Shin Persona Evangelion

by Ultra Sonic 007

Shinji Ikari stared, bewildered by the bizarre-looking man, who gave an intrigued smile. "An interesting guest has arrived. My name is Igor. Welcome to the Velvet Room, young fool...we have important matters to discuss, you and I." (A fusion of the realms of Evangelion and Persona, where not all is as it seems.) (Cover art by Renu of the Sufficient Velocity forums.)

67. Friday - August 7, 2015

Author's Note: This story now has a TV Tropes page! Woo~

Let's continue on.

xxxx

Sokila was...picking at a guitar(?).

"...I like those sounds..."

Well, in all fairness, it was a tiny guitar meant for children.

"...the music you were playin', I mean..."

Judging by the clanging in the background, MORE musical equipment had manifested in the Velvet Room, and Elizabeth had taken to the drums, of all things.

"Such delightfully chaotic sounds!"

Sokila smiled faintly at the woman's exuberance.

"...that Taka-yah fellow," she murmured, slightly mispronouncing the name. "...he was...scary and sad at the same time..."

She stroked the strings amateurishly.

"...but you're better than him. I know it!"

The faint haze of blue began to brighten-

xxxx

/Friday: August 7, 2015/

/Sojiro Sakura's Residence, Nishiawakura, Okayama Prefecture/

Shinji Ikari snorted, rising to wakefulness...and why did he feel something heavy on his chest?

Looking down, he say a gray Scottish Fold resting on his chest. "Ah...you must have snuck in..."

The pleasantly plump cat meowed gruffly, as if to say 'yes I did, what are you going to do about it?'

"...well, I guess I don't have to get up just yet..." he murmured, leaning back on his pillow.

xxxx

Meanwhile, back in Tokyo-3, one Misato Katsuragi was jauntily strolling out of NERV HQ. Why was she so peppy this morning?

Why, it's because she was a free woman, of course! Finally given a clean bill of health after WAY too much cognitive and physical therapy (because sometimes the mental backlash from getting one's can kicked in the Metaverse just sucked), and ready to get back out and get to work. Inhaling deeply of the morning air, which smelled faintly of overnight rain, she stared at the blue sky with a grim smirk. "Okay...so after I check in with Akechi-kun regarding any events of importance...what should I get started on?" she murmured to herself.

Continue on the trail of that old genetics research facility where Kaji had once found Pen-Pen (or rather 'claimed' to have found Pen-Pen, because who knew if even that was true, now)? Try and dig into Kaji's movements (because like hell was she just going to leave him 'hanging' until Shinji-kun got back from his road trip)?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Sighing, she whipped it out (idly noting that she had gotten a lot of texts from Ryuji Sakamoto late last night...?) and noticed the caller ID. "Sae Niijima...?" Concerned, she answered. "Good morning, Niijima-san."

"Katsuragi."

Sae sounded angry. "What did I do now?"

"I received an interesting message last night from one Ryuji Sakamoto...could you explain why Mana Kirishima was in the vicinity of a terrorist and a notorious serial killer yesterday?"

"...say what now."

"You don't even know?"

"...hold that thought." She quickly flipped her phone to speaker, scrolling to her messenger app and opening the text log from Sakamoto. "Standby."

R. Sakamoto: Too late to call, so I'm just going to leave this here.
R. Sakamoto: Finally finished with all my calls after the fact, but I think you should know about what happened.
R. Sakamoto: It all started when we went to the local hot springs, but here's the gist of it.

What followed over several texts was a summary of how the adult 'chaperones' had had an unexpected meeting with Jin Shirato (what?!), that Shinji-kun had apparently spoken with the infamously once-presumed-dead-but-apparently-not Takaya Sakaki (WHAT?!), and that Strega was apparently intending to commit an as-of-yet-unknown act of terrorism at the Olympics on Sunday (WHAT?!). By comparison, the fact that Shinji and Mana had been forced to take on a Ghost each whilst relaxing in the onsen seemed like a minor detail by comparison.

"Are you done?"

Switching speakerphone off, she sheepishly answered, "would it help if I said I just found out?"

"No. No it wouldn't."

"...well, at least the collateral damage wasn't as bad as the ferry," she offered as a sort of weak justification.

There was a palpable pause on the other end. "...what ferry?"

"...right, you wouldn't know about that," she murmured, mentally kicking herself for blurting that out. The nature of Niijima's security clearance as an employee of the Special Custodian Service (not to mention her family relationship with the A.T. Agent Makoto Niijima) made it difficult to remember that Sae was still a civvie.

"Is this about the Ai ferry that apparently disappeared recently in the middle of the Kii Channel?! In broad daylight?!"

"Look, I've kind of been recuperating in NERV's medical facility for over a week, so forgive me for being out of the loop!"

"Then get yourself in the loop. I want to know how Kirishima is doing, and whether or not her situation needs to change. There are limits to what I'm able to justify exposing her to, even when accounting for her powers."

"...is that a threat, Niijima-san?" she growled, suddenly feeling cold.

"It's a warning. If the government decides to make a concerted effort to claim her...I won't be able to defend your status as her guardian if incidents like this keep happening on your watch. Legally speaking, 'certain parties' would be on solid ground to claim that her welfare would be better served if she were placed elsewhere."

"Well what am I supposed to do?!"

"Make a difference however you can. The more effort, the better I can make it look good to my supervisors." Sighing tiredly, she concluded, "I want an update on her condition by the end of the day." And with that, Niijima hung up.

"...because of course those kids got into trouble while I was recovering," she grumbled, stuffing her phone into her pocket. "...wonder if this what mom and dad felt like when I got into trouble as a kid...?" Because if so, she retroactively regretted ever being a problem child for her parents, because the feeling absolutely sucked.

xxxx

Everyone was milling about at Sojiro Sakura's residence, seeing as how the adults were busy with 'adult' things.

("I'm off to work," remarked Sojiro, pressing a hand against his lower back. Loosing a tired sigh as he stretched, he remarked, "if you're going to stay around...just don't break anything." With that, he walked down the hill to open his cafe.)

(Ken Amada had excused himself to call his wife. "I need to make sure they have identifiable landmarks...Yukari refuses to use GPS after one too many bad experiences." With that, he walked outside.)

(Junpei Iori had excused himself to go coordinate with Zenkichi. "Kenny and I may technically be on a mission, but if our superiors decide to act on our info about Strega...then we'll need to be ready to coordinate at a moment's notice." With that, he spoke into his badge and promptly shifted into the Metaverse.)

(Ryuji Sakamoto had excused himself upon someone calling his phone...and it was a conversation he was not looking forward to, based on his expression. "Yeah...I was kind of expecting this. This might take a while." With that, he promptly answered and started walking outside...and he swore that it was Misato's voice that he could hear from afar...?)

"So...any ideas about what to do today?" asked Toji Suzuhara, his foot nudging against the belly of a rather lazy calico cat. The television was on a channel that displayed a roulette of Olympic events; currently, boxing was the event of choice, displaying a match between the American and Russian representatives. "Not exactly in the mood to do stuff in the Metaverse today..."

"Agreed," groaned Kensuke, lying spread out on the floor. A British shorthair car had taken residence on his abdomen, apparently unwilling to move. "I'm still trying to recover from the fact that Ikari apparently encountered Takaya Sakaki, of all people!"

"...is it really that big of a deal...?" Shinji said, consciously trying to downplay exactly what had happened.

"Seriously?!" protested Kensuke.

"Ikari-san...I believe it would be the equivalent of meeting either Shoko Asahara or Tsutomu Miyazaki," murmured Mayumi, referring to the infamous terrorist behind Aum Shinrikyo from the '90s, and the notorious serial killer from the late '80s. "It's...simply unheard of." She stared intently at a Russian blue cat, which stared intently back at her. "And some would say...highly improper."

"Improper, she says," snorted Kensuke with an aborted chuckle.

"...ah." That put it into context. "...I guess you have a point." He was also trying not to think too hard about the fact that Takaya Sakaki had spoken almost cavalierly about the Usurper. Just how much was going on that he wasn't aware of? Marie...Kaji-san...Ayanami-san...my fellow Wild Cards...Mister P...and my father. Every single one of them had pieces to the puzzle, all of them unwilling to share the truth in its totality. Is it because I'm not strong enough? Is it because the Usurper is that threatening...? He had no way of knowing.

His Other peered intently at a distinctive skull.

"What is the choice to be made? What secrets lie untold?"

Within the skull's hollow expanse...was the glimmer of gold.

"Are you willing to sacrifice your entire being to get what you want?"

Shinji huffed, shaking his head. "That being said...do you all want to do something?"

"I think that's what you all are talking about," remarked Mana, analytically watching the boxing match; she tilted her head as the American countered the Russian's hook with a devastating uppercut. "But aren't our plans decided already?"

"...they were?" blankly said Toji.

"Amada said that the main cast of Featherman Z were travelling through here today, didn't he?" she said, in a completely matter-of-fact tone. "So we're going to meet them."

"I can't say I've ever met celebrities before," remarked Mayumi.

"Eh, tokusatsu actors aren't really big like idols are," casually threw out Toji.

"It's still a pretty big deal, though," acknowledged Kensuke. "Featherman Z is a legitimate classic."

