Roamin' the Streeeeets
I spent wayyyy longer on this day than I needed to, mainly because I love hanging out with Joshua. I'm getting coffee with my bestie who murdered me in cold blood! Yay! Is it me, or is Neku actually really gullible? Despite having good reason to distrust Joshua, he immediately believes him about the "mission" (even Joshua is surprised that worked), and then immediately decides to trust him because he knows Mr. H? Sorry, man, but Mr. H is also super shady. Never trust a man who likes beans that much.
Hanekoma also gives us some actual info on Joshua: namely that he's always been able to see the UG, which made him pretty lonely, thus leading him to meeting Mr. H. How much of this is actually true? No idea! It's been way too long since I played this game. I have to assume it's not totally untrue, even if there are some pretty huge omissions in there. Also, we finally get the title dropped in the actual game. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world!
You can actually run into a few different people with optional dialogue while wandering around on this day: there's some Reapers trying to dismantle one of Minamimoto's trash sculptures without getting caught, Ai and Mina are talking about Makoto's sudden personality change, Shuto and Yammer are talking about how they hope Neku shows up to play Tin Pin with them again (aww!), and Uzuki and Kariya are apparently so bored they've started playing Tin Pin themselves. Oh, and Beat briefly shows up to attack Neku. He's a lot less scary on a second playthrough, though, since I can very easily stay alive for the 30 seconds before he runs off. I wonder if it's technically possible to defeat him here?
Back on my shopping grind, I realized I'm now getting enough yen from battles to pretty easily purchase a couple cordyceps, which grant a whole 50 BRV upon digestion. Maybe I should've been focusing more on boosting ATK and DEF instead...oops. Changing outfits is really fun, though. Currently, Joshua is wearing the bunny parka, while Neku is rocking a girls school uniform and a potted plant. Yeah, carrying a whole houseplant around the city looks pretty dumb, but it gives me a +20 to DEF. So watch out.
Anyway, onto the Dogenzaka Ramen Wars! The way to actually complete this quest is pretty obvious, but you can go on some detours and pick up some additional memes, which cause Ken Doi to invent new types of ramen. Sadly, despite picking up the meme for it, you can't actually convince him to make spicy tuna rolls, though. After trying out his new creations, the true answer is, of course, just plain and simple ramen made with love. Also, we learn that Eiji once knew Ken as "Sebastian"? I think the implication is that Ken used to work for him/his family, but why is there so much ramen lore?
Even if the memes don't get you much from the ramen shop, they DO get you the very important confirmation that Joshua keeps up with Tin Pin Slammurai. It airs weekly, which means he must've watched the new episode (which Shooter and Yammer are excitedly discussing) at some point during last weeks Game. Incredible. Kind of strange that an avid tokusatsu fan is so against connecting with others, but I suppose he's a complicated guy.
That's all for now, but this was a really fun day to play through! F this game (for fabulous)! See you tomorrow.
Today's Secret Report:
I was finally able to hand over the phone tracking application the Composer requested some time back.
I informed the Composer it was ready three days ago, but they apparently had no time to come pick it up. It just shows how carefully the proxy is planning each move.
The application detects the Conductor's Imagination. With it, one can walk around Shibuya and piece together the Conductor's strategy. At this point, even I cannot fathom the Conductor's plan. I will have to rely on the information gathered by the Composer.
While I wait for his findings, I will work on the Composer's next order-a second revision to the phone's functionality.
Today also marks my first contact with the proxy since he formed a pact with the Composer. He seems considerably wary of his partner at present time. As expected, the psychological strain is severe. So severe, in fact, that most Players would be unable to continue. Right now, the only thing keeping the proxy in the Game is his entry fee.
At least his dangerously strained state of mind is acting to heighten his Soul. I saw no sign of relapse or destabilization; rather, the return of his memory seems to have yielded only positives. I look forward to watching the proxy's continued growth.