Chapter 26
Godfall
Ren took a breath.
"So, it's time," Ren said to which Lavenza nodded.
"I take it that that's what you look like as a Phantom Thief?" Sojiro asked.
"I guess you can see me," Ren answered. "Yes, this is my Phantom Thief outfit."
"And this is mine," Morgana shouted as he rushed down the stairs. Upon seeing him, Sojiro backed up out of shock though with nowhere really to go, he bumped into the shelf behind him, rattling the containers that sat upon it.
"What is that?" he said, pointing at the cat.
"That's Morgana," Ren replied. "It's what he looks like as a Phantom Thief."
"Oh," Sojiro seemed to calm down a bit, but he kept glancing over at the feline out of the corner of his eyes. Ren quickly introduced Lavenza to Morgana.
"We need to hurry to the entrance," Lavenza said, heading for the door. "With what little powers I had left, I was able to make it to where the majority of the masses can't perceive what's happening. The only ones who can are the Personas Users and a few special cases."
"Special cases?" Ren asked, following her.
"Ren," Sojiro called out before the Thief could leave. Ren turned to face the cafe owner. "Be careful. Also…" he trailed off.
"I'll protect Futaba with everything I have," Ren finished the sentence. Sojiro nodded as Ren walked out the door.
As they headed down the street, it became clear quite quickly what Lavenza had meant. No one seemed to even glance toward the oddly dressed trio walking down the road, and those that did, was nothing more than a passing glance.
"What did you mean by 'special cases'?" Ren repeated his earlier question.
"Those like your guardian who you've had extensive proximity around combined with the knowledge that you're a Phantom Thief, and the fact that you've changed their lives through the Metaverse," the girl answered. "Does anyone else come to mind?"
"A few including…," he stopped as they passed the sidestreet that Tae's clinic was on. The doctor was outside looking up at the odd rain falling. After a moment, she noticed Ren looking at her.
"What's going on?" she asked as she approached.
"It's…tough to explain," Ren answered. "And I don't really have the time, but just know I'm going to fix this."
"Alright," Tae responded hesitantly. "Well, you better come back. We still have clients to take care of." Ren realized she hadn't asked him about his outfit, Morgana or Lavenza. But if she wasn't going to ask, then he wasn't going to say anything.
"Of course," Ren replied before following Lavenza down the street. The next thing they did was swing by Sojiro's house. Ren knocked on the door, and Futaba answered it rather quickly. She was also in her Thief outfit.
"I assume it's time," she said to which Ren nodded. She sighed, "Well, let's hope this goes better than the last time."
"We should hope so," Lavenza added. "The majority of my power went to keeping Yaldabaoth trapped. The rest of it went to creating the illusion for the masses that nothing was happening. But it will have its limits, and eventually, they'll come to their senses. Unfortunately, because of all this, I will not have the power to send you back again. This will be your final attempt. Come, we must hurry." Futaba walked out of the house, closing the door behind her. She looked at it for a second before following the other three down the road toward the station.
When they reached the station, they hopped on to a train headed for Shibuya. Ren messaged the other Thieves on where to meet up, and though he was hoping it would work, he was still surprised that the messages went through. In the last timeline, all of the Thieves had to break out of the Velvet Room, and were placed in front of the entrance to the stairs that led to where Yaldabaoth waited. They didn't need to worry about sending messages to each other to meet up. So Ren wasn't sure if his messages would even go through. Fortunately they did, and the others responded.
Ren, Morgana, Futaba, and Lavenza got off of the train when it reached Shibuya. They made their way through the unaware crowds, and up to Station Square. When they walked into the square, the people around were still going about their business, not looking at how the world had changed. In front of them though was a long staircase that made its way over the road that went through the crossing and up between buildings. While the staircase appeared to be made out of flesh, Ren was still unsure of what it actually was, but he did know that the end of the staircase which was littered with platforms further on, ended at the giant, circular building that housed Yaldabaoth in his Grail form. Or at least that's what it was like last time.
"Do you know if he'll be in his grail form again?" Ren asked Lavenza.
"It's possible," she replied. "Though I doubt it. Or at least, when you approach him, he won't stay in it."
"Why wouldn't he? He could still draw strength from the masses."
"It's simple. He's angry. And when you combine anger and arrogance, you create recklessness. It's also the reason there are no guards between you and him this time."
"I won't have to face the archangels this time?"
