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Chapter 55: 6/15-6/16: Tech Bros (New)

This update covers content from Parts 49 and 50 of the original LP.

Evening

Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain-



Glad to see you too, you old sack of shit!
……
What, was that too much? Sorry, I was trying to be playful.




Yes. It is highly likely that this part-time solicitor is somehow related to the mafia. If we tail him, he may lead us straight back to his boss.
He talked to Iida and Nishiyama over at Central Street, right?



That’s not a bad idea. Cats have nine lives, right? Morgana can spare one for this.
Wouldn’t the mafia get caught off guard if they had a cat coming to deliver drugs for ‘em?

Very funny mental image there.

In other words, Maaku will be going. I have no objections.

>Wait, let’s workshop the Morgana idea some more, I really think we’re on the brink of something here!

Tricking people and using that as blackmail… These bastards are true cowards.
It’s kinda scary to think people like that are all around us in this city…
Well guys, we gotta brace ourselves. We’re up against a serious criminal here.



GAH CHRIST



Relaxing at the park is nice, and the view from the Ferris wheel is really something!
(Pundit) Yes, the Ferris wheel is really popular among couples. I’d love to ride it with a cute girl someday.



Unfortunately, yes!



I barely get any customers on rainy days…



So you’ll request me today, right? …Right?



Yayyy! I love you, Masterrr! ♥ Okay, I’ll come over there right awayyy!

Temperance Rank 4: Part 55

Music: My Homie




And I would like for you not to do that under any circumstance. So it would seem we have reached an impasse.
Oh Master, you joker, you!
What do you know!? Did Ryuji tell you!

I just want to get requested more. ♥



OH JESUS CHRIST, GET THE FLAMETHROWER
Okay, geez, I get it…

The thing is, I talked to my boss about picking up more shifts… But he said that he prioritizes “younger” women!

It must be hard, being old. Wouldn’t know what that’s like! I will never age! My time is forever!
Anyway, I look damn good for my age.
Why are you telling me this? Do you want me to validate you here? This is deeply upsetting!

The girls in my neighborhood always tell me I’m pretty. And the latchkey kid who lives next door always asks me to tie up her hair. Thanks to that, I’m an expert with these pigtails now. See? So I’m damn good for--

*stare*

...Wait, don’t tell me I’m the only one who thinks this way?



I look pretty good as a maid, don’t I?

Wow, I hate *everything* about this!
Answer!
You need to love yourself… or something. I don’t know, just do whatever means you don’t need to ask a teenager all this weird shit.

Huh…?



Christ, how did I get stuck playing this woman’s therapist?

But… you’re right.

Music: Alright (Elp Version)



What the heck am I saying? You’re my student…

Okay, good, you *do* remember. Whew.

My double life as both a teacher and a maid is so exhausting.

Speaking of which, surely this can’t be the only part-time job in Tokyo that fits your schedule and pays well. Why choose this for yourself? Unless you’re *into* the constant threat of losing your teaching job?
It does seem like something that would be in a trashy video game marketed to horny teenagers, doesn’t it?
Yep. Wait, that’s not an answe—

Maybe I let my guard down because you know both sides of me. The more I come here, the more I feel like I can relax. As a maid, I’m supposed to help my master relax… but instead, I’m the one who’s being helped.

What the fuck are you even talking about?

Haha… Sorry I’m such a terrible maid.
I feel Kawakami’s kindness…



I have to confess something… I lied about the reason why I need to make more money… I don’t have a sick sister. All that stuff about the fees and charges was all a lie too.

Yeah, that was pretty obvious. I may be stupid, but I’m not an *idiot*.

I can’t get requested unless I make up those types of stories. See, you understand now, right? Nothing good will come from involving yourself with a terrible person like me. It’s a good lesson learned. *sigh* Let’s just put an end to this. Thank you for using our service...

For that event, we chose options 2, 1 (+2), 3 (+3), 1.



Anon: Don’t be fooled, everyone!