"...you all are sticking around, aren't you?" asked Mana, suddenly sounding somewhat...hesitant?

"Of course!" assured Mayumi, apparently catching onto her tone. "We'll all be here to welcome them." She turned her head expectantly towards the three boys, smiling shyly. "...right?"

Toji and Kensuke stared.

Shinji shrugged. "Well...why not?" It's not like they had any other plans for the day, right?

"Yeah, why not!" exclaimed Kensuke.

"...eh, not like we've got anything better to do right now, right?" relented Toji, willing to go along to get along.

"...good," said Mana, sounding relieved.

"...maybe we can go grocery shopping?" offered Shinji. "You know, to get some extra food and drinks to help greet them? I don't want to inconvenience Sakura-sensei..."

"Now there's a capital idea!" exclaimed Kensuke, inadvertently throwing the shorthair cat off as he sat up. "We're running low on our own snack supply anyhow!"

xxxx

Within the kitchen, Ren Amamiya — sipping from a cup of coffee — calmly overheard the conversation from the adjacent room. That's right...Amada was saying about how his wife and the main cast of Featherman Z are coming through today. It was going to be Yukari, Ruby Robin, Emerald Eagle, Sapphire Swan, Opal Owl, Diamond Dove, and Pearl Phoenix. Now...who were they again? he pondered, mentally recalling the cast in question...only to pause. Wait. Ann Takamaki and Hifumi Togo were both members of the cast. Well...crap.

As if Sojiro Sakura, Ryuji Sakamoto, and the Hasegawas hadn't been bad enough!

"...well, no helping it," he murmured with a sense of weary resolve. Amada had mentioned a lunch date, as well. Might as well get started on the prepwork...

After all, there was no point in letting Sojiro take care of all the work. Even if the man wasn't 'his' Sojiro...he was still a stubborn old codger. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! Even if it involved something as harmless as making food.

xxxx

Mana had elected to stay behind whilst Shinji, Kensuke, Toji, and Mayumi elected to make the short twenty-five minute walk to the local grocery store to obtain additional snacks.

(For some reason, Amamiya had spotted them extra funds to buy the most luxurious sweets available. He had something about having a 'hunch', which didn't make much sense.)

Why?

Well, there had been some cedar and cypress within the boundaries of Sojiro's property that had fallen over during a storm that had come through in July, and Sakura had delayed in getting someone to come by and cut them up.

("I have to say, I hadn't realized how many chores the boy had been doing around here," wryly remarked Sakura as he poured out bowls of warm curry the night before. The boy in question was outside playing music, so that gave the man the freedom to complain a bit more. "There's a bunch of dead wood lying outside that I haven't had the time to chop up...")

As the resident axe-wielder, Mana felt it proper to grab the appropriate tools leaning against the back of the house — two axes, one for felling and one for splitting — and get to chopping. It was better than simply wasting time watching television (because for some unknown reason, the man didn't have the channel that Featherman Z even came on! How was that even a thing?!).

Resting AIGIS and LABRYS against one of the upright trees, she looked at the fallen logs, getting into position by the one furthest away from the others.

(How many exercises had she been forced to endure? "If you're going to use LABRYS and AIGIS to their utmost...your core must be unassailable," cautioned Shiro Tokita as she swung a sledgehammer repetitively.)

Huffing, she stood on the log with both feet spread beyond her shoulders, and proceeded to buck the wood with accurate chops. Even if she could have used LABRYS to cut through the whole log in one fell swoop...somehow, she felt that that would have defeated the point.

xxxx

Her Little Sis shook some cheerleader pom-poms. "You can do it."

Her Big Sis waved some tiny flags. "Come on, show us your strength!"

xxxx

She hoped that her sisters wouldn't mind.

xxxx

Meanwhile, driving northward along National Route 373, a small-sized limo bus rumbled along. In the driver's seat was a man with khaki-colored hair, slicked back and hidden under the black cap of a professional limo driver. "We should be there in about thirty minutes, ladies!"

"Thank you, Konishi-kun," remarked a woman in her early 40s, light brown hair cut into a neck-length bob with curling bangs. Adjusting the cuffs of her pink dress shirt and white suit-skirt combo, she looked at the other six passengers. "I trust that you've already talked with your individual handlers, ladies?"

"Sure thing, boss lady," cheerfully remarked a blonde woman in red, her hair falling down her back in long, wavy curls. "Do you think they have a local confectionary?" asked Ann Takamaki, better known as Ruby Robin.

"...the local guide for Nishiawakura mentions a pastry shop, but it doesn't look like anything special," said a woman in green, her black hair tied into a high ponytail. "But yes, my agent is giving our normal escorts the runaround," said Rio Hayase née Iwasaki, better known as Emerald Eagle.

"Sorry Ann-chan, you'll have to content yourself with your own snack supply again," cheerfully teased a woman in blue, her lustrous copper hair reaching even further down her back than Ann's; she was currently occupied helping another passenger with her hairdo. "...oh, and I think I'll be fine until we get to Tottori," answered Rise Kujikawa, better known as Sapphire Swan.

"...zzz..." lightly snored a curly-haired woman in black, her locks bearing the same khaki color as the driver. "...done and done," sleepily murmured Saki Konishi, better known as Opal Owl.

"Everything is in order on my end, Yukari-sensei," said a woman in white, whose glossy black hair was being arranged by Rise into an elaborate sakkō hairstyle (straight out of an Edo-period drama about geishas, practically). "I do hope this detour won't take too long; the Emporium is currently scheduled to arrive in Tottori by this evening, and I'd like to have some time with my husband before our respective tours have to diverge once more," explained Hifumi Kitagawa née Togo, better known as Diamond Dove.

"We have plenty of time," remarked a woman with short, feathery blue hair, dressed in clothing colored various shades of off-white such as platinum, alabaster, and ivory. "Besides...given Kanji and all the other personalities involved, I'm sure the Emporium could manage a delay more swimmingly than our tour could," explained Naoto Tatsumi née Shirogane, better known as Pearl Phoenix.

The eldest of the seven women smiled, lips curling into a shrewd smile. "Well, Ken's work keeps him away from home more often than not, so as your former director and showrunner, I'm pulling rank on this," said Yukari Amada née Takeba. "Besides, the place where Ken's been staying is a repurposed ryokan, so it's not like we'll be lacking in room."

"Ooh, how charming!" exclaimed Ann and Rise in tandem. "Step on it, Naoki-kun!"

The limo driver — one Naoki Konishi, Saki's younger brother — sighed heavily. "This bus isn't exactly a warhorse, you know..."

And so the bus continued its northward trek.

xxxx

Ren Amamiya slowly stirred curry in the pot, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. That familiar feeling of discomfort was getting...stronger. (The sensation of the Lovers, so full of passion; the aura of the Star, so full of hope.) They're almost here. Well, at least he had some measure of warning this time, unlike the whole craziness with Zenkichi Hasegawa. Though now the question becomes what will happen AFTER this...because there's no way Ryuji and the others are going to let Strega act without having a countermeasure in place. Ugh, sometimes being a trump card could suck, because it mean that he couldn't be played. There was also the fact that, in the face of all the crazy things that happened so far, he was feeling a little...well, bored.

(This was what he got for donning the mask on the ferry.)

(You know you'd do it all over again.)

Ren sighed...

xxxx

From somewhere else...a figure with blue eyes looked up.

"Joker."

Their efforts were bound to be discovered soon.

"I'll be meeting you soon...I have a message that I must pass on."

xxxx

...only to shiver unexpectedly, eyes narrowing out of sudden concern. Ren looked about himself, wondering why he had felt a sudden premonition of something both nostalgic yet worrisome.

He supposed that he would find out soon enough.

xxxx

Mana Kirishima had actually worked up a bit of a sweat, chopping wood. (It was strange, thinking about how much LABRYS and AIGIS supplemented her capabilities.)

(What would she be, without them?)

(You wouldn't be worth the time of day.)

As she began stacking split logs onto the old firewood rack on the side of the engawa, she noticed a bit of commotion at the bottom of the hill; a bus — smaller than most she had seen in Tokyo-3, but still larger than the van that Amamiya had rented — was slowly pulling up, moving in a cumbersome fashion through the grassy field adjacent to the asphalt parking spaces; none other than Ken Amada was providing guidance, keeping it away from any unsightly bumps or unseen holes in the ground. Coincidentally, her peers — Ikari, Aida, Suzuhara, and Yamagishi — were returning with various plastic bags full of foodstuffs. The four teens gave the vehicle plenty of room as it laboriously made a three-point turn, facing back the way it came (presumably for easier departure later). Out of the side doors came a woman with light brown hair, looking as old as Sakamoto judging by the slight wrinkles around her eyes. Before any other words could be exchanged, she called out, "okay girls, do the thing!"

Without warning, six windows on the opposite side of the bus flipped down, and six women acrobatically flung themselves upward onto the roof with rolling flips that seemed more befitting of gymnasts than actors.

A blonde woman, wearing a red tank top over jean shorts, swung her arms in a motion that evoked fire. "When the people cry for help...!"

A dark-haired woman, wearing jeans and a forest green vest over a short-sleeved lime green shirt, punched at the air with clawed hands. "...and the forces of darkness are rising...!"

