Heya! I have returned!

Aeon Nova; Yeah, it's not explicitly stated, but don't worry, the romances are sprinkled in but not entirely this story's main focus. But it will be there XD...

...Also bloodshed will come. I think. Probably. It's mostly domestic at this point tbh

Mangareader13: Thanks!

Breaking-Benjamin-rules: Oh of course! Pining is the food for the souls after all 3 And the so-called split will be elaborated later on. Not this chapter tho lol

-So in this chapter, it contains a bit of a hurt/comfort and fluff! Because fluff :D

A Silent Christmas

Their walk back to Leblanc is... uncomfortable.

They spend the first half of the trek back in heavy, unbreathable silence. Ren couldn't bring himself to say anything, and Goro is… contemplating, his brows never angling upward, his lips always set into a tense line, his teeth grinding themselves to dust. He wants to tell Goro that he does it for his own selfish wish, so that Goro would not blame himself or be angry with Ren. But he couldn't. In the end, all he manages is scratching away at the forming itches on his scars, old and new.

After they reach the subway station, Ren pauses, letting Goro walk past him. When the detective notices this, he stops as well, turning just minutely to look at Ren. He dares looking up at those dark red eyes, and flinches inwardly at how angry they seem. Of course, Goro would be; he's been led by the nose his whole life, why would he want his future to be dictated by another person, now?

But Ren's heart refuses to let Goro take the fall, because the consequences for his crimes will be much more severe than what Ren'll ever get. So, after a long, breathless second, he speaks up first. "…I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for myself."

Goro's eyes are searching, scrutinizing, dissecting him apart and trying to find an easier-to-understand explanation that Ren will probably never get around to say. He thinks he understands Mochizuki a little better, now; when you love someone dearly, and you'll inevitably have to hurt them… you would never be able to bring yourself to say those three little words that flitter and bounce inside the mouth like a caged songbird.

"…You're not making sense," Goro says. "You're throwing away your future, for a murderer like me—"

"I don't have much future to begin with, with my records stained as is," He says with a humorless laughter, his eyes flickering away from those intense red, like blood. He keeps his gaze on the missing brick on the wall, tongue listlessly licking at his lips. "Don't know who the woman is, don't think she'll come out to testify against Shido, either. My future is already fucked, either way – but yours can still—"

"You're not giving me a choice, Ren," Goro growls, and grabs the edge of his shirt before dragging him away, into the furthest corner where there are no passersby. When they're finally alone, his face loses its hostile edge, ever so slightly – it's subtle, and Ren thinks, without the light of the subway, he wouldn't have been able to tell. "I will be the one who chooses my future—"

"—Which will cause you to rot in jail for years," Ren finishes, shifting his head so the light would bounce off his glasses and conceal his eyes. "Rationally, between the two choices, my punishments seem much, much milder than yours, Goro."

"That's beside the point—"

"—That is the entire point," He snaps back, instinctively grabbing Goro's arm, maybe a bit harder than he had intended. He forces himself to breathe and let go, looking down. He can't face Goro's eyes. "I don't want my friend – I don't want you – to lose your future like that."

"Nor I you," Goro states firmly, his breath tickling Ren's hair. He glances up, surprised, to see that Goro is very, very close. "You'll lose every opportunity you had left to—"

"As I said, I'm fucked either way," Ren says as he inches back slightly. "You deserve a chance, Goro. Please, please, don't waste it. I'm already fucked by helping that woman from Shido's drunken assault – not that I regret it, but still – so a few years in juv would probably means nothing. I know you and I both deserve these chances, but we will be better off if I testify."

There is another deafening silence, and Ren couldn't breathe, so he forces himself to take a few mouthfuls of air. Three heartbeats later, he hears Goro mutters. "…Tomorrow."

"…What?"

"I'll treat you to a meal, tomorrow," Goro says, looking him in the eyes as he adjusts his own coat, and then Ren's. He hasn't even realized that all the grabbing and pulling and whatever else have crumbled their attires. "What would you like?"

