Part 35: June 24 - June 25 Part 1: Tabloid Gossip, the Detective's Best Friend
-Your Affection-
> You overhear students talking.
Lazy student: I guess I'll head over to Okina...With the movie theater, the shops, and the cafes there, I should be entertained. It's a great spot for dates, too. My girlfriend really digs it there, so I should see if she wants to go, too...
Backpack guy: Why do you have to do that!? Always rubbing your girlfriend in my face!? Oh yeah, well...I hope that crazy woman at the clothing store makes you buy something dumb, and you chug some way-too-intense coffee!
Lazy student: Whoa, man! Don't be a hater! I didn't mean it like that! It's just a fun place to go with anyone, friend or girlfriend. You wanna come with next time?
I wasn't crying...Everyone was having fun out there. You forgot about me. I was abandoned.
W-We would never do that!
I'm sorry...Were you lonely? I was bored. It made me all listless. I'm a useless bear. I don't even know what I am. I couldn't figure it out...No one would come visit me...Then I thought I heard voices from your world. They were all having so much fun...I was so lonely that I tried to cry. But I couldn't...
Well, you are hollow inside...
Shut up! Stop saying I'm hollow!
Don't snap at me! This is your world, isn't it!? You're the one who said you just want to live here peacefully, and made us promise to find the culprit!
C'mon, I'm sure Teddie's just tired from thinking so much, right? When I'm alone, I think too much. It makes me even lonelier. I was so sad that my chest would burst and cotton would fly out...
Can I try scoring with you two someday? Sure, go right ahead!
Can we please drop the whole "scoring" thing...?
Anyways, we wanted to ask you something! How's it been over here? Did a girl called Rise Kujikawa show up? Can you sense anything?
Rise Kujikawa? Hm...?
You can't tell...? Your nose is kinda losing its edge lately, huh? I'm a pretty shabby bear...Soon, I won't be useful at all. Then I'll get thrown away...
That's not true. I can...stay with you all?
Okay. Then we'll go look for something that'll help you search, like last time. I can't tell for sure. But I can kinda sense someone in here...I think I'll be able to find her. I just need some kind of hint.> In order to make any progress, it seems you'll need more information about Rise. You should try asking around town...
I've got your back. Thank you beary much. You're really kind, Sensei...
I'll try even harder from now on.> Teddie is doing his best to try and find his role in life...
-Strength of Heart-
The Star stands for hope, trust, inspiration, and goodwill.
I'll be waiting here...-Junes Theme-
Housewife in farming clothes: First is Wall Paprika. Now this is an interesting plant. They can bear four colors of fruit at once. Red, blue, white, and green. It's real pretty when they all come in. Legend has it that each color can prevent a different natural disaster. That's how it got the name, "Wall." White for floods and green for hurricanes I get, but I've never heard of offering up red or blue plants...Who knows, though. The other one is Barrier Corn. You can get two kinds of corn out of this one seedling. You might get Tetracorn, you might get Makaracorn, you might get both at once. Supposedly, these repel misfortune. Maybe they act like talismans? Anyway, now you have some seedlings that can sprout several kinds of vegetables at once. Plant 'em and see what happens!
-How Much?-
...Why would I be concerned about that? Maybe I'm just shy. Am I a fan of hers?...I don't have to answer that...Who cares!? I'm creating art here!
Like, "How was she when she was younger?" and "Do you have any pictures of her?" Sigh...Is the fact that Rise-chan quit show business really that bad? Marukyu-san has a store too...She did say it was rough.-Your Affection-
Rise's grandmother: Sometimes she leaves the house without telling me...I hope she's okay...I've heard that some person with a camera has been wandering around recently. I think that person was called a "papa rat" or something. The people in this district try their best to get rid of that person but he just keeps coming back...I heard that he's often at the flood plain.
> There seems to be a paparazzo who's been snooping on Rise. Maybe he knows something about Rise's disappearance...
Kind man: They're obviously from out of town, so they caught my eye. But now that you mention it, I haven't seen any today...
> It seems that they come here fairly often...Maybe you should return tomorrow.
Stylish student: Idols are kinda out of our league, and I've got no interest in the unattainable...Ah, but I think one of her fanboys is in my class...He might be able to help you.
Now how to spot a fanboy, especially a fanboy of a teenage girl...? Oh, right.
Risette fan: Well, ask me anything you want to know! A real Risette fan like me should be able to give you the minutest details...Oh, you just want like, a status update? Well, nothing's been bigger than the bomb she dropped about taking time off for a little R&R. Her blog may have some hints about why, but...well, there are a lot of theories out there. As a fan, I'm devastated. But I guess there's not much I can do about it...If you want more up-to-the-minute info, shouldn't you be asking someone in the media or something? Maybe I'll send a letter through her fan club...Hmph, I wonder if those'll even reach her now...
> It seems like Rise has a lot on her mind...Perhaps you should ask around.
I wanted to talk with you.
Again...? You really are a strange person.-Like A Dream Come True-
*sigh* Student Health Association members, huh? Let's go. No thanks, I'll go by myself.> You were bluntly refused...
Male student: A teacher said you're filling in for an absent health committee member, so you have to go, too. I told you, okay? You better go, or else I'll get suspended!
I have to turn in some notes, so I'll join you later. Just go on ahead.> Apparently you are in the Student Health Association for another day...You hurried to the infirmary...
> You told them about how you were drafted into the Student Health Association...
Female student: Really? Well, we're still low on members, so I'm grateful.
Male student: I really wish they didn't call us in today. Heck, half the people here are saying they have dates or something. Plus, we have to take inventory? That's such BS...Man, Konishi has it easy.
Female student: I heard that he's exempt from homework. Is that true?