"I would imagine not. Yaldabaoth wishes to fight you himself as quickly as possible. You…no, we ruined his plans in this timeline, and he is not one to forgive or forget. I would wager that he plans on killing me after you and the other Persona users. Then he'll rule this world as its God."
Ren stared up at the structure in the distance, "I guess all we can do now is wait for the others."
"There is one more thing I'd like to show you," Lavenza said, gesturing to a blue doorway that had appeared off to the side. Ren recognized it as the doorway into the Velvet Room. After instructing Morgana and Futaba to wait for the others, Ren followed Lavenza through the door.
When he appeared inside, the room looked relatively the same, but this time there was a man sitting at the desk. It was the real Igor. As Ren walked into the main room, Igor looked up and spoke in a high-pitched, squeaky voice which was the complete opposite of how Yaldabaoth had sounded.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room," he said, smiling. "My name is Igor. I'm not sure who you are though."
"My name is Kurusu Ren," Ren replied. "And for the last few years, Yaldabaoth has had you trapped. To keep a very long story short, Yaldabaoth has fused Mementos with reality."
"Oh? Yes, it does feel…different. Lavenza, do you know about this?"
"I do. And while I would like to tell you everything, that would take too much time. Time we don't have. Yaldabaoth needs to be stopped, and Ren is the leader of the group who will do it. He needs your help."
"And what kind of help do you think I could provide?"
"He's at his maximum Persona count, but I don't think any of his current ones would be strong enough to face Yaldabaoth. He needs another."
"I will allow you one more Persona, but it cannot exceed your maximum level of experience. That rule has to be followed. Fortunately, there is only one Persona that exceeds your experience. Therefore, you may choose any other."
"Your options," Lavenza opened her book to reveal the list of Personas. Ren took no time in finding the strongest he could, and chose it. Afterwards, Lavenza closed the book.
"I would also like to strengthen it," Ren said, which Igor allowed. To strengthen a Persona, Ren had to choose another one to sacrifice. Its sacrifice would bolster the original Persona, allowing it to gain new abilities as well as increasing its current capabilities. Ren chose Michael to sacrifice.
When everything was said and done, Ren and Lavenza both went back to reality. When they stepped back through the door, they noticed that the other Thieves had arrived. Even Akechi was there. When Ren reappeared, they all came up to him.
"Where did you go?" Sumire asked, worriedly.
"The Velvet Room," Ren responded. "I have a Persona that should help us." He turned so he was facing everyone.
"Well, it's time," he began.
"You're not about to give us some grand speech, are you?" Akechi asked.
"Uh, no," Ren chuckled. "I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for being here. When I originally came back, I wanted to do this alone because I didn't want to see any of you injured or…worse. But that was then, and this is now. I'm glad I changed my mind, and I'm glad you all helped me do that. Now, let's go kill this so-called God." He nodded at Lavenza, and they all began to rush up the flesh-looking stairs.
As they ran up the stairs, and made their way over platforms, Ren noticed that Lavenza had been correct. There were no guards. He took the time that they were running to remind the others about Yaldabaoth's abilities; that the false God had multiple weapons, and while the weapons had weaknesses, he himself did not. He also reminded them of the plan. They would split up into teams of three and each group would focus on a weapon while Ren would focus on the main body. Hifumi and Futaba would stay back and provide support, and Hifumi would also use her rifle against the main body when she could.
They made it to the top platform which had a walkway going into the main structure. Now that they were much closer, they could get a good look at it. Ren took a deep breath before walking forward, the other following him.
They walked into what appeared to be almost an arena. It was a circular flat area surrounded by sheer walls that extended high into the air. Hundreds, if not thousands of prison cells lined the walls set in equal intervals. A red glow came from each, and a person stood in at least the majority of them. Ren knew that they represented the collective will of the people of the world. But in front of the Thieves, sitting in the exact middle of the floor, flanked by two giant golden hands, was the Grail.
It resembled a massive golden chalice, at least five times Ren's height. The main body of the grail was formed from golden wings, folded in and onto themselves, and hovering over the wings were circular cogs kept in place by two thin golden rails that also hovered and encircled the chalice. But this form did not last long.
As the last of the Thieves entered the area, the ground began to shake, and blue illuminated lines shot out from where the Grail stood, etching their way across and up the walls. And then the blue turned to red. The cogs spun, moving the rails or maybe it was vice versa. But it didn't matter because soon after they started moving, the rails suddenly snapped, and the wings unfurled forming a golden, winged halo over what they were covering before. Sitting atop the base of the former Grail was now a silver helm, the front of which narrowed much like a knight's.
