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alias_sqbrMasterlist and guide
I loved it! It was great! It still has the same tendency towards Unfortunate Subtext as the rest of the game, but otherwise, it tied everything together, answered the main questions, and gave me feels, both about the main couple and all the other characters and relationships. A lot of dating sims with lovely friendships suddenly drop them at the end for a "and then the two of them went off alone" ending, but this is very much does not. Underneath his gruff, angsty exterior, Yanagi has the soul of a shoujo heroine, and he and Ichika make a cute couple going around saving everyone with their combined POWER OF LOVE.
Also I went into this with vague thoughts about how one could get Shiraishi and Yanagi to work as a couple, and came out feeling like all you'd need to do is add "and then they both kissed Shiriashi" to the end of this route to make a pretty cute Shiriashi/Yanagi/Ichika story.
Content note: Violence, death, suicide, child harm, me briefly thinking there might be a child sexual abuse plot but there isn't
CHAPTER SIX
Ichika wakes at home, in physical and emotional pain.
There is a new Adonis video. An unfamiliar, calm, altered voice says that someone who 'played the champion of justice and allowed many people to become victims' will be judged.
And then a video from Zero appears moments later saying 'we will not judge good people but our hammer will fall on sinners' etc.
It is so creepy imagining Saeki saying all that stuff D:
Kazuki can tell something's wrong and tell her not to go to work. But she says there's something she has to do.
Yanagi arrives and asks if she really wants to go to work, saying if it was up to him he'd selfishly stop her. But he understands that she wants to try and talk Saeki down.
When Ichika introduces him to Kazuki as her friend the ex-cop, Kazuki says "You've gotten yourself into some sort of trouble, haven't you? Why are there all these cops and bodyguards?"
Ichika: I'm sorry, I can't tell you. But it is dangerous, so please listen to the bodyguards.
Yanagi: I apologise for putting your sister in harm's way. I understand wanting to stop her. But she's key to our fight to prevent any more murders. And we can't let her family be kidnapped. That would hurt her the most of all.
Kazuki: I don't care what happens to me! If something happens to you, what's the point?
Ichika: Thanks for worrying about me. It'll be ok.
As he's about to leave her at the door to work, Yanagi is sad he can't do more to help her.
Ichika: I'm glad to be able to help you. And I'm sure everything will be ok.
He leans down and touches her hair, his face close to hers, and says "Liar. You are happy to help, but you're terrified. I bet you need a good cry and a hug."
She smiles and admits this is true, and asks for the hug. He gets endearingly flustered that the police station is RIGHT THERE, then agrees.
Yanagi: So. Uh. How long are we going to do this?
Ichika: Until I'm satisfied.
Yanagi: But there's a lot of people here...
Ichika: I don't care if people gossip about us, and if they get the wrong idea, that's great. It'll just be a fait accompli.
Yanagi: You're pretty fired up today.
Ichika: Of course. A woman in love is strong :)
Yanagi: Love?
Ichika: Yes, love. I'd like it if I was at least a little bit special to you.
I suspect this would have made more sense in Japanese, assuming she actually said "I like you" not "I love you" before. Anyway. Aww :)
Yanagi: ...oh, but you had me long ago. Fait accompli, eh? Well I don't mind that at all.
He caresses her face and she gets embarrassed and steps away.
Ichika: When this is all over, let me cry. Please listen to the selfish things I have to say. After it's all over.
Yanagi: All right. I won't say anything to make you cry until then :)
I went to sleep at this point, and thinking back over the game...I'm really not getting any maths, am I ;_;
I spent a while trying to figure out why Mikuni wanted to kill his father but then realised the "assassination attempt" was designed to fail, to increase the standing of Shiraishi and the Prime Minister.
Also I got around to looking up (TW: so much incest) Adonis, who I'd vaguely recalled as being a Greek god who was good at fighting, but turns out he's kind of a gender-swapped Persephone. His main traits in popular culture seem to be (a) being a hot, effeminate, much younger guy Aphrodite aggressively pursued (b) Dying (or at least intermittently spending time in the underworld) and coming back to life. When he was killed by a boar Aphrodite was very sad and red anemones bloomed. The festival held in his honour is interestingly odd: it was women-only, and they would grow plants quickly and then let them wither in the sun, the break the pots and loudly mourn Adonis's death.
It's an odd choice of god for a tough-on-crime murder cult, but I guess I can see the appeal for writers wanting a cult that talks a lot about death and rebirth, with a vaguely Christian vibe and a flower motif.
...and the emphasis on hot young men would explain how Saeki got in charge.
I forgot to mention it before but Yanagi has told Minegishi and Morioka about Saeki.
Ichika: Oh, Sasazuka, what are you doing at the police station?
Sasazuka, with a withering look: Work it out.
Minegishi: Sasazuka's aid comes with certain conditions, but is invaluable :)
Ichika: You look like you haven't slept, Sasazuka, you should rest.
Sasazuka, gently poking her in the head: Idiot. Don't worry about me.
Mochida: Uh...why is there a SP agent...following you...
Ichika: He's a friend >.>
Yanagi POV
Shiraishi: I can't believe you're working with us. I assume you have some secret plan :)
Yanagi: I would hardly tell you if I did. You're one of Mikuni's men.
Shiraishi, smiling sadly: I want to grant his wish however I can. That group is my home.
GOD Yanagi has no idea but I am SO SAD for Shiraishi. I hope he gets out :(
There's a flashback to the meeting with Mikuni.
Yanagi: I assume you still intend to use murder to impose your form of justice.
Mikuni: Yes. Sacrifices must be made :)
Sasazuka: So there's no point making emotional appeals. You terrorists lack the spine to compromise :/
Yanagi is secretly hoping Sasazuka can crack the USB and get the info to bring down Saeki and Mikuni in one fell swoop.
Yanagi: Shiriashi, how much did you know, about the collar and X-day?
Shiriashi: I'm not really involved with X-Day. My role was to play the role of Kageyuki Shiraishi and facilitate Adonis's movements. I don't get any orders until plans are about to be executed. Like the attempt on the Prime Minister two years ago :)
Yanagi: Were you behind that?
Shiraishi: All I did was manipulate information. I won't deny that's a serious crime ;P
I don't remember seeing that cute sticking-out-tongue sprite before. Was it made JUST for talking about being involved in an assassination attempt on the PM...
Shiriashi: I've been undercover a long time. But I do know what will happen on X-Day, assuming the high-ups haven't changed the plan.
Saeki first went rogue in June: the original plan was just to kill two people, not an entire class of children. Mikuni took steps to try and prevent the killing of people whose guilt was unclear, or whose deaths were outside the scope, but Zero wouldn't listen.
Yanagi: What about you? Do you want to spend the rest of your life as a terrorist on the run?
Shiriashi: Within Adonis, my desires have no weight. All I do is fulfil the duty I am given :)
Yanagi: That's you as an Adonis agent. I'm asking you as Kageyuki Shiraishi. Is that what you really want, right now? You went into the outside world as an agent. You only show emotion to people you're curious about, you tease others, push them just over the edge, and are constantly misunderstood. You like cats, your eating habits are odd...you're ignorant in a number of strange ways. Yet, somehow, you've solved many cases. Are you just some man-made tool that can only carry out commands?
Shiraishi doesn't reply.
I guess Yanagi did pick up on some of the implications of the whole 'long-time member of murder cult, referred to as Number 14, has the sorts of weird emotional problems you might expect from someone with a very messed up upbringing' thing.
Ichika POV
She's organised to meet with Saeki on the roof for lunch D:
Ichika: How can you be so carefree? You could be arrested at any moment!
Saeki: They could arrest me. But they won't. And that's why you'll never catch all of Adonis :) You understand what we're trying to do now, don't you?
Ichika: You're going about it the wrong way.
Saeki: What if I kill Aiji Yanagi? Or your little brother? Wouldn't you want to take revenge? :)
Ichika: D:
Saeki: Your idea of justice is to shoot someone if it would save someone else. So why not shoot me right now and save a whole lot of lives? :)
I HAVE THE OPTION TO TRY TO SHOOT HIM
MAN
I REALLY WANT TO
BUT I WON'T
IT WOULD MAKE THAT BASTARD TOO HAPPY
*double checks walkthrough even though, obviously, and hey, there are SEVEN chapters this time!*
I've made a save file. Maybe I'll shoot him a little bit, as a treat. It'll be fine.
*sighs and doesn't shoot him*
Ichika: Shooting you wouldn't fix anything. I'm here to find out your true intentions. it's the only thing I can do.
Saeki: I see :)
AND THEN HE SHOOTS HER??
Yanagi POV
Yanagi: Shiraishi...
Shiraishi: It's no use, Yanagi. The worlds we live in are too different. My will is-
And then Yanagi gets a call from a distraught Okazaki saying that other Adonis agents within the station helped Saeki escape with Ichika, and now the higher ups are worried about the scandal. Shiraishi looks briefly shocked.
I think Saeki just knocked her out, but there were other gunshots at the same time to distract Okazaki.
Yanagi: Contact Mikuni. We need to know where the base is.
Shiraishi: It's not fully evacuated. I don't think Mikuni would tell the police yet.
Yanagi: Enough. Just tell me. Now.
Shiraishi: ...fine, fine.
Shiraishi rings Mikuni who does indeed refuse, saying he'll look for Ichika himself instead.
Shiraishi: ...you're making a scary expression I haven't seen before.
Yanagi: TELL ME WHERE THE BASE IS
Shiraishi: It has heavy defences. I could get in, but then I'd be a liability, since I've been conditioned to obey his voice. Even your voice wouldn't get through to me. I'd even kill her if I was ordered to.
Yanagi: If Hoshino dies, if I die...you wouldn't feel any pain?
Shiraishi, smiling sadly: I don't have a heart that can be wounded by things like that.
Yanagi: When Hoshino found out you were an Adonis spy all she did was worry about you. She said she wanted to trust you, because I trust you. Even if it was all an act to you, she didn't want to color her time with you with those lies.
Shiraishi makes a small sound, still smiling sadly and looking away.
