Part 88: November 10 - November 13: An Important Moment

-Like A Dream Come True-


I'm about to, uh...I'm gonna head out to the orphanage. I just wanted you to know...Later.

> You watched Kou leave, then practiced with the rest of the team...



> You told Daisuke that Kou went to the orphanage.

Today? Hmm...I'm kinda worried...
Let's catch up to him.
Yeah, that's a good idea.

> Daisuke nods in agreement.

Let's call it a day.

> You decided to go meet Kou at the station with Daisuke.

-Traumerei-




Find anything out?
No, not yet...Wait, you guys came all the way out here just to worry about me? Losers.

> Contrary to his words, Kou looks happy.

The orphanage hasn't changed at all. The teachers even remembered who I was, and they were really nice to me. But...They said they can't tell me who my real parents are, or why I was left there.
No kidding...?
They did give me this, though. I've been too scared to read it by myself, but...It's a letter from the person who left me at the orphanage.


"Dear Kou-kun...By the time you read this, you'll have grown into a fine young man. Your parents named you 'Kou' because they hoped that you would always be in good health. They considered health more important than fame or money, because it's much harder to keep and maintain. You see, your parents were very frail, and they passed away about half a year after you were given up for adoption. They always wanted you to know how sorry they were that they couldn't raise you themselves. They loved you very dearly. Kou, you are your parents' ray of hope. No matter how difficult things get, hold your head up high, and keep pressing onward. You can't lose hope. Both of them would undoubtedly say, 'We will be watching over you, always.'"...No names. Not a single clue...My real parents are dead.
......
I was half expecting something like this, but...it's still pretty shocking, y'know? I have no one...
That's not true.
You think so? I really don't know anymore...

> Kou smiles wryly...

But I'm glad to have found out...I'm glad to have this. Thanks, man...

> Kou smiles weakly...It seems you were able to support Kou.


It's gonna get dark soon. Let's head home...The others are worried about you too, you know.

> After seeing Kou off, you parted with Daisuke and went home.



-Specialist-


The Welwitschia is a plant in the Namib Desert. Some individual specimens may be more than 2000 years old. It must be very hardy, being able to survive cruel desert conditions for twenty centuries! And, it's truly surprising that its two main leaves continue to grow for that entire time. I'm very curious about their overflowing will to live...Oh...Were you listening, Sanzo-kun?


Namib.
Good job, you got it right! I bet you're proud of yourself. The Welwitschia is a really old plant living in the Namib desert. I wonder if I'll gain some of its powers for immortality if I manage to get one of my own...Oh, but don't tell any of the other female teachers that! I don't need the competition. Heheheh...

-Like A Dream Come True-



> It's a love story about the god Jove, who takes a leave of absence from his duties and finds true love...
Jove? As in, the Olympian god who screwed everything in sight?


What's up? Wanna ask me out?
Oh, you really did want to ask me out. The movies? Of course I'll go! I'll be looking for you in front of the theater. See you there!


Oh, it's just us, huh...And you called to invite me! Hehe, well, let's go!

> You and Rise take in a movie together. Your heart fluttered watching an elegantly spun love story unfolding in the city of Rome...You enjoyed watching the movie with Rise.

Most of the time remakes of great films never live up to the original, but this one was definitely worthy. So that was Rome, huh...? I love seeing European cities. They're so beautiful.

> Rise seems to have really liked the movie.

Thanks for inviting me, Senpai. Give me a call whenever you want to go out again.

> You decide to go home.





-Your Affection-


Younger twin: "The fog is dangerous, so don't go out so much! We're going to be moving soon, so you better be prepared," she said...Oh! It's a Branch Headband! I knew you would come through! If I wear this, people will be able to tell us apart! It's something unique for me...I'm so happy. You don't know how much this means to me. Ah! Umm, please...Take this!
I had to reload this week after losing a bunch of screenshots, and it's already biting me in the ass. I have no idea where or when I got that stupid thing. I don't really have time to check, either--like she said, she and her sister are only in the game for another week or so.

> Received Bead Chain in a cute bag.

