Fenrir's Masquerade

by ShadeJak

A catastrophic accident cost her everything ten years ago, Mukuro Ikusaba has recklessly danced with Death having pursued a life as a mercenary as she grew older, until a sudden discharge sends her to Gekkoukan High in Iwatodai, a city plagued by a sinister "Dark Hour" every midnight, and the reason for her arrival may be more then she believed. A P3 Re-Tell starring Mukuro.

15. Devilish Strength

6/21

"Another body has been discovered, cause of death unknown with apparent time of death being around midnight," a reporter narrated on the morning news. Mukuro frowned as she lay on her bed, again thinking of how normally the weaker Shadows induced Apathy Syndrome on those who suddenly awakened in the Dark Hour but didn't outright kill their victims immediately.

She recalled Natsumi overhearing rumors from some of the girls at school about a revenge website as well, perhaps, she thought, worth looking into if there were any way to find it. Changing the channel, she found herself greeted by the cheery Tanaka's Amazing Commodities jingle, before cutting to its smug-looking host.

"Iiiiiiit's "Amazing Commodities"!" Tanaka declared proudly. "The world stops for no one, not even myself, which is why if you're missing out on today's hot-hot-hot sale, then it's gone-gone-GONE! Why don't we show you what I'm talking about, shall we?"

The camera panned over once more to the busty, grinning girl from before in a pink sailor fuku and goggles worn over messy blond hair. "HAHAHA! First off, you got this gorgeous girl genius' Amenity Armor! Tough and total protection! Makes a police-issue vest about as useful as a broken condom!"

"...Iruma," Tanaka whispered in a harsh whisper while still trying to maintain a smile for the cameras. "...is just VERY proud of this one, and if you want to feel safe at night with all that nasty gang activity out there, look no further! Now, Iruma, what do we have next from your newest efforts?"

"I call it the "Super-Diet Food"! Are you a land whale who wants to lose it all but can't put down the cake? Well here's somethin' that you'll wanna indulge on instead that can do the job!" the girl declared, leaning forward and slowly sinking downward as her legs slowly slid apart, till she was pressing her chest against the floor and posing in an extremely provocative way with her rear raised to where her skirt would be just one slip away from taking away her modesty as she slid the jar in front of her cleavage while giving a victory sign with her free hand and winking. "...And you'll get three today only! Imagine in just as many weeks you'll again be able to see your currently hardening-"

"Iruma!" Tanaka protested, before quickly putting on a smile again. "...Don't mind my lovely and very straight-forward assistant's enthusiasm. She takes great pride in her work, always looking for new inspiration and ways use her genius to grant your desires with nothing but a call of this number! Hurry while supplies last, after all, our own numbers with our past sales never lie!"

The phone number flashed on the screen as Iruma waved her legs in the air back and forth playfully in the background, a mic in hand.

"...And for the stuff we can't sell on daytime TV, there's always the online version! Kirijo Corp would lose their v-cards for even a peek at what I got cooking!" she said proudly.

"...Need I remind you, you unfiltered, perverted little potty-mouthed deviant, we are currently live?!" Tanaka mumbled under his smile.

Iruma's eyes went wide, her legs fidgeting, Tanaka seemed worried.

"Iruma! Not here!" he snapped urgently, but the girl was ignoring him, instead hugging herself and looking lost in her own thoughts as she rolled on her back like she were having a seizure... or something else entirely.

"Unfiltered... p-perverted... potty-mouthed... DEVIANT!" she moaned skyward, ensuring Mukuro was far from the only person staring now. The TV host facepalmed and shook his head.

"Cut to commercial. CUT TO COMMERCIAL!" he protested in as dignified a way as he could imagine while blocking the camera's view of her.

Mukuro's brow furrowed as she turned the TV off. Looking over at her laptop, another idea crossed her mind on how she could pass time as it wasn't a school day. Getting up and switching it on, Mukuro sat herself down and logged on, finding an email from MARY, asking if she was free to play today in, by her calculations, about fifteen minutes from now.

Innocent Online soon booted up as Mukuro watched her blonde avatar appear on the screen and made her way near the Shinegawa Dungeon area, watching a few PCs roam about before a message suddenly appeared on her screen announcing MARY had logged in.

[GINKO! U made it!] MARY suddenly messaged.

[SRY 4 runnin l8!]

[Had 2 fnish assignment hrdr then I thought!]

Mukuro cocked her head at the player's comments.

[Slacked off? I have a friend like that] she typed back.

[Slack off? nuuuuuu T_T got caught up on playthru on handheld!] MARY replied.

[Sometimes I just play handheld 4 mny HOURZ! Lose track of time! XD] she added.

[Naoya won't b joinin btw, sayz he worked l8 last night]

[I see, think we can still do dungeon?] Mukuro asked.

[Yeah, I got thissss ^^;;] MARY replied, leading her to the entrance of the Shinegawa Dungeon.

[SRSLY tho, rents on case again say I hav no goals. I just play my days away they say.] MARY said.

[Do u?] Mukuro asked, resting her chin in her palm, she couldn't help but feel she could relate a little, especially prior to coming here, except it was because she was waiting for a mission she'd accomplish or lose her life on.

MARY paused, saying nothing for a minute.

[Wutz wrong w/that?] she asked.

[U said last time there's more to life right?] Mukuro typed.

[MayB/mayB not. itz teh 1 thing im gud at neway.] MARY answered.

[I'll prove it! Letz kick butt in this dungeon!] she added, her toon leading the way in to a labyrinthine aquarium.

It seemed she has some insecurities, Mukuro mused. Kind of like herself, being raised in Fenrir fighting was what she knew best, navigating through a normal life was still awkward for her even if she was doing better at it then when she first came.

At those thoughts, the sound of glass shattering echoed within her mind.

[Also, U C that shopping show that comes on?] MARY suddenly asked.

[Sometimes the host is paulownia. Major creep. Tried 2 get me 2 be on his show cuz assistant haz no filter sayz I look good 4 it] she explained.

[tbh tho kinda funny seeing her embarrass him jst now XDDDDDDDD serves him right.]

[I hear she sometimes goz 2 teh club ther.]

Mukuro glanced back at her TV, then at MARY's messages. So the host of Amazing Commodities hung out in Paulownia Mall sometimes? Interesting. It also confirmed MARY, being a high school student far as she knew, lived somewhere in the area as well.

[NEWAYZ! Enuff bout pervz. Letz go!] MARY declared, heading further in and soon the enemies spawned around the two, initiating battle...

---

Saying her goodbyes when MARY left to have dinner and shutting off her laptop after several hours of play, Mukuro had felt restless. Needing some fresh air, she considered going for a jog to the station, which ultimately became a trip to Paulownia Mall as her feelings still weren't fully quelled and decided to weigh her options.

"The arcades?" she mused aloud remembering the shooting and beat-em-up games, but having spent all day on video games she shot the idea down. The karaoke club up the stairs that Yukari had taken note of a while back the young soldier didn't feel comfortable doing by herself...

A slight pang in her stomach reminded Mukuro she'd not eaten in a while and the café was right there. Making up her mind, she decided to go see what they had when she paused in her tracks at the sounds of arguing.

"Iruma-chan, please let's not have this argument here!" a familiar older male voice pleaded.

"Too bad, it's happening here!" an equally familiar female voice sneered back.

Mukuro turned, seeing the Amazing Commodities host and the girl who invented some of the things he sold enter the mall area, stopping across from her at the fountain. The former still had on his green business suit, while the latter now had on a more casual outfit leaving little to the imagination that consisted of a black tanktop, pink shorts and black boots, a crop jacket down her shoulders and tied under her chest.

"If anything it should be me who has a right to be upset, you know!" the man whom she guessed was Tanaka said. "That little... soft-porn stunt you pulled got me a network strike!"

"Strike, schmike!" the girl, Mukuro guessed was Iruma, reply callously. "We got the whole stock sold plus backorders from dozens of thirsty-ass virgins lookin' to shed their basement-dweller flab thanks to that so-called "stunt"!"

Tanaka rolled his eyes, unable to rebuff that statement. "Be that as it may, I can't risk more strikes for the time being and I do need to provide my business some manner of reassurance we won't get kicked off the air, and ensure my good standing!" he replied, his expression going serious. "...You're suspended from Amazing Commodities until I say otherwise!"

"W-WHAT?!" Iruma shrieked. "My inventions are always a hit! You gonna blow some Kirijo Corp dong for some surplus shit instead?!"

"As a highly respected businessman I can't make further risks on my TV image, Iruma! I'll call you when I'm willing to bring you back in," Tanaka replied, trying to speak calmly and reduce the stares they were getting. "Now please calm down! The police station's right there and we don't need them getting into this! My image would never survive that embarrassment!"

Iruma's features softened. "Fine," she said softly. "...Tellya what, the pharmacy's right there so why don'cha go buy some condoms first since you wanna play it safe before you FUCK ME!"

The girl stormed off to the entrance of Club Escapade and walked right inside without even breaking stride, Tanaka meanwhile just looked around at the ones still looking his way.

"Please don't mind disgruntled fans, folks! Yes, she was... merely a fan cosplaying my assistant that's all!" he said quickly, shaking his head in annoyance. "...How about you, young lady, were you hoping for an autograph or something?"

Mukuro realized the distinct possibility the man was talking to her when she glanced around. "...Me?" she asked, pointing to herself, him then regarding her with interest.

"Who else would I be talking to that stands out as much as yourself?" Tanaka inquired. "Do come closer! Despite the vulger and utterly preposterous claims of that... individual I've never seen before in my life I'm absolutely harmless!"

Mukuro cocked a brow at him, a slight frown of suspicion on her face, he sounded less like he was being polite and more like he was hoping to draw her in for what he'd try to pitch as the deal of a lifetime. A normal girl would have immediately walked away or possibly knocked on the door of the police station, but Mukuro felt confident she could handle herself if he attempted anything and thus approached.

"Just like that, wow!" Tanaka said with an amused grin, chuckling. "You're even prettier up close, you know. Between you and the young lady with the handheld game, I can already think of two dozen ways I could use you to promote merchandise!"

Mukuro folded her arms, unsure whether to be repulsed, or flattered at being complimented on her looks, as she tried to measure his sincerity. Maybe a little of both, she decided. "...Don't you already have someone on your show?"

"Tch! That potty-mouthed young lady got me a network strike for her inappropriate behavior on live TV!" Tanaka scoffed, his gaze flickering to where Club Escapade was. "Being so famous and successful to the point it's difficult to go anywhere without being noticed is why my show's not been canceled!" he added with no small serving of pride as a sly grin spread on his face.

"...That right there, Miss, is part of the secret of winning negotiation, letting them know why they need me more then I need them!" he explained. "...Since you haven't asked who I am yet, I've deduced you know who I am as well, proving my point! I take it you're a fan of "Amazing Commodities", young Miss?"

Mukuro had to admit, the man was very perceptive. "...I've caught it a few times," she said.

The man smirked. "...Still, far be it from me to dismiss good manners. I do have a reputation to uphold, after all!" he said, handing her a business card from his blazer that Mukuro saw read:

"President & Executive Producer Tanaka"

It even had an autograph and a business number on the back.

"Feel free to keep it, you may find my signature's priceless!" the host declared. "Now, I must be going! Tootaloo~!"

Mukuro stared at the business card incredulously a moment before her gaze flickered to the man's retreating form, already hearing him mumbling in annoyance.

"Ungrateful child! I take her under my wing and she embarrasses me on TV and in public!" he grumbled. "Does she not realize what an honor it is to be on TV alongside a star?! What am I going to do with her?! That young lady and the girl from earlier, honestly what is wrong with kids these days? Learn some gratitude!"

"...I can hear you, you know," Mukuro said, approaching, causing him to flinch. Tanaka could not deny the girl did have a rather intimidating glare.