Yanagi: Shiraishi. Are you really fine with this? If you really can't disobey Saeki, if you're just accepting what the future brings, why do you want to make Mikuni's wish come true? If you were really a pawn with no will, you'd have just done whatever Saeki ordered.
Shiraishi: D:
Yanagi: You do have an ego and your own desires. You're a criminal and the worst sort of person, but you aren't a puppet. You're Kageyuki Shiraishi, the person you created when you entered the outside world. So as your old friend, please. Help me save Hoshino.
Shiraishi: ...that look in your eyes says you'll kill me if I don't say yes, correct?
Yanagi: If that's what it takes you to wake up. There are things that stupid friends don't understand until you let your fists speak for you. I don't want to have any more regrets. I don't want my friends to have any either.
Pretty sure he used 'nakama' not 'friend', which feels more significant, since it implies he still sees Shiraishi as a comrade even though he's part of 'the other side'.
Anyway. Even though I really like all the sub-pairings of Shiraishi/Yanagi/Ichika, I didn't think I shipped the triad, but the way Yanagi can only talk about his feelings about Shiraishi through Ichika has me thinking. Plus it's...kinda Okita/Saizo/Chizuru redux.
...except about two cops and a terrorist ahahaha /o\
Morioka POV:
Chief Takaeda comes in and says he's taking over, and that they can't put Saeki on the wanted list because if the public knew the head of Adonis was an active police officer it would make the police look bad. Instead the plan is to capture everyone and declare some rando the mastermind.
Sasazuka: God you're annoying. Hey, Minegishi, Yanagi says they're ready to start the attack.
Chief Takaeda: This is a violation of the chain of command!
Sasazuka: Do I look like I give a crap? My friend's lives are at stake! Go ahead and arrest me when this is all over.
Morioka persuades the chief by saying the small team currently infiltrating the Adonis base aren't connected to the police and can take the blame if things go south. Minegishi tells Sasazuka there's a reason Morioka got to run Investigations at such a young age.
Police are ordered to evacuate civilians and contact Adonis agents that Sasazuka has identified.
Ichika POV
She wakes in the underground church to the sight of a blank eyed Saeki in unfamiliar brown clothes.
Saeki: This is the sacred ground of Adonis. Only the elder and related people can enter.
Ichika: Are you the elder?
Saeki: Yes. They call me Zero, and revere me as the one who will bring about rebirth. They can't act without an idol to look up to. I'm a beacon for those stupid believers.
Ichika: Is that really any way to talk about the believers who put their faith in you?
Saeki: Why should I respect them? They're just pawns :) They want to force their opinions on the country through armed force and numbers. They want to assert dominance through terror. To bask in the dream that they control Japan. They're mounds of greed who want recognition.
Ichika: Aren't you the same?
Saeki: We may seem similar. But only those who are good and righteous deserve to live. Acts of terror plant fear in the hearts of those with malice, a ritual to select the good. Those with power must purge those with evil thoughts so that normal people can live normal, everyday lives. That is my ideal :)
Ichika: So you'll destroy Adonis as well?
Saeki: Yes. People who acquire power and derive joy from controlling others aren't needed in my world. That's why I chose you. My final objective is to give all of the ordinary people living in Japan the conviction to resist the oppression of the strong. To let everyone see the malice that hangs over their daily lives, and give them the will to fight against it. Good, strong willed people will construct a new order in which evil is judged. You said you would shoot to protect. You want to help those drowning in sorrow. After being collared you have resisted without running, and seen the sorrow of the weak. And now you've finally reached me. The experiment was a success. You can kill malice with a pure heart :)
Ichika: There's no such line between good and bad people! Do you plan to test everyone like you did me? Will you force them to fear their ever-present death? Coerce them into fighting evil? Will you kill them if they can't do it?
Saeki: Of course :)
Ichika: Then I have no choice but to kill you.
Saeki: Yeah :) But I cant leave all the work to you, so I have no plans to die right now.
When she tries arguing more, he angrily says she's naive, and she realises this all likely stems from some sort of trauma. But of course he just claims to be a mere vessel to shoulder all this sadness.
Yanagi POV
Shiraishi: Hey, why is Okazaki here, he's a cop.
Okazaki: I can resign right now if you like.
Shiraishi: Mikuni is going to be pissed...but I won't sleep if she dies like this. Anyway, if I know Mikuni, the evacuation is complete anyway. He just hasn't given up on persuading Zero, or at least capturing him himself.
Sasazuka is triggering dummy alarms to distract Adonis security, and guides everyone past the security and traps inside. Also he's decoded the plan for X-Day: to execute a bunch of collared criminals at once. He has an unlock code but isn't sure it'll work.
Enomoto: Whoa, Shiraishi, I thought you were a lab geek but you've got moves!
Shiraishi: Did you...forget that I'm an Adonis spy?
Enomoto: Oh, right >.>
Shiraishi: I received gruelling training since I was young :)
Enomoto: Speaking of which you're taking betraying your team...really well?
Shiraishi: Ahaha ^_^
Okazaki: This place really feels like a terrorist lab...
Shiraishi: Well are we are terrorists :)
Wait AKITO is on the line, working with Sasazuka?? Ahh, he did lose his memories, but Sasazuka brought him back up to speed and persuaded him to work together.
Enomoto and Shiraishi stay back to beat up their pursuers while Okazaki and Yanagi go on to the 'elder's cathedral'.
Ichika POV
Mikuni: Zero. No. Yuzuru. This is my last warning. Put an end to this.
Saeki: Why haven't you left with the others? A single police raid on one cell won't stop Adonis. And with your connections we can always move again.
Mikuni: The police have our data. And...I'm quitting. I can't bear to see your madness get any worse, or to see Adonis corrupted any further. I will turn myself into the police as the main suspect.
Saeki: Rei. You're always nothing but talk. You said you'd make an ideal future for the meek, yet you're meekly giving up?
Mikuni: The promise we made ten years ago wasn't mean to bring about this slaughter.
Saeki: If that's how you feel, we walked different paths all along. You were born in the light, I in the shadows. You never understood me. That's why I've chosen her.
Mikuni draws his gun.
Saeki: Are you going to shoot me? :)
Mikuni: No :) *points gun at Ichika* Will you give up if she's gone? If you promise to lead Adonis properly, I will give myself up in your stead.
Saeki: Rei. You're a fool through and through.
Okazaki and Yanagi burst through the door, and successfully disarm a very sad looking Mikuni.
Meanwhile Saeki laughingly ignores Okazaki's warning shot and escapes.
Mikuni says the unlock code will PROBABLY work, and Ichika insists on trying it, for the sake of all the other collared people and so she can stand by Yanagi's side without worrying about Saeki.
When they get back to Enomoto, he says all the Adonis guys suddenly scattered, and he realised Shiraishi was gone too. And then Sasazuka tells them to run, just before the explosions start.
Okazaki: Everybody out!
Yanagi: But Shiraishi!
Mikuni: He'll be fine. Number 14 won't die so easily.
Yanagi: He isn't Number 14. He is KAGEYUKI SHIRAISHI >:(
Mikuni: ...so he is :) I'll find him for you. Aiji Yanagi, you've changed num- Kageyuki Shiriashi. I'm indebted to him for all the help he gave provided so I could achieve my dreams. You believe in him, and because of that, I'd never betray you.
One thing that makes me feel SLIGHTLY more sympathetic to Mikuni's "kind master of brainwashed slave" thing here is that he was born into the cult as much as Shiraishi was, and given that's he's too young to have been in charge during Shiraishi's childhood, and treats Shiraishi like a person (compared to Saeki who absolutely does NOT) the whole torturing-and-brainwashing-orphans policy is plausibly one of the things about Adonis he wants to change, or has changed. He's just, you know, willing to use the brainwashed slave he has to hand. For all the mass murdering fascism he wants to do...
WTF DID THEY JUST KILL OKAZAKI
I know 'pushing Yanagi and Ichika out of the way of falling rubble' is absolutely how he'd want to go, but that doesn't mean he should be allowed to >:(
Ok he's just horribly injured. He smiles cheerfully while everyone is horrified and pulls his blood soaked body free.
Okazaki: Thank you for giving me my wish.
Yanagi: I am NOT going to let you die >:(
Okazaki: You almost make me not want to :)
And then they're all rescued by the police.
Mikuni turned himself in but Saeki is still at large. And noone knows where Shiraishi is.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Saeki's diary. The criminals will be judged. Am I one of them? Or am I the only one safe? To make sure people fear punishment, X-Day will have to be repeated.
Distorted images of dark figures on city streets, with voices crying out about different kinds of pain and mistreatment.
"For the past ten years, I have taken in so much sorrow. And yet sorrow still exists. My heart will break. I embrace the sorrow of the victims, and carry out vengeance with my own hands. As a result, sorrow will spread. So what is there to do?
The answer is simple. Human ego is what gives birth to sorrow. I will oppose evil and we'll kill each other. This is when I forgot the ideal I strove for. Humans can lose their ability to feel sorrow. They will see, when they have nothing left to lose, that people have no inherent worth. I finally found my world without sorrow. All will be Zero."
Ah. He wants MORE brainwashed slaves. Or to literally murder everyone! Yay.
Ichika POV
Ichika and Yanagi are at Investigations confirming Mikuni's testimony, which appears to be accurate except for the "I'm the ringleader, Saeki is just some guy" part. Cyber crimes is tracking down and freeing all the criminals they can in advance of X-Day.
Minegishi and Morioka have been told the full story, and say they don't actually suspect the two of them of being Adonis, but the collar etc look shady to the police as a whole, so it would allay suspicions if they would be willing to try and get info out of Mikuni.
Mikuni: So you want to know about Yuzuru Saeki, to stop X-Day. It might not be so bad for the police if all the criminals were allowed to die :)
Ichika: I want to know for my own sake. I want to know what twisted his ideals.
Mikuni: ...I don't know either. And I thought I understood him better than anyone :(
Ten years ago, Saeki's mother died of a terminal illness, bitter about her fate to the end. He sympathised with her pain, and from that moment because increasingly empathetic to the pain of others, saying he wanted to remove their sorrow.
Mikuni's mother was in a cult, and he had his own issues with the state of the country, Mikuni split off Adonis and made it what is is today. Since it was still modelled off a cult, they needed a figurehead, so Mikuni made Yuzuru the elder.
