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Chapter 57: 6/18: The Best They Could Do (New, but…)
This update contains content from Part 51 of the original LP.
Evening
Music: Suspicion
This is from that journalist, right? She wants to meet you there now?
Wait, why would she call me to a bar? She knows I’m not 20. At least, I assume she does…
Maybe she doesn’t care enough to stop drinking? I don’t like the sound of this…
I can pass for older, right? Whatever, this’ll work. I’ll just text her my confirmation.
Looks like this Crossroads place is in Shinjuku. A meetup in Shinjuku…
What, do I need your permission to go on the internet, cat? You’re not my not my dad! That’s Sojiro’s role!
Anyway, Shinjuku is a nightlife district full of temptation. Brace yourself.
Way ahead of you. I’m very repressed.
That sounds rather dangerous.
Where should we meet up?
Stand by, Ann. It’ll be easier to move around with less of us.
My apologies. I don’t have the money to take the train there.
Then you’re on standby too. Me and Maaku will go, OK?
>I’m worried.
It will be fine. With Ryuji by your side, you will blend right into the dangerous city.
Shut up! Well, I guess that’s that. Let’s meet up in Shibuya.
Be careful, you two.
I shall be sure to save money for situations like this from now on.
It would be bad for you to stand out. You should change before you go.
Smart. That’s why we pay you the big bucks.
Music: Wicked Plan
You’re in your uniform!?
Huh? No choice. I didn’t have the time to go home. People aren’t gonna notice anyways with this T-shirt over it.
That’s not the issue! Are you both idiots? I’m just saying now, I won’t be to blame when you get caught by the cops.
Don’t worry about it. That place ain’t so different from Shibuya.
Isn’t Shibuya currently considered pretty dangerous, though? I don’t think you thought this comparison through.
C’mon, I’ll guide ya. If we’re goin’ to Shinjuku… we should prolly hop on the JL. Just get outta this building and then the ticket gate should be on the right. It’s go time!
Music: Suspicion
The gate we want is right next to the Rise.
Go away Kanami. Just kidding, you’re fine.
Stop looking around so much. You look like a tourist.
And given how seedy this part of town apparently is, probably one of the bad kinds of tourists.
I-I was just tryin’ to find that place we’re lookin’ for. Crossroads Bar’s right up ahead. I’m sure we’ll get there if we keep goin’ straight.
Let’s do that, then.
Wait… You underage?
GAH! Accosted by [Bar Promoter]! What do you do?
FIGHT
>TALK
ITEM
RUN
What do you say?
Yes. Wait, shit, I want a do-over!
[Charisma] [Fail]!
Heh, so you’re just a kid. Get outta here. You’re in the way.
Tch… You’re the one who was all wantin’ to talk to us.
Touch all you want, no added fees. We have the cutest girls in town too.
Hmm… What would be the *adult* thing to say here?
…Sir?
*ahem* …I love to fuck!
Oh, I apologize, my good man! I mistook your relative youth for inexperience, but clearly you are a discerning customer. In that case, I can give you a fantastic rate on our special package, *The Albuquerque Unicycle*!
Oh, yes, how scandalous. I certainly know what that is… Albuquerque is some sort of city, correct?
Now, before we begin, how many kidneys do you have?
Um… huh. I haven’t actually checked recently. Let’s just say at least two.
Excellent! Just follow me, sir!
You know we’re busy, right?
I don’t know how to get out of this and I’m scared.
I’ve seen children stacked on top of each other in a trenchcoat better at this than you.
Just ignore that guy, you idiot. No matter what way you cut it, he’s a shady character.
I love to fu—
Nope, we’re not doing that again!
Relax, cop. We just got back from the spa. Subtracts five years. You should really try it sometime.
Hm? Are you a friend of his? Wait a second… I’ve seen the pattern on those pants before. Maybe on the news… Oh yeah, it was on that segment about the teacher who was harassing kids! Is that a school uniform…!?
