Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! What a year it's been… if you're a fan of VTubers. Yeah, um, please sub to Dokibird.

Onto reviews! To WWPLunatique: Would you blame me that I purposefully chose a stupid song just so it would be added to the Senran Persona playlist…? I'm so sorry. To RosyMiranto18: Okay, the word count mistake was because I was dead tired while uploading and forgot how to round up. To ZonZus: Well, I'll see if I can reference Joker heading into Smash. And hey, Yumi was in Cross Tag Battle. I should probably mention that somewhere down the line. To Vein Bloodborne: We aren't doing a PQ2 arc (this fic is already long enough), but it could be a separate story.

Anyways, that's it! Time to slap ass!

Load Game… Start!

Chapter 134: Crimson Heart

(10/2, Early Morning)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Zzzzzzzz~" Asuka and Homura snored out as they cuddled up to one another...while in the nude, of course.

As for the other person who was also in their apartment room, she was sleeping on the living room couch while in the nude as well. "Zzzzzzz~" Miki softly snored out in a satisfied manner.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Upon hearing that, the pinkette slowly woke herself up as she opened her eyes, only to be greeted by the plain old ceiling in front of her. She then turned her head to see the rest of her surroundings and noticed it wasn't her apartment room. It took only a second to realize where she currently was.

"Oh right, I slept over at Asuka-chan's place and met her sister." Miki recalled in a mutter, soon sitting up and stretching her limbs.

BOING!

The pinkette then stood up and began stretching a little bit more and not minding her nude state. "Wonder how my friends were doing back in our place?" Miki then thought in her head as she walked around a little.

At that moment, a door opening sounded, and two familiar girls then exited from a room...and were still in the nude as well.

"Ah, good morning Miki-chan." Asuka breathed out as she stretched her limbs.

"Slept well?" Homura meanwhile asked with a yawn.

"I did." Miki confirmed with a nod as they gathered around.

BOING! BOING! BOING!

"Hmm..." Miki hummed out as she got a better look at the other two nude girls.

"What's up?" Homura casually asked.

"Oh, just admire the tan you have, Homura-san." Miki suddenly confessed in an impressed manner.

"Heh, pervert." Homura however remarked, already hearing similar words from her mad doctor turned actual doctor friend. "Also, thanks for the compliment. Somehow my tan lines now look attractive and sexy from the looks of it." She then replied and admitted.

"Didn't you try to get a full tan before, Homu-neechan?" Asuka recalled.

To that, Homura sighed. "Yeah, but...I guess having tan lines is sexy in their own way." She responded. "Tried to go full tan, but weirdly enough, it didn't work." She then revealed before pouting.

"Hm, I think I might know a way to remedy that if you like." Miki soon admitted as she started thinking about it.

"I'll...think about it, Miki. Thanks." Homura replied with a smirk, her interest piqued.

"You'll get there, Homu-neechan." Asuka encouraged with a smile before sighing. "Sunday..." She breathed out in satisfaction.

"Ah, no school for either of you, correct?" Miki assumed.

"Yup. Yesterday was a lucky fluke." Homura replied and revealed with a smirk. "Our school's been through a lot." She then added as her sister nodded in agreement.

"Shujin Academy, correct?" Miki assumed. "The school that had the idiotic principal and the sexually harassing gym teacher." She then recalled.

"That's the one." Homura sighed out.

"The school where Asuka-chan here said she spiked Kamoshita in the crotch with a volleyball." Miki amusingly added with a smirk of approval.

"Mm-hmm." Homura however hummed out in proud amusement.

"Moh! Homu-neechan! Miki-chan!" Asuka playfully whined, though had a smirk on her face.

Eventually, the trio devolved into a giggling mess to where they had their eyes closed.

"Hehe jeez, it's still early in the morning, and you're making me look dumb." Asuka got out in between giggles. "Hehe~, It's totes just like that party we had yesterday where we like, totes enjoyed ourselves too much~" She meanwhile thought with a gleam in her closed eyes.

"Hehe, well, you seem easy to mess with, so you should try it sometime." Miki quipped. "Looks like that after party yesterday was like, totes paying off, hmhmhm~" She however thought with a sparkle in her closed eyes...and some sparks of electricity coming off her horns.

"Okay, okay, take it easy you two." Homura replied. "Hehe, Sis and Miki really get along well. Guess she's got an aura like Akira does." She thought to herself.

Soon the giggling stopped as the three calmed down, looking at one another once again.

BOING! BOING! BOING!

"Man, laughing like that feels good." Homura confessed in satisfaction.

"I'll say, Homura-chan." Miki replied in agreement. "Heh, Homu-chii totes has the potential to be like us. Sooo gotta take her to that spa sometime with Asuka-chii." She added in her head as if it was natural, not even phased by this mental shift.

"You got that right." Asuka responded with a nod. "Hehe, they're like, totes the real deal when it comes to their bodies." She thought to herself in a natural manner as she eyed her sister and fellow model's bodies as if seeing them for the first time. "And wow, hehe, their body shapes are totes hot and sexy. Those large breasts, those hips and waists...anyone would like, totes really hire them as models, heh. Not like that bitch Ranze though." She then playfully and seductively added in her head in detail.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out in a curious manner as she and her sister looked at their phones on the chargers. "Hold on Miki-chan, me and Homu-neechan gotta take this." She soon informed.

"Of course, take your time." Miki responded as she relaxed herself in her nude state while sitting herself down at the couch.

At that, Asuka and Homura got their phones out and joined the chat to see what it was about.

[TheWildJ0ker: Hey, does anyone want new guns?]

[Road2Queen: We're not going to the Metaverse today, are we?]

[TheWildJ0ker: I'm just asking. I just got several boxes of Black Imitation Guns this morning.]

[TheWildJ0ker: I didn't even order them. I don't have enough Personas for itemization.]

[Sweetkat06: Who is it from?]

[TheWildJ0ker: Let's see...it's addressed to...]

[TheWildJ0ker: O. Kamura.]

[B3lladonna: I assure you I had nothing to do with that!]

[TheWildJ0ker: ...]

[B3lladonna: I mean, what?]

[FireGirl20: Real smooth, Haru-senpai...]

[B3lladonna: A-Ah...now that I have your attention!]

[Alibaba9: What a dodge! Also, why are you writing out your stutters?]

[B3lladonna: I would like everyone to know of a new development happening at Okumura Foods!]

[Shut7heFUp: Your father is good to go?]

[B3lladonna: Not yet. He's still isolating himself in his room. But I'm talking about something different happening here in Father's company. Shinobi-related.]

[DarkEyeXI: Lay it on us, Haru.]

[B3lladonna: Well, according to the rest of Okumura Foods, Hanzō hasn't performed to the standards of the company, so they're getting a new team of shinobi. I don't know much about it, but they did have a theme: Zodiacs.]

[Shut7heFUp:...I'm not even gonna effin' try and understand what that means.]

[Road2Queen: She's referring to the astrological signs. Leo, Virgo, Gemini, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Taurus, Libra, Cancer, Aquarius, Capricorn, Aries and Pisces.]

[Shut7heFUp: That's a lot.]

[TheWildJ0ker: New shinobi, new problems. What else do you know, Haru? Anything would help here if Okumura Foods decides to sic 'em on us.]

[B3lladonna: Apparently, they also have twelve members total for their Elites compared to the usual five.]

[FireGirl20: Wait what!?]

[SushiRoll23: EEEEEEEEH!?]

[TheWildJ0ker: That makes sense. There are twelve zodiac signs.]

[FireGirl20: But that's literally breaking the rule all Elites usually go by!]

[TheWildJ0ker:...Homura, we're breaking every rule in the shinobi handbook. I think we're past the point where one should care and just go with it.]

[Negative8Degrees: You can't exactly blame them.]

[DarkEyeXI: Indeed. This is different even by Elites standards.]

[Alibaba9: Why is there a limit though?]

[DarkEyeXI: Elite teams come in five because that's tradition. They represent the best of the best the school can offer in various events as such. Having 12 members is like shoving your dick in everyone's faces: You might be impressed by how big it is, but it'll definitely offend people. Plus, it's very unsporting.]

(...)

[Alibaba9: Big Sis, get better analogies.]

[DarkEyeXI: Yeah, you're right. You'd get arrested for it. It's not a hard rule so it's technically legal, but you will be looked down upon.]

[DarkEyeXI: What a dumb gimmick when you think about it.]

[Sweetkat06: So like the Olympics with a team representing each nation?]

[DarkEyeXI: Ah, thank you. That's a better analogy.]

[Road2Queen: Still, this is concerning. We're gonna have to deal with even more shinobi than before?]

[Negative8Degrees: I know Good and Evil are essentially the same, but what're the chances they're all psychopaths?]

[B3lladonna: Well, the leader was apparently a childhood friend of mine. I'm sure she was nice.]

[Sweetkat06: How many childhood friends do you have, Haru!? And how many can kill us?]

[All4Painting: The Ultimate Osananajimi...that would make a good name for an art piece.]

[Shut7heFUP: The hell? We're talkin' 'bout more killer shinobi coming after us and you're STILL thinking about paintings. Man, I would love to live in your world.]

[Negative8Degrees: You probably shouldn't.]

The sisters soon sighed, but also smiled at the antics of their friends as they turned off their phones and placed them back on the chargers for the time being.

"Is everything alright?" Miki asked in a curious manner.

"Hai, everything's all good Miki-chan." Asuka replied with a nod.

"Don't worry. Just some school stuff with my friends at school." Homura responded and reassured.

"I see." Miki got out with a smile of her own as she stood up.

BOING! BOING! BOING!

The tan skinned girl soon snickered at the scene. "Imagine if the rest of our friends were all in the nude while we're all texting here." Homura remarked with a whisper into the brunette's ear along with a smirk.

"Moh, shut up, Homu-neechan." Asuka responded with the same whispering tone, despite giggling herself with a slight blush on her face.

The tan skinned girl meanwhile giggled to that. "It's weird, I'm feeling pretty relaxed around you Miki." Homura had to admit in a curious manner for the nude pinkette in the room to hear.

"I get that alot." Miki admitted. "Others are like that around me save for my own roommates." She then added.

"So more resilient?" Homura jokingly assumed.

"Pretty much, hehe." The pinkette replied with a small laugh.

"So, are we gonna get dressed?" Asuka soon enough asked.

"Nah, let's just eat while naked." Homura responded with a wave of her hand. "I mean it is Sunday and it is just the three of us girls here." She then reminded.

"Heh, you two are more easy-going than I thought." Miki couldn't help but comment with a smirk. "Now that I think about it, Homura-chi's whole bod is totes sexy as heck, and like, why does she have a sense of charisma coming off from her?" She meanwhile thought with a sparkle in her eyes.

Asuka simply sighed at that. "After everything that has happened to the two of us, you can say that." She vaguely replied.

Homura meanwhile snickered at that statement.

"You two must have an interesting life here in Tokyo." Miki had to comment.

In turn, the sisters glanced at one another before their smiles became more sheepish. "You can say that." They replied at the same time.

"Anyway, let's eat before we get hungry." Asuka decided. "What are we all having for breakfast?" She then asked.

"Hmm..." Homura hummed with a finger on her chin. "Any recommendations, Miki?" She soon asked the pinkette.

"Well, unless you have smoked sardines in your fridge, I'm honestly not sure." Miki replied. "I mean, I have different breakfast foods every day at my place." She then admitted.

"I see." Homura responded with a nod. "...Maybe the usual breakfast you cooked for the two of us would do, Sis." She then suggested.

Asuka in response nodded. "Ok then, meat and eggs it is then." She decided before looking at the pinkette. "How would you like your meat and eggs, Miki-chan?" She soon asked.

"Just your usual way of cooking them, please." Miki replied with a smile.

"Alright." Asuka replied with a nod. "Make yourself comfortable while I cook our breakfast. Watch some TV for now." She then suggested as she strutted over to the kitchen and got a black apron on.

BOING!

"Naked apron, huh?" Miki noted with a sparkle in her eyes. "Real kinky of you." She teasingly added.

"Hehe, Sis has become more bold ever since we came to Tokyo." Homura snickered.

"Oh really now?" Miki teasingly questioned in a curious manner with a smirk.

"Moh, don't say that, Homu-neechan." Asuka pouted while turning on the stove.

"Despite it being true?" Homura amusingly countered.

"Miki-chan's right there, you know?" Asuka meanwhile reminded with an embarrassed look on her blushing face while going to the fridge to get the meat for cooking.

"And it is still oh so amusing." Miki giggled out. "Just like how my own roommates are with me being the one doing the teasing towards them." She then added in amusement.

"Huh. So you're the oldest of your roommates?" Homura assumed.

"Hai, with the youngest being fourteen." Miki replied and revealed with a nod.

"Eh? Fourteen?" Asuka got out in slight disbelief while preparing the pan.

"It's...a long story for her..." Miki vaguely and sadly informed.

"Oh...it's that bad huh?" Homura assumed with a wince. "Sorry." She soon apologized.

"It's ok, she's happier now then she was before and that's all that matters in the end." Miki replied.

"Oh great, that's a relief." Asuka stated with a sigh. "Good for her." She then added while placing the meat on the pan.

Homura meanwhile grabbed the remote control and turned the TV on while she and the pinkette waited for her sister's cooking to finish.

Coming Soon! A new land of the bottom awaits!

BOOTYLAND!

The screen began displaying the logo word with the fireworks background.

~Booty, Booty, Booty, Booty Land!~

The screen began displaying detailed pictures of the amusement rides, games, and food stalls, all designed according to the female butt and emphasizing them by zooming the camera in and out towards the butt image.

~Booty, Booty, Booty, Ain't that Nice!~

The screen then showed a long, pink-haired female's plump rear with a skimpy swimsuit on dancing and swaying in front of the camera with names and logos of Bootyland popping up as the woman in the commercial danced to the theme song, all without her face showing.

~Booty, Booty, Booty, Great with Rice!~

The screen then showed the woman jiggling her butt at the rapid pace before thrusting it out and a random hand smacking said butt, all while splashing the word Bootyland on the screen.

WELCOME TO BOOTYLAND! YAAAAY! WHOOO! WOOOHOOO! YEAAAHH!

Miki simply stared at the Bootyland commercial...that she personally took part in.

"Was that you, Miki?" Homura soon asked just as the TV began displaying other commercials now. "The one flaunting her own ass on camera?" She then added.

"..." Miki's blush immediately flared up as she covered her face with her hands. "How did you know?" She soon asked.

"Pink hair, your two horns on your head, and a body like that, it was obvious." Homura simply stated with a smirk.

"I'm surprised you can tell it's me dancing." Miki had to admit.

"And I'm surprised this didn't get taken down." Homura couldn't help but state as she noticed the commercial before looking at the pinkette.

"...In my defense, the commercial paid me a lot." Miki confessed with a blush.

"Figures." Homura responded. "If it's a high amount of money to pay, you'll do anything...unfortunately." She then stated before sighing.

"Um-" Miki began.

"Shujin was one of the schools involved where the students were being blackmailed by Kaneshiro into giving him money." Homura sighed in shame as the pink haired girl's eyes widened to that. "Thank god the Phantom Thieves got to him." She then breathed out.

"Oh, that overweight-looking guy on the news?" Miki recalled. "The knock-off mafia man?" She then added.

"Yeah, that's him." Homura nodded. "And don't get me started on the fact that our former principal didn't even do anything to try and help..." She then grumbled.

"How irresponsible." Miki remarked in disapproval before her eyes widened. "...Oooh, he's the one that-" She then realized.

"The accident, yeah." Homura sighed out. "And all of this happened while me and Sis were coming back from our school trip to Hawaii." She then added.

"...You went to Hawaii for a school trip?" Miki got out in disbelief.

"Yeah. It seems a bit much, but that's the faculty's decision to take a break as well as having a lot of money left over." Homura replied and pointed out. "...Despite the fact that most of the faculty was being questioned due to the Kamoshida incident by the police after the principal was in a tabloid." She then added.

"...He sent the students away so the police wouldn't question them, didn't he." Miki bluntly guessed in disapproval.

The tan skinned girl in turn smirked. "Good guess. Somehow I'm leaning towards that particular reason, too." Homura replied. "Guess great minds think alike." She then added.

"Well, among other things." Miki stated while gesturing towards the TV, clearly referring to the Bootyland commercial.

"Hey, at least you look sexy there, and I'm also impressed you can move your ass like that." The tan-skinned girl had to comment. "And thankfully it's not full frontal nudity and they didn't show your face." Homura then added.

"Aw~! Hehe, thanks, Homura-chan!" Miki happily replied as the image on the TV screen became the news.

"Good morning, Tokyo, and good morning Japan!" The newscaster greeted. "This is Omorashi News, and get ready for the upcoming news here in the early morning." He then added.

"Before we get on to today's headlines, we will have a short inspirational message from one of our upcoming candidates in the election far ahead!"

"Hm?" The two hummed out as they focused on the news this time.

"Let us rise together to make Japan great once again! With me as the one who will guide this country through its waters and onto a world of paradise of our image and liking!" A bald man with a goatee and glasses proudly declared on the podium.

"Ugh, Masayoshi Shido," Miki scoffed out as she rolled her eyes. "I've done some acting roles in my career, so I know that guy is faking everything he's saying." She then revealed as she then narrowed her eyes.

"Like most corrupt politicians in this country?" Homura added for the rant.

"Exactly Homura-chan." Miki replied in agreement. "Great minds really do think alike." She then stated once more with a playful wink as the two then fist bumped one another.

"And now onto the headlines of this morning." The newscaster continued. "CEO Kunikazu Okumura of Okumura Foods is still going silent despite the calling card threat. We were still trying to receive word from the company itself about the Phantom Thieves threat to their CEO, but to no avail." He then stated.

"My, they are still going on about that huh?" Miki noted.

"Yeah, wonder what's going on in that company." Homura got out, concerned for her fluffy haired friend.

"These Phantom Thieves people must have had a reason for going after the CEO despite saying what they did on the Phan-Site." Miki assumed. "I still wonder who hacked the site to begin with to inflate his numbers..." She then added with narrowed eyes.

"So you also think something's up." Homura concluded, she and her sister mentally relieved to learn that others were using their heads.

Miki simply nodded to that as she and the tan skinned girl focused back on the television.

"In another report, a group of young women, teenagers and young adults both, had gathered at an abandoned site at night and began chanting about their ahem...desires for larger breasts in a frighteningly cult-like manner. Frankly, a young male teenager passed by until they noticed the scene, and tried to report the scene to the authorities...but not before the women saw him and began stripping him out of his clothes the moment they caught him." The newscaster once again reported, trying to keep a straight, professional expression with an obvious blush on his face. "According to the report, the women were seen at the park, just near the pond, and they were doing cult-like dances while in the nude. They...were also fondling their own breasts while doing their so-called dances. And the unfortunate young teenage man with them was forced to join in the dancing...and somehow he did so in a some sort of entranced state." He then continued.

This in turn caused the three to go wide eyed in disbelief. "Wow...just...wow..." Miki only got out, feeling a bit bewildered by the news report.

"Is Japan getting more and more perverted by the second?" Homura had to ask with a sigh. "They seem really desperate to have big breasts." She then thought in her head.

"It would seem so." Miki responded with a nod. "I wonder why..." She then asked.

"The same reason why the three of us are naked here in an apartment room without a care in the world." Homura stated to her with a lopsided smile.

"..." Miki in turn paused as she looked at their current predicament. "Well, we're in a private setting, and we're all girls here." She pointed out.

"And we're just baring our bare essentials for everyone else in the room to see." Homura casually countered while shifting herself comfortably on the couch. "Imagine if a guy is with us right now. That would be something." She then added.

"...That last part was a joke, right?" Miki tried to ask with a small laugh in the end.

Homura however smirked. "You tell me Miki." She jokingly responded...with a slight blush on her face. She had already seen far more along with her sister, but she didn't need to tell the pinkette about that in much more detail.

"...We're all perverted here in Japan." Asuka meanwhile quipped with a sigh as she continued preparing their breakfast. "It's just a matter of privacy." She then stated.

"Just don't flaunt it around in public like an idiot." Homura advised. "I'd rather keep it in a private group of friends than showing it to anyone who doesn't know better." She soon explained.

"In other news, a new amusement park is now on the rise at Suidobashi, replacing Dome Town to what seems to be a...very unique name for an amusement park: Bootyland." The newscaster once again continued. "According to our sources, the unique, butt-themed theme park will soon open later either before the end of year or early next year. Advertisements and promotions through posters and word of mouth have been passed on to the public, and we recently have a televised commercial for the theme park itself, and I'm quite surprised it hasn't been taken down yet."

"And another pervy news report. Perfect." Homura stated with a roll of her eyes. "Jeez, Bootyland is everywhere." She then couldn't help but comment.

"I guess the owners really want the park to be successful." Miki assumed. "And all these ads are working. I...I really want to go check it out." She soon admitted.

"Since you were paid to advertise it?" Homura guessed.

"That and I'd go just out of curiosity. I mean, someone had to look at the plans and think that's a good idea." Miki responded.

"I guess that's true too." Homura responded.

"Alright. Breakfast is here." Asuka soon called out.

"Huh, that was quick." Miki noted in an interested tone as she watched the brunette take the apron off and put it away, leaving her naked once again. "OMG, like, Asuka-chi's skin is like sooooo totes flawless and her bod totes perfect! Ugh! I wish I wasn't forcing myself to train that bitch Ranze! Asuka-chi would totes be the better model if she goes international! She would totes surpass me as the next top model if she was my apprentice!" She meanwhile thought with a sparkle in her eyes, imagining how amazing it would be.

"Hehe, yeah. Homu-neechan and I cook a lot since we live together." Asuka replied with a giggle as she placed all the food on the table.

"But enough about that, it's time to eat." Homura decided as she sat herself down after setting the table.

