Ren stretched back and yawned as the final bells for the school day rang. It was February 26th. Bored of his conventional after-school activities, he opted to begin practicing with Sumire every day she was scheduled. They were planning to show Coach Hiraguchi her routine again in their own reality. After some debilitation, they decided this would be the best way to ensure Coach Hiraguchi knew Sumire and him were going to climb to the world stage. Everyone but the core Phantom Thieves forgot their time in Maruki's reality, instead remembering what "should have happened," according to Lavenza. Ren pulled out his phone.

Ren: You don't have practice today, right?

Sumire: I do not. Would you like to go somewhere?

Ren: Yeah. Let's meet at the school gate.

Sumire: Okay!

Ren walked to the school gates with a steady pace. Before long, he spotted Sumire amongst the crowd of students stepping from the front entrance. He felt like he could spot her through any crowd, no matter how large. She made her way to him, and they embraced.

"Um, Ren-senpai, so where would you like to go? I'm okay with any place if I'm with you." she asked, her hands pressed on his chest, looking up at him with a smile.

"Somewhere fun. We'll need to change out of our school uniforms, though. I'd like to see you in that red dress again, personally."

Sumire's cheeks turned a shade of pink, but she look at him with determination in her eyes. "Good. I want you to look at me."

The couple stared at each other for what could only have been minutes. The rumor mill had run its cycle, and they weren't mentioned much by passing students. They were already old news to everyone except one another. Many female students had reversed their opinions of Ren. He often heard comments ranging from, "She's so lucky" to "Isn't he actually kinda hot?" while Sumire often heard "Man what do I have to do to get a cute glasses girlfriend?" and "She's an honors student and has A+ looks!" Neither were phased anymore, the only opinions that mattered to them were each other's.

"We'll stop by Leblanc so I can change, and then head to Kichijoji so you can. Our destination isn't far from there." Ren spoke casually while they walked to the train station. The couple boarded the train, stopped by Leblanc, and then Kichijoji. As Sumire walked out wearing her red dress, she looked at Ren with a smirk.

"Notice anything different?"

It didn't even take Ren a second to notice that she was wearing red-framed glasses.

"New glasses!? I-"

Ren: Surprised. Sumire: Successful.

"Do you like them?" She asked knowing the answer, leaning in close to him.

"I love them! You're just… stunning. Really."

"This is just for you, Ren-senpai, now, I've been thinking about this fun location. I can't really think of anywhere here where we would need to dress casually. Is there… another reason other than wanting to see me in it?"

Ren grinned mischievously. "You caught me," he stated while sarcastically raising his arms. "We're going to Shinjuku."

Sumire's face immediately blared red. "Sh-shinjuku? I-isn't that a district for adults only? Wh-waht would we do there?" Her mind raced at the thought of all the dirty things that she believed could occur in Shinjuku. Ren lightly wrapped his hand around hers.

"Calm down. We're just going to see my fortune teller, Chihaya."
Sumire took a deep breath. "Chihaya… oh! I think I met her before! When we were working to free you, she stopped by Leblanc one night! She's so pretty."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "What were you doing at Leblanc while I was away?" He leaned in closer. "Did you stay at Leblanc, waiting for me?"

Sumire's face matched her dress in color.

"I-I um…I…"

"Did you wear my pajamas and sleep in my bed? I thought I smelt perfume when I fell asleep that night…"

Ren could feel the heat emanating from Sumire's body. She was on fire, embarrassed beyond belief. He pulled her in and hugged her.

"Thank you."

"H-huh?" Sumire muttered, still red. Ren could feel her heart racing as she pressed against him.

"Thank you for worrying about me so much. I thought about you every single day. You're all that kept me sane while I sat in my cold cell. I was even worried that you wouldn't be… well…" his voice drifted off.

Sumire began to calm down, promptly hugging him back. She leaned herself back from his embrace and looked at him directly. "Still feel the same way?" she looked at him with a concerned expression.

"Ren-senpai. I will never let my feelings for you sway. Even if I had to meet you all over again, I'd still fall in love. I mean, we already did that once, right?"

