Part 29: June 9 - June 11: V. The Heirophant

-Your Affection-



> Yosuke seems sleepy...

I went to bed, but little details kept bugging me, so I'd get up again to check the manual. It never ended...I ended up getting almost no sleep at all...
Well, if we're gonna do this, let's pass on the first try. How're you feeling?
It'll be a breeze.
Hehe, now that's my partner! I see you haven't forgotten about our "up close and personal" plan. Well, let's make sure we're not late to the exam. We'll leave as soon as school's out!

> You take the license exam with Yosuke...The answers seem to be flowing from your hand! You succeeded in passing the exam! Obtained Scooter License!

It's weird how they make you take it in a pitch-black room.

-Like A Dream Come True-


Actually, it was pretty easy. I might've studied a bit too hard...




We just stopped by to get gas. And, well, to take care of some minor business. Where did you guys go?
To go get our licenses.
Already!?
I know it's just a written test to get a scooter license, but still, I wasn't expecting you to pass so soon...Oh well...
Looks like I'd better think of a way to convince my sister...
Thank you.
I can't say no now that you've gotten your license. Your enthusiasm is catching.
Yes! You got the okay! I need to head home and read through the catalogue...! Well, see you tomorrow!


Hey, Adachi!
I just finished filling it up.


This is my scooter. I had it fixed at the shop. It may be old, but it runs pretty well. I came to put gas in it, but I wasn't expecting to hand it over today, too...I'm letting you have it.
This is a nice bike.
You can tell?
The local shops don't carry twist grips, so I had one of the repair guys at work help me out with it in secret.
Ah...Don't tell anyone that, okay?

> Dojima's passion for the scooter is obvious...

You're always so strict at the station, but you're a cool dad inside, huh?
Shut up, Adachi!
You always yell at me...
Still, I wish we had a sleek means of transportation like that. Who knows when that suspicious guy will show up again? Hasn't he been using professional-quality cameras to take pictures of people's houses from the Amagi Inn to around here?
Looks like he knows the back streets too, so a car won't be--
Will you stop blabbering like that!? Go back to the car!


I was around your age when I got my license too. I took the test behind my parents' back.
When my dad caught me riding a scooter later on, he gave me a good thrashing...Hahaha...Don't tell Nanako about that, okay?

> Dojima is chuckling mischievously.

Since I've already given you the okay, I won't bug you about traffic laws. Just be safe when you're riding it. You do that, and I'll look the other way if you decide to ride it out of town. Can you promise me? Good. I'll hold you to that.

-Your Affection-



Sanzo is now MOBILE. Or at least, he will be soon. Just a little important business to take care of first. Kind of a ton of business, actually.



Wait, which one did she want?

Timid female student: Y-You're making fun of me, aren't you!? How terrible! You're awful!

> She practically threw the Demon Statue back at you. It seems like you misunderstood...

Oh right, the other one.

Timid female student: Wow...! Th-Thank you so much! Here, this is my..."key," as thanks.

> Received Chest Key x 3.

Timid female student: Th-They're pretty, so I kept them as lucky charms...But, um...Boys don't need things like that, do they? B-But, I need to give you something to pay you back...So please, keep them!

And so Sanzo hands over a good-luck charm, in exchange for some other good-luck charms that mysteriously didn't have any effect.


Shady student: Ah! Incredible! Haha, BWAHAHA, how spectacular! I can feel the palpitation of my heart! I'm so excited, I could trace the mystic hex around you and enter you into a contract with the great unknown!...Erm, excuse me. Here is the reward, just as promised.

> Obtained Dokudami Tea x 3.


Ms. Sofue: Oh...I can feel a strong aura from this material. Yes, this will be the making of an exceptional dowsing rod. As history treads ever forward, I thank you, both for your effort and your kindness. Well, here is the reward I promised you. Ahaha...I found these by dowsing. Please, take them. Do not be shy.

> Obtained Pulsating Stone x 2.

A cold 100 SP each.


Male student: Thank you. Now that I have this, I can finally finish my new radio! Please, take this. I don't know if it's enough to really thank you, but...

> Received Olympic Tape.


Homely student: Wow! How'd you find one this big!? Really, thank you so much! Now I can finally study at my desk again! Um...Here, this is for you! It's not much, but...

> Obtained Royal Jelly x 5.


