Calling this LP is ‘The Next Generation’ wasn't just an excuse to use the Star Trek theme, it’s because we're following a whole new set of characters!
Let's pick up where we left off. We appear to be in one of those scenes where a protagonist rushes to the airport to stop their love interest from leaving town by revealing that they're in love and can't live without them. How romantic!
Also a good reminder that this game was written before 9/11.
:
Eri-chan!
:
Hey, what's wrong?
:
What's wrong with you suddenly going to study abroad? Why didn't you tell me earlier?
:
Sorry
.
:
But I'll be back in just two years.
:
Huh? Two years…
…Ah. It appears our new protagonist's girlfriend has decided to skip town without telling him.
… This might not be as romantic as I thought…
:
I'll be waiting.
:
Waiting for what?
:
Well, we were dating after all…
:
Wait a minute!
:
I've only been to the movies with you once! Don't get me wrong
!
...Perhaps I was being a bit presumptuous with the word ‘girlfriend’ too…
:
I have a lot of boyfriends, and they're all rich and have nice cars
.
:
You're not just a bike.
Not a bike she wants to ride, anyway …
(… Actually I think that's supposed to mean ‘you only have a bike’ - unlike her long list of rich, handsome suitors who most probably all have MR2s.)
:
Well, that's because I was born in March. I've never been able to get a license until now. But now I'm attending driving school...
:
That doesn't matter. It's just annoying, keeping people waiting
!
:
Well, I'm off. Bye-bye.
:
Oh, that's right...Eri-chan
Well. It seems our new guy has been abandoned at the airport. This must be how Kayo-chan's brother felt.
:
Eri-chan… Muttering…
Well, we're already off to a good start with our depiction of women. But perhaps hearing that his former… sort of girlfriend…’s other lovers have nicer cars is the type of motivation our new protagonist here needs to become a Zero4 Champion.
*BUMP*
Woah, the screen just shook violently!
:
Who the hell am I looking at while walking?
:
Sorry
Oof. Our clumsy new hero can't help but run into people. He'd better be careful. This guy is clearly Yakuza, what with the little pin on the collar of his purple suit.
And with a puff of air, he's gone…
…I get the feeling we'll be running into him again.
And we're treated to a close-up of our new guy as he picks himself up off the floor.
:
What a weakling.
Well. Our new protagonist clearly shares the same over confidence that Hiro does. Maybe we'll get to take on the Yakuza in this game…
And this leads us to our very first decision of the LP…
… What should we name this guy?
Ideally it should be something Japanesey and memorable, like Hiro was. Make your suggestions and I'll pick the best one!