Well, this one is quite long. UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! Where everyone is messed up in some way, shape or form as I have realized recently. I mean, as you'll see in future chapters, you'll see that everyone in Phantom Thieves have some sort of parental problems being either missing or dead. I think P4's the only one with that honour of having good parents and they barely exist.

I also kinda want a TV Tropes page just to see some second opinions. It is sort of an echo chamber here.

Anyway, onto the reviews! To thisissupposedtobeblank: Yep, this… this is definitely a million plus word work. To WX-Lazer: Yeah, I have noticed Yumi is quite the center of attention. However, I think Homura is becoming one for our story. Just tell us or something if you think so. To Vein Bloodborne: Happy birthday! Uh…sorry…

Updated! On 27/8/2020! Thank you Doujin Logic for the correction.

Anyways, that's it! Let's scream at each other!

Load Game… Start!


Chapter 45: Confessions of Madness and Rage


(6/6, Early Morning)

(Shinjuku, New Moon Apartment Complex)

The light grey-haired girl had woken up in a refreshed manner and with a smile on her face as she stretched her limbs. "Yesterday was incredible." She simply declared in satisfaction as she made her way to the shower, thinking about everything that had occurred.

The confession of Madarame with him being a fraud of an artist, her friend's freedom from his control, and finally, her training with the tan skinned girl in the ways of Elegance.

"Oh, I should let Asuka-san know that Homura-san has incredible adaptability, she would be most interested in hearing that so we can continue being a good influence on her." Yumi soon told herself and nodding in approval to the idea while stripping herself down and getting into the shower before washing herself.

To the Kosei Student Council President and third year of Gessen, the tan skinned girl was an amazing person. Sure, she first had a small bit of hate towards her due to her Evil Shinobi background, but when she learned the reasoning why it happened in the first place, it completely wiped any of the hate she had towards her.

She did wonder though what her Grandfather would have thought about the tan skinned girl if she told him about her. Would he accept the reason? Would he take it as an excuse?...Would he want her to kill the tan skinned girl?

Yumi however shook her head to that last question while rinsing her head. "No...he wouldn't...Would he?" She muttered in concern while turning off the water and stepping out before grabbing a towel to dry herself off. "But...his ideal world...I can't just..." She then got out.

He took her in when she lost her parents, given her her new permanent name, trained her, made her what she is today...But was she willing to throw it all away for one person?

"...Maybe I can convince Homura-san that Ojii-sama's ideas for a pure, just world..." Yumi offhandedly thought as she finished drying off. "Yes, that may be the best course of action. I would need to be clear and concise." She then added to her thoughts.

Yes, that would work. And the tan skinned girl would agree. She has so far with everything after all. She knew that she would transfer to Hanzō Academy, and that was alright for her. As long as the tan skinned girl can help spread the ideals of pure and just, she would accept that.

"In any case, Homura-san is my precious student...and I will not stop training until she is the pure embodiment of Elegance." Yumi soon declared with determination...before gushing over the thought and holding her cheeks in her hands. "Mmm~! I cannot believe I have my own student that wants to learn from me! She looked even more beautiful in her version of my Shinobi Tenshin attire then I imagined! Black and red suits her completely!" She then got out in excitement and giddiness as she went and got herself ready while thinking of her next lesson for the tan skinned girl would be.


(Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Achoo!" Homura quietly sneezed in her sleep as she held her roommate. "Mmm..." She soon groaned out as her eyes struggled open. "What a good night sleep that was..." She then mumbled out.

"So great..." Asuka soon yawned as she sat up.

"Ah, good morning Sis." Homura calmly and politely greeted with a smile.

"Morning Homu-nee..." Asuka sleepily replied as she rubbed the crust out of her eyes. "So, what's on the docket today?" She soon asked.

"I believe it is us just keeping our heads down until we have a new target." Homura answered. "I am sure we will not have to wait long though, we seem to always run into scum of the earth quite quickly. I would assume this would be referred to as a mini-vacation. Even though we have school. And other obligations. Actually I believe a mini-vacation was a poor way to put this as." She then stated before blinking. She soon stated as she began to think about it. "...Break! It is a break. Why did that not occur to me earlier is beyond me." She then concluded.

Asuka meanwhile giggled. "Homu-nee, you're sounding like Yumi-chan." She playfully informed.

"Oh? Am I now?" Homura wondered in a curious manner and with a tilt of her head and a finger to her chin. "I guess that is Yumi-senpai's work at...work." She then got out before lightly slapping her cheeks to wake herself up a little.

"...Yumi-senpai?" Asuka repeated as she blinked a couple of times to hearing that.

Immediately, the tan skinned girl's eyes widened in realization. "Ah, I made such a blunder...I must apologize to Yumi-senpai later..." Homura mumbled out in a shameful manner at her mistake.

"Hm? What do you mean Homu-nee?" Asuka soon asked in confusion.

"Me and Yumi-senpai made the decision to keep me calling her senpai a secret on her request during my Elegance training and now I messed up and now you know Sis." Homura explained, feeling ashamed by her own blunder.

"Oh, I don't mind Homu-nee, I'll keep it a secret for you." Asuka replied with a grin. "So you gained respect towards Yumi-chan like you did with Ikaruga-chan?" She then asked.

Homura in response nodded and smiled. "Indeed she is. Another one of my aspirations." She replied. "However Yumi-senpai did also say to treat them as different people, rather than people better than myself." She soon revealed. "Despite that being a bit difficult." She then admitted. "Still, the new Shinobi Tenshin I have created is nice." She then added.

"Wait, you got two Shinobi Tenshin forms now!? That! Is! Awesome!" Asuka exclaimed with stars in her eyes. "You gotta show me your new one! Is it like Yumi-chan's? Does it feel good?" She then began asking in a rapid tone.

"Of course," Homura replied as she took a few steps back. "Shinobi Tenshin!" She calmly declared as her pajamas glowed before her kimono style attire took its place and the bow placed itself on her hair before elegantly posing. "Well~?" She soon asked in a gentle tone with an alluring and coy smile on her face.

The brunette meanwhile had stars in her eyes to the sight. "Whooooooa! You look so beautiful Homu-nee! You're practically radiating!" She declared in amazement.

"Am I now?" Homura questioned in a coy manner with a hand to her lips in amusement. "Well, you have seen nothing yet. Maybe I will show you in our next spar." She then suggested.

"Really!? What can you do now!?" Asuka soon asked in rising excitement.

"Ufufu~ I don't want to spoil it now. You would just strategise a way to counter it." Homura however replied in a playful tone.

Asuka in response playfully pouted to that.

"However," Homura started. "Try and imagine how Yumi-senpai moves around on the battlefield and replace it with my element." She vaguely stated.

"..." Asuka frowned as she tried to imagine it before groaning. "Um...I don't think I can. I was hit in the head a few times when we first fought her." She replied in an awkward manner.

"...Oh, right. You only fought her once and it was quite frantic." Homura muttered out. "

Asuka then gained a more thinking expression. "Mmm...well your element is fire while Yumi-chan's is ice..." She mumbled out. "And mine is earth." She then added.

"Correct," Homura replied with a nod. "And what exactly can you do on ice as a form of amusement and entertainment?" She then questioned.

"Mmmmm..." Asuka hummed out as she pressed her thumbs to her head as she thought about it. "Oh! Ice skating!" She answered while placing her fist atop her open palm...before fully realizing. "Ah! You can now skate on fire you emit like Yumi-chan can with her emitting ice!? That's amazing Homu-nee!" She then exclaimed with stars of admiration in her eyes to imagining it.

"Why thank you Sis." Homura replied. "Honestly when I realized it, I found that that form of movement is much faster than my usual style of movement." She then revealed.

"Wow!" Asuka breathed out in amazement before a thought came to mind. "Hmm...do you think I could do it too with my element and skate on Earth?" She soon wondered in a curious manner.

"Maybe?" Homura replied, though unsure about it. "You would have to talk to Yumi-senpai about it. I honestly learned it unintentionally." She then added and admitted.

"...But it would be pretty bad if we all have the same battle style, huh." Asuka muttered out.

"Maybe." Homura replied in slight agreement.

"Yeah, we all have our advantages and disadvantages but if we fight the same, once they figure out its weakness, they can take us all down quite easily." Asuka got out.

"That is indeed true Sis. I shall be sure to inform Yumi-senpai about that fact." Homura informed with a nod. "But in any case Sis, I will no longer battle as if I am a savage brute that leaves herself open for attacks." She then maturely stated.

"You're so cool Homu-nee." Asuka admitted in admiration.

"Why thank you my sweet Sis." Homura replied while rubbing the other girl's head in an affectionate manner.

Asuka in response giggled and smiled to the head rub. "Still, I like this side of you Homu-nee, you seem more mature and open now." She then admitted.

"I do feel more mature." Homura admitted. "Yumi-senpai was honestly amazed at how quickly I learned her style as it apparently took her years to master it herself." She soon revealed. "She believes I am able to adapt to anything on an exponential level." She then added.

"Hehe, by the way you and Yumi-chan describe it, you sound like an Eevee Homu-nee." Asuka giggled out in amusement.

"Eh? A what?" Homura responded in confusion.

Giggling to that, Asuka got her phone and opened the search browser and typed it in. "It's from a game series Ryuji-kun got me into called Pokemon." She explained before showing multiple pictures of a brown fur colored creature.

"...That is the most adorable creature I have ever seen. . " Homura had to admit. "But...why compare me to it?" She soon questioned in a curious tone.

"Well it's because Eevee can evolve in many different ways." Asuka revealed before pulling out her phone. "There's the Fire type Flareon, the Water type Vapereon, the Electric type Jolteon, the Psychic type Espeon, the Dark type and the one I think is the coolest Umbreon, the Ice type Glaceon, the Grass type Leafeon and finally, the Fairy type Sylveon." She listed off as she then showed off all the evolutions.

"That is...a lot of choices." Homura breathed out upon hearing and looking at each choice. "And...you like the Dark type one?" She then hesitantly asked.

"Well it's just a title." Asuka pointed out. "And Umberon looks cooler." She then added.

The tan skinned girl could help but giggle to hear that reasoning. "That is so like you Sis." Homura got out in amusement before looking at her. "So, which would I be?" She soon asked. "The Fire one cause of my element?" She then guessed.

"Too easy there with that guess Homu-nee." Asuka giggled out. "I'd say you're still an Eevee." She then revealed.

"Why is that?" Homura however asked in a curious manner with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, you're learning more things and constantly adapting and changing Homu-nee. You're basically evolving." Asuka explained.

"Something that can evolve in so many different ways due to adaptability..." Homura muttered in a fascinated tone.

"And stones. And time of day. And friendship." Asuka listed off. "Not to mention you're cute as one too Homu-nee." She then complimented with a smile.

Homura in turn immediately blushed in response as she covered it with her hands. "Y-You are just flattering me Sis..." She meekly stammered out in a flustered manner. "But, you know, it's not the worst thing to compare me to. I'm an Eevee!" She soon declared.

"Yeah, there you go!" The brunette replied in an encouraging manner. "And that makes you all the more cuter Homu-nee!" Asuka happily declared.

Homura's blush in turn became scarlet to that. "M-Moh! Sis!" She meekly got out in embarrassment.

"Hehe! And there's the little bit of me in you now Homu-nee! And that makes you even more cute!" Asuka pointed out and complimented.

"S-Sis, please, you are embarrassing me!" Homura mumbled out in a flustered manner as she placed her hands on her blushing cheeks but still smiled either way before calming down. "Still, evolving into something different instead of becoming a stronger version of itself." She soon declared before her expression started to fall.

"Well, evolving in game is optional." Asuka then revealed. "But there are also some Pokemon that can't evolve." She soon revealed.

"Using outside methods to force change rather than natural growth." Homura mumbled out as her hair overshadowed her eyes.

"Homu-nee don't make it sound like a bad thing." Asuka responded with a childish pout in her face with a puffed up cheek. "And you're not forcing yourself." She then added as she then hugged the other girl tightly.

"...Am I though?" Homura asked as shadows covered her eyes. "I'm taking lessons to become more of a female Sis. I asked Yumi-senpai to train me in elegance. I'm...relying on other people to make me better." She then reminded.

"By your own choice though." Asuka countered.

"But still not as an individual." Homura responded.

"Would you believe I'm using you too?" Asuka suddenly asked.

"...What?" Homura responded in confusion.

"I mean, I'm swearing more, taking charge more thanks to you. Hell, my thoughts on the Shinobi way has changed thanks to you Homu-nee." Asuka revealed. "And it was my choice." She then declared.

"But you also tried to copy me on your psychotic break back at the castle." Homura reminded. "God, I'm a bad influence aren't I?" She groaned out in shame.

"And that's why we're here now. Not just for our mission, but to change and make new discoveries about ourselves thanks to new people we meet." Asuka declared.

"...Sis...No, Asuka, what made us friends?" Homura suddenly asked in a serious tone. "What did you see in me that made you stick with me through all this? To even want me to become your actual sibling? Is this just all out of pity? Because you feel sorry for me? That...you only became my friend because I needed one, not because you like me." She soon questioned and accused in a depressed tone.

"...Okay, maybe at first." Asuka admitted, causing the tan skinned girl to drop her head in depression while the brunette took her hands into her own. "But...I started to get to know you, hang out with you and see that you're a good person, loyal, who wants to better themselves so they can move on from their past and find a better tomorrow. I became your friend to learn more about you, help you through the darkness and find that light at the end of the tunnel."

"..." Homura meanwhile said nothing as the shadows covered her eyes.

"Okay, maybe you aren't totally an Eevee. Maybe you're a Pokémon with a split evolution. Like Ralts..." Asuka then suggested before shaking her head in denial. "No wait, that's not right. Ralts evolutions are also caused by gender as well. Okay, I maybe the whole Pokémon analogy was a bad idea..." She awkwardly muttered before hearing what seemed like sobbing. "Wait, Homu-nee! W-Why are you crying!?" She soon asked in a panic.

"I'm not. Just laughing at my own idiocy." Homura replied as she wiped away the tears. "You are right though Sis, I will keep changing thanks to those around me, you included...as an important person to me." She then confessed. "And maybe...family..." She offhandedly thought.

"That's the spirit Homu-nee, no more being sad for you." Asuka playfully chided before checking the time.

SHATTER!

"Oh crapbaskets! School! Get your effin' uniform on!" Asuka exclaimed, getting her uniform on and rushing out the door.

"Hehehe...I think Ryuji is starting to rub off on you too..." Homura giggled out to herself as she started getting dressed.


(Hebijo Base)

Yomi yawned as she sat up from her futon. "Morning everyone."

"Good morning~" Haruka playfully greeted.

"Morning, Yomi-oneechan." Mirai called out. "Oh, by the way, Hikage already went out." She then added.

"Eh!? Hikage-san already left!?" Yomi questioned in shock and confusion as she scrambled to her feet.

"Hai, the shower had been recently used and some of the pink bottle shampoo was leaking out of the cap." Haruka informed. "I guess Hikage-chan wanted to get an early start." She then deducted.

"Oh no..." Mirai groaned out.

"The ones she bought. I disposed of the one I experimented on." Haruka corrected before pouting. "Still feels like such a waste..." She then mumbled in disappointment.

"Haruka-sama, some things were never supposed to exist." Mirai stated. "Like olives on pizza and angsty losers who write Satoshi betrayal fics." She then listed off.

"What?" Yomi got out in confusion. "Who's Satoshi?" She then asked.

"None of your concern." Mirai answered while waving it off.

"Well, I'm going to go and spy on Homura-chan this time." Haruka informed. "What are you guys doing today?" She soon asked.

"Taking care of my bean sprout plants." Yomi automatically answered.

"Mm...I guess I'll clean up the base." Mirai decided.

"Surely there's something you can do to gather more information on Homura's actions." Haruka got out with a frown.

"Well...there's that gym teacher that's imprisoned." Mirai reminded.

There was a good ten seconds of silence as the three girls cringed at the thought of even seeing the man.