"But you know who you're talking to, right?" Tanaka asked, straightening himself up and trying to reclaim his dignity. "I happen to belong to a very powerful talent agency so I advise you not bother me when I want privacy! If I wanted to, I could tell Iruma she'll never be welcome on my show again and there'd be nothing she could do about it!"

"I may not be prone to vulger language, but it looked like she got the last word in back there," Mukuro replied skeptically.

"Only because I allowed her to!" Tanaka said. "Iruma's not a debater she's just a stubborn brat who made a public scene because I have an image to keep up!"

Mukuro was already beginning to question why she'd chosen to indulge this man. "...If you say so," she replied glancing away and brushing back one of her long sidelocks.

"There, you just made a verbal agreement with me!" Tanaka declared. "That's considered as valid as a contract, young lady, especially with witnesses. I could sue your skirt off if you breach that! Your pretty face is etched in my photographic memory!"

"...Is there a point to this?" Mukuro asked, irritated now but also curious.

"Well, obviously I have no intention of getting on my knees and conceding to Iruma, but I suspect a girl her age may be more approachable," Tanaka explained. "Tell you what, you go do that part for me, and I'll give you a few pointers that'll give you a taste of the kind of success I enjoy!"

Mukuro glanced at the club door, then back at the businessman, but said nothing.

"Come on, the deal of a lifetime! I'll have you know normally I expect an investment of 40,000 yen first before I spill a word!" Tanaka explained. "You're a bright young lady, and if I'm not mistaken, a high schooler, yes? The real world isn't far away, so you should be thinking about the kind of future you want, correct?"

The young soldier thought of Igor's words about trying to connect with others who reached out or offered to connect with her, and there had been the whole reason Fenrir sent her here, if nothing else maybe Tanaka knew what he was talking about given his show's success.

"Fine."

Tanaka grinned and offered his hand. "Now that's the spirit! We have a deal, then!"

Reality darkened and came to a halt for Mukuro as she heard a sound of shattered glass within her mind, followed by Theodore's voice...

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast established a new bond...

Thou shalt havest our blessings when thou choosest

to create a Persona of the Devil Arcana.

As reality returned to normal, Mukuro glanced at Tanaka's hand and accepted, grasping his and shaking.

"You're already quite a lovely young lady in terms of looks, but your social skills and demeanor are rather off-putting if I'm to be blunt," Tanaka explained. "Looks, much like honesty, only get you so far in life. Consider that a freebie. A little polishing, and you'll have the kind of skill Iruma had, minus the crudeness. Like her, I can see there's more to you then just an average pretty girl."

Mukuro withdrew her hand, blushing lightly, Tanaka just chuckled.

"There, that demure side for instance. As for Iruma, I suppose the wisest option is to leave her be for today, even I know sometimes people need to cool down before you have any hope of striking a bargain they'll be more receptive to then," said Tanaka, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "...Try on Wednesday evening, I know she makes a ritual of it because of a special they do that evening."

His expression hardened, however. "I'll expect to hear some news soon. Fail to and your doorbell will get rung at 2AM on school nights!"

Mukuro sighed, admittedly, she thought, that'd likely be a bad idea on his part if he knew the kind of people she lived with, herself not included in the matter, but decided to humor him nonetheless. "Understood. Wednesday it is, then."

"Perfect, I'll be back in the area Friday. Don't let me down, you're the one benefitting from this arrangement after all!" Tanaka said. "Now, I must be going, I'll look forward to seeing you then, Miss... sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Ikusaba," said Mukuro. "...Mukuro Ikusaba."

Tanaka nodded. "...Well, then, Miss Ikusaba, until next time!"

As Tanaka turned to leave, Mukuro took in a deep sigh, deciding to turn her thoughts back to what she'd originally come out here for before it got any later.

"Right," she muttered aloud, heading for the café and deciding to grab a light snack before she'd jog back to the station and get dinner at the strip mall back in Iwatodai before she'd go back to the dorm for the evening. It would be two weeks until the next full moon, but school was still tomorrow...

---

6/22

Classes having ended for the day, Mukuro had begun gathering her things as she overheard the two gossip-prone girls near her in a conversation that, for once, actually held her interest.

"You hear about that Revenge Request website?" the first girl asked. "Basically you post someone's name on it, and they'll get revenge for you, it's a 100 percent success rate and totally anonymous, too!"

"Seriously? I've been hearing rumors, but if you got the URL I wanna check it out!" her friend said giddily.

"Calm down, it's all really just rumors, I don't have a URL or anything like that!" the first girl said.

"What a shame, there's some people I wish would get punished somehow," her friend grumbled.

Mukuro recalled the rumors Natsumi had mentioned, and the news report yesterday morning. With the next full moon not far off, it was possible Shadows have gotten more aggressive, unless she could find anything concrete about such a website existing. Her thoughts were interrupted, though, when a message came through on her phone from Kiyotaka Ishimaru from the Student Council.

[Ikusaba! I require your immediate presence at the Student Council room! Please consider accepting my request!]

Texting a "yes" back in response, Mukuro made her way to the room where the Student Council held their meetings. Sliding open the door, she paused to discover Taka, along with anxious-looking Chihiro Fujisaki and another student from the council she recalled as the secretary concluding a conversation with a teacher.

"I appreciate it Ishimaru," said the teacher. "I'll be counting on you, for both our sakes!"

"Understood, sir!" Taka stated with a firm upright stance.

Stepping aside, Mukuro allowed the teacher to leave and Fujisaki promptly took notice.

"Oh...!" the petite girl stammered. "H-Hello, Ikusaba-san!"

Mukuro gave a small wave as she entered.

"Ikusaba! I am delighted you honored my request you attend today!" Taka declared with a nod.

"...Hey, Taka, what'd the teacher mean exactly by "for both our sakes", anyway?" the student secretary asked, looking over at Ishimaru.

"He wants to create a better school environment, so he asked a student fit for the job," Taka explained. "...Much like how President Kirijo asked Ikusaba here to join the student council to help out."

Mukuro folded her arms, as "asked" was less the term so much as "pressed" from how she remembered it.

"...Furthermore, as head of the student disciplinary committee, I am obligated to accept regardless of my feelings on the matter!" Taka stated.

"Still, you can't just assume that, let alone decide on it without talking to Kirijo-senpai first!" the secretary protested.

Mukuro was no stranger to obligations, but she also was familiar with knowing orders and who gave them. "...Did I miss something important?" she asked.

"There was a cigarette found in the boys' bathroom, and in Ishimaru-kun's eyes we may as well ALL be suspects!" the secretary said.

Mukuro's gaze flickered to Fujisaki, who looked like she wanted to just shrink down and disappear, then to the secretary. "I'm guessing Fujisaki and I are in the clear, though? It doesn't seem likely a girl could have gone in done it without someone seeing."

"You misunderstand," Taka declared, putting his hands at his hips and looking at the others. "I'm not trying to be a crime scene investigator. As I mentioned, I am head of student disciplinary committee and rumors are already afoot about this, so should I fail to meet the responsibilities and expectations put upon me or choose to neglect them, our school's reputation fails to recover from this incident and I will be to blame for it!"

"I-I'm sorry," Fujisaki said softly. "I didn't really think about that, so blame me, too."

"My sins are not your sins, Fujisaki!" Taka replied. "...However, failing to resolve this will no doubt have consequences on the rest of the council as well. This is why I must ask all of you to help me on this and prove yourselves trustworthy, refusal will only cast suspicion!"

"I-I don't wanna be... interrogated or anything! I know I'm just Treasurer but I'll do what I can," the small girl said, bowing frantically.

"At ease, Fujisaki! I appreciate your willingness to understand the gravity of the situation at hand!" Taka replied before looking over at Mukuro. "You understand, correct, Ikusaba-san? Having been to military school like myself, I'm certain you've had your fill of disorder here."

"It's... different, yes," Mukuro said, recalling the alibi regarding her past.

"Excellent, you understand then!" Taka stated proudly. "With you on my side in this as well I know we can undo the damage these rumors are causing!"

"...Whatever you need, Ishimaru-kun," Mukuro replied, at the very least this would keep Mitsuru from bothering her about neglecting the duties that had been put on her by being part of the council. Regardless, though, Taka looked genuinely grateful for her support.

The sound of glass shattering echoed within the recesses of Mukuro's mind.

"At any rate, with this in mind, I need to get going. Please excuse me!" said Taka as he bowed and promptly left the classroom.

"Hey! Come back here Mr. Hall Monitor!" the secretary protested as he followed after him, muttering about Taka being an uptight kiss-ass under his breath.

"How am I a hall monitor when I'm trying to preserve the school's reputation?" Taka called back as both disappeared down the hall.

Fujisaki wilted, looking down at the floor. "...I hate fighting," she muttered, frowning as she ran her hand through her short hair anxiously. "Honestly, if they'd just approved a computer club I wouldn't even be-"

She cut herself off and looked over at Mukuro, blushing. "S-Sorry! I was talking to myself I hope I didn't seem like I was ignoring you or anything..."

Mukuro sighed. "It's... fine. I feel like I just walked into something I barely know any of the story on."

"More or less. Ishimaru may seem a little... uh... I feel bad saying something negative but I guess he can seem... uptight, but he cares about the school and doesn't want anyone here paying for any reputation damage," Fujisaki replied. "...He's so strong and brave, I could never be those things. I-I hope he gets this solved... it seems pretty personal to him, too."

"I don't know him that well, honestly," Mukuro said, folding her arms again and looking at the window.

"It might be because..." Fujisaki stopped herself again, blushing heavily. "...Never mind! It's not my place to say and I don't wanna go behind his back. Ummm, I'll go let Kirijo know about this hopefully she can get things civil again!" she said, immediately heading out the door before Mukuro had a chance to respond.

Now alone in the room, Mukuro decided she should leave as well, it didn't seem like anyone was going to, let alone planning on coming back any time soon.

Returning to the bustling hallways, Mukuro headed back to the entrance for a trip to get dinner at the strip mall and study for the evening.

---

6/23

The bell rang, and Mukuro took in a deep breath as she read her text. She had received a message she wasn't even sure she was prepared for despite all the mental discipline she'd received during her time in Fenrir. The mere thought of it made her normally pale face go red.

"You alright, Mukuro?" Yukari asked, coming over.

"I-I'm... fine. No need to be concerned, Yukari," Mukuro said quickly, trying to manage a small smile.

"Then why's your face so red?" Junpei asked with a teasing grin.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Mukuro said quietly, her eyes flickering to her phone and back at her two classmates.

"Mukuro, I have to agree with Junpei, you're pretty red right now," Yukari said.

"Ace Detective Junpei deduces she saw something that got quite an emotional response!" Junpei said, looking at the screen on Mukuro's phone which the dark-haired girl hastily closed and put away.

Yukari groaned, grabbing Junpei's arm. "Come on, Junpei, if it's a private matter we probably shouldn't impose."

"Fiiiiiine, you're no fun sometimes, Yuka-tan," Junpei muttered. "But hey, good luck, Mukuro!" he added with a knowing smirk as Yukari escorted him out of the classroom.

Mukuro thought her entire face was going to burn off by how much she could feel herself blush now as she looked at the message.

[Hey Mukuro! Sorry for the sudden invite, but I think I promised you one of the specials at Hagekure, didn't I? Club cancelled so wanna go on over there today?] the message from Akihiko asked.

Mukuro closed her eyes, taking in another deep breath and slowly exhaling till she could feel her face return to its normal fair complexion before standing up, trying to get Junpei's departing words out of her head.

[Be right down.] she replied.

[Great. I'll be waiting downstairs in the club hall.] he responded.

Feeling the red return again as she got up, Mukuro hurriedly packed her things, and left the classroom.

Coming downstairs, Mukuro saw Akihiko standing in the hall, facing away and waiting. Clutching her chest as she could feel her heart start to race Mukuro froze in place.