Yanagi: Why stick your neck out for him, even after he betrayed you?
Mikuni, softly: He was the proof that I am alive, the only thing tying me to the world. But I realise now that I've likely never seen the real him.
Afterwards, Yanagi sadly muses that even catching Saeki won't stop Adonis at this point. But he and Ichika agree they want to find Saeki and save him from himself. Fine, fine, since you both want to save LITERALLY EVERYONE that includes mass murderers too.
Mochida awkwardly offers to take Ichika out for a drink to cheer her up about her previous drinking buddy turning out to be a mass murdering terrorist, but she insists he go spend Christmas Eve with his wife. ILU cop dad, I'm glad you weren't evil.
Sakuragawa invites her to a singles drinking party with Mukai.
Yanagi POV
Enomoto sings what I assume is a nostalgic traditional Japanese Christmas song and teases Yanagi for refusing to get into it.
Yanagi: Why have you stayed with me? You were stuck for a long time, and all I did was watch. I was limited and full of doubt. But you, Hoshino, even Sasazuka, you all put your trust in me.
Enomoto: Yanagi...are you stupider than you look? Or do you just have low opinion of yourself? Just accept I have your back. I'll be lonely if you don't. And I won't let anyone make fun of the Yanagi-sempai I respect, even you. You made a place I could belong.
Enomoto: ...wait are you thinking the same thing about Hoshino?
Yanagi: You're too sharp today >.>
Ichika POV
Sakuragawa: Everything's pretty dark. And the only prescription is MORE BOOZE.
Mukai: I'm under suspicion because of that shitty director! And of COURSE he turns out to be a TERRORIST I should have KNOWN.
Ichika's about to say she's being unfair but then realises Mukai is crying.
Mukai: He saved so many lives...and he had to throw it all away!! I never imagined he was this stupid!! WAIT BUT YOU TWO WERE LOVERS I'M SORRY ;_;
Ichika: Noooo definitely not!
Sakuragawa: Really? I could have sworn you were an item. Well then, do you have someone else?
Ichika: *drinks beer* >.>
Mukai and Sakuragawa: :D
They get a tipsy Ichika to admit where things are at with Yanagi and then to text him to come see her RIGHT NOW so she can demand a response to her confession. But then she worries: what if he rejects her?
Mukai: WE LEAVE HER IN YOUR CARE ;D *whispers* pretend to fall in his arms cos you're drunk ;)
Sakuragawa: TIME FOR PUB NUMBER TWO, BYE!
Yanagi: So what did you need?
Ichika: ...I'm thirsty *sculls drink*
Yanagi sternly takes her drink and drinks it himself, and gives her some water.
haha there's the option to try and get him more drunk but that would be BAD so instead Ichika pretends to be even drunker than she is and snuggles up to him. He is definitely into it but asks why she really called him.
Ichika: I. UH. JUST WANTED TO DRINK WITH YOU.
Yanagi: ...you're pretty cute when you're flustered. We're pretty far apart in age. I thought you'd find me boring. You're too innocent of a girl to toy with.
Ichika: I want you to toy with me.
Yanagi: ...if this is a fling, you'll regret it. If I get serious...you're going to be in a world of trouble.
Ichika: Good. I'm serious.
Yanagi: I won't be able to look after you like I have. Maybe I won't be as nice to you. Are you ok with that?
Ichika: Yes.
Yanagi, gently touching her face: I...
And then he gets a text from Enomoto saying he's lonely at his Christmas Party for one. Yanagi invites Ichika and says to bring Kazuki too. When she finds out Yanagi cooked she says yes lol.
Outside, it starts to snow. Ichika can't quite get out what she wants to say but Yanagi says he knows.
Yanagi: I'm sorry I made you wait when you were so straightforward with me. I thought I didn't deserve to be happy, and couldn't bring anyone happiness. But humans are greedy and want what they're not allowed...
Ichika pulls him down into a hug.
Ichika: You make me happy. I love you. And if you're not going to make yourself happy, I'll do it myself. It doesn't matter that you might not love me back or that it might cause you trouble. No matter what happens from now on, I will protect you.
Yanagi: Let me finish. I've been utterly defeated by you. I want to make you happy. I want to be happy...with you. But words aren't enough.
He kisses her.
Yanagi: I want you to love me more than anyone else. I won't run from you any more. I'll help you understand that I've accepted my fate as many times as it takes.
Ichika: Explain it in words.
Yanagi: I love you. I want to live with you.
At the party, a sleepy Sasazuka is very grumpy about being dragged away from work. Ahaha Enomoto FAKED AN EMERGENCY.
Yoshinari: You knew it was fake but came anyway. You're a nice guy after all!
Yoshiniari is glad Kazuki is here, since it means coming in from the cold, and says Okazaki is doing fine. Even Kazuki is impressed by Yanagi's ability to cook desserts.
Ahaha Yanagi goes to take a smoke break and Ichika tells him he's going to be cutting his smoking in half from today.
Yanagi: I can just...smoke less in front of you...
Ichika, getting close enough smell his smoky scent, which she has to admit she doesn't mind: It's not about me. I worry about your health.
Yoshinari: OMG SOMETHING HAPPENED BETWEEN YOU TWO. I'm as observant as Okazaki :D
Kazuki and Enomoto: o.O
Ichika: uh...
Yanagi, pulling her close, and kissing her cheek: Yeah. That's how it is. Hands off, you lot.
And then he blushes and leaves for the roof.
Enomoto and Yoshinari: :D
Kazuki: Ichika >:(
Yoshinari: He's super dependable, isn't he a good choice for her boyfriend?
Kazuki: I...guess >:(
Enomoto: Who confessed first?
Yoshinari: Yanagi of course! He's older and the man! And he was so cool earlier.
Sasazuka: He was embarrassed. His ears were red.
And then they all get her to tell them all the deets while Yanagi stays on the roof like a COWARD.
Unknown Adonis POV
He thinks about Shinjuku being a large city, thus containing many sinners full of malice. He briefly mentions it being a melting pot of cultures which I guess technically contradicts my prediction that this game would never mention the apparently large Korean population.
I was assuming this was Zero but then there was a long digression about how foolish, greedy, yet enviable stray cats are and now I'm not sure if Shiraishi is more into Ideals than I thought or if Saeki is just also into cats.
Ichika POV
Ichika and Yanagi visit Okazaki to thank him for saving them and also try and help his nurse persuade him to lie the hell down. He explains how and why he'd wanted to die protecting someone special.
Yanagi punches him.
Yanagi: Are you an idiot? If you died like that we'd be the ones losing sleep! Don't you ever pull that crap again!! I don't want to sacrifice anyone. Especially not one of my friends. I've decided to protect everything. Including you.
Ichika: He's not alone. If you try to die again, I'll stop you by any means necessary.
Okazaki: Ok. I won't. I've gained a lot of precious things thanks to all of you. I can't let myself die now. So allow me to keep protecting you :)
God these two really are the parents of the whole crew, going around fixing everyone with their dogged determination to save LITERALLY EVERYONE. Which makes for a great final route.
It's the 29th. Ichika gets a call...from Shiraishi!
He makes sure her collar is gone then says he's been looking for Saeki with no success.
Ichika: So you want to stop X-Day?
Shiraishi: A little while ago, I honestly didn't care either way. But now I just can't leave it alone. I wonder why that is...Anyway! I want your opinion as Yuzuru Saeki's 'sympathiser'.
So she tells him everything she knows.
Shiriashi says Saeki was alone, and put his loneliness onto Ichika, but wants a contradiction: a good-hearted sympathiser, when noone truly good-hearted would ever sympathise with his goals.
Ichika: What he really wanted was for me to stop him.
Shiriashi: Really? I can't understand the elder. Maybe you were chosen because you're the only one who can provide that answer.
Ichika: I won't give up. I'll stop X-Day.
Shiriashi: I see. By the way, shouldn't you report me? I'm pretty sure Sasazuka's bugged your phone.
Ichika: I won't report you, and neither will he. You're working for the sake of others. You always have been, Shiraishi. At first, because Adonis told you to, and now of your own free will. If you didn't care, we wouldn't be having this conversation. And that's why I trust you.
Shiraishi: Haha. You really are an idiot. But I don't mind that part of you.
Ichika meets with Sasazuka and Enomoto, who discuss how both of them count as "criminals" to someone, and Sasazuka admits he could easily have become a murderer if circumstances had been a little different. Just like Yanagi.
Enomoto apologises for ever doubting Ichika when she's faced a terrifying situation so bravely, and says they will all face the future together. Sasazuka says worrying about other people's feelings, or her responsibilities, is stupid and Ichika should just do what she wants.
He tells her to clear her head, and then hands her a dossier of everything they know about Yuzuru Saeki.
Enomoto: Lovers are supposed to use their first names with each other. Right, Takeru?
Sasazuka: Don't look at me. You're a romantic fool.
I don't even ship it but *waggles eyebrows*
Ichika thinks about how Yanagi calls everyone by their surnames, so being called by her given name would feel really special.
Yanagi: ...don't look at me so expectantly. It's difficult on the spot.
Ichika: Just once. It's a girl's fantasy.
Yanagi, blushing: ...Ichika.
Ichika, blushing: :D
Yanagi: ...how am I so embarrassed by this at my age.
Ichika: Please practice until you get used to it. I'll practice too.
Enomoto and Sasazuka: ...
Ichika takes Kazuki aside and says they should go talk to their parents, and let them know about Kazuki's dreams so they can support him too. He happily agrees, but then tells Ichika she's not allowed to die.
Ichika: But there's things I have to do. Will you support my dream too?
Kazuki: ...okay. I've taken out my temper on you, and not tried to understand how you feel. But I'm definitely going to succeed in music, and help my big sister. So make sure you come home :)
Kazuki apparently hasn't been allowed to talk to Akito yet or even know what's happened to him but HE WILL. BECAUSE I SAY SO.
It's the day before X-Day and Ichika is clearing her head in the shooting range. Yanagi comes to offer emotional support.
She thinks over everything she knows about Saeki.
