Hello ello! Nothing much to say then another chapter for persona. More filler and a sweet bond moment in the end. I hope you enjoy!
Time: April-Friday-Afternoon Place: Junbon Entrance
The week went by and with the fateful day very soon Kentaro felt his nerves more than ever. It didn't help that he had no idea if Shira even found a common time to enter as he hadn't been conscious during any potential rifts. Of course, the second I want to I haven't even seen the subspace at all. Tension was high and who could blame him. He was about to venture into a world of unknown with the potential of death right behind him. If I'm lucky... Kentaro knew it wouldn't help him if he kept thinking about it, so he was gratefully surprised to find Shira waiting in front of the school. She seems troubled… maybe I could help her out… He made his way towards her and soon a pair of somethings caught his eyes.
"Hey!" The robotic girl looked up a bit, seemingly startled as the carbon teen rushed to her side and started pulling her away.
"Ahh Kentaro-san... I had been waiting for you" she said nonchalant as she was being dragged away. "May I ask where we are going?"
"We are going to a clothes store! Right now!" The teen held a flustered look as he attempted to avoid the gaze of his fellow students. Thank God she has something covering her a bit. The duo's pacing slowed a bit as he realized he didn't know where to go.
"Something the matter?" Kentaro turned to the silver android and remembered a certain loudmouth who could help out with this.
"Sorry, just that to answer your question..." He held a smirk as he continued walking, "I'm going to need some help."
Place: Osaka Mall
It's much bigger than what I was expecting… The 4-story building was as wide as its height which intimidated the teen a bit.
"Whew yeah, always gets me when I see it." Itsuka added with a whistle. The headband was brought over as he was the only person Kentaro knew enough to help out. It helps when he knows this town like the back of his hand as well.
"So, we will be heading into this "clothes store"? Does it sell armored wears as well?" Shira asked with a bit of hopefulness.
"Uh no." Itsuka looked down, then walked towards Kentaro with a silent frown.
"So, uh... How do we do this cause I have no idea where to begin."
"Eh? I thought you know what we're getting" Kentaro was confused at his friend's lack of knowledge and was genuinely thrown back from his sudden confession.
"What! No dude. I mean I don't know what she wears! I never shopped for a girl before." The teen's cheeks matched a good portion of his head band.
"Well. point me to a shop and I'll figure something out... Just make sure she keeps close and that hood on." Kentaro said hushed, trying to keep control of their predicament.
"Understood, I will keep close." Shira spoke blankly. As she appeared behind the two who were hunched over in a huddle position.
"Ahhh!"
"Don't scare us like that!" The two boys simultaneously shouted. Which Shira blankly stared at.
"Erhmm." Kentaro coughed, "Let's just get to it."
Entering the big complex, the trio made way towards the destined shop having only a couple hiccups along the way.
"How does one eat a pretzel wrong?" Itsuka questioned.
"Shut it… It was my first time eating something like that." Kentaro sheepishly shot back.
"WHAT!" Itsuka became alarmed at this revelation. "You never had a pretzel before?!"
"Eh! Of c-course I have!" Kentaro grew a bit red at his question and tried to focus.
"It's just that I never had one in a place like this!"
The accusatory Itsuka only blankly stared at the now tomato faced Kentaro.
"Bro... What kind of childhood did you have?"
"..." The happy atmosphere died quickly and Kentaro immediately somber down and sighed.
"I didn't have one..."
Itsuka only looked down at that and sighed. "Sorry man... I didn't mean anything with that."
At the headband's apology Kentaro smiled lightly and reassured his friend. "No. No it's alright." He took a big breath as his smile grew. "Besides, you get to teach me about this now. So, I say well worth the wait".
The headband chuckled at that and returned the smile. "Yeah well, next time make sure to use the napkin given to eat it instead of using your shirt."
"Hey, it was hot, could barely hold it anyways."
The two teens shared a calm laugh as the silver android looked between the two, finally speaking up as she deemed the conversation over.
"So, how far is it till this "clothes store" Kentaro?"
Ahh... Almost forgot about that. " We're close. Just round the corner".
Indeed, it was, as the trio only walked a few more steps as the store became fully in view. Entering inside the comparatively smaller store was an experience in itself as Kentaro couldn't believe what he saw.
"How do they have so many different sets of clothes in the size of this shop?"
"Well in this city you find all sorts of places." Itsuka explained. "However, I'd expected this place to be bigger or somethin' due to this mall. Guess business ain't well."
"Bout as well as a couple of youngin's coming along and admiring your work!" An older voice spoke out, a hint of strain as an older woman came walking from a line of ridiculously thick coats.
"Cough... Sorry I guess these were a bit too much for my lungs eh…" the lady sat down and now more visible than before-showing her scarlet-colored jacket, along with a simple shirt saying, "a world without color isn't a world I'd live in" and ripped almond jeans-continued on with her sales speech. "So, what do I owe the pleasure to you young couple in terms of bed wear?"
"Eh?!"
"I'm sorry what?"
The trio stared in confusion as the lady let out a straining chuckle. "Haha, I was expecting some sort of triple gasp, not just you too…" "ha, call me Veronica sweeties and this is my simple store."
