I do not own the Persona series or High School DxD. Everything belongs to their respected owners.
Futaba Sakura yawned as she found herself bent forward and her face right against a pillow.
Pushing herself up, she looked down to see that she was still sitting in the chair that belonged to her private room in the apartment all of the female Phantom Thieves shared. Her room honestly wasn't any special, just having a few textbooks and gizmos here and there scattered on the floor and shelves. The curtains were open just a touch, sunlight breaking through a crack and shining on the floor.
Looking back up, she saw that her screen had several tabs still open. With the recording of the conversation that Sone had with Akira, the orange-haired girl was able to listen to the voices over and over again to see if there were any kinds of key words that could be used to search up on the internet.
So far as she could tell, they should just take Sona's word for pretty much everything. It was not that they didn't trust her, the student council president was genuine when she informed them of everything they probably needed to know and could even ask a few questions if needed.
But not everything told by Sona could be researched on the internet. Heck, judging by what the girl had said there was no way that everything they could find be even true as well. If the Phantom Thieves did need to end up having knowledge of Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels, they would maybe have to ask Sona for that kind of information.
But so far as what Futaba could find on the internet, there was the subject about the Lesser Key of Solomon which must have been the 72 Pillars that Sona had been talking about. That was pretty much it, nothing else. At least it was something to build on.
Slowly dragging herself out of her room, Futaba opened the door and immediately was hit with several scented smells. Letting her nose soon lead her around the apartment, she ended up in the kitchen where Ann, Makoto, and Haru were all getting some food ready with their clothes on and ready for the day. "Mmm… What's cooking?" Futaba asked, yawning while setting herself down on the couch.
"Well, since the guys are out for their morning exercises again, we decided to make something that will give them more energy to get through the day." Ann stated, already getting the dishes and cutlery ready as she placed all of the out and ready for the food.
"It's understandable for all of them though." Makoto added as she was stirring a pot while looking over towards the counter to see how she should portion the food. Circling her wrist with an open palm, she smelled the contents of the pot and nodded in satisfaction. "Akira recently obtained his Persona and is getting back into shape and form. Ryuji had always been a part of the track team, but also joined in the fighting to get his body used to such. Yusuke on the other hand is already a part of the Kendo club so exercise is just all he needs... Although they needed to drag him along for that last part."
"Do you think we also should be working on our own bodies?" Haru questioned, gently taking the pot out of Makoto's grasp and pouring out the oatmeal into the bowls evenly. "I mean, we ourselves may get the opportunity to awaken out Personas again." Placing the pot down on the stove, Haru walked over to the pitcher that was full of some kind of smoothie as she began to pour a glass for the people currently around her. "Oh, that reminds me!" She walked over to Futaba and handed her a cup. "Did you find anything last night, Futaba-chan?"
The glasses-wearing girl shook her head, rubbing some sleep out of her eyes. "Not really. The best I could do was the 72 Pillars. Assuming that all of it is true, then we may get a good idea of what all the clans are like. But there's a good chance that it doesn't include their powers."
"Thanks anyways though." Makoto nodded her head, also placing the bowl full of Futaba's breakfast in front of the orange-haired girl. "You're the only one who actually put any effort into that while we all had to do our own thing."
"Yeah…" Ann had a guilty look on her face as her head was tilted down. "Sorry about that…"
"Ah, no biggie." Futaba waved her spoon dismissively as she was ready to eat. "I already know pretty much a lot of things about the subject we're currently going over at school. So I have a lot of free time." Chuckling to herself in amusement, she took a big bite of the oatmeal as Haru attempted to stop her.
"Wait, it's still-!" The heiress was too late though.
"Ahhh! It's burns!"
"…Hot…" Haru finished weakly, mentally apologizing to Futaba as the hacker tried to cool the burn by chugging her smoothie.
TakeABreak
"Looks like both of your bodies are starting to get used to fighting again already."
Morgana gave this comment as he rode on top of a jogging Akira. It was a certainly lovely Sunday morning as their run had started at 6:15, meaning that the boys would have to jog for about forty-five minutes in their work-out clothing before beginning to have small sparring matches mainly against Yusuke since the blue-haired boy was a bit used to fighting thanks to Kendo.