…Shit, this cop’s got a good memory!
You kids have got to be high schoolers! Come with me!
Shoot! This is why I said uniforms were a bad idea! Let’s run!
Foiled again by the tacky plaid pants!
Hey, it ain’t our fault we had to deal with that detour! Our school’s gettin’ real famous!
Yo, Chihaya. Long time no see.
In any case, horrible disaster is coming for you! Please let me examine your future further!
What!? Me?
Yes, I suggest you get your fortune told! What I say will surely come to pass!
Pay me! Pay me money!
More of this shit…? Sorry, but we’re in a hurry. An’ I don’t really believe in that stuff anyways.
I see. My apologies.
If you change your mind on giving me money, I’ll be here!
It’s a fucking *bar*, Ryuji.
Beer, whisky, wine… Looks like nighttime is bar time.
Goin’ in our uniforms is probably a bad idea… We got caught last time too…
Fine, wait outside like an impatient child. Maaku needy drinky.
Tch, I can’t say nothin’ back… I feel bad, but I’ll leave this to you guys. I’ll kill time somewhere nearby.
Gross.
Music: Crossroads
LALA! Still no portrait, I see. Damn shame, that.
…How old are ya, boy?
Sorry, Lala-chan. He’s with me.
Ooh, you picked up a real young one this time… Just don’t let a minor drink alcohol, okay?
“A real young one this time”? That’s frightening! Is this gonna be some weird “Under the Skin” situation?
Maaku doesn’t dwell on the thought of Scarlett Johansson eating him or whatever she does in that movie, I haven’t actually seen it.
Go on back there. I’ll treat you to some water!
Music: Wicked Plan
I respect that bravery, so I’ll listen to what you have to say. Well, what do you want to know?
I need the name of the big mafia boss controlling Shibuya.
Oh? How suspicious! I won’t ask you why you want that information though, because I’m *very* drunk. I do actually know something about that, as it happens…
Great! Tell me.
Ah ah ah. First, we need to negotiate payment. You know those #Millennials that have been running around, drawing public attention. I’ve been put on their beat.
…And?
You go to Shujin, right? If you could give me some good insider intel, it’d really help me out.
Ideally, I’d like to get some exclusive coverage from a student who suffered Kamoshida’s abuse. I would love an introduction if you know of someone who fits the bill.
Well, there is *one* guy…
C’moooooon, gimme his naaaaaame!
Welp, sorry Mishima, but then again you *are* always trying to make yourself useful. Yeah, okay.
It’s a deal then. Send me your friend’s contact info later.
Hmm… Those mental shutdowns and Phantom Thieves both seem related somehow… Is it just a coincidence…? Oh, sorry. Talking to myself. Anyway, it’s not quite an upfront payment, but I can tell you this: Junya Kaneshiro. That’s the man you’re looking for. Just… be careful, kid. I’m not responsible if something happens as a result of this information!
By most standards, you kind of are. But trust me, it won’t matter.
Lala-chan, can I get a refill for this kid? We need to make a toast to our new acquaintance!
It’ll be a problem if you stay too long. You should leave right after you finish your water…
Music: Beneath the Mask
Let’s meet up with Ryuji.
Got his name.
For real!? Awesome! Anyways, we should meet up ASAP. I’ll be in front of the movie theater, so head on over. It’s that kinda open area you passed on your way to the bar.
So we just have to go back the way we came, huh? All right, let’s go.
Not so loud!
There we go! Mkay, now we just gotta get some info on the distortion. Once we know that, it’s Palace time!
Let’s try tomorrow. It’ll be better when we have the whole team together.
Right. I’ll tell everyone to meet up in Shibuya. This is totally crazy though… It’s a huge catch! I’m pumped.
*sigh* …You know what’s coming. I have, once again, replaced their faces with Chuck Tingle cover photoshops, if only to make myself feel better.
Music: Everyday Days
Oh, hell has nothing to do with it, honey. I’m Angel—straight out of heaven!
