Senran Persona: Ninjas of Hearts

by UknownHero

Collab with JGResidentEvil and VividMind17. Fate can be an interesting thing within life. It can bring unexpected changes that no one can truly see. For two girls, those that were destined to be rivals between good and evil, changed under the masks of rebellion to forge their own true paths. Now get up and stand your ground because these sexy ninjas are gonna steal your heart!

133. Intertwined Connections

Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona! 60,000 words of more filler than most Naruto arcs! We are nearly hitting the three million mark folks. I hope you all been keeping up. I sure haven't.

I ask you to contribute to the TV Tropes page.

No answering reviews today. Just thank you everyone! Time to… not understand how girls work. Seriously, do they really talk about this shit?

Load Game… Start!

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Chapter 133: Intertwined Connections

---

(10/1, Early Morning)

(Hebijo Academy, Murasaki's Room)

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

A phone alarm started beeping at 4AM in the morning as a hand soon went over it, turning it off as a result.

"Ngh...aaaaah~" Murasaki groaned and yawned out in satisfaction, stretching her limbs as she sat up from her bed. "Good morning, Bebe-tan." She soon greeted as she got out of bed.

"Mornin'." Her plushie replied. "Have a nice rest, dream of wonderful things, get off in your sleep?" Bebeby then assumed while listing off various happenings.

"I did not!" Murasaki pouted...before checking under her blanket. "Yeah, I didn't this time!" She then confirmed as she then went and got dressed in her work-out clothes that hugged her body.

BOING!

"Good, no need to waste time here, ya damn exercise junkie." Bebeby remarked as the purplette tied her hair into a ponytail. "There's only three more days, so make sure to abuse everything this dump has before we burn it to the ground." The plushie then reminded in a serious tone.

"Hai, and I have to be ready at all times." Murasaki responded with a nod as she looked at herself in the mirror before flexing, satisfied at the sight of herself. "Ufufu~ No more chubby for me~ Aaaall sexy now, just like Haruka-oneesama~" She happily praised herself in a seductive tone with a smirk as she placed one hand on her hip and tilted her body slightly.

BOING!

"...Why'd you sound a bit like Haruka there for a moment?" Bebeby meanwhile asked.

"Ufufu~ Did I~?" Murasaki innocently asked with another giggle.

"Yes. Your posture's like hers and even giggling like she does." Bebeby confirmed in a deadpan tone. "Don't play on turf she has already taken over." The plushie then added.

Murasaki however was unphased by that. "Oh, but I can definitely bring my own spin to it~ Look~!" She replied, just as...

BOING!

...Did a really terrible sexy dance that involved bouncing her chest a lot. Alone. For her plushie.

"...Are you trying to seduce me?" Bebeby bluntly asked.

"W-What!? N-N-No I'm not!" Murasaki stuttered out, snapping out of her seductive persona.

"Then stop wasting time staring at yourself in a mirror and get to training, you narcissistic beefcake." Bebeby grumbled.

"I-I am not...I just appreciate my..." Murasaki tried to retort, only to go quiet as nothing came to her. She still had a long way to go...

---

(Hebijo Academy, Elites Room)

Happily leaving her room, she headed to the Elites Room to grab herself a quick breakfast before she headed to her usual training spot.

"Morning, Mirai-chan!" Murasaki greeted, spotting the eyepatch-wearing girl at the table, typing on her laptop.

"Good morning, Murasaki-oneechan." Mirai greeted back, taking a second to look away from her screen. "Going for your morning workout?" She then guessed.

"You know it!" The purplette happily replied with a fist pump as she headed into the kitchen and grabbed a banana. "You should join me some time." She then suggested as she flexed her arms.

"Maybe, though I don't know if I wanna be jacked like Kid and Teen Gohan from the Dragon Ball series." Mirai replied and jokingly added with a smirk.

Murasaki in turn giggled at that response as she attempted to imagine it, that only causing her to giggle some more.

It was nice to have someone akin to a little sister to talk with.

"So, what are you writing over there?" The purplette soon asked as she wandered over and looked at the screen.

SLAM!

However, Mirai almost instantly slammed her laptop shut before she could even read a word. "I-It's nothing! It's my, uh...will?" She panickingly began to respond before slowing down.

"Your...will." Murasaki repeated in a skeptical and concerned manner.

"Y-Yeah. You have to have one prepared, you know." Mirai soon got out as she turned her head away.

"That's really morbid, Mirai-chan." Murasaki stated as she took a bite of her banana. "Besides, you won't need it any time soon." She then stated.

"You're really confident about that." Mirai remarked.

"Well, there's nothing we can't do as long as we're together." Murasaki claimed before eating the rest of her banana.

"The power of friendship can only get you so far, but we also have the power of overwhelming violence on our side too." Mirai stated. "In any case, have fun training." She then got out.

"I will!" Murasaki replied as she left.

Once she did, Mirai carefully lifted her laptop's screen...only to see it had completely shattered into usability. "...Worth it." She whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

She was due for a new laptop anyway.

---

(Hebijo Academy, Outdoor Training Fields)

Taking in the fresh air of the training field (well, fresher than inside the academy), Murasaki went to her usual training spot she had chosen ever since the start of her exercise kick.

She couldn't help but notice the indents and craters that still remained on the field. Her strength had grown at a rapid pace, but that didn't mean it had come easy. Even after recovering from her overexhaustion, she could feel her bones ache and her muscles cry, but it had long since dulled.

Maybe it was her improved mental fortitude, maybe it was just because she was just getting stronger, but she would never forget the pain she has and will forever endure for the path to freedom...without the Root holding her back.

Soon taking a breath, Murasaki got her wireless earbuds in and turned on her phone's music player before attaching her phone to a holder on her upper arm.

(Cue The Bomb by Pigeon John)

"Yosh! That's the right sound!" Murasaki thought in determination as a fire ignited in her eyes as she did some quick stretches.

Soon enough, the purplette's muscles tensed as she began punching the air a bit followed by flurries kicks of various types to the flow and the rhythm of the music. It just felt right for her doing things this way ever since she returned to Hebijo, despite hating the place.

When she finished her punches and kicks, she relaxed and loosened her muscles and did some stretches and fluid arm motions while stretching out her legs while doing some katas.

"In...and out. In...and out..." Murasuki mentally and slowly instructed herself while taking deep and soothing breaths.

It was always nice to ease herself now after deciding to do her training in moderation. Yeah, she was an exercise junkie as Bebeby said, but it was because she likes exercising now.

However, she now knew she had to limit herself. As strong as her body was nowadays, it still had limits, and it would fail on her if she overused it. She was not willing to ever feel like complete crap all over again.

Besides, she didn't want her friends to worry about her. She didn't want anyone to worry about her anymore.

She was going to earn what the world owed, get back at it for making her be born in a shitty family and a terrible power.

Murasaki would kill them all and it would-

(Cue Hollywood Swinging by Kool & The Gang)

"Ah, my music changed." Murasaki got out with widened eyes before checking her phone. "Oh right, it's on auto play and the shuffle setting." She muttered before shrugging and putting it back in its place and going back to workout, though now with a shake in her bust and hips to the rhythm of the music.

BOING! JIGGLE! BOING! JIGGLE! BOING! JIGGLE!

English music was really interesting...and catchy...

Summoning her recently customized fūma shurikens to her hands, she glanced at a nearby dead tree as she readied herself as she charged in, gripping the handles as the blades of the shurikens spun at a rapid pace.

SLICE! SLASH! SLICE! SLASH!

Suddenly, the purplette passed the dead tree as it then fell apart to mere wood shaving, causing her to smirk in satisfaction. "Ufufu~ Perfect~" Murasaki cooed out as she made her weapons vanish. "And all without the Root~" She added in satisfaction.

Yep, her rapid growth was completely natural. No enhancements, no drugs or doping of any kind, just pure Murasaki...

All thanks to the encouragement from her friends that were more of a family to her than her actual family was.

And in no way because the Root was being subtly used to boost her growth as she started her jog around the school while gracefully dodging and flipping out of the way of the shuriken and kunai throwing machines and the automatic crossbow bolt turrets with professional gymnast level athleticism.

BOING! BOING! BOING! BOING!

However, because of the music blasting in her ears, she didn't notice the shadows following behind her.

Or their screams as they were shot and stabbed.

(End Music)

About two hours later, her workout was complete. Taking another deep breath and relaxing herself, Murasaki soon used her arm to wipe the sweat off her forehead, turned off her phone's music and took the ear buds out...before noticing a bunch of first years looking at her in admiration...

Murasaki blinked as the sky suddenly darkened (more than it usually was). However, when she looked, she realized it wasn't the skyline getting worse, but the many...many...many students who were beginning to get a little too close to her.

And then the purplette noticed they had hearts in their eyes. "...Eh?" Murasaki got out, blinking in confusion. "C-Can I help you all?" She soon asked, sweat still making her skin glisten and shine.

"We don't need anything." One of the girls breathed out, letting out a rather creepy smile.

"No, you just keep doing what you're doing." Another added with the same creepy smile.

"And we'll just stay here." Yet another part of the legion stated.

"And watch." The last girl concluded.

Murasaki blinked. "H-How...Did they plan on finishing each other's sentences like that?" She then thought in head, starting to feel a bit concerned and creeped out by this.

"...Are you going to bounce around like you did before?" A somehow battered female student asked.

"I have the perfect song!" One of the girls offered before hitting play on her phone.

(Cue Doin' Your Mom by Fatty Spins)

Murasaki...blinked. "U-Uh, I'm flattered, but please turn that off." She awkwardly requested.

"I have others." The music-playing girl offered before her phone was slapped out of her hand.

(End Music)

"Just, um, you please tell me who you all are?" The purplette soon requested as she began to back off from the group, only to realize she was surrounded.

Suddenly, the sky darkened even further as Murasaki slowly realized she may have unleashed a beast, as the girls around began to giggle more and more manically.

"We're..." The first girl began before grabbing her uniform.

RIP!

"The new I Heart-" The Leader of the group proudly-

"Uh, Yuno-chan?" One of the others awkwardly interrupted as she pointed a finger towards her own chest.

"Eh?" The girl now named Yuno-chan got out as she was called and understood the gesture before looking down on herself. She had no top underneath or bra on the moment she ripped off her own blouse. "Oh crap! I forgot to wear it!" She squeaked, covering her bare chest before dashing off.

Murasaki wanted to do the same as the girl at that moment. "Uhh..." She awkwardly got out.

"Let's start that again." The girl pointed out the apparent leader's nudity mumbled before they all began clutching onto their uniform tops. "We're..." She soon began.

RIP! RIP! RIP!

"The new I Heart M and M Militia!" The girls proudly declared, tearing off their uniform tops and proudly displaying their custom t-shirts.

Murasaki stared in disbelief. The t-shirts were only plain white with the name of their club written on it in black marker. Weirdly enough, one of them used a white bra as the one used for writing their club name. "Uh...what?" She got out in massive confusion.

"Our love for Miyabi-sama has combined with our love for you, my hunky dreamboat!" A suitless Sheep Anointed Shinobi started. "And not because we're severely depleted on our Miyabium and need a replacement or else we'll all fall into despair!" She then explained.

"Then we saw how you rag-dolled our leader and we instantly fell in love." A new person, a Rat Anointed Shinobi in a fanclub shirt, revealed as other anointed shinobi came over.

"Please stop mentioning that." Murasaki pleaded before blinking. "Excuse me, leader?" She soon repeated while paling.

"She started this militia for our beloved Miyabi-sama, and now we shall continue it...by loving someone just as hunky as her!" A Wolf Anointed Shinobi fan informed. "Wherever you are, leader, rest assured that Murasaki-sama will be in our safe hands forever!" She then declared.

"H-Hunk? Hunky!?" Murasaki yelped out in disbelief. "U-Um, I-I'm flattered by all this attention and all, but I don't need a fan club..." She soon admitted.

"Nonsense, every respectable person needs a fan club!" An Anointed Rat Shinobi stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Without fan clubs, there will be no one to defend you." She then claimed.

"I can defend myself." Murasaki however corrected.

"No one to support you in times of need." An Anointed Wolf Shinobi replied.

"I have friends." Murasaki once more informed.

"And no one will ever respect you as a human being." The Sheep Anointed concluded.

"Huh?" Murasaki got out in confusion.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

"Ah, the others are showing up!" The wolf shinobi exclaimed.

"O-Others!?" Murasaki yelped out.

KYAAAAAAAA!

Murasaki soon paled as she heard that. "H-How many people are in this fan club?" She had to ask.

"About...32% of the school." The bra girl informed after a little bit of thinking. "We all have a love for Miyabi-sama, and we all fell for you as well, Murasaki-sama." She then confessed.

"WE LOVE YOU MURASAKI-SAMA!" They all cried out, hearts in their eyes all the while.

"...I think I'm living a nightmare. Is this what Miyabi went through?" Murasaki thought. This had to be nothing but a nightmare, because nothing this stupid would happen in a sane world.

SLURP!

The purplette soon felt something...moist touching her body, causing her to look down to see a girl literally licking her six-pack, causing her to jump back. "W-What are you doing!?" Murasaki questioned in a panic as she touched the part where she was licked on.

"...Trying to lick the sweat off your glistening skin, Murasaki-sama?" One girl casually answered, as if it was the most obvious and normal thing to do.

Murasaki stared at her, frozen...before immediately dashing away, her K-Cup breasts bouncing as she ran.

"AFTER HER!" The current leader of the militia ordered. "AND HER BIG, SUCCULENT TITS!" She then added.

"WAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Murasaki cried out as she ran away from the horde of fangirls chasing after her.

Of course, sanity was a commodity in Hebijo Academy these days.

---

(Elites Room)

Mirai frowned at the cards in her hands, mentally figuring out the best choice to make in this situation. "...Got any threes?" She soon asked.

"Go fish." Yomi responded...while wearing nothing but her panties, bra, and skirt, causing the eyepatch wearer to grumble as she picked up some cards. "Speaking of fish, we're gonna have to learn to fish and debone them." She soon reminded.

"We're not living in a cave, Yomi." Hikage deadpanned. "I think Tsumuji is looking for cheap places in the city." She soon reminded.

"Well, considering how unlikely it is for us to get jobs that don't involve debasing ourselves, we're going to need to learn how to live off the land." Yomi informed as she sorted the cards in her hand.

"I already know that. It's a basic survival skill you learn in middle school." Hikage stated with a frown. "Living off the land in an urban environment is called stealing." She then claimed.

"Hey, plenty of homes and shops throw away lots of perfectly good food. We can get free sustenance from there as well as do the community a service." Yomi then pointed out.

"I am not looking forward to dumpster diving to survive..." Mirai groaned.

"I don't know. It feels a little nostalgic to me." Yomi soon confessed. "When you find a mostly intact bento that only gives you a minor stomach-ache, you treasure those moments, you know?" She then sighed out in a nostalgic manner.

"...Yeah, I'm just going to steal stuff from people." The eyepatch-wearing girl decided in a blunt manner.

"That's fair." Hikage admitted with a shrug. "So, have any queens?" She soon asked.

Mirai cringed before letting out a huff. "SON OF A-" She began to swear as she threw her cards down, revealing three queens. "You have to be cheating!" She soon accused.

"I'm doing no such thing." Hikage stated as she took the cards before revealing her full set.

"Arf!" Poochie agreed from in between her owner's boobs.

"Oh come on, you only have your panties left on you." Mirai complained, seeing the greenette wearing particularly nothing except her panties. "Dammit..." She got out with a pout.

"Better luck next time then, Mirai." Hikage responded. "Take them off, Mirai. Those are the rules." She then instructed and reminded.

The eyepatch-wearing girl grumbled in annoyance before standing up to take off her white and red heart panties.

After a couple of rounds, at the end of their card game, Yomi and Mirai were fully naked, courtesy of their loss during the game.

"Uuugghhh..." Mirai grumbled in annoyance to her naked defeat.

"Hey, it could be worse. We could make you take off your eyepatch." Yomi however pointed out...while instinctively covering her nude body with her arms.

"Please don't." Mirai stated back while covering her own nude body with her own arms as well. "Soo...all are now naked except you, Hikage." She then groaned in defeat.

"I guess I won, then." Hikage breathed out as her puppy barked in victory. "And you two don't get to wear any clothes for the next hour." She soon reminded with an amused smirk.

"Mmmm..." Yomi moaned in annoyance. "You know, you're almost fully naked right now and the only thing on you is your panties. I would feel a bit better if you took them off as well..." She soon stated and confessed.

"But then it wouldn't be a victory." Hikage stated as she began putting her clothes back on. "You should play better next time." She then suggested.

"Grrrr..." Mirai meanwhile growled. "Why couldn't we have chosen a game that relies on skill, not luck!" She grumbled.

"Playing cards in its inherent use will always have a degree of luck in a conventional game." Hikage simply explained as she held up a Joker card. "The only way to introduce skill into it is to subvert it all together: by cheating." She then revealed, smirking all the while.

"Well...let's play chess next time." Mirai pouted.

"But...you can't play chess with three people." Yomi pointed out.

"Chinese checkers then?" Mirai sighed out the suggestion.

"That works. But maybe we should get a fourth player next time." Hikage agreed before suggesting.

"I'm sure Murasaki-chan would agree to a game." Yomi replied with a smile.

"Speaking of, Murasaki's doing her morning training like usual?" Hikage assumed while petting Poochie.

"I saw her leave earlier." Mirai informed. "She was practically skipping out of her room. Made me quite happy to see her like that." She added and revealed.

"Hm, we didn't know she existed before but now she's one of our closest allies." Yomi recalled with a smile.

"She feels more like a sister to us now." Mirai admitted.

"Hehe, yeah." Hikage giggled. "Funny how life-" She then began, however...

"SOMEONE SAVE ME!" A familiar voice panickingly begged.

"Huh?" Hikage got out with widened eyes as the girls stood up from their seats...and the currently naked two not minding their state of nudity for the moment.

At that moment, the secret entrance into the room swung open, revealing a sweaty and panicky Murasaki, who scrambled into the room.

The other Crimson Squad members could only stare as purplette jumped onto the couch and covered her head, shivering in fear while her eyes twitched at every subtle movement.

It also should be pointed out that she was missing her workout bottoms and saw her lace dark purple panties.

"D-D-D-Did I lose them!?" Murasaki nervously asked.

"Lose what?" Mirai asked before blinking as she noticed something. "Your bloomers?" She then pointed out.

"No! Them!" Murasaki corrected, flinching at a noise the others didn't hear. "The people who have been chasing me!" She then explained.

"Um, I'll go secure the perimeter." Yomi soon got out as she left the room...while naked, of course.

Ignoring the fact Yomi had completely forgotten her state of undress, the eyepatch-wearing girl focused on someone else's. "What happened to your shorts?" Mirai had to ask.

"I had to sacrifice them to buy time!" Murasaki cried, tears staining the couch. "I wanna get out of here..." She then moaned in despair.

"Who the hell did this to you...?" Hikage asked with a frown, feeling a slight rush of anger burn in her heart.

"T-The...The...I Heart M and M Militia!" Murasaki revealed. "They wanted to do really dirty stuff to me. I...I think they want my virginity!" She then explained, shaking more and more as she went on. "...T-That's only for Akira-kun..." She soon mumbled.

"...What?" Hikage got out in a flat tone.

Soon enough, Yomi in the nude returned with a weirded out expression on her face. "Hey, why are there people outside worshiping a pair of bloomers?" She suddenly asked. They were so focused on it that they didn't even notice her.

Murasaki whimpered while sporting quite a huge blush on her face.

"...They're doing what now?" Mirai deadpanned as she and the other Crimson Squad girls looked at the purplette in disbelief.

"T-The I Heart M and M Militia." Murasaki repeated in a nervous manner. "They've gone and fallen for me now like they did with Miyabi!" She panickingly revealed.

"...How is this school still standing?" Hikage deadpanned.

"With lots and lots of money from corrupted bastards." Mirai answered.

"So...do we have to worry about them breaking into Murasaki-chan's room just to cop a feel...or steal all her hair?" Yomi soon questioned as the girl in mention slowly but surely began to fall into old habits and slink into the darkest place she could find.

"It would be a serious distraction from our preparations." Hikage muttered with a frown. "We need to begin packing our essentials and stashing them away, ensuring Hebijo has no access to any of our accounts, stealing supplies..." She soon listed off.

"That's a lot to do in three days with only the four of us." Yomi muttered in concern.

"Arf!" Poochie barked out.

"Five of us." Yomi corrected.

"I...I could be a distraction if you need it." Murasaki awkwardly offered as she raised a hand, getting the attention of the others. "I mean, if they'll listen to me now, I could sway them into obeying me now." She then suggested.

"Murasaki-oneechan, you can't!" Mirai exclaimed. "I've seen fangirls! You think you have control, but in reality they control you! They're like animals but worse smelling and like sniffing your panties!" She then declared in a panic.

"I gotta pull my weight somehow though besides my strength." Murasaki pointed out with a sigh. "Plus...It's my fault they became fangirls of mine. I shouldn't have shown my strength, hid myself away instead of making myself the center of attention." She then added.

In response, the Crimson Squad members looked at the purplette, who had a determined look on her face. "...Murasaki, we are glad for your sacrifice...but that is some stupid-ass thinking." Hikage replied before bluntly stating in disapproval with her hands on her hips. "AKA Hebijo's way of thinking with sacrificing yourself. You can't predict how people will react, and finally being able to face the light instead of hiding away is a great improvement. You shouldn't throw yourself to the wolves just because of something you can't control. You are fine." She soon stated.

The purplette nodded to that, smiling...before blinking as she realized the general state of undress. "...Wait, why are Mirai-chan and Yomi-chan naked?" Murasaki eventually questioned in confusion.

Mirai and Yomi simply gestured at the greenette.

"We played a card game and they lost." Hikage simply answered her. "Agreed punishment is being naked for the next hour." She then added.

"Oh." Murasaki responded, nodding in an understanding manner. "...Wish I could've joined you, though." She then confessed.

"...Maybe at a later time when we're all free." Hikage stated.

They suddenly heard footsteps, prompting them to turn to who was with them right now as they soon saw Ryōna slowly walking a little bit as she approached the others while looking a little heaved and in a slumping posture.

"Oh, hey everyone." Ryōna greeted, sounding drained of all her hopes and dreams. "You're all naked. That's good..." She mumbled, barely looking at the two nude shinobi.

"Ryōna-chan!" Yomi got out in surprise. "We didn't see you all day yesterday. Where were you?" She soon asked.

"Training personally with Suzune-sensei." Ryōna answered in a casual manner. "...I think I've lost something I don't think I'll ever get back." She soon admitted, her eyes growing dull as she spoke.

"Knowing you, I thought you'd just go down the same path as Murasaki and start loving to exercise like she does now...or just love the pain Suzune-sensei gave you while you were fighting her." Hikage had to admit.

"I don't. I never will. At least with her." Ryōna mumbled with a haunted look on her face before wincing and laid herself down face first on the couch. "Ooooooow..." She soon whined, clearly not enjoying the pain.

"Wow, she managed to knock the masochism out of you." Mirai remarked.

"No, she just managed to make this type of pain terrible." Ryōna corrected.

"Um...there, there?" Yomi awkwardly comforted while patting the other blonde's head.

"...Please pat me harder...until it bleeds...~" Ryōna soon pleaded in a cooing tone.

Yomi instantly froze at that before slowly taking her hand away.

"Sorry, force of habit." Ryōna awkwardly got out. "I do love some pain or punishment, though, aside from other things. Head's still in a bit of a frazzled state after the recent days." She then explained and confessed.

"I think that's just ingrained into your DNA or soul now." Mirai deadpanned. "Or you really have a split personality now thanks to falling for Akira-nii." She then added as the first year blonde blushed at the mention.

"Love does make people go crazy." Hikage remarked. "Or in Ryōna's case, develops a bipolar personality disorder." She then added.

"I'm not bipolar!" The first year blonde exclaimed. "The voices in my head are one now!" She then declared.

"...That statement didn't help." Hikage deadpanned.

"Yeah...I know..." Ryōna agreed with a sigh. "I think I'm going to sleep now." She soon decided.

"But...it's 6 AM." Murasaki pointed out.

"Oh good, it's only been a day." Ryōna breathed in relief.

THUD!

"Zzzzzz..." Ryōna snored, her body giving up on her as she fell asleep on the spot.

"...What is with everyone collapsing this year?" Hikage couldn't help but wonder as they stared down at the unconscious girl.

"So uh, how do we leave to head to classes?" Yomi soon asked. "I'm pretty sure the Militia will tear us apart if we go outside." She soon pointed out.

"And they do have a keen sense of smell..." Mirai muttered with a frown.

At that moment however...

"YOU'RE WORSHIPING SOMEONE ELSE BUT ME!? LET ME SHOW YOU WHO'S BETTER!" They suddenly heard Sōji scream.

"WHO DARES SULLY THE NAME OF THE GREAT DEMIURGE! HAVE AT YOU!" Ashiya's voice declared.

"HEY! I'M NOT INVOLVED IN THIS! OW! OKAY, NOW I'M INVOLVED IN THIS!" Bashō's voice exclaimed.

"NONE OF THIS IS NORMAL! YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED!" Ibuki's voice scolded.

"Meh, if everyone is doing it, I might as well. DIE!" Finally, Chitose declared before they heard the sounds of fighting outside.

"...That takes care of the Militia for a while..." Hikage muttered, shrugging at the convenience of the new wave's intervention. "...Wanna go steal some shit from the fangirls' rooms?" She soon suggested with a smirk.

"I thought you'd never ask." Yomi evilly giggled as she pulled out her robbi-...liberation gloves.

"Um, can we steal some new bloomers too...?" Murasaki soon suggested.

"And a new laptop." Mirai added.

"We could always get your old bloomers back." Hikage offered. "I'll even do it for you." She then offered.

"N-No, you shouldn't risk your life for some shorts..." Murasaki however responded as she shook her head. "They may have been a gift from Haruka-oneesama, but I won't let you do it for something so...selfish. They're just clothes after all." She then stated.

"Sure, but they mean something to you. And...we're already giving up a lot to make something of our own lives." Yomi stated with a kind smile. "We should keep at least one thing that's close to us, even if it's just a single piece of clothing." She then said.

"WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU LICKING THOSE SHORTS, YOU DISGUSTING FREAKS!?" They suddenly heard Sōji scream.

"...After bleaching and cleaning them." Yomi soon added as the other sweatdropped.

Murasaki frowned. "...No." She suddenly responded.

"Really?" Hikage got out in confusion.

"No...I mean I'm not gonna let you do it by yourself." Murasaki decided with a glare. "We're all going out there and fighting for it! Then, once everyone is in the infirmary, we steal their stuff!" She then declared.

"You're willing to face them!?" Mirai exclaimed. "Aren't you scared?" She soon questioned.

"Of course I am. All I want to do is run away." Murasaki confessed as she placed a hand on her heart (and the other on her bare womanhood). "But as long as I'm with you guys, I'll face the world while standing my ground! I'm not alone anymore, so now I have the strength to take back what's mine!" She then got out.

"...Alright then, let's do this." Hikage declared as she silently equipped her shinobi outfit.

"Wait, hold on, is the nude punishment still in effect for the two of us, Hikage-chan?" Yomi questioned.

"..." Hikage blinked. "You two can fight while naked, right?" She soon asked.

"Well...I mean, we can use Super Frantic Mode, but..." Yomi replied before trailing off while looking worried. They'd burn out far before the fight would be over.

"Hikage, this is serious." Mirai got out with a scowl. "Are you really upholding a stupid condition on your win and fighting at a disadvantage, despite the fact that I'm pretty sure those desperate bitches out there would utterly try and tear us limb from limb?" She soon added.

"Plus, I'm pretty sure we'll all be naked by the battle's end." Murasaki pointed out. "Like how it usually does in a battle between shinobis. And this is going to be against a lot of them." She then added.

"..." The group soon went silent.

"STOP HESITATING!" Mirai and Yomi called out.

"Fine. But that's an extra hour." Hikage relented. Everyone gave the greenette a deadpan look and a sweatdrop, even her own pet.

"...At least I think classes are gonna be canceled today. Shinobi Tenshin!" Mirai declared as she and the others transformed. "Don't trip this time, Murasaki-oneechan." She reminded in a joking manner.

"H-Hey! I solved that!" Murasaki claimed with a pout as she then showed off her still torn-up shinobi outfit from her fight with narcissistic blonde, especially the shortened skirt. "I don't dream of being a princess anymore, but a warrior who'll fight for her friends!" She soon stated as she tied her hair up into a ponytail.

"Well, it does suit your more close quarters style..." Yomi admitted.

"Seems more like me now." Hikage pointed out.

"It represents everyone that has helped me grow and I'll wear it until the day I die." Murasaki explained with a smirk. "Or until it falls apart." She mentally added in her head. "Now, to battle!" She soon shouted out.

"CHARGE!" The rest of Crimson Squad declared before running out of the Elites Room, weapons raised and ready for anything.

---

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Meanwhile, as Hebijo experiences the largest and greatest battle to ever happen in the history of the school, there were other students outside of it that were dealing with more mundane situations.

"Sis, why are you ironing my blazer?" Homura had to ask as she prepared her stuff for the day. It should be noted that both sisters were in their underwear, having just finished their morning bath.

"Uh...Homu-neechan, today we're switching to winter uniforms." Asuka soon reminded.

"Huh, that time of year already." Homura got out, slightly amazed. "We actually survived." She jokingly added.

"I think you said something like that a while ago." Asuka soon pointed out.

"Yeah, well..." Homura responded. "Didn't expect this whole Phantom Thief thing to last this long. Hell, not even the mission we were sent out to do." She soon admitted.

"Hey, we're getting closer to completing that." Asuka replied. "Once Black Mask is down, we can go back home." She soon added.

"Yeah, once I secure my transfer to Hanzō thanks to Gramps, I should be home free." Homura muttered. "...There are other shinobi at Hanzō other than your friends, right?" She then assumed.

"Of course." Asuka replied with a nod. "Not a lot, mind you, but there are non-Elites there." She then confirmed.

"Right. Hebijo has plenty of grunt students so I just needed to ask." Homura responded. "...You think they'll accept a defector?" She then asked.

"Well...I'm not sure actually." Asuka had to admit. "I don't really talk to them much. But we can keep it a secret if you want. It would probably be for the best given the Good Shinobi Council..." She then added.

"...Nah, I'll deal with them." Homura decided. "I've always been fighting for my place in the world, why stop now?" She soon pointed out.

"It would be nice to stop fighting and spend that time relaxing." Asuka mumbled.

"It would be, but that's not how the world works." Homura however reminded. "You may have forgiven me, but everyone else will need a lot of convincing." She then added.

"I'll help if you let me." Asuka offered.

In response, Homura couldn't help but sigh at that. "Sis, you always help me with fights and revenge. Can't I deal with something like this on my own?" She got out and requested.

"That only works when you're by yourself, and you aren't anymore." Asuka stated with her hands on her hips. "We're sisters. Your burdens are my burdens now, so if it means fighting everyone in Hanzō to show that you're the best, I'll do it with a smile." She soon reminded and declared.

"...Heh, I guess your rebellious and delinquent past is going to be useful then." Homura jokingly assumed.

"I-I didn't fight everyone I met." Asuka got out with a pout. "Just...a lot of people..." She weakly added as her sister giggled.

"And people call me violent." Homura remarked with an amused smile.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Ah! Do you mind getting my phone for me?" Asuka requested as she focused on ironing.

"Sure, Sis." Homura responded as she grabbed their phones and checked her screen. "Uh, that's odd. Don't think we've had a group video chat before." She mumbled as she tossed her sister her phone.

"Huh? A...group video chat?" Asuka got out.

"And this early before school?" Homura meanwhile asked with a raised eyebrow. "How important is this?" She then wondered.

"Probably really important." Asuka replied as she accepted the invite, with her sister doing the same soon after. Already, they saw that Akira, Makoto and Futaba were on.

"Oh, good! Everyone is accepting it." Makoto breathed out. "I've never done this before so I thought I would mess it up somehow..." She soon admitted.

"You did well, Makoto." Akira praised before letting out a yawn while lazily putting on a t-shirt.

"Are you okay, Akira?" Homura asked in concern. It looked like he was still in bed. "You seem a little tired..." She soon noted.

"And sore..." Akira had to admit while petting the sleeping Morgana, letting him rest a little more. "Sorry, I had a rough night. Really weird dream." He soon added.

"...Loli Paradise?" Homura guessed.

"Not the Velvet Room, Homura." Akira deadpanned. "Just didn't get enough sleep last night. It was weird, I was really tired too when I went to bed..." He then revealed.

(In a more romantic alternate timeline, Asuka couldn't help but blush. Especially when Futaba began wiggling her eyebrows.)

"Well, I had a wonderful rest." The hacker soon revealed. "Went to sleep at 3, woke up at 7! I feel so refreshed..." Futaba then added.

"What the-!? You only got four hours of sleep!?" Miyabi suddenly shouted out, having logged on just as the orangette had begun talking. "You promised you would be in bed by 10, young lady!" She then reminded.

The orangette in response winced. "O-Oh, well, there was some really important work I had to do and, um..." Futaba awkwardly got out.

"God, first you sleep too much, now you're not getting enough..." Miyabi grumbled under her breath. "Do I need to sleep with you to make sure you're keeping to your schedule? You're making some real progress, I don't want you to lose it all." She soon offered and praised.

"I know, but it's really hard to break old habits." Futaba replied and admitted. "Don't worry though, Big Sis, I'll start setting alarms telling me when to sleep and wake up. I'll even make the sound the most annoying song on my playlist." She then reassured.

"O-Oh, really?" Miyabi responded before sighing in relief. "Th-That is great Futaba. Taking the initiative is...good." She then added and admitted.

"...You wanna sleep over sometime?" Futaba soon offered.

Miyabi's smile soon became softer. "I would like that." She replied.

"Now, any updates on your end, Haru?" Akira soon asked.

"It's about the same as all the other days since his change of heart." Haru answered. "Gyū-chan is doing her best to take care of him, but she's going to be switching out with Katsu-chan soon." She then added.

"Oh god no..." Makoto groaned as she put an arm around her semi-large chest. "Guess I'll be avoiding going outside then." She then muttered.

"And who knows what else will happen..." Homura grumbled as her sister nodded in agreement.

"Um... I'm pretty sure Katsu-chan's not that bad, Mako-chan..." Haru tried to reassure her. "She's still a good friend to have...despite her, um, eccentricities." She then added.

"She did get along with Ryuji-kun pretty well." Asuka pointed out.

"I know, but... it's Katsuragi-san we're talking about." Makoto grumbled in an uneasy manner.

"Makoto, just beat her sexy ass if she gets handsy with your Fists of Justice or whatever. Problem solved." Akira bluntly suggested, causing the others to sweatdrop. "...Unless you want another upgrade on the boobs department, of course. That I'll let you decide." He then added.

"Akira. Really?" Homura deadpanned with a sigh.

"...My back will snap." Makoto soon admitted.

"Then let Homura help you with that at some point." Akira however advised her.

"Akira, you just wanna see Makoto with big boobs, don't you?" Miyabi however assumed with a sigh.

"Honestly...a bit curious." Akira admitted. "And maybe having the same thing on Ann as well." He then bluntly added.

"Would be interesting, though." Futaba quipped with a nudge of her glasses and a smirk.

"Please be quiet." Makoto and Miyabi however bluntly requested in unison.

"...Perverts." Homura sighed as she relented with a shake of her head while the others sweatdropped.

"Sorry. Sexual urges and intrusive thoughts." Akira awkwardly apologized, earning a sigh from most of the girls currently present in the call while the fluffy haired girl simply made a weak laugh. "Anyways, back to Haru's father. I just hope that-" He then started, however...

"Hm?" Yumi got out as she entered the call. "I just got in, what did you discuss just now?" She then informed and asked.

"Just checking on Haru's father." Akira responded casually (and smoothly).

"He's fine, if you need to know." Haru soon informed. "I haven't seen him physically for so long. What if..." She soon mumbled in worry.

"Don't think about that, Haru." Akira got out with a frown. "We did our best and we stopped Black Mask. Whatever happens, happens. But hopefully, it'll be in our favor. But if you need to talk, we're always here to lend a helping hand." He then assured.

"Right, thank you." Haru breathed out.

"In any case, good morning everyone." Yumi greeted as she entered the chat. It looks like she was already at school, given that she was wearing her school's uniform.

"Morning." The Thieves greeted back.

"H-Hello?" Yusuke spoke up, having just entered the chat too. However, his bitrate was terrible, causing him to occasionally look like a mess of pixels.

"Your connection is quite poor, Yusuke." Yumi noted with a frown. "Doesn't your dorm have better internet than this?" She soon asked in concern.

"Sorry, I think it's just my phone." Yusuke got out in an apologetic manner. "It doesn't have the greatest connection at times." He then admitted.

"How old is your phone, Inari?" Futaba asked.

"It's a hand-me-down from one of the students Madarame had before she left." Yusuke informed. "It still works and has a good battery life, but I do wish to get a new one." He then added.

"Then why don't you use your Metaverse earnings?" Akira pointed out.

However, all Yusuke did in response was stare blankly at everyone.

"...It's all gone, isn't it." Makoto stated more than guessed.

"No, just...most of it is in my emergency funds." The young artist corrected.

"Art supplies?" Akira immediately assumed.

"No, genuinely in my emergency funds." Yusuke confirmed. "Senpai is making me set aside some money." He then revealed.

"And only I have access to the account." Yumi informed with a nod. "I'll only give it when necessary, and a new easel is not an emergency. You may borrow one of the school's." She then stated.

"But they're filthy and uneven!" Yusuke exclaimed.

"Then clean it and fix it, Yusuke." Yumi sighed out. "Until you can be trusted with money or you begin earning enough to fulfill your own needs, and not rely on your stipend." She then stated in an authoritative tone.

"Agreed." Makoto responded with a nod.

"And what happens if you're unavailable and I need help?" Yusuke soon questioned.

"You could always ask me." Akira offered.

"You know I won't ever take more than necessary..." Yusuke got out with a frown. "And Haru-san, I would never ask you for anything even if you are well off. I do not wish to be a burden to anyone." He then added.

"You aren't a burden to anyone, Yusuke-kun." Asuka got out.

"I agree. And I don't mind giving you some financial support, Yusuke-kun." Haru stated in reassurance. "Actually, I may be more fiscally irresponsible given my wealth." She then innocently added.

Homura however coughed at that.

It was at that moment Ann and Ryuji entered the group video chat.

"Sup, guys!" Ryuji greeted with his own camera on, displaying his face with a grin. "It's the first time we did this group video chat thing together." He then pointed out with a smirk.

The ash blonde meanwhile blushed red. "Asuka, Homura! Why are you still in your underwear!?" Ann suddenly exclaimed. "Put something on!" She then added in a panic.

"Huh?" Akira got out in confusion before narrowing his eyes. "Oh wow, I didn't notice." He soon admitted.

"W-We just got out of the bath, Ann-chan." Asuka explained, trying to pan her phone away to not show their underwear. "I'm still ironing our uniforms since we're switching today, we'll put them on later." She then assured.

"Um, that's not necessary..." Makoto spoke up in an uneasy tone, getting everyone's attention.

"Huh? What do you mean Makoto-senpai?" Homura asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, I called everyone here because I just got a notification from the faculty members that the school was remaining closed for the day." Makoto explained before letting out a sigh. "In other words, school is canceled once more." She then concluded.

"What do you mean school's canceled again!?" Homura exclaimed.

"Eh!?" Asuka exclaimed, dropping the iron on her foot. Don't worry, she's a shinobi. The iron took more damage than the Vice Leader herself.

"Yeah, I don't know all the details, but the Vice Principal wanted the school to be empty today, not much of a reason given." Makoto confirmed and stated with a groan. "I only got the email early because, for whatever reason, I'm part of the staff mailing list." She soon informed. Why did she have to give the principal her email back then...?

"I have the feeling that some staff are annoyed." Miyabi got out.

"And I'm sure...some students will be too." Haru stated.

"I have access to the Shujin faculty's group chat." Futaba announced before typing on her keyboard. "Ooooh...that is not kosher..." She soon grimaced.

"Just when Kawakami regains her love of teaching, she has to deal with this bull..." Akira groaned.

"Hm, didn't something like this happen before?" Yumi recalled, getting a nod of confirmation from the other Shujin students. "So many days off...it could hurt your education or swamp you with more homework than you can handle all at once." She soon got out in disapproval.

"Yumi, it's only two days. They might need to catch up a little, but it shouldn't be too bad." Miyabi pointed out. "Are you bothered because Kosei isn't a shitshow and doesn't need days off to deal with the general insanity that is this year?" She then assumed.

"I'm not bothered, but it does make me lament that I can't be there to support everyone." Yumi confessed and explained.

"That...That's being bothered, Yumi." Akira awkwardly responded.

"...Oh." The Kosei Student Council President and growing idol got out.

"It would be nice to have more time to paint however." Yusuke admitted. "I found this beautiful piece of art and I wish to draw inspiration from it." He soon revealed.

"Hm?" Ryuji hummed in surprise. "Hold on, are you there right now? I thought that you were using one of your paintings as a background!" He soon exclaimed, shocking the others.

"Yes. I found it online and I just had to see it for myself." Yusuke explained.

"Hey...wait, I know that art piece. That's in Shimo-Kitazawa. It's pretty famous." Haru soon recalled before blinking. "...Are you in Shimo-Kitazawa!?" She then questioned in concern and disbelief.

