A Bro's Life (AGG-ish Anime Bro Quest)

You answer your brother's silent question with a knowing nod. He nods back as you both turn to the Kitsune, ready to double team her into submission with well thought out arguments.

Well, Yamato will be using well thought out arguments.

You on the other hand...

[Emotional Convince Check: Feelings + Persuasion + Diplomacy: 15 + 5 + 20: 40/40: Success! +15XP]

...you've got a different approach in mind.

"Yameko," you begin while placing your hands on your knees and leaning forward, "You really care about Hiroko, don't you?"

There's a pause as the fox woman's tails circle her body in an attempt to hide her expressions, "Perhaps. Why?"

"Because you said she was 'your responsibility'," her ears twitching tells you you're on the right track, "And you followed her all the way here despite being chased by...whatever that secret Organization calls itself. Before you ask, Yato told me about them when we met."

You nod to your wrist as she blows a strand of hair out of her face, "And let's say you are correct in your assumptions. What does this have to do with our possible alliance?"

"Simple, it's the reason you're not sure whether to agree to it. It's because you don't trust us to not kill Hiroko," that conclusion really hits home. Her eyes go wide in shock before her tails move in to block her face from view. But you push on, not wanting to waste this chance, "It's pretty clear based on what you've said. You were with Hiroko when she was trying to turn human by swearing off eating people, chased her all the way here, and are now trying to stop her from harming others while at the same time ruining all her progress. You care for her, and that's why you don't want us involved. You think we'll kill her."

Her silence gives you all the answers you need. You continue, trying to make your voice as gentle as you can, "But I assure we won't do that Yameko. I'd be lying if I said we weren't considering the option, but if you're willing to go this far for her, then we won't do it. For both your sakes."

[Difficulty Lowered By Previous Success!]

[Yamato Logical Convince Check: Cleverness + Diplomacy: 30 + 20 = 50/20: Success! +15XP]

"Additionally," your bro chimes in, ready to use the opening you've made, "even if we weren't made aware of this information it still wouldn't be prudent for us to end Hiroko's life. Firstly, she is disguised as a student of this Academy. If she were to go missing or her body was ever discovered, the scandal would reach the highest levels of Japan, bringing unwanted attention to both the school and us. Secondly, other supernatural creatures who respected or were companions of Hiroko, such as yourself, would likely begin to hunt us down as a form of retribution. Creatures that could've been our allies will instead become our enemies. Finally, we still know nothing of the Organization hunting supernatural creatures down. It is highly possible that a dead Kumiho would attract their attention, and they likely have ways of finding people like us."

Yamato adjusts his collar at the end of his sentence. watching the Kitsune as she takes your words in. Her ears have gone flat against her head while her tails begin to droop away from her face, revealing cute furrowed brows and pouting lips. Your brother continues, "And, to reiterate, fighting Hiroko alone, even if she is weakened, is ill-advised at best. Your likelihood of failure is extremely high and only increases if you're attempting to avoid ending her life. But, if you were to form a Bond with me, you'd gain the assistance of my brother, Yato, and me, thus increasing your chances of victory by a wide margin."

"You have nothing to fear from us Yameko," you cut in to deliver the finishing touch, "Please, let us help you."

She's silent for what feels like a minute, her ears the only part of her body moving. Then, with a dignified sigh, she slides her tails away from her face. Her expression is the type of calm and poise you'd only see on a model or high-class woman. She lays her soft-looking hands on the table and slowly nods her head, "I suppose you wouldn't be the worst people to ask for assistance on this matter. Fine, then. I shall make a pact with you, on one condition."

She holds up a finger and at both of you with piercing eyes, "Hiroko does not die. Unless it's absolutely necessary, we do not kill her. Agreed?"

Her face seems to flash to something inhuman for a moment, but neither you nor your brother flinches as you say in unison, "We promise."

She's taken aback at how readily the both of you answer. Her finger lowers as she looks between you in surprise, "You...are truly serious about this?"

"The young Lords are extremely magnanimous and have a powerful sense of righteousness about them. You'd do well to remember that, fox," Yato speaks with clear pride in his voice that sends the Kitsune's eyes rolling.

She turns to Yamato and starts...fidgeting? Why is she fidgeting? Her voice trembles slightly as she speaks, "You are sure about this now? You don't mind...Bonding with me?"

"It is a sensible choice. Hayato has Yato, who you don't appear to get along with, to protect him in case Hiroko strikes earlier than expected. However, while I have studied up on ways to deal with a Kumiho if I must, I'd be at a complete disadvantage against her. By forming a Bond, we can clear two obstacles at once. I'd have a much better chance at facing her with you by my side, and you'd be there if she ever decided to attack me."

Yameko nods while standing up and walking over to Yamato's side. Her head stayed pointed towards the ground as she elegantly wrapped her arms around your brother's shoulders as they trembled, "Well then, let's begin. This is my first time doing this, so I apologize if I'm...bad at it."

Your eyebrow raises in confusion, which quickly turns to shock as she pushes your bro to the ground and straddles his waist.

"Woah woah woah!" you shout while trying to regain your composure, "Yameko, what are you doing?"

She looks up at you in confusion and a blush coming over her face, "Performing the Rite Of Bonding. Shouldn't you be leaving the room?"

"This is not how the Rite goes you slathern! Get thine claws off Lord Yamato this instant!" Yato's anger voice echoes through the room as you feel his weight materialize on your arms and attempting to pull you forward.

