Senran Persona: Ninjas of Hearts

by UknownHero

Collab with JGResidentEvil and VividMind17. Fate can be an interesting thing within life. It can bring unexpected changes that no one can truly see. For two girls, those that were destined to be rivals between good and evil, changed under the masks of rebellion to forge their own true paths. Now get up and stand your ground because these sexy ninjas are gonna steal your heart!

112. Turning Point

Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. Word of warning, there is a bunch of To Love Ru stuff but after this chapter. Sorry, but since there's real plot here so you can't skip this chapter. God, this fic has way too much filler despite what JG keeps insisting it isn't.

Senran Persona: Ninjas of Hearts has a TV Tropes Page. That's it.

Onto PersonaLover: Well, we do have a plan for the Thieves learning Ninja Arts later in the story. You just have to stay tuned. To Fezzih: The shinobi fighting each other? That's just a staple. It will happen at some point! To alaude hibari: I have no idea what Manananggal is, but we already have set Personas for the custom arcanas. I'll even reveal them once we hit Rank 10.

And that's it! Time to twist the narrative.

Load Game…Start!

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Chapter 112: Turning Point

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(9/11, Early Morning)

(Japan, Hebijo Academy)

ZZZZZZ!

The purplette teacher of Hebijo Academy was still in yesterday's clothes, sleeping in an uncomfortable manner: sitting down with her head on her desk, drooling on her charging phone with a shopping list on screen mostly consisting of booze, paper and a small pillow the size of her workspace.

"Baby baby baby baby baby yeah...!"

Rin snorted awake as she shot up from her desk, instinctively turning off her alarm. "Hruh? Ugh...I slept on my desk again, didn't I?" She muttered as she rubbed her forehead.

"Yes, you did. But at least you finished grading all those tests."

"More students failed than passed." Rin yawned out as she stretched out her limbs. "It's September. They should be getting better scores." She then mumbled.

"Didn't Kondo-san say that if a majority of the class fails, it's because the teacher has failed her duties as an instructor?"

"Not when the school is run by a psychopath." Rin pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone before grabbing her glasses and putting them on.

"True."

"How much more time do we need before I get to eliminate Dōgen?" Rin quietly grumbled as she stretched her limbs again. Ugh, she was way more limber a few years ago. "It's been too many years...and only five of them want to leave Hebijo" She then recalled and reminded herself.

"It is still better than none at all."

Rin sighed to that, knowing that fact was true. "I'll take a shower first." The Hebijo teacher soon decided as she began unbuttoning her white dress shirt, revealing her black camisole, and folded said shirt before setting it aside and starting to take off her miniskirt. After unzipping and pulling said skirt down, she then set it aside as well, all while revealing her black stockings rimmed with black paisley, attached with a garter belt.

She then stripped her camisole off, baring her large chest somehow, and removed her shoes before snapping off the garter belts and pulling down her thigh-length socks, now leaving in her semi-nude. Finally, she pulled down her stocking and set it aside along with her clothes.

She was now fully nude in the middle of her office while undoing her ponytail before casually walking towards the private bathroom.

"You're just gonna leave your clothes back there?"

"Already locked the door in case someone barges in." Rin responded as she entered the bathroom and turned on the lights before taking her glasses off and setting it aside. "Unless they improvise on how to get in or something urgent happens, of course." She then added as she approached the shower before turning it on, raining lukewarm water onto the Hebijo teacher's nude body and the sounds of water spattering echoing around the bathroom while giving out steam. It was then followed by the sounds of her moaning in relief as she ran her hands through her wet, straightened hair.

The steam actually didn't calm her down at all...or the warmth...or water currently going down her spine and in between her buttcheeks.

It just reminded her of the fog and the warmth and wetness she felt as she was being pulled deeper and deeper into the infinite darkness, gasping for air and futilely to trying to claw her way out and the feeling of-

SLAP!

"Ow!" The purplette yelped out while snapping out of the daze she was in. "Ugh, I should not have done that with a loofa in my hand." Rin groaned with a wince before scrubbing her back with it.

Damn, this was a lot more enjoyable with Daidōji when they lived together once.

She soon began rubbing the loofa down the rest of her nude body, getting every nook and cranny of it while covering it with soap suds. Her breasts, waist, hips, legs, and arms all covered in suds.

SPLASH!

She turned on the shower again, rinsing off the suds down and revealing her slightly glistening, wet nude skin once again as she then exited the shower and got a towel as she started drying herself off. After a while, she was now dry and looked at the steam covered mirror for a moment.

Going and wiping the steam away, Rin blinked as she saw her younger self staring back at her. From the days before her life went to hell. "...I thought I'd look older by now." She deadpanned before reaching for her hairbrush.

A few minutes brushing her hair and soon it was straight enough for her standards, so she began tying it into a bun like usual.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Rin hummed out, already getting the feeling who was calling her as she grabbed her phone.

[TruthSeeker22: Morning. Just wanted to check up on you.]

[MyHawkSensei14: You're getting a little sloppy with that, Leader. Enjoying your honeymoon too much?]

[TruthSeeker22: Still going through that movie marathon. Next week is back to work though.]

[TruthSeeker22: Anything we need to worry about as soon as we get back?]

[MyHawkSensei14: Nothing so far. Kiriya-sensei hasn't said the codeword yet.]

[TruthSeeker22: Ah, gotta go. Trial of the Dragon 7: Revenge of Killers is on.]

[MyHawkSensei14: Good luck.]

"Kiriya-sensei...Yu..." Rin soon muttered while sporting a pink blush.

The both of them had grown up so gracefully over the years. Maturing into fine young men...

Very fine men...

"You're drooling."

That snapped her back to reality and began blushing scarlet for a moment before shaking it off. "Sorry." Rin apologized as she wiped the drool off her chin.

Chie really was a lucky one.

But she still had a chance with Kiriya...

Right?

"Too old, too young. You really are into age gaps."

"I am not." Rin denied. "I should've been faster calling dibs..." She grumbled as she grabbed her toothbrush before putting toothpaste on it and brushing her teeth.

Once her dental hygiene was taken care of, she grabbed some fresh appropriate clothes from her closet and put it on slowly.

While she could change faster than a person could blink, she always felt a little sexier rolling her stockings up her thighs and snapping the waistband of her panties on her hips. Made her feel like she was in high school, ready to blow the pants off her sensei any day now.

Seriously, any day now. Like two or three years tops.

The teacher did a quick twirl to ensure nothing was out of place on her outfit. "Prim, proper, adult." Rin muttered to herself before putting on her glasses. "Time to go check on the girls." She got out before heading out of her bedroom.

From there, Rin retreated into the recesses of her mind, safe and sound. It was Suzune who must face the outside world.

BOOM!

And all the madness that went with it.

"Urgh..." Suzune let out a long suffering groan before rushing over to the source of the explosion. "Yomi, we made it clear you were banned from the kitchen for the rest of your life!" She got out in a very unamused manner, glaring at the soot-covered girl.

"Sorry!" Yomi called out from the kitchen.

"Honestly, you are just as bad as Haruka when it comes to her experiments..." Suzune soon stated. "Ryōbi!" She then called out.

"Sensei!" The brunette responded, appearing right next to her as fast as a bullet.

"Get the flamethrower." The teacher soon ordered.

The sadistic girl instantly beamed. "Yes, ma'am~!" Ryōbi replied.

"NNNNOOOOOO!" Yomi cried. "I'll burn before you touch my breakfast!" She soon declared.

"Well, you won't mind if we target your bean sprout garden too." Ryōbi cackled before rushing off.

Yomi immediately paled to that. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" She cried out, rushing after the brunette.

Suzune meanwhile just sweatdropped at the interaction.

"Since when did we get a flamethrower?" Hikage had to ask while rubbing Poochie's belly.

"Hebijo had a wasp infestation a few years ago and it seemed like a good idea at the time." Suzune shamefully revealed with a sigh while the bridge of her nose. "We needed so much burn cream after that day..." She then mumbled while rubbing her cheek.

"...How is this school still standing?" Hikage soon asked.

"Many, many investors." Suzune simply responded. "Now, where is Ryōna?" She questioned.

"Playing in the basement with the love slaves." Hikage simply answered. "I'll go get her." She then offered.

"Please do." Suzune responded. The last time she went to that basement, those dogs jumped onto her legs and...worked to completion on her shins.

She was really hoping Haruka was learning some humanity while in Tokyo. Or at least the definition of the words restraint and ethical standards.

Although, she had prayed for that when Haruka was still here and well...she wouldn't have had pleasure parasites in her breasts last year, wouldn't she?

At that moment, a certain masochist entered the room, wearing a kinky outfit that barely covered anything. However, she didn't seem all that happy like usual.

"Is that a shock collar?" Suzune questioned with a raised eyebrow, noticing the said masochist holding something.

"Yes it is." Ryōna sighed sadly. "It doesn't work though." She then informed.

"Really?" Mirai got out in an interested tone before grabbing the collar and examining it herself and hitting the button on the remote.

...

Nothing happened

"Huh, didn't work. Guess it hasn't been used for a while no-" Mirai began before...

ZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPP! THUD!

"I somehow knew that was going to happen." Hikage nonchalantly commented as she noticed the first-year dropped on the ground after being zapped.

"N-Ngh..." Mirai sputtered with a twitch. "Should've...expected that ..." She groggily got out.

"Please give me your weakness!" Ryōna eventually requested in excitement.

"Screw...you..." Mirai groaned, attempting to flip her off but her paralyzed body was unable to fulfill its duty.

Wow, a migraine at 7:32 AM. That was easily fourth place in her Top 10 Earliest Headaches. "Ryōna, have you finished packing?" Suzune questioned.

"No~!" The blonde in mention responded.

"I won't punish you if you're not done." Suzune bluntly informed.

"Oh! Then yes!" Ryōna happily replied.

"Good. You will be leaving on the 15th of this month." Suzune reminded. "Remember, this is not a vacation. It is a-" She then began.

"An unsupervised solo reconnaissance and information relay mission meant to update our current shinobi on the situation and to test your skills in an uncertain yet dangerous environment." Hikage, Mirai, and Ryōna all finished in unison.

"..." Suzune blinked as she looked at the masochistic blonde. "I haven't given you that spiel yet." She then stated.

"I found your cue cards~" Ryōna revealed.

"Found, she says." Mirai mumbled.

"Why do you have cue cards in the first place?" Hikage had to ask as Poochie tilted her head in confusion.

"That doesn't matter." Suzune got out while shaking her head. "What else did you find?" She then asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"Well, a bunch of old chopsticks with numbers on it and-" Ryōna began.

"And 10 laps around the school if you don't stop talking." Suzune quickly interrupted without any hesitation.

"Oh, very well~! I also-" Ryōna continued.

"And a foot massage." Suzune quickly added.

Ryōna suddenly clammed up. "...I'll be good." She then promised in a meek manner.

Suzune blinked. Was giving her a foot massage that bad of a punishment for her? Her feet weren't that bad...

Meanwhile, Ryōna was keeping quiet. Her feet were killing her right now, and if she lost any of that delicious pain by getting a foot massage, she'd cry for real.

"Anyways, back to the topic at hand, do you remember the first rule when entering dangerous territory?" The teacher questioned.

"When in doubt, rub one out~!" Ryōna happily replied.

"...Just don't draw attention to yourself." Suzune soon ordered.

"No promises~!" Ryōna happily reassured.

"...I'm not even going to try." Suzune groaned, finally giving up.

At that moment, the purplette stumbled into the room. Despite sleeping for way longer than usual, she looked like she just ran a marathon where every observer was armed with a slingshot and flaming rocks.

"Murasaki, why are you smoking?" Suzune soon asked, waving off the dark smoke coming from the girl's uniform. It seems like she slept in it.

"Clown test." The tired examinee responded, swaying on her feet like a drunk.

"Well, I suggest you get over it soon." Suzune advised. "If you want to be an Elite, I would highly recommend that you start training right now." She then added.

"But...I'll die." Murasaki mumbled.

"That is the risk us shinobi must take on a daily basis." Suzune reminded. "That room is a prison, let the fear of death set you free." She then instructed.

"I-I'll get to training soon, sensei." Murasaki responded. She wasn't going to give up now, not by a long shot after everything she had been through.

She was tired of being mentally weak!

"That fire in your eyes..." Suzune began, her eyes narrowed though had a smirk on her face. "...Is what should've been there from the beginning of this conversation. Now move it." She then stated and ordered.

"Hai!" Murasaki enthusiastically responded, removing her uniform for her training outfit before rushing off.

"...I should probably get her to train naked..." Suzune muttered to herself as she watched the girl run out of the room. However, she suddenly nearly tripped over something in the room. "Hm? Huh, she left her toy here." She noted while picking it up by one of its legs.

"I have to keep going...no stops...I have to keep going...no stops...no pizza..." Bebeby droned, repeating those phrases quietly to herself.

"...How is the bear curled up into a ball like it's traumatized!?" Mirai exclaimed as she waved her hands over it. "There aren't even any strings! Did she put robotics in there!?" She then added.

"Did Murasaki-chan record voice lines for that thing?" Ryōna wondered with a raised eyebrow.

"I think that's her way of coping with all those tests..." Hikage assumed.

"Guess she's starting to grow up." Suzune simply stated as she placed it on the couch.

"Or crack." Hikage muttered under her breath.

FWOOOOOOOSH!

"BURN MYSTERY FOOD X BURN! MWHAHAHAHAHA!" Ryōbi laughed in a manical manner from outside as smoke began rising.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Yomi meanwhile cried while her food screamed for help.

Suzune's eye immediately twitched upon hearing that name. "Not again..." She thought in a haunted and traumatized manner.

"I think some others are starting to crack as well." Mirai added.

"Ryōbi, enough!" Suzune called out. "Yomi, let this be a lesson to listen to your superiors. We do not simply do what we do because we do not like you but to ensure the safety and well-being of you and others, which you have ignored every time you stepped into the kitchen." She soon stated and explained.

"H-Hai, sensei..." Yomi whimpered. "It won't happen again." She reassured,

"You said that last time, but it seems we need a more...effective solution." Suzune decided with a small smirk.

"Oh no." Yomi whimpered in a fear-filled manner.

"Ryōbi, Ryōna, make sure to tie up Yomi in the gymnasium for her personal training today before you head for your classes." Suzune casually ordered. "Just want to beat it into her head that she can no longer use a kitchen utensil ever again. But make sure she can still fight. She needs to be available for Murasaki's Elite test." She then added.

"What!?" Yomi exclaimed.

"Actually, it will be a nice opportunity for something." Suzune suddenly realized before taking out her phone. "Sorry for the interruption this morning. To any available and willing student, including new arrivals, please bring Yomi to the gymnasium by 1400 using any means necessary. She is currently in the Elites room right now. To any who manage to successfully complete this mission, you get the day off and extra credit for your next test." She then announced, her voice echoing around the school.

"Sensei!?" Yomi squeaked out in shock.

"I suggest you run." Suzune stated in a matter-of-fact tone. And that was all the mercy she was willing to give the girl.

Yomi whimpered before dashing outside of the room with the twins chasing after her, their guns already out and ready to fire.

"That's new." Hikage commented.

"We upgraded." Suzune informed as she put away her phone. "Now, how goes your plans for Murasaki's Elite test?" She soon questioned.

"...Given that we are essentially strategizing at gunpoint, it is going well." Hikage replied. "We've noted key weaknesses Murasaki has, and possible disadvantages she may have on the day of the test. By our estimates she has a forty percent chance to pass."

"Forty percent?" Suzune repeated with a raised eyebrow before frowning. "You're being generous." She then accused.

"...Twenty-six." Mirai corrected with a sigh.

"Good." Suzune responded in a more satisfied tone. "Elites must do the impossible to even be seen as viable. If you truly believe in her abilities, do not hold back." She then stated.

"Yes, sensei." Hikage and Mirai responded with a nod.

Suzune soon let out a breath. With that, she had resolved every (current) problem within the Elites.

But there was still the rest of the day she had to deal with before she could go to sleep tonight (probably on her desk again).

"Ugh...being an adult sucks..." Suzune quietly mumbled under her breath.

"Quiet down out there." Imu yawned, still in her PJs as she walked into the room with a cup of coffee. "What's with all the ruckus this morning?" She soon asked.

"The usual." Hikage replied with a shrug while the puppy blew a raspberry at the sandy blonde.

"You teach her that?" Imu bluntly accused.

"Nope, self taught." Hikage revealed with a smirk.

"...I'm going to get ready for classes now." Imu bluntly informed, heading back to her room.

"I should be too." Suzune breathed out. She hadn't gotten her breakfast yet, and she felt like she dealt with the Elites efficiently enough so maybe she had just enough time to-

"BEAR!"

"What? Why is there a bear here!? Everything around here is dead! AAAGGGHHH!"

"Again, Aki-chan!? Goddammit...let me get the nurse to sew your leg back on...again..."

"Eh? What's happen- AAAAHHHHH!" They all suddenly heard the purplette scream in terror.

"Murasaki-chan, what's- Why is it cuddling up to her?" Yomi began in worry before asking in confusion after seeing it hugging the purplette.

"G-Good boy...n-nice boy..." Murasaki stammered out while petting the animal hugging her. "P-P-Please help." She quietly begged in a panic.

And...there goes her breakfast time. Wonderful.

Just another day at Hebijo for Suzune.

---

(Harajuku, Haruka's Apartment)

"You make some damn good eggs, Tsumuji-chan." Haruka complimented.

"Thank you Haruka-sama." Her live-in maid responded with a bow. "There's not many people who can actively ruin eggs though." She then confessed.

"You would be surprised." Haruka giggled out as she continued eating.

"You seem happy Haruka-sama." Tsumuji noted.

"Well, darling is returning soon~" Haruka cooed out in a delighted manner.

"He left?" Tsumuji asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Hai, a school trip to Hawaii." Haruka replied and revealed.

"...Who's school trip is to Hawaii?" Tsumuji questioned in a deadpan tone.

"D-Darling's." Haruka stammered out. "It's most likely because the principal at his school doesn't want any of the students to say anything about his involvement with the abusive rapist gym teacher they used to have." She then assumed.

"...Schools don't suddenly go on trips at the drop of a hat." Tsumuji pointed out. "Things like that are planned well in advance. Even missions from our school are planned at least a week before or in a few hours. Something like a international trip isn't easily organized, ya dumb- I mean, Haruka-sama." She then stated before correcting herself.

"Well, it's certainly convenient." Haruka stated.

"And you don't know how the school system works." Tsumuji deadpanned.

"And you..." Haruka began before blinking. "...Shut up." She then mumbled quietly while looking away.

"Hah!" Tsumuji called out with a smile on her face.

"I said shut it!" Haruka insisted with a glare.

"Yes, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji immediately responded.

"..."

"..." Tsumuji got the message and just nodded.

"Thank you." Haruka breathed out. "Still, it is most likely due to the incompetence of Shujin Academy as well as its principal being in hot water for hiding the fact that essentially he allowed a rapist to get away with everything he did." She then assumed.

"..."

"...You may speak." Haruka ordered.

"Yes. I already know that. Who hasn't by this point?" Tsumuji got out in a somewhat annoyed manner. "That man will be getting what is coming to him. Most likely up his asshole." She then stated.

