Part 89: 8/14-8/16: I Already Used That Bill & Ted Reference

Part 87: 8/14-8/16: I Already Used That Bill & Ted Reference



Music: TRIPLE SEVEN



Back to work, for hopefully the last time.

Music: Alright (Elp Version)



Hamiru-kun, after you’re done over there, come and give me a hand over here!
I can tell you’re tired just by looking at you. And I’m looking at you from behind…




I saw a cat in the road a little while back… It was injured badly. When I got close, it got scared and ran off, dragging its leg… Anyway, I just overheard some college-aged people in our store talking… They said there was a college student living nearby who abuses animals to relieve his stress… And then I remembered that injured cat I saw. I’m thinking maybe he was the one who hurt that cat…



I brought it up to the police, but without proof, they can’t really do anything. I’ve been thinking about that cat ever since. It’s hard to keep smiling. You know… The police can’t do it, but do you think those Phantom Thieves could help?



Huh? Oh, yeah… I think the guy’s name is Kazuo Tsuboi...



Yeah… I couldn’t stand it if he kept hurting animals like this. Someone needs to stop him… Oh, I’m sorry. It’s almost the end of your shift, right? Good work!



You remember what we talked about earlier today, right?



Yeah! We can’t allow this guy to abuse animals. And he’s doing it only for stress relief…

Is there some hypothetical good reason he could be abusing animals?

He’s exactly the type of man we should punish. There’s no way I’m just letting this go. Kazuo Tsuboi, was it…? Let’s steal this creep’s desires before he can harm any more innocent animals!



All right! Let’s get our pay, and then begin the operation!

Maaku gets 2800 yen, and we get to never set foot in this convenience store again.

Music: Beneath the Mask




Here’s what we’ve got for you today! 30 cans of Second Maid! It’s summer, and that means it’s festival time! This flavor’s really addicting!



Sure, why not?



Aojiru, you can too! Maaku gains Guts +1.



Next, a visit to the Velvet Room to pick up a Persona we need.

Music: Aria of the Soul



But what’s this?

Our master admires the progress of your rehabilitation, and hence has given you use of a special ritual.
It’s the Electric Chair, used to sacrifice Personas and transmutate them into high-level items!
Any further questions regarding this ritual can be directed toward our master himself.
He’s apparently gonna consider making even more rituals if your rehabilitation goes as planned. Work hard for it, Inmate!4



So, our new option here is to “Itemize” Personas, similar to a system from Persona 3 FES.



These are our available options.



The only really appealing option is turning Principality into Tetraja, because we need that skill card for our next Strength request. However, I prefer to do these the old-fashioned way, so we won’t be doing that. If we did, it would consume both Principality and the Blank Card.



Same for this weapon for Morgana. We can’t actually make it though, because we don’t have a base gun to fuse the Persona into. For a while now we’ve been picking up “Black Kotaganas,” daggers for Joker that are far inferior to any other weapon. Those are the base weapons for fusion. We won’t be mucking around with this too much, but it’s my understanding that, like in Persona 3, you can make some gnarly shit here. We’ll eventually get around to showing this off, don’t worry. I just don’t have anything for which the reward offsets the minor annoyance of the cost.

Music: Layer Cake



If it’s too cold for you, put on a jacket, kid. So, whaddya want today?

Persona in hand, we visit Iwai.



There’s a job I need you to do. Don’t worry ,it ain’t that difficult. I’m sure you can handle it.
>Hang out with him
I’m gonna meet with a guy at the diner after this. I need you to sit close-by. When I give you the signal, call me. The signal is when I cough, got it? OK, let’s go.

Music: What’s Going On?



Wait, so that weird thing chained up in the diner is, in fact, a motorbike? What?

You’ve really changed, Mune-san.
Hey, don’t knock this place. It’s pretty decent, and cheap too.
Ha, this comin’ from the guy who beat the crap outta fifty rival gang members!

Wait, what?

You don’t need to exaggerate.
Anyways, what’d you wanna talk about?
Oh, right. How’s Tsuda-san doin’?
Same as always. Why, what’s up?
Oh, nothing. Just saw him ‘round the other day.
Hold up, didn’t you two cut ties when you left the family?

Family? What?

Why’re you askin’ about him now?
I mean, we were both young… I just figured it’s about time we bury the hatchet. I can’t just go up n’ talk to him though…
Ohhh, I getcha. You’re still tryin’ to uphold the ol’ code of honor, huh? OK, I’ll tell him you wanna meet up!
No, you fool. I just wanna end up in the same place at the same time. It’s gotta look like a coincidence.
In that case, Shibaura might work… Y’know we’re talkin’ about redevelopin’ it.
Shibaura…

Hold on! No! That settles it! Not only does he seem to be an ex-yakuza member who apparently beat up fifty dudes, he’s getting involved in some shady land deal? Is Iwai secretly Kazuma Kiryu?




*cough* *cough*






Nah, it’s just a cold.




What? Your order’s all wrong? My bad, I’ll get back and take care of that straight away.



Mm, seeya.

Music: Suspicion



Masa’s still on the phone, right? Just stay quiet so I can hear what he’s sayin’.







