In a little over a week since the photo shoot, I've been given the okay to make orders using Guatemalan SHB and Colombian Narino beans. I earned this right through blood, sweat, and tears; Amamiya-san's had me brewing pretty much every day I've been in the Cafe from the moment I walk in the door. The only time he's been distracted from my training is when Ann-san is off work and hanging out, then he's too busy listening to her talk about... pretty much anything, honestly. It's kind of sweet and reminds me of the few memories I have of my parents.
But Ann-san is typically gone in the afternoon and doesn't come back till around dinner, so I've had a lot of time to learn the intricacies of Amamiya-san's day job. He's said I'm a quick learner, but I'm pretty sure if I worked at the Starbucks in the station I'd be making all of their drinks on day one. I've chalked that up to the level of detail Amamiya-san puts into his coffee, which... I should really say he puts into everything.
That includes tasks for the Cafe of course, but while I was cleaning up after closing yesterday Amamiya-san had started working on something that was definitely illegal. When I asked he says it was thieves tools and flashed me his trademarked Joker grin, so I knew I wasn't getting more out of him. He didn't make a point to hide it though, so I assumed he wanted me to watch and I did. The fine level of detail in the device made it look like he was disarming a bomb, with Morgana hovering over his shoulder. Amamiya-san did whatever he had to... Perfectly I guess, since when he put it aside Morgana only nodded and didn't give him a breakdown of what he did wrong (like Morgana does when I brew coffee).
Huh... I wonder if there's an ulterior motive to the coffee? Maybe it's like... Karate Kid style training for building tools for the Phantom Thieves, and that's why Amamiya-san is so good at it? Wax on, wax off, that kind of thing.
I shrug, returning my attention to the present. I adjust the temperature on the french press to put the finishing touches on my latest attempt at a brew with Cuban Crystal Mountain drinks. Amamiya-san looks up from his phone in the stool across from me. The Cafe is quiet, given the weekend just started and the spring weather is rolling in.
"One Crystal Star, Amamiya-san," I say and hand him the mug. He takes it and lifts it by the saucer, taking a sip.
He pauses, takes a second long drink from the mug before setting it down. "Fine work. I don't think I could brew it any better myself," I flush a little and nod in thanks. "It's the weekend and it'll be slow. You want to call it early?"
I think on that for a moment. My Aunt is going to be gone for the weekend, not that I have anything to talk to her about... The only thing I have waiting for me at home is an online assignment. But I'm definitely burned out on coffee for the moment.
"Can I call it on the coffee but stick around anyway?"
Amamiya-san smiles softly at me. "You're always welcome."
I nod emphatically in thanks. The clip holding my ponytail shifts out of place and I turn away from the door as I fix it. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Amamiya-san making his way to the back of the Cafe. Of course, that's when the door opens.
"I'mmmmmm baaaack!" someone shouts. I turn, putting the last touches on my hair but whoever it was had already moved inside by the time I look at the door. I turn almost full circle towards Amamiya-san at the back end of the counter to see a girl looking up at him from well within his personal space.
The girl has long, straight, orange hair, in a shade that's definitely from hair dye. It's tied back in a low ponytail with a black scrunchie. She has narrow glasses that make her look like a teacher and an expression that makes her look like the class clown. Her neon green hoodie has some kind of video game reference on it (I think, I know I've something like that walking past the arcade) and her black cargo pants hide her frame completely. The only thing I'm sure of about her build is she's shorter than me, which is impressive considering I'm only a little over five feet tall.
"Didya miss me Ren?" the girl says through her smile. Amamiya-san crosses his arms.
"It had been a lot quieter around here..." Amamiya-san trails off, looking away from her. His tone is anything but serious though.
"Hey, that's what Sojiro said!" the girl huffs and actually stamps a booted foot. "You take way too much after him, you hear me?" I catch a glimpse of Amamiya-san's face as he turns back to the girl. It's an oddly... happy smile on his face, or maybe a bit of pride? It's so quick I can't be sure.
"Relax Futaba, of course we missed you. How were finals?" Amamiya-san pats her on the head. She must be a close friend then. But is she a Principal Kawakami type close friend, or an Ann-san type close friend...
The girl huffs exaggeratedly. "The finals were a joke, AS per usual!" I wish I could be as dismissive as finals as she is. "The real problem is my thesis! You'd think the first, foremost, and only cognitive psience department in Japan would have at least one decent mind working there!"
Amamiya-san moves around the counter as she talks, and she leans on the counter to face him as he takes his favorite spot leaning against the back wall. "Let me guess..."
"You already know, don't bother," Futaba-san replies dryly. "So I'm trying to do groundbreaking cognitive psience research which will literally save lives and I've got professors meddling left and right with bullshit theories of their own! They aren't even smart enough to bounce ideas off of, because they are SO not on my level!" Futaba-san throws her head back and sighs comically.
"Sooo Rennnn..." Futaba trails off before whipping her head back down to grin at Maruki. "I'mma need you to call Maruki!"
Amamiya-san takes a deep breath before replying. "You know how he is, he's trying to stay out of the metaverse stuff after the whole Eden thing."
"Yeah, and because of it he ignores ALL of my calls and texts! Even when I hack into his phone and set his background to a gif of him calling me!" That one elicits a surprised blink from me. I look over to Amamiya-san, who shrugs and we both turn to Futaba-san. "I had it commissioned alright?"
"You bulled Yusuke into it, you mean."
Futaba grins so hard her dimples hide her eyes, which is more than enough answer for that question. "He'll answer the phone if it's you Ren, come on, I really need a competent human being to talk through this with!"
Amamiya-san pauses a moment, eyes locked with Futaba's. He sighs, sliding his phone from his pocket and making his way towards the apartment stairs.
"Alright, alright. No promises though, and you have to go easy on him."
"Haha, yes! Another one caves to my awesome charm!" Futaba-san pumps her fist. With Amamiya-san climbing the stairs, the two of us are alone in the Cafe.
Before the anxiety of that can even set in, Futaba-san slides over and leans right into my face. "You! You must be the protegee! Show me them special eyes!" She gets her wish as I stand there, frozen like a deer in headlights.