"Agreed." Miki replied in agreement, also sitting herself down.

"Well then." Asuka started, sitting herself down next to her sister.

"Thank you for the food!" The three declared with smiles as they began eating.

"Mm~ Cooking's good as always, Sis." Homura praised in approval as she tasted her tbreakfast.

"Hehe, thanks Homu-neechan." Asuka happily replied as she then looked at the pinkette. "Well? How is it Miki-chan?" She then asked.

Said pinkette soon took a bite of the meat and eggs. "!" Miki's eyes widened for a moment before gained a blissful expression. "Mmmmmm~!" She got out in satisfaction. "Si bon! La viande est parfaitement cuite au point qu'elle est si tendre qu'elle fond dans la bouche tandis que les œufs sont assaisonnés avec la bonne quantité d'épices pour lui donner une saveur si unique ! C'est merveilleux!" She soon declared and stated...in French.

The sisters meanwhile blinked to hearing that as they looked at the satisfied expression on the pinkette's face.

Miki meanwhile blinked as she noticed the two looking at her. "What?" She innocently asked.

"Miki, you can speak French?" Homura soon asked in an impressed manner.

"...Ah, I do. Since I am an international model, it is a requirement to know multiple languages while traveling the world itself." Miki responded and explained.

"That's part of the job description?" Homura then asked.

"No, not necessarily, but Japanese can only get you so far." Miki responded and confirmed.

"Wow, you must be really smart, Miki-chan." Asuka soon praised.

The pinkette in turn blushed bashfully to the compliment. "No need to flatter me, Asuka-chan. I'm not actually that smart. I haven't even attended public school since I was...home-schooled..." Miki responded in a slightly saddened tone.

"There's not much of a difference between being homeschooled and going to school." Asuka pointed out. "You just don't get to make as many friends. And you've made plenty of friends!" She then happily added.

Miki's eyes widened to that statement as she looked at the brunette before going over...

SQUISH!

"Aww, Asuka-chan, thank you for your kind words." Miki gushed out just as she hugged the brunette dearly in a giddy manner

Asuka meanwhile blushed to that as her head was in the pinkette's bust. "M-Moh! Miki-chan!" She squeaked out.

"Hehe, looks like Miki's a fan of you now Sis." Homura quipped, this time more amused at the sight.

"Ehhh?" Asuka weakly got out with a sweatdrop.

"Man, I really wish you did accept my modeling apprenticeship now." Miki soon confessed before groaning. "Ugh, Ranze is such a bitch it's not even funny, Asuka-chan." She then complained with a puffed up cheek.

"Yeesh, that bad?" Homura had to ask with a wince. If even a top model said someone is that bad, then it has to be.

"Oh yeah, Homura-chan." Miki confirmed with a nod. "Ugh, can't believe I have to convince my manager to let all Ranze's bullshit slide and let me take care of her. And I've made little to no progress on her attitude and she ignores me telling her not to be so cocky." She soon rambled in frustration.

To that, Asuka winced as she then started to feel guilty. "Sorry Miki-chan." She apologized.

In response, Miki sighed as she calmed down and rubbed the brunette's head. "It's ok Asuka-chan. I know you don't feel ready to go international yet and I understand that." She responded in a reasonable tone. "Plus, you are still in high school and I can tell you aren't going to drop out like Ranze did." She then added as she then returned to her seat to continue eating.

"...Eh?" Asuka got out in slight surprise, this being the first time she heard that.

"Wait, she dropped out of school!?" Homura gawked in disbelief. "She's that self-confident in herself?" She then asked.

"That's what she told me while we were at work at one point." Miki recalled with a sigh. "Irresponsible, am I right?" She then assumed.

"Completely." Homura confirmed with a nod, as did her sister.

"...Ah, sorry for rambling." Miki soon apologized. "Just...letting off some stress from work." She then got out as she continued eating.

"Hey, when you need to vent, you gotta vent." Homura responded.

"Heh, thanks." Miki giggled out as the trio soon enough finished their food. "Aaah, so good~ My compliments to the chef~" She breathed out.

Blushing as a result, Asuka scratched the back of her head with a small laugh.

Miki smiled to that as she looked at the brunette. She was so proud of her growth so far, and she still had a lot more room to continue doing that. Maybe one day she'll surpass her to the point where the brunette would be teaching her.

"So Miki-chan, before you leave for the day, you wanna take a bath with us again?" Asuka soon asked with a smile.

"Hehe, you really are more easy-going than my roommates." Miki confessed as she rubbed the heads of both sisters. "Sure, I would like that." She then added.

With that, the girls washed off all their morning worries away, enjoying their company with each other. Eventually, it was time for Miki to head home.

"Alright, that should be everything." Miki breathed out as she adjusted her outfit and hat. "I had a lot of fun with you both. I don't think I've had this much fun in a while." She then confessed.

"And we'll continue to have fun as long as we're friends, Miki-chan." Asuka declared, taking the pinkette's hands into her own.

Miki meanwhile blushed at that, but smiled in a grateful manner. "T-Thank you, Asuka-chan." She replied.

The tan skinned girl meanwhile smirked. "Oh, and like friends, we should also exchange numbers." Homura suggested.

"We really should." Miki replied as she took out her phone, she and the tan skinned girl soon sharing numbers.

Once that was done, Miki began to take her leave while the roommates stepped outside to see her off.

"Well, goodbye, you two. I hope we see each other again soon." Miki replied.

"Yep, we will! Have a fun day, okay?" Asuka happily replied.

"You too!" Miki reassured as she rubbed the brunette's head before heading out.

Soon enough, the siblings were alone once more as they sighed in satisfaction from their fun morning. "...She was nice." Homura got out with a smile.

"Yep." Asuka responded with a nod in a tone filled with respect.

It was at that exact moment Miyabi left her apartment. "Hey guys, good mor- WHY THE HELL ARE YOU TWO OUTSIDE FUCKING NAKED!?" She began to greet, only to yell at the top of her lungs.

Just another usual morning at the Shin Megami Apartment Complex.

(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)

Meanwhile, at Hebijo, things were much more serious.

"Okay, here is our route once we actually leave this place." Hikage began as she spread out a map across the table. "Once we're out of sight, we'll have to split up. Traveling in a big group is too risky." She then stated.

"But...I don't want to be separated." Murasaki mumbled.

"I don't want to either, but it's necessary if we want our plan to work. And it's only temporary, and we'll make sure to keep constant communication." Hikage responded in a comforting manner. "Especially when we head to Inaba." She then added.

"Inaba? What about Tokyo?" Murasaki repeated and asked.

"The first place they would check is Tokyo. Haruka and Homura will most likely be under watch in case they're in contact with us." Hikage explained. "While it's not unknown, it's still not the first place Hebijo would think of. We'll be hiding out there until things cool down." She then added.

"What about Haruka-oneesama?" Murasaki then asked in concern.

"She'll be fine." Hikage waved off.

"...That's it?" Mirai however got out in a skeptical manner. "I'd feel a lot safer if we knew what Haruka-sama will be doing on her side..." She then admitted.

"I'll contact her after this so she can be prepared on her end." Hikage informed while placing a hand on the purple haired girl's shoulder. "Don't worry Murasaki, your new sister will be fine." She then reassured.

"That's a relief." Murasaki responded in a relieved manner.

"Okay, so what about jobs?" Mirai soon asked. "I mean, we still need to eat and stuff. Plus, we won't have access to forgeries after we leave." She then pointed out.

"I can take care of food." Yomi offered.

"No." Hikage and Mirai responded at the same time.

"What!?" Yomi exclaimed in shock.

"I know you're just going to grow beansprouts or try cooking your concoctions." Hikage soon accused. "I don't think our sanity would take it...or our bodies." She then added as the girl in mention pouted.

"Fine. I'll grow cabbage too." Yomi sighed as she shook her head. "The sacrifices I make..." She then grumbled, while the others winced. Beansprouts and cabbage soup was only slightly better than just beansprouts.

At that moment though...

"Girls!" Suzune suddenly got out as she entered the room.

"AAAHHH!" Murasaki screamed, nearly diving onto the map to cover it, only for the teacher to easily stop her.

"...Why do you have a map of the perimeter?" Suzune questioned, slightly tightening her grip on the purplette's shoulder.

"To look for holes in the patrols and security." Hikage bluntly answered.

"And uh...to try and find spots that the fangirls could use to ambush Murasaki-chan." Yomi then added. "Uh...that place looks like the perfect ambush spot." She then added while pointing a finger at a door near the far corner.

"...That's the bathroom." Mirai pointed out in a flat tone.

"Exactly." Yomi responded. "Those fangirls of Murasaki-chan's are savage." She then added in a no nonsense tone as the others somehow nodded reluctantly in agreement.

Suzune gave the group a very...blank look before sighing. "Well...it's good to see you care about the safety of this school. You should be commended for your work." She soon got out.

"H-Hai. Thank you, sensei." Mirai replied, silently letting out a sigh of relief. "So uh, why are you here?" She soon asked.

"Did you need something?" Murasaki soon assumed.

"No, I'm just making an announcement." Suzune answered before clearing her throat. "In a few days, I'll be leaving Hebijo on my own mission. You'll have a different teacher for your training in the meantime." She informed.

"...Eh?" The Crimson Squad girls got out in unison.

"Is it classified?" Hikage soon asked.

"No." The teacher replied as she shook her head. "With everything going on with the Phantom Thieves, the higher-ups see it fit for me to head to Tokyo. I've gotten myself a new job at Shujin Academy, the origin of the group." She then revealed.

"That's Aki- uh, I mean, Homura-san's school, right?" Mirai stated, almost slipping up.

"Correct. Which is why I'm going there specifically." Suzune confirmed. "Although it has been metaphorically swept clean of any evidence, there still might be something we could use to find out how they're able to change hearts. Plus, I might as well kick her into working harder." She then explained.

"I thought Homura was there for the mental shutdowns, sensei." Yomi remembered.

"That too. We're currently treating them as two separate incidents. Although they are similar in nature, there isn't enough of a connection between them we can see." Suzune replied.

"So uh...is there a possibility we can go as well?" Murasaki soon asked, causing the others to look at her in surprise.

"Maybe...after you prove you can control the Root." Suzune responded.

Murasaki whimpered as she fidgeted in place.

"Why did you ask that question?" Suzune then asked with narrowed eyes.

"E-Erm...no reason. Curious. Uh...I'm bored." Murasaki mumbled as she poked her fingers together,

"...Ah, yes, Shujin is also Akira Kurusu's school as well." Suzune confirmed. "Murasaki, it's obvious you have a crush on the boy." She bluntly stated.

To that, Murasaki blushed scarlet.

"Now, I would suggest that you let go of your feelings as it will likely endanger the boy and all his loved ones because a relationship with a civilian is only asking for a tragic event to occur. There is no room for love in the world of shinobi, especially towards regular civilians in the mix." Suzune got out in a serious and blunt manner.

"..." Murasaki soon gained a depressed expression as a result.

"That being said, go for it." Suzune suddenly encouraged.

That in turn got the group's attention. "Eh?" The Crimson Squad got out at the same time as they looked at the teacher.

Suzune let out a kind smile as she lowered herself down to the other purple haired girl's level. "Love is a weakness, but it is also a strength. Having something, someone, to fight for...it doesn't just create good shinobi, but great ones who push past their limits. Just use it wisely, don't let it consume you." She soon stated and advised.

"...Like Imu?" Murasaki guessed.

"For all of those you love and those that love you." Suzune corrected as she went and rubbed the girl's head. "I'll be going on the fifth. I don't expect a goodbye so do it now if you wish." She then informed once more.

"..." The girls however looked at the teacher in disbelief.

"...Yeah, I expected that much." Suzune deadpanned.

"No, it's not that. It's just that...you're encouraging Murasaki-chan to go for it, it's honestly surprising." Yomi had to admit.

"Life is short, especially for a shinobi." Suzune stated. "Grab what you can, you'll never know when you'll lose it. And besides, the only thing that you might all regret later on are the choices that you didn't make. Remember that, all of you." She then advised in a surprisingly kind tone.

"...I'm not losing, Akira-kun." Murasaki soon responded in a determined manner.

"But will he lose you first?" Suzune questioned, causing the purplette to flinch. "Don't let it consume you." She repeated before leaving the room.

"That was...weird." Mirai had to admit.

"Hai..." Yomi responded. "I don't think I've ever seen that side of her." She then added.

"No one has. No mercy is usually in her vocabulary, remember?" Hikage reminded. "But I guess...everyone wears a mask." She then added.

"But where did that mask come from?" Mirai questioned as she narrowed her eye.

"N-Ngh..." Suddenly, they heard someone moan, as if they were just waking up.

"Huh?" Mirai got out before looking over to the source of the noise. "What the!? Ryōna!?" She soon exclaimed, noticing the masochistic blonde all naked with some bruises on her body.

"Huh?" Ryōna drowsily mumbled before realizing everyone was staring at her. "Oh, hey guys..." She yawned out as she slowly picked herself off the floor.

"Oh, morning Ryōna." Hikage casually greeted.

"Did you guys just leave me on the floor yesterday?" Ryōna suddenly asked as she cracked her back.

In response, the Crimson Squad blinked. "...Oh, right." Mirai got out as she remembered what happened before the brawl. "...You enjoy it?" She soon assumed.

"I fell face first. My boobs were a pillow. If only you'd put me on my back, it would ache so much more...~" Ryōna soon responded, a blush beginning to grow on her face before she realized what she was doing. "Ack! I did it again!" She cried out.

"You know, at this point, I think it's better if you just let it happen." Yomi sighed. "We don't want another Demon Ryōna incident." She then reminded as the other winced.

"I...I don't wanna make anyone uncomfortable with me anymore...I...I don't want to go overboard again either...it was embarrassing..." Ryōna mumbled out in shame while twiddling her fingers.

"More embarrassing than you are now?" Mirai deadpanned.

"There are worse freaks in this school. Masochism is actually pretty normal in comparison." Hikage stated as she shook her head. "The comments I can deal with, it's the forceful play that's the problem. Just...hurt yourself. With consenting parties." She then added.

"But who's willing to do that?" Ryōna questioned.

It was at that moment the entrance opened, with Ryōbi walking in while carrying her bag.

"Ryōna..." Ryōbi got out as she dropped her bag on the floor without a care. "And you're fucking naked, of course." She then stated with a sigh.

"Ryōbi-chan..." Ryōna responded, surprisingly in a more mature sounding tone.

Ryōbi in turn blinked at the response and took note of her stature, also being mature-like. "...Yeah, that's going to take some getting used to..." She grumbled as she began approaching her.

"So...did Akira-kun convince you?" Murasaki assumed.

"...No. Imu did." Ryōbi answered.

"Eh?" The purplette only got out, not expecting that information.

"Let me be clear here, I don't give that big of a shit anymore." Ryōbi bluntly continued. "I don't care who you fall for, I don't care about getting revenge, I don't even care if you decide to become a devil or a saint. As long as we get to smile, I guess things will turn out okay." She then concluded with a huff.

Ryōna however blinked to that in confusion as she looked at the content expression on her twin's face. "So, you learned to...stop caring." She soon assumed in concern.

"I care about some things, just not shit that makes my life worse. I'm not totally heartless." Ryōbi corrected as she rolled her eyes. "Just don't freak the fuck out anymore. Shit's stupid. And don't take drugs from Little Miss Cancerfucker." She continued in a grumble before heading off.

At that moment, Ryōna then went and hugged her twin sister. "...I'm glad you care, Ryōbi-chan." She softly got out.

The brunette on the other hand blushed at that action. "...L-Let go! You wanna get beaten!?" Ryōbi got out and declared.

"Hehe, sounds like someone's embarrassed~" Ryōna teasingly noted.

Ryōbi's blush immediately flared up to that. It sounded way too much like their older sister and she was the older one of the twins. "Sh-Shut up!" She soon demanded with an embarrassed stammer in her voice.

BONK!

"Ahn~!" Ryōna yelped, rubbing the small welt on the top of her head.

"Yeah, you like that!?" Ryōbi growled.

"More~! Show how much you care~!" Ryōna pleaded with her usual cat-like smile before going wide-eyed. "Ack! Dammit! Did it again! Sorry." She yelped in embarrassment and apologized as the others sweatdropped.

The brunette however was having none of that. "No! Keep screaming! LET IT ALL OUT!" Ryōbi however roared her demand as she kept hitting her sister, her face glowing red.

To that, Ryōna blinked. Oh, so this is how her sister shows affection, a key trait of a tsundere! "Hehe~ Tsun tsun, Ryōbi-chan~" She teasingly responded.

"Ah! S-Shut up! B-Baka!" Ryōbi exclaimed in a more childish and whiny manner as she kept punching her sister's boobs, although the impacts were a lot less violent than before, which only caused her twin sister to giggle even more.

Meanwhile, all the Crimson Squad members stared at the sisters' new...unique form of displaying their love for each other.

"...Should we be watching this?" Murasaki asked in a very concerned tone.

"I think we should go." Mirai suggested as she slowly began making her way to the exit.

"Hai, we still have more to do before our deadline." Yomi reminded in a serious tone. "Yesterday with the fangirls delayed us..." She then added in annoyance.

"Right." Hikage responded with a nod before taking one last look at the twins. "...Looks like meeting Akira changed them and they don't even realize it." She then added.

"What about her saying Imu helped?" Mirai soon pointed out.

"Simple denial. Imu did nothing." Hikage scoffed. "She never helps anyone. Not even herself." She then growled.

"Arf?" Poochie barked out as she rested in-between the greenette's bust with a worried expression on her face.

"Don't worry Poochie, we'll make sure she never hurts anyone else again..." Hikage promised, her hair overshadowing her eyes while petting the puppy.

"A-Arf!" Her puppy suddenly whined as the greenette's petting became more...forceful.

"Huh? O-Oh, sorry..." Hikage quickly apologized. "Dammit, Imu, you made me hurt my precious Poochie..." She then thought.

"...Sorry." Murasaki suddenly apologized.

"Why are you apologizing?" Hikage got out with a frown. "It has nothing to do with you, or anyone else. Only Imu." She then assured.

"But even though I'm pissed at her, she's still...my family." Murasaki got out. "I know all of you are my family too, but so is Imu, no matter how much she's hurt me before..." She then added.

"Murasaki-chan..." Yomi responded in concern.

The greenette however balled her hand into a fist full of held back fury. "We're your family. Your only family. One that doesn't treat you like a tool." Hikage stated in a much harsher tone. "Don't let those old thoughts cloud your mind. They'll only hold you back when we blow this place to smithereens. Now come on, we must prepare." She then ordered before leaving.

Yomi, Mirai, and Murasaki could only look at each other in concern before following after the cold greenette.

"...Goddammit Imu..." Murasaki soon muttered softly to herself in growing annoyance while going on ahead.

(10/2, Morning)

(Hanzō Academy, Elites Room)

Meanwhile in Asakusa, more specifically Hanzō Academy,

"When is Yagyū getting here?" Katsuragi impatiently grumbled, tapping her foot beside her fully packed bags.

"Be patient." Ikaruga got out. "There'll be plenty of time for you to sexually harass the innocent people of Tokyo." She droned out, pausing when she said that as she then groaned and palmed her face. "I can't believe I just said that..." She grumbled in shame.

Katsuragi looked at her for that...before making a smile on her face. "Well, that reminds me...can I ask one last request from you guys before I leave?" She soon suggested.

Ikaruga looked at her this time before sighing. "What is it?" She then asked, already knowing what the blonde would request of her.

"Can I grope your beautiful honkers? One last time?" Katsuragi requested, holding up her usual wiggling fingers. "I mean, I won't be here for quite a long time, so I might miss how your boobs would feel like." She then tried to reason, hoping it would cut it for her.

"..." Ikaruga and Hibari looked at her, the former almost deadpanning and the latter slightly dumbfounded.

"Please?" Katsuragi pleaded once more. "Think of it as me saying see you guys once again. The Katsuragi way, hehe." She then added with a joking grin.

Ikaruga sighed. As much as she tolerated the blonde's antics, she would somehow love to spend a week without getting groped, and admittingly that break where Katsuragi had grown sick of it herself was a little...freaky, but very much appreciated.

Which was why she regretted the next sentence that came out.

"...Fine, I'll let you grope me. One more time." Ikaruga sighed, already feeling pained by needing to speak these words. "Not sure about Hibari-san though because Yagyū-san will kill you if she finds out about it."

Hibari simply fidgeted in slight nervousness. Sure, she has been groped by the blonde multiple times, with Yagyū-chan telling her off most of the time, but...this time, Katsuragi would leave for now and would not be around for the next couple of days, so...she might miss her presence around, even though they can still contact to the phone.

"Uh, Hibari is fine." The pinkette soon decided. "If I get any bigger, Hibari can't work on Muramasa-chan." She then admitted, her voice a bit down.

"Yeah, Ikaruga is more fun feelin' up, anyhow. Come here!" Katsuragi casually stated with a grin and then called out before leaping up swiftly like disappearing with a blink of an eye and appearing right behind the ravenette.

"W-Wait, please, AH!" Ikaruga began in a panic before moaning.

"Hehe, I'm gonna miss these for sure." Katsuragi stated, copping one last feel of the ravenette's breasts. Soft, supple, and slightly firm like always.

Ikaruga did her best to endure the sensitive feelings as her breasts were being groped. "K-Katsuragi-san, not soooo- ahn~!" She tried to say before crying out. "Y-You should've let me prepare myself for- hyaa~!" She then struggled out before moaning.

"You letting me do this is prep enough!" Katsuragi excitedly declared.

Hibari simply laughed weakly with a sweatdrop as she noticed the scene nearby. "Katsu-nee, hehe..." She then weakly stated.

