Part 14: Journey to the West

Journey to the West



Before we go to see Yamato, we're gonna spend time with Yamato.



...I see. First, compile a thorough report on the disaster situation.
No, we'll get rid of them. Some instability is to be expected. I leave it to you.

Yamato hangs up the phone and looks in your direction...

[Music: JPs -Geomagnetism Research Department-]



Yes.
You're honest. A normal person wouldn't admit to eavesdropping so openly.
But I'm impressed. It's important to gather is much information as you can.
And yet, I don't think you overheard anything that would benefit you... Wait.
Hahaha... Are you concerned about what I said regarding "getting rid of" something?
Don't worry. It has nothing to do with your treatment.



...Normal civilians who suddenly gain control of demons are very dangerous.
Their selfishness leads to destructive impulses.



That was why I intended to apprehend you. Do you see?
Give me a break.
You can interpret that however you wish.
...Well, then.

Yamato returns to his work...

[Music: Exploration]



At the last moment before going to Osaka opens up, we're railroaded into another scene. It's not even a fight or anything.



Oh... Hi, Hibiki.
Yo. How's it going?
Ah... Haha. I'm doing okay.
I came here for some shopping. It seemed like we'd need a few things for the trip...
But... it's no use. Almost all the stores are closed.
I'll help you look.
Really...? Oh, um... It's okay, I don't want to be a bother...

[Music: In The Devastated Town]

But I wonder when we'll be able to buy things again...



Did you see this?
Well, no... I just overheard some people saying so...
But it seemed like no one had any real information...
Isn't the government supposed to keep the citizens informed at times like this?
Well, the blackouts...
Oh... Right. With TVs and radios out, I guess they can't communicate the situation...
...I wonder if my mom and dad are okay... and my friends...
Hm...?

There's a crowd up ahead...

I wonder what that's about...

A woman comes walking up to you from the crowd...



[Music: Silence]

The woman is deathly pale...

Are you all right?
Oh... Yes, thank you. Did... Did you see it?
"See it"?



[Music: Dark Clouds]

......!
It was mangled beyond all recognition... There's saying those monsters did it...
It's that bad?
Just remembering it makes me want to throw up...
Anyway, I don't think you should get involved. Stay away from those monsters...
You take care.

The woman leaves...



They're demons.
Yeah... She was probably talking about the demons, huh...?
It feels like more and more demons are showing up...
More failed contracts.
Yeah... The number of demons on the loose shows... how many people died summoning them...
But... demons killing people? I still can't believe that's really happening...
It's getting serious.

[Music: Silence]

Yeah... Makes me wonder if "reality" was what we thought before now...
This... can't go on, huh?

[Music: Connected Hearts]



We'll try our hardest.
Yeah... Thanks.

The crowd of people ahead is starting to disperse...

...Let's go, Hibiki. I don't want to be here any longer.

You leave the area at Io's request...

[Music: Exploration]



We could go straight to Osaka now, but quite a fair amount of people really wanted to hang out with Io. So that's exactly what we're gonna do!

[Music: In The Devastated Town]



Oh, Hibiki... This is really bad...
It's all messed up.
Yeah, and the 901... I can't believe this...
I was shopping here just the other day... It's all so shocking...
What did you get?
Huh? Just shoes...
I got the same pair as my friend. Just a different color.



...What's going to happen to Shibuya now?
It's not going to just magically fix itself...
......

Io looks sad as she walks away...

[Music: Exploration]



And with that, we're done in Tokyo for quite a while. Let's go see what the happenings are over in Osaka for a bit.



O-Okay...! Here we are in Shinbashi!
And now to Osaka.
Yeah...! Let's go investigate the cause of this disaster and stuff!
Oh... But how're we getting there? Is there any working transportation?
I'unno. Well, we'll find out once we get there!
...Maybe so, but it makes me nervous when you say it...
I don't think so.
Ooh, see, someone gets me! You'll hit it big someday, I bet.
Ah... Hey, there's someone over there...



[Music: Silence]



Chief, please wait. I'll take care of this.

[Music: Heroes Have No Fear]
listening to this is very highly recommended

No, Sako. Let me do it.





Oh, Yamato-sama...

[Music: Silence]

Hmm... That's it?

[Music: Exploration]



Hah... Good of you to come. So you've decided to act of your own volition...
Sorry to keep you waiting.

Yamato smiles...



So, uh... We're here. How do we get to Osaka?
Thank you for coming. Don't worry, you won't have to walk. ...Wait just a little.

[Music: Silence]



Wow... That train's moving?

Yeah, the train slowly creaks over to the other side of that one tiny platform. It makes for a way too giant gif though so just take my word for it.

[Music: Exploration]



Wait, what is that thing there?
Just wait. You'll see.