Ren just blinks. Again. And again. And again. "…Wait, excuse you what."

"A meal, tomorrow," Goro repeats firmly. Ren thinks his voice is a bit funny, but he couldn't quite put a finger on why, or what. "Just… we can go in the early morning. Or after school for you. I know a few places, then we can go back and tie the loose ends before you have to… go."

Ren isn't quite sure what to make of that, but he decides not to look a gift horse in the mouth and smiles slightly. "…Alright. Some high end restaurants then? I've been eating curry for an eternity and I'm dying to try something a bit fancier."

Goro sighs and hits Ren's shoulder lightly at that. "Are you trying to swindle me out of my life's saving?"

"Not really, but that's a fun thought!" Ren laughs.

"Unbelievable."

If Goro's still angry, he doesn't show it, his face now settled with a soft, thin smile as he walks side by side with Ren, making their way back home.

Yeah… it's okay like this. Ren doesn't mind it.

After arriving and going about showering, Ren finds himself fiddling over his phone on the couch, Morgana on his lap, sleeping peacefully.

Mochizuki sits beside him, reading yet another book – how fast could he read!? That's probably the twentieth one this month! – his fingers tracing the paper absently. After the sound of shower reaches them, he begins, a little amused. "So… have you confessed yet, Amamiya?"

Ren just blinks a few times, unsure of what he means – until he does. He almost splutters on his own saliva, and his ears are burning, same as his cheeks. He turns, to see Mochizuki looking at him, mischievous and amused. Ren just gapes for a few seconds before forcing out a disbelieving, "How did you—"

"I've seen that kind of look before, with Makoto and his loved one," Mochizuki laughs merrily, patting Ren's shoulder as he grumbles. But then, more solemnly, he adds. "…I did not mean to pry, but… Raoul told me about your needed testimony."

Of course Raoul does. Ren gives his Persona a growl, to which he receives a sound that seems like a shrug to him in return. Don't ask him how – he just knows that Raoul's shrugging. "That damn loudmouth."

"What you decided to do just verifies my view of you," Mochizuki says quietly. "Makoto would've done the same thing. After all, he did choose an eternity of suffering to save this world, instead of letting it die and be at peace."

"It's not even on the same scale," Ren murmurs, nervously rubbing a wound on his chest, one he's got from the interrogation. Even now, they still itch, they still sting… and he hates it.

"It is, from his point of view," Mochizuki hums. When Ren turns to look quizzically, Death elaborates, the book closed and placed back onto the table. "The world means little to him. He often equates his life to the bonds he's made. His life has never been his alone, but belonging to his friends. He said that, even if it'd be just his friends, or even one person he'd be saving by sacrificing his body and soul and expanding them across space and time, he'd still do it in a heartbeat."

"…I'm not sure I'd do that if I was in his shoes, though."

"But you just did," Mochizuki smiles. "With your friend, Akechi-san. You just offered your future, for his. It is true that the scale of severity might seem different, but this is in no way a decision someone who doesn't put his friends — his love — over himself would make. Makoto would've done the same thing; you can trust me on this."

Ren exhales the breath he's been holding, and somehow… he feels elated, light, and… he feels like this is the highest compliment he could've achieved. So, he smiles, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the wall. "…Thank you, Mochizuki."

"You're welcome," He says with a gentle smile, so kind, so warm. Then, his face shifts a little. "…Don't worry about the promise, I'm sure I can find another way to find Makoto. I could seek Mitsuru-san out and—"

"Not a good idea," Ren hums. "They were from her group, right? If you seek her out, who is to say that there will be no more turncoats deep within her organization? If they find you, or they're tipped off in any way, I don't think… I don't think it's a good idea. Not unless you can contact her face-to-face. If that can be done, then yeah… having her on board might be a good call."

