Hello, hero. Yes, this is something I actually say in real life whenever I see something awesome – like a Legendary in Borderlands or money I find…Dear God, my obsession with heroes are bleeding into my speech. Anyways, the end-of-year summer vacation is coming up very soon so I'll have a lot more free time…to enjoy my new PC, I'm serious, it is now my Xbox for this next gen. Of course, I can't use keyboard and mouse to save my life. I actually play worse in shooters. Anyways, if you see someone named "UltraHero200" running around in Halo, be prepared to see them at the bottom of the leaderboard. Also, thankfully switched the Shinjuku scene with the Royal version. God, the original was just…it left a bad taste in my mouth…
Anyways, onto the surprisingly few reviews there are. To a random Guest: How would Akira interact with Ryobi and Ryona? Well…you'll just have to wait and see. And to thisissupposedtobeblank: Thanks for the review, it made me feel a little better with the direction we're taking. And let me tell you, it's gonna be cathartic.
Anyways, that's it! Let's rule the night!
Load Game…Start!
Chapter 55: Ladies of the Night
(6/17, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Another morning comes another day of the usual problems teenagers face from a day-to-day basis.
And despite being shinobis and thieves, the two roommates were still teenagers no matter what anyone said, even themselves.
But for once...they sort of wished the biggest problem they had on their minds was that social studies report on their terrible trip to the TV station was due...
"Hurry Sis! We stalled for too long to finish it!" Homura exclaimed while writing at a fast pace.
"I think we had reasonable reasons to not do it!" Asuka meanwhile reminded as she also wrote at the same pace as the tan skinned girl. "Reasonable reasons? Gah! My brain melting out my brain! Dammit!" She soon exclaimed in a panic.
Okay, it was a big worry but they weren't exactly normal teenagers, so they were able to get it done regardless.
Eventually...
SPLASH!
"I...I can't feel my hands..." Asuka groaned out as the two sank into the hot water.
"I'm pretty sure I burnt my paper a little but...we finished...that's all that matters..." Homura panted out as she patted her roommate's back.
"Hai...Homu-nee..." Asuka responded in agreement, leaning to her side a bit and used the other girl's breast like a pillow. "Sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night..." She mumbled out her apology.
"It's alright. Actually, I completely forgot about it until you started screaming." Homura replied while rubbing her roommate's head in a tender manner. "God, we're focusing so much on thief stuff that we're neglecting our other duties at school." She then sighed out.
"Well, given what's been going on, I don't think we had the time to even think about school..." Asuka soon reminded. "I thought things would get better without Kamoshida..." She then admitted.
"It did. It's just our lives are getting worse." Homura responded. "...We just need to make them better now..." She then stated.
"I know, but it feels so...so..." Asuka hesitantly began.
"Frustrating? Impossible?" Homura guessed.
"I was gonna say soul-crushing but those work too..." Asuka mumbled in depression.
"Asuka, my dear si...my dear sist..." Homura started before stopping herself and blushing to what she almost called her roommate. "Too close..." She thought to herself before calming down. "Sis, this is just a bump in the road. Sure, we've tripped over that bump and the others tried to fix it before beating the bump with sledgehammers until it's smooth and then pouring concrete to finish it off but..." She soon explained. "...I lost my thought, but the point is that we'll get through this if we keep trying." She then declared albeit a bit awkward.
"You're so cool, Homu-nee..." Asuka got out in admiration.
"Well, I didn't feel cool right there..." Homura mumbled out in embarrassment.
"We are in a hot bathtub, after all." Asuka however quipped out with a witty grin.
"Hehehe, c'mere you adorable little jokester." Homura began in amusement. "Do I have to get Akira to switch codenames with you?" She then asked in a joking manner.
Asuka however giggled to that. "Nah, Joker is more Akira-kun's thing when he isn't so serious." She replied before realizing something. "Wait...did you just call me adorable?" She soon asked with stars in her eyes.
Homura immediately realized her blunder to what she said. "Aw, don't get a big head over it Sis." Homura got out as she ruffled the other girl's hair. "In any case, we should wash up and head to school." She then reminded. "Can you pass the Fruity Proficient shampoo? I feel like smelling like strawberries and rosebuds." She soon requested and explained.
"Hai." Asuka replied as she grabbed the pink bottle and squeezed some out before offering it to her roommate.
"Thanks." Homura replied as she took the bottle and squeezed some out before the two began washing their hair.
As they washed themselves off, the two felt a tingly rush going through their bodies.
Asuka feeling as though her Proficiency went up as a result.
Homura meanwhile felt as though her Femininity was increasing as a result.
Eventually, the two finished washing themselves off and stood up and got their towels to dry off.
"So then Homu-nee, shall we get dressed and head for school?" Asuka soon asked.
"Yup! Totally up for school today!" Homura replied with a grin while feeling more energized. "Though we're still totally avoiding the others until after school right?" She then asked in confirmation.
"Of course, the others save for Yumi-chan were completely out of line with how they treated Makoto-chan yesterday despite her actions." Asuka replied as the two got themselves dressed.
"Good, totally give the others a little punishment for how they acted." Homura responded with a nod of approval and a playful wink.
"Indeed." Asuka with a smirk as the two then went to brush their hair before heading out to school.
(Niijima Residence)
In a rare change of events, Makoto woke up and got dressed to see her sister eating breakfast with another plate of food prepared.
"...Something is up..." Makoto however thought as she approached the table."Good morning, Sis." She greeted before sitting down to eat.
"Good morning, Makoto." Sae responded. "...I just received a call from school." She suddenly informed her sister.
"Hm?" Makoto got out, flinching at the tone of her older sister's voice.
"They said you've been acting odd lately." Sae got out as she frowned. "Is this about this break up you're going through?" She soon asked.
"Oh now you care..." Makoto thought to herself in a frustrated manner. "No, I just haven't been feeling well..." She soon answered.
"Don't give me that look." Sae got out with a frown. "I do care about your wellbeing Makoto, but this is just ridiculous. It's controlling you."
"Of course it's ridiculous to you..." Makoto thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
Sae soon narrowed her eyes as she looked over her sister. "And considering your state of dress, you're planning to skip school aren't you?" She soon assumed in an accusing manner.
"The principal has been working me to the bone and piling his own work on me." Makoto soon revealed. "And before you say anything, it is because he can't handle it himself." She then added.
"Well, it sounds like he's been busy with all the controversy with Shujin lately. If it's troubling you that much, why don't you just ask or tell him?"
"..." Makoto opened her mouth...only to shut it and look shameful.
"Makoto..." Sae sighed out as she shook her head. "You need to stand up for yourself. Being this bothered over losing a friend, letting someone walk all over you...you'll never make it in a world like this." She soon instructed.
"But..." Makoto started.
"No, I've had enough of this nonsense. If you wish to continue to act like a child, I will treat you like a child." Sae interrupted in a harsh tone. "Your education is important, and I will not allow you to fail. You need to tell your principal about your problems. So go to school now or you are not welcome back here until you do." She soon stated and ordered.
"Sis!" Makoto exclaimed in shock.
"No, Makoto. I am not having any of this today." Sae soon declared in a frustrated tone. "If I hear from the principal that you've skipped school I'll...hm, staying in your room is not going to work..." She then got out. "Look, you have responsibilities. Letting them pile up like this will hurt you in the long run. Don't let your emotions distract you from something important. This is for your own good."
"...What makes you think this good for me...?" Makoto thought in frustration.
"Makoto...I'm just worried, okay? As long as you're attending, you can do whatever you want after school. I want you to have some freedom after all." Sae got out in concern before frowning. "Although...I doubt you would do such a thing, but try to avoid wandering around Shibuya late at night. I've heard stories of girls your age throwing their lives away out there. They got involved in criminal acts and were blackmailed into working at...illegal sex establishments..."
"A racket." Makoto mentally realised, a shiver running down her spine, now knowing what one of the mafia's businesses was. "...I've heard rumors about that as well. People have been mentioning it at school." She hesitantly responded.
" ...These aren't mere rumors. I know of a few such cases." Sae soon revealed.
"..." Makoto meanwhile remained silent to hear that.
"Well, it should be nothing or you to worry about. Just concentrate on your studies for now. We will talk more about this soon." Sae soon instructed. "Now eat your breakfast and head to school, or do you wish for me to take you to school?" She then added and offered.
"...No, I'll go to school by myself." Makoto sighed out in a defeated tone as she sat down.
"Good. I was going to be late if I did. This case I'm working on...it needs all my time and attention." Sae responded before heading out.
"...I'm going to tear them limb from limb..." Makoto mentally growled while clenching her hand around her metal chopsticks, bending them.
(Ginza Line)
"They are avoiding me." Akira muttered with a sigh as he waited for the train to arrive. "It was the right thing to do...but this still sucks..." He then added.
"Everyone has their view on what's right and wrong." Morgana stated from within the bag. "What may be helping Makoto to you, it is pushing her away and making her state worse for them." He soon informed. "Though you were also a bit harsh." He then had to admit.
"Yeah..." Akira sighed in resignation. "...I think we need a trip to the Metaverse soon. Nothing like a little violence to blow off some steam, right?" He then got out, feeling a little restless at the moment.
"Violence is not always the answer, Joker." Morgana stated in a somewhat disapproving tone.
"Ah, but you never said never." Akira pointed out with a smirk.
"Because we solve a lot of problems with violence too." Morgana replied with a smile. "That's part of being a Phantom Thief." He soon reminded.
"Yeah, well, I don't think we can use violence to fix-" Akira began, only to notice a certain pretty boy walk up to him. "Akechi." He got out as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"Akira Kurusu. So we meet again..." Akechi greeted with his ever-winning smile. "My, what murky weather we're having today..." He then confessed.
"Yeah, this month is a killer..." Akira replied with a nod. "And next month isn't gonna be much better with the heat." He then added.
"Quite." Akechi replied in a curt manner. "Ah, speaking of murky...there haven't been any new developments in the phantom thief incidents. If they go so far as using calling cards to get attention, I doubt Madarame's case will be the last. What kind of target will they choose next? What do you think?" He soon questioned.
"You." Akira answered in a blunt tone, shocking the detective before chuckling to himself. "Sorry. Just been on the Phantom Aficionado Website lately. There are people who are against your opinions. They are in the minority though. Probably won't happen anyways, you aren't a criminal." He then replied and explained.
"I'd like to believe I am." Akechi responded in a jovial tone. "But you believe that the Phantom Thieves only target criminals, huh...Is that really true? Supposing it is, there are plenty of villains in the world. How do they choose who to go after?" He then questioned as he began to mumble to himself.
"Uh...Akechi?" Akira spoke up, snapping the boy back to reality.
"...Oh, sorry. I'm getting lost in my head..." Akechi apologized in a sheepish tone. "I have to stay on top of any Phantom Thieves activity due to what I said on the air. If you hear any rumors at school, I hope you can let me know." He then got out.
"You know, I heard the principal at Shujin might be a target. Maybe you should look into him." Akira suggested.
"Ah, you mean Kobayakawa-san. I've met him quite a few times before." Akechi admitted with a frown before seeing the time. "Ah, I shouldn't hold you up much longer. I don't want you to be late for school." He then apologised.
"Alright, see ya around." Akira replied as his train arrived.
As the Detective Prince watched the boy squeeze himself inside the train car, he pulled out his phone and let out a small chuckle.
Well, he was technically telling the truth when he said he met the man himself.
"...To think he would have such a distortion, if it can even be called that..." Akechi whispered to himself as he shook his head. "Pathetic in every way." He then added as he walked away.
(6/17, Lunchtime)
(Shujin Academy, Second Floor Hallway)
Immediately after getting to school and going through morning classes, the two roommates decided to mix it up this time and go to the cafeteria to eat their lunch...not to mention they were still a bit upset at their friends for yesterday. They were in the middle of talking about bentos and their friends' cooking ability, which turned into a conversation about the oddest foods they ever ate.
"...Nothing?" Homura repeated in confusion and...no, just sheer confusion.
"Yeah, it was really weird. Like...I could feel it in my mouth but it didn't taste like...anything." Asuka replied as she frowned. "I don't know why Daidōji-senpai keeps bringing these dishes back whenever she comes back from her training trips. And I know that she's a good cook..." She then added.
