I finally updated this image. I’m such a slacker. I meant to do that text ages ago but I usually work on this LP when I’m half asleep in bed so my tablet is packed away.
Another round of perfect attendance… Splendid!
Now if you keep this up maybe one day you’ll get to leave.
See you at the bell.
Everyone seems so restless, I wonder what they’re planning to do today?
Hiya Boss! Got any plans for today?
Uh… just sitting in detention, I guess.
Nyaa… of course. That was pretty dumb of me to ask, wasn’t it?
Haha, what? Come on, Meowkie, don’t worry about that.
Heh, okay… Well, I was gonna patrol the halls today… Seeing as I’m the lead Hall Monitor and all. I thought maybe… you might wanna tag along with me? Only if you want to, of course! Y’know, see how a real pro like me does it! Haha… I’m just kidding… sorry.
(It’s pretty cute how excited she gets about hall monitoring.)
Of course you know the answer.
Sure, Meowkie! That sounds really fun, actually.
R-really? Wow… Boss, that’s great! Y’know… you’re bein’ so nice to me an’ all… I just wanna say… I’m real glad you wanna spend time with someone like me, Boss.
It’s nothing, Meowkie, really! After all… I want to.
… …
(When she gets quiet like that… I’m not sure what to do!)
Okay, Boss! This is gonna be a great day! You just wait here a minute… I-if that’s okay. I’ll go get some tasty snacks for us first! The cafeteria has tuna fish sandwiches today. AND I brought some tuna snacks from home!
(This girl… really likes tuna…)
Uh… th-that is… I know tuna might not be… your VERY favorite… But it ain’t like you HATE IT… right?
(Actually, the real truth is… I really do hate tuna! But what kind of monster would I be to say no to that face?!)
The plot thickens.
Tuna… Tuna’s great!
…I knew it! I knew you were a tuna fan… There’s no way someone as nice as you wouldn’t be!
(“Someone as nice as me”? There’s no moral qualities that come with liking tuna… At least I don’t think there are.)
You just sit tight, Boss! I’ll be right back with your snacks!
Meowkie fades out.
(The prospect of spending the day with Meowkie… …I’m really excited! Hmm, what’s that? Did I hear her name? It sounds like those other kids over there are talking about her. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but – I can’t help but listen in!)
STUDENT 1
That Meowkie… I don’t get why they even let her go to this school. Just because her parents moved to this district so she should go to Namco High… That shouldn’t mean anything, should it?
STUDENT 2
I know! This place is for, like, good guys. Isn’t it dangerous to let someone like Meowkie in? No matter where she goes to school… She’s still a henchman for a bad guy!
(What? No she’s not! How could anyone possibly think that about Meowkie?! Have they even MET her?!)
STUDENT 3
Yeah, the Meowkie family is like, totally villainous! They used to work for that Big Cat and everything!
STUDENT 1
It’s totally unfair that we have to go to school with some evil goon! What happens when she finally turns on us?
(Meowkie’s not evil! Her family’s not that bad, either! If they really did move just so they could send her to Namco High… That means they’re trying really hard to give her a better life!)
STUDENT 2
The ONLY reason she’s not kicked out yet… is because that weird teacher King likes her.
STUDENT 3
Oh, I get it. It’s a cat thing.
(I can’t stand hearing this! How could they say that?! If King really did give Meowkie special treatment, he’d let her out of detention! Although… Now that I think about it… I never found out why she was in detention in the first place. But Meowkie couldn’t REALLY have done something bad… could she have?)
STUDENT 1
She actually tried to get me in trouble, you know! With that phony Hall Monitor act. Just because I was writing on the bathroom walls… She said it was “vandalism” or something. I thought that was pretty rich, coming from an evil goon who like, probably does stuff like that all the time!
STUDENT 2
No way! What did you do!?
STUDENT 1
I blamed it on her, of course! She probably deserved to get detention for SOMETHING… Serves her right, anyway! Someone like HER, trying to get ME in trouble? Yeah, right!
STUDENT 3
Haha! Nice one!
(… So that’s it… That’s why Meowkie was in detention. It wasn’t even her fault… But the other kids think she’s bad, so they blame stuff on her. I can’t believe it… Someone as sweet as Meowkie could never deserve that. I’ve got to say something… I’ve got to stick up for her! I’ve got to-)
Nyaa! Hiya boss, I’m back! They had plenty of tuna, but… Since I knew tuna might not be your favorite… I got some salmon for ya too! It’s kinda unorthodox, but what can I say? You bring out a crazy side of me, boss!
(For someone who likes tuna so much, that must seem like a really radical act. I wanted to say something to those other kids, but… It probably won’t do any good to make a scene in front of poor Meowkie. It would just hurt her feelings… But I want to stand up for her. What’s the right thing to do?)
Well Boss? Whaddaya say?