Ren let out a half-hearted laugh.

"You're right. I just… I'm sorry. I don't know why I brought down the mood like that." His eyes faced anywhere she wasn't visible.

"Look at me, Ren-senpai." Sumire planted her hands on his cheeks and forced him to look at her. "It's okay to be sad. To feel hurt. You don't have to pretend around me, okay? We didn't choose this reality so you could hide your feelings. I'm a bigger crybaby than you, anyways." She wiped away the tear that had drifted down his cheek, unbeknownst to him. He sniffled and blinked, taking in her garnet eyes and warm smile.

"I just... forgot again, Sumire. Usually, I only say things like this to Morgana, but I have you, too."

Sumire nodded and pulled him in this time. "Don't forget, ever again."

"I won't."

They held each other for a few more minutes before Ren slowly pulled away, shaking his head.

"Alright. I'm good. Let's continue. Shinjuku."

"I'll trust you with this, Ren-senpai. I shouldn't be surprised that you go to such mature places. You even took me to the Jazz Club here."

"I traveled to many places over the past year. Tokyo is brimming with life. I love it. Once I've fulfilled my obligation to stay with my parents, I'm going to move back here. We could have our own apartment!"

Sumire couldn't help but blush again.
"W-we?"

"Yes! Just you, me, and Morgana! It will be close enough so you can still practice. And when you go to college, you'll still be local enough!"

"Wh-what would we do about furnishing?"

"We could buy that fancy blue couch from the furniture store here, and then a nice, big bed."

"J-just one bed?"
Ren grinned. "Is that a problem?"

"N-no! I-I…" Sumire could barely mumble.

"C'mon, say it." Ren poked her cheek.

"I want to sleep with you!" She boldly proclaimed, loud enough for the neighbors to hear. Ren turned slightly red while Sumire went volcanic, her face burning up after blurting that out.

After quickly looking around and not noticing anybody, Ren began to laugh, with Sumire joining him after a few seconds.

"Well, we've still got some time before all that. Let's just go to Shinjuku for now and see Chihaya."

"Yes!"

The couple held hands and made their way to the Kichijoji station, and then Shinjuku.

Ren and Sumire stepped off the crowded train onto an even more crowded platform.

"They don't… call this… the busiest station… for nothing!" Ren exclaimed, holding Sumire's hand tightly as they bobbed and weaved through the crowd. After several minutes of swimming through the crowd, they found themselves in Shinjuku proper. The sun had set, and massive lit signs and street lights dotted the buildings around the area. Scandalous men and women wandered the streets. Ren began to lead Sumire to Chihaya's stand. While they walked, Ren felt a tug from Sumire, who had stopped in her tracks.

The firm hand of a man in a white suit, half-tucked, held her wrist. He wore a pink undershirt and had unkempt, half-brushed black hair. His breath reeked of alcohol.

"Hey there… little lady! Lookin' for a part time job?"

Sumire looked at him like a deer in headlights. Her mind flashed to the incident in May. Before she could respond, Ren's back encompassed her vision as he darted in front of her.

"Hey who are y- argh!" The playboy groaned in pain as he dropped his grip on Sumire's wrist. She looked down and saw Ren's hand grasping the man's wrist, twisting it.

"L-let go of me you punk! You know who you're messin with?"

Ren twisted the man's wrist harder, gazing at him with soul-piercing eyes. He stood firm, his left hand balled into a fist.

"Do not. Touch her. Got it?" Ren tossed the man forward, causing him to stumble away, gripping his wrist.

"You know who I work for, huh kid?" The man yelled between his groans.

"Sure I do. Anyone you send will come right back for you, though." Ren's voice dropped an octave as he cracked his neck, staring the man down.

"You-" before he could speak another word, Sumire firmly kicked him in the groin, leaving him writhing for air. "Agh-" he fell over onto the cold street.

"Let's go, senpai."

Ren shook his head, snapping himself out of his rage-driven actions and back to reality.

"Let's."

