Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies, and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
8/19
Hakuno's door slammed open.
Her heart leaped out of her chest as she instantly woke up, "Hack!" her hand quickly raised firing a burst of digital energy at the door damaging the top corner. A single pink barrier went up, she tumbled behind her bed, another command of digital Magecra-
"WAIT! It's me!" The voice was familiar and…Hakuno recognized the flower petal shield, calming the intense beating of her heart, she knew who it was a feeling of pure dread overtook her.
"I'm so sorry!" Hakuno leaped over her bed and hugged Makoto, "You scared me."
"I can see that…" Makoto grimaced, "Sorry about that…" She gently patted Hakuno on her back, "I was just-"
"What the hell happened here!?" Hakuno grimaced. Last time it was a Magical Construct, this time it was actual damage…
"Seriously every time someone startles you awake it's always something." Hakuno and Makoto were both in dogeza, "Hakuno, the first time was the little light, this time was the door, what if next time it is Futaba?" Hakuno wasn't sure why Futaba was mentioned but still understood.
She wouldn't hurt Futaba, even if she woke her up this early.
"It's my fault, I should've knocked…" Ann sighed.
"No Makoto, I should've warned you to wait… Hakuno's a very… nervous sleeper." It was true, she had a strange feeling these last few days, almost like a storm was approaching. Things have been going too well for their group… Perhaps she was being paranoid?
The only one that could actively harm them would be someone in the Metaverse, there were too many eyes on them in the real world, and absolutely worst case scenario… They could drag their assailants into the world of Cognition.
The only one in the Metaverse they had to worry about was the 'Black Mask' but they hadn't found any evidence of them since a possible mention in Ran Ru's Palace, and only more clearly in Kaneshiro and, according to Akira, Madarame's Palace.
"Hakuno? Hey!" Hakuno had to refocus, she hadn't been paying attention to Ann's voice. "Are you even listening?"
"Hm?" She looked into the model's blue eyes, huffed, and sagged slightly at Hakuno's response.
"Gah, whatever, just fix it." Perhaps on her way home later today she could buy a new door? Ann turned on her heel and faced their Student Council President, "Although, Makoto you never did say why you came so early."
"Oh… Um…" Hakuno saw the blush on Makoto's face, the nervousness in her voice, "I need advice? I think?" Hakuno tilted her head, what could she need help with?
"Oh?" The Blonde had a radiant smirk on her face, "About?" She plopped down on the ground, her blue eyes practically shining. Hakuno tilted her head in confusion, what could have changed from yesterday to today?
"Akira asked me to be his study partner?"
"Study Partner?/What?"
"Um… He sort of asked me out…" Her voice was so small.
Ann squealed.
"Wait Akira did what?" Hakuno had to have misheard, there was no way…
"He got punched then punched Tsukasa… and I may or may not have dragged him into the Metaverse after we confessed in a bar and punched Tsukasa's disgusting Incubus form until he begged for mercy."
Hakuno approved.
"Damn Makoto~ breaking all the rules now."
Makoto blushed and it took Hakuno a moment to remember All Targets are unanimous.
"It was late and we called up Futaba who quickly sent a card via a text…" She mewled, "We didn't think anyone else would be awake."
Hakuno placed a hand on the older girl's shoulder, "It's ok I would've agreed, will Eiko figure it out?"
Makoto chuckled weakly, "No, I don't think so." From what little Hakuno had remembered about Eiko she couldn't figure it out for a few years possibly even more, stubborn weird girl that vaguely reminded her of… someone.
Makoto and Akira 'dated' and had double dates with her and the scum if she didn't figure it out from that then would how could she not figure out the two were stupidly in love? Saying Makoto would 'Fail a Test in Love' when the girl was already dating someone who loved her back.
Well, if Akira ever broke her heart, she might be his 'Seeker' but she will kick his ass if he hurt Makoto. A glance with Ann confirmed she would help. Although… seeing how strong she is and her being the only one with any real-life fighting experience it might not be needed…
"We're going on our first actual date tonight and I wanted some help, I've never been on a date before…" Well, neither had Hakuno or Ann to her knowledge…
"Well, you came to the right place! Between me and Hakuno, we will get you looking amazing!" Hakuno sighed, she planned to hang out with Futaba today and tomorrow due to… what tomorrow was.
"I apologize, I will have to go soon, I have plans…" Admittedly Futaba probably didn't know Hakuno planned to come over, but… "And Ann, you have your shoot later, don't be late."
