Chapter Twenty-Five
It's another case of one step in front of the other. Breakfast with Sojiro was a… nice affair; something different, pleasant, and yet just awkward enough that it's foreshadowing the long stretch it will take before they're both once again comfortable with company in the morning. It isn't until after the meal, when she's alone and walking for the park, that Yume realizes she feels amazing. Like she could run; not that she's going to. She has bundles of energy and wellness building up, waiting to be released. In this case, one step in front of the other means she has to walk while her body craves to run.
It's especially hard once she sees the soccer kids. There's a twitch in her step as she enters the park. She needs to walk, though. No need to push it.
The boy from last week, Goro Akechi, glances over from his spot between others on the bench as she passes. Yume smiles and waves, faltering when he just stares back. Unable to run from the awkwardness, Yume puts her head down and stares at the path, walking on. He forgot about-
No, Yume shakes her head to rid the silent battle going on. It shouldn't even be a battle. She's been lucky so far, with people remembering her. She's been lucky with her memory. Children are great learners, but what did she impress upon the boy besides an original strange feeling and some cuts and bruises. He was wearing the cleats, so maybe he remembers them as a gift. But she's still just another face in the crowd.
He's not my sister, Yume thinks, knowing the truth of the situation solidifies in that moment. I'm not memorable.
She isn't going to start seeing old family and friends in people. The time for that has passed. Time to move on… No; rephrase that. It's okay to move on.
"Don't get stuck in the past," Yume mutters before entering the second-hand store. She buys some leggings and fingerless gloves, getting a few looks from the cashier because it's May but whatever. As she cuts through the park again, she glances over to the bench once.
Goro Akechi stares back. He lifts a hand slowly and waves.
Yume can feel the smile come and go as she waves back. The acknowledgement completed, he goes back to staring at the game. Yume gets a better hold on her bags, and then walks out of the park a little faster. She chuckles a bit, wondering why something in her chest tightened and rebelled against his acknowledgement. She squashed it down easy enough because was it ever even there? Like the feeling-that-isn't in the Metaverse, only instead of drawn she was being tugged away.
Why are things always so weird? Honestly, if these videogame maybe-foreshadowing things keep happening, she's going to cave and risk moving past the app's database to see all of what the root user holds. She is trying to live a life, thank you very much world!
Yume sets the bags down in her apartment and sighs at the sight of her ballet outfit. For some reason, completely unrelated to pretty much her entire time outside this morning, she feels like she's forgetting something. It almost feels like she should be preparing for a battle.
Huh.
;;;
Madam Himura.
Yume forgot about the crazy dance instructor.
"I'm sorry Madame," Yume says with wide eyes as she gets told off in low, cool tone for getting sick; like that was her own fault. "I promise I will work extra hard to catch up!"
"A suitable punishment must be made, though," the instructor mutters, eyes watching the trembling girl like a hawk. "Stand at the back bar and hold the forms I tell to you, Ms. Ishii. For every time you falter or remove your eyes from your classmates as they practice, you will hold the pose twice as long."
"Yes, Madame," Yume nearly sighs when she can't turn the mask of a terrified child off, knowing the woman will be watching.
"Dancing is a way of life, child," Himura says condescendingly, as if she knows Yume isn't taking her seriously. It's actually the contrary; Yume's never letting her guard down near the woman. "You will either master the basics, or fall to the wayside. I expect you to show up every day from now to the recital, or I will be forced to keep you from preforming."
Yume jolts at that, but no other kids seem surprised. The flash of panic – can't let Sojiro down – turns into anger at the realization the woman just threatened her. A four year old kid. All because of one sick day. "Yes, Madame Himura."
The woman doesn't pick up on the killing intent as she orders Yume to the back. Yume watches, listens, and adds to her motivation to get through this woman's dungeon as the class goes on. The children aren't as scared as they are intimidated by the woman. They fall into line, doing moves and routines they started yesterday. Not one blinks or shifts when Himura shouts out a new move for Yume. Just to spite – or, who knows, maybe it will gain favour – the woman, Yume holds every pose. There are no breaks, meaning she loses feeling in her muscles and has to white-knuckle the bar whenever her legs threaten to collapse.
