Part 53: August 2 - August 4: Confrontations

-Music Box-






...Arrrrrrrrgh!

-Aria of the Soul-


You selfish bastard! Don't you--You really are selfish! You...you...creeping twilight!
Ihateyoustupidmarmalademuffin! Don't read my stuff...!
This...There's something strange going on. I can smell a conspiracy. I wouldn't just drop this...


It seems you have completed over half of the Social Links...How wonderful for you! Well, then...Please, take this. Your commitment to your Social Links will become your commitment to your "world"...I look forward to seeing your "world."
There's that Fool's Journey jibber-jabber again.

> Received Metal Bat.



Despite being made from bona fide Al-Yew-Minnie-Um Eh What, the Metal Bat is a piece of junk. I'm still happy to take this as a sign that I haven't screwed everything up yet.

I feel like seeing a Black Frost with the Auto-Sukukaja ability. Black Frost is of the Fool Arcana. The Fool Arcana does not mean that it can be taken lightly. The Fool is number zero. It is the void from which all other things begin. Just what was it that made everything begin for you, I wonder? And what will happen for you now...? Haha, I'm filled with a need to know. I'll await your return.

This one starts with two old buddies: Anzu and Apsaras.













And with that, you're all set to make the Shadows say Hee-HOLKY FUCK.






Do you know this Persona's tragic past? Black Frost lived alone for over thousands of years...While enduring this solitude, he prayed to the sky, over and over. Pleading, "Give me a friend"...Eventually, the god he served granted him a friend for a single day...And the two of them frolicked through the fields, as happy as could be. They spent many precious hours together...And then...The sun set. The friend vanished...Black Frost regretted his request. If he had known he would have been left sad and lonely, he would never have asked for a friend in the first place. Hence, Block Fro...I didn't mispronounce it. Forget it. I made it all up anyway. Did you believe me? Adults shouldn't be so easily swayed by what others say. Anyhow, I appreciate that you showed me this wonderful card. One after another, you make my every wish come true...What a gentleman. Hmhm...


Well then...For my next request...Show me a Yatagarasu equipped with the Megido skill. If anyone can do this for me, it's you. I eagerly await your return.


That shine, those curves...Man, I want that helmet.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Central shopping district, in front of Chinese Diner Aiya...You finished today's training and decided to stop by with Chie.


Familiar voice: S-Stop it...!

-Border of Insanity-

Threatening voice: Shut up, dumbass.
Young man's voice: Yeah, that's right. We all know it's time to cough up. What? This's it? Quit bullshitting us.
Th-That voice...It can't be! Let's go, Sanzo-kun!


Punk: Hey, someone's here.
Punk leader: Whatever. Let's take their money while we're at it.
Punk: This guy only had 1,000 yen on him.


Punk: Hey!
Punk leader: Whaddaya runnin' for? Gonna hide behind a girl, huh?
Are you all right?
Takeshi: I-I'm fine...Y-You've always been good at stuff like this! Th-They took all my money. You're gonna get them for me, right!?
Well, it does tick me off! Hey, cowards! Ganging up on one guy...You oughtta be ashamed!
Takeshi: T-Take care of them for me!


...Sheesh!
C'mon, what's the matter? Let's throw down!
Punk leader: Huh? What's with this bitch? Y'think you're all that? I ain't afraid to hit a girl...We'll kick your ass!

> The punks are aggravated by Chie's taunt. Things aren't looking good...

(Fight them yourself)
"Looks like you thugs are about to be lost in the SHOVEL!...That was a good one, right? It took me two months to come up with."



> Chie seems discontent...

Punk leader: What a pain in the ass...
Punk: Yo, that guy who ran away might call the cops.
Punk leader: Screw this. Let's go.


...What the heck...Running away when you step in.

-Smile-

...Why'd you butt in? What, you thought you couldn't leave it up to me!? I could've handled them myself!
...Sorry. I charged in by myself...Caused you trouble...
It's no trouble.
...Thanks.

> Chie looks apologetic.

You're right, huh? I gotta remember that I'm not alone...It's always like that. Everyone's doing their best. Then I start to worry that it's all up to me...and I've gotta work harder...I worry that someday, I'll end up causing even more trouble, like I did today...Haha...I'm so stupid.

> It seems Chie regrets her grandstanding...You felt Chie's quiet passion.


Sanzo-kun...Thank you. Umm...
N-Never mind!
I need to work harder, huh? Why am I moping...? I'll think about it some...Though I'm not too smart!

> You walked home partway with Chie.



ERIIII



-Signs of Love-


I wanna go somewhere. You'll come, right?
Sure.
Cool. Don't be late.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Okina Station...You came here with Ai.


I'm getting kinda tired of this place...There's nothing left to do here.
Why'd you invite me, then?
...Don't be stupid. You should know that by now.
Hey, Senpai!
......


Shut up. I believe Sanzo was talking to me. It's rude to interrupt.
...What's wrong with you?
Just run, Sanzo. Just run.



> ...Today will surely be an entertaining day. You spent some precious moments with Ai.



Finally, dang.




I wonder if the others got their licenses yet. I'm ready to take 'em on, anytime!

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Samegawa riverbank...


I keep wonderin' if that rabbit the kid tossed out mighta washed ashore around here...If he finds it now, he'll just feel bad.
...Not that I'm wading in today or anything.
Boy's voice: Hey, Mister!!


Doll boy: Sana-chan was really happy!! I've been looking for you since!
Look, kid, quit callin'...Ah, forget it.
Doll boy: Can you make some more, Mister? My mom really wants one! Sana-chan's mom does too! They said they'll pay you!
Pay me!? I don't need that...I-It ain't like I'm a pro at this.
Doll boy: My mom wants a cat, and Sana-chan's mom wants a dog. And my teacher wants a pink alligator.
A pink alligator? Ohh, like the one in that storybook, huh...? F-Fine, then...I'll get around to it sometime.
Doll boy: Yay! Thank you! Remember, you promised!


It's good for you.
Good...? I don't really know.

> Kanji is tilting his head...

When I was in elementary school, I fixed a classmate's bag this one time. Thinking back...I guess I liked her. I only did it to make her happy, but...The next day, all the girls were makin' fun of her. She cried. I didn't understand why, but y'know...I thought I'd done something wrong. So I never thought...I'd be thanked for doing this stuff.
Haha, it feels good. Hearin' "thank you"...I like it!

> Kanji is laughing sheepishly...





Kanji gets his last attack in just a few levels, and now he'll be the team's heaviest hitter when he does.

Oh...Well, I gotta jet.
I have to go to Okina Station. To the, uh...f-fabric shop. I'm outta material, so...L-Later!

> You watched Kanji go and went home.