Early Morning

Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental Version)



(Train Monitor) Now for today’s Train News. Today’s headlines are… “Shady Drug Deals in Shibuya!” Is this the same organization behind both this and the extortions? Alongside the phishing scams that have been on the rise, this may be their source of funding. “Restaurant Factory Fire!” A worker from the restaurant giant Haneruya was arrested for arson. Though he admits to the charges, he claims to not know why he did it. This industry is raising eyebrows.
Oh yeah, something weird happened in food service before, right? Some employee cooking naked… With all these extortions and scams… this world’s really messed up.



What was that all about?
(Disheartened Dude) I hear her older sister’s involved with the investigation. Maybe she’s just trying to play detective, too.
Are you kidding me? I can’t handle a student council president with no focus.

Early Morning → After School

Music: Wicked Plan



There sure are a lot of high schoolers during the day. They must be targeting them somehow.

So, how we doing this? Should I just walk around looking appetizing?
You always look appetizing.
Thank you.

You should head over to Central Street, like we planned yesterday, Maaku.
Sweet, let’s get goin’! Lemme know if you find any shady people!

Music: Disquiet



We might end up running into the mafia. Be ready for anything!



I hope something comes of it. I’ll be counting on you.
Is she following us? Nah, that can’t be.

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU



They appear and disappear as they please… Not only that, but they blend in with normal teenagers…
(Alert Officer) Stop complaining! If we don’t try getting information, people will say the police are useless!

Oh nooooooo, what a shame if that were to happen…

The media are already on our case, and the higher-ups aren’t doing a thing… This is bad for morale…

Quit! Quit! Quit!

Well, let’s keep making our way up the street.



We’re having a special sale just over there. How ‘bout you go take a peek?

“Menacing Man” here is played by D.C. Douglas, aka Kamoshida. Weird.

(Pierced Man) We ordered way too much, so I have a ton left over. My boss’ll kill me if I go back to him with all these extras. Look, I’ll sell ‘em to you for cheap. Whaddya say?
(Bespectacled Student) What should we do?
(Brown-Haired Student) It depends on the price, wouldn’t you say?



Nah, I’m actually in the market for a different variety of scam today. Please, continue your transaction.

Well that’s disappointing. Come back if you change your mind.



It seems like some kind of sale. You probably shouldn’t bother.




Why are you talking about that dangerous stuff all of a sudden? I don’t know anything about them. I haven’t been here long. Try talking to someone else.



Are you confusing me with someone else? I’ve got a friend around here… Sometimes I see him in the alley across the way, but I don’t think he’s there today. He might be near the station. Go there if you wanna see him.
Hm, maybe this other person would know something…? Apparently he’s near the train station, so let’s go take a look over there.

Well, let’s go find our friend Homeless Man.




Is she keeping an eye on us?
Maybe. I guess she’s curious about all of this.
Well let’s just ignore her if she’s not getting in our way. More importantly, how’re things on your guys’ end?
Nothing so far. I’m going to try staking out the underground walkway.
Then I guess I’ll check around the Inogami Line. I guess I’ll get there from the underground.
I will gather some more intel in the underground shopping mall as well. Please continue on your end, Maaku.
Everyone’s really going about this seriously. They’re definitely worthy of being phantom thieves. We can’t fall behind either. Let’s look for that homeless man.



Hm…? You’re trying to find a homeless person? That’s a good idea. They would know a lot about what goes on in this town. I haven’t seen any here, but I would bet there are some in the underground area…
Underground… I don’t like the idea of it, but we should go check it out.



(Student in a Sailor Uniform) Huh…? Is that code or something? It seems a little suspicious…
Yeah. A lot of people have been having weird conversations like that online…



But there was a homeless guy out where we were supposed to meet. I had to run away from him. Yeah, when you go down the stairs out of the JL gate… I’m in the square now. I was so afraid… He was sitting by the wall… Y-Yeah, huh…

Poor Homeless Man, the only thing more depressing than the way society mistreats and fears you is that said fear isn’t entirely unwarranted…



Ah, there he is. Same place as always.



Alright, then. You in the mafia?

Me? No, I’m just a lonely hermit. What could you possibly want with them anyway? Don’t go near them, you hear me? They’re horrible people. Some of my friends have fallen victim to their schemes… That mafia is evil, I tell you.

