Superiority/Inferiority
This day took me way too long to finish because I spend. So much. Literally so much time. Just running around and grinding to make money and go shopping. I'm not even using the majority of these threads but I love seeing numbers go up and unlocking more abilities. I ended up buying enough from le Grand at Cadoi City to raise my friendship with the shopkeeper to 100%, and then laughed my ass off when he started hitting on me. Not even subtle in the slightest. Woah, I didn't know you felt this way, HT Masuoka...
Could I just look up a guide on optimizing my shopping, instead? Most likely, but this way is more fun for me (and clearly for Masuoka, too). Also, all the battling for cash has definitely helped me improve at combat! I've gone from mostly D-ranked battles to mostly A and above, even with keeping the game on hard mode, and keeping my level lowered below Lv. 10. I still don't feel particularly good at it (how do you even pull off air combos with Shiki?!), but I'm definitely having fun. I managed to do Shiki's Lv. 3 fusion attack for the first time EVER, and it ruled.
Anyway, after being #EXPOSED at the end of Day 5, Shiki has become oddly quiet and pessimistic. This is really sad, but it's interesting to see her dynamic with Neku become totally reversed! Now he's the one awkwardly trying to carry their conversations, and cheer her up.
And then, of course, it's time for the big Shiki reveal. I don't even know that I have that much to say on it, besides that it's SOOO GOOD. I was so emotional. Ohh, Shiki...
One thing that has stuck out to me during my replay of this week is the parallels between Neku and Shiki, especially in regards to their entry fees. Shiki hated being herself, so she was initially happy about having her appearance taken. Eventually, though, she realized being someone else didn't actually fix anything. While Neku is never outright happy about having his memories taken, he does make similar comments about how being invisible in the UG is like a dream to him. Neku hates making any kind of connection with others, and while his amnesia definitely causes him his fair share of issues, it also is kind of the ultimate way to remove any ties to other people. In the end, though, being alive means learning to live with others...and with yourself.
I wish I could find the words to explain that better, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to say. This day is a nice little culmination of both Neku and Shiki's growth so far. And, of course, Shibuya's introduction to those weird red reaper pins, which will definitely be important later. Time to move on to the final day.
Today's Secret Report:
I receive periodic communication from the Composer. While we maintain contact, I am prohibited from providing him with information for risk of unbalancing the Game.
I am permitted only to respond to his commissions for certain items, and even then am able only to create and deliver said items.
The Composer has requested increased phone functionality for use in the next game. Today, the proxy's partner, one Shiki Misaki, freed herself from her defining value- envy. With this, the Composer is convinced of the proxy's victory on the seventh day.
His confidence arises because the proxy's intervention was indispensible in causing his partner's growth. It signals the proxy's departure from his obsessive self-actualization loop. Previously, even the Composer was unsure of his proxy's capacity for growth. Normally, the Composer possesses a certain degree of clairvoyant foresight. his current down-tuned state, however, limits his abilities, clouding this supertemporal vision.
Though able to observe the UG from the Realground, he is otherwise saddled with limitations.
For one, his outward appearance. He looks younger than he would at full vibe frequency within the UG. Fortunately this prevents the Reapers from recognizing him as the Composer.
To begin with, the Composer contacts Reapers only through the Conductor, so most are unaware of what he looks like. Additionally, as the being in the Underground with the highest vibe, some lesser Reapers are incapable of perceiving him.
The effects of down-tuning occur because the Composer's vibe and the RG's frequency are substantially different. For Reapers, the down-tuning necessary to exist in the RG is significantly less, and thus effects less prominent changes. That said, it depends on the Reaper. At any rate, the effect is minimal, making Reapers much more frequent visitors to the Realground.
Provided they complete their duties, Reapers may do as they wish in the RG within certain accepted boundaries.