Go for it, Mukuro, she told herself. ...You've crossed battlefields full of gunfire, broke into buildings full of enemy combatants to get to hostages, navigated through minefields why should this scare you?

Closing her eyes again and taking another deep breath, she approached. "Akihiko?" she asked softly, prompting the boy to turn, smiling when he saw her.

"Oh, there you are! You ready to go?" he asked.

Mukuro opened her mouth to speak, only to notice several girls nearby, watching. In fact, they were the same ones that tried to corner and threaten her a while back and several she'd seen crowd him after school once and approach him at the strip mall, all glaring daggers at her.

Her anxiety quickly evaporated, and a sense of pride replaced it as she returned her attention to Akihiko and smiled. "I am, yes!" she said.

"Great! Then let's head on over! Don't worry, I'm pretty sure we won't run into any trouble this time!" Akihiko said, smiling warmly and from what Mukuro could tell, delighted as they made their way to the entrance. Mukuro couldn't help but get a small tingling feeling of satisfaction when she saw the horror and barely-concealed rage on the faces of the girls who'd once tried bullying her as she accompanied Akihiko and headed outside to make their way to the station together.

---

"Two extra-large specials, please!" Akihiko told the cook as he and turned and smiled at Mukuro. "If you want anything else, go ahead. Eat as much as you like."

Mukuro didn't respond for a second. His smile, she could see why so many girls wanted him, yet she didn't want him to think she was like the ones who he complained about, so she quickly turned to look over at the cook behind the counter and did a quick visual scan of the menu. "Um... steamed beef g-gyoza, I guess."

"Coming right up!" the cook said, turning away and setting to work.

"Steamed, much better then fried, a good healthy meal and plenty of protein helps with physical strength," Akihiko said with an approving nod. "...Physical strength is everything, and having gotten to fight and train alongside you for a while now, I gotta say..."

Mukuro cocked her head, blinking in curiosity as Akihiko paused, as if trying to think of what to say.

"I... gotta say, your skills are... truly remarkable, Mukuro, but they won't be of any use if you get exhausted easily," he said. "Heh, I guess you'd already know that, right?"

Mukuro averted her eyes a moment, trying not to blush. She wasn't sure what she expected Akihiko to say, nor was she sure what she wanted him to say. A part of her was relieved, yet another part of her felt disappointed...

"Were you worried about me?" she asked.

Akihiko looked away this time, frowning a little. "No, of course not!" he said quickly. "...I mean, I guess... it's complicated... just because you can take care of yourself doesn't mean I shouldn't..."

Mukuro could feel herself blushing again. "...Care about me?" she asked softly.

Akihiko seemed almost relieved that the arrival of their appetizer had spared him the obligation to answer her question. "...We should start on those right away, so we can dig in once the bowls get here."

Mukuro promptly seized one plump meat-filled dumpling, her eyes going wide and quickly covering her mouth as she realized too quickly that they'd still be HOT.

She heard Akihiko chuckle a little as she quickly drank some water and sloshed it a little before swallowing her food. "You're laughing at me?" she asked, her brow furrowing a little.

"Sorry, I didn't mean any harm by it. When your eyes got big and all it was..." His gloved hand quickly came up to his face. "Tellya what, I'll accept penance for that!" he said as he took up a dumpling of his own with his chopsticks and put the whole thing in his mouth.

Now it was Mukuro's turn to laugh. She smiled, giggled a little, covering her mouth as Akihiko carried out a sequence of actions similar to the ones she'd made when she'd underestimated the temperature of the one she'd eaten.

"Heh, worth it to see you smile like that, Mukuro," Akihiko chuckled with a small smile of his own.

"I-I..." Mukuro brought both hands to her mouth as she could feel herself blush harder. That smile he made that was unlike what she saw from him anywhere else, it made her heart start to race in her chest. Bullet-filled battlefields she could handle without a second thought, a flinch of fear, even. This... was different.

"Hey, we better keep going!" Akihiko said, taking up another dumpling and dipping it in the sauce and blowing on it before biting half of it.

"Y-Yes, good idea," Mukuro stammered, trying to stop blushing as she took another and did the same.

Seconds later, it was evident to both that only one remained, as Mukuro and Akihiko's chopsticks had claimed it at the same time before either realized it.

"Go on," Akihiko said with a nod. Mukuro gave a slight nod and accepted it, finishing it off shortly after and right on time as their bowls arrived next.

Once they'd finished their meals and set down their bowls, Akihiko looked over at Mukuro in awe. "Amazing! You completely polished that off!"

Mukuro nodded. "It was delicious," she said with a small smile. "Um... well, when I was in Fenrir, I'd go on these missions, sometimes into jungles or... other places like that where I'd even have to set up camp for days or more before I was supposed to make a move, or I had a long trip if my deployment wouldn't be noticed." Mukuro looked at her empty bowl a moment. "...So, finding something edible, whether it's fruits or hunting... you never knew when you'd find anything so a real meal was practically a blessing and want to maintain ration packs."

"Makes sense," said Akihiko. "...Those ration packs weren't exactly what I expected, either."

Mukuro couldn't help but smile a little. "...They're a gourmet cuisine when you don't have a lot of options," she said. "Not to mention, my family was poor when my sister and I were little, till we were about four when my dad found success, then with what happened my life seemed to just sort of... go in and out of real, prepared hot meals before I came here."

"...Then are you up for going to another restaurant?" Akihiko asked with a smirk.

"I may still have room," said Mukuro as she slowly stood up.

"Heh, I'm kidding. I don't wanna give you a stomachache!" said Akihiko with a slight laugh as he took out some money and paid for the meals. "Maybe we'll try that another time. You don't eat right, you won't get stronger!"

"You're talking to someone who spent years in a mercenary unit, Akihiko," Mukuro replied with a slight glare. "...It's something I've been told for each of them."

"Okay, maybe I earned that. I dunno why but sometimes I guess with you, I wanna..." Akihiko said sheepishly, pausing and looking away a moment as they got outside on the balcony. "...maybe do a jog back to the dormitory again, will that make up for it?"

Mukuro blushed, wondering what was going on in Akihiko's mind. A thought crossed her mind wondering if maybe he felt the way she maybe possibly did about him...

"Well, wanna head on down and see who gets back first?" Akihiko asked, interrupting her thoughts. "We can talk about our future battles on the way there. We'll start at the station!"

"...Right, sure," Mukuro nodded, the two heading down and leaving the mall area, it having already gotten dark by the time they'd reached the Iwatodai Station.

"Alright," Akihiko said, getting into position at the foot of the steps, Mukuro doing the same. "...On your mark, get set..."

"There you are, Akihiko Sanada!" a gruff, male voice sneered, its owner stepping out from around the corner. "We've been waiting for you to show up!"

Even without the bomber jacket, Mukuro immediately recognized him as the gang leader who'd harassed Akihiko last time they'd come out here.

He wasn't alone, either, the young man with the blue hoodie and the one with the silk shirt were with him, too, along with about five others wearing grey sweatsuits.

"Oh, you guys from before?" asked Akihiko, standing up and looking more annoyed then intimidated.

"Do you guys ever learn?" Mukuro asked, brushing back a sidelock and scowling as she stood up as well.

"Aw, shit! It's that crazy amazon bitch from before!" the silk-shirted guy gasped.

"Dude, she's just a girl! You gonna let her scare you that bad?!" the gang leader asked, giving him a withering look.

"A girl who took you down with one punch," Akihiko chuckled.

"Twice in a row," Mukuro said, folding her arms in disgust and prompting the gang leader to look back at his now embarrassed companion.

"Sh-She's lyin'!" he pleaded. "...And I told ya what she did out behind the station, too, remember?"

"Ain't that somethin'!" the gang leader scoffed, glaring at Akihiko. "...You're 'sposed to be pretty famous around these parts, an up-and-comin' boxer, right? I think it's time to pick up where we left off! Show me what you got... or is your girlfriend here gonna have to fight your battles for you again 'cuz maybe you're not so hot after all?"

Akihiko said nothing, refusing to dignify the delinquent with a response to his insult, but Mukuro could tell he was seriously considering slugging him, and if she were honest with herself, she wanted to as well. Akihiko seemed to sense this, and gently raised a hand to her to silently ask she not act.

"Nothin' to say, boxing champ?" the gang leader sneered. "Well lemme tell you, kickin' your ass is gonna do wonders for my rep if you got that sorta cred! No way we're gonna pass this up!"

"Champ or not, look at our numbers!" one of the sweatsuited gang members gloated. "You ain't got a chance against all'a us!"

Mukuro's brow furrowed as she glared at him. "...So your boss here thinks it's going to take all of you just to stand a chance against him?" she asked.

"No one asked for your opinion, bitch!" the gang leader snapped, gritting his teeth and clenching his hands at her comment.

"Besides, boxers're tough, right?" Silkshirt asked. "What, can'tcha handle a challenge?"

"Hey, if you want, you can join 'em! See, we're being fair!" the sweatsuited delinquent who'd spoken earlier said. "...Just know we won't go easy on ya just 'cause you're a girl!" he added with a laugh.

To Mukuro's surprise, though, Akihiko just folded his arms and frowned in disapproval at the gang leader. "...You said beating me would do wonders for your rep," he said. "...I thought this was about testing each others' strength!"

The gang leader grinned. "You idiot. I'm gonna have fun kickin' your ass 'cause you're so full of yourself, and who the hell cares about any'a that so long as you win? That's how you roll, too, isn't it?" he asked mockingly before looking over at Mukuro. "I'll admit you're pretty tough from what I hear. Wanna go instead? Don't worry, I won't hurt'cha too much! I wanna have a chance to do a few other things with a cutie like you after while my guys here make your boyfriend wat-!"

Before he could even finish speaking Mukuro's hand lashed forward with the speed of a striking viper grabbing his throat firmly, her thumb pressing in and her fingers slowly squeezing his trachea tighter as her other hand drew back in a fist. It was not this that made the gang leader's face go pale with fear that he forgot to try and fend her off, it was the girl's face: The dead-silent, cold and merciless glare of a seasoned killer.

The other gang members stood frozen in place, stunned by Mukuro's reaction, till Akihiko stepped forward, putting his hand gently on Mukuro's shoulder. "That's enough. This is my fight. Let him go."

Mukuro's face whipped over to look over at his concerned one as she shoved the gang leader to the ground roughly. Taking a few breaths, her expression softened.

"Sorry about that, but maybe you need to watch how you threaten people," Akihiko said, massaging his fists as he approached the gang leader who was still on the ground. "Now, you still wanna do this after you clean yourself up?"

The gang leader's eyes flickered down at his crotch and he quickly realized what Akihiko was talking about, and soon the others saw, too.

"Dude, did you...?" one of the delinquents asked, stunned.

"That does it! You're both goin' down! To hell with rules we'll all take you on at once!" the gang leader snapped furiously as he stood himself back up.

"If that's what you want," Akihiko growled, raising his fists to take them.

Mukuro tried to get her thoughts back together, some way to resolve this without violence. Fast. She took a deep breath...

...And screamed as loud as she could. "OFFICER! HELP!" she cried out, looking back up the stairs, prompting the gang members and Akihiko to look as well. Immediately she seized Akihiko's arm and pulled him away.

"Oh," he uttered, realizing what she was doing and the two promptly began running, the angry and flustered sounds of the gang members as they attempted pursuit growing fainter and fainter as they cleared more blocks on the way back to the dorm.

"Phew, we made it! Losing them was the hard part, guess full stomachs will do that," Akihiko sighed, opening the door and allowing Mukuro in. "...Still, pretty quick thinking, there! It's what I'd expect from a leader! I hate turning my back on an enemy, but it doesn't matter in the end if I can't defend the ones around me."

