Part 25: Yuina, Chapter 4: It's Only Cheating If You're Caught

Yuina, Chapter 4: It's Only Cheating If You're Caught

So, remember earlier, when Yuina told Goon that video games are a waste of time? Well, her position hasn't changed, but she can still have a good time at the arcade...

9/23: Date event with Yuina


Goon: Let's go to the medal corner.

Reminder: The medal corner is an area of a Japanese arcade where all of the coin/ticket redemption games are. They have one in Rhythm Heaven Fever!


Goon: Himoo-san, I'm going to the bathroom. Be right back.
Yuina: Do what you want.

Goon: Ahhhh, much better.
Goon: Hmm? What's with that crowd?


Goon: Hi, Himoo-san, what's going on? How'd this huge pile of coins...
Yuina: I believe I have found my calling.
Goon: Um... can I ask you something?
Yuina: Go ahead and ask.
Goon: Did you hook something up to the machine?
Yuina: I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.
Goon: I mean, I don't care, but...
Goon: (That suspicious-looking cord is pretty obvious...)
Yuina: Sigh... if only I could make ATMs pay out like this. I would never have to worry about research funds...
Goon: (...What is this girl thinking?)


Yuina: It sure is nice to take a break every once in a while.
Goon: Can I invite you out again some time?
Yuina: If my schedule frees up.

Himoo Yuina, ladies and gentlemen.

9/30: Ayako's birthday


At this time I'd like to point out how much thought that the designers put into making the bad gifts as mind-blowingly awful as possible. As an example, for Ayako's birthday in year 2, you can give her swimming goggles. And for Saki's birthday in year three, you can give her a 1/8th scale figure of herself. That doesn't even count the sea cucumber. As usual, the best option is the good-but-not-great option for girls other than Yuina, so in this case the right choice is perfume and not the HR Giger art collection.

10/6: Baseball event with Saki

Japanese baseball fandom is a weird thing to see coming from an American perspective. There's a fan section that dedicates itself to writing, performing, and singing songs for each player as he comes to bat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzwc-cFig7Y for proof that I'm not making this up - I learned Tyrone Woods' song in 2008 when I went to a Chunichi Dragons game in Nagoya), baseball games have an innings limit so that everyone can get home before the trains stop running, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.


Saki: Alright, we've got something going now!
Goon: Nijino-san, you really like baseball, don't you?
Saki: I love it! I really wanted to see this game.
Goon: Oh? I'm glad.


Saki: C'mon, c'mon... base hit!
Goon: Nijino-san-
Saki: Do it, do it... Home run!
Goon: Nijino-san?
Saki: No, don't just give up halfway!
Goon: (She's way too into the game to hear me.)

Goon: (Hmm? Did she finally notice?)
Saki: Hey, you should cheer with us too!
Goon: O, okay...
Goon: (I give up.)

10/12: Culture festival year 2, Computer Club

Goon: Today's the culture festival.
Goon: The computer club is showing off a game today. I should go get ready.


Yuina: Games are such a waste of time. Did you make this one?
Goon: I did, but... I'm pretty nervous about it.
Yuina: Is that so? I can evaluate it for you, if you want.
Goon: Really? That'd be great.
Yuina: Very well. Start playing the game.
Goon: Huh? You're not going to play it yourself?
Yuina: Silence. Just play, already.
Goon: Yeah, yeah.

And the mini-game is...


Twinbee Time Attack! And yes, at this title screen, the Konami Code works. Hit up up down down left right left right X Circle, and you'll start the game with full power-ups.


Seeing this sure does bring me back... to the day when there was no option for rapid fire and you just had to slam on the fire button until your wrist snapped in half. Not all nostalgia is good, people!


Yuina: It may be a waste of time, but it is pretty good.
Goon: R, really? That's great coming from you, Himoo-san.
Yuina: Games truly are a pointless pastime...

In other works, Yuina would probably wink at the camera and play with the 4th wall a bit. But nope, she means it.

