Part 26: June 2 - June 5: Sanzo's Terrible Secret

-Like A Dream Come True-


Shoot...I still can't play the part I was messing up last time...
Why don't you give up?
Wow, you really get a kick out of teasing me, don't you?

> Ayane smiles.

It'd be nice to be able to play outside, but I'd embarrass myself if I went alone...
Alright, follow me!
Huh...? O-Okay! Um, th-thank you very much!

> Ayane looks very happy.



> You practiced in between rainstorms at the riverbank with Ayane.

Hmmm...

> Ayane is constantly playing the wrong notes...

*sigh* I-I'm sorry. Oh...I'm distracting you from your own practice, aren't I...
No, you're not.
"Don't worry about me! I am AWESOME at tuning stuff out."
A-Are you sure? Thank you...

> Ayane looks relieved...

I really appreciate you practicing with me. It makes me happy. S-So, um...thank you for doing this.

> You feel Ayane's appreciation for you...


I...I know I don't have much talent...but even I have dreams.
I'd love to make music that could reach out to someone who really needed it. It'd be great if I could make people happy...
Kind of silly, I know. W-We'd better be going, Senpai. I'll see you at school.

> You parted with Ayane and went home.

-Smile-

> You tutored Shu.




Shu's mother: I bought it from an online shop that's all the rage these days. It's been the top-ranked store for 15 weeks straight. Just like Shu-chan! First place in everything!
...Stop it!
Shu's mother: But you're my pride and joy...So, Sanzo-kun, about Shu...Do you think he could make it into Tokyo University? I don't him to ever have any hardship. Once he's in a good college, he's "set," right? Everyone has a natural talent. Shu-chan's just happens to be how smart he is! I just want him to go to a good college so he can get a good job, then buy a good house and find a good--
Mom!
Don't you worry about me, Mom. I'm always on top. I am right now, and I always will be.
Shu's mother: That's right! He really is the perfect child...

> Shu's mother continues to lavish praise on her son...


I don't think so.
...How would you know? You're not even in college yet!

> Shu sneers at you.

I don't really need to be "set" just yet. I don't really know what that's supposed to mean, anyway.
...Well, I need to study. There's no point in asking about college unless I'm really smart.

> Shu is looking down...

"Raison d'etre"...Do you know what that means?
Of course.
"It's Italian for 'The raisins I ate.' Duh."
...I'm surprised. Well, it makes sense, since you're three grades above me.

> Shu nods.

...It's irrelevant.
I only have Mom, and the guys at school are all kids...

> It seems that Shu has opened his heart to you, if only a little...


Huh...Time's already up. We were still in the middle of that last question...
I'll stay and help you.
I don't think you'll get paid overtime if you work after our time is up.
...But thank you for offering to do that for me.

> Shu looks happier. You tutored Shu some more.




Attendant: It's been like this since they built that mega-store outside town a few years back...But lately, it's been noisy here too. I understand that everyone is afraid of the murderer, but...It seems they're actually excited, having something big and fresh to chat about. Heh, am I overthinking it?
I don't think I've ever seen that attendant outside in the sun. Weird dude.


Avid reader: Even I'm currently practicing something I read in a book a while ago...No! I can't do it at all! Hey you, can I ask you something? I was walking along the river and I saw the cutest little cat...It looked like a stray. I wonder if it would eat cat food. I want to give it a good meal. All the books say that you shouldn't feed feral animals, but...Oh, I know! Why don't you do it for me?

Not much else to do today besides check in with the fox. The scene is the same each time, so I'll keep it short from here on out.



-Traumerei-



> Dojima is busily turning the newspaper pages...Come to think of it, Dojima was looking for a copy of a newspaper article. It seemed important, but what happened to it? With your current level of Expression, you might be able to get something out of him...


Ohh...Yeah, I found it. Were you worried about it?
It's about Chisato...my wife. When she was killed by a hit-and-run...I told you before, right? About the case where we never had a suspect? Get it now...? There's nothing more I can say about it in this house. Let's stop there.
Then let's go outside.
...Hah. You win...