Anyways, Iwai prolly heard about that deal of yours and now he’s tryin’ to squeeze some cash outta you… O-Oh, sorry! No, it’s… Yes. Sorry… Yes. I understand.



...Sounds like there’s some weird stuff goin’ down.




Y’know I was actin’, right? ...At any rate, I honestly wasn’t expectin’ too much outta you. But it looks like you’re gonna actually be some use to me. I’ll be countin’ on you, kid.
I feel like my bond with Iwai is growing deeper…



Good work today. Order yourself somethin’ nice as a reward. Oh, and bring me the receipt so I can pay you back for it. Well, later.
I feel like helping Iwai with his work has honed my Proficiency…

Maaku gains Proficiency +2.



Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)



I’m going to Book Town in Jinbocho. Can you make some time since it’s summer vacation? I’d like you to help me look for it.
Makoto’s inviting you out, huh? So, what’s it going to be? Do you want to go to Book Town?



I choose to respond later because I’d like to see what my options are for the next day first.



Music: Tokyo Emergency



However, it turns out that my options are rather negligible, so Book Town it is!




I’m actually thinking about looking into cognitive psience. I’ll give you the details later. Let’s meet up.
Futaba’s mother’s research, huh? We shouldn’t make Makoto wait. Let’s head out.

Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)



I doubt we will find any public information, but maybe an older academic journal may mention it...




I want to learn more about cognitive psience while we wait for Futaba to regain her strength. If only we could understand it more in depth. Maybe we could solve the mystery of the Metaverse. It would make traversing it easier for us, too.



Um, hello. Um… Goodbye.



Was there something you wanted to say to him?
Oh no, nothing in particular… I was just surprised to see him here. I didn’t mean to intrude between you two…
No need to be so considerate. He’s just carrying my books for me.



Makoto, you wound me! So cold!

...Is she a friend of yours?



Oh… Master’s a bit of an overstatement… We just play shogi together…
Is she the professional shogi player you had mentioned before? The master strategist? I admit I only know the rules, but I’m intrigued to learn how a professional shogi player thinks. Is that… a book on shogi tactics?
Oh, yes. I come here to purchase old shogi strategy books from time to time…
Pardon me for asking… Could you teach me some strategies? I believe this knowledge would benefit me greatly in the future.
Oh? Sure, if you’d like. Well, if it is about shogi, then… To attack, you will need to be creative with your approach, and sacrifice pieces with no remorse…
So, plan on enticing your opponent to focus on your sacrificial pieces so you can advance a counter attack?
Yes… You seem to have a talent for this. Another strategy I enjoy is to use bait pieces to draw your opponent to your side of the board.



Hmm, I see. That way you can surround them and…




I’ll catch up with you later. Could you look for the book we had discussed earlier?



I think we should go home for today.

I’d say that was a productive day, but we didn’t accomplish anything (and we didn’t even actually need any Confidant points with Hifumi or Makoto towards the next rank, whoops).



I wonder what’s going to happen…
Didn’t they say they would confiscate our possessions?
We have nothing to do with this! Why is this happening to us!?
How will the Phantom Thieves take responsibility for this?

Music: Beneath the Mask




Hey, you see the forum?
Yeah. People have been telling us to hurry up and protect the civilians…
They’re just saying whatever they want with no regard for the consequences.
God, I seriously can’t believe they’re going on about all that.
By the way, how’s Futaba…?
At this point, we are desperate for her assistance.
She definitely mentioned Medjed back in the Palace. I’d like to believe she’s planning something…
Even Makoto’s gone over to the “wait and see” dark side.
We don’t have much time left. I know it’s frustrating, but there’s not much we can do.




Second Maids restore HP by 10, and cannot be used in battle.



People on the internet have high hopes in these phantom thieves. What are your thoughts on this?
I can’t really condone it. Though, I may be somewhat responsible for that myself. Perhaps my remarks about the Phantom Thieves may have magnified their notoriety.
Hmph. Look at him, trying to act cool… Just you watch.

Music: Crossroads




Sorry, but let’s go somewhere else. You can give me the info later. We gotta get outta here quickly. Someone problematic might’ve found out about us...



This is really annoying… Where is that idiot?



Music: Suspicion

Crap… Hide!



What do you think you’re doing, making me look all over the place for you!?



That’s my line. Why isn’t your phone on? Are you doing something you don’t want me to find out about?
N-No, not at all! Ohhh, it looks like my battery ran out. I’ve been busy covering the Phantom Thieves, so…
You sure about that? I got a complaint from the higher-ups the other day. Apparently people have seen you snooping around recently… in places unrelated to the Phantom Thieves.



Who told them that…?
It doesn’t matter who! The board’s coming down hard on me for this. Now don’t make me ask you again, why are you sneaking around behind the company’s back!?
I’m honestly not. I just…




All right, I’ll tell you. Just promise me you’ll keep it a secret, OK?



UM



YEAH, I’M NOT OKAY WITH THIS

Yup. That’s why I’m being so discreet about it. Who knows what laws we might be breaking. I guess keeping our tryst a secret is tougher than I expected. Maybe someone saw us out somewhere.
...For someone who specializes in fabricating articles, I’d expect you to be a better liar.