"I know darling would appreciate it." Haruka giggled out. "I think his luck is finally turning around right now. I'm sure he's enjoying every moment he has in Hawaii." She then sighed in a love filled manner as she looked out the window.

---

(9/11, Morning)

(Hawaii, Hotel Lobby)

"I hated every single moment of that." Akira freely admitted with a dead look on his face.

"Yeah. You've said that a lot and I do not blame you." Makoto sighed as she shook her head.

The Thieves looked, and felt, exhausted. That morning, not only were they woken up way before the sun rose, the teachers decided it would be a wonderful idea to squeeze in one more lesson on the history of Hawaii and a workshop to write out what they learned throughout their entire stay in one thousand words.

"They really had to squeeze in one more lecture before we go..." Akira deadpanned as he flexed his hand. He had never written so fast before just so he wouldn't have homework when they got home.

"At least we have an hour or two before we need to head to the buses." Makoto muttered as she checked her phone.

"And how long is our break?" Akira decided to ask as he attempted to check his glassed.

"...In two minutes, over." Makoto answered.

"We've literally spent our free time complaining in the lobby?" Ann mumbled out.

"Yep." Akira answered with a curt nod before putting his glasses back on.

Ryuji simply groaned.

"Hello, everyone." Yusuke greeted and he and Yumi walked up to them with their luggage in hand. "Where are your bags?" He soon noticed.

"Still in our rooms. We're getting them after our last lecture ends." Akira answered. "Wait, what have you guys been doing for your thing?" He soon asked.

"..."

"...You essentially got a free vacation, didn't you?" Akira soon accused.

"We...just went on a trip around the beaches to study the local flora." Yumi muttered. "We only had 8 allergic reactions." She then added.

"And what did you learn?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How to use an epipen." Yusuke answered.

"That sounds fun." Akira got out in a flat tone.

"Very." Yumi sighed.

"How's Rito and his friends, by the way?" Ryuji eventually asked.

"He's...holding up, so to speak." Yumi responded in a vague manner.

"Let me guess, the usual tripping accidents?" Ann assumed with crossed arms.

"H-Hai...tripped over Yami-san into an indecent situation and she began chasing him." Yumi sighed out.

"It was challenging trying to calm Yami-san down." Yusuke revealed. "Even her friends and sometimes other students got involved." He then added.

"Cataplectic Indecency Syndrome, he calls it that." Akira recalled.

"Huh?" The ash blonde got out as she heard that. "What was that, Akira?" She soon asked.

"Rito told me and the guys about it. Some term that his school nurse made up for him." Akira began before explaining the rest about the term in detail.

"...Seriously?" Ann got out, completely baffled.

"Hai, I talked to Mikado-sensei about it as well and she explained it to me." Yumi recalled with a nod of confirmation. "It does make you feel bad for him." She then admitted.

"That is...pretty surprising." Makoto had to admit as she blinked a couple of times.

"Kinda makes it hard to understand and forgive him if you're a girl and all or something." Ryuji meanwhile confessed.

"I mean if it's a medical thing, then it really isn't his fault." Ann pointed out.

"I don't think most people would understand it though." Makoto however stated. "And believe me, if it was ever wide spread, there would be a lot more accidents happening. If anything, I think he's just a klutz rather than disabled." She soon stated.

"Yeah...it is kinda a miracle we haven't heard about him getting arrested at one point this entire time." Akira muttered. "Lucky bastard...then again..." He then grumbled and added in a soft tone.

"Hey, where's Asuka and Homura?" Ryuji suddenly asked as he looked around.

"I'm not sure. They disappeared as soon as the lecture ended." Makoto replied with a shrug.

"They're probably packing up." Ann guessed.

"Or they were sunbathing on the rooftop." Akira added in a flat tone.

"Pfft. That's ridiculous." Yumi giggled. "Not impossible, but ridiculous." She then added.

"Eh, Asuka did say she wanted to work on her tan when we first got here." Ryuji recalled. "W-Wait, what made you think they were sunbathing in the first place?" He soon asked in confusion.

"Look." Akira soon instructed as he looked in a specific direction.

To that, the others looked to see two familiar faces in their matching swimsuits and getting the attention of every other student, male and female gawking at their beauty, though one of them was slightly unrecognizable due to a certain change.

To be more blunt, it was Asuka. Sporting a light tan all over her body.

"They're still in their swimsuits!?"

"Goddamn they're hot as hell!"

"I'll let Homura discipline me anytime!"

"Uhhh..."

"Stop staring, dude!"

"Hello, my dear friends. Enjoy your break?" Homura asked with a grin. "We sure did. Isn't that right, Sis?" She then added.

"Yep!" Asuka happily replied.

"Holy shit, you two really look like twins now." Ryuji got out with widened eyes.

"I know!" Asuka replied with giddy in her voice. "I got really tan!" She then declared before looking at her sister. "So, how do I look, Homu-neechan?" She then asked in a little sister-like tone.

"Sis, there are too many compliments to give you." Homura honestly responded while giving her a thumbs up. "So for now, I can say it suits you greatly. Like it was made for you." She soon confessed.

Asuka in turn giggled at that. "Hehe, thanks Homu-neechan." She happily replied as she looked at the others. "So, what do you guys think besides looking like Homu-neechan?" She then asked while going into one of her modeling poses.

"It really suits you Asuka-san." Yumi admitted with a nod and a smile on her face.

"Huh, I never noticed it until now." Makoto remarked.

"Did...did you two sunbathe naked?" Ann asked in disbelief.

Asuka however giggled to her friends. "You can find that out later." She got out with a naughty wink. "So, Akira-kun, what do you think?" She soon asked.

I haven't noticed until now.

I barely recognized you.

You look exotic.

Akira soon gave a thumbs up. "You look exotic Asuka." He soon declared. "Enjoy it while it lasts." He then added with a smile.

"Yeah!" Asuka cheered...right before reality crashed around her. "...Wait, what?" She then squeaked.

"You...You do realize tans don't last, right? Your skin will go back to normal in a week or so." Makoto informed. "Even with some help, it only extends it by a few days. At least, without the risk of dark spots." She then stated.

"..." Asuka had a blank look on her face, remaining silent for at least thirty seconds...before collapsing to her knees. "I WORKED SO HARD ON IT!" She soon whined.

"There there, Sis." Homura comforted while patting her sister's head. "...Wait, does that mean my tits are gonna be pale again!?" She suddenly gasped as she covered her chest.

Several of the smarter Thieves opened their mouths to say something, before they all gained thoughtful and confused expressions.

"No idea." Akira soon answered.

"You know, I kinda wonder why Homura's tan has lasted so long if it only lasts a week..." Ryuji muttered out as he narrowed his eyes on her naked skin.

"And it's so perfect too..." Ann added. "Um...do you need to see Takemi...?" She then asked.

"Nah, my former family was naturally tan like this to begin with." Homura casually explained.

"Including the paleness around the...you know?" Ryuji assumed as he grabbed his imaginary ninja-level boobs.

"My family is very, very genetically weird." Homura simply stated with a sweatdrop. "Though that could be due to the bandages I used to wear all the time instead of a bra." She casually added.

"Still unhealthy." Ann noted as the other girls nodded in agreement.

"But Daidōji-senpai doesn't have something like that, and she spends a lot of time outside." Asuka pointed out. "I don't think your bandages have anything to do with your permanently tan skin." She then added.

"What the hell are you two wearing!?" The Thieves suddenly heard Kawakami call out as she stomped her way over to the group. "We're supposed to go back to the lecture right now! I expected this from other students but I didn't expect it from-" She soon reminded and began lecturing, however...

WHOOSH!

"What?" Homura asked in confusion. "We're in our uniforms." She pointed out as she tugged on one of her ripped sleeves.

"What the-" Kawakami got out before blinking and rubbing her eyes before shaking her head. "...Asuka-san, Homura-san. Be honest with me. Can you use magic?" She soon asked in a serious manner.

The Thieves blinked at that, wondering if they should answer the question or not. "...Yyyyesss?" Asuka answered in an unsure manner.

"...That would explain so much about these past few months." The teacher mumbled to herself.

"What?" The Thieves got out in confusion.

"Your break is over. Go back and finish the lecture." Kawakami ordered as she went off to get other students to stop their lollygagging.

"Yes, sensei." Akira responded as he grabbed the sisters' hands and dragged them over to the recreation room for their next hour of learning or whatever.

---

(9/11, Daytime)

(Hawaii, Hotel Lobby)

"Are you sure you got everything, Sis?" Homura asked as they left the elevator.

"Yes. This is the sixth time you've asked me that." Asuka reassured. "Homu-neechan, don't you trust me?" She soon asked with big watery eyes.

"Of course I do." Homura responded as she cuddled her sister.

"Don't just say that. Show it with your actions." Asuka pointed out before suddenly stopping. "...Aw crapbaskets." She mumbled in realization.

"You forgot something." Homura assumed, stifling a giggle.

"N-No. Just...give me a second." Asuka stammered out with a blush before...

WHOOSH!

"Oh thank god, I couldn't leave that here..." Asuka breathed out as she quickly stuffed her bikini bottoms into her luggage before zipping it up once again. "You see, I did make sure I didn't forget anything." She then stated as she puffed out her chest.

"I knew you would." Homura couldn't help but laugh, embarrassing her sister a little more before seeing their friends. "Hey, guys! Ready to leave paradise?" She jokingly asked.

"Somewhat reluctantly." Akira answered.

"The school trip is finally coming to a close..." Makoto breathed out. "I never thought I would have the chance to go on the one this year as well..." She then muttered.

"Where did you go last year?" Homura asked with a raised eyebrow.

"New York City." Makoto answered. "Let me tell you that when people call it the City that Never Sleeps, they mean it." She then groaned in a tired manner.

"Ouch." Akira got out as everyone winced.

"It barely even felt like I was outta the country though." Ryuji complained.

"Even Yusuke and Yumi showed up." Ann remarked.

"We're still right here." Yumi reminded the group as she and the boy in mention approached the other Thieves. "Looks like we're going on the same flight together...no wonder we had to wait so long..." She assumed as she checked the plane tickets the teachers at Kosei handed out earlier.

"Ooh! Yay!" Asuka cheered. "Looks like this vacation will last all the way from here to Tokyo." She then added.

"Well, it will certainly be way more entertaining than yesterday." Ryuji grumbled.

"It may not have been the most exciting trip, but we still had a good time." Makoto commented, thinking about their whole trip.

"Honestly though, I'm thankful we didn't have to deal with the storm. They truly are dreadful..." Yusuke responded in a relieved manner.

"So, what'd you end up doin' yesterday? You keepin' secrets from me? That's against the bro code!" Ryuji eagerly asked and stated with a grin, turning to the Leader.

Akira then thought about his response. "...I was...at the beach. That's it." He soon answered.

"That's it?" Ryuji asked in disbelief. "By yourself!? No way I'm gonna believe that!" He then declared in denial.

"The desperation in your face is quite unbecoming, Ryuji." Yusuke remarked.

"Ryuji...what were you doing yesterday?" Yumi questioned in a threatening manner as she and the other girls all gave him the same look.

"I was just...hanging out with Mishima at the beach." Ryuji vaguely revealed. "Oh, and Yusuke's with us at that time." He then added.

"Yes. Ryuji here was attempting to...pick up girls." Yusuke spoke up. "And nearly revealed that he was a Phantom Thief to a foreign fan." He then informed in a serious tone.

"Yu-Yusuke, the hell, man!?" Ryuji exclaimed.

"Oh, goddammit Ryuji!" Homura growled as she glared at the dyed blond. "Seriously!? Are you trying to get us busted!?" She questioned in disapproval.

"C-Come on, it's not like people are getting arrested every time they say they're a Phantom Thief." Ryuji tried to explain himself as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Ryuji, are you kidding me right now!?" Ann called out before blinking. "Hold on, what would make people believe you're a Phantom Thief in the first place?" She then questioned.

"Uhhh..." Ryuji got out.

"You really need to think before you leap, Ryuji." Homura sighed as she shook her head in disappointment. "Morgana is gonna kill you once he hears about this." She then added in a deadpan tone.

"And Miyabi...maybe Futaba." Ann added. "That little gremlin can be mean..." She then added under her breath while pouting.

"Akira, please back me up here!" Ryuji begged.

"Hey, what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii." Akira stated.

"What!? Come on, guys, gimme a break here!" Ryuji pleaded.

"Sorry, my hands are all sweaty." Akira responded in a flat tone. "Don't worry, I'll support you...from behind a plant." He then promised.

"...What?" Ryuji got out in confusion before the Vice Leader quickly leaned in and whispered into the dyed blond's ear. "Oh...uh...sorry?" He awkwardly apologized.

"That's enough, you guys." Makoto got out, interrupting the entire argument. "It's almost time for us to leave." She then informed.

"Thank you, Prez." Ryuji breathed out in relief.

"But you are getting a lecture from the bus until we land back home." Homura and Makoto quickly added at the same time, the dyed blond freezing in his place with a nervous posture.

"It felt like this trip went by in a flash. I'm not sure if I want to go home or stay here longer at this point..." Ann confessed.

"I don't have such complications." Homura however stated as she shook her head. "Urgh...I miss our apartment. Hopefully Miyabi hasn't broken into all that much while we were away." She then got out.

"Hai! I'm ready to head home and get back to work!" Asuka called out with a fist pump.

"Yes. It would be best for us to gather clues on that case sooner rather than later, correct?" Yusuke reminded the group.

"Yeah! People're totally waitin' for us to take action!" Ryuji declared. "Let's not keep 'em waitin' any longer!" He then got out with a fist pump.

With that, the Thieves nodded and started making their way to the exit.

"Hm, Futaba-chan didn't really text us all that much this trip." Asuka soon realized before checking her phone to see if there were any missed messages. "I wonder what's happening back home..." She then got out.

"Eh, it's probably fine." Akira got out with a shrug. "Come on, we can swing by the gift shop at the airport." He then suggested.

"Oh, right! Souvenirs!" Asuka called out as they began to pick up the pace.

Soon, the Thieves, along with other Shujin Academy students and teachers, proceeded to the hotel entrance to wait for their buses.

"Wait...Yumi, Yusuke, you're from Kosei, not Shujin." Akira pointed out. "Where's your schoolmates and faculty?" He then asked.

"They're outside. The lobby is too crowded." Yumi informed. "Actually, we should be going. I think they're having a roll call soon." She then stated.

"It seems like we'll be catching up to you soon at the airport later." Yusuke deduced.

"Alright, see you there." Makoto responded.

And with that, Yumi and Yusuke briskly walked back to their respective school group but not before waving back to their fellow Thieves.

"Aaaaaand back to the waiting game." Akira commented, clearly bored.

"Wanna complain more, dude?" Ryuji asked.

"Nah...I'm out of complaints." Akira replied with a shrug. "Bitching and moaning like a girl might be on the table though." He then admitted as the Thieves waited for...something interesting to happen, at least.

"..."

"..."

"Wait, moaning like a what?" Ryuji asked,

"Like a cow." Akira replied. "Now, let's wait." He then added.

After a while, two buses pulled over in front of the hotel entrance before both of their respective doors hissed open.

"Alright! Shujin Academy students, please enter the buses and maintain order as much as possible." Kawakami instructed. "Disciplinary Committee, assist with the embarking!" She then requested.

To that, Homura nodded as the other committee members assembled. "Hai!" She and the others responded at the same time.

"...What do we do?" Ichiko meanwhile asked.

"Wait, doesn't she mean disembarking." Hikari soon pointed out.

"Everyone, get into your classes! We're going to make sure no one is left behind!" Homura began ordering. "2-A, you are over there. 2-B, to their left. And so on and so forth! Hurry up, everyone, we're on a tight schedule, let's go!" She then instructed and ordered before turning to her committee. "Alright, everyone, take a class. You'll be in charge of their roll call." She soon stated.

Instinctively, Makoto straightened herself up, unconsciously letting her chest bounce slightly, before proceeding forward and getting everyone's attention by clapping loudly. "Everyone, do what the committee says. Make sure everything and everyone is accounted for." She soon instructed aloud before tending to the students.

"Looks like they got themselves from here." Akira assumed. "Come on, guys. On the bus." He then decided as the other Thieves got on the bus.

---

(9/11, Afternoon)

(Hawaii, Airport)

In the busy front of the airport with cars pulling over and driving off as well as people walking around entering and exiting the airport, two buses arrived and pulled over in front of the airport in empty spaces for the passengers to safely get off.

"Alright, students, get your belongings with you and proceed to the airport." Kawakami informed the class as everyone began to get off the bus. "Make sure you don't leave anything behind, because we are not going to return once we get on the plane." She then instructed.

"Grr...effin' hell..." The dyed blond grumbled as he hefted his bag over his shoulder.

"Regretting using a backpack now, Ryuji?" Akira guessed as he pulled down his bag from the overhead compartment.

"No, I forgot my lucky shirt at the hotel." Ryujin groaned as he scratched his hair in frustration.

"...You have, like, several copies of that shirt. You're wearing one right now." Ann pointed out. "Where did you get all those copies anyways?" She then asked.

"They were on sale at one of the stores at the beach..." Ryuji casually revealed.

The Thieves, including the other students of Shujin Academy, now exited the bus and proceeded to enter the airport in casual fashion.

"Hey, the gift shop is over here!" Ann soon noticed with a grin.

"Alright, everyone. Time for a little shopping spree." Akira announced as the Thieves headed inside.

It actually didn't take all that long to find souvenirs to bring back home with them, especially since they had a lot of money burning in their pocket so didn't have to be all that picky. Soon enough, the Thieves all left the gift shop with smiles on their faces.

"Do you think everyone back home would like this?" Asuka asked as she looked at the stuff she bought at the gift shop. She had gotten everyone she knew a gift. From her friends at Hanzō, to her parents and grandparents, and last but not the least, her fellow Thieves stuck in Japan.

"Asuka-san, I'm sure they'll like anything you bring them." Yumi assured, having bought a lot of gifts herself for her own family. "All of that stuff is pretty nice, if a little overpriced." She then added.

"I got some Hawaiian coffee, a tiki cup, and macadamia nuts." Ryuji got out as he sifted through his paper bag of gifts. "I'm sure my mom would love this stuff." He then concluded.

"Ryuji-kun, we have Hawaiian coffee at home." Asuka reminded. "At Leblanc." She then added.

"And? I think my mom would like to make it herself in the morning instead of headin' to Yongen every day." Ryuji explained.

"...Good point." Asuka couldn't help but agree. "Homu-neechan, what did you buy?" She soon asked in a curious manner.

"I just got a bunch of photos printed and some shampoo." Homura answered as she pulled out a photo of Ann, Ryuji, and Akira eating watermelon at the beach.

"Oooh, nice pic Homura." Ann got out in an impressed manner with a smile.

"You're the one who took it. I just got it developed." Homura replied with a grin. "But at least it's better than clearing out the sweets section. You gotta think a little more long-lasting, Ann." She then added and advised.

"Hey, I got a necklace too." Ann stated with a pout. "Please back me up here, Makoto." She soon requested.

"Why are you dragging me into this?" Makoto sighed out.

"Your gift bag's a little light there, Prez." Ryuji noted. "What gives?" He then asked.

"Saving money is important even if we do have a lot of it to spend." Makoto explained. "Plus, I only bought some small things. Mostly for my sister." She then revealed.