Male student: What the hell!? That's so unfair!
> Everyone is talking about Saki Konishi's brother...
(Reproach them) It's okay. I don't mind...-Traumerei-
> You dealt with an awkward day's work on the Student Health Association...
Oh...H-Hi. You didn't go home yet? ...I didn't want to just leave when everyone else was still working. I just felt like I...Oh...Your sleeve has dirt on it. It was because of inventory, huh? Haha...I'm sorry, I was supposed to help with that. Use this...
Um, you know what, that...Never mind. I'll stay here a little longer, so...Goodbye.> You parted ways with Saki Konishi's brother and went home.
You have to waste a day before this Social Link even starts. I guess Atlus really wanted people to hate this poor kid.
-Who's There?-
Oh, you sweet thing. Well then...Would you like to study with me? Perhaps a subject that they don't teach in school, if you catch my drift...? I'm not interested.
> Sayoko smirks at you.
I don't find your type around here. The kids over here are much simpler. All they see is the carrot dangling in front of their faces...You're...I know. You seem to have some sort of secret deep inside you... ...I think it's irresistible.> Sayoko smiles in satisfaction. You can feel Sayoko's mischievous affection for you...
I'll see you again.
It looks like it's going to rain all day. They said that it's not going to last until tomorrow, so I don't think the fog's going to appear, but... Are you worried too? Y-Yeah...The stuff that's on the Midnight Channel lately is pretty rough...But, we can't get impatient. We need to make sure we're ready, and rescue her before things get completely out of hand!
Photographer: You're looking for information about Rise, too?...Well, how about this? Why don't we exchange information? You tell me what you know, I'll tell you what I know. The people in the shopping district are making it hard for me to do any information gathering.
"Dude, you're lucky Old Man Daidara hasn't caught you. He'd tear off your arms and make a birdbath out of them or something. Like, not even out of anger or anything, either. That's just how he solves problems."
> You decide to give him some information about Rise...
I think she's in this town.Photographer: Yeah. That much I know. That's why I came to this town. I can't give you any of my information for something that obvious. When you get a hold of anything real, then we can talk.
She's different on TV.Photographer: Hmm, as I thought...To be honest, I used to do a little digging into Risette's private life. I was surprised to discover she's totally different than on TV. You'd never recognize her in real life. Though, when you think of an idol you should honestly just assume "manufactured personality," too.
I think she's stressed.Photographer: So she's worried about something, huh? Maybe it had something to do with...No, actually, she's probably just worried about the TV coverage regarding the shocking hiatus. I'd heard that "Risette" was getting tired of her made-up personality. "The real me and the different me who has to act like an idol"...She couldn't stand living two lives anymore...or something like that. Well, you didn't give me anything new, but thanks for the information. I can at least turn this into something...
> If you put together the information the paparazzi gave you...It seems that Rise was acting as a "manufactured personality." And she was worrying about her "real self" and her "idol self." She was surely worrying about her true self. You seemed to have gained some insight regarding Rise...You should report to Teddie.
It's really annoying...We knew exactly who the culprit would target next, and yet...
Eh, what's done is done. We got no choice now but to go in.
But man...The Midnight Channel's becoming a mess...
Let's hurry and rescue her! Yosuke! You better not slack off, hoping she'll "bare it all" if we take our sweet time!
I-I wouldn't pull a stunt like that!
...... Wh-What's with the silent treatment!? I won't do that, I swear! Believe me, I know! We'll rescue Rise before the fog sets in! Yeah, let's go!-Studio Backlot-
*yip*Something I forgot to mention: depending on what day it is, the fox can be happy, normal, or pissed off. This affects his healing rates, and what happens when you...
(Pat its head)> He seems to be enjoying it...
Huh? The fox is holding something... *yip*> Obtained Kung Fu Costume.
I wonder if he wants to give it to us?
You like stuff like this, don't you, Chie? Why don't you wear it? I'm sure it'll look good on you. *yip*
Oh, sure...It's...not what I'd usually wear, but... Hey! This is actually pretty cool, huh? They don't sell these, and I've never had the chance to wear something like this! I've always wanted to try it! Thanks, Foxy! Hey, what about me? You have anything for me? Nothing? Awww... You look like you found some clues! Did you find out more about this girl Rise-chan? Hmhm...Her real self...I see...She's just like me. The delicate, sentimental type. Then...Hrmmm...Whaah!? There's something out there! Is this it!? Did I find her!? Follow me!
*KTHUNK*
-Show Time-
Oh, like the kind you always find in resort towns!?
Ah, I think you're right. Oh! B-But we don't have one...Our inn is not like that...!
Huh. So this is a strip joint, eh?
Strip!? Aha! I know what that is! It's the thing zebras have, right!? ...... Strip...Like a zebra, right!? Right!? It's so bright here...Even with the glasses on, my eyes hurt. Doesn't anyone get the joke!? Okay, let's try one more time... Strip...It's something zebras have...
Can anyone shut this thing up!? Huh? Zebra...? Sorry, what're we talking about? I-I won't say it again...Let's hurry on...> You have pinpointed Rise's location. All that's left is to rescue her. You should prepare well to make sure the rescue operation goes smoothly...
-Studio Backlot-
Proof? The proof is in my good ol' nose! It hasn't been so good lately, but...That's beside the point. So a striptease is when...Geez, that's not good... Huh? What's with the weird face? I'm always serious, aren't I? Is Sanzo-kun also interested in this sort of place...? Ahaha, um, never mind. All right! This time we'll definitely save her! Yeah...It was like this for Kanji-kun too, but it's sure going to be hard this time... ...Yeah. We'll save her for certain!
Alright! Let's do this, Senpai! Let's both give 200%!