Mukuro said nothing, instead she blushed, resting her hands on the registry desk and relieved the lounge was empty at the moment. "...Did I scare you?" she asked softly, thinking about the time on the monorail when Junpei had gotten reckless.

"What do you mean?" asked Akihiko, approaching.

"You know what I mean," Mukuro said, her voice still soft. "When I... attacked him."

"You sure gave him a scare!" Akihiko smirked. "I think everyone noticed what he did."

"Akihiko... if you hadn't stopped me, I might have killed him... or at least put him in the hospital," Mukuro said, her head bowing down that Akihiko could not see her face.

"Mukuro..."

"Akihiko..." The dark-haired girl turned to face him, eyes moist and looking distressed. "...My time in Fenrir, I was basically a living weapon, and I didn't mind it because... I didn't care if I lived or died. Using my skills against Shadows... I do enjoy it, too. Maybe... because it's what I'm good at, or maybe I just want to protect everyone, I don't know, but I don't want to be that all the time, especially not with you!"

Her eyes went wide as her gloved hands promptly clasped over her mouth, trying repress a blush from overtaking her face as she stood in silence a moment. "...Sorry, I don't know why I said that. It was probably because you were there. I don't want to just be... the weapon anymore."

"Well, to your credit you made the right call in the end, calling for the police and distracting them so we could get away rather then go into a free-for-all," Akihiko said. "If anything, I want to be able to protect you like that, too. In return, you know."

"You're... taking what I did a little too well, Akihiko, if I had to be honest," Mukuro said, frowning.

The boy looked away a moment. "...Maybe that's because, if I were faster, it woulda been me doing that to him instead of you. School rep be damned and all, and our roles might'a switched," he said. "So... maybe I'm not in a position to judge. In the end, though, as I said, you did choose the non-violent approach that got us out of that mess."

"I see," Mukuro said, brushing back her hair. "...Still, thank you for stopping me."

Akihiko gave a reassuring smile. "Don't sweat it, Mukuro. Just do your best and do a good job as our leader, okay? Plus, you're not the only one who's gonna be trying hard out there!"

Mukuro blushed a little, brushing her hand over her eyes. Her mind tried to process how Akihiko could be willing to look at her as anything other then scary, now, but the way he smiled just then, she could see that he cared about her and didn't see her as just a dangerous, scary weapon.

On those thoughts, reality then slowed down, darkening around her at a sound like glass shattering within her mind and Theodore's voice spoke within it as well a second after.

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast established a new bond...

Thou shalt havest our blessings when thou choosest

to create a Persona of the Star Arcana.

Reality returned to normal for Mukuro, Akihiko rolled his shoulders a bit, nursing each one with the other hand. "Well, I should probably apologize, too. I promised a night out without running into trouble and once again I brought it to you, didn't I?" he asked, smiling bitterly. "...Story of my life."

"Hm?" Mukuro cocked a brow in curiosity.

"Don't worry about it," said Akihiko. "Anyway, we've probably had enough excitement for one day, don't want to risk being exhausted tomorrow, after all, it'd mess up my training!"

Mukuro smiled faintly. "I suppose so," she said softly.

"I'll make us a protein shake and then we can head upstairs to our rooms. Don't wanna be sore tomorrow, either!" Akihiko said, heading to the kitchen with Mukuro nodding and following him.

Mukuro didn't feel as though she deserved such kindness or empathy from him, but she was grateful for it. She didn't want to be just a living weapon anymore.

---

6/24

Mukuro's eyes flickered down to her phone, taking note of the day and remembering her earlier agreement with Tanaka. She still had plenty of time before evening fell and Miu was likely to make her routine visit to Club Escapade, which left her with some time to kill. Luckily, though, a text invitation from Sonia Nevermind, the foreign exchange student, to join her in the Home Economics room had ended any concerns about what she'd do in the meantime and once the ending bell had rung, she gathered her things and made her way down to the club hallways, eventually finding the blonde waiting outside.

"Oh! Ikusaba! You came!" she said with a beaming smile, clasping her hands. "I'm so happy! Shall we get on with some projects?"

Mukuro nodded. After last night, she had felt a desire to prove herself wrong, that she could do something that required no form of fighting or physical competition, and Sonia's invitiation she hoped would give her that chance. "I'd like that," she said.

"Great! Let's go on in and get started!" Sonia giggled, opening the door and leading her inside.

---

"Hmmm hmm, sew-it, knit-it, weave it to-ge-ther~!" Sonia sang to herself, holding up the dress she'd made. "Whaddya think? Tsumugi's been teaching me a bunch lately, figured I'd learn the craft a little more before I brought you back here!"

Indeed, it seemed Sonia had been taught well. Mukuro wasn't someone who had any particular eye for fashion, or style, those were things her sister was more versed in even as children once they had money. "Looks good," she said.

Sonia nodded. "I guess, not bad for my first time doing it alone, I just followed a pattern she gave me," she said, a frown slowly coming to her face. "...To be honest, though, I'm not sure I'm happy with the result. The more I look at it the more I see the imperfections. I guess I relied on staff too much for this sorta thing!"

"Staff?" Mukuro asked, Sonia promptly blushing and covering her mouth in response.

"Uhhh, school staff! Back at my school back home!" Sonia said quickly. "They... eh, had people who could repair damaged clothes and uniforms and such!"

The blonde looked over at Mukuro's handiwork. "So! How about yours, hmmm?"

Mukuro quietly held up what she'd made.

"A pillowcase! And it's made with pink silk fabric! How cute!" Sonia said with a giggle, clasping her hands before tapping her chin pensively. "...To be honest, silk pillow cases are actually better for your skin and hair, I've heard. Why not take that home with you? You can use it for your own bed's pillow."

Complying, Mukuro slipped the pillowcase into her backpack. "It was pretty... um, basic compared to what you made, though."

"Now, now! Don't be so hard on yourself, Ikusaba!" Sonia replied with a kind smile. "Hey, since we're both done, why don't we go to the tea place at the... "strip mall" I think it was called? Not the Paulownia one, the one that's near that old shrine. It'd actually be my first time going to one, and I imagine it must be very different from what I'm used to so could you maybe help me out?"

"I've been out of the country for a while, myself, so my own knowledge is a little rusty," Mukuro said.

"Well, then it can be a learning experience for both of us! May we?" Sonia asked, in a tone that held the slightest hint of a plea and one which Mukuro couldn't even bring herself to turn down, and it'd mean getting something before she went to go back and get to her planned meetup later that evening anyway.

"Alright."

"Ooh! How totally radical!" Sonia cheered, before blinking and pinching her chin in thought. "That word's the right one, yes? No, it's "arigato", I believe? Whatever let's get going!" she said, rising up and following the bemused Mukuro out the door and the two heading for the station.

---

"...I must say, Ikusaba-san, that place was "out of this world"!" Sonia giggled as she and Mukuro emerged from their time at the tea shop. "There's so many things I've never tried before but I want to make my stay in Japan as full of new experiences as I can get it!"

Mukuro glanced back at the shop. The tea and sweets were good, she couldn't lie, but Sonia acted as though she'd just had the ambrosia of the Greek gods.

"The culture of Japan is really so different from life back home... which I'll be going back to at the end of the school year," Sonia said softly. "...If things were different, I wouldn't mind living here. It was actually my aunt's idea I come here, she said "Sonia, you're gonna be tied down to your birthright soon, get out and experience the world as a teenage girl first!", and I'm glad I listened."

Mukuro gave a small smile. She wasn't sure what the other girl was talking about when she referenced a birthright, but what her aunt intended rang close to home on what her superior in Fenrir wanted for her. "I think... I get it, actually," she said. "Before I transferred out here, I had... a different life. They... my... guardians, I guess, they wanted me to have something normal before I was an adult."

Sonia smiled back, nodding. "I see, well, it'll be quite a story to tell back home about the... "tomodachi" is how you say it, yes?" she asked. "...Hm, well, that I made a new friend!"

The blonde looked over the balcony, brushing back her long hair as she gazed at the setting sun. "I mean, I guess I can be considered popular at school because of my looks or how I behave, they see a princess or something from a fairy tale, heheh..." She laughed a little to herself. "Pretty silly, right? I guess what I'm saying is I don't have many friend-friends, aside from you and Tsumugi, and I really appreciate you spending time with me and letting me get more out of my stay, here."

Mukuro heard the sound of glass shattering within the recesses of her mind at Sonia's gratitude.

"You're welcome," the young soldier said.

Sonia nodded, smiling back before checking her phone. "Wow, the time sure flew, didn't it? Maybe I do need to pace myself on what I sample, huh? Ohhh, what a bother, they'll wonder why I'm too full for dinner! How very unbecoming of protocol, they'd say!" she sighed. "...Um, to my very routine life. Anyway, I should get going. I wish you a good rest of your evening, Ikusaba-san!" she said with a polite bow before heading downstairs and disappearing from sight.

Looking at her own phone, Mukuro decided now would be a good time to make her way to the station and return to the island where the Paulownia Mall was so she could handle the favor Tanaka had asked for her.

---

The sun had set by the time she'd arrived, and Club Escapade was now open to visitors. Mukuro recalled when Theodore had shown interest when it was closed, but now she'd have her chance to see it from the inside. Once she'd gotten past the security outside and relayed the rules of the place including she'd only be given access to soda and water without an ID that confirmed she was 21 or older, Mukuro stepped inside.

The young soldier was promptly frozen in place, overwhelmed by the loud music and aggressive beats from the speakers at the deejay table as lights swirled about overhead in the otherwise dim, blue-tinted club. Mukuro closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting her vision and hearing adjust itself. She knew some soldiers reacted badly to sudden loud noises including music, but she was not one of them, all her issues were on that night ten years ago.

Feeling more relaxed, Mukuro decided if she was going to find Tanaka's estranged assistant from his show, she'd need to ask around, assuming anyone could even hear her in this cacophany and the crowds of dancing patrons. She spotted one sitting by himself at the bar table, with any luck maybe he'd spotted who she was looking for as she wasn't about to try and disrupt any of the ones who were busy dancing.

Her mind made up, Mukuro approached the bar table, a bushy-haired man who appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a tan blazer over a pink shirt with the words "RAVE" written in English with a heart in place of the V. To her surprise, he seemed to notice her before she could even sit down as he spoke.

"Hey, Miss, you ever have that dream where you're falling?" he asked, Mukuro was glad to be further from the music so she could hear him.

"Sometimes," she said. Of course, Mukuro had fallen a great distance awake, too, albeit with a parachute, though she wondered what the man was getting at.

"...I wonder if it's true, about the rumor where if you don't wake up before you hit bottom, you die," the man mused. "Sorry, just been having the weirdest dreams lately, wonder what's wrong with me?"

He looked over at her. "Sheesh, why not head home instead of wandering around a place like this?" The man chuckled to himself as he took a drag of his cigarette. "...I guess I always wanted to see what this kind of place was like when I was your age, too. Don't worry, even in this low light, I can tell you're way too young for me."

Mukuro folded her arms, whatever this man's issues were, they weren't her concern or why she was here. "I'm supposed to meet someone here. Girl my age...? Messy blonde hair, maybe wearing a pink fuku costume? Maybe... a bit crude?"

The man smirked, raising his glass. "You sly fox," he said. "...Just know when you get to be my age, love loses some of its luster, romance gets harder to enjoy so enjoy it while you can!"

Mukuro blushed. "Not like that!" she said quickly. "I mean I was sent to find her and speak with her. I heard she usually comes on Wednesday nights? Have you seen any girl that looks like how I described come in here?"

The man's cigarette traveled from one corner of his lips to the next as he turned his drink in his hand. "Oh, her? Think she went upstairs last I saw. Not really any concern of mine, though, so who knows if she's still there."

Turning around again and going back to his drinking, the man paid Mukuro no further mind as the young soldier decided to see if he was indeed right, and made her way to staircase she saw at the far corner from where the bar table was and headed up, to a purple-lit balcony area with couches and a table, the music's ambience less loud, now, as she found who she was looking for.

