Another day, another chapter. Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. I have no idea what to say here.
You get the drill. Senran Persona has a TV Tropes page. Go contribute to it!
No need to answer reviews this time. Time to take a quick pause.
Load Game…Start!
Chapter 109: Before You Go
(9/7, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
FWOOSH!
The bathroom door opened as steam came out of it while the two sisters exited with only towels covering their bodies. "Aaaaah~" They both sighed out in satisfaction.
"Nothing like a morning bath to wake yourself up!" Homura soon declared.
"You got that right Homu-neechan!" Asuka replied in agreement with a nod. "I feel tropical too!" She then added.
"I knew that pineapple scented shampoo would get us in the mood." Homura meanwhile stated with a smirk. "Mmm...man, I still can't get over Akira's new bed. I really should get one for us soon." She then got breathed out as she rubbed her neck.
"Too bad we had to leave so early..." Asuka sighed. "Moh...I wanted to sleep more..." She then mumbled.
"But Yumi-senpai and Miyabi were already gone by the time we were awake and Boss would ask questions if he found us, none of them probably good." Homura pointed out before yawning. "It was nice though. He was...warm." She then confessed before trailing off.
The two soon blushed a bit at recalling the event. "Y-Yeah..." Asuka meekly stammered. "W-What time do we have to get to the airport?" She soon asked, moreso to change the subject.
"Around 11 PM." Homura recalled. "I think our Kosei friends are going tomorrow early in the morning. That sounds tougher than going at night..." She then muttered.
"So Yumi-chan and Yusuke-kun won't be coming with us..." Asuka soon recalled before pouting. "Moh, I thought we could've at least left together, even if on different planes." She then added in disappointment.
"It would've been nice, but the scheduling wouldn't let us. I don't even think they're going to the same airport." Homura pointed out.
"At least we have until tonight to just goof around. No school, no Phantom Thief stuff, just a nice day to hang out." Asuka cheered.
"Sorry, Sis, I would've loved to hang out until we have to go, but I need to take care of some things at school first." Homura got out in an apologetic tone as she grabbed her uniform. Although it wasn't required, she had to look professional.
"Does it involve Yui-chan?" Asuka guessed.
"Yeah." Homura responded with a nod as she put on her underwear. "We'll have lunch together, I promise." She then reassured.
"Okay. Maybe I'll go train with Miyabi-sensei or go to Leblanc and spend some time there." Asuka decided.
"Just don't have too much fun without me, okay?" Homura requested in a joking manner.
"Hey, we'll have plenty of that in Hawaii." Asuka giggled. "Eeeee! I almost still can't believe this is happening!" She then squealed in happiness.
"Right!? Hawaii!" Homura responded in excited agreement in a tone similar to her sister's. "We've been on a roll lately, haven't we?" She then noted.
"I think so, but we can't rest on our laurels." Asuka stated. "I wonder what our next target will be..." She then asked.
"Well, it has to be bigger than an international group of basement dwellers and some asshat in charge of a mafia group." Homura pointed out. "But...I am drawing a blank." She soon confessed.
"There is the Phan-site poll." Asuka suggested as she grabbed her phone.
"Eh, I don't personally trust it." Homura admitted.
"You too huh?" Asuka replied.
"It just seems...disingenuous to who we are and what we're supposed to represent." Homura explained. "Besides, I bet most of the names on the poll barely have a Shadow in Mementos." She then added.
"Yeah, that is a possibility." Asuka admitted in agreement. "We can still look though when we get back." She then added.
"Of course." Homura responded with a nod. "Okay, I'm going. See you at lunch!" She then informed.
"I'll get something ready by then!" Asuka called out as her sister left the apartment.
(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)
Hikage and Poochie were relaxing on the couch, with the snake-like girl idly scratching her pet's head while texting on her phone, when the frugal blonde approached them. "Here's your breakfast for you two." Yomi announced as she put down a plate and a dog bowl for the two.
"Please don-" Hikage groaned before seeing her plate. "...Yomi...what is this?" She asked in a catios manner.
"Omurice?" Yomi innocently answered.
"No, I mean what is this? Why does this look good?" Hikage questioned once more.
"Oh, they're just leftovers I found in the fridge." Yomi answered. "Although, I don't know why someone would put dog food in there too." She then muttered.
"Ah, that explains it." Hikage muttered before staring at the blonde directly in the eyes. "So you didn't touch this in any way other than taking it out of the fridge and heating it up." She then stated.
"Yes." Yomi assured.
And with foolhardy confidence, Hikage and Poochie took a bite...
MUNCH!
"..."
There were chewing, and more chewing, and more chew–
"!?" The greenette's eyes soon widened as well as the puppy's as their heads went red and began sweating like crazy. "Ack!" Hikage got out as she began gagging. "S-Spicy...So spicy!" She then coughed out as Poochie suddenly spat out her dog food into her bowl.
"Hey! Who stole my leftover omurice and dog food!?" Ryōna called out from the kitchen. "It was going to be the best breakfast ever!" She then whined.
"SHUT UP, YOU LITTLE–!" Ryōbi growled as she grabbed a rolling pin and...
BONK!
"AHHHHNNN~!" The masochistic blonde squealed loudly in delight from the pain, as expected.
"Of course...I'm surrounded by assassins trying to be chefs..." Hikage groaned while going for her drink as Poochie drank as much water from her bowl as possible.
"Hey, I'm back." Mirai called out before noticing the greenette and puppy silently dying. "...What the hell did you do?" She bluntly asked.
"Nothing!" Yomi responded with her innocent hands up
"Remind me...to punch Ryōna later." Hikage coughed out.
"But wouldn't she enjoy it?" Mirai however reminded.
"I know, but it'll make me feel better too." Hikage replied in a slightly hoarse manner. "So, you got everything set up?" She soon asked as she comforted her puppy by petting it.
"You mean finding a book to prop up my phone on the table, yes." Mirai replied as she called their friend in Tokyo and propped it up with the tan skinned girl's copy of How to Find a Decent Rival for Once in Your Goddamn Life. "Why do you even keep asking me to even set-up these meetings? You have video chat on your phone too." She then asked and reminded.
"My phone has had a terrible internet connection recently. It'll make the chat too laggy." Hikage explained while rubbing her throat.
"And my phone doesn't even have a camera." Yomi spoke up.
"We could just call her and put her on speaker." Mirai pointed out.
"But then we wouldn't be able to see each other, and that has become an increasingly rare sight." Haruka's voice pointed out as she appeared on the screen.
"Ah, Haruka-san. Good morning." Yomi soon greeted.
"Good morning to you too." Haruka replied with a smile. "Why are you calling me so early though? I'm about to go to work. And don't you all have classes?" She then asked in a curious tone.
"Classes are starting a little later today." Hikage revealed. "I don't know the reason other than-" She then began before...
KABOOM!
"That." Hikage continued without missing a beat.
"...It wasn't from a leftover experiment of mine, was it?" Haruka soon asked.
"Well, I haven't seen anyone naked or transformed in some way, so I say no." Mirai answered with a shrug. "Well, technically, except the pervy blonde one here in our place being naked at times, stripping in her own will and that, but...yeah, nothing from your leftover experiments." She then added, almost without a care.
"How many experiments were you working on that you didn't finish?" Yomi questioned.
"Only seven." Haruka assured. "How many incidents have occurred involving them since I left?" She then asked.
"Twelve. All different. Minor and major." Hikage answered automatically. "And yes, one involving your snake-plant hybrid running wild for a bit. He misses you." She then stated and informed.
"...I don't remember it talking..." Haruka muttered under her breath.
"It doesn't." Mirai spoke up. "Not by itself, anyways." She then added.
ZZZZZZ!
"...Was that snoring just now?" Hikage asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, that's just Tsumugi. She snores." Haruka off-handedly informed. "Maybe I should get her a pacifier if she's going to be that loud..." She then suggested to herself in amusement.
"Who the hell is Tsumuji?" Hikage asked while petting the sleeping puppy.
"An assassin sent by Dogen to kill Homura. At least, that's what she told me." Haruka answered, immediately getting the attention of the others.
"...What?" Yomi got out in a flat tone.
"And...she's living with you." Mirai stated in an uneasy tone.
"Well, she's more like a live-in maid right now that I don't have to pay other than keeping the fridge stocked but yes. Basically." Haruka informed with a shrug.
"How is she?" Hikage soon asked.
"She has a limp right now, so I'm doing my best to get rid of it, but it requires a lot of rest. It'll be a while before she is useful to us." Haruka answered in a serious manner.
"We'll leave it to you then doc." Hikage responded with a nod.
"Are we seriously going to have Homura's potential murderer as an ally?" Mirai however asked in concern.
"If darling vouched for her, I will trust his judgment." Haruka responded.
"You're essentially putty in his hands. You'd jump off a bridge if he asked." Hikage deadpanned the reminder while the girl on the screen blushed.
"I'd survive. And he wouldn't suggest such a thing in the first place." Haruka stated.
"...True." The three admitted in agreed unison.
"In any case, there is a bigger issue that needs to be talked about." Haruka soon stated in a more serious tone.
The three in turn nodded in agreement as they narrowed their eyes. "Dōgen." Yomi stated.
"Exactly." The blonde on the phone agreed. "For some reason he targeted Homura-chan by using Tsumuji as a means of doing so." She then stated.
"So the million yen question is why he would do it in the first place..." Hikage muttered with a frown. "Does he know something about her we don't?" She then assumed.
"Does Tsumugi know?" Mirai asked.
"I asked her that exact question last night, and she said she had no idea. Just to kill her, no matter the method, which was fine for her goals." Haruka answered. "Need-to-know basis, I assume." She then guessed.
"Curse shinobi secrecy..." Mirai grumbled with a frown.
"Maybe...Homura-chan outlived her usefulness to him." Yomi soon suggested in concern.
"It is a possibility, but I don't think that's likely." Haruka responded. "Pawns can still be pawns even if they're outside the battlefield. We need to investigate further." She then got out.
"Guess that means our plans will have to be put on hold." Hikage muttered as she narrowed her eyes. "If we're going to have any chance of figuring it out, we have to stay in Hebijo for a little longer." She then added.
"Ugh, enduring Imu some more..." Mirai grumbled. "At least she's focusing most of her attention on Murasaki." She then added.
"Oh is she now?" Haruka questioned with narrowed eyes and a serious expression on her face.
"She has a mountain of catch-up homework she needs to do before she can actually start attending classes." Yomi explained before wincing. "Imu's helping her out, but she's..." She then started before trailing off.
"MURASAKI! STAY AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!" Imu's voice demanded from another room.
"I need...a break..." Murasaki pleaded in a weak manner.
"YOU CAN ONCE YOU FINISH YOUR HISTORY OF ODA NOBUNAGA REPORT!" Imu declared.
Meanwhile, the three heard growling from the computer, turning their heads to see an extremely pissed off Haruka. "How...dare...she..." She grunted out.
"Prevent her sister from getting kicked out, possibly killed for her horrible attendance record?" Yomi assumed.
"That's not the point!" Haruka countered. "Why haven't you stopped her!?" She then questioned.
"Look, she's a necessary evil here." Yomi responded, though wince at the anger from the other blonde on the screen. "I want Murasaki-chan to be happy as well, but given it's Suzune-sensei in charge of what happens to her, there's nothing much we can do. Besides, it's nice to have Imu off our backs." She then explained.
"I thought you guys were friends now..." Haruka assumed.
"We're tolerating Imu for now." The three responded in deadpan tones.
"But once she has her back turned..." Hikage started with a smirk.
"Hikage, don't." Haruka responded in a serious tone. "Just...make sure Murasaki-chan is treated better..." She soon requested in a concerned manner.
"We will Haruka-sama." Mirai responded with a nod, noticing the tone of voice in the senior she respected. "Also...you gave her those work-out clothes, didn't you?" She then assumed.
"Oh, has she been keeping herself in shape? I gave her a schedule to make sure she does so." Haruka questioned and explained. "I really hope she has been following it exactly. Part of it was also to be a confidence booster for her as well." She then confessed and revealed.
"Huh, sounds like you care a lot for Murasaki-san like you do with Akira-san." Hikage soon noted. "What? You wanted to be her new big sister or something?' She asked in a joking manner.
Haruka immediately gasped. "H-How did you know about that!?" She exclaimed.
The trio's eyes soon widened upon hearing that before...
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT!?" Mirai loudly exclaimed in shock and disbelief, her voice ringing throughout the academy.
(9/7, Daytime)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Asuka took in a deep breath as she looked at the white haired woman's door. She had the feeling her sensei wouldn't want her to slack off the day before going, so she decided to train with her.
Meanwhile, inside the apartment, Miyabi was in her underwear relaxing on the couch mindlessly watching TV. Today was her day off due to some sort of leak and it was her rest day as well from her exercises, so she let herself indulge in the few simple pleasures she allowed herself.
"I'm sorry about your dad, but at least you still have your robot mom."
"My dad is my robot mom!"
"...Yeah, older movies are much better than this..." Miyabi deadpanned as she turned off the TV and stretched her limbs.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Huh? G-Give me a second!" Miyabi got out as she got off the couch and quickly put on some clothes before opening the door. "Asuka?" She got out with a raised eyebrow.
"Hi, Miyabi-sensei." Asuka greeted.
"Ah, my student." Miyabi got out as she looked at the brunette. "So you decided on training before going, smart move." She then stated and praised in approval. "Come in." She soon instructed.
