[Recap] Metro PD: Close to You ~ Ryohei Kimura Main Story Episode 2

***Note: This chapter can be read after buying the main story in the play store (android) or app store(ios). Main story is $3.99 unless on sale***

File 2 Recap

Episode 2 begins with Yukiko enjoying her day off shopping at a jewelry store because even though she surrounded by men all the time she's still like any other girl her age. She spots a simple pair of pink pearl earrings but before she can try them on she gets a call from 2nd Unit. It's Kyobashi that answers. She asks him if she needs to come to a crime scene and instead of him answering "yes" or "no", he simply gives her a location and hangs up before she can ask him any other questions. She figures it must be an emergency and hurries to the location he gave her. But she's confused. She doesn't spot him or anyone else in 2nd unit. Just as she's about to call them she hears someone call her name. It's Kimura!

Yukiko recalls 2nd Unit teasing her to go on a date with Kimura and they realize that they've been set up. First things first, she calls up Kyobashi to give him a piece of her mind. Cue my favorite scene of the chapter ~~ It's Asano that answers the phone but....he's talking like he's an answering machine xD. Yukiko isn't fooled and she continues calling them off. And how does Asano respond?

Her efforts are futile as Asano ends up hanging up on her. Slightly dejected, she turns to Kimura. (you get the option of asking what they should do or suggesting they grab lunch ~ I chose to grab lunch) With nothing else to do they stand together until a hungry Yukiko suggests to Kimura that they get lunch together. They settle on the most inoffensive food out there, Italian.

The next part of their "date" has them in a 3D planetarium. They both marvel at the starry sky through their 3D glasses and chat about how they're both into stargazing. Yukiko would crawl out of her bedroom window and lie on the roof of her garage to stare at the stars in night sky. Kimura was the same but he had a telescope and he would lie out on his deck.  He got into stargazing as a hobby because he wasn't a kid that liked to go out much.

Child Kimura sounds like the current me x]

Yukiko got into stargazing in elementary school when she wanted to compare the star charts she had with the real thing. It always put her into a good mood. When she laughs at her reason for being lame Kimura comforts her by talking like an old man.

She responds to old man Kimura by telling him that he's still young. Is he going on regular dates with his girlfriend? and that he should eat more sugar x). Kimura gets a little bit defensive. He tells her that he doesn't have a girlfriend ヽ(゜∇゜)ノ  and doesn't plan on getting one (゜´Д｀゜). She's a bit shocked from his cold tone so she attempts a joke. She suggests that they get sugar into him by going to a souffle shop nearby. He laughs as they decide to head to the souffle shop but she can't help but wonder what kind of baggage he's carrying to have him respond so coldly.

Yes, you and Yukiko.

They chat a little as they go to the souffle shop but before they can enter Yukiko's cellphone starts to ring. It's Tennoji calling about a homicide case. Since he was in on the whole 'setting Yukiko and Kimura up' plan, he knows Kimura is with her and tells them both to head on over to a certain address. 

Everyone form 2nd Unit is there and so is 1st Unit. 1st Unit basically tells them all to get lost because they've already identified the victim and are taking over the case. 2nd Unit isn't happy but Kirisawa calms everyone Tennoji down by offering to treat everyone, including Kimura, out to drinks. 

At the bar Kyobashi immediately asks Yukiko and Kimura how their date went. So the two tell the guys what happened and somehow they get back into the conversation they had in Episode 1 about that one talented child actor that just disappeared from showbiz.

Eiki remembers that the child actor's name was Ryohei Nikaido. All of the 2nd Unit guys remember the kid. Eiki mentioned him being cuter than a girl. Hanai and Kirisawa mentioned something about him being involved in a scandal. And Tennoji said that girls at his school were 'legit' obsessed with him. Everyone is chatting but a frozen Kimura and Yukiko notices. She whispers to him to ask if he's okay and he snaps back to attention.

He blames it on the alcohol and leaves the table to get some air.

End of Episode 2.

***Comments***

It's no big mystery that the child actor that everyone was talking about is Kimura. Now we just wait to find out when everyone figures it out. Or maybe not everyone. Maybe just Yukiko.

