Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. Look, this is kinda filler, not gonna lie. I really wanna do some confidant ranks but that's not in this chapter. There are still things we need to do before the dominos all fall so stick with us for a while.
Meanwhile, I have a story I want someone to adopt. I have no interest in continuing TentenTen so if you want it, PM me: I'll give you whatever ideas I had for the story.
Onto the reviews. To hoodini5569: Actually, we already have dance outfits. It's on DeviantArt right now. Just look for "Senran Persona." It should be there in a nice collection of art commissioned for the story.
And that's it. Time to...do whatever. We are not doing 22 chapters of nothing.
Load Game...Start!
Chapter 87: Waning Days
(7/31, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
"Aaaahhhh..." Homura breathed out as the two sisters exited the bathroom.
"Nothing like a good bath to start the day." Asuka got out in a peaceful tone before sniffing her sister. "Mmm~ You really smell good, Homu-neechan." She then got out.
"That is more of Ann's shampoo." Homura replied, feeling a boost in her Femininity as a result before taking a whiff herself. "And you smell like...charcoal...?" She then started before guessing in confusion.
"Ehehe, I bought a new soap bar." Asuka explained with a giggle as she felt her Leadership increase. "Now get dressed, I'm making breakfast." She then added as she dropped her towel to put on an apron.
"Naked apron Sis?" Homura playfully asked with a giggle.
"I'll get dressed later. Now, what are we having for breakfast today...?" Asuka muttered as she opened the fridge.
"I'm feeling something light today. Miso soup, maybe?" Homura suggested as she relaxed on the couch.
"Oooh, good idea." Asuka praised with a smile. "Coming right up Homu-neechan!" She soon declared with confidence as she began to boil the water.
"Just don't burn yourself by accident Sis." Homura soon got out.
"I haven't before." Asuka reminded before suddenly yelping. "Ow! Stubbed my toe!" She soon informed while wincing in slight pain.
"Are you okay!?" Homura got out in concern while getting to her feet.
"I'm fine! The soup will be ready in 15 minutes." Asuka assured before seeing that her sister was still in her towel. "And get dressed." She then got out.
"But it's so warm...I'd rather spend today inside." Homura sighed out while checking her nails. "I think I need a manicure..." She meanwhile thought.
"We can do that later. There's still so much you can do outside that I don't wanna miss!" Asuka however stated.
"Aaaaaw~" Homura whined with a pout. However, she decided to get dressed anyway in the end.
Asuka meanwhile giggled to that as she went back to finish cooking their breakfast.
About an hour later, Asuka and Homura had finished breakfast and got dressed. It was still tempting to just stay inside all day, but they couldn't ignore the beautiful day outside.
BZZT! BZZT!
"Hm?" Asuka got out as she pulled out her phone and checked who was calling her. "Yusuke-kun?" She got out, getting her sister's attention as she answered and placed it on speaker.
"Asuka-san, good morning." The young artist greeted. "Do you mind coming to Leblanc with Homura-san? I am in need of help."
"Oh, sure, Yusuke-kun!" Asuka responded in a happy tone, already putting her socks on before pausing. "...Wait, why?" She soon asked.
"I'll explain when everyone's there. I will see you later." Yusuke simply answered before hanging up.
"Wait...everyone?" Homura however asked with a raised eyebrow.
Asuka meanwhile shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we better get ready and see what he wants." She soon decided.
"If it's just the girls, I'm totally getting out of there right away." Homura deadpanned as she got her shoes on.
Meanwhile with Miyabi, she was lifting some weights she found in a storage room. Brand-new too, as if it was sitting in there since January.
THUD!
Though soon dropped it after a while. "Ngh!" She grunted out while taking a deep breath while wincing in pain. "Dammit, not even 484 kg!? Come on, you can do better than that!" She then grumbled to herself. "I might need more supplements from Haruka." She soon muttered as she wiped some sweat from her forehead.
Miyabi soon sniffed her armpit and grimaced. She had been weight lifting since she woke up this morning so she definitely needed a shower, so she decided to end it there and take one.
Still though, she had no idea what to really do today as she ran the water and stepped in it, sighing in satisfaction from the warmth. It was too much of a bother to get a job yet, she didn't want to bother Futaba all that much, and she was not going into the Metaverse to test out her new powers on some Shadows.
"...Maybe I should call Joker...see if he's willing to hang out with me." Miyabi soon thought as she lathered her hair with shampoo. "God I wish Imu was here..." She then mumbled.
(7/31, Daytime)
(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)
RING! RING!
"Hi Boss." Asuka greeted as she entered the cafe while taking off her hat and sunglasses.
"Asuka-chan." Sojiro responded with a smile before seeing the tan skinned girl enter as well. "And...Hamura, right?" He soon guessed.
"Homura." The tan skinned girl corrected.
"How is Futaba-chan?" Asuka asked.
"She's fine, but she still needs to recover." Sojiro answered before looking towards the back of the cafe. "Your friends are over there. I'll need to go out soon so watch the store while I'm gone." He soon got out.
"Hai." Asuka responded with a nod and salute.
"Huh?" Homura got out before looking to see the two blondes of the Phantom Thieves there as well. "Ann, Ryuji?" She spoke up as she headed for the table.
"Sup." Ryuji simply greeted. "Yusuke call you here too?" He then guessed
"Yes." Asuka replied, tilting her head a little in confusion.