And I’m Julian. Julie, if you’re feeling saucy!
Well, at least they have actual names this time? Even if their names are… y’know?
What a cutie! You’d never guess he was into the drag scene… I say we show him the ropes!
You can’t deny it! We saw you peeking into Crossroads! Well, sweetie, if you’re curious, we’ll help you look DIVINE!
Wait, hey, it’s not like that—Dude, help! Tell them we were just investigatin’, or something!
Come on, game. Give me something better to work with here.
You just gonna leave me here like this!? C’mon, your best friend’s in trouble here!
Oh, honey, you’ve got the chutzpah. And those cheekbones—I LOVE it! That’s what it takes to be a star!
Just follow my lead, stud! We’re gonna put your name in lights! And I know just the dress for you…
Gaaaaaahhh!
Well, uh… hopefully Ryuji finds his calling… or at least makes it out alive…
So… let’s talk about that. I have no evidence of this and can’t remember if I ever did, but it seems pretty clear to me that the localization team kind of revolted here and wanted to correct having left that scene in the game untouched originally (though it’s entirely possible I’m wrong, and you should take the following paragraphs with a grain of salt). Which, whatever. I’m not the kind of guy to crow about “censorship” of weird, bad, shit, especially two stereotypes as dripping with contempt as these.
The problem is… well, you saw it. They couldn’t edit the models or the animations, so all they could do was mess with the writing itself, maybe add or rearrange a couple of lines at most, and that’s just not enough to make this work. Even if they got rid of the sexual assault threat, they just turned two mincing gay stereotypes into two slightly more palatable mincing gay stereotypes. It’s “better,” sure, but the improvement is so marginal that it’s impossible to give anyone any credit for it.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the team seems to have put their foot down and tried to rectify things. It’s clear that this was the best they could do under the circumstances. But at the same time, it’s almost weird that they bothered when this is the end result. It just sucks. It’s a shitty situation.
Music: Beneath the Mask
>We got his name. Well, I did, mostly.
You did it! Well then, let’s meet up at the hideout tomorrow!
Understood. Ryuji seems to be absent from this conversation. Should we contact him separately?
I’m sure he’ll figure it out when he checks his phone later.
We’re pretty much already in Kaneshiro’s Palace! That was surprisingly easy!
She said she’s interested in me! What’s this about!? And what kinda girl is Ohya-san? Is she cute, or is she hot?
>Uh… she’s very… thirsty?
>Wait, no, I just realized how that could be misconstrued.
Ohya-san… She said she wanted to talk. How much more forward can a girl get? Is this really what I think it is? Could it be?
>…You’ll see!
Looks like my time in the female limelight has finally arrived… This is all thanks to you. I feel like starting the Phan-Site has really changed me.
>Oh man, now I feel bad
>Listen, you should really know thar
>Shit, typo
Anyway, I can handle this. You introduced me, so I’ll make sure I don’t embarrass you. And I’ll totally let you know if we end up hooking up!
>oh god
It’s a fascinating place, don’t you think? We should go back sometime.
The arrested employee continues to state that he cannot recall ever committing the crime. With no testimony to link to a motivation, the cause remains unclear. Incidents with suspects whose motives are unclear have been happening often in the restaurant industry…
There’s all sorts of incidents going on… Arson is pretty scary.
We’re trapped inside for tonight, so let’s brew some coffee. Sojiro still isn’t ready to rank up either, so we’ll work on that.
Well, whatever… All right, I’m headin’ out to buy some cigarettes…
Music: Break it Down
The way you’re drinking it makes it look delicious.
Heh heh… Looks like the chief’s gentlemanly charm is rubbing off on you.
Maaku gains Charm +1.
Here, I’ll have a sip.
It must be Colombian Nariño.
I’ll keep mentoring you, so keep it up. One day, there will be a flavor of coffee that only you can produce. You have potential, keep training.