The artist kept making small comments how it was odd for boys not being allowed to be in the art club. Akira, Ryuji, and Morgana could already think up of a few reasons why males weren't given permission to join. Poor Yusuke was just part of the indirect causalities. Which led him to kendo next mainly because the brush slightly reminded him of the sword, which was why he partially like using a katana.
"A great amount of progress has been made for the two of you… or mainly one of you." Yusuke slightly lagged behind the glasses-wearing boy as he was slightly running out of breath already. But such a tired feeling did not stop him from making a small jab. It was barely noticed, but still picked up anyways.
"You better not be talking about me." Ryuji replied, being at the front of the group far enough to be considered fast but close enough to hear the words spouted by his companions. "What about Morgana? He's the only one who hasn't even trained with us All he's been doing is ride Akira and watch us up to this point."
"I can't just change into my other form just like that here." Morgana said back to the male blonde of the group. His face was partially scrunched up into a frown. "How would you react if you saw a cat suddenly change into something with a big head and a small body?"
"You acknowledge that?" Akira asked.
Morgana dug his claws into Akira's clothing, partially prickling the boy. "That's not the point I'm trying to make!"
"Ah, who cares about that? We get it, it'll be awkward." Ryuji concluded on his own, now winded like everyone else as they made it back to the apartment building that they lived in. "Phew, man it feels so good yet exhausting after a run." The blonde began sweating as everyone else but Morgana were as well. "At least we just need to go up the stair-"
Going silent, Ryuji slowly realized what he said before cutting himself off. All of them slightly looked up, seeing the flight of stairs that they constantly had to take everyday. It used to be so menial all the time. But today, at that moment, they looked extremely intimidating.
"You jinxed it, Ryuji." Akira deadpanned as the three of them began to drag themselves up the steps.
"How is it my fault?!" The blonde questioned as they began to climb. To take their minds off of the exhausting moment, Ryuji suddenly remembered. "Oh right! Let's all hang-out today! You know, relax and all?"
"Isn't there already the complications of Fallen Angels and Devils around us? We should at least maybe look around town and see if there is anything suspicious at all." Yusuke threw in his own thoughts, already nearly a flight of stairs behind. "Besides, I have my own schedule of making us some money for our daily needs." He soon tripped on a step and fell down.
"Finally! Made it!" Ryuji panted on his knees as Yusuke was flat on the ground. Akira however was on his feet but had his legs bent. All of them breathed in large amounts of oxygen as they desperately needed it. Reaching over to the doorknob, Ryuji jiggled it around a bit but he couldn't get it open. Remembering, he reached into his pocket for his key but then froze.
"…Is there any chance that one of us at least has a lock pick on their person?"
TakeABreak
"Thank you. Come again." The store clerk bowed with polite intentions as Futaba and Koneko both gathered bagged goods at the end of the counter where that the register rested on. Departing from the line of customers, Koenko at least nodded her head and proceeded to leave the supermarket area right behind Futaba while carrying everything.
"Are you sure you can carry all those snacks, Koneko-chan? You at least let me hold onto a bag." Futaba offered, slowing her steps down so that she could go at the steady pace that the white-haired girl was going. "I mean, we are sharing them while studying after all overnight."
The smaller girl nearly had her view covered as there was a plastic bag for each of her arms while a large paper bag nearly grew over her eyes. The two hanging off of her held all of the chips. The next was filled with candy. There was then the paper bag, packed with several soda brands the both of them liked. "…I'm fine." Koneko nodded as she continued to talk without any difficulty.
"Okay, if you say so." The glasses-wearing girl shrugged her shoulders while walking backwards to watch Koneko carry the amount despite her short size. The both of them were silent for a small while, letting their footsteps fill the space between them. It then began to remind Futaba of something.
"Doesn't this seem familiar?" She asked, getting a small look from Koneko. Or at least it seemed like the white-haired girl was trying to make a face. It was hard to tell since most of it was covered by the bag. "I was just walking down the street on my own when I first saw you carrying so many bags."
"…Right." Koneko slowly said.