Oh wow. "He chose me because (a) he wanted to kill me (b) I was his friend" and the answer is (a) /o\ OH. I think that was a typo and it should have said "He wanted me to kill him", which makes WAY more sense. Hooray for walkthroughs, eh.
Haha I have a bunch of choices about where he could be, one of which is 'RIGHT HERE' lol but no he's in the church in Shinjuku Garden.
The final stage of his experiment is for her to kill him, proving that an ordinary, good hearted person could be taught to follow his ideals, even after he is gone.
She and Yanagi decide to do things mostly by the book, getting Morioka's permission for Ichika to handle the negotiations. Which I guess fits the game's pro-rule-of-law themes so, sure.
Saeki is waiting for her at the church. When she tries to persuade him to let himself be arrested, he shoots Yanagi, though it's only a graze.
Ok these script errors are mostly annoying but this one kinda worked in an artsy way.
THREE GUNSHOTS IN A ROW AND I GOT THEM ALL!!
He tries to shoot Yanagi, and then himself, but she shoots him in the wrist, thigh, and then shoulder, and then takes out her handcuffs and arrests him.
Saeki, looking miserable: Hoshino. From now on you'll suffer forever. Your heart will be pained by your inability to save people, crushed by the unfair malice in the world, and weighed down by sorrow. Why didn't you kill me? They'll still give me the death penalty.
Yanagi: It is impossible to erase all sorrow. People will always have to bear that burden, no matter how hard it is. But when the sorrow is too much, we can support each other. There are many reasons to want to kill. But now matter their feelings, people must always fight against themselves.
Saeki: That is the rationale of the strong. But there are people who can't live in that kind of world. In this world.
Ichika thinks he may have a point about that. And then we move on!
The people of Shinjuku celebrate New Years knowing that they have been saved.
Everyone tells Ichika and Yanagi that they did a good job.
Chief Takaeda: It wouldn't be hyperbole to say that this string of incidents was brought about by police incompetence. There's an urgent need to review our structure.
Minegishi: We need to be an organisation that doesn't ignore a cry for help, no matter how small. A force for public security.
Morioka: I imagine SRCPO will be very busy from now on.
Yanagi: Your efforts heard the public's cries and you still didn't give up on them. That's how we made it here.
Chief Takaeda: Even now there are people living in fear and despair. It's our duty to protect them. Let us return the police to it's rightful form. To help those in sorrow however we can.
I have decided this game is set in a parallel Japan where 'the police' is actually the entire pubic service, just with guns. Who needs social workers? We have Police Who Listen! Anyway, I'm glad these issues are being addressed at all.
Yanagi: Don't push yourself too hard. If you want me to spoil you just say so. We can overcome anything together.
Enomoto: Stop flirting and give the toast!
He gives a sweet toast about teamwork and then says that come tomorrow this will be a REAL DETECTIVE AGENCY and he will always be here for any of them if they ever need help. And they say the same in turn.
Awww yesss I'm so glad he's not rejoining the police. That boy is too sensitive.
Kazuki: Why am I here?
Yoshinari: I'm here! Let's trade love stories!
Kazuki: I'll pass. You always start crying.
Satake comes and says he's glad Enomoto is looking well. Enomoto apologises for worrying him and says he's going to rejoin the police.
Sakuragawa and Mukai arrive, along with Mochida, who doesn't entirely understand why Sakuragawa dragged him away from work but is very encouraging of Ichika.
Aww Sakuragawa was worried about Ichika and felt like all she could do was listen.
Morioka: Someone told me there was top secret intel here >:(
Minegishi: ...you believed that, sir?
Morioka expresses a little disappointment that Yanagi isn't coming back to the force, but says he'll have to buy him and Ichika a drink some time.
She finds Yanagi trying to sneak out.
Ichika: How many cigarettes is that today?
Yanagi: ...only...five? >.>
Ichika: I'll let this one go if I can come with you :)
And on the roof...
Shiraishi: Sup ;)
Yanagi: Where have you been? Why haven't you called? >:(
Shiraishi: I'll explain everything down at the station :)
Ichika: We'll be waiting for you, so make sure you come home.
Yanagi: I'll let you off without a punch this time. But you'll get a good one when you come back. I'll knock some sense into that head of yours.
Shiraishi: Haha, what a kindhearted couple.
He smiles, looking like he's on the verge of tears.
You know, when I started this route I was pondering AUs that could get Yanagi and Shiraishi together but that's a pretty sweet Shiraishi/Yanagi/Ichika ending right there, I'll take it.
When Shiraishi is gone, Yanagi talks about how strong Ichika has been then pulls her into his arms and says she can cry now. She does, and they hug, and talk, and then he gives her a belated Christmas gift: an engagement ring.
Yanagi: I don't know what women- that is, what you would like...
I'm guessing he's probably had a few joyless one night stands with whatever random people asked, but has he not actually dated anyone since he was 16...
While I'm here, my relationship history headcanons: Enomoto has only ever pined from afar, mostly on women but he has also had the odd crush on older mentory-y dudes like Yanagi that he justifies to himself as being Like a Samurai Lord And His Page, and every one of those dudes, regardless of sexuality, found it painfully awkward and pretended not to notice. Okazaki is happily pansexual and has the occasional fun but empty short relationship that ends with being dumped. Shiraishi is theoretically bi and has tried sex a few times with people of various genders out of curiosity but didn't care enough for anyone to have a good time. Sasazuka is open minded but mostly straight and has had a few short awkward relationships that generally ended with him being dumped and pretending not to feel hurt by it. Yanagi is as above, probably thinks of himself as "straight but men don't get attached as easily" but is like a Kinsey 2. YES EVERYONE IS SOME FLAVOUR OF BI. THESE ARE MY HEADCANONS AND NOONE CAN STOP ME.
Yanagi: I've been avoiding getting attached to people for a while, so I'm not really used to this. I'm pretty clingy once I get attached. To be honest, I plan to take this all the way. Is that all right with you?
Ichika: Of course it is.
They kiss.
Enomoto: HEY WHO PUSHED- Uh. Yanagi, I wasn't watching like some groupie, I was just...fondly observing two lovers?
Yanagi: People say I'm a calm, rational man. But you know what, Enomoto? Long ago, I was a somewhat bad kid :) *thump*
Mukai: This is pretty good entertainment. Why don't we just drink here? :)
Yanagi: Ichika, we'll pick this up later. Are you staying over tonight?
Ichika: What about Enomoto?
Yanagi: I'll make him stay with Sasazuka.
Ichika: ...please :)
She intertwines her fingers with his, and looks at her laughing friends. There is bound to be sorrow in the future, but she knows they can create a greater amount of happiness and joy.
She touches her neck and thinks that everyone has an invisible collar of malice. Sorrow could strike at any time. But people have to be strong and move on.
"Even if I can't erase all sorrow, I can give strength to someone else."
Closing credits
Shinjuku, the 15th of February.
haha aww they've been so busy that this is their first actual official date. They are very happy to be together, finally living a normal life, and update each other on how everyone is doing.
Ichika's family grimly accepted Kazuki's dream, good.
He asks her to call him Aiji since he has gotten used to calling her Ichika.
Ichika: Aiji...san...
Kazuki, blushing: MAYBE YANAGI IS BETTER FOR NOW
Ichika: I called you Aiji-san, I need to practice /o\
Ichika and I are both charmed by how bashful he gets when she talks about how much she likes him.
Aww she's decided what she wants to do for their first date is cook for him at her house.
She talks about it feeling unbalanced that he's so good at domestic things, and wanting him to like her more. He gets a little offended at the idea that he doesn't like her plenty already, and pushes her against the wall, kissing her passionately in a way he hasn't before (did they....have a g-rated sleepover...after getting engaged...)
Yanagi: If you don't realise how much I love you I'll have to keep showing you.
Ichika: If I say I understand...will you stop kissing me >.>
Yanagi: No :D
Ichika: Oh! But I was going to cook for you.
Yanagi: It can wait. And I'll help. I like watching you eat my cooking. You'll just have to accept me as I am.
And she does, and they make out some more.
THE END
That was lovely.
Ok I want to do the bad ends but not right away. So!
As I edit the post:
FUCKING SAEKI, blech. He's so constantly unnecessarily cruel. And like Akito said: Saeki always told everyone he 'understood their pain', but he didn't. He was just projecting his own feelings onto them, and projected his own solution without ever really listening to what people actually wanted or needed or said.
So I guess Shiraishi was raised by the original cult? Since he was already 19 and about to be sent on a mission by the time Mikuni even started to create Adonis. It's also not clear if the Prime Minister is in the cult or Mikuni was genuinely trying to kill his own father. I still feel like I don't really understand how Adonis actually worked outside of the X-Day stuff. Normally I wouldn't care that much but I want to understand wtf was going on with Shiriashi and Mikuni, that whole thing is interestingly weird. Maybe it'll be clearer once I do all the bad ends.
Despite his warning, Yanagi is totally just as nice to her once they start dating.
They never really address the death penalty issue. I wonder if it's meant to be pointed commentary on how maybe having a death penalty is bad, or if that's just me projecting my "OBVIOUSLY THE DEATH PENALTY IS BAD" feelings.
And GOD. Just. I know Japan isn't always great about things like therapy and social workers etc but this game basically acts like they don't even EXIST, it's the police or nothing. You could tell basically the same story without being so [...I can't think of the word, simplistic?...] about it.
Also the whole Adonis plot was kind of silly but it mostly worked for me in a heightened reality metaphorical exploration of philosophical themes way. I think if this hadn't been set in the real world, I could have done the same thing with the police parts. Obviously terrorist murder cults do also actually exist, but I don't feel as bothered by them being portrayed in a simplistic way.
The guy in the coma is still just in a coma I guess. I wonder if Ichika ever visits him too.
I was...so wrong...about so many predictions lol. There were no evil twins or secret family members at all beyond the teens in the Shiraishi path.
Purple screen thing never went anywhere, but it might come up in a bad end.
It sometimes felt like Yanagi was being written as much older than 28. At one point Sasazuka even refers to him as a 30 something. Or maybe 28 just seems very young to me because I am old.
These reaction posts got even longer than normal because I didn't want to miss a CLUE, I imagine it's made them less fun to read but they were an absolute BLAST to write.