Wait, they’re scamming the homeless now? I mean, I guess you guys aren’t likely to make a fuss or have a lot of options, but you also aren’t exactly heavy on liquidity, if you know what I mean.
They’re after the secret pirate gold my alternate personality stashed away!
Or maybe he’s just paranoid. That’s an option too.

They’ll come to you eventually if you walk around this area around now. But just so you know who to avoid, I’ll teach you how to tell them apart from normal people. They use some weird phrases. Code words, you know. That’s how they communicate with each other. Anyway, watch out if you hear any of that stuff. They’ll try to come for you even during the day. They’re relentless when it comes to targeting teens.




>Honestly, I went in a big circle. Just got told to look in the place I was already looking.
Anyone else have any leads? Let’s go over everything.

I’ll start. Supposedly some guy near the accessway talking about some kinda “strong drugs.” I’m not counting on anything, but I’ll go check it out.
As for me, I heard about someone soliciting a “high-paying job” in the station plaza. Apparently they’re mostly targeting girls. I’ll go see what it’s about.
On my end, I heard there are people saying strange things in the back alley near the arcade. Something about ice and vegetables, and something about snow tomorrow… I will go observe, just in case. The arcade is on Central Street, correct?

>It’s Yusuke’s.
How can you be so sure?
>The homeless man mentioned code words, but also the other ones were just too obvious. Probably some irrelevant comedic hijinks going on there.
I’m gonna check it out anyway.
>Okay, but it’s pointless.

Let’s check in and see how that goes for everyone.



Uhhh… Go down those stiars, then turn left. Be careful, granny.
Oh, Shibuya is so complicated. These bones don’t move like they used to, either. How troubling.
Arghhh, c’mon…



Sorry, my lead didn’t end up bein’ anything. That dude at the stairs… Pretty misleadin’ huh? Sheesh… Oh, what about Ann and Yusuke? You should go check on ‘em.



I warned you!



I’ve heard it’s super effective. Even the most barren deserts will become lush forests of hair…
So that’s who Ryuji was talking about. Lush forests… I don’t really want to know. I guess I can see how you’d mistake him for what we want, though.




The image of Maaku just fucking instantly going “Videos? I’m in!” never fails to crack me up.



I guess I can’t say there’s no demand… but our company only hires girls. Sorry.
…Be in a video? What kind of job is that? Though I guess that doesn’t have anything to do with drugs. It must not be him.



Look, someone’s asking about a video shoot over by the train… but I guess that’s for models? In any case, they’re not here. Go try seeing what Ryuji and Yusuke have.

2 for 2, baby! Woo!



(Older Officer) Arcade…? You’re a high school student, aren’t you? You’d better not be looking for trouble. All kinds of shady activity happens at arcades.
What are you talking about? It’s nothing more than a place you go to play games…

Leave Yusuke alone, cop!



Maybe I should find a new job. You know any opportunities for making money quick?
(Male Player) You mean like those sneaky guys in the back alleys? You’d prolly have to swindle some kids.
God, I could never be a pusher. I don’t want to get arrested.



Well, let’s loiter in this dark alley until we’re accosted by some nefarious individual!




Wow, that was fast.

I’m following a lead right now, in fact. You should probably go, these are hardened criminals and you don’t want to alert them with your cop aura.




This scumbag here is also voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, the P4 Protagonist! I’m not the kind of guy who gets bothered by the fairly small pool of English dub talent, but this is just really funny to me for some reason!

Wow, sounds great! I could really use the money!
Dude.
*ahem* Sorry, I forgot for a second.

You’re high schoolers, yeah? Don’t you want something more than just your allowances?
Hm… by delivery, do you mean that of suspicious materials?
Heh, you’re a funny girl.
So you won’t answer me? Then I was right…

What are you doing? You’re blowing this!
What was *your* plan then?
…Good question.



What’s up with you anyways? Why’re you asking all these questions, huh?



I’m not gonna call the cops, so I’m left picking the other response, which just comes across as pathetically chickenshit.

