Tohru Adachi

What are you doing here? Killing time?
Tough to do out here in the sticks,
isn't it? There's nothing here.
It's not like the city at all.

I knew you'd understand. You're from the
city too, right?

Oh? But you're from the city too, right?
You'll find out soon enough... This town
really is dead.

Get this--my first assignment here was
tracking down a cat.
My suit got so dirty... and they wouldn't
let me expense the dry cleaning bill!
Next, I played peacemaker in a spat some
married couple was having. I can't believe
they've got the police doing that stuff.

> Adachi seems unsatisfied with
country life...

But it's been more dangerous lately,
so I can't kick back.
There's that one case, you know?
It's still not solved yet.
The higher-ups don't know what to do.
They keep changing procedure on the fly...

Oops! I hope I'm not making you nervous.
You guys have nothing to worry about,
you know. Us police are on the job!

> You sense that Adachi cares for you...
> You feel you understand Adachi
a bit more...

Well, time for me to get back to work.

Phew, that was close...

> Adachi doesn't seem to want to see
that old woman...

I'd better go. You hurry on home, too.

Don't tell Dojima-san I was in Junes,
okay?

> You watched Adachi go back to work,
then went home.

But it's been more dangerous lately,
so I can't kick back.
There's that one case, you know?
It hasn't been easy, cleaning up after
that mess.
The higher-ups are restless, too.
All these crimes lately are putting the
people on edge...

What are you doing? Shopping for dinner?
I'm impressed.
I live alone, so taking care of dinner
can be pretty tedious.

I guess a high school kid wouldn't get it.
I just get so tired after work.
So I make some cup ramen or something.

Sure I eat. Cup ramen or whatever.

> Adachi doesn't seem to lead a
nutritionally balanced life...

You mean like a girlfriend?
I had a girl until a little while ago.
It kinda didn't work out.
She looked great, but her attitude was--
Hey, I'm not talking about this!

> Adachi is smiling softly...

Like... you'd come over to my house?
Haha, that would be interesting.
But I'd prefer a girl to come over.

> Adachi is smiling softly...

Cute girls are the best. Though I go for
the real knockouts, myself.
The most important thing is that they
should be good cooks. Everything else,
I can take or leave...

Tohru-chan! Is that you?

Shit... She found me.

Are you off work? I hope you're not doing
anything dangerous!

Oh... No, I'm still on the clock. I was
just on my way back to the station.

I'm so happy to see you working hard.
I brag about you to my neighbors all
the time!
I'll bring you some nimono, okay?
You have to take care of yourself!
By the way, I saw this detective show on
TV the other day...

> The old woman seems like she'll be
talking to him for a long time...

Um... I need to get back...

Oh, is it that time already? I hope your
day goes well, then.

Finally...

I guess her son has the same name as me.
Maybe that's why she's been hanging
around me ever since she found out.
I don't know.
She always brings huge heaps of that
nimono to the station!
And she'll talk your ear off if you let
her... It's so annoying.

I don't care if she cares about me.
Give me a break.

> Adachi shrugs...

Doesn't it? She's like that practically
every day.

> Adachi sighs...

She's the exact opposite of my parents,
so I can't relate to people like that.
She's lonely, I guess. I don't think she
has any relatives.
I can't just ignore her, either.
It's part of my job.
The police have been busy lately, so I'm
the only one who can deal with her.

> Despite his griping, Adachi looks happy...
> You feel that you've seen a new side
of Adachi...

Though I wish I shared a name with her
grandson instead! I'm still only 27,
after all.

Well, I should head back, or Dojima-san
will really chew me out.
See you.

> You watched Adachi go back to work,
and then went home.

> Shopping District, Souzai Daigaku...

I knew it! Stores out here close too soon.

I got off work early, so I thought I'd make
something, but then I got lazy.
What should I do? I have tons of nimono
at home...

Why, Tohru-chan! How is work? Are you
still working hard?

Oh... H-Hi. Yeah, I just got off...