"Denied." Haruka bluntly answered.

"Yeah, that was a terrible idea." Mirai admitted with a shameful look on her face. "What about the con artist?" She then suggested.

"Doubt it. He's still under police custody. They're watching him like a hawk to ensure he doesn't escape or end his own life. And even then, Homura-chan had reasons to expose the gym teacher, but not the con artist." Haruka stated. "And no, we are not ending either of their lives. They aren't worth the blood on our skin." She then stated.

"But Homura's is?" Mirai mumbled out in a sad tone.

"Mirai..." Haruka sighed out, knowing what the first year was referring to. "...No, but we are under orders. We bring her head if she has truly betrayed the school. And hopefully, if it all goes well, our confrontation will just be some catching up before we say farewell until she comes back to Hebijo."

"I really hope you're right, Haruka-san." Yomi got out. "Because none of us want to...orders or not." She then stated, getting nods of agreement from the others.


(Ginza Line)

Akira was actually quite sad he had to switch uniforms from today to October. It was stylish and he killed it. But alas, as he was reminded of many, many times over the months and would surely be told again throughout the rest of the year, the world was a cruel mistress and would not easily bend to his will.

"Akira-kun!" He snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to his favourite Vice Leader walk up to him with her usual smile on her cute face.

"Hey Asuka." Akira greeted before noticing a certain accessory. "Huh, still wearing that scarf, even in the summer months." He amusingly remarked.

"It's a part of me, Akira-kun." Asuka dramatically declared. "You can never separate me from it...unless it gets torn to shreds." She then added, mumbling out that last part.

"Speaking of never separating, where's Homura?" Akira asked.

"I went on ahead." Asuka answered. "So, are we going to Mementos soon? I'm sure we have a ton of requests now." She then asked and pointed out.

"Soon. Just need some more medicine before we head in." Akira replied with a nod.

"Hai. We're counting on you Leader." Asuka responded with a thumbs up.

"Morniiiin'!" Ryuji greeted the two Leaders. The two very quickly noticed something was wrong with the dyed blond. "The response to the press conference was huge! Everyone's talkin' about the calling card!" He then got out with a smirk.

"U-Uh...R-Ryuji-kun...?" Asuka awkwardly called out.

However, the dyed blond ignored her as he continued his bragging. "Hey, a couple of girls were checkin' me out today too..." Ryuji told the Leader, who was deciding when to tell his best male friend about his choice of clothing. "Maybe they can't help but sense my overflowin' Phantom Thief charm?" He then guessed.

"Well, it's something alright." Akira muttered to himself.

"Oh shit, am I finally startin' to be popular with all the fly hon-" Ryuji began to cheer...only to finally notice what all the students were wearing, including his friends. "...Oh no!" He exclaimed.

"What is it? A fly honey checking you out right now?" Akira snarked.

"Is there such a thing as a honey fly?" Asuka wondered out loud. "No wait, that would just be bees, wouldn't it." She muttered to herself.

"No! Aw dammit, we're s'posed to switch to summer uniforms today!" Ryuji realised. "I knew people were lookin' at me...Oh goddammit, me!" He soon swore out.

"Huh, even you're saying Goddammit, Ryuji..." Akira muttered out.

"I gotta go home and change, so you guys go on ahead!" Ryuji quickly got out. Akira and Asuka nodded before the former track star sprinted for home, running past the confused tan skinned girl...who was also wearing the winter uniform.

"Why's Ryuji running away? Did he forget his textbooks again?" Homura guessed before wiping off some sweat. "Whew! Is it warm out or what?" She then breathed out.

"Ah...what was that saying about being a hypocrite...?" Akira mumbled to himself as he tried to remember it.

"What?" Homura got out in confusion.

"Homu-nee, you're wearing the wrong uniform. We're switching to summer uniforms today." Asuka meanwhile pointed out and informed with a giggle.

"..." Homura in response paled to this. "I'll meet you at school." She soon informed as she vanished instantly.

"S-See you at school!" Asuka called out, though by this point her roommate was long gone.

"...Don't call the burnt kettle black...? Goddammit, now it's gonna bother me for the rest of the day..." Akira grumbled out as their train arrived.


(6/6, Lunchtime)

(Classroom)

"Dude, you should've stuffed your blazer in your bag if you were going to come like that." Akira chuckled out.

"Yeah, but the pants don't have suspenders on them." Ryuji pointed out, simply wearing a red t-shirt that had yellow writing that said No Mo' Rules with the regular Shujin Academy pants and track shoes.

"You don't use those suspenders though..." Asuka muttered out, wearing her usual red scarf around her neck while also wearing the white Shujin Academy collared shirt, a green wristband on her left arm, the plaid Shujin skirt, black tights that go up to her thighs, and brown loafers.

"Aw come on. You get it, don't ya Homura?" Ryuji asked as she nudged the tan skinned girl's shoulder.

"Do not involve me in this discussion." Homura however calmly requested...while just wearing the male Shujin uniform.

"Hehehe...I'm kinda glad I don't have to worry about clothes." Morgana got out.

"Well, I can always buy cat clothes..." Akira pointed out in a playful tone. "I saw this cute little maid costume the other day..." He began in a teasing tone.

"You are not stuffing me into something so ridiculous!" Morgana declared.

"Hey, quiet down." Asuka whispered out as she heard two students' conversation.

"Did you see Madarame's press conference?"

"You mean that guy who was all like, How could I possibly...apologize for what I've done...Aaaah...? Dude, the memes made with his face are in the millions!"

"Think it was really those Phantom Thieves? You know, the whole stealing your heart thing."

"That...There's no way. But then again...it seems too convenient for it all to just be coincidence."

"I don't know, the graffiti was similar to the ones here at Shujin's."

Akira, Asuka, Homura, Morgana and Ryuji couldn't help but smile at that.

"So..." Akira began. "I've been meaning to ask you since this morning but...why are you crossdressing?" He soon asked.

The tan skinned girl in response sighed as she tugged on her tight pants a bit. "I was given the boy's summer uniform when I came here by mistake." Homura answered in embarrassment. "Seriously, how the hell Suzune-sensei?" She meanwhile thought.

"Well, it's better than Ryuji here. He only took off his blazer and switched shirts." Morgana spoke up.

"Aw, can it!" Ryuji grumbled out.

"Guess I'm wearing the boy's uniform for the summer..." Homura sighed out as she unbuttoned a few buttons to let her chest breathe. "Huh, but the pockets are really nice..." She soon admitted.

"Let me fix that." Akira suddenly offered with a rebellious grin, taking hold of the girl's sleeve before...

RRRRRRRIP!

Tearing it off.

"W-Wha!?" Asuka got out in shock to the action.

The Leader in turn blinked to the sight. "Wow, these are cheap..." Akira remarked as he held the piece of the tan skinned girl's uniform.

"...I could've just asked Ann for a spare skirt, you know. The shirt was fine." Homura deadpanned. "...Well, I don't wanna be asymmetric so..." She soon decided as she took hold of the other sleeve.

RRRRIIIIIPPPP!

"There. That...That actually feels much better." Homura breathed out before tightening her Disciplinary Band around her arm.

"Dude, did the transfer student just do that?"

"I hope the Disciplinary Head yells at him for it."

"What a brute."

"Though these uniforms are cheap and rip easily."

"Wah! Mine just ripped!"

"Oops, sorry."

"...Is it weird that Homura-chan looks cool now?"

"Yeah, the rough and tough head of the Disciplinary Committee."

"Yeah, she's been getting famous on that end. Less assholes in school now."

"She's in league with the President though. I won't be long until she starts doing the principal's bidding..."

The group meanwhile sweatdropped to the comments they heard.

"Jeez, Tomoko better not get the wrong idea about this..." Homura muttered to herself as she sighed as the ash blonde approached the group.

"How's it going? Have you or Yumi-chan find our next big target?" Ann greeted and asked.

"We just started lookin' yesterday. No way we're gonna find one that quick." Ryuji pointed out.

"Oh yeah. I guess that's true." Ann sheepishly replied. "By the way, I decided on the TV station. What about you guys?" She informed and asked the others.

"Wha?" The three transfers dumbly got out in confusion.

"Huh...? Oh crap, the social studies trip! Ugh, I just wanna ditch it..." Ryuji groaned out.

"Aw, come on, Ryuji-kun. It'll be fun!" Asuka assured before blinking. "...We have a social studies trip?" She then awkwardly asked.

"Okay, we seriously need to look at the schedule..." Akira deadpanned.

"Or pay attention in class." Morgana pointed out. "They mentioned it last week." He then reminded.

"Erm...I think I heard about it but I was sort of writing stuff down ..." Homura muttered as she scratched the back of her head.

"You'd better go to your school activities. Didn't I tell you not to draw attention to yourselves?" Morgana advised.

"Wouldn't me suddenly turnin' into a good student stand out more?" Ryuji however pointed out.

"Quit bickering and go." Morgana and Homura bluntly ordered in unison.

"Okay, what are our options for our social studies excursion?" Asuka asked.

"Uh...if I remember correctly we have the TV station, the box factory...and the local...prison." Homura listed off, finishing off weak at the mention of prison while the Leader sighed. "Yeah, TV station, woo!" She soon decided with an unenthusiastic cheer. "In any case, we need to be on our best behavior." She then advised.

"Yeah, and besides, the TV station is going to let us watch them tape a show! Maybe there'll be actresses there too!" Ann then pointed out.

"They could give you some tips on acting." Akira suggested.

"Ooh! That's even better!" Ann got out in a happy tone.

However, the dyed blond soon gained a rather excited look on his face to the thought. "Oh well. Not like I got anything better to do than waitin' for info to come in online. Plus, Morgana's right. Showin' up'll keep the teachers from gettin' all suspicious of me." Ryuji got out, trying to sound casual. "TV, huh...Maybe I should get a haircut..." He soon muttered to himself.

"Oh boy..." Akira groaned out.

"I think Morgana has more chances to be with an actress." Homura deadpanned. "Or...any girl really." She then added.

"R-Ryuji-kun has his good points though..." Asuka mumbled out, although the look on her face said otherwise.

"Was that a compliment?" Morgana asked.

"Meh, probably not." Akira replied with a shrug.

"Now then," Homura started as she stood up in a prim and proper manner. "Akira Kurusu, I need you to come with me for ripping my uniform and what you will be doing about it." She soon requested in a well mannered tone.

Akira in response sweatdropped. "She's in Disciplinary Head mode..." He thought.

"As radiant as always Lady Homura." Morgana meanwhile praised in admiration.

"Akira, I'm working really hard to improve my image here, and that means not ruining my uniform on the first day we have to switch to them." Homura calmly explained.

"Why should you care what people think about you?" Akira bluntly asked.

"Eh?" Homura got out in confusion.

"Homura...you have an opportunity that I don't." Akira stated while adjusting his glasses. "And you're squandering it worrying about how people perceive you on the outside. Your reputation can change, mine can't no matter how hard I try. Actions speaking louder than words after all, so don't worry about your looks, express yourself through your body and you know, just be nice." He then explained.

"Yeah Homura, you just gotta relax more." Ryuji then suggested.

"...Aren't those glasses fake?" Homura however deadpanned.

"W-Well, a little social image manipulation doesn't hurt...even though that went out the window real quick here thanks to a certain shithead." Akira mumbled out. "And come on, you look nice and the school has a really lax uniform policy." He soon pointed out. "Even the Student Council President isn't wearing the uniform to code." He then reminded, the ash blonde's eye twitching at the mention of her least favorite person right now.

"Um...Homu-nee? Didn't someone tell you to meet with Principal Flabby this morning?" Asuka reminded

"Oh right, Kawakami-sensei did tell me that." Homura remembered, confusing the others. "Principal Turdslab wants an update on my committee, so if you'll excuse me..." She then explained as she stood up.

"You are not gonna run out of material, are you?" Akira chuckled out.

"Never." Homura replied with a witty grin before exiting the classroom.

"Oh yeah Ann-chan do you think Homu-nee can borrow any spare skirts if you have any? Her guardian only got her the boy's uniform." Asuka requested and explained.

"Uh...I didn't bring one today." Ann sheepishly admitted. "But yeah, I got a couple of spare uniforms." She then informed. "But you still owe me a million yen so maybe I should hold that hostage too." She soon reminded.

"...Oh, I totally forgot about that." Asuka muttered out. "...How much would we get if we get chosen for the audition for the runway again?" She then asked.

"Uh...I'll have to check with Koikito-san about that but...I think 50,000 yen plus our usual pay?" Ann replied, though unsure.

And thus, with a groan of despair, Asuka slammed her head onto her desk.


(Principal's Office)

Meanwhile, the tan skinned girl shivered as she arrived at the Principal's Office door. "Why do I feel like I left Sis for the wolves?" She mentally asked herself.

"Ah, good afternoon Homura-san." Makoto greeted, snapping the tan skinned girl out of her thoughts.

"To you as well Makoto-senpai." Homura replied with a nod. "So, the principal called you as well?" She stated more than asked.

"...What happened to your uniform Homura-san?" Makoto however questioned with a raised eyebrow. "More than that, why are you wearing the boy's summer uniform?" She then asked.

"Ugh, am I going to be asked that every time?" Homura thought with a groan. "Just a uniform mix-up. Hey, you wouldn't have a spare skirt, would you?" She soon asked.

"I might have a few at home." Makoto replied. "I'll bring it to you tomorrow." She then added.

"But it's not here today..." Homura sighed out. "Still, thank you Makoto-senpai." She then added in a grateful tone and a smile.

"You're welcome." Makoto replied with a nod before turning to the Principal's Office door, studying the graffiti that made it look like it was covered in police tape with cell bars behind it.

"Why don't you go first?" Homura suggested. "I'll just be here." She then added.

"Are you sure? I'm sure what we're going to talk about isn't as important." Makoto got out.

"Just go. We don't have all lunch." Homura stated. Makoto couldn't help but sigh before nodding.

After taking a deep breath, Makoto knocked on the door. "Ah, is that you Niijima-san? Please come in, the door is unlocked." the principal's muffled voice got out. The Student Council President gripped the doorknob before heading inside.

Just as the Student Council President entered the office, Homura quickly looked around before opening the door slightly. "Okay Principal Jigglephysics. Let's see what you're capable of." She thought in a dead serious tone as she listened in.

"How are things going in regard to that matter we spoke of earlier?" Kobayakawa questioned, getting straight to the point.

"I have nothing to report yet..." Makoto soon informed in an uneasy tone.

"Nothing at all? How many students are there who could provoke a teacher?" Kobayakawa questioned.

"I've already narrowed it down. I just...can't get any solid evidence." Makoto explained before taking a deep breath. "But...I will soon." She promised, though this did not please the principal.

Homura narrowed her eyes as she listened more closely as the principal sighed.

"You knew, didn't you...? About Kamoshida-sensei sexually harassing students." Makoto suddenly accused, looking at him directly in his eyes as he looked away in response. "Sir!" She called out in disbelief.

"What will come of you asking that?" The principal asked, suddenly becoming a lot more menacing that before.

"This investigation is for a just cause, correct?" Makoto soon questioned.

"I believe I understand how flustered this must be making you." Kobayakawa got out as he leaned in closer to the girl. "I'm sure it was truly shocking for you as student council president to see a peer attempt suicide..." He the stated.

"Yes..." Makoto replied in a depressed tone.

"We must provide a school environment where all students can feel at ease. That is the most pressing issue we have to tackle at the moment." The principal got out, but Homura just knew that he was just saying that to just avoid telling the truth.

"So that's your reason behind this investigation on the Phantom Thieves of Hearts?" Makoto soon asked. "We don't even know if they truly exist. Why are you-" She then started and began to ask.

"You heard about the incident with that Madarame fellow, I assume? Kobayakawa interrupted.

"...They said there was a similar calling card to the one used in Kamoshida-sensei's case as well as the graffiti." Makoto replied with a nod.

