IX. Secret Lives of Students
After last night and the past week, you felt like sleeping in this Sunday as long as you could. But then just lying in bed doing nothing got kinda boring, so you slowly got up and headed out of your bedroom.
Not wanting to take too long preparing anything, you made up some raw egg on rice and began thinking about to spend possibly the last free day you had left.
[x] Visit your parents in person.
- [x] By yourself.
- [ ] With Megumi.
- [ ] With Keiko and Yuya.
- [ ] With Colette.
- [ ] Write-in.
[ ] Hang out with Keiko.
[ ] Hang out with Yuya.
[x] Hang out with Reina.
[ ] Hang out with Megumi.
[ ] Hotaru's gaming group should be meeting up.
- [ ] Go by yourself.
- [ ] Bring Keiko.
- [ ] Bring Colette.
- [ ] Bring Azuma.
- [ ] Bring Himawari.
- [ ] Bring Megumi.
- [ ] Write-in.
[ ] Go instrument-shopping with Colette and Ryouko.
[ ] Get some more training in on the Gameboard.
- [ ] Team up with Nightshade again.
- [ ] See if Azuma can be swayed.
- [ ] Tell Melissa that your and Azuma's relationship will be on the line if she doesn't come.
- [ ] Ask Kikuko to come, if only for her firepower.
- [ ] Get Gakuto to act as a meatshield.
- [ ] Go it alone.
[ ] Write-in.
Dragging yourself over to the door, you opened it... and stared blankly at who you saw, your legs feeling ready to bolt.
"Oh, Honoka, hello," came the voice of Gakuto, him straightening his tie and saying, "Just a little home inspection by us, to ensure this, ahem, place of dwelling is at least befitting a jack".
"Grr, out of the way!" Melissa shouted out, pushing right past Gakuto, leaving him to the fall to the ground. "Listen, Jack, if you're gonna be seen with us, we can't have you embarrassing us if your place turns out to be Satan's own pigsty! Got that into your pretty little head of yours?"
"Yo Honoka, what a wake-up call," Megumi mumbled, rubbing their eyes and saying, "Hey, could ya warn me before you're going to have guests over?"
"I didn't invite any of these people" you whispered in a hushed voice back to Megumi.
"Um, and who would this balls-less, college-looking weirdo be?" Melissa leaned over and asked you.
"Her roommate," Megumi interjected, "And way hotter and more stylish than any California gurl, I might add. Don't you have a manicure you need to be getting back to?".
"California? Why you- I'm from Galveston!" Melissa snapped, "That's in Texas by the way, for your information".
"Er, I'm sorry, Honoka," Himawari then slipped in, her expression wobbling, "The rest of the All-Aces kept insisting on making a housecall, as part of your, ahem, 'integration into higher society'".
"And good thing too!" Melissa said after going to check out your room, "This place is little better than a Hooverville".
"Hmhm, I don't know," Gakuto, now bac on his feet, chimed in, "I've been to several gaming and tech conventions, so I've definitely seen places far more wretched than this".
"Well yeah, guess it's technically clean and stuff," Melissa replied but crossed her arms, "But it's so fuckin' bland, we're talking like zero flair and style!"
"Wait, you said the All-Aces?" you cut through and asked Himawari, "So, does that mean-?"
"Nakamura Honoka," Azuma's voice glided through as he stepped in, "I must apologise for being so, well, short notice, but you would of course know, being one of us isn't merely about who you are at school. It's a mindset you must apply to every facet of your life, a role that must be rehearsed, you could say".
So that explains why you people won't leave me alone, even at home! you fumed internally.
"I, er, I don't see why what my place looks like would really matter, since I've got that Duel tomorrow and everything" you at least said.
"Nice to hear that hasn't left your mind," Eitaro just had to arrive.
"Well, think of it this way," Gakuto said to you, "You know how they say 'leave a good-looking corpse'? If our Eitaro, ahem, 'misjudges his strength' tomorrow, then the same principle applies to your demesne. Especially since the press will likely be all over this place like vultures next week".
"At least there's nothing frivolous or anything here," Eitaro muttered, leaning on a wall, "Still, you show a lack of any strength of character. Well, if our Duel won't be interesting, it'll be short anyway".
"Ahem, mind telling me what the Hell this 'Duel' crap is?" Megumi spoke out.
"Butt out, you freak", Melissa glared at them, pushing them back down to the couch, "Didn't your mommy ever tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?".
"Oh, so that's your limit for rudeness?!" Megumi shot back up.
Melissa was barely containing her fury by this point, so he hissed, "Oh Eitaroooo, there's someone here who needs a little lesson in manners!".
"Heh, I'm on it" Eitaro rolled up his sleeves and approached Megumi... only for them to pre-emptively counter by swiftly kicking Eitaro in the shin and then elbowing him in the stomach.
"People, please!" Azuma called out, "This was simply meant to be a home inspection, we truly don't need talk of Duelling at this moment, let alone casual violence".
"Shame, this was actually starting to get interesting," Gakuto sighed, before he looked at you and said, "Quite a roommate you've got in her, Honoka, never knew you had a thing for fut-".
Oh God No! you facepalmed at Gakuto's choice of words, if you had a pillow you'd scream at peak volume. At least Megumi didn't hear.
"Indeed Azuma, I've finished my own analysis of this abode," came Kikuko's chilling voice, before she spat out "This place has been tainted with Western infestation. I would you advise you, Honoka, to remember and pay due respect your heritage as Japanese. Yomogi!"
At her voice, the purplish black-haired maid, Yomogi Tsubasa, you'd met at the Tea Ceremony Club came stumbling in, "Y-yes, Miss Kikuko, ahem, beg yer pardon, Madamoiselle Maeda?" she sweated and shook.
"Rid this dwelling of anything too Occidental" Kikuko ordered.
"Yes ma'am, right away ma'am!" Tsubasa said as she took out a broom, "Sorry to be a blaggard, Miss Honoka, but I'll try and save as much of yer stuff as I can when the mistress isn't looking" she then whispered to you.
"Anything Occidental? Huh, any chance you could throw her in the trash while you're at it?" Megumi muttered, eyeing Melissa.
"Alternatively," Azuma instead said and ushered someone else in, a butler with slick-backed grey hair, despite young age, even in a waistcoat and carrying a dish.
"Hey, you do know regulations say there's only meant to be seven people in here at once-" you tried to say but were ignored.
"May I introduce myself? I am the Jack of Spades, Ohtsuka Shinsuke, personal assistant and dresser to Master Azuma" the butler bowed to you "On top of costuming, I have also been regarded for my culinary skills".
"Feh, we can't loan out two Jacks to another," Kikuko protested, "Nakamura, either you choose Shinsuke or Tsubasa to renovate your home and lifestyle. Actually, loaning out either may be too generous due to your Duel tomorrow, so we'll give you time to think".
Sheesh, do I want Azuma's closest follower having his eye on me all day, or a girl shackled to a sword-happy onna-bugeisha LARPer? you thought.
"More importantly, your games collection," Gakuto spoke up, his hands already rifling through them, "I knew I was in for an underwhelming experience the minute I saw Animal Crossing. Let's see, your only fighting games are Smash Bros, the latest Street Fighter, and a licensed Phoenix Rider title. Most of your collection does not predate the PS2 era, latest releases are mostly limited to the new Mario and Zelda, Tokimeki Memorial Girls' Side and its sequels are your only visual novel acquisitions, and the sole FromSoft game you own is Bloodborne of all things".
Opposed to what, the deep complexities and intricate characterisations of friggin' Gacha games or whatever? you thought.
"As for your computer library-" he then quickly hacked into your streaming service account, "My my, looks like you haven't touched any of these in quite some time".
