Chapter 2 - Part 9
Hello... Is there something you need?
I was about to begin my meditation... Will you be joining me?
To have this in your possession... You are certainly a woman of culture.
Your present received an Amazing rating.
Um... can I take a picture?
Huh?
...Nevermind. Forget I said anything.
I see. Have a good day then.
Eh? No, we can still talk!
Alright.
...
...
She’s... not much for words, is she?
...Have you spoken with Chiaki recently?
No? Why?
I’m curious if she told you something about me.
Um... what would that be?
She said I reminded her of someone.
Really? Who?
...A ninja.
Huh... Because of the sword, right?
That’s right...
I can see it. You’d definitely be a cool ninja!
My friend thinks the same thing.
...Friend?
Well, of course she’d have friends of her own...
When we were young, he would say I reminded him of the ninjas in his games. At one point, we even dressed up as them.
He spoke about them so much that eventually I wanted to learn about ninjas, too.
There is one technique in particular I like. It is called tanuki-gakure.
Tanuki-gakure, huh? I feel like I’ve heard that before.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that trick involves...
Hiding in trees/Disguising as a stone/Concealing underwater movement
That’s where you curl into a ball and remain still to appear like a stone, right?
That is Uzura-gakure.
I see... Then maybe it was that other thing.
Hiding in trees/Disguising as a stone/Concealing underwater movement
Isn’t that when you throw duckweed over water so no one can see you swim?
That is Ukigusa-gakure.
Alright... Then maybe it was that other thing.
Hiding in trees/Disguising as a stone/Concealing underwater movement
That’s that thing where you climb a tree and camouflage in the foliage, right?
Indeed. Knowing how to avoid pointless fights is just as important as knowing how to fight itself.
...I’m impressed you know that.
It’s no big deal. I only know because I did an assignment on it.
For school?
Yes, for school...
What kind of school did you go to?
Um, an all-girls school.
I see.
Thank you for honoring me with this conversation. It has been enlightening. [leaves]
Has it? Her face looked as stoic as ever...
Regardless, I’m glad I got to speak with Peko today.
Uh... sup.
...Hi.
Do you... wanna tell me something?
Heh... I guess I’m fine with hanging out. So long as you don’t scold me...
You’d have to say something stupid first.
Well, I’m a pretty smart dude, so you don’t gotta worry about me!
O-Oh, thanks... Didn’t expect this from you...
Your present received a Great rating.
....
Honestly, it’s such a shame.
What is?
We're on a tropical island, y'know? Surrounded by a blue sea, y'know? And yet we have to be involved in all this killing nonsense!
We coulda had a tropical vacation or somethin’!
...Are you serious?
Huh?
We’re in a killing game, and all you’re worried about is not being on vacation!?
C-Cut me some slack! Can’t a guy care about the small things in life?
You can care about that when our lives aren’t on the line!
Sure, the goings are tough, but what’s the point in constantly worrying about everything?
Life’d be pretty dismal if you didn't try enjoying yourself.
I guess he has a point... I know I’ve been wanting to do something fun with the other girls...
Well, there’s nothing saying you can’t have fun *and* be cautious.
That’s what I’m trying to say! Can’t you listen to me for once without trying to, like, assert yourself?
I’m just concerned!
It’s naggy is what you are.
Anyway, let’s put this business aside for now. It’s too early to be arguing.
...It’s midday.
Eh... is it?
Guess my sense of time’s a little funky... Well, that’s to be expected.
What do you mean?
I wake up early, but I always go to bed really late... Like, 2 a.m. or something.
T-That’s way too late! You should sleep no later than 11 p.m.!
Honestly, you’re doing yourself a disservice sleeping like that! You’ll get depressed!
Who do you think you are? My mom?
I’ve already been sleeping this way for months - it’s not that big a deal.
That’s a terrible attitude to have!
You’re telling me! Why are you so naggy!?
I’m not naggy!
Whatever, we’re just bickerin’ again. Talk to you later.
Bye. [leaves]
Gah! He’s so clueless!
Will all our conversations always be this annoying? I don’t want to talk to someone like that!
*Knock knock*
...Eh?
*Knock knock knock knock knock*
Uwah!!
H-Hey, knock it off! I’m coming!
Nice one, Mahiru! You said “knock it off” while Ibuki was knocking!
...Ibuki?
What’s the matter? Why are you here?
Sonia wanted Ibuki to find all the girls and tell them to meet at the restaurant!
So, that’s exactly what Ibuki’s been doing!
Ah, right now...?
Oh? You seem depressed!
Kyahaha, but you won’t be for long! Wait until you hear what Sonia’s planning!
Ibuki’s gonna try and catch the others, see you soooooooon! [leaves]
If it’s Sonia’s orders, then I should probably go to the restaurant.
Ibuki mentioned only the girls getting involved, didn’t she? Maybe we’re having some sort of get-together?