"Well, I find it weirder that she's still a third year." Homura countered. "I mean from the sounds of it, she's in her twenties..." She then pointed out.
"Yeah, she never graduates even though she could easily pass the Final Exam." Asuka replied before tilting her head. "She never tells anyone why. I guess she feels like she isn't ready for the real world yet." She soon deducted.
"She sounds pretty strong though." Homura admitted in an impressed manner. "And honestly, scary too." She awkwardly confessed while scratching her cheek.
"Well...she's nice once you get to know her." Asuka assured with a giggle.
"...God I wish that sentence would work on the others..." Homura sighed before seeing a familiar face.
"Ah." Makoto awkwardly got out after seeing the two, especially after what happened yesterday.
"M-Makoto-chan!?" Asuka got out in a surprised manner "I-I thought-" She then started, however...
"My sister forced me to come in." Makoto bluntly explained in frustration.
"...The others did say she'd do that..." Asuka sighed out as the tanned girl groaned
"Come on and have lunch with us." Homura soon offered. "Both of us are still upset at how the others treated you the other day." She explained as the two took the girl's hands. "And we won't take no for an answer." She then concluded with her roommate nodding in agreement before dragging her away.
"W-Wait a minute! Why you? After everything I did..." Makoto hesitantly responded in confusion.
"Simple, everyone makes mistakes." Asuka replied. "I even made a fair share of my own. I uh...I put Ann-chan's life in danger once...I sort of needed Homu-nee to slap some sense into me..." She then whispered her explanation.
"...Fine. But only because you'd force me to come even if I say no." Makoto sighed out.
"Er...well...um..." Homura awkwardly started. "...I guess we are a little pushy, huh." She soon admitted. "B-But only because you need this." She then explained.
"Like how I wanted to throw myself at the mafia as an offering." Makoto muttered her reminder.
"Alright, that was a bad call but..." Homura sighed out before trailing off. "Look, let's just talk this over food." She soon decided.
Makoto however sighed as the two girls continued dragging her. "I can still walk myself!" She called out in embarrassment to this happening, though was ignored in the end by the two.
(Cafeteria)
Makoto was getting quite creeped out. She was wondering why they were frozen, staring at what she brought for lunch today. They seemed so happy and excited before...
Homura's eye soon twitched to what she saw. "Makoto-senpai...what the hell is up with your lunch?" She questioned in held back anger.
"What's wrong with it?" Makoto asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's...all sweets." Asuka got out as she blinked. "I was expecting this from Ann-chan, but not you." She then admitted.
"I-It was all I could afford on my way to school today..." Makoto soon explained. "Sis is well...restricting me on what I can buy until I become more focused in school..." She then added.
"...Seriously?" The two roommates soon asked at the same time.
"And you spent your budget on sweets? Can't you buy fruits at the convenience store?" Homura also pointed out. "And they're, like, dirt cheap. Seriously Makoto-senpai, have you been eating properly?" She soon questioned in concern.
"You know, just some comfort foods here and there...mainly to help with regrets..." Makoto responded. "...That bucket of ice cream I had last night was good too..." She then admitted.
"Jeez, you should be eating a proper diet Makoto-senpai." Homura stated in disapproval. "Comfort food is good and all, but they have no real substance." She soon explained. "Maybe I should make you lunch from now on..." She then muttered to herself.
"H-Homura-san, I'm capable of making my own lunches. You don't need to do that."
"Oh no missy, you are not getting out of this that easily." Homura countered in disapproval while crossing her arms over her chest. "It's settled. I'm going to make you lunches from now on just in case until you have a proper diet." She soon decided.
"H-Homura-san..." Makoto mumbled out in a whiny and embarrassed tone as she blushed a bit. "F-Fine..." She soon responded.
"Good girl. I will also be expecting you to eat everything I cook every time." Homura soon stated with a smirk on her face.
The Student Council President meanwhile sighed to that, though she then began to feel more relaxed. "Hm...you sound like a good older sibling, Homura-san..." Makoto confessed in a nostalgic tone and a small smile on her face.
Homura in response sheepishly rubbed the back of her head to that. "Well when it comes to Sis, it's like having a little sister, though only by a couple of months." She replied.
Asuka meanwhile giggled as she listened to this. "Homu-nee's meals are really good Makoto-chan." She soon informed. "I bet she could become a pro chef if she wanted to." She then added.
"Come on, you're just saying that. And you're not a bad cook yourself." Homura countered while playfully poking the girl's cheek.
"Moh! Homu-nee!" Asuka giggled out with a grin.
The Student President meanwhile just watched the interactions between the two girls. "You two are really forgiving of others..." Makoto sighed out as she ate some of her lunch.
That in turn got both girls attention. "Don't get us wrong, we have people we can't forgive even if they begged on their knees." Asuka confessed. "But we know we can forgive you because...well, you're kinda like us." She then revealed.
"Eh?" Makoto got out in confusion.
"Well...I have expectations to live up to. I'm an only child, so I was automatically thrown into a life where I had no say in." Asuka soon explained. "Some of said life I don't regret, but I have moments where I wish I could do more." She then confessed.
"And I...I was just lost." Homura hesitantly revealed. "I didn't have a place to belong. I just followed orders and looked forward to the next...um...I guess proof of my existence." She vaguely added in an uncomfortable tone.
"And the others...well, they didn't have a place to belong until we all met. You see, we're all in the same boat." Asuka soon revealed.
"Even you Makoto-senpai, the others just don't realize it yet though." Homura soon stated. "Come on, it isn't over yet. You can still help." She then added in an encouraging manner.
"What can I do?" Makoto however asked. "The others won't forgive me so easily this time, and you already have things covered. I mean, you do have an information network." She then reminded.
"They just don't want you doing another stunt like what you did yesterday." Homura got out in a comforting tone. "I mean what was your plan at that moment? Did you think you were going to meet this guy right away?" She then asked.
"I...I...No...I know that now..." Makoto mumbled out. "I...I just wanted to help somehow..." She then confessed.
"There are other ways to help us." Asuka pointed out. "Just...not directly anymore." She soon added. "Like me and Homu-nee want you to be a Phantom Thief like us but..." She then revealed in a whisper.
Makoto's eyes however widened to that. "R-Really?" She got out in a surprised manner.
"Well...you have that spark in your eyes. We know you want to do so much more...but I don't think you're ready yet." Homura answered. "Tell us, what would you want as a Phantom Thief if you became one?"
"I...I...I'm not sure." Makoto mumbled out. "I just...I just want something...more than this." She then added.
"And that's fine but...it would be best if you avoided the others for now." Homura stated. "Yumi might be more reasonable though since she understood what you were planning to do yesterday."
"Understanding doesn't excuse how stupid it was." Makoto mumbled out as she shook her head. "...Alright. I'll stay out of the way and I'll try to help out from the background. Don't worry about me, okay?" She replied and requested.
"We'll worry about you regardless but thanks." Asuka replied with a kind smile as the three began to talk quite animatedly about various other topics, even causing the Student Council President to become flustered, and embarrassed at some points as a result.
A distance away, a familiar black haired boy with glasses watched the interaction between the three. "One less worry to worry about." He thought before walking away.
(6/17, After School)
(Shibuya, Joysound Karaoke)
As soon as school ended, the Thieves headed over to the karaoke in Shibuya to discuss their findings...where they discovered very quickly that they didn't discover much.
"...And...then we left." Akira concluded.
"For real!? We didn't get anything!?" Ryuji exclaimed as the Thieve simultaneously groaned. However, they were interrupted by-
"evEN If yOu ignore thE UNEasInESs IN YOur CHest, Your HEARt wiLl FEEL BLue~! iN the END, ToMORrOW CoMES EvEN IF YOu dOn't thINK aBOut it~!"
"God they suck..." Ann mumbled out, glaring at the clearly drunk singer.
"Who starts drinking at four in the afternoon?" Asuka questioned.
"Idiots Sis. Very lonely, sad idiots." Homura answered as she watched the drunk dance...really, really terribly.
"...Should we just focus our efforts back to the principal?" Yumi suggested. "I mean, we only have so many locations, we'll be bound to stumble upon it eventually."
"Yeah, but given the importance of the mafia, we can't just ignore them." Akira stated as he shook his head.
"Yeah! That mafia's stealing money from kids. Not to mention the other rackets they have." Ann reminded. "We can't just accept that! The police aren't gonna catch these guys anytime soon, if ever. We have to help."
"Ann's right. We want to give courage to the weak." Yusuke replied. "Isn't this the perfect target to accomplish that goal?" He then reminded.
"Yeah, we can deal with the principal later..." Ryuji muttered out, causing the tan skinned girl to sigh. "Sorry, Homura." He quickly apologized.
"Well, this mafia is making way more lives terrible than the principal but..." Homura started before her eye started twitching at hearing the music in another room. "Oh my God! How long is that song!? I swear if they keep going I'm going to beat them with their mic." She soon complained as she covered her ears.
"YoU gOt YOURSeLF BehINd A DooR dEep iNsIDe yOuR HEARt, agaIN~! yoU WanNa hIDe, YOU wanna ComE OUt, GOInG RoUNd and RoUND~!"
"We'll get kicked out but they truly have no talent." Yusuke agreed with a nod.
"I bet Yumi-chan is a better singer." Asuka then confessed.
The light grey haired girl immediately became surprised by that. "O-Oh please...You never even heard me sing..." Yumi stammered out with a blush.
"I never thought it'd be this noisy if you weren't singin'..." Ryuji meanwhile grumbled out. "Anyways, I'm sure we'll shut Akechi up if we pull this off, but-"
"That's exactly why we should do it." Yusuke interjected with a serious look on his face.
"It all comes down to intel in the end..." Morgana concluded. "If we don't start finding tips on that front, we'll never get any further than this..." He then stated.
"There has to be someone who has what we need." Asuka mumbled out as the Thieves began thinking.
"...Hey, what about the media?" Akira suddenly suggested as he reached into his back pocket.
"...That's right! What about that journalist?" Ann remembered.
"You mean the woman who was staking out Madarame's house?" Morgana assumed with a tilt of his head.
"Oh yeahhh. I completely forgot about her!" Ryuji admitted as he slapped his forehead.
"Wait, what was that about someone stalking around where I used to live...?" Yusuke questioned in an uncomfortable tone.
However, the young artist was ignored as the Leader read the business card out loud. "Ichiko Ohya. Journalist for Digital Devil Daily." Akira read out loud.
"Isn't that the newspaper that rebranded recently?" Yumi got out with a frown. "Yes...Now I remember, it was Maiasa Newspaper until 2014..." She then mumbled with a nod.
"...This is for a rather major publication." Yusuke realised.
"She's bound to know something, right?" Asuka got out in an excited tone.
"You think we can trust her?" Ryuji however asked in a cautious tone.
"Well, we have nothing else. She's our only lead." Morgana stated.
"OK, let's contact her!" Ann got out. Akira nodded as he shot a quick email on his phone. However...
RING RING RING!
The telephone on the wall began to ring, so Ann quickly answered it. "Oh. yes? Thank you..." She got out before hanging up. "He says our time's up. Should we extend it?" She soon informed the others and asked.
"Happy hour's over, yeah? C'mon, let's just go." Ryuji replied.
"How wasteful!" Yusuke gasped out before he grabbed his drink and chugged it down, until he suddenly began to cough, causing the Vice Leader to pat his back.
"I never even got to sing..." Yumi mumbled in disappointment.
"We'll come here some other time when we're not dealing with crime syndicates." Akira assured with a smile.
"Anyways, I guess we just have to wait until that journalist emails us back." Ryuji muttered as the Thieves began to get up, almost glad they didn't have to hear that drunk attempt to sing True Story and make Rise Kujikawa wonder why she was crying all of a sudden.
"You better inform us once she responds." Yumi got out.
Akira nodded to that and put away his phone.
"I really hope we can get a lead from her." Homura sighed out as they packed up their stuff and left the karaoke.
(6/17, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
"Good evening Makoto-senpai, you're on speaker." Homura greeted and informed over the phone. They had called the Student Council President as soon as they got home.
