Greetings, one and all, welcome to the next chapter of Persona III: Night God.
I hope your going to enjoy it as much as I had writing it because one of my favorite party members is introduced here but now on to the review, shall we?
girani4: Koro-chan is a freaking badass adorable loyal ninja dog who summons the original dog from the underworld to aid him in battle. How can someone not like him? But yeah, its the primary reason he exist in the Arcmoani timeline.
Anyways, now it's story time.
Mikoa was sitting on a heartshaped bed in a hotel room. She didn't seem to remember how she got here or why.
Her head felt foggy, "What was I?...", Mikoa thought, taking her Gekkoukan jacket off. It feels like she had something important to do. Through the open door to the side, she could hear the shower running in the bathroom.
Embrace your desire...
A strange voice rings inside her head.
I am the voice of your inner self...
Enjoy the moment...
That which cannot be felt is merely a dream...
The present is all we have.
"That's not true...", Mikoa said, as she felt herself unbutton her dress shirt.
The future is but a fantasy, memory a fabrication...
Let your desire free you from your shackles...
Such is my wish...
"I can't give in...", Mikoa thought, dropping her dress shirt, leaving her upper body completely undressed aside from the blue bra covering her C-cup size breast.
Pleasure is what you truly want.
You stand before the doorway to bliss.
You cannot deny your instincts...
Embrace your desire...
"Not...", she could feel her mind becoming clearer, "Now!...", she yelled, the fog seemed to lift from her mind, and she succeeded in regaining control of her thoughts.
Mikoa began to remember how she got here, not noticing the shower in the bathroom being turned off.
Tu [07/07] - Dark Hour
The dormitory command room, Fuuka has summoned her Persona, Lucia, and is scanning the area as the other member's of S.E.E.S. looked on in anticipation.
"Any luck, Fuuka?", Akihiko asked.
"Just a moment...", Fuuka said, her eyes closed in concentration, "...I found it! I sense a strong presence! It's located in Iwatodai... inside a building on Shirakawa Boulevard."
"Shirakawa Boulevard...", Ikatsuki pondered, "They've been finding, the Lost in pairs lately... Now I understand why."
"Oh, I get it.", Mitsuru said as Fuuka dismissed Lucia.
"Why, what's on Shirakawa Boulevard?", Minato asked, hand in his pocket's as usual, "I'm not familiar with that area..."
"That's where all those hotels are. That explains a lot!", Junpei said suddenly, "You've heard about 'em, right Minato? Where people go to... ya know."
"Do what?", Minato said bluntly.
"They do this.", Mikoa said, demonstrating by making a circle with her index finger and thumb, while sliding her other index finger in and out of it.
"Nonsense... They're no different than ordinary hotels.", Ikatsuki said, amused by the reaction Minato was having, "The rooms are a bit fancier, that's all."
"I don't know about this...", Yukari said, "Maybe I shouldn't go..."
"You're just like a little kid, Yuka-tan...", Junpei teased.
"Fine. Let's go!", Yukari said, before turning to the other's, "But this time, I want a piece of the action!"
"You do?", Minato said surprised.
"So, who's gonna take the lead?", Mikoa asked.
"Yuki, I don't see any reason to change leaders now.", Mitsuru said, turning to Fuuka, "And Yamagishi, I want you to handle support during the operation."
"I'll do my best!", she perked up.
Fighting through the usual mook Shadow's, the leading party of S.E.E.S consisting of Minato, Mikoa, Yukari and Mitsuru, entered the farthest room of Hotel Champs de Fleurs, where they found the Shadow waiting for them.
The Shadow had taken the form of an extremely obese man sitting upon a small throne, the Hierophant mask on its face. Behind him, sprouting from the small throne is what appears to be a woman, entirely beige, and with a flailing head shaped like six-barred cross. On either side of the throne are figures resembling people that shake constantly. The obese figure is wearing what appears to be papal clothing. The throne's legs are literally legs wearing leggings and red high heels. Two cross shaped figures stand at both sides.
"This thing's the boss? Huh...", Yukari said, "It's more normal-looking than I expected."