Futaba blinks twice before frowning. "You... remind me of me when I was in high school, and I would freak out if anyone got in my face like this back then so..." She leans back and smiles awkwardly. "Sorry about that, ehehehe..."
"It's uh, okay," I reply after a deep breath.
Futaba nods before striking a heroic pose. "I'm Sakura Futaba, as you might have guessed just now, one of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts!" Fu... Sakura-san is so into the posing I can't help but giggle a bit.
"It's a pleasure. Would you like some coffee Sakura-san?"
"Oh, nonono, pleaseeee call me Futaba at least!" Futaba clasps her hands together like she's begging. "Sakura-san is Sojiro and Sojiro alone!"
"Oh um, no problem Futaba-san."
"Excellent! Now I will definitely take coffee!"
I step away from Futaba-san for a moment while I hunt down the Cuban Crystal Mountain beans. When I look back over, she's pulled out a laptop and is hammering away at the keyboard. I just watch as I brew her coffee, she's the fastest typer I've ever seen, period. I can see her poke the inside of her cheek with her tongue as she types. I put the coffee off to the side of her computer.
"Here you go, Futaba-san."
"..."
Futaba-san doesn't... even seem to notice me at first. She clacks away at her keyboard until she catches a whiff of the coffee and suddenly whips her head to look at it.
"Oh, yessssss," she grabs the mug and takes a sip. "Woah, this is just like Ren and Sojiro's!"
"Thank you, that's high praise." I wince internally. That probably sounded so formal.
Futaba-san glances back over to her computer and pushes it aside. "So, could you tell me a little bit about those special eyes of yours? Please?"
"Um... I don't know if it's my eyes specifically or anything... I wear glasses, but that's all my eye doctor has ever told me." I take up Amamiya-san's favorite position, leaning against the back wall. "When I was a kid there was a period of time that every night, the whole world would turn green-tinted and my parents, along with anyone I could see from my childhood bedroom, turned into big coffins. That kept happening for... I'm not sure how long, I was really young."
"That is incredibly metal," Futaba-san whistles. "And super interesting, we've never encountered the metaverse in that fashion."
"R, Really?"
"Yeah!"
Shelving that ominous note, I decide to talk past it. "After that stopped, I would start to see the occasional odd thing here or there. The one that's come up since meeting Amamiya-san is yellow eyes, which are apparently-"
"Just like shadows, Woah! So you can see when someone's shadow has become corrupted... Oh, oh, what do you see in my eyes?"
"They um..." I lean in just a little. "They look normal? Violet in color, right?"
"That's what it says on my license!" Futaba-san hops off the chair and starts pacing. "That's interesting... Personas are related to shadows in some ways, hence why a Persona user has no shadow and cannot form a palace... You'd expect that kind of change to the psyche to show if the reverse, severe corruption, shows through..."
Futaba-san continues to mumble but I hear the stairs squeak and look in that direction. Amamiya-san is making his way back down. He cocks an eyebrow at Futaba-san before joining me behind the counter.
"Did she at least introduce herself before asking about your abilities?" he asks me. I nod in reply.
"Ah, Ren, what'd Maruki say?" Futaba-san snaps out of her musings, eager for her answer.
"I left him a message, he's probably driving," Amamiya-san replies, and Futaba's instant pout almost makes me laugh. "I told him to swing by the Cafe cause I had something to ask him, which I think he'll be more likely to follow through on." I guess I'll get to meet whoever this Maruki is then.
"Ughhhh, fine! Anyway, onto other business!" Futaba-san cackles lightly. "Sojiro is requesting you for dinner to welcome me back and there's no way you're allowed to refuse!"
Amamiya-san smiles. "Why would I refuse?"
"Since you can't it doesn't matter!" Futaba-san grins. She whips out her phone and sends a text with only a glance at the screen. "As for the next order of business..." Futaba-san trails off, her voice the least energetic it has been since she entered. "We've got a new case."
And there's the Joker face. If I had any doubts as to what Futaba-san meant by case, I sure don't now.
Amamiya-san nods in the direction of the stairs. "Let's head up then. There's something I want to talk to you about as well."
"Roger that leader!" Futaba-san sings and she takes her laptop and coffee up with her. Amamiya-san walks behind her, stopping at the foot of the stairs.
"Well, at this point, we're going to close early," he says. I feel my face pouting a little before I can stop it. I guess I am headed home to the empty apartment then. Maybe there's a new show on tv or something...
"Hey, you listening?" Amamiya-san says louder than normal.
"Sorry!"
Amamiya-san gives me a wry smile. "I had asked if you're going to come along to Boss's place."
"O, oh, can I?"
"Me closing early shouldn't mean you have to leave. You had wanted to stick around for the evening, right?"
My unintentional pout morphs into a smile. "Yeah. I'll come with you."
"Great. Close up down here, then you can join us upstairs till we head out," and with that Amamiya-san makes his way up the stairs after Futaba-san.
-
Closing up shop is pretty quick, as it's been quiet today. I put the last of the cleaned mugs in their place and double-check that I've wiped down the french press. I glance over the cleaned counter and materials beneath it. With everything cleaned and in order, I make my way to the front and lock the door (at least while we're upstairs), and flip the closed sign. The sun's just starting to set and it highlights the booths by the window in a beautiful way. With that done, I head over to the coat rack by the foot of the apartment stairs, hang my apron, and turn to said stairs.
I haven't actually gone up to Amamiya-san's apartment yet. Amamiya-san told me a few times now that I shouldn't think of it as off-limits space, and Ann-san had expressly invited me early in the week, but I never took them up on the open invitation. I'd have taken Ann-san's but she and Amamiya-san were flirting the whole day in the Cafe and I don't think I could have stood any more time watching that.
The stairs creak as I make my way up. I enter into an open area, directly on my right as I reach the top is a sizable kitchen with modern appliances and cabinets. There's a counter that sections off the end of the kitchen where it turns into a sitting area. It seems to be a really lived-in area of the apartment given there are chairs off to the side to seat more people around the table in the center. The couch looks rather worn in too. There's a tv mounted on the wall, shelves with games and trinkets, and photos all over the walls. The photos tempt me, but I turn my attention to the hallway that extends out from the wall on my left, just past where the kitchen ends.
