The following Social Links are basically unchanged:
The old couple, Mutatsu, Akinari, Tanaka (barring a few more gendered comments), Maiko, Bebe (save for a few moments of openly flirting and wistful yearning over you finishing a scarf that you can give as a gift)
♠ Unlike Elizabeth, he is less UNHINGED. But that's ok because he's an adorable fucking nerd that wants to act like he knows stuff when he's a complete ALIEN DUMMY
♠ ??? When you get the Battle Panties for fusing a Jack Frost with Dia... he says 'my tastes in battle attire don't go that way' OKAY??? lmao??
♠ When you bring him the Pine Resin, he grumbles about being forced to eat plates of soybean powder. ELIZABETH...
♠ Unlike Elizabeth fearlessly running up the down escalator, Theo seems intimidated by them. You can politely hold his hand and 'escort' him up and on the escalator and he gets proud of himself at the top like a little nerd.
♠ He also fussily pinches your cheeks at the takoyaki stand, making sure they aren't falling off. ALSO THE TAKOYAKI LADY THOUGHT HE WAS CUTE AND GAVE HIM A TAKOYAKI CELLPHONE STRAP... girl same.
♠ Convinced there's a psychological trap to how soft and appealing the Jack Frost doll. BROTHERRRRR. "Its charm is in complete contrast to the horrors of what this doll actually does to me..." BROTHEEEERRRRR he's such an anxious little puppy man
♠ EYYYY you can actually take him to the film festival to watch tear-jerkers! Mans doesn't get romance at all but was heavily impacted with empathy.
♠ HE DRANK AIGIS' MACHINE OIL?? SIR????
♠ Shrine visit date! He mentions he can sense things that aren't Shadows nearby, and teases you by saying there's one behind you. He's always flustered if you question whether he knows something. Like Elizabeth, he dumps an unfathomable amount of yen in there... all the money I used to summon Personas huh... he wishes for our safety, praying aloud even if it flusters him. When you joke about praying for his safety, he calls himself an "Avatar of Power". Then he eagerly goofs off on the playground equipment.
♠ Unlike Elizabeth hiding behind Minato for the school visit, Theo reads the peeks from students as them having 'keen eyes' and sensing Hamuko's power, offering to stand in front protectively. Nerd. He's disappointed that there's no school lunch, but decides to buy some bread for himself and for Igor as well (aww). In the classroom, instead of quizzing you, he sits in a student's desk and waits to be quizzed.
♠ Your final visit with Theo is in your own room. Your room naturally feels the most 'you' to him - he describes it as having your 'scent', which he dares to say he likes. Even he's not too oblivious to realize how that sounded. "You wish to compound my sins?" L E L
A second-year who had studied abroad and taken off from school, who's two years older. So she's the oldest student in school right now.
Rank 2
Working in the library is VERY dull, but Saori appreciates you responding with pep and enthusiasm. She is relieved when you say that you would've been receptive to her coming to chat, despite her being self conscious about her age and reputation.
Rank 4
A guy asks Saori out to karaoke. You accuse her of being a bit of a doormat, and she just laughs and says she prefers to let someone else lead, that she doesn't really have 'thoughts of her own' and that she just wants to find someone that needs her. Giiiirl... r u sure...
Rank 5
:Y Turns out the guy was cheating on his girlfriend and he blamed Saori for 'seducing' him.
Rank 6
People are sketched out every time they show up and see Saori there. Poor gal... while we get assigned to writing articles for the school newsletter, Saori lets loose a little and tries... GASP... a cuss!!
Rank 7
Called over the PA to go to the faculty office? Oh great, it's Ekoda. Turns out someone used Saori's photo and some salacious 'interview' for a magazine to get Saori in trouble, making it sound like she was slutty and openly sexual and getting the school's reputation in trouble. She gets suspended... afterwards she talks about how she always 'felt' older than her peers, even before she was literally older. Says that she thought she got along better with adults, even if when they say "I love you" it's a lie. She admits that she doesn't know what to do anymore, since being polite and demure was all she did to meet the approval of the adults around her.
Rank 8
School committee meeting... unfortunately the situation with the other students hasn't improved. And the bombshell for this meeting - Saori might be getting transferred to another school entirely. Even her own parents are calling her an embarrassment and a shame, disgusting.
Rank 9
More of the same reputation - some boys calling her 'easy' or saying 'it's like she can't say no'. EUGH. At least Saori appreciates your sentiment that you want to go punch them. She doesn't care if anyone else has the wrong idea... but she wants you, as her friend, to know her better. But you have your suspicions about how true that is, with how severe the bullying is. You decide to encourage her to use the school PA to announce and clear up the air after that damaging BS - fuck all that shit, we'll get in trouble if need be, this needs to be said! You block Ekoda's entry, let Saori get her chance to speak. Despite Ekoda being a little bitch, Toriumi and Enouishi both 'take over' and help the girls skirt away unperturbed from the whole thing. It was a good thing and all the women understand and agree.
Sunday Karaoke
She talks about how people got the weird idea that she was slutty or "a player" because of her age and being overseas. Nowadays, she finds it much easier to laugh it off.
Rank 10
Students in general no longer seem to be treating Saori like the plague, at least! Which is nice, because this is the very last time we see her before she goes off to that private school. She's learned that she needs to take more agency in her life - I'd argue that "everything that happened to me is my fault" is absolutely ridiculous but it IS better for her to want to think and act for herself, now. Girl you REALLY didn't have to admit your first love was apparently your uncle, between that and your lesson from your family of 'don't think for yourself' i'm like GIRL R U OK--
This route starts out pretty much identical to how it is with Minato
Rank 8 Once the teacher wants to accuse you, they say "You're just an adolescent interested in the girls too, huh?" Hidetoshi says he won't rat on us; he otherwise says "Keep an eye on that teacher - you realize why he has an eye on you". Which. I guess???
Rank 9 "That teacher isn't a complete numbskull. 'Fall for a girl', huh..." and he jokes about only being human and having feelings, too. Cutie.
Max "One day... will I be able to stand at your side?" BABY IM SORRY....
In short, Rio is frustrated and tired with her teammates not taking the club or the sport very seriously.
Rank 2
The rest of the team bails because they don't want to take it seriously.
Rank 3
The rest of the team fucked off on a group date and Rio was angry as fuck that they all hid it and lied to her. Those still there act like assholes and threaten to quit - Rio appreciates your presence.
5/24 Hangout
She takes you to Hakagure and alludes to her friendship with Kenji.
Rank 4
Enter: Kenji! Not much about him really - Rio reflects on the team abandoning her because of the group date thing. She doesn't really 'get' romance.
Rank 5
Kenji shows up looking for the teacher he's hitting on (barf) and is a pain in the ass. "I was kidding! You shouldn't waste a pretty face on getting angry" gets Rio flustered and flabbergasted. "You shouldn't say things you don't mean". Could go either way here. "Love... 'just happens'? It'll never 'just happen' to me."
Hangout on 7/5
Girl time sharing a cake!! Rio gossips over a girl whining and opining over Akihiko being in the same dorm as us and how it's 'not fair', and says that someone should just go admit their feelings. GIRL SAME BRAIN CELL just GO FOR IT.
Rank 6
Rio's distant today... she overheard Kenji and the teacher he's hitting on (barf) and she's worried they might start dating. And after a bit, is burning with sadness and jealousy. She realizes she's got a crush on Kenji and is devastated. You send her off with a hug, poor thing. Girl he is so trash you can do so much better.
Rank 7
The big team apology! Everyone apologizes for being assholes about Rio being pushy when they forced her to be the leader in the first place, and in turn Rio apologizes for talking down on them for their romantic interests. "It's tough being in love". This naturally explodes the team into girly gossiping, but eh!! It's a bonding moment.
Hangout
Getting dragged out to takoyaki! Rio asks about how to be more 'girly'/femme.
Rank 8
Rio's distant and uncertain... the team encourages her to confess to Kenji. Nothing ventured, etc. It's your decision. With a bit of a moment to reflect and realize that knowing she's going to be hurt isn't much better than being stuck in her unresolved feelings, and with some encouragement from us and from the team, she gets up the drive to go talk to Kenji. ...The actual confession doesn't seem to go super well, but Rio seemed cheered up by the fact that everyone was backing her up and that Kenji said he liked her as much as ramen (nerds, both of them).
Rank 9
Rio's perked back up! The whole team, too, is a lot more IN on playing. Everyone realizing that Rio's just a teen girl like everyone else helped a ton... even if Rio credits us with bringing the team together, it really is that everyone got onto the same page, finally.
Rank 10
The vibes are fantastic, Rio is having a grand time... and chatting just with her, she talks about how she was SO excited about volleyball way back when. She has a beginner's guide that is so dog-eared from her reading it over and over... she's happy she finally gets to have fun with it.
RANK 1 Yukari takes you to the cafe and brings up her explaining her trauma about her father's death to you that day - apologizing because she realizes it might not have been fair of her to do that. Not everyone reacts the same way to grieving, and you had lost BOTH of your parents. She explains that she's... grateful to know you and have someone else that has that shared trauma - it's difficult to hear people complain about their parents at school, for example.
"But I hate feeling that way, so I hide it... And because I can't tell anyone that, I feel distant..." And after saying she felt like you could save her from that loneliness, she apologizes again.
RANK 2 We go to the flower shop! She says she wants a room full of flowers someday, and asks your favorite - the best options are either energetic sunflowers, roses or geberas.
"Roses seem to have this mature, adult woman feeling to them..." Sunflowers? "Seems about right. They fit you." Tulips? The only one she's meh about; "I thought only elementary school kids liked those. But I gotta admit, they do smell nice." Gerbera? "Oh, I like those too. It's like they're cute, but full of energy too. I like how they come in so many different colors."
Hmm... for my characterization of Hamuko, while there's two options feeding into the idea of her being peppy, I'm picking roses. Big romo doofus.
Her mom used to LOVE flowers and decorate with them all over. She opens up about having a lot of nostalgia for flowers, having mixed feelings about how they'll wither and die but still having love for them in general.
RANK 3
Paulownia Mall! We have to help a kid that was left behind with just some money that's crying and scared. We dig more into Yukari's relationship with her mom... which is, in short, terrible. Apparently after her dad died, her mom was more neglectful and focused more on herself and her 'boyfriends'. Unfortunately, it all sours her mood and the plan to do karaoke drops.
RANK 4
Just like with MC route, a mall trip is interrupted by Yukari's phone call with her mom. Unlike with Minato, though, after going through the frustration of the conversation, you're dragged along for shopping instead of being asked to call off the hangout - presumably it's easier for Yukari to loosen up and be herself around another girl.
RANK 5
The rank where Yukari's wallet is stolen, and she gets confronted at the train station - not any different than it is with Minato aside from the thugs being gross at you too and bystanders actually intervening to call the cops rather than Hamuko beating up thugs (lame). She's still shaking mad at herself for internally asking for help.
RANK 6
Yukari brings us to Wuck to apologize for getting mad and making no sense. She asks if it made you mad. It's more clear that it's about a friendship and trust than Yukari's ability to let herself trust a guy - her dynamic with her gal friend is a lot more open and not as heavily loaded and charged the way her relationship with guys is (based on how she is about her mom)
RANK 7
Oh boy, Yukari brings us out to the strip mall and is complaining about how all the food is fattening. Girl we go climb Tartarus every few nights and run and fight like crazy, you're allowed some treats.
You manage to grab Yukari and pull her out of the way before a car hits her, SHEESH. Our hand got skinned a bit from the tumble, and Yukari notices after being stunned, before yelling at us for helping. "What were you gonna do if you died??" If you shoot the question back at her, she gets frustrated - first saying 'you're our leader' before asking "What would I do if you died? I'm sick of all the people around me dying!" And... sheesh... yeah.... that's only gonna get worse too.
RANK 8
Let's get matching earrings, that'd be cute!! Apparently our ears aren't pierced?? She suggests matching chokers. Just completely non sapphic girl things. Either way, as expected, Yukari's mom calls and interrupts the fun to ask for Yukari's blessing to get married. Unlike with Minato, again, after a stressful conversation she's instead still comfortable to spend time with a gal pal.
RANK 9
Musing on whether the Pheromone Coffee actually has an effect or not. She admits she's thinking about looking for a boyfriend. Her friendship with you made her realize that she could love deeply and wholly, that happy memories matter and help survive and thrive after losing someone... she likes the new 'Yukari', and she's so happy with herself.
RANK 10
Invited to Yukari's room! She asks what music you listen to - any genre seems to amuse her. I picked 'foreign music' since that reflects me IRL too, big fondness for music from all over. After some chatting, she gives you the special phone strap that her dad gave her... talking about how she used to talk to it, how she wants to stop until she feels confident she won't run away from her present, her future and her feelings. She wants to talk with her mom, to reminisce about dad. She decides she'll worry about boys later - it's more fun to girl-talk!
Hangouts
1)'Strawberry rice cake with red beans' so, daifuku? Your favorite is Daifuku, lmao.
2) Going to the media store, Yukari doing what she can within her budget. With me playing NG+ I'm like. Man why can't I buy stuff for my friends here? LMAO. I have millions of yen!! But she asks if you're good at saving money and is impressed if you make an effort.
3) She gets stuck with decision paralysis with the Wakatsu menu. Girl saaaame.... at least we can get both dishes she wants and split 'em both!
You have to have high Charm to even ask Akihiko on a date thanks to his fangirls.
RANK 1
Akihiko brings you to ramen! He orders you an extra large. He's eating tons of food, and teases you a bit for having a smaller appetite, a bit infantilizing. But he's looking out for you and your leadership.
