Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies, and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
8/17
MemeQueen-Tricky&Kitty
MemeQueen: Dude, Ill buy you a new PC if you help me.Tricky&Kitty: Had me at dude whatsup?
MemeQueen: I like someone
Tricky&Kitty: We kind of no
MemeQueen: !?
Tricky&Kitty: Like, Gremlin, friend, child of my adopted dad you aint subtle chief.
MemeQueen: Why didn't you say anything!
Tricky&Kitty: 1 Kind of thought you new 2 Its funny to see you flail about an 3 we've been helping, only ones that dont know is Ryuji an Hakuno, two of the densest people on the planet.
MemeQueen: How long!?
Tricky&Kitty: Since the beach
MemeQueen: Fuck you!
Tricky&Kitty: Still need help?
MemeQueen: Ya You got experience with this stuff right?
Tricky&Kitty: Well no, Makoto will be my first
MemeQueen: Simp, Strategy then?
Tricky&Kitty: Smart, I no someone that might be able to help, ill take you there tonight.
MemeQueen: Who?
Futaba grumbled as Akira failed to respond, huffing she focused on the one tiny lead they still had to the Metaverse Murderer. The School Principal was a failure but things always seemed to nudge him in the right spot.
There was no way he was important to the Black Mask figure, the dude was a first-stage boss at best, but the bug hadn't caught anything exciting in a while, with Akira's Maids assurance that the principal seemed even more nervous every day that summer dragged on she had to hope he would slip up soon.
The dude's 'love' for the School's image almost guaranteed he would make a phone call, email, or something soon. She glanced at the folder next to the stream's icon, she wasn't confident so she hadn't mentioned it to the rest of the thieves but the traffic to Nishima's site was getting weird, so far nothing had come of it other than a few extra votes.
But what harm could that do? It's not like the Phantom Thieves would pick someone to go after just for a poll, Hakuno and Makoto wouldn't let them for that stupid of a reason, and a unanimous decision has to be reached.
Futaba sighed and booted up Soulsborn 3.
Hakuno tilted her head as Makoto held up a strange ripped top held together by something akin to large staples, "Think it fits me?" Hakuno looked at it, it seemed well rugged. It's not something the typical Student Council President would wear.
"Try it on?" Makoto nodded, a small blush creeping as she slipped into the dressing room. Shopping in Kichijoji always felt slightly strange, possibly due to the leyline at the temple, but she didn't know. But Makoto liked a particular stationary shop and Ann wanted them to pick up a few scented candles from Mantra Ganda…
"Ann would have been a better pick for clothes shopping," Hakuno herself rarely bought new outfits, she preferred simple outfits, a possible hangover from her days as an AI, and having too many options made it hard for her to pick, her mom found that out quickly when she was growing up.
"I'm not sure I can ever go shopping with Ann again… the number of stops for sweets made my teeth ache afterward… and it took her hours to decide what clothes she wanted to buy." Ann loved two things, sweets and clothing. The only problem is, due to the blonde's large income, from her absent parents and modeling career, she had a lot of money for clothing that was half strewn around their apartment. And they both hate to clean… she should invent a Mystic Code that does that…
Or is that going too far?
"How do I look?" Makoto came out, the shirt looked alright… felt like it was missing something…
"It looks nice? Very… Punk?" Sounds like something Ann would say, "Might be missing something?" Makoto looked at herself in the mirror before frowning. It didn't go well with her white skirt.
"Perhaps a different skirt? We have a wide variety of options." Hakuno gave a brief nod to the salesgirl, she held up a… neon green leopard print skirt… Why?
"Um… thanks?" Makoto slyly put the skirt to the side into the small pile of tried but not a good fit. Hakuno mindlessly pulled one that was both black and red.
"Maybe this one?" It was extremely close to, wait it was a Shujin uniform skirt. How did they get one? Maybe the thrift shop nearby? Was this place a Uniform Shop as well? Makoto's eyes lit up on seeing it, perhaps for the familiarity of it, she snatched it before quickly closing the curtain.
"How do I look?" The outfit fit her very well, the torn shirt and Shujin skirt made her look different. Add in the red gloves and red armband…
"Reminds me of Akira." Makoto blinked, and the blush on her face grew magnificently. Hakuno's eyes went wide, "Wait are you two?"
Makoto quickly shut the curtain, "No! Um, I don't know? We're going to investigate Eiko's boyfriend tomorrow and well, my normal outfit wouldn't fit in for the investigation and and." She could practically feel the heat from her cheeks.
