Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. Ah… What a year it's been.

…What? It's only June? Alright! Onto the reviews! To Dartz: Oh my God, Yumi would flip at seeing Caroline and Justine. Also, regarding my TV, I'm not technician and I'll probably get it replaced soon. It is really old. I mean, I've had it for over ten years at this point. Although, I completely fine with saving power and leaving it unplugged. To Vein Bloodborne: Eh… We'll see about their teams

Anyway, that's it. It's time to feel the vibe.

Load Game…Start!


Chapter 39: Models, Moves and Maids


(5/30, Early Morning)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Morning came early as the tan skinned girl started to stir from her sleep, her eyes slowly opening to see the blurry room around her as her vision began to focus more.

"Man, that was a good night's rest..." Homura mumbled out, feeling refreshed as she attempted to move, only to realize she couldn't and was being sandwiched from both sides. "...Yumi-senpai's breasts are pressing against my bare back while Sis's are pressed up against mine..." She soon thought while blushing crimson as she figured out the situation she was in. "I'm not like Katsuragi. I'm not like Katsuragi. I'm not like Katsuragi...but good kami this feels good..." She then added to her thoughts.

"Are you really sure at this point?" Wolverine mentally questioned. "You are enjoying it." She then added.

"I will stab you." Homura grumbled out...only to realize that it wouldn't work.

"Ngh..." Two female voices meanwhile mumbled out as she shuffled.

This caused Homura to blush as she felt the bare skin shifting about. "Wolverine...please don't..." She mentally begged.

"I'm not the one getting wet." Wolverine pointed out.

"IT'S SWEAT!" Homura mentally declared.

"Mm...good morning Homura-san~" Yumi mumbled out while tightening her hug and snuggling her head into the tan skinned girl's back with a sleepy smile on her face.

"Yes, good morning Yumi-senpai..." Homura sighed out in a tired tone. She just woke up and already she wanted to sleep. "Did you sleep well?" She soon asked.

"Pleasantly~" Yumi replied.

"Mmm...Homu-nee..." Asuka mumbled out, rolling over the tan skinned girl and onto the light grey haired girl.

"A-Asuka-san!" Yumi yelped out, waking up more at the sudden action as the brunette snuggled between her breasts.

"Hehe, Sis is a hugger." Homura giggled out.

"Please get her off me..." Yumi squeaked out.

"Wow, Homu-nee, your skin's so much smoother than usual...~" Asuka noted in her sleep.

The tan skinned girl's eye soon twitched a little while the light grey haired girl blushed.

"C-Cute..." Yumi mumbled out.

"Right?" Homura replied in agreement before shaking her roommate. "Come on Sis, wake up." She then requested.

"No~ You're too soft~" Asuka mumbled out.

"Thank you, but you're not cuddling me." Homura replied with a smirk on her face.

Asuka's eyes soon opened wide to hear that. "...Eh?" She got out in confusion as she looked up and saw the two other girls.

"Glad to see you're awake Sis." Homura got out in amusement.

"Ah! So you are here Yumi-chan! Good morning." Asuka happily and innocently greeted as she released the other girl.

"Good morning to you as well Asuka-san." Yumi replied in a calmer tone before looking down and blushing pink to seeing she was naked like the other girls. "A-Asuka-san!" She yelped out in a chiding manner.

"S-Sorry!" Asuka meekly replied while poking her pointer fingers together.

"You just noticed now?" Homura giggled out.

"I-I don't know what's happening to me lately. What is this technique you've been using on me?" Yumi responded and questioned.

"...You mean cuteness?" Homura guessed.

"H-Homura-san..." Yumi mumbled out in embarrassment. "I-In any case, we should get up." She then pointed out.

"Yeah, we should." Asuka replied in agreement.

"How about we all take a bath together?" Homura soon suggested. "So we can save up on time. The bath is large enough." She then explained.

"Really? Are you sure?" Yumi meanwhile questioned. "I don't want to impose if necessary." She then admitted in concern.

"Not at all Yumi-chan! It'll be fun!" Asuka happily replied as she took both girls' hands and began dragging them to the bathroom.

Homura meanwhile giggled in amusement at this while a smirk was on her face. "Better get used to this Yumi, you're not getting out of it now." She jokingly advised.

"R-Right." Yumi got out, slightly confused for a moment to how the tan skinned girl was treating her before silently gasping. "Of course, Homura-san calling me Yumi-senpai is a secret between us at my request." She mentally remembered.

"Uh, do you need a few more minutes?" Asuka spoke up, snapping the light grey haired girl out of her thoughts. "Your eyes kinda glazed over." She soon informed.

"M-My apologies," Yumi replied as she cleared her throat. "I'm fine. Let's wash up." She soon suggested.

"Okay then..." Asuka muttered out as the tan skinned girl began preparing the bath.

"You know, now that we're here, it does seem a little small for three people..." Homura admitted as the light grey haired girl nodded in agreement.

"I mean, if we squeeze together, I think we can all fit..." Asuka muttered out before shaking it off. "No, we'll make it work." She soon decided with determination as she ran the water.

Eventually, the three shinobi got into the bath...

Barely.

"See! We can even fit one more!" Homura cheered out, her head on Asuka's shoulder while her chest rubbed her back.

"Yes, but I think we're crushing Asuka-san." Yumi pointed out in concern as she tried to shift into a more comfortable position, causing water to rise and spill out.

"I'm fine! Just...Homu-nee, your knee is digging into my back!" Asuka informed.

"S-Sorry, Sis!" Homura apologized as she struggled a bit before the three got comfortable again.

"I have been wondering Asuka-san, why is it that you call Homura-san Homu-nee?" Yumi suddenly questioned with curiosity in her voice. "You two don't exactly look like sisters..." She then added.

"Oh, it's similar to how I call a friend of mine Katsu-nee, but that reason being it 'cause Katsuragi-san or Katsuragi-chan sounds too long for me to say. That and her being my senior back at Hanzō is another thing along with her treating me and Hibari-chan, my own junior, as younger siblings." Asuka explained before looking towards her roommate and smiled. "But for Homu-nee...it's something much deeper and more personal." She calmly and vaguely revealed.

"Well, I will not pry." Yumi assured. "Um, can someone pass the shampoo?" She soon requested.

"Sure, which one?" Homura replied with her own question.

"Any will do." Yumi responded.

Nodding to that, the tan skinned girl got the dark blue bottle. "Here we go, Mind Energizer." Homura informed as she got the shampoo before handing it over to the light grey haired girl.

"Thank you." Yumi replied as she squeezed a small amount out and began lathering her hair while handing the bottle out. "Mmm, this one feels and smells so good." She got out with a sigh.

"So true." Asuka and Homura replied in unison agreement as they also squeezed some out and began lathering their own heads.

Asuka and Homura could feel the shampoo work its magic, raising their Knowledge.

And Yumi...didn't feel any different actually.

"So Yumi-chan, what did you and Homu-nee do yesterday?" Asuka suddenly asked in a curious manner.

"Ah, we were doing something wondrous. Right Homura-san?" Yumi informed in a whimsical tone and a smile on her face.

"All you did was tell me how to speak and whack me with your fans." Homura answered.

"You hurt Homu-nee Yumi-chan?" Asuka soon got out with widened and concerned eyes,

"Not really. It was light, not even a civilian would be sore for more than a second." Yumi quickly explained. "I would never abuse someone while instructing them." She then added.

"True, my old family was more like that towards me..." Homura muttered to herself. "You don't need to worry Sis, I asked her to train me in how to be more elegant and graceful, like how I asked Ann to train me into being more feminine." She then explained.

"So...what am I training you to be better at Homu-nee?" Asuka asked.

"To be a better person and more human." Homura answered while hugging the girl from behind. "You already helped me think more clearly Sis." She then added.

"Cute~" Yumi meanwhile mumbled out at the sight with stars in her eyes.

"Hm?" Asuka innocently got out. "Yumi-chan, do you like cute things?" She soon asked.

This caused the light grey haired girl to blush.

"I'll take that as a yes." Homura soon quipped out with a grin.

The girls all laughed as they continued conversing and cleaning themselves. Eventually, they felt that they were clean enough.

"Okay...how do we get out?" Homura soon asked as she tried to pull herself out of the tub.

"We just have to get up together at the same time." Asuka instructed. "We need to be in perfect sync for this to work." She then added.

"I agree." Yumi replied with a nod of approval. "On the count of three. One..." She then began.

"Two..." Asuka continued.

"Three!" Homura concluded as the three got up, slipping out with ease. "Hey! It worked!" She exclaimed in satisfaction at the result.

"Indeed it did," Yumi replied with a nod. "As expected of our Vice Leader for coming up with such a good plan." She then praised as she began rubbing the brunette's head in a sisterly manner.

"Hehe! Our teamwork is improving every day!" Asuka meanwhile cheered out with a fist pump as they then got out of the tub and got some towels to dry themselves off.

"Still, that was a nice bath." Yumi breathed out.

"Yeah, you should sleep over again sometime Yumi-chan!" Asuka soon suggested as they went into the living room.

Yumi in response smiled at the idea. "I will keep that in mind. It was fun." She replied and admitted as they finished drying off.

"What time is it anyway?" Homura eventually asked while brushing her hair.

"Uh...7 AM." Asuka informed.

This caused the three to blink a couple of times as they looked at one another.

"I believe we should head out." Yumi soon suggested in a calm manner.

"Yes. We should." Homura replied in the same manner. "Sis, do you mind-" She then began, however...

"Already got it done." Asuka replied as she offered a bento box for the other girls. "Let's go!" She then added.

"Sis, we need to-" Homura started, however...

"No time! Shinobi Clothes Changing Jutsu!" Asuka interrupted as she threw her roommate's uniform at her, knocking her to the ground.

THUD!

"Homura-sa-" Yumi exclaimed before being bowled over by her own pile of clothes.

THUD!

"Get dressed! We gotta get to school!" Asuka called out, already in her uniform.

"Ugh..." The two groaned out in unison as they did as such.

Today was going to be pretty packed.


(Train Station)

Akira yawned as he stared at his phone. Same news as yesterday. The museum closure and Madarame's mysterious disappearance from the public eye. He wondered if Madarame chose to simply lay in his bed and die as his punishment rather than confess.

He quickly clenched his hands into fists. No...he wasn't going to get away that easily.

"Akira-kun, good morning..." Yumi greeted as the three shinobi walked up to the Leader.

"Oh, hey Yu-" Akira began greeting, only to stop as he looked at the light grey haired girl.

"Hm, is Yusuke-san here too?" Yumi got out as she looked around. "Oh, right. I need to set aside some money for our weekly lunch." She then added.

"Yumi..." Akira got out as he raised one of his eyebrows.

