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“Huh... what the hell do I think of Akio?”

Yesterday was a difficult one. You were able to escape the clutches of the Order of the Awakened, a crazed cult that worships the Darkworld... but Nina, a member of Class 3 who was dedicated to helping you out, died in the process. A death you could have prevented, if you had just chosen to feed that damn Archdemon inside you, maybe just a little, and gained enough power to save her. Of course, your reasons for not feeding that thing are also valid, as it feasts on your memories and your personality, everything that makes you who you are. Feed it to much, and you'll become a hollow puppet for the monster, like Yamato and Alice became.

For that reason, you've chosen to keep a journal, cataloguing everything you do, say and think. A task much harder than you first thought, as you have trouble getting down exactly what you think of certain people down in words. Your section on Saki for instance is currently blank, but you knew to leave a lot of space for it to be filled in later.

You hear knock on your door, but you don't feel like answering. Saki's voice calls out from the other end. “Ryoji, I know you're there... can I come in?”

You sigh, and move towards the door, opening it up. Saki stands on the other end, with a solemn look on her face. “Hey... I just thought you might want someone to talk to. You've clearly been through a lot this last while.”

You shake your head. “I appreciate the thought, Saki... but I've got to work through some stuff on my own, first.”

“Oh... okay...” Saki mutters as she steps inside the room. She notices the journal on your desk. “What's that?”

You snatch the journal and shove it into your desk drawer. “It's nothing important. Let's talk about something else. How have you been these last few days?”

“Worried,” Saki replies. “My best friend was kidnapped, and I feared the worst. I couldn't think of anything else.”

Damn, they all really missed you, didn't they? Imagine if you had fed the demon... how bittersweet a reunion would it be if you returned not remembering who they were?

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“I'm also more than a little stressed right now...” Saki continues. “You see... my parents are visiting today.”

You laugh. “Mr and Mrs. Kobashi are paying the school a visit? Let me guess, you want me to give them a big formal welcome, right?”

Saki shakes her head frantically. “No no no, anything but that! I was hoping you wouldn't speak to them or interact with them. At all.”

“What? Ashamed your parents will find out that their genius little girl is best friends with a delinquent?” you smirk.

“It's not like that!” Saki replies. “It's just... my parents are very expecting, upper-class... how should I put this... snobs. My parents are snobs, and I just want this visit to be as painless as possible. You and them trying to mesh together would be a disaster. As a favour to me, I ask that you avoid them as much as you can.”

You shrug. “I'll try, put I can't trust that my delinquent senses won't kick in and I try to pelt them with rocks or something.”

Saki smiles. “It's so good that you're back, Ryoji. I've missed you.”

You smile back. “Yeah... I kinda missed you guys too. Just a little.”

Saki hesitates to bring up the next topic of discussion. “The school will be holding a memorial assembly for Nina later on... but Class 3 are burying her this morning. Holding a funeral for her. I didn't know Nina very well... but I want to pay my respects as much I can, so if you want me to come with you... just for emotional support.”

>Of course. It would be good to have you by my side.
>Thanks, but this is something I need to handle alone. Don't burden yourself.
>I won't be going to that funeral. I can't bring myself to.

>>217292
Of course

>>217292
>>Thanks, but this is something I need to handle alone. Don't burden yourself.

>>217292
>>Thanks, but this is something I need to handle alone. Don't burden yourself.

>Of course. It would be good to have you by my side.

>>217292
>Of course. It would be good to have you by my side.
I am fine with either going solo or with Saki, really. But this time I will vote for having a friend around. They did say we can turn to them for help.

>>217292
>Thanks, but this is something I need to handle alone. Don't burden yourself.

>>217292
>>Of course. It would be good to have you by my side.

>>217285
I was thinking, wasn't Nina the one anons ignored many threads ago, saying they didn't care for class 3?

>mfw anons voted multiple times to ignore stuff like that instead of exploring characters
Kek

>>217292

>Thanks, but this is something I need to handle alone. Don't burden yourself.

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>Of course. It would be good to have you by my side.

You didn't know her very well until close to the end... though she seemed to know you. Perhaps that layer of guilt, not remembering who she was, that has caused her death to be so hard for you to process. You need to pay your respects to the girl who gave her life for you, but you don't know if you can handle that alone. You're damn lucky you've got friends to help you through times like this.

The funeral is held in a small patch of land by the main courtyard of the school, hidden within a clearing of trees. Judging by the other gravestones, this spot serves as Class 's personal burial site. You note that even Yamato was given a proper burial by his classmates. You assume there must have been great debate on whether or not he deserved to be buried with the others. The rest of Class 3 are gathered around a closed casket, and Maro nods to acknowledge you as you approach.

"Today, we say goodbye to one of our best," Maro begins. "Nina exemplified everything you could ever ask of a classmate, of a fighter, and of a friend."

"She was always very quiet and distant..." Lilo sobs. "I started eating lunch with her half-way through our second year, and I really started to love having her around! At first I didn't think she was so fond of me... she probably thought I was annoying... but we were friends. The best of friends... and I don't know how I can go on without her."

"She died a warrior's death," Taka mutters. "An honourable death. She fought to protect an innocent, and I don't think she would have wanted to go out any other way."

Shinji lets out a sigh. "Nina... she was something special. The way she carried herself, her exterior look tended to put others off, but once you got to know her, you could see just how much she cared for others. She was a hero, a protector, and we should all aspire to be like her."

The personal eulogies continued... you had no idea how close these people were to Nina. You never really thought of Class 3 as a close-knit group of friends and compatriots, but you can see now how much they cared for each-other. How much they've been through with each-other. They started with just as many students as Class 2 did... now their numbers are down to six. They'll never see her again, Lilo will never have lunch with her friend again... and deep down you feel that it's your fault.

Without realising, you find yourself taking Saki's hand and squeezing tight. She looks up at you, concern in her eyes, as she places her free hand comfortingly on your arm.

As Lilo cries heavily into Kamiko's shoulder, Maro looks over to you, silently wondering if you wanted to say a few words before they laid their friend to rest. What could you even say about Nina, without kicking yourself over what happened? You doubt anyone present wants to hear that.

>Give a eulogy.
>Stay silent.

>>217426
>Give a eulogy
Without the self-pity obviously

>>217426
>Give a eulogy.
The Darkworld not only took his memories of her away, but caused these nuts to take HER away as well.
She still remembered, she still cared, but now she can't anymore due to those whackos and their shitty hellish dimension.

If anything Ryoji probably wants to beat the archdemon until he gets his memories back or whatever.

>>217426
>>Give a eulogy.

>>217426
>>Stay silent.

>>217455
Actually I'm gonna change mine. There's not much we can really say.
>Stay silent.

>>217426
>Stay silent.

>>217426
>>Stay silent.

>>217426
>>Stay silent

>>217470
He could always relay her last words, and promise that he may not have memories, but he will remember her, and so should the rest of the class.
Or something.

>>217426
>Give a eulogy.

Honestly now wouldn't be a bad time to bring up the memory loss in a safe environment.

Something along the lines of, "Entering the Darkworld robbed me of my memories but when I saw Nina and talked to her something stirred (a lie, I know). I believe I knew her, once, and I am more saddened by the fact that I cannot remember. I failed her and I cannot even remember how. I will treasure those few moments I had with her."

>>217488
Taka and Maro also heard her asking stuff before dying, so it's more like a confirmed thing that she knew him but he forgot because of a spooky demon parasite.

>>217485
Probably, but I think it seems more in character that he stays quiet. This is the first death that really hit home for Ryoji. Heck, I think it was better that he came alone without Saki, but that's just me.