The hallway is bordered on the left by bookshelves, all the way down to a door at the end of the hall that appears to open into a bathroom. On the right side is a single door, one that leads to a bedroom I can barely see through a crack.
I frown. Amamiya-san and Futaba-san didn't leave without me, did they? I turn back to check the kitchen and living room again. I hear a click behind me and turn to find Amamiya-san in the hallway. One of the bookshelves has swung out into the hallway to allow him in. The secret room behind him glows with the light of computers.
"Holy crap..." I murmur. Amamiya-san pops his eyebrows with a little smile before motioning me inside. The secret room is every bit fitting for a spy, let alone the Phantom Thieves. One wall has a workbench with trays of tools and gadgets while another has a rolling whiteboard that's filled with pictures and red lines drawn between them. Futaba is sitting at a second desk with two computer monitors on it in addition to her open laptop.
Oddly, there's another door that's in the same style as the front door of the Cafe. It's closed and almost seems to glow. Then again, everything in this room seems to glow as the monitor light bounces around the room. Still, it gives me a strange feeling as I look at it.
I turn to ask Amamiya-san about it but Futaba-san speaks up at that moment, talking while she types. "So if we're good with your thing," Amamiya-san nods, "Now. MY thing!" Futaba-san giggles. Amamiya-san makes his way behind her, so I follow suit. The secret door closes behind us.
"We got a hit on the dark web scanner two days ago for the sale of Jail Creation Software. The sale went through before I could take down and track the seller, so we don't have the Id on either buyer or seller." Futaba-san doesn't look away from the flurry of text on the screen as she speaks.
"That would be too easy, after all," Amamiya-san hums in acknowledgment.
"Of course you'd say that. I'm the one who has to do all the hacking you know!" Futaba-san huffs and continues. "So we know someone out there has yet another copy of the EMMA Software Core and that there's someone trying to use it. You'd think our 100% track record of catching users of the Jail Software would deter new users, but noooo!"
"We'll get it off the web one day, Futaba," Amamiya-san says softly as he puts a reassuring hand on Futaba-san's shoulder. There's a quiet moment, filled only with the sound of keyboard clacking, so I take the chance to ask the question that's on my mind.
"There's... software, that lets someone use the metaverse?"
"Oh riiiiight, you're new at this, I forgot!" Futaba-san says. "So you've seen Palaces, ya? Well, a Jail is different. The concept, in a nutshell, is someone is brainwashed via manipulation of Stress and Trauma into forming a shadow Monarch/Ruler. That person can then use the same software that converted them to change the hearts of others. It's annoyingly sophisticated and the source code ends up online every so often so some bigshot who thinks he can succeed where all the others have failed can start using it."
Amamiya-san glances at my expression and winces in sympathy. "Maybe a bit less technical, Futaba."
"Oh, right. Sorry, I'm still in Cognitive Science Thesis mode!" Futaba-san chuckles again. "TLDR is innocent people are manipulated into becoming villains who use the Change of Heart mechanic to further their own goals, and usually the goals of the one running the servers."
"I... think I'm still lost, but that's okay," I admit.
"Well anyway, the important part is there's someone pulling strings behind the creation of Jails, unlike Palaces which are created by the Ruler's own cognition."
I nod slowly. It's still not... quite coming together for me, but... I sort of want Futaba-san to just continue.
Amamiya-san shifts next to me. "Futaba will work digitally, as she's the best hacker in the business. We'll pass off any details we find to our friends in the Police, to get closer to the targets. Once we know who we're aiming for..."
"We take 'em down!" Futaba-san fist pumps.
"Yeah!" I add softly. I still have a million questions though.
"I've sent Queen what I have already by the way," Futaba-san adds. Amamiya-san nods approvingly, so I assume that was meant for him.
"There much else to do then?"
Futaba-san kicks away from the desk her chair, spinning to face us as she does. I just now notice she's perched on the chair in a crouch.
"No, unfortunately. The whole virtual deal took place in a matter of minutes. I was lucky I got us any advance notice. They must have discussed details offline and only used the net for the transaction." Futaba-san's frustration is visible on her face.
"No use fretting then," Amamiya-san says while stretching out. "We'll start watching for Jail signs in the area, Makoto will keep an eye on police reports, and we'll have them in no time. For now, Sojiro is expecting us."
Futaba-san pouts but stands. "I'm so sick of these people using Mom's research for their own selfish reasons."
Amamiya-san pats Futaba-san on the head lightly. "I know it does. We'll get the research back, I promise." Futaba-san is quiet for a moment, just letting Amamiya-san pat her hair.
"... Thanks Ren," Futaba-san says, uncharacteristically quiet. She's back to her regular mood in a moment though, and skips her way to the door of the room. "You have NO idea how much I've been missing Sojiro's curry!"
-
Amamiya-san locked up and we made our way to Cafe Leblanc. Amamiya-san hailed a cab to take us there so the time is rather leisurely. Futaba-san is in the middle seat, telling Amamiya-san all about her time at college and the friends she's made. It reminds me of some of the cousins I've lived with, the ones that have siblings. I suppose it makes sense too, since Ann-san said Amamiya-san treats Sakura-san like a father, and Futaba-san is his... actual daughter? The family tree hasn't quite solidified in my mind's eye but I don't think it's too important. Blood ties don't make a family, that much I do know.
"Looking forward to meeting your, 'Barista Grandfather'?" Amamiya-san asks as we exit the cab a few blocks from Leblanc. It's not till then that I remember the other thing Ann-san mentioned about Sakura-san.
"Barista Grandfather HA, that's a good one!" Futaba crows beside me.
"All credit goes to Ann," Amamiya-san replies as he pays the cabbie through his open window. He walks forward a bit but I find myself still rehashing that Ann-san said Sakura-san was a strict teacher for Amamiya-san, the actual human behind the Joker mask in my mind.
