Okay, this is probably the last one of these quick update chapters. Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. So... I'm probably going to focus more on my studies than my writing. Something about doing stuff at home, which I can't really do thanks to my laptop being terrible. I want to build a PC for both work and play some day but right now I'm sticking to my hand-me-down 200X laptop with a busted battery and running on Windows 7. It's ancient and I'm afraid of losing everything, but luckily I have backups on my Google Drive.

But enough of my rambling, let's get onto the reviews. To Dracus6: Oh, for the love of... No. I don't do requests most of the time. I must have an interest in the concept, willing to pay me and I don't watch Shield Hero. And even then, you have to write it with me. No exceptions.

That's it. I'm gonna put it in bold: Do not send me requests unless I am personally interested in the concept or you are willing to pay me. Send me a PM, not a review.

Are we good? Okay, if I have to say it again, there might be a blacklisting. I am getting too unreasonably bothered by this!

Load Game... Start!


Chapter 29: The Naked Truth


(5/17, Afternoon)

(Shujin Academy, Classroom)

Another class, another lesson Akira was barely paying attention to. He was scribbling in his notes pictures of his various Personas and different versions of their crappy Phantom Thieves logo on the side of his book between glancing at the chalkboard and writing down notes.

He knew this already. He read ahead. Now he was just waiting for the day to end.

"How does he look so focused...?" Homura thought as she narrowed her eyes, knowing that the Leader was killing time instead of learning.

"My arm...Is getting tired..." Asuka mentally groaned as she rolled her shoulder. She had been working overdrive since the exams so she wouldn't panic like last time.

Finally, Ann's eyes widened before quickly grabbing her phone from her pocket and started texting the others. Seeing the ash blonde do this, the others followed suit.

[Sweetkat06: All right, I contacted Kitawgawa-kun about modelling for him.]

[SushiRoll23: Yeah. I did this morning. Still waiting for his response though...]

[Sweetkat06: I really have no idea what I'm supposed to do as an art model though...]

[TheWildJ0ker: Cover yourselves in paint?]

[Sweetkat06: Can you at least try to take this seriously?]

[FireGirl20: I-It shouldn't be that hard. All you have to do is stand there, possibly sit down, for an hour or so.]

[Shut7heFUp: Yeah, you don't gotta go all out for this. You're only doing it so you can get dirt on Madarame, remember?]

[Sweetkat06: That is true. It sounds like Kitagawa-kun wants this to be a private picture of his though...Well, I guess I'll let you guys know when he contacts me again.]

"We really have to stop texting in class..." Homura thought as she noticed the rest of the class on their phones in secret. "But the teacher never notices or just doesn't care for it occurring..." She then added in her head.


(5/17, After School)

(Shujin Academy, Courtyard)

As soon as classes ended, the Thieves went to the courtyard to have a little meeting. However, they were waiting on Ann to arrive back from the bathroom.

"Ah...That's some good melon pan..." Ryuji breathed out in a satisfied manner.

"Shouldn't we be meeting under a Kekkei?" Asuka whispered out.

"It isn't necessary." Morgana spoke up. "As long as we watch what we say and stay quiet, we should be fine. By the way, did Yusuke contact you yet, Lady Asuka?" He soon asked.

"Yeah. Just a few minutes ago." Asuka answered with a nod. Just then, the ash blond approached the group. "Hey, Ann-chan. Did Yusuke-kun respond to you too?" she soon asked.

"Yeah. Said he wanted us to come straight after school today." Ann answered with a nod.

"This'll be different than the photo session right?" Asuka then asked.

"Probably." Ann answered with a shrug.

"Either way, this is perfect." Ryuji got out with a smirk. "He prolly changed his plans immediately just so he could get you two over there."

"Yeah..." Homura got out in uneasy agreement.

"We need to find out from Kitagawa-kun if what we saw in the Palace was true..." Ann muttered out in concern.

"It won't be that easy to get that type of information from him, you know." Akira pointed out with a frown.

"Hey, quiet down. It's that student council president." Morgana warned.

The Thieves turned to see the girl in mention talking to the site administrator, who seemed to be pretty calm as he talked to her.

"Yikes...She got hold of Mishima today?" Ryuji got out with a wince. "It'd suck if she noticed us. C'mon, let's split up and meet up somewhere else." He got out followed by the suggestion.

"Uh...I guess we could meet up at the Accessway." Asuka got out.

"OK, sounds good. See you later." Ann replied as the Thieves nodded to each other.

Homura meanwhile sighed as she looked at the Student Council President. "They just don't know Makoto-senpai..." She muttered.

"Homu-nee, come on. We need to go." Asuka whispered to her roommate.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Homura quietly replied before they left the courtyard.


(Shibuya, Accessway)

Akira and Ryuji were leaning against a rail as they waited for the girls to arrive.

"We finally landed a big target." Ryuji got out with a smirk. "C'mon, let's get some dirt on Madarame." He then declared in determination before frowning and looking around. "But man...where're the girls? They're late." He then got out.

"Ann texted me saying she was helping the girls out with something." Akira informed.

At that moment, the girls arrived, though for the ash blonde and brunette for the group, they looked a little...different.

"Sorry." Ann apologized.

The boys raised their eyebrows as they noticed that Ann and Asuka had a light amount of lipstick, some blush and mascara...it was barely noticeable but it was there.

And meanwhile, Homura just looked annoyed.

"Ann...Asuka...Did you put on more makeup?" Ryuji got out.

"W-We did. Well, A-Ann-chan did my makeup for me..." Asuka revealed with a blush.

"I had to convince them not to go shopping for a new set of clothes." Homura deadpanned.

"And Ann's breasts seem to be pushed up a little..." Akira pointed out.

"Wait...you were late because you wanted to look good for the painting and shit!?" Ryuji realised.

"What!? Pfft...! N-No! I...I only...uh..." Ann awkwardly began, only to trail off at the end.

"She did." Homura sighed out as the ash blonde blushed in embarrassment to being exposed. "I apologize if I sound annoyed, but one; we do not have the time. And two; this is only an excuse to question Yusuke." She then reminded.

"You mean interrogate?" Akira pointed out.

"Akira Kurusu, you know exactly what I mean." Homura countered.

"Yeah, that's what interrogate means. Questioning someone." Akira stated.

Homura's eye in turn twitched to that, but then took in a deep breath to calm herself down. "It would be best if we head out now." She soon suggested.

"Yeah, let's head there now." Morgana got out as the Thieves started to make their way to the artist's shack.

"Hey, I was thinking..." Ann started.

"What is it...?" Ryuji asked.

"Don't you think Kitagawa-kun has to be protecting Madarame?" Ann questioned. "I mean they live together, so he'd have to be aware of Madarame's true nature. The only reason I can think for him doing that is that Madarame has something on him..." She then added.

"Again...he owes him his life. He took him in when he had nowhere else to go." Asuka reminded. "He's doing everything he can to please his sensei, even if it means he has to suffer as a result." She then added.

"And not to mention Yumi." Homura stated. "I mean...she has to know, right? Or at least aware that something is wrong." She soon added.

"After this, we're askin' this Yumi chick if she knows anything." Ryuji muttered out. "So, how are we gonna approach this..." He then asked.

"Look, all the girls have to do is get him to open up by any means necessary." Akira instructed...before seeing the tan skinned girl glare at him. "I mean be friendly with him and stuff. I'm not asking them to seduce him. Unless..." He then added before trailing off at the end.

"Do you wish to have children, Akira?" Homura growled.

