4/23
Soon as class had ended for the day, Mukuro had just started gathering her things only to hear Junpei call her name and come jogging over.
"Hey, was wonderin' if you wanna hang out before we head back?" he asked.
"I didn't have any plans," Mukuro said, cocking her head slightly as she looked over at him.
"Um... is that a yes?" Junpei asked, a brief look of confusion on his face. "...Look, I'm finally feelin' the end of having not taken Akihiko's advice about protein shakes, and I kinda wanna be back at full strength ASAP, so I was thinkin' of goin' out to this one place I know... was hopin' you'd wanna come with?" he gave his best smile.
Mukuro raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "You... want to spend time with me?" she asked.
"Well, yeah!" he said, "Look, Yuka-tan's got her Archery Club... which reminds me the sports clubs should be openin' pretty soon if you wanna sign on for any. Figure give us somethin' to do, chance to know eachother more since we're both doin' the SEES thing n' all!"
"What'd you have in mind?" Mukuro asked.
"Oh, it's right at the strip mall in Iwatodai! I'll show ya!" Junpei said. "...That was a yes, right?"
"It was," Mukuro replied with a faint smile. "...Besides, Akihiko's fans are still looking at me like they want nothing more then to have my head on a pike."
"Oh, sorry," Junpei said. "I swear, why do girls always gotta be so damn catty with eachother?"
"...I'm a girl, too, Junpei," Mukuro said matter-of-factly.
"Heh, sorry," Junpei said with a nervous laugh. "Was tryin' to cheer you up a little by givin' my sympathies, I guess. They got no right to be like that. Then again, looks like yours maybe they should be afraid..." he mused a second.
Mukuro took in a deep breath and sighed. She had no more patience for Akihiko's followers then she did the last time she'd dealt with them, if not less so.
"...Let's just get going," she said, prompting a quick nod from Junpei as he lead the way out from the school.
The strip mall was more crowded then the last time Mukuro had visited when Yukari had brought her, following Junpei up the spiral steps to a set of curtains he parted leading her into the Hagekure Ramen diner she remembered seeing last time. The girl paused, taking in the smells of meats, seafood, broth, and vegetables as she stepped in with him. The place had plenty of patrons, but not so much they needed to wait long to be seated.
"We'll have two of the specials!" Junpei told the waiter before noting Mukuro's confused look. "I'm sure it'll be better then you're expecting. Looks like today's is beef bowl. Never have it before?"
"It's... been years since I've done ramen bowls," Mukuro said. "My family hadn't really entered wealth till we were about four. I think we got some to celebrate."
"Oh, I see," Junpei said, frowning in embarrassment. "Sorry, if it's somethin' you wanna keep to yourself, I get'cha."
Mukuro shook her head. "No, it's fine. It's just been a while."
"Oh, yeah? You remember what kind you had you had, then?" Junpei asked.
"I don't, actually," Mukuro said. "Mostly, I just remember my sister accidentally got me in the eye when she flicked a fish cake at me," she gave a small laugh despite remembering how much that had stung. "...She was always very playful."
Junpei chuckled a little as well. "Kids will be kids, amirite?" he asked. "Well, hopefully this time'll go better for ya! Speakin' of..."
He looked over as the waiter brought over their bowls, the fragrant smell and warmth was enough to make Mukuro feel a rumble in her stomach as she remembered she'd not had much for lunch that day.
Plus, it just smelled really good.
"Well, go on! Give it a try!" Junpei said, already wasting no time starting on his as he shoveled a bunch of noodles into his mouth and slurped them down, only to pause and struggle from how hot they were. Mukuro couldn't help but smile a little in amusement.
"You know, one of the first things I learned in Fenrir was to not charge into something head-on like that," she said.
Junpei quickly cooled his mouth and throat with his glass of water. "...Not so stoic all the time, huh?" he said with a small laugh despite a slight wince. "Give it a sec and it should be good!"
After a moment of silence, Mukuro finally took up her sticks and grabbed some beef and thick noodle, the steam wafting in her face and the heat filling her lungs as she paused and slowly brought the rest in, savoring its taste before swallowing it down.
Mukuro gave him a small, approving smile and nodded. "It's delicious," she said.
"Then we got ourselves a winner!" Junpei cheered. "Chow time for real, now! Haha!" he shoveled another load of noodle and beef into his mouth, flinching as he once more burned his tongue in his haste while Mukuro ate at a more steady pace as she watched him with a bemused look.
"Shooghh..." Junpei blushed a little at the realization he'd still half half of what he was eating hanging from his mouth and hurriedly shoveled it in and finished before speaking again. "...So, I was wondering, you doing alright?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Mukuro asked, taking another bite of her food.
"Oh, uh... well I did kinda notice you bein' outta school a few weeks n' all earlier. Meant to ask but it kinda slipped my mind with the whole Tartarus thing and all. Apparently you were in the hospital or somethin'? I mean, you seemed pretty good when you got back and all, after. Just hopin' you're okay."
"I can certainly say I felt very well-rested after," Mukuro said. "Otherwise it's been a work in progress adjusting."
"Right, with your... eh, life before? Gotta be a pretty different ball game, huh?" Junpei asked.
"I don't know how to feel about it, honestly... normal school life, I mean," Mukuro said. "I miss the rush. The uncertainty. It's... exhilarating. Maybe that's why I looked forward to all this once I found out what exactly we were doing."
Junpei blinked in surprise, unsure how to respond for a second.
"Still," Mukuro ran her hand through her dark hair. "...Fenrir wanted me to try and have a normal life again, so a part of me feels like I have to honor that. The ones who raised and trained me."
Junpei looked down at his bowl and let out a small laugh. "Heh." He looked back up at her. "I guess all that answered why you seemed a little lost at school. Not your element, huh?"
The boy took another helping of his ramen. "...But yeah, I think I get that. I actually had some problems myself when I transferred here," he said. "But still... I understand. It's kinda... bein' back in your element, I guess? Said you missed those things?"
Mukuro nodded.
"Well, either way, Mukuro, looks like you get to do both, ya know?" Junpei asked with a big grin. "Got brawn and beauty, so I betcha you'll be just fine!" he said with a laugh, pausing when he saw the other girl's slight raise of an eyebrow at his bold statement. "...Nevermind. Point is, I think you got this!"
Mukuro managed a small nod. "Do the same," she said.