The two of them suddenly yet sluggishly began to remember what had happened then. Futaba had stared at the girl as Koneko made her way along the sidewalk. But then the smaller girl ended up tripping on a small pebble and fell forward right on top of Futaba. Seeing all of the snacks scattered everywhere, the two of them quickly cleaned up and the orange-haired girl at least offered to carry the bag that covered the white-haired girl's vision until they got to Koneko's house.
Soon enough, in a sudden surprising twist, Futaba managed to get one friend within the span of a walk.
Still walking backwards, Futaba was unable to see what was behind her. Koneko couldn't really see either so it was a bit of a surprise as the Phantom Thief accidentally bumped into a man wearing a light-purple trench coat and a similarly colored fedora.
"Oh, oops, sorry." Futaba quickly apologized as she stepped out of the way for the man to pass her.
The adult didn't respond, instead fully turning his body to stare at the young woman who had bumped into him. He then looked over to Koenko next. Futaba didn't notice Koneko's sudden wary look at the orange-haired girl cocked an eyebrow after a few seconds of silence. "Uhh… Hello?" Futaba drawled out. "Anyone in there?" She raised her hand to wave it in front of the man's eyes.
It was at that moment Koneko dropped all of her things as she suddenly tackled Futaba out of the way as a spear suddenly was suddenly in the air. If the white-haired girl didn't move, the man would have succeeded in stabbing Futaba through the stomach.
"So… it seems that you are a Devil." The man muttered loud enough for the two females to hear. He watched in slight interest at Koneko and Futaba slowly began getting back up to their feet. "Or at least you with the white hair. Your companion is a human though, if I believe correctly."
"Koneko-chan… Wha-"
"Why is a Fallen Angel attacking us?" Koneko narrowed her eyes as she slowly began taking a stance to prepare for conflict. Her hands were also raise while seeming to prepare something.
"I believe the answer should be obvious." The man stated, already forming a spear out of light and presenting a small flourish before taking a stance of his own. "You are a Devil while you already know what I am. You are also without a peerage nearby. I have yet to also see you ready a summoning circle. Which makes me wonder if you are a Stray or not." He then looked over towards Futaba. "Though I'm not sure if you want to use it with that human around if you could."
Koneko slightly froze as she tilted her over to eye the human that was watching them with a bit of a surprised look on her face.
To be honest, Futaba was a bit surprised that Koneko was a Devil. When it became obvious that the Occult Research club was entirely compiled of Devils, Akira let all the Phantom Thieves know. But so far as the all could tell, including Futaba, Koneko was hardly seen hanging around the club. The only moment that the white-haired girl was seen with Rias and the others just that one time in the café Akira worked at. It was so obvious but only for a moment they all didn't take notice of.
"…Futaba, run." Koneko said quietly at first, tensing her muscles to get a fight ready. Her plan was to get the Phantom Thief to get away before creating a summoning circle to have Rias come through and put the situation to a stop as quickly as possible.
"As if I'd let her. You seem to be very close to the human. Close enough that you don't want her to get hurt. I may have standards, but they don't apply to the current situation at the moment." The stranger said as black wings suddenly sprouted form his back. "Perhaps I should also introduce myself. My name is Dohnaseek, and it was fate that led us to this moment!"
"Run!" Ignoring the snacks, Koneko grabbed Futaba's hand and began to drag the girl along.
Futaba could keep up with the small girl as the two of them soon began dashing around the area hoping to lose Dohnaseek. But the partially proved easier said than done. Due to her rank as a Rook, Koneko was not the fastest person. Especially against someone who could follow them easily due to their ability of flying.
Miraculously, there weren't any spectators or witnesses that saw what was happening as the two females eventually made it near the edge of two they lived in where no one really lived. Koneko then had to push Futaba out of the way as the white-haired girl took a spear to the leg.
"Koneko-chan!" Futaba cried out as the smaller girl fell over and gritted her teeth to prevent a cry from coming out.
Koneko didn't want to have Futaba worry over her and put the girl into more danger. "Just go." She grinded out, slowly getting back up despite the object on light in her leg. "Get out of here. I'll be fine."
"But you're bleeding and you have a hole in your leg!" Futaba exclaimed, her mind in enough panic to not think about calling the others. Even if she did, only Akira and Morgana could help. They would also have to quickly get across the two and she was in doubt they would arrive fast enough.