"I wish to believe that this is unrelated to our students." The principal got out with a sigh. "But you know who I consider my prime suspects." He then informed.

"Yes..." Makoto responded with a nod.

"That is where I stand." Kobayakawa concluded. "I suggest you devote your energy to the task at hand, not unnecessary questions."

"You piece of shit." Homura quietly growled before calming herself down. Everything in her being wanted to rush in and use him as a bowling ball against some traffic but she had to resist. But it was oh so tempting...

Meanwhile, the Student Council President could only nod before she started making her way to the door. "Ah, if Shinkukage-san is outside, please send her in. I wish to discuss with her a very serious matter." Kobayakawa soon requested.

"Of course, sir." Makoto responded.

Homura quickly closed the door before the Student Council President exited the office. "Hey, Makoto-senpai," She soon greeted. "What did you-" She started to asked, however...

"Please leave me alone." Makoto muttered, walking off back to class with her head down.

"..." Homura opened her mouth to say something before stopping herself. "That damn fat..." She muttered in anger.

"Is that you Shinkukage-san? Please come in, we have much to discuss." Kobayakawa soon requested from within his office.

"Piece of garbage." Homura finished in her thoughts before walking in. "Good afternoon, sir." She greeted in a polite tone. "You wished to see me?" She then asked.

"Yes." Kobayakawa replied with a nod.

"Well, my committee is-" Homura soon started, however...

"This is not about your committee and how well it's been doing so far, which is impressive to say the least." Kobayakawa interrupted, however the tan skinned girl could just tell how much he was lying through his fat rolls. "However, it is about the various rumors and the people you spend your time with." He soon began.

"Oh god..." Homura mentally groaned.

The Principal meanwhile narrowed his eyes as he looked at the girl in a serious manner. "Now, as you may recall from our first meeting, I warned you about a delinquent who was going to attend our great school while on his probation. But as I have heard, you have not heeded those warnings, and the students have begun associating you with him. And let's not forget that incident at the volleyball rally. In order to truly earn the respect of the student body, you must cut ties with him and blah blah blah...blah blah...blah..." Kobayakawa started as he began rambling to where it all blurred at that point.

God, as this bastard talked about bullshit about upholding the morals and choosing the right people to hang out with, Homura was already imagining all the ways she could just end his pathetic life. Throwing him out the window, bash his head against the table, slice his neck, burn him to ashes, stuff papers down his throat, strangling him with her bare arms.

As he went on about how Akira Kurusu could hurt her reputation, all she could think about was how she could hurt him.

Abuse of power, suppressing Kamoshida's crimes, forcing a student to handle a task that was impossible to ever complete and who knows how many other crimes he may be committing while an actual innocent person was out there doing more good than him.

Death was a mercy, but she was ready to show this asshole what that truly meant. He really didn't deserve to be a Principal.

"Do you understand, Shinkukage-san?" Kobayakawa finished.

"Of course sir." Homura calmly replied with a nod.

"Good. You are dismissed." Kobayakawa responded. "Also, be sure to change your uniform when you have the chance. We wouldn't want our other female students to start breaking the dress code." He soon advised.

"Yes, I'll get right on that sir." Homura had to suppress so much sarcasm in her tone as she left the office. Maybe she should just wear the uniform out of spite.

When she left the office, Homura took one last look around before pulling out her phone. "Principal Kobayakawa." She whispered.

[Candidate found]

"Well, that wasn't obvious." Homura muttered under her breath before grinning. "Shujin Academy." She then continued.

[Candidate found]

"Okay, now a distortion..." Homura whispered to herself before looking around.

Just outside the target's office was probably a bad idea. She better head back to class.


(Hallway)

"Prison."

[Candidate not found]

"Playground."

[Candidate not found]

"Nursery."

[Candidate no found]

"Playpen?"

[Candidate not found]

"Oh my God. Sandbox."

[Candidate not found]

"No, stop thinking childishly despite him being a adult-sized one year old. Okay, Homura. You can do this. Candy store?"

[Candidate not found]

"Come on!" Homura quietly growled in frustration, resisting the urge to throw the phone out the window.

"Ah, Homura-san." Makoto suddenly greeted as she started approaching the tan skinned girl, causing her to fumble with her phone before putting it away.

"Yo what's up?" Homura casually greeted before coughing into her fist. "I mean, hello Makoto-senpai. How are you doing?" She politely greeted and asked.

"Can we go to the gym after school today? I really need to vent..." Makoto suddenly requested and explained in held back anger.

Homura was about to take her up on her offer, only to remember she had a committee meeting today after school. "Do you mind waiting a little after my disciplinary committee duties?" She soon asked.

However, a flash of anger appeared on the President's face as she clenched her fist. "...No, actually." Makoto answered before sighing. "Forget it. I'll head there by myself. Just meet me there. If you want to." She then informed and requested.

"H-Hey, wait, Makoto...senpai..." Homura tried to call out to the third year, only to trail off once she went around the corner and out of her sight. "Okay, I'll meet you there." She muttered out to no one in particular.

"Wow, you seem to have a talent for that..." A familiar voice noted.

The tan skinned girl in response turned around to see a familiar face. "Tomoko." Homura politely greeted with a bow.

"Save the pleasantries." Tomoko scoffed out. "Getting a brown nose will only get you so far. Like Little Miss Perfect you just talked to." She then stated with some distain.

Homura's eye however twitched to that. "Hey, she isn't-! She's just stressed because of the principal, alright?" She countered and informed.

"That means nothing to me." Tomoko simply stated. "I've also noticed that the Newspaper Club hasn't been reinstated. Can you explain?" She then added and questioned.

"Ack!" Homura mentally winced at being reminded of that. "I'm...I'm sorry, Tomoko! It's just...I've been busy with...stuff." She apologized, though it came out in a weak tone.

"Like...?" Tomoko responded with a raised eyebrow.

"U-Uh..." Homura out before sighing. "Listen, I will go back in and talk to the Principal now about the Newspaper Club being reinstated. What happened should never have happened." She declared as she began to walk back to the Principal's Office.

This in turn caused the former Newspaper Club head to blink at the retreating tan skinned girl. "...It's fine." Tomoko however called out, stopping the girl. "I didn't expect you to, you know. I doubt the principal would approve anyways if you did. Just...let it go." She then added and requested in a defeated tone.

"Sorry, but I can not." Homura responded in a serious tone, shocking and surprising the other girl to the sudden tone change. "I have to do something for you thanks to my own negligence in my pursuit in making the school a better place. I have to care about the individuals first." She soon declared in a more calm, cool and gentler tone that was more akin to a certain light grey haired girl.

"...What did I say about a brown nose?" Tomoko soon reminded.

"I can't exactly have a brown nose when my skin is naturally tan." Homura however pointed out.

Tomoko, however, face palmed at that. "...You know, for someone so smart, you can be quite...nevermind." She sighed out.

"That was a joke and you're welcome. In any case, what else is it that you need?" Homura soon asked.

"Yeah, you go say that." Tomoko deadpanned. "And well, I've been looking into the Madarame confession and from my sources, you were at the exhibition before it was closed down. First day even. Care to elaborate?" She soon questioned, hoping there was something juicy Homura knew.

"A friend of mine invited me and some friends of mine to go to the exhibit. He wanted to convince two of them to model for him." Homura soon informed.

"Hm...interesting." Tomoko hummed out as she wrote it down. "Anything else? Did you meet anyone suspicious? Maybe someone else from our school?" She continued questioning.

"Would the Student Council President of Kosei High count?" Homura offered. "Because besides Yumi-senpai, there is no one else I can think of." She then answered.

"No. I don't think students would want to read about that. Unless the principal approves of advertising for a different school like the idiot he is." Tomoko muttered out. "Well, you've been a great help. I'll be leaving you alone now." She informed before heading back to class.

"Ugh...that was sarcasm, wasn't it?" Homura deadpanned.

RING RING RING!

And with that, she was out of time and now it was...

Was...

Why can't she remember what classes she takes!?

"Rrgh...First the uniform, then Makoto's getting screwed by the principal, then she blows me off, and now the Newspaper Club thing. Can today get any worse?" Homura grumbled out as she returned to her classroom.

Never noticing that nearby at the corner of the hallway, was a blonde with a pink bow and a sultry look in her eyes.

"Civilian school can be quite tough, right Homura-chan~?" Haruka thought. "And may I say, she looks so cute in the uniform. It was a great idea to switch her uniforms while she wasn't looking." She then thought in amusement, idly remembering she was wearing that exact uniform.

Well, she better go hide. She didn't want to be dragged into a class in a school she didn't attend after all.


(6/6, Afternoon)

(Shujin Academy, Classroom)

"Social studies, social studies...don't go against society standards...be contributing members of the world...social studies, social studies, social studies..." Ushimaru lectured, utterly boring most of the class.

"Fascinating..." Asuka and Homura thought in unison as they wrote down the notes in a focused manner.

"I don't understand any of this..." Akira and Ann thought.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Oh thank god." Akira breathed out as the Thieves pulled out their phones.

[Shut7heFUp: Feels pretty great having everyone talk about us, huh?]

[Negative8Degrees: Do you people text frequently during class time...?]

[FireGirl20: There's no stopping it.]

[SushiRoll23: Well, it is a little weird honestly. It's not often people talk about your accomplishments back home.]

[All4Painting: Madarame is the only topic of conversation at Kosei. And as I'm his pupil, most of my peers have chosen to ignore me.]

[Negative8Degrees: As for me, the students know my connection with Madarame through Yusuke-san. They've been hounding me with questions and accusations that I helped with his plagiarism. Even some of my fellow council members have been giving me odd looks.]

[Negative8Degrees: I guess this is karma for being a bystander to Yusuke-san's abuse, though my Vice President remains loyal to me.]

[Shut7heFUp: For real? That's bullshit.]

[Sweetkat06: Are you going to be OK, Yusuke?]

[All4Painting: There is no need to worry. They had already been treating me differently from others as it stood. This is nothing new to me.]

[Sweetkat06: OK then...]

[All4Painting: More importantly, do we have any leads on our next mission?]

[Shut7heFUp: You kidding? There's no way I can find a target that quick!]

[Shut7heFUp: Unless Yumi has one...?]

[Negative8Degrees: I haven't gotten a chance to meet with my informants yet. I'll do so tonight but don't expect something like Madarame.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Hi ho, hi ho! It's off to Mementos we go~!]

[SushiRoll23: Hee ho, Joker!]

[Sweetkat06: Great idea!]

[All4Painting: I will keep myself free. Please tell me if anything comes up.]

[FireGirl20: I really need to find a Jack Frost doll Sis...]

[SushiRoll23: Luvs you too Homu-nee! ❤]

[Negative8Degrees: Save that PDA for home you two.]

"HEY!" A voice suddenly called out, causing the Thieves to quickly hide their phones, but it was too late for the Leader. "Kurusu." Ushimaru then added.

"Shit." Akira whispered out.

"You! Pay attention! Is that how you listen when someone's talking to you!?"

"I can feel murderous intent...!" Akira, Asuka and Homura thought.

Ushimaru didn't want to let the little punk have a chance and swiftly threw his chalk at the disobedient student who-

Wait, what?

Akira blinked as he glanced down at his hand.

He...He caught the chalk.

He couldn't do that before...

"Um, sorry Ushimaru-sensei. I was just looking up extra details on the lecture." Akira lied. "Here, have this back." He soon got out as he threw the chalk back instinctively as if he was throwing a kunai...

THWACK!

And nailed the teacher in the head.

"S-Sorry!" Akira quickly apologized as the teacher rubbed the sore spot on his forehead.

Ushimaru meanwhile grumbled in response. "It's fine...Let's continue the lesson." He got out, while the students tried to suppress their laughter.

"Lady Homura's training is working wonders." Morgana praised. "I thought you'd need more Proficiency than that! You looked way more charming if you dodged it and pretty gutsy to throw it back like that." He then added.

"It was an accident though..." Akira whispered before shrugging. "Oh well, looks like Ushimaru won't throw any more-" He then muttered.

THWACK!

"Ow!" Asuka yelped out in pain. "Why...!?" She then asked.

"Dammit, missed." Ushimaru mumbled to himself before actually continuing the lesson.

"Um...I guess from now on we should be on guard when Ushimaru's teaching." Akira thought as the Vice Leader rubbed her forehead while the tan skinned girl glared at the teacher in disapproval for the rest of the lesson.


(6/6, After School)

(Shujin Academy, Classroom)

Although the bell rang several minutes ago, the Thieves remained at school to wait out the rain a little. However, it didn't seem to be letting up at all.

"Is it swelling?" Asuka soon asked in concern as she tried to use the window as a makeshift mirror.

"It's fine Asuka. I can't even see it." Akira informed.

"But I can still feel it. Ow." Asuka got out with a wince.

"Dude, Ushimaru throws chalk at me all the time! Can't believe you actually countered the guy!" Ryuji got out in an impressed tone.

"But at what cost, Ryuji? At what cost?" Homura dramatically stated.

The ash blonde meanwhile groaned over a different concern. "First day of summer uniforms and it's raining..." Ann mumbled out. "I should've brought my umbrella today..." She then sighed out.

"Nah, be paranoid and bring it every day just in case." Akira advised. "You have one of those compact umbrellas right? The ones about the size of a water bottle?" He then asked.

"I don't. Looks like it's a trip to the Underground Mall for me then." Ann declared as she got up.

"Welp, I'm gonna go straight home then. See ya guys tomorrow?" Ryuji replied and asked.

"Yeah. I'm going to see my doctor now. Get ready for tomorrow everyone." Akira stated.

"Hai, Leader!" The Thieves responded as Morgana jumped into his bag before leaving.

"Well, I have the Disciplinary Committee then the gym with Makoto-senpai." Homura informed.

"And I'm..." Asuka started before pausing to think about it, realizing she had nothing planned. "Umm...Hey Ryuji-kun, wanna hang out?" She soon asked.

"Uh...sure, I guess." Ryuji replied. "I'll meetcha at my place. I'll send you the address." He then added before leaving.

"Why? Come on, we can go together Ryuji-kun!" Asuka asked in confusion before catching up to the dyed blond.

"Are Sakamoto and Asuka-chan dating!?"

"You gotta be shitting me!"

"Dammit! I lost my chance!"

Akira and Homura couldn't help but face palm at all the rumors developing now. "Why can't people just think They're just friends! There's no romantic connection?" Homura groaned out.

"Frickin' shippers, the lot of them..." Akira simply answered. "As well as perverts..." He then added.

"...What was that quote about hypocrites again?" Homura deadpanned as she glared at the Leader.

"How dare they think Lady Asuka is dating Ryuji..." Morgana meanwhile got out.

"Yeah, like, what makes them think Ryuji has a chance with Asuka-chan?" Ann then asked.

Instantly, the students in the classroom went silent.

"...Oh. Right."

"Dumbass."

"I-I knew that! It was a joke. Hahaha...yeah, just a joke."

"No dude, jokes are funny."

"Yeah, Asuka-chan's already famous. Man, she and Ann-chan were so hot in that one magazine."

"Is that why it's sticky?"

The tan skinned girl's eye immediately twitched in response as she stood up. "Nope! Nope nope nope! I'm done! I'm leaving for my meeting and to retain my sanity!" Homura called out as she left the room in a hurry.

And so, with everyone having something to do on a rainy day like today, they separated for the day.


(Front Gate)

"Whew! Almost forgot my umbrella at school." Asuka breathed out as she opened it up. "I better catch up with Ryuji-kun. I know I said to go on without me, but I don't want to make him wait..." She then began to think, however...

"Come on...move...!" A gentle female voice struggled out.

"Hm?" Asuka got out as she looked over to see a girl with fluffy hair wearing the school gym uniform lifting two bags of manure, and she looked like she was going to tip over at any moment, causing her to instinctively walk over. "Um...do you need some help?" She soon called out her offer while placing her umbrella over the other girl.

"O-Oh, I don't want to be much of a bother but...Wh-Whoa! Eep!" The girl began before falling over on her butt, with her bags of manure crushing her chest. "Ah..." She groaned out.