Miu Iruma was seated by herself, hand over one ear while talking on the phone in between sipping a soda bottle.

"Yeah, mom, I'm at Club Escapade again, the fuck you gonna do about it?" she asked with a sneer. "Yeah, yeah, keep preppin' that fruity antique shop you're openin' up while some of us actually give a rat's testicles about actual science!"

Hanging up, the girl noticed Mukuro standing there and cocked a brow. "What, you jealous, flat-chest?" she asked irritably, before a sly sneer spread on her face. "...Or do ya swing the other way and wanted a bird's eye view of Cleavage Crevice?" she bust out laughing. "I don't blame ya! That gyaru model the virgins fap to's got nothin' on me, bet hers aren't even all-natural!"

Closing her eyes and sighing to try and keep from simply turning and leaving, Mukuro took a step closer. "Actually, I was looking for you and heard you came here on Wednesdays."

Miu gave a coy smile, tossing back her hair seductively. "Awww, we oughta know eachother first before ya-"

"Finish that and I'll lift you out of that couch and throw you off the balcony," Mukuro uttered with a hint of annoyance.

"You... whaa...? Lift me out of the couch and..." Miu flinched, then trembled as she stared up at Mukuro before recoiling with an excited moan. Mukuro began to wonder if this was even a good idea and she could also see why Tanaka was reluctant to handle this himself, thus she decided to try another approach, one that'd have been unheard of for someone like her if she'd not spent the last several months here opening up to others.

"...What... brings you here, anyway?" she asked once she was sure Miu had gotten ahold of herself. "It seems odd someone who invents things would want to be somewhere like this."

Miu cocked a brow again, frowning. "None'a your business, flat-chest!"

"Call me that again and see what happens!" Mukuro growled, now standing over her and leaning forward to grab the armrest roughly, her patience beginning to wear thin.

She immediately regretted it when Miu reacted the same way as she did to her previous threat, if not even more expressively, prompting Mukuro to blush and back away from the couch. She wasn't sure why Miu's casual insult annoyed her, maybe because it reminded her of... she pushed that thought aside as she waited for Miu to calm down again.

"Phew!" Miu sighed as she sat back up and smirked, resting her arms on the back of the couch and crossing one toned, knee-high boot-clad leg over the other. "...Sorry, but when I get talked to like that, well... forget it! I guess I can share! Aside from the special they got, it's where I get away from it all for a bit! My brain's always full'a ideas but I can't use 'em when I'm all stressed so I need a place to get the edge off, especially since I'm a total screamer so mom would know if I was using any-"

"...I... think I get it," Mukuro said quickly, blushing again. "You're... Tanaka's assistant on his show, right?"

The girl's smirk faded. "What, did that old lecher send ya here 'cause he can't at least wine and dine me so I'm rizzed enough to accept his apology for suspending me?" she asked, scoffing. "He needs me more then I need him! Sure he can sell but I'm the one who makes the best stuff! You know who I am, so obviously you know what I can do!"

"I do, yes, I've... seen you on TV a couple times," said Mukuro. "The things you make are... incredible," she added, hopefully flattery would go a long with with someone like Miu, who seemed to be someone who appreciated anything that appealed to her ego.

"Aw, ya think so? Well maybe once Tanaka un-suspends me you'll get to enjoy them again!" Miu replied, sipping her soda. "...Once this big brain can make 'em reality if that geezer is willing to pony up some investment cash again! He oughta be honored to even have the daughter of a former Kirijo Corp scientist on his show."

"Kirijo Corp?" Mukuro asked, Miu smirked again.

"No shit, think these brains just got downloaded in? Fuck no! it's in my DNA, just like my other more visually obvious gifts!" Miu said proudly, leaning forward, now and letting her cleavage become more evident. "So, here to apologize to me for Tanaka, or what?"

Mukuro folded her arms and rolled her eyes. Few could get Mukuro in a state of annoyance and irritation that didn't quite come to warranting a response based on her Fenrir training, but Miu Iruma, it seemed, excelled in that department. Even Natsumi had more of a filter then this girl and could be civil at times. "...I'm not here to apologize for anyone-"

"Then go on downstairs and take your pick of the drunk d-bags there to bone ya at the love motel, seems that's where everyone's been going and hanging out lately, anyway!" Miu replied, giving a dismissive sip of her soda as she stared her down.

The young soldier tried to think, if she didn't get on Miu's good side, Tanaka was likely not going to want to talk to her. Igor's advice about connecting with others during her year she'd been tasked with by whatever higher power he came from was the only thing stopping her from giving up and leaving, now. "Before I go, your inventions I bought... did help. I got through some studying with those stay-awake concoctions you helped push, for one thing. I get sleep's inconvenient at times when you have a lot to do."

Miu raised a brow, then smiled a little. "No shit it is! Sleep takes away freetime, can make the average office slave feel like he lives at work and home's a nice place to visit! Or it can make you forget what you were doing beforehand!" she said. "My life goal's to find ways around that! Mom's given up on changing the world so someone's gotta do it!"

"Do you... um, need someone to try some of what you work on?" Mukuro asked.

Miu tapped her chin in thought, shifting in her seat as she switched how her legs were crossed. "Not a bad idea, you volunteering?" she asked, blinking with interest.

It seemed this was the in, and Mukuro decided to take what she could get. "I am."

Miu grinned. "As ol' Tanaka would say, we got a deal. Didn't catch your name, though, flat-chest."

Mukuro closed her eyes, sighing. "...It's Mukuro. Mukuro Ikusaba. Just don't call me "flat-chest" again. Maybe I'm not as... endowed as you, but believe me I'm well within the C range." The dark-haired girl blushed, this was probably one of the first times she ever felt conscious about her body being measured against another girl's in such a manner.

"Yeah, yeah, fair enough. Pleasure making this little arrangement, Ikusaba! Anal-retentive as Tanaka is he's got a point my stuff's gotta get SOME kinda consumer approval, so I could use a second opinion to keep my burning passion ready to..." Miu blew a raspberry noise sounding like an explosion as she spread her legs. "...Burst!" she said, her grin spreading as she reclined on the couch again, reality slowing down and darkening as the sound of glass shattering resounded within Mukuro's mind, and Theodore's voice spoke...

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast established a new bond...

Thou shalt havest our blessings when thou choosest

to create a Persona of the Strength Arcana.

Reality returned to normal, Miu took out her phone again, scowling. "Dammit! I'll do whatever the fuck I want, you goddamn harpy!" she protested as she looked at the screen, groaning. "Ugh! Text from my mom. She wants me to get my ass back home."

"Maybe you should, then?" Mukuro asked. Miu raised a brow at her.

"Look, we're finally on a rosy start so don't blueball this, alright?" she asked, standing up and smoothing out her skirt and giving Mukuro a playful smile. "Got a number I can reach ya at, or do you go to Gekkoukan?"

"I do," Mukuro said with a nod, taking out her phone and showing her number.

"Honestly, that place is funded by Kirijo Corp but its science lab's a damn joke! I'll give you a courtesy tap for where and when I'm free to meet up when this brain's ready to share its latest breakthrough!" Miu said with a wink, copying down the number on her phone and promptly sauntering to the stairs, blowing a kiss as she disappeared down below.

Mukuro let out the latest sigh as she disappeared from sight, deciding she could head back to the dorm, now and get some studying done before school tomorrow. Hopefully Tanaka would be satisfied with what she also hoped was considered progress with Miu as well next time she saw him.

---

6/25

"Hey, mornin'!" Mukuro heard Junpei call to her at the gates of the school as the students headed in to start the day.

"Hm?" the dark-haired girl asked, turning to look back at him. "Is something going on? News on that photo of me?"

"Eh, nothin' yet, sorry," Junpei frowned. "It's just, somethin' else on my mind on the way here. Did Yuka-tan seem a little off this morning?"

"She was pretty quiet, I admit. Even when you tried to talk to her," Mukuro said.

"Yeah, exactly! Usually she's ready to fire back at me soon as I say somethin' to her!" Junpei replied. "Actually, you left before us, but even last night before you got back and all, she's been wonderin' a lot about Tartarus and why it exists. I mean... who cares, am I right?"

Mukuro looked away a moment. "True, when I was on an... assignment by Fenrir, I didn't question anything, I just took what I was briefed on and did the job."

"See? I am right!" Junpei said. "We got our mission and that's to go through Tartarus, take out Shadows, beat those big ones that come on the full moons, rinse and repeat!"

Mukuro nodded quietly. "...Still, those entries we've found, and everything else, I actually am curious, too."

"I see," said Junpei. "...Aw man, just realized exams are in two weeks!"

"Worried?" asked Mukuro.

"N-No!" Junpei protested quickly as they walked inside. "I'm sure I'll do way better then last time!"

---

Needless to say, a few hours later during a pop quiz question by the current teacher regarding body vibration from airflow in a whirlpool bath, Mukuro found Junpei's claim less convincing as he frantically tried to get an answer to come to mind.

"Flutter Effect," she said softly.

"Um, the Flutter Effect?" Junpei replied aloud. A nod from the teacher confirmed it the right answer, followed by a lecture about body heat and warm baths or showers and how they affected it and the skin's removal of toxins. "Think this'll be on the exam?" he asked Mukuro softly.

"Shhh!" Yukari shushed from in front of them.

Mukuro gave a relieved sigh, it was something she'd picked up in Fenrir when it came to bathing and hygene, two things that were not so freely offered during missions thus down time made them essential.

A few hours later and school finally ended for the day as Mukuro began gathering her things and heading downstairs, pausing as she found Akihiko looking at his phone. She thought about taking a step forward, only to pause and feel a blush coming on. Her ears picked up catty remarks from girls nearby, prompting her to shoot them a withering look that made them go quiet as Akihiko took notice of her.

"Oh, hey, Mukuro! Hope you paid attention in class!" he smirked. "Mitsuru's gonna start cracking the whip about studying for exams any day, now!"

"I've been doing better with that," Mukuro replied with a faint smile. "How about you?"

"I'm not too worried this time," Akihiko said with a chuckle. "Still, don't be surprised if she holds a mandatory study session some time next week."

"I'll keep that in mind," Mukuro said, nodding. "...Are you... doing anything, right now?" she asked softly.

"I am, actually, sorry," Akihiko said with an apologetic smile. "Meeting up with an old friend, soon. He and I... got some catching up to do."

"I see," Mukuro tried not to sound too disappointed, as well as avoid blushing as she felt a little self-conscious again. "Have a good time, then."

"That remains to be seen," Akihiko replied, giving his phone a look again before pocketing it. "I'll see you back at the dorms, Mukuro!"

As Akihiko left, Mukuro turned to watch, brushing back her hair and her attempt to suppress her blush soon waned. A bit of anxiety filled her stomach as she thought about the other night, where he'd gotten a glimpse of the Fenrir soldier she sought to leave for Shadows during Dark Hour missions.

Her gaze sank down to the tile floor. She'd been in more then her share of bloodbaths as part of Fenrir, and it left her thinking to herself how what she'd wanted for the last ten years made feel less a soldier and more a gladiator in those missions the more she looked back on it, cutting down whatever was in her path till something finally killed her, a task nothing had succeeded in sure as she was standing here, now.

...And Akihiko saw that part of her, it made her wonder, despite his reassurance after, if he was uneasy around her. He loved to get into the ring and fight, but a sanctioned match and life-or-death missions were two different things, which made her feel uneasy, herself.

Power-walking to the nearest restroom and entering, Mukuro gripped the ends of the sink and leaned forward as she stared at her reflection: Her stoic gaze had faltered, her eyes wider and in search of some sort of reassurance and her mouth hanging open slightly as she leaned back, brushing back one of her long sidelocks that framed her pale, freckled face. She didn't look like a hardened young soldier at all, she looked like a normal, if somewhat anxious-looking teenage girl.

