Ryuji Sakamoto slumped lazily in his bed. The last track match went well, his leg not aching him too harshly through it, but his heart just wasn't in it like it used to be. Sure it gave him something to do after school, but after being kicked off, then harassed and bullied for a year after, only for the team to turn around and ask him to join left a strange taste in his mouth. After Ren had left, he needed a new routine. It was strange having to go back to living a normal life after fighting terrifying creatures every other night, but everyone else was, so he decided to do his best to. So he rejoined track, and even Ann gave him some goal to work towards. She had bounced up to him one day after class, her excitement not being stopped by even the students crowding the hallways. "You should come with me to school in America!" she had said, as if that was something everyone in Japan did. Ryuji had never been the most studious of students. He was in no way stupid, just uninterested in his classes. His grades reflected that, him barely being able to keep a C average. So his surprise did not even shock himself, seeing that going to school internationally never even occurred to him as a possibility.

"What the hell? Why?" he responded, almost feeling like he was reminding her about his terrible grades. She went on, "Well my parents really want me to go to school in America, but I can't just leave my friends behind right? So they said they would pay for one more person to go with me," she drawled on. Ryuji was confounded. Her parents would not only pay for Ann's school, but some random person they didn't even know? And why would she pick Ryuji of all people?

Ann Takamaki was a lot of things, compassionate and kind being a few of these things. It was impressive that she grew up to be this way, considering her rich family background. Not only that, but she was also a semi-popular magazine model. She always got what she wanted, but she never behaved like she was spoiled. She was humble and ever since Ren's departure she has made it her goal to keep up with having a strong heart. He wasn't sure why, since he always understood that it was only to make her Persona stronger, which they never even used anymore. He had to give her credit though, it was only because of her that Ryuji started to try harder in his classes. She also taught him english, which was a struggle for both of them at first. He had picked it up pretty fast. By the end of the year he had picked up his grades to a more respectable B average, and learned enough English to get him through a short conversation. Ann had said that it was probably enough for their initial landing in America, and that he'd pick it up more as time went on.

Through all of this she barely ever explained why she had picked him to go to America with her. Ann would only say, "It'll be fun, even if you are pretty annoying,' and "It'd be a great experience for you!" but never go any further than that. He was glad for her intervention though.

Still, everything felt, for lack of better terms, lame, to Ryuji. He felt good about everything he accomplished sure, but it wasn't the same with Ren. He thought about Ren a lot. He was their old leader after all, and an even better friend. Not just for Ryuji, but for everyone who had to do with the Phantom Thieves.

No one could replace that.

Ryuji and Ren did send texts from time to time of course. They were really just updates on each others' lives. Recently though, Ren seemed to be just as uninformative as Ann was.

Ryuji had told Ren about his new recent venture to American college. Ren was always quiet and never had a lot to say, but Ryuji could at least tell the difference of substance in his words. He had just ended his last conversation with Ren and he wasn't sure how to feel after it.

Ryuji: me and Ann are going to school in America!

Ren: Really? That's cool.

Ryuji: yeah, i think it's some school in California, she didn't really give me all the details…

Ren: You didn't apply there yourself?

Ryujii: nah dude, she wanted it to be some kind of surprise

Ren: Well, that's Ann for you.

Ryuji: how about you man? Any future plans

Ren: Graduation, then go from there.

Ryuji: so you're gonna stay in Japan?

Ren: Not exactly. My parents are moving jobs.

Ryuji: man really?

Ren: I don't know where to yet. I'll let you know when I do.

Ryuji: alright man

Ren: Morgana's bugging me to go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?

Ryuji: oh that's right! the party. when will you get here?
Ren: Early. Convinced them to give me the diploma without going to graduation.

Ryuji: awesome dude. Until then.

Ryuji was glad he wasn't really leaving his best friend behind, but he was also worried he'd never see him again. It was tough enough deciding to leave Japan without the knowledge that his friend was leaving too. He definitely couldn't turn down Ann's offer however after all. Free college tuition was an offer that was impossible to refuse. His track record even allowed him a scholarship, which would allow Ryuji to at least pay some of the tuition, provided he did track when the season came.

Everything was set to play out well. After tomorrow, he'd be on his way to America with Ann, after a final goodbye to Ren. Ren. Could Ryuji really handle not being able to see Ren again? He shook the thought out of his head. Things like that were better handled after celebration. No reason to bring himself down yet, he'd see Ren tomorrow. He shut his phone off and laid down in bed, drifting off into tomorrow.