Old woman: Ah...! I've gotta be honest with you, though...I've already opened it. You know my daughter? Well, I spoke to her, and...we found the key together. But the fact that you were looking for it was quite flattering, young man. And so I couldn't tell you that we opened it already...I'm sorry...It is true that you found a key for me, though. I should give you something for your troubles. Ah! I know, how would you like a "secret lesson?" Don't worry, it's free of charge. Ohoho, this brings back fond memories...
I am very uncomfortable with where this is going.
Old woman: Now listen up. If you want to get close to a girl, the first thing to know is that you can't ruffle her feathers. You have to keep telling her exactly what it is she wants to hear. That's a surefire way to win her heart! And when the timing is just right, that's when you confess your love to her! But that'll end in a rejection if you haven't caught her eye before that. You'll be stuck being friends forever if you can't win her attention somehow. Basically, it all comes down to your actions that'll sway them from being lovers or just plain friends. Well, that's about all I can tell you...Good luck.
What in the HELL, you loony old bag!? This is terrible advice!

> You listened to the old woman's "secret lesson"...Your Knowledge has greatly increased. Your Courage has greatly increased.



> It seems that the dog is still wary of you. What should you do?

(Talk to it gently)

> It seems the dog became less wary of you. The dog ran away...You should look for it on another day.


Man: You came all this way to help me out. I'm truly thankful. Um...Here, take this, with all my thanks. Take it!

> Received 4,000 yen as thanks.

Man: Okay, I need to go home right now and open this. Some people collect sake for their collections, but I think it's much more useful to drink it while it's good! Hahaha, I can't wait...Kanpai!



> ...It seems like it's still hungry. You feel like you should try giving it some food...

(Give it a fish)

> The cat seems happy. You can try feeding it again next time...You can't bring yourself to leave it all alone. You should come by and give it food from time to time.


Older twin: Um, I want to walk home with my sister but I don't know where she went off to. If I wait, she doesn't come at all...Have you seen my sister anywhere?


Aging housewife: Are you free? Aw, it's nice of a young man like you to spend time with an old lady like me. Listen to what I have to say. Do you know what a wedding veil is?
Of course I do.
Aging housewife: Oh, wow. That's very admirable in someone as young as you. When a woman gets married, she wears a veil. I was told it prevents demons from making her grow horns after the wedding. My mother-in-law insisted that I wear one. "It's outrageous that you'd even consider not wearing one!" she said. She always did what she wanted in life. I'm not joking! She really didn't like me, not at all...Anyway, I refused to wear a veil, and we ended up getting into a shouting match during the wedding ceremony. And before I knew it, here I am, just as old as she was, shouting and getting angry at everybody...But I'm starting to regret it! I'd say my horns finally fell out or something, wouldn't you? Anyway, I thought I should hang some horns above my bed, as a symbol of how I'm turning my outlook on life around. I'd tell visitors, "Oh, yeah, those were the horns I grew after I got married." Heheheheh...But, nobody sells them!
I might be able to look.
Aging housewife: Really!? Oh, that's so nice of you. I'm counting on you to find me some good ones, now!


Loud old man: It was a coal mining town, and everyone was tough. There were never any of the weird events you have nowadays. You could see the passion for life in everyone's eyes back then. Well, well, well. If it isn't the Coal! Thanks for bringing it to me. Now I can get into a real sauna...Come here for a moment.

> Received 15,000 yen.

Loud old man: Just a little token of my gratitude. Don't let your grandparents see you with all this cash, though.


Bug-catching kid: Wow! You found it for me! Thanks! But you can keep it. My grandpa got me a new one! Now we're bug-catching buddies! Hehe! I know everything about bugs!
How to catch them?
Bug-catching kid: Uh...You get your net ready, hold it tight, and then BOOM! Don't rush it, though!
Where to catch them?
Bug-catching kid: There! Under that tree! The bugs here are really smart. If you catch one, the others like it know to stay away! But the next day, they forget! They're pretty smart, but pretty stupid too!


Younger twin: Hm, my older sister is looking for me?...Tell her that I'm here on the flood plain. I won't go anywhere.


Older twin: She should have come back here together with you. Well that's okay. I'll go over and see her! I am the big sister, after all. Thanks for telling me where she is!

> Received Goho-M x 5.

Now the scooter unlocks today, but so does something much more important.


