META
This installment may eventually become disturbing for those who have a special intolerance towards non-glorified rape. Oh, and everyone else.Go Go Tsukasa!
They slowly creep towards the source of the noise. Tense music plays. The place is in the back of a ruin, and he can feel several presences inside. Yup, feel. He hears them talk. "Why do you all look like that?", a female voice inquires. A man replies that they ran into some dangerous people, and barely got away with their lives. Tsukasa considers it likely that they haven't met the woman before. So, chances of us not interrupting a rape soon enough?Our heroes creep ever closer, while the man keeps spouting bullshit. Oh, and she says she's alone. She wanted to see the flooding up close, apparently. The men ask her if she feels like running away with them; after all, her situation seems rather precarious.
They're not the police officers from before, Tsuka notes. Poor Taku-chan is surprised that there are more bastards like the fallen policemen. Tano is happy though; the men probably don't have guns (gun control laws are pretty strict in Japan, I believe), only dangerous as fuck knives. Taku notes that if they hold the woman hostage our heroes will be at a great disadvantage.
This being true, Tano signals the attack. Tsuka plans a ruse: he will threaten the men with the (empty) gun Tano was keeping, while the others sneak up from behind. The clever part of the scheme is that he will order the men to back away from the woman. Then, shall signal the others to come pwn the men. Tano argues against this, saying it will be hard to pull off. Tsuka, though, reassures him that he can do it - he's not much use otherwise, anyway. Even if they call his bluff, he'll still be the focus of their attention - a decoy.
Tsukasa seems to not value himself very much.
Eventually the plan is agreed on, and the primary goal is set: save the woman. Dealing with the men is secondary.
ZakaPrediction: the woman will notice the two sneaking up and alert the men, upsetting the scheme.
Well, looks like it's time to roll the dice.
According to the resulting CG, there are three men and one rather unimpressed woman. The men are fearfully looking at Tsuka - gooood. Tsuka walks up to them, showing the gun, and stops ten metres away. Meanwhile he threatens them, deadpan. Did I mention how fucking Badass Tsuka is? He maintains their attention by accusing them and asking why they did the killings - the man speaking for the villainous team keeps on lying, speaking rather fearfully. He asks for aid from the woman, who declines - she seems to know that Tsuka is telling the truth. Perhaps she is good at reading people - Tsukasa mentally admits in the same sequence that he isn't.
The woman actually signals for our hiding heroes to come out, which they do. The men run away without their bags, intimidated by our heroes' charge - which of course includes some co-ordinated screaming and similar. They pursue the men until they have been chased off far enough, then return.
Apparently, the damsel heard our heroes talking, which is why she knew about the whole ruse - they were rather lacking in caution, it seems. She expresses wonderment at Tsuka's initiative and acting ability with the bullet-less gun. Her name is Nogi Taeko. She's living with her relatives - and she says she will think about moving to the shelter to escape danger. Tsuka can't tell if she's at all interested, though - she's rather cold, if polite. In the end, Tano concludes that she probably doesn't trust our heroes either. We'll see if she'll come to the shelter to thank them eventually, as she claims she will do.
They return with the goods; Hiba forgives them for their selfish actions. As things settle down, our heroes help with moving the hospital's patients to the shelter. Having gained a healthy dose of paranoia, there are some people on guard, holding weapons.
TAKUMA - ACT 2, SCENE 5
Fade to black, character POV switch, cheerful music and a pretty CG depicting a festive occasion. Both Yuka and Hibari are wearing kimono-like garments - apparently Yuka's really is a true kimono. Tano and Taku agree that Yuka's beautiful. Saitou-san, who I can't remember from anywhere but we might have met before, has lent Yuka one of her old kimono(s). She also helped her put it on, which explains how Yuka actually got into a true kimono.It's Coming-of-Age Day, apparently. I assume that means 21 years old. It's not quite what such an occasion usually entails, as there are no boring/inspirational speeches - it's more or less like an ordinary party. However, the girls wearing these lovely clothes is quite enough to make Taku-chan happy - presumably most of the girls are wearing yukatas, though. Yeah, I just checked both those pages out to (hopefully) be correct about my assumptions.
Hibari's visibly and audibly jealous of Yuka's beauty. Tano attempts to coach Hibari on how to be more mature, given the occasion. She refuses to consider any such thing, instead blaming Yuka for acting older than she is - heheheheheh. Taku asks what he has to do; Hibari replies that he needs to start his life over.
Makes sense.
Apparently, Tsukasa's missing from the festivities - He's practicing the piano. I really wonder whether that's such a good idea... I mean, getting hallucinations and crushing self-hate and stuff thrust upon you isn't all that cool.