A copper-haired woman, wearing a chic blue blouse over dark blue leggings, performed a brief pirouette before posing. "...we'll be there to answer the call...!"

A woman with hair the color of khakis, wearing a puffy dark jacket over a gray shirt and black shorts, rolled her neck as she struck at the air with short but powerful motions. "...with power and virtue...!"

Another dark-haired woman, wearing a white kimono and hakama patterned with various floral designs, stood upon one foot with extreme poise. "...and always the very picture of grace and eloquence!"

A blue-haired woman, clad in light-colored clothing that hugged her form, raised her arms high. "Rising from the ashes no matter the conflict..."

As one, they posed in sync, arranging themselves about each other in a fashion that was somehow chaotic yet coordinated. "...we are the Bishoujo Senshi Feathermen!" To complete the ensemble, a brief burst of sparks, smoke, and fire shot off from behind them.

"Oh my, they actually modified the bus to provide pyrotechnics," observed Yamagishi.

Everyone stared.

"...neat!" said Aida, taking numerous pictures with his phone.

"Wonder what would have happened if they flubbed?" pondered Suzuhara.

"...how much practice does that sort of thing take...?" wondered Ikari aloud.

Mana couldn't really bring herself to care about the chatter as the women helped themselves off of the bus, because it just hit her that these were the cast members of Featherman Z, and they were here, and they were here, and she felt unbelievably anxious and excited and bashful for reasons she had no idea comprehending. Why the hell do I feel so nervous?!

(It wouldn't be until much much later that she would retroactively recognize this as her first moment of unabashed fangirling.)

xxxx

"...if I told the locals that I closed early because six lovely women were visiting, I'd probably be called a liar," casually remarked Sojiro Sakura as he laid out a pot of coffee and tea with various mugs for everyone. In the main living area, the chairs had been pushed aside and some small, flat tables had been pushed together so that everyone could be seated comfortably. The Hakone Caravan were all clustered on one side, whilst the Featherman girls were on the other...with a couple of exceptions.

For one, Zenkichi Hasegawa and Akane were sitting at one end of the table, looking rather bewildered by the whole scene. Likewise, Mana — who had apparently chosen to wear a Featherman shirt today — was sitting between Rio and Naoto, looking distinctly smaller and more nervous than Shinji could ever remember her being. (He would even go so far as to say that she looked timid, which was not an expression he normally associated with her. At all.)

"I have a distinct feeling that we have better things to do," pointedly said Zenkichi.

Junpei waved him off. "We've already reported as much as we could to our superiors; if they want us in Okayama, they'll tell us. In the meantime...we've got legit celebrities right in front of us."

Zenkichi looked at all the women gathered. "...true, but my point still remains."

"Well tough guy, flattery may or may not get you everywhere~" saucily said Rise, reaching out and pinching(?!) Zenkichi's cheek.

Zenkichi sputtered, face flushing wildly at how forward the woman was being. "I-I-I-I-"

Saki lightly thwacked Rise across the back of her head. "Don't be rude...we're just travelling through."

"Meanie," pouted Rise, rubbing irritably at her scalp.

"We're most grateful for your hospitality, nonetheless," diplomatically said Hifumi with a light bow.

Sojiro casually shrugged. "Well, I must say, I normally enjoy my privacy...but the activity brought by the boy has been a pleasant change of pace, I must admit."

Ann giggled knowingly. "Aw, is the gruff old man a secret softie inside?"

"How sweet," lightly said Rio.

Sojiro simply brushed off their teasing with a chuckle. Shinji wondered how the man pulled it off without looking bothered.

(Unbeknownst to him, Ryuji Sakamoto slowly leaned in towards Toji. "Take notes, kid; that's an example of aging gracefully.")

("Understood, sensei," replied Toji with a nod.)

"So," remarked Kensuke, looking down at his phone. "Can't say I've ever had a reason to review your post-Featherman Z careers before, but you've all been pretty busy since the show ended...which was pretty crazy in itself, because it lasted for six whole seasons unlike the majority of the Featherman series." He pointed at Ann and Rise. "You two went on to modelling," he pointed towards Rio, "you started your own martial arts dojo," he pointed towards Saki, "you and your brother started a vehicle reclamation and remodelling service..."

"We actually got our limo bus from a ghost town a few years back and souped her up," said Saki.

(Ren Amamiya slyly sidled up towards Naoki Konishi. "Designated driver, huh?")

(Naoki, sitting somewhat separately from the group, raised his black cap.)

(Ren handed him a cup of espresso. "With an extra shot, chocolate, and a bit of hazelnut.")

("...thanks," gratefully said the beleaguered driver.)

Kensuke pointed towards Hifumi. "You went into classical theater," and finally, he pointed towards Naoto, "and you continued your acting career."

"I especially liked your roles as Jacqueline Clouseau in the Detective Sholmes vs. Inspector Clouseau movie!" exclaimed Mayumi. "You played against type so well!"

Naoto lightly scratched her cheek, slightly embarrassed by the unabashed praise. "It was...an interesting challenge, acting the bumbling fool instead of the suave, detached detective I was accustomed to playing by that time. But given the lessons I learned whilst working under Yukari-san, I've learned to be determined no matter what role I land."

Yukari, sitting next to her husband Ken, lightly laughed off the praise. "Honestly, you've all gone much further than me."

"My point is that...well, why keep up with these tours?" asked Kensuke. "You've apparently been doing them every year since 2007. Isn't it kind of unusual for actors from a Super Magical Sentai to keep making group appearances like this?"

"I hope that's not a wisecrack against their ages, young man," remarked Yukari with a devilish smile. True to form, even though the expressions of the other six women didn't change, there was a distinct change in the atmosphere, all focused in Kensuke's direction.

(Shinji suddenly felt the urge to lean away from the poor boy.)

"No no no no, not at all!" exclaimed Kensuke with a panicked yelp. "I mean, it's just that it's unusual for the industry, as far as I've been able to tell! So...what gives?"

"Morale boosting!" cheered Ann and Rise in tandem.

"To provide a positive example," elaborated Rio. "Even after our sixth season was delayed by Second Impact...Yukari still managed to cobble up enough resources to get us all back together to finish the show in 2003. It was...important, for a lot of people in the entertainment industry."

"It was undeniable proof that even in spite of the horrors of Angel Syndrome, life could and would go on. For that, Japanese artists and artisans owe Yukari-sensei a debt of gratitude," sagely said Hifumi.

Saki blinked. "I'm...not sure I'd go that far, Hifumi-chan..."

"Plus, I've been informed that our presence results in the formation of Archetypes associated with positive emotions, so municipalities and the Anti-Terror Task Force have a vested interest in our tours going well," explained Naoto. "It was actually Yukari-san's husband that gave her the idea for the tour...more or less."

Shinji tilted his head. "More or less?"

Yukari laughed, nudging her husband. "It was a bit more complicated than that. This young gentleman had simply decided to accept a mission as a consultant for some other project I happened to be working on, and I needed someone with first-hand experience as an A.T. Agent to provide some insight. But I needed a bit more than he was willing to provide, so I...persuaded him to take me into the Metaverse."

"More like aggressively coerced me," casually remarked Ken with a roll of the eyes.

"Oh come on, you know what I mean," scoffed Yukari.

"Okay then; an offer I was unwilling to refuse." Ken politely ignored his wife's elbow into his side.

("...say, what do you think he means by that?" whispered Toji.)

("Now now, Kenny's a gentleman...and a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," cracked Ryuji with a knowing smirk.)

("...ah," muttered a blushing boy, noting the obvious age difference — ten years, perhaps just shy of twenty — between Amada and his older wife. "...does that mean she's what they call a cougar?")

("You'd best not say that word out loud," warned Ryuji. "Not if you value your life.")

(Toji blanched.)

"But ultimately...it was important, seeing the strangeness of that world, born from our minds," said Yukari with a thoughtful expression. "When I picked at Ken's brain regarding how civilians could make things easier for people like him, that's where the concept of the tour was born: a special event that occurs once a year, so it can be anticipated with excitement; a pleasant distraction from the trials of everyday life, to alleviate mental stress; and a message that life doesn't have to be all doom and gloom!" She folded her hands into her lap, closing her eyes out of contemplation. "I've been called somewhat naive for having this outlook...but if we can't enjoy our relationships with other people, then what's the point of living life? What's the point of surviving if it means nothing but misery?"

"Heh. Words straight out of my mouth," remarked Junpei with a grin.

Yukari's smile twitched. "I'd rather not have to think about your mouth in any way, shape, or form, Stupei."

"Oh come on, when are you going to stop giving me crap? I've been nothing but gentlemanly to you and your lovely coworkers."

Ann flatly stared. "Junpei-kun, your first reaction when meeting Yukari-chan for the first time was to make a remark about her boobs and her butt."

"I was complimenting Kenny for having good taste!" retorted Junpei. "The guy was so married to his job back then that I thought he was an actual eunuch!"

"And I agree that the boss lady's features are excellent," said Ann with a nod.

"But when Ken-kun outright told you that he was introducing you to his fiancee, well...you can hardly be blamed for that leaving a poor first impression," pointed out Rise with a shrug.

