Chapter XVIII: Hello, Miura Beach
Near Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen Station (白ぶつかん道別店)/Ueno Park (上野公園)/Taitō, Tokyo (台東区, 東京)/July 5, 2019 (2019年7月5日) (Reality: July 5, 2021)/11:45 PM (JST)
It was another late-night escapade and that meant another melee with a vengeful spirit. Arriving near the abandoned train station, Joker, Sion, Tennyo, Mircalla, Mona, and Queen confronted the Teke Teke, another infamous Japanese urban legend.
"Heads up, guys!" Mona warned the group as a sickly pale-skinned young woman whose entire lower body half was missing.
The sound the spirit made while dragging her upper torso mimicked a scratching noise, akin to a teke teke sound.
"Is that the Teke Teke?" Sion inquired, intensely glaring down the vengeful spirit.
"It fits the description we were given and the sounds she's making," Queen replied, putting on her metal knuckles.
"The infamous spirit of a young girl who died after falling on a railway and was cut in half by a speeding train," Joker informed them in her backstory.
The half-bodied woman's lower half was covered with blood. She wore a dirty, torn old school girl's uniform. Her hair was back length and black, coupled with strings of black hair covering most of her face. The group discerned the woman's glowing yellow eyes. She let out a loud croaking sound and brandished a sharp-looking scythe covered in her previous victims' blood.
"Judging by that creepy look she's got going, she's in no mood for a chat," Mircalla remarked as she put on her mask. Her eyes turned blood red and her metallic scorpion tail materialized behind her back. She struck first and shot her Stinger-Type Blood Veil at Teke Teke, who quickly dodged to the side. "Damn it!" She pulled out her rifle.
"I've got you covered, Lady Mia!" Mona fired Teke Teke with his Sudarshana slingshot. After shooting Teke Teke's forehead, he bludgeoned her with his swords.
"You're mine!" Mircalla fired a rifle shot that tore through Teke Teke's head, which blew off a chunk of her face.
Despite a quarter of her face torn off, Teke Teke snarled in response. She retaliated and rushed the group with her scythe. Swinging her scythe at the group, she nearly tore off Mircalla's lower half, but she jumped up and batted away the ghost's scythe with her metal scorpion's tail. Teke Teke quickly crawled away.
"Going somewhere?!" Queen roared, driving Agnes toward the spirit. She hopped off her Persona and punched Teke Teke, disorienting the spirit.
Agnes blasted Teke Teke with a Flash Bomb. After damaging it, Sion and Tennyo took turns attacking it. Sion slashed at the spirit with his Queenslayer Blade. Tennyo struck the vengeful spirit with her ko-naginata. After taking their attacks, Teke Teke screamed with fury and recalled the scythe back to her hand. Once regaining her weapon, she fought back as her scythe collided with Sion's blade and Tennyo's ko-naginata.
Joker quickly intervened and fired his Tyrant Pistol at the spirit. The bullet knocked Teke Teke far back. As Teke Teke slowly got up, Tennyo readily blasted her with Lightning Thorn. Sion prepared to take out Teke Teke with his Ogre-Type Blood Veil. However, Queen had other ideas and got in between the couple.
"Queen, what are you doing?" Tennyo asked her.
"I've got her," Queen shot a fierce glare at the spirit. She rushed Teke Teke and unloaded punches with her Nuclear Fists, pounding her with a series of combo punches. She then kicked Teke Teke into the air and spiked her like a volleyball.
As Teke Teke was left lying, Queen went down for the finishing blow, but the spirit phased out of her reach. Queen surveyed the area, but Teke Teke was already behind her and lifting her scythe to strike the Phantom Thief with. Sion quickly intervened and pushed Teke Teke away with his demon's hand. He saved Queen from getting her torso sliced in two.
"You owe me for that, Mako-chan," Sion sardonically remarked.
"Yeah, whatever," Queen whipped her hair back.
Amid the skirmish with the spirit, Tennyo summoned Io, who brandished her polearm weapon. Once donning her mask, Moonlight rushed Teke Teke and attacked her. Teke Teke countered Moonlight's strike with her scythe. The two exchanged consecutive strikes, both countering the other's attacks. When Teke Teke phased and reappeared behind Moonlight, Tennyo charged in to help, but Moonlight quickly jumped over Teke Teke's slashing strike. Moonlight jump kicked Teke Teke's face and knocked her down. Seizing this opportunity, Moonlight bound Teke Teke with her Ivy-Type Blood Veil. The spikes from her Blood Veil not only bound but disarmed Teke Teke's scythe. Tennyo fired another Lightning Thorn and struck down Teke Teke.
"Great work! Now, let's finish this, Lady Mia!" Mona called out.
As Teke Teke phased through the thorns, the spirit stumbled toward the scythe. Once she reached for it, Joker shot the weapon from her reach. Teke Teke then saw Mircalla and Mona running at her. Mircalla shot her metal scorpion tail and stuck it through her chest. As she lifted Teke Teke, Mona summoned his Third-Tier Persona, Diego.
"Attack!" Mona howled as Diego pummeled Teke Teke with a Lucky Punch.
Taking a full blow from Diego, Teke Teke was brought down. However, the spirit attempted a counterattack. She recalled her scythe and tossed it at Mona. Mona prepared to have Diego defend him, but Mircalla stood in the way.
"Stay down, Mona!" Mircalla instructed.
"Lady Mia!" Mona watched as the scythe stabbed her in the back.
The others rushed in to attack Teke Teke. While the Thieves and Vein Remnants engaged the spirit, Mona tended to Mircalla, who ripped the scythe from her back.
"Lady Mia, you didn't need to be so reckless!"
"I know, but she was aiming for your little cute self," she smiled and painfully winced at the same time.
"Hang on. Let Io heal you."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine. I've self-regenerated," Mircalla slowly stood, ignoring the healing wound on her back.
"Sorry, but you're still wounded and I can't let you fight like this. You stay behind me, Lady Mia!" Mona showed his chivalrous side. He sent Diego to attack Teke Teke.
As Diego headed straight for Teke Teke, the other Thieves and Remnants moved away. Diego knocked down Teke Teke with a Miracle Punch.
"That'll show you not to hurt my friend!" Mona mouthed off the vengeful spirit.
Suddenly, Teke Teke popped up to attack Mona, but a metal scorpion tail went through her head. Teke Teke collapsed. Mircalla then grabbed Mona with her tail and brought him over to her.
"Lady Mia, take it easy now," Mona suggested.
"I'll be fine when Io fixes me up."
"Don't worry, she can take care of that wound," Tennyo nodded to Moonlight.
Moonlight sat next to Mircalla and treated her wound with Regenerator. The other Thieves and Remnants surrounded Teke Teke, who was coming to her senses. Joker aimed his pistol into her head.
"It's over. Go back to the other side and never cause mischief here again," Joker threatened with his finger on the trigger ready to cap her if she dared to attack.
"Just know your victims won't rest in peace because you killed them," Sion reminded the spirit.
Tennyo nodded. "Consider your chance to repent."
Mona addressed Teke Teke. "You hurt my friend, but thankfully she's not fully human so she'll be fine. You better reflect on your actions."
Wearing a defeated look, Teke Teke tucked her head as if she were being lectured by the adults in her lifetime. Then, her body glowed with white light and vanished in an ethereal flare.
"And hopefully she learns her lesson and never comes back," Queen scoffed.
"Is Mia going to be ok?" Joker asked Mona.
"Yeah, Lady Mia will be fine! Nothing a little healing from Io can't handle!" Mona boasted. He then turned and winked to Mircalla. "Right?"
Mircalla genuinely smiled back. "Yep, you're right. Thanks, Mona-chan."
After Mona and Queen called off their Third-Tier Personas, the group left the abandoned station and stormed out of Ueno Park.
"Are you going back with Mia?" Joker asked Mona.
"Yeah, it's where I'm staying now."
