Part 122: February 2 - February 10: Final Exams, For Real This Time

The 5th of February is your very last day of free time. There's not much left on Sanzo's to-do list besides waiting for Margaret to check in.

-Snowflakes-


Mrs. Nakayama: Oh! You brought me the Golden Chains! Won't you give that to me? Thank you! They're going to make me so happy! Now my stocks will soar, and my wallet will swell with money...Oh, this is a token of my gratitude. Thank you for your trouble.

> Mrs. Nakayama places 65,000 yen in your hand.

Mrs. Nakayama: I need to put these up as decorations the moment I get home. And then I'll look at my charts, run the numbers...check my astrological advisor...My economic future is secured!


Ms. Sofue: You are truly impressive, Sanzo. Now I can create new rods. Well done. Now, don't be modest, and accept this.

> Obtained Silver Tray.

Ms. Sofue: It is said that silver is better than gold. That is truly an excellent item. Then again, gold is more worthy of me. Ahaha...I thank you, Sanzo.





> "A bear who gets seasick is just a bear." An anime about the legendary sailing bear...

-Like A Dream Come True-


Huh? The movies? With me!? Of course I'll go! I'll go with you!
Hmmm, so I need to go to the movie theater at Okina? Gotcha! I'll see you there!


Let's goooooo!

> You and Teddie take in a movie together...You felt as if you truly know what it means to be a bear of the sea after watching an anime tale about sailors. You enjoyed watching the movie with Teddie. Something inside Teddie changed in response to the movie...




That scene where he learns that a bear that gets seasick isn't really a bear, but merely just a cub...Just remembering it makes me cry!

> Teddie seems to have really liked the movie...

It was so much fun! I'll be awaiting your next invitation!

> You decide to go home...

-Sky Full of Stars-


On nights like these, I gotta get the blood flowing or eat a steaming hot steak bowl! Oh yeah, do you have some time? If it's okay with you, I wouldn't mind talking for a bit.


The boys in our class are obnoxious every year, begging for even some friendship chocolates.
Is the amount of chocolate you get worth getting bent out of shape over?
The special ones are all I need.
Haha, that sounds pretty cool. Spoken like a true leader of men.

> Chie is a little embarrassed...

Well, buying friendship chocolates is pretty fun too. Usually I end up looking at the ones I'd want to eat, though, haha...

> 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 to her house and went home...You remember falling asleep in your bed, but 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 have located her. However, she is in a realm not that of man...It will not be easy for you to set foot in that place. Please, allow me just a little more time so that I may make preparations. As I have said before, when I am done, I shall come for you...Now, if you will excuse me.

> Marie's whereabouts have been identified...You now need to wait until Margaret comes for you...



> Mumon's coffee is as exquisite as the last time. Once again, it is an overwhelming flavor that your body submits to...As you're swept up in a black torrent of flavors, you desperately reach towards something and grasp it...! Obtained the Absorb Elec skill card from Lucifer!


Mumon: Ha...I'm not talking about the sky out there. I know that your heart's always clear as a summer's day.

-Sky Full of Stars-


Sober subordinate: "If someone's in trouble, you help them, no questions asked! And if you're in trouble, don't wait around, get help!" He saved me from being a loner. Now I want to return the favor for someone. So I'm going to ask a coworker out drinking. Gotta start somewhere, right?


Hey, got some time to talk? I just got off my shift.


I mean, that in itself is fine. No use getting worked up over it now...
The problem is the ad we sent out. My dad came up with this weird slogan for a sales pitch.
"Princess Chocolate in the Ballad Kingdom rides through the battlefield!" That's so not going to sell...
What does that even mean?
...Hell if I know. Who's this Princess Chocolate? And what's this battlefield stuff about?

> Yosuke is thinking to himself...

Man...Is our store really gonna be okay? I'm starting to get worried.
I mean, my dad did something like this once before, and that time...

> 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 Junes Lunch from Yosuke.

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

> You part with Yosuke and go home...





> Obtained the Absorb Ice skill card from Isis!


Mumon: But...a guy like that isn't strong. Someone who's truly strong will never back down.

-Signs of Love: Reincarnation-


Um, today I'm studying for my life class! I'm supposed to help out at home.
"Life class"...? Oh, you mean Life Environment Studies.
Mmhm, that!
Once I'm done with this, my teacher said I don't need to study on weekends anymore. What can I help out with?
Well, you washed the dishes earlier, so you've helped out already.
Oh, okay.
Then that's what I'll write about!

> Nanako is doing her best to write down her thoughts...

When I wash dishes...they get clean. It makes dinner...taste good...When dinner tastes good...everyone smiles. So I like...washing dishes...
...I didn't know that's how she saw things...
She's such a great girl.
Haha...you sound like a doting father, or at least a doting brother.
All done! Now I'm caught up! Thanks, Dad and big bro!

> It seems Nanako has succeeded in catching up with her lessons. Since Nanako has finished studying, you put her to bed and returned to your room.



-Signs of Love-



> It's from Yosuke...

How's studying going?
Everything good???
SKI TRIP! Next week!
The 11th!
2 days 1 night alllllll fun
I got us a room.
We can rent boards n clothes there
Lets ace r tests n njoy the last big event of the winter!
L8S!

> You are now scheduled to go on a ski trip with everyone else for two days, starting February 11th...


It's cold outside, but P.E. is tons of fun!

-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-





> Obtained the Absorb Fire skill card from Hell Biker!


Mumon: But even so...if what's real loses hope, don't you think this world is done for?

-Sky Full of Stars-


Me? I'm trainin' my willpower. This snow ain't nothin'! Yo!


How the hell should I know that? So I told her to go ask Naoto herself...
But she got all pissed and yelled, "If I could do that, I wouldn't be asking you!" Tch, it's crazy. Why was she asking about sweet stuff...?
Girls her age are tricky.
Yeah. I dunno why she got all pissed at me.
I mean, she's a girl, so why would she care what Naoto likes?

> Kanji has a strange expression on his face...

By the way, do you like sweet stuff, Senpai? I actually have kind of a sweet tooth, and...

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Kanji...

Damn, it's late.
We got into a real deep conversation there. Time just flies when I'm with you, Senpai. Oh yeah, I want you to have this. Seein' as how you're always so patient with me...

> You received Diamond Shield from Kanji.

Well, be careful on your way home!

> You part with Kanji and go home...



> Your year-end exams begin today and continue until the weekend. You should hurry to school...

-Snowflakes-


The advancement exams start today. Did you remember to study for them? Chie seemed anxious...but me, I'm kind of relieved. I missed things like exams and schoolwork. This is just another sign of normal life slowly coming back.
I'm with you there.
Mm. Everyone's been their old selves around town and at school, too. The ski trip this weekend might be our last "special" outing. Let's ace those exams so we can focus on having fun on the trip!

-Specialist: Reincarnation-



















-Snowflakes-


Today's the last day of exams. *sigh* This week has been so stressful.
But the ski trip's tomorrow! I can't wait to stay the night with everyone! Say, how are you at skiing? I haven't done it in a while, so I'm worried I might be a little rusty.
I'll teach you.
Huh? You will? Hooray! We'll be there for two days and one night, so there'll be plenty of skiing. *giggle* I'll take you up on that offer!



> Today was the final day of advancement exams. The ski trip is tomorrow. You decided to go straight home.

-Signs of Love-




Don't worry about Nanako. I'll be home during the holidays, too.
Go have a lot of fun with your friends.

> The ski trip is tomorrow. You should return to your room and rest early...