Part 93: 8/23-8/24: Yakuza Seven
Part 91: 8/23-8/24: Yakuza SevenEveryone who commented saying by the by isnt actually a weird thing to say: trap sprung, motherfuckers. I know youre all actually 80.
And our percentage has increased once more.
Anon: become prime minister plz!!
Anon: imma buy ALL THE MERCH!
Anon: who the hell is admin?
Anon: Theyre still suspicious.
Can you believe they actually took down hackers!?
Its cool how they dont reveal what theyre doing.
Whos that guy that was criticizing them? Akechi?
Its pretty lame to just criticize without doing anything yourself.
Anon: AGAIN, YAAAAAAS!
Anon: i knew it!! hahaha
Anon: I understand the praise
Anon: Thanks, Phantom Thieves!
Anon: wont help me, so fuck em
I love that last dude.
Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental Version)
I havent seen them What happened to them?
Open what?
The front door.
Why?
Wont you come too, Maaku? Were in front of Futabas house.
You wanna meet here and not at Leblanc?
Isnt that more comforting?
YYYou never mentioned this.
It would be nice if you could hurry down soon. Its scorching hot out here.
You demon !
Looks like were meeting up immediately over at Futabas. Makotos really going about this seriously
Music: My Homie
Oh jesus.
Such avant garde design. You have excellent taste.
L-Lets get started, shall we?
Yusuke turns, interested in something on the nearby shelf.
Id like to simply have a normal conversation. That is the basis of true communication, after all.
Yes. You must be well-versed in speaking when you are student council president. Dont think too hard about our conversation. Were just going to talk about ordinary topics today.
And what do you mean by ordinary topics?
You know, things like food or the weather. Well then, lets begin with food. What do you like to eat, Futaba?
Organic ones.
Um, that wasnt exactly what I meant
L-Lets try a different topic! How about the weather? I heard that this heat wave is showing no sign of stopping
Shes a shut-in, Makoto.
Dunno. I havent been out.
O-Oh, right
Makotos getting overwhelmed
Th-This is odd It wasnt supposed to go like this
FEATHERMAN FORCE RULES
W-Waaaaaaaah!
They appear to be quite shoddily-made.
Theyre from Phoenix Rangers Neo Featherman! No Yellow and Pinks heads And Reds been hacked to bits This is all Inaris fault
Inari?
Your thief clothes were like a fox. According to Japanese folklore, foxes like inarizushi, thus Inari.
Oh boy, more impenetrable cultural references!
Inari
Rghhh, they were in the perfect poses too ! It was so much work getting them set up just right! You wouldnt know aesthetics if it hit you in the face, Inari!
Yeah
Some time later
Mm-hm. Victory is great for action, and Neos got the best transforming suit. So cool.
Fascinating. Art depicts a flash of inspiration, but models offer a much different means of enjoyment.
Huh? Take a look at thatFutabas having a regular conversation.
It seems she doesnt have a problem talking to others as long as the subject interests her. I suppose the topics I brought up were not the right ones.
So this is all I gotta do? What a breeze!
In that case, we should advance to the next step. How about we have her spend time in someone elses room?
Yes. She hasnt had many chances to leave the house yet, so that would be the perfect opportunity.
Dont set the bar so high!
Hrrrgh OK
Ive left tomorrow to Ann and Ryuji. Maaku will be there as well, so youll be OK.
Can I wear my mask?
I-I think it would be best if you didnt
Theres really no telling how tomorrows going to go
Music: Beneath the Mask
Shes still got a long way to go, though. I wonder how long before shes ready for the beach
Theyre talking all about how the Phantom Thieves took down Medjed. Mishimas website has a shitton of comments flooding in too!
The news coverage has been pretty insane as well!
Yes, they have only spoken of the Phantom Thieves for the entirety of today.
Weve been getting attention all over the city.
So hows the one who helped us take Medjed down doing?
Futaba-chan!
(long pause)
Dont complicate things further! Anyway, things didnt go perfectly, but its definitely a step in the right direction.
Tomorrows goal will be to spend time in someone elses room. Futaba is a difficult personality to handle. Good luck, you two.
Shut it, Inari.
All right, its our turn next! Seeya tomorrow, Futaba!
We have so much to talk about! Oooh, I cant wait!
Ann and Ryuji teaming up honestly worries me but I guess well see what they can do.
As of now, the kind of damage they were promising has yet to be seen. Meanwhile, people on the internet are celebrating, calling this a victory for the Phantom Thieves.
Whoa, this is huge! We won!
Now everyones describing them as saviors. Little much, dont you think?
No way, they really are. I cant wait to see what they do next.
