.
Temperature rising. Heartbeat acceleration.
'What is this, a shōjo manga encounter?' Hifumi thought. At least the heroines in a Lala DX magazine had normal reasons, like finding the guy cute or something. Hifumi's reason? Her Persona acting up in a tumultuous uproar the moment she locked eyes with this boy. Whatever flipped the switches, Hifumi sensed strong feelings from her Persona's past, beyond her birth.
How do you have a Persona?! Thought Hifumi.
Someone who was like her and Goro. . .
Ren raised an eyebrow. Looking between the painting and her. Was there something on his face?
"You. . .OK?" asked Ren.
". . .haa. . ." Hifumi gasped; she tottered forward.
Ren caught Hifumi, his eyes widening upon feeling her burning skin. A fever?
Hifumi closed her eyes. A flush was creeping up her neck. Hifumi hated her body had always been so sensitive as a metaverse user. Goro never had any trouble with the emotions of Loki and Robin Hood. Hifumi did not know if she was weird in this way – or if that was her Persona's fault. Composure had never been this difficult for her before, though. Through the membranes of Hifumi's contract with her Shadow Self, a name slipped through.
Calm down. Please. Please, thought Hifumi.
"Are you unwell? Should I call for help?" Ren asked her.
Hifumi's shoulders tensed up, her fists clenched. A sheen of perspiration had appeared on her forehead.
This was off, thought Ren. He needed to notify someone. When Ren made to move, a hand grabbed him by the arm. It was this girl. Her breathing had stabilised, but her eyes were still closed. How did she know he was moving away?
"No. No help," said Hifumi.
"You're burning up like a sinner in Dante's Inferno."
Hifumi opened her eyes. The grip on his arm tightened.
"You. . ." said Hifumi.
Should she ask him? About his Persona? That Persona. Hifumi knew its name now. This is crazy. What if he attacked her? What would be the strategic move against this powerful person. . .
"Me. . ." said Ren. He laughed nervously.
"Who are you?" asked Hifumi.
". . ."
Hifumi tightened her grip harder. Ren resisted the urge to wince. What was her problem?
"Ren Amamiya. Could you cut that out, please?"
"Meaning?"
Ren nodded to her hand. Hifumi immediately released. Ren rubbed his arm. Hifumi stepped closer to him; Ren stepped back in sync, his back nudging against a pillar. The distance closed between them. There was a light tint of green in his grey eyes, thanks to their proximity.
"Don't. Run," said Hifumi.
For a girl with a gentle-sounding voice, she sure said some alarming things. Ren considered this chic's weird antics. Last thing he needed was drawing the wrong kind of attention here.
"Not like. . .you've given me a reason," he said, a ghost of a smirk on his lips.
"No. I shouldn't expect someone with Satanael to run," whispered Hifumi.
Ren's face went blank.
". . ."
"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I know he's your Persona", said Hifumi.
!
"How did you awaken such a powerful entity?"
Satanael? Who the fuck is that? Thought Ren.
More importantly though. . .she said 'Persona'. Ren resisted the urge to swallow. Oh boy. What was going on? Who was this chic? Ren's mind went racing. OK. Arsene was his Persona. Ren was sure of that as the number of fingers he knew he had. Ren could feel the gentleman thief inside of him right now – who seemed amused by this olive-eyed demoiselle who misidentified him. That did not ease the problem that she somehow knew Ren had a Persona. The conviction in those emerald windows, housed an honest soul. This was no trickery on her part, Ren understood.
This needed to be dealt with.
"I can't ignore you," said Ren.
"No. You cannot," said Hifumi, her lower lip trembling slightly.
What was she doing? Hifumi thought. This was not like her. Was she acting this way because of her Persona's remembrance? The volatile reaction from her body had not completely gone away. Hifumi was trying to hide that.
"Who are you?" asked Ren.
"Hifumi Togo. Y-you're in high school?" asked Hifumi.
"Yeah. Shujin Academy."
Hifumi nodded.
"Kosei High School."
Again, those eyes widened at him.
She's scared of me, realised Ren.
Ren did not know why, but this girl seemed intimidated by something about himself. What should he do? This was not a conversation to be had in public.
#
"Grand tour over?" said Ryuji.
Ann leaned against the wall, one arm tucked in, the other holding a cup of refreshment Yusuke had brought for her. Her lower peach-glossed lip was at the subject of being bitten on, an epiphenomenon of Yusuke's nude painting proposal.
At the opposite, Shiori lean-sitting against the wall, texting her mother. The corridor was a bit isolated from the rest of the exhibition, leaving just the three of them in sight. This one lead to an alternative exit which Ann asked Yusuke about, after they had trouble rescuing Shiori from an overly hopeful curator.
"It's over. . ." said Ann.
Ryuji folded his arms.
"And?" he asked.
Ann sipped some of the punch juice. It tasted like nectarine.
"Madarame seems to be a nice guy. But. . ." Ann hesitated.
"But there is something off about this whole thing," Shiori finished for Ann; typing her goodbye to mother – hearts and hugs, before pocketing her phone.
"Yeah. I mean, I don't like assuming the worst of people but Madarame gives me bad – baaaad vibes," said Ann.
"I knew there was somethin' crummy about this old prune. Did you guys check the Phan-Site last night? Another post came up about Madarame," said Ryuji.
"I stopped browsing that place. Don't like it," said Shiori.
"Because Mishima is running it?" asked Ryuji.
"That's more of a mild annoyance. No. I just don't want people to have misgivings like that's our official 'Please give us validation' poll. Why is there an approval rating poll? We want approval from the "shitty society" you go on about, Ryuji? It feels ironic with our renegade gig we've got going," scoffed Shiori.
