Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
7/3
Ann was indeed pissed. "You absolute idiot!" Hakuno didn't know whether it was her luck or not that the rest of the Thieves had shown up before Sojiro had started for the day.
"I can't believe you would act so rash." Yusuke muttered as he framed both her and Ann? Ann was checking to see if she was injured.
Makoto sighed, "You are perhaps the most stubborn fool of us…"
Morgana chuckled, "At least Ryuji now has some competition for recklessness."
"Hey! I never did something so crazy!"
"I mean… charging headfirst towards Kamoshida's Shadow without a Persona wasn't smart." Akira pointed out. "We all have done some… reckless things but Hakuno's is the most reckless any of us have done so far."
"Sorry…" Hakuno mumbled, she truly was sorry. She knows that she should try and rely on them but… fighting in the Metaverse reminded her too much of the Moon Cell… she went back into her habit of forcing through her problems as fast as she could.
"Apology not accepted." Ann quickly replied, "What did you think an apology is all we are after?"
"Of course not." Makoto said, "You almost shattered the trust we have in this group, you're going to have to work on getting back into our good graces."
Hakuno nodded, she understood that it will take some time before they fully trust her, "Thank you for giving me a chance… if it was so drastic I probably would have waited…"
"Drastic?" Akira asked as he leaned forward, "You didn't mention anything drastic though?"
Hakuno tilted her head, didn't she?
"Futaba… is not in the right headspace… I'm worried that due to her memories being corrupted she might do something she will regret." The group paused as they digested the words.
Hakuno didn't wish to say the possibilities that she could or would do.
"So… who's Futaba? Like, I'm all for helping but shouldn't we know somethin bout her?" Ryuji asked as he munched on snacks.
"Futaba is my childhood friend, she is a really sweet girl about a month younger than me?… Her mom passed away two years ago. I think… her Mom was one of the first Mental Shutdowns."
"What!?" Ryuji asked, "You sure?"
Hakuno nodded, "Futaba has eidetic memory…" Ann and Ryuji's confusion was evident as Makoto spoke up.
"The ability to recall images, sounds, or other sensory information with great detail."
"Gotcha super memory."
"Yes… In her Palace… there were Murals, each part showing a part of her childhood that led her 'to believe' her mom hated her."
"Did she?"
"No. Her mom loved her… but the mural of her death was strange… It showed black ink around Wakaba's eyes… While I didn't know Wakaba as well as Futaba, I know she didn't hate Futaba. And from what I have seen… Boss really does love her like his own daughter."
"On a scale of Kaneshiro's Palace, how strong are the Shadows?" Morgana asked as he jumped onto the table.
Hakuno paused in thought, she wished it was as easy as the Portable Terminal… it at least gave levels to each of the enemy programs she fought…"Hm… the weakest Shadows are about as strong as the ones at the end of Kaneshiro's Palace. I mainly used Smoke bombs and the traps to my advantage…"
"Damn…" Ryuji whistled, "That's… scary strong."
"Maybe I should recruit a few when we head in…" Akira mumbled.
"Everyone agrees that we will storm Futaba's Palace?" Morgana's tail swished as he looked at each thief. "This might be different from the others, with Futaba herself asking us to change her heart."
"Of course." Makoto nodded, "I wish to help her, no one should have to deal with what she is…"
"Isn't it our job to help people in need?" Ann said, "Besides, Hakuno would just go in herself again like the friend she is."
"Isn't raiding a pyramid like a basic thing for Phantom Thieves?" Ryuji had a massive grin on his face, "Besides! I don't want to get rusty!"
"I have always wished to see the Pyramids… Their Golden Ratio is truly magnificent."
Makoto sighed, "I doubt this will happen again… Right?" The Niijima glare hit her full force which Hakuno quickly nodded.
"Ok, so here is the plan, Hakuno you are going to rest for the day," Akira side-eyed her, "While we explore and get used to the Shadow's Strength and for me to recruit some… any specific thing we should worry about?"