"Asuka, I pray for your safetyyyyyyyy!" Ikaruga mentally exclaimed, her eyes rolling to the back of her head as she lost all will to fight.

"There. Something to remember while I'm in Tokyo." Katsuragi concluded with a smirk as she finished groping the ravenette. "How did it feel, Ikaruga?" She then asked with a grin this time.

"Mrrrnn...just wait for Yagyū-san, alright?" Ikaruga groaned out. "...Why did it have to feel that good?" She then shamefully thought in her head, mentally promising herself to never say it out loud.

"Jeez, okay, I've had my fill." Katsuragi muttered before grabbing her bag again. "Alright, let's wait for Yagyū to arrive, then I'll head out." She then decided.

"Thank you." Ikaruga breathed out in relief as she relaxed herself a bit.

"...Butttttt..." The blonde soon began as she looked towards her friend again with a giddy grin.

"My rear is off-limits!" Ikaruga declared in clear annoyance. "You can only have my boobs, and that's it!" She then declared.

Katsuragi groaned in slight annoyance. "Fine, whatever. I'll go for the Tokyo girls' asses instead." She then stated.

Ikaruga simply shook her head along with a sigh. At least Katsuragi was being herself, which was a decent sign, at least.

"Come on, Yagyū-chan, hurry up..." Hibari mumbled.

Soon enough, the secret entrance opened up, revealing a very exhausted Yagyū. "I have returned, everyone." She announced.

"Good to see you safe and sound, Yagyū-san." Ikaruga got out in a grateful manner.

"Yagyū-chan! You're back!" Hibari happily and excitedly exclaimed as she ran over and hugged her friend.

"Hibari." Yagyū responded with a small smile, accepting the hug...as the blonde came over and wiped her nose before she could stain her best friend's pink jacket with her blood.

"Morning, Yagyū." Katsuragi greeted before moving past the white haired girl. "Welp, I'm off to conquer Tokyo! Wish me luck, guys! Yagyū, just leave my souvenir in my room." She then decided as she started to head out with her bag.

"Wait." Yagyū however spoke up, getting the attention of the others. "I have something everyone should see." She soon informed.

"Hm?" Katsuragi got out in confusion, pausing in her confident stride as she walked in reverse back to her original spot. "What's so important? Did you get something funny?" She assumed as everyone began to gather around a table.

"Ah! Did you check in on Asuka-chan and her friends?" Hibari soon assumed in an excited manner.

"Hibari-san, remember, we aren't supposed to make contact with Asuka-san for our mission regarding Okumura-san." Ikaruga however reminded. "...But we can contact her friends." She then added.

"...Yes, I talked to Akira-san while I was there." Yagyū soon confirmed with a nod. "He...He's really nice. I wish I had met up with him again, but I was...dealing with some things." She then admitted before revealing.

"And those some things are...?" Katsuragi pressed with crossed arms under her breasts.

"This." Yagyū responded as she pulled out a check from her pocket and showed it to her teammates.

THUMP!

"Whoa, that's a lotta zeroes." Katsuragi got out, jaw dropped. "Um, you really shouldn't have that out in the open like that, Yagyū!" She soon suggested.

"Did you win the lottery...?" Hibari guessed.

"No, this is all for the school, signed by Vice President Takakura Kiryū." Yagyū soon informed. "Not a single yen wasted on our desires." She then revealed.

"Dammit." The blonde cursed under her breath.

However, Ikaruga frowned as she looked down at the check. "Yagyū-san, we weren't supposed to be paid until after Katsuragi-san's turn." She soon reminded.

"Consider it an advance." The eyepatch-wearing girl replied. "It's better than nothing."

"10 billion isn't anything to scoff at, Yagyū-san." Ikaruga however stated. "But it is short by quite a bit. And wasn't it supposed to be a direct-" She then started.

"We weren't going to get the money!" Yagyū interrupted, shocking the others. "We still aren't. This was just...hush money." She then explained.

"Hush money?" Ikaruga repeated with widened eyes. "Wait, what are you keeping quiet about?" She soon questioned.

"...Vice President Takakura wanted me to put in a good word, but...I do not wish to do it because he asked me to." Yagyū soon revealed as she took out the black folder. "It all depends on the validity of this folder." She then added as she slapped down the info she had been given onto the table.

"What is that?" Hibari questioned.

"Information about our replacements." Yagyū answered in a serious manner.

That immediately got the attention of the others as their eyes widened. "Replacements!?" Katsuragi exclaimed, sounding quite offended. "We didn't do anything wrong! I haven't even gone yet!" She then questioned and growled.

"We let an expensive statue get destroyed, had a break-in at the HQ and failed to capture the culprits, then allowed Okumura-owned property to be vandalized...Okumura-san's calling card and change of heart...and you are a walking violation of personal space." Yagyū soon listed off, causing the other Hanzō Elites to flinch at each failure (with Katsuragi taking particular offense to that last one). "Admittingly, I can't blame them for wanting to replace us with another team of shinobi." She then confessed with a sigh.

"Another team?" Ikaruga repeated with widened eyes.

"Yes. Apparently they are led by someone who was once a friend of Haru and willing to do this job for free." Yagyū revealed, surprising the others. "And...Okumura Foods is not afraid to deal with both Good and Evil Shinobi. And this group is firmly on the Evil side." She then added.

"E-Eh?" Ikaruga got out with widened eyes as she processed this. "This...is another childhood friend of Haru? Who is an Evil Shinobi?" She once more repeated.

"Hey, weren't you part of Haru's childhood friend group? Do you remember her?" Katsuragi remembered as everyone looked towards the acting leader.

"Do I remem-" Ikaruga began to repeat, but soon winced in pain as she held her head.

"Okay, are you seriously repeating everything we say today?" Katsuragi deadpanned.

Yagyū however was more focused on the raven haired girl's reaction. "Are you alright?" She soon asked.

Ikaruga hissed as she tried to calm down. "I'm trying to remember this person..." She responded. "But...ngh..." She soon groaned with another wince.

"Don't push yourself." Hibari got out in worry. "It looks like you're about to go to the bathroom."

"I'm not." Ikaruga insisted in a flat tone before shaking her head. "I'm afraid nothing is coming to me." She sighed in defeat.

"It's okay. Hibari forgets what she even ate for lunch yesterday." The pink haired girl reassured.

"That's too bad, but those memories aren't exactly fresh. It would've been nice to know our enemy, but you did your best." Katsuragi assured, comforting her best friend. "But then again, it'd be cheating to know more than they do. I'd like a fair fight." She then remarked.

"Still, it would be best to be informed of who they are." Ikaruga responded as she brought a hand out. "May I see?" She soon requested, referring to the folder.

"It wouldn't hurt, although I doubt they'll be coming during your time there, Katsuragi." Yagyū soon informed.

"During my time ther- Huh?" Katsuragi began as she noticed her statement. "Wait, I'm still going to Tokyo? I thought we're being replaced." She soon pointed out.

"Yes and no. They still let Hanzō Academy be active in their contract even though they won't pay us in the end anymore." Yagyū responded. "Pretty much the Okumura higher-ups simply took advantage of our contract and services once we failed to do our job there." She then explained.

"That's...That's horrible." Hibari simply reacted.

"Ugh, typical of corporate big shots." Katsuragi scoffed. "Screwing over the little guys when all it takes is one tiny revolution to start eating the rich." She grumbled.

"...What?" Ikaruga got out with widened eyes.

"What?" Katsuragi got out in the same tone.

"Did you just...n-never mind." Ikaruga groaned as she shook her head.

"That...was surprisingly wise of you to say, Katsuragi." Yagyū had to admit.

"...Do they actually eat the-" Hibari soon began to ask, however...

"I dunno. Probably." Katsuragi answered. "They would make burgers." She then added.

"Can we not talk about cannibalism?" Yagyū deadpanned.

"Oh yeah, I am so gonna put those guys' names down on the Phan-Site too." Katsuragi then decided.

"We really shouldn't rely on the Phantom Thieves to do our work." Ikaruga sighed out. "Also, they take forever to do anything..." She then added.

"Wouldn't it be easier if we deal with it ourselves though?" Hibari soon suggested.

"But what can we do?" Ikaruga questioned. "We can't mentally change them and doing anything to them will just lead to Hanzō Academy's reputation lowering already. We're supposed to be Good Shinobi here." She then stated and reminded.

"We could give these files to the council. Have them deal with it." Yagyū suggested.

"But I don't want Haru to be caught in the crossfire here." Ikaruga got out.

"She will be no matter what. It's her father's freaking company!" Katsuragi snapped in frustration. "Maybe we should talk to Kiriya-sensei about this." She then suggested.

"Yeah..." Yagyū agreed before covering her mouth. After a few seconds of nothing, she stopped. "...Shouldn't he be poofing in right now?" She then noted.

"He's training the new wave group. He's not going to be available for a while." Ikaruga revealed. "Now please, we must know." She then stated.

"Remember, Okumura Foods will not be our problem after Katsuragi's turn." Yagyū however reminded. "Whatever we learn here might not ever come up. What do you seek from finding out who these Zodiacs are?" She responded and asked.

"...I will not let Haru-san be hurt by strangers again." Ikaruga responded, anger bubbling inside her as she took the folder. Then, just as she was about to tear the seal...

"Hold up!" The blonde suddenly called out, causing everyone to groan.

"Katsuragi-san, what is it?" Ikaruga asked in an exasperated manner, expecting a dumb question that would inevitably delay learning anything significant.

However, Katsuragi focused on the eyepatch-wearing girl. "You have checked that it won't explode or curse us or something, right?" She soon asked.

That...was actually a good question. She hadn't even bothered to check it, despite holding onto it this entire time. "...I'm putting a lot of trust in the Vice President here." Yagyū soon answered. "If he truly wished to harm us, why go through all this effort? I'd rather be done with this and deal with whatever happens afterwards." She then pointed out.

"Alright, but let's read this quick. I wanna head out soon to finally get my Asuka fix!" Katsuragi replied and soon declared, causing the mature members of the team to sweatdrop.

Ikaruga sighed before opening the folder in a significantly less dramatic manner. "Alright, what do we have here..." She soon muttered.

"Ah!" Hibari suddenly yelped out as several small photographs spilled out of the folder and onto the table.

"Someone forgot to staple..." Katsuragi grumbled as they began to organize the contents, placing the pictures on the table.

Twelve girls. 10 of them they didn't recognize.

Only two however caused Ikaruga's eyes to widen.

The head shots of one girl with blonde hair and orchid-purple eyes while the other girl had silver hair with drill-like pigtails and green eyes.

"...L-Leo-san...Ginrei-san..." Ikaruga barely got out as her eyes dilated before...

THUD!

"I-Ikaruga!?" Katsuragi exclaimed as all of a sudden, the acting leader fainted on her feet.

"Leo? Ginrei?" Yagyū muttered with a narrowed eye as she looked at the files of the girls in mention.

"I-Is Ikaruga-chan okay!?" Hibari panickingly asked.

"She's fine. She just fainted." Katsuragi informed as she picked her best friend off the ground. "But whoever Leo and Ginrei are...they better have some answers." She growled.

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"What to do today..." Asuka wondered in a curious manner as she placed the groceries in the fridge. She had just gone shopping to restock the fridge and she hadn't been notified for any modeling gigs for the day, so she was free.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out as she took out her phone. "Futaba-chan?" She muttered in a curious manner as she started the conversation.

[Alibaba9: Asuka! You need to come over to my room ASAP!]

[Alibaba9: No time for questions! Now!]

Asuka in response blinked to this before typing back.

[SushiRoll23: Ok.]

And with that, Asuka headed out, slightly worried on how their resident hacker was up to this time.

(10/2, Daytime)

(Shibuya, Underground Mall)

Homura had decided to spend her day shopping, going around the city to burn a good chunk of her share of Metaverse money. She was sure that they were heading into Mementos soon so she might as well get some stuff for herself.

"Huh, I wandered here without thinking much about it." Homura noted as she looked around. "Premium Supermarket Taisho, huh? It better be worth the money." She soon mumbled.

It was a rather fancy shop with some price tags that made her wince, but she did notice the sheer variety of sweets on display.

"Man, Ann must really love this shop..." Homura remarked with a giggle. "Chocolate truffles, Uji matcha flan...and what the heck is castella?" She noted before asking.

"Free samples here!" An employee meanwhile happily called out.

Blinking to that, Homura went to the employee saying that. "May I?" She soon asked.

"Here you go." The employee nodded as she handed the tan skinned girl a small cup containing a piece of castella cake. Without thinking, the tan skinned girl popped it into her mouth.

"!" Homura's eyes soon widened before smiling with a sparkle in her eyes. "Wow, it's so great!" She happily and excitedly informed, her voice sounding an octave higher and more feminine sounding.

"It's better if you get a whole one! It jiggles like jelly!" The employee replied and revealed, taking one out to show its...literal jiggling.

Homura blinked. Well, she could certainly think of other things to buy, but... "Gah! I'm too weak. I'll take one." She declared before pouting in a girly manner.

"Greta! That'll be 1,500 yen." The employee revealed. "For yourself, or a friend?" She then asked.

"...I'll take two." Homura soon corrected. "Dammit, Ann." She then mumbled.

"Okay. Let me package it up for you." The clerk soon offered. "You should come back when it rains. We sell drizzled natto then, and let me tell you, it's to die for." She then suggested.

"...It has been a while since I've had natto." Homura eventually admitted. "Okay, I'll promise to swing by and get some." She soon promised with a nod.

"Alright, here's your cakes. Have a good day." The employee soon got out as she handed Homura a bag.

"Thank you." Homura responded with a satisfied smile. "Alright, that was a nice pitstop, but I better get to the Body Chop." She soon admitted as she left the sore and headed over to her personal favorite place to shop. While she looked around, she couldn't help but pick up an idle conversation.

"I can't wait for his public apology!"

"They should just execute everyone who causes trouble for society."

"Ooh, maybe they could take down my boss!"

"Politicians who badmouth the Phantom Thieves are just sore losers."

"What about Akechi-kun? Is he too afraid of backlash to comment?"

Homura meanwhile sighed as she heard those remarks. "We aren't vengeful gods, just vengeful." She grumbled as she went over to the beauty products part of the store.

"Crimson lipstick..." Homura noted as she looked intently at it before snorting in amusement. "Pfft, why am I thinking it wouldn't fit my style? I damn well own it!" She suddenly declared as she grabbed a couple.

"Ooh, trying to look good for your special someone tonight?" The clerk soon noticed in a teasing manner.

"H-Huh?" Homura got out in surprise, soon beginning to glow a bright crimson like the lipstick she just got. "N-No! I-I-I-I'm not-" She then stammered.

"Aw, is it that cute girl you always hang out with?" The clerk then suddenly assumed.

"Wha-?" Homura choked before growling. "Wait, hold on! That's my sister!" She then revealed.

"Eh?" The clerk got out in surprise. "I thought it was the blonde one." She then admitted.

"NOT HER EITHER!" Homura then declared before blinking. "...Actually, that's new." She soon muttered.

"Hm, shy about it then. Okay, well, shall I recommend some new arrivals?" The clerk soon offered.

"I-I don't have a-" Homura tried to explain, however...

"I'll give you a discount~" The Body Chop clerk sang out.

That in turn got the tan skinned girl's curiosity. "...Show it to me." She soon requested.

The clerk smiled at that. "I'm getting a bonus tonight!" She mentally cheered.

After checking out all the new products, Homura decided to buy at least one of each before leaving the store. She was also hoping she had enough money to buy these things.

"...Am I easily manipulated to buy stuff?" Homura suddenly realized. She got convinced to buy those cakes and all those cosmetics. Did she develop a spending problem...?

"No. Consume products such as these since you were denied our youth." Wolverine responded and encouraged. "Just make sure not to indulge too much of it." She then advised.

To that, the tan skinned girl blinked as she was reminded of that fact. "You know what? You're right." Homura mentally admitted with a smirk. "Thank you, Wolverine." She then responded with a nod as she headed to her next destination: the clothing shop.

It looked like a new season of clothing had just arrived in the store, as there was a variety of new dresses, underwear and accessories she wanted to try out.

"Huh, it's been so long since I tied up my hair..." Homura mumbled as she looked at all the wigs tied from their mannequin heads and some fashionable headbands on display. "Should I start doing that again? At least, when I need to dress up a little. Maybe when I'm with Yumi-senpai or Ann." She then muttered to herself as she then noticed a fashion magazine on display as well, showing a few familiar faces on the cover. "Huh, Sis, Ann and Miki." She muttered as she picked it up and began looking through it.

"The New Femme Fatales of the Fashion World." The article stated. "This trio has been making waves separately since the beginning of the year, but the recent runway show has them now come together to show off this season's latest line, designed by international auteur Oren Ramone Baurollo." The article continued.

"...That's one hell of a name for a French guy." Homura had to admit. "So that's the guy that sponsored Sis for that runway show..." She then muttered before seeing the ash blonde wearing a red one piece dress that shows some of her cleavage.

"Sweets-loving model by the name of Ann Takamaki has been off the charts as of late due to her runaway show appearance. And according to our sources, though unsure if they are true, she has been planning on expanding into the acting world and seeing her face on screen. As of now, she is now on the rise along with her fellow models, and one of them is Asuka Shirokage."

"Hehe, sounds like Ann." Homura snickered in amusement as she then noticed the pinkette wearing a dark purple and black dress that prominently shows her cleavage and her figure.

"Miki Mochizuki, pink-haired and having exceptionally high sex appeal that she is, has been in the acting, fashion and modeling world for a long while, so it is safe to say that she has exceptional experience. As for her well-known achievements while doing this kind of work on an international level, she has obtained the Best Sex Appeal Award from a modeling competition in France, as well as making donations to those in need in the country of Africa and the slum areas here in Japan." The article soon revealed.

"Wow, she's more impressive than I thought." Homura soon admitted in an impressed manner before seeing the image of her sister wearing a green and gold one piece dress that was surprisingly similar to the pinkette as it also displays her prominent cleavage as well.

"Young and upcoming model Asuka Shirokage meanwhile had denied the offer to go international and being mentored by top model Miki Mochizuki, however, she gave an impressive and mature reasoning as to why so, showing her sense of intelligence. She is definitely going to go far in the future." The article then revealed and praised.

"Whoa, Sis is going big with this modeling gig of hers now..." Homura admitted. "I wish you good luck, Sis." The tan-skinned girl mumbled to herself with a smile as she then closed the magazine and looked at the magazine cover once again showing the three models.

"...To think Miki would be in a Bootyland commercial aside from being a top fashion model in the magazines." The tan-skinned girl had to state to herself. "Jeez, it almost makes me think that her whole body was meant to be exploited, and she would be all but willing to flaunt it." She then mumbled with a sigh.

"Are you gonna buy that magazine, miss?" The clerk soon asked. "If you're gonna read it, you're gonna have to pay for it." She then informed.

"Oh, uh, sorry." Homura immediately apologized, facing the clerk. "Just got...interested in the models here in the magazine." She then admitted.

"Interested in the models, huh?" The clerk soon assumed. "I'm honestly a fan of Miki myself." She then admitted. "How about you?" She soon asked.

Homura in turn smirked. "Asuka." She replied in a proud manner. The clerk also doesn't need to know she was actually her sister.

"Ah, you have good tastes." The clerk remarked. "Out of the Femme Fatales, she's the cutest." She then admitted.

"I know, right!?" Homura excitedly exclaimed. "Cute in appearance and a fresh face in the modeling world." She then added.

"You're telling me." The clerk soon chuckled. "There's also something I noticed as well. Asuka and Miki have large breasts, while Ann only has decent ones. I wonder why..." She then added.

"...Seriously?" Homura simply stated with a sigh. "Does it really have to be the boobs?" She then added with a slightly deadpanned tone.

"Hey, everyone has different tastes. Please don't judge." The female clerk responde with a shrug of her shoulders. "Anyways, gimme the magazine so I can scan it for you to pay."

"Oh, uh, I'm actually going to buy some more here." Homura soon informed. "Particularly the clothes over that section." She then added.

"Oh you're going to buy some clothes here as well?" The clerk got out. "Great! Take your time to choose what you want before you come to me for payment."

"Thanks. You got any recommendations?" Homura replied and then asked.

"I do." The clerk nodded to that. "Hmm...you look like a girl who would love the color blue." She eventually stated.

"Blue?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. It would really go with your eyes." The female clerk claimed as she went off to get some clothes for the tan skinned girl.

"...No one has actually noticed my eyes before..." Homura honestly admitted.

"Well, they say that the eyes are the window to the soul or something like that." The female clerk stated while rummaging through the clothes on the hanging rack before "...Here, maybe these will catch your interest." She then added as she gave a decent pile of different clothes to the tan-skinned girl.

"Heeeeh, these are some cute clothes." Homura admitted as she browsed the clothing she received, finding ones that interested her. "...I still got a lot of boyish clothes. Ugh, I don't want to end up like my friend Miyabi with people calling me a hunk all the time." She then groaned.

"I highly doubt those clothes make a girl look boyish." The female clerk remarked in amusement. "Though it really depends on the wearer's preferences on how he or she wants to be seen by others." She then added.

"...Miyabi's a girl who literally has a horde of fangirls that call her a hunk and hunky." Homura bluntly revealed.

"Is that so?" The female clerk asked with a wince. "Well, I hope she still has a sense of femininity in her for her well-being if you described your friend that way." She then added.

"...That'll be a challenge for her." Homura soon admitted in an awkward manner. "And maybe me too." She mentally added.

"There's no such thing. You'd kill it like a lady even if you were covered in coal dust." Her Persona suddenly claimed in a proud manner.

"You think so?" Homura mentally asked her other self with a head tilt.

"I am thou, thou art I." Wolverine reminded.

"...Right, if you believe it, I believe it too." Homura responded.