"Can't be all bad. I mean, what's the actual harm with a poll?" asked Ryuji.
Shiori rolled her eyes in a shrug.
"I find it most unnecessary."
"You said there was another post?" asked Ann.
"…oh yeah! Apparently, some years back there was this pupil who could not bear seeing his own works serve as slaves to Madarame's fame and wealth. Word is, he offed himself because he did not want to live another day under Madarame's control," said Ryuji.
"That's horrible," said Ann.
"Right?"
"Where's Ren? He should be hearing this," said Shiori.
Ryuji scratched his head.
"I couldn't find 'im in the crowd. Didn't you two find him?" asked Ryuji.
Shiori shook her head.
"I didn't see him either-" Ann tossed the plastic cup in the bin, "-I kinda want to ask him about this nude painting thing. Do you guys think I should do it?" asked Ann, rubbing her arms in a self-hug.
"The whole of Japan is going to see you naked. You know that, right?" said Ryuji.
Twin blooms of blushes formed on Ann's cheeks.
"Not that, you dummy! Like I'd let Kitagawa-kun go that far to finish it! I'm talking about going over to this shack Madarame has and learning more, maybe Palace keywords," said Ann.
"I've tried searching for Madarame's home address on the internet. No results. He's a private man. Which I guess makes sense. An artist as popular as him would not want to be disturbed by fans knocking all day on the door. Especially one plagued with rumours," said Shiori.
"Which means our only chance of goin' to where his Palace might be. . ." said Ryuji.
"Is if I. . .if I agree to bare everything to Yusuke. He said he'd text me the address once I say yes," said Ann.
". . ."
". . ."
"Should I do it?" Ann asked, staring at her shoes.
Ryuji hesitated.
"I-I don't know. Shit. Nude painting? I'm feel preeetty outta my depth here," said Ryuji.
"You know you don't have to do this, Ann. The Phantom Thieves would never force you into showing skin to an almost-stranger, when you're uncomfortable with it. None of us would ever do that to each other," said Shiori.
"That's the thing. I'm not. . ." Ann struggled for the words to describe her feelings. From within her heart, Carmen hummed a halcyon melody, ". . .I'm not abashed about showing my body. It's that. . ."
Both Ryuji and Shiori's eyebrows raised, seeing this side of Ann.
I'd rather if Ren is the only one to see me that way, Ann thought to herself, but she was too embarrassed to admit it out loud. Which was kind of silly. Not afraid to show skin, but afraid to show her true feelings to the others? Shiho would have teased her about this.
Urgh. . .this seriously sucks, thought Ann.
There was a lot Ann felt like she was struggling with, ever since Carmen awoke. New questions and complexities – some of which Ann had been able to unravel on her own. Others…needed the help of another to help her explore these…
Ann swallowed. It sometimes mortified her how some needs felt amplified now. Did the others also feel weird with their Personas? Ryuji still acted his same energetic and unconcerned self. Maybe Skull was even more charged up than usual these days, because of Captain Kidd's electric friskiness.
Shiori was - well Shiori. Ann suspected Comedienne was more obsessive than she let on. There was that sly amalgam of aggression and mischief, contained behind her spunky upfront. Which matched how Yoshitsune's expression came off to Panther, in the metaverse. That was another thing Ann wanted to probe Ren about. Shiori's disposition.
Ann's awareness floated back to the conversation at hand. Ryuji was talking.
". . .still no reply. Where the eff is Ren?" said Ryuji, looking at his phone.
"Probably fucking the brains out of the shogi princess."
It was Kofuki. Tall belt buckled jeans with a tonal ruffle camisole. For all the detestation Ann had for this bitch, she had to admit, the Kosei second-year knew her apparel. The colour of that camisole matched just right with her skin tone.
"Eh? Shogi princess? That supposed ta' be you?" asked Ryuji.
Kofuki simpered.
"No-" Kofuki showed her large phone screen to them, "-it's Togo Hifumi. I was on my way to cutie-pie until. . .well I saw them together. Look at her face. She's so into him. Real shame. Although, I didn't have the heart to interrupt their moment. At least - Amamiya being with Hifumi feels more real, than some people," said Kofuki with a wink at Ann.
Shiori made a mental note to have an alibi story ready for Ann, if the police ever came to her home asking questions about the murder of Kofuki Morishima. The way this thot kept testing Ann's patience…
Still, thought Shiori, looking at the photo. What is Ren thinking?
Ryuji's forehead creased in surprise. Ann's face had gone pale at the photo. Shiori noticed Ann tugging down hard on her jersey's hemline. Oh dear.
The photo was not 100% crystal clear, which meant that Kofuki must have used a zoom-in feature to snap the picture. Yet there were still enough details to easily make out the two people, faces close to each other's, like they were going for a kiss. Ren's eyes were veiled by the curly fringes, his lips parted. The girl. . .this was Togo? Shiori thought. She was the standout in the photo, leaning up at Ren, her face covered in sweat. Cheeks, blush pink.
She looks like those old-school actresses, thought Shiori.
"Saw them heading together inside the unisex washroom. Door lock sign turned to the red 'OCCUPIED'. Know what that means, aha?" said Kofuki.
Kofuki's smirk almost looked cruel. What was surer than her cruelty, was how heartbroken Ann looked to Shiori.
#
The door closed behind Hifumi. Ren leaned on the marble counter-top, hands in pocket. His jaw was working – tandem to his nervousness, animating the shadows in his cheekbones.
"What are you?" Hifumi asked him.
Ren shrugged.