"…Unfortunately, you are right," Mochizuki mumbles after a pause, a hand on his chin. "But seriously, don't fret about it. I'll find the way. You don't have to—"

"—Nuh! I did promise to help," Ren stops him with a raised hand and glares the man back down. "I'll clear everything, as much as I could tomorrow. If I know my friends well – and I believe I do – they'll continue to help you even after my… custody. So, I'll set everything up as much as I could for you."

"And I'll take it from there."

They turn to see Goro coming up the stairs, his hair slightly damp and his shirt clinging to his frame a little tighter than they should. He's hot, Ren thinks absently, and he hears Raoul laughs like a madman at that. He just squishes Raoul back into whatever corner of the Sea he came from and makes his mouth move, as to not betray the slight embarrassment he's feeling from seeing Goro, well, wet. "You—"

"—Don't have to, but I will anyway," Goro shrugs, sitting down on the chair opposite from them. "Don't argue with me on this one, Ren. I'll take it from there, and I'll put my life on the line to see it through."

"Please don't throw your life away," Mochizuki says before Ren even could. When Goro looks at him, Death shakes his head. "Makoto wouldn't have wanted that. If this was up to me alone, I would take that promise without even blinking, but… Makoto's wills are my own, and he will not allow anyone to sacrifice themselves to save him. So… I'm grateful for your help, but I cannot allow you to throw your life away for our sakes like so."

Goro glances Ren's way a little, and he knows instinctively that when Goro said that, he didn't mean dying for Yuuki – he means dying in order to see the promised through. So, Ren adds, "Even if that's not the case, I'm not going to let you get your sorry ass killed to keep a promise I made, either. Got it?"

This seems to get through, because Goro sighs and absently dries his hair with the towel on his neck. "…I understand. But rest assured, I will do my damn best to see it through."

"That's all I could ask for," Mochizuki hums. "…I suppose I will tell you two the full version of things when everybody's here in the afternoon, since we regrettably still have school to attend tomorrow."

Ren winces. "…Yeaaaaah, I forgot about that. Eh, I'll skip, why not, no one's gonna care anyway."

Goro throws him a stink eye, but he just shrugs back – Goro did promise to get him a meal, and he knows that Goro won't be going to his own school tomorrow, with all the… fiasco with Shido like this. And since he'll be going into custody anyway, Ren doesn't see the harm.

"Alright," Mochizuki finally says, seemingly quite entertained by something. "I'll be walking the streets a little before coming back. See you all tomorrow afternoon."

"Yeah," Ren hums. "See you."

Once Mochizuki's footsteps fade away, Ren turns to see Goro looking at him quite intensely. He has to flinch a little, and when he does, Goro only sighs and continues rubbing the drops of water off of his hair. "I still don't like you testifying instead of me, but you're not going to back down, are you?"

"Not now, not ever," Ren grins, leaning back and relaxing, his hand absently patting Morgana's fur. The not-cat doesn't wake up, but purrs contently instead. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I've had it worse under the police's custody – and no, before you say anything, I still don't blame or hate you for it."

Goro looks down at his own feet as he pulls the towel off of his shoulders. He opens his mouth, as if to say something, but seems to change his mind and says something else, something less morbid. "…So, I have a few places in mind. How much can you eat without feeling terrible?"

"I can devour two Big Bang Burgers in one sitting and will still be asking for seconds," Ren says. When Goro throws him an incredulous look, he just grins wider. "I'm not shitting. You can ask any of the Thieves, or god forbid, even Lavenza. They've seen me do just that before."

"…Is your stomach perhaps a black hole?"

"Nope! I'm not Yoshizawa, and I'm not as bad as she is, trust me."

Goro pauses a little, then grins as he holds up his phone, which has a record button on the screen. Ren pales as Goro sneers at him. "I'll be showing this to Yoshizawa-san later, Ren. I'll be delighted to inform you later on what her reactions are."