While she's used to limbs being strained and uncooperative, others are not. The first time a girl breaks routine and falls to the ground, she is sent to the back of the line and whispered honey covered threats by the instructor. The second time, Himura growls and sends that girl to the back. And finally, as they say, third time's a charm.
"Everyone stop!" Himura shouts, glaring at the girl on the ground. "Break, five minutes! Then you, Ms. Yasui, will be joining Ms. Ishii on the bar. Ms. Ishii, you are not excused."
Witch, Yume curses behind her blank stare and trembling muscles. She can't keep this up the rest of class. When the girl who squints a bit too much comes up beside her, Yume realizes Kotori Yasui won't be able to last either. Yume inwardly groans, knowing what she has to do.
"Yasui," Yume whispers with all seriousness. The other four year old pauses, casting wide eyes to the girl who hasn't moved in ten minutes. "Can't talk long. You need to stand as far away as you can in front of me, and when you feel like you're going to fall you need to signal me with a look in the mirror."
"What are you waiting for girl?" Himura snaps from the front. Yasui jumps and visibly relaxes when it isn't aimed at them but others in the front row.
"We get one break," Yume hisses. "I'll try to draw it out. Don't get caught."
The other girl takes a moment before realizing the dismissal. Yume sucks a large breath through her teeth and switches to the new position. She's proud of the other girl, who makes it through half a dozen, ten minute long holds before visibly showing signs of strain. The signal is a little too obvious, and Yume has to wait a few seconds for Himura to get into position, but the red and black haired girl drops like a rock onto the floor. Blood flow returns to its proper functions, and Yume takes the moment on her back to close her eyes and breathe through the pain.
This isn't a gunshot, Yume thinks as her head pounds and Himura's heels click with every step. This isn't death. Did I say I felt amazing earlier? I take it all back.
Yume gets scolded, harsh low tones telling her this is why she must practice every day. Her request for a glass of water is denied, and Yume makes sure to stop her pleading just in time for the woman to not threaten kicking her out of the group again. Kotori Yasui watches it all, carefully has her hands on her knees and quiets her breathing to make sure Himura doesn't take notice. With Yume directing attention away from the mirrors and others in the group, most of the girls follow Kotori's example.
Then they're all at it for another thirty minutes.
Yume's sweated so much she couldn't cry at the pain if she wanted to. The girl drags her feet, taking Ms. Yasui's – "Yume, after the stunt you pulled, I'd be honored if you called me Kotori" – thanks with as real a smile as possible. At the door, she's surprised by an out-of-nowhere hug. After regaining her balance, Yume clutches Miwa back as hard as she can.
"I was so worried when I heard you didn't show up yesterday," the older girl says, running her fingers over Yume's tied-back hair to try and fix it for something to keep busy. "Haru told Makoto and me today that you were sick. How are you feeling now?"
"Tired," Yume whimpers, slumping against the wall and sliding down until she's sitting on the floor. "I've fallen and I can't get up."
Miwa laughs, relief echoing in her tone. She sits beside the girl and lets Yume have her moment. While Yume's eyes are closed, she doesn't see Kotori walk up. She blinks blearily when the girl speaks to Miwa. "Madam Himura had her doing still-pose as punishment for missing class."
"…What?" comes a soft voice to their right. Haru doesn't move as her brittle smile hides a sinister undertone.
"I just won't not show up again," Yume says, matching Haru's gaze with a blank face that hides her anger. "I'll keep my head down in class." She stares hard and tries to impress don't do anything to the older girl.
"I'll look after her," Kotori speaks up, earning Yume's surprised look. The other girl's not quite squinting at Haru before she turns and squints at Miwa. Vision problems, Yume's mind translates the behaviour before the words catch up with her. "I owe her, after all. Madam Himura gave me still-pose for punishment as well, and Yume made a big to-do to give us all breaks. It's the least I can do."
"I'll be fine," Yume protests weakly. She cringes under their combined glares.
"You can barely stand," Miwa points out.
Haru's smile grows sharper and sharper.
Yume glances between the girls, and something warms. She remembers this feeling, of knowing people have your back. She remembers last life it took a long time to understand it, to know others can care and will help in times of need. She knows and yearns for the feeling, because it can give her a reason to want to live, to return the favour. Now, these three girls are willing to stand for her. This is what she wants, but is so scared to grasp.