"There you go, bub. Now, are you gonna stand there or are you gonna buy something?" Wolverine then encouraged.

"Oh, right." Homura got out as she took some of the clothing she liked and headed to the changing rooms. "Well, Wolverine, you think you can act as my sassy best friend for a few minutes?" She mentally requested.

"Sure. Not like I have anything better to do." Wolverine casually replied.

"Alright!" Homura cheered as she got into an empty dressing room and started stripping.

BOING!

"Ok...what to try first..." Homura muttered as she looked at the pile of the clothes she picked out, though first getting a crimson red bra and panties on.

"Why not start off with some blue? That employee said you'd look nice." Wolverine suggested.

"Like your shade of blue or Yumi-senpai?" Homura assumed.

"You gotta stop comparing yourself to others." Wolverine stated. "Just go with it, don't let your image of others stop you from trying it out." She then added.

"Hai, hai. Was just making a note of reference since you got blue and Yumi-senpai also wears blue." Homura responded as she got a blue shirt followed by a white overcoat and black pants. "What do you think?" She then asked.

"Girl, you look like you just stepped off the runway of a nice fashion show. And not those super weird ones that look more like science experiments or furniture." Wolverine soon complimented.

"So glad Asuka doesn't do those types of clothing." Homura thought. "And yeah, I'm seeing it. Looks great for winter. This...This might be good for when it snows." She then admitted.

"Hey, you guys brought winter clothing, right?" Wolverine eventually asked.

"Uh, I didn't, but Sis has this nice green parka. It was kind of a pain to fit it into the closet though." Homura responded.

"If you're gonna be staying for the whole year, you're gonna have to get this so you don't instinctively use your fire element to warm you." Wolverine soon advised. "Oh, add a scarf!" She then added.

"...I'll get a crimson scarf." Homura decided with a smile before a thought came to mind. "...Wait, what if my family gets me one?" She then muttered.

"Then you'd have two." Wolverine answered.

"...Gotta admit, I was expecting a more complex answer." Homura soon confessed with a sigh.

"Well what did you want me to say? Some sappy Akira-level speech about life? Come on, girl, some things aren't that complicated." Wolverine countered.

"Maybe I should've told you to be that nice best friend who knows when to shut up." Homura grumbled under her breath before realizing something. "Hm, it's been a while since I had the chance to see Akira alone. Might as well be tonight." She then decided with a smile as she put on another dress.

"Um, are you okay in there, miss? Is there someone in there for you?" A different female clerk asked in concern from outside the dressing room.

"No, I just talk to myself a lot!" Homura answered automatically.

"Oh. Well, do you mind quieting down?" The clerk soon requested.

"Sure thing." Homura responded, soon hearing the clerk leave the area. "Note to self, mentally chat with Wolverine, not physically." She thought to herself.

"Smart move." Wolverine bluntly praised, obviously showing there was sarcasm in her voice.

Homura groaned to that as she took the clothes off before getting a dark blue long sleeve top followed by a yellow sleeveless top with an X marking and got them on followed by a pair of tight blue jeans.

"...Was that intentional?" Wolverine soon asked.

"Huh? What?" Homura got out in confusion.

"Never mind..." Wolverine sighed.

Eventually, she tried out all the outfits, picked out the ones she and Wolverine liked the most, and headed over to the counter to pay for them.

"Okay, that'll be 18,100 yen, ma'am." The clerk soon informed.

"That's...surprisingly cheap." Homura admitted, blinking to hearing that.

"It's discount week." The clerk revealed, pointing to the sign nearby. "Twenty-five percent off today and the discount will get higher each day to promote new clothes." She then explained.

"Huh. Nice." Homura got out, making a mental note of this information.

"Oh, and if the female customer has big boobs, you get seventy-five percent off." The female clerk then informed.

"..." Homura stared at her.

"Kidding, kidding." The female clerk revealed with a giggle. "Anyway, like I said, 18,100 yen." She then got out.

"...I was hoping it was the real deal." Homura admitted as she took out her money.

"Wish it is." The clerk responded. "Alright, thank you for your purchase." She then added.

After trying them on and checking how she looked, she bought them all and headed out. "Okay, maybe that's enough shopping today." She soon decided, already heading for the train station.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Homura hummed out as she took out her phone. "Yumi?" She muttered.

[Negative8Degrees: Homura-san.]

[FireGirl20: What's up, Yumi? Yusuke causing you trouble?]

[Negative8Degrees: No, he has not. I was just curious if you are busy tomorrow.]

[FireGirl20: Uh, I have committee stuff and I'm planning to spend some time with Ann.]

[Negative8Degrees: Oh, I'll ask you later then.]

[FireGirl20: No, don't. I wanna hang out with you too.]

[Negative8Degrees: You seem to have a full schedule already though. I know quite a bit about that.]

[FireGirl20: Ah, your idol work, student council work, and info network?]

[Negative8Degrees: I'm also taking dance lessons, and that was well before becoming an idol.]

[Negative8Degrees: But I do ensure I have some free time for myself, and I'd like to spend it with you. But I know I should stretch you out too thin. Even though I was thinking we could spar, I'm sure you have enough on your plate.]

(...)

[FireGirl20: Yumi-senpai, I will never turn a fight.]

[FireGirl20: Tomorrow. SMAC Rooftop. 9PM.]

[Negative8Degrees:...SMAC?]

[Negative8Degrees: Oh, wait, I get it. Your apartment building. I shall meet you then. Get ready.]

[FireGirl20: I'm always ready. Are you?]

"Hmm..." Homura hummed out before a sparkle came to her eyes. "Yosh, I'm gonna see Akira tonight and then tomorrow, I'll hang out with Ann-chan and then Yumi-senpai." She mentally decided with a nod.

So many things were going right for her, and she was eagerly awaiting to spend more time with her friends.

But first, she needed to drop off her bags at home.

(Shibuya, Station Square)

Makoto had arrived in Shibuya to buy some books when she spotted the familiar white haired woman. It actually wasn't that hard given the wide berth everyone was giving her around the lottery booth, aggressively getting scratch tickets.

"Son of a-" Miyabi swore. "Another one!" She then ordered.

"Um, ma'am, I think you've had enough." The poor clerk fearfully informed.

"Don't tell me what to do! Give me another!" Miyabi demanded as she slammed her fist on the counter, causing the clerk to squeak (and possibly pee his pants).

"Uh...Miyabi?" Makoto awkwardly called out.

"Rrgh! Don't talk to me right now, Makoto!" Miyabi growled in frustration.

This however concerned the brunette. "Wait, what happened?" Makoto soon asked.

The white haired woman groaned as she finally pushed herself away from the counter. "Well, just this morning, Asuka and Homura were outside in front of their apartment door naked the moment I left my own room." Miyabi bluntly revealed, unaware that the lottery counter closed up behind her.

"..." Makoto blinked as she heard that. "...Uh, why were they naked outside?" She had to ask.

"They told me that they had someone over last night and tried to bid them goodbye while outside before I pointed it out and they rushed back in." Miyabi recalled with a sigh.

"..." Once more, Makoto was silent. "I'm glad no one else saw them but you." She soon confessed.

"Yeah." Miyabi sighed out. "I mean, their bodies are great and all, but they don't have to flaunt it outside for the civilians to see." She then confessed and pointed out.

Makoto simply stared at her. "Seriously...?" She then got out with a sweatdrop.

"That, or they're idiots." Miyabi grumbled with a sigh. "I'd go with the latter." She then added.

"You shouldn't talk about your friends like that." Makoto stated with a frown.

"Hey, just because I'd die for them doesn't mean I no longer have the right to criticize." Miyabi claimed in a blunt manner. "Why am I even telling you this shit?" She then grumbled with a sigh.

"Because we're friends and you need someone to talk to?" Makoto reminded with a smile.

"Meh, that's not it." Miyabi bluntly responded as her eye twitched.

"You're being really bitchy today." Makoto noted in concern.

"Because I got fucking groped on the train ride here!" Miyabi snapped. "Fucking perverts everywhere in this goddamn city!" She then growled.

"...You too huh?" Makoto sighed out. "Have you at least crushed their hands?" She then asked.

"I did. Oh, and don't you fucking sympathize with me." Miyabi sighed out. "You may have tits bigger than your brain, but at least you don't also have a horde of fuckin' fangirls that keep calling you a hunk and try to strip you down!" She then added in frustration.

"...I have a horde of fangirls calling me Dragoness now. Does that count?" Makoto responded and asked. " Also, I don't even have tits like yours...yet." She then added.

"...I fucking hate Tokyo." Miyabi firmly and bluntly declared.

"We can hate it together." Makoto offered as she placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Once I graduate from Shujin, I am taking a motorcycle to leave for college. Tokyo U's overrated anyway." She then revealed with a smirk.

The white haired woman however blinked to hearing that. "...You have a motorcycle license?" Miyabi asked in disbelief and interest.

"I got it quite a while ago now, but I haven't used it at all." Makoto answered. "I'm still saving up for an appropriate bike, but I have enough to make a down payment." She then added.

"What would be an appropriate bike for you? A moped?" Miyabi assumed.

"...Something more akin to Johanna." Makoto soon revealed.

"With the face and everything?" Miyabi added with a slight wince.

"No, obviously not." Makoto responded as she smiled and shook her head. "But if I could get it customized but...Sis wouldn't care too much about it, complain about wasting money on-" She then started to drone on, sounding a little more depressed.

"Makoto." Miyabi interrupted.

Makoto stopped as she realized what she was saying. "Huh? Oh, sorry." She then got out as she shook her head.

"...Hey, I remember Homura telling me about your sister." Miyabi soon recalled. "Are you two...good since that whole thing?" She then questioned.

"Given how I react to being called useless, it's...not great." Makoto confessed with a sigh. "We were pretty distant before, but now...it feels like I'm living with a stranger. We barely talk since she's busy with her job, but now it's basically quiet." She then added, looking a little frustrated. "Hell, the only time she helped out was..." She then started before trailing off and glancing down at her slightly growing bust.

BOING!

"Why do they make that sound!? I didn't even move!" Makoto thought in despair.

"Did she now..." Miyabi responded in a curious manner with a raised eyebrow.

"I think it had something to do with my mom..." Makoto assumed. "Though...I don't really know much about her. She died while I was pretty young." She then added.

"Oh." Miyabi got out, wincing at the reminder. "God, what is up with us having dead or missing parents...?" She soon muttered.

"...Huh, it is quite a disturbing trend with us..." Makoto soon realized. "Still...I would like to learn more about my mother if possible someday." She then confessed.

"It would be nice." Miyabi quipped.

"Hehe, Homura even suggested my mom might've been a shinobi." Makoto jokingly assumed.

"Not every female shinobi has big boobs!" Miyabi countered in annoyance, though also with a hint of uneasiness. "Seriously, one of these days, we're gonna lose a friend because of that stupid assumption." She then added.

"Well, it hasn't exactly steered us wrong yet." Makoto pointed out.

"Oh, so I guess every porn star is secretly a shinobi." Miyabi scoffed. "Way to generalize us, Makoto." She bluntly added.

"...God-fucking-dammit, we were talking about motorcycles and it still somehow turned into a conversation about boobs..." Makoto soon groaned in frustration. "I think we're becoming completely dependent on this type of talk..." She then added.

"You're the one who brought it up first." Miyabi pointed out. "Honestly, I don't mind us talking about boobs from time to time. It basically proves I am female despite the I Heart Miyabi Militia calling me a hunk." She then confessed in a relaxed manner.

"...Seriously?" Makoto got out in disbelief and a hint of sympathy.

"Yeah. Not a lot of people noticed my big tits the first time they met me, so...yeah, somehow my boobs are my only proof that I am a damn woman." Miyabi responded in annoyance and frustration. "It's also why I really liked that spa trip we had. It made me feel like a female physically and mentally." She then confessed.

"Really?" Makoto got out in an interested manner...before reminding herself what they were supposed to be talking about. "Uh, you know what, can we please just return to our motorcycle conversation? We'll talk about boobs and pervy crap later...when our other friends are around." She then pleaded while rolling her eyes on that last part. For once, she'd like to go a day without having something be focused on that particular area. And...why did she say that last phrase like it was now a casual thing for them instinctively?

"I'd like that. Motorcycles can be badass." Miyabi replied and admitted.

"And more practical than a car as a form of transportation." Makoto added.

"Yeah yeah." Miyabi waved off as she looked at the magazine, surprisingly with more...enthusiasm.

The Shujin Student Council President however noticed this and saw the interested expression on the white haired woman's face. "Miyabi...are you interested in getting a motorcycle?" Makoto soon assumed in a curious manner.

That in turn caused the white haired woman to pause. "I...I don't even have a car license." She soon muttered. "I didn't think I would ever need one. Most shinobi run faster than cars by the time we're ten, after all." She then added.

"Well, you can't do everything with just your own two arms and legs." Makoto soon pointed out. "It's relatively easy to get a motorcycle license anyways. You just need to pass a test, although I personally went to a driver's school until I qualified for one." She then informed and revealed.

"Oh. That doesn't sound too hard." Miyabi got out as she rubbed the back of her neck. "...But could you-" She then started.

"I'm not letting you cheat." Makoto deadpanned. "You'd get someone killed if you do." She then added.

"Not the first time! Hehehe...heh...heh..." Miyabi joked before laughing...which soon trailed off to an awkward silence.

"...You get that out of your system?" Makoto soon questioned, unamused.

"Yeah." Miyabi shamefully replied. "...That was in bad taste, wasn't it?" She bluntly assumed.

"Completely." The brunette confirmed. "In any case, I was about to visit a motorcycle shop. Do you want to come with me?" Makoto revealed and soon offered.

"Sure. Thanks for the offer." Miyabi replied.

"It's no problem." Makoto responded as the two headed out.

(Chiyoda, Tachibana Racing Club)

After taking a train ride and a 30 minute walk, they had arrived at their destination. It was a rather large building with hundreds of motorcycles on display out in the front.

"Wow, this is one hell of a place." Miyabi got out as she looked around.

"Well, this is a store that supplies Toei motorcycles for their live action series." Makoto revealed.

"...Godzilla?" Miyabi assumed.

"That's Toho." Makoto sighed as she shook her head. "It's some of the stuff that Futaba likes like Kamen Rider, Super Sentai-" She then started and began listing off.

"I'm more into that Phoenix Featherman thing." Miyabi however admitted with a shrug. Futaba did watch it a lot when she was around.

"Same category." Makoto revealed.

"Noted." Miyabi replied with a nod.

"Okay, come on. Let's try to find something in this place." Makoto soon got out as she headed inside, with Miyabi following after her.

The interior of the club was much like the outside, with people around checking out various motorcycles and the staff trying to sell them. However, there was someone that stood out to them: a woman with black hair in a ponytail in overalls currently replacing a tire with some grease on her face.

"I guess that's the person we should talk to." Miyabi assumed before approaching the woman. "Excuse me ma'am." She called out.

"Give me a minute!" The woman requested in a frustrated sounding tone. "Stupid, freaking...! Fours of engineering and you still have noodle arms!" She soon complained as she struggled to pull the tire onto the wheel.

"Do you need help?" Miyabi offered.

"I got this! You're not licensed for this!" The woman called out as she continued struggling.

PHOMP!

"Hah!" The woman then got out as the tire finally popped on. "There. So, welcome. Haven't seen you two around here before." She soon greeted and noted.

"Thank you. I'm Makoto and this is Miyabi." The brunette soon introduced themselves.

"It's nice to meet you, the name's Mayu Tachibana, the shop owner and mechanic of the Tachibana Racing Club." The young female greeted.

"Aren't you a bit young to be a shop owner?" Miyabi however asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I get that a lot." Mayu meanwhile replied in a tone that showed she had been asked that before. "So, what are you two un-aerodynamic girls looking for?" She soon asked.

"Un-aerodynamic, what?" Makoto got out as she heard something ridiculous.

"Well, most motorcycle jackets, which are legally required to wear when operating a motorcycle, aren't available in your sizes." Mayu explained as she examined the white haired woman. "Those puppies are getting flattened like pancakes." She then revealed.

The white haired woman in turn groaned in annoyance. "Why does everyone focus on the boobs first..." Miyabi mumbled.

"They are pretty noticeable." Mayu simply stated. "So, what are you in for?" She then asked.

"Do you have anything for beginners? Preferably under 600,000 yen?" Makoto asked.

"Ah, just got your license? Well, we have a bunch of cycles that are perfect for you. If you go for the used ones, I'll even cut you a discount." Mayu responded as she then looked at th white haired woman. "Are you also in for one, ma'am?" She then assumed.

"I...I don't have a license. I'm just window shopping for now." Miyabi awkwardly revealed.

The store owner meanwhile smiled at that. "Well, remember Tachibana Racing Club when you do, where our motto is Burning rubber is just as addicting as gacha games." Mayu soon stated. "...I've spent 400,000 yen on FGO alone..." She awkwardly revealed.

"...What?" Miyabi got out in confusion.

"...A mobile game?" Makoto got out in disbelief.

"Ah, enough about my terrible gambling addiction! The beginner cycles are one display outside right now. Please follow me." Mayu soon got out before escorting the girls to the front.

"Well, she seems nice." Miyabi remarked.

"Alright, take your pick from this space here." Mayu soon stated, gesturing towards the display of various motorcycles and bikes. "You can sit on 'em and stuff, but try anything funny and I'll beat you with my wrench!" She soon warned as she gripped the heaviest tool on her belt.

Makoto in turn sweatdropped to that while Miyabi smirked in an impressed manner. "Hey, do you have any recommendations?" Makoto soon asked.

"How about a Honda Shadow Phantom 750? New release, this one." Mayu got out as they moved over to that particular bike. "44.6 horsepower at 5,500 RPM, 47.9 pounds of torque, and goes for about 90 km per gallon." She then revealed.

"Daaaaaaamn..." Miyabi got out in amazement.

"...Do you even know what that all means, Miyabi-san?" Makoto questioned.

"It has high numbers, right? So it has to be good." Miyabi responded in a confident manner, which only caused the others to sweatdrop. "...What?" She then innocently asked.

"Miyabi, please leave your opinions to visuals only." Makoto requested with a sigh.

"At least look it up on your phone before you start speaking." Mayu added. She felt her brain ache from that explanation of her reasoning.

At that, Miyabi did as such, taking her phone out and looking at everything that was mentioned. "...Uh, sorry." She soon apologized.

"It's okay, just don't speak without knowing what you're talking about." Mayu soon advised. "So, what do you think?" She then asked.

"Hmmm...how much?" Makoto soon questioned in a curious manner.

"700,000 yen. A little bit more than your asking price, but I'd say it's worth it. Pretty popular too so it won't be too hard to find replacement parts when you need them." Mayu answered and revealed.

"Hmm...I'll keep it in mind." Makoto hummed out and decided. "Any others?" She then asked.

"Sure." Mayu nodded, soon leading the girls to another part of the store.

"Oooh, hey, what about this one, Makoto?" Miyabi asked in an enthusiastic tone, pointing to a rather heavily-customized ride.

"Ah, a Harley." Mayu muttered with a wistful smile as she rubbed her fingers across its shining fuel tank. "The previous owner loved her to death...quite literally. He died peacefully after taking it on one last ride. Looks brand new, but it has to be from the 80s. Only ended up here just so we could find a worthy owner." She soon revealed.

"...What a beautiful ride..." Miyabi breathed out in amazement.

"Function over form, Miyabi." Makoto got out as she studied the bike. "It may look nice, but it won't matter if it doesn't perform to my standards at a reasonable price." She then stated.

"But it looks so cool! And it has such a nice backstory!" Miyabi confessed with giddiness in her voice and a sparkle in her eyes.

"Miyabi, we're here to find a bike for me, not for you." Makoto reminded. "I don't think I'd want a chopper. I'd look like I'm in a biker gang." She soon added.

"Hey, I thought you stopped caring about how others see you?" Miyabi got out.

"I don't want to look like I'm part of a biker gang." Makoto then stated with a huff, mentally adding that she felt she wasn't worthy of such a bike. "Can we please see something else?" She then requested.

"Sure." Mayu replied as she led the two girls to the next bike. "Here, I think this will satisfy you." She then stated as she showed them what it was.

"So sleek..." Miyabi breathed out in awe. It was a dark gray with a yellow stripe and looked like it was built to be as comfortable as possible for the rider.

"The Narukami Shinobi P-4." Mayu informed with a smile. "A little old, but still damn reliable. Got a nice balance of speed, handling, and all that jazz. Still in good condition too. You wouldn't know it was built in the early 2000s." She then revealed.

"Any story behind this one. Looks used." Makoto asked and noted.

"Not much. Just that it was well-cared for by the previous owner." Mayu responded.

"...How much is it?" The brunette soon asked.

"Eh...about 345,000 yen. For a first timer though, I might be able to get you a 40% discount." Mayu responded.

"That's awfully generous." Makoto had to admit.

"Well, most beginners get better bikes once they've outgrown them...or crashed them." Mayu informed. "And you know who to go to for both." She then added with a wink.

"...Huh?" Miyabi got out in confusion.

"This place." Mayu deadpanned.

"I'm so sorry about her. She's been out of the loop for three years." Makoto apologized for the white haired woman.

"I was sheltered." Miyabi bluntly lied.

"Ah, I guess my advertising and customer relations skills didn't account for that!" Mayu groaned before pulling out a coupon. "Here, you get a tire for free on your next tire change! It expires next year so please come by soon." She then added with a grin.

"Still don't have a license." Miyabi reminded in a disappointed manner.

"You'd be surprised at how fast you can get a license." Mayu revealed as she then looked at the brunette. "So, are you getting this one? Down payment's only 10,000 yen." She then assumed.

"...Deal." Makoto soon decided with a nod.

The owner in turn smiled. "Perfect! Now, I need you to sign a few forms, so let's head back inside." Mayu replied.