The walls began to shift and lower along the light lines while the platform itself began to rise until the Thieves found themselves above clouds with no barrier between them and the ground far, far below. The helm, which was actually Yaldabaoth's head, began to rise as well revealing the body that it was connected to.
"Uh, I know you said he was big, but…" Ryuji trailed off as the head continued to rise.
"You might have been understating it," Shiho finished.
The body finally stopped moving, and the Thieves could see the sky-scraper tall Yaldabaoth in his entirety. His body was mainly silver with black lines here and there. His torso was diamond-shaped, becoming significantly narrower at the bottom until it widened back out when meeting his hips, which took the form of a triangular metallic skirt, pointed downward. His hips were flanked by five octagonal, cylindrical containers on either side, placed neatly together in three rows so that there were no gaps. There were two on top, two in the middle, and one on the bottom. Ren knew that these housed his weapons. He also had four narrow arms, two on either side, that he would use to hold the said weapons. Extending from his waist, equally on either side and set behind him was an upside down arch of what appeared to be black and red metal with golden feathery wings coming off of it. The Thieves waited with bated breath as to what would come next.
"So these are the so-called Phantom Thieves of Hearts," Yaldabaoth began in a rumbling, deep voice, and though he had no mouth, his voice was clearly heard. "I shall give you a choice. Either join with me, and be content in my new world, or die pointlessly for your old one. You have one chance to make your decision. And this choice goes to all except you." While he didn't point, it was fairly obvious who he was singling out.
"I wouldn't take your offer even if you did give it to me," Ren shouted back.
"None of us would take it," Ann shouted as well.
"We would never give up control of our lives," Shiho yelled. "After everything we did to strengthen ourselves."
"And helping our friends would have been meaningless," Mishima added.
"Not too long ago, I wanted everyone to be happy no matter what it took," Maruki said. "A world where everyone got what they wanted. But I've come to learn that that wouldn't be true happiness."
"You can't have someone else create your happiness," Sumire yelled. "You have to make it yourself."
"While your offer is tempting," Akechi's voice rang out. "No one will ever control me again."
"So you all refuse my offer?" Yaldabaoth asked. It was met with a chorus of voices in agreement: that the Phantom Thieves would not accept. "Very well. Then death is the path you have chosen." His arms reached into the capsules on his sides, and they each pulled out a different item. Ren was a bit surprised since the last time they had fought him, he had pulled them out almost one at a time. But it didn't matter; the plan would stay the same.
Attached to his upper right arm, he had a giant golden pistol. This was the same gun that blew Futaba out of the sky in their first battle, and almost killed Ren as well. In his lower right hand, he wielded a long golden sword. His top left arm connected to a golden bell. Finally his bottom left hand held open a book with a golden cover. As everyone began to summon their Personas in response, Ren did the same.
"Lucifer!" he called out, and behind Ren appeared a figure that while taller than any of the other Personas he had called forth until now, was still dwarfed by Yaldabaoth. The demonic humanoid had dark blue skin and appeared naked though he had no genitalia. He had flowing copper hair with similarly-colored sideburns. He had red eyes, and two long gray horns sprouted from the top of his head piercing straight up. His fingernails were black and pointed like claws, and a white thin cloth wrapped loosely around his body and one leg covering practically nothing. Lastly he had three pairs of black and purple bat-like wings coming from his back.
"So you plan on fighting a God with a demon," Yaldabaoth said.
"You are no god," Ren responded. "Morning Star!" Lucifer raised one of his hands and brought it swiftly down. It was followed by a light blue beam shooting out of the sky and slamming into Yaldabaoth causing a massive explosion centered on the enemy's chest. Yaldabaoth reeled backward and then the fight began.
Yaldabaoth started to recover as elemental attacks were being fired left and right as well as physical attacks by Personas and firearms. Ann, Shiho, and Sumire launched their attacks at the gun which started to fire at them. The shots got close, but so far none had hit them. Fire and yellow beams of energy were slamming into the pistol as it was trying to line up shots.
Wind, purple curse energy, and beams of almighty energy were puncturing the bell as Maruki, Akechi, and Morgana launched their attacks at it. Somehow it continued to ring. And with every ring, a noticeable sound wave would fire out striking near the trio, gradually getting closer with each ring.
