Part 58: August 22 - August 23 Part 1: Yet Another Swimsuit Fiasco

-The Path is Open-


A rough design of Yosuke Hanamura, in drag. Since it's established in the game that Chie Satonaka selected his outfit, this piece shows an oddly believable female.





> What should you do today?

-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-



-Cicadas-

Another dungeon deadline has come and gone, and that means more fetch quests.


Refreshed old man: I s'pose the victims' families can finally find peace...But not if they're watchin' all that malarky on the news. That's just a one way trip to eternal despair. It's hard, but there ain't nothin' that can bring those people back...You have some time? I have a small request, but if you're busy...You ever taken a walk around here at night? It's nice in the day and all, but at night you get a real change of scenery. I enjoy it. There's no city lights, all the stores are closed, and it's so quiet you can hear the river. Only problem is that you've gotta watch your step. It's so dark, you don't know where yer feet are landin'. I s'pose I could carry a flashlight, but...It kind of ruins the atmosphere. I think it'd be alright if I had a lamp maybe...But even that would be a pain in the neck to hold, and the wind would just blow it out. So I was thinkin' that an Eternal Lamp or somethin' might be nice...
I could find you one.
Refreshed old man: You know where to find one?...Are you serious? If I had one I'd sure be happy...Think ya could bring one to me here? I'll have a little somethin' waitin' for ya in return.


Younger twin: Do you think you could help me again?
What's your request?
Younger twin: I...I found another way that I'm not like my sister...This time I need a Leaf Pochette. Could you find one for me like you did last time?
I'll find one for you.
Younger twin: Really? Thank you! I'll look for it too!...We'll look for it together, okay?


I'll plan out our route, so you better get your swimsuit ready!

-Smile-

> The hill overlooking town...Yosuke brought you here.


But looking at it now...It's a nice town.

> Yosuke is smiling sadly...

Cheer up.
If it were only that easy.

> Yosuke has a self-mocking smirk on his face...

I want to tell Saki-senpai something. That what's important...isn't where you are.
This town I hated so much? Now, I love it. There's still nothing here, but I have family and friends...and you. The important things are never far off...They're all around you.

> Yosuke seems a bit embarrassed...

I always wanted to be "special." I thought my life'd finally have meaning if I was "special" to someone. That's why I was really excited when I got my Persona.
But I really didn't need it...It's not what you have or what you can do...Just being born, living your life...Before you know it, you're already special to someone.
You're right.
Yeah...Like you...You're special to me, you know?

> Yosuke is rubbing his nose...You can feel Yosuke's warm trust...



This rank grants the "Yosuke will now DIE FOR YOU" benefit that the original game had at Rank 1. Once per battle, if Sanzo is ever about to suffer a lethal hit, Yosuke will shove him aside and take it for him.

Alright, let's see if we can find everyone's house from here! There's Junes, and that's the main street, so...My house is there, the one with that funky roof.
Meaning yours is...

> You spent a long while with Yosuke...

-Sky Full of Stars-


Drunk subordinate: I think my boss is too busy these days...Works out for me, since I don't have to put up with his lectures. Going solo's the best way, right?
Not hardly.
Drunk subordinate: Hmm, you'd like my boss. But me, I like being by myself. It's just easier...

Since I've somehow allowed August to become All About Rise Month, I may as well put this here.


I just finished cleaning up the store. Hey, you wanna talk a while? Really? Yay, I get to spend time with you!


The view is so different from here than in the city. You can see all the stars and hear nothing but insects...It's also way easier to see shooting stars.
Inaba's night skybox actually has shooting stars every few seconds.
But don't you find it hard to make your wish three times before it's gone? I always mess that up. Hey Senpai, if there was one going by right now, what would you wish for?
Peace, peace, peace!
Wow, now that's my Senpai! I actually think it's really cool that that was the first thing that came to mind.

> Rise is impressed...

Oh...A shooting star! Quick, Senpai, let's make our wishes!

> You enjoyed your idle chat with Rise...

Oh, wow, it's this late already? Sorry...I gotta get back.
Oh, but before I go...give me your hand, Senpai.

> You received Rainbow Konpeito from Rise.

Ta-da! Surprise present! Heehee...Did I get you? Well, goodnight, Senpai.

> You parted with Rise and went home.



-New Days-

Troy Baker continues to rule. Listen along here.


Remember how I mentioned how we should all go to the beach before? Why not go today?
I've been looking forward to it.
Right!? When you think of the summer, you think of the beach! And vice versa! I'm sure suntanned skin and a little accidental hand-slipping is in our future! Oh man, I'm so excited!

> Yosuke seems delighted...

I'll go ahead and call up the others! See you later!

> The sky is bright and clear today...It's the perfect day for an outing. You decide to bring out your scooter...




Sennnpaiii...Is the beach really this way? We've been on the road for a while...


I'm positive! Can't you smell the ocean!?
Huh? What smell?


You can definitely trust her on this, Rise! She's got the senses of a beast, remember!?


Whaaaat!? Hey, what're you saying, you!?
Hey, I was complimenting you!
You call that a compliment, you idiot!? What kind of girl wants to be compared to a big dumb animal!?




Hey dude, gimme a break, will ya!?...Have you seen the map, this is crazy!


Geh...Urgh...Wait!...For me!...I'm!...Done for...*blargh*


Hahahahaha! Look! The ocean!
All right!
It's pretty...!