"I see your point. To the atelier." Akira declared as he walked a little faster with the others following suit.


(Shibuya, Madarame's Shack)

Yusuke could help but feel annoyed as three more guests sat in the room, rather than just being himself, Asuka and Ann.

"I thought it would just be you two." Yusuke got out as he stared at the uninvited.

"W-Wouldn't you g-get nervous if it was just the three of us. Alone. In a room. Alone." Asuka nervously mumbled out.

"Did you just say alone twice?" Yusuke asked with a confused expression on his face.

"I-I did, didn't I?" Asuka mumbled out as she pressed her pointer fingers together.

"We're here to just keep an eye on you. These girls had their fair share of unpleasant experiences so just act like we're not here and we should be fine." Homura explained.

"Yeah, do anything pervy and we'll be out of here before you can say The World." Ryuji added.

Yusuke however just sighed in response. "Stop making such odd assumptions. I have absolutely no interest in them as members of the opposite sex." He explained.

"Huh?" Ann got out, looking surprised.

"Is there a problem, Takamaki-san?" Yusuke asked.

"...No, not really." Ann answered, looking rather disappointed.

"I'm still wondering why you didn't choose Homura as well..." Akira mumbled out.

"Please, just do a pose together and I will do my best to put it onto the canvas." Yusuke instructed as he sat in front of the blank canvas.

"Uh...like this?" Asuka soon asked as she and the ash blonde posed together.

"Yes. Perfect. Stay like that." Yusuke got out as he framed the two before he started sketching in complete silence, concentrating on his art.

This kept going on for a couple of minutes...

"...Um, Yusuke-kun...?" Asuka spoke up.

However, Yusuke ignored her as he continued sketching.

"K-Kitagawa-kun?" Ann tried to get his attention as well, only to be met with silence herself.

"Uh...dude, they're askin' you a question." Ryuji pointed out.

Again, silence.

"He's way too focused on his art." Homura sighed out. She didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

"This isn't what we planned! We were gonna catch him off guard and make him spill his beans, weren't we?" Morgana got out.

"I don't even think anything short of an earthquake could make him lose focus." Akira whispered out.

"How are we supposed to know this was gonna happen...?" Ryuji groaned out. "Guess we just gotta wait 'til he's done...What an effin' pain in the ass..." He then added.

"I'll say..." Homura muttered in annoyed agreement. "At least he isn't pulling anything with my Asuka..." She meanwhile thought.

"I-I'm starting to get a cramp." Ann got out.

"Perhaps I should try going outside this room..." Morgana soon suggested.

"Don't get caught." Akira replied as he watched the artist continue his work.

"Heh, who do you think you're talking to?" Morgana got out in a smug tone. "Besides, this is way too boring, so I'm going to scout around a bit." He then added.

"Be careful." Asuka whispered to the cat as he snuck out of the room.

"Ugh...how long is this gonna take?" Homura mentally groaned.


A few hours later...


"Asuka, I can't feel my butt." Ann quietly got out.

"Same here Ann-chan..." Asuka muttered back. "The tough part of modeling right?" She then asked.

"Yup..." Ann responded. "You're lucky you didn't experience it." She then added.

"Wow, you two have such a hard job of standing still..." Ryuji mumbled out. "But at least you're doin' somethin'." He then added.

"Zzzz..." Homura however had fallen asleep about an hour ago.

Meanwhile, Akira entertained himself by having a discussion with his Personas about ice cream and other such important subjects. It had somehow melted into an argument about whether it was smart to put ice cream in sushi.

Finally, Yusuke gave out a sigh.

"Waffle battered bacon." Homura mumbled out as she woke up. "Wha- Are we done yet? Can I punch him?" She got out.

"Homu-nee!" Asuka chided.

"Not yet, Homura." Akira sighed out.

"I heard the word yet. Goin' back to sleep." Homura responded before promptly doing so.

"Are you done?" Ryuji asked in a hopeful manner.

The dark blue haired boy however suddenly sighed in disappointment. "It's no good..." Yusuke sadly admitted.

"Ugh..." Akira groaned out in annoyance.

"What!?" Ryuji exclaimed.

"I'm sorry...Am I the problem?" Ann guessed.

"Or is it me?" Asuka then asked.

"No, not at all." Yusuke quickly replied. "It's just...I'm having trouble staying focused today. I'm sorry, but we'll have to resume this another time..." He stated in an apologetic tone.

"Oh hell no!" Ryuji snapped, causing the tan skinned girl to awaken. "How many hours do you think you made us wait!?" He then asked in frustration.

"I'm sorry Yusuke-kun..." Asuka apologized as she and the ash blonde got up, blood returning to their lower bodies. "We had another reason for seeing you today." She soon confessed.

"We needed to talk to you about something important." Ann then revealed in a serious tone.

"It's about those rumors regarding your sensei." Ryuji bluntly stated.

"This again..." Yusuke got out in annoyance.

"That painting we saw at the exhibit...You're the one who actually painted it, right?" Ann guessed.

"That's..." Yusuke started, however, the look on his face told the Thieves everything.

"I knew it." Ann declared in a more serious tone.

"Yusuke, Madarame is just using you. You're not a student to him, you're a tool." Homura stated. "All you are to him is someone who gives their art to him. He's not even treating you like a human, but a resource. A dog." She then added in an angered tone.

"I'll make this clear; there's no point in hidin' stuff from us." Ryuji spoke up.

"Hahaha...I have no idea what you're talking about..." Yusuke however got out while attempting to chuckle in amusement.

"You say that but your eyes say otherwise." Akira pointed out.

"You couldn't go against him, could you? I'm sure we can help you out though..." Asuka then suggested. "Does Yumi-chan even know about what Madarame is doing?" She soon asked.

"Stop it..." Yusuke however stated. "It's just as you all say. We're...our sensei's artwork." He soon revealed.

"We're finally getting somewhere." Homura thought as she mentally pumped her fist.

"Don't misunderstand me though. I offered my ideas to him myself. As such, it can't be called plagiarism. Sensei is simply suffering from artist's block right now." Yusuke informed.

"Dude, still...!" Ryuji got out.

"Then why doesn't he admit it in the first place? Clear those rumors, maybe set up an exhibition showcasing the art his pupils made while he works through this artist block? It wouldn't hurt his credibility if he did all that." Akira pointed out. "Why claim your art as his own right now?" He then questioned.

"..." Yusuke winced at that hole in his explanation.

"Kitagawa-kun..." Ann got out in concern.

"Then why're you stickin' around!?" Ryuji called out. "You said we are his artwork, but look around! There's only you here! All his other pupils ran away!" He then added.

"Yusuke-kun, you can't keep living like this." Asuka then got out in concern. "I mean, look at you. Look at where you're living. Do you even eat every day, or are you relying on Yumi-chan lunch outings to feed yourself for the week?" She then asked.

"What's wrong with a pupil helping out his master!?" Yusuke however called out. "There are no victims here! Stop pushing your self-centered righteousness on me!" He then ordered.

"Yusuke-kun, we aren't trying to start trouble. We're just worried that your devotion to your sensei is misplaced." Asuka replied. "I don't want to see you suffer." She then revealed.

"And what about the dozens of other pupils he had." Akira questioned. "Nakanohara, Seta, Yuuki..." He began listing off.

"H-How do you know those names?" Yusuke got out in surprise before shaking his head. "I'm supporting Sensei as his pupil. Where's the wrong in that?" He then asked.

"The sensei should be helping the pupil, not the other way around." Akira countered.