"Hai. Sensei." Asuka obediently responded with a nod. "Shinobi Tenshin!" She then declared, her clothes vanishing and being replaced with her colored version of her teacher's Tenshin appearance
Miyabi however raised an eyebrow to that as she looked at her proud appearing student. "I'm surprised you chose that appearance again." She confessed.
Asuka in turn giggled. "Well, I do like my usual Tenshin, but something about this one feels...good." She vaguely admitted. "I feel as though I would be a better leader dressed like this, like you in a sense, Miyabi-sensei." She then added.
"Well take off those stupid bandages at least." Miyabi sighed. "They make me uncomfortable." She muttered as she rubbed her arm.
"Ok sensei, though why do you have bandages on yours then?" Asuka replied and asked as she did as instructed.
"...You don't see the purple fucking fingers?" Miyabi growled out the reminder as her eye twitched.
"...Sorry." Asuka apologized with a wince.
"Asuka, my outfit has a story. Just because it looks good isn't a good enough reason to copy it." Miyabi responded and stated. "I mean, seriously, it feels like you're mocking me." She then added.
"I mean, I didn't mean to copy your look." Asuka meekly responded.
"And I get that." Miyabi replied. "But you chose to use it this time. What, you think looking like me will make this training any more effective?" She then added and questioned.
Asuka soon gained a saddened expression on her face as she unintentionally began to give puppy dog eyes. "..." She said nothing as she poked her fingers together.
"Asuka, emotional manipulation isn't going to work here." Miyabi stated in a harsh tone. "I'll let you use that damn outfit, but just know that I care more about your ability, not how you look." She then stated and instructed.
"..." Asuka however said nothing as she just nodded.
"And stop giving that look. You're a shinobi and the Vice Leader of our group. Act like it." Miyabi sighed out her orders. "You came to me to catch up to everyone else, so I am going to do just that." She then reminded and reassured.
"...Hai, Miyabi-sensei." Asuka responded, her tone sounding a little more hardened than before.
"Good." Miyabi responded in approval, liking the change in tone. "Now today, we're going to learn kenjutsu." She soon instructed as she tossed the Vice Leader a blunt wooden katana.
"So you're teaching me to use a katana like you or Ikaruga-chan back home." Asuka assumed.
"Not yet, but the lesson requires such a weapon to be used. It's more about the thought process than the act of using it." Miyabi corrected as she hefted her own over her shoulder. Though hearing that second bit made her curious about the ravenette in mention's katana style, she would have to put it off for now. "Before modern training methods allowed our bodies to survive punishment that would kill most people in a heartbeat, many shinobi battles could end in one swift strike." She soon explained.
"I know that, Miyabi-sensei." Asuka responded. "Every hit could be what's needed to kill us, so we have to ensure we never get touched." She then recited.
The white haired woman nodded. Good. "However, given how much my back still aches from yesterday, we have not exercised that much lately." She soon continued.
"Well, maybe it's because you're..." Asuka began, before seeing her sensei's golden eyes shifting into a dangerous glare. "Um...you're...you're in desperate need of a massage. I-I brought some oil with me if you want to."
"...Later. Anyways, the point is that the days of carefully considering each other's next move has been replaced with wanton bloodlust and screaming." Miyabi continued her explanation before pausing. "...Which I may or may not have indulged in myself but that's beside the point. We are going to learn the fundamentals of a proper, old fashioned sword fight. No techniques. No gimmicks. Just you and your opponent slicing each other to bits." She then admitted.
"But that's just what I learned when I was six." Asuka however informed.
"Ah, but it's also easy to forget what the foundations are in the first place." Miyabi responded, glad her student was already knowledgeable on the matter. "Now, let's go through a few of the stances and forms. After me." She soon instructed.
Asuka nodded before getting into a similar stance as her teacher's. "Ready." She responded in a calm manner.
"One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three." Miyabi got out as she did a quick three-hit combo twice.
"One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three." Asuka quickly followed suit. A little slower, a little less smooth, but she already got it down at a fundamental level.
"Again." Miyabi ordered.
"One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three." Asuka repeated once more.
"Three. Two. One. One. Two. Three." Miyabi soon countered off.
"One. Two-ack!" Asuka instinctively did the same forms, but got smacked over the head.
"It's three-two-one then one-two-three. Again." Miyabi stated and ordered once more.
"H-Hai." Asuka groaned as she rubbed the sore spot before doing as ordered. "Three. Two. One. One. Two. Three." She soon got out.
"One. Three. Two. Two. One. Three." Miyabi soon got out as her student did everything she did. "Still a faster learner, but still needs to practice if she wants to be effective in battle." She muttered as she watched her student.
Soon after thirty minutes or so, the Vice Leader was doing everything perfectly, even as the white haired woman started performing several other moves.
"Seven. Four. Two. Two. Four. One. Ten." Miyabi counted off, performing a seven slash combo.
"Seven. Four. Two. Two. Four. One. Ten!" Asuka repeated, mimicking her teacher's words and motions as if she was a mirror image of her.
Miyabi soon smirked at the progress her student was showing. "And now, let's get creative." She mentally decided. "Thirteen." She suddenly stated.
Asuka in turn immediately faltered for a moment. "Eh?" She got out in confusion.
"Give me a thirteen." Miyabi clarified.
The Vice Leader frowned before going back into her stance. "Two. Three. Five. One. One." She soon counted, doing a five slash combo.
Miyabi let out a hum with a nod. "Eighteen." She stated.
"Seven. Six. Three. Two." Asuka responded with a four slashing combo.
"Seven in three moves." Miyabi then instructed.
"One. Two. Four." Asuka responded, doing a three slash strike.
"Twenty in six." Miyabi ordered.
"One. Two. Three. Five. Four. Five!" Asuka responded once more with a six slash strike.
"She...she just keeps impressing me more and more..." Miyabi mentally breathed out in awe and amazement along with a smirk of excitement, recalling how these lessons used to be difficult for her when she was younger. "Enough!" She soon ordered.
In response, Asuka instantly stopped and stood at attention while wiping some sweat off her brow.
"I'm honestly surprised you caught on so quickly." Miyabi confessed as she paced back and forth. "Doing math with sword swings helped me get through elementary school." She then revealed.
"That sounds like a good idea." Asuka admitted with a smile before a thought came to mind. "But uh...can you do long division doing that?" She then asked in a curious manner.
"...No, you can't." Miyabi responded, causing the Vice Leader to moan in sadness. "But I'm glad to see you experiment with what you can do. Although, you did repeat some moves. I'd prefer if every strike was unique." She then stated her praise and admitted.
"Hai, I will be sure to attempt that next time sensei." Asuka responded with a bow of loyalty.
"Well, why not practice now?" Miyabi suggested with a proud smile before going into her battle stance. "I want you to hit me as hard as you can." She then instructed.
The Vice Leader was shocked but nodded, anyway. However, she then looked around in concern. "...Sensei, shouldn't we do this in your Kekkai so we don't damage your apartment?" Asuka however pointed out.
"But that's the challenge, isn't it? Not every battlefield is a flat open area. Sometimes you're in a collapsing cave but you have to kill your opponent yourself to ensure they are actually dead." Miyabi responded with a smirk. "Break any of my stuff, and you're paying for it. I want you to consider each and every step you take, Shirokage." She then stated.
"...Hai." Asuka responded rather obediently as she readied herself as she took in a heavy yet calming breath.
There was a moment where neither of them moved, staring directly into each other's eyes.
But at a single twitch, they both clashed.
"Four. Three. Eight. Seven. One." Asuka thought as she performed the combo, but was swiftly blocked by Miyabi's sword. "Five. Two. Nine. Three. Ten."
It felt...weird not being able to just go all-out, needing to allow her body to think for her while she focused on taking down her opponent in the most efficient way possible.
She had to be herself...but also not herself this time...to keep a calm and cool head...imagine...visualize...
WHAM!
...All of which was thrown out the window when Miyabi punched her straight in the gut and whacked her over the head.
"A-Ah..." Asuka groaned in pain as her body twitched facedown on the ground. "I-I thought this was a fair fight." She then moaned.
"I said no techniques or gimmicks. Didn't say anything about pragmatism." Miyabi pointed out. "There is no honor in battle; only respect, training and the objective; and your objective is to beat me. Now, let's try again. Land three hits in a row, and I'll consider this session done for the day." She explained and instructed once more.
Asuka coughed as she picked herself off the ground and went into her stance once again. "Hai." She responded...right before tearing off her coat and throwing it towards the white haired woman.
"!?" Miyabi's eyes widened as she struggled to get it off her, only to be slapped across the cheek by her student's sword. "Shit!" She quietly swore out.
"Hit!" Asuka announced before the white haired woman blindly tackled her to the ground, ripping the coat off and attempting to strike her while she was down, but the Vice Leader was blocking every hit despite the awkward position.
"Hmph, a deceptive move worthy of an Evil Shinobi, not bad." Miyabi noted and praised before attempting to poke her student's eye out.
Asuka only rolled her head to the side and grabbed the blade. "After coming to Tokyo, I learned that a Good Shinobi was never that honorable to begin with." She declared before pushing the katana into the white haired woman's nose, causing her to get off her. "Hit!" She soon stated.
"Two down, but I won't be giving you that third one so easily." Miyabi declared as she wiped the blood dripping from her nose, mentally wincing at her slightly nasally speech. "One hit, and it all resets." She then reminded as she went into her battle stance.
"Then stop trying and actually hit me." Asuka taunted with a smirk with the wooden katana at the ready.
Miyabi growled before the two circle around each other, being careful not to even touch the little furniture the white haired woman had.
Suddenly, the woman smirked before grabbing her pillow and threw it up in the air before moving for a strike, but the Vice Leader managed to block it. However, Miyabi was anticipating it and caught the pillow in mid air and slapped it across her student's face.
Although stunned, Asuka still managed to block the next few strikes before grabbing the pillow herself and throwing it away and countering with a rush forward, attempting to jab Miyabi in the gut.
Without a moment's hesitation, Miyabi stepped to the side...to reveal the window right behind her that was getting dangerously close.
Asuka squeaked as she managed to stop herself from running the wooden katana through the window before blocking a strike from behind her back.
"Good, getting better at control." Miyabi encouraged and stated as the Vice Leader faced her.
"Well, I haven't broken anything other than your nose." Asuka pointed out.
Miyabi in turn smirked. "Hoh, someone's getting cheeky." She remarked in amusement...
WHOOSH!
Only to nearly get that strike in, but only able to get her student's bra...but soon felt her bra missing. "Nice try, sensei." Asuka got out as she saw her bra slip off Miyabi's katana.
"You're just in panties and boots now." Miyabi remarked. "If this was a real battle, I would be winning." She then informed.
"Really?" Asuka got out before twirling a pair of panties around her finger.
The white haired woman blinked before looking down. "...Okay, now that's cheating." Miyabi deadpanned.
"No gimmicks, no techniques. Only pragmatism." Asuka soon recited. "Just as you instructed sensei." She then reminded.
"Well, there's also somethin- hey, look over there!" Miyabi called out.
Asuka, however, remained still as she stared at her teacher. "...Seriously sensei?" She questioned in a deadpan tone.
"Damn, and here I thought you'd fall for that..." Miyabi grumbled. "But I'll take my panties back now. That is actually cheating." She then stated.
"O-Oh. Here." Asuka got out as she tossed it over...only for her teacher to stab through it while attempting to hit her. "WAH! Oh, you..." She growled as she blocked the stab.
"You could've hit me at any time during that and I would've counted it!" Miyabi soon declared. "...Thank god that wasn't my new birthday panties..." She thought to herself. She actually liked that pair.
"Well, let me CORRECT THAT!" Asuka shouted out as she swung at the white haired woman at blinding speeds, with her teacher countering with her own swings before clashing.
"I won't lose, Asuka!" Miyabi growled as the wood grinded together.
"Wouldn't have it any other way, sensei!" Asuka countered, growling as well. "But today...I already won." She got out as she pulled out a water pistol.
SQUIRT!
"Pfft!" Miyabi spat out, faltering as a result. "Wha? Where did-" She began to wonder, only for her student to shove her away.
"For Hawaii! CHESTO!" The Vice Leader roared while delivering the downward slash.
SMASH!
And with that, Asuka broke the wooden katana over the woman's head, landing her third and final hit.
"U-Ugh..." Miyabi got out as she winced in pain before falling to the ground, defeated. "G-Good job, Asuka. Uhhh..." She then groaned with a thumbs-up.
"Um, I hope we don't need this later..." Asuka sheepishly got out as she held her broken training weapon while Miyabi picked herself off the ground.
"It's ok, my student, that was excellent." Miyabi reassured and praised in approval while rubbing the sore spot. "You did everything I expected and more. Although...maybe I shouldn't have saidyou'd have to hit me as hard as you can. That's on me." She then mumbled as she rubbed her nose before resetting it back into its rightful place.
"You did ask for it." Asuka pointed out before sighing in relief. "Whew! It looks like I didn't smash anything!" She then added.
"...You fool." Miyabi however stated. "What's in your hand?" She soon questioned with a smirk of amusement.
The Vice Leader blinked before looking down at the broken wooden katana. Sensei's broken wooden katana. "...DOH!" Asuka got out as her eyes widened in shock.
"100 yen, cough it up." Miyabi soon ordered.
"Hai." Asuka responded as she took out her wallet and handed it over with ease. "...Wait, aren't these training katanas more expensive than 100 yen?" She soon asked.