Hoho! No one's gonna beat me to the water!
Yeah, let's go!
Oh...okay!


See ya ahead!


We're at the ocean. Which means swimsuits. Which means, Risette live and in person! What are the ramifications here...? Am I using up my lifetime supply of luck with this?...Whoa!
Oooooooh!

-Everyday Sunshine-


Oh, were you waiting for us?
Dude, that's just insane...!
Yeah, she's something else.
Summer...is...awesome!
Hey...were you checking me out, Senpai?

> Rise is smiling mischievously...

Um, can we get going into the water...?
Chie-chan, Rise-chan and Yuki-chan all win the Ladies of Summer competition. I'm surrounded by such beautiful mermaids. I feel like this could be my chance for a summer romance...
Like that'd ever happen.
Where's Kanji?
I bet he's still worn out. Riding all that way on a bike really did a number on him.
Oh, here he comes.


What's what?
Your swimsuit! What else would I mean!?
It's your basic black.
I'm not talking about the color! I mean...I mean...the whole thing! I'm seeing things I never needed to see!
You're the only one sayin' stuff like that!
Don't act like you're not egging me on!
Wait, Kanji. How come you're not getting a nosebleed over me?
Huh? Why would that happen?
What!?
I'm surprised they can get this worked up over just some swimsuits...
Geez, they're hopeless. I'm gonna go ahead and jump in the water! Chie-chan, Yuki-chan! Let's be mermaids! Wheeeeee!


C'mon, you two. Let's go!


My feet don't touch the bottom anymore!
Let's go over to that island!


You're too slow! Is that swimsuit for show!?
D-Don't let go, okay? It's...deep here!


I'll go buy some drinks. You want a soda?
Eek!
My string's getting undone!
Hey! Teddie! Watch the hands, pal!
Aww, don't be so stingy! I think we're due for a "wardrobe malfunction"...
What in the world are they doing...?
Whoaaaaaaaa!?
What now?


Busted...
Hey, Senpai! This stupid bear here...


You listenin', Senpai?
Wait. Hold it, time out! Uh...L-look down.
Down?



-Border of Insanity-

Gyaaaaaaaaaaah!
Holy shit, the wardrobe malfunction was mine!
What are you doing!? You need to cover up down there, dammit!
I give up, I give up!
Hey, quit squirmin'! You run off and I'm toast!
But if I don't run off, my dignity will be in ruins!
Why don't we take a break?
I need to put on more sunscreen.
Gotta take a break to slake with steak!
They're getting out of the water!
Teddie!? What gives!?
I'm...done for...
I'll go look for something! Sit tight!

> This is an emergency...!


You're right! Maybe if I use this white seashell...Argh, no, that's too sexy!
I can hear the harps...
Stay with us, Ted!
Alright! Kanji, I found something!


Oh, there they are. Senpai!
They're coming! Just hide it!


...What am I supposed to say to this?
We're...uh...Reenacting the Birth of Venus? Eh...hehehe...
Y-Yeah! I-I'm ready to be born, dammit!


Was this...the best idea...?
Whatever else, it's givin' me an itch...
Uh...huh...

> You all managed to win a bitter battle...Or so you tell yourself...

-Like A Dream Come True-




I'm still itchy...
At least we had a laugh over it in the end, right? And we found your swimsuit, too.
Well, I never woulda come to the beach if you hadn't invited me.
Haha, I guess it would be out of character for you.
...It actually might be more fun to try stuff that's out of character.
Yeah...in a way, your nature is like a wall, after all. Surrounding yourself with high walls makes things simple, but simplicity isn't always a virtue...
Oh man, what was that!? Did I just get all philosophical there!?
By all means, keep going.
Oh, well, if I have your permission...! C'mon, you're embarrassing me even more!
I think it's fine. I look at that big ocean out there and think, man, why keep hangin' on to all this embarrassment? Just let it go.
So you don't deny that it was embarrassing, huh...?

> You hear the girls playing at the beach...


But that's a prize only you would want to play for, Chie-senpai...
Then the loser gets to smooch Teddie!
Talk about kicking someone when they're down!
Then, instead of playing a game, why don't we do something else together? Like bury Teddie in the sand?

> They're in high spirits and having fun...


I wonder if our high school days will end that way too...
What's with all the doom and gloom? The case is closed, man. If anything, I'd say we're just gettin' started.
That's true...
Man, though, this motorcycle trip turned out way better than I imagined. Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't we go skiing during winter break? Wait 'til you guys see how awesome I am on a snowboard!
Talkin' about winter already? Gettin' a little ahead of ourselves, are we?
I'll look forward to it.
Yeah! There's lots of mountains around here, so there's gotta be a ski slope somewhere not too far away.
Oh, yeah, tons of 'em. None of 'em are that close by, but it won't be too tough by scooter. Though we gotta stay safe. If the roads look dangerous, we might have to change our plans.
Man...I wouldn't have thought you'd be the one stressing safety.
What's the point in tryin' to act cool when it comes to that stuff? Danger's danger, man.
Well, you have a point...Alright...Now that we have a plan in mind for winter break, let's start heading back before it gets dark. We're all beginners at driving, after all. Heeeey! We're goin' home!

> You enjoyed your day of swimming in the ocean and touring by scooter. It was a memorable day...