"Hey, it's me we're talkin' about here! You can count on ol' Junpei to have your back! Promise!" the boy said as he downed a slice of beef.
Mukuro felt an odd sensation come over her the moment Junpei's words left his mouth as reality seemed to briefly slow down and dim around her, and the sound of glass shattering echoed within her mind, and Theodore's voice once more speaking to her...
Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Magician Arcana...
"That said, though," Junpei mused aloud as reality returned to normal, unaware of what had just happened from what Mukuro could tell, "...Guys and girls livin' in the same dorm? That can't be good."
"Why's that?" Mukuro asked.
"Ehh, between you, Mitsuru, and Yuka-tan? May as well have taken girls in the school's top five, put 'em all in one place, and then expect any guy there not to fall head over heels," Junpei said with a sheepish grin. "Oh, heh! Don't worry about me. I wouldn't do anything nefarious! Cross my heart!"
Mukuro gave the boy a silent, unreadable stare before speaking up. "...I'm in the top five?" she asked.
"Yeah, word about you scarin' off Akihiko's fanclub like that the other mornin'? You dodged the delinquent bullet and took the sexy rival one!" said Junpei. "That fair skin, those sharp features, those piercing eyes. Those smooth, toned legs, that killer body that rocks the uniform..."
Mukuro's expression darkened into a glare.
"Whoa, whoa! Hey, their words, not mine!" Junpei stammered nervously, red-faced and putting his hands up defensively. "N-Not to say you're not attractive or anythin'! You are! Just, not stuff I say about'cha to people! Honest!"
Mukuro blushed, pushing back her sidelock. "...It was... always my sister who got the compliments when we were kids."
"Don't sell yourself so short, Mukuro! Guess ya finally "blossomed" or whatever they call it!" Junpei said with a genuine smirk. "...Of course, I can't guarantee I won't fall for somebody if we keep gettin' more girls!"
Mukuro managed a small smile. "I'll need to protect them all, then," she said.
"Ow, that one hurt!" Junpei joked, his hand clapping over his chest as though he'd been shot before going back to eating his meal, Mukuro resuming her own as well.
"Shpheakin..." Junpei blushed, realizing he was talking with his mouth full again. "...Speaking of hurting, a Persona... it's like a part'a you, right? Y'think mine doesn't use, like spells so much 'cause men fight with their fists all mano a mano?" he wondered.
"If that were the case, I think mine would have guns," Mukuro replied, taking another helping of her own bowl.
"Heh, right. Well, I use a big honkin' sword, anyway!" Junpei said. "Yuka-tan uses a bow, guess that makes sense since she's in Archery Club n' all... then you're incredible with shortblades. The three of us we're a force to be reckoned with, wonder how it'll go once Akihiko's better and joinin' in?"
He took another bite of his food. "So, sports clubs tomorrow, any catch your attention?"
"I'm not entirely sure yet," said Mukuro. Aside from whenever they'd go into Tartarus, she'd need a way to keep herself active and in shape in the meantime without the exercises she was used to in Fenrir. She made a mental note to investigate tomorrow as she continued her meal and deciding she'd study the rest of the night when she got back.
4/24
It seemed Junpei wasn't wrong about all the sports clubs that got her interest, from boxing to fencing to track to swimming to Yukari's own archery club, were either full or exclusive to boys. Sipping the drink she'd bought, Mukuro roamed the halls of the school once class had ended now following a claim of an opening left in the Volleyball club.
The sign outside confirmed as much welcoming anyone from experts to newcomers. Mukuro's experience with sports was mostly basketball with her fellow Fenrirs when they'd talk her into joining, but that club was boys only. With little else in the way of options, Mukuro finished her drink, crushing the can in her hand and tossing it into the nearby trash bin as she opened the door and entered the gymnasium where they were meeting.
Several girls. already in gym clothes, were currently gathered with a young-looking teacher, who quickly turned at the sound of the door opening and took notice of her.
"Oh, hello, Miss! Are you here to join?" the teacher asked.
"I am, yes," said Mukuro, folding her arms and relieved none of the girls there appeared to be the ones that harassed her over Akihiko.
"Wonderful! Come on over, write your name down, and introduce yourself, then!" the teacher said with a welcoming smile and handing her a clipboard.
"Mukuro Ikusaba," the young soldier said with a polite bow.
A few murmurs started, she could hear some of them talking about her being the one who'd allegedly gotten in a fight the other morning, though none of them showed any sign of hostility.
"Hey, everyone be nice to her, alright?" the teacher asked. "I'm Ms. Kanou. I'm the faculty supervisor for the club, though most of your questions would be better answered by the club leader. Would you step forward and introduce yourself, Asahina-san?"
Mukuro saw a tan-skinned brunette step forward. Her hair was done up in a high ponytail and parted in the middle, her bangs held back by a paperclip.
"Welcome, I'm Aoi Asahina," the girl said with a bright smile and a quick bow. "Class 2-F, right? I..." She blushed. "...I heard the rumor mills, I apologize. I'm a junior like you! It's great to meet you!"
"Well, I'm going to leave the rest to you, Asahina-san. I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here, anyway!" the teacher, Ms. Kanou, said with a laugh as she practically slapped the clipboard into Aoi's hands and left in a haste without another word.
"...Right, yeah, sure thing," Aoi said, her smile fading a little and letting out a sigh as she let her arm hang, holding the clipboard like a wet towel. "...Why couldn't they have gotten us one of the coaches instead?" she muttered to herself before shaking her head and giving the other girls another big smile. "Alright, girls, enough standing around! Back to practice while I fill Ikusaba in!"
Leading her to one of the corners off the court, the girl, Asahina, set the clipboard down on a small desk.
"Thank you for joining, Ikusaba!" she said. "I know the sports team options are a bit... limited for girls, I actually wanted to do swimming, but... not enough girls interested to form a club or a team for it so, yeah, they're boys-only. Good thing volleyball was open, though! Ever played?"
"No, I haven't," Mukuro said. "I've done basketball, though."
"Oh, well volleyball's got its similarities, just... less dribbling and passing!" Asahina giggled. "Annnnd different kinda net and... know what, forget I said anything, it's still really fun!" she said assuringly. "I got the most experience so I got appointed as head of the club."
The other girl had a toned, yet curvaceous figure that indicated her as very athletic, like Mukuro's own figure, though she could tell right away Asahina was more... blessed in the front then she was even with her gym uniform. "...I can tell," she said.
