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Chapter 58: 6/19-6/20: Always Traumatize Makoto
This update covers content from Part 52 of the original LP.
I know it’s been a little bit. I got into a bike accident a couple weeks back. And then I went to Comic-Con. And then when I got home, I tried to boot up FFXIV but it kept crashing, so I decided to reinstall it. And then I figured I might as well work on this while I waited for that.
Anon: A bit childish, but I like it!
Daytime
Music: Wicked Plan
Ryuji, I promised myself I’d never speak of this again. It’s just not fucking worth it, dude.
But—
Come on, man. It was extremely upsetting for all of us, getting waylaid by those stereotypes right out of a hateful “comedic” act on a variety show. Just drop it, man.
…Whatever. Just do it, Yusuke.
Okay, I entered Kaneshiro’s name into the Nav—and just as expected, it’s a hit.
All we need now are the two other keywords: what he thinks of as his Palace, and where it is. But we don’t have any clues other than people falling victim around here… We’ll just have to try whatever keywords we can come up with.
So we’re just going to throw out ideas at random to guess the malfunction of the brain of a dude we’ve never met. Can’t see any flaw in this plan!
Urgh, that’s gonna be impossible… How many buildings do you think there are in Shibuya?
He likes money, right? It’s probably just, like… a bank.
Candidate found.
You’re real good at this, man.
We’re thieves, right? Only makes sense we’d knock over a bank eventually.
OK… That’s a hit! So, he thinks of somewhere in this city as his own bank!
I thought it’d be somewhere less realistic. That’s all it is, huh?
Now then, what location would Kaneshiro think of as his bank?
If we’re talkin’ about a place where he keeps his cash, maybe his own hideout?
How about… a real bank?
No, Ann. That’s stupid.
His cognition wouldn’t be distorted in that case.
Dammit, we ain’t gettin’ anywhere…
I’m not sure how to put this, but… we’re not really embracing the mad, narcissistic aura of a Palace, are we? We’re thinking too small.
Yusuke, settle down. You’ve never done this part before.
The hell’re you talkin’ about?
This Palace is a bank for someone who extorts money with criminal acts. It’s something more…
But what other ways can we think about it?
Maybe it’s a blood bank! He’s a vampire!
Oh, could it mean a place you withdraw money?
No, guys, it’s definitely the vampire thing. We’re doing mine.
Hold on! Do you think it might have something to do with the victims? He’s taking money from his victims’ wallets, right? That means his bank is wherever they are!
That’s terrible… but you may just be right.
Oh, come on! How many people do you think Kaneshiro’s taken advantage of in all of Shibuya?
Result found.
Wait a second. …I have a hit.
Huh…? Wait, what!? D-Did I say something right?
The place that Kaneshiro thinks of as a bank is… “All of Shibuya.”
Wow, you did it Ryuji! But it was by accident, so you receive 0 Ryuji Points. Sorry, but them’s the breaks.
Dammit…!
What!? Like… the entire city?
I see. That’s certainly where his victims are… It turns out he really is a terrible criminal.
But wait, is it okay for us to go into the Palace right out of a crowd like this?
Eh, nobody notices if a piece of trash disappears from a trash can. This ain’t any different.
Honestly, probably one of the best lines in the game.
In that case… let’s go.
Music: Disquiet
What are those!?
So this is what Kaneshiro considers a “bank.”
I know my life for the past couple months has been comprised of nothing but increasingly blunt metaphors, but… man, that’s on the nose!
I never thought it would be the entire district. Look around us… The distortion is affecting the whole of Shibuya.
Huh? Whaddya mean?
Ohhh, that’s right! Even when we were in the castle and the museum, the city outside looked normal.
He sees everyone in Shibuya as his patron.
No surprise for a mafia boss.
It’s best we focus on finding Kaneshiro’s location and stealing his treasure as soon as possible.
Yeah, his hideout’s gotta be somewhere around here. Let’s go look for it.
Excuse me, can we—
(ATM Human) Aaaaaaagh! No, please! I don’t have any more money! But if you just give me some time, I can get all of it for you! I got a hot lead on billions of yen! These guys with shapes on their faces just want me to play Red Light, Green Light first!
I got all the hot, fresh Squid Game jokes for you guys! Surely this will not date the shit out of this update, posted October 10, 2021, for anyone reading it in the future!
I have not watched it yet.
What’s this guy talkin’ about? He’s just ramblin’ on…
Let’s just leave him be.
This is terrible… All of these are real people, right…?
This is effed up…
I don’t think we can talk to any of the ones here…
That would appear to be the case, but there is nobody we can speak to, let alone a bank anywhere… Let us try checking around the station once more. We may have overlooked something important.
It’s no use… It’s all over… I’ll end up just like them…
>What happened?
Can’t you tell…? I’ve fallen… fallen so far… From a place where Kaneshiro leaves no tracks…
Wait, I know you’re just a cognition, but why do you know his name?