Hakunon: Taba… Rest of the Thieves coming be prepared to hear them go to ur door and unlock the front door if you can.
Futaba: What!? I'm not ready!
Hakunon: Taba, you just have to stay on your side of the door… for now.
Futaba: for now!?
Hakunon: tell you later.
Futaba: Fine!
Hakuno looked up at them, "Taba will unlock the door… make sure you bring your shoes."
Hakuno was nursing the coffee that Sojiro handed her, "Did the rest of them ditch you?" too bitter. But Hakuno can appreciate the flavor.
Hakuno shook her head, "No… I figured I might as well wait for them, I don't… do baseball too well."
Sojiro nodded, "Those batting cages are truly a nightmare…" He glanced around the empty cafe, "So… Who's the boy with?" Seeing Hakuno's questioning gaze he continued, "You know… Akira? Is it the one he calls over all the time? I doubt you would be crazy enough to be with him…"
Hakuno shrugged, She didn't even know he had a girlfriend.
"Ah well… Wonder if he is like me… back in my day hooo boy…"
The bell's chime drew Hakuno's eyes as a woman with long silver hair opened the door, she wore a business suit and… Her eyes were familiar? Sojiro froze slightly as he saw her.
"Ah… One house blend please." She said as she took a seat at the counter.
"Coming right up." Sojiro focused on the newcomer with an intensity Hakuno was not expecting…
"Are you a student?" Mysterious silver- Niijima. Hakuno wasn't wearing anything that would tie her to any specific school though… She was wearing a normal white sleeveless shirt and a plaid skirt… Thankfully Ann was able to bring a change of clothes before she rushed over to Leblanc.
Her skirt did vaguely look similar to the one she wore for Shujiin…
Hakuno was ninety percent sure she was Makoto's older sister, the voice and the eyes held a family resemblance. Not so much the color as Makoto's was actual red while the older Niijima's eyes were more brown with red. They also had the same gaze.
"Yes… I attend Shujiin."
"Ah… I know someone from there…" Sae sipped on her coffee.
"You're Makoto's sister aren't you?"
A split second of surprise came across her face as her gaze became ever so slightly sharp, "Yes… How did you put that together? And who exactly are you?"
Hakuno tilted her head slightly "You have her gaze… My name is Hakuno Kishinami" Hakuno did a slight bow, "She wished to enlist me in the Student Council but I declined to focus on my studies. Due to that we became friends."
"I see…" She nodded, "She did mention that she talked to an excelling first year."
Hakuno nodded, refocusing on her social studies book. "Mhm, I just wish to say hello and nice to meet you."
A small chuckle came from her, "Likewise."
Seeing the murals Hakuno described, Akira was confident that something was off about Futaba's mothers death. The eerie way they faded from view just creeped him out. Add in all the mummies that the Shadows took until their mask was removed made this certainly an unnerving Palace…
Akira watched in horror as a voodoo doll was impaled by several spikes as Queen fell. "Instant death attacks! Everyone focus on evasion!" He barked out as he dashed forward to keep the Scale Bearer off of them, his knife cutting into the Anubis's leg.
"Mona Recarm!"
"Zorro!" The overly large buff outlaw came forth zipping his rapier in a Z Queen took a deep breath as life came back to her as she turned over and began coughing out black bile.
Being resurrected did not feel good.
"Neko Shogun!" The cat stood proud as waves of green light washed over the group, a noticeable speed boost applied as Fox dashed for his Katana's blade gleaming as dozens of cuts appeared on the Anubis.
Queen dashed forward, "Johanna!" The motorcycle Persona appeared beneath her as she rammed into the Anubis as it fired a wave of gold light at the party.
Morgana jumped forth as wind ripped behind him as he spun in a vertical circle slashing down as the Anubis faded from view.
"Magus…" Fox was breathing hard, "Dealing with this all by herself?"