Aoi giggled, seemingly unaware of Mukuro's analytical gaze. "I've done plenty of ball-based sports... basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball all my life. Track, too but..."
"...Boys only?" Mukuro asked.
"Yeaaaah. If only more girls were into track, here, almost makes me feel like some kinda freak for being the only one interested, haha!" Asahina said, scratching the back of her head with an apologetic blush. "But anyways, don't hesitate to ask me anything, alright? We meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays except during exams so come by whenever you're free!"
"I'll do my best," said Mukuro.
"Great!" Asahina beamed, turning to the others. "...We'll be doing basic exercises for today!"
"Basic exercises, come on!" a girl protested.
"Hey, take it from me! Fundamentals are important!" Asahina insisted, a little hurt before turning her attention back to Mukuro. "...You got your gym uniform already, right? There should be spares if you haven't. I can show you. You good with doing basics?"
Mukuro decided it'd be better to show rather then tell and simply replied with a nod.
"That's wonderful! Just keep your mind focused and I'm sure you'll pull through!" Asahina said with a smile before leading her to the locker rooms to get her a spare gym uniform.
"Dang... Iku... saba...!" Asahina gasped between words as she looked at the other girl who'd kept up with her the entire time wide-eyed before staggering over to where she had a jug of water stashed and chugged it. "I... whew!"
The girl broke into a laugh. "...That was... wow!" she said, hands at her chest with excitement. "We oughta trade secrets!"
"It's just four mile jogs in heavy-duty boots," Mukuro said, cocking her head in confusion as she ran a towel through her hair to handle the sweat, causing the other girl to look stunned.
"Four mile jogs in heavy-duty boots?! That sounds like some kinda military regimen!" Aoi said, bringing her hand to her chin in thought. "...Maybe I oughta try that? Betcha we'd crush the track team, huh?" she giggled. "Still, I can see you're real promising!"
"I'll see to it I don't disappoint you," Mukuro said, noting the girl certainly had a great deal of dedication.
Time slowed to a crawl once more as Theodore's voice once more spoke within the dark-haired girl's mind.
Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Chariot Arcana...
The sound of glass breaking followed within the darkness before reality and time itself returned to normal.
"Well, let's take five and we'll pick up where we left off! I'd love to see what else you got before we really start playing!" Asahina said with a giggle as she took another big chug of her water then taking notice of Mukuro being empty-handed. "Right... may also wanna bring a water bottle, saves you trips to the fountains. Prolly don't need to say make sure you're eating well, too..."
"...Says the Donut Queen," one of the girls quipped, getting a laugh from the others.
"H-HEY! THAT'S PURE RUMOR!" Asahina protested indignantly, going red-faced with embarrassment and gave Mukuro a nervous laugh. "Um... don't listen to that! It's all hearsay!"
The girl quickly spun around to face the others as she took another anxious chug of her water, puffing her cheek and glaring in frustration at the others' stifled laughter before swallowing the mouthful of water she still had. "...That's it! Break over! Let's get front and center, everyone!"
Mukuro had decided to stop by the Paulownia Mall before she headed back that evening. The exercise routine that the girl running the volleyball club had ordered to blow off steam from the name she'd been called, despite it not being anything she herself nor the other girl had much trouble with, had certainly been the most she'd gotten to do since of the first real trip into Tartarus.
The mall wasn't overly crowded, though she did notice one or two people slumped near the fountain, staring up at the sky with vacant expressions... it'd seemed more of the 'Lost' that Mitsuru had spoken of had begun to appear, again, making her think of the strange boy's warning from her dream. Taking out the protein drink Asahina had let her have after practice, the young soldier leaned against the window of the arcades and began to drink it down.
"...So... will you be on tonight? I was thinking we could check out that special instance together."
Mukuro's thoughts were interrupted by two people who'd emerged from the door leading into the arcade, a rather pale, petite girl with a cat-eared dark green hoodie over her Gekkoukan uniform and sleepy look on her face as she hugged what looked to be a plush white rabbit in a tutu with a wand in its paw and a bow on one of its ears, accompanying her was a boy in a green bomber jacket with a blue stripe along the middle and dark blue cargos carrying a briefcase in one of his hands, with dark hair parted to the side and his eyes framed by orange-tinted glasses as he led the way.
"I doubt it. Work's probably gonna be murder tonight, honestly," the boy answered, speaking in a Kansai accent, as he took his phone out to check the time with his free hand. "Don'cha think you can handle it yourself? Just tell me about it later."
"I could, yeah," the girl said, frowning and hugging the plush a little in disappointment. "...You know I don't like soloing, though. It's... not as fun."
"...I came here, didn't I?" the boy asked, his attention still on his phone. The girl, hurt, looked down at the pavement, hugging the plush again.
"...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push or anything," she said.
The boy glanced back at her briefly and sighed. "...It's fine. Don't worry about it. I'll see what I can do... No promises, though," the boy said, giving a faint smile before turning his attention on his phone again as he flipped it open.
"I hope you make it," the girl said, looking over at him again and managing a small, genuine smile and blushing a little. "...Thank you for helping me win the crane game, by the way. I'll see you later..."
As the girl left, the boy's look quickly went cold and serious as he dialed on his phone, talking to someone and casting a suspicious glance at Mukuro for a moment, then looking over at the zombie-like people who continued staring up at the sky like they were in a trance as he walked away.
It really was, admittedly unnerving, Mukuro recalled how Ikutsuki and Mitsuru had explained what rendered people like this, it was too uncomfortably similar to those she'd seen in her old life who'd have that same empty look after the things they'd experienced... the thought people could be stranded in the Dark Hour only to be beset by the creatures she and the others now fought... the memory of how she could practically feel everything shut down when she saw her sister topple from the bridge before her eyes before losing conscious, and how numb she'd felt after for what felt like eternity.
The young soldier closed her eyes, letting out a sigh as she took out her mp3 player and placed her earphones in, turning on one of her songs as she glanced inside to get her mind off it all. She noticed a few games including a first-person shooter and a crane game, a few others, though deciding against going in and potentially losing herself to them, having only come to grab some protein drinks and head back to clock in some rest due to what she'd wanted to get done tonight, giving one last look at the 'Lost' and their vacant faces before going into the general store.
"Hold it, everyone!" Mitsuru's voice cut sharply through the team's communicators. "I'm detecting three very strong Shadows on this floor. Be careful..."