I loved it! It was great! It still has the same tendency towards Unfortunate Subtext as the rest of the game, but otherwise, it tied everything together, answered the main questions, and gave me feels, both about the main couple and all the other characters and relationships. A lot of dating sims with lovely friendships suddenly drop them at the end for a "and then the two of them went off alone" ending, but this is very much does not. Underneath his gruff, angsty exterior, Yanagi has the soul of a shoujo heroine, and he and Ichika make a cute couple going around saving everyone with their combined POWER OF LOVE.
Also I went into this with vague thoughts about how one could get Shiraishi and Yanagi to work as a couple, and came out feeling like all you'd need to do is add "and then they both kissed Shiriashi" to the end of this route to make a pretty cute Shiriashi/Yanagi/Ichika story.
Content note: Violence, death, suicide, child harm, me briefly thinking there might be a child sexual abuse plot but there isn't
CHAPTER SIX
Ichika wakes at home, in physical and emotional pain.
There is a new Adonis video. An unfamiliar, calm, altered voice says that someone who 'played the champion of justice and allowed many people to become victims' will be judged.
And then a video from Zero appears moments later saying 'we will not judge good people but our hammer will fall on sinners' etc.
It is so creepy imagining Saeki saying all that stuff D:
Kazuki can tell something's wrong and tell her not to go to work. But she says there's something she has to do.
Yanagi arrives and asks if she really wants to go to work, saying if it was up to him he'd selfishly stop her. But he understands that she wants to try and talk Saeki down.
When Ichika introduces him to Kazuki as her friend the ex-cop, Kazuki says "You've gotten yourself into some sort of trouble, haven't you? Why are there all these cops and bodyguards?"
Ichika: I'm sorry, I can't tell you. But it is dangerous, so please listen to the bodyguards.
Yanagi: I apologise for putting your sister in harm's way. I understand wanting to stop her. But she's key to our fight to prevent any more murders. And we can't let her family be kidnapped. That would hurt her the most of all.
Kazuki: I don't care what happens to me! If something happens to you, what's the point?
Ichika: Thanks for worrying about me. It'll be ok.
As he's about to leave her at the door to work, Yanagi is sad he can't do more to help her.
Ichika: I'm glad to be able to help you. And I'm sure everything will be ok.
He leans down and touches her hair, his face close to hers, and says "Liar. You are happy to help, but you're terrified. I bet you need a good cry and a hug."
She smiles and admits this is true, and asks for the hug. He gets endearingly flustered that the police station is RIGHT THERE, then agrees.
Yanagi: So. Uh. How long are we going to do this?
Ichika: Until I'm satisfied.
Yanagi: But there's a lot of people here...
Ichika: I don't care if people gossip about us, and if they get the wrong idea, that's great. It'll just be a fait accompli.
Yanagi: You're pretty fired up today.
Ichika: Of course. A woman in love is strong :)
Yanagi: Love?
Ichika: Yes, love. I'd like it if I was at least a little bit special to you.
I suspect this would have made more sense in Japanese, assuming she actually said "I like you" not "I love you" before. Anyway. Aww :)
Yanagi: ...oh, but you had me long ago. Fait accompli, eh? Well I don't mind that at all.
He caresses her face and she gets embarrassed and steps away.
Ichika: When this is all over, let me cry. Please listen to the selfish things I have to say. After it's all over.
Yanagi: All right. I won't say anything to make you cry until then :)
I went to sleep at this point, and thinking back over the game...I'm really not getting any maths, am I ;_;
I spent a while trying to figure out why Mikuni wanted to kill his father but then realised the "assassination attempt" was designed to fail, to increase the standing of Shiraishi and the Prime Minister.
Also I got around to looking up (TW: so much incest) Adonis, who I'd vaguely recalled as being a Greek god who was good at fighting, but turns out he's kind of a gender-swapped Persephone. His main traits in popular culture seem to be (a) being a hot, effeminate, much younger guy Aphrodite aggressively pursued (b) Dying (or at least intermittently spending time in the underworld) and coming back to life. When he was killed by a boar Aphrodite was very sad and red anemones bloomed. The festival held in his honour is interestingly odd: it was women-only, and they would grow plants quickly and then let them wither in the sun, the break the pots and loudly mourn Adonis's death.
It's an odd choice of god for a tough-on-crime murder cult, but I guess I can see the appeal for writers wanting a cult that talks a lot about death and rebirth, with a vaguely Christian vibe and a flower motif.
...and the emphasis on hot young men would explain how Saeki got in charge.
I forgot to mention it before but Yanagi has told Minegishi and Morioka about Saeki.
Ichika: Oh, Sasazuka, what are you doing at the police station?
Sasazuka, with a withering look: Work it out.
Minegishi: Sasazuka's aid comes with certain conditions, but is invaluable :)
Ichika: You look like you haven't slept, Sasazuka, you should rest.
Sasazuka, gently poking her in the head: Idiot. Don't worry about me.
Mochida: Uh...why is there a SP agent...following you...
Ichika: He's a friend >.>
Yanagi POV
Shiraishi: I can't believe you're working with us. I assume you have some secret plan :)
Yanagi: I would hardly tell you if I did. You're one of Mikuni's men.
Shiraishi, smiling sadly: I want to grant his wish however I can. That group is my home.
GOD Yanagi has no idea but I am SO SAD for Shiraishi. I hope he gets out :(
There's a flashback to the meeting with Mikuni.
Yanagi: I assume you still intend to use murder to impose your form of justice.
Mikuni: Yes. Sacrifices must be made :)
Sasazuka: So there's no point making emotional appeals. You terrorists lack the spine to compromise :/
Yanagi is secretly hoping Sasazuka can crack the USB and get the info to bring down Saeki and Mikuni in one fell swoop.
Yanagi: Shiriashi, how much did you know, about the collar and X-day?
Shiriashi: I'm not really involved with X-Day. My role was to play the role of Kageyuki Shiraishi and facilitate Adonis's movements. I don't get any orders until plans are about to be executed. Like the attempt on the Prime Minister two years ago :)
Yanagi: Were you behind that?
Shiraishi: All I did was manipulate information. I won't deny that's a serious crime ;P
I don't remember seeing that cute sticking-out-tongue sprite before. Was it made JUST for talking about being involved in an assassination attempt on the PM...
Shiriashi: I've been undercover a long time. But I do know what will happen on X-Day, assuming the high-ups haven't changed the plan.
Saeki first went rogue in June: the original plan was just to kill two people, not an entire class of children. Mikuni took steps to try and prevent the killing of people whose guilt was unclear, or whose deaths were outside the scope, but Zero wouldn't listen.
Yanagi: What about you? Do you want to spend the rest of your life as a terrorist on the run?
Shiriashi: Within Adonis, my desires have no weight. All I do is fulfil the duty I am given :)
Yanagi: That's you as an Adonis agent. I'm asking you as Kageyuki Shiraishi. Is that what you really want, right now? You went into the outside world as an agent. You only show emotion to people you're curious about, you tease others, push them just over the edge, and are constantly misunderstood. You like cats, your eating habits are odd...you're ignorant in a number of strange ways. Yet, somehow, you've solved many cases. Are you just some man-made tool that can only carry out commands?
Shiraishi doesn't reply.
I guess Yanagi did pick up on some of the implications of the whole 'long-time member of murder cult, referred to as Number 14, has the sorts of weird emotional problems you might expect from someone with a very messed up upbringing' thing.
Ichika POV
She's organised to meet with Saeki on the roof for lunch D:
Ichika: How can you be so carefree? You could be arrested at any moment!
Saeki: They could arrest me. But they won't. And that's why you'll never catch all of Adonis :) You understand what we're trying to do now, don't you?
Ichika: You're going about it the wrong way.
Saeki: What if I kill Aiji Yanagi? Or your little brother? Wouldn't you want to take revenge? :)
Ichika: D:
Saeki: Your idea of justice is to shoot someone if it would save someone else. So why not shoot me right now and save a whole lot of lives? :)
I HAVE THE OPTION TO TRY TO SHOOT HIM
MAN
I REALLY WANT TO
BUT I WON'T
IT WOULD MAKE THAT BASTARD TOO HAPPY
*double checks walkthrough even though, obviously, and hey, there are SEVEN chapters this time!*
I've made a save file. Maybe I'll shoot him a little bit, as a treat. It'll be fine.
*sighs and doesn't shoot him*
Ichika: Shooting you wouldn't fix anything. I'm here to find out your true intentions. it's the only thing I can do.
Saeki: I see :)
AND THEN HE SHOOTS HER??
Yanagi POV
Yanagi: Shiraishi...
Shiraishi: It's no use, Yanagi. The worlds we live in are too different. My will is-
And then Yanagi gets a call from a distraught Okazaki saying that other Adonis agents within the station helped Saeki escape with Ichika, and now the higher ups are worried about the scandal. Shiraishi looks briefly shocked.
I think Saeki just knocked her out, but there were other gunshots at the same time to distract Okazaki.
Yanagi: Contact Mikuni. We need to know where the base is.
Shiraishi: It's not fully evacuated. I don't think Mikuni would tell the police yet.
Yanagi: Enough. Just tell me. Now.
Shiraishi: ...fine, fine.
Shiraishi rings Mikuni who does indeed refuse, saying he'll look for Ichika himself instead.
Shiraishi: ...you're making a scary expression I haven't seen before.
Yanagi: TELL ME WHERE THE BASE IS
Shiraishi: It has heavy defences. I could get in, but then I'd be a liability, since I've been conditioned to obey his voice. Even your voice wouldn't get through to me. I'd even kill her if I was ordered to.
Yanagi: If Hoshino dies, if I die...you wouldn't feel any pain?
Shiraishi, smiling sadly: I don't have a heart that can be wounded by things like that.
Yanagi: When Hoshino found out you were an Adonis spy all she did was worry about you. She said she wanted to trust you, because I trust you. Even if it was all an act to you, she didn't want to color her time with you with those lies.
Shiraishi makes a small sound, still smiling sadly and looking away.
Yanagi: Shiraishi. Are you really fine with this? If you really can't disobey Saeki, if you're just accepting what the future brings, why do you want to make Mikuni's wish come true? If you were really a pawn with no will, you'd have just done whatever Saeki ordered.
