Chapter 23: Newcomers
Adi is in her house in Inaba to look over the crystal of Goddess Demeter. She activates it to resurrect her essence to bring her back into her room to see the little goddess is surprised by this. "Why did you summon me?" she asked as Adi holds onto her crystal very tightly.
"Watch it, goddess, one gravity crush to your essence and you will seize to existence. Don't do anything funny," Adi said as the Loli goddess pouts at her.
"You know you defeated me. I am yours now, not Yukiko," Demeter said.
"Yes I know how demon summoning works," Adi said as Demeter has a smirk on her face. "Are there more gods under Yukiko's control?" Adi asked.
"There is my brother Zeus and the Sisters of Fate Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Your tools had problems fighting me and I doubt they would do any better against them," Demeter said.
"That gives me some ideas. Also, I need to know what your plan is with the Chaos?" Adi asked.
"Well, the 1st phase is underway and your friends are slowing down. It's kind of cute they think this is all going to fix itself," Demeter said.
"Well, they want to protect this town but in the end. It's not going to solve much of anything but I need to find this Cosmic Egg to solve this problem," Adi said.
"Well since I am under your control. I can't protest but do you think your friends will back you up when the time comes to use it if you can find it?" Demeter asked.
"Well, we will cross that bridge when we get there," Adi said as Demeter feels alerted by something.
"Did you feel that presence right now?" Demeter asked.
"What presence?" Adi asked.
"It's a holy presence. It's not a demon or a god. It's an angel or something similar to one," Demeter said as Adi is confused by this.
"When did this happen?" Adi asked.
"Pretty recently right before the invasion happened," Demeter said.
"Well, this is interesting. Hopefully, they don't get in our way," Adi said.
"Does the others know you are summoning me?" Demeter asked.
"None of your concern. We help each other out and we are good," Adi said as Demeter sighs at this.
"Okay, I will be your backup when you need me," Demeter returns to her crystal to see it glowing brightly.
"More demons will be useful when the time comes," Adi said as she gets ready to head over to the tofu shop to get some lunch.
Elsewhere the morning is bright Gene is in the bathroom to get ready to head off with Yosuke to meet with his friends. Yosuke waits for her in his living room as he sees Gene coming into the room to look quite lovely.
"Damn those clothing Naoto gave out fits you well," Yosuke commented as Gene is wearing a simple buttoned blue dress fitting her short slender figure and wearing white sandal shoes showing off her little feet with painted blue toenails which matches her painted blue nails.
"This is very nice, I should thank her," Gene said as Yosuke noted how flat her chest is. Basically, nonexistent but her slender legs were a sight to behold.
"There are tradeoffs," he said looking pleased at this. "Yeah, you look very pretty," Yosuke said as Gene blushes to feel her heart fluttering from his sweet words.
"Thanks, come on. Let's head for that Tofu shop you were talking about," Gene said as the duo heads over to the tofu shop down in the shopping district to see the town has almost fully recovered from the demon attack. "Gee, I am surprised they managed to survive. Humans are so amazing," Gene thought always having a bright spot for humanity.
"I am happy to see everyone worked together to get this place back in order," Yosuke said.
"Yeah very resourceful people here," Gene said as they go down the streets with people watching them being close together.
"Oh, Yosuke ditched the foreigner for this cutie," a guy said.
"I know right, she is so cute and small," the other guy said getting jealous that Yosuke is walking with this cute person. Yosuke is uncomfortable with them talking like Alice doesn't exist anymore.
"She is so cute, look how short and slender she is," a female said.
"I know, I am so jealous," another woman said.
"Seems like people are talking about us," Gene said.
"Let them talk, having you near me is pretty comforting," Yosuke said as Gene cutely nods her head.
"Me too, let's get some tofu," Gene said as they arrived at the shop.
Rise is working to deliver food to her customers to give Kai who is eating there to enjoy his dish. "Thanks for helping Nanako with the school," Rise said as Kai managed to save Nanako from being captured by Other Yukiko.
"No problem, do you have a problem with me being a demon?" Kai asked.