"Yeah, they cost around 700,000." Miyabi casually revealed, causing the Vice Leader to choke. "That's why I stole them from some loser doing poses at the park." She then revealed. Who buys six of the same damn katana-
Oh, right. Homura.
"...Is that all?" Asuka however innocently asked as she then got her wallet out and brought out the exact amount...of the actual price.
"..." Miyabi's eyes widened as she looked at her student in disbelief. "H-How-?" She began to ask.
"Mementos, as well as my job as a fashion model." Asuka answered.
"I-I can't just accept this. T-The 100 yen was just a light-hearted joke." Miyabi admitted. "Besides, I have my own job. You should spend that money in Hawaii." She then added.
"Oh I have a lot more in my savings." Asuka innocently revealed.
"I thought you were broke yesterday!" Miyabi called out as her eye twitched.
"I got some money out of the bank." Asuka responded. "I-I told Ann-chan not to go overboard, but she was really excited, and I sort of just got caught up in it." She then explained. "That dress was really, really cute..." She mumbled.
"Look, I know we all got a couple million yen from Mr. and Mrs. Shitheel, but that still seems like a lot to just give away casually." Miyabi stated. "Are you sure Ann doesn't have a spending problem?" She then asked in concern.
"I think everyone has one." Asuka automatically pointed out.
"That's just-" Miyabi began before she remembered drunkenly slamming down her Shin money to pay for a 5000 yen bar tab. "...You may be right." Miyabi shamefully confessed in agreement. "Still, are you sure you're on a part-timer's salary?" She eventually asked.
"I am, though I'm still thinking about being a full time one as well as being a shinobi." Asuka confessed. "I get the feeling you would disapprove of me becoming a model though." She soon added.
"Possibly. I mean, where would you find the time to train and take missions when your agent is blowing up your phone with gigs?" Miyabi responded and pointed out. "Plus, don't models travel for some gigs? And stay where they are for a few years in some cases?" She then recalled.
"Hai, Ann-chan told me her parents go through that. Which is why I'm still hesitant about it being full-time." Asuka revealed. "I...I do like modeling though. I feel like I have more confidence while doing it." She then admitted and stated.
"Well, whatever you do, don't just say it'll all work out in the end. You're being idealistic." Miyabi stated. "In reality, people must make sacrifices to do what they want, and it's always at the expense of others. I'll just say stick to doing your job as a part-timer cause that's still a damn large amount of money." She then explained before concluding.
"Okay..." Asuka responded with a nod. "...So, are you taking my 700,000 yen then?" She eventually asked.
"Are you going to take no for an answer?" Miyabi responded.
"Probably not." Asuka simply answered.
"...Screw it, I want a new minigun. Give it here." Miyabi relented as the Vice Leader handed her the money. "But I request you don't give me any more money. That could be used for an actual emergency." She then instructed in a serious tone.
"Hai, I usually send some of it to my shinobi bank account." Asuka reassured with a nod.
"Good." Miyabi responded with a nod of approval before taking a whiff before cringing. "I...I need to go take a shower." She then informed as she headed into her bathroom.
"Um, I guess I'll clean the place a little then." Asuka offered as she went to grab a broom.
Soon, the brunette was tidying up the apartment as the sound of running water was heard from another room. "You're so good, Miyabi-sensei! Those three years definitely didn't slow you down!" Asuka soon praised while her teacher showered.
Soon, the white haired woman came out of the bathroom with only a towel covering her up. "Actually, if we did go all out with our actual speed, I probably would've lost early and made this lesson a wash. I won't lie to myself and say you're not stronger than me, but I want to close that gap soon." Miyabi spoon stated and confessed.
"There's more to strength than just speed and strength." Asuka however pointed out.
"Yeah, but technique doesn't matter when you can just bowl me over." Miyabi grumbled as she rubbed her shoulder. "Ow..." She then winced.
"Futaba-chan's Palace?" Asuka assumed.
"Yeah." Miyabi sighed with a nod. "That moment...when her Shadow sent out that Sphinx and knocked me down all those stairs...it was the first time I had to admit to myself that I wasn't strong enough for what was ahead, even if my mouth and thoughts say otherwise." She then admitted.
"I see..." Asuka responded with a nod of understanding.
"I was completely in over my head..." Miyabi sighed out. "Dammit, I never wanted to be that weak again but...a freaking civilian managed to save me. A freaking civilian can overpower me..."
"But that's with our Personas." Asuka however reminded. "You're strong, Miyabi-chan. You just need to believe in yourself." She then encouraged while taking the other girl's hands into her own.
"Tch. That only works in movies." Miyabi scoffed as she looked down at their joined hands as her student then released her. "I need more power. No matter what." She then got out as she clenched her fist tight.
"Power doesn't protect anyone alone." Asuka stated with a frown.
"I know...I still want to be able to protect Futaba in the future though..." Miyabi responded and confessed. "I...never want her to suffer again. So I need the power to protect her." She then stated.
"And anyone else, right?" Asuka corrected.
"Yeah." Miyabi confirmed with a nod. "But...it's still nothing without those bastards' faces." She then grumbled.
"Any luck with that?" The Vice Leader asked in a serious tone.
"I've been...busy." Miyabi responded with a sigh. "In-between training, work and crap, there hasn't been much time to dedicate to it. Besides, I have nothing to go off of." She then explained before sighing.
"We'll find them. And then we'll turn their insides into outsides." Asuka kindly assured. "Slowly." She then added with a gleam in her eyes.
"Aw...thanks." The young adult got out before suddenly, the white haired woman winced in pain. "...I'd like that massage now please." Miyabi soon requested while rubbing a sore spot.
"Hai." Asuka responded. "Go lay down on your futon." She then instructed.
Miyabi nodded and did as such. Now, she wasn't expecting much. Massages weren't part of shinobi training in Hebijo, so she doubted it would be as effective as the Vice Leader was thinking.
She was wrong.
Oh, so delightfully wrong as Asuka went to work.
"Oh...Oh~...OOOOOOOOOOH~!" Miyabi grunted before moaning out in satisfaction. "HOLY FUCK YOU'RE AMAZING AT THIS!" She declared in awe, some drool leaking out of the side of her mouth.
"Homu-neechan always told me how good I am with my hands!" Asuka happily replied. "Wow, you got a lot of knots." She then informed in concern.
"I know, but no one could ever- FUCK! Fuck, right there!" Miyabi panted out before moaning even more.
"M-Miyabi-chan! Quiet down. The neighbors could hear you." Asuka nervously requested and reminded.
"This place barely has anyone! It's why we're living here in the first place." Miyabi reminded before shuddering. "Ooooohhhh~ Ahhhnnn~! Oh, this is amazing, Asuka-chan~" She moaned and sighed out in a more feminine tone with a starry look in her eyes.
"Thank you, Miyabi-chan." Asuka replied before frowning in concern. "Oh, that's no good. There's a huge knot. Let me just..." She began as she began to use her elbow...
CRACK!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNN~! FUCK YES!" Miyabi squealed in delight and ecstasy.
Meanwhile, just outside, Ann and Futaba were staring straight at Miyabi's apartment door, listening to all the moans coming from within. The ash blonde had taken the navigator here for some reason, but for the life of her couldn't remember why right now.
"..." Ann's jaw was simply dropped as she couldn't find it in herself to take the little hacker and run before her innocence was destroyed...any further than it already was at this point.
Futaba, meanwhile, had a very weird smile on her face as she then took out her phone...only to be disappointed at what she saw on the screen. "False alarm, Asuka's just giving Big Sis a massage." She soon revealed. "Though she's super naked and shiny. Probably just showered. Man, they really like leaving their phones in awesome spots." She then informed and remarked with a grin...with a little drool leaking out as well.
"STOP! WE ARE LEAVING!" Ann exclaimed before dragging the orangette away.
"Wait, no! Please take me baaaaaaaccccckkkkk!" Futaba whined as they disappeared around the corner, just as the door opened as the brunette popped her head out.
"Hm? I swore I heard someone out here." Asuka muttered.
"A-Agghhh..." Miyabi moaned, very much in a pleasure coma. "More Asuka-chan~! Please~!" She soon begged.
"Erm, maybe I should finish up my final preparations for the trip..." Asuka responded as she then noticed the hungry and lustful appearance on the white haired woman's face. "M-Miyabi-sensei?" She got out in concern.
"Asuka-chan~ Come back he-" Miyabi began as she stood up and-
THUD!
...collapsed onto the futon once more. "Erm, my legs are too relaxed. Help me?" Miyabi requested in a sheepish manner...despite the same expression on her face as she panted heavily.
"..." Asuka blinked before grabbing her clothes and left without another word.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" Miyabi soon cried out in despair while laying on the floor.
(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)
"...Why do I feel as though someone's taking Miyabi away from me..." Imu suddenly asked with a pale face.
"What?" Murasaki got out with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing, Murasaki. Just do your homework." Imu idly got out, staring into space and barely glancing at her sister.
"We're eating." Murasaki however reminded.
"And she finished the dose you were gonna give her yesterday dummy." Bebeby meanwhile revealed.
"B-Bebe-tan!" Murasaki yelped as she covered the plushie's mouth.
"...Well, that means we can reschedule so that you may get through more." Imu stated, causing the purplette to groan.
"...Goddamn workaholic, Miyabi-crazed simp..." Bebeby grumbled as they continued eating their food.
(Aoyama-Itchome, Shujin Academy Entrance Gate)
Heading out of the alleyway shortcut, Homura arrived at the school. After quickly making sure her uniform was in order (well, as in order as it could be with ripped sleeves), she approached the gate. "Alright. Go in, tell Tomoko everything with Yui is fine, maybe grab something sweet for lunch with Sis, then head home and get ready for the airport." She muttered to herself. "Everything will be fine..." She then reassured herself.
"Hey." Tomoko casually greeted as she lifted her cup of coffee. She was in her casual clothes, which consisted of a green skirt, white tennis shoes and a t-shirt that had black star on the right breast.
"TOMOKO PLEASE DON'T DESTROY MY COMMITTEE!" Homura instantly begged in a paranoid manner, already on her hands and knees with her forehead firmly on the ground.
"...I just got here." Tomoko informed, looking a little weirded out by how fast the tan skinned girl did that.
"Eh?" Homura got out before quickly standing up, cleaning up her uniform and bowing down respectfully. "Ahem. Tomoko, everything with Yui has been re-" She began, however...
"I know." Tomoko however stated with a smile.
"Eh?" You...do?" Homura hesitantly got out in confusion.
"Yes. She was the one who contacted me last night." The newspaper club president informed before taking a sip of her coffee.
"A-About what?" The Committee Head pressed with a frown.
"Her public apology." Tomoko answered as she pulled out her phone. "Here. It's on the school forum as of this morning." She then added.
"Let's see..." Homura got out as she grabbed the phone out of Tomoko's hands to read it.
"Dear students of Shujin.
I would like to make a formal apology for my recent...actions. I have hurt many students due to outside circumstances not in my control. Control had taken it out on innocent students. Now, I am very much aware that many believe the best course of action would be to resign from Shinkukage-san's committee and turn myself in, getting suspended or even expelled. However, I believe that is not the best course of action. I would be running away, not truly paying for my transgressions and merely leaving behind hateful memories. So I shall leave my fate in the hands of the head of the committee. I will not accept a light punishment. Even if I have to spend the rest of the year cleaning classrooms by myself, I shall accept it gracefully. Do not show any mercy, as I have failed to show my victims in kind. Feel free to be angry at me, don't forgive me. I will be the example of the type of abuse I want gone from the school.
From
Yui Kotegawa."
"Yui..." Homura breathed out in awe at what was said while mentally relieved that the change of heart was successful this quickly. She even posted a picture of her face to ensure everyone would recognize her.
"She has a way with words, doesn't she?" Tomoko remarked as she took her phone back. "It was a lot longer but I edited it down to something more readable." She then informed.
"Indeed." Homura responded with a nod.
"So, do you plan to keep her in the committee, Homura?" Tomoko eventually asked. "Or is she out?" She then added with a raised eyebrow.
"I...I don't know." Homura hesitantly confessed. "What she did...it definitely does deserve being kicked out, but I don't want to lose her. She is an asset to the committee." She then stated.
"And a good friend, I assume." Tomoko guessed.
"She is, but I know I cannot be selfish, but I also know she has been through a lot..." Homura muttered with a frown. "I just...I want everyone to be happy here, Yui included." She admitted.
"Well, whatever you decide, you better do it soon. Don't want it to ruin everyone's enjoyment in Hawaii." Tomoko advised. "You might even want to meet up with her today. Maybe at that diner in Central Street, enjoying a nice Frui-Tea right about now." She then urged while nudging her shoulder.
"I will." Homura responded with a nod of agreement.
The newspaper club member then adjusted her glasses. "Still, I don't know how you did it, Shinkukage-san, but your committee lives to see another month." Tomoko admitted and stated in approval. "You've earned yourself a positive forum post and a minor section in the newspaper. Consider yourself blessed." She then declared.
"You could at least sound a little less condescending." Homura grumbled.
"Well, as your unofficial handler, I can say whatever I want and you can't do a thing without ruining everything." Tomoko reminded. "Power of the press, baby." She then got out with a fist pump.
"Tomoko..." Homura groaned with a sigh.
"But suffice to say, I am glad your committee is doing good." Tomoko soon confessed with a smile. "Just make sure another incident like Kotegawa doesn't reach my desk. I don't want to report to the principal after all." She then warned.