Nodding to that, Makoto followed the owner back into the store with the white haired woman in tow.

"Miyabi, why are you so into motorcycles all of a sudden?" Makoto soon questioned, hands on her hips. "You've never shown this level of interest before in...anything, now that I think about it." She soon remarked.

"Well...to be honest, I really didn't care until now." Miyabi admitted. "But...with how this year is going, I think I wanna do some exploring when I'm ready. Take some time to see some sights, experience other things outside the comfort zone I had made for myself, before I stop and start training to take over Hebijo." She then breathed out.

"You're...planning on leaving on a road trip?" Makoto got out with widened eyes to that reveal.

Miyabi in turn giggled. "It would seem like fun. I did just spend three years in bed, and now I'm stuck here fighting off yōma, Shadows, and other shinobi as well as training an apprentice. I should make up for that lost time. Take a gap year." She then stated.

"And you think a nice motorcycle will help with that." Makoto concluded.

"Well, if I'm gonna travel, I might as well do it in style." The white haired woman stated with a smirk. She then paused for a second as a thought came to her. "Ugh...wait, it just hit me...if I ride a motorcycle around, I'm gonna look hunky to people..." Miyabi groaned in despair.

"Having a motorcycle doesn't make you a hunk." Makoto sighed out. "Would you say I'm one on Johanna?" She then asked.

"Not with your ass in that skin tight suit." Miyabi muttered under her breath with a smirk.

"Ack!" Makoto choked as her hands instinctively went to her behind. "Not you too!" She then got out.

"Hey, isn't your outfit supposed to be tailored to you and your image of rebellion?" Miyabi reminded with a teasing smile. "I think you're just aware of what your strengths are. That butt must be really comfortable..." She then remarked.

"Well, I do focus on my lower body because women have greater strength in their legs and- hold on, that is not what we're supposed to be talking about." Makoto began to confess before saying in a deadpan tone. "You won't look like a hunk when on a motorcycle. Actually, I think you'd look pretty attractive in leather." She then declared and confessed.

"Look, stop arguing it. There will always be people out there who will think I am a man. It's not like I have a lot of traditionally feminine traits anyways." Miyabi replied as she shook her head. "Maybe I should just go with it. It would certainly do wonders for my heart, and make sure I don't get gray hair at age 25." She then added.

Makoto however sighed as she placed her hands on her waist. "Miyabi, accepting such a thing will only make you suffer. That's how people like Kamoshida, Madarame and Kaneshiro get so much power: If you think you can't fight, then they've already won." She soon stated.

"..." To that, Miyabi went silent.

"Come on, Miyabi. You can't give up like that. I'm sure you'll show all those idiots who have never seen a beautiful woman, such as yourself, one day." Makoto encouraged. "Come on, let's get going." She soon decided.

"Hm?" Miyabi hummed out. "Where to?" She then asked.

Makoto in response smiled. "To get you your license." Makoto answered in a no nonsense tone.

"Wait what!? But I can't just-" Miyabi began.

"You can. You take the test at any time as long as you schedule it. I'm just going to help you." Makoto interrupted and stated.

"...Oh, I see. You're gonna let me-" Miyabi began with a smirk.

"We're going to the library to study first." Makoto interrupted, not wanting to even entertain the notion of cheating.

"What!?" Miyabi exclaimed before slumping. "Ugh, I thought I was done with that stuff..."

"Mentally 18, aren't you?" Makoto reminded as the white haired woman winced. "That means you still have a long way to go. And that also means you should get a good tutor. It's never too late to get a better education." She then explained.

"...Thanks, Makoto." Miyabi eventually got out in a grateful manner.

"You're welcome. Now, let's hurry. We're burning daylight." Makoto responded and stated, dragging the woman out.

"O-Oi! I can walk on my own, Makoto!" Miyabi complained.

"Do you know the way to the nearest public library?" Makoto soon questioned, already letting out an amused smirk.

"...Please be my guide." Miyabi relented with a sigh as they left the motorcycle shop, the owner meanwhile giggling in amusement at the sight.

(Yongen-Jaya, Sakura Residence)

Futaba was working on something on her computer while having some cup ramen that the white-haired woman promised to buy per their deal together. The flavor was spicy seafood this time, and it was quite a rush for her taste buds. Still, it was delicious, nonetheless.

Yeah sure, she still had to keep up her end of the bargain and try to get into shape...especially with the white and red work-out clothes that Miyabi had left her in the middle of the night saying it was payback for causing her to go up a cup size.

"Mwhehe~ Looks like I got Katsu-nee's technique down." Futaba muttered to herself as she looked at her hands and wiggled her fingers.

"Futaba-chan? Are you home? I got your message and came here as soon as I could." Asuka called out as she entered her room.

"Finally! Took you long enough!" Futaba responded in an over dramatic and exaggerated manner as she stopped her finger wiggling and set her ramen cup down on her computer desk.

"I was shopping for groceries. Your message said that you wanted me to come here. So what seems to be the problem?" Asuka asked her while placing her hands on her hips.

"Well, remember when you came over and we watched some Tokusatsu?" Futaba asked.

In response, Asuka smiled and nodded. "Of course. Why do you ask?" She replied and asked back.

"Well, we're going to watch some more! And we're doing one of the longest running Tokusatsu series!" Futaba declared.

"Oh? What is it?" Asuka soon asked.

"Mwehehe~" Futaba giggled as she then got her computer setup. "Kamen Rider! And the newest installment of the series has just started today!" She revealed.

"Kamen Rider? Is it like the other one you showed me? The Super Sentai?" Asuka asked with a raised eyebrow.

The orangette soon nodded as she got herself settled.

"So what's the story about? I mean it can't be the same for one each time right?" Asuka eventually asked as she also got settled.

"Don't worry, it's not the same story as Super Sentai. But I think it's better to show you than tell you." Futaba explained as the episode started and sat next to her.

"How so?" Asuka however whispered.

"You'll see. Now let's watch and see how it goes." Futaba whispered back as the episode begins on a rainy day with an umbrella in the street.

"Ooooh, ominous." Asuka mumbled as she watched on as a narrator started to talk about heroes as the sound of an ambulance was heard.

The scene then transitions to an ambulance driving through the rain before transitioning to a hospital room where doctors are tending to a patient.

Asuka immediately gasped as she saw who the victim was, a child. "Please survive..." She muttered.

According to the paramedics, the child named Hojo Ema was in a traffic accident and had trauma in his abdomen as he was wheeled into the operation center.

"Man, intense right at the start." Futaba noted as she adjusted her glasses.

"Hai." Asuka responded with a nod of agreement as they watched the medical staff prepare for an emergency surgery.

As the doctors work fast to save him, one of them says that he's going to save him and proceeds with the operation as the narrator continues on talking about how heroes save lives and will always protect them.

This in turn caused Asuka to smile. It was just like what they did as Phantom Thieves and it just reminded her of how glad she was for taking down that corrupted doctor all those months ago.

The scene then transitions again to a young man acting all frantically as he's pleading for someone to not die, only for it to reveal that he's playing a handheld game with three kids and two women watching him playing the game.

This immediately caused the two to giggle in amusement. "Sweet~ He's a gamer!" Futaba declared with a grin.

"And by the looks of it, he's also a doctor." Asuka noted, glad that the boy survived and was able to move on from what happened.

The young man, now an older Hojo Ema, managed to win the game as kids and women cheered for him until a nurse walked up to him and grabbed his ear, causing him to recoil in pain as she reminded him of his rounds.

Asuka soon giggled at this display. "Hehe, guess he was supposed to be working." She joked out.

"Yep. What a dork." Futaba agreed as the doctor realized that she was right and tried to head back inside, only for him to trip and fall flat on his face.

This in turn caused the two girls to giggle in even more amusement.

"Like I said, what a dork." Futaba giggled as the nurse helped him back onto his feet and carried him to the hospital while he's clutching his nose from the fall.

"Guess that's what's going to make him a likable character." Asuka soon assumed with a smile. "I mean a doctor in training with a good head on his shoulders, loves playing video games, what more can you ask for?" She then listed out and asked.

"How about him becoming a superhero?" Futaba smirked as the doctor's handheld started emitting a strange energy and sends it into the air as the sky went from day to night.

"Futaba-chan, even I know that's going to happen somehow." Asuka giggled out before looking at the screen. "Uh oh..." She then muttered in concern.

"Here it comes..." Futaba muttered as a strange digital energy is sent into the air and blackened the sky before forming into a double helix as it sends out a virus and started to affect people around the city and turns them into a digital monster.

"Baddies found!" Asuka announced in a dramatic manner.

"Indeed!" Futaba agrees and does the same.

They two then watched as the screen made a transition to a pink, light blue and yellow lights that shined in the darkness.

"And here are the heroes!" Asuka excitedly declared.

"This year's Kamen Riders I bet." Futaba assumed as she adjusted her glasses.

The lights dimmed out to reveal three armored figures with their weapons drawn. One of them was mounted on a motorcycle as the title screen displays the show's title.

"Kamen Rider...Ex-Aid..." Asuka read out.

"Yep. The new Kamen Rider show." Futaba nodded as the scene transitioned to a hospital room where Hojo was checking up on a kid and deduced that the kid wasn't sick, but rather snacking. Much to his mother's chagrin as she scolded her son.

"Hehe, kid got caught eating too many snacks." Asuka giggled in amusement.

"Yeah...Must be nice to be loved like that..." Futaba lowered her head as her bangs covered her eyes while remembering her mother.

"Futaba-chan..." Asuka got out as she comforted the orangette with a head pat.

Futaba didn't even answer her as she leaned over to her and rested on her chest, tears trailing down her eyes.

"Shhhh, it's ok..." Asuka responded in a comforting tone.

"Mama...I miss you..." Was all Futaba could say as she cried into the Vice Leader's chest.

"Don't worry Futaba-chan, you aren't alone anymore." Asuka reminded in the same comforting tone.

Futaba looked up at her from between her breasts with tears in her eyes before wrapping her arms around her waist in a tight embrace, not wanting to let go of her new friend.

Asuka meanwhile smiled as she still continued rubbing her head as they continued watching.

The scene shifts to another young man playing with the same handheld as Hojo before being approached by a green creature.

"Ah! Enemy generals!" Asuka immediately assumed.

"Yep! That can only mean one thing; trouble!" Futaba replied in agreement as she pulled away from her embrace.

"Yeah!" Asuka replied in agreement as well, glad to hear her friend was already recovering.

Futaba then leaned over. "Thanks, Asuka. For letting me know that I'm not alone anymore." She whispered as she hugged her again with her head in her cleavage.

Asuka simply giggled in response. "I mean if it wasn't me, then Miyabi-chan would have. And you know how she is around you." She replied and reminded.

"Yeah, but I'm still glad to have all of you guys here for me. So thank you, for everything." Futaba smiled as she tightens her embrace and snuggles in her cleavage.

"It's not a problem, Futaba-chan." Asuka replied with a smile.

Futaba nodded as they continued watching.

The show continued to go on as the enemies began talking about infections and how new comrades would be created soon along with how the human-like enemy general compared everything to a game.

Asuka immediately narrowed her eyes to that. "Oh, so he's the type that treats everything like a game huh?" She got out in a cold fury.

"Yeah. He's one of those guys who sees everything as a game that he can win." Futaba responded with a nod while glaring at the screen. "To him, it doesn't matter who he hurts as long as he wins the game." She then added.

"I honestly can't stand guys like him." Asuka soon admitted. "If he was real, I would want to change his heart." She then declared.

"Yeah. Same here." Futaba replied in agreement while clutching her fist.

"He'll get what's coming to him in the end." The duo concluded as they continued watching.

The scene now shifts towards the Ministry of Health building where two people are discussing the issue while the man at the desk is looking over some documents.

"Wow, there must be a serious medical situation going on." Asuka noted, feeling the atmosphere was tense in a different way compared to how it was before.

"I don't think so. I think it's a lot more than just that." Futaba stated as she noticed a black case on the man's desk.

Asuka then noticed the case on the desk as well. "An important item?" She soon guessed.

"An important item." Futaba replied with a nod of agreement.

The two then listened on as the man began to talk about someone going under the handle name simply known as M, who was apparently a genius gamer.

"...It's soooo obvious who M is." Futaba simply stated with a sweatdrop.

"Yeah, pretty obvious. I get that they're trying to make it mysterious, but they're not really fooling anyone." Asuka responded in agreement with her own sweatdrop.

"Yeah." Futaba replied with a nod. "I mean Emu...Genius Gamer M...Pretty noticeable." She then added.

"Yeah. It really gives away any form of secrecy." Asuka nodded in agreement.

"Agreed." Futaba replied with a nod.

The girls continued watching the show as the scene shifted back to the hospital.

"Now to see how Emu's doing." Asuka got out with a smile.

"Yeah, let's." Futaba nodded in agreement.

The scene soon transitioned back to the hospital where Emu was with another child patient.

As Emu opened the door, a shirt comes flying into his face and blinds him while the nurse scolds Sota and tells him he can't go outside and to change his clothes.

"And like any kid, not a fan of going to the doctor." Futaba simply noted.

"Yeah, I think I know how Sota-chan feels. I didn't want to see the doctor either." Asuka agrees as she recalls her trips to the doctor as a kid.

"Obviously." Futaba responded in agreement as well as the two continued watching.

"Yeah." Asuka nodded as Sota snapped back at the nurse and tossed a pair of pants at her to blind her, causing her to accidentally step on Emu's foot as he screamed in pain.

"And thus begins a comedic chase scene after the kid that doesn't want to stay in the hospital." Futaba declared.

"It's weird though, he seems fine too..." Asuka meanwhile noted.

"Yeah. I wonder why he's in the hospital in the first place?" Futaba nodded in agreement.

"Guess we'll find out." Asuka concluded as the episode went on.

"Yeah." Futaba nodded in agreement.

Eventually, Emu got outside as he saw his patient walking across the street, causing him to call out to the boy, who in turn began running away from him.

Emu continued chasing him across the street as Sota runs past a deliveryman and down the street as the doctor comes around the corner and runs into the delivery man and knocks him over and his packages while riding on the handcart down the slope.

Futaba immediately snorted in amusement as the two watched the main character riding. "Man, looks like he doesn't have good luck huh?" She remarked.

"Futaba-chan, that's not funny." Asuka meanwhile chidded in disapproval.

Sota immediately moved out of the way as Emu rode past him and onto the crossover where the same woman from before was walking to someplace until she noticed him rolling down towards her and moving out of the way as he went flying in slow motion before crashing on the other side of the street.

The two soon winced as they watched this happen. "Ouch, that had to hurt." Futaba got out.

"Hai." Asuka admitted in agreement.

As the woman asks if he was alright, Emu's shoe falls back down and hits her head, causing her to stumble on the handcart and slips backwards as it rolled over to Emu and hits his leg, causing her to drop the black case as the same device falls out.

"Oh I get it, so that's the Driver for this series Riders." Futaba realized with a smirk.

Asuka however blinked in response to hearing that as she glanced at the orangette. "Driver?" She repeated.

While the two adults are writhing in pain, Sota walks up to the device on the road and picks it up, thinking it was a video game.

"Mighty Action X?" Asuka repeated after hearing the name.

"Hmm, sounds like a platform-jumper game." Futaba assumed.

"Like Mario?" Asuka guessed.

"Bingo." Futaba replied with a nod.

Asuka soon started to imagine Mario in armor as he platforms through different levels and facing against an armored Bowser which made her giggle a bit.

"Yeah, that sounds hilarious." Futaba admitted, already getting the same idea.

"So what is your favorite Kamen Rider?" Asuka soon asked in a curious manner.

"Well they're all good in their own ways, so it's hard to choose." Futaba responded while adjusting her glasses.

"Any ninja based ones?" Asuka hopefully inquired.

"As of now, nope." Futaba replied. "They really should though." She then added as the two went back to watching the show.

"Moh" Asuka whined as she turned back to the show.

When the woman regained her consciousness, she noticed Sota was holding the device and took it away from him and tried to place it back in the case while he begged to play it. But she tells him it's not a video game and that he has no idea what its purpose is for.

"Ah yes, the harmless looking items always being something that's actually dangerous and rare trope. Gonna have to guess there's also only one of each of the transformation items as well." Futaba deducted and assumed while adjusting her glasses.

"That's a thing?" Asuka asked as she looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Yup. It's been done a couple of times. It's been a long time gimmick in the Kamen Rider series, using the same power of the enemy to fight the enemy." Futaba replied with a nod.

"So like what we're doing in the Metaverse?" Asuka guessed.

"Basically." Futaba replied with a grin as the two went back to watching the show. "Huh, can you imagine Mona as a Kamen Rider?" She asked.

The two then began trying to imagine it before giggling.

"Yeah I'm not sure if that would be absurd or adorable." Futaba replied and admitted.

"Oh yeah." Asuka replied.

"Yep. Now back to the show." Futaba nodded as they returned to the show.

Soon, Emu got to his feet and apologized to the woman before looking towards his patient, chiding him for running away like he did.

But as he does, Sota was more shocked at not playing the game, only for him to faint on the street.

"Wah! Sota-kun!" Asuka exclaimed in concern.

"The hell?" Futaba meanwhile got out in confusion while leaning in.

Emu notices this and checks up on him to see if he is alright, only for him to notice something on Sota's neck that even catches the attention of the woman.

"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion.

"Again, the hell?" Futaba once more asked with a raised eyebrow while adjusting her glasses.

"What are those things?" Asuka asked in shock and confusion.

"I have no idea..." Futaba admitted in a serious tone.

"It looks slimy..." Asuka flinched.

"Hmm..." Futaba hummed out.

The woman shoves Emu out of the way as she examines Sota with a high-tech stethoscope and notices some strange symptoms from him.

"Whoa! That's some serious tech! It's like my screens on Necronomicon!" Futaba declared in awe.

"Is that a stethoscope like a doctor would use?" Asuka meanwhile asked.

"Looks like it but it's more high tech." Futaba meanwhile noted.

"It does." Asuka admitted with a nod as they resumed watching the show.

Emu looks at the display to see a star while the woman seems to have a better idea of what it is and what's happening to Sota.

"Now it's time to get an explanation on what's going on." Futaba declared.

"Yeah." Asuka replied with a nod of agreement.

"So what do you think the explanation will be?" Futaba asked, passing the Vice Leader a drink.

"I have no idea." Asuka admitted while taking the drink and having a sip.

"Better be good." Futaba responded.

"Yeah..." Asuka responded in agreement.

"Are you enjoying this show?" Futaba suddenly asked.

"Yup." Asuka replied with a nod. "It's got a good amount of suspense at the moment as well as mystery regarding what's going on." She then explained.

"Indeed, but I find it hard to believe this guy is a doctor; it's almost like he's just out of medical school." Futaba responded as they watched the doctor in training saw something crawling out of the boy's neck.

"H-Huh!?' Asuka got out in shock.

"What was that?" Futaba asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know, but it looked like those things at the beginning!" Asuka nervously stated.

"This series is already giving us a lot of mysteries..." Futaba concluded as the two continued watching.

"I wonder what's going to happen with Sota-kun?" Asuka asked in concern.

"We gotta see then." Futaba responded as they focused on the show once more.

The scene shifts back to the hospital where Emu and the woman are pushing Sota's bed down the hallway and into an elevator where the woman enters a code on the buttons.

"Now it's getting really serious." Asuka admitted as the orangette nodded in agreement as they continued watching.

The elevator started moving, but not to where Emu was expecting as it arrived at an unknown floor and the walls opened up to reveal a separate entrance.

"Secret headquarters! Awesome!" Futaba cheered with starry eyes.

"It reminds me of the Elites Room back at Hanzō Academy!" Asuka got out in amazement.

"Seriously, but why the complex button combo, why not a key and biometric scanner?" Futaba asked, looking somewhat annoyed.

Asuka in response simply shrugged her shoulders in response as they continued watching.

"How do you get into your secret base?" Futaba asked

Asuka simply giggled as she placed a finger to her lips. "Secret~" She teasingly replied with a playful wink.

As Emu and the woman pushed Sota's bed out of the elevator, waiting for them was a man who both referred to as the Director.

"So even the head of the hospital knows what's going on." Asuka got out.

"Yeah but..." Futaba began as she sweatdropped. "He's the comic relief character isn't he?" She assumed in a deadpan tone.

"Eh?" Asuka responded in confusion.

"Just watch." Futaba advised as the two continued watching.

The Director, who was staring at them intently, brightened up as he addressed the woman, now known as Asuna, as he helped to wheel out Sota's bed from the elevator.

"Called it." Futaba deadpanned.

"Seriously?" Asuka muttered with a sweatdrop.

While wheeling Sota into the hallway, Asuna thanked Emu for his help and told him to leave, but he stopped them and demanded to know what he saw on the child's body. To which, the Director called it a Bugster.

"We got a name now!" Futaba declared.

"Bugster huh..." Asuka mumbled with a thoughtful expression on her face.

But just before the Director could say anything else to Emu, Asuna called out for him to stop and he immediately obliged. He then turns his attention back to Emu and tells him to forget what he saw and that nothing happened.

"Like that's gonna stop the main character from getting involved." Futaba remarked.

"Hai, he's concerned for his patient after all." Asuka replied in agreement with a nod.

Just as they've said, Emu protested against the orders of his director as he couldn't just forget what he saw and abandon Sota as he's his patient. But the Director was adamant on making him forget before turning his attention back to Asuna as they wheeled Sota's bed, leaving him behind.

"Jeez, feeling left out like that must suck." Futaba admitted.

"Yeah..." Asuka responded with a nod.

The Director types in a code on the touchscreen by a door as it unlocks and he and Asuna push Sota's bed into the next room as Emu watches them. As he tries to follow them, the door closes and locks him out.