12/16: Saki event


Goon: It's lunch. If I don't hurry over to the cafeteria...
Saki: Gundayu-kun!
Goon: Oh, hey, Nijino-san.
Saki: You're heading to lunch, right? Did you bring your own?
Goon: No, I was thinking of going to the cafeteria.
Saki: Then I'm glad I caught you.
Goon: Huh? Why?
Saki: I, um, I made too much for myself.
Goon: (This seems like a wonderful situation.)
Saki: I don't know if you'll like it, but... could you eat some of it for me?
Goon: Yes, I'll eat it. This helps my budget out a lot, thanks!
Saki: Thanks... the weather's great today, so wanna eat outside?
Goon: I don't mind. Let's go to the courtyard.
Saki: Yay, let's go.

As a note, once Saki reaches the blushing state, instead of blinking, she starts winking. The effect is kind of cute for the first time, and then every time after that it just becomes a disconcerting facial tic.




Saki: Here you go. I can't guarantee you'll like it, though...
Goon: Thanks!
(chomp) (chew) (gulp)
Saki: H, how is it?
Goon: It's... aw...
Saki: What's wrong? Are you okay?
Goon: Awesome!
Saki: Don't scare me like that! I was really worried for a second. So, what do you think?
Goon: Seriously, it's delicious. Your cooking is amazing.
Saki: I think you're exaggerating. But thanks, I'm glad. There's a lot, so eat as much as you want!
Goon: (I am such a lucky guy for getting to eat such delicious home cooking...)

For reference, she goes back to blinking like a normal person for this scene. Thankfully.


Eating Saki's lunch is worth +10 stamina, which is why she's an amazing support character for any run which involves the high-stress, stamina-intensive sports clubs. PS, I hadn't shown you Yuina's sprite yet, so here it is.

12/21: Praised? by Yuina for a perfect week of


Yuina: You've been looking less stupid lately.
Goon: Y, you think so? Thanks.
Goon: (Alright, I'm motivated now!)

Himoo Yuina, ladies and gentlemen. I'm not sure if this is or if this is

12/24: Dodge the Christmas party

On 12/23, Goon's Looks are at 92, which can be brought to 100 quite easily in order to meet the requirements for the Ijuuin Christmas party. But you know what? Screw it! It's safest to stay home and not risk getting Megumied out of nowhere.


Man in Black: I beg your pardon, but I cannot allow you inside wearing such clothing.
Goon: What? Is that so?
Man in Black: Indeed. My instructions are very clear.
Goon: (Damn. I guess I have to celebrate Christmas alone this year.)


Goon: Merry Christmas! I'm having so much fun.
Goon: Ugh, next year. Next year I'll have a merry Christmas for sure!

I didn't mention this last time, but spending Christmas alone actually raises your stats - it's worth +10 Guts and +10 Stress. It's pretty good for the RPG mini-game!

1/1: New Year's with Yuina

(ding-dong!)
Goon: Hmm? Who could that be?
Mailman: Here are your New Year's cards.
Goon: (Awesome! I got cards from Himoo-san, Nijino-san, and Mikihara-san.)

Megumi is in third place. WHY!? And... now you see why it's best to dodge the Christmas party in this run.


(ding-dong!)
Goon: Hmm? A visitor?
Goon: Coming!


Yuina: Happy new year.
Goon: Happy new year. To what do I owe the pleasure of this rare visit?
Yuina: Stop making a big deal out of it. Now, we're going to hatsumoude.
Goon: Option 1: Good idea, let's go.
Yuina: Obviously. Now, hurry up and get going.

Remember: Most people ask. Yuina decrees.


Goon: Shall we go pay our respects?
Yuina: I don't believe in any god, but I will go through the motions for now.

Stam is at 300 and affection is more trouble than it's worth, soooo it's definitely time to wish for grades again.


Yuina: You must have made a trivial little wish, yes?
Goon: I, it's a secret. What about you, Himoo-san?
Yuina: Mine is a secret too.
Goon: O... oh. Hey, want to go pull our fortunes?

Unlike pretty much every other girl, Yuina doesn't stutter when she says this one. She just says it as a statement of fact, not a way to cover up something embarrassing.


I pulled the worst fortune, purely for the next conversation.


Goon: (Man, such bad luck to start the year...)
Goon: This sucks, I got daikyou...
Yuina: Paying money just to feel bad about your fortune is for fools.
Goon: (Now I feel even worse...)


Yuina: This year looks like it will be a good one.
Goon: W, why's that?
Yuina: Because I have declared it so.

Himoo Yuina, ladies and gentlemen.

Next time: The home stretch. Himoo cheats at more games, and Goon learns his Limit Break!