"Why? Because it would shatter all my hopes and dreams for my committee and eventual hostile takeover of this school under my rule?" Homura questioned in a more joking manner.
"No, I just don't like him." Tomoko bluntly answered with a smirk. "Bye-bye, and enjoy your flight." She then added.
"Hai." Homura replied with a nod as she then got her phone out.
(Kawakami's Apartment)
Most people can agree that a day off can be enjoyable. Most people would enjoy going to Hawaii on a paid vacation without spending those vacation days.
Not for Sadayo Kawakami, she had the universe out to get her.
Inside her crappy apartment that she could barely afford, Kawakami was barely able to keep it together. She had a payment to the Takases soon, but she would be away so the last time she talked to them they told her to pay it today. Unfortunately, however, she didn't reach their quota this time.
So either two things would happen. If they were kind (unlikely as it may be), they'd just tack it on to her next payment. If they weren't, then her life was over.
Maybe she could just move to a different part of the country, maybe even out of it...but that would require money that she didn't have and if she ran away the Takases would just release everything about her maid job, ruining her life even further.
Still, it would be better than suffering under their wrath.
With a sigh, Kawakami pulled out her phone and checked her bank account...only to receive a notification of some kind, revealing a message.
[8.9 million yen has been transferred to your account.]
"PPPPFFFFFFTTTTTT!" Kawakami couldn't help but blow out all the air in her lungs at the sight of the transaction. "W-W-W-W-WHA!?" She stammered, unable to process this.
This...This had to be some sort of banking error, right!? As soon as the next day rolled around, it would all be gone and she'd be broke again, right!?
Wait...no...this was from the Takase account. The one she had been sending money to all this time. And along with the transaction, there was a reason for the transfer.
"We are unforgivable. Here is all the money we owe you and more will come your way. May Taiki forgive us when we pass." Kawakami read out. "This...This isn't real...this is all a trick isn't it..." She soon tried to deny.
But...it all felt so real. This couldn't be a dream. She was free...broken from her chains...
But who could've done this? This can't have been from the Takase's own free will, they were dead set on draining her dry until she was forced to live in her car for the rest of her life.
The Phantom Thieves? But she told Akira not to-
Akira...
Akira Kurusu, the delinquent.
Akira Kurusu, the boy who stood up to Kamoshida.
Akira Kurusu...the boy spent thousands on her almost daily because...because...
"...You sneaky little shit..." Kawakami got out with a smile, unaware of some tears running down her eyes. That bastard probably timed it so that she'd spend her first week of freedom in Hawaii.
She was going to have to thank Akira. Personally.
But first...a phone call to do what she's been wanting to do since her first day as a maid.
(Central Street, Diner)
Yui tapped her foot nervously as she waited for the person she requested to come. Tomoko had told her she would be coming soon, but it had been five minutes and she still hadn't arrived. She was on a schedule, dammit! First this, then shaking off many very shameless thoughts about the students at Shujin, even Rito and maybe her Sainan friends, then home to change into her uniform and to the airport.
"I really hope nothing wrong happens right now..." Yui muttered as she looked down at her clothes. A nice red blouse, a white skirt, black shoes. She even put on a little makeup and a push-up bra to make her more...appealing in her eyes. She had a second chance, she didn't want to lose it again.
"Yui!" A familiar voice called out.
"Hm? Oh, Homura-san!" Yui got out as well as she noticed her fellow Disciplinary Committee member briskly approaching her.
"Wow, Yui. You look good today. I really like the brooch." Homura complimented.
"I-It's nothing special...I'm just doing something later. B-Before we go." Yui got out with a blush.
"Involving Rito-san?" Homura assumed with a smile.
"H-How did you-!?" Yui stammered before clearing her throat to regain some composure. "I mean...I...I don't know what you're talking about. I'm simply meeting up with...R-Riko?" She then lied horribly.
"I know you have a thing for him." Homura bluntly stated as the other girl blushed scarlet. "I saw how you blushed like crazy when you saw him again when I first met him." She then explained. "Plus, your Shadow is a very open person." She mentally added with a giggle.
"...Am I really that easy to read? Because Momo-san keeps telling me-" Yui began to mumble before shaking her head. "N-Nothing."
"So...about that forum post from this morning..." Homura began in a concerned manner.
"...I'm sorry for how I had acted before..." Yui apologized in an ashamed manner as she bowed to the tan skinned girl. "I...brought shame to the committee..." She confessed in sadness.
"Well, I wouldn't say that..." Homura mumbled as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Don't beat around the bush, Homura." Yui sighed. "I hurt people. I...I went against everything I stood for, and for what? To let out such superficial frustrations? That...That's pathetic, and I will accept any punishment you give me as long as I deem it reasonable. Do not let me off lightly here."
"Yui...I don't want you to leave the committee."
"And I won't, but I know you'll give me a slap on the wrist or equivalent if I don't insist." Yui stated. "Please...all I request is something to atone for my actions, buchou." She then pleaded.
Homura winced as she closed her eyes to think. What could she do to punish Yui without going too light or too far?
"When we get back, you'll..." Homura began as she crossed her arms under her breasts. "You'll be in charge of everything dealing with clubs. Paperwork, complaints, requests to the principal, even cleaning up their room if they request it, for the rest of the year. I'm also taking you off patrols for a while to let things die down. I doubt some students will tolerate you being around. However, if they go too far, let me know." She soon decided, explaining all the tasks her committee member would now be doing.
"H-Homura..." Yui breathed out.
"Is that a little too mundane? Because I could try and make you clean up the graffiti around the school too." Homura suggested as well. That was going to be a serious bitch considering she made sure to get the most permanent paint available in red, black and white.
"N-No, it's fine." Yui responded. "I...thank you..." She then got out.
"It's what you wanted." Homura stated with a nod.
"Aren't you going to ask why I acted in such a way?" Yui soon questioned.
"Stress and frustration?" Homura assumed. Well, she already knew everything she needed to know, but it would be best if her committee member confessed in real life, rather than their Shadow.
"It's...It's more than that...I didn't move here by choice." Yui revealed as she sighed. "I was just...My parents found out how that was dealing with perverted things on a daily basis and...That my life was in constant danger thanks to knowing...certain people. They thought it would be best for me to move to Tokyo for the time being...but they took me away from my friends...from people I love. And...my life in Sainan was always exciting, even if it caused so much trouble. I just missed them so much!" She soon confessed.
"Especially Rito-san." Homura added.
"Hai..." Yui sighed. "But...he's back, and so is everyone else. Barely anything has changed. Although, Rito-san is a lot more...decisive now." She then got out with a smile.
"Eh?" Homura got out in confusion.
"I'll always regret what I said to him back when I moved...but I think things are going to be alright between the two of us now." Yui reassured.
"You talk to him?" Homura asked in a curious manner.
"I talked to him all last night." Yui breathed in the happiest manner the tan skinned girl had ever seen. "It was wonderful! I...I was able to finally speak my true thoughts after so long..." She then got out, sniffling a little.
"I'm glad to hear that, Yui." Homura stated.
"Though Lala-san and the other girls really shouldn't have been listening in while we were talking..." Yui however added with a puffed up cheek. "I still can't believe they're all staying in the same building together now." She then grumbled with a hint of envy.
"Building?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"He's living with 17 other girls." Yui informed, causing the tan skinned girl to choke on air. "...Maybe I should move out soon..." She then muttered.
"S-Seventeen?" Homura repeated in disbelief. "Doesn't that cause problems!?" She then questioned in concern.
"Yes. Trouble that would make you question your sanity really." Yui bluntly stated. "Wait, there are two other men but they're...um..." She then corrected before trailing off at the end.
"Huh?" Homura got out in confusion. She felt so lost at the moment.
"It's...You shouldn't worry about it." Yui vaguely advised before calming down. "Oh, and don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." She eventually got out with a smile.
"...Eh?" Homura got out in confusion as she paled slightly. "D-Don't tell me..." She whispered out in shock. "W-What secret?" She soon asked with some sweat running down the side of her head.
"Erm...quite a big one." Yui replied. "Um...let's just say Lala-san made a new discovery." She vaguely revealed.
Homura's eyes widened as she realized what the girl was implying. "...Wait, so do you...?" She began to ask.
"Yes." Yui responded with a nod. "You are a shinobi." She then stated in a whisper along with a cupped hand beside her mouth.
SHATTER!
"...Eh?" Homura got out, looking more confused than anything else. She thought she was going to say she was a Phantom Thhhhiii...wait, what the hell did she just say!?
"Hey, don't freak out. You'll just draw attention to us." Yui quickly assured. "As for how I discovered it...well, my summer was...pretty interesting to say the least and I connected the dots." She then added as she flicked her wrist, revealing a kunai from her sleeve.
Homura's eyes immediately widened to the sight. "I-Interesting!?" She repeated in a higher pitch tone.
Yui however sighed in response. "Let's just say Lala-san can invent some...really crazy gadgets." She vaguely revealed as she then showed a heart shaped brooch with swirls for eyes. "Plus, this hasn't been the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me..." She then mumbled.
"...Your life sounds tiring." Homura soon assumed.
"And there's a lot of trouble as a result." Yui vaguely informed as a small smile appeared on her face. "But amazing all the same. I guess these toraburu will follow me everywhere I go, so I may as well make the most of it." She then got out.
"So what does that brooch do exactly?" Homura had to ask with a raised eyebrow as she got a closer look to examine it. "It looks pretty normal to me." She then noted.
"Do not. Touch it." Yui bluntly requested. "We're in public and I know something will happen if you do." She then stated.
"...That just makes me more curious." Homura however admitted.
"Have you ever heard of the phrase curiosity kills the cat?" Yui soon questioned.
"But satisfaction brought it back." Homura added. "But...I guess I won't push it. So...how's your boyfriend?" She teasingly asked to change the subject.
"B-Boyfriend!?" Yui exclaimed as a hot red blush came onto her face. "He's...I apologized and...he's taking me out tonight." She meekly replied as steam rose from her head.
Homura in turn smiled at this. "That's good." She replied in a relieved manner.
Yui however sighed to this. "Yeah, and he's also bringing his girlfriend." She soon revealed.
"...Oh. I'm sor-" Homura began to comfort, however...
"And his other girlfriend. And his other girlfriend. And his other other girlfriend. And his sister who practically acts like his girlfriend." Yui then continued.
This in turn caused the tan skinned girl to blink upon hearing that. "...What?" Homura got out in a flat tone.
"Yeah...it's really complicated but...thanks." Yui awkwardly got out.
"...I got a lot of questions about that..." Homura bluntly declared while holding up a finger.
"I stopped asking questions about that after going to space once or twice." Yui sighed out. "Anyways, thank you Homura-san. I promise to protect this school as if my life depends on it!" Yui soon declared in a determined manner.
"Hey, wait a minute, what was that about space!?" Homura asked in a more confused tone. She was definitely more curious now then before.
"It's fine. You don't have to worry about it. Or me for that matter." Yui got out with an assuring smile. "I will gladly follow you wherever you go. Maybe not physically, but my heart will always be by your side." She soon declared.
SHATTER!
I am thou, thou art I.
As the vow of the crimson flame is formed,
the blood oath is set.
Now with the secrets of the Empress by your side,
the forged path of this bond shall burn bright.
Granting unlimited power in turn.
EMPRESS RANK MAX!
Costless Summoning: Empress - Joker can now summon Empress Personas without having to spend money.
Homura mentally smirked as she felt her bond with her committee member was at its maximum now.
Yui meanwhile sighed in relief as she relaxed herself. "Ah, it feels good to let everything out..." She confessed. "Thank you, Phantom Thieves, for making me realize my mistakes." She then added in a grateful manner.
"Y-You got your heart changed, huh?" Homura soon assumed.
"Yes, but I didn't see anyone yesterday. It just...happened. If only I got to meet them..." Yui lamented with a sigh. "I'd like to thank them one day." She then admitted.
"I'm...I'm sure they already know." Homura giggled a little. "Still though, your life must be complicated, huh Yui..." She then got out, interlocking her fingers on the table.
"But never boring." Yui soon confessed with a nostalgic smile. "Plus, he's going to be King of the Universe so I think it's going to be okay." She casually added with a wave of her hand.
The tan skinned absently nodded to that statement before her eyes widened. "...Wait what?" Homura got out in even more confusion.
"N-Nothing! F-Forget I said that!" Yui soon stammered out in a flustered manner.
"What was that about a King of the Universe?" Homura however asked.
"It's nothing! Now if you excuse me I need to reserve a rest in a hotel- ack! I mean..." Yui got out in a stammering manner before running off to prevent any more embarrassment on her part.
"Why can't my friends be normal for once..." Homura sighed out with a sweatdrop, though she was glad to see that her friend was back to normal. Now she could enjoy the Hawaii trip with her friends to the fullest. "...Shit, I forgot to ask about that so-called harem plan..." She then grumbled as she decided to head out to meet up with her sister...unaware of some eyes on her.
Meanwhile, a pink haired girl wearing the Kosei High uniform for girls sitting at one of the other booths smacked her lips together after taking a sip of coffee. "Wow, this is really good. You should try some." She happily got out as she set her cup down.
"Mm, I had coffee earlier at this little cafe elsewhere and I will say whatever they're serving here tastes like dirt compared to it." A tan-skinned child-like girl with long black hair and gold eyes, who was also in the Kosei High uniform for girls, replied as she remembered that particular moment while suddenly appearing in the seat across from her.