Anywho, I really enjoyed this episode. It's a light read before the impeding angst to come from unraveling Kimura's past. 

Asano acting like an answering machine was my favorite part. 2nd Unit is so cute. Oh, so is Kimura. Gotta agree with Yukiko, he's definitely acting like a wilted flower. He's so polite and considerate. Which is great! They're wonderful qualities in a guy person. But he can be such a downer =/ I can't wait until he snaps! x)

Poll Results #1 - "What is your favorite 'Shall we Date' game by NTT Solmare?"

After about ehhhh 4 weeks and 225 votes, the poll asking about your favorite NTT Solmare game has finally ended.  (this is before Niflheim came out)

The results are in!

and I totally meant to post this sooner but

Let's see...

Now let's see that again.

The most popular NTT Solmare game out of all you people was (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ✧ Ninja Assassin+. Followed closely by Angel or Devil+ in second place and Destiny Ninja in third place. 


Here's the full list in order of popularity:

1. Ninja Assassin+
2. Angel or Devil+
3. Destiny Ninja
4. Ninja Love+
5. Lost Island+ & Scarlet Fate+
6. My Fairy Tales+
7. Mononoke Kiss+
8. Magic Sword+
9. My Sweet Prince+

Angel or Devil+ was winning for the longest time but in the last week Ninja Assassin+ sneaked up like the ninja game it is, and won the whole thing.  I'm honestly surprised that Angel or Devil+ is so popular.

I voted too because why not xD. Uhhh I believe at the time I had Lost Island+ as my favorite. My opinion has changed since then but I shall explain why I chose Lost Island+ at the time.

1) Science!: They work in labs. They're researches. Viruses! I'm a bio major that wants to work in a lab so this made me happy.
2) MC: She's a science person! -woot-  Anywho, I also liked the fact that she was older than the usual MCs we get from Solmare games. I'm probably closer in age to the younger MCs but I like that Lost Island's MC wasn't so naive. Yeah she still trusts kinda easily  and she's still inexperienced  but at least she isn't oblivious to what people do in relationships? I think... I don't remember why specifically but I just like her.
3) Lionel: He is very very hot in my opinion. I like that he's half American and half Japanese and brown. I'm from America and I'm a brown Filipino. Not one of those light skinned Filipinos but actually brown. You don't get a lot of brown characters in general so that made me happy. He's so cute *.*

If you would like to share why a game was your favorite, please do. Or if you just want to give your opinion about a game, share that too.

[Recap] Metro PD: Close to You ~ Ryohei Kimura Main Story Episode 1

***Note: This chapter is free to read on the game/app***

File 1 Recap

I guess we're just going to ignore finding out who was holding you in the end of the prologue because the episode begins with Yukiko and Eiki on their lunch break. They have a sorta odd chat about what Americans and Japanese do before a meal. Eiki compares the two, Americans tend to say grace to God as thank you for the food while Japanese say "Itadakimasu" as a way of saying to receive food is life. Yukiko kind of sees where he's going with it and tells him that when she was a kid her mother would pretty much threaten her with something like, 'food is life so clean up your plate' with a scary face. She then tries to mimic her mother's scary face by pulling the corners of her eyes up but she senses a presence at her side. She looks over and sees that it's Ryohei Kimura.

Kimura came to bring in the DNA results on a series of robbery cases that Yukiko is working on with Tennoji. Tennoji who was supposed to be having Korean Barbecue with his sister, comes barging in to announce that there has been another robbery. Tennoji, Yukiko, and Kimura meet up at the crime scene. They arrive at the house of the victim,  a 34 year old woman that's being treated in the hospital. The living room is trashed and when Yukiko comments on how horrible it all is, Tennoji agrees.

Why....why must you say that?

Kimura on the other hand has been looking for clues in the living room and has so far been unsuccessful. He tells Yukiko that it seems likely that all the robberies are done by the same careful perpetrator. Though it seems unlikely he'll find something he declares that he will find a clue. Tennoji puts faith in Kimura and together with Yukiko they go to interview the person who called them in. And they're about to go but the 1st Unit douches step in, mocking Kimura for praying over a cat that got killed during the robbery.

