Part 115: January 14 - January 16: Kanji's Dilemma

-The Path is Open-


The finalized design for Rokuten Maoh, Kanji Tatsumi's awakened Persona. Nobunaga Oda, the daimyo of the Warring States Era, was the basic inspiration for this Persona's look.
More specifically, the circumstances of Nobunaga's death, now known as the Incident at Honno-ji. A turncoat general laid seige to the city after Nobunaga had sent his forces away. Faced with hopeless odds, the warlord took his own life, but not before ordering his servant to burn the temple he was in, so that no one could claim his head.



-Specialist-


Mr. Hosoi: I had too much to drink during a new year's party, so I was hung over all New Year's Day. While we're on the subject of alcoholic beverages, there's something interesting about the toso we drink on New Year's. Who might know this...? Sanzo-chan!


Bury the demons.
Mr. Hosoi: Good for you. That's correct. The toso is symbolic of burying demons. The word toso is made up of two characters: one means "burial," and the other "demon." However, no matter what it means, watch out not to have too much! It is alcoholic, after all! People will laugh at you if they hear that you got hungover while trying to perform a good luck ritual!

-Snowflakes-


Housewife in farming clothes: Everywhere I look now, it's snow, snow, snow. Guess you'll have to put your garden on hold for now. Me, I have a greenhouse to grow my winter vegetables in, so no rest for the wicked! I can't sell you any seedlings until it warms up, but I can sell you the vegetables I grow. My stock will change from day to day, so keep an eye out.



> The unfamiliar cat ate the fish without minding your presence at all...

Unfamiliar cat: Meeeooow.

> The unfamiliar cat went away, turning around many times to see you...It seems to be getting pretty interested in you.



> Your room...Kanji asked to come over despite any plans you had, so you brought him here.

This scene really must be heard.


I wanted to talk to you. Or, well, more like I wanted to ask you somethin'...

> Kanji is fidgeting for some reason...

You know, well, uhh...I-It's about a present...What would be...Uhh...
Okay, let me start over. I...wanna give someone a present. I dunno what they'd like, so...I thought I'd ask for your advice...I-It's for a woman...
Who is this woman?
Um...I want to give it to Ma...
I think anything would work.
That's what makes it so hard! There's gotta be SOMETHING it wouldn't be a good idea to give her!

> Kanji seems desperate...

I'm beggin' ya! I have no idea what to give her. I want to be damn sure Ma's happy with it...I should tell you, Ma went to the hospital.

-Smile-

Oh, it was just for an exam, though. She's out already and doin' totally fine. But the tests seem like they were rough on her, so...I wanna give her somethin' like a "hospitality award"...
How nice of you.
Stop teasin' me!

> Kanji's face is completely red...

I went to go visit her while she was there. It was hard for me to see her in that hospital, though...When I was there, Ma looked at me and said, "You've changed"...She said, "Your father and I are proud of you, son"...

> Kanji's eyes are slightly red...

Pretty funny, huh? I ain't too bright and I keep causing her all this trouble...And she says she's proud of me...

> Kanji's voice is shaking...

I mean, I'm the one who should be proud of her...She raised a punk like me without a single complaint and worked herself to the bone, and no one thanked her for it...I just...I feel like I need to give her some encouragement now and then...Heh, I'm gettin' kinda leaky here.
Ma was right, though. I have changed. It was 'cause I got to know you guys. Until I met you, I was so mad that people saw me as some weirdo that I tried to get back at anyone who looked at me funny...I wasn't holding my head up high. I wasn't proud of myself.
But gettin' to know you better made me realize somethin'. I don't think it matters what kinda guy I am. Long as I can hold my head up high, Ma's gonna be proud of me. Still...I wanna become someone that Ma and you guys can be proud of. So I'm gonna spend my life keepin' myself in check to make sure I don't lose my way again or start lyin' to myself.

> Kanji is smiling cheerfully...

-Strength of Heart-



> Kanji's heart, having developed over this difficult year, attains greater power...



> Kanji's Persona has been reborn again...! Rokuten Maoh has transfigured into Takeji Zaiten!



Takejizaiten, the ruler of the realms of romance. Another name used for the demon king Dairoku-Tenmaou and his domain.



Kind of an awkward skill, but it comes with physical resistance and one of the best scenes in the game, so I'm cool with it.

