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Xmas Post Facto

Summary:

Makoto and Ren have just started dating following Ren's return eight years after the game. This is an ongoing collection of vignettes focusing on their early stage relationship, the people surrounding them, and the aftermath of their time in the Metaverse.

Follows Very Merry Kurusumas and Kurusumas Morning. Recap/summary inside for those who want to start here instead.

Notes:

From the previous stories: Ren moved to Tokyo in late November 2024. He is staying at Leblanc but seeking an apartment of his own. Sae is in the process of having her partner move in, causing Makoto to also search for her own place. Ren and Makoto meet by chance at a real estate office and decide to visit apartments together while they search. Their agent, Toshima Michi, is also a Shujin alum and is friends with Eiko and an acquaintance of Mishima.

During the search and a few other not-dates, Makoto and Ren realize their growing interest in each other, culminating in them deciding to date romantically after meeting up at Shibuya Station on Christmas Eve. They are able to find a hotel room with Sophia’s search capabilities and Haru’s hotel status. While not originally either of their intentions, one thing leads to another and they spend the night together. This story starts later Christmas day.

Chapter 1: 12/25 - Wednesday - Daytime

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Ren was the first one to arrive at the apartment. It was unlike him to be that early. Usually Makoto was the first to arrive.

His impatience was showing.

The hours since they had parted seemed unbearably long.

Fortunately, their agent, Toshima Michi, was already there to let him in. She must have understood the look of surprise on his face, explaining, “I was showing this place to another applicant right before you. If either of you like it, you’ll need to decide soon.”

Ren nodded.

While this apartment had been on both his and Makoto’s short lists, looking over it again, there were some flaws he didn’t notice before. For example, the bath…

He looked into the bathing area. It was quite small. Would he and Makoto…

Memories of the night before surfaced yet again. The shot of adrenaline to his system felt both spectacular and uncomfortable. He turned his head away in the off chance anyone was looking.

He hadn’t been very productive at work that morning either.

“Oh, am I late?”

Her voice sent another shot, this one much stronger.

Calm down Kurusu. You've been in relationships before.

He walked back to the entranceway, forcing himself to a casual pace. The result was a rather robotic stride which he hoped she didn’t notice.

Makoto was already in the apartment proper by the time he dragged himself there.

Had she become more beautiful since this morning?

Yes.

No.

Definitely yes.

She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed. Was she cold? Maybe his suit jacket would fit over her coat? If only he had a blanket. Maybe he-

“H-hi,” she said.

He swallowed.

“Hi.”

“It’s good to see you again, after so long.” Makoto was a terrible actress.

So cute.

“Right,” he couldn’t quite suppress his smile. “I hope you’ve been having a good week so far.”

She lips parted briefly. It was hard not to focus on how soft and inviting they looked.

“Yes, it’s been a very good week so far.” Her head tilted down, but she maintained eye contact.

“That’s-”

Toshima coughed loudly into her hand.

“As I was saying,” her voice was louder than necessary. “Like most places, this one has a two-year lease.”

Notes:

So I wasn't quite done with this universe...

In my defense, I do already have a draft of the next Zenkichi Can't Know and I'm in the middle of writing the one after but those take longer for me to both write and edit, especially now that the holidays are over.

This one is not daily update like the previous. Sorry. I'm still striving for that lightweight, low pressure fic to heal my wounds. I'll probably start an AO3 series now, just need to figure out what to title it. Maybe "Kurusumas-verse" or "Kurusu Ren universe" or something like that. Can I edit series names later?

- Pix (Bsky | Tumblr | Other Works)

Chapter 2: 12/26 - Thursday - Evening

Chapter Text

“Why not stay?” Sis was sitting across the table from Makoto with her laptop open and a cup of tea by her right hand. “We never meant to drive you away.”

“You didn’t,” Makoto assured her. It wasn't the first time. “I had been thinking of moving out on my own for a while.”

Not thinking very hard about it, but it wasn’t exactly a lie.

“It’d be much more economical to stay,” Sis took a sip of her tea. “You’d be doing us a favor by contributing rent.”

Not much of a favor. Sis had covered rent by herself back when Makoto was in high school and through most of her university studies. While her income had dipped when she first went into defense practice, she had made up for lost ground.

Makoto supposed it was only fair that Sis could also say things that weren’t exactly lies.

“It would be safer too,” Sis’s girlfriend called over from the kitchen. “There are a lot of creeps out there targeting women living by themselves.”

It was nice that Sis’s partner cared for Makoto, enough to suggest she remain as the live-in third wheel. Since effectively moving in, she... rather, both women... seemed to baby her when they noticed she was around. Makoto wasn’t sure if this was out of guilt or if they were using her as a surrogate for...

They might not realize it yet.

“I’ll be careful,” Makoto said, loud enough to be heard in both rooms. “Also, Ren is looking in the same area, so I’ll know someone close by.”

“Ren?” Sis looked at her with renewed scrutiny. “Kurusu Ren?”

Makoto nodded.

“I didn’t know he was back in town.” 

“He moved back fairly recently,” Makoto explained. She wondered when to tell Sis about their relationship. 

Perhaps after a long enough time that Sis might not make the connection to the fact that Makoto didn't come home on Christmas Eve.

Sis's intense stare did not let up even when she took another sip of her tea.  “We should all meet up for dinner sometime then.”

Chapter 3: 12/27 - Friday - Evening

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“So, Guinea Pig, how’s the apartment search going?” Takemi turned over her spoon, resting it on her mostly finished plate of curry. Her accompanying coffee was three quarters full. “Going to get a real bed any time soon?”

Bed… 

“What’s this? Are you blushing?” Takemi leaned over the counter and squinted at him. “Are you up to something?”

Dammit.

Ren stepped back.

It had been blissfully difficult to concentrate these past few days. He'd rather it didn't show.

“It’s hotter back here than you’d think,” he waved his hands at the coffee burners and the kitchen behind them, all in on the excuse. “I’m still getting used to it again.”

Takemi and Sojiro both raised their eyebrows and stared at him.

“Anyway,” Ren returned to the original question, side-stepping their skeptical expressions. “The search is going fine. We each have short lists we’re revisiting and we’re being pickier about the new listings we’re viewing.” 

“We?” asked Takemi.

“Niijima Makoto, she’s-” Ren caught himself. “She’s a friend from high school.”

“Niijima…?” Takemi trailed off. “Niijima Sae’s younger sister?”

“That’s right,” said Ren. “Sae-san’s partner is moving in, so Makoto started looking for a place of her own. The timing worked out, so we’ve been sharing an agent.”

“Living with her partner, I see…” Takemi turned back to her coffee.

“How is the elder Niijima doing?” asked Sojiro. He shuffled down the counter, settling in a position between Takemi and Ren. When Ren shifted to keep Takemi in view, Sojiro moved as well, blocking him again.

He had always wondered…

Well, now was not the time to press it. He’d ask Makoto later.

“I don’t know. I haven’t met up with her since I got back,” Ren answered the question at hand. “Though, she suggested the four of us catch up over dinner some time.”

“My, aren’t you cozy?” Sojiro smirked.

“She did get me out of prison.” Ren chose to ignore the insinuation.

Once Sojiro knew, Futaba would know, and once Futaba knew, then everyone would know. He’d rather have the team find out from Makoto and him. It wasn’t that they were trying to hide it. They just hadn’t gotten around to talking about how and when to inform everyone.

Maybe it was time to consider it.

Ren pulled out his phone. His chat with Makoto was filled with photos from earlier that day when he had asked her for one for his wallpaper. It became clear she had never used the photo feature in the chat app, or maybe even the front-facing camera at all, as he was soon flooded with off-angle, up-close images of her examining the lens.

He looked over each one again, glad he had convinced her not to delete them.

“What’re you grinning at?” Sojiro leaned towards him.

Ren quickly stuffed his phone back into his pocket. “Oh, uh, the place we looked at today was uh… not what it looked like online.”

Why had he pulled out his phone again?

“I see.” Sojiro looked even more unconvinced than earlier. He then raised his eyebrows once more and grinned, motioning towards the sink. “Anyway, since you’re not busy, I think there are some dishes that could use your attention.”

Notes:

I love Makoto’s awkward photos in the original games and Nooch’s artworks showing how bad Makoto is at selfies.

Chapter 4: 12/29 - Sunday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Um, I haven’t told my sister yet,” Makoto said as she and Ren walked through the park surrounding Meiji Shrine. It was a peaceful getaway. Unfathomably tall trees lined their path, blocking out the city surrounding them. The expansive walkway kept even weekend visitors from crowding, though, perhaps some were putting off their trips for Wednesday.

“Oh?” Ren’s tone implied no judgment.

“She might have noticed I didn’t come home on Tuesday…” Makoto looked down at the white gravel beneath her feet.

“Oh.” A breath of a laugh was almost swallowed by the wind. 

When she looked up, he had such a goofy smile, she couldn’t help but smile in return.

“We are adults,” Ren continued, his cheeks still bunching at the corners of his mouth. “I don’t think Sae-san can complain, especially given what you’ve told me about her and her partner.”

“Yes, but…” Makoto sighed. “I think she treats me like a child more now that they’re together. I’d rather just avoid the discussion.”

“I’m sure she’s going to have some objec-, er, concerns once we tell her,” Ren took a deep breath. “And I don’t think we’ll know exactly what they are until we do.”

Ren was right. Sis could be hard to predict.

“If you’re really worried, we can tell her together, when we go for dinner,” Ren added.

“Hmm.” Makoto could see the benefits and drawbacks of the approach. On one hand, it would be nice to have Ren there. It also meant Sis wouldn’t go into their dinner meeting prepared for an interrogation. On the other hand, it wasn’t very considerate of Sis and it didn’t allow Makoto to tend to whatever more subtle reactions her sister had. Fortunately, she had time. They hadn't even set a date yet. “I’ll think about it.”

Ren nodded.

There was a lot to think about, to talk about… now that Sis was around more.

“They know you’ve been apartment hunting with me though,” Makoto tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “It came up when I mentioned I was nervous about a two-year lease. They brought up staying again.”

“Are you considering it?” Ren asked.

“Maybe.” It was best to keep all options open. While she’d rather give the happy couple their space, two years seemed like a long time now that furthering her own relationship was a possibility. Of course, that was probably still a long ways off... but two years off? Bringing it up only a few days in seemed clingy and aggressive though. In fact, thinking about it only a few days in, was that really healthy?

When she got home, she had a lot of questions to research online.

They walked a few more paces in silence. Makoto found her thoughts bouncing back and forth between relationship questions, apartment decisions, and how they were or were not entwined.

“I suppose when I do tell them, then we could…” Makoto looked around, wondering if the other visitors could hear what she wanted to say. 

She slipped a few of her fingers around his. 

He looked over to her, seemingly surprised at first, but quickly relaxing into a content smile. 

“We could at least have some privacy in my room,” she finished in a hushed tone.

“I’ve been thinking the same thing about Leblanc,” he said, keeping his face forward. “We should tell the others.”

It’d be nice to tell the old team in person… but that wasn’t really feasible. Makoto wondered who was even in the country, much less within visiting distance.

“I’ll draft a message for the group chat,” she said. Exactly how to word it was one more thing to look up online.

Ren chuckled. “I could just write ‘Makoto and I are dating now.’ Isn’t that enough?”

Hearing it so plainly, she thought she might stumble, but fortunately kept both her footing and her cool.

Ren's eyebrows raised. Maybe her reaction wasn't so concealed after all. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Or would you prefer it coming from you?”

“N-no,” said Makoto. “That's perfect.”

Ren took out his phone with his free hand and began tapping. As he did, he kept glancing over to her, smiling. 

“Send,” he made an exaggerated motion with his thumb, followed by a few more subdued taps. “Aaaand pause notifications.”

“Eh?” Makoto looked up at him.

“I suspect we’ll have some questions, but they can wait,” Ren grinned. “We have an evening to plan for, don’t we?”

Chapter 5: 12/29 - Sunday - Evening

Chapter Text

Ren lifted his head from his pillow, just enough so he could watch Makoto resting, her cheek flush against one side of his chest. Her breaths were slow and even. It hadn’t been long since she drifted off, her speech having become drowsier, more infrequent, as she tried to tell him more about the back half of her week. He didn’t want to wake her, at least not yet, but he couldn’t help himself from cradling her a little closer and kissing her lightly on the top of her head before relaxing back down again.

Fortunately it didn’t wake her.

How long did they have before the trains stopped running?

Sojiro had cleared out quickly after they offered to finish closing down for the night. From the look on his face, either Futaba had already told him or he just knew. Probably the latter. His smug expression had annoyed Ren earlier but now he was feeling too relaxed and satisfied to care.

There hadn’t been much to do anyway. Business was slow enough at Leblanc that Sojiro had finished most of the close down work early. What was left had been relatively short, even with training a newbie who was determined to help.

Ren looked down at Makoto again and smiled. He adjusted the blanket to cover the bit of Makoto’s bare shoulder that was peeking out. The small space heater in the middle of the room made things livable, but it was still rather drafty.

He sighed as he supposed he really should check the time. It’d be less stressful for Makoto if she made it back home tonight. For him too. The bathhouse across the way wasn’t 24 hours.

Had he left his phone in his pants? 

He hoped not. Slipping out from under Makoto to find them seemed a shame.

Wait a sec. No. He had had the foresight to put his phone by the window. He suddenly felt like the smartest person in the world. Ren patted around the window ledge, eventually finding it, but not before hitting his glasses a few times. He’d have to clean the smudges off later.

Pulling the phone into his focal range, he discovered they still had about half an hour before they had to get moving. He glanced down at Makoto again. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

Along with the time, his phone also revealed numerous notifications. Despite his better judgement, Ren unlocked it and began scrolling through.

Surprisingly, Ryuji was rather restrained:

“Alright, you did it man!”

“Let’s plan a double date!”

Well, it was more Makoto who did it. Ren lifted his head again to plant a few more kisses on the top of hers, smiling to himself afterwards in his accomplishment. This time she stirred a little, but settled quickly.

Returning to his phone, it was Futaba who had sent him the barrage:

“‘Just apartment hunting together' didn’t last long did it?”

“Or was that a lie the whole time?”

“How long?”

“Wait. Does this mean you ARE getting an apartment together?”

“Mona demands a video call”

“How’d it happen anyway?”

“Hey why aren’t you answering?”

“Or even on your phone?”

“Are you up to no good?”

“Notifications paused?? Seriously??”

“Haha omg these Makoto photos”

Ren stopped scrolling and pressed his lips together. He had forgotten about Futaba’s propensity for treating his phone as her territory. Was there any way to stop one of the world’s most talented hackers from accessing his files? Makoto wouldn’t like this. He didn’t like this. What if one day Makoto wanted to send-

His thumb tapped furiously. “Stay out of my phone. I mean it. Not cool.”

Her response came quickly: “You're no fun”

He added, “I’m serious.”

“(¬、¬) Fiiiiiiiiine”

It seemed safe enough for the moment, but he’d have to address it in full soon. He tapped out one more message before setting down his phone. “We’ll talk more later. I’m busy right now.”

Ren took a deep breath. He wanted to calm down before waking Makoto. She rose and descended with his chest as he inhaled and exhaled. Watching her, everything seemed less intense. He’d deal with Futaba later. Right now, at least for the next few minutes, it was their time.

Chapter 6: 12/30 - Monday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Where’s the director?” Ren walked into Toshiro’s office, manila folder full of photos in hand. Toshiro’s desk sat empty, but Nakamura was present, perched on the edge of a sofa cushion, his own files spread across the coffee table.

“Some bigwig donor dropped by while you were at ‘lunch’ and he had to drop everything in a hurry,” said Nakamura. Even without looking, Ren could hear his colleague smirk over the word lunch .

Ren looked at his watch. He wasn’t late. In fact, he’d been back with time enough to find something new in the files. He and Makoto hadn’t lingered at the apartment viewing either.

Not that he hadn’t wanted to.

Last night at Leblanc already seemed like forever ago.

“Think he’ll be back?” Most of the bureaucrats Ren had looked into had been pretty cut and dry, but this JTSB case… he was beginning to understand why Toshiro had recruited him so hard.

“I don’t know. It hasn’t been that long,” Nakamura turned the page of the document he was examining.

Ren sat down on the opposite sofa. He had a few things he could get done if the wait wasn’t going to be too long.

A few minutes later, the heavy wooden door to the office opened. It was Toshiro. Both Ren and Nakamura rose to their feet. 

“What was that about?” asked Nakamura.

Toshiro, still standing in the doorway, turned to Ren. “She wants to speak to you.”

He took a few steps into the office, revealing the diminutive figure behind him.

Haru.

She looked more mature than the last time Ren had seen her, though he couldn’t quite put a finger on how. Her clothing had always been high quality, this time a sleek pencil skirt and blazer under a heavy wool capelet, all in her signature soft pastels rather than the deep grays one might expect of the business world. She wore jewelry as well, nothing ostentatious, but nice enough that if one examined them, they would notice the size, clarity, and craftsmanship were not easily obtained. Her hair was unchanged and her face revealed little aging, but her expression had more of a commanding presence now.

Nakamura’s gaze cycled back and forth between Ren and Haru a few times before landing on Ren. The question was apparent on his face.

Ren chose not to answer. He’d have to come up with something suitable later.

“You can use my office,” said Toshiro. He turned to Nakamura, making a nodding motion to the door with his head. “Come on.”

Nakamura tidied his files before departing, continuing to eye Ren as he left.

Once the door closed behind the two men, Ren turned to Haru. “Would you-”

Haru raised her hand, indicating he could stop. She walked over to the sofa opposing Ren and sat down, smoothing her skirt under her as she did. When they were both full seated, she looked across the coffee table, smiling so sweetly that he knew he was in trouble.

“So, Ren,” she began, her smile somehow broadening. “Did you have a nice Christmas Eve?”

“Uh, yes…?” he felt the heat coming to his face. Why was she asking this?

Haru held up her phone. “Imagine my surprise getting this notification that someone had booked a room under my account when I wasn’t even in the country.”

He couldn’t read the screen from where he sat, but there was a logo that looked familiar. It was probably the hotel’s. “Sorry about that. Sophia said you wouldn’t be able to use your perks before-”

“You got Sophia involved in this?!” Haru leaned in. Her eyes narrowed. “I always thought you might be a bit of a player, but taking advantage of all your friends just so you could fuck some floozy on-”

Now his face was hot with a different feeling. “Makoto isn’t-”

“Makoto?!” Haru’s eyes opened wide and she leaned back. “You-”

“Did you not read the group chat?” Ren felt the adrenaline subside… enough to think about how Makoto wouldn’t want to announce any intimate details. “And uh, we didn’t necessarily have… I mean, we just wanted some privacy…”

His explanation devolved into mumbles. He was usually a better liar than this.

It was unclear if Haru was even paying attention. She was rifling through her purse. A few seconds later, she took out another phone, this one with a lavender case lined in similarly-colored crystals. She opened the flap and began tapping furiously. Finally, she looked up. “You two are dating?”

“That’s right.” The collar of Ren’s shirt suddenly felt tight.

“Well then,” Haru put down her second phone, her extra sweet smile returning. “We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”

Chapter 7: 12/30 - Monday - Evening

Chapter Text

It was quiet in the apartment when Makoto arrived. The television was off. The usual sounds of water boiling were absent. Sis was sitting at the table, staring into her laptop, still as a statue. “I’m home.”

“Welcome back,” Sis turned her torso as if she meant to acknowledge Makoto, but her head remained fixed on her screen.

“Where’s-”

“She had another engagement.” Sis’s tone indicated she didn’t want further questions on the subject. Makoto wasn’t sure if it was to maintain her partner’s privacy or just a symptom of Sis’s fixation on her work.  

Either way, it was best not to interrupt her. 

“Oh.” Makoto finished taking off her boots and stepped into the apartment proper. 

Makoto put her briefcase on the chair across from Sis and went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Sis had a tendency to forget to eat or drink when she was focused on a case.

Reaching for a pair of teacups, she smiled to herself. There was something nostalgic about it just being the two of them for the evening.

After starting the electric kettle, Makoto took out her phone, pleased to see a few notifications. Saving the ones from Ren for last, she first checked in on the group chat. It was unchanged, showing the same heart reactions and congratulatory messages from Futaba, Ryuji, Ann, and Sumire.

Scrolling past Ann’s earlier DM suggesting they meet up next time she was in town, Makoto arrived at the new messages. One from Haru and a few from Ren.

Haru’s was sweet and bubbly. Makoto could almost hear her voice in her head while reading it: “Congrats! Happy for you two! 💜💜💜 Coffee some time? I want to hear all about it.”

Makoto responded, “Sounds great. Let me know when you’re free. I’ll make time.”

Finally, she opened her chat with Ren.

“Haru says hi.” There was a picture of Haru seated on a fancy leather couch, waving.

“Is she still there?” Makoto messaged back.

“No, she left hours ago. I only got around to sending this now.”

“Hope you both had fun.”

“She made me sit and listen as she swiped through her whole axe collection, explaining the features of each one. I think there were over 100 photos.”

It was surprising Haru had time for that. “She must’ve been excited to hang out with you again.”

“Something like that.”

He was being too modest. 

She didn't press it.

“Are you still at work?”

“On the train,” he responded. The animation at the bottom of the app indicated he was still writing. “Call you after dinner?”

“Yes please ❤️,” Makoto typed back. “I’m going to try to talk to Sis tonight if she has time.”

Since it was just the two of them for once, it seemed like an ideal opportunity.

“Good luck.”

Makoto responded with a single heart and then put her phone back into her pocket. The tea was ready, so she completed her preparations and returned to the table, using a tray to shuttle the filled teacups as well as the kettle.

Sis seemed less distracted when Makoto returned, speaking first. “You came home late last night.”

“About that…” It seemed as good a segue as any. “Actually, Ren and I started dating recently. We’re still planning on getting separate places of course.”

Makoto found herself waving her hands in front of her at chest height, as if that would dismiss any conclusions that Sis might jump to.

“I see.” Sis picked one of the teacups from the tray, holding it between both hands. “And is this why you didn’t come home on Christmas Eve?”

Even though Makoto knew the question was likely, she still felt unprepared. However, there was no point in sugar-coating it. She opened her mouth to respond, but Sis spoke first. “I withdraw the question.”

Makoto pressed her lips together and exhaled. No matter how hard she tried, when Sis was paying attention, little got by her.

“So what is Ren up to these days?” 

As expected, the interrogation had begun.

Chapter 8: 1/1 - Wednesday - Daytime

Chapter Text

Ren felt the stares of passersby as he and Ryuji waited for their girlfriends to arrive. He preferred to blend in if he could, save for a few carefully curated situations. Attention was something he wanted on his own terms. Ryuji in traditional garb, and himself by virtue of standing next to him, attracted way more of it than he had expected. It was somehow worse than all of those times with Yusuke.

“Look at those two over there in kimono, are they influencers or something?”

“More guys should dress up like that.”

“Don’t bother them, they’re clearly waiting for someone.”

At least it’s positive attention.

“You look uncomfortable.” Ryuji seemed unbothered. Ren wondered if he even noticed the chatter around them. He was never one to care too much about his surroundings. “Regrettin’ me talkin’ you into this?”

“It’s fine.” Ren checked over his kimono, making sure he was still wearing it properly. It had been a last minute decision, spurred on by Ryuji and his tailor friends. Even though it was a rental, he suspected Angel and Julian didn’t actually have all the pieces when they started cajoling him into it. “Your friends work fast.”

“They’re excited to have another doll to dress up,” Ryuji grinned. “An’ it’ll be harder for you to say no next time they need some spare models.”

“What?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you?” Ryuji’s grin only broadened. His eyebrows raised. “They will call in these favors.”

Ren’s eyes narrowed. “So that’s why the three of you-”

“Don’t worry, it’s fun,” Ryuji shrugged. “An’ you weren’t protestin’ too hard when Makoto said she wanted to see.”

Well, that was true. A simple “I’d like to see it” text was all it took…

Ryuji's knowledge of this fact was dangerous.

“I hope they’re not expecting I’ll keep spending as much,” Ren sighed.

“Why? Ain’t Toshiro payin’ you well?”

“The salary is fine,” Ren explained. “I’ve just been reworking my budget.”

“Savin’ up for somethin'?” Ryuji's weight shifted as he leaned in slightly.