"It'll be fine." Koneko said quietly, really not wanting to put the girl in any more danger. Still standing, there was strength that kept her going and ready for a proper fight. She was a Rook and her still standing strong proved it.
Dohnaseek chuckled at how Futaba was so concerned over the white-haired Devil. "I somehow doubt that." He commented as he created another spear and leveled it at Futaba. Throwing it, he was satisfied when Koneko grabbed it but then hissed in extreme agony before dropping it. "You know, human, it's your fault if you think about it."
Throwing a couple of weapons made of light at the same time, one struck Koneko's other leg while the other was caught and dropped by the girl again. "If only you would stop staying around and began running. That way this Devil here wouldn't have to suffer."
Futaba's eyes narrowed though, running forward past Koneko who almost stopped her. But with the speed that the Phantom Thief was going, the white-haired Devil couldn't catch her in time. Futaba threw a punch to Dohnaseek's stomach, but the Fallen Angle hardly reacted.
"Was that supposed to hur-"
He didn't finish as Futaba kicked him right where the sun doesn't shine.
"Yes, it probably is my fault that Koneko-chan is hurt…" Futaba nodded her head, saying the words slowly. "But I want to hear it directly from her mouth to be sure." Turning her head over, she stared.
As Dohnaseek growled while clutching his jewels in pain, Koneko kept her gaze staring at the other girl. Slowly realizing that she needed to answer, she opened her mouth to speak. "…No… it's not your fault."
Futaba nodded, a small glare forming on her features as she stood strongly in front of Koneko. "For almost my entire life I've been misled by other people. But not any more! I already knew that those words of yours were lies already. But hearing the truth from Koneko-chan was what I truly needed!" She then pointed towards Dohnaseek. "It's really your fault, you bastard! You're really the one she's suffering so much! I know there isn't much I can do right now… But I can promise this! I'll make you pay for what you've done to her!"
Suddenly, small particles followed by a shining light began to form around Futaba's body. As her look was filled with determination, only Koneko and Dohnaseek stared at what was happening.
Some kind of ghost began to grow and form from Futaba's body. Soon enough, within seconds, it took a full form. It was another Futaba, but different. This new Futaba had yellow eyes and an almost tranquil look. Her clothing was different as well, dressed up like an Egyptian princess. Bandages were wrapped around her chest as so much skin was showing, with only white silk covering half of her leg.
Slowly ascending, the other Futaba only floated a few meters above the real girl before the Egyptian figure began to burst into more light. Still watching, Dohnaseek was the first to snap out of his stupor. He didn't know what was happening, but he had a gut feeling that it was going to be dangerous to him. Forming a new spear of light, he threw it as hard as he could so that it would be fast enough to hit Futaba.
It was unsuccessful as a metal tentacle slapped the weapon off to the side.
Everyone immediately looked up to see where the part had com from. Apparently, it had sprouted from what looked like a… UFO. It baffled Koneko and Dohnaseek as Futaba's jaw partially dropped at seeing her Persona, Necronomicon, again. The flying saucer had five domes on its bottom, a line pattern connecting them so it looked like it was shaping a pentagram. Circuit designs were scattered all over the strange object, blue being on the bottom half while green took over the upper portion. On top, there was, in some opinions, an out of place metallic gargoyle statue crouching down.
As everyone was still stunned, more metal tentacles began to creep out. Slithering around Futaba, the girl watched as such limbs wrapped around her wrists, legs, and stomach as it slowly and gently pulled her into the UFO. As her face entered the mysterious flying saucer, her world went black.
"Reminder... I Am Thou, Thou Art I…"
"Opening Access Channels to Forbidden Knowledge."
Slowly opening her eyes, Futaba wondered when she actually closed them. But that thought was thrown out the proverbial window. Looking around her, she let out several gasps of excitement she saw everything. All of the text that she would see on a computer. Her own private world from the outside. She remembered what it was like with Persona; what she could do with Necronomicon.
"Reality and Fantasy... No Longer Shall Such Mysteries and Illusions Deceive You Any Longer."
Futaba look down at herself, to see that she was floating inside the darkness like she usually would. She was also in her attire whenever she and the others would enter the Metaverse; aa skin-tight black bodysuit with fluorescent neon green glowing strips and matching black boots with neon green soles.