-Smile-


And I'll keep changing however I want to from here on out.
I...I want to fight for others instead of just for myself. I'd rather die protectin' something that matters than worryin' if I can win the fight. I think that's the way to be...And one day, I hope I can be strong enough to protect you too.
I'll be counting on you.
It takes a hell of a strong man to say that, Sensei. I've got a long way to go...

> Kanji is smiling with fierce determination...

Well then, let's make that gift! My present to Ma! I've got some tools for you to work with, too!
It's cold out now, so maybe somethin' warm for when she goes to sleep would be good!
How 'bout a crocheted hugging pillow you can put a hot water bottle inside!? I'll call it a "Warmy Yarny!" If we work together on it, it'll be a masterpiece! Ma always seems to like it when I tell her stories about you, so she'll love this! Man, I'm glad I asked you, Senpai! Wasn't this a great idea!?

> You spent an unexpectedly long time with Kanji...Night fell, and you saw Kanji off.

-Signs of Love-









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



-Signs of Love-


Nanako can leave the hospital on the 20th. The doctors said she'll be well enough to recover at home by then. I caused you a lot of worry. It's okay now, so rest easy.

> It seems Nanako is leaving the hospital January 20th. You decided to wait for her arrival at the house...





> You placed your collection of model scooters here. Knowing that you built these fills you with a sense of accomplishment, as if you've taken a step towards adulthood.
One last social stat boost, for all six bikes.


I'll be the best guard bear you've ever seen until the day they come back!

-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-



-Snowflakes-



> It seems to be interested in you. Maybe you should call its name again...

Minori-chan...
Unfamiliar cat: Meow.

> It responded! Just in case, you decide to call the other names...It responded! But what does that mean? It seems to respond to any name you call.
It means the cat doesn't give a shit what people call it, because it's a cat. What else?

> If you look deeply into the unfamiliar cat's eyes, maybe you can convey your feelings...You decide to try calling its name while looking into its eyes...

TOUCH YOUR MIND TO MINE
Unfamiliar cat: Meow.

> It answered your call! Just in case, you decide to call the other names...There's no noticeable reaction. This cat seems to be named Minori-chan. You should go tell the woman in Okina who was looking for a Minori-chan.



> You told her about the cat you saw at the Samegawa riverbank...

Frantic middle-aged woman: That's her! My Minori-chan! I'll make my husband drive out there! Hikari-chan will be with me, so if she starts to meow, I think Minori-chan will come out. Thank you so much...This is for you, as thanks. It's so wonderful. You like it too, right?

> You obtained Haikara Shirt.
Man, deja vu.

-Traumerei-


...I'm not really Death. I did wish that he would die...And so, he died for me...That's what I wanted to think. I thought maybe that would be proof that he still loved me...I didn't want to accept that he had died all by himself, not remembering me, leaving me behind...
I understand the feeling.
Haha...Do you have someone that you hold dear yourself?

> Hisano smiles gently.

But the truth is...I don't have any special powers like that. I'm not Death; just another boring human being. Waiting for a miracle that never came...Before I knew it, I was wishing death on the one person I loved most in the world. I was lonely, forgotten...And...Loving, being loved...All that is what goes into making us human.
Even if he did forget me in the end...The lives we spent together were proof of our dedication to each other. His love for me was never a lie. All those letters were proof...I just didn't get it...Haha...But it's too late now, isn't it?
No, it isn't.
Hmm...Perhaps you're right. I think I'll try living as the Hisano he loved, once more...

> Hisano smiles gently. The spark has returned to Hisano's eyes...It seems you were able to give Hisano some support.


The man I loved is gone...I can't ignore that fact any longer. I need to face the truth head-on.

> You left Hisano and went home.

-Signs of Love-



Thank you, Ted.

-Sky Full of Stars-


Hobby shop owner: I gave some away to local kids and some hardcore fans. All I have left are a few I'm going to build myself. Seeing you made me realize that in the end, models give my life meaning. I may have closed up the shop, but I don't have to cut them out of my life. You're my final customer. Thank you.
No more models? You mean I have to go out and talk to people!? Ugh.

Schoolmates will still turn up at night after you've completed their Social Links, and you can still spend time shaking them down for snacks.


I had to cut my training short today because I was freezing my butt off. Hey, do you have some time? If it's okay with you, I wouldn't mind talking for a bit.