Futaba-san waves a hand in front of my face. "Hey, you okay there?"
"Ah, Amamiya-san."
"Yes?"
"Ann-san said Sakura-san was a strict teacher, is that right?"
Amamiya-san pauses to think for a moment, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, I'd say so. He means well, though."
"Iiiii don't know if I can handle meeting the Coffee Boss yet, I can't even make half a dozen brews yet," I stammer out a little faster than casually. I clutch the hem of my skirt from the nerves.
"Psshaw!" Futaba-san waves her hand as if to dismiss my words. "Don't let Renny scare you. Sojiro's a huge softie!" I glance to Futaba-san, her smile reassuring. I suppose his daughter would know best... But I look back to Amamiya-san just to be sure, and he nods as well.
"There are few people in the world as kind-hearted as Sojiro Sakura," Amamiya-san winks. "But don't tell him I said so." Amamiya-san's words ease my anxiety and I can feel my nerves melting away a bit.
"S-Sorry," I mutter, not making eye contact as we start walking.
Futaba-san laughs. "Sojiro the Coffee Boss though... I'd be intimidated by a name like that too. That another Ann original?" Futaba-san drags out the word original, adding some kind of european accent to it. It's silly but just funny enough that I crack a smile.
"No, I uh... Ann-san called Sakura-san 'Boss' and then said the Barista Grandfather thing and in my head..."
"Like the Godfather?! Ohmygod I'm going to make Inari draw that, that's amazing!" Futaba-san guffaws.
"He'd do a better job than Kaneshiro," Amamiya-san adds from ahead of us.
"That's true! Oh man, Sojiro the mob boss... He's got the wardrobe for it!"
Futaba-san's laughter fills the street as we approach a Cafe... with a very similar design to Arsene. No blue door, which isn't surprising, but a more traditional cafe version of Arsene. Futaba-san all but shoves the door open.
"Sojiroooo! I brought your other child, so bring me curry!" she shouts. As Amamiya-san and I step in behind Futaba-san I can see an older man come out from the kitchen nook, washing his hands with a dish towel.
"Futaba..." he sighs in an exasperated fashion. Despite his tone, the look he gives Futaba-san is full of warmth. It... reminds me of my parents, in what memories I have of them. I shake my head softly to scatter that line of thought. Sakura-san has come around the counter towards us.
"Staying out of trouble?" he asks Amamiya-san.
"No more trouble than usual," Amamiya-san responds softly.
"That doesn't mean much, knowing you," Sakura-san says through a wry grin.
"I had a good role model," Amamiya-san fires back with a grin of his own. That elicits a groan from the older man.
"Don't blame me for all that. Though it looks like you're continuing the cycle here, aren't you?" Sakura-san attention turns to me.
I bow politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sakura-san. Amamiya-san and Ann-san have told me wonderful things about you."
"O, oh," Sakura-san stumbles a bit as if surprised. "Don't be bowing to an old coot like me now," Sakura-san rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well come on in, the lot of you. We're having dinner, aren't we?"
"Curry, Curry, Curry!" Futaba-san chants as she makes her way to a stool. I put my school bag down on a booth by the entrance. I can just barely hear Sakura-san and Amamiya-san as they make their way around the counter.
"Why couldn't you be that polite?"
"I didn't start causing trouble for... a week or two, at least."
"That's not something to be proud of kid," Sojiro chuckles. I lose track of their voices as they get drowned out by Futaba-san's chants.
I make to join them, but notice a painting on the wall, behind the door. It's a stunning portrait in a traditional Japanese style of a woman holding her newborn child. The two are set against a single cherry blossom branch and the image of the moon. It's an inspiring piece and the second thing to remind me of my own parents since walking in. In a bid to distract myself from getting lost in memories, I call out to the trio over by the kitchen.
"This painting is beautiful! What's it called?"
"It's called the Sayuri," Sakura-san answers. "It's a painting by Kitagawa-kun's mother." I don't really know what else to say as my eyes rove up and down the image, as if to burn it into my mind. Futaba-san fills the silence I leave though.
"Where is Inari anyway?"
"He decided to do a supply run for materials. Some... competition he's been working on?"
"The Furutani Hideo Foundation's fundraiser," Amamiya-san fills in. He's made himself at home behind the counter, leaning against the wall as he does in his own Cafe. "He's not competing, though there is a competition involved. He's donating a piece to be sold off for Cancer research."
"Huh. You'd think he'd talk about that," Sakura-san says into his chili. "He's nothing if not humble."
"Ew, too much praising of Inari!" Futaba-san rocks her chair back and forth, extra dangerous since she's crouched on it rather than sitting in it. "Next you're going to say he wanted to give us space to catch up or something!" Amamiya-san gives Futaba-san a look, and she gasps. "Really?!"
"It sounds like him doesn't it?" Amamiya-san poses. Futaba-san puts her hand to her chin, the rocking of her chair stopped as she ponders.
"Nope, Inari will forever be weirdo Inari from high school in my mind!" Futaba-san cackles.
I sigh and share a glance with Amamiya-san. He flicks his eyes towards Futaba-san, so I follow his gaze. Futaba-san... is blushing? Just a little? Hmm. I file that away for later. I bet Ann-san knows what that's about. I tear myself away from the Sayuri to join the group.
"Kitagawa-san is an artist like his mom?"
"Yeah, a real good one too," Sakura-san replies as he puts the lid back on a pot on the stove. "I keep telling him he should have the Sayuri put in a museum somewhere, but he insists it belongs here." Sakura-san steps out of the kitchen to look over at the painting. "I sometimes think it's an excuse to keep staying in the upstairs apartment."
I blink a few times. "Leblanc also has an upstairs apartment?"
Sakura-san grins wryly. "The kid stole the design for Arsene from yours truly. Guess he got used to sleeping above a Cafe." I look to Amamiya-san but he only shrugs in reply. Amamiya-san without a retort is a rare enough occurrence the giggle escapes my lips before I notice.
