Part 37: June 26 - June 28: Family Matters

-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-


Singers: Here comes Tanakaaaaa Over the airwaves to youuuuu

-How Much?-


To be honest, Shiroku-san, Marukyu-san, and I all get along pretty well. I think of Rise-chan as my own granddaughter, sometimes. Old woman Marukyu-san has taken care of me a few times...It's nice to have generous neighbors.


Should I give a sale demonstration like the one I gave Rise-chan? Ahyahyahya, just kidding, just kidding! Well, please take your time.
"I will pay you 100,000 yen for a demonstration of the grenades."

-Junes Theme-



> Adachi is smiling mischievously...


But I guess that's what it's like for a high schooler. Enjoy it while you can.
You slacking off again?
I wouldn't put it like that. Taking breathers is part of the job. It's all about efficiency.
Everyone needs rest from time to time. And today, that old woman hasn't found me yet...
Old woman: Hmm? Where did you go, Tohru-chan?
Oh, geez, not again...Did she bring me more nimono?


Old woman: I surely did. Let's go home. You're here for the first time in ages, I have to...Oh, why hello, Detective! Tohru-chan, this is Adachi-san. He's a police detective.
Middle-aged man: Hello. I hear you've been good to my mother.
Old woman: This is Tohru, my son. He's in town to see me.
Middle-aged man: Hahaha, well, I'm really here for my job. I have to go back in a few days, though.
Old woman: Don't make an old woman sad, dear. Though it's good to know you're working hard. Tohru-chan works at a trading company. He takes lots of business trips overseas. So young, and he's already a manager!
Middle-aged man: Haha, come on, mother. We're probably getting in the way of his work. Let's go home, okay?


Old woman: I'm going to make lots of your favorite, nimono.
Middle-aged man: That's great! Make sure the renkon is a little tough.
Old woman: Of course, dear.

> The voices fade away.


So that's the real one...We don't look a thing like each other! We're not even close in age. I think the only thing we have in common is our name! But as long as he's here, I don't have to talk to her, so that's a relief.
Does it make you sad?
Me? Sad? Why?

> Adachi is smiling...

I like being alone. It's easy, and it lets me do whatever I want.
That's true.
Hahaha, you're so cold for a kid. But that's the smart way to be. You can't be around tons of people and feel bad every time they do.

> Adachi seems a little bit sad...




Aah! D-Dojima-san!
Hmm? Oh, it's you.
Don't waste your time playing with high school kids! Let's go!
Sorry he kept you like that. Go on home.
Hey, wait! Dojima-saaaaan!
Did he just apologize for me?



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

After the past few weeks of skipping out, Sanzo should probably pray that he won't be fired from the day care.



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



-Like A Dream Come True-

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


Yuuta: C'mon, raise your hand!!
Girl: I don't wanna play ninja! My clothes'll get dirty...

> Yuuta began playing ninja, completely ignoring the girl's objections...


Where do you want to eat dinner? We can go somewhere expensive if you want.
Yuuta: ...I'm not hungry. I'm gonna play more!
...I'll come later next time. I even left in the middle of a show just to be on time...I'm getting fed up with this treatment.

-Traumerei-

*sigh* I should have known better than to try. We're not related, so there's nothing I can do about it...
So, you can't love Yuuta?

> Eri is remaining silent...

They say that when a woman starts breast-feeding, her maternal instincts awaken...It's true, I saw it on television. So, my maternal instinct towards him is shut away, especially since I've only known him for six months. There's nothing I can do...Fate has determined that we will be forever distant.
Speaking of fate, have you heard this? Your entire life is determined from before you were even born. We're just little robots following the program our creator made for us.
So, whenever anything happens, there's nothing you can do about it...It was already decided for you. Doesn't that make you feel better? Isn't that a wonderful idea?
It's not a good idea.
"How exactly does 'Life's a bitch and then you die' work as a motivational speech?"
But it was on TV. He's a really popular speaker. It's good to have everyone like you. Besides, everyone is entitled to their own ideas...
I think if I heard anyone spouting such chickenshit notions in real life, I'd have to yell at them for a while.

> Eri is frowning...

I saw it on TV. I was so intrigued, I went to see a lecture by that speaker, too. I was moved to tears...I was so relieved to know that there's a higher power!
There really isn't much to do when you live this far away from the city...All I have is TV and the internet. You can buy things over the net now! It's much more convenient. In fact, I'm having trouble staying in shape. Honestly, though...I just want to go back to the city.
Just let it go.
Yeah...I gave up on that a long time ago.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

...I really tell you a lot of personal things. Please, don't tell Yuu-kun...Or the other mothers.
I won't.
...Thank you, Mister Sanzo.

> Eri looks relieved. You felt Eri opening up to you out of a deep loneliness...


...Oh my, look at the time! I'm sorry, Mister Sanzo. I'll take Yuu-kun home now.
I wonder why some of the honorifics got translated into English, and others were left alone.

> The two left abruptly and awkwardly. You decided to go home as well.

-Smile-

> Dojima is staring intently at something. It looks like data about cars...


Want some coffee?
...That's my job. Don't worry about it.

> Dojima is smiling wryly.

Oh yeah. I was thinking about this when talking with Nanako just now, but...I feel like she's changed a bit lately. I don't know how to put it...She's stronger.
...I feel like I'm being left behind...
Ever since you came, this house has become, well...home-y.
A house isn't just a big box. It's a place for a family to live together. Laughing, crying, fighting...Spending most of your lives together...A warm place.
I forgot what that was like...I wanted to get that back more than anything...And yet, I feel like I've been dodging it the whole time.
Do you understand why?
Because you're a coward.
Hah! You punk. You nailed it. That's it exactly...

> Dojima is smiling peacefully.

We've been in the same place, but we weren't connected. You brought the two of us together.
The rest...is my problem. Where do I draw the line with this...?

> You felt Dojima's quiet determination...


Ahhh, screw this! I'm drinking tonight! Sanzo, you're drinking with me. Alcohol-free, of course. You pass out before me, and you're under arrest, got it!? Alright!

> You drank with Dojima until he passed out and went to your room...





> You recall that you borrowed a handkerchief from him. Will you return the handkerchief and talk with him?

Oh, this is...

-Traumerei-


This was my sister's handkerchief. My mom put it in my bag by mistake. No one ever uses it anymore, so...I'm sure the handkerchief is glad to have been able to fulfill its duty.
...Thanks.

> He expressed his gratitude...

No, thank you.
"And uh, sorry about the blood stains."
No...I-It's okay, really...Oh, I'm Naoki Konishi. Um, I apologize for saying I hated you when I first met you.
I didn't mind.
...Thank god.

> Naoki looks relieved. You have become acquaintances with Saki Konishi's younger brother, Naoki Konishi. Naoki is struggling to cope with his complicated situation...

-Strength of Heart-





The Hanged Man represents inaction, sacrifice, reversing course, and letting go.

Last time, when I came to that meeting, I made everyone feel uneasy, right? After that, I was officially "fired" from the Association. They told me not to come to meetings anymore.
Well, it's my own fault...Left behind again.
If it's okay with you, maybe we can have fun together. I'm usually by our liquor store at the beginning of the week. I'm helping out there...Well...I'll be going.
Sanzo now has the hook-up.

> You parted ways with Naoki and went home.

-Signs of Love-


You and Dad met Rise-chan, right? You're so lucky. Some kids at school saw her. They said she was playing with a cat at the river. Is Rise-chan going to go to your school? Does that mean she'll come play at our house?
If she does, we can give her the veggies we grew together!