>>217502
Maybe.

I do know that I think he should try to look Nina up and learn more about her.
I mean, she wanted him to remember, that is the closest thing he can do.

>>217426
>Stay silent.

>>217488
I'll back this, sounds good

>>217426
I'll go with this too >>217488

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>Stay silent

There's nothing you can say. You really wish you were able to remember who she was... but you can't. All you can do going forward is remember the Nina you know. The one who cared for you so much that she was willing to give her life for you. You don't need to try to verbalise your relationship with Nina, because it's too complex for that, and there are no words to describe your gratitude towards her. You remain silent, only clutching Saki's hand tighter.

Shinji and Taka lower the coffin into the freshly dug plot, as the rest of the group begin to make their way out into the courtyard. As you walk along, the summer heat hitting your face like a truck, you stop and hang your head low. Upon this, Saki wraps her arms around you and hugs tight. "I'm so sorry, Ryoji..." she mutters, attempting to comfort you.

As you hug back, Maro clears his throat from behind you, catching your attention. "Ryoji. Let's talk."

Saki breaks away from you, and she gives a weak smile as she looks up at you. "I'll talk to you later, okay? I'm always here for you."

You walk off with Maro, as he finds a nearby bench. He instruct you to sit down, which you do. Maro doesn't sit down in turn, instead electing to place his foot up on the bench and lean forward, staring off into the distance.

"You're still blaming yourself," Maro states, his face still badly burned from the fight with Matsuyo. "I thought I told you not to do that."

"I could have saved her..." you mutter. "I know I could. I-"

"I could have saved her," Maro replies. "If I weren't so trigger happy, my rifle wouldn't have exploded in my face. Taka could have saved her. If he didn't charge ahead, he wouldn't have been taken down so easily. We all think we could have saved her... but none of us did. We're all going to live with the What-if... but you can't let it consume you. Nina wanted to give her life for a noble cause, and she did. Don't disrespect her by turning her sacrifice, done in the name of saving you, into a black hole of despair. If you let yourself fall to your guilt, then did she really save you at all?"

Maro shakes his head. "I'm a fairly simple man, Ryoji. I don't know much beyond my Class, but I know each of them inside and out. I had a great love for Nina. We all did... her passing has left a large hole. But picking and tearing at that hole won't do anyone any good... it'll just make it larger. What happened to Nina wasn't your fault, Ryoji."

>You're right... I'll stop beating myself up over this.
>I just know I could have done more...
>It was my fault. How could it not be? Nina would be alive right now if it wasn't for me.

>>217526
>You're right... I'll stop beating myself up over this

>>217526
>>I just know I could have done more...

>>217526
>I just know I could have done more...
Feel like this leads into explaining our situation in more detail, probably better all round to it sooner than later.

>>217526
>>I just know I could have done more...

>>217526
>I just know I could have done more...

>>217526
>I just know I could have done more...
>But you are right if I keep beating myself up I'll just end up causing more problems by doing something stupid

>>217526
>>I just know I could have done more...

>>217541
>>217526
Like what caused Raiden and Yamato to act like they did*
Recurring theme

>>217526
>You're right...
but,
>I just know I could have done more...

>>217541
>>217548
I'll back these two, because I think it's hard to expect Ryoji to just instantly stop beating himself up.

So do you guys remember how Principal Wei didn't remember who Saki was... I can't help but think that he maybe have more than just old man memory loss

>>217551
This is it exactly. It takes a while to get over something like this. Girl literally died in his arms, you don't just 'stop' thinking about that.

>>217557
I happen to agree. There is something not fully up about his memory loss. It's also why I'm wondering about why we don't remember Nina. I have a bit of a what-if considering we would have met her first had we stayed. Would we have known who she was when we met her the first time? My theories tell me...No.

>>217557
.................That'd explain the ass backwards way he handles the school.

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>>217557
Oh.

Ohhhhhh.

OOOHHHHHHHHH.

Fffffuck.

>>217561
He hadn't been to the DW yet, so probably he would.
We had two chances that I recognize for actually interacting with her, with just the first one allowing the memory to be kept while the other one would at least give us a hint of what happened.

>>217566
True, I think it's likely that he would, but that leaves some other interesting questions.

We forgot our parents. And we forgot Nina...There has to be some sort of correlation, right? Not to mention that every image shown of Nina has her with white hair.

Of course, I could be grasping at straws here.

>>217576
Half sister?
Childhood friend AND cousin?
I dinae lad.

Chihiro also has white hair too.
Anyway, I'd say the meta reasons are one, but the in universe reason might be to erase your identity starting with the background, because at this point Ryoji is basically a personality + memories that are born at the start of the quest.
If enough was erased he'd probably end up just a personality?

>>217576
Oh yeah she can't be a sis because the order guys confirmed Ryoji has no siblings.

>>217597
Well that throws theory A mostly out the window, but some of the other suggestions you listed may still be in play. Unlikely though it may be.

>>217588
If Booker had managed to stirr us up into putting Ryoji on course for a romance with Nina and then revealed her to be his sister, I would have clapped so god damn hard my hands would have fallen off, that would be fucking gold

>>217604
>implying anons give a shit about incest
It only makes them harder.

>>217604
That would be a masterpiece

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>I just know I could have done more...

"We all think we could have done more," Maro replies.

You shake your head. "Yeah, but I know I could have done more. If I were able to feed that thing that's inside of me... give it some of my memories, I could have become stronger. Strong enough to save her."

"This thing... this is the parasite? The demon? The thing that makes you... what you are?" Maro asks.

"Yes."

"And to feed it, to make it stronger..." he begins. "Isn't that exactly what Yamato did?"

"Yes... but-"

"Ryoji, do you think Nina would have wanted you to become like Yamato? The man who held us under his control? Against our will?" He mutters. "I know Nina. She would rather die than see you become that. By not giving whatever it is power... you made the right call, Ryoji."

Maro shakes his head as he walks off to join the others. He says it was the right call... but it just doesn't feel like it. Maybe that's the Archdemon talking, wanting you to feel as if you need it, that you have to feed it... dammit, you're starting to get paranoid. For now, you have that journal to hold onto who you are. You wrote your entry on Nina first. You aren't ever going to forget who she was again.

Hoping to move past it for now, not to dwell on the negative thoughts, you find yourself returning to your dorms. Kosuke catches you as you enter the lounge, your hands buried deep in your pockets. "Hey man... you okay?" he asks.

"I'll be fine," you shrug. "Just... expect me to be pretty gloomy for a while. What's happening on the homefront?"

"The class is freaking out," Rini explains, as she sits on the lounge's couch. "The Kobashis have arrived."

You look out into the hallway as you see a smiling Saki accompanying two adults with her, both dressed in some fine suits. Her mother's suit gives off a very noticeable cleavage. Wow, you wonder if Saki will grow into... those. Saki seems to be showing them around, and introducing them to whoever passes by.

"My room is through here, and-"

"Ah, you must be Saki's parents!" Ken approaches with a smile on his face, extending a hand in offer of a handshake. "I'm Ken Tajiri. I'm a friend of your daughters."

Saki's father, a tall and stone-faced man, brushes past Ken without so much as acknowledging him. Not hard to tell which side of the family Principal Wei is on. Saki's mother accepts the hand-shake.

"Pleasure to meet you Ken. I'm Sakamae Kobashi," She smiles, though as soon as Ken walks on, her smile fades into a look of disdain, as she pulls out a tissue and begins wiping the hand she touched Ken with. Saki sighs upon seeing this.

