Rin Morningstar: Yep. Updating once a month

Guest chapter 1 Jan 27 1: And you clearly did not see all the bullshit I informed and the story stated he went through FOR A YEAR.

Guest chapter 1 Jan 27 2: Maaaaaaybe~

warrior of six blades: Yep. Lavenza needs more love in the main story.

MonKking: We might use a few of the mechanics and meta related aspects from Royal, but none of the characters because we will be too far into writing this by the time we have had a chance to buy the game let alone by the time we have finished it to write them accurately

HaMiroKar420: Agreed. Joker's desire is to save him so he faces Justice for everything he's done.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Thanks buddy

Archangel 767: Well I won't be giving the harem list any time soon.

UnsanMusho: Oh, trust me. What Ren went through at the start was NOTHING compared to how fucked the Japanese legal system.

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

UnsanMusho: laughs Yeah, we did our best.

PhantomDark: Wait and see what we got, you'll be surprised.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Well, it's a good game and I hope that we don't spoil the game too much for you.

Cooperjordan: Trust us, it'll be well deserved

HaMiroKar420: Yeah, we've got a plan for that.

Karlos1234ify: Yep, me too.

Somanjeese: We thought we'd change it up.

Guest chapter 1. Jan 27 number 2: ...Get out. You don't know the stigmatism of Japanese society if you've been labelled a 'criminal' it's near impossible to get rid of. Also, we set this a whole YEAR AFTER the end of the game! During that time Ren would be bullied, criminalized, denied any basic rights within his home by his parents, forced to listen to them and obey their rules. All of that combined would drive anyone to depression!

Rin Morningstar: Hell yeah, we're continuing this.

warrior of six blades: Oh, trust us. We're giving Ren all that he deserves

Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.

Co-written by GhostKaiser23


AUTHOR'S NOTE

And here we are with chapter 2! I hope you are all enjoying it so far!


Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 2: Return of the Trickster


"I'll see you." Ren commented, pulling his bag over his shoulder. All dressed up for school and ready today... knowing how important it was

"Just don't make a scene." the coffee shop owner said, drying a few cups

"I won't." Ren smiled, closing the door behind him as he left the small cafe

Sojiro sighed as he saw his ward leave...somewhat worried for him since this was going to be a rough first day.

Ren headed to the station and began to board, knowing that he could make it in time to school...But again, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his head concerning today. What was going to happen? He knew it had something to do with his friends. He walked to the train station, flinching as he was pelted by the sudden rain "Ah, come on." Ren groaned as he tried to run to any dry place, he thought he could've avoided this...but no. 'Stupid memory, forgot about the rain.' he thought bitterly. He walked out, heading towards the train station "Gah, I can't believe this." He frowned. He hoped to get out of this before he saw a dry spot under a building's 'porch' area as he got off the train, his heart stopping as she saw her

A student, wearing a white hoodie under a black school blazer, the faintest poking of the school's plaid colour on a skirt, long red stockings and brown mid-shin length boots. Hiding under the same dry spot as Ren. The girl pulled down her hood and revealed her face; blonde, long pigtailed hair, blue eyes and soft lips. She was beautiful. She looked at him as they hid under from the rain, with her smiling gently at him in response in a friendly manner. She knew that this would be a 'guess we're in the same boat' situation.

She silently reached up, pulling a sakura petal from his hair

It was her... It was Ann

"You had this there." She smirked

"Thanks." Ren responded gently

The two remained under there until a car pulled up, which robbed Ann of her smile and Ren of the reunion. "Hey, you need a ride?" A polite voice came from a white car, it belonged to a thick unkempt black-haired man with a square jawline with brown eyes. He was wearing a white shirt and a gym teacher's stop-watch around his neck.

Ren instinctively grabbed Ann's wrist, glaring at the man as he tried to hold back his anger. Everything about seeing... HIM... Again made him mad.

"I-You okay?" Ann blinked in shock at this new guys sudden action

"Sorry creep, but we aren't going into some strangers car." Ren quickly covered up, doing his best to hold back his anger. Instinctively trying to protect Ann

"Huh? 'Creep'?" The man asked in shock. "I'm Suguru Kamoshida. I'm the Gym teacher at Shujin Academy." He answered back at Ren, trying to diffuse this situation "Oh, you must be the new kid." The man commented with a laugh, clearly trying to be friendly "That explains why you don't recognise me. Feel free to get in, I'm always happy to help out students. Especially in weather like this."