"We got a little bit before the curry's just like how Futaba likes it," Sakura-san looks over to Ren. "So. You've got a protege of you're own now, huh?" My cheeks heat up a bit, I don't think I've been called a protege before. It's flattering considering the talented people in front of me.
Amamiya-san turns to look Sakura-san in the eye before replying. "I'm just doing for her what you did for me, that's all." Sakura-san... blinks a couple of times, then looks between me and Amamiya-san. I'm not sure what Amamiya-san was implying there though. It shouldn't be that surprising that he'd teach me how to make coffee if I'm going to work for him.
Sakura-san smiles again. "Guess you did have a good role model."
"Guess I did," Amamiya-san agrees.
"If you can't tell, they really like each other," Futaba-san whispers in my ear. I nearly bite my tongue trying not to ruin the moment between the two and whip to face Futaba-san. She's grinning ear to ear. She leans back into her own space with a finger on her lips. A quick glance back at Sakura-san's awkward posture and the amused grin on Amamiya-san's face makes it very clear that I'm not the one who has to be quiet here.
"Ah, Ahem, anyway. What'd he start teaching you on?" Sakura-san asks me.
"Cuban Crystal Mountain sir."
"You can call me boss like the rest of their gang, I don't mind. I don't think I'm old enough for sir yet," Sakura-san chuckles.
"Is that right Sojiro...?" Futaba-san starts from my left. Sakura-san starts talking again before whatever joke Futaba-san is setting up can be unleashed.
"Curry should be just about done..." he shuffles over to the kitchen. Futaba-san makes to complain but he cuts her off "Go set up one of the booths alright Futaba?"
"Fiiiine, but only because you make the best curry ever!" Futaba-san hops off her seat and heads into a cabinet for plates. The conversation dies as Sakura-san finishes the curry and the rest of us set a table.
-
Dinner goes by in a flash although given how amazing Sakura-san's curry is it's not a surprise. I manage to avoid most of the questions through dinner. Sakura-san asked some generic questions about my family ("I stay with relatives at the moment") and how I met Amamiya-san (the story got a laugh out of Futaba-san) but otherwise, the focus was on Futaba-san's college days.
I finally got a bigger picture of what Futaba-san was studying. Or perhaps, what she wasn't studying. She's apparently gotten a Masters in Psychology, a PhD in Computer Science, and is working on a second PhD in Cognitive Psience. She hasn't been in college for a full four years either, which is the really amazing part. I could tell she was smart before, but now I feel like I should be referring to her as a Professor. Actually, she is a Doctor so sensei would make a lot of sense... but it feels awkward to switch now and Futaba-san is a very causal person so I can't imagine she's bothered by it.
I fret over this a fair bit for the rest of dinner, and soon it's well into the evening with a dessert of cake and (Sakura-san brewed) coffee on the table instead of curry. I glance at my phone in my skirt pocket. I'm not usually in this area of the city, so I don't know if the trains tend to run early...
"It's probably about time you make your way home, yeah?" Amamiya-san says as if he can read my thoughts.
"I'm not sure of the train schedules in Yongen Jaya so... Just to be safe," I reply sheepishly.
"Well we're not going to send you off like that," Amamiya-san gets up and stretches his arms over his head.
"I'll call another cab." Before I can protest, Amamiya-san makes his way towards the front.
"You work at Ren's throughout the week, right?" Futaba-san asks as I gather my things from the seat behind us.
"Oh, yeah. I'm usually there after school."
"Mwhehe...!" Futaba cackles. "All the better to get you up to date!" She rubs her hands together and I glance quickly at Sakura-san. He's got a pensive look on his face, so I'm sure he's wondering just what she's talking about.
"U-um, yes, I appreciate the help with my um... typing... class," I stammer out in an awkward cover. Futaba-san is oblivious but at least Sakura-san seems to shrug in acceptance. Sakura-san gets up as well and walks with me to the door.
"Hey," he says when we get to the door. "Just so you know... Any friend of these two, is a friend of mine. You ever need something, you can come here, alright?"
"Um..." I'm a little taken aback by the sincerity in his voice as I look up at him. "Thank you Boss-san."
He rubs the back of his neck again, looking away. "Anytime," he coughs awkwardly. "And you've got a good head on those shoulders. Keep an eye out for Ren alright?"
"I will," I nod emphatically. Sakura-san gives me that kind smile he can't seem to hide. I can't hide my own either. He chuckles and motions to the door.
"Go on then. Be safe getting home, ya hear?"
"Will do, Boss-san!" Amamiya-san has already flagged down a cabbie at the street corner.
"Have a fun weekend, alright? I'll see you Monday after class lets out," Amamiya-san says as he holds the door open for me.
"I'm just going to end up doing homework Amamiya-san, but I'll try. Thank you for inviting me along."
Amamiya-san just winks at me and closes the door. He hands the driver cash for the tip and waves as the driver pulls off towards my Aunt's.
-
After I get home I get out of my uniform and into something more comfortable. The clock on my nightstand reads ten pm which isn't too late, considering it's the weekend... Though the only thing I can think to do is homework. I sigh in defeat. It's an anti-climatic finish to such a nice evening, but at least I won't have to worry about it if I spend tomorrow out.
The assignment I have is simple, even by Chouno-sensei's low standards. The only complication for me was that it had to be submitted online. I've never had a computer of my own, so assignments I can't do via my phone are the worst. My Aunt gave me the password to her desktop before she left for the weekend. It's an older model, which she never uses as she has a nicer laptop from her office. Still, it's nice to not have to go find an internet cafe for this kind of thing.
I wish I timed myself, honestly. The assignment couldn't have taken more than 10 minutes to work through. I stretch my arms over my head, interlocked fingers cracking as I do.
"What a pleasant evening," I say aloud as if to tempt fate.
My Aunt's computer makes a high-pitched hzzt sound before the screen goes black and the buzz of the internal fans stops. I frantically jump from the chair, crouching down to look for smoke or anything really bad. There's no smoke, but all the lights on the machine have died.
"No, no no..."
I press the power button. The power light around the button turns on and I look to the monitor with bated breath. It's not showing anything, and there's even a beep from the computer. Wiggling the mouse, pressing random keys... nothing works.