Nuclear blasts rained down on the sword as Mishima, Sae, and Makoto instructed their Personas to attack the blade. As the blade was being bombarded, it tried to swipe at the three of them, but they evaded it narrowly.
Lastly, Haru, Yusuke and Ryuji went for the book. Haru and Ryuji fired off volleys while Yusuke would use his Persona to send waves of physical slashes toward it. He had already been instructed not to use ice on the book because it would be repelled.
Ren watched as the battle unfolded, trying to regain his breath from his starting attack. Hifumi was next to him firing off an occasional round at Yaldabaoth's head, but was mainly using Nike to boost the other Thieves' attack strength, defense and mobility. Futaba was zipping around in her spaceship trying to also boost the Thieves' abilities.
Each weapon was actually destroyed at least once, but before the Thieves assigned to that weapon could go help someone else, the weapon would be reproduced, and the battle would start all over again. Ren glanced around. Ren could tell the endless onslaught of attacks were starting to tire out the Thieves. He was even more worried about the trio attacking the book though since they were using physical attacks.
"Minerva," he said to Hifumi. "Attack the bell until I tell you to stop." Hifumi nodded and adjusted her rifle and sight.
"Mona!" Ren called out, causing Morgana to turn around. "Help them." Ren motioned toward Haru, Ryuji, and Yusuke. Morgana nodded and headed over calling up Zorro as he went. He proceeded to heal the three physical attackers. Unfortunately, this tired out Morgana.
"Mona, pull back," Ren commanded. Morgana ran up to him clearly exhausted.
"I'm the best healer you have," Morgana said. "You can't pull me out."
"It's only temporary," Ren responded, then shouted, "Oracle!" Futaba came flying up to Ren.
"What is it, Joker?" she asked.
"You need to go around and give everyone energy boosts."
"You do know those are limited, right?"
"I know, but without them, everyone will be too tired to do anything anyway. Start with me and Mona."
"Alright, but this'll hurt a little." One of her wires came down and placed a capsule into Ren's hand which Ren took quickly. He could feel the boost almost instantaneously. Then Futaba did the same to Morgana. As Futaba left to give the boost to everyone else, Ren pointed at Yaldabaoth again.
"Morning Star," he shouted again, causing Lucifer to bring down another beam followed by another explosion. While Yaldabaoth reeled back again, Futaba used the time it took him to recover to re-energize people. Once all was said and done, the attacks continued anew.
This went on for a few more minutes before Yaldabaoth shouted, "Enough!" He pulled back all of his weapons until they were right in front of him. The Thieves all hesitated including Ren. In their last battle, they had never gotten this far. Yaldabaoth had proved too strong from almost the very start. Suddenly black and red beams came from each weapon, meeting right in front of Yaldabaoth's chest where they formed into a giant swirling ball.
"What is this, Joker?" Akechi called out.
"I don't know," Ren responded. "Oracle?"
"I'm reading a giant energy signature coming from it," Futaba answered, nervousness clearly in her voice. "Bigger than anything we've ever come across. I'm putting up the shield."
As soon as she did, the orb of energy exploded, rocking the entire platform upon which the Thieves stood. The shield shattered and while the explosion never hit the Thieves, the shockwave knocked them on to their backs. As Ren blinked, trying to come to his senses, he looked up at the metallic enemy.
"You will not stand against me, and ruin my plans for this world," Yaldabaoth said and the energy began to reform.
"Joker," Futaba shouted. "I don't have enough power right now to shield us. I can't stop this one." Ren glanced around, but all of the other Thieves were either still lying down, or very slowly trying to get themselves up, and none were actually on their feet yet.
It's going to happen again, Ren thought. We're going to die. After everything that happened, we're still going to lose. No. I have to do something. Anything. Get up!
As he started to push himself up, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Maruki staring down at him with a sad smile on the doctor's face.
"What are you…?" Ren asked, confused before realizing what was happening. "Wait…wait, don't. Don't do it." He tried to grab for the counselor's hand, but the hand was already off of his shoulder. Maruki slowly, limping from an injury he must have sustained from flying backward, made his way in front of everyone. He stopped and turned to Ren.
"Oh, right," he said. "Before I forget, I should tell you that I finished my research paper. It's on the computer in my office at school. I trust you'll know what to do with it."
"Why?" Ren yelled. "Why do this?"
"Because I will not allow Rumi to live in a world controlled by this monster," Maruki answered before turning back around. "Which means you have to live to defeat him. And I hope everybody cheers you on while you do it. Azathoth!" Maruki's Persona appeared behind the man.