Mukuro stood at the front, ahead of Junpei and Yukari, holding her combat machete while Junpei his broadsword and Yukari her bow with an arrow ready. "I understand," she said. They'd already managed to ascend several more floors, this would be the fifth by her assertion.
"I commend your skills, Mukuro, but from the readings I'm getting, I ask you all do not underestimate them!" Mitsuru's voice commanded. "I'm picking up another signal as well, just down the hallway, not an enemy. Proceed and investigate."
"What if the enemy spots us?" Mukuro asked.
"The Shadows I'm detecting are further down by the stairs leading the next floor... I suspect they may in fact be guarding it. You'll reach the other signal before you're near them, but exercise caution all the same," Mitsuru replied.
"Understood," the dark-haired girl replied, looking back at her teammates before cautiously leading the way down a sickly green hall, her gaze briefly glancing through the windows which only emitted faint green light from them to provide its unnatural illumination before proceeding further, finding the hall to eventually split. A right turn was a few feet away, and further down she saw the hall opened up into a large chamber.
"The signal, it should be to your right," Mitsuru's voice said, causing Mukuro to pause. "The Shadows are up ahead. Do not engage yet, investigate the right turn first."
Mukuro nodded as she pressed herself against the wall, gesturing Junpei and Yukari to do the same as they carefully, quietly moved closer to the turn. She couldn't see anything ahead, but they could not risk drawing the attention of whatever was there yet.
"Whoa, check this out!" Junpei said as they turned, the boy approaching what they'd found in curiosity. "Kinda looks like the one from the entrance, doesn't it?"
"It does, actually. Think they're connected?" Yukari asked, coming over as well.
Mukuro did recognize the device, or whatever it was. It was a gold arch the size of a doorway on a glowing panel, identical to the one they'd seen at the foot of the stairs at the entrance as Junpei had pointed out.
"So... uh, what do we do with it?" Junpei asked.
"If it's identical to the one down here, Mukuro would you examine it for me, please. I'm wondering something," Mitsuru said.
Mukuro approached, looking at it carefully. "Stay back," she said, urging the others to get some distance before she slowly reached her hand and touched the gold arch. A sudden hum came from it, and the panel beneath it shimmered a bright green, lighting the device up.
"The device down here just lit up, Mukuro," Mitsuru's voice said. "...Your signal feels stronger, now. I suspect it's a portal of some sort that can bring you back down to the entrance. This will make expeditions it a lot simpler, I believe. If you find any more, please activate them as well."
"We still got those Shadows to worry about, though!" Yukari said, arrow ready.
"They're still in the same place they were, it seems they've not moved," Mitsuru said. "Do you feel able to take them on?"
"Heh, ya gotta ask?" Junpei said with a laugh.
"More then able," Mukuro said.
"Point me where you want me," said Yukari. "My Persona can fight, now, so I'm ready."
"You have gotten stronger fighting your way up," Mitsuru said. "Very well, if you're all prepared then engage the enemy immediately!"
"Understood," Mukuro replied, her free hand touching the holster where her evoker was, and leading the way back out into the hall and down the corridor, which opened up into a large, spacious room held by several columns on either side, spanning up to the ceiling. Another hallway past the chamber lead further down, but in front of it were three creatures, watching them intently as they hovered in the air.
"We've found the targets," Mukuro said. "Moving forward to engage. Is everyone ready?"
"Hell yeah!" Junpei said, gripping his blade, Yukari nodding as she held her arrow ready.
No sooner had they entered the room did the creatures immediately fly at them with loud, shrill screeches. They appeared to be giant black eagles, each the size of a human and with bright red chests that extended into a high collar around their head in the shape of a heart, and gold masks with three points at the top like a crown and a Roman numeral for 3 engraved across the forehead. The creatures spread their blood-red talons as they let out another shriek, flying around the three at incredible speed, building up growing gusts of wind.
"Everyone, remain close!" Mukuro shouted, till she, Junpei, and Yukari now stood with their backs pressed against one-another. "Personas! Now!"
"HERMES!" Junpei cried out, holding his evoker to his head and firing, his Persona rising up as it lunged forward to attack one of the birds, which weaved expertly out of the way and pulled from the other two. The eagle dodged about in the air, before suddenly flapping its huge wings and sending a swirling green cyclone at the Persona, sweeping it away and sending it crashing to the ground.
Junpei cried out in pain, his legs buckling as Yukari turned and called out to him. "Junpei!"
The girl pulled her arrow back, firing it at the eagle and striking it, sending it to the ground with a shriek.
"Junpei! Are you alright?" Yukari asked, kneeling down next to him.
"Heh... that's sweet, Yuka-tan," Junpei said with a weak smile as Hermes disintegrated in a flash of blue light.
"Watch him," Mukuro said, noticing Yukari's arrow had incapacitated one of the enemies that now lay on the ground as the young soldier turned and dashed at the fallen enemy, her machete raised into the air as she came down, plunging it into the creature.
The eagle screeched in anger, thrashing yet it did not die, sweeping its wing and the wind force knocking Mukuro off her feet and on her back.
"Come, Forneus!"
A new Persona rose from behind Mukuro resembling a giant manta ray she'd acquired on a previous floor as she held her evoker to her head. The creature promptly flew at the eagle, breathing a blast of cold at it.
The other two had their attention on Junpei, attempting to finish him off as Yukari struggled to keep them at bay with her arrows as they weaved about around them, attempting to ignore the stinging pain from the powerful gusts being flung at them.
"Y-Yuka... Yuka-tan..." Junpei grit his teeth, struggling to stand and bring his evoker back up. "Her... HERMES!"
The golden Persona rose from him once more, its winglike fixtures fanning out as they unleashed a blast of flame, only for it to fizzle out as it reached them.
"The hell?! You gotta be... kiddin' me!" Junpei protested.
"These creatures, it seems they absorb fire! Your arrows seem to work on them, though, Yukari!" Mitsuru's voice ordered.
"KREEEEE!" the bird-like Shadow cried out as it flapped its wings at Mukuro, producing another powerful gust that sent her flying backward and sliding across the floor.
Mukuro turned her machete, slamming it into the floor as hard as she could to slow herself, the blade scraping loudly against the tiled surface as she rolled herself over and raised the evoker she held in her other hand. "Angel!"