"Stop lying to us, Yusuke." Homura got out. "Or...are you trying to convince yourself of that lie?" She then accused.

"...Get out." Yusuke growled. "Don't ever come here again...If you do, I'll sue you for causing a disturbance." He soon threatened.

Damn brat, I'll sue!

"Guh...!" Akira winced at the reminder, but continued glaring at the artist.

"Hold it! We're not done talkin' here!" Ryuji yelled out.

"Yusuke-kun!" Asuka got out in disbelief to hearing the threat towards them. "We only want to help! Please..." She then added.

"Then you leave me with no choice..." Yusuke got out as he stood up and reached into his pocket...and pulled out nothing. "Huh?" He got out in confusion.

GRIP!

"Don't. You. Dare." Homura threatened with narrow eyes as she revealed that she was holding the dark blue haired boy's phone.

"How did you...?" Yusuke got out in shock.

"You dropped it." Homura lied. "We tried talking to you peacefully, we tried reasoning with you and you threatened us in response." She then added.

"Well, there wouldn't be such a response if only Shirokage-san and Takamaki-san came here today. I do not recall asking you three to come as well. Now please, give me back my phone." Yusuke demanded.

"Did you know we're victims of Kamoshida?" Homura however questioned in a dead serious tone, causing the boy's eyes to widen. "Yeah, that's why we stick together." She soon stated.

"I don't care about that. What you're doing is now nothing more than the attempted defamation of my sensei. Now give me back my phone or else I will report to Madarame about this." Yusuke continued to threaten.

"What the hell!?" Ryuji however got out in anger.

"Everyone, please calm down!" Ann called out, feeling as though this was escalating. "You're acting too rashly. We don't want trouble Kitagawa-kun, we care about you. Okay, fine, we'll stop bothering you about the rumors, okay? Just don't do anything you're going to regret later, alright?" She then added.

To that, Yusuke and Homura silently glared at each other, daring each other to make the first move.

"Homura..." Akira got out as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Think this through." He then muttered.

"...Alright." Homura finally relented as she tossed the boy his phone. "But after everything, I wonder why we even bothered talking to you in the first place." She then added.

"Homu-nee..." Asuka got out with a frown. She really did not like her roommate's attitude with the rising artist.

"That's fine. However, I do have one more condition, or else I call the police." Yusuke stated.

"What is it?" Ann asked.

"I still want you two to continue being my models." Yusuke answered

"...Eh?" Asuka responded in confusion.

"Oh my God, he's not letting this go, is he?" Homura mentally groaned.

"But you said that it wasn't working out today..." Ann pointed out, confused by the condition.

"That's because I was unconsciously being modest for your sakes..." Yusuke explained.

"...Where are you going with this?" Homura soon questioned with narrow eyes.

The dark blue haired blue then smiled as he closed his eyes. "However, I have nothing to worry about anymore." Yusuke soon declared.

"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion.

"If you two are willing to bare everything to me..." Yusuke then began as he pumped his fists. "I will put my heart and soul into creating the best nude painting ever!" He then dramatically declared.

The room went completely silent to that declaration as the Thieves slowly processed that last sentence again and again.

And one last time for good measure.

Then it finally hit them that he was being serious.

"WHAT!?" Ryuji yelled out.

"Nude!?" Ann got out in surprise.

"Excusez-moi?" Akira muttered out as he shifted his pants a little.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?" Asuka exclaimed in shock and confusion as a dark red blush graced her face.

"YOU WANT MY ASUKA TO DO WHAT!?" Homura roared out in anger, glaring at the dark blue haired boy.

"Well, preferably both of them but one shall do." Yusuke calmly informed.

"That's not the problem here!" Ryuji shouted out.

"Well, I should've seen this coming honestly." Akira mumbled under his breath.

"Ah, to think I'd be able to create a nude painting with my most ideal models...!" Yusuke however got out in excitement.

"W-Why n-nude!?" Asuka however squeaked out with a crimson blush of embarrassment on her face.

"Well, artists do have a fascination with the human body...usually the female anatomy..." Akira muttered to himself. "Actually, many artists find it easier to paint subjects naked so they don't have to worry about folds in clothing and such."

"STOP TRYING TO FIND AN EXCUSE!" Homura shouted at the Leader.

"Of course, you three won't be allowed in, and I ask that you forget about our discussion as well." Yusuke stated. "If I don't submit a new piece to Sensei soon, there will be some...inconveniences." He then informed.

"Inconvenience!? I'm gonna inconvenience your entire nervous system after I'm done with you!" Homura growled out in held back anger with a fire in her eyes. "ASUKA'S MINE YOU DAMN MOTHERFUCKER!" She mentally declared.

"...I can't blame her this time..." Wolverine admitted within the tan skinned girl's mind.

"What do you mean by...inconvenience?" Akira however asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Nude, meaning it'll be without clothes, right!? Why are things suddenly escalating like that!?" Ann complained.

"There's already an unfortunate amount of nudity in my life, please don't add to it!" Asuka mentally begged.

"Those are my terms. Do you accept them?" Yusuke asked in a polite tone.

"Yusuke, we just had to deal with a rapist ruling our school and we were among the victims. I don't think it would be in good taste to make them do this." Homura growled out her suggestion in a slightly threatening tone.

"You have to admit, that's effed up dude." Ryuji stated.

Yusuke, however, ignored them as he was already figuring out the painting in his head. "Sensei is out during the afternoon while the art exhibit is on, so I can use this place freely..." He soon reminded himself. "I should buy more art supplies." He then added.

"W-Will you give us a second here!?" Asuka called out as she covered her chest with her arms.

"Yeah, don't act like we've already accepted!" Ann stated.

"Um...you kind of have no choice..." Akira pointed out. "Either nude painting, or police. Pick your poison." He then added.

"...AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH...!" Homura mentally roared out to this lose lose situation. "I'M GONNA CHOKE THE LIFE OUTTA YA YOU GODDAMN PERVERTED DICK HOLE!" She then added in her head.

"Of course, I'm willing to wait for your answer however I require one by the time the exhibit ends." Yusuke informed. "I am willing to work with both your schedules." He then informed.

"Why is no one listening to us!?" Ann and Asuka however exclaimed in confused unison.

"Sensei will be returning home soon." Yusuke said as he checked the time. "We're done for today, Takamaki-san, Shirokage-san. I'll be waiting for you to contact me." He then concluded.

"Asuka will never participate in something like this! I won't let you!" Homura called out.

"Hey...what should we do?" Ryuji asked the Leader.

"...Leave." Akira sighed out.

"Yeah..." Ryuji replied in hesitant agreement. "Dammit, he got us good this time." he cursed under his breath.

"Don't give up so easily!" Ann exclaimed before sighing to herself. God, today sucked.

The Leader opened the door and saw Morgana sitting in front of it. "Huh? Are they done being models?" Morgana asked, looking slightly confused.

"A cat...?" Yusuke got out in surprise. Did a stray wander inside again?

"Oh, they're not done. But we're leaving." Akira replied as the dyed blond picked up the not cat and stuffed him into his bag.

"Mrow!?" Morgana got in confusion.

"We'll explain outside." Akira sighed out as the Thieves walked out of the room.

Asuka however noticed that her roommate was still standing inside, glaring at the artist's back. "Come on, Homu-nee. We're leaving." She got out as she dragged her roommate out of the room.

However, Homura grabbed onto the frame of the door. "Wait, I'm not done! If you fuckin' touch her I'm gonna use your intestines as a grappling hook! I'll make you even more skinny than you already are! I'll beat you to death with your own testicles! I'll shove all your fuckin' paintbrushes down your eyes! All your art is shit!" She continued threatening in a ranting manner.

