September 18
I spent time with Rise, who's usually further along than this by this point.
Lovers Rank 5
Rise ponders how she was listless when she first came to the town, and asks you about whether you've ever felt like you were acting. She then gets back to her original subject, and says that Inaba is quite laid-back compared to where she came from (obviously with the exception of participating in a murder investigation), and her grandmother is less strict than her parents. Her grandmother doesn't ask too much about her hiatus, but simply compares her to tofu, essentially making the point that Rise's stronger than she seems and can do practically anything. Unfortunately, Rise's self-esteem isn't high enough to believe this, and she admits that she was bullied before she became Risette. Auditioning was a choice that was made for her by one of her relatives, but Rise went along with it in the hopes of changing herself and making friends. She didn't quite get what she wanted, though, as people only hung out with her due to her being Risette (which may or may not include you, depending on how you answer). However, she's decided that she's done being an idol, and wants to become a Rise people can like.
Evening
I ate a mushroom for a Courage boost. Courage has the most ways to advance it besides Knowledge, but it's nice to be able to take advantage of a rare opportunity like this one.
September 19
Aeon Rank 7
You and Marie start with what Mrs. Tatsumi said about the comb- that it was old and there might be something like it at a museum. You then decide to go to Old Main Daidara, the weapon and armor vendor, since, as you may recall if you go there, he calls his wares "art" (Aiya, the other choice, is obviously wrong, since it's a ramen shop).
Yukiko and Teddie are there, and after asking if you're on a date, Yukiko says she's buying supplies for the inn. I'm not sure what the inn could get at Daidara, since it's established in-game that they get their liquor from the Konishi store, used to deal with Marukyu Tofu, and get some supplies from Junes. Marie doesn't recognize Teddie out of his costume, and after getting that cleared up, you get onto why you're here. Yukiko and Teddie don't know much about the comb, but Old Man Daidara is amazed that while it seems old, it's in good condition, and the bamboo seems to be from another world.
Marie suffers another headache, and everyone splits up to get medical supplies. The headache soon passes, leaving her frustrated and beginning to doubt whether she'll ever regain her lost memories.
Evening
I ate at Aiya for Courage''
September 20
Hanged Man Rank 5
At Aiya, Naoki tells you what he wanted to say last time- he's considering quitting school to help his parents out. Ever since his neighbor got on his case, he's wondering what he can do, and since he at least has an idea (albeit one that's most likely detrimental to his long-term career), the best thing you can do is offer your encouragement. He knows that his store doesn't have a long history, and inheriting it's never been his goal, but it's as good a place as any to start. He also asks why his sister died- not who or what killed her- but why she had to die and leave his family in such a situation. It sounds selfish, but it's reasonable to conclude that losing a loved one and suffering hardship through no fault of one's own is tragic and unfair.
Evening
I ate at Aiya for some more Courage.
September 21
Moon Rank 3
Ai gets bored with her shopping, and surprisingly enough, the best choice is to ask her to come with you. At this point, it shifts back to the part in which you have to kiss up to Ai again, as she proudly states that she's doing you a favor by managing your club and letting you shop with her. Then a student from Yasogami comes up to her, and Ai turns him down for not being good-looking enough. All the choices are at least somewhat critical of her, but whatever you do, do not pick option #3. Calling her cruel will immediately reverse the Social link, and you'll need time and expression to get her to hang out with you again.
In any case, if you choose one of the other three, Ai will say that he doesn't appeal to her, so there's no point in getting his hopes up, and goes home in a bad mood.
Evening
I worked at the hospital. At least all these sessions that don't advance the link give me Courage.
September 22
I chose to hang out with Yosuke again
Magician Rank 7
At Junes, the two girls are back to their old tricks again, complaining about being forced to work Saturdays. Yosuke asks if they've been taking time off without asking, and one weakly protests that she "forgot." They accuse Yosuke of playing favorites with Kazumi, like he did with Saki, and then proceed to badmouth her. There's three choices to get them to be quiet or stick up for Yosuke, but the most satisfying is "Shut up!", one of the few times your character gets visibly angry.
The girls plan on tearing into you, but Yosuke finally snaps and yells at them, saying she's a better person than either of them, and he doesn't care if she seemed flawed or hated him. The two girls are at a loss for words and leave. You can then comfort Yosuke, and if you choose "You were just upset," it unlocks an additional choice later. Yosuke isn't all that much better after what you say, and after some Heroic Self-Deprecation, he gets worried about the two of them quitting, and considers talking to his father and apologizing. Considering that they're hardly model workers and there's a fair amount of competition, perhaps Junes is better off without them. In any case, Yosuke apologizes and then leaves.
Evening
I went to the hospital again, which maxed out my Courage.
Devil Rank 8
Hardly anything happens here. You overhear a conversation between Sayoko and a doctor who's half concerned about her, and half more interested in the person she used to be. She brushes him off by saying that she has work to do, and complains that while she knows it isn't helping, she can't stop. This is a rarity among social links in which not only are there no opportunities to gain points, but there are no dialogue options, period. It looks like there'll be a few more holdover visits, but without any Courage benefit.
September 23
I worked at the daycare to increase my Understanding and get close to another rank up.''
Evening
I worked at the hospital again. It's unfortunate, but some days happen in which you're not able to get another rank, but merely progress toward one.
September 24
Temperance Rank 6
At daycare, Yuuta, while playing with another kid, fibs about knowing a move to Phoenix Featherman. On the way home, he turns to you and admits that he's never watched it because Eri's always watching TV. If you propose that he just ask, he'll say that he's afraid to- fear seems to be a recurring obstacle to these two getting closer.
