Part 22: May 20 - May 22: Sanzo, Bringer of Life

-Like A Dream Come True-


Hey, you wanna ditch class? Don't worry, we'll be back before the last bell.
Sure, why not?
Really...Alright, then meet me at the shoe lockers.

> You accepted Ai's invitation and decided to skip afternoon classes. Okina City, in front of Okina Station...Ai has dragged you here.


Just knowing everyone else is still stuck at school studying makes it feel great to be out here.
It's okay once in a while.
You think so? I'm surprised you're so open-minded. I had you pegged for a mama's boy...It's not like I do this all the time. Besides, since they started keeping track of my attendance and behavior record, I've been a good girl.
Well, enough small talk. Let's go. We'll start with clothes, then we'll hit jewelry and shoes, and maybe some cell phone stuff if there's enough time.

> Ai only seems to be concerned about her own shopping...

Alright, I'll come.
Oh course you will. Why else would you be here? Anyway, time's a'wasting.



> Ai paid for everything with a gold card.

Got money to burn?
Well, I guess you could call my family "new money." We may not have status or history, but we do have money. My daddy made a fortune in land speculation. We'd better get going, though, or we won't make it back before class ends. Soon as school gets out, I'm number one on the guidance counselor's list. He has to check on my attendance and behavior, and sometimes, he tops it off with a lecture. It's a major pain. But I'm out here having fun, and all the teachers are totally clueless. How stupid can they be? You know what, though? I had more fun today than usual. You're different from the others. I like you.
I think I'll keep you around. But next time, let's go after school.

> You have become acquaintances with the sports team manager, Ai Ebihara.

-Strength of Heart-





The Moon stands for fears, doubts, mysteries, and illusions.



> You returned to school with Ai and snuck into your class...

Ai might make you schlep all her crap around, but she has the decency not to eat up your after-school time for it.

-How Much?-


He's not telling anyone why he did what he did. What a selfish goon. Well...When you're that young, I'm sure there are things you've done that you don't want to talk about.


I remember one time, he scolded this child who tried to steal candy from me. What a nice young man. He even obeys my rule of only carrying a certain amount of candy at one time. Ahyahya!


Good timing. Wanna hang around and talk for a while? That way, it looks more like I'm--errr, strike that, okay?

> It seems Adachi is slacking off...Will you spend the afternoon with Adachi?

Good for you! You're a good listener. The kind who gets promoted!

> Adachi is smiling mischeviously...

-Like A Dream Come True-


I live alone, so taking care of dinner can be pretty tedious.
Why?
I guess a high school kid wouldn't get it. I just get so tired after work. So I make some cup ramen or something.

> Adachi doesn't seem to lead a nutritionally balanced life...

No one makes you dinner?
You mean like a girlfriend?
I had a girl until a little while ago. It kinda didn't work out.
She looked great, but her attitude was--Hey, I'm not talking about this!

> Adachi is smiling softly...

Cute girls are the best. Though I go for the real knockouts, myself.
The most important thing is that they should be good cooks. Everything else, I can take or leave...
Old woman: Tohru-chan! Is that you?


Old woman: Are you off work? I hope you're not doing anything dangerous!
Oh...No, I'm still on the clock. I was just on my way back to the station.
Old woman: I'm so happy to see you working hard. I brag about you to my neighbors all the time! I'll bring you some nimono, okay? You have to take care of yourself! By the way, I saw this detective show on TV the other day...

> The old woman seems like she'll be talking to him for a long time...

Um...I need to get back...
Old woman: Oh, is it that time already? I hope your day goes well, then.


I guess her son has the same name as me. Maybe that's why she's been hanging around me ever since she found out. I don't know. She always brings huge heaps of that nimono to the station! And she'll talk your ear off if you let her...It's so annoying.
That does sound annoying.
"All this ungrateful bitching, I mean. Who the hell gets doted on & showered with food by sweet little old ladies, and doesn't crow about it to anyone and everyone who can't get away!?"
Doesn't it? She's like that practically every day.

> Adachi sighs...

She's the exact opposite of my parents, so I can't relate to people like that. She's lonely, I guess. I don't think she has any relatives. I can't just ignore her, either. It's part of my job.
The police have been busy lately, so I'm the only one who can deal with her.