"Veronica… are you Foreign?"
"Eh! But your Japanese is so good, it's better than mine!" Itsuka exclaimed questionably.
Veronica stared blankly before letting out a rough chuckle which burst into laughter.
"HAHA, yeah, I'm quarter, dad named me and such. Had a great teacher too but that's beside the point… So, what are you in the market for?" The trio looked upon themselves till Kentaro stepped up.
"We're looking for some "Heavy" clothes and some daily ones for her." Motioning for Shira to follow up.
"Something with armor for better protection of course" She bluntly said.
"Dude you're supposed to be subtle or something!"
Kentaro only glared at the two before Veronica spoke up.
"So, I don't know what you three are up to, but you come into my store looking for "Heavy" clothes, and think I would carry without a single thought?"
The three only glanced and the two boys looked down at the realization.
"Sorry, please forget this and we'll be on our way..." Kentaro started till he was interrupted.
"Naww.. I didn't say I wouldn't do it." Veronica stated. "Whatever activities y'all do in your spare time, is none of my business, just don't ruin my hard work with any straining damage or liquids!"
She then pointed towards the silent silvered android who had only stared at the transaction.
"Let me deal with princess here since I can already tell you two gents don't have a clue on how to dress to impress." She looked in the back and singled Shira to follow.
"Come along sweetie, I promise I don't bite."
The silver girl looked to Kentaro who nodded confirmation.
"It'll be ok, just find something you like please?"
She blankly stared then followed the scarlet woman.
"Very well, I shall find clothing appropriate for our travels."
Sometime later…
"She's ready!"
The two had waited for an hour or so till finally Shira and Veronica were finished,
"Well boys... How does she look?"
"Ahh…" The two stared in awe as the Silvered girl now sported a padded vest along with a pair of sea foamed tights. A simple head dress coated with little flowers was sitting across her head, and a thick fabric sleeve shirt covered her arms. She also wore a pair of heavy-duty boots that covered her ankles.
"I believe this is acceptable?" She said with a small smirk across her blank stare.
"Uhh, yeah." Kentaro managed out. Just...wow...
"Judging by your reactions I think I did a job well done." The Scarlet woman gave herself a pat on the back as she signaled Itsuka to follow.
"Now it is your turn my little headband!" She pulled Itsuka along as he went along excited to find his new outfit.
"Wish me luck dude!" He shouted and took off leaving Kentaro and Shira alone to wait.
Man... This is awkward… The silence tore at him as the minutes passed. Alright... I'm gonna say something...Just let's be casual and calm, ok?
"whEh?" nice… The noise that popped out of Kentaro's mouth broke the tension as Shira intensely stared at the now red face boy.
"Uh.. I mean uhh.." Damn it brain...Just once work…
"Are you prepared?"
"Eh?"
Kentaro looked at the android, her expression unreadable as she continued.
"Where we are going… You must be able to not only defend yourself…" She paused as to collect her own thoughts. "But the will to keep going no matter what you see…"
Ahh… The two stood silent as Kentaro mulled over her words. The strength to keep going no matter what…
"I am ready." Shira looked shocked at the solid claim as she turned.
"There might be crazy and insane monsters, perhaps more cruel people, and even the chance of meeting death themselves… But I know I can keep going. I will find a way to end this and free all of us from this potential nightmare!" Kentaro gasped as he finished his resolve. He turns to Shira to see a small smile forming.
"Then I will be there right behind you." She held out a hand. "That I can say for certain."
Kentaro took it without a second of hesitation and felt his own smile form.
"Then I would be glad to have you there."
Strength Rank up
Rank 3
"Alright here he is!"
The two snapped back as Itsuka walked into view wearing a new leather jacket, along with heavy duty cargo pants. His signature headband now sporting an additional striped thread, along with a pair of hard knuckle gloves and similar knuckled vest covering his chest.
"So how do I look?" He said with a grin spanning from left to right.
"Heh, like someone who joined the wrong crowd." Kentaro teased.
"Ha Ha, very funny." Itsuka dramatically flipped his new jacket.
"Oh, points for style though."
"You have enough banter for later young 'ins, your turn pretty boy."
"Uh, right" with that Kentaro followed Veronica as Itsuka fished for compliments from the seemingly apathetic android.
…
…
…
"So, any style you prefer? I always can-do requests."
"Uh... I don't know, something that is thick like we said, other than that… I don't have any."
Veronica stared seemingly lost in thought, till she reanimated and started looking around her little shop.
"Hmm, nothing too bold… maybe something conservative… nothing constrictive that's for sure..." She raced around back and forth searching each and every small space, till a certain outfit sparked.
"That's it!" She turned towards the confused teen with a smile and sparkle.
"So, how do you feel about this!" She held the outfit in question like a child bringing its parent their favorite toy.
Kentaro looked at the set of clothes before him, a smile crept up as he looked in the mirror.
"Yeah, I think I like it"
I don't have any notes other than one more daily life chapter till we come back to the subspace, other news is that I am still writing the other stories. Regardless that is mostly it for this AN, till next time!