"You didn't want anything in the shop for yourself?" Yumi asked in a curious manner.

"No. Not really." Makoto responded as she shook her head. "It's fine. Just being overseas with friends is more than enough for me to-" She then started to explain.

"Here's a Hawaiian shirt. I hope you like dark blue. It's in your new size." Akira casually got out as he tossed the gift over to the advisor.

"I still want to throttle Katsuragi-san for that..." Makoto admitted with a sigh.

"She's in Asakusa. You could always do it when we get home." Homura revealed and suggested. "Although, I doubt you'll leave unscathed...or the same size." She then reminded.

"I'll...I'll train even harder than before. To avenge my former figure! JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!" Makoto soon decided and declared in a passionate manner...before remembering where she was and calmed down. "S-Sorry." She awkwardly apologized.

"Get a grope in for me." Asuka darkly growled.

"Going back home on an airplane once again..." Akira breathed out, looking out the window to see the plane parked at the terminal.

"Were you expecting for us to go back on a cruise ship?" Ann joked. "Come on, why did you say it in such a dramatic and wistful manner?" She soon asked while giggling.

"Well, this may be the last time we see Hawaii again." Akira answered, scratching his head. "Just want to take in everything before we step on." He then stated.

"Well, you're holding up the line so hurry up and put your stuff on the scanner thing!" Kawakami suddenly called out in an irritated manner, having ended up at the back of the line.

"Oh, sorry!" Akira responded before putting his luggage onto the conveyor belt.

Soon enough, the Thieves along with the Shujin students and teachers were now lounging around in their designated terminal, waiting for their plane to be ready.

"Is everything alright?" Homura questioned as she approached her friends.

"We're fine Homura." Ryuji replied with a wave.

"How about you?" Ann soon asked.

"Everything is in proper order at the moment." Homura revealed. "Just stopped some students from sneaking in some last minute purchases like condoms and booze. Didn't know that Hawaii has its own sake." She then stated.

"You think Miyabi would like a bottle?" Akira wondered in a curious manner.

"Shinobi don't drink very much." Yumi informed. "Any impairment to our senses is a death sentence according to Ojii-sama." She then explained.

"Yeah. I guess that makes sense." Akira responded with a nod of understanding. "Hey, Yumi, any trouble with your group?" He soon asked,

"No." Yumi responded before thinking about it. "Well, actually..." She then began.

"WAAAAAAAH!" A familiar voice yelled out.

"Eh?" Homura got out in confusion before...

CRASH!

"...That." Yumi sighed out.

"Are you alright, Homura!?" Yui got out in shock and concern as she suddenly rushed over with the rest of the Kosei students.

"...Again, Rito-san?" Homura however calmly asked in a deadpan, not even phased by what happened between herself and the boy.

"S-Sorry Homura-san!" Rito exclaimed as he jumped off the girl, face scarlet and steaming.

"Ri-Rito-san..." Haruna mumbled with a blush at what happened.

"Hehe, sorry about that." Lala apologized with a giggle while rubbing the back of her head.

"What was it this time Lala-san?" Yumi sighed out.

"My tail accidently, erm...it was...ehehehehe..." The pinkette being questioned giggled out while rubbing the back of her head.

"Lala-san, you need to hide that tail more often." Yui sighed as she walked over, having seen the incident unfold. "I know that several people have asked us if you are wearing a butt-" She then started.

"Uh..." Ryuji got out in confusion while blinking a couple of times.

Nana began gritting her teeth in anger before attempting to rush towards the boy once again

"Nana-san, there is no need." Makoto however ordered, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"But he-" Nana started.

"Nana-san, I highly doubt Rito wanted that to happen." Akira meanwhile responded as the tan skinned girl got to her feet and dusted herself off and fixed her uniform. "And it's not like he appreciates it at all. At the very least, he doesn't deserve to be beaten to an inch of his life." He then noted in a more serious tone.

"You...hmph, whatever." Nana started, but eventually stated. "Also, I'm keeping an eye on you since you're now friends with this beast here." She soon declared.

"You're not from Shujin, nor my sister." Akira however reminded. "Unless you're the stalker type, that is." He then accused with a nonchalant tone along with a shrug.

"H-Haaah!?" Nana got out in annoyance, her jaw dropping at the accusation.

"Akira, if you make it sound like you're actually teasing, then there's no need for that." Homura however stated in a lecturing manner.

"I was being sarcastic." Akira responded with a sweatdrop, with the twin tailed pinkette narrowing her eyes at him. "Don't take it seriously, Nana-san." He then requested, facing the latter, who only huffed and turned her head away from him.

"That is no excuse, mister. It is not necessary to tease someone like that for the sake of attempting a joke. Furthermore..." Homura countered as she began wagging a finger at the glasses-wearing young man with her other hand on her hips while continuing her lecture, the latter sighing in response as he allowed her to keep talking.

"Great..." Akira mumbled in his head, adjusting his glasses as well while listening attentively from the tan skinned girl in...disciplinary-committee head mode, in his words.

As this was occuring, the others looked on, some amused and some surprised by the interaction between the two.

"And there she goes." Yumi began while holding back a giggle. "Well, as expected from her, at least." She then added with a smile, feeling proud for her fellow master in Elegance.

"Homura-san's really lecturing Akira." Makoto muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Hehe, that's Homu-nee for you." Asuka giggled out.

"Akira really should've expected this to happen." Ann meanwhile pointed out.

"She is really reminding me of senpai." Yusuke confessed, recalling her own lectures from the light gray haired girl. "I can imagine Homura doing this with Ryuji for twenty-four hours straight. Maybe more." He then added.

"Dude, don't say anything. I do not want a lecture from Homura too for that long." Ryuji however whispered.

Lala began happily laughing out loud at the sight. "Hahaha, those two seem like really good friends." She noted with a smile.

Haruna simply gazed at the scene in front of her. "This seems...really familiar." She meanwhile admitted with a sense of déjà vu.

Oshizu in turn nodded in agreement. "Hai. I mean, Homura here is friends with Yui-chan, right?" She then recalled.

"Akira-san seems to be an interesting guy, don't you think?" Momo noted.

"You think so?" Oshizu responded in a curious manner with a head tilt, getting a nod in response from the short haired pinkette.

"She reminds me of Kotegawa-san." Rito admitted with a sweatdrop, gazing at the tan-skinned girl from Shujin. "Only...less intimidating, I think." He then offhandedly added.

"Excuse me?" The girl in mention got out as she looked at the boy with narrowed eyes, earning a jolt from the latter.

"Hehe, in trouble again~" Risa quipped out in a teasing manner.

"My my, not even phased." Nemesis meanwhile noted in an impressed manner while looking at the other tan skinned girl.

"Hai..." Mea breathed out while blinking at the sight. "More different than Shameless-senpai here..." She then added in her head.

"She's different." Yami simply stated, nodding in approval to her actions.

The twin tailed pinkette however was in shock and confused by what was going on. "H-How are you not upset at what that beast did!?' Nana soon asked the tan skinned Shujin girl.

The tan skinned girl soon ceased her finger wagging and lecturing as she looked back at the pinkette. "Are you serious? I went to Shujin Academy at the height of Suguru Kamoshida's stranglehold over the school. I've seen what a true beast is, uncaring and thoughtless as they destroy whatever and whoever they want, with everyone too scared to even act and those who did were just cut down before they could even fight back. No...No, he was worse than a beast, he was a predator who didn't merely do it to survive, but to thrive from the suffering of others. A true beast is not a man who cannot control his urges, but someone who can but chooses not to." She calmly explained in great detail, her Adultlevel Maturity pulling through while adjusting her uniform, despite the ripped sleeves.

"So cool like always Homu-neechan." Asuka happily got out.

"Hai." Yumi admitted with a nod of agreement. "Well said, Homura-san." She then praised.

"...You haven't had your private parts exposed to him." Nana deadpanned, completely unmoved by the speech.

"Urk!" Homura physically winced, as if she was beaten back by a forcefield of tsundere.

"Nana-san..." Yumi sighed out.

"I-I-I-It's not like I mean to!" Rito exclaimed, face completely red, glowing and smoking.

"It's just a body, Nana." Momo however stated. "Everyone sees one eventually." She then added in amusement. "Though I guess you're still too young to acknowledge that." She concluded.

"We're the same age!" Nana countered. "And I'm the older twin between the two of us!" She then reminded.

"...Really?" Akira asked with a raised eyebrow while looking back and forth between the two while the dyed blond and the other pinkette couldn't help but snort while holding back laughing.

Nana, meanwhile, growled almost like a beast herself, glaring at the Phantom Thieves Leader with her fists clenched tightly as if she wanted to rip his balls off with her teeth.

"...You know what, I'm just gonna shut up." Akira decided with a sigh.

"Hey, guys, Mikado-sensei just texted me that I'm getting a first class seat! She said it was to isolate my uh...disease, but I can bring a friend-" Rito began to inform the group as he walked over to them.

And then the inevitable happened.

"Not again!" Yui exclaimed in her thoughts, bracing for the worst once again.

WOOSH! GRAB!

Only for a certain someone swiftly grab the back of the orange-brown haired boy's uniform to avoid falling onto one of the former's friends.

"What the-? H-Huh?" Rito got out, trying to process what happened before looking over his shoulder and noticing someone grabbing the back of his uniform.

"Not gonna let that happen to you again, Rito." Akira reassured with a slight smile and a nudge on his glasses.

Homura and Yumi sighed in relief at this occurrence. "That's our Leader for you." Both of them stated in sync in their own thoughts.

"He...He prevented it..." Yui quietly got out, processing what happened.

The girls from Kosei meanwhile stared at the scene in awe. Some of them had varying reactions, but still in awe.

"...Eh?" Lala and Haruna got out.

"How did he...?" Momo began in a surprised manner.

Nana meanwhile had a baffled expression at what happened. "Wha-?" She barely got out.

"Like I said, Rito, you really have bad luck when you're around women." Akira bluntly stated to him.

"S-Sorry..." Rito responded in a guilty tone. "And...thanks." He added in a grateful manner.

"No problem." Akira replied before positioning the boy back into proper standing position.

"Duuude...nice job." Ryuji got out.

Makoto had a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Akira." She then stated. In her mind though, she was a bit curious about how the boy's tripping accidents happen, but she didn't want to push it.

"Tch. Just because you stopped him doesn't prove he isn't a beast." Nana countered before storming off.

"Ah! Wait up Nana-chan!" Mea called out, going after her best friend.

"Nana..." Momo sighed out. "I apologize for her attitude towards others." She then added as she bowed to the others.

"Why is she like that?" Akira soon asked, one of his hands in his pockets and holding onto his phone.

"Because she hasn't lost his virginity to him yet." Lala casually and innocently informed the group. "But she can very, very soon. Probably in first class!" She then added.

In response, Akira simply looked at her. The fact that she sounded like it was an everyday thing was something else...like him and his friends. "Innocent...very, very innocent..." He thought to himself.

"...You guys are effin' weird." Ryuji bluntly admitted, a blush on his face to the pinkette's words.

"We get that a lot." Haruna admitted with a sweatdrop. "Sainan was...different to say the least from other schools." She vaguely added.

"I don't think Shujin is much better honestly." Ann sighed. "But I can see you guys really, really care for each other. It's kinda nice to see after, um...everything." She then noted and admitted.

"Hey, there's still a lot of good in this world. Like the Phantom Thieves." Rito replied with a smile. "We just have to keep going until we have nothing left to dream about." He then stated.

"That's actually really nice, Rito-san." Makoto admitted in an impressed manner.

"He has his moments." Nemesis admitted with a smirk.

"To all students of Kosei High, please begin boarding. I repeat, all students of Kosei High please begin boarding."

"Looks like Kosei's boarding first." Akira informed. "You guys better go." He then suggested.

"Right." Lala responded as she and her sister each grabbed the brown haired boy's hands, who blushed as a result.

"Sooo...I guess this is goodbye for now. Well, once we reach Japan and all." Ryuji got out.

"Yeah...seems so." Rito replied with a nod. "It was nice meeting you all." He then admitted.

"You too." Akira replied. "Good luck, for all that it's worth." He soon encouraged.

"To you as well." Rito responded. "Hope we see you around." He admitted.

"Maybe." Akira responded in a joking tone before Rito and his group left to board the plane. "...We're gonna have to wait an extra hour, aren't we?" He then realized.

"Yep." Homura replied just as several Shujin students groaned.

"We'll see you on the plane." Yusuke informed with a nod.

"In case we don't get seats near each other; goodbye, you guys." Yumi got out as she and Yusuke left the group to board the plane as well.

"...Wanna play some tycoon while we wait?" Akira soon suggested.

"Yeah, sure." Homura replied with a nod as they sat down.

It actually took an hour and a half for all the Kosei students to board the plane, but when they finally got the chance to board, there were girls in hula skirts and coconut bras bow and putting leis over the students' heads as a farewell gift.

"Finally, some effin' Hawaiian crap!" Ryuji called out as a lei was put over his head. "Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!" He then cheered.

"And just one more bout of embarrassment before leaving the country." Ann groaned as she covered her face as the Thieves boarded the plane.

---

(9/12, Morning)

(Japan, Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Meanwhile in her apartment, the white haired woman was pacing around her in anticipation, already dressed in her casual clothes for the day.

"Come on...they could be back any moment now..." Miyabi grumbled. "I'm already late, I don't want to be any later." She then added. She swore if she had to call someone, they were going to get an-

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Give me a second." Miyabi got out before opening the door to see a delivery man with a long package in his hands. "Oh finally!" She breathed out in relief.

"Late package?" The delivery man assumed as he held out his smart tablet.

"I paid for overnight shipping. It should've been here ages ago." Miyabi grumbled as she rolled her eyes while she signed for the package.

"Unfortunately, I cannot control how and when packages are delivered." The delivery man responded as he handed the package over. "We'll give you a coupon for free shipping the next time you have us deliver your mail." He then offered.

"Thanks. Almost ruining a girl's birthday is worth free shipping." Miyabi deadpanned.

"You have a daughter?" The delivery man got out in surprise.

"Give me my coupons and leave." Miyabi growled through gritted teeth.

"Y-Yes, ma'am!" The delivery man responded, instantly saluting while dropping his tablet on the ground shattering the glass.

"Good. Now have a good day, sir." Miyabi soon got out before shutting the door in his face. She soon saw that her package had been opened, sliced open with a knife. "Ah, great. Customs must've opened the damn thing. I swear, if I even find a speck of dust..." She then grumbled as she tore off the cardboard and grabbed what was within.

A katana in a blue sheath with a similar design to her own red sheath, with golden little frog prints dotted around.

After making sure the sheath met her specifications, she unsheathed the katana. She could hear its sharpness as she carefully studied the blade. From the barely noticeable engraved pattern to the angle of the sharpened blade. Everything seemed all perfect, except...

"...I really should've asked for a green sheath instead." Miyabi muttered with a frown as she put the katana back into the sheath. "But it will have to do." She muttered as she then looked at the note that was in the package.

"Dear Miyabi,

I'm glad to finally hear from you after all these years! How have things been at school? Oh, wait, no. You should be in university or already working by now. Time flies by fast these days, huh? But I guess that's my old age catching up to me.

Anyways, I've made sure that your instructions were followed to a T. My damn apprentice has done nothing to destroy this latest work of art. I call this beauty 'Aoi Terra'.

A terrible, terrible name but it was all I could think of in such a short amount of time.

It is made from a special blend of secret alloys and materials that I cannot disclose (mostly because I don't know where it all came from in the first place) like how your blade was made. This baby can slice through granite without ever getting dull, I can guarantee you that. However, if it somehow got damaged in any way upon arrival, not only will you get your money back, I will gladly let you join in the beatdown I will deliver to those idiots.

I'm joking of course. But the refund thing is true.

Come on down to Inaba some time soon and we can catch up face-to-face.

From, Uncle Daideria.

P.S. Good luck with your training and learn to live a little.

In response, Miyabi smiled softly. "Glad to see the old man is still kicking." She got out in relief. "...I wonder if he still makes revolvers..." She then wondered before shaking her head.

Okay, now to carefully stow it away until her neighbors came back from their trip.

...And to get a bow for it when she gave it to her student.

---

(9/12, Daytime)

(Airplane)

Meanwhile, about a couple thousand feet in the air and only a couple of hours away from their destination, the Phantom Thieves were...bored. That's it. Just plain bored.

"I'm too bored to stay awake, but too energetic to go to sleep." Ryuji sighed. "It was a lot more fun on the way..." He then added.

"Hey, you could be productive Sakamoto." Mishima pointed out, barely looking up from his phone which he had plugged in to his power bank. "Case in point, I just banned a troll on the Phan-Site. Take that ixxHymenBooster96xxi!" He then revealed in a proud manner.

"Why am I close enough to hear that?" Ann groaned.

"We're all too close." Homura deadpanned. The Thieves (and Mishima), by some stroke of luck, had managed to get seats right near each other for the return trip. Too bad everyone was getting pretty lethargic at this point. "Sis, are you doing okay there?"

"Yeah, just about..." Asuka muttered as she focused intently at her activity. "Look, Homu-neechan, I drew a pony!" She declared as she held it up to her sister.

"That looks good, Sis." Homura praised. "They should put that drawing on every vomit bag." She then added.

"You think so?" Asuka asked before smiling. "It would be-" She then began.

"Excuse me, can I borrow that?" Another student quickly asked before swiftly swiping the Vice Leader's bag and puking into it. "Urgh...I hate flights...thank you." He groaned before handing the bag back.

"N-No problem." Asuka responded with a smile, even as tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"There there, Sis..." Homura responded in a comforting tone.

"Ephemeral art is the most beautiful art of all." Yusuke informed from the seat behind them. "Art that does not last can be-" He then began to explain.

"Yusuke-san, shush." Yumi mumbled from the seat right next to him as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Some people are trying to sleep right now, including me. Don't move too much, okay?" She then informed and requested.

"Ah, sorry senpai." The young artist apologized as he patted her head, allowing her to close her eyes peacefully.

Makoto, meanwhile, was simply listening to an audiobook she had downloaded the day prior to the trip with some earbuds, ignoring almost everything else.

"Hey Asuka-chan, wanna sit with me?" Ann soon offered.

"Oh, sure." Asuka replied before turning to her sister. "Hey, Homu-neechan, I'm gonna sit next to Ann-chan for a bit." She soon informed.

"Okay. Don't let me stop you." Homura responded with a nod, lifting up her legs so that her sister could move over.

Nodding to that, the brunette got up and went over to the ash blonde and sat down next to her.

"Not much longer till the runway show, Asuka-chan." Ann reminded with a smile.

Asuka in turn nodded as she smiled as well. "Yeah. I gotta give it my all when the time comes." She stated.

"That's the spirit!" Ann replied in an encouraging tone. "You're gonna do great too." She then encouraged.

"I really hope so since it's a big show." Asuka admitted with a smile. "Still...what if I get offers to go international Ann-chan?" She then asked.

"That could be possible." The ash blonde admitted. "Problem is that your other job getting in the way." She then subtly reminded.

"Exactly." Asuka replied with a nod of agreement. "And I want to be a shinobi. It's been my dream since I was a kid, but..." She whispered before trailing off.