"Exactly what you see," said Ren.
Silence punctuated the fragranced air in the washroom. The place smelt like artificial lavender to Ren.
"Where are you from?" asked Hifumi.
"Kyoto."
"Parents?"
"Father's a corporate secretary. Mum is a chief technology officer," said Ren.
"You have such a normal background, yet a fallen angel is in your heart. There is more to your story than just some affluent Kyoto schoolboy. Why are you in Tokyo?" demanded Hifumi.
Ren's eyebrows angled down in a scowly glare. Part of him was tempted to take Hifumi into the metaverse right now and quell her intrusiveness with a good fright.
"I do have a Persona, Hifumi. Just not this Satanael that's got you in my private business. Which also includes why I'm in Tokyo," said Ren.
"This is my business because mine knows Satanael! We both sense him in you," said Hifumi.
Hifumi has a Persona too? Interesting. Ren folded his arms, head tilting in observation.
It's her, Ren realised.
"Do you by any chance, play shogi?" asked Ren.
"I. . .yes. Yes, I do."
Fate chanced his meeting with the shogi maestra. The one Igor told him about, realised Ren. This changed things. Whatever Igor's end-game was - this girl who was virtuous in intuition, was somehow involved. Knowingly? Unknowingly? Ren intended to find out.
"I'm not giving you an autograph. Not until I get some answers. If not Satanael, who is your Persona?"
Ren frowned.
"An autograph? Why…would I want that?" said Ren.
"Because you recognise me? From the interviews. Or maybe the photoshoots. How else would you have known to ask me about shogi?" said Hifumi.
The blank look Ren gave her back, told Hifumi this was not the case.
Ren's phone beeped. He checked. Another message from Ryuji, this time in the PT group chat. Telling Ren they would rendezvous at the accessway near Teikyu Building. He needed to leave now. But first, Ren needed to sort this out. Ren said:
"I need to leave now-" Hifumi began to protest, "-no it's fine. I want us to continue this conversation. Look, we'll exchange numbers now and arrange a meet. Anytime after-" Ren paused. If Igor was wrapped up in this, Ren did not want the Phantom Thieves getting involved. This needed to be after-hours of the PT meetings, "-anytime after 7 PM. Is that OK with you?" asked Ren.
Hifumi hesitated.
"Arsene."
"What?" said Hifumi.
Ren held out his phone, the screen flashing velvet room blue and white; Bluetooth contact exchange prompt.
"That's my Persona. Arsene. Gentlemen thief. Anarchist. Call him whatever you wish. You're right, Hifumi. I'm not just some rich brat. Not by a long shot."
By the time Ren joined the others, he found only Ryuji and Shiori. They both looked grim to Ren.
"Where's Ann? She off buying a crêpe?" said Ren.
"She. . .left for home," said Shiori.
Why is she looking at me like that? Thought Ren.
Ryuji shook his head at Ren.
"What the eff man. . ." said Ryuji.
Ren frowned.
"What?" asked Ren.
Shiori shook her head a slight at Ryuji. 'Let us not jump in conclusions right now', thought Shiori.
"We spoke with Kofuki," Shiori told Ren.
"OK…? Doesn't explain why you guys are acting weird," said Ren.
"She showed us a picture of you making out with this other Kosei chic. What the fuck dude! Are you playing with Ann's heart? Because if you are buddy, I'm gonna have to kick ya' ass," said Ryuji.
Ren's eyebrows narrowed down. They knew he was talking to Hifumi?
"Ryuji. . .no. I wasn't making out with anyone!" insisted Ren.
Ren was mad at Kofuki. Snivelling cunt. Sowing discord within his friend group. Ren reminded himself to tell Kofuki off, the next time he saw her.
"Yeah?" Ryuji said sceptical.
"Did you see me making out with Togo-san in this…photo Kofuki showed you?" demanded Ren.
Ryuji's raised shoulders dropped. That took away some of his suspicion.
"No. No it didn't. But. . ." Ryuji trailed off.
"Your faces were quite close, Ren. In the photo. Then she told us the two of you headed into a washroom," said Shiori.
Not good, thought Ren. He found it very important that his friends were as isolated from Igor's plot machinations, as much as possible. It was not necessary to tell them Ren planned to meet with Hifumi later on.
Ren's hesitation in answering brought back some of Ryuji's conviction against Ren. His eyes narrowed at the Phantom Thief leader.
"Well? Did you?" asked Ryuji.
A split-second consideration. Light-bulb. Ren knew what to say. The best lies were made from truth. Within Ren's heart, Arsene slipped an ace of clubs card from his sleeve by sleight-of-hand, chuckling.
"I did," said Ren.
Ryuji gaped at him. Ren sighed, running his fingers through his fringe. Shiori folded her arms, carefully watching Ren.
"Why?" asked Shiori.
"Do you guys know where I'm from?" asked Ren.
They both shook their heads.
"Kyoto," said Ren.
"You mean you know tis' girl?" asked Ryuji.
Ren sheepishly nodded.
"I wasn't in a hurry to bring it up, because I knew you guys would act this way with me. Especially Ann. Togo-san has…health issues. I shouldn't say that because that's her private matter, but here's me being forced to tell all of you. We ran into each other by chance, which was when she had one of her near-fainting episodes. That's why I helped her to the washroom," said Ren.
The guilt card. If Ryuji had any reserve now, they were flipped from Ren guilt tripping him.
"Shit, dude. I'm sorry. I didn't know," said Ryuji, grimacing over his earlier outburst.
"It's fine," said Ren, in a tone that he was pretending to keep the terseness out of his voice.
