Look who’s talking.
C-C’mon, don’t fight…
Short-Haired Member: We’re not fighting, you dope! Pay attention!
It’s because of Kenji, isn’t it? You haven’t gotten over him.
Member with glasses: Yeah, she’s right. C’mon! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? It’s got to be better than moping around.
You mean… I should go tell him that I like him…?

I mean if worst came to worst we could always go mob him and beat the little toad down.



We’re here for you if he says no.
Aelita…
> Rio smiles, and looks ready to cry…
I…
I feel like I’m stuck in one place…
And I can’t move an inch…
I hate that about myself, too…
But I don’t know what to do about it.
……
I know that I’m going to be hurt, and it scares me…
But it has to be better than where I am right now.
I’m sure it won’t be as bad as drowning in these feelings I have…
I’m… gonna go tell him.
That’s the spirit!
Yeah, I’ll do my best!
> Rio smiles…
Well then… I’ll be back!
Short-Haired Member: Huh? You’re going now?
> Rio darts off…

Yeah, I mean there’s privacy and all but there was no way we could just leave things at that.



Hi, I’m here about the club’s funding forms, but…
…What’s the matter?
> You told Yuko about the recent turn of events…
S-Seriously? …You think she’ll be okay?
Let’s go see how she’s doing.
R-Right!
> You all leave the gym to go find Rio…

So we did eavesdrop a bit.



> Rio and Kenji are talking to each other in the hall…
> …You all decide to watch from behind the door.
Uh… like family?
D-Do you like me!?
Huh? Yeah?
Short-Haired Member: That guy’s hopeless…
Hang in there, Rio…!
H-How much do you like me!?
Uh… About as much as ramen?

Yuko totally lost it about then.



> Yuko jumps out from behind the door!
Whoa, what the--!?
Short-Haired Member: You’ve got some nerve, Kenji!
Huh!?
Member with glasses: What the hell are you telling her!? I’m going to smack that goofy look off your face!
Haha, uhh… I-I’ve got some business to take care of! Ladies…
> Kenji runs away…
Seriously… That moron!
Y-You guys… You were listening?
Ugh… Sorry. We were all worried about you! Try and cheer up.
But, sheesh! What the hell was that idiot thinking, comparing you to something like a bowl of noodles!?
No, you don’t get it… Ramen is his favorite thing in the world.
No kidding…?
If he likes me as much as he likes ramen, I’ll be happy.
Geez… You dope!
Huh!? Why do you look like you’re about to cry, Yuko?
I don’t know!
Aelita… Thanks for giving me that extra push I needed.
> Rio laughs, and she looks much better now…
> It seems you were able to support Rio…

As long as Rio’s happy, though, I guess it’s all okay.



Well, why don’t we call today’s practice over and go to Wuck?
Short-Haired Member: Sounds like a plan. Tell you what, Rio; I’m buyin’ you a milkshake.
Ahaha, awesome!
> You and the volleyball club enjoyed a mean at Wild-duck Burger, then you returned to the dorm…

Nothing much for the rest of the day, Akihiko and Mitsuru were at the hospital again.



They’re at the hospital again, visiting Fuuka… So, I guess we’re not going anywhere tonight.
Man, I wonder when she’ll be ready to come along…
Hey, don’t just assume that she’ll be joining us…
I hope they’re not trying to push her into it…

Not that I’m complaining, I’m still not feeling that great. I headed down to do a bit of work at the café and called it a night.