"What a pair of snobs," Rini mutters. "Someone should teach them a lesson. You got any ideas, Ryoji?"

>I think I might have a few tricks up my sleeve...
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.
>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

>>217625
" Her mother's suit gives off a very noticeable cleavage. Wow, you wonder if Saki will grow into... those. Saki seems to be showing them around, and introducing them to whoever passes by."

This makes it seem like she is introducing people to her mom's boobs

>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks
Maybe after these guys really get into his gears

>>217625
>I think I might have a few tricks up my sleeve...
But
>Someone else will have to do them Saki made me promise to stay away from them.

>>217625
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.

>>217625
>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

>>217625
>I'd rather ask them some questions first
Like why can't Wei remember Saki. Is it really because of an Archdemon? And how involved is this family with the Darkworld?

>>217625
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is, and I promised Saki I'd stay away from them.

So does the demon use memories every time it heals us? If so it would be worth it in the long run to feed it a bit to get stronger and hopefully require healing less often

>>217625
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.
>I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

>>217658
That is a very interesting question. And may help explain the questions about Nina

>>217625
>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

>>217625
>I think I might have a few tricks up my sleeve...

>>217625
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.

>>217625
>I think I might have a few tricks up my sleeve...

>>217625
Seconding this >>217637
Also, Maybe later we can call our parents and she if they know about nina and maybe Try to recover some memories of them and nina
Alice seems to remembered a bit about her family after some stimulus
But it could be akward

>>217615
>>217615
>Implying its only the anons

Just wait until I've got that Chihiro and Alice story Booker suggested on twitter done, son

>>217679
Yeah I hope we will actually go through with looking her up

>>217679
I think there is a significant contingent of anon's who do want to know more about Nina posthumously. So I think we'll get our wish.

>>217625
>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

>>217625
>>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

CAn we please at least give JUSTICE bro an idea or two? When even he says they need to be brought down a peg..........

>>217679
>Hi so uh, are you my parents?
Would certainly make for an interesting conversation.

>>217689
Ded waifu

>>217702
Um, he hasn't actually said anything of the sort. Rini said that they should be taught a lesson.

>>217707
Never underestimate the power of dead waifus. Maybe she can haunt Ryoji as a friendly ghost for a while.

>>217625
>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>217713
50 bucks on her spirit being inside Ryoji
Rolling for a strange version of that patrick swayze movie

>>217713
I just imagine that our Archdemon, in a last ditch effort to get some food manages to conjure up some ghost of Nina to goad him into feeding.

>>217625
>>I think I might have a few tricks up my sleeve...
Oh c'mon guys we don't do any delinquent shit really, lets make an impression eh

>>217707
>>217713
Waifus appearing briefle and helping as a force ghost is a common mecha anime cliche.

>>217725
>giving booker ideas like this

ANON WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON

>>217625
>>I'm not really in the mood for pulling pranks, as tempting as it is.

>>217727
Well technically Ryoji is a meat mecha being piloted by a spooky demon

>>217729
Oh come now, I doubt that'd happen.

>>217726
Normally I'd agree with you on that, but for me it doesn't entirely fit with our having something of an existential crisis right now. Although I could see it being something Ryo did to take his mind off the shittiness of the rest of his life I guess.

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>Sorry, I told Saki I'd stay away from them.

"I understand," Kosuke shrugs. "You want to respect the wishes of the girl you like. I can respect that. We'll probably come up with something on our own."

"So, Saki asked for you to stay away from her parents, huh?" Rini asks. "What, did she think her delinquent boyfriend would embarrass her in front of her snooty parents?"

"First off, I'm not her boyfriend."

"Really?" Rini yawns. "That still hasn't happened yet? There's a rumor going around that the two of you got together right after you returned. I think Chihiro started it."

"Chihiro definitely started it," you reply.

Saki's father wanders into the lounge area and begins to survey his surroundings, with his nose upturned and a disgusted grimace on his face. You remember Saki telling you his name a while back... Mitsuo, you think. Mitsuo Kobashi. Saki approaches him from behind, he short stature being towered before him. She catches a glimpse of you, then notices her father looking towards the three of you, as she begins to panic. "Dad, is there something you needed in here?" she asks. "Because there's so much to see on the tour!"

"Look at them," Mitsuo sneers. "Those delinquents."

"How can you tell that they-" Saki begins, but she is soon cut off by her father.

"Just look at them," Mitsuo explains. "If you can't recognise the common rabble at a glance, then you really must be stupid, Saki."

"I... I'm not stupid," Saki mumbles. "I'm head of the class..."

"Yes, because another boy died," Mitsuo snaps, causing Saki to slink back. Her usually headstrong self appears to have disappeared, replaced by a scared little girl. "If you can't succeed on your own merits, did you ever really succeed?"

"N-no..." Saki mumbles.

"I didn't hear that," Mitsuo replies. "Care to repeat?"

"No, I didn't..." Saki replies, more clearly.

"Exactly. Until you do that, why would you expect your Grandfather to have time for you?"

Saki nervously bites her bottom lip. "I... let's go meet with my homeroom teacher, Akihito-sensei! I'm sure the two of you will get along!"

"Good. I'd like to question exactly what kind of ship he's running. Most of your classmates look like they've escaped an asylum." Mitsuo places his hands behind his back and marches forwards. Saki nervously looks over to you and mouths that she's sorry before following him.

"What an ass," Rini mutters. "No wonder Saki's the way she is. Can't imagine his approval comes easy."

You shake your head. You really wish you hadn't told Saki you'd stay away, because Mitsuo deserves a good fist to the face. You should probably come up with something to fill your day with until Nina's memorial assembly, to keep yourself out of their hair.

>I should visit Rei. I'm not even sure if Akira knows I'm back yet.
>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.
>[WRITE-IN OPTION]

>>217761
>>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.
Oi, what a right cunt.

>>217761
>Commit ritual suicide
By that I mean
>Go ask Reiji about our family and past, maybe get him to help us with the Nina/journal deal

>>217761
>>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.

>>217761
>>I should visit Rei. I'm not even sure if Akira knows I'm back yet.

>>217761
>Based godoth as some disgusting patrician
Nooker go hang yourself, way out of line

>>217761
>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.
Oh boy, I do think we'll want to set up some sort of prank later today, but I think we should wait until it's all come to a head...And it's going to happen soon.

Im the meantime, I want to go to Akira, especially since I expect Taka to be there eventually, and we should speak with Tekina about the theories the crazy cult had, but the last thing Ryoji needs right now is to wallow with the other sad sack.

>>217761
Get back to writing in the journal, maybe ask the others for help if necessary.

>>217761
>>I should visit Rei. I'm not even sure if Akira knows I'm back yet.
I kinda want to do something about the whole Saki family business but nothing comes to mind. Might as well go check on Akira since it's been a while.

>>217761
>>I should visit Rei. I'm not even sure if Akira knows I'm back yet

>>217761
>>[WRITE-IN OPTION]
Teach that snooty jackass a lesson, set up a prank and give him a mad wedgie or something

We need to find a way to torment or kill this demon, otherwise we Ryoji will slowly lose his memory and control to the demon. Whatever power it offers now isn't worth the possible destruction later.

>>217794
Addendum to my prank idea, I think we should get into a serious injury in front of him and make him think it was his fault, then walk off like it's nothing

>>217761
Visit sayeka, for god sake we have ignored her since the start and she can help us a lot.

>>217804
>make him stab us then laugh it off

>>217761
>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.