The other lab techs got Kimura's back though, calling him a pro that gets things done. But 1st still has a problem with it so Tennoji tells them to work in their cases instead of dumbass gossip x]. Yukiko on the other hand proudly joins Kimura in his prayers (there was an option to chose whether to pray with Kimura or argue with 1st Unit and I choose to pray with him).

He's initially shocked that she joined him and even more shocked when she says that it's not okay to kill either animal (humans or cats) but eventually smiles kindly back at her before turning to the cat again.

The interview ends and it's time to get going but Kimura is still in search for something. Yukiko tries to ask him what he's searching for but she trips over a side table. Thankfully Tennoji catches her and only the flower vase shatters on the floor. Tennoji hides his worry for her by yelling at her for altering the crime scene. She apologizes and thankfully Kimura is there to be nice about it.

Kimura asks them if it's okay if he could stay a little while longer. He wants more time to find traces of blood because the cat had one paw with it's nails cut and wet, possibly from the cat scratching the perpetrator. Yukiko can only stare at him in amazement.

Cue scene change!

It's 2nd Unit with Kimura in the break room(?) having a toast. They're celebrating Kimura for closing the case.

Everyone showers him with praises with Kyobashi....praising himself at the same time xD.

Anywho, I love this next scene. Yukiko catches Kyobashi comparing himself with Kimura and adds that Kimura isn't a pervert like him. The rest of 2nd Unit chimes in that while Kyobashi is overly obsessed with the opposite sex, Yukiko is not obsessed enough. Eiki asks her if she has a boyfriend but before she can answer Tennoji answers with something along the lines of 'of course not, just look at her!' Next it's Asano's turn, suggesting that someone take her out on a date because he pities her. Kirisawa agrees that she should go out on more dates but everyone except for Kyobashi seem up for it. So they volunteer Kimura!

Since the guys aren't getting anywhere with this topic Eiki approaches it in a different way, asking her about they type of guys she likes. When she answers that she likes guys with good hearts Kimura smiles and compliments her for not being superficial (you have the option of saying "attractive guys" or "guys with good hearts" and I chose the good hearts one). But Tennoji doesn't like that answer, it's too vague so he asks her about what celebrities she likes. She's not kept up with the times but she is able to answer with celebrities she liked in high school. They guys go into a conversation about what some of the celebrities in the day are doing now. And when Eiki starts to mention something about a talented child actor that pretty much disappeared in showbiz, Kimura changes the conversation about if it's okay that no one is in the 2nd Unit office. Yukiko notices the sudden change in topic and wonders if he did it on purpose.

Something something something.

End of Episode 1.

***Comments***

Yay! Kimura! I like him. He's cute.

I like professional and focused dudes like him. Anywho, I love the 2nd Unit friendship/interactions. -woot- for them trying to hook up Kimura and Yukiko already. I need them in my life to fix me up with someone D: Hmmm Hmmmmm can't say much about the story so far since the case that'll be the focus of the main story hasn't popped up yet. Uhhh what else can I say.... Yeah, cats aren't my favorite but...you should still be nice to them. Dead or not. People too. They aren't my favorite but don't be a 1st Unit douche! We all learned this as children. "1st the worst, 2nd the best..3rd with the hairy chest" xD. Everything made more sense in my head.

Forbidden Love ~ "Phantom Thief Kaito JG" Johannes Version - Part 1 Recap

What if: Forbidden Love with Phantom Thief Kaito JG ~ Johannes Version - Part 1 Recap

***Note: My character's name is "Melody" so I'll be referring her to her name instead of MC***

The story begins with the MC, Melody, sitting in her garden describing her lifestyle since the accident that killed her parents. Since the accident she rarely leaves her room and only goes outside to the garden. Her butler comes over to hand her a cardigan and warns her to be careful whenever she leaves because there have been troubling news reports. Reports about the the Phantom Thief Kaito JG. Apparently his recent victims are all houses nearby their mansion. The Phantom Thief is just like a modern day Robin Hood, targeting paintings from the rich and then selling them to fund orphanages. He's loved by the common folk but detested by the rich.

Melody is interested in the Phantom Thief but only for a second. When her servant hesitantly tries to get her to travel beyond the mansion, Melody of course declines the offer. All of her servants are worried about her since it's unhealthy to stay locked up in the mansion but she's too sad to venture outside.