However, Yume can't think of a way out of this, so she smiles and thanks them.
"Let's get you changed," Miwa says, helping her to her feet and thankfully not saying anything about the sweat.
"Just stick with me in class," Kotori says, like her friend group won't mind her adding a new member.
"We're driving you home," Haru books no nonsense when she keeps one arm around Yume at all times as they walk to the corner.
Yume is so used to doing things for others. She likes the solo act because that way she can't disappoint or can send gifts anonymously without fear of retribution. A lot of last life was support work. This isn't last life, and it takes the three girls supporting her in a dusty, empty hallway to truly realize she doesn't have to do everything alone. Suddenly, breakfast with Sojiro doesn't seem like another act she'll have to go through day after day; he is making sure she's alive. Akira's nightly phone calls mean he's supporting their friendship too; he is hearing what she says. Ryuji including her in his baseball isn't to show off her speed or have someone to cheer him on; he is including his friend in his activities.
I've been such an idiot, Yume thinks as she hugs Haru one last time before leaving the limo.
She's been so worried about keeping others out of her problems, that she's just been falling to an unhealthy support role again. That's a bad habit, believing she is only there to be used. She's a person too. She's trying to live. She needs to accept people aren't doing this for her skills; they don't know what she can really do.
Besides, supports don't beat dungeons.
It's about time she found a layout of the cabaret.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I've reworked this chapter so many times I was worried I wouldn't have it ready. It's a lot shorter than I would have liked, but it's a start. Also, I am totally looking forward to making a subplot-like thing about Akira's name (because Ren Amamiya) in the future. Hope everyone is having a nice holiday, and a nice December!
Thank you, mayurie, for your review! It will be interesting if they ever get Yume to stop long enough to talk… The kids really are fun. Them and Sojiro always make for good fluff. Thank you again for your review, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, Avatar . NIX, for your review! Glad to hear! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so reviewing!
Thank you, guisniperman, for your review! She's still not sure how much freedom she can get with her amnesiac sitter, so not telling Sojiro gives her some leeway. And she's not really supposed to know about it, just like she isn't supposed to know about her parents 'business trips'. Thank you for reviewing, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, Mia, for your review! Glad to hear! Thank you again, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, Guest, for your review! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again for reviewing!
Thank you, Xxser3ndipityxX, for your reviews! Just, thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to write for practically every chapter, and how much you wrote. It really means a lot to know others like my story, and to know the hints I'm dropping are getting picked up. You're absolutely right about the honorifics. Everything about the dots will (eventually) be explained, and sorry if it doesn't make much sense now. Yah, Yume's lack-of Persona knowledge will definitely have its moments; and when the P5 plot does come around she'll be in for a surprise. You're really on the right track about the dungeon-list (Treasure Hoard thing); there's definitely a mixture of both super-strong-distortion and length of time it's been around. I can't say much, but it does come up more after this tutorial-like arc is done. The cabaret… has a lot of secrets too it. I'm glad I've done the characters justice so far! You are absolutely on-point about Sadayo, Tae, and Kayo (I honestly called her reporter partner devil-woman while I played so I completely understand not remembering her name oh my gosh). It's definitely an interesting team of current Phantom Thieves. The living room safe room… it comes back to a few things that will be explained later, such as what makes a distortion weak. Yah, Ryuji got a few lines explaining his father... none of it was good. With all these 'dungeons' Yume's got, hopefully she can get strong enough to do something to help the kid. Oh the Trkstr_function… pretty much exactly what it sounds like, but without the full setting on Yume's issues with it have already started (trouble with physical contact is an example). Akechi was actually supposed to have a larger section this chapter, but I then realized that he, Yume, and myself need to work up their introductions or it's going to be talking in circles for days. The difference between Yume's first meetings – whether it felt like oil or gasoline – will definitely be cleared up sooner or later; by now Tetsuya is almost completely sure of why it happened when they met. Sorry there won't be any reveal for Yume's arcana in a while, but awesome reasoning! Tristan and Sophia... they come into play more later, so don't discount any theories yet. The law does suck, but hopefully I can attempt to make it make some sense when Yume finally sits down and reads it through. And as for the main plot… honestly, I'll be beyond excited when it finally gets there. Again, I want to thank you so much for your reviews! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again!
Happy holidays