>>217797
We already are tormenting it. We haven't fed it. We STILL haven't fed it after all the temptation. That thing is probably on it's last legs already.

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>I should find Sayeka. The Darkworld is returning, and she's likely to have had some weird vision.

You make your way towards Sayeka's dorm room, and knock lightly on the door. It swings open with Chihiro on the other side. "Ah, Ryoji!" she exclaims, wrapping her arms around you. "It's so good to see you haven't forgotten me!"

"He's not for you," Alice adds, as she sits on the bed.

"Now, now Alice!" Chihiro tuts. "Not everything is about you!"

"No, he's here to see her!" Alice points at Sayeka, who is calmly sitting at the bedside desk, a book in her hands.

"Oh... interesting," Chihiro smiles coyly. "And here I thought Miss Kobashi would be introducing her boyfriend to her parents."

"We're not dating," you sigh, thought you know for certain how Chihiro will respond.

Sure enough, she winks. "Ryoji, you don't have to keep it a secret from me! Now, Aunt Alice and I were just about to go for a stroll, so you and Sayeka can have all the privacy you need! I won't tell Saki!"

She leads Alice out the door and shuts it behind her as you shake your head.

Sayeka smiles. "I love Chihiro," she states. "At first I didn't want her as my roommate. Now, I can't imagine anyone else in the position."

"What'cha reading?" you ask, leaning slightly against the desk.

"Rashōmon. It's a great story," she explains, flicking over the page. She hasn't looked up at you yet. "I've had other visions."

"Really?" you ask. "Has that mass death one changed?"

"No... it's still there," Sayeka sighs. "But I've had another. One I doubt any of us can prevent."

"And what's that?"

"A night," Sayeka answers. "A very, very long night. And it's coming soon."

>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>What do you mean by a long night?
>All these visions must be rough on your mind.

>>217846
>>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>>What do you mean by a long night?

>>217761
>I should visit Rei. I'm not even sure if Akira knows I'm back yet.

>>217846
>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>What do you mean by a long night?
Oh boy...

>>217846
>How soon? Do you know exactly when?

>What do you mean by a long night?

>>217846
>>How soon? Do you know exactly when?

>>217846
>How soon? Do you know exactly when?

>>217846
>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>What do you mean by a long night? Is it the darkworld?

>>217846

>How soon? Do you know exactly when?

>>217846
>>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>>What do you mean by a long night?

>>217846
>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
Goddammit now we're going to get stuck in the Darkworld aren't we?

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>How soon? Do you know exactly when?
>What do you mean by a long night?

"The Darkworld is returning, and when it comes... I fear our next journey there will be a lengthy one," Sayeka explains. "I don't know when for certain... all I know is that it is happening soon. The long night is close at hand."

"How do you not know exactly?" you ask. "You've seen it in your vision, right? You can't make out a date at all?"

"Unfortunately nobody in my vision with holding up a calender," Sayeka replies, raising an eyebrow. "I wish they did. It would make things so much easier."

You sigh. "Well, I guess that's all we can go off of... but what is the long night, exactly?"

"It's exactly as you imagine. When the Darkworld would come in the past, we would remain there until someone kills that guardian. This is usually accomplished in a matter of hours... we won't be so lucky next time. Perhaps the guardian is stronger or well hidden, or perhaps there are several guardians, but for whatever reason, we won't be leaving that place within a matter of hours. Far from it."

"Damn..." you mutter. "That doesn't sound good. Especially when your disturbing death vision is still in effect."

Sayeka nods. "I'm afraid so."

There is a brief silence between the two of you, before she motions towards Chihiro's bed. "Aren't you going to sit down? You don't have to stand like that. I feel like you're interrogating me. I'd hate to think our relationship boils down to you asking me questions about my visions."

You move past Sayeka and sit yourself down on the edge of the bed. She swivels in her chair to face you. "I'm sorry about what happened to Nina. I understand you're taking it pretty hard."

What is she? Your therapist?

"I feel like I could have saved her," you explain. "If I had just done something..."

"I understand how you feel," Sayeka replies. "Believe me, Ryoji. I do. I know what it's like, feeling that you could have prevented an unfortunate outcome... the guilt is unbearable. I don't know what else I can say to you, Ryoji. You have my deepest sympathies, and if you want to talk about it... we can go for a walk together."

"A walk?" you ask.

"Yes, just the two of us," Sayeka smiles. "A peaceful summer day... I could go for one right now. It would be nice to learn more about you, Ryoji. If you want, I'll even call it a date when people ask. Do you want to go?"

>Sure, why not?
>Sorry, I need to visit Rei and Akira. Maybe some other time.

>>217909
>Sure, why not?
Therapy Ryoji needs therapy himself.

>>217909
>>Sure, why not?

>>217909
>>Sure, why not?
Can we develop this character please?

>>217909
>Sorry, I need to visit Rei and Akira. Maybe some other time.

>>217909
>Sorry, I need to visit Rei and Akira. Maybe some other time.

>>217909
>Sure, why not?

>>217909
>Sure, why not?

You don't need to call it a date though, people keep seeming to think I have these ulterior motives for hanging out with them.

>>217909
>>Sure, why not?

>>217909
>>Sorry, I need to visit Rei and Akira. Maybe some other time.

>>217930
I'd like to add what this guy said in addition to my previous support of 'Sure, why not?'

>>217909
>Sure why not

>>217909
>Sure, why not?
Yup we need to finally take this character path after fifteen billion refusals.

>>217930
>>217936
I think she's just making a joke about the fact everyone will consider it a date no matter what either of them say.

>>217909
>>Sure, why not?

>>217962
Well, one could argue it to be a joke counterpoint. If you wanted to look at it that way.

>>217909
>Sure, why not?

>>217914
Therapy would be nice, but would nothing to solve the core problems. Namely "there's a cult after us" and "there's a demon inside my head". The Cult seems to be stronger than Class 3 and also have more resources so there's no way of beating them head on. I guess we can wait for the demon to starve out but who knows how long that will take, and what the consequences of that would be. And on top of that we have the Darkworld to deal with.

Feels like we're trapped with no way out.

>>217966
Well, of course. But I think he just needs to vent. And there are few people I think who he could properly vent to. Why not a more or less neutral party like Sayeka?

>>217966
It would take countless 'therapy' sessions to make Ryoji able to cope with the guilt. One little talk isn't going to fix things. When we're alone the thoughts may creep up on us and spiral us further down into despair and such.

>>217975
>>217982
I think Ryoji would be better able to deal with his guilt if he had a clear goal like in the earlier threads.

Early on, Ryoji's goal was to get Alice and hopefully obtain information about the Darkworld from her. Sure, Ryoji was weak and useless in combat, but if he could succeed in getting Alice he could potentially receive useful information that could help everyone, maybe even get a clue about ending the Darkworld. There's no time for brooding when there's a clear goal to be worked towards.

Now, not only is Alice's information incredibly vague thanks to a demon eating her memory, but Ryoji has his own demon to deal with. On top of that, there's a cult out to get him and is willing to kill his friends to get to him.

So in conclusion, not only is Ryoji just as weak as he was before, but his problems are worse. And unlike before, he has no goal to work towards that could potentially fix those problems.

>>218047
Killing the archdemon would solve our problem

I think this fits Archedmon and Ryoji's relationship.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QXNtLaOnSE

>>218047
That, and to put it plainly, this is something that would take months or even years to get over and that's if he's lucky

>>218063
The Cult would still be around and willing to fuck with people in order to get more Archdemons.

The Darkworld would still be around.

Ryoji MIGHT get powers like the rest of his classmates, which would make still him weaker than Class 3, who in turn are weaker than the cult.

