"The epidemic ravaging Japan is showing no signs of slowing down, despite efforts to contain and cure it. Case studies have shown that the infection is viral, and spreads through contact with bodily fluids. It has an incubation period ranging between five and ten days, though there have apparently been cases as short as two days, and the early stage of infection is similar to that of influenza. However, the second stage adds confusion and visual and auditory hallucinations to the list of symptoms. So far, no cases have progressed beyond this point.

It is recommended that infected individuals are quarantined, and direct skin contact is avoided. Should new symptoms manifest, the public will be notified via this radio channel. In the meantime-"

Sojiro sighed and turned the radio off, keeping his distance as Ren was stricken by another coughing fit. As soon as he'd shown flu-like symptoms, Sojiro had moved him into the spare bedroom in his house. As much as he wanted Ren to stay where he was used to, he couldn't risk spreading the infection to his customers. He felt bad wearing nitrile gloves in order to help Ren keep his fluids up, but once again, he couldn't risk spreading the infection.

The door creaked as Futaba looked in, the worry on her face unmissable. Ren noticed her and waved weakly. Sojiro left the room, though not before pointing to the box of gloves by the door. Futaba took the hint and slipped a pair on before approaching Ren.

"Hey."

"Hey." Silence. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Bad. I've been worse, but this just makes me feel so… drained."

His voice lacked that confidence, that power that it normally had. Instead, it was faint and hoarse. Futaba took one of his hands in hers. The gloves made the contact feel wrong.

"You'll be better for tomorrow, right? Right? Because we're going to the water park and I really want you to be there so we can go on slides and wave pools and-"

Ren laughed at her outburst, but soon had to turn his head away as it dissolved into a coughing fit. She squeezed his hand, gently stroking him with her thumb as he got his breath back. He sighed, meeting her worried gaze with his own exhausted one. She didn't like how red his eyes were. They watered almost constantly. He gestured, and she lifted the glass of water to his lips. He took a few tentative sips before moving away. Futaba set the glass down.

"I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to be able to go. Even if i had the strength to, you heard the radio. I'd end up sweating into the water and getting all of you sick. Don't worry, Sojiro'll look after me. The others will make sure you're okay tomorrow."

"But i wanted to spend it with you…" she sniffed. Ren raised his hand to pat her head, but one look at the sweat on his palm lead him to drop it again. He simply closed his eyes.
"I know, but look at me. I can't go anywhere like this. As soon as I'm better, we'll go again, I promise you. But please, enjoy tomorrow. I'll have Sojiro bring that console over here or something."

"B-but I wanted you to see how much better I am around p-people now…" Ren's heart broke at the sight of the tears in her eyes. He squeezed her hand again.

"I'm sure Ann has a waterproof camera or something, the others can take photos and you can show me when you get back!"

Futaba lightly batted the side of his head with a gloved hand.

"You just want to see me in a swimsuit."

"I can neither confirm nor deny that statement." He said with a smirk.

The pair of them laughed, but there was no hiding the disappointment both of them felt. Ren let out another deep sigh.

"I'm going to get some rest, I think. This sickness is making me so tired, all of the time."

"Y-yeah. I'll, um… make sure your glass is full when you wake up." The smile she punctuated her statement with was forced, and both of them knew it.

"Thank you, Futaba. Have fun tomorrow, you hear? I'm ordering you to have fun, as your leader."

Futaba merely giggled and picked up his glass. She took care not to touch anything as she carried it to the kitchen, getting Sojiro to turn the tap on for her. The phone began to ring as she left the kitchen. By the time she got back to Ren's room, he was already fast asleep. She set the glass down on the table next to him. She was momentarily taken by how peaceful he looked, when he wasn't coughing his lungs up. She took a moment to sweep his fringe away from his eyes, and patted his head before turning away. She peeled off her gloves and binned them immediately, only then did she pull the door shut, leaving it ajar just in case he called out.

"Sakura residence."

"Is that Sojiro Sakura?"

"Speaking. Who is this?"

"My name is Atami, I'm a social worker hired on behalf of the Amamiya family. Do you have time to talk now?"

"Yes, but what's this about?"

"Thank you, Sakura-san. I'm sure you're aware that Master Amamiya's probation ends soon, so as the family's social worker I'm to facilitate his move back to his family, including the transport of any of his belongings and assets, as well as ensuring his academic progress is preserved. As it stands at the moment, we intend to make arrangements for his move in mid-to-late March."

"Okay…?"

"Is that time period acceptable?"

"On paper, yes, but there's a problem at the moment."

"A problem? Would it be possible to talk to Master Amamiya?"

Sojiro didn't bother to try and hide his sigh.

"I'm afraid that's part of the problem. He's ill. We think it might be the one on the news. It doesn't sound like anyone is sure how long it'll last, but I can tell you right now that he's in no condition to do anything like preparing to leave so soon."

"I'll make sure any arrangements for the near future are marked as "provisional" before it's known for sure what this disease does. Have there been, or is there likely to be any other problems regarding his departure?"