"There's plenty of time before school." Yusuke casually answered. "I even decided to opt for a healthy option and walk to it." He then proudly revealed.

"That's two and a half hours from Kanda!" Makoto got out in an exasperated manner. "School starts in thirty minutes!" She then reminded.

"Don't worry, I have my wallet with me so-" Yusuke soon assured before patting his pockets. "...I may have forgotten my wallet in lieu of my art supplies." He soon confessed.

"YUSUKE!" The Phantom Thieves called out in unison, causing the young artist to flinch at their loud voices.

Yumi meanwhile just let out a long-suffering sigh. "I thought we talked about this after last time." She soon reminded.

"Sorry, senpai." Yusuke sheepishly apologized.

"I shouldn't be surprised he's done this before." Ann awkwardly got out.

"Shibuya is close to Shimo-Kitazawa. Can someone please go get him? Preferably someone fast and with free time? I'm busy right now." Yumi soon requested.

"I'll do it. Heading out anyway to hang out with Futaba." Miyabi offered and explained. "You owe me money for the train to school, got that?" She then added.

"Thank you, Miyabi-san." Yusuke breathed out in relief.

"Drop the 'san' part too. We're friends after all." Miyabi requested and reminded with a smirk. "I'll be there in a sec. Just need to...ah, found it." She soon mumbled, looking off somewhere before picking up her bag.

"I am in your debt as well, Miyabi-san." Yusuke gratefully replied.

"And you do the same as I requested Yusuke." Miyabi responded. "Come on, I think we are well past that point. We've seen each other's-" She then started, however...

"D-Don't mention it!" Ann called out as she shook her head. "We're all friends, really close friends, closer than what should be considered physically possible and socially acceptable, so...yeah." She then added.

"Ann, you're making it weird." Miyabi deadpanned.

"Well, I can't help it!" Ann groaned. "There's just been so much weird shit happening to us lately, that I think, um..." She then tried to explain, however...

"We're in a private call, Ann, so you should be fine saying it, right?" Miyabi however reminded her. "Besides, we have Futaba here in case someone tries to eavesdrop or record our conversation right now." She then reminded.

"But that's...mrnnn." Ann started saying before groaning. "Look, I can't say it, and if I did, I feel like I'd break some sort of barrier between us that needs to be kept up." She then vaguely admitted.

"We've all seen each other naked at least once. Including that time at the Okumura Palace and Black Mask prooobably seen our nakedness when we try to catch him." Futaba pointed out. "I think our barriers are thin as it is." She then added.

"Yeah." Miyabi reluctantly admitted in agreement. "I think Black Mask didn't expect our full frontal nudity while he was fighting us." She then added.

"Oh, we're making fun of him now?" Akira assumed before nodding. "Okay." He then confirmed.

"...Is nudity and sexual stuff part of our life now?" Ann had to ask herself.

"Pretty much, yeah." The orangette casually replied. "Speaking of barriers, in the case of Asuka and Homura, absolutely no barriers at all." Futaba added.

"HE- Actually, that's a compliment." Homura confessed before high-fiving her sister. "Sisterly love, bitch!" She then added as her sister nodded in agreement.

"...They aren't wrong." Makoto had to admit.

"Does getting seen by our underwear included...?" Ann started asking.

"Duh, of course." Futaba confirmed.

"Just...I'm gonna keep it to myself until the barrier falls naturally." The ash blonde eventually relented.

"Okay." Akira muttered. "So...what's everyone doing on their day off?" He then asked.

"Well, probably hang out with the friends I've made outside our group." Akira informed.

"That sounds nice..." Makoto confessed before sighing. "Meanwhile I got to get everything ready for the Future Leaders Summit for myself and Homura." She then added.

"Huh? I thought that happened already." Haru recalled.

"Huh? What are you talkin' about?" Ryuji meanwhile asked.

"Kobayakawa screwed the school even more than we realized." Homura groaned out. "Our school was supposed to be involved too and Kobayakawa made sure we didn't even know about it." She then revealed.

"Why?" Haru had to ask.

"Probably due to us revealing what we know about the Kamoshida incident..." Makoto sighed while pinching the bridge of her nose. "Not to mention Homura still has to meet the Vice President." She then added.

"...We have a Vice President?" A majority of the Shujin students asked, causing the Shujin Student Council President to groan.

"The person I was competing against to get my position." Makoto informed before frowning. "...Ryuji, Ann, Haru, you should know who that is when you voted." She then pointed out.

"Uh, I don't give a shit about politics. Pretty sure I picked randomly." Ryuji admitted.

"I was dealing with Kamoshida to care." Ann soon pointed out.

"And I...was kidnapped again that day." Haru sheepishly confessed.

"Do none of you pay attention at goings-on at school?" Makoto sighed out.

"Not really." Akira answered for everyone. "I tuned out about 85% of my time there after the first week." He then admitted.

"What's the 15% you pay attention to then?" Yusuke soon got out.

"Ikki-sensei and Kawakami." Akira answered.

"...Yeah, that sounds about right." Homura sighed out.

"Ready to go, Yusuke?" Miyabi suddenly asked...from right behind the boy.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF DA VINC-" Yusuke screamed as his call suddenly cut, most likely from dropping his phone.

"...Do you shinobi get your kicks from scaring the shit out of us like that?" Ryuji had to ask.

"No. You guys just aren't as aware as you should be." Homura informed. "...But it is kinda fun when it happens..." She then admitted.

"Homu-neechan..." Asuka got out...despite giggling a bit herself.

"One of these days, guys. One of these days..." Akira soon got out in a vaguely threatening manner.

"Well, let's all make sure we use today as best as we can." Makoto soon declared.

"Sure thing, Prez." Ryuji responded with a nod. Suddenly, they heard a few beeps and...a start up screen?

"...Did you just turn your game console on from your bed?" Futaba got out.

"Uh...no?" Ryuji sheepishly answered.

"You played games all night, didn't you?" Makoto deadpanned.

"Only a little before bed. Come on, can't someone have some fun before sleepin'?" Ryuji claimed.

"Ryuji..." Ann sighed out as she shook her head.

Casual conversation continued for a while before Yumi left, and one by one, so did everyone. "Well, we have the day off. Might as well take care of some stuff before we head out." Homura soon breathed out as she looked around the apartment. It wasn't a total mess, but dust was beginning to grow in a few spots. "This place could use a clean..." She soon muttered.

"Hey, uh...Homu-neechan? We need a new iron." Asuka awkwardly informed as she held up the broken and dented pieces of their iron.

"I'll handle it." Homura assured. "I'll go out shopping, you clean up things here by yourself before I come back." She then got out.

"Sounds good." Asuka nodded. "You need money for stuff?" She soon asked.

"Uhhh...no. Still have more than enough from our time in Mementos." Homura replied as she checked her wallet.

"Okay. See you later." Asuka soon got out as she got to work.

"Hai." Homura responded with a nod before putting on her shoes and heading out the door...before coming right back in. "I'm still in my underwear." She remembered with a blush.

"Hehehe...here!" Asuka giggled before tossing her a t-shirt and a pair of jeans from the laundry basket.

Homura gave a grateful nod before putting them on and heading out.

---

(Hanzō Academy, Elites Room)

The Elites at Hanzo Academy had been spending their morning in relative peace. They were all already ready for classes so they were simply passing the time until they needed to leave.

"Is Yagyū-chan coming back today?" Hibari asked her fellow Elites.

"Yeah, I really wanna go to Tokyo now." Katsuragi added in an impatient tone.

"Katsuragi-san, the mission to protect Okumura is not an excuse to go on a week-long vacation." Ikaruga sighed.

"But still, it's Tokyo, full of fun people, wonderful food, and Bootyland." Katsuragi reminded. "I better make the most of it while I'm there, right? Heck, might meet up with Akira like you two did." She soon pointed out.

"It was simply a coincidence..." Ikaruga mumbled.

"That reminds me, why do you keep going out on Sundays. You barely do that without us." Katsuragi soon asked and recalled.

"It's personal business, nothing more." Ikaruga straight-out replied. She didn't want to show any sign that she was training her brother on the false hope of wielding Hien. At least she felt the distance between them growing shorter. "Yagyū-san will be returning tonight. Katsuragi-san, you may leave at that point." She soon reminded and stated.

"Only 8 more hours, then." Katsurgai got out with a smirk as she brought up her hands in a groping fashion and wiggled her fingers.

"Don't make me imagine a Doomsday clock..." Ikaruga groaned.

"I hope Yagyū-chan brought souvenirs." Hibari soon got out.

"I know, right?! There's a ton of PT merch I wanna get while I'm there!" Katsuragi gasped in excitement.

"You're a serious fan, aren't you?" Ikaruga remarked.

"It's not that uncommon these days, you know?" Katsuragi responded as she shrugged her shoulders. "I got the shirts and replica calling cards last week, even the limited edition golden Kamoshida calling card with their original logo and everything!" She then informed.

"Um, don't you think corporations are turning the Phantom Thieves into products?" Ikaruga however asked in concern.

"Yeah, and I do feel a little guilty since they probably don't make any money, but damn if I can't help it!" Katsuragi confessed with a giggle.

"...Oh my God, you've become a Phantom Thieves otaku..." Ikaruga groaned out with a facepalm.

"Hey, it's better than looking up to those vain celebrities." Katsuragi stated. "The Phantom Thieves have already won, right?" She then asked.

"...I don't really get that saying." Hibari spoke up with a raised eyebrow.

"Katsuragi-san, how much money have you spent on Phantom Thieves merchandise?" Ikaruga soon asked.

"Um...75,000 yen..." Katsuragi answered after some quick mental math.

"..." Ikaruga however gave a deadpan expression in response. "And where did you get the money from?" She questioned.

"...Life savings..." Katsuragi answered.

Ikaruga stared at her in disbelief...before slowly placing a hand on her forehead along with closed eyes in irritation.

"Whoa, hey, I'm not broke, Ikaruga." Katsuragi responded as she brought her hands up. "But I might need some change for my train card..." She then added under her breath.

The acting leader let out a groan before pulling out her wallet and handing her some bills. "Here, and I hope you spend them on an actual ticket to Tokyo this time. Anyways, make sure you dress yourself properly while going there, Katsuragi-san." Ikaruga advised. "I don't want to see you showing your cleavage out as you proceed to Tokyo." She then added.

"You're joking right? Some cleave isn't going to get me arrested for public indecency. This isn't the Feudal era." Katsuragi countered in an unamused tone.

"But still, you'll be targeted by unwanted stares, especially in the train." Ikaruga responded. "Just...protect yourself, that's all I'm asking, Katsuragi-san." She soon advised in a cautious manner.

"Oh, you're acting like I can't kick someone's ribcage into smithereens. And we get stares regardless! Our funbags are our main attractive feature!" Katsuragi called out and declared. "Don't you notice every damn time we go out in public!? Remember the time Hibari pretended to be a construction worker in that barely fitting outfit?" She then added and reminded.

"It would've worked better if she actually wore something underneath her overalls...and were the right size." Ikaruga deadpanned as the pinkette blushed.

Katsuragi immediately raised her arms to that. "See! We are naturally sexy! It is our default state. If people wanna stare, let them, as long as they don't touch the goods." She then declared as she pushed her up her boobs.

"Alright, fine...but like I said, just protect yourself. And no groping other girls every chance you get, please." Ikaruga requested. "...You're still going to anyway, aren't you?" She then bluntly assumed.

"You know me already." Katsuragi teasingly replied.

Ikaruga sighed. "Just don't get the authorities involved." She soon instructed.

"And if the girls are happy afterwards?" Katsuragi soon asked with a smirk.

"Doesn't matter if the girls like what you do to them or not." Ikaruga calmly reminded. "Like I said, don't get the authorities involved or catch some unwanted attention to yourself." She then repeated.

"Yeah, yeah, sure thing." The Hanzō blonde replied. "I'll just fondle some tits whenever I feel like it for fun." She then casually added.

"Regardless of whether you have...fun with the girls there in Tokyo, what's important is the mission assigned to us, so please don't forget that." Ikaruga responded.

"Yeah, yeah." Katsuragi got out as she rolled her eyes. "Come on, you're acting like I'm totally irresponsible. I can be an adult when I want to." She then declared.

"..." Ikaruga silently gave a flat stare. "Take responsibility for all your actions while you're there, Katsuragi-san. Anyways, start packing your things needed for Tokyo after classes since we're still on schedule. And prepare until Yagyū-san arrives." She soon instructed.

"Alright, alright." Katsuragi mumbled as she relaxed herself on the couch for the moment.

"...Have you finished your homework, Katsuragi-san?" Ikaruga soon asked with a sigh.

The blonde blinked. "...Give me a couple of minutes." Katsuragi responded.

WOOSH!

"...Right. You aren't totally irresponsible." Ikaruga deadpanned once again with some sarcasm in her voice.

"I hope Yagyū-chan had fun while she was there." Hibari got out in a concerned manner.

"Hibari-san, given the fact that on her turn where the Phantom Thieves struck our client in a major way, it would be a miracle if she had any time to herself." Ikaruga soon assumed in a serious tone. "In any case, would you like to take a bath with me?" She then asked.

"Ah, sure!" Hibari replied with a smile.

"Okay, come on." Ikaruga responded as they started heading out. "How's your...Muramasa-san going?" She soon asked, quickly correcting herself at the moment's notice.

"Oh, she's fine." Hibari innocently replied. "Just resting while recharging herself." She then revealed.

"I see." Ikaruga stated with a nod as she slid open the bath quarters entrance before stepping aside for a bit. "After you." She then told the pinkette as she gestured to her to enter first.

And the two entered the bath quarters entrance for some relaxation before classes would start for them.

---

(10/1, Daytime)

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

Asuka and Homura let out sighs of relief. They had cleaned and restocked the apartment in only a couple of hours. They even managed to sneak in a training session together.

"And...done!" Asuka breathed out as she and Homura sat down on the couch at the same time.

"Well, that took a good chunk of time." Homura muttered as she checked the time. "...So, what else should we do today?" She soon asked.

"Hm...I don't know." Asuka admitted. "...I am thirsty though." She then revealed.

"Want me to get you some water then?" Homura offered.

"Sure." Asuka nodded as her sister headed into the kitchen.

BZZT! BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out as she took out her phone. "Oh! Miki-chan!" She muttered to herself as she asked and placed the phone to her ear. "Hey Miki-chan, what's up?" She soon asked.

"Nothing much. Sorry if I'm interrupting something, but do you have plans today?" The pinkette replied.

"Hmm...nope, not really." Asuka responded. "My school is closed for the day. I've got a lot of free time." She then informed.

"Huh, that's convenient. Do you want to go out on the town today? Just the two of us?" Miki eventually asked.

"Oh, you're free today too Miki-chan?" Asuka assumed in a curious manner.

"I am." Miki confirmed. "No one really needs me right now, so why not seize the opportunity?" She then added.

"Well, I guess it's alright." Asuka responded with a nod. "Where do you want to meet up?" She then asked.

"I'll pick you up at your place. We'll take my car." Miki responded.

"...You drive!? Cool!" Asuka questioned and exclaimed. "Ok, I live in Shibuya, you can pick me up at Central Street." She then decided.

"Hai. I'll pick you up at 10." The pinkette replied.

"Sure thing! See you then!" Asuka happily replied.

"Yup! See ya!" Miki responded as she hung up.

To that, Asuka smiled as she then went and got herself ready.

"Hey, Sis, here's your water." Homura offered as her sister took the drink. "Hm, you going out?" She hummed out and assumed.

"Yep. A friend of mine is picking me up." Asuka replied and informed.

"O-Oh." Homura got out in a somewhat disappointed tone.

Asuka however smiled in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry, we can hang out next time." She responded to the unspoken idea.

That in turn caused the tan skinned girl to sigh in relief. "Alright, guess I'll head out myself." Homura decided. "I'll see you later, Sis." She then added.

Asuka responded with a nod and a smile. "Sure, bye Homu-neechan!" She replied as the two then headed out.

---

(Harajuku, Haruka's apartment)

Haruka let out a breath as she rolled her whiteboard into the living room, where Imu and Ryōbi were sitting while Tsumuji worked in the kitchen. Today, Imu was going to meet Akira and she would not tolerate any mistakes from her.

"Okay, here are some ground rules before you go out and see darling." Haruka began as she put on her intellectual glasses and a lab coat. She might as well dress as a professor, after all.

"Why do you have a whiteboard in the first place?" Ryōbi asked.

"All good scientists and doctors have whiteboards. And I am both." Haruka claimed before looking at her whiteboard...only to see all the written notes she made about the compatibility between her body and Akira's...as well as what happens to her body when under intense pleasure.

Haruka quickly flipped the board to the other side, where it had the words How to Interact with Darling (Akira Kurusu) Properly in bold red marker. However, written in a tiny blue marker beside the main title was I will kill you, Imu, if you don't with a chibi face of a winking Haruka next to it.

"Ahem. First off, do not talk about anything except what you are there for. If darling talks about something else, that is fine." Haruka began.

"Hai." Imu agreed with a nod.

"Second, if I suspect you're thinking of doing something stupid, ask yourself: Will Haruka Toyoguchi poison me in my sleep for this? Because I will. That is not a threat, but a promise." Haruka continued with a glare.

"Got it." Imu responded in a slightly more irritated tone.

"Third, if you touch him and he becomes uncomfortable, I will rip out your spine and put it back in upside down."

"Alright!" Imu continued agreeing, sounding more and more annoyed.

"Fourth, if you fall in love with him, I'm his legal wife, you're just a girlfriend. Maybe a concubine at best."

"I am not-...WHAT!?" The glasses-wearing woman exclaimed. "...Haruka, I don't need a crash course in etiquette with your boyfriend." Imu insisted with a scowl.

"Well, given your social game these past few months, you'll need the advice." Haruka pointed out. "And he isn't my boyfriend. At least, not yet." She soon got out.

"Not yet?" Imu repeated as she narrowed her eyes. "Has it ever occurred to you that he might already be with someone? Or that he's into guys?" She soon questioned.

"I assure you, no one who only likes men reacts to this body the way he does." Haruka got out as she slid her hands down her boobs and butt.

"...Even I'm not that thirsty, Haruka." Imu bluntly stated.

The brunette first year however coughed in response. "Lies." Ryōbi got out.

"Hm?" Imu got out. "Lies?" She then repeated.

"Does Haruka here have an Akira shrine?" Ryōbi questioned.

"No, I don't have one, but thanks for the idea." Haruka replied and jokingly added. "I do have some pictures of him. Well, more like an entire gallery. He's so cute when he's sleeping...and sexy when bathing." She soon admitted. "...As both male and female." She added in her head.

Ryōbi gave the woman before shifting over closer to the sandy blonde. "...No, you're right. She is thirstier than you." She soon agreed.

"Hey!" Haruka got out in an indignant manner. "Well, you'll understand when you fall in love." She then got out with a pout.

"If I fall in love, it would certainly be less creepy." Ryōbi deadpanned. "After all, would you approve if it was that idiot who was doing the same to you?" She then asked.

"..." The two other blondes however were silent.

"...Oh right." The brunette groaned as she palmed her face. "I swear, if Murasaki becomes any combination of you two, I will blast her brains out to save her." She soon got out.

WHIIIIIIIIIRL!

And suddenly, the petite brunette had a chainsaw to her neck that was the arm of a robot.

"What the fuck!? I was exaggerating, you psychopath!" Ryobi exclaimed as she summoned her rifle to push the chainsaw away. "And put your fuckstick away, you bitch." She then added as she glared at the glasses wearing blonde, who was jabbing her bo staff under her ribcage.

"Murasaki won't become her!" Imu and Haruka declared in unison.

"My little sister would never be like that." Haruka confidently stated with a proud smirk.

"Yeah, she'll be a massive pervert with no sense of personal space and plays with genetics like building blocks!" Imu called out with a glare.

"Well it's better than being a pervert that started a fanclub for their best friend just cause she's a tomboy." Haruka countered.

"I'm a screw up, jizz magnet!" The glasses-wearing girl growled.

"TURN THE FUCKING CHAINSAW OFF!" Ryōbi meanwhile shouted out as the spinning chains began to inch closer and closer to her head as she lost strength.

And with that, said chainsaw was turned off. "Fucking shit head perverts..." The petite brunette growled as she pushed the puppet away. "You're both terrible role models, end of fucking story!" She soon concluded.

"But-" Tsumuji spoke up, however...

"SHUT UP! Don't care!" Ryōbi interrupted.

BZZT! BZZT!

"Hm?" Haruka hummed out as she looked at her phone and smiled. "Oh, it's Murasaki-chan." She soon revealed.

Imu immediately paled to that.

"Speak of the fuckin' devil." Ryōbi muttered. "Oh, I bet you're gonna be exchanging porn of Kurusu, right? Because that's what you do with your freetime." She then accused.

"Actually no, this is usually the time she contacts me to inform me of her progress." Haruka maturely revealed.

"And exchange Kurusu porn." Ryōbi added.

"We don't even have anything like that!" Haruka responded. "I have more than enough of his hot body in real life." She then declared.

"..." The other apartment inhabitants meanwhile deadpanned in response to this.

"I better check on Murasaki-chan." Haruka soon decided as she answered her phone. "Hello?" She soon asked.

"HARUKA-ONEESAMA!" Murasaki's voice suddenly cried out.

"M-Murasaki-chan?" Haruka responded with worried confusion while motioning said girl's older sister to stay silent. "What's going on over there?" She soon asked while putting the speaker on for everyone in the room to hear.

"Currently fighting every crazy person in Hebijo!" Murasaki answered before they heard something weird and violent happen. "YEAH, MAKE HER EAT HER OWN HAIR! Sorry if I take a bit to reply, I'm just really - HAH! - busy." She soon apologized.

"Are you already escaping!?" Haruka questioned in panicked concern.

"No, I'm getting my bloomers back!" Murasaki informed before gasping. "Someone help Mirai-chan!" She soon ordered.

"We got her!" Hikage responded over the sounds of blades clashing and bones cracking. "Poochie! Back Mirai up! Dynamic Marking!" She called out and ordered.

"Arf arf!" Poochie's voice barked out.

SPRAAAAAAY!

"AHHHHH! MY LIFE IS RUINED!" A girl cried in despair before getting her jaw dislocated.

"YEAH! DRINK IT, SHITBIRD!" Murasaki screamed with an animalistic growl before turning back to her phone. "Anyways, yeah, I'm in the middle of something." She soon informed in a much calmer manner.

"Mwhahahaha! Bow to your new idol! You bitches obey me now!" A narcissistic girl's voice haughtily laughed.

"...Who are you fighting?" Haruka had to ask, getting more and more worried with every second that passed.

"The combined forces of mine and Miyabi's fans: The I Heart M and M Militia." Murasaki answered before hearing a scream. "Bashō-chan! Chitose-chan is in trouble!" She soon called out.

"IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE WATER HERE!?" A serious girl shouted out in disbelief.

"Got it!" Another girl, apparently Bashō, responded.

"The...I Heart M and M Militia?" Haruka repeated with a raised eyebrow while the glasses wearing current occupant paled.

"Hai! Miyabi's fangirls expanded to her and me now!" Murasaki revealed, causing her older sister to pale even more. "They even called me a hunk now!" She then added.

"That sounds bad." Haruka had to admit, wincing at hearing that.

"IT'S WORSE WHEN YOU'RE ACTUALLY HERE!" Murasaki countered as she kicked someone in the groin, shattering their pelvis.

"AH! SOMEONE BIT MY BRA OFF!" Mirai's voice cried.

"SOMEONE IS SLAPPING MY BUTT AND I DON'T KNOW WHO!" Yomi exclaimed.

"YES~! MORE~!" A masochistic female exclaimed that none of them recognized.

"O Great Demiurge, may these souls learn peace in the next life! AFTER I TEAR THIS FOOL'S TEETH OUT!" A devout girl prayed before they heard the screams of someone getting their teeth ripped out.

"This is going to take a while, Haruka-oneesama! I'll call you when we're done!" Murasaki concluded...before a huge whacking sound was heard from the phone. "OW! WHAT THE FUCK!? WHO USES A VACUUM CLEANER AS A WEAPON!? AND ON MY FUCKING HEAD!? COME HERE, YOU-" She then started, but at that moment...

Beeeeeeep...

The call came to an end, silencing everyone in the room.

"...What the actual fuck?" Tsumuji eventually and bluntly got out.

"Hebijo is deteriorating at the seams..." Haruka muttered before shrugging her shoulders. "Oh well, their loss, our gain. I wonder if they'll take the opportunity to rob some of them of their stuff..." She then added.

"I'd do it." Ryōbi had to admit.

"Hm..." Haruka hummed out. "Although, I hope they don't destroy anything in my old lab. There was stuff in progress there that I left behind that I'd rather not let get out...I better make sure to text them about it..." She thought to herself.

"Oh my God, I think I fucking killed my sister." Imu suddenly got out in a distressed manner.

"And all it took was for the Miyabi fangirls to evolve into liking your sister too." Ryōbi remarked with a smirk. "Way to go, loser." She then remarked.

"Wait, what happens when Murasaki-chan betrays the school?" Tsumuji soon pointed out. "Wouldn't she leave a lot of broken hearts and very angry, disturbed people behind?" She then added in concern.

"W-Well, it's possible they care about her enough to fight for her freedom..." Imu hesitantly suggested. "...They would do it if Miyabi did..." She then muttered.

"That's still not a great chance..." Haruka stated with a frown. "I should return to Hebijo and help out there." She soon sighed out.

"You can't..." Imu reminded in a dead serious yet hollow tone. "You still have your long term mission." She then stated.

"That means nothing if I don't have my friends with me." Haruka countered. "Cancer still isn't going to be cured this decade, a few more days won't matter much in the grand scheme." She soon stated.

"Haruka-sama..." Tsumuji got out in concern.

"...Wait, what?" Imu spoke up with a raised eyebrow. "I was talking about stealing Takemi's medi-" She then started, however.

"Yeah, it's obvious she was never doing that in the first place, dumbass." Ryōbi interrupted.

"HUH!?" Imu exclaimed in confusion.

"I sent recipes for placebos." Haruka soon revealed. "Guess the power of the mind is much more effective than I thought." She then mumbled. Maybe she shouldn't have made them all blueberry-flavored.

"Anyways, Haruka-sama. Are you really sure you want to leave Tokyo now?" Tsumuji soon questioned. "Aren't you in semi-official exile? They'll kill you if they find out you abandoned your mission." She soon reminded.

"...Damn, you're right. I forgot about the exile part..." Haruka muttered as she rubbed the back of her neck. "But...I need to help Crimson Squad..." She soon muttered.

"...The Crimson Squad doesn't need you." Imu suddenly got out.

"What!?" Haruka gasped before narrowing her eyes. "How could you-"

"Physically." Imu corrected. "They don't need you physically there to support them. Your place is here in Tokyo. Without you in the right place, it'll fall apart." She soon explained.

"But...Tsumuji can-" Haruka tried to inform however...

"Uh, Haruka-sama, I...I may be part of this, but I can't hold down the fort here by myself. Cooking, cleaning, building, serving others, I've got down pat. But I'm pretty terrible at everything else." The maid however confessed.

"Plus, there is an option of a liaison, someone to speak in your stead." Imu then pointed out.

That got their attention. "...You're not offering to-" Haruka began to ask, but the glasses-wearing girl knew the rest of what she was going to say.

"Only if you promise me something." Imu interrupted.

Haruka and Tsumuji looked at each other, unsure of what was happening. "...What is it?" The maid asked.

Shadows soon covered the sand blonde's eyes. "...Whatever happens when they escape, do everything you can to make Murasaki happy." Imu responded in a dead serious tone.

"I was already going to do that." Haruka scoffed.

"No, I mean...anything. Kill, sacrifice, die. Just...don't let the smile she has now fade, okay?" Imu instructed. "...Be the sister she needs..." She then muttered.

The woman's eyes widened to that request before frowning. "...After you speak with darling, you are heading straight back to Hebijo." Haruka soon ordered in a no nonsense, dead serious tone.

"You don't have to tell me. I was planning to anyway." Imu stated.

"And just to make sure you won't do anything funny, I'll be shadowing you on your outing with him." Haruka began threatening and informed. "If you mess up, the next time he looks away, you-" She then started.

"-Kill me. Yes, you also didn't have to tell me that." Imu finished as she sighed out.

"...Actually, I was going to inject you with that potion that made you like Murasaki-chan again." Haruka corrected.

"...W-Why?" Imu questioned in confusion. "For a doctor, you really suck at that whole Doing no harm thing." She then grumbled.

"Well I am working on finding a cure for cancer after all." Haruka reminded.

"That still doesn't stop you from doing a lot of harm in your free time." Imu deadpanned.

"Imu, do you want to talk to Akira or not?" Haruka immediately asked her with a tone that shows no room for complaint and argument.

"...Staying quiet now." Imu groaned.

"Good girl." Haruka responded as she patted the girl condescendingly on her head.

"But uh...what's Ryōbi doing then?" Tsumuji soon asked.

"Fucking going home." Ryōbi got out with a shrug. "I have no reason to be here any longer." She then pointed out.

"Oh." Tsumuji started. "Are you sure you don't want to-" She then began to offer, however...

"Fuck no. You're all stupid and insane and perverted, so screw you guys, I'm going home." Ryōbi interrupted, flipping everyone off before heading out the door.

"Ufufu~ We love you too." Haruka teasingly replied, unphased by the insult.

"Um...at least she considers Hebijo home?" Tsumuji tried to look on the bright side.

"That we are going to blow up any day now." Haruka added. "Anyways, Imu, why don't we-...where did she go?" She then started before suddenly asking in confusion.

"Eh?" Tsumuji got out before looking around. "...That bitch! She already left!" The maid exclaimed in disbelief.

"!" Haruka's eyes widened as she then narrowed them. "Oh no, she is not escaping my sight!" She soon declared. "We have to find her before she finds darling!" She then stated.

"...S-So she can talk to him?" Tsumuji assumed.

"Yes! After I punished her! Now go!" Haruka responded, however, at that moment...

FLUSH!

"Aaaaahhh..." Imu breathed out as she walked out the bathroom. "Alright, ready to go meet the ass who my sister fell for." She soon declared.

"..." The doctor and maid blinked as they looked at the girl.

"Eh? ...Why are you staring at me like that?" Imu wondered out loud as she tilted her head in confusion.

---

(Shibuya, Central Street)

Asuka couldn't help but look at the crowds of people that walked the streets without any care at all as they went on with their days. So many people, so many stories they could tell, but there was never going to be enough time to listen to them all.

And right now, she was in the process of adding to her own story. Maybe it won't be one that would be written down or remembered, even to herself as she gets older, but she wasn't going to waste a single word in her journey.

Especially now, with Chiyome on her side.

"Asuka-chan. Over here." A familiar voice greeted, causing a familiar brunette to see a familiar pinkette, who was wearing a gray casual business suit with a white under shirt, black business shoes with a gray trilby and a matching gray hat on her head.

"Miki-chan!" The brunette happily replied. "I really didn't recognize you in that outfit." Asuka admitted while wearing a green jacket with a white t-shirt, black long pants and black sneakers.

"Well, I do have to keep a bit of a low profile when I just want to do normal things." The pinkette responded.

"Like those ninjas I learned about in school." Asuka jokingly responded.

"Precisely." Miki giggled.

The brunette then looked around to see everyone else just passing them by. "They really don't notice us..." Asuka mumbled with a hint of concern.

"Would you prefer the alternative?" Miki responded.

The brunette in turn shook her head as Tokyo remained as busy as ever.

"Shall we get going Miki-chan?" Asuka asked.

"Hai." Miki replied with a nod as the brunette followed her to a black 2012 supercharged V8 Jaguar XJ.

"Oooooh!" Asuka got out in awe at the sight of the car. "You take really good care of it..." She then murmured.

"Well, you have to be responsible when it comes to owning a car." Miki pointed out.

Asuka in turn nodded as the two got in with the pinkette in the driver's seat. "So, where are we going?" She soon asked.

"I'm thinking of somewhere to get our winter outfits." Miki replied.

"Oh?" Asuka responded as the pinkette started driving.

"Winter is coming and it's best to get them early because the later you leave it, the harder it is to find stuff that is truly you." Miki explained.

"Huh, you do have a point." Asuka admitted in agreement. "Sooo, we're going to some place you usually go to?" She then assumed.

To that, Miki nodded. "Exactly. You may feel a little out of place due to its location and prices, but I'll cover costs for you if you need me to." She responded.

"E-Eh? You'll pay for me? Are you sure?" Asuka immediately asked in concern. She was never someone who liked to mooch on others after all...

"That's only if you need me too. I'm sure you've gotten a fair amount of money from the gigs you've done." Miki explained.

To that, Asuka nodded. "I have. From both modeling as well as my part-time job at a cafe I work out." She responded and revealed. "And working as a Phantom Thief." She thought to herself with a rebellious smirk.

"A cafe, huh? What's it called?" Miki asked.

"It's in Yongen-Jaya, Café Leblanc." Asuka revealed. "It's a really nice place. I work there sometimes as a waitress, barista and sushi chef." She then added with a smile.

"That's not too far away from where I live." Miki revealed.

"Oh? You live in Yongen? Cool." The brunette responded.

"In 300m, Turn Right" The GPS soon instructed as the pinkette did as such when the time came in the far right lane.

"Yes. I picked it out because it's out of the way and not too many people would assume someone of my reputation would live there." Miki explained.

"That makes sense." Asuka admitted.

"It does." Miki noted with a nod.

"You should go to the bathhouse sometime, it's amazing!" Asuka eventually suggested.

There's a bathhouse there?" Miki asked in a curious manner. "There's a good GP, Takemi-sensei, there from what my roommates said." She then added.

"Yeah, I know of her too!" Asuka revealed as the two continued chatting as they drove.

---

(Akihabara, Electric Town)

It was quite bustling in Akihabara like usual: shoppers walking by with shopping bags along with them, people wearing cosplay while unconsciously showing off in the middle of the street, and some simply walking by just to take a trip down one of Tokyo's pop culture capitals in the city.

For two certain people who just arrived to the area, it was heaven or a nerd hell, depending on who you asked.

"Alright, time to find that shop where I ordered something from them online." Futaba declared, arms raised into the air, causing her green jacket to slip down her arms.

The white haired woman that accompanied her quickly fixed up the orangette's attire without even needing to look. "Oh man, why does it have to be here..." Miyabi grumbled under her breath.

"You don't like coming here?" Futaba got out, looking a little saddened by the prospect.

"I may like it when I come with you. Alone, this place isn't really my scene..." Miyabi muttered as she shoved her hands into her pockets. No way she was telling anyone about her job.

"What is your type of scene then?" Futaba soon asked.

"Bath houses." Miyabi answered.

Futaba looked at her. "You like bathing a lot?" She assumed.

"Well, they are helpful in sorting my thoughts out after an eventful day, so...yeah, I prefer bathing a lot." Miyabi replied and admitted.

"Maybe we could go to a bath house afterwards if you want." Futaba suggested.

"Maybe." Miyabi shrugged. "You know, you could ask other people to come with you here in Akihabara. I'm sure Ryuji would love to come to a place like this." She then suggested.

"Yeah, but they aren't you or Akira." Futaba responded. "As much as I like the others, they're too...normie for my tastes." She soon admitted.

"...Normie." Miyabi bluntly repeated as she looked at the orangette. "We dress up in skin tight costumes, get our clothes torn to shreds and show some skin most of the time, and fight demons and gods in an alternate dimension...and most of our group are normies to you." She reminded and stated.

"I'm surprised you even know what I mean by normie." Futaba admitted in slight surprise. "It's just that you two are way more accepting of my Futaba-isims than the others. I love everyone to bits, don't mistake me, but I don't feel comfortable going to places like this with anyone else who I don't even know in the first place."

"Why not organize some one-on-one hangouts?" Miyabi suggested. "You'd get more comfortable doing stuff like this."

"But they're usually doing their own thing." Futaba sighed. "Inari has his paintings, Queen and Yang have to take care of Shujin, Yin is hanging out with her model friends right now-" She then listed off.

"Eh?" Miyabi interrupted, blinking as she heard that last part. "Asuka didn't mention that in the group ch- Futaba!" She soon mumbled before calling out in realization.

"Last minute event." Futaba simply responded. "Anyways, everyone has their own lives. The only people who'd be willing to spend time with me out of their own free will are you and Akira." She then added.

"Everyone would love to make time to spend time with you, Futaba. You know that, sweetie." Miyabi stated as she shook her head. "Don't make these assumptions. I'm sure Makoto would love to get to know you more, given how bad you shot her down during your social training." She then added.

"Hey, it's her fault she didn't bring up any good topics." Futaba tried to counter with hands on her hips.

"Then it should be on you to do so." Miyabi replied as she crossed her arms. "A bond is a two-way street. If you can't give just as much as you take, you'd be nothing but uh..." She then advised before she trailed off before she could call the orangette something terrible by accident. "Uh...not a bad person, per say, just..." She tried to think of something else to say, but she was already floundering.

"I...I get what you mean." Futaba mumbled. "I'll talk to Queen later." She then decided.

"There you go." Miyabi proudly encouraged.

"Gosh, you remind me so much of someone I knew..." The hacker soon breathed out. "I really wish you had met Kana-chan. She would've liked you." Futaba told her with a nudge of her glasses.

"No, she wouldn't." Miyabi sighed out. "And who's Kana?" She then asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, just a friend from middle school." Futaba responded. "Been thinking about her a lot lately...especially after you guys helped me with my shut-in problem." She then revealed, though the second part in a hesitant tone.

"Have you been thinking about her too before we helped you?" Miyabi soon asked in a curious manner.

"Rarely...before the voices became more and more frequent for me, to which I started to slowly shift my attention away from her." Futaba responded in a saddened tone. "But now that everything is clear...the thought of Kana-san just came to me once again and I can't help it." She then revealed.

"...This Kana friend of yours, what is she like?" Miyabi had to ask in a curious manner.

"Huh?" Futaba got out before finally processing the question. "O-Oh, she's...she was nice. Kind. Actually listened to my nerd talk even if she didn't understand it all. She was my first friend when everyone hated who I was." She vaguely started before revealing.

"Whoa, what? Hated you?" Miyabi got out and repeated.

"At least the bullies in middle school. When you're an S-Ranker in every subject but PE, the D-Rankers tend to get jealous. Kana-chan was a transfer student and she was bullied too, so it was obvious we'd come together one day." Futaba grumbled with a pout before noticing the white haired woman's expression. "B-Big Sis, what's with the scary look?" She soon asked.

Miyabi realized that she felt her crossed expression on her face and decided to relax her look for the orangette. "Nothing. Nothing at all." The white haired woman soon responded.

"...Big Sis, don't do anything to my old bullies, please." Futaba soon requested. "I already had my revenge, don't dig them back up." She soon revealed.

"Oh. Okay." Miyabi responded before blinking. "...Wait, revenge? What did you do to them?" She repeated and asked.

"Not important." Futaba quickly waved off. She had to admit, as satisfying as it was, it was still something she'd rather not recall. "Anyways, yeah. Kana-chan made my middle school life easier until..." She then started before trailing off.

"Your mom passed." Miyabi concluded.

"..." Futaba went silent in response...before she shook her head as her real response to her assumption.

Miyabi blinked. "Wait, no?" She soon got out in surprise. It was before then?

"I-It's...It's..." Futaba stammered out as she began to sweat. "N-No, um, yeah. When I became a shut-in, I cut myself from the outside." She then replied, turning her gaze away from the woman.

Miyabi narrowed her eyes. Futaba had more to the story, but that wasn't her place to pry into it. She would have to let her be until she opens up by herself.

"A-Anyways, um, so...the-the shops." Futaba spoke up.

"Oh, right. Yeah. You wanted new otaku crap." Miyabi recalled.

"Yep yep! And don't call it crap, thank you very much." Futaba playfully demanded. "I'll need you to talk to the clerks for me. I'm not confident enough to speak to them yet." She sheepishly admitted.

"...Shouldn't this be good training for you to get along with other people?" Miyabi pointed out as she put her hands on her hips. "At least...try to move out of your comfort zone here in order to improve yourself. There's a ton of introverted people who rarely come out of their rooms like you." She soon suggested before grimacing at one passing loser who definitely needed deodorant.

"..." Futaba looked around and winced. "Um...uh...oh man..." She got out in an uneasy tone.

"If you don't, I guess we could just go home and leave your pre order for someone else." Miyabi soon got out with a sly look on her face.

Futaba immediately slumped on the spot. "...Why the heck did I choose pick-up...?" She mumbled.

"For this exact scenario, young lady. Now come on!" Miyabi reminded before dragging her to the store.

"Eeeeeep! Help me! She's making me socialize!" The former shut-in exclaimed in a panic.

"You're brave enough to embarrass yourself but not talk to someone!?" Miyabi mentally exclaimed before rolling her eyes. "Ugh, teenagers." She soon scoffed as they headed into the store and to the counter.

"Hello there, welcome to my lovely kingdom of anime and fanservice combined. How may I help you?" The clerk behind the counter greeted as the two entered.

"Futaba?" Miyabi got out as she gently pushed the orangette in front of her to talk to the clerk.

"Y-Yo, hello. Hi." Futaba mumbled out, not even looking in the clerk's direction. "E-Erm...Um...um..." She tried to say...anything, but words seemed to escape her mind at the moment.