That's not including the other Archdemons running around.

And that's assuming killing the Archdemon would have no consequences at all. Maybe the cult will get pissed off and kill us out of spite anyway. Maybe the Archdemon will try to fuck with our head one last time since it's dying anyway. Maybe another Archdemon will possess us since it's now an open space.

And we still don't have a clue about how to end the Darkworld.

>>218063
Killing the archdemon would turn Ryoji extra killable, extea powerless, and probably not fiz the darkworld issue considering there is more than one archdemon


>b-but muh
Sayeka just said a long night is coming, how is Ryoji supposed to survive if he doesn't even have regen?

What you are suggesting would be about the same as saying "let's solve maybe part of the problem then uh... Quit Darkgate academy I guess since we're now at extra risk".
It's only even somewhat sensible if he got normal darkworld problems after doing it, but that is a big IF.

>but mai shounen protag mentality
:^)
Bro

>>218114
B-Buh my kill everything mentality.

Listen your not wrong, but you don't convince people with strawmen.

>>218114
>I'm incredibly autistic and I have a great lack of understanding
You fit right here :^) I never said to kill him before the long night.

>>218130
What about my post is a strawman?

It's been about 3 threads with the same bullshit over and over again.
Thick headed attempts to just charge at things thinking their simplistic "kil mr bad guy" approach will solve everything, ans giving no consideration to, well, everything

What about this is not a shounen mentality?

>>218085
This made me think about what the Stranger's theme would actually be, and the one song that comes too mind for me is this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1shKVh98-E&index=14&list=PL86h966U8nZBusXByqkLBTYeW6JblHKJz

Though ideally, the same in a lower more antagonising voice would be ideal, but no such cover seems to exist

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>Sure, why not?

Sayeka smiles. "Good. I'll be honest, for a while I was beginning to think that you wanted to avoid me."

You shrug. "Huh... I can see how I could give that impression. Sorry."

"No, I found it endearing!" she laughs. "With so many people in school vying for my attention, it was nice to see someone who didn't prioritise spending time with the school idol above all else. It was also funny seeing Seishiro lose his mind over your refusals."

The two of you exit the dormroom and begin to walk along the school grounds. "My father is a carpenter," she says as you walk along.

"Huh?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.

Sayeka grins. "I'm just making conversation. I thought I should start by telling you a little about myself, unrelated to our current troubles. So... my father was a carpenter. Not exactly glamorous. People look at me and imagine I'm from some rich family. They're always surprised to hear of my simple background. I'm the third of five children."

"Smack dab in the middle, huh?" you remark. "That must have been rough."

"I certainly feel like I had to work more for my parent's attention," Sayeka laughs. "But they did love all their children equally. Early on, I made it my duty to help out as much as I could. My mother, as wonderful as she is, couldn't keep a clean house with that many hyper-active children in it, so I helped her out."

"Pretty noble of you," you laugh. "I'm starting to get the feeling that you don't have a single bad bone in your body."

Sayeka shakes her head. "I don't want you thinking I'm some kind of saint. I made my fair share of messes too. I was a child. I remember stealing a chocolate bar from a store once. The lecture my father gave when he caught me... he told me that there was no honour in what I did, and that there was no dignity in it. My father was a simple carpenter, but we still had enough money that I could afford a single chocolate bar. What I had done was unnecessary and undignified, he told me... and if there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was a lack of dignity."

"He must have gotten that issue out of you," you reply, "Dignity and grace are your default settings now."

>>218132
>autistic
Yeah sure

>hurr guys let's go and do something without actually considering the consequences
Look, killing the archdemon before ending the darkworld would possibly mean a very frail Ryoji.
Ending the darkworld would probably mean ending the archdemon as a result.
If you do end the archdemon before ending the darkworld you need to consider things and gathee more information.

Stop trying to charge blindly into an idea, you'll end up with an illusion that it HAS to be correct.
>b-but you autist! Thinking about things is stupid, baka!

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Sayeka nods. "He's a good man, my father. When I was seven years old, he told me that I should strive to be someone others could count on... a piece of guidance I took to heart. I dedicated myself to upholding that value. When my ability emerged... that complicated things. I found myself in a compromising position, which greatly hindered my reliability. A great power... but the ramifications of it weren't as great."

She stops in her tracks and tilts her head in thought. "I imagine you're going through something similar, Ryoji."

"What do you mean?" you ask.

"You've found yourself with a great power," Sayeka explains. "I don't know what happened to you during your time imprisoned, but since you've returned, you've been unsure of yourself. I've noticed it. I recognise that face. It's one I've worn many times. You've discovered something new, haven't you? Something related to your status as a Darkworlder."

"Yeah, I have..." you mutter. "I've learned that I can feed the thing inside me, and I'll become stronger. Only problem is, it feeds on my memories. If I ever tried to feed it, it would take some of my memories. I've already lost all knowledge of my own parents, and Nina seemed to have known me at one point in our lives, but I couldn't remember her."

"And yet, you're still considering feeding it," Sayeka replies.

You nod your head. "If I fed that thing... Nina could still be alive."

"Then perhaps you should have," Sayeka replies, "But then you run a risky gambit, Ryoji. Where do you draw the line at situations were you should and shouldn't feed it? Did you know for certain that Nina would die if you didn't feed it? With these powers... we walk a fine tightrope. To use them is a great risk."

>How do you deal with your visions?
>Our situations aren't the same, Sayeka. I know I could have saved her.
>You're running that risk by telling me about your visions, aren't you? Maybe I should run the risk as well.

>>218155
>>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218155
>>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218155
>>You're running that risk by telling me about your visions, aren't you? Maybe I should run the risk as well.

I dont agree with it, but it's the thing that most fits.

>>218155
>>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218155
>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218155
>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218155
>>How do you deal with your visions?
I wanna say something to keep ryoji a bit mopey still and push her away a bit before she gets any ideas, but damnit I don't to push ryoji in the direction of feeding the darkworlder even moreso

>>218155
>How do you deal with your visions?
It is amazing what happens when we actually take the time to talk to characters. Sayeka could easily become a very very good friend.

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>>218155
>How do you deal with your visions?

Wait. The reason why Archdemons eat memories and personality is because there's not enough room in the human mind, so they have to get rid of stuff to make space. So in theory, if there was more room they wouldn't have to eat memories to get in and share power.

Of course, increasing the space of a human mind isn't plausible. But what if there was a place to store demons externally and call them at will?

>>218155
>>Our situations aren't the same, Sayeka. I know I could have saved her.

>>218206
I think the headspace is only part of the reason, as much as I would like some SMT stuff... after all the thing is starving which implies it must be fed, sticking it in a comp wouldn't work unless we could feed it the internet or something.

>>218155
>I saw the dice sayeka. Feeding the demon would have saved her.

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>>218220
Feed him the order. Punish the wicked
Ok jokes aside, probably either side right now is too much of a gamble, it'd best to keep the status quo until we learn more or something significant happens to push us out of it, but gotta be really significant.
If we feed we run the obvious risks
If we get rid we run the obvious risks.

>>218220
>after all the thing is starving which implies it must be fed

Demons eat too in SMT. See Magatsuhi in Nocturne.

Magatsuhi which is "born from the flow of strong emotions and humans have an abundance of it".

Also, what do Darkworlders normally eat when they aren't possessing humans?

>>218155
>>How do you deal with your visions?

>>218245
Don't forget in SMT1, The Hero's mother was eaten by a demon.