“Expanding my apartment search.” Ren brought one of his hands to the back of his neck.

“Huh.” Ryuji looked back to the crowd. He was silent for a few moments, but suddenly whipped his head back to Ren, his next words coming out at full volume. “Wait. Are you movin’ in togeth-”

Ren clamped his hand over Ryuji’s mouth. Several people had stopped momentarily to gawk. Fortunately, Makoto was nowhere in sight. He took a deep breath in relief, calming himself before speaking. “Of course not. We’ve only been dating a week.”

Ryuji’s response was muffled by Ren’s hand.

Ren released his friend, continuing, “I just think a bigger place would be nicer…”

Ryuji chuckled, nodding. “Oh. I getcha.”

“I haven’t told Makoto yet,” Ren instinctively lowered his own volume. “So, let’s keep it between you and me for now.”

“Okay, okay,” Ryuji exhaled.

Ryuji’s lack of situational awareness (at least in this world) made him poor at keeping secrets, but as long as Ren didn’t bring it up within earshot of Makoto, he was probably fine. His friend wasn’t one to gossip, just to forget. 

Ren planned to bring it up with Makoto soon anyway. He just had to figure out how to do it without her feeling pressured. There were plenty of other reasons to consider a larger place after all.

“Oh hey,” Ryuji was checking his watch when Ren looked up. “You were right.”

Ren looked past Ryuji to the turnstiles, catching sight of Makoto. Her kimono had a bright red base covered in varied-width streams of white flowers with gold tips. Rather than her usual braid, a pair of delicate floral hair ornaments framed her face.

“Hey,” Ryuji leaned over. “You still breathin’?”

The reminder caused Ren to inhale abruptly, including, unfortunately, some of his own saliva. He tried to suppress his body’s natural reaction, but was unsuccessful, doubling over coughing.

“Dude it was s’posed to be a joke.”

Ren turned to Ryuji, glaring as he kept coughing.

Ryuji didn’t seem to have noticed. “Y’know I thought she’d be wearin’ that blue one from back when we were in high school. I guess that one didn’t really exist. Weird we still got the photos somehow.”

While Ryuji was talking, Ren managed to right himself. Glancing at Makoto, she hadn’t noticed them yet. He raised his arm, waving.

Ryuji did have a point though. It was strange that-

Makoto smiled in recognition, waving back, albeit more subdued, just a quick motion in front of her chest. She began walking more quickly and was soon standing before them.

“Hi.” There was something so pure and inviting about her smile, the way she looked up at him. He could only nod in return. By the time she turned to Ryuji, whatever quality it was had dissipated, though she spoke warmly. “Ryuji, long time no see.”

“Yeah,” Ryuji scratched his head. “Was it that disaster of a group da-”

“It was when Ann and Yusuke were both in town,” Makoto interrupted, her tone firm. “A few months ago.”

Disaster of a…?

“Right,” Ryuji clammed up.

“Anyway, thanks for dressing up,” Makoto looked between them, before landing on Ren. “You wear them well.”

“Thanks.” Ren smiled. “And you, as always.”

The bright reds and golds of the kimono made the sparkle in her eyes all the more mesmerizing. The lines of the garment hinted at the beautiful figure beneath it. Best of all, he noticed her glancing over him similarly. It was hard not to-

“So are you guys like this all the time?” Ryuji was standing uncomfortably close. “I pity that agent of yours.”

“Oh,” Makoto took a step back. She looked away, hiding her mouth behind her sleeve. “Um, sorry…”

“Yeah, sorry,” Ren mumbled.

“Heh, no worries, I remember what the honeymoon period is like.” Ryuji slapped Ren on the back, hard enough to make him lurch forward. Before he could complain however, Ryuji’s attention shifted back to the turnstiles. “Oh, there’s Emi!”

Ryuji’s girlfriend had already found them. Her arm was raised, waving. Emi was slim, as expected of someone Ryuji met through a running club, and looked to be about Makoto’s height if not shorter. Her hair was pinned up and her kimono had a yellow base with a variety of brightly colored flowers and geometric shapes running over it. 

“I hope you weren’t waiting long,” Emi said once she reached them.

“Naw, we just got here early ‘cuz this one,” Ryuji slung an arm over Ren’s shoulders, “Worried someone else would be early. C’mon. Let’s head to the shrine.”

Chapter 9: 1/3 - Friday - Daytime

Chapter Text

The Okumura Foods lobby was empty when Makoto arrived. It didn’t take long for her to locate the elevator bay, but before she could act, a handsome man in a suit intercepted her.

“Niijima Makoto-san?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Follow me,” he said, leading her to the elevators.

Once inside, he took out an ID card and tapped the reader before pressing the button for the top floor. 

The elevator ride was quick. Makoto supposed the building was relatively new. Haru’s father had only come into his extreme wealth in the last several years of his life. She frowned, recalling just how that wealth had been gathered and the consequences that followed. 

When the elevator doors opened, an unstaffed reception area greeted her. The man led her past the reception desk and into the complex beyond it. After passing a few offices, they came to a small sitting room in front of a pair of doors with handles fashioned as small bronze globes.

The man knocked lightly.

“Come in.” Haru’s call was faint behind the heavy wood.

The man opened one of the doors, ushering Makoto inside. 

Haru’s office was grand. The space fit several sofas, a stately desk, and a conference table for ten, all with ample walking space surrounding them. There was a wet bar with coffee-brewing equipment along one wall and a fireplace along another, the latter flanked by a small cut-out with stacked logs and a faux stump with an axe sticking out of it. The wall behind the desk, where Haru was seated, featured floor-to-ceiling windows.

Makoto turned to her escort and nodded. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” the man bowed, looking up to smile at her for what seemed a little too long. Makoto wasn’t sure what to say, but fortunately he left not long after.

Once the door closed, Haru chuckled softly. “Don’t be concerned. It’s usually only the young and single ones that work during New Year's holidays. Some of them hope to get ahead in multiple ways, including marrying for status.”

Makoto looked back at the door. She wondered if Haru’s attendant would still be so friendly if he knew she wasn’t rich. Turning back to Haru, she asked, “Do they-”

“Oh no, they wouldn’t try it with me, just my visitors.” Haru smiled sweetly. “They know I wouldn’t consider a subordinate.”

“That’s…”

“Don’t worry, I monitor their behavior,” Haru glanced at the portraits hanging above the coffee counter. The middle one featured her father. The other two were older men that Makoto didn't recognize. “I want Okumura Foods to be a company that all our employees want to work for.”

“I hope it’s also that way for you,” said Makoto, taking a few more steps into the room. “It’s a shame you have to work through New Year's.”

“I don’t mind,” she shook her head. “It’s pretty quiet. It gives me a chance to work on the cafė project.”

Haru gestured to the documents spread across her desk. She had been talking about opening a cafė since high school. 

“It’s been hard to find time for it,” Her expression sank briefly, but she shook it off and rose from her seat. “Oh but where are my manners? Come, sit. I want to hear all about your relationship with Ren.”

Haru nodded towards the sofas as she walked around her desk and headed towards them. Makoto followed her lead and soon they were seated across from one another.

“There’s not really much to tell," Makoto said as she sat down. "We met by chance while apartment hunting and then realized we like spending time with each other.”

“That’s what Ren said too,” Haru’s gaze shifted to the ceiling above her before returning to Makoto. “But how serious is it?”

“Serious?” asked Makoto.

“You know, is it just for fun or-” Haru suddenly stood up. She balled up her right hand, hitting the palm of her left with it. “I meant to make us coffee!”

She trotted over to the wet bar, filled a glass container with water, and started a burner. Then she opened the cabinets under the bar, rummaging around before retrieving a brown paper sack. After that, Makoto couldn’t tell exactly what she was doing, but when she finished, she turned around. “Right. So is it serious?”

Makoto wasn’t sure how to answer. “Well, it hasn’t even been two weeks yet…” 

“So is it for fun then?”

“For fun?” Makoto squinted. Eiko had also used that term when describing some of her own relationships. “Shouldn’t it always be fun?”

“Oh my Makoto,” Haru raised her fingers in front of her mouth, but the corners of her smile were still visible. “I didn’t take you for that type.”

“What type?”

“I think I see how things are now,” Haru brought her hands in front of her chest in a small clap. “Now, how do you like your coffee?”

“Black is fine." It seemed Haru had her answer, so Makoto didn't press. “Unless you have a recommendation for this blend.”

“Good choice,” Haru grinned widely. She turned back to the counter. The faint sounds of her work—glass clinking, gas being adjusted, water boiling—filled the air. Makoto didn’t want to interrupt, so she waited for Haru to speak again. “Ren didn’t seem too different when I dropped in on him… older, sure, with a little more perspective, but that’s true of all of us, isn’t it?”

“I hope so.” Makoto murmured. She wasn’t entirely sure whether that applied to her as well. She had made a conscious effort to work on her own deficiencies, but sometimes it felt aggravatingly slow. It wasn’t the time to mull though. She spoke more clearly when she answered Haru. “Yes, he still has all the qualities that made him our leader.”

Makoto smiled to herself, thinking about how natural and easy their last meeting had felt.

“Perhaps he’s a little more confident now,” she added. It was nice to see. “But maybe that's because for once he’s not under threat.”

Haru made a few shallow coughs that somehow converted into a soft giggle. “Right.”

It was fortunate that Ren was willing to come back given all that had happened the last few times he had come to Tokyo for any length of time.

Haru continued working on their drinks.

There was a brief flurry of containers opening and closing and of metal hitting ceramic which made the silence afterwards all the more noticeable.

“Hey Makoto…” Haru finally started, still facing the counter. There was a pensive quality to her tone. “Back then, did you…”

She paused again.

“Actually,” the warmth returned to Haru's voice. “Maybe this is something for when the others are around. We should plan a girl’s night!”

With that, Haru turned back to Makoto, a tray with two coffee cups in her hands. She beamed. “But first, coffee!”

Chapter 10: 1/5 - Sunday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“I can’t believe he ghosted me,” Eiko shoved the remains of her meal aside and laid her head down on the table. “Things were going so well.”

Makoto made a sympathetic frown. All throughout lunch, Eiko had been alternatingly moping and protesting that it didn’t matter. Makoto tried her best to remain supportive. “It’s his loss.”

She had said something similar before their meal, but Eiko didn’t seem to mind hearing it again.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Eiko’s words came out distorted as her cheek remained pressed against the table. “Haruna, Michi, and Rikako were all busy… probably on dates.”

Makoto didn’t know the rest of Eiko’s circle very well, but suspected the scenario she painted might be a bit exaggerated. That being said, it would have been nice to be with Ren…

Their time at Leblanc the night before already seemed so long ago.

She felt something inside her twitch just thinking about idly tracing along the muscles in his arms, about being embraced so tenderly, but also so-

Eiko put both palms on the table and pressed down, lifting herself, her neck and back uncurling until she was sitting upright again. “Oh yeah, why aren’t you with your new boyfriend?”

Makoto snapped to attention. Had her face given her away? Was it giving her away now? It felt hot.

Was it obvious?

She briefly glanced to the side and then back at her friend. Eiko's forlorn expression had given way to something more smug. Makoto could almost see little word bubbles with ‘I told you so’ and ‘I was right, wasn’t I?’ dancing around her head. It was unclear if Eiko knew what Makoto had been thinking or this was just part of the victory lap she had started right after Christmas Eve.

Whichever it was, Makoto tried her best to play it cool. Eiko seemed satisfied enough not to press.

“He had some business to attend to today," said Makoto. She didn't know the details. He had been alluding to a case at work over the past week, but couldn’t share specifics… though it didn’t sound like it was to the point of needing to work weekends. “But we’re meeting for apartment hunting tomorrow and dinner with my sister next weekend.”

“Introducing him to your family already?” Eiko’s head tilted. “Isn’t that a bit fast?”

“He knows Sis already. She was his lawyer back when…” 

Makoto wasn’t sure whether to voice it. The labels had been unfair. There was no need to repeat them.

“Oh right, wasn’t he taking the fall for some politician or something?” Eiko’s gaze rose to the ceiling as she scrunched her face, seemingly trying to draw out the memory. “And the Phantom Thieves saved him?”

Makoto smiled. Vague seemed best. “Something like that.”

“What ever happened to the Phantom Thieves?” The wrinkles between Eiko’s eyebrows deepened. “I haven’t heard about them in ages.”

“I think they stopped right around that time.” Makoto hoped the answer was safe enough. Perhaps a simple ‘I don’t know’ would have been better. 

“Huh, I wonder why…?” The question hung for a few moments before Eiko took out her phone and began tapping rapidly. 

Was she looking it up?

Makoto braced herself for the conversation ahead.

“Bleh, Tapricot is so dead right now.”

Apparently not.

Makoto exhaled, smiling to herself. She could always count on Eiko to be herself, which meant, among other things, largely uninterested in the Phantom Thieves.

Chapter 11: 1/6 - Monday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Are you okay?” Makoto asked as Toshima unlocked the door to the apartment they were about to view. The real estate agent had bags under her half-open eyes and she seemed to be carrying herself with a bit of a slump.

“I’m fine,” Toshima replied. “I just had a busy weekend.”

Eiko had mentioned something about her probably being out on dates…

“Oh, I hope it was pleasant then,” Makoto tried to smile encouragingly.

Toshima gave her a strange look but didn’t say anything.

Stepping inside the apartment, Makoto could see it had been well-kept. Ren had only shared the listing with her the night before and she hadn’t looked closely, only noting the price was a bit above her range—still feasible, but not ideal—and that it was a newer building. 

It seemed a bit roomier than the other places they had looked, save for some of the older ones. Makoto took out her phone, verifying that it was indeed several square meters more than the typical ones they viewed.

The kitchen was big enough for two, three if necessary, and looked out over the modest living area and balcony. A sliding door along the left wall separated the small bedroom. Most of the added space must have gone to the kitchen and washroom. The latter offered a slightly larger sink area with carefully designed storage. The bath was spacious compared to the others they had seen and came with modern features.

Makoto walked over to the balcony. The view wasn’t anything special but the distance to other residences was workable.

All in all, it was quite nice. Makoto supposed it was easier to find places like these at this price point. She didn't really need the extra space though, nor to pay that much in rent…

“What do you think?” 

Ren’s voice startled her. She turned her head just as he was resting his arms on the balcony ledge next to her.

When had he arrived?

“It’s very nice,” Makoto didn’t want to put down a listing he recommended. “But isn’t it a bit big?”

Ren probably had even less need than her. She didn’t recall seeing many belongings in Leblanc’s attic, not that she had been focused on her surroundings last she was there…

A pleasant warmth rose to her cheeks.

“So you like the kitchen layout?” he followed up on her first statement. “What did you think of the bath?”

“Ah, they were all pretty ideal, and then some,” answered Makoto. “But-”

“Did you find any major drawbacks?” he spoke rapidly. “Anything that would give you pause about this place?”

“Well, there’s the price-”

“Aside from the price.”

“Hmm,” Makoto brought a hand to her chin. There were little things that weren’t perfect, but nothing show-stopping. “I can’t think of any… just minor issues.”

“Like what?” Ren looked over to her.

“The bedroom closet is a little small and awkward to access,” Makoto recalled. Her gaze rose to the sky as she mentally went over what she had seen. “And there’s no built-in shoe storage by the entryway. These are just nitpicks though.”

“Hm,” Ren smiled, turning back to stare out over the balcony. “So you like it then?”

“I do,” Makoto admitted. “But I can’t justify the rent… or the extra space.”

“Then it’s okay if I apply for it?” He was looking at her again.

“Of course, you found it after all.”

“I agreed I’d let you have dibs,” Ren’s tone was calm, laid back even. “This was your search first.” 

“Well, either way, it’s yours,” said Makoto. She smiled.

“Hopefully,” said Ren. He pushed back from the balcony railing and ran a hand through his hair. “We’ll see if they accept my application.”

He had been confident about appeasing landlords in their earlier conversations, so it was surprising that he was hedging now. The listing was relatively new and it wasn’t yet high season. 

Makoto looked back into the apartment, wondering what it would be like to visit. Maybe they would make dinner together in the kitchen. The living area had space for a sofa. She imagined them cuddling there after a long day. The washroom cabinets had plenty of space if she wanted to leave a-

“Ren…” she began puzzling things together. “You’re not getting this place on my account are you? It’s expensive and-”

“Well...” he rubbed the back of his neck. The right corner of his mouth bunched in a half smile. “I can’t say having somewhere you’d want to visit didn’t cross my mind…”

“It’s too much, you don’t have to-”

“Let me finish,” he let his arm come to rest at his side. “It’s not just that, so don’t feel guilty. I figured coming back here… and after living at Leblanc for a while… I should get a bigger place, just for myself. The city can be confining enough as it is.”

Ah.

Makoto glanced down. So he still had mixed feelings about moving here...

"Don't worry," he said in a relaxed tone. "It's not that big a deal. I'm not normally bothered. Just something I keep a pulse on."

"Really?"

"Really."

"If you want to talk-" she started.

"I know," he smiled.

Makoto let it rest.

“Will it be okay?” she asked. “The rent I mean…”

“It’s doable, not as frugal as I’d like, but not a strain either,” he explained. “Like I said, I want to splurge a little on myself for this, make sure I have room to breathe.”

“Okay…” 

“If it ends up being an issue, it’s only for two years,” he continued to argue, likely sensing her lingering apprehension. “I was living with my parents, so my savings are in a good place. All in all, I’m comfortable with it.”

Two years had seemed like a long time when Makoto was considering renting her own, smaller apartment, but when he put it that way, it didn’t seem as risky.

Chapter 12: 1/9 - Thursday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“I see. No, thank you for your time.” Ren tapped the ‘End Call’ button. Leaning back, he sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He had been chasing down leads for over a week with very similar (and useless) responses.

“Three days without going out to ‘lunch’ and you’re already this depressed?” Nakamura smirked. He had walked up just as Ren was finishing the call.

With him having an application in and Makoto more seriously reconsidering Sae’s plea to stay, there was no reason to view more places. Ren was happy Makoto had taken his advice and chosen to think more broadly about her living situation. He knew she worried about money and from what he could tell, at least from how she talked about things, Makoto was getting used to being around Sae’s girlfriend. He did feel a bit bad for Toshima though.

“It’s not that,” Ren answered Nakamura, exhaling as he sat up. “It’s just this thing with the JTSB. Director Kasukabe wants me to be extra thorough.”

Ren wanted to drop by a few sites and look around. It was what Toshiro had hired him for to begin with, wasn’t it? However, Toshiro believed it would tip people off that the ministry had eyes on them. Ren wasn’t so sure. He was a new recruit after all. Would they even recognize him?

“You can just ask her out to lunch you know.” Nakamura ignored Ren’s explanation.

Both Ren and Makoto were busy with work. The first week ‘back’ after the end-of-year holidays was like that for everyone, so pausing their daytime meetings seemed reasonable. It wasn’t like he hadn’t just met up with her the evening before.

Also, if they did meet for lunch, she’d probably feel pressured to make box lunches for them or something.

Maybe he could do it first? Pick up a few ingredients at the nearby grocery that evening and have at it? Things had been characteristically slow at Leblanc. Sojiro would yield him the kitchen, especially if it was 'for a girl.'

“How is it that you’re spacing out more now that you’re actually dating?” Nakamura’s disaffected tone cut through Ren’s planning.

He looked dimly at his co-worker. “Do you need help with something?”

“Just on my way to the printer,” Nakamura shrugged.

He looked like he was about to take off when Ren’s phone started buzzing. Nakamura stopped, raising an eyebrow in Ren’s direction.

Ren pulled up the notification. It wasn’t about the case. 

“I got the apartment.” His cheeks twitched, trying to make the smile that his brain (and the rest of his face) hadn’t caught up to. He stared into his phone, re-reading Toshima’s message over several times, making sure it was real. Finally, he and Makoto could-

“Congrats!” Nakamura leaned over so he was facing the phone too, though not close enough to actually read it. “Need any help moving furniture or anything?”

Furniture?

Ren’s eyes briefly widened even more than they were already, before relaxing as everything sunk in. His grin finally found its way to the surface. There was still a lot to do, as Nakamura had accidentally reminded him, but he had taken the first big step.

Chapter 13: 1/11 - Saturday - Evening

Chapter Text

“Your sister has a type.”

Ren and Makoto stood just outside of the stairwell to the diner, watching as Sae and her partner approached. 

Even at a distance, Sae’s girlfriend exuded a counterculture vibe. Her hair was long and unruly. She wore baggy cargo pants and a partially-zipped hoodie, revealing the scooped neckline of the shirt underneath and leaving her bronze skin open to the cold air. Even in sneakers, she was tall like Sae. Most of all, something about her walk and her expression communicated an assuredness in her nonconformity.

It almost distracted from the intense glare that Sae was giving him.

“Hn,” Makoto murmured in response. Ren wasn’t sure if she had actually processed what he said. The way she was worrying her lips together, he suspected she was thinking hard about something else, likely how their dinner was about to go. 

He made a point not to react. With Sae watching them, anything he might do to reassure Makoto could backfire.

Moments later they were face-to-face and Makoto began her introductions.

“Sis, Tao-san, this is my boyfriend, Kurusu Ren,” she motioned to him before shifting her attention towards the older woman. “And Ren, this is my sister’s girlfriend, Machinami Tao-san.”

“It’s good to see you again,” Sae nodded in his direction with a warm but tempered smile. It was much more inviting than she had seemed a few paces ago.

Machinami also nodded at him, but didn’t say anything. She looked to be sizing him up. There was something about it that made him uneasy.

“Nice to meet you.” Ren’s perfunctory greeting didn’t seem to change anything.

“Let’s head inside,” Sae pointed her hand towards the stairs, directing them to go first.

They were quickly seated at a booth. Makoto sat beside Ren on the inside by the wall, across from Machinami, leaving Sae to sit opposite him.

Their server was equally quick and they were soon nursing their drinks while waiting for their entrees. Though the coffee couldn’t compare to Leblanc’s, there was something nostalgic about the taste, the whole ambience—something he had also felt when he had last visited with Mishima.

Makoto and Sae had gone with tea instead, while Machinami had, like him, ordered coffee.

“So Makoto tells me you’re working for the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” said Sae. Her tone was relaxed. If there was to be an interrogation, she hadn’t yet turned up the heat. “Are you planning on being a career bureaucrat?”

“Sis…” Makoto started. He saw her cheeks start to redden. “That’s-”

“We’ll see,” said Ren. He didn’t need Makoto’s help, at least not yet. “I’ve only been there a month. Even if I don’t pursue the career, I’ve been told the experience will help in a variety of industries.”

“That’s true,” Sae took a sip of her tea. She smiled, communicating some sort of mix of amusement and affection. “Still, I’m surprised you would take a government position.”

“Well, I respect my boss and I believe the work we do is meaningful,” he replied. 

“Kasukabe Toshiro… was it?” 

He couldn’t imagine that Makoto would have gone into that much detail about his job to her. Sae must have done some digging on her own.

“That’s right.” Ren tried to keep his posture loose.

“He was in line to become prime minister once, wasn’t he?” On the surface, Sae seemed perfectly pleasant, but something about the way she was sitting up so straight conveyed the command she had of the conversation. “Until he revealed corruption within his own political allies and family.”

Ren nodded. "It was a while back..."

“Curious though, isn’t it?” Sae folded her hands, resting them on the table.

“Director Kasukabe’s integrity is one of the reasons I took the position.” Ren wondered just what she was insinuating. They had never told Sae about Toshiro. It wasn’t like he could get into it with Machinami present. 

“I see,” Sae closed her eyes as she took the next sip of tea, slowly opening them to look at him again. “Anyway, I’m glad you seem to be on track.”

Ren supposed the last time they had met, it was unclear how much the incident with Shido, with Yaldabaoth, would continue to affect his life, even if he was ultimately exonerated. While the history he carried was a worry when he was first searching for jobs, as fate would have it, he now worked for someone he had only met due to his life as a phantom thief. 

“What about you, Machinami-san?” It would be easier on everyone if it was truly small talk. “Makoto said you work for a design firm.”

“That’s right,” her tone was brusque, but she still took the time to elaborate. “We cater to grassroots organizations.” 

Looking at Machinami more closely and in better lighting, there was something familiar about her. She reminded him of someone, someone other than Takemi, but he wasn’t sure who. “So how did you two meet?” 