She's left alone again in the garden when she suddenly hears a shout. She follows the shout and it leads her to one of her security guards in an argument with a young man. The young man explains that all he wants to do is enter the mansion grounds to retrieve a ball the neighborhood kids accidentally threw in there but the security guard won't let him. Since it's just a ball he's after, Melody instructs her security guard to let him through. The young man's name is Johannes Gilbert and he thanks her.

They start to converse with one another. Johannes asking Melody if she lives in the mansion and if she stays in the house all day because he doesn't see her around. He also thinks it's better to go crazy outside than stay cooped inside a house. But Melody gets defensive and tells him to leave her alone, he doesn't know what it's like. She's mad at him but he looks pleased. In fact, he's smiling.

He explains that earlier she seemed like a doll and that her angry face is much cuter since she's expressing her emotions. Melody blushes bright red at his cheesy lines and he laughs. He tells her to just call him Johannes, instead of Mr. Gilbert, because it seems that they're similar in age.  Just then he finds the baseball and invites Melody to watch them (Johannes and the children) play baseball. He tells her that you can't underestimate kids or they'll beat you and she finds it funny that kids can beat an adult. In order to get her to go and watch them play, he let's her keep the ball. He threatens that if she doesn't go on Sunday to watch them, then the kids won't get to play because the ball he handed over to her is the only one they have. He leaves before she can do anything else and hears Johannes explain to the children that he couldn't find the ball.

It's and Melody ponders on her bed debating whether or not to go when her servant informs her that the police are here. Mike the policeman makes his entrance to inform Melody that the Phantom Thief Kaito JG has targeted 2 houses by her house already. Apparently she forgot that her butler already told her of the news because she's shocked >.> Mike asks her to contact the police if she notices any suspicious behavior and leaves the room. 

Sunday nears and Melody asks a servant to make lunch that a lot of people can eat. Her servant is ecstatic and does so.

It's finally Sunday and Melody makes it to the baseball game. A little boy approaches her and thanks her for the ball. Johannes greets her and notices the bags she's carrying. She explains that she brought food for everyone and he gets a little disappointed when he hears that they weren't homemade by her.

She has never formally introduced herself to Johannes so she finally tells him her name.

Melody is having fun at the baseball game. She can't remember when was the last time she had so much fun. Is it all because of Johannes? 

***Comments***

I know my recap is pretty lengthy but not much is going on. Basically, Melody is a still her sweet self but is depressed and cooped in her mansion. She meets Johannes and she shows her a good time outside of her mansion. Yup. That's Part 1! Anywho, hmmm what can I say? Uhhhh I like Johannes in this event thingy. I generally don't like him in any of the main routes including his own. I'm not sure why though... hmmmm Melody has a butler but he/she isn't Robert! Why couldn't the butler be Robert!? I love Robert D: Anywho, that doesn't affect the story in anyyyyy way so I'm going to let that slide. Uhhhh errrr hmmmm. I don't really care much for the MC/Melody so maybe that's why I'm kinda 'eh' about the story so far. 

[Recap] Metro PD: Close to You ~ Prologue

***This game (Metro PD: Close to you by voltage inc.) is free to download for android and ios. prologue and chapter 1 are free to play but complete routes need to be bought with money. Main routes are $3.99 unless on sale.***

Instead of saying "MC all the time, I'll be referring to her as my
ingame name, "Yukiko Todami".

PROLOGUE RECAP

The prologue begins with Yukiko Todami as a 2nd year detective working in the West Arai Police Department’s Community Safety Unit. Her fellow officer praises her as a talented officer., in order to handle a peeping-tom situation she suggested to put gravel around the windows so one could hear anyone’s footsteps, and it works to prevent any more peeping-toms. She doesn't deal with serial killers or terrorists but she believes her job to be important to keeping the community safe. Until a man calls her name and tells her she’s transferring to the Metro Police Special Investigations: 2nd Unit, effective immediately. That man is her future boss, Nomura.

Nomura describes the 2nd unit guys as the best and brightest going after the big dogs, though not forgetting to include that they’re definitely eccentric as well. He does forget to mention that they’re all very handsome but, oh well.

