Persona BLEACHED 4: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Pokémon Go...On A Date
September 9, 2031
"Okay, stay like that...perfect, you're perfect, just like that..."
Akihabara, late morning. Inside of a studio building, Ibuki was in the middle of a photoshoot. "So how do you want it? Mischievous little grin?" She smirked.
"You are an absolute DOLL, Fireball!" The cameraman snapped more and more photos.
When the session was over, Ibuki stepped out, where Max was waiting. She waved into the room. "Thanks for the fun time, Genki! Remember to touch 'em up and make me look pretty!"
"That shouldn't be too hard." Max commented.
"Ooh, compliments. Sounds like someone has a crush."
"It's almost like I'm your boyfriend or something. Ready to head out?"
"Yep. Want me to give you the mag's name so you know what to subscribe to?"
"I'm sure you'll get free copies. Honestly didn't know you did modeling on the side."
"It's a once-in-a-while kinda deal. I know the camera guy from my wrestling days, I had the day off and he had an opening, so it was an easy thing to say 'yeah' to."
"Well just let me know when they get to you. Not like I need a reminder that you're stunning in every way."
Ibuki grabbed his arm. "Who are you and what have you done with Sparkplug the Sourpuss?"
"So you *don't* want me lavishing you with praise?"
"Oh no, please, praise away. I'm happy as can be that you're doing so much better."
"Well it's hard to be unhappy when you're around my arms like that."
"Still so good~."
The couple left the building, and walked through the streets towards the train station. On the way, Max caught sight of something, and sighed. "What's up?" Ibuki asked.
Max was looking at the Azure Moon Games store. "Oh." 
"I have to say something. If I'm gonna make amends with everyone, that includes him. But last time he saw me, he went running off." 
"Gotta keep trying. If anything, I can block the door so he can't run away. You know he's not gonna get past me."
"I just want to get a word in and tell him I'm sorry. I don't know how I'm gonna phrase this. 'Hey Leon, sorry I made you into a bully, but I'm totally nice now! Just ask my girlfriend who I've got blocking your exit.'"
"Be honest. If I can forgive ya, so can Mr. Champion. You've got the power to give him peace of mind. As soon as he stops running away, I mean."
"This isn't gonna go over easy, is it?"
The two walked into the shop. "Nobody in sight...and now to wait for the jumpscare." Max said.
"Oi, bossman! You gonna stop playing the movie killer game or what?" Ibuki called out.
Jin rose up from behind the counter. "Oh. It's you again."
"What, not gonna just appear behind my back like usual? You eat some spoiled candy or something?" Max questioned.
"No, I heard your girlfriend's voice and didn't want to get punched in the face."
Max turned to Ibuki. "You punched him in the face?"
"Knocked his lights out when he pulled the spooky crap on me. It's just darling that he's learned his lesson." Ibuki cheekily replied.
"Wait, so you just totally admitted that you do that on purpose!"
"I'm not confirming or denying." Jin ate a candy. "Let me guess what you're here for. Leon, get out here!"
Leon appeared quickly from one of the aisles, and saluted. "Sir, yes sir--" He caught sight of Max, and turned pale again. "Sir! I just had a strange bowel movement that needs addressing, sir!"
He turned to run off again, only to bump into Ibuki and fall down. "I literally just saw you run out of the bathroom, dude." she said.
"Please, it's really urgent--huh?" Leon blinked. "Hey, wait a second...aren't you Fireball Ibuki?"
"The one and only."
"What are you doing with--"
"I live with her." Max said.
"You and--and her are...with--" Leon was dumbfounded. "Are you doing that mind-bendy thing to her again?! Are you seriously that crazy?!"
"No no no no, I'm not doing anything! I can't even *do* that kind of thing anymore, I swear!"
"I knew this day would arrive...he's come to finish the job and make me his loyal minion...oh goodbye, sweet freedom..." Leon dramatically swooned.
"Get up. This is getting embarrassing." Jin grunted.
Leon shot back up. "Sir, yes sir!"
"(Is he so sure he even has any freedom to lose?)" Max thought. "Look, Leon, I'm not here to cause any trouble or alter your mind or anything like that. I just want to talk. Give me five minutes and then I'll be on my way."
"You want to talk...?" Leon looked around. "Is she gonna beat me up if I say no?"
"No, but if you keep being annoying, I might just go nuts, if you catch my drift." Ibuki waved her leg back and forth.
Leon shuddered. "Alright, but can it be outside? Where there are witnesses?"
"Whatever you want. I'll be back in a few, Ibuki." Max replied.
"Sir, yes sir!" Ibuki saluted.
"Please don't." Jin grumbled.
Max went outside with Leon. "Alright, go ahead. Banish me to the netheregions, or take my soul hostage, whatever you want to--" the latter started.
"I'm sorry." Max bowed.
"...?! Huh?"
"It probably doesn't mean much, but it's way overdue. I shouldn't have interfered with your personal issues the way I did. If I could take it all back, I would."
"....." Leon was speechless. "Seriously...? After that big dictator speech you gave last year, now you're apologizing? Are *you* the one being mind-controlled now?"
"No one's being mind-controlled! And I know how ridiculous this has to look. I got my ass handed to me after that speech, and I spent over a year after that wandering around in an angry haze. But that lady in there talked some sense into me. Now I'm just trying to pick up the pieces. And a big part of that is making it up to the people I wronged the most."
"...why did it have to be me."
"Hm?"
"Of all the sad, pathetic types living around Tokyo, why did you have to pick me for your weird mind experiment? Me, the friendless loser who got bullied out of everything he loved? I was a nobody--no, *less* than a nobody! And what was the point of giving me power? So I could hurt the ones that hurt me? Be the kind of jerk that they were? Why me?"
".....I went on a forum. You made a post on a site airing out your problems, and I thought you were a good candidate for the program I was using to change hearts."
"Seriously."
"Yeah."
"I made a post on Reddit and that's why I turned into a bully?"
"In simple terms, yes."
Leon groaned. "You know what the worst thing about that was? It wasn't that I cheated, or turned into a bully, or stole cards from people. It's that I felt *good* doing it. I had everything I ever wanted. And then I lost it all. I lucked out that Mr. Mirai gave me a chance, but what if he didn't? My name would've been mud. No one ever would've taken me in. I might've ended up on the street. All for just a second of popularity. Did it feel good for *you*, 'Captain Thunder'? Pretending to be something you weren't? Making people you didn't like suffer? Do you feel really *bad* about it now?"