“I met her through a colleague,” explained Sae. 

“You know Makoto from high school, right?” Machinami didn’t stop to let him answer. Instead, she looked between him and Sae. “But how do you two know each other so well?”

Ren had been so focused on presenting his relationship with Makoto to Sae's standards, it hadn’t even occurred to him that he might need an explanation for his familiarity with Sae. Of course she would keep his past in confidence… though from the sound of things, she hadn’t spoken much about him at all.

He came to the answer at the same time Sae did:

“She helped me in the past.” “He helped me in the past.”

Machinami’s eyebrows raised. She looked genuinely surprised.

Ren and Sae turned to each other and smiled.

“That was a long time ago,” said Sae, turning to her girlfriend. “So I didn’t think to tell you.”

The server arrived shortly thereafter with their meals and the conversation quieted as they ate.

Sae finished first and decided Ren was far enough along to resume their chat.

“So are you still active in the same hobbies as back then?” Sae asked. “Makoto tells me you’re staying at Leblanc for now, have you kept up your skills as a barista?”

The second question masked it well, but he knew what she was really asking.

“I haven’t been able to participate in as many since leaving school—some just aren’t as accessible as they were back then,” he assured her before addressing her second inquiry. “I still try to pitch in when I can at Leblanc, but I’ve gotten a little rusty.”

“I see,” Sae put both hands around her teacup. “Well, it’s hard to find a good balance, especially when you’re just starting out.”

Ren nodded.

“And you?” he asked. “Last we talked, you were just starting your practice.”

“It really has been a while, hasn’t it?” Sae chuckled softly. “I’ve now had my business longer than I was a prosecutor. The first couple years were a little rough, but…”

She began describing some of the milestones her practice had reached over the years and her plans for growth. Ren was only starting to get a sense of how such firms operated through his work with Toshiro, so there was little he could add. It made it all the easier to get distracted by what was going on next to him. 

“Here Makoto,” Machinami said in a hushed tone as she moved a few slices of Salisbury steak from her own plate to Makoto’s. “You should eat more.”

Makoto wasn’t exaggerating when she said the two women babied her.

“It’s okay Tao-san,” Makoto raised her hands in front of her chest in protest. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

“You eat too little,” said Machinami, though she did stop shuttling bits of steak. She peered at Ren out the sides of her eyes. “You’re not undereating on account of this guy are you?”

The pair soon had Sae’s attention as well.

“No, this is what I normally eat.” If he didn’t know Makoto so well, he might have missed the slight edge in her voice.

Ren considered pointing out that Makoto had always been one of the most health-conscious people he knew, but figured it was too risky. He wasn’t sure what kind of impression that would make. Makoto had been fretting over this meeting all week. While he thought he had prepared well for Sae, he hadn’t expected that Sae’s girlfriend would be almost as difficult to navigate.

It was strange.

He couldn’t resist taking a peek with his third eye. Every now and then, it helped him in ways he couldn’t have predicted. 

This time, however...

In the shifted world of his altered vision, Machinami appeared hazy. He could barely make out her form. The more he tried to focus with his third eye, the blurrier the vision got. 

“Ren?”

The area surrounding her seemed normal, aside from the usual blue cast, but whenever he tried to concentrate on Machinami-

“Ren?!”

The hand on his upper arm jolted him back to reality. Makoto was leaning forward, trying to get a good look at his face. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah…” He rubbed the bridge of his nose between his index finger and thumb, his glasses shoved upward to make room. “Sorry, just feeling a bit of a headache coming on.”

“You don’t look so good,” she said, still holding his arm. “Maybe you should head home.”

“No, it’s not too serious,” he managed to smile. “I’d hate to leave so soon. We're just meeting again after how long?”

He didn't want to ruin the dinner she had spent so much time fretting over. He tried to look as pleasant as possible while Makoto continued to stare, watching him carefully, until she eventually gave up.

“Well, okay,” Makoto looked away briefly before picking up the glass by his plate. “At least drink some water.”

“Right.” Ren took the glass of water and sipped, listening as the three women resumed their conversation—one he hoped to jump back into soon, but not before trying one more time. 

Again, he opened his third eye. 

The same fuzzy vision appeared before him. 

So it wasn’t a fluke. 

But then, just what was it?

Chapter 14: 1/11 - Saturday - Late Night

Chapter Text

Makoto followed Ren as he led her through the streets of Yongen-Jaya, their hands never parting. He wasn't dragging her along per se. Her hand rested loosely in his. At times her fingertips almost slipped away, but then he would renew his grip.

Ever since they parted ways with Sis and Tao-san, it had been like this. Normally they wouldn’t hold hands just to walk to Leblanc. She knew the way just fine, but it seemed tonight was different. It wasn’t just holding hands either. In the train he had somehow sat closer to her, even though they were seated side-by-side like always. He gave her a reassuring squeeze on the upper arm, twice, in their short ride. She wondered if he was conscious of his change in behavior.

Was he that happy that she thought dinner went well?

Or was it that she didn’t back out of their plans when Tao-san wanted her to come home with them instead?

Though… he didn’t look particularly happy.

Maybe it was because he wasn’t feeling well, even if he had insisted his headache had passed.

Soon they would be somewhere she could ask.

Leblanc was already closed by the time they arrived. Ren let go of her hand and took a few brisk strides to the main light panel. Once the cafė was illuminated, he returned to her, wrapping an arm around her back as he ushered her further in.

He was doing it again.

“Care for a cup of coffee?” he asked.

Makoto opened her mouth to speak before realizing she wasn’t sure. She had wanted some time to chat, but it was rather late.

He seemed to notice her hesitation. “I was going to make myself one anyway.”

“In that case,” Makoto smiled. “Please.”

He guided her to a seat at the far end of the counter and then took off his jacket, draping it over the chair next to hers. Next he loosened his tie and slipped it off, laying it over the jacket. He undid the top button of his dress shirt and then pulled an apron out from under the counter. 

“So you really think it went well?” he asked as he tied the straps of the apron behind his back. 

“Sis seemed really happy to see you again.”

While her sister had become more gentle over the years, her no-nonsense demeanor was still the default.

“That’s great,” Ren exhaled. He paused, his fingers still wrapped around the apron’s bow. “But what about her girlfriend?”

“Ah, that…”

Tao-san had always been friendly, if a bit awkward, towards Makoto. She could understand how the older woman might have seemed intimidating to Ren though. 

“I think she’s trying her best.” Makoto suspected Tao-san’s history wasn’t exactly rosy based on how cagey she and Sis could be about certain topics. 

“Hm.” Ren turned from the counter and began looking at the shelves of ingredients behind him. After a short while staring, he started to run his hands over some of the bags, gripping one across the front and then changing his mind and considering another.

He didn't speak again until he chose a blend.

“Y’know, now that I’ve met them, I can see why you originally wanted to move out,” Ren said as he returned to the counter. He set down his selected container of coffee, opened a drawer, and fished out a spoon. “Maybe I shouldn’t have talked you into staying.”

“You didn’t talk me into it.” Makoto's brow furrowed. Where was this coming from? “I was already considering it. I just needed to sort through all the pros and cons.”

Was he beginning to rethink their plans? Maybe he didn’t want her over so much…

“Yeah, but…” Ren trailed off. He pressed his lips together and his gaze shifted to some spot on the floor beside him. 

Something was wrong. 

Makoto went over the events of the night in her head, trying to figure out if she had done something to-

The sound of Ren taking a deep breath brought her attention back to him. “You know how I’m good at seeing certain things?”

Makoto nodded, worrying her lips together as she did.

“Well, there’s something off when I look at Machinami.”

It took Makoto several seconds to process what he had just said. He looked plainly at her as she tried to wrap her head around his words.

“What does that mean?” she eventually asked.

“I don’t know.”

It didn’t sound good. Was Tao-san somehow involved in that world? Was he implying Tao-san might be a threat? If Ren didn’t want her around Tao-san…

“But then what about Sis?” Makoto protested. “Is it-”

“I don’t know,” Ren repeated himself. “It sometimes shows me good things, sometimes dangerous things, sometimes I’m not sure…”

“But you want me to move out, right?” Makoto dipped her head. "But it's fine for Sis?"

Ren cast his gaze down once more. He shifted his weight, breathing in and out. 

“I don’t know, it just feels… bad.” The skin between Ren’s eyebrows puckered and he clenched his jaw. “But, are you ready to damage Sae’s relationship over a vague feeling?”

Makoto sighed, shaking her head.

“Have you had this feeling before?” she asked. “About other people?”

“No,” Ren was looking at her again. “It’s rare for it to trigger on people—usually only those I’m close to and then it’s more like…”

He paused. His vision drifted upwards.

“It’s a bit complicated,” he began. “But it's not invasive or anything. It just makes you easier to see. With Machinami, it’s the opposite.”

“Oh.” 

Makoto supposed if his ability made it easier to find treasures, it made sense it would also make it easier to find people. It would explain a lot…

“Wait a second…” Makoto looked up at him. “Is this why you've always been able to spot me so quickly, even in a crowd?”

Ren smiled genuinely for the first time since they left the diner. “I’ve never needed extra help when it comes to noticing you Makoto.”

Chapter 15: 1/12 - Sunday - Early Morning

Chapter Text

The first thing Makoto always did upon realizing she had just woken up was check the time. At least, she tried to check the time. She reached for her phone, but instead of finding it, her hand knocked into a wall.

Oh.

Right.

She was at Leblanc. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she began to make out the vague form of the window above her, delineated by the dim light coming through the frosted panes. The faint glow of the heater in the middle of the room provided the only other illumination. She supposed that meant it was still relatively early given that no light was coming from the stairs.

Makoto tried again, propping herself up so she could more easily find the window sill and with it her phone. Checking it, she found it was a scant few minutes before five in the morning. If she got up now, she could quietly gather her things and leave before Boss arrived to prep for the day. 

She considered it, but it was hard to convince herself to leave the bed. Now that enough of her upper body had left the pocket of warmth contained by the blanket, she was quite aware of just how drafty the attic could be in the winter, even with the protection of Ren’s pajama shirt. She wondered if the space heater was having any effect at all.

Had Ren been living with the cold since he moved back? 

Was it like this in high school too?

Makoto looked back at Ren, watching the blanket rise and fall as he slept. He seemed peaceful enough, despite the ambient temperature. Though, his exhaustion might be contributing to his state of undisturbed slumber. She wasn’t exactly sure what went into his seeing, but it had clearly had an effect on him during dinner.

At least it would only be another week or so before he moved into a real apartment. That would solve one of the problems. The other-

“Mmf.” Ren stirred, tugging at the blanket. He quieted momentarily, but then rolled onto his side, bringing an arm over her and pulling himself towards her.

Makoto smiled to herself. It was as good an argument for staying as any she might make. She laid back down, bringing the covers up over her shoulders. 

It seemed Ren was not yet done reconfiguring however, despite being asleep. His arm drew her even closer, coaxing her to face him. As he shifted, his other arm snaked under her, his hand coming to rest on the back of her head. A muffled sound of self-satisfaction came from somewhere in his throat as he tucked her under his chin.

Makoto wasn’t sure how sustainable this position was, but it certainly felt nice in the moment. She lowered her chin so that her forehead was against his chest and closed her eyes. Staying a little longer was definitely the right choice.

Chapter 16: 1/12 - Sunday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“I’m home.” Makoto said as she stepped into her and Sis’s apartment and began taking off her boots. A faint crackling sound along with savory smells indicated that lunch was being prepared. 

“Welcome home.” Sis had her laptop out on the table and was typing away, but at least looked up to greet her.

“You didn’t come home last night,” Tao-san stepped out of the kitchen, leaning into Makoto’s line of sight. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she wore an apron over her crop top and baggy pants. 

“That’s right.” Makoto finished putting away her shoes and stepped into the main area of the apartment where she could be seen by both women. “Please don’t worry about me. I had a late breakfast.”

“Nah, I got this.” Tao-san was already back at the burners, but turned her head towards Makoto to respond. “There’ll be plenty.”

“Thank you.” Makoto knew better than to argue. 

After stopping by her room to set down her bag, Makoto headed to the kitchen as Sis was likely too absorbed in her work to help prepare the table. She looked over Tao-san’s work-in-progress, mentally forming a checklist of which dishes they would need. Noticing the ingredients in use, Makoto couldn’t help but admire, envy even, how Tao-san seemed to be able to find bargains she never would have even thought of and then use the resulting odd assortment to do so much. Frugality was a point of pride for Makoto, but Tao-san’s creativity and know-how put her skills to shame.

Sis always seemed to find it quite flavorful too…

“Oh, you don’t have to get those,” said Tao-san as Makoto started pulling out chopsticks, stands, and placemats.

“It’s no bother,” she replied.

Setting the table while Sis was working took extra time as Makoto didn’t want to be disruptive. Rather, it worked best to be just present enough to make Sis aware that work needed to be wrapped up soon. 

Sis seemed to take the hint. Her last few taps on the keyboard made audible thumps, like she was making the closing argument on whatever work she was doing. Not long after, she closed the lid and slid the laptop into the briefcase at her feet.

It was perfectly timed. Tao-san came out with the rice at that very moment.

“So that guy you’re seeing,” she said as she placed the bowls at their settings. “Are you sure about him? I-”

“We’ve been over this,” Sis tilted her head up. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a good kid. I don’t think he’s up to anything untoward.”

Sis’s eyes shifted towards Makoto for a moment, as if silently asking for confirmation. 

Makoto nodded. Ren would have told her if there was anything else involving that world.

“You never know,” countered Tao-san. “I got a bad feeling, like I’ve met him somewhere before.”

“He only moved back here recently,” said Makoto. “After an eight year gap. And even back then it was only for a year.”

“Yeah and the people I knew eight years ago… some of them weren’t very nice people,” Tao-san crossed her arms, shifting her weight to favor one leg.

“He was just a boy back then,” Sis reminded her. “Believe me, I’ve fully investigated him. I know things about him even Makoto doesn’t.”

“What?” Makoto blinked. "What do you-"

Sis grinned, but otherwise continued without acknowledging her, instead keeping her focus on her girlfriend. “It’s kind of you to worry, but don’t, focus on your show piece, that’s coming up isn’t it?” 

She motioned Tao-san to come to her. 

Tao-san compiled, walking over to stand behind where Sis was seated before answering her question. “In a few weeks.”

“You’ve got this,” Sis smiled, lifting her hand to rest on Tao-san’s neck and craning her own so she could plant kisses on Tao-san’s cheek. 

Tao-san smiled, leaning in closer and turning her head so she could meet Sis’s lips.

Makoto looked away, still unsure if it was appropriate for her to be witnessing their intimate gestures.

They were really cute though. 

Tao-san couldn’t really be dangerous, could she? If Sis thoroughly investigated Ren, then surely she would have done the same for Tao-san. Surely.

Chapter 17: 1/14 - Tuesday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Taking a trip?” Nakamura tilted his head towards the large suitcase next to Ren’s desk.

Ren glanced at his colleague briefly before turning back to the documents open on his display. “Just moving things over to the new place.” 

“Moving bit by bit eh?” Nakamura was undeterred. “Guess it’s no rush when you’ve got a sweetheart deal at the current place.”

“Something like that.” Half of the clothes Ren had in Tokyo fit in that one suitcase. There wasn’t much to move. However, even if Sojiro wouldn't accept more than a pittance, Ren still wanted to move out fast. Not only would he rather avoid taking advantage of Sojiro's kindness, but he still had other expenses to worry about. Furthermore, having to be quiet during business hours had put a damper on Sunday morning. While it didn't make sense to fully move until he had some bedding in the new place, he would hopefully have that sorted soon.

Why are you moving again?” It seemed Nakamura was in an extra chatty mood. Toshiro’s department wasn’t that large, but surely there was someone else he could be bothering right now. “I’d kill to be paying what you've been paying.”

Ren kept staring at his monitor as he gave a one-word answer. “Privacy.” 

A mistake.

“Ooooh.” Though Ren wasn’t looking at Nakamura, he could see the man’s smug expression in his mind’s eye. “Right, for your girlfriend.”

“Don’t you-”

He was interrupted by the sounds of raised voices from Toshiro’s office. It was too muffled to make out what was being said, but the fact that he could hear it at all through the thick doors was worrisome. 

Ren got to his feet.

“Whoa there,” Nakamura lifted his arm slightly, just enough to block Ren’s path. “If the director wants us, he’ll call us.”

“But-”

“It happens from time to time,” Nakamura sighed, running his hand over his forehead and through his hair. “We’re not exactly popular as civil servants go. Anyway, the director will be fine. It’s just a few harsh words.”

Another volley of garbled shouts came through.

“Probably,” added Nakamura.

“And how are we going to know if it's not fine?”

Nakamura looked at his watch. “His next visitor is coming soon. We’ll interrupt then. Just in case.”

Ren glanced at Toshiro’s door again.

“This kind of stuff never happen at your previous job?” asked Nakamura.

“Not to this degree.” There had been raised voices at times, but only noticeable within the same cluster of desks. 

“Well, better get used to it,” Nakamura frowned. “We tend to upset people with power to throw around.”

Before Ren could respond, the director's door swung open and a man, maybe five or so years older than Toshiro, marched out. He looked pointedly at Ren and Nakamura as he passed, but said nothing. 

Once the visitor had disappeared from view, the two men naturally turned their attention back to Toshiro’s office. Their boss was standing just inside, one hand gripping the edge of the door.

Toshiro met their gazes. “Get back to work.” 

They both mumbled affirmations. Ren sat back down and Nakamura started heading for his own desk.

“Oh, and Kurusu,” Toshiro added, a slight grin starting to form on his face. “Maybe it’s time for a few field inspections after all.”

Chapter 18: 1/16 - Thursday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Sorry, I took an early lunch today to run some errands,” Makoto tapped into her phone from her seat on the train. A small bag of art supplies sat on her lap, mostly spray paints and sealants. Tao-san’s usual supplier was out and with not much time until the exhibition she was scrambling to replenish some of her materials.

“Machinami again?” came Ren’s reply.

“Yes. Sis would handle it, but she’s in court this week.” Apparently no one store carried everything Tao-san required and thus she needed some extra help to visit all of them before they closed for the day.

“We’re still on for tomorrow though, right?”

“Yes! ❤️ Looking forward to visiting your new place.” Makoto smiled to herself. It would be their first night together in Ren’s apartment. It felt like an important milestone.

“Good,” he messaged back. “Though, it’s a bit barren at the moment. I was hoping you might help decorate…”

That had been the plan. She thought he would just move forward without her when she could no longer make it, but it seemed that wasn't the case. However, she didn’t mind the apartment being empty as long as they were together. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

Feeling a little guilty, she quickly added, “Especially just for one night. We can go shopping on Saturday.”

“I’d like that,” Ren responded.

Makoto added a heart emoji to Ren’s message and then switched to her chat with Tao-san. She double-checked their meeting point before slipping her phone back into her pocket. The train was approaching her stop. Upon arrival, she exited the platform and headed to the designated pillar, finding Tao-san already waiting for her.

“Here,” Makoto held out the bag.

“Thanks,” Tao-san set her own bag of goods down by her feet before receiving the one from Makoto. “Did you find everything okay?”

“Yes, the product numbers helped.”

Tao-san opened the bag, looking over the contents and then back to Makoto. “Perfect! You’re a lifesaver.” 

Makoto nodded in response. She was unsure what to say, so she changed the subject. “When does it need to be done by?” 

It would be convenient if this was the last emergency trip she had to make.

“I’m aiming to finish tonight so it has time to cure before we pack it for transport,” Tao-san said as she picked up her original bag. “Work’s even shifting schedule tomorrow to help me fit this in.”

“That’s sweet of them,” said Makoto. She took a step back. “Well I should-”

“Yeah I’m gonna have a get together with all of them tomorrow night at my workspace. Want to come?” 

It was hard to say 'no' when Tao-san looked so eager. Makoto didn't want to disappoint her sister's partner, especially as they were still getting to know each other, but...

“Oh, sorry, I have plans,” Makoto tried to look conciliatory as she raised her hands in front of her chest. 

“Come on, you’ve helped a lot," Tao-san urged. "You should be there. You'll get to see it early."

“It’s fine, really,” Makoto adjusted her shoulder bag and started to turn. Though she was signaling her intent to leave, she offered what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “I’ll look forward to seeing it at the exhibition.”

Chapter 19: 1/17 - Friday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“You think Makoto will like all this?” Ren asked, gingerly lifting his bags a few centimeters for emphasis and then slowly lowering them, trying to minimize jostling as he walked. The last thing he needed was to break his new dishware.

“Yes, it’s boring and not too expensive,” Ryuji said bluntly. He held a short stack of boxes—the rest of Ren’s purchases that afternoon. “If you were worried, you shoulda had her go with you instead.”

“I tried,” Ren sighed. “She’s been busy running courier to Machinami’s place all week.”

“Who’s Machinami?”

“Sae’s girlfriend.” 

“The one who doesn’t like you?” Ryuji’s question came out louder than Ren would have liked. 

“I didn’t say that,” Ren said in a hushed tone, hoping Ryuji would catch on. Though he didn’t have any reason to think Machinami would be in this part of the city, it would be just his luck if she happened to overhear. 

“Yeah, but you described it.” Ryuji’s volume was unchanged. 

Ren frowned. He should have known to be more direct. At least he hadn’t yet told Ryuji the bigger problem with Machinami. There was no need to get the rest of the team worked up over something he didn’t yet understand and might turn out to be innocuous.

Quiet, you’re attracting attention,” Ren motioned with his head towards a group of people looking their way. It was only getting more packed as they got closer to the station.

“Fiiiiine,” Ryuji said in what might have been the loudest whisper ever mustered. He rolled his shoulders and groaned, his next words coming out more normally. “This is heavy. How have you been survivin’ without any pots or pans or lights?”

“I’ve been moving stuff in each day and returning to Leblanc at night,” Ren explained. He had managed to handle the refrigerator and mattress deliveries the previous evening. After dropping off his current purchases, he’d have just enough time to stop by the market and prepare dinner. 

“Wait… is this gonna be your first night in this apartment?” Ryuji’s eyebrows scrunched as he spoke.

“Yeah…”

“And you’re invitin’ Makoto?” Ryuji’s volume rose with his incredulity. 

“I don’t see what the issue is,” Ren shrugged, at least as much as the bags he was carrying allowed him to. 

“What if it’s like, creaky or somethin’?” Ryuji threw his head back. “One spooky sound and she’ll have you in a death grip.”

“Ah, that…” Ren smiled, remembering how she had clung to him in high school, twice. So cute. “You think she still does that?”

“Dude I know she still does that,” Ryuji let out a huff. “Back at that disas-”

A familiar form caught Ren’s eye as they entered the station. “Wait a sec.”

He stopped abruptly, the bags in his hands still swinging forward.

“What?” Ryuji pivoted to face him.

“Those men over there,” Ren shifted his pupils in their direction. Ryuji seemed to take the hint, mirroring his avoidance in looking straight at them. 

That’s it. Act naturally.

“Who are they?” This time Ryuji kept his voice low.

“Bureaucrats from the MLIT.” A week ago, Ren might have recognized only one of them, but after the incident in Toshiro’s office earlier in the week…

“What’s the MLIT?”

“The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.” When Ryuji looked just as confused, Ren added, “It’s one of the biggest ministries in our government.”

“Oh, right, heheh…” Ryuji scratched at the back of his head, somehow keeping the boxes he was holding balanced with only his other hand. “An' you know everyone in it by sight?” 

“No, but the older guys, they’re pretty high up,” said Ren. “The one on the left is Takeuchi of the safety board and the one on the right is Arima, a high up in the railway bureau.”

“What about the other guy?”

“Inagaki. He works under Arima. I met him earlier this week.” Well, met was a strong word. Ryuji didn't need to know his work drama though. 

“So you wanna go talk to them or somethin’?” Ryuji shifted his eyes to them and back once more. “Better be quick. I’m meeting Emi in Ogikubo at seven.”

“Nah, I was just surprised to see them.” He couldn’t get in close, especially not with Ryuji there. “Let’s go.”

Ren headed towards the fare gates along the way to their platform. Ryuji followed close behind him.

“Hey, do you think there’s somethin’ wrong with our train, what with those guys bein’ with the railway system?” Ryuji asked as Ren approached the turnstile.