"Relax... Relax, it's probably... probably just a loose cable, yeah..."
I unplug the monitor cable from the monitor and computer before plugging it back in. Nothing changes on the screen. I have to consciously stop myself from biting through my lip. I hold the power button until all the lights power down and press it again. Still nothing.
My Aunt is going to kill me. We've gotten along pretty well so far on the "I don't bother her" and "She pretty much ignores me" axis, but I just wrecked her computer! She's probably got important stuff on this thing, I know I saw a shortcut for tax software on her desktop!
I shakily stand and make my way to the kitchen. I down a glass of water, though it does nothing for my nerves. My Aunt's a no-nonsense woman. I'm not even sure why she took me in at all at the start of the year, I don't know how she's going to react to this. Is she going to be pissed? I... have dealt with pissed-off guardians before, but that's not pleasant.
... I almost lose the grip on the empty glass in my hand. What if she pawns me off on another relative? That's... worse, in its own way. Shujin is the first school I've been able to have a friend at, the city is busy enough I can stay out of my Aunt's way... and Amamiya-san is here. I can't remember the last time before tonight I had such a warm night, where I felt surrounded by people who... actually want me around. If I get shuffled off to another relative... I'll probably have to say goodbye.
I put down the glass before I really do drop it. I look over at the computer again but I... can't focus on a solution. I tried everything I can think of, it won't get fixed, my Aunt will send me off to another relative... No matter what I think my thoughts end on having to leave the city.
My... my best bet is to offer to replace it. Right. That might show her it was an accident and that I'm responsible so she won't... you know. I don't have that much money saved up though... Old computer it may be, a suitable replacement is probably some 60,000 yen. I might have 40,000 if I scrap up everything I've got squirreled away.
I blink back tears, really me, tears? I blink them back and swallow my pride. Amamiya-san pays well, I can probably work as much as possible and, and replace the computer before summer even starts. I'm sure he'll understand. I shuffle towards my bedroom. I grab at a stuffed fox I got from my parents, my knees curling into my chest as I hold it tight. The tears come in earnest now, and I don't have the willpower to fight them.
I pray, quietly, to whoever's listening that I don't have to leave the city because of this. Not after... finally finding somewhere that's a bit like a home.
-
I make the trip to Arsene in the morning exhausted. I'd get coffee for the subway, but I need every dollar for the whole... situation. I try not to think about it too hard, and focus on what Amamiya-san's taught me for brews. I'm going to have to learn his whole menu as fast as possible.
I make good time and arrive at the Cafe a little before ten. I stop at the front door, taking a deep breath to steel myself. I've decided I don't want to bother Amamiya-san with all the details. He's got so much on his plate, between Arsene and being the leader of the Phantom Thieves, he doesn't need to deal with my issues. He's already been treating me to dinner at the Cafe or even out like yesterday too.
Before I can work myself up into a mess, I push open the door, my sneakers squeaking on the hardwood floor. Amamiya-san is inside, setting up equipment on the counter for the day. The cafe is inviting and feels safe, especially with the morning light shining through the front window. Morgana is snoozing on the bean shelves, though he cracks an eye as I enter.
"I thought I said you could take the day off," Amamiya-san says with a welcoming smile. "Or were you craving coffee for breakfast?"
"I, um," I gulp, god he probably noticed that, it's Amamiya-san of course he did. "I kinda wanted to pick up more shifts, if that's um, okay."
"You know I don't mind having you here as much or as little as you'd like, so sure..." Amamiya-san trails off, watching me awkwardly make my way to the rack with my apron on it. I turn for the broom closet to do some sweeping before the open at ten. I'm pretty sure I catch Morgana and Amamiya-san sharing a glance out of the corner of my eye.
I'm pretty much convinced they already know everything, somehow. Maybe Phantom Thieves can just read minds. Maybe Morgana followed me home to make sure I was alright. Every explanation that comes to mind is more illogical than the last but I just can't convince myself they aren't true. I'm pretty sure I'm actually sweating now.
"Hey." Amamiya-san steps in front of me. I see his shoes, really, cause I can't look up at him. "What's on your mind?"
"I'm, um, I'm..."
"No rush, take your time," Amamiya-san says softly. He guides me towards one of the counter stools and I sit at his suggestion. I take my time, as he says.
"I'm um... just stressed, Amamiya-san. I uh... my Aunt's computer broke when I... I started using it last night and..." I blink furiously, trying to keep from crying in front of my boss. "I'm really worried she'll be mad about it, and..."
"And...?" Amamiya-san's got a bit of an edge to his tone now and I still haven't managed to look up at his face. He's probably mad too, at this rate. that'd be just my luck. "She wouldn't do anything to you, would she?"
Oh no, it's worse, I worried him. "N-no, nothing like that, I'm..." I sigh, accepting that this is going to be the most embarrassing moment of my life now and forever. "I'm worried she'll have me stay with another relative, and I ... won't be able to come here anymore."
"..." Amamiya-san is quiet, so I assume he's weirded out and my face gets warmer. Welp, even my Aunt doesn't kick me out, I've made it so awkward for Amamiya-san I'll never be able to come back anyway! I don't even notice Morgana jump into my lap until he's already there. He looks amused, which I'm not sure if I need to be offended by or not, but he motions with his tail upwards. Figuring it can't possibly get worse, I look up at Amamiya-san.
... He's... got the Amamiya-san version of Sojiro's look on his face. That smile that's amused, proud, and compassionate all at once.
"We can't have you not coming here anymore then, can we?" he says softly. He pats me on the shoulder and makes his way to the apartment. I look down at Morgana whose settled onto my lap. I'm not entirely what to think, so I just sit there petting Morgana on autopilot, glancing between the stairs and Morgana. Morgana doesn't seem to have anything to say (for once), so there's not a peep in the Cafe until Amamiya-san comes down the stairs again a few moments later followed by Futaba-san.
Futaba-san decidedly looks like she slept on a keyboard, with the actual imprints of one on her cheek. Her hair's a little frizzy and her clothes are the same ones from yesterday. She yawns with her whole body and stretches her arms behind her as she walks up to me. She leans forward a bit, though I'm basically her standing height since the counter chairs are bar style.
