After the kiss, Ryuji had promptly fled into the guest room with a red face and locked it. You didn't chases after him, you were still stunned after that surprise kiss. You cleaned up everything after you got unstunned and went to bed, yelling a goodnight to Ryuji, who didn't say anything in return. The next day wielded the same results as last night, you got ready for school and texted Ryuji that you were leaving, he didn't text was only until the school was nearly over that you got a response from him.

R: About...about the kiss...

Yes?

R: It was a...

A what?

R: Spur of the moment thing...

You felt everything freeze as you read his message. Your heart's crushed as he continues texting.

R: You were my clutch and you listened to my problems...

R: Seein' you so calmly looking at the rain and all...

R: Caused me to move without thinking, y'know?

'Like usual...' You think and glance up to make sure the teacher wasn't watching before responding.

...So you don't like me in that way?

It takes a full five minutes before he responds and you can tell from how long it took that he's contemplating his words.

R: ...I...I don't know...

R: Maybe...I just...

R: I don't want to ruin this...

R: If I lose you then I have no one left...

R: I'll go back to being a lonely delinquent with no future ahead of him...

R: Heh...

R: Maybe I deserved all those words after all...

You clench your phone upon reading that. Ryuji's spoken on this kinda thing before, back when you both were in middle school. It took you a full week to get him to stop thinking like that.

Ryuji.

You, in no way, deserved any of that, understand?

You always put others first and neglect your own safety in tow.

The others... they don't TRULY know you like I do.

So, of course they have no idea what words NOT to say to you.

R: But...I never told them to stop...

Cause you didn't want to appear as weak?

R: Yeah...

R: ...

Ryuji?

R: Thanks, (Y/N)

R: You're always there when I need it

You give a soft smile as the bell rings overhead, the students start packing up their bags as you continue texting the blond teen.

You're welcome

Now go gorge yourself on those terrible chips you love so much.

R: Dude, you have no taste

R: They're amazin'~

They taste of cardboard

R: :P

You laugh to yourself as you pack up your things and leave the classroom. You're halfway down until you hear your name being called. Your hand grips the railing as you turn to face who called you. Akira and Ann are standing at the top of the stairs with Morgana peeking his head over the side of the shaggy haired teen's shoulder. Ann looks off to the side, almost as if she's embarrassed to make eye contact while Akira's meeting your gaze head on. For once, you can see his eyes without the glare of his glasses keeping them hidden, his steely gray eyes have a serious look to them. Any student that's still loitering around stop to watch the confrontation between the boy with the criminal record and the best friend of the school's blond delinquent. You brace yourself for whatever Akira has to say.

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk to you?"

You gesture down to the floor and he shakes his head. "At Leblanc. You know where that is?"

"Nothing I can't look up." You turn to leave, "I'll go there a bit later." You descend the stairs.

"Now."

The new tone in Akira's voice causes you to freeze and the sound of quickly moving footsteps fills the vacant air.

'He's definitely the leader of the Phantom Thieves.' You look back at the teen and cross your arms. "Then I might as well follow you there."

You step aside as he descends the stairs with Ann following, the curly pig-tailed blonde has yet to say anything or even look at you. You travel along with them to the train station, the three of you don't say a word as you get off in Yongen-Jaya. You take in the appearance of Leblanc as you approach, it's got a rustic and homey feel to it, but it does nothing to calm your nerves. Akira opens the door and allows you and Ann to go ahead of him, you walk in and are greeted by Yusuke, Makoto, and Futaba.

"What's up?" You already have a feeling about how well this talk is going to go.

None of them say anything and you can feel a bit of your temper start to flare up.

You cross your arms and glare at them. "If no one's going to say anything, then I'm leaving."

"We would like to know where Ryuji is." Makoto speaks. "We can't get a hold of him."

"That's not my problem." You snap slightly. "Why should I tell you? After everything he's told me about how you guys treat him, I'm surprised you even want him back." Your nails dig into your arms.

The team flinch upon hearing your harsh words, but you can't bring yourself to care.

"We want to apologize." Ann says.

"Did you guys decide this overnight or did Akira say that you have to say your apologies?"

"What's the difference?" Futaba asks.

"Between a heartfelt apology and one where you're being told to?" Your temper flares up again. "One where you know you were in the wrong and the one where you want to get it done so that person who told you would stop nagging you?" You glare at the red-haired teen. "I don't know Futaba, but I'm pretty sure you're smart enough to tell the difference."

Futaba steps back and Makoto comes to her difference. "We didn't know and we apologize."

"Why the hell are you apologizing to me for?" You growl slightly. "I'm not the one who took all that shit from you guys for six months." You take a deep breath. "Look, Ryuji's been taking shit his whole life: from his father, from Kamoshida, and now from you guys. Giving him time might not cut it..."

The team stares at you with wide eyes and you have to fight down the bitter laugh that threatens to emerge.

"Yes, I saw the messages you were sending him..."

"...So, what do you suppose we do?" Akira asks. "You said giving him time might not work."

"Are you suggesting that we avoid Ryuji?" Yusuke speaks.

You shake your head, "No, I'd never say that. He talked a lot about you guys before all this happened." You rub the back of your neck. "Maybe...don't pressure him into accepting whatever your apology is... or whatever it is that you guys have planned." You walk towards the door. "If he accepts and you guys rekindle your lost friendship... Please think before you say anything that might be harmful to him. Underneath the tough guy exterior, he's someone trying to find his place in the world."

With that, you leave and make fast tracks towards the train station. When you get off in Shibuya, your phone goes off.

R: Do you know Haru Okumura?

No

Why?

R: She's a third year at our school and we're stopping by your house real fast to say hi.

I'm on my way back right now

Please don't jump the fence

R: On your way back?

R: From where?

You contemplate telling him the truth, but decides that it's best to hear it from you before the others.

Akira asked me to come to Leblanc

The others were there as well

R: ...

R: What did they say?

They asked where you were, but I didn't tell them

Then I told them off about how they treated you and left

R: ...Oh

R: You still had my back even when I wasn't there.

Hell yeah

I've always got your back

You fish your keys out of your pocket as you hear Ryuji's voice around the corner. You turn to look at him and a girl, you assume is Okumura-senpai, approach. Ryuji loops an arm around you and introduces you to the fluffy haired senior. You invite them both inside and try to push down the bad feeling you have for the future.