"Sheesh, just get Emu involved already." Futaba grumbled.

"Yeah, he has the right to know too." Asuka mumbled with narrowed eyes.

Standing in front of the closed door, Emu clutches his hand into a fist as he flashes back to when he was a kid and asked the doctor who saved him if he was all better. The doctor gave him a handheld device for being a good sport, which causes him to smile. Remembering how the doctors saved him when he was on the brink of death, he wants to do the same for Sota.

"And him remembering his own surgery makes him even more determined to help." Futaba concluded with a smile.

"Like an actual hero." Asuka added.

"Yeah, but it remains to be seen if he is a good hero." Futaba replied.

"Well it is the first episode and all." Asuka reminded.

"True." Futaba responded with a nod.

Emu soon looked above the door where the words Cyber Rescue Center is displayed and looked at the panel to see that the door was still open, meaning there's still a chance for him to save Sota.

"Now let's see what the doctor in training will do." Futaba declared.

"I hope he can help." Asuka got out in concern.

The scene changes to an observation room as Asuna looks down the window at the still unconscious Sota as she's now in a nurse's uniform. She walks over to the Director and asks him about a Dr. Kagami as he tells her that he's on his way from the airport. He tries to give her a cup, but she dismisses it and takes the case with her as the director asks where she's going and she answers that she's going to find a genius gamer named M.

"It's really obvious who M is though." Futaba got out with a sweatdrop. "Could Emu really be a good gamer though?" She then wondered.

"Futaba-chan, you should never judge a book by its cover." Asuka reminded.

"Hai, hai." Futaba responded with a nod.

In the isolation room, the monitor that shows Sota's vitals started glitching as something was emerging from his body. A monster came out from Sota's body and was about to move, but couldn't as it looked back at the boy and said that he hadn't infected him enough. So the monster returns to the boy's body to continue infecting him.

The girl's eyes soon widened at what they said as the orangette snapped her fingers. "So, the monsters for this season are part of a virus going crazy." Futaba deducted.

"Viruses...that's unsettling." Asuka has to admit.

Emu enters the isolation room and walks over to Sota's bed as he wakes up from his sudden collapse. Emu asked how he was doing as Sota pulled out a keychain of a character that Emu recognized as Mighty.

"Aw~ What a cute character." Asuka cooed out with a smile.

"Standard platform jumper game looking character." Futaba noted.

"It is?" Asuka asked in a curious manner. "So would that be a mascot like Sonic or Bubsy?" She then asked.

"Never mention that Bobcat again!" Futaba growled.

Asuka in response winced in response. "O-Ok." She awkwardly responded.

"Oh sorry I snapped, it's just that bobcat rubs me the wrong way." Futaba apologized and explained.

"It's ok." Asuka replied while rubbing the orangette's head as the two went back to watching.

"So I take it that these kinds of events for new video games are pretty common?" Asuka assumed as they watched as Asuna walked into the release event for Mighty Action X.

"Oh yeah, there are times when releases for games have events like this," Futaba waved off with a smirk. "Speaking of, I gotta go to one again soon." She then added.

"You are, for what game?" Asuka questioned as she turned to the orangette. "Plus, do Akira-kun and Miyabi-chan know about it?" She then added.

"Not sure yet for the game itself, just that I gotta do it again since I can go outside again." Futaba responded. "And maybe I'd tell Akira and Big Sis about it." She then stated.

"Maybe you should take Miyabi-chan, she does need to get out more." Asuka soon suggested, leaning back while Asuna saw Emu and Sora waiting in line to play the game. "Wah! Emu! You're not supposed to take a hospital patient out of the hospital!" She then exclaimed in concern.

Asuna soon ran over to them and pulled Emu out of the line by his ear while demanding what he was doing by taking Sota out of the hospital without any permission.

"And just like you said Asuka." Futaba quipped in amusement.

"Well it's true." Asuka responded with a pout.

Emu soon explained to Asuna that this was his decision as Sota's doctor, much to her confusion. He reasons with her that he thought Sota wasn't feeling good because he was missing out on the launch of his favorite video game.

"What a good doctor he is." Futaba remarked with a grin.

"He wants to make his patient happy." Asuka assumed.

But Asuna didn't share the same sentiments as them as she berates him for making decisions he knows nothing about as Emu tries to reason with her again that even if he recovered, it wouldn't mean anything if he doesn't smile. To which Asuna tells him that he needs surgery, something that Emu was all too familiar with.

"Surgery!?" Asuka exclaimed.

"Ok, what's up with this Bugster virus if it needs surgery?" Futaba soon asked, the two growing more curious now.

Emu looks back at Sota who was still in line before Asuna walks past him while saying "Some doctor you are" before taking Sota's arm and tells him to come back to the hospital.

Sota however complained that it was almost his turn, but Asuna tells him it's for his sake as he still wanted to play the game.

"Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?" Asuka soon asked in concern.

"You too huh?" Futaba responded in a serious tone, getting a nod in response.

"Yeah, you don't think the bugs will do something to Sota while he's at the event do you!" Asuka assumed in a panicked manner.

"With their luck, something might...and it won't be pretty." Futaba responded.

Sota continued to struggle out from Asuna's grip until he felt something in his head. Emu noticed this and tries to grab him, but Sota knocks both him and Asuna away as he lets out a loud scream and became a massage orange blob that attacks the entire venue as the people started running.

"He became one of the creatures from the beginning!?" The duo exclaimed.

"It literally enveloped him!" Futaba got out in shock.

"Someone save him!" Asuka called out.

As the police evacuated the people from the venue, Emu wondered what's happening with Sota as Asuna said he's processing, much to his confusion. Before either of them could say anything else, the blob raised its arm above the doctor and nurse but Asuna managed to get herself and Emu out of the way as the mutated Sota continued his rampage.

"Jeez, if the nurse just explained it more in detail, then maybe Emu wouldn't have tried and done this!" Futaba remarked.

"Yeah! You should've explained in detail why he had to be kept at the hospital!" Asuka declared.

After making it safely outside of the venue, Emu questioned Asuna about what she meant about Sota processing. Asuna explained to him that they're facing a new kind of virus that comes from video games that has evolved an ability to infect humans and they're called the Bugster Virus.

"So this is the Bugster Virus..." Asuka muttered as she processed this.

"Again, could've explained this in better detail back at the hospital." Futaba grumbled in disapproval.

"But how were they supposed to know Emu was going to take him out to the event?" Asuka soon asked as she tilted her head in a cute and curious pose.

"Does it really matter at this point?" Futaba countered as the two continued watching.

"I suppose not..." Asuka pondered in a mumble.

"Exactly." Futaba responded with a nod as the two went back to watching.

"Is it weird that after all of the stuff we've seen in Mementos, that a monster made of what appear to be mud balls isn't weird or frightening?" Asuka eventually questioned.

"Nope, not really." Futaba simply replied.

"Think we should talk to someone about how the weird and crazy don't phase us anymore?" Asuka questioned taking a snake and popping it in her mouth as the monster moved outside.

"After everything we've been through, nope." Futaba simply responded.

"Okay" Asuka responded with a nod while the monster rampaged. "How long has Kamen Rider been around?" She soon asked.

"Since the 1970s." Futaba revealed.

"The 1970s?! It's been around that long?!" Asuka gasped in shock.

Futaba in turn nodded. "Yup! Back when it was just called Kamen Rider with the enemies being former Nazis that survived after World War II." She replied.

Asuka was at a loss for words as she tried to comprehend what she just learned about the Kamen Rider franchise.

"Yeah, it's a lot to take in." Futaba replied with a smirk. "They kidnapped people and turned them into monsters and the original Kamen Rider, Ichigo, was one of the victims, being given cybernetic enhancements and was brainwashed, but soon broke free and dedicated himself to fighting those that forcefully changed him." She then explained.

"So some of the Nazis survived World War II and kidnapped to turn them into monsters and one of them, Ichigo, used that very same power against them..." Was all Asuka could say.

"Yup, which came up with the concept of using the enemy's power against them." Futaba concluded with a nod as the two watched the monster on screen still rampaging. "And it's going to be the same with the new guy too." She then stated more than assumed.

"But can he really save Sota-kun without hurting him?" Asuka asked in concern.

"Well it is the first episode, so he's probably gonna save him." Futaba reassued with a grin.

"I hope you're right..." Asuka mumbled in concern with a sigh as they continued watching.

Futaba's smirk didn't fade as she watched in anticipation.

Soon, Emu fell to knees, realizing it was his fault for what was happening with the chaos and destruction that was occurring before the nurse revealed that there was indeed a way to save the victim.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Futaba declared.

"Hurry and do something!" Asuka called out.

"The case, it holds the answer." Futaba responded, her grin getting wider as the nurse pulled out a familiar case.

"The Driver!" Asuka recalled. "So being a Rider must mean he can help!" She then realized.

"Oh yeah~ So this is how he becomes a Rider." Futaba got out in excitement.

Believing there's still a chance to save Sota, Asuna places the case on the floor and opens it up to take out the Driver and Gashat, saying they could operate on Sota and extract the Bugster Virus from him.

"Now let's see what he can do." Futaba declared with a grin.

"But is he gonna be able to do it?" Asuka innocently wondered in a curious manner.

"I don't know, some are handheld, others are worn as a belt like this one, but man are they bright." Futaba replied as the doctor in training picked up the device and held it at his waist.

And a belt immediately formed around his waist. "Huh, that's pretty handy. An insta belt." Asuka admitted in a fascinated tone.

"Does make things more convenient." Futaba replied with a nod of agreement as he then pressed the button on the Gashat with a pink light going off.

Mighty Action X!

At that moment, a graphic appeared behind the young doctor showing the game's title graphic and start menu while it appeared as though video game-like blocks began to scatter throughout the area, which became pixelated for a brief moment. This in turn surprised and confused the nurse in disbelief.

Emu then declared that he would change the fate of his patient as he then did a pose before inserting it into the Driver and transformed.

GASHAT!

"Let's game! Metcha game! Mutcha game! What's your name?"

"I'm a Kamen Rider!"

The Vice Leader looked at Ex-Aid's level one form the same way she looked at a certain persona that their leader had in his index of Personas. "..." Asuka's eye twitched at the side.

"I know that look." Futaba mused as she held back laugh.

"H-He's...so..." Asuka struggled out.

"Awesome? Cool? Corny? You can stop me anytime." Futaba joked.

"Cute!" Asuka admitted with a grin.

"Not exactly what I was expecting, but I guess that works." Futaba grinned.

"Can you blame me?" Asuka got out.

"Not really. I was pretty much expecting this kind of response." Futaba answered.

"So you were expecting it?" Asuka then asked.

"Nope." Futaba replied with a shake of her head as the two continued watching.

Eventually Emu looked at himself for a brief moment before realizing what's going on and freaks out and even goes in front of the camera.

"An expected reaction." Futaba snorted out in amusement.

"I think anyone would react that way." Asuka admitted.

"You mean like all of us when we first awakened to our Personas?" Futaba questioned.

"Exactly." Asuka responded with a nod as the two went back to watching.

While Emu was still wondering what's going on, the infected Sota enlarged his arm and goes to attack him until Asuna tells him to look out and he managed to jump on his arm and jumps back to the ground as the monster's about to attack again and Emu backflips onto his arm and head. Sota tried to attack Emu again, but he managed to jump out of the way and made him attack himself as he flipped onto the ground.

"This is definitely different than usual." Futaba admitted. "Using CGI like this makes sense though." She then added.

"Agreed." Asuka replied with a nod.

"But man do I want to play a video game using AR." Futaba eventually admitted with a smirk.

Asuka meanwhile just giggled to that as the two continued watching.

"Probably a good thing they used CGI here, because I would not want to be the guy who has to clean the puke out of the suit if it was in real life." Futaba commented, watching the Kamen Rider bouncing and flipping around the screen.

"I think that would be difficult in general unless you're a shinobi." Asuka meanwhile pointed out as the Kamen Rider then bounced off the monster's head right before it could strike him, bonking himself on the head before the Rider then cartwheeled under its feet before rolling a bit like a ball.

"You guys can actually do that, while wearing skirts?" Futaba asked

"It's best not to...though Hibari-chan does sometimes roll around in a ball when she fights." Asuka replied and revealed.

"How?" Futaba had to ask while Ex-Aid summoned a hammer. "Oh he's a Mario rip off." She remarked as she then smiled.

Asuka meanwhile shrugged her shoulders in response as she looked at the new weapon the Rider had. "Aw, what a cute hammer." She got out with a giggle.

"Wonder if we can get a replica to use in Mementos?" Futaba happily asked, making a certain glasses wearing boy shivered as he was looking at a replica of the hammer.

"I'm not sure it would work though." Asuka admitted as she sweatdropped as the two went back to watching the episode.

The two girls soon watched as the chibi-like hero ran away with the monster following, confusing the two as he then explained his reasoning, to get power ups like how it was done in the video game.

"Power ups too?" Futaba got out as she blinked at the idea. "Oho that's gonna make the battle easier if he gets the right one." She then giggled with a grin.

"Hai." Asuka responded in agreement as they watched on in anticipation.

"So I wonder how he gets the normal rider form?" Futaba soon asked.

"You don't know?" Asuka responded in confusion.

"With everything that happened to me, I was completely distracted, so I didn't have the chance to try and look up anything, even with hacking." Futaba admitted.

"Please tell me you don't spend all night hacking into things, otherwise Miyabi-chan may just enforce a curfew for you..." Asuka sighed out.

"...Please don't tell Big Sis." Futaba mumbled in a nervous tone. She did not want a lecture again from her and her guardian.

"Only if you promise to go to bed on time, otherwise not only will Miyabi-chan lecture you but I'll get Yumi-chan, Akira-kun and Homu-neechan on to you." Asuka responded, causing the orangette to pout before seeing the monster get squashed and explode. "SOTA-KUN!" She gasped in concern.

"Give it a moment." Futaba however responded in a calm manner with a raised hand.

"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion.

The duo soon watched as Ex-Aid's hand passed through the body of the young boy, while shouting that it wasn't over as the data that came off of Sota bounced like springs to a certain spot and it formed into a new group of creatures.

"How would you describe that?" Asuka asked.

"Like a robot wearing a bad magician's outfit with a slug on his arm." Futaba responded.

"Oh, that works." Asuka replied before she blinked "Did he just ask if he was 'M'?" She asked.

"Yup." Futaba responded with a nod. "Guess she didn't figure it out." She then assumed.

"Guess not." Asuka responded as she shrugged her shoulders.

The two then watched as Ex-Aid opened the Driver...

"Gachan! Level Up!"

"Mighty jump! Mighty kick! Mighty Mighty Action X!"

And soon went into a new form in a multitude of colors as the pudgy appearing Rider got out of its armor to reveal a more human shaped Rider now in a pink suit with black highlights and a cybernetic breastplate with a digital gauge over the left pectoral. His face was a silver helmet with orange eyes and pink spikes that resembled hair.

"And now we get to see the full look not hidden by shadows!" Futaba declared in excitement.

"He's really pink." Asuka got out.

"Yeah, a nice bright Neon Pink!" Futaba giggled

"I guess it is a loud color," Asuka giggled as the two watched the Kamen Rider's hammer had a blade attachment and he started to attack the minions of the boss monster, the two girls soon laughing when one of the monsters was stupid enough to lift the wok it was using to protect its head off and Ex Aid just simply whacked him in the head.

"Huh, double melee weapon instead of the usual melee-long range weapon combo, interesting." Futaba noted in an interested manner.

"That's a thing?" Asuka meanwhile asked in awe at the sight and towards the concept.

"Yeah it is, most have a standard Melee attack as well as a melee attack, kind of like this other show I know of where most of their weapons have two combat modes. Though, I'm not sure if Kamen Rider Black RX had a gun." Futaba revealed before frowning trying to remember as Ex-Aid charged at the final boss. "Man, that show was before my time." She then grumbled with a pout.

Asuka meanwhile could nod in fascination as they continued watching.

Ex-Aid ran through each and every minion there, with very hit the word HIT would appear in big game like later before an explosion

"How Salty of you!" The boss monster cried out waving his hands in a magician like fashion before attacking Ex-Aid, blocking his sword and shocking him

"WHOA! He has lightning powers?" Asuka asked, surprised by this.

"Not bad, not bad." Futaba admitted in an impressed tone with a nod of approval.

"He's playing dirty!" Asuka soon accused, puffing up her cheeks as she glared at the villain

"Classic video game villain move." Futaba however stated.

"Still dirty..." Asuka grumbled with a pout.

"And we don't play dirty when we're in the Metaverse? namely when we gang up and rush in to kick the shadows while they're down?" Futaba asked.

"..." Asuka in turn blinked upon remembering that before blushing. "P-Point taken..." She mumbled while poking her finger tips together.

Futaba giggles before turning back to the scene.

Ex-Aid leapt off the block and delivered a downward strike which connected before the villain dodged another horizontal slash by spinning behind him. Ex-Aid then double tapped the B button and swung again. Two HIT icons soon appeared and gave him a chance to do it again .

"Well that's different." Asuka and Futaba soon admitted at the same time as they blinked at the graphic that appeared.

Ex-Aid kept landing attack after attack, each one accompanied by the HIT graphic and sparks, the last one saying GREAT! as it threw Salty back a bit as well as onto the ground

"NO!" Salty cried out as he weakly held his hand up as the Rider stood in a typical hero pose

"Let's go for the finishing move!" Ex-Aid declared as he reached for his belt and pulled out his Rider Gashat.

"GASHAT!"

"That doesn't work, you are only damaging the connector in the problem of the cartridge by adding moisture to it." Futaba groaned.

"Really?" Asuka asked with a head tilt.

"Yeah, only good for getting rid of dust." Futaba answered.

"Ah" Asuka simply responded as she turned back as energy pooled around the Rider's foot, shooting off some 90's looking lightning bolts as well as staring down the enemy.

"KIMEWAZA! MIGHTY CRITICAL STRIKE!"

"THE RIDER KICK!" Futaba excitedly cheered as the Rider then rushed in, jumped into the air and landed at the enemy before pulling off a seven kick combo finishing up with one last kick.

BOOM!

And with that final kick being delivered, Salty exploded with a PERFECT graphic popping up.

"Daaaaam~! Not bad for a first finisher!" Futaba declared in an impressed manner.

"First Finisher?" Asuka repeated in confusion. "How many does he get?" She then asked.

"No idea, the series just started after all." Futaba replied and reminded, causing the Vice Leader to blush at her blunder.

"So we're going to see more finishing moves as the series goes on?" Asuka assumed.

"Oh yeah." Futaba replied with a nod and a grin.

"Okay, hey look Sota-kun's okay!" Asuka happily cheered as the nurse checked on him.

"Yeah. Beating the enemy cured him." Futaba concluded with a smile.

Yeah, a happy ending." Asuka beamed brightly.

"Sure looks like it, but I'm getting a feeling of that guy." Futaba frowned as a guy with white hair was spying on them before shooting with a finger gun, before leading into scenes of a guy with sunglasses picking up a plushie at the scene of Sota's attack, someone on the phone in a car.

"Genius Gamer, I could care less" The man scoffed.

"That looks like the one Emu has!" Asuka stated.

"So he must be a Kamen Rider as well." Futaba deducted with a smirk. "I wonder which one he is?" she pondered.

"Guess we gotta wait and see." Asuka responded.

"I guess, but why does their base of operations look so plain...Shujin's Nurse's office looks more like a secret base." Futaba griped.

"Better than not having a base of operations at all." Asuka pointed out with a giggle as the nurse began explaining where they were. "...Is that an arcade machine?" She then asked while blinking at the sight.

"Well considering one of the themes for the series is video games, I don't see why there shouldn't be one." Futaba summarized. "Besides, it's not like that machine is hiding a character that they want to spring on us at the end" She then added while shrugging her shoulders.

"I guess that's true." Asuka admitted with a nod.

"Yeah." Futaba replied with a smile.

However it was revealed that Asuna was a rhythm game character Poppy Pipopapo shocking the girls and Emu before instructing Emu to basically finished 10 different games, each one being a different genre and that upon completion of the games he would be a 'Super Doctor and savior of Mankind: KAMEN RIDER EX-AID!'

"Plot twist!" Futaba exclaimed in surprise as the episode ended.

"EEEEEEEH!?" Asuka exclaimed in shock and confusion.

"Okay not expecting that, so what did you think of the episode?" Futaba questioned her fellow viewer.

After calming herself down from the confusion, the Vice Leader coughed into her fist. "Well, it seems like fun. The video game gimmick seems interesting too." Asuka replied with a smile. "And Emu seems like a nice guy." She then added.

"Got that right." The hacker admitted in agreement while sitting up and stretching. "That was fun." Futaba soon admitted as she then flopping back onto her bed and continued to talk to the shinobi happily, something that was a fun treat for her to do before the Vice Leader decided to leave for the rest of the day.

(Yongen-Jaya, Tokyo Mirage Apartment Complex)

The apartment door opened and Miki went inside before stretching her limbs out and locking the door behind her. "I'm home!" She then called out.

"Welcome back." Reki greeted as she cleaned her hands from the kitchen sink.

Maki simply nodded at her while eating some chocolate cake using her...knife as a makeshift fork.

"Hey." Hyōki meanwhile greeted while only in her underwear as she was watching television as it was showing familiar news. "Ugh...shut up about Shido already..." She whined before turning it off.

"That bald guy again?" Yuki grumbled as she was tinkering with her phone while lounging down on the couch and watching the TV with the ravenette as well.

"My my, lazing about today, Hyōki-chan?" Miki meanwhile noted in a curious manner.

"I'll go to the gym tomorrow." The ravenette responded. "I was forced to train for eleven years under my father's orders. One or two days of relaxing isn't going to make it all go away." Hyōki soon reminded as she narrowed her eyes.