"You have been doing this too long.", Mikoa said, holding her Evoker to her side, "If you think this is normal."
"Get ready, everyone!", Fuuka communicated with them through her Persona, "It's coming!"
The Shadow cast down a bolt of electricity, which the group evaded. Minato rolls over the ground summoning Orpheus to cast a Tarunda spell, downing the Shadow's attack power.
It began to channel a spell, but it left itself open for Mitsuru to cast a Bufu spell, freezing the Shadow in place.
Minato, Mikoa and Yukari summoned their Persona's, Orpheus, Aphrodite and Io, sending down fire, electricity and wind down on it, but the electricity was deflected by the Shadow, sending Mikoa sliding back.
"Oh no!", Fuuka gasped, "It's immune to electricity!"
"Thanks for the heads up, Fuuka." Mikoa said sarcastically, recovering from the stun as the Shadow began to charge a spell.
Using the opening, Mikoa charges with Aphrodite, cleaving the Shadow with her feet, Minato and Orpheus followed up by smashing down his harp, smacking the shadow hard into the ground.
"Mikoa!", Minato said, holding out his fist.
"Very well, there will be no survivors.", Mikoa said, bumping his fist with her own as Orpheus and Aphrodite appeared above them, casting a electromagnetic field around the shadow, which Orpheus smashed with a massive fireball from the skies, obliterating the Full Moon Shadow.
"What was that?", Mitsuru said impressed.
"It's a combo attack Mikoa and me have been working on, we call it Overlimit.", Minato said, flexing his sword arm, "It push what our Persona's can do to the very limit, if our bond is strong enough."
"It's a very powerful move but very taxing.", Mikoa said, the effects of the combo attack on her body, making her feel rather drained, "I am going to need a strong cup of coffee after this."
"Well good job, you succeeded once again.", Fuuka said, as the party headed to the door, "I'll be waiting outside for you."
But as Minato gripped the door handle, he attempted to open the door, but to their surprise, it didn't butch.
"Fuuka?" Yukari asked, "You got any info on this?"
A loud gasp was heard before their navigator spoke, "I still sense a Shadow in that room! It's not the same one you defeated!"
"Okay...", Mikoa said, as she and the others began to look through the room, "But... Where is it hiding?"
The group began to search the room, under the bed, everywhere. Finding nothing behind a curtain, Mikoa walked over to Mitsuru, who was staring intensely at a large mirror on the wall.
"There is something about this mirror.", the red head said, tapping her chin with her finger, "It is beautiful though, isn't it?"
Mikoa nodded, looking at something else from the corner of her eye, "Yeah... it is.", she muttered, before examining the mirror closer. She reached out and soon they were blinded by a bright light.
"So that's how I got here...", Mikoa muttered, just as she heard the door leading to the bathroom slid open.
Heat creep into her face when she saw Mitsuru, wearing nothing but a white towel round her body.
"Hey, it's your turn next...", Mitsuru said, before her cheeks began red as she saw her fellow S.E.E.S. member standing in her blue bra and skirt, "Y-Yagami! Wh-what the!?... What's going on here!?"
"I-I am going to put my clothes back on.", Mikoa managed to get out, "I-I think it's best you do too."
"Y-Yeah.", Mitsuru said, running back into the bathroom. It seems her mind had been clouded too.
As Mikoa stared in the direction her senpei went, she finally heard Fuuka trying to reach her.
"Fuuka? Is that you?", Mikoa asked, picking her dress shirt up and beginning to put it back on.
"Mikoa! Thank goodness!", Fuuka said, "I'm sorry I couldn't contact you sooner. The Shadow was interfering with your thoughts, and you all got separated. The enemy is still in the same room. Please regroup and hurry there. Mitsuru-senpai, can you hear me?"
"Y-Yeah, loud and clear!", Mitsuru's voice came from the bathroom.
"Did something happen?" Fuuka asked after a short silence.
"N-never mind!" Mikoa told her, before Mitsuru appeared from the bathroom, and the two opened the door, leading to the deserted hallway, "So Fuuka, you were saying?"
