Hardhead

**Hardhead** is the fifth episode of Iroha Asobe's bond stories.

## In-Game Summary

As Kaori warned, you and Iroha's relationship is difficult. You feel more like a parent than a boyfriend. On the way back from a date one day, Kaori stops to help a kid who fell from the train platform with no regard for her own safety. You scold her for being so careless but she lashes out angrily, "What, and just leave them there?! Ugh, you're so hardheaded, Tobio!" She stands up to leave, and you shoot back, "You're the hardheaded one!"

## Plot

As the days progress, Tobio finds his relationship with Iroha to be more difficult than expected. Given her willful attitude, he begins to feel more like a parent than a partner, and this comes to a head on the way back from a date.

Iroha and Tobio are waiting for a train when a woman screams out. Her child has fallen on the tracks, and while Tobio looks for a emergency stop button, Iroha wastes no time and immediately jumps down on the tracks. She hands the child to Tobio, who pulls them up, but when he tries to help her out, Iroha finds her foot is stuck.

As the train approaches, Tobio frantically tries to help her from the platform, but is pulled away by the crowd as the train shoots by. He panics, but finds that Iroha managed to shelter in a space under the platform and is safe.

As they walk home later, Tobio starts to scold Iroha about her actions at the station. When Iroha refuses to believe her actions are wrong, the two start fighting - Tobio telling her to care for herself, Iroha refusing to avoid helping people because of danger. Eventually they both accuse the other of being stubborn, and go their separate ways.

## Transcript

*(In Shibuya)*

Narration
Just like Kaori said, My relationship with Iroha didn't exactly go as expected.
But, Iroha is Iroha. She trusted her senses and did what she wanted. I was there to support her. I felt less like a boyfriend and more like a guardian.
Then, one day...
*(Scene change to a train station)*

Narration
We decided on a date for our day off. We were on our way back from shopping, waiting for our train at the platform.
Woman A
Aaaaahhh!
Woman A
My...my child!
Narration
We turned to the source of the cry for help. A child had fallen onto the tracks, causing an uproar.
Tobio
(Shit! Where's the emergency stop button?!)
Narration
That was the first thing that came to my mind, but I had no idea where it was.
Man A
H-hey, wait! You're going to get yourself killed!
Narration
There was an uproar on the platform.
When I turned to look, I saw Iroha. She was jumping down to the tracks from the platform.
*(Iroha runs on the tracks)*

Tobio
You idiot, what are you doing?!
Iroha
Tobio, quick, hurry! Help me pull this kid up!
Narration
I helped pull the kid up and handed them off.
*(Sound of train approaching)*

Narration
Then, I stretched an arm out to Iroha, who was still standing on the tracks.
Tobio
Hurry and get up here! The train is coming!
Iroha
G-gimme a sec, my foot is stuck...!
Tobio
What the hell are you doing?! Hurry up!!! The train is...!
Man A
You've got to let go, or you'll both be killed!
Narration
I was leaning off the platform reaching for Iroha while the others behind me tried to pull me away.
Tobio
Iroha!
*(Sound of a train horn)*

Narration
Just then, the train went flying by the platform...
...but Iroha was safe.
She'd hidden in an open space under the platform. The kid's parent was super thankful, but we got scolded by the station attendants, as you'd expect. It was on the way back from the nearest station, that it was MY turn to scold Iroha.
*(Scene change to an alleyway)*

Tobio
Listen, Iroha, about earlier... That was nothing to be proud of.
Iroha
What? Why? We saved a kid's life.!?
Tobio
Sure, and that's great, but it's no excuse for totally disregarding your own safety!
Iroha
I guess, but, I was still safe in the end, so isn't it fine?
Tobio
No! It's not! Ugh, you just don't get it, Iroha!
Narration
I grabbed her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.
Tobio
Sure, you might've saved someone, but I don't want to see you get hurt! Care about yourself for once!
Narration
Iroha shook my hands away.
Iroha
So what, just because it's dangerous we should walk right on by? That's horrible!
I'm not in the wrong here! That kid was safe in the end! What's so bad about that?!
Tobio
That's not what I'm talking about!
Iroha
Then what ARE you talking about? Ugh, you so hardheaded! I'm through with this!
Narration
After that scathing remark, Iroha walked away.
Tobio
(Iroha, you idiot... YOU'RE the hardheaded one!)