"Hey, what the hell, are you in my account?" Megumi spoke up again.
Could be worse, you considered, at least he isn't trying to dig up and critique any porn or anything.
"I believe now would be the best time for us to leave," Azuma had to intervene, hoisting Gakuto off, "Farewell for now, dear Honoka, and well, we shall see how Monday plays out".
"Oh yes, we should be going" Himawari smiled, but then whispered to you "I'm... sorry about all this".
- The Fool has Journeyed to Rank 3! -
The All-Aces and their servants all gradually shuffled out, with Eitaro the last to leave. "Honoka," he muttered, crushing a drink can in his fist "If you try to bail on me, well..." He then left, with that sentence still hanging there.
* * *
After that, you thought to just chill out and have some fun. As you ran into Reina along the shopping arcade, her eyes immediately sparkled.
"Honoka, hiii!" she squealed out, saying "Oh my, you're looking so cute in casual get-up. Hey I know, how about," she held that last syllable, putting a finger to her lip, "We head straight to a purikura booth! I think I was planning to take you there last time, but ya know, life caught up and stuff".
"Sure," you shrugged, "You only live once, am I right?"
Getting dragged, Reina stood out the most in the booth, flashing multiple hand signs, sticking out her tongue and pulling down an eyelid, and pressing up to you and winking, while you mostly just stood there and let her move you into various poses.
When your went out and got you photos though, you flinched at what you saw. "Reina, ahem, you didn't check to see what sort of photobooth this was before entering, did you?" you asked.
"Oh er, I thought this was one I already knew, why?" she said, taking a lot at your pictures... only to see they were all covered in pictures of skulls, cobwebs, and dripping slime. "Ooh, guess we stepped into a creepy-themed booth, huh? Well hey, it's an experience, right?"
"Oh yeah, that it is," you muttered, before musing, "Y'know, Colette may actually like this place". You automatically closed your mouth, knowing you just may've slipped your link with her through Reina back to Melissa.
"Colette? You mean that weird girl who runs the Occult Club?" Reina flinched, but admitted, "Well, I say that, but maybe I'm being kinda judgy? I've never really spoken to her though, but Melissa seems to really hate her, don't know why".
"Well, Colette isn't so bad, she can actually be pretty nice once you get to know her. She even stood up for me one time" you told her.
"Wow, okay then, but then why would Melissa-" Reina began, but then said, "Nah, it's gotta be something private between them. Don't wanna disturb, and that sorta thing. Still, strange that Colette has a Western name, but she's Japanese".
"Oh that? It's just her pen name," you explained, before smirking, "besides, you're hardly dressed in a kimono and black hair yourself".
Reina seemed to take your joke pretty well. "Yeah, guess I was totally hypocritical there. Hey, our next stop should be a karaoke sesh, whaddya say?!"
"Lead the way," you murmured, before getting pulled along again.
<<BGM: ChungHa - Stay Tonight (Instrumental)https://youtu.be/s5PjAfci-74
You were soon reminded why Himawari/Nightshade was the singer among you, as you just monotoned your way through the whole song Reina chose while she kept going for the highest pitch on every note. Still, at the very least you gave it a shot.
Leaving the karaoke parlour, you sat down to a lunch of fried eel, as Reina brought her phone up to you and said, "But the way, you've heard of the Secret Lives of Students blog, right?"
"Er, I overheard people talking about it on the way to school, that's about it," you mumbled between mouthfuls.
"I, well, I know it's not a site I should really be looking at, gossip column and all. I mean it doesn't even have much of a social media presence, like 'cause it'd get flagged if it did, but..." she winced, coming out with "But I just can't stop reading it! Oh look, they've got a folder on our school!"
Well, at least this sort of site may help give me a leg up on Eitaro, you thought. The stuff you found on him was accurate enough, detailing his abuse and threatening of underclassmen and detailing every time he'd lost a match, but nothing you felt crucial. It also detailed Melissa's habit of shoving people into lockers and, er, family's connections to the Russian mafia?
"Ah, um, Melissa did tell me her grandparents founded an Oil Conglomerate, so they go to Sakhalin a lot. That's why she's at school here in Hokkaido," Reina said.
The site also listed, Oh Jesus, Melissa's measurements and cup size, along with Himawari's, though it did detail Eitaro and Azuma's, ah, genital lengths, if only to appear egalitarian. On Azuma, it detailed every seduction technique he had, some more than a little gaslight-y on his parts, while for Kikuko it went into her oddly comprehensive Yukio Mishima collection, along with, er, an off-colour joke that reminded you of what people'd made up about Catherine the Great.
You weren't the least bit surprised that Gakuto got off the easiest, the site mostly just listing a few of his ragequits and games he'd never gotten around to finishing, along with his fairly extensive H-game library. Also, nothing about Himawari being Nightshade, thankfully.
It wasn't just the All-Aces it documented though. Keiko and Yuya weren't anywhere, but you were surprised to find Colette was mentioned, though just with 'Real name: Koizumi Kentaro'. Wait, but that name's for bo- oh, oh no!
Shivering, you then scrolled down to your own entry... and what you saw written about you just made you want to vomit. "Take this, I don't wanna read this- this thing anymore!" you exclaimed as you handed the phone back to Reina.
"Wow, they even have an entry on me!" her eyes widened, only for her to read what was there, and...
Reina shot up, and immediately ran away crying, tears streaking down her face and into breeze.
"Reina, hold on!" you called out, running over to her as she collapsed in a nervous wreck by the park, hugging her tightly and consoling her.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what it was you read, and I don't want to know! If it made you cry like that, I'm so sorry" you held her in your arms.
She sniffed, and then hugged you back even tighter. "Th-thank you, Honoka. I, I never wanted anyone to know what- what it said about me, b-but you'll stick by me, right?" she tried to dry her eyes.
"O-of course" you said to her.
- The Magician has Journeyed to Rank 3! -
Reina smiled back at you, "I'm so- so happy to hear that. Y'know I was trying to eat light today, but Hell, how about we go out for ice-cream to get our minds off that?!"
"Sounds great!" you said.
* * *
After saying goodbye to Reina, it occurred to you that, as possibly your last day off, the one you should do more than anything is see your parents in person.
It was quite the journey back to their place, as you walked your old school rout for the first time in quite a while, as the ridges started to climb up, the houses thinned and the trees thickened.
Finally, you came to that old, detached train carriage with the assorted glass and wire sculptures out front. Your mother, her artist apron drenched in rust and smudging, wasted no time in rushing straight up and hugging you "Oh, my Honoka, you're home!"
"Hey there Mum," you smiled, "Just thought it was right to visit, you know, after my first week back".
"Glad to hear that," your father smiled, standing by the doorway, "Well, come on in, even this early on you must have quite a lot to talk about, I'd imagine".
"Yeah," you just said, "You could say that".
Indoors, the lower floor of the carriage was the loungeroom and kitchen, while your old bedroom was on the upper floor, separated from your parents' by a bead curtain, the bathroom off in a small side-cart. Mum's workshop was in a tin shed just outside.
But before you could see your old room again, you first sat down to talk with your parents. Your mother offered you a drink of herbal, er, something, while your Dad just had to finish answering a sudden call from work.
His call ended, he turned to you and asked, "So Honoka, how's your first week back at school been?"
Well, that's the billion-yen question, isn't it? you thought. You definitely didn't know how to tell them about the Gameboard, but you could at least say-
[ ] "It's... been going great so far, I really think I'm moving up in the world".
[x] "Some good, some bad. I've made some new friends, and also, well run into people I really wish I hadn't..."
[ ] "Hate to say it, but things aren't going so well. I've never been treated this crappily this much in my school life"
[ ] "It's school, nothing much new to say really. So anyway-"
[ ] Write-in.