"Heh, is she spoiling your ass rotten with sushi and fried shrimp?"
Mona scoffed. "Maybe, what is it to you?"
Joker replied with a sardonic smile. "'Cause I think I'm seeing a bit of a gut on you."
"Hey, shut up!"
Joker laughed. "I'm kidding. Look, I'm just glad she's taking care of you. Just know, me and Ann miss you and you're welcome to come back anytime you want. Our home is yours."
The feline-looking creature crossed his short arms. "Hm, maybe if only to surprise my Lady Ann."
"Your Lady Ann?" Joker said in an irked tone and raised a brow.
"Mona-chan, are you ready to go?!" Mircalla called out from a distance.
"Well, take care, Ren. Say hi to Lady Ann for me!" Mona waved to Joker as he followed Mircalla.
Watching the two leave, Joker smiled. "I'm glad you've found a place to call home, Morgana. We'll be waiting if you ever need us."
As he reached her, Mona hopped on Mircalla's shoulder.
"Everything ok, Mona-chan?"
"Yeah, just telling the dummy over there not to make Lady Ann cry."
Hearing this, Mircalla giggled. "Still lecturing him like a little boy?"
"He's still a kid to me, but he and Ann have been happy with each other. I don't want to get in their way."
Mircalla stroked Mona's fuzzy chin. "If you ever want to go see them, don't hesitate, ok?"
"Thanks, Lady Mia."
"Now, to see if Nicola's back home like he promised he would."
"Knowing him, probably."
"What was that?!" Mircalla raised her voice.
"Ah! It's just a joke! Honestly!"
Karnstein Residence/Roppongi (六本木)/Minato, Tokyo (港区, 東京)/July 7, 2019 (2019年7月7日) (Reality: July 7, 2021)/9:20 AM (JST)
"Good morning, sis," Nicola walked into the kitchen, having just woken up. He saw Mia making omelets and sausage. "Oh, smells good!"
Mia quickly turned with a spatula in hand. She gave him a stern look that would frighten a child. "You were out late again, weren't you?"
"What? No, I was already in bed when you came home."
"Right, but you still came home late."
"How can you tell?"
"Cause you look dead tired and didn't take a bath last night."
"Ok, but what if I was too tired to take a bath? I can do it after breakfast."
"Us Revenants hardly get exhausted unless we need blood. Nice try though making excuses." Sighing, Mia hugged Nicola. "Look, I know Shinya's your best friend and he's a good kid, but you two need to remember to keep up with the time, especially during these nights lately."
"So, did you and the Phantom Thieves fight another urban ghost?"
"Yeah, and that's why I'm against you and your friends being out so late."
Recognizing the potential dangers, Nicola nodded. "Alright, fine, I promise to come home before sunset. But, you should let us help you and your friends, Mia."
"We've been able to handle these local evil spirits."
"But, those Vamkyries sure gave you trouble. Don't forget a monster took off your head! If you weren't a Revenant, you'd be dead!"
Mia sighed and nodded. "Yes, I know."
"I just want to help so you don't have to handle all of those monsters. I know you worry about me but I'm not the little boy you had to risk your life to protect anymore."
"Yes, you're right. Look, I'll talk with Louis and the others."
"Thanks, Mia."
"Now, are you hungry? Your plate's done!" Mia put an omelet topped with strawberry sauce, sausage, and wheat toast.
"Thanks, sis," Nicola took his plate. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Morgana. "Hey, good morning, Morgana!"
Morgana responded with a cat's meow and walked over to rub against Nicola's leg.
"So, is Morgana staying with us for good?"
"He drops by and visits, but he's doing that a lot more lately since Ren and Ann have been busy. He's grown attached to us."
"He sure has. I don't mind though," Nicola watched Morgana walk into the kitchen.
"By the way, Shiho's coming over," Mia reminded him. "So, you might want to hurry up, eat, and wash up. She's going to be here in half an hour."
"And tell me that on such short notice, sis?!"
"Whoops. Must've slipped my mind," Mia remarked as she watched Nicola eating his breakfast. She looked down and put a bowl of fried shrimp in front of Morgana. "Enjoy, Mona-chan."
"God, you spoil me so much, Lady Mia!" Morgana said as he woofed down on the fried shrimp.
Half an hour has passed and the doorbell rang. Mia raced over to answer the door. Before opening it, she took off her apron and fixed her hair. She opened the door and was met with Suzui Shiho's radiant smile.
"Good morning, Mia."
"Shiho! Come in, I've been waiting for you," she offered Shiho entry into her residence.
Surveying the entrance and the dining area, Shiho noted while taking off her shoes. "Did you redecorate for whatever reason?"
"Maybe I moved around a few things? I'm not too particular about where I want my things."
"Oh, and here I thought you tidied up the place just to impress me."
Realizing Shiho may be onto her, Mia changed the subject. "...oh, hey I made us breakfast! Would you care to have some?"
"That's why I'm here," Shiho was then led into the dining area. She saw two plates all with the same food items Nicola had earlier. "Wow, it looks so delish."
"Help yourself," Mia offered Shiho a seat.
"Thank you, Mia," she sat down and scanned the breakfast meal sitting in front of her. "You outdid yourself here." She picked up her fork and saw Mia sitting next to her. She bit into the scrambled egg and smiled after every bite. "Mmmm! Oh, it's so good!"
"I'm glad you like it, Shiho. I wanted to make sure it came out just right."
"And you cooked them well. Everything about this is delicious. You didn't have to go all the way for me."
Mia placed a hand over Shiho's hand. "But, I wanted to."
Shiho blushed and genuinely smiled, feeling moved by Mia's touch. This was unlike the uncomfortable caressing she had gotten from her old abuser. No, this was the comfortable touch of someone she could trust. Someone like Ann but in a non-platonic way. Shiho hadn't realized it but her hand was holding Mia's. The two became drawn to each other as their gaze met. They leaned forward for a kiss.
"Hey, sis, I forgot to mention I'm meeting Shinya somewhere today!" Nicola interrupted their moment, causing Mia and Shiho to withdraw and resume eating their breakfast as nothing happened. He noticed the table slightly rattled after the two ladies quickly withdrew from the other. "Is everything ok here?"
"Uh! Yeah, we're fine!" Mia waved him off. "So, run along and hang with Shinya!"
"Hi, Nicola! Did anyone tell you you're such a cutie?" Shiho smiled and winked at him.
"Li-Ming does every time I see her," Nicola blushed.
"Your friend has great taste in men."
"Right, I better get going. Later you two!" He headed out the door.
Mia sighed. "So, who do you find cuter? Me or my brother?"
Shiho giggled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you jealous, sweetie."
"Who's jealous?"
"I just can't get over you being shorter than Nicola."
Hearing this, Mia grimly smirked. "Hey, let's not go that far."
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Shiho openly apologized. "All I'm saying is your brother is cute in a handsome guy kind of way, but you're cute because…"
Waiting for a response, Mia blinked. "Yeah? I'm cute because…?" She anticipated her friend to finish her statement.
"Because I really like you."
"Tell me something I don't know already, Shiho."
Just then, Shiho noticed Morgana from the corner of her eye and beckoned him over. The black and white cat walked over to rub against her leg. Morgana recognized Shiho as Ann's closest friend. Shiho picked up Morgana and set him on her lap.
"So, is Morgana staying with you? I thought he belonged to Ren?"
"Ren and Ann have been so busy lately. Morgana wanted company and so I let him stay here for a bit. Ren noticed Morgana started hanging around me often. So, I took him in and it also helps that our apartments here are more lenient with allowing house pets," Mia answered as she picked up their plates.
"I see. That would make sense, I guess. I'm glad Morgana has a place to stay," Shiho said as she stared at Morgana. He meowed at her. "So, are we still on for the beach trip with Ann and the others?"
"Yep, I'm pretty excited. Are you?"