"Collect yourself, take a moment to calm down." Seeing Makoto panic this much lets her recall Ann and Ryuji's mutual crush on each other… The Blondes haven't asked for her help in a long time, sadly nothing seems to have happened yet… She didn't think she was that good of a matchmaker.
"Does he make you happy?"
"Of course..." Makoto whined, "Akira means a lot, has helped me a lot while he does… strange things sometimes it's endearing… Although Sis would 'flip' if she heard about this…"
"You don't have to tell her you're dating a wanted Criminal." They all in a way were wanted, at least she believed they counted as wanted criminals, but Akira was on probation for something that he shouldn't be.
"Shush you." Makoto sighed, "I doubt anything will happen, from what I read online crushes… typically don't lead anywhere… more so with high school ones, and there is Togo or Yoshizawa as well..." Huh, Hakuno had nearly forgotten about her, which was strange, something tickled the back of her mind.
Something telling her she was forgetting something extremely important about the Red-Head. She mentally shrugged, it couldn't be bad right?
"He does stare a lot in the Metaverse."
"Shut up!" She sounded more embarrassed than mad, "I don't even know how this stuff works… Eiko's probably the worst role model with that but she's my only friend that's dating someone even if it is that slimeball. Hopefully, we find some proof and get her to understand…"
Hakuno hummed, she had no real room to say anything the girls she liked in the past well… Rin was more or less considered a terrorist, Tamamo-no-Mae killed an army, Rani was the most normal but had her own strange and dangerous quirks being a member of Atlas did that to you, Nero was famous for her reign as Emperor and… Hakuno paused before shaking her head.
No, for herself, she doubts she will find someone, those who don't know who she is, how could she explain to a significant other that she goes and fights in an alternative reality, and she can cast spells outside of it? Makoto, Ryuji, Ann, and Akira were all dating fellow thieves. She doubts it would be anyone that would be left, Yusuke was not her type, Haru knew but didn't know… and Futaba…
Nero, Tamamo, Rani, and Rin flashed in her mind, it was due to her that they were dead. Her hands paused as she forced down the memory.
A flick to her forehead snapped her out of it as Makoto chuckled, "Well, that's for the future, not like anything will happen between us…" Makoto sighed as she led her to the counter and purchased her new outfit. "Mitsubachi Bungu is right over there…"
Futaba crouched on the chair, she glanced around at the numerous air-soft models, the backroom was cramped and had a small desk that had one of Akira's pistols in pieces on the table. The grizzled middle-aged guy stared at her with a glare only half as scary as Makoto's.
"So, what are we doing here? Ma's goin' to be upset if I don't get home soon." Futaba quickly glanced at the blonde who seemed even more nervous than she was. This place reminded her of a Yakuza hideout.
"Mainly to beg Iwai for advice." Akira' shrugged his shoulders.
"Excuse me?" The man loomed over the three of them.
Akira without batting an eye, "I mean… We can't ask Boss for help with this 'cause Futaba's his daughter." Futaba would have killed Akira if he even suggested asking Sojiro for help.
"What exactly do you need help with kid? I won't get you a fix if that's what you're after." Ryuji's face went solid white as he took a step back. She snickered. She knows this guy won't, Akira's friend is strange but not a drug dealer.
…
Right?
Holy shit was he Yakuza? He reminds her of Yakuza in video games and even has a tattoo. Would fit his MC cliche, Akira has a lot of weird friends; a Shogi Princess, a Hot Goth Doctor, a Drunk Reporter, and a Teacher Maid.
The Goth Doctor would probably have been a smarter choice than the freaking Yakuza.
"Psst." Ryuji elbowed her and for a split strange moment whispered, "Who are you crushing on?" She huffed.
As if she would tell him, Hakuno would find out within the day, "Shut up..."
"So, Iwai, all three of us need romance advice." The sound of a lollipop falling to the floor will be burned into her memory as the Yakuza-looking guy stared at Akira like he was an idiot.
"You… thought to come to me?"
"I mean, surely you got some advice, right? Anything? We're kind of terrible at it."
"Speak for yourself! I ain't even have a chance!" Ryuji's loud mouth could be heard from the room over, but the blonde's blush could be seen for miles around.
The man didn't even spare him a glance, "Kid, I told you I would pay you back for tutorin' Kaoru, but I thought you might ask for a free model or somethin' not bout helpin' you and your buddies gettin' laid." She jumped to her feet.