Grinning to herself, she began swiping and tapping on a multitude of icons as she continued to comfortably float in the green-lit darkness.
Outside, Koneko was in shock but also in a bit of awe. But her reaction was to just render herself speechless for a few seconds. "…Futaba?" She asked, wondering if she should have spoken louder due to her friend being dragged into the flying saucer.
[I'm okay!] Futaba's voice could suddenly be heard inside of Koneko's head as the girl quickly darted her eyes back and forth, unsure of where it came from.
"Would you look at that…" Dohnaseek said slowly in fascination, taking a step back to get a better look at the Persona. He may have not been the first Fallen Angel, but he was perhaps the first of his kind. The first of his kind to, if this were not a fake, see a real UFO.
[Hold on a second and let me fix you up.] Feeling a warm sensation, Koneko looked down to her body. Her frame was embraced by a white light, but it was nothing holy. She felt a little tickled as the brightness soon began to dim a bit. Soon though, there was not even a scratch on her body. Burns were no longer scorched and charred her hands.
"…What is-"
[Sorry, Koneko-chan, no time to explain.] Futaba stated, cutting off Koneko mid-sentence. Still floating in mid-air, the Phantom Thief gestured towards Dohnaseek with her head. [Let's first kick this guy's ass!]
The small Devil's mouth was left hanging open for a second. Indeed, a few questions were running thorough her mind. But… she supposed she could wait a bit longer. Futaba didn't really question what was going on at the moment, why should she?
With a nod of her head, Koneko rushed forward towards Dohnaseek.
"Hm?!" Dohnaseek quickly stepped to the side, just managing to dodge Koneko's charging punch. "So you still wish to fight…" Despite having to create spears of light over and over again, it was admittingly perhaps the most effective way of dealing with a Devil. Making his weapon, he swung his arm.
[Oh no you don't!] Futaba exclaimed as she watched everything happening in Necronomicon. [Here comes a buff, Koneko-chan!] Quickly with her fingers, she began tapping several symbols as if she were on a keyboard. A cat icon soon formed right in front of her face as she grinned at the sight while slamming a fist onto it. [Speed up!]
Koneko's body suddenly felt lighter as a green light started at her feet but quickly spread up to the top of her head. It was as if several weights had been lifted from her being. With her foot stomping on the ground when her fist missed, Koneko pivoted on the concrete and managed to strike Dohnaseek's stomach before he could scratch her.
Knocked away, the Fallen Angel was quick to regain his footing but then had to clutch his stomch. "You're fast… have you been holding back your speed this entire time?" Dohnaseek asked, standing up straight. "No, otherwise you would have already run. Could it be…?" His eyes darted slightly over to Necronomicon that was hovering closely to and above Koneko.
But due to that moment of distraction, the lightness of Koneko's body was still in effect and provided her with the perfect opportunity to grab Dohnaseek by the head and slam his face to the ground. But she didn't end there. Running forward along the street and the curb, the girl kept grinding the man along the pavement before tossing him against a lamp post.
"Guh!" Dohnaseek grunted, already felt like he was in for a losing battle. But he still held his ground when he saw the Devil running towards him. Clenching a fist while popping a couple of bones in his fingers, he made a stabbing motion and had a spear of light pierce Koneko right in her stomach.
With a large swipe, the Fallen Angle sent the Devil soaring across the air and rolling against the stone area they were in. Eventually, after several bumps to the head, Koneko regained her footing. With finger digging into the pavement to put her to a stop, she could feel the tingling sensation from before when Futaba said she would fix her up.
[Saying this late, but don't run in so recklessly!] Futaba stated in a slightly worrying tone. With several tapping motions, she brought up a screen that showed Dohnaseek's body along with several boxes of texts and colors. [He's hurt, but don't let that get to you!]
"…Thanks." Koneko nodded, too into the moment and forgetting about Futaba's Persona.
Running forward once again, her body suddenly began to gain weight. As this happened, Dohnaseek began throwing a blizzard of light spears towards the Devil. [Shoot, your speed went down, Koneko-chan! Hold on, get ready to take a few hits!]
Still running through, her arms, body, and legs all felt like a boost of strength had been placed into her when a purple light washed all over her. Watching the spears continuing to soar towards her, Koneko proceeded to make her way to Dohnaseek while covering her face with her arms.
