Day 95, July 14th, 2011.
In class, Souji is asked to explain the difference between civil dawn and nautical dawn. Civil dawn is brighter. Because it?s
civilized. How?s
that for a stupid mnemonic? Ain?t gonna forget it now!
After school, Souji decides to catch up with Yosuke, who is eager to make Souji an offer he cannot resist. Somehow we cut to Junes, me having been roped into helping Yosuke restock. Didn?t think I?d be a victim of this particular trope. Still, the pay is decent, so I won?t complain.
After work, Souji and Yosuke meet up at the food court. Yosuke explains the situation ? the work was last-minute, and he was desperate for assistance from his father?s insistence. No problem, Yosuke?d do the same thing for me. Before somehow making life worse for himself, but that?s another issue entirely.
While Yosuke and Souji talk, the two girls who had complained to Yosuke about their work hours before come up to him again. Blah, blah, pay, blah, blah, raise, blah, blah, money, blah, blah, Saki, blah? wait, huh?
The two girls had started talking loudly after complaining to Yosuke. They gossip about Saki, and how she had apparently run off with a college student before coming right back. Yosuke?s putting on a calm appearance, but I can tell he?s this close to doing some things he wouldn?t be proud of. Still, he?s figured out his place in all this, and is at least trying to convince himself not to let worthless opinions get to him. He?s maturing, bit by bit.
In the evening, Souji goes to the hospital. There I am, cleaning windows, when an old lady in a mourning dress comes out of nowhere. I?m telling myself that of course she?s real, Souji, it?s not your time to die yet, you?ve so much to live for, and that you wouldn?t get a surprise dead end because you?re the main character, and she just turns around and leaves. Yeah! Take that, terrifying apparition! Quoth nevermore
this!
While Souji is recovering from his shock, he is found by nurse Sayoko, who brings him to a vacant ward. Wait, when did I agree to go along with her?
Sayoko compliments Souji?s dedication to his work, and asks him why he is working at the hospital at all. I tell her up straight that the pay is phenomenal.
The nurse comments that Souji is wasting his time doing menial chores like his, and, with a sly smile, asks him if he has a girlfriend. Whoo boy. That?s a question loaded with high-explosive ammunition. I go for a vague
yes and hope she doesn?t pry.
Turning away, Sayoko comments that, despite the seemingly-small 10-year gap between her and Souji, she sees his life as completely alien, as well as very enviable. With a cruel grin, she admits that it is because of this that she wishes those like Souji get ruined by life. Oh, hah, joke, sure, serial-killer lady. I?ll take it that you?re a bit impatient with how life is going about its business and have decided to take it into your hands? I?m pretty sure I read a book about that once. Stop reminding me of terrible literature!
Souji?s vehement response only excites the nurse further, and she says as much. She leaves afterwards, saying that she has work piling up. Work? or
corpses?