Persona BLEACHED 3: Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Lion and the Amethyst
August 12, 2029
Akihabara. The electronic capital of Japan, as well as a major center for otaku culture. In addition for its plethora of shops, it was also home to several maid cafés.
In front of one of these cafés, Kat looked at her phone. 10:58 A.M. The one who sent her the moonflowers, if they were true to their word, would be there any minute. She was more or less certain of who had sent them. The exact nature of this meeting, however, was a different story. What was this feeling in her chest? Butterflies? Perhaps this was...
"Kat-san? What are you doing here?"
She turned to look, and there stood Sakuya in her maid uniform. "Hey, Maggie. Long time no see." she joked.
"Very much so. Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yeah...someone said they would meet me here at 11. So...any time now."
"At 11...wait. Someone did make a reservation for now, and that was--oh. Well that's rather unexpected."
"What is? So you know for sure who it is?"
"Yes, but...oh, never mind. Let me get you to your table."
"Okay..."
Sakuya guided Kat to a table. "I'll be back in a little bit."
Kat sighed. "Alright."
Sakuya walked away, leaving Kat to sit alone, twiddling her fingers. "(It's just lunch with a friend, So-yin. No big deal. No need for the heart fluttering. So why...)" she thought.
"There you are."
Kat broke from her thoughts to see who was standing there. As she had assumed, it was Carrie. "Good day, Kitten. Apologies if I kept you waiting. I've been dying for the local coffee for months and I couldn't resist stopping to get one."
"It's no biggie. I'm not gonna tear a girl away from her coffee."
Carrie took her seat. "Thank you so much for coming. I was afraid that I might have gotten my assumption wrong. Mainly when one of the few who heard about my affection for lilacs happens to be Sahir..."
"It would've been my first guess, but I don't think Kicks would've risked that on the same day he was taking Maggie on their Great Seal Escapade. He's actually one of the nice guys. Right, Maggie?"
Sakuya, her back turned to their table, merely gave a wave.
"Yeah, so..." Kat trailed off.
"So..." 
"..." 
"..."
"Thanks for the flowers!" both girls said in unison.
"I, uh..." Kat began to turn red. "You go first..."
"I was just rather touched, is all. I only want to know why?"
"Well, for being such a big help with our work and stuff."
"Everyone does their part. No need to single me out for praise."
"But you've saved our butts a bunch of times. Remember Skeleton Vampire Cop guy? He would've bitten me in two if you didn't send me the warning. And also, y'know...you're so awesome. You're smart, you're beautiful, you're strong in more ways than I can count. So that's why I...um..."
"Kitten..."
"Uhhhh..." Kat was turning redder with every word.
"Breathe. It's okay. Just take a deep breath, and calm yourself down. Think about a place and time where you felt the most at-peace. Then maybe you won't be so nervous."
"Alright...let me think..." Kat closed her eyes, and thought deeply. "밝은 달의 호수에서 춤추는 연인들...밝은 달의 호수에서 춤추는 연인들..." She let out a sigh. 
"Better?"
"Yeah, a little."
"What was it you thought about?"
"It's...private. Sorry."
"No need to apologize. I completely understand. Old Boris taught me to picture a peaceful event whenever your mind begins to race."
"He didn't just teach you how to fight, did he?"
"If I'm being honest, his most important teachings had nothing to do with physical combat. Learning to be at ease during even the most chaotic of times, no matter the circumstances. Strengthening your spirit as well as your body. If I hadn't taken his lessons to heart, I might not be here right now."
"You really are a queen."
"Oh, stop. You flatter me too much."
"Strong, smart, beautiful, kind and helpful to everyone. When I came here I thought for sure you were gonna be another snobby rich girl, high on her bottomless bank account. But...you aren't. I know I can be a lot to deal with, but...I wanted to get it across that I'm...happy that we're friends."
"Oh, Kitten...that's why I sent the moonflowers in return. I know that beneath the shell of sarcasm, there's a kind and loving person. One who I truly wish to know better. Which is why I have a proposition for you."
"A WHAT now?! Oh, Care Bear, I'm too young for--"
"Not that kind of proposition, dear. I still have a few more clothing and jewelry stores to peruse for my aunt before she comes here. If you're not too busy, I was wondering if you would like to make a day of it?"
"A fancy shopping trip with Her Majesty? Maggie!"
"Yes?" Sakuya walked over.