...Did he just imply she makes her stories up? Are we not going to address this?

I expect your resignation letter on my desk next week. If it doesn’t come, I’ll handle matters myself.



So what, you decide I’m lying and that’s that?
Give it a rest already. I’m annoyed enough as is for having to come track you down out here.
W-Wait… We’re totally dating, aren’t we, sweetie?



Why is this the first thing she thought of? In what reality would she be in less trouble for dating a minor? None of this makes any sense!

*sigh* ...Fine, Ohya. But you owe me.




Ohya… Are you blackmailing him?

Her? No. At least, not yet.

I mean, let’s be honest. You don’t have the physique to be attracting high school kids.

Whoa, way outta line there, buddy!

H-Hey, that’s sexual harassment! And besides, our love is something that defies both age and logic.

I’m gonna vom.

...Whatever. Just make sure you don’t miss any deadlines, OK?

That worked!?

Of course. So… can we go now?
Just one more question. I could’ve sworn the reason you were sneaking around was so you could follow up on your old partner’s case.



Well, Ohya…?



...Is that so?



You lost all credibility when you started sneaking around like this… but fine. I’ll back off. But don’t go pulling any funny stuff, OK? The board wants me to keep a close eye on you. ...You’ve been warned.



Music: My Homie

Thanks. That guy is one of the execs over at my job. Arrogant bastard, ain’t he? He’s the kind of guy all the girls at a bar would instantly turn down. Anyway… that was a real surprise.



Not only are you a good source of info, you’re not half bad as an actor either. You’re honestly the type of guy I’d wanna grab drinks with after work… Too bad you’re underage.
I feel like my bond with Ohya is growing deeper...



I’m gonna go ahead and spoil Ohya’s rewards, because it’s pointless: There ain’t no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. It’s all upgrades to her base skill, reducing the security level increase when we’re spotted, and making it go down more when we leave. Even her max rank skill is only a minor variation on the theme. It’s pretty trash.

Well, I guess that’s it for today. Don’t stop in any weird shops on your way home, OK?
I feel like pretending to be lovers with Ohya increased my Charm…

Maaku gains Charm +3.

See ya later.



Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain (Instrumental Version)



Nah, let’s build up a few more requests first.



We’re actually about to completely run out of Silk Yarns, which we need to craft Lockpicks, so we go down to the second-hand store in Yongen-Jaya and buy as many as they’ll sell us (3. They’ll sell us 3.).



Maaku gains Kindness +1 and Knowledge +3.

Music: Beneath the Mask



Listen, man. You’ve gotta stop being so passive-aggressive about this heat. I know I’m the one with all the money in this house, but we’re not buying a fan. Someone upthread posted about that fan death thing in Korea and it got me spooked, I tells ya!



Airports and bus stations are teeming with people carrying souvenirs…
Wow, look at how packed it is. Everyone’s so busy.

Music: Time to Repent



...I’m sorry. I’m not in the mood to teach shogi today… Um, could you join me for a walk?



Thank you. I was thinking of going to the area around Sky Tower today… Let’s head on over.



…The digital version of the weekly magazine.

Music: Suspicion

My father’s deteriorating health, and that he’s bedridden… The fact that my mother primarily supports us… They even reported that my mother works at a night club…



Which is… not untrue… But was it really necessary for them to write about all this? Capitalizing on a family’s private matters is just cruel… My family’s troubles have nothing to do with my skills as a shogi player… My mother was furious when she read the article… She said it’ll hurt her career, and that she’ll never forgive whoever wrote it. My father didn’t say anything… He just sat there listening to her… But he looked troubled… My mother told me that… We’d be able to easily quell these rumors if I were to become more famous. So now she’s even more insistent on having me do more TV and magazine interviews than before…




Although I can’t express that to my mother… She’s so happy for me. I always believed that if I worked hard as a shogi player, I’d be able to support us… But I never expected such a destructive article would be written about me and my family… Honestly, nothing good will come from being treated like an idol. People say I’m all looks and no skills. They’re annoyed that I’m in the press all the time. Terrible things have been said about me, suggesting I would do anything to become popular… I’m even starting to be shunned in the shogi world. That’s why my senior acted that way toward me. The real reason I practice in the church is that no one wants to play with me. My father used to practice with me from his sickbed, but his illness has made that impossible. Maybe I should stop playing shogi and just get a job… That way, my family won’t get hurt again…



Music: Alright (Elp Version)



I love shogi… I don’t want to quit.



At the end of the day, I love shogi. I’d never be able to give it up. I was just confused because of that article and how my senior treated me… However, I think I can see my next move… thanks to you. ...You’re helping me realize a lot about myself, outside of shogi.
I can sense a deep bond of trust from Hifumi…



...Let’s return to the church and play a match. That article has left me somewhat irritated. I’m going to use my secret move: The Eternal Abyss Yagura Gate, and turn the board into hell… ...Well? Would you care to face me in a match?



Never change, Hifumi.

I feel like playing shogi with Hifumi has helped sharpen my Knowledge…

Maaku gains Knowledge +1.

Thank you for joining me. Until next time…