"Yeah, but that was also seven years ago. Impressions aren't supposed to be for life, you know?!"

Hifumi calmly sipped her tea before saying, "I disagree. Artistic impressions can last for quite a long time if they're framed."

Junpei gave her the stink eye. "You know exactly what I was referring to."

Saki rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I still can't see what your wife sees in you..."

"What is this, the 'dunk on Junpei' hour? And leave my beloved Chi-Chi out of this!"

Shinji was blinking rapidly from all of the back and forth, as Junpei and a few of the Feathermen descended into childish banter. Well...at least it looks like Aida-san's having a fun time? The boy in question was watching the juvenile spat with considerable glee.

Zenkichi suddenly cleared his throat. "I can only imagine what sort of example this kind of behavior would be setting for good boys and girls..."

"That sounds like a threat," bluntly stated Naoto.

"Wait, what?" sputtered Zenkichi. "No no no no, I was just making an observation, honest!"

Akane sighed. "Way to go dad." The young girl briefly glanced in Shinji's direction, a calculating stare in her eyes. (What was with that look?)

Yukari giggled at the lighthearted display before looking intently towards Sojiro. "So...this is an old ryokan, is it?"

"Indeed," answered Sojiro.

"Does it have any of the old amenities?"

"A couple of the old bathrooms still rely on wood-fired stoves to heat up the water, but I've converted most of them to modern utilities."

"I see..." Yukari briefly glanced towards Ken, who pointedly sipped his coffee without looking in her direction.

Sojiro seemed to understand without saying a word. "Well then," he said, rising to his feet, "you ladies decided to make a stop in Nishiawakura, so I might as well introduce you to my cafe at the bottom of the hill."

"What do you serve?" asked Rio.

"Coffee and curry," remarked Ren. "But exceptionally good coffee and curry. I think he might be able to whip up any drink you can think of."

"Ooh, that sounds like a challenge," gleefully said Rise.

"My sweet tooth is calling!" exclaimed Ann.

Sojiro scratched at the back of his head, apparently unexpecting to have his reputation spoken so highly of. "Well, I suppose I can't back down now. Come on."

Everyone rose to their feet, shuffling towards the front doors...with the exception of Ken and Yukari, Shinji couldn't help but notice.

(Saki forcefully pulled Naoki out of his chair, much to the latter's dismay. "Come on sis, that chair was comfortable...")

("Can't you read the room, you dummy?" retorted Saki.)

Shinji looked towards Kensuke as he was ushered outside. "...aren't Mr. and Mrs. Amada coming with us?" he asked.

Kensuke blinked, looking almost dumbly at him. "...wait, are you being serious?"

"What?"

"...okay then, how can I put this..." Kensuke couldn't help but grin as quietly leaned in, saying, "so...when a man and woman love each very very very much, especially if they happen to be married to each other, then-"

"Okay, I get it, I get it," quickly whispered Shinji with a flushed expression.

(Mayumi briefly glanced back towards the ryokan, murmuring "oh my," to herself.)

xxxx

At last, Ken and Yukari Amada were alone.

"So...which room have you been staying in?" asked Yukari.

"...can I at least finish the last of my coffee?" politely asked Ken.

Yukari quite intently gripped one of the lapels on his shirt. "You have five seconds, dear," she said, eyes glimmering with desire.

xxxx

Shinji sat quietly in the corner of Sojiro Sakura's tiny little cafe, inwardly wincing at the curious passers-by (mostly locals who were coming for lunch) looking in from the window. Mostly because Zenkichi Hasegawa was serving as a proverbial bouncer to keep everyone else out.

(Sakura hastily wrote 'PRIVATE PARTY IN PROGRESS' before taping the message to the front door. "There...Hasegawa, you can keep people from barging through the door." As Zenkichi sputtered and protested at being 'voluntold', Sojiro casually retorted, "well, you're our former Community Safety guy, aren't you? Keeping the peace is part of the job...so do your job," he said with a wry, almost smug, grin.)

And yet that didn't stop Sojiro from utilizing the resources at his disposal, because he had Toji ferrying orders in and out the door, Ren in the kitchen making curry, and Mana at the countertop with him mixing drinks...simpler ones, that is, which some of the Feathermen were happy to oblige so that Mana (who they had all realized by now was a fan of theirs) could have the privilege of making their order. Takamaki and Kujikawa, alas, seemed intent on testing Sakura's skills with ever more elaborate types of coffee drinks.

(He'd never seen so much whipped cream topped onto a mug before.)

(You'd probably have fallen into a diabetic coma by now.)

Rio Hayase's attempts at getting them to take it easy, alas, seemed unsuccessful.

Kensuke and Junpei had fallen into conversation with the Konishi siblings, apparently intrigued at how they had gotten the idea to reclaim vehicles from villages and towns that had been depopulated by Angel Syndrome. Mayumi, meanwhile, was politely listening to Hifumi regale her of tales from life in the theater. Ryuji, sitting between Ann and Rise, was jumping from one story to another of his 'glory days' by their request...mostly so they could get juicy stories involving the 'boss lady's man', in their words; since the subject involved stories of A.T. Agent work, Akane listened with rapt ears.

All told...it was a picture of constrained chaos, one that he felt comfortable on the periphery of, especially with the relaxing music playing over the speakers.

"...you seem rather quiet, young man."

Wincing, he glanced across the table towards Naoto Tatsumi, who was quietly sipping at her latte. "...I guess I just like watching?"

"Not much of a people person, I assume."

"...I guess I just haven't really gotten into Featherman, I suppose."

Naoto smiled knowingly. "Be careful; our boss might inundate you with merchandise before we leave."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"...your reputation precedes you, Shinji Ikari. But I'm grateful to say that it's undeserved, at least as far as media speculation is concerned."

Shinji tried not to grimace, because what was it with strangers knowing him beforehand? First Saori, then Takaya, and now Naoto? "Ah...I see..."

"I like keeping track of the various individuals and organizations that are tasked with defending humanity...and NERV is one of the biggest names in the 'business', so to speak," she explained analytically. "When Yukari-san informed us that her husband was currently working a VIP escort mission for 'some kids out of Tokyo-3', it didn't take much to put two and two together as to her potential VIP could be...especially in light of the documented youth of the First and Second Children, who've been fighting for much longer than you." Sipping at her latte again, she added, "and there were some American media reports about the MAGI sabotage at Atlanta in early July, when Strega became first known 'officially'...and not a few of those reports made mention of eyewitness testimony about a young Japanese male who had been seen fighting alongside the Second Child. There are other points of data as well, but I trust you get my meaning."

Shinji blinked, almost bewildered. "...maybe you should have been an actual detective, Tatsumi-san?"

The woman smiled to herself. "I do enjoy those roles...but I love my work too much to change careers. Perhaps in another life."

Shinji briefly glanced at her compatriots, wondering if they all shared her opinion. Gathering his determination, he took a chance. "...what about them? Do they think my reputation is also undeserved?"

Naoto nodded. "You come off as too polite and inoffensive to warrant such extreme fear. I imagine Ann and Rise would try to baby you if you let them. Rio would laud you for your martial prowess...as for Saki and Hifumi, well, they'd probably reserve very harsh words for the critics of Evangelion in the media. Saki especially; her tongue is probably the most caustic of all of us, when she gets in a bad mood." She took another sip. "Unfortunately, fear has a habit of making fools out of anyone..."

"I see," murmured Shinji with a nod, feeling somewhat grateful. "...it's...humbling, I guess."

"What is?"

"To know that even strangers can have a good opinion of me," he admitted, folding his hands and resting them in his lap. "...sometimes, it feels like it's me against the world. I know it's not true, but it sometimes feels like it. And that's...well..."

"Lonely?"

"...yes."

Naoto nodded, crossing her arms under her bust (which put Ann's, Rise's, and Misato's to shame; he inwardly wondered how strong the woman's back muscles were in order to support them, and why are you going down that line of thought, eyes up!). "It takes a very unique individual to ignore or brush past the criticisms of others. I'm sure most would tell you that the opinions of those you care about are all that matter...and on some level, that's true; however, reputation and honor can be besmirched by people you'll never see or hear...and as someone who works in the entertainment industry for a living, that's simply something I've come to accept."

"But that seems so unfair..."

The woman shrugged. "That's reality for you, I'm afraid."

"...how do you deal with it?" he wondered, trying not to sound like he was pleading.

The woman smiled sweetly, glancing fondly at her fellows. "Close friends...loved ones...I can't speak for those who have the mental strength and fortitude to carry on in isolation...but for me, the bonds I have are what give me the strength to keep going. And just from the outside looking in...it looks like you have some pretty good ones."

Shinji glanced at Toji (Chariot), Kensuke (Magician), Mayumi (Hermit), Mana (Strength), Ren (Judgement), Sakura-sensei (the one who took you in when he didn't have to), and Sakamoto (the one who, after the chaos on the ferry, gave you a pep talk that you still don't think you deserve). There were others as well, that Tatsumi was unaware of, yet nonetheless gave him strength from afar. "...I guess I do," he admitted to himself.