Shiho beamed. "Yeah! I picked out a really cute swimsuit. What about you?"
"I have mine all set to go."
"Great, I can't wait for Miura Beach."
As she washed their plates, Mia smiled and murmured. "Me, too, Shiho. I really want to tell you how I feel about us."
Miura Beach (三浦海岸)/Kanagawa prefecture, Tokyo (神奈川県, 東京)/July 14, 2019 (2019年7月14日) (Reality: July 14, 2021)/10:30 AM (JST)
One week later, the Thieves and the Revenants went to Miura Beach, the same place the Thieves took Futaba after helping clear her Palace and release her insecurities.
It was a beautiful and bright Sunday morning but also crowded. The location was perfect for a summer getaway from the usual Tokyo routines. Miura Beach was packed with crowds. There were also an array of varied colored umbrellas and tents on the sandy shores.
However, this was no sweat for the Thieves, the Revenants, and their friends. They were able to secure a decent spot for them to relax on. Shiho, Miyako, and Emily were among those friends invited by the Thieves and Revenants. Even Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming joined them with their parent's permission.
Walking out of the dressing stalls, Ren, Ryuji, and Yusuke headed down a path to survey the shoreline.
Ren wore navy blue swimming trunks and black & white flip flops.
Ryuji wore bright red swimming trunks with white drawstring hanging loose and blue flip-flops. The right side of his trunks had black and white designs.
Yusuke wore a light gray long-sleeved hoodie, navy blue colored and white polka dotted swimming trunks and dark blue & white flip flops.
"Dudes, this was like the best idea for a location change!" Ryuji breathed in the air. "I never would've suggested coming back here!"
"You can thank Ann for suggesting we come here," Ren acknowledged his wife's choice.
"Well, the ladies sure are happy we brought them here," Yusuke said, observing Futaba taking a selfie with Ann, Makoto, and Haru.
Ann wore a bright two-piece multi-colored bikini and red flip-flops. Her bikini had flowered designs brightly embellished on her bikini top and stringed bottom.
Makoto wore a white bikini top and a stylish bikini skirt. She also wore high-heel sandals.
Haru wore a green-colored, white polka dotted green swimsuit halter dress, which cut off a few inches above her thighs. She also wore a white summer sun hat and high-heel sandals.
Futaba wore a yellow-colored and pink-dotted two-piece swimsuit. Her swimsuit bottom had a frilly skirt that covered most of her waist area. She also wore red flip-flops.
As they watched the ladies taking pics with each other, Hifumi, Skyler, and Io sat under a white and blue striped umbrella.
Hifumi wore an elegant black and white striped bikini top and thigh-length black swimming shorts. She also had on dark brown sunglasses and black and white sandals.
Skyler wore black cargo swimming shorts and black sandals.
Io wore a white embroidered two-piece bikini. The top barely clings tightly against her enlarged breasts as if they were about to give out and become fully exposed. Her bikini bottom was thin and barely covered her waist. She was barefooted.
"If you two want to go take selfies with the others, you're more than welcome to," Skyler encouraged Hifumi and Io.
"Are you sure?" Hifumi queried him.
"Yeah, go on!" He beckoned them off. "I'll be just fine here."
Taking Io's hand, Hifumi got up and walked her toward Ann and the other girls. As Hifumi and Io approached them, Ann happily invited them in for group selfies. Covering her chest, Io was hesitant to join.
"It's ok. We can start with just them taking our pics, Io," Hifumi said, holding Io's hand.
After much convincing, Hifumi and Io took simple duo pics.
"You two look so cute together!" Ann took a picture of them with her phone. Hifumi then gave Ann her phone to take another picture of them.
Gazing over Io's 'Ioobs' from a distance, Futaba compared her chest size with the pale-skinned girl's. She felt envious of how such a quiet and reserved girl could have enlarged breasts. Then, she being the group's big otaku recalled such women exist in anime and manga.
"Hmm," Futaba observed Io.
"What is it, Futaba?" Haru asked her.
"Sometimes I wonder if Io is a walking and breathing 2D character. No normal girl has big ass knockers like her."
Haru chuckled. "Don't be silly."
Makoto added with a chuckle. "Am I hearing jealousy from you, Futaba-chan?"
The otaku scowled. "...what?! No!" She turned away and covered her chest. When she got a glimpse of the beach scenery, her face softened with sadness. "I can't believe it's been a few years since you guys brought me here. Do you remember?"
Ann smiled. "How can we forget? It was after we rescued you and let go of all your insecurities."
Makoto nodded. "And after you awakened into a Phantom Thief."
"And I can't thank you all enough," Futaba openly embraced Ann and Makoto.
"Well, I wasn't there to see that all happen, but after all, I've heard I'm glad you're now free spirited and no longer confined in that box you've kept yourself in, Futaba-chan," Haru said.
"Hearing this from you all, I'm happy to know I'm not the only one who is positively influenced by Ren," Hifumi added as she scanned the beach. "Being here brings back good but also some painful memories."
"What do you mean? Did something happen?" Makoto asked her.
"Do you remember our Hawaiian school trip ?"
"Yeah. Of course, we do. Why?" Ann asked the Shogi champion.
"You see, during our trip there I was harassed by a couple of rude foreigners," Hifumi explained.
"That's right. They were trying to hit on you, weren't they?" Makoto recalled Ren telling her.
"Yes, but thankfully Ren whisked me away before the situation got worse. I'm thankful Io wasn't around then," Hifumi wished she had forgotten about those foreigners.
Nodding, Futaba chimed in. "Yeah, between her and her huge assets, those foreign pervs would've taken advantage of her."
"No kidding. Doesn't matter if they're Japanese or foreigners, pervs will prey on any woman they can get their grubby hands on. I totally understand," Ann reproved sexual harassers considering her and Shiho's horrible history with one. "But, yeah good on Ren for bailing you out of that one, Hifumi. My hubby's a dependable guy."
"Yes, and since then I've been hesitant to approach foreigners until Skyler proved me wrong," Hifumi said as soon as Skyler approached her with two popsicles. Accompanying him were Jack and Eva.
"What about me?" Skyler overheard.
"Oh, Skyler!" Hifumi was taken by surprise.
"If these perverts had messed with Io, you can bet Skyler would've kicked their asses," Jack chimed in. The Revenant man came wearing a white t-shirt, dark blue swimming trunks, and black sandals.
"Or, Io would've scared them off to protect her dear Hifumi," Eva asserted. The Revenant woman was seen wearing a red and white striped two-piece bathing suit with a long-sleeved clear shirt over it and a straw sunhat.
"A fruitsicle!" Io gasped as Skyler handed her a raspberry-flavored popsicle. She bit into it and drained some of the juices like it was blood.
"And here's yours Hifumi," he handed his girlfriend a blueberry-flavored one.
"Thank you, Skyler," Hifumi bit into her popsicle.
"Hifumi told me all about that incident. If I had been there, it would've gone down exactly as Jack said. Their asses would be dead," Skyler claimed what he would've done given the situation if he was in Ren's place.
"I'm sure you would've beaten them, Skyler. I would've done the same if Hifumi wasn't there." Ren chimed in as he, Ryuji, and Yusuke approached the group. "And I didn't want her to get hurt if a fight did break out."
"Not to mention we were on a school trip," Yusuke stated. "Hifumi and I were originally intended to fly with our school to Los Angeles, but weather circumstances prevented that and we ended up in Hawaii with the rest of you."
"Right and I even asked Ren here if he was tryin' to make a move on her! I thought for sure he was gonna get a chick before me!" Ryuji chuckled, elbowing his best friend in the side.
"But you eventually ended up with me, Ryuji-kun," the sound of Miyako's beautiful voice perked Ryuji's ears.
As Ryuji turned, his face turned red with zest. Miyako wore a purple two-piece bikini, a white summer hat, and white high-heel sandals.
"Heh, you wanna splash in the water with me?" Miyako offered.