"I didn't think Tokyo could be this exciting, even if we do have to be a lot more careful than back home." The short pink haired girl admitted before glancing over to the table Homura used once again. "Whoa, just look at those. They look like they have minds of their own." She then muttered in an impressed manner while noticing a particular asset on said tan-skinned girl on the other table. They were definitely bigger than her own and even her older sister's.
"Always hunting new members, aren't you, Momo-hime?" The tan skinned girl remarked with an amused look on her face.
"Well, it's never good to rest on your laurels, Nemesis." Momo responded while shrugging her shoulders as she looked at the other tan skinned girl as she was leaving. "Hmm, but she seems a little too...hot for Rito-san." She then confessed after thinking about it.
"...She has a powerful aura about her...for a human that is." Nemesis soon stated in a more serious tone before smirking in a curious manner.
"So she is human." Momo stated, still gazing at where she saw the tan-skinned girl. "Who would've thought..." She muttered.
"She is indeed." Nemesis confirmed with a nod. "And judging by her interactions with Kotegawa, she goes to the same school as her." She then stated as she leaned over on the table before resting her arms on it.
"Great observation, considering she's wearing the uniform." Momo pointed out in a deadpan tone.
"Well I wouldn't know." Nemesis countered. "We're currently attending Kosei, remember?" She then reminded before pouting. "The principal, Yumi and her student council are a lot tougher than Sainan's..." She grumbled in annoyance.
"Well not every school is like our former one." Momo reminded, smirking at the other girl's annoyance from not being able to take over another school. "We should head back soon. We have to check our things one last time before leaving for...LA? Is that what it's called?" She then stated.
"It's an abbreviation for Los Angeles, which is further abbreviated from El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles. And yes, L and A based on the first letters." Nemesis responded.
"Right, right." Momo responded with a nod as she got up from her seat and paid for the coffee the moment the diner waitress came over to their table. "Here, thanks for the drinks." She offered while leaving a tip.
"Thank you. Come again soon." The waitress happily replied.
(Central Street)
"Well, at least Kotegawa-san's in good hands at her new school." Momo soon stated in approval before narrowing her eyes. "...Though I heard her school has been through...worse or so." She then admitted as the two began walking the streets.
"You know, I researched it before Lala-hime's accident that made it so we transferred here to Tokyo." Nemesis reminded her before smirking in amusement. "Maybe I'll sneak into the prison and make them my slaves." She playfully suggested before seeing the look of disapproval from the pinkette. "I wouldn't break them out." She then added, though the smirk was still on her face.
"Nemesis, please don't do anything to the change-of-heart victims in prison." Momo soon requested. "We're all still trying to keep a low profile here in Tokyo." She then reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, sure, Momo-hime." Nemesis responded while waving it off.
The pinkette soon sighed, already having a bad feeling from the tan-skinned girl she knew, but decided to deal with it later.
"That girl who Kotegawa spoke with...I think she'll be a great companion for her in her school." Nemesis got out, remembering that certain girl. "She did look like she missed her friends when we were still at Sainan, including you, Momo-hime." She then noted.
"That is true." Momo responded in agreement. "Wish I could get to speak with her, at least. It's nice to have new friends as well." She then added.
"To learn what she thinks of Rito?" Nemesis assumed with a smirk.
"W-Well, something like that." Momo stammered her response. "But aside from that, still, like I said, it's nice to have new friends." She then added.
"If you say so. And besides..." Nemesis began as she followed the pinkette outside the streets of Shibuya. "I feel as though there's someone else out there in need of that girl's warmth." She then added as looked at a particular horizon in the city.
"Hm?" Momo hummed out with a raised eyebrow. "W-What do you mean by that, Nemesis?" She soon questioned, though didn't get an answer in response, causing her to puff up her cheeks in annoyance.
She really couldn't stand this living weapon...
(9/7, After School)
(Shinjuku, Red Light District)
Ymi found herself not particularly busy today. All her work was done, and Yusuke in his room painting, so she decided to get an update from her informants, including what was the fate of her most dangerous fan.
"I see, so he turned himself in, officer?" Yumi questioned as she tilted her fedora up a bit.
"Yes. The young man will be doing some community service for the next few years." Officer Jiro responded with a nod as he then smiled at the girl. "Also, I can't take you seriously in that get-up. You look like a detective from the 60s. Aren't you hot in there?" He then confessed and questioned.
Yumi in response blushed bashfully. "W-Well, it's to be expected since becoming an idol after all." She meekly reminded as she tilted the fedora down. "Plus coming to this area of Shinjuku would give the tabloids the material to try and ruin me if they see me..." She then added.
"Weaver, there are much better ways to hide than sweating yourself to death. You'd be surprised how far a hat and sunglasses go." The officer pointed out, having done his share of stakeouts and disguises himself. "Also, there is an easier solution: move out of Shinjuku and have meetings elsewhere." He then suggested.
"There are...extenuating circumstances that will not allow that." Yumi however informed in a vaguely tone, although the Shin Megami Apartment Complex did come to mind on a possible location.
"Ah, well too bad. But at least take off the coat. You stand out more like this." The officer soon stated as he saw several people staring at them as they passed by.
Yumi hesitated before nodding, taking off the coat. Underneath, she revealed that she wore a purple shoulderless dress with a yellow stripe.
"There, Now you just look like a fashionable girl." Officer Jiro stated.
"I don't know about this." Yumi confessed in concern while tucking her coat under her arm.
"Just take a walk around and see how many people recognise you." Officer Jiro suggested as he gave her his sunglasses.
"O-Okay...I trust you on this." Yumi sighed as she put on the sunglasses and adjusted her fedora.
With that, she took a walk around the district, keeping her head down as best as she could. However, she could see that barely anyone was paying attention to her...except for the pervs who were leered at her breasts, but at this point she had gotten used to such a thing-
BUMP!
"Oh, I'm sorry, miss." Yumi apologized as she adjusted her disguise.
"Yumi-chan?" A familiar voice however got her attention.
"Eh?" The gray haired girl got out before getting a good look at the woman.
It was Rise with her hair down, in a hat and sunglasses.
"Yumi-chan, why are you here in this part of town?" Rise asked as she adjusted her glasses.
The light gray haired girl began to sweat as she tried to think of an excuse. "Why are you here in this part of town?" Yumi however asked back in concern.
"It's lunch and they have the best takoyaki here." Rise replied and revealed. "And I see you've been using the tried-and-true method, huh." She then assumed.
"I-It was a recent suggestion." Yumi meekly got out.
"Yeah. I remember going around in heavy coats and big hats and nearly dying of heat stroke in summer. Glad you aren't doing that."
"Like when we first met?" Yumi recalled.
"It was cold that day." Rise responded. "That's the best weather for that type of outfit. Don't just wear the most concealing clothes, or else they're taking it off to revive you from said heat stroke." She then advised.
"I promise I will wear the appropriate outfit for the weather." Yumi soon reassured with a nod.
The older idol soon sighed. "Doing this makes me miss small towns like Inaba." Rise lamented. "Yeah, you get to meet new people every day here, but in Inaba people will eventually stop caring about who you are and treat you like a normal person." She then revealed.
"It must be nice." Yumi sighed as she shook her head. "People at school still don't quite look at me like I'm human..." She then muttered.
"More like a god, huh?" Rise assumed. "Trust me, being a god is overrated. Same goes for meeting one." She then got out in a slightly bitter manner.
"Never meet your heroes, I assume." Yumi deducted.
"Y-Yeah. Let's go with that." Rise muttered. "You still haven't answered my question though. You don't seem like the type of person to be in places like this." She then noted.
"I was...getting flowers." Yumi answered as she glanced over to the closed flower shop. "For my shrine." She then added, silently praying to her grandfather that he wouldn't mind using him to throw off suspicion on her actions.
"Shrine?" Rise then repeated.
"Y-Yes." Yumi solemnly replied with a nod. "But I didn't check the times the shop would be open. Looks like this trip was a wash." She then added.
Rise however noticed the slightly distracted expression on the other girl's face. "Hm? Is something wrong?" She soon asked.
"Well...several weeks ago, my grandfather passed away." Yumi answered in a sorrowful tone. "He perished during the concert. Cancer." She then explained.
That made the professional idol widen her eyes in shock. "Oh...I'm sorry for your loss Yumi." Rise got out in a sympathetic manner as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
Yumi in response smiled softly. "Thank you, Rise-san." She replied.
"...If you don't want to be an idol anymore..." Rise then began.
Yumi however shook her head, knowing exactly what the senior idol was suggesting. "It is alright Rise-san. My grandfather would have wanted me to keep pursuing what I love. The ideal world he wanted...is where I am happy." She replied with a gentle and kind smile on her face.
"Well...If you need more time to grieve, we can put a pause on your career." Rise then offered as she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.
The light gray haired girl shook her head. "No. I want to keep going. If I stop here, cuteness will never conquer the world." Yumi replied, followed by her declaration.
"And there's the Yumi I know." Rise giggled out. "But...seriously, we have counselors to talk to just in case. Don't try and tough it out. We've had other idols suffer breakdowns because they tried to keep smiling through their hurt." She then revealed in a more serious yet concerned tone
Yumi gasped. "Are they-" She began.
"Not those breakdowns." Rise corrected, interrupting her student. "Emotional breakdowns. Ones not caused by some sort of god." She then revealed in a somewhat bitter manner.
"I...I will visit them when I have the chance." Yumi assured.
"Don't put it off, okay. Even if I have to drag you over there myself." Rise then advised while placing a hand on the teen's shoulder.
Yumi could only nod in response.
"So, when are you going to come in? You haven't been at the studio for a while." Rise eventually asked and reminded.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, but I'm going on a school trip to America tomorrow." Yumi replied in an apologetic tone. "I forgot to tell you or Inoue-san. I apologize for not saying anything sooner but there were just a lot of things happening recently." She then explained before groaning.
"It's no problem, this is practically the season for school trips." Rise responded. "Have fun while you're out there. It's important to make some memories with your friends while you're still young." She then advised.
"Hai." Yumi responded with renewed vigor and determination.
"Now, why don't you come with me to get you some flowers for your grandfather?" Rise soon suggested. "Then we can get takoyaki together!" She then added.
"That would be lovely." Yumi responded with a smile as the two headed out.
(9/7, Evening)
(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)
"ACHOO!" Akira sneezed before wiping his nose with his pocket handkerchief. "Ugh...the attic is getting a little dusty again. I better clean it up." He then got out a bit weakly as he noticed his surroundings before getting a feather duster and a mop from the cafe's bathroom.
After a while, the attic was now clean and free of dust before Akira placed the duster away and set the mop aside.
"Today's the day, huh, Joker?" Morgana got out as he straightened up in a sitting position on the couch.
"Yep." Akira replied with a nod. "Can't believe this is the first time I'll go out of the country." He then added.
"Yeah..." Morgana sighed.
Just then, the cafe owner came upstairs to the attic.
"You're taking off, huh?" Sojiro assumed, getting a nod in response. "Heh, don't go cutting loose just cause' I'm not there to keep an eye on you." He then told the boy with a slight smirk.
"I won't." Akira replied with a nod. Although, his definition of cutting loose was brutalizing Shadows into submission/death, but he didn't have to know about that.
"Mmm-hmm." The cafe owner hummed in response. "Normally, I'll be the one to look after Futaba and the cat while you're gone, in which you would owe me one, but from what I've heard that the white-haired woman will not be going on a trip like you guys...Miyabi was her name, right?...I guess I can put my trust in her by looking after these two as well along with myself. At the very least, I can still focus more of my time working in the cafe while Miyabi looks after the two." He then got out.
"And make sure Futaba doesn't do anything too crazy like break into another military base server." Akira mentally added with a sweatdrop.
"Alright, have a safe trip." Sojiro got out with a wave before heading back downstairs to close up shop.
"Take care, Boss." Akira responded with a quick salute.
"We'll talk more about our next job once you get back." Morgana stated.
"I can't wait." Akira responded.
"Good." The not cat replied in return.
"Alright then. I'm leaving." Akira got out as he grabbed his luggage. "Have fun with Futaba and Miyabi while we're away." He then added as he began approaching the stairs.
"I-I will." Morgana replied, slightly hesitant...before coming up with an idea. "Hey, you think you can sneak me in? Like, in your bag?" He then proposed in quite a hopeful tone, making Akira stop his tracks for a moment.
"Hm?" Akira hummed in confusion before shaking his head. "No, we can't risk that. You'll probably get sick or hurt. I don't want that to happen. Why are you even asking me this?" He soon questioned.
"W-Well...maybe the answers to my current form are in Hawaii..." Morgana suggested with a wince. Even he knew it was a stretch.
"Morgana..." Akira however started. "Are you going to miss us?" He soon guessed in a teasing manner.
Immediately, the not cat blushed pink. "N-No! Just...It's a possibility." Morgana mumbled. Even he didn't sound too sure.
"Well, maybe later if they aren't in the bottom of Mementos." Akira promised before blinking. "Oh, I gotta tell Futaba to take care of my plant too. I put too many nutrients to let her die now." He then cursed as he pulled out his phone to text their newest member.
"I-I can water it...if you want..." Morgana weakly offered, but was too quiet to be heard.
"Oh, and don't let Haruka sleep in here. If Sojiro finds her, she is definitely getting arrested for B and E." Akira soon advised.