"....." Max dropped his head. "It felt good. Great. I finally felt like I was somebody. That I *mattered*. I told myself that I was helping others, but it was all for myself. If I could save just one person, then maybe all the horror I went through growing up would've meant something. It was all revenge against the one person I hated more than anything. That never became more obvious than after I lost. I just...lost control. The rage took me over. I took it out on anything and everyone, and it felt *good*. So to answer your question, yes, I liked the power. And now I feel equally horrible about all of it. You don't have to forgive me or anything. I honestly wouldn't blame you if you decked me in the face right now."
"....." Leon pondered a response. "You're really not doing the mind stuff anymore?"
"No. Not at all. The tech I used was destroyed. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
"So she's into you for real."
"Beyond anything I can comprehend, yes."
Leon had a thought. "Okay. Want me to believe you're legit? I'm gonna need your help."
"Name your demands."
Leon clasped his hands together. "Tell me your secrets on wooing a woman!"
Max's serious demeanor switched into a blank stare. "...excuse me?"
"You clearly possess some sort of magical savant power to attract the opposite sex! I mean look at who you're with! That's Fireball Ibuki in there! You have to share that magic with me!"
"Slow down, Casanova! I don't have that kind of magic! I'm still trying to figure out what she sees in me! You're barking up the wrong tree!" 
"Oh, well...guess I'll have to slink away into a basement alone for the rest of my life..."
"Don't be that drastic, dude!" Max sighed. "Is there a girl you've got in mind?"
"There is! But I've got no idea how to approach her or tell her how I feel! I'm scared of screwing it up!"
"That's natural. You've just gotta be yourself. Don't overthink it. And you don't need any magic."
"....." Leon thought on it. "I can't do it! You have to come with me! Right now!"
"What?! No way! I've got plans!"
"Do it or no forgiveness ever!"
"Why, you...ugggh. Let me run it by Ibuki."
Max poked his head inside the shop. "Hey, babe?"
"Yeeeees?" Ibuki chimed.
"Supernerd Leon wants me to help him hook up with a girl, and he won't take no for an answer. So...I've gotta go, I guess."
"Oh, homeboy sees the catch you've got and wants your magic, does he?"
"That's *exactly* it. Sorry, but I've gotta cut Us Day short."
"Welp, gotta do what you've gotta do. I'm gonna go say hi to Kyoko-sama while I'm here. Hit me up when you're finished, k?"
"You've got it. Gotta give my best girl the attention she needs, after all."
"Aw, so I've jumped above Barbie and Ms. Annie on your list, have I?" She pecked his cheek. "Good luck, Romeo."
Leon barged back into the store, pushing Max aside. "Sir! I'm taking my lunch, sir! On a collision course with destiny, sir!"
"Just call it Big Bang Burger like everyone else, man." Jin responded.
Leon grabbed Max and yanked him along. "Fate is at my doorstep, and I will not be denied!"
"How could you ever have trouble getting a date with lines like that..."
---
".....hold up." Max deadpanned, as he and Leon stood in front of a house in a familiar neighborhood.
"What's the problem, Captain?" Leon asked.
"First, never call me that again. Second, the house I'm staying at is in the next neighborhood over. More to the point, that house right there is where Professor Kubo lives. I'd recognize those flowers anywhere. Meaning that this..." Max pointed. "Would be the Mirai house. Your boss' house."
"Ah...hehehe...um, I'm gonna knock the door now." Leon did so.
"Leon. I'm gonna assume you're not mad enough to try to hit on your boss' wife. So if that's the case, then that only leaves..." It dawned on Max. "Oh, God."
The door opened. Standing there was a young woman with brown hair. She had one white eye and one black, and her nails alternated much the same. She looked like she'd just gotten out of bed. "When are you sales chumps gonna learn I need my beauty sleep...huh?"
"Hehe...hey, Mimi." Leon greeted.
"Mimi" was Aimi Mirai, Jin's younger sister, who worked as a nurse at Karakura Regional Hospital. Cynical and to-the-point much like her brother, she had a reputation both as a neat-freak and as a klutz. Her appearance was an aftereffect of Persona empowerment, as she was also a former lieutenant of Death's Hand.
She greeted Leon with a knock on the head. "Idiot!"
"Yow!"
"How many times do I have to tell you, Lee?! No means no! I get one day off a week and I have to spend it babysitting the little cub, the LAST thing I need is my five minutes of peace being interrupted by ANOTHER attempt at a hook-up!"
"C'mon, am I really that bad?"
"You're my brother's right-hand! He'd bury you six feet under if he found out!"
"She's got a point, man." Max commented. "Trying to ask your boss' sister out is pretty ballsy, if nothing else."
"Please, I'm really not that bad!" Leon begged.
"Dude, this is so embarrassing! I'm not desperate for a boyfriend right now, no matter how much my mom and her stupid bird rag on me about it!" Mimi replied. Suddenly, she had a realization. "...actually."
"Actually?"
"This ain't me saying yeah, but...I could actually use your help. My mom's coming to town this weekend, and she has been on me for years about getting a boyfriend. 'You're 25 years old, Aimi, your well's going to run dry'. First of all, Jin's already given you a grandbaby, why are you so desperate to get my factory going? And it's not like it's gonna shut down tomorrow, what's the big deal?!"
"No no no, I totally get that, that's way too much pressure."
"Exactly! She treats me like I'm a sad old lady who's gonna die alone! So we're all gonna have dinner on Saturday night, and I just KNOW the subject is gonna come up again. So, long story short: I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend. For one night and that's it. Just to get her off my back."
"Y-y-you want me to be your boyfriend, really?!"
"FAKE boyfriend, and just for the one night! Don't go getting any funny ideas!"
"Ma'am, yes ma'am! Erasing any funny ideas, ma'am!" Leon saluted.
"Drop the 'ma'am', I'm not a crusty old hag! Get me through dinner and..." Mimi puffed her cheeks. "I'll *consider* going out with you. No promises!"
"Ahhh, really?! I'll be the best fake boyfriend you'll ever have! On my honor as a man!"
"God, you're so dramatic. I'll get you the details by Friday. Don't screw this up, Champion Boy. Now if you excuse me, I've got a toddler to feed. Toodles." Mimi shut the door.
"VICTORY!" Leon jumped into the air.
"Welp, that worked out somehow. But remember that it's pretend." Max cautioned.
"....." Leon looked at him. "I'm gonna need another favor."
"Wha...no."
"I need you to be there, too."
"No way!"
"Please! I've never done this before! Mr. Mirai's gonna be there, too, and I just KNOW he's gonna be staring daggers at me all night long! I need all the emotional support I can get!"
"Dude, I can't! I've already told Ibuki I'd take her out that night! I can't cancel on my girlfriend to help you play pretend!"
"Ask her to come with! You can just be at a table nearby! Please, I might not survive without your magic!"
