Part 46: 6/16/09

6/16/09

Mitsuru had some news for me.



From now on, you’ll be able to go to Tartarus without me.
Why is that?
Because Yamagishi can provide support. If she’s present, you can go to Tartarus.
But, if nether Akihiko nor myself is present, I told her not to let you go.
I’m worried something may happen… So, please keep that in mind.

I walked back home after school with Junpei.



…I keep getting this feeling that everything’s so peaceful at school.
Everyone seems to be having fun, but they don’t know what’s going on…
That doesn’t make a difference or anything, but…
It’s like… I feel this wall between us and them…
…That’s okay, because I don’t really talk about serious stuff with them.
……
Hey, wanna go eat something?
Male Student’s Voice: Hey, it’s Junpei. You going home?

I’m surprised Kenji had time in his busy schedule of being weird and creepy to talk to us but since Rio likes him I guess I’ll give him a chance.



Oh, sorry. I didn’t notice you, Aelita-san.
Ohhhh! If that’s how it is, you should’ve told me.
It’s nothing like that.
We live in the same dorm, so we—Hey, why are you getting your phone?
Aelita-san, mind if we take a picture together?
Sure.
You don’t mind either…? What is this? Is this some code I’m not getting?
My sister keeps bugging me for pictures from school, but all I have are guys.
What’ll she say if I don’t show her at least one picture of me with a girl?
But still…
…A picture?
Wait… Could it be you? Is it YOU!?
Yup! Wait, what?
I-I’m gonna tell you this as a friend, got it?
Peeping on girls is a crime!

I mean Kenji’s a creeper but I can’t imagine it was him.



Not just now! PE! Pictures! The ones going around!
Huh? What’re you talking about? I don’t know anything?
…Oh, right. You’re only into older women.
That’s right! At least I’m proud of who I am!
So, what’s this about? Are there pictures of her going around?
Uh…
Wouldn’t the photography club be your first bunch of suspects?
The photography club…! I totally forgot about them…
Alright, we’ll go check it out. Thanks, Kenji.
Make sure you smack ‘em for me, too.
Why…?
> You decided to go to the photography club with Junpei to find the source.

Luckily the club’s president was in.



> The distinctly sour smell of the darkroom wafts about…
The other club members are out right now… What did you need to ask about?
Th-There’s supposedly this photo going around. You know anything about it?
Going around…? What photo is it?
It’s a picture of PE class.
Huh? I don’t know anything about that…
I know all the film used by the club members gets developed here.
But, I don’t remember seeing anything like that.
…Ohhhh, so you mean someone was being a Peeping Tom?
That’s why you’re here… You sure you don’t want to join the club…?
Oh, well, it’s not me.
Also, none of our members would do such a thing.
Huh, but that’s…
I know! People who love the art of photography would never stoop so low!

I don’t know that I am as confident none of his club members took the picture but we could use his help so I humored him.



…What do you think, Aelita? Can you trust him?
> Junpei asks you quietly…
I can trust him.
Wow, thanks.
> It seems that he heard you…
I’ll ask all the club members, too. Just in case.
I’ll get everyone with a digital camera to show me their data, too.
Sorry, but that’s pretty much all I can do to help. I know it must be rough.
> The president seemed kind…
> It seems there’s nothing more that you can ask about here…

I’m not sure we’ll ever actually find the person responsible but Junpei seems to be having fun.



Hmm… You know, we haven’t made any progress at all!
I guess we’ll just have to go about this in a more direct way…
I’ll try asking my guy friends again, too. Wait right here.
Thanks.
No prob, leave it to me.
It’d suck if your social life got ruined by something like this.
> Junpei seems to be fired up…
> Junpei seems to be genuinely concerned about you.
> You feel like the bond between you and Junpei has grown stronger…

I just hope he doesn’t do anything dumb. Well more dumb than usual.



Don’t worry. I’m not gonna spread the rumor around even more.
…Well, let’s just go back for today.
> You went back to the dorm with Junpei.

Elizabeth had asked for some bodybuilding protein, and it turned out Akihiko had just what she wanted.



Gonna start bodybuilding, eh?
Well, I have some leftover stuff for beginners, from back in the day.
Hold on.
Here you go.
It’s the “Ama-Pro” brand.
It’s specially formulated for guys who are just starting out.
> Obtained Amateur Protein.

I was going to bring it to her, but I got sidetracked on the way. Also anyone who says they’ve never wondered this is lying.



Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be able to see through people’s bathing suits at the beach?
I have.
…You have a pretty face, but inside, you’re a middle-aged man.
Can we use that angle in a campaign? “A girl who can talk with the middle-aged”… Eh, it won’t last long.
> President Tanaka is nodding…
Our company has introduced a special filter for digital cameras.
Simply attach it to your camera and voila! Start peeping!
We’ve been advertising it in adult magazines. Our ad slogan is “Undress them with your camera eye.”
It’s been selling like hotcakes! In fact, it’s our number one seller!
Unfortunately, customers have been complaining that it doesn’t work.
I told my employees to just ignore them. Nowhere does it guarantee that you’ll be able to see anything.
And it’s not like anyone would actually admit they bought one.
…By the way, try to cut back on the donuts and cupcakes, I have an idea for an ad campaign…
Oh, and keep playing around at night to a minimum.
The innocent look may be old, but being viewed as promiscuous is still a minus for your image.
You “act” in front of the man you want, right? You need to do the same for the customers in front of the TV.
> You listened to President Tanaka share his advice.
> You feel like you understand him a little better now.

It’s really a wonder they haven’t found something or another he’s done that’s just straight illegal. And no I’m not just sore because he called me fat.



Have you been keeping your promise? You didn’t tell anyone, did you?
If you go back on your word… It won’t be my fault if you get a lot of pizzas delivered to you.
> President Tanaka left.