RANK 2
Brought to the shrine! You two agree to be exercise/training partners, and he's impressed if you can pull off a particularly athletic move (and flustered if you tease him that he couldn't, either). Here he zones out a bit, saying that he needs to be stronger to protect what matters.
Rank 3
He gets defensive when you make an incredulous expression getting brought to the beef bowl shop. Then of course he gets accosted by some extremely eager fangirls - rescue the poor guy by being enthusiastic to get some beef bowls and wiggle your way on inside.
When you come back out he notices the girls disappeared and wonders if they wanted to eat beef bowls too. BOY.... you get the chaotic option to answer "not in the way you think" and he's just. Perplexed, confused. SON BOY.......... but when you ask what his Type is, he just awkwardly says he doesn't want to deal with it, doesn't think he can carry that burden.
RANK 4
WHEEZE... he started out all distant and uneasy before asking if you're dating Junpei. SWEETHEART... he says there's been rumors about it but you confide that no, you aren't dating anyone. And he seems to perk up, admitting he didn't like rumors and felt bad for confronting you over one like a gossip.
RANK 5
Akihiko takes you to the sweets shop because he heard girls like sweets... HONEY BUN... turns out the girls from before were the ones spreading rumors that you were dating Junpei and Aki is also facing guff for picking you out for whatever reason - but there's a mutual understanding that it's neither person's fault any of that happened. He also requests pancakes, since you're in the cooking club with Fuuka.
RANK 6
We go out to eat at Wildduck burger, auditory accosted by a screaming child and the mom screaming back. Kids should be able to just.. be kids, he says. And he admits that he's an orphan, and that his little sister passed away as well.
Sunday Outing!
Out for ramen today! He's frustrated - a girl a grade under him asked him on a date. Even though he rejected her, she is still trying - and he's frustrated because he doesn't know how to reject her without hurting her feelings, despite being uncomfortable with the amount of attention he's getting. Even if he feels bad lying, he does agree it'd be a bit easier and says he should get you to play the part of the girlfriend he has already.
Also, he loves sweet potato fries.
RANK 7
Another ramen day, though today he awkwardly tries to ask, 'how are you doing physically'. He admits seeing you fighting is frustrating and upsetting to him, it 'makes him mad'. He struggles to find the words for the feeling of his anxiety, but he does find you reliable. But he wonders if there's a way for you to NOT have to fight... he's coming to realize, in real time, that he wishes he could protect you from harm even if he relies on you as a leader.
Sunday hangout!
Chatting casually at the burger joint! Apparently there's plans for a pool to be made in the area, which has Aki rambling about exercising with swimming. When he invites you, naturally, I pick the option to tease about wearing a cute swimsuit for him.
To progress past Rank 7, Aki has to mature himself.
RANK 8
Out to the shrine, today... Aki seems a bit down. After asking if he can confide in you (yes, of course), he quietly ventures into talking about Miki. He expresses his grief, his anger, and asks if you would help him bear the pain. "I... might be seeing Miki in you. But if that's not what it is, these feelings I have... ... ..."
Sunday Hangout!
Beef bowl day! He talks about how he only really knows junky fast food places, even though he wants to watch out for his health. He wonders if it would be different if he could cook like Shinji. There's one trick that Shinji taught him, though, for cup ramen - it isn't putting an egg in (though that's good), it's heating up sesame oil and putting it in there too.
RANK 9
Up to the rooftop - it's a little nostalgic for Aki, since Shinji used to ditch class and go there instead. He says that he was holding things a bit at arm's length, to make it easier and less likely he would lose someone like he lost Miki... but he doesn't want to do that anymore. He wants to protect who matters to him - Ken, Mitsuru, and you. Silly idiot furrows his brows trying to will a confession out, you DOOFUS. He can't even really realize that that's what he's feeling, you have to tell him he's got a crush on you - ABSOLUTE DINGUS. my god he is so stupid I love him
RANK 10
Aki takes us out to Hakagure and goes 'damnit, bad place for a serious conversation'. Goofball. And passes a little stuffed rabbit; "Don't you think it looks like you?" He explains that for a while, he thought he was seeing Miki in us, but once he got the little rabbit, he realized he wasn't. For a long time, he tried to ignore toy stores because they always made him think of Miki first - but for the first time, a stuffed rabbit came across his attention and his very first thought was of you. "And then I thought about Miki... I thought about her smiling..." He's grateful for their shared friends, how they've all been growing and maturing, and how they can count on each other. "You seem like the type to carry a burden silently... you can always count on us."
You have to have high Courage to endure... the FOOD TESTS....
RANK 1
The cooking club is established and hough god... Fuuka's first dish is bad, naturally. She's looking for a friend to help her figure the cooking thing out. First thing we make together is dog food!
RANK 2
Chocolate truffles, today! Girl is STRUGGLING with following recipe instructions.... GIRL HOW DID YOU MISTAKE RICE VINEGAR FOR LIQUOR??
RANK 3
Sweet fries! Oh god okay this MIGHT be okay. She's at least figured out that oil could theoretically substitute butter which is a SANE observation. More importantly, getting used to the oven and proving to be quite good with machines is what she gets into next and it's a relief to her to not be bullied for not being 'girly' enough. NAH, we're besties, you can be your nerd self AND we can try to be cute and cook EZ.
...She still borked her fries so the oil choice might have been wrong, she might've cut them wonky/unevenly, but all things considered it was only texture and a slight taste problem which is actually a big improvement.
RANK 4
Fuuka gets into her struggles - she has a hard time imagining things turning out right and trusting herself or the recipe she's working with, and tends to overcompensate or make poor calls. While she has a lot of fondness for machines, she feels like she's not really able to fill a niche to help the team - the Kirijo group easily can handle any advanced tech needs, after all. But we're buddies, we'll figure out something together - that's what matters most.
Making sugar cookies!! "You somehow defended the dough from all of Fuuka's attempts to deviate from the recipe." THAT ABOUT SUMS IT UP YEAH...
RANK 5
Cupcakes, today!! Nothing too exciting - we followed the recipe save for a little improv of adding bananas to the batter. Fuuka's learning to pay attention a lot more and while she's a little frustrated that her own attempts to deviate cause Problems, she's gaining confidence.
RANK 6
Fuuka's ready to take on a challenge on her own!! So we make something ourselves, repeating a prior recipe. Turns out she was looking into making onigiri since they're a bit foolproof, and did a ton of research - and she did a fantastic job!! Made with love, indeed!
RANK 7
More practicing what we know... Fuuka messes up the rice, making it too watery, but the lesson here is to not beat herself up and catastrophize but instead to make the best of a mistake. In this case, going for rice porridge instead of rice balls, since it was too wet!
RANK 8
Today, Fuuka just watched as I cooked so she could take notes! She realized that she wants to try and approach things from an angle she might be better about, instead of being hyper-fixated on her own shortcomings. She's grateful that we were there to see through those shortcomings and encourage her anyway. "I should also try to like myself for who I am."
RANK 9
She's mastered onirigi!! "There's 22 conditions that need to be met for onigiri" silly... goofy... you dingus. "Thinking about how to fix your mistakes is how to really put forth a better effort" - she learned how to stop just throwing herself at the wall and wondering why her results weren't changing.
RANK 10
It's time, the final cooking project - we're gonna make a decorated cake!! Fuuka's made herself a system, using notes and taking her time very carefully to make sure she doesn't make mistakes and throw off her rhythm. You get to write the exciting little message on the chocolate plate for decoration, then get invited to Fuuka's room to actually sit and eat it in leisure. She says it's as good as what's in the stores (despite the cake being a bit too firm and the whip being water, BUT those are such minor problems - this is a huge step up for Fuuka.)
Hangouts
1)Sweets shop visit! She muses briefly about how she's been happy for a while now, before asking if they use charcoal to make anmitsu black. GIRL NO FOR THE LOVE OF GOD - you can be a monster and say 'soy sauce' but the right answer is the red beans.
I go ahead and give her the cute phone strap I made. She loooves it, admires that you can make all kinds of different things.
He drags you to a movie to start out! Junpei's frustrated at the movie having a complex villain, saying it's not fun to beat up someone who isn't just a mustache twirler.
Taking you to the burger joint, he jokes that people are gonna get the "wrong idea". He's surprised that you aren't openly chatting about boys. "Actually, I know you probably have your hands full with other stuff. Me too..."
Rank 3
'Guys can't come to cafes with each other' huh. Even so, he actually seems to know a bit about coffee and can recognize good taste. If you order hot chocolate, he calls it a girly drink but seems happy? Probably just feeling like he's getting to know you - he would have also liked it if you said you got a coffee.
He offers to be your wingman if you're looking for guys, LMAO. He jokes about you 'stealing' Akihiko from all his fawning fangirls, saying like it'd be out of a manga. You could say 'don't talk about him like that' for +2 but joking that you'll give it a try he'll back you up. Likely wants to feel reliable and a good friend!
Rank 4
On the way to have ramen after school, you both encounter a drunk out in public wanting to start shit. Junpei opens up about his trauma involving alcoholics. Despite him saying that he's jealous of your parents being dead, he is genuinely apologetic if you push back.
Rank 5
Junpei treats us to ramen, worried about us and grateful that our demeanor is still pretty chipper. Apparently there are photos of us in our gym clothes floating around, centered on us in particular - Junpei is worried for you and your safety in particular.
RANK 6
Kenji appears! Junpei harangues him about the sketchy photos in case it's him. We get dragged to go look at the photography club, see if they have any leads or answers. Keisuke is a cutie a sweetie pie a sweetheart and very helpful thank you, doll Junpei's focused on this because he doesn't want this all to ruin our social life - it feeds into his general nature being protective of women, even if he's kind of a mess about it, probably a LOT to do with how his parents interacted I bet.
RANK 7
Chatting over ramen, Junpei muses uncertainly about what he'll be doing in ten years. You can reassure him - he'll be great. He asks if there's something only he can do - it's best if you don't bring up his Persona, naturally, because he's asking about the future.
RANK 8
Helping a bro out in the library with his studies... rip bozo. At least today, he actually tried hard thanks to getting encouragement. He takes a moment to genuinely praise you, after having been so harsh before. Notices that you're always giving it your all, in every way you can. Though there's an interruption of catching the guy peeking with the camera, which has Junpei insist that you be careful (especially if you're like I'M GONNA FIGHT THAT GUY--)
RANK 9
We head to the shrine. He's got a bruise under his eye... he gets flustered if you ask "who did it" like you're gonna get in a fight for your bestie (correct). "Seeing someone way smaller than me put their all into something... it made me feel ashamed of myself" - basically he realized he needed to actually try in his life. He'd wanted to chase down who was taking pictures because he wanted you, a reliable and independent person, to trust him and give him self worth. He realizes now that that was silly, that helping people is something friends do regardless.
RANK 10
He takes you out for ramen to give you the little piggy keychain he used to use for his house keys. He's giving them to you because he's scared of seeing his dad and no longer running from that... and he trusts you to back him up. And he reminds you that he's there for you... not just out of a self-serving sense of trying to gain self worth from doing so, but because he cares about you.
Hangouts!
1)'gurl how did you eat that much??' but he is absolutely down with how stubborn you can be. Basically, WHO CARES what people think?
2) You go to the arcade! He gets STOKED if you pick the fighting games, he lets you pick the characters to use.
3) Beef bowl time! He apologizes about bringing up parents and parental trauma. He very, very much doesn't want you to worry about it.
4) Karaoke!! He says it's a good way to vent off feelings, even joking that they should go shout at the ocean, lmao.
We are NOT doing the romance route!! Absolutely not. Atlas what were you all thinking? We will just completely conveniently go with the options where it doesn't exist and any Ken crushing on Hamuko is completely one-sided.
Rank 1
Just getting to know him. Taking him out to Wakatsu for dinner. He talks a bit about how convenience store food just... isn't as good as what his mom used to cook, and that he wishes he'd have praised her for it.
Rank 2
You take him out to eat at Wakatsu - Ken seems dispirited, but eventually you can get him talking about Featherman R. Bonding with him over sentai shows perks him up, revitalizes his appetite.
Rank 3
A remark on the rice being dry at the restaurant leads to you suggesting you could bring him during earlier hours instead. He rebuffs, "I'm just being shy", that you should have fun with your friends and he's just grateful to be included once in a while. Apparently honey makes rice taste better when you cook? That and 'food made with love' were things he learned from manga. When you say you read manga too, he replies, "but you're an adult? And a girl, too..." and he seems tickled by you saying you just can't stop reading them. After rambling about a series he really loves, he cuts himself off... even attempts to ask for more or show mutual enthusiasm don't quite perk him back up, since he seems to be thinking he needs to grow up out of it.
Rank 4
Ken's fixated on his smallness, asking whether it's true that you need to eat well to grow up right. He asks, "You'd prefer someone more like Akihiko, right?" sir....... I know you have a baby crush but come on....
After 10/4
He brings you to the alleyway... all he does is mourn. All he needs is you there for him.
Rank 5
He's struggling to eat his calcium meal. Ken feels guilty for doing all of the sharing and talking. He admits, after some thought, that he threw away all of the fighting manga he was reading before - "Fighting isn't a good thing" "It was exciting to see a bunch of bad guys die". He realizes that it was childish, and not appropriate for him. You reassure him, that despite his feelings, he's okay the way he is now. Now is when he admits that he wants you to notice him. Sorry, kiddo...
Rank 6
Today he's chowing down. After a little chat about his calligraphy lesson, he admits to liking omurice, which you offer to make. He remarks that everyone in the dorm is very sweet to him - making sure he gets nice things, sharing treats or toys or such in a 'subtle' way to not belittle him. Junpei getting snacks with toys and only keeping the snacks, Yukari offering to get ice cream for them but skipping on it herself, so on. He says he doesn't want pity, that no one needs to be nice - we reassure him, "That's just how I am."