"I really hope this isn't gonna be a group painting..." Homura mumbled as the two sisters sat at the booth.
Soon enough, Yusuke and Akira arrived at the cafe, and just before Sojiro left he served everyone drinks.
"My apologies for calling you all of you here today." Yusuke began after taking a sip of his coffee. "Boss was even kind enough to serve us coffee before he went shopping." He then added.
"It's no problem, Yusuke-kun." Asuka responded. "I'm just glad you asked for help." She then got out.
"Thank you." Yusuke replied with a kind smile before getting serious. "Now...I have a vital request..." He began.
"Don't say it or I will call Yumi!" Homura groaned.
"I-I haven't said anything yet!" Yusuke gasped, a little stunned.
"Yes, but I know what your intentions are." Homura growled as she glared at the boy.
"Body language." Ann assumed.
"Gut." Homura responded.
"It's nothing like what you are thinking!" Yusuke insisted, looking quite offended.
"Homura, just stop and let him talk." Ryuji sighed. "I mean, for all we know it could just be math." He then pointed before pausing. "...It's not math right? Because I'm gettin' the eff outta here if it is." He soon added in a blunt manner.
"Hmm, I can help with any subject that's not math." Ann admitted.
"Do you two honestly believe I would ask you here for help in my studies...?" Yusuke got out in disbelief.
"Well, we don't exactly hang out in a group all that often." Asuka awkwardly chuckled.
"Yeah...I think we only meet up for studying or Phantom Thieves crap." Homura muttered.
"Everyone, stop making assumptions!" Akira called out. "Calm down, let him talk, or you can leave right now." He then ordered. Instantly, the others went quiet.
"Thank you." Yusuke got out, smiling at the Leader before clearing her throat. "The truth is, I am planning to display my work in a competition. The one organized by Kawanabe of the Japanese Art Support Foundation." He began.
SLAM!
"Oh, that art critic dick!" Asuka got out as she slammed her hands on the table.
"Sis!?" Homura exclaimed.
"We talked a little about it yesterday." Asuka informed before urging the young artist to continue.
"I must win and prove not only my ability, but my intense passion for art as well." Yusuke continued before frowning. "However...I am having quite a bit of trouble determining what my next subject should be. I have given this painting a fair amount of thought, but nothing has come to me yet. Hence...I was hoping to hear your opinions on an ideal subject."
"Can't you just paint one of the shinobi? Ooh! Maybe have Ann str-" Ryuji suggested, however...
SLAP!
"Ow!" Ryuji yelped before holding his sore face on both sides as Ann and Homura dusted their hands. "Aw...ya have ta hit both cheeks...?" He then groaned.
"Goddammit, Ryuji!" Homura growled.
"We are not going back to that darkness!" Ann called out in an angered manner before taking a deep breath to calm her. "Anyways, maybe you should paint something people find pretty." She then suggested in a kind manner.
"That would be you, Ann." Akira pointed out a little too casually, causing the girl blush.
"Hmm...I don't think so." Yusuke replied after a little bit of thought. "Now that I'm aware of her true personality...I am not sure I can paint her beautifully." He then admitted.
"Haha! That's right!" Ann proudly declared, putting her hands on her hips.
Immediately, everyone else sweatdropped. "...Uh...Ann..." Homura began, raising her hand, only for the Leader to put it down.
"Give it a minute." Akira got out, deciding to let the ash blonde connect the dots herself.
"...Wait, what's that supposed to mean!?" Ann exclaimed in an offended manner.
"There it is." Homura sighed out.
Yusuke sighed as he brushed his fingers through his hair. "Why can I not paint a beauty as pure as the Sayuri?" He then wondered, anguish in his tone as he stared at the painting. "Where have all of my studies gone...?" He then muttered.
"You know, I'm not really sure what you mean by pure beauty. I mean yeah, it's a pretty painting. But...I'm not sure I really consider it a pure beauty or whatever." Ann responded and confessed.
"What!?" Yusuke gasped.
"A-Ann-chan!" Asuka whispered in a worried tone, however the ash blonde simply gave her a look, which got her to back off.
"I dunno, I guess it just feels more gentle to me... .Honestly, I almost cried the first time I saw the Sayuri. The true Sayuri." Ann explained. "It felt kinda like I was a baby again in my mother's arms. She was watching over me, telling me everything was gonna be OK...That was the gentleness that painting made me feel." She soon added to the explanation. "...This is coming from someone with absolutely no art knowledge though!" She then confessed.
"Gentleness...? That is yet another aspect the Sayuri captured that I cannot...Is my heart too cloudy?" Yusujke repeated and questioned in shame.
"It ain't cloudy, dude." Ryuji got out with a frown.
"Are you sure about that? Painting used to be all my heart desired...I needed nothing else in life. But now...? What now!?" Yusuke wailed. "I have become overwhelmed with a need to prove myself to Kawanabe...to prove myself to the world. I looked down on Madarame for focusing so sharply on fame and money, yet I too yearn for the praise of others! In truth, oftentimes I regret declining Kawanabe's offer..." He then admitted in a saddened tone.
"You've been thinking a lot about it, huh." Akira remarked with a frown. It had only been a few days since they met the man.
"Is this what pure passion is supposed to look like!? My heart is clouded by worldly desires...!" Yusuke got out as he held his chest, looking as if he was about to collapse from the sheer sadness and guilt in his voice.
"You've really grown, Yusuke..." Akira got out in an impressed tone.
