Part 138: February 12 Part 2: Oh Jeepers We're Trapped in this Cabin and My Clothes Won't Stay On
The girls' scenes are pretty much all the same:
-Like A Dream Come True-
> You and Rise enjoyed your time together on the mountain...
But I think I'm looking pretty good! Were you watching?> Though Rise looks tired, she seems to be having fun.
...Going skiing with my friends...When I think about about how things were last year, I can barely believe this.
I was in horrible condition last January...I spent my New Year's days off like a lifeless shell. My parents and friends were so worried about me that they didn't dare mention it...I was stuck in that horrible loop. But, I have to thank fate. If I hadn't met you all this year, I might not even be here now...Ahaha, sorry. I didn't mean to bring up my past!
Let's make it just us next time. Of course! I'm happy that you brought that up, Senpai.
But...what should I do? I bet I won't be able to practice at all. *giggle* Looks like the snow's really starting to fall. I think we should start heading back. Um...Which way is the lodge again? I'm sorry, I just thought that you knew where we were going, so I wasn't paying attention. It should be right... You don't sound so sure... W-Well, it's not like we can get lost, right? We're not leaving the ski area, after all. We still should hurry before it gets dark.> The snow is rapidly decreasing any visibility...You decide to somehow make your way to the lodge...
> You've walked quite a bit, but the lodge is nowhere to be seen...The snow seems to be coming down even harder now...
Crap...I can barely see what's ahead...Could it possibly be that we're lost...? Oh man, just standing around like this is freezing cold...! It's so coooold...This isn't good...I'm feeling...kinda sleepy... Don't fall asleep, no matter what.
I know. I mean, the snow and wind keep slapping me in the face. I don't think I could fall asleep anyway...Make sure you keep talking too, Senpai!
Huh...?
Senpai, look! It's a cottage! Yes, we're saved! Hey, let's go ask whoever's there to let us in.*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
Excuse me! Please help us!> There is no answer from inside...
...Wait, huh?> The door was unlocked, but there's no one inside...
But in any case, I'm glad we were lucky enough to find this place...> Rise looks anxious...
Are you cold? A little, but we're so much better now that we're out of the wind and snow. Do you have your phone, Senpai? I forgot to bring my charger on this trip, so my battery ran out this morning.> You do have your cell phone...If there's a signal, you may be able to call for help...The screen reads "No Service." It seems there is no signal here...
No good? *sigh* What should we do...? I wonder when this blizzard's gonna calm down...If we end up stuck here all night, we're definitely gonna fall asleep, no matter how hard we try to stay awake...
Hey...We could try something. You know, like what they do on TV when people are trapped in the cold...Use each other's body heat to stay warm...I-I mean, this is an emergency! I'm being serious! What in the world am I saying...? Sorry, I'm going to calm down... But still, we need to think of a way to get warm...
Hey, what's this thing? Isn't it one of those...whaddya call'em...A stove? A hearth? Some place to put a fire in! Senpai, do you have a lighter--no, of course you wouldn't. But maybe we'll find something to light if we look around in here!> You find old newspapers and some matches. After some effort, you manage to get a fire started in the hearth...
*sigh* At least we'll be okay for the time being. ...Oh, I know.
I wonder where we are...We did a lot of walking. But now that we're safe, this is actually kind of fun. Just the two of us, snowed in, in a little cottage... Oh...Now that I'm all warm, I'm starting to get a little sleepy...Well, I guess it's okay to fall asleep here in the warm cabin... *giggle* You might even try something funny on me...Hey...Senpai...?*BLIP*
Did that turn on just now? Why...? Stay here. You're so reliable, Senpai! But I'm coming, too. I'm not just gonna sit here.
*THUMP*
Whoa, hey...Senpai!?*WHAM* *CRUNCH*
Senpai...Are you serious...? This is no place to be messing around like that! L-Look out! You don't want to go too far...-Youthful Lunch-
Stooooooooop! The entire country will turn against you!
Huh...They're still dressed.
Why would they take off their clothes, in this freezin' weather? And dude, why're you guys so flustered? What's up with you guys?
D-Do I really have to spell it out for you?
Rise-chan...Don't tell me...Were you waiting for an audience!? What daring lovers...! H-How shameless! You're no different from your Shadow!
But, okay! I'll take a front-row seat, and--
Shut up, you stupid bear!
Wait...Why did you all rush in here? Were you listening to us from outside!?