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Morgana questioned.
"Can't. I'm cutting it a little close here to make sure everything is fine while we're away." Akira explained before finishing up his texts. "And that should be it." He breathed out.
"You're being a little paranoid today." Morgana noted.
"Nah, I'm just...I can't shake this bad feeling." Akira admitted with a small frown. "Well, whatever. See you next week, Mona." He soon got out, petting the little guy before heading downstairs.
"...Have fun, Joker." Morgana quietly got out as he curled into a ball on the empty bed.
"..."
"..."
The not cat simply sighed at how quiet the attic now was.
(Tokyo Airport)
Akira let out a breath as he made his way to the waiting area, seeing the crowd of Shujin students congregating by the gate in anticipation of getting on the plane. He looked around for a bit to find his friends, which was easy as Ann's ash blonde hair in twintails allowed him to locate her quickly. It seemed that she had been talking with Makoto for a while now.
"Aloha, everyone." Akira greeted as he gave the two girls a peace sign.
"Good evening." Makoto meanwhile responded with a smile.
"Hey." Ann got out. "Ahhhhhh, I'm so sleepy..." She then yawned.
"It'll take over at least six hours to get there, so why not sleep on the plane?" Makoto suggested.
"I'll do that..." Ann sighed out.
"Hey, Makoto." Akira suddenly called out to the short-haired brunette, gaining her attention. "Are you still getting...you know, the stares here in the airport?" He then hesitantly asked.
"..." Makoto blushed at that...before she covered her chest a little with her arms while looking away a little. "Y-Yes, Akira. A lot of them are from foreigners." She then admitted with a sweatdrop.
Akira simply sighed in slight concern. "Seriously?" He then got out, earning a humming of approval from the short-haired brunette. "Really wish I can help you, Makoto." He then admitted with a hand behind his head.
"Me too." Ann muttered in sympathy. She then shifted her gaze down on her own chest before reluctantly placing her own hands on them. "...Why do I feel...lucky, but at the same time...jealous?..." She soon thought to herself as she switched glances between Makoto's chest and hers for only a moment.
"I...appreciate your concern, thanks." Makoto responded. "But I guess I have to live with it from now on." She then stated. She honestly was starting to get used to them surprisingly.
"Um, if it gives you the benefit of the doubt, Makoto, think of it as a, sorry if I'm being inappropriate here, a raise in sex appeal or something like that." Akira decided to assure her.
"Ain't that the truth..." Ann mumbled with a puffed up cheek and a pout.
Makoto in response blinked and blushed a bit to the compliment towards her. "Huh...I…guess I can think of it that way." She hesitantly admitted. "Though there would be an increase of perverts and molesters aiming at me..." She then muttered in disdain.
"Just break their fingers or arms." Akira nonchalantly suggested. "Pickpocket them if you want." He then added with a wave of his hand.
"Hey, can we stop resorting to violence and robbery for every solution?" Ann groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Eventually, we are not going to get away with it and we're already on thin ice already." She then reminded.
"Only as a last resort, Ann." Akira immediately informed the ash blonde. "You can call it karma, and there's a thing called boundaries or crossing the line slash going too far." He then added.
"Really?" Ann got out in a surprised manner. "What's Plan A, then?" She soon asked.
"..." Akira went silent as he tried to think. He did not think this through at all. "...Okay, listen, Ann-" He then began, however...
"Aloha~!" Two familiar female voices happily called out.
The group turned their heads to see Asuka and Homura running up to them, already dressed for the occasion as they were in more tropical clothing consisting of Hawaiian shirts, skirts and sandals.
"Uh, why aren't you two in your uniforms?" Ann questioned. "I mean you two look good, but it's still a class trip." She then added.
"Bah, we'll switch into our uniforms once we get there. I wanna feel the full experience of going overseas!" Homura declared as her sister nodded in agreement.
"You guys are oddly perky for 10:55pm." Akira commented.
"Come on Akira-kun, it's our first time ever leaving Japan. Of course we'd be excited!" Asuka replied in excitement with stars in her eyes.
"Yeah. We got everything! Water guns, our swimsuits, beach balls..." Homura listed off as she checked her luggage with an excited gleam in her eyes.
"I don't think they allow that type of stuff on planes save for the swimsuits and beach balls." Makoto pointed out. "You're not getting those through security." She then added.
"Makoto-senpai. I can summon six katanas right now. I think I can sneak a water gun through security." Homura countered in a confident manner.
"...You have a point." Makoto awkwardly replied.
"Good thing Jii-chan had sent us passports for us, Homu-neechan." Asuka happily got out.
"Yeah. This trip's gonna be great." Homura giggled out.
"Man Homura, you've really loosened up since you transferred, you're really sounding like a girl now." Ann meanwhile pointed out with a smile.
"Well, what can I say? Life's been great to me lately." Homura sighed in relief. "There's not much that can ruin it now." She then added.
"Attention: the Hawaii flight has been delayed by 12 hours." Akira jokingly got out in a robotic voice.
"Don't ruin it for us." Asuka and Homura bluntly ordered in perfect unison with matching deadpan expressions on their faces, scaring the three slightly.
"Yup, you two are definitely sisters in all but blood." Akira soon confirmed with a chuckle.
"And we love everything about it." Asuka and Homura declared once more in happy unison.
"So anyway, where's Ryuji-kun?" Asuka soon asked as she noticed the dyed blond wasn't around.
"Oh...!" Makoto got out, noticing the boy in mention running up to the group as fast as he could.
"I wasn't expectin' to make a mad dash like this...'' Ryuji panted out.
"You really cut that close, Ryuji." Homura sighed out with a frown.
"Coming late even on a day like this?" Ann however asked.
The group then noticed the dyed blond's luggage. Unlike everyone else who brought roller bags, Ryuji brought a large backpack. "That's all you're bringing?" Makoto asked in slight concern.
"It's only four nights, right? Ain't it enough?" Ryuji however asked.
"Not really. A week is a long time, Ryuji-kun." Asuka replied.
Akira however smiled in response. "Hey, it'll be fun either way." He simply pointed out.
"Yeah, that!" Ryuji replied in agreement.
"I guess so..." Makoto muttered out with a hand behind her head. "Hope you're not bringing too many useless things in your bag, Ryuji." She then stated.
"Prez, I have soap and clothes in here. You don't gotta worry 'bout me." Ryuji assured.
"Okay, now I'm actually concerned you didn't bring enough stuff..." Homura admitted with a frown.
Just then, Mishima approached the group with hands in his pockets. "Hey, guys, they want us to gather near the boarding gate soon." The admin for the Phan-site informed before walking away.
"You two better change before Kawakami sees you." Akira suggested.
"Oh come on. It's going to be-" Homura began to assure, however...
"What are you two wearing?" A familiar female teacher's voice asked as they heard rapid footsteps coming their way.
"Hm? Oh, good evening, Kawakami-sensei." Asuka and Homura got out, suddenly in their uniforms.
"Eh? What the-?" Kawakami got out as she rubbed her eyes. "I...I...I swear I saw you two..." She then began in confusion.
"We're just wearing our uniforms, sensei. You haven't raised complaints before." Homura responded, looking thoroughly confused.
"I..." Kawakami tried to reply back but trailed off before shaking her head. "Just...make your final preparations before heading for the gate." She soon sighed before heading there herself, mumbling how she needed this little trip herself.
"Hai, sensei." Asuka replied with a bow.
"...Do not say I told you so." Homura soon deadpanned.
"Just reminding you it's still a school trip as an excuse for a vacation and to not make the teachers question their sanity any further." Akira stated in a slightly smug tone. "Also, security cameras." He then added as he glanced upwards.
"Erm, why don't we take a group shot before we take off?" Ann suddenly suggested.
"Ooh, sounds good!" Ryuji got out with a fist pump.
"I'll take it!" Asuka offered as she pulled out her phone.
"Lemme join in too! You too, Makoto." Ann declared and added.
Makoto looked a little stunned for a moment but smiled regardless. "All right." She agreed with a nod.
"Will everyone fit in the shot?" Akira questioned in concern. They did have quite a large group here.
"Um...go landscape?" Makoto suggested.
"Hey, I got an idea." Asuka responded before approaching someone just passing by, who was a girl in a school uniform with a living crow on her shoulder. "Hello, erm, do you mind taking a photo of us?" She soon asked.
"O-Oh?" The girl got out, a little stunned she was approached. She paused to think before nodding and taking the phone. Once the Thieves got into position, she took aim. "Um...the blonde boy. Can you please move to the right a little." She soon instructed.
Ryuji soon did as instructed. "This good?" He then asked.
"Yes." the girl with the crow nodded before focusing the camera. "Okay. Three, two, one...smile!" She then called out before...
FLASH!
Asuka soon went over to the girl and saw the photo she took. With a satisfied smile, she nodded as the girl handed her phone back. "Thank you, um..." She began before blushing as she realized she never got her name.
"Yūyaki." The tanned girl answered before seeing her fellow female classmates waving at her. "I...I need to go." She soon informed.
"Okay. Thank you!" Asuka kindly replied as the girl left. "Wow, she was nice!" She then thought in a pleased manner.
Meanwhile Akira, Ann, Ryuji and Makoto blinked at the brunette after they took notice of the tanned girl who left. "You didn't notice her..." The Leader began before sighing. "Nevermind. Maybe it's just me..." He then mumbled under his breath.
"What?" Homura got out, looking a little confused why they seemed so...concerned.
"That girl has ninja boobs as well..." Ryuji mumbled as he looked towards the direction the girl with the crow headed...only to get whacked on the arm.
"Ryuji. Drop it." Makoto told him down as she whacked the dyed blonde's arm with the back of her hand.
"Sorry, Prez." Ryuji immediately responded with the apology.
"Let's just see the photo, guys." Ann sighed before the Vice Leader showed everyone the photo. "Wow, it turned out great!" She then got out.
"Ooh! Lemme see, lemme see!" Ryuji urged as everyone surrounded the phone.
As expected, their group photo was decent, yet memorable at the same time. Friends can come a long way.
"Daaamn, we look the best here!" Ryuji got out with a smile.
"Send it to our phones as well, Asuka." Akira soon requested.
"I will." Asuka replied with a nod.
[Alibaba9: Ryuji, you've got crap in your eyes...]
"What?" Ryuji got out before rubbing his eyes. "Holy shit, she's right!" He exclaimed in shock.
"How could you tell, Futaba?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow.
[Alibaba9: Come on! You already know I have access to your cameras and microphones.]
"I'm still wondering when you did that..." Homura muttered.
[Alibaba9: Eh, I did it a while ago now. Don't remember the specifics.]
[Alibaba9: Don't worry, I also snuck it into everyone else's just in case.]
"WHAT!?" The Thieves exclaimed as they checked their phones too.
[Alibaba9: Mwehehe. You can't underestimate the original Medjed.]
"Dude...she's effin' scary..." Ryuji had to admit with a shiver.
"That has been firmly established for a while." Akira muttered as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"I am so glad she's not an enemy of ours." Makoto sighed in relief.
"W-Well, on the bright side, it's like Futaba-chan's coming with us on this trip!" Asuka happily got out.
"You are way too happy to know that Futaba could be watchin' you pee without you knowin'." Ryuji deadpanned.
[Alibaba9: I would never do that, Ryuji!]
[Alibaba9: I'm waiting for the day Asuka and Homura]
"Oh come on! Not you too! It's not like that between us!" Asuka and Homura got out in unison annoyance.
[Alibaba9: To find out all the pictures of them online.]
[Alibaba9: I hit send too early.]
"...WHAT!?" Asuka and Homura exclaimed in unison once more as their skin paled before quickly taking out their phones in a panicked manner.
"Oh, look at that. There's a butt-rubbingvideo that just passed 4 million views." Akira announced as he checked his phone.
"OH GOD!" Homura exclaimed. "Futaba! Hack! Please!" She practically begged.
[Alibaba9: Aren't you supposed to be boarding soon?]
"JUST DO IT!" Asuka and Homura once more begged.
[Alibaba9: Busy~ You're gonna miss your flight. Don't worry, hashtag butt-rubbing hasn't reached America yet.]
[Alibaba9: Wait, nope. It just did.]
"WHAT!? NOOOOO!" Homura exclaimed in despair as the two shinobi were dragged over to the gate along with their luggage, courtesy of Makoto and Ann.
"Starting to think Futaba is a real-life devil in the making..." Akira admitted.
"Tell me about it, dude." Ryuji muttered as they got in line.
(Airplane)
Soon the group along with all the other Shujin Students were on the plane as they prepared to depart. As an airplane instructional video played while they waited for everything to be ready for take-off, the students instead quietly talked to themselves, hoping not to piss off a stewardess or something.
"Ah, here are some open seats Homu-neechan." Asuka informed.
"Nice, want the window seat?" Homura then offered.
"Uh...wait, aren't you assigned seats in airplanes?" Akira pointed out as he checked his ticket. "Actually, yeah, I think that's...our..." He started, only to trail off once the two shinobi glared at him with puffed up cheeks. "Your seats. Those...those are your seats." He soon stated.
"Thank you for understanding, Akira-kun." Asuka replied with a bow.
"Is there a problem, Akira?" Homura soon asked in an innocent tone.
"Nothing, just...Oh look, I have the seat right in front of you guys. How convenient." Akira then informed as he sat down in his own seat.
"Thank you." Homura got out with a smug smile.
"Just don't try this on the trip home." Akira replied with a sigh.
