Part 118: January 23 - January 25: Yosuke's Regret

-The Path is Open-


The finalized design for Susano-o, Yosuke Hanamura's awakened Persona. It was designed as what Yosuke would imagine as a Persona that presides over storms.



-Snowflakes-


Man, it's awesome how both Nanako-chan and Dojima-san got better! It's funny, but...I'm as happy as I would be if they were my own family! It was pretty rough for them, but...at least we saved 'em.
You're right.
Hehe, well...it's finally hittin' me! Oh, that reminds me. Is Nanako-chan gonna be okay with her homework and stuff? She's been out for a while...it ain't gonna be tough for her to catch up? Eh, but then again, she's a hell of a lot smarter than me. Prob'ly nothin' to worry about.

> It is already the latter half of January. The day you return to the city is getting closer and closer...You should make memories with everyone...


Principal: Why don't you chat with me for a bit? You know, I've had you bring me Training Shell before...But normally, your duty is to your schoolwork. How about it? Are you making sure you study?
Of course.
Principal: Ahh, how promising! If you're so sure of yourself, why don't we see, hm? Try and answer the questions I have for you. I have a total of four questions. You might not have been taught all these subjects in class, but if you get them all correct, I have a reward for you. How about it? Would you like to give it a try? Well then, here's the first question. Do you know about the Doppler Effect? It's a phenomenon when the observed frequency of a wavelength changes based on the relative speed of the observer. Now, which of the following does not exhibit the Doppler Effect?
Wind.
Principal: Mm, correct. On to question number two. The Kojiki is Japan's oldest history book, with three sections. How are these three sections described?
Upper, Middle, and Lower.
Principal: Mm, correct. Oh, we're halfway there. Here's the third question. Tarot cards are a tool of choice when it comes to fortunetelling. A usual deck is composed of 78 cards. Most of them are of the Major Arcana, each of which get a number from zero to twenty-one. My favorite Major Arcana is Chariot. Which number does it have?
Seven.
Principal: Mm, correct. Here's the last question. It's another one about the tarot cards I mentioned earlier. Which of these common types of playing cards originates from the Tarot-style deck?
Mameluke.
Principal: Ah, well done in correctly answering all my questions. I suppose I should give you your reward. You'll be facing college entrance exams next year, correct? Make sure and do your best on them.

> Obtained Victory Fan.



> Samegawa riverbank...


It's been pretty busy in the department I work in. I'm still doing that consultation thing, too.

> Indeed, Yosuke looks like he's lost some weight...

I caused you some trouble, too, with that mess at Junes.
It wasn't a problem.
Really? Heheh...That's good to know.

> Yosuke has a calm smile on his face.

Back then, I was constantly irritated, wondering why that stuff was happening to me. I was overworked just because I was the store manager's son, and on top of that, tons of people took me for granted...I thought no one was thinking about me.
But that's not how I feel now...

-Smile-

I took a roundabout way realizing this, but one constant in my life is that people rely on me. I thought before that I was shameless for being like that, but...I just don't mind it. When I'm doing things for other people, it helps me try harder...
...When Nanako-chan was kidnapped, didn't you think I was surprisingly on top of things?
Yeah, you were.
Haha, now that you say it like that, I feel pretty lame.

> Yosuke seems embarrassed...

In any case...I tried pretty hard at the time. Of course, I was serious about wanting to save Nanako-chan and solve the case...But mainly, it was because I thought you were going through some tough times.

> Yosuke is smiling gently...

When we were debating dropping Namatame into the TV...I was just seeing red. I was so overwhelmed with hate and wanting to blame everything on him that I stopped thinking for myself.
I think the same could be said about what happened at Junes. People just think about their own interests, but if I ignore them and say it's none of my business, I won't get anywhere. I'll forget what's important...and I won't be able to be proud of myself. I won't be able to say I did my best. I want to keep pushing myself like that.
...I want the people I care about to be happy.

> Yosuke is smiling cheerfully...

-Strength of Heart-



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



> Yosuke's Persona has been reborn again...! Susano-o has transfigured into Takehaya Susano-o!