Hmm, it seems Hibari might be wearing a true kimono too. Well I'll be darned. Yuka gives Hibari some final advice before leaving them, as she feels like helping out in the kitchen: she shouldn't act so openly hostile. Hehehe, acknowledgement that Tsundere tendencies are sometimes not so helpful in reality.
Spurred on by his general failureness, and specific failure to capture Yuka's heart, Taku declares this shall be the day he makes a fresh start as New Kuwagata!
Did I mention everyone's somewhat drunk?
Tano encourages him as he continues his speech - Hibari is less impressed. Our two men and one woman start drinking rather heavily. Well, at least Taku. He's fully aware of, and highly dislikes, his cowardice by the way - his inner monologue proves it.
Hibari's amused by his drunk speech - apparently he might be saying his monologue out loud. Oh, and everyone gathers around him, smiling - he's now doing a motivational about trying harder. But are they smiling at, or with him? Taku has no worries, being rather drunk. He segues into a critique on society and its conflicting expectations...
Taku-chan: "First of all, if everyone's equal, then why have I never had a girlfriend?"
Apparently the others are appreciating his ramblings somewhat. Well, actually this might do for a Coming-of-Age Day speech, lol. Eventually he segues into less desirable subjects for a short while, ending with a somewhat dystopian vow to round up everyone that's lost hope and become a great leader, suppress all fashion magazines, and then round up all the bad people like cheaters or people having affairs in one place. And then killing them with Cyklon B.
He doesn't remember anything after that.
After a fade to black, he discovers that he's now in the gym. He's a bit embarrassed at what he said, but actually gets over it quite quickly. Presumably, he's been woken by the rather bothersome woman chanting buddhist sutras in the morning and the evening. She's a bit crazy, it seems, so they let her. He gets up, fulfills the call of nature outside, and ruminates upon Tsukasa's Chick Magnet nature. He's rather jealous of Tsukasa's calm and general cuteness. Gathering his resolve, he resolves to resolutely find out how Tsuka-chan maintains his resolve so resolutely, by resolutely resolving to visit him - he's still practicing resolutely inside the school building. I make no excuses for that last sentence.
Of course, our Tsukasa has his own problems. I kind of doubt anyone except Yuka knows, though. It's possible there might be an interesting cup of drama-sauce coming up - maybe Tsuka-chan's pretty messed up right now. Suicide attempt, catatonic, something else? Of course, the most likely option is that Tsuka will calmly answer Taku, being of no major help.
Poor Taku-chan enters the school building, which is still a bit creepy, apparently. He's still a bit drunk it seems, although he also has the beginnings of a hangover. He's mentally calling Tsuka-chan his enemy in many different and imaginative ways while walking.
He hears no music. As he peers into the music classroom, he realizes the light he's seen from the window before is a flashlight, which Tsukasa is not holding.
That's when he hears sounds from the preparation room next door.
He peeks inside. Tsuka greets him by raising his hand, while Yuka obliviously continues giving Tsuka a blow-job. Our unfortunate Taku-chan doesn't really hear what Yuka's saying, but imagines her both loving Tsuka feircely and disparaging him.
Takuma forces himself to look away and sneaks off, Tsuka remaining calm, quite possibly emotionless. Takuma wonders if his life isn't just one big joke, then continues on to wishing he was dead with some ferocity. Further exacerbating his misery is a sudden, uncontrollable urge to vomit. He can't let himself vomit in here - it would be a nasty experience for Tsuka and Yuka. Instead, he vomits into his shirt.
Oh god.
The lovely liquid begins soaking into his underwear, which I'm sure must feel great.
Timeskip, and he's on guard duty, but unfortunately not very successful. Tano-san greets him, asking if he's doing well. Taku, in a deeper voice than he would normally use, sullenly replies in the negative. Apparently, he can't sleep due to the heartache caused by his unfortunate discovery of Tsuka and Yuka in the act.
Eventually the night ends, and he gathers with the shelter's other residents for some breakfast. He's met by Yuka, who he doesn't quite know how to handle. In the end, he curls up small in a corner and drinks his miso away from everyone else. His misery is interrupted by Hibari stepping on his back with a smile, who urges him to stop that emo shit unless he wants to get hit some more by her. I wonder... could it be that Hibari actually likes Taku-chan that way? Not impossible. Hibari remarks that Taku is now replying almost as emotionlessly as Tsuka - Taku laughs bitterly. He creeps Hibari out enough for her to run off worriedly, calling for Tano-san.