"Your people had high expectations from you, is that it?" Ann guessed, getting a nod in response. "I mean, you could still go for both." She soon reminded.

"I know, but for how long?" Asuka responded and asked while twiddling her thumbs.

"That I can't answer." Ann responded. "I think you should figure that out yourself." She then stated.

"Maybe you're right." Asuka responded with a nod. "Maybe I'll figure it out during the runway show." She then decided. "Besides, I gotta do my best." She soon reminded herself as she pumped herself up once more.

"Yeah, me too when it's time." Ann replied in agreement as they continued chatting, planning on what to do for their jobs.

Deciding to do the same, the tan skinned girl decided to walk a bit before smiling. "Hey Makoto-senpai." Homura greeted as she sat down next to her best friend.

"Hm?" Makoto hummed out in a curious manner before smiling as she took out her earbuds. "Hey to you as well." She replied.

"What are you listening to?" Homura soon asked in a curious manner.

"Oh, just an audiobook. Do you wanna have a listen?" Makoto revealed and offered.

"Sure." Homura responded with a nod as her friend offered an earbud.

"...Ol' Sparky ran out in front of a Cadillac and got splattered like a watermelon at one o' them Gallagher shows..."

"Okay. Enough of that." Homura got out as she handed the earbud back. "You have some weird tastes, senpai." She soon confessed.

"It...was something my sister recommended. She said it helped her relieve some stress she has." Makoto revealed.

Homura immediately sweatdropped in response. "Correction, your sister has some weird tastes, senpai." She bluntly admitted.

"Hey, different people have different tastes for fun." Makoto reminded, though blushed a bit at the bluntness. "And it's not like I can complain." She then added.

"Why is that?" Homura had to ask.

"The last audiobook I listened to was from the Loveline series." Makoto soon revealed. "It's actually quite good if you give it a chance." She then admitted.

"I'll take you up on that once we're back home." Homura replied as she leaned back into her seat. "...Once we touch down, we're back to being Thieves huh?" She whispered.

"I guess so." Makoto responded with a sigh. "But it was nice to be a bunch of kids for a little while instead of...well, whatever we are." She then admitted.

"Yep." Homura responded. "You think the principal has been arrested yet?" She soon asked.

"I hope not." Makoto responded, confusing her friend. "I wanna see him one last time and show him that everything he's done was doomed to fail, and that he never had a chance of winning against us." She soon revealed in a dead serious tone.

Homura soon grinned. "Hehehe...that sounds fun. Wanna let me join?" She giggled and asked.

"Obviously." Makoto responded with a smirk. "But for now let's enjoy our moments of freedom before society forces us back into the grind." She then decided.

"I really hope our next target is a pushover. All bark, no bite sort of thing." Homura soon admitted. "But then again, we have to top Medjed somehow. Think we can target a politician this time?" She reminded and suggested.

"It depends on what's on Sis's computer. Did you forget about that?" Makoto responded and questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Kind of." Homura sheepishly admitted. "I really did want to enjoy this trip with everyone." She then added.

Makoto in turn nodded. "That's understandable." She replied, remembering the free times where she and the tan skinned girl hung out as well as the times she noticed her hanging out with others from both their own group of friends, her committee members, and even with some of their new friends from Kosei.

All and all, she knew the tan skinned girl was making the most of the trip.

Out of the corner of her eye, Homura noticed someone who approached and stood on her side.

That someone was actually the long haired, twin tailed pinkette from Kosei.

"Nana-san?" Homura asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Um...is it alright if I sit here?" Nana soon requested.

Homura in response blinked before noticing the open space next to her and nodded. "Sure." She replied.

"Thanks..." Nana breathed out as she sat down next to the tan skinned girl before setting her supposed tail aside. "I...I just needed to get away from my twin sister for a while." She then admitted.

"You two seem vastly different from one another despite being twins." Makoto noted. In her mind, she was still processing whether the pinkette's tail if it's real or not.

Nana crossed her arms with a huff. "The way Momo acts as though she's a sweet and innocent girl is just that, an act." She revealed in annoyance and frustration.

Homura however raised an eyebrow to that accusation. "And you know that for sure?" She reassured.

"I'm her twin sister, so I pretty much know who she really is." Nana responded. "In our home, in our school, and pretty much anywhere when I'm around her." She then listed off. "And don't get me started on Rito..." She soon began while narrowing her eyes.

"You really, really hate Rito-san's guts most of the time, huh?" Makoto soon assumed.

Nana groaned in annoyance. "You have no idea." She grumbled. "Though I am grateful for him at some point. I mean, I don't exactly hate him entirely." She then confessed.

"Your actions say otherwise though." Homura pointed out.

"That was just...me putting Rito in his place." Nana responded in an attempt to defend herself. "You know boys and their...dirty stuff nowadays." She then reminded.

Makoto sighed at that as she looked at her phone. "Hmm..." She quietly hummed out to herself before getting an idea. She secretly opened the MetaNav and discreetly positioned her phone near her mouth. "Nana Astar Deviluke." She whispered.

[Candidate name and current location unmatched. Please try again next time.]

The Shujin Student Council President slightly widened her eyes. "Huh..." She got out as she placed her phone away. "It's never said that before...it's probably because we're not in Tokyo yet..." She muttered her deduction.

"Still, you have to at least know he doesn't do some of those things on purpose, right?" Homura pointed out. "He has to have some good qualities, right?" She then added.

To that, Nana looked as though she began to recall something...and surprisingly began blushing. "O-Ok...you got me there..." She mumbled out in embarrassment.

Homura soon smirked as she saw that. "Remember what Makoto-senpai talked about with you before? Back at the beach?" She soon asked.

Nana immediately winced upon recalling that discussion.

"You apologized to him...right?" Makoto eventually asked.

"..." Nana simply went silent.

"Did you?" Makoto questioned once more.

The pinkette started to look nervous as well as feeling annoyed before pouting.

Makoto sighed, knowing what the answer would be. "Clearly you need time. Like, a lot of time. " She then stated while shaking her head.

Nana placed her legs up on her seat before hugging them, clearly getting annoyed even more while contemplating on the short-haired brunette's words. "I'm not..." She then mumbled to herself.

"You know, it almost feels like you're just finding the perfect excuse or opportunity to beat him down like he was your personal punching bag." Makoto eventually accused in a serious tone, not even looking at her.

"A-Ah..." Nana got out, shocked speechless by the blunt accusation given.

"You and some of the other girls as well." Makoto then stated, this time looking at her. "Someone might even decide to put your name down on Phan-Site for the Phantom Thieves to go after you out of accusing you of being abusive." She soon informed, remembering the time she and her fellow Thieves changed Yui Kotegawa's heart.

"!?" Nana's eyes immediately widened to that.

"I'm just warning you, that's all." Makoto soon stated. "Trust me, the Phantom Thieves really are something else back home." She then reassured.

"R-Right..." Nana responded with a nod of understanding. "I already know that, all those guys that had changes of hearts are clear examples of what they can do." She then recalled.

"And that's just the people who catch the eye of the journalists." Homura pointed out. "They've taken care of other people who barely get a blip on the news radar. Bullies, extortionists, generally terrible people. No problem is too small for them." She then reminded and listed off.

"...I'm not a terrible person." Nana denied.

"Ah, but you haven't done much to really disprove that." Makoto however stated.

"I-I don't deserve to be targeted." Nana denied once more.

"We have internet on the plane and plenty of time." Homura soon reminded. "What is stopping me from sending a request right now?" She then asked as the pinkette paled.

"T-The Phantom Thieves wouldn't care!" Nana stammered her response."They're like...super international celebrities now. They won't care about small fry like me!" She then added.

"And why do you think that?" Makoto pressed as the shorter girl began to sink into her seat. "We just said that the Phantom Thieves would take care of anything, no matter how small. And frankly, your name should've been on the site already." She then reminded and explained.

"I'm writing up the request right now." Homura informed as she tapped away at her phone, inputting a bunch of random letters into her Notes app.

"No! Don't! Please!" Nana soon begged in a panic as she tried to grab the phone, only for the tan skinned girl to move it out of reach.

"Why so worried, Nana-san? Don't want your heart changed?" Homura soon questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"No! I just don't want to confess to him yet like Kotegawa did!" Nana declared, only to cover her mouth and blushed scarlet before curling up into a ball. "...I...I mean, like...erm...I didn't say anything!" She then started denying, however it was already too late to save face.

"Ah, so that's it..." Homura and Makoto soon thought. "...You like him too, don't you?" The duo eventually assumed at the same time.

Nana's head immediately became glowing red in response while shaking her head in a rapid manner. "W-Wha!? S-Sh-Shut up! Don't lump me in with that stupid beast!" She soon denied.

However the duo from Shujin was not fooled by this. Not one bit.

At that point however, Makoto suddenly noticed that nearby passengers perked up and started to glance at where the loud voice came from. "Nana, you should keep your voice down." She soon suggested.

"S-Sorry, sorry." Nana soon apologized while calming herself down. "But that was a question out of nowhere! I can't believe you asked me that!" She then complained, not audible for anyone to hear. "Besides, I can't like him...I'm not like Momo and the others..." She mumbled out.

"Can't?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow. "And why is that? Some of those other girls seem to like him and don't mind it." She then reminded.

"It's not like what you're thinking." Nana responded. "It's just...they all know he's Ane-ue's fiancée as well..." She then grumbled with her head down.

This however caused the two to blink upon hearing that. "Fiancée?" They repeated.

"Rito..." Nana mumbled with a pout.

"...They're engaged?" Makoto got out in disbelief, surprised to learn that bit of their relationship. "Was it...something arranged or-" She began.

"Sort of, Ane-ue does like him and he likes her, but he also likes Haruna and then there are the other girls that like him..." Nana began explaining before trailing off with a blush.

"...Seriously?" Homura soon asked.

"Seriously..." Nana sighed out. "And then there's Momo with her crazy plan involving all the girls..." She mumbled.

The two immediately recalled what the committee member's Shadow mentioned before returning to her real self. "...A harem plan?" They aimlessly got out.

"Yeah..." Nana off-handedly responded with a nod before her eyes widened. "Wait, how did you-!?" She asked in shock.

"A guess." Makoto immediately answered.

"A-A...A guess?" Nana repeated in disbelief. "P-Please don't say anything about it to anyone, okay!?" She soon begged as softly as possible.

"Okay, okay, we won't."

Nana reluctantly sighed in relief. "Jeez, now you two know about it as well..." She then muttered to herself.

"So why are you telling this to us?" Homura eventually asked in a more curious tone.

Nana caught off guard with that question. "I...uh..." She started, though was unable to find the right words to say before dropping her head. "Sorry, I just needed to vent..." She confessed with a sigh.

"If you want us to keep it all a secret, then..." Makoto began to offer.

"I...we would like that." Nana responded with a nod. "I'll...try to be less harsh on Rito too..." She mumbled.

"Good." Makoto replied with a nod of approval.

"Soo, since you're the head of your committee in your own school, think you can give me some tips?" Nana eventually requested in an attempt to change the subject.

"Hm? Some tips on being a better committee member?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow before smiling. "Oh, I have a lot to teach since I'm the founder of Shujin's." She revealed.

"...Shujin didn't have one before you started one?" Nana asked in disbelief. "God, no offense but that school has issues." She then got out.

"Tell us about it." Homura and Makoto sighed out at the same time.

"In fact, it was only when Homura-san here decided to form a disciplinary committee once she enrolled in our school." Makoto explained, resting her back on the foamy backrest of her seat.

"...I really hope that idiot principal of Shujin gets arrested for letting that pedo get away with everything he did." Nana soon stated. "That news with the gym teacher is something else." She added in disgust. "It's as bad if not worse as the pervert of a principal at Sainan..." She grumbled...as her eye then twitched a bit.

"Hey, he can't be worse than our principal." Homura responded with a shrug. "Really hope he'll be arrested when we land. Or he is already. Or even dead. I could take that." She then muttered.

"Homura-san..." Makoto sighed as she held her friend's hand.

"Yes, yes. I know. Death is the easy way out, but as long as he's out of our hair I don't really care at this point." Homura admitted.

"And I don't blame you for it." Makoto responded. "But please try and use a little tact." She then requested.

"I've fully accepted that my old principal is dead." Nana suddenly confessed. "Seriously, he would deserve it..." She then muttered.

"Thank you." Homura replied as she fist-bumped the pinkette.

"Wishing for someone's death isn't right though." Makoto however reminded. "I thought you had learned that by now." She then got out in a disapproving manner.

"It's just wishful thinking. I don't seriously want him to die." Homura stated with a scoff. "But I wouldn't mourn for him at all. He's screwed us over too many times to shed tears for him." She then confessed.

"Why are we even talking about this now?" Nana suddenly complained. "God, we should be enjoying our trip home, not this." She then suggested.

To that, Makoto nodded, understanding her best friend's words and shifted the conversation to something a little more enjoyable and mundane.

Meanwhile, Akira was currently tinkering on his phone, checking what's going on in Japan whether it be on the Phan-site or some news articles online before noticing something in the corner of his eye.

He looked up and saw three familiar girls who came together as a group.

"Hm? Yami-san? Nemesis-san? And even Mea-san?" Akira recalled with a raised eyebrow.

"You remembered our names. Good memory." Mea complimented with a smile.

"Hard to not forget faces like yours." Akira had to admit. "Not to mention your hair colors as well." He then added.

Mea in turn giggled in amusement. "Hehe~ Are you the flattering type?" She jokingly asked.

"My friends said they tend to call me that at times." Akira simply revealed. "Anyways, why are you here?" He soon asked.

"Akira Kurusu," Yami started with a stale expression on her face. "Can you come with us for a moment?" She soon requested.

"Where? We're on a plane." Akira asked and then reminded, keeping his phone away normally inside his pocket. He was somehow tempted to use his skill of disappearing his phone off his hand by flicking it in a sleight-of-hand kind of way, but he didn't want that kind of attention, especially in front of these kinds of people. "Also, I'm surprised you still remember my full name." He then added.

"Rito Yūki told us. Anyways, in regards to where. Somewhere private would do." Nemesis simply responded with a smile. "Let's go to the back of the plane away from everyone." She then suggested.

Akira reluctantly stood up from his seat, prompting the three girls to proceed with the glasses-wearing boy following them to their place.

"If you do or think anything ecchi, I'll cut you down." Yami soon threatened in a blunt manner while they walk.

"...You're joking, right?" Akira had to ask.

"No." Yami immediately answered.

Akira looked at her for a moment, before continuing on ahead. "She's dead serious. Either she's a shinobi or something else entirely." He mentally stated in a serious tone.

For now, he knew that he just had to go along with it for now and play it cool.

As they passed through the seats, some certain students from Kosei High noticed and glanced at them.

"Hm?" Momo hummed, tilting her head from the side as she watched said four people passing through. "...Akira-san with Nemesis, Mea-san, and Yami-san? That's...not gonna be pretty." She muttered in concern.

"Huh, I wonder what Yami-chan wants to talk to Akira about?" Lala meanwhile asked.

Nana noticed the redhead, in the group that passed through. "Mea?" She muttered in a curious manner with a raised eyebrow before going back to her conversation with Homura and Makoto.

Last but not the least, Rito himself noticed the group as well. "What are they...? Akira-san?" He got out in confusion.

Soon enough, the four were now alone in the back room.

"Okay, so what is it you wanted to talk about with me?" Akira soon questioned with crossed arms.

In response, the three girls looked towards one another and nodded before turning back to the boy. "How did you do it?" Mea suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Akira responded with a raised eyebrow.

"That moment in the airport, where you prevented Yūki Rito from his usual falling." Yami began. "How exactly did you stop him?" She then questioned.

"...I just rushed to him and grabbed him. Like many people would do." Akira answered in an uneasy tone.

"You came from one position further from Rito-senpai, then onto Rito-senpai's position in a split second." Mea commented, hands behind her back.

"Yes. Either you have very good reflexes...or there's something else entirely in you." Nemesis soon started as she leaned closer and grinned. "And I intend to find out if that opportunity rises~" She then declared.

"...Huh?" Akira got out, now feeling even more uneasy. "Why do I feel like I'm dealing with another Haruka?" He thought to himself as he looked at the tan skinned loli girl.

Mea meanwhile giggled at the sight. "Now, now, Neme-chan, you're scaring him. Don't make him wet himself." She soon noted and stated.

"Not scared, more confused." Akira bluntly corrected.

"Hoho~ So you don't fear me, how interesting." Nemesis concluded, smiling with her teeth shown.

"...Am I missing something here? 'Cause I don't really follow what you're getting at here." Akira soon asked and stated in a serious tone while narrowing his eyes as he straightened his posture. He also recalled the moment he sensed her when they first met at the Hawaii beach. This Nemesis girl really got his attention, but didn't want to make it obvious in front of her.

"Just some decent observations about you and nothing else as we conversed ourselves here." Nemesis responded.

"Don't tell me you're gonna stalk me now or something..." Akira groaned.

"Do not get the wrong idea, Akira Kurusu." Yami responded. "We are just observing you." She then corrected.

"So you're stalking me, basically." Akira bluntly simplified. "Ever heard of privacy?" He then asked.

"Hehe~ You have a way with words." Nemesis remarked in amusement with a smirk and crossed eyes. "You know, I'm starting to like you already, I have to admit." She soon confessed with the same expression.

"...Huh?" Akira responded with a raised eyebrow, his sense of caution and danger starting to heighten, making him ready for what's to come to him.

"Really, Neme-chan?" Mea meanwhile asked in a curious manner with a head tilt. "That's new from you. I mean, you already have your attention on Rito-senpai, but now another person has caught your attention once again." She then reminded.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Mea. I still am interested in Yūki Rito, but Kurusu Akira here is also interesting in some ways too." Nemesis corrected.

"...What are you three, really?" Akira suddenly asked in a more serious tone.

That made the three girls perk their attention up from the sudden question.

Nemesis soon smirked once again. "Do you really want to find out~?" She soon asked, sounding more excited then she should have, secretly releasing a dark miasma without the boy noticing. The two other girls sensed this from her and started to get very concerned now.

"...If you're that bold enough on a plane, that is." Akira however reminded, extremely tempted to flick his dagger out of nowhere. He could feel his Personas getting fired up within him, with some of them feeling very eager for a fight. In fact, he really wished he could summon his Personas in the real world right now.

Yami and Mea simply widened at the response. Who was this guy? He's not like any other male they've met.

"Heh, you're right." Nemesis admitted in amused agreement, ceasing her misama release.

"Smart move, Nemesis-san..." Akira responded while adjusting his glasses.

Suddenly, the tan skinned loli began to laugh somehow like a child. "You really are just as interesting as Yūki Rito himself." Nemesis soon admitted as the smile became a smirk. "I have to admit, I have my hands already full with Yūki Rito along with his friends and not being able to rule Kosei, but you, however...well, it wouldn't hurt to try to observe you for a while when I have the time." She then confessed and stated as she backed away from the boy.

"Excuse me?" Akira questioned as he took off his glasses.

Mea quickly noticed something in his eyes. Did they...glow red for a very split second?

"Oh? Why are you removing your glasses?" Nemesis decided to ask, noticing the action.

"Don't get me wrong, the way you talked to me, it almost sounds like you're trying to do something towards me." Akira responded. "It almost feels like you're threatening me, considering how we have interacted just now." He then accused.