"Yes Akira-kun?" Yumi replied with an innocent tilt of her head.

"Do you know where you are?" Akira suddenly asked.

"The Ginza Line, on my way to school." Yumi yawned out.

"Okay." Akira got out before clearing his throat. "Did you transfer to Shujin?" He then asked.

"Huh? What are you-?" Yumi began questioning in confusion before her eyes widened, snapping wide awake as she looked down. "..." She was completely silent at the fact that she was wearing a Shujin Academy uniform.

"..." Akira meanwhile sweatdropped at the reason while remaining silent.

"..." Homura on the other hand blinked as she looked at the light grey haired girl

"...How did we not notice until now?" Asuka soon asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"By the way, you have forty-five minutes." Akira meanwhile informed.

WHOOSH!

And thus, with a sonic boom, Yumi ran.

*cough cough* "Wait, wasn't that my spare uniform!?" Homura exclaimed. "Yumi, wait!" She called out.

BZZT! BZZT!

Homura soon took out her phone as she and the others looked over.

[Negative8Degrees: I will return your uniform later properly washed and ironed. I apologize Homura-san.]

CRASH!

Akira and the two roommates quickly winced as they heard something smash into several people and a wall. "Don't text and run, kids." Akira muttered to himself.

*Cough cough cough* "Why is this place so dusty!?" *cough* Makoto choked out as she walked up to the Leaders and the tan skinned girl.

"It's the underground. It's always dusty." Akira deadpanned before getting a smack in the shoulder.

"Akira..." Homura sighed out in a chiding manner. "Sorry, Makoto-senpai. How's it going?" She spoon asked.

"I'm fine, Homura-san...save for the usual nagging from the principal." Makoto replied before coughing a little. "Excuse me, but I've heard the Madarame exhibition had been shut down during the weekend." She got out.

"Really?" Akira got out, feigning ignorance.

"Um...I saw the news talking about it." Asuka muttered out. "We're lucky to have seen all the art before the exhibit was closed."

"It surprised me to hear what had happened." Homura informed in a mature manner.

"Yes, it is. Although, there's been a rumor floating around that those vandals, the Phantom Thieves, had something to do with it." Makoto soon revealed. "Do you...have any comments?" She then asked in a curious manner.

"Besides the fact that they are vandals?" Homura counter questioned. "Uh...no, not really Makoto-senpai." She then added.

"But these Phantom Thieves guys seem to be more than vandals if they made Madarame shutdown the exhibit." Asuka soon replied.

"But hey, don't be surprised if Madarame ends up on the news soon." Akira stated as the train arrived.


(5/30, Lunchtime)

(Shujin Academy, Courtyard)

Ryuji had been looking for Akira for some time now and found him sitting by himself near some vending machines, eating some bread. "Hey, there you are!" The dyed blond greeted as he walked up to his Leader.

"Hey Ryuji." Akira replied as he finished his food before pulling out a soda and opening it.

"I need your help with something..." Ryuji requested as he quickly looked around to see if anyone was eavesdropping on them.

"Ryuji, do you need my help to study again?" Akira asked before taking a swig.

"No, this is actually important! I found this flyer stuffed in my mailbox." Ryuji answered as he pulled something out of his pocket.

Victoria's Housekeeping Services

Akira was...not amused at the sight of the flyer. Though it kinda looked familiar to him. Where did he...? "Are you trying to tell me something?" He questioned in a deadpan tone.

"Uh, yeah!" Ryuji replied in a strangely excited tone, ignoring the disapproving look Joker was giving him. "It says that a cute maid will do anything for you. A maid, dude! A MAID! Who'll do anything for us! Right? ...Right!?" He then declared.

"Anything? It can't possibly mean..." Akira thought as he narrowed his eyes. "What do you want me to do?" He then asked, already feeling like he was going to regret even humoring the dyed blond.

"...You're a guy, right? You know what I mean!" Ryuji got out. "Let's give it a try. Yeah? Yeah!" He then suggested.

"Don't automatically assume that I'm in..." Akira muttered with a sweatdrop.

"Luckily, some guy on my floor just moved out so there's a vacant apartment in my complex." Ryuji then added. "The key is behind the mailbox, so we can get in anytime. The landlord seriously doesn't care." He soon enough revealed.

"You put way too much thought into this." Akira deadpanned.

"Duh! Who wouldn't? This could mean great things, Akira!" Ryuji got out in an excited tone. "The place is all set, so..." He then began, however...

Suddenly, they were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"...Hey, I heard that!" Mishima called out as he approached the two.

"What the hell!?" Ryuji got out in surprise.

"Please convince him." Akira mentally begged.

"Um, can I, uh...Get in on this?" The administrator asked, looking a little hopeful while simultaneously shattering Akira's hopes.

"Oh-ho! You mean you're into this kinda stuff?" Ryuji guessed in a sly tone. "Wow! Okaaaaay..." He then added in a teasing manner.

"I-I'm not into it! It's just for research!" Mishima stammered out with a blush on his face. "What does it mean that they'll do anything? And do the maids look exactly as they're advertised? We need to determine whether or not this company just pretends to offer housekeeping services!" He then stated.

"Mishima, we're not filing for a false advertising charge..." Akira groaned out. "I mean, it's a bit much, isn't it?" He then pointed out.

"It'll be too late once people get victimized by it!" Mishima got out. "Right? So we should do a thorough investigation." He soon declared.

"Yeah, we gotta see it with our own eyes." Ryuji replied. "Every single detail..." He then added with a snicker.

"Why is every guy I know a pervert...?" Akira thought as he put his head into his hands in shame.

"Can I join in too?" Asuka suddenly asked, making her presence known and causing the boys to suddenly start coughing.

"Wait, seriously Asuka? You wanna get in on this too?" Ryuji then asked.

"Yep." Asuka replied with a nod.

"Wh-Where did you come from, Shirokage-san!? How long have you been listening!?" Mishima exclaimed.

"When you said people might get victimized." Asuka answered with a determined expression on her face. "Whatever you're talking about, I won't let anyone get hurt!" She then declared.

"N-No one's getting hurt! I...Er...It's kinda the opposite..." Ryuji mumbled out.

"...I don't get what you mean, but with Homu-nee busy helping out here at school, I'm going to be helping out the rest of Tokyo." Asuka reminded. "Actually, I should probably call her to see if she wants in as well..." She then added as she prepared to get her phone out.

"NO!" Ryuji and Mishima called out, causing the girl to jump in shock.

"W-We have it covered. Don't want to pile up more shit on her plate after all." Ryuji quickly got out with a nervous laugh.

"Hm...I guess that makes sense..." Asuka mumbled out. "But I'm in, right?" She asked once more.

"Y-Yeah. Of course." Ryuji got out. "We'll hafta do this at night, so let us know when you're ready, Akira." He then stated.

"Wait, why am I suddenly the leader of this...?" Akira groaned out. "I'm not even into maids...that much..." He mentally added.

"We're counting on you, Akira-kun." Asuka got out with a quick salute, which only filled him with more shame.

"So what's the codename for this operation...?" Mishima asked. "Hmm...Since we'll be watching them, it should be something like...Operation Maidwatch!" He soon suggested.

"Nice! I like that!" Ryuji replied in a happy tone.

"That sounds nice, Mishima-kun." Asuka got out...before realizing what the name actually meant. "Wait, what...?" She soon asked in confusion.

"Urgh...Okay, we'll do it tonight after school." Akira sighed out. "So, who's going to be paying for the maid? Not it." He then asked, followed by the extra bit.

"Not it." Asuka instinctively declared. "Wait, maid!?" She mentally got out.

"Not it!" Mishima quickly got out before the dyed blond could respond. "Sorry, Sakamoto, but the International Law of Not It dictates that you pay for it, no weaseling out." He then added.

"Aw, what!? Come on...!" Ryuji groaned out as he slumped forward.

"Wait, what did I just get myself into?" Asuka asked the Leader.

"Fulfilling the fantasies of our lustful friends." Akira sighed out in response. "...This doesn't involve maid outfits by the way. Don't bring yours." He then added.

"I-I w-w-wasn't planning on th-t-that!" Asuka stammered out as the noses of the other boys spurted out blood.

Akira couldn't help but sigh. This was probably going to be his entire night, wasn't it.


(5/30, After School)

(Shujin Academy, Classroom)

RING RING RING!

Akira let out a breath as he packed up his stuff, sneaking the not cat back into his bag before getting up from his seat and went to the tan skinned girl's desk.

"Afternoon." Homura simply greeted.

"Alright, Homura, I'm ready to train." Akira got out as he gave her the money.

"Thanks, but I can't do it right now." Homura replied as she pocketed said money and stood up.

"...What?" Akira responded as he blinked a couple of times.

"Committee meeting. We'll train tonight." Homura simply got out before leaving the classroom.

"W-Wait, hey! At least give me back my money!" Akira called out before sighing. "Crap...Let's see if Ryuji's available." He then muttered to himself as he walked out of the classroom.

Asuka meanwhile stretched her limbs. "Mmm~" She breathed out as she got herself ready to leave, however...

BZZT! BZZT!

Asuka's eyes widened to hearing that as she took out her phone and turned it on. "Oh!" She got out.

At that moment, the ash blonde came over to the Vice Leader. "Hey Asuka-chan," Ann greeted with her phone out. "You just got the message from Kokito-san about the big job?" She soon asked.

The brunette in response nodded. "Hai, apparently it's for a good chance to be on part of a runway line up for a future big show." Asuka replied.

Ann in turn grinned widely to that in excitement. "Now that is a great opportunity Asuka-chan. Especially for high schoolers like us!" She informed.

"So should we go for it?" Asuka soon asked.

"Do you even have to ask me? Come on, let's go there right now." Ann answered as she pulled the brunette out of her seat, grabbed her bag and dragged her out the room.


(Disciplinary Committee Board Room)

The committee members spilled into the room, ready to discuss and work together...

Hopefully.

"Ok everyone, please give me your reports." Homura instructed in a mature tone.

"Hai!" All the committee members replied in unison as they all handed the tan skinned girl some papers.

Nodding to this, Homura sat down at her desk as she began looking through all of them. "Thank you everyone, feel free to continue with your duties for now." She then requested.

"Yes ma'am!" The committee members replied as they started to head out.

"Hmm, I could hang out with one of my committee members today." Homura soon thought, remembering that all her friends were occupied at the moment.

The big question of the Disciplinary Head however was simple, who should she hang out with for the day since all her friends were busy?

Once again, Ichiko had left early but Satoshi had actually shown up today. Everyone else seemed to be in good spirits, except for the black hole of enthusiasm that was Emica Sato.

So many problems, but not enough time to solve them...