"Ah! Sorry, I should've reacted faster!" Asuka yelped out before easily lifting the bag off the girl's chest. "Are you okay?" She asked in concern.

"I'm...I'm fine." The fluffy haired girl responded. "Hm, you seem familiar..." She then pointed out.

"Maybe you saw me around the school grounds or heard a few rumors about me..." Asuka mumbled out.

"Well in any case, I'm Haru. Pleased to meet you." The fluffy haired girl introduced herself.

"Asuka Shirokage." Asuka replied with a giggle while offering a hand.

Haru in response took hold and was brought to her feet. "Whew, thank you." She responded in relief.

"No problem. So, you still think you don't need help?" Asuka asked as she picked up the two manure bags with relative ease.

"Well, if it won't take too much of your time." Haru sheepishly replied before seeing the other girl holding the bags. "Wow, you're quite strong, Shirokage-san." She then complimented in amazement.

"Oh, um...I work out?" Asuka awkwardly giggled out. "So, where do you want me to bring this?" She soon asked.

"The roof, if it's not too much trouble." Haru requested.

This however caused the brunette's eyes to widen in shock. "Th-The roof?" Asuka repeated in shock. "I thought they locked it up." She then reminded.

"Ah, the school gave me the key to it so I can set up my garden." Haru explained before her gaze lowered. "Y-You must be thinking about what happened a few months ago, aren't you?" She assumed.

Asuka's body shivered.

Even months later, if she just thought about it...

"What were you thinking...?" Asuka sobbed out, trying to wipe the tears away but this stupid mask was in the way! "What the hell were you fucking thinkin'!?" She then exclaimed.

THUD!

"What the-?" Asuka got out in shock as she was startled by the sound and saw that girl she saved was now unconscious. "No. Nononono...This isn't happening!" She mumbled to herself. "SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!" She soon cried out.

It still felt like it happened today.

"A-A little..." Asuka mumbled out her response.

"It was tragic with what happened." Haru admitted in agreement.

"I was more bothered by the students that tried to take pictures." Asuka quietly grumbled out.

"And that's not to say about Kamoshida-sensei's confession and graffiti." Haru muttered out. "After the riot, my father tried to pull me out of the school like many of the others that did so." She soon revealed.

"Then why are you still here?" Asuka asked in a curious manner.

"Well...do you ever have the feeling that something important is here...and you don't know what it is until you see it?" Haru vaguely asked.

"Uh...I-I think so?" Asuka replied in an unsure tone.

"Well, I'm not sure but I feel like I should stay here and wait until I see that thing I'm waiting for." Haru stated. "Besides, it's my final year here and I'll fall behind on my studies if I were to transfer." She then added.

"Oh, you're a third year?" Asuka soon asked in a surprised manner.

"Yes." Haru replied with a smile. "Now we should hurry before the school closes for the day." She then advised.

"I agree." Asuka replied as the two headed back into the school.


(Rooftop)

Asuka soon took in a deep breath as she and the third year made it to their destination.

"Please put them over there." Haru got out as she pointed over to a corner of the roof.

"So, what are you planting?" Asuka asked in a curious manner as she put down the bags.

"Oh, just some flowers to further brighten up the school." Haru informed. "All that graffiti is quite troubling after all." She then added.

"Right." Asuka replied with a sweatdrop. "Do you need some help with the planting?" She then offered.

"Oh no, it's quite alright. I planted it all yesterday and the rain should be good for the plants." Haru replied.

"Well, if you need anymore help, you can come find me if I'm not at one of my jobs." Asuka responded.

"I will. Thank you Asu-chan." Haru replied before realizing what she just called the brunette. "Oh! Pardon me, but do you mind me calling you Asu-chan?" She apologized followed by the request.

Asuka in response giggled. "It's fine, Haru-chan. I like It." She replied with a smile. "Huh, I've never been called that before." She mentally admitted.

"Well, I'll see you around Asu-chan." Haru got out before turning to take care of her plants.

"You too Haru-chan." Asuka replied as she left the rooftop in a much chipper manner.


(Disciplinary Committee Board Room)

Homura had just entered the Disciplinary Committee Board Room to see her members were already in. "Ah, good to see you are all here." She greeted as she made her way to her desk while wiping away some sweat.

"Excuse me ma'am, but what happened to your sleeves?" Keiichiro asked.

"I'm more confused why you have pants instead of a skirt." Daigo admitted.

Homura, in response, sighed to the questions. "My guardian accidentally got me the male student's summer uniform before I transferred here." She revealed.

"And you never checked before?" Naomi then asked.

"I honestly forgot." Homura awkwardly admitted.

"I-I li-like it senpai..." Hitomi squeaked out.

"Thank you but it isn't exactly part of the dress code." Homura reminded.

"Have you seen the dress code?" Sora however pointed out.

"Yes yes, I know how relaxed they are about it but I would like to not sweat so much wearing pants." Homura replied while fanning herself. "Which is ironic in my case with Fire being my element. " She mentally added.

"Ah, overheating. Gotcha." Naomi replied with a nod of understanding.

"...It's raining though." Emica deadpanned. "There's not even a heat wave today." She then added.

"Ugh, you're only that because you're wearing the boy's uniform too." Suzu called out. "And when is that cast coming off? You've had it since last year! A-Actually, since you started coming to Shujin..." She then asked and pointed out in concern.

"..." Emica however remained silent in response.

"Ah quit being a baby!" Satoshi called out. "You don't see any guys complaining about it!" He then added.

"So you want crossdressing Satoshi?" Suzaku quipped out

"Equal opportunity. Who said girls can't wear pants?" Satoshi countered while crossing his arms over his chest.

"You totally stole that from Konosuba." Naomi remarked in amusement.

"Pfft! That trash?" Satoshi then asked.

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Chitose suddenly demanded as he stood up, looking ready to fight.

SLAM!

"Enough!" Homura called out, slamming a hand on the table that surprised everyone as more sweat was running down her head. "God, why is it so hot already!? It's not even summer yet!" She meanwhile thought in confusion.

"I got a spare skirt if you need one." Ichiko offered. "I bought one too many." She sheepishly admitted.

"Thank you." Homura sighed out. "...You have it here, right?" She soon asked.

"Nope." Ichiko automatically answered.

"Of course." Homura responded with a sigh and a sweatdrop.

"If it's any consolation, you won't have to worry about panty shots and drafts for a while." Yui pointed out.

"I think the principal cut the budget for the school's air conditioning and that's why it's so hot." Ryoga guessed. "Ugh...it's only gonna get worse from here since it's raining and causing humidity." He then added.

"And I thought the last principal I knew was bad..." Yui muttered as a sigh escaped her lips.

"You know what, maybe a walk outside will cool everyone off. Go patrol the school." Homura suggested and ordered.

"Hai." The members of the committee all replied with varying levels of enthusiasm before leaving.

Homura let out a breath as soon as her members left the room. "Okay, that's done. Time to try and reinstate the Newspaper Club." She thought. "...But how can I if Makoto-senpai isn't here right now. The Student Council takes care of clubs, you idiot!" She suddenly realised before dropping her head in frustration. "Should've planned this ahead more." She soon mumbled out.

Maybe it was time for her to cool off herself and take a walk around the school.

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

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

Soon sighing, Homura stood up and left the board room.


(Practice Building, Third Floor)

The tan skinned girl had been walking around for a few minutes, checking every nook and cranny for any rulebreakers, when she spotted Hikari Morimoto jogging up to her. "Homura-buchou!" She called out.

"Oh, Hikari-san." Homura greeted as she approached the girl.

"Hey Homura-buchou." Hikari replied with a short wave. "Just caught some smokers on school grounds. Think you can help me out?" She informed and requested.

"More!? Seriously!?" Homura exclaimed in frustration before sighing. "Sure Hikari-san, I can help out." She replied.

"They're behind the gym at the corner of it." Hikari revealed. "And I don't mean to brag, but they ran away at the sight of me." She then informed.

"That's bad, Hikari-san." Homura admitted. "That means they're expecting us." She then added.

"Yeah, but they don't expect Mr. & Mrs. Kitty Tasers!" Hikari countered with confidence as she took out stun guns in the shape of black and white cats.

"Wait what?" Homura responded in confusion as she blinked a couple of times to the sight of them.

"Don't worry, they're perfectly legal if used in self defense." Hikari revealed. "I think." She then quietly added.

"Please don't tase people for smoking." Homura however requested with a sweatdrop.

"Yes ma'am. Only for self defense." Hikari replied.

"Deal." Homura responded with a thumbs up of approval.

"So let's go tase some punks!" Hikari enthusiastically replied.

"Hikari-san!" Homura chided.

"Sorry, sort of came out of my mouth without thinking." Hikari quickly apologised before the two went off to deal with the smokers.

Thankfully, no one was tased. Actually, it was those guys who smoked in the bathroom when she hung out with Keiichiro, so the two just dragged them off to the guidance counselor for punishment .

"Unbelievable, I cannot believe it was the same group..." Homura grumbled out in annoyance.

"Well, high school life is quite tough. We're starting to deal with adult problems and people need to relax." Hikari replied. "I would've loved if it wasn't that way, but at the very least do it outside of school."

"Now that I think about it, I didn't really get to know you during our interview." Homura suddenly got out as they walked down the hallways. "All you really did was act cute and beg." She then added.

"That's a bad trait, Homura-buchou, to be easily defeated by the power of cuteness." Hikari admitted.

Homura quickly began to cough at that. "Y-Yeah, that...that was just a one-time thing." She stated as her roommate flashed in her mind. "In any case, can you tell me more about yourself? I'm curious about what you're planning to do after Shujin." She then asked and explained in a curious manner.

"Well...I'm preparing myself for my future, you know. Learning how to do taxes, like black coffee, um...be a great adult and help the future generation." Hikari explained. "I wanna be a psychologist. N-No wait, a therapist. I'm going to study psychology." She informed before correcting herself.

Homura in response became fascinated to that reveal. "The world needs more of those. Especially around here." Homura admitted.

"Ain't that the truth..." Hikari replied in agreement. "So, I kinda thought that by knowing these troubled people, I can understand their problems a little better, you know?"

"True, knowing the minds of others can help get a better understanding of them." Homura responded. "Just don't become like a super villian that manipulates others though." She then added in a joking manner.

"That's...oddly specific. You're not planning on doing that too, are you? Don't wanna have competition~?" Hikari soon accused in a teasing manner.

"Of course not." Homura replied.

"Come on, I'm kidding." Hikari giggled out. "But you do have the feeling of a supervillian..." She then admitted. "I mean, with a little purple dress, a crown...yeah, you'd make the perfect villain of my story." She soon added while gaining a gleam in her eyes.

"Hm?" Homura hummed out with a raised eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" She then asked.

The black haired girl then suddenly took out a notepad and a pen. "Yes! I, Hikari Morimoto by day, the heroine Shine Ringer by night. You, the sexy and evil...Evil Woman. We shall battle each other throughout our lives, and maybe learn to respect one another before we realise our goals align and that we must take down the real bad guy as we partner up, fight crime, solve mysteries with our talking rabbit and maybe have a torrid romance along the way!" Hikari soon declared and rambled in rapid succession.

"Wait, what?" Homura got out in confusion with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, you like girls right?" Hikari then suddenly asked.

"I don't...what are you..." Homura struggled out, not even sure what to say.

"Ah, doesn't matter. Anyways, it shall be the greatest story of the legend of Shine Ringer and I-Definitely-Need-A-Better-Name-Than Evil Woman!" Hikari soon declared, standing heroically on a chair with hands on her hips.

"Where did you get that chair?" Homura however asked with a sweatdrop.

"For dramatic effect!" Hikari answered with a bright smile on her face.

"That...That doesn't answer my question..." Homura pointed out. "You're quite...energetic, aren't you?" She soon guessed.

"Hey, we're still young! We should embrace our youth while we still have it!" Hikari passionately declared. "Let our imaginations run wild until the cold, harsh winter known as adulthood crushes us and molds us into the good little citizens we must be." She then added.

"Please get off the chair, I can see your Mr. Bunny panties." Homura deadpanned.

"That is youth, Homura-buchou. The power of youth." Hikari simply replied with a proud smile. "...Wait, what?" She soon asked.

"Panty shot." Homura meanwhile got out.

"...I'm going to get down now." Hikari responded.

"You go do that." Homra replied with a smirk.

"Hehehe...I guess, I went a bit far in my fantasy again..." Hikari informed in a slightly embarrassed tone as she got down.

"Again?" Homura repeated in a curious manner.

"Yeah, me and best...friend..." Hikari slowly responded. "I...I mean I used to do that all the time in middle school. I thought I had it under control but I guess I don't, hehehe..." She then awkwardly explained.

"Um...I don't think telling your patients your superhero story will help them out." Homura pointed out.

That in response caused the ravenette to blush. "O-Ok, besides wanting to be a therapist...I'm a bit of a doujin artist." Hikari sheepishly revealed with an embarrassed blush.

"Doujin artist?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"...You do know what doujins are...right?" Hikari soon asked.

"Um...Is that uh...P-Zero-R-N?" Homura guessed, making sure not to say-

"Not all of it is porn! Ugh, Goddammit!" Hikari suddenly exclaimed, causing the tan skinned girl to jump in surprise. "Okay, you make one entry in the Futomaki Biyori series for extra cash and suddenly you're a hentai artist!" She complained with a groan. "We all aren't like Hifumi Yamada!" She then declared to the ceiling.

"Futomaki Biyori? Hifumi Yamada?" Homura once more repeated.

"You don't wanna know." Hikari stated in a serious tone.

"In any case, you're an artist too?" Homura then asked.

"Well, yeah? Most doujin are drawn and written by the same person or a group of friends." Hikari replied. "I'm not like that scummy artist that just got arrested though. I will never indulge in swiping. I use only originally created characters." She then declared. "Actually though...I am kinda doing something based on real characters." She soon pointed out.

"Who then?" Homura had to ask.

"The Phantom Thieves." Hikari answered, surprising the tan skinned girl. "Ah, you probably shouldn't worry about it though. I'll give you the completed work once it's done." She then added.

"You think the Phantom Thieves are real?" Homura meanwhile asked.

"If they weren't, that villainous Kamoshida would still be here." Hikari pointed out. "I mean...real life superheroes! Who would've thought they existed, saving us from the brink of despair! I haven't felt this type of happiness in so long..." She then explained and admitted.

"But what if they are only a fantasy?" Homura soon asked, though she was holding back how good she was feeling from hearing that.

"Hey, maybe some fantasies are worth making real." Hikari soon stated with a grin. "And I want to share the same hope they gave me." She then added.

"...Then I promise to make your fantasy come true." Homura thought with a smile, feeling respect towards her committee member.

I am thou, thou art I.

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

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

Granting great power in return.

RANK UP! MAGICIAN RANK 1!

"Magician this time, like Morgana's..." Homura thought to herself.

"Wow, you do space out suddenly..." Hikari got out in surprise. "Ooh! Character trait! Someone who loses themselves in their plans but once they come out of it, they're super dangerous!" She excitedly declared.

"Huh?" Homura responded in confusion.

"So, would it be alright if I use you as a base for my doujin villain later turned heroine? You got the right proportions for her." Hikari soon asked and explained.

Homura in response blinked to that. "Really?" She replied in a surprised manner. "You...want me?" She then asked as she pointed at herself.

"Yup." Hikari replied.

"Uh...why?" Homura had to ask. "...Is it because of my chest?" She then guessed.

"What? No! It's because you'll make a great rival character!" Hikari declared. "I mean, my heroine is a super nice girl who can make friends with anyone, you're the total opposite in looks alone!" She soon explained. "I'll make sure you get credited and paid for." She then added.

While mildly insulted, Homura was interested in getting paid. "And I don't have to do...anything?" Homura hesitantly asked.

"Just model a couple of poses for me to draw. We can do it in the art room next time." Hikari informed.