<<BGM: Umineko - Towering cloud in summer>>https://youtu.be/uZd41NMBM4s
"Ah, um, well then," your mother tried to begin, "Let's hear about your friends then, first".
"Well, I'm still trying to keep up with Keiko and Yuya when I can, they seem to be going, hmm, as well as ever, least from what I know," you started off, "Haven't really changed at all.
Oh yeah, I told you I got made Class Rep. That more me in contact with my teacher, Tanizawa-sensei, who's cool I guess," you muttered, before sighing out, "Though she seems about as interested in teaching as I am in, well, most things. Then there's my Vice-Rep, and also head of the Occult Club. She goes by the pen name Colette, and er, she's been nice enough to me so far. Kinda kooky though" And has some creep going around exposing her deepest secrets, your thoughts simmered.
"My, they certainly sound like interesting people," your Dad made conversation, "Perhaps you'd like to invite them over sometime?"
Oh God, you thought, saying "Er, I'll see if they're free one day.
Anyway, me being class Rep also put me in contact with Hotaru, our Student Council President, though we didn't really get to know each other the way you'd expect," you went on, trying to swallow down your mother's herbal concoction, "I met him through his gaming circle, when I went to apply for a part-time job at a local board game shop".
"Gaming group? Ah, I remember when I was in one of those! Though of course, that was all the way back in high school, haven't really kept up with the hobby since," your mother smiled.
"Still, hanging with the Student Council President must really be something," your father grinned.
You twitched a little, and decided on saying, "You'd think so, but not really, I kinda forgot he even was when I was talking with him".
"Ah, so he's a man of the people, then?" your father raised a glass.
"Er, yeah, you could put it like that. Hmm, Reina's my other remaining friend from school, she's as, well there's no other way to put this, girly as you can get, but she's really nice!" you said, unlike some people.
Only then did you remember, "Ah wait, There's also Nightshade. She's a singer around town and she's, um, real intense actually. Still, she does need a backing band, so I thought hey, I could help out there. It'd be interesting at least" you finished.
"My, you're really putting yourself out there!" your mother patted you on the back, but had to ask, "I don't remember you doing all that well when you tried out for Choir and Symphonic Band all those years ago though? Regardless, it's good to see you're getting into artistic expression once again".
"You did say you were having some trouble at school though. Please, we're here, you can fill us in on whatever's bothering you," your Dad said, leaning closer.
It took you a while to respond to that, but the words finally came out, "There's, there's this school club called the All-Aces, made up of the most popular kids at school. But like, they've seriously let their popularity go to their heads, and while people's backs are turned they do some really fucked-up stuff. Hell, even when people's backs aren't turned, some of them will still be bullying arseholes".
Your parents gasped at what you had to say, your father being the first to respond, sighing as he said, "To be honest with you, I sadly expected this would happen. I wish we could've found you a school that doesn't have a bullying problem, but quite frankly I doubt one exists, at least anywhere near here".
"Oh honey," your mother reached down and hugged you again, "It's okay, I know what you've gone through. Look, the important thing is to keep being yourself, no matter who pressures you, and to just... stay away from those sorts of people".
"Thanks, I owe you a bunch, Mum. But..." you gritted your teeth and looked down, "I'm not sure if that's possible. I mean, this makeover I got, that was because one of the All-Aces kinda forced it upon me. Not to be nice though, but because they said they couldn't stand someone as plain as I was being around them".
Your parents seemed to struggle in how to react to that, but your mother eventually said, "Well, we're still here for you, and from what you've told us, so are your friends, old and new".
"And hey, I remember being put through hell back in high school, but I made it through alive. So no matter how much they get to you, Honoka, know that you have a future beyond them" he said, smiling at you. He wrecked the moment though by mumbling "Not like work's much better though..."
Still, you smiled back, stood up and said, "That's great, you... didn't know much I needed to hear that". Mum, Dad, just... hope I don't come home from school in a coffin tomorrow, you added in your mind.
While you were still at your parents' place though, you headed up the stairs just to check out your old room. Okay, you hadn't been gone that long, but you were surprised to see it'd been kept basically the way you left it:
[ ] Mostly kinda featureless admittedly, but with a fairly large and stuffed bookcase. Now that you remember, you might take an old one back to the apartment with you. (+Education)
[ ] Girly enough that it could pass for Reina's room. Pink everywhere, pictures of cute boys, magazines, large stuffed animals, actually you might take one of them to the apartment with you, there's probably space on your new bed. (+Etiquette)
[x] A fairly hi-tech room with a fancy computer (probably still a step up from Megumi's) and sound equipment, and several paintings up on the wall. Would've cost a lot to build this all up, and now you'd left it all, but it reminded you that you were once dedicated to things other than just, er, surviving. (+Resolve)
[ ] You'd basically just let your room design it without caring yourself. Naturally, there was a pile of incense and candles, a mandala on the wall, a bunch of shrine tags for ghosts, and potted plants, which your apartment could use since you couldn't keep pets. At least Mum knew her scents. (+Perception)
[ ] Write-in (pick one social stat)
You hadn't planned to stay much longer, but a distinctive odour wafted up from downstairs that alerted you dinner was being made, also reminding you how long you'd been out and about.
"Ah Honoka, if you'd come here on longer notice, we could've prepared a special dinner. But for now, how about durian curry?" you mother beamed as you came back down, holding a bubbling, bursting pot with green spiky chunks melting in it.
"Er, great. Ah yeah, I can stay," you told them. Dubious as the food looks, it may be the last ever dinner my Mum makes for me.
"That's great! Well, eat up," she said, holding out a spoon.
- The Star has Journeyed to Rank 2! -
XI. Happy Continued Existence
"Okay, good enough for me," Gakuto said, before a sinister smile crossed his face, "I suppose it's no surprise Eitaro was first this year to die, with his brawn and his fury, he simply made himself too big a target. Anyway, with him gone, dibs on his Empire!"
"Ugh, you? Nonono, I was closest to him, you're on my turf now!" Melissa shot back at him.
"What do you mean 'closest to him'? He'd kept spurning your advances, as I recall," Gakuto chuckled, to Melissa's rage.
Lauryn's Empire's still around, I guess it makes sense Eitaro's would be, you got to thinking, Azuma did talk about, if you're so great and spectacular, then your will influence will last, even grow, after death.
"You know what?" you then raised your voice, "Maybe I should claim this Empire, yeah, and take responsibility for Eitaro's death!" Since none of you seem to know what that word means.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Azuma told you, "You must first have an Empire to claim another".
"What?" you spoke, "S-says who?"
"Says the Gameboard," he replied.
"Besides, who gets who's Empire is decided not by mere words," Kikuko snarled, drawing her sword "But by combat!"
"Ahem, and speaking of Empires," Himawari swiftly stepped in front of Kikuko before the latter could act, "How about we all head over to mine right now? I did promise a Honoka a private concert, after all!"
"Much as I don't keep up with your style of music, Himawari," Azuma said, "I do indeed agree we could all use a tension releaser, especially after, ahem, preceding events".
"Wow, I'm probably the only, y'know, killer ever to get a concert thrown for her," you snarked, clutching your head in your hands.
"Hmm, well actually there was the time that guy performed 'Tell Me Why I Don't Like Mondays' at Live-Aid," Melissa pointed out.
"Hey, I want to stress this is not for killing Eitaro," Himawari said, "This is for you surviving, this is for you still being with us".
* * *
Himawari's Empire, well more Nightshade's Empire you supposed, was a ramshackle collection of jagged slums and grungy speakeasies, with cobblestone streets, constant night, rain and mist, and because of that giant, luminescent mushrooms had sprouted up everywhere instead of lampposts.