Nah...I mean, not on purpose. It would've been awkward to interrupt before, but-- I can't believe this...This was a matter of life and death!
We were worried about you!
Anyway...What were the two of you doing, shoving each other around in here? It's the TV...
Why? What's wrong with it? C'mon, guys, don't try that lame excuse on us...
I-It's true! Senpai tried to go into the TV, so...! I'm not lying!> Everyone is staring at you in contempt...You desperately explain what happened just now...
That's not the point here!
But you're not denying that happened... The TV turned on, but it's not even plugged in! It made no sense, so we thought we'd check it out...! Please...If I wanted to be alone with him, I wouldn't have to manufacture some crisis out here in the mountains like this! But this building is right behind the lodge, though. This is a storage shed. It's kept unlocked because the workers are always needing to come in here.
And it's not like there's a blizzard or anything...
And why would the TV turn itself on? That whole case is over. Maybe you just saw a reflection from the ski lights or something. What...!?
C'mon, we don't need to assume that they're lying about this. We might as well check it out. H-Hey, wait a sec...
-Like A Dream Come True-
> You and Chie enjoyed your time together on the mountain...
Man, we've been up and down this thing all day. This is my first time snowboarding, but I'm really liking this.
I'm glad you can ski well! It'd be no fun if I had to worry about slowing down for you.> Chie laughs contently...
I usually don't like snow because it makes walking to school take even longer, but playing in it gets me all excited!
But, that's going to come to an end soon...
Ugh...My brain's doing everything it can to avoid thinking about that stuff... Still...I had a lot of fun this winter, since I was able to come here with you! Let's make sure we come back again! Let's come again with everyone. Yeah, of course! It'll be great! I'm getting hungry and I miss meat, so let's start heading back. Which way are we supposed to go to get back to the lodge?...Wait, seriously, which side was it...? It should be right... You don't sound too sure...But we should at least get going. It's starting to snow pretty hard...> The snow is rapidly decreasing any visibility...You decide to somehow make your way to the lodge...
> You've walked quite a bit, but the lodge is still nowhere to be seen...The snow seems to be coming down even harder now...
...Bleh! Snow got in my mouth...when I yelled...Hey...Do you think...Could we be lost? Crap...I don't have much feeling left in my hands...What're we gonna do? If we keep walking, we'll get there.
No no no! That's what all the idiots who freeze to death say!
Isn't that a cottage!? Yes! We might be able to take shelter there.
It'll be better than wandering around in the snow. Let's hurry!*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
Excuse me! Please let us in!> There is no answer from inside...
...Oh, hey.> The door was unlocked, but there's no one inside...
In any case, it's a good thing we found this place. Who knows what would've happened if we'd been stuck out there...> Chie looks anxious...
Are you scared?
No, no, I'm okay! Haha, I guess you don't feel stuff like that when your body gets this desperate. Umm, hey. Do you have your phone? I actually forgot mine in the lodge.> You do have your cell phone...If there's a signal, you may be able to call for help...The screen reads "No Service." It seems there is no signal here...
I had a feeling that would happen...Hell, even if we were able to call someone, they might not be able to find this place in the blizzard...If this keeps up, are we gonna be trapped in here all night?...We'll be spending the night together...?
I know! I saw a movie recently about some people who got lost in the mountains! Maybe it'll be useful. If I remember right, the characters took off their clothes to help them warm each other up... Take off our clothes!? What am I saying!?
You know what, never mind! That movie was stupid! I think they all died at the end! But still, we do need to warm up somehow. Hmm...
Hey, isn't this a sunken hearth!? We can start a fire here! Is there something to burn!? Let's look around! If there's a hearth here, there has to be something for it!> You find old newspapers and some matches. After some effort, you manage to get a fire started in the hearth...
I finally feel like we're gonna be okay now. I don't know what I would've done if we'd been stuck in the cold all night.
H-Hey...Instead of having the fire between us...it would be warmer if...if we were closer, right?
Sorry, that was pessimistic of me. ...But I feel...a little excited. This is kind of like when me, you, and Yosuke feel into the TV for the first time...When I'm with you...I somehow feel like things will be all right. Oh...Um, well, I...*BLIP*
That wasn't lightning, was it? Wait...Did that thing come on just now? Why...? Let's check it out. R-Right!
*WHUMP*
Huh...? H-Hey...!?*CRACK* *BANG*
I don't think this is the place for that... Seriously, we should wait until we get home. It's just not safe...!-Youthful Lunch-
Stooooooooooop! Don't throw away your friendship in a moment of passion!
