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Chapter 62: 6/22-6/23: Master of Disguise (New)
Evening
Music: Beneath the Mask
She must have some kind of trick. Maybe we should check it out.
Morgana, bad things happen to Ryuji all the time, that’s not an impressive prediction.
(Reporter) Wow, we’re really high up! The view from the observation deck feels like you’re walking on air!
(Pundit) I’m afraid of heights, so the street stalls in Asakusa might be a better fit for me… Hahaha.
Crossword time.
Once, again, I really overthought the hell out of the answer to “money holder.”
Even so, this one was cake.
Maaku gains Knowledge +1.
Hey! You c’n tell, rrrright?
Urp… Hey, kid, jush gimme some beer! Some alkamahol, jus’ ta be shuuure!
Really? Strange, I don’t recall having very much to dr—*burp* Whaddya think? I c’n do a preddy good i-imitation of a shober person, amirite? *retch*
You should take that performance on the road, my friend!
Aww, doncha be like that… *burp* Here, I’ll do anozher of my impressh… impressions. Thish one’s Akechi-kun, booooy detectivvve. “Hi. My name’s Goro!” Goro-ro-ro! Roro! Roro. Roll roll!
Doesn’t he know how dangerous Shibuya is? He was robbed there on his way home from cram school.
(Innocent Grade Schooler) I wish I could play video games sometimes too, but my parents won’t let me.
(Angel) Another straight boy? Oh, you shameless homewrecker!
No, it’s not like that. I’m talking about a boy I saw on TV! Akechi-kun!
No way, you’ve got the hots for him too!? Stop it alreadyyy!
Ugh, we’re back in the days where I’m transcribing these two. I’m not sure the localization team bothered “updating” their dialogue here, either.
Huh? I’m fine. Yes, I know there’s been some weird incidents lately. Of course, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry about your big sis. I’m not going to let myself get tricked again, I promise. Once I become a singer, I’ll make that money back and then some. No, I won’t be home for a while.
I’m suddenly reminded of how depressing this character’s subplot is. 
(Partying College Student) No way… So sleepy…
Whoa, whoa—you can’t sleep here, it isn’t safe. C’mon, you gotta get up!
(Elderly Office Worker) I’m thinking of taking my family on a month-long vacation to Europe this summer.
Be careful if you do go. A number of strange incidents and accidents have been occurring lately.
Ah, yes, I had almost forgotten. There hasn’t been much talk about it lately.
(Adorable Woman) Yeah, yeah—the mafia, I know. Relax, the city’s perfectly safe.
So is the country, thanks to Taro from next door!
You mean that idiot dog who plays with anyone who comes near him? Real good guard dog.
I know a job that’ll make you rich. I can hook you up, but you’ll hafta legally erase yourself.
Hmm… I hate rich people… but I do want to be legally dead… Sign me up!
Nahhh, I’m just messin’ with ya… Heh heh. I love it at night… I get to cut loose n’ be free.
Then go home, kid. It’s not my problem if you stick around and somethin’ happens to you. Come nighttime, this is our world… Heh heh. I love it at night… I get to cut loose n’ be free.
(Foreign Barker) I’m sorry! It’s just so damn hard to get used to all the Japanese cultural formalities!
Yeah, but you’re no good to me if you can’t interact with potential customers. Don’t make me fire you. If nothing else, at least be the strong, silent type and try to scare off any mafia goons.
I worry Foreign Barker might be a little too neurotic for that job.
It say, “Website Usage Fee: 500,000 yen.” I never registered for something like this though.
(Sullen Office Worker) Ohh, there’s been a lot of those. The obvious remittance fraud. And yet, young people still fall for it. I hear tens of millions of yen get stolen this way.
They probably fall for it because of a guilty conscience. It’s a problem with upbringing.
Babe come over
>I can’t, I’m in Shibuya
I’m alone right now
(Thin-Voiced Woman) Oh, let’s not do Shibuya… It’s gotten really unsafe, I hear. I don’t mind if it’s near our office.
Girl’s night in Kichijoji? I dunno. Won’t they think we’re just a bunch of drab thirty-somethings out on the town?
The whole lot of ‘em are just a bunch of money grubbers! Don’t they know there’s more to life than money!?
(Charismatic Manager) …People do say that there are some things in life that can’t be bought with money. What about you? What’s more important to you than money?
Huh? Oh, um… Bein’ surrounded by my favorite things, I guess? Since I’m workin’ in Kichijoji and all, I wanna live in style!
Okay, sure… But doesn’t that cost money, too?