...Hey, you! Yer one of those Phantom Thieves, arent ya? Youre under arresht!
Yeah Even though yer criminals, evrybody lovesh you...
Cant ya tell jus by looking? Im the cop thas always walkin thish beat. Yknow? Im, uh, from the MPDs drivision of Erm. Salute!
Arreshting people ish Its muh jooorb. Jus stay real still. Lemme cuff you. Wha? I cant find my handcuffsh. Shorry bout that Salute!
Music: Layer Cake
Were going to hang out with Iwai tonight, because hes cool.
Its cause we sell merchandise that cant take the heat. If its too cold for ya, layer up.
All right, Ill tell you about the shop. Its a piece of cake for a gun enthusiast like you, right?
If youre considered an employee, you wont seem suspicious coming in and out of the shop, right? If you get what Im sayin, bring the goods to the back.
Im sposed to be runnin an honorable business here, yknow. ...Though honestly, the customersve been runnin a little thin lately.
Some guy on the internets been claimin all my goodsre knock-offs. And once youve got a bad rap like that, its real tough to shake it.
Hmph, a kid like you ? ...You goin through somethin similar? I guess you wouldnt be doin any of this if you werent, huh Dont gimme any details though. I dont wanna know. Anyways, I should prolly fill you in on whats goin on here since youll be helpin me out. Id bet anythin the guy behind that rumor is Tsuda. You remember his name from the diner, yeah? Truth is, hes a lieutenant in the Hashiba Clan. The same clan I was in back when I was part of the yakuza.
I want more than anything for Iwai to rip off his jacket and have like a full-back lizard tattoo or some shit. I know hes got the neck tat, but its not the same.
I love the other two responses. So cowardly, especially in the face of information we already fucking knew. Besides, this is the point where we decide weve had enough? Were buying illegally modified model guns!
Lets just insult this dangerous former gang member to his face, then.
Anyway, Tsuda was my sworn brother back in the clan. I got some unsavory business goin down with him now though.
Like Kiryu and Nishiki, or Majima and Saejima! Almost makes me think were going to get a lategame plot twist where it turns out Iwai gave Tsuda a gun full of rubber bullets or something.
Problem is, Im a known quantity in the underworld. One bad step and Id have guys crawlin all over me. Thats why Ive got you around. You look normal, sure but you got balls, kid. Makes you perfect for snoopin on Tsuda. ...Hope I aint scarin you off with all this talk.
But yknow, Ive got a bit of a soft spot for idiots like you. Anyways, you get the gist of whats goin on now, yeah? Youll be workin with that in mind. I expect a lot from you, kid. ...Oh, and Ill add to the special menu, to thank you for gettin that info for me the other day.
It feels like my bond with Iwai is growing even deeper
Part of the reason I havent shown off gun customization yet (besides it being hella expensive to buy and upgrade these guns, natch) is that the latest guns werent customizable, because we hadnt ranked Iwai up enough. This rank should cover whats available at this point in the game, though. We still probably wont delve into this for a bit, but its worth pointing out.
Music: Suspicion
Huh ? I thought I told you to stop comin around here.
But
...Just go home n study, Kaoru. Youve got entrance exams comin up, remember?
OK I guess Ill be going then
Christ, this really is a Yakuza game.
Hes always askin me if he can help out here, always worryin about what Im gettin up to. *sigh* But I prolly shouldnt be tellin a kid like you about this Well, you can head home for today. Nice work, kid.
I feel like helping Iwai with his work has honed my Proficiency...
Maaku gains Proficiency +2.
See ya next time.
Anon: PHANTOM THIEVES FTW!!!
Anon: too slow. hurry, do another
Anon: This is all a setup.
Anon: Plz steal my heart too!! x(
Music: Break it Down
Therere no customers.
Were here!
Eep!?
So many snacks What exactly do you plan on doing!?
Well, summer vacations the time when you lounge in your room all day.
Hahaha. Right. Only during summer vacation do I do that.
Yeah, and eating snacks is the best part of that!
Youre gonna get fat, yknow.
Shut it!
Hey, wheres Futaba?
Oh goddammit
Shit freaked me out That you, Futaba?
Yup. Welcome.
Why are you wearing that?
Habit. Anyway, bring it!
Not sure I get it but lets do this!
Sheesh. Looks like todays going to be another noisy day
Music: Alright
For real, it was freakin amazing! There were girls all over me! ...Wait. You dont believe a word Im sayin do you ?
Uh, its you were talking about here. Theres no way you were ever a chick magnet.
What was that ?
Agreed. As a member of the opposite sex, I sense no charm from you, Ryuji.
Plus, popular guys wouldnt go bragging about that stuff to other people.