"It's fine." Ann answered your Ren as she wanted to get to school.

Ren wanted to walk and keep Ann out of Kamoshida's reach...but he knew where that would get him. And Ryuji would be coming soon. He felt her hand slip from his grip, Ren reluctantly letting her go. Feeling her soft skin leave his, making worry fill his heart

Ann walked to the car, getting in silently with her eyes down "What about you, kid?" Kamoshida asked

"... I need to learn the route to school. I'm gonna walk." Ren lied "Thank you though." he leaned forwards as the door closed, holding his hand out "I'm Ren." he greeted "Ren Amamiya."

"Suguru Kamoshida. As I've said. See you at school." Kamoshida answered as he drove off not even giving Ann the chance to respond to Ren

Ren stumbled as the car drove off, his arm almost being taken off by the car as it drove off

"FUCK!" a voice yelled angrily, another guy rushing towards Ren

Ren knew that voice instantly. It was his first comrade who joined him in the Metaverse. 'Ryuji.' He thought.

Standing in the rain was a dyed-blonde haired student, wearing the black school blazer and plaid trousers, but wearing a yellow shirt with a pink and yellow star on the front. He was a rowdy and hot-headed guy to say the least. "Damn that Kamoshida!" He snarled. "Hey, you knew who that was; right?" He turned to Ren in anger.

"The gym teacher at my new school?" Ren blinked

"'New School'?" Ryuji asked as he slowly calmed down. "Wait, you're the transfer student? So you don't know about that pervy teacher."

"Wait... Pervy teacher?!" Ren yelled in fear

"Guess you didn't know, from that reaction." Ryuji sighed heavily. "That damn bastard thinks he's king of the castle at Shujin."

Ren knew that this was sort of how the last conversation went, but with the Metaverse App listening in, he had to be careful if he had to bring Ryuji with him.

"Shit it's coming down hard, we better hurry to school." Ryuji added

'There it is.' Ren thought as the app activated, hearing the keywords from Ryuji's voice.

"Follow me, I've got a short cut!" Ryuji nodded and took off running. And unbeknownst to Ryuji, they were now in the Metaverse. Though the streets didn't change, nor did Ryuji realise it, Ren did. He knew the feeling as he saw their steps. Splashing with purple-red colour water as they ran towards the school...or what should be the school.

Ren was a bit shocked that his cloths hasn't changed, but he assumed since he hadn't summoned Arsene or another Persona yet or because he made himself seem friendly to Kamoshida and wasn't seen to be a threat

"Okay, the school should...be...Here?" Ryuji spoke before he looked up and saw a large castle in the place of the school. "What the hell? Where are we? What's happened?"

"Did we take a wrong turn?" Ren asked as he looked around

"No way! This should be the school!" Ryuji frowned and went into the school turned castle

"This isn't the school?" Ren asked dumbly as they arrived.

"What the fuck is going on?" Ryuji rubbed his hair in anger "Oh fuck!" he yelled

"Why don't you calm down?" Ren asked as he tried to get the nostalgia out of his mind as they walked through the castle. The two came to a stop, gasping in shock as they noticed a giant picture of Kamoshida dressed as a king... Before an armoured Knight neared them

"Wh-what's going on? Who're these guys?" Ryuji panicked in shock as he saw the armoured knights with the emotionless blank faces "Is this some kinda joke?" he laughed, putting his hand on one of the knights shoulder "Are you one of those guys in the third-year classes or something?"

"Err, I don't think they're cosplayers." Ren answered, trying not to let slip he knows Ryuji's name... And the knight slashed at Ryuji

"GAH! Wh-what the hell?! This is nuts!" Ryuji panicked. "New guy, run!"

"The names Ren!" he called as the two took off in the opposite direction of the knight... But where quickly surrounded


*time skip*

"Urgh...Shit. That hurt." Ryuji groaned as he and Ren crawled out of...bed? "Wh-what the? Where are we?"

