It's been over 2 years since Ren Amamiya has been to Shibuya. Since he walked the crowded streets out of the train station. Since he walked down the little side street of Yongen-Jaya to smell that distinct scent of coffee coming out of his favorite cafe. Since he last seen the faces of those he called his closest friends. He was more than excited to be finally going back "home" for the first time in a long while.
"Man I can remember the last time we stood on this train." A familiar voice said to Ren from deep inside his bag. Out of the opening in the zipper popped the head of a black cat, resting his chin on the back of Ren's shoulder. Wherever Ren went, Morgana was always there to follow.
"Neither can I. It's only been 2 years, but it feels like 10." Ren said adjusting his glasses as the train came out of the tunnel into the light. Ren's eyes adjusted at first but soon the city line of Shibuya came into view, earning a smile from the raven-haired young man.
"I wonder if Boss is still making that curry and coffee you love so much!" Morgana said as a few other train passengers looked around at the curious sound of meowing, never realizing that there was a cat on the train and it could actually talk.
"I think Sojiro would die first before he stopped making them." Ren corrected, shaking his head as the memories of his first time meeting the Boss came back. A stern old man telling a punk kid with a criminal record to straighten up or he's out on the streets.
"That's true. I couldn't picture Boss making anything else." Morgana said drooling alittle as his own thoughts went to the delicious food Sojiro would feed the cat during his stay with Ren.
"Enough with the drool? You're staining my shirt…" Ren said, wiping the copious amounts of cat drool off his white button up.
"I'm sorry. I've just been looking forward to this day for so long! We couldn't visit last year cause you had to go and have to take those summer classes." Morgana said, earning a small scowl from Ren.
"It's not my fault I had to make up the classes I missed cause I was considered dead. I had to get them done to get into college!" Ren remarked as the memories of that crazy year came back. Becoming a Phantom Thief, using the Metaverse to fight corrupt adults, taking on the government itself. If Ren didn't experience all that first hand, he would never believe a second of it.
"Well, now you're gonna have to explain to everyone why you failed to show up last summer break. And I'm someone who will be extra excited to see you." Morgana said, giving his little trademark chuckle. Ren was about to retort his cat, but the intercom blipped to life. "Now pulling into Shibuya Station."
"This is our stop." Morgana said as Ren nodded, grabbing his bag. Once the train pulled to a halt, Ren patiently waited for the crowd of dispersing passengers as he finally stepped off the train. A rush of excitement and nostalgia flashed through his systems as he felt like that same punk kid from before.
Everything looks exactly as he remembered, but also brand new at the same time. Looking back at Morgana, who gave him a smile, Ren smiled back, scratching the top of the cat's head as he made his way up the stairs. As he stepped foot outside Shibuya Station, Ren looked around a few times. Each passing moment, he looked more and more confused.
"That's odd." He said, pulling his phone out. He opened his text messages and read the last text he got from his best friend Ryuji Sakamoto.
Meet us in front of Shibuya Station.
"He told me to meet them here…" Ren said pocketing his phone.
"Knowing Skull, the monkey probably forgot. Let's just head to Leblanc and at least get settled." Morgana said as Ren had to agree.
Picking his bag back up, Ren made his way back into Shibuya Station. Like second nature, he remembered the little shortcuts, and soon, in no time at all, Ren found himself standing in Yongen-Jaya. His home away from home. As lively as it always was, Ren couldn't help but smile as he walked down the street. Everything was exactly as he left it.
"Why if it isn't my best customer. I haven't seen you in a while." The old man who ran the second-hand shop said, giving Ren a welcome.
"It's good to see you too. Still selling all this old junk?" Ren asked in a friendly manner as the shopkeeper laughed.
"Oh you know me. If you're in town for a while, stop on by, I have a few trinkets I think you'd be interested in." He said warmly.
"I will, thank you very much," Ren said, giving the shopkeep a respectful bow.
Ren said his goodbye and headed down the first alley and there she was. Yongen's best-kept secret. Cafe Leblanc. The best curry and coffee in all of Japan. Maybe even the world. As the smell of those distinct coffee beans filled Ren's nose, he noticed a sign on the door.