"I think…" Mona glanced around as he reached into his pocket to pull out a wasn't too sure how his pockets could hold so much… But at this point he wasn't complaining. "She focused on stealth… that and…" Mona glanced around as the Pyramid shook hard, knocking a few of the thieves on the ground.
"You FILTHY PEST!" Parts of the ceiling collapsed as a loud something hit the Pyramid.
"What… was that?" Queen asked as she stood up.
"A Cognition?" Mona mumbled, "It sounds like it's fighting something…"
Akira took a moment to glance at everyone, they had been in here for hours, and while he was slightly too weak to accept Anubis as his Persona, he did feel ready for whatever Futaba's Shadow could do.
After a day's rest of course.
"Hey… the kid's not back yet, are you going to wait here for them?" Hakuno nodded, at least wait for them to leave Futaba's Palace…
"I think…" Hakuno paused for a moment, "It might be best to try and introduce Futaba to more people."
Sojiro deflated, "I don't know… I just want her to be safe… The kid was even asking about her but…" Sojiro rubbed the back of his neck, "Maybe it would be for the best, at least if she wishes to."
The door's bell rang once more as the thieves began to pile inside all looking exhausted.
"Took you long enough kid… I'm heading out, close up." Sojiro gruffed out as Hakuno waved goodbye.
Hakuno passed out curry that 'Sojiro made extra of'. She didn't know why Sojiro was trying so hard to pretend to have a tough exterior…
"Why didn't you warn us about the desert!" Ryuji said, while having a hurt look on his face.
"I did tell you to wear shoes…"
"The Metanav doesn't let others teleport to the safe rooms without the person who was in them being there," Morgana added, "So we had to drive."
"Sorry?" Hakuno was sorry, the desert was the second most annoying part of the Palace… All of them bunched up in the Monamobile had to be terrible.
"Hakunoooo how did you survive there?" Ann said as her face was on the table.
"Stealth, smoke bombs… Just lucky that Iwai sold so many of them." She didn't even know it was fully legal for him to sell them, apparently they are commonly used in airsoft?
"Wait…" Akira looked up at her, "Iwai never mentioned he sold those." He gave Morgana a harsh glare, "I've been making them when we could just easily buy them?"
"It raised your proficiency~" Morgana purred as Hakuno placed a plate of tuna in front of him.
"By the way…" Hakuno knew that Futaba was listening, "Everyone say hi to Futaba."
Ryuji looked at her in slight confusion looking around, "Where is she?"
Hakuno's phone chimed.
Futaba: How did you know!?
"Futaba, I would be more surprised that you didn't find a way to keep track of Sojiro. It was sheer luck that you are actually listening at the moment." Hakuno didn't know where the bugs were but she did know they existed. "She has the place bugged."
Futaba: So mean.
"Futaba?" Makoto was looking around, "Just know we do plan to steal your heart. I don't know how much you know but we are going to help you."
"The Pyramids inside of you are absolutely picturesque, it has given me much inspiration." Yusuke was wolfing down the food in front of him, he… really didn't get to eat much did he?
Mona yowled, "Be careful of what you say! The calling card will not work if she knows about it!"
"Just hang on strong for a few more days ok?"
Hakuno nodded, "Well…" Hakuno brought out some paper and wrote: When will we send the card?
Akira shrugged before he wrote: Two days of rest and to get gear.
"I see…"
"Oh and Futaba?" Makoto said, "We will be confiscating Hakuno's phone until we do. She was too reckless and will be kept in sight." Hakuno sighed, understandable…
Futaba: ? What did you do!? And why do they need to take your phone?
Hakunon: I was… admittedly reckless and that's a secret.
7/4
Hakuno idly wandered into the library, she was still on no Metaverse time so she had a bit of free time… Skimming the titles she ended up finding out the book revolving around Avenger was already checked out.