"...Nothing nude right?" Homura soon asked.

The black haired doujin artist raised an eyebrow to that before letting out a playful smile, "Well, it depends on-" Hikari started, only to notice the tan skinned girl already walking away. "No, wait! Come back! I'm joking...!" She called out in a panic while flailing her arms.

"Sorry, one of my other friends wanted my female friends to model for him nude for an art piece." Homura explained with a sigh.

"Well fine! No royalties for you!" Hikari got out with puffed out cheeks.

"Royalties?" Homura repeated in confusion.

"Money." Hikari responded.

That immediately got the tan skinned girl's attention. "...How much do you make?" Homura soon asked.

"Last I got around a hundred thousand yen at a convention selling my work." Hikari revealed.

The tan skinned girl's eyes widened instantly to that. "...No nudity." Homura responded.

"No nudity. Maybe underwear though if I'm feeling frisky." Hikari replied and added.

Homura in response groaned. "...Ugh, fine. You better make me look cute." She responded and requested.

"If I wasn't, ask for a refund." Hikari replied. "Oh, here's a sample of a previous piece I did, Homura-buchou, if you aren't sure I can pull it off." She soon offered as she took a rather sizable book out of her bag. "It might help you do more during the day if you read it." She then explained while handing it to her.

Nodding to that, the tan skinned girl took the book. "SuperHOT Tips: Time Only Moves When You Choose." Homura read out. "This might interest Sis and Akira after I'm done with it." She mentally stated while placing it in her bag.

"It's like one of those self-help manga, I wanted to try something new and do one so sorry if it's boring." Hikari explained and apologized.

"I'm sure it's fine. Thanks, Hikari-san." Homura replied with a smile.

"No problem, Homura-buchou!" Hikari responded with a salute. "Oh yeah, don't let that dick Satoshi get to you. He's always crabby." She then advised.

"Don't worry, I know." Homura got out with a nod.

The two girls then talked for a little bit before they realised they had to go home soon.

"Okay, see you later Homura-buchou." Hikari informed before leaving for the day.

"Well, I better meet up with Makoto-senpai." Homura thought as she headed out...with a certain blonde with a pink bow following in pursuit.


(Shibuya, Underground Mall)

The greenette had a bored appearing expression on her face as she walked through the current store she was in. Though not unusual for her, she felt like she was just passing time until she had to confront the tan skinned girl and just be done with this stupid mission. Like shopping again and she happened to get some money from a few inattentive people.

Even years later, the same tricks still worked.

"Hmm...what looks cute..." Hikage mumbled while browsing. "I mean all of these are cute though..." She then added.

She had, what? 20,000 yen in her pocket? There were so many choices and all hers to choose from...

Huh. That was pretty greedy of her.

"Starting to think that Haruka's experiment this time embedded something into my head..." Hikage mumbled out. "Weird thing is though...I don't mind it." She mentally admitted while shrugging it off. She already went through alot as it, so she deserved to treat herself.

"What do you mean you don't sell umbrellas!? You just had them last week!" She suddenly heard someone exclaim from the store across from her.

The greenette blinked as she turned her head and recognized the girl. It was the ash blonde that was hung out with Homura.

It was quite easy to find out who she was thanks to a few internet searches. She was Ann Takamaki, second year at Shujin Academy. Part-time model, living with a guardian, parents often overseas taking care of their brand of designer clothes.

Parents, something Hikage didn't have since she was left at an orphanage.

"Probably some prissy bitch..." Hikage muttered to herself as she looked at some of the outfits she picked out, seeing that they were made by her parent's brand. Some people had all the luck...

"Sorry, it's just that it's raining and all." Ann soon apologized to the employee. "I guess I'll check elsewhere..." She then decided.

"..." Hikage frowned before it suddenly came to her.

Why go around hunting down info when someone who knew Homura, or at least what Homura portrayed herself as in Tokyo, was right there?

"Oi, excuse me but I have an extra umbrella you can have." Hikage suddenly got out as she walked up to the ash blonde.

This in turn got Ann's attention. "Hm?" She hummed out. "Excuse me?" She then asked as she turned to the greenette.

Hikage then pulled out the collapsible umbrella she found abandoned on the ground earlier. It was still in good condition too. "Here. I brought an extra by accident." She then offered.

"Um...okay. Thank you." Ann replied as she took the umbrella.

"No problem." Hikage replied while waving her hand.

The ash blonde soon sighed in relief as she placed the umbrella in her bag. "Still, thanks again. I'm Ann by the way. Ann Takamaki." Ann soon introduced herself. "And you?" She then asked.

"Hikage. Hikage..." The greenette bluntly introduced herself before thinking about something for a moment. "Hinata." She soon answered in a more nostalgic tone.

"Hikage-san then." Ann responded with a nod before looking down to see something on the greenette's hip. "H-Huh?" She got out in shock.

"My eyes are up here." Hikage immediately stated.

"I'm not staring at your b-" Ann started...before noticing the girl's chest. "B-B-Big..." She mumbled out in obvious envy, her left eye twitching.

Why does every girl she's been meeting lately have a shinobi level bust?

"Ahem." Hikage called out.

"S-Sorry but...is that a tattoo?" Ann replied and asked.

"You have something against them?" Hikage questioned.

"N-No, just um...a little surprised to see one." Ann admitted. "Sorry if I offended you or anything." She then apologized.

"I don't really mind." Hikage simply replied. "They don't mean anything to you, so I won't hold it against you." She then added while shrugging her shoulders.

"Yeah, sorry..." Ann apologized while rubbing the back of her neck. "You know, that outfit's really cute. Where did you get it?" She soon asked while examining the greenette's outfit.

"Thanks, I chose this outfit out myself in the store over there." Hikage replied and informed the ash blonde.

"Oh...that one..." Ann nervously giggled out, remembering the time she went there with the brunette and the tan skinned girl. "Oh boy, I really hope that clerk's okay..." She meanwhile thought, remembering the frustrated expressions she had the last time she came with her friends.

"It's really comfy and form fitting." Hikage soon admitted. "I am happy that I could find something like this. Especially now that it's getting warmer." She then added, though kept the same expression on her face.

"Well, I'm glad you found a good summer outfit. I'm still picking mine out..." Ann replied and sheepishly admitted.

"I wish you luck then." Hikage encouraged.

However, Ann could not help but notice that her face remained the same. "O-Oh, well...you...um...I can tell you're happy for me." She awkwardly replied.

"No you can't." Hikage bluntly accused before sighing. "No one usually does." She then added.

"S-Sorry..." Ann apologised.

"It's ok. I'm...usually not good at expressing myself." Hikage soon explained.

GRRR!

Suddenly, both of their stomachs growled loudly.

"Ehehe, I guess we're both hungry." Ann sheepishly pointed out.

"Ah, that's right, I avoided breakfast today." Hikage mumbled to herself. "I can only handle so much bean sprouts..." She then groaned out.

"How about we get something to eat. My treat." Ann soon offered.

"Really? You'll buy lunch for a stranger you just met?" Hikage got out with a raised eyebrow and a confused tilt of her head.

"Hey, random acts of kindness make this world a better place." Ann replied while pumping a fist.

"Isn't that done during the holidays?" Hikage pointed out.

"Who said being nice is a special occasion?" Ann countered with a giggle. "Now come on, I know just the place." She then informed.

The greenette was about to try and respond, however...

GRRRR!

"...Sure." Hikage replied after her stomach growled again as the ash blonde took her hand and dragged her off.


(Diner)

"Ah...No wonder Akira recommends the Nostalgic Steak, that was good." Ann breathed out with a smile on her face, patting her warm belly.

"Yeah..." Hikage muttered out while doing the same. It tasted so much like the meals she used to have with...

"Ah, you have a really cute smile, Hikage-san." Ann suddenly pointed out with a grin on her face.

That caused the greenette to blink in response to hearing that. "...Eh?" Hikage got out before putting her hand over her mouth. "I'm...smiling?" She thought.

"Hey come on, you don't need to hide it." Ann got out in a chiding tone.

"No, just...I never thought I'd smile like that again..." Hikage admitted. "How?" She mentally asked herself.

"Well, I'm glad to see I could do that to you." Ann answered before frowning in concern. "Wait...what did you mean by that?" She then asked.

"I..." Hikage started before stopping herself. "I...can't say." She then responded.

To that, Ann nodded, deciding not to pry. "You know, I think I'm pulling what my friend Shiho did with me when we first met." She soon giggled out in a nostalgic manner to change the subject.

"Shiho?" Hikage repeated.

"U-Uh...yeah. My best friend." Ann answered with a melancholy look on her face. However, she quickly realised what she was implying. "Shiho isn't dead or anything! She's just...She's being home-schooled right now and moving out of town soon. I don't get to see her or talk to her as often as before." She then explained.

"Why?" Hikage soon asked.

"Um...just some personal matters." Ann sighed out.

"Hm..." Hikage hummed out with a nod. "...You think I'm weird, don't you." She soon accused all of a sudden.

This in response surprised the ash blonde. "Excuse me?" Ann got out in confusion.

"It's fine. When your one and only expression most of the time is dead-face, you don't make a lot of friends throughout life." Hikage stated.

"Whoa whoa whoa Hikage, slow down there." Ann exclaimed. "I don't think there's anything strange about you Hikage-san, you're fine the way you are." She then complimented.

"Yeah, if only you knew." Hikage thought...only for her eyes to widen slightly to realizing what the ash blonde said. "Wait...what did she just say?" She then thought.

"You're a nice person, Hikage-san. Sure, I can't tell what you're thinking at the moment, but I'm not gonna be mean or anything like that just 'cause of something like that." Ann explained.

"...Really?" Hikage soon asked, blinking a couple of times.

"Yeah. People can be idiots, and there are those who are irredeemable scum...and ever since April, I've been trying to stop being one." Ann admitted. "Don't judge a book by its cover. You have to read it first." She then explained.

"Huh..." Hikage got out with a nod.

"H-Hey...do you mind if we meet up again sometime?" Ann soon asked. "Erm...like, exchange numbers?" She then added.

"..." Hikage in response blinked to the request.

Making friends with a civilian was not exactly encouraged. Just one more person that can be used against you or worse.

But...

"Sure." Hikage suddenly replied with a nod as she took out her phone.

A few taps on their phones later, and they had added each other to their contact lists.

Ann meanwhile nodded with a smile. "Ok then. Thanks Hikage-san." She replied.

The greenette simply nodded back to that as she looked at the new number on her phone. "...She reminds me of Hinata..." Hikage soon thought before wincing. "No...No...!" She mentally got out in denial, unintentionally nibbling on her lower lip as the image of her massacred friend appeared in her mind from that day in the alleyway.

"Hm? Is something wrong Hikage-san?" Ann meanwhile asked.

"It's...It's nothing." Hikage answered in a flat tone. "I need to go. I'll see you around Ann." She then got out as she got up from her seat.

"O-Okay then. Goodbye." Ann got out, watching the greenette leave the diner. "Well...that was weird, but she seems nice." She thought with a smile.

"Well, that was different." Hikage admitted as she looked back at the cafe to see ash blonde exiting, unaware that she was still smiling. "She's nice...like Hinata..." She unintentionally admitted to herself. "Hmm...better go look up that doctor Haruka mentioned now." She then decided before walking in the other direction with her bag in hand...only to vanish from within the crowd.

It would only occur to her halfway to the hospital that she completely forgot to interrogate Ann on Homura's actions...but she didn't seem to mind much.


(Sakamoto Residence, Ryuji's Room)

"Huh, so this is your room." Asuka got out as she looked around.

"Yep. Uh, sorry, I forgot to clean up earlier..." Ryuji apologised as he picked up some of his discarded ramen cups.

"Hehe, it's ok, Katsu-nee's like that too." Asuka giggled out as she relaxed herself on his bed. "So, what do you want to do? More games?" She then asked and guessed.

"Well, pick your poison. We got KH, DMC, SMT, P5R..." Ryuji listed off.

"Psycho Break?" Asuka read out the title in an innocent manner as she took it out off the shelf.

"Oh, that one? It's one of the best modern horror games I've played." Ryuji answers with a nod. "It's about this detective guy and his partners checking a mental hospital and then some serious shit happens right after." He then explained.

Asuka in response nodded to that as she and her blond friend sat on the ground in his room. "Well that doesn't sound too bad." She admitted.

Ryuji, however, doesn't seem to think so. "You say that, but you might be in for a surprise. Just try not to get scared on the first level." He then warned as he turned on his console and put in the disc.

"I can handle it Ryuji-kun." Asuka replied in a reassuring tone and a confident smile while picking up the controller.

But as soon as she started the game, it became apparent that she couldn't handle it as in the first 20 minutes of the game, there were already some dead bodies displayed all over the floor with blood everywhere. And it didn't help that they were brutally killed in a gruesome way along with some hell spawn creatures.

Ryuji meanwhile couldn't but wincing at the shivering girl as she just got a handgun in the game. "You sure you can handle it?" He then asked in concern.

The Phantom Thieves' Vice Leader was still shaken, but managed to control herself a little. "Y-Yeah, I c-can handle t-t-this. N-No p-problem..." She got out, though her hands were shaking and were starting to sweat on the controller.

Later on in the game...

"No! I can't handle this! This is so much a problem!" Asuka yelled in terror.

"Uh, you could stop then." Ryuji awkwardly pointed out.

"B-But I wanna know w-what happens!" Asuka revealed in a stuttering tone.

"Are you sure? If you keep going, you'll get even more scared." Ryuji then pointed out. "So I'll ask again, do you want to keep going or are you too scared to?" He once more asked.

"I-I'm n-n-not s-scared!" Asuka stammered out before glaring at the screen. "DIE HELL SPAWN DIE!" She roared as she rapidly pressed on the controller.

BANG! BANG BANG!

"Uh, Asuka-chan, you're wasting a lot of ammo." Ryuji warned. "Go for headshots! Oh, and you have to burn the bodies to make sure they stay down." He instructed, although instead of calming Asuka down, it made her panic more.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO BURN THE BODIES!?" Asuka screamed out. "AAAHHH! I'M GONNA DIE!" She soon cried in a panic before throwing the controller up into the air and curling up into a ball.

And thus, Sea Bass was horribly torn apart.

"I-I think my resistance to Fear has increased." Asuka soon confessed as she looked at the game over screen.

"Uh...Let's just use one of my save files..." Ryuji suggested...right before the controller struck him over the head. "Ow!" He winced out.

"S-Sorry!" Asuka meekly got out.

And thus, their day went on, with Ryuji's mother hearing screams coming from her son's room. "Ah, they must be playing one of his horror games." She deducted...right before grabbing a fake knife and a Halloween mask. "Oh, this is going to be so fun!" She then quietly declared in teasing amusement as she made her way to her son's room.


(Protein Lover's Gym)

When Homura arrived at the gym, she noticed that the Shujin Student Council President was...well, she was quite pissed.

"FEEL MY WRATH!"

BAM! BAM! RRRIIIPPP!

Homura took that particular murder of the sandbag to indicate that her friend was definitely not having a good day, considering she could easily imagine her ripping the heart out of principal out in the same manner she punched a hole into the bag.

Oh, no wait, through the bag. It was through, her fist went through the bag and came out the other side...and was seemingly stuck.

"Hey, Makoto-senpai. You need help?" Homura offered as she put down her bag.

"...If you could." Makoto awkwardly replied with an embarrassed blush on her face.

Homura couldn't help but giggle a little before helping pull the Student Council President's arm out. "There we go." She got out. "How about we head for the treadmills now? I think the sandbags are traumatised enough." She then suggested in a joking manner.

Makoto sighed before nodding to that. "I really need to start coming here more..." She mumbled out. "But I can't since I'm busy with...schoolwork." She then added, though hesitated on the last bit.

"Yeah, from Principal Mega Muffintop." Homura grumbled under her breath.

"I heard that Homura-san." Makoto however informed. "We aren't at school remember? We can insult him all we like." She then reminded.

