Persona 4, a colliding playthrough topic

This was a playthrough topic by colliding which appeared in late 2010. Unfortunately, the end of the topic was not recorded, at least not by the user creating this page. If anyone else has the conclusion it would be greatly appreciated.

Pre-Gaming
I hook up the PS2 to my second tv. It's a monster that measures 32 inches and weighs more than a modern 50-inch flatscreen. The worst part about it is that it doesn't have a/v inputs. Yes, apparently I've found the only tv in this day and age that still needs a r/v cable. So I have to hook the PS2 up to the - get this - VCR, and then I connect the VCR to the TV. Awww yeah, I'm rollin. Needless to say, I'm not expecting too much graphically from the game because of the poor quality of my hardware.

The first thing I do is I read the instruction manual front to back. It's a colliding tradition. I probably put way too much stock in a game's instruction manual / box art. Theoretically, it should have no impact on a game's quality, but it's always a nice touch when a game has a nice presentation. Persona 4 has a pretty good manual; it's in full color with lots of pictures and "cool" stuff, like a handy Persona glossary and a Japanese culture primer.

I fire up the PS2 and watch the two openings, already posted above. They're pretty good. I like the second opening better than the first: it has actual gameplay footage and a better song. Still I prefer the openings for P3P a bit more. Better music, more artistic, better at getting me psyched up to hunt shadows and date girls... just better all around. So as far as "openings" go, the winner is: Persona 3 Portable.

Naming a Character, The Velvet Room, and an Unexpected... Stiffening
I start a new game, and the familiar music of the velvet room begins to play.

The Velvet Room: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSuP-HFDU8I

This time it looks like I'm in a limousine. Across from me sit Igor and Margaret, who made a cameo appearance in P3P. Igor says pretty much the same stuff he said in P3P. Blah blah, power, blah blah contract. Whatever. I don't care, Igor, you're annoying and inexplicably mysterious. So yeah, this was a pretty pointless way to get me to enter my name. Instead of putting my actual name, I enter in some Japanese nonsense, because I learned from P3P that I'll be annoyed the rest of the game when they call me "English surname-chan" and whatnot. I guess the MC has a "canon" name, but I'm too bored to look for it, so I just go with "Kaoru Takemoto", a mixture of an actual exchange student I know (Nao Takemoto) and Kaoru (yes, from Evangelion). I really didn't put much thought into it at all, and for the rest of the playthrough I'm just going to go as "I", so let's not dwell on my poor naming abilities, hmmm?

Then this cutscene plays: Cutscene "Arrival": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0MqI2K-Wg ...Very nice, Persona 4. Very nice. ===='''Day One: 4/11 Meeting the MC, the family and a strange dream Forecast: Rain'''====

The opening anime cutscene of the game tells me a couple things. One: Television/mass media, consumer culture, etc will play a large thematic role in the narrative. The news is all abuzz over an alleged affair between a politician (who's married to something called an "enka" singer... time to check the instruction manual) and a local newscaster.

Two: I like the main character's design MUCH more than P3P's. As awesome as he was in the game, let's be honest, the MC of P3P kind of looked like a hot topic douchebag. It was the hair I guess. This guy is a big improvement. In fact, judging purely from concept art/ instruction manual, I'm willing to say as far as character design/illustration goes: Persona 4 is the winner.

I'm picked up from the train station by Dojima and Nanako, my foster family. Apparently, my parents were big-city hotshots who had to work overseas for a year, so they dumped me off in this craphole town named Inaba with the relatives they never talked about. Dojima's a cop and is gone all the time, and as far as I can tell Nanako is one of those creepy latchkey kids with asperger's. Great. We stop for gas, and the attendant starts talking to me. God, I hope I don't have to work here. We finally get to our house, eat dinner and watch tv. Exciting! The news is talking about the affair. Nanako says, "This is boring." Yes, Nanako, it is.

The game doesn't really let me do anything except save and go to sleep. So that's what I do. There was some food in the fridge, but I didn't eat it. That night I have a weird dream, asking me if I'm looking for the truth. Who am I, Miles Edgeworth? Anyway, sure, I guess I'm looking for the truth. I walk straight through the white screen until I get into a weird boss fight with a shadow figure... my Persona maybe? I hit it, I cast Zio on it, I pretty much do everything I can to it, but nothing happens. It eventually disappears and I wake up the next morning.

===='''4/12: First Day of School, New Friends, and... A MURDER Forecast: Rain'''====

Today is the first day of school. I walk Nanako to school and continue on. On the way, a guy crashes his bike. He looks in pain, so I leave him alone... which is exactly what I would have done in real life.

My homeroom teacher is a real **** named Mr. Morooka. He's got a really nasty overbite and is obsessed with telling us kids to stop hooking up with each other. He's jealous, cause he knows that by the end of this game I'm gonna "maxsociallinkloversroute" alllllllll the girls. He asks me to introduce myself and I respond by saying "you calling me a loser". This causes my "courage" to increase.

At this point it dawns on me that I should've named my dude Kenny Powers... or rather, "Kenshiro Powerzaki" or something equally incorrect.

This girl in a green tracksuit offers up the seat next to her. Geez, this is too easy. I don't even have to try and all these country bumpkins want a piece of this city slicker stud. Chie is sorta cute for a tomboy, but I gotta say... her voice acting is... overbearing? She sounds more like a "mom" character than a female student. Her friend Yukiko has totally got it going on though. To round out the group we've got Yosuke, the dude who crashed his bike earlier. He returns Chie's dragon dvd, which was presumably broken during the bike wreck. Chie says something about the trials of the dragon and if my memory serves me threatens to pound Yosuke's nuts into the dirt. Picking up some definite Junpei vibes from this guy, which is a good thing.

School lets out, but apparently there was an "incident". There are cops all over, and the staff tells us to go straight home. On our way home from school, some weird dude just up and asks Yukiko out on a date and she turns him down. Apparently she's never gone on a date? Dude, I'm so totally going to hit that. Just when I'm about to put my mack on we come up to a crime scene which totally kills the mood. Doraji is there, but he's tight-lipped with the details. Rumor has it that it's the newscaster who had the affair; rumor also has it her body was found hanging upside down from an antenna. Some awesome young detective runs by and vomits everywhere. I sort of wish I could play as Doraji and this young detective dude.

The game sends me home for more tv watching with Nanako. She sings the Junes song again. It's cute, I guess. I can't leave my house. I can tell this game is going to be really awesome, but right now... it isn't. It's actually really boring. P3P was like this also. I just hope this intro stuff is over with soon so I can get to social links, skill boosting and dungeon crawling.

===='''4/13: First visit to Junes, the Midnight Channel, and it's still really boring Forecast: Cloudy'''====

On my way to school, Yosuke wrecks his bike again and finds himself in a garbage can. This time I actually help him. The day goes by pretty much as normal. I pay attention to Morooka's lesson and my "Knowledge" increases.

After school, everyone is talking about the murder. Yosuke offers to take me out to dinner for helping him out earlier. Chie overhears and says that she's also owed for her Dragon dvd. Yukiko is headed back to assist with her family's inn. (Apparently, the murdered newscaster was staying there before she died). We head over to Junes, the new department store/food court. Time passes by over amicable small talk.

While there, Yosuke sees Saki Konishi, an older girl whose parents own the liquor store. Saki also works with Yosuke at Junes, which is managed by Yosuke's parents. Saki apparently was the first student on the scene of the murder of the newscaster, though she keeps this a secret from everyone else. Much is made of Junes, and it's detrimental effect on the local businesses. After Saki takes off, Chie mentions an urban legend called "the Midnight Channel": on rainy days, if you stare into your television at midnight, you will see the face of your true love. Yosuke rightly calls this the stupidest thing he's ever heard. Still, they all agree to give it a shot tonight, if for no other reason than because THERE'S NOTHING TO DO IN THIS PODUNK TOWN.

That night I hang out with Nanako some more. Conversation is.... less than stimulating. So we watch tv again, which provides us with some more exposition about the murder. Saki herself is on tv, her voice and appearance disguised. Dojima shows up in the middle of dinner and promptly falls asleep. I feel you man.

At midnight, I turn off the tv and stare at it until I see an image of a girl in the blank screen. I put my hand up to it, and it disappears into the TV! Then I start to fall in, but my tv is too small, so I just kind of get stuck halfway inside. I extract myself with a thud. I tell Nanako not to worry about me; she probably thinks I was doing something in appropriate.

God I can't wait for this prologue to be over. ===='''4/14 - Bladder control issues, TV time, and ENTER TEDDIE Forecast - Rain'''====

In class, the history teacher is dressed like an Egyptian. She asks me if I know what A.D. means. DUH LADY. My Knowledge increases. Chie, Yosuke and I talk about our experiences with the Midnight Channel. I ask them if they fell inside their tv last night. They also saw someone on the screen, but they scoff when I tell them of my Ringu-like ability. Saki is absent today.

After school we head to Junes to look at television sets for Chie. Yosuke tries to sell her one, but it costs more than her broke ass parents make a year. They're still making fun of me for falling into my television, so just to bust their chaps I put my hand into the tv at Junes. Yosuke and Chie freak the **** out, and Yosuke begins to lose control of his bladder. Like the showboating idiot I am, I put my head into the tv as if it were a lion's mouth. This causes them to lose their **** completely (not literally) and as they run around, Chie all in a frantic tizzy and Yosuke doing the pee-pee dance, they run into me and all three of us go spiraling into the tv world.

The place we find ourselves in is covered in mist, and barely resembles an old film set. There are spotlights and a stage and some scaffolding. The party spends way too long talking about how messed up it is, so I suggest we look around a bit. Chie looks at me like I'm an idiot and whines some more about wanting to leave. Geez. Get it together, already.

Finally, we decide to wander around. Just when I think the game is finally gonna let me move my character again, it turns out it's just more cutscenes. I press the x button tirelessly. Everywhere we go is covered in mist. We eventually get to a room where the mist is very light. In the center of the room is a noose and chair. The walls are covered in posters of the enka singer whose husband had the affair with the murdered newscaster; her head is clipped out of each poster. It's all coming together.

We leave in search of an exit for Chie and a bathroom for Yosuke. He tried to whiz on one of the enka singer's posters, but he got performance anxiety in front of Chie and I and now it's about to ooze out in his sweat. We gotta get out of here so Yosuke doesn't pee himself. Just when all hope is lost (I'm about to strangle Chie for being annoying and Yosuke's bladder is about to swell up and break his ribs), we're saved by a giant blue bear(?) in a red unitard, with disproportionately small legs. He's probably scarier than anything we've seen so far in the tv world. I'm surprised Yosuke doesn't pee all over himself at the sight of the big eyed monstrosity. This is Teddie, and he lives in the tv world. He tells us we shouldn't be here, and that more people have been showing up here. He summons a stack of pink tvs and sends us back to Junes. This game is weird.

Back in the real world, we go our separate ways and decide to watch the Midnight Channel tonight to see what happens. We can assume Yosuke made it to a bathroom safely and Chie continued to be a big baby. On the Midnight Channel, I see a girl... probably Saki. ===='''4/15 - Another Murder, Our Future's so bright we gotta wear shades, and PERSONA Forecast: Rain'''==== Dear diary: Today is a busy day. This morning I am treated to an anime cutscene of another body, this one hanging from a telephone pole. It's Saki's. An assembly is called wherein her death is announced to the student body. Yosuke is shaken by the news. Adding to what would already be a traumatic event, he confesses to Chie and me that he saw Saki in the Midnight Channel the night before. The gang theorizes that the Midnight Channel is somehow showing these victims before their murder. Maybe the announcer and Saki were thrown into the tv world, which somehow caused their deaths in the real world? If so, who's the person throwing people into the tv world? Yosuke says he's going back into the tv world to investigate, and Chie wants to stop him.

Everyone meets at Junes after school. Yosuke shows up with a rope wrapped around his waist and a golf club. Somehow, I don't think that's gonna work. I offer to go with him but I say that I'm worried about Chie. This causes my "understanding" to increase. What? There's more than just Academics/Charm/Courage in this game? Oh great, as if I wasn't going to be busy enough trying to get all the social links! Anyway, Chie holds onto the rope and we dive headfirst back into the Junes tv. Then the rope breaks. Yeah, I knew that would happen...

Inside, we immediately run into the mysterious bear, Teddie, whose name I knew already because I read the instruction booklet. I don't like when Teddie stomps his distractingly tiny feet... it's frightening. He accuses us of being the ones throwing people in here, since we're showing up willingly. Yosuke and Teddie get into a really dumb and long argument about this, loosely summed up as follows: Teddie says that he needs proof that we're not the culprit, i.e. the person throwing other people in here. We ask Teddie about what he is and what this place is, and he doesn't know anything about the film set... it's just him and "shadows" that live here. Yosuke takes off Teddie's head, revealing nothing inside, as if he were an animated mascot suit or something. I try touching Teddie and he falls on the ground and wiggles like a thirteen year old having a candy seizure. Sigh. It's all really tedious.

Eventually they finally stop bickering like idiots and we decide to head to where Saki was in the tv world, but not before Teddie hands us some kickass shades. These bad-boys not only make us look like cool hipsters, but they also make the mist around us disappear. Teddie takes us to where Saki was, and it looks exactly like the liquor store in real life that Saki's parents own. We're barely there when we're attacked by Shadows.

Cutscene - First Battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcF8gbuiA8w

Aww yeah. Finally, something cool happens! I wield my trusty golf club and my new Persona, Izanagi, against the shadows. They're balls with tongues, and really weak against Zio. Tutorial battle complete! Izanagi looks really cool, and is a big improvement over Orpheus. Yosuke is totally grateful for me saving his pathetic behind, and Teddie now worships the ground I walk on, calling me sensei. Yeah, it's pretty good being me.

We head inside the store and it's not very long before we start hearing voices: mostly people talking about Saki, about how she went to work for Junes even though it put her parent's store out of business, about how she pretends to like Yosuke but really she thinks he's annoying... hey me too! Then a second, EVIL YOSUKE appears and starts giving Yosuke a hard time for sucking so hard. Hey, ease up dude, it's not his fault. He says that the only reason Yosuke came to the TV world was for something to do, not because he really cared about Saki. Well, duh! If I lived in a boring town like Inaba I'd jump into a tv also! He eventually turns into a boss. I beat him pretty easily because he's also weak against Zio.

After the battle, Yosuke admits that sometimes he thinks some ****** things, and as a reward for being honest with himself he gets his Persona, Jiraiya. Yosuke theorizes that maybe what's been killing the people in the tv world is the person's other self. Teddie mentions that whenever the fog lifts here in the tv world, the shadows get crazier, and this corresponds to when the fog sets in in the real world. Things are beginning to make sense. Teddie conjures up the TV stack and we head home.

Upon arrival, Chie socks Yosuke so hard his headphones travel around the world and hit him in the face. She's just been blubbering the whole time and runs away. On the way home, I spy Yukiko in her kimono, sitting under a patio in the rain. I sit with her for a while. She talks a little bit about her inn and Chie, and then we split up. Back home, I watch more TV with Nanako, and coincidences of coincidences, Yukiko is being interviewed. She's taking over the inn management business while her mother is sick. How is this related to the murdered newscaster staying at the Amagi Inn, I wonder?

The day's still not over yet. At midnight I watch the Midnight Channel. A girl in a kimono appears. It's probably Yukiko, but I can't tell for sure. In my sleep, Igor and Margaret visit me and fill me in on my Persona, my contract, social links and persona fusion. They give me the Velvet Key so I can go to the Velvet Room whenever.

After all this, the game finally deems me intelligent enough to press triangle to look at the main menu. Progress! ===='''4/16 - Thou Art I... and I am Thou, Yukiko's Missing, and JESUS CHRIST PERSONA 4 STOP HOLDING MY HAND Forecast: Rain'''====

On the way to school I run into Yosuke. I tell him that we've gotta be the ones to save these people from the TV world, because obviously, the police in this town are morons. I sense a faint bond of friendship with Yosuke. The screen flashes and that familiar music plays. "Thou art I... and I am thou..." Yosuke is the "Magician" social link, filling the role of Kenji from P3P. Kenji, if you recall, was your best friend who had an illicit affair with a teacher. Yosuke is your fellow Persona user; his parents are presumably rich since they run a Junes franchise. Advantage (Magician S. Link): Persona 4

At school, Yukiko is absent. Chie apologizes for yesterday's hysterics. I guess freaking out about your two friends falling into a TV is understandable! Chie is a little worried, because like me, she thinks the person on the Midnight Channel last night was Yukiko. However, when she calls the inn, it turns out she's there helping them work. She gets mad at Yosuke for making her worry. I guess Chie's kinda cute when she isn't over-reacting to things.

We go back to Junes to investigate what we saw on the Midnight Channel the night before. Instead of full on going inside the TV world, I just kind of put my hand in and try to get Teddie to come out, and that mother bites me! I can just imagine a hand appearing out of nowhere and that weird tiny-legged freak of nature waddling over to take a bite out of my dominant hand. Anyway, Teddie says there's no one there. HMMMM. Well, that was pointless.

After this there's a scene with Dojima and the young detective at the crime scene. I like these two characters, but this scene is utterly pointless and full of exposition. Like the game is screaming "HEY PLAYER! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON? IF NOT, HERE'S THIS SCENE TO SUMMARIZE EVERYTHING YOU MORON!" I guess you learn some important stuff, like about how the politician and enka singer both have alibis, but still, it's a really dull scene that lasts way too long. And why the **** hasn't the game told me that young detective's name yet?

That night I watch the Midnight Channel again. I see Yukiko acting... rather strangely.

Cutscene - Yukiko's Midnight Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwxP8G1OvAA

Yosuke immediately calls to tell me about the massive rager he's got going on in his pants right now. I tell him to calm down and call her, but he doesn't have her number. He calls Chie instead, and since tomorrow is Sunday, we promise to meet up first thing in the morning. ===='''4/17 - Nanako does laundry, Samurai Yosuke, Weapons Shopping and Into Yukiko's Castle Forecast: Sunny'''==== I wake up the next morning to find Nanako doing, what else, watching TV. I swear, this girl is going to be so messed up as she grows up. I wonder what happened to her mother? I'm sure there's a story there. Anyway, I feel kind of bad about leaving her home alone, but I do it anyway. It's sunny, so she's gonna do some laundry. Enjoy my unmentionables, Nanako!

At the Junes food court, Yosuke shows up wielding knives and a katana. He asks me which one I like and I go with the katana, because I feel the need to overcompensate. He starts being all "Star Wars kid" in the middle of the food court, and we get busted by the cops for being morons. "We're just two ordinary kids who like weapons..." Man, Yosuke rules so hard. For now though I still believe Junpei>Yosuke, but that could change.

At the police station, Dojima rightfully calls us out for our stupidity. Maybe it's not a bright idea to go waving around weapons when there are serial murders taking place? Still we get let off with a warning, and our weapons are confiscated. We run into the "young detective" also, and he starts flapping his gums about sensitive information like Yukiko being missing, and her being a suspect in the murders. This guy... is the worst detective ever isn't he? (Gumshoe says hi).

Chie randomly shows up at the station and fills us in on what we already know about Yukiko. I should mention that since it's Sunday, everyone is in their casual clothes. Chie is basically the same except her trademark green track jacket is unzipped. Yosuke wears like a white motorcycle jacket. I look about the same. Still, it's a nice touch. Chie takes us to a weapons store downtown... how she knows about a weapons store and WHY there even IS a weapons store downtown are mysteries, though Yosuke thinks it has something to do with Chie's obsession with kung-fu movies. Yosuke gives me 5,000 yen to buy stuff with. I get us both armor and buy him a knife. I'll stick with a golf club!

Amazingly, the game lets me walk around the shopping district. FREEDOM! SWEET MERCIFUL FREEDOM! I talk to people and check out the sights. There's a bookstore, a pharmacy, vending machines, restaurants... and there's the Velvet Room. I briefly talk to Igor and Margaret in the limousine. They give me access to the Persona Compendium, which means that Shuffle Time is just around the corner. Yes! Back in the real world, I buy one of every soda in case I find an NPC who wants one. I talk to everyone. Mostly people are just talking about the murders, although apparently there is a fox living at the shrine. The game won't let me look for it though. There's a lot of closed stores, like a textile store and a barbershop. I buy some steak at a restaurant stand. I make a few mental notes about an impending book release and job postings, and then I head to Junes, because that's all I can do.

e pretty much jump right into the TV world. Teddie is here, apparently depressed. He can't remember anything about himself. So he's an amnesiac bear with tiny feet, and he makes bad puns. He takes us to Yukiko's Castle, which I saw the night before on the Midnight Channel. Chie rushes on ahead, and Yosuke and I rush after her. Teddie gives us some peach seeds and a soul drop. And just like that, I'm in my first dungeon!

It plays pretty much exactly like P3P, except it's pretty difficult to get "player advantages". I keep misjudging my distance from the shadows, so my pre-emptive attack keeps whiffing. Shadows are the same as before. Shuffle time is a little different: there's no longer any Experience/yen/healing cards... just persona cards, penalties and blanks. Even though the fights are easy, I get into as many as possible because the battle music is KILLER.

Battle Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzFl6sWHmXI

^Love it. I go through one floor of this, finding chests, chest keys, and locked chests, all the while fighting shadows. Yosuke is great so far; his attacks do more damage than my main (probably because I'm still using the golf club), plus he has Garu and Dia. I pick up tons of personas through shuffle time, and I eventually get access to most of the main elements (ice, light and dark are apparently not available). We find Chie on the second floor, confronting "Princess" Yukiko. We hear Yukiko's inner thoughts, just like we did Saki's. Yukiko seems to feel inferior to Chie, which causes Evil Chie to appear. Evil Chie says that Chie just uses Yukiko to make herself feel better. Her voice acting is really almost unbearable here.

Much like Yosuke, Chie can't handle the fact that she's a bad person, which turns Evil Chie into a boss fight. She's more difficult than Evil Yosuke, but still pretty manageable. After the battle, Chie accepts the fact that she's annoying and gets her own Persona, Tomoe. We decide to head back, since we've figured out that people are only dying when the mist lifts in the TV world. Since that period just recently passed, we figure Yukiko has got a while before she's a goner. Before we leave, Teddie gives Chie her own glasses. Yosuke and Chie appoint me leader, because I'm the only one who didn't have to go through the whole "facing your evil self" thing to get my persona... or didn't I? This establishes the Fool Social Link.

At home that night Dojima asks me if anything is going on. I lie to him. Nanako wants us to stop fighting and the issue is dropped. I go right to bed and thank God the prologue is over. ===='''4/18 - Flirting with Chie, Exploring the School, the Riddle Master of the Third Floor, and the Return to Yukiko's Castle Forecast: Sunny'''====

The next day Chie shows up at school and we sort of "decompress" after yesterday's events. Yukiko is still in the TV world, and Chie feels appreciative for us saving her from her evil self. She compliments me, so I say "Falling for me, huh?" but apparently I don't have enough "courage" to say that. So instead I meekly reply "Was that a compliment?" like a chump with no game. Yosuke's bladder flares up again, and while he's gone Chie confesses that there is something different about me, and that she trusts me. This starts up the Chariot Social Link. The game reminds me that I haven't yet asked Chie for her contact information. I try to ask her straight out, but again, I'm not courageous enough, so I play it off as needing it for TV world business.

In class, I'm asked to pick out a definite article. I'm not an idiot, so I pick the right answer and my Knowledge increases. After school, I finally get to explore it to my heart’s content. At first it seems like a daunting task. There are three floors in the main building, and a side building where all the sports teams and clubs meet. Also, there are tons of NPCs to talk to. I can tell this game is going to be murder on my OCD. I talk to everybody and examine everything. There's not much I can do yet, but people tell me that I'll be able to join a sports team starting tomorrow.

On the roof, there's a girl who can predict the weather. Even stranger still on the third floor is a student with an afro who specializes in riddles. He challenges me, because that's a normal thing to do in Persona 4, and of course I accept, because this is my FIRST QUEST! Quests were some of my favorite things to do in P3P, so I'm excited to get this started. His riddle has to do with color groupings. I'm smart enough to answer his first question, that all the colors in group A are "major" colors (i.e., not blended), but his second question having to do with are these major car colors or flag colors totally confuses me, and I say "flag" colors for some stupid reason. Of course, I'm wrong, so I guess I have to do this over again tomorrow.

I leave school and go back to the shopping district. I spend all afternoon bombing around town listening to "Your Affection":

Your Affection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ChrBp1pEGM

This song is my jam. First I go to the Velvet Room and fuse a Persona or two. Fun times. Then I go back to the Weapons store and sell a bunch of items. This adds a new item to the list. I don't really have any money right now, so I don't buy anything new. I pretty much talk to everybody and examine everything again, nothing new results. I check out the flood plain. Nothing going on there, except it looks like I might be able to fish there in the future.

In retrospect, I probably did the wrong thing here. I probably should have studied at the library or something, but instead I went back to the TV world. Dungeon progression/grinding takes place during the "after school" portion of the day instead of "evening"; this is a key difference between P3P and P4 that I'm going to need to get used to. Still, I made a lot of progression in Yukiko's castle. Chie has "bufu" so that pretty much makes my team pretty well rounded when it comes to defeating enemies and exploiting weaknesses. The battle music is still awesome, and the character models' idle animations seem perfectly synced with the music. On floor 3 or so, Princess Yukiko appears and makes us fight an armored knight. He's not weak to anything, but he kept missing my guys with his attacks, so it wasn't too difficult. Around level 6, the enemies started getting much stronger, and I noticed I was out of Magic points, so I used a "Goho-M" and got out of there. Here's another difference: no "clock" to heal myself with.

Back home, I was too tired to do anything except go to bed, so that's what I did. ===='''4/19 - Quest Success and Joining the Soccer Team Forecast: Sunny/Cloudy'''====

Before school, Margaret calls me and tells me that I shouldn't go to the TV world every day. No worries there! I don't plan on going back until right before my deadline. I make it a point to check the weather regularly for periods of extended rain. On the way to school, some students are talking about sports teams. I smell a Social Link!

First things first though, I go back to the Riddle Master of the Third Floor and do the riddle correctly. Yes! I got something for doing this, but I was so excited that I completed a quest I forgot what the reward was. Whoops. After that I go to the faculty office and ask Mr. Morooka about clubs. He accuses me of joining clubs only to meet girls... well, he wouldn't be too far off the mark in real life, but I'm doing this for PERSONAs man!

I have two options: basketball or soccer. I go with soccer. Coach just has me watch for today, but I can already tell that it's gonna be tough for these bumpkins to accept this city slicker new guy hotshot. After practice I talk with Daisuke, who's on the soccer team, and Kou, who is apparently the star of the basketball team. I help them clean up the field and the Strength Social Link is formed.

That night I go home and study before going to bed. Nanako watches the quiz show, because that's all she does. Seriously picking up some "rain man" vibes from her.

===='''4/20 - "A Great Man", and Hangin with Mr. Yosuke Forecast: Cloudy'''====

On the way to school, Yosuke asks if I ever tried putting my hand into the TV while someone was on the Midnight Channel. I tell him yes, but it just makes the image disappear. So no chance of instantaneously teleporting to Yukiko. In class, a creepy teacher with a sack puppet of himself asks Yosuke to spell millennium. I give him the right answer and my "Expression" increases.

After school I go to the bookstore and pick up the book "A Great Man". Funny that this book is being released on Hitler's birthday. "Persona 4; subconsciously turning you into a Nazi since 1999." After that I go around town looking for new social links. I sell more stuff at the store and get access to new weapons, but they're super expensive (10,000 yen each). Because of my OCD I talk to everybody, but nothing new happens. I go back to school and talk to everybody again, hoping for quests. Nothing. So I guess I'll settle for Yosuke.

We go out for some fried meat on sticks. Some passerbys start gossiping about Yosuke and about how he keeps ruining peoples' lives. It's tough being Yosuke. Magician Social Link Level Up! That night, Nanako welcomes me home with her trademark screen door of a voice. I go to my room and read "A Great Man" intently. It greatly increases my "courage"! I have to give Persona 4 credit here. Instead of making me go play videogames every night to raise my stats, it's at least making me read. ===='''4/21: Daisuke Defends Me and Further Readings of "A Great Man" Forecast: Rainy'''====

It's raining today, but Yosuke catches me on the way to school to tell me that it's going to be sunny later, so we don't have to worry about the mist. I figured as much.

Today marks the first day people have visited me at lunch. Daisuke reminds me that there's soccer practice after school. I take him up on it. After practice my teammates tell me that it's my responsibility to clean up. I don't really mind, but Prince Daisuke jumps to defend my honor, saying that it's everyone's responsibility and that they take turns. Daisuke cares about me! Social Link Level Up! Kou is there too. Is it just me, or am I picking up some latent attraction between those two?

At home, I keep reading through "A Great Man". It increases my courage a bit more. Downstairs, Nanako is stumped on Jeopardy. The answer is : "A person who cares for his daughter and provides a warm and nurturing environment for her". The question was "What is a father?", but of course Nanako wouldn't know that because she's always being neglected.

===='''4/22: More normal days and Yosuke and I visit the City Forecast: Sunny''' ====

Things have pretty much settled into a nice routine by now. I go to school, do a social link after school, and either study or read a book in my room at night. When the rain comes again, I'll go to the TV world to save Yukiko, so I don't get a game over. I'm betting that I'll be able to do it in one after school session, since it's the first one.

After school I browse around the town just checking to make sure I can't access any more social links. Part-time jobs start tomorrow, so there might be one there. I still can't find that fox at the shrine though. Since I can't find anything else to do, I decide to waste time with Yosuke. We take a train to Okina City. There's a lot more stuff going on here than in Inaba. He asks me if he's starting to sound like Teddie. All three options for my response suck, so I go with "No, but you're looking hairier". This makes three music notes sprout from his head. Wait, that was the right answer? Yosuke is totally stoked that he might be going through puberty finally.

He gets a spam text message. Apparently he hasn't made very many friends since moving to Inaba. He prattles on about his first world problems, which enables Yosuke to do a "follow-up" attack in battle. If I remember correctly, these were almost always useless once you figured out an enemy's weakness. Also, the Magician S. Link gained a level. I like how the game slowly introduces social links. Keeps me from freaking out about multi-tasking.

That night I read the Great Man again and I finish it! Woot! I make a mental note that the next book is coming out in May. ===='''4/23: Embarassing Yosuke in class, Get a job you lazy bum, and the Joys of Folding Envelopes Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Ever the creeper, I overhear some students talking about getting part-time jobs after school. You know, I have to wonder how these other students feel about me, always eavesdropping on their conversations with the same blank stare day after day. They probably think I'm a stalker. I make it a point to visit the bulletin board after school and get a job.

In class, the teacher in the Egyptian headdress is back. She asks Yosuke a question about early civilizations. I totally wasn't paying attention to her lecture and didn't think about the question very hard, and so I tell Yosuke that the commonality between early civilizations was that they were "between rivers". Unfortunately, the right answer is actually "they were by the riverside". Yosuke gets the question wrong, the whole class laughs at him and my expression fails to increase. *Sigh*.

After school I head into town and check out the available jobs. These include: Envelope Folder, Translator, Helping out at the Daycare, something about Origami, and one other thing... can't remember. In any case, I try to accept ALL of them, but most of them I'm either not diligent enough to do or lack understanding. My only two options are Daycare Assistant and... Envelope Folder. Man, I sure will pull down the chicks with my envelope job.

After weighing all my options and running around the city jamming to "Your Affection" for a while, I decide I might as well go work at the Day Care and hope a social link opens up. I guess I have a good time. At the end of the day, one kid is left waiting for their parents to pick him up. Oh God, it's gonna be Maiko all over again isn't it? I hated the Maiko Social Link. Eventually the little dude's mom show's up, and she's actually kinda hot. Is this gonna be a MILF social link? That would be awesome to go the lover's route with this lady and end up with a stepson at the end of the game. Nothing happens though, except my co-worker talks a little bit about the kid's hard life. I guess this is a "set-up" for a future social link.

After work, I settle down for a rewarding evening of envelope folding. I sit at my table and fold envelopes until my hands are swollen and knobby from all the paper cuts and cracked skin. I think about my friend Yukiko, stuck in TV world, and about Teddie's tiny feet, and I don't care about their plight, because compared to folding envelopes the TV world must be like a night on the town with someone you love. The folding increases my diligence and nets me a solid 1,000 yen. Joy. ===='''4/24 - Pipipipipipipipi, and Kou and Daisuke are secret lovers (probably) Forecast: Cloudy'''==== I have the day off from school today. I get a phone call from Daisuke asking if I want to hang out with him and Kou. I say sure. Probably should've said no, huh? We end up hanging out in the city again, like Yosuke and I had done previously. Nothing notable happens. That's it, this is the last time I waste my free day hanging out with you losers! I swear, the way these guys talk... there's no way their forbidden love for each other isn't eating up their insides. No Social Link level up, but it seems like that will happen soon.

By the time I get back home the day's been wasted. Dojima is actually here, but he's just sort of hanging around. No new developments. At least Nanako has someone to keep her company while her brain rots from too much television. I go up to my room and study. My knowledge increases, but it still feels like I wasted a day.

===='''4/25 - Japanese Crime, the Girl on the Roof, and "This one time in Band class" Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Today is the day I join a cultural club. On my way to school, Chie stops me and reminds me that our friend Yukiko is probably afraid, in pain, and hungry inside the TV world. Maybe I should stop neglecting her by hanging out with my lame friends, folding envelopes and reading books? Nah, she can rot! She'll be fine.

Later that morning, my gym teacher calls the class out for being tired. Lay off coach, it's Monday! He asks me what time thieves are most likely to break into your house in Japan. Maybe if I was more awake I would've figured this out, but I said 3PM. WRONG. It's 8 AM. Duh. I feel like an idiot.

When class is over, I research what clubs to join. Before I do that however, I talk to the kid in my classroom staring wistfully out the window. He's waxing poetic about spring, and about this girl he likes who hangs out on the roof. "The weird girl who predicts the weather?" I ask. Nope. He means the other one. He wants the skinny on her hopes and dreams. Time for a new quest! I talk to the girl up on the roof and she tells me she wants to be a veterinarian. Ooo-kay. I'm going have to talk to this girl every day to find out her life story aren't I?

Finally, I head to the Teacher's Office to ask Mr. Morooka about cultural clubs. I have two options again: Drama or Band. This is an easy choice because Drama is horrible and Band is awesome. I immediately join Band. The conductor introduces me to the club, and I tell them how much of a badass musician I am. After practice I talk a little with this weird girl Ayane. She doesn't play anything, she just "manages" them. I offer to help her clean up, because it's not fair to make the 10-year old manager do all the work. Wait, she's not ten? She's just really petite, reserved and awkward to look at? FRIENDZONE-DED. Anyway, this unlocks the "Sun" social link. Hopefully going to band practice will up my "expression" too.

That night I fold envelopes while Nanako silently cries during Final Jeopardy. ===='''4/26: Putting off Yukiko yet again, Helping out Chie with Perfect Numbers and Daisuke has girl issues Forecast: Cloudy'''==== On the way to school, Chie tells me it's going to start raining tonight. I've been checking the weather and it looks like we're in for three days of rain. All right, I guess it's time to save Yukiko... tomorrow. I have soccer practice today.

In class, our teacher brings up the mysterious fox. Apparently it can dig into the change dispensers of vending machines. So the fox is greedy? She quickly changes the subject to perfect numbers and calls on Chie. I clue in Chie about perfect numbers being half the sum of their divisors. It was an educated guess, but turns out it was actually correct! Whew, it's been a while since I answered a question right and I was beginning to feel like a doofus. It brings me closer to Chie and my Expression significantly increases.

At lunch, I'm visited by weird Ayane, who I turn down for after school band practice, and Daisuke. I tell Daisuke I'll be at practice for sure. After school, I go up to the roof and talk with the girl up there, and she tells me that besides animals she really likes reading. I go back to the dude to relay this information, but apparently I haven't talked to the girl enough, because the quest doesn't finish.

I head to practice and once again the other teammates want me to clear the field. Daisuke gets into a fit of protective rage, but Kou shows up and calms him down. When we're about finished some girls show up and want to see if Daisuke wants to hang out. Daisuke, who is either a complete blockhead or "playing for the other team", turns them down flatly. Kou and I both admonish him for being such a tool. Strength S. Link to Level 3.