Did a pole just come out of it...?
You can go down from here. Be careful.
Down where...?



Th-They left! What should we do, Hibiki?
You want to walk away?
Oh, but... I'm sure Makoto and Yamato are waiting for us. Let's just go...

[Music: JPs -Geomagnetism Research Department-]





Huh...!? Is this a station platform?
Whewwww... This is something else. It's even fancier than the station above!



An exclusive platform...!? Wait a sec, how is this place still running?
I mean, after what happened to the subway...!
You're wasting time with these useless questions. Let's go.







No. I must protect Tokyo while the Chief is gone. ...Have fun.
Oh... Well, I'll make you proud, then!





Chances of something bad happening have just gone up by at least 600%. Thanks, Makoto.

[Music: Exploration]





I told you before, you don't have to come out to meet me... Oh, well.
I have a meeting at the main headquarters. You guys go look at the situation in Osaka.



Huh...? How about a guide? Are we just supposed to go all over Osaka by ourselves?
Don't worry. I heard you were coming, so I have a guide.
Wakui... Hey, Wakui!



Wow... He looks scary. I can't tell if I like him or not.



He'll be your guide in the Osaka area. I'm sure you'll have lots to talk about.
... I'm not so sure...
...Daichi, he can hear you!



I'll be going on ahead. ...See you at headquarters.
Hey... Wait!



I'm really hungry... Where's a good place to eat near here?



The obvious implication here is that Joe uses Kansai-ben in some form. Possibly even Osaka-ben, which would make the most sense, but it's hard to say for sure right now because Keita just vaguely said "west".

Bwuh? Hey, wait! I'm a city boy!
......





This city isn't that big. You won't get lost. Go sightseeing on your own.



Oh, yeah... There are demons in this city, too, so watch your step.
What...? There are demons in Osaka, too?
So what Yamato was saying...
You'll know 'em when you see 'em. Good luck.
Is he for real? What's up with that guy?



I mean... Maybe we can take care of things ourselves if we get out...
Do you know this area?
N-Not really, but let's just go anyway...
Yeah... I'm hungry. Let's go. I want to find a pork bun!
Or maybe an okonomiyaki set... Then again, I could go for some noodles... Decisions!



Huh? Oh, hey, an email. Let's see here...

[Video: Keita Wakui]



[Music: Desperate Situation]



[Video: End]

[Music: Crumbling Routine]



That was that Keita guy! He's gonna die!?
Not if we save him.
That's right... I mean, if it's the same as it was with Daichi, then...



Mmm-hmm. You're still alive, so maybe Keita doesn't have to die either...
Y-You're right! Maybe we can save him!



Huh...?
Oh, I'm not talking about Keita specifically. Just saying, that choice is on the table.
Well... I guess. But not saving someone who you know is gonna die...?

[Music: Silence]

Oh, I understand that. That's not what I meant. Rock, dude...



Oh, and Joe knows Cockney rhyming slang apparently (kinda curious what this was originally to warrant something like this). Of course he does. Sure, why not. It's kind of a dumb thing from the East End of London that most people don't understand the best of times, never mind seeing it for the first time here.

Quarry...
You got it in one! You know rhyming slang, huh? "Rock quarry," "sorry"...

The atmosphere turns chilly...

[Music: Exploration]

A-Anyway... Um, we should find Keita...!
R-Right! He seemed sorta out there, but we can't just leave him like this!



We'll find him.
Attaboy. You gotta keep a sunny outlook in life!
Yeah... I agree. If we can do our best, I'm sure we can make it happen.
R-Right...! Let's search the whole city for where he might be...



Huh... So we don't. We don't know when it happens, either.



Dammit...! We don't have a clue about the time OR the location! What're we gonna do!?
Well, wait, Daichi... I think we do have a clue. It's not much, though...



Ahh, I get it! If we take a better look at his movie, there might be a hint...!



Ummm... I don't know much about Osaka either. But if we look around with this in mind...
There's some stairs.
Huh...? Stairs? Oh, right!



Hmm... Sure, yeah, that makes sense. Looks like the stairs are the key.
Alright... I think that's all we're getting outta this clip, so let's get cracking.



Let's go!
...Yeah! All right, let's move out!

You leave the area with the rest...



Now that we're in Osaka and have an objective for our faffery, we should get a start on that. In the meantime, here's something to think about :

Whilst we were railroaded into saving Daichi before, this won't hold true any more. Like Joe said, we can let Keita die if we want to. Whether or not we let the named character with multiple portraits actually die is, well, a question that I do not feel best equipped to handle on my own.

We won't get to see Keita again until the opportunity to save him crops up, so that first impression he made is the only thing you really have to go on to make this decision.

Do we let Keita live or die? VOTE HERE!