Part 42: 6/11/09

6/11/09

Got some good news this morning.



> It’s from Akihiko.
Text Message: > “Fuuka is being released from the hospital.”
> “We’ll talk to her this evening.”
> “Come to the command room as soon as you get back.”

I headed down to Hagakure with Junpei after school. He offered to buy me some food, which was the first sign something was strange.



You okay with the special? If you want, they can put an extra egg on top.
C’mon, eat up!
> Junpei is awfully generous…
Thanks for the food!
Yeah, dig right in!
> Junpei seems happy for some reason…
…You look like you’re in high spirits, like always.
> Junpei seems relieved for some reason…
Were you worried about me?
Uh, yeah. Does that mean you know about it, too?

It seems Junpei had something kind of important to tell me.



> What is he talking about…?
> …You decide to ask him about it.
Uh, well…
> Junpei seems hesitant to speak…
Wait, so you haven’t heard?
Guess I shouldn’t have brought it up…
…Okay, okay, I’ll tell you.
Um… Don’t get mad at me, okay?

And something pretty creepy as well.



They aren’t weird pictures or anything! They’re of you in your gym clothes…
There are other girls in them, too, but you’re right up in the center, so…
I think whoever took the pictures was aiming specifically at you.
That’s disturbing…
Yeah, seriously.
I mean, school is a public place, but it’s kind of like peeping on you.
One of the guys in a different class found it.
He came over to me and was like, “Isn’t this the girl in your dorm?”
I took that copy of it away from him, but the original’s still out there…
> Junpei looks troubled…
Still, you must really be popular. This kind of thing isn’t normal.
I wonder if I’ll be in danger of having a picture of me taken with you.
I’d have to find who it was and kick his ass if that happened, heheh…
……
But seriously… Be careful, alright?
> Junpei seems genuinely concerned about you…
> You feel like your bond with Junpei has grown a little stronger…

So yeah that was the source of the first extra shower I had to take today.



Now, how to go about retrieving that picture…
…Well, I’ll think about it. Don’t let it bother you too much.
But man, photos…?
What in the world would anyone use that fo—
Oh… No, never mind, haha…
> You and Junpei talked for a while before heading back together.

On a less horrible note Fuuka is feeling much better now.

Video- “Meeting”

Watch

> The Chairman and Fuuka are sitting here along with the others…
> The color has returned to Fuuka’s face since her ordeal…
You’re Fuuka Yamagishi, right?
Y-Yes.
* chuckle * Relax, there’s no need to be nervous. Why don’t you have a seat?
Oh, thank you…
Everyone, you did an excellent job uncovering the truth.
I also wanted to let you know…
The three girls have all regained consciousness.
What a relief…
From what I understand, they each came to school around midnight and waited for the security guard to leave.
They were attacked by Shadows near the gate, as the Dark Hour began…
However, the facts became twisted because of rumors concerning a ghost story.
I knew right from the beginning that it wasn’t a ghost.

Poor Fuuka was blaming herself for what those people who’d locked her in the gym had done to themselves.



…Are you kidding!? You were the victim!
But, I made so many people worry…
Hey, don’t think like that…
We could have lost that fight if you weren’t there.
You saved our lives. You should feel good about yourself.
You have a special power that you can use to help others.
A special power…?
We call it “Persona.”
You could be a tremendous help to us. Will you lend us your strength?
Are you asking me to join you…?
That’s correct.
Mitsuru-senpai…
I think you’d make a good addition to the team, too.
Akihiko-senpai…
You know, we’re not trying to pressure you, so if you need some time to think about it…

Anyway she’s agreed to join SEES, which is good news.



…I’ll help you!
A-Are you sure!?
If you join, you’ll have to live here…
That’s fine. I’d rather live here than at home anyway…
We really appreciate this.
We’ll have the school talk to your parents, to resolve any issues.
Thank you.
…Wait a minute. Aren’t we dragging her into this a bit fast?
Um, it’s okay, really…
I mean… it’ll be nice to have two other girls in my grade around, too…
Let’s be friends.
Huh…?
Th-Thanks…
If there’s ever anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask us.

With that out of the way, we talked about the big Shadows that have been appearing a bit.



We still don’t know where they’re coming from. But, Akihiko is right about one thing…
Their appearances seem to coincide with the full moon. We’ll take that into consideration from now on.
So, they’re kinda like werewolves then, huh?
It’s a big advantage for us to know when to expect them.
Now, on the day of the fight, we’ll be ready to get in the ring.
……
> The SEES team has deduced the pattern of the appearance of the gigantic Shadows.
> Could this be what the boy who keeps appearing before you was talking about…?
> It seems you need to be wary of the coming of the full moon from now on…

Fuuka’s not any good in a fight on her own.



But it seems she can provide much better information at a much longer range than Mitsuru could.



Speaking of the moon, I guess we landed a probe there earlier.



Newscaster: The probe investigated various features of the Moon and contributed much to our understanding of its surface…

No word if it found why Shadows show up when it’s full. Anyway Junpei’s all excited a new girl is moving in.



Great, a new type!
That all you think about?
Don’t say it like that!
It’s proof that I’m normal! This is what being in high school’s all about…

Yukari’s not totally happy with what just happened, she’s worried they pressured Fuuka too much.



Even though in the end it was her choice…
I don’t feel good about this…

Anyway she’ll be moving in within the next few days.



Today was a great day for all of us.
Hm? Oh, I asked Mitsuru and Akihiko to walk Fuuka home.
She shouldn’t be walking home alone.

My second bonus shower was after I talked with Tanaka.



If your dormant potential turns out to be a mistake in my judgment, it’s an instant goodbye to you.
Alright, let’s add a new word to our vocabulary today. Repeat after me!
“Placebo”! The stress is on the middle syllable.
Placebo!
Splendid! It’s so charming how you say it!
> President Tanaka seems pleased.
Tanak: A placebo is a “pretend” pill. Basically it’s medicine to ease your mind.
It’s a miracle breakthrough that will make you feel fabulous!
Enjoy a relaxing drive while taking in the beautiful scenery!
Our incredible supplement will help you get the most out of life!
These are part of our unique line of products.
Is that legal?
Oh yes, of course. I’m free to sell them as I please!
> President Tanaka seems impressed with himself.
We may not be providing tangible benefits, but we do provide peace of mind.
People will pay handsomely for that, you know.
Take emergency supplies, for example… People feel safe just because they have them.
But, it’s merely a false sense of security.
…That’s it for today’s lesson. You can pay me back when you make your first million.
> You received somewhat questionable advice from President Tanaka.
> You feel like you understand him a little better now.

Yeah, he’s still a creep.



Have you been keeping you promise? You didn’t tell anyone, did you?
If you go back on your word, I’ll upload your picture to an internet dating site for former prison inmates!
> President Tanaka left.