Rank 7
Instead of going out, tonight, you decide to make omurice for him in the dorm kitchen. We sit and eat. SIGH... he admits that he wouldn't like if we were dating anyone. "A kid like me shouldn't be butting into personal stuff like that!" YEAH, HONEY, YOU SHOULDN'T. Romance is just not on the table.
Rank 8
On our way out to dinner, a classmate of Ken's meets up. The classmate mistakes Hamu for being Ken's sister, which makes Ken panic and raise his voice. He struggles to say what you are to him, not helped when you chime in "we're friends". The kids shout at each other, classmate calls us weird, says 'you're older', calls you a hag (lmao). You're unbothered, but Ken's frustrated... he asks why you bother with a kid like him, when the ages are so disparate. You assure him - you are friends. Your friendship with people in your age group doesn't preclude that. He says that he looks up to you for your kindness and your strength. "I want to be more like you."
Rank 9
At school, Ken almost got in trouble for not having something he wanted to do with his future. As he climbs the playground, he explains that his friendship with you and how you respect him as an individual and not as Just A Kid helped him feel different. "I don't simply wish to become an adult anymore. ... It all depends... on how I become one." He's matured, realizing he needs to grow up at his own pace rather than wishing for it to rush faster.
Rank 10
We go back to That alley again. He talks about how he'd been afraid to think too much of his mom, of growing up as fast as possible. He thinks, based on what he learned since last conversation, that he can move on more properly now. He thinks he understands more of what Shinji was trying to teach him. He gives you his old house key, wanting to share the happiness of his childhood memories from his old home symbolically.
I love that you can catch Shinji talking shit about Junpei. "I can't believe he's into a girl now..." and you ask him what about you and just. "Trust me, girls complicate life." BROTHER YOU GOT A STORM COMIN
We are gonna woo this man hell or high water. Saving him... it matters to me bc I love him ok
Rank 1
If you ask him out to eat, he picks Hakagure! He's immediately more soft and gentle when he chats, accompanied by soft music. Shinji chats about how Aki got grouchy and gave him a left hook, and says that's just how they interact with each other.
Rank 2
Shinji lets you pick where to go, so you pick Wakatsu? So ohoho, Hamuko, do you like seafoods? Tempura? He ends up quietly fussing about Aki and Mitsuru, saying Aki needs a more balanced diet... and he mentions that the two seem more confident in fighting now than when he was around before. And naturally, he ends up fretting at you to not overdo it, yourself.
Rank 3
He takes you to Wakatsu again and fusses more - he gets very flustered at being called kind-hearted and decides to glare you down until you eat all your veggies. Doofus... group mom....
Rank 4
EMERGENCY...!!!! We have to stop Fuuka from making a horrible stroganoff, STAT. Shinji's harsh with her, but very direct in showing her exactly how to cook, going through instructions. He's braver than any soldier... able to tell her to not experiment until she's got the basics........
MAN I love beef stroganoff so much in real life I'M JEALOUS. He grumbles and grouches about being basically bullied into helping Fuuka learn cooking more, but the truth is there and he's SUCH a pushover - it only takes merely mentioning cooking for everyone before he's like "okay fine yes that sounds nice."
Rank 5
He's already got a cough, but brushes it off, it just happens sometimes. And he admits, with a red face, that he's shown up here so he remembers to get coffee to use in his cooking. The two of you chat about your plans to treat everyone at the dorm.
Rank 6
He's making dinner! He drags Fuuka into the kitchen to get her to make a side-dish, scolding her to get her on track and in line for the making a WHOLE TON of food for everyone. Everything turned out great! There's a bit of tension only from Ken, who struggled because of their past. Afterwards, it's just you and Shinji, and he fondly says that he wouldn't have thought to do it without your suggestion.
TAKE SHINJI TO THE MOVIES
"Wouldn't you have more fun if you went with one of your girl friends?" but he's actually happy. Nerd. The Film Festival theme is "The Incredible Pet Stories" series, heheh. "Well... if this is what you really want, I guess I'm game too." It's all about animals doing their damn best to survive... Shinji's eyes are red, presumably from getting teary-eyed.
Rank 7
He asks if we can step out of the dorm due to feeling uncomfortable. FUNNY ENOUGH, it's because everyone's so excited to maybe get more of Shinji's cooking and giving him a lot of attention he's not used to. He's happy whether you say 'it can't be helped' or 'I have my hopes up, too', LOL. He goes on about how important it is to make memories, to have fun... then he asks, aren't you wasting time spending it with him? Aren't there better things to do? But no... "I'm having fun being with you". He's flustered, but delighted - off to the corner store to get a little ice cream.
Rank 8
His invitation tonight is serious and solemn... and he takes us to That back alley. "You're... a pain. You keep messing things up for me... I keep thinking my life is the way it's supposed to be..." but. But. He's thinking of us. It's a short outing, but... poignant.
Rank 9
Tonight, we sit and chat in the lounge - he's charmed that you bring up ghost stories, and reflects that that's how you met him in the first place. Despite chatting away, Shinji seems... distant, tonight. He urges you on to chat, but when he trails off... he says that you look best happy, and tells you not to cry. What are you trying to say? "I've gotta make sure I don't leave anything behind...". He stays cryptic, but he's talking about his death and regrets. "You don't have to forgive me. But forgive everything else..." He just wants things to feel normal for a little longer. And he mumbles, of course, about the watch.
Rank 10
Once you find the Pocket Watch (from the police station!), it's finally time to talk. He walks you out to the shrine to ask where you found the thing. Here... you exchange watches. They keep track of time as it passes, you know? He asks us to look after Aki, and tells the story from their childhood when he had stolen a doll for Aki's sister, and Aki had punched him and demanded they take it back. You promise to be there for Akihiko, for Shinji...
Despite the chill, despite it being late at night, you cuddle up close with Shinji and talk late into the night.
Afterwards...
You can still pull him aside, and tell him you want to spend time with him... or tell him you love him. Despite him saying 'don't waste your time with someone like me', you tell him that you know exactly what you're saying, and what you want. "You're always pushing me around and ignoring what I want, huh? Well, two can play at that game" you NERD.
He doesn't hit on you straight out the gate... he's preoccupied with feeling a strange sense of familiarity. Action text says "you go with the flow and shake his hand" - Hamuko likely felt that sense of familiarity and recognition, too. It's even possible she may suspect him to be Pharos.
After that Rank he's already calling the Kyoto trip a "Kyoto Date", pfft.
Rank 2
Flirtin' with us on the train ride to school. Life is lovely, the ocean is pretty, school is fun - Ryoji gets to enjoy just living.
Rank 3
Now you can be the one to invite Ryoji out! There's ofc a swarm of girls he's charming easily too. "I've already decided on my princess for today" BOY. Even though he says that, he pauses and says "I feel like I shouldn't be saying things like this to you... I want to be more sincere with you".
Sunday Hangout
He takes you to a cafe, and comments on the number of couples around you two. He admits that he would like us regardless of gender (bicon). Though he says that he somehow knows that once he realizes how he knows us, we'll get closer... but that makes him feel horribly sad, and makes him want to cry.
Rank 4
Ryoji struggles to understand what lovers talk about, and more importantly, why you in particular. Why is he so drawn to you? He doesn't talk about executions (maybe that's under the dialogue option where you say 'depressing topics'? Checked, nope, he just speculates that one can only really confide in someone they care for over such sad things). He asks if you'll meet him again on the 22nd.
Rank 6
Reminiscing already about Kyoto, Ryoji shows off a ring he bought himself during the trip. He'd bought it as a subtle reminder of the trip and the fun he had with everyone. "I think that rings are things that bind memories to the person wearing them".
Rank 7
You two discuss Junpei's absence from the career week... Ryoji says that death is something that needs to just be accepted, but he IS worried about his friend.
Sunday Hangout
Like a couple of nerds, you sneak to Gekkoukan high and hop the fence just so you can go to the rooftop. "When I'm alone, I don't feel right..." he says. He feels scared that tomorrow is coming, and as he trails off and stutters, you complete his incomplete "I'm..." with "You're Ryoji". He feels soothed by hearing his name from you. Here, he admits his feelings and confesses.
Rank 9
He asks to go to your room. Bold! He says he can vaguely remember it, somehow, like he's seen it in a dream. He says that he thinks he came to be friends, but "what we have now is different from being friends." How he feels about Junpei and Yukari isn't how he feels for you. "You are so kind" ... "...You shouldn't give so much of yourself to me. I'll... probably make you sad."
Honey... that's how life is. Everyone will make you sad. But that makes life worth living. "Please touch me... feel for yourself that I'm actually here." It fades to black with you only touching his hand, but you do see him off afterwards.
Rank 10
He returns to give us the option on how we should die. The question, the confrontation - it's exactly the same. Save for the moment just before going back downstairs... he takes off his ring from Kyoto, passing it to you. It's proof that he was 'human', for at least a little while. His last words for you, in private, are "I love you".
Finally time to hang out with senpai and help her just... live a little. It starts the same way as it does when you're Minato - taking her out for ramen!
Rank 2
Wuck time! She admits to having been hard on you, especially because everyone - including her - depend so much on your leadership.
Rank 3
Takoyaki time! She's encouraged to just dive into trying things rather than ruminate on how sheltered she is. When chatting about Akihiko maturing, she admits to feeling anxious, feeling "pressed for time" for not growing. She appreciates when you agree to forget what she just talked about, lmao.
Rank 4
Mitsuru is tired. She has the weight of the Kirijo Group, inheritance, and arranged marriage on her shoulders.
Rank 5
Movie time! Mitsuru talks about how independent we seem ("you don't seem like the type of girl to be afraid of going to the movies on your own"), and talks about her motorcycle as her own little rebellion just like she does with Minato. She's excited still to ride that motorcycle with you.
Rank 6
Like with Minato, Mitsuru gets into her doubts and frustrations about marriage when spoken to. But instead of a romantic angle.... Mitsuru confides in you frustration over being treated with misogyny. "In the end, I cannot escape from the fact that I am a woman. Marriage to a near complete stranger, having my name and Group stripped from me, expected to conceive an heir..." [...] "Where in there, however, am 'I' needed?"
She suggests that she may have forced us into a position of leadership "...so that you can prove to me that there is no difference between men or women...". This is a huge HUGE difference from the simple romance route you get with Minato. This has SO much more depth and meaning.
Rank 7
At Wuck, she asks - when you're with me, what do you think? We're having fun. This rank is just appreciating her time with you, even if she's afraid it's coming up short.
Rank 8
Movie time again! Mitsuru talks more about how frustrated and shackled she feels, and while she gripes that she's becoming undisciplined, she appreciates you being there for her no matter what. ...She still offers you to run away with her before her shitty fiance shows up. For Hamuko, the fiance wryly states that you're cunning/conniving for using your sex as a weapon to sneak into higher society - this misogynist bullshit gives Mitsuru the courage to finally stomp her foot down and DEMAND an apology. She realizes the importance of the PEOPLE in a company, a group, a family - and how status is meaningless in the face of that.
Rank 9
Mitsuru 'abused' her power for privacy on the rooftop here, too, even if she didn't have romantic motives. Lel. She apologizes for how you were treated the other day, but is happy and embarrassed when you reply fondly "You were cool". She explains that she always was assessing people as potential assets first - Yukari snapped at her (rightly) for it, but it wasn't until recently that it started to change. She thanks you for being the person to actually bring people together, to connect to them meaningfully.
"Outwardly, you're more adorable... and yet, you have it in you to be stronger, more courageous and more charismatic than a man". She realizes here that she was exercising internalized misogyny - 'because I'm a woman, it can't be helped' - and it was you that set the example for her to realize how foolish that was. "I am me. I have things that only I can do." She promises to never run away again, and asks you to stand by her side instead. It's not supposed to be sapphic but GURL...
Rank 10
Mitsuru invites you to her own room. She's embarrassed at how lush it is, saying that her maids insisted on bringing the luxuries up for her. You two hang out and chat for hours. She does give you her motorcycle key... lamenting a little that she won't be riding it as often, but she encourages you to get a license. And of course, ride on the motorcycle behind her in the meantime. She tells you that you have given her pride - in her name, in who she is, and presumably also in her gender. HAH - turns out that you've decided to bully her (lovingly) with a horror movie DVD. "You don't have to push the package in my face", she says - you're a gremlin I swear. She asks if you'll hold her hand as you two watch the movie.
MAAAAAN okay the girl routes are by and large very friend coded but this is VERY GIRLFRIEND CODED even if the writers were trying to step away from it. Hamuko 1000% kisses Mitsuru I will accept no other
Hangouts!
1) Sunday! She takes you out for karaoke, laughing in amusement that she can't hit the high notes but it's definitely fun to try anyway. I slip her the antique japanese doll... she's flustered and happy. Cutie patootie.
2) Sunday! She brings up that she only really makes tea for herself, so this coffee trip is a nice change of pace. She brings up how she had selected you as the leader because you're a woman, distressed that you might be upset or have been pressured or upset about it. When you say you aren't, she's grateful, even if she wryly says she hopes you're not just saying it to give her peace of mind.
oh god can I max you out before the 31st... ganbatte...
Aigis' interactions with Hamuko up until her evolution have been relatively the same as they are with Minato. Uncertain draw to be nearby, to observe - we know it's her subconsciously drawn to monitor Death. The lack of meaningful differences between genders is interesting.
Rank 1
We visit a shrine, where Aigis explains that just like how Koromaru logically/factually knew that the priest was dead, he was following his feelings... she knew she couldn't protect/save you from fate as she was but still yearned to do so anyway. She also ends the conversation with "Koromaru and myself aren't 'people'" - which... is lonely, and silly. You aren't human, but you are absolutely a person.