"Homura-san, Asuka-san." Makoto simply responded. "Is there any reason you are calling me?" She soon asked.
"We just wanted to update you on the whole mafia situation." Asuka revealed. "Honestly, we have nothing, but we have one possible lead and if that doesn't work out we are officially boned." She then informed.
"...Okay, but what's the good news?" Makoto soon asked in a more serious tone.
"That was the good news." Homura replied. "And the bad news too." She then stated.
"...What do you mean?" Makoto soon questioned in confusion.
"It means it's the only news we have." Homura sighed out.
"Akira-kun remembered that we encountered a journalist during the Madarame incident and we think she might know something. We're waiting now for her to respond to him." Asuka soon explained.
"Do you mind telling me the name of the journalist you're contacting?" Makoto asked over the phone.
"Ichiko Ohya." Homura answered. "Uh...Digital Devil Daily." She then added.
"Let's see..." Makoto started from her end, soon getting silence for the two girls. "The Newest Craze to Hit Japan: Third Wave Ska...Rise Kujikawa, the Haremette...Director Breakdown - Hottest Movie of the Summer Indefinitely Delayed..." She began listing off what appeared to be article titles. "She seems to be an entertainment writer. Skimming through the comments...she has a habit for not fact-checking and rushing out her articles to take advantage of the latest trends. Hm...but she did write a small article about the Phantom Thieves back in May..." She soon informed the two.
"That's a good background check, Makoto-senpai." Homura replied with a nod. "Maybe we should've done that sooner." She then admitted.
"Already texting the others." Asuka informed. "...I'm starting to doubt that this journalist is going to be a reliable source..." She got out in concern.
"Well, we don't have any other connections." Homura however reminded. "Plus, she had interest in the Madarame thing so she's bound to know something..." She then added to the reminder.
"I mean, I hope she does. If she doesn't then we're out of leads and..." Asuka admitted and then stated.
"Don't worry. We can do this." Homura meanwhile encouraged.
"Please Homura-san...Asuka-san, find this bastard..." Makoto soon begged over the phone.
"We will. Just...try and relax. We've got this." Homura responded with a serious tone.
"Get some rest Makoto-chan." Asuka soon requested.
"Sorry, it's just that I found out about one of the rackets by coincidence thanks to my sister." Makoto apologized and explained in a more serious tone. "Homura-san, Asuka-san, this mafia group also runs illegal sex establishments." She soon revealed.
"What!? Like...brothels!? Prostitution!?" Homura exclaimed.
"Yes. If women can't pay their debts..." Makoto soon began before trailing off.
"Those...Those fucking bastards!" Asuka shouted out in anger and disgust before taking in a deep breath to calm herself down. "Sorry for the harsh language, Makoto-chan but..." She began apologizing.
"No, they are indeed fucking bastards." Makoto responded. "Dammit, I probably would've-" She then started.
"No! We wouldn't have let you!" Homura however declared. "Wait, why didn't you tell us about this at school today then Makoto-senpai?" She soon asked in realization.
"...I was enjoying myself...sorry..." Makoto responded and apologized.
"No...No, you needed a little normalcy and happiness in your life away from everything you're going through." Homura comforted the girl. "You know, this is why they teach all shinobi that sealless technique..." She then mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Makoto meanwhile got out in confusion.
"I-It's nothing." Homura stammered out after realizing she was still on speaker. "Looks, just...stay safe, alright?" She soon requested.
(Niijima Residence)
"I will Homura-san." Makoto responded over the phone. "And thank you for giving me an update." She then added in a grateful manner.
"No problem. Ah, before we go, what do you want in your bento?" Homura replied and asked.
"...Can you do those little octopus sausages for me?" Makoto hesitantly and meekly asked with an embarrassed blush on her face.
"Sure, I'll make that along with fried eggs. Have a good night, Makoto-senpai." Homura replied in a confident manner.
"You too." Makoto replied with a smile before hanging up and sighing in relief.
They had things covered. They would get the info they need, do their Phantom Thieves thing and then they'll set their sights on the principal after dealing with the mafia, easy.
After that, everything will go back to normal...just like she...wanted...
Normal...to the point where she would be forced to go through the same thing over and over and over again...
Same as always...with no sense of change even if the principal was fired...
...Boring...repetitive...and dull...
Empty...
"...I...wanna do more..." Makoto thought in realization.
But...she knew she couldn't. Not now, maybe not even ever.
She always needed people to help her...and all they ever did was abuse the power they had over her...
Her friends however had power...their lives...exciting...possibly thrilling...
Why...Why couldn't she have that?
Cause she was the diligent school girl that did everything she could to make sure she had a future like everyone else in the world?
To become another face in the crowd?
Can't she have a more exciting future than just going to college and getting a stable job?
The girl however soon shook her head to get rid of those thoughts. "No...Don't think that...I'm...not like that..." Makoto told herself as she slapped her cheeks before preparing herself for bed.
She always needed to endure the day by day events she went through, for her own safety and to ease the worries of others...
"Still...this is..." Makoto mumbled out as sleep began to overtake her. "Boring..." She then confessed before being taken to dreamland.
(6/18, Morning)
(Shujin Academy, First Floor Hallway)
The two roommates had woken up, gotten dressed and did everything they had to as the arrived at the school and started heading for class.
"Okay, the green one is yours, the red one's mine and the blue one's for Makoto-senpai..." Homura reminded as she looked over the three bentos in her bag. "...Is it weird that we're so color-coordinated?" She then asked.
"Not really, it tells us apart Homu-nee." Asuka replied with a giggle.
"Yeah but everyone has their colors. Ryuji's yellow, Ann's pink, yours is green and...I don't why I'm questioning this..." Homura started listing off before realizing how ridiculous it was. "...I think I need more sleep." She then admitted.
"I'll let you sleep in tomorrow then." Asuka soon offered. "Oh, shouldn't you find Makoto-chan?" She then reminded.
"Yeah. Hopefully she's already-" Homura began only to stop herself and turn around to see the other three Shujin Thieves standing behind her. "Oh...hey guys..." She soon greeted in a casual manner.
"Asuka-chan, Homura, what was that about Makoto?" Ann bluntly asked while crossing her arms over her chest.
The tan skinned girl in response groaned in annoyance. "I made her lunch." Homura answered.
"Homura, I thought I ordered for you to keep your distance from her..." Akira sighed out. "I only allowed it yesterday because it helped her feel better, but you know she can't get involved anymore for her own safety." He then added.
"Ok, we have a legit reason for hanging out with Makoto-senpai this time." Homura began in a serious tone while her roommate nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, first of all, we're not letting her get involved." Asuka soon stated. "We admit it, we sort of screwed up letting her get involved when she wasn't ready. We're just making her feel better unlike all of you." She then added.
"So you just made her a bento?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow. "You're not planning to go behind our backs, are you?" She then accused.
"Calm down, it's nothing like that." Homura responded with a sigh. "Yesterday she didn't have a good lunch cause her sister is limiting what she can spend her money on until she focuses more on school." She soon explained.
Asuka in turn nodded in agreement to that."Yeah, all she bought was sweets and the other night she ate an entire tub of ice cream." She then revealed.
"..." The others however blinked a couple of times as they looked at the two roommates.
"...That's not normal, Ann." Homura deadpanned.
"...So she's pullin' an Ann?" Ryuji eventually guessed.
"HEY!" Ann exclaimed in an offended manner. "I don't-" She started.
"And I quote," Ryuji began with a witty grin. "If I could, I would eat sweets for breakfast, lunch and dinner." He got out with a higher tone of voice in an attempt to sound like a girl.
"Did you really have to sound so high-pitched?" Ann deadpanned.
"...Maybe I should make you a bento too. You got an unhealthy eating habit." Homura soon got out.
"Hey! I burn it off with my job!" Ann declared.
"No you don't. You just stay thin because of your genetics." Homura however declared while crossing her arms over her chest. "I mean, you are seriously dodging a bullet here. And you can barely run a few feet without getting tired in this reality." She then added.
"Well...wait, you don't have the right to criticise me. Didn't you say that all your fat goes to your breasts?" Ann soon pointed out while poking the tan skinned girl's chest.
"...Did you forget my other occupation?" Homura however whispered.
"No, I'm just saying that one of you mentioned that your breasts get bigger from fat!" Ann called out.
"Fat that got distributed as a result of training." Homura corrected while her roommate nodded in agreement.
"Or enough of Katsu-nee's constant groping..." Asuka meanwhile quietly added.
"...That's not how-" Ann began before slapping her forehead. "Ugh, whatever. My head hurts from talking about this." She soon grumbled out.
"Shinobi physiology, once again a scary thing." Morgana however reminded the group.
"I...I have no idea you guys are talking about." Makoto spoke up as she made herself known.
"Wah! Where did you come from!?' Ann exclaimed in a surprised manner.
"...I've been standing here for the past five minutes." Makoto however answered with a sweatdrop. "...I think I'm gonna go to class now." She soon informed as she bowed to the group in a polite manner.
"You...You go do that." Akira awkwardly responded. "Have uh...have a good day." He then added.
"Y-Yeah..." Makoto responded in an equally awkward tone with a blush in her face as she started heading out.
"Wait Makoto-senpai," Homura called out, stopping her friend before taking the royal blue cloth wrapped box. "Your bento. I'll see you at lunch so we can eat together." She then added.
Makoto meanwhile sighed in relief. "Thank you Homura-san." She replied as she took the box.
"Oh yeah, I never asked, but how much are you exactly allowed to spend now?" Homura soon asked in a curious manner.
"...A thousand yen." Makoto awkwardly and hesitantly revealed.
"..." This however shocked the Shujin Academy group as they looked at the Student Council President with widened eyes.
"...Well, at least it's preparing you to live by yourself." Akira got out, only to earn a punch in the arm. "Ok, I deserved that..." He groaned out.
"Oook, your sister is being way too strict on her this time..." Ann awkwardly muttered. "I mean, in America, that's only ten dollars..." She then added.
"You can barely buy anything with that!" Ryuji however exclaimed.
"Hey, there's a lot you can do with a thousand yen. You just have to be wise about it." Akira pointed out.
"Don't worry, I'll survive." Makoto reassured...
GRRRRR!
Only for her stomach to growl loudly.
"...You didn't eat breakfast, did you?" Homura deadpanned.
"It's my own fault..." Makoto sighed out. "I'll just go buy some bread at the school store first. Have a good day." She then informed before heading into the building...tripping over herself, but managing to catch herself before she landed on her face. "I'm fine! Don't worry!" She quickly reassured everyone who watched it happen, though she winced a bit as she got to her feet and tried to act like nothing happened.
However for the group, they all noticed something that the Student Council President was unaware of.
"Don't. Say. Anything." Homura slowly got out in a threatening tone.
"...Panda bears..." Asuka whispered out.
The boys of the group meanwhile blushed at what happened and what they saw.
"Ugh...it's gonna be one of those days, isn't it?" Ann groaned out.
"Well, with what's happening to Makoto now thanks to her sister, most likely..." Morgana responded.
The dyed blond then shook his head to get rid of the blush. "Why do adults forget they were teenagers too?" Ryuji grumbled out. "They had to have gone through the same struggles as us..." He soon added.
"Well, apart from all that alternate realities and beating demons to death with your own psyche." Akira quickly added.
"Makoto-chan's sister hasn't been helping her at all..." Asuka meanwhile muttered in disapproval.
"Yeah, the only thing Makoto-senpai's sister helped with was informing her about one of the mafia rackets..." Homura quietly informed while narrowing her eyes while watching the retreating girl.
"Hm?" Akira hummed out in a curious tone to hearing that. "What is it?" He soon asked.
Asuka however was the one that gained the disgusted expression on her face. "...An illegal sex racket...as a result of blackmailing girls..." She darkly revealed.
"What!? They're makin' girls whore themselves out!?" Ryuji exclaimed out loud.
"Quiet Ryuji! Do you want more people to hear you!?" Homura responded in a whisper while covering his mouth.
"That would mean Makoto almost..." Akira began in a hesitant tone.