"Then endure to your utmost, Ikari-san," said Naoto, acknowledging him with a level of respect that still felt weird coming from an adult. "And trust that they'll be there to catch you if you ever fall."

(Somehow, he had a feeling that Misato would've gotten along swimmingly with these women.)

Ultimately, by the time that some of the locals realized exactly who Sojiro's 'private party' was, quite a few were demanding autographs. It was mostly from adult women who actually remembered watching the show back when it first aired in the '90s...who had then gone on to show it to their own children, which certainly explained the sudden influx of youngsters. It seemed that not even the daily agricultural grind could stop fans from being fans...and honestly, there was something heartening about watching people over a large age range seem so unabashedly happy about meeting six complete strangers.

At least, that's what Shinji found himself thinking; the cafe was emptier now, so now he simply observed the jovial excitement from inside, watching as the six visiting sentai stars went about glad-handing with the villagers.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of Toji pulling a chair at his table. "Sheesh, I'm beat," he grumbled, slumping over the wooden surface. "You wouldn't think a tiny place like this could get so busy..."

"...well, Nishiawakura isn't that big," remarked Shinji, watching as Rio pulled a combat pose alongside a middle-aged woman so that the lady's husband could take a picture. "So when it comes to restaurants, even a tiny place like this will be busy since there aren't that many."

"Guess that makes sense. Though it doesn't exactly jibe with the whole 'kid labor' spiel he went on yesterday with me and Kirishima...eh, not like I really cared that much anyhow. It was something to do."

"Is it really just that...?" He looked outside, where Sakura-sensei was apologizing-without-apologizing to a customer that had been irritated by the change in routine; meanwhile, one of the local girls (an old classmate, if he recalled correctly?) was grilling Akane on just how they had managed to book the main cast of Featherman Z. "Just 'finding' things to do?"

Toji's face scrunched up. "Well, we're on summer vacation, ain't we? It's all about experiences, right?"

"I guess," Shinji demurred, thinking about all of the 'experiences' they had had already since leaving Tokyo-3 last week. "I think...this will probably be the most eventful summer vacation of our entire lives..."

The boy snorted, leaning back against his chair with an introspective expression overshadowing his face. "...probably. And we ain't even at the halfway point yet." Glancing out the window towards Kensuke (who was apparently puffing himself up in front of the local youths, judging by his wild arm motions and exaggerated facial expressions), he commented, "it's weird."

"...what's weird?"

"Just thinking."

"...about what?"

Toji sighed loudly. "Well...I mean, all of those ladies are hot. Like, for being in their thirties? Really hot. And I've been thinking that Tomochika would have probably roped me into some silly scheme to try and see if he could get one of their numbers...and I probably would have gone along with it, too."

Shinji blinked.

"Hey, the guy was unapologetic about his taste in older women. Guess he was like Amada in that aspect."

"...I'm trying to follow along..."

Toji huffed, scratching at his head nervously. "I guess...I guess it sort of hit me yesterday at the hot springs...some of that stuff just doesn't have the same pull that it used to, you know? And that's weird to me."

"Why?"

"Because it's normal. It's simple. And it's safe. Nobody thinks twice about a teenager being a pervert, cause they think he'll eventually grow out of it, right? Just a normal part of growing up...but I didn't think it would be this quick." Toji looked up at the ceiling, lips curling into a frustrated frown. "Maybe I'm just being stupid."

"...well...you've already been through a lot more than most your age," offered Shinji. "What with your parents...and your sister...and now with being a Persona-user...it's a lot."

"So what, I'm supposed to be some kind of emo edgelord or somethin'?"

Shinji tilted his head out of confusion. "Eh?"

"...come on man, you know what I'm getting at."

"I honestly don't." Shaking his head, Shinji mustered on through. "I guess what I'm trying to say is...I don't think it's surprising, if you end up maturing faster than most."

"But what if I don't want to?"

Shinji stared down at his hands. (Hands which could kill. Hands which could so easily destroy. Hands gifted with a power he had never asked for.) "...I don't think we have a choice in growing up...only in how we handle it..."

"...I guess. It still feels weird, though." He glanced back out the windows, where Ann Takamaki was pulling off a gymnastic pose more befitting someone half her age. "I keep feeling like I should be making goo goo eyes at em', and I just don't feel it. I mean, they're sexy, aren't they?"

Shinji, not wanting to pursue that particular train of thought if his life depended on it, made a tactical diversion. "Well...maybe they're just not your type? Maybe there's someone you like already, so that's why you're not interested in the Feathermen in that way."

This elicited a derisive snort from Suzuhara. "Sure, whatever. I already get enough cracks from Ken about having a thing for the Class Rep; I don't need you piling on."

"...but I didn't mention Horaki-san." At all.

"You know what I mean!" blustered Toji, crossing his arms and looking away. "Just...whatever."

Shinji blinked, recalling Hikari Horaki's words from weeks ago, in the library of Hakone Academy...and then turned them on their head. Does...does Suzuhara actually like her?

(Was this actually a situation where two people had a thing for each other and just couldn't spit it out?)

(It's not like you'd have any experience with that sort of thing...)

It was a rare instance, when his Other and the Beast were in perfect alignment.

They both sighed, shaking their heads at his utter cluelessness.

Alas, he chose to let the conversation end there.

(Meanwhile, cleaning up in the kitchen, Ren Amamiya shook his head with nostalgia. It was rather strange, being on the outside looking in for these bond-building events...)

xxxx

Ken Amada sighed quietly as Yukari pressed her hands against his back, calmly and diligently kneading at a sore spot near his lower vertebrae. "Ugh..."

"Aw, poor little baby, all tired and worn out," sweetly crooned his naked wife; her voice echoed through the master bathroom, which had larger amenities than the other bathrooms in the old ryokan.

"You don't have to add more mockery on top of it," he groaned, face flushing with embarrassment...and for good reason, some might say. After nearly ninety minutes of vigorous lovemaking, the A.T. Agent had actually pulled a muscle in his back.

Needless to say, Junpei and Ryuji could never find out. (They'd never let him hear the end of it.)

"It's not mockery, dear."

"...I know," he said, enjoying the sensation of soaking in hot water. "I hope Sakura-san has an ice pack somewhere around here..."

Yukari went quiet for a moment, slipping into the bathtub behind him. Despite the ache in his muscles, there was a sort of primal satisfaction in feeling her embrace him from behind. "...you must be exhausted. You normally last longer than that."

"Has it occurred to you that I might be getting older?"

She lightly swatted his shoulder. "Don't throw that line of logic at me, of all people."

Ken couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that it was still a sore spot for her; even if her six proverbial protégés amongst the Featherman Z cast didn't give her any guff about it, there had been enough snide comments over the years — about how she was married to a man over fifteen years her junior, about how she couldn't get a more 'suitable' husband, and other such unsavory words — to make her somewhat self-conscious about the concept of aging. (Some of those comments had been directed at him, to be sure, but he hadn't really given such puerile opinions much thought.) Alas, that only brought to the mind the current topic of conversation. "...these past several days have been unexpectedly busy."

"Even in a tiny little village like this?"

"Not so much physically...but mentally."

"...how much can you tell me?" she asked with uncertainty.

"...you can't tell the other girls. Not even in veiled terms."

She sighed. "They're going to press for details...especially Ann-chan and Rise-chan, those little gossips."

"They'll just have to cope then."

"...all right then."

And so husband spoke plainly to his wife about the details of the past days, ever since they had departed Tokyo-3. Without getting too gruesome or gory, the incident with the ferry Ai had been spoken of in plain language; the lingering stress about whether or not the government would make another attempt on them in Nishiawakura had only been compounded by yesterday's unexpected encounter with Strega. All of that was on top of doing patrols and training the youngsters, as well. "There's just this...foreboding sensation, in the back of my mind. I haven't been able to get much in the way of sleep, even though this place is honestly pretty relaxing..."

(Little did he know of the origin of that unsettling feeling, as they neared the new moon.)

(Little did he realize of the sorrowful animus that Mayumi Yamagishi unknowingly emitted, slowly growing in strength...)

Yukari lightly traced a pale scar on his left forearm. "This one's new."

"From the ferry."

She impulsively hugged him tighter, pressing against his back. It was always a strange and unique sensation, feeling her flesh against his own (and not even just the carnal embrace; something as simple as her hand in his own still satisfied, after all these years). "...all for the sake of two children..."

"Two children with immense power...especially Ikari."

"What do you think happens now...?"

"We're entering a strange and new phase in the battle against the Angel Syndrome...or, I suppose I should just say Angels, now. Especially with them apparently recruiting other humans to do their work...there's no telling what will come in the future."

"...do you really think they're going to attack the Olympics?"

"It depends on what Strega's capable of, honestly. If nothing else, I'm grateful that your tour will keep you out of the line of fire, if one exists."

Yukari sighed as she rested her chin on his shoulder; the two sat in relative silence, relishing the warmth of each other and the heat of the water.

Finally, after a period of silence, Ken asked, "I've been thinking...about our old conversation."

"...it's okay. You don't have to bring it up-"

"I want to try."

Yukari froze, her breath actually going still. After several seconds of stunned silence, she finally giggled bitterly. "...you sure know how to keep a woman waiting, you know...?"

"We both focused on our personal careers, and I respected that."