"You can do this sweetie." The clerk actually encouraged, only to flinch as she saw the glare the white haired woman gave her.

"I...I...have an order here. O-Online. From your site." Futaba finally managed to get out.

"Oh, do you have the receipt?" The clerk soon asked.

"A-Ah...um...receipt..." Futaba squeaked as she began patting her pockets for her phone.

"You should have gotten an email if you ordered online." The clerk soon added.

"Ah! Right! Here!" Futaba got out as she showed her phone to the clerk.

"Ah, that bulk preorder we got for someone going by the name ShinobiPhysics. I assume that was you?" The clerk soon assumed.

Awkwardly turning away from the white haired woman's glowering gaze, Futaba nodded.

"Alright, give us a few minutes to get your items to the counter." The clerk told the hacker as he began going ahead to get the order.

"S-Sure." Futaba responded with a nod as the clerk left.

"ShinobiPhysics. Really?" Miyabi whispered in a deadpan tone.

"I wasn't going to give them my real name, duh!" Futaba got out as she rolled her eyes. "And no way I was gonna say my IM name too. The name is a known entity that makes people tremble in fear." She then added.

Miyabi sighed. "Jeez..." She thought as she shook her head before looking around. Still no clerk. "Um, anyways, about Kana, have you guys...talked since we helped you out?" She soon asked.

Futaba gulped. "Y-You're still on that?" She had to say.

"I mean...we still have to wait for your order." Miyabi pointed out as she tilted her head at the empty counter. "...But if you don't wanna talk about it, then fine, let's talk about something else to pass time." She then suggested.

"..." Futaba simply went silent as a response as she suddenly thought of something in particular.

"...Silence is not an option." Miyabi then deadpanned.

The hacker sighed. "...No, I haven't. I...haven't talked to Kana-chan." Futaba murmured quietly.

"Really? Do you not have her number?" Miyabi questioned.

"I have everyone's numbers. It's not hard." Futaba stated before poking her fingers together. "It's just...the last time we talked it was...I'd rather not relive it." She soon admitted.

"Futaba, I don't want to interfere more than I should, but maybe it would be best if you go visit her." Miyabi suggested.

"Visit? That's...that's not possible anymore." Futaba mumbled as she turned away.

"Hey, don't you know what I can do?" Miyabi reminded with a smirk.

"Yes, but...Kana-chan is gone now. Moved away." Futaba soon informed. "I don't think I'll ever see her again." She then added as she looked down at the floor.

"Oh..." Miyabi responded, now feeling uneasy as she then began rubbing the orangette's head. "...Well, friends can come and go. It's part of life, but they'll stay in your heart. That doesn't sour the good memories you've had with them after all." She soon pointed out.

"I bet it soured Kana's memories of me." Futaba muttered in a guilty tone.

Miyabi had to resist her to make the hacker tell her what happened. She felt guilty that the orangette was hurting from this, but she couldn't do anything to make it feel better.

"Keep the head pats going." Futaba murmured.

Okay, maybe a little.

Still, it made for quite the awkward atmosphere as they waited for the clerk to grab Futaba's order. And it was taking an awfully long time.

"What is taking so long?" Miyabi muttered with a frown while tapping her foot.

"Yeah, it shouldn't take this long..." Futaba admitted in agreement while mimicking the same action. "Shouldn't it all be in, like, a bundle or something?" She then added.

"Bundle? What, I thought we were here for a statue or a game." Miyabi assumed as she narrowed her eyes.

"I got those...and more." Futaba soon revealed.

At that moment though...

THUMP!

The clerk finally returned with boxes...as well as two other employees with even more boxes.

"Alright, I think we got everything. But let me double-check it before I give it to you." The clerk got out as they began placing the items on the counter to scan them all.

"...Futaba Sakura, you bought all this crap!?" Miyabi exclaimed in shock.

"Didn't I tell you not to call it crap!?" Futaba scolded with a pout. "Anyways, help me carry the bags once we're done paying." She soon requested.

"I don't appreciate you making me your mule." Miyabi sighed out.

"Well I can't carry all of this at the same time. I can only carry so much with my weak nerd arms." Futaba stated as she waved around her noodly arms. "Besides, Akira wouldn't complain." She then pointed out.

"Akira is an idiot. Sometimes." Miyabi deadpanned. "And don't spend so much on this stuff. One day, you're gonna need that money for important things." She then instructed and advised.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, food, shelter, clothes, all that stuff." Futaba grumbled. "And besides, there's benefits of using cryptocurrency." She soon stated.

"God, I've heard you talk about it, but it still seems like a scam or doomed to fail..." Miyabi sighed as she shook her head. "Physical cash all the way. Untraceable." She then added.

"What about credit cards?" Futaba then asked in a curious manner.

"I don't even know how they work but it's still worse than paper money." Miyabi waved off.

"You really need to catch up to the modern world." Futaba remarked.

"And you know exactly why I'm like that." Miyabi reminded. "Besides, I like my world the way it is just fine, thank you very much." She then proudly added.

"And..." The clerk suddenly spoke up as they scanned the last item before placing it in one of the many bags filled with otaku crap. "That's all. You paid in full so you can just walk out. Thank you for your business." She then informed.

"Y-You too." Futaba squeaked before turning to Miyabi. "Um, can you-" She soon began.

"You don't need to ask me." Miyabi sighed as she began grabbing all the bags. "Urgh! How heavy are these things?" She grunted out.

"Well, think of it as training, Big Sis" Futaba tried to reassure her, hoping to not getting into another weightlifting. "It would benefit you greatly, right? Hehe..." She then nervously added.

"If it's training, you better have one then." Miyabi however countered. "Remember, you also need the training, you know?"

"What did I just say about my weak nerd-ACK!" Futaba tried to remind the woman, only for a large bag of stuff to be placed in her arms.

"Lift with your arms, not with your spine, young lady." Miyabi advised as she hefted her many, many bags in her arms before leaving the store.

"W-Wait for me!" Futaba pleaded as she struggled to carry her own bag as she followed after the woman.

To that, the two began walking down the streets like normal. Some people began staring at the tons of things lifted by the white-haired woman as the hacker followed along with her.

"M-Miyabi...slow down!" Futaba panted out, starting to feel something on her legs. "These legs haven't been used all that frequently...!" She then groaned.

"Fine, let's take a break for you here." Miyabi relented as she sighed before heading onto somewhere where they couldn't be seen by public eyes: an alleyway with some empty crates in it.

"Thank you!" Futaba breathed out in relief as she dropped her own bag. "Owwww..." She then whined as she massaged her muscles.

"Hey, next time, buy less stuff if you don't have the muscle." Miyabi suggested. "Do you even have the room to put all this back in your room?" She soon asked.

"I'll find...a place for...all of them...don't worry." Futaba assured as she panted and took deep breaths between her words.

"Materialism is going to be the end of us, I just know it." Miyabi sighed as she shook her head.

"But since both your arms are busy...that means you're defenseless." Futaba soon got out with a gleam in her eyes.

"I still have my legs, Futaba." Miyabi pointed, before seeing the orangette's expression. "W-Wait, why are you looking at me like that?" She soon questioned.

"Sometimes, when life gives you lemons, you have to take it by the melons." Futaba quoted before reaching out and...

BOING! SQUISH!

"!" Miyabi's eyes soon widened as she felt a pair of hands on her bust.

"Ah~! What the...hya~!" The woman yelped.

"Mwehehehe~" Futaba giggled out out with a gleam in her eyes. "What would it take to have funbags like these..." She then muttered.

"Fu-Futaba, sweetie, please...mnn~...would you, ah, stop that? Ah~" Miyabi requested with a blush. "Y-You're gonna make me drop all this stuff of yours..." She then added.

"If you tell me how you get these honkers...I'll stop, hehe~" Futaba however responded while continuing to fondle the white-haired woman's breasts.

"Th-They're just a result of training...y-you know that." Miyabi responded and reminded, resisting the urge to moan even more.

"Wow, they're soft and firm..." The orangette however got out in awe. "And the shape is perfect for my tastes." Futaba soon confessed in an impressed manner. "Those tips Katsu-nee sent to me were legit." She then added.

"W-What did we do to ever meet that pervert!?" Miyabi mentally exclaimed. "Futaba...please let go...mrrnn~" She then insisted.

"No way! This is too fun!" Futaba happily replied and confessed.

"I'm gonna drop your crap if you don't!" Miyabi however stated.

Futaba narrowed her eyes for a moment...before letting the woman's breasts go. "Alright, fine." She sighed in disappointment.

"Thank you." Miyabi breathed out in relief as she relaxed herself before looking at the younger girl. "Young lady, you're getting too loose with your desires here. I'm getting really worried about your development here." She soon confessed with her hands on her hips.

"Fine, I'm very perverted, I admit it, but...I haven't opened myself up for a long time, okay?" Futaba soon stated.

"It's no excuse, missy. There are standards for a reason, and you're disregarding them because of my...chest size." Miyabi got out as she turned away from the orangette. "I've told you countless times already, and yet you still refuse to listen. I...I don't know what else to do other than actually punish you seriously." She then confessed, recalling what her own mom did to her if she was naughty.

Futaba started to feel like almost tearing up. "...Does a sorry still work for you?" She soon asked.

"Yeah, sorry no longer cuts it, young lady. I want results, not apologies." Miyabi sternly stated as she shook her head. "We will be informing Boss about this when we get back. And you can say goodbye to all of this until you learn." She soon revealed as she heft the bags of the orangette's order.

"Oh come on Mom! I'm trying not to-" Futaba soon began whining in a childish manner, only to realize what she said as her face began to burn a bright red.

Miyabi meanwhile paused upon hearing that. "...Huh?" She got out.

"Ididn'tsayanything!" Futaba quickly stated. "ForgetwhatIsaidokay?" She soon pleaded.

The white haired woman however did pick up on what the younger girl had said. "...She called me Mom..." Miyabi thought, feeling...rather perturbed by that. "U-Uh...Futaba...I...I really don't..." She soon stammered out, but then trailed off at the end. This got way too weird, way too quick.

"..." Futaba meanwhile remained silent to that, the blush not fading.

Miyabi soon looked at the orangette as she then shook her head. "Let's...head back to your house to talk about this there, Futaba." She soon decided.

Futaba simply nodded in agreement to that as the two headed out.

---

(Nakano, Wir Fliegen)

"Ok, this is the place." Miki informed as she backed the car into the parking space somewhere in the middle of the Nakano city area.

"Huh, I've never been to this area before." Asuka admitted as she looked around.

"Well, we're in Nakano City right now." Miki informed her. "Follow me. This store right here is where we're entering." She then stated as she gestured towards a store with the name of Wir Fliegen.

The storefront has a distinctly out-of-place German vibe to it while surrounded by plenty of stores that are clearly more Japanese.

"The staff do know me by name and reputation, so don't worry about blowing our cover." Miki revealed and reassured.

To that, Asuka nodded as she followed the pinkette inside the store.

Once she had entered, Miki took off her hat.

"Ah, good morning Mochizuki-san, Shirokage-san." A blonde greeter responded with a faint German accent as the duo entered.

To that, Asuka blinked as she looked at the pinkette in a curious manner.

"Looks like you're starting to make it really big." Miki replied.

To that, Asuka became surprised as she looked at the blonde. "O-Oh um...hello." She soon greeted in a sheepish manner.

"It is a pleasure to have someone like you here." The greeter replied.

Miki meanwhile giggled to this as she patted the brunette's shoulder. "Come on now Asuka-chan, no need to be shy." She soon encouraged.

"M-Miki-chan..." Asuka mumbled with a blush.

"Confidence, Asuka-chan." Miki soon reminded.

To that, Asuka's eyes widened as she recalled that advice. "Right. Thanks Miki-chan." She soon replied in a grateful manner.

Miki nodded...as she then noticed the brunette...changed. "Hoooh?" She thought to herself in a curious manner.

It was now like she just dropped all her insecurities. It's not visible to an untrained eye. Her whole demeanor has subtly changed. It was thought she truly became the cute girl next door that her modeling image demands.

To this sight, Miki became more curious as she decided to stay silent.

"Hmm...Let's see about these." Asuka murmured as she gracefully and gently grabbed a bunch of winter clothes and headed for the changing room.

Miki meanwhile smiled as she noticed how the brunette walked and how her stature was.

It was full of confidence and assertiveness, yet still perfectly within her mandated model image.

"Impressive." Miki mentally praised as she went and got some of her own sets of winter clothes. "I carry some spare hair-ties if you need them, Asuka-chan." She then offered as she passed the changing booth with her junior in it.

"No need, Miki-chan, I will be fine." Asuka responded from within the changing room.

"Alright then." The pinkette replied before entering the changing room opposite the brunette's. "My, Asuka-chan really is an interesting one. I hadn't even done anything." Miki thought to herself in a curious manner. "Still, this change is good..." She then thought as she started to undress.

Soon stripping down to her very lacy, very black unmentionables as Miki then hung her regular clothes up...before starting to try out her first set of winter clothes. "Ooh, now this is good looking." She soon muttered in approval.

The pinkette is in an all black attire with winter business pants, winter business boots and a sharp double-breasted winter coat with an eye-catching hot pink scarf wound around her neck and tucked into the coat.

Nodding to that, Miki looked at the door. "Asuka-chan, are you dressed?" She called out with a smile.

"Yes. I am ready, Miki-chan! Prepare to be amazed." Asuka replied, her tone of voice being slightly different than usual.

To that, Miki became more curious about the change in the brunette's tone of voice. It was full of confidence with a hint of cockiness and valley girlness. "Very interesting indeed." She thought to herself as she exited the changing room, wondering how her junior was going to look once she exited her changing room.

Eventually, the brunette came out wearing a red jacket with a purple undershirt and skirt with black leggings and black boots to complete the ensemble.

"My, you're certainly going to impress your significant other..." Miki noted before pausing. "Theoretically, I mean." She then back-pedaled.

"Definitely theoretically." Asuka repiled.

"I'm surprised. You're cute, diligent, and frequently worry about everyone. You'd definitely have a fan club at your school..." Miki soon confessed and listed off.

"I think the disciplinary committee that Sis runs would shut that down, especially after Kamoshita..." Asuka replied.

"Right, right." The pinkette conceded before pausing. "...Your sister?" Miki then asked in a curious manner.

"Hai. My sister, Homu-neechan, is the best girl someone could ask for." Asuka proudly declared.

"She sounds like a nice person. Is she as sexy as you Asuka-chan? Miki replied and then asked in a teasing manner.

"She has such beautiful tanned skin..." The brunette replied.

"But, she certainly doesn't have your appeal..." Miki then pointed out.

Asuka in turn did a hair flick and smirked. "Heh. Obviously." She responded.

"The girl next door, waiting to meet her childhood friend to spend some time under the clear wintery night...It's clear the relationship will develop deeper past the point of just friendship." Miki soon stated. "That's what I see in that outfit." She added.

"Well it was what I was going for Miki-chan." Asuka responded, mirroring how the pinkette was standing perfectly.

"You've become quite assertive and confident. That will be good if backstage politics tries to railroad you into an undue retirement..." Miki noted while rubbing her junior's head.

"Well, I do have a good example to go by Miki-chan." Asuka reminded as the two did the same motions as if they were twins, despite the hair and height difference. "Shall we try some of the other clothes on Miki-chan?" The brunette then suggested.

"Let's." The pinkette replied with a smile, the two being like twins at that point.

An hour later...

"Shall we pay for these and head for lunch, Asuka-chan?" Miki soon asked as she exited the changing room in her normal clothes again.

Asuka in turn nodded, holding the clothes she liked the most as they headed for the register to pay.

"Ach. Fraulein Shirokage...You can apply for the new face discount' as part of our working relationship with your agency..." The heavily-accented cashier informed as the two approached the counter.

In response, Asuka nodded. "Thank you for informing me of that." The brunette replied.

Meanwhile, Miki giggled at her friend's response."You've become really assertive and confident in just a short time. Especially considering your reaction just an hour ago." She soon pointed out in amusement. "Where has the nervous, scared little model gone in such a short time, I wonder?" She then teasingly asked. "It's like she's a perfect twin of mine." The pinkette thought to herself with a gleam in her eyes.

Again, she hadn't even done anything since they started hanging out at the moment.

However Miki's train of thought came to a halt when she saw the nervous look on the brunette's face after taking out her wallet. "Asuka-chan? You've gone quite pale. Need me to help out?" She then offered as she pulled out her own wallet.

In response, the brunette nodded. "Yeah...I need you to help me cover the costs a little." Asuka admitted as she then tsked in annoyance. "Che...I hate having to pay people back. It makes me feel like I'm using them..." She soon grumbled.

"I can understand the frustration." Miki confessed in agreement as she then looked at the cashier. "By the way, I'm here to pick up an order of custom-tailored clothes." She then stated.

"Here it is." A stocker suddenly informed, emerging from the backroom with a big parcel.

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out in a curious manner as the pinkette took the item.

"My roommates have, ahem, non-standard sizes..." Miki vaguely explained in an uncomfortable tone.

"Oh, ok." Asuka responded while nodding, getting the feeling it was a touchy subject.

"Thank you for your patronage Fraulein Shirokage, Fraulein Mochizuki." The cashier stated after the pinkette paid for the shopping trip.

"To you as well." The two models responded, blinking for a moment as they then looked at one another and giggled in amusement.

"Oh?" The pinkette noted.

"S-Sorry, it's just that," Asuka began apologizing in between giggles.

"We were perfectly synced?" Miki also giggled out her guess.

"It's admittedly a little embarrassing." Asuka then got out as her cheeks started to turn bright pink.

"Oh~? And why is that?" Miki questioned in an offended tone, though had an amused smirk on her face.

Well, I just wasn't expecting to be in sync like that..." Asuka replied while scratching the back of her head and nervously giggling.

"Well, I thought it was impressive." Miki confessed as the two exited the store and headed to her car as they continued their conversation.

Though both of them were unaware of how in sync they were even with just walking there.

"Where do you want to put these bags, Miki-chan? Asuka asked.

"In the back seats should be good." Miki replied as she unlocked the car.

To that, Asuka nodded as she did as instructed before getting into the front passenger seat and buckled up.

"So, having fun so far?" Miki asked as she started driving after getting in, buckling up and starting the car.

"I am, though I could go for lunch soon. Want to head to the cafe where I work for lunch?" Asuka replied and suggested.

"Sure!" Miki responded with a nod. "Oh! Maybe after, I can take you to a spa I frequently go to after we go to that bathhouse you mentioned!" She then suggested with a starry look in her eyes.

"That sounds wonderful Miki-chan!" Asuka replied.

"Then it's settled. Lunch, bathhouse and the best spa treatment ever!" Miki responded and listed off. "Time to make Asuka-chan even more sexy!" She thought to herself in excitement.

"Yeah!" Asuka cheered in excitement at the idea. She hadn't been to a spa since the Bank Palace.

"Right. It's a really good place. It's where me and my manager's four other models frequent." Miki explained and revealed. "After going there for the first time, I felt like a whole new person." The pinkette then confessed in a more nostalgic tone.

"It's that good?" Asuka asked.

"It's the best. The most famous spa anywhere." Miki confirmed in a more serious tone. "Who knows? You may get recognised there as well." The pinkette added.

To that, Asuka became all the more excited as the drive continued.

---

(Ichigaya, Ichigaya Fishing Center)

It was during that moment, Yumi was walking down the street to her destination, wearing her usual disguise after school had ended for the day for her. "Sunglasses and a hat won't be as effective in the colder months..." She mumbled as she looked up at the sun. "I'll need to think of something else to hide my identity, or else I'll never have time to myself." She then added.

She hated having to look over her shoulder every time she went out in public and keep an ear out in the middle of crowds. If anyone recognized her, that would be the end of her day and plans.

Yumi soon sighed. "Would it be appropriate to use my Ice Queen form when I am out and about?" She soon wondered. It's not like bright blue hair and red eyes weren't common...but then again, that might make her even more noticeable to the public. But at least they wouldn't connect that she was Yuki Yumi...

"No...I should not abuse such an ability for something so minor..." Yumi soon muttered.

"Hey, if you have an advantage, why not use it?" A familiar voice spoke up.

"Hm?" Yumi hummed out as she looked around.

"Down here." The familiar voice responded.

In turn, the light gray haired girl looked down to see a familiar not cat smiling at her. "Morgana-san, you aren't with Akira-san today?" Yumi questioned in a curious manner as she picked him up.

"Nah, the guy needs his privacy sometimes. Besides, I can't spend every day being carried around in his bag. I need to stretch my legs, keep myself limber for the next heist."

"Seems prudent." Yumi remarked.

"Guessing the disguise is due to your fame as an idol huh?" Morgana assumed.

In turn, Yumi nodded. "Kosei is quite used to my presence, but the public is not. It makes a lot of things so much more difficult. I can't even go to my local convenience store without it." She mumbled. "But then again, I should have expected it when I got scouted. Rise-san even warned me about it." She then added.

"That's quite a concerning situation, Lady Yumi." Morgana got out in concern. "Are you sure you can keep it up?" He then asked.

That in response caused the light gray haired girl to nod again. "Hai. Remember that I am a you-know-what, so I can consider this as part of my training. Plus, I do like being an idol. I shall deal with the problem such a career has given me and make the most of it." She then assured.

"Huh. If you see it that way, then I can respect and understand that." Morgana admitted.

"Besides, cuteness is justice and I must use my newfound influence to spread such cuteness across the world." Yumi soon stated with a starry look in her eyes.

"And there's the patented shinobi mentality..." Morgana thought with a sweatdrop. "Anyways, where are you going, Lady Yumi?" He then asked.

"Ah, well...since I found myself with the rest of the day off, but I didn't want to hang around my usual spots lest it cause more traffic, I came here to practice my fishing skills." Yumi replied and explained.

"Oooh, do you mind letting me tag along?" Morgana however requested with a starry look in his eyes.

Yumi looked at him. "Morgana-san, you can't eat the fish." She soon reminded.

"Yeah, but I heard there's a restaurant that does let you catch and eat the fish, so I wanna study your technique for when I'm human!" Morgana got out in an excited manner.

"...He still wishes to believe that he can become human one day?" Yumi thought in her head. "Um, I don't want to say it, but...is it even possible to regain your form? I can't imagine there's a true solution to this." She then truthfully asked and informed him.

"Well...all I can do is hope that there is." Morgana responded. "As much as I've gotten used to this form, I still want to do the things you guys can do that this body can't." He then added.

"Morgana-san, you don't need to be human to be useful. We've told you this." Yumi however reassured.

"No, it's not that. I want to go to school, write properly, not worry about getting kicked out of places, all that stuff normal humans do." Morgana however explained. "Even if I don't get my memories back, I wanna at least do those things." He then revealed.

Yumi simply looked at the faux feline. "I mean...I guess I can understand that, coming from you." She soon admitted.

"And the first restriction of being in this form is being unable to enter this place without hiding." Morgana then got out.

"Oh, I wish I had an appropriate hiding spot." Yumi muttered in an apologetic manner.

"Ah, don't worry. I'll meet you inside, Lady Yumi." Morgana informed as he started walking towards the side of the establishment. "Just go ahead in the entrance and I'll sneak around." He then instructed as he leaped onto the walls and snaked his way to the side.

Yumi nodded to that before heading to the counter. "Hello, ma'am" The counter clerk greeted with a slight bow. "You wish to try fishing here?"

"Yes, please." Yumi replied with a nod.

"Alright." The clerk nodded to that. "First, do you bring your own fishing rod with you, or will you rent one?" He soon asked.

"I'll rent one, please." Yumi soon requested.

"Okay, the entrance fee, fishing rod rent included, will be 3,000 yen, ma'am." The clerk soon informed.

Yumi nodded before taking out her wallet to pay for the expenses. "Here." She replied once more.

"Thank you." The employee responded. "Please leave your belongings in the lockers over there if you have some and simply take an available fishing rod at the rack over there. Happy fishing." He then instructed and encouraged.

In response, Yumi nodded and did as instructed, getting herself a navy blue fishing rod and a bucket for the fish she would catch at the pool.

When she entered the fishing pools area, she noticed that there were only two other people present who were currently fishing at other pools, though in deep concentration, so they didn't notice the light gray haired girl. She also noticed the faux feline walking on top of the far side wall before leaping down safely and entered the fishing center without anyone knowing.

Soon enough, that prompted Yumi to approach the concrete path between the two separate fishing pools and sit down at one of the available stools on the side and prepare the fishing rod as she adjusted her hat and sunglasses. "Okay...here we go." She then stated as she held out her fishing rod in front of the pool, the faux feline approaching and eventually sitting on the concrete path beside her.

"Let's hook some bait first, Lady Yumi." Morgana meanwhile suggested. "Hmm...let's try some of the common types of bait." He then hummed out and added.

Yumi nodded as she then pulled the bucket of bait close to her and looked at its contents. "Hmm...I've never used bollies as bait..." She noted and confessed.

"You've done some fishing before, right?" Morgana assumed.

To that, Yumi nodded. "Yes, it's a skill you must learn which is paramount in a survival situation." She replied and stated. "Although, it has been a while. I may be rather rusty." She then confessed.

"When was the last time you did some fishing?" Morgana soon asked.

"It was with Ojii-sama." Yumi replied with a nostalgic smile. "He did teach me how to do it, and he was with me every time I tried to fish when I was young." She soon revealed.

"Oh, that's sweet, Lady Yumi..." Morgana cooed.

"Another precious memory I'll have to keep alive." Yumi muttered.

"What? Planning to do it with your own grandchildren?" Morgana soon guessed.

"G-Grandchildren!?" Yumi squeaked with a slight blush. "I...I never really thought about that before. That was too sudden, Morgana-san." She stammered out.

"Sorry, I was half-teasing, Lady Yumi." The not cat soon apologized. "...But in all seriousness...would you actually do the same thing as your grandfather?" He then asked.

"...Maybe not exactly, but if I wish to leave a lasting legacy, I'd need to make sure I leave behind great memories." Yumi eventually answered as she gave it some thought. "If I don't ever have grandchildren, I'll make sure to do it with as many young kids as I can. I will even take some orphans out. It would leave quite the impression." She soon revealed.

"Ehehe, you do what you think is best, Lady Yumi." Morgana simply responded to that.

Yumi nodded to that before realizing she hadn't actually started fishing. After quickly attaching a boilie, she casted the line out into the water.

Yumi and Morgana waited for a while, staring at the spot where the line was dropped onto the fishing pool.

Morgana suddenly made a deep sigh as he thought of something while waiting.

"Hm, are you getting hungry, Morgana?" Yumi guessed.

"Not yet." Morgana shook his head. "...But if you start talking about food and fish more, I might. And maybe you too." He then remarked with a slight grin.

"Well, if it's not food, what is it?" Yumi soon asked. "If you have something on your mind, that is." She then added.

"Hmm...in fact, I do have something in mind that I wish to talk about." Morgana soon confessed.

"And what would that be?" Yumi pressed as she tapped her heel on the ground.

Morgana went into deep thought about what he wanted to talk about to the light-gray-haired girl for a moment. "...Well, it's about the constant occurrences of anything lewd-related to the point that it's considered a normal, everyday thing for us now in our group and our group alone, that kind of thing." He eventually admitted. "If I may ask, Lady Yumi, what are your thoughts about it?" He soon asked.

Yumi was taken aback for a bit on the topic before giving it some thought as well. "...Um, well...normally, that would be something that is completely discouraged when it comes to normal people, but...in our case, it just happened so naturally that we eventually decided to accept it." She eventually responded in an honest manner.

"I can tell, yeah." Morgana agreed with a nod, remembering those certain times ever since he met the Leader and the rest up until now. "I mean, why does it have to be something perverted and lewd? That I really don't get it." He soon stated before gaining a serious expression. "...Do you trust the men in our group when it comes to lewd stuff? That includes me, by the way." He then suddenly asked.

"..." Yumi went quiet as she gave some thought to the faux feline's questions. "I mean, I guess...since they're not the type to cross that particular line. Including you, Morgana. Sure they can sometimes play along with it, but they never go too far." She eventually responded.

"But aren't you worried?" Morgana however asked once again.

"I was, but after everything that has happened to us...I don't think there's anything left of us to reveal." Yumi responded as she admitted. "It's actually quite amazing, really. We've been fighting for so long together that I trust them with my life, regardless of gender. I never thought I'd ever trust anyone other than my sisters like that in terms of nudity, especially on the opposite sex." She soon stated.

"That's...quite a good insight from you, Lady Yumi." Morgana awkwardly responded.

"I wonder why you're even asking this question, Morgana-san." Yumi soon wondered. "We've talked about this type of topic several times. It may be embarrassing, but our time in the Metaverse has taught us to disregard our states of dress when in mortal danger." She then added.

"It's just...I wanted to be a gentleman in front of all of you, but...just the lewdness gets in the way sometimes." The not cat awkwardly confessed with a hint of shame.

"It's perfectly healthy to have a sex drive, Morgana." Yumi stated. "As old fashioned as I am, I know that lust is not as bad of a sin to have, as well as others such as greed, pride, wrath, and gluttony, it's the excess of such things that corrupt our targets." She soon explained. "Besides, doesn't that make you more human?" She then pointed out.

Morgana felt like he had just gained some important wisdom. "So you're saying...it's fine for me to be perverted sometimes?" He soon assumed.

"As long as you know how to control it and put it in discipline, as well as putting it at the right time and the right place." Yumi responded.

"...Sooooo, don't become like Katsuragi." Morgana simplified.

"That and just don't genuinely hurt people with your desires as well." Yumi corrected. "I admit, Katsuragi-san has her own journey to work on her vices, but I don't think she's the type to hurt the people she cares about." She then stated, thinking back to how she and the dyed blond got along at the beach.

"That is true. I think we're more likely to hurt each other." Morgana then admitted.

"Hurt each other, how?" Yumi questioned in a curious manner.

"Miyabi's sparring sessions." Morgana began. "Homura's training session. In the Metaverse when we get brainwashed or confused. Or-" He then began listing off, however...

"Okay, okay, I see what you mean. We are definitely more likely to hurt each other." Yumi interrupted with a mumble.

"With a touch of lewdness and nudity along the way." Morgana outright added.

Yumi and Morgana chuckled together at that bit.

"You know, since we're on the topic, will you allow Yusuke to paint nude paintings at some point?"

Yumi then pondered that particular issue. "...I suppose I'll allow him if he wishes to learn. If he wishes to pursue art in university, he'll need to paint nude subjects anyways, both male and female." She soon responded.

"True." Morgana replied in agreement. "I know you already discussed this, but...if the opportunity presents itself, you don't mind being a nude model if he's offering?" He eventually asked.

"At this point, I don't mind now. I'd even join a boy along with me if he requires it." Yumi confessed. Suddenly, she paused to think. "A-As long as he makes sure to change or obscure my face. I don't think nude paintings of me will reflect well on my idol image...and Yusuke-san." She then added.

"Yusuke seems like he knows what he's doing, so I think he always considers that as well." Morgana simply stated. "Come to think of it, when was the last time he asked someone to be a nude model for his paintings?" He soon asked.

"...Not recently, not since Miyabi-san did so." Yumi responded. "Maybe our activities have prevented him from asking or he's simply grown disinterested in it." She soon assumed.

Morgana pondered that last response. "Why do I feel a bit worried about the latter part?" He couldn't help but comment aloud.

"...I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...I just hope his interest in nude paintings doesn't dwindle to nothing after a long while." Yumi outright admitted.

"...Weirdly enough, me too." Morgana admitted as well.

"I've seen some of his paintings and they are brilliant to see, however I do notice there are many types of art he'd like to explore. Performance art, art installations, the art of creating art..." Yumi replied, having seen him watch videos of someone stacking cups before tipping it over at lunch today. "I am particularly afraid when he decides to look into chainsaw carvings." She then mumbled with a flat look on her face.

"Artists are weird." Morgana deadpanned.

That in turn caused the Gessen kunoichi to giggle. "A perfect fit for our group." Yumi commented with a smile.

"You think so?" Morgana got out. "I mean, Yusuke's pretty much sort of our PR guy. Our calling cards, the logo and everything, yeah. Not the merchandise." He then added.

"I think that includes his weirdness as well." Yumi stated. "From what I can tell, everyone in our group is weird in their own way." She then added.

"...In some ways I can't deny that, Lady Yumi." Morgana couldn't help but admit. "You are talking to a cat no one else understands." He then pointed out.

Yumi simply snorted a bit. "And I guess that's what makes our group interesting for us." She then stated matter-of-factly, earning a genuine smile from the not cat.

A moment of silence washed over the two for a few seconds.

"Huh...that was a very interesting talk, Lady Yumi." Morgana confessed as he smiled softly. "I feel a little better." He then admitted.

"Yes, it's good to have open, heart-to-heart conversations like this." Yumi replied with a smile of her own. "Let's keep it between us if we can." She soon suggested, just as her fishing rod suddenly began to dip into the water.

"Hey, something's biting!" Morgana called out.

"Oh!" Yumi responded in anticipation as she started to reel in what she caught.

SPLASH!

At the end of the hook...was a pair of wet indigo panties.

"...That's just convenient." Morgana couldn't help but comment while slightly blushing a bit.

"D-Don't they keep these pools clean!?" Yumi squeaked with a blush. "How did something like this end up in the water!?" She soon questioned as she removed the panties from the hook and placed the undergarment aside to dry.

"Some people have no care for the environment." Morgana got out with a frown. "...Or maybe someone lost their panties. It isn't that unusual in this city." He then added.

"Morgana-san, I think your perception of this city may be skewed by what has happened this year." Yumi stated and confessed. "Tokyo may not be clean in terms of law and order, but it is one of the cleanest cities in the world. We ensure that nothing goes to waste or is thrown away needlessly, or at least that's the case for the common civilian." She soon added.

"L-Lady Yumi, I'm just saying that it's not unusual for a pair of panties to end up here in this kind of place..." Morgana explained. "But yeah, you do have a point. Tokyo is one heck of a city to be this orderly." He then added.

"Yes, it must've flown off a clothes line..." Yumi soon agreed and assumed before feeling a tug at the end of her rod. "Ah! I got another one!" She soon got out.

"Already!?" Morgana exclaimed in anticipation.

SPLASH!

Yumi caught another one. This time, it was an indigo bra of some sort.

"...Eh?" Morgana and Yumi got out in confusion.

"A-Another piece of underwear!?" Yumi squeaked in surprise.

"...Why am I not surprised?" Morgana grumbled. "Is someone secretly skinny dipping here while everyone is sleeping?" He then questioned.

"Eh?" Yumi got out as she placed the wet bra aside with the matching pair of panties. "What's skinny dipping?" She soon asked.

"O-Oh, it's...it's nothing, Lady Yumi. Just some random term I've heard." Morgana replied, not wanting the girl to know about the term.

To that, Yumi blinked in response to that before deciding to not mind it anymore going back to her fishing. She might look it up at a later time.

The light-gray-haired girl soon dipped the line once again on the pool and waited once more. "Time to try again." Yumi decided.

"Third time's the charm, Lady Yumi." Morgana sighed out. "...I think." He then muttered.

Yumi couldn't help but want to snort at the familiar verbal tick from the not cat before focusing back to fishing.

"Let's pray that it will be a real fish this time." Morgana stated while staring at the water.

Yumi waited for quite a while in silence...before thinking of something. "...Morgana-san, you said there's a fishing place where you are allowed to eat the fish that you caught in the form of a restaurant-styled place." She then recalled. "Do you know such a place and where?" She soon asked in a curious manner.

"Well that's-" Morgana began, however...

At that moment though, the light gray haired girl felt her rod being tugged once more and instinctively reeled it in.

SPLASH!

Yumi eventually pulled up her rod again and saw something flailing out of the water.

It was her third attempt...and this time, she finally got an actual fish on the hook.

"Oh wow...I finally caught a fish here." Yumi breathed out with a proud smile on her face.

"I guess the third time really is the charm, Lady Yumi." Morgana remarked with a smile as the light gray haired girl as she carefully placed the fish into her bucket. "That looks like...a Seven-Color Trout. That should be around 100 to 200 points." He soon recalled and revealed.

"Of course you'd know your types of fish." Yumi giggled.

"Hey, I learned it from Joker. Akira does come here when he has the time." Morgana however revealed. "He even did his research on the best fishing techniques...and I think uses his Third Eye to cheat in secret and catch fish much, much, quicker..." He then added before grumbling.

"That ability would be so useful if everyone had it..." Yumi remarked as she narrowed her eyes. She had seen him use it to also cheat at darts at Penguin Sniper to get his Ton 80s. "Only Homura-san is able to use it as well. I wonder why?" She soon muttered.

"He said it was his Benefactor's gift to him." Morgana recalled. "In any case, what are you going to get with your points?" He soon asked.

"Hm...there are quite a few accessories I'd like to get. Maybe that belt I saw." Yumi replied and revealed.

"That's 30,000 points, Lady Yumi. You better get to work then." Morgana informed and advised.

"Hai." Yumi replied with a nod, getting herself ready, however...

"Um...excuse me." A female voice suddenly called out.

"Hm?" Yumi hummed out as she and not cat to turn to see a girl with long, light indigo hair with a straw hat atop her head while wearing a short white frilly dress with a pale blue bow at the center of the chest, beneath an indigo and white jacket along with indigo rubber boots with strips of pale blue near the top.

Also...she had a bust similar to the light gray haired girl.

"...A shinobi?" Yumi and Morgana both thought at the same time as they tensed up a little bit.

Who knows how this would go...

"Did you happen to fish up some underwear?" The girl soon suddenly asked.

Instantly, Yumi snapped out of her tense moment and blushed. "Erm, yes." She answered as she looked down at the wet underwear next to her bucket. "Is it to dispose of, or...give back to the owner?" She soon assumed.

"Well...they're mine." The girl informed with a slight blush. "It flew out of my luggage bag all of a sudden. They're quite expensive and I want them back."

"O-Oh." Yumi blinked before picking them up off the ground. "Here you are. I think I managed to not damage them."

"It's quite alright." The newcomer replied as she looked around. "...This fishing spot is so lacking. Nothing compared to Tohno." She then noted.

"Tohno?" Yumi repeated with a raised eyebrow. She had heard of the place, its hidden village was considered a safe haven for Good Shinobi, although she had never gone there herself. "That's quite the trip." She couldn't help but comment.

"Ah, it's nothing money cannot buy." The indigo haired girl waved off. "Thank you for fishing up my underwear." She then got out in a grateful manner.

"It was...only a lucky catch, um..." Yumi tried to play off, only to realize she never got her name.

"Nachi." The indigo haired girl informed with a bow. "Nachi Amejisuto." She then added.

"Amejisuto-san." Yumi finished, letting out a polite smile.

"Oh, just call me Nachi. I must simply repay you for your help." Nachi soon requested and stated. "Please, tell me your name." She then requested.

"Y-Yumi." The light gray haired girl answered.

"Yumi." Nachi repeated. "...Hm, that name sounds familiar...did I hear that somewhere...?" She soon wondered out loud.

"I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other people around who have the same name as mine, Nachi-san." Yumi informed, sweating a little. Dammit, her constantly smiling face made it hard to read her intentions and thoughts.

"Well, I don't really go out of town that often to know." Nachi replied and confessed. "I'm here for business. However, I wouldn't mind spending some time here before I head to my hotel." She then admitted.

"I thought you said this place was lacking." Yumi reminded with a raised eyebrow.

"But an opportunity to fish is one I must take." Nachi however revealed with enthusiasm. "Besides, I've already paid my way in just to see you and get my underwear back." She then reminded.

"You weren't planning to fish and still paid?" Yumi questioned in a curious manner. "I don't even see a fishing rod or bait." She then noted.

"I brought my own." Nachi informed as she pulled out a fishing rod from her bag. It looked pretty standard, although the light gray haired girl noticed something unusual from its hook.

"...Is that lure in the shape of money?" Yumi asked, eyeing the stack of bills that was tied at the end of the fishing line.

"Nonsense." Nachi waved off as she shook her head. "It's real money, because that solves every problem in the world." She soon revealed in an innocent manner.

"...Eh?" Yumi got out in disbelief.

"That's...not good for the fish." Morgana muttered in disbelief.

"Um, why not buy some actual bait?" Yumi however suggested. "It's better for the fish." She then pointed out.

"I know what can and cannot harm a fish, Yumi-san. It's just that I found this as the most effective." Nachi replied and simply explained.

"O-Okay..." Yumi soon responded.

"Uh, Lady Yumi? Tell her to go to a laundromat and make her wash the underwear." Morgana reminded as he touched her leg.

"Oh, Nachi-san, shouldn't you leave to go get your underwear washed at a laundromat?" Yumi soon pointed out. "The salt will ruin them if you don't do it soon enough."

"I will, but it can be done later." Nachi replied as she then noticed the not cat. "A cat? Aww, how adorable." She soon cooed out as she began petting him. "You know you can't eat the fish here, don't you?" She then jokingly reminded in the same innocent tone.

Morgana meanwhile felt weak from being petted in the right spot. "Meeeeeow~" He instinctively mewled in satisfaction followed by purring while wagging his tail.

"Ara~ He seems like he likes it." Nachi noted with a smile. "Is this your cat, Yumi-san?" She then asked.

"Oh, um...he actually belongs to a friend of mine. He likes to wander around a lot, but knows when to return to him too." Yumi revealed and explained before recalling how the other girl referred to the not cat. "Wait, you know Morgana-san's a male?" She then questioned in a curious manner.