"Yeah, she realised that and regrets what she did." Homura stated.
"Again, this is why she should stay out of this whole thing." Ann sighed out as she shook her head.
"She knows...though she wishes she could do more..." Asuka mumbled out.
"Well, for now, she can't. Now let's head to class before we're late." Akira got out as they headed into the school. "Cute pandas though..." He then muttered before blushing.
(6/18, Lunchtime)
(Cafetaria)
Lunch soon came as the two roommates and the Student Council President were in the cafeteria once more.
"Man today has been rough." Homura sighed out as she stretched her limbs. "Just gotta get through afternoon classes and then I'm going to meet with the committee." She then added.
"You're worrying about the committee even now Homura-san?" Makoto meanwhile asked in a curious and concerned manner.
"Well, I can't just slack on my duties. Why do you think we still attend school?" Homura answered. "We could easily make what we do our job, but I can't just ignore others. I'll just be another bystander to someone's problems." She then stated.
GRRRRR!
The two roommates then looked at the blushing Student Council President. "Alright Makoto-senpai, you really should get the bento I made for you and start eating. You need to keep up your strength." Homura soon advised.
"Yeah, everyone needs to eat to have enough energy." Asuka added in agreement.
"I know that, it's just..." Makoto started as she looked at the bento. "It's sort of large, don't you think?" She then asked.
"No, it seems pretty normal to me." Homura replied in a reassuring manner. "Come on, try it!" She then encouraged as she opened the box for her friend.
FWOOOOOSH!
Immediately, an explosion of spices came out of the bento as it flooded the cafeteria. "This...is a lot more than I expected..." Makoto breathed out as she looked at all the food as if it was fine art, unaware that her mouth was watering. "Did...Did you really make all of this Homura-san?" She then asked.
"Yup." Homura replied in a confident manner. "My octopus sausages kinda suck though since it was my first time trying to make them..." She then admitted.
"Ah, you did you best Homu-nee." Asuka responded as she opened her own bento. "Well, time to eat!" She then declared in anticipation.
GULP!
Makoto's eyes soon widened as she felt a surge coursing through her body before then shivered. "Mmmmmm~!" She moaned out in delight as a blush came across her face and sweat running down her body and a heavenly chorus singing in her mind.
This however confused the two roommates. "Uh, Makoto-senpai, are you ok?" Homura asked in concern with a raised eyebrow.
Makoto soon took in a deep and soothing breath as she then sighed out in relief. "M-My word Homura-san...that was delicious..." She soon got out. "You cooked the eggs to perfection." She then informed before looking at the octopus sausages. "I wonder how the sausages are?" She then muttered in anticipation as she took one with her chopsticks and ate it. "Ahhnnn...! So gooooood~!" She then moaned out in happiness before slapping her hands over her mouth. "D-Did I just?" She began to ask in an embarrassed tone, only to get nods in response.
"Wow! You must've liked it a lot, Makoto-chan!" Asuka innocently got out with a smile and a giggle as she started eating herself.
"W-Well, it is..." Makoto mumbled out as she started eating some more, feeling the same sensation going through her body. "I never had food this good Homura-san." She then admitted.
"Hehe, thanks Makoto-senpai." Homura giggled out as she began to eat her own lunch.
"Did the President just moan?"
"That's a sound I never heard before?"
"Huh, it actually sounded cute."
"Is she reacting to what she just ate?'
"You mean like that one manga? No way, not possible."
"Yeah, no way a foodgasm moment would happen in real life."
"Prez said that Shinkukage cooked that for her? Damn that looks good."
"Better looking than the slop they serve here at school..."
"Good to know I'm a better cook then the cooks here at school." Homura quipped out in amusement.
"Hey now, they work hard and you only have to feed three mouths, not an entire school." Makoto pointed out, though she continued eating. "Plus...the cooks are glaring at you." She then informed.
"Oh, u-uh...sorry!" Homura apologized in an uncomfortable tone as she went back to eating. "Seriously, do they have super hearing or something?" She thought.
"Soooooo goooooood..." Makoto moaned out in satisfaction.
"I'll be sure to cook for you again then." Homura replied with a smile.
"Y-You really don't have to do that all the time though. I don't want to be a burden..." Makoto however got out in an uncomfortable tone.
"Nonsense! You aren't a burden. I'll keep doing this until your sister gives you your wallet back." Homura replied before giggling. "Besides, you're drooling." She then informed with a smirk.
"W-Wha!?' Makoto got out in shock as she soon noticed the trail of drool leaking out the side of her mouth, obviously from anticipation from getting another lunch from the tan skinned girl as she wiped it away with her handkerchief. "Ooooooh..." She groaned out as she covered her blushing face with her hands.
"Come on, the food is going to get...colder than it already is." Asuka awkwardly encouraged...only to notice that all their food was gone. "Oh, never mind, we finished our food." She awkwardly pointed out.
"Homura-san, you could replace the cafeteria staff with food this delicious!" Makoto dramatically declared before seeing the staff glare at her. "U-Um, sorry!" She quickly apologized.
However the cooks only mouthed Moping duty after school.
"...We really need to watch what we say..." Asuka mumbled out as the Student Council President groaned.
"C-Come on Makoto-senpai, I'm still a novice really." Homura however played herself off while waving a hand in front of her face.
SLAM!
The Student Council President however stood up and she slammed her hands on the table. "No! You are selling yourself too short this time Homura-san!" Makoto countered while narrowing her eyes in a dead serious tone.
"Y-You're surely exaggerating though...I mean, Sis's too nice to ever tell me food sucks..." Homura countered.
"I-I am not too nice!" Asuka countered in an offended manner. "And I mean everything I say." She then declared.
"...You're not gonna criticize me in any way, are you?" Homura soon asked.
"Um...the rice is a little too sticky?" Asuka awkwardly suggested.
"Hehe...Hahaha! Thanks guys!" Homura laughed out as they spent the rest of their lunch talking and trying to convince the staff to not make the Student Council President mop the floor after school today.
(6/18, Afternoon)
(Classroom)
"Do we usually have Inui today...?" Akira muttered out as the teacher lectured the class.
"I dunno, just pay attention." Asuka replied with a shrug.
"I'm just taking in the lessons like a sponge and not paying attention to the teacher." Homura meanwhile confessed.
"Now, I've been watching a movie made in the 1980s, and it depicts a vision of what the world may look like in 2015." Inui began. "Flying cars, holograms, anti-gravity. Of course, it's 2016 right now and while we have some of that technology - it's still nowhere near as advanced as was depicted. Even in thirty years, Shujin will most likely look exactly the same as today."
"Even with the graffiti?" Homura meanwhile asked with an amused grin, getting some chuckles and giggles out of the other students.
"Well, some day all of it will be erased from these walls, but it still happened. You cannot change that fact." Inui stated. "Just because it may look the same from the outside doesn't mean that it's the same inside. And you know, just for speaking without raising your hand, you're up."
"Ulp!?" Homura winced, this getting even more chuckles and giggles from her classmates.
"Shinkukage-san, if you were a ninja in that era, how would you tell the time?" Inui soon asked as the Leader began to mentally guess the answer.
Look directly at the sun
Use my phone, duh
Look into a cat's eyes
Ask someone
"...I would look into a cat's eyes." Homura answered.
"Correct." Inui replied with a smile. "Ninjas often used nekome-jutsu, which was the ability to decipher the time just by looking at a cat's eyes. Cat's eyes are very sensitive to light which causes their pupils to change shape at specific times of the day. Think of them as the digital watch of the 16th century." He then explained. "Nowadays, you have the entire world in your pocket and yet one of its most common uses is to see what time it is. If modern ninja were to exist, they'd simply use smartphones given how useful they are. Old tools and techniques will eventually be rendered obsolete. However, their goal is still the same: Assassination, information gathering...not much has changed since the fifteenth century." He soon stated.
"And that's why we have to keep training." Asuka thought as she wrote down the speech.
"You see? While personal technology and sociology might change very drastically, infrastructure takes much longer to change in any notable way." Inui got out. "Rome wasn't built in a day, after all. And the world won't change overnight." He soon stated as he continued with the lecture.
"Hey, you better not try and tell the time with my eyes, got it?" Morgana meanwhile demanded. "It's really weird." He then declared.
At that moment however...
BZZT! BZZT!
"Well, I do have the world in my pocket that tells me the time so I don't think I can master such a sacred technique..." Akira muttered out as the Thieves pulled out their phones.
[Shut7heFUp: Yo, did that reporter message ya back yet?]
[All4Painting: We only just emailed her the other day. Why are you so hasty?]
[Shut7heFUp: I dunno. I've been looking for info, but I can't find a damn thing...Plus, the more we wait, the more victims these guys get.]
[Sweetkat06: Yeah, we did put ourselves on a time limit after all. What was it again?]
[SushiRoll23: July 7th.]
[FireGirl20: So what, like, 19 days? We gave ourselves too much time...]
[TheWildJ0ker: Well, given how our investigation has been going, we needed that month...]
[Shut7heFUp: Yeah...just felt like it was takin' too long.]
[Sweetkat06: And we still have Principal Potbelly to deal with after...]
[FireGirl20: Which we will deal with, no doubt about it. We just need to be prepared for two Palaces.]
[Negative8Degrees: That is, if we can access one of them.]
[All4Painting: Yes. We must also consider what we do in case she fails to respond entirely.]
[FireGirl20: Goddammit, Yusuke!]
[Sweetkat06: Yeah, don't jinx this!]
[All4Painting: I am merely discussing all the possible outcomes.]
[Negative8Degrees: Well...our last resort would be to...do what Makoto-san tried to do...]
[TheWildJ0ker: No.]
[TheWildJ0ker: Shinobi or not, I am not letting anyone be put under the mafia's thumb.]
[All4Painting: But it may be our only course of action.]
[Shut7heFUp: Ain't you nervous about this?]
[All4Painting: Nervousness will not help us solve anything at this point. Were that the solution to our problem, I would be much quicker to panic.]
[SushiRoll23: Yeah, me and Homu-nee say the same thing about using force...]
[Sweetkat06: Wow, he's like some kind of philosopher...]
[Shut7heFUp: I think he's just an idiot...]
"It's 2:45PM, by the way." Akira whispered out as the class went on.
(6/18, After School)
(Student Council Room)
"Done..." Makoto groaned out as she laid her head on the table. She only missed one day, and yet all this paperwork piled up.
Just more complaints, stuff she already knew and...
Even more victims of the mafia...
"...Dammit..." Makoto whispered out as she clenched her hands into fists. However, before she could punch anything undeserving (or deserving if she just had the guts to just walk up to the principal's office and fucking-)...
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Makoto resisted the urge to groan. This was either one of her council members coming to get her to report to the principal or another teacher. God, she didn't want to deal with this right now. "Come in." She soon called out as the door opened, only to be surprised to see who it was. "I-Iida-kun...?" She got out in a concerned tone.
"I thought I could trust you!" Iida yelled out as he shoved past her, nearly knocking her over.
"Hold on, hold on!" Makoto got out as she tried to calm the boy down. "What are you talking about?" She had to ask.
"You know what I'm talking about! Niijima-senpai, aren't you gonna help me...?" Iida soon called out. "You said you would keep it a secret, but rumors have started getting out...Wait...You didn't leak that information yourself, did you!?" He then exclaimed.
"Calm down...Take a deep breath." Makoto suggested. The boy nodded and did as she said. "And I never did that. I would never. They're still targeting you?"
"Yeah. Even that delinquent found out." Iida informed, causing the Student Council President to resist sighing. He had to be talking about the other glasses-wearing boy. "He might try and threaten me too...Why is this happening to me...? I can't afford to keep paying..." He soon asked and informed.
"I've found some clues regarding your incident. I'm taking care of it. I just need you to wait a bit longer." Makoto soon requested before wincing.
Well...she wasn't doing anything but the Phantom Thieves were on it...
"You're really gonna help...? Everyone thinks you're just doing it for a letter of recommendation..." Iida then asked and then informed.
"That's not true. Far from it." Makoto got out in a firm tone. "My goal here is to protect the students of this school..."
"Then please...please hurry..." Iida begged.