"Suit yourself." Miki stated with a shrug of her shoulders. "So, how was your time with Ryuji-kun yesterday~? She then teasingly asked.

Hyōki however puffed up her cheeks. No way she was telling the nosy pinkette what she did with the guy she likes. "It was fine. How about you with Asuka?" She responded and counter asked.

"Wonderful!" Miki happily replied. "She and her sister are so nice!" She then added.

"Sister?" Maki repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Hai, though you could never tell that Asuka-chan and Homura-chan were sisters since they don't look alike." Miki replied and revealed. "I think one of them was probably adopted at a young age." She then assumed.

"Heeeeeeh, that's pretty interesting." Yuki admitted.

"But not as interesting as Hyōki-chan's dates with Ryuji."Miki replied, causing the ravenette to blush. "How did it go? Give me all the details~" She then asked and requested in anticipation.

"I said it went fine! Why are you so obsessed with me and him?" Hyōki declared and asked. "...Are you living vicariously through me?" She soon accused with narrowed eyes.

"Oh please, I can get any boy I want in this country." Miki scoffed as she rolled her eyes."They're super dumb and horny, and I'm a model. I don't need to work for it. However you, Hyōki-chan..." She then stated and began before trailing off.

Hyōki groaned. "What?" She got out in annoyance.

"Despite all the teasing Hyōki-chan, you really changed since we came to Tokyo." Miki soon confessed with a smile. "Hell, you even stopped taking the pills your late father used to make you consume." She then reminded.

"...He brought his own death upon himself..." Hyōki harshly stated as she narrowed her eyes. "And part of it was me realizing I was still following his orders by taking those damn Yōma pills." She then muttered with disgust in her voice.

"Pills that would've eventually mutated into a Yōma hybrid if you kept consuming them." Reki reminded.

"...How are you feeling, Hyōki-san?..." The brunette soon asked after swallowing a piece of her chocolate cake.

To that, the ravenette looked at her hands before clenching them into fists. "I...I'm honestly not sure..." Hyōki confessed. "I think I still feel some remnants of the power of Yōma...but it's faint..." She revealed in an unsure manner.

"Still pretty messed up when you think about it." Yuki meanwhile admitted, straightening herself up on the couch. "And the fact that your sister is completely oblivious to it." She then added.

"Don't...mention my sister, please." The ravenette ordered in a somehow dead serious tone.

"Okay, okay, easy, Hyōki-chii." Yuki reassured her as she understood.

"Still touchy about her huh?" Maki assumed.

"...She only caught me off guard when she and her group took back the Saiga Estate..." Hyōki grumbled with a pout. "...And Kuroki betraying us to my sister's side..." She then added...with clenched fists.

"...That one caught us all off guard." Reki confessed with her own narrowed eyes. "She felt sympathy for her after what happened." She then stated.

"..." Hyōki meanwhile was silent about that statement.

Miki meanwhile sighed to this. "This is getting depressing." She bluntly pointed out.

"Yeah..." Maki got out as the room went silent.

"So now what?" Yuki then asked.

"Well we still have to lay low. More and more shinobis are going to be coming to Tokyo." Reki stated and reminded. "I say we take the opportunity to refine our skills and strengthen our teamwork so that we may overcome any situation our enemy may throw at us." She then added.

"...That sounds like too much work." Maki admitted.

"...You know Hyōki's sister and her team will eventually be coming too." Reki however reminded in a serious tone. "And we know she has been getting stronger as well." She then added.

"Reki's right." Hyōki reluctantly admitted. "...She caught me off guard last time..." She then confessed in frustration. "How the hell did she match my swordplay is beyond me..." She muttered with narrowed eyes.

"She'll likely be even better than before. We need to prepare as best as we can." Yuki stated.

"But also discreetly." Miki added.

"Right." Hyōki replied as she nodded. "If we're going to take advantage of this, we need to prepare ourselves for anything. That means we should all be ready for war." She then stated.

"Hai, leader." Maki responded as everyone nodded.

"I'll start retraining Reki-chan." Miki offered, looking at her silver haired teammate. "...We'll need to get you a new weapon though." She then added.

"True, my mental powers I was gifted as a Yōma were weakened as a result of Shin's death, so I'll need a physical weapon now to defend myself." Reki sighed out as she instinctively touched the necklace underneath her shirt.

"How about getting a gun?" Maki bluntly suggested. "It'll be difficult to train with a whole new weapon after years of being used to relying on your eyes. You might as well pick something as easy as pulling the trigger." She then explained.

"That seems rather...beastly. It goes against my aesthetic." The silverette soon confessed. "...I think I'll go with a rapier or a pair of butterfly swords." Reki soon decided.

"And a gun." Maki then added, causing the others to sweatdrop.

"You seem rather trigger happy with wanting a gun." Yuki noted.

"Hey, she has to compensate. Our enemies won't be so forgiving if she fumbles." Maki pointed out.

"Let's just focus on getting Reki properly equipped." Hyōki decided. "Hm...we'll need practice weapons for her to use. Does anyone know where we can get those weapon types?" She then stated and asked.

"We could always use toys. I heard they sell cosplay weapons in Akihabara." Yuki pointed out. "But getting something real is a whole other matter entirely..." She then added.

"...I know a place where we could get some." Maki suddenly got out before pulling out her phone. Suddenly, a very annoying tune started playing out of her phone. "GAH! I have my phone's volume all the way down! Why does that happen!?" She yelped and asked, causing the others to sweatdrop.

"What do you have?" Hyōki soon asked.

"Some website called Tanaka's Shady Commodities." Maki responded. "It lets you get some less-than-legal items for the right price. I'm sure actual weapons aren't that far out of the realm of possibility." She then revealed.

"What dark website plays such a catchy tune?" Yuki questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Who cares? If it can allow us to procure functional equipment, I'd say we should start shopping." Miki responded. "What's on there?" She then asked.

"Looks like there's a basic rapier on sale right now." Maki soon informed as her teammates gathered around. "Its triangle-shaped blade causes wounds that are difficult to heal." She then read out the description.

"How much?" Reki asked.

"35,000 yen." Maki revealed.

"Get it." Hyōki soon ordered, the brunette doing as such.

"Do they sell anything else?" Miki then asked with interest.

"Yeah...a lot of it looks cursed though..." Maki answered with furrowed eyebrows. "Why does this site sell five inch nails...why not nine inches?" She soon wondered aloud.

"...Cursed?" Reki however repeated in a curious manner.

"Ouija boards, magatamas, gear taken from corpses..." Maki listed off. "Oh, a cursed magnum six shooter that is said to have been owned by a notorious cowboy, but reconstructed into an actual working gun." She then noted.

"Get that as well." Hyōki ordered once again.

The brunette nodded in response as she added the items to her basket.

"Hm, rapier and gun combo..." Reki got out as she imagined fighting with both in her mind. "I think I can work with that." She soon confessed with a nod of approval.

"Order sent. Everything will be arriving in...three-to-five business days." Maki informed. "...Okay, now what do we do until it comes?" She then asked.

"Now that that's done for now, wanna go back to teasing Hyōki-chi about her future husband?" Yuki suddenly suggested.

"W-Wha!?" Hyōki yelped out with a blush at the sudden suggestion. "H-Husband!?" She mentally repeated.

"I'm down for that." Miki replied with a smirk.

"What the hell!? Do you guys have anything better to do than make fun of me!?" The ravenette exclaimed.

"Guess anything is better than anything being depressing." Maki simply admitted.

"Like lying in a hospital bed, breathing through your butthole!" Hyōki declared in anger.

"...Are humans-" Reki began to ask, however...

"No." Miki answered.

"...You guys are the worst." Hyōki grumbled with a pout while looking at her fellow companions. "I'm gonna spend the entire day at the gym tomorrow...gotta make sure Ryuji-kun stays safe at least." She mentally decided.

The pinkette then glanced at her leader and smirked at the sight. "Are you thinking about Ryuji right now?" Miki soon assumed.

"What!? No!" Hyōki yelped out and denied.

"You are. You always have a cute look on your face when you think about him." Miki revealed. "I wonder if you also make that face when you're mas- ACK!" She then began asking before a laser sword was pointed at her now pale face.

"Shut. Up." Hyōki soon ordered with a scowl.

"Yesmydearleaderanythingforyou." Miki quickly got out in a nervous manner.

"Good." Hyōki responded as she made her sword vanish. "Now, I'm taking a bath." She soon decided as she headed for the bathroom to...relieve herself.

Miki meanwhile pouted as her leader entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her as she then smirked. "...Have sweet wet dreams, Hyōki-chan." She got out, some sparks of electricity coming out of her horns.

"...What are you planning?" Reki had to ask.

Miki turned to the others and smirked mischievously. "Something fun." She vaguely responded as she licked her lips.

(10/2, Evening)

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

Akira had returned home after a full day of hanging out with friends, but he wasn't feeling all that tired at all. However, he noticed that the cafe was empty but the sign was flipped to open, so he took it upon himself to close up shop for his guardian. It was the least he could do.

"Disturbing the peace...look into my eyes...~" Akira sang to himself as he mopped the floor, stylishly twirling the mop around. "Now tell me the things you blabbing about behind my back~!" He then got out, yelling into the mop handle like it was a microphone.

"You have a nice singing voice." Sojiro suddenly informed.

"GAH!" Akira yelped, fumbling with the mop. He soon groaned and palmed his face. He has a sixth sense, and he still got scared. "I thought you were gone for the night…" He soon grumbled.

"This cafe isn't that big, kid. I was on the john." The cafe owner pointed out.

"R-Right." Akira responded with a sweatdrop.

"In any case, I'm leaving to spend some time with Futaba." Sojiro got out as he wiped his hands dry.

"Alright, have fun." Akira responded with a nod. "Don't get too overwhelmed by her, um, tastes." He then advised.

"Oh, how bad can it be? It's just children's shows." Sojiro responded. "Alright, I'm heading out now." He then informed.

"Yep." Akira replied with a nod as he watched the owner leave. "God, I hope Futaba chose something that won't give him a heart attack." He muttered under his breath… before blinking and looking up at one of the hidden cameras he knew as well as thinking about the microphone bugs that were in the cafe.

Shit.

BZZT! BZZT!

Akira soon let out a breath as he quickly set down his mop and pulled out his phone.

[FireGirl20: Hey, Akira. I'm coming over to Leblanc.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Uh, I didn't invite you...]

[FireGirl20: Well, I'm just arriving at Yongen right now. Are you gonna invite me, or are you going to waste my time?]

[TheWildJ0ker: Sure. I'll let you come over. Just don't stay too late, okay.]

DING DING!

Akira looked a little amused as soon as he heard the bell ring, signaling the entrance of his friend. "You know, you could've just come in without texting." He jokingly pointed out.

"Hey, Leader." Homura greeted as she walked inside, bag in hand.

"Hey yourself." Akira greeted back, letting out a slight sigh as Homura's feet ruined his hard work. "It's awfully late for coffee. Especially since I just flipped the sign earlier." He then noted.

"Well...I just wanted to drop off a small gift." Homura admitted as she sat down.

"Homura, you and Asuka gave a freaking bed. I think you've filled your gift quota for the next ten years." Akira pointed out as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Besides, the last train should be going soon. You should probably head home." He then added.

"I'm a shinobi, that isn't a problem for me." Homura stated before getting her bag on the counter. "And don't you want a castella cake~?" She soon offered in a playful manner.

Akira blinked. He had a feeling deep in his heart that this was the perfect opportunity to create an unbreakable connection. "Sure, take a seat. I'll make some coffee for the both of us." He replied and offered.

"Thank you." Homura nodded as she took a seat at the counter.

"Anything specific?" The leader soon asked as he brought out some cups.

"Uh...you think you can make it a mocha?" Homura requested.

"Coming right up. Okay, now where did Boss put the chocolate...?" Akira responded before he began checking cupboards.

After finding a bar of chocolate, the Leader quickly whipped up cups for both of them, even throwing in some biscuits and whipped cream along with the coffee.

"Aaaahhhh..." Homura breathed out with a smile, wiping the drops of coffee off her coffee-colored skin. "That was nice. Wish I had coffee more often, but too much caffeine will destroy you." She admitted before stating.

"We have decaf options." Akira pointed out automatically before pausing. "...Wait, do we?" He then got out before leaning over the counter to look at the menu.

"I don't think Boss would be caught dead serving decaf, Akira." Homura guessed with a chuckle.

"You're probably right, but we have to cater to every type of customer." Akira replied with a shrug. "Even heathens." He then added with a venom in his voice that contrasted with his peaceful smile.

"That would explain your soda addiction as well." Homura remarked.

"Hey, if the school stocks the stuff, why wouldn't I take advantage of it?" Akira countered before chugging the rest of his coffee.

"You need better eating habits." Homura deadpanned before looking over to the cake she brought over...or, well, the crumbs that were left behind.

"I contrast it with all my working out." Akira responded. "It'll make any future session with you less painful." He then mumbled under his breath.

"Right. It's been a while since we did some training." Homura soon remarked.

Akira narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "...Are we-"

"Not tonight. I just wanna relax." Homura soon assured as she stretched her limbs.

Akira however blinked to this. "Homura, are you okay?" He soon asked.

That in turn got the tan skinned girl's attention. "Huh?" Homura got out. "Why are you asking me that?" She soon asked.

"Well, you came to Leblanc right as we're closing when you should be at home with Asuka, on a school night." Akira pointed out and explained. "If you need anything, you don't have to beat around the bush." He then reminded.

"...I know, but I am here without any ulterior motives." Homura soon confessed. "Damn, you're too much of an idiot to even think before helping someone with no care about your own safety."

"Yeah, I wanna work on that but...this year hasn't exactly given me the chance." Akira muttered with a sheepish smile.

"True." Homura agreed. "...You really helped me, you know?" She suddenly confessed.

"All I did was talk." Akira dismissively got out as he shook his head.

"No, stop being a humble ass and listen." Homura growled with a glare before giving him an appreciative smile. "You let me talk your ear off, you let me beat you within an inch of your life, you let me do so much..." She soon got out.

"But..." Akira began, but was interrupted.

"You...also stopped me from making mistakes." Homura continued. "Stopped me from killing Tsumuji. Stopped me from falling into despair when we realized Dōgen was nowhere. Stopped me...from ruining the life I worked so hard to build..." She then got out, her voice breaking a little.

"Homura..." The Phantom Thieves Leader breathed out.

"This entire year so far has been a beautiful mess. I mean, we go through Hell on a daily basis and have to deal with the worst humanity has to offer, but now...I have friends, a family...and the power to change the world. I've honestly never been happier. Thanks Akira." Homura stated in a grateful manner.

"Don't thank me, Homura. That's all on you." Akira replied with a smile.

"Take a compliment, you ass." Homura countered as she then got up from her seat. "I think...I think I need to change my base Shinobi Tenshin again." She soon decided.

Akira raised an eyebrow at this. "You look fine in your current outfit." He got out, looking a little confused.

"I know, but...this time, I'll follow my own path to greatness." Homura replied before closing her eyes. "Shinobi Tenshin!"

FWOOSH!

Akira looked in awe at her new outfit. She kept the sheaths for her weapons in the same places but everything else was different. It was a short, sleeveless crimson kimono that exposed her shoulders with white lining, with red and black flames decorating it. On her arms, she had armored black fingerless gloves that reached her elbows. On her legs, she wore white thigh high socks and brown loafers. Finally, she had a red scarf around her neck like her sister's.

"Well, what do you think?" Homura soon asked with a twirl. "I'm still going to have my kimono outfit for Noh Style, but this is going to be my new base Shinobi Tenshin." She then revealed and explained.

Akira chuckled. "It looks amazing, Homura." He stated.

"Thanks." Homura happily got out before reverting back to her original clothes. "One day you'll get an outfit like that." She then assured.

"Sorry, I don't look good in scarves. I prefer masks and trenchcoats." Akira waved off.

"It just depends on the right ones." Homura responded. "And...I'm glad to have chosen the right friends. If it weren't for you guys...I can't imagine who I'd be without everyone." She soon admitted.

"You'd still be you." Akira however stated as he shook his head. "You weren't a terrible person before, you wouldn't have protected us back at the castle. You just...needed the right moment." He then added.

"You really believe I was destined to become a Good Shinobi?" Homura assumed.

"Nah, I don't believe in destiny." Akira denied. "There are a lot of things you can't control, but what you do with the things you can, that's where it all counts." He then advised.

"True that." Homura agreed with a nod. "The world keeps turning with or without you. You just gotta find your place in it that you're happy with. And right now, I've never been happier." She then breathed out with a grin.

"Hey, it can still be better." Akira however pointed. "You could live in a penthouse." He then added.

"It would be nice, but I'm satisfied being here with you or the others." Homura admitted. "No matter what happens from now on, you can count on me. You're more than just my Leader, you're my best friend, Akira. And I'm going to protect you with everything I have." She soon declared.

"I'm probably second to Asuka though." Akira however muttered under his breath.

"You're both irreplaceable. Don't you ever think it's anything else." Homura insisted.

Akira blinked before grinning. "...Thank you." He soon responded in a grateful manner.

"You're welcome." Homura replied with the same smile.

The both of them could feel their bond strengthen to the point where nothing could ever break it. They both knew in their hearts that nothing would truly separate them.

Akira soon let the calming feeling wash over him, the world around him going dark while the last of the chains broke around the Aeon tarot card. He could feel the familiar warmth of his Thief clothing embrace him. Reaching out for it, he grabbed it before crushing it in his hand, letting the blood of the card flow down his arm and seep through his skin.

No longer was this a simple bond, but an unbreakable connection to last a lifetime...

SHATTER!

I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
and break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret
of the Aeon, granting thee infinite power...

MAX RANK!

Second Awakening: Transforms Persona into a mythological trickster.

Unlocked the Ultimate Persona of the Aeon! The Personification of Rage, Cratos!

Homura gasped as she felt something inside her change. She felt her energy and her very soul shift and transform. It felt like she was gaining her Persona all over again, except the pain and anger was replaced with peace and serenity.

She could see in her mind's eye Wolverine transforming. When it was complete, she could only stare in awe.

A dark crimson skinned woman with white triangle eyes and two battleship-like cannons on her back, decorated with golden graffiti. On her body were the tattered and ruined remains of samurai clothing. She still has the claws, but more jagged and rusted. Finally, her Persona had fiery red hair in a ponytail with the ends looking like wisps of flames.

"Damn! It looks like my Persona gained a new power!" Homura muttered in an impressive manner.

"That is only part of it my dear." A more mature and feminine voice stated in a serious manner.

Homura's eyes however widened as she heard the change in both the voice and mannerisms of her Persona. "H-Huh? Wait, who are you? What happened to Wolverine!?" She mentally asked.

"I am...Wolverine transcended. I was known as the number one swordsman that cut down 61 opponents and the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū swordsmanship, you may refer to me as...Musashi." Her new Persona introduced herself.

Homura in turn smirked at this. "Musashi...Heh, that sounds about right for me. Let's take this fucked up world Musashi!" She soon declared in her head.

"Of course, but remember this young Homura, as long as you keep faith in your friends, and watch over them when needed...face the others with this same sincerity, and they will respond in kind." Musashi soon advised in a wise tone.

"...Are you gonna stop fucking with me then?" Homura then mentally asked in a deadpan tone.

"Actually, you are out of material. You are good." Musashi soon informed.

"Fuck yeah!" Homura soon cheered in her head with delight.

"So, what else do you want to do while we're here?" Akira suddenly asked, snapping the tan skinned girl out of her thoughts.

"Well, why not have a real sparring session?" Homura soon suggested with a smirk.

"A...real sparring session?" Akira slowly repeated. "I thought you said we weren't training today!" He then reminded,

"Well, I wanna see how much you've improved since you were that scrawny idiot with a savior complex." Homura jokingly responded.

"Hey, now he has a six pack." Akira pointed out as he rolled his neck and cracked his knuckles. "Alright Homura, if that's what you want. Shinobi Kekkai!" He suddenly declared as the tan skinned girl went wide-eyed.

And with that, the two vanished.

(Fast Forward)

Akira let out a bright grin as he recalled the happy feelings they had during that night.

"Yet another friend you'd give your life for." Sae muttered.

"I know Yang would do it for any one of us." Akira stated in a firm manner. "It's both noble and unnecessary." He then claimed.

"Why?" The prosecutor questioned as she leaned in.

"Because this guy right here would do it first." Akira answered as he used both of his thumbs to point at himself. "Um, as you can see." He then awkwardly chuckled out, glancing around the interrogation room.

"You do remember you were sold out by one of those very same teammates." Sae however reminded with a frown. "There is a traitor amongst your group. The relationships you've forged with them, the bond you cherish...may be nothing more than a forgery. A lie." She then stated.

"I've dealt with liars." Akira dismissively replied. "Good ones, bad ones, I'm even a big liar myself. And let me tell you, the truth will set you free." He then insisted.

"You speak of freedom, and yet you're trapped here." Sae then got out. "These unbreakable bonds might not be as strong as you think." She then suggested.

"Willing to bet, Niijima-san?" Akira asked.

Sae frowned. "I'm not much of a gambling woman." She responded.

"You'd be surprised." The Leader responded with a smirk.

After all, he might have also been lying about a few details regarding his time spent with Homura.

(Rewind)

(10/2, Evening)

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Attic)

Akira had arrived back home after spending the entire day hanging out with his friends around the city. The cafe was closed by the time he arrived so he went to his room while double-checking everything was in order. However, he noticed that his room had gotten a little too dirty for his liking, so he decided to spend some time cleaning up.

"Ichioku, nioku, hyakuoku no KISS wo abisete yaru, baby~!" Akira sang to himself as he brushed the floor with his broom, stylishly twirling the cleaning implement around. "Kono ude daite omae wo nido to hanashi wa shinai~ Machine gun kiss de just fall in love~!" He then got out, yelling into the broom handle like it was a microphone.