"Ah, good afternoon Kotegawa-san." Homura calmly and politely greeted.

"Homura-san." Yui greeted back. "Would you like to join me on my patrol?" She then offered.

"Of course." Homura replied with a nod, knowing that it was the perfect opportunity to get to know one of her members.

"Thank you. We will be patrolling the practice building. Follow me." Yui responded and requested.

Homura in turn nodded and allowed her committee member to take the lead.


(Practice Building, Second Floor)

Although there were many students still around, there wasn't any trouble they had to deal with so they decided to make some small talk as they walked through the halls.

"Huh, so you transferred to Shujin from another school?" Homura asked.

Yui in response nodded to that. "Yes, I was originally attending Sainan Metropolitan High School, but I thought it would be nice to have a change in scenery." She explained.

Homura however raised an eyebrow to hearing that. "A change in scenery?" She repeated in confusion.

Yui in response let out an annoyed sigh. "Let's just say that I've dealt with some crazy and troublesome things that happened at my previous school. Some things you couldn't even imagine happening in real life, but it did and I still couldn't believe it." She vaguely revealed.

"I-I see." Homura replied with a sweatdrop, though the vagueness only made her more curious now.

"Though I will say that some of it was by this one student who, I swear to god, that always found a way to be perverted." Yui soon revealed.

Homura in turn became more curious to hear this. "Really now." She got out.

Yui in turn nodded, still being annoyed and even blushed a bit. "Yes. I swear, a day never went by without him just acting like a complete pervert." She then stated in a slightly annoyed yet bashful tone.

"And...you're sure it was him exactly?" Homura soon asked. "Why is she blushing?" She meanwhile thought with a raised eyebrow.

"W-Well...I was a victim of his hands more times than I'm comfortable with." Yui muttered out.

"Sounds like someone who should've been expelled." Homura replied in disapproval.

"No chance. My former principal was a notorious pervert too." Yui replied as the tan skinned girl's eyes widened in disbelief. "We can't seem to get away from them, huh." She then added.

"Ugh, no kidding." Homura scoffed out.

"Hi ladies." Mishima greeted as he began to approach the two.

"Mishima." Homura replied with a nod before...

SLIP!

...Mishima tripped, his face landing between Homura's large chest.

"H-How shameless!" Yui exclaimed in a tone filled with disbelief.

"Gotta agree with that." Homura awkwardly admitted to seeing the shameless display. "Still, it was an accident. You should've tied your shoes Mishima." She then calmly stated as she pushed the boy off her and helped him stand properly. "Actually, why aren't you wearing your indoor shoes, Mishima?" She soon questioned.

"S-Sorry! They recently fell apart so I'm getting new ones when I get home." Mishima quickly explained.

"I would get to it then instead of hanging around the practice building." Homura advised. "Also, why are you even here? I thought the volleyball team disbanded." She once more asked.

"Oh, just doing some research around the school." Mishima answered before winking at the tan skinned girl.

"Research?" Yui repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a personal project of mine. Well, I better get going. Uh, sorry again, Shinkukage-san." Mishima replied and apologised once more.

"It's fine. But if it happens again, you are getting punished as the head of the Disciplinary Committee." Homura advised.

"Yes, sir! I mean, ma'am! I mean...gotta go." Mishima got out before making a hasty exit.

"Well, he seems more relaxed around me. I wonder why that is..." Homura thought as she put her hands on her hips.

"Ugh...That Mishima...You only remind me of Yuuki-kun back home..." Yui sighed out.

"Hm?" Homura hummed out in confusion. "Well, I think Mishima's given name is Yuuki..." She then reminded.

"Which makes it all the more awkward since I know someone whose given name is also Yuuki." Yui replied as she then looked at the tan skinned girl. "I must say though Homura-san, you were really impressive in not reacting like most girls would when something like that happens." She then admitted.

"Well, it was an accident. I'm not gonna punch or beat him up over that." Homura stated. "I mean, no one's going to respect me if my first solution is violence." She then explained.

"Y-Yeah..." Yui muttered out as she looked down. "I wish shameless acts like that would stop. It's lowering the public moral standard." She then admitted.

"Well, Yui, I promise to stop any shameless actions that happen. We can't have students thinking they can do whatever they want. That just won't work in reality." Homura informed in a serious tone.

Yui meanwhile sighed in relief. "Thank you Homura-san, I hope to help you with that goal." She replied. "I want to make this a much more pure and respectable school after everything Kamoshida had done." She then added in a determined manner.

Upon hearing that, Homura couldn't help but smile at seeing the girl's determination, feeling a connection from wanting to achieve a mutual goal.

SHATTER!

I am thou, thou art I.

As to forge a new path in crimson flame,
The vow has been
made.

With the secrets of the Empress by your side,
the forge for a new
path will be formed.

Granting great power in return.

RANK UP! EMPRESS RANK 1!

Cat's Experience: Raising Social Stats grants EXP.

Homura meanwhile felt a wave coursing through her body, and smiled. "How about we go and study for a bit? We gotta make sure we pass our future exam." She offered followed by the explanation in a mature tone.

"Sure Homura-san." Yui replied as the two went to the library to study for the rest of their time.

Homura meanwhile felt her Knowledge increasing as a result of studying with her committee member before heading out to train her friend.


(Aoyama, Modeling Agency)

Meanwhile, the Vice Leader and ash blonde had arrived at the location mentioned in the message their agency manager told them to go. When they entered the building, they saw that there were multiple other girls ranging from high school first years to third years talking and chatting among one another as they appeared to be waiting.

"W-Wow, there's a lot of people here." Asuka breathed out.

"Yeah, and some of them look like they are with their own managers as well." Ann replied with a nod of agreement as she then looked around. "Now where is Kokito-san?" She then wondered.

"Ah, Shirokage-san, Takamaki-san, over here." A familiar voice to the two called out, getting their attention as they saw the man.

"Ah, Kokito-san, good afternoon." Asuka politely greeted him as she and the ash blonde made their way to their manager.

"So, is it true about the runway modeling chance Kokito-san?" Ann soon asked, getting straight to the point.

"It's an audition Takamaki-san." Kokito informed while adjusting his glasses while looking around. "Besides you two, there are fifty people attempting to get one of the ten open spots for the next major runway show coming up this summer." He then explained.

"That's some serious competition." Ann remarked in shock.

"D-Do you really think I have a chance?" Asuka meanwhile asked in a meek manner. "I-I mean I just started modeling and all..." She then reminded.

Kokito simply smiled in response while placing a hand on her shoulder. "Shirokage-san, just have confidence and give it your all." He simply advised.

"But..." Asuka got out before she looked down at her oversized chest. "What if I'm not what they're looking for?" She then asked.

"You must be influenced by Western modelling. Beauty isn't that much of a factor in Japan. If you simply fit the audition, you'll do just fine." Kokito informed and encouraged.

Calming down slightly to that, Asuka couldn't help but smile. "Hai." She replied.

However at that moment, three more professional looking adults came into the room as he looked at the room, getting all the girls attention and silencing them almost instantly.

"I am le designer Oren Ramone Baurollo." The man in the middle, who had white long hair in a ponytail, sunglasses and was wearing a suit introduced himself with a deep French accent in his tone of voice. "I expect that you all display your radiance." He soon instructed. "Choose your dress along with your accessories and show me how greatly you can shine." He then added to the instructions.

"Radiance? Shine?" Asuka and Ann meanwhile repeated in their heads in confusion.

"Do you have any idea what he means Ann-chan?" Asuka whispered.

"Not a clue Asuka-chan." Ann whispered back as they all watched the other girls heading for the dressing room. "I'm just impressed by his Japanese. He's pretty fluent." She then added.

"Yeah..." Asuka replied with a nod.

"Why are you two just standing around? Go to the dressing room and make yourselves amazing." Kokito instructed.

"W-Wait, we have to choose the dress style and accessories we wear!?" Asuka exclaimed.

"As well as the basic color of the dress you'll be wearing to present yourself for this audition." Kokito deducted as he looked at the other participants making their choices. "I would suggest picking the dress color you want first and then decide on the accessories." He soon added.

"Right," Ann calmly nodded as she took her friend's hand. "Come on Asuka-chan, let's pick out something good that'll knock their socks off." She soon decided.

"Hai!" Asuka responded with a nod as they headed for the dressing room, seeing that the other girls were also choosing their dresses from the large assortment of them that were on the racks of various styles and colors. "I guess now we look and see what'll work." She soon guessed.

"Sure." Ann replied as they went off in two separate directions and began browsing through the dresses.

"Hmm...what would work?" Asuka muttered in a curious manner as she looked through the dresses. "What color would work?" She then mumbled.

She had thought about using a color she was used to, but then decided against it. She wanted to do something different this time.

"So I'm not choosing green, red, black or white." Asuka thought as she walked among the racks, soon coming to a section of dresses where there were an assortment of shining dresses.

Soon enough though, the brunette found one of interest. "Yosh, this will work." Asuka whispered to herself with a smile and she made her choice, a shimmering silver dress that went down to her knees. "This'll make me sparkle for sure...I hope." She then added, albeit a bit unsure before going to look to look at the accessories.

Meanwhile with Ann...

"Man, this is harder than I thought..." Ann admitted in a mutter as she kept looking, glancing about to see that other girls were already choosing their dresses.

"Hey Ann-chan." Asuka greeted, coming over to the ash blonde while already wearing the silver dress and matching heels.

"Whoa." Ann got out as she examined her friend. "Not bad Asuka-chan, silver's a new one for you." She then pointed out in an impressed manner.

"Thanks, I wanted to try something different color wise." Asuka explained. "I'm also impressed that it fits me so well and how good it feels." She then admitted as she felt the dress.

"Well it suits you great." Ann complimented.

"Thanks!" Asuka happily replied. "So, how are you doing?" She soon asked in a curious manner.

"Still looking." Ann replied as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I just don't know what to go with." She then admitted.

"Hmm..." Asuka hummed out as she gave a thoughtful expression. "Hey Ann-chan, how about you use Carmen as a reference for your dress?" She soon whispered her suggestion.

"Hm? Carmen?" Ann repeated as she thought about the appearance of her Persona. "Well, she is pretty...though a bit exposed." She then admitted, seeing her other self's...featureless pink chest.

"Well just the colors I mean, red and black." Asuka explained. "And as for the style, an open dress like her's." She then added.

"So a Hispanic-like dress." Ann guessed in a muttered manner. "Okay...I'll look around a bit to see if there's anything like it..." She soon decided.

"I'll help out." Asuka offered with a smile.

"It's ok Asuka-chan, I can look by myself this time. You go look at the accessories." Ann replied.

"Ok, good luck." Asuka replied and encouraged.

"Thanks." Ann got out as she went back to her search.