"You have my word Iida-kun." Makoto soon reassured.
Iida in response just nodded to that as he turned to leave. "God...why did it have to be you to be my last hope..." He harshly muttered under his breath as he left.
BANG!
Makoto however heard that as she paled. "I...I'm doing what I can..." She thought, as she sat back down, head in her hands. "But what I can...isn't enough..." She mentally realized as her eyes dilated slightly.
(Classroom)
"Alright, all we have to do is wait for the journalist to reply." Morgana got out as the Thieves packed up their stuff. "Use this time to relax and prepare. I don't think we'll have such a luxury in the near-future." He then advised.
"Well, I don't have that luxury now." Homura stated as she stood up. "I have a committee meeting today." She then informed.
"Wow, your meetings are kinda random, huh." Akira pointed out.
"Yeah, because I'm the one calling for them." Homura replied as she got her bag and looked towards her roommate. "Anyways, I need to go. I'll see you at home, Sis." She then added before heading out the door.
"I just got a text from Kokito-san. He needs me there on the double to replace a sick model." Ann revealed.
"Good luck Ann-chan!" Asuka encouraged with a thumbs up. "Oh, and ask him when the audition results are coming in." She then requested.
"I will. See you tomorrow." Ann replied with a grin before leaving.
And with that, Asuka and Akira were the only ones left in class...allowing them to hear people talking behind their backs...while they were right in front of them.
"I heard Prez made a sound she'd never make before today at lunch."
"You mean her reaction from eating Shinkukage's cooking right?"
"Oh yeah, she looked like she was about to burst or something."
"Huh." Akira got out. "I mean, Homura's a good cook but that has to be an exaggeration..."
"Well, Makoto-chan really did react when she ate it, even said that Homu-nee could replace the cafeteria staff." Asuka revealed in an awkward tone.
"...Did you need to replace-" Akira began to ask.
"Akira-kun!" Asuka exclaimed in a chiding manner.
"Ha ha, joking." Akira chuckled out before gaining a serious expression. "But seriously, did you need to replace any piece of clothing?" He soon asked.
"...She didn't say anything..." Asuka mumbled out, causing the boy to blush.
"Dude, she has a vibe under there. I know it!"
"...Wanna do a vibe check?"
"They are so dating..."
"Come on...!" The Thieves heard Homura growl in frustration.
"Perverts!" A female student declared in disgust.
"No way! She's dating Asuka-chan! ...Unless she's cheating on her!"
"...What if it's a threeway?"
"TFF threesome!"
"You guys are the worst!"
"I-I'm right here..." Asuka spoke up, her head a scarlet red from embarrassment. However, she was ignored as the students continued to gossip.
"...I think you need to escape for the day." Akira soon suggested.
"I agree, Akira-kun." Asuka replied as she got up from her seat and left the classroom. "Hm...I wonder if Haru-chan is still here..." She soon thought to herself in a curious manner as she made her way to the rooftop.
"Welp, time to-" Akira began as he stood up from his seat.
BZZT! BZZT!
"-Check on my friends." Akira then concluded as he pulled out his phone.
[All4Painting: Sorry to bother everyone while we're waiting for a response from the journalist.]
[All4Painting: However, do you remember that thread about the group of burglars in Shibuya?]
[Negative8Degrees: The ones masquerading as the Phantom Thieves? My informants are working on that.]
[All4Painting: Well, there's no need, senpai. It seems the one who posted about his brother is a student at my school. And so after some prodding, I was able to pry a few more details out of him.]
[Sweetkat06: Oh, right! I was actually wondering about that. It didn't sound like they had anything to do with the mafia we've been chasing.]
[Alll4Painting: Indeed. Now, I was able to ascertain his brother's name.]
[All4Painting: It's Kazuya Makigami.]
[Shut7heFUp: Dude, it's freaking crazy that someone involved in that shit goes to your school. Nice going, Yusuke!]
[Shut7heFUp: And you even found the name of the guy we're looking for! That was super awesome!
[SushiRoll23: Yumi-chan?]
[Negative8Degrees: Sorry, I keep thinking I have everything taken care of in Kosei, and yet I continue to realise my failures...]
[TheWildJ0ker: We all make blunders Yumi. We just got to move on from them and push forward.]
[FireGirl20:...You really just wrote that huh? -_- ]
[TheWildJ0ker: Not right now, Homura. That is different.]
[TheWildJ0ker: We have a target for Mementos. Guess that's going on our list.]
[Shut7heFUp: All we gotta do now is punish him. This burglar guy isn't gonna be near as scary as the mafia. He's just a plain dude, right? We'll show him what being a phantom thief's really about!]
[All4Painting: It seems we are unanimous then. We can further discuss the details at the hideout.]
"The Phantom Thieves vs The Burglary Ring." Akira whispered to himself. "Heh, this is gonna be fun..." He then admitted.
"We also have the mafia to deal with too, so make sure the timing's right. Anyway, let's all meet up at the hideout when you're ready." Morgana replied and reminded.
"Don't worry, I will." Akira assured with a nod and a smirk. "Hm...I wonder if Yusuke's available today..." He then muttered to himself as he left the classroom.
(Rooftop)
Asuka knocked on the rooftop door and was quickly allowed through by the fluffy-haired girl.
"Oh, good afternoon Asuka-chan." Haru politely greeted with a smile.
"You too, Haru-chan." Asuka replied as she crouched down to see the plants. "How's the garden? Are you growing anything new?" She soon asked.
"Hot peppers." Haru happily revealed. "They grow quite well during the summer and summer starts on the 21st this month." She then explained and reminded.
"Ah, that's nice. Although, I don't think I'll want to eat anything hot during summer." Asuka replied and admitted before thinking a little. "But then again, I do work at a place that serves curry..." She then added.
"Hm? Do you now?" Haru questioned as she looked at the girl.
"Hehe, yep. You should visit some time. It's called Leblanc and it has the best coffee too." Asuka replied and declared before she began to giggle in a sheepish manner. "All other coffee tastes like dirt in comparison. It's kind of a problem." She then admitted.
"Well, I do consider myself a connoisseur of coffee, so I might visit if my father allows me." Haru replied, although the brunette swore she saw her usual smile falter a little. "Where is Leblanc?" She then asked.
"It's in Yongen." Asuka replied. "Oh, you should also try my sushi." She then suggested.
"That's a little much to try in one day, Asa-chan." Haru admitted with a giggle
Asuka however tilted her head in confusion. "Asa-chan?" She repeated in a curious manner.
Haru meanwhile immediately noticed her blunder as she covered her mouth with a hand. "Oh, I'm sorry. I misspoke." She soon apologized and explained.
Asuka on the other hand shook her head to that. "No no, it's ok Haru-chan, I like it." She happily replied and admitted. "Alright, do you need anything done around here?" She then asked and offered.
"Um...yes. Can you bring that bag of fertilizer over here?" Haru asked. Asuka nodded and brought the bag over with little difficulty. "It always surprises me how strong you are..." She soon commented.
"Well, I just...workout a lot." Asuka muttered out in a sheepish tone. "Oh yeah Haru-chan, we should exchange numbers!" She soon suggested.
"Um...sorry, but my phone had a small...incident." Haru apologized in a vague manner.
"Incident?" Asuka repeated while tilting her head.
Haru however began to blush as she remembered what happened to her phone.
It involved her father, another playboy trying to steal her heart, neglectful servants...and a microwave fire before it then exploded...plus the fire department coming in...
Well...at least she wasn't kidnapped again in the chaos.
"Um...it fell into a toilet by accident." Haru lied as she looked away from the other girl's confused gaze.
"Oh...that has to suck." Asuka mumbled out. "Why are the pockets so small...?" She soon asked.
"Well, the uniform skirts are admittingly cheap." Haru soon confessed in an attempt to change the subject.
"Yeah, these uniforms aren't the best quality. They look nice though." Asuka admitted.
"Yes they are. And the policy grants so much freedom." Haru happily added with a smile. "Now, do you mind pulling up some weeds too? Be careful because I'm growing herbs as well." She then requested and informed.
"Sure!" Asuka replied as she put on some gloves and got to work, helping her friend with her gardening until they had to leave, feeling her Diligence increase as she went home.
(Disciplinary Committee Room)
Homura let out a breath as she finished reading the last report. "Ugh...I really must standardise these reports." She yawned out as she stretched her limbs. "And get them penmanship classes. Emica is barely legible..." She then mumbled out. "When is that arm gonna heal anyways?" She soon thought.
KNOCK!
"You may enter." Homura responded.
"Jeez, you sound like one of those kings and queens." Hikari got out as she entered the room. "Queen Homura, I have returned." She jokingly added.
"Ah, Hikari-san." Homura greeted with a giggle.
"Hi, buchou." Hikari replied in a more proper manner. "I heard you were with Keiichiro and got those smokers again." She then added.
Homura in turn sighed to that in an exhausted manner. "Yes, those guys seem to be really persistent with smoking on school grounds and stinking up the place." She got out in a frustrated manner.
"Never got why people smoke." Hikari meanwhile admitted. "So many horror stories and ads about what it can do, and yet they still do it. They're kinda stupid." She then added.
"Yes they are. Or self-destructive." Homura replied in disapproval as she crossed her arms over her chest. "But I'm actually kinda glad the biggest problem here is the health of the students." She soon confessed. "Unlike when the school was under Kamoshida's rule..." She then reminded.
"Yeah, that mop-head son of-" Hikari started to growl out before calming herself down and coughing into her fist. "S-Sorry." She awkwardly apologized.
"It is not a problem Hikari-san, you are in the right to insult that man." Homura responded while flicking her hair back. "In any case, we should continue patrolling the school." She soon suggested in a more mature manner.
"Uh...I actually have a ton of homework to do." Hikari admitted as she scratched her cheek. "I can't really do that right now. I was hoping I could use the committee room as somewhere quiet to do it." She then confessed.
That however caused Homura to blink a couple of times to learning that. "Oh, then how about I help you with it. Once you finish up, we can go and patrol the school." She then suggested.
"Help from the fifth ranked student? Thanks!" Hikari got out in relief as she sat down and rummaged through her bag.
"When's it due, anyways?" Homura soon asked.
"Yesterday." Hikari casually revealed, nearly causing the tan skinned girl to choke. "Kawakami-sensei said I could make it up if I finish it and bring it in tomorrow." She then explained.
"How much do you have!?" Homura soon asked.
THUD!
"...This much." Hikari awkwardly revealed as she showed the stack of homework.
"...Oh my God." Homura got out in disbelief before taking in a deep breath to calm herself down. "Well, it would be best to get right to it Hikari-san." She then stated. "However after we finish this, you should make sure you stay on top of your studies." She soon advised.
"Hey! You try and draw 20 pages a week while going to school." Hikari called out.
"...Oh right, your job as a doujin artist. My apologies." Homura replied as she winced at remembering.
"Nah, it's fine. I just have several deadlines to meet by...Shit." Hikari swore out as she remembered. "O-Okay, it's basically done but I just need to ink the rest of the pages...Hey, buchou, you have a steady hand?" She soon questioned.
"...Do you need me to model for you?" Homura then asked.
"Not this time. Boobs too big plus I already finished drawing. No, I need you to ink my pages for me while I do my homework." Hikari rapidly replied as she dug through her bag.
"U-Um...I never really did that." Homura however informed.
"I've already done all the work, you just need to fill in the shadows and do the outlines." Hikari ordered as she handed the tan skinned girl a very expensive-looking laptop. "And be careful with my tablet. It cost my entire summer last year. I will literally kill you if you even so much as smudge it with your hand." She then informed.
"I-I washed my hands!" Homura sputtered out before sighing. "Look, just ask me when you need help while I ink your manga." She soon got out, feeling her level of Knowledge should suffice in helping her committee member.
"Thank you, buchou. Also, mess up my manga and I'll never talk to you again because you are then dead to me~!" Hikari rapidly replied, the tan skinned girl barely able to understand her before planting her butt firmly on her seat and started doing her homework.
Nodding to that, Homura soon took in a deep breath as she held the inking pen before looking at the papers and examined the areas that needed to be inked. "...This is a task that requires elegance to achieve." She mentally realized before smiling. "Yumi-senpai, I am more grateful for your training." She then added in her head while keeping a steady hand.