'Ow, that hurt. Even the second time round.' Ren thought as he slowly got out of the hard bed.

"Hey! Let us out!" Ryuji slammed his fist on the metal prisoner doors of their jail cell

"Yeah. They'll do it because you said so. I'm sure." Ren commented, adjusting his glasses 'Get ready Arsene. We need to prepare a show.'

"Understood." Arsene smiled as the flames from his mouth spewed forth.

Ryuji eventually sat down, huffing in anger "Damn it!" Ryuji growled.

"What's your name?" Ren asked Ryuji.

"Huh?" He asked. "You're up?"

"Yeah." Ren nodded "I'm Ren Amamiya. '

"Okay 'Ren'. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto." Ryuji introduced himself. "Anywhere we can get out?"

"No. I don't think so." Ren answered. They both shut up quickly, however, when they heard three figures walking towards the cell

Two were the heavy stomps of metal on stone and the sound of slippers on stone. Ryuji didn't know what was going on still...but there was a sight that he didn't want to see.

It was Kamoshida... Wearing a strange heart covered red cloak with white trim and a small yellow crown on top of his head. Acting with the swagger of a king. But that wasn't the bit they didn't want to see. He was near-naked! The only thing he was wearing to cover his shame was a pair of pink speedos!

"My eyes!" Ryuji yelled as he shielded his face "Kamoshida, the hell are you wearing you freak?!"

"'Freak'? Did you just call me a 'freak' you worthless piece of shit?" 'Kamoshida' responded "Open the door!" He commanded the knights. The knights did as they where told, bowing. They unlocked the door and allowed Kamoshida walked in... and threw a strong punch right in Ryuji's face, pushing him away and into the wall "Filthy peasant!" Kamoshida hissed, the knights quickly pinning Ryuji to the wall "I'm half surprised that you're the one who broke into my Palace Ryuji. But only half."

"P-Palace? This-This isn't the school?" Ryuji struggled as he was pinned and tried to get out.

Ren saw this happening to his friend all over again, he wanted to do something, but he had to hold it back just a little longer.

THUMP!

"Gah!" Ryuji coughed as he felt his stomach being punched in by Kamoshida.

"Let him go!" Ren yelled as he rushed forward

CLANG!

"Stand back from The King, scum!" A knight blocked Ren from getting close.

"That eager to die, fool?" Kamoshida glared at him

"R-Run." Ryuji coughed as he tried to get back up.

"Execute him!" Kamoshida pointed at Ren.

"Y-You piece of shit." Ryuji grunted as was pinned to the ground by Kamoshida's foot.

'Now!' Ren thought as he yelled in 'pain', letting blue flames wash over his body

"Wh-What the-?" Kamoshida and Ryuji gasped as they saw the blue flames erupt from Ren as he summoned a white and black designed mask over his eyes.

Ren 'grunted in pain' as he ripped the mask off of his face and summoned his... "Per. So. Na! Come... ARSENE!" And transformed into his Phantom Thief costume

Summoned from the flames, a tall, debonair looking humanoid creature. Red legged and armed, a black waistcoat, a white ruffle tie, black feathery wings, knife heeled boots, a tall black top-hat and a demonic fiery mask-face. Arsene was realised! "Ha, ha, ha! So you finally summoned me!"

"Wh-what the fuck is that?" Kamoshida panicked as he saw the demonic figure. "G-Get him!" He ordered his knights.

Ren looked up, his face spread into the almost evil phantom Thief grin that Ren was more or less famous for, holding his hand out "Arsene! EIHA!" Joker ordered

Ryuji looked on at Ren, shocked to see this new side of this new guy he only met like five minutes ago. The Knights who tried to attack were caught in a 'powerful' Curse attack, causing them to fall to the floor. Ryuji saw his chance and gut-tackled Kamoshida into the wall and off guard. "W-What the hell-?" He panicked

"Urgh! D-Damn you." Kamoshida grunted

"The key!" Ren pointed.

"Oh-oh right!" Ryuji and Ren ran out, leaving Kamoshida inside the locked jail-cell.