"Maaaan. I gotta stop jumping the gun every time," said Ryuji.
Shiori was not as easily moved as Ryuji.
"Is Hifumi Togo from Kyoto?" asked Shiori.
Ren knew she was testing him.
"No. She's been there a few times. Hifumi plays shogi. You can look it up, she's a bit famous. I met her as an audience at one of her exhibition matches. We're not that close, but I am an acquaintance of hers," said Ren.
Half-truth. Ren looked up Hifumi's name on the way here – learning some things about shogi idol. If the others did the same, they would see search results talking about Hifumi's recent match in Kyoto. It was the perfect cover.
"Oh. I guess that makes sense," said Shiori.
"Ann was angry?" asked Ren.
Shiori and Ryuji looked at each other.
"You could…say that," said Ryuji.
"After Kofuki mislead us, Ann went to Yusuke and told him she agreed," explained Shiori.
Ren's eyes widened.
"You mean…?"
Ryuji nodded.
"Yeah dude. Ann's going to do the nude painting session. Tomorrow afternoon," said Ryuji.
Morgana stuck his head out of Shiori's backpack, yawning.
"Hey, can we grab sushi along the way back?"
Yongen-Jaya. 9 PM.
Ren sat on his bed, rubbing his eyes. In his hands was his phone. Chat log with Shiori.
_Shiori: Did you explain to her? _
_Ren: No _
_Shiori: You should _
_Shiori: This up and down tension between you and Ann is starting to become ridiculous _
_Ren: I called her number earlier _
_Shiori: What she say? _
_Ren: No answer _
_Shiori: Oh no _
_Shiori: You didn't see how upset she was, Ren _
_Shiori: Don't hold it against her _
_Ren: I'm not holding anything against anyone :/ _
_Ren: Besides, at this point I'm used to Ann being cross with me _
_Shiori: I know _
_Shiori: But it feels different this time _
_Shiori: You should try talking to her tomorrow _
_Ren: Whatever _
_Shiori: What do you mean whatever?! (ಠ益ಠ) _
_Ren: Ann is clearly interested in Yusuke if she's doing this nude painting session _
_Ren: Why should I get in the way of her choice? _
_Shiori: Dude… _
_Shiori: If I was in Leblanc right now, I'd slap the stupid bitch aura outta you _
_Shiori: Ann is trying to make you jealous _
_Shiori: And it's working! _
It was working. Big time.
_Ren: Pfft. No. _
_Ren: I got more things on my mind than Ann you know _
Ren had spent almost the entire afternoon anguishing about Ann.
_Shiori: Yeah right _
_Ren: Besides…everyone's gotta focus on tomorrow's plan _
_Shiori: …I give up =_= _
In the Phantom Thief group chat, it read:
_Ryuji: What's the plan, Joker? _
_Shiori: Panther is going over to Madarame's atelier tomorrow _
_Shiori: "Tomorrow is an excellent chance for an internal and external reconnaissance" _
_Shiori: What Mona says^ _
_Ryuji: Nude painting huh _
_Ann: Kitagawa-kun and I are going to have sooo much fun 3 _
That was the part where Ren almost threw his phone across the room.
_Ren: …that's nice _
_Ren: I'm sure the it would be good for your modelling experience ʘᗜʘ _
_Ann: Yeap! It's going to be THE BEST :D _
_Ryuji: Will you two lovebirds cut it out OTL _
_Ren: Wtf Skull _
_Ann: What are you on about, Skull! _
_Ren: Stop talking shit _
_Ann: Yeah! _
_Ryuji: YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT _
_Ryuji: YOU TWO ARE GETTING PSYCHOTIC WITH EACH OTHER _
_Shiori: Never thought I'd see the day when Skull is more mature than the two of you, in squad chat ( ͠° ͟ʖ °͠ ) _
_Shiori: Anyway…. _
_Shiori: What are we doing tomorrow, Joker? _
_Ren: Here's how it's going down _
_Ren: Panther will be invited in, while her phone is on a loudspeaker mic _
_Ren: That way, we'll know what's happening on the inside _
_Ann: I'll be sure to be loud hehe _
_Ren: …as I was saying… _
_Ren: Mona will be with Panther as support _
_Shiori: "You can count on me, Leader!" -Mona _
_Ren: The rest of us will be outside, on standby _
_Ren: Panther and Mona will be gathering information on Madarame _
_Ren: Through exploring his house and asking Yusuke questions _
_Ren: As this is happening, we'll be outside, testing out Palace keywords _
_Ryuji: Then once we get a destination confirmation, Mona and Panther will pull out? _
_Ren: Oh sure _
_Ren: If Panther's not too busy lol _
_Ann: …I'm gonna kick your ass tomorrow _
_Ren: Go fuck yourself, Ann _
_Ann: Fuck me yourself, you coward! _
_Shiori: … _
_Shiori: Let's save the fucking for later, please _
_Shiori: "We have an important operation tomorrow" -🐱 _
_Shiori: "Everyone get your rest" -🐱 _
_Shiori: "Big day approaches" -🐱 _
Next day.
School started. Ann did not follow up on her promise to drive her heels up Ren's butt. Nor did Ren answer Ann's taunt from when she called him a coward. Shiori kept a nervous watch on Ann and Ren during class, hoping a rowdy scene would not start between these two, lest detention threw their plans out the window.
To Shiori's relief (and slight confusion), the two of them managed to keep it civil – despite the air cackling with tension beyond anything Shiori has seen between two people of the opposite sex. Ryuji kept texting her for a status update throughout the day, to which Shiori assured back that everything was fine "so far". The school day ended without incident. Class 2-D's Phantom Thieves got up to leave for Shibuya, where Morgana would be waiting for them.