A winged, feminine being clad in harnesses rose up from behind her, a blue light engulfing Yukari.
"Shoot them!" Mukuro cried out.
Yukari could feel a rush fill her when the blue light had subsided and felt more focused, the eagles now seemed as though they were moving slower, and thus, easier to hit. She had only two arrows left, she'd need this to count!
"Please hit!" she cried out as she fired one at the first eagle.
Shnict! The arrow pierced the Shadow through the chest, sending it to the floor with a resounding thud as Yukari, quick as possible, slid her remaining arrow from her quiver and fired at the other as it swooped down at her with its talons spread.
Thwunk! The eagle jerked back, toppling to the floor as well.
"One left!" Junpei warned, turning his attention to it.
"I'm out of arrows!" Yukari protested.
"I got this!" Junpei shouted, leaping forward with his sword ready, gritting his teeth. "Come on!" he cried out, sneering at the remaining foe as it beat its wings harder and harder.
"Junpei!" Mukuro yelled, getting back to her feet as the creature instead of swooping at him, simply spread its wings and flung another cyclone his way. The boy's eyes widened as Mukuro suddenly tackled him out of its path, sending them both tumbling across the floor and Yukari leaping out of the way as well as the cyclone tore through the chamber before dissipating against the nearby column.
Gritting her teeth, Mukuro seized the distraction and flung her machete, sending it into the neck of the remaining airborne eagle and sending it to the ground next to them, the creature dissolving into smoke as it succumbed to the earlier injuries it sustained.
"They're recovering!" Yukari called out, worried as the remaining ones started to stand, attempting to pry the arrows out of themselves.
"Then let's finish them off!" Mukuro ordered, picking up her blade.
"Don't gotta tall me twice!" Junpei said, grabbing up his broadsword as he and Mukuro rushed the remaining foes, blades ready.
CRUNCH! Mukuro's machete was embedded through one's masked forehead.
SHINK! Junpei's sword severed the other's head from its body.
Yukari smiled faintly as she regained her breath, watching the slain creatures' corpses dissolve away into smoke. "Wow... we did it...!"
"Yeah, I guess," Junpei sighed, nursing a bruise.
"I'm not detecting any more enemies," Mitsuru's voice ordered over their communicators. "Now that we have a portal to that floor secured, we can return another time. For now, let's call it for tonight."
"Understood," Mukuro replied, lowering her machete. "...Is everyone alright?" she asked.
"I'm good, just worn out," Yukari said, retrieving a few of the stray arrows.
Junpei gave no response, just staring down at the floor silently with a crestfallen look on his face till he felt Mukuro's gaze on him.
"How'ya do it, Mukuro?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" the dark-haired girl asked.
"I was practically useless back there!" he protested, turning sharply. "Those things ripped through my Persona and knocked me on my ass like I was a joke to them! I'm supposed to be protectin' ya!"
"Junpei, these Shadows have different strengths and weaknesses, so do our Personas. Guess Wind element's yours," Yukari offered.
"Great, that means my flame gets blown out by a breeze," Junpei sighed, looking back at Mukuro again, crestfallen. "...I can't just go swappin' 'em around like you can, Mukuro. Plus you're a trained soldier, how am I supposed to compete with that?"
Mukuro sheathed her machete and folded her arms, unsure how to respond as her gaze flickered away.
"For what it's worth, Junpei," she said. "I honestly wish I could be as carefree as you'd seemed until now."
"Oh, c'mon! I'd give it up to have your skills!" the boy retorted, causing Mukuro's own brief, downcast look to harden to a glare.
"...Then do you think you could you handle everything I've seen before coming here?" she asked.
Junpei looked like he wanted to say something, but chose not to.
"Uhh, guys? This isn't the time for this," Yukari said, limping a little from the fight as she stepped between them. "Look, wanna just discuss this when we're back at the dorm or something?"
Junpei sighed. "Nah, it's fine. Sorry, guess I'm just... blowin' off steam," he said, glancing down apologetically. "...I won't let'cha down next time."
Before either girl could answer, he walked back down the hall they'd come to where the portal arch was, Yukari folded her arms.
"...Mine's bigger," she mused once she heard the hum of the portal and saw the flash of green light down the hall.
Mukuro gave the girl a confused look.
"Heh, sorry. Figure of speech. Long as I've known him, he's always the type who's gotta show off!" Yukari said with a huff.
"Not a good mindset to have on the battlefield," Mukuro said dryly. "You've known eachother a while, you ever learn where it comes from?"
"We weren't that close," Yukari said. "...I couldn't say, though. You guys hung out the other day, though, didn't you?"
"Just for some ramen," Mukuro said, leading the way to the portal, Yukari following. "He was more supportive, then."
"Then it's probably more about him then you," Yukari said as the two girls reached the portal.
"Mukuro, Yukari? Where are you? We're ready to go," Mitsuru's voice suddenly spoke through the communicators.
"We're coming!" Yukari said, hurriedly stepping on to the glowing green panel under the arch and vanishing from sight.
Mukuro only hoped they'd have it resolved before the next time they came in, especially as she also hoped they'd be able to explore further, soon. Whatever waited beyond was no doubt stronger then the creatures they'd just faced.
Those thoughts persisted as she, too, stepped through to rejoin the others, wincing from the bruises she'd sustained in the fight as well.
"Mukuro, welcome back," Mitsuru said, standing by her motorcycle in the entrance area with her arms folded as the young soldier emerged from the portal. "Before we go, there's something I was able to uncover as well to bear in mind next time we go in."
"Yeah, whassat?" Junpei asked, his shoulders slumping from pain and exhaustion from the fight.
"When you defeated those Shadows, I detected something else several floors above," Mitsuru explained. "...A barricade of some kind, blocking access to floors beyond it."
"But I thought the tower's floors change and move about?" Yukari asked.
"They do, yes," Mitsuru replied, "...However, like the floor you found that portal on, they appear to be in fixed locations. Therefore, when we return, our next mission will be reaching that barricade."
"You guys look pretty banged up, all things considered," Akihiko said, standing by her. "Shame I can't be with ya, we'd be on our way up right now, I bet, huh, Mukuro?"
Mukuro couldn't help but give a small, amused smirk. "It'd be efficient to have our mission completed as soon as possible, but Yukari is out of ammunition and Junpei is in no condition to continue."
"Hey, don't gotta put it that-AAH!" Junpei's complaint was swiftly interrupted by his aggravated bruises. "You got tossed around by those oversized buzzards, too, ya know!"