Female student: I hear he started his own gang and goes around bullying people. How did I get to be in the same class as him...? He's out snooping around the Practice Building right now. How scary is that?

> It seems Kanji is bullying people...Are the rumors true?


I-I wasn't peeping inside! It's not like that!...So, why are you making that scary face at me? Do you have something to tell me?
Yes, I do.
...I see. Let's go somewhere else, then.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Samegawa flood plain. You brought Kanji here to learn the truth behind the rumors...


Oh, you here to tell me off or somethin'?
I'm just here to talk.
How come you're soundin' like a cop?
So, what is it?

> You asked Kanji about his ties to the gang of bullies...

Eh? Bullies? M-Me!? Senpai, you suspecting me!?
I want to believe in you.
Senpai...I didn't do it. I mean...Maybe it ain't that easy to trust me, since they say I was in a gang...But you gotta believe me...
...'s my own fault rumors like that go around, huh...? At this rate, I'll be causing trouble for you guys...
Don't worry about it.
Senpai...Uhh...Whenever you got time...Could you maybe hear what I have to say? I feel all cramped inside...And I'm too dumb to know what it's about...

> Clumsy as he is, it seems Kanji is looking for an opportunity to change...

-Strength of Heart-





The Empress's counterpart. Represents fathering, order, and authority.

To make sure I don't cause you any trouble...Huh...Well, I guess I should smack that gang of bullies around?

> You talked with Kanji for a while and went home.

-Signs of Love-



> It's the Inaba Trout combo you purchased from the TV show! Obtained Inaba Trout x 1 and Amber Seema x 2...In addition, you obtained a bonus Prize Sticker!


That means you're in a biker gang now! When will you be on TV?


If you're in an accident by some chance, it's possible that you'll be the one to cause it.
"That's why I'm riding with Yosuke. You have my solemn guarantee that if we're ever in an accident, I won't be at fault."


Lady in white: However, my other children are still small, and I am uncertain of the future. You, a stranger, have given me fish several times now. If you feel any sympathy for us, please...Continue sharing your fish with us...

After this, you're no longer limited to a single fish trade per night. You can give the ghost as many as you like.

Sanzo can also catch bugs now. Here's how the bug catching mini-game works:



Wait until you see the exclamation point...then press the X button.



I hope you got all that, because I'm not repeating it.





Sanzo didn't choose the bug life; the bug life chose Sanzo.

-Smile-




It's boring.
...I guess schools are like that everywhere...

> Shu nods to himself.

Moving on to other matters...There's a transfer student in my class. He looks down on everything here and says we're all a bunch of hicks living in the boonies. Everyone ignores him...
Well, it is the countryside.
You're right...

> Shu laughs.

I guess being out here is like being the proverbial "frog in the well."
Oh, uh...That's what he said. That he was the frog because he, uh...That he's from the city, and out here is the country, and, uh...
School is a pain. All my classmates are stupid, and the lessons they try to teach are absolutely pointless.
...Your lessons are a lot easier to understand.

> It seems that Shu is slowly opening up to you...


Oh, time's up. This is a good spot to finish, actually, so let's just end it for today.



-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-


Who do you think'll show up on the Midnight Channel next? I heard it's going to rain this evening, but it's not going to last all night. Hey, have you been trying to solve the case on your own in your spare time?
I know, I should be thinking about it, too. But that kind of stuff just isn't my specialty. How about you?
Thinking hurts my brain.
Me too! I move before I think. Well, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. I'll stick to kicking things. Times like this are perfect for working out!

> You have obtained your license, but you still aren't familiar with the town. You should take your scooter for a ride today...


Timid female student: This time, can you bring me a crucifix? I'd like to keep it next to the angel. I, uh, heard some scary news again...I'm scared just to be in my room by myself...
You got it.
Timid female student: Wow...! Thank you very much! Silver ones...are pretty common, so something like a Crooked Cross would be nice...I think that would work, so...I'll be waiting for you!


Actually, yes.
Homely student: Arghhh! Daaad! *sigh* I've been thinking about my dad lately...Well...he got glue stuck to that board you gave me a little while back...But this time, the model is still attached! Yeah, that's right, it's just standing there! I bet he did that on purpose! Imagine having a model stuck to your desk...Only me, I swear...I wonder if there's some kind of glue repelling Reflecting Board out there...Eh!? Something like that actually exists!? Oh I get it, it's from the city, huh!? Well if you can get any, will you tell me!? I will definitely repay the favor! I promise!