"Y-You damn bastards! Guards! Guar-!" Kamoshida commanded before Ren grabbed his head and slammed him into the bars. He grabbed the pervert and pulled him forward, crashing Kamoshida's face into the metal and knocking him. However in the last second before Kamoshida, or as Ren knew him to be as Kamoshida's Shadow, was knocked out was Ren's smirk and glowing yellow eyes.

The 'king' fell limp to the floor, Ren slipping his hands into his pockets as he turned to Ryuji "We need to find a way out."

"Uh...Y-Yeah." Ryuji nodded and threw the keys into the stream and followed Ren "Just. Wh-what was that? That weird crazy thing!"

"I don't know. All I know is, I didn't want to let Kamoshida get his way." Ren answered as he and Ryuji ran.

"Oh, hell. A dead-end!" Ryuji groaned "Where is this place?"

"I'm not sure. But I'm sure we'll find the way out." Ren answered, knowing this place quite well. Ren was silent, jumping across the stakes in the stream to the other side of the room

"Hey, wait up!" Ryuji panted as he tried to catch up "Where are you going?"

"This way." Ren answered as he followed the stream as he showed the small hole in the fence, walking through it

"Oh, man. My bag's gonna get caught in this." Ryuji groaned lightly but still followed 'What the heck is going on? Kamoshida, those crazy knight guys. I'm going crazy.'

"We need to get out of here." Ren said simply, pulling a switch which made a bridge lower

"Hey!" A voice called out, catching Ren's attention

"What is that?" Ryuji asked as he heard that.

"Is someone there?" The voice continued

Ren froze, knowing that voice 'Mona...' he thought, walking towards the voice

"Dude, where're you going?" Ryuji groaned as he pointed at the drawbridge. "...Ah!" He groaned and followed Ren

Coming to the wall, Ren found a cell, where a small black figure was waiting and calling out "Hey; are you-?" The voice asked and revealed a small cat-like figure, wearing a black mask, a yellow scarf and small pouches around its waist "Y-You're-"

"Ren. What-? Who's this?" Ryuji asked as he saw the small cat-like figure "Gah! What's that?"

"I'm not a 'what'!" The cat-like being responded "I'm Morgana! A Phantom Thief! I was scoping this place out and got unlucky! So, blondie, let me out and I can help you and frizzy hair get outta here!"

"What? And help a monster cat?" Ryuji responded while Ren grabbed the keys to let Morgana out. "What're you doing, Ren?"

"Helping someone. Wouldn't you do the same, Sk-Ryuji?" Ren almost lost his pace as he opened the door. He'd almost slipped, almost used a name that didn't exist yet. However Morgana's ears twitched at that word, no not the word but Ren's slip. At the actions he was doing. Which he didn't do the first time, as if Morgana somehow knew...

"...You're right. I wouldn't let someone rot in something like this." Ryuji admitted. "So 'Morgana'; how'd you get here?" Ryuji asked

"First open the cell, and then I'll tell you." Morgana replied, ever the bargener

"Done." Ren answered as he opened the cell "My name's 'Ren', Morgana."

"Thanks." The cat responded. There was a moment where their eyes met, shining softly

"So...Where're we going?" Ryuji asked, sort of ruining the moment.

"Follow me. I know where to go." Morgana answered as he ran over, Ren going on autopiolet as they unlocked the second bridge

"...How do you know this stuff?" Ryuji asked as he followed, along with Morgana.

"Skilled; isn't he, Blondie?" Morgana asked

"You just need to be perceptive." Ren, no Joker, said as they ran through the castle... And came face to face with another knight

"Shit!" Ryuji hissed

"Let me!" Morgana smirked

"What can you do?" Ryuji asked

"This! PERSONA!" Morgana proclaimed as he summoned his own Persona. Ren expected it to be Zorro, named after the famous gentleman thief of literature...but what he saw was a form completely different. Coming from Morgana's spirit was a blue dressed being, wearing golden shoes with large wings at the heels, golden shoulders and bracers with clawed hands, a hooded face with red wings for eyes and holding a golden winged-staff with a snake wrapped around it and finally the alchemic symbol for 'Mercury' around his neck "Mercurius!"

"Whoa-ho-ho! That's one crazy thing!" Ryuji gasped as he saw it.