"Do I?! Hell yeah I would, babe!" Ryuji eagerly ran into the seawater as he and Miyako played in the water. He kicked up water at her.
Having seen this, Ann had an idea and grabbed Ren's hand. "This looks like fun. You wanna join in?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah! C'mon!" Ann pulled Ren along as they walked into the water.
"Hell yeah, the more the better!" Ryuji hollered as he splashed water toward Ann and Ren's way.
"Like hell, you're getting me wet, jerk!" Ann laughed and kicked water back at her former Shujin Academy classmate.
"Senpai! Are we having fun over there?!" A cheerful tone from Sumire called out from afar. When Ren glanced the other way, he saw Sumire wearing a light pink two-piece swimsuit with red dots and a black and white striped veil worn over her waist.
Beside Sumire is Eugene, who is seen wearing black swimming trunks and a light blue t-shirt. Rin, who came wearing a black and army green one-piece swimsuit, is seen with Sumire and Eugene.
"We picked a great day to go to the beach," Eugene said, feeling the oceanic wind blow near him.
"I'm glad Davis and Coco let me come. If I'm coming here, I'd rather it be spent with you two," Rin said as she walked along with Sumire and Eugene on the wet beach sand.
Makoto and Haru exchanged looks as they decided to not get involved. That is until someone walked up behind them.
"You two don't want to get wet? Can't say I blame you," Louis chimed in.
Louis wore cargo swimming shorts with a mix of shades of light gray and dark green. He also wore brown sandals.
"Where have you been, Louis?" Haru turned to ask him.
"Looking for a place to sit under the shade. You two are more than welcome to join," he offered them a place to keep away from the ocean and sun.
As Makoto and Haru turned around, they saw Louis sitting under an umbrella offering space for them to sit down. Haru grabbed Makoto's hand and sat her down. Louis offered sunscreen lotion for the ladies. Haru gladly accepted as she rubbed lotion on herself and Makoto's back.
Not too far from where the Thieves and Revenants were, Yakumo and Emily watched some people, including a few couples, playing volleyball.
Yakumo wore dark gray men's swim shorts and black & green flip-flops.
Emily wore a dark red two-piece bikini with a white towel covering her waist. She had on white flip-flops and black sunglasses.
"Hey, we should ask the others if they want to play volleyball," Emily suggested.
"That sounds like a fun idea," replied Yakumo.
"Yeah, doesn't it? Maybe we can ask Skyler if he's up for it."
"If we can find him," Yakumo surveyed the beach.
"What do you mean?" Emily was confused.
"I mean, I don't see him anywhere."
"Hmm, maybe he went for a swim?"
Sure enough, not only was he out of sight, Skyler was swimming underwater with Hifumi. As the couple swam, they held hands. Hifumi briefly let Skyler go and swam a couple of feet away. He watched her swimming toward him. He became mesmerized by how adept of a swimmer Hifumi was as if she were a water maiden. He even pictured her as a mermaid.
Hifumi got close and gave him an underwater kiss. Skyler returned an underwater liplock. After they kissed, they popped out of the ocean. Skyler poked his head out. Then, Hifumi poked out and threw her head back as her wet hair flowed outward.
"How was that?" Hifumi asked, squeezing the seawater from her hair.
"That was incredible. You kiss even better when we're underwater."
Hearing this appraisal from her lover, Hifumi modestly smiled. "Oh, c'mon. You can be honest."
"I was honest. Your kiss is better when we're underwater."
Hifumi gave a coy smirk. "Well, maybe we should go to the beach often during our outings and kiss in the ocean. Well?"
Skyler chuckled. "Hey, whatever you want." He glanced as he noticed his Revenant friends waving to him and Hifumi. "Let's go see what they want."
"What do they want?"
"Who knows? But, let's go see. Knowing Louis, he probably wants us to play a game with him and the others."
"Race you to the shore then!" Hifumi started paddling her way toward the shore.
"Hey, who said you can get a head start?!" Skyler quickly swam to catch up with the Shogi player.
Elsewhere on the beach, Mia and Shiho shared a space under an umbrella. Both lied next to each other on a spread towel. Morgana lied down comfortably next to Mia.
Getting up from her resting spot, Mia stretched her arms out. When Shiho gazed over Mia, she peered over the blonde Revenant's white two-piece bikini. Mia is seen adjusting her bikini bottom waist strings. Mia is also seen wearing white and pink corset wrist bands. A pair of white and red corset bands are seen tied around her thighs. Adorning the back of her hair is a big and adorable red and white bow. Mia is also seen wearing red sunglasses with black lenses and clear high-heel sandals.
Shiho wore a dark blue two-piece bikini with a towel around her waist, pink sunglasses, and brown high-heel sandals. When checking out Mia, Shiho's cheeks blushed.
"Hey, are you ok, Shiho?"
"Huh? Yeah," she shook her head while hiding her flushed cheeks.
"Hmm, ok then. If you're getting hot, I'll get us some water."
"Thanks, but I'll be ok. This was such a great idea. I needed to get away from the mundane city side," Shiho said, spreading suntan lotion on her arms and shoulders.
Lifting her sunglasses down, Mia watched Shiho putting on lotion.
"Mind if I rub some lotion on your back?"
"Oh, sure. Thanks," Shiho gave Mia the suntan lotion bottle.
As she got behind Shiho, Mia rubbed lotion on her back. She paused and briefly glanced over the back of Shiho's bikini top strap.
"Say, do you mind if I unhook the back of your top? You know, so I can put lotion…"
"Say no more," Shiho gladly undid the strap while holding her bikini top. She let out a relaxed sigh as she felt Mia caressing her back. "That feels good."
Just then, Ann walked by and greeted the two.
"Hey, how's it going? Shiho, are you having fun?"
Morgana perked his head up. "Lady Ann!" He still sounded like a normal cat from Shiho's point of view, but Ann and Mia heard what he really said.
Shiho replied with a relaxed smile. "I wouldn't have it any better. What's up, Ann?"
"We're looking for people to play some volleyball with us. You two wanna come along?"
"Sure, sounds like fun!" Shiho gladly accepted.
"Eh, I don't know…" Mia hesitated, but Shiho grabbed her hand.
"C'mon, it'll be fun. You and I can be on Ann's team."
"Well, now that you put it that way. Sure," Mia nodded as Shiho dragged her along. "But, what about my brother and his friends?"
"Oh, they're fine. Look," Shiho pointed her to Shinya and his friends building a sandcastle.
Shinya wore a white t-shirt, red swimming trunks, and brown sandals.
Nicola wore a long-sleeved white hoodie, brown cargo swimming shorts, and black sandals.
Reiko wore a yellow one-piece swimsuit with cute white & red flowered embroidered designs on them and pink sandals.
Li-Ming wore a white one-piece swimsuit with symbols of the zodiac animals, each in various colors: red, blue, black, and yellow. She also wore a yellow summer straw hat and white flip-flops.
Seeing her brother and his friends were playing safely, Mia's state of mind was at ease.
"You're protective of your brother, aren't you?" Shiho queried the blonde Revenant.
"I'm his legal guardian and I'm the only family left willing to raise him."
"I see, but don't you have any other family to help?"
"Not really and besides it's complicated. I'd rather not get into that."
Shiho smiled and nodded. "I understand. Well, what I'd like to know is how your brother and Shinya met. How long have they been friends?"
"More or less a few years. It all started when I took Nicola to an arcade in Akihabara one afternoon. They were barely in their first year of junior high and much smaller than they are now," Mia explained, reflecting on the instance when Nicola and Shinya first met.
Gigolo Arcade/Akihabara (秋葉原)/Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/Flashback/July 10, 2018 (2018年7月10日)/1:30 PM (JST)
A few years ago, Nicola was brought into an arcade full of young people playing various games. Mia escorted her little brother along to play these numerous games. At one point, Nicola ditched his sister to find a game to play on his own. As he approached an arcade machine called House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn, he saw a small boy of similar size. This boy, a young Oda Shinya, had a red cap with 'Get Smoked' in bold yellow.