"Are you sure?" Homura asked in concern. "Because I have at least a couple dozen names to call him and they get a little...risque." She then awkwardly informed her.

Makoto in turn giggled in response as she got on the exercise equipment. "Only if I can use some of them myself." She replied.

"Okay, so what's your problem with Principal Living Testicle this time?" Homura asked while feigning ignorance while stepping on the treadmill.

"Just...more pressure to find the Phantom Thieves than needed..." Makoto answered in a mumble while trailing off at the end.

The tan skinned girl however sighed to that. "Makoto-senpai, you can tell me everything that's stressing you out." Homura replied.

"...Homura-san, you'll consider me a friend no matter what happens right?" Makoto suddenly asked while jogging.

"Hm?" Homura hummed out. "Of course I would." She replied as she kept jogging. "Both of us want to improve the school unlike Principal Fat Puff." She then added.

"Even if it means doing something dangerous?" Makoto added as she increased the speed.

"...Why are you asking that?" Homura soon questioned in a dead serious tone while narrowing her eyes while also increasing the speed to match.

"Let me rephrase that. What lengths are you willing to go to help people?" Makoto questioned.

Homura's eyes soon widened to that before calming herself down. "To get myself involved with them and even be willing to help them." She replied, more so for the fact that she was doing so right now with the Student Council President.

"Even if it destroys you in the process?" Makoto then asked.

"I would make sure it doesn't destroy me. I would endure anything and everything for my loved ones." Homura countered.

"But there has to be a limit to how much you can take, right?" Makoto pointed out as she once more increased the speed, now running full sprint as a result and not even phased by it.

"I can be a very stubborn person." Homura admitted as she did the same.

"...Guess I am too." Makoto muttered out, her heart now set on her goal.

"Hey...About the Phantom Thieves..." Homura began as she looked at the other girl. "Why don't I help you out with them?" She then offered.

"I thought that was a given when you started your committee?" Makoto got out with a raised eyebrow.

"I mean even more with what you're going through Makoto-senpai." Homura explained. "I, uh...thought they would just, I dunno, talk about being Phantom Thieves out loud or something during my patrols. You know, just...fall into my lap?" She awkwardly explained while unsure of it herself.

"I doubt they would be that reckless in discussing their activities." Makoto however pointed out.

"Yeah, well, you'd be surprised." Homura muttered out, an image of a certain dyed blond flashing in her mind.

"Hm, I guess so." Makoto hummed out. "My sister has convicted many criminals due to reckless speaking." She then admitted.

"Oh yeah, your sister. What does she do again?" Homura replied and asked.

"She's a prosecutor." Makoto replied.

"And I guess with this incident with Madarame now, she's going to be asked to search for the Phantom Thieves as well?" Homura deducted.

"Well, with the amount of art they destroyed, the police are looking for an arrest right now." Makoto replied with a sigh escaping her lips. "She's going to be staying at the office more often, I'm sure of it." She then added.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that case will be resolved pretty soon." Homura assured, trying to push down the guilty feeling she had in her heart.

The Student Council President in response smiled a bit. "How about we move to weight lifting now?" Makoto soon suggested as she just remembered that they were still sprinting at the highest speeds now as she then lept to the side of the treadmill before pressing the button to turn it off...just as it started smoking a bit. "Uh...Oops." She awkwardly got out.

"Makoto-senpai, um...maybe you should stop breaking the equipment. I doubt everything here needs a replacement." Homura advised while rubbing the back of her neck as she did the same...just as the treadmill also started smoking a bit. "..." She couldn't even say anything to what happened.

"You were saying?" Makoto countered in a deadpan.

"I retract my former statement." Homura maturely replied. "Let's head for the barbells now." She then added.

Makoto let out a breath and nodded before heading the benches.

"So Makoto-senpai, how much weight do you want?" Homura asked as she went over to the barbells.

"100 kilograms Homura-san." Makoto replied as she laid herself down with the bar over her head.

That meanwhile surprised the tan skinned girl for a moment as she blinked a couple of times. "Are you sure?" Homura questioned.

"Yes." Makoto immediately responded in a dead serious and determined tone. "I really need to relieve myself of this stress." She then explained.

"Got it." Homura replied as she got the weight, lifting them without any effort as she returned and slid them onto the sides of the bar and locked them in place. "All set." She informed with a thumbs up.

"Hgggh!" Makoto grunted out as she lifted the bar off the supports, face red for a moment before she started lifting without any strain while sweat ran down her head.

"Whoa, Makoto-senpai is strong..." Homura thought in an impressed tone since she hadn't even started helping yet. "You know, if you showed off this strength at school, everyone might respect you more...or fear you..." She then suggested before awkwardly adding the second part.

"You...think...so...?" Makoto slowly breathed out as she kept doing her set.

"Yeah." Homura replied with a nod

"I'm sorry...but that probably...won't work...the way you think...Homura-san..." Makoto slowly responded as she kept going.

"How come?" Homura soon asked in a curious manner.

Makoto sighed as she set down the barbell and relaxed herself. "Homura-san, people don't like me for a lot of reasons. If they see my strength, I'm no longer the principal's lapdog, I would become the principal's enforcer."

"And I guess you can't just threaten him with your strength..." Homura muttered.

"I'd get expelled." Makoto bluntly pointed out. "Not everything can be solved with strength or violence." She then stated.

"...Ain't that the truth..." Homura muttered as she thought about it.

"Hm?" Makoto hummed out as she readied herself again and grabbed the bar tightly before starting once more. "Did you say something Homura-san?" She soon asked while lifting with ease.

"It's nothing Makoto-senpai." Homura replied as she started assisting her. "Still, you're really strong." She then praised.

CLANG! BAM!

"I'm not though Homura-san!" Makoto however snapped all of a sudden as she sat up and dropped the barbell on the ground in front of her, surprising the tan skinned girl. "YOU DON'T HAVE A FAT FUCKIN' PRINCIPAL CRUSHING YOU WITH THE PRESSURE OF DESTROYING EVERYTHING YOU'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST SEVENTEEN YEARS! YOU DON'T HAVE THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD DRAGGING YOU DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS OF A BOTTOMLESS OCEAN! YOU HAVE FRIENDS! YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR FUCKIN' FUTURE FOR EVERY DAY UNTIL DECEMBER! YOU HAVE NEVER HAD HAVE TO BE STRONGER BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD FUCKIN' HELP YOU DAMMIT! YOU DON'T WASTE TIME AT A STUPID CHEAP-ASS GYM INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY FUCKIN' WAY I CAN FEEL LIKE I HAVE CONTROL OF MY LIFE WHILE YOU GO AND HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS THAT OBVIOUSLY HATE MY GUTS AND THEY'RE RIGHT! THEY'RE ALL FUCKIN' RIGHT TO HATE ME!" She soon raged in a fiery fury as she punched the seat she was sitting on while tears started running.

"Makoto-senpai..." Homura breathed out in shock and widened eyes. "Holy shit she needed to vent..." She meanwhile thought, also glad she recorded all of that.

"...Sorry..." Makoto apologised in a more depressed state while wiping away her tears. "I...I don't hate you Homura-san..." She soon confessed.

"You...hate yourself...don't you?" Homura however guessed as she went to get the barbell.

"Ever since the day Suzui-san jumped." Makoto responded in even more depression. "I wish there were no Phantom Thieves...because if they exist, and as long as they exist, that means I failed..." She then admitted in shame.

"So that's the reason you hate the Phantom Thieves?" Homura then asked.

"I don't hate them." Makoto responded. "Just...I don't know..." She soon admitted in an unsure tone.

"But...you have to admit, they really helped the school. People don't have to live in fear anymore." Homura got out as she returned the barbell.

The Student Council President in response laid back down as she took hold of the barbell and started lifting with relative ease once more. "If they really wanted to help the school, they would've changed Kobayakawa's heart by now." Makoto pointed out as she kept lifting.

Homura's eyes however widened to hearing that while supporting her. "You...You want that to happen?" She hesitantly asked in disbelief.

"If they truly did care, yes." Makoto darkly answered as she kept going without even struggling. "I would want him to grovel and beg for forgiveness beneath my heel." She soon confessed in the same dark tone.

"...Wow, that's...surprising coming from you." Homura had to confess as she blinked some more to hearing that.

"If you think that's a surprise, you should see inside my head." Makoto mumbled out.

"You also swore a lot with that rant." Homura then awkwardly pointed out.

"I don't care. As long as it's not in public." Makoto replied...before realizing that they were still at the gym, causing her to pale. "...Oops." She muttered.

"...So, about the Phantom Thieves..." Homura started to change the subject. "Do you have any suspects?" She then asked.

"Well, just going off the few facts I know, they were obviously affected by Kamoshida, enough so that they were willing to stoop so low into forcing him into confessing his crimes. So they have to be students of Shujin and were victims of his abuse of power." Makoto stated her deduction as she ended her set and sat up.

"Which is a lot..." Homura muttered.

"Yes, but I do have prime suspects. I just need evidence." Makoto soon revealed.

"Well, I can do that just fine. Just give me their names and I'll gather as much info as you need." Homura replied.

"I'll send you the list." Makoto replied as she went to her bag and quickly pulled out her phone.

BZZT! BZZT!

Homura swiftly went to her own bag and pulled out her phone as well and saw the list of suspects. "Ok then, Nana Mizuki, Mamarou Miyano, Ikue Ōtani and finally, Yuuki Mishima." Homura read out, for some reason imaging the dark blue haired boy in Joker, Skull or Fox's outfits. That...He would not pull those looks off. "So these are your prime suspects?" She then asked.

The Student Council President in response nodded. "Yes. They were all on the volleyball team or from a sports team Kamoshida-sensei shut down like the basketball or kendo team. And I heard Mishima-san was to be expelled before his confession, so it would give him the motivation to change Kamoshida's heart before the faculty meeting." Makoto explained.

"That is sound reasoning Makoto-senpai. I'll make sure to question them tomorrow." Homura assured, already figuring out what lies to feed the Student Council President, even if she did hate having to do so.

Would it be easier just to say that she's a Phantom Thief and be done with this?

The tan skinned girl mentally shook her head. "No, it would only complicate things more. I'd probably break her heart by telling her that her only friend is a criminal..." Homura thought, knowing that this would cause more trouble. "...If only I could get her to join our side...She'd help us a lot with the school. Ooh, she might even be a Persona-user!" She then added to her thoughts.

"Homura-san, are you going to lift weights today? You've just been watching and assisting me all this time." Makoto asked, snapping the tan skinned girl out of her thoughts.

"Sure." Homura replied with a nod.

"And...thank you. You're...a good friend..." Makoto added, giving the tan skinned girl a smile.

Homura smiled back before she began working out herself for a while, before needing to go home for the day.

When the tan skinned girl left, Makoto left out a heavy sigh. "How long will it take her to realise that they aren't my prime suspects." She began to think while nibbling on her lip in a guilty manner.

It was not easy to lie to Homura, considering what she was planning to do and how she practically poured her heart out to her.

That reminded her...her package would be coming tonight.

"I have to get home before Sis sees it." Makoto thought as she ran out of the gym. "I'm so sorry, Homura-san...but there's no way I can avoid destroying myself." She mentally added while more tears falling from her eyes.

Meanwhile, in a grey hoodie, Haruka couldn't help but smile before walking out of the gym, the guy at the front desk still stunned by her...flashy looks from earlier.

"Heeee~ It seems you have another interesting friend Homura-chan~" Haruka quietly stated in fascination as she thought back to their entire discussion as well as their activities. "To think you would care so much about a civilian...Hm, she could be quite the bargaining chip if we don't get what we want...or a possible new recruit for Hebijo, she does have the power." She then added before leaving in the other direction.


(6/6, Evening)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Homura had decided that on the way home that she would look at Hikari's book to see what it entailed.

However...the more she looked at it, the worse it got.

"W-What did you give me, Hikari...?" Homura mumbled out as she flipped through the book her committee member gave her.

She knew she had a long read on her hands but...there were so many terms she didn't understand and techniques that even she couldn't do right now. She'd need maximum Knowledge to understand what the book was teaching her, maximum Guts to power through the more difficult aspects of the book, maximum Kindness to appreciate the art and truly know what each thing taught her visually, maximum Proficiency to perform the techniques the book was teaching her, and maximum Understanding to put it all together and truly master the techniques the book demands you know.

And that's not to say the number of pages. It would take six sessions just to complete and no amount of speed reading techniques would help.

All to make enough time to take advantage of the early morning.

On Sundays and holidays.

Homura couldn't help but feel impressed that Hikari could make such a thing...and cursed her name for making it incredibly complicated.

"Some self-help book..." Homura grumbled out as she put the book back in the bag before unlocking the door to her apartment. "Hey, Sis, are you here?" She called out.

"Yeah, in the kitchen! Making a sandwich! You want one?" Asuka replied and offered.

"Sure." Homura replied.

"Okay, two grilled cheese and ham sandwiches with tomatoes." Asuka answered as she went to the fridge to grab more ingredients.

"Extra ham, please!" Homura requested.

"Coming right up." Asuka replied with a nod before getting to work.

Soon enough, the two roommates were enjoying their sandwiches as they discussed how their day went.

"And I was like Bam! Bam! Bam! And suddenly this giant gross pig spawned!" Asuka got out before shivering.

"What made you decide to play a horror game Sis?" Homura however asked.

"Just...sort of on a whim, really." Asuka answered with a shrug. "Hey, I've been talking about what I did with Ryuji-kun all this time. What did you do today?" She soon pointed out and then asked.

"Well, remember that meeting with the principal I had to go to?" Homura began, getting a nod in response from her roommate before explaining what had happened and what she found out.

"The Principal's putting even more pressure on Makoto-chan!?" Asuka exclaimed. "And the Principal was a hit on the Nav!?" She then added.

"Yes, he is and he was." Homura replied with a serious tone. "We need to bring this up in the next meeting. They have to know about this." She then stated.

"Hai, I agree." Asuka replied with a nod before sniffing the air. "Homu-nee, you didn't take a bath after going to the gym did you?" She stated more than asked.

"They only have showers Sis." Homura reminded as she finished her meal.

"You know what I mean." Asuka countered. "And you know that means we can take a bath together. Come on, Homu-nee, that bottle of Courage on Parade is waiting for us!" She then declared.

"Sounds nice!" Homura replied as they made their way to the bathroom and stripped down before entering the tub.

Soon enough, they were scrubbing each other's hair with the shampoo.

Asuka soon felt as though her Courage was increasing as a result. "Well that would've been nice earlier..." She mentally whined.

Homura meanwhile felt as though her Understanding had improved as a result. "Gah...! I don't feel anywhere close to understanding that book!" She mentally exclaimed. "I really need to take action and improve myself more outside of the lessons and shampoo!" She then decided in her head.

A few minutes later, the two roommates had decided to just lay there and relax in the tub for a while, the shampoo suds still in their heads as they just let it sink in.

"We're going to Mementos tomorrow, right?" Homura asked in confirmation.

"Yep. And I'm sure we have tons of requests we need to do." Asuka replied. "We aren't good Phantom Thieves if we've only changed three hearts." She then reminded.

"Four, Sis." Homura however corrected.

"Oh, right. I guess I almost forgot about one." Asuka sighed out. "I wonder how far down Mementos goes...what people we'll find with budding Palaces..." She then asked in a curious manner.

"Hehe, maybe it goes as far as the center of the Earth itself." Homura joked out before blinking. "A-Actually, that would probably be bad. It's, like, 6,371 km down right? And Mona goes about..."

"100 km an hour. I looked it up one time and he seems to look like a Citroën H Van." Asuka responded. "But probably we're going slower so we won't crash into walls or something so...maybe 75kph max?" She then stated to make sure she got the right amount.

"So 6,371 divided by 75 is...Like 85." Homura started. "It will take 85 hours minimum if we were to drive to the center of the Earth slash the bottom of Mementos." She then stated.

"That's three and a half days..." Asuka responded.