Ren took Sumire's hand and spun her around in front of him. He kept his hand on her hip, noting that she was wearing heels.
"There. Now I can really keep my eyes on you at all times."

"Thank you, Ren-senpai."

"I'm… sorry about that. I should have been more careful."

Sumire tilted her head back and looked up at him.

"It's okay. When I'm with you, I don't feel like I need to be afraid of anything."

Ren smiled and leaned down, awkwardly kissing her forehead.

"Thank you. Let's go see Chihaya."

With Ren's hands firmly locked on her shoulders, he continued to lead her through a few more street blocks, eventually finding the small stall that Chihaya used.

"Amamiya-san! It's so good to see you!" Chihaya cheerfully stated, holding her hands together. She wore a bright purple jacket with a black, star-patterned scarf. "In truth, I knew you would visit soon."

"Of course you did. But did you know about her?" Ren poked Sumire's cheek again.

Chihaya nodded and widened her smile. "I did. Don't you see that I have two chairs prepared?"

Ren looked down and saw that Chihaya had indeed set up an extra chair.

"W-wow!" Sumire exclaimed. "She really can read fortunes!"

Chihaya puffed her chest. "Of course I can! Amamiya-san taught me to embrace who I am, and now I help people solve their problems through my fortune telling!"

Sumire's eyes glimmered with excitement.

"Oh! Where are my manners! My name is Sumire Yoshizawa." She bowed, causing her hair to fall in front of her face. "Ah-" Ren brushed it out of the way with his hand. The silver bangle glimmered.

"Chihaya Mifune at your service! Please, take a seat." Chihaya excitedly appeared to bounce in her chair.

Ren and Sumire sat down.

"So, normally, when you told me about the future, you would mention an arcana, according to your cards. What do you see now?"

Chihaya giggled.

"You already know, Amamiya-san. I can sense The World arcana encompassing you both for the foreseeable future."

Ren cocked his head. "Both?"

"Yes! I don't know why, but you both share the energy of The World. You are both free from a malevolent force that sought to guide your destinies to deceit and ruin, and are free to tread your own path forward!"

Sumire clapped her hands, enamored by Chihaya's words. "That's amazing! I feel even more motivated to work up to the international stage!"

Chihaya held a card between her index and middle finger, pressing it to her mouth, hiding a smile.

"I believe the card goes beyond that, too. You two plan to take on "The World Stage."

Ren nodded. "That's right. The Olympics."

"That's a wonderful goal! I only see great success in the coming future!"

"Thank you so much!" Sumire quickly leaned forward , grasping Chihaya's free hand. "You're so amazing!"

Chihaya blushed. "M-my. Y-you're flatterin lil ol me too much…"

"What was that?" Sumire asked with a puzzled look.

"Oh! It's nothing! Thank you for liking my fortunes so much."

Sumire let go of her hand and stood up. Ren stood with her. "What do we owe you?" he asked, looking at Chihaya.

"Oh! This is free of charge! Considering all the things you've done for me. By the way, I felt the presence of a third in The World Arcana."

Ren rubbed the back of his head. A third? Was it Akechi? That would mean… no. It couldn't be.

"Thank you, Chihaya. I'll see you around."

Sumire beamed a smile and waved at her. "Thank you very much!" She turned to Ren. "Where to next?"

"Crossroads."

"Crossroads?"

"It's very close, follow me."

After a minute of walking and dodging any hawkers or other strange onlookers, Ren and Sumire walked into the Crossroads Bar. Lala Escargot stood behind the bar table, cleaning a glass. Behind Lala was an arrangement of alcoholic beverages and bottes. Ohya was absent.

"Y-you go here, Ren-senpai? This is a bar!"

"Sure do," he replied with a grin. "How do you think the Phantom Thieves had such good PR?"

"What do you mean?"
Oh, right. Ohya isn't here.

"I met with a journalist here often who made articles about how great we were. Still are, if you ask me." He mischievously grinned at Sumire.

"I see."

"Let's sit down." Ren replied, reaching out an arm.