Rank 2
She takes us to the rooftop to talk. She basks in appreciating that you both like living in Iwatodai, and enjoy the view together. She's afraid of her changes, but glad to be going through them with you. This is the same conversation you have as Minato.
Rank 3
The dogs encounter! It goes the same as it does with Minato.
Rank 4
The first encounter with the older lady looking for her kitty. Aigis is encouraged to go on the adventure to track down the missing cat, eager to help out the older woman so she wouldn't be lonesome. Aigis gets frustrated that she isn't built to handle these situations.
Rank 5
Same as with Minato! Cat located! She realizes that living involves being with other people... there's a mixed sadness. She'll outlive most of her friends indefinitely, right? But in the moment, right now... she's happy to be with you.
Rank 6
Same as with Minato! Old granny is talking to her grandson who's an ungrateful little shit. Here, Aigis realizes that she has appreciation for what privileges she has, even if she's still frustrated with her limitations.
Rank 7
Same as with Minato! Aigis has an existential moment dwelling on the death of the cat, and the loneliness of the old lady... what does it mean to be alive? She's in despair over the cruelty of loss. She wants to be with you.
Rank 8
Same as with Minato (I accidentally sped through the start of it oops). She's insecure about taking too much time with you, about taking you away from other people. "I am not a male... I am not even human...!" "If I were to use the proper words... I know it would never come true, and I...!" she confesses, without a chance for you to respond (WRITERS ARE COWARDS)
Rank 9
On the rooftop again... Aigis explains she's been thinking things through more, after getting so emotional last time. She's still grappling with your future death. "Life is finite and ephemeral." She realizes that bonds with other people are the most important part of life... and time will march onward. So she should act now. She tries to express that she doesn't want you to be closer to anyone else besides her. "I know that I'm a machine and can't be touched. I know that you should find happiness with a man...!" You take her hand, which she shakes off, still shaking and musing that maybe she'll fall apart. She's flustered - running hotter than usual because of how strongly she feels for you.
Rank 10
Her final request is for you to come see her room, how she lives in it. Her room is full of machinery rather than any beds, a chamber for diagnostics, so on. And so, so much ammunition. ...And tons of shirts in a little closet for her!! She realizes that there's something unique to her being a machine. "There's something that only I can say, because I am unable to die. [...] I... will never leave you. No matter how or when your life comes to an end... at that moment, I will be at your side."
She has another favor to ask - at the base of her neck, behind the knot of her ribbon, inside of her is the source of her artificial psyche. The Papillon Heart. ...Were the creators of the robots aware of Philemon? Either way. She asks if you will touch her extremely fragile Heart - your skin oils and cells, it ought to leave a permanent mark. She wants that mark there permanently, to forever stay with her as a mark of understanding between you two - the burnt mark would be there forever, not erasable as her memories would be. .....She cuts off motor function to her limbs in anticipation of what she might say or sound like. Extremely horny LMAO.
♠ In the beginning (before awakening) Yukari is the one to show around Paulownia Mall and be buddy-buddy. A lot of the introductory days include her rather than Junpei. ... She opens up much faster, bringing up that she's uncomfortable with Mitsuru far earlier. She didn't want to be alone working with Mitsuru. ... Yukari likes to gossip with you
♠ Junpei is roughly the same, wanting to be the cool guy helping you out, though he doesn't seem interested in you. ♠ "But she's a girl!!!" rip bozo not liking a girl leader ♠ Though he still invites you out for ramen when he finds out that you had been hospitalized - he says he'd also been the New Kid and he knows how hard that all is, and felt sympathetic.
♠ You get to CHOOSE between Elizabeth and Theodore/Theo. I pick Theo naturally. ♠ A lot of Hamuko's response options in April are very peppy!
♠ Sneaking up to that next Full Moon! The gang still none the wiser. ♠ Shinji's initial reaction to you is word for word the same - gender doesn't matter on its face here. It's matching how Akihiko is also not paying much attention to your gender - no big surprise since he's that way with the fawning girls around him too.
♠ I spent all Golden Week studying like a NERD. I notice I always do this bc I don't wanna suck by midterms.
♠ Junpei leaning into the sexism with his bitterness again not knowing he'd still be a sour lil asshole if it were Minato. "It's pretty much decided you're our leader, huh? Even though I'm the only guy in the group..." come on man. ♠ "Whether one is a man or a woman doesn't factor into it[...] And let me add, if you ever do anything to condescend to her because she's a woman..." THANK you Mitsuru she's got our fucking BACK bro ♠ "Oh, no no no! It's not like I look down on her or anything!" BROTHEEERRR you're spilling biases all over the place just because you're bitter ♠ If you say it was scary after pulling the brakes he does frantically tell you not to cry and gets out his handkerchief - and apparently you laugh about it
♠ A lot of the investigation for Fuuka going on, and not much unique dialogue for being femc! When you start out for the creepy alleyway, you can tease Junpei by saying "you'll protect us, right?" - he blushes and says he will, further showing how much he wants to perform his concept of heroism and masculinity.
♠ When infiltrating the school at night, you can go with Akihiko or Yukari. When you go with Aki, he is a bit of a blind dummy and bad at finding the gym key.
♠ WHEW BOY time for Shirokawa BLVD... if you get stuck with Junpei, he jokes "maybe we could do this again sometime" BROTHER. And if Mitsuru gets stuck with Yukari? 'NOTHIN HAPPENED' LMAO OKAY. With Akihiko, he's just embarrassed and wants to keep it a secret. If you bring both boys, the game will put you with Akihiko. For RP's sake, my Hamuko's 'canonical' team was Yukari, Mitsuru and Akihiko.
♠ Junpei asks 'what're you trying so hard for?' There's no real 'nice' answer besides asking if he's worried about you, which he shrugs off. Yukari rubs salt in by teasing him for getting jealous that a girl led the mission again.
♠ This is where we as a player are introduced to Strega watching us - their observations aren't any different with Hamuko's presence.
♠ The Reveal for a lot of the Kirijo background goes same as it does for Minato's route, including Junpei sincerely apologizing for taking out anger on us by being an asshole.
♠ Yakushima!! We have a cute swimsuit, pink plaid with ribbons on the hips and frills on the top. The lore drop is as expected... no major differences except there's no option to hug her as the femc (unless you mod the game like I did because I am a creatura). You also join the rest of the girls to go up to the tree instead of babe hunting on the beach (thankfully) - the boys fail to impress Aigis and Aigis seems to sense our presence in the forest.
♠ The writing here seems to say that the girls got separated somehow.... which is kind of just lazy. I'll HC instead that Hamuko was splitting off to see if the boys would either meet at the tree or otherwise head down to the beach to find them, and got to the tree in the process.
♠ SAPPHIC AIGIS LET'S GOOOO - I mean ahem. Her dialogue is basically completely unchanged from when it's Minato. AKIHIKO THOUGH - JUST CASUALLY "I see, so that's her preference" I'M GLAD YOU'RE SUPPORTIVE YOU GOOFBALL.
♠ Yaaaaay end of the month summer volleyball training /s. I mean I'm glad Rio gets to play for realsies but MAN. The month closes out with that, finding Koromaru and another visit from Pharos - all matching Minato's route.
♠ I FORGOT THAT THE CAMP TAKES YOU TO YASOINABA?? Obv we get our butts whooped bc our team sucks. At least we get to hang with Rio, Yuko and Kaz and scare each other with scary stories.
♠ I also forgot that Pharos starts calling you "My Dearest" at this point
♠ You can go to the festival, wear a yukata, the whole deal!! Junpei seems kinda bummed or unimpressed when people assume you're both a couple - it's pretty funny how firmly he friendzones Hamuko even after being a horndog about every girl possible. Akihiko says you didn't have to wear a yukata and it's "hard to look directly at you" boy you got it BAD. Joining Yukari and Fuuka or Mitsuru and Aigis matches the Minato route, barring comments from the takoyaki stand lady! (My 'canon' pick is Aki, I'm weak, also TRAGIC we can't go with Hidetoshi)
♠ INTERESTING... Last day of the film festival is Ikutsuki bringing you along to watch films about the history of modernism.
♠ Picking up Shinji! And WHEW. "Another girl? First Mitsuru, now her..." Shinji my man FFF. Aki immediately chimes in to sing praises and Shinji calls him a numbskull; "You gotta look out for her". Shared Miki trauma...?
♠ No differences whatsoever with the whole Hermit full moon encounter! Everyone is very preoccupied with trying to get information out of Chidori, out of Junpei's behavior, et cetera that there really isn't much attention paid to Hamuko at all (less notes for me to take lbr)
♠ Pharos appears at night again! He says something to the effect of 'some things never change, huh?' and of the options, I pick "everything can change". I think that's really important and central to a lot of the themes of the story and more importantly, to how Hamuko is characterized. Though one could be reluctant... it takes a lot of genuine faith to make the kind of sacrifice Arisato does at the very end.
♠ Looks like a lot of the added encounters with Takaya are unique to P3R - they were great for adding more depth to STREGA.
♠ The whole scene for taking down the Culture festival displays starts about the same. (Kenji talking about being cute crossdressing? 🥚) Ofc when Aigis asks whose cross-dressing would be the best, I picked "MINE!" There's no 'girl crush' tension or male equivalent, just chatter in general.
♠ The 4th... that means it's time for Ken confronting Shinji over his mother's death. It also means that because we found the watch and returned it to Shinji, he MIGHT make it. His prognosis in the hospital is grim by the time he makes it there.
♠ Bringing Theo the medicine is a little more hilarious because I had to ACTUALLY be sick and also he drinks the whole thing, then brags about how he could make a better version that ACTUALLY worked or whatever??? Just imagining a hideously sick Hamuko looking dead while Theo sat there and bragged is RIDICULOOOOUS
♠ Reload changed the scene with Koromaru and the abandoned dog to be about the owner getting Apathy Syndrome - that was MUCH more impactful and a fantastic change, it really stands out how that helps ground Koromaru's existence and participation in the team fighting the Shadows.
♠ Still no major changes with the battle against the final Shadow or Ikutsuki's betrayal (save for one option about girls picking cucumber sushi - GIRL BORING we picked shrimp bc that is objectively the best sushi)
♠ The school trip gives the opportunity to actually catch the guys instead of evade capture.
♠ Chidori's escape and fight happens this month as well... I don't believe I actually managed to encourage saving her this time.
♠ The career week flies by without any real significant scenes that were introduced in Reload, seems like!
♠ Had a little moment of Ryoji asking if next time he visits it can be in your room. WELL... YOU'LL GET TO BE IN MY ROOM ALRIGHT, JUST NOT THE WAY YOU HOPE...
♠ Everyone discovers the truth behind Ryoji, behind the Dark Hour, behind Nyx...
♠ The game never really dives into the protagonists' experience with their family's death, or the anniversary of it on the second of the month. It's been ten years... surely it's been a lot. There's no indication the protagonist has ever had foster parents or anyone else in their life, either. It's just... you.
♠ You are given the explanation of Nyx. You are told it's your choice how you wish to die.
♠ "Did you never notice?" Junpei asks in his freakout. It's an interesting question because... yeah. There WERE signs. When you talk to him afterwards, he says that he always thought his dad was a loser, but now he understands, in a way, which is upsetting.
♠ Everyone's mulling over whether they'll live and have a future. Ex., Junpei drags us to the rooftop, talking about an upcoming holiday before going on about the cults springing up talking about the apocalypse right now. "To think I'd end up trusting such a cutie with my life..." yeah ok nerd I know you sister-zoned me from day one, dingus. He says that you're cool, after hosting Death for ten years and then making that power your own.
♠ Everyone meets on the Promised Day... and promises to meet again for Graduation Day.
♠ We climb Tartarus. We confront the Nyx Avatar.
♠ Our friendships... they give us the power of The Universe tarot.
♠ Junpei reflects on being besties... he always thought girls were some sort of special, but they're just people!
♠ Yukari asks you to meet her mom. She's afraid... she needs the support. She wants to introduce you to her mom as her best friend.
♠ Akihiko is feeling nostalgic, looking around the school. Without remembering the fight, he feels... unresolved, about what happened to Shinji.
♠ Bebe sent you a letter, all in hiragana... he explains that his uncle finally acknowledged that the kimono was lovely, and acknowledged Bebe's love for Japan. But Bebe decided not to return... there are many people in his life that helped fund his trip, and supported him, but Bebe doesn't want to leave his uncle alone after his aunt's death.
♠ Rio admitted that before, she was frustrated with her situation and her shortcomings... but you helped her have FUN, and set a genuine goal for herself in the future. She decided that she DOES want to pursue being an athlete, even if her situation seemed like a severe uphill climb... she has the courage now.
♠ Fuuka wants to start a tech club - her friendship with you made her realize that she wants to share something she has a fondness for with others, no longer afraid of what's "girly" or not.
♠ Hidetoshi decides that he doesn't want to be in the student council next year... he's concerned for the future, disagreeing politely and calling you optimistic, and wants to become a teacher to help shape the people that will shape the country, growing up.
♠ Ken meets you outside the front gates. So much of his life was so specifically shaped by his mother's death that the loss of the memories has him especially frazzled. But still... he remembers that you respected him as a person instead of treating him like a kid, and that gives him perspective to move forward in his life.
♠ The monk left a message with the bartender explaining that he found his wife and son, and is reconnecting with them, apologizing to them.
♠ The old couple are in good spirits! The persimmon tree will be moved rather than just cut down, able to look over the students from the hilltop. They're happy to see you growing and maturing, too.