"The Shadow's power is blanketing the whole building, I never expected there to be another Shadow." their navigator spoke, "I'm pretty sure it's in that one room you were in before... Akihiko and Junpei are already fighting it. Minato and Yukari are on the floor above you, they are heading back tot hat room as well."
"It's alright Fuuka." Mikoa said, turning to Mitsuru, "Let's get going." and the two young women set off towards the stairs.
"Yagami. About what happened earlier..." she said, as fortunately for them they didn't run into any Shadows on the way, "Could you keep it a secret?"
"Sure, it never happened." Mikoa said as they walked up to the stairs.
They rushed through the hallway, and as they reached the door where the Shadow should be, Mikoa and Mitsuru grabbed their Envoker's and summoning their Persona's to bust open the door, where indeed the Shadow and the rest of S.E.E.S. where already fighting.
The Shadow's appearance took the form of a large flying heart with spikes on either side. A small black neck sprouts a Lovers' mask, and two gel-like wings hover on either side. Within the heart are the Mars and Venus markings.
The force of the explosion send the Shadow flying across the room.
"Mikoa!" Yukari said immediately upon seeing the two girls entering the room.
"Glad you two are alright." Minato said as S.E.E.S. regrouped, "I can't believe there was another one..."
"Hey... Were you guys okay?" Akihiko asked.
Mikoa and Mitsuru exchanged a quick look, before turning away from each other,
"...Just fine." the female blunette said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Of course, we're okay." Mitsuru said quickly, much to the confusion of the others.
"Right..." Minato said, he thought he caught a faint blush on both of the girls, but brushed it off as the Shadow was recovering, "I hope you're ready to die for that shit you pulled on us!"
"Jeez, what happened to you four?" Junpei said.
"Yukari, let's finish this." Mikoa said, holding out her hand.
"Right." Yukari said, accepting it as Aphrodite and Io appeared above them, infusing the lightning bolt with the green energy of wind.
"My skills exceed yours!" Mikoa said as in a massive display of natures fury, the arrow shot forward, piercing the Full Moon Shadow before obliterating it.
The group walked back to the entrance of Hotel Champs de Fleurs, where Fuuka was waiting for them.
"I'm glad you're all safe." the teal haired girl said.
"Thanks for your help. The enemy was sly, but you did well." Mitsuru said, before turning to Mikoa, "And you too, Yagami, for withstanding the enemy's mental assault and unlocking a new power."
"Thanks senpei!" Mikoa said with a thumbs up.
"Alright, let's call it a night." Akihiko said, and the two third years left.
"Oh, Yukari. About that thing you mentioned the other day..." Fuuka whispered to the girl in pink, "I found something."
"Cool, tell me later." she whispered back, before turning to the others, "Alright! We should head back too. Fuuka played a big role again in this one, so score another for the second-years! Come on, Junpei. What are you doing?"
"Hey, Minato..." Junpei said, his voice having a sullen tone to it, "What're you trying so hard for?"
"Worried about me?" Minato asked with a smirk.
"I wouldn't say that, but..." Junpei began, before shaking it off, "Meh, like it really matters..."
"Dude, what's the matter with you?" Mikoa asked, but Junpei trotted off quickly, ignoring her, "What's up with him?"
"No idea." Minato said, as they began to head back to the dorm.
Wed [08/07] - After School
In the Gekkoukan High gym, Mikoa and Rio are practicing playing volleyball in the empty gym, the rest of the team.
"That's it, always keep your knees in mind." Rio coached her teammate, before they were interrupted by the voice of a male student.
It is Mikoa's classmate Kenji.
"What do you want, Kenji?" Rio asked.
"I've got some homework that I just don'e understand at all!" he said, "Could you do it for me instead? Or tell me how to do it?"
"Homework?..." Rio asked, "I bet you just slept through class again."
"Hey! Minato does it all the time and none ever complains to him about it!" Kenji said defensively.
"That's because Minato get's good grades." Mikoa pointed out.