Rail Pass Acquired.

Something didn’t sound right. That voice... Had he actually heard that?

“Did you just hear something?” Ren asked, putting his phone against the fare scanner as he looked over his shoulder at his friend. 

Beginning Navigation.” 

“I heard that,” By the time Ryuji finished his sentence, he wasn’t looking at Ren but past him. “Woah, dude… F-for real?!”

Ren turned back, finding he was no longer looking at the station he knew, but instead a vast hall with a soaring curved ceiling made of glass supported by iron arches. Below them, running down the hall, were numerous parallel train tracks split into pairs by their platforms. Posts with quads of old European clocks dotted the walkways.

Just then, a large black steam engine pulled in, its whistle screaming as it entered. When it came to a halt, Ryuji’s voice could once again be heard. “...gotta be kiddin’ me.”

Chapter 20: 1/17 - Friday - ???

Chapter Text

“How does this keep happenin’?” Ryuji stomped over to the railing overlooking the platforms. “I swear man, the minute you get back to Tokyo…”

Ren didn’t respond. He was preoccupied—adjusting his gloves, rotating his wrist to check both sides, closing and opening his fist to test the stretch. They felt the same as before. 

“S’weird seein’ you wearin' that but combin' your hair.” 

Ren instinctively reached for his hair at Ryuji’s comment. Indeed, it hadn’t reverted back to his high school style, which was combed, not that he was going to argue. It wasn't that big a change anyway. Ryuji on the other hand… it was far from the fully-bleached rooster peak he had last they were in the Metaverse. That element of his spirit of rebellion was not completely lost however. Even though the cut had changed, it was quite a bit more brassy than the natural color he sported in the real world. 

“You too,” said Ren. 

“Eh?!” Ryuji gaze lifted upwards as he ran his fingers through his hair. Not satisfied, he walked back to the turnstiles, squatting in front of a semi-reflective surface that in no way was going to give him the clarity he was looking for.

While Ryuji was busy, Ren continued his inventory. He rolled his shoulders a few times and made a few rowing motions. It seemed his costume fit as usual despite him growing several centimeters since high school. 

He then took out his phone. No service. None of his apps functioned. There was a new icon featuring a silhouetted strawberry with speed lines, but tapping it did nothing. He’d have to try again in the real world. The lack of functionality was disappointing but expected. Only Futaba’s cognition for electronics was strong enough to manifest usable devices inside the Metaverse.

Next Ren took out his knife. Examining it, he wondered what happened to his stronger ones, those born from his personas. For now, this would have to do. He made a few test slashes before moving onto trying different grips, twirling it, tossing and catching it, chaining actions together... He felt a little rusty at first, but it seemed to be coming back.

Just as he was taking out his gun, Ryuji spoke. “So what now?”

Ren turned to find his friend walking back towards him. He was holding a lead pipe near its base, the top of the weapon leaning against his shoulder. Ren glanced back over the railing to observe the train platforms. There were a variety of trains from all eras, some stopped, some departing, and some arriving. The disparate sounds of their announcements, whistles, and motion along the tracks melded together into the background din. They weren’t his main interest however.

He opened his third eye. 

There were shadows, but they were far apart and there was nothing signaling extreme danger. 

“Arsene.” Ren could feel his persona blooming from him as the cleansing breeze of blue flames lifted from his face. When he opened his eyes, his winged companion was floating by his side. His other personas were buried deep enough in his memories that he couldn’t draw upon them, but he sensed that Arsene would be enough for now. He looked back at Ryuji. “Feeling up to doing a little recon?”

Ryuji grinned as his mask burned away and the familiar mass of blue flames appeared behind him, persona at its center. “Sure thing.”

“Let’s pick off a few of the more isolated shadows and see if they can tell us where we are.” As curious as Ren was, both about where they had found themselves and about the state of his skills, they didn’t have a navigator or any backup. Wandering too far would be unwise. “Then we’ll head back.”

“Gotta make this quick,” Ryuji nodded. “I haven’t seen Emi all week.” 

A moment later, his friend’s tall posture deflated. 

“Wait, do you remember how time works in here?” 

“Of cour-” Ren paused, shifting his eyes from side to side. How did time work in here again?

Chapter 21: 1/17 - Friday - Evening

Chapter Text

Makoto was just about to leave the cafė she’d found and go home when she finally received a text from Ren. She held her phone close, reading the message.

“omw eta 15 minutes”

It was a relief, but... 

When she gave up on waiting outside his apartment, she told herself he must be trapped in some sort of official meeting or something of similar importance, but her imagination had gone darker places, especially when her own messages went unanswered. Now, knowing he was safe… Even if it was an important meeting he could have at least taken a moment to let her know he’d be late…

The strange looks from Ren’s neighbors as they passed by had been awkward. She must have looked foolish. She felt foolish, waiting pointlessly. It would have been better if she could have hidden away in the cafė earlier or used the time to run some errands.

She finished up the work email she had been composing and packed her laptop. Ren’s apartment wasn't that far, but she had nursed her drinks long enough and there was always the chance she could get lost on her way back. 

As she stood up to leave, her phone buzzed with a few more messages:

“on train now”

“Sorry. Will explain.”

“Are you still there?”

She messaged back affirmatively, keeping it short and simple because… well, now that she knew he was okay, she was annoyed. Every question she thought to ask just sounded aggressive when she imagined it in text. They would be face to face soon enough. She could figure out what to say in the meantime. 

The walk back to Ren’s apartment was quicker than she had anticipated, her legs fueled by her irritation. She once again found herself waiting in front of his door, this time by her own impatience. Fortunately, if his message was accurate, it would only be a few more minutes.

Her stomach growled. 

She should have gotten something to eat at the cafė, but didn’t want to spoil her dinner when Ren might return at any moment.

Makoto took out her phone, looking for a distraction. There were no new emails from work, leaving only the ones that required more attention and support than she could give from an apartment building hallway. Her news reader also returned nothing of interest. 

Perhaps she could try some isometric exercises. A wall sit would be pretty innocuous, wouldn’t it? Surely none of his neighbors would come by in the few minutes before he arrived, especially this late in the evening.

She started lowering herself, relying only on her legs and core, not wanting to drag her jacket against the wall to get into position. Once her thighs were parallel with the floor, she began mentally counting, taking deep rhythmic breaths. Every time she started stewing about being left waiting, she refocused her energy on her muscles.

Even though that should have tired her out, she kept circling back: Just where was Ren? And why hadn't he kept her informed?

“Slow down man! I can’t move as fast with these!”

Ryuji?

Makoto stood up and looked down the hall, discovering both men approaching her. Ren had shopping bags in each hand while Ryuji was bear-hugging at stack of boxes. 

What was he doing here?

Wasn’t it supposed to be just the two of them?

Makoto’s brow furrowed.

As they neared, she opened her mouth. “I thought-”

Ren marched right past her. 

He shifted his bags to one hand and took his keys out of his pocket. Just as he was approaching the lock, key outstretched, he stopped. He pivoted back towards her, taking a few steps and planting a kiss on her forehead before spinning back around to unlock the door.

Makoto blinked, her hand instinctively raising to her bangs-

“Comin’ through!” Ryuji swept past her, boxes jostling in his arms as he followed Ren into the apartment.

Makoto sighed, trudging inside after them, shutting the door behind her. She carefully removed her boots and then arranged Ren and Ryuji’s more haphazardly discarded loafers before entering the apartment proper.

It was dim inside, lit only by a lonely misplaced desk lamp sitting on the kitchen counter. The bags Ren had been carrying sat next to it, taking up the remaining space. Ryuji was setting his boxes down next to the kitchen cutout. The rest of the room was dark and empty.

“Haaaaaaaah,” Ryuji exhaled, leaning back from his squat next to the boxes until he was sitting on the floor. He stretched his legs out in front of him and ran his hand through his hair.

It didn’t seem like he was planning on leaving any time soon.

Just what was he doing here?

Why was Ren so late?

Weren’t they supposed to have dinner?

Makoto turned to Ren. He was leaning over the kitchen sink, his arms spread wide with his palms pressing into the counter ledge. The lock of hair at the middle of his forehead hung down, bobbing as he took heavy breaths.

“What-”

Ren pushed off the counter and walked back towards the entryway, leaning just enough to see around to the door. He looked at it for a moment before turning back to her.

“We got caught up in that world again.”

She immediately knew what he meant and yet, he couldn’t mean that, could he?

He was staring at her hard.

That world…

“Wh-what?” she croaked.

He kept staring at her.

The seconds ticked by. 

“You mean the Metaverse?” She knew she was grasping, hoping for a misunderstanding rather than what she feared. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Ren broke eye contact. His gaze shifted from side to side, like he was searching, trying to figure out where to begin.

“Dude, I’m thirsty.” Ryuji wasn’t even looking at them. “Can I get some water or somethin' before gettin' into all this?”

Ren surveyed the bags on the counter and laughed to himself. “I guess I’ll wash some cups.”

Walking over to the bags, he pulled out several items wrapped in layers of thick tissue paper. “There’s some dish soap in the boxes. Could you-”

“I’ll find it,” said Makoto. She put down her own bag, remembering what she had inside. “Oh that reminds me…”

She pulled out the bottle of sake.

“Congratulations on your new apartment.” 

It wasn't how she imagined it going, but interjecting some calm normalcy into the situation seemed like the best outcome given the circumstances.

“Thank you.” Ren smiled. It was a tired smile. How had she not noticed when he first arrived? He put down the cup he was unwrapping so he could receive her gift. “It’s well-timed, though we’ll have to use regular cups…”

There seemed to be more amusement in his smile as he set the bottle down.

“Water first please…” Ryuji called weakly from his position on the floor.

Despite her earlier frustration, seeing them both so tired… 

“I better find that soap,” she said. 

Ren took off his suit jacket and began rolling up his sleeves.

“I'll help too,” Ryuji groaned as he stood back up. “Where are the dish towels?”

After finding all the needed items, the three of them settled into a rhythm, with Ren washing the newly-bought kitchenware and Makoto and Ryuji drying them. While Ren was deft with his hands as always, a few wet spots on his shirt served as a reminder that there were still many things he needed to outfit his apartment, an apron being one of them.

As they worked, Ren recounted his and Ryuji’s accidental foray into the Metaverse. It wasn’t the first time, or even the second, that the two of them had found themselves there through no choice of their own. Their penchant for it would be hard to believe had Makoto not experienced it herself.

She tried to envision the world they described. “So, with the trains, was it like a bigger version of Mementos?”

“It didn’t feel the same as Mementos,” Ren scrubbed another dish. They had long since finished the cups and put them to use. Without dinner, Makoto had limited herself to just a taste, but she seemed to have chosen well given Ren and Ryuji’s intake. “It seemed more deliberate, like a single cognition, but we didn’t follow the tracks so I don't know for sure.”

“Speakin’ a’ tracks, the shadows weren't on 'em,” added Ryuji, the sleeves of his dress shirt now also rolled up. “Opposite of Mementos.”

“So was it a Palace then? A Jail?” Makoto collected the dishes that had been sitting on the counter the longest, the ones most likely to have finished drying, into a single stack. She opened one of the cabinets to place them, but then realized she wasn't sure it had been wiped down.

“I don’t know, the shadows didn’t mention any leader,” Ren passed his current plate to Ryuji. “And we don't have Morgana or Futaba to search further.”

“We couldn’t find anything in the new app either,” Ryuji said, receiving the dish.

Right… they had mentioned something about a new app…

“Can I see it?” Makoto set the stack down on the counter and closed the cabinet. “The app I mean.”

Ren nodded. He placed the dish he was working on in the sink, dried off his hands, and took his phone out of his pocket. He pointed to the app icon, a strawberry with three speed lines following it, all in red against a black background. The stem and seeds were defined by cutouts in the silhouette.

He handed her the phone. “The app info seems safe. I haven’t opened the app itself though, just in case…”

She nodded. The Metaverse Navigator opened to a brief list of bookmarks and EMMA was equivalent to the consumer app when not being used as a gateway, but they had no way of knowing whether this app worked similarly. It was best not to launch it until they were ready for a surprise trip, which left only the information about the app. 

Makoto opened the app info screen. It read ‘Welcome IchiGO Mobile’ at the top, with a second line describing it as a ‘Digital Metaverse Chip Card.’ According to the phone, the app used no data, storage, or battery. Most of the rest of the information, including the publisher, was listed as ‘Unknown.’

As if he could read her expression, Ren answered the remark she didn't make. “Yeah, we’re going to have to be prepared to go in again if we want to find out more.”

He didn’t have to specify it for Makoto to understand that he meant ‘soon.’ 

“Without Morgana or Futaba?” she handed him back his phone. 

“Yeah,” Ren put his phone back in his pocket, not breaking her gaze.

Makoto looked away. “I suppose we can’t just ask them to come back when we don’t know what this is…” 

It was just like with Tao-san...

“Right.” He waited until she was looking at him again. “We can’t let this sit until they return either. We don’t know what effect it might be having on the real world.”

She nodded. They hadn’t spoken about it since back then, and even eight years ago it was only stray comments, ones she should have perhaps interrogated more: how many people could have been saved if they had only acted sooner? Ren, Ryuji, and Ann had all uttered the thought at some point. It was a delicate issue. Makoto hadn’t wanted to pry. 

“Let’s gather who we can and try again tomorrow.” Ren started tapping his phone screen. “We’ll continue to approach cautiously.”

Makoto knew the last sentence was meant to reassure her. Exploring the Metaverse was always dangerous and they had had some close calls, even with a full team. Now... now they were at a disadvantage in so many ways. As strategist and tactician of the Phantom Thieves, keeping them safe was her job. She had to make it work.

“Yes, let’s do that,” she responded.

Ren finished with his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

A moment later, Ryuji’s phone buzzed.

Realizing Ren must have just messaged the group chat, Makoto took out her own phone to read it. After confirming its contents, she navigated the menus to update her notification settings. It had-

“Oh no,” Ryuji stared into his phone, his thumb repeatedly swiping upward. “I never messaged Emi! She sent like a zillion texts!”

Makoto turned towards him, finding Ren doing the same. She didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t give me that look!” Ryuji’s head shifted to each of them in turn. “I was preoccupied an’ didn’t look at my phone!”

Was her incredulity so obvious? Looking at Ren, his expression was reserved as usual, but… was there also some resignation or dread on his friend’s behalf? Or was it just her own mixed emotions projected onto him?

“An’ I had to carry those boxes!” Ryuji continued his protest, fortunately modulating his volume despite his exasperation. She supposed he grew up in an apartment building too after all. “Not like I had free hands!” 

It was clear he wanted a response.

“Hmmm… well…” Makoto raised her hands in front of her chest, her fingers curling. “M-Maybe you should be telling this to Emi, and not us.”

“Right.” Ryuji started furiously tapping into his phone and then just as suddenly as he started, stopped. “What do I even tell her?”

The three Phantom Thieves stood, looking between each other as if one of them might know an answer. 

Telling Emi he got held up at work seemed the most obvious action, but one where he might easily get caught in a lie. Suggesting his mother had an emergency was similarly fraught and had the possibility of causing a rift.

“Blame it on me,” Ren eventually said. “Tell her I had an emergency. It’s not a lie.”

“It’s not?” Makoto looked up at him and frowned. “You shouldn’t blame yourself. We don’t know-”

“I did have an emergency.” He shrugged.  

Makoto wasn’t satisfied, but took his cue to drop it. With the way Ryuji was nervously fidgeting, his free hand tapping against his thigh, they had more urgent concerns. It was time to get their story straight. She considered the option further. “What about when she asks for details?” 

“Tell her it’s personal,” Ren suggested, turning back to Ryuji.

“Yes, that works…” Makoto dipped her chin, bringing a loosely balled hand to her lips. “The fewer details, the less likely to make a mistake.”

“So you think this’ll work?” Ryuji didn’t look convinced.

“She’s still going to be upset you didn’t text her.” Even discounting the time they spent in the Metaverse, there was little excuse for the delay in responding. “I think you’re just going to have to take responsibility for that.”

“Aw, man,” Ryuji dug his forehead into his palm. “We’re literally savin’ the world again, probably, an’ my girlfriend’s gonna be mad at me for it. This blows!”

Even with the modifiers, it seemed a bit premature to describe their unplanned adventure as saving the world, but Makoto held her tongue.

Ryuji looked at her with the eye that wasn’t hidden by his arm. “Ren’s so lucky you understand what this is about ‘steada gettin’ all annoyed.”

He made being annoyed sound so unreasonable.

Makoto felt her cheeks warming.

A hand slipped around hers. She turned to see Ren smiling knowingly. 

“I’m quite lucky,” he said. The sparkle in his eyes teased her, letting her know was well aware of her earlier displeasure. 

She affected a cough into her free hand. “Well… anyone would be annoyed to be stood up. Just text her now and apologize.”

Chapter 22: 1/18 - Saturday - Early Morning

Chapter Text

Ren stirred from his slumber, not yet ready to open his eyes. He could tell it was still dark and… colder than he expected. The one source of warmth was Makoto. She was nuzzled up against him, her head resting in the crook of his shoulder and one of her hands loosely balled on his chest. He held her close, one of his own arms draped over her side.

Where was the blanket? He patted around with his free hand, not finding it. Chill in the air or not, he wasn't inclined to actually rise and look.

It was eerily quiet in his new apartment except for the faint sound of something jingling.

He wiggled his shoulders. His new mattress felt hard and rough against his back.

A drop of water landing in a puddle somewhere nearby pierced the dull ambience, echoing strangely. 

A leaky faucet perhaps?

He’d deal with it in the morning.

The air smelled curiously damp ...and yet strangely familiar.

So very familiar…

He shifted again, just a little, not wanting to wake Makoto. As he did, he felt resistance at his foot, like something was dragging around his ank-

Ren’s eyes shot open.

By the time they came into focus, he was breathing heavily, the beats of his heart pounding in his ears. He knew this space, this cell. Why was he here? Why was Makoto here?

His nostrils flared as he raised his head, verifying she was indeed beside him, clad in a stained black-and-white-striped shirt that was slipping off her shoulder. 

Should he wake her? Here? Or should he-

“She won’t awaken,” the ethereal child-like voice drifted from behind him. “Not here. At least, not yet.”

Ren propped himself up on his elbow, keeping Makoto safely under his other arm. Looking down their length, he found her legs bare, fortunately free of the cruel shackle that adorned his ankle. Next, he turned his attention behind him. While he couldn’t quite turn his head far enough to visually verify the speaker’s identity, he could at least make out the edges of the prison bars as his vision adjusted to the light. It wasn’t like he needed the confirmation. He knew who was there.

He should have expected this. How could he have forgotten?

Ren slid himself out from under Makoto, setting her head down as gently as he could. There was no pillow on the weathered slab of wooden boards that served as a bed. 

“Why is she here?!” Ren stalked over to the cell door.

“That…” Lavenza was standing on the other side, just out of reach. Her head turned to the side as she spoke. “That’s a bit complicated…”

She looked just like she did eight years ago, a small child with gossamer hair and a fanciful blue dress. 

Ren pressed further, the question not quite assembling in his still-groggy state. “She… she doesn’t have a-”

“No.” Lavenza shook her head. “Only you have a contract.”

The small girl looked up. 

“Welcome to the Velvet Room.”

She looked away equally quickly.

“You’ve grown, Trickster.”

Why couldn’t she look him in the eye? Was there-

Ren looked down at himself, finding his arms, his chest, bare. He then glanced back at Makoto. It was his shirt she wore, an analogue to how they had gone to bed in the real world. 

He sighed, closing his eyes. He didn’t have the patience for this. He drew into himself, eyelids twitching as he dug deep. His lips pursed as he grit his teeth.

Blue flames erupted around him. He felt his costume forming, the tails of his coat unfurling with faint snapping sounds as they reached their full extension. 

Just as swiftly, he took off his outer layer and pivoted back to the bed, still holding a lapel in each hand. His jacket flew in an arc with his motion, the tails flaring, only coming to rest as they fell upon Makoto. He kneeled as he adjusted them, trying his best to cover her. The individual segments were difficult to wrangle over the curves of her legs. He wasn’t sure whether she was real or not, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. 

Once convinced he had done what he could, Ren stood up again. He adjusted his gloves and then returned to the cell door. The tug at his leg reminded him that his defiance had not been entirely successful. The shackle, and with it the ball and chain, remained.

“What is that place?” Ren asked. He knew these nighttime summons were short. He had to get to the point fast. “The train station.”

“Ah, that…” Lavenza closed her eyes and opened them again. “That distortion is so very like the ones you faced in the past and yet I do not know its cause or the being responsible. As I am sure you are already aware, leaving it to fester may threaten the world you fought so hard to protect. Beyond that, it seems to have ensnared your fate. I will help you as I can from here.”

“Then my personas?” Ren gripped the bars.

“They are yet unable to cross the boundary to the newly manifested space,” said Lavenza. “I believe if we can find some counterpart to breach that limitation, I may be able to construct the mechanisms necessary to provide you the capabilities you once had.”

Back to square one. It wasn’t a surprise, only a disappointment.

“So,” she began. “Will you once again defy what seeks to distort your world?”

“Of course.” Ren let go of the door and pulled on the edges of his gloves again before letting his hands fall to his sides.

Lavenza smiled. “I knew I could count on you, Trickster.”

“But," Ren's eyes narrowed. He gestured towards Makoto with his head. "Do not draw her into this space.”

“That… that is not fully within my influence…” Lavenza’s gaze shifted away from him as she spoke, but by the time she finished her statement, she was looking at him squarely once more. “Recall what this place is and I’m sure you’ll attain the result you seek.”

Ren squeezed his hands into the fists, feeling his gloves slipping as he did. He had spent enough time in this cell to know he would not be receiving a more satisfying answer. There was always a gulf between what he wanted to know and what the denizens of the Velvet Room would… or maybe could… communicate to him. All he could do was stand at the edge of that gulf.

There was one more gulf to approach. “The third eye I was granted—there’s a woman who appears hazy in it. Why?”

“Oh?” Lavenza’s eyes widened just a bit. She adjusted her grip on the large tome she carried.

“Her name is Machinami Tao,” he added.

“Oh. I'm not familiar with that name.” She seemed to relax. “Hmm...”

Lavenza looked down, her brow knitted. After several seconds of silence, her compassionate expression returned as she faced him. 

“I’m sorry, but I am unaware of what could cause such a reaction,” she said. “While that power is of this space, it was given to you by an interloper and thus I do not completely understand its operation. Nevertheless, I shall continue to ponder possible explanations.”

An alarm started ringing from somewhere behind Lavenza. She turned, checking its source, before addressing him again.

“It seems we are out of time,” she said. “We will meet again soon. Sleep well, Trickster.”

Chapter 23: 1/18 - Saturday - Morning

Chapter Text

The second time he woke, Ren made sure he was actually in his apartment. Fortunately, the signs were all there. Sunlight filtered through frosted glass. The ceiling featured an ordinary, though empty, light fixture. He lay on a mattress, a real mattress, albeit one on the floor. Makoto…

Where was Makoto?

Ren shot up, his torso upright while his blanket pooled in his lap. Looking around the empty room, he zeroed in on his pajama shirt, finding it neatly folded on the floor next to the mattress. He picked up his phone, checking the time. Of course. Of course she wouldn’t sleep in this late. Had she…?

No. The faint smell of grilled fish… it couldn’t be from a neighbor. He felt the corners of his lips rise uncontrollably.

Ren grabbed his pajama shirt as he got out of bed, unfurling it in preparation to put it back on, but stopping mid-action. 

Would she prefer without? 

She’d prefer without, right? 

Bottoms alone were plenty decent.

He refolded the shirt and set it down at the head of the bed. After tidying the blanket, he stepped back, looking over the room. It really was just a mattress on the floor. He had hoped to spend the day shopping for furnishings with Makoto, but it seemed the Metaverse had other plans.

Ren carefully opened the sliding door to the main living area. Makoto didn’t seem to notice him. The kitchen fans masked whatever noise he was making.

She was back in her professional clothes, a knee-length pencil skirt and a form-fitting white button-up with its sleeves rolled up and out of the way for cooking. Atop it all was a large apron that seemed to swallow her. He hadn't seen it before. She must have bought it, sizing it for him, when she picked up the ingredients for their breakfast.