That night, I'm not sure what I did. I think I folded envelopes. Whatever it was you can definitely believe it was mind-numbing and boring. I wish I could go to the TV world during evenings instead of after school. ===='''4/27: All right already, let's save Yukiko!, and I get my ass beat Forecast: Rainy all day'''====

It's raining today. Hard rain. Rain that means Yukiko will probably die in three days. I suppose it's my destiny to rescue her today. Before that though, I take a quick jaunt up to the roof to talk to the girl up there. She isn't there, I guess because it's raining cats and dogs. I talk to Yosuke and he tells me we're pushing it here. Gather everybody at the food court. It's time to end this! (I buy another Goho-M from Shiroku Item Shop just in case I need it).

When we get there, Teddie is tapping his tiny feet in fits of boredom and anticipation. Yeah, I guess I did put this off for a while, huh? We head to Yukiko's castle. The game lets me start from the floor I left off, which was 6. The hallways have turned a deeper shade of red and the enemies are stronger. The strongest enemies I fight are these little king monsters that look like gingerbread cookies. I get ambushed by two of them, and they both summon these giant babies with freakish strength. I'm finally able to finish them off when I realize the kings are weak to fire and the babies are weak to lightning.

On Floor 8 I reach a save point. I save. In the next room, I find Evil Yukiko and real Yukiko. Evil Yukiko has been running this "Prince" show to search for someone to save her from her boring life of responsibilities. She calls us three princes: Yosuke, Main Character and Chie. Wait, Chie? What about Teddie? His feet are tiny enough to fit in any glass slipper. The next scene lends itself to some bad over-acting from the voice actors. Anyway, Evil Yukiko confronts Yukiko about how much she hates being a semi-popular smart, attractive kid with a nice future ahead of her (it's tough being privileged), and this of course results in Yukiko saying "you're not me" and Evil Yukiko turning into a giant firebird in a cage.

I guess from her appearance that she's weak to ice, so I mostly just buff Yosuke and me and wail on her with physical attacks. She's tough though, and Chie is weak against her fire magic... like super weak. To make matters worse, she calls in a "cookie king" to be an assistant. He can cure her. Though if I cast Bufu on him, it knocks him down. When her health gets to be around half, she casts something on the cookie king to make him not so vulnerable to ice... and then she does her area attack that does huge damage to everyone and k.o.'s chie. I'm in a bad way. Yosuke has Dia, but it doesn't really keep up with how much damage this thing is doing. The cookie king casts "fear" status on me, so I can't act for a few turns. It's basically just Yosuke. The bird kills Yosuke with her cage attack. I'm still "afraid" and can't do anything. I manage to miss a couple attacks because of my increased hit/evasion, but eventually I get hit by the fire attack and ... I died?

I start over from the save point and hold "triangle" through the cutscene. I somehow manage to fare even worse this time. I died... again? I realize that I'm going to have to do some grinding. I go back down a floor and start killing things indiscriminately. I gain a couple levels for myself and the gang, and I eventually run out of SP recovery items. I guess I need to go back and try this again tomorrow, much as I hate to waste three days on the first dungeon. The save point on floor 8 teleports me back to the entrance, and I leave Teddie and the TV world with my tail between my legs.

That night I'm so tired and humiliated by the smackdown that Evil Yukiko laid on me I go right to sleep. Ouch. ===='''4/28: Another day of rain, Evil Yukiko: The Revenge, and Dinner with Adachi Forecast: Rain'''====

It's the second of a three-day stretch of rain. I couldn't quite save Yukiko yesterday. Today I plan to grind a little bit more until Chie learns Mabufu and try again. Nothing happens at school. I'm given the option to go to Band practice, but I turn it down just in case FOR SOME REASON I have to try again tomorrow, which I figure will be my last chance. I'm fairly confident I can do it today though. Also, have I mentioned I just don't like Ayane? She looks like a creepy doll. I wish I had taken Drama.

Before I head to TV world, I sell some materials at the metalworks and upgrade some equipment. Everyone has on Chain Mail now, and I got a new Katana. I equip the Fire Suppressor on Chie. I also fuse some personas. Nothing too noteworthy except for Titan, which gives me a pretty high Strength value. I enter the TV world, start from the save point, and work backwards. It only takes me five or so fights before Chie has learned Mabufu. I'm at least three levels stronger than I was the last time I tried.

So I try again. Blah blah, cutscene, blah blah princes, blah blah score a hot stud, blah blah I want to run away. I've sort of got the boss's pattern by now, so it's not quite as hectic as before. The fire suppressor does nothing; Chie still gets routinely owned each turn, but with Mabufu she also gets an extra turn. When Evil Yukiko puts up the shield, I just have Chie use physical attacks until she dies. I don't get the "fear" status this time, and by the time we're in trouble, so is Evil Yukiko. Yosuke and I outlast her. (I didn't do the guard strategy. Thanks for the advice though.)

After the battle, Yukiko is shaken up, but with our help is able to confront her weird self and triumph over it. She gets a Persona, Konohana-Sakuya. She and Chie confess their true feelings for each other and make out.

Actually, they just admit they were jealous of each other for different reasons. The making out didn't happen. The party asks Yukiko if she remembers anything about her disappearance. She's tired, and can't remember any details. We decide to leave with her so she can get some rest. Teddie complains of being lonesome, so Yuki promises she'll return and pets the beast on the head. The creeper lets out a pervy meow and asks if Yuki wants to go somewhere else with him. Geez.

Back home, you and Nanako are watching TV when Dojima and Adachi, the young detective screw-up, show up. Adachi lets us know that Yukiko showed up safely. I pretend like I'm surprised. Adachi starts blabbing about how mysterious it all is and Dojima socks him so hard his tie goes back in style. I don't know about this guy. He's got sort of a Matt Engarde - so clueless he must be evil- type vibe. ===='''4/29: So much Dr. Salt NEO, What the heck is a capsule machine, and Dojima Plans a Trip Forecast: Rain'''====

I have the day off from school today. It's still raining heavily outside. What should I do today? Everyone is still waiting for Yukiko to recover from yesterday's rescue before we start grilling her for details about the culprit and the TV world. I grab my trusty umbrella and head outside for the day.

There's no social links, so I just sort of wander around the shopping district. Still no sign of any fox around the shrine. I buy a soda from the vending machines outside the old liquor store, and I win a prize! The prize is five more of any of the sodas...oh that's nice, I guess? I get 5 Dr. Salt NEO's because they have the coolest name. I can't figure out anything else to do, so I decide to eat at the Aiya restaurant. On my way there, I randomly come across the "capsule machines" outside the Item Shop. The rain seems to have loosened the knobs and they work now. My prize gets stuck. I call the item shop owner, Ms. Shiroku I suppose, to come get me my prize. She talks about her husband, who made the machines... there's a story here. Maybe I should try the capsule machine the next time it rains? I get an Ice Cube and 2 Chest Keys. Apparently this took all my energy because I go home afterwards. Oh well, I'll save Aiya for another time.

Evening. Dojima, Nanako and I are eating and watching TV like any good American. The news mentions a thick fog setting in tomorrow, but who cares because Yukiko is safe and sound. Nanako changes the channel in the middle of a news segment and Dojima scolds her for it. Man, come on.You can't be gone all the time and then be a stickler when it comes to this! Dojima seems to realize that he's being a crummy parent and suggests going somewhere over Golden Week. I tell him I'm down. Nanako gets really excited because she thinks she'll finally get to go to Junes. Uh, can we go somewhere else? Like, outside of Inaba?

At night, no one appears on the Midnight Channel. The game cuts away to a mysterious shrouded figure in the mist. Ooooooh, the culprit!

Musings
Taking a break from the playthrough here to summarize my thoughts/opinion of the first month. I like the game a lot, when it isn't putting me in forced story mode. My main complaint is that there's far too much sitting around and summarizing the facts of the mystery. I don't need to be reminded about how the Midnight Channel is a rumor, or that there's someone throwing people into the TV world, or that there was a connection between the victims. I can pick this up on my own, I don't need Fred and Velma to summarize the mystery for me. That being said, I prefer this so far over the "secret society" and conspiracy aspect of P3.

When the game actually let's me play it's tons of fun. Inaba seems bigger than the city in P3. I actually miss the interface of P3P though... the "point and click" aspect of it made it go by so much faster. The music is a push so far; it's just as good as P3P's, but I'm hesitant to call it better (except for the battle music). Character-wise, I like everybody. They seem more human than their P3 counterparts. Yosuke is like a comic relief character who knows what he is, whereas Junpei was too boneheaded to realize that until halfway through the game. The other characters seem to be similar variations on their P3 predecessors.

Now for some speculation about the "culprit". I thought for a second that P4 might do something really off-the-wall, like make Yosuke the culprit, but he's also the Magician social link, so that's out. I'm suspicious of Adachi. Like I said earlier, he reminds me of Matt Engarde. So clueless and innocent that he has to be hiding something. The most likely suspect however, is the main character. Everything starts right after he arrives, he has that mysterious boss fight the first night he's here, he never met his "evil" self. This all points to the fact that maybe "Evil MC"/Izanagi is out there somewhere throwing people into the TV world for some reason. Another possibility is that it's the first victim, the newscaster. Maybe she didn't die. Maybe the enka singer did. Saki saw this, and that's why the newscaster also had to kill Saki. That would explain why all the posters are missing faces, because she "stole" her face. Obviously, don't tell me how close or far-off I am.

Good game so far. ===='''4/30: I thought Mt. Olympus was in Greece, Yukiko joins up, and our stomachs lead us down a path of despair Forecast: Sunny'''==== In the morning, Yukiko is waiting for me at school. I ask if she's feeling better. She says she's sorry for causing trouble and says thank you. Apparently the incident has helped her calm down a little about her future and her relative fame in Inaba. Her mother has also recovered. I tell her that "she's already changed" and this confuses her as much as it does me. Chie shows up, and their friendship seems back to normal as well.

In class, pervy Mr. Yamada is thankful that the "only cutie in class" is back. Oh, sexual harassment is so funny! He asks me what the highest mountain in the solar system is. That's weird. I pick Mt. Everest out of the three choices, because I assume the Mt. Olympus choice is referring to the one in Greece. Nope. He meant to say "Olympus Mons" the mountain on Mars. That's bull, Persona 4. Bull.

After school the four of us hang out to ask Yukiko about her kidnapping. Apparently, Yukiko was at home when the doorbell rang and someone called her name. Next thing she knows she's in the castle. The group is still puzzled about what's going on. I ask Yukiko if she could lend us a hand, seeing as she has a Persona and all. She agrees. The Fool Social Link increases. We try to predict the next victim to get a jump on the culprit. A commonality between the victims are that they're all females; also, they're all tied to the affair and the first incident. The Midnight Channel shows the victims briefly before they disappear.

We take a break to eat some Soba. Yosuke begs for a bite off of Chie's, while Yukiko offers some of hers to me. Some primal, animalistic hunger takes control of us and we go to town on it. Chie demands retribution in the form of a steak dinner, while Yukiko mourns the loss of her tofu. We head to Junes to get the girls their steaks. Yukiko is still mad at me for eating her tofu. Well, your evil-self smacked me around for two whole days, so I think you probably deserve it.

Blabbermouth Adachi shows up. I swear, this dude is hiding something. Adachi tells me that Dojima will be leaving work on time today. Nanako should be pleased. While he's there, we pick his brain. Was Saki killed because she knew something? What is Misuzu Hiragi's role in all this? He readily spills the beans about what the police know, and it's not much. Yep, pretty useless.

After that, we head into the TV world. It's Yukiko's first time in here, not being a captive in her own sub-concious castle. Teddie sidles up to Yukiko with his tiny, sneaky feet and starts putting the moves on her. He has a pair of glasses for her. Teddie makes these, I guess as a hobby, because his eyes themselves are already lenses. Teddie, that slimeball, tries to show Yosuke his "dexterous fingers". Yosuke is rightfully skeeved out, and shoves Teddie off the precarious balance that comes with having tiny feet. A pair of goofy glasses falls out of Teddie's head like oh so much forgotten dandruff. Yuki tries on the goofy glasses and demands everyone else do the same. She then falls into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Uh, okay, wow. Someone is easily amused.

That night I return home to the Dojima residence. Dojima says he can get the 4th and the 5th off. Nanako has her doubts. This has happened before. I tell them I'm excited about the trip, and they put me on lunch box duty. It's probably better than what hard-boiled detective or precocious orphan Nanako can cook up, so I'm down for it.

I go to sleep after a long day of pressing the x button. Boy are my thumbs tired.

May
===='''5/1: Me & Namatame down by the flood plain, Some old man gives me a fishing rod and I eat a lot of Chinese food... no seriously, a lot. Forecast: Cloudy'''==== That morning Chie calls to see if I want to go to the TV world. What? We just finished! No way, Chie! Instead, I go for a walk around town. I go to the flood plain and walk down to the riverside. There's a distraught looking man sitting there, named Namatame. At first, I see his character portrait and I think of "Suikoden Syndrome", i.e. "this guy has his own picture, he must be recruitable", or in this case, have a s.link. Then it hits me. Namatame was the politician who had the affair! He's just here hanging out, being sad. He seems pretty remorseful, so maybe he's not a suspect? Maybe he'll be the next victim?

Next, I talk to an old man near the river. He's one of those crazy old guys who just give random strangers free things. He gives me a fishing pole and tells me I'll need diligence to be good at fishing. I decide to wait on fishing until I'm a little better at it. Finally, near the end of the flood plain, there's a man looking for a specific type of Sake, Mori Ranmaru. It's a new Quest! I decide to check out the liquor store, but it's still closed. Hmmm.

This time nothing is stopping me from chowing down at the Aiya diner. Before I eat, I overhear some people outside talking about the Tanaka Show, starting on 5/22. Yes! Tanaka is awesome... ly evil. Back at Aiya, I order the special. I stare into the humongous bowl of whatever it is. It's never-ending. I eat until I feel my blood vessels clogging. It takes me all day to finish it, but at least it raises my understanding. I gain a level from "Basic" to "Kindly".That night, I study in my room, and my knowledge increases slightly, but there's no level gain.

===='''5/2: Mr. Morooka drops a bomb, Quests Ahoy!, Chie and I study, and Dojima is a ******** Forecast: Rainy'''====

At school the next morning, Yukiko asks if I have Golden Week plans. I tell her about my family trip. Hopefully, she doesn't think I'm lame. In class, Mr. Morooka hassles us about our hormones and short skirts, as usual. Then he mentions that midterms are next week. Whoops. Time to start studying, I suppose. At least listening to him prattle on about how horny we are raises my knowledge a little bit.

After school, I wander around talking to students some more. Mostly everyone is talking about exams. I unlock three quests: A girl in my class is looking for an Angel Statue to help her sleep, a D&D playing nerd needs a Demon statue for his occult club, and a geek in the practice building needs some ritz wire to make something called a "crystal radio". I tell him I'll look around in the TV, lol. I still haven't finished the rooftop girl quest; she's missing when it rains. I see Yukiko, but apparently we're not close enough to start on a social link. Well excuuuse me Princess! It's not like I didn't delve into your subconscious and rescue you from some evil version of yourself or anything! I decide to study in the library with Chie. This is effective. My knowledge greatly increases and I pick up three music notes from Chie.

That night, Nanako are watching a special TV report. Apparently, someone robbed an ATM by attacking it with an "earth mover". The phone rings and Nanako answers. It's Dojima.... and he CANCELS THE VACATION. You could hear a pin drop. Poor Nanako's heart shatters into a million tear shaped pieces. Nanako runs into her room and cries. I eat a dried-up pickle. My courage greatly increases from "Average" to "Reliable"! My heart shatters into a million pickle shaped pieces. I run into my room and cry. ===='''5/3: Constitution Day, Nanako goes to Junes, and Me Get Smart More Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Today is Constitution Day and the beginning of Golden Week, a string of Japanese holidays I have off from school. I guess I would be spending it on a family trip, but Dojima nixed that idea in the bud. So I briefly hang out with Nanako and try and cheer her up. Thankfully, Chie knocks on my door and invites me to hang out with her and Yukiko. Can we bring Nanako along? Sure! Nanako's tiny mind explodes when she realizes we're going to Junes. Her poor tragic life is complete.

The three of us meet up with Yukiko and Yosuke at the food court. Things are going along swimmingly, with lots of laughing and comments about Chie's bad cooking, until Yosuke, STUPID Yosuke, brings up Nanako's mother. Nanako reveals that she died in an accident. Yosuke feels like a tool, but Nanako says that she's fine because she has a Dad and a new "big bro". Sniff - D'awwwwwww. I unlock the Nanako Social Link, the Justice Arcana. Yosuke buys Nanako a soft drink to make her feel better from all the old wounds and painful memories he callously opened.

That night I study in my room, because I'm lame and I study during Golden Week. Level Up! Now I'm "Informed". I'm pretty confident about mid-terms now.

===='''5/4: Nature Day, Chie teaches me Frog Leaps, More studying Forecast: Sunny'''====

The second holiday in Golden Week is "Nature Day". Yosuke calls me in the morning and offers to hang out with me. I turn him down. He wanted to round up some folks and hang out with me and Nanako. I always feel bad when I turn people down like this, however I really feel like there's more important things to be doing, such as walking around aimlessly. I go to the Floodplain and talk to Namatame-san again. He seems in a real bad way. "It's too late for me," he says. I feel like he might be the next person thrown in the TV world.

I run into Chie in the shopping district with an exclamation mark over her head. Okay, it's about time I get the option to move this relationship along. She decides to take me along with her on her "training". Woah. I just realized that Chie is basically Yukari and Akihiko mixed together. Weird. Anyway, we go to the river to train her kicking skills. Even though I'm scared that she's going to accidentally kick my balls off I agree that it's a good idea, and that I'm okay with it. S. Link Up! Chariot is now at Level 2!

That night, because I really am super duper lame, I study again because I really want to get tops in my class. I get a double increase. Sweet! ===='''5/5: The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Presents from Dojima, and Night fishing Forecast: Clear'''==== This is the final day of Golden Week, Children's Day. It is the one day a year where Japanese parents are allowed to show their children affection. The game prompts me to go somewhere I don't usually go and gives me three options, one of which is the shrine. I choose the shrine, thinking I might run into the fox and just maybe an Angel Statue for my quest.

There's no one at the shrine. Well, that was pointless. As I turn to leave, however, I feel someone watching me. It's the fox, from atop the shrine! He looks kind of menacing. He jumps in front of me. I notice he's carrying something called an "ema" plaque in its mouth. He gives it to me. It says, "Please help Grandpa's legs get better. - Love Keiton". There's a weird leaf on the back. Suddenly, the fox scurries away as an old man appears. It's the shrine caretaker, who coincidentally has achy legs. Also coincidentally, the leaf I have miraculously fixes his legs enough so that he's able to visit his grandson, Keiton. The fox is a new S. Link, this one for the Hermit arcana. Even stranger still, the fox seems to want to help me in the TV world... for a price. Well, that was weird, but now in addition to being able to explore TV's, I am now a fairy with the ability to grant people's wishes.

That night, the news tells Nanako and I that the ATM robber was caught. I had forgotten all about that. Dojima arrives, tired from working for rookies and feeling sorry about canceling the trip. He gives Nanako and I presents. Nanako receives... a platypus t-shirt? And she actually likes it? Nanako is one weird kid. I get a swimsuit with "an odd design on it". Huh. Well, at least he tried.

I figure I'm good on the studying front, so I decide to try out my fishing pole with a little night fishing. I don't catch anything. Lame. Someone tell me if I'm missing anything if I never fish again. ===='''5/6: Private Lessons with Yukiko, and New S. Links with Eri Minami and Dojima Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Golden Week is over, so it's back to school. On the way, Yosuke's bike starts squeaking. I tell him that maybe he needs a new one. He still feels bad about bringing up Nanako's dead mom. I tell him I'm counting on him. After school the gang all meets up to share their Golden Week adventures. Everyone is sort of shocked that nothing much happened. No headway was made in the investigation. I tell the gang that it's probably not over. Yosuke is worried about exams, and suggests getting some private lessons from Yukiko. This is met with a mighty slap.

At lunch, both Yosuke and Chie had visited me and asked to hang out with me later. It's nice to be loved and all, but screw you jerks, I'm working at the Day Care today! Surprisingly, nothing out of the ordinary happens. My understanding goes up and I get paid 5,000 yen as usual. On the way home, I spy Yuuta's mother in the patio by the river, where I spied Yukiko in her kimono all those weeks ago. A really good song starts playing.

Smile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD3XEqN6bL4&p=ABEA9028243DFA42

I walk up to her to see if anything is bothering her. She was on her way to pick up Yuuta from the daycare, but her legs started feeling weak. She confesses that she's not Yuuta's birth mother. Her husband, Yuuta's father, has been away for six months, and Yuuta doesn't exactly love his new mom. I'm here for you, mama. I'll be Yuuta's daddy anytime. What can I say? I've got a thing for moms. Her name is Eri Minami. This tender scene opens up the Temperance social link.

That night, I get my second new S. Link of the day. Dojima is at home, chilling at the dinner table. We chit chat about school and friends. Dojima finally says what I thought of almost immediately: the killings started right after when I arrived. As a detective, this is something he must pursue. Nanako comes to my defense, but Dojima puts her to bed. He's not suspicious of me, but he does worry that I might be getting into trouble. Another S. Link revealed, this time the Hierophant Arcana. One day, I'll look up "hierophant" to see what exactly that is. ===='''5/7: The Timid Teacher Series, Free Morphemes, and Studying with Chie Part Deux Forecast: Rainy'''====

Today a new book comes out at the bookstore. I'm so excite! In fact, I'm so excite I just decide to leave the PS2 idle on my walk to school that morning, to see if I would ever reach the school. Nope, I just wander down the same street and repeating background for five minutes. Still, it's sort of soothing, just listening to the rain and student footsteps. Hmm.

Enough wasting time. In class the teacher with the puppet asks me about free morphemes. I was actually an English major in real life, so I know this. My knowledge increases. After class, I wander around school talking with my peers. Apparently, the hot topic is now "biker gangs". Also, dude who sent me on the roof girl quest is now like completely missing. What the what dude? I leave school to go pick up the last copy of "Off Today," the newest installment in the "Timid Teacher Series." Then, I go back to school and study with Chie. My knowledge greatly increases and my Chie also increases.

That night, I spend a "precious moment" with Nanako, but there's no s.link increase. I guess all we did was watch Wheel of Fortune and eat TV dinners.

===='''5/8: Fox appears at the food court, and Grinding and Item Farming in the TV world Forecast: Cloudy'''====

No school today. Chie calls to see if I want to hang out. I turn her down; I feel like going to the TV world today to grind and item farm. It's obvious to me that all of these quests I just got require items dropped by monsters in Yukiko's Castle.

I call everyone to the Food Court. Mr. Fox is also there. Everyone is mildly amused, concerned, and altogether weirded out that there's this fox here who can apparently understand human language and complex thought. Anyway, Fox comes with us to the TV world and charges us waaaaay to much for healing. Teddie informs us that there's a powerful shadow in Yukiko's castle.

Before I go there, I head back to the haunted shopping district. There I get the Mori Ranmaru Sake, and a "Skill Spanner", which raises Yosuke's attack by a whopping 40 points. Sweet! Then I go to Yukiko's Castle. It's much easier this time. Yukiko fills out the group by being fire-based, plus she's a good healer. A new aspect was added to shuffle time: "Arcana Chance". My first try, I draw the upright Tower, which grants an additional treasure with each treasure chest. I get 5,000 extra yen from the first chest I open, and then 6,000 from another. I definitely approve of Arcana Chance. Through random battles, I get all of the items I needed: a Demon Statue, a Ritz Wire, and an Angel Statue.

The new boss is a giant "cookie king" enemy, and he destroys me in two turns. Yeah, I'm not even going to try this until New Game + probably. At least I got my items. I leave the TV world. At home, I see Dojima is available for S. Link improvement, but apparently my expression has to be "eloquent" before I can do that. Blarg. I'm too tired from TV worlding, so I go to sleep. ===='''5/9 - 5/12: Mid-Term Exams, "Her sorrowful expression", Finishing Quests, and Cooking with Kaoru Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Exams start on the ninth and continue on through the twelfth. I hate how Persona handles exams. I mean, when I personally took exams, I still went out and did things at night, or you know, studied from one night to the next. It just doesn't make sense to basically waste three days. Anyway, I get all the daily questions correct, which is one of the benefits of keeping a detailed walkthrough, I guess. I end the test on Thursday fairly confident, but pretty sure I won't get top marks.

After school on the 12th, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Chie and Yukiko ask each other questions about the test and what answers they put down. I tell them the right answer to a few. Now that exams are over, nearly everyone in school is talking about the biker gang problem. I'm not really scared of biker gangs; I mean, I fall into TV's and kill shadows on the reg. One kid mentions a legendary first-year bike gang member. Hmmm. In the course of my obsessive-compulsive talking to every student, I close out most of the quest requests I received. I trade an angel statue for some chest keys, a ritz wire for "olympic tape", and the Mori Ranmaru for 4,000 yen. The nerd who wanted the Demon Statue was absent or something. I also upgrade my equipment.

I go to soccer practice, and my diligence levels up to "persistent". There's no s. link increase though. I hate when that happens. At home, Nanako informs me that there's food in the fridge. Now I can cook lunch for tomorrow. I throw some steak on the pan and "simmer with a drop lid". This gives me 3x bait for fishing, and now I have super moist beef or something for lunch tomorrow.

===='''5/13: Yosuke at lunch, "You're not my Mom" and First appearance of Kanji Forecast: Cloudy'''====

The next day I invite Yosuke to eat lunch with me. The slow simmered moist beef from the night before seems like it would be super gross and cold the day after, but Yosuke likes it. This increases my Yosuke affinity. He doesn't want to hang out after school, neither does Chie. There's also no band or soccer. Why are thursdays so busy while Fridays have nearly nothing? Seems backwards.

I go to work at the day care. Problem child Yuuta asks me to arm wrestle him. I break his skinny wrists like in the movie "Over the Top". Okay, not really, but my understanding increases. Eri shows up, and Yuuta inexplicably cries "I hate you Mom!" and runs off to his room like an angsty teenager. She asks if I like kids. I say I do, and this makes her sad because it makes her think of her dead beat husband. Temperance S. Link up, and 5,000 yen get.

That evening, I'm watching TV with Nanako and Dojima AGAIN. Hey dudes, let's like, go out to dinner sometime, or the movies, or y'know... something else? There's a special report on the biker gangs. Dojima recognizes one of them as Kanji Tatsumi, a pretty big troublemaker in the gang community. He apparently crushed an entire gang because the noise they made kept his mother awake at night. So he's a pretty grade-a badass. Dojima throws me a glance as if to say "don't hang out with these ruffians". I go straight to bed afterwards. ===='''5/14: Nothing happens at all today, I eat grass, and a new person on the Midnight Channel Forecast: Rain'''====

It's pouring today. The gang mentions that the Midnight Channel will be on TV tonight. We all agree to watch it. And that's it. No after school session, no questions, nothing. NOTHING HAPPENS TODAY.

That night, I'm super bored because NOTHING HAPPENED TODAY. I look in the fridge and there's some "strange grass" that Nanako brought home. Now, one would think that this is some middle school project. One would also think that, hello, IT'S GRASS, it probably doesn't taste good. However, since NOTHING HAPPENED TODAY, I figure something ought to happen today, even if it's me eating Nanako's grass for no reason. So I eat it, and what do you know, it tastes bad. Why would I do that? Why would ANYONE do that? My courage greatly increases. That's Persona for you.

That night, a man appears on the Midnight Channel. Oh come on, it's clearly Kanji. What's with the pointless silhouette? I call Yosuke, and we decide to talk it over tomorrow. I remember that I ate grass and question the meaning of life for a few hours.

===='''5/15: The gang plots its next move, Kanji is clearly on the Midnight Channel, and Yosuke pries into my personal business Forecast: Cloudy/Rain'''====

There's no school today, so the gang holds a meeting at its base of operations, the Junes food court. Chie also watched the Midnight Channel last night. This new victim, being male, is different from the others. Still, if this follows the pattern established by Saki and Yukiko, the dude should still be ok. People appear on the Midnight Channel before they're actually thrown inside. We need to find this guy and protect him. Everybody mentions that he seems familiar, but no one is smart enough to see that it's clearly Kanji. You people are so dense.

It appears I'm stuck in a vice of computer controlled actions. At night, the game doesn't allow me to do anything except watch the Midnight Channel... but what about Timid Teacher? Tonight, the image is a bit clearer. Fed up with everyone else's stupidity, I call Yosuke and say "It's KANJI OKAY, IT'S TOTALLY KANJI. LET'S NOT WASTE THREE WHOLE DAYS TALKING ABOUT THIS".

Afterwards, Yosuke changes the subject and asks me which girl I like the best: Chie, Yukiko, Both or Neither. I'm tempted to say "Both" since "Eri" isn't an option, but I say Chie, simply because I've hung out with her more. Yosuke seems surprised by this. I don't know, I guess Yukiko is prettier, but she doesn't seem very fun. Chie can be annoying, and sometimes her character portrait is weird lookin, but she makes me laugh sometimes. I wonder which one Yosuke likes... ===='''5/16: To Tatsumi Textiles, a mysterious young "man", and a connection is made Forecast: Cloudy'''==== After school, the Scoobies meet to talk some more. More talking, all right! [/fake enthusiasm] A lot of time is spent going over what we know about Kanji: he's a hoodlum, he beat up a biker gang, his mother owns the textile shop, etc. Yukiko mentions that she knows him from her childhood. The textile shop and the inn do business together. The four of us decide to check out the textile shop.

When we arrive, we see Kanji's mother talking with a slender young "man" in a cute little... elevator operator uniform? Junior Police Force? Bellhop? I don't know what that outfit is. Anyway, you can't fool me Persona 4. That is a woman! [/Maury] The "man", whom I will refer to as "Hat" from now on due to his foppish cap, leaves. We talk with the mother a little bit about what's been going on with Kanji. Chie finds a scarf that she recognizes from the room inside the TV, with the noose and the posters. The scarf belonged to Ms. Yamano! Curiouser and curiouser. A delivery arrives for Mrs. Tatsumi, so we also leave.

Outside, Kanji and Hat are arranging a meeting. Kanji is surprised that the young man says he's interested in him. So Kanji is interested in dudes, huh. He'll be disappointed when he sees what's under that hat. He sees that we've noticed him in a sensitive position and we take off. When we catch our breath, we realize that the Kanji and his mother situation mirrors the Yukiko and her mother situation. For some reason, the child instead of the parent is thrown into the TV world. This is getting confusing. We make plans to stake out Kanji and the store tomorrow. Yosuke is a smooth operator and asks for Yukiko's number, because the Y section of his address book needs padding. Chie says not to give it to him or he'll call you at night and tell you dirty jokes. Yosuke just gets weirder and weirder. Yukiko is still obsessing over tofu... geez, sorry I ate your tofu!

That night, the game makes me go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's mission. Man. I haven't even started Timid Teacher yet! ===='''5/17: Operation: Stalk Kanji, Many Pairings, and Kanji's Bubble-icious Bathhouse Forecast: Clear / Cloudy'''====

After school we meet at the front gates to prepare for Operation: Stalk Kanji. Some real humorous dialogue here. Yosuke spies on the dude while he's in the bathroom... tsk. Yosuke. Kanji arrives at the gates just as Hat walks up. They take off together. Chie thinks it would be best to split the teams. I haven't gotten very close with Yukiko yet, and this might be the perfect opportunity to open up a S. Link. I decide to pair with Yukiko. Chie and Yosuke have pretty good comedic chemistry anyway, as evidenced by her disgust when Yosuke suggests that they might have to pretend to be on a date if they get caught.

Yukiko and I head to the textile shop, while Beta team stalks Kanji. She hands me a soda and asks if the culprit will show up. I tell her, "I doubt it," because nothing ever happens quickly or easily in a Persona game. Yuki says that she wants to help. I can tell that she's nervous though. Ever since her incident in the TV world she's been growing more assertive. She says she's never chatted with a boy my age before. This starts up her S. Link, as I predicted. Her arcana is the Priestess, and she can now take a mortal blow for me. I ask her straight out for her contact info; I didn't think I'd be courageous enough, but it actually works! Gosh I'm a suave pimp.

Meanwhile, Yosuke & Chie are spying on Kanji & Hat's date. I love how effortlessly this game went from being a Japanese horror story to a romantic comedy. Chie's gaydar is in full effect, but Yosuke is still kind of clueless about what's going on. Yosuke mumbles aloud about if I'm putting the moves on Yuki or not (I guess he does know me pretty well), and Chie starts grilling him about who I like. Just when I think he's gonna spill the beans, KANJI SHOWS UP OUT OF NOWHERE. Yosuke reactively enters date mode and tries to pretend he's Chie's boyfriend. Chie is less than willing to play along with the charade. Kanji recognizes both of them from yesterday, and he vehemently denies that there's anything going on with him and Hat. Then he chases them around a jungle gym for a while.

Later, we all meet up at the textile shop. Kanji is legitimately weirded out by us. Yosuke asks Kanji if anything "strange" has happened recently, and this sets him off for some reason. We're running away again! We are so bad at detective work!

Here's where it gets weird. That night, we all watch the Midnight Channel. Before it starts, Yuki calls me to let me know that Kanji is missing. I've got a bad feeling about this. Kanji appears onscreen as we've never seen him before: flamboyantly gay, in a diaper, and in a bath house. Some impressive voice acting here, with the range required to go from normal hyper-masculine Kanji to this. I wish I remembered some of the dialogue here, but needless to say, it's very innuendo-laced and provocative. He invites us to come find him in his "superb site for those searching for sublime love". So it appears that Kanji is a closeted homosexual who is ashamed or confused by his sexuality. More on this as it develops. ===='''5/18: Rumors around Kanji, Team Manager Ai Ebihara & Daisuke is annoyed Forecast: Sunny'''====

The four of us convene after school for our daily meeting. The consensus, after seeing last night's Midnight Channel antics, is that Kanji is in the TV world. Yukiko brings up an interesting point: that whoever the culprit is, he's probably enjoying watching everything on the Midnight Channel. I never thought of that before. The Fool Social Link increases to Level 3 when we all resolve to rescue Kanji. We head to the TV world automatically. Teddie is here, and he seems really depressed. He thinks that there's someone here, but he can't pinpoint his exact location. In order to find Kanji, we need to give him a clue, and in order to get a clue, we have to gather information about Kanji from around town.

First I go back to school. Test results haven't been posted yet. I find the nerd who asked for the Demon Statue. He gives me some Dokudami Tea. I start asking everyone around me about Kanji; nothing really new is uncovered. I do pick up a new Quest from the "homely" girl in the Practice building (by the way, that's mean of you Persona 4, calling a girl homely). I need a "fitting board". Great. Back to Yuki's Castle, I guess. Then, I go to the shopping district. I fuse personas: I make Jack Frost and Archangel, which gives me Hama skills. I go ask Kanji's mother about his whereabouts, and she's uncertain. She tells me to find that slender young "man" (Hat). He's usually at Junes, but he's not there today. Talking to people reveals that he's there on Tuesdays, Thursdays and holidays. I'll check back tomorrow.

I go back to school and go to soccer practice. My diligence increases. I'm introduced to the team manager, Ai Ebihara. My teammates immediately go gaga over this lady. Daisuke is of course, indifferent. She confesses that she doesn't really care about being a manager, or about the team. It's just a way for her to make up her absences. She's actually kind of a *****. She leaves, and when the team asks Daisuke what he thinks of her, he says "girls annoy me". He also says that he's been dating since middle school. I'm beginning to think that Daisuke might not be gay, he might've just been traumatized by women at a young age (think Guy from Tales of the Abyss... though perhaps not that gruesome). In any case, the Strength Social Link increases to Level 4.

That night I hang with Nanako and still nothing happens. God, this is annoying. I'm getting behind in my stats increases for this. ===='''5/19: Mid-Term Results are posted, Brawling in the bathhouse, and #*$! Instant death attacks Forecast: Sunny'''==== At lunch, test results get posted (gulp). We head to the bulletin board... My score was in the top 10%! I become closer with all my school friends. This is like the opposite of my high school experience in America, where all my friends were jealous of my high scores. As a reward, the Egyptian teacher (Ms. Sofue) gives me 3 chest keys.

After school, I find Hat at Junes. Hat tells me that Kanji seemed strange, and he told Kanji before they separated that he was an "odd person". He seemed unnatural, as if he had a "complex"... that's the hint huh? Geez, I could've told Teddie that! Isn't that the whole point of this game? That all the characters have some sort of complex? In any case, I thank hat and compliment him on his gender-swapping abilities.

