Part 76: October 11 - October 12 Part 1: Party Crashing

-Your Affection-


Man, that was exhausting yesterday! It was my first time being up on stage like that! Rise had to do stuff like that all the time when she was working, right? I'd never be able to live like that...And this week, we've got midterms! *sigh*
Oh, hey! We should have a study session with everybody else after school! We're all in the same boat, right? Let's help each other out!
Help each other?
That's right, help each other.
...Okay, so what if I'm more on the "being helped" side than the "helping others" side?
Come on! Help those of us who are academically challenged! I'll invite everyone! Please!

-Specialist-


Ms. Sofue: Napoleon went on many military campaigns, and needed something very specific. Napoleon had these made...Sanzo, would you stand up, please?


Glass jars.
Ms. Sofue: Hohoh...you knew well. That's right, he made people invent glass jars. Napoleon held a contest with lots of reward money to whoever could come up with a way to preserve food on long campaigns. Nicolas Appert submitted his method for canning food in 1804, paving the way for the food-preservation industry. It's a common misconception, but Napoleon was not involved with the actual invention of metal cans. The first "canned" foods were kept in glass jars. Tin or iron cans were invented in 1810 as an alternative to heavier jars. An actual can opener, however, wouldn't be invented for another 45 years. Before the invention of the can opener, soldiers would use bayonets to cut open cans, or smash them with rocks. So...midterms start at the end of this week. Don't forget to review.

> Junes food court...

-Junes Theme-


Hey, greetings to you.
Greetings to you.
Looks like you're having fun.
Yo.


So many people!


Exam study group! *sigh* Times like these, I'm jealous of Teddie...It seems like a dream that we had a live concert here only yesterday...
That was so much fun. I didn't think the crowd would get that excited. But enough of that. Let's start with proving the trigonometric identities.
Argh...Jumping straight into math...
Ours is the section on trig functions, right? The one where we find the area of a triangle given two sides and--
Huh? You find the area of a triangle with...You know, that thing. Uhh, base by height by 2?
If you don't mind, shall I teach you?
Oh? Are you as smart as I thought? Could you uh...lend me a hand too...?
Oh, um...I wouldn't know where to begin with second-year subjects.
Aww...What's up with that? Useless after all...
D-Don't call me useless!
Hehehe...I think I've figured out what buttons to push to get Naoto-kun riled up. You're pretty cute when you're angry.
Wh-What are you talking about!?
That's it, I quit. This just ain't my thing...The hell with the exams. 's time for my animal crackers...
Ooh, can I have some too? I wanna find the penguin!
Hands off the penguin! It's mine!
*sigh* Forget it. I can't think...
Teddie said he doesn't know who he is. That's so weird.


But the more I feel that way, the more I want to know who I really am...I've surfed the net, read manga, watched TV...I even went to a place called the libeary, but I still can't find anything about me...
Dude, I'd be surprised if you did.
Still, I'm starting to get an idea...
An idea?
Whoa, isn't this your first time sharing a theory about yourself?
I lived in that other world. That world was my reality...But now, I have a feeling that it was born from the minds of people on this side...And over in that place, filled with Shadows, I think I was some sort of special being...
A "special being?"
I don't remember anything from back then, though...Maybe it's that "amnesia" thing I read about in a book the other day.


Still, there's no point in applying the principles of logic and deduction to a place like that...But the fact that you existed in such a world from the beginning adds credibility to your theory. There is little doubt that you are a "special being" on the other side. If you yourself know nothing about it, perhaps it's true that part of your memory is missing. Tell me, what is the earliest memory you can call to mind?
It's from a while ago. I've always lived there, as far as I can tell. Then it started to get noisy, so when I happened to bump into Sensei and Yosuke, I asked them to do something about it...
I see...If you've always been on that side, you'd have no sense of time or days...


I'm sorry, Nanako-chan. We didn't mean to leave you out...
Hey...I think Teddie must be a king. I read in a story that a king was all alone inside a forest because of a bad guy's curse. Isn't that what happened to you, Teddie?
A king...Well! When you put it that way, it sounds about right...
Teddie...? A king...?
*giggle* I can see him wearing a cape...
Sheesh, Yukiko...You go into laughing fits in front of anyone now...
Can we...not talk about Teddie being a king...?
Hm? What's with that face...?
Teddie really was a king. There were all these other kings too, and we all--
Hey...He's talking about what happened at the club! Quiet, you! Not in front of Nanako-chan!