>>218245
Good question.
Each other?
Maybe the weak ones just feed on human emotions or whatever?
We can't know just now, but for all we know the archdemons being the strongest ones couls be the only ones with such feeding pattern.

When daisuke died, the darkworlder didn't eat him right?

Hah, now im imagining us turning the archdemon into something like those weapons from Godeater and using other dark worlders to feed it.

>>218310
Oh if only.

>>218310
Get an archangel?

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>How do you deal with your visions?

Sayeka shakes her head. "Ryoji... I don't. I don't deal with them. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Everything I see... I feel. I feel the guilt, the shame during every horrific vision I have. I know I may seem like I have everything in order... but to be completely honest with you, Ryoji? I clueless... and scared. I never asked for this ability. I don't want it. It's a curse. I wish I was blinded... that a bird would come along and peck my eyes out, so I'd never have another one of those damned visions. I've seen so much death, Ryoji..."

She hangs her head low, and you do the same. "It never gets easier, does it?" you ask.

"Of course not," Sayeka replies. "You never get used to seeing those you care about fall in such... detail."

"I feel so helpless..." you mutter. "Like we're slaves to these powers. Nothing good has come of them."

"Don't lose your hope," Sayeka speaks up. "It may seem bleak, but I believe the both of us can eventually find peace with what we have. After all..." She smiles. "I had a rather pleasant vision of something that happens to you today."

You raise an eyebrow. "Hard to believe anything good happening to me today," you reply.

"Start believing, because I've seen it."

"What is it then?" you ask.

Sayeka smiles as she wags her finger. "Ah, I can't tell you! It might not come true if I do... and I really want it to come true!"

You're left wondering if Sayeka actually did have a vision, or if she's just trying to boost your mood. Either way, you carry on with your walk.

An apple falls from a tree branch and manages to bounce off your head. You rub the top of your head as you look up above to find... Akemi in the tree.

"Oh, sorry Ryoji!" she exclaims. "I was climbing to grab that apple and... hang on..."

Without warning, she lets herself drop from the tree branch. She's pretty high up, so you make a concentrated effort to catch her in your arms as she lands.

"Oof! Hey, you caught me!" She smiles. "And you didn't fall over! Nice!"

"Akemi..." Sayeka begins. "Why were you climbing a tree for that apple?"

Akemi picks the apple off the ground and rubs it on her shirt, cleaning the apple but dirtying her already messy clothes. "I was hungry."

"But why climb a tree? There's a fruit bowl in the dorm lounge..."

"This one looked really tasty!" Akemi laughs, munching into the red apple. "I wanted it!"

She looks over at you as you place your hands back in your pockets. "You look down, Ryoji! You need your buddy Akemi to cheer you up?"

>I welcome you to try.
>Sorry, I'm not in the mood right now.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

Well guess that confirms that the route lock is possible in this thread.
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>>I welcome you to try.

>>218322
>I welcome you to try.
Alright Akemi, time to see what weirdness you try to pull off.

>>218335
>Saki route lock inbound

HALLELUYAH

WE'RE IN FOR IT, LADS

BUCKLE DOWN

Booker, if you do it well, I'll go through with a saki/ryoji fic idea i've had since last thread i didn't plan to write. And trust me, you'll like it

>>218322
>I welcome you to try.

Is Akemi newest best girl?
I feel like she would make ryoji the happiest long term, and cure him of being a delinquent.

>>218335
Why do you immediatelly assume it's that?
I fully expect Booker to cuck Ryoji for another thread or two, there wasn't much indication of Saki changing her mind

>>218391
I expect Saki to develop romantic feelings for Ryoji just as Ryoji is forced to feed the Archdemon a chunk of his memories.

>>218391
I feel like the combination of the worry over su being kidnapped, and her relief when we were okay made her realise her feelings.

Also it makes sense that it would be the good vision.

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>>218381
best girl and best pairing for ryoji is different things

Saki will always be best for Ryoji, followed by Chihiro in second place

But Satomi will always be best girl

ALWAYS

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>I welcome you to try.

Akemi hops up and down with excitement. "Yeah! Okay, Royji! I'm going to turn that frown upside-down! We're going to have some fun!"

Sayeka smiles. "I think I'll leave the two of you to it, then."

As she walks off, Akemi takes you by the hand and drags you around. "Now, where to start... Ice-cream! It's summer, and everybody loves some ice-cream!" she exclaims, before pausing. "Wait... I don't have any ice-cream. Well, I do... but right now it's just water and whipped cream I left in the freezer. I have to wait for it to freeze over first."

"That's not how you make ice-cream," you mutter.

"It's not?" Akemi scratches the back of her head. "Oh well... I'm inventing a new iced food! We can try it out later! You can be the first person to chow down on... uhh... Akemi cream!"

Terrible name, for many reasons. You couldn't even begin to list them.

"Let's see..." Akemi thinks, "Me and Isamu have been working on a dance routine! Do you want to see it?"

"I don't think a dance routine is going to take my mind off of what's happened..." you reply.

Akemi pouts. "Ryoji... I know what happened was terrible. I get sad just thinking about it! But that doesn't mean you can let sadness beat you! Come on! You aren't going to be all gloomy are you?"

"A person died, Akemi..." you begin. "And I could have prevented their death. I appreciate the effort, but you're not going to be able to cheer me up!"

"Don't be so defeatist, Ryoji!" Akemi protests. "I didn't fall in love with a defeatist!"

Damn, after all that happened... you had forgotten that Akemi had confessed feelings for you. Now she's throwing "love" about... you told her not to give up hope, and she said she's happy to just be friends... maybe it's the cynicism inside, but you can't help but think it's actually tearing her up inside.

"Akemi... I think I'm just going to go," you reply, slowly making your way back towards the dorms.

"No you don't!" Akemi exclaims, as she pulls you back. She raises her right hand and smacks you right across the face. "I want Ryoji back! I missed you while those bad guys held you prisoner... but now that your back, it doesn't feel the same! I want to have fun with my best friend!"

>Then you're selfish. All you care about is having fun, and enjoying yourself.
>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

>>218442
>>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.
But I'm just...not really in the mood for 'fun'. Maybe later.

>>218442
>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.
Well, I knew someone was going to have to slap his shit.

>>218442
I don't know which way to vote here... But man, I feel bad for Akemi calling us her best friend since even THEN she's still competing with Saki for that too

Poor gal, she's in a rotten situation

we need to shift her attention to Isamu, the bravest soul among us. and the most perverted, but hey, nobody's perfect.

>>218442
>>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

>>218442
>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.
There could be some interesting developments in the other choice, but I don't have the heart to choose it.

>>218459
Yeah, the other choice is clearly the more INTERESTING one, and the one I'd most like to see Ryoji say for the sake of drama... but I really can't do it to Akemi, she's too sweet

>>218442
>>Then you're selfish. All you care about is having fun, and enjoying yourself.
Guys I know we should be nice to Akemi but this feels more in character, you know?
Ryoji is down for legitimate reasons, having some random slap dislodge that is cheap

>>218442
>>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

>>218469

I'm gonna hate myself for being mean to Akemi, but I can't at all say you're wrong, so...
>>218442

>Then you're selfish. All you care about is having fun, and enjoying yourself.

>>218442
>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

>>218442

>Then you're selfish. All you care about is having fun, and enjoying yourself.

>>218469
I'll change my vote to it, but I doubt it'll get chosen. That's why I put the little added bit on there to show that Ryoji still isn't in the best of moods.

>>218469
Acting all depressed about it all the time is pointless though

>>218519
I mean it's been less than 24 hours since Nina's death... I think it's okay to be sad for at least a day.