...They're still dressed. Why would they take off their clothes, in this freezin' weather? Yeah, what's up with you guys?
D-Do I really have to spell it out for you? Wait, what? What're you talking about...? Don't tell me...Were you waiting for an audience!? What daring lovers...! H-How shameless! But, okay! I'll take a front-row seat, and--
You're the shameless one! Wait! Were you guys listening outside!? Nah...I mean, not on purpose. It would've been awkward to interrupt before, but-- Then you WERE listening! For your information, it was a matter of life and death! Hey, we came because we were worried about you! Whatever...What were the two of you doing, shoving each other around in here? The TV came on... ...It isn't plugged in. No, I'm serious! You're totally misunderstanding what was going on here!> Everyone is staring at you in contempt...You desperately explain what happened just now...
I can't believe this...We were so worried, and here you are sneaking behind our backs... You still don't get it. Look, even if the TV isn't plugged in, it suddenly turned on by itself! That's why we were checking it out...We wouldn't risk our lives way out here in the middle of nowhere just on a whim! "Middle of nowhere?" This is right behind our lodge. It's some kind of storage shed. I think they keep it unlocked because the workers need to come in and out all the time. And it's not like there's a blizzard or anything... And why would the TV turn itself on? That whole case is over. I bet one of you sat on the remote, then you started freaking out. We're not lying! Fine! I'll check it out myself then! H-Hey, wait a sec...
-Like A Dream Come True-
> You and Yukiko enjoyed your time together on the mountain...
Snowplowing all the time is pretty tiring...
I think doing downhill runs is really fun! When I'm just focused on skiing, I can forget about all these other things and empty my mind.
Have I ever told you this before?...I didn't really like my name, "Yukiko," from the start. It means "snow girl." Everybody gets this impression of quiet calm...something that melts away soon. That kind of image. But I don't hate it anymore. You and everyone else taught me. Haha...Snow is the reason why we can even go skiing today, right? Everyone has different faces...They can look for a new face as well. That's how I think things are. This is the first time I've ever gone on a trip with friends, and I'm having so much fun! We have to do this again! Let's come again with everyone. Oh, yes, we have to do this with all the others, too. Until then, I'll practice so that I can go full speed all the way to the bottom! Should we start heading back? It looks like it's about to start snowing again soon...Oh...Which way is it to the lodge? I think it's left... ...You're not too sure either? W-Well, whichever way we go, we're not going to get lost! If we take the wrong way, we'll just take the lift back up! Anyway, let's get going.> The snow is rapidly decreasing any visibility...You decide to somehow make your way to the lodge...
> You've walked quite a bit, but the lodge is still nowhere to be seen...The snow seems to be coming down even harder now...
I don't remember passing through such a deserted place...
I hate to even think it, but...could we be lost...? Hey, are you okay? I'm thankful that you're walking ahead, but you have to be tired too. Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard? I'm pretty okay, so...
No, maybe I'm not...The snow looks like a futon to me...All those times it looked like Yukiko was making lovey dovey cow eyes at Sanzo? That was actually the onset of hypothermia. Yes, even in the summer. She's weak to cold, after all.
Don't fall asleep, no matter what. Right...I bet it'd feel nice if I laid down on the snow...It looks soft...> Yukiko seems to be at her limit...
Isn't that a cottage!? Maybe there's someone... Oh...I don't know if anyone's there, but if we can at least wait there until the blizzard calms down...Let's go check it out!*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
Excuse me! Is anyone there!?> There is no answer from inside...
...Wait, hm?> The door was unlocked, but there's no one inside...
Still, I'm glad it wasn't. If we'd stayed out there, we might have been in serious danger...> Yukiko looks anxious...
Are you scared? Huh?...Oh, do you mean because it's dark?
Don't worry. Things like that don't bother me. Chie hates being in dark places, though. People often say that it should be the other way around. Hey, do you have your cell phone with you? I dropped mine in the snow a couple of times, so I don't want to risk turning it on until it dries.> You do have your cell phone...If there's a signal, you may be able to call for help...The screen reads "No Service." It seems there is no signal here...
I see...It would've been nice to get a message out to somebody, even if we are stuck here. Do you think the others are still skiing out in this weather...? I wonder when the blizzard will calm down...
