I know, a whole month without any updates, sorry for that since I can't help myself of writing a different story. Don't worry, I'm sure it won't take too long for the next chapter. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Persona 5 Characters except Ryuunosuke Katsuo belongs to Atlus, this fanfic has no commercial purpose.
July 28th, it was an open exhibition on an Art Gallery. Yusuke asked me to accompany him for his latest piece. He told me that he has been working for weeks, and Akira was helping him to find the inspiration to make it. He titled it as 'Desire and Hope,' it kind of looked like something from Mementos but with bright colors, odd.
"So what do you think?" Yusuke asked me on regard his piece.
"To be honest, it is quite…colorful?" I felt unsure of how to express about his painting. "Sorry, but I'm not good as an art appreciator."
"Don't worry. I'm sure you can give it a try. You only have to take a look and reflect on it."
"I guess… I will try it again." I started to focus my sight on his painting, but nothing could give the slightest idea of what to say. My eyes began to hurt how much I was staring at it without blinking. "It's no use. I can have opinions about a lot of things but not art itself." I looked like a fool of not having anything good to say in general.
"Mhhh… Maybe we should walk a little and see the other paintings."
"Why though? I mean, if it can't give you an honest opinion with yours, then I can't learn from other people."
"I was thinking about to lite that spark in yours."
"Beg your pardon? What are you talking about?"
"You never went to an art gallery before, right?"
"Yes, so?"
"Then looking around could help you to create a criticism and develop some interest about art in general." Yusuke's logic was off-putting for me at times, but it sounded like it made sense in context.
"Oh, so you want me to build opinion in the base of everyone's works?"
"Precisely."
"…" I couldn't argue much about it. "Alright, minus well I can expand a little my taste for art."
"Excellent." Yusuke was delightful about it.
"But there is something I don't get it. Why asking my opinion instead of some who knows more about art than me? I mean, Akira helped you right? Why not him?"
"He already did that yesterday. The reason for asking you is because I remembered when you mentioned Shakespeare two days ago."
"Yeah, but what Shakespeare has to do with any of this?" I'm making too many questions, huh?
"You seem like a person with a refined taste for theater and classic literature. Art is not so different when it comes to your imagination and opinions in regard to visuals."
"I never thought about it before." I was interested in Yusuke's argument.
"Also, you once said about studying in Europe. If you accomplish that goal, I want to give you at least some ideas in case you visit any museum. I'm pretty jealous if you may ask."
"Maybe… You are the most likely to go to Europe before I could ever have the chance." I should be the jealous one since he had a fantastic talent. We started walking around and see the other pieces of work from other artists: some of them were quite eye-catching, others not by much. But I had to admit that brings quite impressive visuals and styles. The most that caught my eye was an abstract one, with psychedelic colors and mysterious figures.
"Mhhh? I'd never seen that kind of style before." Yusuke commented while being impressed by that weird painting.
"Tell me about it; even I got intrigued by that." To describe better the painting, it looked like from a fantasy world. Like mirrors and inverted colors, bizarre design and wild. "Who painted this?" Yusuke and I checked on the labels to see the title of the painting and its author.
"A Butterfly Dream by Inaba Masao… I never heard of him before." Yusuke was certainly curious about that guy.
"He must be a really obscured artist, let me check if there is any info about him." I started checking my phone to see any other work from that artist. "Inaba Masao, a former graffiti artist who moved to America after graduating from St. Hermelin High School. Well, he has quite a private life since not much info about him is being shown in public."
"I see… it is quite a shame but understandable of not seeking recognition. I wish I could talk to him personally about it." The same could be said for me, such talent and not caring about fame or else. "You know, that is something I learned yesterday."
"And what is it?" I asked.
"That my friendship with everyone was my biggest inspiration. You could say I got a resolution about learning past mistakes and moving forward. I finally made peace with myself about Madarame's misdeeds. In the end, I am the one making my own choices for my future." Yusuke's words were quite inspiring. I felt like he forgave his former mentor despite the wrong thing he did, but I guess letting things go was for the best for him.
"I see, that sounds a good thing to hear. And you know? I guess I can try to analyze your paint one more time." Yusuke nodded on my response, as hoping to give finally give an opinion.