"Hi, um… can I play with you?" Nicola meekly asked Shinya.
"I don't really need the help."
"Please?"
Shinya sighed after Nicola pestered him a few times. "Sure, fine. Grab your gun!"
As Nicola joined in, he grabbed his control gun and stood next to Shinya. Shinya already noticed the nervous kid was a novice. Starting with the first stage, he taught Nicola how to shoot. Nicola initially struggled, which slightly irked Shinya, but he stayed patient with Nicola.
At one point, Nicola cried fearfully when a swarm of zombies came out of a room. Then, when they reached the Chariot boss, Nicola had forgotten to reload.
"Hey, you gotta reload quickly!" Shinya reminded him.
"Oh no, look out!" Nicola cried out.
The Chariot boss got Shinya. Shinya realized he was fresh out of credits. The words 'Game Over' bled over the screen.
"Ah damn it! Look at what you made me do! I knew I shouldn't let someone who sucks at games play with me!" Shinya harshly yelled at Nicola, making him cry.
"Mia! He swore at me!" Nicola cried out in tears.
"Mia? Oh shit, don't tell me you brought…" Shinya realized Nicola could easily run over to get his sister to confront him. "Hey, you don't have to! Look! I'm sorry! Please stop crying, ok? See? I'm not cussing anymore!"
Nicola ceased his crying and wiped his tears. "Y-Y-You're not mad at me?"
Shinya sighed in exasperation. "No, it was just a dumb game anyway. Besides, I can't always win all the time, right?"
"You're so good."
"Yeah, but hardly anyone bothers to play with me. Besides an older friend of mine, you're the first one to play with me. He had trouble with some games, but he got really good and we became game buddies."
Hearing this, Nicola felt much better knowing someone else played games with Shinya.
"Look, I'm sorry I got mad at you, but I take gaming very seriously. Though I shouldn't take it out on you."
"No, it's ok. This game was kinda scary though."
Shinya chuckled. "Oh, you haven't seen anything. If we had gotten further, you'd probably be crying more."
"I guess that's a good thing."
Shinya extended a hand to Nicola. "Put it there. I'm Oda Shinya. What's your name?"
Nicola murmured. "N-Nicola…"
"Eh? I can't hear ya. Say it louder."
Clenching his hands, Nicola yelled out. "Nicola Karnstein!" He quickly grabbed and shook Shinya's hand.
"Heh, nice to meet ya, Nicola. So, who's Mia?"
"My sister. She brought me here."
Shinya gulped. "Uh… your sister?"
"Nicola! There you are!" Mia called out as she pulled him into a hug. "You made me worried! Don't wander off like that!"
"I'm ok, sis! I was playing with Shinya here!"
"Shinya?" Mia then noticed the boy with the red cap. "Thank you for keeping my brother company. He tends to wander off whenever I'm not looking and that's not often."
"You're welcome, miss."
"Oh, just call me Mia, Shinya," she winked at him. "I like your cap."
Usually not flustered to show off his hat, Shinya turned it around and grinned.
"How often do you come here, Shinya? Maybe I should bring Nicola here often."
"Well, a lot since it's summer break, but I normally come here on the weekends."
"I see," Mia then veered toward Nicola. "Well, what do you think? Want me to bring you here to play with Shinya?"
Nicola nodded. "Y-Yeah! I do!"
Shinya patted Nicola's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm gonna make you into my apprentice. Learn from me and you'll be a hardcore player just like me!"
The boys shared a handshake. It was then the boys routinely saw each other every weekend at Gigolo Arcade. The training was rough in the beginning, but with time Nicola honed his gaming skills. Shinya even helped Nicola overcome his fears of certain game's graphic violence and monsters. Over a few weeks, he and Shinya formed an unstoppable partnership. One day, Ren came for a surprise visit and was introduced to Nicola. The three even played several games together, including House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn.
Shinya was later entrusted to come over to play at Nicola's place. With Shinya involved in Nicola's life, Mia had little to concern herself with as it relates to her brother.
May 5, 2019 (2019年5月5日)/4:00 PM (JST)
As the two boys entered junior high together in their second year, they maintained their friendship. They also often faced challenges in academics and with bullies. Nicola had little issues with academics since he got good grades, but bullies were an entirely different issue. He was a target for these bullies.
One day, Shinya had seen enough and stepped in to defend his friend.
"You three dipshits want to pick on my friend? You deal with me!" Shinya balled up his hands into fists and beckoned the bullies to come at him. His voice was slightly deeper having gone through puberty. He had grown several inches and wore his boy's school uniform.
"What the hell, Oda? Mind your own business! This blonde-haired fairy princess is our business!" One of the bullies, a rotund preteen boy with a nearly shaved head, scoffed.
"You take that back!" Shinya snapped.
Seeing his friend stick up for him, Nicola got up. "Shinya…" He addressed him in a softer but also deeper voice than it used to be a few months ago. He, too, wore his boy's school uniform. He raised his head and wiped the blood from his lip. "Thanks, man."
"What are friends for?" Shinya nodded.
Nicola balled up his fists and stood up to the bullies. "And who are you calling a fairy princess? What? Are you jealous of my good looks? At least the girls find me attractive."
"Yeah, so? I'm gonna mess your face up so bad, they ain't gonna like ya no more! Get 'em, boys!" The rotund bully sent his two flunkies to handle Shinya and Nicola.
In short order, Shinya and Nicola beat them up easily. The big bully was flabbergasted by how effective a team Shinya and Nicola were in brawling.
"You want some of us, Porky?!" Shinya yelled at him.
Shaking his head, the big bully ran off like a chicken and left his flunkies behind. Shinya and Nicola turned to high five each other. Incidentally, they got so close to each other their noses met. Realizing this, Shinya quickly withdrew his face from Nicola and scoffed.
"So, um, wanna hit up the local arcade before curfew?" Shinya asked.
"Sure."
May 28, 2019 (2019年5月28日)/8:45 AM (JST)
"Class. Please welcome our transfer student," Shinya and Nicola's homeroom teacher brought in a young female student dressed in her uniform.
"Good morning. I'm Hanami Reiko," the girl bowed and introduced herself after writing her name on the board.
Upon seeing Reiko, Shinya's face blushed and he felt his heart thumping. Nicola noticed his friend aimlessly staring off in Reiko's direction.
"You may sit behind Oda Shinya, but I'd advise not to talk to him much, Ms. Hanami."
Reiko walked by Shinya and Nicola. She took her seat behind Shinya and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, the teacher said I'm not supposed to talk to you too much?"
Shinya said nothing as he realized Reiko was casually walking to him.
"Uh, are you ok?" Reiko blinked in confusion.
"Oh, don't mind him. He's very chatty once you get to know him. Right, Shinya?" Nicola playfully teased his best friend, who shook his head and came to.
"Oh, hi. Reiko, right?"
"Yep. Pleased to meet you."
Shinya blushed and smiled like a fool. "Heh, maybe we can give ya a tour of our school?"
"That would be nice."
"And I'm Nicola. It's a pleasure to meet you, Reiko," Nicola genuinely greeted her.
"Same here. I hope the three of us can be friends."
Shinya kept a dreamy gaze on Reiko as he ultimately developed a crush on her.
Miura Beach (三浦海岸)/Kanagawa prefecture, Tokyo (神奈川県, 東京)/July 14, 2019 (2019年7月14日) (Reality: July 14, 2021)/11:00 AM (JST)
"Shinya? Shinya, look out!" Reiko's voice shouted, hoping to snap him out of his trance.
A volleyball flew into Shinya and smacked his forehead. The teen yelped out and rolled around while covering his forehead.
"Ow! Man that's gotta hurt!" Nicola cringed as he checked over Shinya. "Hey, are you ok, man?"