"Homura, let go of the door!" Akira ordered as he helped the brunette pull the tan skinned girl away. "You know, this is probably why you weren't offered the modelling thing!" He then pointed out.

"FUCK YOU!" Homura angrily shouted out before the Thieves left the shack.


(Shibuya, Residential Area)

The Thieves were half-expecting the tan skinned girl to trash the neighborhood and half-expecting for her to charge back in and kill the artist's apprentice.

She was doing neither (thank God) except pounding her fists into the concrete, creating small craters in it, being more surprised that her fists weren't bleeding as a result.

BAM! CRACK!

"AUGH! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BULLSHIT!" Homura swore out in a furious manner as did one last punch to the ground before standing back up.

"Homura, quiet down! Yusuke might call the cops if you keep yelling like that." Ann warned. "If you wanna yell, set up the Shinobi Kekkei. You can scream all you want then." She then suggested.

"Come on Ann, you can't exactly blame me for being fuckin' pissed off!" Homura growled out in anger.

"Oh believe me, I'm pissed off too!" Ann however stated. "He's totally out of his mind! I'm gonna have to pose nude if this keeps up!" She then added.

"Y-You mean we will..." Asuka meekly reminded.

"How dare that Yusuke...!" Morgana growled out.

"The way he said it, it's not gonna be just in bras n' panties, but full-on nudity..." Ryuji pointed out in a serious tone.

To that, Homura's body began shivering in rising anger.

"F-F-F-Fu-Fu-Full-on nudity...?" Morgana stammered out. "Lady Ann and Lady Asuka's gonna..." He began to ask.

"Don't you dare finish, you perverted cat." Homura growled in a dark tone.

"Whoa, Homura. Calm down." Akira got out with a frown. "What are you thinking about?" He then asked.

The tan skinned girl meanwhile kept shivering in a furious manner. "Nothing, I'm just going to kill Yusuke the first chance I have." Homura calmly replied. "Not only is he covering for his bastard of a sensei, he threatened to sue us, call the cops and practically blackmailed us into getting Sis and Ann to be a nude model. Now if you excuse me, I need to buy a shovel." She soon revealed.

"We're not killing Yusuke!" Akira called out as he grabbed her collar to stop her from walking away. "Calm down." He then ordered.

"Yeah, besides, you won't have to worry about that if we make Madarame confess before the exhibit ends." Ryuji pointed out. "From what he was implyin' about inconveniences, Madarame wants a new art piece by the end of the month." He then deducted.

"And that's probably going to be Madarame's next art piece." Ann then guessed.

"Wait, so the whole damn country is gonna see you guys nude!?" Ryuji exclaimed.

Homura's eye twitched even more to that as her body shivered in anger. "Not if we steal Madarame's heart first! Then there'll be no need and my Asuka doesn't need to reveal her body to some perverted goddamn shithead like him and-" She began.

"Homura, deep breaths. You're going to melt the neighborhood like that." Akira warned, feeling the tan skinned girl radiate heat from where he was standing.

Blinking to that, Homura's eyes widened as she calmed down and groaned. "I-I apologize...this is just really frustrating..." She soon got out.

"Yeah..." Asuka groaned out. "D-Do we really have to pose nude for Yusuke-kun...?" She soon asked.

"No! No way in hell!" Ann got out in a panicked tone.

"Again, either pose nude or get the police called on us." Akira reminded.

"God, this sucks." Asuka muttered out. "We really need to change his heart and make Madarame confess." She then added.

"Our objective is clear then. We must steal Madarame's heart before the exhibit ends!" Morgana declared.

"Yeah. Let's meet up at the apartment tomorrow." Ryuji got out. "And make sure we go there separately. Don't want Miss President on our asses, after all." He then added.

Homura however groaned to that. "Dammit, Makoto-senpai's not that bad..." She muttered in annoyance.

"But she is investigating the Phantom Thieves. No matter your feelings, she's a threat to us." Akira pointed out with a frown.

"Again, its the no neck principal telling her to- '' Homura started.

"Homura, that doesn't change the fact we need to be careful around her." Ann interrupted. "She's suspicious of you too, you know. Be careful, alright?" She got out.

Homura however groaned to that. "Oblivious..." She thought to herself.

Suddenly, a camera-wearing woman approached the group. "Hey, can I talk to you kids for a sec...?" She soon asked.

"Huh...?" Ryuji got out dumbly.

"From the looks of things, you don't seem like the ordinary, stalking fans." The Camera-Wearing Woman guessed.

"Oh jeez..." Homura groaned out. "Are you some paparazzi?" She soon asked.

"The correct term is paparazzo, and no, I'm a journalist." The woman responded and revealed. "I'm actually looking for people that know Madarame's pupils. There's this painting, "Sayuri," that was supposedly stolen in the past." She explained. "But there's this rumor that it was taken by one of his pupils in retaliation for being abused. Have you heard anything about that?" She soon asked.

"Um...I don't know anything about it." Akira answered. "Ryuji, you know anything about it?" He then asked.

"Me!? I don't know nothing!" Ryuji exclaimed. "A-Ann, you hung out with Yusuke, you know anything?" He replied.

"I-I had no idea it was stolen before!" Ann got out. "Wait, Homura knows a little history about it, right?" She then got out.

"I found out from Yumi!" Homura called out. "B-But S-Sis has more of an interest in art than me, isn't that right?"

"Uh..." Asuka got out. "...Who's Madarame?" She innocently asked.

This in turn caused the others to almost face fault as a result.

"...I see." The journalist deadpanned. "There's no case unless there's a victim, and if there's no proof of abuse...I can't write either. Looks like I'm back to square one. Sorry for taking your time." She got out followed by the apology. "But if you get any leads, you mind giving me a call?" the woman asked as she gave the glasses wearing boy her business card.

"Ichiko Ohya. Journalist for Digital Devil Daily." Akira read to himself. "Did she get a job at that place for the name...?" He thought with a sweatdrop.

"See you." Ohya said as she left the group, deciding whether or not to go home or get drunk.

Bah, who was she kidding? Get drunk all the way!

"Er...We should all go home..." Ryuji suggested.

"Yeah..." Homura sighed out as the Thieves separated for the day.


(5/17, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Today was...ugh..." Asuka groaned out as she rubbed her butt, trying to get blood back into it.

"I'm sorry I snapped like that..." Homura apologized as she stripped down before heading to the bathroom. "I just..." She then started,

"I know Homu-nee." Asuka replied, interrupting her roommate as she also stripped down. "And I don't blame you. You were just thinking about me...and I should've used the pepper spray." She then added.

"Right." Homura replied in agreement. "Come on, bath time. We didn't take one after visiting the Palace yesterday." She then advised.

"Yeah. I feel dirty..." Asuka groaned out.

"Damn that stupid jerk!" Homura growled before coughing. "S-Sorry! Sorry...Just...he's...The next time I see him I feel like I'm gonna wrap my hands around his neck and throttle him for an hour." She soon confessed in a frustrated manner.

"He still needs help though. Maybe after we deal with Madarame that we sic Yumi-chan on him. I'm sure she wouldn't approve of his actions." Asuka suggested.

"...But what if she does?" Homura suddenly asked.

"W-Why would you...Yumi-chan isn't the..." Asuka started before blinking. "...She just isn't! I know it!" She then added.

"Just bringing up the possibility." Homura stated as she began getting the bathtub ready.

