Part 104: December 8 - December 10: Preparations Begin

-The Path is Open-


The initial draft of Naoto Shirogane's design. This version was suggested since the initial idea of Naoto's character was a short, pretty boy.



The team can't go charging straight in this time. Sanzo needs to get his affairs in order first.

For example:


You're supposed to be helping me find my memory, right? Then help me. I'm going to ask Margaret to let me out more often. I'll be waiting, so come see me...Bye.

> Marie hangs up. You have a feeling you'll be spending a lot more time with Marie...You should find some time to visit her.

The Aeon Social Link can only be completed before you fight the killer, and it's required for a lot of new endgame content. It takes two extra days and a couple relationship fortunes to finish. Fortunately, starting today, Marie is available seven days a week. Even if you've never spent time with her before now, you should be able to max Aeon and just barely beat the dungeon deadline.

-Omen-

> You overhear students talking.


Scared student: Does this mean the world's coming to an end!? I actually heard someone say that! Wh-What do you think's gonna happen? Earthquake!? Tsunami!?
Braided girl: Huh? Nothing's gonna happen. It's just fog, you doofus. Besides, if something terrible happens, the Defense Force or somebody is sure to come save us.
Scared student: Yeah, I guess you're right. Ah! What if some giant monster attacks Inaba!? Or aliens!? I saw a movie about something like this!

-Youthful Lunch-





-Omen-



> The real culprit has finally been identified. Is it possible that the fog will shroud the entire world by the end of this year...? Regardless, you must defeat the one behind all of this before then...


I'm sorry, I wish there was something else I could give you...I'll continue to expect great things from you. *giggle*
Ms. Kashiwagi will give you the Gekkoukan Uniforms for acing late-year exams.


Ms. Sofue: In this noisy little town, most forget that the quest for knowledge is...more important than trivial matters. Please accept this gift as a token of my appreciation.

> Obtained Soma.

Ms. Sofue: ...Ahaha. It seems that lately you're the only one I've been giving pieces of my collection to. The fog isn't clearing, and it doesn't seem like anyone is learning in class anymore...Ahh, but I shouldn't burden a student with such concerns. Please, stay focused on your studies, Sanzo.






Hey, before we go looking for my memory, there's someplace I want to go. I want to "liven things up." That's okay, right? Yeah, let's go! Hurry, let's go. Take me out.

-Everyday Sunshine-

> Shopping District, Souzai Daigaku...At Marie's insistence, you have come here to eat steak skewers. Fog has enveloped the area...Marie doesn't seem to mind the fog at all...


Haha, we meet again!




You coulda called, you know.

> Everyone seems to have gathered around...You spend a fun time with everyone, including Marie...
You'll just have to take our word for it, though.

> It has grown late, so you leave everyone and escort Marie back to the Velvet Room.

-Alone-



> ...? You noticed a paper under the cushion...It's written in Nanako's writing. "My big bro is the best in his class. He's a genius! Congratulations! I want to honor you for what you've done." It's a handmade certificate of accomplishment, made by Nanako. Was she thinking of giving this to you if you got the top score? Obtained Partial Award.



I've never tested it, but I think this is one use per battle, not just one use period.



-Omen-


Drunk subordinate: Didn't I tell you before to put yourself in my shoes for a minute?
Drunk boss: Hey, I noticed you weren't getting shitfaced like you used to! You're finally learning to pace yourself!
Drunk subordinate: I'd hope so, with all the times you took me out drinking! That'd better be a point in my favor on my next review!
Drunk boss: Gahahahahahaha! Alright, I'll be sure to pass that along to HR!


Hobby shop owner: Because it's such a beloved icon of industry, it's worth doing a real quality job. I'm talking putty and filler! Now, once you've filled any cracks with putty, use a knife to shave it away, then polish until it looks like a single piece--What's that? You know already? Well, all right...But I expect to see that knowledge put to use building this one!


*sigh* When the new year starts, I'll grow another year older...You may not have known, but when you get older, you start to experience more partings than encounters. But not everything is that depressing. I mean, you start to realize just how precious new beginnings are. Meeting you and spending time with you like this is very precious to me. Haha, I'm sure I sound like some old dingbat saying that, but I'm sure you'll understand when you get to be my age.





-Omen-


It's finally time to fight the real culprit. To be honest, I'm still shocked to learn that it was Adachi-san. But...I can never forgive what he said...or what he's done.
Are you alright?
Oh, yes. Thank you for worrying about me, though. I'm fine. I'm worried about Nanako-chan! And we can't just let him do whatever he wants! We have to put an end to all of this...Right?

-Specialist-


I was just watching something on TV...Those polar bears sure are active, even in the cold. Fuzzy-wuzzy polar bears...Their fur isn't actually white, you know. Isn't that right, Sanzo-kun? You seem happy about something.