Shiraishi: D:
Yanagi: You do have an ego and your own desires. You're a criminal and the worst sort of person, but you aren't a puppet. You're Kageyuki Shiraishi, the person you created when you entered the outside world. So as your old friend, please. Help me save Hoshino.
Shiraishi: ...that look in your eyes says you'll kill me if I don't say yes, correct?
Yanagi: If that's what it takes you to wake up. There are things that stupid friends don't understand until you let your fists speak for you. I don't want to have any more regrets. I don't want my friends to have any either.
Pretty sure he used 'nakama' not 'friend', which feels more significant, since it implies he still sees Shiraishi as a comrade even though he's part of 'the other side'.
Anyway. Even though I really like all the sub-pairings of Shiraishi/Yanagi/Ichika, I didn't think I shipped the triad, but the way Yanagi can only talk about his feelings about Shiraishi through Ichika has me thinking. Plus it's...kinda Okita/Saizo/Chizuru redux.
...except about two cops and a terrorist ahahaha /o\
Morioka POV:
Chief Takaeda comes in and says he's taking over, and that they can't put Saeki on the wanted list because if the public knew the head of Adonis was an active police officer it would make the police look bad. Instead the plan is to capture everyone and declare some rando the mastermind.
Sasazuka: God you're annoying. Hey, Minegishi, Yanagi says they're ready to start the attack.
Chief Takaeda: This is a violation of the chain of command!
Sasazuka: Do I look like I give a crap? My friend's lives are at stake! Go ahead and arrest me when this is all over.
Morioka persuades the chief by saying the small team currently infiltrating the Adonis base aren't connected to the police and can take the blame if things go south. Minegishi tells Sasazuka there's a reason Morioka got to run Investigations at such a young age.
Police are ordered to evacuate civilians and contact Adonis agents that Sasazuka has identified.
Ichika POV
She wakes in the underground church to the sight of a blank eyed Saeki in unfamiliar brown clothes.
Saeki: This is the sacred ground of Adonis. Only the elder and related people can enter.
Ichika: Are you the elder?
Saeki: Yes. They call me Zero, and revere me as the one who will bring about rebirth. They can't act without an idol to look up to. I'm a beacon for those stupid believers.
Ichika: Is that really any way to talk about the believers who put their faith in you?
Saeki: Why should I respect them? They're just pawns :) They want to force their opinions on the country through armed force and numbers. They want to assert dominance through terror. To bask in the dream that they control Japan. They're mounds of greed who want recognition.
Ichika: Aren't you the same?
Saeki: We may seem similar. But only those who are good and righteous deserve to live. Acts of terror plant fear in the hearts of those with malice, a ritual to select the good. Those with power must purge those with evil thoughts so that normal people can live normal, everyday lives. That is my ideal :)
Ichika: So you'll destroy Adonis as well?
Saeki: Yes. People who acquire power and derive joy from controlling others aren't needed in my world. That's why I chose you. My final objective is to give all of the ordinary people living in Japan the conviction to resist the oppression of the strong. To let everyone see the malice that hangs over their daily lives, and give them the will to fight against it. Good, strong willed people will construct a new order in which evil is judged. You said you would shoot to protect. You want to help those drowning in sorrow. After being collared you have resisted without running, and seen the sorrow of the weak. And now you've finally reached me. The experiment was a success. You can kill malice with a pure heart :)
Ichika: There's no such line between good and bad people! Do you plan to test everyone like you did me? Will you force them to fear their ever-present death? Coerce them into fighting evil? Will you kill them if they can't do it?
Saeki: Of course :)
Ichika: Then I have no choice but to kill you.
Saeki: Yeah :) But I cant leave all the work to you, so I have no plans to die right now.
When she tries arguing more, he angrily says she's naive, and she realises this all likely stems from some sort of trauma. But of course he just claims to be a mere vessel to shoulder all this sadness.
Yanagi POV
Shiraishi: Hey, why is Okazaki here, he's a cop.
Okazaki: I can resign right now if you like.
Shiraishi: Mikuni is going to be pissed...but I won't sleep if she dies like this. Anyway, if I know Mikuni, the evacuation is complete anyway. He just hasn't given up on persuading Zero, or at least capturing him himself.
Sasazuka is triggering dummy alarms to distract Adonis security, and guides everyone past the security and traps inside. Also he's decoded the plan for X-Day: to execute a bunch of collared criminals at once. He has an unlock code but isn't sure it'll work.
Enomoto: Whoa, Shiraishi, I thought you were a lab geek but you've got moves!
Shiraishi: Did you...forget that I'm an Adonis spy?
Enomoto: Oh, right >.>
Shiraishi: I received gruelling training since I was young :)
Enomoto: Speaking of which you're taking betraying your team...really well?
Shiraishi: Ahaha ^_^
Okazaki: This place really feels like a terrorist lab...
Shiraishi: Well are we are terrorists :)
Wait AKITO is on the line, working with Sasazuka?? Ahh, he did lose his memories, but Sasazuka brought him back up to speed and persuaded him to work together.
Enomoto and Shiraishi stay back to beat up their pursuers while Okazaki and Yanagi go on to the 'elder's cathedral'.
Ichika POV
Mikuni: Zero. No. Yuzuru. This is my last warning. Put an end to this.
Saeki: Why haven't you left with the others? A single police raid on one cell won't stop Adonis. And with your connections we can always move again.
Mikuni: The police have our data. And...I'm quitting. I can't bear to see your madness get any worse, or to see Adonis corrupted any further. I will turn myself into the police as the main suspect.
Saeki: Rei. You're always nothing but talk. You said you'd make an ideal future for the meek, yet you're meekly giving up?
Mikuni: The promise we made ten years ago wasn't mean to bring about this slaughter.
Saeki: If that's how you feel, we walked different paths all along. You were born in the light, I in the shadows. You never understood me. That's why I've chosen her.
Mikuni draws his gun.
Saeki: Are you going to shoot me? :)
Mikuni: No :) *points gun at Ichika* Will you give up if she's gone? If you promise to lead Adonis properly, I will give myself up in your stead.
Saeki: Rei. You're a fool through and through.
Okazaki and Yanagi burst through the door, and successfully disarm a very sad looking Mikuni.
Meanwhile Saeki laughingly ignores Okazaki's warning shot and escapes.
Mikuni says the unlock code will PROBABLY work, and Ichika insists on trying it, for the sake of all the other collared people and so she can stand by Yanagi's side without worrying about Saeki.
When they get back to Enomoto, he says all the Adonis guys suddenly scattered, and he realised Shiraishi was gone too. And then Sasazuka tells them to run, just before the explosions start.
Okazaki: Everybody out!
Yanagi: But Shiraishi!
Mikuni: He'll be fine. Number 14 won't die so easily.
Yanagi: He isn't Number 14. He is KAGEYUKI SHIRAISHI >:(
Mikuni: ...so he is :) I'll find him for you. Aiji Yanagi, you've changed num- Kageyuki Shiriashi. I'm indebted to him for all the help he gave provided so I could achieve my dreams. You believe in him, and because of that, I'd never betray you.
One thing that makes me feel SLIGHTLY more sympathetic to Mikuni's "kind master of brainwashed slave" thing here is that he was born into the cult as much as Shiraishi was, and given that's he's too young to have been in charge during Shiraishi's childhood, and treats Shiraishi like a person (compared to Saeki who absolutely does NOT) the whole torturing-and-brainwashing-orphans policy is plausibly one of the things about Adonis he wants to change, or has changed. He's just, you know, willing to use the brainwashed slave he has to hand. For all the mass murdering fascism he wants to do...
WTF DID THEY JUST KILL OKAZAKI
I know 'pushing Yanagi and Ichika out of the way of falling rubble' is absolutely how he'd want to go, but that doesn't mean he should be allowed to >:(
Ok he's just horribly injured. He smiles cheerfully while everyone is horrified and pulls his blood soaked body free.
Okazaki: Thank you for giving me my wish.
Yanagi: I am NOT going to let you die >:(
Okazaki: You almost make me not want to :)
And then they're all rescued by the police.
Mikuni turned himself in but Saeki is still at large. And noone knows where Shiraishi is.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Saeki's diary. The criminals will be judged. Am I one of them? Or am I the only one safe? To make sure people fear punishment, X-Day will have to be repeated.
Distorted images of dark figures on city streets, with voices crying out about different kinds of pain and mistreatment.
"For the past ten years, I have taken in so much sorrow. And yet sorrow still exists. My heart will break. I embrace the sorrow of the victims, and carry out vengeance with my own hands. As a result, sorrow will spread. So what is there to do?
The answer is simple. Human ego is what gives birth to sorrow. I will oppose evil and we'll kill each other. This is when I forgot the ideal I strove for. Humans can lose their ability to feel sorrow. They will see, when they have nothing left to lose, that people have no inherent worth. I finally found my world without sorrow. All will be Zero."
Ah. He wants MORE brainwashed slaves. Or to literally murder everyone! Yay.
Ichika POV
Ichika and Yanagi are at Investigations confirming Mikuni's testimony, which appears to be accurate except for the "I'm the ringleader, Saeki is just some guy" part. Cyber crimes is tracking down and freeing all the criminals they can in advance of X-Day.
Minegishi and Morioka have been told the full story, and say they don't actually suspect the two of them of being Adonis, but the collar etc look shady to the police as a whole, so it would allay suspicions if they would be willing to try and get info out of Mikuni.
Mikuni: So you want to know about Yuzuru Saeki, to stop X-Day. It might not be so bad for the police if all the criminals were allowed to die :)
Ichika: I want to know for my own sake. I want to know what twisted his ideals.
Mikuni: ...I don't know either. And I thought I understood him better than anyone :(
Ten years ago, Saeki's mother died of a terminal illness, bitter about her fate to the end. He sympathised with her pain, and from that moment because increasingly empathetic to the pain of others, saying he wanted to remove their sorrow.
Mikuni's mother was in a cult, and he had his own issues with the state of the country, Mikuni split off Adonis and made it what is is today. Since it was still modelled off a cult, they needed a figurehead, so Mikuni made Yuzuru the elder.