Once finally standing in front of 'Desire and Hope,' I looked carefully every detail while the place started to play some classical music. Combining the visuals with the music gave some imagination as I was closing my eyes to reflect about it.
I felt…jealousy.
I didn't want to exaggerate with a painting, but it gave me some emotions. Something felt weird about seeing that paint. It was strange. Maybe I was feeling tired of taking the tour around the gallery. One thing for sure was I got my head filled with thoughts I could never expect. Was the passion of a person? Someone with real ambitions and goals…? I felt lacking in some of those areas. Yusuke was more determined and passionate than before like the first time I met him along with everyone.
"So what do you think?" Yusuke asked me once more about his painting.
"I'm still not sure yet, but I think I finally grasped about what art means in general. Maybe I should appreciate about other paintings before I can finally give you an honest and more semi-professional opinion."
"I understand it, good thing you finally started to appreciate art."
"Yeah, I got some fun. Coming here was better than just staying at home doing nothing." I mean seriously, there is nothing besides reading to do at my apartment. After doing some small talk, we left the gallery as it was getting late. I had to go and work at Crossroads like usual.
"My dear boy, are you done with that important business?"
"Mhhh? Why asking that, Lala-chan?"
"Well, I thought you wouldn't come this week. But it seems you were able to come yesterday and today." Ohya-san commented as well.
"Well, it is mostly unpredictable about the thing I have to do on the day." I commented. We only went to Mementos after visiting Futaba's Palace. You know, I started to be bored of not doing anything of activities as a Phantom Thief. Who could ever think that I would miss doing some action, even if I still hate Palaces? In the end, it didn't matter for me, just doing the usual routine as I always did.
"Tell me, is this something you are not telling us?" Ohya-san started to ask me as if I was in one of her interviews.
"It is nothing important if you ask me."
"Is this a girl? I would like to hear it!" Ohya-san sounded so excited, and I was getting annoyed.
"There is nothing like that, alright?"
"Aww come on, just tell me. You already understand that teenage-love drama never sells good stories."
"Ohya my dear, I don't think you need to pressure him for that kind of stuff." Lala-chan tried to intervene on our talk. If by 'talk' was the right word to describe it better.
"But then where is the fun of not teasing him~?"
"Oh, you better start…" Before I could reply to her, I started to sniff something odd about the place. It smelled like someone got drown in liquor. "Ohya-san…is me or you are drunk already?"
"What? It isn't the first time you see me like that, Katsuo." She was defensive about it, not that it helped her though.
"But this is just your second glass, how the hell did you get drunk that fast!?"
"I dunno." She just gave that half-assed answer.
"Don't know, huh? Then I can't serve you any more of you don't know." I took away the bottle from her, to avoid mild inconveniences.
"Sorry I've been working a lot lately on my next article about the Phantom Thieves vs. Medjed. So I was drinking too much at home and wanted to take a break at least." Well, Ohya-san was sincere because of how difficult it was for her on the last couple of weeks.
"Ah yes, that's been on the news lately. There is still something I don't understand what Medjed really do." Lala-chan commented about the conflict we had with them at the moment. I didn't like to talk about this with other people, but it was unavoidable wherever I go.
"Oh, that? I think it is not that important…"
"It is!" Ohya-san interrupted me. "You know what it means? This means big news since two unknown groups are going against each other!" She sounded way excited for something that is pretty much is a whole nation and reputation on our shoulders. "So tell me, what do you think about it?"
"Me? The most I can say is stupid from Medjed."
"Why though?"
"People didn't care about them or else since they minded their own business. Now that the Phantom Thieves gained popularity lately, Medjed declared war out of jealousy." I hated those hypocrites, no matter from what angle I have to explain about it.
"You really have a biased opinion about them. Are you a Phan-boy too?" The only thing I didn't want to hear from that reporter.
"Not by much… It just baffles me how they wanted attention now after so long."
"I know right? They started to become more active since they Phantom Thieves gained victories on a short amount of time. It is suspicious if you ask me." Everything was always suspicious for you, Ohya-san.