"Ren?"
Ren stopped by the classroom's doorway. Mishima had called out to him.
"Yeah?" asked Ren.
"Where are you going? Didn't you see the roster?" asked Mishima.
"Roster?"
"For cleaning duty. Your shift is today. It's there on the notice board," said Mishima.
"What's the hold up?" Ryuji called up from the corridor.
"One sec," Ren said to him, backing into the classroom.
Ren's finger traced the list of names on the roster sheet. Terajima Ichi. . .Ogura Kojuro. . .Ino Togai. . .Amamiya Ren. His finger tapped twice on 'Amamiya'. Would this delay the operation?
Ren's phone buzzed.
_Ryuji: Dude. What's up? _
_Ryuji: I'd enter your classroom to ask, but Ushimaru-sensei is nearby_
Ren typed 'Hold off the infiltration, I'm on cleaning duty'. He paused. No. Yusuke would be waiting for Ann. They did not know if another chance like this would come the Phantom Thieves way. Besides that point - Ren wanted the others to be nearby for Ann, when the nude painting session started. Ren deleted those words. He typed into the team chat:
_Ren: I need to stay back at school_
_Ryuji: Why? _
_Shiori: Is it cleaning duty? _
_Ren: Yes. _
_Ryuji: For real.. _
_Ryuji: All right. We'll hold off the mission start _
_Ren: No _
_Ren: You three are doing are kicking this off without me _
_Ren: It shouldn't take that long anyway _
_Shiori: I guess it would be fine. _
_Shiori: You'll be about 30 minutes behind us _
_Ann: Not like I'll be able to get the Palace keyword clues out of Kitagawa-kun straightaway _
_Ann: Assuming Madarame has a Palace _
_Ryuji: What if he ain't there? _
_Ryuji: If we figure out the keywords quick enough _
_Ren: Text me the keywords _
_Ren: I'll follow in after you guys _
_Shiori: You sure? _
_Shiori: This all sounds a bit reckless, being separated _
_Ren: When have I not been reckless B-| _
The typing speech bubble animation was wiggling from everyone. Until Ann got in her message first:
_Ann: If Joker wants to be selfish, let him! _
The typing bubbles vanished. The others went quiet. Chat killed.
Oh boy, thought Ren.
A private message came in from Ryuji:
_Ryuji: Hey _
_Ryuji: If Panther guns you down in the metaverse _
_Ryuji: Can I have your Full Metal Alchemist manga collection? _
Ren grimaced. He knew Ryuji was half-joking, yet somehow, it felt like a realistic possibility today. Ren switched to the private conversation with Ann in the IM app.
_Ren: Ann _
_Ann: I'm not changing my mind about the painting, if that's what this is about _
_Ann: Since you don't mind being irresponsible yourself _
_Ren: I'm not going to tell you quit on this _
_Ren: Just be careful. Please. _
_Ren: The only recklessness to all this, is if something were to happen to you and I wasn't there _
"You're Amamiya, right?" said a girl, pushing up her glasses; anime glint.
Ren knew this bespectacled girl by her face. One of class 2-D's students.
"Yeah. You're. . .?" asked Ren.
Ren noticed she was being careful to stand at a distance from him. As if he was a carnivorous eating plant that might snap a head off, if someone got too close.
"Terajima. I'm also on duty. Look, we need cleaning solvent for the windows," said Terajima.
". . ."
Her face reddened.
"I would have preferred to ask Ogura or Togai about this, but it looks like they're playing hooky. Do you think you could go to the cleaning storeroom and get a trigger bottle? It's on the first floor," said Terajima.
"Will I need a key?"
"No. They usually leave it unlocked. Besides, umm. . .I'm sure someone like you would be used to picking locks."
Ren resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Real shame. I haven't practised in a while. . .fine. I'll get to it," said Ren.
"Don't forget the wiping cloths too. . ."
Ren glanced back at the IM chat. There was no reply from Ann. For all the conventional reactions any other guy in his shoes would have, Ren could not help but find her silent stubbornness a bit endearing. Ann was a rebel to both society and himself.
Ren considered how Arsene was always experiencing the world through his own awareness and thoughts. Seeing, hearing and feeling the same things as Ren. The experiential for Carmen had to be similar with Ann, right?
Ren typed:
_Ren: Take care of her, Carmen. _
#
_Ren: Take care of her, Carmen. _
Ann's shadow leaned in over iPhone screen. Outside the stall washroom, the sounds of faucets running and gossip echoed a sound stagey quality in the girls' washroom.
"Stupid stubborn Ren," Ann muttered, her face burning.
"Huh? Ren?" said a girl outside.
Ann clamped her mouth. Oops. Outside the toilet stall, the girls continued to chitter-chat.
"Did you say that?"
"Say what?"
"That juvenile kid, Amamiya Ren. Thought I heard his name just now."
"That crazy kid? Nah uh. Not me."
"I think he's kinda cute. Shame about his criminal record though. . ."
"I bet you love those bad boy types, don't you Ishi-chan?"
"I told you to stop calling me that, Yuki!"
"Ishi-chan!"
"Gah! Get off me! And where do you think you're putting your hands!"
Sound of a smack.
"Owww. That hurt Ishi. . ."
"Serves you right!"
"Speaking of copping a feel, did you guys know Terajima accidentally swung her hand towards Amamiya's crotch, while she was chasing me? It happened last week."
Inside the stall, Ann was almost fuming.
Why is it that almost every girl out there was trying to lay a paw on what was supposed to be hers! She thought. At this rate, Ren might "accidentally" trip and fall on some naked Kofuki! Ugly volcanic pools of jealous bubbled in Ann.