"He's sharp as well." Yami stated in her thoughts, impressed by his words.

"This guy..." Mea stated in her own thoughts as well, smiling and feeling interested and also curious about him as well.

"No, no, I'm not doing anything of the sort." Nemesis giggled as she assured him. "Buuuut, considering how you started to become more and more wary and cautious in our presence, you just gained more of an interest from me." She then stated and revealed.

Yami meanwhile sighed to this. "Not again..." She sighed out.

Akira meanwhile noticed that. "Can you elaborate more on that?" He soon asked.

"Simply put, we'll see you and your friends again real soon. Have a safe trip home once we set foot in Japan." Nemesis soon informed as she and the redhead began heading back, with the latter waving at him with a smile.

"...A loli Haruka, too...great..." Akira mentally sighed out while loudly groaning.

The blonde meanwhile blinked as she then looked at the black haired boy. "...Good luck." Yami soon stated. "Nemesis is uncontrollable when she gains an interest in someone." She then explained.

"Is that something I should be worrying about here?" Akira asked with a sweatdrop.

"In your case, yes." Yami bluntly responded with a nod.

Akira's eye soon twitched in response. "Shit..." He mentally swore.

"Let's get back to our seats." Yami decided as she began to head back. "...Kurusu Akira..." She then thought in her head.

"...Right." Akira responded, heading back to his seat as well. "Nemesis...there's no way she's human..." He thought in a dead serious tone...before he began smirking, his eyes flashing red for a moment. "...Why the hell do I love getting more of a challenge?" He soon thought to himself.

"Hey dude, what's up?" Ryuji meanwhile asked as his friend sat down.

"It's nothing." Akira responded as he shook his head before sighing and relaxing himself.

Things were just going to get more hectic now. And for some weird reason, he felt...excited with a sense of caution of what's to come next for the Phantom Thieves once they get back to Japan.

---

(9/12, Afternoon)

(Japan, Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

After getting off the plane, all of the students had separated for the day to head home, with the two sisters being no exception of this.

"Why can't they serve anything but Big Bang Burger on the stupid freaking plane!?" Homura complained as she fumbled with her apartment keys.

"The airline could be sponsored by Okumura Foods." Asuka pointed out.

"But why did it have to be our plane!?" Homura growled, stabbing her key into the door. "We could've gone on so many other brands of airlines! What, was our trip paid for by Big Bang Burger!?" She then called out, resisting the urge to headbutt the door into opening.

"Do you want sushi for dinner?" Asuka questioned in a comforting tone.

"Yes, that would be lovely, Sis! Thank you for asking!" Homura shouted out in an aggressive manner. "Goddammit, I swear if we have to throw out all our underwear because we're too big for them, I'm gonna effin' march over to their HQ and throttle the CEO until he stops breathing!" She then continued complaining, making several more keyholes in the door.

"H-Homu-neechan, you're going to set off the fire alarm!" Asuka whispered in a panic.

"Huh?" Homura got out in confusion before noticing the smoke coming off her body. "Ah, sorry!" She quickly apologized as she stopped herself from spontaneously combusting.

And at that moment, a certain neighbor decided to make their presence known, having determined that neither of these idiots were going to acknowledge her any time this century. "Hey." Miyabi spoke up, causing the two to jump in surprise. "I've been standing right here for a few minutes now." She pointed out with a casual flick of the wrist.

"Oh! Hey Miyabi-" Asuka happily began before...

CLANG

Immediately having their blades out and locked in place as the master and student smirked at one another.

"Ah!" Homura yelped as she ducked under the blades. "You know, if you were gonna ambush us, at least do it somewhere where I won't get my head cut off by both of you!" She called out, noticing a small uneven cut in her hair.

"Be prepared for anything, Homura!" Miyabi simply stated. "Your sister was." She then added in amusement.

Homura gave the white haired woman a flat look...right before punching her straight in the gut.

WHAM!

"Urk!" Miyabi grunted out as she stumbled back, breaking the blade lock.

"You should also be aware of the non-targets, you stupid bitch." Homura grumbled as she stood back up.

"Miyabi-sensei!" Asuka got out.

"I'm fine..." Miyabi groaned as she rubbed her stomach. "Urgh...I think my stomach wrapped around my spine for a second." She then coughed out.

"In hindsight, maybe it wasn't a good idea to check to see if my reflexes had dulled." Asuka pointed out while rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.

"Good to see you haven't let your skills dull since we last saw each other." Miyabi soon stated with a smirk as she glanced at the blade. "One of Homura's?" She assumed.

"Gave it to me without even telling me why." Asuka replied with a smirk.

"Yeah. Saw it a mile away." Homura admitted as her sister handed back her katana. "You should've taken into account I'm just as paranoid as you. Plus, it's not the first time Sis here was ambushed like this."

"By who?" Miyabi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"...M-Me." Homura replied before coughing awkwardly. "Sorry again." She then apologized.

"Homu-neechan, it was literally when we've known each other for three days." Asuka reminded as she patted her sister's back.

"You two discovered each other being shinobis three days after rooming up?" Miyabi bluntly asked with a sweatdrop.

"Hey, we were going to die in Kamoshida's Castle of Lust if we didn't do something." Homura countered.

"And next you'll say you did it in front of civilians." Miyabi got out as she rolled her eyes.

"..." The sisters immediately became quiet in response.

"...I was being facetious." Miyabi sighed out. "But, I get it, you had to protect them from Shadows at the time." She then admitted.

"And hey, it's what started the Phantom Thieves in the first place." Asuka happily pointed out.

"Don't look on the bright side of terrible things happening because of luck." Miyabi however instructed.

Asuka in turn gave a military salute. "Yes, sensei." She responded.

"At ease, Vice Leader." Miyabi responded, causing the brunette to end the salute. "Seriously though, relax. We're not in a training session today. Do I have to remind you to call me Miyabi-chan when I'm not training you?" She then reminded in a lecturing manner with her hands on her hips.

"Oh. Hai, Miyabi-chan." Asuka responded in a more casual manner.

"Want to let me call you Miyabi-chan as well?" Homura jokingly asked.

"Don't push it." Miyabi bluntly stated in a deadpan tone. "Now, are you gonna tell me how the trip was?" She soon pressed.

"Oh, it was...fine." Asuka answered with a wry smile.

"I was expecting a great." Miyabi remarked with a raised eyebrow.

"It was fun, just...there wasn't a lot to do other than go out to the beach and buy stuff." Homura explained. "There was even a Big Bang Burger there. It kinda felt like we never left Japan, just went to another prefecture." She then sighed out while shaking her head.

"I guess the school was too lazy to set up any activities huh?" Miyabi assumed with a frown.

"Well, they didn't skimp out of the lectures." Homura stated before she and Asuka slumped down.

"So...many...lectures..." The sisters groaned in unison.

"Well in any case, you two look like sisters now." Miyabi admitted. "Nice tan you got there." She then complimented.

"Thank you, I'll enjoy it while it lasts." Asuka responded with a smirk. "Especially when all you'll be seeing is my butt sitting on your face after I beat you fair and square." She then declared.

"..."

"...I now realize what I just said, but I'm sticking to it!" Asuka squeaked out in a somewhat brave manner.

"Did you two spar while in Hawaii?" Miyabi assumed.

"Only on the last night we spent there." Asuka sheepishly revealed. "Never expected Homu-neechan to be even more of a pyro in her other style." She then admitted.

"Well, she's already a pyromaniac on the battlefield." Miyabi reminded. "What would be the next stage from that? Arsonist? Anarchist? Uh...Pyrophilliac?" She soon wondered.

Homura however pouted. "It's not like I like burning things..." She mumbled.

"Wow, never would've guessed." Miyabi sarcastically muttered. "Just saying, you use a lot of fire already without dancing to a beat." She then added.

"It's not merely a dance. It was an elegant and-" Homura began to correct.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Tell me how good it is after you actually use it against someone trying to kill you instead of letting you indulge in your power fantasies." Miyabi muttered as she rolled her eyes.

"Ehehe, I wouldn't underestimate her sensei." Asuka vaguely warned.

"I wouldn't overestimate her either." Miyabi added with a frown. "Have you actually given each other a word or criticism, or are you just an echo chamber of telling each other how good you are and that you'll never be beaten?" She then questioned.

"Well, the spar last time was just to try out our new styles." Asuka sheepishly admitted.

"So next time you would be giving it your all?" Miyabi assumed.

"Obviously." The sisters responded at the same time while crossing their arms over their chests.

"Well, I hope you do admit to yourselves that your fancy new shit isn't perfect and that you can't be masters in just a few months of training." Miyabi soon stated. "Or for you, Asuka, only a day." She then added.

"A week." Asuka reminded.

"No, I consider it only a day." Miyabi confirmed as she shook her head. "A katana requires years of practice, and you've only got a taste of what's to come. And I am not going to let you think you're the best straight out of the gate." She then explained.

"I know it takes a lot of work to master everything." Asuka reassured. "Which is why I'm gonna give it my all at everything I do!" She then declared in a passionate manner with a fire in her eyes.

"Asuka, I've heard you say that very line for just about everything from school work to deciding what to have for breakfast since coming to Tokyo." Miyabi deadpanned.

"It's what I do, Miyabi-chan!" Asuka happily replied.

"Just don't come crying to me when your all isn't enough to save people." Miyabi mumbled under her breath.

"Eh?" The sisters got out.

"Nothing. Now...why did I start this conversation again?" Miyabi responded and asked.

"Reflex test to make sure they didn't dull on my second vacation." Asuka responded automatically.

"Which I am glad to see they haven't." Miyabi then admitted with a smirk.

"It was only a week. It's not like we could forget years of training after a pina colada." Asuka pointed out.

"Plus the ridiculous lectures the school made us go through." Homura sighed out. "Urgh..." She groaned.

"Trouble in paradise?" Miyabi assumed.

"Trouble in...gah, too effin' tired to think of another word..." Homura corrected.

"It wasn't all bad." Asuka reassured. "We definitely had plenty of fun. Plus, I got to spend my birthday there." She then revealed with a smile.

"Ah! There! That was why I started this!" Miyabi suddenly exclaimed.

"Eh?" The two sisters got out in confusion.

"Hold on for a moment." Miyabi simply responded.

WOOSH!

"And I'm back." The white haired woman got out, barely disappearing for more than a millisecond.

"...You got yourself a new sword?" Homura assumed with a raised eyebrow.

"Nope." Miyabi responded as she shook her head. "This is Asuka's." She soon revealed.

"Eh?" The Vice Leader responded, confused by what was said.

"Hehe, happy late birthday, my student." Miyabi declared, holding the katana in the blue sheath in front of the brunette. "It is called Aoi Terra." She then revealed.

Asuka's eyes immediately widened to the sight. "T-This is..." She breathed out. "Aoi...Terra..." She slowly repeated.

Homura meanwhile whistled in an impressed manner. "Not bad." She admitted. She knew a good blade when she saw one. Not to mention her sister could use some more color on her besides green in her other Shinobi Tenshin appearance.

"Requested it from a family friend. They made the katana I use now. Thank god it arrived this morning." Miyabi revealed. "And thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Takase for basically paying the fee..." She then added under her breath.

"And...you got this made for me?" Asuka got out as she examined it with awe.

"Yeah? Why wouldn't I?" Miyabi responded and asked back. "You have to grow from just using a wood katana some day after all and I don't know if you know this, but katanas need to be sharp to cut things." She then pointed out.

"This is so beautiful though...almost ceremonial." Asuka responded as she admired the craftsmanship. "I...I can't just-" She then started saying.

"Asuka, just accept it." Miyabi bluntly ordered, not wanting to deal with such a thing right now.

"Hai! Thank you sensei!" Asuka enthusiastically responded.

"Now, this sword is only for training." Miyabi soon instructed. "You are still not good enough to bring it into a real fight. You will probably get stabbed through the gut if you think it's a good idea." She then added.

"I agree with Miyabi, Sis. Be careful." Homura admitted and advised.

"I understand." Asuka responded with a nod before a yawn escaped her lips.

"I'll let you two head to sleep. Jet lag can indeed be a pain." Miyabi soon decided.

"Thank you sensei." Asuka replied with a smile. "See you tomorrow?" She assumed.

"Obviously. I live right next to you." Miyabi answered in a flat tone, rolling her eyes.

"Oh. Right." Asuka sheepishly got out while rubbing the back of her head with a giggle.

"Rest up." Miyabi simply instructed once more. "Because big things are coming our way and we all need to be ready for it." She vaguely revealed.

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Just don't ask us for anything else today." Homura yawned out, barely paying attention to whatever the white haired woman had just said before heading back inside the apartment.

Miyabi simply nodded to that as she watched the two enter and close their apartment door. "...I wish I could've gone to Hawaii with everyone..." She quietly mumbled to herself before heading out for the day.

---

(Rise's Apartment)

Rise stared intently at the pot in front of her before carefully dipping her wooden spoon into it. "You got this. You got this time, I know it." She whispered to herself as she cautiously got herself a small portion of the food within it. "You followed the recipe to the letter. It has to be good this time."

This had to be the most tense she had ever felt in years. More than in the TV world, watching her friend throw themselves into danger. More than when Teddie managed to confuse which bathroom he had to go into the first time he had to use one.

But enough delaying the inevitable. She had to taste her cooking.

And so...she did just that.

...

...

...

"...Needs more seasoning." Rise muttered before grabbing some Himalayan salt and pepper and shaking it furiously into the underdone rice.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Ah, I better get that." Rise got out as she turned off the stove and grabbed her phone. "Hello, this is Rise Kujikawa." She soon greeted and informed.

"Hello, Rise-san. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Yumi greeted in a tired yet happy tone.

"Oh, Yumi-chan!" Rise gasped. "When did you get back?" She soon questioned.

"A few hours ago. Just got back home now after helping a friend of mine back to his dorm." Yumi responded.

"Soooo, how was LA? I heard the weather was absolutely terrible over there." Rise soon asked in concern.

"Yes, it was so terrible that we had to land in Hawaii and spend our trip there." Yumi informed. "We didn't have much of an itinerary so we mostly got to do whatever we wanted." She then revealed.

"Wow, that sounds amazing!" Rise responded in awe. "Please tell me you brought some souvenirs with you." She then assumed.

"I did indeed. As well as for all my family." Yumi responded. "I hope my grandfather likes these candles and macadamia nuts." She then added.

"I'm sure he does." Rise reassured with a softer smile.

"Erm, do you mind if I cut this short? I don't have much energy today." Yumi soon requested.

"Ah, jet lag from your trip right?" Rise assumed with a giggle.

"Hai." Yumi responded with a nod before yawning again.

"Well, we could always talk tomorrow after you're all rested up." Rise replied.

"That would be nice." Yumi admitted.

"Alright then, have a nice rest." Rise decided with a nod.

"Yeah, you too." Yumi responded "Good night." She then added before hanging up

"Good to hear Yumi-chan had fun. Still can't believe she got to get out of the country for her trip." Rise got out with a smile before turning to the other woman in the room.

"And...done." Daidoji breathed out as she placed the last of her papers away. "Finally, I can die." She then moaned, laying her head on her makeshift desk.

"Not yet you're not." Rise giggled. "How did it go at work?" She soon asked.

"The same as yesterday." The Shujin Gym Teacher responded in a blunt manner.

"Ah, terrible. Got it." Rise replied as the older of the two groaned miserably.

"I felt like a robot talking to all those reporters..." Daidoji groaned as she rubbed her face. "I had to repeat so many answers. I felt my soul being drained every passing hour. I wasted so much time when I should've been training myself."

"Hey, it could be worse. It could've been like when you punched out that reporter." Rise recalled.

"That review about the Amagi Inn was uncalled for..." Daidoji grumbled under her breath.

"So, back to actual work for you, Dai-chan." Rise reminded.

"Yes." Daidōji responded with a nod as she finished her paperwork. Since she was a relatively new teacher, she didn't have to deal with what the other Shujin Teachers went through while the students were on their trip regarding the police. "Hopefully, once Kobayashi resigns, I can focus on the Phantom Thieves, the incidents, and getting the kids in shape."

"Kobayakawa." Rise playfully corrected with a giggle.

"Gesundheit." Daidōji responded with a smirk of amusement.

"Well, I just hope things don't turn out like what happened to our group." Rise soon got out. "So much went so wrong in so little time..." She began to recall.

"I'll make sure it won't." Daidōji declared before taking a look at the Phan-Site on her phone. "91.7%...they're getting there..." She then informed.

"Looking at the Phan-Site?" Rise guessed, having her phone out as well. "Man, ever since the whole Medjed thing, they've been getting way more popular. My producer is even telling me they're gonna make my next song about phantom thievery." She soon revealed.

"You might have stiff competition. The current No. 1 single in Japan is Break In to Break Out." Daidoji remarked and reminded.

"You look worried, Dai-chan." Rise soon noted.

"Just concerned." Daidoji responded. "I didn't think the Phantom Thieves would garner such popularity in such a short time." She then admitted.

"They've been really taking down some real garbage lately. And people are losing trust in the police and justice system. Have been for years." Rise pointed out. "The Phantom Thieves have only really brought it into the public eye." She then recalled.

"I just hope the Phantom Thieves know what they're actually doing." Daidōji soon stated. "One of these days their fame will lead to their downfall." She concluded.

"And you're being paranoid again." Rise added as she flicked at the woman's forehead. "Relax. That's why you're here; To steer them away from the mistakes of the past. It's like what Rin-sensei says." She soon reminded.

"You aren't worth the air you breathe if you have nothing you can teach." Daidoji remembered. "I just...I'm just worried." She soon confessed.

"Hey, kids are a lot more mature than you think." Rise reminded. "Naoto-kun's proved that time and time again after all. Especially when you and Rin-sensei were-" She then began.

"Okay, okay. Enough. I'm going to bed." Daidoji sighed. "I have classes to teach tomorrow." She then reminded.

"Good night then. And good luck." Rise replied as she watched her roommate head for her bed.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

"Aaaaahhhhh...another S-Rank curry boss! Full heal!" Futaba praised as she rubbed her belly while Morgana polished off his plate of salmon.

"I...I do not understand any of that, but thanks." Sojiro admitted as he took his daughter's plate to the sink for her. "Waiting for Akira and his friends, huh, Futaba?" He then assumed.

"Yeah." Futaba responded with a nod.

"Joker should be back any moment now." Morgana remembered. "Hopefully nothing bad happened in Hawaii. If anyone's out of commission, we'll have to delay our infiltration." He then got out in concern.

"We could probably do it with just, like, four of us." Futaba pointed out. "We'll just need a healer, a fighter, a mage, and a tank. A classic party that can kill gods." She then stated.

"We aren't killing gods!" Morgana countered. "Only people who think they're gods. There's a difference." He then corrected.

"Hold on, didn't I see a couple of gods in Mementos?" Futaba began to recall.

"Shadows don't count. They appear as gods, but are just- are you even listening!?" Morgana began once more before questioning the orangette in annoyance.

"Wow, your fur is glossy today..." Futaba got out in awe.

"Pay attention when I'm speaking, dammit!" Morgana called out.

RING!

However, they were interrupted by a regular to the cafe walking in. "Hello, good morning." Haruka greeted with a pleasant smile.