> Everyone left their seats to go buy drinks with Nanako.


Maybe so.
Mwahaha! If I am a king, I'll get to smooch girls every day!

> Teddie is smirking...

I have this fuzzy feeling that I'll find out sooner or later with your help, Sensei.

> You sense Teddie's strong trust...


Big bro, Teddie, is melon soda okay?

I've been holding off on this next scene, because I've never seen it with Naoto on the team.


I-I'm sorry about what happened last time. It got kind of ugly...

> Shu says nothing for a while...The awkward silence continues...Today's date is circled on the calendar.

Oh, that's right...Today...is my birthday. I forgot...
Happy birthday.
There's nothing to be happy about...

> Shu looks ready to cry...

Mom forgot it, too. She's not even here.

> Shu looks sad...

(Have a modest celebration)

> You decided to throw a birthday party for Shu. First, you need...

(Cake)

> You need to get a cake...Only one place springs to mind...

(Junes)

> You decided to call Yosuke...

Yo, what's up?

> You explained the situation to Yosuke...

I get it. Well, I can see why you'd want to help the kid out. Leave it to me. Just text me the address and I'll find directions to his house later. I won't be long, okay?
Huh...? What's...?

> You decided to wait for Yosuke to arrive.

-Like A Dream Come True-


......

> Shu is in total shock.

Hey, I called the whole gang. It's cool, right?

> You were going to have a small celebration, but Yosuke invited everyone...

Yosuke just called us up out of nowhere, y'know? He was all, "Meet us at Junes!" I was worried there for a moment...But a surprise party like this is the kind of surprise I like!
Me too. But we have to start this off right...with a song!


Friends: Happy birthday dear Shu-kun! Happy birthday to you!
......

> Shu is still in shock.

C'mon, now for the candles! Blow 'em out!
Huh? But...
If you don't hurry, you'll end up with a wax-flavored cake!
And no one wants that! Now come on, blow!
...O-Okay.
One...two...!

> Shu takes a deep breath.


...Hey, who did that!?
I-It's not meeee! Aaaaaack! No kicking!
Huh? Isn't the switch somewhere around here...?
...Oof!
Ahh!
I-I-I'm sorry! I'll get the switch...
Oh, no, it's my fault...Huh? Is this your face?
Y-Y-Y-Yes! Let go of my nose!
S-Sorry! I'll just sit back down...
Ow! You're stepping on me!
I-I'm sorry!...Wait, where am I?
Sheesh, Yukiko...Let me handle this...Guh!
Ugh! Right...in the...solar plexus...
Everyone, just sit down! Sanzo, get the lights!


Is the cake okay!?
That's the first thing you ask about...? Well, let's put that whole mess behind us...


Th-Thank you.
How old are you?
Uh, er, 13...I mean, 14.
Wow, that's young! Man, it must be great being in the prime of one's youth.
Umm, you're not exactly an old lady, you know...But, um...Shu-kun. Your life is only beginning here.

> Yukiko smiles gently at Shu.

...Oh, yes.
Man, you have no idea when to turn on the cute.
I mean...it's nothing...
It's just the day I was born.
Yep! It's a time for celebration.
It's a reason to be happy.
Should I...have been born...?

> Shu mumbles to himself...

...Stupid!
Stupid!
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid!
...Stupid.
......

> Shu is surprised...

Of course you should've!
......

> Shu is surprised...

...Ah...Yeah...
Alright, now for the cake!
Yes, let's all have a slice.

> The party livened up at this point...It's getting late, so everyone went home.

-Smile-


Thank you. I-I...

> Shu begins to cry...

I...I was suspended from school...I'm sorry, Sensei. I cheated. I was so worried about the test! If I wasn't number one, I thought...There's no point in anything if I'm not the best. It's all I can be...If I'm not, Mom won't...love me anymore...Mom asked me why I did it. She said she was betrayed, embarrassed...She said...I'm not her son...She was crying...
Wait, what? That's why his mom was having conniptions last time!? Christ, I thought he'd killed somebody.

