Is it a problem if I'm editing this chapter while writing the next one? UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. Nothing much, just living my daily life, hoping to get paid one day.
So onto the reviews. To Hun Pun: Planning on it. To alaude hibari: Because I made it clear that the shinobi are able to be romanced. To WX-Laser: No, I don't plan to update previous chapters right now but maybe in the future. Also, sorry for downplaying the principal but I do believe that some actions are your fault. And the amount of requests is whatever's unlocked between the last trip to the Metaverse and the next, plus some original ones. To a random Guest: Still figuring out if shinobi were involved with SEES.
Okay, that is it. Let's not skip leg day!
Load Game…Start!
Chapter 66: Skipping Leg Day
(6/28, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Asuka let out a yawn as she sat up from the futon. "Oh...what a...strange dream I had." She mumbled out as she rubbed the saline out of her eyes. "I dreamt that Katsu-nee transcended space and time and groped me in my dreams. I...kinda missed it. But then Hibari-chan started feeling up my butt...I think she was always there. And Makoto-chan was in this really cute cheerleader outfit. Does this mean anything to you, Homu-nee?" She then continued and asked.
"Zzzz...No...I want the teddy bear, not the...shark girl..." Homura murmured in her sleep.
"Ah, I probably shouldn't wake Homu-nee up. She needs all the rest she can." Asuka thought as she climbed out of the futon and stretched. "Alright, time to cook some breakfast. I'm feeling miso soup today." She soon decided as she left the bedroom.
Soon enough, while Asuka finished the miso soup and started to grill some fish, Homura walked out of the bedroom while yawning and stretching her limbs.
"Mmm~ Morning Sis..." Homura sighed out in a sleepy manner.
"Morning, Homu-nee. How are you feeling?" Asuka greeted and asked.
"Still a little sleepy. And my legs feel sore." Homura groaned out. "Hey, Sis, where's my uniform?" She then asked as she sat herself down.
"Oh no Homu-nee, you're not going to school. You are resting today." Asuka however instructed.
"Eeehh...I know Makoto-senpai said to but..." Homura mumbled out as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"No buts!" Asuka called out with an angry, yet cute glare"...Actually you should go ahead and wash your butt right now." She then got out.
"Eh?" Homura got out before blushing red. "W-What? Does my butt smell or something!?" She soon asked as she covered her butt.
"E-Erm, no, I just...go take a bath please. I dunno, my mind was on Hibari-chan and she really likes using her butt to fight." Asuka replied before looking off to the side. "Maybe I should steal some moves from her..." She then muttered before shaking it off.
"...Are you alright, Sis?" Homura had to ask in concern.
"I dunno, I'm just feeling weird this morning. Now get your unevenly tanned butt into the bathroom." Asuka answered and then ordered before pushing the girl towards the bathroom.
"Okay, okay! Don't be so pushy!" Homura got out before giggling. "You know, I kinda like this Weird Asuka." She then admitted in amusement.
"Homu-nee, I'm already weird. Now wash up and I'll serve your miso soup on the couch. You're a potato for today." Asuka replied and instructed.
"Potato?" Homura repeated in confusion while tilting her head.
"You know, like couch potato." Asuka simply explained. "You're gonna be...just go wash up!" She soon ordered.
Homura just nodded as she went into the bathroom. "...Aren't you coming?" She then asked.
"Grilling fish. Can't let it burn...or burn down the whole apartment...or building." Asuka replied. "I'll join soon, and if we're quick enough the food will still be warm when we actually eat." She then added.
"I can always reheat it though...but I can't quite replicate that fresh off the pan feeling..." Homura offered and awkwardly admitted.
"You know what, I'll just get the bath started. What shampoo?"Asuka meanwhile decided and asked.
"Fruity Proficient." Homura replied. "I wanna smell like strawberries and rose buds." She then added.
"Sounds wonderful." Asuka responded with a smile. "Alright, just gotta plate this and...okay, good. Bathtime!" She informed and declared before stripping off her apron and jumping into the...empty bathtub. "Ow...!" She groaned in pain as she held her butt.
The tan skinned girl meanwhile winced to that. "You know, I would've made you clean up the splash if there was any water in there." Homura stated before turning on the water.
"Yeah, that was a goof on my end." Asuka replied before placing her butt under the running water. "Aaahhh..." She sighed out in a pleased manner.
Homura couldn't help but laugh as she joined her roommate and opened the pink shampoo bottle, squeezing some out before handing it over to her roommate who did the same as they then began doing their hair.
As Homura washed herself, she felt as though her Femininity was improving as a result.
Asuka meanwhile as she cleaned herself off, she felt her Proficiency increasing thanks to it.
"No matter how many times I use this, I feel totes better no matter the situation..." Homura sighed out with a smile while lathering her head.
"Yes, I probably can give the best massages now..." Asuka breathed out.
"Aaaaaah~" The two cooed out as they continued washing themselves.
SPLASH!
Eventually the two got out of the tub and dried off as the brunette got into her uniform.
"Mmm, I still feel bad that you have to go to school by yourself Sis." Homura admitted in a guilty manner as she just got her bra and panties on.
"It will be weird to not walk with you to the train station, but I'm a big girl." Asuka got out as she got her underwear on as well. "Come on, Homu-nee, I keep telling you I'm not a child."
"Still..." Homura mumbled in concern.
"Homu-nee, please stop. Worrying. About me." Asuka slowly requested. "You're making me think you don't trust me as a shinobi or a teammate. Or a teenager for that matter. Seriously, I wouldn't be a shinobi if I couldn't take care of myself so suck it up!" She then declared as she pouted.
"Ack!" Homura winced out before dropping her head in shame. "...Sorry..." She apologized. "I just think it sucks that I just can't go to school to help out however I can while also enduring the principal like our friends..." She then muttered.
"Homu-nee, if Mama was here, she would also be telling you to stay home and rest up." Asuka soon stated in a concerned manner.
Wincing to that, Homura sighed as she knew from personal experience how her roommate's mother would treat her. "Yeah...You're right..." She muttered with a nod of agreement.
"And then leave a very harsh voicemail to the principal, because he wouldn't dare face Mama face-to-face." Asuka declared with a gleam and grin on her face.
"...I would really like Mama to do that..." Homura confessed before realizing what she said. "Ah, I-" She then started.
"It's ok Homu-nee, Mama already considers you to be family, even without the adoption." Asuka interrupted with a smile.
"...That's really nice..." Homura muttered, feeling touched knowing that. "...But I should really go to-" She then started.
"Homu-nee...!" Asuka growled as she looked her roommate dead in the eyes.
"Hai hai, I'll stay home and rest Sis." Homura sighed out. "But if the principal tries anything..." She then began in a more threatening tone.
"I can deal with him. Don't worry." Asuka assured before noticing the nervous look on her roommate's face. "Trust me." She then stated.
"...Okay." Homura sighed out with a nod. "God, I wish we could just do something to him, but I know he's gonna spin into blaming me, Akira or something else that's even worse." She then complained in frustration.
"Yeah..." Asuka sighed out as well. "...I still wonder about his distortion...I bet it's something as sick as Kamoshida's..." She then muttered.
"Or something completely stupid to the point where only an idiot would figure out." Homura replied in a flat tone. "But I doubt that. The principal isn't a complete dumbass, just a total dumbass." She then remarked.
"...Isn't that the same thing?" Asuka pointed out with raised eyebrow.
This simply caused both girls to become giggling messes.
"Hehehe, you really are becoming a bad girl Sis," Homura got out, grinning like a madwoman. "I'm so proud of you." She then added with a smile while pretending to wipe away a tear.
"I'm a thief. How can I not be?" Asuka however replied in a confident manner with a smirk on her face. "I better get out now. School waits for no one." She then got out.
"Yeah, you better get going." Homura soon reminded. "Text me when you get to school and contact me if the principal calls you in." She then requested.
"Hai!" Asuka replied with a salute. "See you tonight Homu-nee." She added before heading out.
"Yep, see ya." Homura called back before hearing her roommate leave the apartment. "...And now I'm already sad and nervous for her..." She muttered to herself as she went to find something to do.
(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)
"79...80...Okay, I think that's it!" Akira got out before dropping from the wooden beam.
"You're getting better, Joker." Morgana complimented. "You don't even need the chair anymore, do you?" He then stated.
"Nope." Akira casually replied as he wiped his body off from the sweat. "Alright, quick shower then heading straight for school." He then decided.
BZZT! BZZT!
"...I'll just answer it after." Akira soon decided as he went downstairs.
"I can answer it for you." Morgana soon offered. "These paws can type pretty fast." He then declared in a confident manner.
"Eeehhh...It feels pretty disingenuous though..." Akira got out before shrugging. "It'll be quick. I promise." He then added before going into the shower.
Ten minutes later...
BBZT! BZZT!
"She's seriously still texting?" Morgana got out in concern.
[RiceThrasher: Good morning Akira-san, it's me, Yozakura.]
(...)
[RiceThrasher: Hello?]
(...)
[RiceThrasher: Hello? Is everything alright?]
(...)
[RiceThrasher: If you don't respond right now, I'll contact Yumi for your address and come over to where you are.]
"Well, she seems concerned." Morgana remarked with a sweatdrop.
"Who's concerned?" Akira asked, dressed in his uniform as he picked up his phone. "Yozakura-san? Wow, she looks worried. Has she always had instant replies...?" He then got out and asked.
"Probably, given who she is." Morgana assumed as the Leader quickly wrote a reply.
[TheWildJ0ker: I was in the shower. Sorry. Morning. It's a surprise to hear from you Yozakura-san.]
[RiceThrasher: Oh thank god...]
[RiceThrasher: Just texting to remind you about training tonight]
[TheWildJ0ker: Oh, how thoughtful. Thanks.]
[TheWildJ0ker:: ...Wait, did I give you my number...?]
[RiceThrasher: I asked Yumi for it. Sorry.]
[TheWildJ0ker: It's not a problem. See you tonight.]
[RiceThrasher: Yeah!]
(...)
[RiceThrasher: Is my IM name weird?]
[TheWildJ0ker: What? No, it's kinda funny.]
[RiceThrasher: Okay, just wanted to be sure. Only came up with it since I really like rice crackers.]