"It's after noon." Futaba deadpanned as she adjusted her glasses.

"Ah, Haruka, the usual?" Sojiro greeted and assumed.

"Mmm...I'm feeling a little frisky this time." Haruka hummed out and informed. "Got anything like that coffee or curry wise?" She soon asked.

"Kopi luwak." Sojiro answered almost automatically. "Eh, it's a little overrated, but is expensive as hell. No one's bought a cup yet." He then revealed.

"Oh, how interesting." Haruka admitted with a smile as she placed the money on the table.

"You didn't even check the price." Sojiro reminded.

Haruka however giggled in response. "Oh, I'm sure it'll be worth it." She replied.

"That'll be fourteen thousand yen." Sojiro revealed.

Nodding to that, Haruka handed the exact amount. "Here you go Boss." She confirmed with a smile.

"How rich are you?" Sojiro soon asked. "You should really be spending your money on something a little permanent." He then advised.

"I don't spend all that much money to begin with, so I have a lot saved up." Haruka revealed. Despite not being a fan of Hebijo anymore, she was glad they paid for most of the stuff she needed before coming to Tokyo.

"Alright." Sojiro responded with a nod. "Damn kids, gonna end up broke by retirement..." He then grumbled under his breath as he started preparing a cup.

Futaba blinked, very blatantly staring at the girl's most promising feature. "Yep, that's the nurse alright." She stated in her head.

At that moment, the blonde noticed the orangette. "Hm? And who you might be?" Haruka hummed and asked in a curious manner, interacting with the orangette.

"...Futaba. Futaba Sakura." The hacker eventually answered after a slight pause. At least for her, the blonde woman had the large boobs, which calmed her down for the most part.

"Oh. I didn't know Boss had a daughter." Haruka replied in a curious manner. "You dye your hair?" She assumed.

"No. It's natural." Futaba deadpanned as she tugged on her bright orange locks.

Haruka however giggled. "Ufufu, she's an amusing one, Boss." She admitted.

"She's been doing good lately." Sojiro revealed with a smile. "And eventually, she'll be attending classes next year." He then added in a proud and relieved manner.

"Well, that's nice to hear." Haruka admitted with a smile.

"N-Next year?" Futaba repeated in a nervous manner. "Erm...Maybe g-give me, like, twenty years to do some research. You know, gotta find the absolute right one." She then suggested and explained.

Morgana meanwhile sighed to that. "Oh boy, maybe we should think about homeschooling..." He muttered.

RING RING!

Instantly, everyone's attention was directed over to the front door, where Akira had entered. His hair was slightly messier, his glasses looked a little crooked, and the lei around his neck had a few petals missing, but he was smiling anyways,happy he made it home safe and sound.

"Darling, you're back!" Haruka happily got out as she went up and hugged the Leader.

Akira began to sweat as he saw the owner giving him a blunt look, but said nothing.

"And so it begins again." Morgana bluntly stated.

The Leader however rolled his eyes to that. "Good to see you, Haruka." Akira responded as he returned the hug.

"Yo, welcome back. You get tanned a bit?" Sojiro greeted before noticing the boy's slightly darker skin.

"I can see it." Haruka chirped out in approval while latching onto his arm.

"How was Hawaii?" Futaba soon asked.

"Aloha, my dudes." Akira greeted in the flattest tone possible.

"He's been influenced..." Futaba gasped.

"Eh, I can understand why." Sojiro admitted with a shrug.

The Leader couldn't help but chuckle before the hacker pulled him close. "While you guys were off having fun, we got things done." Futaba whispered into his ear. "But it looks like things are about to become a lot more intense." She then added.

It was right then, the show on the TV caught their attention with something. "So I've heard the surprisingly hot items at this moment are masks and calling cards."

"Aw come on..." Akira mentally groaned. More profits going to corporate greed rather than the pockets of the real Thieves. The fact they were still filthy rich from robbing Shadows after buying so much shit overseas did not detract from the situation.

"Here is a graph of the profits for stores handling these items." The presenter soon got out as he showed a diagram of the effect the Phantom Thieves had on the economy.

"Double from last year!? Phantom Thief goods seem to be in especially high demand." the host exclaimed.

"What is with our luck with TVs?" Akira couldn't help but think. He was sort of expecting triple or something given how many Phantom Thieves fans he saw around Hawaii.

"I didn't know they sold that kind of stuff." Futaba noted.

"Should we try too? I mean, selling Phantom Thief merchandise." Sojiro meanwhile asked.

"Phantom Curry and Thief Sushi?" Akira suggested. He could already imagine the Vice Leader making sushi with their logo in the middle.

"Maybe I'll toss some dry ice on the side. Y'know, give it that phantom-y effect..." Sojiro muttered. He soon noticed the weird looks coming from the Leader and the hacker. "Uh, I'm just joking, all right?" He soon informed.

"It would be interesting." Haruka had to admit in amusement.

"I know. This cafe was built on nostalgia and peace, not trends and...pretty girls-" Akira responded before looking towards the blonde. "Are you gonna let me go, Haruka?" He eventually asked.

"Nope." Haruka responded, her voice having a hint of clinginess to it.

Akira in turn sighed, though expected the response. "Haruka, I'm tired and want to sleep in my own bed and I can't go upstairs without breaking my arm if you don't let go." He insisted.

"O-Oh." Haruka meekly responded with a stutter as she got off the boy. "Sorry." She then apologized.

Akira however gave off a kinder smile before patting the girl's head. "It's ok." He responded.

BANG!

And Haruka was smitten once more with a pink blush and matching colored hearts in her eyes.

"Joker..." Morgana sighed out in disapproval.

"Whipped." Futaba mentally stated in a blunt manner, though gave a thumbs up.

"Your coffee Haruka." Sojiro meanwhile informed, placing the cup on the table.

"A-Ah, thank you Boss." Haruka responded, snapping out of it as she sat back down and took a sip. "Mm~ An excellent cup as always." She soon praised with a sigh of satisfaction.

"You really should've just gotten Blue Mountain." Sojiro however suggested as he turned back to the TV.

"I wonder how our guests consider this recent phenomenon." The host soon got out as the camera cut to another angle...to reveal the last person they wanted to see on TV right now. Or at any time really. "What do you think, Akechi-kun?" He soon asked.

"Well..." The detective began, taking a moment to figure out how to answer this question the best as he could.

"There he is, the anti-Thief detective. I hope he slips up and self-destructs." Futaba got out in a blunt tone.

"Futaba, he's not a robot." Akira sighed as he shook his head. "He just has a stick up his ass." He added under his breath, earning a laugh from the hacker.

"I assume you aren't a fan of the playboy detective, Futaba-chan?" Haruka meanwhile assumed in a curious manner while taking another sip.

"Only more recently." Futaba waved off, accidentally bumping the back of her hand on her boobs. "Score~" She mentally cheered in satisfaction.

BOING BOING!

The cafe owner couldn't help but stare at how...bouncy the woman's breasts had gotten a single touch. "...I'm not even going to ask." Sojiro sighed as he turned back to watching the TV.

"I can sense some chivalry behind their actions. They are clever to take the silent resentments of the public into account and relieve them. I believe that may be the secret to their popularity." Akechi admitted, his ever-present smile still on his face.

"Well this is surprising. Your stance seems to have softened." The interviewer remarked.

"This doesn't change the fact that they are dangerous." Akechi however shook his head. "However...No, I shouldn't say any more..." He the muttered.

"Come on, you can say it." The host urged.

"Oh no, I won't be falling for that. I've learned my lesson after the previous backfire..." Akechi however turned down with a good natured laugh.

"This is pretty surprising." Haruka had to admit, thought felt something was off about it.

"These thieves are more popular than the police or politicians. What's the world coming to?" Sojiro grumbled as he shook his head in disappointment.

"Rude!" Futaba suddenly called out, sounding quite offended.

"What're you so angry about?" The cafe got out in confusion as the Leader gave the newest member a quick scolding glare. "Hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom. Take care of any other customers that show up." Sojiro sighed before heading for the toilet.

"Sure thing." Akira responded with a quick two finger salute.

Meanwhile, the blonde finished her coffee with a sigh. "I guess I'll be taking my leave. Cancer doesn't wait for anyone." Haruka sighed. "It's really nice you're back. I'll see you later darling." She then stated.

"In your bed within ten minutes." Morgana coughed out.

Futaba meanwhile snickered to that with a witty grin.

Akira meanwhile rolled his eyes at those remarks. "Of course Haruka." He replied with a nod.

Haruka gave him one last smile before heading out of the store.

"...Are you gonna-" Morgana began.

"So, what happened while we were away?" Akira soon asked. "Given that I haven't gotten a text from you all week, I assume nothing happened." He then pointed out.

"Some things happened, just not in the way you'd think." Futaba replied. "Big Sis found a lot while you were gone." She then added.

"Huh, guess you guys didn't have much of a break then." Akira assumed.

"Well I did also finish my analysis. Of the data, you know. And, we have some news you guys might be happy to hear about." Futaba revealed. "Wanna meet now?" She soon asked.

"Zzzzz..." Akira snored out, having fallen asleep about midway through the hacker's sentence.

SLAP!

"Wha!?" Akira yelped as the hacker proudly dusted off her hands. Man, for a barely active gremlin she could surely give someone a good slap. "S-Sorry...I guess I'm way more tired than I thought." He soon yawned.

"Seriously? Jet lag?" Futaba got out before scoffing. "Some leader you are. Go have sex with Haruka already and we'll meet tomorrow." She then suggested as she pushed him towards the stairs.

Akira immediately sputtered as the blush on his face became red. "U-Um...y-yes ma'am! Wait, no wait, e-except the-" He began stammering out, flustered to get the right words out while the hacker snorted at the reaction.

"How fast did you lose your leadership while you were in Hawaii, Leader?" Morgana chuckled. "Now come on, you still have school tomorrow." He soon ordered.

"Urgh...why can't we have stayed for one more week..." Akira groaned as he trudged upstairs.

"Or better yet, have your gir-" Futaba began to call out with a teasing smile.

"Sleeping now!" Akira declared, speeding up to the bedroom, blocking out the laughter from his friends.

---

(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)

Suzune let out a breath as she arrived at the Elites Room, carrying the blonde beansprout lover in her arms. It had taken 3 hours to capture her, and several students were currently in the infirmary, but the proud students of Hebijo had managed to capture the girl and drag her all the way to the gym.

What happened afterwards? The teacher didn't really care. She had a job, and she had to earn her pay. By the time she came to see her, she found Yomi bound and gagged to one of those cheap plastic chairs with several lumps on her head and doodles all over face.

"They just had to use oil-based markers..." Suzune sighed out. "We're here." She announced as she opened the door into the room, where most of the current Elites and associates were currently relaxing in.

"Welcome back Yomi-oneechan." Mirai greeted.

"Hello." Yomi responded in a small manner, clearly broken from whatever the hell she went through all day. "Can you please-" She began to request.

THUD!

Suzune didn't even hesitate and dropped the girl onto the couch.

"Too...cruel..." A worn out Yomi groaned as she laid on the back of the sofa with her head towards the floor and legs in the air...revealing her light green panties.

"And what did we learn today?" Suzune questioned.

"Stop cooking entirely." Yomi mumbled in sadness.

"Or else you lose your arms." Suzune added. "This is not a joke, Yomi. That kitchen has been damaged and blown up way too many times, and at this point you have eroded any patience I had for your actions. If there is even a single hint of you trying to cook, we are activating the Yoke technique. Am I clear?" She then stated in a deadly serious tone before asking.

"Yes, sensei." Yomi responded as she got to her feet.

"Thank you for understanding." Suzune breathed out before turning to the other girls in the room. "The Elite test for Murasaki is two days. Do not disappoint the Academy." She then reminded and instructed.

WOOSH!

"...Okay, seriously, how do you keep blowing up the kitchen!? They even cut the gas from the stove, Yomi-oneechan!" Mirai exclaimed while flailing her arms.

"I don't know! They were all accidents! I swear!" The blonde second year responded before pouting.

"Well, I agree with Suzune-sensei that it has to stop." Hikage admitted. "I won't kill you over it, but I will surely ensure that you never step foot in a kitchen again." She then added.

"But I just wanted to expand my palate..." Yomi confessed as she then licked her lips. "I can still taste the coffee I had while I was in Tokyo." She sighed out in a blissful manner with a happy yet dazed look on her face.

"Then let others cook for you, dumbass." Ryōbi bluntly pointed out. "...So who here can cook?" She eventually asked.

Everyone raised their hands...except Murasaki.

"Hand down Yomi-san." Hikage ordered. "Banned, remember?" She then reminded.

"What if it's on a mission outside of the-" Yomi began.

Everyone in the room (save for the masochistic blonde) glared her down. "Yomi-san, I will say this as kindly as my current emotional state will allow me: Shut the hell up." The greenette requested.

"Yes, Hikage-chan." Yomi meekly responded.

"I wonder who's the best cook then." Imu spoke up. "I mean, I can make myself a pretty mean zaru soba." She soon revealed.

"I can make a good hotpot." Mirai offered.

"Fish sausages~!" Ryōna happily revealed.

"...Pizza." Murasaki quietly revealed.

"...You can cook?" Imu however questioned in confusion.

"Only pizza." Murasaki corrected. Well, the frozen kind anyways.

"Takoyaki." Hikage got out with a shrug.

"Ha! Just takoyaki!?" The sadistic sniper called out. "You guys are better off eating my Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. My sister loved eating it after school!" She then proudly declared.

"That's...odd. Coming from you." Hikage admitted with a raised eyebrow. "Also, your sister is right there." She then reminded.

"...M-Maybe I was trying to not acknowledge her presence! Have you thought about that!?" Ryōbi stammered out, blushing and avoiding their gazes.

"A-Ahn~!" Ryōna moaned. "Neglect play! H-How cruel~!" She exclaimed in a delighted manner.

"You really do get off to anything, huh." Mirai bluntly deadpanned.

"Cooking competition after Ryōna gets back." Hikage simply decided. "Yomi's not allowed to be in it though." She then added.

"Oh come on!" Yomi whined.

"Hey, someone has to be the one to taste our dishes." Mirai pointed out.

"..." Yomi's eyes soon began sparkling as drool leaked out of the side of her mouth.

"And, let's be honest here, you'd probably just make boiled bean sprouts." Hikage then admitted.

"..." Yomi meanwhile still had the dazed look on her face as she could imagine all the food.

"Okay. That sounds amusing, but what are we going to have tonight?" Imu soon reminded everyone. "Given how much food was rendered inedible thanks to Yomi, there's only enough ingredients for..." She pointed out before quickly checking the remains of the kitchen. "...A bread sandwich." She concluded.

"Ooh! I loved those as a kid!" Yomi happily confessed.

"...It's just three slices of bread, Yomi-oneechan." Mirai informed.

"Hey, you take what you can get when you're digging through garbage just to eat." Yomi countered. "Even if the toasted bread is just really stale." She then concluded.

"Let's just order takeout." Imu decided almost instantly.

"Ah! I know a few places that are open right now." Murasaki spoke up as she pulled out her phone. "There's Poonichi, City Wok, Soobway, Mood for the 'Men..." She began listing off.

"What?" Ryōbi got out in confusion.

"It's a ramen place." Murasaki informed before blinking. "Wow, I haven't ordered anything healthy on this..." She soon realized in shame as she scrolled through her phone. She definitely had to fix that. "...That might explain why..." She muttered to herself as she looked down at her bust.

"I could go for ramen." Hikage admitted.

"No, I want something a little less salty." Imu disagreed.

"I don't feel like eating all that much tonight, honestly." Mirai mumbled. "Something light will do for me." She soon requested.

"You think we can get something sweet instead?" Yomi suggested.

"Like sweet and spicy chicken?" Ryōbi assumed.

"Ooh! I want it to be super spicy! Something to ruin my insides!" Ryōna declared.

"Chinese it is then." Murasaki decided before tapping away at her phone. "Done." She soon informed.

"You ordered awfully fast." Mirai remarked.

"I order a lot of fast food." Murasaki admitted. "B-But I'll try not to anymore, the bill is being sent to the school. One large of every item on the menu." She then reassured and informed.

"..." The other girls immediately looked at the purplette, blinking while processing what was said.

"We're eating good tonight." Hikage soon stated with a thumbs-up of approval.

"Wait, we're in a secret location." Imu reminded. "How do you get your food delivered?" She then asked.

"The same way I had pizzas delivered when I was a shut-in, Onee-chan." Murasaki answered.

"I don't even know how you got pizzas delivered here in the first place!" Imu called out.

"I have my ways." Murasaki vaguely revealed.

"...She's definitely more crafty than she appears." Hikage admitted.

"Agreed." Mirai got out in agreement.

Yomi meanwhile started drooling once more in anticipation for dinner.

"Yomi, if you're going to do that, you're gonna have to get the mop." Imu sighed out. "Also, I have to ask, how much did you spend and where do you get your money?" She soon questioned.

"I had the school pay for it like always." Murasaki revealed. "And it was...24,000 yen." She then added.

Yomi instinctively twitched.

"Oh hell." Hikage sighed out. "Yomi, do not do what I'm thinking you're about to do." She soon ordered.

"No worries, Hikage-san. I am perfectly okay with this." Yomi got out in a strained manner.

"..."

"...Are you-" Ryōbi began to ask, however...

"Wait for it." Mirai instructed.

"After I murder the people in charge of ripping us off like the greedy little bastards they are." Yomi soon added with a sweet smile on her face.

"There it is." Hikage concluded.

"Food's here." Murasaki informed as she got the food and placed it in the middle.

"...Ok, how!?" Imu exclaimed in confusion.

"Secret." Murasaki simply responded as she got the food containers out of the bag and placed it on the table "Aw, someone definitely ate some of the roasted duck. Typical." She grumbled.

"Still want to launch a crusade against the fast food industry?" Hikage soon asked.

"...Maybe after some spring rolls. Give it here." Yomi responded as she grabbed the container. After all, she hadn't eaten since this morning.

In her room, Suzune sighed in relief as she relaxed herself as Rin once more.

"Crisis...averted..." The purplette breathed out while stripping down.

"That was some damn good duck. You should definitely order some next time for yourself."

"Maybe when I go out for dinner. But right now I'm just too tired. There's going to be a lot to do tomorrow." Rin sighed out. "And the day after. And the day after that. And the day after...that, I miss my social life." She muttered as she dropped her head.

"A sad, sad fact of adult life."

"You don't need to remind me." Rin groaned. "I really need a vacation after this mess." She then mumbled to herself as she headed into her shower and turned on the water.

"True. First Haruka and her science experiments, then wasps, then killer goats, then Dōgen cutting funding, then the mechanical bull, and now Yomi with her cooking experiments not involving bean sprouts."

"Urgh..." Rin groaned at all the grim reminders. "Is it too late to jump into a TV and just hide until this whole thing blows over?" She soon grumbled.

"Doesn't work outside of Inaba."

"I can try, can't I?" Rin responded as she proceeded to clean herself and then put on a nice casual outfit before heading out...to the bar like every other night in her life.

---

(Harajuku, Haruka's Apartment)

"Ah, another day of researching is done." Haruka breathed out in relief as she stretched her limbs in front of her apartment door. "...I forgot to tell darling about Tsumuji." She then realized as she banged her head on a nearby wall.