"Oh, honey! Who is this darling you've brought before me?" Lala excitedly asked.

"This is my girlfriend, Sumire." Ren stated, taking a seat at the bar table.

"Yes. My name is Sumire Yoshizawa. It's a... um, pleasure to meet you." Sumire attempted to gauge Lala's demeanor and attitude, but wouldn't get a good grasp.

"You're just adorable! Now, I know you probably got the wrong idea coming in here, but I don't serve alcohol to this young boy here. He has worked for me, though!"

Lala saw right through Sumire's observation. Sumire began to nervously stroke her hair.

"Oh… I see. Um, what kind of work did he do?"

"He would serve drinks to the customers and talk to them. Let them vent about their day. Most of my customers are overworked and stressed, you see."

"Oh. I'm um… sorry to hear that."

"Don't worry about it, honey." Lala looked Sumire up and down. "Do you know that I considered having your boyfriend crossdress? I think he'd pull off the look so well. I can imagine you in a suit! I think you'd look dashing!"

Sumire blushed. "H-huh? W-wait! W-w-what?"

Ren nodded in approval. "If she tied her hair up in a ponytail and put on a suit I'd be swooned all over again. Do you think you'd be able to handle me, though?" He asked with a cocky tone.

"W-wha-?" Sumire started shaking. "What are you saying?"

"Honey, you are simply adorable!" Lala laughed. "I see why the boy teases you so often. You get so easily flustered."

"I-I am?" Sumire asked, trying to calm herself down.

"And it's adorable! I bet when he put that ring on your finger he got down on one knee, didn't he?"

Sumire slowly nodded. "H-he did."

"That's basically a proposal, honey!"

Sumire buried her face in her hands, completely red again.

"P-p-prop-prop-"

Ren rubbed the back of his head, laughing. "I may have gone a bit overboard. You were just too cute that night, and the spot was perfect."

"H-he proposed…" Sumire muttered to herself, lost in her own head.

"Oh, Lala, what will I do with her?" Ren sarcastically held a hand on his head, leaning back.

"You'll take damn good care of her is what you'll do, boy."

"Of course. Now, can we have two glasses of… the good stuff?"

"Sure thing, honey."

Lala prepared two glasses, and the two began to drink. Sumire quietly sipped her drink, too embarrassed to speak.

"T-this isn't alcoholic, right Ren-senpai?"

"Huh? Of course not!"

"R-really? I'm… I'm feelin sort of woozy."

Ren looked at Sumire, whose face was flushed. Did she… think she drank alcohol?

"Sumi? You still with me?"

"Shenpai! I wanna… kish you!" She slurred her words and leaned into him.

"Sumire! It's just water!"

"Uh...huh! Shureeee! I… wanna kish!"

Sumire tried to lean up to kiss him but fell against his chest. He caught her and held her steady.

"My my. She can't handle the adult atmosphere of a bar. How cute!" Lala rubbed her hands together. "You two should head home, though. You shouldn't stay too late here."

Ren looked at Lala and nodded. "Right." He stood up and picked Sumire up. "Lucky for me, she's light as a feather. Thanks, Lala."

"Don't mention it. You two are just adorable to watch. Thank you for stopping by."

Ren looked down at Sumire while he adjusted his hand to open the door. She was dozing off, from what he could tell.

"Lala was right, you really are adorable. I can't believe you thought you were drinking, though."

"Ren… I love you… I… wanna… gold medal…" She snored between words.

"I don't know how a placebo could impact her this much, but it was worth it for that," he thought out loud.

After a few minutes of navigating Shinjuku at night, which was slightly less crowded, Ren got them both onboard the last train home. There was a seat open, and he propped Sumire into one and then sat down next to her. As he sat, he realized how tired he was. He pulled out his phone and set an alarm for 30 minutes. They'd reach Yongen-Jaya by then. He knew the route well enough now. A little nap never hurt. Ren wrapped his arm around Sumire's, closed his eyes and let himself drift off.

With a loud buzz Ren's eyes darted open.

