Senran Persona: Ninjas of Hearts

by UknownHero

Collab with JGResidentEvil and VividMind17. Fate can be an interesting thing within life. It can bring unexpected changes that no one can truly see. For two girls, those that were destined to be rivals between good and evil, changed under the masks of rebellion to forge their own true paths. Now get up and stand your ground because these sexy ninjas are gonna steal your heart!

99. Working Things Out

This is it! The penultimate chapter before the beach episode! UknownHero here, and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! Thank you to everyone who has stuck around since the beginning, or are just starting to realise how stupidly long this fic is. We are approaching two million soon, and maybe we're gonna hit three million if we're crazy enough.

I would like to point out that this fic is bigger than most books. Like, we're already way past the Harry Potter series.

Hey! This story has a TV Tropes page! I wanna see more tropes!

Onto the reviews! To hoodini5569: We're getting to the point where Akira will meet the Neo Hebijo girls, I promise. They're coming up in a few chapters. To Felipe1402XZA: Well, prepare to feel even more pain because I'm gonna out myself and say that the Tokusatsu shows I've watched were Power Rangers (Shit to the Turbo! And Dino Thunder) and Kamen Rider on Cartoon Network…and hated it. To Autistic-Grizzly: Haruka isn't in a relationship with Akira. She wasn't even planned to have such a significant prominence in the story past her visit but JG likes her so much she's now a central character in the story.

Anyways, that's it. Time to workout and work out some issues.

Load Game…Start!

---

Chapter 99: Working Things Out

---

(8/27, Early Morning)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Aaaahhh..." The step-sisters breathed out, rubbing their satisfied bellies after a very filling breakfast this warm yet lovely morning.

"Bacon, eggs, toast..." Homura listed off before wiping her mouth of crumbs. "Not exactly the healthiest breakfast, but it's a classic for a reason." She then added.

"You can steam bacon and eggs to get rid of the oil..." Asuka pointed out as she leaned back in her seat, letting her food digest. "Steamed bacon isn't that bad, especially when it's streaky bacon." She then explained

"Eh, I prefer mine crispy. But I'd like to try some time." The tan skinned girl admitted.

"Okay." The Vice Leader sighed.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Homura asked.

"Hmmm..." Asuka hummed out as she tilted her head to think about it. "I think I'll go see Ann-chan. I'm sure she isn't doing anything too important." She soon decided. "How about you, Homu-neechan?" She then asked.

"...I'm gonna go pick up a hobby." Homura soon revealed. "I feel like I haven't really had anything to do by myself other than stay at home, watch TV and read. If everyone's busy, I feel so lost. I wanna do something for myself, you know?" She then confessed and explained.

"What are you thinking about?" Asuka questioned in a curious tone.

"Erm..." Homura soon blushed as she realized something."I'm gonna have to get back to you on that one." She then added.

"Ehehehe...I'm sure you'll find something." Asuka assured. "I'm gonna go out into the city and check out the shops, see if they have anything." She then decided.

"Alright. Just don't spend too much out there, okay?" Homura replied and reminded.

"I won't." Asuka got out as she began taking the empty plates, only for Homura to take it off her hands.

"I'll clean the dishes for you. You go ahead and enjoy your day out." Homura ordered as she took the dishes to the sink.

"Thanks Homu-neechan." Asuka replied with a grin. "I'll see you tonight! Love you!" She then called out as she began to leave.

"Love you too!" Homura responded before letting out a happy sigh and looking out the window. "This is the life, isn't it?" She then murmured to herself before turning on the water.

---

(Hebijo Base)

BOING! BOING! BOING! BOING!

"Jeez, wouldn't it have killed Haruka to buy a tighter top?" Bebeby remarked. "They're flopping all over the place!" The plushie then added.

"But...I like it..." Murasaki confessed inbetween pants. "I feel...active...wearing this..." She then added.

"I'm still surprised you woke up early this time. 5AM is early for ya." Bebeby then remarked.

"I...just...felt...the...urge to..." Murasaki panted out. "Not...sure...why..." She then admitted.

"...I think you're developing a new kink." Bebeby bluntly stated. "Also, how many is this now?" The plushie soon asked.

"One hundred and thirty-one...one hundred and thirty-two...one hundred and thirty-three...one hundred and thirty-four..." Murasaki informed as she counted off while doing push-ups.

Meanwhile, the plushie sat on the girl's back as she continued counting. "Oi, don't push yourself too far." The plushie advised.

Murasaki kept doing her push-ups with a serious expression on her face. "But...you...were...right..." She panted out. "I...am...pathetic..." She soon confessed as she kept going. "One hundred and forty...one hundred and forty-one...one hundred and forty-two..." She continued counting.

"And now you decide to listen to me?" Bebeby remarked.

"One hundred and forty-seven...one hundred and forty-eight...one hundred and forty-nine...One hundred...and fifty..." Murasaki concluded, ending her push-up session, collapsing to the ground, her breasts cushioning the fall. "Ohhh..." She groaned.

"You're gonna feel that in a few hours." Bebeby remarked. "And the average shinobi can at least do two hundred without breaking a sweat." The plushie then reminded.

"I'm...getting...there..." Murasaki wheezed as she crawled her way to the bathroom. "Water..." She mumbled.

"Watching you crawl like that is even making me tired." Bebeby deadpanned just as the purplette reached the shower and turned on the water.

SPLASH!

"Aaaaahhh..." Murasaki sighed in relief as nicely cooled water poured all over her and her outfit.

"And you just showered an hour ago." Bebeby remarked. "You're gonna have to let that dry now." The plushie added.

"My body...feels like lead..." Murasaki mumbled. "...I really am...pathetic..." She groaned.

"But less pathetic than you were yesterday. This is only the beginning to becoming somewhat competent." Bebeby remarked.

"U-Urgh..." Murasaki groaned. "I wanna...go back...to my room..." She soon admitted.

"Too late to think about that now." Bebeby countered. "It's your fault for leaving it in the first place. The only person you can blame is yourself." The plushie then added.

"I know..." Murasaki responded. "But can't...I get better...without all the pain..." She then added.

"You know that it'll never happen." Bebeby replied. "A life without struggle isn't a life worth living and you, my stupid barely-former hikki-NEET, have been living that life for too long." The plushie soon advised.

"Hai..." Murasaki responded, slowly feeling some of her energy returning. "Hmm..." She hummed out.

"Hey, wasn't there a thing happening soon?" Bebeby recalled.

"Eh?" Murasaki got out in confusion...before her eyes widened. "...AHHHHHHH!" She soon suddenly screamed as she instinctively got to her feet.

"You don't need to scream!" Bebeby scolded. "What was that thing again?" The plushie soon asked.

"T-The next entry of Dead End Aegis! I-It's releasing at the end of the month!" Murasaki exclaimed in a panic while flailing her arms.

"...Seriously? That's it?" Bebeby bluntly asked. "You're panicking over a game." The plushie then stated.

"It's a physical-only release!" Murasaki exclaimed as she got to her feet. "And the only copies are in Akihabara..." She then added as she began shivering.

"Oh...that's also the reason why you decided to come here. Such a pain-in-the-ass release..." Bebeby grumbled. "Well, you have three more days until then! Make it count or die trying!" The plushie then ordered. "And hey, you're already back on your feet. Progress!" The plushie soon noted.

The purplette's eyes soon widened as she finally realized her position. "H-Hai!" Murasaki responded before turning off the shower and getting back to doing her workout, now even more determined to be able to go outside.

---

(8/27, Daytime)

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

Akira, Futaba, Ryuji and Yusuke were currently sitting on a vacant table in the cafe, with Sojiro behind the counter still on his shift and catering to other customers present in the cafe.

"So, what should we do today?" Yusuke started out as he observed their situation right now.

"Let's see... Wanna eat together?" Ryuji suggested. "Y'know, like how we had hot pot that one time."

"Hot pot..." Futaba muttered in her thoughts with contemplating eyes. "Oh man, it's been long since the last time I had hot pot." She then added in her head, wishing to try it once again one day.

"That may be a good idea. It'll be a great way to strengthen our intrasquad friendships." Yusuke agreed and pointed out.

"I-I can do that!" The orangette called out with a slight stammer at the start.

"OK, I'll take a cola and an omelet with rice." Ryuji got out, turning to the cafe owner. "Oh, and make that a large, please." He then added.

"I'd like the same." Yusuke added.

"Okay, then, do you have any money?" Akira had to ask, already knowing the answer.

"No, but this is for Futaba's sake." Yusuke admitted...

GRRR...

...Before everyone sweatdropped. "...Fine. You owe me, got it?" Ryuji sighed as she pulled out his wallet.

"I want the same. Extra large." Futaba requested.

Akira nodded before pulling out his phone.

Soon enough, the food was delivered and the Thieves enjoyed their lunch, although it was a shock to see someone as small as Futaba putting away so much food in so little time.

"Ahhhhh, I ate loads!" Futaba breathed out as she rubbed her belly.

"Damn, Futaba! I'm impressed!" Ryuji got out.

"Indeed, your appetite is quite nice to see." Yusuke complimented. "I much prefer that to women who don't eat a lot." He then admitted.

"Going for a cheap date, huh?" Akira joked.

" ...You'd better not be hitting on me, Inari." Futaba suddenly got out in an accusatory tone.

This instantly stunned the young artist. "How rude!" He exclaimed, sounding quite offended.

"Sojirooo, help meee!" Futaba whined.

"Will you stop that!?" Yusuke demanded.

As the orangette and artist bickered, Ryuji realized something. "So does that mean...her training's goin' good?" He assumed.

"I'd say so." Akira replied with an amused smile.

"Let's go with that then..." Yusuke sighed while shaking his head.

"Hey, let me make you guys some after-meal coffee. It's on me." Sojiro meanwhile offered.

"Thank you." Yusuke got out in a grateful manner.

"You know it." Akira replied with a nod.

"I want iced cocoa!" Futaba called out.

Sojiro nodded before focusing on the dyed blond. "You can't handle bitter stuff, right? Iced cocoa sound good?" He assumed.

"Yeah, definitely! Extra cold, please." Ryuji requested.

"Like...with more ice?" Akira assumed with a raised eyebrow.

RING! RING!

"Welcome to- what the hell?" Sojiro began before asking with a raised eyebrow.

Coming through the door was the tan skinned girl, carrying a queen-sized bed - mattress and all - and was carefully moving through the place without destroying anything.

"'Cuse me, pardon me, comin' through." Homura casually got out as she awkwardly shuffled through the cafe.

"...What the hell is that?" Ryuji got out in belief.

"Akira's new bed. No more milk crates." Homura simply replied, quickly shifting so that one of the bed's legs didn't whack the dyed blond in the face.

"...How the hell did you buy that?" Akira soon asked, surprised at the sight.

"Cheaply." Homura answered before going upstairs.

"...She's pretty strong to be able to lift that with ease by herself." Sojiro admitted in an impressed manner. "What do these girls eat these days...?" He then mumbled under his breath.

"You...don't mind?" Yusuke questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Well...I'll allow it." Sojiro replied. "Make the kid's stay a little comfortable." He then added.

"Aw, you do care." Akira quipped with a smirk.

"Just making sure you don't go crazy." Sojiro stated.

"Too late." The Thieves couldn't help but think.

"...Is no one going to question that she built the bed before coming here?" Futaba deadpanned.

"...DAMMIT!" They suddenly heard the tan skinned girl curse from upstairs, causing them all to sweatdrop.

---

(Shibuya, Diner)

The Vice Leader soon arrived as she sat herself down at an open booth. "Welcome." The waitress greeted. "What would you like to have?" She soon asked.

"Um...just a Frui-Tea, thanks." Asuka replied.

"Coming right up." The waitress responded, writing down the order and leaving.

