Part 64: September 6 - September 7: Sanzo Pusses Out

I mean, I have to eat breakfast, go back to bed, eat lunch, watch some TV...And that's not even counting time for snacks! You might not think so, but coming here is pretty tough to fit into my schedule.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Samegawa riverbank...After practice, Ayane took you here.

Wow, the rain has almost let up! Senpai, over here!


There's never anyone around, so I can relax while I play.
Sorry for dragging you out here on such short notice. But I thought it would be easier for me to tell you something here...I think I need to start being more selfish.
For as long as I can remember, I've never expressed my opinions. I've let them just build up inside me. I was trying to protect myself from conflicts by just avoiding them. But sometimes arguing about something and talking through it is what makes a relationship stronger, I think. I'm finally starting to see that.
Well, no, that's not true. I've known that all along. But I was too scared to admit it...I was afraid of speaking my mind and getting shot down. I didn't want anyone to hate me. That's why I thought I could avoid getting hurt by just going with the flow...It was the easiest way out.
But...then you came along...and made me realize I was just pretending not to see what I was doing. I've been keeping a lot of...unpleasant emotions buried inside. In fact, the real me can be pretty selfish. I want people to notice me, but I never make the first move. Selfish, right?...That's me. That's why when I think about the other day, and how I threw away everything you did for me, I feel guilty.
...But you helped me do a lot of things I couldn't have done on my own. I pushed myself past my limits, and on top of that, I got to hang out with someone I really care about. But most importantly, you made me look myself in the eye. I never could have done that before. You helped me hear my own voice.
So, from now on, I'm not gonna pretend that I don't care what happens anymore! I'll express my opinion, say what I think, and if that gets me on someone's bad side, then that's that. If I wanna get what I want in life, I've gotta speak my mind!
I owe it all to you, Sanzo-senpai...Thank you!

> Ayane is smiling cheerfully...It seems you were able to help guide Ayane through her problems...


Um...That being said, um...there's something else.

> Ayane is blushing...

Um...Senpai, I-I...

> You have a hunch what she wants to say...



> You changed the subject and relieved the tension...

...Oh, uhhh...N-Never mind...W-Well, I-I better get home!
S-So, g-goodbye!

> You parted with Ayane and went home.
Smooooth. With a little luck, maybe that even won't be the last straw that makes poor little Ayane snap and go Carrie on the rest of the band.

-Sky Full of Stars-


Haha...You're the one who helped him to grow. I have to thank you.


Hobby shop owner: Oh, it's you. Thanks for that last time. I'm sorting out the leftover models, now that the store's closed. Do you want another one? I know you'll at least put it together, so you can have one for free if you want.
Inaba's neckbeardiest law-abiding citizen has two kinds of models for you.

> Obtained Unfinished Scooter.

Hobby shop owner: There aren't many varieties of this model. This is a domestic brand, so there's no need to fill in any cracks! It's round all over, making it fun to sand. Man, I'd just polish it clean every day! But if you sand too much, you'll end up not just shaving the seams, but the molds as well, and then you'll want to reshape--Huh? Oh, that's enough? All right...Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing you finish it!









-Your Affection-


Yo.
So are you ready for the trip yet? This guy won't shut up about it.
Yosuke-senpai hasn't even started packing. He's all like, "Was that tomorrow?" 'Sup with that?
You are way too excited about this. I mean, you're even worried about how many boxes of animal crackers to bring. We're only gonna be there for two nights, dude! Besides, I'm pretty sure they have convenience stores in Port Island.
For serious!? I've never really left this place, so...
Huh...I wonder if the murders here got as much play over there, too. Like that Mitsuo Kubo dude. They're still showing him on TV here. Every time I switch on the tube, the news is showing like, what he wrote in his yearbook. Pisses me off, man. The freakin' media's slapping together anything they can find to make the dude look like a born criminal. People think they can say anythin' they want about a guy who's been branded a criminal...'s just not right.
I agree.
I mean, I still hate the guy's guts. But...I dunno, after getting involved with all this, I started to realize how off-base most rumors are...It's so messed up...
Well, I gotta admit, the news can be pretty out there.
Hey, it's Naoto.
Yo, how's it going?


Oh yeah, I-I'm on duty today! Heheheh! W-Well, see ya later!
*sigh* He's the messed up one...