…Thanks, Meowkie. That’s really nice of you. Come on, let’s go on patrol… together!
…Boss!
(That’s right… the best thing to do is… To go with her proudly… And show the others that I don’t care where she comes from.)
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…Hey, Meowkie? Do you mind if I ask you something?
Not at all, Boss!
…Even if it’s kinda… Personal?
Nyaa… Boss… wh-what do you mean??
Erk! Sorry! I didn’t mean like that… Uh, I was just kinda curious… Do other kids here ever treat you any different?
…Oh…
(There she goes, getting quiet again…)
Haha, of course they do, Boss! I’m a cat after all!
That’s not what I expecting her to misinterpret.
Meowkie, that’s not what I-
I don’t take it personal or nothin’, though! After all, some people can’t help bein’ allergic!
(She’s being weird and dodging my questions. But I can tell she knows exactly what I’m talking about. By acting this way, she’s telling me she doesn’t want to talk about it. I should really respect that, and not push it right now. But… maybe she needs me to push it? What should I do?)
Not that, stupid!
Meowkie, cut the innocent act.
ARG.
I heard what the other kids say about you in detention! They say mean stuff about you. They pin their rule breaking on you. How can you put up with it??
…
Don’t be a coward! You should stand up for yourself! If you keep letting it happen, it’s as much your fault as theirs!
… …I dunno what you’re talkin about, Boss.
Meowkie… (She’s speaking very quietly. But somehow, I still get the sense…
Please… I don’t mean to be demanding or nothing… But let’s not talk about that stuff. Okay?
…I’m sorry Meowkie… I just wanted to help… Are you sure you don’t wanna talk about it?
…Yeah. I mean it. I don’t wanna say nothin’… Out of… emotion. Ya know?
…Meowkie, I’m sorry…
…
(I guess I have no choice… I shouldn’t have called her a coward… I shouldn’t have blamed it on her. It’s just so unfair that anyone would be so mean to her… But if she’s this angry… I should really just let it go.) …Y-yeah… people can’t help being allergic.
…
… (This is a little awkward. Does she know what I’m thinking?) Meowkie, I’m sorry for getting too personal. I understand if you’re angry at me.
Nya, wh-what are you talking about, Boss? I ain’t mad at you.
Are you sure? You seemed pretty upset there.
Oh, no no. No way! I don’t get angry, boss. Not at you, or anyone! I just… don’t see the point, ya know? After all, everyone’s trying their best.
Wait, what are you saying? You don’t get angry… ever? At anyone or anything?
Nope! I just don’t see the point, you know? It don’t exactly accomplish much. Gettin angry… is just kinda silly! Ha ha…
(Wow. I never would have guessed Meowkie was in this much denial… She’s a little more… messed up… than I expected her to be. Not that I hold it against her though. Poor Meowkie.)
Oh! Around the corner!
What’s that? Are your Hall Monitor senses tingling? (Thank goodness, a way to change the subject.)
Yeah! Just over there! Let’s go, Boss!
(What the – she just… grabbed my hand… Oh man… Is this her way of showing me she’s not upset that I tried to bring that stuff up? Or… does it mean something more… Wait, her claws aren’t gonna pop out while we’re holding hands, right?!)
Wow we haven’t seen these guys in a while.
Hey, stop that! Get away from me!
I need to hit you with my dragon amulet! Stop squirming!
Noooooo!
(Yikes, what’s the story here?)
HALT, TROUBLEMAKERS!
Huh? What’s the problem?
Roughhousing in the hallways! We won’t allow it! Right, Boss?
Er… y-yeah, that’s right!
But I must! Destiny commands it! Would you defy destiny?
Help! She’s crazy!!
Er… I don’t know about destiny… but… I do know that dawdling and rough housing are, um, against the rules!
Oh, who am I kidding! You’re just that evil henchman cat girl… Nobody really listens to you! I’m a goner…
… Even y-you think… That I’m…
Hey!! What gives? She’s trying to help you!
An evil henchman? Is that so? I’ve dealt with plenty like you in my time! Stand aside! Don’t trifle with my destiny!
Oh… I…
Meowkie, say something!
…Heh heh… It’s okay, Boss…
(How is she not getting mad at what they’re saying?!)
The music stops. 
What’s going on here?!
AAHHHH!
OH!
Principal Dig Dug?
…
What’s this ruckus out here? Can someone please tell me what’s going on?!
…I was doing nothing wrong! This so-called “Hall Monitor” is standing in the way of my destiny!
I heard she’s evil! Her parents used to work for bad guys! Eek! Don’t let her start picking on me, too!
She was making up reasons to get in my way! It’s totally unacceptable! I have a quest to follow!
…
H-hey! What?? That’s totally unfair! (I’m trying to argue, but everyone’s shouting over each other… Blaming everyone else besides themselves… Except for Meowkie, who’s just standing there… What is she thinking right now? I wish she’d say something… Anything… But I probably wouldn’t even hear it over all this shouting.)