"...but over the past few years, you've been pretty stubborn about saying 'no.' What changed your mind?"

"...Junpei and the Captain...we talked about this, a bit. I think...I know that this job is dangerous, but living life is dangerous. And...after hearing just how nihilistic Shirato was..." With a single motion of the arm, the two adjusted their positions in the tub, allowing Kensuke to wrap an arm around her waist. "I want to prove him wrong."

"...pfft." Yukari actually laughed at his motivation. "Typical guy..."

"What?"

"Nothing." She poked at his chest with her free hand. "You know...as old as I am, it may not work-"

"Then we can adopt."

"...you're lucky you pulled a muscle, because I'm very tempted right now..."

Ken arched an eyebrow. "In the bathtub? That's unsanitary."

Yukari rolled her eyes. "Gosh, you're such an old man sometimes."

"...maybe." He gave a comforting squeeze of her hip. "But I'm your old man."

His wife sighed, briefly glancing away with flushed cheeks, briefly looking the part of a young lady rather than a matronly woman. "...dork..."

"...so, mind helping this 'old man' hunt down an ice pack and a compress for my back? After all, it's quite literally your fault."

Yukari giggle-snorted, but obliged nonetheless.

xxxx

It was around three-o'clock in the afternoon when the Hakone Caravan and the main Featherman Z cast made their way back up towards Sojiro Sakura's residence. Naoki diverged to get the bus ready out of habit, while Rise and Ann went to raid their supply of merchandise.

All in all, the encounter with the cast of Featherman Z had...not been what Mana had expected. At all.

She wasn't even sure what she had expected, to be fair...but this had seemed so...casual. Normal, if she could even use such a word. (What was 'normal' to someone like her?)

"You seem rather quiet."

Mana glanced towards the woman walking beside her: Rio Hayase, the Emerald Eagle herself. "So?"

"...it's just a little different, I suppose," she remarked, brushing at her green vest. "I saw the shirt of ours, and assumed you were a fan. But your reaction's today have been...unique. That's all."

"...I see." Just another reason why she was different. (You're not like anyone else.)

"Would you like to talk about it?" the woman gently asked.

"About what?"

"Well, anything, really. What were you expecting from us?" Rio honestly asked.

"...I honestly have no idea." Mana irritably scratched at her head, wondering how to phrase the strange emotions roiling inside of her. "...I don't know how much you know, but I'm an orphan. And I used to be...in a pretty bad place." That was diplomatic enough, right?

Rio nodded in silent understanding.

"And when I got with my new guardian...it was strange. And then I turned on the television, and Featherman Z was the first show that caught my eye. And I liked what I saw." Now that she was on a roll, verbal momentum kept her going. "It was unlike anything I'd ever seen."

"I'm honored that you found our show so enjoyable," said Rio with a grateful bow.

Mana briefly wondered how the woman would react if she knew that a figure of Emerald Eagle was the first toy she could recall ever owning. "And I wondered...what the people behind the show were like. Who were the ones wearing those capes? Who were the ones behind the masks? You all...seemed so...large." That didn't seem like the right word. "Big?" Damn it, what's a better word?!

"...overwhelming, perhaps?"

"That works." Overwhelming, in a sense that the Bishoujo Senshi Feathermen seemed larger than life. "And when I found out you guys were going to be travelling through here...I got excited. I wanted to see you...but..."

"We weren't quite what you were expecting?" insightfully said Rio. "It's okay to say 'no.'"

"...no."

The woman in green smiled. "That's perfectly understandable. Some of us are a bit quirky when we're not on set or in costume...even now, years after we've all grown past being teenagers."

"...it's not that."

"Oh?"

"You're all so...normal."

Rio blinked, apparently surprised by that statement.

"You're all just regular people." Her interactions with Katsuragi, Ikari, and her other peers since taking up residence in Tokyo-3: all they had done was cement the fact that those with power were still human at the end of the day. The cast of Featherman Z was no exception, it seemed. "And I don't know if I should be disappointed or not."

"...did you believe our exploits were true? Or perhaps real?"

Mana shook her head. "...I don't know how to describe it."

Rio stared quietly at her, crossing her arms as she stared analytically at the younger girl. "...I couldn't help but notice your physique, the way you moved, and how every so often you would look around with caution: you're someone who's used to combat, aren't you?" Mana nodded, seeing no reason to lie. "I wonder...if you perhaps believe the issue is not with who we are...but rather who you are."

"...what do you mean by that," she warily asked.

"Normally, some of our fans who put too much stock into our show, or even into a particular character...normally it's because they're trying to make up for something that they feel is lacking in their own life. The mental image of us, of who we are and what we do...is more comforting to them, than the plain reality of the people doing the stunts and voicing the dialogue...because reality can be disappointing."

That was a fair way of phrasing it, Mana couldn't help but muse. Because if even people as cool as the Feathermen were simply normal people...then what hope did that leave for her?

(She would be forever marred by what Tokita had done to her.)

(You are nothing but a weapon. Accept it.)

"...but reality is something everyone must deal with, because it's always with us," finished Rio. "I wonder...what is it that you want out of life, Kirishima-chan?"

She bristled. "Please...don't use that name." (For some reason, hearing it from Emerald Eagle rubbed her the wrong way.)

Rio frowned, as if gaining additional understanding. "...very well. Mana-chan, was it?" Mana nodded in response. "So, to repeat my question: what is it that you want out of life, Mana-chan? Do you even know?"

"...I do," she murmured. To become stronger. To find my brothers. And then...then what?

"...I think it's very important, to find a purpose in life. To have an ambition that will drive you forward, even if you feel like giving up. And sometimes, the heroes we see, and the adventures we imagine...can help us along the way. Hold right there." Rio quickly walked towards the limo bus, grabbing something. As she walked back out, Mana could see that it looked like a headband of some kind. "Eventually...everyone must grow up. Everyone must acknowledge that life is not as ideal or as perfect as we would like it to be...but sometimes, the trials can seem so daunting, that giving up becomes the most attractive option."

When Rio held her hands out, Mana could see the headband in its fullness, and realized that it was anything but. "That's..." It was a circlet (technically a ferronnière, not that she knew the actual term) that looked like it was made of silver, with a tiny triangular emerald embedded in the center of the band, over where the forehead would be. "...that's your Transformation Tiara..."

"Technically not a tiara, but marketing demanded alliteration," joked the older woman. "This is one that I wore myself on set...and so it's a lot nicer than the versions that were sold as part of costumes for retail."

Mana's eyes were wide. (Little did she know that it was but one of several that had been made for Rio — since costume props could and would break during the course of filming — but why have the illusion broken?)

"...I'm not entirely sure what struggles you've endured, or what the things are that you may not like about yourself...it's not my place to comment. But what I do know is that sometimes, those we idolize, whether they be real or imaginary, can give us the strength we need to go on..." With those words, Rio slipped the circlet over Mana's head, fussing with her bangs so that most of the band was hidden by her hair, save for the piece resting on her forehead. "...at least until we've grown strong enough to become our own person, and cast aside the idols that gave us comfort."

Mana blinked, almost dumbfounded by the gift. "...I..."

Rio lightly slapped both shoulders, smiling confidently. "You seem like a strong young girl, Mana-chan...but physical strength isn't everything. A heart lacking courage, a mind without conviction, or a will bereft of iron...all the power in the world won't matter if you don't have those." With those words said, Rio stood back up, turning around so that her back was to Mana. As the wind suddenly blew (picking up her long black hair in a rather dramatic fashion), the woman spoke in an authoritative manner. "I may not be the smartest or the most graceful...but know that so long as you're at my back, I'll be able to endure any battle with ease!"

Mana caught the reference almost immediately. "Episode 24 of Season 2...when the brainwashed Phoenix Rangers were overwhelming you and the others...that's what you told your teammates to rally them."

Rio looked over her shoulder, flashing a confident smile. "Mana-chan...maybe one day, you'll be the one whose back people will look to for safety and shelter...but it's okay to not be that person yet. Growing into the woman you want to be...that'll take time. And you're still a young girl with a lot of growing up to do." Rio Hayase — nay, Emerald Eagle — reached down, patting Mana's head affectionately. "It's okay to not have all the answers yet...I just hope that there are those around you who can help you find those answers...even if they come from a simple show like Featherman Z." With those words said, Rio walked away.

Mana reached up for the circlet, probing at the gemstone in the center with a strange sense of...not quite adoration, but not quite bewilderment, either.

She had...a lot to think about.

(Deep down, part of her wondered if what Emerald Eagle just did was what Katsuragi was referring to by the word 'headpat.')

(It had felt...nice.)

xxxx

At last, it was time for Yukari Amada and the Feathermen to depart. The six women were waiting by their limo bus, while the Hakone Caravan, the Hasegawas, and Sojiro Sakura stood in various positions along the hillside leading up to the old ryokan.

"I must say, this brief detour was...invigorating," admitted Yukari; the immediate snorts from several individuals who will go unnamed did not escape her.

Sakura-sensei scratched at the back of his head with a weary expression. "Well, at least you cleaned up after yourselves," he said in a completely general way.

The subtext did not escape the adults, particularly Junpei, Ryuji, Ann, and Rise, who snorted even louder.

