DAY 9: MIND DETECTIVE
Mind Detective is a very introverted girl. She does very well at her studies, but isn't very athletic and tends to take her schoolwork so seriously that it doesn't leave much room for socializing. Despite that, she has befriended Dei Skates, and has burgeoning friendships with Gusto and Justine.
As she leaves the house, she sees Film Fanatic waiting around by the river. She knows he's waiting for Dei to show up. Lately he's all Dei talks about, when he gives her a free moment to talk!
MD has gotten to school very early, and not many other people are there yet. She hangs around in the hallway in front of Class 1's room, as people arrive. An inordinate number of people seem to be going to the roof. She follows to see what's going on.
She sees Justine there, and the two strike up a conversation.
After chatting for a little while, MD goes back downstairs to see if Dei has arrived yet.
She finds Dei in the classroom. They start chatting but it isn't any time at all before Film Fanatic is right there again, monopolizing Dei's time. (Is that Jay hugging Justine in the back??)
Gusto arrives and she asks him how he's doing. He answers cheerfully but looks distracted - he's looking to have a go at talking to Justine, too. That girl sure seems to get around these days.
Dei asks to see MD's homework. Schoolwork! Now she's in her element. Off to the library!
Studying goes well. Not that MD really needed it, but she helps Dei out some.
Shakey comes over to copy some answers, too.
As MD leaves the library, Jay and Kags are seen nearby too. They don't strike MD as the... studying kind.
She sees Justine in the hallway. She greets her pleasantly, but it's all Justine can do to hold her drool in as she ogles Frank on the other side of the hall.
She runs into Little Kagsin in the upstairs hallway, who encourages her to improve at sports. MD answers graciously, and returns the favor, encouraging Kags to study harder.
MD sees Gusto and Justine talking in the courtyard. He's really trying hard, and she hardly seems to try at all. MD wonders what it would be like to be so popular.
Aaand at the front gate, Dei is smooching the bajeezus out of Film Fanatic. Ordinarily MD would put a stop to such liscentious behavior in school, but today something makes her stay removed. Maybe because it's her friend Dei, and she looks happy.
Just as Dei and FF are getting their breath back and leaving, Terrik comes and asks MD what her opinion is on Bhamv Three. She doesn't know much about her. But then the same could be said about Terrik.
As he leaves, she spots Gusto and goes to talk to him. They talk about the baseball team, and MD asks how things are going with Justine. Gusto blushes mightily, but then Justine comes over and interrupts them.
Aaand then not a minute passes before a deeply bellowed "Huuuagh!" announces that Justine has ambushed Frank in another hug. That girl's trying to build a harem.
The schoolbell rings, and Mind Detective is actually a bit relieved. These people are complicated. Schoolwork is easier. She does well as always.
As lunchtime comes, Frank uncharacteristically invites the entire class to the roof for lunch. It seems like half the class is going, so MD figures this to be a social event she probably shouldn't miss.
She eats lunch with Frank, Tin Whistler, Ashburner X, Justine Me, Dirona, Jay and a few others. The mood is light. Even Lana talks about schoolwork with MD. When Gusto arrives on the roof, MD flags him over to eat, too. He seems a little reluctant at first to join the crowd, but comes anyway.
Aaaand there's Dirona and Cheesy again. What a proper pair those two are, MD thinks. No inappropriate displays, just friendliness and respect, how the best relationships should be!
Gusto and MD continue talking in a friendly manner as they walk down from the roof, and pass by the school entrance. Suddenly there is shouting. Looking around, MD sees Film Fanatic... And Dirona! FIGHTING! What madness is this?!
MD tries to shout for them to stop. She can't believe Dei's boyfriend would attack a girl! But as she gets closer, Film slumps to the ground in pain and Dirona cries out triumfantly. MD isn't sure what to make of that.. did Dirona actually start the fight??
Dirona leaves, and Mind Detective helps Film Fanatic to his feet. It's clear his pride is wounded more than his body. She attempts to console him. It takes a little doing, but he finally comes around. When he thanks her, she tells him to be good to Dei, and that's all the thanks she needs.
FF is feeling better, but MD has the shakes from this violent ordeal. She walks down by the river, and sees Dei there! Dei is longingly staring at the water. She says "It's SOOOOO hot.. I wish we could go swimming!" Her tongue hangs out like a puppy's. MD suggests maybe she should switch to the swimming club instead of kendo, but Dei just laughs at that.
The hour is getting on, and the two have to run back to campus before they're late for class, which is a trick for Mind Detective (Seriously, she's slow as molasses running uphill).
Afternoon classes pass productively. When the final bell rings, Frank addresses the class, asking them to give a helping hand to Bones NoBeard.
It's time for baseball, so she and Gusto head down to the diamond to get some batting practice in.
As they practice, it's clear Gusto's not giving it his all. He looks depressed. Mind Detective doesn't know what happened, but speaks to him encouragingly.
When he does cheer up... it seems he is looking at her differently. She goes on to tell him that all these little trials and tribulations are just ways to build character. He agrees.
After practice, Mind Detective has to go to the empty classroom to change because the girls don't have a locker room at the ballfield. That seems odd to her - shouldn't there be two locker rooms in any case, one for the visiting team and one for the home team?
As she's leaving, she cuts around behind the gym and finds Gusto there.
They talk for a bit, mostly about baseball again, but Gusto's acting funny. "Is something wrong?" she asks, "N.. no! I'm fine.. is.. it's just hot today, isn't it?" he says. She could swear she hears him mutter under his breath "..can't think such things.. I'm a gentleman. A gentleman!"
<---- Gentleman.
Mind Detective has seen how to handle this. All the other students, whenever somebody starts acting funny, they hug them. She decides to try it out. Gusto is very surprised.
Then he offers to walk her home, and she accepts.
END OF DAY 9
Epilogue: It took the direct intervention of the hand of fate, but once MD got to socializing, her popularity shot up a great many notches. It should also be noted that, despite her teasing around, it looks like Justine has finally picked a lane and has confessed to Frank. Frank and Justine Me are now an official couple. This is probably what had Gusto so down in the dumps - he really was nursing a crush on Justine. It's almost admirable that he didn't immediately pounce on MD as a proxy when she was being nice to him (And yes, all that dialogue is pretty much based on exactly what the characters in game were saying). Mind Detective is now very close friends with Dei, and she and Gusto are also really becoming the best of friends, and possibly a little more, if things continue to develop. It remains to be seen if MD will continue being social without direct control - and another thing hampering her is her ULTRA SLOW MOVEMENT SPEED. Seriously, I think half the reason she doesn't socialize as much is because it takes her so long to get from one place to another, and if her target doesn't stand still she pretty much has no hope of catching them. Only Cheesy seems to move this slowly. Also, FF and Dei? RABBITS.