The tan skinned girl soon saw the body of her naked roommate. "I will never let anyone see this sight! Cross my heart and hope to die!" Homura mentally declared as she continued scrubbing her roommate.


(Fast Forward)

"Is something wrong?" Sae asked as she saw the boy pause his story and start blushing.

"U-Uh...nothing." Akira coughed out before continuing.

(Rewind)


"H-Homu-nee...my back's starting to get raw..." Asuka got out as she began to wince in pain.

"Sorry!" Homura apologized as she stopped and sigh. "Just...Just thinking about Yusuke and what he's doing to us...God, one punch. I want one punch to his face as hard as I can...!" She once more confessed.

"Please don't make Yusuke-kun out as the bad guy here. He's just...eccentric." Asuka pleaded. "I mean...both of us get naked pretty often as shinobis." She then pointed out.

"You didn't blackmail me." Homura pointed out. "Or threaten to call the police on me and my friends!" She then added as a crimson aura surrounded her.

"H-Homu-nee, you're boiling the water!" Asuka got out in a slightly flushed manner.

"A-Ah! Sh-I mean darn it!" Homura quickly got out as she cooled down. "Sorry! But...Argh...this is just so frustrating..." She then muttered. "He isn't giving me any reason we should help him." She soon admitted.

"Homu-nee..." Asuka mumbled in concern.

"I know, I know. He's a victim and he has no choice, but one of these days..." Homura growled out as she shook her fist.

Asuka in response gently took the tan skinned girl's fist into her hands, stopping its shaking as a result. "Remember Homu-nee, we won't this happen, believe in our group." She softly requested.

Homura took in a deep breath before letting it out. "O-Okay...Oh God, if I act like this to every student that pis-makes me angry, my committee is going to fall apart. I...I have to be patient...a respectful and mature figure one of my members idolizes me for." She then reminded herself in a mutter.

"Idolize...?" Asuka repeated.

Homura in turn giggled to that. "Hehe, yeah, one of the girls idolizes us thinking we're cool seniors." She revealed in a amused manner.

"B-But we only just got here..." Asuka however reminded with a blush on her face.

"Hey, we've already made a huge impact with Kamoshida, wouldn't be too much of a surprise to have someone try and follow in our footsteps." Homura replied.

"And...not as shinobis right?" Asuka soon asked in concern.

"Of course not! Why would you think that?" Homura got out followed by the question.

"Just making sure." Asuka responded.

Homura then held her roommate in a tender manner. "You're being silly Sis, no one besides our group knows we're shinobis and we'll be keeping it that way." She soon reminded.

"I hope so..." Asuka mumbled. "So...how did you do that by the way?" She suddenly asked in a curious manner.

"Eh? Do what?" Homura counter asked.

"Heating yourself up like that." Asuka replied with a smile.

"Oh, that. Sorry, I just lost control of a technique. Usually it's used for missions in case of the cold." Homura explained. "Though since I have a strong fire affinity, I can unintentionally lose control of it due to my emotions." She then admitted. "I gotta control my temper more..." She soon added.

"Don't worry Homu-nee, you can do it." Asuka encouraged. "And besides, everyone loses their temper." She then added.

"Yeah, but usually they don't have the capacity to kill someone at the snap of their finger..." Homura mumbled under her breath.

"Homu-nee, don't beat yourself up like that." Asuka however chided.

Homura then sighed. "No promises..." She muttered.

"Homu-nee~" Asuka got out with a pout on her face. "None of that." She then ordered.

"Fine. For you, Sis." Homura replied. "We better get out now." She then suggested.

Nodding to that, Asuka got out of the bath as well, meanwhile feeling as though Leadership went up for giving the encouragement and the order.

"Let's finish up and get some sleep." Homura soon suggested.

"Yeah." Asuka replied with a nod.

Soon enough, they finished their bath and tucked themselves into the futon.

But just as they were about to go to sleep, their phones rang.

"Jeez, stop messaging us before we go to sleep..." Homura grumbled out as the two got their phones.

[Shut7heFUp: Guys, I found something insane just now!]

[SushiRoll23: What is it, Ryuji-kun?]

[Shut7heFUp: Well...it sounds like a student of his offed himself when he couldn't speak about Madarame stealing his art!]

[FireGirl20:...Are you serious?]

[TheWildJ0ker: That's unforgivable.]

[Sweetkat06: That journalist was looking into Madarame too. It could be real.]

[Shut7heFUp: Someone died though. No one's talking about it...I bet it was covered up.]

[Sweetkat06: I wonder if Kitagawa-kun has heard anything...It'd be great if he could come help us out.]

[FireGirl20: Unfortunately he's too dedicated to him.]

[SushiRoll23: No. I know that in his heart he knows he's being abused by Madarame. We can't assume that he's blind to his sensei's actions!]

[Shut7heFUp: Ain't that asking a bit much? After today, he's prolly gonna be on edge about us. Well anyway, Madarame's still a piece of crap! Let's meet up tomorrow. It'll be our first time at the new hideout.]

[SushiRoll23: Mine and Homu-nee's apartment. Anyone want anything?]

[TheWildJ0ker: Morgana is begging for more fish.]

[SushiRoll23: Sushi it is! :)]

[Sweetkat06: See you guys tomorrow.]

"Go to sleep you guys..." Homura mumbled out as she laid her head on the pillow.

"Time to sleep now..." Asuka muttered. "Good night." She then got out.

"Night Sis." Homura replied as the two closed their eyes.


(5/18, After School)

(Shujin Academy, Classroom)

RING RING RING!

And with that, school had ended for the day.

"Every time I see Kawakami-sensei, she looks more and more exhausted..." Asuka admitted. "It can't be just from school...right?" She then asked in concern.

"I don't know. Maybe the situation with Kamoshida is making her work overtime or something." Homura guessed. "Well, let's get out of here Sis. Let's get some dirt on the fake artist." She then suggested.

"Already taken care of." Morgana however spoke up.

"Hm?" The two hummed out in a curious manner.

"Hey, aren't we supposed to meet up with someone today, Joker?" Morgana reminded.

"...Nakanohara." Akira muttered to himself.

"Hm? Something wrong, Akira-kun?" Asuka soon asked.

"Damn, forgot to mention it last night. We need to go, now." Akira ordered as he packed up his stuff.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Homura questioned.

"'Cause we have a lead." Akira replied.

"A lead...?" the two shinobi repeated as their eyes widened.

"From a Shadow." Akira answered with a smirk while adjusting his glasses, confusing the girls as a result.


(Shibuya, Teikyu Building, Ginza Line Gate)

"Yo." Ryuji greeted as the Leader and the shinobi approached him and the ash blonde.

"We're about to head to the hideout too." Ann got out before noticing someone walk up behind them with intent. "Hey, who's that?" He soon asked.

"Excuse me..." The man in the suit spoke up in a soft voice.

"Do we know him?" Ryuji had to ask.

"That's Nakanohara. Mishima told us to meet him here in Shibuya today." Morgana explained.

"For real...?" Ryuji soon asked in shock.

"...My name is Nakanohara. Natsuhiko Nakanohara, the one who was posted about on the Phantom Aficionado Website." The man stated, a slight bit of shame in his voice.

"He seems pretty nice. Doesn't seem like the stalker type. I think the change of heart must have worked." Ann mumbled to herself.

"The change of heart does wonders." Asuka admitted in a mutter.

"The administrator of the website contacted me..." Nakanohara explained. "They told me to look for two girls with large assets along with a boy with a cat in his bag wearing Shujin uniforms." He then revealed.