The two then blinked at each other. "..."We're overthinking it." Asuka and Homura soon stated at the same time with a shiver.

"Yeah. It's not like we'll never reach the bottom...right?" Asuka got out in a hopeful tone. "I mean...we do owe Morgana-chan...but we only have until we leave..." She then mumbled.

"That's still nine months away. We'll get there eventually." Homura reminded and encouraged.

"Yeah, changing hearts and helping people along the way." Asuka replied in agreement and with renewed determination.

The tan skinned girl in response nodded before she then sighed. "I know I should be happy that Madarame's in jail, and I am, but...we're making Makoto-senpai's life worse." Homura got out as she clenched her fists. "I mean...the Phantom Thieves are about helping everyone, to give power to the powerless...but what happens if our help just makes things worse?" She then stated and asked.

"...The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few." Asuka suddenly got out with a contemplative look on her face.

"Excuse me?" Homura responded in confusion.

"Jii-chan taught me that no matter what, sometimes you're going to hurt people. Make their lives worse or destroy it completely. I tried to avoid such a thing but...he told me that I had to think about how many people are going to be affected by my decisions and act accordingly." Asuka explained in a serious tone. "That I should care about others over the needs of my own." She then informed.

Homura meanwhile remained silent to that explanation.

"And that philosophy sucks!" Asuka loudly declared in disapproval. "Even if it is selfish, I'd never let my friends suffer but I surely won't let anyone good and innocent suffer too. There's always a way where everyone can be happy except for the bad guys! It may take some work and it won't be easy but at the end of the day, we'll all come back home with a smile!" She passionately added with determination.

"So...what you're saying is...what are you saying?" Homura started before it turned into a question.

"We should help make Makoto-chan happy too!" Asuka simplified as she stood up in the tub. "And besides...I'm sure the others will agree to tackling Principal Butterheart while we search for a more...worthwhile target." She then added before frowning. "Actually, Butterheart sounds too nice. Um...Principal...Horsedroppings? Principal Asscheeks? Erm...Ah! Principal Gunt! There, that'll do." She soon concluded.

"...What's a gunt?" Homura however asked.

"I dunno. It was just something Ryuji-kun said the principal had, and it kinda sounded like cu-" Asuka began, however.

"Okay, I'll ask Ryuji tomorrow then." Homura groaned out, interrupting her roommate at figuring out what the actual word was. "I'm...going to soak for a bit longer Sis..." She hesitantly informed while sinking deeper into the tub.

"Ok, don't get too pruney." Asuka replied as she left the bathroom to get changed.

"Are you going out?" Homura soon asked in a curious tone.

"Yeah, going to Leblanc to learn some coffee making." Asuka replied with a nod.

"I really have to visit that place soon..." Homura muttered. "Bring back some coffee if you can!" She soon requested.

"I'll try!" Asuka called back as she got herself dressed before heading out.


(Hebijo Base)

"So...How was everyone's day~?" Haruka asked in a playful tone as they all sat around in the circle.

"I managed to figure out where the medicine came from." Hiakge bluntly got out.

No way she was telling the others about her new friend.

"It was from a disgraced doctor: Tae Takemi A.K.A. The Plague. She apparently botched a drug and was discredited by the medical community, though it seems like bullshit." Hikage soon revealed.

"How come?" Yomi questioned in a curious manner.

"Well, the doctor has a history of giving wrong diagnosis and, reportedly, he took over the development of that drug at the last minute. It seems like he botched it but placed the blame on her." Hikage replied and explained.

"Where did you find this out?" Yomi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Snuck into the hospital she used to work at and found her file. They were dumb enough not to get rid of it." Hikage simply responded as she tossed the folder into the middle along with a photo, allowing everyone to see it for themselves.

"Hmm, well, if she's innocent then she's definitely not innocent now." Haruka stated as she studied the file. "She is selling performance enhancing drugs to a high school student after all. Where is she now?" She soon stated and asked.

"In a back alley in Yongen-Jaya." Hikage replied.

"Good, I'll have to visit it myself as a fellow scientist." Haruka happily replied. "Maybe her medicine could prove useful for us as well." She then added.

SHINK!

"Never. Forgiving. Cut the shit out." Hikage however bluntly declared and demanded as she readied her knife.

"Ara ara, but imagine the possibilities." Haruka replied. "Ooh! We can let lesbian couples have biological children!" She then exclaimed in excitement and giddiness to the thought, causing the others to blush.

SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!

"Will you shut up already!?" Hikage all but demanded as she unleashed a large amount of killing intent to where her eyes started glowing.

"IRL MPreg..." Mirai offhandedly thought as the greenette tried to murder her fellow third year, but to no avail.

"Can we focus back on the topic, please?" Yomi meanwhile requested as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

The Hebijo students eventually settled down, with Hikage and Haruka setting aside their disagreements...for now...

"Okay, we have where she gets her weapons and medicine. We just need one more thing." Mirai got out. "The reason why she even needs this stuff in the first place." She then stated.

"Maybe that's a question we should save for our confrontation." Yomi suggested. "All this evidence is our weapon and armor against her, and every question is a vulnerability. We should be armed to the teeth with everything." She then informed.

"Do you think Homura would attack us?" Mirai soon asked.

The others only stared at the first year as if she grew a second head.

"...Okay, dumb question." Mirai mumbled out as she scratched the back of her head. "So, is there anything else we need to know?" She then asked.

"Well, I followed Homura-chan and she was out with another friend." Haruka revealed.

"Homura-chan has another friend?" Yomi asked as she blinked a couple of times.

"Hai, apparently she's the Student Council President at the school she's attending and the two seem to be close." Haruka informed with a nod. "Not to mention, Homura-chan actually cares for her." She then revealed.

This however causes the others to blink. "R-Really? I thought the only way Homura-chan would ever think about being friends with someone is through killing each other." Yomi responded.

"Maybe she sees a little of herself in her. She does have the screaming your head off part down." Haruka assumed. "She could actually be a shinobi candidate. An Elite even." She then revealed.

"What!?" Mirai exclaimed in shock to hearing that.

"We're not here to recruit, Haruka. We're here to observe Homura-san's actions." Hikage reminded. "We can send her an invitation after we do what we need to do." She then added.

"Just something to consider." Haruka replied.

"Okay." Mirai replied with a nod. "...But why are you bringing her up in the first place?" She soon asked.

"Well, the two of them were discussing trying to find the Phantom Thieves." Haruka revealed. "They even have suspects with possible motives." She then added.

"Wait...does that mean Homura isn't a Phantom Thief?" Mirai then asked in confusion.

"Or is trying to throw her off their tail." Hikage suggested. "She's becoming smarter then she was at Hebijo if that's right." She soon admitted.

"She's manipulating her into following a false lead if she is." Haruka got out. "Very clever, I must say." She admitted in an impressed manner.

"Homura's gotten more devious during her stay here. She may have more secrets we haven't uncovered just yet." Hikage stated.

"I just wish we could see what she's doing right now..." Yomi sighed out,

The first year's eye however widened as she realized something. "...Wait, WE PUT BUGS IN THEIR APARTMENT!" Mirai suddenly remembered. "HOW DID WE FORGET ABOUT THOSE!?" She soon asked before pulling out her phone.

"We're not gonna find anything at this hour." Hikage pointed out. "I mean, they could be studying, or taking a bath or-" She started listing off before the footage came on.

It was of the two roommates...tightly embracing one another in the futon...in the nude...with wet sounds coming through the speaker.

Mirai just shut down her phone and carefully placed it in her pocket.

"Okay...let's not use those bugs." Mirai suggested.

"Hai." Yomi got out with a nod.

"Yes." Haruka mumbled out with a bright red blush on her excited face.

"Whatever." Hikage bluntly replied without much of a care.

"Haruka-sama, your nose is bleeding..." Mirai meanwhile informed.

"Am I? Well, if you need me, I'll be in my Kekkei." Haruka replied before vanishing.

"Pervert." Hikage bluntly insulted while playing with her hair. "Huh, I think I get better vision with one of my eyes covered. No wonder Mirai wears the eyepatch." She suddenly informed.

"Uh Hikage-san, how long is this phase going to last?" Yomi meanwhile asked in concern.

"That depends Yomi-san, will you can it with the beansprout talk?" Hikage however countered.

"Well, I will once we have to stop living off it after you spent all our money on a new wardrobe!" Yomi retorted.

"There's always hunting for food, or planting other things." Hikage suggested.

"Hunting. For food. In the middle of Tokyo." Mirai deadpanned.

"Meant outside Tokyo." Hikage corrected. "And there's still planting other vegetables besides bean sprouts. I'm honestly sick of them." She then confessed.

"Okay, then. Do you have other seeds?" Yomi then asked.

"Point is you're obsessed." Hikage bluntly declared before standing up. "I'm heading out. Heard about this Big Bang Burger Challenge thing that's really cheap." She then informed before leaving.

"Isn't that, like, a million calories?" Mirai thought. "How much exactly Hikage?" She then asked

"500 yen for each challenge." Hikage replied as she left the base.

"Really!? If it's 500 yen, why are there still people starving on the streets!?" Yomi growled out.

Only to realize the one she was arguing with was gone.

"Well fine, let's see how obsessive I am when you have nothing else to eat!" Yomi soon shouted out in a ranting manner before storming off to a dark corner of the base.

Mirai meanwhile could only sigh to the argument that had just happened. "This really isn't worth it. We're tearing each other apart..." She mumbled out.

At that moment, Haruka reappeared from her Kekkei. "I'm back." She informed, only to see the condition everything was in and one of the missing. "Ara ara~ Did I miss something?" She innocently asked.

"Go to hell. I'm going to sleep." Mirai mumbled out before trying to leave the third year alone.

"What was that Mirai~?" Haruka questioned in a sickly sweet tone.

"I said, GO TO HELL! I HAD ENOUGH OF TODAY AND I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL SHOOT YOU IF YOU DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!" Mirai screamed her response before storming away. "AND I DON'T WANT TO KILL HOMURA DAMMIT! IT'S ALL BULLSHIT IF YOU ASK ME!" She then roared out.

In reaction to that, Haruka was visibly stunned by the first year's defiant response before a serious expression came upon her face.

Things weren't going as expected for them. It looks like they had to resolve this mission soon...or else heads would start rolling.

But what worried Haruka most was if it would be theirs or her's.


(?)

Meanwhile, a certain hacker smiled victoriously. Who knew that shaking your cheek would be a great substitute for the sounds of schlicking.

"Mwhehehe...So easy..." The hacker giggled out as she rewatched the footage of the two roommates enjoying their bath together. "Stupid censor steam and suds..." She then grumbled out before switching cameras to a certain cafe...


(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

Asuka took in a deep breath as she entered Leblanc. Oh how she loved the rustic aesthetic, the smell of coffee and spices. It made her want to stay in and just relax with a good book and a cup of Blue Mountain.

"Good evening Boss, I'm here to learn tonight if that's alright." Asuka informed and requested.

"Ah, Asuka-chan. You just missed the kid." Sojiro replied and informed.

"That's okay. I just want to make some better tasting coffee. I don't want to get rusty." Asuka replied.

"Well, get dressed. I'm teaching you cold brew tonight." Sojiro informed and instructed.

"Hai! Got my uniform and everything." Asuka responded with a salute as she made her way to the bathroom to get changed, eventually coming out dressed in her uniform.

Soon enough, Asuka was ready for her lesson.

"Now, normally I wouldn't approve of serving coffee cold but considering it's going to get hot out, I'll start serving it so you better get this right." Sojiro explained.

"Hai, Boss!" Asuka replied with a nod and a salute.

"Okay, I want you to grind up some espresso beans. I want it course, not fine, and with enough to fill a mason jar." Sojiro ordered.

"Hai!" Asuka replied before grabbing the coffee grinder and some coffee beans then quickly getting to work. Soon enough, she did what she was told, filling a mason jar full of course coffee.

"Good. Now go get a different mason jar and fill it with water. Tap's fine." Sojiro instructed.

The Vice Leader nodded at that and did so. "So...I add the coffee to the water?" Asuka guessed.

"Yep." Sojiro soon responded.

"And that's it?" Asuka then asked.

"Nope, you put it in the fridge overnight." Sojiro informed.

"But...I can't sleep over here." Asuka awkwardly pointed out as she poured the coffee into the cold water.

"Ah, don't worry. I was making myself a cold brew last night. Go get it out of the fridge."

"Is that ok?" Asuka asked as she went to the fridge.

"It's fine. Besides, I can always make myself another one. Actually, you made it for me already." Sojiro replied with a chuckle of amusement. "While you're at it, go grab some cheese cloth, a sieve and a pot." He then instructed.

"Hai." Asuka replied as she did as instructed.

"Now place the sieve over the pot, then put the cheese cloth over the sieve. We're going to filter out the actual coffee now." Sojiro soon stated.

Asuka nodded as she did so, slowly pouring the coffee through the cheese cloth and into the pot. Once she poured everything out, she then wrapped the leftover solids in the cheesecloth and squeezed out as much coffee out of it as she could into the pot.

"And that's it. Simple right?" Sojiro concluded with a nod.

"Yeah. It'll definitely be nice for the summer months." Asuka stated.

"Go ahead, it's on the house Asuka-chan." Sojiro replied and offered as he handed the girl a spoon.

"Thank you, Boss." Asuka got out with a nod before taking a sip, her eyes widened immediately. "It's...It's really delicious!" She soon exclaimed in amazement. "I didn't think coffee would taste this good cold." She then admitted.

"Well, people do like their coffee cold." Sojiro replied. "Everyone has different tastes and preferences, and it's your job here to ensure what we serve is to their standards. I won't tolerate a bad cup." He then stated.

"I never will." Asuka promised. "I'll always do my best and if that's not enough, I'll try harder or fire me on the spot!" She soon declared before pausing. "...Please don't fire me on the spot if I do." She then requested.

"If you do your job properly." Sojiro replied. "When you finish, start cleaning up. We're closing." He then ordered.

"You're not gonna wait for Akira-kun?" Asuka asked in a curious manner.

"He's proved himself to be quite responsible. Or at least not getting into trouble." Sojiro replied before thinking about something. "...He's not getting into trouble at school is he?" He soon asked.

"Of course not. He's a model student." Asuka replied and informed.

"He better be." Sojiro grumbled under his breath. Sojiro sighed out. "In any case, the cleaning supplies are in the bathroom." He then informed.

"Hai, Boss." Asuka replied with a nod before finishing her coffee and got to work.

Soon, Asuka left the cafe to head home for the night and sleep, despite being energized by the coffee.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

DRIP! DRIP! DRIP!

"That depression and desperation in Makoto-senpai's eyes..." Homura mumbled out, still laying in the tub of warm water as she looked at the bathroom ceiling. "No...No! She wouldn't do something reckless, will she? She's a smart girl, she can figure something out. She just needs help here and there. Makoto-senpai will get through this and won't have to worry about her busting us anymore. We can all be friends." She then told herself as she shook her head. "...Right?" She soon asked as an afterthought.

You know, she thought Wolverine would speak up in times like this, but she didn't seem to be talking. Why now when she needed second opinions?

"But if the Principal puts more pressure on her though...she could put herself in danger too..." Homura mumbled out with a frown. "No...I won't let that happen. And I mean there's not like there's any more problems at school, right?" She soon questioned. "No pervy teachers, just have to deal with the bullies and delinquents and they're just a cowardly lot...or stupid." She then added in slight frustration.

Maybe she was overthinking this. Maybe Makoto was just...well, there was really no way to downplay how much shit the Student Council President had to deal with, and that she knew she couldn't handle it all but...

...Makoto was fucked, wasn't she?

"I...Grr...Why can't I think!?" Homura growled out. "Come on! You can think of something! You were top ten for the exams!" She then reminded herself before pausing. "Even though I cheated just a little" She couldn't help but admit to herself as well. "Come on, the principal has a Palace! If we change his heart, we can solve everything!" She then told herself.