"I pretty much saw his genital area, so yes, I can tell it's a male cat." Nachi replied with a nod as she looked at the not cat. "Morgana...what a fancy and wonderful name." She then praised.

That in turn caused Morgana to blush, but smiled and beamed at the praise. "Good, some respect." He thought to himself.

"So, he's from a friend of yours? I see." Nachi soon recalled and stated with a nod. "He must be intelligent as well for being able to travel around Tokyo with ease." She then added in an impressed manner.

In response, Morgana sat up proudly from the praise, with the light gray haired girl noticing it with a slight smile.

The indigo haired meanwhile then perked up. "Oh right. I need to give you your payment for retrieving my underwear, Yumi-san." Nachi soon remembered as she reached into her luggage.

"Eh? N-Nachi-san, I really don't-" Yumi suddenly stated in concern with a wave of her hands.

THUMP!

Yumi and Morgana however soon stared at the massive stack of bills placed into her hand. "...Wha?" They got out in disbelief once more.

"That should be about 1 million yen...or 3 million, give or take." Nachi casually informed. "Does that suffice?" She then asked.

"I...what...?" Yumi got out, wondering if she was dreaming. "Y-You just carry this much money with you?" She then questioned.

"Why, yes." Nachi replied as she opened her bag a little to reveal that it was mostly filled with loose bills and rolls of money. "After all, anything can be solved with enough money." She then stated with the same smile she had on her face.

"...Are we in the presence of an anti-Kaneshiro!?" Morgana panickingly assumed.

Yumi meanwhile blinked as she once more looked at the indigo haired girl. "W-Who are you?" She eventually asked.

"Well...in all honesty, I am the current mayor of a village, succeeding after my father. Do not worry, money is no object." Nachi soon revealed. "In any case, shall we continue fishing, Yumi-san?" She then suggested in an innocent tone as she sat down on another stool beside the Gessen kunoichi and got herself comfortable.

Soon, Morgana was literally foaming at the mouth at everything that had just happened, so losing consciousness from the mayor's money-centric logic.

And for Yumi, she was just speechless with the money in her hands before quickly shoving it in between her breasts and focused on fishing with the blue-haired girl.

She really wanted that belt.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Backstreets)

After arriving and finding a parking spot, the two models exited the car and headed into familiar territory for the brunette.

"I wonder what other food LeBlanc has..." The pinkette wondered as they passed by Takemi's clinic.

"There's curry and coffee." Asuka replied.

"That's...an odd combo alongside the sushi." Miki noted with concern.

To that, Asuka giggled and smirked teasingly. "Ah, a newbie who doesn't know..." She jokingly declared while taking the pinkette's hand, the two feeling a rush when it happened.

"Ah! No need to rush me..." Miki replied.

The two however giggled playfully as the brunette led the pinkette to the familiar location. "And here we are, Miki-chan!" Asuka declared as she stopped in front of the cafe.

"Moh. Warn me next time before pulling me like that. You're a lot stronger than you look so it felt like you were about to tear my arm out if it's socket." Miki responded and admitted while pouting.

She didn't know why, but she honestly felt more...relaxed around the brunette. Like she could feel more free around her.

And she liked it.

"Hehe, sorry, sorry." Asuka sheepishly apologized. "Shall we head in?" The brunette then asked.

To that, Miki nodded as the brunette opened the door.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc)

RING!

The door opened as the models entered the cafe, with the pinkette looking around.

"Welcome." Sōjiro greeted, getting the pinkette's attention, before smirking. "Ah, hey there Asuka-chan." He then added.

Asuka in response smiled. "Hey Boss." She replied.

The cafe owner then noticed the newcomer looking at him. "Oh? And who might this be?" Sōjiro soon asked.

To that, Miki perked up and bowed. "Ah, good day. I'm Miki." She introduced herself.

In turn, the cafe owner nodded. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Sōjiro Sakura." He soon introduced himself. "So, what are you two having today?" He then asked.

"The usual for me Boss." Asuka replied as the two sat at the counter.

"I'll take what the owner recommends." Miki requested.

To that, Sōjiro nodded. "Coming right up." He replied as the cafe owner got to work...while also noticing the newcomer's large chest for a second and started wondering how many more women were now having a large chest like the newcomer and the brunette.

Asuka meanwhile noticed the pinkette looking around with interest once more. "So, what do you think?" She soon asked.

"I quite like it. It could be a good spot to get a bite to eat before work." Miki replied before recalling something. "And you work here sometimes?" The pinkette then asked in a curious manner.

"She does." Sōjiro replied as he started preparing the curry. "She's also the one that brought sushi onto the menu as well." He then added.

Asuka in response giggled with a playful blush.

"Is that so?" Miki soon asked.

"Hehe, yeah." Asuka replied.

The pinkette then looked around once more and smiled softly. "Still, it's good to find a place where I feel like I can enjoy good food without having many of my fans ask for my autograph." Miki sullenly admitted.

"Everyone can use some down time once in a while, Miki-chan." Asuka pointed out in a sympathetic manner.

At that moment though, the cafe owner soon brought two plates of food over before then placing two cups of coffee in front of the models. "Here you go." Sōjiro says as he sets the two girls' lunches down.

"Thank you, Boss." Asuka happily replied.

"I appreciate the meal." Miki gratefully responded before sipping her coffee. "This is a Hawaiian Kona blend." She soon noted in an impressed manner.

"Oh? You figured out what I served you?" Sōjiro assumed.

"I'm admittedly a bit of a coffee connoisseur myself. I'll explain more after I eat. I don't want this curry to go cold." Miki explained as she dipped her spoon into her lunch before taking her first bite, causing her eyes to widen. "This...This is simply amazing." She breathed out.

The cafe owner in turn smirked while the brunette smiled at the awe-filled expression on the pinkette's face.

"I think she quite likes it, Boss." Asuka assumed.

"Indeed. It seems she's at a loss for words." Sōjiro replied.

Asuka soon giggled as she looked at the café owner. "So, Akira-kun is out like always?" She guessed.

"He is. I think he made plans with that Haru girl." Sōjiro recalled while he cleaned his glasses.

"And how about Futaba-chan? Miyabi-chan took her out?" Asuka then guessed while eating.

"Miyabi is getting Futaba into shape." Sōjiro replies as he puts his glasses back on. "Much to the latter's protests." He then added.

"Miyabi-chan being like a mom to her too?" Asuka soon giggled out.

"Or a big sister..." The cafe owner replied. "...Though she does have those moments too." Sōjiro then confessed, recalling all the lectures the orangette had gotten with himself and white haired woman being around.

"Is this Futaba girl a bit of a rebel?" Miki asked as she took a swig of her coffee.

"She's...not. But she has a bit of a perverted streak." Asuka awkwardly explained

To that, the pinkette winced. "Oooh, that bad?" Miki assumed.

"She'd definitely try and get a good squeeze were she here." Asuka responded.

"And then Miyabi would lecture her...again." Sōjiro stated.

"Surprisingly, I have not been groped all that much at all..." Miki soon revealed.

"Consider yourself lucky." The cafe owner and brunette bluntly responded at the same time.

"About the only time is when one of my roommates wants to practice sternomancy." Miki then casually revealed as she finished her curry.

"Eh?" Asuka got out in confusion.

"Sternomancy. Divination by breast, apparently." Miki simply repeated and then explained as she took another sip of her coffee.

"Futaba can't hear of this..." Sōjiro soon muttered.

"Or Katsu-nee..." Asuka quietly added.

"Ah, that was delicious." Miki soon breathed out in a relaxed manner. "Consider me a future customer, Sōjiro-san." She then stated. "I'll recommend this place to my roommates as well." She concluded.

To that, Sōjiro smiled. "Thanks." He replied

"I'll pay since you helped pay earlier Miki-chan." Asuka soon offered.

To that, the pinkette nodded as the brunette did as such.

"I gotta go get some more supplies Asuka-chan, so make sure nothing happens until I get back." Sōjiro soon informed and instructed.

"Got it, Boss." Asuka replied with a nod.

The two models then watched as the cafe owner left the store, leaving the two alone.

"So Miki-chan," Asuka began. "How's the bitch's training?" She soon asked in a blunt tone.

In turn, the pinkette sighed. "I've made some headway. It seems she had a bruised ego from losing Rookie Model of the Year 2015 to someone that made his debut in December." Miki recalled.

"So it's from a grudge." Asuka assumed as the pinkette nodded. "Still being difficult at times?" She then guessed.

"Yes, but she is showing improvements. We're going to have both her and Mika for the big winter festival, but booked on different days." Miki replied and revealed.

To that, Asuka nodded. "So...it's just been fine so far." She then concluded.

However at that moment, the pinkette pouted in a childish manner. "Moh! She is just one of the poorest behaved models out there! I don't know what Kokito-san saw in her! My manager, Fukawa-san, would've had her axed and blacklisted for that kind of conduct!" Miki ranted in frustration.

To that, Asuka blinked as she looked at her friend acting so...childish out of frustration.

"Ah! Apologies. I lost my composure there." Miki got out in a panicked manner after realizing.

"No no, it's ok Miki-chan." Asuka reassured. "You have the right to vent as much as anyone. Plus it's just the two of us." She then stated and reminded. "I hope Futaba-chan's recording bugs don't let this leak out..." She then thought.

"Thanks. You really are one of the best and brightest models out there..." Miki replied and confessed.

To that, Asuka blushed for a moment before smirking. "Ah go on, give me some more compliments." She responded, wanting to be praised.

"You're certainly going to go far, Asuka-chan..." The pinkette replied.

"Like how you are Miki-chan?" Asuka assumed while checking her nails.

"Exactly. You may even get the offer to join Fukawa-san's model team once you become a legal adult." Miki replied and revealed.

"Are you sure? I do like Kokito-san and plus Ann-chan is the one that got me into modeling to begin with." Asuka however pointed out.

"Kokito-san generally deals with more localized shoots. Fukawa-san is more on the international scale." Miki explained.

"Miki-chan, you know I'm still not sure about going international though." Asuka however reminded.

In response though, the pinkette took the brunette's hands into her own, the two once more feeling a jolt of something rushing through them. "I know Asuka-chan, I'm just referring to your future as a model. I may be training Ranze, but you really are the best so far." Miki responded and confessed.

The brunette can only blink as she was at a loss for words. "M-Miki-chan..." Asuka eventually breathed out.

"I may have been a bit over the top with the compliments. If I'm too excessive with them, they lose their meaning..." Miki admitted.

Asuka however shook her head in response. "No no, they're fine. I appreciate them." She replied and reassured.

"Mm." Miki responded with a nod.

At that moment, the cafe owner returned with some bags. "I'm back Asuka-chan. Thanks for watching the shop." Sōjiro informed and stated.

"No problem, Boss." Asuka replied.

The two models then got up from their seats. "In any case, we better get going." Miki decided as the brunette nodded in agreement.

"Let's head to the bathhouse!" Asuka soon decided.

Sōjiro meanwhile smiled as he watched the two girls leave while he took the empty dishes to clean them. "... When will another big-breasted young girl come to this cafe next...?" He couldn't help but think in his head along with a slight blush on his face.

---

(Shujin Academy, Courtyard)

Today was an exciting day at Shujin...despite it being completely empty.

Ah, yes, ever since he had answered that call (this morning), he made sure to clear the school out to ensure nothing would go wrong. He couldn't let anyone mire their guest's view of the school. No student, no teacher, no weird yelling or event to stop this guest from contributing to rebuilding the school's image and reputation.

Despite the graffiti.

And so far, it was working.

"I can't believe you're considering coming to our culture festival this year, Kujikawa-san." The Vice Principal started as he walked along the courtyard with someone familiar. "I'm sure you're very busy given your career." He then added.

"I am, but that doesn't mean I can't help brighten the days of kids." Rise Kujikawa passionately replied to him as she walked with the Shujin Vice Principal alongside her. "I mean, I know how bad high school can be to some people, and given what's happened here this year, I thought Shujin could use the win. Don't worry about paying or anything. This will be from the bottom of my heart." She then explained as she looked at all the graffiti.

"Oh, I am so thankful for your generosity, Kujikawa-san!" The Vice Principal proudly stated with clasped hands.

Right now, the Shujin Vice Principal and the well-known singer Rise Kujikawa were having a walk around the Shujin courtyard, discussing their plans of the latter attending the cultural festival as a guest.

"Although, I was hoping to come around when the students were here." Rise however confessed. "Famous or not, I'd like to see the vibe of the school when there's people here." She soon confessed.

"Well, we're showing a very important person around the school. I wouldn't want to swarm you with fans and have our tour interrupted." The Vice Principal informed, subtly checking on the singer's face to study her reaction.

"Honestly, I was surprised you canceled classes just to meet with me." Rise soon confessed.

"Well, the students needed the day off after all that's going on in Tokyo. Not to mention the Future Leaders Summit soon for our student council members here." The Vice Principal responded in an uneasy manner. In actuality, it was to ensure none of the students would ruin this great opportunity. This place has only gotten wilder since the Phantom Thieves vandalized the place.

"Even after your Principal passed away?" Rise soon reminded.

"It was actually the other reason I had decided to cancel classes for the day." The Vice Principal soon confessed. "I had recently finished the interview with the perfect candidate as our new Shujin Academy Principal as well." He vaguely revealed.

"Oh. Well, I hope they get hired then. This seems like a pretty good school with just some really bad apples." Rise got out.

"Ah, but a few bad apples won't spoil the whole batch." The Vice Principal however informed. "We're even rehabilitating a rather dangerous student here. He's been improving since his transfer at the year. I assure you, with your help, Shujin Academy will bounce back from these incidents soon enough!" He then declared with a proud smile.

"I am the Unicorn Wizard, riding for justice on a comet of stars! With the help of my sidekick Princess Handjob~"

The Vice Principal soon blushed, having realized he had not set his phone to silent. "U-Uh, may I take this?" He then awkwardly and sheepishly excused himself.

"Sure." Rise replied, not minding the ringtone as the man left to answer the call. Everyone has their fetishes...including hers that she would not reveal to anyone other than her fellow members of the Investigation Team.

That being said...

"Not even trying...so fake..." Rise mentally groaned as she headed over to a nearby vending machine and tried to buy a can of Arginade, only to see it was sold out. "Really?...Damn..." She quietly cursed.

"Here." A mature, somehow seductive female voice got out.

Rise barely flinched as she caught the can without even looking. In her hand was a Dr. Salt NEO. "Huh?" She responded in confusion.

WHOOSH!

"They didn't have any drinks I wanted. I popped over to Triple 7 to buy something I actually liked." The same (and also familiar) voice casually informed as she leaned against a nearby wall and cracked open her own can.

In turn, her appearance gave the singer a shock.

"Ri-Rin-sensei!?" Rise gasped before quickly looking around. "Why aren't you at Hebijo? And why are you in your hot-for-teacher clothes?" She then asked in a whisper.

"Apparently, our most gracious investor is planning something, and he wants loyal people to begin setting up around Tokyo." Rin explained...and not minding that last comment about her attire.

"And he chose you as one of the first?" Rise had to ask.

"I volunteered." Rin answered. "And given the new, uh, opening here at Shujin, I might as well get the chance to finally investigate and observe with my own two eyes." She then explained.

"And...?" Rise then insisted.

"...Just this morning, there was a school-wide brawl." Rin informed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "If I stayed there for any moment longer, I'd die of alcohol poisoning." She soon confessed.

"You really need to stop drinking, sensei..." Rise got out in concern.

"I will when I have nothing left I should drink about." Rin responded with a shrug. "Besides, I've heard Dōgen is staying close to Tokyo for a very important event..." She soon added.

"..." Rise simply went silent by that information. She knew about the Hebijo investor through Rin on one of her calls or face-to-face discussions with her friends whenever they gathered together.

Rin quickly noticed her dear friend's expression and sigh. "Rise-san, I know you don't like it, none of the others do, but some people-" She began, however...

"-Need to die. I've heard this all before." Rise finished with a frown. "I know the law isn't perfect, they let out Adachi after all but..." She soon stated before trailing off.

"But nothing." Rin interrupted as she shook her head. "...Just...don't worry about it. I promise, after what he did to my students and his niece, Dōgen is the last life I will take. Suzune will die too as a result...but Rin will stay..." She then promised in a serious tone.

"...Alright." The singer soon relented. Stupid shinobi stubbornness. Like usual.

Although, she wasn't one to talk. She was pretty sure that shinobi stubbornness had rubbed off on everyone.

"For what reason is a teacher from an Evil Shinobi school doing in a civilian school?" A demanding female voice however asked aloud.

Rin perked up from the voice before slowly turning around to where the voice came from. "Daidōji..." She got out deeply as she noticed the tall woman standing outside near them.

"Rin-senpai..." Daidōji responded, with crossed eyes as she wore her teacher's attire.

"Why are you even here in the first place? Not even the other teachers are here." Rin questioned as she narrowed her eyes.

"Well, unlike you, I don't leave my post." Daidōji answered.

"You don't leave anything. Not even high school." Rin responded with a smirk. "I guess Kiriya-sensei had to forge a lot of documents to even reach the bare minimum needed to be qualified." She then added.

"You know I refuse to graduate until you stop being such a coward." Daidōji reminded.

"I guess graduating must be a real pain in the ass for you then, so you slacked off until you became a large-ass bitch wandering around the woods with those muscles of yours." Rin remarked in a smug manner.

"Hmph, for a teacher, you must have murdered a lot of kids along the way just to maintain your job at Hebijo." Daidōji countered. "You still drink?" She then assumed.

"Do you still need to count on your fingers to do math?" Rin asked as an insult, ignoring the question.

"Do you still makeout with that picture of Kiriya-sensei that you hide under your pillow?" Daidōji then countered once again.

"It's not under my pillow, you bitch." Rin hissed.

"Oh I'm sorry, I don't have a crush on men twice or half your age." Daidōji once again countered.

"I'm 26, you muscled dumbass. You're about the same age as me, or have the sharkbites to the head made you dumber than before?" Rin reminded and then insulted. "You are an insult to the intelligence of bricks." She then added.

"Well, I haven't met anyone who has outsmarted fists." Daidōji growled as she cracked her knuckles. "You wanna try?" She threatened with a lethal glare.

"Make the first move, and you know what's gonna happen already." Rin returned with the same expression.

The two stared down at each other with dangerous-looking glares and their respective auras leaking out and filling the entire lounge area near the vending machines greatly.

Rise simply looked at the two...while feeling the dangerous aura emitted from the two women. "Wow...I know we've been together for a long time, but...their combined aura still gives me the shivers." She then thought in her head, outwardly unfazed by the tension but still ready to run out of the crossfire should the need arise.

Daidōji and Rin continued their glaring contest for a while now, almost tempting to see whoever makes the other drop blood first...

...Before hugging each other and immediately easing the tension in the room.

"There it is." Rise sighed out in relief with a smile.

"It's been a long time...Rin-senpai." Daidōji remarked with a smile.

"It is...Daidōji." Rin replied with the same expression as well.

"...Senseis, Yu-senpai and Chie-senpai's wedding was at the end of July, on her birthday. We all last saw each other in August." Rise reminded. "I think you even said the same thing when we all met up at Junes." She soon pointed out, causing both women to blush as they separated.

"W-Well, three months is quite a while for us." Daidōji awkwardly coughed out.

"I understand. Still, it's good to see you two together again." Rise stated. "Anyways, why are you here, Rin-chan?" She then asked.

"Heh, I love it when you call me that." Rin chuckled. "Well, I came here because I was simply scouting the school where it all started." She soon revealed.

"Where the Phantom Thieves made their debut..." Daidōji added as she looked around at all the graffiti. "I'm surprised there aren't more tourists around to take pictures." She then remarked.

"Probably the fear of having the so-called mental shutdown." Rin assumed. "Tourism has dropped in Tokyo overall, and that was before the Phantom Thieves." She then added.

"Yeah, I came here too to do my own investigation." Rise soon admitted. "Maybe even talk to some of the Phantom Thieves themselves." She then added.

"Have you figured out who they are?" Daidōji asked anyway, already knowing more than the famous singer.

"I have my suspicions." Rise confessed. "Now come on, there has to be more to that than just scouting." She soon added.

"Well...let's just say that I will be officially involved in Shujin Academy affairs after a couple of weeks." Rin soon revealed. "I have to admit, it would be quite an experience for me being principal of a school." She then confessed in a casual manner.

That made Daidōji and Rise stare at the purple-haired woman in slight disbelief while the area went silent.

"What?" Daidōji finally got out, breaking the somehow awkward silence.

"Wait...Rin-sensei, did you actually-!?" Rise began to ask.

"I have." Rin confirmed with a nod. "It will be announced at a later date. There's a lot that needs to be done before then." She then revealed with a smirk. "I can already imagine Homura's reaction." She soon remarked in amusement.

"You know, I used to get annoyed that my folks tease me about stuff, but they are right. It is pretty fun to see young people so embarrassed!" Rise giggled as the other women joined in her laughter.

"Think we can get the others here too?" Daidōji suddenly suggested.

"The rest of our team?" Rin repeated with a frown. "I don't know. I don't want everyone to drop their lives and deal with another mad god or something," She soon responded and stated.

"To be honest, I'd rather not let them get involved directly." Rise admitted. "Let the new generation of Persona-users solve it, like you said." She then added.

"I guess, but if people start enjoying sickly yellow fog like last time we're gonna have to do something." Daidōji replied and then reminded.

"And we will." Rin sternly stated. "But we're adults now. We need to let the next generation lead us to a better world." She then reminded the two.

"Heh, no wonder you got the job." Rise couldn't help but comment.

"Jeez, now I have to call you my boss now or something?" Daidōji remarked in slight annoyance with crossed arms.

"You may still call me Rin during school hours, just remember to address me as sensei in front of these civilians, Daidōji." Rin chuckled with an amused smile.

"Oh good." Daidōji breathed out in relief.

"Jeez, remind me who has big boobs like you two in our group?" Rise had to ask as she couldn't help but notice the two kunoichi's large breasts. "Dai-chan, Rin-chan..." She then listed off.

"Naoto/Naoto-san." Daidōji and Rin finished in unison.

"It was like that five years ago, it will probably remain the same in the future." Rise responded.

"Actually, I heard from Kanji-kun that she got bigger." Rin recalled. "Urk, don't tell her I said that." She then requested in an awkward tone with a wince.

"Knowing Naoto, she will know about this the next time we see each other." Daidōji assumed with a shake of her head.

"That's our Detective Prince, alright." Rise giggled. "Though maybe it would either be Princess or Queen now." She then suggested in a joking manner.

"...And now you created more material to embarrass her with." Rin sighed out, though had an amused smirk on her face.

"Naoto is quite easy to tease anyways." Daidōji then muttered. The amount of time she had seen the girl blush despite how late she entered into the team was innumerable.

"...How did Naoto get bigger, exactly?" Rise decided to ask.

"Hm? From what I heard, it's a combination of good genetics and her shinobi training." Rin answered.

"Oh...okay." Rise got out in response with a nod.

"Do you actually want to have big breasts like ours, Rise?" Rin slightly sighed as she asked this.

"In some ways I desire to." Rise admitted. "And yes, I am jealous sometimes, okay?" She then confessed with a pout.

"Hey, didn't Yu-kun tell you that he doesn't care and that's just a Yosuke thing?" Daidōji recalled.

"I mean, Chie-senpai is the smallest and look at her now." Rise reminded. "Dai-chan's apprentice, muscles and all." She then added.

"I think we've seen plenty of her already." Daidōji started. "And Yu. And Yukiko. And Yosuke. And Kanji, Teddie and you." She then listed off.

"...Even in our nude states?" Rin suddenly added.

"..." Daidōji and Rise stared at her...before blushing a bit together.

"Hehe, remember our first mixed bath together?" Rin chuckled as she mentioned it with a blush sporting on her face as well. "We had to keep Teddie alive while we all bathed together. He passed out the moment he saw all of us naked and didn't wake for a long time until we finished our bath together and went back to our rooms." She then reminisced.

"That and maybe also the heat." Rise then assumed. "We had to keep fanning him in the hot baths and all of us had to clean his body together as a group. And for some reason, he doesn't even know what we did to him while he passed out, and we all agreed to keep it a secret from him." She then revealed with a snort, remembering that somewhat funny experience.

"And we still did the same thing on each mixed bath we went together. Kinda feel bad for him, I admit." Daidōji continued and admitted.

"Yeah." Rise agreed with a nod as she remembered that time. "...The other guys' bods were hot as hell, though, right?" She then casually reminded.

"..." The two kunoichi simply responded in silence while sporting blushes on their faces...before the three of them began giggling.

"We'll make plans for another private mixed bath somewhere in the future." Rise decided all of a sudden. "After the mental shutdown stuff goes away and everything goes back to normal." She then added, earning snickers from the three women.

"Okay. Anyway, so just a heads up, Daidōji, any interesting people I need to look out for here in this school?" Rin decided to ask ahead, deciding to change the subject.

"Many, actually." The Shujin gym teacher replied. "In fact, there is one particular person that can pique your interest as well, Rin-senpai." Daidōji soon informed as she pulled out her phone and showed it to the Hebijo teacher. "Here." She offered.

In response, the purplette took the phone as she looked to see who it was. "...Akira Kurusu?" Rin read out as she narrowed her eyes.

"...You recognise him?" Daidōji got out, interested in how her close friend remembered the guy's name on the phone.

"How can I not?" Rin mumbled under her breath. She had heard his name from Crimson Squad many times, plus his appearance on that variety show. "He does have a physique similar to Leader here, I can tell." She then observed.

"Why are you commenting about his body, sensei?" Rise however asked. "Oh, are you still into younger guys~?" She then teasingly assumed.

"...The boy is actually a person of interest already." Rin however revealed in a more serious tone, despite the blush on her face.

"Hm? How so?" Rise questioned with interest.

"Well, the reason why the boy is a person of interest already for me is that the five Elites from Homura's group have already met him." She then explained.

"...Does he know about the existence of shinobis then?" Daidōji questioned with crossed eyes.

Rin pondered at that for a second. "I have a feeling that he does." She eventually replied. "But somehow, Homura trusts him." She then revealed.

"And she isn't the type to trust people, I'm assuming." Rise frowned as she assumed.

"Yes." Rin confirmed with a nod. "She's...went through a lot before I found her." She hesitantly revealed.

"That's the story of a lot of shinobi out there." Daidōji got out.

"Speaking of shinobi, more and more shinobi groups have come to Tokyo now..." Rise commented, starting to worry a bit. "Milky Pop and A.R.C. Angels are planning to come to Tokyo for a concert. A good excuse to check out what's going on here." She soon revealed and stated.

"Hanzō is planning to send the team here on a more permanent basis while the new wave will stay at the school to continue their training." Daidōji then revealed.

"And Hebijo is ready to send their teams at any time...barring a major betrayal." Rin then stated.

"Hm?" Daidōji hummed out in a curious manner.

"Long story short, some of the current Elites want to leave." Rin revealed. "They're finally seeing past Hebijo's bullshit." She then added.

"You think we'll be able to convince them to join Hanzō?" Rise questioned.

"That's a whole other matter entirely." Daidōji sighed as she shook her head. "Even the Good Shinobi side has problems that need correcting." She then admitted as the others nodded in agreement.

"And day by day, Tokyo is getting more and more dangerous and that will only increase the longer the Phantom Thieves are around." Rin stated. "Tokyo is a big city, but shinobi are very good at finding out who's who..." She soon reminded.

"This is only going to get worse before it gets better, isn't it?" Rise groaned.

"Most things we deal with happen to do so." Daidōji grumbled. "It's why ShadOps exist." She then reminded.

"That reminds me, is Koro-chan's puppy still lost?" Rise soon asked.

"Yes. Mitsuru-san is still searching for her." Rin answered. "At this point, all I can hope is that she has a good owner." She then muttered in concern.

---

(Hebijo Academy, Training Grounds)

It had been hours, but it was done.

The fields were scarred and scorched by flames, but they were slowly dying down.

The fighting was over and everyone had not come out unscathed.

The new wave girls sat together, surrounded by their enemies as they rested their bodies.

Mirai and Yomi were unconscious, yet had smiles on their faces as they had fought a good battle.

Hikage was simply laying on the ground, unable to move yet still conscious, looking up at the as suddenly, the sun managed to break through the thick layer of clouds above.

And finally, Murasaki stood on the pile of defeated opponents, just as naked as everyone else, with her bloomers raised into the air triumphantly as rays of the sun shined down upon her, not even caring about her current state. "VICTORY IS OURS! EI! EI! OH!" She cheered with pride.

"Arf arf! AWOOOOO~" Poochie barked and howled while sitting on top of the purplette's head and wagging her tail.

Her owners were awesome.

---

(Shujin Academy, Courtyard)

"I hope she finds her soon." Rise sighed.

"Yeah..." Rin and Daidōji responded with a nod.

"...Wait." The soon-to-be future Shujin principal suddenly got out while blinking as the gears in her head began to turn.

"Huh?" Rise got out as she watched her sensei think. "What is it?" She soon asked.

DING!

"Oh, daughter of a bitch." Rin suddenly swore as she covered her face in humiliated embarrassment.

"Eh!? Sensei!?" Rise exclaimed.

"It's...It's Poochie..." Rin suddenly got out. "Frickin' Hebijo was the one that took Koromaru's pup..." She groaned in anger.

"..." Rise and Daidōji blinked...before the singer summoned her microphone stand.

"Let's go talk to those bastards." Rise growled with a very scary look in her eyes that even caused the two shinobi to flinch.

"We're not charging into Hebijo." Rin sighed out. "Poochie is being well taken care of by Hikage. Very well taken care of in a very protective manner. Besides, I didn't come all the way here just to go back." She revealed and then reminded.

"I'm texting Mitsuru..." Daidōji muttered. "She deserves to know where she is now." She then stated.

"You think she'll launch an entire mission to get her back." Rise responded.

"She's launched missions for lesser reasons." Daidōji pointed out. "However, she isn't so cold-hearted that she would take the puppy away. She probably just wants to let Koromaru see his daughter again." She then added.

"Right." Rise nodded to that as she flicked away her microphone stand into disappearance. "Still, Koro-chan's pup became this Hikage girl's therapy pet?" She then asked in a more curious manner.

"In a way, yes. Poochie helped Hikage gain emotions." Rin revealed in a serious tone before smiling softly. "And also drugs, but Poochie contributed a lot." She then explained.

"I'm sorry, what was that about drugs?" Rise blinked.

"Don't worry about it." Rin waved off. "Simply put, Poochie helped Hikage become a better person and became a reason she and the rest of their group want to leave Hebijo." She then concluded.

"All that from a puppy?" Rise got out in slight interest.

"No, Hebijo is a hellish school that needs to be blown up and rebuilt from the ground up as well as on the inside, but Poochie is just one of their many reasons." Rin quickly added. "Anyways, I think the Vice Principal should be coming back." She soon informed.

"Oh, I sort of forgot about him." Rise realized as she got out. "I don't even think he told me his name..." She then recalled.

"Well, I don't remember ever meeting the man before so I assume he isn't that important." Daidōji soon admitted with a shrug.

"How could you be here for much longer than me and yet you don't even know that?" Rin questioned in disbelief.

"And you do?" The PE teacher questioned with narrowed eyes.

"Yes. I asked for it. Like a proper teacher." The purple haired woman deadpanned.

"...Can you tell me th-?" Daidōji requested all of a sudden.

"No." Rin immediately and bluntly stated.

"Prude." Daidōji scoffed.

"Dumbass." RIn grumbled.

"Obasan." Daidōji teased with crossed arms.

"Muscle-tits." Rin countered with hands on her hips.

Daidōji and Rin stared at each other...before snorting in amusement.

Rise meanwhile giggled as the two interacted. It was just like the old days...and during the days of her friends wedding.

"Sorry for the wait, Kujikawa-san. My wife was asking me to buy vinegar." The voice of the Shujin Vice Principal appeared along with footsteps, signaling his arrival.

"Oh, it was nothing. I was just talking to-" Rise began before seeing that she was alone. "...Right, school was supposed to be empty of students and teachers." She mentally stated while keeping up her polite facade. "To...myself. I do that sometimes when I'm bored." She quickly lied.

"Ah, well, I know creatives tend to do that." The Vice Principal responded with a nod of understanding. "Now let's continue our tour. I know you'd love the gymnasium." He then decided as he went on ahead.

Rise nodded before she began following the Vice Principal. However, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed two people on the rooftop...waving their hands at her.

She simply rolled her eyes at them in response before heading into the building with the Vice Principal. "Sometimes I hate it when they do that..." She then thought in her head with a sigh...before flipping the bird at the two without looking back as she entered.

Daidōji and Rin meanwhile were on the rooftop, looking down at their friend entering the school.

"Hehehe, still as funny as always." Rin giggled.

"I've rarely seen Rise holding up the middle finger at someone." Daidōji couldn't help but mention. "Guess we've done it too often." She then pointed out.

"Well, there are plenty of other ways we can amuse ourselves with our abilities." Rin reminded.

"Right." Daidōji nodded as they turned away from the courtyard and checked out the rooftop.

"...What a nice garden." Rin couldn't help but notice the row of plants being well-kept.

"Ah, yes, one of the students has taken it upon themselves to create and maintain it." Daidōji informed. "Ever since the, well, incident here, no one has access to this place but her." She then added.

"Do you know who it is?" Rin soon asked.

"Yes, and as it turns out, she happens to be an Okumura." Daidōji answered.

"No." Rin gasped with widened eyes.

"Yes, though the students don't know about it for some reason. She's quite sweet." Daidōji informed with a smile.

"Tell me more." Her best friend urged.

"Well..." The gym teacher began.

And with that, the two continued talking throughout the day, catching up like the old friends they were.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Backstreets)

"It's just over here!" Asuka revealed as she sprinted to the entrance.

The pinkette soon followed as she noticed some things nearby the entrance where the brunette was. "Oh, how convenient." Miki admitted with a smile as she followed the brunette. "Oh, there's also a laundromat? That is helpful as well." She then added.

"Yep. Let's hurry into the changing rooms." Asuka cheerfully responded.

"Hai." The pinkette responded as they entered the bathhouse.

---

(Bathhouse Women's Changing Room)

After the two paid to go in, they were given locker keys as they entered.

The pinkette started to tie up her hair after putting her hat in the locker.

At that moment, the two began to strip themselves down...

BOING!

With the two being lucky they were the only ones there.

The brunette's eyes soon widened as she looked at her friend's lacy black mentionables. "Such bold underwear Miki-chan." Asuka got out in awe.

"Ufufu~ Why thank you Asuka-chan." Miki giggled out as she looked at the brunette's forest green lace underwear. "And yours suits you well too." She then complimented.

"I have been told I need to branch out into different colors and patterns..." Asuka soon admitted as she unhooks her bra. "I used to only have white underwear before coming to Tokyo." She then confessed.

"White isn't a bad color for you. I think it suits you nicely." Miki replied as she took off her bra. "White is the color that represents purity after all." She then added.

"Right. And I am the cute girl next door of the agency!" Asuka soon reminded herself while sliding down her panties.

"Exactly Asuka-chan, very good." Miki praised as the two looked at one another before the pinkette took off her panties and neatly folded her clothes before putting them in the locker.

The brunette then did the same as they then got themselves towels.

"Oof. It's a bit hotter than I expected." Miki noted as she entered the bathhouse. "Give me a second to adjust." She added

"Hai." Asuka replied while glancing at the pinkette's impressive body.

"Hm? Do you like what you see, Asuka-chan?" Miki assumed while doing one of her iconic seductive poses.

"It is impressive." Asuka confessed as she then mirrored the pinkette's pose. "How about mine?" She then asked.

"Your figure is good and you still have a few more growth spurts remaining as well." Miki responded and revealed.

"Huh? Really?" Asuka responded in a curious manner.

"You're starting your career at about the same age I did after all." The pinkette replied.

"Huh, how convenient." Asuka admitted, blinking a couple of times.

"I told you a little about my debut back in September. Do you want to hear the full story while we soak?" Miki responded and offered as she approached the bath.

"Hai!" Asuka happily replied as the two held hands and headed in.

---

(Women's Bath)

"Ahhhh~" Asuka breathed as she sank into the water, the duo of models were now bathing together in a large bath full of various helpful minerals in the water, soon feeling her worries wash away.

"You're probably wondering who scouted me, first off." Miki began as she lowered herself into the water.

"Hai, it would be nice to hear about this Miki-chan." Asuka replied and admitted with a nod and a smile.

However at that moment, the pinkette jolted up from the feeling of the warm water. "Ooooooh~" Miki soon got out in a satisfied manner, her voice sounding an octave higher.

"Eh?!" Asuka yelped in shock at suddenly getting splashed.

"Sooooo goooood~" Miki sighed out in a relaxed manner.

"Hehe, sounds like you're satisfied." Asuka jokingly assumed with a giggle.

"I am." Miki confirmed with a nod. "Just like every other bathhouse out there." She then breathed out.

"And our breasts look like they're floating here, hehe." Asuka meanwhile noted, seeing how her large breasts appear like they're floating on the water.

"Wow, it really looks like they're floating, huh." Miki jokingly noted as she allowed her bust to be exposed.

"Hehe, yeah." Asuka agreed with a giggle. "So, who scouted you, Miki-chan?" She soon asked. The brunette was now curious how the pinkette got involved with modeling as she got into the water as well.

"I was scouted by none other than Feather Pink herself: Yukari Takeba." Miki revealed as she slid back down into the water.

"Eh!? She's in the business as well!?" Asuka asked in surprise.

"Hai. Modeling can get you scouted in many forms of jobs." Miki responded with a nod. "God this bath feels good! I don't even feel any urge to discharge!" She thought to herself.

"...Does she have large breasts like us, too?" Asuka decided to ask ahead without hesitation somehow.

"Well...not as big as ours per say, but up there." Miki revealed. "Still, she showed promise and the sex appeal was something else coming from her." She soon admitted in an impressed manner. "To say her training was hard was an understatement." She then admitted.

"Wow..." Asuka breathed out in amazement. "Oh! Like that Bootyland commercial you did." She then added in realization.

To that, Miki blushed. "Y-Yeah..." She awkwardly responded as she then stood up. "My butt was good, right Asuka-chan?" She then suddenly asked.

"It was. You must do a lot of work to have such a good backside and legs." Asuka replied. "I guess you exercise a lot too?" She then assumed.

"I do. Especially to maintain one's figure according to the documents they send to potential clients." Miki replied. "For the younger models like you and Ann-chan, there's some wiggle room to account for the final stages of puberty. But once you become an adult, it's a lot of hassle to get approved to be able to change unless it's an emergency." She then explained.

"Wow..." Asuka breathed out in awe as she processed all of this information.

"Though I wonder if that accounts for the rumors I have been hearing in regards to Big Bang Burgers..." Miki rhetorically mused.

"Hm? Which ones?" Asuka asked, though she had a feeling she knew which ones it was.

"Eat the burgers, get bigger breasts. That's what one of my roommates said." The pinkette replied as she glanced at her own bust. "...Speaking of, gotta make sure to inform Hyōki-chan about that. I swear I went up a cup size or two when I attempted the challenges they got there." She mentally recalled.

In response, Asuka sweatdropped. "Ah, those ones. I've heard of them too." She confirmed with a nod. "...At least we don't need to be any bigger." She jokingly pointed out as she looked at their half-submerged busts.

"Indeed. One of my roommates may go past the three-digit threshold should she even have one bite of it..." Miki responded with a giggle.

To that, Asuka blinked as she imagined that. "...That...That is honestly concerning." She confessed.

"97cm big. I-cup. As well as just a bit taller than you." Miki revealed.

"W-Wow..." Asuka got out, surprised to learn the measurements and cup size.

"Though she's not one of your fans though..." Miki admitted.

"Huh?" Asuka got out as she blinked to that as she then felt the pinkette taking her hand under the water.

"Then again, she's not interested in the modeling business..." The pinkette explained. "She...went through a lot in life." She vaguely added in a more sympathetic tone.

"Oh." Asuka responded as the two continued chatting with one another for a while.

---

(Backstreets)

About half an hour later, the models left the bath house, looking fresher than ever.

"That bathhouse was amazing!" Miki declared once more as she dusted off her hat before putting it back on.

"Definitely coming back here again?" Asuka guessed with a smile.

"Definitely. With my roommates as well." Miki responded and added with a smile of her own.

"That sounds like a good idea for you and your roommates." Asuka replied as she adjusted her clothes.

"Indeed. Shall we head to the spa?" Miki soon suggested as she adjusted her jacket.

"We shall." Asuka responded as the two headed out of the bathhouse and for the pinkette's car hand in hand.

---

(Inokashira, Inokashira Park)

Today was supposed to be a stress-free day...but idiots had to ruin it.

"Who the fuck throws away a whole umbrella!?" Homura grumbled as she tore the fabric off the thing.

Homura, for the past two hours, had found trash littering the park and had taken it upon herself to properly dispose of it. However, while it wasn't totally filthy, she had found some discarded treasures that were better off keeping.

Such as a stolen bike missing a front wheel.

Luckily, Hebijo trained her for this.

"I wonder if the owner has a new bike by now..." Homura wondered as she rode her makeshift unicycle with plastic bags of trash over her shoulders, ignoring the strange looks she got as she passed by. "I guess if I get a new wheel, it'll be as good as new. I better look up bike shops..." She then decided as she took out her phone. She'll go there afterwards.