"How knows? The only thing we can do is wait how it develops." Or in my case, wait for Akira's orders to start helping Futaba, so she can help us to deal with those suckers. I began to feel anxious about how much precious time we were wasting. From one hand, it was okay since I could focus on work, but by the other side, I didn't want to procrastinate with that kind of issues later. The sooner we were done with the Palace, the better I could sleep knowing there we were done.
I kept working for my usual hours since hearing Ohya-san complaining about her boss became dull and boring. I was in automatic mode while cleaning and picking up glasses from other clients. My phone was constantly ringing to the point of driving me insane. When I was done, I checked who sent me so many messages during my working hours. It was Sakamoto sending me in a non-stop way. I got 20 messages in a span of 2 minutes.
I hated when people send messages between words and not full sentences.
Katsuo: What the hell you want? I'm working.
Ryuji: Sorry man this is just an emergency.
Katsuo: What kind of emergency?
Ryuji: Well…
Ryuji: Let's say I missed my train on the way back home.
Katsuo: Yeah, so?
Ryuji: Could you give me a ride or something?
Katsuo: …
Katsuo: You must be joking, right?
From all things, all day and in this fucking reality, I have to take him back home like a little kid.
Ryuji: Come on! You know how much help I need since you are the only one with a vehicle and I don't even have enough for a taxi!
Katsuo: Just tell me one thing. How did you miss your train?
Ryuji: That is not important. I just need a way to get back home.
Katsuo: Grrrr…you owe me one, understood?
Ryuji: Thank you Big Bro!
Katsuo: Call me Big Bro again, and I will throw you on the next trash can I see. Tell me where you are.
Ryuji: I'm in Yonge-Jaya, close where Akira lives.
Katsuo: I know exactly where, just stay there alright?
Just like that, I was annoyed to go and help that punk. "Sorry Lala-chan, but I must leave earlier than usual."
"And why that urgency to leave, dear boy?" She asked me with concerned.
"I got my friend stuck in one place and didn't have transport. So I'm the one helping him for the moment."
"That is such a sweet gesture of you to help others, be careful out there." If only Lala-chan could know what kind of friends I have.
"I'll do. See you next time." I said it while taking my helmet and heading straight to pick up that loud punk who was being stranded far from home. Then again, I don't want to be an asshole since I could be in the same situation if I didn't have a bike back then. The most I could do was asking again why he missed his train. I was getting closer to the area until I saw him waiting in front of a clinic while holding a plastic bag.
"Yo!" He greeted me while raising a hand.
"Hey, could you tell me what happened?" I asked him.
"Well, I was eating ramen with Akira after training for hours, and on the last minute I got a call from my mother that she was feeling sick."
"Is she alright?"
"Not really since I couldn't get the medicine from there, so Akira told me to buy some here." He pointed out the neighborhood's clinic.
"I see, so you got enough medicine?"
"Yeah but I only wished I could have enough money for the bus or else at least." He looked like he got some regret of calling me. "I didn't want you to bother while working."
"Nah, if it is to help your mother I wouldn't mind. Now we may have to break some traffic rules since I don't have a spare helmet. I will have to avoid the fuzz in the meanwhile."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to get you in trouble just for that."
"What? Are you chicken out already? Come on there is no time to waste. To make one thing clear, I'm only making an exception with you about touching my bike, so don't make me regret it." Sakamoto nodded as we went through Tokyo while evading traffic officers. It was a real pain in the ass as he was sitting behind me. I'm sure it would be the same problem when I start teaching Makoto how to ride. We were going pretty slowly due to the additional weight of another person. That was the worst, seriously why I kept accepting favors from everyone?
"Hey be careful with the bumps!" Sakamoto yelled to my ear as the road was becoming unsteady.
"Don't tell me what to do; I'm risking my neck for you right now!" I replied.
"Couldn't get any faster?"
"Stop whining like a bitch and let me focus on the road..."
"WOAH! I almost fell from the bike for being reckless!"
"Do you want me to go faster or slower? Make up your goddamn mind already!"