"What?!"
"Oh my god! Hahahaha!"
"What did Amamiya do? Bet he took her virginity as punishment!"
"I saw it happen when he was talking to that Ryuji guy. Amamiya just looked at her distractedly, as if she accidentally walked into him or something. Don't think he realised it."
"Aww. I wonder if she touched his boner. . ."
"Ishi-chan! That's scandalous!"
"What? Don't tell me you guys haven't wondered how big a yakuza's dick is? Wonder if Amamiya has a tattoo on his cock. . ."
That was more than Ann could handle. She swung the stall door open in a loud bang, prompting the three girls outside to jump in scare.
"Eek! Oh. . .Takamaki-san. You gave me a fright," said the girl, Ann knew was "Ishi-chan".
Ann stonily stared this prurient girl down, those icy blue eyes like stalactites. Without knowing why, the trio got nervous.
"Uhh…Ann? Are you OK? Is your period giving you cramps?" asked Yuki.
Ishi-chan swallowed when Ann stepped closer. Abruptly, Ann's expression flipped, breaking into a sunny smile.
"Sorry Ishikawa. Do you mind…? I need to use the tap," Ann said warmly.
Ishi-chan gaped at Ann like a carp.
"Oh…oh! Yeah sure! Sorry about that," Ishi-chan tottered to the side.
Ann began to wash her hand. In casual conversation, Ann remarked:
"That was an interesting thing you said there, Ishikawa."
"Oh crap. You overheard that? Haha," said Ishi-chan.
"Did you really mean it?"
"Huh?
Ann repeated, her tone still light:
"Did you mean what you said…about Ren's cock?"
Ann's lips felt delicate and sensitive when she said the last two words.
"Oh that. I guess I get funny with bad boys hehe. He is a kinda hot," said Ishi-chan.
Ann made up her mind.
If bitches want to be funny, I can be hilarious, thought Ann.
Ann left the washroom. If Shujin was analogous to a jungle for a moment; there was a panther looking for its prey.
#
Ren whistled 'Here Comes the Bride', his eyes scanning the shelves of cleaning supplies. Let's see. . .something that was good for cleaning glass-
The storeroom door swung open.
Ren's whistle died like a slowly deflating balloon. He turned his head slowly to the left. There stood Ann, hands on hips.
". . .Hi?" said Ren.
A glossy black-nail finger pointed at Ren.
"You and I are settling this now!" she declared.
"Settling what exactly…?"
The door closed.
Click.
Locked.
It registered to Ren that he was alone with Ann in an isolated little storeroom where the only exit out was blocked by Ann, whose chest was heaving a bit now. Something told Ren it was not from exertion. A single clear little bulb burned some light in this dim room, its filament coils glowing spark lines – aerial specks of dust caught a share of its lucency. These tiny specks of yellow reflected off Ann's eyes, like micro will-o'-wisps against a night-blue sky.
"Why did you lock the door?" he asked.
"Why do you think?"
"I've found what I was looking for, Ann. I need to return back to the classroom to attend to cleaning duties."
"Shujin Academy could catch fire for all I care. You're not going anywhere."
"Oh? You'd really keep me here to die?" said Ren, smirky.
". . .do you remember the day I slapped you?" asked Ann.
All mirth dropped from Ren's face. His swaying profile stilled.
"I'm going to do that again. So that you'll know how much it hurts every time you push me away," said Ann, her voice getting a little hoarse with emotion.
She's on the edge, thought Ren.
"Ann, you're upset about what happened at the museum. Let's talk this out-"
"No!"
There were tears in Ann's eyes.
". . ."
"I'm going to hit you. Again and again! Until you give in to me, you hear?"
Ren's jaw tightened.
"It's not going to work. I'm not going to yield," he said coldly.
Ann sniffled. She took a shaky breath, stepping closer to Ren. One hand clasped at the top hem of his uniform jacket. Ann's finger flicked the top button open, freeing the white collar. Ren felt her warm fingers snake around his neck, while also grasping the collar.
Ren shivered from the electric-like shock; a feeling of direct injected current upon his neck. Ren could feel her thumb resting atop his pulse. Ann knew his heartbeat was in rapid-fire.
Ann's eyes also widened on the skin contact. Ren's neck felt cold – yet it turned her skin up like it was on fire.
"You can't hurt me, Ann. Not the way you think," said Ren.
"I-I know. Us being together, stands for you letting me in. . .Which means you'd be handing me the power to hurt you, if I wanted. And you're scared of that. After everything that's happened to you. . .it m-must be fucking terrifying – the thought of going through the hurt again. I've seen it in Arsene's artifice. All that pain and anger channelled. The way his wings curl in protectively around you, whenever Carmen and I come near you in Mementos. I can see it in your face now," said Ann.
Ren was speechless. Ann had him figured out, right down even his Persona's emotional habits.
"So. . .I'm going to force my way in. Until you give in to my love. Bleeding and pleading as you give up all your lies, in this space between us," said Ann.
Ann's other hand raised for the slap, trembling.
"Ready?" she whispered.
Ann's sobs had quietened. Ren raised his chin, a histrionic motion of defiance. On the inside, Ren felt a maelstrom of emotions, threatening to wrench open his sangfroid.
Seconds went by. Ren waited for the hard landing of her palm. Followed by the next.
Until…blood was drawn? Ren was ready for that.
The slap did not arrive. They stood in a stillness so fragile, both were almost scared to breathe too hard, lest reality shattered like a fragile glass, leaving them falling into an eternal void in spiralling shards.