After properly disposing of the trash, she made sure to hide her new bike away before she went another lap around the park to cool down.

However, she soon stopped when she noticed a pair of siblings walking by the lake. One of whom she recognized in an instant.

"Suzu?" Homura called out, noticing her fellow committee member as she began to approach her.

"Homura?" Suzuka responded as her little brother hid behind her. "Hey, how's your day off going?" She got out in a pleasant manner.

"I'm doing well. Just doing some community service." Homura replied before seeing the little boy hiding behind his older sister. It was Sakuya, the boy she had talked to in Mementos. "Hey, little guy." She greeted.

"H-Hi..." The little boy replied weakly.

"Aw, come on Sakuya, you've been talking to every kid in the neighborhood but you're getting nervous now?" Suzuka got out in a teasing manner.

SLAP!

Suzuka got smacked at the thigh by her younger brother in revenge. "Ow! You little brat..." She mumbled, although she did have a smile on her face even as she rubbed the sore spot.

"Hehehehehe..." Sakuya snickered.

"You shouldn't hit your sister, young man." Homura however scolded as she shook her head. "Apologize to her, now." She then instructed.

The little boy gulped as he blushed. "Y-Yes, m-ma'am. Sorry, Onee-chan." He soon apolgized in an honest manner (while subtly stealing glances of the tan skinned girl).

"It's fine." Suzuka assured before looking ahead, noticing a couple of kids playing around. "Hey, I think I see your friends over there. Why don't you play with them while I talk to my friend from school here?" She then suggested.

"Haaaiii." Sakuya replied before going on ahead to play with people his age.

"Ah, to be young again..." Suzuka breathed out before pulling out her phone to take some pictures of this precious moment.

"Suzuka, you're 16." Homura reminded in a flat tone.

"17." Suzuka corrected while snapping more photos.

"You know, he seems a lot better than described." Homura soon commented. "I haven't really seen you around school since, well, you know..." She then added before trailing off.

"Since he ran away from home." Suzuka finished, her happy smile lessening as she let out a sigh while she put away her phone. "Yeah, that was...not a great day, but...he came crying back all on his own. Turns out, he was hiding in the back of the house." She added before sheepishly revealing.

"...He never left home?" Homura realized as she asked.

"I don't think he knew where he would go. Sakuya's a smart kid, even if the little idiot wanted to get himself killed." Suzuka assumed. "But he was apologizing, crying, he just wanted to be close to me all of sudden. It was...kind of overwhelming. I cried with him." She then revealed and admitted.

"Wow..." Homura breathed out.

"Yeah. After that, I've been doing my best to be there for him, which meant skipping committee duties." Suzuka concluded before bowing down. "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you, but...family comes first." She then added.

"I understand that." Homura replied. "As much as I want to make Shujin better, if the school burns down in the middle of class, the first thing that'll be on my mind would be if Asuka was safe." She then admitted while sheepishly scratching the back of her head.

"Gee, thanks for thinking about your fellow students..." Suzuka playfully grumbled.

"You just said family first. Asuka is my family now too." Homura countered with a pout.

"Well, the school isn't going to burn down because you're here helping it, buchou." Suzuka stated with a smile before realizing what was said. "Wait...really? The one from your class is your sister now? That rumor was true?" She then asked.

"Rumor?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Well it was either that, or you two started dating/engaged to each other..." Suzuka mumbled while scratching her cheek.

"...I am going to hunt down whoever is telling these baseless rumors and then-" Homura began before stopping as she realized what she was about to do. "S-Sternly lecture them." She quickly corrected herself.

"Can't exactly blame you for being pissed, buchou." Suzuka admitted. "I'd suggest sending them Ikki-sensei's way. At least her punishments are legal but can still make you wish you were dead." She then suggested with a smirk.

"I'll...keep that in mind." Homura soon got out, making a mental note before her eyes widened. "Oh, I almost forgot. I got these for you guys." She then stated as she revealed a small bouquet of familiar flowers from seemingly out of nowhere.

"Daffodils?" Suzuka gasped.

"You know the flower?" Homura questioned as she looked at her friend.

"Yeah, they're our favorite. I always wanted to get them at a flower shop but never had the time or money." Suzuka responded as she clutched the bouquet close to her chest. "Thank you, Homura." She then added.

"You're welcome. I'm just glad to see Sakuya is safe." Homura replied with a smile.

"Hehehe...I think he has a crush on you." Suzuka suddenly teased.

"What?" Homura got out as she tried to comprehend that. "I just met him today..." She then added. Well, his real self anyways...

"Yep, it was love at first sight." Suzuka stated before letting out a dreamy sigh. "Like the Phantom Thief you are, you managed to steal his heart. It's something you cherish as an older sibling. You can use that as ammo to tease them in their later years." She then got out with an amused smile.

"Ugh, stop it." Homura gagged...only before blinking at what her friend just said. "...Huh?" She then got out.

"Homura, it's kind of obvious if you think about it." Suzuka soon stated with with her hands on her hips. "I tell you what happened to my little brother and suddenly he's all remorseful? That had to be a change of heart done by someone close to me. And by close, I mean standing right in front of me." She then pointed out and explained in detail.

"...I don't know what you're talking about." Homura scoffed as she rolled her eyes, hiding her panic. However, she soon flinched as she felt Suzu hug her as tightly as she could.

"Homura." Suzuka sniffled as she whispered into her friend's ear. "Thank you. And I promise to keep your secret safe. Whatever happens from here on out, I'll be by your side, no matter what."

"...Thank you, Suzu." Homura replied with an honest smile, feeling their bond strengthen even further.

I am thou, thou art I.

As the vow of the crimson flame is formed,

The blood oath is set.

Now with the secrets of the Star by your side,

The forged path of this bond shall burn bright.

Granting unlimited power in turn.

STAR RANK MAX!

Costless Summoning: Star - Joker can now summon Star Personas without having to spend money.

Suzuka soon let got and straightened out her outfit. "Alright, that's all off my chest now..." She breathed out in relief. "Hey, wanna hang out for a while? You don't look like you're doing anything particularly important today." She soon suggested.

Homura shrugged. "Sure. We haven't really seen each other outside of school much." She then replied.

"Alright, we'll let Sakuya play here for an hour before I take him home." Suzuka stated. "I think you deserve a little reward." She then added with a smile.

"Is it meat? Or crepes? Meat crepes?" Homura soon guessed, starting to drool a little at the thought.

"Eh...we'll decide on the way." Suzuka responded with a shrug before smiling at the scene in front of her. "I'm just glad Sakuya now has the courage to make friends. Actually, he's doing way better than me when I was his age." She then breathed out.

"Hey, whatever happened to that bastard, anyways?" Homura asked as they watched Suzu's little brother play with some other kids.

"Huh? Oh, the parents rallied together once they realized what he was doing to their kids." Suzuka answered. "Got his teacher's license revoked and he's being investigated by the police. It kinda sucks I didn't get involved..." She then added, sighing a little at that last part.

"Nah, I think your brother living a successful life is the best kind of revenge." Homura stated with a smile.

"Heh, true." Suzuka responded with a giggle. "I guess those days are behind us now. I can live with that." She then admitted.

"Now we need to make sure idiots like him don't happen again in our school." Homura stated.

"Yeah, I agree." Suzuka nodded. "No one else is getting hurt on our watch. I swear it." She then declared as they quietly watched her little brother enjoy his life while they sat together, taking in the peace and quiet.

---

(Asakusa, ?)

The pinkette soon drove the two all the way to as they soon arrived at an Icelandic themed building that looks like it was carved out of a glacier. The sheer engineering that has gone into it is astounding even to those who know nothing about architecture.

"This...this is the spa?" Asuka breathed out in awe.

Miki in response nodded. "Hai Asuka-chan. Welcome to the Frá Stelpum til Gyðja Spa." She replied as she parked. "The name means 'From Girls to Goddesses'." She then revealed the translation.

"Wow..." Asuka got out as she watched the pinkette get out of the car and gather the stuff she bought. "Eh? What are you doing, Miki-chan?" She soon asked in confusion while getting out of the car herself.

Miki in response smiled. "One of the amazing things about this spa, if you just came from shopping for clothes, you can bring them in where the staff will actually wash and prepare them for you so you can wear them when you leave." She then revealed.

"I see..." Asuka responded, her confusion allayed.

"So come on and get your clothes so we can head in." Miki instructed, causing the brunette to nod and get the clothes she just bought. "Hm?" She suddenly mused as she noticed a few familiar vehicles to her.

"Is something wrong, Miki-chan?" Asuka asked while holding her bags.

"Looks like my colleagues are here." Miki revealed with a smile.

"Oh? Your roommates or someone else?" Asuka asked as the two started walking to the spa.

"The other models that Fukawa-san manages." The pinkette explained.

"Ah." Asuka simply responded as they got closer. "Wow..." She breathed out once more in amazement.

"It's a lot warmer than it looks inside. Trust me." Miki replied and reassured.

Asuka in turn giggled. "Obviously." She replied as they entered the building.

The interior is lined with flawless black granite on the floor with ornately carved wood furniture everywhere. The support columns look like ice with ornate Viking symbols carved into them. The walls have ornate tapestry-like stories carved into them.

As Asuka looked around, she took in everything she saw. "How did I never notice this place back at Hanzō Academy?" She thought to herself.

"Look. Those four girls are the ones I mentioned earlier. Shall we greet them?" Miki informed and suggested while pointing at one of the waiting tables.

To that, Asuka nodded as she followed behind the pinkette while getting a good look at them.

One had incredibly dark skin and platinum blonde hair with pale gray eyes. She was wearing a dark green knee-length jacket with a white dress underneath and, for some reason, no shoes.

The second has pale brown hair with blue eyes and a muscular build. and was wearing a blue unzipped workout jersey with a black undershirt, black jeans and blue sneakers.

The third had pale skin with vivid purple eyes and wild blonde twintails with the tips ending in a multitude of different colors. She was wearing an all black-ensemble consisting of a tatty leather jacket, torn fishnets, black hotpants, black boots and an 'A.R.C. Angels' t-shirt.

The fourth was slightly overweight and had black hair, thick glasses with red eyes behind them and a lot of freckles. She was wearing a plain, long-sleeved, pale pink one-piece dress with white stockings and pale pink pumps.

"And that is fuckin' why that dogfucker Shido is gonna get nailed by those Phantom Thieves someday." The twin tailed blonde stated.

"I'm surprised you follow politics that much..." The girl in the blue jersey admitted.

"I personally think Shido may have a short-lived victory as well..." The girl in the glasses got out.

"Oh! Miiiiiki's heeeere..." The dark-skinned girl informed as she noticed the pinkette.

"Hey, isn't that the Rising Rookie with her?" The blue jersey wearing girl assumed.

"Well, I guess we gotta fuckin' introduce ourselves then." The blonde twin tailed girl began. "Name's Junko Tsukikage." She then revealed.

"I'm Hana Hirano. Um, don't look at me so much..." The glasses-wearing woman continued and requested.

"Aya Kuzuryu. I hope we get to work together." The girl in the jersey responded.

"Aaaaand I'm Erika Tsukino...~" The dark haired girl revealed in her hypnotic drawl.

"Oh uh...hi there." Asuka responded, surprised at being put on the spot like this. "Um...Asuka Shirokage. It's nice to meet you all." She then introduced herself in an awkward manner.

"No need to be nervous Asuka." Aya advised as she approached the junior model.

"First time bein' here huh?" Junko guessed.

"It's only natural given she'd debuted earlier this year..." Erika pointed out.

"Yeah, getting to the big times this fast in record time." Hana stated with a nod.

"'Bout the only one quicker is Miki over there..." Junko added.

To that statement, Miki just playfully winked.

"Well since we're all here, even the new girl, I say we get things rolling." Aya decided as she playfully slapped the brunette on the back, causing her to nearly lose her balance.

"Careful Aya-chan. She's only a second-year at high school." Miki cautioned her tall and muscular colleague.

"Ehehe...Sorry Asuka..." The big tomboy nervously apologized in embarrassment.

"Hehe, I'm fine." Asuka reassured. She barely felt it and only reacted because it surprised her.

"So, the most expensive treatment like usual?" Miki suddenly assumed with a smirk.

"Of course. But can the rookie actually pay for it?" Hana responded.

"If she can't, then we support her. It's our fuckin' duty to help the juniors when they need it." The punk model suddenly decided.

"H-Huh!?" Asuka got out in confusion and shock as the older models nodded in agreement while heading to the receptionist.

Hi, welcome to Frá Stelpum til Gyðja. The usual treatment for you five?" The clerk behind the counter greeted and assumed before noticing the brunette. "And you must be Miss Shirokage." She then added. "You've been quite the topic amongst these five for a while." She soon revealed.

"O-Oh, um..." Asuka awkwardly started, but trailed off, not knowing exactly what to say.

"So innocent...~" The dark-skinned girl teasingly got out.

"Relax Asuka-san. It may seem intimidating at first to get recognised, but it's something you'll have to deal with as you ascend higher..." Hana advised.

"Exactly. Especially if you want to spread your brand of charm across the world." Miki added.

"I'll have the same treatment as the others." Asuka soon decided with confidence to the clerk.

"Alright then, six Goddess Spa Treatments then." The clerk confirmed with a nod.

"Let's get the gig going!" The punk model declared with a fist pump as they headed to the lockers.

In the locker room, the six start to undress themselves to get ready.

"Distracted by my muscles and big boobs Asuka?" Aya assumed as she took her shirt off, revealing some skin and her bra as well.

"A little." Asuka admitted with a nod as she folded her own shirt and placed it in her locker. "Are you just a model?" She then assumed before starting to unclip her bra.

"I teach weightlifting classes at my family's gym on the side." The muscular model casually replied as she removed her pants. "My motto is to train hard and work harder. I could probably deadlift Miki's car and Junko's motorcycle at the same time." She then soon revealed.

"I see." Asuka responded with a nod as she then looked at the other girls as she removed her bra and started to go for her pants. "How about the rest of you?" She then asked.

"You first, Hana." Aya called out while unclipping her own bra.

"M-Me?! I-I'm just a college student with majors in finance and world history." The glasses wearing girl responded as she adjusted her glasses before pulling down her pants.

"That's pretty impressive." Asuka admitted as she placed her recently removed pants and panties and placed them in her locker, leaving her finally nude before getting a white robe and white slippers on.

"I'm next." Junko got out with a raised hand, now fully nude. "I'm a fuckin' backup guitarist for idols that need an extra axe." She started with pride as she got a white robe and slippers on as well.

"Idols...I actually have a friend that's an idol." Asuka repeated and soon revealed.

"Really now?" Miki got out in an interested manner as she removed her own panties, finally in the nude.

"Hai, though she recently started in the idol business." Asuka explained with a nod. "But she's really giving it her all either way." She then reassured in a confident manner.

"Is that so? I see. Good for her." Junko replied with a smirk. "Maybe I'll meet her sometime." She then added.

"Probably one of her meet-and-greets, if her managers and company arrange that." Asuka added to that before turning to the last member of the group. "So, what do you do Erika-chan?" She then asked in a curious manner.

"Oh, I work at my family's spiritual shop in Ueno..." The dark haired girl dreamily revealed. "If you need stuff like incense, good luck charms and the like...I'm your girl..." She then reassured.

"I'll have to make a note on that." Asuka replied with a nod and a smile to how unique all the girls were as they were all soon in matching robes and slippers.

"So before we get started, can I ask something dumb from you two?" Junko suddenly requested.

"Go ahead." Miki prompted, almost already knowing what was going to ask.

"How did you two get those big-ass tits?" Junko soon asked. "Any secrets you want to share?" She then added.

Asuka blinked at that, though then sighed. "Well um...you see..." She began in an awkward manner, unable to find the right words.

"Genetics." Miki simply answered instantaneously.

"Eh?" Junko got out in confusion.

"Um...yeah! It's just simple genetics!" Asuka quickly replied in agreement, noticing the smirk of approval from the pinkette.

"Awww..." Junko got out in disappointment. "If only there was some way to make my tits big..." She groaned with a pout.

Miki approached her and patted her shoulder in empathy. "You'll find a way. Without the need for some ridiculous plastic surgery." She reassured in a mature tone.

Asuka began thinking of a certain boobs-loving blonde, imagining what would happen if she would grope the hell out of these four girls...and gain cup sizes in the process. "...Yeah, I'll keep that to myself for now." She thought to herself.

"I wanna have big boobs too..." Erika had to confess.

"Me too." Hana got out.

Aya instinctively placed her hands on her own chest.

Upon hearing that, the pinkette and brunette glanced at one another and sweatdropped.

"Miki-chan..." Asuka whispered in an awkward manner.

"Yeah, I know, let's change the subject." Miki replied in a whisper as well.

And with that, the two nodded in agreement.

"Hm? What's up?" Aya soon asked.

"Look, big boobs or not, you're all still sexy in my eyes." Miki soon confessed with a hand on her hip.

"Eh?" The other girls minus the youngest of the group got out in unison.

"Yeah, you all have the sex appeal to match with your bodies." Asuka confessed with a smile, the words coming to her naturally and full of honesty as she placed a hand on her hip as well. "...Huh, where did that come from?" She however thought in a curious manner before shrugging it off.

It was probably nothing.

"We do?" Junko got out in a curious manner.

"Of course you do." Asuka and Miki replied in unison, causing them to blink and look at one another as they then giggled.

"...Have you all tried Big Bang Burger lately?" Miki soon asked, albeit reluctantly.

"!" Asuka's eyes meanwhile widened to that.

"After the stuff with Okumura, no thanks." Junko remarked as she crossed her arms over her chest as the others minus the youngest of the group nodded in agreement.

"Plus all the grease those burgers got too." Aya added in disgust.

"No junk in the trunk for me." Erika stated.

"S-So unhealthy..." Hana mumbled while unconsciously rubbing her stomach.

The youngest model meanwhile watched as the others kept talking about their dislike for the fast food branch for varying reasons. "That's...quite a change of subject..." Asuka soon thought to herself, though was also relieved as she glanced at the pinkette, who winked at her, causing her to wink back in approval. "Wow~ Looks like Miki-chan knows what she's doing~" She then added in her head, impressed by her friend's ability in subject changing. "So, what is the Goddess Treatment exactly?" The brunette eventually asked aloud this time to get things back on topic, getting the attention from the others.

"Hehe, we're not going to spoil the surprise." Hana replied in amusement.

However, just as that was said...

"Why don't you open the door first, Asuka-chan?" Miki soon suggested.

The brunette tentatively opened the door to reveal a big massage room filled with many ways for a girl to become a goddess styled like an ice-and-granite version of a Viking longhouse interior.

The ornate carvings were everywhere from the walls to the support pillars to the massage equipment.

The junior model's jaw drops in awe.

"Shocked? I don't blame ya. Do I have to carry you?" Aya replied as she ruffled the brunette's hair.

"Asuka-chan, prepare for the treatment of a lifetime." Miki soon declared with a smile. "And into a new you." She thought to herself.

"Greetings. We hope to make sure you have a pleasant time." A soothing and mature male voice sprayed out from the nearby ceiling speakers

The small militia of female masseuses dressed in Valkyrie-themed bikinis greeted the sextet of models.

A pleasant tune soon started to play from the speakers from the ceiling.

"Please. To the massage table." The head masseuse in her gold-and-purple bikini instructed.

"Who are we to deny them...?" Erika pointed out as she took her slippers and robe off. Her nude slender body combined with a fairly large backside and thick legs is on the table.

"Hana-chan, do you need my help?" Asuka meanwhile offered the glasses-wearing ravenette as she struggled to get on the massage table.

"In case you're wondering, Asuka-san, my image is the intelligent nerd girl. Do not be concerned about my flabby body. It is part of my appeal." Hana replied as she laid her nude body on the massage table as well.

To that, Asuka nodded as she laid herself down on the table with her nude body, noticing how...comfortable it was.

"Make sure you don't fall asleep..." Hana advised.

"Hai..." Asuka responded as she got herself comfortable while listening to the pleasant and soothing music.

"They even custom made a special table for Aya..." Erika revealed as the sextet started to be covered in massage oil.

"Because she's too tall for the normal ones?" The brunette assumed.

"And admittedly a little too heavy as well..." Aya bashfully responded.

"I...see..." Asuka responded as the sextet's eyes all started to become a little hazy...

"Heh. Hope you're ready to have your mind blown freshie..." Junko got out.

"Now then...time to...relax...and enjoy..." Miki slowly concluded.

"H-Hai..." Asuka quietly murmured.

The sextet's eyes were soon all hazy as they quietly laid on the tables.

The massage starts and it is like the tide, eroding away all the tension in the group's muscles...

"Heh...looks like the freshie couldn't take it..." Junko remarked as it looked like the youngest of the group passed out.

"Not yet...I can't pass out here..." Asuka responded as she woke up.

"Oh...You're...tenacious. I like you!" Aya got out and declared with a smirk.

"Asuka-chan...is far tougher than she looks..." Miki revealed with a proud smile.

"This is fuckin' interestin'..." Junko eventually noted.

"Hehe, I have been able to handle Ranze until now after all." Asuka reminded, her voice laced with confidence.

"I won't deny she had it coming...~" Erika replied.

"Still surprised you said no to going international like us." Aya admitted.

"I just feel like it's a big step for me at the moment and I want to be at my best before I do so." Asuka replied.

"No shame in wanting to do that." Hana noted.

"Hai." Asuka responded in agreement as the sextet relaxed themselves again, their eyes once more going hazy as the music filled the room.

"Become a new you~ The 'you' of your dreams~ The 'you' as a model goddess~" A soothing voice calmly instructed from the speakers once again.

The brunette could feel her whole body's tension and worries being swept away.

"A new...me..." The sextet all mumbled at the same time, completely relaxed and at ease.

It was as though all of their concerns were a mere memory.

"This place always does wonders for my soul..." Miki breathed out. "It is though...it purifies it..." She then slowly confessed.

"Like one o' my guitar solos..." Junko added.

"Yeah...I can see why you girls like this place..." The brunette conceded.

The sextet soon sighed in satisfaction as they just embraced the soothing yet hypnotic voice's instructions.

"Wonder how Asuka-san is going to change, ehehe..." The bespectacled girl curiously whispered.

"It's always fascinating to see how one changes here." Erika whispered back in an uncharacteristically intellectual manner.

All the women in the massage tables began drifting off like an effect of something potent washed over them and their minds as they relaxed.

---

(Okumura Foods HQ, Rooftop)

Yagyū simply stared at the busy city below while standing on the edge of the Okumura Foods HQ rooftop high above, the wind blowing her twintails and her clothes. "I miss you, Hibari..." She breathed out.

Today was her last day in the city, so she would head back to Hanzō and switch with the last person waiting to come to Tokyo, Katsuragi, in taking care of Okumura.

She couldn't help but frown at that. Sure, he ate and slept properly, but Okumura still hadn't left his study in quite a while, ever since the calling card was sent and his heart had changed. So far, there was still nothing really major happening to Okumura. It was either a change of heart...or a mental shutdown, which was the last thing she wanted to happen.

The company wouldn't collapse without him (she knew he made sure of that), but there were talks she had been hearing. Kicking him off as CEO and placing in someone more...in line with the company's overall goals, which was the impossible state of infinite wealth. At least, that's what she thought.

However, her main concern was Haru. She had tried to hide it, but she had seen her worry privately in her room, waking up in the middle of the night to try and check on her father, and always breathing a sigh of relief when she saw him.

It was like...she was checking if he was even alive. Was it the guilt of putting his name on the Phan-Site? Was it because of her naturally caring nature? Or...was it something else she wasn't thinking of?

Well, it was too late to ask now. She will be leaving soon. She could only put her trust in Katsuragi in making sure everything turns out fine like the past months.

The kunoichi soon heard a door opening behind her, but she didn't turn around, knowing the presence was not hostile or something different.

"Yagyū-san?" A voice asked from behind her. It was one of the security personnel of the building. "Vice President Takakura asks you to be in his office." He informed.

"..." Yagyū continued looking at the view in silence as a sort of response.

"I need a response, please." The security staff member stated once again.

Yagyū took a deep breath. "I'll be on my way." She eventually responded.

"Thank you." The staff member stated as he bowed before leaving the kunoichi alone.

Yagyū stayed on the rooftop for a little bit more before heading down to the Vice President's office.

---

(Hallway)

However, on her way there, Yagyū passed by the meeting room, where she began hearing people talk inside.

After taking a look around to make sure the coast was clear, she pressed her ear against the door and listened.

"Are we sure this update is correct?" Yagyū blinked when she heard the voice. It was the Vice President. Guess he wanted her to wait until he returned.

"It was recently sent by their principal and leader." Yagyū also recognised that voice. It was a board member. There was currently a board meeting happening in one of the meeting rooms.

"So they have all of their members."

"All twelve of them are now active...jeez..."

"Leo, Virgo, Gemini, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Libra, Taurus, Aquarius, Aries, Cancer and Pisces."

"Do we have each of their individual files?"

"Only five of them, for confidential reasons. Leo, Virgo, Gemini, Scorpio and Sagittarius. The rest are currently away on other missions and needed to keep their identities and profiles top secret."

"I see. So you're saying only five of them will personally come here to our headquarters to do their duty, yes?"

"That is correct."

"Will it be one by one similar to the Hanzō shinobi, or will the five of them go together this time?"

"Two of them, Leo and Virgo, will arrive together since Virgo is the personal bodyguard to Leo. As for the other three, they will arrive on Leo's command, so they're pretty much on standby somewhere and waiting for their leader's orders."

Yagyū meanwhile narrowed her eyes to all of this information. This all seemed like trouble to her.

"To think the group of Elites is entirely composed of women...It's not like I don't doubt their abilities, it's just...it's something you don't see everyday."

"Well, their school is an all-girls school, of course it's all women, you fool."

"I know that, ma'am, it's just that...the fact that our company's safety and dignity will rely on this group of young women. One led by a second year student acting as the actual principal of their school."

"Rest assured, they will do the best of their abilities to protect this company. You do remember their track records, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am If anything happens, they'll be the ones responsible, correct?"

"Unfortunately for them, yes, they must take responsibility for anything that goes wrong in this company. We're their clients now, so their clients' wish is of top priority."

"Again, are we all certain with this decision? It doesn't exactly help with our CEO still out of commission."

"These damn Phantom Thieves putting more and more problems to our fucking table... Should we inform the Elites about the Phantom Thieves situation as well?"

"No need for that. They're already informed about the damn slippery group."

"And what do we do about the Hanzō shinobi? According to them, there's still one other shinobi left waiting for the switch."

"Cancel their payment, but make sure they don't discover this until the last minute to get our money's worth. They failed in their objectives in protecting Okumura from the damn Thieves, at the very least we can save that money for more important endeavors."

"You're lucky the Zodiac leader was willing to take this job for free due to her connection. According to Sir Okumura, their families were very close."

"I know that, idiot. You don't have to reiterate shit I already know!"

"One more thing, ma'am. Is the final Hanzō shinobi transfer still in effect at this point?"

"What do you think, you dumb oaf!? Just because they're now doing it for free doesn't mean we don't need them! They're still our tools, and we need all the help we can get to protect our fucking company!"

"A-Apologies for asking, ma'am. Just something to clarify."

"Any more concerns from the rest of you here? You? You? No one? Good. Start preparations to contact the Zodiacs."

"Yes, ma'am."

"One more thing. When the Zodiac Elites are now on active duty, observe and record their every action and movement to see if they're worthy of payment as a reward for their efforts. Meeting adjourned."

At that moment, Yagyū decided to stop listening there. She had heard enough. "They're planning to stiff Hanzō Academy and replace us." She quietly growled.

This could be bad. A good chunk of Hanzō's funding came from missions. If they lost this payday, this might put things in dire straits for them. Worse, Kiriya-sensei might be livid with this new development...and maybe the Good Shinobi Council.

However, Yagyū was also a bit curious from hearing that last bit. "Zodiac? Twelve Elites?" She mentally repeated. "Why have so many...? And why would they do this for free?" She muttered with a frown.

She was going to have to inform the others back at Hanzō Academy about this.

But for now, she needed to get to the Vice President's office before-

"Gyū-chan?" A familiar voice got out in a curious manner.

Yagyū turned her head and noticed a certain heiress standing at a distance in the hallway before the latter began approaching the former. "Haru." She only got out as she saw the auburn-haired girl.

"Are you...leaving right now?" Haru weakly assumed with a somewhat worried expression on her face.

"...Soon, I just need to pack." Yagyū confirmed with a nod after a slight pause. "...Why aren't you at school?" She then suddenly asked.

"It got canceled for the day, so I decided to come here to check on things." Haru revealed.

"That's not your responsibility." Yagyū reminded.

"Yes, it does, Gyū-chan." Haru however responded. "You're my friend, and I care about you deeply like the others." She then confessed in a no nonsense tone while placing both her hands on the kunoichi's shoulders.

"Can we go someplace else, Haru?" Yagyū decided to ask in slight concern. "I wish to talk in private with you for the moment." She then explained in a serious tone.

"Okay, I know a place." Haru responded with a nod. "Follow me." She then instructed.

Yagyū nodded to that as she followed the heiress down the hall before entering another room.

"A...random meeting room?" The shinobi got out in concern. "Aren't there cameras here? And I'm pretty sure they record what we're saying here. Couldn't we just use a janitor's closet?" She soon stated.

The heiress was quite aware, but she learned something very interesting as a Phantom Thief. "Gyū-chan, set up a barrier." Haru soon instructed.

"Hm? Oh, I see." The white haired girl got out, nodding in approval once she understood. "Shinobi Kekkai!" Yagyū called out as she made certain hand signs before the two vanished.

---

(Yagyū's Shinobi Kekkai)

When the world came to be, it became similar to the meeting room like they never left, but this time, it became an entire tint of purple with some ikayaki on the table.

"Now we can talk without worry." Haru stated with a breath of relief.

"Smart thinking. Using a Kekkai to hide our presence and voice." Yagyū got out in an impressed manner. However, she soon looked confused when she saw Haru. "Hm? Haru, is that...a mask?" She then noticed.

"Eh?" Haru got out before her eyes widened. Crap! She forgot her mask appears when inside a Kekkai! "E-Excuse me? What mask?" She then got out in confusion.

"The...mask on your face?" Yagyū pointed out, frowning.

"Hm?" Haru hummed out before touching all over her face for her mask. "I don't feel a mask there. Is everything okay?" She soon questioned, hoping the other girl was buying it.

"I...N-Never mind." Yagyū soon relented. While she was not seeing things, maybe it would be better to leave it be for now.

"So...what do you wish to talk to me about?" Haru soon asked, reminding the shinobi why she had created the Kekkai in the first place.

"...Okumura Foods is planning to leave Hanzō Academy unpaid for our service and hire another group of shinobis." Yagyū soon revealed in a serious manner.

In response, Haru gasped in shock. "Isn't that illegal?"

"And you're shocked after hearing about your father's business practices?" Yagyū countered with a raised eyebrow. "Especially what he tried to do to you?" She then reminded.

Haru simply laughed weakly in slight embarrassment. "S-Sorry." She apologized.

"It isn't that far off the mark he'd hire similar-minded people just as ruthless as him..." Yagyū soon muttered.

"Oh no..." Haru whispered as she shook her head. "Who are they replacing you with?" She then asked.

"I...I'm not aware of this faction." Yagyū confessed. "Only that they are doing it for free." She then revealed.

"...For free?" Haru repeated in confusion. "Are you sure?" She then questioned.

"Hai, it seems you have a personal connection to their leader." Yagyū informed.

"I do?" Haru got out in surprise before taking a moment to think. "Hmmm...is it Kumo-chan?" She then wondered.

"I didn't hear a Kumo of any sort, but Zodiac signs." Yagyū responded as she shook her head.

"Zodiac signs..." Haru repeated as she placed a hand on her chin. "That's the first I've heard of it." She soon revealed.

"Could it be that you've forgotten?" Yagyū assumed.

"Well, I'v met quite a few shinobi families and made more than a few friends from them, but that was all before I was even in middle school. I can't remember everyone..." Haru replied in a shameful manner.

Yagyū sighed. "I didn't expect you to. Too many people and their faces begin to blur. I couldn't tell you the difference between all the enemies I've faced. Actually, they all look the same to me." She then confessed.

"I wish I could help more." Haru mumbled.

"You've done enough." Yagyū assured. "I need to go now. I have to meet with Vice President Takakura now." She then informed.

"Wait, what about your pay?" Haru questioned.

"We'll work it out. We always do, somehow." Yagyū waved off as she tried to leave, only for the heiress to grab her shoulder.

"...Let me pay you for your hard work instead, Gyū-chan." Haru soon offered. "And I insist. Hanzō Academy has already done so much for me already." She then added.

"There's no need." Yagyū replied as she shook her head. "They were right, our group failed in protecting your father. Even if you wished for his heart to change, that doesn't change the minds of others from the outside. Besides, I have no doubt that your accountants are going to be less lenient with your spending." She then stated, looking a little ashamed.

"I'd rather get in trouble than not take care of my friends." Haru declared.

"Haru, I know you have access to a lot of money, but not-" Yagyū tried to explain, however...

"Name it." Haru interrupted with a frown on her face.

"18 billion yen plus tax." Yagyū answered in a blunt manner, almost reluctantly.

"Done." Haru however replied with a serious look on her face this time. "I'll send it to your group as soon as possible. Not now, but at a later time." She then added with a smile.

"Haru, that amount of money is going to lock you out of all your accounts!" Yagyū informed with a widened visible eye. "You can't help people like you could before." She then stressed.

"Money is worthless when it comes to my friends." Haru however stated. "Besides, I've found my own methods." She then confessed.

"Methods?" Yagyū got out curiously with one eyebrow raised.

"A girl has her secrets." Haru vaguely responded as she then giggled...which began to turn slightly creepy as she imagined herself sharpening her axe against a Shadow's ribcage and its spine.

Yagyū noticed this and took a step away. "Um, I won't make you reveal what your new method is." She soon decided, mostly out of fear.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about, Gyū-chan." Haru reassured her with a decent smile this time. "Anyway, Katsu-chan is the last person to be sent here, right?" She soon asked.

"Yes." Yagyū confirmed with a nod. "And I doubt my friends will like the news about our client's company canceling our payment." She then muttered.

"...I'll make it up to you someday, I promise." Haru responded in reassurance.

"Haru..." Yagyū whispered. Always willing to sacrifice even at the cost of herself...noble, but ultimately something that would ruin them in the long run.

"No buts about it." Haru stubbornly stated with her hands on her hips.

Yagyū sighed in slight defeat and relief.

They both hugged each other tightly.

"Stay safe, Haru." The white haired girl advised.

"You too, Gyū-chan." The fluffy haired girl responded.

"I really do need to head to the Vice President's office, so please allow me to go." Yagyū soon informed as she dropped the Kekkai.

"Sure." Haru responded with a nod as she let her friend go. "I hope to see you once again under better circumstances later." She then got out.

"...I do too." Yagyū replied before leaving the meeting room, leaving the heiress along in the meeting room.

Haru meanwhile narrowed her eyes to what she learned.

...

...

She might inform the rest of the Thieves of this new development. Later, once they have their group chat once again.

---

(Okumura Foods HQ, Vice President's Office)

By the time she arrived, she knew Vice President Takakura was already inside. However, she didn't have much of a care for that currently, given what she knows.

"Just because we're Good, it doesn't mean we are mere doormats..." Yagyū thought as she opened the doors and stepped inside. "Takakura-san. I apologize for being late." She politely greeted with a bow, seeing the person who called her standing behind his desk.

"Yagyū, correct?" Takakura recalled.

"Yes, sir." Yagyū replied with a formal bow. "You wish to speak with me?" She then assumed after bowing and approaching in front of the businessman's desk while keeping a certain distance just in case.

"Yes. I heard it was almost time for your switch." The Vice President assumed.

"I will be leaving after this meeting." Yagyū confirmed with a nod. "Is there anything you wish to discuss with me?" She then asked.

"Well, it was supposed to be about the changes you've made here, but something recent has come to my attention." Takakura replied. "Be honest, you overheard the rest of the company discussing hiring another shinobi faction." He then accused.

Yagyū resisted the urge to flinch. "I-I did no such thing." She assured.

"There's a security camera right outside the door." Takakura pointed out in an unamused manner.

Yagyū simply froze in silence...before bowing dearly. "I apologize once again for my improper behavior, Vice President." She soon apologized. Welp, there goes any remaining goodwill they had left.

"And I also apologize for the rest of Okumura Foods' decision." Takakura eventually got out in shamshame. "You did your best regarding protecting the CEO." He then stated.

Yagyū still bowed in shame and silence. Suddenly, she heard paper being torn out. Raising her head, she spotted a check being slid over to her.

"10 billion yen paycheck for Hanzō Academy." Takakura revealed, gesturing towards the check. "Don't tell anyone about this, Miss Yagyū." He then instructed.

Yagyū reacted in slight surprise to this request. "S-Sir, this is...I can't accept this." She got out in disbelief.

"I insist." Takakura insisted as he gestured to the kunoichi to come forward. "You and your fellow shinobi comrades deserve it for your hard work, at least. Especially with that pink-haired friend of yours. Hibari, was it?" He then stated and recalled.

"I'm surprised you remember her name." Yagyū had to admit as she approached the Vice President's desk.

"Yes...I noticed her experience in working here during her turn, and it's quite unreasonable for getting a whole earful about something out of her control. Even when she chased the intruders off at the time." Takakura responded in a sympathetic manner.

"Hm, I agree. Hibari did not deserve such treatment." Yagyū stated with a nod as she took the cheque and looked at it thoroughly as if she was making sure that it was actually real and legit for a cheque with a large amount of money stated on it.

"Well, if you are leaving, then do not be afraid to ask for help." Takakura advised her.

The white haired girl nodded to that as something came to mind. "...What can you tell me about this new faction, sir?" Yagyū eventually asked.

"Hmm...from what the other board members told me, they are more formal and professional in terms of their behavior and nature." Takakura answered. "Considering that they're quite an Elite group similar to yours, and the fact that their associated school is the all-girls type, it is safe to say that they are dedicated in their work as young women of power and skill, and because of that, their track records are somehow perfect for ." He then continued.

"An all girls school..." Yagyū repeated in a curious manner.

That would get Katsuragi's full attention...in a bad way...a very bad way...

But then another concerning thought came to mind. "...Are they an Evil Faction?" Yagyū soon assumed, hoping for the worst.

"I can confirm that, unfortunately." Takakura shamefully replied in confirmation, earning a look of disbelief from the kunoichi.

SLAM!

Instinctively, the white haired woman slammed her hands on the table in front of the man. "The company is planning to work with Evil Shinobi!?" Yagyū exclaimed in surprised anger and disbelief by the sudden reveal of information.

"I'm afraid to say that Okumura Foods has always been working with both Good and Evil." Takakura however revealed with a sigh. "Whatever is most convenient at the moment." He then stated.

"...Is that how Okumura was able to transform this company to what it is now?" Yagyū assumed.

"I don't know. I'm not Okumura-san." Takakura responded in a serious tone as he shook his head. "All I know is that the leader of this faction is also a childhood friend of Haru from what they mentioned." He then explained.

Yagyū narrowed her uncovered eye. No one from the Evil side would do something out of their own goodwill. There had to be an ulterior motive. "...Keep the dirty money." She decided as she slapped the check back on the desk.

"Hm?" Takakura got out, almost thinking that this was expected to happen.

"On the behalf of Hanzō, I refuse to accept such charity from a company that plays both sides." The white haired girl declared in a serious manner. "I'll tell my superiors, I'll ensure this will never happen again and you will no longer have access to Good Shinobi ever again." She then promised.

"..." Takakura felt concerned by that warning. "...Is there at least a chance to reconsider, Yagyū-san?" He soon asked, looking almost pleading.

Yagyū almost refused out of principle before she stopped herself. Maybe, if he was being honest, she could take advantage of this. "...Hand me the details of this new faction that's being brought in." She demanded.

Takakura frowned before nodding. "...Of course. Give me a moment." He soon replied before began searching his drawers.

"I didn't think you'd give it up so easily." Yagyu admitted, eyeing the man with a suspicious look..

"I do not want your superiors to get their full negative attention toward us due to this new development, so I was hoping you would keep this conversation between us and not tell any of your friends and your superiors about this development by the company." The Vice President explained.

"And how can you trust me with that?" Yagyū then countered.

"I don't. I just hope that you will consider your close friend, Haru, at the very least, in case she might get caught in the middle with the hidden hostility and division between both factions." Takakura responded as he took out a white folder with a gold emblem with a Z on it surrounded by the marks of the Zodiac. "Here. As a sign of my faith in the efforts of the Good Shinobi factions such as Hanzo despite having affiliations with the Evil side as well." He then stated as he slid the folder over.

Yagyū studied the folder for a second before taking it. "...Thank you."

"Feel free to read it now if you wish." Takakura soon suggested.

"I'm not going to stand here and read it in now-labeled enemy territory." Yagyū got out with a frown.

"...I understand." Takakura responded with a nod. "Yagyū-san...I just wanted you to know that it is not my intention to break the trust of the Good Shinobi due to the actions of my CEO and the decisions of the board. I wish things could've been different." He soon stated and confessed with a sigh.

"I'm afraid they've lost that privilege a long time ago, we just so happen to be made unaware until now." Yagyū responded. "And yes...I was thinking of the same thing as well. If you'll excuse me." She then added before beginning to leave with the info she had.

