I played a bit more! Not quite done yet. I wrote this as I was experiencing the story. Sorry about its quality.
When Misuzu said 『My true self is in the sky. It sounds really nice.』 the first time I read that, I had overanalyzed it. (Kanon/AIR ending spoilers) My thoughts were “this is foreshadowing… is Misuzu not actually alive at all? Is she a ghost? Or maybe she’s like Makoto or Ayu, where she’s actually a “miracle” of some kind. Maybe she’s really attached to Yukito for a similar reason.” Playing it again, now, and seeing the connection to what Misuzu really is, it feels much more impactful. Her lines after that really reinforce her character for me, but I might be reading more meaning from them than is actually there. (AIR: Unnecessary quote that made me laugh) 【Misuzu】『I knew it. You can’t fly without wings.』
Misuzu’s lack of attention-span is “cute” but not if it was in reality. Going out of my way to do something only to be ignored by the person who asked me to do it is a very frustrating experience that I’d rather not have any more of. (I have a friend who does this.) Yukito’s generally mild reactions to that, considering his general disposition, are rather amazing.
Yukito’s description of “what it means to study” (if you chose Give her a straight answer on the 19th) was better than I expected it to be. (I forgot about that from the last time I played.)
The next day, Thursday the 20th. I’m walking around aimlessly when a wild Potato appears! (He was not foretold on the map of the ancients. I feel cheated.) Anyway, I’m reminded of something I noticed in Lucky Star: The voice actors for Yukito and Potato immitated their characters in an episode of Lucky Star, at the end of the Lucky Channel segment. I appreciate all the Key references in Lucky Star. (Sorry, that’s unrelated to the discussion, but trivia is fun sometimes.)
『Maybe it’ll give me a cloth weaved out of its own hair every night.』 ← That’s probably the creepiest part of the common route.
I find it odd that when Yukito first meets Kano he tells her about the puppet immediately even though he was so hesitant about it with Misuzu and Haruko. (And he even suffered a light trauma from performing the show for them!) I’m interpreting that as “exhausted; don’t care” on Yukito’s part.
Yukito’s meeting with Hijiri was very entertaining. My favorite part was: 【Woman】「Do I look like someone who’d extort money from you?」【Yukito】「You do.」 then a little after that 【Yukito】「Are you taking advantage of me?」【Woman】「To put it simply, yes.」. Their interactions are great. I almost want a route dedicated to just her.
Back with Misuzu, the key girl (ha, ha, ha), Yukito says some cool lines (“Besides, it’s memorable because the seasons move on. It won’t leave an impression if you’re in the same place all the time.”) The stuff immediately following that is foreshadowing. Seeing Yukito’s interactions with Misuzu’s mother has made me wonder whether Yukito would even bother with the puppet show if he suddenly became wealthy. Part of me thinks he might but I’m not sure. Either way I want him to play with Misuzu more.
The job description Haruko gives Yukito that night is actually pretty appealing, honestly. That might be a side effect of the music and her solemn expression.
And with that there are only three days left! (21st - 23rd)
The 21st, Friday. Yukito awakens to his inner Masato. (Or wait, I selected “Show them my muscles,” so maybe I awakened to my inner Masato? But I’m playing as Yukito, so maybe his inner Masato was influencing me? Very mysterious.) Kawarazaki gets creeped out… That’s okay, Misuzu still loves me! Right Misuzu? … Misuzu? Anyway.
After arriving at the train station I find Michiru blowing trying to blow bubbles. I’m not particularly fond of Michiru, but I don’t dislike her either. She kind of balances out, for me at least. 『Uuu… What should I do…? The devil kidnapper spoke to me…』 I interpret a “devil kidnapper” as someone who kidnaps devils. Assuming that translation is accurate, she unwittingly implied she is a devil. xP (Yes, I know that’s not what she meant.)
If I was the one to answer the door to Yukito, even if I didn’t have any sort of electronics or whatever for recycling, I’d probably offer some water at least.
