October 6
Naoto returns to school, once again well. She thanks you for everything you did, and while she's still wearing the male uniform, everyone knows her true gender (perhaps the only Shadow-related secret that becomes widely known), much to the disappointment of some of the girls, while others are still interested. Thankfully, Naoto has acquired the confidence necessary to be herself, and she calls a meeting after school.
Naoto describes how she was ambushed and kidnapped by the culprit after answering the door. She determines that the culprit is a man- singular- who was able to kidnap Naoto and throw her into a TV in minutes. Naoto can't remember much else, but says that's unsurprising, given how strange everything is, and is unsurprised that the others had the same experience. Naoto concludes that all the cases are the same, except for Mitsuo killing King Moron, and in that case, Naoto suspects that Mitsuo didn't think to use the TV for murder, but did go inside. Unfortunately, Naoto can't ask Mitsuo any questions, having been kicked off the investigation for, among other things, suggesting that Mitsuo was falsely charged, since the police can't admit to being wrong now that they've charged a juvenile. The party, cynical as they are about the police's competence, are somewhat dismayed to hear this.
Yosuke chides Naoto about getting caught so easily, forcing Naoto to admit that she was scared. Yukiko, however, points out that no one else could resist the culprit, and that Naoto is both younger than them, and a girl. The latter sounds a bit sexist, but in Yukiko's defense, she clearly intended it as an afterthought. Yosuke somewhat condescendingly says Naoto "has balls, for a girl." Naoto changes the subject and asks to join the group now that the culprit is at large. You then get another rank in the Fool Social Link, and Teddie gives Naoto her glasses, prompting her to say she sympathizes with his desire to find himself.
Evening
Luckily, I had my evening free, so I went to the hospital one more time.
Devil Rank 10
Sayoko gives you an announcement- she's quitting the hospital. She says that for a long time, she grew to hate hospitals because she forgot that she originally wanted to save people, but now that she's remembered (thanks to you, "a kid with a rag in his hand,") she'll make her own path. She gives you her hospital ID (I do have to wonder if that's against the rules), and encourages you to make your own decisions.
You can continue working at the hospital, but Sayoko won't be there. Since I don't especially need the money, and maxed out my Courage, I don't see the need.
October 7
Naoto suggests that you all get checkups for you all, to find information on what Teddie is, or to make sure you're still fine after going to the TV World so often. Yosuke's creeped out by the prospect, but realizes Naoto has a point, while Chie's impressed by Naoto's intelligence.
Nothing out of the ordinary happens with the others, and Naoto and Teddie come back without any results on Teddie, who seems normal except for a blurry X-ray. Yosuke mentions doing a little Internet research about Jungian psychology, as did Naoto, who points out that the terms are from psychology, even if they're not used the same way- Shadows being suppressed power and Personas being controlled.
Teddie reveals that he has information on the girls' measurements. Rise's surprisingly calm about hers being released, casually noting that they're inflated by 2 cm, and teases Yukiko a little about her relatively flat chest, albeit pointing out a few reasons why it might not be such a bad thing. Rise's surprised at how well-endowed Naoto is, but Naoto snatches the papers away, declares they're fine and goes to shred the papers.
At the end, Teddie resolves to keep searching for his identity with your help, and the Star Social Link went up another rank.
Evening
I studied for the test''
October 8 Right on the heels of Naoto's return, another event comes up to consume your free time in Golden. Yosuke has some urgent news, which Naoto deduces is due to Kanamin taking on an "honorary chief" at an event at the Inaba PD, which was canceled due to Naoto's disappearance. Junes lost an opportunity to make a sale, which means that Yosuke's father is in a pinch. He asks Rise to help at Junes, and after she hears that his father might be fired if it falls through, forcing him to transfer out, she reluctantly agrees to handshakes and singing, with everyone else performing with her. After a moment, everyone realizes that they have hardly any experience with playing music, but Naoto decides to offer help because it's her fault it happened. Everyone offers to bring instruments while Rise comes up with a song.
The group comes up with a variety of instruments, including a Gong, which Yukiko chose because it "sounded Chinese-ish", and a pair of maracas that resemble Yosuke's knives, while Yukiko chooses a tambourine that reminds her of her fan. Everyone then gets roles, but there's one problem- hardly anyone knows their instruments, such as how to make notes or read music. Rise takes it in stride, but Yosuke begins to despair, suspecting he'll have to change schools after all.
Evening
I studied and finally maxed out my Knowledge.
October 9
You try playing music, but the music is off-key at best, some people can't make a sound, and Teddie strikes his tambourine without any warning or timing whatsoever, while trying to play it off as artistic. Naoto calls for a break, and everyone starts to wonder if it's impossible, until you step in to give a pep talk, revitalizing everyone's spirits, and causing Rise to get in on the act, resulting in everyone being willing to give practice another shot. Meanwhile, Yukiko, who'd been struggling with the saxophone in the background, finally gets a note.
You then move on to playing an actual run-through, which sounds like actual music. Everyone's pleased with the results, until they inadvertently remind each other of their time on the Midnight Channel (notably, even though everyone shows you the way to their respective dungeons, they really don't want to go back inside), until Chie gets them to cheer up. Teddie is only playing the tambourine, but says he has a special performance planned. Yosuke's having none of it, though, and says that unless Teddie sticks to the plan, he'll have to pay for every Topsicle he ate. The group then has one more practice session.