"..." The Vice President frowned before clearing his throat. "Yagyū-san, can you tell me the difference between Good and Evil Shinobi?" He suddenly questioned.

"Hm?" Yagyū hummed out. "Aren't you aware of how that works?" She soon questioned.

"Yes, but I want your explanation." Takakura however responded and requested.

"...Good Shinobi work under the government to further national interests. We do not use our powers for personal gain, and will always help other fellow Good Shinobi. But Evil Shinobi are nothing but mercenaries who work for whoever pays them better, such as corrupt organizations like this. They are all out for themselves, nothing more." Yagyū recited.

Takakura in turn nodded to that response. "But they perform the same missions, do they not?" He soon questioned. "Don't they lie, steal, and kill whoever their client requires of them?" He then pointed out.

"T-There is more to that than this." Yagyū replied as she regained her composure from being asked that. "While secret, we are all sanctioned by the government." She then added.

"Even so, you still do those things without question." Takakura soon stated. "After all, it is for the greater good, isn't it?" He then reminded.

"Right." Yagyū confirmed with a nod.

"And what has that greater good resulted in?" Takakura then asked.

"Well...we've prevented plenty of secrets being stolen, wars, and all such things that must not be part of the public consciousness." Yagyū soon recalled.

"And are you not aware that Evil is capable of doing the same?" Takakura questioned. "How many lives have they've saved when Good has turned them away?" He soon asked.

"...It ensures only the best of the best are chosen..." Yagyū hesitantly answered.

Takakura in turn nodded, glad that the girl was getting it. "And not those who need a second chance." He responded. "Good...Evil...it does not matter to us. Only what they serve us, and they have very similar services, from the looks of it." He then revealed.

"What is the purpose of this?" Yagyū eventually asked.

"You can be both blinded by darkness and light. Too much, and you will never see the truth. Not everything is as black and white as it appears to be." Takakura stated in a wise manner. "There are also gray areas that the shinobis deny the existence of." He then added.

"..." Yagyū was soon silent as she processed this information.

"Keep the money, please, Yagyū-san. Ensure it is used for good this time." Takakura soon instructed. "Just because the world is made up in shades of gray, it does not mean brighter colors cannot shine through." He then concluded.

"...Fine." Yagyū relented, taking the check once again from the desk. "Farewell, Vice President." She then muttered.

"Thank you. Oh, and before you leave, be sure to tell Haru to cancel her 18 billion payment reward on you. Tell her about me working on your payment instead." Takakura replied and instructed.

"...I will." Yagyū responded, a bit surprised about him knowing about Haru's act of pure generosity.

"I'll look forward to the arrival of your last Hanzō Elite member. If you can, please put in a good word for me and maybe only me, for your friends. And safe travels back home." Takakura replied and then advised.

Yagyū simply turned around.

WHOOSH!

...Before vanishing on the spot like a shinobi as usual.

Well, that could've gone better. He could only hope he had not asked for too much in exchange for keeping things on the down low. But now it was all up to Yagyū and her decisions.

The fate of Okumura Foods could very well rest on her shoulders now.

"Okay...now to deal with this Sugimura cunt..." Takakura started as he began thinking of a plan on dealing with the prick's family.

---

(Asakusa, Frá Stelpum til Gyðja)

Meanwhile, the sextet were now in a different location of the luxurious spa, this time with a different treatment than before after they finished. The six girls were now in the mud bath treatment, each girl in separate individual bath tubs. There were also one or two female attendees nearby, just in case the girls requested something while under their treatment.

"So, how are you liking this so far Asuka?" The big tomboy asked as the six tackled a mud bath treatment while in the nude nonetheless.

"Like, it feels totes amazin'." Asuka responded with a grin. "I like, feel my skin's gettin' smoother by the minute." She then added.

"Valley girl. Like Miki-san." Hana noted.

"Looks like I won this bet..." Junko got out in an unnatural and sorrowful tone.

"It's great to have someone like me fer shuh!" Miki meanwhile confessed excitedly.

"A true modeling duo." Aya soon noted.

"Fascinating." Junko in turn got out.

"Osaka accents too." Hana meanwhile noted.

"Mochizuki-san does originally come from there..." Junko soon reminded.

"This place is a-may-zing, Miki-chan!" Asuka soon declared to the pinkette.

"Told ya it would be Asuka-chi!" Miki replied with a wink.

"And there's still more to come." Hana vaguely revealed.

"You'll certainly enjoy it." Aya added.

"Yeah I am!" The brunette responded. "So like, what's next after the massages and mudbath?" Asuka soon asked as the soothing music continued playing, relaxing the sextet again.

"Hope you like fish, Asuka-chi..." Miki suddenly and vaguely responded.

"Huh?" Asuka got out as the sextet's eyes became hazy again.

"Become a new you~ The 'you' of your dreams~ The 'you' as a model goddess~" The soothing voice calmly instructed once more.

"A model...goddess..." The six soon mumbled at the same time while droning in satisfaction.

After some time, the six had exited the mud baths to head for the next part of their spa treatment, sashaying their hips in unison like they were walking down a runway.

"Looks like you totes got the walk down, huh Asuka-chi?" Miki noted in amusement, noticing the young brunette checking her hands in a fashionista-like manner.

"Of course." Asuka responded in a confident manner. "Having the walk down perfectly is important when doing runway shows after all." She reminded with a smirk...and a hint of smugness in her voice.

"Hehe, you sure you aren't Miki's student? That's something she would say." Aya jokingly assumed and revealed.

"Two peas in a pod." Hana noted in amusement.

"Heeeeh? I sound like...Miki-chian?" Asuka got out in a curious manner as she looked at the others with a head tilt.

"Yeah, Asuka-chan. It's like I'm seeing two Miki-chans. Like the two of you being twins or something like that." Erika admitted.

"Miki tends to talk and behave like that around us whenever we are at work." Junko meanwhile recalled.

"Wait, really?" Asuka responded, sounding surprisingly curious about this. "I wonder how I suddenly behave like Miki-chi...that came out of nowhere from me." She thought to herself while mentally smirking, though for some reason liking how that sounded. "...How interesting~" She then offhandedly added in her head.

"Oh my, I guess I have an addictive personality!" Miki soon praised. "And I'm not even doing anything." She meanwhile thought in a proud manner.

"That's not what addictive personality means..." Erika however pointed out.

"You know what I'm trying to say." Miki scoffed, causing the others to giggle as the group made it to the next room.

"Okay, we're here!" Junko got out in excitement.

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out in a curious manner as the door was opened, revealing a massive pool, though this one seemed different as she noticed something on the water. "Are those...fish?" She soon asked.

"Hai, think of this like a fish pedicure, but for the entire body instead of just feet." Erika revealed and explained. "It leaves your body all soft and smooth." She then added.

"Yeah. It's a miracle for a job where you're standing up and walking for so long." Aya got out.

"Or running around and fighting for your life." Asuka and Miki couldn't help but add in their heads. They were so gonna enjoy this.

"Also, we're not doing this naked. That would be really weird, especially with all the fish around our bodies." Erika assured. "There's a locker that has special swimsuits just for this treatment." She soon informed as she pointed over to another part of the room.

"Yeah, having fish around my naughty bits doesn't sound quite as relaxing..." Asuka had to admit with a blush. The mud bath and massage made sense for nudity, but for a full body fish spa, it would be quite ridiculous or absurd.

"...Good point." Aya replied in agreement with a nod, along with the others nodding in agreement as well.

With that, the six went over to a staff member, who in turn gave them the swimsuits they would be wearing, simple black bikinis.

After a while, the six girls were now in their tight black bikinis along with their hair caps, goggles, and (surprisingly by the staff) specially-made breathing tubes and started to proceed to the pool.

"Hehe, simple they may be, these bikinis are actually sexy~" Miki confessed with a smirk. "Basic black is always hot." She then stated.

"Yeah, it barely covers our sensitive areas as well, hehe~" Asuka replied in agreement, a similar smirk on her face. "And it makes us all the sexier." She soon added.

The other girls meanwhile looked at the duo with interest. "Oh yeah, definitely alike." Junko remarked in an impressed manner.

"Miki is a really good mentor." Erika admitted.

"I guess that's why Miki's stuck training that Ranze girl." Aya reminded.

"Don't bring her up!" Asuka and Miki however demanded in unison before pouting childishly. "That bitch is just a brat." They then declared at the same time.

The others however giggled to that response. "Hai hai. Remember, tt's supposed to be a relaxing day, everyone." Erika soon reminded.

"Right. Don't forget to tuck your hair up before putting on your swim caps, ladies." Aya instructed as she put her swim cap on and prepped her specially-made breathing tube as well as goggles.

"Gonna be interestin' to be on the reverse side of the coin, Asuka-chi..." Miki then added as she started putting her hair up.

"Hai, Miki-chi." Asuka responded with a nod as she did as instructed before looking at what was in the room. "This should be easy for me. I've done this kind of training before." The brunette thought to herself.

"Easy does it when you're going in. You don't want to scare the fish." Aya advised the youngest of the group.

Asuka in response just nodded.

Hana soon slowly lowered herself down the ladder followed by Junko and Erika, to which Aya, Asuka and Miki then followed suit.

"Get used to the water before submerging..." Junko sullenly stated.

"Got it." Asuka responded.

"You put the tube on like this." Hana instructed as she put hers on.

"Make sure it's tight unless you want to be sucking in water." The muscular model instructed as she got hers on.

It's a unique feeling as the junior model is swarmed by fish.

It slightly tickled, but the feeling soon passed by for Asuka. "This is totally calming..." The brunette thought.

If this was the path to being a model goddess, Then, she would undergo this a hundred times.

Miki meanwhile was loving the experience as she embraced it before swimming over towards the brunette. "Divine as always..." She thought to herself as she felt the fish focus on her boobs while she looked at the brunette and the two smiled at one another. "I love this experience..." She thought as the fish focused on her backside.

"Miki-chi has been so good to me today..." Asuka meanwhile thought. "She must be really lonely at the top." She then added in a sympathetic tone. "Her group is really lively..." She soon thought with a smile as her eyes then became hazy again. "To be a model goddess..." She then suddenly thought. "It's a tough path...Maybe even harsher than the one of Shinobi..." She mused in her head.

Asuka eventually looked at the top of the pool as the fish continued swarming over her body.

After a while, the lighting in the water shifted from light blue to deep red as the six models re-emerge from the water and make their way to the ladder.

"So, how was it Asuka-chi?" Miki asked as she dried herself off.

"It was totally meditative and my skin is, like, so smooth!" Asuka replied in amazement with a starry look in her eyes as she felt up her skin.

"There's still six more parts for the Goddess Treatment." Hana revealed, exciting the brunette.

"I-Indeed." Aya meanwhile stammered as she dried her abs.

"Wow, so much." Asuka got out in awe as the sextet relaxed themselves again, their eyes once more going hazy as the soothing and hypnotic music filled the room once again.

"Become a new you~ The 'you' of your dreams~ The 'you' as a model goddess~" A soothing voice calmly instructed.

"Hai~" The sextet responded in perfect unison.

---

(Asakusa, Sky Tower)

DOKI! DOKI! DOKI!

Hyōki had been the first to arrive at their chosen hangout spot. Actually, she had arrived two hours earlier. She had gotten ready and left as soon as she got the call to spend time with her crush.

Mostly to avoid teasing from her teammates again.

"Okay, Hyōki, all you've been doing with Ryuji-kun so far is just spend time with him, and that is fine enough but I can't be passive anymore! If you want to have a chance before any unworthy bitches steal from under your nose, you're gonna have to be more active! Or else you're going to be alone for the rest of your life and all you have left is Yōma and killing everything!" Hyōki then muttered to herself in a slight panic. "No, wait wait, Ryuji-kun had mentioned this Katsu-chan before and he might have a thing for her too. What does she even look like!? Is she pretty!? Is she cute like me!? Would I even have a chance!? Ah moh!" She however thought, mentally panicking more as the questioned form in her head.

Unknowingly, the fate of all shinobi, maybe all of humanity, would be decided by the actions of...

"Oh shit!" A voice cursed aloud.

THUD!

This guy.

"Effin' rock! Why is it here!?" Ryuji grumbled as he kicked the rock away before brushing himself off. "Yo, Hyōki-chan." He then greeted with his usual mannerism.

"Ryuji-kun. Hi." Hyōki greeted, relaxing herself as a result. "Are you okay?" She then asked in concern.

"Nah, that's nothin'. Don't worry." Ryuji assured. "I can't believe you got a day off." He then breathed out.

"O-Oh, yeah." The ravenette responded with a nod.

"Real convenient huh? Didn't think your school would need to get fumigated on the same day." Ryuji soon chuckled in amusement.

"Y-Yeah." Hyōki stated almost nervously. "So uh, why the Sky Tower?" She then decided to ask him in a curious manner.

"Huh? Oh, uh, some of my friends suggested this place. I think they got some professional pictures taken here." Ryuji explained. "Uh, are you afraid of heights?" He soon questioned, mentally cursing to himself for not asking that beforehand.

"N-No." Hyōki answered. There was no way she could tell him about her father's training to get rid of her fear of height...probably 'cause he wouldn't believe she was thrown out of a helicopter multiple times.

"You sure?" Ryuji then asked.

"I am. Now let's go." The ravenette responded and requested.

"Alright then." Ryuji responded before they both headed inside. The dyed blond paid for both their entry tickets and then pressed the elevator button. Moments later, the elevator opened and the two went inside. In some form of chance, no one else entered along with them. After a short while, the doors closed and the elevator began going up.

While in the elevator, the two were simply standing together as the elevator went up, waiting to get to the top.

"Nice view of the city here, don't you think?" Ryuji couldn't help but say as he noticed the view of the spectacular city outside the glass wall.

"Hai." Hyōki replied with a nod as she watched the view as well.

"Heh, Tokyo Tower's kinda nice." Ryuji commented as he gazed at the traditional landmark of the Tokyo city skyline.

While the dyed blond was distracted by the view, Hyōki secretly stepped back just a little bit in order to...take a peek underneath her own shirt. There was her cleavage and large breasts, along with a black lace bra holding her breasts up. "...Should I be forward a little bit? It might get him interested." She muttered to herself so her crush wouldn't hear her before shaking her head. "...Wait no, that would be a Miki-like move." She then reminded herself in her head.

"You ok?" Ryuji soon asked in a casual manner.

Hyōki perked up from the voice and stopped what she was doing. "Nothing, nothing, just...checking if I have enough layers on. Since it's getting colder now." She responded and explained. "...That was such a lame excuse!" She mentally chided herself.

"I mean, the whole place is air conditioned, so...yeah, it is pretty cold here. And yeah, winter's comin' up, too." Ryuji responded and admitted.

Hyōki nodded as they both continued waiting to reach the top floor while constantly glazing the outside view.

Meanwhile, Ryuji had his own thoughts in his head. "Katsu-chan, Hyōki-chan...jeez, they just had to have big boobs, cute faces and hot bodies..." He then thought as he suddenly imagined the two of them being in such skimpy bikinis, the blonde's being blue while the ravenette's was black, and himself on nothing but swimming trunks, talking casually together like it was a normal thing for them and even skinny dipping on a pool or beach together.

To that, Ryuji's nose bled a little, but completely wiped it away with his free hand before shaking his head with a serious expression on his face.

No...he was not gonna start thinking like that asshole...

Not like Kamoshida...

Soon enough, they had arrived at the observation floor of the Sky Tower. They exited the elevator and then walked towards the glass window and saw the spectacular view of the whole city of Tokyo.

"Maaaan we're high up." Ryuji got out in amazement.

"Y-Yeah." Hyōki replied. "I'm a little scared..." She suddenly and meekly admitted.

"Huh? Oh uh, hold onto me then." Ryuji responded as he offered his hand.

Hyōki mentally patted herself on the back before holding the boy close. Sure it reminded her of the training she went through with being forced out of a helicopter, but this time, it was worth it.

"Okay, you're holdin' a lot more than expected!" Ryuji awkwardly got out.

"A-Am I too close?" Hyōki stammered in concern.

"N-No, don't let go. Don't want you getting dizzy here and makin' a scene." Ryuji responded and pointed out.

Hyōki nodded to that as she stayed close to him, mentally cheering all the while. "My hero." She quietly responded.

"N-Nah, don't call me that." The dyed blond however requested.

The ravenette however smirked in a more playful manner. "My Hero Ryuji-kun." Hyōki teased.

"I-I haven't saved you from anything." Ryuji mumbled as he scratched his cheek.

"You have though..." Hyōki thought in a grateful manner. "You protected me from peeper back when we first met and now you saved me from the scary heights today. That makes you a hero in my eyes." She replied.

"Ehehehe...well, at least let me do something better than bein' a safety rock." The dyed blond chuckled. "Think you can stand looking out at the city now?" Ryuji soon asked.

"Mmhm!" Hyōki hummed out.

"Alright, hold on tight." Ryuji instructed as he moved closer to the windows.

The ravenette in turn nodded as she did as requested, the two soon going to the window as they looked out at the city. "Wow..." Hyōki breathed out in amazement. Definitely different than the forced skydiving times.

"Man, what a view." Ryuji had to comment, looking at the whole view as well. "Heh, never really got the chance to take it all in the last time I was up this high..." He then muttered.

"Eh?" The ravenette got out in confusion, causing the boy's eyes to widen.

"Oh, uh, I came here before." Ryuji quickly explained. "With...Katsu-chan." He then lied before mentally facepalming. "Really, dude? You haven't seen her since the beach!" He thought.

"Urk!" Hyōki winced. No, she must resist her urge to stab someone she's never seen before. She knew her crush might like her and...they were just friends...

"Hey, I think you can even see Shujin from here!" Ryuji soon pointed out. "Man, it really stands out with all the Phantom Thieves graffiti." He then added with a chuckle.

With that, the ravenette looked out as well and saw the familiar red blop where Shujin Academy was. "With all the gray in the city, it really does stand out." Hyōki admitted in an impressed manner.

"Too bad from here we can't see the logo..." Ryuji got out.

"I wonder what they'll do next for their calling card?" Hyōki soon asked.

"Dunno, but they're definitely gonna top it." Ryuji responded while shrugging his shoulders. "You know, once that shit with the Conspiracy is over with." He then added in an off-handed manner.

That in turn got the ravenette's attention. "Conspiracy?" Hyōki repeated as she thought about it for a moment and recalled a message on the Phan-Site from the admin. "You mean whoever hacked the Phan-Site?" She then assumed.

"Y-Yeah." Ryuji awkwardly responded. "Shit, they better stop 'em. Medjed was one thing..." He then started before trailing off.

"I had the feeling someone hacked the site to begin with. Okumura suddenly being the top target was just too weird at the time." Hyōki admitted as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You really believe in them?" Ryuji soon asked. "Okumura was a pretty big bastard even before the poll." He soon pointed out.

"I do." Hyōki answered with a nod. "And most rich people I heard of can be bastards." She then grumbled.

"Not everyone." Ryuji muttered under his breath. "Just some variety of weird." He then added.

"Eh?" Hyōki got out in curious confusion.

"Nothing, just remembering what I've seen online." Ryuji responded. "So, uh, what else do you see from here? Your house?" He soon asked to change the subject.

"No...um...ah! Is that Hanzō Academy?" Hyōki got out before suddenly asking.

"Hanzō?" Ryuji repeated as he looked in the general direction. He then noticed a campus area which he assumed to be a school. "O-Oh, yeah. I know some people who go there. Met them at the beach over the summer." He soon recalled.

"...Really?" Hyōki asked in a curious manner.

"Yeah. Never seen it myself 'til now." Ryuji revealed. "Wonder if Katsu-chan's willin' to give a quick tour. You know, just in case Shujin gets shut down." He then wondered.

"Why are you willing to transfer there?" Hyōki soon asked.

"Eh, just the first school I thought of. Heard it was good." Ryuji shrugged.

"Yeah. Definitely good." Hyōki mumbled.

"You plannin' to go there after you're done with middle school?" Ryuji guessed.

"Well...maybe. If you're there." Hyōki replied.

Ryuji looked confused. "Huh? Why?" He had to ask.

"Because it would be nice to go to a school where you know someone." Hyōki explained. "And you would make a great senpai." She then confessed.

"S-Senpai!?" Ryuji repeated in a surprised manner. "First hero, now this?" He then asked.

Hyōki however tilted her head to that. "You don't like me giving you names?" She soon assumed in innocent concern.

"Well...stuff like senpai and hero...you're gonna expect a lot outta me, and I'm afraid I'm just gonna screw it up." Ryuji hesitantly confessed.

"You would not." The ravenette reassured.

"Did before." Ryuji mumbled.

"But that was stupid, shitty gym teacher's fault, not yours." Hyōki reminded.

"I know, and I should've moved on already but...bein' called stuff like that makes me sick..." Ryuji grumbled.

"It's hard to move on, huh?" Hyōki assumed in a sympathetic tone.

"Yeah, but you gotta at some point." Ryuji responded.

"At your own pace." Hyōki replied. "Someday you'll believe you deserve to be called a hero to your face, but I guess I'll keep it to myself for now. But when you do, don't be surprised." She eventually stated.

"Whatever you say, Hyōki-chan." Ryuji responded before sighing. "...Sorry for bringin' it up again." He then apologized.

"It reshaped your life. It's not that weird." Hyōki waved off. "You're just more open about it than me." She then confessed.

"You have something like that too?" Ryuji asked in concern.

"Who doesn't these days?" Hyōki pointed out with a sigh.

"Way too many." Ryuji muttered. "I guess I ain't special or something." He then sighed out as he scratched the back of his head.

"You're still putting yourself down here." Hyōki got out as she took his hand. "We're supposed to enjoy today. At least do it for me." She soon reminded.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop bein' a downer here for ya." Ryuji soon got out as he chuckled. "Okay, what else can we see from here..." He then wondered as he narrowed his eyes while looking out the windows.

Hyōki however was not focusing on the outside, but on the boy she was still holding onto.

"Aw, they look so cute together."

"Hey don't stare, honey."

"I can't help it. Seeing that older brother and sister together makes me want another child."

"But we already have six, babe!"

The duo meanwhile froze in confusion. "B-B-B-Brother and sister!?" Hyōki squeaked with a blush this time.

"...Huh? Don't really see it, though." Ryuji shrugged.

"S-Same..." The ravenette mumbled out...and with a hint of relief.

"Well, I mean, my hair used to be black but..." The dyed blond continued to mumble as he brushed his hand through his hair.

"Don't pay attention to them." Hyōki sighed as she pressed her cheek against his body.

"I usually don't." Ryuji muttered before seeing the wife of the eavesdroppers hump her husband's leg. "They sure have guts doing it in a place like this." He then added as the ravenette nodded in agreement.

"Now that I think about it, we've been hanging out with each other a lot lately." Hyōki remarked, lightly blushing as she said that. "I'm not bothered by it at all, but I'm sure you have other people you'd like to spend time with." She then admitted and pointed out.

"I do, I just wanted to spend it with you." Ryuji replied and admitted. "Usually on days off like this, I'd been inside my room, doin' nothing but playin' games. If my mom kicks me out, I'm at the arcade or at the gym alone. But you're like the first person I thought of comin' to a place like this." He then added and revealed.

"Hgnh!" The ravenette mentally squealed as her heart throbbed. "What about homework?" Hyōki however asked.

"...U-Uhh...don't you have homework?" Ryuji awkwardly counter asked.

"Hehe, Ryuji-kun." Hyōki chided in a teasing manner with a giggle, knowing what the boy was trying to do.

"I'm...getting it done tonight." Ryuji awkwardly revealed. "Shouldn't you be doing the same? Like, the last year of middle school is pretty important...Right?" He then pointed out and reminded.

In turn, the ravenette blushed. "I-I will." Hyōki responded. She wasn't going to tell him she wasn't actually going to school since her friends were her tutors, whenever they weren't teasing her.

"Well, if ya need help, call me...'cuz I'll call someone smarter than me to answer whatever question you got." Ryuji replied and admitted.

"Don't sell yourself so short, Ryuji-kun. You're smarter than you think you are." Hyōki replied in an encouraging manner.

"Have you seen my scores? I barely manage to avoid gettin' summer school." Ryuji sighed. "Prez keeps gettin' on my ass to study, but it's not like I have a chance at university..." He then added.

"Hehe, she seems like the responsible type though." Hyōki noted. "And don't give up hope. You still have your third year to get better. I know you can." She then added in the same encouraging tone.

"That's...really sweet of ya..." Ryuji awkwardly responded. "Ugh, but still-" He then started...

The ravenette however then placed her hands on her hips. "Hey, didn't you didn't you tell me that I'm your present?" Hyōki soon reminded.

"Uhhh..." Ryuji got out, racking his brain to remember.

"Well, you did." Hyōki soon stated. "Save the future for another time. Today's a gift. Let's not waste it on what ifs and maybes." She then instructed and added.

"...Dammit, you're right. Thinking too much 'bout myself when I'm supposed to be hangin' with you. Sorry about that." Ryuji got out and apologized.

"That's the spirit." Hyōki replied in an encouraging manner. "As expected of my present too." She then proudly added.

"Maybe I should gift myself for Christmas then." Ryuji joked.

Hyōki's eyes widened as he imagination ran wild, as an image of the dyed blond dressed in nothing but a long length of ribbon wrapping on certain parts of his nude body flooded her mind.

"Come and get your gift, my sweet little leopard~" Ryuji's voice purred

"Anything for you, my handsome dragon~" Hyōki whispered, drool dripping out of her mouth and down to her chest.

"Huh? You spacin' out now?" Ryuji got out as he noticed the girl's expression. "Crap, is the height gettin' to you now? Let's go down." He then got out in worry.

"Wha? N-No!" The ravenette got out in a panicked manner. Curse those pervy thoughts! "You seem like you were having such a good time, don't let me stop you." Hyōki then got out.

"Um, okay? Anyway, I'm having such a good time 'cause you're here. If you ain't enjoying it, I'm not too." Ryuji stated in a serious manner. "There's, like, a gift shop at the bottom. I'll get ya a souvenir." He soon offered.

"Moh! Stop doing so much for me!" The ravenette whined. "I can't keep building up emotional debt like this!" Hyōki responded.

"Hyōki-chan, you don't owe me anything." Ryuji responded. "Bankers are effin' evil...well, some of them." He then added under his breath.

"Well...I'm gonna get gifts for you too, then!" Hyōki proudly offered. "A lot of them! I want to fill your room with memories of the Sky Tower!" She then excitedly added.

"That'd make me look like a Sky Tower otaku!" Ryuji mentally exclaimed before shaking his head. "A-Alright, if ya feel like you owe me something, don't spend so much money. What do you want to do?" He then decided.

"Eh?" Hyōki got out in confusion.

"Come on, you can take me out to eat or somethin'? I'll take anything you can-" Ryuji soon asked and started saying, however...

CHU!

Suddenly, the ravenette pulled him down by his purple jacket and kissed him...on the cheek.

"!?" Ryuji's eyes widened in shock.

"Will that repay my debt, Ryuji-kun?" Hyōki sweetly asked, blushing while fluttering her eyelashes.

"U-Uh, yeah. Definitely." Ryuji got out, slightly baffled by that action. "L-Let's head down now. I still owe ya a souvenir." He soon decided.

"Hm, nah. I got what I wanted." Hyōki giggled as she began skipping over to the elevator to go down to the ground floor.

"O-Oh, alright." Ryuji responded, following the girl while unconsciously touching his cheek.

"Lucky bastard, getting kissed by a girl with big boobs..."

"Wish he brought condoms with him, just in case."

"For who?"

"You gotta stop reading hentai..."

"...It's my source of sexual healing, dude. Don't tell anyone."

"People are getting jealous as expected." Ryuji weakly got out as he pressed the button for the elevator.

Funnily enough, it was only the two in the elevator again as it descended to the ground floor as they stood next to one another.

"Aaaahhh..." Hyōki breathed out with a peaceful smile on her face.

However, on the inside, she was...less so.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Hyōki mentally screamed as she pressed a little closer to her crush. "How did you manage to do that so smoothly!? I thought we were taking it slow here but here you are, pressing close to him after kissing him! Sure it was on the cheek but it's so close to his mouth that it's almost like an indirect kiss! You're either the greatest future girlfriend in the world or you're playing too close to fire that you might horrifically charred to a crisp! I think my panties are wet too! Dammit Hyōki, calm down! -(Hyōki mentally slapped both her cheeks with both her hands)- This is only just the beginning. This is only a stepping stone to greater things, like hand-holding, and sharing food, and getting to third base! You'll get to that point, but you can't mess up here! You'll show Miki! I can do romance, you airheaded perv!" She mentally exclaimed and instructed herself.

Meanwhile, Ryuji noticed this as he felt the girl's big boobs squished beside his arm. "...Damn, they're quite soft. Big boobs are the best." He thought in his head.

Huh, why did he feel like he'll regret that thought in the future?

"Gah, present. You're in the present." Ryuji mentally reminded himself before keeping his composure once again. "So where do you wanna go next time?" He then asked the girl aloud this time.

"Next time?" Hyōki squeaked.

"Yeah, I feel I've been decidin' where we go all the time, so I think it's now your turn to choose a place next time." Ryuji soon admitted. "Not now, obviously, but somewhere you'd like to go next time we meet like this." He then added.

"Hmm...I'll think of something. Leave it all to me." Hyōki soon assured.

"Alright, take your time then." The dyed blonde responded with a nod.

Ryuji and Hyōki simply went silent together while waiting to reach the ground floor.

"Hehe, I'd honestly be impressed if someone kissed you on the lips on your first date, Ryuji-kun." Hyōki suddenly and jokingly remarked with a smirk and a hand on her hip.

"Huh?" Ryuji got out in slight shock.

"I said-" Hyōki started.

"I know what you said, just...why did ya bring that up?" Ryuji wondered, looking at the ravenette with a confused look on his face.

Hyōki's mind began scrambling for a direct answer. "Um, well, it's just..." She stammered out.

"Is it about earlier?" Ryuji guessed, blushing a little. "I-I think that's not gonna happen." He soon admitted.

"Eh?" The ravenette got out in confusion.

"J-Just hear me out, Hyōki-chan." The dyed blond began. "It's just that...I don't think any girl's gonna do that. 'Specially with me." Ryuji then assumed.

"Oh...what do you mean?" Hyōki asked in a curious manner.

"I don't know you've been payin' attention, but I'm not exactly popular at school." Ryuji informed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "And with my style and shit, I don't think I'll be getting any girl any time soon, let alone a full-on kiss on the first date." He then added with a sigh.

"Hey, I don't believe that." Hyōki got out. "You have your charm points." She then confessed.

"Yeah, but I'm always kind of the uh...best friend to people." Ryuji awkwardly chuckled out. "Never really the dating type, you know?" He then mumbled.

"That is not true at all." Hyōki however responded. "You've gone on dates with me! You're on one right now." She then pointed out and reminded.

"Huh?" The dyed blond responded in confusion. "I just like hangin' out with you, Hyōki-chan. I'm not tryin' to impress you or something." He soon confessed.

"Th-That's what dates are, Ryuji-kun." Hyōki insisted. "We may be good friends, but it's still a date. And if...and if I went out with you, I'd definitely kiss you on the first one!" She then declared with a stomp.

Ryuji was stunned. No one had ever said that to him. "Y-You're just saying that..." He chuckled, trying to play it off.

"I do! Because I...I..." Hyōki continued before she began to lose steam as she realized what she was about to say. "I believe in you." She soon confessed. "FUUUUUUUUUUCK!" She mentally swore. That wasn't what she wanted to say, but she wanted to keep their deal of boundaries!

"...You really do, don't ya?" Ryuji breathed out, noticing the hint of desperation from the ravenette.

"Y-Yes..." Hyōki reluctantly replied with a nod.

"So uh...would you-" Ryuji began in an awkward tone.

The ravenette in response shook her head. "Hehe, I'd be fine with it. We're friends after all." Hyōki replied with a giggle. "Besides, I'm too young for you, right?" She then suddenly assumed with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Huh?" Ryuji got out in confusion. "Too young? The hell are you talkin' about? 17 and 14 isn't that much of a gap, right?" He repeated and asked while pointing out that fact.

"Well...I don't know how to respond to that..." Hyōki mumbled.

"You can spend time with whoever you want, no matter how old or how young they are." Ryuji assured. "It's just the people who try to abuse it that is the problem." He then added under his breath.

Hyōki however heard that bit and became a little saddened. "You'll never be like Kamoshida..." She whispered in reassurance while softly tightening her hold.

"Hey, calm down." Ryuji got out in worry before letting out a sigh. "Man, today's been a lot about me and my problems. I thought we were just gonna hang out..." He grumbled.

"S-Sorry..." Hyōki mumbled in saddened shame. "M-Maybe I can make it up to you by taking you out to eat somewhere?" She soon offered.

"That would be great." Ryuji replied in a grateful manner. "Also, anywhere but Big Bang Burger, okay?" He then requested.

"Huh? Why?" Hyōki got out in confusion. "I mean...I've taken the challenge there before, but why?" She then innocently asked

SHATTER!

Ryuji froze on the inside as he heard mental glass breaking. "W-Wait, you've taken the challenges?" He asked in disbelief.

The ravenette in turn nodded...

BOING!

And her bust bounced a bit as a result. "I want to get that Captain's Badge." Hyōki soon admitted.

Ryuji somehow heard the bounce and took a quick glance at the ravenette's large bust for a split second. "Shit! She doesn't know!" He mentally panicked. "Y-You know what, let's try somewhere a little more, uh, original. Let me choose the place instead, Hyōki-chan." He soon suggested.

"Huh?" Hyōki innocently got out with a tilt of her head.

"Oh I know. How about my usual ramen place?" Ryuji soon suggested as he took the girl's hand.

"B-But...my-my Captain's Badge..." Hyōki responded as she got dragged along.

"Too much Big Bang is bad for ya and those burgers can make you gain weight, no offense." Ryuji stated just as the elevator doors opened. "To Ogikubo to continue our date!" He then added in a hasty manner.

"W-Wait!" Hyōki squeaked as the two headed out. "I thought Ryuji-kun liked big boobs...D-Did he call this a date!?" She then thought in her head before soon realizing what he said and soon felt giddy as a result.

And so, the two went off to continue their day together.

---

(Asakusa, Frá Stelpum til Gyðja)

"Did you all enjoy your acupuncture?" An employee soon asked as he collected all the needles and put them away for safekeeping.

"Hai!" The six responded at the same time.

"Glad to see. Now, your next stop is the sauna. Time to sweat out all those impurities you've built up in your daily lives." The employee soon informed before gesturing to her left. "It's over there, just down the hall. The recommended time is 30 minutes so don't stay there too long." She then advised.

"Thank you!" The girls nodded before heading to the sauna, swinging and sashaying their hips all the while.

"I'm like, sooooo lucky Miki-chi didn't see me bend several needles..." Asuka thought in an airy manner as they were heading into the sauna.

"Phew, Asuka-chi didn't figure out I am a shinobi due to breaking several acupuncture needles..." Miki thought as she was putting her hair up. "Though...I do want to leave the shinobi life..." The pinkette then confessed.

The girls exited the acupuncture room and headed to the saunas, happily talking with each other along the way even as they entered the soon-to-be-sweltering room.

"Hey, have you heard about how they do it in Russia?" Junko suddenly asked.

"Hm? What do they do differently?" Asuka asked in a curious manner.

"Well, they make you stay inside until your body can't handle it, then you take a dip in an ice-cold bath!" Junko informed. "I tried it, and it was really amazing! The heat might suck, but the feeling you have when you cool down is like you're bathing in heaven's baths itself!"

"That's...interesting." Miki had to admit, though also confused by the sudden information drop.

"Hey, I see those looks, I just thought it was interesting." Junko pouted as she headed over to the thermostat. "Now how high are you ladies willing to go? 45? 50? 69?" She soon asked.

"Like, the highest possible Junko-chi." Asuka and Miki eagerly replied at the same time, causing the two to look at one another before giggling.

"90 it is!" Junko declared as she turned it all the way up.

"T-They are really in sync." Aya got out.

"How long do you have to hang out to be like that?" Erika wondered out loud.

"P-Probably lifelong..." Aya assumed.

"The first one who couldn't take it anymore and quits before all of us agreed to finish gets to buy milk for all of us afterwards." Hana suddenly declared.

"Eh? Why?" Erika got out in confusion.

"It's just something for fun for all of us while we're in there." Hana stated with a smile.

"We could just talk-" Junko began to suggest, however...

"I WON'T LOSE!" Asuka and Miki suddenly declared as they glared at each other with smirks, the fire in their eyes actually heating up the room.

"Uh oh..." Junko got out with a concerned look. "I think you ignited their competitive spirits, Hana-chan." She then got out.

"Oh come on. They're not stupid enough to stay until they lose consciousness." Hana claimed with a confident smile.

After the sauna...two hours later...

"It shouldn't count as losing if you lose consciousness..." Miki pouted as they all sipped on milk. " And I didn't quit!" She then denied.

"Your body quit though." Asuka reminded.

"Hey, at least I didn't exit the sauna." Miki claimed with a bragging smirk.

"We had to carry you out!" Hana called out, a little unhappy that she was proven wrong. "And Asuka here was almost just as stubborn as you to win." She then groaned.

"I like, totes needed to go to the bathroom..." Asuka mumbled in shame.

"Maybe I shouldn't have made that stupid challenge in the first place..." Hana awkwardly got out.

"Hey, it was totes fun though." Asuka replied. "We talked about the latest trends, movies, music, love lives, idols, girls, ourselves, hair colors...~" She then continued as her voice became a bit woozy along with her thoughts to the point of not hearing what she was saying anymore due to how good the sauna felt.

"Yeah, she's feeling too good with the sauna treatment." Hana noted. "Can someone snap her out of it? She's still going..." She then asked and pointed out.

"Asuka?" Aya called out.

"Breast sizes, waist sizes, cute faces, butt sizes, clothes ripping off, nude bodies...~" Asuka meanwhile continued.

"Asuka-chi." Miki got out.

"Muscles, abs, good-looking guys, penises, cute talking animals, cup sizes, panties...~" Asuka rambled on.

"ASUKA!" The girls all called in unison.

"AH! W-Wh-What!?" Asuka finally snapped out of her woozy thoughts with the shout. "Like, what happened?" She then asked.

"Yeah...I think your brain got a little cooked in there..." Junko got out with a giggle.

"M-My brain?" Asuka repeated in concern before realizing something else. "Wait...what was I saying just now?" She then asked as she soon realized what she was rambling.

"A lot." Miki replied in amusement. "You also said something about guys and their...*ahem*...penises." She then casually added with an amused smirk.

Asuka blushed heavily. "Um...I-I'm like, totes still a girl, ya know?" She got out as she nervously fidgeted to herself.

"Don't worry, Asuka-chan, we get it." Miki soon assured. "I mean, I don't mind thinking about hot guys." She then confessed.

"Me too." Hana spoke up as well.

"W-Well, who's into guys here, then?" Aya simply asked everyone with a bashful grin.

Most of the girls raised their hands up high, with Miki simply raised hers at head-level.

"At first, I was cautious of them, let alone trust them, but one of my friends turned out to have a date with one, so...you can say that I loosened up my opinion towards them." Miki responded. "And besides, I like them hot from now on."

"Ooooooh~" The other model girls got out with interest.

"Though I'm curious about Asuka-chan, 'cause she did mention a guy's...thing down there." Junko got out.

"You mean penis?" Miki snorted with a grin.

"Y-You know what I mean!" Junko yelped in embarrassment.

"Just callin' it like what Asuka-chi said." Miki simply admitted with a smile. "Like, we're all girls here, so it's aaaaall girl talk." She then added.

The other girls simply blushed in response.

"I-I was like, totes out of it Miki-chi." Asuka reminded.

"Hehe~ Anyway, are you girls interested in seeing a man's dick for the first time?" Miki soon suggested with a smirk.

"..." Most of the girls simply went silent in response, with blushes sporting on their faces.

"...A little." Junko eventually got out before gulping.

"Yeah..." Aya soon admitted, starting to feel a little hot.

"Uh huh..." Erika nodded to that, curious on what a male genital looked like up close.

"I am curious, actually, hehe." Hana finally replied with a slightly giddy expression on her face.

"..." Asuka meanwhile remained silent while blushing. She had seen more genitalia than she probably should...especially the opposite sex whenever they were in a Palace.

"Let's...talk about this later, then." Erika soon decided, a blush still etched on her face. "Right now, we still have a lot of services that we need to experience here." She then reminded.

"Right." The other girls responded together with nods.

Erika then looked around for a moment before unwrapping her towel to reveal her barely sweaty nude body.

"You really don't sweat that much, Erika-chi..." Asuka meanwhile noted.

"Given my heritage, it isn't surprising." Erika simply replied as she covered herself up again.

Aya decided to follow and unwrapped her towel as well. "M-M-Meanwhile I am a s-sweaty and s-smelly mess..." She bashfully confessed.

"Yeah...Let's freshen up a bit before we continue." Hana decided.

"Yeah!" Asuka and Miki happily responded in unison.

"Let's go then!" Erika declared as the ladies headed off to the clean-up room.

---

(Sauna Sweat Clean-Up Room)

As soon as they entered the room, they went for the showers. Asuka really wished it was yet another bath, but unfortunately, she couldn't get every single wish granted by this magical spa.

"Guess this is to remove sweat in a quick rinse..." Junko decided as she grabbed the shower head.

"I'll rinse you guys down!" Asuka offered as the punk model handed the shower head to her.