Still clearly confused, Yameko looks down at your brother who's turned his face to the side. His voice still carries the monotone, but you can hear him straining to contain his embarrassment, "Yameko, the Rite Of Bonding is meant to made using an object as the Contract. It is not something that requires skin on skin contact. Please extricate yourself from my person."

The Kitsune's face becomes crimson as she swiftly leaps off your bro. She dusts herself off while stuttering, "O-oh! I-um-I am-I apologize. I-misunderstood. Please forgive me."

Your brother gets to his feet as she bows deeply in apology. He spends a few seconds adjusting his uniform and clearing his throat. Only then does he reply in his same monotone, "It is no trouble. Yato explained the Rite to me when I questioned him on it. Now, do you have any preference as to what the object should be?"

As if on cue, she presented a small, ornate hand comb to him. Your bro took it in both hands as Yameko raised herself up, "This is an heirloom that has been in my family for generations. Would it suffice?"

"If you have no issue putting such a priceless object on the line, then yes," you'd ask him if that was a joke, but you know your brother. He's 100% serious.

"If I was not, then I would not have come to this far. I am ready whenever you are," she says with a stern look of determination on her face.

"Then let us begin. Close your eyes," they both do so. You're left standing there for a few minutes twiddling your thumbs. The two remain completely silent the entire time, with even Yameko's ears and tails going still.

"Was this how it was with us?" you quietly question Yato.

"No. Thought the Rite remains the same, every supernatural creature has their preference on who to perform it. I enjoy yelling the oath aloud for all to hear, but this fox likely prefers a silent, mental agreement."

"So what, they're both using telepathy right now?"

"In a sense. Don't worry, they should be done soon," no sooner had he said that, then a bright flame erupted around the two. The azure flames are so hot that you're forced to step back and cover your face with your arms. Yet the two of them stand in the middle of the flames without a single hint of discomfort. Then, without any warning, the flames die out and leave no trace of their presence. You lower your arms while calling your brother's name.

"I am unharmed, brother," you see him standing no worse for wear with the Kitsune holding onto his arm. Her tails move along his body, rubbing at any patch of skin that isn't covered by his uniform. A happy smile lights up her face while her ears twitch erratically from side to side. Your brother, seemingly completely unmoved by the treatment, moves a hand to Yameko's head and starts pet her. That sends her tails and ears into overdrive as she pulls herself closer to your brother.

His face is as still as stone.

"The Bond is complete. I have now entered the realm that you have, brother. I will endeavor to learn all I can so that we will be prepared to face Hiroko. I look forward to working with you, Yameko."

"As do I, Yamato-sama," she speaks with clear elation in her voice. You look from your brother to the Kitsune on his arm, and back to your brother.

Then, the world's biggest shit-eating grin on your face, you give him a double thumbs up.

He tilts his head in confusion.

[Yamato has Bonded with Yameko! Yamato has gained a Partner and a New SL]

[Yamato has learned the Shadow Fox Martial Arts Style!]

[Yameko has joined your team! New Options Open!]

---

Sorry it took a bit this time. I've been trying to alternate between my writing projects, and finished writing the next 3k word Chapter for a fanfic. So I was taking a bit of time to cool off.

Yameko meets you both at the bottom of the stairs as you walk out of the dorm. She's exchanged her original outfit for a female Raijin uniform, her ears and tails missing from her person. A full tooth grin comes over her face as your brother steps down the last stair. She immediately moves to stand next to him, her eyes staring straight at his face with happiness.

Your brother responds with the same blank expression as he continues to walk, "Yameko, I do not believe we share any classes. Does the Bond allow us a way to communicate if the need arises?"

"I'm afraid not," the Kitsune's smile doesn't fall as she pulls a silver flip phone out of her skirt pocket, "However, you can never go wrong with simply sharing phone numbers."

You brother nods and pulls out his own black phone. The two exchange numbers while you watch on with a smile on your face. You chuckle a bit while taking out your phone, "Hey, bro. Mind shooting me her number, too? In case I get attacked first?"

"It is already being done," your phone beeps as a message arrives from Yamato with his new Partner's number typed out.

You enter her into your contacts while you nod, "Nice. Welp, Off to my classes. See ya, bro! Be careful about introducing your new girl to Munagi!"

You don't wait around to see the confused stare your brother gives you. He'll understand what you mean soon.

---

Current AP: 4
Pick Four Skills to Train.
Skills with (+) gain 15 a week.
Skulls with (-) gain 5 a week,
Skills with neither gain 10 a week.

When Training with Someone Else:
Shared Skill Bonuses get a +10 to points gained.
Your Debuff of a Skill will get canceled out if your Training Partner has the Skill as a Bonus.
If both Skills are Normal, you both get a +1 Point Gain Bonus.
If you have a Skill at Normal, but your Partner has that same Skill at a Bonus, you get a +2 Bonus to the points gained.
If you have a Bonus to a Skill, but your Training Partner has a Debuff to that same Skill, then you don't get any extra points, but they do.

[] Train Alone
- []
- []
- []
- []

[] Train with Yamato
- []
- []
- []
- []

[] Train with Yato
- []
- []
- []
- []

[] Train with Yameko Locked. Currently sticking by Yamato.

[] Call up Hose and see if he wants to Train
- []
- []
- []
- []

[] Go To The Shop (Does Not Cost AP)