Asuka let out a breath and leaned back in her seat. She had been shopping around for a few hours and picked up some cute and cool stuff to bring home

"Someone left a magazine here..." Asuka muttered. Specifically, it was one of the magazines she modeled for. She couldn't help herself and grabbed it so she had something to do while her order was being made.

It wasn't a current issue, it was the one released in May. She spotted a few photos of Ann in there, but she was not really the focus of them. Still, it was nice to see her. Suddenly, it hit her.

"I've never actually read any of the articles..." Asuka realized as she flipped through the magazine. The only things she had paid attention to were the photos of herself and the ash blonde. Picking a page at random, she started reading the first thing that caught her attention.

"Why Did I Become A Model

Well, it was a really difficult part of my life. I felt like I was trapped in my old job, waiting out the day and hoping for something better tomorrow. What made it bearable were my parents, siblings and the friends I managed to make. Going out on nights in the town and making the most out of our meager wages.

But then I discovered Vague and suddenly a whole new world opened up to me.

I followed Vague for years until I decided that I was done with my dead end job, and applied for an interview. I got the job, but ended up as a part-timer. It was great, but the money just wasn't there. I still needed to go to my day job just to pay rent and I had to stay beautiful almost 24/7, so I didn't get to go out much.

But then my beautician came up to me and told me that there was a full-time position available.

However, it required the hiree to move to Kyoto, and that was hours away, practically across the country.

But I knew I couldn't pass it up and took it, putting in my two weeks notice the next day.

Unfortunately, my 'friends' and 'family' didn't like it and turned their back on me just because I was pursuing my dream. I thought they were really my friends, but now I see they just wanted someone to entertain them.

Well, who's laughing now? I'm traveling the world, going to fancy parties and eating caviar almost every day alone while they're all wasting their lives in Takayama.

Who needs friends when you have a life worth living, I say."

Asuka winced at those last harsh words before shaking her head. No, she could handle it...right?

But...what if her duties clashed? What if her friends both at work and on the field needed her? She didn't want to abandon either. Becoming the best shinobi was already extremely difficult, but having her duties to modeling on top of that was...hard.

"But...I'm just a part-timer." Asuka reminded herself. "I can do it whenever." She then added.

But what if she wanted to go full-time? What if she was good enough to go international and needed to travel to attend fashion shows around the world? Would that mean giving up being a shinobi? Giving up being a Phantom Thief? Giving up all her friends she's made just to pursue a dream she only had a few months ago?

Was she really willing to sacrifice everything she had for something so...selfish?

Would she...become like the woman in the magazine?

"Asuka?" A familiar voice called out.

"Eh?" Asuka responded, losing her focus from the magazine to see a familiar ash blonde. "Ah, Ann-chan. You're here." She got out.

"You did call me. Sorry I wasn't here sooner, I had to organize my closet." Ann replied and apologized while explaining why she was late.

"I don't mind." Asuka responded as she shook her head. "I already ordered something for myself though." She then informed.

"It's okay. I just ate earlier." Ann got out before spotting the magazine in her fellow model's hand. "Hey, is that the May issue?"

"Uh, yeah." Asuka replied while handing her friend the magazine.

"Wow. It feels so long ago." Ann muttered, looking a little nostalgic as she flipped through the magazine. "It was that month I called you to fill in for someone." She then remembered.

"Yeah, at Tokyo Sky Tower." Asuka soon reminded.

"You've come so far, you know?" Ann pointed out with a grin.

The Vice Leader meanwhile winced. "Hai..." She hesitantly responded with a nod.

"Asuka-chan, I can tell you're worried about something." Ann detected as she leaned forward and placed her hand over her friend's. "Talk to me." She insisted.

"Ann-chan...if you had the chance to become a full-time model, would you take it?" Asuka soon asked.

"I mean, I'm practically a shoe-in once I graduate." Ann replied in a sheepish manner.

"But...what if you needed to leave?" Ann eventually asked. "To...go somewhere far away, and you won't see any of us again. Would you still take it?" She then added in a hesitant tone.

"...I...I probably would, honestly." Ann admitted a little too quickly for Asuka's liking.

"Eh?" Asuka felt like all the air left her lungs. She wanted such a different answer.

"As much as not seeing you guys would hurt, I'd probably still go through with it." The ash blonde continued to clarify. "But that doesn't mean I'll just forget you guys or throw you away. I'll call, I'll videochat, I'll find a way to make things work."

"But...what if you can't?" Asuka soon pressed.

"Asuka-chan..." Ann got out, becoming increasingly concerned for the Vice Leader.

"I just...I don't know if I can be everything I wanna be." Asuka soon confessed, confusing the ash blonde. "I...I'm just one person with one life, and with everything going on, I...I'm thinking about my future. About what happens after." She then stated and began explaining.

"That's still a long ways away." Ann however reminded.

"But I have to start thinking about it now." Asuka soon stated. "I...I can't be a shinobi if I'm needed for a shoot, and I can't be a model if there's a mission I need to complete. Saying that I can do both sounds so easy but...you know how much both takes over your life." She then started.

"I-It does not-"

"You have to stay beautiful. No matter what." Asuka interrupted, clenching her fists. "What if I get a scar on my face in a fight? What if I lose a limb? What if I go blind? It would ruin...everything!" She then began to freak out.

"Asuka-chan, you're overthinking this." Ann got out with a frown.

"Being a shinobi isn't just a job!" Asuka soon declared in frustration. "No matter what you or Akira-kun says, I can't just stop! I can't do both! I can't...I can't...I just can't..." She soon added before trailing off with fear in her voice.

"I feel like we've had these talks before..." Ann awkwardly muttered.

"I-I just don't know..." Asuka once more confessed. "But it's just...you say it like being shinobi is just a part-time job that I can quit at any moment..." She then reminded.

"What brought this thing up?" Ann eventually asked

"In that." Asuka responded as she pointed to the magazine.

"Huh?" Ann got out in confusion before looking at the article mentioned. "Oh...I know who wrote that. Her family and friends weren't exactly the greatest people. She's actually happier that she cut them out of her life, even if it is going to her head now." She replied and revealed.

"See?" Asuka got out as she dropped her head.

"But that's not you." Ann however stated. "That's not your situation. That isn't your life." She then reminded.

"But-" Asuka began.

"You shouldn't compare your life to others." Ann however stated, interrupting her friend. "You're happy, you're safe, and you're surrounded by people who love you. What's to complain about?" She then listed off and eventually asked.

"You say that, but you have no idea what it's like..." Asuka mumbled.

"I'm a Phantom Thief, a student, a model, and training my ass off to stand up to shinobi of all things." Ann however reminded. "I think I have the gist of it." She then added while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Still..." Asuka started with uneasiness. "It feels risky..." She then admitted.

"Life is all about risks." Ann soon stated. "So what if it doesn't work out? It's a lesson learned and you can do better next time." She then added.

"And if I screw up and I...I lose everyone?" Asuka soon questioned.

"You won't. You and us, we aren't that type of people. We're together until the end." Ann soon declared in a serious yet reassuring tone.

"Here's your drink, miss." The waitress informed, placing the drink on the table before noticing the ash blonde. "Oh, another customer. Would you like anything?" She got out and asked.

"I'll have what my friend is having." Ann simply requested.

"Frui-Tea it is. It'll be here in a few minutes." The waitress replied and informed with a nod.

"Thanks." Ann replied as the waitress left before sighing. "Asuka, you are an amazing model and shinobi. You could totally make it in both worlds." She then encouraged.

"It doesn't feel like I can though." Asuka however confessed.

"That's because you're having another crisis of faith in yourself." Ann responded, surprising the girl. "You are good enough to do what you want, but you're worrying so much that you can't think straight. And if you can't...we'll be there to pick you up no matter what."

"...Will you really be there?" Asuka eventually asked.

"I wouldn't even let my own death stop me." Ann soon declared. "...I might wanna start making recordings..." She then muttered under her breath.

"Ann-chan..." Asuka breathed out as she looked at her friend.

"No, stop talking." Ann ordered as she shut the other girl's mouth. "Enjoy the moment. It's like that one quote: Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." She then stated.

"...Isn't that quote from a gardener?" Asuka soon pointed out.

"...Wait, it is?" Ann blinked in surprise.

"Uh...Alice Morse Earle?" Asuka informed as she dug up that particular lesson.

"Why would you know that?" Ann had to ask.

"Jii-chan used this quote, but he told me it was in a movie about pandas..." Asuka mumbled, causing the ash blonde to laugh.

Eventually, Ann's drink arrived and they soon began to have some small talk, focusing away from heavier topics like the Phantom Thieves and the future. It was just them living in the moment.

Asuka took a sip of her drink before placing it back on the table and looked at the other girl. "Hey Ann-chan?" She began in a solemn tone.

The ash blonde in response placed her cup down as she looked at her friend. "Hmm? What's up?" Ann replied in an innocent manner.

The brunette locked her fingers together. "Well...I've honestly been thinking a lot about something too." Asuka soon started.

This in turn caused the ash blonde to tilt her head. "About what?" Ann soon asked.

"...About...being both a great Shinobi and being a top model." Asuka answered in a serious tone.

To that, Ann gave the other girl her full attention.

The brunette however shook her head to that. "Never mind. It's stupid, I know. I'll just drop it." Asuka refuted.

Ann however giggled at that. "Come on Asuka-chan, we've been friends for this long now and I did get you into your modeling career." She reminded. "So what's up?" She once again asked.

"Well..." Asuka started while brushing her bangs away from her face.

Ann merely leaned forwards as she waited in a curious manner.

Asuka soon took a deep breath. "It's just that after you introduced me into becoming a model, I've now grown to love it just as much as being a shinobi." The brunette confessed. "Now there's two different dreams I want to reach for...and I'm not sure which one I should choose. I don't know whether I should just drop being a model or not while also still training to be a Shinobi like my mom and grandparents." She then revealed.

The ash blonde meanwhile stayed silent to that as she looked on and listened to her friend's confession.

Asuka then rested her head onto her hands while leaning on the table. "I'm just not sure on which to choose. I love being a model just as much as being a shinobi, but I don't want to pick one over the other. I'm just so confused right now." She admitted in a slightly depressed tone.

Ann in turn nodded to that as she looked at her friend. "Ok...so what do you like about being a shinobi and a model?" She soon asked. "List off the best of each." She then requested.

Asuka soon sighed and nodded. "Well, as a shinobi, I can help those who are in need. I handle tasks that are too dangerous for normal people. I can infiltrate enemy bases without being seen. And I can fight enemies to protect the people I care about." She explained in a proud tone as a small smile graced her face.

Ann simply nodded to that as she allowed her friend to continue.

"Now as for being a model, it's like I'm a different person." Asuka soon revealed. "I get to try out different clothes, I get to meet new people. And I can finally show off my more natural look." She then added.

Ann in turn nodded to that. "I think I know how it feels, Asuka-chan. With you as a shinobi, you get to do work like we do as the Phantom Thieves as we work in the shadows, but as a model, it gives you the chance to be out in the open with more freedom." She deducted.

The brunette soon nodded to that. "Yeah! That's exactly it, Ann-chan!" Asuka excitedly replied in agreement.

Ann then hummed to that as she went into a thinking position while crossing her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. "Hmm..." She got out, pondering over the situation. "Well you could just continue doing both." She soon suggested as she opened her eyes. "Being both a shinobi and a model I mean. It's not like its not allowed or anything." She then added.

Asuka rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, that's true but can I really do both at the same time? It seems like it's really hard." She soon admitted.

"Well, I know you can do it." Ann replied with a smile.

The brunette however was surprised by that encouragement. "You really think so?" Asuka asked as she looked up at her friend.

Ann in turn nodded to that. "Yeah, you're already pretty amazing as is." She reminded with a wink.

Asuka in turn smiled softly at this. "Thank you Ann-chan. I'm happy to hear that from you." She replied in a grateful manner.

"Not a problem, I just know you can be both a model and a shinobi." Ann then encouraged.