"What...?" Yusuke responded, stunned. "My ugliness has helped me grow...?" He soon asked in shock.
"I wouldn't call it ugliness, Yusuke." Homura spoke up. "It's...life. And people would kill to live off their passion. Not everyone has that opportunity in their lifetime." She then explained with a shrug.
"Akira's right, dude. Ain't nothing wrong about doin' your best to make a livin'." Ryuji stated.
"And you just want someone to acknowledge your work, right? That's some serious passion." Ann added.
"But...how can passion be born from these repulsive thoughts...?" Yusuke questioned, feeling somewhat lost.
"Listen here, dude. I was totally like you back on the track team." Ryuji started. "I just wanted to prove myself...to win...to get all the girls to call me shit like Sakamoto-senpai." He then admitted with a perverted grin on his face before shaking it off.
The others could only give a look that said Seriously? At that, however, the dyed blond ignored it and kept going.
"But, y'know, even through all that...I was tryin' to help my team out." Ryuji continued. "Sure it's a solo sport, but nobody's gonna run 'til they puke if they don't got teammates they wanna inspire. I guess what I really wanna say is, you gotta do stuff for people beyond just yourself if you wanna succeed." He then concluded.
"Hm...Is that how it is...?" Yusuke muttered before closing his eyes and thinking. "...So the sincere gentleness held within the Sayuri...The warmth of its heart...It was all for the sake of those who gaze upon it...? How interesting..."
"Yusuke-kun, desire and want isn't a bad thing." Asuka stated. "It's okay to be selfish, it's okay to want things like money and fame. But it should never be at the expense of other people." She soon declared. "You're a good artist, Yusuke-kun. You'll never be like Madarame, because you have something he didn't have; passion and heart." She then concluded.
"Ah! I see..." Yusuke gasped.
"Huh? Whaddya see!?" Ryuji got out in a dumb tone.
"I have been a fool! Beauty is not the superficial thing I have long thought it to be!" Yusuke realised, sounding excited. A complete 180 turnaround from what he was before. "It is something that wells up within the heart until it breaks free...! It is a gift, given by a subject unto its viewer...! Yes, I finally see the truth...! The five of you have my sincerest gratitude! You have been a truly tremendous aid!" He then thanked his dearest friends.
"U-Uh..." Homura got out in confusion. "...How exactly?" She then asked. She felt like they didn't really contribute all that much.
"Just...let him have this moment." Akira responded as he patted her back while feeling his bone with the young artist strengthen.
"Yes, the time has come for my brush to meet canvas in beautiful harmony...!" Yusuke declared in dramatic fashion before bowing to his friends. "If you'll excuse me!" He then got out before rushing out of the cafe, probably back to his dorm to paint like his life depended on it.
"Man, he's actin' even weirder than normal." Ryuji mumbled.
"He looked pretty inspired though, so he'll be fine...right?" Ann assumed. "Anyway, are you guys hungry? I might ask Boss to make me something once he gets back. Hm, maybe curry this time." She soon asked and stated.
"I could go for some curry too." Asuka admitted as the tan skinned girl nodded in agreement.
"God, you eat so freakin' much..." Ryuji mumbled as he shook his head. "Oh yeah, and what was that crap about bein' good at everything 'cept math? It ain't nice to lie, y'know." He then added.
"I wasn't lying! It's just really hard to get good grades at Shujin!" Ann whined.
"Not really..." Asuka, Akira and Homura thought.
"If you're not gettin' good grades, you shoulda known Yusuke wasn't gonna ask you to study with him!" Ryuji called out.
"To be fair, you also thought that, numbskull." Homura reminded with a playful smile.
"Aw, shut up!" Ryuji grumbled as the group began to argue about studying and math.
Soon enough, the group had quite the animated conversation that lasted a while. Akira simply laid back and watched as his friends talked, occasionally chuckling as they eventually wore out their mental stamina.
Once everything quieted down, it allowed the Leader to finally speak. "Homura, can you train Asuka?" Akira whispered as he handed the tan skinned girl a large sum of yen.
Homura blinked before quickly checking the amount of cash she was handed under the table. "Say no more." She soon got out before turning to her roommate. "Hey, Sis, wanna go to the gym?"
"Ooh! I need to work on my glutes! Thanks, Homu-neechan!" Asuka responded before covering her mouth.
"...Wait, Homu-neechan?" Akira repeated with a raised eyebrow. "When did that start happening?"
With the cat out of the bag, the two roommates decided to give each other a look and sigh. "Oh, when I got adopted." Homura casually revealed.
"...WHAT!?" The Thieves called out in shock.
"YOU WEREN'T ALREADY!?" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Huh?" It was now the sisters' turn to be confused while the others gave him a weird look.
"I-I mean, I sorta assumed after a while." Ryuji admitted with a blush on his face.
"...When?" Ann had to ask.
"I dunno. After a while I guess." The dyed blond mumbled as he scratched the back of his head. "And it was either that, or you two were datin' and hidin' it." He then added.
"...That has to be the kindest thing you've ever said...and also the stupidest." Homura bluntly stated while her sister nodded in agreement. "Basically, Gramps visited us a while after Kamoshida's downfall and suggested my adoption into Sis's family. He then went behind our backs and prepared it for when I eventually accepted it." She then explained.
"Which was when we brought down Futaba-chan's Palace." Asuka added with a smile.
"...You really should've accepted it earlier." Ann deadpanned.