Have you had dinner yet? You're young!
You need to eat up!
Would you like to come to my house?
I'm making your favorite--nimono!

Oh, uh, today? I've... got a...

That's right! I promised this kid I'd
eat dinner with him.

He's my boss' nephew, so I can't say no...
Haha, maybe next time.

Oh... That's too bad. Well, next time,
then! Good night.

...She really sucks away my will to live.
Can you imagine how awkward dinner would be,
just me and her!?
I don't really like her nimono, anyway.
The lotus root is too tough.
Oh, uh, sorry for using you like that.
You were a big help.

At Dojima-san's? Well, isn't that a
generous offer.

> Adachi is looking at you in surprise.

Oh, come on. You can't make it in the real
world like that. Getting away with a good
lie is part of the fun of being an adult.
Or... should we give the lie some truth?
I could really eat dinner at your house.

> Adachi wears a carefree smile...

Huh? Oh, 'cause there's seaweed in nimono?
That was terrible.
It's interesting you'd think of that,
though. I bet you're a good cook.
Maybe I really will come over...

> Adachi jokes around with you...

But Dojima-san's still at work, right?
Does that mean it'll be just us? Isn't
that weird?

You're seriously inviting me over? You don't
think it'd be awkward?

> Adachi is looking at you like you're
a rare breed...

You're such an older brother now.
I think I've seen Nanako-chan smile a lot
more since you moved here.

> Adachi seems to have been thinking
about Nanako's welfare...

Well, I am interested to see what you're
like as a cook.
When I was in high school, I never gave
cooking a single thought.

I just studied, and studied. It was a
pretty good school where your grades
really mattered.
I didn't mind, though. You get back as
much as you put in. Everyone knows that.
My parents didn't care what else I did as
long as my grades were good, too.
But that works out when you're a student.

Sure.
We pull each other's legs, and push
duties on each other... Being a grown-up
is tough.

> Adachi gives a tired smile...

I dunno. Grown-ups have a lot on
their plates.

> Adachi gives a tired smile...

But I guess lately, things have been fun.
It's nice to know there's something I'm
good at. Haha, this is embarrassing.

> Adachi seems to be working hard on
solving the case...
> You feel like you know Adachi a
bit more...

Oh, we were talking about dinner...
Sorry, not today. Maybe next time.
I'll just stop by someplace on my way
back. You make sure to hurry home.

> You parted ways with Adachi and
went home.

> Dojima residence, living room...
> You brought Adachi here for dinner...

Big bro? The potatoes are still hard.

Today, we're having shoe!

Shoe? Oh, you mean stew?

Yeah, shoe... Stew!

Hey, you did it.

Do you like stew, Adachi-san?

Hmm, yeah, kind of.

Kind of?

I mean... yeah, I do like it. It's been
a while since I had some.
So do you cook like this all the time?
I bet Dojima-san tells you all the time
what a great help you are!

Really? He doesn't seem like the type to
come out and say it.

> Adachi shrugs...

I knew it. He's probably just embarrassed.

> Adachi smiles...

So I heard you were moving back in the
spring. I bet Dojima-san is going to cry!

......

> Nanako is looking down sadly...

Uh, sorry, sorry. That's still a long
way away!

Yeah...

Umm... Hey, Nanako, have you ever seen
this trick?

> Adachi produced a 500-yen coin...

Now watch closely.

> Adachi clutches the 500-yen coin...

You watching?

> The 500-yen coin disappeared!

What!? How!? Why!? Again! Do it again!

Nah, this time I'll show you an even
better one!

Look in your big bro's pocket.

> The 500-yen coin was in your pocket!

Wow! You're the best, Adachi-san!

I'm pretty good with my hands, so it comes
easy to me.

> Adachi seems relieved that Nanako is
smiling again...

Not particularly. I'm just good with
my hands.
Stuff like this comes easy to me.

> Adachi seems relieved that Nanako is
smiling again...

Maybe I should have been a magician.
Then I wouldn't be in such a--
Uh... well.
I guess there's no job like a government
job. It's not like I can make a living
working with my hands.