Oh…
…It was all a joke. Why would I get worked up over some dumb kids? Anyways, I can’t hang. Seeya!
U-Um, if you don’t want to deal with us, we could always go see your boss ourselves.
You’re really gonna say that, knowing who he is? Heh, no way I believe that. Well, I’m outta here. You guys are annoying me.



Wow, you think?

I don’t have any proof though. I tried to trick him into saying something, but he dodge all the traps I was laying down.

I dunno if I’d call those “traps.” It was reallly more like you were radiating pure narc essence.

By the way… thanks for standing up for me. I’m going to go now.



No wonder the police are having trouble catching him. Anyway, you have some serious guts. You didn’t back down at all against that hooligan.

Despite standing up to that HOOLIGAN, we do not actually get any Guts. Lame.

Thought we still didn’t end up with any new information… Let’s stop here for today.




I think I just pissed off the mafia. We probably shouldn’t meet up for 24 hours or they’ll put out hits on all of us.

That would be best. We did ask tons of people, so there’s a chance we’re being followed.
Just to be safe, we should refrain from doing anything to make ourselves stand out. The sun will be setting soon, so let us disband for today and report on our findings tomorrow.
Why don’t we meet at karaoke tomorrow? We can talk in private, and it’ll be cheap after school.
Ah, that must be what they call hustle hour.
Dude, it’s muscle hour. Wait, is that wrong too?
Um, hello? Happy hour. Muscle hour just sounds sweaty… Anyway, see you guys at karaoke tomorrow.

After School → Evening

Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain-



It’s an unknown number…

Fuckin’ spam. Don’t answer it!

For those of you in the future (assuming they ever do anything about it) or somewhere not besieged by torrents of unsolicited phone calls daily, that’s a joke from the United States in 2021!



GAH

Thanks. For earlier.

You already thanked me, geez. Did you dig up my number just to tell me that *again*?
…Yes, sorry. I realize I’m apologizing after the fact, but… it just seemed wrong not to tell you…

…That’s all. Bye.



Speaking of, some girl called looking for you around noon. Said she’s the class president. Said she’s got something that belongs to you.

Really loves that trick, doesn’t she?

She seemed to know you, so I gave her your number.
She must’ve looked up Leblanc’s address trying to contact you. That Niijima sure is thorough!

Yeah, “thorough.” That’s what you call “looking up my home address.” It’s more “stalkery” than all that hard, Morgana.

Then again, she called you just to apologize… It’s a bit weird, but maybe she’s not so bad after all.

Hey, Sojiro. If anyone calls in the future asking for me, I don’t live here, got it?
I don’t think that’s how this works, kid…



Ooh, new crossword!




Music: Everyday Days







I’m gonna be honest, I overthought the shit out of this one.




Maaku gains Knowledge +1.

Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain-



An employee was arrested, but claims to be unable to recall any details of the crime. When questioned about his motive, the employee insisted he did not know what came over him. Incidents with suspects whose motives are unclear have been happening often in the restaurant industry…
It’s weird that they don’t remember. How is anyone supposed to prevent these weird crimes?



Let’s go to Penguin Sniper.

Music: Kichijoji 199X



Billiards time. We’ve read that book, so we can now increase our Technical rank.









I’ll need to make a difficult shot to clear this…!





What an entrancing sight…!



Looks like your challenge brought everyone together.



From Rank 1…



…to Rank 2!



Glad to see everyone had fun. I gotta say though… Thanks to playing billiards, you’ve gotten more experience with precise hand movements, haven’t you?

Maaku gains Proficiency +2. The social stat gained from billiards is random and can be any stat except Kindness.

Oh yeah… That billiards book had some information on other trick shots too, didn’t it? I think one of them required a special cue stick, right? We should look for one when we have a chance.



See you!





Anon: NO. They piss me off.
Anon: Akechi-kun is right!
Anon: They’re still thieves…
Anon: They’ve always been fishy…
Anon: They seem full of it, so NO


I’ve got a job you could do. Wanna hear more?
Another psychotic breakdown?
Oh, you mean how they’re increasing security in Shibuya?
They’re the scum of society. Hurry up and arrest them…