> Despite his griping, Adachi looks happy. You feel that you've seen a new side of Adachi...


Though I wish I shared a name with her grandson instead! I'm still only 27, after all.
Well, I should head back, or Dojima-san will really chew me out. See you.

> You watched Adachi go back to work, and then went home.

-Signs of Love-


Dad said you got the best score in the school on your tests. That's incredible! Umm...I made this. H-Here you go.

> Nanako gave you Portrait Medal.


*giggle*
Nanako has a different accessory for each exam. Let's equip this immediately.

What's that? The Witch Charm's +5 Magic is probably better overall? You know what's really better: Screw you, that's what.



> You feel your relationship is going to become closer soon...



-Like A Dream Come True-

> You helped out at the day care center again...


Yuuta: I'm the champion! No going easy on me!


Yuu-kun, are you getting along with Mister Sanzo?
Yuuta: ...No! You don't have to come pick me up!


*sigh*
...Do you like children?
I hate kids.
Really? You looked like you were having a lot of fun...So you basically just view this as your job, then? That's great.

> Eri is impressed...

*sigh* It's so tiring...I don't hate him, but...
Do you like him?
...Of course I do.

> Eri is looking down...

I didn't like coming here because I'd run into the other mothers, but...Haha.

> Eri smiled weakly. You felt like you could understand Eri's feelings of loneliness a bit...




Other other mother: I'm not sure it's such a good idea. Even if you are worried about the young new caretaker being able to watch over your child.
...Yes, of course. I'm sorry to trouble you. Then...if you'll excuse me...

> You finished your job and went home.

-Signs of Love-


They say you got top marks on that last exam. I heard about it when I was investigating.
Pretty amazing, considering you just moved here. Imagine that...I need to act like an uncle every so often and give you some spending money. But don't spend it all in...Nah, you can use it however you like.
"Oh, thanks so much! I've been meaning to pick up some more firecrackers and sedatives."

> You obtained 30,000 yen from Dojima.



> You feel your relationship will become closer soon...





> Nanako seems troubled...

Um, we're growing veggies at school. The teacher gave us "seedlings," and told us to try growing them at home. I asked Dad and he said I could plant them wherever I want. I don't know where's good, though...

> It seems Nanako wants to grow vegetables. You recall that there is an open plot of land on the side of the house. You may be able to set up a simple garden there. Is that part of the Dojima property?

The place next to the house? Mmm-hmm. We don't use it, but it's our yard. Is that where we're gonna plant the seedlings?

-New Days-



> You should be able to make a nice garden with these...You used the tools here to make a garden!



> You planted the tomato seedlings together with Nanako...


They will if we work hard.
Mmm-hmm. I'll do my best to take care of them! Hey, I want to make a sign!
No one will know what we planted until the veggies grow. I gotta write down that there are veggies growing here.
What kind of sign do you want?
Um, a big one!



> The sign is small, but it makes for a perfect finishing touch!

We did it! I'll be in charge of watering the plants!
I'll help too.
Okay! We planted them together, so we should grow them together too!

> Nanako seems happy...

If a lot of veggies grow, will our house be like Junes? *giggle* I can't wait!

> There are seedlings planted in the garden. You should check on them frequently until it's time to harvest them...



Veggies are incredibly useful. There are lots of different kinds that duplicate the effects of different items and skills. After today, you can use the magic bucket by the dining room table to manage your garden. There are four things to do with it:
--Check its status. Right now we've got Tiny Soul Tomatoes coming in 5 days from now.
--Harvest. You have a few days to harvest after your veggies ripen, in case you get sidetracked by the murders or some such frivolous nonsense.
--Throw the plants away and plant new ones.

None of those options take any time.

The fourth option is maintaining the garden. This uses up time, but speeds up the next harvest by a day. If you spend time on maintenance the day before a harvest, you'll get extra veggies.

Your relatives will help out with all your gardening if they're home. They have lots of different stuff they'll say, and maintaining the garden with them will give you a boost to Hierophant and/or Justice. It's an excellent use for an evening if the Dojimas are both home, but neither link is ready to advance.

-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-

Once the garden is dug, a woman with seeds for sale will take position by the house. Hopefully she's not just trying to peep on Dojima.



