Part 223: Addendum XII: A Festival For The Rest Of Us
Addendum XII: A Festival For The Rest Of Us
In our regular check-in with the twins, we… make no new progress. How unfortunate.
We’re running out of things to do! We’ve capped on exercise gains, don’t have any more time-related trophies to grind out, and our only remaining Confidants have all hit gates. So, let’s spend time with one of our seven girlfriends.
Hm, what should we do today? 
Music: Sweet
But… I feel like I’m sitting a little too close. I think my heart’s going to explode… What’s with you, Maaku!? No matter the situation, you always have that calm look on your face! All right, I’ve made up my mind! I’m going to break that composure for sure! I hope you’re ready…! 
Just kidding…? Ehehe… Oh… This reminds me of that training we did in the park. You know, when I had you say all that different stuff to me. My heart was pounding back then. So what about now…? Was your heart… pounding…?
I should give it to her as a gift…
These are my flan, get your own!
Maybe I shouldn’t give any gifts for now… I have a special bond with Ann… Can we stay together a little longer…? Please? I spent some time alone with Ann… …… It’s getting late… I should probably take her to the train station…Well, that was pointless!
Let’s make coffee!
We’re improving! In fact, the next time we make coffee…
...Look, I gotta fill these updates with something, all right?
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Who should I go to the post-festival party with…?
We’re going to be seeing the rest of these festival scenes today. We’ll start with Makoto’s.
Well then. I’ll head over to the gymnasium. 
Everybody give them another round of applause! There is some extremely tepid applause from the audience.
...My apologies for being so distracted. I can’t stop thinking about Akechi-kun… Are we really no match for him…? 
Round of applause, everyone!More scattered applause.
The older teachers seem to enjoy it for some reason though… All right, who has something to say? Anyone, anyone!? No? I’ll just have to pick someone then! Oh, he’s choosing from the crowd? The MC this year is actually somewhat capable. Oooh, this that our lovely student council president over there!?
Come on up here, Miss Prez! Music: My Homie
That’s not really the proper use for that phrase… Everybody’s waiting for you, Miss President! More vigorous applause from the crowd this time.
*sigh*
Hello…
The audience applauds, and some rando shouts “Miss President!”
So, with the Kamoshida scandal, Principal Kobayakawa’s passing, and even that Hawaii trip… How morbid. Bringing up Kamoshida and the principal’s untimely death seems like a great way to get yanked off the stage with a big hook by the teachers.
I’d be surprised if you’ve had any time to study for your entrance exams! Now then, on with the show! What would you like to share with us today, Miss President? 
...Miss President? Ummm… I… don’t really have anything to say… I’m sorry. Here, I’ll give you a question… Do you think the Phantom Thieves are really Shujin students?
The audience begins murmuring, saying “Oh?” and “He’s going for the kill!”
We’re all dying to know what Akechi-kun was going to say about their true identities. Some people theorize that they go to our very school… So, are they from Shujin? What do you think, Miss President? What… do I think…? 
I need to change the subject… That’s…
Now this is drama! A boy caught in the throes of bittersweet youth! A stunning confession of love! 
Really!? Ohoho! Wow, way to go!The audience gets excited.
I think it was him! 
Sooo, Miss President! What’s your relation to this guy? 
My, she’s red as a beet! The audience laughs.
A rare glimpse into the girly side of our stunning Miss President! But I’m a gentleman. It hurts my heart to bully such a sweet girl! Well, did you all enjoy our blushing beauty? Thank you very much, Miss President! The audience gets bummed out.
Just when it was getting interesting! C’mon MC, do your job!Music: Alright (Elp Version)
The post-festival party has never felt that long before… By the way, I’m surprised you were able to say what you did back there. 
I was at a complete loss for words. You really helped me… Thank you. This may be a little rude to say, but you’re surprisingly reliable in a pinch.
I know the slip of the tongue here is the big thing, but I’m really just upset she’s taking advice from Sae.
...Urgh!
My final post-festival party has turned out to be quite the unforgettable one. 
If you’d accept this…
Come, let’s go home. Sweet, we got some donuts.
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Ann time.
I’ll see you at the gymnasium. I should head to the gym…
Everybody give them another round of applause! 
...Oh, sorry. I was just worried about the whole thing with Akechi-kun… We’re gonna be OK, right? 
And now, it’s time for your favorite Shujin tradition: the Student Sharing Special! Round of applause, everyone! They’re really doing this again this year…? All right, who has something to say? Anyone, anyone!? No? I’ll just have to pick someone then! I guess this disorder really makes the post-festival party what it is. How about… the girl in the hoodie with the super bleached hair!?It’s natural, thank you very much.
Well then, come on up! Music: My Homie
Would that be OK…? Come, come. Everyone’s waiting! Ughhh, fine. 
Takamaki… 
You stole my heart! Oh, you’re so cute!Back off, punks.
Ah, Takamaki-san! Good looks, smokin’ body… You don’t look like you have a complaint in the world…! Now then, on with the show! What would you like to share with us today, Takamaki-san? 