Ken wisely remained silent.

"ANYhow," said Yukari with a twitching grin, "I think their agents couldn't keep the 'horde' at bay any longer, because now my phone's getting blown up by our escorts," she said, holding up her phone which was now buzzing incessantly.

"But I think it's important for a little spontaneity every now and then," remarked Rio, looking intently towards Mana. "Sometimes it leads to unexpectedly pleasant fruits."

"Indeed," agreed Naoto, looking intently towards Shinji. (For some reason, it felt appropriate to quietly nod back.)

"It was definitely a treat!" exclaimed Ann.

"In more ways than one," crooned Rise, winking in Zenkichi's direction.

The senior Hasegawa blinked. "Wait, what-"

"Check your back pocket."

Zenkichi did so, finding a slip of paper that had been snuck inside. "...wait, is this your number?"

Rise giggled. "Call me~ "

Saki sighed, immediately grabbing the woman in a headlock. "Okay you thirsty little witch, cool your jets, okay?" Opal Owl ignored Sapphire Swan's frantic flailing as she dragged her into the limo bus.

"And with that, I believe it's time we leave." Hifumi bowed deeply at the waist. "Thank you for your wonderful hospitality."

"Likewise," said Naoto with a nod.

"May your future endeavors be successful," said Rio with a polite wave.

The Hakone Caravan gave polite farewells as the women boarded the bus, which closed its doors behind them. Before the transmission switched gears, six windows lowered, and the Featherman all leaned out; without hesitation, they gave a two-fingered salute — index and middle finger joined together, the tips going up against their brow — with their right arm, sporting confident smiles. As they did so, the credits theme for Featherman Z — an energetic number with electric guitar and saxophone — played over the bus's speakers.

"Until next time, boys and girls!" they all chorused. "Bishoujo Senshi Feathermen, conquering tomorrow for the sake of love and peace!" With those words, the limo bus finally rumbled off of the grass and onto the driveway leading back to the main road; before long, the music faded away.

"...I have to say, that's some pretty corny stuff right there," stated Sojiro.

"You said it," agreed Junpei.

"I thought it was nice," said Mayumi, trying to defend them for reasons that had nothing to do with the signed copy of a Featherman Z manga volume that had been given to her.

"Sure it was, and those ladies were all pretty cool. Doesn't stop it from being corny," retorted Ryuji.

"You said it, sensei!" agreed Toji, even though he now sported a rather sporty Featherman cap on his head.

"But, at least Kenny had a good time...or so you'd think." Junpei slyly glanced towards Ken. "So...wearing an ice pack, eh? Don't think I don't see that bulge underneath the back of your shirt!"

"I refuse to comment." With those words, Ken turned around and began walking (somewhat gingerly) back up the hill.

"Oh come on, at least tell me what happened to make you pull it, you old geezer!" joked Junpei as he followed his partner back towards the ryokan, pestering him with more and more inappropriate questions.

"...well, I think I'm going to order take-out for dinner. Not in the mood for cooking anything after all the hubbub," remarked Sojiro as he meandered on back to his home. Before long, after Zenkichi and Akane said their goodbyes, only Mana, Shinji, and Ryuji remained on the hill, with the latter simply sitting down to rest.

This left Shinji to look towards Mana, who was still staring in the direction that the limo bus had departed in. "...Kirishima-san?"

Mana blinked, looking towards him with a blank expression. "What?"

His eyes were drawn towards the circlet on her head, which bore a small but pretty emerald gemstone. "...that's a nice headband."

Mana gingerly touched it, a confused yet thoughtful expression on her face. "...have you ever thought about what you want, Ikari?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Out of life."

"...all the time," he honestly admitted, empathizing with the young girl.

"Well, what is it?"

"...I'm not sure."

Mana impulsively snorted. "You too, huh? Figures...we're both kids, even if the world doesn't treat us like it." With a troubled sigh, she impulsively summoned her weapons from Sakura-sensei's house; resting LABRYS and AIGIS on the ground, she stared heavily at the glittering gemstones — silver topaz for LABRYS, ruby red for AIGIS — embedded into them, housing untold quantities of spiritual energy, as well as the residual metaphysical essence of her sisters. "...been focusing so much on trying to reclaim what I've lost that I haven't put any thought into where I'm going..."

"...and where would that be, Kirishima-san?"

"I...honestly haven't a clue. But maybe I should start thinking about it more."

"...if...if I figure out an answer, I'll tell you mine," he said, clenching his right hand. "And hopefully...that'll give you an idea."

Mana lightly smirked, an odd expression in her eyes. "And I'll return the favor. I just hope we'll both live long enough to see it."

"That's...pretty grim, Kirishima-san."

"...yeah. It is," she murmured, looking up towards her own forehead, where Emerald Eagle's Transformation Tiara rested. "...but I still gotta try, don't I...?"

"...I think that's all anyone can ask for," he admitted.

"And if I don't succeed? What if I'm looking for this 'answer' for the rest of my life? How would I even know what it looks like?"

Shinji frowned, because it was honestly a good question. "...I think...it's something you can only understand when you finally find it. At least, that's my hope." (Because leaving it as a nebulous hope...was all he was willing to allow himself.)

(You have no guarantee that you'll become the person you want to be.)

His Other glared at the Beast.

"We are always striving to become better, even if it hurts."

The Beast sneered at his Other.

"And yet too much pain eventually overwhelms...and I will enjoy the destruction he will unleash when that happens."

The Other nodded grimly.

"So then the question becomes...how much pain are you willing to endure?"

"Hope, huh?" Mana chuckled. "...that's something I'll also have to work on."

Shinji nodded, feeling like he had come to understand Kirishima a bit better...and why was he hearing the sound of an approaching car engine?

Suddenly, like a tardy student being chased by the Class Representative, a familiar blue Alpine Renault screamed up the driveway, coming to a perfect stop in the grass besides where the HiAce and DeLorean were parked. "...huh?"

Sakamoto, concerned by the noise, sat up with concern...and then with impending dread. "Aw crap, are you for real...?"

Without warning, a feminine leg kicked the driver door opened, and out stormed Misato Katsuragi, who could charitably be called irate. "Hey." She glared at Ryuji. "Woke up this morning to a phone call from Sae Niijima about everything that went down. So thanks for that."

"...did...did you just drive nearly six hundred kilometers in one day?!" sputtered Sakamoto.

"And I only had to stop and refuel once." She quickly walked towards Shinji and Mana, giving them a once-over. "...well, you both look like you're in one piece." She patted Shinji on the shoulder, before actually hugging Mana briefly but tightly. "Seriously, trouble just seems to follow you no matter what, neh?"

"...um..." Shinji didn't quite know what to say. Mana was apparently too emotionally drained after the day's proceedings to do much other than stare dumbly in response to Misato's embrace.

As for Misato, she stomped over towards Sakamoto and — with one hand held over her beret to keep it from falling off — hauled him up by the front of his shirt. "You owe me a full sitrep."

"...I take it your phone call from this morning didn't suffice?"

"No."

"...can we at least do it inside the house?" he said, gesturing with a thumb towards the ryokan atop the hill.

"Give me one good reason."

"Other than Junpei and Ken being able to provide corroborating testimony? This way I'll have more eyewitnesses if you suddenly decide to try and kill me."

Misato narrowed her eyes. "Against my better judgment, I'll accept that."

At that precise moment, Shinji felt a sudden desire to be very very very far away from Misato.

xxxx

As Zenkichi and Akane walked back towards the residence, the former was looking suspiciously at the slip with (ostensibly) Rise Kujikawa's number.

"You're staring awfully hard at that, dad."

Akane's pointed comment elicited a brief yelp. "Er, well...it just seems weird to have the number of a tokusatsu action star turned supermodel."

"More like it's weird that she gave it to you?"

"...as much as it pains me to admit it, yes."

Akane sighed, crossing her arms. "Well, it's not like you haven't had women looking at you..."

Zenkichi blanched. "Er, what do you mean by that?"

"I've accompanied you on enough trips into the Metaverse to see how some of the women's Shadows stare at you when they think you're not looking."

"...oh," he said with a blink. "That's...flattering, I suppose?"

"That, and I've heard enough stories from my friends at school who tell me about how much of a 'hunk'," complete with finger quotes, "you are."

Zenkichi nearly tripped and fell over. "That's...less flattering," he said with a pained grimace.

"...it's not like it would be a bad thing, necessarily."

"...Akane?" He wasn't sure he had heard her right. Clearly his ears were playing tricks on him. "But...Aoi-"

"You changed jobs to get back at the things that took mom from us...and I'm glad you did..." Akane fiddled with her hands. "...I know you wouldn't forget her...but you're pretty cool, you know? So...it's okay if you want to try dating, and stuff..."

"Akane..." Zenkichi sighed, ruffling her hair. "You've becoming quite considerate."

"...plus, it would be pretty cool to have Sapphire Swan as a stepmom."

"Hah...let's not get ahead of ourselves." Zenkichi said with a chuckle. "My my, all this talk of relationships...should I be worried about you? I've noticed you staring awfully hard at Ikari."