Well, no matter. She'll just send him a text later. "Tsumuji-chan, I'm back." Haruka soon called out as she entered her apartment and...wow, she didn't know plaster could sparkle so much in the moonlight.

The assassin turned maid soon appeared from another in her maid outfit and approached the blonde. "Welcome back, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji politely and obediently greeted with a bow.

"Thank you." Haruka replied, noticing that the apartment looked much cleaner. "And how was your day?" She soon asked.

"It was fine." Tsumuji responded with a shrug. "Cleaned your bathroom, your old science crap, the wall, the floor, the ceiling..." She soon listed off.

"Yes, yes. That all sounds fine and dandy." Haruka soon waved off, not wanting a list from the girl. "You're adjusting faster than expected." She then noted in a pleased manner.

"Hey, I've cleaned worse after I left Hebijo." Tsumuji informed as she puffed out her chest proudly. "The batting cages can get real nasty some nights." She then added before shuddering. Drunks really know how to ruin her day...

"Noted." Haruka responded in amusement.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Ah, that must be Crimson Squad." Haruka assumed without even needing to check her phone's screen before setting up a video chat.

"Don't you have any other friends outside of Hebijo?" Tsumuji questioned.

"At least I have some." Haruka delightfully pointed out, glancing at her.

"...You win this round, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji mumbled. "Do you want me to hide, or go outside so you can be alone?" She soon asked.

"No, stay right here." Haruka instructed. "If you want to be part of Crimson Squad, you need to know your allies." She soon explained.

"Or AKA my masters." The maid grumbled under her breath.

"Exactly." Haruka responded in a pleased tone.

"Whatever happened to being comrades..." Tsumuji mumbled as the blonde prepared the monitor.

"Don't worry, you'll earn that privilege back when the time is right." Haruka assured in a not-so-reassuring tone. "Good evening everyone." She soon greeted the team.

"Yo." Hikage simply replied with a wave.

"Arf!" Poochie barked from in-between her owner's boobs.

"Gimme a minute." Mirai got out, still shoveling food into her mouth.

"Good evening ladies, doing well?" Haruka greeted and assumed in amusement.

"As well as we could be." Hikage replied.

"Who's that?" Yomi meanwhile asked, noticing a girl standing in the background.

"Hi. I'm Tsumuji. The failed assassin turned maid for Haruka-sama." Said girl revealed. "Nice to meet you, Poochie-dono, Hikage-sama, Yomi-sama, Mirai-sama." She soon greeted with a bow.

"Arf! Arf!" Poochie barked out.

"Sama?" Yomi repeated in a curious manner.

"...Did you mentally break her?" Hikage bluntly accused the blonde.

"Nope~" Haruka happily revealed.

"This is out of my own free will, against my better judgment. I now live to serve Haruka-sama for as long as I must." Tsumuji assured with a bow. "And trust me, I might not be a failed assassin the next time you call if she tries." She then added in a threatening tone.

"Oh, like you can stop me~" Haruka teasingly responded while giving the maid a head pat.

"...Please let me join your squad." Tsumuji all but pleaded, a red blush on her cheeks. She was already feeling strange as time went on with starting to like the headpats and praise she got.

"...I mean, we need all the help we can-" Yomi began, rather interested in adding in an additional member. However...

"She's the one that tried to kill Homura, all to act as petty vengeance for her brother." Haruka kindly reminded the squad.

"Give us a month or two to think about it." Yomi instantly changed her tune. "Continue serving her until then." She then ordered.

"At this rate, I might as well join the goddamn Phantom Thieves..." Tsumuji grumbled under her breath. She probably had better chances too.

At that moment, the eyepatch-wearing girl had finished her dinner. "Aaaaahhhh...that was some good dumplings..." Mirai breathed out as she put her chopsticks down. "So what are we talking about? Also, Haruka-sama, there's a weird creepy girl standing behind you with a mop." She then asked and informed.

"Creepy!?" Tsumuji exclaimed in an offended manner.

"Meet Tsumuji-chan, currently my new personal maid and someone who wants to join the Crimson Squad after Dogen ordered her to try and assassinate Homura-chan and darling." Haruka soon introduced. "Mirai, were you not paying attention?" She then questioned.

"They were really good dumplings..." Mirai meekly responded as she poked her fingers together.

"Well, it's the only development on my end. My research is going rather smoothly. I'm going for a 2020 deadline for my cure." Haruka soon revealed.

"Are you gonna have a medical license by then?" Hikage asked.

"Hopefully." Haruka responded with a nod. "Takemi-sensei did say she's working on getting me into a good medical school. With my knowledge, I could probably skip a few years but it's still going to take a while." She then revealed with a smile.

"And to think you used to purposely make everything crazy at Hebijo with your experiments." Hikage reminded.

"Actually, I think Haruka-sama getting into medical school might be the most dangerous thing that may happen in this world." Mirai soon admitted.

"Well, I do want to become an actual doctor now." Haruka confessed with a more gentle smile.

"Yeah, but you'll also know what is and isn't possible." Mirai pointed out. "Either you'll lose your ability to make biology your bitch...or break it even further. And I don't know what I'm more afraid of." She then stated and confessed.

"...Haruka-sama, please don't start a zombie apocalypse..." Tsumuji soon requested in a fear-filled manner.

"..." Haruka looked confused while the other members of Crimson Squad cringed.

"...Again...?" Tsumuji soon added with a questioning look.

"It never happened before." Haruka reassured. "...Wait, there was that time-" She then started.

"Nope. Don't need to know." Tsumuji shut down as she shook her head.

"In any case," Haruka began as she coughed into her fist. "Anything new with you ladies?" She once more asked.

"Just the usual bull we have to deal with at Hebijo." Mirai answered. "Oh, Yomi-oneechan finally got banned from cooking. Thank god. I was getting tired of hearing explosions in the morning." She then informed.

"My, Yomi-chan, you finally broke the camel's back?" Haruka giggled in amusement. "Hebijo tolerates a lot of unusual things. Whatever you did must've been quite the show." She then recalled and stated.

"Why do you think it's funny!?" Yomi exclaimed in an offended manner.

"She caused as many accidents as you did when you were here in record time." Hikage bluntly revealed.

"Hey!" Yomi whined out.

"You know what you did!" Hikage countered in a louder and more frustrated tone.

Haruka meanwhile giggled at the interactions. "My, so much emotion in you now Hikage." She happily got out. "Are you enjoying it?" She then asked in amusement.

"Actually, I've been feeling anger more and more every day." Hikage admitted with a frown. "It's...quite unpleasant. Is this what Homura felt like dealing with us on a daily basis?" She admitted and asked.

"Probably." Haruka responded as she shrugged her shoulders. "But I'm sure Poochie-chan will make sure to remind you to smile." She soon noted.

"...She does." Hikage admitted, a smile coming across her face as she began petting the puppy.

"Arf!" Poochie happily barked out.

"We really need to get someone who speaks dog...who isn't Ryōna." Mirai mumbled to herself. She wondered if the puppy really had human level intelligence or was just...weird.

"Now, any updates on Murasaki-chan?" Haruka soon asked in a curious and concerned manner.

"Uuhh...she actually headed out earlier. Said she wanted to go on a run to burn off some calories from dinner before bed." Mirai recalled. "...Oh, wait, there was also that bear Suzune-sensei almost skinned-" She then began.

"Bebe-tan...can you give me a towel...?" An exhausted voice panted out from outside their rooms.

"Ah, I think she's back." Yomi informed. "Murasaki-chan! Join the chat!" She soon called out.

"Give me a second!" Murasaki responded.

"Couldn't she just join by heading into one of your rooms?" Tsumuji pointed out.

"Imu might get suspicious if she keeps going into our rooms." Hikage responded as a third screen popped up on the monitors.

BOING!

"Good evening Haruka-oneesama." Murasaki greeted in her work-out clothes with a smile before yawning. "Sorry. Just tired from...training." She then revealed as she patted down her sweat with a towel.

"Good god she's massive!" Tsumuji breathed out with widened eyes. "What type of implants did you pay for!? Saturn Cups!?" She then questioned.

Murasaki blushed before covering her chest.

SMACK!

"Don't allow your jealousy to speak for you!" Haruka ordered. "And that's my cute new sister you're talking about." She then added as the purplette in mention blushed with a smile.

"Jealousy!? My chest is fine! It's everyone else that has massive tits." Tsumuji countered before realizing something. "...No offense, Mirai-sama." She then added.

"...Haruka-sama?" Mirai began with a twitching eye and held back anger.

SMACK!

"You were saying?" Haruka got out as if nothing happened.

"Erm...I think I've gotten a lot stronger since I left." Murasaki eventually informed. "Bebe-tan hasn't been speaking all that much for me lately. I even ordered food by myself today!" She then revealed.

"Until the day you actually have to get your damn food yourself." Bebeby chimed in. "But if you play your cards right, you could get it for free..." The plushie then added.

"B-B-Bebe-tan!" Murasaki squeaked as she tried to lower her face down to hide her blush.

"Seriously, what the fuck is that bear?" Mirai asked in an incredulous manner.

"It's best not to question it." Haruka however advised.

"But-" Mirai began once more.

"You've been keeping at it?" Haruka asked in a more sisterly tone, now ignoring the eyepatch-wearing girl.

"Hai, it's been rough, but I've been surviving." Murasaki replied with a smile.

"Come on! I was still talking!" Mirai called out, but was still ignored.

"She wakes up before any of us just to take a jog doing a few laps around the school." Hikage revealed. "She's basically been giving it 100%." She simply stated.

"Hai, it's impressive since she wakes up before anyone else." Yomi confessed as the purplette in mention smiled meekly to the praise being given to her.

"Jiggly too..." Mirai grumbled in an envious manner as the purplette blushed in embarrassment while covering her chest with her arms again. "Dammit, why is she getting all the attention? I'm training too!" She grumbled with a pout.

"You didn't neglect your body for several years and spent most of that time eating junk and surfing the internet as a shut-in." Haruka reminded the eye-patch wearing girl. "She needs the help, don't you Murasaki-chan?" She then stated.

"It would be appreciated." Murasaki responded with a nod. "I barely survived the past few days..." She then confessed.

"Ah, right. Her exams." Mirai remembered in a sympathetic tone.

"Given that she's still in one piece and breathing, I assume she did well." Haruka stated.

"Murasaki managed to pass all her tests. She can attend normal classes." Hikage revealed. "But now she needs to make it as an Elite in two days." She then informed.

"I'm going to give it my all." Murasaki reassured with a nod of determination.

"Why is that important?" Tsumuji asked. "Don't Elites just get harsher training and tougher missions at the school?" She then added.

"Of course the only normie in this chat would think that." Mirai got out as she rolled her eye.

"I was an Anointed! I have special training!" Tsumuji countered.

"Well, being an Elite is more than just training missions. They represent the school and gain access to this room and all its facilities." Hikage explained.

"Most of its facilities." Yomi grumbled with a pout.

"And...?" Haruka responded with a raised eyebrow.

"...As long as she's around, Imu is much easier to deal with." Hikage soon admitted in a sheepish manner. "It's been really nice, and she can keep her off our backs while we plan our escape." She then informed.

"A lot of our decisions seem to be based around her, huh." Mirai added with a sigh.

"Then why don't you kill her?" Tsumuji suggested.

"We can't go around killing everyone in our way." Yomi however replied while shaking her head.

"Why not?" Tsumuji questioned in confusion.

"Because it churns out revenge-obsessed idiots who throw their life away." Haruka answered. "Like you." She then added.

"Yes, I got that halfway through that insult, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji deadpanned.

"Not an insult, merely a statement." Haruka corrected.

"Plus, if we did anything to Imu, things would not end well for us." Hikage continued. "She's the best friend of the principal's daughter. She kicked Haruka's ass and nearly killed her even before regaining a fraction of her old strength, and she's our third best fighter." She then stated.

"Third?" Haruka repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"They. Will. Murder us." Yomi concluded. "...Well, except for Akira-san. He doesn't stand a chance, but the rejection will hurt immensely! Also, we'll lose any chance of a peaceful life and our loved ones will be in danger." She then added in a serious tone.

"It's not like betraying the academy already risks that." Hikage pointed out while Poochie barked. "We must do our best to avoid stabbing that little bitch in the jugular." She then stated.

"Stab who in the what?" Imu got out in confusion, having passed by the greenette's open door with a sandwich in her hands.

"You in the jugular." Hikage bluntly and honestly responded as Poochie bared her teeth.

"Yeah, I wanna jam my staff through your eyeballs on a good day." Imu casually replied before taking a bite of her food. "People can dream!" She then called out with her mouth full as she went to her room.

"...What have I missed?" Tsumuji wondered out loud. "I thought the principal's daughter was an invalid." She then added.

"I think the scar on my scalp disapproves of that." Haruka sighed out.

"It seems a lot of other shinobi are heading to Tokyo these days." Mirai soon remarked with a frown. "From all those incidents to the Phantom Thieves...it's wild out there, huh?" She then assumed.

"Hai, the currently most wanted person to have a change of heart is Kunikazu Okumura." Haruka responded and revealed.

"...Didn't Hebijo kidnap his daughter once or twice?" Hikage recalled.

"Eighteen times. Always ends in failure though." Haruka responded with a sigh. "The corrupt officials who pay the school are making it into some sort of game from what I heard last time I was there." She then revealed.

"That's...w-why?" Mirai responded in disbelief.

"No clue. All I know was it started several years ago." Haruka informed with a shrug. "It'snot that important. What is important is that Tokyo may become a battlefield for a secret war soon enough." She then stated.

"Do you think the Good Shinobi faction is preparing itself as well?" Yomi asked.

"It's most likely." Haruka responded with a nod as she narrowed her eyes. "Given everything...the Phantom Thieves are going to be involved, whether they like it or not." She then stated in a serious tone.

"Are we still ruling out they're just renegades with really big dreams of changing the world?" Yomi soon questioned.

"If that were the case, they should've been dead months ago." Hikage stated. "No...they could be something else entirely that we're not thinking of." She then concluded.

"...Aliens?" Mirai challenged a guess...only to get the others to stare at her. "What? It's better than being actual ghosts!" She soon called out in an indignant tone.

"I mean, they did paint that building at Station Square..." Tsumugi pointed out.

"And Shujin Academy itself." Yomi added. "I still say it is a better look though." She then admitted.

"Can we please get back on topic please?" Hikage sighed out. "What is our next move, Haruka?" She then questioned.

"Keep doing what you're doing. Don't raise suspicion, make note of key weaknesses in security, and sharpen your skills as much as possible." Haruka ordered. "...And no cooking, Yomi-chan. Even after we burn the school to the ground." She then added.

"Oh come on!" Yomi whined with a pout.

"Vegetable growing and fishing is ok though." Haruka then stated. "It will be great to lighten the load on our budgets if we have a food source of our own. That reminds me, I need to check on those pink bean sprouts tomorrow." She soon added and recalled.

"...Pink?" Tsumugi repeated in confusion.

"Don't worry about-" Hikage tried to offhandedly say, only to pause. "Actually, you probably should. Soon." She then decided.

"Way to inspire confidence, Hikage-sama." Tsumugi deadpanned.

"Arf!" Poochie barked out.

"Thank you, Poochie-dono." Tsumugi responded with a bow of loyalty.

"Pfftt...!" Mirai snorted out.

"Oh, laugh it up, Shortstack of the Caribbean." The Rabbit-Anointed kunoichi snarked at her...only to realize what she had just said. "...That sounded a lot better in my head." She eventually stated in a somewhat regretful tone, knowing what was coming.

"HEY! THE HECK DID YOU CALL ME!?" Mirai exclaimed.

SLAP!

"It's Mirai-sama, Tsumuji!" Haruka reminded in a cold tone after smacking her roommate.

"Yes Haruka-sama." Tsumuji immediately responded, rubbing her hand on right butt cheek.

"Hah!" Mirai laughed out while pointing at the screen.

"There are also much better names to call my sweet little kouhai if you wish to piss her off." Haruka then stated.

"Yeah!" Mirai declared with pride before blinking. "...Wait, what?" She then got out in confusion. "Hold on, Okumura...as in the guys in charge of Big Bang Burger right? The burgers that cause breast growth for shinobis right?" She then recalled.

"...Do they?" Haruka asked in a more curious manner with a raised eyebrow.

BOING!

"Happened to me when I ate them. All three challenges though I didn't beat the third one." Hikage admitted as she held her breasts in her hands...and was now wearing nothing but her underwear. "I think I'm a little smaller than Murasaki-san's now." She then noted.

"...I'm glad I never attempted it..." Murasaki soon confessed in relief as she held her own bust in her hands.

Haruka in turn blinked at the sight as she focused more on the greenette. "They are a bit bigger." She admitted in an interested tone. "Impressive." She then complimented, now thinking she should take it herself sometime to get herself a bigger bust.

Nothing wrong with wanting to make herself sexier after all.

"Had to get my clothes slightly adjusted at the Hebijo tailor though." Hikage sighed out.

"I should've attempted it when I was in Tokyo..." Mirai grumbled with a pout.

"I don't think a loli with a bust would look that good." Tsumuji pointed out loud with a sweatdrop.

"HAAAAAH!?" The first-year exclaimed, baffled and pissed.

SMACK!

"My apologies Mirai-sama." Tsumuji immediately responded, wincing a bit after being slapped over the head by the glaring blonde.

"Tsumuji-chan, one more insult like that from you, I'll shower you with some of my former experiments." Haruka threatened.

"I am your loyal maid, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji immediately responded in a drone-like tone.

"I'll frickin' shower you with bullets instead, you hear me!?" Mirai yelled.

"Mirai, calm down." Haruka soon ordered. "Like darling probably told you when you were here, you're fine the way you are." She then reassured.

In turn, the first year calmed down and blushed a bit. "Akira-nii told me I would eventually become a beautiful woman..." Mirai confessed in a mumble. "I mean, that nice fortune teller lady from Shinjuku said the same thing, sooo..." She then mumbled.

"Ufufu~ What a nice big brother darling is to you~" Haruka however giggled out in amusement.

"H-Haruka-sama..." Mirai stammered, her head red and steaming.

"Still Mirai, you are fine the way you are." Haruka soon reassured once more. "And I'm sure you will become a sexy woman too if you keep up with your training." She then added. She would have to keep it in the back of her to try and help out her kouhai in that regard if she ever came to Tokyo again...somehow.

"H-Hai..." Mirai stammered her response before stretching her limbs. "Ugh...it's getting late..." She then remembered.

"I need to get up early so I can do my morning jog and train more." Murasaki got out, a yawn escaping her lips as well. "We better end it here tonight." She then added.

"Right." Haruka agreed. "Remember, our lives are on the line here. Any mistake we make could be fatal so do not let your guard down. Even if the outcome is not what we want, we need to roll with the punches. As long as no one dies, we still have a chance." She then stated and instructed.

"Hai." Murasaki responded with a nod. "Tell Akira-kun I said hi Onee-sama." She then requested.

"I will. Have a good sleep everyone." Haruka responded with a smile as everyone began signing off. "I better do the same. There's still so much work to be done." She then decided.

"You gonna head out and fuck your pretend boyfriend?" Tsumuji assumed...only to be glared at. "My apologies Haruka-sama, I still have a lot to learn. I am your loyal maid." She then stated.