♠ Maiko's father is who meets you at the playground. Maiko had sent a letter talking about her new life, new friends, new school... her dad feels guilty for causing so much strife. SJDFBHJDS WHEN MAIKO SAYS SHE WANTS HAMUKO TO BE FAMILY THE GUY ASKS YOU OUT? SIR?? NO, SIR, LMAO, FUCK OFF the writers are outta CONTROL man
♠ Akinari's mother is at the shrine as well... she's mourning her son, naturally. Talking about how he'd thanked her for his life, however short. She's relieved to hear that her son DID finish his story... it gives her solace.
♠ Koromaru's returned to the shrine. He doesn't remember... he's back to mourning the priest.
♠ Tanaka has his silly little bullshit interview, where he says "what I donate from my own pocket is my own business you fuckin mooks" (paraphrased)
♠ bc im bad at time management I'd gotten Aigis and Mitsuru to rank 9 and still ran out of time I SUCK
♠ Aigis comes to your room. She remembers first, remembers everything. It's graduation day...
♠ On the roof, Aigis shares her feelings, same as with Minato. Shinji is who arrives... he jokes at you forcing a sick guy to push himself, but calls himself a numbskull for forgetting. "The girl I saw in my dreams... it was you..." he embraces you, reassures himself, it's not a dream. Quietly, comfortably, held and loved... you fade away.
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Social Links
BROADLY;
The old couple, Mutatsu, Akinari, Tanaka (barring a few more gendered comments), Maiko, Bebe (save for a few moments of openly flirting and wistful yearning over you finishing a scarf that you can give as a gift)
Theo
♠ Unlike Elizabeth, he is less UNHINGED. But that's ok because he's an adorable fucking nerd that wants to act like he knows stuff when he's a complete ALIEN DUMMY
♠ ??? When you get the Battle Panties for fusing a Jack Frost with Dia... he says 'my tastes in battle attire don't go that way' OKAY??? lmao??
♠ When you bring him the Pine Resin, he grumbles about being forced to eat plates of soybean powder. ELIZABETH...
♠ Unlike Elizabeth fearlessly running up the down escalator, Theo seems intimidated by them. You can politely hold his hand and 'escort' him up and on the escalator and he gets proud of himself at the top like a little nerd.
♠ He also fussily pinches your cheeks at the takoyaki stand, making sure they aren't falling off. ALSO THE TAKOYAKI LADY THOUGHT HE WAS CUTE AND GAVE HIM A TAKOYAKI CELLPHONE STRAP... girl same.
♠ Convinced there's a psychological trap to how soft and appealing the Jack Frost doll. BROTHERRRRR. "Its charm is in complete contrast to the horrors of what this doll actually does to me..." BROTHEEEERRRRR he's such an anxious little puppy man
♠ EYYYY you can actually take him to the film festival to watch tear-jerkers! Mans doesn't get romance at all but was heavily impacted with empathy.
♠ HE DRANK AIGIS' MACHINE OIL?? SIR????
♠ Shrine visit date! He mentions he can sense things that aren't Shadows nearby, and teases you by saying there's one behind you. He's always flustered if you question whether he knows something. Like Elizabeth, he dumps an unfathomable amount of yen in there... all the money I used to summon Personas huh... he wishes for our safety, praying aloud even if it flusters him. When you joke about praying for his safety, he calls himself an "Avatar of Power". Then he eagerly goofs off on the playground equipment.
♠ Unlike Elizabeth hiding behind Minato for the school visit, Theo reads the peeks from students as them having 'keen eyes' and sensing Hamuko's power, offering to stand in front protectively. Nerd. He's disappointed that there's no school lunch, but decides to buy some bread for himself and for Igor as well (aww). In the classroom, instead of quizzing you, he sits in a student's desk and waits to be quizzed.
♠ Your final visit with Theo is in your own room. Your room naturally feels the most 'you' to him - he describes it as having your 'scent', which he dares to say he likes. Even he's not too oblivious to realize how that sounded. "You wish to compound my sins?" L E L
Saori
A second-year who had studied abroad and taken off from school, who's two years older. So she's the oldest student in school right now.
Rank 2
Working in the library is VERY dull, but Saori appreciates you responding with pep and enthusiasm. She is relieved when you say that you would've been receptive to her coming to chat, despite her being self conscious about her age and reputation.
Rank 4
A guy asks Saori out to karaoke. You accuse her of being a bit of a doormat, and she just laughs and says she prefers to let someone else lead, that she doesn't really have 'thoughts of her own' and that she just wants to find someone that needs her. Giiiirl... r u sure...
Rank 5
:Y Turns out the guy was cheating on his girlfriend and he blamed Saori for 'seducing' him.
Rank 6
People are sketched out every time they show up and see Saori there. Poor gal... while we get assigned to writing articles for the school newsletter, Saori lets loose a little and tries... GASP... a cuss!!
Rank 7
Called over the PA to go to the faculty office? Oh great, it's Ekoda. Turns out someone used Saori's photo and some salacious 'interview' for a magazine to get Saori in trouble, making it sound like she was slutty and openly sexual and getting the school's reputation in trouble. She gets suspended... afterwards she talks about how she always 'felt' older than her peers, even before she was literally older. Says that she thought she got along better with adults, even if when they say "I love you" it's a lie. She admits that she doesn't know what to do anymore, since being polite and demure was all she did to meet the approval of the adults around her.
Rank 8
School committee meeting... unfortunately the situation with the other students hasn't improved. And the bombshell for this meeting - Saori might be getting transferred to another school entirely. Even her own parents are calling her an embarrassment and a shame, disgusting.
Rank 9
More of the same reputation - some boys calling her 'easy' or saying 'it's like she can't say no'. EUGH. At least Saori appreciates your sentiment that you want to go punch them. She doesn't care if anyone else has the wrong idea... but she wants you, as her friend, to know her better. But you have your suspicions about how true that is, with how severe the bullying is. You decide to encourage her to use the school PA to announce and clear up the air after that damaging BS - fuck all that shit, we'll get in trouble if need be, this needs to be said! You block Ekoda's entry, let Saori get her chance to speak. Despite Ekoda being a little bitch, Toriumi and Enouishi both 'take over' and help the girls skirt away unperturbed from the whole thing. It was a good thing and all the women understand and agree.
Sunday Karaoke
She talks about how people got the weird idea that she was slutty or "a player" because of her age and being overseas. Nowadays, she finds it much easier to laugh it off.
Rank 10
Students in general no longer seem to be treating Saori like the plague, at least! Which is nice, because this is the very last time we see her before she goes off to that private school. She's learned that she needs to take more agency in her life - I'd argue that "everything that happened to me is my fault" is absolutely ridiculous but it IS better for her to want to think and act for herself, now. Girl you REALLY didn't have to admit your first love was apparently your uncle, between that and your lesson from your family of 'don't think for yourself' i'm like GIRL R U OK--
Hidetoshi
This route starts out pretty much identical to how it is with Minato
Rank 8
Once the teacher wants to accuse you, they say "You're just an adolescent interested in the girls too, huh?" Hidetoshi says he won't rat on us; he otherwise says "Keep an eye on that teacher - you realize why he has an eye on you". Which. I guess???
Rank 9
"That teacher isn't a complete numbskull. 'Fall for a girl', huh..." and he jokes about only being human and having feelings, too. Cutie.
Max
"One day... will I be able to stand at your side?" BABY IM SORRY....
Rio
In short, Rio is frustrated and tired with her teammates not taking the club or the sport very seriously.
Rank 2
The rest of the team bails because they don't want to take it seriously.
Rank 3
The rest of the team fucked off on a group date and Rio was angry as fuck that they all hid it and lied to her. Those still there act like assholes and threaten to quit - Rio appreciates your presence.
5/24 Hangout
She takes you to Hakagure and alludes to her friendship with Kenji.
Rank 4
Enter: Kenji! Not much about him really - Rio reflects on the team abandoning her because of the group date thing. She doesn't really 'get' romance.
Rank 5
Kenji shows up looking for the teacher he's hitting on (barf) and is a pain in the ass. "I was kidding! You shouldn't waste a pretty face on getting angry" gets Rio flustered and flabbergasted. "You shouldn't say things you don't mean". Could go either way here. "Love... 'just happens'? It'll never 'just happen' to me."
Hangout on 7/5
Girl time sharing a cake!! Rio gossips over a girl whining and opining over Akihiko being in the same dorm as us and how it's 'not fair', and says that someone should just go admit their feelings. GIRL SAME BRAIN CELL just GO FOR IT.
Rank 6
Rio's distant today... she overheard Kenji and the teacher he's hitting on (barf) and she's worried they might start dating. And after a bit, is burning with sadness and jealousy. She realizes she's got a crush on Kenji and is devastated. You send her off with a hug, poor thing.
Girl he is so trash you can do so much better.Rank 7
The big team apology! Everyone apologizes for being assholes about Rio being pushy when they forced her to be the leader in the first place, and in turn Rio apologizes for talking down on them for their romantic interests. "It's tough being in love". This naturally explodes the team into girly gossiping, but eh!! It's a bonding moment.
Hangout
Getting dragged out to takoyaki! Rio asks about how to be more 'girly'/femme.
Rank 8
Rio's distant and uncertain... the team encourages her to confess to Kenji. Nothing ventured, etc. It's your decision. With a bit of a moment to reflect and realize that knowing she's going to be hurt isn't much better than being stuck in her unresolved feelings, and with some encouragement from us and from the team, she gets up the drive to go talk to Kenji. ...The actual confession doesn't seem to go super well, but Rio seemed cheered up by the fact that everyone was backing her up and that Kenji said he liked her as much as ramen (nerds, both of them).
Rank 9
Rio's perked back up! The whole team, too, is a lot more IN on playing. Everyone realizing that Rio's just a teen girl like everyone else helped a ton... even if Rio credits us with bringing the team together, it really is that everyone got onto the same page, finally.
Rank 10
The vibes are fantastic, Rio is having a grand time... and chatting just with her, she talks about how she was SO excited about volleyball way back when. She has a beginner's guide that is so dog-eared from her reading it over and over... she's happy she finally gets to have fun with it.
Yukari
Yukari takes you to the cafe and brings up her explaining her trauma about her father's death to you that day - apologizing because she realizes it might not have been fair of her to do that. Not everyone reacts the same way to grieving, and you had lost BOTH of your parents. She explains that she's... grateful to know you and have someone else that has that shared trauma - it's difficult to hear people complain about their parents at school, for example.
"But I hate feeling that way, so I hide it... And because I can't tell anyone that, I feel distant..." And after saying she felt like you could save her from that loneliness, she apologizes again.
RANK 2
We go to the flower shop! She says she wants a room full of flowers someday, and asks your favorite - the best options are either energetic sunflowers, roses or geberas.
"Roses seem to have this mature, adult woman feeling to them..."
Sunflowers? "Seems about right. They fit you."
Tulips? The only one she's meh about; "I thought only elementary school kids liked those. But I gotta admit, they do smell nice."
Gerbera? "Oh, I like those too. It's like they're cute, but full of energy too. I like how they come in so many different colors."
Hmm... for my characterization of Hamuko, while there's two options feeding into the idea of her being peppy, I'm picking roses. Big romo doofus.
Her mom used to LOVE flowers and decorate with them all over. She opens up about having a lot of nostalgia for flowers, having mixed feelings about how they'll wither and die but still having love for them in general.
RANK 3
Paulownia Mall! We have to help a kid that was left behind with just some money that's crying and scared. We dig more into Yukari's relationship with her mom... which is, in short, terrible. Apparently after her dad died, her mom was more neglectful and focused more on herself and her 'boyfriends'. Unfortunately, it all sours her mood and the plan to do karaoke drops.
RANK 4
Just like with MC route, a mall trip is interrupted by Yukari's phone call with her mom. Unlike with Minato, though, after going through the frustration of the conversation, you're dragged along for shopping instead of being asked to call off the hangout - presumably it's easier for Yukari to loosen up and be herself around another girl.
RANK 5
The rank where Yukari's wallet is stolen, and she gets confronted at the train station - not any different than it is with Minato aside from the thugs being gross at you too and bystanders actually intervening to call the cops rather than Hamuko beating up thugs (lame). She's still shaking mad at herself for internally asking for help.
RANK 6
Yukari brings us to Wuck to apologize for getting mad and making no sense. She asks if it made you mad. It's more clear that it's about a friendship and trust than Yukari's ability to let herself trust a guy - her dynamic with her gal friend is a lot more open and not as heavily loaded and charged the way her relationship with guys is (based on how she is about her mom)
RANK 7
Oh boy, Yukari brings us out to the strip mall and is complaining about how all the food is fattening. Girl we go climb Tartarus every few nights and run and fight like crazy, you're allowed some treats.
You manage to grab Yukari and pull her out of the way before a car hits her, SHEESH. Our hand got skinned a bit from the tumble, and Yukari notices after being stunned, before yelling at us for helping. "What were you gonna do if you died??" If you shoot the question back at her, she gets frustrated - first saying 'you're our leader' before asking "What would I do if you died? I'm sick of all the people around me dying!" And... sheesh... yeah.... that's only gonna get worse too.
RANK 8
Let's get matching earrings, that'd be cute!! Apparently our ears aren't pierced?? She suggests matching chokers. Just completely non sapphic girl things. Either way, as expected, Yukari's mom calls and interrupts the fun to ask for Yukari's blessing to get married. Unlike with Minato, again, after a stressful conversation she's instead still comfortable to spend time with a gal pal.
RANK 9
Musing on whether the Pheromone Coffee actually has an effect or not. She admits she's thinking about looking for a boyfriend. Her friendship with you made her realize that she could love deeply and wholly, that happy memories matter and help survive and thrive after losing someone... she likes the new 'Yukari', and she's so happy with herself.