"Here's the deal," she smiles. "One cup of coffee, and I'll fix that computer for you."
"..."
"It's a good dealllll~!" Futaba-san crows into my face. "If you wanna see my PhD I can show it to you!"
"Isn't it at Leblanc?" Amamiya-san chimes in.
"The house, but that's totally not important right now," Futaba says with a glance over to Amamiya-san. "I was up," she yawns again as if to punctuate her statement, "all night working on our new case and need Coffeeeeee!"
I look between Amamiya-san and Futaba-san almost mechanically. I can feel my nose getting a little choked up so I shake my head quickly to kickstart my brain.
"Would that even be okay?"
"Of course! What are friends for, am I right? Now chop chop, get me that coffee!" Futaba-san spins on a heel and ends up flat on her back in a booth. "The big sleep is coming for meeee, hurrryyy!"
However ridiculous Futaba-san sounds, it gets me moving. I hop up, Morgana leaping from my lap just in time to be not dumped on the floor. I start on the coffee as Futaba-san keeps complaining about how tired she is.
"I really don't want to be a bother though, Futaba-san..." I say over the sound of the brewing coffee.
"Please! I need the distraction, my brain is all full of thesis notes and dark web analytics!"
"You don't have to do everything on your own," Amamiya-san adds as he walks behind me.
"Ye, like Renny said! You don't see the Feathermen or the Phantom Thieves as a solo act, do you? Our secret power comes from Teamwork! Teamwork is magic, whoosh!" Futaba-san makes karate motions with her hands while still laying flat in the booth. It's such a ridiculous image I can't help but giggle.
Futaba-san whips up to her feet. "Haha! You laughed!" I'm sure my face is red, but I give Futaba-san a smile and motion the finished cup of coffee in her direction.
"Here's that coffee, before the big sleep gets you!"
"Oh ho ho!" Futaba hops over to take the mug. "Resist Sleep? Ren can't even make Coffee that does that!" She takes a sip from the mug and lets out a long sigh. "Truly, the nectar of the gods. The good ones, not the kind we've killed."
"Did you open early this morning Ren?" Ann-san's voice calls from the stairs. Her form follows after her voice, dressed in jeans and a hoodie with her hair in a ponytail. She takes one of the spare aprons off the rack. "Oh, everyone's here! And you got Futaba up? How'd you manage that?"
"I um..." I pause, correcting my train of thought. "My Aunt's computer broke by accident last night."
"And I'm going to fix it, if it's the last thing I do on this earth!" Futaba-san cheers.
"That explains that I guess," Ann-san nods. "So you actually needed help around the Cafe today, you didn't just want to see me in an apron Ren?"
"Well, the closed sign is still up..." Amamiya-san purrs out as Ann-san approaches him.
"Stop that!", Futaba shouts with an exaggerated gasp. "There are children present!"
"I've heard way worse from classmates, to be honest..." I say, raising an eyebrow at Futaba-san's protest.
"I didn't mean you, I meant meeee!" Futaba-san winks at me before covering her eyes as she looks at Ann-san and Amamiya-san. I laugh along Ann-san, Amamiya-san grins and that's basically his form of laughing.
"Thank you, thank you! I'll be here..." Futaba-san frowns mid-sentence and mid-mock bow. "Well, not all night. In fact, not much longer at all. Lemme go get my laptop and we'll head out, alright?" She say to me directly. I reply with a nod and gather my own things.
-
On the way to the apartment, I had ample time to make it clear to Futaba-san I knew very little about computers. She gave up halfway through the trip and started asking me about my hobbies. I told her I dabble with drawing and writing a little (and made very sure not to mention the book of poetry I keep well hidden) and Futaba-san promptly started telling me about her favorite manga and anime. That one train of thought kept her talking the rest of the way to my Aunt's.
I unlock the front door, glancing at the shoe rack. My Aunt isn't back, which is a blessing. Futaba-san makes her way inside without a care in the world, kicking off her boots to reveal neon green socks that match her hoodie.
"Show me to the troublemaker!" She exclaims. I walk past her and point out the desk in the living room. She plops down in the chair, powers on the machine, and starts pressing key combinations. Not sure what to do, I hover behind her, leaning against the back of the sofa.
"This is a pretty nice place, what's your Aunt do?" Futaba-san asks. I've deduced by now she likes to multitask so I'm not surprised.
"Um... She's a Defense Attorney. Lots of long hours."
"Oh ho, just like Sae-san, interesting." Futaba-san pushes the chair back and climbs under the desk. She starts detaching wires on the computer. "You two get along?"
"Oh, um, yeah. Well enough. I don't see much of her and I don't... think she minds that."
"Hmmm..." Futaba grunts and yanks a cable from the computer. "It's better that way right? Rather than if they active dislike you?" I'm a little taken aback, but nod.
She can't see me though, so I add, "Yeah." I pause for a moment. I'm no Futaba-san, but I can put two and two together. "Were you also bounced around relatives?"
"Yeah. Some real dirtbags in the bunch too. If not for Sojiro, I don't know if I'd be here today," Futaba-san replies. I can't see her face, but her tone seems even enough. "I kinda put two and two together, especially with this whole situation. I've been here, lemme tell you."
Futaba-san grunts and pulls the entire computer out of the cabinet it was set into. She puts it on its side, reaches into her bag, and pulls out a toolkit. She grins up at me and starts unscrewing parts of the case. After a pause, she glances back over at me.
"That wasn't too heavy was it?"
"N-no, I'm just surprised is all." I smile sheepishly at her as she goes back to work on the case. "I've never been in a really bad scenario. My um... abilities-"
"Special eyes," Futaba-san cuts in.
"Special eyes were kinda a family-wide secret, cause I went to doctors for them as a kid. Before I learned to stop talking about them it'd creep out my relatives and they'd want me to stay with another relative, and the cycle kept going like that."
"That must have been tough," Futaba-san glances up at me sympathetically as she pulls the cover of the case off.