Ann frowned, before flashing a strange smile, "Alright~ Then Makoto can join me! I can convince my make-up guys to get you all set for a date!" Makoto looked at Hakuno for help, she quickly turned her head to the side breaking eye contact, Good Luck Makoto. "And Hakuno!" She flinched, "You're buying the new door." Hakuno quickly nodded.
She frowned, Futaba didn't answer her phone, and for once the gate to their house was locked. She sighed as she turned back and headed to Leblanc, the cafe had calmed down from the 'Akechi' panic yesterday, and only a small handful of regulars sat in their booths.
"Welcome…" He frowned as he looked at her, "You alright kid?" She felt herself frown at that, did she look upset? She was strange, after a momentary hesitation she nodded.
"I was going to check on Futaba…"
He sighed, "Here, take this." He handed Hakuno a key, "She might have got wrapped up in her computer stuff again. Sojiro coughed in his hand, "I should ask… are you going to join us tomorrow?" Hakuno gave a small nod, "Good… good… We plan to leave early, she was always a morning person."
Hakuno paused, "Can I stay the night?" It would be the easiest way… She couldn't figure out all the emotions that flashed on his face until it settled on tired. She had a few extra outfits in her Regalia, a few she was sure Ann had managed to find a way to sneak in…
"Sure, I'm sure Futaba would like that. Here I'll whip you two up some lunch as well…" Hakuno nodded as she stepped back from the counter, one of the customers touched her arm causing her to glance over at her.
"Oh Deary, did you mention Sojiro's girl?" Hakuno gave the older lady a nod, "I never knew Sojiro had a daughter then one day a young girl wearing a mask shows up and starts to help out, not to mention the little raven-haired boy that I see behind the counter lately," the older lady scooted closer to her and lowered her voice, "Is that boy his daughter's boyfriend? Sojiro's finally getting a successor?"
"No." Hakuno surprised herself at the tone of her voice, "Sorry, no the two aren't dating and I'm not sure if he would leave the cafe to Akira…" It would make sense, he knew Sojiro's recipes and lived in the attic. Plus with how Sojiro saw him…
"Here you go," Hakuno blinked as Sojiro handed her two bentos, "I still got plenty of years left in me ya know?" Sojiro said while glancing at the older lady, "The boy just barely can make a decent cup of joe now, and his curry needs some work too." The old lady dismissively waved.
"Oh, you, you've been hiding a young daughter for years now, one of these days you're going to slip up and tell me the lucky lady you know~" Hakuno frowned, and Sojiro's hand paused causing him to sigh at the comment.
"Oh youngin' don't mind me, Sojiro here says so little about his personal life a girl's gotta know you know?" She could clearly see Sojiro roll his eyes, "It is suspicious that all of a sudden a lot of kids start swinging by, first was the Boy, then all the blondes, and then the weird kid in the always in the corner watching us," Hakuno blinked, and her eyes moved to where the lady pointed.
Yep, Yusuke was there, a sketchbook on his lap and a nearly empty plate of curry at the very edge of the counter near him.
He didn't acknowledge her, his pencil was still dancing on his sketchbook as he sat beside the Sayuri, his eyes quickly glancing around the room. Maybe… she is more out of it than she thought if she didn't notice him…
Giving a small wave to the Artist who barely acknowledged her existence, "Well, I think we've held you up long enough. Boss, thank you and I'm sorry to tell you this will be my last time here."
"Oh?"
The old lady slowly stood up and picked up her purse, "Yes… my darling Dan's grave needs to be seen too, and I've troubled my new niece and nephew long enough. They just got married let me show you those pictures…" Sojiro gave her a tired smile, and with one hand he gestured for Hakuno to head out.
Hakuno took that as a moment to slip out and made her way back to Futaba and Sojiro's home. She ascended their stairs and knocked on Futaba's door but had no answer. She frowned as she knocked again.
No answer.
Was Futaba even home?
She felt the door handle, it wasn't locked, Hakuno frowned she should be awake…
The door slowly opened and the room was back to being a slightly small mess, the only light in the room came from the computer with all three screens fully illuminated, one monitor had a black screen with neon green text flowing across it, and another had a paused video and the final had Futaba's character in a game mindlessly walking into a wall.
The Character continued to walk because… Futaba's head rested on her keyboard and the character mindlessly did as told. "Futaba?" Hakuno poked the hacker's cheek, the young hacker mindlessly swatted at her hand.