A wild Minagi has appeared! (Harem route, anyone?) Good mornafterning, Minagi. I like her sense of humor: 『…I’m sunbathing.』『Just kidding… it’s night right now.』 The first time I read that I literally laughed out loud. It was also the dead of night, so that was probably pretty creepy to outsiders. I chuckled this time. Simple humor is the best.
Sedulous. I had to look that up. (Means “diligent” or “industrious.” (Minagi route pseudo spoiler) For effect, I looked it up in an old paperback dictionary I happened to have lying around.)
The way Yukito acts around Minagi makes it seem like he fell in love with her immediately. He didn’t have as positive of a reaction to any of the other characters, at least. (He found Misuzu annoying and Kano to be somewhat weird. His first sight of Minagi was “like a fairytale,” and he was notably happy when she praised him for something insignificant.)
Another Minagi quote! 『Why… did you choose to commit your crimes here?』 By itself it’s not that impressive, but in the context of the scene it was hilarious. I like the following conversation between Misuzu and Minagi: 【Misuzu】「Yukito-san isn’t a pervert.」【Yukito】（Crap, she’s explaining that part!?）【Minagi】「…」「…Is he a devil kidnapper then?」…No.【Misuzu】「Unfortunately he’s not that either.」
The brief interlude with Misuzu and Haruko concludes that day and then I’m at the 22nd.
That’s all for now! Two more days…
EDIT - Played through the 22nd after a short break.
That song that plays on the 22nd… I love it. (“Nocturne” I think it was.) Additionally, “Stratos” is a great song too. This day is a good day.
Kano’s “time wasterian” thing was funny, but I’m not really connecting with her character yet. I did like how she and Hijiri both suspected there was some trick to
Yukito’s puppet show. (Though wouldn’t anybody? Well, compared to the other girls, they were the only to voice that thought, iirc.)
The interaction between Yukito, Potato, and Michiru, in front of the clinic was a funny scene. Michuru’s reaction to Yukito was completely justified.
Minagi is great. The “consolation prize” thing was hilarious. (Check out [Purple’s post](https://forum.kazamatsuri.org/t/air-common-route-discussion-bookclub-
discussion-here/902/55?u=notkyon).)
Kano’s “other personality” (Little Busters! spoiler) reminds me of Mio, even though they’re nowhere near the same. I guess because of that, her
route is somewhat more interesting. Her explanation to Hijiri and its nonchalant implications are great. As Yukito says 『The girl’s story is completely true.』『But
for some reason, I feel like it’s turned me into a horrible excuse for a human being.』 Yukito’s followup was great too.
And that’s it for my reactions to the 22nd. Next is the 23rd and the bad ending…
EDIT 2 - The 23rd day was shorter than I expected! Here are my reactions.
Gao gao. It’s the 23rd and the rise of the Stegosaurus T-shirt. Haruko’s appearance while Yukito was posing alone actually surprised me. I should’ve expected that, what with having already played through this scene a few times.
Misuzu’s new map is awesome.
【Minagi】『…Po.』
Yup, arrow to the heart.
And so, as per the bad end, we float away carried by the wind. (Well, we just walk in separate directions, but still.) I thought the bad end, which I hadn’t experienced before, would be more tearjerking but it didn’t bother me too much. It was sad, but I couldn’t see myself realistically taking the same actions Yukito did to reach the bad end. (Although I admit, it would be odd just being in that position in the first place.)
Thus concludes my reaction to the 23rd day!
As for the common route (bad end) it was enjoyable to play through again. Some jokes and minor details had been forgotten, and remembering them was worth it. Playing it felt a little bit like a chore, at times, but that was my own fault for trying to rush it. (Obviously it won’t be as enjoyable if you’re in a hurry, right?) In the general music thread I posted Dress by Buck-Tick. I still feel that the themes match up here.
I’m looking forward to Minagi’s route next! Woo!