Asuka quickly got to work and started going through all the accessories their work had available.

"Wow, that's a lot of masks..." Asuka got out in amazement at the assortment. "Though my mask is cooler." She mentally added as she pulled out a white full face mask with a purple butterfly wing on the left eye. "Does this one look good, Ann-chan?" She soon asked.

The ash blonde poked her head out and saw her friend waving around the weird mask. "You shouldn't hide your face. Choose something else." Ann replied.

Asuka shrugged as she casually put the mask back and searched for a different accessory.

A couple of moments later...

"Ok, this one should do." Ann meanwhile decided as she picked out a dress and went to get changed.

Soon, the ash blonde came out in a red sleeveless dress with black trimmings, an opening running down her left leg, red heels, black gloves and her cleavage slightly showing.

"Heh, it looks just like what Carmen wears!" Ann thought as she did a twirl. "Except without the exposed chest, of course." She then added.

"You look like you're going to a dance, Takamaki." One of the models remarked. "You think that will impress the judges?" She then asked.

"I hope so." Ann replied as she saw the brunette walk up to her in her dress.

"Are you cosplaying your Persona, Ann-chan?" Asuka quietly giggled out as they both looked through the accessories available for them to use.

"Well it was your idea Asuka-chan." Ann however reminded with a giggle of her own.

"I didn't think there would be a dress exactly like hers though." Asuka pointed out. "...Now I wanna cosplay as Kaeru..." She then mumbled out.

"Heh, maybe on Halloween, we all dress up as our Personas." Ann suggested.

"Aw...~ I can already imagine Mona-chan with a little rapier and a cute widdle hat~!" Asuka quietly squealed while picking up an emerald stud necklace.

"Hey, did you hear about those rumors popping up?" A girl in a lavender dress suddenly whispered.

"Hm?" Asuka got out in surprise.

"Asuka-chan?" Ann called out in confusion and concern while getting a pair of ruby red stud earrings.

"Shush." Asuka quickly silenced her friend as she pointed at the two gossiping models.

Ann nodded as they subtly walked closer to the two.

"I heard Mayuri-chan started having her father take her home." A girl in a pink dress replied.

"Doesn't she live, like, 10 minutes from here?" A girl in a white dress however asked.

"Yeah. She's just afraid of going home alone. She mentioned feeling as if she was being watched." The lavender dress wearing girl replied. "That's what Shion-chan said before she transferred overseas." She then added.

"Shion-chan!?" Ann gasped out with widened eyes.

"You know her?" Asuka asked in concern.

"She was a modeling friend of mine a while who recently transferred to America." Ann informed. "It was really sudden though..." She then added. "She also kept asking me to go home with her, but I never could. We lived on opposite sides of the city." She soon explained.

"I see..." Asuka replied as the two continued listening in.

"So why are you telling me this?" The pink dress wearing girl soon asked.

"Because their makeup artist was Koichi Sakaki." The lavender dress wearing girl responded.

"The guy with the creepy eyes? I mean, yeah, his eyes are off-putting but he's a great makeup guy." The white dress weaning girl got out.

"Yeah. That's the thing. The others always feel uncomfortable whenever he's nearby. It's like he's undressing each and every girl that passes by him. He's also kinda...touchy when he works." The lavender dress wearing girl replied once more.

"Like that Kamoshida guy from Shujin?" A girl in a yellow dress soon asked.

"Totally. I even heard that he tried to ask Mayuri-chan out and she turned him down. Same with Shion-chan." The lavender dress wearer replied and informed.

"Do you think he's the one following her?" The pink dress wearer soon asked.

"I dunno, but he does seem to keep leaving when her shift ends...I wouldn't be surprised if he became a makeup artist just to get close to girls..." The lavender dress wearer responded.

"A stalker make-up artist?" Asuka muttered in confusion.

"Kokichi Sakaki..." Ann whispered out. "Yeah, now I remember. He's some casanova wannabe. Never met him in person, but I've been told he's annoying, but they keep him around for his skills."

"...Do you think this guy could be a good target? We got a name and everything." Asuka whispered.

"It has to be unanimous, Asuka-chan. We'll have to bring it up at our next meeting." Ann replied. "I'll make a note for it on my phone after the session." She then added.

"Do it now. You might forget." Asuka however suggested.

"Can't, don't have my phone on me. It's in my bag." Ann informed. "That and these dresses don't have pockets."

"Well, you can always store it in your cleav-" Asuka began, however...

"Asuka Shirokage." One of the judges called out.

"Well, that's your cue Asuka-chan." Ann whispered with a playful wink. "Go get 'em, tiger. Er, toad. No, wait, frog. Go get 'em, froggie." She encouraged with a giggle.

The brunette in response nodded and took in a deep breath as she strutted forward towards the judges in the center of the room. "Hai, Asuka Shirokage." She calmly introduced herself while striking a pose with a playful wink and smile on her face.

On the sidelines, the girls that had already been judged looked on in amazement and in impressed manners, their agency managers included.

"Whoa! She's so cute!" One of the participants got out.

"Yes, quite. But does she have any talent?" One of the managers asked in a curious manner while looking at the brunette.

"She's got the same manager as Takamaki-san." Yet another manager pointed out.

"Ah. I see where this is going..." One other participant muttered with an eyeroll.

Ann meanwhile looked on in anticipation as she saw the judges examining her friend. "Come on...come on..." She muttered, hoping for the best.

"Do a few poses, please." The female judge requested.

Nodding to that, Asuka did as requested as she began doing some poses she had done in the past for previous photoshoots as if it was second nature as well as some new original ones.

"Hmm..." Oren hummed out as he squinted his eyes underneath his sunglasses.

"Nothing special about her so far..." The male judge got out.

"Shit." Asuka thought in a panic, but quickly calmed herself down as she then gave the most innocent expression she could give. "U-Umm...what can I do to wow them...?" She soon asked herself as she spun a mental roulette wheel to decide.

Panic.

Unleash Persona.

Wing it.

"Kaeru, please help me...!" Asuka mentally screamed.

"...As you wish, my other self." Kaeru responded within the girl's mind.

Asuka's eyes flashed green for a moment as she gained a determined and more alluring expression. "Let's go!" She and her Persona mentally declared as one.

Suddenly, the silver dress wearing brunette shifted her hips to the left, before shifting to the right. She then placed her hands on her hips and began sashaying her hips to a silent rhythm.

"One, two, one, two, one, two, go." Asuka thought before she flourished, spinning around on her toes before posing.

"W-Whoa..." One of the models muttered in amazement.

"Did the atmosphere just change around her?" Another model meanwhile asked

"It must be her second wind. She looks so professional now." Yet another model guessed.

"Sa, Showtime da." Asuka muttered as she snapped her fingers as music suddenly began playing.

"Heartbeat, heartbeat. Heartbeat, heartbeat. Heartbreak, heartbreak. Heartbreak, heartbreak~"

This however confused everyone else in the room.

"Where is that music coming from?" One of the judges asked in a mutter before seeing Oren's phone under his hand, playing the song. "Oren-sama?" He got out in confusion.

He wasn't even tearing his gaze from the silver cladded girl. He was watching her every move.

Asuka however had no idea what she was doing, only allowing her body to move and pose to the beat of the song.

"Whoa, she can really move in those heels! That usually takes a lot of practice!" Another model admitted in an impressed tone.

Asuka's dance seemed formless, merely letting the music flow through her, but the judges could tell that she was making every step a photo opportunity, every expression being one that was deserving to be on the front cover.

"She's a true born model..." One model quietly admitted in amazement and no signs of envy in her voice.

"Asuka Shirokage-sama..." Another model mumbled.

"Asuka-sama..." Yet another breathed out.

"Asuka-neesama..." One of the younger participants got out.

"Asuka-chan?" Ann meanwhile breathed out, confused and shocked at this sudden change as she could practically feel her friend's confidence radiating at this point.

Kokito meanwhile adjusted his glasses as he witnessed this. "Takamaki-san made the right call bringing her along." He thought to himself.

Asuka on the other hand had to stop herself from giggling. She was just a nervous wreck a minute ago, and now she felt like she could do an All-Out Attack by herself.

"Hmm...impressive." The female judge quietly admitted.

"Indeed." The other male judge got out in agreement.

Oren meanwhile remained silent as he scrutinised ever move and pose.

"Fever time! Finish it off!" Kaeru cheered out.

Asuka nodded with a smile as she pulled out all the stops, imagining herself dancing between the tracks, the street, and in the middle of a crowded street. Dodging everything, uncaring about the risks, dancing like no one was watching.

Moving like she was skating on concrete.

Asuka then finished her performance with a twirl with her back out and one hand on her hip before turning her upper body and pointing her finger gun at the judges and winked at them. "Groovy! Bang~! " She got out in a seducing tone as she then fired at them.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The male judge looked like he had a heart attack.

The female judge's glasses fogged up with a pink blush on her cheeks.

But Oren simply remained stoic.

Meanwhile with the other participants...

"Whoa..."

"So cool..."

"Oh come on! How am I supposed to compete against that!? She's too amazing!"

"She's a natural . ."

"She totally has to get picked."

However with the ash blonde. . .

"Woo! Go Asuka! Yeah!" Ann cheered out before seeing almost everyone stare at her, causing her to gain a sheepish expression on her face. "U-Uh, sorry." She awkwardly apologized.

"Bijou Chatoyant." Oren simply yet suddenly stated. "Son corps est incroyable mais ses yeux, la façon dont elle bouge. C'est une danseuse qui bouge comme les ombres." He then muttered quietly to himself, though the brunette could hear him clearly.

"Eh?" Asuka mentally got out in confusion, not hearing the awe struck and excited mutters from some of the other participants and their managers.

"Hm?" Ann meanwhile hummed out with a tilt of her head, also confused by the judge suddenly saying that.

Kokito meanwhile smiled as he heard this while adjusting his glasses.

"Ok Shirokage-san, that is all for now." The other male judge informed in a professional manner.

"O-Oh. Okay. Um, thank you." Asuka stammered out as she bowed before shuffling off stage.

"Asuka-neesama~!" A female voice squealed out in excitement.

"...Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion as she turned around to see a bunch of the younger participants looking at her with hearts of admiration in their eyes. "W-What did you just call me?" She soon asked.

"You're getting really popular around here, Shirokage-san." One of the older girls replied in a impressed manner.

"R-Really?" Asuka soon gasped, surprised at all the compliments towards her.

"Teach me your ways, sensei!" One of the younger participants soon requested.

"Yeah! You gotta teach us Nee-sama!" Another got out in admiration.

"W-Wait a minute..." Asuka stammered out as she and her friend backed away.

"G-Girls!?" One of the managers called out.