"Yeah, I believe so too." Asuka replied in agreement with a nod. "And I know that you and everyone would be rooting for me." She then added.

Ann also nodded in agreement to that. "Of course they would Asuka-chan." She replied in an encouraging manner.

Asuka merely smiled at this. "I'm glad. I wouldn't have become a model if it wasn't for you encouraging me to come out of my comfort zone." She admitted. "I mean I was a little nervous at first about being in front of the camera, but after that shot we did, I'm now more willing to appear on camera." She soon revealed.

"And look where you are now. You've become really famous as a result." Ann then reminded as the two began giggling in an amusing manner. "So, no regrets Asuka-chan?" She soon asked.

The brunette merely shook her head to that. "Not one bit Ann-chan." Asuka answered. "I don't have any regrets." She then declared.

Ann just smiled as she looked at her friend. "So, glad I gave you the idea?" She soon asked.

"Yeah, I'm really glad that you did." Asuka replied as she nodded. "If you hadn't, then I don't think I'd be outside of my comfort zone. Being a modal might be really fun while I can still train to be a shinobi. Doing both at the same time might be tough at first, but I'm sure I can find a way to make it work." She began as she then looked over to the ash blonde. "And I'm glad you brought me into being a model Ann-chan. I might be more confident about my appearance and being in front of the camera, but if you hadn't made me take the chance, things might've been different than how they are now." She soon revealed in a solemn yet grateful tone.

Ann in turn smiled softly. "Well I just thought basically you could do more in life besides staying in the shadows like you mentioned. I mean you may have been a Good Shinobi, but you deserve to be out in the light as a human being." She then admitted.

Asuka soon enough looked at her hands for a moment before clutching them. "Yeah, you're right Ann-chan. I may be a shinobi, but I'm a human being first. I think a lot of that was lost since the feudal era when ninjas were around and were always on the job." She replied in a serious tone.

"Right, and now like the others, you're more than just a shinobi." Ann reminded.

"Yeah, I'm more than a shinobi that went to Hanzō Academy." Asuka replied with a nod. "I'm also a student at Shujin Academy, a girl with her own needs and now I'm an up and coming modal with even bigger dreams." She then stated.

"Yeah, and the two of us have our secret occupation." Ann then added with a smile. "Members of the Phantom Thieves." She whispered.

"Yeah. Phantom Thieves as well." Asuka whispered in agreement. "We protect the innocent by stealing the hearts of those who abuse their power for personal gain." She continued. "They think that they can do whatever they want because they have the power to do so, but they couldn't be further from the truth. Once they're knocked down from their pedestal, they're just as pathetic as the ones they've been abusing or taking advantage of." She then stated in a serious tone.

Ann in turn smirked in agreement to that. "Couldn't have said it better myself Vice Leader." She replied.

Asuka smirked as well before giving her a wink. "Hehe~" She giggled out. "Thanks Ann-chan." She replied.

Ann merely giggled. "No problem, it's what friends are for." She responded.

Asuka in turn nodded. "Yeah. And I wouldn't have it any other way." She solemnly replied with a smile.

Ann could only smile at that as the two continued their friendly chat.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Takemi's Clinic)

Another day after another late night of research about something that should be done by people who had more funding. Takemi yawned into the reception as she downed the rest of her coffee before going to the coffee maker to get another cup. They couldn't go out and get a coffee and Leblanc all the time. "Haruka, did you manage to secure the deal with Kirijo Group?" She asked as she watched the black gold pour into her I Cure Bitches mug.

"Yes. They're giving us additional funding." Haruka replied as she put down the clinic's phone. "It's nowhere near the billions, since we are just two people, but I've managed to get enough to buy a new vortex mixer next month." She then revealed.

"That's good. Cancer research isn't exactly a cheap endeavor." Takemi mumbled. "By the way, I looked into those...pink beansprout samples you brought in. They seem to have a...strange cellular makeup." She soon informed.

"Strange how?" Haruka soon asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The cellular growth is staggering, and continues despite having nothing to feed on. It's possible that it's storing more energy than necessary into its cells and releasing it when it lacks the nutrients it needs, allowing it to continue growing until it finds a new source of nutrients to use." Takemi answered. "Hmm...if you can somehow replicate it and modify it to attack cancer cells..." She then muttered in a fascinated tone.

"Wait...what are you saying?" Haruka eventually questioned.

"I'm not saying these beansprouts are a cure, far from it, but if we manage to figure out how it's doing it and then modify it..." Takemi soon pointed out before trailing off.

"...Then we just cured cancer." Haruka breathed out in realization.

"Maybe." Takemi replied with a small grin. "It's still a long way to go though...maybe ten years before a real breakthrough, another twenty to perfect it, and then there's the issue of making sure it's effective on all DNA. And this is all just an educated deduction without any real testing. We're not revealing this to the medical world until we have some real proof." She then stated.

"But it's still something!" Haruka got out in an excited tone.

"Yes, but there have also been several other supposed potential cures but none of them seem to have anything coming from it." Takemi responded. "Either way, we should keep researching." She then ordered.

"Hai." Haruka responded as she then went back to the front desk, only to see a light gray haired girl waiting patiently. "O-Oh, welcome to the clinic. Do you have an appointment?" She soon greeted and asked.

Yumi scratched her cheek. "Erm, no. But I would like an exam." She responded and requested.

"What type of exam?" Takemi got out with a raised eyebrow.

"I think I got bit by a Widow." The gray haired girl muttered as she rubbed her neck.

"Excuse me?" Haruka got out in confusion.

"Come in, I'll make sure it isn't anything dangerous." Takemi got out as she ushered the girl into the consultation room. "Haruka, please continue what you were doing before. I'd like some privacy." She soon ordered.

"Hai, sensei." Haruka responded before looking at the gray haired girl's body...particularly her butt and thighs. "Hm, you remind me of my friend...physically." She remarked.

"Physically?" Yumi innocently repeated.

"Don't worry about her." Takemi however deadpanned before shutting the door behind her. "Please take a seat on the bed here." She then instructed.

"Hai." Yumi responded before doing as such.

The doctor soon relaxed herself as she looked at the girl. "You finally showed up." Takemi noted.

"Well, I wanted to get a medical check-up before something important. I can't have any sickness debilitating my performance." Yumi responded and explained.

"I understand that. Can't let you Thieves get sick." Takemi responded with a nod. "Sneezes would give away your position. Now, name and age?" She then asked as she grabbed her clipboard.

"Yumi Tsukikaze. 17." Yumi answered.

"Take any drugs or smoke?" Takemi continued as she put that info down.

"Absolutely not." the gray haired girl replied with a shake of her head.

"Are you a shinobi?" The doctor casually questioned.

"Yes." Yumi responded with a nod, knowing that the woman knew about them.

"Alright, now I need you to strip and put on this gown." Takemi instructed.

"Hai." Yumi nodded before stripping out of her clothes. Soon enough, they were going through all the standard physical tests. Her three sizes, her weight, her body temperature...

"Hmm..." Takemi eventually hummed with a frown as she read the temperature of the thermometer. "Your temperature is a little...abnormal." She soon revealed.

"Abnormal?" Yumi repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Tsukikaze-san." Takemi began as she went over to her drawer. "I need to accurately measure your temperature if I'm going to give you a clean bill of health." She then informed as she held up another, thinner thermometer.

"Oh..." Yumi got out as she realized what it required of her. "Um...will that involve...?" She then began to ask.

"Yes, unless you say no." Takemi answered as she dexterously twirled her thermometer around. "There are other methods but this is the most accurate." She then stated.

"I...I see...Well, I understand this is for the good of my health." Yumi responded before bending over. "Please be quick." She then requested.

"Good to have a willing patient. Not everyone likes these sorts of things and usually needs convincing." Takmei remarked.

"P-Please don't hesitate, doc- Aaahhhnnnn~" Yumi assured before letting out a...very weird noise.

"What was that?" Takemi got out with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing!" Yumi instantly responded with a hot red blush on her face.

Takemi frowned before shaking her head. No need to embarrass the poor girl any further. "Hm...Your body temperature is below normal, yet you don't show any negative effects ..." the doctor soon revealed.

"I don't feel cold though..." Yumi groaned, the blush still on her face. "P-Please take it out now..." She then requested.

Takemi did as requested and quickly started sterilizing the thermometer. "I don't know what had happened to you to allow such a thing not to bother you, so I won't ask. You have a clean bill of health."

"T-Thank you." Yumi replied before sitting down on the bed, squeaking a little as her butt met the padding.

"Now, do you have any questions?" Takemi eventually asked.

"Well..." Yumi began. "Can you become...cuter?" She soon asked.

"...Yumi, I'm not a plastic surgeon." Takemi stated with a sigh.

"No! I mean, can you become cuter through the use of...special medicine." Yumi soon asked.

"...What?" Takemi responded.

"Can I get a special drug that will make me cuter?" Yumi once more asked.

"No." Takemi bluntly answered.

"But why?" Yumi questioned.

"Because cuteness is subjective." Takemi casually informed.

"Take that back! Cuteness is eternal! Cuteness shall never die! Cuteness will create a better world!" Yumi demanded and declared with passion before calming down. "Ahem. Eventually." She then added.

"You don't seem to understand, Yumi-san. There is no drug that will increase your cuteness." Takemi then groaned.

"But I've seen a few idols that radiate cuteness!" Yumi informed in an excited manner. "Maybe there might be something that can do that." She then added.

"Yumi, those girls put countless hours of work into looking how they are." Takemi however stated. "Cuteness isn't something you can just increase like a video game stat. Cuteness must be earned." She soon informed. "...I can't believe what I just said." She then sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

The light gray haired girl's eyes widened before closing her eyes. "...You are right, Takemi-sensei. I should gain cuteness naturally." Yumi got out. "I mean, I must not end up like you." She then added.

"...What?" Takemi however asked, not sure if she heard right.

"I-I am sorry, Takemi-sensei. But you are not very cute in my eyes. Your aesthetic actually displeases me." Yumi soon confessed. "Your hair looks straight out of a bowling alley, the paint on your nails do not bring out anything but your crow's feet, your dress is stuck in the mid-2000s, your stand-offish attitude is quite unpleasant for a doctor and just overall you seem a little...slutty." She then added.

"..." Takemi soon looked at the girl in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, but it is the truth." Yumi stated.

"..." Takemi's eye soon twitched as she looked at the girl.

"...Do I have to pay for this?" The gray haired little shit soon asked.

"Get out." Takemi ordered.

"Thank you, Takemi-sensei." Yumi got out with a curt nod before leaving the clinic.

---

(8/27, Evening)

(Shinjuku, New Moon Apartment Complex)

The light gray haired girl was pacing back and forth while on her phone, already in her pajamas after a long day.

Before she visited Takemi's clinic, it was more training, more practicing, more learning as she made sure to nail down every single thing she had to do at her debut. Despite Inoue's insistence that she was perfect, she knew she had a long way to go. Although, after visiting the clinic, she immediately went home to rest and clean up. By the time the sun went down, she had gotten a call from her favorite (well, only) mentor.

"Yosh, it's going to be time soon." Yumi muttered with a smile.

"Yeah, I can't wait for it! I even bought my own ticket." Rise replied and revealed.

"Hm? I thought you would be able to get one for free." Yumi hummed out and reminded.

"Nope! Got mine fair and square." Rise responded. "I wanna support you in any way I can! Even if it means waiting two hours for the page to load." She then explained.

"Rise-san..." Yumi breathed out, amazed by those words. "Thank you, your support is very much appreciated. Thank you for taking me under your wing." She then added in a grateful tone.

"Ah it's no problem." Rise replied. "You're gonna do great." She then declared.

"Your encouragement is wonderful." Yumi responded. "I shall show the world that cuteness is justice!" She then declared.