[TheWildJ0ker: It's fine. People use some really weird names. Like hymenbuster.]
(...)
[RiceThrasher: I did not need to know that.]
[TheWildJ0ker: I was cursed with this knowledge so I must inflict it upon others.]
"Akira..." Morgana droned out while looking at the smirking boy. "First Haruka, then Mirai and now this Yozakura girl?" He then reminded.
"What? It's not like I'm going for a ninja harem or something." Akira got out with a scoff. "I'm actually quite offended you think that. I'd probably die if I attempted that." He then stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Take responsibility for all your actions, Joker." Morgana warned.
"I am and I will. Stop worrying so much." Akira assured as he petted the not cat's head.
BZZT! BZZT!
"How many texts are you going to get this morning!?" Morgana exclaimed as the boy checked his phone.
[Futsure: Mirai here and I need to vent so hard right now and you're the only person I can talk to because you're the only contact on my new phone!]
[TheWildJ0ker: Okay, what's with people getting my phone number without asking...?]
[Futsure: THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU LISTEN TO ME DAMMIT!]
[TheWildJ0ker: Sorry. Did something happen?]
[Futsure: Imu is practically torturing me with training!]
[TheWildJ0ker: I think you mentioned her before, but who's Imu again?]
[Futsure: New trainer, sadistic slave driver!]
[Futsure: Driving me insane with constant screaming matches with Hikage too!]
[TheWildJ0ker: What grudge does she have with Hikage?]
[Futsure: I don't know! She keeps saying that she started with her bullying in middle school or something!]
[TheWildJ0ker:: ...She was a bully?]
[TheWildJ0ker: She doesn't seem like one.]
[Futsure: Yeah, I know that! But unless she has proof, she's just killing us for no reason...]
[TheWildJ0ker: Well...Haven't you informed the staff?]
[Futsure: The staff approves of her! All because she's friends with the principal's daughter and I don't give a flying fudge!]
[TheWildJ0ker: Well, unless you want to request the Phantom Thieves, I can't really give much advice here.]
[Futsure: Didn't expect you to.]
[TheWildJ0ker: I mean I'm not a shinobi remember? Not sure what I could do to help.]
[Futsure: Like I said. Just needed someone to vent to.]
[TheWildJ0ker: Well you can always vent to me if you need to. I am my friends' cheap alternative to a therapist.]
[Futsure: What a great title to give yourself.]
[TheWildJ0ker: It's not like you're any better, Futsure.]
[Futsure: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT NAME!]
[Futsure: Oh, wait, that's what I put as my name...nevermind...]
[TheWildJ0ker:: ...Good talk, Mirai.]
Akira and Morgana winced as they saw the photo Mirai sent them of one of the intense forms of training she had to go through that showed multiple boxing gloves being prepared to strike from every direction.
"Sounds like Mirai's going through her own troubles." Morgana got out with a sweatdrop. "This new girl she mentioned...she'll probably be a hassle somehow if she's stressing out Lady Homura's friends at Hebijo to a breaking point." He then stated.
"Well, Haruka's here. So Mirai, Hikage and Yomi have to deal with this Imu girl." Akira stated and listed off. "I want to help against this sadist, but I don't like the idea of dying painfully..." He soon admitted.
"Yeah..." Morgana replied. "Looks like they're on their own unless a third party intervenes." He then stated.
"They seem like strong and smart girls. I'm sure it'll work out...somehow..." Akira replied, though was honestly unsure. "Now come on, the train's gonna leave in ten minutes." He then got out as he got up and grabbed his bag.
Time for another day of school.
(Shujin Academy, Principal's Office)
"Why did the principal call for me, Makoto-chan?" Asuka asked as she looked at the Student Council President while walking the halls. "And why didn't he ask a teacher to get me? Homeroom is about to start." She then added to the question followed by the reminder.
"We all know how the principal is Asuka-san..." Makoto reminded as she sighed. "...God, that would've been a perfect opportunity to give him a piece of my Persona." She then muttered.
"Why aren't you doing anything then?" Asuka soon questioned in confusion.
"Laying low." Makoto responded in a whisper. "Biding my time until Kaneshiro's confession is made public. That will leave the principal vulnerable without any leverage to use against me." She then added.
"And you'll get Homu-nee out from under his thumb too?" Asuka then asked with hope.
"Of course." Makoto responded with a nod. "My sister's a goddamn lawyer. What can he do?" She reminded and asked.
"How is your sister, anyways?" Asuka soon questioned in a concerned manner.
"Same as before." Makoto sighed out. "Still hasn't called." She then added as the two soon arrived at the door to the office.
"That's too bad. You guys should really talk, especially after...you know." Asuka replied.
"I should..." Makoto replied in agreement. "But I get this feeling that I might reveal something if I talk too long. Like-" She then stated, however...
"It's okay. Your sister loves you, even if she can't express it." Asuka however reassured, interrupting the Student Council President. "Just be patient with each other and it'll all work out fine." She then suggested.
"Speaking from experience, Asuka-san?" Makoto guessed.
"A little." Asuka giggled out before taking in a deep breath. "See ya at lunch?" She then asked.
"Hai." Makoto replied with a nod before walking away. "Good luck dealing with the moron of a principal." She muttered.
"It's the principal. I don't need luck." Asuka muttered back as she knocked on the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"You may come in." Kobayaka responded from the other side of the door.
One last look at the Student Council President, and Asuka headed into the office. "Good morning, Principal Kobayakawa." She politely greeted.
"Good morning." The principal replied.
"Why did you call me here before classes started?" Asuka soon asked.
"I just have one request." Kobayakawa got out as he signed the paper. "Have your roommate, Homura Shinkukage-kun, attend school from now on. No ifs, ands, or buts." He bluntly ordered.
SLAM!
Kobayakawa instantly backed up in his seat as the girl slammed her fists onto his desk, causing his various supplies to jump. "You seem to be overreacting about this a little bit." He noted.
Asuka however glared at the man. "Because you made her crash like that!" She countered.
"Crash like what?" Kobayakawa however questioned while narrowing his eyes.
"Don't act like you don't know!" Asuka screamed at the man. "You called me here because Homura isn't here today!"
"Well, it is imperative that our Disciplinary Committee Head shows a good work ethic every day." Kobayakawa soon explained. "Besides, all I know is that she isn't here. And now you tell me she crashed. Was she in a car accident?" He soon asked in genuine concern. Probably didn't want a pawn to die so soon.
"It...She...Drank too many energy drinks and passed out." Asuka sheepishly admitted. "...I know it was her mistake, but you're putting too much pressure on her!" She then called out.
"She chose to take on the burden of rebuilding the school's reputation herself." Kobayakawa said as he frowned. "And do you remember what I said when you two came to Shujin?"
"...To take responsibility for our actions." Asuka answered, looking down to the admittingly nice floor.
"And it seems to me you two aren't." The principal then stated as he leaned back in his chair, which caused it groan in pain.
"But it's still your fault!" Asuka soon shouted out as she pointed at the man.
"By doing what?" Kobayakawa had to ask as he leaned in.
"By making her...come to school..." Asuka began strongly, only to finish off weak as she realised what she just said.
"And is there anything wrong with that?" Kobayakawa soon questioned with a raised eyebrow. "In all fairness, it's our government that requires our next generation to go to school if able and ensure a high health standard. Even then, we allow students to stop attending school at fifteen, so you are free to stop your schooling right now." He then informed.
"I'm...No, wait, this isn't-" Asuka stammered out as she tried to figure out a retort.
"Isn't what? I am simply wishing Shinkukage-san to try and keep herself from falling ill like today." Kobayakawa responded as he intertwined his fingers like a certain horrible father that made children pilot alien robots. "I'm a reasonable man, but I have my limits. But it baffles why you see me as if I'm a...villain in superhero stories." He then stated.
"Uh...You...made my...friends come to school when they were..." Asuka struggled out.
"Shirokage-san. There are other students who come to school regardless of their sickness and their home life. To them, school is a safe haven away from that and our guidance counselor is always available to listen to any problem you or friends may be having." Kobayakawa reminded and explained. "I know, I know. It's difficult to ask someone else for help but sometimes you need an adult to help. I have some phone numbers you and your friends can call if you need to." He then added.
"No...No wait...I...I..." Asuka thought as she tried to turn this around. She was losing. Fast.
"Now now, do not take it the wrong way if I wish to push students a little. We just wish for students to be in top shape at all times, so we do not burden our teachers with dealing with additional matters. I just wish for Shinkukage-san to take better care of herself." Kobayakawa lectured, not once taking his eyes off the girl. "As you know, many schools in our country frown upon sick days and many students power through it in order to make the most of their time within their respective environments. You won't be here forever after all." He then pointed out.
"You wish we did though..." Asuka bitterly thought, however she felt so pathetic right now that it sounded like a childish whine to her.
"It's a simple request, Shirokage-san. Nothing that would affect both your lives if you wish to ace your exam again. An impressive display by the way." Kobayakawa informed and praised. "However, if neither of you are willing to live up to our high standards, I'm afraid you'll have to attend another school next semester. Is there anything wrong with caring about my students?" He then rhetorically asked.
The brunette was struck silent. She lost fair and square. "...Yes, sir." Asuka got out in a defeated manner. "I'll tell Homura. I promise." She reluctantly replied.
"Good. Now you better head to class. You don't want to be late after all." Kobayakawa stated before getting back to work.
"...Yes sir." Asuka replied with a bow.
"Thank you. Now have a good day and learn all you can." Kobayakawa replied and advised once more.
With that, Asuka left the room feeling stunned and angry at the same time.
Oh so angry now from experiencing exactly what her friends had to go through.
"...That fat bastard..." Asuka quietly growled out in cold fury as she returned to class, her hands balled into fists as she stormed off.
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Homura shivered before looking around in confusion. "...Hm. I guess that was a draft. Probably should put some more clothes on..." She mumbled to herself after looking at herself in her bra and panties. "...Let's see what's on TV." She soon decided as she turned on the TV.
Homura had been sitting on the couch since her roommate left, and quickly began to get bored. She knew she had to rest and that's what she was doing, but she then came to the realization that there wasn't really much to do in their apartment. No homework, no committee duties, no Asuka...just her, her thoughts and the television.
