Part 51: 8/26/11-8/29/11

8/26/11

Chie called me up, we headed to the Samegawa to train for a while.



> You decided to train with Chie.
In the movie I watched the other day, this guy knocked down a tree using only his leg!
How does someone kick that hard…? Just practice?
Takeshi: Ch-Chie!
Oh, hey Takeshi…
W-Were you robbed again?
Takeshi: No…
I took off right after that, right? So I thought I'd apologize…
…Why don't you be a man and admit you ran away?
Takeshi: Wh-What…? Were you this anal before?
Tch, if you lose that sunny attitude, you won't have anything left.

I seriously hate that asshole Takeshi. Should've let those punks beat the hell out of him.



Takeshi: Speaking of which… What's up with Yukiko-san?
I saw her with you the other day…
She seemed weirdly cheerful… She had this funky laugh, y'know…?
That funky laugh… That's how she really is.
Takeshi: Oh, you've rubbed off on her, huh? I can't believe it…
That's not Yukiko-san… She was better gloomy…
……
…Look. If you get into trouble again, I'll step in and help.
Takeshi: …Huh? Oh, uh… Thanks…
So why don't you shut your mouth about Yukiko!?
You don't know anything about her! She's a good person, got it!?
Takeshi: Wh-What the hell?

Takeshi ran off, which is good because I was feeling like knocking his teeth in.



Way back, I saw Yukiko sitting by the road, holding a dog. I asked her what's up and she said she ran away from home…
She'd picked up the dog, but her parents told her she couldn't have a pet, and that she'd have to get rid of it…
She looked like she was dead or something… I tried everything I could think of to make her laugh.
And that's how we became friends…
From that moment on… I told myself I'd protect Yukiko…
But… Somewhere along the way, I messed up, and that Shadow popped out…
After that, I thought I'd try to focus on what's good about me.
I swore to quit being nothing but the girl Yukiko can rely on…
So… I just tried my best.
At finding the culprit and stuff… just generally being more reliable… That's all.
……
I feel like I missed the point…

You can't solve your problems if you aren't aware of them.



…Thanks. You're too kind.
Maybe… half a step?
> Chie is smiling happily.
I wonder if there's anyone out there… who can say, "This is what makes me worthwhile!"
I guess everyone's looking for it…
> Chie was able to take a step forward and face herself.
> You feel your relationship with Chie has grown yet deeper…

And Chie's moving forward.



Oh yeah… That dog Yukiko picked up? It's gotten really fat at my place.
Come by and see it sometime! It smells, but it's cute!
…Maybe I'll walk it over to your house.
> You talked with Chie about various things while going home.

Nanako had to write a book report for her homework.



For today's homework… I have to write a book report.
I already finished reading the book, so I just need to write about it. A king goes deep into the forest, and…
> Nanako puts a lot of effort into her book report.
He was all alone… so he wasn't angry or sad…
The king said he was happy… But I feel sad for him…
……
Um, big bro?
Do you feel happy when you're alone?

That's such a hard question.



I see…
Maybe I should write about you, too…
> After Nanako finished her report, you put her to bed and returned to your room.

8/27/11

Still some homework to do, since it was crappy and raining again I worked on it a bit more. Not quite done yet, nor is Nanako.



I'm doing my art homework today.
I have to make something out of stuff I find in the house.
A milk carton, a paper towel tube… Knitting wool, origami paper…
What else do we have?
Is someone here today too?
> Rise and Kanji came by.
Senpai said that Nanako-chan was doing her summer homework. You should've told me!
…But, it looks like I picked the wrong day to come. I can't do any of this art stuff.
Me neither…
Huh… Let me see what you've got.
> Kanji carefully crafts something with incredible detail…
> …and creates something that no elementary student could make!
> After putting Nanako to bed and saying goodbye to Rise and Kanji, you went to your room.

Man, Kanji is talented, I'll give him that.

8/28/11

I probably should have done some more homework today, but Rise called me up and I decided I can probably get it done tomorrow.



> You came here at Rise's request, as she says she likes it here…
When I first got to town, I used to sit here and do nothing…
I would just listen to the sound of the river, the sound of the birds, the sound of the rain…
I felt I could forget "Risette" and find myself that way…
But…
Senpai, have you ever thought that you're pushing yourself too far, or that you were just acting…?