"Is that going to be your thing from now on?" Rise soon asked with a giggle

"Yes." Yumi replied with a nod. "It's getting late. I should head to bed soon." She then informed.

"Sure. I won't keep you up. Keep practicing, and good night." Rise responded and instructed.

"Good night." Yumi replied as she hung up with a giddy smile on her face. "To think such a thing would happen at a chance encounter."

BZZT! BZZT!

"And that must be the Thief chat." Yumi sighed as she opened the IM.

[Shut7heFUp: Hey, whaddya think we should do about the beach trip?]

[Shut7heFUp: Does it look like she can go soon?]

[Sweetkat06: Well, she HAS started to talk a lot more.]

[FireGirl20: And she isn't afraid of being in a group.]

[Road2Queen: She's made great progress compared to how she was at the beginning.]

[All4Painting: Thoughts, Futaba? Will you be able to do this tomorrow perhaps?]

[Alibaba9: Tomorrow!?]

[Alibaba9: That's too soon!]

[Alibaba9: I wanna prepare myself.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Don't push it.]

[DarkEyeXI: Calm down Futaba.]

[Alibaba9: Hmm...]

(...)

[Alibaba9: I should be good if it's the day after tomorrow. I think?]

[Alibaba9: We'll go the day after tomorrow then!]

[SushiRoll23: The 29th. Got it.]

[FireGirl20: After that, there'll only be one more day of summer. Damn...]

[Road2Queen: ...Homura, there are 31 days in August.]

[FireGirl20: Whoops.]

[Negative8Degrees: We will just have to make the most of it then.]

[Road2Queen: Just let us know if you aren't up for it, Futaba. OK?]

[Alibaba9: It's all right. I can do this.]

"I really hope Futaba-san can handle it." Yumi sighed as she put away her phone and crawled into her futon. "A new era is about to unfold for all of us." She then got out before drifting to sleep.

---

(8/28, Early Morning)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Another day, another breakfast at the Shirokage-Shinkukage apartment.

"Oh, I forgot to ask yesterday." Asuka gasped. "Did you find a hobby?" She soon asked.

"Well...no." Homura sheepishly answered. "The first thing that came to mind was something called gunpla. But they turned out to be way too expensive, so I decided to go shopping instead. Went to Kichijoji and they were having a sale, so...I bought a bed." She then explained.

"Oh, you got one for Akira-kun?" Asuka assumed.

"Bingo." Homura replied with a snap of her fingers and a playful wink. "Of course, it doesn't have any covers, blankets or big pillows but it's way more comfortable than those milk crates and can fit two people." She then added.

"...Why would Akira-kun share his bed with someone?" Asuka innocently asked.

"Meh, it's never too bad to have extra room." Homura answered with a shrug. "Too bad they didn't have any extra. We could sleep on something together." She then added in disappointment.

"But I like having our futons together." Asuka pointed out.

"Ah, you know what I mean Sis." Homura replied as she rubbed her head. "Eh, besides, beds take up too much room." She then added.

"Yeah." Asuka responded with a nod. "So, what do you want to do today? Wanna try another hobby?" She soon asked and suggested.

Homura soon sighed. "I'm gonna go see Ann." She soon decided, taking out her phone and sending a quick text.

"Ok!" Asuka replied. "I'll be going to Leblanc again to make sure Futaba-chan's doing well." She then informed.

"Good luck." Homura responded before the two went back to their breakfast.

---

(8/28, Daytime)

(Yongen-Jaya, Takemi's Clinic)

Haruka let out a sigh, tapping her fingers on the reception desk as she waited for someone to come through the door. Currently it was her's sensei turn to work on their Cancer research, so she had to man the front desk. She was already lucky she had gotten coffee from Leblanc earlier so she was going to stay awake for the next few hours, but she wasn't expecting anyone to come in any time soon.

"Maybe I should treat Murasaki-chan to some." Haruka thought to herself with a smile.

It was right then the door opened, with a familiar face walking in. "Huh, so this is the place..." The white haired woman muttered.

"Miyabi?" Haruka got out, perking up at the sight.

The white haired woman blinked as she noticed the blonde. "...This is where you work?" Miyabi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Always a pleasure to see you too, Miyabi-san." Haruka responded in a sweet tone. "Now, do you have an appointment with Takemi-sensei?" She then asked.

"...Oh yeah, you were supposed to be here to steal her medicine." Miyabi recalled.

"Steal my what?" Tae repeated as she came into the reception area.

"I said, didn't you steal that look from My Elemental Lover?" Miyabi corrected without missing a beat.

Takemi glared at the woman, but didn't want to say anything about it. "Why are you here, miss?" She soon asked.

"Uh...I got bitten by a Serpent." Miyabi recited.

"Ah." Takemi responded with a nod.

"Hm?" Haruka hummed out with a raised eyebrow. "Isn't that-" She started.

"I have anti-venom. Come with me." Tae meanwhile ordered as she pushed the woman into the consultation room. Once they were inside, the doctor grabbed her clipboard and started preparing the papers. "You took a while to come, you know?" She noted.

"Yeah, well...I had nothing to do today." Miyabi awkwardly admitted.

"Clearly. Age and name?" Takemi responded and instructed.

"Miyabi Kurayami. 21 years old." The white haired woman answered.

The doctor in response nodded as she narrowed her eyes. "Are you a shinobi?" Takemi questioned in a serious tone.

This however surprised the white haired woman. "How did you-" Miyabi began.

"Your teammates told me. It's fine, and let's be honest you'll probably need a doctor in the know in the future." Tae pointed out.

"...Yes." Miyabi sighed.

"Do you smoke or drink?" the doctor continued questioning.

"Hell no." Miyabi responded as she shook her head.

"Alright, start stripping." Takemi soon ordered.

To that, Miyabi nodded as she did as instructed and got down to her bra and panties. She had been through enough medical examinations to know this was routine.

And so, Takemi went through all the standard physical examination tests, the white haired woman barely paying attention other than doing what the doctor ordered. By the time she refocused, it was almost finished, but the doctor had some concerns.

"Give it to me straight, doc." Miyabi got out.

"Well, your muscle atrophy isn't as bad as I thought. You're just as healthy as any woman your age. Maybe even stronger." Takemi informed. "Although, I never heard of hair color changing from trauma and not old age." She then admitted.

"It's been a while since I woke up. I've trained a lot since then." Miyabi stated as she flexed her muscles.

"So, you're 21 right?" Takemi asked, to which the white haired woman nodded. "...Have you seen a gynecologist for a pap smear?" She soon asked.

"A what?" Miyabi got out in confusion before remembering what her childhood friend told her after she woke up. "Wait...Oh, yeah! That. I believe they did it during my coma. I shouldn't develop anything bad." She then casually answered.

Takemi simply...blinked. "...Ignoring how horrendously illegal that is..." She mumbled under her breath. "You're perfectly fine apart from one thing..." She then informed and started.

"Hm?" Miyabi hummed in concern as she got herself dressed.

"There's something about your left arm..." Takemi muttered before going to her drawers. "It's still perfectly fine but there's something I'm concerned about..." She then stated and revealed.

"What is it, doc?" Miyabi soon asked.

"Well, there seems to be a...difference in blood pressure between your arms. And there's a little discoloration in your veins." Tae informed with a frown. "I just need a sample of your blood." She then requested as she pulled out a syringe.

"!" Miyabi's eye immediately twitched as her body began shivering. "Get that thing away from me!" She hissed out.

"It's just a needle!" Takemi soon assured.

"I WILL STAB YOU, BITCH!" Miyabi growled out as she prepared to pull out a kunai. "Get any closer and you're getting it in the box!" She then threatened.

"...Give me a second." Takemi sighed before leaving the room.

Miyabi looked confused with a raised eyebrow before deciding to focus to see if she could hear the conversation between the doctor and her assistant.

"...And that's the gist of it. I don't know how to deal with this..."

"It's simple. Must I remind you that there is a tried and true method to dealing with unruly patients."

"...Where did you get that?"

"Home."

"...Why am I not surprised?"

Soon enough, Takemi came back into the room with Haruka in tow.

"Um...is there something wrong?" The white haired woman had to ask.

The two doctors gave each other a look before nodding. "Hold her down, Haruka." Takemi dispassionately ordered.

"Yes, sensei!" Haruka replied, looking almost excited...or aroused with a gleam in her eyes. There was a lot of overlap between those expressions.

"Wait what?" Miyabi dumbly managed to get out before...

SLAM!

"Keep her steady. Squirming too much will make me hit an artery unsafely." Takemi calmly advised, making sure the syringe was ready.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU FOR THIS, BITCH!" Miyabi growled.

"Hey, doctor's orders~" Haruka sang out as she strapped the woman down. They both noted that she was having too much fun with this.

"No! NO! DON'T YOU EFFIN' DARE!" Miyabi yelped and demanded before...

SNAP!

Takemi blinked at the tip of the syringe snapped on the woman's skin. "That's...concerning." She confessed in shock.

"Hah! No needle!" Miyabi cheered.

"Use this one." Haruka casually offered as she handed the doctor one of her own. "Should penetrate her skin. Don't worry, it's sterilized."

"...I'm not gonna question why you carry these around." Takemi deadpanned. "Now, stay calm. It'll only be a pinch."

"FUCK YOU!" Miyabi swore. And that's when the doctor went in for the kill. "AH!" She yelped out.

Takemi didn't respond, simply drawing out the necessary blood she needed from the woman from both arms. "See? It wasn't so bad." The doctor got out as she began releasing the bonds that held the white haired woman down. "Thank you, Haruka." She then added in relief.

"You're welcome, sensei." Haruka responded with a bow.

"I feel violated." Miyabi groaned.

"Now, let's see..." The doctor began as she and the blonde looked at the blood, however...

"Oh my..." Haruka got out with widened eyes.

"Your...Your blood is purple." Takemi informed, not quite believing what she was seeing. "Only in your left arm. Your right arm, and presumably the rest of your body, has red blood. This...This is concerning..." She then stated.

Miyabi meanwhile was sweating nervously when she heard that. That was something she didn't know about. "Good god, what the hell did Blood Riot do!? This is the first I heard about this!" She thought in a panic.

"I'll need to send this to a lab to test it and figure out what's happening." Takemi soon stated. "It should only take a few days before I get the results, however I am requesting you to visit regularly. Once a month at the very least." She then informed and instructed in a serious manner.

"I'll make sure to come in then." Miyabi assured with a nod.

"Well, you've actually behaved better than your friends." Takemi got out with a pleasant smile. "I'll be glad to see you again." She then added.

"Thank you." The white haired woman got out.

"...But you did insult my style of dress..." the doctor began, sounding somewhat playful.

"Hey, there's a lot worse shit I could say about you." Miyabi countered.

SHATTER!

"...I feel like I misspoke." Miyabi admitted.

"Get out." Takemi deadpanned her order.

"See you next month." Miyabi replied as she left the clinic.

"So Haruka, how do you know her?" The doctor sighed out and asked.

"She...is a classmate." the doctor-in-training answered. "Now, can I please get back to my research?" She then requested.

"Sure. I'll man the counter for a few hours." Takemi responded with a nod, allowing the blonde to head to the back room to continue her pursuits.

---

(Shibuya, Underground Mall)

Ann was waiting in the mall as she looked at her phone to check the time. She puts her phone back in her pocket as she continues waiting for someone. "Geez, what's taking Homura so long? I told her to meet me here." She sighed out.

"ANN!" A familiar voice called out as the ash blonde turned around to see Homura running towards her. "Sorry I'm so late! The train was so crowded and I got caught in the rush hour!" She panted as she explained.

Ann soon giggled in response. "No biggie, it happens." She replied while waving it off. "So, up for some more femininity training?" She soon asked. "I heard you've been trying to get some more fashionable clothes yourself." She then added.

"Yeah, I've been trying to make myself more feminine." Homura responded with a nod as she stood back up. "Since you know more about it than I do, I wanted your help in finding more clothes for me." She then added.