"Mona." Ren whispered as he saw it, unintentionally slipping on Morgana's codename which made Morgana's ears twitch again

"You say something man?" Ryuji asked

"N-No. Nothing." Ren coughed, confused. Morgana had Mercurius?! But.. how!?

"Mercurius, MAGARULA!" Morgana called out, Mercurius summoning a gale of green wind slashing at the Knights that blocked their path. The power of the wind was unmistakable, shooting through the air and blasting the weak Pixie's away "That is how you do it." Morgana smirked as he stood there proud.

"...How did you get captured if you can do that?" Ryuji gasped as he saw that.

"Everyone slips up when they are by themselves. Misses a detail, says the wrong thing, goes around the wrong corner. Bad luck is all." Morgana shrugged "Now come on, we need to get out of the dungeon!"

"That's true." Ren admitted and followed Morgana as they all ran out of the place.

"Now where're we going?" Ryuji asked as he ran, his leg twinging in pain from all the constant running.

"Out!" Morgana answered. They all heard knights heading their way, Morgana dragging the two into the Safe Room

"What the-? What is this place?" Ryuji asked in confusion.

"A Safe Room. The Shadows won't come in here. And we can talk without worrying." Morgana answered

Joker was silent as he looked at the room, seeing it shifting to the real one and the Palace

"Safe Room? Shadows?! What's going on?!" Ryuji yelled

"Ryuji, calm down." Ren spoke up

"'Calm'-? Dude, HOW?" Ryuji deadpanned "How can you be this calm?"

"Ryuji!" Morgana leapt up and slapped him "Let me explain!"

Ryuji shook his head and sat down, sighing

"Okay, I'll try and explain this as plainly as possible. This place is called a 'Palace', based on Kamoshida's distorted desires." Morgana began to explain

"A 'Palace'?" Ryuji asked "Distorted-?"

"You know how you said 'Kamoshida is the King of the School' and how he 'runs it like a castle'?" Ren asked

"Yeah...Wait. This place is what he thinks of the school?" Ryuji slowly understood.

"Exactly. This place exists because of how Kamoshida's desires have been corrupted and distorted." Morgana answered

"But why isn't this room affected?" Ryuji asked

"Kamoshida's a gym coach; right? So he has dominion over the gym, but not say a Maths class." Ren answered. "That's why it's safe."

"Like in a manga, you never see a Math teacher teaching gym, I get it!" Ryuji understood.

"A gross simplification, but essentially correct." Morgana sighed and nodded "You catch on quick, kid." Morgana complimented on Ren

"Thanks." Ren responded to Morgana "And right now, due to Kamoshida's desires, he feels untouchable. Above everyone because of his safety within this castle and the current situation."

"You mean having his own way and doing whatever he wants." Ryuji gripped his leg in anger.

"Exactly... Yes, I think they are gone." Morgana nodded

"Okay, let's go." Ren spoke "Think you can keep going?"

"I think so...This stuff is freaking crazy, but...I guess I can keep up." Ryuji answered

"Come on." Morgana ordered, the three rushing out of the room and up a spiral staircase

'How tall is this thing?' Ryuji thought as they got closer to the top.

"The exit's close, we just need to get out here." Morgana spoke as he lead the way as they neared the main room... And came to a sudden stop, seeing a dozen knights inside the main hall

"Oh, crap." Ryuji gulped

'How could I forget this?' Ren thought in anger.

"Come on, this way!" Morgana commented, opening a door to a small library

"Get them!" The Knight's leader ordered, pointing at the trio. They quickly locked the door, the knights having ran past

"There's an exit." Morgana commented

"Where? We're locked in here!" Ryuji panicked as he saw the room only had one exit.

"The ventilation, up there." Ren pointed to the window.

"Spoken like a true Phantom Thief." Morgana commented.

"Oh, okay. Gimme a boost." Ryuji asked as he scrambled on top of the bookcase. Ren nodded and boosted Ryuji up, allowing him to get to the ventilation "Okay, I got it." Ryuji gripped the grating of the ventilation.

"Can you get it open?" Ren asked

Ryuji grunted as he positioned himself to rip off the vent-cover "Hnn! It-it's a bit stiff. HNN! But it's coming!"

BANG!

"You've gotta hurry!" Morgana called out.