Yanagi: Why stick your neck out for him, even after he betrayed you?
Mikuni, softly: He was the proof that I am alive, the only thing tying me to the world. But I realise now that I've likely never seen the real him.
Afterwards, Yanagi sadly muses that even catching Saeki won't stop Adonis at this point. But he and Ichika agree they want to find Saeki and save him from himself. Fine, fine, since you both want to save LITERALLY EVERYONE that includes mass murderers too.
Mochida awkwardly offers to take Ichika out for a drink to cheer her up about her previous drinking buddy turning out to be a mass murdering terrorist, but she insists he go spend Christmas Eve with his wife. ILU cop dad, I'm glad you weren't evil.
Sakuragawa invites her to a singles drinking party with Mukai.
Yanagi POV
Enomoto sings what I assume is a nostalgic traditional Japanese Christmas song and teases Yanagi for refusing to get into it.
Yanagi: Why have you stayed with me? You were stuck for a long time, and all I did was watch. I was limited and full of doubt. But you, Hoshino, even Sasazuka, you all put your trust in me.
Enomoto: Yanagi...are you stupider than you look? Or do you just have low opinion of yourself? Just accept I have your back. I'll be lonely if you don't. And I won't let anyone make fun of the Yanagi-sempai I respect, even you. You made a place I could belong.
Enomoto: ...wait are you thinking the same thing about Hoshino?
Yanagi: You're too sharp today >.>
Ichika POV
Sakuragawa: Everything's pretty dark. And the only prescription is MORE BOOZE.
Mukai: I'm under suspicion because of that shitty director! And of COURSE he turns out to be a TERRORIST I should have KNOWN.
Ichika's about to say she's being unfair but then realises Mukai is crying.
Mukai: He saved so many lives...and he had to throw it all away!! I never imagined he was this stupid!! WAIT BUT YOU TWO WERE LOVERS I'M SORRY ;_;
Ichika: Noooo definitely not!
Sakuragawa: Really? I could have sworn you were an item. Well then, do you have someone else?
Ichika: *drinks beer* >.>
Mukai and Sakuragawa: :D
They get a tipsy Ichika to admit where things are at with Yanagi and then to text him to come see her RIGHT NOW so she can demand a response to her confession. But then she worries: what if he rejects her?
Mukai: WE LEAVE HER IN YOUR CARE ;D *whispers* pretend to fall in his arms cos you're drunk ;)
Sakuragawa: TIME FOR PUB NUMBER TWO, BYE!
Yanagi: So what did you need?
Ichika: ...I'm thirsty *sculls drink*
Yanagi sternly takes her drink and drinks it himself, and gives her some water.
haha there's the option to try and get him more drunk but that would be BAD so instead Ichika pretends to be even drunker than she is and snuggles up to him. He is definitely into it but asks why she really called him.
Ichika: I. UH. JUST WANTED TO DRINK WITH YOU.
Yanagi: ...you're pretty cute when you're flustered. We're pretty far apart in age. I thought you'd find me boring. You're too innocent of a girl to toy with.
Ichika: I want you to toy with me.
Yanagi: ...if this is a fling, you'll regret it. If I get serious...you're going to be in a world of trouble.
Ichika: Good. I'm serious.
Yanagi: I won't be able to look after you like I have. Maybe I won't be as nice to you. Are you ok with that?
Ichika: Yes.
Yanagi, gently touching her face: I...
And then he gets a text from Enomoto saying he's lonely at his Christmas Party for one. Yanagi invites Ichika and says to bring Kazuki too. When she finds out Yanagi cooked she says yes lol.
Outside, it starts to snow. Ichika can't quite get out what she wants to say but Yanagi says he knows.
Yanagi: I'm sorry I made you wait when you were so straightforward with me. I thought I didn't deserve to be happy, and couldn't bring anyone happiness. But humans are greedy and want what they're not allowed...
Ichika pulls him down into a hug.
Ichika: You make me happy. I love you. And if you're not going to make yourself happy, I'll do it myself. It doesn't matter that you might not love me back or that it might cause you trouble. No matter what happens from now on, I will protect you.
Yanagi: Let me finish. I've been utterly defeated by you. I want to make you happy. I want to be happy...with you. But words aren't enough.
He kisses her.
Yanagi: I want you to love me more than anyone else. I won't run from you any more. I'll help you understand that I've accepted my fate as many times as it takes.
Ichika: Explain it in words.
Yanagi: I love you. I want to live with you.
At the party, a sleepy Sasazuka is very grumpy about being dragged away from work. Ahaha Enomoto FAKED AN EMERGENCY.
Yoshinari: You knew it was fake but came anyway. You're a nice guy after all!
Yoshiniari is glad Kazuki is here, since it means coming in from the cold, and says Okazaki is doing fine. Even Kazuki is impressed by Yanagi's ability to cook desserts.
Ahaha Yanagi goes to take a smoke break and Ichika tells him he's going to be cutting his smoking in half from today.
Yanagi: I can just...smoke less in front of you...
Ichika, getting close enough smell his smoky scent, which she has to admit she doesn't mind: It's not about me. I worry about your health.
Yoshinari: OMG SOMETHING HAPPENED BETWEEN YOU TWO. I'm as observant as Okazaki :D
Kazuki and Enomoto: o.O
Ichika: uh...
Yanagi, pulling her close, and kissing her cheek: Yeah. That's how it is. Hands off, you lot.
And then he blushes and leaves for the roof.
Enomoto and Yoshinari: :D
Kazuki: Ichika >:(
Yoshinari: He's super dependable, isn't he a good choice for her boyfriend?
Kazuki: I...guess >:(
Enomoto: Who confessed first?
Yoshinari: Yanagi of course! He's older and the man! And he was so cool earlier.
Sasazuka: He was embarrassed. His ears were red.
And then they all get her to tell them all the deets while Yanagi stays on the roof like a COWARD.
Unknown Adonis POV
He thinks about Shinjuku being a large city, thus containing many sinners full of malice. He briefly mentions it being a melting pot of cultures which I guess technically contradicts my prediction that this game would never mention the apparently large Korean population.
I was assuming this was Zero but then there was a long digression about how foolish, greedy, yet enviable stray cats are and now I'm not sure if Shiraishi is more into Ideals than I thought or if Saeki is just also into cats.
Ichika POV
Ichika and Yanagi visit Okazaki to thank him for saving them and also try and help his nurse persuade him to lie the hell down. He explains how and why he'd wanted to die protecting someone special.
Yanagi punches him.
Yanagi: Are you an idiot? If you died like that we'd be the ones losing sleep! Don't you ever pull that crap again!! I don't want to sacrifice anyone. Especially not one of my friends. I've decided to protect everything. Including you.
Ichika: He's not alone. If you try to die again, I'll stop you by any means necessary.
Okazaki: Ok. I won't. I've gained a lot of precious things thanks to all of you. I can't let myself die now. So allow me to keep protecting you :)
God these two really are the parents of the whole crew, going around fixing everyone with their dogged determination to save LITERALLY EVERYONE. Which makes for a great final route.
It's the 29th. Ichika gets a call...from Shiraishi!
He makes sure her collar is gone then says he's been looking for Saeki with no success.
Ichika: So you want to stop X-Day?
Shiraishi: A little while ago, I honestly didn't care either way. But now I just can't leave it alone. I wonder why that is...Anyway! I want your opinion as Yuzuru Saeki's 'sympathiser'.
So she tells him everything she knows.
Shiriashi says Saeki was alone, and put his loneliness onto Ichika, but wants a contradiction: a good-hearted sympathiser, when noone truly good-hearted would ever sympathise with his goals.
Ichika: What he really wanted was for me to stop him.
Shiriashi: Really? I can't understand the elder. Maybe you were chosen because you're the only one who can provide that answer.
Ichika: I won't give up. I'll stop X-Day.
Shiriashi: I see. By the way, shouldn't you report me? I'm pretty sure Sasazuka's bugged your phone.
Ichika: I won't report you, and neither will he. You're working for the sake of others. You always have been, Shiraishi. At first, because Adonis told you to, and now of your own free will. If you didn't care, we wouldn't be having this conversation. And that's why I trust you.
Shiraishi: Haha. You really are an idiot. But I don't mind that part of you.
Ichika meets with Sasazuka and Enomoto, who discuss how both of them count as "criminals" to someone, and Sasazuka admits he could easily have become a murderer if circumstances had been a little different. Just like Yanagi.
Enomoto apologises for ever doubting Ichika when she's faced a terrifying situation so bravely, and says they will all face the future together. Sasazuka says worrying about other people's feelings, or her responsibilities, is stupid and Ichika should just do what she wants.
He tells her to clear her head, and then hands her a dossier of everything they know about Yuzuru Saeki.
Enomoto: Lovers are supposed to use their first names with each other. Right, Takeru?
Sasazuka: Don't look at me. You're a romantic fool.
I don't even ship it but *waggles eyebrows*
Ichika thinks about how Yanagi calls everyone by their surnames, so being called by her given name would feel really special.
Yanagi: ...don't look at me so expectantly. It's difficult on the spot.
Ichika: Just once. It's a girl's fantasy.
Yanagi, blushing: ...Ichika.
Ichika, blushing: :D
Yanagi: ...how am I so embarrassed by this at my age.
Ichika: Please practice until you get used to it. I'll practice too.
Enomoto and Sasazuka: ...
Ichika takes Kazuki aside and says they should go talk to their parents, and let them know about Kazuki's dreams so they can support him too. He happily agrees, but then tells Ichika she's not allowed to die.
Ichika: But there's things I have to do. Will you support my dream too?
Kazuki: ...okay. I've taken out my temper on you, and not tried to understand how you feel. But I'm definitely going to succeed in music, and help my big sister. So make sure you come home :)
Kazuki apparently hasn't been allowed to talk to Akito yet or even know what's happened to him but HE WILL. BECAUSE I SAY SO.
It's the day before X-Day and Ichika is clearing her head in the shooting range. Yanagi comes to offer emotional support.
She thinks over everything she knows about Saeki.