Ann in turn smiled. "Leave it to me!" She replied with confidence. "And don't worry, I'll pay this time." She then offered.

Homura breath a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Ann. You're a lifesaver. We're on a budget right now, so I can't buy anything too expensive." Shesoon responded.

"Especially after that crappy mascot job incident you had?" Ann guessed with a sweatdrop.

"Yeah, especially that one. It paid decently, but being in that costume is just murder." Homura sighed out with a nod. "Those kids actually managed to knock me over and climbed on top of me. One of them accidentally groped my breasts and I tried very hard not to react." She then revealed.

Ann in turn winced at that. "Ouch. That had to suck." She replied. "Well, you're not working there now, so let's go!" She replied and decided as she took the tan skinned girl's hand.

"Yeah! Lead the way!" Homura nodded as they headed for the clothes store.

Soon, the two began their shopping spree as the ash blonde kept an eye on the tan skinned girl while she evaluated the clothes that were picked out.

Eventually...

"Whoa! Those clothes look great on you, Homura!" Ann praised with a smile on her face.

The tan skinned girl in mention meanwhile was looking at herself in the mirror as she examined the clothes she was wearing, a red form fitting t-shirt with a white jacket that didn't cover her stomach and an open denim skirt that covered her thighs and open toe slightly heeled shoes.

"I...never really been one for feminine clothes like this Ann." Homura awkwardly admitted while slightly tugging on the skirt with a blush on her face.

"But they totes suit you!" Ann encouraged with a smile.

"You really think so, Ann? You sure it doesn't look too flashy or anything like that?" Homura however asked.

"Of course not!" Ann replied. "Seriously Homura, you really gotta girl up at this point." She then stated with a hand on her hips.

"I'm trying, but I'm just still working on it." Homura pointed out. "I'm still not used to it like you, but I'm doing the best I can." She then added.

"Well you just gotta do better then." Ann countered with a sigh.

"Alright, alright. I'll give it a try." Homura responded with a nod as she took a deep breath and did a pose where she leaned her hip to the side and placed her hand on her hip and swiped her hair.

"Good, at least you're making an effort now." Ann replied in approval. "Now let's find some more outfits for you. Your closet is gonna be stuffed by the time I'm done with you." She then added and declared with a smirk.

"Whatever. Let's just get this over with." Homura however just scoffed.

"Ah come on, I know you'll enjoy it." Ann encouraged while patting her shoulder as they went to look for more clothes.

"Fine. If you say so." Homura responded, nodding in an unamused tone.

And with that, the two girls headed out for more shopping.

The girls were browsing through another clothes store as the tan skinned girl tried them out in the changing room while the ash blonde waited for her.

"Ok Homura, let's see how your sense of fashion has improved." Ann called out with a hand on her hips.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. Don't get your panties in a twist." Homura called back as she opens the curtains to reveal the clothes she's wearing.

To this, the ash blonde smirked in an impressed manner. "Hey, lookin' good Homura." Ann praised in approval while examining the outfit.

"Like, was there ever any doubt? I can pull this off, even in my sleep." Homura boasted as she showed off her new clothes.

The clothes in mention were a black and white t-shirt with a sparkly red bolero over it and tight black jean capris that fit her legs with a black belt and white dress shoes with black laces.

"Hehe, you're loosening up too." Ann giggled out in amusement.

"Mm-hmm. Thanks to your advice, Ann. Now I don't need to hold back any longer." Homura replied with a nod as she held out her chest. "Hand me the next set of clothes. I want to see how I look in a different outfit." She then requested.

Ann in turn smiled. "Sure thing." She replied as the two continued enjoying themselves.

For the next hour, Homura tried on different clothes and being judged by the ash blonde on which ones she looked the best and the ones that didn't. But this time, Homura had let her guard down and just had fun with her friend.

"And this coming from the girl who was uneasy about actually acting like a girl." Ann thought to herself while looking at the tan skinned girl.

Homura meanwhile was browsing through the racks as she picked out the clothes she wanted to wear and went to the changing room again to try them on.

"I'm just glad she's able to loosen up." Ann then mentally confessed with a smile.

"Ann was right. It's a lot more fun to just let loose. I don't even know why I was hesitant in the first place. So since I don't have to hold back anymore, I'm just going to have the time of my life." Homura thought to herself as she tried on the next clothes.

Ann then watched as the tan skinned girl picked out some more clothes with gusto. "She's getting better too." She then admitted in her head.

"Wait til Ann sees this. It's going to blow her mind." Homura thought to herself with confidence and a nod as she headed for the changing room to try them on. She could already feel her Femininity vastly improving as a result.

"Show me what you got." Ann mentally ordered with a smirk as she watched her friend go into the changing room.

Eventually, Homura opened the curtains and steps out from the changing room and shows off her new clothes, revealing that she was wearing a black and red T-shirt that shows her midriff, a dark red vest, black denim shorts with thigh high socks and heeled shoes.

"Hey, not bad Homura." Ann complimented with a nod of approval.

"You like it? Glad you do." Homura asked and replied with a smirk as she posed.

"Looks like you've become more fashionable now." Ann soon stated with a smile. "Guess your Femininity lessons are paying off." She then added.

"Yeah, sure does. I'm really glad I get to let loose." Homura replied in agreement as she flipped her hair.

"And this is coming from the girl who thought she would always be a complete tomboy." Ann teasingly reminded with a giggle of amusement.

"Hey, I can still be one whenever I want. I'm just showing off my feminine side now." Homura rebutted while placing her hands on her hips.

"Glad to hear that." Ann responded in approval. "Huh, she's more confident now." She thought to herself.

"Now let me try on a different outfit. You'll be in for a surprise with this one." Homura declared with a smirk as she closed the curtains to get on a different outfit.

"Can't wait." Ann replied with a grin of anticipation. Now she was really curious about the next outfit the tan skinned girl had planned.

Homura takes off the outfit she was wearing and places it aside as she puts on the next one.

Ann meanwhile tapped her foot in anticipation before the curtain opened once more, causing her to become agap with awe. "Oh...my god." She breathed out in disbelief.

Homura soon struck a pose as she showed off her new clothes. "Well, Ann? What do you think? Looks good, right?" She asked while strutting.

"Looking good is an understatement." Ann confessed, blinking a couple of times to process her friend's appearance.

"Then I'd say it's doing its job right." Homura smugly boasted as she showed off her new clothes. She was wearing a white shirt that hangs just over her shoulders and shows her midriff and cleavage, denim jeans with a brown belt, open toed sandals and a scarf around her neck.

"I'll say." Ann replied in agreement. "And this is coming from the girl that refuses the modeling offer." She then added.

Homura however smirked to that while placing a hand on her hip and tilting her body slightly. "Hmph, and have my own beauty and looks overshadow yours and Sis's? I'm alright not becoming a model." She replied.

"I guess that's one way of putting it." Ann admitted with a nod of agreement.

"Well, then. Since we're done here, why don't we head for the next one?" Homura suggested as she walked out of the changing room.

Ann smiled at that as she followed behind the tan skinned girl. "Sure thing." She replied.

Eventually, they paid for the clothes the tan skinned girl picked out and headed for the next clothing store.

"Glad to see you've loosened up." Ann admitted.

"Hmph, for a girl like me, it was bound to happen." Homura simply responded, albeit a bit smugly.

Ann in turn just giggled at that response.

"Hey, let's go get something to eat. I'm starting to get hungry." Homura suggested as they exited the store.

"Sounds good to me. Anything in particular?" Ann replied and asked.

Homura thought for a moment as they walked around the mall.

"Well?" Ann asked once more. "I know you want us to at least eat more healthy by having proper diets." She then reminded.

"I know that, I just don't know where to have a healthy meal." Homura stated as she looked around.

"I mean, we could just get something sweet this one time." Ann soon suggested with a grin.

"And risk ruining our sexy figures?" Homura countered. "I mean we do exercise, but you really want to take the risk?" She then asked.

"I guess." Ann weakly giggled out with a sweatdrop.

"Let's just find someplace where we won't have to eat something with so many calories." Homura eventually suggested.

"Right." Ann replied with a nod of agreement.

The two then began to walk around some more, passing by people and chatting all the while in a more natural manner as they looked for a place with something healthy to eat.

Eventually...

---

(Tower Records, Vegelovers)

"Perfect. This is exactly the place we're looking for." Homura confirmed in approval as they sat at their table

"Though it took us a while to find this place." Ann awkwardly admitted. "We really should've just looked it up instead of just wandering around." She then sheepishly added.

"Yeah, that was pretty stupid on our part. But at least we found it and that's all that matters right now." Homura responded with a nod as she read the menu.

Nodding in agreement, Ann looked through her own menu. "Wow, all of these look pretty tasty." She soon admitted.

"Yeah, and we won't have to worry about gaining any weight from these." Homura agrees as they viewed their options.

Ann however giggled. "This is coming from the girl who usually ate nothing but meat before coming to Tokyo?" She remarked in amusement.

"Hey, that was then, this is now. I'm not like the girl I used to be." Homura assured as the waiter walked up to their table.

"Hello there, how can I help you?" The waiter soon asked.

"Hm?" Ann hummed out. "Oh, I'll take...the Avocado Toast with an Acai Smoothie." She soon requested.

"I'll have the same, but with a Veggie Soup Special as well." Homura meanwhile requested as well.

"Coming right up." The waiter replied, writing down the order before heading off.

Ann then smirked towards the tan skinned girl. "Now there, where were we exactly?" She playfully asked. "Oh right, you with your meat only diet before coming to Tokyo." She then reminded.

"Yeah, yeah. I know, I know." Homura sighed as she pinched her temples.

Ann however giggled. "Do you?" She then asked once more in a playful manner.

"Of course, I do! I'm not some brainless bimbo who can't seem to think for themselves!" Homura countered back with an angry sigh.

Ann simply giggled in response. "Hai hai." She replied with a smile. "Glad to see you more confident now." She then admitted.

"Hmph, as if I couldn't become confident after realizing how much of a feminine beauty I am." Homura countered with a smirk.

"True. It just took you some convincing to see it." Ann joked with a giggle.

"What can I say, I can be a stubborn girl." Homura confessed as she flicked her hair back before checking her nails.

"Believe me, I know." Ann quipped as their orders arrived at the table.

"Che, took it long enough." Homura quietly muttered in slight annoyance to herself before smirking. "Well, at least it looks good." She then added as she took her smoothie.

"Yup!" Ann replied in agreement. "Now then..." She began.

"Thank you for the food." The two girls concluded at the same time as they started to eat.

As they did, they relaxed even more as they chatted with one another, giggling at times as if they were close friends.

"Man, I totes can't wait to get back to school and see how things are doing." Homura soon confessed. "I mean, I know I'm going to get high marks this time around in my studies as well." She then added with confidence.

"Not to mention how you and your committee has basically cleaned up everything about the school." Ann added in agreement. "After all of the bad reputation it has, it's been a long time coming for it to be back in everyone's good graces." She then pointed out.

"Hmph, of course it would be in good graces, it is my committee after all." Homura reminded as she finished her food.

"Yeah, that's true. It's just still hard to believe how you guys were able to make everything right in just a couple of months." Ann replied with a nod as she finished her food as well.

"So true." Homura responded as she flicked her hair back. "Soon, it will be as though we're running Shujin Academy and not that useless tub of lard." She then remarked.

"Yeah, that's definitely something I can get behind. He's done nothing but make himself look good while letting someone like Kamoshida run around like he owns the place." Ann replied in agreement as she clutched her fists.

"Hmph, not any more on my watch." Homura huffed out and reminded.

"Yeah." Ann nodded as they paid for their meals.

Soon the two girls left as they walked down the street.

"I gotta say, that was a pretty good meal." Homura admitted with a grin as she looked at her nails again before gaining an annoyed expression. "Che, looks like I need a manicure." She grumbled out before turning to the blonde. "Find us a place that'll give us a good mani-pedi." She then got out.