RANK 10
Invited to Yukari's room! She asks what music you listen to - any genre seems to amuse her. I picked 'foreign music' since that reflects me IRL too, big fondness for music from all over. After some chatting, she gives you the special phone strap that her dad gave her... talking about how she used to talk to it, how she wants to stop until she feels confident she won't run away from her present, her future and her feelings. She wants to talk with her mom, to reminisce about dad. She decides she'll worry about boys later - it's more fun to girl-talk!
Hangouts
1)'Strawberry rice cake with red beans' so, daifuku? Your favorite is Daifuku, lmao.
2) Going to the media store, Yukari doing what she can within her budget. With me playing NG+ I'm like. Man why can't I buy stuff for my friends here? LMAO. I have millions of yen!! But she asks if you're good at saving money and is impressed if you make an effort.
3) She gets stuck with decision paralysis with the Wakatsu menu. Girl saaaame.... at least we can get both dishes she wants and split 'em both!
Akihiko
RANK 1
Akihiko brings you to ramen! He orders you an extra large. He's eating tons of food, and teases you a bit for having a smaller appetite, a bit infantilizing. But he's looking out for you and your leadership.
RANK 2
Brought to the shrine! You two agree to be exercise/training partners, and he's impressed if you can pull off a particularly athletic move (and flustered if you tease him that he couldn't, either). Here he zones out a bit, saying that he needs to be stronger to protect what matters.
Rank 3
He gets defensive when you make an incredulous expression getting brought to the beef bowl shop. Then of course he gets accosted by some extremely eager fangirls - rescue the poor guy by being enthusiastic to get some beef bowls and wiggle your way on inside.
When you come back out he notices the girls disappeared and wonders if they wanted to eat beef bowls too. BOY.... you get the chaotic option to answer "not in the way you think" and he's just. Perplexed, confused. SON BOY.......... but when you ask what his Type is, he just awkwardly says he doesn't want to deal with it, doesn't think he can carry that burden.
RANK 4
WHEEZE... he started out all distant and uneasy before asking if you're dating Junpei. SWEETHEART... he says there's been rumors about it but you confide that no, you aren't dating anyone. And he seems to perk up, admitting he didn't like rumors and felt bad for confronting you over one like a gossip.
RANK 5
Akihiko takes you to the sweets shop because he heard girls like sweets... HONEY BUN... turns out the girls from before were the ones spreading rumors that you were dating Junpei and Aki is also facing guff for picking you out for whatever reason - but there's a mutual understanding that it's neither person's fault any of that happened. He also requests pancakes, since you're in the cooking club with Fuuka.
RANK 6
We go out to eat at Wildduck burger, auditory accosted by a screaming child and the mom screaming back. Kids should be able to just.. be kids, he says. And he admits that he's an orphan, and that his little sister passed away as well.
Sunday Outing!
Out for ramen today! He's frustrated - a girl a grade under him asked him on a date. Even though he rejected her, she is still trying - and he's frustrated because he doesn't know how to reject her without hurting her feelings, despite being uncomfortable with the amount of attention he's getting. Even if he feels bad lying, he does agree it'd be a bit easier and says he should get you to play the part of the girlfriend he has already.
Also, he loves sweet potato fries.
RANK 7
Another ramen day, though today he awkwardly tries to ask, 'how are you doing physically'. He admits seeing you fighting is frustrating and upsetting to him, it 'makes him mad'. He struggles to find the words for the feeling of his anxiety, but he does find you reliable. But he wonders if there's a way for you to NOT have to fight... he's coming to realize, in real time, that he wishes he could protect you from harm even if he relies on you as a leader.
Sunday hangout!
Chatting casually at the burger joint! Apparently there's plans for a pool to be made in the area, which has Aki rambling about exercising with swimming. When he invites you, naturally, I pick the option to tease about wearing a cute swimsuit for him.
To progress past Rank 7, Aki has to mature himself.
RANK 8
Out to the shrine, today... Aki seems a bit down. After asking if he can confide in you (yes, of course), he quietly ventures into talking about Miki. He expresses his grief, his anger, and asks if you would help him bear the pain. "I... might be seeing Miki in you. But if that's not what it is, these feelings I have... ... ..."
Sunday Hangout!
Beef bowl day! He talks about how he only really knows junky fast food places, even though he wants to watch out for his health. He wonders if it would be different if he could cook like Shinji. There's one trick that Shinji taught him, though, for cup ramen - it isn't putting an egg in (though that's good), it's heating up sesame oil and putting it in there too.
RANK 9
Up to the rooftop - it's a little nostalgic for Aki, since Shinji used to ditch class and go there instead. He says that he was holding things a bit at arm's length, to make it easier and less likely he would lose someone like he lost Miki... but he doesn't want to do that anymore. He wants to protect who matters to him - Ken, Mitsuru, and you. Silly idiot furrows his brows trying to will a confession out, you DOOFUS. He can't even really realize that that's what he's feeling, you have to tell him he's got a crush on you - ABSOLUTE DINGUS. my god he is so stupid I love him
RANK 10
Aki takes us out to Hakagure and goes 'damnit, bad place for a serious conversation'. Goofball. And passes a little stuffed rabbit; "Don't you think it looks like you?" He explains that for a while, he thought he was seeing Miki in us, but once he got the little rabbit, he realized he wasn't. For a long time, he tried to ignore toy stores because they always made him think of Miki first - but for the first time, a stuffed rabbit came across his attention and his very first thought was of you. "And then I thought about Miki... I thought about her smiling..." He's grateful for their shared friends, how they've all been growing and maturing, and how they can count on each other. "You seem like the type to carry a burden silently... you can always count on us."
Fuuka
RANK 1
The cooking club is established and hough god... Fuuka's first dish is bad, naturally. She's looking for a friend to help her figure the cooking thing out. First thing we make together is dog food!
RANK 2
Chocolate truffles, today! Girl is STRUGGLING with following recipe instructions.... GIRL HOW DID YOU MISTAKE RICE VINEGAR FOR LIQUOR??
RANK 3
Sweet fries! Oh god okay this MIGHT be okay. She's at least figured out that oil could theoretically substitute butter which is a SANE observation. More importantly, getting used to the oven and proving to be quite good with machines is what she gets into next and it's a relief to her to not be bullied for not being 'girly' enough. NAH, we're besties, you can be your nerd self AND we can try to be cute and cook EZ.
...She still borked her fries so the oil choice might have been wrong, she might've cut them wonky/unevenly, but all things considered it was only texture and a slight taste problem which is actually a big improvement.
RANK 4
Fuuka gets into her struggles - she has a hard time imagining things turning out right and trusting herself or the recipe she's working with, and tends to overcompensate or make poor calls. While she has a lot of fondness for machines, she feels like she's not really able to fill a niche to help the team - the Kirijo group easily can handle any advanced tech needs, after all. But we're buddies, we'll figure out something together - that's what matters most.
Making sugar cookies!! "You somehow defended the dough from all of Fuuka's attempts to deviate from the recipe." THAT ABOUT SUMS IT UP YEAH...
RANK 5
Cupcakes, today!! Nothing too exciting - we followed the recipe save for a little improv of adding bananas to the batter. Fuuka's learning to pay attention a lot more and while she's a little frustrated that her own attempts to deviate cause Problems, she's gaining confidence.
RANK 6
Fuuka's ready to take on a challenge on her own!! So we make something ourselves, repeating a prior recipe. Turns out she was looking into making onigiri since they're a bit foolproof, and did a ton of research - and she did a fantastic job!! Made with love, indeed!
RANK 7
More practicing what we know... Fuuka messes up the rice, making it too watery, but the lesson here is to not beat herself up and catastrophize but instead to make the best of a mistake. In this case, going for rice porridge instead of rice balls, since it was too wet!
RANK 8
Today, Fuuka just watched as I cooked so she could take notes! She realized that she wants to try and approach things from an angle she might be better about, instead of being hyper-fixated on her own shortcomings. She's grateful that we were there to see through those shortcomings and encourage her anyway. "I should also try to like myself for who I am."
RANK 9
She's mastered onirigi!! "There's 22 conditions that need to be met for onigiri" silly... goofy... you dingus. "Thinking about how to fix your mistakes is how to really put forth a better effort" - she learned how to stop just throwing herself at the wall and wondering why her results weren't changing.
RANK 10
It's time, the final cooking project - we're gonna make a decorated cake!! Fuuka's made herself a system, using notes and taking her time very carefully to make sure she doesn't make mistakes and throw off her rhythm. You get to write the exciting little message on the chocolate plate for decoration, then get invited to Fuuka's room to actually sit and eat it in leisure. She says it's as good as what's in the stores (despite the cake being a bit too firm and the whip being water, BUT those are such minor problems - this is a huge step up for Fuuka.)
Hangouts
1)Sweets shop visit! She muses briefly about how she's been happy for a while now, before asking if they use charcoal to make anmitsu black. GIRL NO FOR THE LOVE OF GOD - you can be a monster and say 'soy sauce' but the right answer is the red beans.
I go ahead and give her the cute phone strap I made. She loooves it, admires that you can make all kinds of different things.
Junpei
He drags you to a movie to start out! Junpei's frustrated at the movie having a complex villain, saying it's not fun to beat up someone who isn't just a mustache twirler.
Taking you to the burger joint, he jokes that people are gonna get the "wrong idea". He's surprised that you aren't openly chatting about boys. "Actually, I know you probably have your hands full with other stuff. Me too..."
Rank 3
'Guys can't come to cafes with each other' huh. Even so, he actually seems to know a bit about coffee and can recognize good taste. If you order hot chocolate, he calls it a girly drink but seems happy? Probably just feeling like he's getting to know you - he would have also liked it if you said you got a coffee.
He offers to be your wingman if you're looking for guys, LMAO. He jokes about you 'stealing' Akihiko from all his fawning fangirls, saying like it'd be out of a manga. You could say 'don't talk about him like that' for +2 but joking that you'll give it a try he'll back you up. Likely wants to feel reliable and a good friend!
Rank 4
On the way to have ramen after school, you both encounter a drunk out in public wanting to start shit. Junpei opens up about his trauma involving alcoholics. Despite him saying that he's jealous of your parents being dead, he is genuinely apologetic if you push back.
Rank 5
Junpei treats us to ramen, worried about us and grateful that our demeanor is still pretty chipper. Apparently there are photos of us in our gym clothes floating around, centered on us in particular - Junpei is worried for you and your safety in particular.
RANK 6
Kenji appears! Junpei harangues him about the sketchy photos in case it's him. We get dragged to go look at the photography club, see if they have any leads or answers. Keisuke is a cutie a sweetie pie a sweetheart and very helpful thank you, doll Junpei's focused on this because he doesn't want this all to ruin our social life - it feeds into his general nature being protective of women, even if he's kind of a mess about it, probably a LOT to do with how his parents interacted I bet.
RANK 7
Chatting over ramen, Junpei muses uncertainly about what he'll be doing in ten years. You can reassure him - he'll be great. He asks if there's something only he can do - it's best if you don't bring up his Persona, naturally, because he's asking about the future.
RANK 8
Helping a bro out in the library with his studies... rip bozo. At least today, he actually tried hard thanks to getting encouragement. He takes a moment to genuinely praise you, after having been so harsh before. Notices that you're always giving it your all, in every way you can. Though there's an interruption of catching the guy peeking with the camera, which has Junpei insist that you be careful (especially if you're like I'M GONNA FIGHT THAT GUY--)
RANK 9
We head to the shrine. He's got a bruise under his eye... he gets flustered if you ask "who did it" like you're gonna get in a fight for your bestie (correct). "Seeing someone way smaller than me put their all into something... it made me feel ashamed of myself" - basically he realized he needed to actually try in his life. He'd wanted to chase down who was taking pictures because he wanted you, a reliable and independent person, to trust him and give him self worth. He realizes now that that was silly, that helping people is something friends do regardless.
RANK 10
He takes you out for ramen to give you the little piggy keychain he used to use for his house keys. He's giving them to you because he's scared of seeing his dad and no longer running from that... and he trusts you to back him up. And he reminds you that he's there for you... not just out of a self-serving sense of trying to gain self worth from doing so, but because he cares about you.
Hangouts!
1)'gurl how did you eat that much??' but he is absolutely down with how stubborn you can be. Basically, WHO CARES what people think?
2) You go to the arcade! He gets STOKED if you pick the fighting games, he lets you pick the characters to use.
3) Beef bowl time! He apologizes about bringing up parents and parental trauma. He very, very much doesn't want you to worry about it.
4) Karaoke!! He says it's a good way to vent off feelings, even joking that they should go shout at the ocean, lmao.
Ken
Rank 1
Just getting to know him. Taking him out to Wakatsu for dinner. He talks a bit about how convenience store food just... isn't as good as what his mom used to cook, and that he wishes he'd have praised her for it.
Rank 2
You take him out to eat at Wakatsu - Ken seems dispirited, but eventually you can get him talking about Featherman R. Bonding with him over sentai shows perks him up, revitalizes his appetite.
Rank 3
A remark on the rice being dry at the restaurant leads to you suggesting you could bring him during earlier hours instead. He rebuffs, "I'm just being shy", that you should have fun with your friends and he's just grateful to be included once in a while. Apparently honey makes rice taste better when you cook? That and 'food made with love' were things he learned from manga. When you say you read manga too, he replies, "but you're an adult? And a girl, too..." and he seems tickled by you saying you just can't stop reading them. After rambling about a series he really loves, he cuts himself off... even attempts to ask for more or show mutual enthusiasm don't quite perk him back up, since he seems to be thinking he needs to grow up out of it.
Rank 4
Ken's fixated on his smallness, asking whether it's true that you need to eat well to grow up right. He asks, "You'd prefer someone more like Akihiko, right?" sir....... I know you have a baby crush but come on....