Anywho, Yukiko later finds herself in front of the Metro Police Department. She’s about to turn around to leave but she can’t just ignore an official transfer notice so she sucks it up and heads back to the building when she finds a man standing directly behind her. He immediately starts asking her questions, why is she here? Is she a tourist? Assuming her to be a lost tourist he starts giving her directions to what seem to be typical tourist attractions. Yukiko doesn't know what to say but “yeah” and the man start go instead the building when he stops to tell her

Hanai’s statement telling her she’s suspicious fires her up and she finally gets her courage to enter the building. But of course she bumps into something. That something is  a tall and expressionless someone, named Shusuke Asano. She tries to apologize but he doesn't even register her.

Another man boy pops into the situation to greet the sleepy Asano. His name is Eiki Yachigusa and he suddenly moves to analyze her face. Why?

Eiki remembers and tells her she looks like a capybara. I laughed when Yukiko thinks to herself that doesn’t know whether to be angry or not. I’m not a male capybara so I can’t tell if she’d be an attractive capybara but as a female human, I think they’re cute *.* Anywho, while Eiki is trying to get Yukiko and Asano to see the resemblance, Kyobashi shows up.

He rates her as a four. Is that out of 5? 10? 100? She annoyed and she should be but I think it’s good to note that Eiki said four was not bad.  Kyobashi came was heading to the meeting and tells the other two boys that they better get going. And they do, leaving behind the annoyed Yukiko.

She finally makes into the building and into an elevator. She looks around for others in case anyone wanted to ride with her but she doesn't see anyone and presses the closed button. Butttt of course someone else pops up. It’s a glaring Yutaka Tennoji that tries to enter the elevator and tells her she has no manners. But when he looks into his phone he starts cheering for his baseball team, the Tigers, while shaking her hand.

They reach their floor and part ways with Yukiko checking out signs for Special Investigations. When she finds it she opens the door and greets herself to some jerks.

The 1st Unit schmucks redirect her to the back of the room where the 2nd Unit guys are located. She tries knocking on the door but when no one answers she reaches to open up the door.  She’s already having a sucky day so the moment she does reach for the door it opens onto her forehead.

It’s her new leader/boss, Kirisawa, that opened the door. He calls the rest of the guys to introduce her but everyone in the office are the guys she met earlier.

After the initial shock of it all, everyone ends up introducing themselves. Tennoji and Hanai are skeptical of her being a detective and ask her what’s her special skill.

Before she can think of her special skill the PA system makes an emergency announcement about a bomb threat. Suddenly everyone is serious and they move out to the area of the bomb threat. Kirisawa orders the guys to split and Yukiko to wait for reinforcements. So, they do and she's left alone until she hears a crash.

It's a suspect! She reaches for the radio to call for Kirisawa but someone from behind her covers her mouth and drags her into a dark room. The suspect silently sets down a timed bomb inside the warehouse with the tied up Yukiko and leaves through a secret pathway. The beeping from the bomb stops (to explode) and she blacks out. When she comes to she can't move but she can hear the 2nd Unit guys worriedly calling out to her. She does eventually open her eyes, only to find herself in someone's arms.

Andddd the prologue ends.

***Comments***

Note - The other playable route guy/dude/person, Ryohei Kimura, doesn’t get introduced in the prologue. Anywho, I liked the introduction to this game. This could be due to the fact I like detective games/stories even though the main focus of this game will be the interactions between Yukiko and [insert a dude's name]. I like the idea that the story will progress along with the the case. I think it gives the story a logical-ish direction. At least now I can buy it whenever the MC finds herself in a dangerous situation. Speaking of the MC/Yukiko, I like her so far. She's not whining so that's good. And I like her responses to things because I can picture myself reacting the same way. Anywho. Hmmmm what else? Oh! The men! They're all pretty cute...looking. None of their personalities attracted me from the get-go but I have a feeling I'll like them all after seeing their personalities and office interactions in a main story. While playing the prologue the only guy I really had my eyes on was Kirisawa. I ended up buying Ryohei Kimura's route though... Hmmmm Hmmmmm anywho, yeah.... that's all.