"In other news, the Phantom Thieves' website has seen a 150% increase in traffic since their calling card was-"
"No..." Homura droned out in boredom as she flipped the channel.
"At Junes, everyday is Customer Appreciation Day. Come see for yourself, and get in touch with our products! Everyday Young Life~! Junes-su~!"
"Nah." The tan skinned girl soon got out, her eye twitching a little as she switched channels.
"If you find this dog, please contact Kirijo Group at 555-"
"Ugh...why is there nothing good going on at 10AM...?" Homura groaned out as she changed the channel once again.
"Up next, Magical Kyoko Flame!"
"Oh, the show Kotegawa-san mentioned yesterday." Homura got out before narrowing her eyes. "...Huh, wouldn't most kids shows play after school...?" She then muttered to herself. "Well, better give it a watch," She soon decided while shrugging her shoulders as she relaxed herself.
Two minutes later...
"I'll solve anything by burning it!"
"Solving problems by burning them..." Homura repeated with interest. "I can relate to that." She then admitted in amusement with a smirk on her face as she continued watching the show.
However, she began to notice a trend.
"That's...That's a lot of panty shots..." Homura muttered out with a sweatdrop. "But...that's in most of these cutesy shows...I think. Or am I thinking of something else...?" She then mumbled to herself. "...God, I'm so lonely..." She soon confessed.
And then the main antagonist appeared on-screen.
"This is a kid's show?" Homura mumbled out as she stared slack-jawed. That outfit the green haired villain was wearing was barely legal! "That looks like something Haruka would wear!" She then added.
"I shall defeat- W-Wait, Yuuki-kun!?"
"Oh crap, you're...I-I'll go and- WAH!"
"That...That couldn't have been scripted." Homura thought as the heroine flailed around while this oranged-haired civilian accidentally groped her boobs. "And they left it in...?" She then added with a sweatdrop.
However, as the episode went on, they managed to spin it into a sort of hostage situation and have Kyoko try and save the boy, despite feeling her chest earlier.
"Why am I feeling so pumped up for this?" Homura wondered in a curious manner, noticing that there was more drama in it then she expected.
FWOOOOSH!
"Man, this is really good CGI! It's like she's actually throwing out fireballs!" Homura got out in awe. "Don't lose Kyoko-chan!" She excitedly cheered on while pumping a fist into the air.
Eventually, the conflict was resolved with Kyoko saving the civilian and defeating the villain.
"Wow, I have to admit, that was an amazing improv. They managed to make it seem like that was in the script..." Homura praised. "I kinda wanna watch more..." She then admitted.
"We'll continue our all-day Kyoko-thon after these commercials."
"..." Homura blinked before letting out an excited squeal. "...A marathon...sweet!" She declared with stars in her eyes.
"This marathon is sponsored by Ra-"
"...I'll watch something else until that's over." Homura quickly decided, muting the channel and took out her phone to enjoy a little cooking show before the marathon resumed. She was still gonna watch the marathon though, feeling her Femininity increasing as a result.
(6/28, Lunchtime)
(Shujin Academy, Rooftop)
Asuka let out a breath once she lockpicked her way to the rooftop, the other Thieves following after her.
"You're pretty good at lockpicking Lady Asuka." Morgana praised from within the Leader's bag.
"If I wasn't, I'd be a terrible shinobi and a thief." Asuka replied as she put away her lockpicking kit.
"That...was fast..." Makoto muttered out in a concerned manner. "But I guess it's expected from shinobi..." She then admitted.
"Why are we here anyways?" Ann had to ask as they entered the rooftop, looking rather uncomfortable.
"Just needed somewhere private, plus we can't call Yusuke-kun and Yumi-chan in the Kekkai." Asuka answered as the Leader called the light grey haired girl for a video chat, who hopefully found their own private place and got the artist to join her.
Soon enough, the two Phantom Thieves members from Kosei appeared on screen, although the video quality left a lot to be desired. "Hello? Is this working correctly? This is the first time I've used this feature..." Yumi asked and informed.
"Well, apart from being a mess of pixels, you're good." Akira replied. Man, the school's internet was pretty shitty.
"So, why did you call a Phantom Thieves meeting?" Yusuke soon questioned.
"It's Principal Megamole McFart." Asuka sighed out. "He's pushing for Homu-nee to attend school more." She then revealed.
"...Aren't you supposed to do that?" Ann pointed out. "I mean, it's one thing to force Makoto to attend school while she was under such stress, but this is Homura we're talking about." She then explained.
"It's the principle of the thing! He's trying to control us! Use me, Homu-nee and Makoto-chan as pawns now in his sick games!" Asuka ranted in a furious manner. "And I don't even get why! He's just a high school principal! Why is he doing all of this to us!?" She then declared and questioned.
"He's basically saying we gotta come in even if we're sick!" Ryuji called out with a growl.
"A lot of students already do that, though. I even did that." Makoto admitted. "No...there's something more to this." She then stated while narrowing her eyes.
"I think he's pushing for us to quit school." Akira guessed, getting everyone to look at him. "I mean, look at us. We're all outcasts and delinquents. People don't like us, or see nothing but the surface. And you know he doesn't have a high opinion of Homura." He then explained.
"But...she's trying to change." Asuka reminded in a mutter while both Student Council Presidents nodded in agreement.
"There's still people talking about her blow up at the start of the year." Ann pointed out. "Even if she is making headway in getting people to trust her, it's not like people are going to forget so easily." She then added.
"Moh..." Asuka got out in a sad tone.
"Besides, there's nothing stopping your principal from merely expelling you. I'm guessing if you were to quit on your own, the school's reputation wouldn't suffer." Yusuke assumed.
"Well he was Kamoshida's actual bitch..." Ryuji growled. "And now he only gives a damn about his own reputation." He then stated.
"And the most frustrating thing about is that he just...he wasn't blunt! He didn't do thinly veiled threats! It just...sounded like he was a reasonable man." Asuka pointed out as she stomped her foot. "I argued with him in his office and even I could tell I sounded like I was overreacting to his demands!"
"He's getting better." Akira got out with a frown. "Probably because he's been working his ass off on making sure the media doesn't catch wind of his involvement." He then guessed.
"He's learning to lie and cheat like a politician…" Makoto concluded with a frown.
"Want another round of What The Eff is His Distortion?" Ryuji soon asked as he pulled out his phone. "Grand prize: First blow to his Shadow's pudgy face~" He then declared.
The not cat was about to say that the best course of action would be to never actually fight Kobayakawa's Shadows, but quickly remembered how much he wanted to scratch his face off. Now more than ever for upsetting one of the ladies he respected. So...
"Forest!" Morgana began.
[Candidate not found]
"City?" Akira suggested.
[Candidate not found]
"Wildlife reserve!" Yusuke called out.
[Candidate not found]
"The place where the Prime Minister lives!" Ryuji suggested.
"You mean the Diet Building Ryuji-san." Yumi corrected.
"And I don't think they live there." Ann pointed out.
[Candidate not found]
"Circus!" Morgana suggested.
[Candidate not found]
"Military base!" Yumi called out.
[Candidate not found]
"Underground city!" Ann suggested.
[Candidate not found]
"Spaceship!" Akira replied.
[Candidate not found]
"...Video game?" Makoto guessed.
[Candidate not found]
"Okay, that was a great effort. We do not have the time to play this game for very long." Akira replied. "Plus, we have a ton of Mementos requests. We can't leave those to wait much longer." He then added.
"How many exactly?" Asuka meanwhile asked.
"That would be..." Akira muttered to himself as he tried to remember the requests from the top of his head. "Three, no four right now."
"Mementos?" Makoto meanwhile repeated in confusion.
"It's easier to explain once you're there. We'll even introduce you to Jose." Yumi replied.
This however just confused the Shujin Student Council President even more, but simply nodded in response.
"Enough about Mementos though, we still haven't figured out the principal's distortion in, what? Two, three weeks now?"
"We have to be missing something." Ann mumbled out.
"Or it's something so out there and specific that there is no possible way we can figure it out without directly knowing something from the principal of Shujin." Yusuke assumed.
"I think our best course of action is obtaining enough info about this man to allow us enough clues to determine his distortion." Yumi advised.
"I guess spying is on our list now." Akira soon stated. "But we don't really have the time right now..." He then pointed out.
"Then let's do it on Saturday after school." Makoto replied. "Then we have all the free time we have. At least, until our curfews." She then added.
"That sounds like a good idea." Asuka responded with a nod. "I'll tell Homu-nee about...this." She then paused as it hit her. "...I really should've called Homu-nee so she'd be in this meeting too, huh?" She awkwardly got out.
"...How are we not caught yet?" Makoto sighed out.
"Adults in power are idiots?" Ryuji suggested.
"Or we're just really, really lucky." Akira pointed out, causing the group to look at him. "I mean, we do have super powers..." He then reminded.
"Ugh, now I get what you and Homu-nee went through with that fatso of a principal Makoto-chan..." Asuka groaned out.
"He'll get what's coming to him Asuka-san." Makoto however reassured. "And it will be glorious in the end." She then stated with a confident smirk.
"Just gotta wait for the public confession." Ryuji reminded. "Then we'll have our target." He then declared.
DING DONG!
"Shit, lunch's over." Ann groaned out as she rubbed her stomach.
"Really, that fast?" Asuka got out in surprise before letting out a sigh.
"Crap, we didn't even eat anything..." Ryuji groaned out. "Energy bar it is, I guess." He then decided.
"We better get going too." Yumi got out. Although they could tell her eye twitched, the assumption being that she heard Yusuke's stomach grumble. "See you later. Yusuke, did you-" She then added as the Leader ended the video chat.
And with that, the Phantom Thieves separated and headed back to class.
(?)
It was getting worse. She could feel it.
It...It was so convincing and so tempting. These days, she could barely sleep.
No, that had to be it. It was just...sleep deprivation. Yeah. She should take a nap and it'll all go away.