"That's true." Rio added, "So what's in it for me?"
"Ooh, so you're up for it? Lucky me!" Kenji said, stroking his chin, before holding up a finger, "How about... I'll give you my love in return. Love, baby!"
"Nobody needs that!" Rio said quickly, "How about you buy me a special at Hagakure?"
"Yikes, that's steep... But okay!" he said, "I'll be waiting around until you're done."
"Yeah, yeah..." Rio said as she watched Kenji leave, before turning back to Mikoa, "Oh, sorry... I ended up loafing around."
"You seem to get along with Kenji." Mikoa said.
"I guess... we're childhood friends. I've known him since preschool. He's like a younger brother to me. That's all." Rio explained with a laugh, "He's been coming here a lot lately, and he's starting to be a pest..."
"Is something the matter?" Mikoa asked, noticing the look on her face.
"Sorry, it isn't much of a practice with just two people..." she mumbles.
"They'll eventually come back." Mikoa assured her as Rio bites her lip.
"It's like... I don't want to pretend nothing happened, and I'm not going to say this is my fault." Rio explained, "...I know that I need to be more mature about this, but... All that stuff about having never been in a relationship and stuff... That's none of their business."
"Hey, Rio." Mikoa said, placing a hand on her shoulder, making her look up, "Don't let it get to you!"
"Yeah..." Rio said, but she still seems vexed, "Mikoa-san, do you have... someone you like?"
"Not in that way..." Mikoa mumbled, turning away from her.
"I-Is that so..." Rio said, seemingly relieved, "I don't get romance. It seems like so much trouble, and there's no big reward for doing it."
"A relationship is just solving problems together, you will never have to solve on your own." Mikoa said wisely.
"Where did you got that from?" Rio chuckled.
"From my brother Saisho." Mikoa said, with a grin, "He's thirteen."
"Smart kid." Rio said, taking the ball, "...Let's get back to practice. I'll serve, Mikoa-san, so you... Hey, is it okay if I just call you Mikoa? I feel like it fits you better."
"Of course." Mikoa said and the two continued the practice.
Thur [09/07] - After School
Gekkoukan High, library not too many students came by today, this allowed Mikoa to spend a lot of time chatting with Saori.
"Whoa, is that how that teacher is? Heh, I didn't know at all." Saori said, "I learn so much when I talk to you... I never get to hear all these rumors that go around the school."
"H-Hey, Saori-san." a voice said.
Looking up, the two saw a boy standing in front of Saori, he seem to be smirking for some reason.
"Oh, Takaoka-kun." Saori said, "How can I help you?"
"Would you be interested in going out for karaoke?" he asked, which got a unsure okay from Saori, "Seriously? Then, how about today?"
"I still have some things to do there today, so..." Saori began.
"Aw, I'll wait around." he said, "Let's go once you're free. Well, I'll be waiting in the classroom." and the boy leaves.
"Well that was sudden." Mikoa noted, "Do you get along with him?"
"...I don't really know him." Saori admitted, "But if he really wants to go out with me, then..."
"Come on Saori!" Mikoa told her, a bit sternly, "You need to stand up for yourself!"
"Really, Mikoa. It's not that big a deal." she laughed if off as if she just heard a funny joke, "I don't really have any opinions of my own. If there's someone willing to take the lead, I'll gladly follow. I don't need someone, I just want to be needed by someone else. If I can find someone who needs me, I'd love that person with every fiber of my being... Do you think it's wrong to think that way?"
"Yes." Mikoa said. She felt like she understand Saori a little better now.
"Oh..." Saori said a bit disappointed, "...It's almost time... I should get going. I did promise after all."
Sat [11/07] - After School
Mikoa walked towards into the home economics room at Gekkoukan with Fuuka, discussing what they would be making today. But Mikoa got a text message on her phone. Opening her phone, she saw that it was from Akihiko.
"Ikutsuki-san is coming tonight. He has something to tell us. We'll meet on the 4th floor as soon as everyone is back."
"Seems we have a S.E.E.S. meeting tonight." Mikoa said as they entered home economics, "So what are we cooking today?"
