The cold winter air bit at Ren's face as he wandered Kichijoji, his hands in his pockets, and an abnormally empty bag slung under his arm. He walked with a lowered gaze, the reflections of the bright displays on his glasses concealing his eyes as he pondered the terrible decision he had to make. Lately, it seemed like he spent most of his days like this, drifting aimlessly through the Tokyo streets. He'd even sent Morgana home; he simply wanted to wander alone. Perhaps he'd find his answer if he walked for long enough. Perhaps he was stalling. Maybe it was both.
He pulled up his scarf to shield his face, only to groan as the world grew blurrier with every passing second. He pulled down his scarf and wiped his glasses on it. The life of a four-eyes, he thought ruefully to himself, remembering his last encounter with a certain someone before…
"Hel-" He knew what was coming before she could finish. "-lo!"
Masking his cold expression with a warm smile, he turned around.
"Aloha."
He lifted his hand and moved his pinky in an exotic fashion. Sumire Yoshizawa covered her mouth, fogging up her glasses as she laughed wholeheartedly. They both stood there for a moment, laughing at each other before calming down. She took her glasses off and wiped them.
"I guess I really played myself there, huh? Maybe I should've stuck with contacts after all."
"No, you look cuter with them."
He smiled to himself as her face turned as bright red as her hair. She stammered for a few moments before finding her voice again.
"Umm… I'm glad you think so! Sorry for scaring you, by the way. I just saw you looking so sad and couldn't resist the opportunity."
"Seeing you is enough to make me happy."
She blushed, still not used to the compliments he so often heaped upon her.
"I'm happy that you're happy then! But if you don't mind me asking, what were you so worried about?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "All that's left is to send the calling card and we have plenty of time left, don't we?"
"No, I'm not worried about-"
He paused as a raindrop hit his head. And then another. Suddenly, the sky poured forth in all its fury as he wordlessly grabbed her hand. The unprepared people on the street ran for overhead cover, leaving them with no space as they hurriedly searched for a place to wait out the rain. At last, they ran down a flight of stairs and into the hidden establishment at the bottom. Stopping to catch their breath, they sighed in relief, having mostly been able to avoid becoming drenched. The sound of soft jazz-y music barely registered above the hammering in their chests.
"Hey, you two. Did you really think you could come in here without paying?"
Ren sighed.
"Sorry, sir. I'll pa-"
"Wait. Aren't you Akechi's friend?"
Ren looked over to the owner, a man with a black hat and sunglasses. Oh. This was the Jazz Jin, the club that he and Akechi frequented whenever they had something to discuss. The owner took a quick glance at him and Sumire and a friendly smile appeared on his face.
"I'll get you guys set up-," he pointed, "-at that table. Rainy day discount."
"Thank you so much!" Sumire exclaimed, offering a slight bow.
"Thanks," Ren offered simply.
They both took their seats at the table and rubbed their hands together, trying to warm up, while browsing the menu.
"Is it difficult to order by yourself? Or..." She turned to look out the window. "I guess we're stuck here for a few hours at least. I hope Mr. Sakura won't mind."
Ren smiled. Knowing Sojiro, he'd be giving him a pat on the back if he knew what he was doing. Still though… He put a hand to his forehead and groaned.
"He's going to kill me for this."
Her bright red eyes widened for a moment, before narrowing at the smirk on his face. They waited, filling their time with conversation about school, about their friends, and about the risks and rewards associated with the Big Bang Challenge. Soft thunder rumbled outside as a torrent poured down the stairs like a waterfall before emptying down the drain at the bottom of the steps. Raindrops battered the windows, desperately trying to break them to no avail.
Dim yet warm light filled the space inside the club. The seats, though old, felt more comfortable the longer they sat. A singer filled the club with atmospheric music as the pair conversed, their memories of the storm fading as they did so.
People come and they go
Some people may stay with you though
I am all alone tonight and I kept on
Asking myself questions
"I still can't believe you actually completed that challenge."
"I still can't believe it myself. It took a lot of guts and encouragement from Morgana but-"
They paused as the manager arrived with their drinks. He gently placed them on the table. They thanked him before he quickly returned to the bar. They took sips of their drinks, savoring the sweet, fizzy cocktails as they did so. Ren's spirit lifted as he sipped from the glass; a long forgotten sense of invigoration was returning to him.
"Oh, this is good. As expected from a professionally made drink."
"It's good, huh? I remember the first time I came here. Akechi-"
His face darkened as he spoke the name and he paused.
"Ren? What's wrong?"
He looked up to see his sad reflection in Sumire's eyes. There, he looked exhausted, defeated, and scared. He chuckled to himself and shook his head.
"It's nothing."
"If there's something wrong, please tell me." She reached over and gently put her hand on his. "You've always been there for me, Ren. I want to return the favor now."
A quiet determination burned behind her eyes, one he hadn't seen since she thought she was Kasumi. He looked away and sighed before speaking quietly, almost in a whisper.
"It's about Akechi. I told you about what happened the last time I saw him in Shido's palace, right? We thought he was dead but now he's back."
"And you think..."
"Yeah. Dr. Maruki's behind this too. And if we stop him, then Akechi will…"
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Conceited I was at time
I never really doubted myself
But tonight got me thinking about it all
If I am the fool or what not
"I know he's done terrible things. He tried to kill me. He killed two of our friends' parents and hundreds more. But…," he paused for a moment before continuing. "He's my friend, even if he doesn't see me as his. And I don't want to lose him again."