>>218545
This. You don't get over something like that in just a day.

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>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

Of course, you still don't feel any better about your current situation. A slap to the face isn't going to magically fix that, but it did help break your mind away from the drain of despair it was quickly sinking down. The sudden shock of the slap, from Akemi of all people, a girl who probably doesn't even know the meaning of the word violence, was enough to break your mind away from the negative thoughts, if just for a moment.

"I didn't want to do that," Akemi pouts, "But I can't sit by a watch you become like this! I'm going to help you see the bright side of life, whether you like it or not!"

You shake your head. "You don't need to be so forceful in the future," you joke, rubbing your cheek. "The last few days have been... tough, to say the least, but I think I can make it past this. Especially with all you guys looking out for me. I'm just going to need a few moments to myself for the next while... I get it's frustrating, but I'll be back to my old self before you know it. I promise."

Akemi smiles. "I sure hope so! I don't ever want to see you unhappy again! You deserve to be happy forever!" she exclaims. "We all do!"

She comes in close and hugs you tight. Even with her face over your shoulder, you can tell she's blubbering a little. As you can expect from Akemi, they're tears of joy.

A bell chimes in the distance. "What was that?" Akemi asks, breaking away.

You take a deep breath. "It's time for Nina's memorial service."

The two of you make your way inside the school and into the main auditorium. A wreath with a picture of Nina rest on the main stage, with an "In Memoriam" banner hanging across it. You look to the side, and see Saki being forcibly dragged by the wrist by her mother. "Mom, I don't want to wear that-"

"You'll wear it and you'll like it!" her mother exclaims, pulling her away. "I will not have you embarrass your Grandfather and this family!"

You shake your head. Considering how awful Wei is, you had hoped that Saki's parents were at least a little nicer to her. No such luck.

Speaking of Wei, the school principal actually decided to show his face, as he shares a few words with his son, before walking off. Neither man so much as cracks a smile.

You move forward, and take a seat in the front row of chairs. Unfortunately for you, Sakamae and Mitsuo Kobashi decide to take the other front row seats, as Saki's father plants himself directly to your left. You remember what you told Saki, but you and her father a bumping elbows at this point. Perhaps it would be even worse if you didn't at least introduce yourself.

>Try to introduce yourself.
>Stay silent.

>>218575
>Try to introduce yourself.

>>218575
>Try to introduce yourself.
That worked out better than expected. And that is why I trust in the Bookerman. Problem isn't gone by a long shot, but it did alleviate some of the spiral, at least for a moment.

This next moment is going to end in failure though. But well, it was going to fail either way I think.

And it gives us a neat technique to use if and when we go to the nurse's office today.

>>218575
>>Stay silent.

>>218575
>Try to introduce yourself.
Time to crash and burn in a storm of social awkwardness

>>218575
>>Try to introduce yourself.
If he gives us lip at this funeral we should break our own finger to freak him out or something, teach his stuffy ass a lesson.

>>218575
>Try to introduce yourself

>>218575

>stay silent
We already know how he treats people that introduce themselves to him from his interaction with ken. No need to go out of our way for someone who would treat us like trash.

>>218575
>Stay silent.
To respect the promise we made to Saki as well as for respect of nina's memorial, we should avoid causing a scene

>>218575
>>Stay silent.

>>218620
Yeah, you have a point. I'll let them be the one to piss us off, not us. Then we can get the motivation to do shit later if they irk us more.

I'll switch to

>Stay Silent

>>218575
>Stay silent.

>>218575
>Stay silent.

>>218575
>>Stay silent.

>>218442
>Thanks, Akemi... I think I needed that slap.

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>Stay silent.

You're going to respect Saki's wishes. Besides, after how you've seen them treat people, you don't want to interact with them at all.

As people begin to pool into the auditorium, you make note of how many seats are filled. All of Class 2 and Class 1 have shown up for the service, even if barely any of them even knew who Nina was. Class 3 are completely absent... they must feel like they've already given Nina her memorial service. This school event is an unnecessary repeat in their minds.

Wei takes to the stage and firmly plants himself in front of the microphone. "Today, we bid farewell to a young, bright student of this school. Nina Nagata of Class 3 was sadly taken from us in the prime of her life after a tragic accident."

That's one way of putting it. You assume Wei is sparing the first years of all the grizzly details so as not to alarm them. You've always wondered how in the loop those kids are to everything.

"I remember when Nina first arrived at this school, a fresh-faced transfer student," Wei continues. "Even then, I could see the potential she had. Today, I am at a great loss."

Wei continues to give Nina a lengthy eulogy before requesting that everyone bow their heads in silence out of respect. After the moment of silence has passed, you then notice the piano on stage. You then realise why Saki was dragged off like that.

"And now, Saki Kobashi of Class 2 will be playing a short piece in tribute."

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Saki nervously steps out onto the stage in the same dress she was stuffed into during the school dance. She looks over to her parents, wide-eyed, as she takes a deep breath and sits herself down by the piano and begins playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJInGGAPZgI

An absolutely beautiful piece. You don't know what kind of music, if any, Nina enjoyed during her life... but you like to think she would appreciate this. And Saki is giving it her all on the piano, her face scrunched in tight focus... amazing.

"She missed a note," Mitsuo whispers to his wife in a disappointed tone.

She did? You didn't even notice. You doubt anyone other than Mitsuo himself noticed. As you look back towards Saki, you note that you were wrong... Saki definitely noticed, and his shows. Her face is much more unsure as she place, a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead. She nervously bites her bottom lip, and seems to be holding back tears.

She finishes up the piece, receiving respectful applause from the audience. Saki takes a quick bow before rushing off the stage, and leaving the auditorium.

You shake your head and follow her out into the hallway. You find her crying to herself as she paces back and forth.

"You okay?" you ask in a concerned tone.

"No... I missed a note, Ryoji."

"Who cares?" you reply. "It was just one note. Nobody even noticed. Everyone thought it was beautiful."

"Dad noticed!" Saki replies. "He cares! And mom cares! And now I'm going to have to hear it all over again... about how I'm not good enough, how I'm letting my family down, and this is why my Grandfather doesn't want me..."

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I let them stuff me in this ridiculous dress... I wanted to do something to pay my respects to Nina, but I also wanted to show them that I could... I could..."

Saki loses her cool and begins breaking down, tearing at the sleeves of the dress. "What do I need to do? Why do my own parents treat me like this? Why... why aren't I good enough for them?"

>Screw them, Saki. They're a pair of jerks.
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>>218742
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>>218742
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>>218742
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.
>But I do, and so does the rest of the class.

>>218742
>>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.
then go in for a hug and mybe a kiss to cheer her up

>>218742
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.
I did wonder when this particular piece was going to be making its way into the quest.

>>218742
>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>>218795
>fuck her silly in front of her parents

>>218795
Over the shoulder hug, yes. Kiss, FUCK NO. We haven't gotten that prompt yet.

>>218742
>>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

>>218808
ontop of the piano hitting all the right notes>>218816
i said mybe calme your tits mate ahah dosnt matter if we dont get the prompt we make one:P

>>218808
>Stare 'em in the eyes to establish dominance.

>>218825
"Wait Ryoji... We need a condom!"
"Hell no, I am making sure those stuck ups are gonna have delinquent genes in their grandchildren! INCOMING!"

>>218742
>>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>218837
Rolling for pregnancy.

>>218742
>>Screw them, Saki. They're a pair of jerks.
>>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

Rolled 8 (1d8)

>>218843
Rolling for how many babby
Twins?
Triplets?