...Takamaki-san? I-I don’t know…! Here, I’ll give you a question… Do you think the Phantom Thieves are really Shujin students? 
We’re all dying to know what Akechi-kun was going to say about their true identities. Why would she know?!
So, are they from Shujin? What do you think, Takamaki-san? What do I think…? I need to change the subject…
I need to change the subject… Ummm… 
“I can almost see them…!” Jesus christ.
Now this is drama! A boy caught in the throes of bittersweet youth! A stunning confession of love! 
I think it was him! 
Sooo, Takamaki-san! What’s your relation to this guy? Huh!? My, she’s red as a beet! But I’m a gentleman. It hurts my heart to bully such a sweet girl! Well, did you all enjoy our blushing beauty? Thank you very much, Takamaki-san! Music: Alright (Elp Version)
Ugh… that was embarrassing. I can’t believe you had the courage to stand up and say that in front of everyone. 
So you did it to help me… At any rate, I had really frozen up for a second there. So… thanks. You were a huge help. You know, you’re actually a pretty dependable guy. I think we’ll be good together…
Talking about the future… That’s a bit too heavy for right now, huh? Ahahaha!
*giggle*
But this post-festival party actually turned out pretty fun. 
Get your mind out of the gutter.
……
Wanna head home together? And that’s another one down. I promise the next two are at least a little different.
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Seeya at the gym. I should head to the gym…
Everybody give them another round of applause! 
And now, it’s time for your favorite Shujin tradition: the Student Sharing Special! Round of applause, everyone!
They’re doin’ this again…? All right, who has something to say? Anyone, anyone!? 
Music: My Homie
Hmmm… Where is “this guy”? I can’t seem to find him! Oh well! Uh, Blondie, step on up here!Mishima’s invisibility finally pays off for him.
Exactly. Come, come. Everyone’s waiting! 
Sakamoto… 
The audience whispers about Ryuji’s reputation.
Ah, Sakamoto-kun! You look like someone filled to the brim with pent-up anger toward society!What the fuck kind of party is this?
Anyway, on with the show! What would you like to share with us today, Sakamoto-kun? 
Sakamoto-kun…? 
Huh…? What’s this!? Our Sakamoto-kun may look tough, but it turns out he has a nasty case of stage fright! The audience begins to laugh and jeer.
Here, I’ll give you a question… Do you think the Phantom Thieves are really Shujin students? 
We’re all dying to know what Akechi-kun was going to say about their true identities. So, are they from Shujin? What do you think, Sakamoto-kun? U-Um, well…
THE GAME KNOWS
I need to change the subject…Let’s go confess our love for Ryuji or whatever the fuck.
S-So uh, y-y’know…
Oooh! Sakamoto-kun’s very identity is being questioned!The audience continues to laugh and jeer.
(whispering) That dick…You whispered it into the microphone, genius.
You over there! Would you like to join in!? 
Well then, come on up!Goddammit, Ryuji.
The audience mockingly applauds.
Ryuji pulls out his phone.
(we actually get points with Yusuke for saying this, heh)
No, you idiot! No one knows us, and this mood is getting way too weird! OK? Give me back the Maaku I know! 
Do you have… anything? *shakes head*
Well uh, I guess that’s the end of that! Let’s move on to the next person, shall we? Let’s give him a nice round of applause!
The audience laughs at us one last time.
Music: Break it Down
Turns out you’re just a big chicken, huh…? I’m gonna kill you if you don’t shut it…
No…! I… I can’t stop… laughing… *snicker* Dude… By the way, I woulda been totally effed if you hadn’t said something. ...Thanks.
Mishima continues to laugh hysterically.
Grr… 
RYUJI, DOG
Anyway, Mishima is still laughing.
...Huh, I’m kinda jealous. 
Okay man, it wasn’t that funny.
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Hanging around Kawakami at school seems like an even worse idea than the usual Kawakami bad ideas, but whatever.
...Thanks. I’ll be waiting at the gym. I should head to the gym…
Everybody give them another round of applause! 
Oh no, I somehow insulted her by accident! Forgive me!
...Anyway, about what Akechi-kun said earlier… And now, it’s time for your favorite Shujin tradition: the Student Sharing Special! Round of applause, everyone!
...Wanna go someplace where we can be alone? There’s something I want to talk to you about. Enjoy the post-festival party. Just stop by the students’ association room when you’re done. Kawakami walks away.
No? I’ll just have to pick someone then! How about… The good sir over there! 
Well then, come on up! 
Now, now! You’re not shy, are you!? The audience laughs.
He’s either a carefree spirit who does as he pleases or an airhead who’s oblivious to the situation! I should go see Kawakami…
Let’s move on to our next participant…! Music: Alright (Elp Version)
...You know how Akechi-kun was talking about the true identity of the Phantom Thieves…? Well, lemme know if you’re in any trouble, OK? I’ll be there to help you. 
No matter what’s going on around you… I’ll always be on your side. I know I always end up depending on you, because you’re so reliable… 
No, we’re at school. Remember?That was a test. I’d say you passed, but we both failed a long-ass time ago.
*sigh* That’s a relief…
Get home safely.And that’s the festival.