Now's as good a time as any to report to Teddie and get cracking on what I assume will be a longer and more difficult dungeon than Yukiko's castle. The gang heads off to TV world. I tell Teddie about the dungeon and he sniffs really hard. He finds it and takes us to... a locker room? Sexy music starts playing. A deep male voice from out of nowhere mutters "c'mere pussycat". Kanji compliments the man's well-defined pecs. Teddie? Did you take us to your rape hut, you disproportionate slimeball?

First things first, I leave and grind at the castle for a "fitting board". I find it after a handful of battles. After that, I fuse Personas... and something goes wrong. Igor calls it the "wild card". I end up getting a high level Legion persona instead. Cool.

NOW, I go back to the creepy bathhouse. Steam fills the hallways. I make it up to Level 3. These floors are much bigger than the ones in Yukiko's castle, and the enemies are stronger. Among the enemies I fight are "Bribed Fuzz", huge police officer-type enemies not weak to anything, and these floating dolphin things, which are pretty weak on their own, but summon monsters called "Phantom Masters". The first time I meet a phantom master, he casts a party-wide Dark attack... that everyone manages to avoid except my main character. Game over. And thus concludes the playthrough! Thanks for reading along, everybody! Final thoughts: **** this game.

...

A day (and many expletives) later, I go back to the game. Thankfully, I had saved after the persona fusing, so I don't have to get the fitting board again. My second time through the game actually gives me a "black feather" (which raises my defense against dark attacks) in a rare chest. Thanks! Could've used that last time. I get back to level 3 and confront gay Kanji, who thinks he's hosting a show called "Rosy Steam Paradise." He reminds me of Tim Gunn from Project Runway. He says some lines about being accepted and scampers off in his diaper.

I keep going to Level 5, at which point I have to quit from lack of SP. I think about paying Fox, but he wants 40,000 yen, so... forget that. I go home and sleep for a long time. ===='''5/20: New Equipment, tying up some Quests, and a rare S. Link increase with Nanako Forecast: Sunny'''==== It's another boring day at school. For about a week now, I've been hounding this girl on the roof trying to finish up her quest. Today she finally tells me something important about herself. I report back to her admirer, and he gives me a Goho-M ("go home"... ahh I get it). That saves me the trouble of buying another one before I return to Kanji's bubble bath. I also give the homely girl her new fitting board, and she gives me Royal Jelly. Oh rpgs, this is why I love you. Nonsensical rewards for illogical quests. In the lobby I see Team Manager Ai hanging around. I try asking her out on a date, but I'm too much of a chicken-wuss. I have to be "brave" first.

I go to the metalworks and sell a bunch of materials I picked up in the bathhouse. This enables me to purchase a Bastard Sword, some Punk Shoes and a new fan for Yukiko. The Skill Spanner is still Yosuke's best option. I also pick up a knifeproof coat... its defense is somehow higher than a Kevlar vest.

Afterwards, I go to work at the Day Care. I get 5,000 yen and an understanding boost. No S. Link increase. That night, against my better judgment, I hang out with Nanako. Wonders of wonders, something actually happens. We're watching "Who Wants to be a Billionaire" (the yen is pretty weak right now), and she asks me if I'm an only child. I tell her yep. We connect through our sadness. S. Link Up! Justice is now Level 2.

===='''5/21: Tanaka Hype, Chie vs. the Grasshopper, and a milquetoast teacher Forecast: Cloudy'''====

On my way to school I overhear students talking about Tanaka's show, which starts tomorrow. I'm super excited. I don't know why, but I really liked Tanaka's social link in P3P. Like, he was a total ass, but he didn't disgust me like the Gourmet King did.

After school, I decide to train some more with Chie. One must never neglect their training. We head to the river to do jumping jacks or whatever. Nanako is randomly there, and she asks us what we're training for. Chie tells her that we're fighting ourselves... which is pretty accurate actually. Nanako thinks we're cool, until a grasshopper lands on Chie's back and she spazzes out. Calmly, Nanako extracts the insect with the grace and precision of an 8 year old surgeon. Chie's sort of embarrassed about her irrational fear of tiny insects, and by accident I say "It's very feminine of you". I say "by accident" because sometimes when I press the d-pad up or down the cursor doesn't move. Luckily, this is somehow the exact right thing to say, and three music notes rain down from the crown of Chie's forehead. Nanako trains with us for a little while, then heads home. Chie resolves to conquer her fear of insects, while I resolve to conquer Chie (oh yeah). The Chariot S. Link increases to level 3.

That night, I finally sit down to read this book that's been burning a hole in my hot little hand: "Off Today" in the Timid Teacher series. I read it thoroughly. It's about a "milquetoast of a teacher"... props for using the word "milquetoast" correctly. My understanding increases... my understanding always increases. I resolve to work more on my courage and expression. ===='''5/22: The Return of Tanaka, and Yukiko's Desires Forecast: Cloudy'''==== This beautiful Sunday marks the return of the Amazing Tanaka Home Commodities Hour, or whatever it's called. Sure enough, I turn on the tv and hear that familiar jingle. Tanaka looks exactly the same, which is nice, and he's still making money off me by selling me things every week. This time he gives me two options: Adios Shoes or Medical Kits. I take the shoes. I can buy Med Kits whenever.

After droppin fat stacks on new kicks I peep my shawty Yuki at da mall, all like "sup girl" *ahem* Excuse me. An exclamation mark floats over her head. S. Link time! We hang out at the bookstore for a while, and she buys a book about jobs or something because her career counselor told her to. She admits that she doesn't want to inherit her family's inn, that she wants to see the world, move out of Inaba, get a job somewhere else, all that jazz. She wants to become an interior decorator. I tell her that's cool. She mentions getting a part-time job. I take this moment to brag about my awesome part-time job of folding envelopes, and she really digs it. I told you guys that envelope-folding job would pull in some trim! The Priestess Arcana levels up to 2.

That night, Chie calls me and invites me to go to the TV world tomorrow. Groan. I study (knowledge up) and go to bed.

===='''5/23: Everybody hates Yosuke, and fun with the main character's walking animation Forecast: Rain / Clouds'''====

In class, Mr. Morooka calls us good for nothings, like that loser Kanji. Oh yeah, him. Well, I guess I could save him, but it wouldn't be fair to Yukiko if we just went and saved Kanji immediately after making her wait for like a month. I'm gonna party with Yosuke instead.

After school, to distract ourselves from the TV world we hang out at the... Junes food court? Our base of operations? Oh well, Inaba's a small town. We're sipping on our Orange Julius's when two girls show up and start pestering Yosuke. They work for Junes, apparently, and they think that voicing their complaints to Yosuke might accomplish something. How wrong they are. I tell Yosuke not to strain himself. He can't be bothered by stuff like this when we've got the Midnight Channel and TV world to worry about. Yosuke admits that he's glad I was there with him in Saki's liquor store in the TV world. The Magician S. Link increases to 4.

That night, I entertained myself for a good five minutes by listening to Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" and slowly moving the main character around in tiny circles. Do it- it's almost like a moonwalk. After that, I see Nanako sitting with an exclamation mark above her head. I'm hesitant to talk to her because I have a big feeling that nothing's gonna happen, but I do it anyway. My suspicions are confirmed, and we share another "precious moment" eating Frito pies and watching Inside Edition. I hate you Nanako S. Link! Why won't you level up like a normal link? ===='''5/24: A new book, and GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL Forecast: Sunny'''==== After a boring day of school, I wander into town. I talk to the man outside the bookstore and initiate the easiest Quest yet. He'll give me a book if I give him a Peach Seed. I'll take that deal! I get a book called "The Gentle Way" or something. Namatame is here too, asking for forgiveness. Oh, I thought he'd died or something after I hadn't seen him at the riverbed in a while.

I head back to school and go to soccer practice. Actually, scratch that, there's a game today. I show the results of my hard practice, and I wow them with my "steel leg" technique. Score! Afterwards, Kou, Daisuke and I head to Aiya to celebrate. Daisuke is proud that he's made me into a soccer demon. I tell them I'm just getting warmed up. We get drunk and fat off of something called "mapo rice". The Strength Social Link increases.

That night, my package arrives from Tanaka. I read some more in "Off Today", and my understanding increases. What a boring book.

===='''5/25: A new job, Grocery Shopping with Yuki, and the harsh words of Dojima Forecast: Sunny'''====

During my pre-class stalking ritual, I overhear my stalkees talking about a new job posting: Tutor. Apparently, my understanding needs to be pretty high to take that job. I check out the bulletin board after school. Sure enough, I'm not yet able to do it, or the other new job as a hospital janitor, but I can start "translating"... and it helps my expression! This is way better than folding envelopes! Oh God, the envelopes... don't make me remember...

I go back to school and spend my afternoon with Yukiko. We go to the Junes grocery store. If she's going to move out of Inaba and be on her own, she's going to have to learn to cook and care for herself. She's hoping that I'd like to try it sometime. If Chie is some weird love child of Yukari and Akihiko, Yukiko is the baby lesbian seagull of Mitsuru and Fuuka. Still, I do find myself getting closer to Yuki, and I guess there are worse things in life than being a girl's guinea pig. The Priestess S. Link increases to Level 3.

That night while hanging with Nanako, the phone rings. It's Dojima, who informs us that he's on his way home. Of course it's Dojima, no one else would call on our land line. Nanako is full to the brim with excitement and begins preparations for dinner. Unfortunately we're out of pickled radish (I guess I should've picked some up while out with Yuki). I suggest we go out and get some together. Nanako is happy. Justice rank up to Level 3.

However, when we return, Dojima is waiting for us, predictably concerned. Nanako is too young to be out this late at night. I don't have enough courage or expression for two of my options, so I just stand there, blubbering like a simpleton, taking every verbal barb Dojima dishes out. Nanako gets angry and goes to her room. Afterwards, I also go to my room, seemingly without supper. ===='''5/26: A shout out to Persona 3, and things with Yosuke take a creepy turn Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Daisuke visits me at lunch and suggests I go to soccer practice today. I probably won't. In the afternoon, I'm in History class and Ms. Sofue (of Egyptian headdress fame) begins her lesson on world civilizations. She mentions her older brother, a dense samurai with no respect for ancient civilizations, a definite nod to the teacher in Persona 3. Persona series in-jokes! She asks Yosuke what kind of writing system the ancient egyptians had. Hieroglyphics is the answer, and the closest option I have is "sacred carvings", so I go with that. It significantly increases my expression! It also adds Yosuke points.

Speaking of Yosuke points, I decide to hang out with Yosuke after school tonight. This is a decision I come to regret, because Yosuke is really weird today. We're hanging out in my room and he asks me if I keep the "goods" under my futon. Yosuke is way creepier than I thought he'd be. I say "huh" and somehow it's the right answer... I'm beginning to think I could pick any option with Yosuke and still get max music notes. Nanako knocks on the door to ask if I’ve seen the "public notice" anywhere. I guess this is some Japanese thing. Yosuke invites Nanako in to ask if she's free today. Yosuke man, she's my cousin, AND SHE'S LIKE 8 YEARS OLD YOU FREAKIN WEIRDO. Thankfully, Nanako already has plans to deliver some homework to a classmate or something. Yosuke's inner monologue keeps running with no regard to those around him, and he starts mumbling about his first girlfriend being in kindergarten and that he doesn't need that right now. Yeah, sure Yosuke, whatever. In any case, the Magician S. Link increases. Now Yosuke can help someone up when they're knocked down in battle. That sounds useful. He mentions something about a Young Men's Association and boosting the economy, but I'm too creeped out right now to pay attention.

That night I continue with "Off Today". My Understanding increases to "Generous".

===='''5/27:Second try at the Cookie King, and Progress is made in Kanji's dungeon Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Nothing of note happens at school today. It seems like a good enough time to head back into the TV world. Pursuant to your suggestions, I attempt to beat the bonus boss in Yukiko's Castle again. Everything was actually going really well this time. I had him down to 1/3 of his life remaining, and then he cast "Rampage". This immediately killed everyone. I try one more time, and this time he uses Rampage as his first attack. Everyone dies again. I probably need to gain at least 10 more levels before I try this.

I pick up in the bathhouse dungeon in Hall 5. A couple fights later I'm given the option of the "Death" Arcana chance. I go ahead and try it just to see what happens. It comes out as "upright", but it still drains all my HP and boots me out of the dungeon. It completely restored my SP though, so it's not all bad. The next Arcana chance I get is "Hermit", and it reveals the entire floor map for me. Nice.

On floor 7 we get to a room overflowing with steam. Diaper Kanji is here with a mid-boss. It's a giant thonged gigas enemy. He's not difficult. I just pound him with physical attacks. I get the bathhouse key. Afterwards, I use a Goho-M to save and fuse personas, and I make it up to Level 9 before having to leave again due to lack of SP. This game is way harder than P3, I think. Nobody is weak to anything! I remember almost every monster in P3 was weak to an element, but there are tons of monsters in this dungeon that you just have to keep hitting it feels like.

That night I hang out with Nanako. You know the deal by now. Nothing happens. ===='''5/28: Daisuke and Kou get in a fight, and translating for expression points Forecast: Rainy/Sunny'''====

After school I go to Daidara's place to sell some materials and upgrade equipment. Then I go back to school for soccer practice. My diligence increases. After practice, some teammates call out Daisuke for his poor performance during practice. Practice? We talkin bout practice? Man, practice. Kou and Daisuke are out of nowhere fighting about it. Woah, guys, what happened to the good times. Kou says that Daisuke ought to re-examine why he plays sports. Daisuke storms off the field to go do twenty sets of "burpees", which I can only assume is some sort of crazy Japanese push-up. The girl who likes Daisuke shows up after being previously turned down and asks if he's all right. In a nice change of pace, he actually doesn't yell at her or belittle her. Baby steps, Daisuke. Kou tells me that he has something to tell me about Daisuke next time. My Strength S. Link improves to 6! I think I'll leave this one alone for a while.

That night I start my translation job for the first time, because I'm waaayyy behind in my expression. I look over some words and try to figure out their meanings. I get paid 1,000 yen and my expression significantly increases. ===='''5/29: To the Top of the Bathhouse, and the Battle Against Shadow Kanji Forecast: Cloudy'''==== It's Sunday, so I watch the Tanaka shopping hour and purchase a Steel Panier set of armor. Afterwards, I decide to finish what I started two days ago and clear the dark, sudsy recesses of Kanji's mind.

The first monster I find on level 9 is a rare one. Finally, a lucky break! It's a wealth hand, and it nets me 3,000 yen. Finally, a lucky break. The shadows on these higher floors are pretty tough, especially because I keep getting ambushed, even when I meet the enemies head-on. It's not my fault my sword inexplicably whiffs sometimes, or that I seem to have no sense of depth perception in this game, is it? The toughest shadows are these magus monsters, who cast both Zio and Bufu, so if they ambush me they can pretty much spam one mores until the cows come home. My only hope is Chie, who "rampages" through a lot of my fights. Along the way to the top I level up to 25 and am now able to store 10 personas at once.

I reach the save point on Floor 11 and open the door. Inside, "regular" Kanji is confronting diaper Kanji. Kanji's inner self starts on about how he hates girls for spreading lies and gossiping, and making fun of him for not being "manly". What is a man? he asks. "A miserable little pile of secrets" I respond. Real Kanji refuses to admit that this guy is a part of him, and as usual, the inner self of the character transforms into... wow, this boss is super gay, into a giant muscular torso of rose petals, carrying huge gender symbols.

The battle is much easier than Shadow Yukiko, once I realize 1) this guy isn't weak to anything and 2) killing "nice guy" is of the utmost priority. He casts "Heat Riser" every turn, which buffs S. Kanji to an insane degree. I can counter that with Yosuke's persona though. I spam physical attacks with the main character and Chie and let Yosuke and Yukiko handle the healing. I pretty much just ignore "tough guy". Tough guy actually isn't tough at all: he has rampage, but it only hits us for around 20 points of damage each turn.

After the battle, Kanji punches his inner self in the face and admits that this guy is also who he is. It isn't really a matter of sexuality with him, he says, but a general fear of rejection. He gains a persona, Take-Mikazuchi, and collapses. We head out of the TV world and Yosuke takes him home to rest.

That night, I'm eating with the family when Dojima reports that Kanji was found. He asks me why I've been hanging around the textile shop lately. I tell him because my friend Yukiko took me there. He seems to pseudo buy my pseudo lie, but I know he suspects me of something. ===='''5/30: Help Yosuke at Junes, and reading "The Gentle Way" Forecast: Cloudy'''====

At lunch, Yosuke approaches me and seems to desperately hang out with me after school. I say ok. Back in class, Mr. Morooka announces that Kanji is still absent, due to "illness". My knowledge increases.

After class I go straight to hanging out with Yosuke. He takes me to the Junes grocery store and makes me help him re-stock the shelves... uh gee? Thanks? Still, I get paid 5,500 yen. He tells me it was a last minute sale, and that he's glad I was there to help. I lie and tell him it was fun. The two girls who ragged on Yosuke a couple levels ago show up again, this time gossiping about Saki. Saki had apparently eloped a year ago with a rich man, but something happened and she had to start working at Junes to save money. Was that Yosuke? I don't know, I got a little confused. Thinking about Saki strengthens Yosuke's resolve to explore the TV world and catch the culprit. The Magician Social Link increases to Level 6.

That night I begin reading the book "The Gentle Way" - I received this for giving that guy a peach seed. It's all about Judo, and it increases my Knowledge and Expression! I practice some of the moves in my room.

===='''5/31: FINE, I'll go to stupid band practice, and I grill some steaks Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Yuki comes to see me at lunch. Then Chie comes to see me at lunch. Somewhere in my mind "Return of the Mack" starts playing. However, in my quest to get my "expression" out of the toilet, I actually plan on *shudder* going to Band today. Ugh. Ayane is the worst. "SENPAI! SENPAI! OH I'M BAD AT EVERYTHING AREN'T I SENPAI!" She makes me miss the nerdy dude from P3P. Still, going to band actually does raise my expression to "eloquent", so at least I can talk to Dojima now. After practice, Ayane compliments me on my playing, which isn't saying much coming from her, because she sucks at trombone and everything else in life. I tell her that effort is what matters, which is a backwards way for me to say she has no talent and never will. She mentions the other trombonist Takeru. Finally, I offer to help her clean up, and my understanding increases. The Sun S. Link levels up to 2.

That night, the fridge is full of food. I make lunch for tomorrow: grilled steak and soy sauce. Chie will probably like this, I think.

More than anything, I regret not picking Drama. I just assumed it would be the same character either way!

June
===='''6/1: Girls all over the place, and regrettable shopping at Junes Forecast: Cloudy'''====

On my lunch break, I invite Chie out to the roof to share in the grilled steak I made last night. She loves it, as I knew she would. It feels like our relationship will grow closer soon.

When school gets out I head to the bookstore to pick up the new book, "Forever Macho". Then I decide to hang out with Yukiko. Two dates in one day: my main girl Chie at lunch and my side chick Yukiko afterwards. That's how I roll. We head to the patio on the flood plain, the same place where I saw her in her kimono all those months ago. She hands me a boxed lunch. Oh right. The food tasting. I did agree to this didn't I? I can tell it's not going to be pleasant. I start with the... omelette-looking... thing. Yeah, it's not very good, but I keep it down. Nanako shows up ... why is she always randomly appearing during my dates? Nanako says if Yukiko ever makes a good lunch she'd like to try it. I think Yuki just got burned by an 8-year old. The Priestess link increases to Level 4.

That night my package arrives from Tanaka. Apparently I purchased a female-only armor that raises evasion. Hmmm. Not exactly what I had in mind, but hey. Also, Dojima gives me 20,000 yen for doing well on the exam. Thanks dude, but that was like three weeks ago. Then he offers to take me and Nanako out to Junes. We shop around and I end up getting 3 medical kits out of it. That's all? Not even any music notes? The only reason I did this was because I thought it would speed up your individual social links! What a waste of time.

===='''6/2: A Quiet Day to Study in the Rain Forecast: Rainy'''====

This seems to be the last three days before the fog sets in. Thankfully, I've already rescued Kanji, so I can spend this time stat raising. Ayane comes to visit me at lunch... I know my expression needs work, but I figure Band will always be around. It won't always be raining. So I study in the library instead. Since it's raining, I get a double increase in knowledge.

That night I hang out with Nanako; once again, nothing happens but it appears our relationship will get closer soon. I have a Justice persona equipped and this is still taking forever. ===='''6/3: The Fox Returns, I travel to the meat dimension and Dojima is my Big Bro Forecast:Rain'''====

Picking up where we left off, it's still raining. Per advice from this thread, I decide to stop neglecting the Fox Social Link. On my way there, I talk to the man at the bookstore again. He has another quest for me: Feed the cat by the river. I go to the item shop to see if she has conspicuous cat food for sale, Persona 3 style (off topic: good job today P3). She doesn't. I tell her sorry, and that I'm not gonna play with the capsule machine again today. Gears grind in my brain and I realize I probably have to feed it fish. I buy some Dokudami Tea and leave.

I head to the shrine. Foxy is there, standing on top of it like a boss once again. He hands me an ema tablet with little girl handwriting. Kanji? No. It's a wish that things go well with the person they like. So I actually get a Quest... ah, that makes sense. My first idea for this quest is that couple in the high school. I square button it over there, but it's not them. I randomly find a girl putting a note into my shoe locker. She runs away. It's a love letter! Oh how sweet... wait, it's for someone else. I need to talk to her again. I briefly look for her, to no avail. So I actually can do something else today.

I head to Aiya to eat away my sorrows. Chowing down on the 3,000 yen mega-bowl, I think a lot about life and its meaning. I enter the portal to the meat dimension. It increases my Knowledge, Courage and Diligence. That night, since my expression is high enough, I talk to Dojima for a little bit. He starts grilling me about what I do after school. Just hanging out with friends, geez, get off my back DAD. Dojima just can't help but bring work home with him. He says it's been really great having me around the house, to be there for Nanako. He says he thinks of me like a younger brother. Hierophant Rank up.

====6/4: A boring birthday, and the fog rolls in Forecast: Rain====

Today is colliding's real-life birthday. Happy birthday to me! After school, the mysterious girl from yesterday is standing right outside my classroom. She asks me if I read her letter, and I tell her the truth. She gets embarassed/angry and leaves to go confess to the guy. Sigh. I guess this quest will take at least one more day. I study in the library and my knowledge increases twice.

That night, the weather report says that the fog is rolling in. At midnight, no one appears on the Midnight Channel. Meanwhile, the game once again cuts to a mysterious figure in the shopping district. We can only assume he is the "culprit". I still can't tell who he is, but he appears to be a man wearing a jacket. My bet is still the main character's inner self. ===='''6/5: Mail-order fish, A friend from Chie's past, and Nanako is a goth girl Forecast: Clear '''==== It's Sunday, and I'm waiting for Kanji to recover. I turn on my TV to watch Tanaka... I always end up singing the theme song in gibberish like "amanana jimanana da-da-dananaaaaaaa" and so on. I'm giving the option of buying some more armor... or some fish. I've always wanted to order a fish in the mail. I go with that.

I go for a walk down by the river. An old lady gives me a new quest: find her an "old key". Then she goes back in her van. In Junes, I run into Adachi buying groceries. He says he didn't get in until late last night... so he could've been the dude in the foggy shopping district! Adachi seems to be a red herring though. Maybe he really is just comic relief. In the shopping district, an old man gives me another quest: find him "coal". It appears that another trip to Kanji's dungeon is in order.

I decide to train with Chie for the rest of the day. No more grasshoppers land on her, but a guy named Takeshi shows up (not the guy who plays trombone... that's Takeru). Chie seems nervous around him. He asks Chie if she's king of the hill yet... uh, I'm confused. Apparently, Chie has been training and saving the world in pretend superhero groups for years now. Takeshi and Chie were friends in middle school. He asks Chie if Yukiko has a boyfriend yet; maybe he'll try his luck with the Amagi challenge. That's cold, man. When he leaves, I crack a joke to try and lighten the mood. This makes her laugh at least. Don't worry Chie, I think you're way cooler than that boring Yukiko girl. The Chariot S. Link increases to 4.

That night, I try and talk to Nanako, but she's in one of those moods where she's thinking about death. Sometimes Nanako reminds me of the girl from Beetlejuice. My expression can't handle it. I go upstairs to work on that a little bit. I translate for a few hours, and my expression increases significantly.

===='''6/6: Kanji joins the team, Teddie's unlimited supply of goofy glasses, and Dojima is bumming me out Forecast: Clear'''====

Kanji is back. After school, we all talk with him as the sun sets. Chie asks him about that slender young man, that mysterious Hat. Kanji says he doesn't really know him. Apparently, that day when he was walking with Hat, he was asking Kanji questions about whether "different" things were happening to him. Maybe Hat also knows about the TV world? Kanji confesses to feeling confused about his lack of feelings towards girls and his preference for hanging out with guys. His parents owned the textile shop and kinda were dirty hippies, so he was made fun of a lot as a kid for his love of fabrics. He's basically scared of people and rejection in general he says. Yosuke asks if Kanji remembers anything specific about his abduction, and Kanji says he remembers feeling like someone was in his house, and then a "dark entrance". Like a TV! By now, Kanji has caught on that we're not normal high schoolers. I let him join the group. Fool Level 4.

We head over to the food court. Kanji chows down while we bring him up to speed; he still doesn't quite get the notion of being thrown "inside" televisions (like the killer beats them to death?). A nearby table starts talking about how they saw Kanji on the Midnight Channel, and Kanji goes to beat the **** out of them. Whoo boy. Anyway, Kanji reveals a slip of paper that he stole from a kid in school that day. On it are some lists. I read aloud a list of TV shows: it lists who has been on TV and when. Saki, Yukiko, and Kanji were all on "real" TV before they were on the Midnight Channel! Hey, we actually figured something out!

After that, we introduce Kanji to Teddie in the TV world. Teddie is still thinking; He's sort of like Pooh bear I guess, except Pooh is normal-looking and Teddie is... Teddie. Kanji wants to pet Teddie, to see what he feels like, but Teddie is a homophobe and only likes it when Yuki or Chie do it. In a hilarious moment of misunderstanding, Kanji asks Yukiko if she also "came out" when thrown in the TV world. Yukiko's slaps appear to be a running gag. Speaking of running gags, Teddie gives Kanji his glasses... they're the goofy glasses. Yukiko starts laughing for 18 minutes straight. Kanji throws the glasses off and takes another pair from Teddie. THEY'RE ALSO GOOFY GLASSES. This pattern is repeated twelve more times, haha. Just kidding.

That night, I eat some Choco Flakes that were in the fridge. They are delicious. No stat increase. I chill out with Dojima, and he mentions that we hang out at Junes an awful lot... particularly the electronics department. Uh, would you believe I'm watching TV? Nanako busts in and tells Dojima to stop interrogating me. She wants to be interrogated too! She goes to bed soon after. I tell Dojima I feel sorry for her. He remembers that it was mostly his wife who raised Nanako. He says he's not fit to be her family. Dang. Dude needs a vacation, seriously. The Hierophant arcana increases to Level 3. ===='''6/7: Completing the first Fox Quest Forecast: Rain'''====

Now begins a period of waiting to see who appears on TV next. After school, I pick up a new quest or three. The girl who wanted the "angel statue" from before now wants a crucifix, or a "crooked cross". And Ms. Sofue, the weird teacher with the Cleopatra fetish, wants me to find her a "suspicious pole" for a new dowsing rod. Finally, the girl who wanted a fitting board last time now needs a "reflecting board". Let's hear it for item quests! *boo* Outside class, I meet the girl who accidentally gave me a love letter for the third time. Her confession worked, and she totally hooked up with that dreamy dude in the art club.

It's raining today, so most of my S. Links are inactive (except for band, but.... I hate band). I go ahead and report back to Foxy. Aw cute, he's all happy. There's tons of $$$$ in the offertory box. The Hermit S. Link increases to Level 2. That night, I avoid Nanako and the subject of Death and go upstairs to read "The Gentle Way" some more. My knowledge and expression increase.

===='''6/8: On Hamlet and Ham Radios, I meet Saki Konishi's brother, and Cooking curry Forecast: Cloudy'''====

In the morning, the gym teacher is lecturing us. Actually, he's talking about what he watched on TV the night before. Who are these people, and how did they become teachers? Yuki asks me where the term "ham" came from in regards to bad acting. I guess "Ham radio actors". I guess wrong. It's actually Hamlet. Apparently, I embarrassed Yukiko. Crap, did that just mess up my S. Link with her?

After school, Mr. Morooka comes up to me to ask about Health Week. He tells me he's signing me up for the Student Health Association. I tell him to go **** himself, but he makes me do it anyway. I go to the infirmary, where the rest of the group is waiting. They tell me to sit there while they split up around the school. Suddenly, a guy named Kitao shows up from a pharmaceutical company, and asks me to deliver a message. The school placed an order for gauze, but he needs to know if the school can wait until the month after next. When the students return, I give them the correct information (one of the benefits of doing a step-by-step playthrough topic on gamefaqs), and my knowledge and expression increase. Then, another guy walks in. It's Saki Konishi's brother! He tells me that he hates my stinkin guts. He asks to go home, and I say sure. That's it. No S. Link yet. Maybe I should've made him stay?

That night my mail order fish arrives. MMMMMM, you smell that? That's capitalism! The fridge is also full of food. I make curry for lunch the next day. I run out of curry powder, so I just let it simmer. I get spicy curry and 3x bait. ===='''6/9: Even more quests, A new Fox Mission, and Kanji's S. Link Forecast: Cloudy'''==== At lunch, I invite Yukiko to share my spicy curry. She likes it. *Whew*, I was a little worried about that one. I guess if you end up with 3x bait, you've made the right choice. I've been pretty lucky so far with my cooking.

After school, I pick up a couple quick quests (say that three times fast). I talk to the twin outside Daidara. She asks me to find her sister. Quest 1. Also, there's an old lady further up the road who wants to hang horns above her bed. Whatever, you kinky grandma. Quest 2. Finally, I head to the shrine for more orders from Foxy. It shows up with a wish from a young lady. "I want to clear my mind of snacks," it says. Hmmm. Quest 3.

I go to the flood plain and feed the cat a fish. One quest done. I find the girl's twin. Two quests done. The twin gives me 5x Goho-M and the dude outside the bookstore gives me another book! "The Punk's Way". I'm behind in my reading, so it'll probably be a while before I get to it. While in the shopping district I see a woman who isn't normally there. It's the ema writer who wants to hate snacks. She wants a snack that tastes bad, from a woman with a "different essence" than her. Huh.

It's Thursday, so everyone and their mother wants to hang out with me. Why not add a couple more S. Links to really stress me the **** out? I talk with Saki Konishi's brother in the hallway. My understanding is high enough, but he still hates my guts. I guess I need to keep talking to him. After rumors of bullying occurring in the practice building, I head over there and talk to Kanji. We go for a walk on the flood plain. I ask him about the rumors. He's defensive about them (of course), but he does feel sorry that he's causing trouble for us. This begins a new S. Link, the Emperor Arcana.

At night I talk to Dojima, but nothing happens. Quit holding out on me Ryotaro!

===='''6/10: About the school campout, and mucho stat increases Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Chie stops me on the way to school and asks who is gonna be on the Midnight Channel next. How should I know? Thinking hurts my brain. At lunch, the four of us are chatting. Yukiko mentions that the rainy season is almost here which'll make our deadlines and the M.C. all the more confusing. We start talking about the school campout. Chie says it's to foster a love for our community, but it's really just a bunch of picking up trash. Sounds like slave labor. The positives are we cook our own meals, sleep in tents together, and possibly swim in the river. Yosuke has to stand to hide his erection. Sorry, Yosuke, separate tents.

It rains after school that day, so there are few S-links. I look for bad tasting snacks to no avail. I venture back to the meat dimension at Aiya. My knowledge, understanding and diligence increase. At night I read "The Gentle Way", and my knowledge increases from "informed" to "expert"! Hellllllooo, Margaret! My expression also increases. ===='''6/11: An intimate discussion with Margaret, "Hey, got any Meat gum?", and Yosuke tells off some girls Forecast: Cloudy'''====

After school, I head to a postbox and mail off some Tanaka prize stickers, hoping for a "rare prize". I'm still looking around town for the girl with gross snacks. She has a "strange essence," so I feel like it might be Margaret in the Velvet Room. Plus, I'm now smart enough to talk to her. So I enter the Velvet Room, and Igor is conspicuously absent. I guess everyone's gotta take a break sometime, even supernatural, creepy old guys with out of control noses. Margaret almost sends me off, but catches herself, and says that maybe it's destiny that I'm here. She mentions her predecessor's sudden disappearance. Elizabeth... what happened to her? She says a lot of things that, quite frankly, go over my head: destiny, the shape of the velvet room, innermost hopes and desires... and then she says she wants to know more about me. Jesus, I'm irresistible. I form a new S. Link, for the Empress Arcana.

Up until this point, everything's been well and good, I kind of like her and all (even if she's no Elizabeth), but then... THEN, she has the nerve to ask me to do a Fusion quest... GRRGH! I hate Fusion quests! They were the worst things about P3P. To be honest, I don't really "get" persona fusion, I just fuse personas randomly into higher level personas. It usually works out okay. Anyway, she wants to see an "Ippon-Datara" that knows "Sukukaja". Mental note.

When I leave the Velvet Room, it's still "after school"! Two S. Links in one day! I go back to Yasogami High and talk to Chie to initiate her S. Link, and wonder of wonders, apparently she's the girl with the weird snacks! (I didn't get your hints about talking to my party members until after I'd figured it out, but thanks anyway). Chie gives me some gum... some meat gum. Uhhh... I book it to the shopping district and give some to the slim lady. It blows her mind. Quest complete! I'll talk to the Fox at some later date. So then I go BACK to school, but instead of talking with Chie, I hang out with Yosuke instead. I'd like to get him and soccer team maxed out asap, I think., since they're already at level 6.

Yosuke and I head to Junes for a quick bite to eat. Those two girls who always hassle Yosuke show up with more complaints. They were fired because they wouldn't work weekends. They accuse Yosuke of giving Saki preferential treatment because he had a crush on her. Yosuke says that Saki has nothing to do with this. The two harpies say that Saki never liked Yosuke anyways. I tell them to shut their god-damned mouths. Yosuke explodes on them, saying that he knew that, and now he's left behind. The two girls run away. Yosuke says thanks for standing up for him, but he's embarrassed. Magician is up to Level 7 now.

At night, I read "the Gentle Way" some more. It increases my Expression from "eloquent" to "persuasive". YOSH! I finish reading the book, and now I can start back on the "Forever Macho" series to up my courage. ===='''6/12: Yukiko and the Amagi Inn's reputation, and "Po-ta-toes?! Boil'em, mash'em stick'em in a stew" Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Sunday. No school. Yukiko calls me this morning, and I decide to hang out with her. Sorry Tanaka. Sorry TV world. She was lookin good, what can I say? We go to the Food Court and she shows me all the stuff she's bought. Can you even carry all of that? She says she's been studying for a job license while working a part-time job at night. Apparently, she's still stuffing envelopes while I've graduated to the high class world of origami folding. Just then some suits walk up. I guess they were guests at the Amagi Inn. They're jerk-off TV executives who wanted to do a paranormal special on the Amagi Inn. Yukiko tells them to buzz off, but she says that maybe it would have been better for her if they had accepted. If the inn's reputation had been ruined, it would be easier for her to leave. She seems really serious about leaving. The Priestess S. Link increases to Level 5.

That night, the fridge is full of food. Super Fantastic Cooking Time! I can make potato salad. I vaguely remember some student from school talking about having to the taters while they're still hot, so I smash them while they're still hot. I get tasty potato salad and bait x3. I guess my obsessive compulsive talk-to-everyone-everyday strategy pays off.

===='''6/13: First day of summer, and all Chie, all the time Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's the first day of summer! Everyone is wearing their summer gear. Aww yeah, girls are showing off that... forearm. Scandalous! At lunchtime, I invite Chie to partake in potato salad. She likes it. It feels like our relationship will become closer soon. How about today? But first, in gym class, coach asks me what kind of exercises sprints are. I guess anaerobic, because an aerobic exercise would be a prolonged cardiovascular exercise, like running a mile. I was correct! My knowledge increases.