> Shu begins to sob...

(Soothe him)

> You gently soothed Shu...

I...I'm sorry. *hic* *sigh* When I was able to write my name for the first time...Mom praised me. She would tell anyone who would listen that I was a genius. So I did my best...I studied all the time...so I could live up to her expectations...So that people would accept that Mom could raise a child on her own...I always had to be number one. But then, he...that transfer student came along. The school he came from was ahead of us, and he always got perfect scores on the tests...Plus, he's good at sports...Good at talking to people...He became "the best" in everyone's eyes, and they all started laughing at me...I know that all I'm good at is studying...But now...I don't even have that. Studying all day! No clubs! No friends! What do I have left...? I don't...have anything...I'm nothing if I'm not number one! If everyone...If even Mom gives up on me...I'm scared...Cheating was the only option I had...That's what I thought...So I...Sorry...I'm sorry...

> Shu begins crying again...

(Comfort him)
M-Mom must be sad...I...I...

> Shu won't stop crying.

Front door: *click*
It's Mom. She's back. I...I'll go...talk with her. Thank you...for today. I was happy...

> Shu tries to get his emotions under control.


Come back again. I'll do my best...

> You left Shu's house and went home.




You know...Lately, whenever we're "over there," I've been wondering...Does it feel like you've seen those Shadows before? I mean, we've fought robots and stuff that look like they're right out of some anime, right? Doesn't that bother you?
She's right. According to Void Quest canon, there's no way a fighter type like Mitsuo the Hero should have been able to cast Gigadyne.
Now that you mention it...
Remember how our other selves had those logos like a TV show? Maybe it was like that for the same reason as to why the Shadows look like something from the TV. Teddie said before that the other world is related to our minds somehow. People who watch the Midnight Channel believe it's a TV show, and we treat that world as "something inside the TV"...So maybe that's why...Or is it simply because all of us have had our brains soaked in television since we were kids? Hmmm...I guess I can't really deny that. I can't help watching Hong Kong action movies whenever they're on TV...

-Specialist-


Mrs. Nakayama: ...By the way, Halloween's at the end of this month. I'm sure you've forgotten, what with tests and festivals and all. Speaking of Halloween, the first jack-o'-lanterns weren't made out of pumpkins. Hmm...Satonaka-san, I'll pick you, since you don't seem to care about veggies!...Nah, I'll choose Genjo-kun!


Turnips.
Mrs. Nakayama: Yes, that's correct. The first ones were made out of turnips or beets. When that tradition was carried into the U.S., they started using pumpkins because they were plentiful and easier to carve. While we're on the subject, I'm hoping that my stocks will "turnip!"...No? Fine, puns aren't my style, anyway.


Mrs. Nakayama: ...Can I have a moment with you? There's something I'd like to ask. Lately, nothing seems to be going right, and I've been trying to think of the cause...Feng shui! That's gotta be it, right? I think that maybe I need better feng shui. I've been anxious and complaining and all...That's not how I usually am. So I was asking around, and some of the students said that you're good at finding random things for people. I'm looking for a Crystal Ball...Do you think you could find it for me? If I place it near the front door of my house, I'm sure all my problems will be solved!
I'll see what I can do.
Mrs. Nakayama: Great! I'll leave it up to you!


Principal: Would you mind talking with me for a moment? Young people often say they dislike the countryside, but if you ask me, I'd say that they just don't have any hobbies. If they had hobbies, then they wouldn't be bored, even here in the country. I've been here ever since I was very small, but I've never been bored. That's because I have a collection. What sort of collection, you ask?...Tanks. Collecting tank-related items...I just can't get enough of them! Gun barrels, caterpillar tread! Fuhohoho! After becoming principal here, I've been able to devote my time and money to expanding my collection, but...Training Shell...That is the one thing I have been unable to acquire...If I were to get ahold of it, I would be willing to give you a reward money can't buy...
I think I can get you that.
Principal: Really!? You can find one for me!? I can't wait for you to bring it to me!