"What are you doing?" Morgana suddenly asked.

"GAH!" Akira yelped out, turning to see the not cat in his bag. "Morgana! I thought you were out already!" He then added.

"No, I was inside your bag." Morgana got out with a huff. "Did you really forget about me?" He then assumed.

Akira blushed. "Well, you were pretty quiet all day. And, to be honest, my sense of self-control and reason has your voice." He soon confessed.

"Can't get me outta your head, huh?" The not cat smirked."Well, I'm gonna be out of your hair tonight. I'm going out to spend time with Ryuji." Morgana informed.

"Alright, have fun." Akira responded with a nod as he opened his window. "Make sure to wash up before you come back. Last time you smelled like dirty gym socks." He then advised and informed.

"It was one time, Joker!" Morgana whined. "I'll see you in a couple of hours." He then got out before leaping out the window.

"Alright, stay safe!" Akira called out before sighing and leaning on his broom. "Man, it feels weird to be alone." He soon admitted before putting away the broom. He then jumped onto his bed and stared up at the once-unfamiliar ceiling.

It was hard to think this was the most content he's felt in his entire life, during a year he thought was going to be hell. It kinda still is, but he found himself smiling as he compared his life in his hometown to Tokyo. He had dozens of friends from all walks of life, more money than he knew what to do with, developed superpowers that could help people, he even had a girlfriend!

A literally hot, big-titty, shinobi girlfriend!

"Life just loves throwing curveballs at you." The leader chuckled. "I guess you shouldn't expect anything. Isn't that right, Mr. Plant and Ms. Rise Poster?" Akira suddenly asked.

His potted plant and poster sweatdropped.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Akira hummed out as he took out his phone.

[FireGirl20: Hey, Akira. I'm coming over to Leblanc.]

[TheWildJ0ker: Huh. I would remember inviting you first...]

[FireGirl20: Well, I'm already here. Do you mind letting me in?]

[TheWildJ0ker: My window is open. Come anytime.]

Akira blinked at that as he put away his phone. Was letting someone climb through his open window more or less romantic?

Maybe all that time with Haruka messed up his idea of normal. Nonetheless, he made sure his window was wide open before making sure his clothes were in order. "Okay, Akira, you got this. You got the girl, now to make her stay." He thought as he prepared for the arrival of his girlfriend.

Two minutes later, Homura popped her head in. "H-Hey, Akira." She greeted as she climbed through the window and onto his bed.

"Good evening, Homura." Akira responded as he sat next to her. "What brings you here?" he soon questioned.

"I, uh, couldn't sleep." Homura sheepishly confessed. "Sis was out later than usual and, um...yeah, that's why I'm here." She soon added.

"To sleep with me?" Akira guessed without thinking, mentally face palming mid-sentence.

Homura instantly started to grow red in the face. "Yes- NO! No no no, I mean...later, I...I don't wanna do it now but...GAH!" She stammered out before giving up and started hitting her boyfriend.

"H-Hey, ow! Ow!" Akira yelped as he tried to shield himself from his girlfriend's less-than-playful jabs.

"That's what you get, you joking asshole." Homura huffed as she shifted her body away.

"Sorry…" The leader sighed as he moved away as well.

Akira and Homura sat a little bit apart while looking away from each other. Akira was scratching his head while Homura was blushing a hot red with steam rising from her head.

It was quite awkward.

"So...um..." Homura got out as she tried to think of something, anything, to break the ice. "...Yeah." She then added in an awkward manner.

"Yep." Akira simply responded.

"You uh...You doing good these days?" Homura awkwardly asked.

"I hope so." Akira replied with a sigh. "...Are you-" He began to ask.

"Y-Yeah, I'm cool. Like fine. Like...yeah." Homura mumbled out. She desperately wanted to pull out her phone and ask (read: beg) one of her girl friends to help her (for the love of god, even Makoto-senpai would do better here), but she was afraid if she did Akira would think she was bored and thus ruin their new relationship and also ruin their friendship since it would make things awkward and ruin their teamwork in the Metaverse and get everyone killed and oh god is this what a panic attack crossed with the desperate need to pee feel like!?

"Homura?" Akira got out.

"Ye-" Homura began, only to be interrupted by the boy kissing her. After a mini-heart attack, the tan skinned girl calmed down and leaned into the kiss.

She could get used to this...

"Better now?" Akira asked as he pulled away.

"U-Uh...M-Maybe you should d-d-d-d-do it again...like right now." Homura soon suggested, giggling a little.

Akira smiled before leaning in. This time Homura did the same, allowing their lips to meet in the middle.

After several minutes of making out, enjoying each other's tastes (Akira tasted like coffee, Homura tasted like pork), they separated with grins that they couldn't control. "Y-You uh...you kiss by the book." Homura shyly complimented.

"And you kiss like the sun kisses the flowers in the morning." Akira praised with a grin, which only caused the tan skinned girl to blush even more.

"Y-You bastard...You can't pull off slick moves like that now!" Homura complained.

"Sorry, it just sort of came out." Akira soon apologized.

The tan skinned girl soon covered her face, ashamed of herself for...everything. "Ugh...I really don't know how to do this girlfriend thing..." Homura groaned. "Having a love life is a lot more stressful than I thought..." She then confessed.

"We can keep it a secret if you want." Akira soon offered.

"Erm...yeah, thank you. I don't think I can handle the embarrassment." Homura got out before paling. "Oh God, Gramps would never let me hear the end of it..." She then groaned, grabbing a pillow to stuff her face in.

"...Would he kill me for dating you, despite only knowing you for a short time?" Akira assumed.

"He likes me and I barely know him. I think you'll be fine. Mama and papa though...that's a different story, and I haven't even met my new Papa yet..." Homura soon stated before blinking. "Fuck, it just hit me I have the legendary shinobi on my side." She then added.

"Not just on your side, he's your goddamn grandfather." Akira added with a smile. "I hope he's the type to spoil you." He then admitted.

"Oh, because you also get spoiled too just by dating me." Homura accused as she rolled her eyes.

"No, I just think you deserve to be pampered a little." Akira soon confessed. "Like those times you went to a spa." He then added.

"You gonna pay for that?" Homura jokingly assumed.

"No, but I am gonna treat you like a princess." Akira revealed as the tan skinned girl blushed. "A violent, crass princess but a princess nonetheless." He then added.

Homura however giggled at that. "Queen, Dragoness, now Princess? I'm getting too many nicknames..." She got out.

"Well, I'm Joker, Prisoner, Leader, Trickster, Guinea Pig, Frizzy Hair, Master, Manwhore, Pretty Boy, Hot Stuff, Glasses-kun, uh...that's all off the top of my head." Akira listed off before blinking. "...What was I talking about again?" He soon asked.

"Manwhore?" Homura however teasingly guessed.

"I-It doesn't mean anything! Morgana just likes teasing me because of...all...the...girls..." Akira tried to explain, only to realize he dug himself even deeper.

"Joker, are you cheating on me...?" Homura soon asked.

Akira began to sweat under Homura's threatening gaze as his mind scrambled for a reply.

Yes.

No.

"...Is it Haruka being the flirt she usually is?" Homura suddenly assumed in a deadpan tone, interrupting the Leader before he could say something stupid.

"Er, yeah." Akira awkwardly responded with a nod.

Homura however sighed. "Ok yeah, that would be a good reason." She admitted. "If that idiot does something to you..." She soon growled while cracking her knuckles.

"...Does sneaking in to cuddle up to me while I'm sleeping count?" Akira had to ask.

"...Yeah, that's a Haruka move she would pull." Homura confirmed.

"To be fair, I did reject her but...she's fallen further in love with me as a result." Akira awkwardly revealed with a blush.

"Well, I guess you'll need me to sleep here tonight to fend her off." Homura declared as she possessively wrapped her arms around the boy. "A-And maybe the next few nights..." She soon added quietly.

"Homura, you don't need to do that." Akira got out as he shook his head. "I'm sure Asuka will miss you dearly. I'll handle Haruka, don't sacrifice time with your sister for me." He soon assured.

"Are you sure?" Homura soon asked.

"Positive." Akira replied with a nod.

"...Alright, I trust you." Homura responded. "Still, Haruka actually falling in love with someone is a pretty big deal. Guess she's not a lesbian then." She then admitted and stated.

"Yeah." Akira nodded. "She's almost admitted to..." He then started before trailing off.

"What is it?" Homura had to ask with a raised eyebrow.

"S-Sharing." Akira awkwardly answered.

"Sharing? God, that girl needs therapy." Homura repeated in disbelief before groaning. "...But not from you Akira." She then added.

"Yeah, she's probably better off with professional help." Akira confessed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "But..." He then started.

"You'd still be concerned for her." Homura assumed with a smile. "And that's just how you are Akira." She then stated in a proud tone.

"Can't help it." Akira chuckled. "Do you want to talk to her though? Maybe speaking to her leader will finally make her see other people." He then requested and explained.

"I'll see what I can do, but just because I'm the leader doesn't mean they'll always listen. Like I said, this is the first time she has ever fallen for someone, so I'm not sure what will happen." Homura replied and informed.

"So...she's gonna be like this for life." Akira groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"We'll get through this though, all of us together." Homura responded and reassured.

"Of course." Akira replied with a nod of agreement and a sigh.

"In any case," Homura soon started. "I think...I need to change my base Shinobi Tenshin again." She then decided.

Akira raised an eyebrow at that. "You look fine in your current outfit." He soon got out.

"I know, but...this time, I'll follow my own path to greatness." Homura declared before closing her eyes. "Shinobi Tenshin!" She then called out.

FWOOSH!

Akira looked in awe at her new outfit. She kept the sheaths for her weapons in the same places but everything else was different. It was a short, sleeveless crimson kimono that exposed her shoulders with white lining, with red and black flames decorating it. On her arms, she had armored black fingerless gloves that reached her elbows. On her legs, she wore white thigh high socks and brown loafers. Finally, she had a red scarf around her neck like her sister's.

"Well, what do you think?" Homura asked with a playful smile. "I'm still going to have my kimono outfit for Noh Style, but this is going to be my new base Shinobi Tenshin." She then assured.

"It looks beautiful, Homura." Akira praised.

"Thanks." Homura got out in a happy tone. Then she got a devious smirk.

"What are you thinking?" Akira questioned, a little nervous about what his girlfriend was thinking.

"Just a little something just for my boyfriend." Homura vaguely responded before she then grabbed the bottom of her kimono and flipped it up, revealing her lacy crimson panties underneath while sticking out her tongue in a cutesy manner.

"...Y-You really...I..." Akira stammered out before realizing he was...reacting, and covered his crotch.

"It's okay. You don't have to hide it from me." Homura giggled before letting out a seductive smile. "I-It actually makes me feel good to know I'm getting these reactions out of you." She then playfully added.

"T-That was a Haruka-like move..." Akira mumbled out.

"Shh...don't talk about her right now. Eyes only on me." Homura whispered. "If you're thinking about her, that means I have to outdo her then, right?" She then pointed out as her hand drifted over to his thigh.

"Homura..." Akira breathed out.

"I don't have Mirai's cuteness, Hikage's coolness, Yomi's motherliness, or Haruka's...everything." Homura reminded. "Compared to them, I'm just a dumbass who managed to stumble into being a better person." She then admitted.

"W-Well, it's not like we ended up right here, right now without stumbling. You know, metaphorically." Akira managed to get out, attempting to ignore his girlfriend's surprisingly soft hand nearing his privates. "We stumbled into that castle, we stumbled into getting Personas, we stumbled into using our powers to help people. You can't get through life without taking a stumble once in a while." He then continued.

"And thus, stumble has lost all meaning." Homura sighed as she rolled her eyes. Dammit, now the mood was lost. That was okay, though, there were plenty of other opportunities for that tonight. "But I guess it makes sense. You stumbled into my life as well, and without you...well, I think I wouldn't be as happy as I am now." She then got out with a smile.

"Don't forget Asuka and the rest. They helped just as much as I did." Akira soon reminded.

"I know. You just happen to be the one I fell in love with." Homura stated.

"Homura..." Akira breathed out as he leaned closer to her.

"You've done so much for me, Akira. I...I really can't pay you back for all you've done. I...I love you so much it hurts." Homura confessed, pink dusting her cheeks. "I-I am actually really scared that I'll screw up and ruin it. I can't control myself and I'm...Oh God, I'm rambling. Come here!" She then got out as she then pulled the boy's collar and brought him to her.

CHU!

"I love you, Akira Kurusu." Homura once more confessed.

"...I love you too, Homura Shinkukage-Shirokage." Akira whispered back as he leaned back into her lips.

He soon let the calming feeling wash over him, the world around him going dark while the last of the chains broke around the Aeon tarot card. He could feel the familiar warmth of his Thief clothing embrace him. Reaching out for it, he grabbed it before crushing it in his hand, letting the blood of the card flow down his arm and seep through his skin.

No longer was this a simple bond, but an unbreakable connection to last a lifetime...maybe more.

SHATTER!

I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
and break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret
of the Aeon, granting thee infinite power...

MAX RANK!

Second Awakening: Transforms Persona into a mythological trickster.

Unlocked the Ultimate Persona of the Aeon! The Personification of Rage, Cratos!

Homura gasped as she felt something inside her change. She felt her energy and her very soul shift and transform. It felt like she was gaining her Persona all over again, except the pain and anger was replaced with peace and serenity.

She could see in her mind's eye Wolverine transforming. When it was complete, she could only stare in awe.

A dark crimson skinned woman with white triangle eyes and two battleship-like cannons on her back, decorated with golden graffiti. On her body were the tattered and ruined remains of samurai clothing. She still has the claws, but more jagged and rusted. Finally, her Persona had fiery red hair in a ponytail with the ends looking like wisps of flames.

"Damn! It looks like my Persona gained a new power!" Homura muttered in an impressive manner.

"That is only part of it my dear." A more mature and feminine voice stated in a serious manner.

Homura's eyes however widened as she heard the change in both the voice and mannerisms of her Persona. "H-Huh? Wait, who are you? What happened to Wolverine!?" She mentally asked.

"I am...Wolverine transcended. I was known as the number one swordsman that cut down 61 opponents and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū swordsmanship, you may refer to me as...Musashi." Her new Persona introduced herself.

Homura in turn smirked. "Musashi...Heh, that sounds about right for me. Let's take this fucked up world, Musashi!" She soon declared in her head.

"Of course, but remember this young Homura, as long as you keep faith in your friends, and watch over them when needed...face the others with this same sincerity, and they will respond in kind." Musashi soon advised in a wise tone.

"...Are you gonna stop fucking with me then?" Homura then mentally asked in a deadpan tone.

"Actually, you are out of material. You're good." Musashi soon informed.

"Fuck yeah!" Homura soon cheered in her head with delight.

The Leader raised his eyebrow as he saw his girlfriend space out. "You okay, Homura?" Akira asked in concern.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I am." Homura giggled out as she snuggled her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I finally am..." She got out as she closed her eyes in a delightful manner.

And with that, Homura spent a long time in Akira's room.

(10/3, Midnight)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Homura blushed as she stiffly walked to the apartment. She was horribly late coming back home and she knew Asuka would be worried or scared to death. What was supposed to be a nice and quick outing became several hours of...

Stuff.

Lots and lots of stuff that she didn't think she'd know how to do but managed anyway.

"...I may need to restrain myself..." Homura thought as she was fumbling with her keys. She unlocked the door as quietly as could, making sure to take off her shoes before heading inside...

Only to see Asuka as the fridge drinking milk, wearing nothing but a small thin t-shirt and a pair of green panties that dug into her butt crack.

"Homu-nee- AH!" Asuka began to greet only to accidentally spill her glass of milk on her shirt. "Moh...my milk." She mumbled.

Oh, that word should not have sent a shiver down her spine. "A-Asuka, Sis! You're...awake." Homura stammered out.

"I couldn't really sleep." Asuka admitted with a sigh. "You not being there with me felt too weird."

"Sorry, Sis." Homura sighed out. "Time just...just sort of flew away from me." She vaguely admitted.

"You didn't even answer my calls." Asuka got out with a frown. "Last time I saw you, you said you didn't have plans. You got me really worried! What if it was another Komachi situation!" She then exclaimed in a panic.

"Kom- whatever! It...wasn't that." Homura tried to calm her sister down. "No danger, no fighting, no...no um..." She then mumbled out as she soon began to blush, her recent memories beginning to fill her mind and play on repeat.

"Homu-neechan, why are you turning red?" Asuka soon asked in concern.

"Oh...It's, erm, just thinking about something I saw earlier that made me angry today. Guess I really need to cool off."

"Um, you should." Asuka soon responded. "At least you didn't do anything reckless today. I'd miss your warmth when we go to sleep." She then added.

"Y-Yeah. I would never sleep with Aki- I mean, without you by my side! Hahahaha...ha ha...ha..." Homura assured before letting out the fakest laugh she's ever heard.

"...Oooookay then." Asuka got out with a raised eyebrow before noticing something, sniffing her sister's clothing. "You smell a little funny. Why do you smell like...fish and curry?" She then noted.

"I was...cleaning Akira's room. Yeah! He was starting to neglect it because of everything." Homura answered as she scratched her cheek. To be honest, she really did do that. When they had to stop.

Mostly because Sojiro came upstairs.

"A-Anyways, I'll go get cleaned up and head for bed now." Homura quickly declared, already heading for the bathroom.

"Ah! Let me join you!" Asuka got out as she tried to follow her sister.

The tna skinned girl froze in her tracks. "Y-You didn't have a bath yet?" She nervously questioned.

"I did, but it felt really weird without you there as well. Besides, I just spilled milk on myself." Asuka answered. "Come on, I'll prepare it for us." She then offered.

"Y-You don't need to." Homura responded, desperately trying to hide how scared this was making her. "As punishment for coming later and skipping dinner, I'll do it." She then decided.

"Homu-neechan, you look so tired though! I should do it!" Asuka got out as she shook her head.

"Sis, stop being so generous right now! I need to make sure there isn't a hand mark on my ass!" Homura thought, hiding her growing panic. "We're supposed to be working together, not taking all of our burdens. Let me." She insisted, looking at her sister directly in her eyes.

"O-Okay." Asuka finally relented. "But I'm definitely doing it next time." She then promised.

"Yeah. Sure. I'm gonna do it now sostayoutbecauseI'mgonnadoasurprisebathbombandIwantittobeasurprisesopleasedon'tcomein!" Homura soon ordered as she headed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her as soon as she finished.

"...Huh, that was strange." Asuka mumbled.

You know, given how much time they spend with each other, she was able to tell if Homura was lying or not just by her instincts, and apparently she was hiding something big from her.

She seemed pretty happy though. And when she turned around, there was a handprint about Akira's size on her butt...because she wasn't wearing panties.

Oh no, did someone manage to steal her underwear on the train home!? Because there was no way Akira would ever touch her sister like that.

"...Eh, it's probably nothing." Asuka muttered to herself with a shrug. I mean, come on, Homura wouldn't lie to her about anything.

Especially if she had sex or something ridiculous like that.

Yeah, her awesome and mature older sister would never secretly makeout with their Leader whenever they're alone and lie about having a boyfriend from now until the last minute.

Nope, she would never.

...besides, if she did, she knew her sister would use protection.

Right?

Save Game… Quit!

Asuka/Yin's Social Stats:

Leadership- Paragon (Level 5)

Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)

Proficiency- Transcendent (Level 5)

Diligence- Rock Solid (Level 5)

Courage- Heroic (Level 5)

Homura/Yang's Development Stats:

Maturity- Sagacious (Level 5)

Knowledge- Sage (Level 5)

Femininity- Natural (Level 4)

Elegance- Yamato Nadeshiko (Level 5)

Understanding- Saintly (Level 5)

(Persona Analysis)

Persona: Musashi

Belongs to: Homura Shinkukage-Shirokage

Arcana: L'Eon

Origins: Edo Period (Born: 1584. Died: 13 June 1645)

Stat Spread: Very high Endurance and Agility, above average Strength but mediocre at everything else.

Trait: Road to Twilight (Gain more HP when using attack skills)

Skills: Agi Family, Cleave, Swift Strike, Vicious Strike, -tou Family (Fire/Physical), Terror Claw, Bloodbath, Ghastly Wail, Triple Down, Riot Gun, Tarunda, Rakunda, Sukunda, Ali Dance, Fire Boost, Fire Amp, Fear Boost, Arms Master, Regenerate Family, Charge, Heat Up, Trigger Happy, Attack Master, Auto-Mataru.

MAX Confidant Skill: Burst - A colossal physical attack that hits all enemies and always crits.

Resists: Wind

Drain: Physical, Gun & Fire

Null: Bless

Weakness: Water

Description: Miyamoto Musashi is many things: a philosopher, a strategist, a writer, a rōnin, and the best swordsman in Japan at the time. His life has been told through stories, where he is well-known for his dual-bladed style and his 61 win streak in duels. He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū, or Nito Ichi-ryū, style of swordsmanship, and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings and Dokkōdō. He isn't considered a sword-saint for nothing.

(Aeon Personas)

Weredog (Level 8)

Franken(Level 16)

Vampire(Level 26)

Black Widow (Level 31)

Werecat (Level 46)

Werewolf (Level 57)

Nergal (Level 66)

Hades (Level 79)

Cratos(Ultimate) (Level 86)

Whew! Done! If you're expecting the Okumura aftermath, that's occurring on 10/11. That's nine more days/chapters. I want to do a time skip, but JG doesn't like those because they think they're lazy and we have a lot of stuff to take care of. Especially on 10/4. Oh, by the way, how's everyone enjoying Persona 3 Reload? We are completing this fic though, which is a lot better than you can say about most others… including the ones on my profile.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!