Okay, NOW, I hang out with Chie some more. After school, we train and go out to eat at Aiya. She looks happy as the fat and carbs coat her veins. I bet Chie has no problem traveling to the meat dimension. Chie tells me that she needs to be strong to help me and protect Yukiko. I tell her I worry more about her than Yukiko (that's a lie). I can sense her "burning passion." The Chariot S. Link increases to Level 5.

That night I eat a frozen banana from the fridge. It's a Dojima family specialty that comes with no stat increases. I spend some time with Dojima, but nothing happens. I guess I'll wait for next time. ===='''6/14:Cookie King: The Reckoning, and The Return to the Steamy Bathhouse Forecast: Rain'''==== On the way to school, I overhear students talking about school camp. The more I hear about it, the more I want to ditch. Nothing much happens today. It's raining. I decide today would be a good day to go into the TV world and grind/item hunt, since the game will probably make me watch the Midnight Channel or hang out with Dojima anyway. We all gather at Junes, graduating to a new table.

Inside, Teddie greets us and informs me that there's a new shadow in Kanji's bathhouse. Great. How about first I finally beat the one in Yuki's Castle? I've got Rakshaka [sic], and he's strong against physical attacks. I take a party of Chie, Yuki and Kanji. Kanji's weapon is a folding chair? Badass. Anyway, sure enough, the cookie king's attacks this time are super weak. I don't know if it's because of the persona or if I gained a lot of levels or what, but he's a total cakewalk (*cue Yukiko laughing for 30 minutes*). Beating him increases my courage, and I pick up a new weapon for Yukiko on the way out that raises her SP by 50. Sweet!

Now let's go through the bathhouse again. It's a long and boring trip, but much easier than last time. I get an old key from a bribed fuzz. On Level 7, I get coal. A "tranquil idol" gives me a crooked cross. On Level 8, I find the Fox and Kanji (who I decided to leave out) just chilling. How'd they get here before us, did they take the back door or something? (That wasn't a Kanji joke, by the way). I get a grand horn from those beetle enemies. Finally, I get a reflecting board from those crazy tables with the flying pots and knives. No "suspicious poles" to be found. ****, do I have to go back to Yukiko's Castle for those? Anyway, I make it all the way through Kanji's dungeon in one go, and leave when I get to the save point. I'll save the extra boss/suspicious poles for next time.

That night, Nanako is watching TV. She seems down, so I try showing her a magic trick. It's some weird one where I move a rubber band from one finger to the next. Nanako, since she's a child with no imagination, finds it amazing. That's all that happens. No midnight channel. ===='''6/15: Some errands and quest completion, Getting closer with Saki's brother, and I talk with Nanako about death and dying Forecast: Cloudy'''==== At school, Mr. Morooka is priming us for school camp this weekend. He tells us to get ready to work hard. I'd rather hardly work. He asks me to know the meaning of the root word "pend". I guess "to hang" based on pendant and pendulum. Correct! My expression significantly increases. Kanji visits me at lunchtime. I probably won't hang out with him. No offense.

After class, I go around school playing Santa Claus to all the good little boys and girls who asked for things. None to Ms. Sofue though, because she was a weird teacher with trick questions. The girl who wanted the crooked cross gives me ointment x3 (what's a girl like you doing with this much ointment, one is tempted to ask). I go to the practice building and give the "homely girl" a reflecting board, and she returns the favor with 2 snuff souls. I go to the flood plain to give the old lady her old key, and she repays me not with items, but with words of wisdom. She gives me a lecture about confessing my love to people. It greatly increases my knowledge and courage. While I'm here, I feed the cat again. This opens up a new quest to... feed the cat some more.

Continuing on my errands, I go to the Shopping District and stop by the Metalworks. I sell a bunch of materials and upgrade everyone's armor. I also buy a Zweihander for myself and a Yasogami Desk for Kanji. Then I give the weird lady her grand horn to hang above her bed, and she gives me 18,000 yen. Finally, I give the old man his coal, and he gives me in return 15,000 yen. Not too shabby.

I return to school and talk to Saki's brother some more. Come on, man, I'm trying to be friends! All student health members are told to report to the infirmary. He wants me to stay out of it, but another student insists I attend. When we get there, the members start talking about how unfair it is that Saki is exempt from homework and absences because his sister died. I call them out for being insensitive pigs, but Konishi says he doesn't mind. We proceed to take inventory. Afterwards, my hands dirty and sore from being around paper all day (bringing to mind horrible repressed memories of envelope folding), I see Konishi still at his shoe locker. What are you doing here? He gives me a handkerchief to clean up with. It's kinda girly-lookin. It's probably Saki's. Maybe I can give this to Yosuke and he can smell it and cry himself to sleep every night. No S. Link.

That night, I get a rare item in the mail from Tanaka. It's... Amrita Soda? Not what I expected, but it's a pretty good item. Since my expression has finally increased, I can talk to Nanako about Death. It's a pretty deep convo that goes way over her head. I ask her why she has all these questions, and she says it's because she saw a funeral on TV. I tell her that people go to heaven when they die, and this makes her happy about her mom. Then she asks me why bad people do bad things. I tell her I don't know. It's a pretty touching moment. Slowly but surely, the Nanako S. Link increases to Level 4'''(Justice) '''

===='''6/16: Preparations for School Camp, and Coffee, Blacker than the Depths of Hell Forecast: Sunny'''====

Yukiko and I are walking to school together. Tomorrow is school camp, and we should go shopping after school today to prepare. Sounds good. We meet up after school and head to Junes, where every day is great. Yukiko and Chie discuss making curry, while Yosuke is conspicuously absent. The girls start talking about what they're going to put in it... they're buying everything! This is gonna be interesting. My mute protagonist cries out inside.

I decide to talk with Dojima that night. We brew some coffee. I take it black, just like my... tea. We have a brief moment where he ISN'T grilling me about the murders or yelling at Nanako. Hierophant increases to 4. We watch the news, and a report comes on about a bicyclist hit by a car. Dojima tells us to turn it off, and leaves suddenly. It reminds him of his wife's accident. Sad.

===='''6/17: School Camp Part One: Trash all day and trash for dinner Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's school camp day, and we pick up trash all day. So glad we don't have this in the states, although dinner and tents does sound fun. At dinner, Yosuke seems willfully ignorant of our female compatriots' cooking ability, and I offer to give him my share. There's neon purple waves coming from the cooking pot, like something out of "The Dark Crystal" or something. That's not a good sign. One bite in, Yosuke spits up like a gassy baby and farts uncontrollably. Let's let Yosuke describe in his own words what it was like:

Quote: Yosuke Hanamura: ''WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?! It's gritty and slimy with squishy parts in it. It's so frickin nasty I can't even swallow it!''

That's what she said, Yosuke. That's what she said.

I think he's being a little hard of them. They tried their best right? Yosuke warns me not to even try it. I want to "pretend to eat it and discard it", but the game makes me eat it anyway. I spit up and fart uncontrollably, just as Yosuke had done. I collapse in a heap, my last words being: "You were right, Yosuke...you were ri-"

6/17: School Camp Part Two: Humongous Hanako, Secret Animal Crackers, and Yosuke Hanamura: A Case Study in Teenage Homophobia
Later, we're starving, so we ask newly introduced NPC student Hanako for some of her curry. Good lord, she's fat. And she has her own mountain of food in front of her. She says she's on a diet, so this will have to last her until tomorrow. It's amazing how fat she is. Mr. Morooka shows up to shimmy us into our boy/girl separated tents.

In the boys’ tent, we feel refreshed, but we're still hungry. Kanji is there with us, because the first year tent is boring/empty or something. I forget the excuse he gave, but basically I say Kanji can stay however long he wants. I get creeped out if I'm left alone with Yosuke honestly. Yosuke tells Kanji to sleep on a rock. We talk a little bit about how much of a jerk Mr. Morooka is. Apparently, he was overheard talking about the murder victims, as if they deserved it. The game seems to want me to think of Morooka as a suspect. Yosuke starts eating Kanji's animal crackers. He gets pissed. "Dammit, I was so pumped about finding the penguin today!" The penguin is apparently a secret animal cracker. Oh Kanji.

Yosuke straight up finds the elephant in the room and kicks the **** out of it by asking Kanji straight out (pretty much) if he's y'know... *hand motion*. Are we going to be... safe with him? Yosuke has always had this fear of being raped you see. Kanji, still not completely out of the closet, tells Yosuke he's gonna prove his masculinity, and go hit the girls' tent right now! Okay, now you're just overcompensating. You're like Michael Jackson with Lisa Marie Presley right now dude. I try to convince Kanji not to do it, but he's not listening. In this scene, I kind of hate Yosuke, but I guess he's a fairly accurate representation of the majority of high-school age boys.

In the girls tent, everyone is being kept up by Hanako's (yes, her again) snoring. Stuck in the tent, hopeless and with their feet shriveling in the cold, Chie and Yuki wonder if this is what Teddie's life is like. Kanji shows up at the girls' tent and promptly faints. The two girls don't know what to do, so they wander over to our tent. Even though it's Yosuke's wet dream in real life, he seems hesitant about allowing them to stay over. We hear Mr. Morooka outside, drunk as a skunk, on patrol for "indecent students." Yuck. We manage to avoid being expelled by King Moron and eventually we all get to sleep. Meanwhile, I have to wonder if Kanji is in the girls' tent "proving himself" with Hanako. Blech. ===='''6/18: School Camp Part 3: Yosuke Comes prepared, Girls in swimsuits, and Kanji gets a nosebleed Forecast: Sunny'''====

The next day, we're all dismissed in the morning. We approach a high cliff overlooking a swimming hole and waterfall below. Kanji for some reason can't remember what happened last night... that's probably for the best. I'm sure those repressed horrors will reveal themselves someday. He passes on swimming, because he still feels all stiff (heh heh). No one really wants to swim, but the girls say that they would if only they had swimsuits.

Yosuke, in a truly impressive display of foresight and creeperdom, whips out two bathing suits for our hesitant girls. Wow, that is... sort of gross. After much begging and pleading, the two finally relent. They change into their suits, and me and Yosuke bark at the moon. Hamana hamana. They're no Mitsuru and Yukari, but they'll do. Anyway, Yosuke continues to be a Grade A slimeball and gets the two of us pushed off the cliff into the dark water below. The girls celebrate their victory, only to find Kanji with an inexplicable nosebleed. Kanji seems confused, but Yukiko takes it as a sign of perversion and shoves Kanji off as well. I guess Kanji will **** anything that moves. To add insult to injury, upstream, a hammered King Moron is vomiting into the river. Well, we probably deserved that.

Afterwards, I take a million showers and go to bed, still not feeling completely clean. Seriously though, am I the only one who thinks Yosuke crossed the line from "likable horny dude" to "complete and utter future molester" here? Not cool. ===='''6/19: What's your game, Fox? and "Rise Rises" Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Sunday - No school. I wake up late and watch Tanaka. He's got more fish for sale, and I take him up on it. Then I take a walk on the floodplain, feed the cat an Inaba Trout (it still wants more), and head back to the shrine. I report the good deed (getting the lady off of snacks). Fox is pleased at my willingness to do his ***** work. The Hermit link increases to 3. Maybe his healing fee will be somewhat manageable now.

That night, Dojima, Nanako and I are watching a documentary about the teen idol, Rise Kujikawa. She certainly gets a "rise" out of me, hahahaha- *gunshot*. Actually, it's pronounced "ree-say", like a sassy southern lady asking for a peanut butter cup. She's holding a press conference where she announces she's taking a break from the entertainment industry. Coincidentally, she's moving to Inaba, where her family runs the tofu shop. Oh hey, she's the hot girl from the opening anime! *drool* Sorry, Chie, but it looks like you're about to get dropped like a bag of hammers.

===='''6/20: Planning for Rise, Memories of Koromaru (and Fuuka), and Chie and I vow to protect the innocent Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Kanji walks with me on the way to school and reports that the shopping district is poppin off the chain today. That morning, the four of us (me, Yosuke, Chie and Yuki) meet in homeroom to sort out our lingering weirdness regarding the school camp. Yosuke changes the subject to Rise. He's enamored, clearly. A pretty girl who sings and does commercials in swimsuits... sounds like his ideal. Chie mentions that she's probably going to be the next one in the TV world since she was on TV. I'm glad someone is catching on. Yuki says there's not a personal connection between Rise and Yamano. We begin preparations for "Operation: Stalk Rise", which Yosuke is hoping goes better than Operation: Stalk Kanji.

In class, the teacher asks me who said "law is the correct judgment of the state". I guess Socrates. I'm right! My knowledge increases. After school, I talk to everyone and listen to what they have to say: it's all about Rise. I head into town to check it out. I stop off at the shrine and get a new request: a family's dog is missing. His name is Koro. Could it be? I hear Fuuka in my head saying "*gasp* Koro-Chan" and I want to shoot myself in the head (to release my persona, of course). Afterwards, I spy a brown dog on the river bank, but it runs away from me.

I go back to school and train with Chie. Afterwards, we go to Souzai Daikouyu for some meat on sticks. A policeman arrives and says he's investigating incidents of bullying around here. I tell Chie we'll settle it our way: Izanagi style! Not really though. Maybe we'll just politely ask them to stop. The Chariot S. Link increases to Level 6!

That night, there's some wasabi in the fridge. I lick it. I immediately regret it. It increases my courage, but I go to bed sick. Actually, I don't regret it at all. ===='''6/21: Much Persona fusing, Much Ayane bashing, and Much scrambled Skinemax Forecast: Rain'''====

It's raining today, and will continue into the night. I wonder who we'll see on the Midnight Channel tonight? After school, I look around for Koro-chan, but he appears to be gone. I go to the Velvet Room and kill some time fusing personas. Through a bit of experimentation, I eventually make the one that Margaret wanted to see. (Again, thanks for the advice, but I had already figured it out. Keep it coming though.) I leave and re-enter the Velvet Room, and when Margaret sees my fancy new Persona, she smiles at me. My heart flutters. The Empress Social Link increases to Level 2.

I go back to school and attend band practice. Ayane is still weird and annoying and altogether unlikable. My expression significantly increases. Ayane doesn't play today, but she arrives at the end of practice to announce that she's got our next gig lined up. The conductor asks her if she asked them what we should play, and he scolds her when she says she did not. He also tells me that I won't be part of the performance, since I'm a newcomer. After practice, I offer to help clean up, but she doesn't want me to. She's gonna stay behind and practice some more and blah blah blah, okay, this is a really dull and stupid S. Link. I hate it! Sun increases to Level 3.

That night, I watch the Midnight Channel. The screen is all fuzzy, but I can vaguely see a well-endowed girl in a swimsuit... oh, wait... this is a blurred out porno channel... my mistake. Actually it is the Midnight Channel. Yosuke calls me all donghanded and says we should go to Makuryu Tofu tomorrow to stalk. ===='''6/22:Three Men and an Icon, and Dojima's suspicions grow larger Forecast: Cloudy'''====

After school, the whole student body is orgasming over Rise being at the Tofu shop. Yosuke, who has finely "researched" Rise's figure, knows that the girl on the Midnight Channel last night was definitely Rise. Chie and Yukiko decide to sit this one out. Yosuke, Kanji and I ride the testosterone train down to Makuryu. We find Adachi, poor Adachi, doing traffic detail. Has it come to this? Dojima is here also, investigating. Uh oh. He notices me hanging out with Kanji the ruffian and asks what I'm doing. I play dumb again, saying that I'm just here to see the pretty girl from the TV. Dojima tells us not to bother them. He totally thinks we're murdering people.

After a while, the crowd starts to clear out. Can it be that she's actually not here? Yosuke, in his disappointment, decides to go in and buy something. I tell him to get "momen tofu" and then Yosuke remembers that he can't eat tofu. What? Kanji says to get "ganmodoki". Which is also made of tofu. This game makes no sense sometimes. In any case, we go in with Yosuke so he can buy something he can't eat. We find Rise in the back, disguised in plain sight as a homely tofu... cooker? Kneader? Yosuke can't talk he's so starstruck. Kanji is impervious to her charms and asks if she's Rise. She is, and so we warn her to watch out for strange occurrences. Like, don't get kidnapped okay?

Kanji embarrasses Yosuke in front of his crush. Rise thinks he's funny though. Hey, I can be funny too! Yosuke asks Rise if she knows about the Midnight Channel. She actually has, and watched it last night. That wasn't her, she says... the real her is less... curvy. We go ahead and spill the beans to her about our theory that people who appear on the Midnight Channel are eventually kidnapped. She says she'll be careful, and gives us our tofu.

We leave, and then the game cuts to Dojima and Adachi questioning Rise. Dojima asks Rise why she's taking a break from showbiz, and she gives a vague answer about needing a rest. She says that she's planning on attending Yasogami High, and that three students came to visit her earlier. They warned her about the kidnappings. Uh oh. She's talking about us. Dojima is concerned as to why we know so much about the case.

That night, the three of us are eating tofu. The tension in the air is palpable. Dojima asks me what I asked Rise about. I come straight out and say the kidnapping cases. Dojima snaps and tells me to stay out of it. Nanako scolds us for fighting, again. It's always the children who suffer in abusive relationships. At midnight, I see Rise on the TV. It's definitely her... just... bigger. ===='''6/23: Operation: Stalk Rise, A Pervert's Demise, and Rise's Inner Sex Goddess Forecast: Cloudy'''====

After school, the gang meets up at Junes to talk it all over. We decide that the connection isn't Ms. Yamano, it's that all the victims have been featured on TV. Also, we determine that Rise isn't in the TV world yet, because her "show" hasn't been broadcast yet, just her warning. How are people appearing on the Midnight Channel if they're not inside the TV world yet? Is the TV world some mash-up of the killer and the victim's mind? What a mystery... What do you think, Kanji? Kanji? WAKE UP.

We decide it best to go on another stake-out. At the item shop, we run into Adachi, who is apparently a spy for Dojima now. We invite him along with us on the stake out for comic relief... I mean, because he's a detective. At the tofu shop, we keep Rise safe in the back while we patrol for the culprit. Eventually we spy a suspicious man climbing a telephone pole. Gotcha! It's time for an all-out attack! We chase after him... leaving Rise at the shop unattended. Oh come on dudes. Classic misdirection!

We catch up to him, and he threatens to throw himself into traffic. He's sort of a shlub, more like an otaku than a criminal mastermind, but this obvious fact goes unseen by our inept band of heroes. We tackle him, and Adachi wants to bring him into the precinct immediately under suspicion of murder. Wow, you really are just stupid, huh Adachi? I thought you were faking, but you really are this dumb. He kind of reminds me of Akiba in MGS4... I'm guessing "nanomachines" isn't the reason why Adachi is dumb, however. Surprise, surprise, when we walk back to Makuryu Tofu, Rise is missing. Uhh-DOY.

That night, as I'm unwrapping my Huge Fish from Tanaka, I'm treated to a rather scandalous peep show on the Midnight Channel. It's Rise all right, promising to "reveal it all" and being somewhat of a sex bob-omb. Girls gone wild, up in here. Yosuke calls, once again dong-handed, and reminds me that we're complete idiots for not being able to stop another kidnapping. ===='''6/24: Teddie's Social Link, on the lookout for paparazzi, and more time with the young mother Forecast: Clear'''====

The gang heads into the TV world and meets up with Teddie, who was sad/angry/jealous of us for having fun in the real world without him Well yeah Teddie, you're some weird living mascot with creepy feet, is that our fault? He tells us that he's been hearing voices from the other world. But has Rise shown up? He can't quite smell her, so we need to hunt for clues again. I stay behind with Teddie and provide him with some encouragement. This creates a new S. Link, for the Star Arcana.

First, I head to the shopping area. I see Chie and Yukiko there. I go to visit Rise's grandmother at Makuryu Tofu. She tells me about some paparazzi who hang out at the riverbank. I also see Koro-Chan in the shopping district. He's still wary of me, so I talk to him gently. This seems to calm him down a little bit, but he still takes off. I go to the flood plain and find Yosuke and Kanji, but no paparazzi. I don't really mind these whole mini-quests to enter dungeons, but they seem a little arbitrary.

I go back to school and talk to everyone. They tell me to ask Rise's super fan in the practice building. He is of little help. Actually, no one is really. I'll just wait for the paparazzi to show up at the river. I decide to work at the Day Care today. Been a while. I'm having a good time playing Phoenix Ranger Featherman R with the kids. Eri arrives to pick up Yuuta, but Yuuta asks when Dad's coming home, and decides to ride home with his friend instead. Eri understands how hard it is for Yuuta; her husband didn't tell her he had a child until right before they were married. She didn't expect for it to be like this. Eri starts to think that maybe she rushed into the marriage too quickly. The Temperance Arcana increases to Level 3.

That night I read more of "Forever Macho". My courage increases to "Brave"! Now I can hang out with the Team Manager, Ai. ===='''6/25: I Marathon Rise's Dungeon (the Makuryu Stripclub) in One Day, Part One Forecast: Rain'''====

It's raining... "Today would be a good day to go into the TV world," I think. I find the paparazzi at the riverbank today and trade info with him. He tells me that Rise got tired of being "Risette", her idol personality. Bubbly, cute, fun-loving, center-of-attention... she got tired of all these things. She couldn't stand living two lives: her real self and her manufactured personality. Let's go tell Teddie!

In the TV world, I go to Yukiko's castle alone to look for "suspicious poles"... uh, that came out wrong. The enemies are really easy by now, and I get decent experience if I go by myself. I finally find some on level 5. After that, I ask Foxy to heal me (it's cheap since it's only one character) and I go after the Bonus Boss of Kanji's dungeon. He's a giant "bribed fuzz" enemy. He's actually weak against Zio skills, so me and Kanji spam them till the cows come home and do lots of all-out attacks. As far as optional bosses go, he's not bad, especially when I learn to leave Yukiko out of it (she's super weak to his ice spells). It's a super long fight, but I beat him after two tries. My courage increases and I get an "iron plate" for Kanji, a pretty good weapon.

OK, now let's go after Rise! I tell Teddie to find Rise based on the information I learned from the paparazzi. Teddie thinks Rise is just like him: delicate, sentimental, they both bind their feet, etc. He finds her, and we end up in a dark room. When the lights come on, we're in a strip club. Teddie says that these are the things zebras have. No one laughs. That was worse than my "sex bob-omb" joke and all the lady gaga jokes I had in my head (but chose not to share) combined. The atmosphere of the dungeon is sleazy, with breathy female vocals and a grindy beat. It's like Jersey Shore in here basically. On the third floor I run into smutty Rise. She's still threatening to "bare it all". Kanji wonders if he was like that too... uh, yeah, Kanji you were worse, if anything.

At level 4, I use a Goho-M to go back outside and switch Kanji for Chie (Kanji's sp disappears too fast). I head into the Velvet Room to fuse personas because it's really ******** annoying to always have to discard personas after every fight, and through some miracle I end up making the Matador persona that Margaret wanted to see. I leave and come back, and Margaret is impressed with my fusing skill. The Empress rank increases to Level 3! Next, she wants a Gdon that knows Rampage.

I head back into the strip club after getting healed by Foxy. It's really not that bad, maybe it's because I patted him on his head earlier? We continue through the seedy underbelly of Rise's mind on our quest for some T&A. I better get some side boob out of this, I think to myself. I notice a lot of the regular chests contain "chest keys"... is this a pun based on Rise's bazonga issues? Probably not, but if so, that's sort of clever. On the 7th floor, we get to a mini-boss. It's weak against fire and super easy. I think it dies in two turns. In all, the dungeon seems MUCH easier than Kanji's was on my first time through. Most of the enemies here are weak to elements, and it's fairly easy to spam "one mores" and "all-outs". ===='''6/25: I Marathon Rise's Dungeon (the Makuryu Stripclub) in One Day, Part Two Forecast: Rain'''==== After the easy mini-boss, I head up to Floor 8 and use a Goho-M. I go to the Velvet Room, and Margaret hands me a Velvet Ticket, an item that reduces the cost of summoning Personas from the compendium. Sweet! I play around here long enough and eventually figure out how to make a Gdon with Rampage (Ares w/Rampage + a Shiisaa). Gdon is a badass bulletproof tiger with flames on its back. I leave and come back, and Margaret drools when she sees me ride in on my flaming feline steed. She says she had me make a Gdon because she wanted me to see that an innocent boy like myself could have a monster inside of him... and she wanted to ride it. Tch. Margaret you dirty bird! The Empress ranks up AGAIN to Level 4. Now she wants a Neko Shogun that can cast Bufula. Someone tell me how to do this.

I had no plans of beating this dungeon in one go, but I talk to the fox and once again, my healing fee is manageable. I figure knocking this out today would be good for my s.links and stat raising, so I throw caution to the wind and just do it. I make it from 8 to 11 pretty easily. Am I super over-leveled or something? And if so, how?

At the end of the dungeon we find smutty Rise and tofu Rise on a stripper platform. Smutty Rise starts grinding up on some stripper pole and making tofu Rise uncomfortable... she makes Yosuke uncomfortable too, but in a different way. Kanji is probably bored. By now, this is all pretty predictable stuff. Smutty Rise starts her monologue about how Rise is a bad person, yadda yadda yadda, Rise says "you're not me" and so on, Whoops there's a monster, let's fight it. Side note: I don't like Rise's voice actress when she talks in her "cute" voice, because then I keep getting reminded of Raspberyl from Disgaea 3... I hated Raspberyl. Side Note 2: you'd think we'd have the good sense to interrupt one of these inner selves during their monologue, or slap a hand over Rise's mouth or something to keep her from saying the magic words, but no, we just stand there like Frieza watching Goku make a spirit bomb for three episodes.

In any case, I get into battle with Shadow Rise, some psychedelic naked lady, and the battle is really slow and easy. It doesn't really DO anything except cast fire spells. Halfway through, S. Rise casts "Supreme Insight", and suddenly, none of my attacks work. OH ****. The battle ends. S. Rise scans us and then levels us with one attack. OH ****. We're screwed. I tell Teddie it's up to him, fully expecting him to run away on his tiny feet, but instead he starts freaking out about being alone again. It's over, and I never even got to make anyone my girlfriend...Then Teddie goes bear-serk (giggle). Super saiyan Teddie (how many DBZ references can I make in one write-up) knocks out S. Rise in one mighty attack. When the smoke clears, Teddie is disfigured, flattened, but okay somehow.

===='''6/25: I Marathon Rise's Dungeon (the Makuryu Stripclub) in One Day, Part Three Forecast: Rain'''====

We go to help Rise. She's okay, and she takes responsibility for her smutty self. Rise admits that the concept of a "real me" is a fallacy. Every person has different sides and aspects to their personality. Teddie seems to take these words to heart. Rise gets her persona, Himiko. She recognizes us as those students who came to warn her in the tofu shop. Everything is progressing as normal, until...

Something strange is happening to Teddie. Teddie's doubts about his real self bring about Shadow Teddie! He talks about the truth being unattainable, shrouded in fog... this sounds familiar. I recognize it from the very first boss fight, the mysterious one in my dream. S. Teddie says that it's better to live in ignorance and ignore the truth. S. Teddie calls the real Teddie hollow, and that he's in denial. Teddie doesn't have any lost memories; he's just an empty soul. S. Teddie kicks the crumpled, flattened Teddie out of the way and turns his attention on us. Rise steps in as analyzer in this battle and we're completely healed.

S. Teddie is a cool boss. He's a huge, decaying version of real Teddie, crawling out of a hole in the ground, so we can't see his horrifying (I assume) feet. It's a very very VERY LONG fight, but not particularly hard. He has one dangerous attack that takes two turns to charge. After being hit by it once and managing to survive, I learned to guard for that one. He has a very set pattern; he'll usually take one turn to either buff himself or cast silence on the party, and then follow it up with either a party-wide ice attack or a physical attack. I switch personas to something that nulls ice, so 2/4 members of the party are protected (main character & Chie). I have Yukiko guard whenever an ice attack is up next. Like I said, he's pretty easy to predict. If I had better equipment, the fight would've gone by quicker probably.

Afterwards, the characters are all speaking about Teddie's hidden side. Teddie doesn't know who he is... maybe S. Teddie was the real Teddie? I tell him that he's not alone. He gets his own persona, Kintoki-Douji. That's fun to say. Rise collapses, and we decide to leave the TV world. On the way out, Teddie thanks us for saving his bacon, but says he wants to be alone for a while. He's gonna train and grow his fur back, he says. Comes a time when a man's gotta stand on his own two feet, tiny as they are in this case. Teddie's Star Arcana increases to Level 2. Yuki and Chie take Rise back home.

That night, Adachi brings Dojima home, drunk as hell. Nanako goes to get his futon ready. Apparently, the prefecture (think F.B.I.) has sent in a young hot shot detective to take over the case. He's my age apparently. It's Hat isn't it? Hat who is definitely a girl, but whatever. Dojima scolds Adachi for bringing in the stalker from before instead of the real murderer. Dojima then turns his drunken anger on me, for being around the crime scenes so much.

And with that verbal lashing, the day draws to a close.

Comment: Have you played Valkyria Chronicles? Would you believe me if I told you that Dave Wittenberg voiced both Welkin Gunther and Teddie?
VC is one of my faves. I would never have realized this on my own, but now that you've pointed it out I can kind of hear it. And yeah, I can't stand Laura Bailey. I was all prepared to have a crush on Rise, but now that I've heard her voice... I don't know. ===='''6/26: Back to the real world, and Kanji's idea of peace Forecast: cloudy'''====

=
Today is Sunday, so there's no school. All I can do now is wait for Rise to recover. Tanaka is on TV selling a "myth-like" sword. I decide to purchase it. I keep ordering all these weapons on TV, it's no wonder Dojima suspects me. Yesterday (6/25) took up about three real days of playing, so it feels like a long time since I've gotten to walk around Inaba. I'm not sure what to do, so I wander aimlessly for a while. I go to Daidara and sell A LOT of materials, and unlock a lot of new weapons. I make a "Downpour Sword" that ups my attack by 140 points AND ups my critical. HELL. YES. I also buy new armor for me and Yosuke; not sure why, since I won't go back to the TV world for at least two weeks I'm guessing. Also, I find Koro-Chan at the Riverbed. This time I try singing to him, and he's all "WTF" and leaves. Oops.

I decide to work on my Kanji S. Link. I find him at his mom's shop and we go to Aiya together. While we're there, a cop shows up and gets in Kanji's face for no reason. Kanji says he's used to being singled out as a punk because of his appearance/history. He does feel bad about his mom always having to defend him, so he promises to use his power to make Inaba peaceful. The Emperor rank increases to Level 2. Kanji almost immediately forgets his promise when he threatens the chef for his slow cooking. "I'm gonna tear this place apart and rebuilt it twice as good! I-I'm gonna RENOVATE your ass!" Kanji is becoming the Junpei of this game; i.e. the one character who's 5x better than the rest.

Inspired by Kanji, that night I read more of "Forever Macho". My courage increases.===== ===='''6/27: Koro-chan goes home, I make friends with Ai and Naoki, and Dojima doesn't care about sick people Forecast: Sunny'''====

Mr. Morooka fills in the class with info about Rise. She's okay, but I take it she won't be in school for a while. Also, why did someone think I was gonna be disappointed when I saved Rise? Is it because she's voiced by Laura Bailey? That confused me. Also confusing is Morooka asking me about "ressentiment". Does he mean resentment? I pretend that he means resentment and tell him the definition. I get his question right. He calls us all jealous of Rise for being famous, and concludes by saying there are LOTS more people out there who are better than us *********. Well, that was rude. My knowledge increases.

At lunch, I'm visited by Chie. Maybe I'll hang out with y nah. After class I give Ms. Sofue her "suspicious pole", and she rewards me with two anal beads. I mean, pulsating stones. Then I go to the flood plain and talk to Koro-chan. I talk to him gently again, and this time he sticks around. I give him a steak skewer that I conveniently bought at the meat stand 3 months ago. Apparently, it's just been in my sticky pocket the whole time. No wonder I smelled bad. Koro runs away to his owner's house. Quest done! I'll visit Fox soon.

I go back to school and talk to Ai Ebihara, the team manager who skips school a lot. She's impressed by my courage and says she'll invite me to skip class with her when she feels like it. A stone cold, take charge rich girl... there's my type! After that, I talk with Saki's brother some more and return his handkerchief. It was his sister's. He tells me his whole name, Naoki Konishi, and apologizes for saying he hated me. This opens up a new S. Link for the Hanged Man Arcana. He was kicked off the Health Association, so I can find him most of the times at his family liquor store early in the week.

That night, I eat some food out of the fridge and talk with Dojima. He's looking for a newspaper article about something, but he can't find it. He mentions an old case with no suspect... it must have something to do with his wife. Maybe it wasn't just an accident? Nanako shows up with a bad stomach ache, and Dojima seems really worried. Right then, Adachi calls with news about a sealed letter. Dojima totally ditches me and his dying daughter to go off to the precinct for this letter. Man, get your priorities straight! I give Nanako the pepto-bismol and she's okay. Later, he gets home in a bad mood. You're the worst father ever, Dojima. The Hierophant rank increases to 5.

Okay, maybe Jecht and Zak Gramarye are worse. Maybe. ===='''6/28: New book for sale, and an unfortunate no s-link / no stat increase day Forecast: Rain/Clouds'''====

At lunch, Naoki comes to visit me. It is a brief and pointless conversation, because I've decided to make a conscious effort to stat-raise for the next two weeks. After school I pick up the new book "Short on Cash" at the bookstore - about the virtues of bowling - and then I attend soccer practice. Nothing happens, but at least my diligence improves. That night, I spend time with Nanako, and once again nothing happens. A dull day.

===='''6/29: Ditching class with Ai, and Kou's concerned for Daisuke Forecast: Cloudy'''====

At lunch, Ai comes up to me and asks if I want to skip class with her that afternoon. I say sure. The truant takes me to Okina station. I tell her it's okay to ditch class every once in a while. She doesn't do it all the time, especially now since the school's been watching her attendance records. She drags me around shopping with her. The girl spends a ton of money on tons of useless stuff, and puts it all on her family's black card. We decide to head back, because she has an appointment with the guidance counselor after school. Next time, we should hang out after school, she says. A new S. Link is formed for the Moon Arcana. Best of all, I still have time left after school!

Seriously, I ought to skip class more often. I do feel like I'm behind in my stats, particularly diligence, so I go to Soccer Practice again, two days in a row. My diligence increases (slightly). Daisuke leaves on his own to do the "class record" or something, so Kou and I meet at Aiya, the only restaurant in town apparently, over some Mapo rice so he can tell me Daisuke's big secret. Kou tells me that Daisuke seems sick of soccer, that he's purposefully not trying. Like he's given up. Kou thinks he's the same with women. He brings up Daisuke's middle school girlfriend, who broke up with him because she thinks Daisuke didn't like her. I nod my head and say "mm-hmm" a lot to pretend I care. That's it? Daisuke's big secret is that he doesn't like to try hard because he's scared to fail? Boo. Anyway, the Strength S. Link increases to 7.

That night, I get my sword in the mail. It's weaker than the Downpour sword. What a gyp. There's food in the fridge, but I decide to skip it and read Forever Macho some more. My courage greatly increases. ===='''6/30: All down along the Pis Pis River, and Ai reminds me of an actual ex-girlfriend Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Ai Ebihara comes to visit me at lunch. She demands to hang out later. In class Mr. Yamada (I always think of the anime when this guy shows up) gives me three stupid-sounding rivers and tells me to pick the real one. I guess the Pis Pis River, thinking it's a foreign language. Yep. It's in Nicaragua. My knowledge increases.

After school I go straight to hanging out with Ai. She's taking me shopping with her again, and we're in a weird store called Croco Fur. She's already bought everything here. She poutfully demands I buy her an iced latte. So far, Ai is closest to a girl I've dated in real life (unfortunately). Once the store owner shows up and calls me her boyfriend, we get out of there pronto. She hates interacting with salespeople, because she's always wary of peoples' ulterior motives. Does she not see my ulterior motive? Moon personas, hello? By the way, the Moon S. Link increases to 2.

That night, I try talking to Dojima, but my expression needs to be "touching" first. Feh. My diligence is super low anyway, so I go upstairs and return to joyous envelope making. My diligence increases a certain degree.

July
===='''7/1: Beef. It's what's for dinner and Nanako further distances herself from Dojima Forecast: Rain'''====

It rains today. A student in the practice building asks me to find a silver lump for him. I'll get right on it! I go take the Beef Bowl Challenge at Aiya. I cross my fingers for a stat increase. My understanding, knowledge and courage increase... but not diligence this time. Gads.