"Calm down, the auditions are still going one." Another manager reminded, but it fell on deaf's ear.

"Um, look, thank you for the compliments, b-but I don't think..." Asuka began, but trailed off at seeing the admiration in all the younger girls' eyes.

"Don't give in, Asuka-chan! We'll be here all day!" Ann warned.

"They have the eyes of predators..." Asuka meanwhile mentally got out.

"Ryuji's right. Tokyo got way weirder with the shinobi around." Ann thought before swallowing some saliva. "Cheese it?" She squeaked out.

"CHEESE IT, ANN-CHAN!" Asuka called out as they ran away from the mob.

The judges meanwhile looked on at the sight as the other girls managers began apologizing to Kokito for their action.

"W-We should hold off the auditions until they calmed down." The female judge suggested.

"I-I agree." The male judge got out in agreement.

Oren meanwhile just adjusted his sunglasses while smiling.

Eventually, they found a nice little hiding spot and let out a sigh of relief as they saw the other girls run past them.

"Well, that was different." Ann admitted.

"Really?" Asuka asked.

"Well, it's either praise or hate so this is the nice change of pace." Ann answered with a shrug. "Oh, I really hope I didn't rip this dress..." She muttered as she examined her dress, soon sighing in relief at not seeing any tears.

"True, it is better than hate from Risa and her group." Asuka replied. "I guess we should wait for things to calm down for a bit." She then suggested.

Soon enough, the admiring models gave up their search and came back to the audition. After ten more minutes, Ann and Asuka figured it was safe to return.

"We apologize Asuka-neesama." The younger models all apologized in unison as they bowed their heads to the brunette.

"O-Oh, it's alright, you don't need to apologize." Asuka however replied while waving her hands.

"Just, uh...don't go crazy next time." Ann added in an awkward manner. "Oh...I do not have the stamina or the skill to run that fast in heels..." She meanwhile thought.

"Sorry..." One of the models once again apologized before leaving the two alone.

"Do you know what he called me?" Asuka asked the ash blonde as they got back to the audition area. "Erm...Bijū...Chan...Tray...Aunt?" She tried to repeat, though fumbled at saying it.

"I dunno. First time I've heard of it. I know English, not French." Ann answered with a shrug.

"Huh. Why did I think you know French...?" Asuka muttered to herself in confusion with a tilt of her head.

"In any case Asuka-chan, how did you do that? That was incredible!" Ann asked in a whisper.

"I know right?" Asuka replied with a smile.

"Still, what did you do? Did you practice those moves last night or something?" Ann once more asked.

The brunette however shook her head in response. "No," Asuka replied. "I just shed my mask and did my best." She vaguely answered with a wink, her eyes flashing green once again.

Blinking in confusion for a moment, Ann soon nodded, figuring out what she meant.

"Ann Takamaki." One of the judges eventually called out.

Gulping to that, the ash blonde took in a deep breath. "Ok, my turn." Ann muttered to herself.

"Good luck, Ann-chan." Asuka encouraged. "You're gonna do amazing." She then added as she gave her friend a thumbs-up.

Nodding to that, Ann strutted towards the center of the room. "I'm Ann Takamaki, pleased to make your acquaintance." She soon introduced herself while striking a pose similar to her Personas. "...Do I have to dance too?" She meanwhile wondered in her head.

"Now remember, you must show me how you shine." Oren soon reminded.

The ash blonde nodded at that. "Think you can help me out Carmen?" Ann mentally asked.

To that, the ash blonde heard an amused giggle within her mind. "Do you know who your other self is? Just follow my lead." Carmen responded and instructed.

Mentally nodding to that, the ash blonde took in a deep breath. "Persona." Ann whispered, her eyes flashing pink for a moment. "Let's strut our stuff, Carmen." She mentally declared as she readied herself.

"Oh?" Oren quietly got out in a curious manner as he started playing music on his phone.

"Hello goodbye...Didn't even try. Do not bore me with pathetic logic. Get a move on...you're gone outta my sight for your position's tragic~"

Ann snapped her fingers to the beat while tapping her right foot before performing her dance, shaking her hips in a exotic manner as the judges studied her every move.

It was quickly obvious that Ann's performance was less impressive than the silver cladded girl's, but still impressive nonetheless considering she was doing this on the spot.

"Still great, but it's less impactful a second time..." The female judge muttered out.

"Mm-hm." The male judge hummed out in agreement.

"Shoot, gotta do something to get a better impression." Ann thought after hearing those comments as she continued dancing. "Carmen?" She then mentally called out.

"What else would you want? I'm an exotic dancer!" Carmen however questioned. "Unless you want tips on seduction?" She then suggested.

"That won't be necessary...right now." Ann mentally deadpanned as a feeling of sadness began to well up in her throat. Did she lose her chance by doing this?

"Rubis Ardent." Oren suddenly stated. "J'avais besoin d'une fleur étrangère pour fleurir sur scène." He then whispered out.

"Again..." Asuka quietly muttered in confusion to the sudden term said by the middle judge, this time being towards the ash blonde as she soon finished dancing.

Was there a reason behind it?

"That will be all, Takamaki-san." The female judge calmly informed.

"Thank you. Please consider me." Ann replied with a bow before going off to rejoin her friend. "You think I got in, Asuka-chan?" She quickly asked.

"If you didn't, then there's something wrong with the judges." Asuka answered with a smile.

"Aw, you're just saying that." Ann got out while teasingly poking her friend's cheek. "I have to admit though, I can see why French is a romance language." Ann admitted as they continued to watch the other girls audition.

Suddenly, after going through about a dozen girls, Oren's phone rang. He quickly answered it and sighed. "Ma femme a une maladie fongique et a besoin d'un traitement." He quietly mumbled.

"What is it, sir?" The male judge soon asked in concern.

"Ah, something just came up. Je suis désolé. Au revoir. I'm sorry, goodbye." Oren apologized before making a hasty exit.

"...I have no idea what he just said, but I think I should learn French soon..." Asuka and Ann both thought.

"Well, I guess that concludes the auditions today." A judge announced.

"The results will be reviewed and we will contact the ones we've chosen. Thank you all for coming." The other judge, who was female informed while adjusting her glasses.

Soon enough, everyone in the area quickly began talking amongst themselves as the judges packed up for the day.

Ann soon took in a breath after the tense atmosphere had died down. "Well...that was intense..." She muttered as they went to get changed back into their normal clothes.

"There were a lot of models auditioning today." Asuka pointed out.

"Yeah, but I'm sure we nailed it. And even if we don't get in, no skin off our backs, right?" Ann stated with a smile.

"Yeah." Asuka replied with a nod before she went home with a smile, knowing in her heart...


(5/30, Evening)

(Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"...I totally bombed it. I lost. I'm just a beginner as a model. There's no way I'll get picked." Asuka thought in a panic. "Why did I do that!? I just embarrassed myself out there!" She then added in her head with depression in her tone as she unlocked the door to the apartment...only to see it was empty, other than her roommate's schoolbag and her clothes strewn about the living room.

"Eh, is Homu-nee still out?" Asuka wondered with a tilt of her head.

BZZT! BZZT!

Right at that moment, Asuka took her phone out and turned it on.

[FireGirl20: Sorry about the mess, Sis. Training with Akira. I'll clean up once I get back.]

"Great! I have to bathe alone and do Operation Maidwatch." Asuka got out in an even more depressed tone as she checked the time. "Only a few hours until that stupid mission." She thought as she put her phone away. If this was an anime, or if she was in the Metaverse, there would be a dark, stormy cloud forming above her head and soaking her hair.

Actually, that sounds kinda cool.

"Then again, I could just not go." Asuka's logical side pointed out.

"But the guys will think I'm unreliable as a Leader." Asuka's emotional side countered.

"...But morbid curiosity will make you go anyways." Kaeru soon stated.

Asuka could only sadly nod. "At least I got to keep the dress." Asuka soon admitted to herself with a small smile. She couldn't let herself stay depressed as she decided to go and wash herself off.

She needed it.

"Hm, I wonder if Akira-kun is having fun with Homu-nee." Asuka soon got out in innocent curiosity.


(Forest)

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH...!"

The echoes of a tortured soul were heard throughout the entire forest, scaring various animals...

And attracting others.

"That was a great warmup Akira. Good work." Homura casually praised the sweaty, battered and bruised boy who was barely keeping himself on his feet.

Despite his disheveled appearance, he felt his body and mind grow stronger.

It didn't make him any less want to dissolve into a puddle of goo for a good week.

"Come on, Akira. It's only been thirty minutes of training for a shinobi who's been training for 3 months." Homura encouraged as she did some stretches, allowing the Leader to think about what he'll say next.

Please let me die.

It's been thirty minutes!?

I can do this all day.

"I can...I can do this all day." Akira panted out, his brave tone ruined by his voice cracking, causing the tan skinned girl to smirk.

"Trust me when I say this is nothing compared to Hebijo's training," Homura reassured while crossing her arms over her chest. "Hell, I remember being a first year there and being underwater for 300 straight hours for the Water Escape Jutsu." She then revealed.

"...That sounds impossible." Akira replied in a serious tone.

"Hey, nothing is impossible when you're a shinobi." Homura stated with a smirk before it fell. "Or, you know, unless science gets in the way." She awkwardly added.

"And the supernatural. Can't forget about that." Akira pointed out as his trainer tossed him a water bottle. "Okay, what's next?" He then asked as he drank that water as if he just came out of a desert.

"Well, I think you're ready to do some light sparring. Not with weapons of course. You still need to work on your firm before we-" Homura answered before stopping and looking around. "Hey, did you just hear that?" She asked with a frown.

Akira stopped drinking and looked around. Hm...he didn't hear anything...

"Huh, I guess it was my imagination..." Homura muttered out as the Leader closed his eyes.

Then let's get back to training.

Hold on...

"Hold on..." Akira spoke up as he opened his eyes, his irises glowing gold as he studied his surroundings...

And immediately realized they were about to die if he didn't do something.

"Homura! Jazz!" Akira shouted out.

"What!?" Homura exclaimed.

Akira didn't have time to explain as he grabbed her hand and pushed the tan skinned girl back...

Just in time to see a kunai fly right between them.

Akira then pulled the tan skinned girl's arm towards him, making the tan skinned girl press her chest against his to move her out of the way of a barrage of kunai from above.

"Ballet!" Akira then called out.

Homura nodded in understanding as she pushed them both away from each other as another kunai flew between them before spinning herself into a pirotte, dodging even more kunai.

"Che..." A voice, the assailant got out in annoyance while preparing more kunais and shurikens.

"On your left!" Homura warned.

Akira's eyes widened before forcing his body to move, leaping into the air and twisting to dodge the shuriken flying at him.