"Thank you. Be sure to practice tomorrow." Haruka responded and ordered.

The assassin turned maid in response nodded to the order given. "Still, you gonna sleep over at his place?" Tsumuji soon asked. "I do like having the apartment to myself." She then admitted.

"I'll let darling sleep for tonight, he's already suffering from jet lag, so it wouldn't be right to take advantage of that." Haruka decided as she went to change for bed...before blinking to what she said and giggled. "Ufufu~ I guess I am growing up." She soon noted in amusement.

"You used to always take advantage of unconscious men?" Tsumuji couldn't help but say.

"..." Haruka immediately gave an expression of disapproval as she narrowed her eyes.

"...I'll go tie myself to the bed now, Haruka-sama." Tsumuji sighed as she walked to the bedroom, already stripping off everything she had and back into the (strangely comfortable) sling bikini.

"Good girl." Haruka responded in approval. She honestly wasn't doing anything this time, but she noticed the other girl becoming more and more loyal to her by the minute.

Progress.

---

(9/12, Evening)

(Aoyama-Itchome, Shujin Academy)

Miyabi had arrived at Aoyama-Itchome only a minute ago, but she felt as if she was already too late. "Come on, don't tell me they escaped..." She muttered in frustration.

Suddenly, she smelt burning. The white-haired woman instantly followed her nose and turned to Shujin Academy...where she saw an orange flickering light in one of the windows. "Shit!" She swore out.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

However, her worst fears from tonight had come to pass when she peered into room while sticking herself to the ceiling inside.

It was the principal's office, and there were two men in suits and sunglasses...and they were throwing papers into a small trash fire in the middle of the office.

Miyabi had been following these idiots for the past few hours after she overheard them talking about Shujin and evidence. She had only noticed them because of their odd body language when they were waiting at the train station.

Plus, who in their right mind would wear sunglasses so late at night? Miyabi could smell their suspicion from the rooftops.

However, she did manage to lose them in a crowd in Shibuya, and by the time she caught up to them, they were destroying anything and everything that looked semi-interesting in the office. And while knocking them out was an option, it would just cause a lot more trouble down the line. It was likely they were working for someone in a high position of power, and weren't above hiring goons to do their dirty work.

"Why did we decide to burn shit indoors?" One of the men questioned while taking off his sunglasses to cough.

"We can't risk getting seen." Another one of the men explained sternly to him. "Besides, who cares if this school burns down. It's been an eyesore since May." He then stated.

"I dunno. Art needs to be preserved and appreciated, Morita-san." The first guy stated in a more casual manner.

"Are you serious?" The more serious of the two got out in a deadpan manner.

"Hey, it's better than the crap we sell on the black market." The laidback man pointed out.

"Just do your damn job." The serious man growled as he threw in another stack of papers into the fire.

"They don't look like people who should be here..." Miyabi thought as she narrowed her eyes. "They're armed..." She then added in her head as she noticed the firearms.

She could beat one of them up and interrogate them, but she knew it was a bad idea right now. It would be better to just let them leave.

But not without a little evidence.

Miyabi took out her phone and quickly took photos of the men. She'll have Futaba run a facial recognition program on them when she gets back. "Smile for the camera assholes." She thought as she smirked while taking some shots.

"I think that's everything." The laidback man breathed out as he wiped some sweat off his brow.

His partner nodded before pulling out a cheap burner phone and dialing a number. "Hello? Boss? The job's done." The serious man informed his superior. "...Okay, we'll be there." He then responded with a nod before tossing the phone into the fire.

"What did the boss say?" The laidback goon had to ask.

"Meeting at the usual place. 10 AM." The serious goon answered.

"Why don't we meet somewhere that doesn't require an hour and a half train ride there?" The laidback man complained.

The serious man rolled his eyes. "Stop complaining. We follow orders, not discuss their decisions. Is Team B done with their part yet?" He soon reminded and questioned.

His laidback partner quickly checked his own burner phone. "Yep. There's nothing left in the fat bastard's home. We're all done." He informed with a smirk before throwing the phone into the fire. "We did good. Let's go get some sushi." He soon declared.

"You're paying." The serious goon stated.

"I paid last time!" His partner called out as they left the office, shutting the door behind them.

As soon as silence was in the room, the white haired woman dropped down from her hiding spot. "Tch, idiots." Miyabi scoffed as she rolled her eyes before stomping out the fire while narrowing her eyes. Didn't want school to burn down, her friends would probably not like it.

"Asshole could've paid for a genin and they would've done a much better job." Miyabi mumbled as she sifted through the burnt remains, trying to find something that survived.

However, there was nothing other than small charred paper left. So, Miyabi moved on to searching the rest of the office just to see if there was anything she could use to figure out why these guys were here in the first place.

"Dammit, these guys were really thorough." Miyabi cursed as she slammed the drawer shut. "If there was anything here, it's gone now. Perfect." She then grumbled.

It happened sometimes on recon missions, but it was still frustrating to see someone else get to the information first and then let them destroy it. While she lost in the short term, she still had a chance to secure their long term plans-

"Wait, why did Principal Penispump of all people need to have papers burned? Hm?" Miyabi hummed out as she took something from the principal's desk before her eyes widened. "This is..." She muttered as she then pocketed it and narrowed her eyes in anger. "Why those sneaky bastards. I better get this to Futaba." She soon decided as she left through the window, vanishing like the wind.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Sakura Residence)

In a dimly lit room with the computer screen as the source of light, the hacker of the Phantom Thieves was having what seemed to be the research of a lifetime in her eyes as she typed eagerly on her keyboard, searching and looking at certain pictures and info of people...and inventions.

A certain not cat, on the other hand, was sleeping on the hacker's bed, dreaming of something in particular and very, very vivid. "Zzzz...mmm, Lady Ann...not that place...again..." Morgana softly mumbled in his sleep. "Use...tongue...please." He then continued.

However, the orangette was more focused on the data on screen. "Pyon-Pyon-Warp-Kun...Horibiro-Bath-Time-Kun...Wow, this Lala girl really made very unique invention designs. And this Rito guy couldn't even catch a break, jeez." Futaba muttered her declaration in anticipation while typing furiously on her keyboard. "Oh my God, he's got a lot of female acquaintances..." She then added.

She actually managed to secretly hack said boy's phone, courtesy of the Leader having the former's contact number. She did hear the news about the disappearance of Sainan High that happened a couple of months ago, which made her feel interested but didn't really care about it that time due to...pre-change of heart experiences. And right now, based on what she had found, well...their principal was something else, even worse than Shujin's.

Hey, she was still waiting for the data, so she had some free time when she wasn't chatting online with Murasaki in secret.

"Hmm...maybe next time I should check Hebijo, Gessen, and Hanzō Academy's female students' medical records and find out all of their three siz-" The hacker then added before...

"FUTABA!" Miyabi exclaimed as she came in from the window.

"SWEET GOD OF WHAT!?" Futaba exclaimed as she jumped, causing her personal gaming chair to tip over to the floor, bringing the hacker along with it.

CRASH!

"Sorry Futaba!" Miyabi exclaimed as she helped the orangette up.

The orangette soon rubbed her head in pain. "Big Sis, what are you doing here!? It's 2AM in the morning!" Futaba asked.

"This is coming from the girl still on her computer at 2AM." Miyabi countered with a sweatdrop.

"The concept of time does not matter to me." Futaba quickly and confidently declared before glancing over to the not cat sleeping on her bed. "I'm...surprised Morgana didn't wake up by that..." She then admitted.

"Must be dreaming heavily judging from the looks of it." Miyabi assumed, observing the not cat.

"Maybe. Alright, back to you, you want something?" Futaba soon asked.

Miyabi then showed the girl her phone. "I was just at Shujin, something big was going on." She revealed in a serious tone. "Do you know anything else about the principal besides what we know?" She then asked.

"Uh...his name was Kobayakawa...actually, let me check the database." Futaba started as she got back onto her computer.

The white haired girl then walked to watch the orangette. "Database. What database?" Miyabi then asked as she gazed at the orangette's computer screen.

The hacker in response continued typing. "The national registry. I can also pull up his hospital records and a bunch of other junk about his life." Futaba informed.

Ignoring how easily the hacker brought this up, the white haired woman focused on the current situation. "Hospital records. I want hospital records." Miyabi soon requested.

Futaba nodded and looked up the principal's record. "Here we go. Kobayakawa, Kiyoto. Born, don't care. Weight...a lot, no surprise there. Death, don't care. Medical hist- wait...d-death!? The hell!?" She began listing off before her eyes widened to that before while rubbing her eyes to make sure she was reading that last bit right.

The white haired girl in turn nodded to that. "There. When, where and how did he die?" Miyabi soon eagerly asked.

The hacker then adjusted her glasses to this. "Uh...Y-Yesterday. Late at night. In front of the police station...it says here that he stopped in the middle of the street and was...struck by a truck. Let me see if the police have anything on him." Futaba read off.

"Why was he in front of the police station so late?" The white haired woman whispered to herself.

"Checking his address and the police station..." The orangette muttered as she continued typing. "Got it. And...that's worrying." She eventually stated and commented while observing the revealed results on her computer screen.

"It's not on his way home. It wasn't a coincidence he died near a police station." Miyabi soon stated as she narrowed her eyes. "...Was he going there?" She soon deducted in a serious tone.

"Probably. And given the reveal of his frankly criminal neglect of the school, I doubt he'd risk going to the police without a reason." Futaba deduced with a finger on her chin. "Which begs the question: What reason was it?" She then added.

"Hmm...anything on the truck that killed him?" Miyabi then asked.

"...Hit and run. License plate was obscured." Futaba muttered. "Hm, but the cops were able to find the principal's path. On September 10th, 11:46 PM, he took a taxi from Kichijoji to the Shinjuku Police Station." She soon informed.

Miyabi blinked at that. "Isn't the Musashino Police Station closer? Why didn't he go there?" She pointed out.

"I don't know. People are weird or don't know anywhere else to go." The hacker responded as she shook her head before going through all the security footage and GPS data used to track his movements. "Here's something interesting. He didn't directly go to the police station, he was...he stopped a block from it and walked over there. Then...after midnight...splat." Futaba soon noted as she played the last moments of the man's life. "Urgh...that security cam is too high def..." She soon grimaced.

"Stop. Looking at it." Miyabi got out as she closed the video for her, allowing her to focus on the police report. "But the report is accurate. He froze in the middle of the road and basically let that truck hit him. But why did he freeze all of a sudden?" She then informed and questioned.

"Maybe his heart gave out on him at the worst possible moment." Futaba guessed.

"But he would be clutching his chest, stumbling around. Drop dead." Miyabi however stated. "Not stand still like a deer in headlights. People don't just stop like that." She then added.

"You know way too much about that." Futaba noticed.

"You have to if you want to be a shinobi." Miyabi responded in a serious tone.

"Thank god." Futaba mumbled under her breath.

"But that's assuming he wanted to live. Has the police said anything about it?" Miyabi asked.

"Give me a moment." Futaba mumbled before bringing up a few more programs. "Pfft, they're using freaking Discord to talk about this case. Cracked that a day after it got popular. Boop." She then chuckled before bringing up the chat logs.

"Wow, that's a lot of cats." Miyabi remarked.

"Wrong channel." Futaba got out before switching to the more important one. "Here we go. They're ruling it as a suicide but...what the hell..." Futaba started, but was also confused by this.

"Well...that would be easy to determine that, given all the crap he's gone through." Miyabi admitted. "Kamoshida's arrest, leaking out his involvement...probably even Homura and Makoto's warpath against him." She soon listed off.

"Yeah, the police are assuming as such." Futaba muttered. "But you're not gonna like this next part."

"What can be worse than what's happening now?"

"There is a possibility that the cause of him freezing in the middle of the road...was due to an ill-timed change of heart. Like all other cases with the Phantom Thieves, we do not have evidence, so it is hard to determine this was merely an accident or on purpose." Futaba read out. "H-Hold on, are they seriously assuming we did it?" She then got out in concern.

"As much as I want to deny that possibility, it's the one that makes the most sense." Miyabi responded as she narrowed her eyes. "The unfortunate thing is that we didn't do anything. We just found his Palace!" She then added.

At that, the oranette's eyes widened. "...Big Sis, his Palace!" Futaba called out.

"Hm?" Miyabi got out before it hit her as well. "Shit." She swore.

"Yep." Futaba responded with an affirmative nod. "I think another Persona-user entered his Palace and changed his heart. And since everyone was in Hawaii, that just leaves our prime suspect." She then stated with a frown.

"That...That fucker." Miyabi growled. "Black Mask just sniped him from right under us!" She growled out.

"We were right there that day! How could we let it happen?" Futaba growled. "Urgh...do you think he targeted him because of us?" She soon asked.

"I wouldn't know. I mean, I would know if we're being watched." Miyabi responded. "Maybe it was another thing entirely." She soon assumed.

"But why target some lame-ass principal?" Futaba wondered. "We were going to kick him while he was down, Black Mask can't have been...wait, no! No, I got it!" She soon got out with a snap of her fingers.

"Huh?" Miyabi got out in confusion.

"He was heading to the police station right? Why would he do that in the first place?" Futaba responded.

"...To give them information on a crime." Miyabi realized. "Why didn't we figure that out sooner?" She then muttered in embarrassment.

"It's 2 AM, Big Sis. Our brains aren't exactly functioning at 100%." Futaba reminded.

"True." Miyabi admitted in agreement. "So we're thinking Black Mask killed him to silence him over what he knows." She assumed.

"But that doesn't make sense." Futaba countered. "How could they have timed it so that the principal would freeze like that?" She soon asked.

"They got lucky...or not." Miyabi muttered as she crossed her arms underneath her breasts.

"Not?" Futaba repeated.

"Something like that doesn't happen because of sheer coincidence." Miyabi responded. "Just look at all the incidents over the past two years. They always seem to happen at the worst times." She then stated while narrowing her eyes.

"...Like when my mom collapsed in front of an oncoming car..." Futaba whispered with widened eyes.

"Black Mask has allies." Miyabi soon deducted.

"Another team of Persona-users?" Futaba guessed in a worried manner.

"Possibly, but they at least have outside help." Miyabi responded. "That would explain the men in the school burning stuff." She then added.

"They set fire to the school!?" Futaba exclaimed. "All of Homura and Ryuji's work!?" She then added.

"No, they were just getting rid of evidence as well as leaving a fake calling card from us." Miyabi revealed as she then took the card out from in between her bust. "Do you have a facial recognition program? I have photos of these guys." She then asked and revealed as she took out her phone.

"Let me check." Futaba got out as she took the phone out of the woman's hands without asking permission. "Okay...I think these photos can work. The fire gives off just enough light to get their facial features. Ugh, who wears sunglasses so late?" She then mumbled.

"Apparently, criminals." Miyabi replied with a shrug.

"Just give me a moment to do my thing." Futaba got out in a determined manner as she grabbed a charger cable and connected Miyabi's phone and her PC together.

"You better do it fast." Miyabi urged in a serious manner.

"I can't make stuff load faster, Big Sis. Computers don't hurry up even if you ask it nicely." The hacker sighed before checking the progress bar. "This should take only five minutes. You can lay down on my bed while we wait." Futaba informed and offered.

Miyabi simply responded with a nod before sitting and lying down on the orangette's bed while making sure she didn't accidently hit the sleeping not cat. "...All of this is making me antsy." She soon admitted.

"You and me both." Futaba replied in agreement while doing her work. "And we just happened to find out about this right when the others got back." She then added.

"Yeah..." Miyabi responded with a nod. "We gotta nip this in the bud before we're the ones blamed for it." She then stated.

"I think we are already being blamed for it by the police." Futaba informed. "It's the public we have to worry about. Our biggest supporters could be our worst enemies." She then added as she narrowed her eyes.

"That's not to mention all the shinobi already out to get us..." Miyabi reminded in a dead serious tone. "If they start thinking we can kill our targets, we'll be all in serious danger." She then explained.

"Does that mean I can get a-" Futaba began.

"You are not getting a gun, young lady." Miyabi immediately answered in a protective manner.

"At least give me a battle axe. Ooh, no, a warhammer. I wanna bust some heads open like watermelons." Futaba soon requested, sounding a little too excited for the request.

"Can you even lift a warhammer?" Miyabi asked in a deadpan tone.

"Uhhh...maybe one of those building mallets then?" Futaba sheepishly suggested before pouting. "Come on, you can't always be there to defend me. It would be nice to have a backup weapon just in case." She then reminded and admitted.

"I can and I will." Miyabi stated.

"Look, let's discuss this with Joker tomorrow-" Futaba began.

"Today." Miyabi corrected.

"-This afternoon. He is the one who buys us all our weapons after all." Futaba countered and reminded.

"Ugh...at least let me run you through weapons safety." The white-haired woman soon offered.

"Oh, I understand that already." Futaba assured before doing an imaginary rifle reload. "Pew pew pew! Argh! My balls!" She then got out.

"Outside of video games." Miyabi deadpanned.

"Our lives are already like a video game." Futaba countered with a smirk.

DING!

"There we go. The program is done." Futaba soon informed, getting the white haired woman's attention as she went to her side. "Let's see...ah, that should be our targets. With 94.7% confidence, our culprits are Genda Asaki and Takayuki Merada. They are...part of the government security detail." She informed with a wince.

"Government?" Miyabi repeated.

"Like...high level. The guys whose job is to jump in front of bullets aimed at the Prime Minister or whoever." Futaba clarified.

"Shit..." Miyabi whispered as she took a deep breath to calm down. This was not looking good at all.

"Big Sis...What do you think we stumbled into?" Futaba soon asked as panic began to fill her body.

"...A conspiracy." Miyabi answered as she narrowed her eyes. "One that's trying to frame the Phantom Thieves for their crimes..." She then declared in a dead serious tone.

"We have to tell everyone right now." The hacker advised, starting to get a little worried.

"Futaba, it's still 2 AM...well, 3 AM now, but it's too late for anyone to be awake." Miyabi however reminded her with a hand on the orangette's shoulder. "We're meeting up tomorrow, right?" She soon asked.

"Yep." Futaba answered.

"Good." Miyabi responded with a nod. "Because whatever happens next, I think the Phantom Thieves are about to go to war." She then stated with a serious expression on her face.

"...Are you going to go home now? I kinda wanna go to sleep now." Futaba soon deadpanned.

"R-Right. Good night." Miyabi responded, giving the girl a tender head pat. "And good work gathering the information." She then praised.

WHOOSH!

Futaba stared at the spot where the white-haired woman disappeared. "...Wonder if I can do that too with enough training. Now, back to Rito Yuuki." She wondered out loud with a sigh as she went back to work on her computer for a while before getting a shut-eye soon.

Even she could tell things were going to get hectic now...

---

Save Game…Quit!

---

Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Paragon (Level 5)

Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)

Proficiency- Masterful (Level 4)

Diligence- Rock Solid (Level 5)

Courage- Heroic (Level 5)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Adult (Level 4)

Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)

Femininity- Natural (Level 4)

Elegance- Yamato Nadeshiko (Level 5)

Understanding- Saintly (Level 5)

---

Whew! Done! We're gonna see a little deviation from the main game now. Hope this works out.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!