"What are you waiting for?" murmured Ren.
Ann dropped her hand, turning her gaze away from Ren. It was Ren's turn to clasp Ann, his thumb pressing onto her chin. Ren returned Ann's gaze back at him but she was still avoiding his eyes.
"You said you were going to do it, but you can't," said Ren.
"…go ahead. Mock me," said Ann; a hint of pout and embarrassment.
Ren realised something. It was like a contrast slider was turned, brightening Ann's visage in his eyes. Ann would sooner get ridiculed by him than choose to intentionally hurt him.
"Huh? What's wrong with you?" said Ann, looking at Ren's nonplussed reaction at this.
"Nothing. I'm struck by an echo in memory. Something my grandmother told me when I was little," said Ren.
"Oh?"
"Before she died, there was a flower garden my grandma used to tend to in our backyard. Plots of scarlet roses, moonflowers and African violets that grew close to this water feature. In the morning, the night's cool air would always leave dew on the petals of the flowers nearest to the waters," said Ren.
"…which ones were the closest?"
"…the roses. It was always the roses. One spring, there was this one rose which stood out from the rest of them, leaning away as if it was the outsider. It almost seemed like a person to me, for some reason. Ha. Silly, I know. I yearned to pick it from the garden. I asked grandma if I could. She told me. . ." Ren cupped Ann by the cheek.
Ann's breath hitched short.
"She told me – A beautiful rose has thorns. That was her way of giving me permission, but also warning me that I would prick myself if I wanted it bad enough," said Ren.
"Did you-" Ann swallowed, as Ren's hand slid, fingers curling behind her ear.
"-take the rose?" asked Ann.
A thoughtful expression essayed from Ren.
"I did. Quite impulsively. Before I could change my mind," said Ren.
With that, Ren drew into her. He stopped, just close enough - that their lips were feather brushing. Goosebumps ran up Ren's back. He felt Ann's shoulders shudder. They both closed their eyes. Then slowly. . .their lips pressed. The first kiss. Close and closed.
It went completely on instinct. Another kiss. Slowly, their mouth parted by a slight. Then another. Ren felt Ann's fingers running through the thick curls of his hair.
Something ignited in their cores and surged up – searing heat, which made Ann moan. She pushed her tongue into Ren's mouth, tentative. Ren responded back. Their kiss was deep now. Chemical pulsations of dizzying oxytocin going off in their brains, translating to what Ren and Ann felt as inebriate consummation.
Ann went limp in Ren's arms.
Ann's knees trembled - going weak, which prompted Ren to lift her closer, harder, onto him. Her hands fisted the front of his shirt.
Ren's hand pressed against her back, palming against the fabric, slowly feeling through the layers - the indent of her bra strap. Beneath the hitched-up skirt, Ren's other hand propped her from the under-buttocks, palm cupping against the velutinous mound.
Ann whimpered into his mouth when Ren pitched his knee at the top-tent of her legs. Beneath the inner curves of her ass, Ren's fingers stimulated there – teasing, like the pressing of a piano key. At the front, Ren's knee slowly grinded at her most sensitive tender. Ann's belly spooled in molten melting, rising and falling with Ren's rhythm on her.
Breathing in the sweet and spice of Ann's scent, Ren was spinning in his mind. Her breath tickled against Ren's cheek as Ann's lips became responsive. Ren felt the wetness of her tongue lacquer his lower lip before she plunged back into his mouth, feeling and exploring with a hungry, almost desperate need.
How. . .Ann thought vaguely in her mind.
How was it possible to need someone this badly? Ann knew she wanted Ren for a while, but nothing could prepare her for this surging desire to be drunk in his embrace, the flaming heat in-between them growing stronger and consuming-
Two things happened. Ann's incisor grazed too hard at the corner of Ren's lip, drawing blood. Ann noticed the bleeding sooner than Ren himself, tasting the salty piquance. Ann froze, eyes opening in realisation at her accidental vampirism.
Ann's sudden pause was enough to float Ren's awareness to his surroundings. The deuce interruption was a student walking outside, accidentally knocking his gesturing hand against the door in a wake-up THUD.
Ren stopped. Wait. What was he doing…this was not…
Oh no, Ren don't , thought Ann, her hands holding his shirt tighter, not wanting to let go.
Their lips broke off. Ren forcefully pushed her away gasping. He stumbled back into the shadowy corner of the room, leaning in, trying to recollect his breath and composure.
"You. . .need to. . .leave," Ren said, his words coming out forced. Angry. Ren was mad at himself.
"Ren no, please don't. I'm sorry about your lip-"
"Lip?" he said confused.
Then as if for the first time, Ren saw Ann in the dim lighting. Her pigtails were almost undone, hanging further down in a rebellious slouch. A corona glow was highlighted at her crown. There were tears in Ann's eyes, sparked up by the lightbulb and their kiss. At her lips was bright blood, lacing in thin venous patterns. Ann was the image of a Nordic princess in his dark fairy tale. She looked so beautiful.
Wait. Blood?
Ren became conscious of the stinging sensation at the corner of his lower lip. He touched his chin, feeling a wet streak.
That is going to scar, thought Ren.
"Here let me. . ."
Ren grasped her wrist, stopping the handkerchief she slipped from a pocket. Ann tried to jerk her arm out of his grip. She could not.
"Stop," Ren said softly.
"I didn't mean to bite you, Ren."
"I'm not mad about that. You know that."
You always know. Too much, thought Ren.
Ren could see she was on the verge of crying. He hated himself even more now for kissing her. Of all the days, this timing. . .