BGM: Danganronpa - Negaigoto Ensemblehttps://youtu.be/SjemAIE2yrQ
You'd been shown into one of many nightclubs within, though this while tiny at least looked like one of the fancier ones, the whole place decked out with red velvet lounges, plush cushions, and glittering crystalline glasses at the bar. Basically on the exact other end of the spectrum from Darkest Desires, though you thought you could see some... BDSM equipment stashed away in the darkness.
Speaking of the bar, "Woo-hoo!" called out Melissa, her Regalia changed again into a slinky red dress, as she slurped up another round of sake, "Y'know Kikukiko, hic, your unique and exotish culture really, hic, makesh the best booze!"
"You are aware that's cognitive sake, right?" Kikuko said in return, before speaking louder, "You're serious getting drunk off illusionary rice wine!".
"Hey, you aren't my Mom! Hic," Melissa burped again, "B-but you're shtill my friend, r-right Kiko? Oh wait, show'sh starting".
The curtains parted, revealing a banner that read 'Happy Continued Existence, Honoka!' as Himawari, still dressed in her lighter, less obviously Nightshade dress, strode on stage.
"I'd like to dedicate this one to, well, someone very special to me," she went with, before launching into a more chart-friendly tune than Nightshade's fare, you guessed still not wanting to blow her cover, with her own Shadow subjects on keyboards.
Well, Gakuto at least seemed to like it, as did Melissa, but at her point you guessed she would've applauded over anything. Kikuko just, well, she just sat there, but Azuma... you couldn't see anywhere. You figured he must've slipped out, but why? You sure didn't think her singing was bad or anything.
You soon found Azuma in an alleyway outside, then again most of the streets here were alleys. He was talking to, wait, Popo?
"Well met Poe, it's been a while," Azuma began. Wait, these two knew each other? You guessed that was plausible, Popo did say he was from the Gameboard, not specifically the Velvet Room.
"Azuma sir, I..." the pegasus pony gulped, "I gave that there Qin Shi Huang to Eitaro like I gave all of you Personae, and now he's, he's dead?!" he said. "I-I know all you have arguments and that, b-but what on Earth are these here 'Duels' for? You were 'sposed to support each other, not kill each other!"
"Poe, Eitaro was one of the few closest to me, so I can confidently say this is exactly how he would've wanted it," Azuma stated, "He was... afraid of ever becoming the weak link in the chain, yet it appears he was. Being removed from the equation is what he would have wanted".
"Is that really true, Azuma sir?" Popo tried to stand up, "B-because I don't believe anyone's a 'weak link'".
"Your very Gameboard so far seems to have been saying otherwise," Azuma muttered. He then headed back inside, but got asked one last thing.
"Please, Mister Azuma sir, you gotta promise, no more o' these 'Duels'," Popo shouted.
Turning around, Azuma sighed and said, "Oh if it were so easy. It's a nice little fantasy, I'll grant you, but you underestimate just how brightly my fellow All-Aces' emotions can burn. Well, till we meet again".
With Azuma back inside, you headed out to Popo and asked him, "Popo, if you gave them Personae, why don't you just take them back from the All-Aces?"
"M-miss Honoka? Er, 'fraid it ain't that simple, like there's a diff'rence between giving someone a Persona and taking it away. Your Persona's part of you, no, it is you, so it's not gonna come quietly..." the pony whimpered, almost collapsing, "Especially when you've got 'em Empires with you".
"Oh you, come inside," you said, then picked up and carried Popo in.
And inside, you could see Melissa had utterly collapsed on the floor in a stupor, Himawari having rushed over to help her up.
"Ah, so er, pretty good concert, wouldn't you say? ...Guess we should call it a wrap for the night," she sighed.
- The Fool has Journeyed to Rank 4! -
* * *
Heading out of school, having dropped Popo back in the Velvet Room before you left the Gameboard, you were approached by Colette at the gates.
"My, Honoka, you do appear to be troubled," she spoke up, before she crossed her arms and said, "Is this over something those All-Aces put you through?!"
"You could say that," you muttered.
"Say no more. Well, as your Vice-Rep," a position Colette suddenly cared about now, "and Occult Club leader, and your soon-to-be-bandmate, it should be my duty to see how you're going". She then fell silent, before she grit her teeth and said, "I- I would give anything to get you as far away as I could from those All-Aces, but... I acknowledge I'm not in much of a position to seriously do something about them. I'm, I'm sorry".
"Colette, please, don't be," you tried to tell her, "You shouldn't be blaming yourself for anything here, really".
"I suppose you're right," she said, "Only so much use pondering what could've been. Ahem, Honoka, is it... would it be okay if I walked you home?"
"Uh, sure," you said, "I mean, my apartment's not that far, but you're welcome".
"Hmhm, perfect, thank you," Colette smiled and curtseyed, "Now Honoka, perhaps you would be interested in a discussion of the finer qualities of gothic literature-"
Getting back to the block of flats before you knew it, it was there Colette said, "Well, I suppose I must take my leave here. Shame, it was a wonderful discussion we were having. But farewell Honoka, and remember," she took a deep breath before saying, "I am assured, for all their success, there's something special about you that no All-Ace could even dream of. Don't lose hope".
"Th-thank you," you said, bidding Colette goodbye.
Heading back up to your place, you only Megumi an exhausted greeting before you slumped down on your bed.
I'm alive, Eitaro's dead. By my hand, technically. This is... something I didn't think I ever saw coming, you thought. You only now recalled at that Eitaro had, as an All-Ace, been one of the most popular kids at school, though it was easy to forget that, when you knew the real him. My God, how's everyone gonna react when news of his death finally gets out? Am... am I really gonna be thrown in prison?
* * *
Your plans for the following weeks were as follows:
[X] Class Rep duties.
[X] "We'll say he suffered too many injuries in his obsessive football and archery practicing, yet was too stubborn to get them checked"
[X] Practicing music for Nightshade.
[X] Doing stuff for Occult Club.
[X] Seeing Reina.
[X] Seeing Mum and Dad.
-[X] Invite Colette.
In trying to continue on through your second year, you thought it'd be a good idea to get busy with some form of schoolwork, in order to get your idea off, well, things, and try to re-establish a sense of normalcy in your life.
Oh yeah, you'd have a whole bunch of Class rep duties to take care of, wouldn't you? If you just lay low and act like a responsible little citizen, people wouldn't suspect a thing... would they?
Of course, that quickly backfired when it turned out that one of your biggest duties as Class Rep this week was, perhaps naturally, breaking the news of All-Ace Eitaro's death to your classmates.
Before class that Tuesday, you took your Vice-Rep Colette aside in the outside corridor, leaned down, and whispered to her, "Listen, you're into, well, gothic stuff, so I was gonna ask for help in breaking the news of someone's death".
Colette stopped to ponder that a little, but soon said, "I honestly wouldn't say there's one effective, surefire way. Despite how it may seem, I've been fortunate to not have anyone close to me die, though I confess there are precious few close to me, but I've known a fair few people who have. It'd depend whose death it is too".
"It's Eitaro," the words bluntly left your mouth.
"Oh," was all Colette muttered on hearing, but then cleared her throat and continued with, "I see. I have little patience for any All-Ace, but... I certainly never would have wished death upon any of them. Like, ideally I'd just want to see their reputations be ruined and have them expelled or whatever. Okay, I'll admit, were I in your position, I'd be as blunt as possible about just who Eitaro really was... and yet, it's your call. If you wish to reinforce the sugar-coated view this school had of him and still has of his peers, well, that's your right".
You just nodded, before you slowly walked into your homeroom.
"Er, hello everyone," you said, giving a light bow to the rest of the class, "As your Representative, I've been asked to break the news of an, um, unfortunate happening at our school". You'd begun to shake and sweat, while the rest of class just seem as unenthused as ever.