"I was technically adopted for three without even knowing. I didn't exactly have a choice, but hey, I am now." Homura pointed out before lifting her empty coffee cup. "Cheers to that."
"So...does anything change?" Akira had to ask.
"...Nope." Asuka admitted. "It's just legal junk. Homu-neechan will probably live with me and my folks at home after our time here is up." She then got out with a shrug.
"And now it's Homura Shinkukage-Shirokage." Homura then added with pride in her voice.
"That's a mouthful." Akira thought. "So, are we the only ones who know now?" He soon asked.
"Yep." Asuka answered with a nod. "We'll break the news to Morgana-chan, Yumi-chan, Yusuke-kun, Miyabi-chan and Makoto-chan later." She then added.
"Okay." Akira breathed out as he checked the time on the clock. "Let me take you all to the train station, it's getting dark." He then offered.
"Alright. Let's have 'nother meetup like this later." Ryuji got out as the Thieves stood up and headed out of the cafe.
(7/31, Afternoon)
(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)
Hikage had arrived into the room carrying several stacks of dog food bags. "Poochie, breakfast." She called out while preparing the puppy's bowl.
"A little late for breakfast, huh?" Mirai got out as she looked up from her laptop.
"Poochie has been training really hard, isn't that right?" Hikage explained as she petted the little guy.
"Arf!" Poochie barked as she began wagging her tail.
"Do you need beansprouts with that?" Yomi soon offered.
"It's fine, Yomi-san." Hikage grumbled as she piled on the food until the bowl was overflowing, much to the excitement of the puppy. "I'm sure kangaroo meat, alligator and catfish is enough." She then reassured.
"Kangaroo meat!?" Yomi gasped while the puppy began eating.
"Suzune-sensei has a source." Hikage casually responded. "Is she not back yet?" She soon asked.
"She should be coming back in a few days." Yomi muttered with a frown. "I wonder what she's doing..." She then muttered.
"Eh, probably something important and secret." Mirai assumed as she rolled her eyes, unaware that her sensei was drunk off her ass in some town in the middle of nowhere.
"I guess you're right..." Yomi replied with a sigh as she watered her beansprouts.
"You know, as bad as Hebijo is, at least they feed us well." Hikage reminded. "You don't need all these beansprouts." She then stated.
"Well, once the school runs out of money thanks to zealous overspending, we'll have the beansprouts to feed us."
"We had gruel with beansprouts in it yesterday." Hikage however pointed out in a deadpan tone.
"And what fine gruel it was!" Yomi happily confessed.
"...You know, at this point, I think there are beansprouts growing on your brain like a neurax worm." Mirai got out in a flat tone.
"W-What!?" Yomi exclaimed in an offended tone. "I do not have a...what is that?" She began before asking the question in confusion as she tilted her head.
"Doesn't matter. I think your crusade is pointless." Hikage soon stated. "Just because you lived in a gutter doesn't mean you should force others to." She continued as the blonde looked at her in shock. "You need to at least try and have a proper diet." She then concluded.
SHATTER!
"I can live off beansprouts for as long as I live."
"As long as you live, huh?"
"You know what, I'm leaving today." Yomi decided as she headed for her room. "I'm gonna see Akira-san. He'll understand my plight." She then revealed.
"Not Homura-san or Haruka-san?" Hikage asked as she and the first year entertained the puppy.
"...Them too!" Yomi eventually added.
"That was an afterthought!" Mirai called out.
"Arf! Arf!" Poochie barked out with a nod.
"See! Even Poochie agreed!" Mirai soon declared.
"Arf!" Poochie responded.
"I don't need this from you guys and Poochie-chan!" Yomi declared with a huff. "I will show you that those with money are nothing but corrupt and vain beings!" She then called out.
"Have fun and take as much time as you like." Hikage replied while rubbing Poochie's belly.
"I will!" Yomi responded as she went off to her room and slammed the door shut.
SLAM!
"She really needs to sort out her priorities." Mirai mumbled. "I wonder when Haruka-sama will give us the okay?" She soon wondered.
"When we're ready, I guess." Hikage responded with a shrug.
"Arf, arf!" Poochie got out as she did a backflip.
"I'll be back. Poochie needs to tinkle." Hikage soon got out as she placed the puppy in between her breasts.
"I don't...it sounds like her usual barks..." Mirai thought as she sweatdropped as she watched the usual snake-like girl leave. "I'll text Akira-nii later." She thought to herself as she went off herself.
A distance away, the purple haired girl looked on as watched them. "...Cute puppy..." She muttered to herself.
(Shibuya, Protein Lovers)
"All set Sis?" Homura asked after the two changed into their workout clothes.
"Yep." Asuka responded as she tugged on her workout bra. "So this is the gym you and Makoto-chan have gone to before?" She got out as she looked around.
"Frequently actually." Homura corrected. "Makoto really released some pent up aggression." She then added.
"Ooh, I wish I could see that." Asuka confessed with a grin. "So, where do we start?" She soon asked while stretching her limbs.
"Well, we could always start with-" Homura started, however...
SLAM!
"SOMEONE HELP!" A strained voice called out in a panic.
"Hm?" Asuka got out as she turned around, only to see someone with a weightlifting bar on his neck, and his frail friend futilely trying to get it off him. "Oh my God! Let me help!" She exclaimed in a panic before rushing over.