Girl in glasses: I made a deal with my dad. If I can pass all my classes with an 80% or better, I can make art again! All I've gotta do is cram like there's no tomorrow!...Even though I never get better than the class average...
Good luck!
Girl in glasses: Thanks! I'll do my best! Ah! I just remembered...Hey, would you mind helping me out with something? Well, the thing is, I don't have enough materials for this piece of art I'm trying to make...Do you know where I can find a High-Speed Gear, Senpai?
I might know...
Girl in glasses: Really!? Does that mean you'll get it for me? I'll make sure you don't regret it! Please, I'm counting on you!


Homely student: It's autumn now, so why am I still getting sunburned? So lame...*sigh* Where am I going to get something like that...? Well, my dad's been pretty down ever since he shut down his plastic model shop. I was wondering what I could do, then I thought maybe I could round up all the regular kids who used to go there...But they said they wouldn't come see him unless I gave them badges. I was going to give them the ones from Shiroku's, but they don't like those...I don't know where else to look.
Leave it to me.
Homely student: R-Really...!? Alright, well, the kids said they want Proof of Passion. There are three kids in all, so I guess I'll need three badges...I'm so sorry! But...I leave it to you!
You can find these on Furious Gigases, in the Secret Laboratory.

> You handed her the Proof of Passion.

Homely student: Ah, that's them! Thank you so much! I wonder if these will make Dad happy. S-Sorry for dragging you through this...I know I've been relying on you a lot lately...U-Umm, this...This is for you. My mom wanted me to thank you for her, too.

> Received Bead wrapped in cloth.

-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-


Quiet housewife: Mmm, that scent...You smell like the city. Now, I'm just a quiet country housewife, but I was once a goddess of the stage...Ah, those days...The roar of the crowd, the smoldering gazes of the men...Listen. Will you grant a wish of mine? Very kind of you. You'll be a great man someday. I went into that clothing store, but they don't have anything I need. It's not enough to relive my youth. I need something more risque, something that shows off my curves...What I want is an invincible skirt. Like the kind I used to wear back in the day...If you ever find something like that, bring it to me so I can see it. Please.
She wants an Invincible Mini. Daidara stocks them once you've sold him eight Power Rocks, which drop off of Power Castles on the last floors of the Secret Lab. Naoto still needs gear too, so let's go see him.

-How Much?-


Pretty good poetry, right? It's nothing complicated...Just a little something about my life...Hmph. Well, whatever. Enough poetry! Do you have materials for me? What I said just now...That wasn't supposed to be a poem.
I was waiting for Daidara to get all flustered and call Sanzo a stupid dead leaf or something, but no dice.

-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-


Quiet housewife: Oh...how wonderful...Yes! This is what it was like! Risque, and a little dangerous...Oh...how I shined back then!...Thank you. Because of you, I can go on. I do everything now for my husband and children...I am only a faithful country wife these days. And that's okay. I'll give this to you. I don't need it anymore...

> You obtained Disco Fan.



Yukiko is already a disco inferno.


*giggle* I'm so happy to just be talking normally. Let's enjoy every day we have, until spring...Thank you, Sanzo-kun.

> You feel that the bond you share with Yukiko is something that can never be replaced...


Why don't we go to the other world? I want to investigate it a bit.
The girls are all thirty or forty levels behind the boys now. Let's fix that.

> It seems Naoto wants to go inside the TV. Will you call up your friends and go with them?

Let's go.
Thank you very much!

> Naoto is enthusiastic.


Mitsuo was a copycat, and the true killer is someone completely different...Does this mean we're kinda back to where we started...?
Not necessarily. With each crime he commits, his methods become clearer and clearer.
But it might get pretty tough from here on out...The police still think the case is already closed, and Naoto's off the investigation team. We're really the only ones who know that the killer's still out there. We can't rely on anyone else.
Dammit...
I don't think we need to be so hard on ourselves. After all, haven't we always thought that only we can bring in a criminal like this?
Look on the bright side...We've gained an important ally.
That's right. A detective who's on active duty.
I'll do everything I can to help. Let's act carefully and arrest the culprit...with our own hands. We must be mindful of the Midnight Channel and keep an eye out for the culprit's next move.
Let's go, Senpai.