> You may be able to obtain seedlings to plant in your home garden...

Housewife in farming clothes: Seedlings for a home garden? I surely do have some of those. Planting a family garden, huh? You seem young for that...I admire your spirit. Well, say no more. I'll give you a few of my best seedlings. It's an old truth that good seedlings are half the job when it comes to growing vegetables. I can't give them away of course, but I'll sell them to you below market price.

> It seems she's willing to sell you seedlings for your garden...You should ask her for more details.

Housewife in farming clothes: Let's see...right now, I have two types of seedlings for sale. First is for Tiny Soul Tomatoes. They grow fast, so they're good for beginners. And they taste great, too! I hear these are just the ticket for a quick pick-me-up. These other ones are Return Daikon. Among your root vegetables, these are some of the easier-to-grow ones. It got that name because the taste will make you want to visit home. Isn't that funny? These seedlings have some growth on them already, so they'll be a quick harvest. I can only sell you one of each now, but if you come back another day, I'll be back with new seedlings. These are the ones I have right now. Which kind do you want?

Let's get both. This lady's twin sister over in Junes will also sell seeds now, in place of the vegetables she had before. She only had veggies once a week, but you can buy more seeds every day.

Housewife in farming clothes: Here you go. Good luck with it! Oh my, I've sold out of everything now. Please come back tomorrow.



> It seems Yukiko has some free time...Will you spend the day with Yukiko?

Okay.

> Yukiko seems happy.

-Like A Dream Come True-

In front of Yomenaido Bookstore...It seems Yukiko has bought a book about job certifications.


Sensei recommended this book to me because it has details on a bunch of different job licenses...
Going to apply for one?
Uh-huh...That's right.

> Yukiko seems a bit embarrassed...

Inside the TV...The "other me" said she didn't want to inherit the inn. I think...those were my true feelings. So I've decided to be a little more true to myself...
She "thinks" those were her true feelings? That's an odd thing to say. Why wouldn't she know?
I...I refuse to inherit the Amagi Inn! When I graduate...I'm leaving this town!...I said it.
I said it! Haha...

> Yukiko has a refreshing smile on her face...

So in order to live on my own, I'm thinking of getting a job license. I was thinking something along the lines of an interior decorator...What do you think?
Sounds good.
It's cool, isn't it...?

> Yukiko looks happy...

But it's hard. It costs money to get a license. And of course I can't tell Mother...If only there was a part-time job I could do discreetly...
You can make envelopes in your room...
Really!? I'll go check the board, then!

> It seems you were able to help Yukiko. Touched by Yukiko's spirit, you feel your relationship has grown deeper...





I don't much like the low-level, single-target Light and Dark attacks. They're just too swingy. Still, there's nothing bad about Yukiko having an extra attack element. This'll make a good replacement for her Agi attack, which is obsolete now that she has Agilao.

Thank you for keeping me company today. I was a bit nervous about telling the others how I feel, but...I think I'll be all right.

> You parted with Yukiko as she headed toward the bulletin board and went home.


Well, if you're gonna start something, make sure you do it right, okay? I'll help out a bit when I can.


All we've got is instant, though. How do you take it?
Surprise me.
Alright, I'll pour you a good one.

> Dojima looks like he's having fun.

Dad, the news is starting. Oh, coffee! Can I have some?
Sure thing. Plenty of sugar and cream, right?
Yeah!
Go watch TV with Nanako. I'll bring it to you when it's ready.
You don't have to do that.
Oh, no, it's okay. Making the coffee is my only job around here.

> Dojima is smiling gently...

When I got married, her mother made me promise one thing. She said this is all I have to do around the house. But nobody else can do it. So...Well, you know. It's habit now.

> Dojima looks a bit embarrassed. You saw an unexpected side of Dojima and grew closer to him...


This is the only promise I can really keep these days...Well...anyway. Sit over there.

> You watched TV together.


Announcer: On the outskirts of Okina today, a woman bicyclist was hit by a car and died on the scene.
Nanako, turn the TV off.
Oh...okay.



-Traumerei-


Mom died in an accident. I don't remember it. And Dad won't talk about it...

> Nanako looks lonely...You watched some more TV with Nanako before going to your room.