Author's Note: Another chapter of this Persona fic! The mysterious are everywhere but surely Hakuno will solve then and help her friend! But for now, here's a peaceful short chapter.
PS. I know 'Formal Wear' is just a mistranslation of Mystic Code in Fate/Extra. But I'm treating it as separate in the context of the Digital Human Series.
guisniperman: Oh, I want to get to Futaba meeting Hakuno so badly right now.
Engineer4ever: Well, she technically already did run into them, just doesn't know.
amerdism: I got a few mix-up Servants planned.
kerrowe: There's no deadline right now, but that whole 'month' thing that Rani mentioned might be a forewarning.
What lies in the body, the heart, and the soul? Are they but physical and metaphysical? The flame caused by her actions now seeks to devour her, but the road to her deletion is yet to be paved. Can this Digital Human change her path?
Digital/Culmination
Chapter 13: Take it Slow
Hakuno Kishinami sighed in small bliss as she placed the coffee cup on its small plate. It had only been a week since she had her first cup and already she as developing quite the taste for it. In a way, it reminded her of her time with her Servants, relaxing together in the Private Room while drinking tea.
Leblanc Cafe was quickly becoming her favorite spot to relax, at least in the morning hours. Perhaps she should wake up sooner on the school days to visit?
Just a thought.
Her eyes glanced at the closed magazine before her.
The exploration if Mementos is bound to become more difficult the further down she proceeds. Although her Servants were not having problems with the current level of enemies, that would not be the case in the future. Unfortunately, without any Formal Wear or Mystic Codes there were only two Code Casts that Hakuno Kishinami could use.
It was a crucial weakness, such limitations prevented her ability to support as a Master.
There were two solutions to this.
Firstly, she could use her monetary expenses to purchase from the selection of Formal Wear and Mystic Codes presented in her Private Room's tablet.
Secondly, the method mentioned by the Velvet Room's denizens in 'summoning' Mystic Codes. But it could be unreliable, as it was not explained yet or accessible at the moment.
So, the problem was money.
At a whim, Hakuno Kishinami had investigated a job offering magazine, but decided against it soon after. She had no work experience, little social skill, and the hours could conflict with her school or metaverse activity.
Metaverse's shadows did provide some currency as rewards, but not close to enough of the lowest costing equipment.
Hakuno stuffed a spoonful of curry into her mouth.
She lightly moaned at the taste, it's so delicious…
How did coffee and curry go so well together? What was the secret?
Ah… The blending of the two distinct tastes have brought her mind out of her previous thought process.
Forget the money problems, it wasn't important at the moment, just a side issue that will be rectified in time and effort as it was in the Moon Cell Holy Grail War. For now, relaxation then visiting the Velvet Room to see Saber, before…
Hakuno paused.
The magus girl brought out the Portable Terminal, accessing the messaging function and tapping away a short inquiry. She was curious to if perhaps Rani had some time available to spend with her, outside the confines of her mother's company building.
However, no response came in the next few minutes, the brown-haired girl continued to pass the time finishing her curry and coffee.
Her eyes stared directionless at the table, the Portable Terminal back in her pocket.
Now what…?
Her head was shifting between so many different topics.
She took a glance at her left hand, the intricate crimson red design of the Command Seal emblazoned on her upper palm.
"Maybe…" Hakuno Kishinami spoke aloud. "I should take a break."
When was the last time she'd spent a day away from the mysteries and situations of her dilemma?
"A break sounds nice…" Hakuno now agreed to take the day as it was supposed to be, a day off from school!
After visiting Saber, of course.
A brief imagery of a city lit aflame faded into the background of the Velvet Room's windows. Hakuno Kishinami had become accustomed to entering this parallel realm through the door hidden in the alleyways before the school's gates, its near-supernatural atmosphere just another place where her past sought to haunt her through the visionary reminders of the Moon Cell.
The Velvet Room's characteristic colors mixed with the familiar light blue hues displayed predominantly in SERAPH, as real and virtual collided together in this reaction of a classroom, a vivid display that represented the core memories behind Hakuno Kishinami's life.
Hakuno glanced down at herself, noting that her previous casual attire had changed completely into the black school uniform of Shujin Academy. It was almost nostalgic, in a way, that even inside this Moon Cell-inspired room that Hakuno would still adorn such an outfit.
"Another day to attend class, student," Justine broke the silence, the teacher-dressed girl looking towards her in a relaxed manner.
Caroline spoke soon after, "So, student, what do you need help with this time?"
"I want to visit Saber," Hakuno answered.
"Then head into the Extra Path," Caroline pointed towards the doorway, her eyes only glancing back to Hakuno Kishinami for a brief moment before looking away.
The Digital Human wondered what the expression was for but headed into the Path of Extra's doorway. Upon entering, her vision was briefly blinded before the room came into view, a stark contradiction to the classroom, this somehow familiar-feeling traditional Japanese household seemed to nudge into her heart with a sense of fondness.
As if she had been here many times before.
Saber stood up from a recliner, "Umu! Praetor, you've arrived! I'm been quite lonesome, while this place holds many connections to our time in the Digital World, I appreciate more so you and I's moments together."
Her eccentric, optimistic personality coupled with dramatic flair brought a smile to Hakuno Kishinami's face.
"I missed you too, Saber," Hakuno replied earnestly.
Saber nodded expectedly, "I'm rather envious right now, Praetor. A chance to experience this modern epoch and I'm restrained from indulging in its entertainment!"