The storm god ascends.



Not quite as awesome as Shield of Justice or Burning Petals, but it's cheap and always useful.

-Smile-


...There's a lot I'm grateful for from this past year, but the biggest thing...I think it was that I met you. If you ever lose your way, I'll go knock some sense into you. It won't matter if you're at the ends of the earth or in somewhere dark and bleak. That's what partners are for, right?
I'll be counting on you, partner.
...Hehe.

> You sense Yosuke's passion and strong, unwavering bond...You spent time talking about all sorts of things with Yosuke until it became dark out...

-Signs of Love-


School was fun! Everyone welcomed me back. And my teacher said she'll help me go over what we learned while I was out!



> You've prepared the ingredients, and all that's left is to simmer them...How strong should you make the fire?

(Keep on a low flame and don't boil)

> The flavors seep into the ingredients, and the broth looks crystal-clear. It came out perfectly. It looks delicious! Obtained Clear Soup Oden.



-Youthful Lunch-

> Yasogami High gym...You ate lunch with Ai. You ate Clear Soup Oden together.
Rise got cake for shielding Sanzo from a giant death laser, and Ai gets soup for taking a punch. The system is really very simple.


I'm amazed. How'd you know what I like? Hey, if I marry a good cook...
Just kidding!...Lighten up!

> Ai enjoyed your lunch!

-Traumerei-

> The scene of the second victim's discovery...


This whole time, I could never bring myself to pass through here. I was afraid of remembering Sis, and thinking about how...How her body ended up.
But now, I feel like I can finally accept the truth...You know how it is in TV dramas? People cry for days on end, or their sad memories come back and torment them...It wasn't like that for me. I was the same as ever...
So I thought...I thought I was a cold human being...Because I wasn't able to cry like the actors on TV, I thought that maybe I didn't actually like Sis...
That's not true.
Yes...I know now that it isn't. Talking with you made me realize that...

> Naoki is nodding with gentle eyes...

I was just trying not to think about Sis...It was easier for me to tell myself that I was a cold person than to think about Sis and suffer. I kept running away from the pain...I never let myself think about her. She must've wanted to live more, huh?
Live for her sake.
Yes...You're right. That's the only thing I can do for her now...

> Naoki finally let go and started crying...

I wanted her to live more...I wanted her to live...

> Naoki is biting his lip...

Just let it all out, Naoki.
I'm trying for the first time...Ha, haha...*sob*

> Naoki is crying and hiccupping...

Thank you...I finally...finally, feel that I'm sad...

> It seems Naoki has released the profound sadness he had buried...


Sanzo-san...Let's go home. I'm going to talk with my parents. About Sis...About me.

> You parted ways with Naoki and went home.

-Sky Full of Stars-


It's at times like this when a can of The Natural hits the spot. Oh hey, if you're bored, you wanna talk for a bit? Haha, that's what I'm talking about!


He even makes a big fuss at dinner or while taking a bath...I yell at him to calm down, but he just doesn't listen. That creep snuck into my bed, being all, "Weren't you lonely without me, Yosuke?"
You guys get along great.
C'mon, don't pretend it's not a problem! I was in the bathroom the other day, and he just opened the door on me!
Well, if he's cutting loose because he was behaving himself at your place, I guess that's okay.

> Yosuke is shrugging.

I think you really mean a lot to him. It's like, he doesn't want to cause you any trouble, and he thinks the world of you...
But he ought to show some respect to me too, you know? Oh, get this. He's insanely popular with the part-timers. They say there's something mysterious about him...like how he never tells anyone his last name. Joke's on them, though. He doesn't even have one.

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Yosuke...

Whoa...Look at the time. Haha, I didn't even notice. The time just flies by when I'm talking to you. Oh yeah, do you want this? I've heard good things about it.

> You received Kampo Chocolate from Yosuke.

Well, see ya later. Have a safe walk home!

> You part with Yosuke and go home...You remember falling asleep in your bed, but now you feel more awake than ever...







> ...Is this a dream...? You think back on your memories of Marie...