"Nope! Nope! Not talking about that with any of you!" God she feels extremely creeped out, she looked at Akira in horror.
"Woah woah Iwai, no, not like that more like… uhhh how to get girls to like you?" Akira was still grabbing his attention, Ryuji was halfway to the door, she wondered if she could beat him, with her smaller size just maybe she could squeeze under his arm.
"You're asking me? Of all people? The Single Father?" He snorted, "You know my past kid, it ain't for you and your ruby-tinted glasses. I haven't had a stable relationship even before all of this." He used one hand to motion towards the airsoft stuff that totally wasn't a front for a Yakuza Clan.
"Ooh, yeah… you're right. Guess you can't get a date." Her brother was trying to kill us, wasn't he? She will make sure their dad takes him out of his will because of this.
Mr. Yakuza man's eyes narrowed at the dead man, "Excuse me?"
"Dude…" Ryuji was blocking the exit damn him!
"Fine, pull up a chair." Another sucker was in his mouth before Futaba even blinked, "I ain't got much less so for the gal'… I guess it'll be a test run for when Kaoru finds someone…" She wanted to sink into the ground.
She is so going to kill Akira later for this!
8/18
Hakuno blinked, the cafe seemed full for once, there were even a few people outside loitering about, it was… weird. Leblanc has never once been busy since she started visiting. "Hakuno! Yusuke! Boss needs help! Akira left this morning with Makoto and it got crazy!"
Help out?
Hakuno barely understood how to cook, she could follow a recipe yes, but a professional cafe known for its amazing curry and coffee?
Not a chance.
But… this was Sojiro. If he needed help, she should at least try.
"Ah, so Boss needs assistance? Perhaps this might be a good way to pay back our debt to the man…" Futaba wouldn't be able to help with this, she was with Ryuji if she remembered right, she just came for some curry…
Hakuno used Yusuke's large lanky frame to push into the cafe, the Artist's eyes stayed peeled at the surroundings in surprise, "Sorry, we kind of work here?" She felt the stares but decided to ignore them.
The bell didn't even ring as the door was still held open, Sojiro was the only one behind the counter as he noticed them, a wave of relief came over his face, "Yusuke, I'll give you a double helping afterward, take some orders, Hakuno I need you to keep an eye on the Curry, the stuff in the left pot isn't ready yet the right two are our house blend, I'll be ten minutes max." Hakuno nodded.
"Of course Boss," Yusuke bowed before tying on the apron, "I shall assist where our leader normally would!" Hakuno sighed as she put an apron on and went behind the counter. Sojiro gave her an appreciated look and a quick nod as he ran out huffing. Hopefully, he won't be too long, there was a market a block away unless he goes somewhere else…
Yusuke already had a sketchbook in his hand and was approaching customers, she nodded to herself letting the bluenette work his magic.
"No no, you must have both the Coffee and Curry together separate the whole aesthetic of the meal will be thrown off." At least the group of girls he was talking to seemed quelled by his approach. Hakuno glanced at the curry as she stirred it, hopefully, she was doing this right…
"Oy! I came here to see the Detective Prince! Not to be served some cheap slop by a child." Sojiro's Curry was amazing. Why would Goro Akechi be here at this time?
"This establishment does not use its customers as advertisement, Sir. As you can see," The man's face grew red, Hakuno ignored the man's glare, "The Detective Prince is not here, nor have I seen him in the month I have been coming to this establishment." That was a lie, she had seen him here not even a week ago.
"According to his fan page, he always comes to small diners a week after starting a new job and was seen at the Sugimura residency a week ago! It is well known his lackey Prosecutor comes here!" Hakuno blinked, Sugimura? Akechi was investigating Yuuto Sugimura? Will this Detective Prince be able to figure out that it is them who are the Phantom Thieves? She will have to keep an eye on him.
"I'll take the house blend," The girl next to the obnoxious man asked as Hakuno gave her a small smile, Hakuno gave a slight shrug as she poured the coffee for her."Thank you."
"Goro Akechi has not appeared in this cafe in a long time, I can assure you, sir." Hakuno blinked as the Blue-haired artist appeared beside the man, "If you intend to continue to harass her then you will wish you hadn't."
