ACT 3, SCENE 8 - TSUKASA
Seems like it's flashback time again, this time for Tsukasa. He's having trouble playing the piano due to his accident - feeling strange as he realizes he can't quite play right any more. His father's listening in, and rather abruptly orders Tsuka to stop, then slams the piano's lid closed. He then proclaims that Tsuka sucks, and that he should never perform again.
It all started with Tsuka deciding to personally return Yuka's clothes to her, since he appreciated her gesture greatly. He takes a cab, alone. And the rest is oops crash.
Tsuka's dad continues chastising him, being rather unreasonable and narcissistic.
Interestingly, Tsuka actually vows to get better than ever before on the piano, even though his doctor has made it clear to him that he will never be able to play at this old level with his injured hand. This seems like something he eventually lost, doesn't it? I wonder - is his enemy just his hand, or is it also his inner demons? I guess we will never know for sure.
Tsukasa's dad continues calling him worthless, saying he's lost his only talent in life, his life is now over, he's worthless, he sucks, he's worthless... Yeah yeah yeah. His dad is not a pleasant man. Eventually, his Breaking Lecture starts hitting home, although Tsukasa's still determined to somehow beat his injury. He mentally prepares to start living alone - his father no longer wants to have anything to do with him.
Our hero wakes up in his usual room. It would appear he has dozed off after lunch. The dream was not a pleasant one - his clothes are rather sweaty. He stares at his hand, then closes and opens it. In the end, ten years of hard work still hasn't managed to fix his problems.
He feels miserable.
Tsukasa slowly calms himself, eyes closed. He then hears footsteps approaching - it's Ryugeju, who asks if she come in. He allows her.
Ryugeju visits at least once per day. They only engage in small talk, though. Tsuka's noticed that Ryugeju's actually quite childlike and pure.
She begins discussing the temple's, and current religion's origins based on info from old scrolls. It's actually quite interesting, in a way. Apparently, there was a lake somewhat analogous to the post-earthquake one in the area in the past. She continues to expand on various subjects related to religion and philosophy and stuff, speaking with conviction.
Eventually, the whole bringing Miroku-sama into the world thing comes up again. Tsukasa's still hung up on the whole babies thing, though; he wants the child to have a loving family (considering what's been shown of his childhood, this is understandable).
Ryu-chan contends that there is a possibility; the only solution to Tsuka's quandary: Tsukasa should love her more than the person he's currently going out with, and all will be fine!
Tsuka counters, with some exasperation, that they are not speaking about his girlfriend at this time. Ryugeju does not care about that, she says, though I'm somewhat unsure about what she isn't caring about. I have a feeling I should load up an older save and re-read, as I stopped once here.... naaah. Anyway, she continues by stating that if he does start loving her that way, it will just be natural for him to go out with her and stuffs. After that, it would be natural for him to make her his wife too, make a child and create a peaceful family. No need for Tsuka to follow the teachings or whatever, he can do what he want, everything is solved!
Or something.
Ryu-chan's eyes sparkle with the thought, and she immediately requests for Tsukasa to write a letter to his lover that he will be leaving her. They will be preparing to send a letter straight away...
Tsuka says no, but falters partway through his refusal. Ryu-chan is undiscouraged, saying that it's all right... B-because s-she loves you. Well, that was not entirely unpredictable. Still... what is this warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest? Surely I must have overdosed on caffeine or something.
In a move very reminiscent of Yuka speaking to Tsuka before, Ryu-chan now wants him to love her as well. The words are, according to my totally not murky memory, almost exactly the same.
Tsuka asks her to wait up, but she continues to pre-empt a possible concern, namely that this is a silly love by some sheltered girl, falling for the first guy she's really gotten to know. It's different, and she means it... And that wasn't anything Tsuka had thought of, he replies. Ryu-chan apologizes, then reiterates that she's serious about this.
After a quick think, Tsukasa nevertheless declares that this is still unreasonable, for he cannot love someone just because someone suddenly tells him to. After this, Ryu-chan gets the idea that Tsuka really values Yuka, instead of the likely more correct interpretation of him having difficulty to commit to anyone at this point. She is rather dejected about being rejected. Could she be... sobbing? She vehemently denies there to be any problem when asked, so probably yes.
ZakaTheory: The jealousy will result in more direct action against Yuka, somehow, whether Tsukasa likes it or not. Well, I have been thinking that a break-up letter will be sent without permission for a while now, so perhaps that theory might actually come true.
As Tsuka notices Ryu crying (make-up peeling, et cetera...) and continues asking her about it, she goes Tsundere, claiming she's only doing it due to the situation she's in. I consider this to be as convincing as a letter from a troubled nigerian prince, but it's possible Tsuka will actually fall for it...
Ryu-chan switches tracks, asking him to not be so complicated and complain so much.