Closed today for personal reasons. Apologies in advance
"It's closed? Maybe the Boss is sick?" Morgana asked, noticing the sign too. Ren thought for a moment as he reached his hand out and grabbed the handle. He had a look of surprise as the door wasn't locked, but the insides were still dark. "He forgot to lock up didn't he? I swear.." Morgana added.
Ren laughed a little as he decided to take a peek inside, for old time's sake. He was sure Sojiro wouldn't be too mad. After all, this was where Ren spent 12 months living, and Sojiro even let Ren keep the spare key as a keepsake. As he opened the door slowly, Ren thought he heard the sound of whispering coming from inside. Was this a break in? Would someone actually try robbing this cafe?!
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Ren asked in a stern voice, getting into his most intimidating stance. Suddenly the lights turned on, blinding Ren for the moment.
"SURPRISE!" He heard several people shout in unison, followed by the sound of poppers going off. He felt the little pieces of paper hit him in the face as the smile grew even bigger on Ren's face. Standing before him were all his friends, smiling ear to ear with him. Ryuji Sakamoto, the blonde hair punk who was Ren's first friend. The beautiful Ann Takamaki. Dignified if not a little dense Yusuke Kitagawa. The intelligent President Makoto Niijima. Super hacker Futaba Sakura. And the classy and always sweet Haru Okamura. His best friends and former teammates, all here waiting for him, like they always seemed to do.
"Welcome back Big Bro!" Futaba was the first to break the moment as she ran up and hugged Ren. Futaba sure has gotten bigger in the 2 years since he last seen her. She has grown considerably and was now wearing her hair up in a ponytail. "Did you have a safe ride in?"
"I did, thank you." Ren said giving his adoptive sister a hug back. Everyone else quickly gathered around and gave Ren their own greeting.
"I was hoping you would come here, when we didn't show up at Shibuya." Ryuji said, slapping Ren on the back. Still rocking that bright yellow hair and rebellious smile
"Yeah, I was worried we'd be waiting here forever while you were waiting there as well." Ann said laughing.
"It was truly a unique conundrum we found ourselves in." Yusuke added with his own flair for the dramatic.
"But everything worked out perfectly I say!" Haru chimed in, always looking at the bright side of things.
"What about me Lady Ann?" Morgan asked, jumping on Ren's shoulder. All this time later, this cat still has his little crush on her. Can't blame him for being persistent.
"We missed you too of course!" Ann said, petting Morgana's head, earning a warm meow from the feline.
"Yeah, I guess we kinda did," Ryuji said coldly.
"Well I don't expect an idiot like you Ryuji to miss me." Morgana added, enjoying the angry look from Ryuji.
"Why you little!" Ryuji shouted as everyone laughed at how easily those two fell back into old habits.
"You two will never change, will you? Also, Sumire sends her hellos too. She is unfortunately out of the country at a tournament and regrets not being here" Makoto said finally, giving her trademark sigh as she watched the two argue. "How have you been? I hope you've been well. Eating okay?" She added, turning her attention to Ren. There was a hint of concern in her voice, which Ren loved.
"I've been good. Thank you for worrying." He said, patting Makoto on the head. She was always jokingly called the "mother" of the phantom thieves, caring about the well-being of the others before herself. It was that level of concern for others that was one of the reasons, Ren ended up falling for her when he was last here.
Makoto couldn't help but blush a bit at the head pat, which Ren thought was just about the cutest thing ever. She quickly shooed his hand away before anyone noticed and did her best to compose herself. "Well, I hope you've been keeping up with your studies." She said going right back into her stern mode. "You're in college now. You can't afford to be slacking off."
"Ugh, don't remind me. I still have homework to finish this break." Ryuji said with a defeated sigh.
"Yeah...I still have some math work to do." Ann added with her own look of defeat. Ren couldn't help but laugh as those two were still putting off homework.
Makoto just sighed as she crossed her arms, shaking her head. They were never gonna learn. "Please try and take this more seriously please?"
"Ah, we got all the time to worry about that. We only got this guy here for a few weeks! We need to enjoy him while it lasts!" Ryuji said, putting his arm around Ren's shoulder.
"I thought I heard a ruckus. Seems I missed the big moment." A voice behind the group said. Ren turned around and there was his favorite cafe owner Sojiro Sakura. Holding his usual bag of groceries, he gave Ren that sly smirk as he gave him a wave. "Welcome back."
"Thank you for letting me stay here again." Ren said thankfully to his former guardian.