Once he landed on the ground, he winced as he clutched his shoulder. A shuriken must've nicked him.

"Tango, tango, tango!" Homura ordered.

"How many of these stupid things does this guy have!?" Akira thought as he moved towards the tan skinned girl, both grasping each other's hands.

They then began moving around and turning together, dodging even more kunai and shuriken before pushing themselves away before a fūma shuriken decapitated them both.

POOF!

Suddenly, smoke filled the clearing.

"Shit." Homura swore out before moving her body out of the way of a kunai, a bit of her hair getting cut since she wasn't fast enough. "Stick together!" She then ordered.

"Rock and Roll!" Akira in response called out as he began bobbing his head like a head banger, coincidentally avoiding some kunais that almost striking his head as a result before backflipping out of the way of some kunai that were about to stab his feet.

"Akira, throw me!" Homura called out as she jumped towards him

"GO!" Akira called out as he locked his hands together just as the tan skinned girl used them to launch herself into the air, catching a few kunai heading their way and throwing them in several directions before landing back on the ground.

"Dammit!" Homura cursed. She knew she missed.

Meanwhile, Akira was beginning to get tired as the smoke started to die down, but if he stopped now, he would die. "Keep moving, dammit. Keep moving!" He mentally screamed as he pushed his body to its limit.

"Dammit, I need to retaliate soon or we're both dead..." Homura though, but the pressure put on them was preventing them from putting up an offense against their attacker. "Come on, Homura...Think, you dumb motherfucker!" She added in her head.

Akira meanwhile narrowed his eyes as time slowed down for him.

What could they do to escape this?

Run! I'll draw their attention!

Homura, distract them!

"...Homura, you mind playing distraction?" Akira whispered out.

"No. I can take care of them!" Homura replied. "...But if you don't see me tomorrow..." She then started.

"I will." Akira however interrupted before running.

"HEY! YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME BASTARD!? COME FACE ME LIKE A SHINOBI! COME ON!" Homura began yelling out as more and more kunai were sent her way, allowing Akira to dive behind a tree and think.

Alright, and now he can...

He...can...

Akira didn't really think this far into his plan. What should he do next?

Run.

Fight.

Dance.

Okay, so dance was out of the question. Running would only ensure Homura's death and fighting would only ensure his death.

"Think this through, Joker..." Akira whispered to himself before finally reaching a decision.

Meanwhile, with Homura...

"I can't keep this up. Come on, when will you run out!?" Homura thought as she bent backwards to dodge another wave of kunais and shurikens.

Suddenly...it stopped.

"Huh?" Homura panted out as she frantically looked around. "Did they finally run out?" She then muttered in anticipation.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" Suddenly, she heard Akira scream, causing her to run towards the sound of his voice.

"You stupid son of a-" Homura growled, her heart pound against her chest as she finally found the Leader...and their attacker.

He was on their back, wrapping his gym jacket over their face to blind them while he repeatedly punched the back of their skull. "HELP ME, DAMMIT!" Akira shouted out as he tried to hang out while their attacker flailed around. He couldn't believe he got the jump on them. They were so focused on killing the tan skinned girl that they didn't notice him sneaking up behind them.

Homura snapped to attention and nodded before rushing towards the mysterious person. She had to admit that they were at least smart enough to hide any distinguishing features like their skin color or if they had boobs or not.

Akira dealt one last punch to their foe before kicking off, allowing Homura to safely sock them in the face and kick them in the stomach.

Although stunned, their attacker threw off the jacket, revealing that they were wearing a ski mask and goggles, before they pulled out a kunai and charged at the tan skinned girl.

However, Homura only had to hold their forearm away from her. They weren't particularly strong. "Who the fuck are you!?" She growled out her question as she glared at her pinned attacker.

"...A ghost from your past." They replied before headbutting the tan skinned girl in the nose, making her release her arm and allowing her to return to the shadows.

"Shit!" Homura cursed before turning to her Leader. "Ready?" She soon asked.

"Always." Akira replied with a smirk as a barrage of kunai came their way.

"Prepare to scream!" Homura declared as the boy grabbed her hand.

"If you live that long." Akira added before he spun the tan skinned girl around in a ballerina-like fashion, blowing away the barrages of kunai.

Afterwards, Akira spun in the air above Homura, faint images of their Personas appearing behind them, who began firing fire and darkness everywhere and disintegrating all blades and shuriken from all sides.

"Finale!" The two mentally declared in unison.

"RRRRAAAAHHHH!" Akira roared as they performed their final move.

Akira dramatically flung the Homura high into the air as the flurry of fire and darkness flew around them, before the tan skinned girl landed in front of the boy, before the two bowed to each other while a flare-like explosion lit the clearing.

Akira and Homura panted as they looked into each other's eyes. They were so close that their noses touched.

Homura then pulled away, grabbed a kunai in midair and threw it back before hearing the confirmation of hitting her target.

"AAAHHH...!" Their attacker screamed in pain before the rustle of leaves indicated that their attacker was making their escape.

"...Holy shit..." Akira got out, more surprised that he was able to dodge all those weapons thrown at them at bullet-like speeds rather than getting killed almost instantly. And what the hell was that last move!? Are his Metaverse abilities starting to transfer into the real world? Or was it the training he had been enduring?

"Get back here!" Homura soon shouted out as she chased after the mysterious shinobi.

"Hold on Homura!" Akira called out as he also started chasing her, only to trip. "Damn...I'm too tired..." He swore out, his legs feeling like lead as he managed to crawl over to a tree and rested himself against it.

After a while, the Leader saw the tan skinned girl return with a frustrated expression on her face.

"Fuck." Homura whispered out, her messy hair covering her eyes. "Fucking fuck fuck fuck!" She then yelled out as she punched a nearby tree's trunk.

"Sorry Homura, I got exhausted." Akira apologized.

"I'm not blaming you!" Homura shouted out in anger. "I'm blaming myself!" She then growled as she stomped around, leaving little craters in the ground.

"What?" Akira got out in confusion, not even phased by the craters.

"Th-There really are people coming after us...after me..." Homura whispered out. "I...I need to leave. I need to leave right now." She then declared in a panic as she began walking away.

"Homura..." Akira got out in concern, seeing the regret and worry in the tan skinned girl's eyes.

"I should've left. I should've left the first chance I had..." Homura muttered out as she started packing away the equipment.

"What about Asuka?" Akira reminded. "You really want to leave her behind?" He then asked.

Homura winced before gaining a fierce expression. "That isn't just about Asuka you fucking idiot! I was the target! That means it's about everyone we know at risk of being assassinated. I can...I can deal with Asuka's sadness. At least she'll be alive." She growled in anger.

"But do you want that?" Akira once more asked.

"Do I look like I want to, you stupid fucking asshole!? Stop trying to make me stay! This is about everyone else and their survival!" Homura shouted out. "Get it through your thick skull, Akira. I'd rather have you and everyone sad and alive than happy and dead. Now let me be selfish so I can be selfless!" She soon declared .

This was bad. Talking about what she wants and Asuka was only pushing her to leave even quicker. Akira needed to think through his next few words, or else Homura would leave Tokyo forever...

We'll be in more danger.

Then train everyone.

"...Then train everyone." Akira suggested.

"Hm?" Homura got out as she looked at the Leader.

"All you've been doing is training me and I just survived an attack that would've killed me two months ago. So why not start training everyone else?" Akira pointed out. "If we need to stand up to shinobi, why not give everyone else the same shinobi training you're giving me?" He then suggested.

"..." Homura however was speechless to the idea.

"Homura, I won't blame you if you leave." Akira however assured. "But what is your heart telling you?" He soon asked.

"...Don't run away like a coward." Homura soon answered.

"Yes." Akira replied with a nod of agreement.

"Yeah...No, I can't leave now! I won't let anyone die!" Homura declared and decided. "I'll make the Thieves become capable of fighting shinobi!" She then added.

Akira could feel the fire in the girl's heart was reignited, the determination to make her friends stronger and able to fight any threat. This decision would not only make them better Thieves, but better friends as well.

SHATTER!

Rank 4

Unlocked Thief Training

Allows you to increase the Stats of your party members by one point once a day...For a price.

"We're gonna have to change where we train though. This area in the forest won't do anymore." Homura soon pointed out. "I'll call you when I've found somewhere else we can train private." She then added.

"Understandable." Akira replied with a nod before checking the time on his phone. "It's only been 45 minutes since the beginning of the training session?" He then muttered out.

"Time can go slowly at times." Homura replied while shrugging her shoulders. "I guess that's the end. If you're tired you should probably head home." She then advised.

"You should too." Akira got out.

"Yeah. Well...let's get to the station." Homura muttered out as they began heading back.

"Hey dude, let's hang out!"

Homura stopped mid-step and blinked. "What the...Was that Ryuji...?" She soon asked.

"Uh, yeah? He's my ringtone now." Akira admitted. "...I'm gonna go answer it." He then informed.

"Yeah, you go do that." Homura deadpanned with a nod as the Leader walked away to do as such.

"Hello, Akira speaking." The Leader greeted.

"Hi Akira-kun. Just wanted to let you know that it's almost time for Operation Maidwatch." Asuka reminded over the phone.

"...Oh yeah..." Akira muttered in a tired tone.

"Why...?" Akira then heard Asuka cry while the sounds of banging her head against a wall came through his phone.

"Again, Ryuji's idea..." Akira bluntly reminded as he followed the tan skinned girl back to civilization.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Ah...I swore a lot tonight...Homura realized in depression as she unlocked the door. "Sorry Yumi-senpai..." She muttered her apology to herself as she entered the apartment, only to see her roommate preparing to go out in her casual clothes.

"Stupid morbid curiosity...having to go through Operation Maidwatch..." Asuka grumbled to herself as she put on her shoes.

"Operation Maid-what?" Homura asked from behind her roommate, causing her to jump.

"O-Oh! You're back!" Asuka got out.

"Yeah, I uh...I had to cut my training session short." Homura explained as she put down the bag of training equipment. "So...Operation Maidwatch?" She once more asked.

"It's a...movie Mishima-kun has!" Asuka replied in a panicked manner. "Yeah! Super obscure! He invited Akira-kun and Ryuji-kun too." She then explained while scratching her teeth. "I-I'm going to get some tips on how to be a better waitress at my cafe job." She then added.

"...Why would Mishima own a maid training video..." Homura muttered to herself shaking her head. "Y-You know what, I'm not going to think about it. Enjoy your night, Sis." She soon decided.

"H-He mentioned it while Ryuji-kun was talking about maids..." Asuka meekly replied before shaking her head. "I-In any case, I better get going Homu-nee," She then informed before...

CHU!

Kissing the tan skinned girl's forehead, causing said girl to blush crimson. "I'll be back later." Asuka informed with a playful wink as she left the apartment.