It was past grocery stores hours by the time he and Ryuji had finished recounting their story the night before. They had to assemble a dinner out of whatever the nearby 777 had on hand. He recalled Makoto hadn’t eaten much, finding most of it not up to her dietary standards. She was probably pretty hungry by now.

He slipped out of the bedroom in a half crouch, hoping to sneak up on her. However, despite his attempts to leverage the cover of the half-wall that formed the kitchen, she spotted him before he could even start setting up an ambush. It didn’t help that everything she needed faced out over the living area and he had no other furniture to shield him. His plan was thwarted, but he probably shouldn’t be startling her while cooking anyway. He’d have to save it for another time.

“Good morning,” she looked at him out of the corners of her eyes while slowly stirring whatever was on the burner in front of her. He noticed her gaze dip down. She lightly tugged at her bottom lip with one of her teeth. 

He grinned. His wardrobe choice had been right on the money.

“Good morning,” he walked over, coming to a stop behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. He leaned over, bringing his lips in line with her ear. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

“I figured you’d be tired after yesterday,” she said as he began planting kisses along her neck. Her words became more breathy at his ministrations as she leaned back into him. “I was up anyway with plenty of time to go to the market.”

“I appreciate it,” he mumbled into her neck. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I slept fine. It’s just hard for me to wake up late,” she said, nudging him away from her with her shoulders. “I need to check on the fish.”

He released her, continuing to hover as she moved along the counter. “No discomfort or bad dreams?”

“Hmm,” Makoto glanced upwards. “Not that I remember.”

She started plating the fish.

“Good,” he said, more to himself than to her. Whatever that was in the Velvet Room had not affected her. He retrieved a pair of soup bowls from the spread of dishes they had cleaned the night before. “Can I hel-”

“Did you visit that place?”

He should have realized that she would figure it out. She had always been sharp like that. He considered lying, not wanting to worry her, but he didn’t think he could pull it off.

“Yeah,” Ren exhaled. “It… it wasn’t too different from the other times, but it’s all fairly jumbled right now.”

The problem with summoning him in his sleep was how fragmented his recollection was when he woke up. If things were like before, he’d have another chance to visit soon and while more awake. Between that and piecing together what he could recall over the next few hours, he’d be in a much better state to communicate anything useful later.

“I’ll tell you more when I have it sorted,” he added. “Now, what can I do to help?”

Chapter 24: 1/18 - Saturday - Daytime

Chapter Text

“Why’re we meetin’ here and not Leblanc?” Even on a weekend, Ryuji was wearing a suit. With Makoto also in professional garb, Ren was glad he dressed to match.

“I just moved out,” said Ren. Not only did he not live there anymore, but it wasn't even on the way.

“Boss wouldn’t mind!” Ryuji’s exclamation caught the attention of a few passersby. Fortunately, after a brief stare, they kept walking toward the nearby station. Ryuji's next statement was thankfully more subdued. “I bet he misses us.”

“I’ve been gone for a day.”

“Let’s see what it’s like in there,” Makoto held both her hands up in front of her chest, palms facing out. “Then we’ll decide if we need a hideout.”

“Wow, a hideout,” Ryuji laced his hands between his head and leaned back. “Haven’t heard that word in awhile.”

Ren shifted his weight from one foot to another. Would they use Leblanc as a hideout? Or would it be his new apartment? Would his new neighbors put up with that?

“Anyway, who’s comin’?” Ryuji took out his phone. “Huh. Ann and Haru are both overseas right now.”

“Yes,” Makoto frowned. “And Futaba and Morgana are already out of the country… any word from Yusuke?”

“Uh uh,” Ryuji shook his head. “An’ Sumire just says ‘sorry.’”

Ren wasn’t surprised. Yusuke had been inconsistent in the group chat for years and Sumire had never really wanted to be a Phantom Thief. It had taken the world literally changing for her to join them and though she was always welcome, it felt like there was an invisible boundary she maintained, one that he tried to respect. In fact, he admired her dedication to her goals.

“So is it just the three of us?” asked Makoto.

“Four.”

Toshiro stepped into their circle.

Ren smiled. He had been confident his boss would be there. Given the previous day's circumstances, there was a significant chance this was somehow related to their ongoing investigation.

“Woah, Toshiro!” Ryuji grinned broadly. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Toshiro paused, squinting, before he spoke again. “Sa…kamoto… kun?”

“Heh, I look a bit different now, don’t I?” Ryuji ran a hand through his hair. “Anyway, you gonna fight? Do ya even own a weapon?”

It would have been nice had Ryuji asked that last question a little more quietly.

“Did I need to bring one?” Toshiro continued to view Ryuji through a half-squint.

“Usually the cognition of owning one is enough,” Makoto explained. Her fingers were fidgeting by her sides. “But we know very little about this new manifestation. We’ll have to learn as we go.”

“They appeared for us yesterday,” Ren added. There was no need to raise concerns about unlikely problems. He looked over to Makoto. “But if we find ourselves underprepared, we’ll leave immediately.”

“I see,” said Toshiro.

The fact that they returned easily just a day prior proved that whatever the Metaverse had in store for them now would be different from what Toshiro knew. Given his boss’s sole experience was being trapped in the other world, Ren had to admire his fortitude in coming back.

“Well, look who got all professional.”

Ren turned to find Zenkichi approaching. While Toshiro was expected, Zenkichi was a surprise. He didn’t look too different, maybe a little shorter than Ren recalled and with some gray strands mixed into his still shoulder-length hair.

“Zenkichi-san,” Makoto's eyes opened wide. “I thought you were in Kyoto.”

“I was,” said Zenkichi as he came to a stop next to them. “Took the bullet train. Figured you might need help and I can visit Akane after we’re done for the day.”

“Dude, no college student wants to hang out with their dad on a Saturday night,” Ryuji leaned in.

“Who are you?” Zenkichi didn’t bother hiding his disdain.

“Oh, for real?! Not you too.”

“Wait, Sakamoto?” Zenkichi examined Ryuji for a few moments before pointing an outstretched thumb towards Toshiro. “Don’t tell me this guy is Kitagawa.”

Ryuji snorted.

“Kasukabe Toshiro.” Toshiro took a step into Zenkichi’s line of sight as he introduced himself. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Despite his pleasantries, he looked decidedly unamused.

“Kasukabe, huh…” Zenkichi fully turned, looking at the other man more carefully. “I know that name. Weren’t you-”

“Yes.” Toshiro cut off the statement before his famous fall from grace could be rehashed. “And you?”

“Hasegawa Zenkichi. I’m with the Kyoto prefectural police,” said Zenkichi, his connection to PubSec curiously omitted. “I should have realized there was more to your resignation.”

“It’s complicated,” Ren interjected. He didn’t want Zenkichi getting the wrong idea, but it wasn’t exactly his story to tell either. “Unfortunately we didn’t plan somewhere private enough to do more detailed introductions.”

Maybe they should have met at a hideout after all.

“Hey, if Zenkichi is here, what about Sophia?” asked Ryuji.

“She can only go in when she’s on my phone,” said Ren.

“Can’t she just send herself to your phone?” Ryuji pressed.

“No. It’s a decision she and Ichinose made. I don’t know all the details.” They had said something about her sense of self when they explained it to him. It wasn’t made explicit, but Ren suspected they were being abundantly cautious about preventing her from accidentally becoming a god.

“So where’s the rest of the team?” Zenkichi surveyed their surroundings.

“There wasn’t much we could do on short notice,” said Makoto. Her tone was matter-of-fact, but Ren could tell she was worried, even if she didn’t want to show it. “We’ll scale our investigation accordingly, learn what we can, and regroup.”

“Alright then,” said Zenkichi, stretching his neck as he spoke.

Ren stood up straighter. Whatever else they wanted to go over, it'd be better to do it out of earshot of the rest of Tokyo.

It was time.

“Is everyone ready?” Ren looked at each of his comrades. They nodded at him in turn. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 25: 1/18 - Saturday - ??? - A

Chapter Text

Makoto raised her head, taking in the other-worldly train station surrounding her. The white glow cast from the glass ceiling brightened what otherwise might have been a drab space, bringing out the intricate reliefs carved into the walls and arches.

The sense of enclosure and of curation gave it a different feel from a Jail or Kingdom. Could it really be a Palace?

Whatever it was… since it was the Metaverse, then…

Makoto raised her hands in front of her, finding the white gloves of her Phantom Thief costume. She gave herself the once-over, checking the state of her armor, testing her ability to move, looking back over each shoulder to inspect the back of her boots. Everything was the same.

Then Ren…

She looked to him next. 

His costume was the same as before… and yet a bit different. Just as he had grown, his outfit had grown with him. The cuts of his shirt, pants, jacket… all were slightly altered from what she remembered. It was like they had shifted to flatter his current silhouette. 

Also, had his top always fit so tightly?

Or was she seeing it anew now that she so frequently got to-

Makoto quickly turned away. She couldn’t be thinking about things like that. They were on a mission! Did anyone notice? Could they tell that she was having shameful thoughts?

Ren didn’t see her abruptly turn like that, did he?

She slowly peered over her shoulder, expecting to find him smirking. He wasn’t however. Instead, he was staring at her, or possibly through her, not making eye contact. His lower lip hung open, just a few millimeters. 

Makoto turned to face him straight on. This time, rather than his costume, she continued to observe his face. His expression remained fixed on her. 

She took a few steps towards him, holding her arms and legs tight to her body. “Um, is there something wrong?”

Ren jerked, finally meeting her eyes. “Oh, uh…”

He rubbed the back of his neck. As his hand slipped back down, that self-assured smile of his crept back. He leaned into her, whispering by her ear. “I’ll tell you later.”

By the time he drew back, a grin was fully spread across his face. The heat of his breath lingered, as if communicating its own message.

She held his gaze.

He-

“Heeeey! You still got it Gramps!”

Makoto spun to find Zenkichi in his Phantom Thief attire, gripping his greatsword with both hands. 

“I thought you guys stopped calling me that.”

Ryuji was behind him, looking on. Like Ren, his costume was mostly the same, but with small adjustments to better accommodate how he had matured. That said, one curious difference was his hair. It was lightly bleached, a warm brown in contrast to his natural black in the real world.

“That was then. Now you're like fif-”

“Don’t say it!”

Rather than engage with their banter, Makoto next sought Toshiro. She found him by the railing that overlooked the platforms. He was still in the same suit he had entered in. 

Toshiro leaned over, craning his neck, fixating in one direction and the next. Eventually, he pushed back from the balcony’s edge. Makoto and the others gathered around him as he walked back to them.

“She’s not here,” Toshiro said before anyone could ask. His tone was blunt, but not harsh.

Ren and Ryuji cast their eyes down. Makoto felt similarly. She had wondered if there was some way they might see Erina again, but knew the likelihood was slim, because…

“This isn’t your cognition,” she said.

An explanation didn't make it any less sad though.

“Don’t look so glum,” Toshiro made a wisp of a smile, just enough to deepen the faint lines around his eyes. “I told her I would stand on my own, didn’t I? She’d be disappointed otherwise.”

“That’s right,” Ryuji’s voice was uncharacteristically soft. A nervous laugh escaped his lips. “She would, wouldn’t she?”

Ren nodded along.

“Uhhh, I’m not sure what’s going on,” said Zenkichi. His eyes shifted between the four of them. “Is this guy going to be okay in a normal suit? I tried that once. Wouldn't recommend it.”

“Ah,” Toshiro raised his right forearm and made a fist with his hand. “I suppose it’s my turn.”

Blue flames washed over him, revealing a costume not too far from Erina’s. His top was nearly identical to hers, only with the pauldron and rolled sleeve on the right and vestiges of red trim along the tattered tails in the back. In place of the skirt she wore, Toshiro had black pants with silver buttons. His gloves were gray and full-fingered, matching with the rest of the uniform’s accents.

Toshiro looked back at them from the single eye-hole in his mask. With the sound of metal brushing against metal, a piece retracted into itself, exposing his other eye.

“Not bad,” Ryuji grinned.

Toshiro examined his new outfit, as much as he could without a mirror. Once finished, he made a firm nod and grunted, as if satisfied with the outcome.

“Now all that’s left is your code name,” Ryuji leaned in. “What’s it gonna be?”

Toshiro paused briefly and then manifested a shield over his left arm and a spear in his right hand. He watched as the frayed streamers attached under the spearhead came to a rest.

“I’ll go by Promise.”

Chapter 26: 1/18 - Saturday - ??? - B

Chapter Text

“Joker! Take the right!” Makoto directed Ren to the cluster of shadows that were attempting to slide along the inner wall of the train car. 

“On it!” Ren slipped away from her side to meet their foes. He hit the first two enemies with precision slashes, but she could tell the shadows' adherence to the walls and flattened nature limited his ability to attack with full force. The rows of seats were another challenge as he had to craft some semblance of a stance among the cushions and seat backs.

Zenkichi was dealing with the initial incursion along the left wall. He had both revolvers out, alternating shots to peel off enemies. Any that survived were funneled towards the middle where Toshiro was bludgeoning his way forward with his shield, striking at slight angles with it as he shuffled ahead. The few that got by him were met with Ryuji’s pipe.

Ren glanced at Zenkichi and then took out his own gun, firing a couple shots at the shadows with similar effect. He stepped over the seat backs, cushion to cushion, forming a front with the older men.

Even though the train car was wider than those in reality, it was still cramped. While Makoto could summon Johanna, she couldn’t ride her as only one of them could incorporeally pass through the seats and walls. 

Maybe it was good luck that the team was so unbalanced in skills, favoring more physical approaches. It was easier to keep a watch on the field without the other personas in the way anyway. She could manage healing and support from the rear.

Ren must have realized as well. He had lingered around her more than what she recalled from high school, likely for the same reason. Though his roster of personas was limited, he was still the most versatile, and thus it made sense for him to stay back in case special skills were needed.

It was frustrating however, not getting to land many blows of her own. She found herself miming how she would strike if she was at the vanguard. What great irony that she was “shadow-boxing” and yet she didn’t get to hit any shadows.

The enemies kept spilling forth from the car in front of them.

Ren had seemed focused on his aim right until he turned to her. There was a moment of recognition when their eyes met. He grinned, a glint of mischief coming from behind his mask. He holstered his gun and then raised his arm out towards the enemies, but kept his gaze fixed on her. 

His grappling hook shot out, running through the line of shadows before retracting. The corners of his lips pulled further up. She could almost see his eyebrows raising under his mask, asking her if she was impressed. 

“Seriously?!” Zenkichi shouted across the width of the car. “I gotta get me one of those.”

Chapter 27: 1/18 - Saturday - Evening

Chapter Text

Ren entered Cafė Leblanc, followed by the rest of his team, save for Ryuji, who had run off the second Makoto noted what time it was.

Two days in a row. Hopefully Ryuji would still have a girlfriend by the end of the night.

Ren hadn't realized how easy they had it in high school. The only ones with after school obligations were Makoto and Ann. As president, Makoto had enough sway to move around student council meetings. Ann had expressed similar freedom, though in retrospect, Ren wondered if there had been more than she was letting on.

“Well, look who the lack of a cat dragged in,” Sojiro’s wry smile and raised eyebrow greeted them. He had a pencil in one hand and a magazine in the other.

“I don’t have furniture yet at my new place,” Ren scratched at the hair at the nape of his neck. “And I need to go grocery shopping.”

"Heh." Sojiro smirked and folded his arms, pencil and magazine still in hand.

“Wow…” Toshiro was looking around the cafė. He said it had been an important place to him once, but after everything went down eight years ago, he couldn't visit for security reasons.

Zenkichi was also checking out the place, albeit with less of an expression of nostalgic wonder. He had been there a few times when they first met. Makoto on the other hand was focusing on the conversation. Ren recalled a few visits being coordinated in the group chat among some of the team. Maybe she had gone to those. Futaba had mentioned Makoto helping her prepare for her move to graduate school too.

“So I take it you’re hungry then?” asked Sojiro, his gaze occasionally shifting to the rest of the team, lingering on Makoto especially. 

“I think we could all go for some coffee and curry right now.” Ren meant to smile but wasn't sure if the thought made it all the way to his face.

“Put it on my card,” Toshiro faced the older man, arm outstretched, a credit card held between his first two fingers. “Four specials.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Makoto was opening her purse.

“It’s not a problem,” said Toshiro. His eyes met Ren’s just for an instant before he turned back to Makoto. “I figure I owe you guys from way back.”

Ren had only seen Toshiro signal like that once since returning to Tokyo. It was when they were out on business. Ren suspected it had something to do with work. Maybe he was planning to expense it if overlapped with their own investigation, as they suspected. It remained unconfirmed though. Their earlier outing had yet to reveal the identity of the Palace ruler... or even whether it was a Palace for that matter.

“Alright,” Sojiro took the card from Toshiro and then looked back at Ren. “And will you be taking this upstairs?”

The man was getting even sharper in his old age.

As convenient as the extra privacy would be, it was hard to imagine Toshiro and Zenkichi sitting in the ramshackle setup he’d fashioned way back when. Heck, even him and Makoto would feel out of place there in suits. Dragging the table and everything else out wasn't very appealing at the moment either. 

“We’ll take a booth.”

Chapter 28: 1/19 - Sunday - Early Morning

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Makoto looked over at Ren. He was still fast asleep, laying on his stomach with his hands bunched under his pillow and his head resting on one side. He had claimed he was fine the night before, but as she suspected, the Palace had taken a lot out of him. 

Well, that, and other things…

She smiled to herself, reaching towards his haphazardly scattered locks. It was as if they had taken on the impression of every possible angle he could have situated his head during the night. She smoothed out the most egregious strays. He tensed briefly, his bare shoulders drawing up, but relaxing as her fingers combed through his hair in gentle strokes. 

It was tempting to similarly trace the muscles in his arms, but she didn’t want to risk waking him.

Staying her hand, Makoto focused on the sleeve of the pajama shirt he had loaned her. Perhaps she should purchase her own set for the apartment. 

At least they picked up some lightbulbs before meeting with the others yesterday. It was nice being able to illuminate the whole apartment when they had returned the night prior. Now, the morning light made it bright enough to see, but not so bright that Makoto couldn’t go back to sleep if she really tried.

Her phone was too tempting however. 

Makoto picked it up off the floor and turned on the screen. A few notifications were waiting for her. Tao-san wanted to know when she’d be home. Futaba had questions about her summary of their excursion to the other world:

“Trains? So like Mementos?”

“What do you mean fight inside them?”

“Mona wants to know if there’s a treasure.”

Makoto acknowledged the few sentences she had dashed off on their way back to Ren’s apartment were not enough, but if she had written more, it probably wouldn’t have been read anyway. She began typing.

“It’s more ornate than Mementos. Ren and Ryuji said the station is unchanged, but we haven’t had a chance to check the stability of the trains themselves.”

“By fight inside them…I think the bulk of the dungeon is likely the trains themselves rather than the stations and platforms.”

“We don’t know if there’s a treasure or not. We can’t sense it ourselves and the network of tracks appears vast. Maybe if we explore more…”

The trains were constantly in motion and it was yet unclear if they followed a schedule. Makoto thought she had a good sense of direction as well as of time, but it was a lot to take in and all new.

Three dots undulated at the bottom of the group chat.

The next message came from Ann.

“This sounds serious. Should we come back?”

Makoto bit her lip. She glanced at Ren. They could really use more support, not to mention a navigator, but was this a serious enough threat to disrupt everyone’s lives? Futaba was just finding her footing in graduate school. Ann had less than a month before all of the major fashion weeks. Haru already worked through New Years. Yusuke was presumably as invested in his career.

Obligations and time aside, there was also the cost...

They still had no idea what kind of impact this new manifestation had on the real world or whether it was possible for them to handle it on their own. If it wasn’t pressing or the current team was enough, it would seem foolish to get everyone involved.

Makoto stared at her phone, trying to figure out the right next step.

Notes:

This is now my longest fic in terms of chapters.

Chapter 29: 1/19 - Sunday - Morning

Chapter Text

“This one is nice,” Ren tapped on the top of the low table. It was sturdy, but he wondered if something so traditional would feel right in his apartment. He supposed he could always sell it back should something more fitting come along.

Having a second-hand shop not too far from his new home was convenient, though it wasn't as close as the local one had been to Leblanc. Maybe if they didn’t find everything they were looking for, they could go there too, even though delivery from Yongen-jaya might be pricey. He had warm recollections of the old man who ran the place. Was he still there? What if he retired? Or what if…

Well, he'd have to check next time he was in the area.

Ren turned his attention back to the table. If they stopped by a department store for some seating cushions, he'd have a mostly functional living area. He tried to imagine using it in the evening or having breakfast with Makoto. Though her apartment decor also skewed modern, she kept such a table in her bedroom, so she would probably like it, wouldn't she?

He looked up, realizing she hadn’t responded.

She was several meters away, staring into her phone, one hand balled in front of her chin.

He rubbed the back of his neck, realizing he had been talking to no one.

Walking over to her, he peeked over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the team’s group chat on her screen. “Did something happen?” 

“Nothing pressing,” said Makoto, not looking up. “Haru says she’ll be back in a few days. She’s going to clear her evening meetings so she can go with us.”

“That’s great,” he said. “Especially since Zenkichi can’t be up here during the week.”

“I guess...” Makoto's brow furrowed. “But, I’m sure a lot of people are depending on her at work. Is this really okay?”

“Haru still chops wood for exercise,” Ren smiled. “Now she can get those swings in while spending time with us.”

Makoto didn’t appear very convinced.

Sure, Haru probably didn’t spend that many hours per day with her axe, probably, but…

“If anyone knows how to balance a busy schedule, it’s Haru,” he tried again. “If she can’t step away for this much, she needs to get new people.”

“But…”

“No one is more considerate when it comes to their employees,” he continued. “It’d be unreasonable if she couldn’t have a few evenings a week to herself.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Makoto was aware of how much Haru had worked to improve company practices, likely more aware than he was. “But what about the others? Ann has been asking if she should come back, but I know it’s a busy time for her.”

Ren paused. He had seen Ann's message as well as Makoto’s response. She had suggested Ann wait until they found out more. It did seem extreme to ask his teammates to change continents when they weren't yet sure if it was necessary, but at the same time, when had something like this NOT resulted in having to fight a god for the sake of humanity? 

Yaldabaoth, Salmael, Demiurge…

Somehow, even that list seemed short, like he was forgetting something. It felt like it was more…

Or maybe it felt that way because each of them had taken such a grip on his life…

“Ren?”

“Eh?”

“Are you okay?” she was looking up at him, squinting slightly. “You look a little-”

“Oh sorry,” Ren shook his head, hoping the action would clear his mind. There was no need to worry her. “I just got a little distracted. I liked your response. Let's revisit when we know more.”

Makoto nodded.

He cupped her upper arm with his hand, guiding her towards the back of the store. “But for now, there’s a table I’d like to get your opinion on…”

Chapter 30: 1/19 - Sunday - ???

Chapter Text

“Wolf! Enemy at 4 o’clock!” Makoto shouted. 

The large shadow was nearly upon Zenkichi. However, it was Ren who responded first. “I got this!”

Makoto followed the sound of his voice, looking skyward to find Ren diving towards the enemy, tails of his jacket pinwheeling behind him, evidence of one of his audacious aerial maneuvers. The confident smirk he was making told her that he had everything under control.

Now that they were on an open platform rather than cooped up in the cars of a train, he was taking every opportunity to show off. 

The shadow vanished against the thrust of his knife, embers of red and black scattering into the ether.

“Thanks,” Zenkichi turned his whole body towards Ren. “I owe you one.”

There was something awkward about his movement.

Seeing that Ryuji and Toshiro were clearing the last of the enemies in the area, Makoto paused to review their journey, not only this particular platform, but also their whole charge through the train that got them there. It was odd for Zenkichi to be caught off guard like that… furthermore, the way he was handling his sword…

“Are you okay?” Makoto asked as she walked up to join them.

Zenkichi shuffled around to face her. “What do you mean?”

“Your movements are off,” Makoto tried to remember what she had seen enough to describe it to him. It was like… like at the dojo when… “Your shoulder. Is it-”

“Ah, that,” Zenkichi rolled his right shoulder and stretched his neck, his eyes squinting and his teeth gritting as he did. “It’s just been a little stiff today. That’s all.”

A shadow got him and she didn’t notice? He didn’t mention anything when they stopped for a break in a safe car. Was it recent? Or could it have happened the day before?