> Adachi shrugs...
> You feel like you know Adachi a
bit more...

That's smelling pretty good. I think
the shoe's about ready.

It's STEW!

Shiatsu?

SHOE!

WRONG!

No, I said it right!

> The three of you spent a fun evening
together...

Yes.

> Dojima Residence, living room...

You guys studying? Wait, no, I don't even
want to look at yours. Too complicated-
looking.
Though maybe I could help with
Nanako-chan's.

Really!? You would? I have some homework!
A book review!

Oh, those. They're really easy if you
know what to do.
You don't have to read the whole thing.
Just read the notes in the back and then
summarize those.

I don't?
But my teacher said, read it, and write
what you think.

Don't worry about that. We have to be
efficient here.

Haha, are you the same way? What a bad
older brother!

> Adachi is laughing heartily.

Big bro! Are you a punk!?

You're so uptight.
Life is too short to do everything by
the book!

> Adachi is smiling half-heartedly.

Of course. Government work is full of
pointless red tape...
Wait! You didn't hear that! Don't tell
Dojima-san, okay!?

> Adachi is panicking...

Come on, Nanako-chan. Bring your book.

It wasn't a review!
I just have to read it. And then get a
mark from a grown-up saying I did.

Oh, okay. That's easy enough.
Though... a mark? Dojima-san's going to
be late today.

Will you give me one, Adachi-san?

Me? Okay. If you're good, I'll draw you
a big flower.

I want one!

Alright, then get started.

Once, in a deep, deep forest,
Near a small, small river,
There lived a pink alligator...

> Nanako is reading intently...

...And so no one remembered the pink
alligator.
Even today, the lake is shining the
way it always did. The end.

Hmm...? Oh, you're done?

Do I get a big flower?

Yeah, sure, I'll give you one.

Yaaay! A flower!

What about you? Don't you have anything
you want me to draw a flower on?

You're no fun... Are you really related
to Nanako-chan?
Never mind...
You look mature, but you're still in high
school, you know.
I'm not saying it should be me, but if
something happens, you shouldn't hesitate
to bring it to a grown-up.

> You can tell that Adachi worries
about you...
> You feel like you know Adachi a
bit more...

Man, I'm tired. Mind if I take a
little nap?
That old lady brought me some photos
of potential matches.
She kept insisting I see these girls because
they're "nice," and I had to do overtime
because of it. Like I'll ever get married.

You don't want to get married?

Marriage is where fun goes to die.
You'll understand in about twenty years,
Nanako-chan.

Come to think of it, Dojima-san will be
father-in-law to whoever Nanako-chan
decides to marry.
Eeesh. That's certainly going to put
a damper on her chances.

There's just no way. Sorry, Nanako-chan.

I don't want to get married, either!
I don't like people with holes in
their socks!

I don't have holes in my socks!

You did! The other day!

> The three of you spent an enjoyable
evening together...

You sure have a lot of time on your hands.
I feel like I keep seeing you around.
But I guess that's what it's like for
a high schooler. Enjoy it while you can.

I wouldn't put it like that. Taking
breathers is part of the job. It's all
about efficiency.
Everyone needs rest from time to time.
And today, that old woman hasn't found
me yet...

Oh, really? Well, you can't be that busy.
You're just a kid.
You'll see when you're in the work force.
You'll have to talk to lonely old women...

Hmm? Where did you go, Tohru-chan?

Oh, geez, not again... Did she bring me
more nimono?

I'm right here, mother. Did you finish
your shopping?

I surely did. Let's go home. You're here
for the first time in ages, I have to...

Oh, why hello, Detective!

Tohru-chan, this is Adachi-san. He's a
police detective.

Hello. I hear you've been good to
my mother.

This is Tohru, my son. He's in town
to see me.

Hahaha, well, I'm really here for my
job. I have to go back in a few days,
though.

Don't make an old woman sad, dear. Though
it's good to know you're working hard.