"Why are you thanking me? This is your home as much as it is mine." Sojiro said, shaking his head.
"Boss! Sushi!" Morgana shouted at Sojiro as he just laughed and patted the cat on his head.
"All this time and I still can't understand you." He said reaching into his bag and pulling out a small treat for Morgana, who happily devoured it. "Well since you are here already, mind giving me a hand? Like old times sake?"
"Of course. I'd love to." Ren said as Futaba cheered at the thought of her favorite dish being made by her Big Brother again.
Soon the air of Leblanc was filled with the smell of delicious curry, perfectly roasted coffee, and laughter. Ren never lost his touch when it came to his food preparation and in no time flat had a delicious pot of curry already for tasting. Sojiro patted Ren on the shoulder, as the two watched his friends all devour the curry.
"It's as good as ever! Ren must've maxed out his cooking stats!" Futaba said in her usual geek talk.
"I must say, eating this is bringing back memories for sure." Yusuke said, lost deep in his own thoughts.
"Hard to believe it's already been 2 years since that whole ordeal with the metaverse." Ann added.
"It does seem like a long time ago. We've all changed so much since then." Makoto said, folding her arms. Ren couldn't help but steal a look at Makoto. She was right, they did all change, and she did for the better. No longer was she the insecure girl stuck between doing what she thought was best for her sister and what she really wanted. Now, a young woman, she was clearly a confident person. That much was obvious to Ren already.
"So Ryuji, I was reading the paper last week and I happen to see your name. You made quite a splash at the last track meet?" Haru asked, sipping her coffee.
"Oh you saw that? Yeah, I guess I broke some kind of record or something. I was actually kinda embarrassed when they asked for my picture for the paper." Ryuji said, rubbing his head. The former track star turned punk after the rotten volleyball coach provoked him and injured Ryuji's leg. Now he was living his dream once again.
"And speaking of pictures, quite a few girls in the art class I teach are big fans of yours Ann. It seems you have your own little fan club growing more and more." Yusuke added. The prodigy artist has found his way to teaching, Ren thought. Molding them better than Yusuke's former mentor never did.
"Aw really? I can't believe how fast it all happened too. I'm getting recognized on the street more and more." Ann said with her own warm smile.
"Yeah most of the girls in my class love you too. They couldn't believe it when I told them I was friends with you. Now they all wanna hang out with me!" Futaba said, giving her mischievous grin, showing she's come a long way from being the shy shut-in like when they found her.
"How about you Haru? How's your company?" Ren asked Haru.
"It's going well. I've been so busy with my classes though, I haven't had much time to check in as much as I'd like, but it's alright. I trust them." Haru said calmly. She was always such a level-headed person.
"And what about you two Makoto?" Ryuji asked, motioning between Ren and Makoto. Makoto had an odd reaction as she coughed harshly as she was taking a drink and it all went down the wrong pipe.
"What do you mean us two? What are you implying?!" Makoto asked loudly, her cheeks flushed a red that almost matched her eyes, earning a raised eyebrow from everyone in the cafe.
"Nothing? I was just asking what you two have been doing…" Ryuji asked as he looked back at Ren, who also seemed to have a flush on his cheeks growing.
The truth was, Ren and Makoto never told the others about what happened between them. They decided to keep it quiet due to the stress of Shido, the Metaverse, and Maruki and that time wasn't appropriate. When Ren was set to return home, the two promised to keep in touch and for the most part, they did.
"I-I've been busy with class. Sis has been also helping me apply for internships with various police stations." Makoto said, trying her best to cover her red cheeks.
"Okay….and you Ren?" Ryuji asked, turning around to find Ren adjusting his glasses, covering his own embarrassment as Sojiro just laughed. "What is even going on here?!
"Stupid Skull. As dense as ever." Morgana said, sighing, earning a laugh from everyone but Ryuji. Even Ren and Makoto had to laugh at it before she gave him a small smile.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with stories like these. Everyone was catching up with each other about their lives since they all went their own ways at the end of their journey. Everyone except Ren it seems. He was the only one who seemed to not have a purpose or goal before him. Ryuji had track. Yusuke was teaching art. Ann had her modeling. Haru wanted to open her own cafe after college. Futaba was becoming the girl she always wanted to be with friends her own age. Even Makoto was working on her dream to become police chief. What was Ren working towards?