That night, Nanako and I are watching a documentary on TV about a man searching for his real father. She asks me what that means, and I say "blood-related". She doesn't get it. She says Dojima doesn't think of her as his real daughter, which is why he's never home. I say that's not true, but she doesn't believe me. She remembers when her mother and Dojima and she would all pick flowers at the Samegawa... boo hoo. Cry me a Samegawa river. The Justice S. Link increases to Level 5. I probably ***** up my answers that time. Here's to another 4 nights of doing nothing but "precious moments" with Nanako! ===='''7/2: When group dates go wrong, and a long-awaited diligence increase. Forecast: Cloudy'''====

The long days of waiting for Rise to recover continue. Let's get these stats up! First I get the diligence, then I get the courage, then I get the WOMEN, then I get the POWER. I decide to go to soccer practice. Kou stops me on the way there, and so I don't get a diligence increase. Oh come on, man. Together, we get Daisuke and go to Okina station. Kou's bright idea of snapping Daisuke out of his funk is to get us all on a triple date. Some of Kou's scenester girls show up. I can see how this is gonna turn out. Predictably, Daisuke wants nothing of it, and we all head back to Inaba. Kou's all like "BUT I DID IT FOR YOUUUUUUU" and Daisuke is all "LEAVE ME ALONE, GAWD". I decide to stop their fussin and feudin. Kou says that Daisuke's scared of rejection and failure, and that's why he half-asses everything, so he has an excuse for when he sucks at it, whether it be girls or soccer. At first, Daisuke denies it, but after some introspection, he realizes Kou's right on the money. And to think, all this because some girl in middle school dumped you. The Strength S. Link increases to Level 8... but man, I was really looking forward to that diligence boost.

That night I make envelopes. My diligence increases from "persistent" to "strong!" Why couldn't that have come earlier?

====7/3: Ayane is the worst ever: way worse than Fuuka and probably worse than the Gourmet King YEAH I SAID IT Forecast: Cloudy====

It's Sunday, so there's no school today. I get a phone call. It's... Ayane!? How did you get this number? I'm hanging up... wait, you want to hang out with me today? Mildly freaked out, I decide to go ahead and bite the bullet here and see what happens. We decide to go to Okina and walk around, when who should show up but Daisuke. God, are you people all stalking me or something? He asks if Ayane is my girlfriend, and I personally scream at my own TV, "NO! NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO!" This extremely embarassing moment increases my affinity with both of them, which I guess is helpful with Daisuke and not so much with Ayane.... stupid Ayane. I know it's irrational hate, but it's hate nontheless.

That night I finish "Forever Macho". My courage greatly increases. ===='''7/4: More torturous interactions with Ayane, and I eat a little girl's pudding Forecast:'''====

Happy Independence Day! Whoo, no school! Party! Yeaaaa-- wait, what? This is Japan? Oh yeah. Anyway, in class, Mr. Morooka lectures me about Pascal. Please, I've been reading Pascal since I was in diapers. Then he asks Yosuke about the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning. I forget exactly what happened here, because I wasn't paying much attention, but I get the answer right and it increases my expression and my Yosuke.

Ayane visits me at lunch-- I will regretfully hang out with you to get my expression up, but just... leave me alone. First, I go into town to do some errands - the guy outside the bookstore wants a pair of "hard boots". They're for sale at Daidara, but they're kind of expensive, so I'll just sit on this one for a while. Then, since my diligence is up, I accept the "hospital janitor" job from the bulletin board. It meets at night. Okay, so then I go BACK to school and go to band practice. My expression increases, and afterwards, Ayane and I are practicing together by ourselves. She starts talking about how bad she is at everything. OKAY FINE, I get it, you suck, EVERYONE KNOWS YOU SUCK, quit ******* about it and either do something or give up. Ayane says it would be nice to practice outside, but she'd be too embarrassed alone. God, fine, let's go. We go to the river and practice, and my expression increases AGAIN to "touching!" All is forgiven, for now. The Sun rank increases to 4.

That night, there's a bowl of pudding with Nanako's name on it in the fridge. I eat the **** out of it. My courage increases. To make matters worse, I then spend a "precious moment" with Nanako. Man, I am evil.

===='''7/5: Daisuke confronts the one that got away, and "Kaoru is a punk" Forecast: Cloudy'''====

I can see the rains coming on the weather report. Soon, Rise will recover, and this brief break from plot/TV world will be over. After school, I go to soccer practice to get one step closer to maxing this out. Daisuke's "admirer" shows up again at practice, and he reveals that she is the same girl as his middle school girlfriend. I tell him to talk to her, and the Strength Social Link increases to Level 9! Mmmm, can you smell that Vorpal Blade? I can! After practice, I see Daisuke talking with the girl. Turns out, she's here to visit another member on the team. Bummer. Nonetheless, Daisuke feels good that he got that off his chest.

That night, I start reading "The Punk's Way". My knowledge and expression increase. ===='''7/6: Hermit link increase, and my first night working at the hospital Forecast: Cloudy'''====

After a non-descript day of schooling, I report back to Fox that I saved Koro-chan and sent him back to his family. He's happy that his fellow four-legged friend is safe. The Hermit S. Link increases to 4, and I get further discounts for Foxy's addictive healing leaves (I need my fix, man).

That night, I start working at the hospital as a janitor. I get a shot of courage when I think I hear creepy noises in the silent, empty hospital. Plus, I get to wear a cute little uniform. I overhear a conversation between a doctor and a nurse. Something about patrolling an empty room. The nurse, who's kind of a cutie, starts coming on to me pretty hard. I head home quickly, as my mother always warned me about fast women. I get 5,000 yen out of it.

===='''7/7: Tanabata, Yosuke and I come to terms with Saki's death, and I meet Nurse Sayoko Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Today in school I get lectured about some Japanese poetry called the Man-Yoshu. Today is apparently "Tanabata", or the star festival. The teacher picks me to tell him which poet wrote the most poems about Tanabata. How the **** am I supposed to know? Isn't it your job to y'know, teach us these things first? In any case, I pick the guy with the longest name, and holy balls, I picked correctly. I am insanely lucky. My knowledge increases.

After school, I get a new request from Foxy. He gives me an ema written by a child. He wants some friends. I meet the kid at the entrance of the flood plain. He doesn't have any friends, because all the popular kids play with stickers, and he has none. A rare sticker would get him some friends. I give him a Tanaka prize sticker, but I need to check back another day to see if it worked. I go back to school after that and hang out with Yosuke.

Previously on the Yosuke show, he got really bonkers upset at some girls about Saki. At the river, he shows me a print club sticker he took with Saki. Say can I borrow that and give it to some random kid? Just kidding. Yosuke says that when he first got here, he felt above this place, and Saki was the only one who tried to make friends with him. It's not fair that she had to die. Well, you're the male sidekick character, it's a "persona rule" that your love interest has to die. He was excited about the murders as a way to escape thinking about Saki and being stuck in Inaba. The Magician S. Link increases to Level 8.

That night I again start work at the hospital. My courage increases from being in a spooky room. The nurse appears behind me and introduces herself as Sayoko Uehara. She invites me to the nurse's station for some "hot coffee"... but she has sexier motives in mind. In the deepest, most bad-ass, solid snakiest voice I can muster, I say "...not interested". This just makes her like me more. This opens up the new Devil Arcana. I also get 5,000 yen. A social link that pays... I think I've got a new favorite. ===='''7/8: Food training at Aiya, and the Devil in a New Dress, er-- scrubs Forecast: Rain'''====

We've reached the closing stretch here. The last few days of rain before the fog sets in. I go to Aiya for some stat-raising. My understanding, knowledge and diligence increases. That night, I go work at the hospital some more, so my courage increases (Notice how I got an increase in everything today... except expression!) Sayoko comes up to me and flirts with me some more. Man, this girl wants it. She offers to teach me a subject we don't learn in school. Uhhh, bedpan changing? Sayoko seems to see there's something different about me. The Devil S. Link increases to Level 2.

====7/9:Study Day, and the Fog Rolls In Forecast: Rain====

Like yesterday, I just use today for stat increasing. This time, I go to the Library. My knowledge increases twice. The fog rolls in that night, and no one appears on the Midnight Channel. As usual, the game cuts to the fog-filled shopping district. The fog appears lighter, but there's no one there. All is right with the world! Or so we think...

===='''7/10 Part One:The Death of King Moron, and The True Teddie REVEALED. Forecast: Clear'''====

This morning they find a body hanging from an apartment building. Do what? Chie calls me about it and everyone meets at Junes. Everyone is there already when I arrive, except for Yosuke, who arrives right after me and informs everyone that the victim was MR. MOROOKA! WHILLIKERS!!! This throws our theories for a loop: he wasn't on TV (no one would show that dude's ugly mug) and there's no connection between him and the other victims, except for the school angle. I tell everyone not to give up. Sure, everything we thought we knew about this case just got thrown out, but... eh.

We decide to go ask Teddie about what could have happened, and some staff members point us to a new "mascot" Junes apparently hired. Teddie? We find him chilling out in one of those vibrating chairs. Teddie can leave the TV world? He says that spending time with us made him curious about our world. He was inside the TV world until the fog lifted, but no one else was in there, he says, so King Moron was never in there. Teddie gives us glasses to give to Rise and says he's going to fight with us. The New Legend of Teddie! The Fool link increases to Level 5.

Then we go to the food court and talk about the case some more. I said the killer probably never intended to kill Mr. Morooka, but he got frustrated that the people he threw into the TV stopped dying, so he killed him the old fashioned way. Teddie says he starts feeling hot, and he's going to take off his costume. Yosuke says seeing a hollowed out suit walking around and talking would traumatize kids. He does it anyway and WHAT!? TEDDIE IS A LITTLE BLONDE KID! Everyone is shocked. Did he "grow" a body for himself? Is this the "real" Teddie? Chie and Yukiko take him to buy him some clothes and give him a makeover, while the dudes go to visit Rise. ===='''7/10 Part Two: The gang eats topsicles, Rise joins the group, and a dream of the Velvet Room. Forecast: Still Clear'''====

We eat something called "topsicles" and wait for the girls to arrive outside Makuryu Tofu. Human Teddie arrives, dressed in a frilly white shirt and a corsage, his wind-swept hair perfectly styled, his eyes big and blue. In a word, he is awesome. Yosuke asks Kanji if he thinks Teddie is cute. Kanji asks why he's asking him for. Yosuke continues, "Is he your type?" Kanji delivers the line of the game so far: "What you're really asking is... "Will you please beat the **** out of me, Kanji?" I laughed out loud. Yosuke gives Kanji 1,000 yen to share ice cream with Teddie. Then Chie says that they charged Teddie's wardrobe to Yosuke's bank account. Poor Yosuke. Teddie keeps calling everyone "baby". Human Teddie is the best; he's like my favorite character now.

Yuki and I go to visit Rise and meet Hat as he's leaving the tofu shop. Long time no see! S/he introduces him/herself as Naoto Shirogane. He's the detective mentioned by Dojima in a drunken rage. Naoto questions us, having already made the connection that all the prior victims were shown on TV. He leaves, knowing we're hiding something.

Afterwards, we go to the shrine with Rise. She says she remembers being in her house, and then out of nowhere being in the TV world. She didn't tell Naoto anything, and she covered for us. She thanks us for helping her; everyone has different sides to their personality, and she had forgotten what the "real" Rise was like. Chie gives her the Teddie glasses and Rise joins up as our Analyst. The Fool S. Link increases again to Level 6. Starting tomorrow, she'll be going to my high school. Right when Morooka dies and exams are right around the corner. Yosuke says to meet tomorrow and discuss the case some more. Kanji and Teddie show up, having stuffed their faces with Topsicles. Yosuke says he'll keep Teddie at his house.

That night, Nanako and I watch the news about Morooka's death. I calm Nanako, which raises my understanding, and do another magic trick for her. It's the old "detachable thumb" trick, I think. In my dreams, I visit the Velvet Room, and Igor asks me if I'm any closer to figuring it all out. Ehhhh, no? He then teaches me how to fuse more than 3 personas at once. Score. ===='''7/11: Our new homeroom teacher, Ms. Kashiwagi, and Naoto, the police and a suspect Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Yosuke is walking with me to school, and we wonder about our new homeroom teacher. In class, everyone is talking about it, and our new teacher, Ms. Kashiwagi walks in. She is what some might call a "cougar," and is extremely self-centered and jealous. As of right now, that is all there is to her character. We have a moment of silence for Mr. Morooka and then she tells me we have exams next week.

After school, the 7 (!) of us meet at Junes to discuss the late Morooka's passing. Teddie is sure that he wasn't in the TV world, and Yosuke feels sorry that he suspected him at first. Our only idea is that the killer is somehow connected with the school. Naoto shows up (uh, did you hear all that) and says that it's not worth investigating Morooka's case anymore. The police have a suspect. He doesn't know the suspect's name, but it's a high schooler at a different school than Yasogami. Oh, you mean that random orange-shirt I saw a couple times in the shopping district? Yeah, I didn't think that dude was important at all. Naoto tells us the game is over, and Rise says that he's the only one who thinks of it as a game. Naoto leaves after that, having been chewed out by us and thrown out by the police department.

That night I hang out with Nanako. Stupid time wasting Nanako.

===='''7/12: Kashiwagi talks about eels, and Yosuke and I study for exams Forecast: Rain'''====

The school is abuzz about finals. In class, I listen to Ms. Kashiwagi seductively talk about eels. She likes the slimy texture. Her innuendo-filled lesson increases my knowledge (and grosses me out). After class I walk around campus, catching up with my fellow students. Everybody is shocked about Morooka and depressed about Finals, which start 7/19. The girl in my class who wanted the angel and the crucifix now wants a "charmed veil." After that, I study with Yosuke in the library. My knowledge and my Yosuke increase.

That night I hang out with Nanako again, and once again it's a huge waste of time. ===='''7/13: Dojima opens up (slightly) about his wife, Chisato Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Today in gym class, Coach Kondo taught us how to play rugby. He also asked me the meaning of the phrase "rome wasn't built in a day". It's a shockingly easy question. My knowledge increases. I go back to the flood plain after school and talk with the kid I gave my Tanaka sticker to. It didn't make him cooler, so he gives it back to me. He needs a rare sticker that's popular with kids. I get another quest from the girl by the river: she wants a "flower brooch." Also, Namatame is back. Hi Namatame! Did you kill Mr. Morooka? No? I'll be moving along then.

I decide to hang out with Yukiko after school, but my s. link doesn't increase, and the game doesn't tell me "our relationship will grow closer soon." Whoops. I must have hung out with her once without a Priestess persona. That night, my expression is high enough where I can ask Dojima about that newspaper article and his wife. The article is about Chisato, his wife, who was killed in a hit and run accident. Dojima wants to stop talking about it, but I urge him on. She was run down on her way to pick up Nanako from school. He thanks me for the "real talk" and the Hierophant Arcana increases to Level 6. ===='''7/14: Studying with Yukiko, and Sayoko and I get busy Forecast: Sunny'''====

In a characteristically weird lecture, Mr. Hosoi (the teacher with the puppet) is teaching us about the "pillow book" when he asks us about the dawn. Which is brighter, nautical or civil? I guess nautical. EHHHH. It's civil. He tells me it's gonna be on the test next week, so I better get it right by then! To improve my Yuki points I take her to go study with me. My knowledge and Yuki increase.

That night, I go to work at the hospital. My courage increases from "brave" to "daring!" In a rather creepy moment, I meet an old woman in the hallway. She leaves shortly after seeing me, without saying a word. Later, Sayoko takes me to an empty hospital room. She asks me why I'm working this job, and I say "to be closer to her," which is true, I guess. Then she asks if I have a girlfriend, and I say yes... because I have many many girlfriends that just don't know it yet. She says high schoolers are so young, and she just wants to see them get screwed over by life. Then she walks over to me, the screen goes dark and we spend a long time together. WOAH. Did I just get laid? I guess maybe the Devil S. Link may have leveled up here, but who cares, I just got laid by the slutty nurse! And I got paid 5,000 yen! Okay, now I feel sort of like a prostitute. But at least if I die in the TV world I won't have died a virgin. ===='''7/15: More studying and frustration with fusion Forecast: Sunny'''====

In class, Mr. Yamada is talking about the weather, and I'm daydreaming about how I totally got some last night. I snap out of it when Yamada asks me if it’s possible to grow melons in the Andes mountain range. Uhhh, no? Duh. That's just common sense. My knowledge increases.

I go into town and pick up the new book, "Man of History". I don't know why I keep buying these books, it’s not like I have any time to read between Dojima and Nanako wasting my time and now my creepy "girlfriend" keeping me busy. Afterwards, I go to the Velvet Room and play around with Cross fusion a little bit. I waste a whole lot of money summoning all of the Mitamas before I realize that I'll have to fuse them in order to get one that knows "bufula". Lame. I go back to school and Rise asks to study with me. This doesn't open up a new S. Link, so I guess it was kind of a waste. My knowledge increases.

That night, Nanako gives me a "Tankiriman" sticker. I guess I'll give this to the kid. Kou calls me to see if I want to study with him and Daisuke on Sunday. Since that link is almost maxed, I turn him down. I study at my desk. Cram cram cram. My knowledge increases.

===='''7/16: Egyptian eyeliner, Knowledge Level Up, and Don't flaunt it if you're not gonna give it up, Nanako (your s.link, that is) Forecast: Rain'''====

On my way to school, Chie asks me who I think the suspect is. Your mom maybe? I don't know, I have no idea, it could be Chie's mom. In class, Ms. Sofue is lecturing us about make-up. Why can't we learn about something normal for once? She calls on me in class (I swear, these teachers are picking on me) and makes me look at her eyeliner. Why did the ancient egyptians wear eyeliner? How should I know, do I look like James Spader in "Stargate?" Actually, if I grew my hair out and wore my glasses I kind of would... Anyway, I guess "mourning" but the answer was actually "insect repellent". She says she's putting it on the test next week.

I look around a little bit for the kid with no friends, but because of the rain he's nowhere to be seen. I go back to school and study by myself in the library. My knowledge increases twice, and levels up to "Professor!"

Confident in my knowledge stat, I decide to hang out with Nanako some more. GOOD LORD YOU NEVER LEVEL UP. This is just trolling at this point. ===='''7/17: Nanako's S. Link continues to troll, and fishing to relieve stress and frustration (with Nanako) Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's Sunday. Since I only have 700 yen to my name, I don't even bother with Tanaka (I've been trying and failing miserably at fusing a "mitama" with bufula... I'm about to start cheating). I find "Junior", boy with no friends, at the flood plain, and I give him Nanako's Tankiriman sticker. Will this work? I'll have to wait and see.

That afternoon, I decide to hang out with Kanji, since Board 8 thinks he's "da bess". He is pretty cool so far. Not today though, because today nothing happens except we chill out at a picnic table. So tonight, I decide to try one more time with Nanako, and... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? MY EXPRESSION HAS TO BE "ENTHRALLING" FIRST! WTF PERSONA 4 WHY DID YOU MAKE ME WASTE THREE NIGHTS OR SOMETHING ON NANAKO IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN GONNA LET ME INCREASE HER LEVEL HRIAFIEQNEAERIAEAREIANSLA;DKLFADJA


 * ahem* I decide to go fishing instead, so I'll have food to feed the cat with. I get two Inaba trout and an Amber Seema by pressing the circle button repeatedly and occasionally pressing the square button. I am mildly perturbed with Nanako at the moment.

===='''7/18: Ocean Day, The end of the sticker quest, and the bitter, bitter taste of melon (tastes like defeat) Forecast: Sunny'''====

I thought for sure today was the first day of exams, but it's actually "Ocean Day," another Japanese holiday. No school. I head to the river bank to check up on Junior. I didn't give him a rare sticker, but it was enough to get him a couple friends. I'm happy for you. At least Nanako can help SOMEONE and not be a huge burden on them like with me and Dojima. I can report to Foxy at any time. I give the cat an Amber Seema. It still wants more. When will my trials cease, God?

Today I work at the Day Care. There's no S. Link increase, but my understanding increases and I get paid a much needed 6,000 yen. That night, I eat a piece of bitter melon in the fridge. It's really bitter! My courage greatly increased, but I got sick. And that, my friends, is the story of the WILDEST OCEAN DAY PARTY EVER!!! ===='''7/19 – 7/23: Final Exams, Adachi drops a hint, and Rise is a lover, not a fighter Forecast: Cloudy/Sunny'''====

The exams go by well. I recognize the questions and re-answer them. There are a few tricky ones where they changed the phrasing, but I'm pretty sure I aced it. Rise asks how I did, and I tell her my pen is on fire (subliminally telling her my “***** on fire"). We all head to the Junes food court.

Who should we find there but our one and only bumbling informant, Adachi! He seems to just be talking to himself about not finding the suspect… jeez. You are either a complete buffoon or a criminal mastermind, and I'm not prepared to rule out either. Adachi puts on a brave face, but dude, we totally heard you. Still we decide to stay out of it. We talk a little bit more about the exams, and Rise asks to study with me… hubba hubba.

Teddie’s been working at Junes this whole time while staying at Yosuke’s place. Everyone decides to go bug him; Kanji wants to feel his soft fur. As everyone leaves, I hang back with Rise a bit. She wants me to show her around town. *gulp*. Who me? Why yes, yes I would like to do such a thing. Manoman, I am a player. I tell her I know a few places. This creates the Lovers S. Link.

That night, Nanako and I are watching TV. There’s no news on the suspect. I tell Nanako that they’ll catch him soon.

===='''7/24: Kanji's Mother has a scare Forecast: Cloudy'''====

No school today (it's Sunday). I feed the cat again… no change. Okay, I bet I have to feed it one of every kind of fish or something.

I hang out with Kanji again and he takes me to meet his mother. Woah, Kanji, a bit big of a first step huh? We should hang out more, get dinner together... Oh wait, we did that already, sort of. We arrive at the store, and it’s open, but Kanji’s mom isn’t there. The owner of Aiya shows up and tells Kanji his mom is in the hospital. I tell him we should go. The two of us head off at warp speed. We get to the hospital (this place looks different in the daytime) and find Kanji’s mother. Apparently she wasn’t hurt. She actually was taking a young kid to the hospital. He was hit by a bike outside the shop. Kanji gets mad and embarrassed about how worried he was, calls his mom a cow (ouch) and leaves. Kanji feels bad about it later, and apologizes for dragging me around. The Emperor s. link increases to level 3. After Kanji leaves, I talk with his mother. His mom tells me he hates hospitals, because his father died here. Kanji wasn’t around when he died. She says it’s nice that I’m his friend, because he never really had any growing up.

That night, I read some more of “The Punk’s Way”. It increases my knowledge and expression. ====7/25: Top marks in the class, and soccer season ends for Daisuke and I Forecast: Sunny====

Yukiko tells me on the way to school that we should watch the Midnight Channel tomorrow. At lunch, the test results get posted. I got the highest score! OWNED. Ms. Sofue gives me 3x magic mirrors. It's good to be king. I'm feeling good. Feeling groovy even. Let's ride this pleasure train and max out a social link, shall we?

I talk to Daisuke. I can't wait to be able to stop writing about Kou and Daisuke. I mean, I guess they're cool and all, it's just they got old a couple months ago. My diligence increases at practice. Daisuke is running the team like mules. He seems to be back into it. He admits he was half-assing it before in order to keep himself from being disappointed if he failed. He gives me a Spike Brush to clean my cleats with. Kou meets up with us one last time at Aiya for a blowout on mapo rice. The Strength S. Link is MAXED OUT. I can now fuse the ultimate strength persona, Zaou-Gongen! That's really weird to say. What happened to Siegfried? Daisuke says that he's ready to go on another group date. Well Daisuke, there's this 26 year old who works at the hospital... she'll treat you real nice.

That night, Nanako gives me a Paper Armband as a reward for doing so well on the exam. I finish reading "The Punk's Way". My knowledge and expression increase.

===='''7/26: Last day of school, and a new person on the Midnight Channel Forecast: Rain'''====

On my way to school, I overhear some students talking. The school year ends TOMORROW. Wha--? That would've been nice to know. I mean I knew it was gonna be soon, but I didn't think it would be THAT soon. You know what this game needs? A calendar. P3P had a calendar. Advantage Persona 3 Portable. Kashiwagi wishes us all a happy vacation and I say good bye to all of my peers. In town, I report to the fox that I made a little boy's dreams come true. Foxy does his happy dance and the Hermit link increases to level 5.

That night, I drink a container of Barley Tea... *spits* it's actually Udon! How could I have mixed those two up? My courage increases but I go to bed early. I guess I remember to wake up for the Midnight Channel. On screen, there's a very clear image of a boy in an orange shirt. Yep, it's that weird random kid from the shopping district. He tells us to try and catch him. Yosuke and Teddie call me. Teddie says that the suppressed emotions are resonating with the TV world, causing them to be shown on the Midnight Channel over here. HUH? Anyway, this causes the Star link to increase to Level 3.

Yosuke thinks orange-shirt is the culprit. I tell Chie what our theory is. Let's talk about it tomorrow. I'm still sick from Udon.

Another thing that was cool about P3P's calendar was that it would keep track of what you did that day. Like, "oh yeah, last monday I hung out with the Gourmet King. Probably don't want to do that for another month." ===='''7/27: Investigating Orange Shirt, a request from a toymaker, and I play with cute kitties all afternoonies Forecast: Clear'''====

I hurry over to the Food Court to meet with everyone. Teddie and Rise are already inside the TV world, looking for orange shirt. Kanji is (guess what) SUPER PISSED and hates his beady, fish-like eyes. I had the same initial impression. Yosuke hypothesizes that he fled to the TV world to avoid the police. But why kill Mr. Morooka? Rise shows up and says that they can't find him, but they know he's there. We have to gather information about who this guy is. The Fool arcana levels up to 7.

Before I search for clues, I get a new quest from Fox. It's from a man who says he has nothing to live for and wants to recapture the joy of life. Namatame? Or just another depressed inhabitant of Inaba? While info gathering, Kanji suggests I ask Dojima about this guy, since he was apparently their suspect (that they never caught). Dojima is in the shopping district just standing around. He tells me to stay out of it. Yeah, why did I even bother...

Still, if not Dojima, I can always count on Adachi to blab. Unfortunately, he's not at Junes today. Oh well. Back in the shopping district, I meet a "haggard looking man" standing in front of the closed toy store. He says he put it out of business, and wants desperately for those unfinished models and toys to be completed and played with. He gives me an unfinished model and tells me to put it together. Great?

So there's no school today and all my friends are too busy looking for orange shirt to social link with me... I have no S. Links! In a historic moment of "delayed reactions" I go to the "Dojima residence” from the map screen and explore around outside my house. This place looks kind of nice from the outside. There's a lady here with a dog, and she gives me Bait to fish with. There's also a stray cat here. I play with it all afternoon and it increases my expression and understanding. How embarrassing it would be if Chie or Yukiko figured out something about orange shirt and all I did was play with a cat all afternoon!

That night I work at the hospital and visit my creepy girl-friend-with-benefits Sayoko. I get a courage increase and some money, but there's no s. link increase, because I forgot to bring a devil persona with me last time. ===='''7/28: Gathering clues about the suspect, and creepy interactions at the late-night hospital Forecast: Cloudy'''====

I find Adachi slacking off at Junes, as usual. I tell him that I'll rat him out to Dojima if he doesn't give me some clues about the suspect. Talk, you rat! He says he had a part-time job in the shopping district. I go to said district and the lady at the meat-stick stand tells me he worked there. She says he did, but he left quickly. He was freaked out by cutting raw meat, and he just generally creeped out the owner. The kid who took his place was his classmate, and he usually hangs out around here. Maybe I could get a name and a picture from him.

I go fishing and I catch 2 Inaba Trout and 1 Red Goldfish. After that, I go work at the hospital some more, because I cannot get enough of this girl apparently. Courage up! I see the random old woman from last time again. She's super creepy. She tells me I look like someone she knew, and that she was here to see her granddaughter, but she's gone now. On her off days, I can find her by the river. When she leaves, Sayoko shows up and tells me to clean up a room. Sayoko starts telling me about the patient who was in this room: young, driven, determined. She seems sort of sad. Then she sends me home. What? No sex? The Devil rank levels up to 4 and I get 5000 yen. ===='''7/29: Once more into the TV world, the Void Quest, and fusion makes me want to hang myself upside down off a high place Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Today I find the suspect's infamous classmate hanging around the shopping district. He has a picture of the culprit, whose name is Mitsuo Kubo. With this I can break this case wide open. I gather the gang together at Junes and once more into the brink! When Rise sees this dude's picture, she realizes this guy stalked her at the tofu shop for a bit. Also, Chie notices that it's the same guy from waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy back on the first day of school, who just randomly ran up to Yukiko and asked her out (remember that? no? it's okay, I didn't either). Rise also says that this guy was always complaining about the biker gangs. I sort of remember that. So this guy had personal vendettas against everyone?

We get to the dungeon, and it looks like a videogame. I mean, clearly, it is a videogame, but I mean it looks like a videogame within a videogame. It's very NES/Master system looking. Before I go inside the "Void Quest", I take Kanji with me and we head to the stripclub again. I get a "charmed veil" from some "idol" enemies, and a "silver lump" from the silver dice, as the student predicted I would. I make it up to Level 9 with just me and Kanji before I have to start running from some battles. I use a Goho-M.

Afterwards, I head to the Velvet Room and spend FAR too much time, effort, and especially money trying to make the Neku Shogun with Bufula. After summoning the "mitama" personas and experimenting here and there, I realized I needed to fuse a "kusi mitama" with bufula in order for the fusion to work. As an added insult, when I finally figured out how to do it, the game decided to "wild card" me so I had to start ALL OVER AGAIN. That time, I admit, I did do the "save/reset" trick because **** if I'm going to re-fuse all those damn personas again. Seriously. Then, once I actually have kusi mitama, it takes a solid ten minutes of "confirming/cancelling" Neku Shogun until it finally shows up as learning Bufula. Ten minutes of pressing x then circle. X then circle. X then circle. Have I mentioned how much these quests suck? Anyway, I finally make one and show it to Margaret and she's like "that's nice" and has the nerve to ask me for a Black Frost with Auto-Sakukaja. More like "auto-usuckmarja", amirite? No? Anyone? Bueller? Empress rank up to 5.

Okay, NOW let's go inside the Void Quest. It's a cool looking place. I really love the music for some reason. "Kraftwerkian" Void Quest Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMm7Xa5KrGo

It's sort of like the original Gauntlet in here. Upon entering, it prompts me to enter my name: the game automatically enters "Mitsuo". Neat. This is my first time with Teddie in the party; I don't know if I can handle the incessant squeaking. Some of the enemies here are kicking my ass pretty hard. One in particular is a really fast tower-looking thing that starts off the battle with mazionga, which knocks down Yosuke and Teddie right off the bat. I should trade you guys out, huh?

Still, I persevere, getting up to Level 3, which features the return of the mysterious invisible teleportation areas from Yukiko's Castle. Again, it's pretty easy to figure out. I progress further and further, enjoying the various Dragon Quest and gaming references along the way. On Level 4, I get a phone call from some friends in real life, so I cut short my dungeon exploration for a brief period.

Later on that night, I get home from the pub (slightly buzzed) and fire up Persona 4 for some more dungeon crawling. I go back to the Strip Club with Kanji and Chie and finish that sucker. I add Teddie to the party for the bonus boss. OH LORDY IT'S A GIANT BABY ENEMY. I hate the baby enemies. HATE THEM SO MUCH. I shouldn't have fought his boss before bed. I'm gonna have nightmares. Fortunately, he's weak to ice and I have three ice casters. He has a spell that takes off half our life each turn too, so it's a good thing I have an healing spell too (Teddie casts Mediarama... or something higher, actually). Teddie spends most of his turns healing. The only dangerous moment is when the boss casts critical up and then rampage. We survive, and he's the easiest one so far. It gives me a better weapon for Teddie and a courage boost.

That's enough for today. I leave the TV world and go home to Nanako, who does nothing. All the time nothing. I go to bed early. ===='''7/30: Yosuke Saturdays, and a book about bugs. Forecast: Sunny'''====

Today, I go around town and complete whatever quests I can. I give the girl at the riverside a flower brooch, and she in turn gives me 3x value medicine. I go to Daidara and sell my materials. This gives me money, but not really enough to buy anything good yet. I buy the "hard boots" for the guy outside, and he gives me a book called "The Guide to Pests" and 5,000 yen, to ease the pain of being broke.

Yosuke and I go to the hill overlooking town. He says he's grown to like Inaba, but he's sad. He wants to tell Saki that where you are isn't important, as long as you're surrounded by family and friends. At first, he wanted to be special, and that's why he was excited to get his Persona. Then he says that I'm special to him. No Yosuke, you can't be my boyfriend. The Magician rank increases to Level 9.

That night I read some of the "Guide to Pests". It increases my knowledge and courage. ===='''7/31: Meeting Death and Building Models Forecast: Sunny'''====

Today Tanaka is selling something called a Maneki Neko. What kind of show is this? I mean, it's either obscure accessories, bad-ass weapons or fish... very strange. Anyway, I buy it, hopefully it's something good. While on a post-spending stroll I spy the creepy old lady from the Hospital by the river.

"Hi there, ma'am! How are you today?" "Oh, I'm fine Sonny. How do you like Inaba?" "I'm only here for a year, but it's okay I guess. What's your name?" "I AM DEATH" "..." "..." "Did you say 'death'? "Oh no, sorry, it's Hisano."

Death S. Link Level 1!

That night I work on my model for the Fox Quest. It raises my diligence a smidge.

August
===='''8/1: Chie vs. the World Forecast:Cloudy'''====

After school, Chie and I train by doing jumping jacks or whatever. Okay, I've been thinking about this for a while, but like, why don't we go train in the TV world? It's probably better for us than sit ups or whatever. Regardless, after we train we go to Aiya to feed our faces. We hear sounds of bullying coming from a nearby alley... oh, right. We're going to stop them. We rush over to help the victim, who turns out to be Chie's friend Takeshi. Takeshi is a total wuss and he runs away after telling Chie to take care of it. Chie prepares to open up a can on the bullies, but I hold her back. They run off, and Chie is a little mad at me but lets it go. Hey be made at Takeshi! Chariot Level 7.

For dinner I eat something called a "home run bar." A favorite of Junpei's probably. Then I work on the model some more and increase Diligence. Eating candy bars, making model robots... it's like I'm 10 years old. ===='''8/2: Yukiko, I miso so much Forecast: Sunny'''====

Yukiko drags me to the produce section of Junes to go shopping. She's making miso. I can actually make miso in real life. I worked in a sushi bar for two years. Still Yukiko turns me down, saying she has to make it herself. Fine, but it's gonna taste like poop, I can tell already. She says something about her fellow inn workers teaching her how to cook. Well, they needed to fail you. I feel a "faint hint of Love" from Yukiko. Priestess Rank 6.

Afterwards, I work on the model some more. This better be a pretty cool model.

===='''8/3 Part One: ... if you're prepared for the Void! (Quest) Forecast: Sunny'''====

I'm jazzed up from building models and ignoring Nanako. Let's go back to the TV world already! We start in the Void Quest on Level 4, "we" being Chie, Yuki & Kanji. I still don't buy Mitsuo being the culprit though. It's too easy and doesn't jive with the prior murders.

The pathways in the dungeon are long and branching; it makes me really miss being able to split the party up to search. In Chapter 7, a truly annoying level, I am presented with multiple pathways that randomly turn me around when I try to go one way. It's stupid. We eventually reach a mid-boss, a little chef boyardee hand looking-thing, and Chie galactic punts it out of existence. <3 you Chie. It gives up an "orb of darkness" COOL. On Level 9, I run into an enemy that looks exactly like Voltron. He's actually pretty difficult. It's strong against everything and o.h.ko's my characters. Poison is my friend here.

After many trials, we get to the save point on Level (Chapter) 10. I open the door with the orb of darkness. Mitsuo is there, and this time it's the real Mitsuo doing all the talking. He says he committed all the murders; his shadow says that he is "nothing". I'm inclined to believe the shadow. Then S. Mitsuo turns into a giant floating space baby. Huh. That's weird.