> Dojima sighs...

She...Nanako's mother was run over on her way to pick up Nanako from nursery school. It was a cold day, and there were no witnesses, so they didn't find her until much later. Until they got word to me, Nanako was waiting all that time at the nursery...All alone. Waiting for a mother who would never come...I couldn't tell Nanako that her mother was killed. That her father, whose job is to catch criminals...couldn't find a single lead...
But I haven't given up. I'll catch the guy.
I don't need a private life to do that...Nanako will understand.
That's just an excuse.
......!

> Dojima is biting his lip...

Sorry...leave me alone for now.
...Sanzo. Thanks.

> You can sense Dojima's pain...



> You left Dojima in the living room and went to your room.





Seems to be a family looking for their lost dog.



Another slow day. I think I'll be hitting the TV again sooner than I expected.


Weather announcer: The week ended on a wet note as rain clouds moved into the area. As a result, a thick fog is expected to form in the Inaba region later tonight...



> Meanwhile, at the fog-shrouded shopping district...

-Who's There?-





-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-

> You hear an infectiously cheery song.

Singers: Here comes Tanakaaaaa Over the airwaves to youuuuu


Singers: Granter of your desires!
This is Tanaka's Amazing Commodites, the mail order television program being broadcasted live to you! We guarantee your purchase will meet your satisfaction for a fair market price! Now, let's introduce the products available for these three days! It's Jingi Fundoshi x 1! Tie them tight to boost your vitality! Oh my goodness! I can't believe its wonderfulness! I'll add Slimming Food x 2 to your Jingi Fundoshi, all for the low price of only 11800 yen! We've got another fantastic product on sale today! Inaba Trout x 1! A fresh fish combo! On top of this, I'll add Amber Seema x 2 to your Inaba Trout for only 2980 yen! These products are so popular, we can only allow one order per person! Which would you like to purchase today!?

As much as the magical diaper-thong just calls to me, I think the fish will be more useful in the long run.

> You bought the Inaba Trout combo, including Inaba Trout x 1 and Amber Seema x 2.

-Your Affection-


Housewife in farming clothes: First is Crack Wheat. Sounds weird, huh? The stem is so strong, yet supple, that there's legends of bandits using this stuff to open locks. The other is Hiranya Cabbage. It got that name because of the way the leaves look like something called Hiranyas. Not sure what that means, though...But it's very high in nutrition! In fact, it's known as an herbal cure-all! My father-in-law likes to juice these in a blender and drink them straight up. Me? Well, I'm...you know. In any case, these are great if you're stepping up your garden. Give 'em a try.

Sanzo is ALWAYS stepping up his garden. He will not stop until his vegetables are banned by international treaty.


Old woman: And my daughter's family is getting nosy again. Chattering on abut how I shouldn't be pushing myself! They look at me with their apologetic faces and say things like, "Isn't it inconvenient for you at your age?" I know I don't have too many years left, but I don't want everybody's pity! Geez, such silly things to worry about! By the way, I have a small favor to ask you, if that's alright. You...Do you come across very many keys? To be honest...I'd like you to search for one. An Old Key at that. But please, don't ask why I need it...There's just something I need to open. As thanks...Oh yes, how about something you could never buy with money?
"A key for an unknown lock? You mean a sledgehammer?"
Old woman: R-Really?...Well, I know you're not gonna just stumble on a key all of a sudden, but...I'm sorry, it bothers me. I can't help it. I'll leave it to you.



> Could this be the cat you've been told about? You feel like you should try giving it some food...

(Give it a Genji Ayu)

> You gave the cat food.

Cat: Murfle!

> The cat seems happy...You should report back to the man in front of the bookstore.


Dog: *Woof woof*

> The dog ran away...Perhaps this is the dog referred to on the ema the fox showed you. But it seems to be wary of you...You're doubtful it'll return here any time soon. You should look for it another day...