"It isn't necessary, but thanks." Hana replied as the brunette turned the shower on.

Miki meanwhile grinned as she watched the brunette being more open, feeling proud of her friend...before pausing in realization. "...Friend...a real friend..." She thought to herself in awe.

She didn't think it would be possible for her to think of anyone that way due to her past, but here and now, it wasn't like that.

"Maybe I can finally get a clean way out once my shinobi team's mission is done..." Miki thought. "Although I wonder if the rumored robot shinobi is actually operational as well. That would nicely tie things up for my original employer." The pinkette internally mused. "Hah. It's not like this Muramasa managed to get repaired and enroll in a legit shinobi school. Who would take her?" She however then thought to herself before sighing. "You better have something big planned, Hyōki and soon..." She soon thought in concern before...

SPLASH!

The pinkette was suddenly splashing with some water.

"Kya!" The pinkette squeaked as her train of thought got derailed.

"Hehe, gotcha Miki-chi!" Asuka playfully got out with a giggle while holding the hose.

The six soon began a giggling mess as they washed themselves off before heading out for the next part of the spa treatment.

"To becoming model goddesses~" They soon declared in perfect unison with a trance-like look in their eyes.

---

(Asakusa, Frá Stelpum til Gyðja)

Moans from the sextet were heard as the second massage is more intense and brutal than the first one.

And even so, it felt amazing!

"It feels like I'm getting pummeled by a firing squad of tennis ball machines..." The brunette thought as the massage was ongoing. "Like, why is the sooooo much more intense~?" Asuka soon asked.

"This is more designed for getting the final knots out of your muscles. It feels great for the more muscular models out there like Aya who have to maintain a certain muscle mass." Erika explained, though soon started moaning.

"Aaaaaaaah...~" Miki meanwhile moaned out in satisfaction.

The soothing music soon started to play again as the girls relaxed. "So my goddesses, have you become the 'you' that you dream of~?" The soothing voice suddenly questioned the dazed sextet.

"Not...yet...~" The six however responded.

The intense massages soon continued as the six moaned and enjoyed them.

---

(Yongen-Jaya, Sakura Residence)

"Ah, room sweet room." Futaba breathed out, taking in the familiar air and scent of her bedroom as she walked in with Miyabi following behind her with her spoils. "Haaah...how I've missed you so. Ooh, you should know, I've brought some new friends to decorate you with!" She then informed.

"A-Are you talking to your room?" Miyabi got out in confusion.

"Yeah?" Futaba answered, looking a little embarrassed. "...When you shut yourself in, your room becomes your best friend, like that volleyball in that one movie." She then added.

"...I think you need to see someone." Miyabi deadpanned.

"I see you. I see Akira. I see that goth doctor nearby with the pretty receptionist." Futaba responded.

"That's Takemi-sensei. Show a little respect to her." Miyabi scolded as she rolled her eyes. Seriously, she at least did the bare minimum with her on her check-up.

Right?

---

(Takemi's Clinic)

The owner of the clinic suddenly pulled her eye away from her microscope and blinked. "...Why do I feel like socking some disrespectful idiot in the face?" Takemi got out with widened eyes.

"Hm?" Haruka only got out...while trying to check out candid photos of Akira on her phone before turning it off. "Oh, you feel that too? I get that sometimes. Oop! There it is right now!" She then got out.

"...Get back to work." Takemi deadpanned.

"Hai." Haruka dutifully responded before going back to her more important task.

---

(Sakura Residence)

"Anyways, sorry to say, but your new friends are going to be put in storage for a while." Miyabi soon stated all of a sudden.

"Eh?" Futaba only got out in slight disbelief.

"Futaba, I'm only dropping you off here before I take all your crap to my apartment." Miyabi soon informed.

"Are you serious!? I can't have my stuff!?" Futaba exclaimed in shock.

The white haired woman however placed her hands on her hips. "Don't think I forgot about that stunt you pulled earlier today." Miyabi stated with a frown. "Until you can go 168 hours without being a massive perv, you won't be seeing these things ever again." She soon declared.

"A week!?" Futaba exclaimed. "It's my stuff I bought with my money!" She then reminded.

"Well, if I can't trust you, you don't deserve such luxuries." Miyabi responded as she pulled out one of the statues. "Wow, this girl looks almost like Imu." She soon remarked.

"You're so cruel today, Big Sis!" Futaba whined.

"Cruelty is necessary if kindness does not work." Miyabi pointed out before giving the girl a serious look. "And I've been too kind to you." She coldly added.

"...You don't mind me doing it in the baths, right?" Futaba had to ask with her index fingers poking together. "I mean, just the baths while we're bathing together, and that's it!" She then reasoned to herself.

Miyabi simply sighed. "No is no, young lady." She then told her. "I'm not going to let you indulge in your desires when under this punishment." She then stated.

"Mrnn..." Futaba grunted softly in slight annoyance.

"Sorry, but actions have consequences." Miyabi sighed once again as she shook her head. "This is for your own good. I mean, what if you made a new friend and they weren't into your antics?" She then questioned in concern.

"...I guess they'll...have to deal...with...it?" Futaba nervously answered. "I mean, Asuka's friends deal with Katsu-nee on a daily basis basically." She then added matter-of-factly.

"You tend to deal with people's quirks when they're willing to die for you." Miyabi muttered with a shrug. "I mean, I deal with you guys all the time." She then pointed out.

"Like you with the I Heart Miyabi fanclub of yours?" Futaba countered with a smirk.

"!" Miyabi's eyes immediately widened as she began to sweat a little in fear. "Oh you just had to go there, huh, young lady..." She grumbled with a twitching eye.

"...Oh crap." Futaba got out in worry before glancing over to her monitors and threw herself onto them. "DON'T TAKE MY PC TOO! WE NEED IT!" She then screamed as she hugged her all-powerful baby.

"Futaba..." Miyabi got out in a disappointed manner as she pulled the girl away. "You see, this is why I'm doing all this in the first place. You can't help yourself speaking and doing anything your brain tells you without even thinking. Someone has to rein you in before you do something you can't take back." She then lectured.

"Hey, I know what I'm doing...sometimes." Futaba confessed in a small voice. "But...fine, I'll behave more often. For your sake." She soon relented.

"Thank you." Miyabi replied. "That's all I want." She then breathed out in relief.

"Jeez...a week..." The orangette mumbled. "I really wanted to get all that stuff, and now I can't see them for a week? This really sucks." She then sniffled, her eyes watery as she looked directly at the white haired woman.

"..." Miyabi soon began to wince. Okay, maybe she was being too harsh here but she had to do something tocurb her over-enthusiasm for boobs. "...Ah, dammit! Let's work something out that won't make you sad. Just stop using that expression on me sweetie!" She finally relented. Dammit, why was her second weakness Futaba herself, of all things!?

Futaba glanced at the white-haired woman and stared for a few seconds "...Really?"

"Yes. Just...try to convince me of something you should do to repay your transgressions. And maybe ease up your perverted streak just a little bit." Miyabi soon requested.

"...Well, maybe a year's supply of instant ramen?" The orangette soon suggested. "...Sorry, that's ridiculous, I'l think of another one...unless you can actually do it." Futaba then added.

"Please think of another, because all I'm thinking right now is just making you work for your toys here." Miyabi admitted. "Exchange your hentai manga and these barely dressed figures with sweat and tears." She then added.

"I-I'd never see them again..." Futaba got out as she shook her head.

"All the more encouragement, right?" Miyabi responded with a shrug.

"That's discouragement to me." Futaba bluntly stated with hands on her hips.

"Ugh, fine, I'll think of another." Miyabi soon replied as she frowned. "Gimme a minute." She then added.

"Okay..." Futaba got out, willing to wait once again.

"Maybe...going to the gym with me every Sunday this month?" Miyabi then suggested. "I won't take away anything from you, as long as you work on your body and eat a little healthier." She then added.

"N. O. No." Futaba bluntly denied while making an X with her arms. "My wall push-ups tire me out as it is." She then revealed.

Miyabi scratched her head in slight worry. Wow, she really sucked at this. Were all her suggestions just some new ways to kill the little girl?

"Hold on, Miyabi Kurayami, what if instead of discouragement, we go with encouragement." Futaba soon suggested with a gleam shining off her glasses. "Reward positive behavior instead of punishing negative." She then stated.

"Well...there are some students in Hebijo that respond well to positive feedback and do better on their exams...of course they barely last a week..." Miyabi muttered to herself.

"You're not in Hebijo right now, so...what's my encouragement?" Futaba asked with a sweet smile.

The white-haired woman placed a finger on her chin while thinking for a moment. "Well, I want you to go out. Work hard on yourself, both physically and mentally. I want you to grow outside of this room." She finally suggested. "And...I want to know more about you and Kana." She then added almost without thinking.

"Ulp!" Futaba gulped in response.

"And if you manage to do this...you get to...um...fine, if you manage to do this, I will..." Miyabi continued before getting stuck on what the hacker would want.

"Have free reign of your naked body for one hour?" Futaba finished for her, speaking without thinking.

Miyabi tensed for a bit before thinking. "...Okay, fine, free reign on my naked body. But not for one hour. As for the venue, it has to be private, obviously." She then relented and added. "How about one minute?" She soon asked.

"Thirty minutes." Futaba countered.

"Two minutes." Miyabi countered once again.

"Fifteen minutes." The hacker countered another time.

"...Five minutes and 10,000 yen." The white-haired woman suggested.

"...Ten minutes." Futaba once again countered after hearing the offer and giving it thought. "And no, money's not an issue for me, thank you." She then added.

"Fine. Ten minutes." Miyabi replied and then suggested. "And a cup of instant ramen of your choice." She then added.

"...I was fine with just the ten minutes, but you had to add a little more sugar to the already sweetened pot." Futaba remarked.

Miyabi winced at her mistake. "Wait, I take back the-" She soon began, however...

"No takesies-backsies." Futaba quickly declared.

"Dammit!" Miyabi cursed as she snapped her fingers. You don't go back on your word when no takesies-backsies was declared. It would go against her personal code of honor. "Okay, ten minutes of free reign and a cup of instant ramen of your choice of flavor. Deal." She soon responded.

"Deal." Futaba repeated in agreement. "And if it makes you feel any better, I'll pay for whatever stuff you wanna buy for yourself." She then reassured her.

"...Actually, can I keep one of your statues?" Miyabi asked as she picked up the one with the stripper pole and the interchangeable chest. "This female figurine with long red hair looks amazing." She then remarked as she studied the details.

"...Okay, go ahead. You can have it, Big Sis. I'll just buy another one." Futaba replied as she shook her head. "Though...why the Rias Gremory figurine?" She then had to ask.

"I just like it. Why? Is there something I should know about it?" Miyabi responded.

"Just seems a bit...random." Futaba had to admit.

"Well, I like it, and that's that." Miyabi declared as she put the figurine aside. "Anyways, thank you, Futaba." She soon got out in a grateful manner.

"Yeah. Thank you." Futaba breathed out. "...I...I haven't talked to my Key Item about Kana-chan yet, you know." She suddenly admitted.

"Eh?" Miyabi got out, somehow feeling interested now that the hacker once again brought up her friend in middle school.

"...It's me and Akira's friendship thing, don't worry about it." Futaba assured. "Anyways, yeah, I...I made a huge mistake one day with Kana-chan, and found out about some...really terrible things her parents do to her. She...yelled at me, I ran, and...that was that." She soon informed with a sad sigh.

Miyabi's eyes widened at that. "F-Futaba, you didn't have to-" She tried to say, however...

"I had to tell you some time." Futaba pointed out. "You're my Big Sis after all. I don't want any part of my life as a secret to you. Alone together, right?" She then added with a smile.

Miyabi blinked before letting out a smile that mirrored Futaba's. "Right. Thank you for telling me sweetie." She then eventually stated.

"...So, I did it, so I get my ten minutes now, right?" Futaba suddenly stated with pumped fists.

Miyabi looked a little unsure at that. "...I was thinking of putting that in effect next week, and the whole thing about..." She then mumbled.

"Moooooh..." Futaba pouted softly...before gaining a proud look. "Alright, next week. At least I'm looking forward to it...Right now, I'll just work on this program I've been cooking." She then proudly agreed, hoping to feel motivated when the time comes while sitting on her computer and doing her programming work.

Miyabi suddenly realized she was not as strong as she seemed. Why the orangette had this effect on her, she had no idea. "...Fine, the ten minutes starts now." She soon declared as she locked the door before she began undressing swiftly.

Futaba stopped working on her computer as she stared at the white-haired woman who was now in her bra and panties before removing the latter. "Wait, what?" She got out in slight disbelief. "H-Hey, I'm just feeling bad for you, we can do the free reign next week if you wa-" She then tried to assure her.

"Futaba...do you wanna do it or not?" Miyabi asked as she unclipped her black bra, releasing her G-Cup breasts and now fully naked in front of the orangette.

BOING!

"!" Futaba immediately grinned at the sight. "Well, it's not the end of the world if I stop working for ten minutes, right?" She giggled as she cracked her knuckles.

"I suddenly regret this..." Miyabi had to say.

"Don't worry." Futaba assured her. "All you're gonna do is moan for me more. Now come here." She then stated and requested.

Miyabi simply rolled her eyes. "Seriously, whatever the hell Captain Sexual Harassment can even-" She then started, however...

SQUISH!

"!" Miyabi's eyes immediately widened from the touch, somehow also feeling weak at the knees, causing her to fall backwards onto the bed as the orangette was now on top of her. "N-Ngh...w-wha?" She barely got out, confused and suddenly feeling...drained.

"I'll start slow, Big Sis." Futaba stated. "Just relax and let me de-stress you, okay?" She then added.

"F-Futaba, sweetie, we should set some ground rules first before you- AHN~!" Miyabi tried to say, only to moan as the pleasurable feeling gave a shock to her system.

"You should've thought of that earlier, Big Sis~" Futaba got out with a teasing tone. "You can tell me the ground rules later after we finish this." She then whispered before going in a little harder.

"That's not how it- Mrnnn...hya~!" Miyabi moaned out loud before grabbing a nearby pillow to cover her mouth.

"Wait...hold on, when do we do this free reign thing?" Futaba suddenly asked as she stopped fondling for a moment.

"..." Miyabi responded in silence as she removed the pillow from her mouth before thinking about the question for a moment. Hmm...when will be a good time to do this?... "Maybe...at least once every week sounds good. When I feel like it." She then answered properly and somehow reluctantly.

"Mwhehehe...sweet, But first..." Futaba got out before stripping off her clothes and underwear in a somehow swift pace before throwing them away, leaving herself naked as well. "Now, I wonder if it feels good if I did it with my elbows..." She then asked to herself before doing her work once again on the white-haired woman on her bed.

At least no one was able to watch what they were actually doing.

"Nya~" Miyabi cutely moaned out, her voice being an octave higher than usual.

Futaba meanwhile gained even more of a gleam of excitement in her eyes upon hearing that. It was a first after all. "Mwehehe~ Now that's a cute sound, Big Sis~ Eshishishi~" She giggled and cooed out.

"!" Miyabi's eyes widened again, but felt as though she could barely move.

Why did she feel so...drained all of a sudden?

"What...is..." Miyabi barely mumbled out in a dazed manner.

"You're gonna be here a long time, Big Sis~!" Futaba exclaimed as she drooled with a mad grin on her face.

"Ten minutes...is too long...~" Was Miyabi's last thought before her soul (metaphorically) left her body.

The two soon spent quite a bit of nudity time together...

---

(Asakusa, Frá Stelpum til Gyðja)

Meanwhile, with the six girls, when they finally came out of their trances from the massages, they couldn't really tell how much time had passed...or much of what happened exactly. It was a pleasant blur of lights and soft colors, and the only sounds they remembered were the moans and groans of...

Someone. Probably themselves.

"I-Is it like, over...?" Asuka asked, blinking herself back to reality.

"Nooooooooo..." Miki drooled as she laid her head back down. "Not yeeet~..." She then added with the same tone.

"N-Now the h-hair care..." Aya stuttered as the masseuses prepared the shampoo and conditioner bottles.

"And mani-pedis." Hana added.

"The last step on the journey..." Junko noted.

"So like, any of you know what kind of 'you' you want to be now?" Asuka soon asked.

"You mean if and when we retire, Asuka-chi?" Miki asked.

"Like, just in general." Asuka responded.

"For some of us, we're already our ideal selves, so those individuals revert to the sides they keep hidden." Hana explained.

"H-How about you Asuka-chan?" Aya soon asked in a meek manner.

To that, Asuka grinned. "I feel like this is a step forward for sure!" She replied.

"You look up to Miki, so I can see why you're taking on her mannerisms." Erika noted.

Asuka then looked at how her new friends were now. "So Junko-chi goes sullen, me and Miki-chi became totes awesome Osakan gals, Hana-chi became more outgoing, Erika-chi became more intellectual-sounding and Aya-chi became all shy..." She soon summarized.

"You do not seem phased by the occurrence, Asuka." Erika noted.

"M-maybe she w-was a v-victim of K-Kamoshida and she's d-desensitized..." Aya theorized.

"She does go to Shujin after all..." Junko recalled.

"Hehe, nah, Asuka-chi here's the one that spiked Kamoshita in the nuts." Miki giggled and revealed.

"At least it wasn't Aya. She may have killed him if she was in that position." The bespectacled ravenette got out.

"I have seen, like, a lot of weird stuff in my life." Asuka however simply explained.

"Apparently so." Erika responded as the sextet sat themselves down for the mani-pedis plus their hair being done.

"S-So what is the you you want to become, Asuka-chan?" Aya meekly asked.

The brunette is lost in thought. This is a really good question. Does she stick to her designated image as a model or not?

It was still a lot for her to take in, but after relaxing like this, an idea came to the brunette's mind. "Like..." Asuka soon began as she came to a decision. "I wanna do anything and everything I can! I like- I want to experience many things as a model!" She soon revealed.

"That's the right mindset, but you still won't go international...Even after coming of age?" Junko replied.

"Well like, I still have a lot here, so I wanna be the best in Japan first." Asuka replied and revealed.

"You'll have to unseat us first." Hana boasted.

"W-We won't hold back either." Aya soon stammered out.

"Just don't pull either a Mika or a Ranze on us." Erika added.

"Hehe, like I'd need to." Asuka quipped as the sextet soon started getting their hair done. "Whoa...You actually have quite a lot of hair Junko-chi..." She breathed out and noted as the punk model's long and thick mane started to get cared for.

"Yeah...It's impressive isn't it..." Junko replied.

"Totally!" Asuka replied. "Ann-chan's hair is pretty cool too." She then confessed.

"Ann's? I wonder how long hers is when it's untied." Erika mused.

"Pretty long." Asuka simply replied as an idea then came to mind. "I totes should bring my female friends here at a different time..." She then added.

"Remember Asuka-chi, these are expensive." Miki reminded.

"Probably once me and Ann-chan do a few more high-profile shows..." Asuka then got out.

At that moment, the staff got to work, wetting down the girls hair as they then shampooed and began lathering their heads.

"T-these scalp m-massages are always the best..." Aya admitted.

"Indeed." Erika replied.

Asuka's head meanwhile felt...tingly as the shampoo and conditioner was applied while it was rubbed.

It felt like she could find the true answer to life, the universe and everything.

And...it felt really good.

Meanwhile, the mani-pedi was starting up for the six accompanied by a gentle hand and foot massage.

"Mmmm~" The sextet all moaned out in perfect unison while music filled the room once more.

"You are all model goddesses~ You are beautiful models~ You are sexy models~ You are perfect models~" The soothing yet hypnotic voice praised as the girls' eyes dulled.

Upon hearing the praise, plus the repeated lathering of their heads, the sextet felt even more at ease.

It was as though...their minds were being refreshed...cleared...emptied...

"So...good..." Asuka slowly thought.

"Like...sooooo...good..." Miki thought in an empty manner. It was though...nothing mattered at all now for the pinkette...

The same could be said for all six of them.

"Like...this is...the best..." Asuka sighed out, her mind feeling lighter.

"Isn't it...simply flawless...?" Erika soon asked.

"H-Hai..." Aya mumbled as the Goddess treatment continued on.

To be beautiful models.

To be sexy models.

To be perfect models.

To be...model goddesses.

Time passed quickly for the final step and soon the six models head for the special post-massage showers.

"That was like, soooo totes the best!" Miki confessed as she rubbed down her body.

"Like, you got that right Miki-chi!" Asuka excitedly responded as she also washed her body. "I feel, like, totes refreshed!" She then added.

"Don't get used to this Shirokage-san...This mindset change is temporary..." Junko meanwhile informed.

"Like, I'm still gonna enjoy this!" Asuka replied.

"You'll be back to normal before you go to bed at the absolute latest." Hana responded.

"B-But is still a fun experience." Aya meekly confessed with an adorable giggle.

"I generally revert pretty quickly...~" Erika admitted as her hypnotic drawl starts to return.

"Me and Asuka-chi are like, still gonna hang out for a bit though!" Miki revealed as she looked at the brunette. "Right?" She then asked with a grin.

"You're not gonna fuckin' renege on the agreement we made, are ya?" Junko however asked as she reverted.

"Of course not, Junko-chi. I have it ready and waiting for when I drop Asuka-chi back at her place." Miki replied.

"Huh? Like, what's up?" Asuka asked as they turned off the water and started to dry themselves off.

"We can't say it yet. But I'm sure you'll like it. Especially considering it's really rare." Hana vaguely responded.

"We went through a lot of trouble to get this for ya." Aya added as she started to revert.

"Eh?" Asuka responded in confusion as they then started to get dressed in the changing room before gasping, as did the top model.

"Oh my god! Like, you got a party dress like mine!?" The brunette and pinkette excitedly asked at the same time with starry looks in their eyes as they held the similar clothes, though the brunette's was green while the pinkette's was black.

"To think you two would dress the same as well..." Hana noted as she reverted to her usual self.

The brunette and pinkette meanwhile giggled as they got their dresses on, which indeed hugged their bodies and showed off their shoulders and legs as well as heels matching their dresses.

"Aren't you two cold~?" Erika asked as she pulled her dress over her head.

"Nope." Miki responded.

"Like, I feel totes warm." Asuka revealed as she looked at the pinkette. "Right BFF?" She then asked.

"Hai!" The pinkette replied.

"Definitely like girls who came from Osaka." Hana noted in amusement.

"Still, it's a shame we don't have many gigs in common, Asuka..." Aya admitted as she pulled her sports bra on.

"There's always the Midwinter FES." Junko reminded as she pulled her shorts up.

"Which, like, I am soooo gonna give it my all when it's time!" Asuka declared with determination.

"The big finale for the models...~" Erika soon stated.

"About the only time Mika-san and Ranze-san will be together..." Hana added.

"That's when all the models will be showcasing their best stuff. From the rookies through the seniors and to the veterans and everyone else in between." Aya informed as she got her jacket on.

"It's also the event where they decide who the 'Rookie Model of the Year' is as well." Hana exposited.

To that, Asuka immediately perked up with interest.

"You'll be goin' up against Ann and Sōji among others." Junko soon reminded as she pulled her biker leathers out from her bag.

"As well as the bitch." The brunette and pinkette stated at the same time before high fiving one another with smirks on their faces.

"Personally, considering how many complaints there have been concerning Ranze-san...She has no chance of winning." Hana stated and admitted.

"That's why I didn't mention that cowfucker..." Junko replied.

"Hey, her girlfriend is actually nice..." Asuka mumbled.

"In any case, you girls ready to go and party for a bit?" Erika soon asked. "Asuka included since she needs the experience." She then added.

"Where are you thinking, Erika?" Aya asked in a curious manner.

"I saw this place in Shinjuku that looks pretty good. It's called The Funky Gibbon." Erika answered and revealed.

"Can Asuka actually enter the fuckin' place?" Junko asked.

"Like, as long as we're around, hell yeah!" Miki declared.

"It's a dry bar, so she can enter...~" Erika added.

"I just hope Asuka doesn't get fuckin' drunk off the atmosphere like Risette..." Junko mused. "Come on ya valley girls, time to party." She then decided as the six headed out.

"We'll take our own vehicles...~" Erika informed as she got in her car.

The brunette and pinkette nodded as they strutted off to leave.

"You lead the way Erika." Aya decided as she got in her massive ute.

Five engines simultaneously start.

For the six models, it was time to party like there was no tomorrow!

---

(Shibuya, Central Street)

Meanwhile, Akira had been scrolling through the photos that Haruka sent to him and...wow, that woman is sexy as hell. He was also making sure that he was nowhere near other people, to which he decided to stand and loiter at the side of the street.

"Dammit, aren't you supposed to be working?" Akira had to mumble softly as he gulped while looking at the photos.

"What are thou doing, exactly?" Arsene question in his head.

"Libido training." Akira answered. "Given how this year has turned out, I'd like to keep the blood in my brain rather in my pants." He then explained in a somewhat no-nonsense tone.

"That's a good idea with all the antics you have encountered, hee-ho." Jack Frost stated as well in his head.

"I suppose I could encourage Ryuji, Morgana and Yusuke to do the same." Akira stated to himself. "And I know Yusuke's soooo desperate to finally create a nude painting. And maybe even lots of it, so he needs the training a lot." He then added a bit playfully.

"This sounds like thou just wants to look at pornography in public and not feel embarrassed." Arsene soon noted.

"Well, since Haruka still sends me photos at random moments in the day, I might as well use it productively." Akira responded with a shrug. "...I really hope this doesn't make me so used to it that I can't get it up anymore." He soon thought. He's heard that too much stimulation and the real thing would stop being all that interesting any more.

"Ufufu~ Just be careful not to show your hidden lustful self from other eyes, Trickster~" Mermaid soothingly advised with a giggle.

"Hidden?" Akira mentally deadpanned. He was pretty sure he's shown that part of himself to at least several people. And that's to say about the Persona he had been working towards ever since he saw it in the Compendium.

"Hmph, you are one to talk with your increasing interest in Homura, Mermaid." Arsene countered.

"I simply took interest in the girl. There seems to be no problem with that." Mermaid casually responded and pointed out. "Like how Jack Frost sees Asuka as their Princess." She then added.

"Oh, so it is that kind of relationship? I see." Arsene assumed and concluded.

"I hope you do not jest when you state that to me, Arsene." Mermaid however noted.

"Do not worry, Mermaid." Arsene responded. "That was a genuine reaction." He then reassured.

"If you say as such." The aquatic Persona responded.

"Alright, alright, that's enough." Akira simply told them calmly before taking a deep breath before turning off his phone and pocketing it back.

"Hey, you! With the dumb look on your face!" A voice however suddenly called out to him.

"Hm?" The Leader turned and saw a sandy blonde glasses wearing woman with dark green eyes and two bun-things on the sides of her hair while wearing a yellow one piece dress with yellow frills, white socks and black Mary-Jane shoes. He then noticed something prominent from the girl. And that was the girl's well-developed chest.

"Oh shit." Akira cursed in his thoughts. "If this girl is who I think she is, then...play it cool, Kurusu. Play it cool." He mentally encouraged himself as he put on a brave face.

"Akira Kurusu?" The glasses wearing girl guessed with narrowed eyes.

The guy being mentioned got slightly tense about that. "Uh, do I know you? I mean, how do you know my name?" Akira asked, feigning ignorance.

"I have something to talk to you about." The woman soon started.

"You didn't answer my question." Akira however reminded as he adjusted his own glasses.

"Forget about it. Let me get straight to the point." The glasses wearing girl however started. "What are you to my sister?" She soon questioned.

Akira however raised an eyebrow to that. "Your sister?" He repeated.

"You've met her before. At the electronics store named Electric Town, that's what she told me." Imu stated.

"..." Akira in response blinked at this as he tried to think of who the blonde was talking about before remembering the store that was mentioned. "You're Murasaki-chan's sister." He realized. Wow, they did not look anything alike.

"Imu." The blonde soon introduced herself while adjusting her glasses. "So I'll be blunt, what did you do when you met my sister?" She then questioned in an accusing tone.

"I can assure you I did nothing wrong when I met Murasaki-chan back then. She was ju-" Akira began in reassurance.

"Calling my sister Murasaki-chan now?" Imu however interrupted. "You must've made a hell of an impression in front of her to be a close friend. But for me, I'm not buying it." She soon declared. "So I'll ask you again, what did you do to her?" She then questioned.

"She was with a close friend of mine when I tried to find said close friend in a department store. Then afterwards, the three of us talked. Like what friends do." Akira however responded and revealed, wincing a little at his wording.

"Wait, three of you? There was someone else back then?" Imu repeated and questioned with a raised eyebrow to this new information.

Akira, in response, nodded. "Yeah. Murasaki-chan and my friend were being hounded by some security guard. I had to step in before they were taken away somewhere and shut down." He soon explained.

"I see..." Imu responded, obviously not believing it. "You just happened to meet my sister while meeting up with a friend of yours." She then added, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice.

"Yes, that's exactly what happened. But like I said, I did nothing wrong with your sister. I was just being nice to her, no other ulterior motives past that." Akira responded before sighing. "She's the stubborn, not-trusting-anyone type of person, just as Miyabi described." He thought to himself.

"You do anything else with her?" Imu asked with narrowed eyes.

"Uh, I hung out with her a couple of times and gave her some encouragement, but that's about it." Akira answered after a little bit of thought.

"So you're the one who instilled that rebellious attitude then..." Imu mumbled as she narrowed her eyes even more. "I still do not accept you for charming her." Imu soon stated.

Akira however blinked to that. "Look, it could've been anyone in that situation. I just happened to be there." He then pointed out.

"She had an image of you shirtless on her computer screen." Imu revealed in a deadpan tone.

Akira grimaced. "That's...um...look, I'll have you know, that was sent out without my permission. I'm as uncomfortable about that as you." He then admitted.

"Well, now she's obsessed. Her expression never looked so weird when she came back home from Tokyo." Imu revealed. "I never seen her like that and I never ever even heard her sighing in a love-filled manner before. Now she acts all different, to the point where I think she wishes the person she was before was dead and buried in an unmarked grave. It's...worrying." She then added.

Akira's eye twitched to that. "...That wasn't my intention." He simply stated. "All I did was be nice to her." He then explained.

"Riiight." Imu sarcastically groaned. "So going that extra mile and sweeping her off her feet was just being nice." She then assumed.

"I'd do anything for my friends, regardless of who they are." Akira firmly stated before letting out a sigh.

"Oh really? You'd fight gods for them?" Imu jokingly remarked in a sarcastic manner.

"Yes." Akira answered without hesitation.

"...Pffft...hahahaha!" The sandy blonde laughed, tearing up at his serious look. However, her laughter soon died down as Akira's expression didn't change in the slightest. "...Oh my God, you're serious." Imu got out in disbelief.

"Bonds are what keep me going." Akira informed as he patted his chest. "Without them I'd just...fall apart..." He then admitted in a hesitant tone.

Imu looked at the boy in disbelief. Would he...really do all that? "W-Well...can you...help me with...some stuff?" She shyly asked.

"Sure. Always here to help." Akira responded with a nod. "Even to my detriment." He then added with a smile.

"Thank you." Imu replied, raising an eyebrow at that last part before letting out a sigh. "So...I've said and done a lot of...really bad things to my sister ever since she came back home. And I keep screwing up, no matter how much I want to help her. If she keeps going down the path she's walking in...I'm afraid I'll lose her." She soon revealed and confessed in shame and concern.

The Leader frowned as he looked at the glasses wearing blonde. "...You're afraid of losing your sister?" Akira assumed.

"It's not just never seeing her again." Imu corrected. "The Murasaki who exists right now will just...die. There's still a lot of things she doesn't know, but she thinks she's ready for the world. I can't...I don't want to let that happen." She vaguely revealed and confessed.

Akira paused to think a little, wondering how he should approach this problem. "You...don't trust Murasaki-chan at all?" He then assumed.

"I wish I could, but her friends and actions..." Imu muttered before letting out a sigh. "They seriously trouble me." She then added.

"...It's natural for a sibling to feel worried. And it feels terrible to watch them walk out of your life." Akira got out. "It's someone you've been talking to, seeing every day, and suddenly just being...gone. It gets to you." He then stated.

"You have siblings?" Imu asked.

"No. Only child." Akira answered as he shook his head. "Though apparently it's like that when someone goes away to college." He then added with a shrug.

"That's worthless advice if you haven't experienced it yourself." Imu muttered as she narrowed her eyes.

"...Well, not necessarily. I've read about it in stories and seen it on TV shows." Akira revealed. "But when I moved here, I sort of understood that feeling. I came here alone. I don't have relatives here, I'm staying with a friend of my parents that I didn't even know existed. I...didn't even say goodbye to them the moment I left for Tokyo." He then informed, hesitantly revealing the second part.

"You didn't want to?" Imu assumed.

"I...couldn't." Akira vaguely responded as he narrowed his eyes.

"Oh." Imu got out, instantly getting what he was implying.

"Yeah." Akira responded in a mumble. "I can't tell you how...scared I was just being here alone. I was...I'm not ready to face the world by myself, but I had to because some stupid, fuckin'...-" He soon admitted before his words turned into a grumbling set of random noises.

"Eh?" Imu interrupted his mumblings, looking rather concerned for the boy as he snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, just...got lost in my own head for a sec." Akira apologized. "It's just...during my time here, I've made a lot of great memories and enjoyed what the city has to offer. I mean, I was expecting a prison but...I've never felt so free before in my life." He then admitted with a smile on his face.

"That's great for you." Imu flatly replied as she turned away.

"But, of course...I've also made tons of mistakes and screw-ups along the way." Akira soon confessed, surprising the woman. "I can't tell you how hard I'm working to make up for them, and there's more than a few regrets I want to take back...but there's even more I want to keep." He then added.

"What sort of regrets have you made?" Imu decided to ask ahead.

"Well...I..." Akira began as a certain former volleyball player who left Tokyo flashed in his mind, causing him to wince. "I'd rather not talk about it." He vaguely responded in an uneasy tone.

"Wow, that bad?" Imu assumed, almost starting to regret asking.

"You don't know the half of it." Akira responded in a dead serious tone. "But I've grown from those missteps and falls. I'm working towards making sure that those regrets never happen again, to me or anyone else. My mistakes have shaped me into who I am now and will continue to until the day I die." He soon stated.

Imu stared at the boy with widened eyes. "...You know, for a young boy, you must have gone through a lot at an early age, I can tell." She remarked.

"No...just...under a year." Akira mumbled in a sheepish manner.

"..." Imu's eyes soon widened as she looked at the boy in disbelief.

"So in any case, let her make mistakes. Let her regret her decisions if they are bad in the end. Let her learn and fight to improve herself." Akira concluded. "As long as she makes it out the other side, she'll be fine." He then assured.

"But...what if the mistakes she makes can't be fixed?" Imu hesitantly pointed out as she looked down at the ground. "I've already made plenty of them." She then confessed.

"There is no such thing as that. You just need to find the right people and the right opportunity." Akira replied as he shook his head. "It might suck along the way, but every step you make towards being better than you were before will be worth it. That's how I see it." He then explained and revealed.

"...I should've said this from the start, but...you're unusually wise for a guy your age." Imu remarked.

"You grow up fast when you have the world on your shoulders..." Akira responded, although he had meant to keep that to himself, which caused the glasses-wearing woman to frown.

"That's not true." Imu stated.

"Feels like it for me, at least." Akira sighed. "So many people are relying on me to do so much...and I can't help but do my damndest to meet their expectations. There's always a new problem to deal with, a new situation that never seems to go by without the need to intervene...I want to help everyone, but I know I can't without destroying myself..." He then confessed, his voice...cracking a little.

"Akira?" Imu got out, noticing the unusual statement from the young man.

"Huh?" The Leader got out before realizing he was clenching his fist hard enough to cause it to bleed. "Ah, dammit, sorry. Just got lost in my own head again." He grumbled.

"That felt like you've been holding that in." Imu got out with a frown.

"Yeah. I did." Akira responded truthfully. "And I play therapist for my friends all the time. Is that ironic?" He then added with a small chuckle.

"A little." Imu replied. "But I've heard therapists also have their own therapists to make sure everything is okay. You can only endure so many experiences after all. Maybe you need someone like that too." She soon recalled and suggested.

Akira blinked. "Are you offering?" He guessed.

"I...Well...no, I kinda suck at it..." Imu mumbled as she scratched her cheek.

"No, you've been great so far. You're actually making me feel a little better." Akira admitted with a chuckle.

"But didn't you listen to me? I'm a screw-up who needed help from a stranger to help deal with her sister." Imu reminded as she clenched her hands into fists. "I'm not that great of a person." She then murmured.

"But you're still a good person." Akira countered with a kind smile. "And...sometimes you just need someone who can lend an ear. As much as I listen to my friends, I just...sometimes, I'd rather hide my struggles from them rather than lay that burden on them." He soon stated.

"You do have a point." Imu admitted with a nod.

"So...why not let me do that to you?" Akira soon offered.

"Eh?" Imu blinked. "You...want me to be your therapist or something?" She then asked with a raised eyebrow, a bit unnerved by it.

"A confidant sounds better." Akira corrected. "So, what do you say?" He then asked in a curious manner.

The sandy blonde had to think about it for a moment, but it sounded...perfect for her situation. "...You know what, I'll take you up on that." Imu agreed with a nod and a smile.

"...Thank you." Akira breathed out, feeling a great bond form between him and the four-eyed woman.

SHATTER!

RANK UP! SWORDS RANK 4!

"Yosh." Akira whispered with a small fist pump.

"That...That felt good." Imu soon confessed. "But uh...I might need more help later." She soon got out with an embarrassed blush.

"I have plenty of time today. We can do it now, if you want?" Akira soon replied.

"Eh!?" Imu exclaimed, jumping in shock. "That's a little sudden, don't you think?" She soon questioned.

"Hey, delay your problems. If you can do it one day, do it today. That's my personal motto." Akira claimed. "Along with tits are life, ass is hometown but that's another matter entirely." He awkwardly added.

"...What kind of motto is that last one?" Imu asked, almost a bit bewildered.

"Well, it's about...um...it's...erm..." Akira began to answer, only to stammer and stop. Whatever image he had built up with her was gone in a minute. "Gotta admit, heard it somewhere, thought it sounded funny. " He then admitted while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Are you a pervert?" Imu however casually asked.

"Everyone's a pervert, it just depends on the degree of such desire that separates the honorable from the criminal." Akira replied with a shrug. "After all, the human race continues to exist because of stuff done in the bedroom. And in alleyways. And parks. And bathrooms. And-" He then informed before listing off, until...

"Enough. I get it." Imu interrupted with a sigh. "I'm really tempted to beat your ass up if you start anything funny." She then grumbled.

"Trust me. The only things I'll do funny are my jokes and references." The Leader soon assured.

"... I'll keep an eye on you..." Imu muttered with narrowed eyes, although there was an amused glint in it.

"Suit yourself if you want me to behave." Akira replied as he shrugged his shoulders. "So, if I may now ask, what's troubling you other than your sister?" He then questioned.

"Hmm...It's...about a crush." Imu finally confessed.

"Oh." Akira got out, having a feeling of knowing where this was going. "H-Hey, I'm not that great at romantic relationships..." He soon confessed as he rubbed the back of his head (and feeling the hickies under his clothes flare up, in a more romantic alternate timeline).

"Can you at least lend an ear then, please?" Imu insisted with a sigh. "Anyway, you see, I've been in love with my best friend since we were children." She then informed.

"Okay." Akira started in an understanding tone...before realizing what the sandy blonde just said. "Wait, what?" He then got out, trying to comprehend the last statement.

"Ever since her mother died, I always wanted to be at her side. But...I just can't find the time and place...or find the courage to even confess." Imu revealed as she put a hand over her heart. "What can I do to become Miyabi's most important person?" She then asked.

"M-Miyabi?" Akira repeated, stunned by hearing her name.

"Hm?" Imu hummed in surprise. "Why do you look and sound a bit surprised?" She soon noticed.

"I...well..." Akira began as he began to sweat. "Is her last name, uh, Kurayami?" He soon asked.

"Kurayami?" Imu repeated, looking confused for a second before it hit her. It was the maiden name of her best friend's mother before she passed...the same last name her best friend took for cover-up reasons when she came to Tokyo. "Wait, so you know her!?" She soon exclaimed.

"Yes. She's one of my friends." Akira informed.

"And you didn't mention that until now!?" Imu shouted out in anger.

"Hey, to be fair, you just came up to me and I didn't know who you were but you knew about me for some reason until you mentioned Murasaki-chan so...yeah." Akira quickly pointed out and explained.

"..." Imu silently stared at him, the gears turning in her head before she chose the most appropriate reaction. "...PLEASE HELP MEEEE...!" She suddenly cried out and practically begged as she latched onto him.

SQUISH!

"Imu, Imu, we're in public!" Akira got out with a blush, feeling her marshmallow-y chest against him.

The sandy blonde soon realized what she was doing and let go before straightening her posture. "S-Sorry, that was unbecoming of me." Imu awkwardly responded.

"W-We could go to a more private location to discuss this if you want..." Akira then suddenly suggested before walking away, gesturing to her to follow him.

"Yes. We should." Imu agreed as she followed the boy.

And with that, the two moved themselves over to the closed for the night Untouchable shop with no one else being around and out of sight from the rest of the public.

"Alright, this place would do." Akira decided. "Now, back on topic, tell me, what hints are you giving her?" He soon asked.