"For the last time, it's not magic!" Max frantically scratched his head and groaned. "Why does this only happen to me? You'd better hope Ibuki says yes. I've already had to cut one day with her short for you."
"Thank you thank you thank you! That makes me feel so much better!" Leon looked at his watch. "Crap, I'm gonna be late! I'll shoot you the details when I get 'em! See you Saturday!" He sprinted away, a triumphant spring in his step.
"God dammit." Max looked up to the sky. "I know you must be yucking it up, watching me squirm. I bet Kitty Kat's got it SO easy in London compared to me. Guess I've gotta break it to Ibuki."
---
"You've gotta chaperone the dork on his date? Seriously?" Ibuki griped, sitting on her bed. Her room was slightly disorganized, the bedsheets drooped onto the floor and makeup scattered across her vanity. A poster advertising a wrestling match between her and Kyoko hung prominently on the wall.
"Yeah. I know." Max deadpanned in response.
"Maaaaan." Ibuki layed down, frustrated.
"I'm sorry. He wasn't giving me a lot of wiggle room to argue."
"We haven't been on a real *date* date since you got here, now you've gotta spend most of it watching a nerd fake his way through dinner? This sucks!" She huffed.
"I hate it too, but I lost the right to say no to him after what I put him through."
"You put me through it too, y'know."
"I'll never let myself forget it. I'll spend every day trying to make up for it. I still want to give you a nice night. I'll only involve myself with him if it starts to go south."
"Have you seen the guy talk? It's gonna go south out of the gate."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Max sighed. "I just have to remember that I brought this on myself."
"Not everything has to be a guilt trip, Maxie. You're allowed to live, same as everyone else."
"Someday I'll get to that point. But right now I have to fix what I've broken. And if that means having the watch a guy stutter his way through a date, then that's what I'm gonna do."
"Always gotta be the righteous type. C'mere." Ibuki patted the spot next to her. Max sat down, and she put her head on his shoulder. "Know what the place is gonna be?"
"Not yet. I can't imagine it'd be somewhere cheap."
"Well. If it's a fancy-do, then I can't really complain. I might have to break out that China dress you love so much."
"Yeah, well I'd have to run and buy a suit if that was the case."
"Well, we could go right now. Got a couple hours to kill before Kanae-chan gets out of school. Even if it's not a fancy joint, never hurts to have a nice suit. Then I can have a good trophy on my arm."
"Between the two of us, I know I'm not the trophy."
Ibuki put her arms around Max, sat on his lap and crossed her legs. "I could just sit here and listen to you call me pretty for two hours, too."
"Works for me."
---
A while later, the couple made their way to neighboring Karakura Town. They waited in front of Karakura Primary School, where Kanae attended classes.
The girl exited the school building, waving back to a small group of girls as she did so. She sprang over to the waiting pair. "Hiya, Auntie!"
"Hey, bubblegum! How'd it go today?" Ibuki patted her niece's head.
"One kid brought a tanuki, and it was super cute! But then the teacher called the police and this cowboy guy came in to take it!"
"A...tanuki. And a cowboy guy?"
"Probably Officer Oda. Cuz there aren't any other cops in this town, clearly. How does he always end up with the crazy stuff?" Max questioned.
"He *is* one of the Professor's mates. Weird is mandatory."
"True that."
Max felt a tug on his shirt. "Hiya, Uncle Maxie!"
"Hey, cupcake. Want me to carry that bookbag for you?"
"I think she wants you to carry *her*, dude." Ibuki said.
"Really? That's your Auntie's job, though."
"You're always around Auntie, Uncle Maxie. So you've gotta share me!" Kanae chimed. "You're Uncle Maxie cuz I love you, Uncle Maxie!"
"(OOOOOOOOMPH.)" Max thought. "(My heart...my HEART...!)"
"Aww, bubblegum, you're gonna make Maxie explode at this rate--" Ibuki responded.
Max immediately picked Kanae off the ground and perched her on his shoulders. "You're getting VIP seating today." he said with a light in his eyes.
"Yahooo!" Kanae exclaimed, while putting her hands on his face.
"Hey, watch it, I kinda need to see--!"
Max went running off, stumbling with the girl's hands obscuring his vision. Grabbing her niece's bag as it fell off, Ibuki could only cackle at the sight.
The couple took the little girl over to a nearby corner pharmacy. "Well-X Pharmaceuticals" hung above the door in red lettering. "I've gotta get some shampoo and some toothpaste. Think you can keep Her Highness occupied for a few minutes?" Ibuki asked.
"Don't worry about it. I'm the king of being occupied. Leave it to me." Max gave an uber-confident thumbs-up.
"To the candy aisle!" Kanae exclaimed and pointed as her 'mount' trudged away.
"Totally not the tune he was singing two weeks ago." Ibuki laughed. "She's got him wrapped around her finger. Makes my heart melt."
She went over to the toothpaste section. "Oh, c'mon, don't tell me they're all out...oh, here we go..."
A pair of male voices could be heard a short distance away. "I trust that business has continued at a steady pace?" an authoritative voice asked.
"Yes, sir. Profits have jumped nearly 100% since the school year started. All thanks to your efficient advertising strategies." another voice returned.
"Good. Having signs put up close to all the local schools helps to keep us in the public conscious. Going where the people are is Marketing 101."
"Businessy business business." Ibuki muttered to herself. "Hang on...that voice..."
She peered out from the aisle. The more authoritative of the two men was a stocky middle-aged man, with glasses, a black beard and hair slicked back. He wore a tan suit, and had his hands behind his back.
Ibuki froze at the sight of him, quickly ducking back into the aisle. "(What what what what what WHAT. What the hell is HE doing here?! Why today, of all...)" she thought. "...! Kanae-chan! Oh no, no no no no...)"
She clenched her fists, her shock quickly turning to rage. "(This bastard...if I had five seconds alone with him, I'd...)"
"I'll see you at the same time next week, Ichiro." the bossman said.
"Of course. Have a safe return home, Mr. Genshumura." the other man replied.
A few seconds later...
"Ah! Sorry about that, sir." Max's voice said.
Ibuki peered over again, and her blood ran cold.
"A simple accident, young man. Though do watch where you're going. It's an important lesson to impart onto our youth, you know." The man glanced at Kanae, who returned a curious smile.
"(Shit shit shit shit shit shit SHIT!)" Ibuki thought.
"Um, yeah, definitely. Gotta set good examples and all that." Max replied.
"Hm. Good day now." The man adjusted his glasses before walking out the door.
Ibuki exhaled, slinking down almost to the floor.
"Hey, there you are. Didn't think finding toothpaste would take that long." Max appeared with Kanae in tow. "What's wrong? You look like a ghost just flew past you."