"You spaced out for no reason, Shinya! What were you thinking?" She chided Shinya and helped off the ground.
"Sorry, guys. Hehe, sandcastle wasn't paying attention."
Li-Ming rolled her eyes. "Well obviously, genius. You were daydreaming again."
As Reiko helped Shinya grab some ice from Mia's cooler, Nicola and Li-Ming watched Shiho pick up the volleyball.
"I'm so sorry! That was my fault! Tell Shinya I'm sorry!" Shiho openly apologized to the teens as she headed off to meet with Mia and the others.
Meanwhile, most of the Thieves and Revenants played a competitive but fun set of volleyball matches. Ren, Ann, Mia, Shiho, Skyler, and Hifumi played against Louis, Makoto, Yakumo, Emily, Ryuji, and Miyako. Needless to say, despite Skyler and Makoto's constant taunts, the Thieves and Revenants enjoyed their leisure activity. Futaba, Yusuke, Haru, Morgana, Io, Jack, Eva, Sumire, Rin, and Eugene watched from the sidelines.
After helping ice his head bump, Reiko helped Shinya over to finish building their sandcastle. As they continued their castle build, two teenage boys walked by and knocked over their sandcastle.
"Hey! What the hell?!" Shinya yelled out.
"Our castle! Those two jerks just walked through and stepped all over our sandcastle!" Li-Ming cried out.
"Excuse us! Apologize now!" Nicola called out to the two teens.
The aforementioned teens turned to face them.
The teen on the left was a tall, dirty blonde-haired teen with coffee brown eyes. He was garbed in a gray long-sleeved hoodie and black swimming shorts.
The other teen opposite from the blonde was a moderate-sized black-haired young teen. He wore a short-sleeved buttoned summer shirt and green swimming shorts.
Both had seemingly lethargic looks coupled with black shadows under their eyelids. They looked restless like they hadn't gotten any good sleep in days. There was also dullness in their eyes.
"Did we ruin your castle?" The blonde asked them.
"We're very sorry… but we haven't been ourselves lately," the dark-haired teen muttered lifelessly.
"Hey, check it out," Li-Ming whispered to Nicola. "They look tired."
"Yeah, and their movement is pretty uncoordinated. Aso judging by their faces, they look drained," Nicola meticulously noted.
"Maybe you two should get some sleep! Cause you ruined our castle!" Shinya harshly chided them.
"But, we just apologized. What more do you want…" The blonde paused as he grabbed his forehead. "Ugh! Takumi!"
"Haruki?!" The dark-haired teen tended to his friend, but he too felt a pulsating pain.
Bystanders paused to see what was going on and saw the two teens writhing in pain. A man approached them, but Takumi pushed him away.
"Please, get away from us!" Takumi exclaimed as he continued holding his head.
"Guys, look!" Reiko pointed to a dark purple aura shrouding the two teens.
"Shit, this is what happened with those hooded guys at Akihabara!" Shinya remembered the hooded individuals covered by the same dark auras before they turned into cryptids.
"Takumi… please, hold me… it hurts…" Haruki reached for his friend.
"Don't give in… Haruki…" Takumi leaned over for comfort.
Suddenly, the dark purple shadowy auras enveloped the teenage boys and transformed them. They have been infected by the Yami Matter. Shinya and his group warned the bystanders and beckoned them to flee. However, it was too late. Haruki and Takumi transformed into 15-foot high long-necked, flippered plesiosaur-like creatures.
Takumi became a light gray bodied plesiosaur with navy blue spectacled marks. He became the Kussie, the Japanese lake monster said to live in Hokkaidō's Lake Kussharo.
Haruki became a light green-skinned plesiosaur with black stripes from the back of its neck down to its back. He became the Issie, the Japanese lake monster rumored to lurk in Lake Ikeda, on Kyushu Island.
"Oh crap! This wasn't what I expected!" Shinya exclaimed in shock.
"We need to get these people away from here!" Nicola shouted. "Reiko, Li-Ming, help us out!"
The two girls nodded and helped draw the crowds away.
It didn't long for the Thieves and Revenants to notice the source of the commotion. They, too, were shocked to see two plesiosaur-like creatures screeching and attacking the crowds.
Io quickly stood as her golden eyes glowed toward the monsters. "I sense the Yami Matter influencing those two monsters!"
"Are they humans, Io?" asked Hifumi.
"Yes, the Yami Matter turned them into monsters."
"So, they could be just like those cryptids we fought in Akihabara," Ren realized.
"Look, what's crucial is getting those people out of there!" Skyler declared.
"A few of us need to stay and neutralize those two creatures," Jack suggested.
Mia then realized where the cryptids attacked. "Oh god, that's where Nicola, Shinya, Reiko, and Li-Ming are! We need to get to them now!" She hastily headed forward.
"But, they already have powers to fight with," Eva recalled.
"Maybe so, but it's prudent that a few of us stay and help them," Io stated.
The Thieves and Revenants followed Mia into the conflict. As they approached, the loud screech-like roars and yelps from the Issie/Stellar Ikeda and Kussie/Tidal Kussharo sent the panicking crowds running from the area. Mia spotted her brother with Li-Ming. Reiko was on the ground after she accidentally got shoved down by someone in the crowd. Shinya hurried over to grab Reiko, but in doing so they were cornered by the Stellar Ikeda.
As Stellar Ikeda reached to bite Shinya, Reiko pleaded.
"Stop! Please don't attack us!" Reiko begged.
Stellar Ikeda briefly halted and let out another screech-like roar. Then, a projectile shot out of nowhere and exploded in the cryptid's face. Stellar Ikeda yelped out painfully. It turned its long neck and spotted two of the Phantom Thieves: Mona and Skull.
When Tidal Kussharo nearly attacked Nicola and Li-Ming, a rifle round blasted the ground between the cryptid and the two teens. It also pivoted its long neck and spotted the shooter. It was Mircalla with Oracle, Violet, and Yaksha.
"Nicola! Get yourself and Li-Ming to safety!" Mircalla instructed him.
"Ok, let's get moving, Li-Ming," Nicola grabbed the Chinese girl's hand.
"Wait! But, we have powers now," Li-Ming reminded him.
"It's fine. My sister and her friends can handle this for us."
"Still, that monster is a human boy! Don't kill him!" Li-Ming called out.
"We'll try, but we can't make any promises," Mircalla replied. "Ready?" She turned to Oracle, who nodded and invoked her Third-Tier Persona, Al Azif.
Right on cue, Violet and Yaksha brandished their weapons to fight the plesiosaur cryptids.
"Here we go! Defenses up!" Oracle called out as Al Azif bestowed Marakukaja to the six-person party and increased their defenses. "And power-up!" She increased everyone's attack powers with Matarukaja.
After receiving their attack and defense boosts, the six split into two teams: Oracle, Mircalla, & Violet and Skull, Mona, & Yaksha.
While the six engaged the plesiosaur cryptids, Ren, Skyler, and the others helped escort the crowd away from the battle crossfires.
With her Persona out, Oracle summoned dual energy swords and rushed toward Tidal Kussharo. Al Azif quickly blasted the cryptid plesiosaur. Tidal Kussharo yelped and swiped its tail at Oracle. Oracle hopped over its tail. Mircalla quickly fired a rifle shot at the ground where the cryptid stood and scared it. Mircalla then invoked her Stinger-Type Blood Veil and stabbed its side. Tidal Kussharo let out a high-pitched screech. As she summoned Ella, Violet innately cast Kougaon and stunned Tidal Kussharo with it.
After some assistance from Yaksha slashing the other plesiosaur, Skull quickly ran at Stellar Ikeda and bludgeoned its side with his bat. The cryptid drew air from its surroundings and fired a charged particle laser. The air blast exploded with the ground, knocking Skull and Yaksha down.
"I've got you two!" Mona intervened and shot Stellar Ikeda with his slingshot. An explosive ball smacked the plesiosaur's head and disoriented it. Mona "Show your might, Diego!" He summoned his Third-Tier Persona.
