Part 51: 6/16: Hello Good Sir, Are You In The Mafia?
Part 50: 6/16: Hello Good Sir, Are You In The Mafia?Anon: Isnt it a crime?
Anon: Its fun, so its OK.
Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental Version)
Now for todays Train News. Todays headlines are Shady Drug Deals in Shibuya! Is this the same organization behind both this and the extortions? Alongside the phishing scams that have been on the rise, this may be their source of funding. Restaurant Factory Fire! A worker from the restaurant giant Haneruya was arrested for arson. Though he admits to the charges, he claims to not know why he did it. This industry is raising eyebrows.
Jeez, more food service nonsense?
Oh yeah, something weird happened in food service before, right? Some employee cooking naked With all these extortions and scams this worlds really messed up.
What was that all about?
I hear her older sisters involved with the investigation. Maybe shes just trying to play detective, too.
Are you kidding me? I cant handle a student council president with no focus. She and the principal can both get lost.
Music: Wicked Plan
There sure are a lot of high schoolers during the day. They must be targeting them somehow.
It will be quite difficult to figure out how given the number of people around though.
Right! Were gonna grab em by the tail!
As we discussed yesterday, you should head over to Central Street, Maaku.
Sweet, lets get goin! Lemme know if you find any shady people!
Music: Disquiet
We might end up running into the mafia. Be ready for anything!
I hope something comes of it. Ill be counting on you.
Is she following us? Nah, that cant be.
What.
They appear and disappear as they please Not only that, but they blend in with normal teenagers...
Stop complaining! If we dont try getting information, people will say the police are useless! The media are already on our case, and the higher-ups arent doing a thing This is bad for morale...
Move a little further down the street, and were automatically pulled into this scene.
Were having a special sale just over there. How bout you go take a peek?
We ordered way too much, so I have a ton left over. My bossll kill me if I go back to him with all these extras. Look, Ill sell em to you for cheap. Whaddya say?
What should we do?
It depends on the price, wouldnt you say?
Well thats disappointing. Come back if you change your mind.
Really? The shops right over there. Just go take a look.
It seems like some kind of sale. You probably shouldnt bother.
Yeah, the sketchiest sale ever.
Hm? Is that supposed to be some kinda password? I have no idea what youre talking about. I havent been here long. Try talking to someone else.
That aint so easy I only know one guy around here Sometimes I see him in the alley across the way, but I dont think hes there today. He might be near the station. Go there if you wanna see him.
Hm, maybe this other person would know something ? Apparently hes near the train station, so lets go take a look over there.
Is she keeping an eye on us?
Maybe. I guess shes curious about all of this.
Well lets just ignore her if shes not getting in our way. More importantly, howre things on your guys end?
Nothing so far. Im going to try staking out the underground walkway.
Then Ill check around the Inogami Line. I guess Ill get there from the underground.
I will gather some more intel in the underground shopping mall as well. Please continue on your end, Maaku.
Everyones really going about this seriously. Theyre definitely worth of being phantom thieves. We cant fall behind either. Lets look for that homeless man.
Hm ? Youre trying to find a homeless person? Thats a good idea. They would know a lot about what goes on in this town. I havent seen any here, but I would bet there are some in the underground area...
Underground I dont like the idea of it, but we should go check it out.
Sure enough, its the homeless guy we chat with from time to time.
A part-time job ? Youre not talking about some ordinary job, huh? Take my advice: Dont do it. Theyll squeeze every last penny out of you with threats and extortion. Some of my friends have fallen victim to their schemes That mafia is evil, I tell you.
Its easy to say that, but none of them have places to go Just dont go anywhere near that mafia. But just so you know who to avoid, Ill teach you how to tell them apart from normal people. They use some weird phrases. Code words, you know. Thats how they communicate with each other. Anyway, watch out if you hear any of that stuff. Theyll try to come for you even during the day. Theyre relentless when it comes to targeting teens.
Ah, so youve grasped something already. As to be expected of someone like you, Maaku.