"Huh?" The helpless friend got out in surprise. "H-Help! I-I can't-" He stammered as the girl grabbed the bar and-
THROW! CRASH!
The tan skinned girl slapped her forehead as the weightlifting bar was thrown like it was nothing. "Are you okay?" Her sister asked as she helped the man up, unaware that she had thrown the damn thing through several pieces of gym equipment.
"T-Thank you." The man breathed out in relief before his eyes widened.
"How much weight were you lifting? You shouldn't..." Asuka began to advise, however upon glancing back, she spotted the mess she made. "Oops." She soon got out.
"...D-Did that girl just yeet the weight?" One guy soon asked in disbelief.
"Yeet? Really dude?" Another guy however bluntly asked in a deadpan tone.
"I-Is no one focusing on her tits?" Some other guy got out in confusion before getting socked in the face.
"Y-You just saved my life..." The weightlifter coughed. "Thank you." He then got out in a grateful manner.
"It...It was nothing..." Asuka stammered out in embarrassment.
"Say hi to the cameras, Sis." Homura however informed in a joking manner.
"Huh?" Asuka got out in confusion before turning around to see several people filming her. "I...I don't..." She soon stammered out as her sister watched in amusement.
Asuka's Luck has increased!
"I think we need to leave..." Homura gigged as she patted her sister's shoulder. "Come on, I think the gym is closing soon. Let's celebrate with some ice cream." She then suggested as the workers began to clean up the mess.
"...I think I could go for some..." Asuka muttered as she followed her sister back to the changing room.
(Shinjuku, New Moon Apartment Complex)
Meanwhile, Yumi was finishing her summer homework. Due to Medjed and Futaba, she didn't really have the time to touch it until today. So, she decided to spend her day getting it done.
However, she underestimated her speed and, well...
"Aaaahhhh..." Yumi breathed out as she finally put down her pen. "I am finished." She got out as she stretched her limbs.
Blink!
"...Wait, I'm finished." Yumi soon realized. "M-Maybe I got some answers wrong...? I have to review my work..." She soon muttered as she went over her work again.
However, after several minutes, she confirmed that she got every answer right, plus extra credit with a 1500 word essay on juice.
"Nope...I am...done." Yumi got out. "...I have nothing to do today." She then realised as she stared at the empty wall in front of her. "Hmm, should I practice as an idol?" She soon wondered in a curious manner before glancing at her mirror.
An idol must be cute first and foremost.
"More cuteness...I need more cuteness..." Yumi thought as she stood up from her chair and performed her cuteness training followed by practicing some of her dance steps.
(7/31, Evening)
(Underground Mall)
"Hey, Ann." Homura causally greeted as she approached the blonde while drowning out the envious stares from other girls and lovestruck looks from some men.
"You're early." Ann meanwhile pointed out with a smile.
"Well, you did say we'd hang out today." Homura reminded. "So, what are we doing?" She soon got out.
"Part 2 of yesterday's Femininity training." Ann answered. "Clothes shopping." She then revealed.
"More clothes?" Homura got out with a sweatdrop.
"I mean, I said it before, didn't I?" Ann replied. "Like...really. I told you yesterday. What is with your memory?" She jokingly added while poking the tan skinned girl's head.
"I know, I know." Homura sighed out. "It's just that you, me and Sis went shopping together around the time the two of us transferred. Why do I need more clothes? I'm perfectly happy with the stuff I got now." She then asked.
"Well, your clothes aren't exactly feminine, right?" Ann however asked.
"You bought them!" Homura called out.
"Correction, paid for them. You bought clothes you thought would fit your style at the time." Ann replied. "But now it's time to throw that all away and give you some real threads." She then declared.
"I am not throwing away my entire closet." Homura soon stated in a deadpan tone.
"I didn't mean literally, just basically give your wardrobe a more feminine touch." Ann replied as she winked in a playful manner.
"Like what?" Homura however asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Just get into the changing room while I pick some things out." Ann soon instructed as she began pushing her friend into the store.
"Okay, okay! Stop pushing!" Homura got out while being forced into the changing room. "Man you're taking charge this time." She then remarked.
"Hey, you push around everyone else in the Thieves. I feel like I should at least have this." Ann soon stated.
"I am not that pushy!" Homura countered with a pout. "I'm just trying to make sure you guys can handle yourselves." She then added.
"Well, the laughing doesn't exactly convey that." Ann deadpanned.
"I..." Homura tried to counter, but trailed off at the end. "I'm going into the dressing room now." She soon decided.
"You go do that. I'll hand you clothes from outside. You go and strip down in the dressing room." Ann responded and instructed as she went off to find some new outfits.
"Bossy bossy bossy..." Homura mumbled out from within the changing room as she took off her usual clothes save for her bra and panties and waited for the ash blonde.
Suddenly, a stack of clothes were shoved into her hands.
"That's...a lot." Homura got out in surprise before poking her head out. "You know materialism has been the downfall of quite a few shinobi." She bluntly stated.
"Says the girl who cheers every time Joker hands you your cut." Ann however reminded with a playful smirk.
"Society deems money as necessary. Can't help it." Homura sighed out. "But at least I use money to support people, unlike some jailed assholes..." She then added while smirking.
"Don't give them the time of day by remembering them." Ann muttered as she shook her head. "I wonder what our next target is going to be..." She soon asked.
"Hey, Medjed's still up and running. Worry about that when they're done for." Homura however stated.