She understood, it was apparently a rather popular book that a few teachers referenced. Hakuno glanced at the clock and decided to head towards the mall to take a look at any job brochures…
A black and white cat zoomed in front of her "There you are!" Morgana, so not a cat. Person forced into a cat's body.
"Yours truly took the role of ensuring you get rest! You should feel lucky." Morgana's tail swished as he clamored up into her bag.
She will have to make a note to clean the cat fur out…
"I was just planning to head to the underground, anything you wanted to do?" Hakuno squeezed her way onto the train, all of her years being in Japan and she still didn't like it too much…
"Hmmmm…"Morgana went silent as they landed in the underground walkway, "Ah Yusuke!"
The blue haired teen was sitting on a nearby bench framing passing passengers, "Ah, Hakuno, Morgana it is good to see you."
Hakuno hasn't really spent any time with the artist…He was added to the group right before she was…
"Hello."
"This is perfect! I know what we are going to do!" Morgana said a cocky grin on his face, "To Kichijoji!"
"But I don't have enough money…"
Hakuno sighed.
Apparently Hakuno was the only one of the group to never make it to Penguin Sniper Lounge. Somehow Akira had talked to the management to allow Morgana in and was able to participate in the games after the not a cat managed to get a bullseye.
They aren't really hiding the fact that Morgana isn't a cat are they?
Hakuno did wonder… What exactly was Morgana… The power to transform someone permanently into a cat, and twist their very 'Will of Rebellion' into a chibi cat… from what she has seen just doesn't exist in this world.
Hakuno missed her first dart, got 20 points on her second… and her third was center for 50 points…
She wordlessly nodded towards Yusuke as he picked up his own darts.
But. Morgana sees himself as Human, and while every scrap of evidence points otherwise… His own truth to himself is that he is a human.
And as someone who once walked down his path, Hakuno respected his drive and progress towards his wish.
7/5
"Hey Taba, sorry I still don't have my phone and I can't stay too long today, the rest are worried I might try and sneak in without them." Hakuno stood in front of Futaba's door, pressing her hand against the wood, "And… Sorry that I haven't been able to talk too much lately."
"Stealing hearts isn't an easy thing to do, it takes a bit of time." Hakuno was trying her best not to say much, "But, we are at the end. We will need you to be brave, the final step we need is for you to open the door and let us into your room. Your belief that no one can enter your room is making it impossible to reach your heart."
"So tomorrow, drink your potion of courage and be ready." Hakuno heard a slight giggle. "Be ready, see you tomorrow." Hakuno patted the door and turned around before she heard a soft click.
"Don't look this way…" Hakuno felt arms wrap around her from behind, soft breathing, "God this is so embarrassing…"
"You are doing fine Taba…I know you're strong enough."
They stood in silence for a moment before Futaba spoke up again, "I saw you leave, I was asleep… If Kitty hadn't brought over Akira…"
Ah… so she has cameras throughout the house… Makes sense, "I was a bit reckless… I went alone into your Cognitive World."
"...Why?"
"Cause you're my friend Taba. And… I promised, didn't I?"
"You talk a lot more now…" Futaba's voice cracked slightly as Hakuno nodded slowly. She has been talking more and more ever since joining the Thieves…
"Yes… Silence does speak louder than words… But sometimes you have to speak up."
"Mmm," Futaba removed her arms, "I think I can do it tomorrow. Now… make like a transformer and roll out."
Author's Note: Futaba scene! Bit of bonding with Not-a-Cat and Art Man!
Futaba Palace ends soon! And no Akira isn't dating Becky. I just figured Boss would totally figure something was up.
Akira will probably end with Makoto. Or Yoshizawa. Haven't decided. I like Makoto better, but that could be the fact i replayed the original over 5 times compared to Royal only doing it twice.
I intend for Hakuno to have hangouts with all the Thieves after Futaba's Palace of course as it ends in a handful of chapters… Some will involve Mystic Code Creation, some will be other random bits. At the least a few weeks of downtime.