"Not at all, you don't seem like a bad guy," Rise said.
"Not all demons are bad out here, some are trying to survive. Sadly, those demons are just foot soldiers to the Floating City and their Persona Users," Kai said as Rise thinks about this.
"Some demons are nice?" Rise asked.
"Yes, I heard one of them demons is around here somewhere. Trying to be an idol, it's a bit silly but Idun can do what she wants," Kai said as Rise is confused by this.
"An idol with a name like that," Rise said as that sounds like a foreign name.
"Thanks for the meal, I will be seeing you later," Kai said.
"Well, we expect help from you?" Rise asked.
"My sister likes you, so if I feel like it," Kai said as he exited the building to see Yosuke and Gene walking past him. Both Kai and Gene feel each other's supernatural presence.
"A demon but he seems to be not hostile," Gene thought.
"This power feels like an angel but it's not the same thing. What is this person," Kai thought as Yosuke noticed Gene is on edge.
"Something wrong Gene?" he asked.
"Oh nothing, let's go inside," Gene said as they headed inside the tofu shop to see Rise manning the cash register to see the duo coming inside.
"Hey there Yosuke and the new person of the hour," Rise approaches Gene to look over the figure before her. "Oh, my Gene, you are so slender," Rise said very impressed.
"Thank you, you are very healthy in terms of figure," Gene said to see Rise in an orange top, blue jeans, and white sneakers with an apron and a cloth covering the top of her brown hair. Rise's short curvy figure fitted her normal outfit making it look comfortable yet appealing to the eyes.
"You think, I am looking more motherly to prepare for motherhood," Rise said as she noted Gene looks good in the dress Naoto let them borrow. "You fit the dress pretty well," she said as Gene looks happy to wear this.
"Thank you, you look very cute today as well," Gene commented.
"Oh, thank you. I just threw this on since I need to man the shop," Rise said as she gets them to their seats. "You guys want something?" she asked.
"Yep, give us the house special," Yosuke said.
"Oh, bold are we. Spicy Rush is on the way," Rise said as she begins cooking up the dishes for them.
"She seems so nice," Gene said.
"Yeah, she is. Do you know her music?" Yosuke asked.
"Oh yeah I do, I listen to some before coming here. Your Sapphire was great," Gene said to compliment Rise.
"Oh, thank you, I put in the job to make that album that best one yet. I have drawn my love for my husband-to-be at the time and won over a fair amount of people. Sadly, a lot of people have not liked it," Rise said as Gene is confused by this.
"Why not?" Gene asked.
"Because I wanted to be more genuine but I lost a lot of fans over that move. Thankfully my real fans stuck by me and were happy I retired to marry my boyfriend at the time which I had to keep secret from my fans to prevent a backlash," Rise said.
"Why?" Gene asked.
"I was an idol. Sadly, we Idols need to sell an image to our fans and able our companies to sell our stuff to people. I had to hide my husband-to-be to make my bodyguard so my fans don't get mad with me," Rise said as she is cooking up their dishes to almost be ready.
"That is so sad, you should love someone in peace regardless of what people think," Gene said as Rise nods her head.
"I agree but that is in the past now. I am happily married to my husband and planning on making a family with him shortly after this mess is over," Rise said.
"That is very cute, I wish I had someone who can be on my shoulder," Gene said as she looks at Yosuke with her big blue eyes.
"I think I know someone who can help with that," Yosuke said as Rise looks on to think they both look cute together.
"So, I got your meals. Here you go," she gave each of them Spicy Rush in bowls.
"Oh, this looks so good," Gene said as their big eyes widened with excitement.
"I know it's a blast to chew into it. Time to dig in," Yosuke said as they enjoy their meal with Rise watching them to see Gene is not a bad person.
She looks over to see Yu has come back from his deliveries to see Yosuke and his new friend. "Yo Yosuke, how is going?" Yu asked as he gives Yosuke a handshake.
"What's up, man? I got this new lady with me, this is my best friend, Yu," Yosuke introduces Gene to Yu.