Awkward girl: W-Well? I'm busy, so wh-what's on your mind!?
Do you need help speaking?
Awkward girl: Wha...! Wh-Where'd you hear that!?...Oh. I-It's not like I'm worried about it! L-Leave me alone!

> She's quite worried about her speech and defensive about it, as well...

(Give her lessons)

> With your current Expression, you can speak well enough to teach others. You offer to teach her.

Awkward girl: C-Conversation lessons!? I-I don't need them! Leave me alone! But if you really want to teach someone, then maybe I'll listen to you for a while, just to be nice.
"Just repeat after me: I...will...fucking...murder you."

> You gave her some tips on how to converse with other people.

Awkward girl: Y-You should've told me this earlier! Oh...um...That's not right. "It would have been most desirable if you would have imparted this wisdom at a much earlier occasion"...Like that? Um...Th-Thank you. I hope...you can teach me again. B-Bye!

> The awkward girl ran away. Maybe you should talk to her again next time you see her...


That was close...I started running low kinda far from here.
But I'm all fueled up again, so I can go anywhere I want now. Wanna take a ride?
Let's go to the beach.
The beach! That didn't even cross my mind...
But it's a good idea. We've got enough time to take a trip there right now.
All right...Let's do this! I feel like going out for a spin! I still remember the way from the last time we went, so follow me!

-Like A Dream Come True-




I think it should still be warm enough...Let's go in, Sanzo-kun!


Hmm, the future, huh...It's like I can see what I want for a second, and then it's gone...It's still really blurry to me...

Chie's Bike Date skills--
Hama: Low-level, single-target Light attack.
Mind Slice: Medium physical with chance for Panic.
Hamaon: High-level, single-target Light attack.
Tetra Break: Removes enemy's Tetrakarn. (Tetrakarn repels a single physical attack.)
Bufudyne: High-level, single-target Ice attack.


Older twin: But I think if they're twins they might be able to. Oh right! There's something I'd like you to do for me...Twin telepathy...I think my sister and I should be able to do it. Hey, can you be our witness? I'll tell you what I'm thinking, and then you can go over to her and see if she's thinking the same thing. All right, thanks! Go over to my sister, and ask her what "snack" pops into her head. I'll start transmitting now. Okay okay, "chocolate" "chocolate"...

> You've agreed to find the younger twin and report the results of this telepathy experiment.



> You need to figure out what the first "snack" she thinks of is without tainting the experiment...How do you want to phrase the question?

What's brown and sweet?
Sanzo has utterly no respect for the scientific method. Either that, or he's starting to get tired of running everyone's errands.

> You gave her a hint...

Younger twin: Something brown and sweet? Hmm...Brown sugar? Chocolate? I wasn't thinking of that at all...

> You did what you were asked. Now you need to report the results...


Older twin: What? Gave her a hint...? No! That's not okay! But if she asked for a hint...That basically means that she didn't get my message telepathically, huh? Well, thanks for helping. This is a token of my appreciation.

> Received Dokudami Tea x 5.

Older twin: Hmm, did I do something wrong? Maybe I'll try again sometime.

I've lost count of how many fish I've given to this cat on the flood plain, but something new happened today:





...Good kitty.



-Traumerei-


Passing housewife: Are you coming back from school? You shouldn't be wasting time here! Don't you think your parents are worried with you wandering about, just like your sister did? You're not helping out at the store? I hear your father's having a hard time.
...Hmph.
Passing housewife: Don't "hmph" me. I know it's tough, with what happened to your sister...But in times like these, a family has to unite and help each other out, right? Look, I'm just trying to help you and your family out. That attitude isn't very nice.
......

> Naoki looks distressed...

(Talk back to the lady)
I-It's okay, Sanzo-san...

> Naoki looks troubled, but looks slightly happier.

Passing housewife: I'll be going now. Naoki-kun, keep your chin up, and think about your family!


It's not your fault.
Yeah...?

> Naoki looks happy...

If you weren't here...I would've been in a predicament. Since my family runs a business here, we have to stay on good terms with the neighbors...So I can't yell at them...Thank you.

> You empathize with Naoki's distress...


I'm sorry. I'm...gonna go home now. We'll eat together next time...

> You parted with Naoki and went home.

-Signs of Love-



> The school trip begins tomorrow. You should get ready and head to bed early...