"O-oh yeah, I'm good. Got a little hot in here." Ibuki fanned herself. "Um...that guy you were just talking to..."
"Oh, that? I just bumped into him. Nothing major."
"You know who that is, don't you?"
"Not really, no. Do you?"
"Tch." Ibuki thought of a response. "Yeah, I know him. Hitoshi Genshumura. He owns most of the Well-X stores around town. And that's all I'll say about it."
"Okay, then."
"I'm gonna go pay for this stuff. Let's just get out of here." Ibuki began walking.
"Auntie looks like me when I eat too many cupcakes." Kanae chimed.
"I don't think that's the problem." Max replied.
---
Once night fell, Max sat alone in his room, which held an assortment of superhero collectibles. He stared up at the ceiling, pondering.
"(Ibuki was acting dodgy all throughout dinner. Ever since the pharmacy...hm. Where would she know a bigwig like that from?)"
He grabbed his laptop, and began to research.
"Hitoshi Genshumura...you've been a busy man. Buying up potential rivals left and right. Only three Well-X stores in the city aren't run by him. And it might not be that way for much longer. Guy seems to fit the 'greedy businessman' mold to a T. Hm?"
Max brought up an article. "'Pharmaceutical kingpin's past lined with mystery and potentially dangerous connections.' Hmm...he's been seen with important figures in the underworld scene. Might be worth asking Mr. JoJo if he knows any dirty little secrets. 'Genshumura is also alleged to have been a prominent source of income for prostitutes, a claim he vehemently denies...'"
It clicked. "If this part's true, then that's probably where Ibuki knows him from. I don't think I've ever seen her that rattled before. Hmm..."
"Uncle Maxie?" Kanae walked in, her hair down and clearly tired.
"Hey, cupcake. What are you still doing up?"
"Mama was supposed to tuck me in, but her and Auntie were looking all angry."
"Hmm." "(I wonder...)"
"Can you come tuck me in, Uncle Maxie?"
"Sure thing. Let's get you to your base."
Max took Kanae to her room, which was a particularly vibrant shade of pink. He tucked her into bed. "There we go, snug and secure."
"Hey, Uncle Maxie?"
"What's up?"
"How come Mama's always looking at you all mean? Did you do something bad?"
"I, um...did. I did something really bad that your Mama doesn't like me for."
"Why'd you do something bad?"
"I ask myself that question every single day. As for your Mama, she's got every right to not trust me. Whether she ever does is up to her."
"I really like you. So does Auntie. I don't want Mama making mean faces at you anymore."
"I wouldn't mind that. But I can't change her mind by myself. If it happens, it happens." He patted her on the head. "Get some shut-eye. I'll see you in the A.M."
"Okay. Night, Uncle Maxie."
"Night, cupcake."
Max gently shut the door behind him. He decided to walk over to the living room. There, Kaede was sitting on the couch, her head in her hands. He got in front of her. She looked up, and looked away. He sat down next to her. "I'm not going away." he signed.
She shook her head. "You think learning sign is going to change my mind on you?"
Still learning the language, Max typed his response on his phone. "Maybe listening to your sister and daughter should."
Kaede rubbed her eyes. Max typed out a question.
"Hitoshi Genshumura. Who is he to Ibuki?"
She peered at the question for a moment. She took out her own phone and typed a response. "To Ibuki? Nobody."
Max responded. "What about to you?"
Kaede looked away. Max typed away again.
"Please trust me. I love your sister. I love your daughter. She wants us to get along. She just told me herself. I want to help. Please."
Kaede put a hand over her eyes to shield him from seeing her tear up. She typed her answer.
"I know you do. I know they do. That's what makes it so hard. You've been nothing but a gentleman to us since you came here. I expected a monster. Which one is it?"
Max responded. "Both. Or neither. Every day I change my mind. My mom and my uncle both taught me to keep the people you care about safe. If this guy hurt any of you, I want to help."
Kaede's head slumped. She responded.
"Hitoshi Genshumura was a man who paid for my services a number of times. I moved into a house he bought at one point before he kicked me and Ibuki out."
Max got a sinking feeling. "Why did he kick you out?"
"He's the one who tried to poison me while I was pregnant."
Max could see she was shaking. She was terrified of this man. Only one conclusion could be drawn from her last admission.
"Is Genshumura Kanae's father?"
Kaede shivered. She typed out one word, and looked down.
"Yes."
"Holy shit." Max muttered to himself.
He heard someone else walking in. He looked to see Ibuki standing there with a serious look on her face. "So what, you guys are all chummy now?"
"Ibuki...she told me everything. That guy from the pharmacy was Ka--"
"Shush. Not another word. I swore I'd never let her know who that man really is. He doesn't deserve it. Not after what he did to her before she was ever born. I'm the one raising her. While he sits on his golden throne buying out every pharmacy under the sun. Did you read the one about him hiring some Yakuza goons to knock off a guy who wouldn't sell his shop? He's a monster. And I won't have someone like that around Kanae-chan."
"Jesus. The guy sounds like a monster. Why didn't you tell anyone about him poisoning Kaede?"
"Who do you think the cops were gonna believe? A couple of girls turning tricks for money? Or one of the most prominent businessmen in the city? We would've gotten obliterated in court, and then what? Is there a lower level than being on the street and possibly losing the baby to an animal that's already tried killing her once? Even now we wouldn't have a leg to stand on. I wanted to kill him at the pharmacy. Choke his lights out and take whatever came after. You have no idea what I was feeling hearing his voice again. The thought of him laying eyes on Kanae-chan makes me want to puke."
"I know a thing about asshole dads. Hiding your true self behind a mask and treating people as disposable. It doesn't get any lower than trying to poison your unborn baby. He's the exact kind of person I hate the most. So I'm gonna--"
"You're not gonna do ANYTHING, Maxie, you hear? I wanna take him down a peg more than anyone, but the idea of even talking about him makes me sick. The less any of us have to think about him, the better."
"It's not like you to not want to charge in and take care of business."
"I've changed, Maxie. I wanna look after what I have now. That includes you. I don't want you to throw yourself into our mess. You can't take someone like that head-on."
Max lifted up his arm, and briefly materialized blue, metallic armor over it. "Then we do it our way."
"Maxie..."
"We have the power to make real change. I'm gonna look into it and see just what this guy's been up to. Then we confront him."
"This isn't your fight, dude."
"She calls me Uncle Maxie. She told me she loves me. She hasn't seen the bad parts of what I've done. I can't tolerate this guy walking around soaking in his profits after he tried stealing her chance at life. You've been her champion since she was born. If anyone deserves to bring him down, it's you. Right?"