Simultaneously, the Thieves face palmed. "Goddammit Mishima..." Homura groaned out.

"Why did he have to mention that? Boy with a cat is at least a little more subtle..." Ryuji mumbled out.

"Well, it's not every day you see teenage girls with F-Cups." Ann awkwardly pointed out.

"Are our only outstanding characteristics are our chests!?" Asuka thought in distress and slight frustration.

"Ugh, fine. What do you want?" Homura soon impatiently asked.

"You may have already heard, but there's someone I wish to trigger a change of heart in." The former stalker answered. "...An artist by the name of Madarame." He soon revealed.

This got the group's attention in an instant. "Ichiryusai Madarame?" Asuka soon asked, even though she and the others knew.

"Yes. The one all over the media recently." Nakanohara replied with a nod.

"Ooh, you think this is it? Is the pupil gonna confess his master's secrets?" Ryuji got out.

"We have been seeing a lot about Madarame lately. Mementos, the news, even meeting a pupil of his..." Ann quietly muttered out.

"As you can guess, I am...I was one of Madarame's former pupils." Nakanohara stated. "He gave me lodging at his home, where I thought only about art. I genuinely wanted to be an artist..." He then revealed.

"Probably like in the same shithole Yusuke lives in now." Homura thought with a frown.

"There was another pupil as well. A very talented man, multiple years my senior." The former stalker continued. "Obviously, Madarame kept tabs on him. Everything he made was claimed as a Madrame original. He wasn't the only victim though..." He soon revealed.

"Obviously." Akira thought, recalling the dozens of portraits in the museum.

"All right, we got some real proof of the plagiarism." Ryuji stated.

"...Um, I'm not sure about that." Homura admitted. "I mean, just because a former pupil said it doesn't mean it's true. Even if you told people about it, they'd probably write it off as bitter pupils trying to discredit their former teacher..." She then pointed out as they went back to listening to the former pupil.

"In response to Madarame's actions...that senior pupil committed suicide." Nakanohara soon revealed.

"Suicide!?" Asuka growled out as a dark expression came over her.

"He must have been unable to bear seeing his work praised under Madarame's name. That was when I disobeyed Madarame's pleas and left. But he quickly pressured other parts of the art world, and my life as a painter was destroyed." Nakanohara soon revealed.

"He discredited you before you could discredit him." Akira got out as he narrowed his eyes. "To silence your voice. And most likely, it wasn't a first for him." He then deducted.

"Yes. I tried to turn over a new leaf working at a ward office...but it was no use. My attachment to art warped my emotions. Soon I began getting attached to everything..." Nakanohara soon confessed in an embarrassing manner.

"And so that's why you became a stalker in the first place." Ann replied with a frown.

"Yeah. God I was pathetic..." Nakanohara weakly chuckled out. "...I'd like to ask again. Please, make Madarame have a change of heart." He pleaded. "Not only for me. It's...to save the life of another man as well." He then added.

"Save their life?" Akira repeated. "Who are you talking about?" He soon asked.

"Even now, there is still one young man remaining under Madarame's tutelage. I think he's about your age." Nakanohara replied.

"Yusuke Kitagawa." Asuka quietly stated with a serious expression on her face.

"So you know him." Nakanohara got out with a small smile. "Then you should know about how talented of an artist he is." He then added.

"He's...interesting to say the least..." Homura muttered out.

"Then you should also know that he owes Madarame for taking him in after his mother passed. He's the perfect target." Nakanohara stated.

"So Yusuke's got no choice but to listen!" Ryuji called out in anger.

"I actually spoke to him a few times back when I was still living at Madarame's. I asked him if he found it painful to live with Madarame..." Nakanohara soon started. "And do you know what he said?" He then asked.

This in turn got the group's full attention.

"He said; If I could leave, I would..." Nakanohara then revealed.

Asuka's eyes in response widened to that. "Yusuke-kun..." She muttered out in concern.

"Kitagawa-kun..." Ann quietly got out at the same time.

"I have no right to say this given my prior cowardice, but I don't want to see another suicide...!" Nakanohara soon confessed.

"Oh, we feel the same buddy." Homura growled out.

"I'd like to find a way to save this young man. He has a bright future ahead of him..." Nakanohara soon added. "Please consider that when thinking about changing Madarame's heart." He then requested.

"Hey, you're not a coward. Just speaking up shows that you're braver than most. We'll relay this info to the Phantom Thieves. Thank you, Nakanohara-san." Akira soon responded. "I'd love to see one of your paintings once Madarame has a change of heart." He then requested.

"I-I'm a bit rusty but...I-I'll give it a shot. As long as Madarame pays for his crimes. Thank you again for hearing me out." Nakanohara hesitantly replied as he then walked off.

"...Well, it's not like we needed more motivation, but here we are." Homura spoke up after a moment of silence.

"We've been asked to act directly on behalf of one of Madarame's victims." Morgana stated. "It sounds like we don't have the time to deliberate whether or not to change Madarame's heart." He then added.

"Let's save Yusuke." Akira got out in a serious tone.

"Hell yeah!" Ryuji called out. "Madarame's just a piece of shit who preys on the weak!" He then declared.

The tan skinned girl in response nodded in agreement to that. "We can't let this go on...someone fucking died because of him!" Homura growled out.

"Suicide...I'll never let something like that happen again!" Ann declared. "Plus, we finally got to hear how Kitagawa-kun really feels!" She then added.

"Yusuke-kun...we will help him..." Asuka soon declared. "Even if he doesn't want it." She then added.

"Well, since it's a unanimous decision, how about we continue this at our new hideout?" Morgana suggested.

"Sure. Let's go." Akira replied as the Thieves started to head over to the shinobi's apartment.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Uh...I don't have any sushi prepared..." Asuka sheepishly admitted as they entered the apartment.

"Make some after our meeting." Morgana got out.

"Asuka, if you would?" Akira requested with a smile.

The Vice Leader in response nodded to that. "Shinobi Kekkei!" She declared.

With that, the group vanished from the apartment.


(Asuka's Shinobi Kekkei)

"Kaito Change!" Everyone save for the not cat called out as they were enveloped in flames before they dyed down, all of them being in their Phantom Thief attires.

"Alright! Let's get this meeting started!" Joker announced as he pulled on his red gloves.

"My fellow thieves, I would like to announce the start of our biggest and most dangerous heist yet." Mona declared. "Our target is Ichiryusai Madarame, the artist who has stolen both the ideas and lives of his students. We all saw that Palace. We'll pay dearly if we assume it's just going to be like the last one." He then added.

"Yeah. I have a feeling that this is going to be a lot harder than the castle." Joker stated.

"And furthermore...Lady Ann and Lady Asuka's chastity is on the line!" Mona added.

"What!?" Panther called out.

"Wait, when was that on the table!?" Yang exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Yin got out in agreement. "What's chastity again?" She soon asked in an innocent manner.

Everyone merely stared at her before shaking their heads and going back to the conversation.

"I'll tell you later Sis." Yang replied in a sisterly manner.

"We'll need to do what we did with Kamoshida. First, we secure the infiltration route in the Palace. After that, we send out the calling card. Once the Treasure materialises, we steal it." Mona instructed.

"And hopefully without fighting the ruler." Joker pointed out. "Ugh, I can still feel the pain in my back from when I was thrown into a wall." He meanwhile muttered out.

"Sorry..." Yang apologised with a wince. "Stupid Kamoshida and his blood wine..." She then muttered.

"Though that might be inevitable in the end." Yin however pointed out.