Ann nodded to that as the tan skinned girl went back into the dressing room.
After a while...
"I'm back." Ann called out from outside the changing room with some more clothes. "So, how were the outfits I picked out?" She soon asked.
"They're fine." Homura simply replied.
"Just fine?" Ann repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean, they're all pretty but...I dunno, it feels wrong to wear them." Homura confessed and awkwardly explained.
"I think it's the chest size..." Ann awkwardly realized. "I remembered that while I was out. Here, some that might actually fit you." She then offered before handing some over the door.
"There's...a lot of pink and other bright colors to go through here." Homura awkwardly reminded as she blushed a bit.
"It's all cute though, right?" Ann however asked.
"I mean...yeah..." Homura mumbled as she held the dress on her torso. "Okay, I'm not sure about this but I'll try it on." She soon got out before she decided to put it out.
Eventually, the tan skinned girl walked out of the changing room in the new outfit.
"So...how does it look?" Homura eventually asked, wearing the frilly and loose pink summer dress, tugging at the end in anticipation and curiosity.
"Hmm..." Ann hummed out as she walked around the tan skinned girl. "...Yeah it doesn't work." She soon determined.
"Wha!?" Homura exclaimed in shock.
"Yeah, I realized pink by itself really doesn't suit you." Ann sheepishly confessed.
"I think so too." Homura sighed as she shook her head. "But I don't wanna go back to just crimson, black, and white." She then confessed.
"I'll admit, you need more color choices." Ann replied. "...Maybe a navy blue...?" She soon suggested.
"Pink and navy blue..." Homura muttered. "Alright, try and find some navy blue clothes." She soon requested.
"Pink and blue do not usually complement each other...I might be able to make it work though." Ann responded and stated in reassurance.
"Okay, I'm seriously trusting your fashion sense here." Homura got out as the ash blonde left to get some new clothes while she went back into the changing room. "No Haruka style, no Haruka style..." She then muttered to herself while taking the dress off and hung it on the rack on the door.
"I'm back! Here you go." Ann called out and offered as she sent some clothes over.
"That was fast." Homura responded as she blinked.
"I know every section of this store like the back of my hand. It's way too easy to navigate." Ann replied and revealed.
"And yet, you can't even find the library at school..." Homura grumbled as she looked through the new clothes. "Now then...what would work?" She mumbled, hoping her Femininity at the moment would help out in any way, eyes flashing pink for a moment before looking through them once more and her instincts took over.
Ann meanwhile was slightly concerned from the silence. "Uh, Homura?" She quietly called out.
"Whuh?" Homura got out. "Oh, just thinking. Gimme a sec to put it on." She soon responded before grabbing a dress.
After several minutes, Homura stepped out of the dressing room, blushing a little.
"Well? How does it look now?" Homura asked as she came out wearing a dark pink t-shirt with a navy blue short sleeve jacket and a navy blue skirt.
"It's...actually not bad." Ann confessed in an impressed tone while giving the tan skinned girl an up-down. "They actually compliment each other well." She then added.
"Yeah, I'm surprised too." Homura got out as she looked at herself in the mirror. "If the shirt was just a little smaller, I could show off my abs a little. Might get gropers off me." She then added while posing a bit.
"If you want to be a real rebel through fashion, dress up as a lolita." Ann jokingly suggested.
"...A what?" Homura however asked with a raised eyebrow, ending her posing session as a result.
"It's subtle and subversive. Its aesthetics are demure and keep some elements of traditional Japanese beauty while also being clearly unusual and nonconformist by incorporating historical European aesthetics of beauty." Ann explained. "In this way, while Lolitas are still very feminine and modest, they found a way to break out of the homogenous manner of appearance and begin toying with new forms of identity and femininity." She then added.
"...You know...all that...and yet you can't handle math?" Homura got out in disbelief.
Ann however groaned and got her phone out to show off a picture. "This is lolita." She simplified.
"...I already know a girl who wears those kinds of outfits. Not my style." Homura bluntly stated after examining the image, thinking of the gun-umbrella wielding first year.
"Yeah. It's also really expensive to maintain. Makes them look greedy." Ann soon revealed.
"...What?" Homura responded with a raised eyebrow.
"All the materials, the accessories, the specialty items. It all adds up, even when you're making the stuff yourself."
"...I wonder if Yomi knows that." Homura thought before gaining a flat expression on her face. "If I had to guess, she'd be robbing Mirai of her clothes if she knew...and force her to change the look of her Shinobi Tenshin." She then added in her head.
Meanwhile, at Hebijo, Mirai shivered in fear while Yomi sneezed before her eye twitched.
"Come on, I'll go search for more color combinations. Pink and blue can't be your only colors, can it?"
"You do that." Homura replied with a nod. "But I am keeping this one." She then added with a smirk before reentering the changing room, feeling her Femininity increasing as a result.
Ann in response giggled. "You got it." She replied before going off to search some more.
And so, the two spent the rest of their evening shopping until the store had to close.
(Station Square)
Miyabi happily whistled to herself as she counted the money in her hands. She had found a hideout of the last remnants of some asshole's gang, Kaneshiro or whatever, and swiftly and brutally dealt with them and had the police clean them up.
Not before robbing all the cash they had managed to scrounge up beforehand and humiliating them by leaving them only in their underwear.