To her and Dohnaseek's surprise, the light spears didn't pierce any flesh at all. The worst that the weapons of light did were burn the Devil. But even so, the spears just bounced off Koneko's skin. Leaping through the bombardment, Koneko was right in front of the Fallen Angel's face before landing a fist against his cheek.
Despite the hit, Dohnaseek stood his ground and tired to stab Koneko with a new spear of light. But the small girl grabbed the light, hissing as it burned her skin. But she could still keep a hold of it. With the strength of her Rook piece, she managed to beat Dohnaseek in the test of strength as she threw him a fair distance away but still stood on the spot as she felt herself get healed by Futaba again.
Panting, Dohnaseek stared at the small Devil who he could hurt over and over again but never progress in any way to defeat her. He had taken in way too much pain during the combat. Perhaps the fight would have been a bit more fair if it was just the white-haired girl alone. But with that human inside the UFO providing support, he should have known that it would have ended up as his loss from the beginning. But he was stubborn since he loved to fight.
Not bothering to fully get up, he chose to sit on his bottom and watch as the Devil approached him. "Are you going to kill me now? It would be the wisest and perhaps most sane decision." Dohnaseek said, looking straight at Koneko's eyes. "I am a Fallen after all… and you are a Devil. It's only natural."
Staring, Koneko raised her fist.
"Koneko-chan, wait!" Futaba suddenly appeared right behind the white-haired girl as Necronomicon disappeared while grabbing the girl's fist. A pair of big black goggles with orange lenses was right on her face, covering her eyes. "You don't have to kill him!"
The white-haired Devil slowly turned over towards Futaba and stared for several seconds. It was unknown what was going thoruhg Koneko's mind, but she kept on staring at Futaba. Her head then craned over to Dohnaseek who still sat without an attempt to attack or even move. She then turned back to Futaba. "…He tried to kill you."
"And you beat him into a pulp. Don't you think that's enough?" Futaba asked, clenching onto Koneko's fist even tighter. There was a silence between the two (three) of them. Eventually though, the strength in the fist began to loosen. Soon enough, Futaba slipped her fingers into Koneko's hand due to how loose the fist had become.
"Thank you, Koneko-chan." Futaba whispered before looking to Dohnaseek. "And you! Why did you suddenly try to attack me and Koneko-chan out of the blue?"
"That should be a question for your friend and not me, among many other things." Dohnaseek grunted, slowly getting back up to his feet but didn't bother retreating. Instead, he settled for staring at Futaba once more but this time with curiosity. "But I wonder, why do you choose to spare me?"
"Uhh… because I felt like it?" Futaba questioned, making it sound more like a statement. "I mean, I think I've already proved that I'm better so if we cross again we won't have to have such a dispute. Plus, this just means you owe me big time." Futaba made sure that she was between Koneko and the Fallen Angel.
Dohnaseek blinked at the human's reasoning. He then soon began to burst out laughing. "You are perhaps one of the strangest people I have ever met!" His chortling was a fast phase though as he regained control. "Either way, I thank you for sparing my life… much to my humiliation to have to say that to a human." Futaba stuck her tongue out at him. "But, if I may ask, what was that It UFO? You seemed… to be familiar with it."
Futaba blinked and soon immediately remembered that she was supposed to try and play it safe. Slightly panicking, she thought up of an answer. "U-umm… It… was as if it were a part of me… That I already knew how to use Necronomicon…?"
Luckily, she managed to fix her tone so that it sounded more like a statement rather than a question. Dohnaseek sighed. "I see… I seem to be getting unluckier by the minute ever since I've run into you two." He turned around, spreading his black fallen wings as he prepared to take off into the night. But before he did, he turned around. "Wait a second… did you say Necronomicon? As in that flying saucer's name is Necronomicon?"
Futaba kept her mouth shut, realizing that she had made a mistake and refused to say a word.
Turning back to face Futaba, Dohnaseek took a step forward. Koneko responded by standing in front of Futaba but the Fallen Angel didn't move any closer. "…No, the Necronomicon is supposed to be a grimoire… but it's also supposed to be a complete work of fiction. Yet there are many Fallen Angels, Angels, and even Devils that believe that it truly exists and is no fantasy!"