"Heh...Hehehe...Yeah...~" Homura giggled out with a blush before checking the time. "...You know what, I'm gonna get some practice at the arcade as a stress reliever." She soon decided in a dazed manner. "...After I try the lotto again..." She then added before heading out herself.


(Vacant Apartment)

"This...This is gonna suck. I know it." Akira and Asuka couldn't help but think as the two fools got excited over the operation they were dragged into.

"S-So we're really gonna do this, huh...?" Mishima got out, looking a little nervous. "You think it'll be okay?" He soon asked.

"Operation Maidwatch, bro!" Ryuji simply stated as he held out the flyer.

Upon seeing the cute girl on it, his courage returned. "Y-Yeah! Operation Maidwatch!" Mishima called out, his resolve strengthened.

"I am so telling Homu-nee about this..." Asuka muttered to herself.

"You and me both." Akira deadpanned. "How did I get dragged into this...?" He mumbled to himself, a question he would repeat throughout the night.

"Don't worry guys. If it turns out to be sketchy, we can just bail." Ryuji pointed out. "Apartment's vacant, so it's not like we'll be messing with anyone's home." He then added.

"You're a genius, Ryuji." Akira sarcastically got out.

"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Ryuji replied, missing the sarcasm.

Somehow, Akira felt that he became closer to the former track star.

"To think...Sakamoto has a brain." Mishima got out in awe.

"Ryuji-kun can be smart..." Asuka got out in amazement.

"But right now, he's thinking with his other head." Akira thought, resisting the urge to slap his face.

"But if that's the case, then..." Mishima began as he and the dyed blond shared a look.

"Then..." Mishima began.

"Yep!" Ryuji immediately replied.

"What are you two imagining?" Akira asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose. This night was not going to go as they imagined it, he guaranteed it.

"You are in so much trouble after this Ryuji-kun..." Asuka declared.

"Hey, you're the one who decided to join up without knowin' what we're doin'." Ryuji reminded. "That's why you're gonna call them." He soon revealed.

"WHAT!?" Asuka exclaimed. "I-I don't wanna do that! Jii-chan might see my call history!" She then stated.

"Just delete it after. Now hurry up." Ryuji got out, becoming more and more excited.

After groaning and cursing herself for agreeing to such a thing, she called the number on the flyer, putting on speaker phone. "Thank you for calling! This is Victoria's Housekeeping!" A man of the receiving end responded.

"They answered!" Mishima gasped out.

Asuka placed her finger to her lips, silently telling them to keep quiet.

"I take it you're interested in our services then?" The man then asked.

"S-Services...!" Mishima squeaked out.

"It's not going to be the services you're expecting." Akira mentally deadpanned.

"Is there anyone in particular you'd like to request?" The man asked.

"A-Anyone we want to request!? What should we do Akira!?" Ryuji quietly asked.

"Why are you asking me!?" Akira groaned out. "Just say anybody will do." He then answered.

"U-Uh...S-Send anyone, p-please." Asuka answered the man in a very weird accent.

"Very well! Let's see here...We have a maid available in...20 minutes. May I ask for your address?" The man soon requested.

Asuka, still in that weird voice, told the man where to send the maid before hanging up. "I feel so dirty..." She got out in an ashamed tone.

"What the hell was with your voice back there?" Ryuji got out in confusion over the only female trying to mask her voice.

"I don't know, I'm just scared and full of shame now..." Asuka replied in a depressed tone.

"Hey, at least you're not paying for it." Akira tried to cheer up the busty shinobi.

"Ah. Crap." Ryuji swore as he remembered. "But shit...This is really happening..." He then added.

"A maid's services..." Mishima got out. "Hey...What should we have her do? I was thinking we have her start off with some cooking...Of course, I wouldn't mind some of the other services either..." He then revealed.

"Wait, let me look this place up on the internet." Akira spoke up as he pulled out his phone. "If it doesn't show up, this could be like a prostitution ring or something..." He then added.

"A prostitution ring...?" Asuka repeated with a slight gasp and a pale face.

"Oh. Shit..." Ryuji whispered out.

"...Nope, they have a website. They're legal at the very least..." Akira informed, causing Mishima and Ryuji to breathe a sigh of relief while he tried to hide his disappointment. "Let me see some info on their maids...skilled masseuses...will cook all your favourite meals...craft tools...?" He listed off.

"...Should we hold a strategy meeting to discuss?" Mishima suggested. "I mean, they could still offer more than they advertise..." He then added.

"They said 20 minutes, right...? I gotta use the bathroom..." Ryuji replied as he walked to where the bathroom was.

"I wanna go home..." Asuka whined out.

"You can leave at any time, Asuka." Akira pointed out. "You don't have to suffer through this." He then offered.

"Yeah but...I have this feeling that something's going to go wrong...and they're going to need our help." Asuka admitted as she sat against the wall.

"Me too." Akira replied with a long-suffering sigh. "We're in too deep anyways. Let's just play it out and deal with the consequences of our actions." He then stated as he sat beside her.


Fourteen minutes later...


"It's almost time..." Mishima informed the group before turning to the dyed blond. "You were in there for a long while...Are you okay? Hey, did you wash your hands?" He soon asked.

"...Huh? What? Who? Me?" Ryuji awkwardly replied.

"Y-You're really nervous. Aha...haha...uh..." Mishima nervously chuckled out. "Hey, are high school students even allowed to use this type of service?" He suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Ryuji got out in confusion.

"What do you mean, huh? You should've researched it!" Mishima called out. "What if they find out who we are!?" He soon asked.

"I probably should've checked that." Akira thought. He could always pull up the website again but...he really didn't want to.

"We can always run or cancel it if you're not up to it." Asuka spoke up, though was promptly ignored.

"H-How should I know!? But why would how old you are matter when it comes to housekeeping?" Ryuji exclaimed.

"We would've been screwed if Shirokage's number had shown up on their caller ID..." Mishima got out.

"As Homu-nee would say, this is karma..." Asuka pointed out as her fellow Leader nodded in agreement.

"With the way their employees dressed, I don't think their target demographic would be three teenage boys and a girl." Akira stated.

Suddenly...

DING DONG!

"Good evening...I'm from the housekeeping service." A woman's voice greeted from behind the door, causing everyone's eyes to widen.

"What!? Already!? She's five minutes early!" Mishima exclaimed. "What do we do!? I'm not mentally prepared!" He then declared.

"This is gonna flop..." The two Leaders thought in unison as they sweatdropped.

"Oh, the door's unlocked...?" The maid noticed as they heard a distinctive Click! "Um, may I come in...?" She soon asked.

"Why didn't you lock the door?" Akira asked in a flat tone.

"That wasn't me! I thought Mishima did it!" Ryuji accused.

"I thought you locked the door!" Mishima got out in a panicked whisper.

"You two are idiots." Asuka deadpanned.

"Shit, I-I can't do this...!" Ryuji exclaimed. "My stomach's actin' up! And my hands are all sweaty!" He soon revealed.

"R-Ryuji-kun!?" Asuka exclaimed.

"Okay, you two handle the rest! And don't let her know you're high school students!" Ryuji quickly said before dashing off outside.

"Wait, what!?" Akira called out in disbelief as they stood up.

"Y-Yeah, we've got your back! Just...from behind a plant on the balcony!" Mishima quickly got out as he followed the dyed blond outside. "You two are the most capable people I know, so this should be no problem." He then added.

Asuka meanwhile sighed as she sweatdropped to this sudden action. "I should've seen this coming . .Jii-chan, give me strength!" She mentally begged.

"Goddammit, you guys..." Akira mentally sighed out. "You two suck!" He grumbled out.

However, just as the maid entered the room, the two cowards fled to the balcony leaving the two Leaders to fend for themselves. Thinking quickly, they turned their backs to the maid and stared at an empty corner in the room.

"How did it end up like this...!?" The two Leaders thought as their nervousness started to well up.

"Excuse me...Oh there you are!" The maid got out as she walked into the room. "Oh, I didn't know there would be two Masters here~" She stated before noticing the very large assets on one of them. "Ah. Excuse me Master and Mistress~" She then added.

"Akira-kun...I'm scared..." Asuka whispered to the glasses wearing boy.

"Me too, but we can get through this with our virginities intact." Akira quietly replied without thinking.

"WHAT!?" Asuka squeaked out.

"I'm going to fill your tired hearts full of lovely energy. Meow~!" The maid continued. "I'm Becky, and I have the pleasure of serving you today~" She then introduced herself.

"N-Nice to mee-ow-t you." Akira nervously responded in a deep voice, earning a look of disbelief from the Vice Leader as he blushed red.

"C-C-Call me Meowtress, B-B-Becky-nya~!" Asuka spoke up, playing along as she slightly altered her voice once more.

"Oh, I like that. We're going to get along so well! Meeeoooowww~!" Becky got out in a cutesy voice. "Oh my...how thoughtless of me! I should explain our services to you two! What would you like me to do today? The basics include cooking, cleaning, laundry...But there are other services we provide if you desire~" She soon revealed.

"OTHER SERVICES!?" The two Leaders thought in shock.

"Please don't tell me that Ryuji and Mishima's dirty, dirty thoughts are real..." Akira thought as his glasses began to fog up.

"Homu-nee...SAVE ME!" Asuka mentally begged in a panic.


(Shibuya, Station Square)

"WOOHOO! I WON THIS TIME BABY! BANZAI! 100,000 YEN!" Homura happily cheered in excitement before blinking.

Why did she feel like Asuka was in danger of losing something important to her?

"Bah, probably more paranoia." Homura thought before shrugging and going back to enjoying her reward.


(Vacant Apartment)

"Hmmm?" Becky hummed out as she stepped closer to the two. "You two look young..." She soon pointed out.

"Shitshitshitshit..." The two mentally began swearing out.

"Are you...perhaps...high school students?" Becky soon asked in a curious manner.

"Cheese it, Asuka?" Akira whispered. However, the shinobi remained silent as her fear overwhelmed her. "Asuka?" He once more whispered in concern.

"Meowster? Meowtress?" The maid called out.

"...We're married." Asuka suddenly got out, earning a look of disbelief from the Leader as she blushed an intense red.

"Uh, er, yes. We wanted you to...help...with our marriage." Akira replied, playing along.

"Oh, Meowster, that's so sweet! I'll do anything I can to help~" Becky giggled out before going silent as she studied the two. "However, you are definitely high school students, so I'll wait to provide those other services when you've both matured~ So I'll be going home, Meowster, Meowstress~" She soon revealed.

"Wh-What!? No!" Ryuji suddenly called out.

"Quiet...!" Mishima got out, just as loud as his fellow coward.