After 10/4
He brings you to the alleyway... all he does is mourn. All he needs is you there for him.
Rank 5
He's struggling to eat his calcium meal. Ken feels guilty for doing all of the sharing and talking. He admits, after some thought, that he threw away all of the fighting manga he was reading before - "Fighting isn't a good thing" "It was exciting to see a bunch of bad guys die". He realizes that it was childish, and not appropriate for him. You reassure him, that despite his feelings, he's okay the way he is now. Now is when he admits that he wants you to notice him. Sorry, kiddo...
Rank 6
Today he's chowing down. After a little chat about his calligraphy lesson, he admits to liking omurice, which you offer to make. He remarks that everyone in the dorm is very sweet to him - making sure he gets nice things, sharing treats or toys or such in a 'subtle' way to not belittle him. Junpei getting snacks with toys and only keeping the snacks, Yukari offering to get ice cream for them but skipping on it herself, so on. He says he doesn't want pity, that no one needs to be nice - we reassure him, "That's just how I am."
Rank 7
Instead of going out, tonight, you decide to make omurice for him in the dorm kitchen. We sit and eat. SIGH... he admits that he wouldn't like if we were dating anyone. "A kid like me shouldn't be butting into personal stuff like that!" YEAH, HONEY, YOU SHOULDN'T. Romance is just not on the table.
Rank 8
On our way out to dinner, a classmate of Ken's meets up. The classmate mistakes Hamu for being Ken's sister, which makes Ken panic and raise his voice. He struggles to say what you are to him, not helped when you chime in "we're friends". The kids shout at each other, classmate calls us weird, says 'you're older', calls you a hag (lmao). You're unbothered, but Ken's frustrated... he asks why you bother with a kid like him, when the ages are so disparate. You assure him - you are friends. Your friendship with people in your age group doesn't preclude that. He says that he looks up to you for your kindness and your strength. "I want to be more like you."
Rank 9
At school, Ken almost got in trouble for not having something he wanted to do with his future. As he climbs the playground, he explains that his friendship with you and how you respect him as an individual and not as Just A Kid helped him feel different. "I don't simply wish to become an adult anymore. ... It all depends... on how I become one." He's matured, realizing he needs to grow up at his own pace rather than wishing for it to rush faster.
Rank 10
We go back to That alley again. He talks about how he'd been afraid to think too much of his mom, of growing up as fast as possible. He thinks, based on what he learned since last conversation, that he can move on more properly now. He thinks he understands more of what Shinji was trying to teach him. He gives you his old house key, wanting to share the happiness of his childhood memories from his old home symbolically.
Shinji
We are gonna woo this man hell or high water. Saving him... it matters to me bc I love him ok
Rank 1
If you ask him out to eat, he picks Hakagure! He's immediately more soft and gentle when he chats, accompanied by soft music. Shinji chats about how Aki got grouchy and gave him a left hook, and says that's just how they interact with each other.
Rank 2
Shinji lets you pick where to go, so you pick Wakatsu? So ohoho, Hamuko, do you like seafoods? Tempura? He ends up quietly fussing about Aki and Mitsuru, saying Aki needs a more balanced diet... and he mentions that the two seem more confident in fighting now than when he was around before. And naturally, he ends up fretting at you to not overdo it, yourself.
Rank 3
He takes you to Wakatsu again and fusses more - he gets very flustered at being called kind-hearted and decides to glare you down until you eat all your veggies. Doofus... group mom....
Rank 4
EMERGENCY...!!!! We have to stop Fuuka from making a horrible stroganoff, STAT. Shinji's harsh with her, but very direct in showing her exactly how to cook, going through instructions. He's braver than any soldier... able to tell her to not experiment until she's got the basics........
MAN I love beef stroganoff so much in real life I'M JEALOUS. He grumbles and grouches about being basically bullied into helping Fuuka learn cooking more, but the truth is there and he's SUCH a pushover - it only takes merely mentioning cooking for everyone before he's like "okay fine yes that sounds nice."
Rank 5
He's already got a cough, but brushes it off, it just happens sometimes. And he admits, with a red face, that he's shown up here so he remembers to get coffee to use in his cooking. The two of you chat about your plans to treat everyone at the dorm.
Rank 6
He's making dinner! He drags Fuuka into the kitchen to get her to make a side-dish, scolding her to get her on track and in line for the making a WHOLE TON of food for everyone. Everything turned out great! There's a bit of tension only from Ken, who struggled because of their past. Afterwards, it's just you and Shinji, and he fondly says that he wouldn't have thought to do it without your suggestion.
TAKE SHINJI TO THE MOVIES
"Wouldn't you have more fun if you went with one of your girl friends?" but he's actually happy. Nerd. The Film Festival theme is "The Incredible Pet Stories" series, heheh. "Well... if this is what you really want, I guess I'm game too." It's all about animals doing their damn best to survive... Shinji's eyes are red, presumably from getting teary-eyed.
Rank 7
He asks if we can step out of the dorm due to feeling uncomfortable. FUNNY ENOUGH, it's because everyone's so excited to maybe get more of Shinji's cooking and giving him a lot of attention he's not used to. He's happy whether you say 'it can't be helped' or 'I have my hopes up, too', LOL. He goes on about how important it is to make memories, to have fun... then he asks, aren't you wasting time spending it with him? Aren't there better things to do? But no... "I'm having fun being with you". He's flustered, but delighted - off to the corner store to get a little ice cream.
Rank 8
His invitation tonight is serious and solemn... and he takes us to That back alley. "You're... a pain. You keep messing things up for me... I keep thinking my life is the way it's supposed to be..." but. But. He's thinking of us. It's a short outing, but... poignant.
Rank 9
Tonight, we sit and chat in the lounge - he's charmed that you bring up ghost stories, and reflects that that's how you met him in the first place. Despite chatting away, Shinji seems... distant, tonight. He urges you on to chat, but when he trails off... he says that you look best happy, and tells you not to cry. What are you trying to say? "I've gotta make sure I don't leave anything behind...". He stays cryptic, but he's talking about his death and regrets. "You don't have to forgive me. But forgive everything else..." He just wants things to feel normal for a little longer. And he mumbles, of course, about the watch.
Rank 10
Once you find the Pocket Watch (from the police station!), it's finally time to talk. He walks you out to the shrine to ask where you found the thing. Here... you exchange watches. They keep track of time as it passes, you know? He asks us to look after Aki, and tells the story from their childhood when he had stolen a doll for Aki's sister, and Aki had punched him and demanded they take it back. You promise to be there for Akihiko, for Shinji...
Despite the chill, despite it being late at night, you cuddle up close with Shinji and talk late into the night.
Afterwards...
You can still pull him aside, and tell him you want to spend time with him... or tell him you love him. Despite him saying 'don't waste your time with someone like me', you tell him that you know exactly what you're saying, and what you want. "You're always pushing me around and ignoring what I want, huh? Well, two can play at that game" you NERD.
Ryoji
He doesn't hit on you straight out the gate... he's preoccupied with feeling a strange sense of familiarity. Action text says "you go with the flow and shake his hand" - Hamuko likely felt that sense of familiarity and recognition, too. It's even possible she may suspect him to be Pharos.
After that Rank he's already calling the Kyoto trip a "Kyoto Date", pfft.
Rank 2
Flirtin' with us on the train ride to school. Life is lovely, the ocean is pretty, school is fun - Ryoji gets to enjoy just living.
Rank 3
Now you can be the one to invite Ryoji out! There's ofc a swarm of girls he's charming easily too. "I've already decided on my princess for today" BOY. Even though he says that, he pauses and says "I feel like I shouldn't be saying things like this to you... I want to be more sincere with you".
Sunday Hangout
He takes you to a cafe, and comments on the number of couples around you two. He admits that he would like us regardless of gender (bicon). Though he says that he somehow knows that once he realizes how he knows us, we'll get closer... but that makes him feel horribly sad, and makes him want to cry.
Rank 4
Ryoji struggles to understand what lovers talk about, and more importantly, why you in particular. Why is he so drawn to you? He doesn't talk about executions (maybe that's under the dialogue option where you say 'depressing topics'? Checked, nope, he just speculates that one can only really confide in someone they care for over such sad things). He asks if you'll meet him again on the 22nd.
Rank 6
Reminiscing already about Kyoto, Ryoji shows off a ring he bought himself during the trip. He'd bought it as a subtle reminder of the trip and the fun he had with everyone. "I think that rings are things that bind memories to the person wearing them".
Rank 7
You two discuss Junpei's absence from the career week... Ryoji says that death is something that needs to just be accepted, but he IS worried about his friend.
Sunday Hangout
Like a couple of nerds, you sneak to Gekkoukan high and hop the fence just so you can go to the rooftop. "When I'm alone, I don't feel right..." he says. He feels scared that tomorrow is coming, and as he trails off and stutters, you complete his incomplete "I'm..." with "You're Ryoji". He feels soothed by hearing his name from you. Here, he admits his feelings and confesses.
Rank 9
He asks to go to your room. Bold! He says he can vaguely remember it, somehow, like he's seen it in a dream. He says that he thinks he came to be friends, but "what we have now is different from being friends." How he feels about Junpei and Yukari isn't how he feels for you. "You are so kind" ... "...You shouldn't give so much of yourself to me. I'll... probably make you sad."
Honey... that's how life is. Everyone will make you sad. But that makes life worth living. "Please touch me... feel for yourself that I'm actually here." It fades to black with you only touching his hand, but you do see him off afterwards.
Rank 10
He returns to give us the option on how we should die. The question, the confrontation - it's exactly the same. Save for the moment just before going back downstairs... he takes off his ring from Kyoto, passing it to you. It's proof that he was 'human', for at least a little while. His last words for you, in private, are "I love you".
Mitsuru
Finally time to hang out with senpai and help her just... live a little. It starts the same way as it does when you're Minato - taking her out for ramen!
Rank 2
Wuck time! She admits to having been hard on you, especially because everyone - including her - depend so much on your leadership.
Rank 3
Takoyaki time! She's encouraged to just dive into trying things rather than ruminate on how sheltered she is. When chatting about Akihiko maturing, she admits to feeling anxious, feeling "pressed for time" for not growing. She appreciates when you agree to forget what she just talked about, lmao.
Rank 4
Mitsuru is tired. She has the weight of the Kirijo Group, inheritance, and arranged marriage on her shoulders.
Rank 5
Movie time! Mitsuru talks about how independent we seem ("you don't seem like the type of girl to be afraid of going to the movies on your own"), and talks about her motorcycle as her own little rebellion just like she does with Minato. She's excited still to ride that motorcycle with you.
Rank 6
Like with Minato, Mitsuru gets into her doubts and frustrations about marriage when spoken to. But instead of a romantic angle.... Mitsuru confides in you frustration over being treated with misogyny. "In the end, I cannot escape from the fact that I am a woman. Marriage to a near complete stranger, having my name and Group stripped from me, expected to conceive an heir..." [...] "Where in there, however, am 'I' needed?"
She suggests that she may have forced us into a position of leadership "...so that you can prove to me that there is no difference between men or women...". This is a huge HUGE difference from the simple romance route you get with Minato. This has SO much more depth and meaning.
Rank 7
At Wuck, she asks - when you're with me, what do you think? We're having fun. This rank is just appreciating her time with you, even if she's afraid it's coming up short.
Rank 8
Movie time again! Mitsuru talks more about how frustrated and shackled she feels, and while she gripes that she's becoming undisciplined, she appreciates you being there for her no matter what. ...She still offers you to run away with her before her shitty fiance shows up. For Hamuko, the fiance wryly states that you're cunning/conniving for using your sex as a weapon to sneak into higher society - this misogynist bullshit gives Mitsuru the courage to finally stomp her foot down and DEMAND an apology. She realizes the importance of the PEOPLE in a company, a group, a family - and how status is meaningless in the face of that.
Rank 9
Mitsuru 'abused' her power for privacy on the rooftop here, too, even if she didn't have romantic motives. Lel. She apologizes for how you were treated the other day, but is happy and embarrassed when you reply fondly "You were cool". She explains that she always was assessing people as potential assets first - Yukari snapped at her (rightly) for it, but it wasn't until recently that it started to change. She thanks you for being the person to actually bring people together, to connect to them meaningfully.
"Outwardly, you're more adorable... and yet, you have it in you to be stronger, more courageous and more charismatic than a man". She realizes here that she was exercising internalized misogyny - 'because I'm a woman, it can't be helped' - and it was you that set the example for her to realize how foolish that was. "I am me. I have things that only I can do." She promises to never run away again, and asks you to stand by her side instead. It's not supposed to be sapphic but GURL...
Rank 10
Mitsuru invites you to her own room. She's embarrassed at how lush it is, saying that her maids insisted on bringing the luxuries up for her. You two hang out and chat for hours. She does give you her motorcycle key... lamenting a little that she won't be riding it as often, but she encourages you to get a license. And of course, ride on the motorcycle behind her in the meantime. She tells you that you have given her pride - in her name, in who she is, and presumably also in her gender. HAH - turns out that you've decided to bully her (lovingly) with a horror movie DVD. "You don't have to push the package in my face", she says - you're a gremlin I swear. She asks if you'll hold her hand as you two watch the movie.
MAAAAAN okay the girl routes are by and large very friend coded but this is VERY GIRLFRIEND CODED even if the writers were trying to step away from it. Hamuko 1000% kisses Mitsuru I will accept no other
Hangouts!
1) Sunday! She takes you out for karaoke, laughing in amusement that she can't hit the high notes but it's definitely fun to try anyway. I slip her the antique japanese doll... she's flustered and happy. Cutie patootie.