The idea should have excited me more than it did...
Oh... Mahiru...
Hi? Is everything alright?
N... No, um...
I-I’m sorry!
Sorry for what...?
...Um...
...
So, now we just have Hiyoko and Chiaki left?
...Correct.
Um, can anybody tell me what’s going on?
I am waiting for everyone to arrive first.
Do we really have to talk about something else? It felt good getting that stuff off my chest.
Akane, be more delicate...
Is something wrong?
Ha!!
Is there? I couldn’t tell.
Something definitely feels off.
Almost like... the girls are hiding something from me?
Yooooo hooooo!!
Alright Sonia, I’ve done your dirty work! Now, my reward!
D-Don’t approach me, please! The biting comment was only made in jest!
...
Hiyoko surveyed everyone in the room, then locked her eyes on me.
Why... is *she* here?
...Eh?
Um, there is something I would like to discuss with everyone.
What is it? The stupid musician girl refused to explain why you wanted us here.
I would like to host a get-together.
Wait, seriously? A get-together?
We’re having a get-together? Cool!
What’s it gonna be? Are we gonna have a special dinner?
Um... I was thinking we could go to the beach.
You want to have a party at the beach?
Isn’t that a little distasteful? Arranging another party so soon after that disaster at the old building?
I... I mean... we can’t just ban parties, can we?
I understand your hesitancy, and expected as much... but this could be some much needed respite for us.
I don’t know what “respite” means, but count me in!
Ditto!
Kyaha! Ibuki used an abstruse word! Doesn’t Ibuki have a wonderful vocabulary!?
Gasp! Ibuki’s dialog is growing wordier by the minute!
Sorry, but I don’t swim.
...Besides, I’m not attending anything Mahiru attends.
H-Huh?
What’s wrong with Mahiru being there?
Are you for real? That idiot is gonna get us all killed!
H-Hiyoko!?
Ever since that trial, she’s been desperately trying to ride the dick of that mop-haired freak!
Doesn’t that disgust you? Aren’t you angry your “friend” is defending a murderer?
K... Knock it off!
...
Pardoning Hiyoko’s language... I understand where she’s coming from.
...Huh?
I simply... have found it a little bewildering.
Even so, I will not let Mahiru be excluded. To say otherwise would be childish.
It would be cruel to exclude Mahiru over such things...
In my home country, it is common courtesy to “remember the human”.
A person’s worth is not something that can be measured. Everyone must be treated equally... even those with a worldview completely unlike your own.
I’m sure you have all been taught something similar. We should strive for unity, not discord!
Sheesh, quit it with the virtue signaling.
...
This beach party... Where will it be held?
We should have it at the beach on the new island!
...And use the nearby diner as a meeting place. That is what I had in mind.
At what time should we gather?
I was thinking around 4:00... Would that be alright?
In the afternoon?
...Yes.
4:00’s alright with me!
Ditto!
...
I’ll have to think about it.
...
What about you, Mahiru?
Oh... um...
...Yeah. 4:00p.m. is fine.
Alright... In that case, may I ask that everyone bring some food to the party?
It is a party, after all! I would like us to have a feast fit for one!
Ooh, but we should be careful not to eat thirty minutes before we swim!
T-That’s a medical myth.
What should we get?
H... How about we assign everyone a job? Someone brings drinks, another person brings treats...
Mm, that makes sense!
I can get the drinks, if that’s okay?
I can get the sweets, then...
And the rest of us can get the savory stuff, right...?
I’ll get some party hats too!
The hats are unnecessary.
Hmph...
Listening to you cows moo over this party is giving me a migraine... I’m leaving. [leaves]
...
I’ll... go and check on her. [Leaves]
U-Um...
Ignore them.
So, is that everything?
Y-Yes, that is all.
You guys better come in some sexy swimsuits tomorrow!
Ibuki concurs! Ibuki concurs!
I... I’m sorry, but I’m not that kind of girl!
...
Why is it... that I barely feel any excitement?
A girl’s only party... is usually something I’d love...
Um... If I may say one more thing, before everyone leaves...
...Mahiru, please do not fret over what Hiyoko said.
Huh?
W-We might not be able to say the same for Hiyoko, but none of us here think any less of you.
About, um... the recent events...
If you ever need someone to talk to, we are all here for you.
...I’m sorry.
There’s no need to apologize. Just look after yourself.
...
*Ding dong Bing bong*
This is an announcement from Hope’s Peak Academy’s Field Trip Executive Committee...
It is now 10pm.
Please rest peacefully, along with the soothing sound of the waves.
Well then, pleasant dreams. Goodnight...
...
My head was starting to feel fuzzy...
I could have fallen asleep right there and then, but...
...
That game...
Everything Nagito said... The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to play.
It’s probably for the best if I play it... right?
I might just look at it for a little...