"Regardless, it's only your second time inside, so it's no surprise the Dark Hour still has an effect on you all, even you, Mukuro," Mitsuru said. "Let's return to the dorm for now..."
4/26
The following Saturday had been uneventful as everyone had spent their after-school time recovering from their visit to Tartarus and the fight with the powerful Shadows the other evening. As a result, Mukuro was relieved for Sunday's being a day off to plan a jog around the block followed by an exercise regimen on the roof now that she'd felt the lingering effects of the battle in Tartarus disappear.
Stepping outside the dorm, Mukuro had already used the previous day once school had ended to get a lay of the area first. Dressed in her tracksuit pants she'd brought home to the dorm after school and a form-fitting t-shirt and boots, the dark-haired girl breathed in April's brisk air as she walked to the gates.
"Goin' for a run?"
Mukuro turned, seeing Akihiko standing at the door, track pants and trainers along with a white t-shirt on.
"You figure me out?" she asked.
"Nah, just finally glad the the rib's healin' enough I can really work out again," the boy said with a laugh. "Junpei's sleeping like a log right now even though it's noon. Could hear 'em from out in the hall."
Mukuro gave him a small smile. "Were you interested in joining me?" she offered.
"Heh, well, can't spar yet so..." Akihiko did a few stretches as he approached, before glancing down. "...Wearing combat boots for a jog?"
"Fenrir," Mukuro replied, as if the name itself was all that was needed for an explanation.
"I see, well... don't exhaust yourself. Won't be much good going back into Tartarus if you burn yourself out," the boy replied as he stood next to her. "So, which way we going? Around the block?"
"Yes. We'll loop around a few times then head to the roof for the rest," Mukuro said.
Akihiko chuckled. "...Count me in. Gotta do something so I'm not climbing the walls of this dorm waiting till Mitsuru finally puts me back on. Think I'm well enough to do a run around."
"If anything happens, tell me," the young solder said.
"Yeah, yeah," the boy said with an slight roll of the eyes as he knelt down and placed his hands on the pavement. "Don't go sounding like Mitsuru on me."
"Ready?" Mukuro asked, adopting the same position. The boy nodded.
Two miles worth of laps later, Akihiko was leaning against the gates, nursing his chest as Mukuro leaned against the gate next to him, her experience in volleyball club having reminded her to bring a water battle.
"You're really somethin', Mukuro," Akihiko said with a smirk.
Mukuro couldn't help but smile back, moreso then usual. "...Make sure those girls at school never hear that," she said.
"Honestly, I can't stand 'em. It's like being surrounded by a buncha noisy puppies who won't stop barking," Akihiko groaned. "Really don't know why they're like that, it's so annoying!"
Mukuro nearly spat her drink back in her bottle from the boy's words, having not expected that response. "You might be surprised," she said. "I think Junpei might be jealous of that sort of attention."
"Eh, let him be," Akihiko said dismissively as he took a drink from his own bottle. "He'd get sick of it too if he had that to deal with every day."
"Too much of a good thing versus not enough of it," Mukuro mused. "Back in grade school, my sister was always really popular. Everyone adored her... she was so smart and charming for her age. I was just... part of the background."
"Why's that?" Akihiko asked, looking over at her.
"I was the big sis. It was my job to watch over her, make her happy... keep her safe..." The young soldier closed her eyes, taking a long drink from her bottle.
Akihiko turned his gaze ahead, folding his arms and looking deep in thought, frowning noticeably with a troubled stare like something was on his mind but he didn't feel comfortable sharing, letting a moment of silence pass between them as he stared off into the city streets before he spoke again.
"...You don't have to share it if you don't want to," he said. "Not really the guy to go to about that stuff, anyway, but hey, I don't think you belong in the background. You got like this from Fenrir?" Akihiko asked, changing the subject.
Mukuro managed a smile. "...Yeah. I have a few of their basic training regimens committed to memory."
Akihiko gave a smirk. "Tellya what, write 'em down for me, I wanna try 'em out soon as this rib's better. I need to come back better then ever now that we're fully exploring Tartarus and all!"
"I'll do that," Mukuro said.
"Yukari and Junpei could probably benefit, too," Akihiko added.
"That might kill them, actually," the dark-haired girl replied. Both were in good enough shape, but Junpei's junk food diet was one issue she could already think of.
"Well, once I see those regimens, I'll compare 'em with mine, maybe we can find a way to make something their level, really test their limits! Gotta make sure we all get stronger after all!" Akihiko said with a laugh, offering out his fist, which Mukuro blinked at in confusion before recalling what her fellow Fenrirs did sometimes before missions and bumped it with her own fist.
"You and the girl running volleyball club would get along real well," Mukuro mused, recalling her first time there.
"Asahina...?" Akihiko quickly looked away, though Mukuro noticed a redness on his cheeks. "...Heh, maybe... I dunno, don't really her," he mumbled to himself with an awkward shrug. The young soldier raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Anyway... up to the roof, next, right?"
"Yes, I figured I could do my other exercises there," Mukuro said. "It's nice and open, plenty of space."
"It is, yeah, been up there a couple times myself," Akihiko said. "Gonna do one of those regimens you mentioned?"
Mukuro gave a small smile. "Need to keep myself sharp. Those Shadows we fought the last time we went in put up a fight, and they really do seem to get progressively stronger the farther up we go."
"Trying to make me jealous? Honestly I can't wait to take a shot at some of 'em myself!" Akihiko chuckled as he followed her back inside as they prepared to head upstairs to the roof. "Lemme try one out. Whichever one you got planned."
Mukuro's smile spread a little. "Suit yourself."
2/27
"Ikusaba?"
Mukuro looked up from gathering her things to see Mitsuru had come into her classroom. Between the Principal's insufferable speech he'd put her and the other students through at the assembly earlier that day that sounded almost identical to the student president's, and getting a question she couldn't for the life of her imagine herself possibly knowing wrong when called upon in math class, she had just wanted to head back to the dorm for the day. Mitsuru, however, appeared to have something urgent to ask.
"Yes?"
"I apologize, but... I have a special request and I don't feel comfortable asking anyone else," the older girl said. "...I want you to join Student Council."
Mukuro stared at the girl for what felt like a solid minute, trying to discern if Mitsuru was trying to make a joke of some kind despite having come off as the most serious resident of the dorm she stayed at.