"Hey, buchou, uh..." Hikari started as she looked up from her homework...only to see the tan skinned girl doing the work she had requested in a focused manner. "O-Okay, I guess I'll save my question for later..." She awkwardly got out.
"No no, ask away Hikari-san." Homura responded as she continued doing the inking.
"Okay, um...Who was the guy...?" Hikari soon asked, getting the tan skinned girl's attention and resulted with said girl stopping her inking. "Um...the person who created the idea of everyone having a persona and a shadow..." She then explained.
"Hm?" Homura hummed out. "Sigmund Freud?" She answered in an unsure tone.
"No, that's the sex with your mother guy." Hikari responded, confusing the other girl. "God, why am I forgetting this now...?" She grumbled out.
"Wait...I think Akira mentioned him before..." Homura muttered as she thought about it before snapping her fingers. "Oh, Carl Jung!" She soon answered.
"There you go!" Hikari replied with a smile. "Yeah, that was it. Thank you." She then added and thanked in a grateful tone.
"No problem." Homura responded with a nod, feeling as though her Knowledge increased for giving the right answer.
They continued doing their jobs in a quiet manner, Hikari occasionally asking another question, which Homura happily answered. About an hour later...
"I finished." Homura soon informed in a satisfied manner.
"Wait, you're done already!?" Hikari exclaimed in shock after learning that. "Let me see..." She soon requested.
Homura nodded and handed over the tablet, letting the doujin artist scrutinize her work. "So? Is it good?" She then asked in concern.
However the tan skinned girl got silence in response.
"H-Hikari-san?" Homura called out to get the girl's attention.
But at that moment...
"H-How!? This is incredible buchou!" Hikari suddenly got out in amazement. "Y-You were able to do it perfectly like a professional inker would!" She then declared.
"Really now? Why thank you Hikari-san." Homura replied with a smile of relief, feeling as though her Elegance had improved as a result of the task she performed. "I must say that it was a unique experience." She then confessed.
"You know, maybe I should hire you to be my inker from now on." Hikari soon got out. "Ah, but you probably have a ton of other responsibilities to help out a lowly doujin artist like me." She then sheepishly admitted.
"I'll be happy to help if I do have the time though. It could be fun." Homura replied with a reassuring tone.
"Hehehe...thanks." Hikari replied in a grateful manner.
"It is not a problem." Homura replied, feeling as though she was getting to know her committee member better.
MAGICIAN RANK 2
Develop Booster: Homura gets an increase in Development Stats.
"Alright!" Homura mentally cheered out as she got a better look at her committee member's books. "Huh...Most of these are about psychology..." She soon stated. "Hey, I thought you had multiple classes you had to do..." She then got out.
"What? Oh, no. That's just personal research." Hikari replied in a casual manner.
"Wait...not all of that is homework?" Homura soon asked.
"Nople dople!" Hikari happily replied with hands on her hips. "It's research into my original manga. I mean, come on, it would be ridiculous to do this amount of homework in one night." She then added.
"...You just used my time so you could pursue your own personal projects." Homura soon stated. "Clever girl." She then praised.
"Yeah, sorry, but you did help me with all the details I need." Hikari explained while rubbing the back of her head. "Actually you did better than I hoped for." She then admitted.
"Well, are you gonna let me have a sneak peek?" Homura then asked.
"Maybe...when I've actually made the storyboard..." Hikari mumbled out before looking out the window to see the setting sun. "Oop! It's getting late. Ah, I'll finish the rest of my homework at home. I'll see you around, Homura-buchou." She then informed.
"Yeah, I'll see you around." Homura replied before realising what she just said. "Hey, wait a minute!" She soon called out as her committee member left the room, causing her to sigh but giggle in amusement. "What a clever girl." She had to admit as she got her bag and decided to head home.
(6/18, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
The tan skinned girl soon entered the apartment as she placed her bag down. "I'm back Sis." Homura called out.
"Welcome home, Homu-nee." Asuka greeted as she flipped the burger. "Dinner's just about done so wash up. By the way, we need to buy groceries." She then informed.
"Hai." Homura replied as she settled herself in. "Mmm, burgers this time Sis?" She then asked.
"Yep, though after this we'll be low on food." Asuka replied and revealed.
"And we'll have to buy more for Makoto-senpai's lunch..." Homura soon stated. "...We need one of those large bags of rice..." She then added.
BZZT! BZZT!
At that moment,the phones of both girls went off, immediately causing them to get them out and turn them on.
[TheWildJ0ker: Hey, just got a message from the journalist. We're meeting up in Shinjuku at a bar called Crossroads tonight.]
[Shut7heFUp: Shinjuku at night, eh?]
[All4Painting: That sounds rather dangerous.]
[FireGirl20: It is.]
[Sweetkat06: Where should we meet up?]
[Shut7heFUp: Stand by, Ann. It'll be easier to move around with less of us.]
[Negative8Degrees: If I may, I believe I will be of great assistance since I reside in Shinjuku.]
[SushiRoll23: I was just about to ask about that, Yumi-chan!]
[Negative8Degrees: I guess great minds think alike Asuka-san. :) ]
[All4Painting: My apologies. I don't have the money to take the train there.]
[FireGirl20: The train fare is, like, 200 yen! How poor are you!?]
[Negative8Degrees: Honestly Yusuke-san, you really have to save your money.]
[All4Painting: I will make sure to save enough money for such situations from now on.]
[Negative8Degrees: Then it's settled. Akira-kun, Ryuji-san and I will go to Crossroads.]
[TheWildJ0ker: Alright. Ryuji, meet up at the Accessway. Don't be late. Yumi, we'll meet you at Shinjuku.]
[Shut7heFUp: Got it, Leader!]
[Negative8Degrees: I'll be waiting.]
[FireGirl20: You boys better not go anywhere inappropriate in Shinjuku. Crossroads only.]
[Negative8Degress: No need to worry Homura-san, I will make sure everything goes well. Isn't that right Akira-kun, Ryuji-san?]
[Shut7heFUp: Y-Yes, ma'am!]
[Sweetkat06: I can feel your dark auras through my phone...]
"I'm really worried..." Asuka soon admitted. "What do we do if the journalist gives us nothing...?" She then asked.
"We can only place our trust in them." Homura replied. "But if it comes down to it...well, we can always do a little interrogation." She added before gaining a serious expression. "Shinjuku huh..." She sooin muttered as her roommate placed dinner on the table. "The red light district." She then added as they sat down.
"That's the area Yumi-chan lives in." Asuka got out. "The area known for...adult activities..." She then stated.
"Well, I trust that Yumi-senpai will keep an eye on the boys." Homura replied in a reassuring tone. "Besides, I don't think they'll ever fall for anything like that." She added with a smirk.
"Yeah, you're right. So...what are we gonna do tonight?" Asuka asked.
"...Wanna go to karaoke?" Homura soon suggested. "We can then go to the grocery store to restock as well as our shampoo supply." She then added.
"Yeah, sounds like a plan!" Asukka got out as she pumped her fist. "I'm gonna sing my heart out tonight! Oh! We can also do a duet Homu-nee!" She then declared in excitement at the idea.
"Well, what are we waiting for! To..." Homura began to declare, only to trail off as her eyes drifted to her roommate.
"Joysound Homu-nee." Asuka replied with a giggle.
"Joysound!" Homura concluded as they began to change into their casual clothes. "God, I hope Akira and Ryuji don't get into too much trouble..." She then admitted.
"No worries, Yumi-chan will be with them." Asuka soon reminded.
"True, with Yumi-senpai there, the only troubles they would have to deal with is from Ryuji." Homura replied with a nod of agreement. "Now, let's go until the place kicks us out for my terrible singing." She soon declared without any form of shame.
"Hey, you sound really good..." Asuka got out as they left the apartment, talking all the way to Joysound as if they were just normal teenage girls.
And for the two shinobi girls, they didn't really mind.
(Shinjuku, Red-Light District)
Meanwhile, Akira, Morgana and Ryuji had arrived in Shinjuku and were now waiting for the light grey haired girl to arrive.
"Where is she?" Akira asked as he checked his phone. "She's supposed to meet us here..." He then added.
"Give Lady Yumi some time, she is probably busy managing her info network." Morgana meanwhile reminded.
"Ah, Akira-kun, Ryuji-san," A familiar polite voice called out.
To that, the two boys turned to see the light gray haired girl they knew approach them.
"I apologize for being late." Yumi got out with a gentle smile. She was wearing navy blue skin-tight dress with a black belt around her waist and white high heels. It looked very much like she was going out on a date. She seemed a little older, more mature.
"...That's your casual clothes." Akira got out in disbelief as he and the dyed blond looked at the Kosei Student Council President.
"Hai. Though I must admit that in the past, I would never wear these kinds of clothes, but during my time here in Tokyo, I learned to wear more modern clothes." Yumi explained in a sheepish manner. "Do you like it?" She soon asked in a curious tone with a smile on her face.
"Daaaaamn..." Ryuji got out. "You look like a Lady of the Night!" He then complimented.
Akira immediately started coughing to that comparison. "O-Okay then." He awkwardly got out.
"Oooooh!" Morgana meanwhile exclaimed with sparkles in his eyes. "You look so elegant in your casual attire Lady Yumi!" He then declared. "Despite Ryuji's perverted remark." He then added.
"What?" Ryuji got out in confusion.
Yumi meanwhile giggled to that in amusement. "Thank you for the compliments." She replied. "Wine and women and wonderful vices. Welcome to Shinjuku and more specifically, the Red Light District." She then informed in a mature and well mannered tone.
"Whoa..." Ryuji got out as he looked at the district in awe. "Even at night this place is bright as hell! I guess that's Shinjuku for ya." He then remarked.
"Stop looking around so much. You look like a tourist." Morgana also remarked.
"I-I was just tryin' to find that place we're lookin' for." Ryuji got out in denial.
"Actually, why are you wearing your uniform Ryuji-san?" Yumi soon asked.
"I didn't have time to go home and change. Besides, my t-shirt should be good enough." Ryuji replied with a shrug. "Now where's Crossyroads?" He soon asked
"Crossroads." Yumi corrected. "And it should be down that street. It shouldn't be too hard to spot." She then stated.
"Alright, let's just act casual like we're supposed to be here, get the info we need from the journalist, head home and tomorrow it's on to our target's heart."
"Sounds like a done deal. Let's do this, Joker!" Ryuji declared as he pumped his fist.
Akira nodded as the three looked down the district.
"We got the hottest girls in Tokyo! Come on by to Four Shine!"
"Drinks here!"
"Hey, big boy, why don't you come with me for a little fun~? I'm 5000 yen an hour~"
"WOOOO! I JUST LOST MY JOB! YEEEEAAAHHHH!"
"This place is certainly more wild than Shibuya." Morgana muttered out as they walked through the district.
"Do you have a moment?" A police officer asked as he approached the group.
"Shit..." Ryuji quietly swore as they stopped and turned to the officer.
"Are you a student? You shouldn't be out this late." The officer soon asked and advised.
Akira opened his mouth to lie his ass off, but the light grey haired girl quickly interjected before he could even say a word.
"Officer." Yumi politely greeted with a bow. "It is alright, these two are with me." She then informed.
"Ah, Yumi-san." The patrolling officer responded with a kind smile. "If they're with you, I'm sure they can be trusted to not get in trouble. Have a good night and head home safe." He then added.
"We will, Officer-san." Yumi replied as she shook hands with the man.
Akira was the only one to notice that the light gray haired girl exchanged a couple hundred yen for a strip of paper.
Once the Patrolling Officer walked away, Ryuji let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "That was close..." He got out.
"I knew uniforms were a bad idea..." Morgana got out. "If it wasn't for Lady Yumi, we would've had to cheese it." He then stated.
"Part of your info network?" Akira whispered to the girl.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Yumi answered with an innocent smile as she read the strip of paper. "Another police officer cheating on his wife. Typical." She sighed out before her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out, checked the message and sighed. "I need to go pick up a dead drop. Do you mind waiting a little bit? I'm sure Kyomi-san would love to hear about this as well." She soon requested.