"....." Ibuki nodded. "Yeah. Fuck him. Nobody hurts my bubblegum and gets to keep walking. I'll break him into pieces for that."
 "There's the Fireball I know. Give me a few days to dig up everything I can. Plus we've still got...ugh, that dinner to worry about."
"Bleh. Forgot all about that."
"One hurdle at a time. When the performance of the millennium is done and over with, we'll take the bastard down."
Ibuki grabbed hold of him and kissed him. "Thanks for caring about her so much. I couldn't ask for anything else."
"Yeah, well. I know a thing or two about having a good Uncle Jadefang around. See you in the morning." Max started for his room.
"Hey." Ibuki called out. "I love you."
"Love you, too. Night."
"Night, Maxie."
He left. Ibuki turned to her sister. "He wants to help her. Starting to trust him yet?" she signed.
Kaede sighed. She lied down on the couch and buried her head in a pillow. Ibuki rubbed her back. It had been a longer day than expected.
---
September 13, 2031
Nighttime in Ikebukuro. In front of an upscale restaurant, pacing back and forth, was an anxious Leon, wearing a black-and-purple vest and bowtie combination. "I'm gonna die...Mr. Mirai is gonna waste me on sight..."
"A word in your ear, Mr. Dandy Lion?"
Leon turned around to see two people he didn't immediately recognize. The first was an older gentleman on a beige suit, with gray beard and hair, along with a pair of glasses. His companion was a much younger woman in a purple dress and heels, with tied-up blonde hair. She seemed to be annoyed.
"Um...may I help you, sir?" Leon asked.
"Told you he wouldn't recognize us." the old man said with a distinctly younger voice than before.
"That's because he wouldn't recognize a paper bag from plastic." the woman replied.
"Bah! Who the...Captain Thu--" Leon began before the old man covered his mouth.
"First of all, drop the Captain thing already. Second, yeah, it's me. Pretty convincing, right?" Max asked.
"Why'd you have to be an old-timer, anyway?" Ibuki questioned.
"So I could call myself your sugar daddy."
Ibuki elbowed him. "Never call yourself that again, please and thank you."
"So, um...why the disguises?" Leon asked.
"Your boss and the valkyrie would recognize us in an instant. This is so we can be around without being a distraction." Max replied.
"And since a certain *someone* couldn't go without a babysitter on his date in spite of us having our own plans, we're gonna try to make something out of it. Lucky for us, One-Eye JoJo decided to foot the bill." Ibuki said.
"Which is good, since..." Max's head dropped. "A single meal at this place would probably bankrupt me. Gotta do what I gotta do for my trophy girl."
"Bite me."
"After dinner."
Ibuki rolled her tongue, almost like she was purring.
"Anyway, we're gonna go grab our table. Remember to play it cool. Try not to be intimidated. Easier said than done with that clan, yeah. Just in case things start going south, I'll be listening in." Max handed him a transparent earpiece.
"Break a leg, Champ." Ibuki bumped Leon on the shoulder. The disguised couple entered the restaurant.
"Jeez, just look at them. Even behind those disguises you can feel the unconditional love behind every word and action. How does someone just luck into that?" Leon sighed.
"Ahem. Earth to Dweebosaurus Rex." a woman's voice chimed.
Mimi appeared before him, wearing a black-and-white dress and gloves, with her hair tied up. Leon was mesmerized. "Holy mother of Arceus...it's like I'm witnessing a goddess given form...!"
"Cut the dramatic crap. You could just leave it at 'You look pretty'. Which I'd hope was the case seeing that I spent hours getting ready. Would've been less time if I hadn't dropped my makeup and been forced to clean every last particle up. Hold on, your tie's crooked." Mimi began to readjust it.
"Aw, geez. Was it really that noticeable?"
"If I noticed it, then Mom would've *definitely* noticed it. And then you'd never hear the end of it, which would mean that *I'd* never hear the end of it." She finished. "There. Now there's a slightly better chance that Mom won't give you a failing grade on your wardrobe."
"Is she really that critical of everything?"
Mimi gave him a glare. 
"I'll, uh...take that as a yes."
"Just get me through tonight without her taking full control of my personal life. That's all I'm asking. Oh...one other thing. I told my brother that I'd be bringing a guy along but...I didn't mention that it was you."
"Oh." Leon paused for a moment. "Oh NO."
".....what." a deep male voice uttered.
Jin arrived, wearing a black suit and pants, his hair tied back and a look of utter disbelief on his face. "Leon."
"S-Sir, yes sir?" Leon uttered, terrified.
"Please tell me you're here by sheer coincidence."
"He's here with me, bro." Mimi stated.
"Why."
She grabbed Leon by the arm, to his shock. "Lee and I are in love. Sorry to break it to you out of nowhere."
If eyes were blades, Jin's would be the sharpest of katanas, stabbing straight through Leon. "(He's murdering me with his eyes! So this is what they mean by 'the chill of death'...being fired would be the luckiest outcome out of them all!)"
"Hello-lo~! What's with the chilly atmosphere?" A woman arrived with mid-length brown hair, wearing a black jacket over a green dress, with a necklace shaped like a sword. This was Tenko Kitsunezaru, Jin's wife and Rin's best friend, a fitness instructor and a peerless swordswoman. Her upbeat and friendly attitude countered her husband's stoic demeanor. She was carrying Rina in her arms.
"Take one look." Jin said.
".....what." Tenko uttered in an almost identical manner.
"H-hi, Ms. Valkyrie..." Leon stuttered.
"Jin, what is happening?"
"I'd like to know that myself." Jin responded.
"Lee looks all sweaty." Rina chimed.
"(I'm leaving dinner in a take-out box.)" Leon thought.
"Don't look so nervous, Lee. It's gonna be an easy, pleasant dinner." Mimi reassured. "Bro, lay off. You're scaring him."
"GOOD." Jin grunted.
"HO-kay, a pleasant dinner sounds dandy now. Let's get to stepping." Tenko interjected. "Jin, don't do anything drastic." she whispered.
"They're going to regret giving me sharp utensils." Jin uttered, giving Leon dagger looks all the way as they went inside.
Mimi let out a breath. "That went better than I thought it would."
"'Better'?!! He looks like he wants to stuff me into a jar!" Leon exclaimed.
"You're not bleeding, are you?"
"H-he seriously wouldn't try to stab me with Rina-chan watching, would he?"
"Probably not. Keep your eyes open when you're going to the toilet, though."
"That really doesn't make me feel better..."
"Just cool your jets and let me do the talking. I've got experience with pretending to be something I'm not. Follow my lead, don't embarrass me in front of my entire family, and maybe my brother won't shred you like cheese before the night's over. Capiche?"
