Part 73: October 1 - October 5: Where the Heart Is

-The Path is Open-


Another early draft of Yukiko Amagi's design. In contrast to Chie, Yukiko's hair was shorter at this stage.


The finalized design for Konohana Sakuya, Yukiko Amagi's Persona. Its design emphasizes femininity in contrast to Izanagi, the protagonist's Persona.




Attendant: Even on a day like this where there's not that many customers, I gotta spend it standing around...But looking at the town puts me at ease somehow. Maybe it's because I've lived here for so long.


Avid reader: Say, do you have a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about. I've gone and bought myself a huge bookcase. Now I can treasure my books on display after I've read them. I'm going to stop giving you pieces from my collection...Sorry. Well...I'll give you one more! But this is the last time. Will you hear me out? You'll listen? Thank you! This isn't really a request. Think of it as a game. I want to see if you remember what my books have taught you. Okay, let's go! You'll have to answer four questions in a row, alright? Question #1: What fact ISN'T told in The Gentle Way?
Judo medalist names.
Avid reader: Correct! Question #2: What does the book The Punk's Way cover?
How one should live as a punk.
Avid reader: Correct! Way to go! Question #3! In Guide to Pests, how many pages were used per pest?
Two pages.
Avid reader: Correct! Just a little longer. Question #4. In Picross Rules! what's the solution to the gold medal-winning puzzle?
Me.
Avid reader: Amazing! You got them all right! That really is surprising. To be honest, I didn't think you could get all of those. You really did read all the books I gave you. I'm so happy. It's fun to read a book, but I realized that it's fun to talk to someone about books, too. I learned this because of you, so thank you.

> Received Who Am I?
All those books that Sanzo totally read. Yes, indeed.

-Music Box-






...Daaaaaaaaaah!

-Aria of the Soul-


This is just a note! A note! Do you understand!? Say it! It's a note!
......

> You think you see Margaret's eyes narrow, but only for an instant...

You're at the top of my list now! Ihateyousomuchyoulyinghypocrite! Just, please...Stop reading these.


Yatsufusa is a Persona of the Hanged Man Arcana...A pity he hadn't led a better life. He'd be a Changed Man instead of a Hanged Man...Nothing? You're a tough audience. Anyway, I look forward to your return.



Level up Thoth for this one.



NICE NERD BOOK, NERD





















The quick white fox jumps over the dazzling shiny orbs.




This Yatsufusa has Mediarama. You have successfully completed the request...I can feel your heart. Words can express nothing. The only way to convey meaning is through the communication between hearts. Sanzo Genjo and Margaret...What do those names have in common...? Oh no, there's nothing in common. I was testing your generosity. Good job...You passed the test.

> Margaret seems a little embarrassed...


Well then...For my next request...What I'd like is a Ganesha with the Tetrakarn ability. If anyone can do this for me, it's you. I eagerly await your return.

> Cafe Chagall, Inside...Mumon's coffee is as exquisite as the last time.



> As you're swept up in a black torrent of flavors, you desperately reach towards something and grasp it...! Obtained the Debilitate skill card from Trumpeter!


Mumon: Ha...You're already a regular here, kid. Still, there's no need to be so hasty...Everyone becomes an adult eventually, like it or not. Now you be careful on your way home, boy. You can come back here whenever you like.


Hobby shop owner: This mecha is from the same series as the other one I gave you. This one got classified as "universal destruction"-grade! The joints use poly-caps, so it's posable! It's fun to display the completed machine! Poly-caps are limited only by your imagination, but there's that feeling of despair when you lose one or it pops out--Huh? Oh, never mind. Okay, well, I want to see how this one turns out!


There's this new movie out called "Dachiko Story." And...I'm just a sucker for movies about dogs! If you're going to see it, would you let me know so I can come, too?

> The movie Kanji wanted to watch is now being shown at the theater. If you go to the movie theater, perhaps you should invite Kanji...





-Signs of Love-


Hey, let's go out today.
Sure.
Great! Let me call the others and see if they want to come, too.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Okina Station, Croco Fur...The group came on the girls' insistence...


Yeah! We're gonna celebrate with a shopping spree! And you have the honor of carrying our bags.
Senpai...now I need saving.
Give it up, Kanji.
Attaboy, Sanzo-kun.
I'm going to buy a lot today.
Me too! I've got money to burn!
Alright, alright...Tch...I should've told 'em I had to watch the house, like Yosuke-senpai...

> It promises to be an entertaining day. You spent an afternoon with the group.



-Specialist-


I guess I'll keep talking, then. Speaking of blood, do you know what Dragon's Blood is? Hehe...it's nothing like a fantasy novel. Not actually the blood of a dragon. Dragon's Blood is bright red resin taken from a plant called Dracaena. It was valued in the old days as an almighty medication, and it actually has the ability to reduce inflammation. The people of old were such romantics, to call tree resin Dragon's Blood! Hehehe.