There’s actually a prolific café right over there. I was hoping we could discuss things over some tea, but…
As far as they’re concerned, anyone in my company must meet their standards of intelligence and attractiveness… If not, well, they take it to social media, denouncing and harassing the people in question. I wouldn’t wish that on you.
Am I not pretty enough to hang out with you?
Akechi wants to have a discussion at a café nearby…
This is a check for Level 3 Knowledge and Charm. We pass with flying colors.
Thanks. The place is really quite popular. It should be open right now… Let’s get going.
Hm? Who said that?
Who said what?
Music: Break it Down (Elp Version)
Well, I don’t hate sweets, but I’m not exactly partial to them… Fads tend to be fairly similar, so I’m more curious about its popularity than its taste. Well, why don’t we give it a try?
I actually enjoyed that more than I thought I would.
(Forgetful Woman) Ohh, you mean the guy who’s on TV these days… Who was he again?
(Fad-Following Woman) Wasn’t his name Akechi-kun? You know, the next-generation Detective Prince…? Should we ask him for an autograph? Might be something worth bragging about…
I’m sure she doesn’t mean any harm, but I don’t want to cause any trouble for the store…
We should go.
You heard it here folks, straight from Joker himself, Akechi did nothing wro—well, today at least. Probably.
Sorry, but I think it’d be best to leave. I’m only going to cause problems if I stay. A shame I don’t have glasses like you. Maybe I would have been able to get out of this situation.
Music: My Homie
(Forgetful Woman) Hey, is that boy really Akechi-kun?
(Fad-Following Woman) You know… Now that I see him up close, I’m not sure…
Maybe you were seeing things? I don’t remember the show too well, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t look like that.
Aww! If he was the real thing, I could’ve bragged about meeting him.
How is this working!?
That’s the power of the glasses, amigo.
They were five feet away and staring a hole into my skull! They surely heard our entire conversation, as well! This is nonsense!
Just give them back.
Side note: You can’t really tell in these screenshots because the resolution is lowered but Maaku is absolutely still wearing his glasses even while Akechi is, too. Guess they just didn’t want to swap the protag model for those eight seconds.
I suppose I’d better learn to watch what I say around you.
Haha… Are you familiar with the legal right of portrait? Or privacy, perhaps?
I think I’ve learned a valuable lesson. Thank you.
I can sense Akechi’s gratitude towards me…
Music: Alright (Elp Version)
But you certainly surprised me today. I can’t believe we got out of that with such a basic trick. It was an interesting experience, but… I definitely don’t want to go through that ordeal ever again. I saw firsthand what happens when I’m too careless with my words around you.
Though if you dressed as me next time, I think I might agree. I could use a stunt double. You and I aren’t terribly different in height. I’m sure my clothes would fit you. If we do this, it’ll have to be carefully planned, of course. I’ll be dictating everything, from hair to accessories.
Yay! Makeover! I wanna look like the prettiest princess!
Nobody would notice the switch, I’m sure. We proved it today—most people can’t see beyond the superficial. Whoops… I’ve an early start tomorrow, so I’ll have to excuse myself. See you soon.
Early Morning
Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain (Instrumental Version)
Let’s read The Gallant Rogue. We’re a bit behind on our library book backlog.
Ishikawa Goemon was a thief without peer. So he was a hero of the common people, huh?
Early Morning → Morning
Music: So Boring
Speaking of rain, did you know that the teru teru bozu was originally female? According to one theory, it came from a Chinese paper doll of a girl—the “Sao Ching Niang.” When it came to Japan, it looked like a monk praying for sunny weather, and became male. In the history of the world, it’s not uncommon to twist people’s genders for politics or religion. Now then, Hamiru-kun, please look at this picture.
Now, do you know what this woman’s position was?
Psh, I know this! I read Makoto’s Persona bio! Also, the French kinda gives it away.
That’s correct. Pope Joan was a significant figure from the medieval ages. You’re quite the history buff. Joan—or Johanna as some historians argue—was the pope of Rome, even though women couldn’t be priests. As such, she was a legendary figure, sometimes thought of as an anti-church symbol.
Maaku gains Knowledge +1.
According to the legends, Joan was a cross-dressing girl brought from Athens to Rome. Praised throughout the city for her wisdom, she was eventually chosen by the people as pope. However, when it was discovered that she was a woman, she was stoned to death. This incident was regarded a taboo by the church. As a result, Joan was stricken from history books.
As long as they can do the job, it doesn’t matter if they’re man or woman. Sheesh, some people…
Morning → After School
Music: Beneath the Mask -Rain (Instrumental Version)
We are, in fact, going to the Palace today.
Well, not today today, because we’ll be heading into the Palace next time!