Leon nodded.
"Good boy. Time to face the music."
Mimi pulled him along by the arm. "(I'd feel so much better about this if it wasn't clear that death could come at any moment.)" he thought.
The earpiece came online. "Take it easy, old sport. The girl you're after's already around your arm. That should be enough for now." Max dictated.
He and Ibuki were already seated at their table. "Lord knows I'm stressed enough for him."
Ibuki sighed.
"Yeah, same."
"This would be so much more romantic without the spy routine. Oh God, you know what this is like? This is what middle-aged married couples do to 'spice things up'. Like they make up fake names and meet up in a hotel. Ewww!"
"Not my first choice for a date, I promise you that. Tomorrow I'm gonna make it up to you. I'll spoil you like a queen."
"You don't have to make anything up to me, Sparkplug. It's just something you got roped into. Besides..." Ibuki blushed. "You spoil me like a queen already."
"Guess I need to up my game to 'Empress', then."
The Mirai party walked past. "(Bleeeeh. Get a room, why don't ya?)" Tenko thought.
"That's gonna be you and bro in 40 years, Big Sis." Mimi said.
Jin growled.
"What are you growling about *now*, Junior?" Standing by their table was an older, bespectacled woman with brown hair and brown formal attire, sipping from a wine glass. "And you're slouching again."
"Good to see you had a safe trip, Ma." Jin grumbled.
"And no squawkbox in sight, thank the gods." Mimi added.
"His name is Fran-kun, and you'll address him appropriately, Aimi." their mother, Risa, dictated.
"Where's Frannie, Gramma?" Rina questioned.
"He's back at the hotel, little cub. The restaurant doesn't allow pets. And the little suit I ordered for him hadn't come in yet."
"I can't tell if you're joking or not, Mama Risa." Tenko said.
The very much not-joking grandmother turned her gaze towards the frozen-in-place Leon. "Aimi. Are you going to introduce us?"
"Oh, of course. This is Leon. Say hi to my mom, sweets." Mimi feigned.
"....." Leon saluted. "Ma'am, yes ma'am!"
"Oh good, he talks. And he has good posture. Unlike some people." Risa gave Jin a side-eye.
A dark aura coalesced around him. "Easy there, big guy." Tenko rubbed his shoulder.
Everybody sat down, Leon and Mimi on one side, Jin and Tenko on the other. Risa was at one end, while Rina was in a high chair next to Tenko.
"So, Mr. Leon. How did you and my daughter meet?" Risa asked.
"He works for me." Jin answered. "My assistant manager, in fact."
"(I'm gonna be the janitor after tonight.)" Leon thought.
"Oh, well then. That explains the thick air of hostility." Risa took a sip of wine.
"*sniff* Oh..." Mimi sniveled.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Leon questioned.
"Oh, I was afraid of this...I knew big bro would never accept us...this was such a horrible mistake...ohhhh..." She kicked him beneath the table. "Console me, genius!" she whispered to him.
"Um...there, there, don't cry..." Leon hesitantly patted her shoulder.
The dark aura around Jin had grown into a black-and-red demonic face.
"Um, Meemster...you wanna come to the ladies' room for a minute?" Tenko asked.
"*sniff* Okay...please don't be mean to him, Jinnie..." Mimi wiped a "tear" from her eye.
"(She's leaving me alone with him?!)" Leon thought.
The two women walked away. "You know, you could stand to be a little less judgemental, Junior." Risa chided.
Jin growled. "Wonder where I could've gotten that from."
Max looked back from his table. "Welp, he's still breathing."
"If anything, he might kill over from a heart attack before his boss gets to him." Ibuki added.
In the ladies' room, the waterworks came to a halt. "Okay, Mimi. What are you doing?" Tenko questioned.
"I dunno what you mean." Mimi denied.
"I've known you long enough to know when you're bullshitting. What's this little performance about?"
"Just humor me, okay? All I want is one night--One. Night.--where Ma isn't breathing down my neck about tying the knot and procreating."
"So you dress Jin's right-hand man as your boyfriend, that's your plan? I mean you see the look on his face, right? What if you get the poor guy fired or worse? And what's the plan for after tonight?"
"I'll figure something out."
"Oh my GOD."
"I just need tonight, okay? Jinnie has you and Little Cub, and Ma *still* gives him a hard time. How do you think I feel when even her BIRD rags on me for not having a boyfriend? All I'm asking for is one night where she's not looking at me like I'm some aging failure." Mimi shook her head.
"C'mon, vent. I know it's eating you up."
"What, like I'm in your bestie's therapy house of hugs and giggles? What good's that gonna do? Tch. Y'know, I bust my ass in that hospital, day in and day out, trying to give some kinda comfort to people that are sick out of their minds. That's stressful enough. Then I spend my days off looking after Little Cub, which I don't *have* to, but I do, because I love her and you guys and she doesn't have to be climbing all over you while you're working. The only times when I'm not working are when I'm asleep. I don't have TIME for a relationship. And for Ma to give me grief about not finding somebody, when I've got enough on my plate without it? It's bullshit. And it pisses me off to no end. So I'm gonna put this show on for her, because if being a submissive, perfect little daughter is all she wants from me, that's what I'll give her."
Tenko put up a half-smile. "Is that one a real tear?"
Mimi wiped her eye. "Shut up. You're seeing things."
Tenko gave her a hug, to her chagrin. "I don't think you've gotta be submissive. I love ya as your normal, cynical self. Even with this bonkers plan of yours."
"You're *hugging* me."
"Only cuz you're so loveable~."
"I'm gonna puke before I even have the appetizers..."
Tenko sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll keep up the act if it'll give you some peace. I'll try to keep Jin from murdering your fake boyfriend in front of an entire dining room. But you're gonna have to explain it to him at some point."
"Sure, sure. Bleh. What a totally normal conversation this is..."
Back at his table, Max was taking quick glances at the Mirai group. "They're taking an awful long time in there."
"That's how girls work, Maxie." Ibuki commented.
"I know *that*. Every second has to feel like an eternity for poor old Dandy Lion. I can feel Mirai's murderous intent from here. If anything drastic happened..."
"You're gonna break out that hulk of a Persona you've got? In front of all these people?"
"Relax, not like they'd be able to see it unless I wanted them to. That's gonna be my absolute last resort. I wouldn't feel good about a one-on-one with that guy. Professor Kubo trusts him and the valkyrie more than anyone for a reason."
"Well who says it's gotta be one-on-one?" Ibuki manifested an arrow in her hands, and twirled it around. "I know where to put my shot."
"I appreciate that, but like I said, absolute last resort. I know I've got the strongest girlfriend in the world. I wouldn't put you in that position."