"Hey, you guys know that Eitaro kid?" Tanizawa-sensei spoke up ahead of you, groaning as she did, "School’s sports star? He's dead".
Now that made the class pay attention. All the students began mumbling amongst each other, and from what you could see, the main look on their faces was utter disbelief.
"Wait, no, I can't believe this," one of the sportier kids spoke up, "Guy was tough as steel, what, what in Hell could've ever killed him?"
"Ah, the official statement from the All-Aces is that Eitaro died from untreated injuries, sustained during excessive practice," you said all that in a hurry, side-eyeing your teacher to make sure she wouldn't butt in again.
"Oh, oh God," you then heard Keiko mutter as she buried her head in her hands, "It- it never even occurred to me that an All-Ace could, well, die. I mean, people had told me about Rin, but she was before I even got here. Oh no, if Eitaro can die, what does that mean for Azuma?!" she almost panicked, with Yuya having to step in to calm her down.
"Er, I guess I still don't know how to feel about all this," he then said to the rest of the class while clutching his head, "Hearing someone died only this soon back, and that it was one of the toughest guys in school. Like I've heard the phrase 'Memento Mori' and, yeah, that's all I can think really, hearing about this," his voice then pattered out as he slumped back down.
"To play History Teacher for a moment," Colette then spoke to the class, "When the Black Death struck Europe, it inspired an art theme called the 'Danse Macabre', which showed nobles and peasants alike joining hands with death. The message was simple, it doesn't matter who you are, death comes for us all. But ultimately, it's the one thing that also unites us all," she finished, looking like she expected a standing ovation for what she said... only to get no response but a few coughs.
"Sensei," you turned and said in a hushed tone to Ryouko, "W-why did you cut me off like that?"
"Look, Honoka, sometimes you need to be blunt about these sorts of things," Ryouko sighed, leaning back and crossing her arms, "Sorry if I sound harsh, but in my experience it's often the only way. Plus, I figured if I said nothing, you'd just keep umming and aahing the whole time".
You didn't have a reply to that, you were just left thinking how you could possibly console anyone further, being Class Rep and all.
* * *
As the week went on, you were reminded of Eitaro's death nearly every time you went out in the corridors, where the crying and bewildered voices of mourning students never let you forget it, Himawari the only All-Ace out there trying to comfort people, or when you tried to order in the cafeteria.
Speaking of the cafeteria, you were apprehended in there by Melissa one time, as she took your arm and snarled, "I'm sorry, are you forgetting what I taught you?".
"O-oh, is this about Eitaro?" you gulped, shrinking back.
At first she just stared at you, but then said, "What? No, not that now. I meant how to conduct yourself as one of our Jacks".
"What, I can't go to the cafeteria anymore?" you then stepped up, gritting your teeth.
"Not necessarily, you just can't keep mingling with the riff-raff," Melissa told you, stepping forth in return, "Jacks have a special table in the cafeteria allotted specifically to them. Aces of course get to eat in our Lounge," Melissa grinned, before having to admit, "Gakuto gets crumbs and energy drink spilt everywhere though..."
You were shown over to a table with Reina, Tsubasa, and Shinsuke, that butler and dresser who serviced Azuma you met the other day. It did look like he'd prepared something good for the four of you though, a steaming plate of roast pork.
"Hey, wait a minute, where's Kaneto?" you spoke up, looking around, "Oh, don't tell me-"
"His Ace's dead, so technically he's not a Jack anymore," Melissa stated.
"I perhaps would've put that more delicately, Mistress, but that is indeed the case," Shinsuke sighed.
"O-oh yeah, Eitaro's dead," Reina stuttered, "It feels so, so weird to say that. I think they call it, like, 'phantom pain', y'know when you can still feel something there, even though you know it's gone".
"It's, well, it's a complicated business, right?" Tsubasa said, you guess she felt she had to contribute to the conversation somehow.
"Hey guys," came the surprisingly cheery voice of Kaneto, as he sidled up, "Er, guess you guys forgot to invite me here, that's okay, people forget and stuff. Weird thing just happened, like I got told I'm now Football Captain! Okay, but er, what happened to Eitaro then?"
Oh my God, how can you not know? you could've facepalmed, but your thoughts turned to how to break this news, again. "Eitaro, you see he's-"
"He's dead," Melissa cut you off, "Shame too, without him Azuma's the only hot guy we got in the All-Aces. Well, Gakuto's not that bad looking I guess, but like there's so much shit about him, don'tcha know? Point is, with him gone, that means you're not Jack anymore".
Kaneto's face turned to resemble that of a sad puppy. "He- he's dead?!" he whimpered.
The guy treated you like complete crap, you thought but kept silent, I didn't want the guy to die either, but seriously, is it really worth getting torn up on hearing about the death of your abuser?
"Gawd, and I thought Reina could be a total airhead," Melissa said aloud in front of her Jack "Anyway, you're not Jack, so that means you don't get to sit here anymore".
"Hey, he was still a Jack for years before this, he deserves to sit with us at least one last time," you then stood up to Melissa.
The Ace of Coins looked at first like she was about to explode on you, but then calmed herself and snarled, "Whatever, do your own little thing for all I care, my own meal's probably getting cold as we speak," she then took off in a huff.
Finally getting to sit down for lunch, Kaneto getting to join you, as you later walked back to class you saw Tsubasa and Shinsuke approach you.
"Aye Miss Honoka, those were some fighting words you had for Mistress Melissa," Tsubasa smiled at you, miming a punch, "It's something to admire, like I could never dream about ever standing up ta, well, Mistress Kikuko or the like".
"You indeed possess tenacity, Miss Honoka I suppose that is deserving of applause, even if it takes the form of going against your superiors," Shinsuke had to remark, "But I should have expected this, my Master Azuma indeed knows exceptional people when he sees them".
"Thanks I appreciate it," you smiled, think you're getting a little carried away though.
After they left, you then confronted by Ryouko.
"Ooh, got into a scuffle did we?" she giggled, before adopting a slightly more serious tone of voice, "In all honestly, thank you for your work as Class Rep this week, while it's still early in the year so nothing major needs to be planned yet, you've really been putting in the work... and I've been meaning to apologise for interrupting you telling the class a couple of days back".
"Oh that?" you said, "No, it's okay, I guess you had a point, I was taking ages to break the news, really".
"Yeah, but..." Ryouko sighed and said, "It should've been obvious to me that, like, telling a whole bunch of students the school's star just died, and all on your first serious week as Class Rep, I, I really should've gone easier on you".
You thought about it for a while, but then said, "You once admitted to me that, basically, you weren't much of a teacher. So it's okay you feel you've fucked up, we're both in the same boat for not really knowing what to do here."
Ryouko could only laugh at that, "I'll say, you sounded more like the teacher just then. Of course, not like I'd ever recommend this job to you once you graduate, but still," she shrugged.
"I'll... take that as a compliment," you blushed, before asking, "Er, I'm kinda curious then, how did you go about breaking the news of Rin's death, those years back?"
"Well, you sure ask the hard-hitting questions, now don't you?" Ryouko mumbled, but replied with, "I'm lucky I didn't really have to, it was something pretty much everyone knew about almost immediately. Her death happened in my first year of teaching too, so I guess it was for the better that I didn't need to break the news to anyone. Man, from what little I saw of her, she seemed like a sweet girl..."
Wow, that's not something anyone will just casually tell you, you thought, Guess I've been really getting through to Tanizawa-sensei...
- The Priestess has Journeyed to Rank 2! -
"Anyway, how 'bout something lighter?" Ryouko then piped up, "Hey, you know that band offer we got from Hima- er, Nightshade? "Cause I was thinking, fuck it, I'm gonna go all out and pick up the guitar. Have some fun, while I can".