As the party winded down, and everyone began to head home for themselves, Ren was left standing in the old attic of Leblanc. His former home for 12 months. Everything was left untouched. The old mattress with no sheets. The workbench where Ren spent hours making various tools to use in the metaverse. The ancient tv and game system he bought from the second-hand shop. Sojiro even kept his various souvenirs on his shelves and even the stars on the ceiling.
"Glad to see the boss didn't touch a thing for us." Morgana said curling up in his usual spot on Ren's bed. "Though would it have killed him to buy me my own bed?"
"We tried that once, remember? You liked the box more than the bed." Ren said sitting down next to Morgana, scratching behind his ears.
"That bed was lumpy and you know it!" Morgana snapped back, not rejecting the scratches though.
Just then, Ren heard his phone go off. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the time before seeing a single text message on his screen.
Is...it okay if we talked? Just the two of us? -Makoto
Ren couldn't stop the smile on his face. She was still signing all her texts with her name, even when it was clear who was texting him from the id. Just one of Makoto's little quirks. He opened the message up and quickly responded.
Of course, meet me in front of Leblanc. I'll let you in.
"Oh-ho, I see. I'll leave you alone. Just don't be trying anything funny while I'm gone." Morgana said reading the text exchange, before leaping onto the windowsill. He jumped down to the street below, ready to roam his old territory.
"DON'T BE MAKING IT SOUND DIRTY LIKE THAT!" Ren shouted out after his cat, when he heard a knock at the cafe door. Ren got up from his bed as he did a final look around to make sure this wasn't anything unsightly out that might embarrass him or Makoto...or both. Once the coast was clear, he made his way downstairs to see Makoto looking through the glass door, giving him a small sheepish smile.
"Hey, come on in." Ren said, giving her a return smile as he opened the door and let her in, closing it behind them.
"I'm sorry this is so sudden…I know you must be tired after all that happened today" Makoto said apologizing as if she did something wrong.
"No no, it's perfectly okay." Ren said feeling bad that she thought she had to say sorry.
"It's just, with everyone else around, we just couldn't…" She said hugging herself as she had a hard time finding her words. Ren couldn't help but lose himself in the sight before him. Unable to fully notice her, Ren marveled at how much Makoto has grown since they last saw each other. Her brown hair no longer in that bob cut, but reaching down to her upper back, but kept those bangs of hers. She even still wore that hairband that Ren swore was actually her hair the entire time. To Ren, she looked beautiful.
"Listen, I understand, now stop apologizing." He said sternly, taking her hand and pulling her in, wrapping his arms around her slender body. Makoto gasped at the sudden hug, but very quickly returned the hug to Ren back, burying her face into his shoulder. Ren rested his chin on the top of her head as he couldn't help but enjoy the scent of her hair. "A new shampoo?"
"Heh, yeah. You like?" She asked softly, looking up at Ren.
"I love it." He said kissing the top of her head.
Makoto smiled at Ren as she nuzzled against him. "You mind...if we go upstairs? So we're not in view of anyone who might walk by?"
Ren nodded as he led Makoto up the stairs to the attic. She seemed to have reacted just like he did the first time, remembering everything that seemed to have happened in this room all that time ago. She brushed her hand over the table with the TV on it before sitting herself down on the couch. She patted her lap, Ren knowing exactly what she was asking. He went over and sat down next to her, laying himself down as he rested his head on her lap, looking up at her. Makoto seemed to enjoy Ren like this most, and he was never one to turn her down.
"Two years since we could do this." Makoto said softly, smiling down at Ren as she began running her slender fingers through his mess of black hair, sending shivers down his back.
"I know I missed it." He teased as he felt himself relaxing. Makoto always seemed to have a third eye when it came to helping Ren relax.
"There's only so much text, phone calls, and video chats can offer," Makoto said using her other hand to take Ren's, squeezing it tightly. The last time she held his hand that tight was the night of Christmas after they erased the Metaverse and he had to turn himself in the following day. Spending several weeks in juvie.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner. Last summer I had make-up courses to take." He said rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.
"It's okay, I know you wouldn't do anything without a very good reason. You're not like that." She said sweetly.
"So how long are you staying in Shibuya?" Ren asked looking up at her.