"Uhh… you okay?" Futaba asked slowly. "Koneko-chan didn't hit you too hard on the head, right?"
The Fallen Angel continued to stare at Futaba in response, something that really began to unsettle the girl. "Girl, what is your name?"
The orange-haired girl gave the man a weird look. "…Futaba Sakura…" She said awkwardly.
Taking the fedora off of his head, Dohnaseek bowed. "My deepest apologies for attacking you. I shall take my leave now thanks to your generosity. But I pray that we shall meet again, as you are the great owner of the Necronomicon; the holder of forbidden knowledge of the ancient ones."
As Dohnaseek flew away, Futaba slowly turned over towards Koneko as the white-haired Devil stared back at her. Suddenly having her Phantom Thief costume change back into her original clothing, Futaba soon realized that she had just used her Persona with ease right in front of Koneko. She may have ended up ruining the large plan to lay low until they were comfortable enough to reveal their true identities.
"…I can explain." Koneko said curtly.
…Or maybe Futaba had lucked out and got Koneko to break first.
TakeABreak
"So… you're a Devil…"
Futaba tired to act surprise but she already knew pretty much everything that Koneko had explained to her.
Sitting inside the Neko no Mise (they both loved the café), the two of them had grabbed a booth and the white-haired Devil spilled the beans that Futaba already knew. But the orange-haired girl at least had to act a bit when such big reveals came her way. After revealing her identity, Koneko went silent. She was either waiting for Futaba to react or thinking of what to say next.
"You know… I've always pictured Devils with horns and those pointy tails…" Futaba commented.
"…That's a common misunderstanding." Koneko answered before going silent once more. "Futaba… are you okay with this? Knowing that I'm a Devil?"
Futaba blinked. "What? Me? Pfft!" She blew air from her teeth and made her lips flap back and forth. "Come on, Koneko-chan! Do you really think that Devil stuff is supposed to be scary? You guys sound pretty normal compared to that fire and brimstone kind of stuff! Besides, you're pretty cool to be with. Why would I not be okay with this? Although I do have to ask, what's with that thing I summoned? I know its name was Necronomicon and how to use it… but how and why?"
"…Ask Kurusu-senpai." Koneko answered, feeling extremely happy that her friend just accept her for who she was. Although… there was still one secret that Koneko was keeping. But… she promised to herself later. Later she would tell Futaba who she really was. The orange-haired girl deserved to at least know her true name and heritage.
"Thank you for waiting."
The two girls turned their heads and saw that a waiter was balancing four plate of curry rice on his arm as he gently placed them onto the table on Futaba's side. "Here's your order, Miss." The server then turned over towards Koneko. "And for the young lady, we have prepared the Catastrophic Curry Challenge for you. Since this is your first time, you will be facing the Volcanic Curry… A curry so that practically erupts with flavor and spice."
Futaba just stared at the massive pot that was being carried over towards Koneko while the other girl drooled. Why did this café have such a thing going on again? Oh, right, Akira was the one to suggest it thanks to the Big Bang Burger Challenge.
With a heavy thud, the pot was set right in front of Koneko. "Well them, it's time to get the thirty-minute Catastrophic Curry Challenge started!" The waiter stated loudly, getting attention from several customers.
"Are you prepared, Koneko-chan?" Futaba asked.
Koneko's reaction was to hold a spoon up as there was a gleam on the silverware and in her eyes. "My body is ready."
TakeABreak
"Twenty-nine minutes and thirty seconds have passed. Better hurry."
Futaba was in a slight panic as she watched Koneko slowly place her spoon down as there was literally one scoop of curry left inside the pot. Acting quickly, the orange-haired girl grabbed the final spoonful and set herself right beside Koneko.
"Err… Miss, you're not allowed to do that. That's against the rules."
But Futaba ignored the words of the waiter watching them. "One more bite, Koneko-chan! One more bite!" She constantly poked her friend's cheek.
But Koneko refused to open up, choosing to keep her lips tight. "Stahp it…" She mumbled.
Six-thousand words later... I got a chapter out. Not really that good, but there was Futaba getting her Persona into reality. Makes you wonder who is going to be next.
No flames please.