"Ikusaba? You're not answering," Mitsuru said suddenly.
"My apologies, I was just trying to process what you just said," Mukuro answered, folding her arms. "With all you know about me, why do you believe me as someone cut out for such a task?"
"You've already demonstrated keen leadership, or have you not noticed?" Mitsuru asked. "You followed orders in the past, but now you've shown you can give them as well."
"...Managing tactics in combat situations and infiltration of an enemy stronghold is different from what I believe you have in mind, Kirijo," Mukuro replied.
Mitsuru sighed, brushing back her long crimson mane. "Listen, being President is extremely time-consuming, and between that and our... extra-cirricular group, I hope you can see why I'd like extra help available to me in times of emergency. Furthermore, I'm not asking you to participate in every activity, nor feel obligated to attend at all times," she explained. "...Also, your training has made you much more confident and capable in stressful situations then Yukari is, and Junpei's personality... wouldn't make him suited for the task, either."
"And Akihiko?" Mukuro asked.
"Ah, yes, regarding him, I don't know what you were doing with him yesterday but you've certainly made him test his limits, enough so he dragged his feet considerably on the way to school today," Mitsuru said. "...Also, I'm aware of the attention he gets from a lot of the girls here and the last thing I need is it finding its way into the council room."
Mukuro closed her eyes, sighing as it was clear she wouldn't get out of this. She really couldn't see herself in such a job, as student relations were hardly anywhere close to keeping people alive on a battlefield to the point she really didn't know what use she'd be and social skills and the charisma needed for Student Council were hardly her strong area to say the least. Still, it seemed Mitsuru felt she was essentially left with no other options and had not entirely come by assumption with her.
"...I'll see what I can do," she said, a look on her face that showed a will to give the task her all but uncertain she could promise ideal results in an area that was not within her expertise.
"I appreciate it," said Mitsuru, a faint smile on her face. "I've already made an appointment for you with the faculty advisor, I believe she's your homeroom teacher. I apologize for making arrangements without your permission, I just hope you can understand my position."
"I've been a soldier-for-hire for years, senpai. Having things planned for me is hardly new to me." Mukuro finished packing her bag. "Still, I appreciate the courtesy. If it's something to keep me busy between our extra-curricular activities... I suppose I shouldn't complain, should I?"
"You sound like Akihiko," Mitsuru replied flatly. "...Regardless, go introduce yourself after you've spoken with Miss Toriumi. I'll wait for you at the council room so please don't take long."
Mukuro gave a silent nod as the other girl left, gathering up her things to make her way to the faculty lounge.
"Thank you for coming," Mitsuru said with a small smile as Mukuro slid open the door to the student council room and stepped in, seeing the two other students from the assembly the other day when Mitsuru had first been appointed.
"...This is Mukuro Ikusaba," Mitsuru said. "She'll be joining us part-time in Student Council. Please make her feel welcome."
"Pleased to meet you," the dark-haired girl said with a polite bow. The classroom was like any other, though instead of desks there were three long tables arranged in a horseshoe formation with the table positioned horizontally facing a blackboard on the wall behind it, several stacks of files and folders sat at the table on the left, where the small girl Mukuro recalled to be the treasurer sat with an open laptop and computer mouse handy.
"M-Miss Ikusaba! Hello! I-I'm Chihiro Fujisaki, the Treasurer!" the girl said, standing immediately and bowing quickly and anxiously, a blush on her pale face. "Apologies, I-I'm still learning the ropes in all this, so please be patient with me!"
"Don't belittle yourself, Fujisaki!" the spiky-haired boy with the thick eyebrows declared as he was already standing straight with his hands firmly at his side. "...As a seasoned veteran in the ways of Student Council responsibilities, it's our duty to help you succeed!" He immediately turned his attention to Mukuro and gave a bow as well. "Apologies as well for not introducing myself right away! Kiyotaka Ishimaru! Head of Disciplinary Committee!"
The boy acted like a soldier during drills, Mukuro mused, something she was no stranger to. The girl, meanwhile, was no less timid then she'd come off at the assembly and looked like she just wanted to get back on her laptop as soon as possible. Mitsuru couldn't help but smirk a little from the two.
"Ishimaru here is dedicated to his job, and has served in the Disciplinary Committee at his previous school as well," she explained. "Fujisaki's meanwhile is exceptionally talented in computer programming, and has already shown great promise with her unique but highly efficient database she made to help us keep track of student funds."
"You're... too kind, Kirijo-san," the smaller girl stammered, looking down at her hands shyly.
"Your father really should take our offer, Fujisaki. He'd make more money," Mitsuru said.
"It's very generous, but... no. My dad is freelance because he wants to help everyone who needs him," Chihiro said softly. "...N-No offense meant."
"It's quite alright," Mitsuru said. "Just felt he should know my father's offer's still on the table."
"...In turn, if President Kirijo, a woman of astounding academic and behavioral performance has hand-picked you, Miss Ikusaba, to join us, then I trust her word!" Ishimaru declared, his crimson eyes flaring with a stern look indicating he meant it. "It is certain to be a pleasure working alongside you, Miss Ikusaba!" he stated with a dramatic salute.
"S-Same!" Fujisaki stammered, shifting in place a little as if trying to think of the right words to use and attempting her own salute, only to blush harder and lower her hand. "...Um... anyway... I hope we can get along!" she said, giving her best smile.
"Miss Ikusaba, do you have prior experience in the duties of the student committee?" Ishimaru asked, though his tone was not threatening, merely curious.
"No, Ishimaru-kun," Mukuro said. "Prior to coming here, I was in the military-"
"School. Military school," Mitsuru said, giving Mukuro a look that asked she go along with it.
"Ah, I see!" Ishimaru's face promptly lit up, or what could pass for it, he still looked stone-faced but his tone certainly demonstrated even more enthusiasm, if Mukuro thought it possible, perhaps jubilance was the word as he suddenly thrust his hand forward with a dramatic point that made the girl blink in surprise. "...Then you needn't worry, Miss Ikusaba! Surely then you have an understanding of rules and regulations and moreso proper conduct on school grounds! If student politics are outside your comfort zone, then perhaps aiding in the Disciplinary Committee will be to your liking!"
Mukuro stared a moment, the other girls even seemed a little unsure how to respond to the boy's passion. The dark-haired girl folded her arms and offered a smile. "To be honest, that is something I belive is within my area of experience."