"Right away, Homura." Ann nodded as she used her phone to search for any salons nearby.

"Che, I can't believe I never focused on my own looks before, I was such a tomboy it isn't even funny." Homura remarked in annoyance.

"But you were still drop dead gorgeous, even as a tomboy. It just took you a while to realize it." Ann however pointed out with a smirk.

Homura simply shrugged her shoulders in response. "Well, it's in the past now." She concluded as the check came for their food. "You know the drill Ann." She then added.

"Hai hai." Ann replied with a nod as she did as requested as the two then left.

"And did you find a good mani-pedi place?" Homura then asked as the two walked the streets, the tan skinned girl in front of the ash blonde.

"Hai, I sure did." Ann replied with a nod as she showed her the location on her phone.

"Excellent work." Homura praised in smug approval. "Let's get going now. Chop chop." She then ordered while swinging her hips from side to side.

"Hai!" Ann responded with a nod as she followed right behind her.

However at that moment…

"Spare some change?" A homeless person suddenly requested as she grabbed the tan skinned girl's leg.

"Hey! Don't touch me!" Homura demanded as she stepped away from the dirty person.

"H-Homura?" Ann got out in confusion, snapping out from her good time in shock to her friend's action.

"Please, I beg of you! Just a small change!" The homeless man pleaded again.

However, the tan skinned girl just kept walking in response, causing the ash blonde to narrow her eyes before storming up to her friend and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Homura, we need to talk." Ann bluntly stated.

"What now, Ann? We were supposed to head for our mani-pedi." Homura scoffed.

Ann however took the tan skinned girl to the nearby alley. "Homura what was that about?" She soon asked.

"What are you even talking about, Ann? I didn't do anything wrong." Homura smugly replied.

"And treating that homeless man like that?" Ann however questioned while narrowing her eyes.

"Why should I care about how I treated him? It's not my fault he's now begging for money." Homura scoffed out.

"Because we're Phantom Thieves that help people?" Ann whispered her reminder.

"And your point?" Homura responded as she raised an eyebrow.

"That means we don't treat anyone like that." Ann stated while narrowing her eyes.

"Well, that sounds boring. Why would we help people who can't seem to deal with their own problems? Sounds like a waste of time to me." Homura remarked as she placed her hands on her hips.

Ann's eye soon twitch after hearing that. This was not what she was teaching her friend.

"Besides, what's in it for us if we're helping these losers? It's not like we're getting any kind of compensation for our services. I'm not working in a charity." Homura continues on as she swipes her hair.

The ash blonde soon sighed in slight annoyance. It was time for a wake up call. "Homura, you are a girl, right?" Ann suddenly asked while crossing her arms over her chest.

"O-Of course I am!" Homura responded in shock. "W-Why are you even asking me something like that!?" She soon questioned in confusion.

"Okay? What is being feminine?" Ann then asked.

"Do you even have to ask me that?" Homura countered while placing a hand on her hip. "Being feminine is about looking and feeling good. Being confident, proper and womanly." She soon stated.

In response to this, Ann sighed. "I'm sorry, Homura, but you have failed to understand anything." She suddenly revealed.

"Wh-What?" Homura stammered in shock.

"Femininity isn't all about looking great and acting cute. It's about compassion and trust. Embracing who you are and accepting yourself both inside and out." Ann soon explained. "It's great to treat yourself, don't get me wrong, but you've failed to understand that you must care about the others around you and yourself. It's empathy, not clothes or manicures." She then added.

"But...what about...what about everything!? The books, the outings! Was that all for nothing!?" Homura however questioned in a panic while reminding the ash blonde of everything they did together so far.

"It was giving you your understanding of femininity while I tried to see if you learned what it truly meant. God, you have such an old-fashioned view of what it means to be a woman, you know." Ann responded and explained. "Did you even take a second look at that poor homeless person back there?" She then asked with her hands on her hips.

"I...I mean...That was..." Homura tried to come up with an excuse, but couldn't think of anything.

"Homura, you were acting like one of those bitchy girls that feel like they're entitled to everything." Ann soon stated.

"W-Wha!?" Homura got out as her eyes widened in disbelief. "N-No way..." She then added in denial.

"And to make matters worse, you tried to make us no different from the bastards we've dealt with so far." Ann stated "If we've started acting like them, then everything we've done will be all for nothing." She then declared.

Homura immediately gasped in shock as she recalled however she acted...

SHATTER!

Before she dropped her head in shame.

"So, finally realized?" Ann soon asked while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yeah...What have I become...? Why did I become like this...?" Homura responded as she looked at her reflection in the window.

Ann however sighed as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You were just really into it." She soon stated in a sympathetic tone.

"Still..." Homura responded with a frown.

"Look, anyone can get corrupted like this all the time. I know it's not really something to be proud of, but it's just how we humans are." Ann soon explained. "It just takes someone a slice of humble pie for you to finally see the error of your ways." She then added.

Homura tried to nod to this...but also had to resist the urge to giggle. "O-Oh man...that, hehe, was cheesy as hell..." She responded in between fits of laughter.

The ash blonde soon blushed to that before pouting. "Hey, I was trying to be encouraging. Jeez." Ann countered.

"Yeah, I know. And thanks, Ann. For making me realize my bitchy attitude." Homura smiled and nodded.

"It's not a problem." Ann replied as the two giggled some more. "So, still up for that mani-pedi?" She then asked.

"Yeah, but before that. There's something I need to do." Homura walks over to the homeless man.

Ann in response nodded to that as she followed the tan skinned girl.

"Excuse me, sir?" Homura started as she kneeled down beside the homeless man.

Ann meanwhile smiled as she remained silent and watched.

"Spare some change..." The homeless once more got out.

"Sure." Homura nodded as she took out some remaining yen from her wallet and gave it to him.

"Thank you." The homeless man responded in a grateful manner.

"You're welcome, sir. And I'm really sorry for how I acted before." Homura soon apologized as she then bowed.

"It's not a problem missy." The homeless man responded.

Ann kept the smile on her face as the tan skinned girl returned to her side.

"Yeah, I'm good to go now, I totes need that mani-pedi stat." Homura replied and confessed with a hand on her hip as she tilted her body slightly.

"Cool. Then let's go." Ann responded as the girls headed for their mani-pedi.

Homura meanwhile felt as though her Maturity and Understanding were improving as a result as she nodded in agreement.

"Still crazy you want mani-pedis now. Never thought you'd care for them." Ann pointed out and admitted.

"Well, a girl like me has to have some standards." Homura replied in a more cheeky tone before winking.

"Oh, is that how it is? Or is it because that other side of you still remains inside you?" Ann teasingly asked with a smirk.

Homura however rolled her eyes to that. "Come on, let's just get those mani-pedis, chop chop." She replied and ordered.

"Hai, hai. We're going." Ann playfully responded with a nod.

Smiling in satisfaction, Homura began strutting ahead once more with the ash blonde following behind. "So, what is planned after the mani-pedis?" She soon asked while going down the streets.

Ann in response looked at her phone. "Well, after the mani-pedis, we can go watch a movie. And then after that, we can continue shopping for more clothes for you." She responded.

To that list of activities, Homura nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Excellent work Ann." She replied and praised in approval.

"Hai. Glad I can be of help to you." Ann responded with a nod of her own as they continued on.

And with that, the two continued on with their day, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

RING RING!

"Morning, Asuka." Futaba greeted, watching the Vice Leader walk in, with Akira and Sojiro waving at her as they were busy filling in customer orders.

"Hey, Futaba-chan!" Asuka responded with a wave before bowing to Sojiro. "Hi, Boss. Good morning." She then greeted.

"Morning to you too." the owner responded. "Hey, you've been working a lot recently. We've got things handled here." He then got out.

"No way." Asuka however turned down as she shook her head. "It gives me an excuse to hang out with Akira-kun and Futaba-chan." She then informed.

"You could just come as a regular customer." Akira pointed out.

"But it's better if I come as a worker." Asuka stated.

"Because you get paid?" Sojiro soon guessed.

"And because I get to practice making sushi, curry, and coffee." Asuka happily added. "I should really make curry tonight..." She then muttered.

"Well...okay." Sojiro eventually decided with a nod. "Get dressed and start organizing the coffee beans. We just got a new shipment." He then instructed and revealed.

"Hai!" Asuka replied with a salute.

With that, the Vice Leader got into her uniform and got to work, helping around the cafe while the hacker simply hung around either talking to the Leaders or watching TV.

"You want anything, Futaba?" Sojiro eventually asked.

"Orange juice. 100% natural." The orangette replied.

"That reminds me, you're going to the beach tomorrow, yeah?" The cafe owner remembered. "Go have fun, and make up for the fireworks. Just try not to cut loose too much." Sojiro then added.

"Fireworks?" Futaba repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, you wouldn't know. He tried to go to a firework festival, but it got rained out. From what I heard not only did he get crushed in the crowd, but he came home looking like some kinda drowned rat." Sojiro replied with an amused chuckle.

"Only because we ran through the rain..." Asuka nervously chuckled, deciding not to mention that they had salvaged that night with Personas, ninja techniques and stolen stuff.

"Fireworks, huh..." Futaba muttered quietly.

RING RING!

"Hello." A familiar voice that made the Leader flinch spoke up as he went through the door.

"Oh...welcome." Sojiro greeted with a little surprise. It was always a surprise to see a teenager walk into the cafe.

"Goro-kun?" Asuka whispered as he entered the shop.

"Welcome." Akira casually spoke up.

"Hm?" Akechi hummed out before noticing the Leaders cleaning the counters. "Well, surprise surprise..." He soon got out.

"Huh? You know each other?" Sojiro got out in confusion before it hit him. "Wait, aren't you..." He began as his eyes widened in realization.

"I'm Akechi." The detective introduced himself. "I've been acquainted with Kurusu-san and Shirokage-san for a while. It's good to see you again." He then revealed.

"To you as well, Goro-kun." Asuka replied with a nod.

"Oh yeah, the one on TV and stuff. So what brings you here, Mr. Detective?" Sojiro remarked before asking.

"This place is more than I imagined it to be. The atmosphere is wonderful. No wonder Sae-san recommended it so strongly to me." Akechi complimented.

"Sae..." Akira and Asuka thought with a frown, the mean woman's face flashing in their minds with her threatening the Boss.

"I already told her everything I know. There's nothing more I got for you people." Sojiro scoffed, ready to kick the boy out as soon as he got the chance.

"Oh no, that's not my intention. I just came to enjoy some coffee." Akechi assured with a winning smile.

"Oh..." Sojiro got out. However, he still seemed suspicious of the kid.

"And she is..." Akechi muttered, narrowing his eyes at the dyed orangette. Other than the bright orange hair, she fit the description of..."Oh, you must be Wakaba Isshiki's..." He assumed.

"What'll it be?" Sojiro interrupted, quickly standing in front of his daughter.

Akechi blinked before clearing his throat. "I'll have whatever you recommend." He replied.

"Coming right up." The owner responded before getting the pot going.

As the owner made the coffee, Akira and Asuka gave each other a look. They knew they had to play their cards carefully here.

Sojiro soon got a call and had to leave the cafe to take care of business elsewhere, leaving the kids alone to talk.

"It seems I'm unwelcome no matter where I go." Akechi lamented with a sad sigh, watching the Leader finish up pouring his order.

"Well, the last time someone from the law was here, they were willing to falsify charges to get what they wanted." Akira casually explained before putting down the coffee cup a little harder than usual, letting out a distinct-

Bam!

"No offense." The Leader quickly added.

"None taken. She's been quite high strung as of late. She hasn't taken a vacation for quite a while, from what I hear." Akechi explained as he shook his head in concern. "It would be nice if I could take one myself but, unfortunately, crime never sleeps." He then chuckled before looking down sadly as his coffee.