Even though we're shielded from the worst of the snow and wind, we could be trapped here by the cold... The two of us...alone?
I'm sorry! Um...We don't know for sure that we'll be stuck here all night! I'm sure we'll be able to get in touch with Chie and the others at some point! Th-That's why we'll be all right! Even if it's cold, we just need to warm each other until...then...Warm each other...Sheesh, what am I saying...? But, truth be told, we do need a way to keep the cold away...
Oh...There's a sunken hearth here. There may be something we can use to start a fire! Give me a second...At the inn, we'd keep that stuff near here...> You find old newspapers and some matches. After some effort, you manage to get a fire started in the hearth...
*sigh* Now that I'm warming up, I'm starting to feel better.
U-Um...We might as well do...this...to stay warm, right?
I wonder if everyone's worried about us...This reminds me of the time that I was trapped in the TV world. Considering that I was rescued from that terrible situation, I have to stay strong and trust in my friends. And, well...I'm not alone right now. When I'm with you...I'm not so worried about what's going to happen. Oh...Um, I mean...I...*BLIP*
Did...Did that TV over there turn on for a second? Why would it do that? I'll go take a look. Thanks, but I want to find out why too.
*CREAK*
Huh...? Wait, don't!*BAM* *CLANG*
Y-You shouldn't do that now! This just isn't the place...Well...P-Please, be careful!-Youthful Lunch-
Stooooooooooop! You can't just give "inn" to your passions!...Ehh?
...They're still dressed. Why would they take off their clothes, in this freezin' weather? And dude, why're you guys so flustered? What's up with you guys? D-Do I really have to spell it out for you?
Did you all come to rescue us!?
...Why do I get the feeling that that isn't the case...? Yuki-chan...Were you waiting for an audience!? What daring lovers...! H-How shameless! But, okay! I'll take a front-row seat, and-- Wh-What are you talking about!? Wait...Were you waiting outside this whole time...? No, we just got here! Really! It's just...we didn't know exactly when to make our move. That's so mean! So you were listening to us...!? Our lives were at stake, you know...
No, no, we really did come because we were worried! Whatever...What were the two of you doing, shoving each other around in here? We were checking this TV... Why? What happened? Oh, come on. "It was the TV!" I-It's true! You're all misunderstanding things!> Everyone is staring at you in contempt...You desperately explain what happened just now...
I can't believe this...We were so worried, and here you are sneaking behind our backs... Hey! We did nothing of the sort! The TV just turned on, and it's not even plugged in. That's why we had to check it out...And why would we come out to a cottage out in the woods if we weren't lost!? Uh...This place is right behind the lodge. It's a storage shed. They don't bother locking it when there's nothing inside. And it's not like there's a blizzard or anything... And why would the TV turn itself on? That whole case is over. Maybe you just saw a reflection from the ski lights or something. B-But...
Then again, I don't think Yukiko would lie about something like that. We might as well check it out. H-Hey, wait a sec...
-Like A Dream Come True-
> You and Naoto enjoyed your time together on the mountain...
I thought I'd have learned to not fall down anymore...But I must be tensing my legs too much.> Naoto seems quite exhausted...
I'm sorry, you must hate having a total beginner holding you back like this. I've always been able to pick up new skills when they become necessary, but I've never had to ski before... Murder mysteries may take place in snowy mountain retreats in novels, but it's not that often in real life. Cutting a telephone line in a mountain cottage during a blizzard is obviously suicidal, too. I wonder how long it's been since I last tried so hard to just have fun...I used to think that these...frivolities were a waste of time. That they wouldn't make me any better of a person.
Haha...Though, thinking back on it, I have to laugh. I was all alone then. I want to come back here again... Let's come again with everyone. Yes, definitely. We don't just have to go skiing, though. I'd go anywhere with this group of friends. Ah, yes. You said that you all went to the beach during the summer. Please invite me along next time.
...Oh, but then again, I'd have to wear a swimsuit...Hmm... Shall we start heading back? The snow's starting to fall quite heavily. Which way should we be headed to get back to the lodge? Oh, well...I thought I was simply following you today, so I wasn't checking on our course... I think it's left... You don't sound very confident... But then again, I'm sure we'll get somewhere as long as we stick to the ski course. We should leave soon, then. I can't go very fast, after all...> The snow is rapidly decreasing any visibility...You decide to somehow make your way to the lodge...
> You've walked quite a bit, but the lodge is still nowhere to be seen...The snow seems to be coming down even harder now...