Avid reader: ...I know it's probably a bad idea to feed stray animals, but I'm glad you did it anyway. Well, please take this as my thanks for being so compassionate.

> You received The Punk's Way. This man is smiling innocently.

Avid reader: I think that book I've been reading that suggested not feeding the cat was a little...harsh. You should read it too...Maybe you'll only learn useless advice, though.
It's a stat book, so he's absolutely right. Sanzo is already as punk as it gets. He even takes tests without studying!


Loud old man: I'll bet the one who went on a rampage was probably that Kanji, from Tatsumiya. Simply deplorable...He used to be such a kind boy when he was a child...

> He doesn't show any sign of stopping. What will you do?

(Stay and listen)
Loud old man: *sigh* All this worrying about the town really tires me out. At times like this...a sauna would be nice. Yeah...Saunas are great...But...it's not good if you can't get Coal. The problem is, I can't get my hands on any. Aren't there any kind young people who'll bring Coal to an old man...? *sigh*

> The old man begins looking around furtively...

I understand your concerns.
Loud old man: Oh! There are a lot of worthless young punks out there, but you, boy...You're different! You can look forward to getting a reward when you bring Coal to me.


Bug-catching kid: I lost my bug-catching net...I was trying to see if I could catch them with my bare hands, but I can't! Hmm...it's so weird. I know I lost it around this shrine...Maybe someone picked it up. Do you know anything about it?

That's not good. With his dealer out of the game, Sanzo will have to resort to desperate measures.

-Junes Theme-


Fussy housewife: You have to hear me out! Cabbage! There's no cabbage! What am I going to do...? My grandfather will refuse to eat anything that wasn't grown in Inaba!
I can help you out.
Fussy housewife: Huh? You can!? Oh, that's wonderful! What I need from you are three cabbages. I'm so glad to have your help!

Jester isn't ready to advance yet. I wonder what's on Yosuke's mind?



-Like A Dream Come True-

> Your room...Yosuke pretty much barged in.

...The usual, as it turns out.


So...? You keep the goods under the futon?
Huh?
C'mon...No need to play dumb. Don't worry. I'll still be your friend even if you're into the freaky stuff.

> Yosuke looks like he's having fun.

So, you ever invited a girl in here?
I haven't.
Haha, maybe you're more of a man's man than I thought.

> Yosuke seems happy...

Nanako's voice: Are you up there? Have you seen the public notice anywhere?
Nanako-chan's here? Let's let her in.


No, I'm going to Takeyoshi-kun's house with Miwa-chan and Yo-chan.
A-A guy's house!?
Takeyoshi-kun sits next to me. I'm going to deliver the public notice to him. Miwa-chan said she's going with me because she likes Takeyoshi-kun.
Because she likes him...? M-Man, kids sure are mature these days...Well, my first love was in first grade, too! I've always been ahead of my time.
But, well...I don't really need that in my life right now. It's just not the time...I have something I need to do before that can happen...
Homework?
No...Well, maybe it is.
You're smart, Nanako-chan!

> Nanako left for her friend's house...


Catching the killer, ending the murders, bringing peace to the town...Only we can do it, huh?
Let's hang in there. I'm counting on you.

> Yosuke's determination shows through. You sense Yosuke's trust...



Link rank 5 gives Persona-users a chance to cure one ally of Panic, Fear, or Rage at the start of their turns.

Oh, so did the notice reach you yet? The one about joining the young men's association.
They were talking about having some kind of event to boost the economy. Junes is involved with it, so they're trying to rope me in. I don't have time for that...I told 'em I was busy, but they keep dogging me. I don't care about the young men's association or about boosting the economy...

> Yosuke sighs...

Alright, time to take a peek under the futon!

> You talked with Yosuke about different things...It has gotten dark, so you said goodbye to Yosuke.

-Signs of Love-

It's harvest time tomorrow, so let's ensure Maximum Veggies tonight.




Big bro, did you see the weird man on TV on Sunday? The one where people sing, "Granter of your desires!" What does that mean, anyway?
I like Junes' song better! Every day's great at your Junes!