Hm, what could that mean…?
Hey, you gotta tell us a little more than—
Daisy… Daiiiiiiiiisyyyyyyyy… *collapses*
…It doesn’t look like this one’s going to say anything. Kaneshiro leaves no tracks…? Does he mean that literally, or could it be figurative?
Hey, why don’t we go over all the intel we have now?
Wait a second… They’ve “fallen” from a place where Kaneshiro doesn’t leave any tracks…? Could that mean… they were actually thrown down from somewhere high up?
What, you think the Palace is in the *sky*? That’s *stupid*, and I’m going to laugh at you! Now just let me take a deep breath and throw my head back, in the process briefly looking at the heave—oh goddammit
Music: Desire
“Kaneshiro doesn’t leave any tracks,” huh? Figures it’d be floating.
That is at best a loose paraphrase of what we were told.
You’re useless! C’mon, don’t you have some kinda secret gadget or somethin’!?
Shut it! I’m not some robot cat!
You know, we never considered the possibility that you’re a robot!
I mean, I’m not a cat at all!
This may be the limit of what we can do today.
We gotta find a way to get up there…
Let’s think about it some more tomorrow, okay?
All right, we should get out of here for now! Run for it!
WHY ARE WE RUNNING!?
Daytime → Evening
Music: Beneath the Mask
It’s that woman who reeks of alcohol…
You free?
I’m texting you amid my busy work schedule! It’s about that Kaneshiro guy. He’s more dangerous than I thought!
A teenager like you shouldn’t be messing around with a guy like that. It was probably wildly irresponsible of me to give you his name, now that I think about it! Well, bye!
Proving our justice isn’t going to be easy… We’d better discuss this with everyone tomorrow.
What a pain. I’m sure the police are tired of this guy, too.
(Male Host) Here’s what we’ve got for you today! Here’s the first one! The Supportive Gift Set! Give this to the busy bee in your life, and you’ll be sure to get along! 1 Blaring Alarm Clock and 1 Face Beautifier! Both items in one set! What a steal! But that’s not all! There’s more! Next up, the Busy Revival Set! With this, nothing will be able to keep you down! 3 Revivadrin and 10 Recov-R: 100 mg! These will both be in one set! What a steal!
Let’s go for the Busy Revival items. Gifts are kinda worthless if you’re playing ~optimally~, honestly.
We’re going to keep brewing coffee to get those last few points for Sojiro, as well as some extra Charm.
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Maaku gains Charm +1.
Here, I’ll have a sip.
It’s Cuban Crystal Mountain, right?
Forever cursed to make shit coffee…
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.
Music: Days of Sisters
About those Phantom Thieves, I mean. If Dad were still alive…
It’s okay. Keep going.
Just because I just got back from facing constant, ever-present stress and institutional sexism at work, the kind that wears me down slowly and turns me into a husk of my former self, doesn’t mean I’m not capable of having a calm, reasoned discussion about our father, the man whose death set me on my current path and tainted my entire worldview! As long as you’re not gonna say something crazy like—
I just wonder if he would’ve been on their side… That’s all…
*slams the table with both palms like Phoenix Wright*
Ohno
Do you want an itemized receipt of how you just fucked up, or should I go straight into berating you?
The second one, please…
Good answer. Well, then, on to the yelling: I don’t give a shit what Dad would have thought. He’s dead, and now I’m the one stuck holding the bag. I can’t believe the nerve you have, questioning my work, when it’s the only reason you even a roof over your head! Do you have any idea how hard I work? Do you have any idea how much of a drain, physically, financially, emotionally, you are? You’re a useless parasite feeding off my life.
*about to cry*
Oh, uh… sorry, I guess. *going back to eating* Man, this dinner is really bland. You need to work on that.
Anon: NO! Justice ain’t that simple
Morning
Music: So Boring
I just wonder, why bother stealing hearts? You can’t do anything with them. They have no monetary value, either.
The Metaphor Understander has logged on.
If I were them, I would go for something with a concrete, clear value—like gold. …Speaking of, there’s another kind of metal that’s very valuable in its own way. They’re called minor metals, and they’re used in many electronics. In fact, most of you probably have some on your person right now. In your pockets, in your purses… Were you listening, Takamaki-san? Give me one example of something most of you have that contains minor metals.
Huh!? Oh, uh, yeah! I mean—
Hey, Lady Ann is obviously panicking! Be a good guy and help her out!
So, another one of these.
Sorry, Maaku, can you help me out? Something that uses minor metals… And all of us have something like that on us…? Uh, right now, I’ve got… lipstick, my smartphone, and mascara. What do you think, Maaku? One of these has minor metals in it, right?
The smartphone, you moron.
A lot of minor metals are excavated in China. Some countries simply produce more than others. 90% of the minor metals used in Japan are imported. But a lot of the recyclable trash we throw away contains minor metals too. In other words, a junkyard is much more valuable than someone else’s heart.
Nice! Lady Ann seems really relieved!