...Hey, are you even listening!?
Theres no point talkin about wedding dresses right now. None of us have significant others.
Yup. I dont wanna get married right now.
Can we please talk about something else!?
Yeah, she doesnt have any trouble speaking her mind. Seems totally normal to me.
I dunno what normal is But if this is it, Im happy.
I totally thought you were gonna be some weirdo, but I guess all that worryin was for nothing.
Mm-hm, Im relieved too. I think things should keep going smoothly at this rate. By the way, whats on the agenda for tomorrow?
How about we have her try helping around the store?
At some point this shifted from help Futaba open up to us to make her less of a fucking shut-in.
Thats perfect! Itll be good practice to have her up in front of strangers.
Eep ! Nope, nope, nope! Showing up in the shop during lunchtimell be like, super-crushing hard mode!
You dont have to deal with customers if you dont want to. Maybe you could dry plates in the back?
Hrgh Nrghhh
...Id be mad if you werent.
Then its all set. Well be rootin for you, Futaba!
Grrrr Youre all gonna pay for this someday
No, I dont think those had calling cards
You know, like, changing peoples hearts from the shadows!
Is it just me, or have there been more posts from foreigners lately?
Maybe I should make a request on that forum, too
Anon: Their word is final.
Anon: Congrats on a world debut!
Anon: so proud of them
Music: Beneath the Mask
Our popularitys gone through the roof! You guys gotta hear this! This cute chick said she wants to go out with a Phantom Thief!
But not you specifically, huh?
Not surprised. As a member of the opposite sex, I sense no charm from you, Ryuji.
You dont gotta say it over text too!
What in the world were you all doing today ?
Girl talk at Leblanc. Er, more like chatting and snacking really.
So, shes completed her objective for the day.
Next up is practice going out in front of people.
Wait, WHAT!?
Youll be fine. Maaku will be with you the whole time. We want to ease you into it, so your first test will be helping out at Leblanc.
Thanks for the help.
You better make an effort tomorrow, Maaku!
Its still not too late to hit the beach! Its close enough that you can even make it a day trip!
That sounds nice. It doesnt feel like summer without a beach trip. Maybe Ill buy a new swimsuit.
Everyones dialogue has updated, including Sojiros.
No, it cant be Its nothing.
...No, thats not it. Be normal to her.
Music: Time to Repent
I cant teach you shogi right now or rather, from now on
Whats the matter, Hifumi?
Im at checkmate right now. My only option is to concede but I cant seem to give up Im not sure what my next move is after this checkmate
Hifumi seems troubled With my overflowing Knowledge, I might be able to show Hifumi her next move !
This is the Rank 5 Knowledge gate, which we just barely managed to squeak by to meet. The text about our Knowledge helping Hifumi is completely irrelevant, for the record. It has absolutely nothing to do with the coming scene.
I feel like my bond with Hifumi will grow stronger soon, but .
Uh oh, theres another gate besides just Knowledge in play here. Lets see what it is.
What ? Youll help me think ? Thank you so much !
My mother told me that I should lose my upcoming exhibition match against the pro
Music: Suspicion
Its a strategy she devised She says that if I lose to a man, Ill get sympathy from women, and as a result get more female fans. Then when I make my comeback, Ill become a symbol for strong women everywhere. That way, I can use the weekly magazines popularity against them and instantly become famous.
I feel my mother may be right. People do love a good comeback story. Coming from the TV industry, my mother does have great insight for entertainment. This time around I couldnt help but argue. Its the wrong thing to do I actually got into a fight with my mother. It wasnt the first time, but What made me sad was I realized my mother doesnt see me as a shogi player She said that theres no need for me to be putting so much time and effort into shogi ...And that once I become famous I can quit shogi and make money from my looks.
Yikes.
The only reason she continues to support my shogi career is so she can profit off of me as an idol. She doesnt mind if I lose a match, as long as I build my reputation and make money. To my mother, shogi is just a vehicle to make me famous
Even if it helped me to become famous and eased my parents burden I dont want to turn my back on shogi a game that both my father and I love
...If only that were possible. Shes the kind of woman who never changes her mind She wants to achieve her unfulfilled dream of becoming a celebrity through me. I highly doubt she would ever reconsider
Wait, what are you doing Maaku
Its Mitsuyo Togo. What does that have to do with what were talking about ?
I need to do something about the target for Hifumi....
Uhhhhhhhhh
Is it just me or is it super fucked up that weve just decided to change the heart of our friends mother without their knowledge or consent and with no real risk of harm at play? I mean, it sucks for Hifumi but Im not sure she wants us brainwashing her mom to get out of it.