M̸̧̡̛̟̠̪̠̬͓̩̯̫͉̠̬͇̱͕̖̼̺̪̞͎͊̅̑̐̍̾̄̾̉͋̌̏͆̔́̐̈́̍́́͘̕͘͘̚͝Ứ̷̧̛̟̖̳͍̗̰̹͙͙͖̲̮̱̘̩̞͈͈̰͙̆̂̋̍̽̄́̓͛̽̓͊͠R̴̡̟̯͉̮͖̳̰͚̦̩͉͚̠̜̠̭̼̖͕̉̃̉͆͗̚͜͝ͅͅD̷̢̧̨͓̯̰͓̯̱̠̙͎̪͔̗͔̤̖͕̪̦̘̭̯͍͓̙̦̝̰̓̔̇̒̈́̀̾̇̚͜E̵͍̣͉͚͕̭̋́̈́R̶̨̰͙̳̮̺̰͍͓̽͆̃͌͗̔̎͝ͅĘ̷̲̩̲̦̖̅͒̚R̴̨̼̦̱͚͕̩͕̭͕̩̮͕̟̦͚̝͍̜̄̈́͑̓͗̈̔́̔́̆̉́̓͐͗́͘̚ͅͅ!̵̢̨̡̧̨͍̩̤̻̫̮͎̼͕͇͙̪͉̽́͋̍̾̓̈́̂͘
̶̪͍͚̘̬̜̳̿̔͋̉͒̃̀̅̍̈́̋̎̾̽̀͊̊͘̚͜͝I̷̲͒T̷̟͈̤͚͋͑͊̓̀͜͜'̸̨̛̛̟̰̭͙͎͙͓̞͚̝̺͇̪̥̣̘̏̄̾̈́̇̐̉̾͊́̎̆̈́͌͛͋̈́͑̈́͆͛͗͌̕̚̚͠Ş̷̨̛̤͕͎̬̬͉͔̝̦̥̗̮͌̿̎̉̑͆̆̏̾̐̈́͊̀͊̾̋̐͒̌̅̇́̀̈́͛̌̊̉̕͝ ̵̢̢̢̩̜̙̟̙̘̹͕̼̮͓̠̺̗̹̺̭̗̫̻̗̤̯͔̟̪́̾̀̏͊̀̑̓̆̌̅̋̊́̚̚͜͜͜A̵̡̯̠͍̭͇̘͖̝̰̦̙̱̠̖̳̙̱̖͉̦̖͍̤̩͂͌͂̀̍͐̂̊́̇̓̔̚̕͜͜͝ͅͅͅͅL̴̨͚̦̱͓̳̳̻̖͇̰͙̘͙̪̜̖̙͔̘̗̱͙̺̫̜̞̞̱̂̚͜L̸̢̨̯̳̯̝͚̩͓̝̝̺͔̗̖̻̤͈̐͒̿́̍̽̈̈́̑̅͆̊̿̒̊̽̆͒̇̃̏̒̽͆̇̈́͆͛̽̓͐̈́͠ͅ ̶̢̧̬̞̞̩̦͕̮̝̠̥̯̖͎͕͈̻̗̗͓̹̟̖̭̝̞͖͜͜͝ͅỶ̵̟̖̱̬͑̐̎̂̌̇̐̈́̀́̀͊̓͊̓͑͗͐͝͝͝Ơ̷̞̟͔̮͇̟̹̹̣̟̏̐́́̾̀͌͐̏͑́̒́̅͌̇̉́̎̃̏̎͐͠͠͝͝U̶̡̳̬̜̟̱̝̤̣͎̦͔̫̺̪͇̓̀̊͒̈́͛̀͒̉́͑͆̂͋͗͑̆͘͝ͅṘ̷̡̢̨̨̛̥̰̬̣͓͇͎̙͎͖̹͈̺͙͖͈͙̹̳̙̫̹̲͙̟̣͛́̈́̅̽̑̓́̆̆̓͌̏̔̇̏̌̇̈́͑͋̌̿̚̚̚̚͜͜͜ ̴̧̻̼̙̘̤͔͖̲͙͎͚̟̥̟͆̓͛̾̄͋̓͜͝͝F̷̧̨̧̢̠̼̠̺̤̺͍̹̥̗̘̼̞͍̭̺͔̠͒͊͛̎͗́̆̃̇͋̿̒̇̔́̋͆̉̌͘̚͜͝͝͝ͅͅĄ̷̛̛̖̦̲̹̞̱̠̙͇̟̏͛̄̇͛̾̂͌͒̅̽̈̍̀͊͂̾̊̒̆̑̐͗͘͘̕̕͠Ȕ̶̢͕̉̊̒͐̓́͛̐̐̈́̌̇̃̀͋̈́͆̔̋̑͑̓͒͠L̵̨̥̞̲͙̲̗͇̳̱̻̙̥̱͙̖͍̩͓̺̦̠̩͒̕T̸̡̯̜͈͙̼͚̞͕͖̯̭͓́͒̀̓͌͐̅͊͘̚͜͝!̸̨̟̬̲́͂̂̕̚
"Shut up...! SHUT UP!" She screamed as she curled up in her seat.
No...No...! This wasn't real!
It was...
It was her burden. She could handle it herself.
She...She...
Î̴̧͕͕͕̤͉̫͇̤̙̞͍̙̟̼̤͖̾̿̈́̔́́͐̍͆͑͐͗̍̕̕͘ͅT̸̡̢̪̋̾̅͜'̵̧̨̧̖̰͙̠̱͉͍̟̘̘͕͔͇͓̩́̍̕͘͜Ş̵̛͖͈͈̙̀̐̓̃̎̀̉̍̇ͅ ̷̧̧̡̢̘͎̠̩̹̙͇͓͔̫̮̻̺͙͎̬͓̳̬̮̭͆́́̓̑͆̓͂̋̍̈́̉̈́̆̀̓̾͜͠A̸̧̢̡̧͎͖̜͉̱̤̘͕͕͎͙̟͕͉͍̟̠̤͍̥̙̭͕͝ͅL̴̡͎̼͓̳͇̪͔̻̖͚̅͆̈́́̓́̄̐͛͋̓̽̒̚̚Ḽ̸̨̦̻͓̻̼͎̻͙̪̝̪̹̰͕̯̥̝́̃̓̿̽̐̀̈́̊͛͛͌̏̿̕͜͠͝ ̴̢̧̡̡̤̟͓̱̭̰̟̪̣̯̬̻͚̪̤̣̱̝̤̯̬̰͚̺͔̬͉̼̭͝Ỹ̵̰̻͉̻̹͙͓̞͜O̸̢̧̥͖͈̬̲̻̖̲̯͖̞͍͈͖͔̮̝͕̩̗̙͙̅͌̇̃̽̿͐͂̿͗̿̂͗́͊͑͛͆̇͒́̈́̓̉̕͠͠͠͝͠͝U̴̼̥̜̬̱̣̥̮̼̭̳̖̬͇̐́͐̉́̏̚͘̚͜͜R̶̡̧̧̨̛̠̞̮̱̟̥̺̳͖̜̩͖͔̱̝̳̲̤̲̖̤͖͎̈́̈̆̾̑̀̉̋̽̽͆̇́̐͂͊͛̒̍͋͂͊̿̌̓͘͜͜͝͝͝ͅ ̸̨̧̡̢̛̦̟͉̱̙̠̮̝̜͎͓͕̳͉͔̦̎͌͑́͆͊͜ͅF̸̣̹̻̙̤̮̝̰͑̽͑͌̄̓̊̀͊͂̇̀͑͛͗̀͘͘̕̚͝͝ͅÄ̸̢̧̺̮͖̹̣͇͈̘̖̻͈̘̼̰̣̮̳̖̳̫̠̑̔̋̇̑̎̇̾͑̎͜Ư̶̢̧̜͉͚̻͕̤̖̫̪̭̣͈̮͈̙͇̄͐̊͛̀̇̊́͒̄͜L̶̩͍̞͇̜̭̣͐̓̐͜͠T̵̢̛̼͕̺̙̜͇̟͉̞̃̍̂̂̑̃̆͐̀͂͑͛̿͊̑̇̇̈́̑̄͘͘͝ FUTABA!