Now, Sojiro was not blind. Far from it, actually. He liked to think he was pretty perceptive. And even the oblivious could see that the bond he and his friends shared was abnormally strong. On top of that, there was his cat to consider.

"Yes, actually. He has a pet. It was some stray cat, but I let him keep it, to teach him responsibility or something. It's very well behaved."

"I can check with his family to make sure that won't be a problem. I assume he has the means to transport his cat?"

"He keeps it in his bag, for crying out loud. It never steps out of line."

"So he has it sorted. Very good. Is there anything else?"

There was something else. He was torn on whether to mention it, since he was still coming to terms with it himself. He had had his suspicions almost immediately after Futaba made her sudden and impossible recovery from the depths of depression. Following that, the effort he made to acclimate her to the outside world and, more importantly, people, had been enormous. He'd noticed how happy she was around him, and he'd notice the smiles and glances they'd share. Futaba walking through the door on Valentine's Day had been the nail in the coffin.

She would be devastated.

"I can say with certainty that it will not be easy for him or his friends."

"That's normal, Sakura-san. Though some advice we have is that Master Amamiya should break the news to his friends. Are there any other likely complications?"

"Other than the illness, no. Are you phoning from a number I can call back?"

"Yes, Sakura-san. We would appreciate it if you updated us if anything comes up."

"Of course."

"Thank you, Sakura-san. I'll leave you be for now."

The line clicked off, and he pocketed his phone, shaking his head. Though he would never say it to him, Sojiro wanted Ren to stay, even if that opinion was driven solely for his desire for Futaba to be happy. What a headache the day was turning out to be.

Group: Exorcised Phantoms

Skull: yo, we meeting at leblanc for this?

Noir: yes, tomorrow at 10 am. Don't be late!

The next morning, Leblanc was full of ex-Phantom Thieves. They were sat in one booth, each with a cup of coffee in front of them with the exception of Ryuji, who had water. He claimed he still couldn't handle the taste of coffee, despite how good it was. Five bags sat under the table. They were eagerly awaiting their final two members, who despite literally living at Leblanc, were not here. They were too caught up in conversation to care much, though. That, and their excitement for the day. When the doorbell jingled and Futaba walked in, Ann stood up to greet her.

"Hey, Futaba-chan! You ready for today?" Ann's enthusiasm was dampened when she noticed the lack of Ren, and the lack of bag on Futaba's shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"Nngh… Ren's sick. He can't come today." Futaba mumbled.

"Oh, that is… unfortunate…" Haru said. "Are you coming Futaba?"

Futaba was nervously twisting a strand of her hair in her hands. She looked on the verge of tears.

"N-no… I wanna stay with Ren."

From behind the counter, Sojiro raised an eyebrow.

"I can take care of him, Futaba. You don't have to worry."

She shook her head.

"No,I'll keep him company. In fact i was going to move his console to his room…"

The rest of the group watched as the small girl disappeared upstairs, lacking all of her usual energy and enthusiasm. Yusuke turned to Sojiro.

"Ren is ill?"

"Yes. I assumed he'd have told you."

"He probably didn't want us to worry." Makoto added, sighing under her breath. "Is she definitely okay?"

Sojiro shrugged.

"If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't want to go. I'm not about to force her."

Futaba came down the stairs with her hands full of various controllers, and she wordlessly left the cafe.

"I really don't get her." Yusuke said. "But we will miss the train if we wait around here. We should go."

The five of them finished their drinks and gathered their bags, Sojiro stepping out from behind the counter to collect their cups. Their spirits had been dampened, he could tell. They filed out of the shop, Haru ensuring that the door closed behind them. And, as they made their way to Yongen-Jaya station, they did not notice the blue butterfly that took off from the plants beside the door.

Ren was, miraculously, still awake when Sojiro knocked on his door that evening. He put down the book he was reading and attempted to pull himself into a sitting position. Failing that, he just lay there and turned to face his guest. The smell of coffee graced Sojiro's approach; he was holding a fresh cup.

"Figured you'd might want something other than water. Don't worry, it's decaf. Though with how you've been, the caffeine might have helped."

"Y-yeah, probably." His voice had gotten worse- it was scarcely more than a hoarse whisper at this point. "How are the others?"

"They were a bit put out that you couldn't go with them, and that Futaba stayed behind with you as well. Where is she, by the way?"

"Toilet."

"Oh. Right."

The two sat in silence. Well, it would have been silence if Ren's breathing hadn't been so laboured. Sojiro could swear he heard a sort of rattle with every breath.

"Listen, I, uh, got a phone call from someone named Atami yesterday. Does the name ring a bell?"

"Not really."

"Well, she, uh, she's your family's social worker. They're starting to make arrangements for the end of your probation. They're thinking mid-to-late March."

Sojiro, you old fool. You shouldn't have said anything.

Sojiro felt like he'd just witnessed the light leave Ren's eyes. The boy said nothing, instead opting to reach for the coffee Sojiro had brought him. He helped him lift it to his lips. Ren stared at the ceiling for a few more seconds.

"Okay." He whispered. "I… I'll think about it."