"Can we put our luggage in the upper compartments, Homu-neechan?" Asuka asked as she shifted her luggage.
"Yeah, sure thing." Homura answered with a nod as she opened up the compartment door.
Akira couldn't help but look behind him to see what's going on. He noticed Asuka jumping up to open the compartment's handle, and luckily, it was on her first try. She then lowered the cover before grabbing her own luggage and putting it inside the compartment.
"Here, I'll get yours on it as well, Homu-neechan." Asuka offered. "Just sit on your seat if that is okay." She then instructed.
"Alright. Thank you." Homura responded.
With that, Asuka grabbed her adopted sister's luggage and lifted it inside the same compartment as well before attempting to close the cover. However, there were some...difficulties in fitting the things inside...
BOING! BOING! BOING!
"Ugh, I can't...close it." Asuka got out as she tried to close the compartment up properly by hopping up a couple of times. "Homu-neechan, a little help?" She soon requested.
"Oh, uh, yeah." Homura replied as she noticed her adoptive sister having difficulty with putting away their luggage at the compartment. "Here, let me just...ugh." She then grunted as she pushed the compartment cover up by hopping up as well.
BOING! BOING! BOING! BOING! BOING!
Only for both sisters to not notice their breasts bouncing as they did so.
Some of the students noticed the scene...before most of the male students' eyes trailed onto what seemed to be the source of their interest.
"Male desires know no bounds." Akira thought as he witnessed this. "Being in female form though makes the thought either worse or more complicated." He then added in his head, thinking about what living as a female would be like.
(Akira's Imagination, Shibuya)
In the middle of the streets of Shibuya walked a young teenage girl wearing the female Shujin Academy uniform with the addition of black leggings and a blue school bag on her shoulder. She also had long black hair that covered one of her eyes and a voluptuous-looking body and stature, in which one of her prominent features were her large breasts that were quite unusual for a girl her age.
Though she was used to it thanks to the other girls, her friends, that she knew with equally large breasts as well.
This was Akira Kurusu...if she was born a female.
After a lovely day at school that she barely dwelled on in fears of worsening her mood/sanity, Akira was currently on her way home, passing the busy streets of Shibuya.
And, just like what happened at Shujin Academy that she still didn't dwell too much on, most of the public took glances towards the walking, well-developed ravenette.
It had been like this for her ever since hitting puberty. Not that she completely minds it.
"You're so hot!"
"I love you, Akira-chan! Please marry me!"
"Have my babies!"
"Like what you see boys~?" Akira however playfully got out as she took off her glasses and flipped up her skirt a little to reveal her red panties that were under the leggings, causing several teenage boys (notably Ryuji) to spurt out blood from their noses and faint.
"You're a natural lady killer, Lady Akira." Morgana complimented as he popped his head out of his bag.
"Why, thank you..." Akira giggled before blinking. "Wait, is that the right term?" She then asked.
"Who knows? You're just that good." Morgana responded and stated once more. "Even the ladies are swooning over you!" He then noted, glancing over towards some girls that had hearts in their eyes while looking at the ravenette.
"Look at her! She's so beautiful!"
"Someday I wanna be like you!"
"Have my babies!"
"Wait, what?" Akira got out in confusion to that last comment before bumping into someone. "Oh, sorry!" She soon apologized.
"Ahhh..." One random man gushed as he noticed the ravenette.
"Take a picture. It'll last longer, buddy." Akira suggested as she rolled her eyes. Not again...
"I can't help it! I mean, I just love your-"
Click!
"This is my imagination, fuckface. Don't push it." Akira growled as she stuffed a pistol barrel into his gut.
"-Your legs." The man finished.
That threw Akira into a loop. "...What?" She got out, staring at the man in disbelief.
"Those beautiful thighs and calves wrapped in red stockings and cute little shoes! My God, they could conquer the world if given the chance." The weird man praised.
"...You were staring at my legs?" Akira questioned in disbelief. "Not...you know..." she soon got out as she lifted up her chest puppies. They were pretty big, around Asuka or Homura levels...
"Oh, they're great, but look at them!" The very weird man responded with an off-handed acknowledgement before focusing back on her legs. "They go on for miles!" He then got out, practically stopping himself from bending down and hugging her calves.
"I'm...flattered?" Akira got out in a slightly weirded out, yet appreciative manner. "I got them from my mom." And probably the only things she'll ever get from her.
"Your mother must be a tall-" The man began to remark, however...
"No. Literally. I lost my original legs in a car accident." Akira informed in a dead serious tone. "...That was a joke." She then eventually stated.
"Even in Imagination Land, you can't help but be an ass." Morgana deadpanned, sounding suspiciously like the tan skinned girl.
"Quiet you. Here, have some tuna sushi." Akira got out as she pulled some fresh tuna sushi from her pocket and tossed it into the not cat's mouth.
"Oh! Thank you!" Morgana got out in a pleased tone before dipping back into her bag.
SQUISH!
"Kya!" The ravenette yelped out from the sudden feeling on her thighs. "I am not getting groped again today!" Akira mentally declared before...
WHOOSH! THUD!
Unintentionally going and flipping the guy after throwing him over her shoulder, drawing the attention of many as they looked on in awe. "...Sorry not sorry!" She exclaimed before running away and screaming about the pervert that tried groping her just as the police arrived to arrest the man.
No wait, not the police, but the Phoenix Rangers to take him away! Those are some real heroes!
(Akira's Imagination, Leblanc)
"See, I told you this was the right place."
"This doesn't look like any maid cafe I've ever seen."
"Heard you gotta pay extra to actually see them."
Asuka let out a breath before turning to her co-worker, who had just finished putting on her uniform. "Akira-chan, are you ready?" She soon asked.
"Showtime." Akira replied with a playful smirk before approaching the teenage customers.
"Hi~! Welcome to Leblanc~! May I take your order?" Akira and Asuka happily greeted them at the same time.
In response, the customers all stared at the two girls in the waitresses outfits with hearts for eyes, blushes and hanging jaws. Some of them have drools running down the side of their mouths.
"This isn't a maid cafe." Sojiro sighed. "Take your jobs seriously, or there'll be no payday for the both of you next week." He soon ordered.
"E-Erm, right." Akira got out with a blush. "So, what will you be having?" She then asked while holding the notepad.
"One of everything please!" They all excitedly responded.
"...We serve coffee, curry and sushi." Akira pointed out to them. "If you're going to need the bathroom, please go somewhere else because there is only one toilet." She soon advised and informed.
"..." The customers said nothing, as they were too busy staring at their boobs.
"Welp, if you say so." Akira got out with a shrug. "19 cups of coffee, 7 plates of curry and a platter of sushi for each and every one of you." She soon listed off, writing it down on the notepad. "God, that's going to create so many dirty dishes..." She then grumbled as she headed into the kitchen with the Vice Leader following right behind her.
Several hours later...
"Ugh...that was nuts..." Akira groaned as she headed up the stairs and started stripping off her clothes.
BOING!
"How was your day, Joker?" Morgana asked, not even bothering to look away considering how many times he's seen the Leader practically naked in front of him.
"It was fine." Akira responded as she changed into her single piece pajamas.
"Save for that last bit with those idiots ordering one of everything?" Morgana reminded, causing the Leader to groan.
"They were in the bathroom for two hours..." Akira got out in a haunted manner before laying on her bed. "Too tired for pillow talk tonight, Mona. Gonna head to sleep early." She then yawned out.
"Alright. Good night, Lady Akira." Morgana yawned out before drifting off to sleep.
To that, the Leader simply smiled before strutting over to the bed to sleep...next to a very naked-
(Airplane)
At that moment, Akira decided to put his imagination to an end. He did not want to, ahem, finish in the middle of sleep. He was next to Ryuji and Mishima after all. "...Well that was different." He thought to himself with a sweatdrop. Still, that was just wishful thinking. If anything, things would probably be worse given his circumstances.
It was one thing to have a criminal record, but to have a criminal and be female...
"No, stop thinking...you're supposed to enjoy this week dammit." Akira mentally grumbled.
Not long after, a female flight attendant passed through the aisle of seats before noticing the sister duo and their small problem with their luggage. In work instinct, she briskly approached them.
"Excuse me, do you need help with that?" The flight attendant offered.
"N-No, no, we're fine. We got this...umph." Homura however replied as she grunted while jumping a bit to close the compartment properly.
The flight attendant couldn't help but notice the chests of the sister duo bouncing as they were both trying to close the compartment. "Ggh! How in the world did they-!?" She then thought in shock and envy. "And they look like they're still teenagers, for fuck's sake!" She soon added in her head as glanced at the two.
"Almost there...ungh!" Homura growled as she punched the door close.
With a grunt, the compartment finally locked closed with a click.
"There, finally." Homura breathed out as she wiped some sweat off her brow.
"We're okay now, miss." Asuka got out. "We appreciate the request for help." She then added.
"O-okay then. Enjoy your flight." The flight attendant responded stiffly before walking away.
"You can induce jealousy in anyone, you two." Mishima remarked as he sat down in the aisle seat.
"...What?" Homura got out with a half-lidded gaze at him.
"Huh? What do you mean by that, Mishima-kun?" Asuka asked in a confused manner.
"Well-" The admin began, only for the dyed blond to cover his mouth with his sleeping mask. "MMPH!" He muffled out.
"It's nothin', girls! Just sit down already. The safety video is starting to play." Ryuji quickly responded just as the cabin began to darken while a movie projector turned on.
"Alright, alright." Homura got out as the two sisters sat down in their seats.
"Hi, I'm Yukari Takeba, but you may know me better as Featherman Pink. I'm here to teach you what to do in case of emergencies..."
"Oh, that is definitely just a paycheck." Akira quietly remarked, yet still watched the safety video intently.
"Man, she's been in Featherman for a long time. I didn't think their series would last this long..." Mishima admitted.
"It's still gettin' to the top of the charts." Ryuji informed. "But it's gotta end someday. I kinda wanna see her in other shit." He then admitted.
"Typecasting might be a problem though..." Homura pointed out. "But she's a good actor from what I can tell. She actually looks like she wants to do this safety video." She then got out in an impressed manner.
"Watching it with Futaba-chan was fun." Asuka meanwhile admitted with a smile.
"And finally, don't take a number two. Now sit back and enjoy your flight."
"Please fasten your seatbelts. Take-off in five minutes." The pilot soon informed over the speaker.
"This is it." Akira got out with a smile before yawning. "We better get some shut eye though. Don't wanna arrive in Hawaii tired." He then suggested.
"How long is this flight again?" Asuka asked.
"Uh...seven...eight hours?" Homura answered as she checked her phone. However, she noticed that her battery was at 51%. "Oh, I really should've charged my phone in the airport..." She then muttered.
"Don't worry, we can kill time as long as we're together, Homu-neechan." Asuka replied as she leaned her head on her adopted sister's shoulder with a pleased smile on her face.
"Alright. So what do you want to- Zzzz..." Homura started, only to fall asleep mid-sentence, leaning her head on top of her adopted sister's head.
Asuka meanwhile giggled at that. "Good idea." She muttered as she closed her eyes and fell asleep as the plane took off into the night sky.
(Hanzō Academy, Elites Room)
A simple Japanese shoji slid aside from the right, revealing a certain blonde who was rubbing her eyes as she entered the Elites room of their school, Hanzō Academy.
"Hey guys..." Katsuragi greeted before yawning as she noticed her fellow shinobi companions, barring Asuka, already in the room doing other activities. "Aw man, I'm tired. Why is everyone up so late?" She soon asked in a sleepy manner.
"Me and Hibari were training a little harder than usual." Yagyū explained before she downed her glass of water in one go.
"Yeah, we didn't even know it was midnight until a few minutes ago." Hibari then added, looking quite weak on their sofa seat.
"And you, Ikaruga?" Katsuragi soon asked the ravenette.
"I just could not sleep tonight." Ikaruga sighed as she stretched her arms. "I'm getting too used to not seeing Asuka-san training until these hours of the night." She then got out with a frown.
"No kidding." Yagyū got out with a sigh. "I'd expect to greet her in the morning but I end up greeting nothing but empty space." She then admitted.
"Asuka-chan would help me train so much, but now I feel like I'm not getting any better." Hibari muttered in a saddened tone.
"I guess seeing her at the beach with her new friends made us miss her more." Katsuragi sighed. "As much as I love her boobs, I miss her voice even more." She then admitted as she plopped down on their sofa.
"Particularly how she screams when you grope her." Yagyū deadpanned, not even looking at the blonde as she checked her umbrella weapon for any defects.
"Yeah, definitely." Katsuragi agreed with a nod along with a hand behind her head.
Ikaruga simply sighed at that. "Everyone here misses Asuka, that much is clear. But there's no use in whining about it." The acting leader stated. "Especially now given by this time, she should be on a plane overseas." She then reminded.
"Maaaan, I can't believe Asuka's gonna be in Hawaii for a week..." Katsuragi whined with a pout. "Why can't we have a vacation like that!?" She then complained, clearly pissed at the thought.
"One, it is not a vacation. It's a mandatory school trip for..." Ikaruga reminded, only to trail off as she tried to remember the reason for the trip. "...reasons unimportant to this conversation. Meanwhile, given the ever-increasing danger within Tokyo, we must train constantly and always be ready for whatever-" She continued as then began to explain, however...
POOF!
"Whhhyyy do you use that all the time, sensei...!?" Katsuragi whined and coughed.