"She isn't going to kill me, but I have a face to uphold, dude!" Ren manages out amongst the peels of laughter that have escaped his chest, his hands lunging forward in a futile attempt to grab the device (and pushing Morgana off of his lap. Gently). Goro isn't laughing – and Ren doesn't expect him to, since that'd be creepy as all hell – but he's chuckling, at least, seemingly enjoying every second of it.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," He says, holding the phone just an inch out of Ren's reach. "She likes you, like, really likes you, from the way it looks, as a very capable, very reliable Senpai. I'm sure such things wouldn't cause her to think less of you."

"That's exactly what she will think if she heard that from you," He growls. "Come on! Gimme that and delete the damn thing!"

"Never."

Laughter fills the air of the attic, and Ren thinks that, yeah… everything's gonna be just fine like this.

December 25th, 2016 [Sunday]

Christmas morning with Goro is oddly romantic, even without Goro's showing of affection involved.

Granted, Ren doesn't really think that Goro would have it in him to, well, show affection, or even a reason to show one to begin with. He's just not capable of something so sappy and useless, but his company is much appreciated. For the first time since they first met, this is the real Goro – sarcastic, blunt, sinister – he's talking to, he's joking with. This is the Goro, who he always wants to see. And this is the real Goro that he'd love nothing more than to spend the last few hours of his hard-won freedom with.

Christmas morning streets are crowded, but they still manage to find themselves a path without many pedestrians walking on. After that, he lets Goro takes the lead, since Ren himself isn't quite… familiar with food stores like Goro does. He had asked, once, and Goro said he knows as much as he does because he often uses food as a topic to start a conversation and get to people's good side.

Quite devious, if you ask Ren.

After a few minutes, Goro gestures at a restaurant named Aragaki, a name he's often heard mentioned on the TV as a shop owned by Aragaki Shinjirou, one of the most sought-after chefs in Japan. Ren has seen Boss watching the man's shows a few times, now, and he can say with confidence that this chef is renowned for a reason.

"…Aren't this place's reservations a pain to get? And like, with months of waiting time?"

"It is, but… I have earned the keeper's favor," Goro grins, waving his phone. "Now come. There are a few menus I'd recommend you to try. They're the best."

"Do they beat Boss' curry?"

"Definitely."

"Huh."

Once they're in, Ren takes a few seconds to take in the sight of the restaurant; the decorations are far less luxuriant than Ren thought a place of great renown would have. It looks simple, with bare minimums of ornaments on the walls and the counters and the tables. But what strikes him most is that it feels both intimidating and welcoming, somehow, even though that should not be a thing.

The waiter guides them inside, and they end up at the counter right next to the one and only Aragaki Shinjirou, and Ren immediately understands why the air feels oddly intimidating; the man is buffed, his features rugged and warrior-like. But there is this air of softness, of warmth and kindness, around him, a stark contrast to his constant scowl.

Ren blinks a few times as the man regards the two of them with a strange look. But then, he huffs slightly and pats the counter on his side once. "Have a menu in mind yet? Or do you want me to surprise your sorry asses, punks?"

That isn't exactly the way to treat a customer, is it? Ren muses, but he finds himself smiling slightly. From what he's heard – at least from the TV – the man's surprise dishes are sometimes even better than what one could find in the menus. Some people might not like surprises, but Ren? Oh, he does, he loves surprise very much.

So, with a grin, he waves to the man's kitchen wears. "Go on ahead, sir. Might order something afterward later, but I'd like to try your notorious Surprise Special."

Aragaki seems to pause a little, tilting his head to the side, as if reminded of something. He just shrugs and nods before turning to Goro, who hums. "Same as he is. We have spare spaces in our stomachs, after all. And I think we will be asking you to cook quite a lot for us today, Aragaki-san."

"Hmph," The man scoffs, but nods. "Alright, punks. Make yourself at home. And if you make trouble in here, I'mma boot you out myself, got it?"

"Got it."

Once the man goes about prepping their meals, Ren turns to Goro, who regards him with an amused look. Before Ren could ask why, Goro just shrugs and says, "I've been here a few times before, courtesy of Shido's many underground connections. Aragaki-san's actually a pretty knowledgeable and pleasant guy... eh, sometimes. And he knows a lot of things through his grapevines – like who the Cleaner is, for example."