A part of Mukuro felt relieved, it reminded her she was human. She felt a blush coming on again as she thought about Akihiko once more, when she maybe said too much after escaping that gang, and when he maybe implied he liked causing her to smile. She just wished she could find the willpower to try it in front of the mirror right now without feeling ridiculous.

...At the very least, she could see she didn't look so... cold, looking back at herself, especially after years of honing a more stone-faced gaze. Satisfied for now, Mukuro emerged from the restroom, pausing at the sound of a nearby argument by two girls, one voice sounded familiar.

"I-I'm sorry, Ruruka! I don't... know how that happened!"

"Oh, I bet you are! I thought we were friends, Sei-chan!"

Mukuro came around the corner and saw Seiko Kimura going back and forth against the girl from before, and by her observation, was no less successful at defending herself now then she was then.

"We... we are, I know I got it right before I gave it to you!" Seiko protested, wilting under the other girl Ruruka's withering glare.

"If that was true, the cooking club meeting wouldn't have ended very prematurely! Right now they're all lined up waiting to see Edogawa!" Ruruka scowled, before her expression became a dangerous smile as she tapped her chin in thought. "...Not to mention, if I risk expulsion for this, I'd have you to blame, wouldn't I? It'd be wrong of me not to make sure everyone knows how it happened, wouldn't it?"

Seiko gave no response, not that Mukuro could really read her expression due to her hair covering one eye like Mitsuru's did and the surgical mask she still wore, though a second later, the girl tugged it from her mouth taking a few breaths. "It... won't happen again."

The other girl grinned, crouching down to her level and extending her pinkie. "Promise?" she asked softly.

"...I promise," Seiko replied, reaching for it with her own only for Ruruka to quickly withdraw her hand and stand up.

"...I'll believe it when I see it, doubly so if you get my drift! After all, I gotta prove it was just the fluke of a bad batch, don't I, for both our sakes?" she sneered, turning and walking away, Mukuro's brow furrowing as she watched her disapprovingly.

"It's my fault," she heard Seiko whimper.

"What is?" Mukuro asked.

"I must have messed up on that... erm, light aphrodisiac my friend wanted for her cooking club sweets to make them more... pleasant to eat," Seiko explained. "...From how she described it, apparently I gave her a... hyperosmotic laxative by accident. I... must've been unfocused, or maybe I grabbed the wrong thing when I bumped into that guy on the way back from Aohige Pharmacy the other night."

Mukuro could only hope Fuuka hadn't gotten exposed to this mistake. "I see..."

"I don't want to get in trouble for this. It was an honest mistake but I'm really testing her patience, now!" Seiko sighed, tugging her mask again. "Plus, now she's demanding double to make up for it, but... I got him to worry about and if I get my license suspended or revoked then..."

"Him?" Mukuro asked. "...Was it that guy I met at the strip mall with you?"

Seiko nodded. "I can't have any setbacks there. Now I spoiled Ruruka's sweets when I tried to help her make them better because it's th-the least I can do since I... can't eat any myself w-without... getting really sick," she said, "...But then there's... Kamiki-kun always tells me I don't need to and there's others I could do stuff for, but... I want to. I want to b-be able to help people who have it worse then me..."

The sound of glass shattering echoed within Mukuro's mind.

The girl sighed, before looking up at Mukuro, a desperate look in her visible eye. "Ikusaba... what should I do?" she asked.

Before Mukuro could give a response, things got quiet a second, students backing away and chattering as their attention was on someone, gaining the two girls' attention.

"Is he gonna be alright?" one student wondered.

"What's wrong with him?" another asked.

Seiko gasped as she saw what everyone was looking at, a male student who looked very dazed as he held his head and suddenly collapsed and she promptly rushed over.

"Mukuro? What's going on?" Mukuro turned and saw Fuuka walking over, confused, then seeing Seiko tending to the collapsed student.

"W-What's wrong? Tell me what's wrong! D-Does anything hurt?" Seiko pleaded the boy anxiously as she put a hand on his shoulder.

"I... feel... dizzy, and weak," the boy muttered, rubbing his forehead.

Seiko tilted the boy's head up so she could see his face. "Y-You're not breathing well, you look really pale, too..." Cautiously, she slipped one of her gloves off and put her hand on his forehead. "No fever. Does your chest hurt at all?"

"I-It does!" the boy said through strained breaths.

Seiko nodded, any of her previously timid demeanor seemed to disappear entirely by Mukuro and Fuuka's observation. "Did you have breakfast? What do you usually eat?

"I... didn't eat breakfast, u-usually just fast food," the boy replied.

"It's got to be iron-deficiency anemia," Seiko replied, opening her bag and fishing through the bottles, looking them over very carefully before finding the one she was looking for and opening it, pulling down her mask and sniffing. "Here, drink this, right now. It'll bring down the pain."

The boy could barely move as he reached, Seiko guided his hand and helped him drink. Within a moment, his breathing relaxed.

"Listen, skipping breakfast and eating too many fast foods or snacks for too long probably did this," Seiko summarized.

"I... think I'm alright to stand," the boy said, slowly getting up. "...Thanks."

"Yeah, that's a... special family brew," Seiko said, her shyness returning. "The nurse's office is... probably really busy, right now, so let me walk you to the pharmacy at Paulownia. We need to buy you some iron supplements and vitamin tablets for this. I know the owner, he'll give us a discount."

"It's a bit of a ways, maybe I should help, in case he collapses again," Mukuro said.

"Thank you! I appreciate it!" Seiko said, bowing gratefully.

"I'll come too, in case you need me to call someone and I was heading back, anyway," Fuuka said. "Cooking club ended early for some reason, I showed up a bit late so I'm not sure why..."

"That's a relief," Mukuro uttered under her breath, getting a confused look from Fuuka. "...Nothing, let's take care of him."

---

"Thanks, I think I can manage from here!" the boy said with a thankful bow, his purchases from the pharmacy in hand.

"If you're feeling better then before you go home, buy some shellfish for your diet, like oyster or abalone. It'll give you more iron, too," Seiko said, blushing . "They're pretty easy to cook."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again!" the boy said, heading off to the station.

"Wow, you really know your stuff!" Fuuka said, smiling.

"Oh... um... well, I need to study all of that to know what medicines work best for what and the effects the ingredients have for different symptoms," Seiko replied. "...P-Plus I had anemia once when I was a kid, so I remember what was used for it."

"Either way, you saved him," Mukuro remarked.

"I guess, I just wish it can make up for..." Seiko shook her head. "Um, anyway I should get going, too. I'll see you later."

"Well, we should probably get back, too," Fuuka said. "I think Natsumi's cooking dinner tonight I doubt she'll want us late." The smaller girl pinched her chin in thought. "Since Cooking Club got cut short today, maybe she'll let me help!"

"I... can't promise she'll agree to that," Mukuro said softly, trying to be as tactful as possible as they made their way to the station to return home as well.

---

"Hey, how are you, today?" the Hagekure Ramen server greeted Akihiko as he came in and sat down at an unoccupied barstool. "Just one?"

"I'll have what he's having," Akihiko said, gesturing to the one seated to the left of him, a young man wearing a red peacoat and a black beanie hat despite the warm summer weather and already digging into his food.

The server nodded. "Coming right up! One house special!" Akihiko's request, however, quickly got the attention of the young man seated next to him and caused him to look over.

Akihiko, however, just smirked like he expected it. "...Don't you ever get sick of eating the same thing all the time, Shinjiro?" he asked him.

Shinjiro scoffed in response. "...Shut up," he uttered. "...You're the one always eating that protein shit."

"...Heh." Akihiko couldn't think of a suitable comeback to that, and instead gave Shinjiro one last look as the other boy resumed eating before looking back at where the server was working and was handed his own bowl moments after.

"Here you go! One house special! Be careful, it's hot!" said the server as he handed Akihiko some chopsticks and resumed work.

Akihiko, however, wasted no time as he took a heap of noodles and after a quick blow, proceeded to slurp them up. Taking a moment to savor it, Akihiko looked over at his friend. "So, you still haven't made up your mind?' he asked.

Shinjiro scowled, exhaling sharply. "...Is that what this is about?" he asked irritably.

"We've got five new members this year," Akihiko explained proudly. "...Things have changed quite a bit since you left! We're more aggressive now."

Shinjiro, however, did not seem particularly impressed as he silently picked up and took another bite of his food before finally answering a moment after. "...I'm not interested," he replied dismissively, not even looking at his friend as he spoke.

"Think about it, Shinji!" Akihiko said sharply, frowning. "Don't let your power go to waste!"

"My power ain't worth shit!" Shinjiro replied under his breath before taking another quick bite of his food.

"Shinji!" Akihiko's frown hardened into a scowl with a glare to match. Shinjiro finally turned, looking him in the eyes. with his own intense look.

"I made up my mind a long time ago, Akihiko. I ain't goin' back!" he said sharply.

Akihiko's glare softened to a look of concern. "...You have to let the past go, Shinji," he said softly. "...What's done is done, it's time you moved on."

"You should talk," Shinjiro replied dismissively. "Face it, you're no different then me!"

Finishing his bowl, the young man rose from his seat, leaving money on the table and slipping his hands into his pockets as he stormed out of the restraurant without another word.

"Hey! Shinji! Get back here!" Akihiko called after him, sighing as it was clear his friend was paying him no mind and looking down at his own bowl, frowning. It seemed he'd be eating alone the rest of the evening.

"Shinji... you and Mukuro, you're both carrying a lot, aren't you?" he muttered to himself.

...I get it, really, I do...

---

6/26

[Hey, Mukuro, wanted to let you know, club's today but I don't think anyone else is coming. If you want to still practice a bit, let me know!] a message from Aoi Asahina read.

Hm, it might be nice to get a workout, Mukuro thought to herself. She did wonder why everyone else had chosen to be absent, though, but it seemed like Asahina was eager for company.

[Okay. Where are you right now?] she texted back.

[Great! I'll head on over to the gym! Meet me there!] Asahina replied.

Within moments, the two were bouncing the ball back and forth, Mukuro could not deny Asahina was truly something else at the sport as despite trying to incorporate her own skills she could barely keep up with her.

"That's it! Always keep your knees in mind!" Asahina said with a smile as she held the ball. "Alright, I'll serve next!"

The sound of the door opening caught their attention, however, and Mukuro watched as the girl suddenly froze in place, staring in stunned silence and the ball rolling out of her hands and bouncing off the floor when she looked over. Looking to see what had made Aoi react in such a way, Mukuro's brow furrowed in annoyance with a slight frown forming on her face when she saw who'd come in.

"Heeeeey, Aoi!" Kenji Tomochika said with a cheeky grin and a slight wave as he approached. "Oh! Ikusaba, you're here, too, huh?"

"You two know eachother?" Asahina asked, looking over at Mukuro.

"He's in my class, and I had to bring him to the clinic once when he tripped and fell outside," Mukuro said flatly.

"Oh, I see," Asahina replied, before looking back at Kenji with a smile. "Kenji! Um, what brings you here?"

"Wellll, I got some homework that I just don't understand at all!" the boy said, sighing in dismay as he came up to Asahina. "Think you can do it for me instead, or maybe tell me how to do it?" he asked, grinning.

Asahina, however, did not look convinced. "Homework? If you just slept through class again, Kenji, I swear..."

So that's what that noise behind me in class was, Mukuro thought to herself, her frown deepening a little. Kenji's embarrassed laugh he gave in response only confirmed it.

"Disappointed! Ultra disappointed!" She scolded.

"Aw, c'mon, Aoi-chan! I'll do anything!" Kenji pleaded with an embarrassed grin, getting an exasperated sigh from the brunette in return.

"...Anything? Like what?" Asahina asked, putting her hands at her hips and scowling a little.