"Well maybe I'd take it myself, cuz I don't want you to bring the giant-sized superhero out in the middle of a fancy restaurant. Or we could just raise hell together."
"Maybe somewhere not as public. Or pricey."
"We have the craziest date ideas, dude."
"Still more romantic than another Bigfoot marathon."
Tenko and Mimi returned to their table. "Sorry about that. Just a bit of girl talk." Tenko said.
"She couldn't stop staring at the geezer making googly eyes at that blonde chick over there." Mimi shuddered.
"You didn't miss much. Aside from Junior growling some more." Risa said.
"(He hasn't taken his eyes off me this whole time.)" Leon looked at the utensils. "(And I really don't like how close his hands are to that knife!)"
"You're being far too wound-up. Care for some wine?"
"Ah...I don't really drink all that much..."
Jin grabbed a bottle of wine and chugged it down, putting it down with some force. He snarled.
"At least use a glass, Junior..." Risa groaned.
Mimi wordlessly took the bottle, filled the glass to capacity and drank it all in one go. She raised an eyebrow at her brother.
"Ohhhh, noooo..." Tenko muttered.
Leon looked around. He took the bottle. "I'm gonna need this after all, I think."
"This is about to get very revealing." Risa finished her glass.
"What a night. I'm gonna be the sober one." Tenko uttered.
"Can I have the red juice, Mama?" Rina asked.
"Not for another 18 years, little cub."
As the next few moments passed, the wine began to take effect. The usually stoic family started to get *very* vocal.
Every adult at the table sans Tenko was blushing. "So...when were you gonna tell me that this was going on?" Jin demanded.
"You know now, don't you?" Mimi bit back.
"Lighten up, bossman, ain't no stoppin' the love train now that it's left the station, know what I mean?" uttered a distinctly less sheepish Leon.
"You shut your mouth! I'm about five seconds away from tossing you into the unemployment line!" Jin responded.
"Pssh. Not like it's against the contract to want a piece of the family pie, is it?"
"This is bad. Like, *real* bad." Max listened in.
"I don't know what you're talking about. This is worth every second." Ibuki took a bite of her meal.
"You're complaining too much, Junior. Your sister has companionship, why get on her case about it?" Risa slurred.
Mimi provocatively put her arms and legs around Leon. "What's wrong, big bro? Does me being happy upset you that much, big bro?" She feigned a younger-sounding voice.
"Yeah, big bro, does iiiit?" Leon joined in, as Jin continued to fume.
"Okaaay, I think I'm gonna take Little Cub out for a minute or three." Tenko got up.
"They're being real funny, Mama." Rina said.
"I'm gonna need you to forget all about this sooner than later." Tenko picked her up and walked away.
"Great, you scared off my wife. Happy yet?" Jin grumbled.
"Sure it wasn't your own nasty attitude that did it?" Risa retorted.
"Yeah, Bossbro Junior, sure it wasn't?" Leon slurred.
"Oh, this is just like always, isn't it? Junior's ALWAYS the bad guy, Junior is SO embarrassing despite running his own business and doing everything he's supposed to do!" Jin complained.
"You're not exactly helping your case here." Risa sipped more wine.
"You're getting a kick out of this, aren't you? Getting a rise out of me and provoking me until I get mad. You've been doing that to me since I was a kid."
"I've been nothing but fair to you, Junior."
Mimi snickered. 
"And what is so funny, Aimi?"
"There is absolutely NOTHING fair about how you treat us, Ma! You sit there and criticize our every move despite the fact that we're actually doing really damn good for ourselves, but it's just never enough, is it?"
"Language, young lady."
"Oh, to hell with that! I'm 25 years old and I'll say whatever I feel like! You've utterly destroyed my sense of worth, you know that? All the work I put in, the time off I sacrifice to take care of their kid so they don't have to keep dragging her to work, and you talk to me like I'm a failure! I wouldn't even have to do that if you would just move down here with us!"
"I'm not leaving your father behind. You know that."
"Dad is DEAD, Ma! Has been for almost 20 years! Meanwhile, we have to play hot potato with who gets to take care of Rina because we and everyone around us has a full-time job, and when me and Tenko aren't dragging her to work, Mimi has to give up her time off to do it for us. Why? Because her grandma who could easily help us out decides that she'd rather look after a headstone than her own grandchild. Do you even know how tiny that makes us feel?" Jin ranted.
"Well if you're having so much difficulty with it, maybe you shouldn't have had a child to begin with."
Mimi cackled. "Oh my GOD! That's such a bullshit answer and you KNOW it! Every time you see me, it's 'Where's your boyfriend? How come you're not married yet? Where are the 2.4 grandchildren you're gonna give me?' My only worth has ever been that I can be married off and used as a breeding tool, and that's it!"
"You're both being extremely nasty right now. All I wanted was for you two to be successful and happy. Can I be critical at times? Maybe so. What parent isn't? I'm sure Hana's children don't talk to her like how you're doing now." Risa grumbled.
"Ms. Hana doesn't talk to Rin and Tan the way you talk to us. She lets them live however they want to and doesn't criticize every millisecond of their day. Think there might be a correlation there, Ma?" Jin questioned.
"This has gotta be the most disfunctional family I've ever seen." Max continued to listen in.
"Know what, I take it back. I'm glad we're here in these goofy disguises. I've never been more entertained in my life!" Ibuki laughed.
"Hooooey, this is great! Getting it out there feels so good, don't it?" Leon exclaimed. "I've got a few things to let out, too!"
"Oh, no." Max uttered.
"Uh-oh." Ibuki added.
Leon chugged down what was left in the wine bottle before standing on his chair. "Hey, everybody! I've got some major lore drops to make tonight! First and foremost..." He patted Mimi on the head. "Sorry to break it to ya, Ma, but I'm not really her boyfriend! She put me up to it so you'd stop nagging her all the time! But really, from the sound of it, you'd have come up with an excuse to anyway."
"You *what*?" Risa questioned.
"You put him up to it?" Jin asked.
Mimi shrugged. "No point in hiding it now."
"So quit looking at me like you're gonna swallow my soul, Junior Broboss, Esquire, siiiiiir, cuz I'm an innocent man, maaaaaaaaan!" Leon uttered. "And now for the biggest bombshell of 'em all..."
"Does anyone here remember Captain Thunder?"
Ibuki dropped her glass. "Oh, shit."
"Y'know, that one joker that dressed up in a tin can and mind-bended people into making him a hero? Doesn't anyone wonder what happened to that Sentai wannabe? Well have I got some news for y'all! I know who the bastard is!"
The joking mood had quickly devolved into one of horror for the disguised duo. "Ibuki." Max uttered.