It's not that I don't believe you, but I feel that we've already been past this area...Could it be that we're lost...? I don't want to admit it though...This is a problem...This snow could be concealing small rivers or cliffs beneath us...I don't think...we should be wandering around aimlessly...Actually...I'm reaching my limits... Let's dig a snow hut. That's impossible...The snow's too soft...It needs to at least set for a night...
Look! Isn't that a cottage!?
Thank goodness...Even if that place is empty...There should be things there. We may be able to get ourselves warm...Let's go check it out!*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
Excuse me! Is anyone here!?> There is no answer from inside...
...Hm? Huh?> The door was unlocked, but there's no one inside...
Some places don't use padlocks, because they've been known to freeze shut in extreme conditions...Let's just consider ourselves lucky for now...> Naoto looks anxious...
Are you cold? Well, a little. I'll be all right. We've found shelter, so I'll manage from here. Um...Do you happen to have your cell phone? I tried making numerous calls while we were lost, and my phone's battery has run out...> You do have your cell phone...If there's a signal, you may be able to call for help...The screen reads "No Service." It seems there is no signal here...
This is a problem...Could all this snow be disrupting the signal? The blizzard isn't calming down, either. I doubt it will last long, considering the weather here in the mountains. But this still isn't good...We may be indoors, but the cold is a very real threat...
B-By the way, um...Warming each other with our bodies...w-would be ineffective in our case! Th-That only works when your clothes are wet, or one person's body temperature has been significantly lowered... Right...No one asked for details...Sorry. But on a more serious note, we do need to find a way to warm ourselves or we'll be in trouble.
Ah...Upon closer inspection, this sunken hearth uses charcoal and not firewood! Thank goodness. If we can get some ventilation in this room, we'll be able to use this. Now we need something to start a fire, but a place like this should have some tools available...> You find old newspapers and some matches. After some effort, you manage to get a fire started in the hearth...
Ah, Prometheus...Thank you for fire!
We can't let any last bit of heat go to waste, after all! Where could we be...? I thought that we'd been walking towards the lodge...Even once the blizzard settles, it's risky to walk around in the mountains at night. It seems we have no choice but to stay here...
Strange...We're in quite a pinch, but some part of me is actually enjoying this. All alone with another, stuck in a mountain cottage for an entire night... Yikes...I think this feeling is referred to as the "suspension bridge effect"...S-Senpai...Um...*BLIP*
That...turned on right now, correct? Why...? Let's check it out. Yes. I can't pretend it didn't happen.
*RIP*
Whoa, S-Senpai...!? What're you doing...?*SNAP* *WHACK*
That...You should stop doing that. I-I mean, this is hardly an ideal location to be trying this...! Stop, before you go too deep!-Youthful Lunch-
Stooooooooop! It's just an incredibly romantic situation up on a ski trip! Don't give in!
...They're still dressed. Why would they take off their clothes, in this freezin' weather? And dude, why're you guys so flustered? What's up with you guys? ...Are you really asking that, Kanji-kun? Nao-chan...Were you waiting for an audience!? H-How shameless! You don't have to prove yourself to anyone! But, okay! I'll take a front-row seat, and-- I...I'm having a hard time understanding what you're trying to get at...You came to rescue us, correct? Actually, since when were you all outside? Don't tell me you've been here the entire time...? Nah...I mean, not on purpose. It would've been awkward to interrupt before, but-- So...You're saying that you WERE spying on us... Hey, we came because we were worried about you! More to the point...What are the two of you doing in here? We needed to examine this TV here in greater detail... The TV? Why? It's not plugged in. C'mon, guys, don't try that lame excuse on us... That is not an excuse! It's the truth! Senpai attempted to go inside the television, and...Wh-Why are you looking at me like that!?> Everyone is staring at you in contempt...You desperately explain what happened just now...
You obviously aren't listening to what we're trying to tell you. The TV turned itself on, even though it isn't plugged in. Since the Midnight Channel is no more, we need to investigate! There's no way we'd risk ourselves to come to this stupid little shack just out of some impure motives! But this building is right behind the lodge, though. We were told that it's a storage shed. They don't lock it because workers come here often during the day. And it's not like there's a blizzard or anything... Maybe you just saw a reflection from the ski lights or something. That's impossible... Then again, I don't think Naoto-kun would lie about something like this. And since we're all here, we might as well check the TV. H-Hey, wait a sec...