"Sure, you go do that. We can survive a few minutes alone." Ryuji assured with a nod.
"Good. Maybe you can use this opportunity to explore the district a little. There are a few shops here that you'll never see in Shibuya." Yumi suggested. "Just don't get into too much trouble, and don't go anywhere shady or adult. I will know." She then warned with an icy blue gleam in her eyes before walking off.
"Crystal." Akira muttered out, the others looking rather scared by that last sentence.
"Okay, we're free to explore a little 'fore Yumi comes back. Where do you wanna go, Akira?" Ryuji asked.
"Well, I saw a flower shop around here and I need some nutrients for my plant. Gonna go there first." Akira answered in an eager tone.
"...Really, dude?" Ryuji got out with a raised eyebrow before he shrugged his shoulders. "Ah, alright..." He then muttered as the two made their way further in.
Once Akira found the flower shop, he bought several packs of nutrients instantly, barely caring about the dent it would put in his wallet.
"Alright, got some Mega Nutrients." Akira got out as he pumped his fist. "This'll help my plant a lot." He then added as they went back to exploring the district, passing by a woman with purple eyes, long blonde hair, and a big navy blue headband.
Suddenly her eyes widened before quickly laying out her cards and flipping them over.
She needed to tell them immediately.
"Oh excuse me! You two!" The Fortune Teller called out. "Over here!" She then added.
"Huh?" Ryuji got out as he turned to the woman. "You talkin' to us?" He soon asked.
"Yes." The Fortune Teller replied with a nod. "For the blond one...I sense impending woman troubles...or perhaps it's something else? In any case, a horrible disaster is coming for you! Please let me examine your future further!"
"What!? Me?" Ryuji then asked.
"Yes, I suggest you get your fortune told! What I say will surely come to pass!" The Fortune Teller soon informed.
"Hm...well, we have plenty of time..." Akira muttered out before shrugging. "Sure. Why not?" He then replied.
"Thank you." The Fortune Teller responded. "How about you first, blond one." She soon suggested.
"Alright..." Ryuji responded in an uneasy tone. "I don't really believe in this shit but odder things have happened. Come on, hit me."
The Fortune Teller nodded as she closed her eyes. "I see...you being pulled into something dark, yet colorful...but...hold on, an angel with a melodious voice and a mortal with the weight of the world on her shoulders will pull you out at the last second...yes...that is your fate." She soon enough revealed.
"...Wait...dude, does that mean I'm gettin' a girlfriend!? Yes!" Ryuji asked and exclaimed while pumping a fist in excitement.
"W-Wait, that's not what I-" The Fortune Teller began, however was stopped when the Leader put his hand on her shoulder.
"Let him dream, miss." Akira interrupted as they watched Ryuji dance like no one was watching. "Let him dream." He then added.
"You say you don't believe in it, but as soon as she says you'll get a girlfriend..." Morgana meanwhile remarked in amusement.
"Well, why don't I do your fortune now?" The Fortune Teller soon suggested.
"Sure." Akira replied with a nod as the Fortune Teller laid out the cards and flipped the first over...
"What the..." Ryuji started as he looked over the Leader's shoulder. "Is that a squirrel throwing nuts at an old man?" He then asked.
"What the- How did the Happy Squirrel get in my deck?" The Fortune Teller wondered out loud as put away the card. "I must've accidentally shuffled it in. Sorry." She then told herself as she shuffled the deck once again and laid out the cards. She then flipped over the first card and...
"What? What type of card is that!?" Ryuji exclaimed. "It looks like...a ton of hands tearing a little girl apart...Dude, who made this?"
"Aeon? Wait, hold on..." The Fortune Teller got out in confusion as she put the card away and went through the motions and flipped over the next card.
And it depicted someone forcing down a scale with black and white bowling balls, causing the chains to snap.
"Adjustment? Ah, I must be using the wrong Tarot deck. My apologies." The Fortune Teller then informed as she quickly switched decks. "I was using the Thoth Crowley deck instead of the Marseilles deck. Now let me..." She soon informed the two before starting again.
And...the card depicted a naked woman whose body was covered by many arms while a menacing smile was behind her.
"L-Lust!? Hold on, I swear, this is the right deck! How did all these cards get mixed up in here!?" The Fortune Teller exclaimed before gasping. "Wait...perhaps..." She then began.
"Is something wrong?" Akira asked.
The Fortune Teller refused to reply as she took out the deck she previously used, added the Lust Arcana card into it and shuffled it and laid out a number of cards.
"This time will be a five card spread. Please flip these cards over." The Fortune Teller instructed.
Akira looked confused before nodding and flipped the cards one at a time.
"I see. The Fool, then the Happy Squirrel, next the Aeon, then finally Adjustment and Lust..." The Fortune Teller listed off.
"What does it mean?" Akira had to ask.
"The Fool is your present. The Aeon is your past. The Happy Squirrel is your future. Adjustment is your reason. Finally, Lust is your potential..." The Fortune Teller mumbled to herself. "Interesting..." She then got out.
"The hell does that mean?" Ryuji asked.
"Your future will be an interesting one, young man." The Fortune Teller replied. "I cannot say what it is...but it involves a special item." She then revealed as she pulled it out. "A Holy Stone!" She soon informed as she showed a circular pink stone.
"A what?" Ryuji had to ask.
"It's only 100,000 yen. While these stones are often priceless, the Assembly of the Divine Power (trademark) ensure that all proceeds are given to various charities and organisations." The Fortune Teller explained.
Akira could just imagine the shopping channel graphics over her, like the phone number and the As seen on TV sign.
"What!? Like hell!" Ryuji called out. "Dude, she's tryin' to rip you off." He then declared.
"No no no no! Holy Stones contain great power! It will help you avoid ruin!" The Fortune Teller replied in a panic.
"Um...I can't afford it right now..." Akira lied, feeling the 548,215 yen in his wallet.
"W-Well, if you change your mind I'll be waiting here in this spot at night. May your fortunes be well..." The Fortune Teller responded.
"Dude, come on, I see Yumi comin' our way." Ryuji got out as he pulled his friend out of the chair. "Can't believe we almost got scammed..." He soon grumbled in annoyance.
"I don't know...she seems pretty honest to me." Morgana admitted. "I wonder if she'll do my fortune?" He then got out.
"The future is yours to determine. You can't let someone tell you what's going to happen." Akira however stated.
"Ah, there you are." Yumi began as she approached the two.
"How'd it go?" Akira asked.
"Oh, you met Chihiya-san?" Yumi soon asked. "She's quite nice, although I don't really have the time to talk to her most of the time." She then revealed and admitted.
"Did you let her read your fortune, Lady Yumi." Morgana soon asked.
Yumi in response nodded to this. "Yes, but it was quite strange. She said I would stumble into a different path and renounce my old ways in the pursuit of happiness." She soon revealed. "I don't know what that means, but I refuse to let my grandfather's vision of the world fade from my mind." She soon declared in a determined manner.
"Well, the stumble into a different path thing came true…" Ryuji muttered out. "You know, 'cause you're like us and shit…" He then added.
Yumi in turn blinked to that. "Oh...you're right..." She realized.
"Hey, why are we standing around and talking?" Morgana spoke up. "We have a time limit, you know and that reporter lady ain't gonna hang around forever." He then reminded.
"Hai, we can discuss this another time." Yumi replied in agreement. "We do not want to keep this journalist waiting." She then added.
To that, Akira nodded as he made a mental note to talk with the light grey haired girl about that particular subject another time.
Soon enough, after an encounter with a really enthusiastic man who thought Yumi worked at a cabaret club, they arrived at Crossroads.
"Whoa man, are you sure this is the place? We aren't even allowed to hang out here." Ryuji got out.
"Beer, whiskey, wine...Looks like nighttime is bar time." Morgana soon informed.
"Goin' in our uniforms is probably a bad idea...We got caught last time too..." Ryuji meanwhile stated.
"You're the only one wearing a uniform though, Ryuji-san." Yumi deadpanned.
"Yeah, so you have to wait outside." Akira soon ordered.
"I came all the way to Shinjuku and can't even go in...?" Ryuji grumbled in disappointment. "Fiiine. I'll kill time somewhere nearby...Just lemme know when you're done." He then added.
"We will Ryuji-san." Yumi assured before turning to the Leader. "Shall we, Akira-kun?" She soon asked as she took his arm and held it close.
"We shall, Yumi." Akira replied with a well mannered tone and with a nod, not even phased by the girl's action as the two entered the bar.
(Crossroads)
The two Thieves looked around the bar as soon as they entered. The bar seemed really nice, with a neon sign saying Welcome Love on the shelves and the entire place being bathed in red light. There was only two people here tonight; the journalist and the bartender.
Akira was a little stunned at the sight of the bartender, although it was mostly because he had never seen someone like her before. He quickly shook it off though.
"Welcome, welcome." The bartender greeted before narrowing her eyes. "You two have driver's licenses?" She then asked.
"Would a permit count?" Yumi meanwhile asked.
"With the way you drive, I don't think it counts." Akira deadpanned, only to get lightly slapped on the shoulder,chuckling at seeing the girl with a puffed up cheek and pout on her face.
"Sorry, Lala-chan. He's...um...I guess they are with me." Ohya however informed.
"Ooooh...You picked some real young ones...and some bust to boot." Lala noted. "Just don't let them drink any alcohol, okay?" She then reminded.
"Yeah, yeah! Just deliver the drinks at the booth in the back." Ohya replied without any concern.
Lala nodded before looking directly at the light grey haired girl, who turned to the bar owner and nodded before heading into the back of the bar with the journalist and the boy.
Ohya quickly ordered herself some whiskey while the two teens got glasses of water with a single large sphere of ice in them.
Akira and Yumi couldn't help but cringe as they watched Ohya drink and gain a light blush.
"She's completely wasted..." Yumi thought with a sweatdrop, cringing at the smell of alcohol coming out of the woman's breath.
"Well...drunk people are easier to convince..." Akira quietly mumbled out.
"Haha, what a surprise. I thought you were joking, yet here you are. I respect that bravery, so I'll listen to what you have to say." Ohya got out before glancing over to the light grey haired girl. "So who's she? You on a night on the town with her?" She then questioned in a teasing manner while giving her the up-down.
"N-No. We're not. We're here for business." Yumi answered with a blush.
"Funny, because it looks like you're out on a date by how fancy you're dressed." Ohya commented in amusement, causing the light grey haired girl to blush even more. "But alright, let's get down to it. What do you want to know?" She soon asked.
"Who controls Shibuya?" Akira asked, getting straight to the point.
"Uh...that would be Toshitake Kuwahara." Ohya informed quite casually. "You know, the mayor of the place? You could have looked it up on the internet, you know. You didn't need a world-class journalist like me to tell you that." She then pointed out.
The two Thieves in turn simultaneously face palmed to that. "Okay, let me reword that. Who is making Shibuya a dangerous place?" Akira once more asked.
"Oh..." Ohya replied in understanding before narrowing her eyes. "...Why do you want to know?" She soon questioned.
"We just need to know." Yumi explained as she crossed her arms over her chest. "We want to know who's in charge of this operation of scams and drugs." She soon stated.
"And whoring out young girls in high school..." Akira then added.
"Hm...Well I do happen to know something about that." Ohya began as she swirled her finger around the rim of her glass. "I could tell you, but...Do you two know the Phantom Thieves of Hearts?" She suddenly asked. "You know, that case the public has been focused on lately. I was pursuing the issue of people randomly entering into a catatonic state, but I'm lacking intel..." She then explained.
"Do you have anything of note about it?" Akira had to ask.
"Nope. Random targets, random times...there's no pattern from what I can tell." Ohya muttered out. "That's why I'm currently looking for new material to write about. So, do you have any info on these Phantom Thieves?" She then explained and asked.
"Are those your terms, Ohya-san?" Yumi soon asked.
"Hm...Something like that." Ohya replied as she then looked at the boy. "You're a Shujin kid, right? I remember you wearing their uniform the last time we met. I thought maybe you might have some insider knowledge on the Phantom Thieves because of it." She soon assumed.