Tohru-chan works at a trading company.
He takes lots of business trips overseas.
So young, and he's already a manager!

Haha, come on, mother. We're probably
getting in the way of his work. Let's
go home, okay?

> You hear their conversation as they
walk away...

I'm going to make lots of your favorite,
nimono.

That's great! Make sure the renkon is a
little tough.

Of course, dear.

> The voices fade away.

Guess it doesn't have to be me.

So that's the real one... We don't look
a thing like each other!
We're not even close in age. I think the
only thing we have in common is our name!
But as long as he's here, I don't have to
talk to her, so that's a relief.

Now I won't have to do all that overtime.
I wish she'd move in with her son.

> Adachi is smiling...

Me? Sad? Why?

> Adachi is smiling...

What? So you think she was using me as a
stand-in for her son? You're such a kid.
Only a handful of people in this world
get what they really want.
That's why everyone consoles themselves
with fakes and stand-ins, deluding
themselves the whole time...

> Adachi is smiling...

I like being alone. It's easy, and it lets
me do whatever I want.

Hahaha, you're so cold for a kid. But
that's the smart way to be.
You can't be around tons of people and
feel bad every time they do.

> Adachi is smiling...

I never said it doesn't. I just said it
was easier.

> Adachi is smiling...

That son likes his renkon tough, huh?
What is he thinking?
My own mother used to make nimono with
tough renkon. I hated it then, too.
I always left it on my plate and no one
said anything. It was just too tough.

She probably didn't know I didn't like it.
Well, I'm glad that's off my chest for
a while.

> Adachi seems a little bit sad...
> You feel like you understand Adachi a
bit more...

Adachi! So here's where you were.

Aah! D-Dojima-san!

Hmm? Oh, it's you.

Don't waste your time playing with high
school kids! Let's go!

Sorry he kept you like that. Go on home.

Hey, wait! Dojima-saaaan!

Did he just apologize for me?

Well, see ya. Dojima-san's waiting.

> You watched Adachi go back to work and
then went home.

> Inaba Municipal Hospital, Dojima's room...

Huh? You didn't go home yet?

......

> You tell Dojima that Nanako is safe...

I heard... Thanks...

> Dojima sighs deeply...

Whew...
Nanako... I'm so relieved...

Dojima-san? You awake...?
I guess it's no surprise. He was so
stressed out over Nanako-chan.

I'll stay with him tonight.
You can go home and rest, even if it's
just for a little while.

Oh, please. You look terrible.
Nanako-chan's safe, so relax.
I think you should get some rest.

Good. Nanako-chan's safe, and that's what
matters.
You really should get some rest.

> You sense Adachi's concern for you...

Hurry and go. Your friends are waiting,
aren't they?

> It's already late...
> You left Dojima with Adachi and went back.

...

> Nanako is fighting hard to survive...
> You must wait and believe that she
will recover...

Oh, there you are!

I forgot to tell you--don't pull that
again, okay?
You can't just meet with the suspect like
that... Anyway, I came to give you an
update on Dojima-san.
His wounds opened up a little, but he's
treated now, and he's fast asleep.

He'll be all right. Don't worry.
Knowing him, by this time tomorrow,
he'll be on his feet and yelling at
people again.
Uh, don't tell him I said that.

Haha, well, I bet he wouldn't want his
nephew to be worrying about him anyway.

Anyway, I heard Nanako-chan's on the
road to recovery again!
You guys were being so dramatic that I
got really worried.
But this is good news. She'll be well
again in no time.

By the way, you're all alone at the house
now, right?
Well, enjoy your freedom while you can!
Dojima-san and Nanako-chan will be back
soon, after all.

> You sense Adachi's concern for you...

Well, I better head back.
You go home too, before it gets too late.
See ya.

> It's a quiet night...

He might be calling to you...

> ......

We're all going together, okay?

Promise us.

> ......

> What should you do?

> If you leave now, you may be able to
make it in time before Junes closes.
> You decide to go to Adachi's alone...

> You promised your friends.
You won't go alone...
> You decided to rest for today.