"Well, I take her out to dinner, I give her gifts, make stuff for her, do the things she wants me to do...I sleep with her sometimes." Imu casually confessed.

"..." Akira simply stared at her in silence from what he just heard from the sandy blonde.

"...In the same bed!" Imu quickly added with a blush.

"I know what you meant." Akira bluntly stated.

"We eat together, we go to the toilet together, we bathe together, we check out our underwear together, we even check our own sizes together if there's any changes!" Imu then revealed, listing off the events in a nostalgic manner.

"Huh...girls really are close behind closed doors." Akira couldn't help but say in his head.

"I even changed her catheter and pee bag!" Imu added without even thinking.

"Wait what?" Akira got out in surprised confusion.

"I was basically her nurse and caretaker when she was in a coma and in her wheelchair. Best days of my life..." Imu soon informed with a dreamy sigh...before snapping back to reality as she realized what she just said and who she was actually talking to. "If you tell anyone, you're a dead man." She then bluntly threatened with a glare.

"..." Akira was at a loss for words at this point. "Don't you ever think you might be too clingy to Miyabi?" He soon asked with a sweatdrop.

"Wha- The hell did you just say!?" The glasses-wearing Hebijo woman growled.

Feeling his impending doom rapidly approaching, Akira knew he had to pick what he said next very carefully.

I'm just saying...

I'll give you tips.

Cheese it.

"I'm just saying..." Akira began as he looked away. "You keep being clingy like this, and you might drive her away as a result." He soon explained as the woman paled to the thought. "And do you really want that?" He then asked.

"N-No..." Imu shook her head. "I just...I can't help it! Do you know how much it hurts seeing her every day and never being able to...you know..." She then mumbled.

"I admit, I don't, because if I wanna say something, I usually just sort of go for it and hope for the best." Akira replied.

"But the best could be disastrous." Imu groaned. "Childhood friends often don't work out..." She then mumbled in sadness.

"You really do love her." Akira soon concluded. "Then why don't you just admit it? If I do know Miyabi, she'll say yes." He then questioned.

"But...I...I don't know if I'm worth it or...there is a chance she'll say no! I have a feeling that she wants a husband one day! And unless I grow a penis, I can't give her everything she wants!" Imu got out in worry as she hugged herself.

Akira opened his mouth before stopping himself. "...Nope, not telling her about Haruka's potion." He thought to himself. No way she was gonna let this blonde take advantage of it. "Hey, the best lovers are best friends too. Whatever happens, it won't be as bad as you think." He soon encouraged.

"You're probably going to say that the worst she can say is No, but then when it happens, it's worse than that..." Imu soon whined.

"I...I'm not saying it now." Akira admitted awkwardly. "But really, you should just rip the bandage off. The longer it's there, the worse it'll hurt later."

"I keep telling myself that but I can never do it even then." Imu responded with a sigh before paling. "Oh God, there's tons of pretty people in Tokyo. She probably already has a secret boyfriend or girlfriend or whatever." She then suddenly assumed in a paranoid manner as she held the sides of her head.

"I don't think she does. She's usually busy with her own things." Akira got out. "...Besides becoming Futaba's new big sister." He added in his head.

"Oh, what type of things?" Imu demanded with a scoff.

"Hanging out with friends, exercising, going to work...shopping..." Akira listed off, though trailed off at the last one.

"...Shopping?" Imu repeated, confused to hear that.

"Yeah. She's even doing it right now over there." Akira soon pointed out upon spotting the white haired woman wandering around...while her hands were touching on her own breasts like she was feeling something on that part of her body.

"What!?" Imu exclaimed as she turned around to see the woman noticing them.

"Akira? Why are you here?" Miyabi got out in surprise as she approached the two. "...What the- Is that Imu? What are you-" She then began to ask with a raised eyebrow.

Imu tried to hide behind the boy, only for the Leader to get behind her and push her forward. "Don't push me! E-Erm...Miyabi. Hi." She soon got out in a nervous manner.

"Imu, when did you get to Tokyo?" Miyabi questioned, a grin breaking out on her face.

"You know...the other day." Imu vaguely responded. She then turned to the boy, who gave her double thumbs-up and a smile. "U-Um...I...I have to admit something." She soon started.

"Hm? What is it?" Miyabi responded in confusion.

Taking a deep breath, Imu reached into herself and finally found the courage to speak properly. "It's just that...I've been holding onto these feelings for a long time, and as I realized everyone was becoming happier without me, I knew I needed to get this out sooner or later without regret." She began.

"Imu, don't beat around the bush with me." Miyabi advised as she stepped closer. "You can tell me anything." She then assured.

"A-Ahhhh~" Imu mentally squealed, the white haired woman's beautiful face so close to her that she had to stop herself from kissing her right then and there. "I...I must confess...I love you." She soon squeaked before closing her eyes, preparing for the rejection.

However, Miyabi blinked in surprise. "I love you too, Imu." The white haired woman responded with a slightly flustered look on her face. "You are the only one who has been with me through thick and thin, and has given me the strength to fight even in my darkest moments." She then stated.

"M-Miyabi..." Imu gasped with widened eyes as Akira smiled proudly at the sight.

Miyabi nodded as she placed a hand on the glasses-wearing girl's shoulder. "I couldn't ask for a better friend." She then pridefully declared.

SHATTER!

Imu immediately gained a flat look as her heart shattered into tiny little pieces. "...Eh?" She squeaked out.

Akira meanwhile winced upon hearing that as he sweatdropped. It was like watching a live execution.

"Yeah, it's been obvious since we've been together. You don't need to tell me that, but I guess we haven't seen each other in so long it might've warranted it." Miyabi continued in a casual manner, unable to see the stampede of Jack Frosts trampling over the pieces of her childhood friend's heart into a fine dust. "Is that all you wanted to say? Because I really need to go back to shopping now. Actually, do you want to join me?" She soon offered.

"No. Please. Go. I won't stop you." Imu robotically assured.

"Are you sure? We could talk more." Miyabi suggested before looking between the Leader and her best friend. "Do you want Akira to join us?" She soon guessed.

"No. Please. Go. I won't stop you." Imu robotically assured.

Miyabi gave her best friend a look before shrugging. "Okay, it was nice seeing you. We'll talk more later when we have the time." She soon got out before heading to the Underground Mall.

"...She could've just said no." Imu got out in a tiny voice.

Once the white haired woman left, the Leader turned to the girl who remained frozen on the spot. "...Are you going to try ag-" Akira began to ask.

"No. Never. Not in a million, bajillion years." Imu answered in an empty manner.

Akira soon placed a hand on the girl's shoulder to comfort her. "Come on. Nothing heals a broken heart more than-"

"Beating the next person to piss me off with an electrically charged pole?" Imu mindlessly assumed, causing the boy to stop patting her shoulder.

"...I was gonna say ice-cream, but maybe a trip to the batting cages might be a little better." Akira admitted with a small sweatdrop.

"...Ice cream sounds good..." Imu soon confessed.

"Sure, I'll pay." Akira soon offered, taking the girl's hand as he guided her over to the nearest ice cream shop he knew.

Only for the sandy blonde to flinch her hand away, earning a slightly surprised and confused look as he looked back at her. "Um, you don't have to grab my hand like I'm your date or something." Imu reminded him. "I'll follow you ahead." She then stated.

"Fair enough." Akira responded with a shrug before going on ahead, the sandy blonde following behind him. Why did his instincts tell him to grab a girl's hand just to go somewhere?

Some time later, Akira and Imu were on a bench, both eating their triple scoop of their frozen treats.

"Are you feeling better now?" Akira asked after a few minutes of eating and licking in silence.

"Yeah. A lot better." Imu admitted with a small smile. "I could've gone for some inari sushi, too." She then added.

"Mm, sounds nice." Akira stated with a smile, thinking about the food.

"Urgh...I still can't believe I managed to do that and I still got shot down." Imu groaned.

"I wouldn't say that just...Miyabi needs a metaphorical brick to the face first to understand some things." Akira explained. "If you need help, I'll make sure to get a cinderblock too." He soon offered.

"No...no...you've done enough." Imu stated, giving the boy a kind smile. "I guess I'll be in the friendzone forever. Always the maid, never the maiden..." She soon mumbled in despair.

"Look, the friendzone is stupid." Akira stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "It's just some dumb concept from some show that idiots who don't know anything about relationships repeat. Friends can become lovers, just give it time and effort and show that you love her, not tell her. And hey, being friends isn't all that bad anyways." He then encouraged.

"...Dammit, no wonder Murasaki fell hard for you..." Imu grumbled as she took a large bite of her ice cream while having a slightly annoyed look on her face.

"Oh what?" Akira got out, sounding slightly irritated. "Come on, I'm just being nice." He then insisted.

"Then whoever catches your eye will be very lucky." Imu immediately remarked. "Although, I doubt you'd win against a god." She then however stated, snickered a little at the thought.

"You'd be surprised." Akira thought as he finished his treat.

"But...I guess I'll know Murasaki will be in safe hands then." Imu soon muttered.

Akira only let out a nervous laugh. "So, what are you doing after you're done?" He soon asked. "I know a nice place to get some coffee and sushi, if you want." He then informed.

"Hmm...I'm heading straight home after I'm done here." Imu eventually answered after giving it much thought. "You gave me a lot to think about, so...I need some time to get things ready." She then explained.

"Well, before you leave, at least give me your contact details." Akira soon advised as he pulled out his phone.

"Huh?" Imu got out as she comprehended what the boy just requested of her. "Oh, I should do that, huh?" She soon realized before pulling out her own.

["ILuvMiyabiChan" has been added to your contacts.]

"...You couldn't have picked a better IM name?" Akira questioned.

"I made it when I was 10 and now I can't change it because I've been using it for years." Imu pouted before blushing. "Miyabi thinks it's about Miyabi Fujieda-san." She then informed.

"...I think I finally found something denser than tungsten." Akira muttered.

Imu however quickly broke into a laugh, causing him to laugh as well.

Soon enough, they finished their ice cream and made some more small talk before Imu decided it was time to leave.

"Okay then, I'll see you later. I had fun, Imu." Akira got out as he waved at the woman.

"Me too." Imu replied before blinking. Huh, she had honestly meant that. "I'll...talk to you as soon as I can." She soon promised.

"I'll be waiting." Akira replied with a smirk.

With that, Imu left without looking back.

Around the corner, out of the boy's sight, the glasses-wearing woman was stopped in her tracks, seeing a familiar blonde undercover shinobi standing there wearing a lab coat. "Haruka."

"Imu." Haruka responded with a nod. "How was your talk with darling?" She soon asked.

"...Enlightening." Imu answered in a curt manner. "I...can understand a bit why you and Murasaki fell for him." She then confessed.

"He is an ideal man among the other men I have met. From the ones in my dungeon at Hebijo, of course." Haruka stated with a smile.

"...You know our line of work would put him at risk, right?" Imu however reminded in a serious tone.

"I know, and that's why I am determined to protect him from any danger or harm." Haruka replied and stated somehow proudly.

"You can't do that by yourself, you know?" Imu had to remind her.

"Which is why I have allies for a reason. I do have Tsumuji-chan with me." Haruka then reassured her once again.

"Heeeey~" Tsumuji soon got out as she appeared from behind her mistress.

"Eh? Why are you here!?" Imu exclaimed.

"I got nothing going on." The maid shinobi confessed casually. "I asked Haruka-sama to let me come with her, and here I am." She then informed.

"You two seriously need hobbies." Imu sighed before pausing. "...That's not stalking." She then quickly added for more specificity.

"I'd like to call it observing future friendship targets and suitable lovers. Well, lover." Haruka claimed. "I'm a kind soul, I assure you." She then added.

"Uh-huh. And I'm pretty sure you've threatened to kill me at least a dozen times today." Imu added with a flat look on her face. "Is that how you make friends?" She then questioned.

"I am not a psychopath." Haruka insisted with a frown.

"And Haruka-sama has never threatened to kill me." Tsumuji informed as she bowed to her mistress. "Only forcefully turn me into a subservient slave." She then added casually.

"...I'm gonna go now." Imu eventually informed.

"Please do." Haruka replied as she let the woman pass by her. "...But, Imu." She soon spoke, stopping the sandy blonde woman's stride.

"What?" Imu got out with a raised eyebrow.

"...Whatever you have crafting in your head right now..." Haruka began. "Don't make either of us regret our decisions here." She soon advised in a serious manner.

"Every decision is always at the expense of another." Imu muttered. "How you choose to live with that regret will determine your future." She then stated.

"Hmhmhm, Darling said something similar to me as well." Haruka revealed before letting out a smile. "...Goodbye, Imu. And be there for Murasaki-chan this time on my behalf." She then got out in an honest manner.

"...I'll see you later." Imu replied before disappearing into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Akira watched as the glasses-wearing woman left.

"...Another shinobi..." Akira muttered to himself. "Been meeting too many of them lately. Is there really going to be a war soon...?" He thought as he narrowed his eyes in concern.

Letting out a sigh, he decided to just focus on getting home. He didn't want to think how many shinobi would be after him and his friends in the coming months.

And especially, he didn't want to think about how many looks of betrayal he may endure should they find out.

---

(10/1, Evening)

(Shibuya, Station Square)

The six stunning models had an absolute blast at their girls-only party; in fact, describing it as merely fun would be a gross understatement.

From the moment they arrived, their spirits soared as they immersed themselves in the vibrant energy that permeated the event. The atmosphere was nothing short of extraordinary, creating an ambiance of pure enchantment that resonated with each of the women. Laughter filled the air, mingling with the pulsating beats of the music, as the six models reveled in every moment of this truly unforgettable experience.

Throughout the span of their stay at The Funky Gibbon, Asuka and Miki spent a lot of it together, talking, dancing and enjoying whatever drinks and food they ordered. Due to the lighting of the place, it was hard to tell them apart.

The way they talked, the way they acted, the way they went to the bathroom together, it was less like they were twins and more like the same person in different bodies despite the different heights.

And neither one of them found it weird whatsoever. If anything, it reinforced their bond.

"WOOO! I totes wish I met you first, Miki-chi! I'd rather have you as my rival instead of that super stupid bitch whatever-her-name-is!" Asuka happily declared in a seductive sounding tone. "Ufufu~ Miki-chi is like, sooooo awesome~ She'd totes make a great girlfriend~" She meanwhile thought in an equally seductive tone with a giggle.

"Yeah, you're a great friend, Asuka-chi! Totes Best Fashionable Friends Forever!" Miki happily responded as she downed her mocktail in one go. "Ufufu~ Best! Day! EVER~!" She mentally declared in a seducing tone and her own giggle. "WAITER! ANOTHER ROUND!" She called out, drinks soon arriving as a result.

However, all good things must come to an end...which was signaled by being cut-off by the bartender.

They weren't drunk, they had been given completely non-alcoholic drinks the entire time, it was because they were acting like such valley girls that they were attracting a rather unsavory crowd who were looking to pick up these girls. For their safety (and to not deal with too many assholes), they were asked to leave.

That didn't dampen their spirits though! They were still giggling like mad from their party-high from their trip to the car to when they drove down the street towards an available parking spot to drop the youngest of them off.

"Thank you so much for everything, girls." Asuka got out in a grateful manner.

"It's no big deal." Junko replied with a sweet smile. "You're a really fun girl to hang out with. We should do it more often." She then admitted and suggested.

"I would like that. But this was just a day off since my school decided to cancel for the day." Asuka explained.

"Hey, there are plenty of other days of the year. When you find the time, just call us." Erika however pointed out and offered.

"Sooo, sharing contact numbers?" Asuka guessed as she took out her phone from her purse.

"Bingo!" Aya happily replied, taking out her own phone that was in a silver case as the other models took out their phones as well.

Asuka in turn smiled at that as she exchanged numbers with her new friends. It was always nice making new ones after all.

"Well then, until the next spa session." Hana got out.

"And partyin'!" Aya added.

"I'll look forward to it." Asuka giggled as the pinkette finally found a parking spot. "See ya!" She then called out as the other models then drove off, leaving the two alone.

"I'll walk you back to your place, Asuka-chan." Miki offered as she pulled into a parking space and grabbed her briefcase.

"Hehe, thanks Miki-chan." Asuka replied as she held her shopping bags.

"Shibuya is fairly dangerous at night and I know a bit of self-defense should someone get a little...handsy with us." Miki explained.

Asuka meanwhile smirked at that. "Hehe, usually I can handle them." She replied.

"As a result of Kamoshita?" Miki asked.

"Obviously." Asuka responded with a wink. "I mean I did spike him in the nuts." She then reminded. "As well as any train gropers." She soon added.

"Well aren't you a little minx?" Miki jokingly remarked in amusement.

"Moh!" Asuka got out as her face turned bright red from embarrassment.

Miki however just giggled at that reaction. "So, what do you think of my work colleagues? Junko-chan, Aya-chan, Hana-chan and Erika-chan?" The pinkette soon asked.

"Honestly, I like them. They certainly were lively." The brunette answered. "I guess they heard about me after the runway show huh?" Asuka then assumed.

"Since your debut actually." Miki replied.

The brunette's eyes immediately widened. "Wow..." Asuka meekly mumbled. "Quite a lot of people had their eyes on me..." She then added.

"Indeed. You have quite the potential..." The pinkette replied before yawning. "Do you mind if I spend the night at your place? Today wore me out more than expected..." Miki soon requested and confessed.

"Sure thing, Miki-chan. I'll even make breakfast for you in the morning." Asuka replied and offered.

"Thank you for this Asuka-chan." The pinkette replied in a grateful manner, however realization then came to the pinkette. "Oh wait, you said you live with your sister right? Will she be alright with this?" Miki soon asked in concern. She didn't want to just be uninvited after all.

"I'll explain things when we get there." Asuka reassured.

To that, Miki sighed in relief. "You really are a good friend Asuka-chan." She soon confessed. "...More than my roommates..." She thought to herself.

As they turned the corner, a certain white haired woman joined the two.

"Evening Asuka." Miyabi said as she finished crossing the road.

"Evening, Miyabi-chan." Asuka replied as she then noticed the white haired woman giving her an up-down. She looked...exhausted and embarrassed. "What's up?" She soon asked.

"Futaba and I...did a lot together. Shopping, walking around the Shibuya streets, other essential stuff...it was promising, to say the least." Miyabi replied...

"...Was there any perverted stuff?" Asuka guessed.

Miyabi went silent for a second, thinking of what to answer without blowing their cover and making the brunette suspicious. "...The usual perverted remarks, yes, but nothing major." She bluntly lied. No way she was going to tell anyone about the agreement she made with the hacker...or for some reason feeling weak by her touch.

"Um, okay..." Asuka only got out, slightly curious about what happened. "Hey, at least Futaba-chan's a good girl, right?" She then tried to reassure her.

Miyabi in response nodded with a smile, almost reluctantly. "You're right about that, at least." She replied before noticing something on the brunette. "You're dressed differently than usual." She then noted her student's appearance

"Right. I spent the day with my senior in modeling." Asuka replied.

"Your...senior in modeling?" Miyabi repeated with a raised eyebrow before taking note of the pinkette in the similar dress to her student's. "And you are? She soon asked.

"My name is Miki. And you are?" The pinkette responded and repeated the same question.

"Miyabi. Asuka's neighbor and friend." The white haired woman replied.

"A pleasure." Miki added.

"So what are you doing here in Station Square Miyabi-chan?" Asuka eventually asked in a curious manner.

"Just heading back home after dropping Futaba off. I can still feel her squeezing my boobs..." Miyabi replied with a sweatdrop.

Asuka in response giggled to that while the pinkette's raised an eyebrow.

"She may soon awaken to something far worse than Katsuragi..." Miyabi stated with concern. "And we both know damn well what kind of insanity Katsuragi can cause." The white haired woman added.

To that, Asuka sweatdropped. "Right, poor Makoto-chan." She replied, getting a shocked look from the pinkette.

"I'm going to measure myself just to make sure when I get home." Miyabi noted.

"Hm? What happened to your friend?" Miki questioned in curiosity.

"Katsu-nee...likes groping other girls...and they become bigger as a result." The brunette meekly explained with a hint of embarrassment.

This caused the pinkette to blink as she tried to imagine it, though under normal circumstances, it seemed as though it would be impossible. "This Katsuragi is certainly not a normal person. Could she be...?" Miki soon thought.

The pinkette however then shook her head. No, she wanted to leave that world. No thinking about it.

---

(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)

"Oh, what a nice looking place." Miki confessed in an impressed manner.

"Hehe, thanks Miki-chan." Asuka replied with a smile. "Oh! You better tell your roommates you're staying over." She then suggested.

"I should." Miki admitted in agreement as she took out her phone and started texting.

[SoulPrincess: Miki here. Hyōki, Reki, Yuki, Maki?]

[HimeLove: Maki here. Where are you? Hyōki called for a house meeting.]

[SoulPrincess: Really? Sorry, been partying and having fun with Asuka-chan all day.]

[HimeLove: (Sigh)...]

[PrincessBride: Yuki responding. And I say 'Aw, no fair. I had work all day...' (pout)...]

[SoulPrincess: If you're gonna (sigh) and (pout), maybe I should've just called...]

[LeopardPrincess:...Hyōki here. So you enjoyed yourself?]

[SoulPrincess: Hai. Hyōki. I'm a bit too fatigued to safely drive home. I'm not as young as I used to be...]

[LeopardPrincess: Very well.]

[SoulPrincess: So what was the meeting about?]

[ZeroPrincess: Reki replying. Are you away from civilians right now?]

[SoulPrincess: Asuka-chan's ahead of me and can't see this.]

[SoulPrincess: And she's not the type to eavesdrop on others.]

[LeopardPrincess: Still. Find somewhere you can properly be alone. If you're staying at Asuka's, there should be a place there.]

[SoulPrincess: Hai hai.]

"I can stay the night here." Miki soon informed. "Can I use your bathroom as soon as we get to your place?" She then asked.

"Sure." Asuka responded as the three made it to their apartment rooms.

"I'm gonna head in, night Asuka." Miyabi decided and informed before giving the brunette a playful head rub.

"Goodnight. I hope Futaba-chan hasn't done anything to your boobs." Asuka replied.

"Yeah..." Miyabi sighed out as she headed into her apartment.

"My, she really is concerned for this person's well-being." Miki noted.

"She is." Asuka replied in agreement as she took out her apartment key and the two entered. "Homu-neechan! I'm back!" She called out.

"Welcome back Sis!" Homura responded as she put the magazine she was reading down.

Miki's eyes soon widened at the appearance of the brunette's sister.

"Hm?" Homura hummed out. "You're...Miki, right?" She assumed.

"I am. And you are?" Miki replied.

"Homura. Asuka's sister." The tan skinned girl replied.

"I invited her to stay the night since she feels she's too tired to drive to her place." Asuka explained as the pinkette put her briefcase on the table and headed to the bathroom.

"You were out all day Sis. What did you two do?" Homura pointed out and asked.

Asuka in turn giggled. "Hehe, well..." She started as she began explaining her day.

Meanwhile in the bathroom, Miki was on the toilet as she took out her phone again and began texting.

[SoulPrincess: I'm alone now. What went on earlier?]

(...)

[SoulPrincess: Well?]

[ZeroPrincess: Well...]

[ZeroPrincess: It's official...I'm fully human now...]

[SoulPrincess: Wait... You waited this long to tell us Reki-chan... Didn't you and Yuki-chan two visit Takemi-sensei back in September?]

[LeopardPrincess: She wanted to fully confirm it before making it official.]

[SoulPrincess: I see. Anything of note to us as shinobi in terms of employment?]

[PrincessBride: We actually do have something in that regard.]

[SoulPrincess: Oh?]

[HimeLove: Though it isn't exactly our forte... but, a job is a job...]

[ZeroPrincess: Though I will need to be retrained now...]

[SoulPrincess: Are you saying you no longer have your abilities?]

[ZeroPrincess: Not exactly. My Yoma abilities are still there, for some reason. And I also do want to at least get up to my original level.]

[LeopardPrincess: And until then, she will need to arm herself as well. And adjust her Tenshin appearance too. ]

[SoulPrincess: I'll see if my connections can get you weapons that will allow you to fight as you originally did, Reki-chan.]

[SoulPrincess: Unless you have something in mind for a weapon.]

[ZeroPrincess: I'd rather go with what I've been fighting like for ages.]

[LeopardPrincess: But you know you do not have much of a choice. You are human like the rest of us now.]

[PrincessBride: So, be careful...]

(...)

[ZeroPrincess: Of course.]

[SoulPrincess: At least there are no more mindless Yōma now Reki-chan.]

[HimeLove: Though some of the sentient ones could potentially have gone into hiding to recover...]

[LeopardPrincess: Shinobis in general will no longer have a pointless reason now to fight one another to bring them out. Now they'll just fight each other if it relates to a job.]

[SoulPrincess: Now, for the second part... Dismantling the shinobi way of life. Right?]

[LeopardPrincess: Ironically, it might fall apart on its own at this rate.]

[PrincessBride: That's a good thing right?]

[HimeLove: Still...who killed Shin?]

[ZeroPrincess: It doesn't matter at this point. The damn thing is dead and won't produce more of the mindless beasts now.]

[PrincessBride: One last thing. I served these four girls accompanied by an old woman and a little kid. The kid had these really odd eyes though... I did a quick sketch of how they looked in my notepad.]

[PrincessBride has uploaded: "Sketch_1"]

[SoulPrincess: Hm?]

[LeopardPrincess: I saw her too while I was out with Ryuji-kun. Kagura's current incarnation is active here in Tokyo. She is also with the current Naraku, an elderly woman and three high school girls.]

[LeopardPrincess: Everyone, stay completely under the radar now! The mission to find Shin's killer has been aborted now!]

[SoulPrincess: That's especially going to be difficult for me considering my position...]

[PrincessBride: Based on the conversation, it looks like they're going after Shin's killers as well. They didn't outright say anything in regards to that, but sometimes the loudest words are the unspoken ones.]

[ZeroPrincess: So wait and see what happens for now. I'm fine with this.]

[SoulPrincess: So we're denouncing our shinobi titles to be civilians now?]

[LeopardPrincess: We're going to still take that job for now. It's low danger and it should keep our minds and muscles sharp.]

[HimeLove: I'm going to do some ailuromancy tomorrow using the black-and-white cat that hangs around that cafe.]

[LeopardPrincess: When you return tomorrow Miki, you'll be training Reki to adjust to her new body.]

[SoulPrincess: Hai. I'll make sure my puppets are fully updated with some new combat styles.]

[PrincessBride: Soooo moving on from the serious stuff, how's hanging out with Asuka-chi?]

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Everything good, Miki-chan?" Asuka called out from the other side of the bathroom door.

"I am. Just putting in something fresh that's a necessity for ladies that have passed a certain age." Miki replied.

"Ah, okay." Asuka responded and the sound of footsteps could be heard.

And with that, the pinkette went back to texting, smiling all the while.

[SoulPrincess: You girls would really like Asuka-chan. People like her are rare in the world.]

[HimeLove: If you insist...]

[SoulPrincess: I mean it Maki. Not bullshitting you.]

[LeopardPrincess:...You've become friends with her.]

[ZeroPrincess: Can we run a background check on this Asuka? I just want to be absolutely sure that she's a civilian.]

[SoulPrincess: I took her to 'that' spa today.]

(...)

[HimeLove: That far as a friend huh?]

[PrincessBride: Lucky!]

[LeopardPrincess: What did she become?]

[SoulPrincess: Exactly like me.]

(...)

[HimeLove: Really? You synced up?]

[LeopardPrincess: That's concerning... One Osakan gal is bad enough...]

[ZeroPrincess: How long did it last?]

[SoulPrincess: Not too long. We went back to normal on the drive to the next stop afterwards.]

[SoulPrincess: Though I think of her as my BFF now. So I will not allow any BS from anyone. Are we clear?]

[ZeroPrincess: Crystal. However, what if she IS a shinobi? I'm only saying this out of concern.]

(...)

[LeopardPrincess: Then we sway her to sympathize with us and understand us.]

[HimeLove: Hyōki?]

[SoulPrincess: Explain.]

[LeopardPrincess: If we can swing her and any of her shinobi allies to our cause. Then we can achieve our goals and Miki retains her friendship.]

[SoulPrincess: So...not destroy the shinobi system, but change it?]

[LeopardPrincess: The way of the shinobi is not going to die out that easily, I confess to this.]

[ZeroPrincess: Interesting. Miki, you better get off the toilet soon otherwise your hosts will get concerned. I'll message you the shinobi job details tomorrow.]

[SoulPrincess: Right. Have a good night everyone.]

"Miki-chan! Me and Homu-neechan made dinner for us!" Asuka called out

"I'm coming. Give me a second." Miki replied as she pulled her panties back up.

FLUSH!

"Apologies for taking so long. Loooong chat with roommates." Miki apologized and explained as she sat in the lounge. "Oh right, I have something to give to you Asuka-chan." The pinkette suddenly informed as she unlocked her briefcase.

"Hm?" Asuka hummed out in a curious manner while putting the last touches on their dinner.

"Me and my colleagues wanted to give this to you. To help with your modeling career." Miki soon revealed as she pulled out a photo book.

"A book?" Homura questioned with a raised eyebrow.

The brunette's eyes however lit up like a Christmas tree. "This book is really rare. There were only 500 printed. It details the four years that Miki-chan's group has been together. It even has their thoughts on each shoot." Asuka excitedly responded and revealed.

Homura in turn blinked in a surprised manner. "And you're giving Sis something like this?" She asked in disbelief.

"She is one of the fastest rising stars. My manager has her pinned for greatness and she has never made a bad call." Miki replied.

To that, Asuka blushed sheepishly.

"Damn. Sis has been that good?" Homura questioned in awe and disbelief.

"She has." Miki replied. "I will say, Homura-chan, you're quite the beauty yourself." The pinkette added.

"So I've been told." Homura replied, unphased by the compliment. "Though the modeling scene is Sis's thing. Not sure if it would be for me. Even after that I was dragged into a shoot." She then admitted.

"You just need to have faith in yourself and to work hard." Miki replied. "You have such beautiful tanned skin and nice long hair. You'd be a definite hit with enough time." She added.

"Eeeeh, I just felt it wasn't right for me." Homura awkwardly admitted.

"I was like that when I was starting out." Miki on the other hand warmly replied.

Asuka meanwhile giggled at that interaction. "Hehe, come on Miki-chan. If Homu-neechan doesn't want to, she doesn't have to." She soon stated.

To that, Miki awkwardly blushed. She was letting her scouting mindset through. "Right, right. I apologize for that, Homura-san." She soon apologized.

"Eh, it's ok. Now let's get to eating. This food isn't getting any warmer." Homura replied and stated as she sat at the table.

To that, the brunette and pinkette nodded as they sat down, Asuka placing the book away to read it later.

"Thought we'd keep it simple with just a hot pot since it's getting colder." Asuka explained.

"Nothing wrong with simple. I like it." Miki replied as she started eating.

And with that, the three enjoyed a good meal together as they talked with one another as they discussed the events of the brunette and pinkette's day and their experiences.

"Still, shouldn't you have been worried with a spa that causes the girls to have mental changes like that?" Homura eventually pointed out.

"I think it's good to see what hidden sides of you are there..." Asuka however admitted.

"Even I wasn't expecting Asuka-chan to be like how I become after experiencing it." Miki confessed with a smile.

The tanned thief for some reason soon imagined the light gray haired girl speaking like a rough-and-tumble delinquent...But Homura then shook it off as fast as it came. "So...you didn't do anything while like that, right?" She then asked in concern.

To that, the brunette shook her head. "Nope. It just helped me loosen up when we went partying." She replied and revealed.

"Hai. The two of us were like two peas in a pod." Miki confessed as the two of them giggled in amusement.

"Even down to dresses." Homura noted as she looked at the similar dresses her sister and the pinkette were wearing, which were hugging their bodies as they continued eating.

---

Eventually, all the food was done and the three were satisfied.

"Ah, that was delicious." Miki breathed out in satisfaction as she looked at the two. "To think you two were excellent cooks too." She then confessed in an impressed manner.

"Did you forget I work part time at a cafe, Miki-chan?" Asuka however reminded with a giggle.

"Right. Sorry. I must be more tired than I thought..." The pinkette conceded.

"How about a bath before we all turn in? Sis is looking tired as well..." Homura suggested and noted.

"That sounds like a good idea." Miki confessed.

"Although it'll be a bit of a squeeze with all three of us." Asuka pointed out.

"Ufufu~ I usually share a bath with four roommates back at my own apartment, so it is no big deal." Miki replied and reassured...before blushing. "Question though, do you two mind sleeping in the nude?" She then awkwardly asked.

But before the two can answer...

"GAH!" The unmistakable sound of Miyabi screaming can be heard.

The pinkette blinked in confusion. "What was that about?" Miki asked in slight concern.

"Um, I'm not sure." Asuka admitted. "Sorry, we have thin walls." She then apologized and simply explained.

"Are you fucking kidding me!?"

"You should tune her out." Homura suggested.

"Okay..." Miki could only really say, "So, do you wish to answer my previous question?" She then pressed.

"Huh? Oh, the nude thing." Homura remembered.

"We already do that sometimes." Asuka soon answered in a casual manner.

"...Eh?" Miki blinked.

"Yeah, Sis likes to strip people in her sleep." Homura informed while her sister blushed. "It's not that big of a deal. We do a lot of stuff in the buff. If you find it more comfortable, go ahead. We don't mind." She then revealed.

"Oh." Miki responded. "I never thought you'd both be so...liberal with your body image." She then admitted.

"It's our apartment and we have no adult supervision. We can do whatever we want here." Homura claimed with a smirk. "Hell, take off your clothes right now. We'll get it washed and dried by tomorrow." She then offered.

Miki coughed in surprise. "Like...here?"

"Yeah." Homura nodded.

"W-Wait, Homu-neechan. Don't pressure Miki-chan into-" Asuka tried to say, however...

"I love, love, love your style." Miki exclaimed in an impressed manner with a starry look in her eyes. "I wish I could do that with my teammates. Such prudes." She soon confessed.

"O-Oh..." Asuka sweatdropped.

WOOSH!

Miki was now currently naked in just a second just by flicking all of her clothes off including her bra and panties with just her two hands. "Here you go. Make sure it's pristine by tomorrow." She then requested.

"...You can just take off your clothes in one move?" Homura couldn't help but mention, staring at the pinkette.

"Only when I'm in a rush or I need to show off." Miki explained with a shrug. "So, where are we sleeping?" She soon questioned as she looked around the apartment.

"U-Uh, we have a bedroom. It's right over there." Asuka answered as she pointed over to their shared room.

"Just so you know, we don't have a spare futon for you..." Homura informed after regaining her composure.

Miki meanwhile nodded in response. "That's fine. I will take the couch and-" She began before...

"She actually managed to do it... She increased my bust by 1cm..." Miyabi's muffled voice got out in disbelief.

The roommates meanwhile sweatdropped upon hearing that. "Hey, Miyabi, quiet down! We have a guest!" Homura called out as she banged on the wall that separated their apartments.

"Oh, you're complaining about loud noises!?" Miyabi growled.

"Let's just get in the bath..." Asuka deadpanned.

"Agreed." Homura responded with a nod.

"Hai." Miki replied as the three girls headed into the bathroom.

"As I said before, I will be alright sleeping on the couch." Miki reassured.

"Sheesh though, roomed with 4 other girls? That has to be a lot to deal with." Homura pointed out as she held the sides of her top.

"The apartment is big enough for us." Miki replied. "I guess you could call us more of a family than just roommates..." She then vaguely added.

To that, Homura just nodded as the sisters stripped themselves down.

BOING! JIGGLE!

"You're not gonna take those out?" Homura asked while pointing a finger towards the pinkette's horns.

The top model in turn paled slightly to the blunder. "Ah." Miki winced, gaining an uncomfortable and uneasy expression.

"Miki-chan?" Asuka got out as the sisters looked at the pinkette in concern.

"I...can't take them out... They're stuck in my head..." Miki suddenly admitted.

"...Eh?" The sisters got out in confusion.

"They're actually connected to me in a way that makes surgery impossible without severe risks..." Miki shamefully revealed.

"...EH!?" The sisters soon exclaimed in shock.

"Are you serious?" Homura questioned in disbelief.

"W-What happened!?" Asuka soon asked.

"I..." Miki started to answer before hesitating. "Should I tell these civilians as much as I can without revealing myself as a shinobi?" She thought to herself in concern.

But at that moment...

"If you don't want to talk about if you're uncomfortable, then that's fair enough." Homura suddenly informed as she rubbed the pinkette's shoulder.

That meanwhile surprised Miki. "!?" She was wide-eyed as she looked at the sisters.

"Exactly. We're not going to push the issue further." Asuka added.

In response, Miki blinked. "You two...are mature for high schoolers." She hesitantly admitted in an impressed manner.

Upon that confession, the two sisters nervously giggle while blushing.

"We've been through a lot since coming to Tokyo." Homura vaguely responded.

"Kamoshita for one." Miki soon recalled as the three got in the bath.

SPLASH!

"Aaaaahhhhh~" The trio moaned in relief.

"It's...a little cramped in here." Miki remarked as she shifted around a little to get comfortable.

"A-Ahn~!" Suddenly, the tan skinned girl moaned.

"Eh? Did I hurt you!?" Miki exclaimed.

"No! U-Um, don't move!" Homura yelped with a hot red blush. "W-Wow, you're just as soft as you look..." She then muttered.

"Moh! Homu-neechan... It's rude to stare..." Asuka reminded her sister.

"Ack! S-Sorry sis, sorry Miki! Our guest just has a lot of a mature charm to her..." Homura shamefully replied.

"I do have that effect on people." Miki playfully confessed while striking a pose that draws the eyes to her chest.

BOING!

"Though both of you aren't bad either." Miki then confessed. "Especially those tan lines Homura-chan..." She soon added before taking a breath to calm herself. "Remember Miki, no controlling others anymore. Becoming a full time model and nothing else." The pinkette mentally ordered herself before thinking about it. "After I help Hyōki-chan finish her mission..." She added internally. "I, at least, owe her that much..." She concluded her internal monologue.

"Hey, Miki, which bath bomb do you want to use?" Homura suddenly asked. "Me and Sis can't decide." She then explained.

"Eh?" Miki got out, snapping out of it as she looked at sisters. "Bath bombs?" She repeated in a curious manner.

"Yup!" Asuka replied with a nod.

"Best ones that we can find!" Hpmura claimed. "Well, the only ones we can find physically and not online." She mentally added.

"Come on, Miki-chan! Pick one!" Asuka insisted.

"Let's see. How about this one?" Miki soon suggested while holding a red bath bomb.

"Oho, nice choice!" Homura declared with a smirk in approval.

"Agreed." Asuka admitted in agreement with a nod.

"Though it does make the water look like blood." Homura recalled.

"Well it is just for the bath after all. Let's just relax and enjoy it." Asuka replied.

"This is the same brand that one of my roommates buys." Miki revealed. "...Though I was told to never use it myself for some reason." She then added.

"Oh. Why is that Miki?' The tanned girl asked.

"...Honestly, I'm not sure." Miki confessed as she dropped the bath bomb into the tub.

PLOP! FIZZZZZZ!

The three girls sigh as they feel the fizz around them.

"And there's the fizziness~" Asuka breathed out.

"Oh yeah...gotta love this feeling~" Homura got out in a relaxed manner.

Though for the pinkette...

"H-hey... Could you t-two...um, give me a hug?" Miki suddenly asked in a meek manner.

"Hm~?" The sisters hummed out in curious manners.

"J-Just don't ask..." Miki mumbled while pouting and crying.

"Hmmm...ok, Miki-chan~" Asuka hummed and happily sighed out.

"If you insist." Homura added.

And with that, the sisters hugged the pinkette, their large breasts squished together like pillows.

"I've done so many awful things over the years..." The pinkette quietly confessed between sobs.

"Hm~?" The sisters hummed out, blissfully unaware of what was said.

Miki stopped saying anything as she just continued crying.

"There there...~" Asuka mumbled while rubbing the top model's head.

"I think we should get out soon." Homura suggested with a yawn.

"Hai, Homu-neechan~" Asuka breathed out.

"Y-Yeah..." Miki added with a nod.

And with that, the trio exited the tub with relative ease.

"Are you sure you don't want to snuggle up with us Miki-chan? You were pretty shaken up earlier." Asuka offered.

"I-I'll be alright..." Miki meekly responded, practically stuttering as she said that.

"I'll grab you a few warm blankets. Sis, could you get some pillows for her?" Homura stated.

To that, Asuka nodded as she went to get one.

"You're seriously going to sleep in the nude?" Homura soon asked.

"My panties aren't suited for sleeping in..." Miki replied.

"If you insist...Just don't stain the couch." Homura said.

"H-Hai." Miki meekly responded with a nod as the brunette returned and offered the pillow. "T-Thank you Asuka-chan." She then got out.

"Here's your blankets and a second pillow." Homura informed as she set up the couch.

"Thanks." Miki responded as she got into the make-shift bed.

The sisters then yawned as they looked at the pinkette.

"Well, good night Miki-chan." Asuka stated after finishing her yawn.

"Sleep tight." Homura added while rubbing her neck.

"Night, you two." Miki replied as she rested her head on the make-shift bed.

And with that, the two headed to their own room to sleep for the night.

---

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)

---

Whew! Done! We are approaching something. I don't know how these next two chapters will turn out, because uh… things are about to get real whacky.

UknownHero signing off, my friends!