"C-C'mon you bi~tch!" Ryuji grunted and ripped the vent-cover off, almost flung back and landing on the floor "I got it!"

"Good work!" Morgana spoke. "Now go, that's the way out! You'll thank me later!"

"You're not coming to?" Ryuji asked

"As I said, I'm a Phantom Thief! He caught me once because he got lucky, it won't happen again!" Morgana said confidently

"Okay. Later then." Ryuji nodded "Let's go man!" he called before he started crawling through the vent

Ren nodded by stayed silent, staring at Morgana. Who stared right back.
Both stayed silent, just looking into each others eyes, before they heard Ryuji fall on the other side of the wall... And that was when Ren spoke "Mona?" he asked, hopefully

"Hi, Joker." Mona looked up at Joker, his eyes shining with tears as he saw his old friend... And instantly the two jumped at each other, hugging each other tightly

"You're alive! I can't believe it!" Mona cried as he hugged Joker as best as he could.

"I can't believe that you still have your memories of me." Joker responded

"Of course, I do. I-I'm sorry I wasn't there!" Mona cried "I'm sorry I left you alone! The last thing I remember is seeing you like that! I... I ran towards you as fast as I could but... But I was too late! And then I woke up in that cell again!"

"You? You saw me there; In the alley?" Ren asked in shock, thinking back to the last moment before the train

"Yes... I tried to get to you in that last moment..." Mona cried, hitting his chest "What where you thinking?! "

"I just. It was too much, Mona. I'm sorry. But I'm going to fix things this time." Ren apologised "We can fix everything. You, me, Ryuji, and-"

"Oh yeah. I've been meaning to ask... Who's that Ryuji guy?" Mona asled

"Y-You don't remember Ryuji? What about Ann? Yusuke?" Ren panicked

"Who're they?" Morgana responded as he didn't want to get shaken.

Ren's smile slowly crumbled away as he heard that. If Mona didn't know them...Then it was just them both "M-Mona... What... Do you remember?" Joker asked carefully

"I remember you. Us being Phantom Thieves...Most of it's a blur though." Mona answered "I remember me being the... Embodiment of hope... But everyone and everything around that is a blur... And then us arriving in your home town. And everything that happened after that."

Ren sighed as he heard that. "I'm sorry, Mona."

"It'll be alright, Joker. We'll fix everything." Mona answered "I trust our leader, and will follow your lead." he smirked

"Thanks, Mona. Let's get out of here and get our friends." Joker answered

"Right!" Mona nodded, jumping through the vent with Joker.

The two left headed straight to the exit, leading back to the Real World.

"Oof!" Ren grunted as he landed in the alleyway, where he could hear arguing "Huh?" he blinked

"Look, didn't you see the castle?" Ryuji argued with someone.

"'Castle'? Young man, you're from Shujin; correct? You're skipping school." The voice responded

"... Oh crap." Ren blinked, rushing out of the alley

"Where did he-?" Ryuji turned around and saw Ren. "Hey, wait!"

"There you are!" Ren said as he looked at the cops "Sorry. I'm new to the area and he was showing me the way to the academy but we accidentally got separated." Ren said smoothly, using the best lying method there was... Tell the truth but leave out a lot of info

"Err..." Ryuji looked at Ren in confusion as he heard that.

"Well, if that's true, we'll escort you to the school." The officer answered

"Thank you." Ren nodded, turning to Ryuji "Let's go man. Thanks for the help though, sorry for loosing sight of you."

"Dude, what the hell is going on? They don't believe me." Ryuji responded as they walked off.

"About what? A castle that doesn't exist?" Ren deadpanned "Do you see it anywhere? We didn't go far."

"Well...no but. Wait, the school's back!" Ryuji double-took in shock. "How? I mean, it's an eye-sore to see but-"

"What are you two doing here? You're meant to be in class!" A teacher firmly ordered. Said teacher being Kamoshida, who was standing next to the principal

"Kamoshida!" Ryuji's eyes widened in shock, seeing the teacher in his regular attire and not near-naked.