"Seriously?" Ren gapes, looking back at the chef, who's expertly sending the food into the sky and back into his waiting pan. "No, I mean – you serious? He's an information broker?"

"Only if it strikes his fancy, yes," Goro hums. "He seems to have his own code of conduct. I've seen Shido's men trying to bribe him, or to ask him for something to use against other people before. He never spilled, and he actually has a pretty good backer to stop anyone from trying anything funny, too."

"Who?"

"I don't know, yet," Goro says, his cheek on his palm, fingers tapping his skin rhythmically. "But I'll be counting on his help to find his friend. So I thought you might want to know – that, and that his cooking is exceptionally good. Consider it a thanks, for taking down Shido for good, before… before your testimony."

"…Thanks," Ren says, unsure of how to word his gratitude, so he instead rubs his thumb along the faint scar on his knuckles. He spies Aragaki looking at him from the corner of his eyes, but isn't too sure what to make of it. The man soon turns back to the stoves, so he just shrugs and plays with the cool glass of water before him. "Appreciate it, Goro."

After about ten minutes of idly chatting, the surprise meals arrived; for Goro, surprisingly it's pastas and pancakes and coffee, with the pancakes itself sporting an alluring aroma he's never smelt before. Goro makes a face at him, as if daring him to tease the detective. Ren just smirks as he looks down at his own, to see a simple, yet pleasantly-smelling, bowl of Nikudon.

"Eat up. These two're on the house," Aragaki mutters, glancing around as if to check if everything's okay before sitting down on his own seat inside the counter, a hand propped on the wood. When Ren gives him a look, the man adds. "You two look like you're gonna be thrown into some deep shit or something. And I can make up for those two in the next fifteen minutes, so why not."

"…You're really kind, Aragaki-san," Ren says with a small smile. His look contrasts with the man's personality, it seems. And looks like he could be sure that Aragaki will help Goro with his mission. "Thank you for the meal."

"What's your name, kid?" The man asks, making Goro perks up a little.

Ren finds it rather strange, since the man doesn't seem the chatter sort, but decides to talk anyways. And his choice seems to be the correct one, since Raoul hums approvingly. Ren hears a distinct sound of hooves clattering and low growls from within his mind, but he isn't sure what or why, so he just shrugs before he answers. "Amamiya Ren."

"School?"

"Shujin, second year."

"Huh," The man makes a surprised hum, before he nods and scribbles something down into a notepad close at hand. Then he gets up, and points at him with the pen he had just used. "If you've got the time, ring the shop up. Will make sure you get a seat whenever you want, just like that guy."

"Hey!" Goro says, betrayed. "It took me months of hard work – months! – to earn that kinda favor! That's not fair, Ren! Damn you!"

Ren grins, but deep down, he finds it rather odd for the man to be giving him this kind of free seat whenever he wants. Before he could voice his inquiry, Aragaki chips in, seemingly amused. "Fuck off, you pancake-face. I do whatever I well pleased, and it looks as though the kid needs it. I have a keen eye for a person who's worthy of my favors, remember?"

"Ugh, fine," Goro says. "You win this time, Ren. But don't think I'll let you win the next."

"Why the hell are you so angry at me for, dude? And why is this even a competition to you?" Ren says with a laugh as he pats Goro's shoulder extra hard, earning him another glare and a yelp.

The spend the rest of the morning enjoying their meals and chatting nonsense, for once, their worries briefly forgotten.

Ren hasn't missed the strange, observing look Aragaki is throwing at him, but he decides not to dwell too much on it.

When school ends, and everyone has gathered inside Leblanc, Mochizuki starts his tale.

It is, indeed, as dreadful as Ren's feared.

Yuuki – orphaned since age six, thrown around foster homes and beaten and broken – managed to find himself friends, much like Ren did, only for his happiness to be stripped away by the coming of Nyx, the Goddess of Death, who Mochizuki had become the Avatar of. The tale is heart-wrenching, and to know that the gentle soul before him had been forced to cause so much pain without being given a choice, and that the person this Death loves had been subjected to those kind of torments… it really is something he couldn't quite stomach.