"Well, maybe this time won't get brainwashed into killing each other." Joker stated as the tan skinned girl winced.

"Oooh oh! I got a question! Madarame doesn't know what we were doin' stuff in the Palace yet. Why are we already gettin' treated like criminals in there?" Skull asked.

"Paranoia?" Yang soon deducted. "If he's going so far to ruin lives to keep them quiet, he won't take any chances with strangers. He trusts no one." She then declared.

"Or maybe he's just super salty from all the rumors that have been spreading about him..." Panther guessed.

Yang in response almost face faulted. "That can be a factor as well." She admitted with a sweatdrop.

"Then his Palace bein' so crazy had nothing to do with us...?" Skull muttered out.

"Either way, we should stay on our best behavior. Or at least keep our other activities on the down low." Mona stated. "It'll be harder for us to steal the Treasure if we needlessly increase the Security Level." He then added.

Yin in response nodded in agreement to that. "We also need to avoid getting Yusuke-kun's attention. He may be suffering from Madarame's actions, but he's going to report to Madarame if he catches wind of what we're doing." She warned.

"That's right. Yusuke is an enemy, at least for now." Mona stated.

"Hey, what is Madarame's Treasure going to look like anyway? Another crown?" Panther soon asked.

"Probably not. It was crown back at the castle because of the theme, being a king and all. I'm guessing it's going to be like a statue or a painting." Yang replied.

"...In a museum. Full of paintings and statues." Joker helpfully pointed out.

"Hey, my sixth sense will know when I see it." Mona stated.

"Don't hump the Treasure this time." Skull got out, causing the not cat to sputter in response.

"I agree. Please don't go crazy over the Treasure when we get to it." Yang requested as she looked at her roommate. "I believe we're finished now." She soon stated.

"I guess so. Our time limit for the heist will be when the exhibit ends, which is June 5th." Joker informed. "And since we need a day to prepare the calling card and steal the Treasure we should set our deadline to secure the route as June 2nd or earlier." He then suggested.

"That gives us...18 days." Yin estimated. "Around the same time limit we had with Kamoshida's." She then added.

"Now listen here. We can't mess this up, NO MATTER WHAT! OKAY!?" Panther called out. "If you want to have a conversation, save it for the Safe Room!" She then stated.

"Got it." Everyone replied with a nod.

"This is our first official heist as the Phantom Thieves of Heart. So let's make it count." Joker stated with a smirk. "Our mission starts...now!" He declared.

Yin also nodded in agreement to that as she made a hand sign. "Kai!" She got out as she dispersed the barrier.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Immediately, the group had reappeared in the shinobi's apartment.

"Alright! We goin' there now?" Ryuji asked.

"Nope." Akira replied automatically. "The sun is setting pretty fast so we won't have as much time as I'd like to get through the Palace. Plus, I heard Iwai is getting new stock today." He then informed.

"Joker is correct. Rushing through this will only spell disaster." Morgana got out.

"We'll go into the Palace in a few days, so everyone should get prepared until then." Akira ordered. "I'll be buying new weapons for all of you after school tomorrow." He then informed.

Asuka in turn nodded to that. "That makes sense, I'll go with you." She replied.

Akira in response nodded to this. "Ok, everyone disperse for now. I'll text you when we're going in." He instructed.

Everyone else in turn nodded to the order.

"After sushi!" Asuka happily declared.

"After sushi." Akira corrected himself. "Do you mind if I help out?" He then offered.

"Hai, this'll be your first official sushi making lesson Akira-kun." Asuka replied as she looked at the others. "Everyone else, get washed up and get settled in." She then instructed.

"Hai, hai." Ryuji got out as he went to the bathroom. "...Why do you have soap about your boobs!?" He then called out.

"URK!" Asuka and Homura winced out in unison.

"I-It was a gift!" Asuka quickly called out.

"W-Who gives soap like that!?" Ann meanwhile asked.

"Perverts." Homura deadpanned in annoyance.

"I can't help but feel you two have some sort of hentai field around you that makes everyone more...weirder." Akira admitted.

"Don't remind us..." Homura muttered in even more annoyance.

"We should get started on the sushi." Asuka suggested.

The Leader nodded and followed the Vice Leader into the kitchen.

"Okay, what should we make, Akira-kun?" Asuka asked as she washed her hands. "Since you're new to this, I'll start you off with something easy, like a normal Futomaki Roll." She soon instructed.

"Sounds good. Let's start." Akira got out as he washed his hands.

Soon, Akira was making a few rolls as Asuka instructed him.

It didn't look very good, especially compared to Asukas, but he was improving slowly.

Akira could feel his Kindness improve with each roll he made.

Asuka meanwhile felt as though her Leadership was improving as she instructed her fellow Leader.

"Remember, all you have to do is call me and I'll help make some sushi with you." Asuka offered and reminded.

"I'll keep that in mind." Akira replied as they finished making the sushi. "Okay, that's enough. They look great!" He then praised.

"Thank you, sensei." Akira replied with a bow, causing the brunette to blush.

"A-Akira-kun." Asuka sheepishly chided in embarrassment. "U-Uh...I'll serve the sushi now, wash up and take a seat..." She mumbled out.

Akira nodded before quickly washing his hands and joined everyone. It seemed they were in the middle of a conversation...

"For the love of...Shinobi can't do that!" Homura declared

"You can't, or you won't." Ryuji then asked.

"No, it is...it is literally impossible under all circumstances! What is wrong with you!?" Homura responded.

"Yeah, but-" Ryuji started.

"But nothing! Alright, let me reiterate this for the millionth time today; Shinobi, or any human on Earth for that matter, cannot-" Homura interrupted.

...Well, it was more accurate to say that it was a nonsense argument but he went with conversation.

"Ok everyone, thank you for waiting!" Asuka happily declared as she brought out the sushi platter.

"We'll talk about this later..." Homura told the dyed blond before grabbing herself a roll.

"You don't have to make us food every time we're here. We can always order out." Ann got out.

"It's ok Ann-chan, I promised Morgana-chan last night I would make sushi." Asuka replied before taking a bite of one of the Leader's sushi rolls. "Wow, this is pretty good for a beginner." She soon praised in an impressed manner.

"Thank you." Akira replied with a smile.

"Alright, we may as well use this opportunity for something constructive. Let's talk strategy." Morgana got out as he leapt onto the table. "Lady Asuka, do mind bringing out that museum guide we got?" He soon asked.

"Sure, Morgana-chan." Asuka replied with a nod before going to get it.

"Why don't we talk about it under the Kekkei?" Ryuji asked.

"Uh...I was hungry." Morgana sheepishly admitted.

The Thieves couldn't help but chuckle a little as Asuka came back with the map.

"Okay, what can we get out of this map..." Ann muttered out.

"Well...I can always map out a rough route..." Asuka suggested. "I'll add shortcuts and points of interest as we go through the Palace." She then added.

"Good idea Lady Asuka." Morgana praised with a smile.

"But is there anything else we can figure out?" Akira asked. "We only have half of the map."

"Rrgh...There's no point...There's barely anything we can get out of this stupid thing." Ryuji groaned out. "We can deal with anythin' Madarame can throw at us." He then added.

"Hm, but we can prepare for the possible enemies we may encounter." Morgana pointed out. "I suggest Joker here fuse more Personas. We don't know what type of Shadows we could encounter so it would be for the best for our Leader here to learn as many of their weaknesses before we even step in." He soon suggested.