"What do you two have to say for yourselves?" Kamoshida glared at them

"Sorry sir. I got lost and Ryuji found me, showing me the way here. It is all my fault. I'm sorry." Ren bowed, biting back his anger and hate. Knowing about the strangeness and everything they had just been through ahead of time allowed his mind to be more focused

"Well, considering you got here yesterday." The principal commented as he saw how Ren was bowing to them...mostly him in particular. "I suppose I can let this slide just for today." while Kamoshida laughed

"D-Damn it." Ryuji groaned, hating hearing that bastard laugh.

"Get inside you two." The Principal ordered

Ren walked inside, sending a soft glare to Kamoshida

...

And suddenly Kamoshida froze, feeling like he was seeing a nightmare 'Wh-what was that-?' He thought to himself and in fear as he saw a flash of blue flames and yellow eyes

"Why did you do that?" Ryuji asked. "Bowing to him."

"We can't let him catch on." Ren answered "After all, they are less likely to be suspicious if you throw in a small amount of respect here or there. If I act aggressive, he'll think somethings up and yet I've never even met him."

"I...I guess that makes sense. But that bastard pisses me off." Ryuji answered

"I know." Ren sighed. 'Me too.' As he thought internally.

"So what was with that weird cat?" Ryuji asked


*Time Skip*

"You've missed two classes." Ms Kowakami frowned

"I'm sorry, Miss. We got lost." Ren lied in apologies.

Miss Kawakami sighed and covered her eyes in annoyance. "Were you with 'that' Sakamoto?"

"I bumped into him and he helped me get here." Ren replied, putting in a good word for his friend while also being happy since he only lost two classes instead of three thanks to Ren knowing his way around the Palace already

Miss Kawakami shook her head gently. "Let's just...get to class." She instructed.

"Yes Miss, here." Ren nodded, handing out another can of coffee

"A-Another one?" She asked as she saw it.

"You look exhausted. I thought you could use a pick-me-up." Ren answered honestly.

"Do you have enough to get by today?" She asked, knowing that this was one of the cans in the vending machines downstairs.

"I'll be fine." He answered "I can spare three hundred yen or so every now and again to help a teacher who's clearly giving all she can and more."

Ms Kawakami blinked in wonder and worry. Did he know her...? No. He only came here after two days, there was no way he knew her. "Thank you, but you're still under my watch." She warned "You're not going to bribe me into special treatment or anything."

"I'm not trying to, but understood." Ren nodded

"Good. And one more thing... don't cause any trouble while in class." Ms Kawakami asked

"Of course."

The two walked inside the class 2-D, the class Ren was going to attend for the next year. He smiled, looking at everyone "Everyone, this is our new Transfer Student. He got lost earlier this morning and missed the first two lessons." Miss Kawakami responded

"Hello, I'm Ren Amamiya." Ren introduced himself "It is nice to meet you all."

The class looked at each other and muttered, saying the words 'criminal' and 'problem student', 'delinquent'. Things Ren recalled all too much. It made his fists clench and his blood boil, but he held himself back. He walked forwards, nesting his seat. And he smiled as he noticed her, Ann, staring out the window. In the same seat as always, right in front of his one "Hey, you okay?" he asked

"Huh? Oh, fine." she blinked and nodded, trying to brush him off. Knowing what he was implying

"Good." he nodded back, taking his seat behind her. An act that, to him, was beyond natural

"Do those two know each other? Did they meet before?" The students asked each other but away from Ann and Ren.

Ren sighed to himself. 'I didn't miss this.' He thought to himself and so, class started. It was the basic introductions and lessons, it seemed to go on as per the normal. Time ticked by, Ren paying close attention to the blonde in front of him

Ann Takamaki. Panther. His fellow Phantom Thief... But right now, they were strangers. They weren't close friends who... Looking back on it, the two had been dancing around the fact they both knew they liked each other. He hadn't had the chance to confess before he foolishly left

'This time. No regrets. I'm going to do this right.' Ren thought as he swapped his sight between the board and Ann


*time skip*

Ren was riding the train back to LeBlanc, he had a faint idea of what was coming when he gets home. Being late on the first day was a big no-no on his probation. But hey, he wasn't AS last as the first time. He might be able to squeeze by

'Mona, I hope you get back quicker.' Ren hoped as the train came to a stop at Yongen-Jaya.