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>218837
then feed the the demon to get made dicking powers that are out of this world

>>218846
DELINQUENT GENES, TOO STRONG.

>>218846
An thus, a new TLC show was born.

>>218846
MAX BABY

>>218846
we have feed the demon to get dick powers but in the procse we have forgoten about the many kids we have pumped into her

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>>218846
Fuark
We octomom nao

>>218849
It clearly paid off

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>218857
then one of the babys starts to eat all the others in the womb tilll theres online 1 left but its now stronger from the feeding

>>218867
man my rolls suck

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>218867
Rolling for highlander shark baby to help ye my man

Rolled 78 (1d100)

Rolling for shock from Saki's shitty relatives.

File: Saki17.png (273 KB, 719x572)

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>They're blind. They have no idea how great you are.

Saki shakes her head. "I'm not great..." she sniffles. "If I'm so great, my Grandfather would want to speak to me. If I was so great, I wouldn't be so ashamed of my best friend meeting my parents. If I'm so great, I wouldn't have missed that damn note!"

"Saki, you need to stop beating yourself up," you reply. Pretty rich coming from you, considering the number of lectures you've been given today, telling you exactly that. "Your parents... Wei... they're idiots. The rest of us appreciate you for who you are. You don't have to wear a ridiculous dress or act all fancy to impress us. We all love you just the way you are. You don't need to impress anyone."

"Ryoji... I really wish that were true," Saki mutters, "But it doesn't work like that. These are my parents! The principal is my Grandfather! I've dedicated my entire life to following in their footsteps. To go against them... they'd disown me. Could you imagine being disowned by your own parents, Ryoji?"

"I can't," you answer, "Because I can't even remember my own parents."

"I... what?"

You shake your head. "The... thing inside my head, that caused me to be like this... it feeds on memories. It took everything I knew about my parents from me. Everything."

"Ryoji..." Saki mutters. "I'm... I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," you reply. "My point was that you shouldn't try to let those assholes try to shape and define who you are! You're the great Saki Kobashi, the most headstrong person I know! You can stand up to them!"

Saki takes a deep breath, as her face turns to one of determination. "You... you're right. I can... and I should! I can-"

"Saki!" Sakamae cries out, as Saki's confidence immediately washes away, replaced by fear. Her mother rushes up and grabs her by the wrist, dragging her off. "I certainly hope you weren't conversing with this common delinquent!"

"Mom, I was-"

"That was a shameful display in there," Mutsuo adds, stepping into the picture. "To miss that note, then to take such a short bow... disgraceful. And now you're talking with some filthy troublemaker? And... and you've ripped your dress."

Saki stares meekly at the tear she made in the sleeve of her dress. "I... I just..."

"I don't even know why we came out here," Mitsuo shakes his head. "I'm ashamed of you. Your mother is ashamed of you. Your Grandfather is ashamed of you. You've been nothing but a disappointment."

Tears flow down Saki's eyes as her parents continue to berate her.

>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.
>Keep your distance. She'll be able to stand up for herself. She needs to.

>>218915
>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

>>218915
>>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

>>218915
Saki if you don't stand up for yourself now I swear I am going to deck your Dad in the dick

>>218915
>>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.
Fuck you, fuck this, fuck that damn nonsense. Yes I am mad. This is much worse than Yamato

>>218915
>Keep your distance. She'll be able to stand up for herself. She needs to.
Trust in Saki. And then, failing that, we have to consult the crack team

>>218915
>>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

>>218915
>>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

>>218915
>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.
>And by that I mean my fist is stepping in.
>To your face.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>218915

>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.
Hopefully this will make her stand up for herself.
Feel the rage of the Delinquent!

>>218938
Nah they be talking shit about Ryoji's waifu.
He's going to "reeeee"

>>218979
Oh I won't complain about the direction this has taken. I had hoped that she would be the one to instigate her dramatic stand, but I'm okay to throw a little spittle their way.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>218915
>>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.
>>218967
this man
not only have they been totale dicks the whole time they have been here they have been like this to her, her whole life, time to tell them to shut the fuck up and go fuck themslfs and plan a prank on them befor they leave you know the old stick stuf on head then feathers thown on them

>>219027
y do i even borther
sorry man>>218967

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>219027
At least you got dubs.

Here, check em

>>219037
ahha thanks lests that something, thow im fillling we are going to need some ausome rolls to deal with the shit storm thats going to happen from this. ether a fight or witty smck talk

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>219027
>>219027
I'll throw my hat in the ring on this one

although I did promise the dice gods once that i'd stop rolling ever again so if this is like, a 2, you know who to blame

>>219069
well it wasnt quit a 2 but damm we arnt having any luck are we? time to kill a goat

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>219142
No, we pray to Doomguy. Trust me

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>219142
I'll give it a whirl!

Holy shit guys, it's almost been an hour. This is going to be big...

Good, get all the shit rolls out before they kill us.

>>219172
I feel that we fucked up a little.

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>219175
But what if we get 100

>>219172
Shitstorm incoming.

I bet Saki's dad will hit us

>>219177
Oh I think its possible we have. But I can't exactly blame anon's for the straw breaking the camel's back.

>>219172
the fucking Stranger is going to come out and do something

its going to end very badly

VERY
BADLY

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>That's it, I can't stand by anymore. I'm stepping in.

You've had enough. You know you said you would try to stay away from them, but there's only so much you can take. You look at Saki. You look at what they are reducing her too, and you find yourself moving towards them. Next thing you know, you find yourself speaking. "You know, you two might just be the most sorry excuses for parents I've ever seen, and I saw some parents trying to murder their damn kid once."

Mitsuo takes a break from berating his daughter as his head slowly turns to face you. "Excuse me?"

"You need me to repeat that, old man?" you fire back. "I'll be glad to. I'll shout it from the rooftops as long as there's a chance it might get through your thick skull."

Sakamae crosses her arms and huffs. "Well, I can say students never spoke to their elders like this when we attended this school! How rude!"

"I'm rude?" you laugh. "Calm you gigantic tits. You two have been wandering around this pace treating people like garbage! Don't you think the people here have it bad enough without you morons dumping on them as well?"

Mitsuo exhales sharply from his nose in anger, like a pissed-off bull. "I'll give you one chance, and one chance only to apologise for speaking to us like that."

You cross your arms. "I'll apologise to you whenever you apologise to your daughter."

"Excuse me?" Mitsuo asks. "I don't think this is any of your-"

"You don't know how great you two have it. To have a daughter like Saki... this girl is compassionate, kind, talented, beautiful and she cares so much about making the world a better place, but you two morons have your heads so far up your own asses you can't even see it! You two like to think you're so much better than everyone else, but you're dumb as bricks!"

Saki keeps her head low, and even jumps a little as her father addresses her. "Saki, who is this little shit who doesn't know his place?"

Saki pauses, keeping her head low. She glances over at you, before taking a deep breath.She arches back her shoulders, taking on a confident stance, and closes her eyes before speaking. "Mom, Dad... this is Ryoji. He's my best friend."

"What?!" Mitsuo snaps.

Saki calmly opens her eyes. "You heard me. He's my best friend in the whole world... and the two of you can go to hell!"

She storms off, as her mother looks on shocked, and her father seethes with rage.

You shrug. "You idiots have the best daughter in the world. You don't deserve her."

You chase off after Saki as she continues to storm through the hallways. "Where are you going, Saki?"

"Ryoji, I just told my own parents to go to hell..." Saki replies, her voice cracking. "I'm officially a delinquent now. And so... I'm going to the roof."