"How about 'sweet fries'! Everyone loves them!" Fuuka said, "I bought a lot of sweet potatoes for them, so even if we mess up a little, it won't be a problem!
So you can relax a little too, Mikoa-chan."
"Let's do our best." Mikoa said, putting on a apron, this seemed to motivate Fuuka as the two began to work.
Mikoa follows the recipe from the book Fuuka brought. Cutting up all the potatoes took a bit of time, but otherwise it went smoothly.
As she worked, she looked over her shoulder a few times to see how Fuuka was doing. "'One tablespoon of melted butter'... I didn't melt the butter yet, though... What do I do? There's no time now..." Fuuka was muttering to herself, "Oh! Butter is just hardened oil, right? I can probably substitute oil. Olive oil should do the trick."
"Okay, the final step is to put this in the oven." Mikoa said, "I'll put yours in too."
"Thank you, Mikoa-chan." Fuuka said, looking over the oven, "Let's see, the temperature is 180 degrees... and the setting for residual heat is."
To Mikoa's surprised, her friend managed to operate the oven extremely quickly. "Nice going, Fuuka." she said as the two sat down while they waited for the sweet fries to bake.
"Oh, um... I'm pretty good with machines. I like taking my time and reading through the instruction manuals for electronic devices, too..." Fuuka admitted, a tint of pink on her cheeks, "D-Does that make me seem weird?"
"Not really." Mikoa said, "It's impressive!"
"I-It's nothing, really..." Fuuka said flustered, "...But, I'm happy to hear that. I thought it was embarrassing because it wasn't really girl-like..."
"Hey, I read comic's, play video games and I enjoy trading card games, not very girly either." Mikoa said, "Because believe me, if you grow up as the only girl in a house with three brothers, you get some ungirly like hobbies."
"I thought you had two brothers?" Fuuka pointed out.
"Two by blood." she explained, "Though I count Goro as one brother."
"That's so like you." Fuuka said with a smile, "To tell the truth... I knew that you wouldn't judge me over that..."
Mikoa nodded, looking at the oven, "I think it's done."
"I'll get them!" Fuuka said, putting on the oven mitts before taking the pan from the oven, "They look so beauti...ful?"
The sweet potatoes lining the pan look nothing like sweet fries. Actually, they don't even look like food, Mikoa is especially confused by the texture of Fuuka's fries.
"Oh... These ones look normal." Fuuka said, "They're the ones that you made... Th-Thank goodness! They look really delicious."
"I'll give you some." she offered.
"Oh, yes, thanks..." Fuuka said, she seemed a little depressed. Tasting one of her potatoes, she didn't seem surprised how delicious Mikoa's tasted, "I guess... I'm no match for Mikoa Yagami..."
"Hey, there's always next time." she assured her.
"Thanks." Fuuka said, as she began to smile again, "Oh, it's almost time for us to go home. Let's clean up and go back.
Sat [11/07] - Evening
In the dormitory command room, Mitsuru is giving an account of the battle at the hotel to Ikutsuki.
"...So, that's what happened on the night of the 7th." the red had said, "It was a difficult operation."
"I see. They're getting tougher..." Ikutsuki pondered, "But, it's not all bad news. I called today's meeting because..."
"I'm sorry." Yukari spoke up, "Before we go on, I'd like to ask Mitsuru-senpai something."
"Me?..." she said surprised.
"Since I joined, so many things have happened. I went along with it, without really understanding what was going on... But now, I need to know. I'm gonna ask you straight out." Yukari said, standing up, "You've been hiding something from us, haven't you, Senpai? You act like you don't know anything about the Dark Hour and Tartarus... but they're related to that accident ten years ago, aren't they?"
"Accident?" Minato asked curiously.
"There was an explosion near our school, and a lot of people died..." Yukari explained, "It must've been big news back then. You know about it, don't you? Luckily, no students were injured. But around the same time, a large number of students were recorded as absent... Seems like more than just a coincidence."
"What do you mean?" Mitsuru said.