The tentacles stretched out, wrapping around the ball of energy so that the only space for which it could explode was between the arms. The same space that Maruki was standing in as well. The arms bulged as the explosion occurred. Unfortunately, it couldn't contain the energy fully, and some of it leaked out of cracks. The red and black wave of energy encompassed the Persona, but fortunately, did not reach the other Thieves. The resulting shockwave did though, and the Thieves were blasted back once again.
When Ren recovered, and looked back at where Maruki had been, both Maruki and his Persona were gone. Ren was frozen. It happened again. Someone died under his watch, and he couldn't do anything. He let out a yell filled with anger and pain as he pounded his fist on the ground. The rest of the Thieves watched with shock and silence as Ren struggled to his feet. He looked at Yaldabaoth with rage-filled eyes.
"That's one of these pests dead," Yaldaboath said. Ren pointed at the false God.
"Morning Star! Morning Star! Morning Star!" He limped toward Yaldabaoth, continuing to scream the command with Lucifer waving his hands each time causing beams to strike Yaldabaoth again and again. Explosion after explosion. He wasn't even counting how many times he was able to do it before he fell to his knees, his body giving out from exhaustion. And then he kneeled there. He tried to raise his arms again, but found he couldn't. He looked up at Yaldabaoth.
"Kneeling before your god?" taunted the silver foe. "While I appreciate the gesture, it's too late." The weapons began to move again, and Ren knew that a third blast was going to happen, but he couldn't do anything to stop it.
Suddenly he heard shouting behind him, and waves of energy attacks and ammunition arced high over his head, slamming into Yaldabaoth. Pellets of ice, pillars of fire, arcs of wind, and bolts of electricity along with nuclear blasts and rainbow-like psychokinetic explosions and golden rays of bless damage mixed with one ray of curse. Yaldabaoth hesitated out of confusion as the attacks hit him. Ren turned his head to look behind him and saw all of the Thieves standing up, firing attack after attack. Morgana suddenly stopped his part in the onslaught, stood still for a moment then ran up to Ren.
"Do you hear that?" he asked. Ren shook his head, trying to listen past the noise of the bombardment occurring in front of him. He couldn't hear…wait. He could hear something. Something that sounded like shouting far below them. At first he thought that Lavenza's spell had worn off, and the people were finally noticing everything which was probably causing pandemonium below. But as he listened closer, he realized that the shouting was not out of terror, but of encouragement. People below were shouting their support for the Phantom Thieves, and anger toward Yaldabaoth.
"Finally," a voice rang out in Ren's head whom he hadn't heard in a long time. "The chains that have bound you and me are broken. The people of this world have put their trust in you."
"Arsène?" Ren asked out loud.
"I was Arsène," the voice responded. "Now call my real name." The word flooded into Ren's brain. He staggered to his feet and took a breath.
"Satanael!" he shouted out. Then behind him, and the rest of the Thieves, a figure descended. It was taller than even Yaldabaoth and had a blue aura around the entirety of its form. It had silver metal armor worn over its entire body, and a red sash went diagonally from its right shoulder to its left hip. Ivory horns curved out of the sides of its head resembling a bull's. Similar to the ring of golden feathery wings above Yaldabaoth, Satanael also had a ring above his head though his were dark blue. And much like Lucifer, he had three pairs of bat wings sprouting from his back. These were also dark blue with a tinge of black. The fighting and cheering had stopped as everybody stared at the new Persona including Yaldabaoth.
"You know what to do," Satanael's voice rang in Ren's head. Ren pulled out his Cocytus causing his Persona to pull out a blue and gray rifle which he held with one hand like a pistol. They both aimed at Yaldabaoth.
"Sinful Shell," Ren said. Both weapons fired, and while the Cocytus did nothing, Satanael's rifle blasted right through Yaldabaoth's head causing the back of it to explode with metal shards flying out. Yaldabaoth slowly began to fall backward, disappearing as he went, his body turning into golden dust.
"Damn it," he stated. "You have only delayed the inevitable. Man will fall to ruin, and neither you nor any mortal can stop it. A god is your only chance at salvation. In time, you will all see." With the last word, he disappeared entirely as the Thieves watched. Suddenly, Ren noticed something glowing out of the corner of his eye. He turned, and to his shock, Morgana was shining bright.
"Well, it seems like this is it," Morgana said. "Joker told me awhile ago that I was created in Mementos, and with Yaldabaoth's connection to Mementos, it disappeared as well. I'm sure you can connect the dots."