> You remember what your friends said...

> Junes, Electronics department...

> There's nobody around...

> The room is quiet...

> There's no sign of anyone around.
Is Adachi here?

> The entrance disappeared...

This is a problem.

Why didn't you bring the rest of 'em?
You're such a party pooper.
You couldn't even bring your wannabe
detective friend?

So boring.

To... what, change my mind?
Don't kid yourself.

Your whole gang should be here. You know,
work together, beat the bad guy.
Friendship, effort, victory...
You guys love that stuff.

Huh? Why would I?
Didn't you hear what I just said? Or maybe
you heard, but you didn't understand?

Oh, really...?
Just what was it about me that made you
want to believe in me so bad?

Well?

I don't have anything to say to YOU.
If crimes could be solved by appealing
to morality, we wouldn't need the police!
The person you believed in was a version
of me who only existed in your head.
You decided on your own to believe
in me, and that decision betrayed you.
Why complain about it to me?

You say the dumbest shit.
It's people like you who come to me
alone, naively thinking you can "turn
me around," that piss me off the most.

What do you think will happen if I
shoot you?

You're right. That's all it would be.

Wow, very optimistic! Is your brain
rotting or something?

> The bullet brushed your ear...
> You smell the acrid scent of burning
gunsmoke...

Do you get it now? We're done talking.
I won't miss next time.

> It didn't seem like a threat...
> But you don't think you can talk to
Adachi anymore.
> You feel that your relationship with
Adachi has changed dramatically...

> The Tohru Adachi Social Link's Arcana
has changed from "Jester" to "Hunger"...

Want me to let you choose?
You can go back to your friends and
bring them all here...
...Or you can die now.

I guess regular revenge is boring, though.
Let me see where your detective work
takes you. It's always good for a laugh.
You're so persistent! Look at all that
youthful vigor you've got.
Come on, "leader," bring all your friends
back here.

Well, bye-bye.

> The entrance is closed...
> It seems Adachi is blocking you...
> ......
> That Adachi wasn't the real him, either.
> Unless you come back with your friends,
you won't be able to reach Adachi...
> You must go back for now...

Welcome back.

I told you not to go alone. Though I
knew you would anyway...

It's okay, I understand.
I'll keep it a secret from the others,
and I won't ask about Adachi for now.
But come on... you should trust us more.

> Yosuke seems a bit sad...

Anyway, I'm glad you're safe.
Ahem! "Attention, customers, it is now
closing time. Please visit us again
tomorrow."

> You couldn't get through to Adachi.
> The day that the town will be swallowed
by the fog should be near the end of the
year...
> You must reach a decision by then...
> You must prepare yourself as completely
as possible...

> Tomorrow is the day you go home...
> ......
> Was it really the right thing to not tell
your friends about Adachi?
> ......
> This is probably the last day you
can see Adachi...

> You decided to see Adachi.

> Let's not go see him...
> You decided to turn in early to
prepare for tomorrow...

> Inaba Police Station,
Interrogation Room...

Sorry, were you waiting long?

Man, things have been so busy. I've been
putting in a crazy amount of overtime.
Well, anyway, what's with the sudden
visit? Can I help you with something?

Oh yeah, you're going back tomorrow, huh?
Hey, it was nice of you to come say your
goodbyes. Hope things go well for you.

> This is your last chance...
> If you don't say anything now,
you'll just go back home...

Is that it? Can I get back to work now?
I'm kind of busy.

Okay. Well, see ya.

I'm glad we found the culprit before you
went home.
Be careful out there, okay? You never
know what might happen.
Goodbye.

> You couldn't make Adachi talk...
> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

Do... what?

Me? Kill Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi?
Haha, what's this about? Are you serious?

Oh, come on. Even if you're kidding,
this is a pretty bad joke.
Did you forget? You're the ones who
brought Namatame in.

Oh, I get it. You're still playing
detective.
Okay, say I AM the culprit.
What did you come here to do? Convince
me to turn myself in?