Of course, all this goes out the window when he meets Eri, as he remains uncommunicative, and she tries to guess what he wants. Once he's gone, you can tell Eri the answer, which is Phoenix Featherman R. Both of the wrong choices only serve to offend Eri- money isn't a viable solution, while "a loving mother" only serves to compare her to Yuuta's biological mother- while causing you to find the actual answer later. In any event, this rank is a bit more productive than the others, since Eri actually has an idea of what to do, even if she didn't come up with it herself.
Evening
I ate at Aiya for Understanding.
September 25
I spent time at the daycare center, pursuing the elusive fifth Understanding rank and hoping to get closer to the end. The Temperance Social Link is probably my least favorite because of how much time you have to put into it.
September 26
Evening I worked at Shiroku, but while it was raining, the customer who gives Understanding wasn't there.
September 27
Sun Rank 8
You come in and the situation has once again turned for the worse. Mr. Ozawa's ex-wife and daughter are at his side, but he barely seems aware of them. Yumi's in tears, apologizing for treating him so harshly, but he doesn't hold it against her, and neither does Mrs. Ozawa, who says that Yumi may have a harsh tongue, but it's for the sake of protecting herself. Mr. Ozawa apologizes for what he did, and tells Yumi that he named her what he did because it means "to bear fruit", and he wants her life to be full of good things, something Yumi initally doesn't understand. Unfortunately, Mr. Ozawa then breathes his last, before Yumi can tell him she's grateful.
Yumi comes out, in tears, and you can comfort her before you go home together.
September 28
Emperor Rank 7
Kanji drops off the dolls for the boy, who offers to pay him for the materials, but he won't accept it. Nanako makes her appearance here, and is interested in learning how to make them- you can gain points by sharing that interest (or embarrass Kanji by telling him not to call you "bro"). After Nanako and the boy leave, Kanji realizes that strength is more than about fighting, but doesn't quite know what else it's about. You can choose either his "weak heart" or his past, or decline to answer, but Kanji's unsure of whether he's changed at all. He concludes that being strong is difficult, and the rank goes up. He also notes that his mother wants to sell things like this, and wonders why the textile shop would want to sell things that have been knit.
'September 29
Sun Rank 9'
Once again, Yumi's back at practice, but she doesn't participate with the others. After practice ends, she reveals she's no longer comfortable with acting, or with becoming a different her, since her father, the only person like him in the world, is gone. She admits that for a long time, she didn't know what to do, but the only thing that comes to mind is to think about why he named her.
Evening
I went to the hospital again and got a rank up.
Devil Rank 9
A nurse informs you that Sayoko's workaholic tendencies have caught up to her, and she's collapsed. Sayoko complains that the others want to get rid of her because she pressures them to do their jobs, but they honestly seem afraid of her. It then falls on you, one of the few coworkers she respects, to get through to her, and while she harshly rebuffs your first statement, she can't so easily dismiss your second choice- an Armor-Piercing Question or Armor-Piercing Response that questions her motives and forces her to admit that it's all for her own sake. The epiphany comes almost instantly, but Sayoko wants some time alone.
'September 30
Temperance Rank 7
After daycare, Yuuta asks whether you told his mother about him wanting to watch Featherman R. Despite being surprised, he's also grateful, even if he doesn't know how to show it. He asks if Mother's Day is already over (it would be, even if you did this link at every opportunity and got a rank up every time). Yuuta then comes up with the idea of finding a four-leaf clover and giving her as many as he can find by the next Mother's day.
Yuuta runs off as Eri arrives, and she wonders if he's afraid of her- the best responds is that both of them are. She wonders if he hates her, but resolves to give it some time while confiding in you.
Evening
I studied.
October 1
I went to Aiya for the Beef Bowl.
Evening
I folded Origami for Understanding, so that I can begin the Tower Social Link.
October 2
Death Rank 4
Hisako has gotten back from her husband's "tsuki menichi" (since it's an inherently Japanese tradition, it makes sense to refer to it by its Japanese name)- if you don't know what it is, she explains it to you. Apparently, the cemetery is nearby, which may be why you can find her at the Samegawa Flood Plains. She talks a little about death, such as how some people welcome it, and asks if you understand. The answer doesn't matter, because she reveals the point about herself- she wanted it too much, which is why she became Death.
Evening I went to Aiya for Understanding.;
October 3
Temperance Rank 8
Eri meets with Mrs. Nakamura, who's Yuuta's teacher, while Yuuta goes off to play. An interesting bit about Japanese language comes into play, as while in English, the two women would probably call each other "Mrs" or "Ms." based on preference if they don't use first names, Eri is referred to as "Minami-san," and calls the teacher "Nakamura-sensei." After briefly asking you who you are (and you can lie and claim to be her husband), Mrs. Nakamura complains about Yuuta's attitude as a city kid, which is why she has to make extra lesson copies, and suggests that his slightly violent streak might make him a criminal someday. With that, Mrs. Nakamura leaves while apologizing for bothering Eri.
Eri's clearly upset, because while Mrs. Nakamura comes off as self-centered and obnoxious, the other wives like her better than they do Eri, who's a second wife and an outsider, something that may explain why everyone seems to badmouth her more than she deserves, flawed as Eri may be. Eri then blames Yuuta. No matter what you say, Eri bursts into tears, causing Yuuta to run up and punch you to the ground, accusing you of bullying his mother. Eri insists that you did nothing wrong, but feels better, saying goodbye and calling Yuuta by his proper name for the first time.
October 4
I went to Aiya for the Beef Bowl since it was raining
Evening
I think I went to the hospital again, but couldn't advance the link this time.
October 5
I studied in the library.
Evening
I watched the Midnight Channel, which showed nothing. Meanwhile, our mystery person is back and even more agitated.