After going through the worst time of my life, we finally arrived at his home. He lived in a small apartment with his mother. I wondered about what happened to his father. I waited outside while he gave the medicine to her. The neighborhood looked rather quiet, too quiet to be honest. That made me kind of paranoia. I just felt déjà vu for some reason.
"Yo…" Sakamoto came outside and greeted me.
"Hey, how's your mother?"
"She will be fine, just restin' on her bed after givin' her the medicine. Those things are rather potent."
"I know, hard to believe are home-made from your local black alley doctor."
"It really saved our asses so many times before, good thing we helped her out from that shitty doctor from Mementos."
"Yeah, we did it…" I was getting lost on my thoughts for a moment. The silence felt awkward as it was just me and the punk sitting outside of the house like old people. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Mhh? Sure go ahead." Sakamoto replied.
"I know this might sound personal, but where is your father?"
"Oh, him…" He fell in silence for a moment. "He left us when we were young long time ago."
"I see…sorry for the asking."
"Nah it is fine. I don't really care about him anyways."
"Are you sure? Did it never bother you before or something?"
"Maybe a couple of times during middle-school, but I stopped minding about him since I tried to help mom around. I still do not forgive him for leaving us, but that shouldn't affect me for who I am right now." Sakamoto's words felt mature than usual, and it surprised me that a loud punk like him really got enough courage to no caring about past issues.
"That sounds, rather understandable for you. I guess you can't always forgive people for their actions, family or not."
"Why askin' though? You looked like somethin' was botherin' you when we arrived here."
"I'm fine, don't worry about me."
"Hey I'm not that dense, y'know? Your eyes dilated when I told you about my dad. You got some issues about it?" Did Sakamoto became more perceptive, or I became more obvious?
"It's…more complicated than that. You know that my old man is pretty much the big fish of the criminal underworld. I never felt proud of myself about it since I got nothing but shame. You and the others know that I can't escape that kind of life no matter where I go. I got into a lot of fights when I was younger, thinking that I could take that frustration out for being the son of a criminal boss. It wasn't enough, and living honestly didn't work out either. I'm just trapped between being a civilian, and a criminal. How you can live fine by that?"
"That's simple. We are not criminals at all."
"Bullshit, isn't what Phantom Thieves are supposed to be?"
"Criminals ruin the lives of others. A Phantom Thief tries to help them. In a way, we are more like heroes for the one who can't stand for themselves."
"Well, I can't consider myself a hero either."
"You don't like to be a hero or more like you are afraid of being one?" Ouch.
"Heh, maybe afraid…" Well, he was right quite shocking. "Dammit, this is what happens when I hang out with you."
"You know I'm always here when you have problems."
"Oh sorry Akira, I didn't know you were here."
"Hehe, I guess he did some influence on me earlier after we talked. I finally understood after he helped to solve my problem with the track team."
"Oh, what happened?"
"They are finally back together after so long, but I refused to join them again since you guys are much more important for me." He sounded cheerful and more secure of himself.
"That's good to hear. You are following your own passion."
"'Don't think, feel.' That's a great line after watching that Kung-Fu movie."
"I hope you don't start imitating such moves. I got already enough with Miss Perfect on our team by making karate moves." I replied in a joking manner since I started to feel better after talking with someone.
"Speaking of it, what's the deal between you and Miss President.?"
"What's the deal between you and Blondie?"
"Touché…" We laugh at each other. Despite I hated that statement about Makoto and me.
"Well, I think it's already late, I have to rest for tomorrow work or in case we finally get to the Palace. Could you say hello to your mother for me?"
"Sure thing, be careful on your way back home Big Bro." And he did it again.
"*Sigh* you see this?" I was touching my index finger with my thumb, forming a zero. "You were this close, so close to almost make me start calling you for your name."
"Well excuse me for ruining the moment, since when you become such dramatic?"
"Since the moment I met you, numbskull."
"Take care, dick." We said goodbye to each other on a friendly way as he was getting inside while I was riding my back. It felt jealous of Sakamoto and Yusuke; they kept moving on despite their troubled pasts. As they mentioned, Akira helped them to mature and become better as people. I hoped he could help me no longer being afraid of myself.
Comments, opinions, feel free of you have something to say about the chapter.