"Oh! You're up for it, then? Lucky me! I'll give you my love in return!" Kenji chuckled, either ignoring or failing to notice Aoi's displeasure by Mukuro's observation as the young soldier's furrowed gaze narrowed even more. "C'monnnn, wouldn't you want my love for doing that for me? Loooove, baby!"

Mukuro closed her eyes and folded her arms as she drew in a deep breath. Just like last time she'd run into him the more he spoke the less tolerable he became.

"You'll have to do better then that!" Aoi protested, her scowl deepening. "This is the what time, now? A dozen donuts from the bakery at the strip mall, a melonbread from the sweet shop, and a special at Hagekure Ramen or no deal!"

"Seriously, my allowance is gonna a take a hit for this! How do you put all that away, Aoi?" Kenji muttered. "...But okay, I said anything, so... that's fair, I guess. I'll be waitin' around till it's done..."

Mukuro's eyes slowly opened as she looked back at Asahina once Kenji had left. "...It sounded like this happens a lot," she remarked. "You think you're being too easy on him?"

Aoi frowned, looking down at the floor. "I guess I do," she said. "We're childhood friends, I've actually known him since pre-school, so... he's kinda... like a second brother to me! Which is funny since he and my little brother get along so well!"

Asahina blushed a little, Mukuro could only cock a brow of disbelief at her. Back in Fenrir if someone screwed up they'd be on their hands and toes doing pushups till the commanding officer said otherwise.

"Well... to be honest," Asahina sighed. "...He has been coming by here a lot lately and he's starting to be a pest."

"Making you do all of his assignments for him, now?" Mukuro asked.

"Not all of them, there's... other reasons, too," the brunette replied, mumbling something under her breath. "...Um, we should probably just wrap this up. It's hardly practice with just two people."

"You sure about that? They might've... had other things going on today," Mukuro offered, unsure how to make her feel better, not her area of expertise.

Aoi shook her head. "I don't want to pretend nothing happened, but I'm not going to make it all my fault either. I know I need to be mature about all of this, but..." She took in a deep breath and exhaled sharply before promptly venting. "...So what if I've never been in a relationship before?! I'm a busy girl! Busy trying to make it as a pro-athlete and win a gold medal one day! Whether I'm dating or not is none of their business! And also, the whole "Donut Queen" thing needs to stop, too, on top of that!"

Aoi Asahina's huffy, indignant look as she gave her brief rant made it all too clear how vexed she was by all of it, Mukuro averted her eyes from her towards the fallen volleyball, having even less of an idea of how to calm her down, she hadn't exactly followed any major goals in life or really had any dreams after the accident.

"Hey, Mukuro?" Asahina asked softly, getting her to look back at her in curiosity.

"Hm?"

"Do you... have someone you like?" the other girl asked.

Mukuro's face was red before she knew it, her hand covering her mouth as she felt a heat rising in her body. Yes, she was certain there was indeed someone she did in fact like, and that she liked a LOT but wasn't sure how HE felt about HER and now being asked this brought a whole wave of anxiety into the normally composed young soldier. "...Um... n-no?" she asked softly.

"What a relief, it's just a distraction, you know? No big reward or goal at the end," Asahina replied, though not sounding particularly convinced by it as though she were trying to lie to herself and believe it. "...Thanks, Mukuro. I usually try and hold it in, I wanna stay... approachable to people, especially the other girls. Keep a smile and encourage 'em, you know? But I guess it's good to get it out every now and then..."

The sound of glass shattering echoed within Mukuro's mind as Aoi gave Mukuro a grateful smile.

"Well, I still got plenty of energy in me, so if you wanna keep practicing one-on-one, I'm totally game for that!" Asahina giggled, her cheerful demeanor back. "Um, also, is it alright if I just call you Mukuro all the time, now?"

Mukuro nodded. "That's fine," she said with a small smile. "Not to mention I've got plenty of energy, too. I'm used to a lot of exercise."

"Ooooh, right! Well, I'll serve this round!" Aoi said with a smile of her own as she picked the ball back up and positioned herself on the other side of the net, Mukuro getting ready on her side and the game resumed.

---

After having picked up a bento box for dinner, Mukuro had made her way to Paulownia Mall, having called President Tanaka on the number from his card to see if he was available as she'd met up with Miu the other day. The TV host responded by telling her to come out to the mall and meet with him immediately without delay.

"I appreciate you understanding my request," he said with a proud smirk as Mukuro approached him. "...See, my schedule is terribly packed so I don't usually have the freetime to meet with the average jane like yourself. You should be grateful that you're so easy on the eyes, Miss!"

Mukuro folded her arms. "Didn't you want me to tell you that I spoke with Iruma?"

"Yes, indeed I did, but it was also to your benefit," Tanaka explained. "Would you prefer I give my gratitude now during this tiny little gap in my schedule or wait several weeks until another one opens up?"

The man smirked, already certain of the answer before Mukuro could say anything. "...You're a sensible young lady, otherwise I doubt you'd have come out here," he said. "...Now, has Iruma finally come to understand the situation and feel ready to apologize?"

"No, she's not," Mukuro replied dryly, brushing back one of her sidelocks anxiously. "...She didn't... come across as someone who would so easily unless I resorted to more extreme measures I'm familiar with."

Who am I kidding? she thought to herself. Chances were if she brought them up Miu would only beg for it given how she reacted to threats and scolding.

"Well that's quite a shame, isn't it?" Tanaka sighed in a melodramatic fashion. "...I was certain a girl her age might have lessened her guard a little."

"She... was willing to make a deal with me, to help test what she makes," Mukuro offered.

"Hmmm," Tanaka mused to himself, his hand on his chin in thought. "She couldn't sell a gold bar without me thanks to her social skills, but perhaps in the long run, I can add further guarantee of customer satisfaction!"

The man chuckled to himself a little before looking back at Mukuro. "Very well, I consider your efforts... acceptable, and my personal gain I've deemed can come of it has given me an idea for what valuable lesson of mine that may help that hesitant tongue of yours become a little more silver in nature I'll choose to share!" he explained. "Now, let's add a new word to your vocabulary today, repeat after me: Placebo!"

"Placebo?" Mukuro asked, raising a brow in curiosity.

"Yes, the stress is on the middle syllable!" Tanaka explained. "Now say it again like I did with less of that naive teen confusion!"

Mukuro took a breath, deciding to humor him. "...Placebo."

"Very good! Nice of you to at least feign trying!" Tanaka replied. "A "placebo" is a pretend pill, basically a medicine to give you peace of mind."

"...I know what a placebo is," Mukuro replied dryly.

"Good for you," Tanaka said dismissively. "Now, for the point of this: Imagine a supplement that could eliminate those unsightly love handles without lifting a finger!"

Mukuro's brow furrowed as she looked at her sides, not seeing any indication she'd put on weight, before glaring at the man, who promptly shook his head in mock-sympathy.

"I wasn't talking about you, young lady. On the contrary, I could use you as part of the sales pitch! Catch my drift, now?" Tanaka asked.

"I... think so?" Mukuro asked, unsure.

"If I told ladies they could have your figure with such a supplement, they'd be off the shelves in no time!" Tanaka explained proudly. "Orrrr, if you wish to get on the technological side, a car navigation system that uses real-time image data to make your commute all the smoother! ...Or, at least it will feel that way!"

Tanaka spread his arms, a wide grin spread on his face as he then crisply clasped his hands together. "...These, young lady, are just a fraction of our unique line of products!" he declared in a smooth, enticing tone.

"Did Iruma come up with those?" Mukuro asked.

"What? No, those are totally bogus products! You were actually impressed by them?" Tanaka asked, confused. "I guess some could see those as spectacular, Iruma included as she often seems to so readily discard pursuing the development things that have world-changing possibilities for things not so different from what I pitched..."

Mukuro tried to see where he was going with this, she wasn't a businesswoman nor an expert on these things, it seemed odd Tanaka would want to push junk over worthwhile things. "Why not talk her into making something you'd consider world-changing, then?"

"It's just how she is, I suppose," Tanaka replied. "Her golden eggs may be painted like Easter eggs, but she's a golden goose for me, nonetheless."

"That's... manipulative," Mukuro uttered, brushing back her hair.

"Don't oversimplify it, Miss!" Tanaka replied indignantly. "Without me to be the filter she doesn't have in the slightest, her petty pursuits wouldn't get her any recognition, let alone royalties like she'd get if she focused on something truly spectacular!" The man paused, clearing his throat and adjusting his blazer. "...Furthermore, our business isn't built on providing tangible benefits, but providing peace of mind!"

"Like some of the things she pitched on your show now that I think about it," Mukuro mused.

"Exactly! Take... emergency supplies, for example!" Tanaka replied. "People feel safe simply because they have them, don't they? Canned foods, bottled water, batteries, or weapons for home defense!"

Mukuro averted her eyes a moment, recalling her combat knife that still remained sheathed under her pillow at the dorm. "...You might be right."

Tanaka nodded. "Of course I am, Miss! Part of my success is knowing this, and it all boils down to a simple fact: The more people spend, the better they feel! You can thank me for teaching you that once you've made your first million!" he chuckled.

Mukuro heard the sound of glass shatter within her mind at Tanaka's manipulative, but believably effective advice that allowed her to see where he was coming from. With any luck it'd bring him and Miu back on speaking terms.

"Not a word of this to anyone, not Iruma, not anyone else, or I just might track down your email and make an internet dating site profile of you behind your back!" Tanaka warned, folding his arms, earning an unamused, unimpressed look from the dark-haired girl.

"...Whatever you say," she muttered dryly, suspecting he'd not be making such threats least of all so lightly if he knew what she could do.

"...Now, I need to be on my way! I'll reach out to you next time, now that I have your number saved!" Tanaka said with a devious smirk before turning to leave. With it getting late and still having school tomorrow, Mukuro decided to head back to the dorm for the evening.

---

6/27

Mukuro paused as she entered the school, the conversation the two girls from class having gotten her attention and prompting her to lean against the lockers to eavesdrop.

"Hey, did you hear about all those people who've been found unconscious lately?" one of the girls asked her friend. "Apparently, a lot of them were couples!"

Mukuro's interest was piqued further.

"Were they attempting double-suicide or something?" the girl's friend asked. "I guess it's kinda romantic to sleep for eternity with your lover, like Romeo and Juliet!"

"No! It's not romantic at all!" the first girl protested. "These couples turned out to have Apathy Syndrome!"

Shadows attacking couples, apathy syndrome cases going up again, Mukuro mused to herself. With a full moon just a little more then a week away, she wondered if this was a situation like when Fuuka disappeared, when people were drawn to the school due to the two big Shadows they'd fought last full moon. Hopefully more leads would come up, she thought to herself as she made a mental note to bring it up with the others at the dorm later.

---

[Miss Ikusaba, if you are free, may I request you come to the Velvet Room at Paulownia Mall this afternoon?] Mukuro had been curious ever since receiving the text message from Theodore during class what the attendant had for her as she made her way to the alley where she knew the Velvet Room door to be.

"Ahh! Miss Ikusaba!" the attendant said, smiling. "I trust you've been well?"

"I have, yes," Mukuro replied with a nod.

"Please, do come in!" Theodore gestured to the glowing blue door as it opened, and Mukuro soon found herself seated before Igor within the otherworldly elevator.

"You've made remarkable progress in the opening of your heart to others, Miss Ikusaba, we are very pleased," Theodore said, holding open the tome in his hands as the tarot cards of those she'd established a connection with, social links, Igor had called them, emerged from the page, fifteen of them spinning in the air and shimmering brightly, some moreso then others.

Mukuro could feel a warmth grow in her chest, bringing her hand up instinctively.

"Ahh, you sense it, do you?" Igor asked. "With opening your heart, you allow it to carry more Personas then before. To be precise, you can now carry up to ten!"