"I didn't ask for an explanation." Akira bluntly stated with a frown.

Akechi flinched. "...Did I bother you? My apologies." The brown-haired detective got out and apologized with a sulking tone. "Just...I've been thinking about the past recently. I really shouldn't, it wasn't the most pleasant. I don't really have time to see a shrink due to work, especially with the Phantom Thieves running around." He then admitted.

"Um...if it makes you feel better, you can talk to us about it." Asuka offered.

Akechi blinked, frowning a little before letting out a breath. "Apparently, my mother was in a relationship with some low-life of a man..." He began, his hand clenching around his cup. "She was swiftly discarded when he learned she was pregnant...That despair would lead to her death. Thanks to him, I was passed from foster home to foster home. But, I do quite well by myself these days." He then concluded.

"You live alone?" Akira got out with a raised eyebrow.

"Being emancipated had quite the amount of paperwork, and even after that was over, my studies and duties rarely gave me time to come to places like this." Akechi explained. "Being an adult is tiring, let me tell you. Pray that you don't become like me." He then joked.

"This just in, the Medjed website has been fully taken down. The domain has been purchased by an anonymous buyer, and yet it still displays the logo of the Phantom Thieves. However, clicking it now links it to the Phantom Aficionado Website. Plus, any attempts to view the source code infects the computer with a virus that replaces all clicks with fart noises and anyone's folders are forcefully filled with...ahem, pornography."

Futaba couldn't help but softly giggle while the Leaders had a feeling they knew who did that.

"Ah, yes. Medjed." Akechi meanwhile got out with a frown. "...To think they'd be taken down by another hacker. In all honesty, I didn't expect a full grown adult to make such childish threats." He then admitted.

"So much for detective, huh." Akira joked.

"Ha ha." Akechi let out a sarcastic yet good-natured laugh. "I'm not sure whether Medjed was defeated by the Phantom Thieves themselves or an avid supporter..." He then admitted.

"You'd be surprised at the type of help you can recruit these days." Asuka got out. "Are you sure you don't want anything else? I can make sushi." She soon offered.

"No, I'm not hungry. I made myself lunch today that I would like to eat." The detective stated before turning to the nervous orangette. "Um...you're Futaba-chan, right? Sae-san told me about you." Akechi remembered, frowning a little.

"How much?" Akira pressed.

"Enough to know that she has faced hardship." Akechi answered, narrowing his eyes a little.

"..." Futaba simply frowned, studying the boy...or attempting to read his mind.

"Many kids your age seem to be fans of the Phantom Thieves..." Akechi remarked as he tapped his chin. "Do you like them too?" He had to ask.

" ..." Futaba meanwhile stayed silent in response.

"What's the matter?" The detective got out with a raised eyebrow.

"You're popular too, Detective Prince: Electric Boogaloo." Futaba pointed out.

Akechi remained quiet for a second before letting out another laugh. "Thank you. Although I'd rather not be compared to people like the Phantom Thieves, if at all possible." He then admitted.

"Yeah, because they actually help people." Futaba muttered under her breath.

"Mm, this is delicious." Akechi let out a delighted hum. "You get to drink this coffee every day? I'm incredibly jealous. I would never have thought you'd be boarding at this cafe..." He then stated.

"Yeah, it's great with the coffee, curry and sushi and all, but it throws my diet way off." Akira pointed out.

The detective simply chuckled again. "We seem to share some kind of bond." He then noted.

"Maybe." Akira replied with a shrug. "We'll just have to see where this year takes us."

"So you believe destiny will guide you." Akechi assumed.

"Nope, only my heart and some dumb luck." Akira answered with a smirk, glancing over to Asuka who could only nod and smile.

"You're quite the wonder, Kurusu." Akechi remarked before looking around the cafe. "I believe that fate brings people together. It's strange, but talking to you is thought-provoking. Well...I think I found my go-to cafe." He then admitted.

"I'll make sure to set aside a few beans then." Akira chuckled, with the detective joining in as well.

Suddenly, Akechi's phone went off. After taking it out to glance at the message, he bit back a curse. "Well, it's been lovely, but I'm afraid I need to go." The detective got out in an apologetic tone. "May we meet again."

"I hope so, Goro-kun." Asuka responded before watching him leave the cafe. As soon as he was out of eyesight, she checked under the counter where he was sitting. "Bug." She announced as she pulled the bug off the underside of the counter.

"Ah, that's mine." Futaba quickly got out. "Sorry." She then apologized.

The Leader only shook his head. "We can't be too careful." Akira muttered with a frown. "Because this is beginning to look like Sherlock vs. Arsene." He then stated.

"Don't worry, Joker." Asuka got out in a serious tone. "This time the Thief will come out on top." She then promised as the Phantom Thieves looked out the door.

---

(8/28, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~" Asuka happily hummed out while cooking dinner.

"I'm back, Sis!" Homura suddenly called out as she came into the apartment. "How much room do we have in our closet because I'm bringing in more clothes!" She then asked and informed.

"It's pretty big Homu-neechan, you know that." Asuka giggled at the reminder. "Guessing you went on a shopping spree with Ann-chan?" She then guessed.

"Yep, and looking as feminine as a lady in a masquerade ball and fashionable as Ann!" Homura replied and proudly declared.

"Eh?" Asuka got out in curious confusion, now also noticing a slight change in her sister's tone of voice. It was slightly more...peppy and girly now, causing her to turn her head, her eyes immediately widening at the sight. "WHOOOOA! You look so cool, Homu-neechan!" She soon complimented in awe upon seeing her sister's appearance.

The tan skinned girl was currently wearing a red skin tight shirt with a white bolero that didn't cover her stomach area, skin tight black capris and black dress shoes. "Hehe, thanks Sis. I do look awesome huh?" Homura replied and asked with a smirk and a hand on her hips.

"Yep!" Asuka responded immediately with a nod.

"Thanks." Homura replied, happy to hear her sister's compliments. "Though it almost came at the cost of being a haughty asshole." She soon revealed in an uncomfortable tone.

"...You almost became an asshole ?" Asuka repeated in disbelief.

"Y-Yeah, that was kind of a low point. I was so focused on improving myself to be less of a bitch like I was when I first came to Tokyo, that I didn't think about improving the person underneath it all." Homura shamefully admitted. "Being Feminine isn't just about looking proper and acting fine...you have to take those lessons to heart and be that person, or else I'm nothing more than some shallow idiot who doesn't care about anyone but themselves." She soon explained and declared.

This in turn caused Asuka to smile proudly. "That's nice, Homu-neechan." She replied. "Now get into something more casual. I don't want my curry to ruin your new clothes." She then instructed and explained.

"Oh. Um, give me a second. Gotta put my new clothes away." Homura responded as she went to their room and opened the closet. "We really do have a lot of closet space." She muttered with a sweatdrop while looking in before putting her new clothes away. "Hehe, Yomi would want to kill me for all these clothes." She then giggled in amusement. She then stopped giggling as a blank look came over her. "...I should probably hide these for my sake." She soon decided in a blunt tone as she got to work rearranging the closet.

Eventually, Homura came out of the bedroom wearing a white t-shirt and denim skirt as she wiped the sweat off her brow.

"Had fun?" Asuka jokingly guessed with a giggle.

"I wouldn't be smiling if I didn't." Homura replied as she sat down. "So, what are we having tonight?" She then asked.

"Curry." Asuka answered as she served the plates. "To the best of my ability at least." She then revealed.

"Ooh, it's been a while since I had this." Homura remarked before gasping. "Ah, hold on, need to wash my hands."

"Homu-nee." Asuka mumbled in a chiding manner.

"Sorry." Homura got out in an apologetic tone before scooping up some curry and putting it in her mouth. "Whoa, this is really good curry." She complimented in amazement.

"Thanks." Asuka replied with a smile. "It's not as good as Boss's though. This is barely out of dirt territory." She then sighed as she shoveled some more into her mouth.

"Huh, I don't think I've ever tried it before." Homura recalled as she blinked in realization. "I should stop by and try it some time." She soon decided.

"You really should." Asuka replied with a nod of agreement.

"So, did anything interesting happen at work? Did Futaba have a panic attack?" Homura soon asked.

"No, but Goro Akechi-kun visited." Asuka casually answered as she let the spice cover her tongue. "Moh...I added too much cumin..." She then muttered.

That immediately got the tan skinned girl's attention. "Seriously? You met with that cocky detective at Leblanc today?" Homura asked while narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah." Asuka replied with a nod. "I think he's going to come by more often." She then deducted.

"Hmmm..." Homura hummed out. "It could be a good opportunity to get some info out of him. Figure out if he really is Black Mask." She soon stated.

"Maybe, but I doubt we can coax out of him any hints without revealing any ourselves." Asuka replied and admitted. "But we shouldn't worry about him just yet. If we stay up making plans, we'll be too tired to go to the beach tomorrow. It's supposed to be our last hoorah before school starts and the Phantom Thieves get back to work." She then decided and reminded with a smile.

"Yeah. We can't miss that." Homura agreed. "But call me the next time Akechi shows up. We'll tail him back home." She then suggested.

"Sounds like a plan." Asuka replied with a nod. "...You think I put too much potato in the curry?" She soon asked.

"Sis, it's fine." Homura assured, rolling her eyes before the roommates went back to eating dinner.

---

(Hebijo Base)

Haruka let out a breath as she entered the hideout. This was supposed to be her break for dinner, but she decided to just grab an energy bar and head over here to check on the busty little hikikomori.

"Murasaki-chan!" Haruka called out.

"Uuuuugh..." A familiar voice groaned.

The blonde blinked before looking down to see the purplette facedown on the ground with her plushie on her back. "Erm, are you okay?" Haruka soon asked while crouching down to assist her.

"Ah...good evening...Haruka-chan..." Murasaki greeted in between pants while resting.

"My god she's adorable in the work-out clothes I got her." Haruka thought in a delighted manner. She then shook her head before helping the girl sit up. "What happened?" She then questioned.

"I tried...to do...push-ups...but my body betrayed me." Murasaki panted out.

"Did you take any breaks?" Haruka soon asked in concern.

"..." Murasaki in response blushed.

"I told her before but she didn't listen." Bebeby grumbled. "Now do you mind helping her get something to eat and drink? Her legs aren't exactly what you call functioning." The plushie requested and explained.

The blonde nodded before grabbing an apple and a glass of water from the fridge before handing them over to the Murasaki. "Thank you Haruka-chan." She breathed out.

"Murasaki-chan, have you been working out more?" Haruka questioned in a curious manner.

"Hai..." Murasaki responded, swirls in her eyes while smiling in a dazed manner.

"You made her an exercise junkie now." Bebeby bluntly accused.

"Eh?" Haruka got out in confusion with a raised eyebrow.

"She's really been liking to exercise now since she got those clothes." Bebeby sighed out.

"She has?" Haruka responded to the plushie as she then looked at the purplette. "You have Murasaki-chan?" She then asked.

"I...I'm trying to become something respectable...and I need to do it before my time is up here." Murasaki revealed and explained.

"Murasaki-chan..." Haruka breathed out in awe. before shaking her head. "You should pace yourself. Akira-kun isn't going anywhere, and I doubt he'd mind meeting someone like you." She then advised and reassured.

"B-But...I'm not..." Murasaki stammered.

SMOOSH!

"Don't say that." Haruka however ordered while hugging the girl. "That isn't the mindset of someone who's putting in so much effort to simply meet one person." She soon stated. "Isn't that why you're here in the first place?" She then assumed.

"Yes." Murasaki replied with a nod. "But...I-I'm nothing but a monster...I can't help but hurt people no matter what..." She then informed.

"The Root of Calamity, correct?" Haruka stated, causing the purplette's eyes to widen in shock. "It was in the report about you. As well as what you were put through because of that power..." She explained while tightening the hug.