"Could you pinch me, please? I'm starting to think I'm dreaming."
Sakuya pinched the side of Kat's neck. "YOWCH! I meant like on the arm or something! Ugh, whatever, thanks anyway."
"Always happy to serve." Sakuya bowed, and walked away.
"So would that be a yes?" Carrie asked.
"That would be a 150% hell yes. Though, if I'm gonna be your Plus-1 for the day, should I be Hoodsie? Um..." Kat grabbed her hair in an attempt at imitating pigtails. "Aaaand I'm wearing a tank, so I can't pull it over my head..."
Carrie giggled. "No need for that, Kitten. There's only one Natalia. And I want you as you are. So you can let go of your hair."
"Alright, okay..."
---
In a high-end jewelry and fashion store in Ikebukuro, Kat sat in place, humming to herself, while Carrie spoke with one of the employees. Kat got up, taking notice of something on the shelf. She took off the black knit cap she had been wearing, grabbed a black beret from the wall and tried it on in front of a mirror.
"See anything you like, Kitten?" Carrie asked.
"Not much that I could afford. Check it: twinsies." Kat pulled Carrie in front of the mirror.
"Indeed. It actually suits you fairly well, I think."
"Aw, I couldn't. I'd just be copying you. Buuuuut...there are worse things to be accused of. Nothing wrong with changing things up a bit."
"Wonderful! It'll go perfectly with the earrings."
"The...the earrings."
Kat took notice of the small bag Carrie was holding. "Apologies, but as soon as I saw them I knew they were meant for you."
"Hooooo boooooy." Kat took the bag. "Care Bear, you really don't have to do this. I already think you're incredible, you don't need to buy my affection..."
"It's nothing of the sort. I saw something I thought a friend would enjoy and I bought it. Simple as that."
"You're impossible. Nobody, NOBODY is that generous. But my BS radar isn't sounding off, so...you really are just the biggest sweetheart ever, huh. But still...I can't..."
"Go on. Look and see if it suits you."
Feeling her cheeks beginning to heat up, Kat took out a small box, and opened it. "Oh...wow..." Inside the box were a pair of pitch-black stud earrings resembling flowers. She was speechless.
"I'll take your silence as a good sign." Carrie said cheerily.
"Care, I...uh...don't...know what to..."
"Kitten? Are you alright? I can see the tears starting to gather..."
"I'm...uh, can we take this somewhere not so public? In case I start blubbering..."
"Come now, let's go to the changing rooms. Much more privacy than out here."
The two ducked into one of the changing rooms, away from prying eyes. "What's the matter? I didn't mean to upset you." Carrie said.
"It's not your fault, it's just...I haven't gotten new earrings in years...Hell, I haven't even been to a store like this in years..."
"Years? Why is that? Is your financial situation bad?"
"Oh, my Pops has enough stashed away from his k-pop days that he could probably buy this whole store if he wanted to. The problem is...I got caught shoplifting from a jewelry store once, when I was thirteen. My parents managed to cut a deal where I wouldn't get it on my record, as long as I didn't step into another store like that for five years. I'm banned from so many shops in Seoul you could make an entire mall out of all of them."
"Oh, my. That seems rather extreme for a child."
"Part of me thinks they dropped the hammer that hard cuz they wanted to get to my sister. 'See what taking your sister on heists does to her'. And if that was the intent, they really messed it up. Lin kept on stealing, and I kept on clutching at her shadow."
"I'm sorry, Kitten. But you could always buy jewelry and clothes here. Why not do that?"
"I plucked things from stores like this. Even being here makes me feel guilty. I just don't feel like I deserve nice things."
"But you aren't that way anymore. You can't let your past mistakes dictate how you live now. Otherwise you're liable to repeat them someday. And I know that isn't what you want. Come now. Turn that frown into a smile, 'twinsie'."
"Okay..." Kat let up a smile. "I'd be lucky to be the twin of the prettiest girl in the entire city."
Carrie sighed. "Don't put yourself down that way, Kitten. You're beautiful inside and out. You don't need to keep putting me on some unassailable pedestal. Tell me something..." She turned her back to Kat, and lifted up her blouse. "Is what you see here what one would call 'beautiful'?"
Kat let out a small gasp, and immediately regretted doing so. Carrie's backside was littered with burn scars, the remnants of Shōta Kagami's bombing attack that nearly killed her. "I don't blame you for being disturbed by this."