̶̛̣̝̰͕̲̪̩̹͖̻̞͕̱̮͇͈̭͕͖̞͗͒̅̈́̈̅̾́̔̾́͌͂̀̄̋̆̓̉͒͘͠͠͝ͅY̵̰͉̻̜̦̜̅̓̀̌̔̚͝Ǫ̴̡̙̙͚̗̩͙̝̼̝͕͕̖̤͍͈̭̣̫͖͜͝͝ͅͅƯ̸̖̘͐̿̊͂̈́̍́̍̋̈́̒̽̔́̆͊̊̓̈̂̓̿͊̍̔̅̉́͝͠͝ͅ ̶̡̛̼̹̼̗̼̲̲̠̪̦͐̾́̀͗͛͆̀̈́́͐̈́̓̒̆̂̑̀̄̔͆͗̈́̀̿̍͘͘̚͝͝͝S̶̨̛̮͉̭̰͈̰̖͉͔̫͕̬̜̑̎̀̅͛́̀̈́́̏̀͌̂̈́̍́͌̒̕͜͜͝͝͠H̴̨̡̭͍̟̺͓̫̗̺̜̹̖̣͓̯̜͎̩̻̠͎͎̠̝̦̞̺͗̿͋̏͑̇̇̌̀̒̑̋̀̉̈́͐̈́̃̈́̚̕̚͘͜͠͝͝͝Ơ̸̧̧̡̢̧̨̙̳̳̻̪̘̫̻͔͈̜̟͖̮̪̺̠̹̝̰̠̰̭̥͌̈́͂̊̈́͑̐̈́̇̏̊̈̇̌̄͊̉̚̚͘̚͠͝Ȕ̷̧̧̨̢̠͈̙͖̻̱̝̗̹͕͎͉̞̝͙͉͙̺͓̺̜͙̳̤͆̎̀̂͜ͅL̴̡͎̩̥̼̖̹͓̱̬̩̮͎̣̝̮͓̱̙̼̱̝͉̅̆̄́̈̈́̄̄͜͝͝͝Ḑ̴̧̡̛͓͖̟̫̻̳̦̦̬̝̳̙͔̜̞̲̹̯̗͑̿̋̑́̓̂̾̽͗̈̈́̂̏̕̕͠ ̷̢̡̧̦͈̰͈̭͙̮̠̗̩̙̲͚̱͎̙̠͛̒͑̃̽́̉͋̇̃̉̕͜͜͝͝͠ͅH̸̡̛̪͕̀̀͑̑̋̿̿͒̄̃͂̑̂͊̿̍̒́̍̓̽͘͘Ą̷̨͍̩̬͓̰͓̙̞͉̱̦̞͖̯̫̬̭̩̖͔͖͎͖̄̈́̃̎ͅV̷̧̢̧̨̞̻̯̟̠͈̖̹̮̟̘̓͆͐ͅE̸̛̛̛̠̱̮͐͛̓̂̏̌̐͑̍̿̄͛̔̽͗̃̏̂̽́̈̚ ̴̨̻̥͎̫̯̩̪̻̩̯͕͈̞̞̳̉͗̇̔̃͜͝Ṅ̶͉̟̲͈̲͈̘͓̞̈́ͅE̷͍̻̦̳̖̪̤̘̺̫͗̈V̴̧̨̡̩̤̟̣͓̮̮̖̫̞̹͇̜̼͇̖͍̩̯̈́̎̓͛͊̋͝͝É̸̡̨͓͕̤̼̤̬͉̲͎̙̦̰͕̮̰͇̹̖̘̞̩̭͓͕̳̻͈̫͈͛͂̾͋̅͋̃͌́͆͒ͅR̴͍̩̙̉͒̀͌͛͛̅͒̽̈́͑̓́̋̏̈̏̑͗͊͋̓̇̿͐̚͝͝͝͝ ̵̞͍̬͙͓͍̱̩͚͓̰̰͊̀͗̊̐̓͗̓̒̉̎̊̆͌̐̆̎͛͘͠B̷̡̳̦̐̌̉̄̓͊̐̑͋͂̄̏͋͌̕̚ͅE̷͎͈̗̾͘͜Ę̶̢̗̰̜̦̻̗̖͇͙̪̹̹̙̯̤̩̥̤̹̥̓̾̇̅̾̋͗͛̈͑̀͊͗̂͆͛̂̕Ņ̶̡̧̢̥̫̖̳̠͓̫̫͖̩̬̠͙̼̦̲̖͈͒͗̅̔̑̔̈́̊̿͊̐͆̐͆͛̽̋͛́̕̚̚͠ ̸̢̡̢̡̧̬̮͍͍͈̝͖̺̞͖̳̟̭̂̉̂͘ͅͅB̴̢͍͇̺̲͉̥̬͓̞̱̜͓̝̯̟̺̭̘̻͇̯͔̖̮̟͍̝̝͍͎͖͎̿̈̄O̸̢̧͍̹̙͖͉̺͚̜̝̲̝͇̖͙͖̲̱͚͍͗͆͛̂̇̀̅̈́̓͜͠ͅR̴̳͎͎͉̙̰̘̟̅̄̅̊Ǹ̸͔̻͈͕̺̠̬̣̹̝̮̟̼̼͕̠̱̐̔̇͆̒̿͗̈́̿͂̀̈̔̿́̓̌̿̃̆́̂͘̚͝!
"Ngggh...!" She groaned out in pain.
It would go away.
It would never go away.
(6/28, After School)
(Shujin Academy, Classroom)
RING RING RING!
"Aaahhh...Another day of school is over." Akira yawned out as he stretched his limbs. "Well, time to see if Makoto's available." He then thought while standing up.
"Okay then. See you tomorrow?" Asuka replied and asked.
"Yeah. And I really hope we can hang out." Akira responded with a nod.
"I'll make sure I'm free then." Asuka declared with a smile. "Good-bye." She then got out.
"See you later. And tell Homura I hope she's fine." Akira responded as he then left the room.
The Vice Leader then noticed the ash blonde was still packing her bag. "Hey Ann-chan, you wanna go shopping and grab a bite? Ooh! Maybe we could see Shiho-chan instead? It's been a while since I've seen her." Asuka soon suggested some ideas of how they could hang out.
That got the ash blonde's attention as she looked at the brunette and smiled. "We could do both. Shiho hasn't really gone out much since she started her self-defense lessons, so maybe having a sh-shi...I mean, super hot models hanging around might help." Ann responded as she nervously looked around, only to see everyone was completely ignoring them.
"Oh, that sounds great." Asuka replied with a smile. "Come on, before they sell out of crepes!" She then added.
(Shibuya, Big Bang Burger)
The two girls arrived at the fast food restaurant and let out their breaths at the air condition flowing through the place. It was sunny weather today, which made the growing heat worse.
"...We should really try different places to hangout in..." Ann muttered to herself as they sat in the fast food establishment.
"Yeah, but it is a ten minute train ride away..." Asuka pointed out. "And it's cheap." She then added.
"...Eh, I guess that works but we probably should be visiting healthier restaurants." Ann admitted with a slight wince. She had not been dieting at all.
"You could always train with Homu-nee more." Asuka innocently suggested.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything if I keep eating crepes." Ann pointed out before rubbing her stomach. "But they're so damn good..." She then whined. "You're lucky you're so fit Asuka-chan." She soon complimented.
"I have to be. I can't have an ounce of fat on my body!" Asuka proudly stated as she put her hands on her hips...unintentionally thrusting out her boobs.
BOING!
"...Yeah. No ounce of fat." Ann deadpanned with a sweatdrop.
Just then, a girl in a grey hoodie and sunglasses entered the restaurant. However, Ann and Asuka instantly recognised her by her ponytail and her knee brace.
"Hey Ann!" Shiho greeted with a smile as she approached them. "And Asuka, hello." She then added.
"You're looking a lot livelier, Shiho-chan." Asuka greeted back as the former Shujin student sat herself down.
"I should. The last time you saw me was in the hospital." Shiho replied and reminded. "Plus I'm on some anti-depressants and a bunch of other meds I can't remember the names of right now." She then whispered.
"Oh..." Ann and Asuka winced out.
"Oh, don't worry, I've been on them for a while now." Shiho stated off-handedly before taking a sip of her soda. "It actually helps a lot with the nightmares." She soon revealed.
"Erm...that's...that's great. Good to know." Asuka awkwardly responded. "So, how are your studies?" She soon asked.
"Pretty well. I'm being home schooled for now until I move." Shiho revealed. "Still don't know when but it probably won't be much longer." She then added.
"...I'm going to miss you Shiho." Ann muttered out in a sad tone.
However, her best friend just gave her a reassuring smile. "Save that for when I leave." Shiho however requested. "Inaba is going to be something I need for quite a while." She then confessed.
"Oh, so you took Akira-kun's suggestion." Asuka deducted.
"I may have mentioned it to my parents." Shiho hinted with a smile. "It's the perfect place to move to. Fresh air, blue skies, and I heard the grilled steak is good there. Plus, the school I'm planning to go to doesn't have volleyball." She then listed off.
"And thank god for that." Asuka got out with a smile. "Ah, we should've gotten drinks so we could toast to that." She soon realised.
"Let me go and order our food then." Ann offered as she got up from her seat.
"I think I'd rather just have ice-cream right now." Shiho admitted as she wiped off the sweat off her forehead. "It's pretty hot today." She then admitted.
"Then why are you wearing a hoodie?" Asuka got out with a raised eyebrow...before remembering the former gym teacher's confession. "...Oh. Right." She then muttered.
"Yeah, I had a...cold awakening to my situation when I tried to go out a few months back." Shiho awkwardly revealed "I try to stay off the internet too. My...thing is still in circulation, even if by a very reduced amount." She soon added.
"Well, if people are in possession of it, it will lead to their arrest." Asuka pointed out.
"Yeah I know but if I think about it too hard..." Shiho began, only to try and sink into her seat while adjusting her sunglasses.
"It's okay. You're safe here." Asuka whispered out as she tried to calm the girl down. "...The Phantom Thieves have your back."
"Okay, I'm back." Ann got out as she sat down, only to see her friend in such a nervous and withdrawn state. "Shiho?" She soon asked in concern.
"I-I'm fine. Really. Just...couldn't breathe for a second." Shiho sighed out.
"Sorry..." Asuka shamefully apologized.
"No, it's...it's okay. I...I just need something sweet in my system." Shiho replied.
But at that moment...
"Here's your ice cream!" A female employee happily informed as she placed the trays on the table.
"Thank you." Shiho replied in a small voice before taking one of the cones. "Hehehe...lucky the ice cream machine was working today, huh?" She then joked out.
"Yup." Asuka replied as she took her own cone. She was happy Shiho was smiling again.
"Yeah..." Ann responded as she took the last cone. "Oh right. A toast! To Shiho choosing a great place to live." She soon declared.
"Here here!" Asuka cheered.
Shiho smiled as well as they all tapped their cones together before taking licks of their ice cream.
"Aaahhh...Gotta love that mochi flavor." Asuka sighed out in delight.
"Oh right, Ryuji told me you actually ate fake mochi in that Metaverse place you mentioned?" Shiho asked with a giggle.
"I-It was because it became real there..." Asuka awkwardly giggled out. "...Wait, if I exited the Metaverse while it was in my stomach, would it...no, I'd be in the hospital..." She then mumbled to herself with a frown.
"Ugh...that only reminds me of the time Ryuji needed to go toilet there..." Ann groaned out.
"What!?" Shiho got out in shock. "Wait, is that the same place..." She then started.
"Yeah, the castle." Ann answered with a sigh.
"So Ryuji..." Shiho began as her jaw dropped.
"Yep." Asuka and Ann answered at the same time.
"...I don't know if I should be grossed out or give him a high-five." Shiho soon admitted.
"Well, it's the small things that the Phantom Thieves heroes." Asuka stated with a devious smirk.
"Speaking of the Phantom Thieves, I saw that calling card the other day. How did you guys do that?" Shiho had to ask in a quiet tone.
"Hehe, that's a secret Shiho-chan." Asuka whispered with a giggle.
"You and your...uh...job, breaking physics on a daily basis." Shiho sighed out as she shook her head. "Oh, right. You told me Niijima-senpai joined you guys recently, right?" She then asked.
"Yeah. It was...shaky at first, but we all came out fine." Ann awkwardly replied. "Especially now that our target's in jail." She then added.
"Really?" Shiho got out as her eyes widened before leaning in. "And the police haven't said anything about it?" She then asked in concern.
"Yeah. I think they want to destroy his mafia first before making their announcement." Ann assumed. "And try taking the credit for our work..." She then grumbled in annoyance.