Hakuno blinked, this room there were in had entertainment technology as well, she had spotted that old DVD and television set. "What do you mean?"
"The late-night shows! Karaoke! Theatre! Restaurants! A variety of new locations and drama!" Saber explained. "You must quickly discover a method to allow me to stand by your side in the real world!"
Of course, there was a method available, but wasting a Command Spell to entertain her Servant is a suicidal move. She only had three uses, and more than one Heroic Spirit.
"Maybe the twins know a way?" Hakuno thought aloud.
It would ease her safety concerns if her Servant can protect her in the real world. At the moment, the most plausible method would be trying to bring them into at least her Private Room at home. Considering the Moon Cell connection at that location, it's the best shot.
"In the meantime, I need a suitable distraction," Saber said. "I've already consumed the movie entertainment within this room."
Right… There were movie DVDs in this room… Hakuno was actually a bit curious as to what they were.
"Snacks," Hakuno pulled out her Portable Terminal and materialized a few items from its inventory. She had discovered this feature after some experimenting in her free time, it functioned similarly to how it did in the Holy Grail War.
Saber's eyes gleamed, "Yes! Salt and sweet foods are a cornerstone of enjoying shows!" The Heroic Spirit snatched a bag and began to munch on it contently.
"I'll try to get you back on my active Servants, Saber," Hakuno said, the restriction from using her most familiar companion made her uncomfortable, even if it was a punishment for her mistake.
"Do not push yourself in your attempts to satisfy me, I am your Servant, and while I am most obviously the best choice, I understand the advantages of having other Heroic Spirits can give."
Hakuno Kishinami knew this, but hearing it from Saber did relieve a part of her mind, "Alright."
"Umu, push forward as you always do, Praetor," Saber replied with a bright smile. "Now, speak of what has occurred so far. I'm eager to know your story in the Real World."
The Digital Human, Hakuno Kishinami, walked out of the subway station while glancing down at her Portable Terminal, there hadn't been any response from Rani. Which meant that she was spending the day by her lonesome unless Makoto so happened to be available. Still, being alone also had its benefits. There wasn't anyone or anything to distract her from exploring the day-time city of downtown Shibuya.
She had spent the entirety of the morning hours at Leblanc Cafe and the Velvet Room, due to the former, Hakuno wasn't particular hungry as of yet. Which left restaurants out of her list, leaving behind shops, stalls, relaxation and entertainment facilities.
Hakuno mentally recalled her current budget, four-thousand, and four-hundred Yen. It wasn't a large amount, so she didn't have the freedom to splurge carelessly. All of it had been the spare change she picked up while defeating shadows in Mementos. A notable difference between Ruler and Saber's skills, the Roman Heroic Spirit's Imperial Privilege did seem to increase the monetary gain received in their victories.
After walking towards her destination, the brown-haired girl checked her newfound surroundings, ignoring the mass of people moving about in their daily lives.
A bookstore and video rental caught her eye, she restrained herself from entering them, instead moved forward and glanced down an alleyway. It looked a bit suspicious, so Hakuno didn't choose to walk down it and continued on. There was a convenience store at the corner, similar to the one at Yongenjaya. Hakuno Kishinami kept spotting a number of attractive places that she was curious about, there was a gym down a small alley and an arcade between two stores, also a number of eateries not to mention the cinema that stood out.
Of course, there were plenty of other sights, many entrances between buildings and huge billboards and banners advertising a number of products and store locations. There was so much to see and experience, it was daunting for the magus girl.
She took a deep breath.
"Kishinami?"
She turned and faced the direction where the voice came from, immediately recognizing the face of the individual. "Amamiya."
The black-haired calm-mannered boy seemed to have walked from the direction of the earlier alleyway she briefly glanced into. He still carried his schoolbag, despite the fact it was a day off, but at the least, he was in casual attire. Still, the bag itself seemed to have some small movement…
"You brought the cat with you, Amamiya?" She said with his family name out of courtesy.
"Morgana? Yes," Ren replied. "He likes being outside the house."
"I am a free spirit, after all!" Morgana commented in response.
Hakuno smiled a bit at that, "I see. I'm just exploring Shibuya."
"Have you been here before?" Ren Amamiya questioned.
"No, this is the first time I've been downtown," She replied, her expression returning to a monotone face. "What about you?"
"Just pawned off an unnecessary item," He replied truthfully. "You don't need to be formal, Kishinami. Just treat me as you did in Leblanc."
"Alright, do the same for me," Hakuno said. "Do you have any recommendations?"
"Recommendations…?" He glanced around for a moment. "How about a movie?"
She thought of it for a moment, thinking briefly back to Saber. "Not sure."
"I could watch with you," He offered.
"Smooth," Morgana joked.
"Thanks," Hakuno replied in earnest. "What movies are there today?"
"There's an ongoing special today showing older american films," He answered as both he and Hakuno Kishinami began walking to the cinema, his eyes looking forward at the digital panel which displayed the current options. "Mhm… What catches your eye?"
Hakuno didn't know what movies were what, so picked a random option, "Jurassic Park."
Huh… Why did she suddenly get a feeling of deja vu?
Well, it shouldn't matter. At least she had something to do now, with a companion and his cat too. And, as Saber had said, it wouldn't be a good movie without some snacks like popcorn.
She felt a bit eager to watch it now with Ren and Morgana, perhaps a feeling of friendship?
No, not at that level, they were just fellow high school students having a moment of fun together.
Ren Amamiya turned with two tickets in hand, "How's your English?"
Hakuno replied with a smile, "Memorized like second-nature."