"That's not fair," Ryuji shouted. "We already lost Maruki. We can't lose you too." Everyone fell silent for a second remembering what had happened.
"Don't worry," said a voice behind them. They turned to see Lavenza standing there.
"Only Morgana's metaverse self will disappear," she said. "His body in reality should still be there. Think of it like this: your Phantom Thief alter egos along with your Personas are about to disappear, but you won't. I, on the other hand, will no longer see you." She turned to Ren.
"What?" he asked. "What do you mean?"
"I am sure you can figure it out. You have shown me how smart you can be. I simply came to say thank you and good-bye."
"I should be thanking you. Without you, I couldn't have come back and stopped him. I also have a feeling you were behind the people cheering us on. You deserve thanks as much as any of us."
"I may have cut the illusion I had placed upon the people, and used the rest of my power to inform them of what is happening," Lavenza replied with a slight smile. "Don't think about it too much. Besides, it no longer matters. Reality and Mementos have become uncombined, and therefore you should return." She waved her hand before Ren could say anything else.
The thirteen former Phantom Thieves found themselves standing in Station Square in their casual clothes amidst the crowd of people going about their normal business.
"What's with everybody?" Mishima asked.
"It's like nothing even happened," Shiho said.
"My guess is that with the uncombining, they've lost their memories of what had happened," Makoto offered.
"That would make sense," Sae agreed. "Or at least as much as anything else has."
"It doesn't matter," Akechi piped up. "All that matters is that we won. Yaldabaoth is dead, the Thieves are no more, and Shido is still being charged with crimes. And on that last note," he turned to Sae. "Niijima, I would like to turn myself in for aiding Shido in the Mental Shutdown. I would also like to give testimony against Shido." Everyone looked at him in shock.
"Akechi, you don't-," Ren began.
"As I said before: no one will control me anymore," Akechi responded with a sneer. "I will do what I want to do, and if this means making sure Shido gets the justice he deserves, then this is what I chose to do."
"Alright, well…come with me," Sae said. "I'll see the rest of you later." She started to walk off, Akechi right behind.
"Wait up, Sis," Makoto said as she began to follow her sister. "Don't forget that school resumes tomorrow." She called out behind her before she, Sae, and Akechi disappeared into the crowd.
"Oh crap, that's right," Ryuji groaned before his stomach did the same. "But I'm starving. I'm gonna go grab a bite. Anyone else wanna come with?"
"I think I'll go," Yusuke said.
"Same," Mishima agreed. The three of them wandered off, and Ren could hear Ryuji asking Yusuke if the artist even had any money. They also disappeared into the crowd.
"I should get back as well," Haru said. "I need to check on my plants at the school before we return tomorrow." She waved as she left.
"My mother's probably wondering where I am," Hifumi spoke before turning to Ren and bowing. "I'd like to thank you all again for everything. I feel like I can take on anyone in any match right now." She smiled before walking away as well. Ann's phone rang suddenly and she answered it. After a few minutes of conversation, she hung up.
"It's my job," she said. "Apparently someone dropped out of a shoot at the last minute and they need someone else to fill in."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Shiho asked, grabbing Ann's arm and pulling her. "We need to go."
"Alright," Ann laughed before turning to Ren. "I'll see you tomorrow in class." The two girls walked away chatting, leaving only Ren, Sumire, and Futaba left. Sumire was silent, and she appeared like she was thinking about something.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked.
"Well…why is nobody saying anything about Doctor Maruki," she replied. "I mean he...well, you saw what happened."
"To be honest, I don't think it's really hit anybody yet," Futaba said. "I'm sure tonight will be hard on everybody once it does."
"I just…why did he have to die?" she asked, and Ren could see tears forming. He put an arm around her and pulled her close, both surprising her and Futaba.
"Come on," Ren said. "Let's go back to the cafe. I'll make you both some curry and coffee."
They went down into the station and boarded the train for Yongen-Jaya. When they arrived, they headed toward the backstreets and walked past Tae's clinic. Ren thought for a second about going in to see her, but decided against it. He'd go check in tomorrow. As they turned the corner onto the small street where Café Leblanc was located, they noticed a familiar black cat with a yellow collar sitting near the door.
"It's about time," Morgana said as they approached.
"I'm sorry for making you wait," Ren chuckled. He opened the door allowing Morgana, Sumire, and Futaba to enter before following them and closing the door behind himself.