He tells them many things; of the existence of the Dark Hour, a mysterious period where Shadows exist and Personas can be called. Of the existence of the Kirijou Group and their involvement with both causing and solving the Dark Hour. Of the way the so-called SEES summoned their masks – by mimicking suicide, using devices called Evokers to forcibly call out their other selves. The only thing he doesn't tell them are the names of the members, perhaps for fear that those people, who might've already moved on with their lives, would be forced back to the world of war.

And then, he tells them of his real involvement, that he is born from the congregation of twelve Shadows, each representing the reversal of an Arcana. He doesn't go into too deep the details, perhaps because recalling is painful, or perhaps they're short on time, but he tells him of all the major events that leads to why him and Yuuki ends up alive, again. And to think even being alive again is not a decision they make on their own – their choices, their free wills, were all stripped away from them.

They weren't given the choice to live the first time. After that, they weren't given a choice to remain dead, either. Even if the circumstances turn out somewhat fortuitous, Ren still feels anger bubbling up his throat at the aspect of their souls being toyed with by forces larger than their own. They didn't have the freedom of choice, not since the beginning, and not even now – it makes the scars and his skin itch and crawl, some sort of discomfort pickling at his arms and legs. And Ren sees, from the corner of his eyes, that his friends (especially Goro, who hates being controlled more than anyone) share his sentiment, too.

After the tale ends, they spend heavy minutes in the stale air, the absence of any noises beside breathing and rustling of cloths almost too maddening to bear. Ren closes his eyes, and he could feel Raoul speaks within him. I did realize that the High One might not have given him the choice, but to bind the boy and Death to his own will like so still mortifies me. Looking back, I am not quite certain what was the right course of actions. Izanagi would've thought the same, too, had he known that the boy would be subjected to a contract against his will, in exchange for the help to bring them both back from death.

Not that I can blame you. I mean, you were trying to save him, Ren replies, eyes flickering around, trying to get a handle of how everyone's feeling. He knows asking what this High One is, or what the contract is about, isn't his place, not yet. But from what Raoul and Mochizuki just told him – this is far, far worse than being subjected to Yaldabaoth's control. No blaming yourself. I'll have to turn myself in soon, so I had better get everything ready.

…Thank you, Trickster, Raoul murmurs quietly, a hum inside his chest, soothing and calm, unlike his usual flamboyant self. I will be by your side. Even if I cannot manifest into the real world – yet – know that I will be with you, always.

Thanks, Ren responds with a smile before he looks up at Mochizuki, who seems pained recalling those tales, those memories. The guilt of many things he'd done is painted clear in his eyes. Ren then taps the table twice, calling for everyone's attentions. "So, just a quick check – what d'you all feel, about helping him?"

"Of course we will!" Ann says first, a scowl on her face, with tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. Mochizuki seems surprised, and becomes even more astonished when she continues. "You weren't even given an option of what you have to do back then. You didn't choose to become Death, you just are! This Yuuki guy was right – you deserve love, too, you know!"

"Exactly!" Ryuji says loudly. And, as if to make a point, slapping the table hard, pointing a finger at Death, who seems more startled than anything. "You are just wronged by the whole damn world, dude! That's more than enough reasons for me to help you!"

"I have to agree with Ann and Ryuji, here," Yusuke says with a solemn nod. "All the choices you could make, you make it for his – for all of our – sakes. I don't see the reason to blame you for the things that had transpired, and I am grateful for Yuuki-san's sacrifice to save the world. I should say that it is only fair that we save him, too, this time."

"My sentiment, exactly," Queen nods, and Morgana purrs in agreement at that. "I don't see a greater calling for us than to save our unknown savior just so. I want to do this, for the both of you."