I wave a hand between us, "it sounds like you had it worse though."
"That's the thing," Futaba-san pulls a component out of the computer with a grunt. "It's not a competition. Kids living through changing homes and less than caring guardians have an impact, no matter the scale."
Futaba-san puts the component back into the computer and lifts out another. "Like, Ren's parents got cold as ice when he was falsely accused of assaulting someone, when in reality it was self-defense while standing up for a woman. That was only over course of a year until we proved his innocence while taking Shido down, but he still hasn't repaired that relationship with his parents."
"Granted, his life changed drastically during that year and he found a new family in the form of Sojiro and yours truly, so that weighs into his need... Oop." Futaba-san looks over at me. "That's a little tangentially, my bad. My Psych degree is showing, but it's supposed to be Comp Sci time!"
"Don't apologize," I say quickly over Futaba-san's awkward laugh. "It's um. Nice to know there's kindred spirits out there, if that makes sense." Futaba-san's beaming smile leads me to believe she absolutely does.
"Still I don't want to get tooooo heavy on you, it's our first time hanging out," Futaba-san stretches out, turning on the floor to face me. "I only brought it up so you'd know you have those kindred spirits around you, ya know?"
"I do," I say with a little chuckle. "Is that the broken piece?"
"Oh, no, I was just marveling at how old this computer is. There's a burnt-out RAM chip, we can pick up a replacement in Akiba and have this fixed before sundown."
"Really?!"
Futaba-san winks. "RAM's cheap too, especially for a computer this old. It won't cost you more than 4000 yen."
I feel like my eyes are getting wet again, but I don't mind. 4000 yen is so much better than 40,000. It feels like a weight's been lifted from my shoulders.
"Thank you Futaba-san, I don't know how I can repay you."
"Careful now, them's dangerous words to say to an otaku before going to the cosplay capital of the world!" Futaba-san grins. She puts the removed panel on top of the computer without screwing it in and jumps up to her feet. I'm not entirely sure what cosplay has to do with anything, but I mark it off as Futaba-san being Futaba-san.
"Oh," Futaba-san stops putting her things back in her bag. "One more serious business thing before we go adventuring in Akiba. You were worried about having to leave the city ya? Ren told me earlier."
Futaba-san looks over her shoulder, right into my eyes. "Don't worry about that, alright? Even if somethin happens, you've got a friend in all of us." She flashes her teeth in a beaming grin. "We're thick as Thieves and we take care of our own!"
I'm glad Futaba-san turns around to finish packing up her tools because I have to wipe my eyes with my sleeve. I've definitely had enough crying in front of people for today. I'd say she doesn't know just how much her words mean to me... But it sounds like she's been on the other end of this conversation before. I think she knows exactly how much it means and I appreciate her so much for it.
"Thank you, Futaba-san."
"Anytime!" Futaba-san says with a wink and a pump of an arm. She looks me up and down as we head for the door. "Mwehehe... Have you heard of Phantom Thief 1412?"
-
"Okay so, what about this one?" Futaba-san pops her head out from the back of the store. Over her head, she's holding what looks like a mix of a bunny girl outfit and a stage magician's outfit.
"There's no way I could wear that, Futaba-san...!" I'm not sure if laugh, sigh or groan. I glance down to my open bag, seeing the RAM we purchased however many stores ago. It wasn't even 4,000 yen, more like 3,500, and was in the first store we checked. Our excursion... didn't end there though. Futaba-san promised it would take her a grand total of seven minutes forty-seven seconds to install the new RAM so instead we shop around.
I look over myself in the three mirrors. The all-white suit with a cape and top hat of the character Futaba-san been on and on about is a snappy look. The cosplay material isn't incredibly high quality, but the make is good enough that despite it feeling flimsy it looks great. I didn't think it'd flatter my frame either, but I can't deny it's a good look for me.
...I glance back real quick. Futaba-san buried herself in the racks again so I strike a pose Amamiya-san made when I saw him the Metaverse that first time. I lift my hand to my face to pull off my 'mask'... And there's the sound of a shutter click.
"That. Is. Adorable!" Futaba-san crows from the clothing shelves. My face heats up immediately, I must look red as a tomato in all this white. "I can't wait to show this to Renny, he'll love that his protege was inspired!"
"Please Futaba-san, anything but that!" I mock cry out. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have it in her to blackmail me so I don't mind playing along.
... The satisfied grin on her face has me wondering about that last statement. I think...
"I suppose I could lose this picture if we replace it with other ones, like duo feather rangers and..."
"Okay, okay!" I deflate. How could I be so wrong, Futaba-san is not only capable, she's jumping at the chance to use blackmail on me. She probably planned this whole thing out. I'd be more annoyed if I wasn't so impressed by her long con. "What's it going to be first?"
Futaba-san dives forward and grabs my hand. "Maid uniforms! I was too chicken to wear mine for the culture festival so we must make up for lost time! Away!" I nearly fall as she drags me through the racks of outfits, but I catch myself smiling. It's fun to be running around with a friend on the weekend. I have a few friends in Shujin but they're more of the study bug persuasion so a whirlwind tour of Akibahara wasn't going to happen with them. Before Shujin... Well, let's just say not being seen or heard was the better option.
"Wait here!" Futaba-san lets go of my hand while she thumbs through a rack of maid uniforms. I glance quickly at the ones she's pausing on, none of them look too embarrassing to wear, which is a relief. I'm glad Futaba dragged me along, dare I say it, I might even thank her for it once we leave. I glance over at the woman in question.
"... Not a CHANCE, Futaba-san!" I bark, diving forward to bat a terribly embarrassing uniform from her hand before she gets any ideas. She cackles and lets it drop back onto the rack.
Maybe I'll thank her. Maybe.
-
Here we are again! I once again have to thank every single person who commented such nice things about our MC and the fic as a whole. Your all quite literally the best!
I feel like any real Barista will call me out on how overly complicated Ren's brewing processes are. I get my coffee from a Keurig, so I'm going to chalk it up to the fancy beans and a bunch of secret techniques being passed down from Sojiro to Ren and now MC lol