Diego attacked Stellar Ikeda. The plesiosaur blasted Mercurius head-on. The Persona retaliated with Garudyne, hitting the plesiosaur with a heavy wind attack.
"It's payback time!" Yaksha jumped around, dodging the plesiosaur's attacks while transforming herself into red mist. Using Vanishing Hollow, the orange-haired Revenant befuddled the creature's field of vision. Catching it off guard, Yaksha fired a ricocheting bullet and struck the creature with her Dancing Blaze, which neutralized Stellar Ikeda.
"Ugh, that's it! I'm gonna knock you out!" Skull yelled and invoked his Third-Tier Persona: William.
William landed a Headbutt and zapped the cryptid with Ziodyne. The electric attack neutralized and critically damaged the cryptid enough to knock it over.
"Uh oh! They went a little too far trying to stop him!" Reiko said.
"Hey, it's either him or us. I'd rather it be us fighting them to be honest," Shinya stated.
Meanwhile, Mircalla, Oracle, and Violet subdued Tidal Kussharo long enough to put it down. However, seeing its friend being taken down incurred the cryptid's fury. The dark aura surrounding Tidal Kussharo fed off its anger and augmented its power. Tidal Kussharo fired a powerful water blast from its mouth, repelling Skull, Mona, and Yaksha back.
"No wonder he's mad, he's just seen his friend get hurt!" Nicola shouted. "Sis, you, Oracle, and Violet have to stop him before he goes crazy!"
Taking heed of her brother's plea, Mircalla avoided the cryptid's water blasts. She timed each blast and hopped away. She then used her metal scorpion tail and grabbed Tidal Kussharo's long neck. She tried wrestling the long-necked cryptid, but it reared its head back and dragged her forward. Violet quickly intervened and aided Mircalla.
"Hang on!" Oracle shouted as she sliced at the side of the plesiosaur's head and wounded it.
The cryptid let out a screech-like roar and pulled away. Violet ran forward and struck the raging creature with her Sword Dance. Mircalla then used her tail's strength to flip the plesiosaur on its back. Mircalla pulled her metal tail away and looked to finish it off, but Diego swooped in and landed a Miracle Punch to the cryptid's belly, delivering the knockout blow.
"Whoooa! Bonafide Monafied!" Oracle cheered Mona's Persona knock-out finish.
"Hey, are you three ok?!" Mona called out to Mircalla, Oracle, and Violet.
"We are now," Mircalla replied.
"Thanks, Mona!" Violet cried out.
"Hell yeah, that'll show those two!" Skull hollered.
"Whew, that wasn't too hard," Yaksha added.
"Hey, look! Those black waves surrounding them are reviving them!" Oracle warned as her visor scanned the Yami Matter influencing them. "Their energy levels are fluctuating!"
"Me and my big mouth," scoffed Yaksha.
"Well, let's keep them from recovering!" Mona declared.
Then, Mircalla suggested. "Maybe I should use my Gift to heal them? Maybe it'll help cure these two of the Yami Matter's influence?"
"It's worth a shot, Lady Mia. Go for it." Mona nodded.
As Mircalla utilized her Gift on Tidal Kussharo first, the long-necked cryptid's mind flashed to darkened images of him and Haruki being captured against their will and locked in cages. Takumi recalled he and Haruki were runaways that left an orphanage. He remembered a man in a white coat offering them food and hospitality. It was a ruse as men in riot gear arrived and pulled them in. That happened three years ago.
He specifically remembered all the horrific experiments a man with glasses did to him and Haruki, as well as to other cryptids like Yaban, Beluga, Giga, and Zwei.
Likewise, Stellar Ikeda recalled every instance he lovingly consoled Takumi after the 'horrible monster' experimented on him out of sheer curiosity and cruel pleasure. They cried every night hoping the horrible pains and anguish would end.
Haruki remembered the night they were eventually dumped into an offshore location. He remembered the cruel man's own words, deeming them, 'Cut our losses with these two failed experiments.'
After being dumped into the ocean, the boys nearly drowned and their near-death experiences invoked their transformations into plesiosaur cryptids. They spent the rest of their lives in each other's care. In the ocean, they lived like plesiosaurs, but on land, they blended with people using their human forms. They turned to thievery to survive and vowed they'd one day get revenge on the man who turned them into monsters. The Yami Matter preyed on the boy lovers' insecurities and corrupted them.
Today, Haruki and Takumi were purified from the Yami Matter. They awoke surrounded by Mircalla, Oracle, Mona, Skull, Violet, and Yaksha.
"W-What happened…?" Haruki asked as he veered to Takumi, who was also regaining his bearings. "Takumi! You're ok!"
"Haruki, oh thank god!" Takumi cried as he and Haruki lovingly embraced.
Having seen their recovery, Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming approached the two cryptid teens.
"Thank goodness you two are ok. We were worried," Reiko said.
"It was the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants here who helped to stop you two," Nicola informed them.
Upon realizing what Nicola said, Takumi sighed. "So, we changed into our monster forms and blindly attacked again, didn't we?"
Haruki added. "We can't explain what's happened to us, but something took control of our wills and caused us to turn violent. I swear, we're not like this!"
"We know. Even when you trampled over our castle, you two were being apologetic." Shinya said.
"It was that black aura that took control of you, but thankfully these people purified you," Li-Ming acknowledged the four Thieves and the two Vein Remnants.
Mircalla interjected. "I cured you two of those dark auras. You should be fine now."
Haruki and Takumi both bowed. "Thank you, miss."
"Nothing to it, but please just call me Mircalla," she then looked down and winked at Mona.
"I'm Haruki."
"And I'm Takumi."
The boy lovers genuinely greeted them. "It's a pleasure and thank you for saving us."
"So, where are you two going to go now?" Reiko asked the two teens.
Takumi and Haruki got up and shrugged.
"Who knows? We're as free as the oceans and the winds now. We'll go wherever we want," Haruki said as he grabbed Takumi's hand. "Just as long as I'm with him."
"Same. I'm never letting you go, my love," Takumi turned to Haruki and walked away with his lover.
"Hey, you don't think those two will…" Skull didn't get to finish as Mona nodded.
"Nah, we removed the real source of the problem. Without the Yami Matter influencing them, they're docile," Mona plainly stated. "They shouldn't be attacking anyone else like today."
"Thank goodness. I was worried for those two," Violet said.
"I hope you're right," Oracle said.
"They should be on their best behavior now with no Yami Matter manipulating them," Yaksha nodded approvingly.
Mircalla turned to Nicola. "Are you and your friends ok?"
"We'll be ok, sis. Thanks, but I wish we could've helped," Nicola replied. "Hey, Shinya. We're close friends, but don't you think those two are so intimate?"
"If you think we'll be that intimate, you better think again, dude!" Shinya folded his arms and scoffed. "I like ya, but not that much!"
Reiko giggled. "Oh, I don't know. You two fit the standards for a yaoi couple."
"What?!" Shinya balked. "Take that back, Reiko!"
Nicola chuckled as he walked up behind Shinya and whispered in his ear. "Maybe we should try, eh, Shinya?"
"Whoa, ok I draw the line here, man!" Shinya whipped around and backed away.
Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming laughed together as Shinya's face blushed mad red.
"Hey, look! They're leaving!" Skull pointed to Takumi and Haruki standing near the coast.
The teen boys turned and smiled. With their hands locked, they held each other and shared a passionate kiss. They caressed each other's bodies and pulled away, nudging their noses. After their intimate kiss, they fell into the ocean and transformed into plesiosaurs to depart for a new home far away.
"Goodbye!" Nicola waved to them.
"Have a safe journey!" Reiko and Li-Ming called out to them.
"Heh, I hope they find a peaceful home," Shinya added.