Ryugeju: "I'll make the child happy no matter what."
Ryugeju's staring at Tsukasa. He can't see any reason for her to be deceiving him - it might be foolish of her, but she's serious.
And... choice point!
- Go against my principle and accept Ryugeju
- No, I can't accept her
Oh man, this is a hard choice. There are a few things factoring into this, I guess...
"Go against my principle" feels like the game hinting that you should not pick the option. One of the possible bad ends would be getting killed by other temple members for being a nuisance as soon as the deed is done. On the other hand, if we assume that this VN actually realizes that women are not always fertile, that seems a bit silly. I can imagine realism actually factoring into the game at this point, given previous happenings... Hmm. The problem is that I want to get a nice long, full ending. And you might get with Ryugeju anyway, but under less forced terms... Man, I don't know.
My mind says no, but my body says YES.
Well, for some reason a vision of a certain drill-haired girl keeps popping up in my mind... Perhaps it's a sign? Oh well, guess I'll have to refuse to comfort her.
Damn!
>No, I can't accept her
Commanded by my mighty, otherworldly influence, Tsukasa says, quite flatly, "No, let's not." Ryugeju's somewhat upset, but then takes a deep breath and comes back to her usual calm self, and indeed her calm voice is back as well. She wipes her eyes, and looks at him coolly. She won't ask him about it any more; however, depending on the situation they may have to take measures that are against his will.
Tsuka, after attempting an apology (no need, says Ryugeju), soon tries to change the subject. How is Aroe doing? She's doing fine, it seems - in fact, she was playing with the other children recently. In a reversal of previous decisions, Ryugeju asks Tsuka if he wants to see Aroe, as she thinks she can allow him that much freedom. He agrees, thanking her. Thanks go back and forth for a while; Ryugeju considers herself to still not have made up for the debt she incurred when Tsuka saved her (as he notes, it wasn't just him, but she doesn't seem to care that much). Ryugeju then goes fairly vague, saying that even so... he really is... no, maybe it's better this way. Ladies and gentlemen, vagueness level: asian.
That afternoon, Hoshino-san pushes Tsuka's wheelchair over to Aroe. Aroe's not very interested in him, though; it's as if she's forgotten him. After this fairly brief meeting, Tsuka's led around the compound; Ryugeju felt it might help him decide if he got to see everyone's hopes placed in him ans stuffs. He sees no brutality in the people he meets, even though they are in a fierce war. Most of them are injured, though. Hoshino remarks that since they believe Miroku-sama's coming along, they aren't afraid of anything. Aren't they low on medicine, though? Tsuka asks. Well, Ryugeju-sama's said the war will end soon, so that will probably be all right too. Tsuka feels a certain disconnect between this and the person he just met, but it's apparently true: Ryugeju came to their quarters last night, saying that the conflict would end and their lives would enter a new stage. She didn't say how it would end, though, so there is that.
Tsukasa does not comment, but is mentally amazed at the faith they have in Ryugeju-san.
After some more walking around the compound, our hero and NPC start to head back, when someone calls out to them... It's sure been a while, he says. He sounds very cheery. Offensively cheery, to me behind the screen.
It's the policeman who shot at Tsukasa. Tsukasa hasn't forgotten his face.
He is sorry about back then - but it's all right- for the Buddha is fair, the policeman claims. His index and middle fingers are missing from a bandaged hand.
He doesn't sound very sorry.
It's karma, Mr. Policeman claims. Everyone else from the police group has died miserably, and he expects to go soon himself.
Tsuka considers the guy to be laughing lightheartedly, with no subservience or madness showing on his face.
The policeman doesn't want to avoid his death, he says when asked. In fact, it's what he hopes for - it will take a huge load off his shoulders. He feels that dying for everyone else is "so humane it makes him cry". It's a good thing to do things for the right cause, he says. Yes, really. He used to be a public worker, after all — he has a desire to serve the public. But now, he does feel bad for saying he's a public worker... Well, he'll be going.
They have plans with the people at the school tonight, and have to get prepared - man, those school people sure are pitiful people who don't know what's right!
The policeman leaves with a laugh.
Tsukasa asks Hosho what this school business is about. Apparently, the Daichis have received a letter from the school - there is to be a public execution of the hostages tonight. It appears the Schoolers do this every time they capture someone, in fact - it's a trap, of course, but the Daichis can't just ignore it.
Well, considering the lovely treatment of prisoners at the school camp, maybe they're actually better off dead...
So, will there be another fight tonight then? Most likely, Hoshino says.
Fade to black.
The whole moral-greyness thing going on right now is interesting, isn't it? I mean, in a way the Daichis are better than the Schoolers. I certainly like them better at this point, even if they are weird.
Fade in, and we find that Takuma will now be assuming POV duties.