"Don't worry, the public knows who really caught that guy." Shiho assured.
"You should be careful if any of his mafia shows up somewhere in Shibuya. They're probably scrambling for all the money they can." Asuka meanwhile warned.
"Hey, ever since I got out of the hospital, I've been learning to defend myself." Shiho however informed. "Plus...I have this!" She then revealed as she took out something.
"!?" To the two Phantom Thieves, to say they were shocked was an understatement.
"Shiho...What is that?" Ann slowly asked.
"My birthday present." Shiho simply replied with a bright smile. "My mom calls it...Raijin." She then revealed.
"...Is that legal?" Ann had to ask as her friend twirled around her dragon-shaped stun gun.
"I dunno, but...I don't think I'm going to complain." Shiho admitted before putting it away. "I also have a sonic alarm. 120 dB of pure, unadulterated demon noises." She then revealed.
"You're slowly becoming a walking arsenal." Ann giggled out. "Want to visit Untouchable afterwards?" She then suggested.
"You mean the airsoft shop?" Shiho asked with a tilt of her head to think about it, however...
"Thieves in a palace...! Full of tales and lies...~
We gotta stake it...! Burn it out~!"
"Ah! I thought I put this on silent!" Shiho yelped out in realization. "Moh! Come on, I'm in the middle of something here, Shikirin." She then muttered.
"Shikirin...?" Ann and Asuka repeated in confusion.
"Ah, it's my friend I made online while I was recovering." Shiho explained as she looked at her phone.
"First I've heard of her." Ann admitted with a frown. "Does she know..." She then asked in concern.
"She's really kind, I swear." Shiho assured as she texted her online friend. "Uh...Just give me a sec." She then got out as she quickly tapped on her phone. Eventually...
"Yahoo Shiho-chi!" A cheery, laid back, valley girl like voice greeted.
Shiho meanwhile giggled in response. "Hey Shikirin." She replied in a tone showing she was already used to who she was talking to.
Her two companions then looked at the girl's phone to see a girl with long wavy blonde hair with red eyes and a beauty mark near her lip as she was wearing some casual summer clothes, however...
"Holy crap she's shacked!" Ann thought with widened eyes before quickly glancing at her friend's boobs. She couldn't be, could she...?
"Wow, she's really pretty." Asuka meanwhile thought.
"Oh, they must be the girls you were talking about the other day, right? Um...Ann and...Homura?" The blonde got out followed by the guess.
"Asuka. Homura is my roommate." Asuka corrected.
"Ah, sorry about that. Shiho-chi only told me that you two have big boobs." Shiki apologized, causing a cloud of despair to go over the brunette's head while Shiho tried to comfort the girl. "Not as big as mine though. The name's Shiki Kōmori, Nice to meetcha." She then confessed and introduced herself.
"Hello Kōmori-san." Ann replied. "So how long have you been in Japan?" She soon asked.
"...What?" Shiki got out in confusion. "Er...all my life. Why?" She then answered and asked back.
"...You're not a foreigner...?" Ann soon got out as she blinked.
"Hehe, are you?" Shiki however countered in a joking manner with a giggle. "Your Japanese is a little shaky~" She then admitted.
"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion.
"M-My Japanese is fine!" Ann exclaimed. Oh God, she acted like those jerks that mistook her nationality.
"Kidding, kidding." Shiki replied while waving it off. "I kinda get why people think that. Especially when they mistake me for a third year." She then added.
"...You're not a third year?" Asuka got out in disbelief.
"Yeah. I'm a first year, baby. Prime of my youth!" Shiki declared as she pumped her fist.
The two soon looked at Shiho, who only giggled and shrugged in response.
"So you and Shiho met online and have been chatting?" Ann asked.
"That's the basics of it." Shiki answered as she let out a sad smile. "I saw that her profile was being flooded with messages, calling her some pretty crappy things, so I sent a DM and well, the rest was history." She then explained.
Ann in turn smiled at that. "So you pulled what Shiho did for me back in Shujin." She soon stated.
"Yeah, I heard about that." Shiki replied as she gave a scowl. "It is so bothersome to be discriminated against because of looks." She then declared in annoyance.
"I know the feeling..." Asuka sighed out as she shifted her bra a little.
"Right?" Shiki replied with a smile.
"What are you doing right now?" Shiho asked as she ate the rest of her ice cream.
"Oh, I'm just taking a break from my job." Shiki replied. "It's such hard work...it leaves me uncomfortable, sweaty and uncomfortably sweaty." She then explained.
"Ah, retail?" Ann guessed.
"Uh...It's more accurate to say labour..." Shiki awkwardly replied. "I gotta do more work here since one of my coworkers is out for a vacation." She then revealed.
"That's mean of them." Asuka got out with a frown. "When they come back, call me and I'll give them a piece of my mind. Everyone has to pull their weight." She then declared.
"Nah, it was a requested vacation and me and the others put her through a lot, so we're alright with it." Shiki replied while playing it off. "We're doing well without her, but it would be nice she was back. Maybe bring our boss along."
"Your boss is also away?" Ann then asked.
"Business trip. A long business trip." Shiki replied. "Ah, gotta go - Murakumo-chi! Hey, I was just taking a small break! - Good-bye, Shiho-chi. Thanks for introducing your friends." She then added.
"Bye." Shiho replied before Shiki hung up. And that's when she checked the time. "Actually, I have to go too. My parents won't let me out for more than two, three hours a day." She then informed and explained.
"I can understand that." Asuka responded with a nod. "But it was nice seeing you again. I really hope Inaba gives you what you need." She then added.
"I hope so too." Shiho replied as she stood up. "Keep fighting the good fight, Asuka-chan. You too, Ann." She then encouraged.
"We will. We won't stop until the world can help itself." Ann replied with a nod of determination. "Bye Shiho. And you better call me when you leave." She then reminded,
"I will." Shiho replied as she put her hood up before heading out.
"That was really nice." Asuka sighed out. "So, what else do you want to do?" She then asked.
"I think...go home." Ann breathed out as she got up from her seat. "I need to get stronger for Shiho and everyone relying on the Thieves. So no more sweets, no more junk food. I won't stop until I have abs." She then declared.
"So your gonna ask Homu-nee for more training?" Asuka had to ask. "Don't overwork her though please." She then requested.
"I'm actually more afraid she'll overwork me to death." Ann awkwardly chuckled out. "But I'll try if I have the time. I'll see you tomorrow, Asuka-chan." She soon replied as she left the restaurant.
"Yeah, see ya Ann-chan." Asuka replied as she started to leave...only to look at the menu. "...It's 500 yen - excuse me, I'd like to take the Big Bang Burger Challenge!" She soon requested.
(Gessen Academy, Elites Room)
The blonde of Gessen had just ended the call on her end as she sighed and looked at her teammate. "Moh, Murakumo-chi, I was talkin' with Shiho-chi." Shiki got out with a pout.
"Oh, that sounds lovely, but have you trained today as per Yumi's training schedule. You know, the one she gave us before she left." Murakumo reminded.
"...No." Shiki breathed out.
"Then GET TO WORK!" Murakumo then ordered before swinging her cleaver at the girl.
"You didn't have to do that!" Shiki called out in annoyance. At that moment, the blonde noticed one of her magazines, only for her eyes to widen as she recognized two of the girls and quickly grabbed it to get a better look. "...EEEEEH!? T-That was Takamaki and Shirokage!" She soon realized as she looked at the most recent fashion magazine she had with stars in her eyes.
"GET BACK TO TRAINING!" Murakumo however ordered again.
"God you're a slave driver with that mask on..." Shiki grumbled out as she pouted again.
"Someone has to be the responsible one around here, and Minori..." Murakumo responded before she then paused as they looked at the youngest of them, who was balancing her bucket on her head while she was chewing on a lollipop, causing the two to sweatdrop. "...She needs a little more experience. Now 100 PUSH-UPS! 100 SIT-UPS!" She then concluded and ordered.
"H-Hai..." Shiki sighed out as she got to training. "Yumi-chi...Yozakura-chi...Please come back...!" She mentally cried out as she started.
(6/28, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
"Ah~ What a good burger that was." Asuka breathed out as she looked at her prize of a badge and a bag of burgers. "I can't believe I beat the challenge this time and got dinner for us." She then added in satisfaction. "...I probably need new bras though..." She however muttered as she looked down and did a small hop.
BOING!
"Moh, what does Big Bang Burger put in the burgers? Or how can they afford to make burgers that big? Katsu-nee would have a field day with those." Asuka thought in slight annoyance, already imaging her friend from Hanzō trying to make everyone else eat the burgers for the sake of making them bigger. "I wonder if there's someone willing who will talk to me about that..." She then asked herself.
(?)
Suddenly, Haru sneezed as she then looked around in confusion. "Achoo! Oh my, was someone talking about me?" She innocently asked.
"Please...No more..." Her latest kidnapper whined in pain before coughing up blood.
"And please be quiet until my saviors arrive." Haru kindly requested before kicking the man, breaking a rib.
"Okumura-san! We're-" Ikaruga exclaimed as she came down from the rafters. "Oh, you took care of it again." She realized.
"It was a mistake for them to give me a chair." Haru giggled out. "Is it safe outside? I really need to get home to do my homework." She then asked and explained.
"Yes, you can go." Ikaruga answered before frowning. "Wait, have you ever wondered why you keep ending up in situations like this? I mean, I've protected the family of other important people before, but you seem to be the most frequent." She then questioned and stated in concern.
Haru in turn winced. "I...might have an idea..." She hesitantly confessed. "Can you take me home? It's faster than walking or by car." She soon requested.
"Of course. I'll have Katsuragi clean up this...dear lord, he needs a hospital..." Ikaruga replied and cringed at the state the man was in as the two began to leave the area. "Are you sure you do not request shinobi training? You would be an Elite candidate for sure." She then asked and confessed.
"Aren't Elites limited to six at a time?" Haru however pointed out. "Plus, I'm not interested in being a shinobi per say. There's more to being a shinobi than being able to fight." She then confessed and explained.
"It would at least limit these kidnapping attempts." Ikaruga pointed out.
"I'm sorry, but I'm happy as a civilian." Haru soon apologized. "Plus, these attempts are one of the few highlights of my daily life." She then added with a smile.