"I dug up some old school records, and found something interesting." Yukari said, staring down the red head, "The students who were absent... They all collapsed suddenly, and had to be hospitalized. Sound familiar?"
"Like the girls who bullied Fuuka?" Mikoa asked.
"Yes! There has to be an explanation! What really happened on the day of that accident?" Yukari demanded to know, "The Kirijo Group built our school, so you must know something! Tell the truth!"
"...I wasn't trying to hide anything from you. It just never seemed relevant. But..." Mitsuru said, all the attention was on her now, "...Alright. I'll tell you the whole story..."
"The Shadows have many mysterious abilities. Some research indicates that they can even affect time and space. We think of them as our enemies, but what if we could somehow use them to our advantage? They would be a source of unimaginable power, wouldn't they?"
"Fourteen years ago, one man pursued that line of thinking. He was the former leader of the Kirijo Group, Kouetsu Kirijo... My grandfather. My grandfather was obsessed with the Shadows, he wanted to harness their power for something extraordinary."
"He assembled a team of top scientists, and over several years, he put together an impressive collection of Shadows. However... ten years ago, during the final stages of the experiment, they lost control of the Shadows' power and in the process, the very nature of the world was altered."
"Do you mean Tartarus and the Dark Hour?" Mikoa asked.
"Yes." Mitsuru said, before continuing, "By their account, the mass of Shadows they collected split into several large ones that then dispersed. These are the Shadows we've been encountering on nights when the moon is full."
"Is that why they've appeared in different places?" Minato said, "But if what you said is true, then why did our school turn into Tartarus?"
"They conducted the experiment there, didn't they?" Mikoa asked.
"Yes. I'm afraid it's just as you're thinking. Port Island must have been an ideal location for them." Mitsuru said, "It was a highly-populated area, and the Kirijo Group had influence there. They could do as they pleased. As you guessed, the experiment ten years ago was conducted at Gekkoukan High School."
"Does that mean... all we've been doing is cleaning up their mess!? You lied to us?" Yukari said angrily, turning to Akihiko "You knew too, didn't you senpai!? They've just been using us! Or, do you not care as long as you get to fight?"
"I never said anything like that!" Akihiko protested, "I have my reasons..."
"Think what you'd like, but it was my decision not to share that information. I never intended to deceive you." Mitsuru continued, "Convincing you to join S.E.E.S. was my highest priority. As absurd as it may seem, only we, with our Personas, can fight the Shadows. Besides... some of us were never given a choice..."
"It's those in the past who are to blame, Yukari." Ikutsuki said, "And they lost their lives as a result of what they did. We're all in the same boat, here; none of us deserve the burden that's been thrust upon us."
"Yukari, it's been ten years since that incident." Mikoa suddenly said, trying to assure her friend, "We might not know why those Shadows returned, but no that they are active again, we can destroy them."
"I guess so..." Yukari said.
"What if I told you that those twelve Shadows are the cause of everything?" Ikutsuki said, everyone realizing what he just said.
"Then, if we defeat them all, Tartarus and the Dark Hour will disappear?..." Akihiko said.
"Exactly! That's what I was going to tell you earlier." Ikutsuki said with a laugh, "See, it's good news, isn't it?"
"How are you so sure?" Minato asked.
"There's evidence to support it." Ikutsuki said, "Regardless of what's happened in the past, we must fight to protect the people. The Shadows are gaining strength. We can't afford to just wait for them. I think Mikoa's ability, what was it called? Overlimit? It will give us the edge against them."
"...Indeed." Mitsuru said, "Along with Yuki's ability to have multiple Persona's, it's our best weapon against the Shadows."
"There are many mysteries still surrounding Tartarus." Minato said, hands in his pockets, "Why did such a gigantic structure appear in the first place? The answer must lie within it."
Sun [12/07] - Day Time
Mikoa got back from a quick trip to the strip mall. Opening one of the booster packs she got from the shop. "Oh, a rare one.", she said, just barely noticing Mitsuru coming out of Fuuka's room.