Theodore chuckled to himself. "Perhaps you'd like to bring that to the test, Miss Ikusaba?"

Mukuro gave a small smile and nodded. With a full moon not far off, it would have been a good idea to prepare. "...Yes, I'd like to."

"Then let's begin, shall we?" Igor said, his wide grimace unwavering as he gestured to the linen-covered table he and Mukuro sat across from one-another on.

Within a matter of moments, several new Personas now hovered in the air. One of them was Hua Po, a feminine fairy with reddish-pink skin and a white minidress, with black hair framed with two blonde tassles and butterfly-like wings. Flames danced across her hands as she smiled at Mukuro. The second Persona to appear was another feminine fairy, wearing steel armor and black tights, with purple gloves and boots with spiky blue hair and dragonfly wings, High Pixie. The third new Persona that entered Mukuro's vision was a tall red-skinned man in white garments with a yellow sash, holding a golden blade crackling with electicity, Take-Mikazuchi. The next ritual produced a lean skeleton dressed as a Spanish bullfighter, Matator, and finally, would come Leanan Sidhe, a feminine Persona with flowing blonde hair in a long black gown, and Shiisaa, a gold-furred, blue-maned doglike Persona bearing a wide grin on its face.

Igor chuckled merrily as the Personas vanished in a flash of light. "You have done well, honored guest. The strength of the Persona is given power from those whom you have opened your heart to! Do you notice a change from who you were when you had first arrived?"

Mukuro brought her right hand up to her left forearm, looking down at the table a moment. "...Maybe, yeah," she said softly.

"To eagerly seek or wait for an end is not a life lived," Igor said. "Nor to remain bound to the past and shutting all else out. Do you still consider yourself in such a way?"

Mukuro remained quiet a moment. She had friends she wanted to protect, people she... cared about, now, that she enjoyed being with. Tartarus missions and battles with Shadows weren't a dance with death but a fight to protect her friends. Even if it wasn't much, it wasn't like the way she felt when she'd been on Fenrir's assignments. "...No, I guess not," she said.

"Marvelous!" Igor stated. "Nurture this, and your growing bonds, as you continue your journey, honored guest. We shall continue to observe, and aid you in turn."

"I wish you well, Miss Ikusaba, until next we meet!" Theodore said with a warm smile as he closed the tome he was holding and blue light engulfed Mukuro, filling her vision and she found herself back in the alley and made her way back out to Paulownia Mall to head back to the dormitory.

---

"Welcome back," Mitsuru said as Mukuro entered the dorm as the sun had set. The dark-haired girl noted some of the others in the lounge, including the chairman himself had apparently paid a visit.

"Ah, hello, Ikusaba!" Ikutsuki said with a smile looking up from his book.

"Is something going on you needed to tell us, Chairman?" Mukuro asked, curious.

"Oh, not at all, I'd simply felt it'd be a good time to sample Miss Kuzuryu's cooking, she's preparing crab hotpot this evening! I chipped in on ingredients and added portions if she'd be willing to indulge me," the chairman said. "...After all, it'd be "shellfish" of me if I didn't compensate her somehow! Heehee!"

The wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen alleviated any irritation Mukuro may have otherwise felt from Ikutsuki's joke.

"Maaaan, don't spoil my appetite," Junpei groaned from his own spot on the sofa. Fuuka crinkled her nose a little as she sat on one of the nearby couches on her laptop, and even Mitsuru sighed a little from where she was sitting.

"Well, we need to kill time till it's ready, somehow, don't we?" the chairman pointed out as he looked up from his notes. "Not to mention we've only got about another week until the next full moon. How about I share my "20 Best Food-Related Jokes" list to lighten everyone's spirits?"

"Fuuka, can I borrow your headphones?" Junpei asked.

"Sorry," Fuuka replied, now suddenly already wearing them as she browsed her laptop's playlist to find some music.

Mukuro closed her eyes, focusing instead on the pleasant smell of dinner, thankfully Natsumi emerged from the kitchen a minute later.

"Dinner's ready!" she declared, a large metal pot in her oven mitt-clad hands.

"Oh, good!" Yukari said, more then a little relieved as she and the others took their seats.

---

"My god, soooooo good!" Junpei moaned, slumping back in his chair in front of his cleaned plate. The pot was now stark empty, everyone having finished their meals as well.

"It was, yes" Mukuro said with an approving smile. "Usually I'd only get food like this at restaurants, and before that, well..." She shook her head quietly.

"Heh, well, like I said, I was raised for this sort of thing," Natsumi said, arms folded and sporting a proud grin.

"It really was good," said Yukari. "Great job on it! Maybe I should practice a bit on mine."

"Indeed, Miss Kuzuryu, I doubt I'll be feeling "crabby" for the remainder of the evening!" Ikutsuki chuckled.

"...Annnnd just like that," Natsumi sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Think you help me improve sometime, Natsumi?" Fuuka asked, with a hopeful expression.

"Well, there's nowhere but up for you to go, Fuuka, I suppose," Natsumi uttered.

"Her cooking's as good as..." Akihiko paused and went quiet a moment. "So, anyway, another full moon isn't far off."

"No, it's not. In just a little over a week from now, to be precise," Mitsuru said.

"Tch! Whatever, I'm happy to get back to some playtime. The sooner, the better!" Natsumi sneered.

"I overheard some girls at school talking about Apathy Syndrome cases going up again," said Mukuro.

"A sure sign just like the last cases," Mitsuru said. "Last time it was a lot of Gekkoukan students, getting drawn to Tartarus where the last two big Shadows manifested.

"I overheard them saying it was happening to a lot of couples this time," Mukuro replied.

"Very interesting. Could it be each of these Shadows have a different modus operandi and victim preference?" he inquired. "...Or, perhaps it has to do with where they manifest. The first big shadow attacked the dorm, and many of those afflicted with Apathy Syndrome were found in the area."

"Hm, I do remember hearing... screams... when I first came during the Dark Hour," Mukuro mused.

"The ghost stories around Gekkoukan came up because of when I was trapped in Tartarus and the two we were found there like Mitsuru-senpai said, drawing students in," Fuuka said.

"Now it's couples," said Akihiko. "Did they mention anywhere they were usually found?"

Mukuro shook her head. "No, all I heard was couples were the ones usually being affected."

"We may find more leads over the course of next week as the full moon draws closer," Mitsuru said. "It may help us get an idea where the next big shadow will appear."

"Maybe we can get some practice in Tartarus in the meantime as well," Akihiko said.

"Not tonight, man... I can't even stand up right now," Junpei groaned, moments away from a food coma.

"Serves you right for that extra rice you grabbed," Yukari retorted.

"C'mon, I'm a growing boy!" Junpei protested, head hanging off the back of his seat.

"Well, I'm not cleaning these by myself," Natsumi stated, folding her arms.

"Don't worry, Miss Kuzuryu, I came rather last minute and chipped in so I'll help you," said Ikutsuki with a reassuring smile. "Besides, I know a lot of great jokes to share that'll make the cleanup more fun!"

The blonde's expression fell to a deep scowl. "Oh, joy," she muttered, shoulders slumped.

"Uhhh, no need, Chairman! You should probably be heading back, right?" Yukari asked. "I'll help clean up."

"Me, too!" Fuuka said with a smile.

"I insist," the chairman chuckled, to Natsumi's dismay. "...Go get your studying done, you've also got exams ahead of you too, correct, Takeba? As a faculty advisor I have a say on the matter. Ikusaba, would you help Iori-kun out of his chair and get him to his room? If his grades don't improve I may get an earful from the principal seeing as how we are still, on paper, an extra-curricular club."

"Yes, sir," Mukuro said, getting up from her chair and slowly lifting the barely conscious Junpei from his, keeping a close watch on him for any sign of potentially vomiting as she walked him to and up the stairs.

After helping Junpei to his room, Mukuro made her way back down the hall to head up to her own, pausing as Akihiko came up the stairs, taking notice of her as well.

"Oh, hey," he said with a small smile. "Iori make it to his room alright?"

"He did," Mukuro nodded.

"Guess the chairman had the right idea ordering so much extra. We're still teenagers, it's a time when the body's growing and needs the extra food, especially when you're really fit on top of it," said Akihiko, glancing back down the hall. "...Still, gotta pick the right foods, that instant food diet may make you feel full but those empty calories won't give much energy."

"I'm no stranger to that, Fenrir was very punctual about what we ate," said Mukuro.

"Speakin' of food, sorry I seemed like I bailed the other day," said Akihiko. "That guy you met when I was in the hospital? He and I met up to have a chat. Didn't go the way I hoped, unfortunately."

"I see," Mukuro replied, deciding if Akihiko wanted to elaborate he would have. "...I understand. I guess I was just... I don't know, I felt worried what you think of me after..."

"That little scuffle with those punks by the strip mall?" Akihiko chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Mukuro. You've painted a fairly clear picture of the world you grew up in, and I told you, I'm not in a position to really judge you for that or why you joined Fenrir."

Mukuro looked down at the floor. "Why?"

Akihiko frowned a little as he thought back to his conversation with Shinjiro, what he remembered of it, especially Shinjiro's parting words. "...It's... a personal matter, kinda like me and Shinji. I hope you understand," he said. A small smile returned to his face. "...Well, we should probably do as the chairman says and get to some studying. Maybe after things cool down and we handle this next full moon I can take you somewhere and we don't get harassed by those guys, huh?"

Heading their separate ways, Mukuro headed upstairs, glancing back one last time wondering what Akihiko had been referring to. As she reached her dorm room, she took a breath to get her heartbeat to relax before opening her door, preparing to stay in for the rest of the evening, her flustered look had endured that she saw it in her reflection, causing her to blush before washing the foundation off her hand in her sink. Mukuro stared down at the Fenrir tattoo on it, frowning. The part of her life the very ones who put it there wanted her to put behind her, even if she still wasn't sure what she'd do with her life then.

Running her hands through her hair, the young soldier looked at herself some more. Thinking about her friends, what Igor and Theodore had said, and thinking about how Akihiko made her feel, Mukuro silently hoped one day, she finally could put her old life behind her.

Her gaze flickered to her calendar, and she approached, pulling up the page to the following month as she studied the moon phase icons on the corners of the dates, with July 7th as the next full moon.

Closing her eyes, Mukuro breathed in deep through her nose and exhaling after before going to change into her more casual clothes and getting her things out to get some studying done for the remainder of the night. There was still a little over a week left, yet she knew it was closer then it may have seemed. For now, she'd try and be a little more normal. Hopefully then, she thought, she'd want it more once this was over.

---

A/N: At last, I returned and Happy New Year! Hope you enjoyed reading the latest chapter with its new Social Links introduced and all! Figured some of Seiko's SL would incorporate bits of Keisuke's from P3 given her nature and goals as well. I can't believe in another month it will be almost two years since I started this story... time never waits, indeed.

0 - The Fool - SEES: Rank 3

I - The Magician - Junpei Iori: Rank 6

II - The Priestess - Fuuka Yamagishi: Rank 1

IV - The Emperor - Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Rank 3

V - The Hierophant - Bookstore Owners: Rank 4

VI - The Lovers - Yukari Takeba: Rank 3

VII - The Chariot - Aoi Asahina: Rank 4

IX - The Hermit - "MARY": Rank 4

XI - Strength - Miu Iruma: Rank 1

XII - The Hanged Man - Seiko Kimura: Rank 4

XIII - Death - Pharos: Rank 1

XIV - Temperance - Sonia Nevermind: Rank 2

XV - The Devil - President Tanaka: Rank 2

XVI - The Tower - Natsumi Kuzuryu: Rank 4

XVII - The Star - Akihiko Sanada: Rank 1

Mukuro's Personas: Zouchouten, Sandman, Rakshasa, Hua Po, High Pixie, Take-Mikazuchi, Principality, Matador, Leanan Sidhe, Shiisaa