Part 53: 6/23/09

6/23/09

There are a whole bunch of weird rumors going around school again. This time it’s about some website you can go to and get revenge against people.



Loud Student: Revenge request…? What’s that?
Gossiping Student: You can write the person’s name you want to get revenge on, and bam! Mission accomplished.
They say it’s guaranteed successful, and completely anonymous.
Loud Student: Seriously!? Give me the URL! Quick!
Gossiping Student: Well… It’s just a rumor… I mean, I don’t know the details…
Why are you so desperate…?
Loud Student: Huh? I’m not… I’m not thinking about revenge at all.
Gossiping Student: ……

I hope those two girls from yesterday never find some kind of crazy revenge website, I could be in trouble. Anyway I hung out with Bebe a bit after school.



What do you zink about zis? Kawaii, cute like you, no?
> Bebe points to a how-to guide for making a cute knit doll.
> You decided to try and make one.
Bring ze yarn ‘ere… like zis!
Oui oui, very good! Ze needle hurts, so be careful.
You do not wave ze yarn… you weave le amour!
> You carefully knit each stitch, following Bebe’s instructions…
> …You knit on the nose and the doll is complete.
Zat is tottemo tottemo cute!
It is almost as cute as you.
> Obtained Knit Rabbit.
> You could give this to somebody while on a date…
I am sad to say, but it eez time to settle zings…
Aelita-sama, you ‘ave gotten much better at zis! Subarashii! Wonderful!
Thank you!
I ‘ave to get better too!
I am glad to ‘ave such a great friend—tomodachi—as my rival!
> Bebe seems happy.

Bebe seemed to be looking for a challenge, so I suggested the most challenging thing he could make.



I would like to make somezing Japanese, but what?
How about a kimono?
A kimono!
> Bebe seems excited.
It ‘as to be a kimono!
But… zat eez very ‘ard to make…
I don’t know ‘ow. Plus, it eez expensive…
Hmm… I will zink about it. Arigatou! Zank you for ze advice!
Aelita-sama, you are ze only one I can talk to ‘ere…
You are so nice!
> Bebe seems truly grateful.
> Your relationship is stronger now!

He’s kind of weird but it’s not like I’m a pillar of normality.



Oh, look at ze time! I must go ‘ome now!
Aelita-sama… Aishitemasu!
> You decide to go back to the dorm.

It’s weird, Akihiko was missing when I got back.

Video- “Aki and Shinji”

Watch

> Iwatodai Strip Mall, Hagakure Ramen…
Server: Hi, how are you today? Just one?
> The customer that came in sat next to a certain young man…
I’ll have what he’s having.
* grunt *
Server: Coming right up!
One house special!
…How can you eat the same thing all the time, without getting sick of it?
Shut up.
You always eat that protein shit.
Hmph…
Server: Here you go, one house special! Be careful, it’s hot!
…Yow, he wasn’t kidding.
…You still haven’t made up your mind?



We’ve got four new members.
Things have changed quite a bit since you left. We’re more aggressive now.
I’m not interested.
Think about it, Shinji. Don’t let your power go to waste.
My power ain’t worth shit.
Shinji!
I made up my mind a long time ago. I ain’t goin’ back.
You have to let the past go.
What’s done is done. It’s time you moved on.
Hmph… You should talk.
What?
Face it…
You’re no different than me.
Ah… Hey! Shinji!

Without him I figured we should hold off on Tartarus for the night.



We have two weeks until the moon is full again. Try to increase your strength as much as possible before then.
Two weeks, huh. I wonder what it’ll look like this time…
I have to admit, the suspense is killing me…
You’re starting to sound like Akihiko.
Just remember, this is not a joke.
That reminds me… Why is he not back yet?
He’s prolly eating or somethin’.

Apathy syndrome is on the rise again.



Newscaster: The expressionless girl has since been led away by police.
A number of these cases have been cropping up, causing extra problems for the police force…

Junpei’s actually been doing some research on the Shadows, I’m impressed.



You can tell them apart by looking at their masks.

Mitsuru’s a bit worried I think that we don’t know where Akihiko is. I’m sure he’s fine, though.



If he’s going to be late, he should at least have the courtesy to call me.

So I got sick from feeling bad for Tanaka, but I don’t think that’ll be a problem again.



Sounds like fun!
I had a splendid time! I still laugh thinking about it.
> President Tanaka seems cheerful.
I doubt you’d understand how I feel, since you’re still young, but…
A high school reunion is a very important event…
It’s the perfect opportunity to show everyone else how pathetically their lives turned out.
For example, I ran into a classmate who used to make fun of me for only having rice in my bento…
…and another fellow who once strung up my holey socks on the flagpole.
Now, they both look at me with envy. Their annual salary doesn’t even compare to my monthly income!
My business is on a roll, and my private life is also very satisfying.
Let me take you under my wing, as our exclusive model. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Don’t think I would extend this offer to just anyone.
> You sense that President Tanaka has strong feelings for you.
> You feel like you understand him a little better now.

Some people come from nothing and take that understanding of what it was like to be poor to heart in all their dealings. Not Tanaka.



By the way, remember that 40,000 yen you gave me? I think we can call it even…
My time is worth at least a hundred thousand yen per hour!
Think of all the free advice I’ve given you!
> President Tanaka left with a grin on his face.

He’s just kind of a jerk.