"..." Murasaki meanwhile said nothing in response.

"But you haven't hurt me." Haruka soon pointed out.

"I...I don't want to...but...it'll happen..." Murasaki responded. "I'm not a shut-in because I hate people..." She soon whimpered.

"So what makes you think Akira-kun can do?" Haruka however asked.

"He...He...I don't know..." Murasaki hesitantly responded. "I wish I was never born..." She soon confessed in despair.

"That won't solve anything, Murasaki-chan..." Haruka softly responded while rubbing the girl's back. "Just because you have that power doesn't mean you should have to be alone. You have the right to live like anyone else." She then stated.

"..." Murasaki's eyes immediately widened as she looked at the blonde.

"Come on, cheer up." Haruka encouraged. "Maybe when you meet him, you'll find why you have this power." She then suggested.

"...H-Hai..." Murasaki responded with a nod. "You...really seem to be concerned for me, Haruka-chan." She then noted.

"Why wouldn't I?" Haruka however questioned. "All I see is someone who needs help, nothing more." She then stated.

"..." Murasaki however looked at the blonde in awe.

"Ufufu~" Haruka giggled in a playful manner. "Feel free to call me Haruka-sama." She soon offered.

"Haruka...sama..." Murasaki slowly repeated before shaking her head. "...No." She then got out.

Haruka in turn blinked after hearing this. "Eh?" She responded in confusion.

"I...I don't want to be a senior and a junior...If I'm going to stop being pathetic, I don't want to be looked down upon." Murasaki explained. "W-We're...I want to be friends. S-So take that -sama a-and...put it away." She then insisted before ending off a little quietly.

"HUH!?" Bebeby exclaimed in shock. "Wow, you didn't even need me to say it for you. Well done!" The plushie then declared.

"...One of the rules of Hebijo: We are all comrades." Haruka recited before shaking her head. "No, not by Hebijo's rules. We are comrades because we are humans who understand each other. We are friends, and now nothing will change that." She then stated and decided.

"Haruka-chan..." Murasaki breathed out.

"Now stand up." The woman got out in a proud tone.

"..." Murasaki meanwhile blinked in confusion.

"Come on." Haruka encouraged.

"Ahem." Bebeby got out, getting the attention of the girls. "What part of nonfunctioning don't you understand?" The plushie then asked.

"Oh, right." Haruka deadpanned before helping the girl to her feet before giving her an up-down. "Hmm, you look really good...but that's not the focus here." She then stated. "Now then, I won't give you one of those cheesy inspiration spiels you've seen before. Me telling you what to do is only going to make things worse. I just want you to know that you are sexy, adorable, cute, and will be a valuable friend in anyone's life."

Murasaki immediately blushed scarlet to the compliments. "O-Okay..." She stammered out.

"Now repeat what I just said." Haruka soon instructed.

"H-Huh?" Murasaki got out, blinking a couple of times. "O-Oh...erm..uh..." She stammered in a nervous manner

"Murasaki-chan, it's only four things." Haruka reminded. "Did you not pay attention?" She then asked.

"Y-Yes, but I...I sort of didn't think I'd have to remember it." Murasaki mumbled out

"Oh boy." Haruka sighed. "Repeat after me: I am sexy, adorable, cute, and a valuable friend." She then recited.

"I-I am s-s-s-sex...dor...cute...friend." Murasaki mumbled, barely able to be heard even by the standards of a trained shinobi.

"Sexdorcute friend?" Haruka repeated. "Come on, I know you have it in you." She then encouraged.

"I-I am s-s-s-sexy, a-a-a-dorble, c-c-cute...value friend." Murasaki stammered.

"Get it right, and loud!" Haruka instructed.

"I-I am sexy, adorable, c-cute, and a valuable friend."

"Louder!"

"I-I am s-sexy, adorable, c-cute, and a v-valuable friend!"

"Louder!"

"I-I am sexy, adorable, cute, and a valuable friend in anyone's life!"

"LOUDER, SO MAY THE GODS WHO THOUGHT THEY HAVE DECIDED YOUR FATE TREMBLE FROM YOUR CONVICTION!" Haruka soon demanded.

"I AM SEXY, ADORABLE, CUTE, AND A VALUABLE FRIEND IN ANYONE'S LIFE!" Murasaki soon loudly screamed, her hair hovering a bit and the base shaking as a result.

There was a silence afterwards that lasted a few seconds as Haruka processed what she did. "...Okay, I may have lost it a little there." She sheepishly admitted. Man, she really needed some coffee...

Murasaki meanwhile took in a deep breath before blushing pink at what she just did. "...Eeeeeeepppp!" She squealed out. "I can't believe I actually said any of that!" She then added.

"I can't either." Bebeby admitted in shock, just as the purplette began to cough from overusing her voice.

The blonde then offered the purplette a cup of water and drank it, sighing in relief as a result. "But...I feel good now..." Murasaki soon confessed. "I...I am a sexy, adorable, cute, and a valuable friend to anyone's life." She then recited with a smile on her face.

"There you go..." Haruka breathed out, letting out a sweet smile herself. "You're already making progress! I'm so proud of you!" She then praised.

"But now for the real challenge." Bebeby soon spoke up.

"Eh?" The two girls got out in confusion.

"Talking to a boy." Bebeby reminded in a blunt manner.

SHATTER!

Murasaki froze in an instant.

She could already see all that training and confidence slowly going down the drain as she processed the fact that she needed to talk to not only a complete stranger, but someone from the opposite gender that she has not seen outside of the internet and dirty magazines.

And...well, the only real interaction she had with a man was...her father.

So as a result of this realization, she did the only sensible thing she could think of at this moment.

THUD!

The doctor-in-training blinked as she turned around to see the purplette cocooned in two bear-themed sleeping bags, desperately reading something on her phone while rolling back and forth. "...I was expecting a faint, but not this." Haruka had to admit with a sweatdrop before turning to the plushie. "And this is on you." She then stated.

"I dunno, this is actually a sign of her training paying off." Bebeby remarked from the table the plushie was sitting on.

"...Okay, do you have a voice box in there or something?" Haruka questioned upon hearing the bear clear as day. "I can hear you from here while she's freaking out over there!" She then added.

"It's called talent, kid." Bebeby simply replied. "Now get outta here, 'fore the last train home goes without ya." The plushie then reminded.

"...Why do you sound like you're from Kansai, now?" Haruka questioned with a sweatdrop. "And I can't just leave her like this." She then added in concern.

"You'll find out at Level 2. Now go." Bebeby ordered.

"Level 2? What are you-" Haruka continued in confusion before throwing her hands in defeat. "I-I think I will leave. I'll see you the day after. I'm close to a breakthrough right now." She then decided and revealed as she went over and took some of the pink beansprouts, placing them into a bag.

"H-Haruka-chan..." Murasaki got out, stopping her rolling session as she looked at the blonde. "Thank you." She then muttered in a grateful tone with a blush on her face.

Haruka in turn smiled back. "It's not a problem. Good night and good luck." She replied and encouraged.

"H-Hai!" Murasaki responded with a nod and a smile as the blonde left, shutting off the lights on her way out to allow her to sleep.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

Akira and Morgana let out a breath as they went upstairs. They had just spent the last hour lighting sparklers with Futaba and Sojiro, neary causing a fire a few times but always putting it out before things got too feisty.

"Too bad Futaba couldn't be there for the fireworks show the shinobi set up." Akira sighed as he sat down on his new bed. He didn't really have the heart to tell the orangette that the shinobi had thrown a spectacular show after being rained on, but just sitting around waving sparklers around was just as fun.

"Yeah. Too bad." Morgana replied as he jumped onto the bed. "But I guess sparklers will suffice for now. We can always give her a real one next year if it rains again." He then got out.

"If my parents let me visit." Akira grumbled under his breath before sniffing the air. "Mona, you need a bath." He bluntly informed.

"I know. Dammit, my fur reeks of smoke." Morgana groaned before jumping onto the windowsill. "Give me a few minutes. I'll be back spick and span!" He then declared.

"Where do you get washed anyways?" Akira questioned as he opened the window. He never really washed the not cat at all during his stay with him, he would just show up clean every few days.

"That is classified information." Morgana answered before jumping out the window.

"May as well work on a few tools while he's out." Akira decided as he got up from his bed and sat at his crafting desk. "Ah, where's the exacto-knife? I told Kawakami to put it back where she found it..." He muttered while searching around his desk.

After finding the damn thing he put on some good music, flexed his fingers, armed his Proficiency and got to work.

By the time Morgana came back, Akira had crafted a bunch of tools for their next trip to the Metaverse. Lockpicks, Elemental Bombs, Goho-Ms, the works. "You've been busy." The not cat noted.

"Had to do something while you were getting groomed." Akira replied as he brushed his hand through his refreshingly soft fur. "Better check the weather. God, if you're listening, I will smite you if there is a drop of rain tomorrow." He then threatened in a vengeful tone before turning on the TV and flipping to the weather channel.

"The last Sunday of summer vacation has been sunny since morning, and the temperature has only gotten warmer." The weatherman reported. "Air pressure continues to be high, and it's expected that today's sunniness will continue tomorrow."

"Looks like we don't have to worry about the weather! I can't wait for tomorrow!" Morgana happily exclaimed.

"Thank you for listening." Akira whispered in relief as he sat down at his bed.

BZZT! BZZT!

"And that should be everyone." The Leader got out before pulling out his phone.

[Shut7heFUp: Awright! We're going to the beach tomorrow!]

[SushiRoll23: YAY!]

[FireGirl20: This is gonna be fun!]

[I've been waiting for this for so long!]

[Negative8Degrees: Don't get so excited that you can't sleep.]

[Road2Queen: We'll be entrusting the care of Futaba to you, Akira.]

[TheWildJ0ker: You can count on me.]

[DarkEyeXI: I'm not. I'll be there in Yongen first thing in the morning.]

[DarkEyeXI: We'll go together.]

[Alibaba9: I'll be good on my own, y'know. I'm 15, not 5.]

[Negative8Degrees: Previous days have not quite displayed such confidence...or restraint.]

[All4Painting: I only ask that you try not to get separated from each other in the crowd, OK?]

[Alibaba9: No worries. I've already made preparations for when that happens.]

[Shut7heFUp: That don't make me feel better...]

[Negative8Degrees: And make sure to turn in early!]

"A thousand yen it's a pair of handcuffs." Akira deadpanned as he plugged in his phone.

"That...That is a possibility." Morgana admitted. "...Erm, should I go check just in case?" He soon asked.

"Eh, I'm at a point where I've just stopped caring." The Leader admitted. "Plus, it could make for some good practice." He then added.

"For what?" Morgana pressed.

"I'm thinking lockpicking handcuffs or just escaping my bonds." Akira answered. "You know, just in case." He then added.

"Always expect trouble to come your way, huh." The not cat chuckled.

"It's what I live for." Akira breathed out before glancing around. "...I guess Haruka's working late again. I can't afford to stay up." He sighed as he put down his phone.

"No one in the team can tonight." Morgana stated before curling up into a black furball. "Night, Joker."

"Good night, Morgana." Akira sighed as he closed his eyes, only hoping tomorrow didn't end up in a disaster before he drifted to sleep.

---

Save Game…Quit!

---

Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Mastermind (Level 4)

Knowledge- Professor (Level 4)

Proficiency- Masterful (Level 4)

Diligence- Thorough (Level 4)

Courage- Daring (Level 4)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Adult (Level 4)

Knowledge- Professor (Level 4)

Femininity- Natural (Level 4)

Elegance- Gentlewoman (Level 4)

Understanding- Motherly (Level 4)

---

Whew! Done! Next chapter is the beach episode! Get ready for nudity, water gun fights, love, boobs, and Futaba being cute and gremlin-like!

UknownHero signing off, my friends!

…

…

…

So uh…is anyone gonna question the timing of Akira getting a new bed?