Dropping her bags, freeing up her hands up to make sure Mitsuru wouldn't be crashing into her again.
"Oh, Yagami, I am so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going.", Mitsuru said, as the second year blunette let go of her.
"It's alright senpei.", Mikoa said, picking up her bags, "But we should stop running into each other like this."
This seemed to surprise her for a bit, "Yagami, why could you joke around with me like that?" she asked.
"What do you mean, senpei?"
"After all, despite my good intentions, I did drag you into this without fully explaining." Mitsuru said, "Certainly, you must be a little angry with me..."
"Not really. I mean we all have this power to stop the Shadows, it would be a shame to waste them." Mikoa said, thinking how to best put her feelings into words, "I couldn't stand to the side knowing I could help people in need. So, why should I be angry?"
Mitsuru looked surprised, but it soon turned into a gentle smile, "You're right, Yagami. We do need people like you. No one can take your place." she said, "So, uhm, T-Thank you... I'll see you later." and she walked off.
Mon [13/07] - Evening
Mikoa got back to the dorm from her job, where in the lounge, everyone has gathered silently, an awkward silence fills the room.
"What's wrong, everyone?" Mikoa said, walking over, "Are you guys hungry?"
"N-Not really..." Yukari said.
"So... It's almost summer break." the blunette said, sitting next to Minato, "Anyone have any plans?"
"I wish I could go to the beach." Junpei said, "Hot sand, cool breeze... babes in bikinis..."
"That sounds rather nice." Minato said, "Somewhere in the south, where the water is crystal clear."
"But first, we have exams to worry about..." Junpei said, throwing his hands up, "Ugh, what a drag..."
"Now, now. You'll be fine." Fuuka assured him, "But yeah, I'd love to go somewhere famous for its beautiful beaches, like Okinawa."
"Well, it's not Okinawa, but how about Yakushima?"
They turned around to see the chairman walking in.
"Mr. Chairman, I didn't realize you were here." Mitsuru said.
"I happened to be in the area, so I thought I'd drop by and tell you my schedule for next week. Mitsuru, your father will be vacationing in Yakushima during the break." Ikutsuki said, surprising her, "You'll all have some time off after exams, right? Why don't you go and pay him a surprise visit?"
"Seriously!? We're gonna go on a trip!?" Junpei said, "Yes! Beach babes, here I come!" much to the annoyence of Yukari.
"How about it, Mitsuru?" Ikutsuki asked.
"But... my father is a busy man." Mitsuru said, "I don't want to ruin his vacation."
"Senpei, no father would be upset with a daughter who came all that way to see him." Mikoa pointed out.
"Indeed." Ikatsuki laughed, "You've all done a great job, you deserve to relax for a while."
"It is true we know when the next operation will be, so it should be fine." Minato pondered.
"...I don't know..." Mitsuru mumbled.
"Yakushima!" Mikoa suddenly shouted, throwing her arms up, surprising everyone before clasping her hands together and bowing to Mitsuru, "Please, senpai!"
Mitsuru chuckled a bit, before saying, "...Alright, Yagami. I guess everyone needs a break now and then. Let's do it."
"The beach." Akihiko said, "...I should design a special training regimen."
"Dude, I'm stoked!" Junpei cheered.
"I have to go buy a swimsuit." Fuuka said.
"I can go shopping with you." Mikoa offered happily, "Want to come to, Yukari?"
"Can I come?" Minato asked a bit hopeful, "I am an expert on bathing suits."
"Sorry, girls only." the female blunette said.
"Hey, don't worry!" Junpei said, "I got an extra pair you can borrow!", but the girls ignored him.
"Are you going to swim too, Ikutsuki-san?" Fuuka asked.
"I'm afraid I can't." Ikatsuki said, "I'll turn to dust if I'm exposed to sunlight."
"What are you? A vampire?" Minato asked.
There ya go, another chapter, hope you enjoyed it.
Many thanks to everyone who reads, reviews, favorite, or follows this story, you beautiful bastards.
For now I wish you all a fantastic day, don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy my work and I hope to see you ladies and gents, next time.