"Well...I am kind of a fan." Akira admitted.
"Their first incident was that of Kamoshida, right? Wait, why am I asking you about this, of course you'd know." Ohya got out. "Ideally, I'd like to get some exclusive coverage from a student who suffered Kamoshida's abuse. I would love an introduction if you know of someone who fits the bill. After all, it seems like handling this matter in the open would be an inconvenience to us both..." She then explained.
This in turn caused the Leader to smirk. "Well, you've come to the right people." Akira stated. "We, unfortunately, know a lot of people who suffered Kamoshida's abuse personally, though the principal honestly doesn't want anyone saying anything." He then revealed.
"It's a deal then. Send me your friend's contact info later." Ohya replied.
Akira nodded and after a minute, Ohya had all she needed to contact the admin of the Phan-Site.
"...Now that I think about it, those mental shutdowns and the Phantom Thieves both seem supernatural...Could they be related...?" Ohya wondered out loud. "Or am I just hoping for a coincidence...? Oh, sorry. I have a tendency to talk to myself on occasion. Well then, you can't exactly consider this an upfront payment, but..." She then as she then leaned in, signalling the other two to do the same.
Akira and Yumi in turn looked at each other before leaning in as well.
"Junya Kaneshiro." Ohya soon revealed.
[Candidate found]
"What was that?" The journalist asked as she looked around in confusion.
"What was what?" Akira quickly replied as the journalist looked under the table, but by then the light grey haired girl had put her phone back in her pocket while quietly cursing herself for not muting it.
"Maybe you need to lay off the liquor for the rest of the night, Ohya-san." Yumi soon suggested before she sipped her water.
"Eh, I won't tell you how to live my life and I won't tell you how to live yours, kid." Ohya muttered out in a slurred manner before slapping her cheeks. "Anyways, I think he's probably the guy you're looking for." She then added before downing her drink.
"Yes!" Morgana meanwhile quietly cheered out.
"You should check him out further if you're curious...but I'm not responsible for what happens next!" Ohya stated. "Come back when you have something else for me, you hear?" She soon offered.
"Oh, I might have another story for you," Yumi suddenly offered. "Shujin Academy's Principal blackmailing and threatening student into keeping the incidents a secret for the sake of a good reputation." She then revealed.
"Wow, that headline sucks!" Ohya bluntly admitted, causing the light grey haired girl to blush in embarrassment. "But it was actually on my radar until my boss told me people wouldn't read that shit, had to drop it before I even started." She then explained before lifting her glass. "Lala-chan, can I get a refill for these kids? We need to make a toast to our new acquaintances!" She then called out.
"It'll be a problem if you stay too long. You should leave right after you finish your water..." Morgana suggested.
"This Ohya could be useful to my info network..." Yumi meanwhile thought in an impressed manner. "I don't have any journalists in my network so this could be a great boon." She then added in her head.
The Leader then looked at his companion. "You had to try, huh?" Akira got out.
"Didn't you try that with Goro Akechi?" Yumi however countered.
"How did you-" Akira started in a surprised manner.
"My informants keep tabs on all of us until I call them off. Just some insurance in case we encounter another shinobi." Yumi explained. "Besides, we do want to ruin your principal's reputation, right?" She then asked with a coy and innocent smile on her face
"...Not gonna deny it." Akira admitted in amused agreement while playing with his glasses. "How many people do you have?" He then asked.
"For my informants, too many." Yumi answered with a tired sigh. "So...many...meetings..." She then muttered out.
Soon enough, the two finished their water and thanked Ohya for her time before making their way out of the place.
However, they quickly stopped by Lala at the door.
"Yumi-chan, I'd like to thank you for all the work you put in with the troubled here in Shinjuku and making it a safer place." Lala confessed. "Many of my customers that come in praise and compliment you for everything you do." She then explained.
"Do not thank me. My friends do most of the work." Yumi replied with a smile while playing it off.
"Nonsense, you're selling yourself too short Yumi-chan." Lala however stated before looking over to see the journalist looking at her. "Here's your complimentary beer nuts." She then offered.
"O-Oh! You don't-" Yumi began in a sheepish manner.
"Made them especially for you, Yumi-chan, enjoy them. Have a safe trip back home." Lala replied and requested.
Nodding to that, Yumi soon took out a nut, cracked it open...and revealed a strip of paper inside of it. "I still wonder how she does this." She muttered to herself while the Leader looked on in surprise.
"...Is she-" Akira started to guess.
"People talk when they're inebriated." Yumi soon revealed. "I heard Lala-san is looking for part-timers. Maybe you should look into it yourself." She suggested before thinking about it. "...Actually, Homura-san could use the job too..." She then added.
"I'll...keep that in mind." Akira got out as he pulled out his phone.
[TheWildJ0ker: It's done.]
[Shut7heFUp: How'd it go?]
[TheWildJ0ker: Nailed it.]
[Negative8Degrees: We need to meet up ASAP. Where are you, Ryuji-san?]
[Shut7heFUp: Right in front of the movie theatre. Uh...Cult9.]
[Negative8Degrees: I know where that is. Stay put.]
"Huh, I wonder what type of films there are here..." Akira mentally wondered as the two Thieves left the bar.
(Red-Light District)
Akira and Yumi quickly found the dyed blond outside of the movie theatre and started explaining what had happened at Crossroads.
"Junya Kaneshiro. That's our target." Akira informed as the light grey haired girl showed the dyed blond the entry on her phone.
"Sweet!" Ryuji cheered out. "Mkay, now we gotta get some info on his distortion. Once we know that, it's Palace time baby!" He then declared in excitement.
"Let's try tomorrow." Morgana suggested. "It'll be better if we have the whole team together." He then added.
"Right. I'll go ahead and tell everyone to meet in Shibuya." Ryuji replied. "Dude, this is totally crazy though...This guy's gonna be a huge catch! I'm pumped!" He then added.
"Hey now, save it for the Palace." Yumi giggled out.
"Ooh, you're right! He really would be a natural!" They suddenly heard a deep voice say. "But a graphic tee and plaid pants? Ugh, kill me now." The voice owner then suddenly declared.
"What?" Ryuji got out in confusion as they turned to see two men in women's dresses approach them. "W-Wait, who the hell are you!?" He soon asked in shock.
"Oh, hell has nothing to do with it, honey. I'm Angel - straight out of heaven!" The first man introduced himself.
"And I'm Julian. Or Julie if you're feeling saucy." The other man added.
"What a cutie! You'd never guess he was into the drag scene...I say we show him the ropes." Angel soon declared and suggested.
"You can't deny it! We saw you peeking into Crossroads! Well, sweetie, if you're curious we'll help you look divine!" Julian then added.
"H-Hey, wait a minute!" Ryuji started as he backed away."I already did that once, I'm not gonna do it again dammit!" He then thought in a panic.
"...I suggest the two of you leave Ryuji-san alone now or I will call the police on you for assault." Yumi however threatened while stepping in front of the dyed blond and took her phone out. "As the Student Council of Kosei High, I am bound to make sure that no student at any school are harmed in any way." She then declared.
"U-Uh, Yumi, that's a little extreme." Akira got out in an uncomfortable tone.
"Oh, puh-lease, honey. You have to realise you have no real power out in the real world. Now run along and go to your strip club or something." Angel however declared in a harsh tone, not even phased by the threat.
"WHAT!? HOW DARE THEY SAY THAT TO LADY YUMI! LET ME AT THEM!" Morgana roared in a furious manner while struggling in the bag.
"...Okay, now it's deserved." Akira growled while glaring at the two men.
Suddenly, an officer walked onto the scene. "Ah, good evening Yumi," The officer greeted while tipping his hat to the light grey haired girl before noticing the two older men. "...Is this what I think it is, Angel?" He then questioned while narrowing his eyes.
"N-No, officer! Just talking to an interested crowd." Angel stammered out with fear in his voice.
"Interested, nothin'!" Ryuji called out. "I am not dressing up like Ann again- dammit!" He then swore out.
The officer could only shake his head in disappointment. "You two leave these kids alone. You shouldn't make people, especially teenagers, do anything they're uncomfortable with. Or do you want another person accusing you of kidnapping again?" The officer soon advised.
"Aw, we were just having a little fun..." Julian got out with a pout before sighing. "Fine, we'll see you around cuties." He then relented before blowing a kiss over to the dyed blond.
"...Holy shit, I thought I was gonna effin' die of embarrassment or somethin' back there." Ryuji breathed out in relief as he looked at the officer. "Thanks man." He then added.
"Those two are a constant nuisance..." The officer meanwhile informed. "Not everyone's into drag but they keep taking people off the street to make 'em over. They have done some pretty good work though for those that want it..."He then explained before turning to the girl. "Weaver." He then greeted while tipping his hat.
"Thank you for assisting us chief." Yumi got out in a grateful manner and a salute.
"No problem. You did help solve that cold case, so it's the least I can do for one of your friends." The officer replied with a kind smile.
"He's an informant isn't he Lady Yumi?" Morgana guessed.
"No, he's a regular client I have assisted from time to time." Yumi informed. "Akira-kun, Ryuji-san, may I introduce you to the police chief of the Shinjuku area, Tetsu Otta." She then revealed the man's identity before noticing the Leader had stepped away from the man.
"Sorry, just...the police haven't been doing me any favors as of recent..." Akira responded in a vague manner.
"Hm?" Tetsu hummed out in a curious manner and a raised eyebrow.
"Don't worry. He just suffered some...corruption from the police." Yumi revealed in a saddened tone.
"Well, I assure you that my men would never do such a thing. If you need help, young man, you can give me a call." Tetsu got out as he handed the boy his contact info.
"Uh...Thanks." Akira replied as he pocketed the card.
"In any case, I have to go. I'll see you around, Weaver." Tetsu soon informed before heading out,
"Don't worry, he is one of the good ones." Yumi reassured. "I actually checked by imputing all my informants' names into the Nav just to be sure. None of them were targets." She then revealed.
"That's a relief." Morgana breathed out. "You know...having contact with the police might be beneficial in the long run. You should keep that card just in case." He then informed and suggested.
Akira in turn nodded at that. He wasn't going to use it anytime soon, but it might come in handy in the future. "Let's all go home." The Leader soon suggested.
"Alright! Let's do our best tomorrow, Leader!" Ryuji soon declared. "You better watch out, Kaneshiro, 'cause your heart's already ours." He then got out with a smirk.
"Have a good night Lady Yumi." Morgana then got out.
Yumi smiled and nodded in response as the boys left, leaving her to return to her apartment by herself.
(New Moon Apartment Complex)
Yumi soon took in a deep breath as she entered her apartment, closing and locking the door behind her. "Whew, what a night..." She breathed out as she made her way to the bathroom and stripped herself down. "It would be best to shower before heading to bed." She then decided.
Yumi soon was being sprayed by the warm water as she started washing herself. "Junya Kaneshiro..." She muttered as she then got the shampoo and began lathering her hair. "...How dangerous is this mission going to become...?" She soon wondered in concern for her friends safety. "...Should I tell Makoto-san about him...? She deserves to know too..." She then added before rinsing her hair off and shook her head.
No...It was probably a bad idea...
Given her previous recklessness despite her intentions, she would use it to get into more serious trouble...
"Makoto-san's time will come. Me, Asuka-san and Homura-san know it..." Yumi then stated as she got the body wash and began scrubbing herself down. "But...maybe we should save her awakening for Kobayakawa when we find out his distortion." She then added before rinsing herself of the suds and turned off the water.
And with that, she finished her shower and went to bed, more than eager to explore the Metaverse the next day.
However as she slept, she was unaware of a single message that came on her phone.
[Yozakura: Yumi, I'll be coming for a visit soon.]
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- Brave (Level 3)
Homura/Yang's Development Stats:
Maturity- Adolescence (Level 2)
Knowledge- Learned (Level 2)
Femininity- Effeminate (Level 2)
Elegance- Disciplined (Level 3)
Understanding- Generous (Level 3)
Okay…Whew! We're getting there! The awakening is getting there! For the love of God, I want to move on and write about Makoto going psycho on Shadows.
UknownHero signing off, my friends!