Mircalla, Oracle, Mona, Skull, Violet, and Yaksha saw the other Thieves and Revenants return to see them.
"Hey, let's check in with Eugene. He has to be worried," Violet reminded Yaksha. As they nodded together, they headed off to find him.
"Well, that was quite unexpected, wasn't it, Lady Mia?" Mona said.
"Yeah, but I wanted a full day of relaxation," Mircalla sighed. "I hope Shiho isn't too upset."
5:30 PM (JST)
As she bought two water bottles, Mia returned to meet with Shiho, who waited for her near under their umbrella. She handed Shiho her bottled water.
"Here."
"Thanks, Mia. I'm sure glad everyone's ok."
"Yeah, and luckily they didn't need to call for a full evacuation. Most of the people were able to come back."
Shiho sipped some water. "I don't know, I think I prefer fewer people around us."
Mia concurred. "I can't argue with that."
"Say, Mia."
"Yeah?"
"We've been friends for a couple of months now and have gone out together a couple of times."
Mia nodded. "Yeah, we have." She paused as Shiho held her hands. "Oh?"
Shiho replied with a seductive smile. "I want to prove how strong our friendship has been, Mia Karnstein." She unzipped the tent behind them. "Well? What do you say?"
Not one to disappoint her best friend, Mia entered the tent with Shiho. They sat opposite each other and placed their palms on each other's laps. The ladies maintained deep eye contact and grasped each other's hands. Mia and Shiho leaned over and kissed. After a few teases and many chances blown by interruptions, there was nothing to stop their first kiss.
Mia and Shiho's kiss became a passionate one. They leaned on each other with Mia sliding her hand on Shiho's buttocks. Shiho put both arms around the back of Mia's neck. The blonde-haired Revenant then undid Shiho's top and tossed it aside as she leaned down, licking Shiho's breasts and up to her neck. Shiho let out a relaxed gasp, feeling moved by Mia's loving touch. Mia was on top of Shiho as the lovers gazed into each other's eyes.
"What do you see in me, Shiho?"
"Maybe because while I consider my friend, Ann, to be drop-dead hot, you're cute and I don't know… there's something about simple cuteness I find sexier. Not to mention you're just gorgeous up close. Your eyes are so enticing."
"Really? Because that's how I felt when I first met you, I was trying to figure out what drew me to you. Was it your personality? Your hot body? Or, something in between, but I've figured it out," Mia then leaned down and whispered in her ear. "It's your willful spirit. You willed yourself to stand and walk again. That's a woman I can love and respect."
"Then, take me, Mia Karnstein. I'm all yours."
"No, we're here for each other," she grasped her lover's hands, licked her neck, and kissed her on the lips.
Shiho returned a kiss and folded her legs around Mia's waist. The two continued their erotic intercourse inside their tent and with no one to interrupt them.
"I love you, Mia Karnstein."
"Me, too, Suzui Shiho."
They once again passionately kissed and established their true love for the other. A romantic bond between a Revenant and a human.
Chapter Soundtrack
Final Fantasy XV OST Volume 2 - 87. Daemons - Heart of Evil- Another MOTW theme for vs. Teke Teke in the prologue scene.
Persona 5 OST - Have a Short Rest - Mia talks with Nicola and invites Shiho into her home.
Persona 5 OST 63 - New Beginning - Having fun at the beach.
fiKAIeldJOU (Ocean Day) - Xenoblade Chronicles X OST - Hiroyuki Sawano - Hifumi and Skyler's underwater kiss scene.
Persona 5 OST - My Homie - Flashbacks with Shinya and Nicola's first meeting at the arcade. Reiko meets the boys.
Re:Creators OST - BRAVE THE OCEAN - vs. Haruki and Takumi.
fiKAIeldJOU (Ocean Night) - Xenoblade Chronicles X OST - Hiroyuki Sawano - The aftermath of the beach and Cryptids. Mia and Shiho share their first kiss.
Lacuna Coil - Purify - Mia and Shiho's romantic intercourse.
A/N: Yep, this was a much easier chapter to handle than previous ones.
The chapter also served to move away from the usual suspects (i.e. Skyler, Hifumi, Ren, Ann, Makoto, Louis) as this one highlights Mia, her brother Nicola, Shiho, and Shinya.
In hindsight, the subject matter in this chapter would've been perfect for Pride Month, but Book II was still too early in its run back in June 2021. Oh well, here it is in September 2021.
Teke Teke served as the next MOTW. Much like the Kuchisake-onna was a victim of circumstances, Teke Teke was left to die and became a vengeful spirit. I swear, if you thought the US had some interesting urban legends, Japan has a few notable ones.
On top of being involved in the MOTW battle, Mia got some scenes with Shiho and these two have officially confessed their love for each other. Even though she's still close friends with Ann, we wanted to move Shiho beyond her friendship to find herself a partner. Since characters are in relationships, it was decided that Mia would be paired with Shiho. The seeds for the relationship were planted as far back as the Shujin Academy reunion. Mia/Shiho marks another Japanese/foreigner relationship (others being Hifumi/Skyler, Ren/Ann, Yakumo/Emily, Sumire/Eugene/Rin, and Louis/Makoto/Haru; although, technically Ann is of mixed ethnicity (being one-quarter American) and lived overseas before moving back to Japan). They're also the second homosexual couple of the main cast after Makoto/Haru.
Will Shiho eventually learn of Mia's 'vampire-like nature? That remains to be seen. Though, to be honest, I don't see it bothering Shiho given she's already seen cryptids. Moreover, she's endured an abusive scandal with Kamoshida and survived an attempted suicide. She's seen and done far scarier things than making love with a vampire. Granted, this is a vampire who will treat her right and has more humanity in her pinky nail than a certain abuser has in his whole body.
The flashbacks show Shinya and Nicola meeting when they were kids. Based on the timeline, it would be a year and a half after the events of the main Persona 5 story. After Ren, Shinya would make another friend through arcade gaming. The second flashback shows the two already hitting puberty and their voices would've changed (and their headcanon voices will change to reflect that). Then, the next scene shows how they first met Reiko. Concerning the Yami Matter (and Shin-Io's reality warp from Book I) affecting the timeline, Shinya and Nicola have known each other since 2018 and their friendship has lasted well into 2021 (alternatively 2019 due to the YM's influence).
We have the battle with the Haruki/Stellar Ikeda and Takumi/Tidal Kussharo. Their cryptid forms are based on Issie and Kussie, the Japanese equivalent of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster (and the Futabasaurus; yes, that's a real plesiosaur whose fossils were uncovered in Japan. And no it has no obvious relation to this story's hacker otaku genius). Thankfully unlike the previous cryptids, Haruki and Takumi have been spared mental shutdowns by the Yami Matter. I also sidelined Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming to save time, but they'll see larger-scaled action later.
A few tidbits.
1: The underwater kiss with Hifumi and Skyler is based on the Persona 5: The Animation OVA, A Magical Valentine's Day, which is a scene involving Hifumi's POV when she's swimming and kissing you (the viewer) on the lips.
2: The Thieves' swimwear is the same ones they wore in the game.
3: Haruki and Takumi's attacks (in their plesiosaur forms) are based on the elemental powers of the Sailors Uranus and Neptune. Moreover, Stellar and Tidal are part of the elements closely tied to the planet's names in Japanese (Uranus=Tenousei=Sky King Planet=Tenou Haruka and Neptune=Kaiousei=Sea King Planet=Kaiou Michiru). And the boys are also a homosexual couple like the aforementioned Sailors.
So, that's all. Not what I'd call a groundbreaking chapter, but it furthers Mia's relationship with Shiho and defines Shinya's friendship with Nicola. I needed something simple after the last two heavy-duty chapters. And besides, a semi-breather chapter is necessary now, especially with what's coming next.
The next chapter is going to be crazy and let's just say it'll be a crimson crossover. It'll be two worlds colliding. Until the next chapter, leave a comment and review! See you soon!