"...That is concerning." Ikaruga admitted with a disturbed look on her face. "Why does your father let you go out alone?"
Haru however just winced again in response. "..." She didn't say any in response.
"...I see." Ikaruga got out with a nod, deciding not to pry any further. "At least he pays us well. Now hop on." She replied and requested.
Nodding to that, Haru got on the ravenette's back and the two vanished in an instant.
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Eventually, the Vice Leader made it to the apartment door as she unlocked and entered. "I'm-" Asuka started to call out, however...
"With my sacred flames, you'll be punished for the sake of justice! Explosion Volley!" Homura declared, still in her underwear, posing in the moonlight.
Asuka went silent as she watched her roommate embrace her inner chuunibyou...and pulled out her phone and started recording it. "Sooooo cute~!" She mentally squealed at the sight with stars in her eyes.
"Magical Kyouko Sexy Flam-" Homura soon got out, before twirling and noticing her roommate at the door, immediately paling. "...Please tell me you're a trick of light." She then begged.
"...Were you just posing and announcing attack is in a cutsy manner Homu-nee?" Asuka however giggled out as she stopped the recording.
"WAH!" Homura yelped out with a pale face. "I-I wasn't doing anything. It was just...training..." She soon declared in a panic before trying to act casual.
"Hmmmm~" Asuka however hummed out in a teasing manner with a cat-like smile on her face.
"...You're never gonna let me live this down, aren't you?" Homura bluntly guessed.
"Nope." Asuka giggled with glints in her eyes. "Good to see you're up and at 'em. Now get dressed, I got free burgers!"
"You took the Big Bang Burger challenge?" Homura guessed.
"Yep and I can still feel it like I'm about to have a heart attack." Asuka proudly stated. "I don't think I'm gonna do that again for a while." She then admitted with a groan. "Not to mention that I think I went up a cup size..." She then sighed out.
"Really? You don't look like it to me..." Homura replied and pointed out while getting her pajamas on. "Heck, after the amount of times I tried that challenge, my boobs should be Suzune-sensei's size." She then confessed as she cupped her breasts in her hands. "Hell, if those burgers did have that effect, Mirai would be feasting on those day and night." She soon declared. "But then with her luck, she'd grow in places that are not her boobs..." She muttered.
"...The Big Bang Burger Challenge is dangerous." Asuka simply concluded.
"Yeah, I wonder if someone died attempting it." Homura replied and wondered. "But then again, if someone did die they wouldn't be continuing the challenge..." She soon pointed out. "Ah damn, the burgers are gonna get cold, let me put on some pants." She muttered as she went and did so.
"Well, that was a day..." Asuka sighed out while relaxing herself. "I wonder what Akira-kun is doing now." She then asked.
(Central Street)
"Does Makoto really need that much help acting like a normal schoolgirl?" Akira wondered out loud. "I mean, I've heard people call her robot but she isn't that bad, right? I don't even see the robot thing."
"I think that speaks more about your character than Makoto's, Joker." Morgana stated. "Gonna take a nap now. Wake me up after your date." He then added.
"It's not really a date." Akira countered. "It's just like hanging out with Ann, Asuka, Yumi and Homura." He added while listing off each girl. "And...Haruka, Mirai, Chihaya...Ohya...Oh God, I need to see Kawakami soon too. And see that shogi player Yusuke mentioned that hangs out at Kanda." He soon sighed out.
"You know so many girls..." Morgana soon stated. "There's a word for that." He then informed.
"What?" Akira got out in confusion and a raised eyebrow. "Uh, friendly?" He assumed.
"No, manwhore." Morgana answered with a deadpan expression, causing the Leader to choke on his spit.
"Ah, Akira-san!" A familiar voice however called out, getting the boy's attention as he turn to see the bluenette approaching him, wearing dark blue yoga pants, a tight, form fitting light blue tank top with cherry blossoms that shows her bellybutton and cleavage, black fingerless gloves and dark blue and white slip-on shoes.
The not cat's eyes immediately widened to the sight of the girl. "Oh wow...she's mew-tiful!" He complimented.
"Oh, wow. Yozakura-san." Akira got out as he eyed at the sight of her workout attire. "Not bad." He then complimented.
"Thank you, Akira-san." Yozakura replied as she smiled brightly. "Tonight feels like it's gonna be a good night to work out." She soon admitted.
"Yeah, sure does. I'm definitely going to work up a sweat." Akira responded in agreement.
"Um...You're going to workout in those clothes?" Yozakura soon asked in confusion.
"No, I brought my gym uniform with me." Akira replied.
"Then let's go." Yozakura replied with a smile, getting a nod from the boy as the two entered the gym.
Unaware that a familiar light grey haired girl was watching from a distance.
(Protein Lovers)
Akira let out a breath as he did his best to keep the bag still and given the girl's strength, it was a workout in and of itself.
"Hey! Careful with the new bags!" One of the employees ordered.
"We are! Don't worry!" Akira called back before feeling the air being knocked out of his lungs. "Oof! I could feel it through here." He grunted out.
"HA! YAH! SEI!" Yozakura grunted as she delivered one heavy blow after another.
WHAM! BAM! WHAM!
"Not bad." Akira got out as he held the other side of the punching bag.
"Thank you...Akira-san." Yozakura panted out with a nod while still punching at the punching bag.
"Yumi mentioned you were a fan of punching." Akira pointed out. "Plan to be a boxer or something?" He then asked, feigning ignorance to the girl's actual occupation.
"I wouldn't necessarily say that. It's more like that I wanted to show how a lady uses her fists, and look good while doing it." Yozakura answered while using her arm to wipe away some sweat.
"Well you do look good doing it." Akira complimented, resisting the urge to stare directly at her wildly moving breasts.
"I appreciate your words, Akira-san." Yozakura replied as she nodded.
"Not a problem." Akira responded as the bluenette kept punching the bag with gusto. "Yumi also mentioned you got a thing against kicks." He then added.
"That's because kicks are for men and girls that have no shame! It truly devalues their state of being!" Yozakura exclaimed with passion.
"Then what about girls that practice in aikido and taekwondo?" Akira however pointed out.
"While I do appreciate them using punches in their practices, I still believe that kicking devalues them in my eyes." Yozakura answered with a stern expression.
Akira meanwhile sweatdropped. "Did...something happen between you and kicks? Did someone kick your puppy or something?" He awkwardly asked.
Yozakura stopped punching for a moment and lowered her head. "When I was still a little girl, one of my siblings had a run-in with a bully and I had to step in as I'm the oldest daughter of my family. I was able to hold him off, but then, out of nowhere, he kicked me in the stomach so hard that I vomited and fell to my knees." She explained.
Akira in turn winced to that as he could imagine the pain she felt. "Ok, but uh...shouldn't you blame the person kicking you rather than the action of kicking?" He replied and asked. "I mean, kicks are used for many forms of martial arts and leg strength is crucial for all of them. Don't skip leg day, Yozakura-san." He then explained and advised.
Yozakura however didn't say anything as she punched the punching bag so hard that the chain snapped off and embedded itself into the wall.
Akira meanwhile gulped nervously to the display. "Sorry." He soon apologized.
"It's fine." Yozakura responded.
"You get what I mean though right?" Akira soon asked.
"Hai, but that still doesn't change the fact that those who use kicks have no shame. Real feminine women punch their problems away rather than kick them." Yozakura stated as she nodded in a stern manner.
Akira however sighed to that. "Save for when a girl kicks a sleazy guy in the nuts..." He muttered.
"No. Not even that. You must feel their testicles pop with your hands." Yozakrua stated as she crushed the imaginary gonads in her hand.
"..." Akira eventually wasn't able to respond as he looked at the girl.
"Hmph. I figured that you wouldn't understand." Yozakura soon accused as she crossed her arms.
Akira however shook his head in response. "No, I get what you're saying to some degree..." He corrected. "Although the logic is questionable at best..." He mentally added.
"But?" Yozakura got out with a raised eyebrow.
"Because I was convicted for a crime I didn't commit." Akira answered her while taking off his glasses.
"Eh?" Yozakura got out, confused and shocked by the sudden confession as her eyes widened.
"Surprised?" Akira quipped.
Yozakura meanwhile could only nod in response.
"Yeah, the justice system didn't really help me." Akira sighed.
"How...did it happen?" Yozakura hesitantly asked.
"I'd rather not." Akira stated. "It's something I'd rather leave in the past, and I'm sick of having to tell it."
"Didn't I tell you about my past?" Yozakura reminded with a frown as she crossed her arms under her chest. "I think it's your turn, Akira-san. You seem to get a lot of people to open up, but not yourself." She soon requested.
"Look, I've only known you for a couple of days. This is the first time we've actually hung out for an extended period of time." Akira however pointed out.
"You can trust me. I promise not to tell anyone else." Yozakura promised as she held the boy's hands. "No one's here to listen in on us after all." She then added.
"Well, it's not much of a secret. It's just I hope you don't pity me." Akira explained with a frown. "It's too late to do anything about it so if you say I'm sorry, then that will be the end of our evening together." He then stated.
"Why?" Yozakura asked in confusion.
"Because the last thing I need is pity." Akira answered in a serious tone.
"Akira-kun," Yozakura got out, slightly offended by the accusation. "I promise I won't pity you." She soon stated.
"Are you sure?" Akira questioned.
"I promise." Yozakura replied in a serious tone, before noticing how close she was to the boy's face and backed off. "Now tell me." She once more requested.
Akira let out a sigh. "I tried to stop a woman getting raped, turns out the guy had some connections and got me arrested for assault instead. Okay? End of tragic backstory." He soon explained in the most simplified manner he could.
As a result of learning this, Yozakura was speechless as she looked at the boy with widened eyes. "Akira-san..." She breathed out in a sympathetic tone.
"I'm feeling an I'm sorry right now..." Akira got out through gritted teeth.
The bluenette in response shook her head. "No way, I just...What type of person would convict someone like you? You're just..." Yozakura replied. "They can't do that! We need to fight against that!" She then declared in anger.
"Unfortunately, justice doesn't really work that way." Akira sighed out as he looked up at the ceiling. "Guy was too powerful. Even managed to convince his victim to testify against me out of fear. Rushed my trial and shipped me off here for the year." He then revealed.
