Part 90: November 17 - November 20: Suicide Intervention

-Heartbeat, Heartbreak-

> You overhear students talking.


Lazy student: I heard the weather's going to get worse starting tomorrow.
Depressed girl: Don't tell me the fog's going to come back...Gimme a break...One of these days, I'm going to get hurt in the dark on my way home from cram school!
Lazy student: Why don't I start walking you home tomorrow, Senpai?

-Specialist-


Mrs. Nakayama: Soon as you discover something's wrong, the sorrow's just gonna stick with you...Really, don't rush into marriage...Not that young people like you would understand until after you've made the mistake. *sigh* I just want a beer. Ah, yes, speaking of marriage and beer...Alcohol has to do with the roots of the word "bridal." Do you know how, Hanamura-kun?


Hey, wait...What was the question? Is that even in the textbook? The roots of "bridal?" What...?
Bride ale.
Mrs. Nakayama: That's right, "Bride ale!" It seems this came about because in England, ale was drunk during festivals and merry gatherings. And you can't get through a marriage without a drink or two, anyway...
What does this have to do with math!? Thanks, though. I wasn't listening at all.
Sorry I'm always spacing out.

-Like A Dream Come True-

> Yasogami High rooftop...Ai yanked your arm all the way up here.



> You told Ai about Kou's type..."Nice girls."

..."Nice?"
He didn't say anything about being cute? Not even like, "a beautiful woman" or anything like that?

> Ai looks almost panicked...

B-But, every guy wants to be with a pretty girl, right? It's the good-looking girls who find love, isn't it!? Forget this, I'm tired of beating around the bush. Just go ask him if he's got a crush on anyone. What are you waiting for!? Go!

> ...You don't appear to have a choice. You decided to check downstairs...


Man, I've gotta piss like a racehorse.
Good to know!

> You asked Kou if he has a crush on anyone in particular...

Huh? You wanna know who I like!? Er, this is awkward...Well, ummm...

> ...You made one more honest effort to get him to tell you.

A-Alright, but I'm only telling you this because I trust you, man. Don't tell her! In fact, don't tell anybody!
Ch...Chie-san.
Chie-san, dammit! Are you happy now!? And while I'm at it, let me tell you, I'm goddamn jealous that you sit next to her in class, you lucky bastard! See ya later! I've really gotta go!

> You feel the presence of someone watching you...It seems Ai was eavesdropping!

-Zone Time-


Chie, as in Chie Satonaka, right? That frumpy girl!? I...I got beat out by THAT? I'm a hundred times better-looking!

> Ai has lost her composure. You need to calm her down before it gets any worse...

Guys like pretty girls, don't they!? I'm pretty now! And I had to work hard to become this way! But if I can't be loved, then...Then what's the point!?
I'll hear you out.
*sniff* *sob*

-Smile-


I used to be fat and clumsy...My family was poor, and everyone at school bullied me all the time. They used to surround me and say I was gross, or they called me names like "Piggy-hara"...The boy I had a crush on even told me not to look at him, because I'd "give him my germs." Those awful memories still haunt me in my nightmares...About the time I entered middle school, my family came into their money. Everyone got so jealous of us that we ran away...and moved here.
I knew this was my chance to start over...It was time to show them all...I dieted, got into shape, and read every fashion or women's magazine I could get my hands on. I studied them like they were textbooks and learned all the secrets--everything from attracting guys to smiling better.
...Oh dear. I hope she at least saw through all the horrible sex advice.
But...Ahaha...Looks like...it was all for nothing. I couldn't be loved unless I became pretty, and now that I am, I still can't have it. I guess I'm doomed. I'll never be loved, will I? It's not like I have any other redeeming qualities...
He just doesn't know you.
You're...so nice to me. I should've fallen in love with you...Haha, just kidding...


Hey...Why don't you and I just go out?


...You're a weird guy. You're right, I'm sorry...I'm still...a little confused.

> Ai smiles sadly...


I'm going home now...
Thank you.

> Ai walked down the stairs with heavy footsteps...You decided to go home.






Attendant: Pretty ridiculous, isn't it? I feel very relaxed on rainy and foggy days...It seems the everyday noise just fades away. Don't you think so too?





> It seems there are conditions that must be met in order to strengthen your relationship with the fox...





-Smile-



> The fox is trying to tell you something.





> The offertory box is empty. What happened to all the offerings collected by the fox...?

Man's voice: Alright, outta the way! Out of the way I said!

> A construction crew came and began working.



> It seems the money the fox was saving up was used for this.


Visiting boy: I brought some of my allowance.

> The child threw in an offering.


Visiting lady: Please, hear mine! I'll give you as much as you like!

> The lady threw in a large offering. It seems those who have heard of the blessings bestowed by the shrine have come to pay their respects. At this rate, the offertory box will be full in no time...

*yip*

> The fox looks exuberant.



> The fox went and picked up an ema in its mouth. Obtained Gratitude Ema. The ema has the fox's footprints all over it.

*howl*

> It seems to be a token of the fox's gratitude. You feel an indescribable bond with the fox...



-The Path is Open-



A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.



-Smile-

*howl*

> The fox is radiating vigor. It will probably continue its work to revive the shrine...It's getting late. You said goodbye to the fox, who looked somber, and went home...



> The model has been completed! Obtained Turbo Recon Dyaus. You should put it on your shelf.





-Tanaka's Amazing Commodities-





> Obtained the Auto-Masuku skill card from Kingu!


Mumon: Well...climbing the stairway to maturity means you've gotta grit your teeth sometime and take that first step. Now you be careful on your way home, boy. You can come back here whenever you like.


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...





> Nanako has been rescued and you were able to arrest the culprit...There's probably no need to watch the Midnight Channel anymore...

-Who's There?-