"They seriously only had 150,000 yen? For criminals, they really suck with money." The white haired woman thought as she stuffed the wad of cash in between her breasts. "Criminals aren't a stable source of money though. Gentrification and police crackdowns are making it harder for them to survive. Better find something better." She soon got out. "...I wonder if they still do those underground tournaments for women..." She then thought to herself.
"Miyabi-san?" A familiar voice called out, getting the woman's attention.
"Hey, Widow." Miyabi casually greeted the girl as she approached her.
"Yumi." The grey haired girl however corrected.
"Easier to remember." Miyabi got out with a shrug.
"Just call me Yumi." The light grey haired girl soon requested with a sigh. "What have you been doing all day?" Yumi questioned.
"Wandering around the city, fighting some thugs, training. Nothing much really." Miyabi answered with a shrug. "You?" She soon asked.
"T-Training as well." Yumi answered, although it wasn't the kind of training the woman was probably thinking.
"Ah, it's never a bad thing to keep your skills up." Miyabi got out in an impressed tone. "...I should probably set up a fight with you eventually..." She then muttered under her breath.
"I would like that." Yumi responded with a nod. "After all, it is how we bare our hearts to each other. And it will show you why Good will always conquer evil." She stated and concluded.
"I'm sorry, but we have at least a dozen dictators in this world." Miyabi pointed out. "Heroes don't always win, you know?" She then added.
"I will make sure that will not be the case." Yumi assured with a determined look on her face. "All Evil must die." She then declared.
Miyabi however raised an eyebrow to that declaration. "Okay, what is with you?" She soon asked. "You really have a hate boner for Evil Shinobi, huh?" She then guessed.
Yumi however blushed scarlet to that. "I...I wouldn't call it that." She stammered out. "But until I met the Phantom Thieves, my interactions with Evil Shinobi have been...less than stellar." She then added.
"Yeah, I bet." Miyabi got out before narrowing her eyes. "But this hate...it's deeper and darker than any I have seen before. You're holding it back but...I can see it." She soon stated in a more serious tone. "It's...comparable to mine." She then concluded, honestly surprised when she came to the realization.
Yumi hesitated saying anything, a little stunned by the conclusion. "...I've known too many people who have lost loved ones, parents, to Evil Shinobi...including mine..." She soon revealed and confessed.
"...I see, so your parents passed at the hands of Evil Shinobis..." Miyabi got out in a serious tone.
"Hai..." Yumi responded in her own serious tone and a nod. "So you can understand why I was...not so...trusting towards you." She then added.
"I understand. But I do know some students with exactly the same feelings towards Good." Miyabi however pointed out.
"Hai, I can understand that." Yumi responded with a nod. "However, at least Good has rules and standards. I have heard that Evil has sometimes killed clients they have contracts with." She then stated.
"Yeah, well, those rules and standards can easily be dropped when needed." Miyabi countered. "And I'm sure they have their reasons for killing clients. It's not taken lightly after all. That's one more source of income we lose, and one more pain in the ass to deal with. Not to mention that if they're willing to hire mercenaries, they aren't exactly the most upstanding citizens." She then concluded.
"..." Yumi looked down at her feet and sighed. "I don't like this conversation." She soon confessed.
"The world doesn't care." Miyabi scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "It doesn't owe you clean and cut lines. But that's why you're a Thief, right? To change the world?" She soon stated and guessed.
"Hai." Yumi responded with a nod.
Miyabi nodded to that before continuing. "The world may be shit, but it's not like it's gonna implode any time soon. We still have hope." She then concluded.
"Heh, quite amusing from an Evil Shinobi." Yumi couldn't help but remark.
"Yeah, if you talked to me a couple weeks back, I'd sing a different tune." Miyabi mumbled as she scratched the back of her head. Awakening to her Persona really was a wake up call for her. "Just remember, Hebijo is a school where those that want to become shinobis can become shinobis, regardless of your history." She then reminded.
"I am aware of that, Miyabi-san." Yumi sighed as she shook her head. "Well, this has been an enlightening conversation, although I feel as though I've already had this before with Homura-san." She soon confessed and revealed.
"Well, there's one thing we all have in common, is a stubborn streak that lasts..." Miyabi began, only to trail off as the gears in her head turned. "...Something...something...something...I think I'm gonna go home..." She then mumbled as she rubbed her forehead.
Yumi however snorted in amusement as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Miyabi however blinked. "W-What?" She got out in confusion.
"For an adult, you are quite immature." Yumi giggled.
"Mentally 18..." Miyabi grumbled under her breath. "But whatever. Laugh at me all you want. I'm heading home."
GRRRRRR!
At that moment however, two stomachs growled loudly, causing them to blush.
"Oh." Yumi got out as she held her stomach. She hadn't eaten since this morning, now that she thought about it. "I guess it's time for dinner. Would you like to accompany me to-" She began to offer, only to see the white haired woman walking off. "M-Miyabi-san!" She called out.
"I'm getting a beef bowl. Follow me or not, just know that you're paying for your own meal." Miyabi simply responded as she headed for Central Street.
Yumi meanwhile gave a soft smile upon hearing that. "Well, at least she suggested it." She thought to herself as she fast walked to catch up to her.
She also then began to wonder how her own junior was doing.
(Hotel Kusatori)
"Okay, I have amlodipine besylate, azithromycin, levothyroxine, lisinopril, omeprazole, simvastatin..." Minori muttered as she packed all the medicine into her bag. "I can't believe they gave all of this for free!" She then added in a happy tone.