"No, it's not that...I didn't think it was still that scarred."
"It'll likely stay this way for a long, long time. I can still feel it whenever I lay on my back. What that despicable man did to my sense of security that day is beyond description. So I ask you again, Kitten. Is there anything beautiful about this?"
"...yes."
"What...?"
"Maybe not the scars themselves. But it's what they represent about you. You haven't let that scummy bastard beat you. You're still living the way you always have, while he's sitting in jail. You're a warrior, Care. The prettiest jewels are the ones that can take the most punishment and keep on shining. Anyone can say they're pretty. But you, Care? You're every degree of beauty under the sun."
"Oh...Kitten..." Carrie began blushing.
Kat, in turn, turned as red as an apple. "...jeeeeEEEEZ. Where does this stuff come from?! I really am turning into Barbie!"
The girls, still blushing, stood around in awkward silence. "...listen, Kitten. If the earrings make you uncomfortable, I can take them back..."
"No way. They're a gift, and I'm keeping them. I just have to step up my game next time I get you something..." Kat nervously fiddled with the beret. "But I'm paying for this on my own."
"That's fine...best be on our way, then."
"You still have some stores to go to?"
"Oh, no. I think my aunt will be pleased with the ones we've been to already. Were there any stores you had your eye on around here?"
"Matter of fact, I did see a couple that struck the right cords. Probably nothing you'd be into, though."
"Nonsense, I'm more than happy to try new things. Especially since I've been dragging you around town all day so far. I'm nowhere near finished with you yet."
---
"Oh, wow, you weren't kidding about their coffee. Tastes like caffeinated magic." Kat said. The girls were seated in the mall's food court, drinking coffee.
"If only it was a little closer to home. I would wake up early and stop by every day before class." Carrie replied.
"They'd know your order by sight. They'd probably have it sitting on the counter waiting for you when you walk in."
"You're probably right. So...since we have some time to sit and chat, I wanted to know how things are going at home. How are things with your parents?"
"...complicated."
"How so?"
"My Pops has been living the easy life ever since he retired from wearing shiny shirts and gold chains...in front of people. He's as laid-back as they make them. Course, he can't be too lazy and sloppy. Cuz then the Death Gaze from the real ruler of the house comes out."
"I assume you mean your mother."
"Yep. She can be chill on most days, but between the two of them it's obvious who makes the rules, who has to go off whenever Lin does something bad. Scariest thing to see growing up was whenever she reached for a sandal. That's when you knew that you'd messed up big-time. Comes with the territory when you're a teacher like she is. Have to learn to keep a balance between the cool instructor and the bad cop. She expects 110% out of everyone. That's why...I'm kinda nervous about her meeting Prof next week."
"Why is that?"
"Prof has only been in the teaching biz for a year. Mama's gonna be poking and prodding her for any weakness. I don't want her to end up scaring Prof away from us. I just hope she's okay with what she hears about how I'm doing. I need to prove I can be more than just 'Lin 2.0'. I just...don't want to be a disappointment."
"I know of eight people who believe otherwise."
"Cuz y'all are nuts."
"And you saved us from Underworld torment. The old you holds no sway here. The only you that matters is the one we all have faith in. Well, at the very least, the one who I have faith in."
"Dangit...there go my cheeks heating up again..." Kat began turning red.
Carrie let out a giggle. "If you want to make things even, you're free to ask me a personal question. Fair is fair."
"Personal question, huh..." Kat knew that she had to tread carefully. Carrie's family was a highly sensitive topic. Still, there was one thing that she had been pondering. "Okay, if it doesn't make you comfortable then you don't have to answer, but...I've been wondering about something. You talk so much about how close you were with your mom, and how much you learned from Old Boris. But...I never hear you talking about your dad. It's just kinda noticeable."
"Oh...I suppose I haven't mentioned him very much, have I."
"Listen, I don't want to dampen the mood if you don't want to answer, so--"
"Papa...was a very busy man. He tried his best, but his environmental work took him far away from home, for long periods of time. Sometimes Mama would go with him, but for the most part she stayed behind with me. And perhaps..."
Carrie became noticeably more serious. "Perhaps part of me blames him for what happened in Qatar."
"Why do you think that?"