"For the rest of the break. Sis is letting me stay with her. She also knows I'm here." She whispered in his ear, enjoying watching Ren squirm.
Sae was one of only two other people, not counting Morgana, who knew about Ren and Makoto, the other being Sojiro. Sae easily deduced they were together and quickly put the fear of God into Ren about ever hurting Makoto. Since then, Ren always feared Sae a tiny bit, and Makoto loved teasing him about it.
"Oh don't worry, we're both adults now. Sis can't watch over me forever." She said pulling one particularly long strand of hair on Ren's hair, watching it spring back into its messy shape.
"I know. Just heeding her words and respect is all." Ren said, shifting his eyes away as he tried to hide his embarrassment from Makoto who couldn't help but laugh.
"You know you're cute when you try to act cool and fail?" She asked, pressing her fingertip to his nose. Ren moved his head slightly up, moving the finger from his nose as he instead pressed his lips against it, earning surprise gasp from Makoto.
"And do you know you're cute just about all the time?" Ren asked back, turning the tables on her, now it was Makoto's turn to be teased.
"S-S-Stop that. That's not true." She said covering her mouth with her hand.
"Of course it is. You, Makoto Niijima, are the cutest thing I know." He said, reaching his hand up and placing it on the back of Makoto's head. He gently pulled her down as he raised his own head to meet hers. Their lips pressed against each other as the two shared the first kiss since he left.
Makoto, not wanting to break their kiss, pulled Ren up from her lap, sitting him upright on the couch. This time, it was her turn as she swung one leg over his lap and sat herself on him, her hands gripping at his hair and neck tightly. She kissed him as two years of missed affection came washing out of her. Ren held her hips as he couldn't stop thinking about the woman on him. How amazing she was, and how lucky he was to have her. The two finally broke the kiss to breathe, as they pressed their foreheads against each other. Ren gazed into Makoto's fiery eyes, seeing small drops of tears forming.
"Ren….don't send me home...I want...to spend the night with you." Makoto said breathlessly, turning her head as if she couldn't bear to see his face as she asked.
"You want to….to…?" Ren asked, surprised by her request. Was she asking what he thinks she was? Not that he never had those thoughts himself, but to hear her ask that, and on the first night back together?!
"I just...want to be close to you. Hold you as you sleep." She said, feeling even more embarrassed. Ren couldn't help but have a sigh of relief. She just wanted to sleep next to him.
"Of course Makoto." He said rubbing his hand over her cheek as she nuzzled into his palm.
"Thank you Ren." She said softly as she took his hand and pulled him to his feet and pulled him towards his bed. She removed Ren's button up shirt herself as she let him remove his pants himself leaving in his t-shirt and boxers. Next was Makoto's turn as she stripped herself down to her own underwear, leaving Ren to make an audible gasp.
"What? Is...something wrong?" Makoto asked, starting to grow more embarrassed by the second. Did she step over a line?
"You...look amazing." Ren said, admiring Makoto for all of her. Her skin shining with the moonlight that came in through the open window. Ren didn't know why, but in the back of his head, he thought Makoto's underwear had a similar look to her former Queen attire.
"Y-You think so?" She asked smiling softly as she looked at herself. "I know I can't compare to Ann or Haru...but.." She started to ramble but Ren snapped her out of it by taking her hand and pulling her back down to him. She let out a small yelp as she crashed into him as the two ended up laying back on the bed.
"You don't ever need to compare yourself to them. I love you how you are. Always have, always will." He said wrapping his arms around her waist.
Makoto looked at Ren in surprise, before drifting into a smile as she wrapped her leg around his, resting her head on his chest. "Thank you Ren." She whispered as she listened to his heart beat, closing her eyes.
"My pleasure Queen." he said with a slight tease as he kissed the top of her head as he pulled the sheets up over them. Makoto squeezed tightly against Ren, not wanting to let him go ever again. She did once 2 years before and now she was never going to again.
"Welcome home Ren." She said softly, drifting slowly to sleep.
"Glad to be back here." Ren responded just as softly, falling asleep with her, arms tightly around her, never wanting this moment to ever end.
Morgana leapt up onto the windowsill, looking into the dark room at the two sleeping in the bed. He smiled to himself. "He missed you more than you realize Makoto." He said to himself as he quietly jumped down to the floor and made his way over to the couch, curling up in a ball, falling asleep.