"What? Oh that, yeah," you'd almost forgotten about being in a backing band, what with all the Class Rep stuff and, well, Eitaro's death. "Suits me fine. I was gonna pick bass anyway, four strings shouldn't be too difficult. That does leave Colette with drums, I wonder how she's gonna react to that?" you muttered.
"Eh, if she wanted her choice of instrument, she should've spoken up earlier" Ryouko shrugged, "Oh yeah, before you head home for today, there's a couple of your classmates in need of some tutoring. How about it?"
You thought, Well, if I'm really throwing myself into a Class Rep role this week, "Sure, I've got time".
XX. The Being Behind the Gameboard
Tsubasa's specialty was cleaning, not cooking, so you only had the usual in the house when you got up Saturday morning. After a whole week of fancy food courtesy of the All-Aces, at first the more normal meal Megumi had prepared was a treat, but you had to admit you were starting to miss the king crabs and caviar, all that stuff.
Looking in the pantry, you ultimately settled on:
[ ] Another ramen cup, to keep costs down. [+Perception]
[ ] Heading out to Café Okumura, for the first time since with your parents. [+Education]
[ ] A more local café, to do your bit in helping the local economy. [+Etiquette]
[x] Some leftovers in your fridge. Well, better eat them before they expire... [+Resolve]
Being a Saturday, school at least flew by fairly quickly, though you did have to sit quite the drawling lecture about the Sengoku Era, which being a Japanese student you feel you've examined every inch of.
You'd kept telling you'd be out by noon today, and sure enough noon came, as much as what school time you had dragged.
Sheesh, after Golden Week you sure had a lot of social catching up to do around town. These 'Social Links' honestly couldn't help but remind you of why you used to be such a wallflower, because having to remember to make time for everyone was a real strain.
But let's see, on Saturday afternoons there was:
[ ] Occult Club was on, but it wasn't going to be the same without Colette.
[x] You should catch up with, ah, Suzako, you certainly have some things to discuss.
[ ] There's Hotaru's gaming group, you could use a little escape right now.
[ ] You were gonna apply part-time back at a Sweets Shop- wait, isn't that where Yuya works right now?
[ ] Lurk around the Computer Club, it's time Gakuto was the one who had his secrets spilled.
[ ] Sports Clubs are open:
- [ ] Cricket.
- [ ] Football.
[ ] Oh yeah, you seriously considered being a part-time model, hmm.
- [ ] Well, you looks and confidence sure have improved. Hopefully you won't have to shrink your diet too much.
- [ ] Maybe apply as a photographer instead. You don't know much about the field, but you snap pics on your phone all the time, so how hard can it be?
[ ] Invite your parents to your apartment, they might like to see the job Tsubasa's done.
[ ] Eitaro's family ran a Dojo, didn't they? You did, er, kill him, so maybe you should check up on them?
[ ] You've got a Duel before the end of next week, you should really get to scoping out the Gameboard (write-in which Aces to accompany you)
- [ ] Head to Gakuto's Empire, to know what you're up against.
- [ ] Head to Himawari's Empire. She's your Ace after all, and Colette's Shadow may be there.
- [ ] Head to Kikuko's Empire, learn what Gakuto's afraid of.
- [ ] Head to Azuma's Empire, you only got to see so much of it.
- [ ] Head to Melissa's Empire, before she can do anything to Reina's Shadow.
- [ ] Head to Eitaro's Empire, see what's become of it.
- [ ] Head to Rin's Empire, you're due for a rematch with Heimdall.
You knew Occult Club was on but, er, really didn't know how you'd feel in that with Colette not being there. You did figure you'd probably have to get around to the place sometime though, for the other members' sake, possibly Monday?
You definitely figured, after everything that had got down on and off the gameboard yesterday, that talking with K- with Suzako again was a real priority. First thing though was to check that Melissa or Gakuto weren't anywhere in sight, which you figured might be easiest if you just waited outside the school gates for Suzako.
Way to make me feel like a stalker towards my own best friend, you sighed internally.
You soon caught up with Suzako, even if it took you a while to recognise her as Keiko due to her drastic glow up. Huh, didn't she make the same mistake when the All-Aces gave you your makeover? Not that you changed your name though, though you remembered Melissa saying she'd call you 'Harriet' or something if you became her Ace, dodged that bullet.
Actually, why didn't she rename Reina then? you thought, Guess she got bored of her or something. A quick Internet search told you though that apparently 'Reina' was already an English name, that might be useful on trivia night.
"Hey, ah, Suzako!" you called out to your friend, "Er, ah, you're not averse now to hanging out with me, right?"
Suzako blinked at first, but then said, "No, of course not! It's just, well, I'm starting my new part-time job today, that's all, and all the way down at a café in Sapporo. But hey, that means you can be my first customer!"
That solved, another issue arose, as you then noticed you weren't the only one hovering around Suzako. She had gained quite the crowd, with girls gossiping and boys ogling her.
"Uh yeah, guess you would've seen them eventually. I... don't really know how to feel, I mean hey, I'm finally getting attention, but on the other hand, some of my stuff they do creeps me out," Suzako twitched.
"Eh, whether they jeer at you or leer at you, arseholes are arseholes," you told Suzako, "Attention's not worth it if it's from pieces of shit, I had to deal with creeps when I first joined the All-Aces, before they lost interest and went back to ogling Melissa or whoever".
"Geez, you've really not been holding back lately, huh?" Suzako giggled, but then said, "Though about Melissa- you know, nevermind, I'll get to her once we're on the train down".
Walking towards then getting aboard the polished yet boxy Sapporo-bound train, Suzako then turned to look at you and laughed feebly. "You can say I was getting ahead of myself, but... I did it. I asked Melissa what she thought of me now, if I could be All-Ace material with the old Keiko gone," she began, but then absolutely collapsed in her seat.
"Melissa just laughed at me, saying 'As if you could ever be an All-Ace'. I- I wasn't gonna take that for an answer, so I mustered up my courage and then finally talked to Azuma, and-and..."
"He just brushed past you, didn't he?" you were blunt.
Suzako was starting to cry now, "I don't get it, what more do I have to do?! I'm both pretty and popular now, I can be all smiles and sunshine, Hell I've been part of Azuma's fan club since I started high school, but the Aces still treat me like I'm less than nothing!"
"Kei- Suzako," you then put her hand on her shoulder, "I think I get it now. Being an All-Ace isn't about being pretty or popular, not just anyway. It's about power," you rasped out, summing it up as "They treat you like dirt because they can, or rather because they can get away with it, because they fear they'll lose their privilege if they don't abuse it.
Argh, I'm no philosophy student, yet look at me go off," you tried to laugh, before slumping back yourself.
"No, I-I think you've got a point," she said to you, this time putting her hand on your shoulder.
You started thinking to yourself, Did-did helping Suzako's Shadow out on the Gameboard change her thoughts to All-Aces? That positive thought was soon replaced by a big negative however, when it occurred once again to you that the All-Aces had to same power, and could use it on anyone they wanted at any time, your Persona being the only thing that protected you from that.
It was then Suzako showed you something on her phone, "Can you believe I genuinely used to write All-Ace fanfiction? I was embarrassed to show anyone this before, but now, I don't care".
"Really? Sweet," a shit-eating grin eclipsed your entire face, "I have got to see this. Ooh, tell me you shipped Azuma and Gakuto!"
"What? No! Azuma and Eitaro actually," Suzako told you, "I thought about Azuma and Shinsuke, but figured it'd be too obvious".
<<BGM: Futurama The Game - Red Light Districthttps://youtu.be/LmUfowiSohM>>
The train reached Sapporo before you could get that much reading done, with just a walk south landing you in the Susukino district, looking less dangerous if also less vibrant in the afternoon glow this time.