“When did that happen? You shouldn’t be-”

“It’s not from here,” Zenkichi grinned sheepishly. “I just woke up like this. If anything, it’s probably from chatting last night at Leblanc. It’ll go away in a few days.”

“You should have told us!” Makoto’s eyes went wide. “You didn’t have to come. You should have stayed back and rested.”

“And miss all the fun? For a long, uncomfortable train ride?” Zenkichi shook his head, his chin not extending to the right as much as the left. “Uh uh.”

Makoto slipped her gloves under her mask to hold her face in her hands. Zenkichi had typically been the adult in the room and yet… 

“We should go back,” Makoto looked up again, letting her hands drop to her side.

“It’s no big deal,” Zenkichi tried to assure her. “We shouldn’t go back on account of me.”

“Queen is right.” Ren stepped in. “We wanted to end early today anyway. Everyone has work tomorrow and uh, Skull…”

“Oh right, that.” Zenkichi smiled knowingly.

Makoto was determined that this time Ryuji NOT be late for whatever plans he had with Emi. Hopefully she and Ren could help smooth things over in the upcoming week as well. 

“What’s this ‘bout me?” Ryuji was already walking over, a huge wrench leaning on his shoulder. Toshiro was not far behind him.

“We’re trying not to keep you out too late this time,” said Makoto. “So we’re heading back.”

“Aww, this early?” Ryuji raised his chin in a dramatic sigh. “C’mon, we still don’t know who rules this place or if these trains are even the same. Let’s keep goin’ an’ see what we find.”

“We took the same train to the same platform,” said Toshiro. “That’s something, even if the train wasn’t exactly the same.”

While some of the cars they passed through had opened treasure chests, one did not. They had been pretty thorough in investigating the route yesterday, so an unopened chest meant the train had changed, albeit minimally, either that or…

“What if none of those cars were from the train we took yesterday?” Makoto’s hand found its way to her chin. “What if someone else opened the chests we saw today?”

Back then, they weren’t the only ones who could enter the Metaverse…

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” Zenkichi raised his hands up by his shoulders. “Other people? Here?”

“It’s happened before.” Ren’s lips formed a thin line. 

"Ah yeah, I guess." Zenkichi's right hand reached for the back of his neck but stopped. He let it drop, rolling his shoulder again.

It wasn't only Ichinose though. Makoto’s thoughts oscillated between the memory of those in the past and the ramifications of there being others now.

No one said anything for some uncomfortably long seconds until finally, Toshiro spoke.

“We need to start marking the cars.” Toshiro held his spear near the base of its edge, tilting it slightly to indicate how he intended to do so. “Nothing too noticeable, but enough for us to tell where we’ve been.”

Makoto nodded. Her teammates did the same. It made sense.

Seeing their response, Toshiro added, “Then let’s agree on a mark.”

Chapter 31: 1/19 - Sunday - Evening

Chapter Text

Ren and Makoto watched Ryuji enter the train car. He waved at them as the train departed.

“Satisfied now?” Ren glanced at Makoto. “You didn’t need to chaperone him. He's 25 you know.”

“I told Emi he’d be on time today,” she stated, like doing so somehow transferred all the responsibility onto her.

He thought better than to argue that point however. “I didn’t know you were close.” 

Ren had thought that New Years was their first meeting, but when he tried to remember how the introductions had gone, his thoughts kept circling around to how pretty Makoto was in that kimono and how adorable she had looked making an offering and how she-

“We started texting a few weeks ago,” Makoto explained. “I had some questions about her training schedule and it kind of went from there.”

“Is hers that different from Ryuji's?”

“Probably not,” said Makoto. “But Ryuji texts too much during work hours. Emi is more my speed.”

Ren smiled to himself. Back in high school, Makoto would sometimes try to shut down the group chat when it was interrupting class… 

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He could tell by the way she was squinting at him that she knew it wasn’t nothing. In fact, he might have been hoping for just that face. He basked in it for a few more moments before turning towards the escalators. “We should head home.”

“What was that look?” Makoto pressed as they began walking, still staring at him intently. 

“What look?” he shrugged, raising his eyebrows, grin broadening.

That one,” she emphasized. “What’s so amusing?”

“You are.” The escalator lifted him a step higher than her. Looking down from that height, having her look up at him so expectantly, she was somehow even cuter. 

However, her expression shifted shortly thereafter. He caught the ghost of a sigh as she looked away. She seemed to withdraw slightly, despite their fixed distance. This was Makoto when she was being too polite, too proper, to push. Ren preferred her being comfortable enough with him to shed some of that protective wall.

He bent his knees and leaned in close. “I was just thinking about how busy the group chat was during school hours, that’s all.”

“Oh,” she visibly relaxed. “Yeah, I was so worried a teacher would notice and take one of our phones. Now that there are no teachers watching us, Ryuji has gotten worse.”

“Set a Do Not Disturb,” Ren said as he stepped off the escalator. He watched Makoto disembark before continuing towards their platform.

“Isn’t that rude?” she asked.

“I do it,” said Ren. “It’s during work after all.”

“Hmm.” Makoto appeared to be considering it. A few steps later, she spoke again. “Oh, I’m going this way.”

She pointed to the left where another passageway jutted off. 

“Already?” he asked.

“I told Sis and Tao-san that I’d be home for dinner,” she said. When he didn’t respond, she added, “And I have some chores that need done before tomorrow.”

Right. 

It was nice having her mostly to himself all weekend, but it didn’t give her much time to take care of her own business.

He ran his fingers over the back of his neck. To his surprise, Makoto lifted her hand, cupping it over his. He shifted his focus side to side, checking their surroundings. He had expected her to be more mindful of the people around them.

“Don’t look so disappointed,” she smiled gently. “I’ll feel guilty.”

“Would you feel guilty enough to come with me if I told you this would be my first night staying there all alone?” Though he tried to affect a pout, his mouth pulled into a grin.

Makoto let her hand slip along his, her fingers threading through his hair until they found their way to his cheek. She gave it a couple pats before withdrawing, her eyelids lowering halfway. “You’ll be fine.”

Well, she didn’t feel guilty anymore. Ren supposed it was the second best outcome. He let his hands come to rest at his side. “Lunch tomorrow at least? We didn’t get to debrief tonight.”

“Sure.” She glanced down, loosely taking hold of one of his hands before looking up again. “So, I guess this is ‘good night.’”

“I guess so.”

They lingered until she let go. He watched her turn towards her platform before doing the same. A few brisk strides later, he looked over his shoulder, finding she had also stopped.

She waved at him.

He waved back.

They took off again.

It was tempting to look back a second time, but he figured there was such a thing as too much. Tomorrow wasn’t that far away, was it?

Chapter 32: 1/20 - Monday - Evening

Chapter Text

“Oh, you’re home.” Tao-san stepped out from the kitchen, skimmer in hand. A bandana was tied over her hair, coming together at the nape of her neck to allow room for her ponytail.

“Were you not expecting me?” Makoto asked as she put her bag down by the dining table.

“You’re rarely home two nights in a row,” Tao-san replied. She turned, heading back into the kitchen, but raising her voice so she could still be heard. “Don’t worry, I was cooking for three either way.”

“Thanks,” Makoto kept it short. It was tempting to point out that she always gave Sis and Tao-san plenty of notice regarding her plans, but she didn’t want to seem defensive. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Start setting the table?” Tao-san called from well within the kitchen. “Sae is running a little late, but will be home soon.”

“Right.” Makoto opened the cabinets that held the placemats and dishware.

Sis had a tendency to be a bit grumpy when she returned home after a long day, but dinner improved her mood. Tao-san must have recognized that as well. Something about no longer being the one preparing dinner for Sis, especially on days like this, bothered Makoto. It didn't make sense—Tao-san was much better at making dinner, both in terms of cost and catering to Sis’s taste, and Makoto benefited from it too, but…

Dwelling on it was silly. 

It was good that Sis no longer worked so late that Makoto could explore a Palace and still come home in time to make her dinner. With Haru joining them this week and the double-date that Makoto had been trying to schedule with Emi, knowing that Sis was being cared for only made things easier.

Still, there was something unsettling-

“So,” Tao-san modulated her volume to overcome the kitchen fan. “You’re out tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, right?”

“That’s right,” Makoto similarly raised her voice, turning her head in Tao-san’s general direction while smoothing out the placemats. “I’ll let you know if anything changes for Wednesday.”

“But you’re still coming on Saturday?” There was a twinge of uncertainty in her tone, one that had been absent from the rest of the conversation. She wasn’t talking about dinner anymore, but about her show.

“Yes, Ren and I will be there,” Makoto called back. She set down each of the three pairs of chopsticks on their holders. “I might bring some friends too.”

“Good.” The response was nearly swallowed by the sounds of the busy kitchen. “And dinner?”

“Ah, that…”

Though she and Ren hadn’t talked about it, Makoto had assumed she would be spending the weekend at his place.

“Planning to stay with him again?” Tao-san was once again standing at the doorway to the kitchen allowing her to speak at a more normal volume.

Makoto made a shallow nod. 

“How long have you been dating? Like a month?” Tao-san started carrying plates of food out to the table. “Don’t you think you’re moving a little fast?”

Chapter 33: 1/21 - Tuesday - ???

Chapter Text

Haru spun, her axe sweeping out a circle around her and knocking back the shadows in front of them. An outside observer might think the momentum of the axe was dragging Haru along with it, but Makoto knew better. That appearance was just part of Haru’s flair. She was perfectly in control. In fact, she could probably one-hand the maneuver if need be.

“Ah how nostalgic!” Haru titled her head into one of her hands, smiling. “I’m so glad I cancelled my dinner plans with Ahiru-chan.”

“Who’s Ahiru-chan?” Ren whispered.

“Probably Kimoto Ahiru-san, one of the heirs of Wild Duck Burger and also their current vice president of marketing,” Makoto whispered back. “I believe she and Haru are best described as ‘frenemies.’”

Haru, or rather Okumura Foods, had paid compensation to the rival company years ago. Makoto wasn’t sure where things stood now, but she suspected Haru and Kimoto-san’s awkward ‘friendship’ pre-dated high school.

“Looks like this car is clear,” Toshiro spoke to the entire group as he paced down the center aisle. “Any sign of a mark?”

“No,” Ryuji called from his position by the rear door. He was squatting next to the luggage rack. The team had settled on scoring the metal by the front-right leg in five even strokes. It was specific enough not to be confused with normal wear and tear but inconspicuous enough not to be noticed or fixed should the cognitive train system have the equivalent of maintenance workers.

“So this isn’t one of the cars from our ride back on Sunday,” Toshiro concluded.

Similar to the mix of opened and unopened chests they had previously observed, it seemed that some cars they had traversed before while others were new.

“Trains shift schedules on weekends,” said Haru. “And they're shortened or lengthened to meet corresponding changes in demand. Maybe that’s the cause.”

“But is it normal for the old and new cars to be all mixed up like this?” asked Ryuji. “Seems like a pain to do all that.”

“Maybe they’d get into this state over the course of months,” said Toshiro. “But not this rapidly.”

Makoto pressed her lips together. The Metaverse had a way of seeming so real but also so off at the same time. She wasn’t sure whether to ascribe it to cognition, distortion, or random chance. “Still not enough to be sure…”

“Something’s strange about this route as well,” said Haru. Her gaze wandered back and forth, not really focusing on anything. “It seems familiar…”

“And this is just one of many,” Toshiro reminded them.

“Now that we’ve tested our markings, we need to start exploring those other lines,” said Ren. “That might yield us more clues.”

Chapter 34: 1/22 - Wednesday - Daytime

Chapter Text

Ren stared into his display, not actually reading the documents he had opened several minutes prior. They hadn’t even spent that much time in the Metaverse the evening before and yet he found his focus waning.

Back in high school, Ren felt like he couldn’t have been busier. He had classes, part-time jobs, studying, phantom thieving... Working a regular job with a fixed schedule had seemed like a dream—no homework or expectations to study or other obligations when he got home. All he had to do was avoid black companies. In that sense, he was successful. Toshiro was a good manager whose team worked reasonable hours. So how was it that Ren was so tired now?

Maybe Morgana had been on to something…

“You look just as worn down as the director,” said Nakamura. He had walked over to Ren’s desk, coffee mug in hand. “Were you two working until late or something?”

“Just a coincidence.” 

It was uncomfortable how close to the truth Nakamura was.

“Well, either way, he asked for you.” Nakamura motioned towards Toshiro’s office. “Hope you’re not in trouble.”

Ren gave Nakamura a look as he locked his screen and got up from his desk. “Hopefully not.”

The walk to Toshiro’s office was short. Ren closed the door behind him.

“You asked to see me?” 

Toshiro straightened the stack of papers on his desk and looked up. “Find anything?”

“Not yet,” Ren shook his head. He had spent the last few days digging into what they had on the three men he and Ryuji had seen the day they first entered the Metaverse. “Is there any way we can get close?”

Investigations of Palace rulers in the past had typically involved some direct observation.

“Maybe for one, but it would look too suspicious if I arranged something for all three,” said Toshiro. “If we could just get a lead…”

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Ren ran his hand through his hair. “Usually we'd have met the Palace ruler by now… at least if it's like the ones from before.”

“Well, our explorations have been pretty localized,” said Toshiro, referring to the single train line that had been the focus of their infiltration thus far. “Maybe we need to start doing some extra visits during the day.”

Ren maintained eye contact with Toshiro without saying anything. He knew what the director meant: entering without the others so they could more freely use and discuss what they knew about their MLIT suspects.

Makoto wouldn’t be happy if he went in with such a small team. It was risky, given how little they knew about the strength of the shadows along the other routes. While Ren was pretty sure he could handle the enemies they had already encountered on his own, especially now that he had started rebuilding his roster of personas, they needed to know more about what awaited them the other directions before going off on their own.

“Let’s try a few more times with the team first,” said Ren. “We might learn something from the other lines.”

Chapter 35: 1/23 - Thursday - Evening

Chapter Text

“He was at least smart enough to acknowledge Ryuji’s form after the fact, even if he did initially misjudge him.” Emi was recounting an incident at a recent race. Another runner had made some disparaging remarks about Ryuji, assuming he was an influencer and therefore not a ‘serious’ competitor. 

“You’re leavin’ out the best part!” Ryuji’s arm was slung over the back of the Leblanc booth. His knee was jutting out the side, bouncing with excitement. “When you blazed past him before he even started to really gas out! I’d’ve loved seein’ his face then!”

“Did you check?” Makoto asked, looking across the table at Emi. Both women sat on the inside of the booth with their respective boyfriends by their side. Makoto and Ren were facing the doors while Ryuji and Emi sat facing the stairway to the attic.

“I didn’t think to,” said Emi. “I had my own time to worry about. Just happened to recognize him while I was passing.”

“Emi’s bein’ too modest,” Ryuji smiled broadly. “She’s one of the best distance runners I know!”

“That’s only because you sprinters know so few distance runners.” Emi gave Ryuji’s arm a playful shove, but turned away as if to hide her smile from him. It seemed she enjoyed his compliment more than she wanted to let on.

“Hey! I also beat that guy. Don’t that make me a distance runner too?”

Before Emi could answer the question, Boss arrived with a fully loaded tray. 

“Four curries,” he said as he laid each plate down on the table. While the smells of coffee and curry were an ever-present part of Leblanc's ambience, the hot meals before them brought the complex mix of spices into conscious focus. Along with the warmth rising from the plates, it was comforting, nostalgic even. 

“Thanks Boss!” Ryuji’s voice dominated the rest of the table’s more muted words of appreciation. “Can't wait to chow down.”

“Yes, I missed this,” added Makoto.

Ren had closed his eyes, taking it all in with a deep breath. It had only been a week since he had moved out, but he looked as content as a man who had returned home after a much longer time away.

“I left the upstairs as is,” Boss said once Ren opened his eyes. He spoke deliberately, the weight of his words communicating the subtext. “Just in case.”

“Ah. Thanks.” Ren nodded slowly in response. He then shifted his eyes towards Emi and then back to Boss again. “Maybe not tonight.”

Boss seemed to have gotten the message: Ryuji’s girlfriend was not a phantom thief. 

Just how Boss knew their activities had restarted, enough to possibly need a hideout, Makoto wasn’t sure. He seemed satisfied with Ren's answer however and returned to his usual spot behind the counter.

The two couples began eating. From the first bite, the curry's intricate and layered sources of heat fulfilled the promise relayed by Makoto's other senses. Looking around the table, the others were similarly savoring Leblanc’s signature dish.

“Mmm,” Emi brought her hand in front of her mouth, her middle three fingers covering the center of her lips. She began talking, not quite having finished her bite. “I wasn’t sure this would live up to Ryuji’s stories, but…”

“Yeah,” Ren glanced over behind the counter. “It’s really something special.”

The group ate quietly. It wasn’t until Ryuji and Emi finished their plates that the conversation started again. 

“Aaaah, that really hit the spot!” Ryuji put his hands on his stomach and leaned back.

“Considering another plate?” asked Makoto. She was still only halfway through her own meal.

“Nah, I shouldn’t,” he waved off the idea. “I’m not in high school anymore.”

“Speaking of,” Emi leaned in, facing Ren. “Ryuji said you used to live here and eat curry every day.”

“Not quite every day.” Ren put his spoon down to answer her. “But often. Less so when I moved back.”

“Boss makin’ you get your own food now that you’re an adult?” Ryuji grinned.

“I was just out more,” Ren shrugged, turning to Makoto briefly and smiling before facing the other couple again. “Busy with the apartment search.”

“Oh that reminds me,” Makoto turned to Emi. “I’m sorry we kept Ryuji so long this weekend. The move ended up being more complicated than we thought.”

…complicated by the Metaverse, but that part didn’t need to be shared.

“You don’t have to keep apologizing,” Emi reassured her. She then looked back at Ren. “Are you all settled in?”

“Mostly,” Ren rubbed the back of his neck. “The living area is still lacking furniture, but I've got the rest of it set up.”

Makoto mentally thanked Ren for seeding another excuse should they need one. Hopefully they wouldn’t. She… all of them… were getting used to exploring the Metaverse again. The initial urgency of the previous weekend had mellowed out, with the team agreeing to a more steady pace of infiltration. After all, they still had their real world lives to attend to.

“Just let me know when you need some extra hands,” said Ryuji. “Makoto’ll manage the time.”

If she hadn't been mid-bite, Makoto would have glared at him more forcefully.

“You could just set an alarm, you know,” Emi took the opening, needling him with a pointed finger to the ribs. “The clock app isn’t just for recording splits you know.”

“It isn’t?!” Ryuji played along.

If only phone alarms worked in the Metaverse. 

Perhaps it was time to change the subject…

“By the way,” Makoto interjected. “Ren and I are going to an art show at a local gallery on Saturday, want to come? My sister’s girlfriend has a piece, so we’re going to support her.” 

Ryuji gave her the same look he used to back when she would urge him to start early on his summer homework, but at least Emi appeared to be seriously considering her invitation. It was Ryuji who spoke first however.

“Uhh, I don’t know,” he scratched at the side of his head. “I’m not really an art person.”

“Aw, it might be fun, especially with friends,” Emi tugged at Ryuji’s arm before turning back to Makoto. “What time is it? We have our jogging club in the morning.”

“It’s midday. I’ll text you the details,” said Makoto, taking out her phone. “We could meet there and then-”

The door to Leblanc swung open. Alerted by the creek of the hinges and the tell-tale jingle of the bell, and curious due to the rarity of customers, especially this late in the evening, everyone turned towards the new arrival.

“Ann...” Ryuji was the first to speak, though he nearly swallowed her name. His eyes opened wide, conveying the surprise they were all feeling.

Wasn't she supposed to be in Europe?

Ann looked much the same as she did back in August, when Makoto had last seen her: long, blond tresses that fell picture-perfectly, stylish clothing that blended professional and personal while showing off her proportions, and a naturally bright smile that drew people in. She carried an oversized shoulder bag on one arm and wheeled in a suitcase with the other, checked baggage tags still looped around the handle.

“Ren! Makoto! Ryuji!!” She drew out his name as she got to their booth, grinning as she gripped Ryuji’s shoulder with one hand and started play-punching his arm with the other. She laughed, “You should see the look on your face!”

“Hey! Don’t forget me!” The head and paws of a familiar black tuxedo cat popped out of Ann’s shoulder bag. 

“Morgana?!” Makoto looked between her two newly arrived friends. “How did you-”

“Futaba,” said Ann, still leaning on Ryuji’s shoulder.

“Is she-” Ren began.

“She’s fine, she’s fine,” Ann dismissed the concern. “We couldn’t leave you in a lurch. Now that we’re here we can-”

Ren loudly cleared his throat. He nodded towards Emi.

“Oh!” Ann stepped back, taking her hand off of Ryuji’s shoulder. 

“Ann, this is my girlfriend, Emi,” Ryuji motioned to the woman sitting beside him. Both of them still appeared rather bewildered by the whole situation. 

“H-hi,” Emi was cautiously looking Ann over. “Nice to meet you.”

“Emi, this is Ann,” Ryuji completed the introduction. “One of our friends from high school.”

Chapter 36: 1/23 - Thursday - Night

Chapter Text

“You were supposed to be looking after Futaba.” Sojiro held Morgana up so he could look him in the eyes. Ren wondered if a similar ‘conversation’ had taken place right before Futaba left for Switzerland.

“She told me to go with Lady Ann!” Morgana explained, his legs flailing as he wiggled in Sojiro’s grip. “She said she’s comfy where she is, that the lab is full of ‘her people!’”

“Don’t ‘meow meow meow’ me,” Sojiro’s eyes narrowed. “Whatever you have to say, you still abandoned her.”

“I didn’t!” Morgana continued to protest. “This is a tactical decision we all agreed on!” 

“Yes, yes, you’re very cute,” Sojiro kept a stern face. “But don't think you're getting away with this just because you're cute.”

“A little help guys?! Ren? Lady Ann? Makoto?” Morgana's neck stretched as he tried to make eye contact with them. Makoto was standing at Ren’s side, watching the argument. Ann was sitting at the counter, smiling to herself as she attended to the cup and saucer in front of her. Ryuji and Emi had left in a hurry shortly after dinner.

“He said it was a mutual decision,” Makoto took a step forward. “And that Futaba feels comfortable with the people in her research lab.”

“Oh?” Sojiro looked at Makoto and then back at Morgana, eyebrow raised. “And how many of these ‘people’ are boys?”

“Uhhh….” Morgana’s limbs pulled inward and he lowered his head.

Sojiro grunted. “I thought so.”

“Ichinose is on her way there. She's setting up some sort of visiting position,” Ann looked up from her coffee. “She’ll keep an eye on things.”

“Lady Ann!” Morgana sighed in relief.

“I see,” said Sojiro, turning briefly to acknowledge Ann before setting his sights on Morgana once more. His tone was unyielding, but his body seemed to relax. “Why didn’t you say that earlier?”

“Not like you could have understood it!” Morgana swung all of his limbs wildly, this time breaking free from Sojiro’s grasp. He landed on the counter and sauntered over to Ann, tail up and waving in a deliberate and punctuated manner.

Makoto stepped back by Ren’s side. He smiled to himself. The slight shift in temperature, having her close enough to take in his arms… there was something exciting about it, still. 

“Maybe we should take Boss into the Metaverse…”  she said, tucking a lock of hair framing her face behind her ear, only to have it fall back immediately. “The Palace entrance isn’t nearly as disturbing as Shido’s ship.”

Ren’s stomach clenched. He wasn’t sure if it was the memory of the ship or of the man himself. Either way, there was no way Sojiro would have let 15-year-old Futaba continue going with them had he seen the vast ocean of ruin surrounding that cruise ship, much less the creepy red darkness and overgrown veins of Mementos. It was a miracle he even let Futaba continue at all once he discovered the calling card in her room. 

But now… now Futaba was an adult and as Makoto had pointed out, the entrance of this new Palace was less visually disturbing, especially without the full gravity of what its existence meant to Ren and the rest of the team. If Sojiro stayed by the turnstiles, he likely wouldn’t even see the shadows roaming on the platforms below. 

Though, what if taking him there caused the IchiGO app to appear on Sojiro's phone? What if he got curious and entered on his own, without them to protect him?

“I don’t know,” said Ren. “There are so many unknowns and it’s not like Morgana is living here anymore. Maybe if we decide to use this place as a hideout again.”