To be continued... ===='''8/3 Part Two: Zen Baby! I will Destroy You! Forecast: "Pixelly"'''==== When last we left our heroes, they were fighting S. Mitsuo, a zen baby. In battle, the zen baby creates an 8-bit rpg hero version of Mitsuo as a "shield". Teddie calls him all jaggy and blocky. I concur. He gets to attack twice, which is annoying. He's also not weak against anything, which is also annoying. When we beat the 8-bit Mitsuo, we get an all-out on the zen baby. The worst thing about Z. Baby is that he casts fear on the party, and a quick look in my inventory reveals... yep, nothing to cure that! When we're all quivering in fear of this baby creature, he casts a party-wide dark attack and kills us all. Take 2! This time, I manage to win, but I have to use a "soma", so I feel kinda bad about that, but oh well.

"Hey Mitsuo, what the **** is the matter with you?! Why is your inner self a floaty baby?" - Yosuke "I killed everyone. I did it! Look at me! I wanna be famous! I wear an orange shirt!" - Mitsuo "Yep, you sound guilty to me." Chie "I'M GONNA PUNCH HIS FACE IN" - Guess "Uhhh, hello? Gang? There's no way this guy did it. Didn't you see that his inner self that he was hiding was that he's a stupid loser? Guys?" - Me "You've been a beary bad boy." "Snrk" "You guys are terrible." - Me

We take Mitsuo out of the TV world and call the police. It seems to me Mitsuo is probably a guy who's taking the blame because he wants to be famous. It's like in Dexter, where that random guy decided to claim he was the ice-truck killer, but really he was just some schlub who lived in a trailer. Oh whatever, who cares. Let's party! We suggest having it at the Amagi Inn, but Yukiko says it's all full for the summer. I guess it's the Dojima household then. Teddie suggests a cook-off. Uhhh, are you sure about that? I've had enough life threatening situations for one day, I think. ===='''8/3 Part Three: You can't make an omelette without breaking a few... omelettes Forecast: Eggy'''====

We call Nanako and let her know about the cook-off. I ask her what she wants for dinner. She says an omelette and fried rice. No one can mess that up right? At Junes, we pick up ingredients. I make a "herb filled, provence style omelette". Meanwhile, Kanji debates picking up some booze and Teddie flirts with the free sample lady. He's just irresistible man.

A heartfelt moment between Teddie and Nanako follows, wherein he says he'll have to go back soon. Nanako says if Teddie promises to play with her later, that promise will keep him here longer. Whatever Teddie. Just stay here. Human Teddie is pretty cool. The StarS. Link increases to Level 4. Afterwards, the cooking competition is held, a summary of which follows:

Rise's Volcano Omelette - Like an egg canoe capsizing with spices. Yosuke gets sick. Nanako "likes" it.

Yukiko's Egg Delight - Kanji describes it as "boneless." You can't describe flavor with the word "boneless." I try it. It tastes boneless. "It's impressive to have so many ingredients and still taste like nothing." Yosuke gets sick. Nanako "likes" it.

Chie's Cheesy Chicken Chomlette - Better than the curry. Yosuke gets sick. Nanako "likes" it. Makes Yuki crack up it's so bad.

The winner is my herb-filled provence style omelette- Spectacular. A tour de force. Nanako eats the **** out of it. Winner winner chicken dinner. So... I guess it's all over. We caught the bad guy and all that's left is an epilogue where we go to the city festival on 8/20. Peaceful days are all I see... ===='''8/4: Showdown with Yosuke! One will live, and one will also live! Forecast: Sunny'''==== Due to my completionist mentality, I buy another book at the bookstore called "Changing Careers". I don't imagine I'll get around to reading it. I go visit Daidara metalworks.

"My art? Let me tell you about my art. My arts, let me tell you about them" "Just give me money for this weird stuff already"
 * door chime* "'Sup Daidara? How's the business of conspicuous weapon shops going?"

After that, I hang out with Yosuke for the FINAL TIME. We go to the Sanegawa riverbed. Yosuke says that he's jealous of me. He wants me to hate it here, since when he came from the city he got bored in Inaba, whereas I just proceeded to be the most popular kid in school and get magic powers. So what else, we decide to scrap. It goes something like this:

"Hey, man. I want you to--" -Yosuke I hit him. "Owwwww, how did you know I was gonna ask you to--" I hit him again. "Hey, hold on--" "BLADE OF FURY" "Ahhhh!"

Afterwards. He gives me a "buddy bandage." How this is different from a reglar band-aid, we'll never know. Jiraiya transforms into Susano-o! Jiraiya looked cooler. After that, we spend a long while together. "You really are something," Yosuke says. Yaoi shippers all over the world cream themselves.

That night my "Maneki Neko" comes in the mail from Tanaka. It increases my luck by 4. Then I go to work at the hospital for more Courage and yen. ===='''8/5: Hell is other people... specifically Naoki and Ayane, or "If you sleep with the devil, you should probably get tested." Forecast: Sunny'''====

All we can do now is wait for the police to get off their asses and do something. Come on dudes, how inept are you? We just gift wrapped you a perpetrator. I imagine Mitsuo sitting in a jail cell playing Final Fantasy Adventure while Adachi gives away Lost spoilers on the internet and Dojima gets preoccupied yelling at random kids. Anyway, Naoki calls me on the phone and invites me to hang out. I say yes, thinking this will be a s. link opportunity, but really all it is is another Ayane Trap. We're having a fine time at the meat stick stand and she just comes walking up.

"Senpai," she mewls. "I didn't know you were friends with Naoki-kun!" "THERE'S A LOT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME YOU TROLL." -Me "Naoki-kun, you should join the band!" - Ayane "I've lost my appetite," I say. I look at Naoki. "You planned this, didn't you?" ... "I'm glad your sister died."
 * I throw Naoki's and my food on the ground*

My affinity with my two least favorite people increases. I go work at the hospital that night. I hear a woman screaming and it increases my Courage. Sayoko shows up in a bad mood.

"Someone called me a slutty *****!" - Sayoko ... ... "... and?"- Me

She got yelled at by some doctor's wife whom she had an affair with (the doctor, not the wife, although I wouldn't put it past this girl). All the other nurses just watched as this lady got her hair pulled. I try to cheer her up. She was my first after all. The Devil rank increases to level 5, and I get 5,000 yen.

===='''8/6: Dull day, so here's some character rankings! Forecast: Rain'''====

I go eat at Aiya. My understanding, diligence and courage increase. After that, I finish the model. Yep. It's a robot. Really, that's all that happens today, so to fill space, here's some character rankings:

Kanji>Human Teddie>Yosuke>Chie>Bear Teddie>Yukiko>Rise I can't deny the pure enjoyment I derive from merely seeing H. Teddie's character portrait. Kanji is a unique character with a lot of personality and depth, with the funniest lines in the game. Yosuke is funny, but creepy sometimes. The girls are... lacking. Can I have Mitsuru and Yukari back, please? Rise is hot, but super boring and annoyingly "cute" (if she wasn't voiced by Laura Bailey she'd probably be higher). Yuki is hot, but super boring, but at least she's not as annoying as Rise is. Chie is like that "girl_friend" who is super cool but you would never get into a relationship with, and the fact that she likes MEAT so much is a turn-off.

Battle: M.C.>Yosuke>Chie>Yukiko>Teddie>Kanji Of course, the main character rules all. Other than that, Yosuke seems like a beast. Lots of good spells that have saved my bacon on numerous occasions, good attack and defense, plus he knows healing spells. Yuki's a main healer and has good attack damage, as long as the enemy isn't immune to fire. Chie's galactic punt is the best attack in the game. Teddie... has really good healing spells and is learning some buffs. Kanji... barely has any SP and one-hit-one-target physical attacks are useless in this game. Sorry Kanji, you deserve better than this. ===='''8/7: A paradox of cute and not-cute: The Story of Rise Kujikawa Forecast: Sunny'''====

I take the model to the creepy toy guy and show it to him. It makes him cry in a fit of nostalgia. He runs off to throw money at the shrine. TAKE MY MONEY, SHRINE, JUST TAKE IT. Oh yeah, he also gives me another model. Do I look seven years old to you?

Even if Rise's voice is kind of annoying, she's cute and seems to be all about me. So I call her up and the first place she wants to go to is the meat stand. Really? Apparently she never got the chance to eat out when she was a kid, because she was poor, and she couldn't eat out later because she was famous. How depressing! The Lovers Rank increases to Level 2. She changes the subject to what kind of girls I like. Oh you know, cute girls who do interesting things and aren't voiced by voice actors who sound like bratty 10 year olds... that kind of girl.

That night I translate for a while and earn 4000 yen and some Expression points.

===='''8/8:Screw Yuu. Guys, I'm Going Home Forecast: Sunny'''====

Sunny day after sunny day. I guess the rainy season is over huh? Ai calls me and asks to hang out. Listen up Board 8 to these words of wisdom: The thing about rich, spoiled girls is they love to be turned down. *click, hangs up phone*

Instead, I work at the Day Care center. My understanding increases as the children pull at me from all directions. Eri shows up to pick up Yuuta and suggests going out for dinner tonight. Yuuta of course has other ideas.

"Yuu-kun! Let's go out to dinner tonight." -Eri "Blow me you old bag! You're not my Mom! I want to see Dad! *3!22@&8&3#!" - Yuuta "How precious children are." - Me "Blubber blubber blubber, why are you so mean to me? It's all my husband's fault!" - Eri "**** you you ****** ***** ******* ******"- Yuuta "This is because I didn't breast feed you isn't it?" - Eri "Woah! Too much information!" - Me "I wouldn't suck on your **** if you paid me!" Yuuta "Uhhh, lady, I think you just need to kick the **** out of this kid."- Me "I heard a guy on TV say that our lives are predetermined, so it's not my fault Yuu turned into a little ****"-Eri "You're clearly the worst mother ever. Also, why is there so much swearing in this write-up?" - Me

The Temperance S. Link increases to Level... 4? That's it? Man, this link succcccccckkkkkkkksssss. That night I do some more translating for expression points. Hey gang remember earlier when I was complaining about expression? This is why.

====8/9: Rise and I go to Okina, beat off stalkers, fanboys, otakus et al Forecast:Sunny====

Rise and I go to Okina Station. I'm a little confused. Is Okina like a neighboring city? If it's so close, why do people complain about Inaba having nothing to do? Is it the same city that I came from? In any case, that's where we go. A few people come up to us.

"Hey is that Risette?" - Dude 1 "No." - Me "... Are you sure, because she looks like Risette" - Dude 3 "I'm not Risette" - Rise "And sounds like Risette." - Dude 2
 * glare*

Ad nauseum. This is why she loves Inaba, because she isn't hounded all the time. Oh, and here I thought it was because of our lovely haunted Amagi Inn and bizarre murders. Lovers Level 3! Now she can use "treasure radar", which puts treasures on my mini-map.

That night, I translate again. Geez, what the heck am I even translating? A visual novel or something? I get paid 12,000 yen (!) My expression increases.

===='''8/10: Just say the word, and it's.... time to go look for some kid's doll!!! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Ring ring! Who's there? Kou. Kou who? Kou who for cocoa puffs! *crickets* Anyway, aren't you maxed out? I never want to talk to you again. Instead I wander aimlessly. The guy outside the bookstore asks me to get him 3 fashionable dishes. Why, so you can give me another book I'm not gonna read?

Kanji and I go to the hill outside town. We talk a bit. I am really bad at Kanji's s. link for some reason. I'm always saying the wrong thing and not getting any music notes. Randomly, we find the kid who was with Kanji's mother at the hospital. He's sad because he was being picked on for playing with dolls, so he threw his friend's rabbit-doll in the river. Well. ''That sounds strangely similar to Kanji's childhood. I wonder if he will see a side of himself in this young boy and use it as an opportunity to grow as a person...'' Kanji: THAT WAS REAL DUMB, KID! That's real talk, Kanji. Real talk.

Still, Kanji spends two hours in the freezing cold Sanegawa trying to get this kid's rabbit back for him and gets walking pneumonia, before just saying he'll get him a new one. Emperor Rank 4.

After that I work in the hospital. Courage up! 4,000 yen up! ===='''8/11: A Tale of Two Foxes Forecast: Rain'''====

Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day. No seriously. There's nothing to do, except report back to my pimp, and by that I mean the Fox, of course. I give him all my money; he's basically my pimp. I'm picturing the fox wearing a fox-skin coat. The Hermit rank goes up to 6. At night, I go to work at the hospital. Sayoko is quiet. An old patient of hers from her former hospital died... a child. I liked this S. Link better when it was just us getting freaky all the time. Anyway, hello? YOU'RE A NURSE. It's part of your job to deal with when your patients die. The Devil rank increases to Level 6. Why can't all nighttime S. Links move this fast? *stares down Nanako and Dojima*

===='''8/12: Meanwhile, at the foggy shopping district... NOTHING, okay? There's nothing. Forecast: Rain'''====

Tonight is the last night to catch the culprit! Let's go--- Oh, wait. Yeah we already did that. I go pick up a new request from Fox. It's from a woman who wants to learn to speak better. I eat at Aiya to stat raise. Knowledge, Courage and Diligence up!

That night, the fog sets in and no one appears on the Midnight Channel. Once again, the game cuts away to the foggy shopping district. The face of the killer is revealed! It's THE FOG ITSELF!!!!!!!! Just kidding, nothing happens. It's still pointless.

===='''8/13: Sushi dinner with Adachi & the Dojimas Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Word spreads that the police have captured a cuprit in the murder cases. *scoff* A week ago, maybe. My life has apparently gone to Hell without the threat of a serial killer out there, and I find myself talking to the cat on the flood plain. It gives me an antibiotic gel. Oh. Apparently I finished that "feed the cat" quest a while ago and never picked up my reward. Then I train with Chie. Not much of anything happens. I imagine lots of burpees and armpit stains are involved.

Adachi joins us for a sushi feast that night. The news shows that Mitsuo has been apprehended, so its time to celebrate the fact that the police in the town aren't inept (actually they very much are). Adachi says all they got is circumstantial evidence and a confession. They found his fingerprints on Morooka's clothes. OBJECTION! How come his fingerprints weren't on the other bodies? HOLD IT! Who cares? Eat your sushi! TAKE THAT! Hey, don't throw it at me! ===='''8/14: You're a sham! I'm a sham! This marriage with Rise is a sham! This whole town's a sham! Forecast: Sunny'''====

First, a warning: Chie calls to say that Yosuke will probably make me work at Junes this week. Secondly, a date with Rise. On our way home from Aiya we are both feeling fat and sassy when I spy a suspicious man in front of Rise's house. My options are : Yell, Call the Police, or Grab her hand and run. All of those options are dumb, but I grab Rise's hand and take off. She's too heavy from all the Aiya and I get a cramp. Like any normal person, Rise says we should "wait and see what happens". Why wasn't that one of my options? It's her old manager, Inoue, here to beg Rise to come back.

"Rise, please come back to showbiz! You're gonna be a movie star!" - Inoue "No! I'm staying in Inaba. Senpai and I are gonna get married!" - Rise "Yeah! Wait, what?" - Me "We're gonna have three kids and make tofu!" - Rise "...Can I see you naked." Me "...only half." - Rise "Deal." - Me "Fine. Whatever. Enjoy your tofu and marriage and stupid kids." - Inoue *leaves* "Whew! Thanks for playing along Senpai!" - Rise "Sure thin- Wait, playing along?"- Me

Lovers Rank 4. Man, Rise is all about me. It would be nice if she had any sort of realistic personality and was more than just any 11-year old Japanese boy's wet dream stereotype. When I get home, Dojima gives me 40,000 yen for doing so well on my exam! We hang out afterwards, but there's no s. link increase.

===='''8/15 -8/19: Everyday sucks at your Junes! Forecast: Hot and steamy and smelling of farts'''====

Yosuke calls, just as Chie prophesized. I tell him "no way, Yosuke" but the game makes me do it anyway! Yosuke, Chie, Teddie and I spend five days selling topsicles and meat-sticks to little zit-faced orphans. It's brutal. It reminds me of the summer I worked at the aquarium in high school. I worked in a little mobile cart selling hot dogs, soft pretzels and slushees. I went home smelling like farts every night. At the end of it, my affinity towards Chie grows... but that's about it. Yosuke at least pays me 40,000 yen. ===='''8/20: Of warm nights and lanterns, the dreams of yukatas and star-hair: The Summer Festival Forecast: Starry'''====

A note on this entry's vocabulary: Human Teddie has this gesture that I refer to as "star-hair"; this is when he flips his hair back and the game plays the accompanying sound effect. It seems to have some trancelike quality to it, like Prince Charming's smile, or Dracula's piercing gaze. In any case, Teddie is in fine form tonight and I wish he were my best friend, and I think it might be because he's hypnotizing me with his star hair. It's frightening a little bit. Needless to say, every time Teddie flips his star-hair or calls someone "baby" is a LOL moment.

The sun is setting and the dudes are walking through the streets of Inaba, excited to see the girls in their yukatas. I mean, obviously this is a Japanese thing. I understand when Yosuke salivates over girls in bikinis, but yukatas? They're like robes. I guess the idea is that they're naked underneath, and a stray gust of wind could blow them open at any time. Still, I must admit the whole concept of being excited to see a girl in a yukata is wasted on me. I can appreciate the humor of the situation, however.

After some shaved ice and meat sticks, we catch up with the ladies. Rise asks me who I think looks the best. They all look the same, but "You actually look sexy, Chie" is sort of insulting phrasing, so I cross that off. I go ahead and go with Rise, since she was obviously fishing for the compliment anyway. Teddie then suggests that everyone pair off in the spirit of the summer festival. The only problem is there's 4 dudes to 3 girls. Teddie tells Kanji a "real man" wouldn't be prancing around with girls at a place like this. All right, Teddie! Learning to exploit a person's inner fears and insecurities to help yourself get laid! You'll be a real boy anytime now.

Teddie then throws out the star hair and goes out with all three of them. Wait, what? That isn't what "pair off" means! Hilarity ensues. He buys another idol's photo in front of Rise, eats Chie's corn and gets ketchup on Yukiko's yukata. Oh Teddie. Never change. All in all, a fun time. ===='''8/21:He's just not that into you, unfortunate looking tiny girl Forecast: Sunny'''====

The phone rings. I know who it's going to be before I pick it up.

"S-senpai?! Oh Senpai!" "... Ayane." "I - I was wondering if... y-you wanted to go to the festival with me." "............snrk." "S-senpai?" "ahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *cough* ahahahahahahHhHhHAHAHAHA"
 * crying on the other end of the line*
 * I hang up*

Then it gives me the option of staying at home or going to the festival solo. I go to the festival and wish for a girlfriend (Not Ayane). I guess I grow closer to all the girls I have s.links with. Kind of a dumb festival. I go home.

===='''8/22: In which Chie tells off Takeshi and recounts her first meeting with Lady Yukiko Forecast: Clouds/Sunny'''==== At the flood plain, a man asks me to find him an "eternal lamp" and a little girl asks for a "leaf pochette." I'll be sure to look for these the next time I wander inside a videogame (ADVERTISEMENT: GO SEE TRON LEGACY).

Chie joins me for training down by the river. Takeshi shows up, tail still firmly planted between his legs.

"Hey bro, you okay?" - Chie "Yeah, whatever. How's Yukiko?" - Takeshi "... Is that all you have to say?" - Chie "Oh yeah. Thanks... for telling me how Yukiko is." - Takeshi "SHUT UP ABOUT YUKIKO" - Chie.

Takeshi is a scrub and a scrub is a guy that can't get no love from Chi(e). She tells him to buzz off and not get picked on anymore. Chie says that the first time she met Yuki she was running away from home because her parents wouldn't let her keep a dog. Since then, she promised to protect Yuki... from dogs. That's why she took Yuki's dog and kept it herself. I may be misrepresenting the point of this story. Chariot Level 8.

That night I translate for minimal Expression boosts. UGH.

===='''8/23: Yukiko and I visit the shrine, about homework I whine and make nonsense rhymes Forecast: Sunny'''====

Namatame is back by the river again. Still mopey?

"Mayumi..."

Yep. Still mopey. Yukiko and I visit the shrine to pay our respects to dead people. She feels a little sad about leaving Inaba. A waitress from the Amagi Inn shows up and asks her if I'm her boyfriend. Everyone in this town is so nosy! Yukiko gets embarrassed, and I tell her it's okay. You will be my boyfriend. Wait. No, I mean we will be girlfriends. No, that's not it either...Priestess Rank 7!

Nanako is home that night and she says I should help her with her homework. Her homework is to "get everyone closer to each other. I say yes, even though my expression isn't high enough to talk with Nanako anyway, so all these pointless "Nanako increases" do nothing! And it keeps me from raising stats or working in the hospital! Nanako, so it's kind of a big waste of time! A waste of time and Nanako, together again. Who'da thunk it? I wonder if I could've said "no" or if this is like Junes, where the game forces me into these "responsibilities".

===='''8/24: Summer readin', Havin a blast. Forecast: Sunny'''====

Today I work on my homework. My knowledge increase once, twice, no, three times! I do homework with Nanako that night; Yosuke and Teddie show up. Well, today was a boring day, but it can't possibly go on like this much longer, right?

===='''8/25: Summer readin', it's not happening very fast at all, actually Forecast: Rain'''====

It's raining. I'll finish my homework today. I work and work and work. 3x Knowledge increase. I'm... not done yet? Jesum Crow, how much homework do I have! That night is homework night again. Oh my god. I have wasted my life. Last week I have to work at smelly Junes and this week I have to babysit Nanako and write "what I did on my summer vacation" reports. Is this what summer vacation is actually like in Japan? Wandering around for a week, working in a box for another one and then doing homework the week after that? No wonder their suicide rates are so high. Why did I agree to this!? At least Chie and Yukiko show up to take my mind off the pain. Nanako, the little gremlin, just sits there and laps up the attention. ===='''8/26: In which the Author takes a random medieval detour and gets intimate with one Chie Satonaka Forecast: Sunny'''==== "Dost thou hear what I hear? " I say to my nubile female companion outside the Oriental Tavern. "Why are you talking like that?" Chie says. "Tis the cries of youth under duress!" I exclaim, and we bound forth into the neighboring dark alleyway. Thereupon we find a ragamuffin, nay, a street urchin, beset upon by vandals, the same vandals we had thrwarted a fortnight ago! These villains have the gall to call Lady Chie by her proper name, for that mongrel cur Takeshi whispered secrets about us in dost villains' slimy ears. Our fortitude stands resolved, and we prepare to do battle against these miscreants. When they threaten the child, brave Chie stands tall and provokes the swine into levying blows against her supple face. The cowards flee like bedwetters.

"Brave Chie! Thine honor is surpassed only by your beauty!" - I say, when we are alone. "Okay, seriously, cut it out." - Chie The mood is right. "Oh radiant warrior of the heart, Wilt thou be my girlfriend? - I beseech her. "... huh?" -Chie "I knowest you smell of meat but I-" - Me "Okay, okay, whatever! Just stop talking like a bad LOTR fanfic!" -Chie

Hmmm. That wasn't romantic at all. In any case, Chie's my girlfriend now I guess. That night I do homework with Nanako. ===='''8/27:Return of the Homework Forecast: Rain'''====

I work on homework today while the rain comes down outside. My knowledge increases thricely. Tonight, Kanji and Rise come by to help me and Nanako with her art homework. Kanji makes a working carousel out of string or something, because he's amazing at everything except having SP. ===='''8/28: Rise talks... and talks, and talks Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Rise calls me on the phone and invites me out with her. We don't do anything fun though. She takes me to Inaba's one and only covered picnic table ("Hey, Kanji and I were just here looking for some kid's dollies... I mean... playing... soccer? Magic the Gathering? "The Choking Game"?). She talks forever. Just on and on. I don't pay very much attention. I remember she said her grandmother reminded her of tofu, which is a weird thing to say to your granddaughter, I reckon! The gist of it is she was a really shy kid at heart, but she used her "idol" experience to try and change who she is, but it didn't work because people just liked the "new" personality instead of the "true" one. See, I just said that in one sentence! No need to spend three hours explaining it. Lovers rank 5

That night, the Nanako homework torture continues. She has to write a paper on her favorite animal: the platypus. She asks me which platypi have poison claws, males or females, and I say "neither." I'm wrong apparently. Do I look like a platypi expert to you?

===='''8/29: Homework Complete! Let's party! Oops, summer's over. Forecast: Rain'''====

I finish my homework today. My knowledge has definitely benefited from all this, but there hasn't been a level up. That night, Nanako works on a picture diary. It is uneventful. For the most part, people are correct in saying this game is paced better than P3, but summer vacation was kind of a drag for the most part. I guess it's my own fault for finishing the dungeons so early though.

===='''8/30: Collectible Kanji Plushies! Buy one get one free. Forecast: Sunny'''====

I buy a book called "Man-God" at the bookstore. Speaking of "Man-Gods" I hang out with Kanji today at the river. We meet up with the kid from before for a top secret dolly deal.

"You got the stuff I asked for Mister?" - Kid. "Yeah, yeah. Just keep it down willya? I'm tryin t'be discreet." - Kanji. "Oh yeah. This is the real deal. Grade A dolly." - Kid. "I need more, man. YOU GOTTA GET ME MORE STUFF MAN" - Kid.
 * Kanji reaches into his bag and withdraws two bunnies with clothes, hats and umbrellas.*
 * Kid sniffs it and his hands tremble.*

You gotta get them hooked when they're young, Kanji. Good job. Emperor Rank 5. For my evening activities, I translate for Expression. ===='8/31: No no no, I said MELON'' party. M-e-l-o-n. Forecast: Full of seeds'''====

Apparently, the Japanese have a custom where you blindfold yourself and try to smack open a watermelon. Sort of like a pinata, but much more illogical and impractical. This little tidbit of info from the instruction book is particularly informative today. Nanako tells me that someone gave Dojima a watermelon, and I should invite my friends over for a melon party. The gang gets together for a relaxing evening at home. There's no smashing of the melon, as Dojima brings it home already cut. That night, eating melon, watching the sunset as the summer draws to a close, everything is right with the world. The killer has been caught. We plan a beach trip for next summer. Dojima tells me I have some great friends. The credits roll as some j-pop song plays. Fin.

Not really.

September
===='''9/1: Second Semester Begins: The Young Detective Enrolls Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's back to school time! Did you have a good summer vacation? Well let's see, I got a girlfriend, worked for a week at Junes, helped my little sister with her homework... I'd give it about a B-. The gang sees Naoto at school.

"Naoto! What are you doing here?" - Yosuke "Why hello group of students suspiciously made up of kidnapping victims. Have you had any long meetings at Junes where you discuss the murders lately?" - Naoto "Uhhh... would you believe "no"?" - Chie "Not really. I'm not convinced this case is fully solved yet, so I've decided to stay in Inaba and go to your school." - Naoto "But why are you going to school? You're already a detective... y'know, a DETECTIVE." - Yukiko "Excuse me, did you say something? I was fidgeting with my sports bra... I mean, my wifebeater. Gotta go!" - Naoto

The day passes by as normal. The soccer coach asks me when soccer was first introduced to the Olympics. I guess 1904. Wrong. It's 1900. Oh, how I missed this! After school, we're on our way when Yosuke says we should invite Naoto to hang out with us at Junes. Naoto, having already turned down two girls for being boring and ugly, also turns us down because he "promised his grampa he'd go straight home". Ice cold, detective. So the rest of us go to Junes without him.

We start talking about the class trip. It's in one week and we're going to Tatsumi Port Island. Where have I heard that befooooooooly ****! Chie says we're gonna visit a private school there. Gekkoukan! Then we're gonna tour some factories. What? This is simultaneously the worst and best idea for a school trip ever. We learn it was Morooka's idea before he died. Well, at least you left us this as a parting gift. Your life was the sacrifice Tatsumi Port Island demanded. ===='''9/2: The Return of the Riddle Master Forecast: Rain'''====

After school, I finally get the chance to walk around Yasogani and complete some quests I was given before summer break. I give the girl in my class a "charmed veil" and she gives me 5 chest keys. Also, on the third floor, the afro-ed riddle master has got new challenges.

"Yo dawg, peep this. Skateboard's cold lampin in group A, but a Go-Kart is chillin in group B." "Uh huh." "Now, the egg-timer keeps his **** on lock down in group A, but the Alarm Clock "I'm leaving unless you start talking like a normal person."

In any case, I get past the first of Riddle Master's inane grouping riddles. The second one is a little trickier and I mess it up. Grrr! Foiled again! Next time, I will defeat you! I swear to it! Speaking of being foiled again, I go to the practice building to give some kid a "silver lump" when I realize... it's not in my inventory! Did I just imagine it there? Did I get it mixed up with an "iron lump"? In any case, now I have to go BACK to the stripclub to get this. After that, I eat at Aiya. My understanding increases from "generous" to "motherly". Also, since I'm in there all the time I guess, the shopkeeper gives me a book called "The Ramen Way". Hanging out with Dojima and not getting a s.link increase is the perfect end to a frustrating day.

===='''9/3: Kanji's slow evolution into Tim Gunn continues Forecast: Sunny'''====

I come back and challenge the riddle master again.

"Back again, eh holmes? You ready to get the riddle-smack down?" "Are you mentally challenged? Just ask me the stupid riddle again." "Okay playa. The gorilla is gang-banging in group A, while..." "Avalanche goes in group A because they all share the same indefinite article. Now give me a prize." "But--- I didn't finish-" "JUST GIVE ME IT AND SHUT UP"

I get a snuff soul. After that I go to talk with Chie, my girlfriend, but I get distracted by a different girl and start chatting her up right in front of her. This girl is the one who wrote the ema about wanting to learn to talk to people... oh yeah... I forgot about that. My "understanding" is high enough that I can suffer her bad attitude, but she still leaves in a tizzy. I'll need to keep talking to her, I guess.

Afterwards, Kanji and I meet up with the little boy for whom he makes dollies. The boy shows up eventually at our secret spot. He says his friend really enjoyed the plushes last time, and he's got more requests, including a pink alligator (nice P3 reference). Kanji says that he remembers a time in elementary school when he was made fun of for fixing a girl's bag. He never thought he'd be thanked for this kind of stuff. He runs off to Okina Station to pick up some more stuff. Emperor level 6.

That night I translate. What a fruitless endeavor. It's never gonna IT LEVELED UP? Finally, I am "Enthralling"! I can finally level up the Nanako link! I am overjoyed. ===='''9/4: Yukiko takes a stand Forecast: Cloudy'''====

I get a call from Yukiko, and I meet her at the shrine.

"So, everybody thinks you're my boyfriend now. Isn't that embarassing?" - Yukiko "Huh.... Yeah, really embarassing... that's it." - Me "Ahoy there! I'm the Deputy Mayor! I just woke up randomly and found myself here! What happened last night!" Deputy Mayor. "Deputy Mayor? That's a random appearance." - Me "Oh that reminds me! I'm supposed to meet a TV show today about the Inn? Gotta go!" - Yukiko

Then, the waitress from last time shows up, again randomly. She says it's not a real travel program... it's that paranormal tv program from before! ( I don't blame you if you don't remember). THEN, those dudes show up.

"GEEZ, let's just have everyone show up! I'll call Nanako, we'll channel Saki's ghost.. It'll be a party." - Me "Blah blah, the Amagi Inn sucks, blah blah, Inaba smells bad, blah blah, you're dumb, etc." - Paranormal TV Dude "... the hell up." - Yukiko "... Huh? Did you say something? Me or them?" - Me

Anyway, Yukiko's angry mutterings are enough to scare those dudes off. The Priestess s. link increases to Level 8. That night, the fridge is full of food, and I can make something called "carrot and burdock root kinpira." Maybe I'll just get a pop-tart from the machine tomorrow. I add soy sauce and vinegar to get "appetizing kinpira"... well that's a relief. ===='''9/5: A reluctant Dojima reads to Nanako as Chie and I share an intimate moment in my bedroom Forecast: Sunny'''==== Hosoi the puppetmaster is gossipping about the Detective Prince. Then he asks me what is not a kigo for spring. I guess that's an image or a symbol.... so I go with "sardine" because I can't imagine that being an image for anything (but you never know with the Japanese). I'm correct! My knowledge increases. Class resumes and the day goes as normal. I feed Chie the kinpira I made last night, still too lazy to look up what it is on wikipedia, and she likes it, even though there's no meat in it.

After school, I talk again with the girl on the roof who needs help with public speaking. She runs away. I guess I didn't pick the right responses. If only I had telepathy. SPEAKING OF, the two twins around town want my help proving that they're telepathic. "Shopping twin" thinks of her favorite candy and asks me to go talk to "river twin". River twin guesses wrong. Oh well. Shopping twin gives me 5x Dokudami Tea anyway, just for the hassle of running all over town for their stupid experiment.

I hang out with Chie, and she says she wants to see my room after training. We go up to my room, and sit on the sofa. All her life she's sort of been in Yukiko's shadow, pardon the expression.

"I don't even know what my good points are." - Chie "Huh?" - Chie "Your voice. I love your voice." - Me "Aw, you're so sweet. Have some matching wristbands!" - Chie "Oh... cool... I guess? They're matching. That's so lame and sweet. And lame." - Me
 * muttering* "I got your good point right here." - Me

Tomoe evolves into Suzuka Dongen! That's a real fun persona to say in the heat of battle. (Oh wait, it's actually "Gongen"... purposefully ignoring the truth for the sake of comedy.) Chie says she loves me, and I say don't mention it. No seriously, don't mention it. The Chariot link is maxed out. I can fuse Futsunushi, the Divine Sword!

I walk her home and when I get back, Dojima is at the table waiting for me. He's totally unaware of the thunderous passion that just took place in my bedroom. Nanako says she's going to sleep, but she wants Dojima to read to her first. He agrees, but at that moment the phone rings. It's a man named Ichihara. He says he'll be there soon but I but in.

"Hey dude. You JUST SAID you would read to Nanako." - Me "But--- this is important! My job! MY THIRST FOR VENGEANCE!!!" - Dojima. "More important than... Nanako?" - Me. "Nanako is my daughter. She's everything to me." - Dojima "See- I knew you were a good fath-" - Me "BUT THIS IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT." - Dojima "JUST READ TO HER DAMMIT! YOU'RE GIVING HER A COMPLEX WITH YOUR BAD PARENTING." - Me

Dojima agrees to read to her until she falls asleep. Afterwards, he tells me that Ichihara was running tests on the investigation regarding Chisato. The results were inconclusive. HE COULDN'T JUST TELL YOU THAT ON THE PHONE? How is that important? Dojima says everytime he sees Nanako it reminds him of Chisato and it's KILLING HIM INSIDE. Dojima's s. link is like a Linkin Park song. The Hierophant s. link increases to Level 7.

===='''9/6: A day for stat raising Forecast: Rain'''====

Hmmm. It's raining. So I guess I could go to band. Wait a minute! My expression is maxed! Smell you later Ayane! I'm gonna go stuff my face with meat! I go to Aiya and increase my understanding, knowledge and diligence. Afterwards, I come home. I spend all this time trying to get max expression and now Nanako doesn't want to talk to me. Where's your exclamation mark? So I read "Guide to Pests" instead. It increases my knowledge and courage, and I finish it. Good, because that book sucked.

====9/7: Fair Ai Ebihara totally EVIS'''CERATES some poor dude who just wanted to buy her things in exchange for kisses Forecast: Sunny'''====

Yosuke and Kanji ask me if I'm ready for the school trip. BOY AM I EVER. Kanji complains about Mitsuo being on TV all the time. Naoto appears, and Kanji runs off. Don't mind him, he's just shy around girls who dress like boys. It's complicated. At lunch, Ai visits me and asks to hang out later. Ohhh, I just can't say no to stuck up princesses.

We go to Okina Station. Miraculously, she doesn't feel like buying anything today. I tell her we should just chill for a while. She mentions that if it weren't for the team manager position she wouldn't be here with me right now. I guess she likes me a little. The Moon S. Link increases to Level 3. Then some random kid shows up.

"WOW, it's Ai Ebihara! Gosh you're pretty." - Student "Yeah, I know." - Ai "Say, would you like to go out with me sometime? I'm a pretty sweet guy who has a bright future ahead, with only good intentions." - Student. "P'SHAW! Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look like a beet salad. No way." - Ai "A beet salad?" - Student "Are you still talking to me? Go get hit by a subway car." - Ai
 * cries and runs away* - Student

Dang that was harsh. Then we go home. The game makes me go to bed early to prepare for GEKKOUKAN. ===='''9/8: School Trip Day One: Return to Gekkoukan High Forecast: Sunny'''====

Classic Persona 3 music plays as we gather in front of Gekkoukan High School. A warm feeling of nostalgia envelopes me. The principal gives us a typical P3 principal lecture: long-winded and boring. And then the class rep gives us a speech... wait, is that Chihiro? Nerdy, bookish Chihiro became the class rep? How did that happen... because dating me (the P3 main character) gave her confidence! We get into groups and Chihiro hands us our schedule, and tells me to hand it out to everyone else later. She forgot. Here, the classic Chihiro seems to come out a little bit. She says a former class President helped her with her speech (likely Mitsuru). So this whole weekend is going to be pure fan-service isn't it? I'm okay with that.