-Panama-



(Ride around the neighborhood)


Scooter: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


Scooter: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


Scooter: EEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR


Scooter: RRRRRRRrrrrrrrrr. Rppt.



> But you feel as if you're starting to get a feel for the place. You'll need to ride around a little more to get better acquainted with the area...

Tearing up the streets is good for a Courage boost, and will eventually unlock something neat.

-Signs of Love-


The laundry doesn't dry and I can't go play at the playground.
Do you not like rain either, big bro?
I hate it.
Oh. Just like me!
Playing in puddles is fun, though. Let's do that next time!



-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-



> ...But it seems to be out of energy. Perhaps it's hungry. If you gave it something a dog would eat, it may become energetic again...You gave it a Super Croquette.

Missing dog: *woof* *woof*

> The dog looks happy. The dog ran away energetically. It should be able to return to its owner's house now. You accomplished the request written on the ema! You should report back to the fox...

Assuming that was their actual dog. He seemed pretty bitey for a family pet.

-Aria of the Soul-


Gdon is of the Sun Arcana...This is a very powerful card, that represents achievement and success. Of course, "success" is relative, depending on who you ask...What would you consider to be an accomplishment? I'll await your delivery.

Luckily, I was right about Ippon-Datara and Matador.




This Gdon has Rampage, I see...You have successfully completed the request...Do you know why I asked you to bring me such a beast? Because I wanted you to be aware that even an innocent boy like you can harbor such a dreadful creature inside. And...I wanted to ride on it for a bit. But this Persona seems too hot for me...Can I extinguish its flame? *chuckle* I'm kidding. I wouldn't harm your Persona, nor yourself...I think.


Well then...For my next request...I would like a Neko Shogun capable of using Bufula. If anyone can do this for me, it's you. I eagerly await your return.

This fusion needs something special that I haven't unlocked yet.


Sweet!

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Central shopping district, Chinese Diner Aiya...You came here at Kanji's request.


But if I eat and then go home, I can't finish Mom's food...She serves so much, you'd think I have five brothers. She's tryin' to make my stomach burst.


Can't you tell? Hey, you're a cop. What do you mean, what am I doing?
Police officer: Just what I said. There's been quite a commotion around here lately.
Well maybe if you did your job, things'd get quieter, huh?
Police officer: Y-You need to fix that attitude...Oh well. Just don't pull anything, got it?
I didn't...
Police officer: *sigh* I'm gonna eat somewhere else.


The cops're always like that. Soon as they spot me it's, "Whaddaya doin'?" "You look suspicious," and alla that bullshit...Meh, I'm used to it...
Sorry for gettin' you mixed up in this, Senpai...I really am just a troublemaker. For you...and for Mom. She's always apologizing for me. She's been sprouting more and more white hairs...
Apologize to her.
I-I know, but...It's just kinda awkward...

> Kanji looks troubled...

Filial piety, right? I don't really know what to do...Or so I thought.
I'm gonna use this power I got to make this town peaceful! I've been causing nothing but trouble, but now I can finally return the favor! So let's get to it, Senpai!

> You can feel Kanji's enthusiasm...





Kind of a weird skill, but Kanji's got way more attacks than he really needs, so I may as well give it a shot.

...Hey Chief, the food ready yet?
Aiya owner: Huh? You ordered something, Kan-chan?
I told you not to call me Kan-chan! And I did order: liver-leek stir fry and pot stickers! Tch! I'm gonna tear your store apart so fast you won't have time to file for insurance!
Oh, uh, well...
I'm gonna tear it apart and rebuild it twice as good! I-I'm gonna RENOVATE your ass!
Aiya owner: ...Sounds good to me.

> You went home after eating at Aiya.





I got a few Jester points from all that scooter chat with Dojima and Adachi on the 8th, but the link still won't advance and there's no other way to boost it. I guess I'll try one of those silly relationship fortunes.



> You feel like you've gotten a little closer to Adachi...The fortune says, "Your relationship could become stronger soon." Time passed as you tied the omikuji around the fortune tree...It's getting late. You decided to go home.

I can see now how the fortunes are a handy way to avoid wasting days on Social Links that aren't ready to advance. You have a lot more flexibility with your evenings.