I apologize for interrupting your morning. I thought it would be best to inform you of my progress in the search for Marie. I am closing in on her location. Please allow me a little more time. Oh, and...Do you remember that her memory had been lost? It would seem that this incident has something to do with these lost memories. In entwining her fate with yours, she may have discovered something...Now, if you will excuse me.

> It seems Marie's disappearance has to do with the memories she lost...You have no choice but to wait until Marie's whereabouts have been discovered...

-Specialist-


Mr. Yamada: It's tough being so cold, but snow is so pure white and beautiful. But sometimes, snow falls in different colors. Did you know that? Well then, I'll do Amagi-san a favor and ask her this one. What color is the snow that falls in Europe in spring?


European snow in spring...? Do you know, Sanzo-kun?
Red.
Mr. Yamada: You're absolutely correct, Amagi-san. Red is your favorite color, right? The reason why red snow falls in spring in Europe is because the snow mixes with the red sand of the Saharas. The sand rides the wind from the African Saharas to Europe. It's around one million metric tons! The power of wind is truly great, isn't it? Though, it would be a bit scary if everything turned red...
He remembered that I liked red. That was a great help.
Wait, but if you knew the answer, did you remember me, too?

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Yasogami High rooftop...Ai yanked your arm all the way up here...


You're a really weird guy, you know that!? What's a guy like you doing hanging out with a girl like me!? I mean, I'm a good looking girl, yet you show absolutely no interest in dating me!
But...you're so nice to me.
What was I supposed to do!? It's only natural that I'd fall in love!

> It seems Ai has revealed her feelings for you...However, you are already in a relationship with another girl...What will you do...?


Yeah, I know...
Thank you...for being brave enough to tell me without dancing around it.
...Remember when I asked you if we should go out, and you said, "Are you sure about that?" Well, I thought that was your way of letting me down easy, so I figured...
...But I just had to tell you my feelings, no matter what. You know...You saved me. It was only you, Sanzo. You're the only one who didn't pay attention to the rumors flying around about me...You saw me as I am. Thank you...

-Smile-

Here...Take this.

> Obtained Compact.

I've carried that thing around ever since I decided to change who I was. I could check myself whenever I wanted, to make sure I was still pretty all the time. But now...I don't need it. From now on, people like you will be my mirror. I'll look for my reflection in you, so that I'll never forget who I am. I won't be able to lie to myself anymore...Thank you. Your eyes taught me how to do that.

> You feel a deep bond has formed between you and Ai...



-The Path is Open-



Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.



-Smile-

I knew this was coming, but I guess I couldn't really be ready for how much it would hurt...I'm being selfish, though. Looking at you is...kinda hard right now, so...um...I'll be fine here alone...Goodbye.

> You left Ai behind and walked softly home...

-Aria of the Soul-

Sandalphon is a special Persona:



He's the very last one I need.


You have now registered every possible Persona in the Compendium. This was a result of your hard work and your connections...I shall now bestow the greatest gift of all on you.

> Received Velvet VIP! The discount for summoning Personas from the Compendium has been increased to 25%!
Remember that big "99%" from screenshots of the Compendium? At each quarter of completion, you get an item that grants a slight markdown on Compendium prices. Clear Data keeps these items, just like the Compendium itself and all the items you get for completing Social Links.

As long as you have this, summoning from the Persona Compendium will be easier than ever before. But, that doesn't mean that you can use it free of charge...That's just the way the world works, isn't it? Well, then...

-Sky Full of Stars-


Yosuke's been complaining about what a hassle he is, but I bet he's glad inside to have Teddie back. Whatever those two might say, they make a pretty good pair. So, be honest with me! What was it like, living with Teddie?
It was fun.
Ahaha, Teddie sure can liven up a guy's day. Every family should have one...Hmm, nah, that might be too much excitement.

> Chie is laughing cheerfully...

But now that Nanako-chan's back from the hospital, you gotta spend some time with your family! Oh yeah, speaking of Nanako-chan...!

> 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 Soul Food 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 back to her house and went home...