"It would be nice to get to know this Yuuki-kun, too," Haru adds, a gentle smile on his lips. "He sounds like such a kind, gentle person, much like you are, Mochizuki-kun. I'd love to get to know you both better."

"Your lives really suck," Futaba says from her seat at the far end. "You are toyed with, just like us, only on a bigger scale. I'll help! This is the time for my hacking skills to shine!"

Ren smiles at all of them, who shares his thoughts, his convictions, before he turns to Goro. And he just knows that Goro will help out of his own free will, too, not just to follow Ren's wish, not anymore. And he is soon proven correct when Goro says quietly. "…You both are the same as some of us, here. Your paths were chosen for you, and you were thrown into the pits to fight each other to the death – and died for it. But you are alive, right now – the least we could do is to help you out."

Ren subtly pats Goro's knee, causing the detective to look up at him. He gives Goro a warm smile before he turns back to Mochizuki, who's been stunned to silence. When the boy gapes, Ren laughs. "Hey, don't look so surprise! Who could blame you for all the shitshow that's happened? You didn't choose those kinda fates, did you? You just were. Are, rather."

At this, Mochizuki blinks, once, twice, before his face breaks into a small, gentle smile. "…You said the same thing he did, back then. Worded it perfectly the same, even. He said; You didn't choose this. You simply are. And… you really believe what you've just said, don't you?"

"I do," Ren confirms. "So, let us help you out, 'kay? You two deserve happiness. Raoul agrees, too."

"You know, Ren, you talking with your Persona in your head is really creepy sometimes," Goro mutters from the side, and this time, Ren is genuinely offended.

"Goro, that stings!"

"I've gotta agree with Akechi on this one, RenRen," Ryuji snickers. "I mean, you just kinda space out while sitting there, and you look really, really outta it. Like you're high or something."

"That's not true!" Ren tries, but then Raoul laughs at him and says, I think that is exactly the case, boy. You do look like you're high on magic mushrooms whenever you try to respond to me. "Oh shut up, Raoul! Dude! You were supposed to be on my side! The betrayal."

"See? This is what I mean, exactly," Goro says, to which Raoul just laughs at him more.

Ren tries to come up with a more dignified response, but fails miserably, and he ends up groaning into his own hands and mumbles through his teeth. "God, I hate you all."

And through all the laughter, Ren catches Mochizuki smiling gently at all of them. And when all the giggles and the chatters die down, Mochizuki bows his head to all of them, his hand placed above his heart, like he always does. "…Thank you, truly, all of you. I cannot express my gratitude enough, and I will repay you however I can, I promise."

"You've already helped us plenty before, no need to feel indebted," Ren says. "Besides, this is what friends do for each other."

Mochizuki laughs lightly. "Is that so? You honor me, Phantom Thieves."

"Well then!" Ren then claps his hands. "We've got some planning to do, ladies and gents, before Nijiima-san and Yoshizawa come to celebrate Christmas with us."

"Awwww yeah!" Ryuji cheers.

Ren doesn't miss the pained acceptance on Goro's face, nor the sad glint in Mochizuki's eyes, so he gives them both a reassuring smile. They really don't have to worry about him, since he'll be fine – he does this of his own free will, after all.

And he won't ever regret choosing it.

The others simply think that he's walking with Niijima Sae to discuss the case, not that he's going to turn himself in.

Unsurprisingly, Mochizuki and Goro decide to walk with him and the older Niijima to the police station, silent, contemplative. He is grateful, because he thinks the walk would be much worse than this, had he come alone with her. He does have a nerve of steel, true, but not all the time, damn it.

The trek is silent, but not suffocating, he thinks; there are undoubtedly certain kind of lights in their eyes and their expressions. Both of them, Goro more so than Death, are wearing some sort of acceptance. The way they move, too, suggests as much – forced relaxations of their shoulders and facial muscles, and occasional glances his way.

When they see the police station, his two friends stop, so he does as well, tugging at Niijima's sleeve slightly to signal the halt. He then gives her a small smile and says, "Lemme say goodbye first, m'kay? See you at the station."