"Hah? Trying to be a white knight are you kid?" The man stood up, he was barely shorter than Yusuke. "Whatcha going to do about it?" She doubted the man would swing his fist, but Boss did have a baseball bat underneath the counter…
"On the contrary, I fear what she would do to you." The cafe went silenced at that, Hakuno shrugged her shoulders lightly and made the best attempt at a Tohaksaka Glare.
"Sir, you are going to pay and leave. If you do not then…" The man grumbled, pulled out some notes, and slammed them on the counter before angrily leaving the cafe, and bumping into Sojiro as he went.
"Watch it!" Sojiro had a wooden box under one arm, while he waved his other fist, "Yeah you better run! Thanks, kids," He placed the box next to the sink, "Hakuno, wash these, Yusuke let me see your," Yusuke quickly handed the older man his sketchbook, "These are drawings."
"Yes Boss, I believed it would be easier to understand, a picture is worth over a thousand words" Hakuno sighed.
Hakuno swirled the coffee in the cup, the cafe was now empty, and Akechi was still apparently in Minato Ward, he was spotted leaving a Conveyor Belt Sushi restaurant with his 'Silver-Haired Intern'.
Hakuno wonders how Sae Niijima would hear she is being regarded as an Intern in his fanbase. "Thank you, kids," curry and coffee all you could eat for the day was a good reward for just over an hour of work.
"No, thank you Boss this is the best meal I've had all week."
Hakuno sighed, "This… isn't the only meal you've had this week right?"
Yusuke looked offended by the accusation, "Of course not, I had a cup of water and half an orange two days ago." How is he alive? She should probably do a bit of research if having a Persona, or the ability to summon one, enhanced their bodies in weird ways.
Morgana glanced from the staircase, "Is it safe for me to come out now?" Hakuno gave him a slight nod as he bounded downstairs.
"Sorry about leaving you kids here by yourself, maybe I should have Akira here more often…"
"Why not include Futaba? Is it not the family business?" Hakuno nodded at Yusuke, it would help her if she got more used to people.
"It might work… maybe get her used to the regulars at least…" He seemed to approve, "Maybe once or twice a week… you kids are already dragging her places but when you go to school next month she will be alone for most of the day…"
That was… terrifyingly true, hopefully, Futaba will be fine in helping or just not staying cooped up in her room. Although it was strange that she hadn't heard from her today.
"Although, if Akira does befriend that Detective Prince and he's seen more often I need to stock up more…" Morgana hummed.
"I don't like how he is constantly putting us down! We are the ones who caught the murderer! And we changed Haru's ex-fiancé's heart! We are doing good and he insists we are bad!" Hakuno gave a small nod to their not-a-cat friend.
"Oh, the Cat's down…" He smiled setting a plate with a tiny bit of meat and rice. "Aren't you smart, coming down after all of them are gone?" Morgana huffed before wolfing down his meal in record time, "Does the Kid even feed you I swear…"
"Akira does feed him, he just likes to eat." Hakuno was sure that at least some of the food the cat-like being ate was converted into magical energy. If not then… he had Ann's metabolism. "I think he eats more than Yusuke…" She barely muttered that last part out, the artist either didn't care or didn't hear her.
"Morgana, hold that pose!" Morgana froze, Hakuno turned around as Morgana was creeping behind the potted plant near Yusuke's booth. "Yes perfect! Just stay right there…"
"Hurry up Fox…" He grumbled but did as asked.
"Hey… Hakuno, I have to ask… how do you get the cat to listen as well as your group does? It's almost like he can understand us. I've heard Akira talk to him and he does meow back a lot…" Sojiro was observant, although she should recall how none of them really hid Morgana's true nature here it was far too comfortable for that... how would she explain that the cat wasn't a cat but a human trapped in the body of one? And the not-a-cat can perfectly understand Japanese, and speak it back.
"He is smart…"
"Must not take after the Kid too much then…" Sojiro chuckled, "Suppose I shouldn't be too hard on the boy, he's done a lot of good…" Before he turned his body away, she saw his faint smile. Hopefully, Sojiro was one of Akira's 'bonds' that strengthened his Persona. "All you kids are good ones."
The old man truly did care for his wards.
Author's Note: Well! That's a Wrap! Some small things moving, a bit of mental stuttering, and just moving forward. And before people ask, Makoto basically got her Dancing Starlight outfit, I think it's a hella cool outfit, and I'm not 100% confident that the people Makoto an Akira go an investigate would give out lots of info bout Tsukasa in her normal look. And I just think the outfits cool.
Anyways, thats a wrap! Cya'll next time!