She was unaware that the doctors she got them from were beating themselves up for giving away several thousand yen worth of drugs.
"Hmm, I got a few more days in Tokyo, so now I got free time now!" Minori realised as she relaxed and laid down on her bed. "...What do I do?" She mumbled. "Ah! I can look for more sweet recipes and try them out while I'm here! That's my plan tomorrow." She then decided as she then decided to go and take a shower before heading to sleep for the night.
(Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
"I'm back." Homura called out, entering the apartment in a skin tight yellow top that didn't cover her stomach with a purple coat and a pair of black short shorts along with white sneakers while carrying four bags of clothes in her hands.
Only to be greeted with silence.
"Huh, guess Sis is still out." Homura realized as she went to the closet to put her new clothes away. "Man, I got a lot this time. Can't believe Ann said I didn't have to pay her back for this." She then added.
"Our friends are really generous..." Asuka breathed out in a peaceful manner.
"Whoa!" Homura got out in a surprised manner. "Did you just get back!?" She soon asked.
"I was on the toilet playing Pokémon." Asuka sheepishly answered. "I had the music too loud and was really focused on the game..." She then mumbled as she recalled her last battle in her game. "Fighting the Champion a second time was much tougher..." She thought to herself.
"So that's why you didn't answer me." Homura muttered with a sweatdrop. "I didn't even hear a flush though..." She then added.
"...Be right back." Asuka got out with a blush as her form blurred.
FLUSH!
"Good, Sis." Homura encouraged as she watched her sister return after washing her hands.
"So, how was-" Asuka started before finally noticing the tan skinned girl's appearance. "You look awesome Homu-neechan!" She soon declared.
"Thank you for noticing." Homura replied with a grin "Too bad I have to take this off for the night though. I'd rather not wrinkle this totes cute outfit of mine." She then added with a pout.
"...Totes cute?" Asuka repeated in amusement.
Immediately, the tan skinned girl blushed in embarrassment. "Erm, t-that just happened to come out...it's cute..." Homura mumbled out.
"What happened to sounding elegant and lady-like?" Asuka meanwhile asked.
"Ack!" Homura yelped at remembering that. "I-I have to work on mixing my results from Ann's training with Yumi-senpai's training and Makoto's training." She soon got out.
"Um...that might not be a good idea..." Asuka awkwardly giggled as she remembered her senpai saying something rather...weird.
"Tee hee, I'm the cute 'n' wovely Daidōji. I don't weawwy get it, thinthe I got no feewings. Boobs go thqueezy! Butt is thmooth as thilk."
It was the first time she ever heard Ikaruga swear, albeit quietly, with a "What the fuck?"
"Just...keep it consistent and relaxed. And don't have a meltdown over your speech." Asuka advised. "It's fine the way it is now." She then reassured.
"Still..." Homura sighed out, however...
BZZT! BZZT!
Soon, the two sisters got their phones out to join the group chat.
[Sweetkat06: Hey, I heard some company's info got leaked.]
[All4Painting: Yes, it seems the private dealings of a large corporation were publicly disclosed.]
[Road2Queen: It's causing quite a stir. People are wondering if Medjed is behind it.]
[TheWildJ0ker: That wasn't the promise.]
[Road2Queen: Indeed. I doubt they'd do anything before the deadline they imposed on us.]
[Negative8Degrees: This seems to be an isolated incident. Quite different from what Medjed has done up until now.]
[All4Painting: Is that so?]
[Shut7heFUp: So it wasn't Medjed? Damn, that shit freaked me out!]
[Sweetkat06: It's honestly kind of hard not having a knee-jerk reaction to this stuff nowadays...]
[All4Painting: Sometimes people react to these situations by pleading for help from the Phantom Thieves.]
[SushiRoll23: Still...it's worrying to think that Medjed will just ignore the deadline and launch their attack early.]
[FireGirl20: Should we just force her out of bed? It's been a couple of days.]
[DarkEyeXI: No.]
[DarkEyeXI: She needs to be at 100% before she can do anything.]
[SushiRoll23: Don't worry, everyone! Futaba-chan won't fail us!]
[Road2Queen: I hope. We need to find a way to stand up for them...]
"In any case Sis, shall we prepare dinner together before going to bed for the night?" Homura soon suggested in a more well mannered tone.
Asuka meanwhile giggled at that. "Hai." She replied as the two plugged their phones in before heading to the kitchen. "Yumi-chan has taught you well though." She then confessed with a smile.
"Everything to improve myself." Homura responded with a smirk. "So...what are we having for dinner tonight?" She soon asked.
"Hmm...beef bowl sounds good." Asuka replied after thinking about it.
(8/1, Midnight)
(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)
"Hey, dude, let's hang out!"
"Urgh...why is everyone calling you in the middle of the night...?" Morgana groaned as the Leader picked up his phone.
[DarkEyeXI: Akira, meet me at infront of Untouchable for training. Early morning.]
[DarkEyeXI: Don't be late.]
"...Well that's different." Akira admitted.
"I don't think you can say no to this..." Morgana meanwhile stated in a serious tone.
"I better warn Takemi and Haruka-chan to prepare the consultation bed for me in the morning..." Akira sighed out before turning his phone off and going back to sleep.
Save Game...Quit!
Whew! Done! Onto the next.
UknownHero signing off, my friends.
And...oh, Happy Thanksgiving! Late Thanksgiving. A holiday I don't celebrate in Australia.
