This has a lot for me to chew on, in regards to the nature of Takumi witnessing NewGen Murder No.3 and what is up with the now introduced Rimi Sakihata.
There's a moment about I think midway through the chapter that made something click with me. It was Nanami and Takumi going to school together against Takumi's will, and Nanami just suddenly blanks out in the middle of the street, almost adding another number to the world car k/d ratio.
This took me back to an earlier moment in the Chapter where Takumi talks about why talking on call gives him the creeps, specifically focusing on the process of how calling even works, mentioned something to the effect of "there's a chance that the electrical signal changes into something different" and "how can I be truly sure if the other person I'm talking to on the phone is the actual person".
And that's when an idea clicked for me, maybe some sort of broadcasting fuckery is abound? It's entirely possible some form of signal transmission is screwing with everyone's heads, or hell, even time. Thinking back to how they explained the Time Leap machine in the S;G anime.
Then there's the inconsistency with how visceral NewGen Murder No.3 (forgot what it was called but the Crucifixion) was, as it's far less bloody in the image shown by the police than what Takumi saw, as well, I should also mention Rimi's behavior at the time, she seemed to be in a similar state as to how Nanami was in the moment I mentioned earlier
Then there's Shogun's reveal, one thing of note was just, every person being gone, nobody there, completely devoid of anyone but Takumi and later Shogun. I thought back to the scene of the initial D-Mail being sent in the S;G anime and I wonder if changing worldlines had anything to do with that moment, but looking at other moments of interest that's probably not the case, and once again, looking too far ahead.
Anyways, I'm thinking... idk something is sending signals to people that makes them do crazy stuff? I heard of something like that being talked about in S;G but I'm not sure, if I'm right then I might've accidentally spoiled myself which xp (RIP) but that's the fault of my hubris.
Now then, something else, in regards to Takumi and Shogun, same guy but not same guy? The scene where Takumi seemingly starts sleep walking and then it shows that he's chatting as Shogun, only for Shogun to appear later on, it's interesting.
As I wasn't really buying that Shogun and Takumi could be the same guy, I still don't believe so entirely, but anyways, working idea is that Takumi is being influenced to be Shogun. Might be related to what I mentioned earlier about ppl getting influenced by signals and the like, maybe for something in the future?
Unsure, though.
Now, another thing I was expecting, more of Ban and Suwa, I like these guys they got good vibes to them. I've already said what I can about their plot points earlier in regards to the police so, for now, I hope to see more of these guys, I feel like they'll be fun. Now then, onto the other characters
Before that, something I should disclose given how major it is, especially going forward.
I've uhh... been playing the game unpatched, and on a pirated copy.
I apologize, though my personal economic circumstances aren't very favorable,
make no mistake, I very much aim to buy the game, alongside the rest of SciADV and any other Visual Novel I play in the future, and when that time comes I'll make sure to replay the SciADV games in the way its best experienced while actually support everyone behind this awesome series, but unfortunately, I'll have to make do for now.
With that out of the way... Uhh, I'll continue, with regards to Rimi Sakahata.
Given the context of everything I was a bit apprehensive towards her but I think I like her as well, she's genuinely very caring of Takumi and the end of the chapter moment with her was very sweet. That said, the elephant in the room is her role in NewGen Murder No.3, so far, I think she did it
but not of her own will or in sound mind. Referring back to what I was talking about with signals and stuff, but, that's all I have on her for now.
There is also the appearance of Sena, the girl Takumi bumped into last chapter, not much to say about her here but she's still cool, similar vibes to Ayase though a lot more heavy handed. Not much else to say though, I'll keep an eye on her and Ayase for this next chapter.
As well there is Kozue Orihara, I got a glimpse of her I think end of Chapter 1? She's a transfer student, one who seems to come from a similar background, or, at least, set of bad times as Takumi, so I'll be interested to see how they might bond over that, if at all.
One more thing, the Di-Swords of the few designs I've seen (FES, Sena, and Kozue) I think I like Kozue's the most, I don't know it looks like an ironing board someone tried to make into a... fuck if I know, but it looks cool.
Anyways, for now. That's all for this report.