-Like A Dream Come True-









-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-



-Your Affection-


Now I can understand why people living in the area own cars. I just recently filled the tank in mine. How would you like to go for a ride, time permitting?
Let's go to a hot spring.
Hot springs...? That sounds quite relaxing.
Er, w-we'd obviously bathe in separate springs, yes!?
In that case...let's be off. My shoulders have been aching for some time.

-Like A Dream Come True-



Naoto has the best bike.


I can't believe it. I'm the only one on this side. I can completely relax...I was a little wary at first, but I'm glad I took you up on your offer. Hmm...I'm getting sleepy...
(Talk about the future)
The future, huh...Well, I'm a bit on the fence about...

Naoto's Bike Date skills--
Bufudyne: High-level, single-target Ice attack.
Ziodyne: High-level, single-target Electric attack.
Tetraja: Repels the next instant-death attack against one team member.
Myriad Arrows: High-damage, three-hit area Physical.
Angelic Grace: Doubles Naoto's evade chance against all elements besides Light, Dark, and Almighty.


I want to see Nanako-chan...I want to see her face...Oh, I'm sorry. I know this must be more painful for you than me.
Umm...Is there something I can do for you? Oh, I know! Let's go out! How does that sound, huh?

> Rise is trying to help you feel better...

-Smile-

> Souzai Daigaku...You came with Rise, who seems enthusiastic about eating out.


Heck, maybe our shop should do something like this. How about a "ganmo kebab?" Or a "tofu croquette?"


Ummm, you're the deputy mayor...right? Good afternoon...
Deputy mayor: I heard the news! You know, about the upcoming film!...Hm? You haven't heard yet? You know Kanamin, right? Kanami Mashita! They're going to be filming nearby, right? I hope they stop by Inaba, too. Oh, I know! Why don't you ask?
Kanamin...I don't have anything to do with them anymore.
Deputy mayor: But wait...How many are coming? We only have small bed-and-breakfasts around here...Got it! They can stay at the Amagi Inn! Alright, I need to go tell that manager guy I was just talking to!
......


Inoue-san...What do you want today?
Inoue: I'm down here scouting film locations, so I thought I'd come see you. I wanted to hear your answer one more time, face to face...Are you sure you're not coming back?
...I...I'm not going back...
Inoue: I see. Okay...I understand. Well, now I can focus on my new job. I signed up as Kanami Mashita's manager. Remember how we were talking about doing that movie? They picked Kanami as your replacement...We're going to sell Kanami. I have every confidence she'll be just as popular...no, even MORE popular than Risette.
I-I see...
Inoue: Although...Kanami is an ordinary girl. We have to "polish" her so she sells...But you had that spark. You learned fast, adapted well to new situation, had that smile that could be as strong or weak as you needed...And those acting skills of yours! You were like an old pro. You could have reached heights most girls could never dream of...That's what I think, anyway. So...I just had to hear it from your own mouth. Well, then...goodbye. Stay healthy, okay?


He never told me any of that when we were still working together...Acting skills...? Of course I have 'em. What the heck...? Telling me all that stuff now...It's too late...!
......

-Traumerei-

> It seems Rise is crying...

Hey...Why am I crying...? There's no reason to cry...There's nothing...to be sad about...Nothing...
Senpai...I...I don't know why I'm crying...
Cry all you want.
Haha...I can't. My eyes will be all swollen tomorrow...I...I lost everything...I don't know how...but...I lost everything...I'm scared...I'm sad...What's going on? Senpai...Please, stay here...Stay by my side...Senpai...!

> ...You sense this is an important moment. There's no turning back.



Okay, these choices are just getting ridiculous. "Stand there?" That's the alternative? Not even a simple "Hang in there, broseph," or maybe a friendly punch on the arm? Why not just point and laugh? (That was an actual option in the last Lovers scene, by the way. Maybe they just didn't want to use it twice in a row.)

Well, the hell with it.

S-Senpai...
Senpai...

> Rise began pouring out tears...

Senpai...I have you...I have the others...I didn't lose everything. There are people who still need me, right?

> Rise is smiling through her tears...





This rank doubles the effectiveness of Rise's Healing Wave.

> You can feel Rise's warmth as she trembles...There's no turning back.

I'm going home now. My head's all messed up...I need time to think it over...About how I feel now. I don't want to lose anything more. Goodbye, Senpai...

> You watched Rise walk off and went home.