The two Leaders had to resist face palming.

"I-Is someone there!?" Becky gasped out as she went towards the balcony door.

"Oh no...!" Mishima said, realising they were busted.

"Shit! CHEESE IT, MISHIMA!" Ryuji yelled out.

"Why did you reveal his name?" Akira thought with a blank look.

"Mishima? Sakamoto-kun?" Becky asked in shock.

SHATTER!

"Excuse me?" Akira got out with a raised eyebrow

"What the-!? You know Mishima-kun and Ryuji-kun!?" Asuka exclaimed as they turned around.

"And...you two!?" Becky yelped out as she finally saw the identities of her Meowster and Meowtress. "Did you...request me specifically?" She soon asked.

"Wait...A-Are you...?" Akira got out with a baffled expression on his face as they finally saw her face, recognizing it immediately.

Apart from all the makeup and seeming lack of exhaustion and tiredness on her face, they could very clearly see that it was none other than...

"...K-Kawakami-sensei?" Asuka breathed out with widened eyes. "Oh...my...god..." She thought in disbelief.

"Oh, no, it's all right. How would you know me?" Becky tried to convince the two otherwise. "This is our first meeting. Yes, the first time ever, Meowsterrrrr...Ah, forget it." She got out with a frustrated groan.

"...Uh...Hi?" Akira awkwardly greeted.

"Ugh, this is unbelievable..." Kawakami sighed out in a tired tone. "Yes, it's me...your homeroom teacher..." She confirmed regretfully.

"...I just remembered where I saw that flyer." Akira suddenly realised.

"Ugh..." Kawakami groaned, remembering that little slip up at the start of the year.

"Habuh! HABABABABABA!" Asuka babbled out, unable to comprehend this entire development.

"You know, I really should've recognized you in the first place, Asuka." Kawakami admitted.

The two Leaders quickly knew the reason why she should've recognized one of her students earlier, much to the Good Shinobi's dismay.

"...I'm so done...I can't believe I got caught by some of my own students..." Kawakami lamented. "I should've taken a job outside of the city. But I needed it to be close to school so I could go there after I finished work..." She then added.

"Um...I know a teacher's salary isn't that great but-" Akira started, however...

"Who did you hear this from?" Kawakami suddenly questioned. "Oh! I bet it was Chouno, wasn't it!? That harpy...!" She soon accused.

"W-Wait no, i-it was from...a flyer that Ryuji-kun had..." Asuka tried to explain. "...Wait, I forgot, who's Chouno-sensei again?" She soon asked.

"The tan skinned teacher." Akira whispered back. "You know, the one we have for English?" He then added.

"We have an English class?" Asuka awkwardly asked.

"You don't pay much attention to what classes you're having, do you?" Kawakami deadpanned. "Despite being one of the top students..." She then added.

"Sorry, sensei..." Asuka apologized. "But um, why do you think Chouno-sensei told us about...this?" She soon asked.

"She's been snooping on all the teachers ever since that incident with Kamoshida, with all the graffiti and his breakdown." Kawakami explained. "...Are you going to tell Chouno-sensei about this?" She soon asked.

"...That's up to you." Akira hesitantly replied.

"Hey, if you're going to side with a teacher, side with me. I'm in charge of your class, after all." Kawakami suggested. "And if you promise not to tell Chouno about this, I'll do anything for you!" She soon offered.

"...Anything?" The two Leaders repeated. However, from the disapproving look she was giving them, she didn't exactly mean everything.

"Hey...It won't be any better for you two if people find out that you called a maid service." Kawakami then pointed out. "This isn't even your home address to begin with is it? I guess you at least thought about that." She admitted.

"A-Are you blackmailing us...?" Akira got out in disbelief.

"Hey, we both have dirt on each other. Call it...a stalemate." Kawakami replied. "Besides, I doubt Shinkukage-san would approve of such actions after all." She then added.

The threat of the tan skinned girl finding out was enough to convince Akira to shut up, especially after what happened prior to him coming here.

"W-We promise we won't say anything about...this. We'll forget any of this ever happened." Asuka meanwhile promised.

"Good. I'll treat this as cancelled so won't have to pay anything, okay?" Kawakami replied. "And what was that before about Sakamoto-kun?" She then asked while crossing her arms over her chest.

Akira suddenly saw that he had three choices.

Take the blame.

Blame Ryuji.

Blame Mishima.

"...It was Mishima's idea for Operation Maidwatch." Akira calmly stated.

"Eh?" Asuka got out as she looked at the Leader.

Kawakami in response sighed to this reveal. "Of course he would make up such a ridiculous name. Looks like I have someone to talk to at school. Remember, don't say anything about this, okay!? Just act like nothing ever happened!" She all but ordered as she made her way to the door.

"We promise, Kawakami-sensei." Akira and Asuka replied in unison.

Soon, the door closed and the two were left in the apartment alone.

"...I suddenly feel exhausted..." Akira sighed out.

"Same here Akira-kun...I'm going home..." Asuka groaned out as she walked out and separated for the night.


(Shibuya, Diner)

Meanwhile, Yumi had sighed in relief as she relaxed herself after returning the tan skinned girl's uniform to their apartment, though no one was home at the time, so left it by the door. "I better let Homura-san know." She decided as she took out her phone.

[Negative8Degrees: Good evening Homura-san, I'm just texting you to let you know that I washed and returned your uniform to your apartment. It is right outside your door.]

[FireGirl20: Thank you. Huh, I do wonder how things would change if you really transferred to Shujin.]

(...)

[FireGirl20: Actually, I have been curious to know, where are you during the afternoon Yumi-senpai?]

[Negative8Degrees: I was the atelier with Yusuke. I told you I was going to be there yesterday.]

[FireGirl20: Ah, my mistake Yumi-senpai. What I meant was after school in general when you are not with Yusuke.]

[Negative8Degrees: I am usually in Shinjuku at the Red Light District gathering information.]

[Negative8Degrees: I don't believe you have been to Shinjuku before, correct?]

[FireGirl20: I have not. Nor am I sure if I would ever want to.]

[Negative8Degrees: Then stay away. No high school student should be there, especially at night.]

[Negative8Degrees:...I do not count because I live there.]

[FireGirl20: Of course Yumi-senpai. I wish you the best in reforming that area if you could. It is such an impure and disgusting area.]

[Negative8Degrees: I must agree that the area is impure. Host clubs, cabarets, strip joints, love hotels...but I cannot do anything about it, Homura-san. If only there was a jutsu that made people more pure of mind...]

[FireGirl20: Well, we can possibly change people from having such thoughts as Phantom Thieves.]

[FireGirl20: Although, I do think that would be abusing our power. What makes us the authority in what adults do with their lives? We would be no better than those we target.]

[FireGirl20: Distorted desires, Yumi-senpai. Not just any desires.]

[Negative8Degrees: So true Homura-san, so true indeed. If you recall, I used to want to destroy all that were considered Evil before meeting and befriending you. Now you are my cute disciple in Elegance training.]

[FireGirl20: Come now Yumi-senpai, you are the cute one. You are my cute teacher in elegance. ]

[FireGirl20: In any case Yumi-senpai, I must go for the night. I can not wait for our next training session. Have a good night.]

Yumi soon sighed as she smiled at the text conversation before putting her phone away. "She is already learning so well. I envy Hanzō Academy a bit for gaining such a wonderful person in the future." She got out in a delighted manner as she had to stop herself from gushing from the compliments towards her at the end of the text conversation. "Now I can not wait to continue my training with her again, and we just started yesterday~!" She mentally added in excitement while also wondering what she would do next for said training.

But at that moment...

"Ah, thanks for waiting Yumi-senpai." A male voice called out.

Yumi soon snapped herself out of her thoughts as she looked at her approaching informant. "Hello, Sera-san." She greeted as she offered the boy to sit down. "Have you gotten the information I requested?" She then asked, getting straight to the point.

"Yep." Sera answered. "..." He then began being silent as he looked at the girl.

"..." Yumi continued looking at her informant in serious anticipation.

"..." Sera however looked back as if he was waiting for something.

"...Oh. Right." Yumi mentally deadpanned at remembering before pulling out her phone.

Suddenly, Sera's phone vibrated. He pulled it out and let out a perverted giggle.

"Thank you." Sera got out as the light grey haired girl sighed.

Yumi would never understand why he wanted pictures of her feet out of all things instead of money. "It would be best not to tell the others about Sera-san's...fetish..." She thought to herself. "Please, tell me." She soon requested.

"Sachio Sawada." Sera replied. "That's his name. Had to bullshit him by asking him for an apprenticeship for his name. The guy's always moving around, so it wasn't easy to find him" Sera revealed.

"I see, the tear collecting street artist is Sachio Sawada." Yumi responded with a nod while adding that specific detail to the note she had already made on her phone. "Thank you for informing me." She then added with a smile.

"And thank you for the photo. Anything else you need, Yumi-senpai?" Sera replied and asked with a hopeful look on his face.

"No!" Yumi quickly answered before coughing into her fist to calm herself down. "No, I have no jobs for you for the time being." She then informed.

"Aw..." Sera got out in disappointment before getting up. "Well, if you need me..." He then added before getting up and leaving.

"I hope I don't." Yumi thought as she checked her phone for the time. "I need to get home. I can't miss the train again...and I must think of what to do next for Homura-san's Elegance training..." She then whispered as she stood up from her seat and left the diner.


(Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"I'm back." Asuka called out in a tired manner as she opened the door.

"Why were you out so late?" Homura immediately asked as her roommate entered the apartment. She seemed rather tired and...disturbed?

"...I don't want to talk about it. Ever." Asuka responded as she stripped herself down. "I'm...I'm just going to go to sleep early." She soon informed while changing into her pajamas.

"Uh, sure. I guess I'll put your dinner in the fridge for breakfast." Homura replied as her roommate stumbled over to the bedroom. "Good night." She then added.

"Yeah, good night." Asuka mumbled out before flopping onto the futon. "Why did Akira-kun blame Mishima-kun anyway?" She soon offhandedly thought before drifting off to sleep.

Homura meanwhile looked out the window in concern as she narrowed her eyes. "I need to protect them..." She thought to herself in a dead serious tone.


Save Game…Quit!


Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Outspoken (Level 2)

Knowledge- Informed (Level 2)

Proficiency- Decent (Level 2)

Diligence- Persistent (Level 2)

Courage- Reliable (Level 2)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Adolescence (Level 2)

Knowledge- Learned (Level 2)

Femininity- Effeminate (Level 2)

Elegance- Skillful (Level 2)

Understanding- Kindly (Level 2)


And that's it! Whew! Yeah, this chapter was somewhat based on the Dancing games. I wonder what the next chapter will bring…

UknownHero signing off, my friends!