"Hello there, you've been talked about by Yosuke a lot," Gene said as Yosuke is embarrassed about this.
"Don't say that," Yosuke said as Gene giggles at this.
"Why not, you seem to have deep respect for him. It's only natural," Gene said.
"Yeah I guess," Yosuke said.
"I just got back from sending out food to people. Thankfully people are getting back to normal after all that craziness that happened," Yu said as Gene is happy to hear this.
"That is wonderful, humans are so resistant and bright. It's wonderful to see," Gene said looking so happy.
"Yeah, this town pulled together despite all that stuff that happened," Yu said as they all look at the TV to see a news report about a same-sex couple getting murdered by a Lone Star at a train station in Okina City.
"Damn, that is awful," Yosuke said as Rise knows those two guys.
"Oh yeah, I know those two men. They seem so nice and they came here recently to get Tofu. Those lone star bastards," Rise said getting upset.
"Yep, all about those traditional Japanese values. My ass," Yu said.
"I know right, those bastards. They made Alice's life a living hell," Yosuke said as Gene is saddened by this news.
"Those people are awful. Why can't they expect change, it's a good thing," Gene said.
"How do you feel about same-sex couples' Gene?" Rise asked as Yu and Yosuke were confused by this question.
"Well, it's all about the connections between two people. It's very beautiful regardless of who it is, male, female, or otherwise. I am all for it," Gene said as she looked at Yosuke tenderly.
"Even if they are not human?" Yu asked as Gene's eyes looked deeper at Yosuke for some reason.
"Yeah, even that," Gene said as Yu can understand that with his deep connection with Marie.
"Too bad some people are not as open-minded as you are Gene," Rise said as she is impressed.
"I can relate with those two men. All they want to do is exist and be happy within other's arms but others don't want that due to fear and twisted beliefs. It's truly sickening to me," Gene said as everyone is taken aback by a shift in her tone of voice etched with sadness.
"Quite the passionate speech there," Yosuke was in awe by her heart.
"I speak from experience Yosuke. I want to seek my happiness with someone despite what I am," Gene said as Yosuke takes her hands to hold them firm.
"I can help with that," Yosuke tries to be smooth with Rise thinking this is corniness but Gene finds this very cute.
"You can help along the way," Gene said feeling happy to be near him. They finished up their meal and talked with Rise and Yu. "Thanks for the meal. It was so tasty," Gene said patting her flat stomach.
"Yeah it was delicious as always," Yosuke said as they both waved goodbye.
"Well Gene, you are always welcomed here," Yu said.
"Yeah, please come again," Rise said as they left the door. "Seems like we were right on the money after all that stuff," Rise said.
"Gene is a sweet person. I hope Gene and Yosuke find happiness within each other," Yu said as the couple nods their heads.
Outside Adi walks to the tofu shop to see Yosuke and his new friend walking beside each other. "hello there," Adi said as Gene looks at her to be uneasy around her.
"Hello there Yosuke and your new friend," Adi said as she has a strong feeling this person is who Demeter is talking about.
"Yes, this is the girl I was talking about. Gene, this is Adi. She is like an elder sister to us," Yosuke said as Gene bows her head to Adi.
"Good to see you, Adi. Yosuke speaks a lot about you with me," Gene said as they felt something off about Adi.
"So, this person is the angel presence Demeter was talking about. This thing could be a problem if left unchecked," she thought. "Of course, Yosuke seems quite smitten with you. I am thankful he has found someone after the sad departing of his ex," Adi said.
"I will keep him company," Gene said as Adi nods her head to let them pass.
Adi goes up to the Tofu shop to see Nanako getting up to the door. "Hey there Nanako," Adi said.
"Hey there Adi, good to see you. I just back from the shop and some food for us," Nanako said as she heads inside her new home.
"Hey there sweetheart," Yu and Rise said at the same time.
"Oh, hey there Sensei. Looking over to some nice meals," Rise said as Adi sits down at a booth to await her order.
"Yep. So, you meet with Yosuke's new main squeeze?" Adi asked.
