Part 50: 6/20/09

6/20/09

Mitsuru is a popular topic of gossip from what I’ve heard.



Gossiping Student: She’s going overseas after she graduates. Probably so she can run the Kirijo Company later…
Loud Student: Wow, that’s crazy. She’s so different from us…
Gossiping Student: The funny thing is, I hear she still lives in the dorms. I wonder why…
Maybe her parents were strict when she was growing up.
> The first bell has rung.

Speaking of Mitsuru, she came by our class after school.

Video- “Koromaru”

Watch

I was just told by the Chairman that he’ll be stopping by this evening.
When you get back, come to the 4th floor meeting room.
Oh, um… okay.
I’ll see you all later.
> Mitsuru left as quickly as she came…
> …Curious about what she meant, you decided to go straight home with Yukari.

We were delayed a bit when we ran into Fuuka and a new friend she’d made outside the dorm.



> Fuuka has returned home early and is playing with a white dog…
Koro-chan, give me your paw!
Woof.
Oooh, he did it! What a smart dog.
Oh, hi.
Koro-chan, go say hi!
You can do that, right?
Woof.
> The dog nuzzled you…
His name’s Koromaru.
I’ve seen him sitting by the steps of the shrine.

It turned out a woman who lives in the area knew something more about Koromaru.



> A passing woman spoke up…
……? Whaddya mean?
Passerby: He used to belong to the priest at the Naganaki Shrine.
Every afternoon, the two of them went this way for a walk.
That explains it…
Passerby: Well, until the priest passed away.
He passed away…?
Passerby: Oh, you haven’t heard the story?
It was about six months ago…
The priest was hit by a car while walking his dog. He didn’t survive.
Ever since then, that dog sits patiently by the site of the accident.
And he goes for a walk everyday, just like when his owner was still alive…
> The woman seems to be very talkative…
Passerby: …Oh shoot, I have to get going! My son will be back soon!
> The woman left…

We ended up having to leave Koromaru for now, I hope he’ll be okay.



…Huh?
What’s wrong?
…Oh, nothing… Sorry.
Wait, isn’t the Chairman coming today?
Then, we should go get ready.
Yeah. See you later, Koro-chan.
Arf!

Everyone else was already there when we got up.

Video- “Eight to Go”

Watch

> Everyone has already gathered…
Hello, everyone.
I wanted to let you know how my research has been going.
This concerns those Shadows that have been appearing during full moons.
I want you to listen closely; it might be hard to follow.
Shadows can be divided into 12 categories, according to their characteristics.
This, we’ve known for a while. It’s like their class or order.
…Now, I’ve classified the special Shadows we’ve seen so far, and… It’s simply fascinating!
Those four Shadows belonged to Categories I through IV, in order of their appearance!
They may have looked different than the more common ones, but the classification scheme still applies.
Is that something we should be excited about?

Junpei didn’t get it, but it was in a way.



…Eight we haven’t seen yet.
That’s exactly right, Fuuka! You’re quite sharp.
Oh, uh, okay… But, what are they after?
…That’s a good question, and that’s what we haven’t figured out yet: their motive.
They don’t kill their prey; they feed on their minds.
It can be considered predation, but is it really? Is there an underlying intent behind their behavior?
The purpose of the Shadows as a whole… That’s what we need to consider.
…This is interesting.
But, no matter what, we still have to beat the rest of ‘em.
…I agree.
That’s about all we can do at this point.
Eight more, huh? Lucky us.
According to the data, each one has been stronger than the last, so we better start training harder…
We’ll manage. We’ve got plenty of time.

Yukari brought up a good question, and I think Mitsuru knows more than she’s letting on from her reaction.



……
……
> The pieces are falling into place, one by one.
> But, the Shadows that appear when the moon is full…
> You wonder what their purpose is…
> ……
> Eight of them remain…
> You still have a long road ahead of you.

Still, no point prying if she’s not comfortable telling us.



I’m thinking right now… If you’re looking for someone to talk to, you’ve got the wrong person…

Akihiko’s not that concerned.



We’ll continue to progress up Tartarus.
We have to do our best… If we do, we’ll win. If we don’t, we’ll lose.
Heh, it’s as simple as that.