"And here it is!" Suzako beamed, pointing out no less than a... Phoenix Rider-themed café, like the sort you'd expect more to see in Tokyo. "I've been thinking about a waitress job, but only felt confident applying here once I reached a level of beauty on par with a Tokusatsu actress. Come on in!"
"Er, I'm sure they're not that selective with waitresses, most diners aren't," you said to her. Still, when you heard that Suzako had gotten a job in Susukino of all places, this was definitely a relief compared to what for a second you'd feared.
The cafe's interior was, like a Phoenix, coloured in red, yellow and some magenta even, with a bunch of high-priced show merchandise arranged on the shelves, and a little library nook containing DVDs and even some spin-off manga. Suzako arranged for you to sit down on a padded couch around a table for two while she got dressed in her job's apron. She eventually waltzed out and posed right in front of you, dressed in a red and pink yukata-like outfit with a checkered suspended apron flowing from her waist down.
"Ta-da, I'm Rider Suzako, Servant of the Scales of Justice!" she burst out, spinning her notepad around her finger, only to notice you struggling not to laugh. "Aw, come on Honoka, this is serious, my first real job! Oh wait, ahem," she composed herself, "Anyway, may I take your order?"
"Huh?" you muttered, forgetting about afternoon tea with everything going on as you fumbled with the menu, "Oh yeah, of course, I'll have the-"
[ ] "Ichigou Strawberry Sundae", a pun on the first Rider's unofficial title. [+Perception]
[x] "The Rider Raven egg curry", which you figured used squid ink to get the eggs that colour. [+Education]
[ ] "The Scales Rider salmon norizushi", which was a stretch for the weighing scales Rider, but you remembered Keiko used to dress up as. [+Etiquette]
[ ] "Er, the STOPPER wasabi volcano lair?", the 'hottest' option on the menu. [+Resolve]
"Okay, got that down. We'll be serving you soon, as swift as the falcon!" Suzako proclaimed, sliding the notepad into her belt before pressing some driver button on its buckle.
Having to wait again, as the café radio blared "Phoenix Ri~der! Phoenix Ri~der! Rider!" you were reminded of how one fanfic Keiko had shown you before was of Phoenix Rider, but was also her rough idea for her own season. Only in retrospect did it occur to you how much the lead character was blatantly her, but hey it was her early work.
Suzako then came back out dressed in the glittering gold and silver sequins of Phoenix Rider Scales, who from memory hadn't even been the main character in his own series.
"Justice has served you!" She then twirled around and presented you with your food, "Itadakimasu!"
"Er, thank you," you mumbled and bowed your head, "Ah, I know you're excited, but what's with all the cosplay?"
She looked from side to side, before kneeling down and whispering, "Well, being a waitress I'm still not exactly flush with cash, so I was also thinking of modelling-"
"Modelling?" you gasped, "...It's just, confidence is cool and all, but are you sure you're not getting too ahead of yourself?"
"Hey, I'm still gonna do things my way, I promise! I'll be a cosplay model, see?" she told you, "I think that's the most fame and fortune a nerdy girl like me can have in society".
"Well, okay then," you sighed out, as you had to admit, "To tell the truth, I thought about modelling myself. The idea felt weird, but I know someone now who's into that stuff, so who knows?" you shrugged.
Afterwards, you wandered around Susukino a little more while waiting for Suzako's shift to finish, the smell of ramen reminding you how full you were, and The Swords-Dancer interesting to look at when it wasn't nighttime.
"Okay Honoka, all done", Suzako chirped, before noticing where you'd wandered to, "The Swords-Dancer? Isn't that some exclusive club?"
"I wouldn't say 'exclusive'. I've actually been in there to perform," you told her.
"P-perform?" Suzako was clearly startled.
"Yeah, with Nightshade, got a job as her bassist," you straight-up told her.
"W-wow, I never would've thought, Honoka," Suzako gasped, before she had to say, "Is, is Nightshade still looking for musicians, or maybe a co-singer? Or maybe I could launch my own rival singing career to her! ah yeah, shame we haven't gotten the karaoke booth set up in the café yet".
You sighed, "Suzako, don't stretch yourself too thin", before you bit your lip when it occurred she could easily say the same to you, "Er, I meant, that your karaoke voice is alright, but aren't you more into poetry and that sorta stuff?"
"S-so? I can write lyrics then!" she spoke out, but then looked at the time and said, "Er, guess this talk will have to wait, train's almost arrived!"
On the train back to Kuchinashi though, Suzako instead raised a completely different question, "Hey Honoka, do you think if I can become a star cosplayer by the end of, like, the year, the All-Aces will have to accept me? Or I'll form my own club to rival the Aces?"
You couldn't help groan, thinking You just had to relapse on me, didn't you? I thought we'd had this discussion?
"Hmm, all the current Aces are third-years, so I guess that'll leave all the spots free" you had to remark. Speculating which students would get made All-Aces the next year was one of the most popular pastimes at your school, though if the word 'Empire' came out of Suzako's mouth you'd scream.
"Okay, so the All-Aces have titles, right? Like Azuma's the Ace of Spades, for instance, so... what would I be then?" Suzako murmured, getting lost in thought.
"Hmm, I dunno, Ace of Base?" you tried to joke, though showed how serious you really were about this.
"Wait, I know, Ace of Batons, I like that," Suzako smiled, but soon furrowed her brow again as she said, "No, maybe Ace of Discs instead? Ace of Staves?"
Even after having confronted her Shadow, you could see getting through to your oldest friend still wasn't going to be easy. But, well, at least you were making some progress, and your friendship seemed back together...
- Justice has Journeyed to Rank 4! -
* * *
Saying goodbye to Suzako at the station, you soon thought about making plans for the evening back in Kuchinashi. Maybe you could've had some fun prowling around Sapporo at night, especially since it was Sunday tomorrow, but this was all a bit too short-term for that.
[x] Mid-terms will be soon, you should get to studying.
[ ] Hang out with Megumi, maybe you can study together?
[ ] Check out the Arcade in town, get your mind and energy going after that double train ride
[ ] Go out for Karaoke, since you didn't get to do anyway in the Rider café.
[ ] Watch some shows, see what's streaming.
[ ] Browse the internet, you got your old computer back after all.
[ ] What you had at the Rider café wasn't really dinner, but only the expensive restaurants would be open right now...
[ ] Just get to sleep.
Before all that though, you thought to stop at the Velvet Room, since after that stint on the Gameboard, Popo probably had some new personae ready for you.
However, you soon ran into a problem, when the pegasus pony told you "Sorry Miss 'Onoka, looks like you've hit yer limit of eight. Don't think you've had Sacrifice unlocked for you, so guess you'll have to fuse some Personae or bin 'em in the Compendium".
Fusions on offer:
[X] Death Santa Muerte + Hanged Man Argus = Moon Camazotz (Wind and Curse)
[X] Strength Atalanta + Emperor Richard III = Tower Chernobog (Curse and Nuclear)
[ ] Emperor Richard III + Rebirth Arsene = Priestess Nimue (Ice and Psy)
[ ] Strength Atalanta + Rebirth Arsene = Star Decarabia (Fire and Almighty)
[ ] Hanged Man Argus + Rebirth Arsene = Devil Mephistopheles (Psy and Curse)
[ ] Devil Anastasia + Rebirth Arsene = Chariot Nike (Physical and Electric)
[ ] Death Santa Muerte + Rebirth Arsene = Fool Galahad (Physical and Bless)
[ ] Tower PITT + Rebirth Arsene = Death Vanth (Curse and Fire)
[ ] Fool Theodora + Tower PITT = Empress Birrangulu (Ice and Bless)
[ ] Emperor Richard III + Tower PITT = Star Decarabia
[ ] Strength Atalanta + Tower PITT = Rebirth Thanatos (Curse and Physical)
[ ] Devil Anastasia + Tower PITT = Magician Orlando (Physical and Nuclear)
[x] Store Okiku-Mushi
[ ] Exit.