"Go. The others are waiting. You said you wanted to do this painting so that we could-"
"I am not leaving you!"
Ren grabbed her by the waist and for a confused (also hopeful) moment, Ann thought he was going to kiss her again. She realised this was not the case.
"No. . .no! Don't you dare-" Ann began.
#
Students in the corridor stopped in their tracks. They could hear a ruckus. Emanating from the storeroom.
"Was that yelling?"
"Oh my. Is that thumping on the walls I hear?"
"Really man?! Here?! I know people were stressed out about exams, but at least get a bedroom!"
The door opened. Out pushed a girl, her pigtails vortexing in a frenzy stumble. She skidded to a stop, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. The door slammed shut. There was a click. Locked.
"Takamaki-san? Why is there blood on your chin?"
"Why does her hair look dishevelled?"
Did he just force me out? Ann thought, unable to believe Ren's audacity.
More whispers.
"Shit. She looks mad."
"Was there a boy in there?"
"What kind of guy pushes out Ann Takamaki when you're alone with her in the cleaning storeroom?"
#
Slam!
Ren winced. He could feel the door's frame vibrating as Ann smacked it. How sturdy was this thing against a girl's wrath?
"Ren! Open up!"
"No."
"I'm going to fucking kill you for this, you know that!"
I love you too, thought Ren.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .What did I just-
"Don't push me away. Not again," pleaded Ann.
Ren swallowed. It hurt his throat to speak:
"I'll see you. . .later. . .Ann," said Ren.
Ren pressed his palm against the door. He could hear Ann's breathing from the other side. Leaning against the door like he was. Ren's hair curtained his right eye, as he rested his head against the door, yearning for whatever scraps of closeness to her. Even if this wedge of a door was between them. Even if he was telling her to go.
#
"I'll see you. . .later. . .Ann," said Ren.
Ann stopped pounding the door. That word. . .This was their wordplay. Her shoulders trembled. Ann closed her eyes, her forehead touching against the door. Only a few inches between them, yet he was too far from her.
Not fair. Not fair. We can't be doing this forever, thought Ann.
But Ann knew this was also her fault. She pushed things too far, over this painting session.
"Ann-chan? What are you doing?" came Ms. Chouno's voice.
A teacher. Crap. Ann backed away from the door, quickly wiping at her mouth and chin.
#
Ren was back-leaning against the door, listening to the other side.
"Ann-chan? What are you doing?"
"Nothing. . .Nothing! Just exhausted from all the studying I did last week, hee."
"I see. Well I would not worry if I were you. I just graded your paper today. . ."
Ren's phone began to vibrate. It was a phone call. He did not look at the caller ID straight away, not wanting to take the call while a teacher was outside.
". . .was this really about exam's toll?" asked Ms. Chouno.
"Huh?"
"I've been really concerned about you. Especially after. . ."
Ren strained his ears. Ms. Chouno had lowered her voice. The vibrating buzz was not making it easier.
". . .after the faculty heard that the principal was willing to have students questioned about the nonsense Phantom Thieves cards. Your homeroom teacher Kawakami-sensei, others and I had reservations about discriminating the said victims of this inquiry. After all, Kamoshida was sexually harassing you. And we know Shiho-kun was close to you," said Ms. Chouno.
Faculty staff are against the PT investigation? Why does Kobayakawa still insist on it, then? Thought Ren.
Ren's phone stopped vibrating.
Ren finally dared to look the phone screen. His fingers slipped, almost dropping the phone. Ren re-read the caller ID, blaring in bold letterings.
. . .shit. He should have answered.
"I know that you feel that you cannot speak up in this school, Ann. You might feel that you're an outsider because of how you look. It must have especially been like that when Kamoshida was here. This is also been my fault. Even though you're one of my best students, I failed as a teacher to assure you that you could speak your problems to me. Please know that things are different now. If you have any concerns, you can tell me, OK?" said Ms. Chouno.
"Th-thank you, sensei," said Ann.
Ren waited. The background notes of high school's fanfare of surface noise settled. Ann must have left, being forced to abandon her door-smashing quest while a teacher was around.
She's going there right now. To bare everything, thought Ren.
Ren sank to the floor, knees curling into himself. Was tonight really going to be over for both of them?
Then there was this missed call. Ren looked at his phone.
'MISSED CALL – DAD'
The Amamiya household had a chilling atmosphere the morning Ren left. The previous night, Ren had gone to bed with his right cheek stinging from a slap. Things were not cherry and sunshine with Keinosuke Amamiya. Knowing his father, Ren knew nothing had changed. What could this be about?
He wants something, thought Ren.
But what? The steely spoken man who looked like an older version of Ren, projected intense capability and old school Japanese business culture.
"The world starts and ends with you, boy. Nothing outside will make you a stronger or smarter man. All the courage and all the riches are already within you. Seek nothing from others. Not even comfort. That is for the weak," Keinosuke told a thirteen-year-old Ren, when he asked why his father did not marry for love.
Before Ren clicked on the call back option, his phone began to ring again. Different person this time. But still someone from his parents' world. Ren answered.
"Hello?"
"Ren? It's me, Yuki."
His mother's secretary.
". . ."
"Look, your father was trying to reach you earlier, but you did not answer his call."
". . ."
"Then he asked me to get a hold of you. Hello? You still there?"
"I am. What does dad need from me?"
"You need to be somewhere tonight in Tokyo. . .What is your tuxedo size?"
It's been a long time coming. Ren's at a point of no-return now with Ann, when it comes to his backtracking. His decision with Ann will be finalised in the next chapter or (unless the word count buffs unexpectedly again) the following. Anyway, thank you for all the reviews.