Oh wow. "He chose me because (a) he wanted to kill me (b) I was his friend" and the answer is (a) /o\ OH. I think that was a typo and it should have said "He wanted me to kill him", which makes WAY more sense. Hooray for walkthroughs, eh.
Haha I have a bunch of choices about where he could be, one of which is 'RIGHT HERE' lol but no he's in the church in Shinjuku Garden.
The final stage of his experiment is for her to kill him, proving that an ordinary, good hearted person could be taught to follow his ideals, even after he is gone.
She and Yanagi decide to do things mostly by the book, getting Morioka's permission for Ichika to handle the negotiations. Which I guess fits the game's pro-rule-of-law themes so, sure.
Saeki is waiting for her at the church. When she tries to persuade him to let himself be arrested, he shoots Yanagi, though it's only a graze.
Ok these script errors are mostly annoying but this one kinda worked in an artsy way.
THREE GUNSHOTS IN A ROW AND I GOT THEM ALL!!
He tries to shoot Yanagi, and then himself, but she shoots him in the wrist, thigh, and then shoulder, and then takes out her handcuffs and arrests him.
Saeki, looking miserable: Hoshino. From now on you'll suffer forever. Your heart will be pained by your inability to save people, crushed by the unfair malice in the world, and weighed down by sorrow. Why didn't you kill me? They'll still give me the death penalty.
Yanagi: It is impossible to erase all sorrow. People will always have to bear that burden, no matter how hard it is. But when the sorrow is too much, we can support each other. There are many reasons to want to kill. But now matter their feelings, people must always fight against themselves.
Saeki: That is the rationale of the strong. But there are people who can't live in that kind of world. In this world.
Ichika thinks he may have a point about that. And then we move on!
The people of Shinjuku celebrate New Years knowing that they have been saved.
Everyone tells Ichika and Yanagi that they did a good job.
Chief Takaeda: It wouldn't be hyperbole to say that this string of incidents was brought about by police incompetence. There's an urgent need to review our structure.
Minegishi: We need to be an organisation that doesn't ignore a cry for help, no matter how small. A force for public security.
Morioka: I imagine SRCPO will be very busy from now on.
Yanagi: Your efforts heard the public's cries and you still didn't give up on them. That's how we made it here.
Chief Takaeda: Even now there are people living in fear and despair. It's our duty to protect them. Let us return the police to it's rightful form. To help those in sorrow however we can.
I have decided this game is set in a parallel Japan where 'the police' is actually the entire pubic service, just with guns. Who needs social workers? We have Police Who Listen! Anyway, I'm glad these issues are being addressed at all.
Yanagi: Don't push yourself too hard. If you want me to spoil you just say so. We can overcome anything together.
Enomoto: Stop flirting and give the toast!
He gives a sweet toast about teamwork and then says that come tomorrow this will be a REAL DETECTIVE AGENCY and he will always be here for any of them if they ever need help. And they say the same in turn.
Awww yesss I'm so glad he's not rejoining the police. That boy is too sensitive.
Kazuki: Why am I here?
Yoshinari: I'm here! Let's trade love stories!
Kazuki: I'll pass. You always start crying.
Satake comes and says he's glad Enomoto is looking well. Enomoto apologises for worrying him and says he's going to rejoin the police.
Sakuragawa and Mukai arrive, along with Mochida, who doesn't entirely understand why Sakuragawa dragged him away from work but is very encouraging of Ichika.
Aww Sakuragawa was worried about Ichika and felt like all she could do was listen.
Morioka: Someone told me there was top secret intel here >:(
Minegishi: ...you believed that, sir?
Morioka expresses a little disappointment that Yanagi isn't coming back to the force, but says he'll have to buy him and Ichika a drink some time.
She finds Yanagi trying to sneak out.
Ichika: How many cigarettes is that today?
Yanagi: ...only...five? >.>
Ichika: I'll let this one go if I can come with you :)
And on the roof...
Shiraishi: Sup ;)
Yanagi: Where have you been? Why haven't you called? >:(
Shiraishi: I'll explain everything down at the station :)
Ichika: We'll be waiting for you, so make sure you come home.
Yanagi: I'll let you off without a punch this time. But you'll get a good one when you come back. I'll knock some sense into that head of yours.
Shiraishi: Haha, what a kindhearted couple.
He smiles, looking like he's on the verge of tears.
You know, when I started this route I was pondering AUs that could get Yanagi and Shiraishi together but that's a pretty sweet Shiraishi/Yanagi/Ichika ending right there, I'll take it.
When Shiraishi is gone, Yanagi talks about how strong Ichika has been then pulls her into his arms and says she can cry now. She does, and they hug, and talk, and then he gives her a belated Christmas gift: an engagement ring.
Yanagi: I don't know what women- that is, what you would like...
I'm guessing he's probably had a few joyless one night stands with whatever random people asked, but has he not actually dated anyone since he was 16...
While I'm here, my relationship history headcanons: Enomoto has only ever pined from afar, mostly on women but he has also had the odd crush on older mentory-y dudes like Yanagi that he justifies to himself as being Like a Samurai Lord And His Page, and every one of those dudes, regardless of sexuality, found it painfully awkward and pretended not to notice. Okazaki is happily pansexual and has the occasional fun but empty short relationship that ends with being dumped. Shiraishi is theoretically bi and has tried sex a few times with people of various genders out of curiosity but didn't care enough for anyone to have a good time. Sasazuka is open minded but mostly straight and has had a few short awkward relationships that generally ended with him being dumped and pretending not to feel hurt by it. Yanagi is as above, probably thinks of himself as "straight but men don't get attached as easily" but is like a Kinsey 2. YES EVERYONE IS SOME FLAVOUR OF BI. THESE ARE MY HEADCANONS AND NOONE CAN STOP ME.
Yanagi: I've been avoiding getting attached to people for a while, so I'm not really used to this. I'm pretty clingy once I get attached. To be honest, I plan to take this all the way. Is that all right with you?
Ichika: Of course it is.
They kiss.
Enomoto: HEY WHO PUSHED- Uh. Yanagi, I wasn't watching like some groupie, I was just...fondly observing two lovers?
Yanagi: People say I'm a calm, rational man. But you know what, Enomoto? Long ago, I was a somewhat bad kid :) *thump*
Mukai: This is pretty good entertainment. Why don't we just drink here? :)
Yanagi: Ichika, we'll pick this up later. Are you staying over tonight?
Ichika: What about Enomoto?
Yanagi: I'll make him stay with Sasazuka.
Ichika: ...please :)
She intertwines her fingers with his, and looks at her laughing friends. There is bound to be sorrow in the future, but she knows they can create a greater amount of happiness and joy.
She touches her neck and thinks that everyone has an invisible collar of malice. Sorrow could strike at any time. But people have to be strong and move on.
"Even if I can't erase all sorrow, I can give strength to someone else."
Closing credits
Shinjuku, the 15th of February.
haha aww they've been so busy that this is their first actual official date. They are very happy to be together, finally living a normal life, and update each other on how everyone is doing.
Ichika's family grimly accepted Kazuki's dream, good.
He asks her to call him Aiji since he has gotten used to calling her Ichika.
Ichika: Aiji...san...
Kazuki, blushing: MAYBE YANAGI IS BETTER FOR NOW
Ichika: I called you Aiji-san, I need to practice /o\
Ichika and I are both charmed by how bashful he gets when she talks about how much she likes him.
Aww she's decided what she wants to do for their first date is cook for him at her house.
She talks about it feeling unbalanced that he's so good at domestic things, and wanting him to like her more. He gets a little offended at the idea that he doesn't like her plenty already, and pushes her against the wall, kissing her passionately in a way he hasn't before (did they....have a g-rated sleepover...after getting engaged...)
Yanagi: If you don't realise how much I love you I'll have to keep showing you.
Ichika: If I say I understand...will you stop kissing me >.>
Yanagi: No :D
Ichika: Oh! But I was going to cook for you.
Yanagi: It can wait. And I'll help. I like watching you eat my cooking. You'll just have to accept me as I am.
And she does, and they make out some more.
THE END
That was lovely.
Ok I want to do the bad ends but not right away. So!
As I edit the post:
FUCKING SAEKI, blech. He's so constantly unnecessarily cruel. And like Akito said: Saeki always told everyone he 'understood their pain', but he didn't. He was just projecting his own feelings onto them, and projected his own solution without ever really listening to what people actually wanted or needed or said.
So I guess Shiraishi was raised by the original cult? Since he was already 19 and about to be sent on a mission by the time Mikuni even started to create Adonis. It's also not clear if the Prime Minister is in the cult or Mikuni was genuinely trying to kill his own father. I still feel like I don't really understand how Adonis actually worked outside of the X-Day stuff. Normally I wouldn't care that much but I want to understand wtf was going on with Shiriashi and Mikuni, that whole thing is interestingly weird. Maybe it'll be clearer once I do all the bad ends.
Despite his warning, Yanagi is totally just as nice to her once they start dating.
They never really address the death penalty issue. I wonder if it's meant to be pointed commentary on how maybe having a death penalty is bad, or if that's just me projecting my "OBVIOUSLY THE DEATH PENALTY IS BAD" feelings.
And GOD. Just. I know Japan isn't always great about things like therapy and social workers etc but this game basically acts like they don't even EXIST, it's the police or nothing. You could tell basically the same story without being so [...I can't think of the word, simplistic?...] about it.
Also the whole Adonis plot was kind of silly but it mostly worked for me in a heightened reality metaphorical exploration of philosophical themes way. I think if this hadn't been set in the real world, I could have done the same thing with the police parts. Obviously terrorist murder cults do also actually exist, but I don't feel as bothered by them being portrayed in a simplistic way.
The guy in the coma is still just in a coma I guess. I wonder if Ichika ever visits him too.
I was...so wrong...about so many predictions lol. There were no evil twins or secret family members at all beyond the teens in the Shiraishi path.
Purple screen thing never went anywhere, but it might come up in a bad end.
It sometimes felt like Yanagi was being written as much older than 28. At one point Sasazuka even refers to him as a 30 something. Or maybe 28 just seems very young to me because I am old.
These reaction posts got even longer than normal because I didn't want to miss a CLUE, I imagine it's made them less fun to read but they were an absolute BLAST to write.