“That makes sense,” said Makoto. She glanced downwards. “I assume Morgana will be staying with you? How are we going to…?”

So she was thinking about that. Ren tried to suppress his smile.

It was a problem though. One that needed sorting. However, in the moment, the high of having her bring up their need for privacy was beating the part of his brain that identified and solved problems.

“Morgana has always had a good sense of when to make himself scarce,” said Ren. Throughout their time together, he had always been conscientious of Ren’s one-on-one time with his friends. Surely he’d be the same when it came to a girlfriend.

Of course, it was easier to escape from and return to a second floor attic than it would be from Ren’s new apartment, but he suspected Morgana would be offended if he so much as suggested the cat would have any difficulty at the new place. An open balcony door was all he’d need, if even that.

Realizing Makoto was looking up at him, perhaps not fully satisfied with his answer, Ren added, “We’ll figure it out as we go along.”

Chapter 37: 1/24 - Friday - ???

Chapter Text

“So how long have you been seeing her?” Ann was leaning over the railing, looking out over the platforms near the entrance of the Palace. Though she had worn her hair down in the real world, as a phantom thief, her long locks were tied back into a singular ponytail.

“Since, like, September? I think.” Ryuji was right next to her, in nearly the same position. He lifted his chin, like he was trying to recall.

“That long and you didn’t tell us?”

“Was I s’posed to?" he asked. "Group chat’s been kinda dead.”

“Joker told us right away,” she argued.

“Joker’s datin’ someone we know,” said Ryuji. He continued to stare out at the trains pulling in and departing. “An’ like, I dunno, felt like Emi and I should be more serious before we announce it. We haven’t moved in together or anything like they have.”

“You moved in together?!” Ann whipped her head around fast enough that her ponytail was still in motion when she finished her question. Her exclamation caught the attention of not just Makoto, but Ren, Haru, and Toshiro as well. The four of them were also congregating near the railing, but closer to where Morgana was standing.

“I-I haven’t moved in!” Makoto protested. Though she hadn’t been part of Ann and Ryuji’s conversation, she had heard most of it. It was hard not to. Had she not been so quick to defend herself, she would have considered playing dumb, acting like she didn't know who they were speaking about. She didn't want to open herself to accusations of eavesdropping, even if Ann and Ryuji only did it to tease her these days. Did no one believe in situational awareness?

That worry was unfounded, however, as Ryuji had a different retort.

“Oh yeah?” he called over to her. “Wher’you sleepin’ tonight?”

Ren stepped in front of Makoto. “That’s none of your business.” 

“Will you guys be quiet??” Morgana snapped. “I’m trying to concentrate!”

“Oh! Sorry,” Makoto drew into herself. She felt her face becoming warm. If she hadn't regretted her response before, she certainly did now. Despite trying her best to be mindful of those around her and succeeding most of the time, somehow it felt like these outbursts defined her.

Ren wrapped an arm around her back and gave her a reassuring shake. She looked up, meeting his eyes. He made an exaggerated eye roll as he nodded his head back towards Ryuji.

“Why don’t we wait closer to the entrance?” Haru spoke softly as she stepped away from the railing. “Toshi—I mean, Promise, can stay with Mona-chan.”

“Fine by me,” said Toshiro.

The rest of them followed Haru to the ticket gates. They stood in a loose circle, with Ryuji leaning against one of the turnstiles and Ren keeping Morgana and Toshiro in his line of sight.

“So, Panther,” Haru restarted the conversation. “How long are you staying here?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” said Ann. “We’ll see how this Palace goes.”

“But what about all the fashion events?” asked Makoto. “Aren’t they coming up soon?”

“In a couple weeks,” Ann replied. She shifted her weight onto one leg, folding her arms in front of her. “New York is first, but I was probably going to skip it anyway with everything going on over there. Even my mom is worried about that one.”

“And the rest?” pressed Makoto.

“Yeah I don’t know,” Ann’s head tilted as she thought about it. “I have an apprentice. If I start prepping her now, she could probably be ready by London. But that’s like weeks out. Don’t we usually get these done pretty fast?”

“That’s true…” Back in high school, they typically took down a Palace within a few weeks. Even adding in the investigation time, it was still under a month, not counting the wait for the change of the heart. Jails were quite a bit faster, but those had been pretty intense, requiring the team to devote long hours to the infiltration. It had been risky, but they didn't have much choice.

And now… it had been a week since Ren and Ryuji first discovered this place. They weren’t behind schedule per se, but somehow it felt slow. 

Makoto followed up, “It’s just… we haven't gotten very far yet. We don’t have as much free time as we used to.”

“Maybe things will speed up now that we have Mona-chan,” said Haru. She turned to Ann. “But if you’re going to be here a while, we should meet up some time, in the real world.”

“Oh, speaking of which,” Makoto looked at Ann and Haru in turn. “Joker, Skull, and I are going to an art show tomorrow. My sister’s girlfriend is part of it. Want to come?” 

“Sure!” Ann smiled broadly. “Sounds fun! Maybe I’ll get some inspo.” 

“Sorry,” Haru's expression was more conciliatory. “Unfortunately my schedule’s not that flexible.”

Oh. Right. Of course Haru would need a lot of lead time.

“Aw, too bad,” said Ann. “But that just means we’ll have to schedule something else.”

Before Haru could respond, Ren took a step forward, “It looks like they’re done over there.” 

He motioned towards Morgana and Toshiro. 

The group walked back to the railing.

“What did you find?” Ren asked Morgana. “Is this a Palace?”

“That I can’t say, but there is something like a treasure,” Morgana explained. “I can’t be sure exactly what direction it’s in though. It’s like it’s smeared, or something.”

“Smeared?” Ryuji looked around at the others. “What’s that s’posed to mean?”

“Don’t look at me,” Toshiro raised his hands in front of his chest. “I was only standing guard. I haven’t done this whole treasure thing before.”

A low, barely-audible but familiar rumble caught Makoto’s attention. She glanced up at Ren. He appeared to notice her, meeting her gaze through the corner of his eye, but he didn’t say anything. Whatever it was, it seemed he wasn’t ready to share.

“Can you describe it a little more?” Makoto bent her knees and leaned over to be closer to the cat.

“It’s, you know, smeared,” Morgana repeated himself. “It’s like, I can find it, but I can't zero in on it and when I try to search near it and then go back again, it’s not quite where I thought it was.”

“Uhh, maybe we need Oracle,” said Ann.

“Hmph,” Morgana crossed his arms. “Oracle might be great at navigation, but when it comes to treasure, I’m still number one.”

Smeared, huh?” Haru brought the tips of her fingers to her lips, her head briefly dipping down so that her hat covered half her face. Raising her head once more, she spoke, “Might it be on one of the trains?”

“That would make sense,” said Makoto. 

“Hmmm…” Morgana hopped up onto the railing and gazed into the station. His large, mascot eyes squinted slightly.

Everyone was silent, waiting on his analysis.

“It’s possible,” he eventually said. “Probable even, but we’ll have to find it to make sure.”

Ren seemed to relax at Morgana's assessment.

“On a train...” Toshiro mumbled. “I suppose that’s fitting.”

“I guess,” Ryuji exhaled. “But how’re we s’posed to secure a route to a movin' treasure?!”

Chapter 38: 1/25 - Saturday - Early Morning

Chapter Text

It took Ren a few moments to realize he was in his bed, awake, in the dark. Usually when Lavenza summoned him, he didn’t wake until morning. She hadn’t even told him anything useful, only warned him in the vaguest way possible that something bad might happen and then demonstrated a new way to torture his personas for alleged gains.

She had seemed rather proud of the latter.

So, why did he wake this-

“Hn!” A high-pitched noise drew his attention to Makoto.

Ren's eyes were just starting to adjust, enough for him to see the outline of her squirming under the covers, asleep but obviously uncomfortable.

A nightmare?

Should he wake her? Or would it be better if he didn’t so she wouldn’t remember?

Ren wondered if she was also worried about Machinami’s show, just in a different way than he was. Even with both Makoto and Sae vouching for her, he was still suspicious. It didn’t help that Machinami clearly didn’t like him. It also didn’t help that he couldn’t resist peeking at her with his third eye.

Thankfully Ryuji seemed to understand his silent plea the other night and assented to him and Emi going with them.

“Inghhhh…” Makoto shifted again.

If she wasn’t going to get a good night’s sleep, maybe it was worth it to wake-

Wait a sec.

Ren noticed something twitching and white, floating in what he thought had just been darkness. He sat up, grabbing Morgana by his torso and lifting him off Makoto. She exhaled, settling now that the weight was gone.

The cat kicked a few times with his back paws, swatting only the air. A groggy ‘nyaaa…’ followed, with one of Morgana’s eyes opening halfway and then the other.

“Wha…? What time is it?” Morgana was slack in Ren’s hands. As his eyes fully opened, he stiffened, hissing, “It’s the middle of the night. Go to sleep!”

“Shhh…” Ren whispered. “You were sleeping on Makoto. Don’t do that.”

“What?” Morgana replied in a similarly hushed tone. He turned his head towards Makoto. “Why’s she wearing your pajamas?”

Wait… did he…?

Ren shook his head. It didn’t matter.

“Let’s take this outside,” Ren nodded towards the door.

Seeing that Morgana understood, Ren set the cat down and got out of bed as gingerly as he could. He slowly pulled open the sliding door, closing it just as carefully once he and Morgana had left the bedroom.

Ren walked over to the low table that he and Makoto had picked up the weekend prior. He turned on a small table lamp that was on the floor, waiting for the rest of the room to be furnished. It provided a warm glow, hopefully one that wouldn’t be too noticeable from the bedroom. He sat down. Morgana took the cushion opposite of him.

“I didn’t mean to!” Morgana explained. “It was an accident!”

Ren squinted at his friend across the table. He recalled being more annoyed when he had first ushered the cat out of his bedroom, but now, no longer having to worry about waking his girlfriend, he wasn’t sure exactly why. “Sure, just don’t do it again.”

“Uh, okay,” Morgana leaned back slightly. “Can we go back to sleep now?”

Ren paused. For whatever reason, he was awake, and he wasn’t sure he could go back to sleep if he tried. Now seemed as good a time as any to follow up regarding their trip to the Metaverse. “What did you mean when you said ‘smeared’?”

“Hey! Are you listening to me?” Morgana put one of his paws on the table. “We should go to sleep.”

“After.” 

“I already told you,” whined Morgana. “I didn’t have a good read on the treasure, but I think Haru is right. It all makes sense if the treasure's moving. Let’s go to sleep and deal with-”

“So, is it like the pieces around it get jumbled and move about?” Ren pressed further. “Or does it just look blurry?”

“It doesn’t look like anything. I can’t see anything that far away. I can just sense where it is,” Morgana’s tail was thumping against the cushion as he spoke at an increasingly rapid pace. Fortunately the cushion served to muffle the sounds of his annoyance. Eventually both his tail and his words slowed. “What’s this about?”

Ren drew back. He supposed if anyone should know, it was Morgana. However, if he mentioned the specific source of his worries, it wouldn’t be long before the whole team knew. He wasn’t ready for that. He was sure Makoto wasn't either.

“There’s a person I can’t focus on with my third eye,” he explained, omitting Machinami's identity. “I wanted to know if the effect was similar.”

“Someone connected to the Palace?” asked Morgana.

Ren shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Are you sure?” 

Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Not 100%, but pretty sure.”

“Have you asked Lavenza about it?” Morgana leaned in.

“Lavenza doesn’t seem to know either,” said Ren. “Since this power comes from-”

“Right...” Morgana dipped his head. Ren could almost see his friend’s mascot form crossing his arms and furrowing his brow. Morgana looked up again. “Do you want me to follow them?”

“No, there’s no reason to go that far.” Not only that, how would he explain it to Makoto or Sae should they find out? “Actually, can you keep this a secret? I don’t want to make this a bigger deal than it has to be.”

“Of course,” Morgana lifted his chin. “Keeping secrets like this is child’s play to a phantom thief.”

“Thanks Morgana.”

“You’re welcome,” Morgana stood up. “Now let’s go to sleep.”

Chapter 39: 1/25 - Saturday - Daytime

Chapter Text

Machinami stood with her arms tightly crossed, right index finger rapidly tapping against her left arm. Her right foot was fidgeting similarly. She was frowning as her eyes moved over the gallery in front of her. Each time they landed on Ren, her eyes narrowed further.

After over a minute of watching her, Sae wrapped her arm around Machinami’s back and ran her hand up and down Machinami’s upper arm soothingly. She watched Machinami’s face, a bemused smile creeping up on her own, which Machinami, still focused outward, was oblivious to. Even as intimidating as Machinami could be, the scene was rather cute.

Ren glanced down at his own partner, who was carefully reading the small tri-fold program. The stink eye from Machinami didn’t seem so bad when he reminded himself he was on a date with Makoto.

Still, it would be nice if Ryuji and the others arrived soon.

When Ren looked at the other couple again, Sae caught his gaze. The corners of her lips pulled up further as she shifted her pupils to Machinami and back to him, her eyebrows jumping in the process. It was like she was telling him, ‘watch this.’

As Sae's hand traveled down Machinami’s upper arm one last time, she lifted two fingers, stopping above Machinami’s jittering one, just long enough for Ren to see what she had in mind. She started tapping Machinami’s with her own. Her partner’s finger tried to avoid her after the first few taps, but Sae was relentless.

Machinami’s finger started fighting back and she turned to see what was happening on her arm. “What? What are you-”

Sae chuckled lightly through a broad grin.

“Stop that,” Machinami pouted, the corners of her mouth twitched, like she was trying to prevent herself from smiling.

“Alright.” Sae released her girlfriend, raising both hands in front of her chest. She continued to watch Machinami, waiting now that she had her full attention. It was only a few moments before she had a response.

“It’s just, I don’t see why they needed to invite judges,” said Machinami. She had alluded to the subject once already, but this was more direct. “This is an amateur show.”

“You did have to apply,” Sae reminded her. “If I recall, it was quite involved.”

Machinami’s lower jutted out just a little more. She stared at Sae for another second before speaking. “They didn’t need to bring establishment types though. We could all just vote or something.”

“It looks like they have that too,” said Makoto. She raised the slender program, pointing to one of the paragraphs. “There’s an artist’s choice and a community choice. Ballots are at the front ta-”

Makoto trailed off once she noticed Sae sternly shaking her head at her.

“Let’s not worry about awards,” Sae was smiling again. “They’re not announced until later, right? Look around, it just opened the turn out is already this good. We probably won’t run into any judges, if they're even still around.”

“Everyone I know is talking about them, hoping to get discovered,” Machinami sighed. She looked over the crowd again, glowering especially when it came to Ren.

Maybe it would be better in his third eye, where he couldn’t see her expression.

Ren shifted his vision, vaguely aware of Sae and Machinami’s continued conversation. In the blue-cast space that only he could see, Machinami was a discordant mess of blurred confusion.

He pushed down the queasiness.

If he could just power through it… If he could just focus... Seeing beyond the flickering haze felt so tantalizing close. He pressed his lips together, swallowing to suppress the bile. 

The rest of the world around him started to alter. He felt like there were multiple copies of himself all in one space, each swaying off in separate directions. He breathed deeply, swallowing again. This time. This time he-

A tug at his sleeve brought him back to the normal world.

It was even more disorienting at first, but as he shook off the remnants, he started to feel much better. He turned to the person whose keen observation he could not escape.

Makoto was peering up at him. Ren wasn’t sure if she was concerned or annoyed or both. He tried to look as conciliatory as possible. It wasn’t like he promised he wouldn’t try or anything…

“-hoping to make some new friends,” Machinami was still venting to Sae. “But all they want to talk about is-”

“I know, I know,” Sae patted Machinami on the arm. “Why don’t we—oh, is that Tsuchida and the others?”

“Oh they’re here,” Machinami looked a little brighter.

Ren followed their line of sight to a small group of people who seemed similar in vibe to Machinami.

“We’re going to go greet Tao’s coworkers,” Sae turned to Ren and Makoto. “Go enjoy the show.”

Sae and Machinami waved as they took off towards their newly arrived friends. 

“Aaaaah, finally free!” Morgana poked his head out of Ren’s bag. It continued to jostle as the cat stretched his legs. “Why couldn’t you have just told Machinami about me? It’s stuffy in there.”

“There wasn’t time,” said Ren. “And she already doesn’t like me. I didn’t want to add anything weird.”

“I’m not weird,” Morgana grumbled.

“Tao-san… I think she’s just been stressed about this show,” Makoto's eyes were downcast. “Maybe once it’s over…”

Did she really have to defend Machinami like that? 

Before Ren could put his feelings into words, he caught sight of Ryuji and Emi approaching. He looked at his watch. It was only a few minutes past their planned meeting time, well within the margin of error. He supposed that dealing with Machinami had just made it seem like they must be running late.

“Hi everyone,” Emi greeted them. 

“Yo,” added Ryuji with a nod. He glanced around the room. “This looks sweet! Wasn’t it s’posed to be an amateur show?”

“The entries are from amateurs,” Makoto explained. “But the show itself was organized by a mix of amateurs and professionals… and I think those ‘amateurs’ are pretty serious.”

“It sure seems that way,” Emi was also taking in the gallery, eyes wide and lips parted in awe.

Not being an artist himself, Ren was sure he was missing the nuance, but he could at least appreciate the work that went into the show. Everything seemed well-lit and well-placed, with ample room to focus on individual pieces while also communicating a sense of cohesion when viewing any of the partitioned spaces. The majority of entries were mounted, but there were also some free-standing sculptures. One wall featured digital displays with over-the-ear headphones laying on the mantle underneath, inviting visitors to both listen and watch.

“Shall we get started?” suggested Emi.

“We’re waiting for one more,” said Makoto. “Ann is coming too. You met her at Leblanc.”

“Oh.” Emi’s expression faltered. She looked at Ryuji.

“Oh yeah, that happened last night. I didn’t think to tell you,” Ryuji rubbed the back of his neck. 

“...last …night?” Emi’s brow furrowed. “But weren’t you-”

“We met up with some friends from high school after work,” Ren interjected. “Since we all haven’t seen Ann in a while.”

“Yes, I invited everyone to come today, but Ann was the only one who could make it on such short notice,” added Makoto. 

Ren wasn’t sure if she meant to help or if she was still beating herself up about not inviting their friends earlier. Given the stream of visitors already entering, it didn’t seem to matter too much. He wasn’t even sure if Machinami wanted more people at this point.

“I thought you were having dinner with your mother,” Emi was only looking at Ryuji.

“That was after,” he replied. “She still works late.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t dinner, just drinks,” said Ren. The first part wasn’t a lie. 

“Oh look, there’s Ann now,” Ryuji turned his head, pointing her out with his chin. 

Even though the art show crowd seemed more fashion-conscious than average, with some of the artists having truly unique looks, Ann still stood out. It wasn’t just the clothes themselves, but the way she paired them and layered on accessories. Though both Ren and Ryuji were wearing jackets from Angel and Julian’s boutique, Ren started to wonder if they should have tried harder to fit in with the art types. Then again, Makoto and Emi had gone with rather simple, yet classy, outfits. 

“Sorry I’m late!” Ann arrived, flashing the kind of smile that sold magazines. “Oh, Miura-san, good to see you again. We really didn’t get a chance to chat last time.”

“You can call me Emi,” she offered a polite smile. “It would be strange if only we were formal.”

“True, true. Please call me Ann.”

The two women stood for a few moments, not saying anything more. Ren looked over at Ryuji. If he felt in any way awkward, he wasn’t showing it. Makoto however…

“Well, shall we start browsing then?” she clasped her hands together. “I’m not quite sure where Tao-san’s piece is, but I’m sure we’ll find it along the way.”

“Yes, let’s,” said Emi.

The group slipped into the vague flow of museum visitors. The smaller spaces delineated by the internal walls served to usher them around the exhibit.

There was a mix of styles showcased. It was easy to be impressed with the skill that went into the pieces that reflected reality most closely. For those that were more abstract, Ren tried to get a sense of what they were trying to say and why the artist made the choices they did, but there was little to go on beside a title, the artist’s name, and his own imagination.

He was never quite sure how long to spend looking at the works he wasn’t particularly interested in. It didn’t help that some of the artists were hovering nearby, far away enough that most people might not notice them, but obvious enough to him. Makoto seemed to have a sense of pace though, so he let her lead.

“I like it when they use weird stuff,” said Ryuji while the group was standing in front of a mixed-media piece. “It’s more fun than a borin’ ol’ painting.”

Ren wondered if the artist of the traditional painting they had just walked past was close enough to hear that. It was Ryuji after all.

Then again, there was plenty of chatter, enough that Morgana’s own remarks on the pieces were conveniently drowned out beyond the range of Ren’s hearing. Other small talk within the group required concentration. On the other hand, sometimes he benefited from overhearing the explanation of someone with more knowledge of art. 

“Hey, that guy who spent so much time viewing that one film, think that was him?” said one of the ‘hiding’ artists.

“I don’t know, wasn’t he dressed a little plainly?” said another. “Anyway, I hope not. It’d be annoying if first prize went to a film. Don’t they have like, their own festivals?”

Machinami wasn’t the only one worried about the judges it seemed.

They continued making their way through the maze of artwork.

“Ah, here it is,” said Makoto as they walked up to a large rectangular canvas.

The composition was striking, but Ren didn’t know what to make of it. It had the style of one of those mural-sized, multi-color graffiti tags, with jutting acute angles and extruded shapes. Unlike the ones he saw in the wild, nothing was written. Instead the piece was dominated by kinetic tangles of long lines of varied in thickness and color, seemingly floating over a background of flat red. The ones at the top formed an arc, similar to a wide, shallow bowl. From the bowl’s bottom-most point spilled an even more intricate jumble of lines. Flecked atop were occasional circular splatters in white.

Ren looked at the small paper placard mounted beside it.

Untitled.

Machinami really wasn’t giving him much to go on, was she? 

“What do you think?” asked Makoto.

“It’s… it’s certainly impressive,” said Ren. “Beautiful even.”

“Yeah, when I first saw it—it wasn’t quite done at that time, but close—I was worried all the colors would work against each other and it would turn out muddled, but instead, they all stand out and the more I see it, the more I want to keep looking deeper into it.”

It was an apt description. Indeed it had a quality that beckoned scrutiny. The pride carried in Makoto’s voice was an endearing bonus.

“Uhhh, but what’s it s’posed to be?” asked Ryuji.

“It’s a railway map.”

“Thanks Yusuke,” said Ryuji.

Yusuke?!

Both Ryuji and Ren whipped their heads to verify the presence of their wayward teammate.

“What are you doing here?!” Ryuji was loud enough to attract the attention of other nearby gallery patrons. 

“Ryuji!” both Ann and Emi whispered at him sharply. They looked up at each other, somewhat stunned. Ann took a step back, appearing rather contrite.

“Quiet, this is a gallery,” Yusuke further admonished him. Fortunately, the other patrons seemed to lose interest. “And I’m an invited judge. What are you doing here?”

“Um, I think we're just surprised because we thought you were in Europe,” Makoto was speaking even more softly than before, like that would somehow bring everyone else’s volume down. “When did you get back?”

“Last week.”

Ryuji huffed. “Dude, then why didn’t you-”

“Before that,” Ren interrupted. “Did you say this painting is a railway map?”

“Ah yes,” Yusuke turned and gazed up at the painting. “It’s exaggerated, but celebrates the form. Note the range of angles and the way the lines sometimes run in parallel but also intersect or overlap. See how the dots fall in places where there could be stations. The whole color scheme, while again, exaggerated, plays off the distinguishable palette used in maps.”

Ren felt a knot forming in his stomach. Why would Machinami paint a railway map?

“I think I see it now,” said Emi. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” 

“Oh, let me introduce the two of you,” said Makoto. “This is Kitagawa Yusuke, another friend of ours from high school and-”

While Makoto continued through the introductions, Ryuji shuffled closer to Ren. He whispered. “Uh, weren’t you complainin’ about Machinami that afternoon, when… y’know…”

Had he been? He may have vented to Ryuji about her a few times, but that afternoon in particular…?

“Hold on,” Morgana crept further out of Ren’s bag. “Are you saying that-”

“So this is where you are.” A small man with neatly kept hair and glasses announced as he walked towards Yusuke. Morgana dove back into the bag as he approached. 