"The natural gas reserve project...it was all his idea. He insisted on me and Mama going with him. I suppose he wanted to have a family trip, for once. Told Mama that he wanted me to see for myself why his work was so important. 'One day she'll understand, that I do this all for her.' I was so young, I never understood what that meant. And now...I probably never will for sure."
"So if your dad didn't ask your mom and you to come with...oh, Care, I'm so sorry."
"Part of me has never stopped being angry. That the one time we all went together as a family ended up being the last time. That he was so foolish as to bring his wife and young child into such a heated situation. That he was so work-obsessed that he couldn't see the dangers surrounding the whole plan. I would never get to walk along the beach with Mama ever again, all because..."
Carrie covered her face. Kat got up from her seat, and went to hug her, gently so as to avoid agitating Carrie's burns. "I'm sorry, Care. I shouldn't have asked. Now I really feel like an ass."
"It's not your fault, love, truly. You gave me the option not to answer, and I did it anyway. I know that nobody feels a greater sense of regret than him, wherever he may be. It's just so hard not to think about what could have been. Next weekend is going to bring so many mixed emotions."
"Want me to brighten the mood, even just a tiny bit?" Kat reached beneath the table and grabbed a bag. "I was gonna wait til we got home to give this to ya, but..."
"Oh, Kitten, you shouldn't have..."
"Nuh uh uh, you've spoiled me this entire excursion, the least I can do is give some back. I don't know if you'd be into this sort of thing, but I wanted to give you something nice and pretty, but with that extra touch that says 'Sweet and Charming Kitty Kat gave me this'. And after sifting through the local shops, I may have stumbled on a winner."
Kat presented a box featuring a fairy-like creature on it, adorned with what appeared to be a white gown, and large pink crystals protruding from it. The box was labeled 'Mega Diancie - ceiling lamp'. "Soon as I saw this, I thought you'd be into it. I know Hoodsie still has that Sylveon plushie, so this is a nice compliment. Symmetry and all that."
"Oh, Kitten...this is gorgeous! I love it. I'm going to put it up as soon as we get home."
"Well, that's a relief. I was worried that getting you a Pokémon thing wouldn't make sense..."
"It's a beautiful gift, and it came from your heart. Nothing else matters. Oh, I'm so glad we had a day like this, just the two of us. I'm sad we never had personal time like this before."
"Same. We really need to have a one-on-one again sometime. Like, soon. Real soon. I--what are you clicking?"
"Just making an appointment. Tuesday after school. You and me will be getting our nails done. One has to take proper care of their cuticles."
"I--what." Kat got the notification on her phone about the appointment. "You're totally serious."
"I always am, my darling kitten. More time for us to relax and talk about life's tribulations. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
"Y-yeah, it does. Like, it absolutely does."
"Truth be told, any amount of time spent with you is sure to be entertaining. I only made it so soon because today has been so wonderful. You didn't happen to have plans that day, did you? Sorry, I made the appointment without thinking..."
"No, you're fine. Tuesday is perfect. I'm already looking forward to it." Kat turned red again. "Hey, Care?"
"Yes, Kitten?"
"...it's nothing. We should probably start heading back. The next train's gonna be here soon, and I really don't want to wait around a station on a Sunday afternoon."
"Right you are. Let's hurry, then. Don't forget your bags."
"Not with the cash we spent, I won't."
---
August 14, 2029
"Okay...hopefully our picky Ms. Aura is gonna be okay with these..." uttered an exasperated Natalia, having just finished a series of small hoodies. "Guess now I've gotta find the energy to go--"
A knock at the door. "Who could that be?" She went to open it.
"Yo." It was Max.
"Oh, uh, hey Max. What's up?"
"Umm, don't you remember? We're supposed to come up with what we'll be serving at the booth on Saturday."
"Oh...oh my gosh! I totally forgot! D'ooooh, I've just had too much running through my head lately..."
"I can tell from those bags under your eyes. You still working on that order for Yakuza Man?"
"I just finished it, I hope. I don't know how a preschooler could be this picky! It's been driving me crazy! On top of our gym instructor having it out for me..."
"Tsutsugo's a dick. He's got it out for every one of us." Max rubbed his side and winced. "Actually, I just noticed...is Care not around?"
Natalia sighed. "No...she's out with Kat...again."
"Didn't they just spend a whole day hanging out? Not that it's any of my business, but...hm. Wonder what that's about."
"I don't know...and it's starting to scare me a little..."