We attend a lecture taught by the former school nurse, Mr. Edogawa. To be honest, I have never paid attention to any of Edogawa's mystical pagan lectures. This time is no exception. What kind of school trip is this? We have lectures all day and then we go to the hotel? My knowledge didn't even increase! It's possible that his lecture about the founding of Japan and the demons Izanagi and Izanami is allegorical, but who cares if it's also super boring.

Our hotel is the Seaside Clamshell Inn, and at first I think it might be the P3 dorm, but it's actually the love hotel where we fought those shadows and saw Yukari showering so long ago. Ahhh, memories. Kashiwagi picked out this hotel, because she's a total slutbag, and Rise mentions that this hotel is on Shirokawa Boulevard. Rise knows a lot about Tatsumi Port Island. I hear a mysterious voice coming from the rooftop.

Like Batman, Teddie descends from the roof and lands gracefully in front of us, in bear suit and all. He swore off topsicles and saved money to follow us here. "I rode the slow train... THE SLOW TRAAAAIIIINNNNN". Kashiwagi comes out and sees us all talking with Teddie.

"My my, what a giant bear you have there." - Kashiwagi "Oh, don't mind him! He's just a... souvenir?" - Me. "Did you know that every room has a waterbed?" Kashiwagi "... oh that's nice?" - Me. "Also they spin if you flip a switch." - Kashiwagi

Afterwards, everyone heads inside except for Teddie, who is pretending to be a stuffed animal. Star Level 5. ===='''9/9: School Trip Day Two: Gettin Drunk at the Club Forecast: Slurry'''==== After a day of factory seeing (thankfully not covered on-screen) the gang sneaks out to Club Escapade. Yes, the very same Club Escapade where you got wasted with an old man on multiple occasions in P3. Certainly nothing like this in good ol' Inaba! We randomly run into Naoto. We invite him to hang out with us. Come on man, Rise is getting us backstage passes and stuff. Kanji goes into full on stuttering john mode whenever Naoto looks in his general direction. That dude's head is gonna explode. "Why am I so ... attracted... to such a ... girlish ... DUDE!?"

We sit down in our lounge and proceed to get hammered. Well, at least Yukiko, Rise and Teddie appear to get hammered. Kanji wonders if the drinks are even alcoholic. Rise says we're going to play what's called "The King's Game". We all draw chopsticks to see who is "king", while the others have numbers on them. The King gets to tell a certain number to do something... dirty. Yeah, I've never played this in real life, but Persona 4 has inspired me to do this at my next house party. I draw the first chopstick - it's the number 1. Teddie draws the King chopstick. Oh no.

Teddie demands that number 1 give him a smooch. When he sees that it is me he writes a poem:

''A bear's chastity: True love needs a sacrifice Just for you, Sensei. "Teddie"''

It's a pretty good poem, actually. Somehow, in a drunken mess, he misses me and gets Kanji instead. Oh great, like he wasn't confused enough as it is! Round two: I draw the King chopstick! Yukiko says that since the last King demanded a smooch I have to be more extreme. Man, drunk Yukiko is kind of hot. She should be drunk all the time, maybe she'd be more interesting. Everyone gives me suggestions ranging from another smooch to a piggy back ride to resting their head on my lap! I go with having #3 hug me, because I have a bad feeling that picking "head on lap" leads to Yosuke's head getting dangerously near my crotch. Turns out I picked Yukiko! She gives me a hug, while I'm sitting down, which is basically sitting on my lap anyway! Boner S. Link level up!

Afterwards, Yukiko says she wants people to talk about embarrassing things. She asks Naoto to talk about himself. Naoto agrees but says that we have to reveal something too.

"The Shirogane family have been detectives for generations." - Naoto "Okay... thass not embarrasshing." Yukiko "I live with my grandfather," - Naoto "Still no." - Rise "I've been working tightly with the police about the investigation." - Naoto "C'MON GIVE US THE GOOD SHTUFF!" - Teddie "Also, I'm really a girl." - Naoto "pssssh, yeah riiiight." - Rise "OH THANK YOU GOD." - Kanji "SHOW USH YOUR BOOBS." - Teddie

That last bit may have been made up. After revealing non-embarassing things about herself, *ahem* himself, he asks for us to tell him about our involvement with the murder case. Rise, in her drunken state, confesses that we crawl inside TVs and save people from Shadows. Naoto thinks we're making fun of him. Then he calls us imbeciles and tells us there's no alcohol in our drinks. It was your true feelings all along! Whooo...

===='''9/10: School Trip Day Three: The Morning After Forecast: Sunny'''====

Today we go to Hagakure Ramen, whose ramen was all the rage in P3. The Hagakure bowl isn't on the secret menu anymore, however. Yukiko and Rise don't remember much about last night due to their fake hangovers, so Brosuke and I make up all sorts of lurid stories. Rise is amazed that not many people have recognized her. Hmmm, I dunno, maybe it has to do with that GIANT BLUE BEAR EATING RAMEN AT THE BAR. In fact, he's eating Yuki's ramen right now. Dude! Trust me, NEVER EAT YUKIKO'S RAMEN. He ends up eating ten bowls of ramen.

I decide to buy Nanako a souvenir: an "Iwatodai Mochi"... Not sure what that is, but hopefully it's cute. Then we notice that Teddie ain't moving! Could it.... Is he not allowed to be outside the TV world very long? Is he dead? Or is he just really really full from eating too much? If you picked choice number 3, congratulations, you win! Naoto leaves. I don't think he likes us very much.

When we get home that night, Nanako is waiting for me. I give her the souvenir... it's like a drink or something. Dojima gets home after me and says for me to make friends with Naoto. He's in danger of getting kicked off the investigation, he says. I take a bath and go to sleep soon after.

Yeah, the school trip was pretty excellent. Definitely the funniest moments of the game so far. I would've like to have seen a few cameos from playable P3 cast members though. Like an older, less annoying Ken, Junpei, or even Koromaru, but eh, whatever. I pretty much don't "dislike" any members of the cast at this point, though if you made me rank them Yuki and Rise would still be at the bottom. ===='''9/11: This is Persona 4's 9/11, i.e. another boring afternoon with Yukiko Forecast: Cloudy'''====

In remembrance of this day I buy some mail order fish. Lots of people are talking about the fog today, about what it is and where it came from, and there are rumors circulating about the meat at the meat stick stand. Disturbing rumors.

Yukiko and I go to the shrine together. She asks me to wish for something. I wish for her s.link to be over soon. We pray to the Persona 4 God. Yuki tells me she's not going to leave Inaba. She likes who she works with, and the Inn. So the moral of the story kids, is sometimes your hopes and dreams aren't really that important. Sometimes you should go the easiest and most comfortable route through life. Remember that when you pick colleges or spouses or whatever. You don't have to be President someday. Maybe just set your sights on the head librarian position in Backwoods, Arkansas or wherever you live. Priestess Level 9! She asks why I hang out with her so much, and I say "because I like you." The moral of that story, and the underlying moral of the game apparently, is that you can lie to girls faces and get them to like you.

That night, Nanako still doesn't want to talk to me. Maybe she senses my hatred for her and my duplicitous ways with women? Either that or a Buffy marathon is on TV. I make "chakin sushi" for lunch tomorrow. I wrap it in eggs, because I think I remember some guy in school talking about this. I am a culinary mastermind!

===='''9/12: No One Cares About Me: The Naoki Konishi Story Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's been a long time since I went into the TV world. I sort of miss it. Like, S. Links are good and all, but I really wanna kill shadows right now. Alas, I must quell my violent urges and work on maxing s.links to keep my slim hopes of a "perfect playthrough" alive. Rise and I eat Chakin Sushi at lunch. Her affinity with me increases. Afterwards in class, Kashiwagi asks me about Teddie. Glad you liked him so much... he probably would've slept with you if you asked nicely and phrased it as "scoring." She lectures us on salmon and my knowledge increases.

After school, I talk again with the asperger girl on the roof and give her talking lessons. She thanks me, but the quest isn't over yet. Speaking of people with mental problems, I decide to hang out with Naoki that afternoon. We go to eat at Aiya. He says he hasn't been out to eat in a while because the media's been hounding him, and whenever people see him acting normal they think he's heartless.

"Naoki, 'the key to an admirable life is to leave something behind." - Me "... what the **** does that mean?" - Naoki "Uhhh, I don't know, live so people will remember you when you're gone." - Me. "Oh. So you mean like, the opposite of how Saki lived, who was murdered before she could do that?" - Naoki "That's not what I meant, I mean-" - Me "Oh yeah, really great advice! "Leave something behind"... what, like her body hanging from a rooftop!" - Naoki "Look man-" - Me "YOU'RE THE WORST COUNSELOR EVER." - Naoki

Yeesh. Hanged Man Level 2. That night, Nanako and I watch television together. There's an interview with Naoto on the news. He says that not all the questions with the case are solved. He agrees that Mitsuo killed Murooka, but he won't confirm that he was responsible for the other two. ===='''9/13: Naoto summarizes the case so far Forecast: Sunny'''====

En route to school, just about the whole gang stops me to ask if I saw the TV last night. Of course, this is Inaba, it's required that we all stay at home and watch the same news program every night, right? It's sort of like North Korea in that way. Naoto shows up and outlines his theory.

"One! All the victims were kidnapped before they were murdered." - Naoto "Not Morooka." - Kanji "Keep up, Kanji. He doesn't count anymore." - Yosuke "Two! They were all the focus of media attention." - Naoto "I guess... except for Morooka." - Kanji. "KANJI! Will you shut up abou-" - Yosuke "No, wait, I think he has a point. Isn't it obvious to any of you that Morooka was an isolated incident from the rest?" - Me. "Three! Shut up about Morooka!" - Naoto

Actually, Naoto theorizes that we've been somehow stopping murders from taking place. I guess she didn't even need Rise and Yukiko's drunken confessions to figure that out. She also says that yes, she can't explain why Morooka is different from the others as far as cause of death and motive.

After school I talk with the girl on the rooftop. She says my lessons didn't work and she called a girl ugly. I tell her she should apologize, and this cures her aspies. Quest complete! Afterwards I hang out with Yukiko to bump up her s.link a little bit, and then I go home. Then I hang out with Dojima and do the same thing... except with more making out.

===='''9/14: The disappearance of Naoto. Plus, colliding theorizes about the murderer. Forecast: Rain'''====

Naoto is absent today. How suspicious. Hey, wasn't Naoto on TV a couple days ago? Gee, I wonder what happened to the guy. Maybe he caught a cold? Maybe he was thrown into a TV? In any case, it's raining, so there's not much to do except visit the Fox. He is overjoyed at all the money he has. Hermit level 7. Maybe now the fees will be manageable.

That night, I get the fish I ordered in the mail. MMMM, delicous. Then I watch the Midnight Channel, just for fun. I mean, the case is solved right? We caught Mitsuo, so yeah, the game is pretty much over huh? Thankfully, no. That night someone appears on the screen. My character can't tell who it is, but COME ON DUDE, it's Naoto. Yosuke and I decide to get together tomorrow and talk it over.

Pretty entertaining mystery so far. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I have a few guesses at who the culprit might be. It's obviously not Mitsuo, so it could be :

50:1 - Namatame - I mean, he's in town for a reason, so I assume he'll be thrown into the TV later on, or he'll have something important role to play. Still, seems a bit obvious.

25:1 - Deliveryman - There's been obvious appearances of deliverymen so far before Kanji's disappearance and others. Why include these scenes if they weren't important? Still, some faceless delivery guy makes for a lame villain.

10:1 - Some other person we haven't seen yet

5:1 - Adachi - He's just too nice/inept to be real. I'm telling you the second I heard him speak I suspected this guy. Still, I have no idea WHY he would be the murderer, and he was with us when Rise was kidnapped, so he seems to be out. But if there were a way to explain around the Rise situation, then I'd suspect him more. Maybe there are two?

Wildcard - Main Character's Shadow Self - There has to be a REASON I didn't have to go through what everyone else did... and I'm thinking it's because S. Main Character is being saved as some epic last boss fight like Shadow Link in Zelda II. However, I get this feeling he might also be tied to Teddie somehow, and yeah, it doesn't make sense for me to have a shadow self that can operate in the real world. So if he's not the killer, he's definitely a factor in the whole big picture somehow. ===='''9/15: Naoto appears on the Midnight Channel! Forecast: Rain'''====

After school, we gather at Junes. Teddie tells us that no one's gone into the TV world. Kanji says it's not a big deal, since we caught Mitsuo already. Come on Kanji, don't be dense. Actually, come on entire party, don't be dense. The entire town just wants to forget about it and move on apparently. Well don't blame me when...

...Naoto appears on the midnight channel! That night, I see Naoto dressed up in a labcoat, talking about a human body/genome alteration project. That's right, it's L'es Enfants Terribles. Brother! Human Experiments! Soldier genes! Do you like my sunglasses? *is slapped* Wha? Where am I? Sorry... ever since lost my arm and surgically grafted on this new one I've been acting kinda weird, occasionally lapsing into a British accent. Naoto's probably talking about finally becoming a post-op. Time for another rescue.

===='''9/16: Interrogate the police to save Naoto! Forecast: Sunny'''====

The gang gets together after school to apologize to me for being completely wrong once again and for letting another one of our classmates get thrown into a TV. Yukiko says that Naoto probably appeared on TV to get kidnapped on purpose. Man, that Naoto's got balls... Kanji is fired up to save him. That's cute.

Rise searches for Naoto inside the TV world. Predictably, we need clues about Naoto to find him. A girl at school directs me towards talking with policemen. I find one in the shopping district, but he doesn't want to talk with me. While I'm in the area, I get a new request from the Fox. This time he wants me to help a man get over his fear of cats. Cats? Really? I find this guy at the floodplain, afraid to get married to his wife because of her cat. I talk to him about cats, I meow like a cat, and I try to bring a cat close to him, and each time he screams like a girl and tells me to stop. Nothing works. Hmmm.

I'm stumped, not only about the cat guy but also about Naoto. I talk with the rest of my friends for clues. Chie says I should pretend to be Naoto's friend and act concerned and ask the policeman again. I go back to the policeman and he says that Naoto hasn't been around. Huh. I need to talk with a different officer, I guess. Adachi is here, but he's unhelpful. I decide to work at the Day Care. My understanding increases, and I get 8,000 yen.

Nanako is finally available to talk with me tonight. She says she's nervous about upcoming parent teacher conferences. I tell Nanako that we'll ask him together. The Justice arcana increases to Level 6. Maybe in another two months it'll level up again. ===='''9/17: Let's Save Naoto! Infiltrate the secret hideout and destroy the inner chains of your soul! Forecast: Sunny'''====

That morning, Ms Sofue lectures us about, what else, Egypt, and she asks me what Magellan's motive for exploring the world was. My real schooling doesn't let me down here... he who controls the spice controls the world. My knowledge increases. When class is over, I go back into town to talk to policemen. There's a new one right near the entrance of the shopping district. He says that Naoto is often treated as a kid. So he's "obsessed" and "treated like a kid." **** the police, I could've told you that two days ago.

To Junes! I enter the TV world and head to the Velvet Room. She gives me a "metal bat" for completing over half of the s. links. First thing first, I head into the strip club ALONE to get a silver lump and fashionable dishes. This would prove to be a dumb idea. I get the dishes almost immediately, but while looking for the silver lump, I get into a fight with some enemies who "enrage" me... and the enemies also have repel physical. So I basically kill myself. Darn. I try again. After going through the dungeon twice and not finding a silver lump, I remember the words of the "special" girl outside Daidara when it rains... rare materials may be found on rainy days. I'll come back.

After that I go BACK to the Velvet Room and fuse the Black Frost with Auto-Sakukaja. I use the internet for this one. I don't feel good about it, but whatever. Margaret tells me Black Frost's tragic history.

"This persona lived alone for thousands of years." - Margaret "That's... terrible." - Me. "He prayed for a friend... and God gave him one. They played together all day." - Margaret "Yay! This is the best bedtime story ever!" - Me "Still, when the sun set, the friend vanished." - Margaret "And then Black Froo-" - Margaret ... ... "I didn't mispronounce his name. I made the whole story up anyway.' - Margaret
 * gasp* - Me

<3 Margie. Empress Level 6! Next she wants a Yatagarasu with Megido. I talk with Rise and she shoots us off towards Naoto's secret base. It looks like something out of a "live action show"... which in this game's parlance equates to Power Rangers. Chie mentions how she had her own hideout near Yuki's house when she was little where she practiced kung-fu techniques. Adorbs. I suppose Naoto isn't as "grown up" as he appears. I plunge into the base with a party of Yosuke, Chie, and Teddie. Why I brought Chie and Teddie I don't know. I think this dungeon is the most aesthetically pleasing one yet.

Secret Base: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ziJkEkDsRw

The music is cool, and everything is a pleasing green and red. It's like a rebel base. There appears to be green alien blood all over the floor. Also, this one goes down instead of up!

First Arcana chance I get I draw a reversed Lovers, which increases the number of strong shadows around me. This actually works in my favor, because the "strong" shadows around here do nothing except cast Ziodyne on my main character. Switch to a persona with repel lightning and BOOM easiest fights ever. I gain tons of levels fighting these guys. On Level 4, I am drawn away from the game by real life engagements.

Two days later, I pick the game up again and start going through the Void Quest with Kanji and Yukiko. This time, Arcana chance sort of screws me with reversed Judgement, which cuts everyone's SP in half, and I have to leave at Level 3.

Then I decide to cheat some more in the Velvet Room. I fuse the Yatagarasu with Megido. This brings the Empress rank up to Level 7. Next, she wants a Yatsufusa with Mediarama.

After this, I heal (it's still ******** expensive) and I return to Naoto's secret base. On Level 4, I reach a door that needs an ID card to open. I don't find it anywhere. I keep going all the way to Level 6, where I find the research card and another locked door. Let me guess. I have to backtrack to Level 4, open the door and get another key from behind there. So that's what I do. Except I don't open the door because I'm out of SP then. I decide not to ask for healing from the fox. I go home and sleep. ===='''9/18: The burden of celebrity! Letters from a superfan! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Outside the bookstore, I whip out three fashionable dishes and hand them to the avid reader outside. Just take 'em! I don't even care about your stupid book. He gives me "Riddlemania" and 10,000 yen. Okay, I'll take that.

Rise and I head to Okina City on a date, and I walk her home. She runs off to get me some tofu to take home for the fam. In the two minutes that she's gone, Inoue, her former manager arrives. He asks me to give a letter to Rise. I did steal his bread and butter, so I guess I can do that. I give Rise the letter. It's from a middle-school fan, perhaps Risette's best fan. Her letters used to inspire Rise to keep going when times were tough. Oh yeah, what did they say?

"Dear Risette, Today in school a girl I don't like made fun of me. I kept my cool because of you!"

"Dear Risette, I saw you on TV! You're so cute and skinny! I haven't eaten in three days!"

"Risette, I think I like a boy. I'm gonna flirt with him and follow him around constantly."

What a fan. This letter says that she's worried about Rise since she took time off. The disappointment Rise feels from disappointing her fans conflicts with her desire to be her own person again. She's not going back, she resolves. Lovers level 6.

Before bed, I read "Short on Cash." My understanding increases.

===='''9/19: Snogging with Yukiko! The Champion of the Amagi Challenge is crowned! Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Today is "Respect for the Aged Day." I visit the guy who's scared of cats again.

"Hey, guy who's afraid of cats! Come with me, I have something to show you!" - Me "Okay! As long as it's not a cat!" - Cat-o-phobe "Okay what did you ha-a-a-a-a-a! Cat!" - Cat-o-phobe. *passes out*
 * square button to the Dojima residence later*

He runs away. Yukiko comes over to my room for some making out and stuff. She wonders where we should sit... on the couch! futon! the floor! I go with the floor! She gets embarassed and we sit on the sofa anyway. She tells me she's decided to stay in Inaba because she's thankful for the people she knows here and the atmosphere. Her persona evolves into Amaterasu (hooowwwwwllll.... doesn't look like a wolf though). She gives me a shrine charm to protect me when I go back to the city. I ain't goin nowhere baby until you get on that floor. Max Priestess Link. Amagi Challenge complete.

That night, Nanako wastes my time.

===='''9/20: I tell Naoki a story to take his mind off how his sister's murdered corpse was left hanging from an antenna! Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Mr. Kondo is teaching us... whatever he teaches us during gym class. I'm daydreaming off into the clouds. Kondo asks me what we call people between the ages of 100 and 110. Dinosaurs? Witches? Really ******* old? Centenarians? The answer actually is centenarians. My knowledge increases. Another one of my favorite teachers, the Cleopatra-faced Ms. Sofue, asks me to find her a sample of "culurium." It's somewhere in the Void Quest. Finally, I check up on my friend with the fear of cats, and he's a little braver now. He just needs a fish to distract the cats with. Unfortunately, he's also afraid of fish, so he needs a "cute looking fish". This dude clearly has problems. I also buy "Sensei's Friends" from the bookstore, although I'll probably never read it.

I hang out with Naoki again. He tells me a really boring story about a student named Masaya. I wasn't paying attention because I was eating my meat stick. I tell him an embarassing story of my own. Once upon a time, there was a boy who moved from the city to a country town, gained magical powers and saved the world, got rich, and became the boyfriend of all the popular girls in school. Isn't that embarassing? Naoki is overcome with laughter. Two random old ladies walk by and wonder how that Naoki kid can be so happy when his sister had just been murdered. I tell Naoki I'll punch those centenarians in the face, but he says it's ok. Hanged Man Level 3.

That night, Nanako wastes my time.

===='''9/21: Attention! When is there too much and not enough? The stories of Ai and Nanako. Forecast: Sunny'''====

Ai Ebihara, spoiled princess of Inaba, and I make plans at lunch. At school I wait for her at her shoe locker and Daisuke shows up. Remember Daisuke? Soccer guy, scared of girls, hung out with Kou a lot... yeah, I stopped caring about him too. We gossip a bit about Ai. The other guys around us start picking on her. One guy says she's "stacking the paper" which is pretty cool, I might use that phrase in real life locution. Daisuke and I tell them to cool their jets. He leaves. Ai peeks out from around the corner... oh man, did you hear all that? She says she expects that stuff by now and thanks me for sticking up for her. Moon Level 4.

That night, Nanako wastes my -- oh wait, something's happening! Dojima shows up after a rough day at work. Nanako brings up the parent - teacher conferences. He says he's busy, and Nanako counters with "bad people are more important than me!" and "You're not my real dad!" Ouch!

She runs off, and we give chase. My friends show up to help as well. I go to the Sanegawa river to look for her. That's where she and her mother and Dojima used to walk together. I meet Dojima there and we see Nanako by herself at a picnic table. He asks me to go get her. No way dude! This is your chance to be a good father! He makes me go anyway. Jesus you're terrible sometimes. I go get Nanako and tell her it's okay, maybe Dojima will get shot in the line of duty or something and you can come live with me in the city. Justice Rank 7. ===='''9/22: Enter the Friendzone! Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Ai comes to visit me again at lunch. She's into me, I can tell. After school, she asks me to go up to the rooftop with her because she has something important she wants to tell me. Okay, this is a little fast, but why not? You all know I like prissy girls who treat me like dirt.

"Thanks again, y'know, for sticking up for me last time." - Ai. "Don't mention it, babe. I'm here for you. Want me to buy you something?" - Me. "I think.. I'm in love." - Ai. "Wow, really? This is a few S. Link levels early, but hey, I ain't complaining." Me. *unzips* "I'm in love with Daisuke." - Ai "Daisuke <3<3<3" - Ai "DID YOU JUST FRIENDZONE ME?" *fists in the air* " NOOOOOOOO---"Moon level up! "---OOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
 * pants drop*"Okay, let's do this... wait. Did you say DAISUKE!?" - Me.

That night I work in the hospital. My courage increases and I get paid 5,000 yen.

===='''9/23: Boys Don't Cr(Ai) Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's the Autumnal Equinox, so there's no school. Since I need to max understanding to start the tutor job, I try working at the Day Care. My understanding increases and I receive 8,000 yen. There's no s. link increase with the dumb mom. Stupid mom. Stupid Ai. Stupid Daisuke. I hang out with Nanako that night. Stupid Nanako. I listen to the Cure with headphones all night and cry and write bad poetry about Ai.

Your face, like the moon - money gold and diamond rings I can't quit you Ai ===='''9/24: Further lessons in bad parenting and its effects on little girls and boys Forecast: Sunny'''====

Our math teacher has marriage problems. That's her thing. Ms. Sofue likes Egypt, that one guy has a puppet of himself... this one has a bad marriage. And she lets us know about it. Often. And for prolonged amounts of time. My knowledge increases. Note to self: never get married.

I work at the Day Care again. My understanding will not increase. Understanding is the new Expression. At the end of the day, Eri, the worst mother in the history of mothers, (you could even say she was... "terible"... ) decides to leave her son Yuuta at day care when he doesn't want to go with her. Eri and Dojima should get together and raise the most messed-up kid. He could be the protagonist of P5. I walk Yuuta home. We see Eri at a patio near the Sanegawa river. This is apparently where everyone in town runs away when something stressful happens to them. "Wah, my Dad hates me!" Run to the patio near the river. "I can't control my rebellious six year old!" Run to the patio near the river. "My boyfriend won't pay for an abortion!" Run to the patio near the river. Anyway, Eri says she's glad Yuuta had fun at day care. Is that all you have to say? Temperance Rank 5.

After I wash the taste of "bad s.link" out of my mouth, I decide to hang out with Nanako. In what must be a speed record, we DON'T spend a precious time together. She lost her parent-teacher note, and I tell her I'll help her find it. In Dojima's papers I find the note and a picture of Dojima, Chisato and Nanako together. Nanako understands that Dojima is lonely too. Justice Level 8.

===='''9/25: Insert Witticism Here Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Tanaka is selling something called a "Death Scudetto", a weapon for Kanji, as well as 8x Diet Food. I don't have the money for the DS, and I don't want the Diet Food. I switch off the TV in disgust. I hang out with Rise (screw you old Death lady). There's no s. link increase. Then I make some origami cranes. Whoo.

===='''9/26: Okay, for real this time, Let's Save Naoto! Part One. Forecast: Rain'''====

Let's rejoin our heroes in their quest to rescue Naoto from the clutches of her self-concious! First things first, the guy outside the bookstore has one last quest for me. He's going to ask me questions about all the books I've read! Uhhh... I have no idea about any of these questions. I'm gonna talk to you again tomorrow... when I can cheat. It's raining today, so I heed the advice of the strange nonsense-spouting girl and go on the prowl for items.

I get a "silver lump" from the silver dice in the stripclub, finally. Let's never come here again! Then I go through the Void Quest, picking up an eternal lamp, a leaf pochette, and finally, from Voltron, Ms. Sofue's "culurium". I make it through the entire dungeon with few problems. At the end I meet the bonus boss, who is... okay, another Voltron, that's fine. He's actually pretty easy. I DON'T use elements, and I just hit it really hard with "attack up" spells (Tarunda? Takaraja? Matankaruajaja? I can't remember these names man). Kanji is actually useful here for the first time ever. "Mighty Swing" seems to critical hit it every time. He dies in three turns. It's possible I'm overlevelled. I get a Gaia Sword, which seems like it would be really cool because it has a chance of inflicting my foes with status ailments, but it also has lower attack and hit percentage. So I don't know.

I leave the Void Quest and go to the Velvet Room. Through some minor miracle, a switch flips in my brain and I suddenly understand how to fuse the next Margaret persona on my own. I need to fuse Thoth, the monkey that reads a newspaper, so that he knows "mediarama" and then use him in my Yatsufusa recipe. Score! Yatsufusa actually does look like Okami's Amaterasu, as opposed to Yukiko's Amaterasu. I show it to Margaret. Can I stop now? Please let me stop now. Next she wants a Ganesha that knows Tetrakarn. Empress Level 8.

Okay, now we can finally go back to the Secret Lab. The game makes me start at Level 6 or 1, which is annoying because I used a Goho-M on Level 4 last time, but whatever, I start at 6 and backtrack again. I use the "research" card to open the door and inside is...

... okay, this is ridiculous, but IT'S YET ANOTHER VOLTRON. Let's kill it. ===='''9/26: Okay, for real this time, Let's Save Naoto! Part Two. Forecast: Genderstorms'''====

This Voltron, like the last Voltron, is not difficult. He has two moves, power charge and herculean strike, so I just switch to a Persona that nulls physical and go to down with -Dyne spells. Bart's gear goes down like a chump. He was guarding the "leader card." I backtrack again to Level 6 and use the leader card to open the other locked door. I proceed through the rest of the dungeon with relative ease. When I reach the save point on Level 9, I leave, heal, and come back to face what evil lurks behind the final door.

It's real Naoto, trying to reason/argue with inner Naoto. He seems to have a handle on the situation. Inner Naoto seems to be acting like a child, so it stands to reason that part of Naoto's complex is that he hates being treated like a child. S. Naoto says that he'll always be a kid pretending to be a detective.

"That's right narrator! Naoto's always been a child playing at detective... but that's not the only thing he's playing!" - S. Naoto "Here it comes." - Me. "Here what comes?" -Chie. "Come on, it's been totally obvious the whole time." - Me. "What are you going on about dude?" Yosuke. "Are you guys serious? That voice, that petite figure, DAT ASS?" - Me. "Shh! Shush you! I want to tell them!" - S. Naoto. "Senpai, are you suggesting that Naoto's a... male model?" - Rise "I'M A GIRL DAMMIT" - S. Naoto
 * facepalm*

Then we fight S. Naoto. He's (she's?) got wings, and a little lazer gun. I guess she's supposed to remind us of Ultraman or something. She's the easiest boss in 40 hours of gameplay at least. Now that I'm getting party-wide buff spells, the tried and true P3 tactics of casting all three on the party at once are effective. I don't remember what I did actually, probably just hit it with Blade of Fury a lot.

Afterwards, Naoto tells us that she lost both of her parents as a child and lived with her Grampa. She read a lot of detective books and was basically a nerdy, socially awkward girl who wished she was a boy her whole life. As she grew older, she never allowed herself to be a child, and she still has to fight for respect as an adult. She hides her gender as a means of gaining respect and trust with the police department. Tragic really. I guess. I don't know, I was staring at her chest the whole time.

Naoto gets a persona, a tiny imp-like thing called Sukuna-Hikona, and we leave the TV world. It's cute how Kanji was worried about her. I guess he is straight after all. Just really socially awkward around girls. I head home and Adachi and Dojima are waiting for me. Adachi tells me that Naoto's shown up. He also runs his mouth about how they don't have proof that Mitsuo murdered anyone except Morooka, so the suspect might still be out there. Dojima scolds Adachi and tells me to stay out of it and just study like a normal student. Typical Dojima - Adachi - Me interaction. ===='''9/27: In which I ignore most, if not all, of Daisuke's prior character development to ask what type of girl he likes Forecast: Sunny '''==== I spy Daisuke in the hall after class.

"So... Daisuke. What kind of girl do you like?" - Me. "Huh? What's with you all of a sudden?" - Daisuke. "Your type. What's your type? Glasses, class president... team manager..." - Me. "... Did you forget all that hassle you and Kou went through in my S. Link? Are you trying to make me relive that trauma with my middle school girlfriend?" -Daisuke. "Just answer the question." - Me. "Nice girls, okay? Nice girls." - Daisuke. "So... like Ai Ebihara?" - Me. "Heh. Hahaha. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" - Daisuke.

So yeah, that happened. I give Ms. Sofue some culurium, and she gives me two mystical scarabs in return. The student in the practice building gives me two uplifting radios in return for a silver lump. At the flood plain, I give the man an everlasting lamp and he gives me 30,000 yen. Nearby, the girl who asked for the leaf pochette gives me 3x Macca Leafs.

I hang out with Kanji to bump his s.link points, and I read "Short on Cash" to bump my understanding.

===='''9/28: Pierce the heavens with your needle! Sew logic into a plushie and give it to some kid to make the impossible possible! Forecast: Cloudy'''==== Hanging out with Kanji yesterday pays immediate dividends. I tell him at lunch that I'll meet with him later. Mr. Kondo says he hasn't eaten in ten years. What is that an example of? Hyperbole. Correct! You're midly intelligent.

After school, Kanji and I meet up with a little boy for more illicit doll trading. He tries to give Kanji some money for them, but he turns it down. Dude... this could be the next big Christmas item. This could be the furby, the next TICKLE ME ELMO! Nanako shows up again, because it's her job to show up randomly in every one of my s.links, and says that she wants to learn to make dolls like this. Kanji says that this experience has taught him what strength really means... being strong enough to knit countless numbers of plushies without poking yourself with a needle a thousand times. Emperor rank 7.

I finish reading "Short on Cash"... my understanding... it does nothing but increase and increase with no level. Aye, now I am weeth da Russian accent. Gya.

===='''9/29: In which Ai Ebihara contemplates suicide but decides to date me instead Forecast: Scattered rich girl showers'''====

Kanji and Ai visit me at lunch today. I choose Ai because I reason that I'll be able to hang out with Kanji on the weekends. Also, I can't wait to report back to her as her emasculated guy friend! We go up to the roof, and... hold on. Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to play match maker with this girl instead of go after her myself? Apparently so.

"Daisuke likes nice girls." - Me. "Nice? Not pretty?" - Ai "Just nice." - Me "Not good looking or even rich?"- AI "Nice." - Me "I HAVE NO CHANCE I SHOULD JUMP OFF THE ROOF" - Ai "Haha, wait, what?" - Me.

It doesn't happen exactly like that. She makes me ask Daisuke personally if he has a crush on anyone... like Ai. He says hell to the no, and said jumping occurs. I meet her on the edge.

"Ai! Don't do it! There's so much to live for!" - Me. "Like what!? Daisuke doesn't like me." - Ai. "Look, that's just Daisuke. Everyone thought he was gay. He might still be gay!" - Me. "Look, at least you weren't murdered like Saki!" - Me "At least Saki was famous! I wish I was famous. People don't care about me!" - Ai. "Ai, listen to me, there's plenty of things people like about you. You're pretty, and - ummmm, you uhh..." - Me. ... "Okay, just go for it." - Me.
 * sobs*

No, actually that isn't what happened, but one can dream! Ai says she used to be fat and poor. Well, of course. When her family moved, she used her new location to become a new person. Still, even with all the changes to her personality she still can't get dudes. Unfortunately (or fortunately, whatever) I didn't get the message regarding this s.link in time, so I tell Ai "I'll be your boyfriend!" Oh well. Moon Level 6. Lesson to Board 8: Never date crazies.

That night, Dojima is looking over some documents from his wife's case. He says that Nanako seem stronger lately, more sure of herself. Braver. The house feels like a warm place. Hierophant Level 8. Then we drink until we pass out.

===='''9/30: Here Comes a New Challenger! Kanamin vs. Risette! Forecast: Cloudy'''====

The homely girl in the practice building has another quest for me. Bring me three proofs of passion! Speaking of which, I go out with Rise after school. We go to Okina Station, where she says she's going to pick out an outfit for me. Said outfit never gets picked, because Rise gets distracted by a new "Idol" - Kanamin. What an unfortunate name. We overhear some bros in earshot saying they like Kanamin more than Risette because she's not as fake. Ouch bros! This frankness hurts Rise's feelings and we go for a walk by the river to talk it over. She asks if I'm happy with her. Then NANAKO shows up, because it's her contractual obligation to appear in my s.links. Rise asks her if she's heard of Kanamin. Nanako says that she likes Risette better, but I think she's just saying that because she's afraid you might make her an omelette again. Lovers S. Link Level 7.''' '''

October
====10/1: Nanako and Dojima kiss and make up Forecast: Rain ====

The rain falls softly as the aroma of schezuan fills the air. Meat slides down my gullet like a greedy pelican shoveling fish down its throat. Yes, my friends, it's the Rainy Day Meat Bowl Challenge, and it's still kicking my ***. Good thing I burn off all these calories in the TV world. My knowledge, courage and diligence increases.