I am Justice Simurgh, the everlasting flame of the skies," said the blinding bird that'd emerged from Keiko's Shadow, "Honoka, do not fear the dark, for the light of justice is with you!
Elements: Null Bless, Resist Fire and Psy, weak to Ice and Curse
Skills:
- Agilao
- Mahama
- Sukukaja
- Makakaja
Justice Bonus: Fire Boost
I am Hanged Man Benkei, Thief of 999 Swords," proclaimed the bulky Shadow monk you'd fought, "For your bravery at the bridge, I shall now stand strong for you
Elements: Null Bless and Curse, weak to Gun and Electric
Skills:
- Mighty Swing
- Kouga
- Tarunda
- Rakukaja
Hanged Man Bonus: Maeiha
I am Tower Chernobog, shade of nuclear winter," came the lightless voice of a sinister, blade-wielding mushroom man, "We shall sink the heavens in blackest night!
Elements: Null Curse and Nuclear, resist Ice, weak to Wind and Bless
Skills:
- Freila
- Mudoon
- Blight
Tower Bonus: Invigorate
Inherit Bonus: Media, Swift Strike
I am Moon Camazotz, the wings of Xibalba," shrieked a hanging bat with rows of fangs, bouncing a human head, "See you on the court, but don't lose your head!
Elements: Null Curse, resist Wind, weak to Bless
Skills:
- Garula
- Life Drain
- Eiga
Moon Bonus: Spiral Edge
Inherit Bonus: Analyse, Dekunda
Your new Personae received, you then hesitated to speak before you at last let out, "So, er, problem. Gone and got myself into another Duel".
Popo could only bury his head in his wings hearing that, while Lauryn spoke up, "Oh, ahem, w-who would this be with?"
"Gakuto," you sighed out, then admitted, "In my defence, he was basically asking for it-" but you then stopped, realising those words only made you sound worse.
You could see Lauryn biting down on her lip, as she said, "I'm... sadly not surprised. When I first met Gakuto, all those years back, at first I thought he was just an avid computer enthusiast. He did tend to make dirty jokes, and er, wasn't too respectful of us girls until Kikuko, ahem, voiced a complaint. If, if I'd still been there, maybe I'd be able to-"
"You were killed," you told her bluntly, "And not even in a Duel or anything, but off guard, hate to remind you. But honestly, you're still doing stuff right here and now in this room! Granted, not the same stuff, but still".
"Yes, um, thank you," Lauryn muttered, but had to ask, "Still, Honoka, where does this 'Persona Game' end? Popo told you we were given our Personae to fight Shadows, not each other".
You shuddered. That even Gakuto wouldn't be the last of your Duels was something you'd thought of, but seriously hadn't wanted to contemplate. "Yeah, like, is fate gonna keep forcing me to battle the All-Aces till there's none left? Am I gonna have to fight Azuma, Kikuko, Melissa and, oh God, even Himawari? Or when the year over and I'm magically Campus Queen or whatever, are some new kids gonna come and make me fight them?" that all burst out of you at once.
"Melissa?" Lauryn had to ask.
"Ace of Coins, she would've joined after you," you filled in.
"I, um, well isn't Mr. Azuma the one who got this 'ere Persona game going? If best case scenario Miss, he leaves school, then all this should stop with him, right?" Popo tried to reassure.
Lauryn shook her head, "The Gameboard can change locations, I believe that's been established? It'd be like Azuma or whoever's left to just try and take it to University, then out into the adult world," she spoke up.
You clutched your temples and moaned, "Oh yeah, good friggin' Lord, how did I not think of that?! Ugh this is stupid, but the Gameboard can't just be some free-for-all that magically wound up at some high school.
Popo, please, you have to tell me, you're a Messenger right? Well, who’s on the other end, it has to be someone more specific than 'the Gameboard'? I mean, it's a board, how can it answer back?!" you pleaded.
"Oh, take it you're meaning the Overseer, right Miss?" Popo said, before clearing his throat, "Er, most stuff about our Black Queen on High is right confidential, Miss 'Onoka, but I know you've always been a decent enough girl, so I tell you as much as I'm allowed.
The Overseer is officially known as Mór-Ríoghain Macha, but she's fine if you just call her The Morrigan for short. She's a great goddess of Death, Fate, and War, so you can see why someone like her'd be refereeing the Gameboard," Popo told you.
"You said she oversees the Persona Game, right? Can you put me through to her or something? Because hoo boy have I not been entertained so far," you sat back and folded your arms.
"Not sure, Miss 'Onoka, the Queen's awful busy most times, but I know on the Gameboard you're bound to run into her sooner or later," Popo muttered, "Problem is, it's not that she can't do anything about your current situation, it's... more that she won't, and would say something all convoluted about fate and luck, right? Things have to have gone horridly off-the-rails for her to intervene", he then gave as much of a shrug as a winged pony could.
"I should've expected as much," you mumbled beneath your breath.
"You said this fight's gonna be against Mister Gakuto?" Popo then asked, before telling you, "I remember awakening his Persona for him like 'twas yesterday, 'cept it was three years back of course. He was already like a kid in a lolly shop when he first gazed on his Empire, talking 'bout all the possibilities it had and whatnot. So when I told him to just write the kanji for 'Bishop' in midair to call his Octavian, he did it in a flash".
"He was a little jealous when I showed him what my Empire looked like though," Lauryn giggled to herself.
"Ah, okay," you just said, but you got to thinking, Guess I've only been focusing on all the bad stuff going on that I forgot, hey, summoning mythical guardians from your mind is pretty cool, or at least it should be. "W-what about Eitaro then?"
Both Popo and Lauryn shrugged. "Hard to say, Miss 'Onoka, he was mostly expressionless when it 'appened, basically just nodded and that was it," Popo said.
"My, all the things I miss, keeping strictly to this room," Igor then joked. he had been somewhat left out of the conversation, but he didn't seem to mind.
You then asked one last thing of Popo before leaving, "Could- could you at least inform Morrigan about everything that's been going on, if nothing else?"
"Of course, it's me sworn duty, Miss 'Onoka," Popo said, trying to give as much of a bow as a pony possibly could.
While you hadn't learned that much really, it was something at least to finally be able to put a name to whatever forces were behind the Gameboard...
- The Tower has Journeyed to Rank 4! -
"Oh, Honoka, one last thing," Lauryn then said, "About my Empire, I was able to get a word through to that Heimdall via the Sea of Souls. He's agreed to let you pass, especially since, well, Eitaro was the main aggressor, though I can't guarantee the rest of my old Empire will be smooth sailing".
"Hey, thanks for that," you smiled. Admittedly your thoughts had been more on Gakuto's Empire for obvious reasons, but from the sounds of it, Rin's could at least provide some serious training.
* * *
Back in your apartment, Megumi asked you, "Oh hey, how's Keiko's new job treating her?"
"Hard to say right now, but she sure seems enthusiastic about it," you said, but smiled. "I guess it's a plus she can still be in good spirits, what with school not exactly being kind to either of us. Food's, ah, interesting too, squid ink on egg curry and all".
"Ah, so worth the commute then?" Megumi said, their attention not all there.
"Yeah, suppose so. Ugh, anyway, I've gotta study, midterms coming up and all," you groaned.
"Study hard then, that way you can get into a better college than mine," Megumi smiled at you.
Yeah, knowing you, you probably fell asleep for the whole of your exams, you thought, but definitely didn't speak.