Akane huffed at his teasing. "It's not like that!" she emphasized with a brief stomp. "It's just...he's changed so much since he left in June. It doesn't make sense! I mean...what happened?"

"...that's fair enough," murmured Zenkichi, gazing at the twilight sky. All the changes in Ikari...and now Strega's made a threat against the Olympics...and the new moon's just around the corner. What was going to come next...?

xxxx

Ren Amamiya, sitting outside on the engawa, couldn't help but yawn; that day had been exhausting. In all honesty, dealing with Ann and Hifumi in close quarters had been an exercise in frustration and endurance, all hidden by a mask of detached charm.

(How difficult had it been to see Ann revel in her love for sweet things, as though it were a universal constant?)

(You were so close to challenging Hifumi to a game of shogi.)

As his phone buzzed, he glanced down to find messages from...well, people that he could honestly give a piece of his mind to.

Door-senpai: so how's it going
Mr. Bowl Cut: Spare no details.

Ren narrowed his eyes at the messages from Minato (because seriously, his ultimate fate had been to become a door, how could he not poke fun at that?) and Yu (because seriously, no one with that kind of hairstyle had any business being so suave, as much as it pained him to admit on a professional level), quickly sending a picture that he had taken during the day: it had subtly caught everyone while they had been having coffee and tea in Sojiro's main living room. The angle chosen caught Ann, Rise, Yukari, Ken, Rio, Naoto, Saki, Hifumi, Zenkichi, Junpei, and Ryuji.

Door-senpai: oof
Ace up the sleeve: yeah, "oof" is right

(Because why not play up the card angle for his personal username in this little chat room?)

Mr. Bowl Cut: I count three for senpai, two for me, and...four for you?
Ace up the sleeve: only two?
Mr. Bowl Cut: I don't know who the black-haired girl in green with the ponytail is, but Saki was usually my partner's acquaintance. At any rate, she was never one of my Arcana. So that leaves only Rise and Naoto.

Because of COURSE you'd be that lucky, inwardly griped Ren.

Mr. Bowl Cut: Hmm...the pattern holds.
Ace up the sleeve: what pattern?
Mr. Bowl Cut: Naoto still possesses the biggest bust.
Door-senpai: ...seriously?

Ren couldn't help but double check. Sure enough...

Ace up the sleeve: okay, 1, you're right, but 2, WHY?
Mr. Bowl Cut: You'd be surprised at what are constants and what are variables
Ace up the sleeve: but why THAT one? ಠ_ಠ
Mr. Bowl Cut: Why not?
Door-senpai: you're probably better off not asking
Mr. Bowl Cut: Seriously, after living long enough, you stop being picky about the trends you try and keep track of.
Ace up the sleeve: ...you two are seriously weird
Door-senpai: Apathy helps if you can hack it.
Mr. Bowl Cut: But don't exceed your doctor's recommended dosage.

Ren huffed, leaning back onto the wooden porch. Seriously...this trip has been crazy. Part of him contemplated what quirks he may have become had he lived through as many timelines as his Wild Card senpai had.

(The rest of him simply admitted that even with the risks, he would've volunteered to be a chaperone regardless.)

(You love the fact that it's a challenge.)

...I wonder what's going to come next...? he wondered.

xxxx

As the limo bus slowly neared the Feathermen's booked hotel in Tottori — delayed by a fender bender accident a kilometer up ahead — the women gossiped about everything that had happened during their brief stop in Nishiawakura.

"-it was admittedly odd to see someone so interested in the Konishi Siblings' side business," admitted Saki to Rio.

"They did have a DeLorean parked out front," pointed out Rio.

"...true. Maybe they were gearheads," admitted Saki.

Ann and Rise, meanwhile, tried to corner Yukari for 'juicy' details. "Come on Yukari-chan, you can tell us!"

"No comment," flatly said Yukari.

"I saw the bulge of the ice pack around Ken-kun's lower back," noted Rise with a wicked smirk. "What move did you two do to pull that off?"

"I refuse to besmirch my husband's honor," retorted Yukari, giving the stink eye to Rise. "Besides, what was up with you giving the bedroom eyes to Hasegawa? I mean, you snuck your number into his pants! He might be married!"

Rise grinned. "Not according to some of the local villagers I overheard~"

Ann nodded. "Can confirm. Zenkichi Hasegawa was apparently widowed because of Angel Syndrome some years ago."

"And he radiates so much 'single dad with a sense of responsibility' energy~ " cooed Rise.

"...your tastes are so weird," grumbled Yukari.

As for Naoto and Hifumi...the former was looking oddly at the latter. "...is something the matter, Naoto-chan?"

"...you've just seemed a little out of sorts, Hifumi-chan," remarked Naoto.

"...I'm unsure..." Hifumi sighed, folding her hands in her lap. Her mannerisms at the moment seemed far more casual than they had been previously. "I...had the strangest feeling of foreboding earlier...a feeling of impending doom."

"Is that why you were in 'Theater Mode' all day?"

Hifumi nodded. "It...helps, to pretend like I'm in the middle of a role, acting out a scene. It keeps my own discomfort from coming through."

Naoto frowned, cupping a hand around her chin. "How odd...I wonder what could have caused that...?"

"I don't know. All I can say is that I hope some time with my husband will help relieve my mind of such stressful premonitions...as I'm sure you are looking forward to with yours, Naoto-chan."

Naoto flushed, looking out the window. "...yes," she sheepishly admitted.

(Little did either of them know that the key difference was that Hifumi had spoken to Mayumi Yamagishi the most out of all the gathered ladies.)

(Already, the misanthropic aura of the coiling beast within Mayumi was preparing for the day of reckoning...)

xxxx

Within the main living room of Sojiro Sakura's house, Misato Katsuragi — having already introduced herself and made her pleas to have a room to stay in for the duration, which were readily granted without much fuss — frowned as Ryuji, Junpei, and Ken finished relaying all of the details about what had happened since they had left Tokyo-3, including the ferry incident once more for good measure. "...geez. What a summer vacation you've had so far."

Shinji couldn't help but flinch. Toji leaned back in his cheer, a rather pensive frown on his face. Kensuke was too busy fiddling with the mock Pearl Phoenix crossbow he had received as a gift. ("I wonder..." he kept whispering to himself.) Mayumi's face was buried in a book, while Mana kept touching the emerald gemstone resting within her new circlet.

(Sakura-sensei had already retired for the evening. Amamiya-senpai was out on the porch, doing...whatever.)

"...so. Something's going to go down in Okayama. How are we getting involved?" asked Misato, staring intently at Ken, Junpei, and Ryuji.

Ken grimaced. "Well..."

"We were already told to stay out of Okayama," admitted Junpei.

"...what?" growled Misato.

"Commissioner Morooka intends to increase security," assuaged Sakamoto. "But he wants us to stay away from Okayama unless we actually get called on for support."

"Why?!" Misato pointed an angry finger at Shinji. "The kid's a powerhouse. Why keep him on the sidelines when he can help?!"

"Political crap," griped Junpei.

"Specifically," explained Ken, "there are already numerous foreigners helping to provide their own personal security for the athletes of their respective nations. This also isn't even getting into all of the Agents that are already there. Basically...we'd just be adding more firepower unnecessarily. And...they'd rather not involve Evangelion unless they absolutely have to."

"...that's stupid. They're being stupid!" protested Misato.

Shinji, inwardly, couldn't help but agree. What if there's something I can do to help...and I can't be there to face it...?

Suddenly, his phone (and Kensuke's, and Toji's) buzzed. Glancing down, it was actually a text in a familiar chat room.

-The Room 23 Group-

K. Nagisa: Greetings, my fellow roommates!
K. Nagisa: I hope your summer has been treating you well.
K. Nagisa: Tomorrow, I'll be participating in the finals of the Okayama Summer Smash.
K. Nagisa: I would be delighted if you could attend. =D

"...huh, so that summer tournament was taking place in Okayama, huh...?" wondered Kensuke aloud.

"What's this about a tournament?" asked Misato.

Shinji blinked. holding up his phone. "Um...Nagisa-kun is at a boxing tournament in Okayama...and he invited us to watch his final match."

Misato blinked, as did Ryuji. Looking at each other, an impulsive grin came to their faces. Misato asked, "are you thinking-"

"-what I'm thinking?" finished Sakamoto.

"What are we thinking about?" asked Toji.

"Shinji-kun...I think that may be our ticket in," declared Misato.

"Eh?" said Shinji with a blink.

"We'll have to iron out the details...tomorrow. Because right now, it's time for sleep." Without another word, Misato rose and strolled away. "See y'all in the morning; it's going to be busy!"

Shortly thereafter, everyone retired to their rooms. After how busy the day had been, sleep came rather quickly for all involved.

xxxx

END OF 8/7/2015

xxxx

Author's Note: ...well, that was a pretty big chapter. But at least the summer boxing tournament first mentioned all the way back in the June 28, 2015 chapter will finally pay some dividends!

Toji (Chariot) and Mana (Strength) are now both at Rank 4. But this little divergence involved plenty of scenes with P3/P4/P5 characters of note...but mostly Yukari, Naoto, and Rio.

/P3P FeMC-specific Social Links deserve more love
/next time
/we've got some crazy stuff going on
/and we're not even a third of the way through August!