Transparent.
Good job. Yep...it's actually transparent. The transparent fur scatters the light that hits it, making it appear white to us. Their skin is black, though, letting them efficiently absorb the sun's rays. Those animals are well-equipped to have fun in the cold! Hehehe.

-Smile-

> Samegawa flood plain...The man in black you met before is waiting here.


I must also apologize. Though I may not have known, I involved you in this...It was an act put on by my grampa.
Yakushiji: My master has been terribly saddened by Naoto-sama's state of affairs lately. Lacking acquaintances to confide in, she devotes every fiber of her being to work...My master wanted Naoto-sama to regain the joy she felt in days past. To regain the feelings when all that she wanted was to be a detective, regardless of her heritage or gender...
......
Yakushiji: I involved you at my own discretion, believing you to be trustworthy. Please forgive me.



> The card reads as follows...

Writing on the card: I did what you can't stand to at a place you'd be fond of. But underneath, rather than inside.
A place I'd be fond of...?
Somewhere high.
...You remembered?

> Naoto is nodding cheerfully.

The highest place around here is...
The hill. Next, what I "can't stand" to do. There are several possibilities, but...
Throwing things away?
That's right! Did I mention that before...?

> Naoto has an embarrassed smile on her face.

Considering what's at the hill, the most likely answer is the trash can...I have an inkling of what might be there. Let's go, Senpai.

> The hill overlooking town...It seems there was something taped to the bottom of the trash can.


It's the last of the seven tools...The "Detective's Pocketbook." All the things I had forgotten about are packed in here...I think Grampa wanted to remind me of them.
This childish game...He's selfish indeed. Forcing me to recall all this now...I was trying so hard...Not to be underestimated, not to be condescended to...

> You calmed down an upset Naoto...


They would acknowledge me as the 5th in the Shirogane lineage of detectives...That's what I told myself. I just wanted to be accepted. I wanted to be needed. That's why I fretted and stood on my tiptoes...and focused only on solving the case...
But the original reason I wanted to become a detective...It was because mysteries intrigued me...and I could help people by solving them. That's all. I remember now...Do you recall the time I faced myself in the TV world? It was my task to accept the self who yelled, "I want a reason for me to stay..."
But my "reason to stay" was not solely to solve the crime. You...everyone...gave me a reason...
You gave me a place to stay...

> Naoto is trying to smile through her tears...

I have to be an adult...I have to be a man...With that way of thinking, I was running from myself. I don't need to look for something to change or something to accomplish. I only need...to have faith in myself...
I finally think I can accept myself. That I'm a woman...That I haven't yet become the detective I wanted to be...
I...I am a woman...and a detective...One who is seeking the truth with you and the others.

> You can sense Naoto's strong will...


I'm really glad I came to this town. It's where you and I live...and all the others, too.

> You spent some time with Naoto and went home...



> The model has been completed! Obtained Light Blue Scooter. You should put it on your shelf.



-Omen-

> You overhear students talking.


Guy with a backpack: My parents are saying it's because of the poisonous fog...
Bespectacled student: Don't worry about what's causing it! I have great news for you! I joined a club called the Healing Club. It's going to teach us how to neutralize the toxins in the fog! It's pretty popular in my area. I know a lot of people who are in the club. Why don't you join, too? Ask your brother to join the club!
Guy with a backpack: C-Can you tell me more about it!? I'm seriously starting to worry about my health. I've been starting to feel ill recently, you know. But your club can cure me!? If it's that popular, it must work, right!?

-Specialist-


Mr. Kondo: I heard that on TV yesterday, and I'm pretty sure that's right! But man, with all this fog, I bet people with curly hair are having a hard time keeping their 'dos neat! All right! Here's a question about hair. Genjo, you're looking at me, so this question is for you! What determines whether a hair grows curly or straight?
The cross-section.
Mr. Kondo: Wow, you knew this one. Yes, a hair's shape determines whether it's gonna be curly or straight as it grows! A straight hair is perfectly round, but a curly hair is oval or triangular. The flatter a hair's cross-section, the curlier the hair becomes. I heard that from Ms. Kashiwagi! So if you've got curly hair, watch out for this fog!

-Omen-



> You did promise Marie that you would help her find her memories...

Yeah, let's go! I want to hurry up and remember.

> It seems Marie can't wait. You decide to take Marie somewhere she can calm down...

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Samegawa riverbank...Marie practically dragged you here.



> Marie doesn't seem to mind the fog at all...

Hey, are you listening? I said that I don't know what to do about my memory.
Are there any clues?
No, nothing. Like I said before, this is the only thing I can remember.

> Marie shows you the bamboo comb once again...

If you remember, I told you that I had this when I first started remembering...Will this help?
It's made of bamboo.
...Bamboo? What, is that rare?...But this doesn't look like the ones at Junes. They don't look anything like this.

> Marie looks very interested for once...

It seems older...Do you know of any stores that might sell stuff like this?