"Why do you think it's scary? If they're just hanging out, then it's alright."
"It's just...they started buying each other gifts, being really chatty with each other, hanging out a lot these last couple days...I know I've been super busy, but...what if Care doesn't want to be my friend anymore?"
"Oh, come on, Nat, there's no way that's it."
"I've seen it too many times...every girl back home acted like my friend until they got what they wanted from me...Care felt like the first real friend I ever had...I don't want her to forget about me..."
"I get the paranoia, but I think you're overreacting here. Care's not that kind of girl. You said yourself that you've been busy the last few days, so she probably just didn't want to bother you. I know you guys are tight, but you don't have to be attached to her 24/7. I mean, what did you do during the summer when you were apart?"
"Wait for the summer to be oveeeeeer..."
"Ayiyi...alright, gimme one second."
Max ran off, and came back a few minutes later. "Alright, just got this from Barb. I'm not as into this stuff as her and Ma, but they swear by it, so we'll see."
"What is that?"
"It's sage. You light it up a bit and it's supposed to cleanse the air. Should help calm you down. Being honest, you look like you need it."
"I'm fine, really...just a little stress."
"If this is what a little stress looks like, I'd hate to see you in full freakout mode. Just give it a whirl, see if it works out for ya. If it does, great, if it doesn't, you can sue my sister for fraud. Just promise to give me a cut."
"Okay...thanks. I'll try it. After we figure out the booth...and I take those hoodies over..."
"Tell you what, let me give you a hand with these..." Max grabbed the jackets. "...and we can brainstorm on the way to Mayhem Manor. Sound like a deal?"
"If you want."
The two started down the hall. "I'm glad I have you helping out with the booth, Max. I didn't know you could cook."
"I know my way around the kitchen. I was Ma's little helper growing up. Barb, on the other hand..." Max shuddered.
"I've seen her try to cook before. She almost blew up the Professor's kitchen once..."
"She tries, she really does. One time she tried cooking something she thought was chicken, but it was actually--"
An object suddenly came flying in and hit Max on the back of his head. "YOW!"
"What the--?! Is this...?" Natalia picked up the object. It was a slipper.
"DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO TALK ABOUT THE CHICKEN STORY?!" Down the hall, poking out of her dormroom, was an irate Barbara.
"Oww...you been taking pitching lessons from Tsutsugo? Jeez..." Max rubbed the back of his head.
"Barb...did you want--"
Barbara stomped over and grabbed her slipper. "Yes, I would like my slipper back, Nat. Don't let this doofus fill your head with lies."
"What was I lying about--" Max uttered, promptly stopping when Barbara looked to be prepping for another pitch.
"Hmph." Barbara returned to her room and shut the door.
"Hey, are you okay?" Natalia asked.
"Oh yeah, right as rain. I'm used to my family throwing things at me. Least when Barb does it, it isn't glass."
"That really isn't something that should be seen as normal..."
"The clear sign that you've never lived with a violent alcoholic. Part of why I'm glad Ma's coming here. It's a few days where we can be sure that the old man hasn't tracked her down yet. She can take care of herself, but there's still that nagging in the back of my head that he's gonna try something. Probably always gonna be there til the day he gets locked up. Gonna happen sometime. Alright, that's enough of me yapping. Don't want to be paying late fees."
"Well ain't this a shocking pair." Kat arrived, along with Carrie. "Heh, see what I did there, Sparky?"
"Hahahahaha, yes I got it." Max feigned laughter.
"Have you finally finished your order, Natalia?" Carrie asked.
"Oh, yeah. Hopefully it's to Her Highness' liking, and I don't have to go through this again..." Natalia replied.
"I have faith. Bad work for you is impossible. Keep an eye on her for me, alright, Maxwell?"
"You've got nothing to worry about there. The Hero of Justice has it covered." Max replied.
"I'll take your word for it. See you when you get back." Carrie walked away.
Kat gave Max a cheeky look, and let out a purr. "What?" Max asked.
"Oh, nothing. Keep being a good boy, Sparky. Who cares what Kicks thinks? Night night." Kat walked away.
"Very funny, you're not getting me with that routine again." Max groaned. "There, see that? You've got nothing to worry about. Can we go do this thing now?"
"Yeah, you're right...I'm just being paranoid. Let's go." Natalia responded.
"(Not sure how convincing that was, but if she says so...)" Max thought.