All of a sudden, Nanako's s.link is in overdrive. It would've been nice if this thing picked up like four months ago! I might not hate Nanako as much as I do now! I'm coming around on her though. She's pretty cute when she's happy. Anyway, she gave the photo of her and her mother to Dojima, and says she understands how rough it is to be Dojima sometimes. Justice rank 9! Holy balls, I might actually finish this s.link! Never would've guessed that.

===='''10/2: Kanji is confronted and unleashes a new thread of intimidating threats Forecast: Cloudy'''====

It's Sunday. Chie calls to go on a date with me, but I've moved on already from her. I watch Tanaka and buy 10x red goldfish for my aquarium. Then I decide to go hang out with Kanji at Aiya. We are stopped outside by some police officers.

"Are you Kanji Tatsumi? Can I talk with you for a second?" - Policeman 1 "Who's askin? Buzz off, pigs!" - Kanji "We've heard rumors of bullying around here." - Policeman 2 "Kanji didn't do anything, officers." - Me. "THAT'S RIGHT PUNK!" - Kanji "Hey, Kanji. Maybe don't yell in their faces?" - Me. "We've heard that you've been bullying a kid down by the river." - Policeman 1 "No way! He just makes that kid dollies!" - Me. "S-Senpai? How could you? IT'S TIME FOR A BEATDOWN." - Kanji. "What? Hey, stop!" - Me.

Just as Kanji is about to unleash holy fury on all of us, the little kid shows up with some cookies to say thanks for the dollies. Kanji admits to making the dolls.

"Yeah, I made the kid some dolls. What with the ones for his friends and his mom, it was eight all told!"

Woah. Since when did Kanji start talking like Shakespeare? The police start backing off (Kanji is even weirder than they thought), and he gives them some parting shots.

"They're so cute, they'll give you diabetes. The instantly fatal kind!" "Hey you! That button's falling off! I'm gonna sew it back on, y'hear!?"

Emperor Level 8. This is probably my favorite s.link. That night, there's food in the fridge. I decide to make "pork kakuni" even though I have NO IDEA what that is. I add "mirin" (again, NO IDEA) and I get Tender Pork Kakuni and 3x bait. ===='''10/3: "Licking the tears...Mmmm, Scott, your tears taste so good" Forecast: Salty'''====

Kashiwagi gives us our daily lecture on bodily functions. This lady is so gross. How does she know what different kinds of tears taste like anyway? Her slightly disturbing lecture increases my knowledge. I take Rise out to lunch. "MMMM, Senpai, this Tender Pork Kakuni is so good! It's so tender. And porky." After school I work at the day care to increase understanding. Then I finish the day off with some Dojima time. No s.links all around.

===='''10/4: If only eating tons of chinese food really did make you smarter, and not just fatter Forecast: Rain'''====

"I choose you, Kaoru!" exclaims Mr. Honda, shaking me out of a boredom induced stupor at gym class. Do I look like a Pokemon? He asks me how much of the 2.5 liters of water we lose each day is from sweat. I say half a liter, except for Hanako, who loses at least 2 liters a day under her fat rolls. I'm correct about everything.

I go eat at Aiya and undertake the challenge, only to hopelessly fail yet again. My Knowledge is maxed out, and my diligence increases a level. Still not enough understanding to be a tutor. All hope appears lost as far as maxing that s.link. Also the old lady who is only at the river on Sundays and holidays. At night, I read some of "Riddlemania." The riddles are really bad, but it increases my understanding.

===='''10/5: Another foggy night. How do you fuse the "Rudolph" persona? Forecast: Rain'''====

Today is the last day to save Naoto from the wily clutches of the Secret Hideout. Good thing I did that already. In class, the teacher asks Yosuke what makes the leaves change color. It's aging chlorophyll, duh... (Biology minor right here). I've got a few maxed paramaters, so I wonder if I'm able to beat the Aiya challenge. I try again today. I still fail at eating tons of meat within a certain time period. I guess they all have to be maxed. Or maybe it's unbeatable. In any case, I've thrown like 100,000 yen at Aiya so at the very least they should name a dish after me or something.

Nanako and I watch tv as the fog rolls in. ERROR ALERT. The TV newscaster says "the week ended on a wet note as the rain came in"... but today is Wednesday! Huh. Could the fog be subconciously affecting peoples' sense of time? Or maybe it's just laziness on the developers part.

The fog rolls in. No one is on the M.C. And in the shopping district, shrouded in fog, a voice says "Dammit... Again?" DUN DUN DUN ===='''10/6: Return of Naoto! The Detective Princess Joins the Team! Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Naoto returns to school today. She thanks us for all we've done for her. Speaking of "her", she still is going to dress in the boy's uniform. More power to you! The secret's out though in school: apparently everyone watched the Midnight Channel and everyone knows all about Naoto's true gender.

After school, everyone meets up at Junes for Naoto to tell us what happened. Her doorbell rang, and no one was there. She was grabbed from behind and put in a sack. A few minutes later, she was in the TV world. She believes that Mitsuo was a copycat killer and whoever the new culprit is, it's a man acting alone. Mitsuo knew about the TV, but he didn't know it could be used as a tool for murder. Naoto suggests speaking with Mitsuo, but she's been kicked off the investigation. The police don't want to re-open the case, and they don't want to be upstaged by a little girl detective. This afternoon of exposition and summarizing has been brought to you by the letter P and the number 4.

Naoto joins the team and the Fool s.link increases to Level 8. Teddie gives Naoto her glasses, making her an honorary shadow chaser. There's nothing left to do except wait for the culprit to make their next move. I go home, open up my package of red goldfish and share a precious moment with Nanako.

===='''10/7: To the Doctor's Office for physicals and STI testing! Forecast: Cloudy'''====

That afternoon, Naoto visits our class to propose a doctor's visit for everyone.

"Leader, I think we should go to the doctor. You never know what negative impacts the TV world is having on our health." - Naoto. "You mean like... really bad eye strain?" - Me. "..." "Or... something else?" - Me. "Don't make me repeat myself." - Naoto. "Hey, don't forget who's the LEADER here!" - Me.

This might be particularly illuminating for Teddie. At the very least, he'll get to crack numerous jokes about "playing doctor." Unfortunately, none of the doctors can find anything wrong with Teddie. The doctors say to try another hospital. Yosuke says he tried to research shadows and personas on the internet, but all he found were sexy comics with Mitsuru in them. WAIT, I MEAN--

Naoto's got the goods though: A shadow is supressed power, and when controlled by one's ego, it becomes a persona. Let's just kill them all. Who cares what they are?

Magical, delightful Teddie has the results of everyone's physicals. We all have cancer from radiation exposure. The end.

No, but seriously, he's about to announce "first place in the shortest legs division" (I imagine he would win that award), but all the girls object. Especially Naoto, who apparently has the largest measurements out of all the girls. When all the dust has cleared, I tell Teddie we'll find out who and what he is later. MAN I JUST WANT TEDDIE TO TURN INTO A REAL BOY, IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK? Star rank 6.

That night, Dojima gets a cake for Nanako and me. It's a special day, he says, because it's the first day we become a real familiy! What about the last few months... whatever, let's just eat cake! Dojima and I talk outside. He did this to show Nanako how important she is to him. He was going crazy thinking about Nanako turning into Chisato and losing her too. He vows never to run from us again. Hierophant rank 9. Shoot, I might actually run out of stuff to do at night! ===='''10/8: Cooking dinner with Nanako! A family reborn! Forecast: Rain '''====

The thing we learn about in class is the predicative nominative. The predicative nominative of the last sentence is "predicative nominative". It's a fairly easy concept to grab. Time to round up some more quests! On level 3, I meet the principal of the school. He happens to be a tank nut, and he's looking for a "training shell." Also on level 3, Mrs. Nakayama (the math teacher with the bad marriage) needs my help finding stuff for feng shui.

"I've been asking around and apparently you're good at finding random things for people." -Nakayama "It's my calling. It's what I was born to do. I'm only useful for two things: finding random things and killing shadows." - Me. "Ah, I see." - Nakayama "And I'm all out of shadows. Well, not really. If I was out of shadows, I wouldn't be able to find the random things, because they're dropped-" Me. "Are you still talking? Get me a crystal ball." Nakayama

Finally, a girl on the bottom floor wants a high speed gear. After noting all of these requests in my mental notebook, I go to Aiya to try and max out some stats. No level ups. Knowledge and Expression are all I've maxed so far.

Nanako and I decide to cook for Dojima that night. I make salad while Nanako handles the eggs and pickled radish. Dojima's favorite! It's all very heartwarming, and she gives me a copy of the photo of her, her mother and Dojima. Justice s.link MAX. OMIGOD I DID IT. I never thought it would end, but I got through it... with tons of time to spare.

===='''10/9: Musings about the recycling of bad Charlton Heston movie premises in JRPGS Forecast: Cloudy with a 99% chance of !!! XENOGEARS SPOILERS !!!'''====

Tanaka is selling huge fish today, so I order one and head outside. There's more quests to be had and errands to be run. I need to find a branch headband for the girl by the river and fine coal for the old man by the shrine. I give a red goldfish to the guy who's afraid of cats (remember him?) and he runs off with it to ambush a cat. I buy a book called "Farewell to Man".

So what is with all the talk about the meat stand not serving meat? This isn't going to be another "STEAK CROQUETTES IS PEOPLE!!! IT'S PEOPLLLLLEEEEE!!!" thing is it? Because Xenogears already ripped off Soylent Green. Two jrpgs aren't allowed to rip off the same sci-fi movie. At least here it's not a blatant rip-off. I mean in Xenogears they actually called it the "soylent system." Come on, that's just lazy writing. Also, why did Citan just stand there and let us eat that stuff? I know he was triple agenting with Solaris, but he was all like "I want you to remember that you ate that food," right before he shows us the chicken people getting ground up into canned food matter. He could've just been like "hey guys, I don't think we should eat this stuff" and spare us the trauma, but I guess Xenogears was more about putting the main characters through as much trauma as possible. Also, what was with Solaris reading our minds through the memory card? What was that all about? In the midst of all this thought about eating people and other jrpgs with heavy handed religious imagery, I forget that I'm on a date with Rise. Oh hey! How's your meat stick?

The deputy mayor shows up to congratulate Rise on the new film shooting near here... actually Kanamin is going to be in it, so I guess he's confused. Then Inoue, the manager, shows up one more time to beg Rise to come back. He's Kanamin's manager now, but he says that Rise was waaaaay better than her. He unleashes a barrage of compliments on the unprepared Rise, who ponders aloud, "Why'd he wait until after I quit to tell me all those things?" Then she cries all over my shirt. Lovers Rank 8.

Okay, enough about Naoto's knockers. I've moved on. ===='''10/10: Triumph of the Soul! Dojima conquers his thirst for vengeance! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Fall is here, and everyone is back in jackets, making it much easier for Naoto to hide her knockers from the general public (****! Okay, now I've moved on). Today is Health and Sports Day, so I have the day off from school. I talk to the formerly-afraid-of-cats guy by the river. Now he's in love with them! He's got bites and scratches all over him. Is this what they call "cat-scratch fever?" Then I go work at the Day Care, hoping beyond hope that my understanding increases. No such luck, but I do get to hang out more with the brattiest kid of all time and the worst JRPG mother since Queen Brahne (FFIX for you noobs). Yuuta plays "Phoenix Featherman Rangers R", which I imagine is some terribly awesome mash-up of Ace Attorney, Gatchaman and Power Rangers. Eri doesn't bother showing up, so I walk him home. Eri catches us on the way home and offers to buy Yuuta something to make up for her all-around suckiness.

"A soccer ball?" - Eri "Nope." - Yuu "A samurai sword?" - Eri "Ehhh... no." - Yuu "Hey... can I look at that samurai sword? What's its ATK? No reason, I just... collect them" - Me. "How about a-" -Eri "TAKE THE SWORD KID! What are you thinking!?" - Me.

Yuu runs off. I tell her to buy him a Phonixman ranger or whatever. Stop making me parent your kid! Temperance level 6.

That night Dojima has a present for me. It's a coffee mug. Sorry Dojima, I already have one that says "World's Best Silent Protagonist" on it. Then he says that he'll fill mine and Nanako's mugs anytime. That sounds... particularly dirty when you say it like that Dojima. The three of us take a walk alongside the Sanegawa riverbed. Slowly but surely we seem to be erasing the years and years of trauma that Nanako has suffered from Dojima's bad parenting. He'll keep searching for Chisato's killer, but he won't let it control his life. Hierophant MAX. Then Dojima chases after some punks. A little mixed message, but whatever.

===='''10/11: King Teddie? Forecast: Sunny'''==== Chie stops me on the way to school and suggests a study session after class today. In class, Sofue-san asks me what Louis XIV's "quirk" was. I say his height, because all of in-bred regents had bad genes that made them really short and bleeders. My grasp on History is strong. Knowledge up. (It's already maxed).

After school, everyone including Nanako meets up at Junes. Kanji and I are completely bored for separate reasons. I'm bored because y'know, I'm a genius and I know everything already, and Kanji is bored because,

"The hell with exams. 's time for my animal crackers." - Kanji "Ooh! Ooh! I want the penguin!" - Rise "Hands off the penguin! It's mine!" - Kanji

More or less a real exchange. Teddie still doesn't know who he is, even after researching himself at the "libeary". He theorizes that he's a special being separate from shadows. His earliest memory is bumping into Yosuke, Chie and I when we first visited the TV world. Nanako says that Teddie must be a king, based on a story she heard about a King trapped in a forest due to a bad guy's curse. Teddie says that he was a king... when we played the king game on the school trip. Yukiko and Rise thought we were all going to forget about that and never mention it again, huh? Star Level 7.

That night I read more "Riddlemania." My understanding and diligence increase and I finish it. ===='''10/12: Fox and furries Forecast: Rain'''====

On the way to school, Chie mentions that some of the shadows seem to be based on our own minds. That would explain the Voltrons, I guess. In class Mrs. Nakayama asks me how much it costs to make a 1 yen coin. 2 yen? That seems really counter-productive.

After school I visit the Fox and report in. Our friend who was afraid of cats is now a bona fide furry. Fox likes furries, so he's happy. Hermit Level 8. That night I get a huge fish in the mail and make lunch for tomorrow: Crispy Croquettes. ===='''10/13: In which I search for a lost wallet, Kashiwagi makes more innuendoes, and Kanji visits his father's grave Forecast: Cloudy'''==== I am informed that following exams we have the culture festival, which will provide many more "Saved by the Bell-ish" antics and laughs. I share my croquettes with Kanji at lunchtime. He digs em. After lunch, Kashiwagi talks a bit about breast size, reproduction, and what happens to plants if you stimulate them with your touch. Uhh... it stunts it? WRONG-O. It accelerates growth in a process called thigmomorphogenesis. That's a mouthful (That's what she said! She in this case being Kashiwagi).

In town, I pick up a new request from the fox. This one involves helping a person find their wallet, which vanished in the fog one evening. I find a woman on the floodplain digging through a garbage can. Excuse me, are you homeless? Or did you lose your wallet? Very important distinction here. She can't find her wallet and keeps writing poems about how hungry she is. I look for it a little bit, but I don't see it.

If Kanji and I were a couple, today would be a memory we would scrapbook about. First, croquettes at lunch, and then a bro heart-to-heart at "our spot"... yes, it's the picnic table overlooking town. Kanji went to visit his dad's grave today. His dad used to say, "If you're a man, you have to become strong." Kanji took this to mean being a bad-ass dude who kicks the **** out of biker gangs, but now he realizes that he meant that you have to be strong... internally. Actually, you were right the first time. He totally meant for you to be a bad-ass dude who kicks the **** out of biker gangs. Emperor Level 9.

That night, I go work at the hospital. My courage increases. I overhear some nurses talking about Sayoko. She chides them for too much talking and not enough working! Then she commends me for working hard, even though all I was doing was loafing about listening to them gossip. Devil Level 7. ===='''10/14 -10/15: Mid-term Exams Forecast: Hail the size of Number 2 pencils'''====

First two days of exams. Move along, nothing to see here.

===='''10/16: The wallet is found! Plus: Kanji evolves into a kindly old grandmother! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Day off right in the middle of exams! Great planning. Yosuke calls to see if I want to form a big study group. I'm probably missing out on a funny scene, but I decline. Around town, gossip is about a star elementary school student ... sounds like a potential Midnight Channel star! I look for the wallet again by the river and find it this time. I don't know if I just missed it last time or if I had to wait a day. I take it back to the lady and it isn't hers. "Oops! Actually, I didn't drop it by the river, it was by the field at the shrine!" So I go over there, look in the bushes and find a "square wallet". Yep, this is as annoying as it sounds. This time it's hers! Quest complete! That was surprisingly easy.

Kanji comes over and we go up to my room. Rise stopped by his place earlier, and his mom told her he made the dolls. Rise said it was creepy! Shame on you, Rise! Kanji talked with her though and she eventually said "Maybe you're an amazing guy after all." Well make up your mind already! You're confusing. Kanji realizes that this is the type of strength his dad was talking about: putting up with dumb girls who don't know any better. You've got to make an effort to understand people who don't understand you.

"Here senpai. I want you to have this." - Kanji "Uhhh-" - Me. "We're best buds now!" - Kanji "Can you go back to wanting to kick my ***? I understood that Kanji. This... I do not understand." - Me. "You ready! I'm going to hold an impromptu sewing class in your bedroom. Oven Mitts 101!" - Kanji. "Leave. Now." - Me.
 * hands me a "cute strap".*

Emperor MAX. Kanji leaves after the oven mitt class (surprisingly fun and informative!). I read "Men in History" to improve my courage. It changes from "daring" to "heroic". I'm officially enough of a man to ask out Naoto now.

===='''10/17 - 10/20: The end of exams, and I receive an ominous letter! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Some of the answers here are tricky, and I actually get a question wrong about why salmon is red! That was the only one though, and I have max knowledge, so I think I'll be okay. After our regular post-exam cool down, I take a walk around. Hanako is now prowling the halls of Yasogami High. Watch out girls! Also, cupcakes! The leaves have started changing color along the Sanegawa. Ai and I go shopping at Croco Fur.

When I get home, Nanako says I got mail. I love mail! Maybe it's a love letter, or a letter from my parents, or publisher's clearing house... or...

"don't rescue anymore"

Well, that's creepy. The player is then treated with an anime cutscene that shows... the culprit perhaps? It is still unclear who he is. He's talking to himself about taking people away from this world... to somewhere peaceful.

I'm getting ahead of myself a bit, but after the school festival I realized that this game is basically saved by the bell.

MC=Zack Yosuke=Slater Chie= Jessie Yukiko = Kelly Rise = Lisa Teddie = Screech

Uhhh, Kanji and Naoto don't count

===='''10/21: In which that ominous warning letter is quickly forgotten and the author makes more bad references to old movies Forecast: Cloudy'''====

"Hey gang! Check out this cool letter I got!" - Me. "...don't rescue anymore... huh. Whaddaya think it means?" - Chie. "Who knows?! Let's pretend like everything is perfectly NORMAL." - Me. "Sounds good. Say what should we do for the school festival?" - Yukiko. "... Uhhhh guys? This letter sounds pretty bad actually." - Naoto. "So how do you guys feel about... maid uniforms?" - Yosuke.
 * slaps*

So someone knows that I'm rescuing people from the TV world. Hmmm. Well, there's nothing we can do about it, so let's gloss over the issue entirely. After school, I meet a "man in black" in the shopping district. Hey, cool laser pointer! Can I-- *FLASH*

What was I saying again? Oh yeah, the man in black. He talks with me about Naoto for a bit and gives me a white card to give to her. She's not around today, so I hang out with Ai instead. We go to Croco Fur and she tries on "sexy" clothes for me. It's a rough life I lead, I know. Ai puts the whole store on her credit card and I call her pretty. Yep, this is pretty much like my last girlfriend in real life... Moon level 7.

For night-time activities I work at the hospital for a courage boost, but no Sayoko fun.

===='''10/22: Class 2-2 votes to determine its Festival fate, with sexy results Forecast: Rain'''====

I over hear two girls saying that the culture festival is next Saturday and Sunday. In class, our class rep announces that we have no ideas about what to do because we were too busy worrying about getting murdered or something. Our choices are: Break Area (lame), Video Room (also lame), Study Room (EXTREMELY LAME) and something called a "Group Date Cafe". Everyone in the room turns to stare at Yosuke in unison. "Hey... w-who put in a suggestion like THAT?" he asks. The class votes. I vote for Group Date Cafe because obviously that's going to win no matter what. Kashiwagi is ALL ABOUT this idea... and surprisingly, so is Yukiko.

After that, I give Naoto the card I received from the MIB. We talk about it further under a patio by the river. All right, at least Naoto has the decency to hang out with me when it rains. It's a plain white card and a mystery to solve. She says she'll handle it without getting me involved, but I tell her I want in. In on the case, obviously. Fortune S. Link Go!

Okay, I really want my understanding to increase, so I fold cranes. Pretty please, persona 4? No increase yet, but hopefully soon.

===='''10/23: Foxie swims in his wealth, Scrooge McDuck style Forecast: Sunny'''====

In case you're wondering, my approach to this list has been making preliminary notes while playing the game, and then updating this list with "official" entries during the week, when I'm bored at work. Well, I must've taken this day off with my notes or something. This is all I have written down: "I let the fox know I found that lady's wallet. Hermit Rank 9. I make more cranes. My understanding increases." That's it.

===='''10/24: Robbery at the Shinogane Estate! Forecast: Sunny'''====

Test results are posted, and I once again receive the highest score. The crowd goes wild. Ms. Sofue gives me 2 mystical scarabs. The fox gives me my final quest. Someone wants to see the Guardian of the Sanegawa before they die. It has to be the old man by the river who randomly gave me a fishing rod six months ago. I go there to talk with him. He waxes poetic about the guardian and then notices my Huge Fish.

"My, what a big fish you have." - Old Man. "Where are you looking!? Creeper!" - Me. "No, seriously. That's a huge fish. You must be a talented fisherman." - Old Man. "Yeah... that's it. I definitely caught this bad boy all by myself. Yep. Didn't buy it off TV or nothing, no way." - Me.
 * an infectiously cheery song plays in your head*

Apparently, he thinks that I'm the Fisherman of Destiny or something, so he gives me an "Angler's Set" and tells me to catch the Guardian. Try on rainy days, and don't waste your energy on the smaller fish. This is going to be really annoying isn't it?

After that, I play around in the Velvet Room some more, and end up making a Ganesha with Tetrakarn. It was actually kind of easy. I guess I'm getting the hang of these fusion requests. Ganesha is a fat elephant. Margaret tells me about her younger sister who she sang songs with. I miss Elizabeth. Empress level 9. Next she wants a Trumpeter that knows Mind Charge. Trumpeter, let's see... oh, **** me, that's the one that needs six isn't it?

Naoto and I go out to the river bank again. She says the card she received is a plain white card. Probably a prank, she suggests. What kind of prank is that? Haha, here's a white card, DOOOOOOO, YOU JUST GOT PUNK'D BRO. I'm gonna go around and give my friends blank white cards for Christmas, and when they ask what's up I'm gonna go YOU GOT PRANKED BY THE PHANTOM THIEF DOGG. Okay, seriously though, it's not a prank. Her phone rings at an awfully opportune moment to tell her that he room has been broken into. She takes this news with remarkable composure. She tells me she's not sure how to react to me worrying about her. Love me, Detective Princess.

Best day ever! That night, while folding cranes my understanding about the world increases arbitrarily. Now I can become a tutor! Man, I never knew folding cranes had such beneficial effects! Screw college! I'm just gonna fold paper and eat tons and tons of meat from now on.

===='''10/25: Naoto receives a love letter! Naoto throws it away! Forecast: ... I forget'''====

Naoto visits me at lunch and requests to see me after school. Yes ma'am! I mean, sir. Are you still pretending to be a guy?

After school, she notices something in her locker. It's a card... but it's not a WHITE CARD. It's a love letter. She says she'll throw it away when she gets home. Meanwhile, Kanji, who is around the corner knits silently to hold back the tears. Naoto is sort of like a Borg, in that she has no need for SILLY HUMAN EMOTIONS. I offer to walk her home, y'know, in case the Phantom Thief strikes again. Fortune rank up.

That night, Nanako gives me a bead ring for doing so well on exams and Dojima gives me 50,000 yen. It's the thought that counts, I suppose, but THANKS DOJIMA! I make some savory grilled fish for lunch tomorrow.

===='''10/26: A summary of NPC gossip Forecast: Sunny'''====

Ms. Sofue gives us a boring lecture about the month of October. My knowledge increases. I take Rise up to the roof and feed her grilled fish. I hang out with Naoto after school to pick up some music notes. You see Board 8! I'm taking your advice about maxing out my party characters! Then I work at the hospital... for no s.link increase.

Since not much happened today, I'll go ahead and outline what the town gossip is.

Item 1! The fog. What is it? How did it get here? Is it bad for you? Is it lasting longer than it should? All of these questions are quite easily answered by consulting wikipedia or by using common sense. It's fog people, not a biological attack for crying out loud.

Item 2! The meat. Where does it come from? There aren't any ranches around here. Is it people? I've already addressed this somewhat.

Item 3! The smart elementary school kid. Who is he/she? Why do people care? Why should I care? I don't really.

===='''10/27: Forcing your female friends into uncomfortable situations: A Brosuke guide to picking up chicks Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Upon arriving at Yasogami High, I come across a clamor by the bulletin board. It's a sign-up sheet for the "Miss Yasogami High Pageant", something like a Japanese debutante ball or a Junior Miss competition if you have those. Kashiwagi is planning this during the cultural festival and including herself in the running, naturally. All of our favorite party members are on there, even Naoto. Hanako is also on there. *tch*, well excuse me while I vomit up this morning's cheerios.


 * washes face* Okay, I'm back. Chie calls an emergency meeting at lunch to determine who the mysterious culprit is this time. The foul plot is uncovered to be the brainchild of one donghanded Yosuke Hanamura, with the encouragement of Teddie, the bear-turned-bishonen Junes mascot. No one wants to take part, but apparently Kashiwagi has deemed it impossible to back out once your name has been put on the sheet. Naoto is especially hesitant. "C'mon bro! Make me a man!" - Kanji. Many hateful barbs are levied upon poor Yosuke. Following this, there is a meeting regarding the Group Date Cafe, where the class president says it's up to Yosuke to make it interesting.

That night I FINALLY begin working as a tutor. I'm tutoring this rich spoiled kid named Shu Nakajima. He's a bright boy, if a little dense, but his mom is one of those controlling mothers who think their kids are the second coming and get super involved in their lives. She's like the opposite of Eri in that regard, even if they're both terrible. In fact, Shu is also kinda terrible.

"I'll have you know, I have no intention of going to Yasogami High." - Shu "... Okay? I don't care where you go." - Me. "It's stupid." - Shu "Are you sure? We've got slutty teachers and 1/10 students get thrown into TVs." - Me. "You're stupid. I'll replace you if you suck." - Shu "Oh yeah? Well, I'll replace your mom if she DOESN'T suck! How bout them apples you little turd!" - Me.

Our relationship gets off to a rocky start. Tower S. Link GO!

===='''10/28: Case 5-1 Turnabout Crossdressing Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Yasogami High is once again abuzz at the notice board. Say guys, what's up? What're you looking at? Let's see.... The "Miss" Yasogami High Pageant. Huh, a cross-dressing pageant. Do they allow this stuff in Japanese high schools? Hey, is that my name? And Yosuke and Kanji's? Well, I certainly don't know how this is going to make Kanji "less confused" but whatever fine, let's subject him to more internal trauma. I just hope he doesn't turn into a giant body builder with gender symbols of death again. Anyway, it must have been Chie, but she says it was Rise's idea.

"This is madness!" - Kanji. "No dude, This is Cross-Dressing! CROSS! DRESSING!" - Yosuke "It's about a man's pride, dammit!" - Kanji, tearful. "I'll give it my all!" - Me. "..." "..." "Woah, you're really gonna get into this aren't you?" - Yosuke "...Y' You're positive we'll be pretty?" - Kanji. "THERE'S NOTHING MANLY ABOUT BEING A WOMAN." - Yosuke

I go to bed early. The Group Date Cafe looms over the horizon.

===='''10/29: A frank and open discussion about gender roles and sexuality at the Group Date Cafe Forecast: Cloudy'''====

Let the Culture Festival begin! Our room is done-up as the Group Date Cafe, with streamers and flowers and the overpowering aroma of Yosuke's Axe body spray. Yukiko is at the door promising to totally make out with anyone who comes in. Despite all this, no one is stopping by. Kanji shows up to see what all the hubbub about dating women is about, which gives us the appropriate number of people to start a "table": 3 guys and 3 girls. Wait, no, that's 4 guys and 2 girls. What are we gonna do?

I'm the only guy in this game with balls, so I boldly sit on the girls side, which only sort of skeeves out the rest of the guys. Yukiko and Chie are disgusted that they ever dated me, probably.

"So, nameless class rep. What kind of girl do you like?" - Me. "Man, he's really getting into this. First you're excited about cross-dressing, now this. Is there something you want to tell me?" - Yosuke. "How about me? Is there something you want to tell ME?" - Kanji "Um, a cute girl, I guess." - Nameless class rep. "Okay, that's... extremely normal. How 'bout you Yosuke?" - Me. "Well, I guess I want a cute and fragile girl." Yosuke "Weirdo." - Chie. "As for me, since you didn't ask, I want a girl that's sort of.. mysterious and looks strong but is actually kind of ---"- Kanji. "Naoto-like?" - Me. "NO DUDE NO WAY UGGH LIKE GROSS.... maybe." - Kanji "Okay, well. Ladies, if you had to date one of us here, which would you choose?" - Nameless Class Rep "... a girl." - Me. "THANK CHRIST DUDE, I thought you'd "turned" on me." - Yosuke

Rise walks by and witnesses this sad display and immediately leaves. Group Date Cafe is a colossal failure. After picking up what's left of my dignity, I hang out with all my school friend s.links. Kou and Daisuke are in a play called "Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet". Ayane follows me around for a while. Ai and I visit the "long-nosed fortune teller" booth. Igor? Is that you? Ai asks the Igor impersonator about my relationships with other girls. Uhhh, gotta go!

===='''10/30: The Miss Yasogami High Pageant - Part One Forecast: Sunny'''====

Tension runs high as everyone gathers in the classroom before the "Miss" Yasogami pageant. It is revealed that Teddie is a last minute entry and Naoto will do his make-up. How could he NOT win. Yukiko is handling me, Chie is dressing Yosuke, and Rise is in charge of Kanji. There is no chance of this NOT being hilarious.

First on-stage is Kanji, who looks straight out of a Rocky Horror production. He actually doesn't look too bad.

"'Sup." - Kanji "What is your best feature?" - Emcee "... My eyes?" - Kanji

Oh Kanji. Never change. Next is Yosuke. He looks... haggard would be too kind a description. You ever seen a meth commercial? Yeah.

I follow Yosuke. I look disturbingly like Maka from Soul Eater, if you're familiar. If not, just picture a the main character in a schoolgirl uniform. Either way, I'm positively bland.... as expected from Yukiko.

Finally, Teddie arrives, like Tim Burton's Alice on hyperdrive. I don't know about you guys, but I'd hit that probably. Of course he wins, because of weird Japanese schoolgirls who like to dress dudes up in loli clothing.... GOD THAT'S WEIRD. I have friends who are into the loli stuff in real life... disgusting individuals. Teddie is an exception. He's a ray of sunshine. Teddie wins the pageant! His reward is to become an honorary judge of the female beauty pageant, and he decrees that there shall be a swimsuit contest! "That bear needs to be disappeared" - Yukiko, in Persona 4's version of the infamous "Mitsuru execution" line.

Well, now that particular trauma is done with. The girls head to their dressing rooms, and Teddie drops off swimsuits for everyone. A world-ending catfight threatens to erupt between Hanako, Chie, Kashiwagi and Yukiko. Hanako is not ******** around here. She brought her A-game. And a lot of smack talk.

"My "mature charms" will win the day." - Kashiwagi "I brought my own swimsuit! Huh huh huh." - Hanako. "Guh! Gross! You little snoring pig!" – Chie

===='''10/30: The Miss Yasogami High Pageant Part Two Forecast: Sunny'''====

Oh man, I should've put "men" as the forecast in the last entry, so I could be like "It's raining men!" I hate it when I miss a joke.

Chie is up first in the beauty pageant.

"So Chie, tell us a little bit about yourself." - Emcee "Well, I'm shy... and reserved... and... my favorite food is pudding!" -Chie "Liar! It's steak." - Yosuke.

Yukiko is up next, and all she does is advertise her stupid Inn, because she's Yukiko and her personality is somewhat lacking, but it's enough to give most of the crowd boners. Speaking of boners, Rise is up next, and she does her cute little Idol thing that isn't really that cute at all, but again even more vicious boners show up. I'm starting to feel really uncomfotable being surrounded by all these weird dudes. Finally, Naoto gets up on stage, says she's uncomfortable doing this and runs off. Kanji gets a nosebleed. No boners though. I just like saying boners. It's a funny word.

Then Teddie asks them some questions. "Chie, do you have a boyfriend?" - Teddie "Yukiko, have you ever smooched someone before?" - Teddie "Ms. Naoto, where are you ticklish?" - Teddie "... huh. I actually don't know!" - Me "Rise-chan, can I stay at your house next time?"- Teddie
 * I raise my hand*
 * I nod approvingly*

I laughed out loud at that one. Next is the swimsuit competition. Everyone probably looks good I guess, but my eyes keep getting distracted by that pile of casserole in the back... oops, that's Hanako. My bad. Naoto declines to enter.

Voting time comes around, and I decide to vote for Naoto because, well, I don't know why. She ends up winning, I guess because I voted for her. Hanako and Kashiwagi erupt into tears. Not a pretty sight, gentlemen.

Afterwards, Dojima and Nanako catch up with us. Uhhh, you didn't see me in a schoolgirl outfit did you Nanako? Because I work hard for your respect. Dojima has to leave on a business trip and asks that we watch Nanako. Yukiko suggests everyone come over and spend the night at the Amagi Inn. Okay okay! Just stop advertising your Inn already!

Comic relief overload!

===='''10/30: Terror at the Amagi Inn Forecast: Steamy'''====

So we head to the Amagi Inn for a fun-filled sex romp. Not exactly. The dudes are all hanging out in their room in their kimonos. Samurai outfits? Whatever, they're wearing robes.

"Hey, this is a pretty nice room." Me. "Yeah." *sips tea* - Yosuke. "You think someone got murdered in it?" - Me.
 * spit take*

The phone rings suddenly, and everyone is still freaked out. What if Yamano was murdered here? Kanji hesitantly picks up the phone.... and it's the front desk, saying that the springs are ready. Whew. Teddie says he can't wait to "wash each others backs and sing songs while looking at Mt. Fuji". Yeah... sure. Star level 8!

Meanwhile, the girls are nuding it up in the hot springs.

"Say Yukiko, let me fanservice your fanservice." - Chie "Thanks, I'd like that fanservice." - Yukiko "Wow, Naoto, your fanservice is surprisingly fanservice." - Rise "fanservice fanservice, fanservice fanservice fanservice." - Naoto "Whee! I love water!" - Nanako

Inevitably, the dudes show up for their unfortunate destiny with fate. Yes, of course, the times are mixed up. They all throw barrels at us... lots and lots of barrels. Later on, Yukiko admits that its her fault... they're staying past their time... but they don't care. It's so cruel.

"Those're lumps from the pails whacking you in the head. You got lumps man. Ahahhah... hah." - Kanji. I think he got hit too hard. Then we hear something ghostly in the air. Like a wailing. A spirit maybe? Kanji says it's the ghost of Yamano, who was staying here when she died. Teddie's getting out of here.

"I can't sleep soundly unless I'm watching everyone's sleeping faces as I drift off." - Teddie. "Okay, that's the creepiest thing I've ever heard." - Me.

We go off to sneak into the girls room.

"Why did you change into your bear suit?" - Me. "I feel awkward without it... so I alwaaaaaayyyys bring it." - Teddie. "Yeah, but it squeaks whenever you walk! Not stealthy!" - Me.

Kanji finds a brush with a long hair on it. This is it, boys. Time for us to become men, finally. "It's time I got revenge for the campout! Ch-Chie-senpai! Please be gentle!" - Kanji. We dive into the girls futons. The lights come on. To our horror, it's Kashiwagi... and Hanako! Oh ****! The wailing we heard was their crying! My eyes! My ears! My nethers! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!