"Yeah, I know." Ibuki responded.
"Get your phones out for this one, people! Captain Thunder's real name is Mmmmmm--" Leon began. That was all he could get out before Ibuki tackled him to the floor. 
She held him down and covered up his mouth. 
"Sorry, everyone!" Max tried to assuage the tension. "I'm this man's doctor! He's not supposed to have alcohol before taking his medication!" He knelt down next to Ibuki. "GET HIM THE HELL OUT OF HERE." he whispered.
"On it." She dragged Leon to his feet, never taking her hand off of his mouth.
"Sorry, my apologies, carry on...payment's on the table..." Max continued to apologize as he followed them out the door.
The Mirai table looked in drunken confusion. "Wait, isn't that...?" Jin uttered.
The duo dragged Leon outside, Ibuki shoving him against the wall. "You idiot! What is wrong with you?!" she demanded.
"Nnggh...define 'wrong'." Leon slurred.
Max grabbed his collar. "Are you out of your mind?! That little tirade was bad enough, but you were two seconds away from fucking me over! What were you thinking?!"
"What was I thinking? Uhhhh...I was thinking...'now we'll be even'."
Max was stunned into silence.
"'He screwed me over...I'll screw him over...fair is fair, y'know...'"
"Maxie agreed to help you, asshole! He came to you and apologized, and that's how you handle it?" Ibuki chastised.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, that was stupid, I'm being real stupid..." Leon grogged, slumping down the wall. "Lucky lucky Cappy, pulls a supervillain move and gets to live happily ever after, like nothing happened..." 
"....." Max couldn't respond.
"Tch, how are we gonna fix this?" Ibuki asked.
"...zzzz..." Leon snored.
"Are you kidding?! He fell asleep on us?"
"Let him sleep it off. He probably won't remember any of that." Max replied.
"Maxie..."
"He's not wrong. He might be plastered out of his mind, but he's not wrong. I don't--"
Ibuki grabbed his hand. "Yes, you do. *I* say that you do. I see you every single day and I KNOW that you're doing better. Don't start thinking otherwise."
"...you're right. I can't expect a smooth ride from everyone. Can't let a drunken rant spoil my mood. Like it has a million other times."
"Hey, what's wrong with him?" Tenko walked over. "Hm? Wait a sec..."
Ibuki took off her wig. "Yo. Sorry about the mess in there."
"She took her hair off, Mama!" Rina exclaimed.
"Hey there, Ms. Valkyrie. It's a long story. He asked us to come along and make sure things went smooth. Guess we fumbled that pretty bad, huh?" Max explained.
"What the hell happened in there? I'm hearing all this craziness from outside..." Tenko asked.
"Things got...worse. A lot worse. Your hubby and the rest of the fam really started getting into it. Then the genius here got up and revealed the whole plan. Then he almost revealed to the whole world who Maxie was." Ibuki answered.
"Oh...yikes. Big yikes."
"We got him out before he could spill my secret. I'd definitely go in and get your clan sorted, though. They looked *rough*." Max said.
"Don't gotta tell me. Tell you what, would you mind taking him along for a bit to our place? I do NOT trust him to get home by himself in that condition. I'll go pull the Happy Clan out. I'm so sorry about this."
"I think that explosion in there was inevitable. It's a coin flip whether they'll even remember it later." 
"Guess we'll see. C'mon, little cub, let's hope Papa, Auntie Mimi and Gramma haven't caused an apocalypse in there..."
"What's an Apple Clips, Mama?" the toddler questioned.
The two went back inside. Max and Ibuki both looked down at Leon, then looked at each other. "I'll carry him." both volunteered.
"I'll carry him." Max bent down to lift him up. "Least I can do after all this..."
---
A while later, back in that same tranquil neighborhood, Leon had woken up, a tired look on his face and an ice pack over his head. He looked over, and seated next to him was a very intrigued shiba inu. The name "Fuba" was engraved on its collar.
"Okay, Rina's been put to bed. Now the adults can talk." Tenko walked in.
Jin, Mimi and Risa were all slumped together on the couch, all looking exhausted. "I'm sorry I lied, Ma. I just couldn't take it anymore." Mimi grogged.
"I understand, Aimi. I shouldn't be putting that pressure on you. I know how hard you've been working." Risa responded.
"Still shouldn't have yelled at you like that, Ma." Jin grumbled.
"You two were clearly holding it in for a long time. I'm sorry I made you feel that way. After everything, I just want you two to be happy."
"...we miss Dad too, Ma. I know us begging you to move makes it sound like we don't, but it'd make things so much easier." Mimi said.
"I know that it would. And I know he wouldn't want me to pick him over the two of you. If you don't hate me after how tonight went..."
"We don't hate you. We don't want you to be alone so far away. It's for the best." Jin replied.
Risa put her arms around the two. "I know I don't say this nearly enough, but I'm proud of you two for being so responsible. Tonight aside. Maybe once this headache subsides, we can have a proper discussion."
"Probably not gonna happen anytime soon." Jin grogged.
Mimi stumbled to her feet and walked over to where Leon was sitting. "Hey."
"Ow." he uttered.
"Sorry for dragging you into our drama. I know you just wanted a date and I took advantage of that. I owe you an apology. And a for-real date."
"...my head hurts."
"Yeah. Same." She patted his shoulder. "Get some rest. You can head home in the morning. Big bro can give you a day off. Right?"
"At this point I think we all need a day off." Jin grogged.
"What a pretty, messed-up picture this is." Ibuki chimed, standing by the door with Max, now out of disguise.
"Hey, Ca--. Jadefang." Leon beckoned.
Max walked over. "You look like hell." 
"Feel like it, too. Hey, so...thanks for the backup. Sorry I ruined your guys' date night. And almost blurting out your secret."
"I wouldn't have blamed you for it."
"But you aren't the bad guy anymore. That would've been a major asshole move. We're all square. Long as you don't try the evil hero stuff again. Ow my head."
"Get some rest, Champ. That's gonna be a hell of a hangover for y'all tomorrow."
"Safe trip home, you two. Smart decisions. They'd be the first of the night." Tenko said.
"Pleasant headaches, you crazy, CRAZY people. Thanks for the laughs!" Ibuki waved.
She and Max left the house. "All's well that ends well, I guess." he said.
"Probably would've been better off watching Bigfoot." Ibuki replied.
The two held hands walking back home. "Boy, do we have a story for your sister." he said.
"Breakfast is gonna be real interesting."
"I'll make it good, on top of it. Tomorrow can be Spoil Ibuki day."
She put her head on his shoulder. "That ought to be a national holiday~."
"No arguments from me."