Heh. I've thought I might be pushing myself too far every damn day since we found out there was a crazy world inside the TV.



Really…? Then you might even be a better actor than me.
But I see… You've been through a lot too…
> It seems Rise is a bit relieved.
I feel like I've been able to relax after coming to Inaba.
Meeting all of you, laughing together… Watching the store, reading comics, playing with the cat…
…When I was at my parents' house, I was on my best behavior around them…
Oh, but Grandma doesn't ask me anything. Y'know, like why I quit or what I'm thinking of doing next…
She just talks about tofu. She says… I'm like tofu.
I had to ask her what that meant.
The way she explained it… Tofu looks weak and fragile, but it's actually pretty resilient.
Even though it stands out because it's not like any other food, it can be mixed in with any recipe or flavor…
Tofu is incredible.
I'm nothing like that…
……
I…
I was actually bullied at school before I made my debut…

I wouldn't have even believed it unless it was her saying it herself.



I was alone the entire time…
But I didn't have a problem with that. No one expected anything of me.
And then… the application my relative sent without telling me passed the first audition.
I wasn't interested in being an idol, but… I wanted the chance to change myself…
And just by chance, I won.
Haha… When it happened, I panicked, thinking maybe I should turn their offer down.
Then I thought… if I appeared on TV, I could make friends…
That was literally the only reason I went through with it…
After a while… I realized something.
The person everyone likes, the one they say "hi" to on the street? That's not the real me.
Risette is the one everyone likes… The fictional character they sold the public.
…It's the same with you, isn't it?
You don't have to deny it… I won't be mad.
You're with me right now because I'm Risette, yeah?

If Risette ever existed at all I never met her, it's Rise who I've been hanging out with.



……
I'm sorry. That wasn't a fair question.
…But I'm happy you said so.
> Rise smiles weakly…
When I got back to school after my debut, no one bullies me…
I was happy at first, with people I didn't even know talking to me…
But they weren't suddenly interested in Rise Kujikawa…
They wanted to hang out with Risette.
The bullying stopped, but… I felt like none of them saw the real me.
In my heart, I've always thought… "This isn't the real me…"
Funny, huh? I was the one who wanted to change, and…
But none of that matters now! I'm done being Risette!
Now I have people who know the real me.
Plus, I have power that can help everyone… I love that!
This time, I'm going to change into a Rise that everyone can like!
Keep an eye out for her, Senpai!
> Rise is smiling…
> You feel that you understand Rise even more…

I'm still not sure Rise has decided who she really wants to be.



> You walked Rise to her house and went home.

Nanako had to write a report on her favorite animal for her homework.



I have to write a paper about my favorite animal.
Hmm… Which one should I choose…?
Oh, I know! There's a picture of it on that shirt that Dad bought…
What's it called? A platypus? I'll write about platypuses!
> Nanako eagerly begins researching platypuses…
> She doesn't seem to need any help… But you make sure she's on the right track.
The platypus lays eggs.
And they have poisonous claws!
…Question!
Is it the male or female platypus that has the poison claws?
Male.
Corrrect!
You're smart, big bro!
> Nanako is impressed.
> After Nanako finished her research, you put her to bed and returned to your room.

I'm sort of surprised she likes platypuses, but they are cool I guess.

8/29/11

I just had to get all the homework done during the day today, things are starting back way too soon for comfort. Nanako was almost done as well, though I didn't do quite as well as I'd been doing up to now.



This is the last thing I have to do for my homework.
I just need to write a picture diary.
Umm…
"Big bro… and Dad…"
Um, let's see… August 27th…
Ah…
I don't remember the weather…
Um, big bro?
Did it rain the day that we worked on my art homework?

I was sort of preoccupied at the time.



…Was it?
Mmm…
> Nanako seems puzzled…
……
"Big bro… and his friends… helped me… a lot… with my homework…
"They were so nice… I like them so much…"
…No! Don't look!
> Nanako has finished all of her summer homework…
> After putting Nanako to bed, you went to your room.

School's starting back up soon. At least this semester will be a lot more sane.