> What store around here might deal in old combs like that...?

(Tatsumi Textiles)

> You recall that Kanji's family runs a textile shop...He might know something about the old bamboo comb...You tell Marie about Tatsumi Textiles.

That old-timer's place? Hmmm...That's kinda surprising.
Well, let's go. The shopping district, was it?

> You decide to go to Tatsumi Textiles with Marie. Shopping District, Tatsumi Textiles...


Ooooh, Senpai, what a coincidence! Oh, Marie-chan's with you, too?
Huh? Wait...Don't tell me the two of you are on a date...
It's not like that.
Sheesh, don't scare me like that. Did you come here to see Kanji?
Huh...? What's up?
Do you know what this is? Tell me anything you know. Anything at all.
This thing? It's, uh...It's a comb. A pretty damn old one.
That's a comb? It doesn't look like it's very easy to use, with that shape...
So, what do you want from me? You need me to figure out where this thing came from?
Anything will help.
Er, I don't know anything, but...
Hey! Mom! Come over here! Yo!
Oh, yeah. Kanji's mom might know something about it...


Kanji's mother: Oh, hello. I haven't seen you in a while. Is this girl another of Kanji's friends?
She wanted to know about this comb. You know anything, Mom?
Kanji's mother: A comb? Let me see...


Kanji's mother: I'm sorry. We don't carry anything like this one.
Can you tell me anything about it? Anything at all.
Kanji's mother: ...I've never seen a comb shaped like this. I don't think it would be for everyday use. You may have better luck asking at a museum or a gallery than at a clothing store.
Museum...? Uh, so it's rare?
Kanji's mother: Well...I don't know if it's rare, but it's definitely not something that would be sold around here.
Huh? If it's not sold, then where is somebody gonna get one? C'mon, lady, help us out here!
Kanji's mother: Don't talk to your mother like that! I'm sorry I couldn't be any help. But I've really never seen anything like this.
...Why do I have this?
Would I have been given it as a gift?
Kanji's mother: I'm not so sure about that. Combs don't make very good gifts. The word for comb, "kushi," has the sounds for the words for pain, "ku," and death, "shi." It's an old belief that combs have the power to cause separation. But, I don't know if kids today care about that stuff.
Huh, I didn't know that. But now that you think about it, it does have those words in it...
Customer: Are you in, Tatsumi-san? May I have a word with you?
Kanji's mother: I'm coming. Just a moment, please. Kanji, please see to our guests. I need to speak with a customer. Please, make yourselves at home.


She said "separation?" I didn't know that combs are actually bad luck.
Separation...?
Hmm...
Marie-chan, are you all right? Does your head hurt?
Whoa, you okay? Sit your ass down and get some rest.

> Marie grimaces...

Do you remember something?
I don't know...But...There's something.
Ugh, it's gone. I can't remember...Something came up in my mind. I was almost about to recall it...

> Marie looks vexed...

...What, you can't remember? You don't remember anything about that comb?
Huh? Wait a second. That's not your comb...?
Don't worry about it. That's my problem. This isn't a normal comb, huh? What did she say? A Moozium? A Galerry? Maybe I'll remember something if we go to one of those. You help, too.

> You can feel Marie's trust for you.


I'm tired. I'm going home today, but let's continue this later. Hey...It's foggy, huh.
......
...Well, it's nothing special.

> It seems Marie is bothered by the fog. There must be some reason why she would mention it...


Marie-chan's a bit mysterious...Senpai, Marie-chan's leaving!

> After thanking Kanji and Rise, you escort Marie back to the Velvet Room...

-Omen-




Hobby shop owner: It's a classic, so it has a lot of parts. That's when you start getting fancy with painting! Getting that deep luster of the real paint while keeping the mirror finish is very impressive. Here's what you do: take some--Huh? Oh, so you'll figure it out on your own, eh? I wish you luck, then! Don't mess this special model up!


I came to have a look for myself, but I can scarcely see the nose in front of my face. It's unnerving...Perhaps you wouldn't mind staying to chat for a bit?
Thank you! Well then...


Instead, they want easy answers. They'd rather be at peace knowing something than stay in the dark.
It's ironic, in a way, that the townspeople are murmuring about the fog being poisonous. The fog is in fact harmless, yet they feel calmer by treating it as a threat.
Is it really harmless?
Most likely, yes. We are living proof. Our glasses help us bear the worst of it, but we do spend a lot of time inside the TV, where it is always foggy.

> Naoto is smiling calmly.

I'm planning to ask the police for their cooperation on this matter in spreading accurate information to the townspeople. It may only be a drop in the bucket...but it's better than doing nothing.

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Naoto...

Oh...Will you look at the time. It seems that we've been chatting for quite a while.
Ah yes, I have something for you. You may perhaps find it useful.

> You received TaP Soda from Naoto.

Well then, let's go home.

> You saw Naoto off and then went home...