Why dont we just go over the intel weve gathered so far?
Ill start. Supposedly some guy near the accessway talking about some kinda strong drugs. Im not counting on anything, but Ill go check it out.
As for me, I heard about someone soliciting a high-paying job in the station plaza. Apparently theyre mostly targeting girls. Ill go see what its about.
On my end, I heard there are people saying strange things in the back alley near the arcade. Something about ice and vegetables, and something about snow tomorrow I will go observe, just in case. The arcade is on Central Street, correct?
All right, we should do what we can to help them out. I have no idea which of these leads are real. Try going to the most suspicious-sounding place.
Lets think this through. Despite Ryuji and Anns leads sounding more outright suspicious, they dont have any elements of code words, leading us to conclude its almost certainly Yusukes lead thats the correct one. That said, we should at least check out those other two first
Uhhh Go down those stairs, then turn left. Be careful, granny.
Oh, Shibuya is so complicated. These bones dont move like they used to either. How troubling.
Arghhh, cmon...
Sorry, my lead didnt end up bein anything. That dude at the stairs Pretty misleadin, huh? Sheesh Oh, what about Ann and Yusuke? You should go check on em. Hey, granny, you OK? Youre lookin pretty shaky, so I dont mind givin you a hand.
Uh, thanks. I dunno what Im even doin here though
He said his lead didnt amount to anything. We should leave this area to him, OK? Come on, lets go see Lady Ann and Yusuke.
Ive heard its super effective. Even the most barren deserts will become lush forests of hair
So thats who Ryuji was talking about. Lush forests I dont really want to know. I guess I can see how youd mistake him for what we want though.
Ill do whatever! Squat cobbler, you name it!
Huh? You want to be in one of our videos? I guess I cant say theres no demand but our company only hires girls. Sorry.
...Be in a video? What kind of job is that? Though I guess that doesnt have anything to do with drugs. It must not be him.
Look, someones asking about a video shoot over by the train but I guess thats for models? In any case, theyre not here. Go try seeing what Ryuji and Yusuke have.
Arcade ? Youre a high school student, arent you? Youd better not be looking for trouble. All kinds of shady activity happens at arcades.
What are you talking about? Its nothing more than a place you go to play games...
This must be the alley Yusuke was referring to.
Well you arent wrong about that.
It seems we didnt have to look very hard in the end.
Youre high schoolers, yeah? Dont you want something more than just your allowances?
Hm by delivery, do you mean that of suspicious materials?
Um, what are you doing?
Heh, youre a funny girl.
So you wont answer me? Then I was right...
Whats up with you anyways? Whyre you asking all these questions, huh?
Oh
Anyways, I cant hang. Seeya!
U-Um, if you dont want to deal with us, we could always go see your boss ourselves.
No seriously, what the hell are you doing?
Youre really gonna say that, knowing who he is? Heh, no way I believe that. Welp, Im outta here. You guys are annoying me.
I think we should get some proof before we do that. I tried to trick him into saying something, but he dodged all the traps I was laying down.
Yeah, real great attempt there. Not only did you not learn anything, you almost got your ass kicked.
By the way thanks for standing up for me. Im going to go now.
No wonder the police are having trouble catching him. Anyway, you have some serious guts. You didnt back down at all against that hooligan. Though we still didnt end up with any new information Lets stop here for today.
That would be best. We did ask tons of people, so theres a chance were being followed.
Just to be safe, we should refrain from doing anything to make ourselves stand out. The sun will be setting soon, so let us disband for today and report on our findings tomorrow.
Why dont we meet at karaoke tomorrow? We can talk in private, and itll be cheap after school.
Ah, that must be what they call hustle hour.
Dude, its muscle hour. Wait, is that wrong too?
Um, hello? Happy hour. Muscle hour just sounds sweaty Anyway, see you guys at karaoke tomorrow.
Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain-
Thanks. For earlier.