"You should also avoid using Izanagi Picaro this time around. We can't risk you being out of commission again or putting unneeded stress on our supplies." Homura added.

"I'll try." Akira replied with a nod. "But I can't help it if another super Persona comes out of nowhere again." He then added.

"If one appears, that means we're screwed and need it." Homura stated. "That's why it would be a good thing you don't get one." She then added.

"And that's why we're taking our time with this. I want everyone to be more cautious in the museum. I want fewer mistakes from the castle." Akira stated.

"Of course." Homura replied with a nod of agreement. "Once again, we'll wait on your order." She then added.

"Alright. Now, let's enjoy this sushi before we leave. We worked hard on it and I'm not letting it go to waste." Akira got out as he took a piece and swallowed a roll whole.

So, with that, the Thieves hung out in the apartment talking about various things going on in their lives.


(5/18, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

But, as the sun began to set, one by one their friends left for home.

"Here, I made some Futomaki Rolls for you to take home!" Asuka offered with a proud smile. "Hope you like it!" She then added as she handed the Leader the container.

"Thank you Asuka." Akira replied with a nod. "This could be useful in the Metaverse." He thought as he put it in his bag.

"It's no problem. I'll see you tomorrow, Akira-kun." Asuka happily replied.

"Yeah. Definitely." Akira got out before leaving.

"And with that, everyone is gone." The two girls breathed out in unison.

"Now its preparation time until Akira-kun gives us the word." Asuka got out.

"...We're out of food aren't we?" Homura soon guessed.

"Yeah..." Asuka replied.

The two girls then groaned in unison once more.

"I'll...I'll go grocery shopping tomorrow..." Asuka sighed out.

"No, you did it last time and you have plans. Let me do it." Homura offered.

"Thanks Homu-nee." Asuka replied as she got her wallet.

"Next time Sis, it's late." Homura however reminded in a playful manner.

"R-Right." Asuka sheepishly got out while placing her wallet away.

"So silly." Homura got out in a teasing manner and a giggle escaping her lips as she started taking off her uniform.

"Moh..." Asuka got out with a pout of embarrassment on her face as she also stripped down.

"Come on Sis, I'm just teasing you~" Homura then cooed out. "Come along now, let's clean up and head to sleep. Today was pretty exhausting." She soon suggested.

"Hai!" Asuka replied as she two headed for the bathroom.

The two took a quick bath as they scrubbed one another down, smiling and giggling.

"H-Homu-nee, that tickles!" Asuka got out in a playful manner.

"Hehe~" Homura giggled out.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Asuka asked before looking at what her roommate was holding. "Why are you using the boob soap...?" She then added to the question.

"Well we really should use it up." Homura replied as she scrubbed herself down before hugging the other girl from behind, her breasts against her back as she began rubbing her down with the remaining soap. "Huh, red ginseng scented." She then got out in a mutter while also whispering it in her roommate's ear.

"I-Its smells...so good..." Asuka replied in a hazy manner. "Like...the bath bomb...~" She then added.

"Wait, what?" Homura got out as her eyes widened. "W-What do you mean like the bath bombs?" She then asked in concern.

"Mmm~" Asuka however moaned out.

"S-Sis?" Homura called out as she suddenly felt off. "W-What?" She started to get out as her eyes started to become hazy as well. "Is...this~?" She soon asked while hugging her roommate in an even more tender manner and continued rubbing her down. "Mmm~" She soon moaned out as well.

"Oh wait, oh crap!" Asuka swore out as she remembered. "U-Uh...C-Cold bath alone! C-COLD B-BATH ALONE FROM NOW ON IF YOU DON'T S-STOP!" She struggled out as her mind started feeling hazy again. "I-It feels...so...good~" She then got out.

Homura however was so dazed that she didn't even hear the first part as she continued, rubbing under the girl's breast as soap suds covered the two. "Adorable, cute, precious and sexy~ That's my Sis~" She seductively complimented while licking her lips.

"W-Why am I not fighting back...!?" Asuka mentally exclaimed. "Oh no...I'm...I'm..." She soon thought as she felt her resistance failing. "So...good~" She moaned out as she embraced her roommate's touch.

Neither one of them read the label of the soap saying that one of the major ingredients was red ginseng, known for being aphrodisiac and that it was concentrated at the center of the soap and would be released once it was at the end of its use.

It should be noted that the shop they went to all those days ago actually specialised in sexual health in the bathroom...with the side effect of slight memory loss.

An hour later...

Both girls were drying themselves off in a refreshed manner as the tub was drained.

"Ah, refreshing as always." Asuka got out while drying her hair..

"Yeah..." Homura breathed out. "...Did we black out for a second though?" She soon asked.

"I think the stress of everything going on plus the heat got to us." Asuka soon deducted.

"At least we used all of the boob soap." Homura then pointed out with a grin.

"That's a plus." Asuka replied in agreement. "And my skin feels really smooth." She then added as she rubbed her skin in amazement.

Homura then started rubbing her roommate's skin herself to see for herself. "Oh...Yeah...that's the good stuff...such a silky smooth feeling..." She shuddered in pleasure.

At that moment, Asuka went and started to feel the tan skinned girl's skin. "Yours too Homu-nee." She then got out. "We'll have to get more bath related stuff so we can keep feeling like this." She soon suggested.

"I agree. Um...but...we should probably get it from another store..." Homura suggested. "I mean those bath bombs..." She got out as she trailed off at the end in an awkward manner.

"Yeah..." Asuka awkwardly giggled out in agreement. "Hehe...it would be embarrassing if others came in and saw us like that, huh?" She soon began.

"Yeah, it would." Homura got out...before quickly poking her head out the door to check then locking it. "With our luck, it would..." She then deadpanned as she returned to her roommate's side.

"Yeah." Asuka sheepishly replied in agreement before a yawn escaped her lips. "Tired..." She soon mumbled out in an adorable manner.

Homura's heart tightened at the sight. "Heart attack...from cuteness is very likely..." She thought in a strained manner as she and Asuka headed for the bedroom. "It would be best to head to sleep now. We have busy days starting tomorrow." She then added.

"Yeah. I hope we can infiltrate the museum soon." Asuka admitted.

"We have to take our time Sis. Don't worry, Akira won't delay our heist for too long." Homura assured.

The brunette nodded as she pulled the blanket over them. "So warm..." Asuka sighed out.

"Yeah...it's been so great being with you..." Homura breathed out her confession as she shifted a little closer. "I won't let Yusuke paint you nude." She then promised.

However...This reminder only made Asuka frown. "Yusuke-kun..." She thought. "Does he even have a warm bed...?" She mentally wondered in concern.

"Sis, why do you look worried?" Homura asked.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. Really." Asuka answered in an uneasy manner. "Good night." She mumbled out.

"Okay. Good night." Homura replied as she snuggled closer to her roommate.

"We're going to take that scam artist's heart." The two shinobi girls mentally declared as they drifted off to sleep.


Save Game... Quit!


Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Pushover (Level 1)

Knowledge- Informed (Level 2)

Proficiency-Bumbling (Level 1)

Diligence- Persistent (Level 2)

Courage- Reliable (Level 2)


Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Underdeveloped (Level 1)

Knowledge- Learned (Level 2)

Femininity- Boyish (Level 1)

Elegance- Nonexistent (Level 1)

Understanding- Kindly (Level 2)


Asuka Sushi:

Futomaki Roll- Heals 30 HP and 30 SP (Unlocked at Rank 3)


We're getting there... just hold on a moment... Yumi and Yusuke are going to get Personas soon...

UknownHero signing off, my friends!