Yongen Jaya, this is Yongen Jaya.

He was right on the money. He looked over at Sumire, raised his hands, and pinched her cheeks, stretching them.

"Ah-Wh-Senpai!" Sumire's eyes opened as she saw Ren, his Joker-esque smile across his face, pinching her cheeks.

"We're home, Sumire. Let's get off the train."

Sumire blinked twice. "Oh, um, okay!"

They stood up and stepped off onto the Yongen-Jaya platform.

"Are you okay with staying the night? Things didn't go exactly as planned."

Ren looked at Sumire as she presented him with a genuinely heartfelt smile that radiated with warmth.

"Of course!"

"Good."

The two made their way to Leblanc. Sojiro had closed up shop. Ren flicked out his key from under his watch and opened the door. They walked upstairs and sat next to each other on Ren's bed. Sumire pulled out her phone.

""Hi mom. ...Yes. No! It's not like that! It's really late and he offered! Mom!"
Sumire hung up the phone red-faced, a look of defeat on her face.

"I… um… didn't actually bring spare clothes this time."

Ren's mind blanked. Huh?

"O-oh. Um… Do you think you'd fit in something Futaba has?"

"P-probably…"

"She's had Morgana all day, so let's have her send him back with some pajamas for you! Ahha…" Ren was sweating bullets, confused and nervous out of his mind.

"Oh… okay."

Ren pulled out his phone and called Futaba.

"Heyo."

"Hi, Futaba. I'm here to collect the package."

"Ah, yes. The Mona-suitcase! He's ready!"

"H-hey! I'm not a suitcase! I can't become one either!"

"Good job, Futaba. Could you send a spare pair of pajamas along with him?"

"Huh? Oh, you have Sumire over. If you ask me she could just sleep n-"

"Hold it right there!" Ren half-yelled and half-muttered, his brain going haywire.

"Kidding, kidding. I'll send something. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna make like a Luchador and wrestle this new season of Mobile Suit Gandamu!"

"Um… have fun…" Ren weakly stated, practically drenched in sweat. "Okay… Morgana is coming with a spare pair."

Sumire was red faced, turned away from him. "F-futaba-sensei… wh-what was she trying to say?"

Ren grasped his hands together in nervous contemplation. He couldn't say the wrong thing here, and he was nervous out of his mind.

"Sh-she said her shirt might be a size smaller, but you should be fine. She was just teasing you."

"I-I see. Phew….." Sumire exhaled in relief. Good call, Ren, good call.

After a few minutes, Morgana appeared at the top of the staircase.

"Here you…" he slid the clothes across the room, "go! I feel like I deserve a reward for this. Like sushi!"

"Next time, buddy. Let's just rest for now."

Morgana walked up to the couple and jumped on the bed. "Fine. We should head downstairs and let Sumire change, yeah?"

"Of course!" Ren scrambled from the bed and ran downstairs. Sumire changed into a pair of Futaba's pajamas. Pajama shorts, a white, long-sleeved shirt and a black shirt on top. It fit rather well.

"Okay, let's switch," Sumire whispered from the attic.

"Here I go," Ren stated while walking up. He looked Sumire up and down and nodded. "Not bad, not bad." She puffed her cheeks. "I didn't expect to drink."

"You didn't. You just thought you did."

She kept her cheeks puffed as she walked downstairs. Ren changed into his pajama outfit and had her come back up.

"I think that was a productive day," he stated while falling onto his bed.

"Mifune-san was very nice, and so was Lala-san. Thank you for introducing me to them formally."

"No problem. I knew you would like Chihaya, since you carry your charm everywhere."

"Superstition is a third element to most athletes' lives, next to physical and mental training. I'm just… too tired to explain. Let's sleep, Ren-senpai." Sumire laid next to him, taking off her red-framed glasses.

"Yeah… let's."

Ren took off his own glasses, setting the pairs down next to each other on Sumire's neatly folded pile of clothes. Before long, they fell asleep thinking of their next big venture: Performing for Coach Hiraguchi again.