> You already have an inseverable bond with Chie. You feel that you can't get any closer to Chie than you are now, but...it may be nice to spend the evening with her...

Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!


Haha, well, it's true it gets lonely fast, being home alone. Isn't it hard with just two guys in the house? I could come over and cook...
That would be helpful.
Okay, leave it to me! I made a perfectly good Christmas cake, so I feel like I can pull off another dish, no problem!

> Chie is inexplicably confident...

Doesn't it feel nice to have someone there to say "welcome home" to you? I think people breathe easier when they know someone's waiting for them at home.

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Chie...

Oh crap, look how late it is!
The time sure flies when I'm talking with you...Oh yeah, I want you to have this, Sanzo-kun!

> You received Value Medicine from Chie.

I don't know if it'll be useful, but there's no harm in holding onto it...I think! Well then, wanna get going?

> You walked Chie to her house and went home...



-Snowflakes-


Hey, isn't it about time Dojima-san and Nanako-chan were back? Once Nanako-chan's out of the hospital, I think we should have another celebration!
Great idea.
She was a real trouper, even at her age...I wonder what we can do to cheer her up. I'll ask the others. We'll all pitch in and give her a good party!

-Traumerei-

> Junes food court...You just finished walking around all of Junes...


And they had so many kinds of liquor, at prices much lower than ours...There's no way we would win.
But we've been doing well lately...After Sis's murder, there are some people who buy from us out of pity. Ironic, isn't it...?
Charge 'em extra.
Good idea...We make money, they get to be hypocrites...

> Naoki is looking the other way...

But...it's over for us. Our family is in shambles. My parents won't even speak a word about Sis. They try to act as if she never existed...Then at night, they cry...What can I do...?
Familiar voice: Huh? Sanzo?


This is the first time I've been to Junes...I don't really have anything to do with our store, and I don't hold any grudges against you, but...It's just that my parents and the neighbors would have said something, so I never bothered.
We're in the same boat, buddy.
...I see...It's incredibly huge, huh...? I'm full just looking at all the food here...It's like its own country.
Your sister said that too...
......
You two do kinda look alike. You have the same chin...The nose and eyes, too.
Stop it...My sister isn't here anymore.
Lonely, huh...?
...Shut up. Just stop it! What do you know about me!?
...She told me she was proud of you. She boasted about you.
......
I liked your sister.
Past tense, huh?
I'm doing what I can right now for my sake...And your sister's.
If you just sit there crying, you're just troubling her, y'know?
...I'm not crying...
Alright, today is grilled steak day. I'll go grab three. Oh, Sanzo? You'll have to pay for your own.


We can't just ignore you.
Am I that pitiable? No, that's not it...It's different with you. You're not being kind to me because of that...I'm sorry.

> Naoki apologized sincerely...

I'm glad I saw where Sis worked. I'm sure I could never have come by myself...I wouldn't have even thought about it. Thank you.

> You can feel that Naoki is opening up his heart to you...




It's awful...
Then you're okay.

> Naoki silently continues to eat. Yosuke is warmly watching over him. You passed time talking about trivial things...You walked Naoki back to his house and went home.

-Signs of Love-


I told her, "No, I'm Teddie!"


Heeheehee...How should I welcome them back? I can't wait to see Nana-chan's smiling face again!

-Sky Full of Stars-


I was just looking at the sky. The air's so clear that you can see all the stars...It's beautiful.
So yeah, if you have time, you wanna talk for a little? Really? Yay, I get to spend time with you!


I can't take off my sweats inside the house anymore, or wear anything but thick socks.
*giggle* Not that you'll ever see me in that getup.
Do you do that too? Wear casual clothes around the house, I mean?
I wear sweats too.
Haha, we're on the same page, then. Oh, but I bet you could totally rock a sweatsuit, though.

> Rise is laughing.

The other day, I stepped outside for a bit and ran into Kanji...He was wearing a sweatsuit too, but it looked completely natural on him...

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Rise...

Oh, it's already so late...but I don't want you to leave yet.
Haha, I shouldn't be so clingy, I know.
Hey, Senpai...I want you to have this.

> You received Passion Candy from Rise.

It's a special something just for you. Keep it to yourself, okay? Well then, goodnight, Senpai.

> You parted with Rise and went home.