2) Sunday! She brings up that she only really makes tea for herself, so this coffee trip is a nice change of pace. She brings up how she had selected you as the leader because you're a woman, distressed that you might be upset or have been pressured or upset about it. When you say you aren't, she's grateful, even if she wryly says she hopes you're not just saying it to give her peace of mind.
Aigis
oh god can I max you out before the 31st... ganbatte...Aigis' interactions with Hamuko up until her evolution have been relatively the same as they are with Minato. Uncertain draw to be nearby, to observe - we know it's her subconsciously drawn to monitor Death. The lack of meaningful differences between genders is interesting.
Rank 1
We visit a shrine, where Aigis explains that just like how Koromaru logically/factually knew that the priest was dead, he was following his feelings... she knew she couldn't protect/save you from fate as she was but still yearned to do so anyway. She also ends the conversation with "Koromaru and myself aren't 'people'" - which... is lonely, and silly. You aren't human, but you are absolutely a person.
Rank 2
She takes us to the rooftop to talk. She basks in appreciating that you both like living in Iwatodai, and enjoy the view together. She's afraid of her changes, but glad to be going through them with you. This is the same conversation you have as Minato.
Rank 3
The dogs encounter! It goes the same as it does with Minato.
Rank 4
The first encounter with the older lady looking for her kitty. Aigis is encouraged to go on the adventure to track down the missing cat, eager to help out the older woman so she wouldn't be lonesome. Aigis gets frustrated that she isn't built to handle these situations.
Rank 5
Same as with Minato! Cat located! She realizes that living involves being with other people... there's a mixed sadness. She'll outlive most of her friends indefinitely, right? But in the moment, right now... she's happy to be with you.
Rank 6
Same as with Minato! Old granny is talking to her grandson who's an ungrateful little shit. Here, Aigis realizes that she has appreciation for what privileges she has, even if she's still frustrated with her limitations.
Rank 7
Same as with Minato! Aigis has an existential moment dwelling on the death of the cat, and the loneliness of the old lady... what does it mean to be alive? She's in despair over the cruelty of loss. She wants to be with you.
Rank 8
Same as with Minato (I accidentally sped through the start of it oops). She's insecure about taking too much time with you, about taking you away from other people. "I am not a male... I am not even human...!" "If I were to use the proper words... I know it would never come true, and I...!" she confesses, without a chance for you to respond (WRITERS ARE COWARDS)
Rank 9
On the rooftop again... Aigis explains she's been thinking things through more, after getting so emotional last time. She's still grappling with your future death. "Life is finite and ephemeral." She realizes that bonds with other people are the most important part of life... and time will march onward. So she should act now. She tries to express that she doesn't want you to be closer to anyone else besides her. "I know that I'm a machine and can't be touched. I know that you should find happiness with a man...!" You take her hand, which she shakes off, still shaking and musing that maybe she'll fall apart. She's flustered - running hotter than usual because of how strongly she feels for you.
Rank 10
Her final request is for you to come see her room, how she lives in it. Her room is full of machinery rather than any beds, a chamber for diagnostics, so on. And so, so much ammunition. ...And tons of shirts in a little closet for her!! She realizes that there's something unique to her being a machine. "There's something that only I can say, because I am unable to die. [...] I... will never leave you. No matter how or when your life comes to an end... at that moment, I will be at your side."
She has another favor to ask - at the base of her neck, behind the knot of her ribbon, inside of her is the source of her artificial psyche. The Papillon Heart. ...Were the creators of the robots aware of Philemon? Either way. She asks if you will touch her extremely fragile Heart - your skin oils and cells, it ought to leave a permanent mark. She wants that mark there permanently, to forever stay with her as a mark of understanding between you two - the burnt mark would be there forever, not erasable as her memories would be. .....She cuts off motor function to her limbs in anticipation of what she might say or sound like. Extremely horny LMAO.
April
... She opens up much faster, bringing up that she's uncomfortable with Mitsuru far earlier. She didn't want to be alone working with Mitsuru.
... Yukari likes to gossip with you
♠ Junpei is roughly the same, wanting to be the cool guy helping you out, though he doesn't seem interested in you.
♠ "But she's a girl!!!" rip bozo not liking a girl leader
♠ Though he still invites you out for ramen when he finds out that you had been hospitalized - he says he'd also been the New Kid and he knows how hard that all is, and felt sympathetic.
♠ You get to CHOOSE between Elizabeth and Theodore/Theo. I pick Theo naturally.
♠ A lot of Hamuko's response options in April are very peppy!
May
♠ Shinji's initial reaction to you is word for word the same - gender doesn't matter on its face here. It's matching how Akihiko is also not paying much attention to your gender - no big surprise since he's that way with the fawning girls around him too.
♠ I spent all Golden Week studying like a NERD. I notice I always do this bc I don't wanna suck by midterms.
♠ Junpei leaning into the sexism with his bitterness again not knowing he'd still be a sour lil asshole if it were Minato. "It's pretty much decided you're our leader, huh? Even though I'm the only guy in the group..." come on man.
♠ "Whether one is a man or a woman doesn't factor into it[...] And let me add, if you ever do anything to condescend to her because she's a woman..." THANK you Mitsuru she's got our fucking BACK bro
♠ "Oh, no no no! It's not like I look down on her or anything!" BROTHEEERRR you're spilling biases all over the place just because you're bitter
♠ If you say it was scary after pulling the brakes he does frantically tell you not to cry and gets out his handkerchief - and apparently you laugh about it
June
♠ When infiltrating the school at night, you can go with Akihiko or Yukari. When you go with Aki, he is a bit of a blind dummy and bad at finding the gym key.
July
♠ Junpei asks 'what're you trying so hard for?' There's no real 'nice' answer besides asking if he's worried about you, which he shrugs off. Yukari rubs salt in by teasing him for getting jealous that a girl led the mission again.
♠ This is where we as a player are introduced to Strega watching us - their observations aren't any different with Hamuko's presence.
♠ The Reveal for a lot of the Kirijo background goes same as it does for Minato's route, including Junpei sincerely apologizing for taking out anger on us by being an asshole.
♠ Yakushima!! We have a cute swimsuit, pink plaid with ribbons on the hips and frills on the top. The lore drop is as expected... no major differences except there's no option to hug her as the femc (unless you mod the game like I did because I am a creatura). You also join the rest of the girls to go up to the tree instead of babe hunting on the beach (thankfully) - the boys fail to impress Aigis and Aigis seems to sense our presence in the forest.
♠ The writing here seems to say that the girls got separated somehow.... which is kind of just lazy. I'll HC instead that Hamuko was splitting off to see if the boys would either meet at the tree or otherwise head down to the beach to find them, and got to the tree in the process.
♠ SAPPHIC AIGIS LET'S GOOOO - I mean ahem. Her dialogue is basically completely unchanged from when it's Minato. AKIHIKO THOUGH - JUST CASUALLY "I see, so that's her preference" I'M GLAD YOU'RE SUPPORTIVE YOU GOOFBALL.
♠ Yaaaaay end of the month summer volleyball training /s. I mean I'm glad Rio gets to play for realsies but MAN. The month closes out with that, finding Koromaru and another visit from Pharos - all matching Minato's route.
August
♠ I also forgot that Pharos starts calling you "My Dearest" at this point
♠ You can go to the festival, wear a yukata, the whole deal!! Junpei seems kinda bummed or unimpressed when people assume you're both a couple - it's pretty funny how firmly he friendzones Hamuko even after being a horndog about every girl possible. Akihiko says you didn't have to wear a yukata and it's "hard to look directly at you" boy you got it BAD. Joining Yukari and Fuuka or Mitsuru and Aigis matches the Minato route, barring comments from the takoyaki stand lady! (My 'canon' pick is Aki, I'm weak, also TRAGIC we can't go with Hidetoshi)
♠ INTERESTING... Last day of the film festival is Ikutsuki bringing you along to watch films about the history of modernism.
September
♠ No differences whatsoever with the whole Hermit full moon encounter! Everyone is very preoccupied with trying to get information out of Chidori, out of Junpei's behavior, et cetera that there really isn't much attention paid to Hamuko at all (less notes for me to take lbr)
♠ Pharos appears at night again! He says something to the effect of 'some things never change, huh?' and of the options, I pick "everything can change". I think that's really important and central to a lot of the themes of the story and more importantly, to how Hamuko is characterized. Though one could be reluctant... it takes a lot of genuine faith to make the kind of sacrifice Arisato does at the very end.
♠ Looks like a lot of the added encounters with Takaya are unique to P3R - they were great for adding more depth to STREGA.
♠ The whole scene for taking down the Culture festival displays starts about the same. (Kenji talking about being cute crossdressing? 🥚) Ofc when Aigis asks whose cross-dressing would be the best, I picked "MINE!" There's no 'girl crush' tension or male equivalent, just chatter in general.
October
♠ Bringing Theo the medicine is a little more hilarious because I had to ACTUALLY be sick and also he drinks the whole thing, then brags about how he could make a better version that ACTUALLY worked or whatever??? Just imagining a hideously sick Hamuko looking dead while Theo sat there and bragged is RIDICULOOOOUS
♠ Reload changed the scene with Koromaru and the abandoned dog to be about the owner getting Apathy Syndrome - that was MUCH more impactful and a fantastic change, it really stands out how that helps ground Koromaru's existence and participation in the team fighting the Shadows.
November
♠ The school trip gives the opportunity to actually catch the guys instead of evade capture.
♠ Chidori's escape and fight happens this month as well... I don't believe I actually managed to encourage saving her this time.
♠ The career week flies by without any real significant scenes that were introduced in Reload, seems like!
♠ Had a little moment of Ryoji asking if next time he visits it can be in your room. WELL... YOU'LL GET TO BE IN MY ROOM ALRIGHT, JUST NOT THE WAY YOU HOPE...
December
♠ The game never really dives into the protagonists' experience with their family's death, or the anniversary of it on the second of the month. It's been ten years... surely it's been a lot. There's no indication the protagonist has ever had foster parents or anyone else in their life, either. It's just... you.
♠ You are given the explanation of Nyx. You are told it's your choice how you wish to die.
♠ "Did you never notice?" Junpei asks in his freakout. It's an interesting question because... yeah. There WERE signs. When you talk to him afterwards, he says that he always thought his dad was a loser, but now he understands, in a way, which is upsetting.
January
♠ Everyone's mulling over whether they'll live and have a future. Ex., Junpei drags us to the rooftop, talking about an upcoming holiday before going on about the cults springing up talking about the apocalypse right now. "To think I'd end up trusting such a cutie with my life..." yeah ok nerd I know you sister-zoned me from day one, dingus. He says that you're cool, after hosting Death for ten years and then making that power your own.
♠ Everyone meets on the Promised Day... and promises to meet again for Graduation Day.
♠ We climb Tartarus. We confront the Nyx Avatar.
♠ Our friendships... they give us the power of The Universe tarot.
The last days
♠ Yukari asks you to meet her mom. She's afraid... she needs the support. She wants to introduce you to her mom as her best friend.
♠ Akihiko is feeling nostalgic, looking around the school. Without remembering the fight, he feels... unresolved, about what happened to Shinji.
♠ Bebe sent you a letter, all in hiragana... he explains that his uncle finally acknowledged that the kimono was lovely, and acknowledged Bebe's love for Japan. But Bebe decided not to return... there are many people in his life that helped fund his trip, and supported him, but Bebe doesn't want to leave his uncle alone after his aunt's death.
♠ Rio admitted that before, she was frustrated with her situation and her shortcomings... but you helped her have FUN, and set a genuine goal for herself in the future. She decided that she DOES want to pursue being an athlete, even if her situation seemed like a severe uphill climb... she has the courage now.
♠ Fuuka wants to start a tech club - her friendship with you made her realize that she wants to share something she has a fondness for with others, no longer afraid of what's "girly" or not.
♠ Hidetoshi decides that he doesn't want to be in the student council next year... he's concerned for the future, disagreeing politely and calling you optimistic, and wants to become a teacher to help shape the people that will shape the country, growing up.
♠ Ken meets you outside the front gates. So much of his life was so specifically shaped by his mother's death that the loss of the memories has him especially frazzled. But still... he remembers that you respected him as a person instead of treating him like a kid, and that gives him perspective to move forward in his life.
♠ The monk left a message with the bartender explaining that he found his wife and son, and is reconnecting with them, apologizing to them.
♠ The old couple are in good spirits! The persimmon tree will be moved rather than just cut down, able to look over the students from the hilltop. They're happy to see you growing and maturing, too.
♠ Maiko's father is who meets you at the playground. Maiko had sent a letter talking about her new life, new friends, new school... her dad feels guilty for causing so much strife. SJDFBHJDS WHEN MAIKO SAYS SHE WANTS HAMUKO TO BE FAMILY THE GUY ASKS YOU OUT? SIR?? NO, SIR, LMAO, FUCK OFF the writers are outta CONTROL man
♠ Akinari's mother is at the shrine as well... she's mourning her son, naturally. Talking about how he'd thanked her for his life, however short. She's relieved to hear that her son DID finish his story... it gives her solace.
♠ Koromaru's returned to the shrine. He doesn't remember... he's back to mourning the priest.
♠ Tanaka has his silly little bullshit interview, where he says "what I donate from my own pocket is my own business you fuckin mooks" (paraphrased)
♠ bc im bad at time management I'd gotten Aigis and Mitsuru to rank 9 and still ran out of time I SUCK
♠ Aigis comes to your room. She remembers first, remembers everything. It's graduation day...
♠ On the roof, Aigis shares her feelings, same as with Minato. Shinji is who arrives... he jokes at you forcing a sick guy to push himself, but calls himself a numbskull for forgetting. "The girl I saw in my dreams... it was you..." he embraces you, reassures himself, it's not a dream. Quietly, comfortably, held and loved... you fade away.