"I...I think I'm having an asthma attack..." Yagyū choked out, doing her best to power through it.
"Good evening, girls." A certain gray-haired man greeted as he appeared on the spot from the smoke before adjusting his tie on his formal attire.
Immediately, the four Hanzō shinobi students stood in attention at the arrival of their teacher.
"Good evening, Kiriya-sensei." Ikaruga formally responded with a bow along with her other three shinobi companions performing the same gesture.
"What's going on now, sensei?" Katsuragi casually asked.
"I have some news to tell for all of you four regarding the current situation in Tokyo." Kiriya answered, instantly getting their attention.
"Asuka found something?" Ikaruga guessed with slight interest.
"Do we need to evacuate?" Yagyū assumed.
"The Phantom Thieves making their move once again?" Katsuragi then got out in an eager tone.
"Erm...I don't have an assumption." Hibari sheepishly admitted with a blush.
"No, no, no, and thank you Hibari for not guessing." Kiriya answered before patting the pinkette on the head. "But it does involve Asuka." He however revealed with
"Oh, finally! We're ready when you say so, sensei!" Katsuragi eagerly got out with pumped fists.
"No, it is not Asuka requesting backup." Kiriya however responded. "It's simply an information relay mission." He then revealed.
"A...An information relay mission?" Katsuragi repeated with a raised eyebrow. "Huh..." She then got out as she put her hands on her hips.
"What is it, sensei?" Hibari then asked.
"In the simplest terms, it's meeting up with Asuka and getting information regarding her mission from her." Ikaruga replied in a serious manner.
"...We're just going to her apartment to catch up on what's happening?" Yagyū simplified.
"Correct. Officially, it's a formal meeting meant to update her situation in a safe and secure manner." Kiriya explained to the girls. "Unofficially, it's an excuse to take a small break and hang out with someone you haven't seen in months. Even shinobi need to see their companions once in a while." He then added.
"Oh! I'd like to go if that's ok!" Hibari eagerly requested with a raised hand with a hop on her step.
"Hibari?" Yagyū responded in concern.
"And what would be the reason why you want to go to Tokyo, Hibari?" Kiriya then questioned, inserting a free hand on one of his slacks' pockets.
"Well...Hibari wants to show she's getting better at information gathering!" Hibari eagerly responded while pumping her fists.
"Hmm...and you're absolutely sure you're up for the task?" Kiriya hummed in thought before asking her once again, just to make sure.
"Hai, Kiriya-sensei!" Hibari responded with a salute. "I won't let you down!" She then declared.
However, her protector still felt uneasy. If she wasn't by her side then...
"Can I accompany her on her mission, Kiriya-sensei?" Yagyū however requested with a raised hand.
"No." Kiriya responded, surprising the others. "These are essentially missions of surviving on your own. You will never know when you might be separated, so you need to try and survive alone on a mission." He then explained with a serious tone along with crossed arms.
The blonde, however, quickly noticed something very wrong with that explanation. "...It's Tokyo, sensei. There's food, water and warmth every block. We're only half an hour away by train from Shibuya, where Asuka lives right now." Katsuragi pointed out. "What survival scenario are we going to get into?" She then asked, matter-of-factly.
Their sensei opened his mouth to explain before he stopped and thought about it. "...Wait, let me make a phone call real quick." He eventually got out before pulling out his phone...
POOF!
...Only for another smoke bomb to explode in his position once again.
"How many smoke bombs does he have!?" Yagyū coughed out.
"Too many." Ikaruga got out as she cleared her throat.
"Sometimes they made me jump." Katsuragi admitted.
"Moh..." Hibari groaned.
"What do you mean you thought Asakusa was in another city!?" They suddenly heard their sensei shout in frustration. "The Tokyo Sky Tower is there! How can you not know that!?" He then questioned.
"He didn't even go outside..." Yagyū muttered as the ravenette slapped her forehead.
"Oh don't give me that excuse, will you?!" Kiriya's voice got out in frustration. "Ugh..."
POOF!
"You can enter and exit without using smoke bombs every time!" Katsuragi remarked while coughing as their sensei returned once again from the smoke.
"Just see Asuka whenever you want and inform us how much progress she has in a report. Just don't see her all at once. Maybe a week in between." Kiriya sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Oh." Katsuragi got out as she heard that information. "...Like now...?" She then asked away, somehow getting excited to finally feel her companion's boobs once again.
"She's in Hawaii, Katsuragi." Kiriya however reminded her with a look. "...And don't try to sneak onto a plane." He then added with the same tone.
"Ugh, party pooper." Katsuragi groaned with a pout.
Ikaruga meanwhile sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"You really miss Asuka, don't you, Katsuragi?" Yagyū assumed, only for the blonde to sigh in defeat.
Hibari had her head down in contemplation on how she also missed Asuka already, despite just having their trip to Shimoda Beach to meet with her once again a few days back.
"Ah yes, I almost forgot." Kiriya started, gaining the attention of the four. "According to the Good Shinobi Council, there is an increased activity of Evil Shinobis around Tokyo." He soon revealed in a serious tone.
"Guessing they're curious about the Phantom Thieves as well?" Katsuragi assumed with crossed arms under her chest.
"Most likely." Kiriya responded with a nod. "Which means in essence, Tokyo is still dangerous to explore even for shinobis. Though of course, it would seem that they have to be careful with their actions in order to avoid civilian involvement and to make a huge scene in the middle of the public. It is Tokyo, after all." He then stated and assumed.
"I'll be careful Kiriya-sensei." Hibari responded with a nod of reassurance.
"...Some of us might stick out like a sore thumb though." Ikaruga however noted in concern, glancing slightly towards the blonde, whitette and pinkette.
"Huh? What do you mean by that, Ikaruga-chan?" Hibari got out and asked.
"Blonde, white and pink haired girls aren't exactly that common." Ikaruga confessed before glancing down. "Also, our...figures aren't exactly discreet in the public eye." She then reminded.
"You sure? Asuka's been surviving pretty well." Katsuragi meanwhile reminded with hands on her hips.
Ikaruga simply grunted in a worried tone. Now that she thought about it, her fellow blonde third year did have a point. The brunette they knew should have even stood out more due to her...occupation as a part-time model. However, she couldn't help but feel a bit paranoid about the thought of people staring at her or her friends here inappropriately.
Kiriya however simply put that concern into thought with a lowered head. The idea of his students getting treated inappropriately in public while acting as civilians can be quite a problem. Even though his students are shinobis, they're still young teenage girls for the most part, and as their teacher, he couldn't help but feel slightly worried. Add to the fact that other shinobis can catch wind of their presence in Tokyo.
Yagyū meanwhile felt struggling in the thought of the pinkette getting noticed by inappropriate-behaving men...and women. "Hi-Hibari..." She got out in concern.
"I'll be fine, Yagyū-chan." Hibari reassured. "I'll remember my training. I got a hoodie as well to cover up to not stand out too." She then added.
"Wouldn't that make your boobs stand out more though?" Katsuragi however asked pointing at the pinkette's chest.
"Katsuragi-san...ugh...I can't believe we made this a big deal." Ikaruga sighed out.
"It is a big deal, Ikaruga." Yagyū responded in a dead serious tone.
"Alright, ladies. Just remember to watch yourselves while exploring around Tokyo. Don't do anything rash while doing your respective tasks and missions while in the city." Kiriya finally got out and reminded his students. "In the meantime, I will now be filing the paperwork for your new underclassmen and preparing their lessons. Good luck and stay safe." He then informed and instructed.
POOF!
That sudden smoke bomb, courtesy of their sensei, was only met with looks of surprise and a couple of coughs from the four.
"I will never get used to that." Yagyū got out after some coughs while waving away the smoke with her free hand.
"I think the long term effects of smoke inhalation will solidify it." Ikaruga groaned before coughing some more.
"It could be worse. It could be flashbangs." Katsuragi pointed out.
"Don't give him ideas..." Hibari whined.
"So...you didn't really put up a fight to go first, Katsuragi." Yagyu noted with a raised eyebrow. "You miss Asuka the most out of all of us. I thought you would at least put your hand up." She then pointed out.
"I...huh..." Katsuragi started before her eyes dilated and her jaw dropped. "GAH! NOOOOOOOOOO!" She soon cried out.
"And she just realized." Yagyū deadpanned.
"The reaction time of a solid brick." Ikaruga sighed.
"W-Well, I mean...I'll go after you, Hibari." Katsuragi soon got out, trying to play it off as nothing special. "Just make sure you guys remind me in case I forget." She then added.
"Write it down." Yagyū suggested before looking at the pinkettee. "But...when are you going, Hibari?" She soon asked.
"Mmm...probably once Asuka returns from her trip overseas." Hibari answered after giving it some thought. "I better start getting ready. It's my duty as a shinobi to get all the info I can from Asuka-chan. Hibari's gonna do her best!" She then declared while pumping her fists.
"Well, stay safe. There are threats in Tokyo other than other shinobi." Ikaruga advised.
"If you're ever lost, don't forget to call us. Ikaruga and I went to Tokyo a couple of times to watch over our client, Okumura Foods." Katsuragi reminded. "Should be fine, right?" She then asked.
"That was only when Okumura-san requested you two to watch over his daughter while he was busy doing other things for the company." Yagyū countered. "This time, we will be staying in Tokyo for a certain period of time instead of returning back to Hanzō Academy when the mission is complete." She then stated.
"Ugh, gotta admit, hearing and seeing his name on the Phan-Site is the last thing Haru needs right now." Katsuragi remarked.
"...Wait, what did you say, Katsuragi-san?" Ikaruga got out as she did a double take.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys." Katrugari responded as she then took out her phone. "Kunikazu Okumura's name is now on that new ranking system for changes of hearts on the Phan-Site with Akechi being Number One." She soon revealed. "As for Okumura-san, he's in tenth." She then added.
"W-What!?" Ikaruga got out in shock and concern as the blonde showed the phone. "It's...It's true..." She muttered in a saddened tone.
"You're concerned for Haru?" Yagyū assumed.
"Yes. She was a childhood friend of mine." Ikaruga reminded.
"Which is why you keep taking on those rescue missions." Katsuragi assumed with hands on her hips.
"That's part of the reason, Katsuragi-san." Ikaruga responded. "Haru-san has had some shinobi training, though she refuses to use it to prevent fatally hurting anyone." She then revealed. "...And my family was the one who helped with her training when we were younger." She soon stated with a hint of shame.
"So you were training partners." Yagyū assumed.
Ikaruga in response nodded. "In the past, yes. Now, she's on her own." She then informed.
"Does her father know about it?" Katsuragi soon asked.
"He was the one who paid my family to give her the training, though this was before his wife passed." Ikaruga responded and stated with a hint of sadness. "He then pulled her out of the lessons after that." She then concluded.
"Huh..." Hibari got out softly, knowing that information.
"Aaand right now, we gave her secret lessons every time we're both dispatched to watch over Haru." Katsuragi soon reminded and recalled. "Which is good. Now you're both back being friends again." She then pointed out.
"True..." Ikaruga responded with a nod. "Though she never got to the point of picking a weapon or developing her Shinobi Tenshin...even though I already asked her about it and know the reason why..." She quietly muttered to herself before coughing into her fist. "Anyway, back to important matters, Hibari." She soon began.
"Ah, hai!" Hibari got out, soon focusing on the ravenette.
"Use this time to prepare for your trip to Tokyo." Ikaruga soon instructed. "As Kiriya-sensei said, all of us will each go to Tokyo one by one to check over Asuka and her mission. Hibari-san will go first, then we'll have to decide which of us comes next." She then explained.
"Hai!" Hibari responded before heading out to the dorms to get herself ready.
The three remaining soon sighed as they watched the pinkette leave. "...You know Hibari-san is going to have to grow up sometime, Yagyū-san." Ikaruga suddenly reminded in a concerned yet serious tone.
"..." The white haired girl meanwhile said nothing in response.
"She's got a point, Yagyū." Katsuragi responded in agreement.
"Hai." Ikaruga responded in rare agreement. "Being independent is one of the important qualities of a shinobi. Hibari-san needs to learn that." She then stated.
"...Still...it's the big city..." Yagyū muttered in concern, shadows covering her visible eye.
"Yagyū, Hibari can protect herself." Katsuragi eventually told her underclassman. "Don't forget, she is a shinobi like you. You should try to trust in her abilities." She then reminded and explained.
"...Okay." Yagyū finally complied. "But if she ever needs me, she has to promise me that she'll tell us. I will always be there to protect her." She then added with a hand on her chest.
"I understand, Yagyū-san." Ikaruga stated with a nod. "Now, we better get to bed. We still have school and training tomorrow. Well, this morning." She then ordered.
"Roger that, leader." Katsuragi responded with a salute before heading into her room.
Yagyu sighed as she looked at the door to Hibari's room before glancing over to Asuka's old room.
She really hoped nothing bad was going to happen in Tokyo.
Save Game…Quit!
Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:
Leadership- Paragon (Level 5)
Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)
Proficiency- Masterful (Level 4)
Diligence- Rock Solid (Level 5)
Courage- Heroic (Level 5)
Homura/Yang's Development Stats:
Maturity- Adult (Level 4)
Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)
Femininity- Natural (Level 4)
Elegance- Yamato Nadeshiko (Level 5)
Understanding- Saintly (Level 5)
Okay, definitely Hawaii next chapter. And maybe something a little…cool.
UknownHero signing off, my friends!