Hmm, was I wrong in calling the shelter leader Hiba-san, since it's now Hida-san? Oh well. Anyway, it seems kerosene supplies are being rationed, but more is being lost than calculated. Someone is a thief, it seems. Hida does not agree with a motion to keep a heavy guard, though - it would create a troublesome power dynamic between the admins(awesome) and miserable non-admin(awesome) plebeians. Tsuka disagrees, for various reasons related to resource distribution and selfishness among the occupants. He's become cold, now - and Tano agrees with his points. However, it's not necessary yet - and thus, they should merely increase the kerosene guard a bit. Makes sense, as you don't want to be too tyrannical if you can help it at all. Taku agrees, mostly, though he thinks it might be best to just do it now to enforce morality onto the populace. Heh, this guy does have some tyrannical tendencies. There are some similarities to Hitler, and yes I just said that. You can ruminate upon this yourselves, dear readers.
Taku and Tano are on first watch outside, where the kerosene is kept. They're carrying metal rods. Taku says they should hide to catch the thieves - Tano reluctandly agrees, on the condition that it be kept quiet if it's someone from the shelter.
Tense music. Two shapes are approaching. They are the guys who raided the hospital before. There's likely a third hiding. Tano wishes to follow them to their hideout - two versus one likely not being a problem if it's an ambush. Taku agrees, and so they sneakily follow.
The tense music is replaced by a simple ambient wind loop. The two men stop, and talk. It seems that they have something "fun" they can do back at their base. One of the villainous men bemoans that he was sent to steal the kerosene tanks they're carrying instead on being able to have said "fun" - but the other reminds him that he will be able to do it again when they come back. The woman they have now is getting boring though - perhaps they should get another?
Yes, they're keeping sex slaves.
Eventually the two men arrive at their base, an out-of-the-way concrete building. This presents a problem - sounds will likely echo a great deal inside, making an ambush difficult. Our heroes agree that they should probably get help before they begin an assault.
Then a woman loudly begs for the men to stop doing what ever they are doing. The villains mock her. Under threat of death, she begs them - and she consents to a blowjob. Let's just say that the men continue being highly rude and threatening to our poor damsel.
Our heroes cannot just stand there, so Tano prepares a flanking maneouver, and they sneak inside. Also, fellatio and/or vaginal rape (which it seems the man proceeded to after becoming... able to do so) might be rather a distraction to the performer.
Content Warning. No, seriously, this is disturbing. Scroll down to the next heading if squeamish.
Taku peeks into the room. A CG of the scene is shown, while a new track, somewhat grunge/sludge-ish with a melodic, creepy lead. They are approaching the woman from both the front and the back, apparently... So two of them are distracted, always a plus. There's one man just standing by, though. The girl appears young. And not happy. To make the scene even nicer, the third man throws a dead woman's head around.
Less disturbing
It makes Taku rage, feel numb, feel everything go unreal. Tranquil. Tano is either having trouble flanking, or waiting for Taku to make his move. Either way, Takuma quite simply can't wait. Except — he calculates his probability of victory, and concludes he probably won't win against three people, although two would be possible. He doesn't want to die, and if he dies in the attempt, that will be two lost lives, not just one. Admirable reasoning. However, Taku realizes this is really his fatalism, the part of him he hates, showing through. And he realizes he won't be that man any more, at least not now. He doesn't care if he lives or dies, anyway - what is there to lose?
The music stops. He's calm now. He knows what to do. He charges.
The DnB tune we've heard a few times now plays. Takuma peirces through the first man with his bar, using a thrusting charge, not a swing. That guy's pretty fucked.
Then Taku freezes, as the man cries in pain. Takuma realizes that, while he doesn't regret what he did, the guy he killed was a human too. The stabbed man's two companions come towards Taku, who's now shaking with fear.
Come on, pick up the stabbed guy's knife and use it as a weapon goddamnit. You can't just leave your weapon in a guy and then stop fighting for no reason, dumbass.
Taku retreats, ineffectually pelting his pursuers with glass bottles. They corner him - and when they're almost in range to attack...
I'll spare you the cliffhanger this time.
Tanomura: "Sorry to keep you waiting. I couldn't go around the back, after all. I'm sorry!"
Tano continues speaking, this time addressing the knife-wielders. In a cheerful voice, he asks them to put away their knives as Taku retreats. After a slight back-and-forth, Tanomura near effortlessly beats them both unconscious. Six rather fleshy thumps are heard.
After being commended for his courage, Takuma visits the woman, and asks her if she's ok while trying to be cool and lift her in his arms. She smells bad. He feels something cold touching his hand - semen.
Fade to black. I save.
Caution! Do you end?