I see...
Something tells me the killer wouldn't
be so polite as to get himself a life
sentence on your say-so...
But if that's your plan, you must have
some proof that I'm the killer, right?

Are you kidding me? And you call yourself a
detective! That's the most important part!
Can I get back to work now? I'm busy.

Oh yeah, you're going back home, right?
Be careful out there, okay? You never
know what might happen.
Goodbye.

> You couldn't make Adachi talk...
> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

So... what? Are you trying to blackmail me?

Haha, are you kidding me?
You do know that's a crime, right? And
you're doing it to a police officer!
But if that's your plan, you must have
some proof that I'm the killer, right?

Are you kidding me? And you call yourself a
detective! That's the most important part!
Can I get back to work now? I'm busy.

The next time you pull something like
this, you're going to be in trouble.
Goodbye.

> You couldn't get Adachi to talk...
> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

Well, listen up. Unlike you, we police
aren't made of time. We still haven't
even cleaned up Namatame's mess.
Besides, you don't have any proof that
I did it.

Well...? Are you going to keep playing
detective?

I'm going to get back to work, then.

Oh yeah, you're going back home, right?
Be careful out there, okay? You never
know what might happen.
Goodbye.

> You couldn't make Adachi talk...
> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

You're on my side? Are you trying to
be the hero or something?
No, wait. You're saying you're on the
killer's side...
...in front of a police officer.
Do you understand what that means?

...What an asshole.
Okay, this conversation is over.

Oh yeah, you're going back home, right?
Be careful out there, okay? You never
know what might happen.
Goodbye.

> You couldn't make Adachi talk...
> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

I see...

Wait here a sec.

Do you remember this?
It's the threatening letter that got
sent to your house.

I accidentally forgot to forward it over
to Forensics...
I'm sure it was just a prank, but maybe
it was connected to the murders.
Who knows? This might be the piece of
evidence that could turn this whole
case upside down.

The real killer wouldn't want the police
to have this.
But you're with me, right?
So if I'm the real killer, and you're
with me, then that makes you my partner
in crime. Isn't that right?

> It's a lighter...

If I send this to Forensics, they might
pull some evidence off it.
Maybe a clue to capturing the real killer...

You, your friends, and Dojima-san have all
been busting your asses for a whole year
to solve this case.
It's a damn shame that no one's caught
the real killer yet.

Well?

> Adachi is staring at you...

> If you burn the letter, you will destroy
the one piece of proof that exists...
> It would be a betrayal of everything
that happened over the last year...

> Will you burn the letter?

> You can't bring yourself to burn it.
It's an important piece of evidence.

*sigh*
I didn't expect much else. You're just
"playing" detective, anyhow.

Haha, just kidding. I was scared you might
actually burn it.
I'm gonna send this to Forensics. Well,
see ya.

Oh yeah, you're going back home, right?
Be careful out there, okay? You never
know what might happen.
Goodbye.

> Was Adachi serious?

> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...

> A burning smell permeates the room...

Ha... Hahaha! You actually did it!
Do you understand what you just did?
You destroyed evidence... That's a crime,
you know!

Aahhahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha...
Ha... ha...

Now, this little incident is covered
up forever.
All because of you.

And it's the police's duty to keep tabs
on those who've committed crimes...

> You can hear his happy voice from your
cell phone...

If you get calls from this number, you'd
better pick up.
There's no use changing your number.
Don't underestimate the Japanese police--
it's easy to track you down.

> You obtained .
> Adachi is laughing...
> Your decision was monstrous, but there
can be no turning back now...
> You feel a strong bond between you
and Adachi...

You want to find the truth, without being
swayed by the voices of society...
But the truth is a sinister thing.
It seems like something absolute, yet it
exists in everyone's hearts.
For you, THIS was the "truth." Hahaha.
Well, I'm going back, so be careful on
your way home. The fog is getting thicker
and thicker, after all.

Goodbye, partner.

> There's no turning back now...

> The fog outside is thick...
> You have to go home early...