Maaku gains Charm +1.
You’re pretty good at studying… I’m impressed.
Morning → After School
Are we out of luck?
It’s no fair his Palace is up in the sky…
If only we could contact the real Kaneshiro…
Oh, yeah, that’d go real great for us.
…Hm?
Music: Disquiet
What do you want?
Nothing in particular. I just saw you all together here.
That so?
You seem to be having quite a bit of trouble.
So you’re here to check up on us? You may be the student council president, but when it comes to what we do, you’re useless.
Useless?
Useless…
How unfortunately specific…
Just stay on your high horse and watch. Or do you wanna eavesdrop, since you’re so good at it?
*sucking in breath*
Yeah, keep going guys! She’s about to cry!
So you wish to get in contact with Kaneshiro.
Guh?
That is what you were just discussing, weren’t you? It seems you just needed to find out where he is.
Uhh… yep.
Hey, you don’t gotta answer her honestly!
……
Good-girl… pushover…
Useless… Useless… Useless…
…What was that?
Fine. I’ll help you meet Kaneshiro.
What exactly is she planning on doing?
She had a dead-serious look in her eyes…
Should we… stop her?
Better let her get a bit more of head start. Maybe it’ll be entertaining!
Does this mean she has an idea as to where Kaneshiro may be?
I highly doubt that.
I didn’t like her stern face…
Okay, that should be long enough I think.
Hrrgh! What is up with her!?
How did Morgana beat us here!?
(phone) Just stay on the phone and listen. Make sure you record the call as well.
It took me this long to realize Makoto gets your number from Sojiro under false pretenses entirely to enable this scene. It’s honestly kinda clever writing.
Huh? Who is it?
That idiot! What’s she doin’!?
(phone) I heard I could find someone named Kaneshiro if I came to Central Street.
Central Street!
Uh, that’s where we are right now, idiot.
She’s being too rash!
He’s blackmailing the students of Shujin Academy, is he not? Tell him if he doesn’t want me talking to the police about it, he’d better agree to meet with me.
The two men look at each other.
Music: Tension
You better be taking me to Kaneshiro.
Yeah? Or what?
Bluff called, I suppose…
It’s the guys that messed with us the other day! So they were connected to Kaneshiro!
Those were the guys promoting some hot deal or whatever, right? They didn’t really “mess” with us, honestly…
She still on!?
(phone) Where are we going?
(Pierced Man’s Voice) (phone) I guess we can’t do anythin’ to her if she’s Kaneshiro-san’s customer.
Hey, I asked a question here. Where are we going?
We gotta go after them!
Good job Yusuke, but I don’t think you need to be a talented sketch guy or whatever to write down a license plate.
Agh, shit, he ignored me!
Dammit, I said STOP!
Love the way the back tires lift three feet off the ground like in a cartoon.
Ryuji!
Ryuji what the FUCK
Hurry up and get in!
Welcome back to Kaneshiro, He Of The Weird Voice. (For the record I actually like Jalen K. Cassell as a VA and even like his Kaneshiro, it’s just a funny performance to me)
You know what happens to anyone who snaps at me, don’t you?
Music: Tension
Niijima-san!
What the hell’d you do to her!?
Ohhh, I get it.
Really not sure what their endgame here was, but eh.
Kaneshiro opens the briefcase in front of him, and the top half clips through some paper on the table when it opens. I point this out because I’m just surprised I never noticed it before, not because it’s some grievous flaw (you can only see it for a couple seconds anyway). Why am I even still writing these words?
(to the woman next to him) That bag you saw the other day—the crocodile one. How much was it?
(Gaudy Woman) About three million?
Kaneshiro hands her a few stacks of bills.
*squeal* For reals!?
Better thank those guys.
What?
I’m royally pissed right now. Can you tell? You know how spending money relieves stress?
I feel like the opposite usually applies in my case.
You goddamn brats poking your noses where they don’t belong are going to give me a migraine!
See this empty space? I’m so pissed that now there’s a three million yen gap here. It pisses me off even more if I don’t fill it up. I’m a perfectionist. So, good luck.
What is that supposed to mean?
Come on, you all look so tense. I think I’ll call it… “Debauchery of Minors at a Club.” So, can I send this to your school?
That’s—
Oh, damn, I got booze and cigs in the shot! Maybe some drugs too? Ahh… This is so hilarious.
Now listen up. Run your mouth to the police, and I’ll break all of you, starting with your families.
Three weeks. Bring three million yen by then. No less. Summer bonuses are around the corner, you know? It’ll be easy if you beg your mommies and daddies.
*evil chuckling*
Now get out of my sight. I’m about to have some fun.
What!? To hell with that!
Don’t bother with him. Makoto’s safety is more important right now.
Oh god, someone get that cat out of here! I’m allergic, you idiots! Why is it even in here!? Ugh, it’s growling at me!
Three weeks for three million yen… Things have taken a serious turn for the worse…