Even in a full suit and tie, the man appeared slight, perhaps slighter than Mishima. He was a few centimeters taller than Makoto and looked to be around their age. “You can’t keep returning to whatever piece intrigues you, especially before the awards ceremony. You have to mingle.”

Yusuke exhaled, the force of his breath causing strands of his hair to briefly become airborne. His haircut hadn’t changed much from high school. He was wearing neutrals—a button up shirt and slacks with a fluffy but still muted scarf. It was like he had gone overboard trying not to stand out to the point where he was again making a statement.

“Do I?” he finally answered.

“Yes.” The man then turned to the others. “I’m terribly sorry, Kitagawa-sensei has a—wait a second, I know you.”

The man’s demeanor had seemed a little stuffy before, but now it conveyed direct disapproval.

“Ah, Kobayashi-san, was it?” Makoto was the first to speak. “It’s nice to meet you aga-”

“You three,” he pointed at Makoto, Ann, and Ryuji in rapid succession. “Don’t tell me you’re planning another get-together. Kitagawa-sensei has a busy schedule. If you want to go out and party irresponsibly, do it without him.”

“That really isn’t what-”

“This isn’t a negotiation,” Kobayashi was still making air-jabs in Makoto’s direction. When he went so far as taking a step towards her, Ren moved in between them.

“Hey back off,” Ren leaned in, staring down at the other man. 

“Hmph, typical.” Kobayashi stepped back nonetheless, pivoting to Yusuke and grabbing him by the arm. “Come on. I need to introduce you to some buyers.”

“Alright,” Yusuke sighed. He looked at the others as Kobayashi began dragging him off. “Later then.”

“Dude! Check your damn phone for once!” Ryuji called after him.

The group watched as Yusuke and Kobayashi disappeared behind one of the partition walls.

“How does he keep doing that?” Ann was still staring at the last place they had seen Yusuke.

“I know right?” Ryuji shoved his hands into his pockets. He laughed to himself. “Though, all of us here, at an art show—kinda reminds me of back in high school. Y’know, when we went to investigate Mada-”

Ren elbowed Ryuji hard in the ribs.

“Ouch! What the-”

“Oh right, haha,” Ann spoke over Ryuji’s exclamation of distress. “We did have a field trip to an art museum, didn’t we? Where we needed to uh, investigate, uh, ma… ma… modern art. Yeah that was it.” 

“Oooooh, riiiiight,” Ryuji was bobbing his head with way too much vigor, only slowing down when he noticed Ann’s eyes boring into him. “Uh… I might have failed that assignment.”

Emi looked between Ryuji and Ann, confused, but unable to say anything.

“Anyway,” Makoto affected a dainty cough into her fist. “Hopefully we can meet up with Yusuke while he’s still in the country. Let’s reach out after the show.”

Ryuji and Ann nodded. Emi just looked uncomfortable.

“We’ve been here awhile,” Makoto added. “We should probably move on.”

“But isn’t this the one you came here to see?” Emi gestured at Machinami’s painting.

“Yes, and I did,” said Makoto. “It’s important that others get a chance to see it too.”

“Maybe we can just move back then,” said Emi. “I want to look a bit more now that I know what it is.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense,” Makoto tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing to Ren a modest smile. She must have wanted to spend more time too.

The group moved further into the aisle, allowing other visitors to get close. 

“Emi’s really sweet, isn’t she?” Ryuji whispered to Ren, a wide grin spread across his face.

“Yeah.” Ren said as he continued to watch Makoto gaze at the painting. He turned to Ryuji. “By the way, what was with that Kobayashi guy?”

“Oh, uh, him?” Ryuji’s neck began turning red. “That’s-”

“Hey! You two!” Morgana's ears were twitching as he kept watch on their surroundings. “What about what you were saying before? About the first time you entered the-”

Ren put his hand over Morgana’s head, pressing him back into the bag. Makoto might be distracted at the moment, but he rather not risk upsetting her until he was more certain about whether or not he had spoken about Machinami before entering the Palace. 

“Not now.”

Morgana squirmed, trying to get out from under Ren’s hand. “Stop that! This is important!!”

“Uh, I think your cat is getting restless,” said Emi. Morgana’s last exclamation was apparently loud enough for her to notice. It wasn’t long before Makoto and Ann were looking at them as well. 

“Yeah, I think he needs some attention,” said Ren, hoping his teammates would understand what he meant by the deliberate eye contact he was making with each of them. “Why don’t the rest of you go ahead. I’ll catch up.” 

After a brief pause, Ann spoke up. “Oh right, haha, he’s probably still stressed about being cooped up on that plane so long! Let’s go see that next one. It looks really cool.”

“Hmph!” came a growl from the bag.

Emi looked between Ann, Ryuji, and Ren’s bag, before replying. “S-sure.”

She started for the next painting, with Ryuji and Ann not far behind.

Makoto stayed back. “Is there-”

“You should go along with them,” he said. “Just in case you need to smooth anything else over.”

Ryuji had managed to get through high school without ever revealing their phantom thievery to his mother, but after the near-miss earlier, it didn’t hurt to be careful.

Well, that was his excuse at least.

“I’ll fill you in tonight,” he added.

“Okay.”

Makoto gave a brief nod and then followed after the others. When she was far enough away, Ren let up on Morgana.

“What was that for?!” Morgana said as he emerged from the bag once more. “It's not like Emi can understand me.”

“Machinami is Makoto’s family right now,” Ren kept his voice low. “I don’t want to worry her until we know more.”

Nevermind the fact that it was hard to carry on a normal-sounding conversation with Morgana in the mix, especially when he was being impatient.

“Is what Ryuji said true then?” Morgana pressed. “Were you talking about her when you discovered the Palace?”

“I don’t remember.”

“It’s quite the coincidence that she painted a railway map,” Morgana reminded him.

“I know.”

Ren stared up at Machinami’s painting.

With Yusuke’s explanation, it was difficult to see it as anything but a railway map. Could it be a coincidence? What did the large bowl-like shape mean? Was it pouring into the rest of the painting? What was she trying to say? If only their art expert hadn’t left so soon.

“Is it anything like the tracks in the Palace?” he murmured, half to Morgana and half to himself. They hadn’t explored much of the train system yet, but…

“It’s too early to tell,” Morgana said grimly. “I told you, I can’t really see, just sense. I take it you haven’t found a map inside either?”

Ren shook his head. They hadn’t. Another difference from a typical Palace, but not uncommon in other Metaverse incursions. 

“We should catch up with the others.” They had been standing there too long.

Ren adjusted the shoulder strap of his bag, lifting his foot to depart, but stopping. 

There was one thing he hadn’t tried.

He opened his third eye.

Chapter 40: 1/25 - Saturday - Evening

Chapter Text

Ren awoke, finding himself laying in the dark, presumably staring up at the ceiling. His head throbbed. He let out a weak groan. The lack of light was probably a good thing as he was having enough trouble opening his eyes as it was. He reached for his head, finding a barely damp cloth folded neatly on his forehead. 

Makoto.

Oh. Right. He had come back to his apartment. Well, with a little help. The recollections came in pieces: His friends gathered around him as he lay crumpled on the floor. Being dragged to a quiet area and plied with water. Makoto insisting they take a cab home. Both Machinami and Sae giving him disapproving looks as he exited the gallery.

That painting though… all those-

The sound of the sliding door caught his attention. The movement was slow, stilted, like someone trying to make as little noise as possible. He lazily turned his head, finding the braided silhouette of his girlfriend. Her face was tilted, like she was trying to peek through the small opening. As his eyes adjusted to the (thankfully dim) light coming through, he was able to pick out more of her features. There was a timidness to her motion, her gaze. Queen might be able to maintain cover through the longest of infiltration routes, but Niijima Makoto’s attempts to be stealthy in the real world seldom worked as well, much to his amusement. Cute as it was though, he supposed he should quell her worries.

“I’m awake,” he said. It came out more raspy than he would have liked.

“I hope I didn’t-”

“You didn’t,” he began to prop himself up. “I woke up a few minutes ago. What time is it?”

“6:30.” She opened the door fully. Morgana was at her feet. They walked over to his side of the bed. Makoto knelt down. “How do you feel?”

He briefly considered lying, but not only was he pretty sure she wouldn’t believe him, he kind of wanted the attention. “I’ve been better.” 

“Do you need anything?” she asked. “I have some porridge simmering. I also picked up some ingredients for vegetable udon if you’re up for it.”

“Or, you could go back to sleep,” suggested Morgana.

“Porridge sounds great right now.” Sleeping until his head stopped hurting had its appeal, but he was feeling a bit hungry. 

“I’ll bring you some,” Makoto began to stand up.

“I’ll get up,” Ren raised himself to a fully seated position. 

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” He put his feet on the floor.

“Are you sure? You look…”

Ren guessed he looked like he felt, which wasn’t great. The insistent pain in his head just made him feel bad all over, but other than that, he couldn’t say he was necessarily tired. “We’ll see how it goes. It’s not like the bed’s far away if I change my mind.”

He made a cursory effort to even out the blanket before following Makoto to the other room, still in his pajamas. He must have been on auto-pilot when he changed out of his suit. Makoto was dressed as she had been at the gallery, pantyhose and all. She didn’t keep loungewear at his place. He had offered and she seemed keen on the idea, but despite her typically being on top of things, she hadn’t brought any over yet. 

Maybe it was too big a step.

Ren sat down at the table, taking the cushion closest to the wall. Instead of choosing one of the other cushions, Morgana rested right by his side, close enough that Ren could feel the heat of his small form through his pajama bottoms. 

Makoto had gone directly to the kitchen. From Ren’s position on the floor, he could only see her from the shoulders up. She looked so serious and focused, though she was just dishing a bowl of porridge. It wasn’t long before she emerged, setting down the bowl and a spoon in front of him. With Morgana on his right, she took the seat to his left, adjusting the cushion so it was as close to him as it could be while still being along her edge of the table. 

Being there, between his girlfriend and his cat, with a comforting bowl of food before him… it was pleasant and warm.

Ren took a shallow scoop of the porridge, noticing a wisp of steam rising from his spoon. Hot, but not too hot. He blew on it to help it cool. Finally, taking a sip, he started to realize how hungry he had been.

“Is it good?” Makoto leaned in towards him.

“Yeah,” he smiled to himself. He finished his spoonful. “Thank you.”

As the porridge cooled and his stomach asserted itself, he sped up to his normal pace, if not a bit faster. Eating felt better, though the dull ache in his head was still annoyingly present.

Makoto must have noticed. “Would you like some ginger tea?” 

Ginger tea seemed like a good idea, but what he really wanted…

“How about I brew some coffee?” he proposed. “After I finish.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not so damaged that I can’t make coffee,” he chuckled, making what he hoped was a dashing grin despite the fact he was still having trouble completely opening his eyes. 

“Ren,” she let his name hang. “What happened?”

He sighed. He had been vaguely aware this would have to come up. It was only natural.

“I looked at the painting.” He watched the way she drew in her lips. She wasn’t happy. He tried to explain himself. “I didn’t think it would have a stronger effect than looking at Machinami herself.”

“Did it? You don’t seem well when you focus on Tao-san either,” said Makoto. She drew closer, reaching out to cup his face with her hand, and staring more intently, like she was examining him. “I’ve been worried you might faint then too.”

Did she have to use the word ‘faint?’

“You were looking at it for a while,” added Morgana.

And did he have to take her side?

Before Ren could come up with a response, Makoto dropped her hand and leaned back, dropping eye contact. “Maybe it would be better if you didn’t use that power if I’m not around.”

Not use his third eye?

Ren scrunched his face at the idea.

A sharp wave ran through his head. He grit his teeth. He should have known not to react suddenly.

“Are you okay?” 

She reached out again. He blocked her with his forearm.

“I’m fine,” he said, holding his head in his raised hand. “I just moved too quickly.”

She withdrew her arm.

He breathed deeply, in and out. He needed to calm himself if he was going to successfully argue.

“I’m not going to stop using it,” he stated. As her mouth opened, he raised his hand. “Let me finish. It’s helped me, us, out way more times than I can count. It’s part of me now.”

“I’m not saying-”

“You are.”

Now it was Makoto’s turn to sigh. She looked at him again, her eyes large and pleading. “I’m worried.”

“I know.” It was hard not to give in, tell her what she wanted to hear to wipe her anxiety away, but he knew it would be a lie. “I’ll be careful.”

“You haven’t been careful,” her brow furrowed. “When you get like that, it’s like you can’t look away.”

Was that how he appeared?

Was that what it was like? 

He only wanted to-

If he could just...

Okay, maybe there was some truth to it.

“I know I’ve been stubborn,” he conceded. “But Morgana is with me now and he knows the signs.”

“I do?” Morgana lifted his head from where it had been resting on Ren’s thigh. 

Ren ignored the interjection. “He’ll swat me if I stare too long.”

“I will?” The cat seemed to like the idea. Glancing down, Ren could almost see cartoonish stars in his eyes.

“It’s unlikely I’ll run into anything strange when I’m by myself,” Ren added. He put his hand over one of hers, dipping his chin but looking up at her as he asked, “Is that enough?”

She slipped her hand from under his, folding her arms in front of her and shifting her gaze away. “I guess if Morgana knows what to do now…”

“Thank you.” It came out as a whisper. 

Ren turned back his bowl. He slowly consumed few more spoonfuls of porridge.

This lull in the conversation was short-lived. This time, it was Morgana who spoke first.

“So… what did you see?”

Ren finished his bite, delicately placing the spoon back in the bowl. He looked down at the remaining porridge for a few moments before answering.

“I’m not entirely sure,” he started. “At first, it was hazy, jumpy… the same as when I try to look at Machinami, but when I tried to bring any of it into focus, I started feeling like I was being pulled in.”

“Pulled in?” Makoto let her hands fall by her side.

“Yeah, like when you feel the shift from this world to the Metaverse, but more intense and more sustained.” While traveling between worlds was typically almost seamless, there had been times where it was more jarring, especially when it hadn’t been their choice. “I had time to consciously resist.”

“Hmmm…” Morgana put his front paws on Ren’s leg. “So more of a feeling than actually seeing anything?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But?” Makoto was leaning in again.

“The last parts I remember, I feel like… it’s hard to describe, but…” 

While Ren tried to form his next sentence, he felt Morgana put even more weight on his front paws. He looked down, finding the cat straining his neck to look up at him. 

“I wasn’t seeing anything in the painting anymore, it was more like disconnected scenes in a dream. Arsene stretched out and melting. A colorless woman in a gas mask. Akechi and Sumire on-”

“Akechi?” Makoto barely breathed the name. 

“With Sumire? Like in the real world?” asked Morgana. "Or Maruki's?"

“No, neither,” Ren shook his head. “He was in his white costume.”

Both Makoto and Morgana went quiet. Makoto was frowning. Ren supposed Morgana’s sulking face was the equivalent in cat.

That particular vision, or whatever it was, had hit him hard too.

“They looked like they did in high school.” He searched his memory. What else might he tell them? “It was night, I think and-”

“Maybe we should stop here.” Makoto gripped his upper arm. He turned to her. “You look like you're in pain.”

He was. His headache was flaring. He had been so focused on describing what he saw, he had just powered through. It wasn’t like when he was actively using his third eye, though. Now, he was going by his recollection of what it was that he had seen and only vaguely what it had looked like. He wasn’t truly seeing them anymore.

“It’s not because I’m talking about it,” he assured her. “It’s the same headache from earlier. When I’m actually seeing, it’s a completely different feeling.”

“That's good.” She exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. “But still, we should take care of that headache first.”

“It does look pretty bad,” Morgana agreed.

Makoto stood up, bending over and offering him a hand. “Weren’t you saying that coffee might help?”

Chapter 41: 1/25 - Saturday - Night

Chapter Text

Makoto sat down at the low table and checked her phone, discovering what could only be described as an intimidating number of notifications. She had set a do-not-disturb once she and the others had started browsing the art show. It must have expired at some point in the night. Scrolling through them all, she found an alert about a new group chat as well as individual texts from several of her fellow phantom thieves, along with Eiko, Emi, and Sis. 

Staring at the last one, Makoto felt the unease spread from her chest. Sis was likely unhappy with the scene they had made at Tao-san’s show.

She swiped the notification away. She would deal with it later.

Starting with the group chat seemed the most expedient. It might render some of the individual messages moot or at least provide context to better understand them.

The first post was from Ryuji. “Started a new chat since SOME PEOPLE don’t check the old one.”

“I wasn’t even in the old one, at least, not the one you guys were still using.” Zenkichi had responded. An upward pointing arrow, from Toshiro, decorated the message.

“How did you even find my number?” Toshiro had added.

It was Futaba who had answered. “Ehehehe… I might have had something to do with that.”

“Me too! I also helped!” Sophia had written next. A high-five emoji from Futaba was beneath it. 

Futaba followed with a warning. “Anyone who doesn’t post something in the next few hours is getting their notification settings overridden and their ringtone set to my choice! Oh and don’t worry, this chat is as secure as it gets.” 

“So what’s this all about?” Zenkichi asked the obvious question. The timestamp showed a couple minutes had passed between Futaba’s messages and his own.

“Something happened today and thought it was about time we get on the same page about the Palace.” From there, Ryuji had gone on to explain how Yusuke recognized Tao-san’s painting as a railway map and how Ren had collapsed while looking at it. Ann had elaborated on his story in places. A variety of confused and alarmed emoji adorned the posts.

“Oh my gosh, is Ren okay?” Haru’s response had an up arrow under it. The number next to it indicated that most of the active thieves had co-signed.

“idk Makoto took him back to his apartment and we haven’t heard from either of them,” wrote Ryuji.

“And Inari’s back? imma set off his phone now”

“Hold off, he’s probably still working.”

The chat had continued with everyone involved speculating as to whether or not the painting had something to do with the Metaverse. The team members who had been to the Palace and the art show respectively shared what they had seen.

Makoto sighed. 

When Yusuke had first identified the subject of Tao-san’s painting, she had told herself it was just a coincidence. However, while Ren’s visions weren’t directly about the Palace, it was clear that there was something about the painting, and when taken with everything else, something about Tao-san as well. 

It would have been nice to have more time to think it all through before the team got involved though. Ren had fallen back to sleep before they even got a chance to discuss what to tell Sis, never mind whether to bring it up with everyone else, and if so, how.

Whatever the case, Ryuji was right, the team needed to sync up. It had been wishful thinking that this new Metaverse challenge would be simple enough not to. She would have to discuss with Ren exactly what he was comfortable sharing come morning. For now…

“Sorry for the delay,” Makoto tapped into her phone. “Ren is sleeping right now, but I think he’s going to be okay. He was well enough to make coffee earlier, to his own standards even.”

A heart emoji and a coffee cup emoji appeared below her message. The numbers next to them ticked up.

She continued. “Rather than the station, let’s meet at Leblanc tomorrow. I think we have a lot to discuss.” 

Ren’s apartment didn’t yet have enough furniture to host even half the team and Boss had alluded to keeping the attic ready for them. If that was no longer the case or Ren wasn’t up to meet by then, they could always change plans. 

“Futaba, Sophia, can you make sure the others see this?”

“Aye aye,” Futaba wrote, adding a saluting emoji.

“Shouldn’t it be ‘Yes, your majesty?’” asked Sophia.

Makoto ignored the codename-based ribbing. “We’ll have to set up video conferencing too. I’ll leave the details to you.”

Returning to her stack of notifications, Makoto dismissed the individual conversations from the rest of the team. With the main concern, Ren, now explained, they weren’t particularly pressing.

Reading through Eiko’s messages next, Makoto was reminded of her friend’s upcoming birthday. She had already prepared a gift, but hadn’t yet figured when to give it to her. Fortunately, Eiko was taking the lead in planning a small get-together. Makoto sent her availability and a note that they should catch up even if Makoto's calendar didn't align with the rest of Eiko's friends'.

While Eiko had been verbose, Emi had sent only a single line: “Can we meet for tea or coffee some time, just the two of us?”

There was something that didn't feel right about the request, though Makoto wasn’t sure exactly what. It didn’t sound like the usual Emi. While they had been texting more frequently as of late, it was usually about planning double dates or sharing workout tips and fitness articles. Makoto hoped that she was okay.

“Sure. When would be good?” she replied.

Finally, Makoto opened her chat with Sis, instinctively closing her eyes as she did, as if those extra moments of not-knowing would make it any better.

Reading the message however, she felt silly to have worried.

“Is Ren okay?”

“I think so,” Makoto wrote back. “He was up earlier, but is sleeping now.”

Surprisingly, three undulating dots appeared, indicating that her sister was active and responding. Makoto had thought she would be out with Tao-san.

“Did you go to a hospital?” came the message.

“No, we went straight to his apartment.” It wasn’t like doctors were prepared to treat Metaverse injuries.

“You should get him checked out.” The dots continued to animate, occasionally stopping and then re-appearing. Whatever Sis was writing seemed to be taking her quite a bit of time. “Don’t avoid proper care on my account.”

Oh.

She was asking about that doctor.

“I’ll bring it up with Ren in the morning,” Makoto sent back. Not long after, the ‘acceptable’ emoji appeared below her reply.

Sis continued to write. “We’re still out celebrating, by the way, if you can make it. Tao’s piece took second place in the painting division.”

There it was, the guilt that Makoto had been avoiding. Sis had planned to take Tao-san out after the show along with whoever else had come in support. Both Makoto and Ren had said they would join. They hadn’t anticipated things would go awry. Makoto wrote a brief note of congratulations, not yet acknowledging the invitation. 

Sis’s next message included the name and location of a bar. Makoto searched for directions, finding it was about 25 minutes away by train. Not too far, but not exactly easy to pop in and out of either.

Would it be okay to leave Ren alone for a few hours? 

He had been adamant that he was on the mend… and yet, he had started to drift off well before he intended. His words would devolve into mumbles and he would sometimes forget what he was saying mid-sentence. Despite his struggles, he had tried so hard to keep talking. She managed to convince him to ‘try laying down in bed for a few minutes’ while he spoke. She was pretty sure he hadn’t lasted fifteen seconds once horizontal.

If she left now, she’d likely be back before he woke.

But…

What if something happened? What if he needed her? 

There was a reason she had left the bedroom door cracked open, just enough so she could easily check on him.

Makoto stood up and walked over to said door, peering inside. Ren seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

It was a relief.

Watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest… he was going to be okay.

Wasn’t he?

That was what she had been telling everyone. 

However, if that was the case, was missing Tao-san’s big night the right choice? All over the slim chance something could go wrong? 

Having run all those errands in the weeks prior, Makoto knew how much the show and Tao-san's participation in it had meant to her. Then again, Tao-san had her own friends and colleagues. There were probably plenty of people at the bar already. Maybe if- 

A pair of shining eyes appeared in the darkness.

Morgana stepped over Ren, causing him to stir but fortunately not to wake. The cat padded over the rest of the bed and then across the room towards her. Makoto took a step back as he exited.

“You seem bothered,” he said.

“Yes,” Makoto kept her voice low. “Sis says Tao-san’s party is still going on. I know it’s important to them, but I don't want to leave Ren alone.”

“He’s not alone. I’m here.”

Morgana was quite resourceful, but in an emergency, Makoto knew she could act more quickly. It was a human world after all. How long would it take him just to unlock Ren’s phone? She chose not to voice those concerns however. “Two of us would be better than one, wouldn’t we?” 

“True,” Morgana tilted his head. “We could ask Futaba to keep an eye on things.”

“She can do that?” 

Makoto felt foolish the moment she said it. 

Of course she could. 

Was she doing so already? 

Makoto looked around at each of the ceiling's corners, as if she might find a hidden camera or listening device in the empty space.

“She can do it through his phone,” Morgana explained.

Right. It wouldn’t be the first time Futaba had done so. Still, that wasn’t something Makoto felt comfortable asking without Ren’s permission. “I’d rather not…”

“Then it will have to be me,” Morgana sat down, but his tail remained in the air, swaying at a lazy pace. “He’s doing better though. I don’t think he’d want to stress your relationship with Sae and Machinami.”

“Maybe…” Makoto mulled over the options again. Somehow, she was just as unsure as when she started. She turned her head, looking into the bedroom at Ren’s sleeping form.

Her phone buzzed.

It was a new message from Sis.

“Are you coming?”

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