That’s enough! BE QUIET! I’ve heard quite enough. I can’t sort out who’s right and who’s wrong. So just to be safe… You’re ALL in trouble!
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(Feels like I’ve been waiting here outside Principal Dig Dug’s office for a long time… He already talked to those other two, and they went on their way. He talked to me, too, and I’m on thin ice… I better wait for Meowkie to be done, though. There’s no way I’m leaving without her. Poor Meowkie… I can’t believe everyone thinks so poorly of her… Even the people who are otherwise really nice, like Nidia and Blue Max.) (But why won’t she say anything about it?! Oh… the door’s opening.)
Meowkie! H-how’d it go?
O-oh… Fine, Boss… It was fine.
Oh, good.
Except… Principal Digdug… He kinda… Took away my Hall Monitor badge.
WHAT?! How could he do that?!
… …
Meowkie, please… talk to me.
… It’s okay, Boss… I understand. H-how does it look, after all… To have a Hall Monitor who’s in detention all the time. I… I’d probably do the same thing… Ha ha…
That badge meant so much to you! And no one deserves to have it more than you! You didn’t even do anything to get into detention all those times! Meowkie, you told him that, right? You told him it’s not your fault you keep getting in trouble?
…No way… I can’t do that…
Here, kids, is a great lesson on why it’s important to stand up for yourself.
Those other students… They just didn’t want to get in trouble. … Who… Who can blame them?
Meowkie… (She’s trying so hard to be happy and cheerful… But this time, it’s obvious… she’s crushed. Meowkie, please let me help you… I hope you’ll talk to me soon.)
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I can’t believe this part of the route is already 2000+ words. Who wrote this.
Seems like all you riff-raff decided to show…
King roars.
Admirable…
But King insists it doesn’t excuse any of your miscreant behavior yesterday.
We’re giving you another chance accept your punishment.
See you at the bell.
(I wonder if anyone else got in trouble yesterday?)
…Hi, Boss.
Meowkie! Are you okay?
Yeah… it’s okay that I got in trouble… I totally understand.
I’m just sorry that you had to get dragged into it!
You didn’t do anything wrong!
Neither did you! Meowkie, it was wrong of Principal Dig Dug to take your Hall Monitor badge away.
And, I’ve decided… I want to help you get it back!
…Boss… That’s… so nice… It’s nicer than I deserve…
What do you mean, “nicer than you deserve”? You can’t really believe all that stuff people say about you, right?
Well, I dunno, Boss… I try my hardest, but…
There’s this saying: “If lotsa people tell you it’s raining, you should get an umbrella.”
Seems like everyone at school thinks it’s raining… ya know?
Well, I don’t!
I know you by now, Meowkie… You don’t do anything wrong!
How can you sit there and just take that lying down?!
Heh… You’re right as always, Boss.
Somebody as spineless as me woulda made a pretty pathetic Hall Monitor anyway…
(Oh no… I’ve just made it worse. I better shut up before I say something stupid again…)
__________________________________________________________________
I am pleasantly surprised you are all still here…
…but King wants me to remind you we are not surprised you are still delinquents.
See you at the bell.
(Another day in the weirdest school and the weirdest detention ever.)
(I wonder how the others are doing?)
(Wow, Meowkie looks totally crushed today…
Not that I blame her, of course.)
…Oh, heh, hiya boss!
I didn’t see you right away…
I was thinkin’ about stuff. Not hall monitor stuff! Other… stuff…
(Meowkie… you’re not fooling anybody. I’ve got to cheer her up.)
It’s almost time to leave. Meowkie… boy, this is hard to say…
Will you come to the cafe with me?
…on a date?
How could anyone say no to that cutieface.
Boss… you want to go on a date with me?
Of course I wanna go on a date with you, Meowkie!
…That sounds great. See you there, Boss!
(Oh jeez, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach…
At least she seems distracted from that hall monitor stuff, though!)
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(The rest of detention passed pretty quickly… I was barely paying attention at all.
How could I, knowing I would be here at the cafe soon, on a date with Meowkie?
…It IS a real date, right?
Well, either way, we should talk… It’s now or never, I guess.)
Hey look Boss! They have the seafood special today!
Yeah! And look… It says it comes half price… if you order it on a date.
The “Lovebird Discount.”
… So Boss… This is really… a real date?
Yes it is, Meowkie. Because the truth is… I like you.
… That’s nice of you to say…
Goddamnit Meowkie.
Heh, Boss. It’s sweet of you… the lengths you’ll go to cheer me up.
I really mean it though!
…
(Somehow, I get the sense she doesn’t quite believe me…
But why not? I didn’t really think about it until tonight, but…
I know how I feel when I look at her.