-Youthful Lunch-


If it's okay with you, would you walk me home?
Sure.
Okay. Don't forget, now. *giggle* I have something good waiting for you, so make sure you're hungry.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Samegawa flood plain...The boxed lunch Yukiko brought looks delicious...



> It looks pretty good...You decided to close your eyes and shove it into your mouth. It's...delicious!
Not pictured: gallons and gallons of laxative.

Is it good? Really? Thank goodness...Er, well of course it is...
Half the cooking was done by the head chef...He took over again.
But he told me I've gotten a lot better!...I'm also thinking of continuing my studies for a job license. I don't plan to leave anymore, but I thought I might as well. I'm glad I realized sooner...If I'd struck out on my own, I know I would have regretted it.

-Smile-

I wanted to become completely self-sufficient. But I think I was being presumptuous. I have the inn, I have my family, I have the waitresses and chefs...I am who I am now because I was raised by such a kind group...
When I think of it that way, my problems aren't just my own. That's why...I'm going to stay here. By my own will.
Good luck.

-Strength of Heart-



> Yukiko's strong will that allowed her to accept and overcome her weakness has awakened her heart's true power...



> Yukiko's Persona has been reborn...! Konohana Sakuya has transfigured into Amaterasu!



Amaterasu, the queen of the sun. One of the leading deities of the Shinto pantheon.



-Smile-


The power you've shown to me...Power I will treasure. I want you to have this.

> You obtained Shrine Charm.

It's a charm from that shrine...To protect you.
Thank you.
...Mm.

> Yukiko is smiling gently...

I think of you as an irreplaceable friend. No matter how far apart we are, even if we never meet again, that feeling will never change. You're dear to me.

> You can feel Yukiko's pure, simple emotion...You feel a strong bond between you and Yukiko...



-The Path is Open-

Having prepared to go forth, Yukiko now knows exactly where she wants to be.



Her home is her fortress--the place where she is invulnerable.



-Smile-

I've never known any boys who I could call close friends. I'm very happy...Let's talk, shall we?

> You spent a long while talking with Yukiko while eating her boxed lunch...



-Specialist-


Mr. Kondo: It doesn't matter how fast you run! If you drop the baton, you'll lose valuable time! Just keep passing that baton until you reach the anchor! It's fundamental, but difficult! Hahaha! By the way, the word "anchor" was originally used in a different track-and-field sport. Hmmm...How about a question for Genjo!? Which of these sports also uses an anchor?
Tug-of-war.
Mr. Kondo: You got it, Sanzo! The player supporting the end of the rope was acting as an anchor, and was thus called so! It crossed over into other sports, and so the last runner in a relay is also called that! All right! One more time, with Sanzo as the anchor! Ready, go!



-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-



I just noticed that these fish don't come packed in ice. That's...vaguely disconcerting.



> The model has been completed! Obtained Melee Harihara. You should put it on your shelf.



-Specialist-


Mr. Yamada: Well, let's get back to basics, then. Let's look at the world map. Take note that Japan is in the center of the Japanese maps! Other countries center their maps in different places. Where would you find Japan on a map made in a foreign country? Oh, let's see...Amagi-san! No, I'd feel bad about that...So...Hanamura!


I don't even know what he's talking about...Do you know the answer, Sanzo?
The right edge.
Mr. Yamada: Oh, you got it! I believed in you! Really! Yes, in foreign world maps, Japan is placed on the eastern edge. Now you know why they call this part of Asia the "Far East!" Foreign maps are designed to be centered on the Prime Meridian at 0 degrees of longitude.
Oh...I see. Thanks, Sanzo.





> This heart-warming drama about the life and death of the dog Dachiko and his owner.

-Like A Dream Come True-


The movies? The place in Okina, right? Yes, I want to go! It'll take a while since I'll be biking there, but I'll definitely be there before the movie starts! Well, see you there!


Let's go.

> You and Kanji take in a movie together. You were deeply moved by the tale of Dachiko, who waited unfailingly for his master to come home...You enjoyed watching the movie with Kanji. Something inside Kanji changed in response to the movie...




Movies about animals just aren't fair...Their eyes are just too damn cute...
That Dachiko, I just want to hug him!

> Kanji seems to have really liked the movie.

I'm glad I came along. Let's do this again!

> You decide to go home...


Weather announcer: The week ended on a wet note as rain clouds moved into the area. As a result, a thick fog is expected to form in the Inaba region later tonight...



> Since Naoto has been rescued, it seems the killer was thwarted this time. Meanwhile, in the foggy shopping district...

-Who's There?-