"…Very well," She hums, fingers tugging at her gray locks slightly. "I'll see you there, Amamiya."

When she resumes her walk anew, he turns to the two. Mochizuki is giving him a knowing smile as he walks over to pat his arm lightly, carefully, before murmuring. "I'm so sorry this happened to you. You do not deserve this for helping those in need."

"Hey, shit happens. Fates can be dicks sometimes, right?" Ren jests, tapping the boy's chest lightly once. "I mean, Fates were also a major pain in the ass to you and your friend, too. Don't see why they won't be an asshole with me."

"That is unfortunately true," Mochizuki laughs lightly. "We'll try to find the woman you helped back then. If we do, we might be able to overturn or lessen your sentences, somewhat."

"I'm not counting on it, but it'd be nice if you succeed, yeah," Ren says, before turning to a rather quiet Goro. He touches the detective's shoulder lightly, making the other look up. He then gives his dear friend (his beloved) a small smile. "I'm going to be fine. Remember; I choose this of my own free will. Don't you dare blame anyone or anything for this."

"I'm still going to curse Shido for this, thank you," Goro mutters. "He deserves all the middle fingers."

Ren grins. "Yeah, he does."

"So… see you soon, I suppose," Goro states, eyes darting anywhere but at Ren. "As soon as you can."

"As soon as I can," He echoes. "Well then. Happy New Year in advance, you two. Introduce Yuuki to me once you get him back, yeah? I'm sure you can find some spare time to visit me."

"I will," Mochizuki hums, a hand above his heart, like always. "See you later."

He turns away from them, and walks towards his next trial, with Raoul humming deep within his soul.

They're all going to be fine, he's sure.

And… his instinct is telling him, that they'll meet again much sooner than Ren could've hoped for.

("…It's strange, for you to call me at this time of the day like this, Shinjirou."

"Yeah," Shinjirou says quietly as he idly cleans up his shop. All employees are gone, and all information is in his hands. He makes doubly sure that the burner phone in his hand will not give any information away, and just in case, he deploys Fuuka's jammers and decryption codes, too. "I've got something you might be interested in."

"Is this perhaps about Shido Masayoshi and the Phantom Thieves? If so, you have my full attention."

He snorts a little, then lets the silence reigns over for a bit. "I think I know the identity of one of the Phantom Thieves who took down Shido, and it looks like he's going to go into custody to testify, from the bits and pieces I picked up during their conversation. If you ask me, I feel like it's unfounded. 'Sides, Chiron reacted when he told me his name."

A pause. Mitsuru then says slowly. "We already know they are Persona Users, Shinjirou."

"Yeah, but that ain't the only point," He says. "He gave off the same feeling Makoto did, years ago. Chiron stirred like this when Makoto was around, so I guess he's a Wild Card, much like that kid was. Actually, come to think of it, this happened with Narukami, too."

"Ah," Mitsuru says, her voice unusually emotional. Forlorn. Then, "So he will be testifying against Shido, hm? That would mean the police will charge him, since they will never allow a Phantom Thief to become a hero."

"Yep," Shinjirou mutters. "You want to do this? Help him, I mean."

"Yes," The reply is as immediate as it comes. Shinjirou smiles, slightly relieved that their thoughts align on this particular topic. "In honor of Yuuki, and as a thank you for taking down such a malign individual like Shido. Who is he?"

"Amamiya Ren, Shujin, second year," He says. "You have it from here, right?"

"Affirmative," Mitsuru says. "I'll update you when I'm done. And hopefully, I'll be able to help him before New Year strikes. It'd be a shame to spend such an eventful day in juvenile prison, no?"

"Yeah," He snorts a laughter. "See you around, Mitsuru. Will call again at the usual time."

When she hangs up, Shinjirou breathes and looks up at the night sky.

Seeing that boy reminds him of Makoto… and he knows that helping that boy is the right thing to do.

Even Chiron agrees with him as he stirs in Shinjirou's chest for the second time that day.)

See you next time!