"They are very nice and sweet but there is pain within their eyes," Rise said feeling sympathy for Gene.
"Interesting," Adi said.
"There is Kai who came here who is a demon who is nice to us," Yu said.
"Well yeah, not all demons are evil. Just like not all Angels are good," Adi said.
"There are Angels too out there," Rise asked.
"I bet angels are very pretty," Nanako said.
"Trust me, you don't want to meet one. They are not very nice," Adi said.
"Speaking of demons, Kai talked about a demon who is trying to be an Idol. Her name is Idun," Rise asked.
"Oh yes, I know her. She is a bright cutie that one. Idun the Norse Goddess of Youth. Guardian of the Golden Apples. I think it's foolish she is trying to do this now with the Lone Stars not taking kindly to some white girl trying to be cute and idol-like," Adi said.
"Well, all these things happening. I want to join you," Nanako said as Yu and Rise knew this was going to happen.
"You sure about this Nanako?" Yu asked.
"Of course, my dad and Teddie dead because of me. I want to save this town from these people," Nanako shows them the Fusion Gem with her Persona within it.
"Well, we need to train you and then you can come with us," Rise said as Nanako nodded her head.
"Thanks, you guys. I will not let you down," Nanako said as they gained a new member of their team.
Elsewhere Yosuke and Gene are back at his home as they sit down on the couch enjoying a movie. "You know you are something else, Gene. I never a met a person before," he said as Gene happily nods her head.
"I am just speaking my mind. So, what other people have you met before?" Gene asked to be closer to him.
"Well besides my friends. People are telling me to be a man and grow up. Trying to match the expectation of this place. Always trying to push their values onto me, you know," Yosuke said as Gene looks on with an inquisitive look on her face.
"That is very shameful Yosuke. No one should tell you how to live your life, only you can do that," Gene said as Yosuke his head.
"Yeah, your right. There is something I like that wouldn't be considered manly by 'normal' means. Have you ever heard of Otokonoko before?" Yosuke asked as Gene nodded her head.
"Oh yeah, crossdressing guys right? Oh, that is so cute, you like that?" Gene asked as Yosuke blushes from this.
"I mean it's crazy that guys can pull off being women so flawlessly and look so cute doing it. I mean my old friend Teddie managed to cross-dress as a girl. I got to admit, he looked pretty but his personality kind of ruins it," Yosuke said as Gene found this interesting.
"I see," Gene said looking deeply interested in this. "I am glad you are open to that. Nothing wrong with exploring your interests and discovering other sides to yourself," she said.
"Yeah, not many know this. Yu knows and Rise does as well," Yosuke said.
"Don't worry Yosuke, you are still a good man despite having different tastes," Gene said as she is blushing in the face. "He is into femboys huh, very interesting," they thought as Yosuke looks to see how cute she looks while glowing in the face.
"Damn, she is amazing. This is something I needed after what happened," Yosuke thought as Gene lies her head on his shoulder to enjoy his presence.
Elsewhere Kanami is going to a café wearing sunglasses and a face mask to cover her identity to grab an iced coffee at a shop. "Yo, can you tell me what is the best drink in this shop?" a female asked.
Kanami looks over to be surprised at the new foreign underground Idol Idun who is a short European young lady with short blond, big blue eyes, and fair skin making her stick out like a sore thumb. "You are Idun," Kanami said as Idun shows off a big smile.
"Yep, that's me," Idun said as she can speak perfect Japanese.
"I can't believe, I heard about you. You are big in the underground scene," Kanami said.
"Thanks, you are Kanami. An even bigger Idol, it's so cool to see you here," Idun said as they grabbed their drinks to begin talking with each other. "So, you are going to do a show at the Tokyo Museum?" she asked.
"Yes, there is a dinosaur exhibit there. My company wants me to promote it," Kanami said.
"Oh, that is cool, I will be a backup singer if that is okay," Idun said as Kanani nods her head.
"Cool, we can do that," Kanami said as they prepare to set up a show at the Tokyo Natural Museum soon.