Meowkie…)
Good evening! And what will we be having tonight?
O-oh… we’re sharing the seafood special, I guess?
Good choice.
…So, Boss…
Yes?
That rolling up stuff you like to do… is it fun?
Oh! Yeah, I guess so… It’s kinda why I got in trouble in the first place, though. Why do you ask?
I just figured… I should look at this as an opportunity!
Now that I ain’t a hall monitor no more, I got time for other hobbies.
Rolling up stuff like you do… It might be fun! Maybe you could teach me sometime.
But Meowkie… you love being a hall monitor!
…
Yeah, b-but… No use crying over spilled milk! Eh, Boss?
…
Look… I know you think I oughtta be, um, angry. And I know those other kids get me in trouble on purpose. I’m not stupid!
I know what they think of me. They think I’m bad and I deserve to go to detention anyway.
So why don’t you ever speak up? Doesn’t it make you angry?
I’m not angry at them! I’m not!
Stop asking me that!
But… but why not? I’d be angry if I were you!
Because… because…
Because I just can’t do it, okay?
Meowkie…
Boss… I mean, Cousin.
Being angry is… bad. You yell, and you argue… you forget to be nice.
My parents sent me here… so I could grow up to be good.
If I get angry… if I stop being nice and good… Then everything they did was for nothing!
That’s why I can’t get angry… besides…
I’ll just prove… that everyone was right about me, after all.
But… what do you do, then? You can’t be happy ALL the time, if people treat you so badly…
Maybe…
Maybe they’re right to treat me that way.
What?! How could you say that?!
N-nevermind… haha, it’s pretty silly of me. Just forget it.
…
Anyway… even if what you’re saying is true… it doesn’t matter, because I don’t get angry at all!
Sorry! Heh!
But you can’t just not get angry. It’s impossible. Any more than you can stop yourself from laughing at something really funny.
Or…
Or from having a crush on someone… Who you really, really like.
…
Gee, Boss… I’m sorry I’m being such a downer! Heh!
(Ignoring what I said about the crush, huh…)
That’s probably why… it’s good I’m not a Hall Monitor anymore. A great monitor never lets her personal problems get in the way of her confidence and focus!
She’s so cute but she’s really pissing me off.
Meowkie… just pretending to be happy all the time… That isn’t an answer.
Here’s your seafood special, lovebirds!
(Yikes, bad timing.)
Uh, thank you sir.
…
Uh… Hey Meowkie, look. There’s tons of tuna in here! You love that stuff.
Thank you Boss… I mean, Cousin. Thank you for taking me on a nice date.
Whoah, why are you standing up all of a sudden?
Meowkie…
It was really, um, really nice of you.
I’ve had a great time hanging out with you… The best time I’ve had since I came to this school. If that’s um… okay to say.
But… I think I really should be going now…
It’s not your fault… It’s mine, like it always is.
So, goodbye, um, I guess.
Meowkie, wait-
It’s okay if you don’t wanna hang out anymore… I completely understand… if you don’t wanna waste your time on… someone like me…
Meowkie, I don’t understand why you say these things!
I’m sorry…
I gotta go.
The music fades.
How’s that lovebird special coming- Oh, it’s just you.
What happened to your date?
She, um…
She just left.
YIKES. That’s rough. Tell you what – it’s on the house.
The Waiter/MC slides offscreen.
(…Small comfort.
I can’t believe she left before I could even say another word. Sigh…
I don’t care what she says. If she left without eating a single bite of all this tuna…
She’s gotta be feeling really angry.)
Meowkie’s route wordcount has been so obscene I think I almost forgot why I’m here. I’m so happy…
…I can help you finish that.
Thanks Pac-Man.
Oh, hi, Pac-Man. I’m glad you’re here… I really need someone to talk to.
I had a date, but… It really didn’t go well…
I was just thinking…
I know Meowkie gets angry just like the rest of us… And if the other students are so awful to her all the time…
Then she must be angry inside all the time.
But… if she thinks being angry really is bad…
Then she must think the other students are right. She must think she really is bad on the inside.
Oh that was a smart little turn I hadn’t thought of?
When she got that hall monitor badge she must have felt that it was proof. Proof that she was good. But without it, there’s nothing to stop her from thinking she’s bad.
Meowkie… she shouldn’t need that badge to feel good. She is good! No matter what!
She’s the nicest, strongest person I know! She really cares, and she tries her hardest all the time! No matter what!
(Chew, chew…)
There’s only one thing to do in a situation like this, Cousin.
(Chew, chew…)
Be chew to yourself.
I MEAN true to yourself.
Be true to yourself.
…Yeah… Yeah, you’re right.
If I can be true to myself and my feelings…
Maybe she can be true to her feelings too.
This is really good tuna.
All tuna is good! But be careful some tuna is endangered. BUY ETHICAL!
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