Part 72: 7/13/09

7/13/09

Exams are starting tomorrow.



Loud Student: What am I going to do if I fail again? I wish the school wouldn’t post our names…
Gossiping Student: Yeah, that’s the worst part. You get a bad grade, and everyone looks at you like your dog just died…
> The first bell has rung.

Thankfully we’ll have vacation soon after that.



Summer vacation is just ahead, so study hard!
Summer is beach season! Shaved ice! Wheeee!
It’s also the hottest season, so don’t neglect your health, okay?
Oh, by the way, there’s a popular event in Japan in the summer that can be a little scary…
It’s a girl’s chance to get closer to the boy she’s interested in.
It’s called Kimodameshi!
Two people go somewhere haunted at night to test their bravery… If it’s a boy and a girl, well, heh heh heh…
Anyway, enjoy your summer, and make sure you come out of it with some good memories!

Junpei’s just accepting that he’s doomed on these exams I think.



This sucks… There’s no way I can get a good score.

Maiko’s situation was worrying me, so I headed down to check on her.



Mom and Dad just keep fighting…
I yelled at them to please stop fighting so much.
…But they just told me to leave them alone.
……
So I made up my mind! I have to run away from home!
You’ve already decided?
Yup!!
> Maiko nodded firmly…
I’m really, really gonna run away!
I’d better start packing soon…
So… What do you think I need to pack if I’m running away from home?
I’ll need lots of snacks, right? What about my health insurance card?

I hate that she’s going to put herself in danger but I also hate that her parents are being so damned selfish.



Really? Wow! Running away is easier than I thought!
> Maiko is happier now.
Now… I just have to decide when I can sneak out.
> Maiko is deep in thought.
Either way, I’m going to try!
Don’t worry, I’m going to be just fine, okay?
I’m gonna miss you, though… It wont’ be easy to be alone.
> Maiko seems to enjoy your company.
> Your relationship is stronger now.

And if she does end up running away I can just get Officer Kurosawa to look after her.



Once I run away, Mom and Dad will have to work together to find me.
This is gonna be great!
It takes a lot of hard work to get ready to run away…
> You walked Maiko home and returned to the dorm.

We all got together in the lounge a bit later.

Video- “Vacation”

Watch

> Everyone has gathered…
……
……
What’s wrong, everyone? Are you guys hungry?
N-Not really…
> An awkward silence fills the room…
Umm…
Y-You know, it’s almost summer break. Do you have any plans?
I wish I could go to the beach. Hot sand, cool breeze… babes in bikinis…
Man, it sure would be nice!
Somewhere in the south, where the water is crystal clear!
But first, we have exams to worry about… Ugh, what a drag…
Now, now. You’ll be fine.
But yeah, I’d love to go somewhere famous for its beautiful beaches, like Okinawa.

Ikutsuki’s really bad about just appearing out of nowhere, but this time I can forgive him.



Mr. Chairman… I didn’t realize you were here.
I happened to be in the area, so I thought I’d drop by and tell you my schedule for next week.
Mitsuru, your father will be vacationing in Yakushima during the break.
He will…?
You’ll all have some time off after exams, right? Why don’t you go and pay him a surprise visit?
Seriously!? We’re gonna go on a trip!?
YES! Beach babes, here I come!
* sigh * Men.
* chuckle *
How about it, Mitsuru?
But… my father is a busy man; I don’t want to ruin his vacation.
Haha, don’t worry…
No father would be upset with a daughter who came all that way to see him.
You’ve all done a great job. You deserve to relax for a while.
We already know when the next operation will be, so it should be fine.
…I don’t know…
I want to go too!
Senpai! I’m beggin’ ya!
……

We managed to talk her into it eventually.



I guess everyone needs a break now and then. Let’s do it.
Woohoo!
Hmm, the beach…
…I should design a special training regimen.
Dude, I’m stoked!
I have to go buy a swimsuit…
Hey, don’t worry! I got an extra pair you can borrow!
Nice try, man.
Are you going to swim too, Ikutsuki-san?
I’m afraid I can’t. I’ll turn to dust if I’m exposed to sunlight.
Whoa, was that a joke!?
Of course it was…
> Everyone is chattering about the vacation…
> In the midst of the excitement, Mitsuru quietly begins to leave for her room…

I saw Yukari run off to talk to Misturu about something, not sure what.



Mitsuru-senpai, wait!
Uh…
Sorry about the other day…
I got a little carried away…
…Don’t worry about it.
In a way, it’s only logical that we go to Yakushima.
The Chairman said that no one who was responsible for the accident is still alive, but…
…in reality, there is one witness who survived.
There is?
My father.
> Mitsuru walked away as Yukari looked on in shock…
Senpai…

Ikutsuki hung around a bit after the meeting.



Now, you will all need to concentrate on your final exams…

He was being a lot more serious than usual.



You’re always cracking jokes.
Hahaha… This is no time for humor.
But, I’m happy to see everyone has a smile on their face.

And Junpei is even more doomed now.



* sigh * I can’t concentrate…
My brain has already crossed the ocean into Yakushima…

I’m just glad all this fighting has kept me in shape, I’d be so embarrassed if my swimsuit didn’t fit anymore.