"That's..." Yozakura started before trailing off, not able to deny his words.
"I used to trust the system, you know? I thought that it worked and that it would protect people like me. And then it was used against me." Akira confessed and admitted as he got his glasses back on. "But I guess that's what you get here in Japan. Stupid 99% conviction rate, my ass..." He then grumbled out as he leaned against the punching bag.
"Yeah..." Yozakura depressingly replied.
"Now people twisted the truth to the point where they only see me as someone with blood on their hands." Akira declared as he glanced at his hands, imagining red gloves on them that represented blood. "People can be cruel, you know." He then added.
"People without any form of light..." Yozakura muttered as she eyed the new sandbag that was prepared as they were talking while the one she punched into the wall was being removed. "So whatever happened to that man?" She soon asked as she turned to face him.
"I'm not sure, he's probably long gone or enjoying his time on a fancy yacht." Akira responded as he shrugged his shoulders. "And don't bother asking me if I remember anything about him. It was dark that night so there was no chance in hell I could identify him." He then revealed.
"Well, I hope at one point he gets his comeuppance." Yozakura soon declared. "A nice boy like you did not deserve this treatment." She then added.
"I try to be." Akira replied with a kind smile. "Besides, they can think whatever they want. As long as they don't get in my way, I'm content with the life I have now." He then added.
Yozakura nodded at first, however quickly remembered the life of a civilian was much more different from hers. "But...You'll never get a decent job with a record like that. You'll be forced onto the street and-" She soon began.
"And I have friends to back me up. If that never happened, I wouldn't have met them in the first place." Akira interrupted with a smile. "Plus, Tokyo is way more exciting than the sticks." He then admitted.
"Making the best out of a bad situation." Yozakura realized before smiling. "That's quite an admirable trait." She soon confessed in an impressed manner.
"They don't call me Joker for nothing." Akira cooly informed in a confident manner. "...You never heard anyone call me that, huh?" He awkwardly guessed.
"No." Yozakura replied with a shake of her head. "So...does Yumi know what happened to you?" She soon asked in a curious manner.
"Yeah." Akira replied with a nod. "We've been through a lot in the short time we've known each other and, well, she's a little nosey." He then explained.
Yozakura in turn couldn't help but giggle in response. "She is, isn't she?" She replied in amusement.
"Yumi is amazing in her own way, though." Akira soon admitted, his mind wandering back to her awakening. "She's a lot stronger than she looks, you know?" He then added.
"I know." Yozakura replied. "...But just in case her strength isn't enough...take care of her." She soon requested.
"Why trust me?" Akira soon asked.
"I don't know but...for some reason...I can see you standing up even after you've been beaten to the ground." Yozakura replied. "You are...someone I feel like I can truly trust." She then explained.
"Enough with the flattery." Akira chuckled out.
Yozakura in response blushed. "W-Well, more so than most boys our age..." She mumbled out. "H-Honestly, the only boys I've interacted with before were my younger brothers..." She then admitted.
"So, what do you think of me then? As a boy around the same age?" Akira soon questioned in a curious manner as he went in closer.
Yozakura blushed even more as her entire face went red as steam came out from her ears. "W-Well...uh..." She stammered out as she pressed her fingers together nervously.
"Hm?" Akira hummed out.
"I...believe that you aren't like what most people say about you." Yozakura managed to answer. "You're not some kind of criminal as they say, but someone who was convicted unjustified." She then stated.
Akira in turn smiled at that.
Yozakura, however, was so embarrassed that she covered her face with her hands and turned away with her face now completely red. "I-In any case, w-what do you t-think of me?" She soon asked, an obvious stammer in her voice.
"Hmm? What do I think of you?" Akira repeated as he raised an eyebrow.
"H-Hai...y-you got me curious..." Yozakura soon confessed while poking her finger tips together. "I-I mean, you must think I'm stubborn with me being against kicks..." She then added. "...Do boys like girls that kick?" She meanwhile thought to herself in budding curiosity before shaking her head and blushed even more.
"I wouldn't necessarily say that. I believe that boys like girls who have a nice personality and a good sense of humor, as cliché as that sounds." Akira answered. "But it mostly depends on what kind of girl a boy likes to see in, not just because of their looks. Sometimes they can have common interests or they can be just complete opposites of each other." He then explained.
"R-Really?" Yozakura asked, surprised by the answer that was given.
"Yeah, I mean, that's what I've heard." Akira answered with a hand behind his head. "Like I said, it mostly just depends on what a boy likes to see in a girl and vice versa for the girls." He then explained.
"I see..." Yozakura replied with a nod, now feeling more relieved. "Sorry about that, I told Yumi last night we would be hanging out and she kept teasing me saying this was a date basically." She then apologized and explained the reason.
"I guess she's not technically wrong, in a way." Akira admitted as he shrugged his shoulders "Though that it kinda surreal hearing her tease you about this being a date." He soon added. "...Do you consider this a date?" He then asked with an amused grin.
Yozakura immediately blushed again to the question. "A-Akira-kun!" She squeaked out.
"Relax, I was just joking." Akira requested as he chuckled at her reaction. "Though I wasn't really expecting that mousey response from you." He then admitted.
"M-Mousey!?" Yozakura got out in a meek manner.
"Yeah, it's cute." Akira honestly confessed.
This causes Yozakura to burst into a red cloud with her face even redder than ever from hearing a boy saying that her mousey response was cute. "H-How about we s-spar for a bit?" She suddenly suggested.
"Yeah, sure." Akira replied and nodded as he got himself into a boxing stance.
"B-Better be sure to hold back..." Yozakura thought, getting into her fighting stance before going in.
WHAM!
(Central Street)
"Hoo...! There's the medicine kicking in." Akira got out as they walked out of the pharmacy dressed in their casual clothes. "Takemi's medicine is definitely better." He then thought as he felt the Sikkenine EX lower his defense.
"Erm...are you okay? I didn't hurt you too bad?" Yozakura asked in concern as she put away her wallet.
"Well, you could've held back just a little! Ow!" Akira whined out before grunting in pain as he held his back.
"I was actually quite surprised by your skill, Akira-kun." Yozakura admitted. He was actually a lot faster and stronger than he appeared, although he was still no match for her.
"Thanks, I think." Akira replied. He felt as though his Guts had improved as well as his Health and Spirit Pool from both training and sparring with the girl. "You know what they say: No pain, no gain! Ow..." He then added before wincing.
"Maybe a little less pain." Yozakura giggled out before sighing. "Tomorrow is my last day in town." She soon reminded herself.
"Right. You need to study for exams." Akira replied with a nod. "You can't visit over the summer, can you?" He then guessed.
Yozakura in turn shook her head in disappointment. "No, sorry but I have...other matters I must attend to. I can no longer take such breaks." She replied and informed.
"Ah, that's too bad." Akira muttered out as he looked up towards the sky. "...You should probably spend your last day with Yumi." He then suggested.
"I plan to tomorrow." Yozakura replied once more with a nod and a smile.
GRRRRRR!
However at that very moment, their stomachs growled.
Yozakura quickly blushed to that while Akira just chuckled.
"I-I guess we worked up an appetite." Yozakura got out in embarrassment.
"Are you up for dinner and a movie then? My treat since you're leaving after tomorrow and I would like to spend some more time with you if you're up to it." Akira soon offered.
"Sure!" Yozakura immediately responded before she could stop herself.
"Great." Akira replied. "So, movie or dinner first?" He then asked.
"I believe dinner first." Yozakura answered him.
"As you wish milady." Akira cooly replied as he offered to take her hand with a smirk on his face.
"Oh, quite the gentleman, you are." Yozakura giggled as she accepted while taking his hand. "Wow, his hand feels so smooth." She meanwhile thought.
"Her hand feels so soft despite all the punching she does. Though I can also feel her muscles in her hand." Akira thought to himself, impressed by the girl's physique. "Why thank you, Yozakura-chan." He soon replied.
Yozakura blushed from that and giggled more."It's not a problem." She replied. "So, do you know somewhere good to get something to eat?" She then asked.
"I think I know a place." Akira responded as he then winked at her.
"Really now?" Yozakura asked in a curious manner.
"Yeah. There's a diner not too far from here that might have rice crackers." Akira replied.
"Then I'll follow your lead." Yozakura decided.
"Ok. Then let's go." Akira responded, nodding as he led her to the diner.
A distance away, Yumi watched as her two friends headed out and away from the gym. "Oh, how surprising Yozakura-san." She thought to herself in a curious yet surprised manner as she noticed the two holding hands.
"What movie do you want to watch after dinner?" She soon heard Akira ask.
"Bullmetal Wizard!" Yumi soon heard Yozakura answer with a smile on her face.
"I better not pry." Yumi thought. "Hopefully they can maintain a long-distance friendship." She then added in her head.
Right...friendship...
However, Yumi soon began to frown as she watched her female friend leaning in on her male friend in a way as if she was cuddling up to him before actually began cuddling up to him by holding onto his arm. "Yozakura-san...you..." She breathed out, her eyes wide at the sight while also seeing a smile of obvious admiration on her friend's face.
What was this feeling...? It was in her chest and somewhat unpleasant but...
Oh, maybe she was just sleepy. Or hungry. Or both.
Time to head home.
"Manwhore." A familiar voice grumbled out.
That caused the light grey haired girl to jump as she looked around. "W-What?" Yumi squeaked out as she looked down. "Morgana?" She got out in confusion.
"Lady Yumi." Morgana greeted with a smile. "Nothing. Hey, do you mind taking me to a sushi place?" He soon requested.
"...Only the reasonably priced ones." Yumi sighed out.
"That means cheap…" Morgana whined as he jumped onto the girl's shoulder as she headed for the nearest sushi place.
Save Game…Quit!
Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:
Leadership- Outspoken (Level 2)
Knowledge- Informed (Level 2)
Proficiency- Decent (Level 2)
Diligence- Strong (Level 3)
Courage- Brave (Level 3)
Homura/Yang's Development Stats:
Maturity- Managed (Level 3)
Knowledge- Expert (Level 3)
Femininity- Effeminate (Level 2)
Elegance- Disciplined (Level 3)
Understanding- Generous (Level 3)
Whew! Done! Confidants next chapter! Woo!
UknownHero signing off, my friends!