But that wouldn't help Ann's grudge with Makoto. That wouldn't solve the fact that Makoto needed that recommendation. It didn't solve the fact that her only friend was a liar and a criminal. And it was not going to spread the word of the Phantom Thieves that far.

"...I should tell Akira about the Principal though." Homura soon pointed out. "I mean, we just need one more word and we're in. I'm sure we can all figure it out. Just in case for the future." She then added as she nodded to her own idea.

This was not going to be all sunshine and rainbows, with Homura, Asuka, Ann and Makoto skipping through a field of flowers at the end of this whole thing. But there was always that chance things would get better, and that the solution was out there

"Makoto-senpai is my friend like Sis, Akira, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yumi-senpai and even Yusuke." Homura soon declared. "We'll do it together and we'll come out fine." She then encouraged herself.

Soon enough, she felt like she had enough time in the bath and started to climb out and dry herself off.

Though, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was wrong about something, but she did not know what she was wrong about.


(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

Akira felt pretty good today. He felt fine after another session with Takemi, which meant her drug was close to perfection, he ate some good food and...

Well, that was it but he had to take what he could get. And currently he was using one of the support beams in his room as a makeshift pull-up bar.

"23...24...25...26...!" Akira counted off every pull-up he did with ease. "Holy shit...I thought this would be harder...27...28...29...30...!" He grunted out as he continued counting off.

"Again, Lady Homura's training is already showing improvements for you." Morgana once more reminded with a grin.

"Well...I really hope getting...chased by murder geese...paid off..." Akira grunted out before dropping down. "Whew!" He breathed out as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I can already tell your stamina has improved, Joker. I think I can see the beginnings of a six pack." Morgana noted.

"Really?" Akira got out in confusion before looking down to see that he was getting rather toned. "Well, I guess thievery makes a great workout routine." He then replied.

BZZT! BZZT!

Hearing that, the Leader took out his phone. "Homura?" Akira questioned with a raised eyebrow. "A direct message just to me." He then informed.

"Hm? Why is Lady Homura texting just you?" Morgana asked in a curious manner.

"Why indeed." Akira replied in a curious manner as he started the discussion between the two.

[FireGirl20:...The Principal has a Palace. I checked at school.]

[FireGirl20: All that's left is the distortion.]

(...)

[TheWildJ0ker: I would be a liar to say I'm surprised.]

[FireGirl20: Uh...sorry I didn't say anything sooner.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Better late than never, Homura.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Bring it up at the PT meeting. It's still too soon for us to tackle another Palace, but I'm sure the others will agree to take him down.]

[FireGirl20: Thank you, Akira.]

[FireGirl20: Have a good night.]

Akira soon looked back through the discussion, making sure he had all the details.

Meanwhile, the not cat also read the discussion as he then narrowed his eyes. "Looks like the talk Lady Homura had with the Principal today upsetted her for some reason. It's possibly the reason she looked him up on the Nav." Morgana stated and deducted in a serious tone.

"More than likely. It also might have to do with Niijima-senpai since the two are friends." Akira replied.

"Still...Lady Homura might be getting too close to her. Possible lead or not, she's still after us regardless of circumstances and I doubt she'll ease up on us if we do get caught." Morgana stated.

"We won't." Akira promised.

"Still, why is the Principal so desperate that he's ordering students to search for us?" Morgana couldn't help but wonder.

"Well, you know the deal. His star was shot out of the sky and he's doing his best to gather up the pieces and keep Shujin afloat." Akira pointed out. "Though since we know he has a Palace now, this changes things." He then added while narrowing his eyes.

"And why students? Why the President? Shouldn't the principal have staff or maybe an investigator?" Morgana questioned.

"...Easy pawns to control..." Akira stated as he frowned. "Homura mentioned that he was controlling Niijima by giving her a college recommendation letter." He then explained.

"Okay, but now that leads to why she's willing to go after the Phantom Thieves for such a thing." Morgana then pointed out. "You'd think she would be confident enough in her abilities to get a recommendation letter by herself..." He soon added.

"Looks like there's more to Niijima-senpai than we know..." Akira sighed out as a yawn escaped his lips.

"You've stayed up late enough. You better get to sleep." Morgana soon advised with a gleam in his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, sure..." Akira sighed out as he did as ordered.


(Niijima Residence)

A single bed room with the windows shut and curtains closed was shrouded in complete darkness as the Shujin Student Council President was sitting on her bed while holding her knees. In front of her was a small cardboard box. Innocuous and innocent in every way, something not even a package thief would steal.

However, to Makoto, it was the culmination of all her failures. And the item of what would be her betrayal.

Her plan was already about to be in motion, one more phase and that was it. It would go off without a hitch, the Principal would be satisfied and she would ask her sister if she could transfer to another school and never speak of this again.

I mean, it was not like there was anything there at Shujin Academy. Practically everyone hated her...apart from...

"Homura-san..." Makoto whispered out. "She's my friend...I'm...sick of others thinking I'm scum...and I don't want to betray her..." She muttered to herself.

"But you are scum. Look what's in front of you. The testament to all your sins." A warped voice echoed in her mind as a dark haze formed behind her.

"Shut up, shut up!" Makoto growled as she shook and held her head. "I know already and I'm already regretting it! I don't want to do this!" She then declared.

"Liar! You're committed. There's no turning back! Do you want an emancipation? To be free? Then shut up and listen, do what you're told and you should graduate with top honors."

"But Homura-san's my friend, I don't want to betray her like everyone else at school!" Makoto countered.

"But she's lied to you countless times already. You know it, even if you deny it. She's not a friend, she's an enemy! Controlling you with mere words by simply masquerading as a so-called friend!"

"That's...not true..." Makoto denied, but...she knew. Somewhere deep inside she knew Homura was only her friend for ulterior motives. "Sis, please come home already..." She then muttered out, despite knowing that there was no chance in hell. Not with the Phantom Thieves spitting in the face of honest police work.

"Stop those tears. Give into that anger you have, that hate of everything. Use it and you'll conquer the world. No more Thieves, no more problems, just a bright future ahead of you. Come on, I'm not bad, I only want what's best for you."

"Am I going crazy...?" Makoto sobbed out. "Homura-san...father...help me..." She whimpered out as she noticed her phone. "I gotta tell Homura-san..." She soon muttered in desperation as she took hold of it.

"She'll hate you."

"Stop talking!" Makoto desperately cried out. "She...I'm just overthinking things! Calm down, breathe. Come on, you read plenty of anger management tips online, use them dammit!" She began telling herself.

"They won't solve anything. All you're doing is lying to yourself and delaying the inevitable."

"...I need to tell her..." Makoto soon muttered with a hollow expression on her face as she began typing.

[Makoto N: Homura-san...I'm so sorry...]

[FireGirl20: Eh? Makoto-senpai?]

[Makoto N: I...just bought listening devices to listen in on you...but I already know what you really are...]

[Makoto N: You...Asuka Shirokage...Akira Kurusu...Ryuji Sakamoto...Ann Takamaki...are the Phantom Thieves, right?]

(...)

(...)

[FireGirl20: No we're not.]

[Makoto N: Please...I'm sick of feeling like scum...I feel like I'm going mad...Just tell me you are a Phantom Thief.]

[FireGirl20: Makoto-senpai, it's late. You're worrying yourself too much over them. Go to sleep.]

[Makoto N: Homura-san...the listening devices already came in... I can't turn back...]

[FireGirl20: Yes you can. Return that order and sleep. I'll see you tomorrow after school so we can talk.]

(...)

[Makoto N: Okay.]

[FireGirl20: Good night.]

Makoto soon began whimpering as she held her knees and buried her head in them while dropping her to her side...unaware that it accidentally dialed the tan skinned girl's number. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry Homua-san..." She kept repeating in despair.

"She'll be ready now."

"Shut up...Homura-san's my friend...I can't...I won't betray her trust..." Makoto tried desperately to tell this stupid voice. "I don't care...if she's a Phantom Thief..."

"But you do and you already have. And will do so again tomorrow, isn't that right?"

Makoto then clenched her head. "Stop talking...please...Go away...Leave me alone..." She begged.

"I'm you. The you that is destined for glory." It soon declared as two gold glowing eyes and a wicked formed behind the Student Council President while the apparitions of hands appeared over her

"...Help me...please..." Makoto meanwhile continued begging while trying to block out the voice.

But she knew there was no one who could help her.

Not Sae...not the teachers...not Homura.

No one but herself.


(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Homura didn't know how long she and her roommate listened to the Student Council President accidental call that lead to them hearing her whimpering the same apology to herself over and over again, or her starting to talk to herself as if she was insane and soon begging her for help, but eventually she went silent and hung up, either noticing she called her or her phone ran out of batteries.

"H-Homu-nee...t-that was..." Asuka whispered in a fear filled manner.

"Ah!" Homura yelped out before turning to see her roommate. "S-Sis, when did you..." She got out in shock.

"When Makoto-chan called..."

"...Dammit..." Homura swore out as she tightly gripped her phone. "She's in an even worse state than I thought...she's practically broken..." She then added in a dead serious tone.

"S-She knows too..." Asuka also reminded.

"Yeah..." Homura replied before frowning. "Well, no. It was more like a desperate guess than a real accusation." She then corrected.

"But...she sounded like you...back when you realized the truth about what happened to you back in middle school." Asuka muttered.

"I know..." Homura responded with a nod. "If only I could just tell her..." She then added in frustration.

"But we can't." Asuka stated. "Especially not now. Makoto-chan isn't in the right state of mind to take that sort of information." She then added.

"She's going to confront me tomorrow though..." Homura reminded as she nibbled on her lip. "I...gotta help her calm down at least." She then added.

"Yeah, it's something only you can do now, Homu-nee..." Asuka replied in agreement.

"Still, I can't believe she was about to use listening devices...that damn Principal..." Homura growled out. "He's causing her to go insane too..." She then added.

Asuka in response nodded to that as she yawned. "We...really should talk about this in the morning, it's getting late." She replied in a sad yet sleepy tone.

"Yes. I am so done with today..." Homura sighed out as she headed to the bedroom, plugging her phone back into the charger and getting into her pajamas.


(Hebijo Academy)

Suzune had spent the day meditating, seemingly at peace as she merely focused on nothing but her thoughts...and Signs of Love playing on her phone.

She developed quite the taste in music over the past few years. Mostly for the Shibuya-Kei subgenre. Such peppy tunes helped when she was grading papers and it was something to listen to while she winded down with a plate of beans, some wine and her Magical Detective Loveline book.

"...I could really go for beefsteak right now." Suzune soon thought.

RING! RING!

The teacher did not waste any time and answered her smartphone. "Code." Suzune instantly ordered.

"Evil accepts all. Good accepts only the few."

Suzune in responded nod to that. "Hikage." She began.

"Hey Suzune-sensei, Hikage here with the report this time."

"Proceed." Suzune ordered.

"Hai, hai."

The teacher however narrowed her eyes to the response. "...Your usual speech pattern seems off Hikage. What happened?" Suzune questioned.

"Yet another Haruka experiment."

"Ugh...Is there anything permanent?" Suzune groaned out while rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Aside from mental scarring?"

"What experiment hasn't caused mental scars in some capacity?" Suzune countered.

"...Almost became a male with emotions and Mirai's breasts expanded to where she couldn't move."

The teacher's eye in response twitched to hearing that. "...Anything permanent that will affect your training?" Suzune then asked.

"No, Suzune-sensei. The effects wore off already."

"You still have some lingering effects of it in your voice though." Suzune stated.

"Not sure if that's completely a bad thing. Having emotions that is."

"Yes, yes, that's good. But we must ensure you are mentally fit to perform further missions. We don't want pesky emotions such as guilt and sadness affecting your performance." Suzune soon reminded.

"I am, I am. Jeez, doom and gloom much?"

"It's the way of the shinobi. If you cannot, we will take them away. So don't get snarky Hikage." Suzune demanded, knowing she had to talk with a certain pink bow wearing blonde when they got back. "Now report on Homura." She soon ordered.

"Well, things are going well so far I guess. Homura-san seems to be really good at playing the good girl to where we can't even tell it's an act."

"You already mentioned Homura's mask before. While I am impressed, is there anything new?" Suzune responded and questioned.

"...She actually seems to be caring about others. Like actually I mean."

"...And this is related to Homura's investigation into the mental shutdowns how...?" Suzune questioned.

"Something's changing about her in a different way."

"So...are you suspecting a change of heart?" Suzune deducted.

"Like the Phantom Thieves on the news recently? We...We actually haven't thought of that possibility..."

"Watch Homura closely then for any other changes in her personality." Suzune ordered. "We do not know what these Phantom Thieves are truly capable of as of right now, but...if you have enough evidence to determine that Homura has been brainwashed, you know what to do." She then added to the instructions.

"...Hai."

"Now, any other developments?" Suzune soon questioned.

"Also, Haruka said that someone at Homura-san's school could be a potential Hebijo recruit despite her age. Some pics of her will be included this time along with what she did at the local gym in the next scroll report."

Raising an eyebrow to that, the teacher made the mental note for later. "Tell me...What does this have to do with your mission?" Suzune however questioned as she narrowed her eyes.

"She's a friend of Homura-san and treats her like an actual friend apparently."

"Yes, but what does this girl have to do with your mission?" Suzune reiterated. "I do not care about Homura's relationships. As long as she is performing her mission to our standards, she can do whatever she wants until she must return to Hebijo. And currently, you and the others are not."

"Excuse me?"

"You are under strict orders to study Homura's actions, not to follow a random civilian girl or gossip about her personal life. If she applies to Hebijo I will gladly allow you to accept her application but please do it on your own time. She is not important for your mission." Suzune muttered in annoyance.

"...Of course Suzune-sensei. She only mentioned it cause she has a possible lead on these Phantom Thieves."

"The Phantom Thieves are not your main concern currently, only your mission. Now, if there's anything else you would like to tell me about how else you squandered your time, have a good night." Suzune responded. "Contact me again before you confront Homura and eliminate her if it is proven she has betrayed the Academy." She then concluded with the final order.

"Hai hai, tomorrow it is then. Jeez, no need to be a bitch about it. Ah, my order's he-"

Suddenly, Hikage went silent. "...Hello?" Suzune hesitantly asked with a raised eyebrow. What could stun Hikage into silence?

"I...We'll call when we have something to report. Good-bye. Stupid old hag..."

CLICK!

The teacher's eye twitched to that last comment before she soon heard the phone hand up as she placed it back on the receiver. "Ugh, why did Hikage have to become so fresh sounding..." Suzune muttered in annoyance as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.

God, things were way simpler five years ago.

She wondered if the greenette actually bought that speil. Hebijo kinda needed a few more students right now after a certain blonde, pink bow wearing's experiments on cat girls and assassination tentacles...

Huh.

You know, never expected that a sentence like that to ever make sense in any context.

BZZT! BZZT!

To hearing that, the purple haired woman took out an old flip phone from in between her breasts and opened it before placing it to her ear. "Ah, hello?" Suzune greeted before sighing with a small smile on her face. "Yes, I'm doing quite well...No, I haven't been killed yet...Not yet...Please don't tell her! I keep telling you this every year... I know she misses me...I have a lot to do here...I will visit as soon as I can. You better save me a seat...Hai, Leader...I know that. Good-bye. And live your life in love and peace." She got out before hanging up as she stared at the phone for a moment. "...Playing a bitch sucks..." She soon sighed out. "And I'm not that old!" She then declared in frustration.


Save Game… Quit!


Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Outspoken (Level 2)

Knowledge- Informed (Level 2)

Proficiency- Decent (Level 2)

Diligence- Persistent (Level 2)

Courage- Reliable (Level 2)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Adolescence (Level 2)

Knowledge- Learned (Level 2)

Femininity- Effeminate (Level 2)

Elegance- Disciplined (Level 3)

Understanding- Kindly (Level 2)


Whew! Done! And…Makoto's going a little crazy. Yeah these next few chapters aren't going to be nice to her…

UknownHero signing off, my friends!