"Perfect! Together, we shall stand up to disrespectful and delinquent behavior on campus and ensure a safe, welcoming environment our student body can always look forward to attending! THAT, Ikusaba, is who we are here to serve!" Ishimaru declared, raising his finger and his voice in a loud tone as dramatic as nearly everything else that had come out of his mouth before reality once more seemed to slow down and darken around the girl.
Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Emperor Arcana...
Mukuro heard the sound of glass shattering within the recesses of her mind that followed Theodore's voice before reality returned to normal.
"Also, you may refer to me as "Taka" if you wish, Miss Ikusaba," the boy said, lowering his hand and giving a softer, genuine smile. "I look forward to working with you. As a newcomer to this school and having attended a military academy myself, once, it is my duty to ensure Gekkoukan High is a place you can be proud to graduate from!"
"...I'll do my best," Mukuro said, despite being certain the boy had absolutely no idea of what sort of military experience she had actually been through. "...And just Mukuro is fine."
"Understood!" Taka stated.
"Now that we've handled introductions," Mitsuru said, speaking up once more, "Student council meetings are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays provided exams are not that week, come by whenever you like if you have time. We appreciate you joining us, Mukuro."
Mukuro nodded, though it would mean she'd have to juggle this and Volleyball club. Asahina had said to come by when she could as well which meant she'd have to figure out a way to alternate between them and still feeling unsure what sort of help she'd be able to provide or what Taka meant by what he'd expect of her.
"Alright, I think that'll be all for now, you're free to go, Mukuro," Mitsuru said. "Again, I appreciate your willingness to help me."
As Mukuro left the Student Council to handle whatever other matters they had which she herself doubted she could begin or care to understand, the young soldier made her way down the halls to head back to the entrance.
...So long as I can be of use, I guess that's all that matters, she mused to herself. The thoughts of her sister being here with her, no doubt having blossomed into a beauty that'd push her into the background, surrounded by boys tripping over themselves to ask her out, and she'd be at her side, not minding because she'd be the sister she'd promised she'd be so long ago.
Yet that wasn't how things were, and what Igor told her in the Velvet Room, she had only herself, now. She couldn't simply hide in said background or follow orders. She took out her music player, a gift, because her fellow mercenaries at Fenrir had cared for her and wanted her to try again at life.
She wanted to, she knew Junpei and Yukari had attempted to connect with her and did her best to give them a chance yet they seemed to have things they were keeping to themselves as well that made her do the same, it was also why she hated being alone with her thoughts sometimes, it reminded her of how lost she'd sometimes feel when something wasn't there to guide or occupy them...
"Mukuro, heading back?" she heard Yukari call, seeing the girl approaching with her schoolbag over her shoulder. "...Archery Club got cut short today," the other girl sighed. "Wanna head back together?"
Mukuro gave a small nod, permitting she accompany her.
"So, I saw Mitsuru... roped you in on joining the student council, huh?" Yukari asked. "I don't really have time for that, honestly, since I'm in charge of Archery Club and all. How are the other members, were they nice to you at least?"
"Taka... Ishimaru, he's certainly dedicated to his job in a way I was with mine in Fenrir," Mukuro said. "Mitsuru claimed I was in military school, it seems he was at one point, too."
"He does seem a bit rigid from what I saw at the assembly," Yukari giggled. "What about Fujisaki?"
"She seems nice enough," Mukuro said. "...If overly polite in a very timid way."
Yukari couldn't help but smirk a little. "Another of the "Gekkoukan's Top 5 Cutest Girls" list apparently, guess they find her being so demure as very "cute"..."
Mukuro only shrugged in response as they reached the gates. "All of that aside, I wasn't exactly expecting it as something Mitsuru would come to me for. I have experience as a soldier, not an officer or diplomat."
"Well, every minute for me is spent studying, attending club or... fighting Shadows," Yukari said. "Plus, there's also Mitsuru-senpai's..."
Mukuro raised an eyebrow at the other girl in curiosity.
"Nevermind. Forget I said anything," Yukari said, shaking her head dismissively as she tried to drop the matter. "...You like staying busy, though, don't you? I guess I've kind of done the same."
"I like to stay physically and mentally occupied," Mukuro said. "Missions for Fenrir certainly did that for me. Kept me focused, trained me to keep my mind on not just the goal but how to reach it."
"Hmm, I know I still need to hone my skills, those Shadows we fought were pretty fast I want to get better at being able to hit moving targets like that," said Yukari.
"Well, there's a way to do that," Mukuro offered.
"You mean going to Tartarus?" Yukari asked.
"Recalling how Mitsuru explained there's a barricade futher up we should try and reach," Mukuro explained. "...I'd like to check that out tonight, if possible."
"I guess that would give me a chance to make up for not getting to do club as long," Yukari said, offering a smile. "...I'm sure Junpei wants a chance to make up for last time, and if you think that'll be a good exercise, I'm in!"
Hours later, midnight fell, and with it came the Dark Hour and the return of Tartarus. Mukuro stood before the glowing portal in the lobby. The girl cast a glance back at her teammates. Yukari had her bow and a full quiver of arrows ready, with an extra case on her belt, and Junpei was swinging the broadsword in his hand about for some practice swings.
"Are you prepared, Mukuro?" Mitsuru asked.
Mukuro twirled her machete so it faced downward and looked over at her teammates. "We ready?"
"Heh, you betcha!" Junpei said, gripping his blade tight with a wide grin. "No mess-ups from ol' Junpei this time!"
"We have your back!" Yukari said with a smile.
The young soldier nodded. "Then let's go..."
A/N: Yeah, figured I'd keep SOME Danganronpa Social Links a secret till now, and incorporating a little of the earlier tension Phem See's route didn't have with Junpei because Mukuro has a different personality and history then her. Also, a little bit of time with Akihiko though neither has opened up quite enough just yet to start the social link. Hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter. I'm currently on leave from work due to injury so I had some extra time to write the most recent HoJ chapter I'd posted a while back as well as this one for Fenrir's Masquerade.
0 - The Fool - SEES: Rank 2
I - The Magician - Junpei Iori: Rank 1
IV - The Emperor - Kirotaka Ishimaru: Rank 1
VII - The Chariot - Aoi Asahina: Rank 1
Mukuro's Personas: Orpheus, Pixie, Alp, Angel, Forneus