Evening
I folded origami and finally maxed out my Understanding
October 10
Everyone changes into their winter uniforms as a "costume" of sorts, and are terribly nervous- you can choose to deny it, admit it or exaggerate it. Yosuke notices someone in a green deliveryman uniform walk off, and Rise gives one more motivational speech, encouraging everyone to have fun so they can entertain the crowd.
A cutscene follows, showing the fully rehearsed song in all its glory. It goes quite well for a group of amateurs (plus one Idol Singer) who have only have had a weekend to practice, but the group runs into one problem- they only know one song and the crowd wants an encore, something Rise failed to consider. The only two options are to replay the song or quietly leave, neither of which is very attractive. Meanwhile, Yosuke notices that he recognizes the man.
Teddie gets fired up and crowdsurfs, which, much to Rise's dismay, rules out the possibility of an encore (although, to be fair to Teddie, this wasn't much of a choice). Yosuke considers diving into the crowd, much to Yukiko's excitement, and Chie and Rise's dismay. The guys then jump in, with you landing on your feet and the other two on their faces, much to their humiliation. On the plus side, you attract enough people to consider the event a success.
Evening
I went to the job board and took the tutoring job, even if I couldn't start it immediately
I drew a fortune for Eri. The game helpfully warns you that the fortunes aren't as good as spending time with the people at night, but in Eri's case, there is no option to do so.
October 11
Even though you're finished with the concert, you have to study together with your friends, with Nanako coming along as a spectator. You don't even get any Knowledge points out of the meeting, but you do get an extra rank with Teddie, as you discuss whether he might be a king of some sort in the other world.
Evening I finally started the Tower Social Link.
Tower Rank 1
You meet Shu Nakajima, a boy in middle school who's among the best students in his class (even if he's embarrassed by his mother talking about it), but wants a tutor to help get his grades up or college, and since the cram school isn't good enough, he turns to you. Of course, he also points out that if you're not up to his standards, either, he'll have you replaced. This gives you the opportunity to call him "a little prick," something that apparently happens to him on a regular basis.
You can offer to teach him PE, but while he isn't amused, this gives you points in Diligence, enough to give me a rank up. Whatever you choose, he does well at it, although he says that it's because of his intelligence.
The Tower Rank is fairly slow at first and requires holdover visits, but thankfully, it speeds up toward the end.
October 12
Another poorly timed rainy day happens just when you think you're free. With little else to do and all my relevant stats maxed out, I decided to go back into the TV world and level grind.
- OPTIONAL BOSS: Rampaging MachineParty: Yu (58), Yosuke(58), Chie(58), Yukiko(58), Rise(58)Personas: Kikuri-hime(64)
This is another optional boss without much in the way of special attacks, but with an easily exploitable elemental weakness. I sometimes take Naoto for this one instead of Chie, so that I can have three people to exploit the boss's vulnerability to Wind.
Toward the end of the fight, Chie reflected God's Hand back at the boss, doing 1,415 damage and killing it. Fun Fact- A Level 99, buffed, and Power Charged Yu with maxed stats and optimal equipment can use God Hand to do over 13,000 damage to the Rampaging Machine enemy in the dungeon.
October 13
Aeon Rank 8
Marie is exceptionally frustrated, as well as desperate for some sort of epiphany. She soon gives up, though, and is determined to give up on searching for her memory altogether. Nothing you say to her gets through, and she rebuffs you, but hints that she still hasn't quite accepted not being able to remember.
Evening
Since night time social links take the highest priority in most cases, I decided to tutor.
Tower Rank 2
Shu's mother brags about how he's the top-ranked in his class, and how talented he is. I've heard on the Values Dissonance page that bragging about one's child in Japan is highly frowned upon, but I suspect there's another reason why Shu's uncomfortable with Mrs. Nakajima praising him- it reinforces the idea that she only loves him as long as he's a good student. He insists that he's on top, but has to wonder if he'll be "set" if he gets into a good college. He doesn't respond well to any of the answers.
That said, for now, Shu doesn't think he needs to be, and so changes the subject. After asking you what "raison d'etre" means- (literally "reason to be" in French), he complains about how everyone else at school is a bunch of "kids." You can offer to stay afterward to tutor him, but that requires maximum Diligence. It doesn't get you any extra money, but does get you points with Shu.
October 14-15
I had exams, which went better than last time.
October 16
With a day off, I decided to progress on Death.
Death Rank 5
Hisano says it must be boring listening to your stories, and asks about you. She seems to think of you as a strong student who's from a large city and will break a lot of girls' hearts (perhaps literally, if you cheat on them). Whatever you say, she appreciates hearing it, and your link ranks up...
...but then she sadly says that she doesn't want to see you again. You have a few questions, and while a post-rank up choice might put you at risk of reversing or breaking the link, here, all choices lead Hisano to say that you remind her too much of her husband and then leave. Naturally, the link's far from over, but for now ,you have to go home.
October 17-19
My exams continued, and I aced them this time.