"I'm sorry, I know it's a ton I've dropped on you."

"I'll think about it." He coughed, yawned, and coughed again. "Tomorrow. Tired."

Sojiro's gloved hand gently clapped his shoulder.

"You just rest up. You'll be over this soon enough."

Group: Sakura Support Group

Haru Okumura has added Ryuji Sakamoto to the group.

Haru Okumura has added Makoto Niijima to the group.

Haru Okumura has added Ann Takamaki to the group.

Haru Okumura has added Yusuke Kitagawa to the group.

Haru: I feel awful going behind her back like this, but I needed to discuss something with you all.

Ryuji: guessing this is about futaba?

Haru: Yes. After what she and the rest of us went through, I didn't think she would ever give up so easily again.

Ann: well, those two are totally attached to each other. Can you blame her for wanting to look after him?

Ryuji: wait what

Yusuke: That may be true but I think I get where Haru's coming from.

Makoto: She did seem very quiet when she decided to stay behind, like she had no energy at all.

Ann: you don't think she's sick, do you?

Yusuke: she'd be coughing if she was.

Haru: And to add to an already strange situation, there is this.

Haru sent a photo.

Ryuji: a butterfly?

Yusuke: quite unlike any i have ever seen

Yusuke: its symmetry is exquisite. You must capture it for me!

Haru: That won't be necessary. It- or she, rather, wants us to meet up in Inokashira Park tomorrow. She claims to have an important message that all of us need to hear, as well as a demonstration.

Makoto: A demonstration of what, though?

Haru: She's refusing to tell me. She claims that we all need to be there for it, Ren and Futaba excluded.

Ann: soooooo its a secret meeting?

Haru: Yes.

Yusuke: You keep calling this butterfly "she". What is her name?

…

Yusuke: Haru?

Haru: She says her name is Lavenza.

Futaba knocked on Ren's door. She coughed.

"Reeeeeeeeen, are you up? Covered up? I'm coming in."

Futaba opened the door, taking care not to spill any water as she moved.

"How are you this morning? Any-"

"Ssshh."

Futaba stopped walking, squinting into the darkness of the room, stifling the next cough as it expanded inside of her. The room stank of sickness and sweat. She could just about make out the glint of Ren's feverish eyes, and the look of concentration on his face. She lowered her voice.

"What?"

He had a hand raised, a single finger pointing to the ceiling. His point moved slowly, as if he were tracking something.

"Don't you hear it?" He wheezed. His finger stopped moving. He frowned. "It's...gone?"

Futaba raised a brow.

"You're not going crazy on me, are you?" She reached over him to open the curtains slightly, letting some light into the room. She wished she hadn't when she got a good look at Ren.

He was awfully pale, and it was impossible to miss the profuse sweat on his face and the surrounding sheets. Even his hair was damp. His eyes had reddened, and they were still streaming. His breath was even more ragged than it had been the day before, and she could hear it rattling in his chest. On top of that, he was trembling.

"Oh my God, Ren! You're soaked! You need to get changed. Can you stand?"

"I th-think so."

She watched as he moved, first swinging his legs over the side of the bed before pushing himself into a sitting position. He swayed as he did so. As the duvet fell away Futaba saw that it wasn't just his face that was pale, it was his entire body.

"You know what I've changed my mind. Which drawers are your things in?"

Ren took a moment to remember where they were in his new room.

"Uh, new shorts in the third draw, underwear in the s-ssssssecond." He broke into a coughing fit, his entire body shaking as he retched. He shuddered as it ended. Futaba set the fresh clothing beside him before holding out a plastic bag in front of him and scrunching her eyes shut. He looked at her, bemused, before realising she couldn't see his confusion.

"W-what are you d-d-doing?"

"Hurry up and get changed! Put your old ones in the bag."

Futaba forced herself to keep her eyes shut and her head turned away as she heard the rustling of fabric. She flinched when the bag became heavier in her grip. After another minute, she heard Ren settle back into bed. She opened her eyes, tying the bag tightly shut.

"Thank you, Futaba." He coughed. "Thank you for keeping me company. You and Mona both."

"We'd do it any time, for anyone." She said. "We're a team. And more than that, you're my key item."

Ren chuckled and remarkably didn't cough immediately after. He closed his eyes, trying to breath deeply. She tried not to listen to the sound in his chest.

"Ah, you two always cheer me up."

Two?

Futaba frowned, checking the room for any feline presence. She was sure she hadn't let Morgana in. Hell, he didn't want to come in for risk of getting sick himself and burdening Sojiro with veterinary bills. Morgana certainly wasn't in here, and Ren was talking in the present tense, as if he were. So why?

Then she remembered the radio broadcast- and her heart sank as she realised Ren had hit the second phase of the sickness. Auditory and visual hallucinations. After that, unknown territory. She made to leave before she burst into tears.

"I-I'll b-b-be back l-later with games, alr-right?"

She left his room and almost slammed the door shut, only letting the tears fall once she was fully out of earshot. She had to be strong while he fought the disease. She could do that much for him.

She coughed as she disposed of his clothes.