Hakuno sighed while it would be fun to mess with her, Futaba should wake up sooner than later, she could at least clean up Futaba's room… again. She had plans, something to keep Futaba's mind off of tomorrow even a bit.
So after a quick garbage run, leaving Futaba's room more bearable and her still not awake, Hakuno nodded as she shook the hacker, once more Futaba swatted her hand, and when it was clear that She wouldn't stop trying to wake her Futaba groaned.
"Morgana…. I don't need to raise my stats like Akira…"
Hakuno got close to her ear before whispering, "Futaba, wanna go to Akihabara?" Futaba shot up and fell off her chair, Hakuno grimaced as she bonked her head on the ground and offered her hand to her friend.
"Ow…" Futaba took her hand, "Why you gotta wake me up…" She yawned, "It's not even Eight yet…"
"Futaba… it's noon."
"I meant Eight P.M."
Hakuno sighed.
Futaba's eyes never left Hakuno, the Yakuza Man's advice was stupid but somehow it worked for Akira, she was sure it came from a late-night soap opera due to how cheesy it was. She didn't want to follow any of it... It was all way too embarrassing... Like how could she ever do stuff like serenade or do a stupid misunderstanding plot? She knows she should probably just come out but like how in the world could she even do that!?
But the train ride to Akihabara went by fairly too quickly to devise any sort of plans or actions and now they were looking over computer parts.
"Futaba?" She blinked, "You there?"
"Huh?" Hakuno's face was too close.
"I thought you would take the lead?" Take the lead!? Take what lead!?
"For Computer parts? Morgana's and mine?" Oh.
Ohhhhh.
Yeah, she can do that.
"I was thinking, for Morgana we need something similar to a projector, at least make it so he can join on the texts and could look stuff up without needing us…" Hmm. mini-pcs were a thing if Hakuno could use her magic and make it in the shape of a collar… "I do have a few Ether Fragments left, if possible we should keep an eye out for those as well."
Oh yeah, super magic stuff. She wasn't sure where to find that stuff but Akira said it was from a dude here…
Anyways, Hakuno was pushing the cart and Futaba couldn't help but still be amazed at the huge mall they were in, it was practically her dream home. But she had to focus, quickly her eyes traced over the Pi models… oh! She forgot the 3B came out this year! That would be perfect!
Scooping it up she couldn't help but snicker Mona's going to love it!
Hakuno grimaced at the price, even from their escapades in the Metaverse Hakuno should find a way to make money. She did see a flier for a cafe nearby that was hiring… Perhaps she should take a look later?
She quickly paid, Futaba's batteries seemed to have started to run out and she wasn't as nervous anymore which was good, it was always good when Futaba was able to relax. The pair luckily got a seat on the train heading towards Yongen-Jaya, the amount of items that Futaba had seen and convinced her to buy was more than she expected.
"Do you think you can get Morgana's ready in the next few days?" Futaba's eyes laser-focused on the floor. Why was she nervous?
"Y-yeah, should only take like an hour or two, would need more time to download all the stuff he wants than anything." Hakuno gave her a small nod, while it was nothing like her Portable Terminal it would allow Morgana a chance to socialize with those not a member of the thieves.
She couldn't turn him into a human but she could at least see about giving him a more human experience. And giving Futaba something she loves to do should at least keep her mood brighter than it would be…
"Anyways!" Futaba's eyes met hers, "I can show you how to install your parts so you can do it tonight and we can play some more Zombies!" Futaba seemed pumped…
But.
"Sorry, I didn't bring my PC." She leaves some things at home… Seeing the confusion on her face she added, "I'm staying the night after all? Remember?"
Futaba's face got scarlet? "What!?" Huh, now that she thinks about it, it never came up, but it shouldn't be too big of a surprise, the number of times they've slept under the same roof couldn't even be counted at this point…
"I asked due to us having to be up early tomorrow…" A flash of recognition came across Futaba's face and she got quiet, "I wanted to visit with you…" Futaba nodded slowly. Hakuno owed Wakaba a lot… She should probably call her own parents later today…
The train ride was quiet as the pair sat in silence.
Author's Notes: Well here it is! Sorry its a bit later than expected, been busy with my other fanfic trying to figure out the correct way to juggle doing two at the same time. And I got Pokemon Ultra Sun as well… Anyways bit of progression and all that.
Oh and new info on Fate/Extra Record on the 4th! Super Hyped!
Cya'll next time!