Elizabeth was asking for a glasses wipe for some reason, so I decided to see if Ikutsuki had one.



Well, I have something, of course, but… you don’t wear glasses.
…Aha! Now I see clearly. Get it? Heh heh…
It’s not for your glasses…
It’s for a friend! Right?
It’s nice of you to “look” after him.
Well then, by all means, take this.
It looks dingy, but it works very well, in fact.
Your friend’s glasses will shine like the sun!
> Obtained Glasses Wipe.

Fuuka’s as confident as Akihiko in her own way.



It’ll be tough to defeat them, but not impossible.
If you train consistently, we can win.
So, keep up the hard work.

And of course you can’t bring Junpei down.



Then let’s do it, man!

Whereas Yukari’s still worried about Tartarus.



Why did it appear…? How long has it been there…?
Do you think we’ll ever know the answers?

I brought the wipe down to the Velvet Room.



I see… This is no ordinary dirty rag.
Fine microfibers, maximum flexibility and absorbency, and an ideal size… It’s perfect for wiping glasses.
Yet, if I’m not mistaken, this stain here is soy sauce…
Which means that although it was made to wipe glasses, it can polish off other things, too.
Thank you very much, Please take this back with you.
I never have the occasion to wear glasses or wipe off any soy sauce, so…
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Amigo Poncho.

While we were at the mall a while back Elizabeth had noticed an ad for something, and she asked me to get her one.



Such craftsmanship…
I absolutely adore things made of platinum…
It’s quite extraordinary… You are fortunate to have such things in your world.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained S. Outfit Mitsuru.

She’d also seen the crane game that gives out Jack Frost dolls, and wanted me to get a few for her.



> One of the prizes is a Jack Frost Doll.
> It costs 200 yen to play. Will you give it a try?
> ………
> You won!

It took a bit, but I pulled it off.



That must be… Yes, it’s the Jack Frost Doll!
I have a great fondness for Jack Frost. May I… touch it?
Oh my… this soft texture…
…I had been thinking about making a request related to Jack Frost…
My first idea was to have you show me a Lv. 99 Jack Frost, but…
I’m glad I decided on this request instead. This doll is too adorable…
I have prepared some special and adorable gloves for you.
This weapon that is both powerful and charming will promise you victory and laughter in battle.
Please accept your reward.
> Obtained Jack’s Gloves.

I talked with Tanaka for a bit, he was really worked up actually.



…Oh, dear me… I-I just can’t concentrate. I get so worked up when I picture his face!
Did something happen?
He did it! He betrayed me! I won’t sleep a wink tonight!
> President Tanaka seems upset.
There was a young man who was working for me…
He was a good kid who graduated from a well-known university.
But this month, he wasn’t able to meet his sales quota, so I docked his pay.
After that, his self-confidence went down the drain.
…Then, he just stopped coming to work.
What’s he doing now?
He’s probably locked himself inside his room. I don’t care.
> President Tanaka seems unconcerned.

It must be hard work, being a monster.



It’s his fault that the company is in the red this month!
All that money I wasted on training him…
It makes me sick just thinking about it… Uhh…
How much does it total to?
Well, he only worked for me for two years, so at least I won’t have to provide a pension…
…Oh mercy me, I better not talk about it, or else I might faint.
> President Tanaka seems upset.
It’s difficult growing up with no money…
When you can’t even afford shoes for PE class! Going barefoot in the gym during winter can be torture!
I’ve been thinking… How would you like to model exclusively for my company?
Your innocent appearance would be perfect for camouflaging the ugly realities of business!
…Think about it, will you? You won’t ever have to worry about being able to buy shoes for PE.
> You sense that President Tanaka has strong feelings for you.
> You feel like you understand him a little better now.

Wait, did he say he used to have to go barefoot to school?



Oopsies, I better get back to work. I have to re-evaluate the budget…
If I decide to hire someone new, it’ll cost a fortune to train them.
> President Tanaka left, talking to himself.

I think the idea of feeling bad for Tanaka is making me physically ill, I’m really not feeling that well…