Yongen-Jaya, next stop. Next stop Yongen-Jaya

Ren sighed. However as he prepared to get out... He felt a familiar fuzzy face nudge his ankle "Hurry. You're gonna be late." Mona said from next to him

"Morgana!" He smiled as he picked up a small black cat with a white patch on its mouth and paws. "You're back!"

"Of course I am." Morgana smiled, slipping out of his hands and snuggled into his bag "Followed you into the real world and waited for an opening."

"Just like old times, Mona." Ren added, stroking his head. He exhaled gently and looked at the front door of the cafe. "Here we go."

"Where's here?" Mona asked

"LeBlanc, home." Ren answered as he opened the door. "I'm back."

"Welcome back." Sojiro sighed. "So, you can get back home on time, but when it comes to school you ditch two lessons?"

"It wasn't my fault."

"Let me guess, someone was in trouble?" Sojiro asked dismissively

"Something like that." Ren answered

"Gimme a break." Sojiro sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry." Ren apologised

"Is he going to let me stay?" Mona asked

"Huh? What's that? Meowing?" Sojiro caught the sounds Mona was making.

"Yeah." Ren answered honestly and calmly. "Let's go upstairs. I don't want to frighten him."

"Huh? 'Him'?" Sojiro asked as Ren walked upstairs.

"Ren, what's going on?" Mona asked in worry

"I'll explain in a moment." Ren answered, answering both Sojiro and Morgana

"Now, wait just a second!" Sojiro quickly spoke up and followed

Up in Ren's room, he carefully opened his bag and let Mona out. "I found him abandoned on the streets, I couldn't just leave him."

"Oh, I see." Mona realised.

"So you did find a cat." Sojiro realised. "Does it have a name?"

"Morgana." Ren answered and petted him.

"Hmm~, that's nice." Morgana purred

"Well. I guess you can keep it. I heard that cats make good companions for rehabilitation." Sojiro answered "...I really wanted to name it." He muttered it and headed downstairs.

"Good thinking, Ren." Morgana smiled and looked up at him. "Gah!" He was lifted up and hugged by Ren.

"I'm so happy you're here... I thought I'd have to do this alone..." Ren whispered softly

"Hey, of course I wouldn't let you do this alone." Morgana smiled as he snuggled in Ren's arms.

"...I take it you're a fan of cats." Sojiro spoke as he came in holding a plate with some cat-food.

"Food!" Morgana cheered, jumping from Ren's arms and running to the bowel

Ren chuckled as he saw Morgana leap to the floor and snarf down the plate of food "Hungry little thing; isn't it?" Sojiro asked "Okay, since you've got this little guy, there're a few rules we'll have to add."

"Okay, which are?" Ren asked

"No bringing the cat downstairs. This place is a cafe after all. No fur and hairballs allowed." Sojiro raised a finger.

"Right." Ren nodded

"When it needs to do its business, you have to clean it up." Sojiro added

"Of course." Ren continued

"And you have to look after it every day. Food, water, grooming. The whole shebang." Sojiro finished

"I understand. Consider it done." Ren answered

"Well good. Glad we've got that sorted out...So, what happened this morning? Why were you late to school?" Sojiro asked

"Well I met up with this student who offered to show me a short cut to school. He seemed like a cool guy so I agreed. But on the way I heard this guy meowing up a storm for help, leashed to a pipe without food with water dripping on him from a leaked pipe. I went to help him and when I turned back, the guy I was following was gone so... I was a bit lost." Ren explained

Sojiro sighed heavily "Can't leave others in need. Well. As long as this was a one-time thing."

"No more shortcuts." Ren nodded

"Good. Get ready for dinner. I'll be waiting downstairs." Sojiro instructed and walked down. "And bring that plate down when Morgana has finished it."

"Will do." Ren nodded

"Ah~, so good!" Morgana exclaimed as he lifted his head before he finished off the plate "I haven't had a good meal in ages."

"I'm sorry." Ren sighed

"It wasn't your burp fault." Morgana accepted the apology "It was your old home town."

Ren sighed and nodded, patting his head

"That was great." Morgana purred gently, nuzzling his head in Ren's hand "We're gonna get it right this time; right?"

"Yeah. Definitely." He nodded