He pulled his hand away from hers as he brushed the tears from his face.
"Sorry, I didn't want to unload all that on you."
"I know exactly how you feel."
His eyes shot to her sad but warm smile.
"When Kasumi died, I wanted to do anything to get her back. I ran away from my reality for months. I wanted her to replace me because I didn't think I deserved to be alive while she wasn't."
Ren thought back to his memories of "Kasumi," the name he had known Sumire by for the first few months they had known each other. While confident and graceful in every step, she sensed there was something wrong with her, like a memory buried deep inside that she didn't want to recall. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that Ren and Akechi freed her from Maruki's grasp and forced her to face reality: that she was Sumire, and not her dead older sister.
"In a way, I'm glad for what Dr. Maruki did. It helped me see that I have to live my life for Kasumi, not as her. You and Akechi both helped me see that."
"Sumire…"
I do not
Regret with my choices I'm rather proud
Ooh yet I know I won't change
Anything
Because I can only be me so
"I see that I can be happy without needing the world to change for me, that I can live life as Sumire. My own life!"
Her determined look pierced him as she continued.
"I've made up my mind about stopping Dr. Maruki and I'm pretty sure Akechi already has too."
The sad look on his face confirmed her suspicion. She took his hands in hers again.
"Let's take our lives back, Ren."
He blinked back his tears and nodded. She was right. He had no right to decide for Akechi what his fate would be. He had already chosen almost certain death over a lifetime of living as Maruki's puppet. So had the rest of the Thieves. There was no other choice.
How can I be so sure?
At a crossroads I'm afraid too
But I can't let fear get the best of me
Someone once said burn my dread babe
Sumire suddenly let go of his hands and stood. Ren watched as she walked over to the manager, hands together, and said something inaudible. The manager, with a smile on his face, nodded, and she bowed in return. For a moment, she stood in the middle of the open space in the club, eyes closed. A deep breath entered her lungs and suddenly, she sprung into action. With light steps, she spun around the impromptu dance floor. The background chatter quieted as everyone turned their eyes to the dancer, her red hair waving in the air as she gracefully crossed the floor.
Ren smiled. He thought back to the school festival back in October, when she dazzled all of Shujin with her dance as she was doing now. He was feeling down then too; the world at that point believed he and the Thieves were murderers. Watching her move, even for a moment, made him forget his struggles then just as it was doing now. His worries slowly melted away, illuminated by her radiance.
Sumire began to slow as she gracefully moved towards him and, just as she had then, extended her hand to him. He didn't take it then, partly worried that he had misread things and partly because he wanted to lay low at the time. But looking at her now, the red hair framing her face, her smile, her rapid breaths…
"Would you?"
He took off his glasses, throwing them onto the table, and took her hand.
Who knows what tomorrow holds?
Just wanna live my life the way I want
What fills up my soul is passionate
Music that makes me want to sing
The audience gasped as the duo took off without a hitch; they matched each other's rhythms and movements as if they'd practiced a thousand times. They danced around each other with slow and steady movements matched to the beat of the music.
As the singer neared the end, Sumire threw her arms around his neck, pulling his face close to hers while laughing. He put his hands around her waist and laughed with her as they rocked slowly back and forth. Their eyes closed, savoring the moment as they slow-danced until the music stopped. A mischievous smile formed on her face.
"Don't forget the pose!"
She grabbed one of his hands and spun around him. She leaned back, falling into his waiting arm. All around, the customers began to cheer and clap as the two fought to catch their breath.
"We nailed it, Ren!" she exclaimed.
The two bowed to their audience as they made their way back to their seats. Outside, the rain had stopped, and the sun shone a bright orange as it set.
"I guess it's time to go, huh?" she said sadly.
He'd forgotten what time it was and sadly nodded.
"We should get going."
The walk to the subway station was filled with silence, the two of them content with just enjoying each other's company. The streets started to clear as people hurried home from work and the city began its slumber. They paused in the station when it was time to part and at last, Ren broke the silence.
"Thanks, Sumire. For today."
"Don't mention it. You've done so much for me. The least I could do is help take your mind off of things. Did it work?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, thank goodness. I didn't know you were such a good dancer!"
He chuckled.
"It came to me in a dream once."
She blushed and smiled, unsure of how to respond.
"Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
He turned to walk away.
"Wait!"
He turned just in time for Sumire to throw her arms around him.
"We're both in a tough spot right now, Ren. But I know that you'll make the right decision when the time comes. And after that, I want to dance with you again, as myself, just like tonight!"
He placed a gentle hand on her head and held her tightly. They stood there, in the empty station, hearts beating as one. At last, they pulled apart and exchanged smiles before heading down to their trains. As he boarded his train, he looked out the window to the other platform. Sumire waved to him, smiling. He smiled and waved back, eyes locked on her face until she was out of view.
My story will be starring me just like yours
Who knows when will it end
What matters most is how you bring joy to life so
He pulled out his phone and scrolled down to the name that had plagued his mind as of late: Goro Akechi. He eyed the last message from him, dated a few days prior. He typed out his response.
"I've made up my mind."