...I wanted to apologize. I got a hold of your number without asking you, so I realize Im apologizing after the fact, but It just didnt feel right, keeping it from you, so ...Thats all. Bye.
Speaking of, some girl called looking for you around noon. Said shes the class president. Said shes got something that belongs to you. She seemed to know you, so I gave her your number.
She mustve looked up Leblancs address trying to contact you. That Niijima sure is thorough! Then again, she called you just to apologize Its a bit weird, but maybe shes not so bad after all.
An employee was arrested, but claims to be unable to recall any details of the crime. When questioned about his motive, the employee insisted he did not know what came over him. Incidents with suspects whose motives are unclear have been happening often in the restaurant industry
Its weird that they dont remember. How is anyone supposed to prevent these weird crimes?
Are you helping out today?
We can finally rank up, so lets hang out with him.
>Help him out
Ill teach you how to make good coffee. Its taste all depends on you though.
Music: Whats Going On?
These beans are Colombian, a medium-fine city roast. Oh, and dont let the water boil too much. ...Youre gonna be fine. Ill be here the whole time.
...Not bad. Though I guess anyone can do something as simple as just brewing it. Making a blend, on the other hand, is a different story. Mixing beans at random wont do you any good. Thats because the acidity and the flavor profile all depend on the bean ratio. Pretty deep, huh?
If youre really that interested, feel free to try out whatever combinations you want to. ...Oh, but hands off the expensive beans, got it? Next up is the curry. Theres something special about its flavor. The truth is, a scientific genius actually came up with the perfect spice combo to complement my coffee.
Suuuuure they did.
Something about the quantification of taste Theres no formula for flavor, but it IS pretty damn good. Anyhow, we dont make compromises when it comes to food service. Our stuffs gotta wow the customers. This is a tiny shop, after all. Self-satisfaction is the only thing that keeps me going.
The front door opens.
Music: Suspicion
Havent I already told you I dont have the money? Look at this place. You see many customers in here?
Oh, no need to hide it, Sakura-san! You must have saved plenty from your time working in the government. Arent you taking care of that employee right there too, for nothing more than charity? I wish youd show me the same kindness you show others.
If youre not planning on buying anything, can you please leave? Im expecting a phone call, so I dont have time to chat with you.
I dont mind if you take the call in front of me. I can talk to your little friend here in the meantime. So, should we keep talking until your call comes in? Or would that be too inconvenient for you?
Well
It looks like Sojiros in trouble. What should I do ?
They come round pretty often to make sure this guys not getting in any trouble. Want me to introduce you?
...Oh, thats right! I have some business I need to take care of myself! Ill come back later!
Wonder what all this is about.
*sigh* I guess I should explain whats going on. He might try and drop by when Im not around. ...That man is an old acquaintance of mine whos short on cash right now. Looks pretty friendly, yeah? Dont let him fool youIts all an act. I have to say though Im surprised you were quick-witted enough to pull that stuff off.
I feel like my bond with Sojiro is growing deeper...
Curry restores 20 SP for all allies, but you can only make it on certain dates, and it still consumes time. Considering how packed our nights already are, its not really worth it, especially once we get those SP Adhesive 3s from Takemi. Also, it counts as a food item and cant be used in battle.
Still why do you poke around into other peoples troubles? Its way easier to ignore them. I guess thats just the kinda person you are though, huh...
*sigh* Id report him to the cops if he wasnt related to her...
Oh?
Oh, uh never mind that. Anyway, thats it for today. Go study or something after you close up.
I can see the compassion hidden beneath Sojiros actions I feel my Kindness growing...
Maaku gains Kindness +3.
Anon: ends justify the means
Anon: Isnt it a crime?
Anon: get off your high horse
Anon: NO! justice aint that simple
Anon: theyre up to something
Anon: NO. They piss me off.
Ive got a job you could do. Wanna hear more?
Another psychotic breakdown?
Oh, you mean how theyre increasing security in Shibuya?
Theyre the scum of society. Hurry up and arrest them...