December 2 Friday

After a full four days of bed rest, Ren was happy to finally be able to get out bed. Takemi impressed by his healing told Futaba that he could resume some normal activities as long as he was careful about his injured right side. There was a bone still healing and it would be easy for him to re-injure it. The stitches in his cheek had also come out, it seemed like he would have a small scar but it was an overall win considering Akechi's blade could have taken the eye. As for his hand; it was fine now, just a little stiff from being wrapped up. All in all things could have been worse, but now at least he should be able to get Shido's Palace done with the others hopefully before the 8th. Sojiro had after all agreed to let both him and Futaba head to Inaba with Rise and her friends.

"Yes!" Ren pumped his fist as he stepped out of the clinic.

"She still told you to take it easy bro." Futaba gave him a pointed look which meant she wasn't going to let him get away with rushing off to Mementos to test his body.

Ren didn't have anything to say to that and only sighed with defeat. When it came to his health, Futaba wasn't about to let Ren beat himself up if this past week was anything to go by. Ren also couldn't bring himself to disobey her. He had attempted once two days ago just to go down to get water for himself, she promptly forced him back to bed and then went into a long tirade about how he promised. Ren couldn't back out of a promise especially to his younger sister.

"Well since you're feeling better, you'll be able to come to the get-together tonight." Futaba suddenly said as they walked back to Leblanc.

"Get-together?" Ren questioned.

"Well, everyone is getting together at Rise's place to discuss our next steps. Nobody knew if you'd be able to make it with injuries so one of the things they were going to talk about was what to do if you'd be out of the fight for a while." Futaba explained as she pulled out her phone. "I'll let everyone know you're coming to the gathering."

"Mutiny in my ranks." Ren huffed only half meaning it.

"Mutiny? You mean rebellion from a bunch of Thieves?" Futaba smirked at him, clearly taking it as a joke. "Don't take it so seriously. Everyone is worried about you and we can't let Shido win. I'd rather have an injured Ren over a dead one."

It was a fair assessment. Normally from what Ren had gathered from the internet it took six weeks for a broken rib to heal. As long as he didn't do anything to re-injure his side he was free to do what he wanted, but that probably didn't include the work he did as a Phantom Thief. It sucked but he was going to have to take it slow still. Luckily the power of Persona allowed him to fight with a proxy, so as long as he wasn't in the front lines maybe he could still help his friends.

Stepping into Café LeBlanc, it was empty. The lunch rush had come and left and only a few regulars came in after the lunch. It wasn't uncommon for the place to be empty at this time of day, but in about an hour the regulars would start to come in and Sojiro would be busy once again. Morgana was curled up on one of the tall back chairs apparently snoozing. As for Sojiro, he sat reading the paper at the counter but as Ren and Futaba came in he got up and stepped up to Ren. Reaching out he cupped Ren's chin and got a good look at the still healing cut on his cheek.

"Hoo boy… You got quite the mark," Sojiro looked towards Futaba. "So what the doctor say?"

"He's fine to return to normal activity as long as he doesn't do anything to re-injure his side. Basically any time his side hurts he has to stop what he is doing." Futaba informed their guardian.

"I take it that might affect your work as the Phantom Thieves?" Sojiro inquired openly since the café was empty.

"Probably, but I don't think that'll stop him from going with us, but I'm his navigator so I'll make sure he doesn't get in any danger." Futaba explained as she looked at Ren.

Sojiro turned his attention back to Ren. "Now look. Don't be a dumbass kid, I can't stop you from whatever you kids do as Phantom Thieves but just don't overdo it. Listen to your body and Futaba. Heck even that sweet girl Makoto. Alright?"

"Yes sir." Ren nodded.

"Good." Sojiro returned to his seat and his newspaper.

Morgana stretched as he got up. "I take it we are taking him with us when we head out?" Morgana jumped down from the chair he had been sitting on.

"Yep! But he ain't allowed to lift anything more than 10 pounds at the moment so I guess I'll be carrying you around." Futaba explained as she picked up Morgana.

"Just make sure you leave room in your bag for me, I don't want to be crushed by your laptop!" Morgana warned as he settled in Futaba's arms.

"I got ya Mona!" Futaba explained before looking at Joker. "Rise is gonna pick us up in about an hour. Until then I release you! Go do whatever a Ren does!" Futaba shooed Ren with a wave of her hand.

Ren smiled and patted Futaba on the head. He knew she was only trying to do right by him and he couldn't blame her. He'd be just as bad, if not worse, if the situations had been reversed. He might not have seemed thankful during the last few days, but deep down he knew. The people who he had surrounded himself with were true friends and people he could depend on.

"Thanks Futaba. For everything." Ren told his little sister. "You too Morgana."

Futaba gave him a wide smile. "I'm your navigator, it's my job to always have your back."

"Agreed. We're a team and we got each other's backs!" Morgana nodded.

"I got your guy's backs too, don't forget that." Ren stated firmly before he walked past them and headed up to his room.

Now that he was free for an hour, a quick trip to the bathhouse down the street was in order. Afterwards Ren just wanted to wander the back streets of Yongen-Jaya. His body just wanted to move after being holed up in a bed for the past few days and it felt good just to move. Keeping an eye on the time, Ren managed to keep near Leblanc and arrive back just few minutes before Rise arrived. Rise gathered everyone up and soon they were on the road to the condo. The trip there was uneventful. As Ren stepped off the elevator into Rises condo it felt as if, after a long four days, he could finally get back to his work as a Phantom Thief.

The living room seemed to be occupied by Naoto and Akechi who appeared to be engaged in a gather intense game of chess. Yu, Makoto, and Haru sat on couches watching the match as Yusuke seemed be sketching from the large recliner. As soon as Ren entered the others looked up from the game.

"REN!" There was a cry in near unison.

"Wait, Ren's here?!" Came a call from the kitchen to the left that sounded like Ryuji.

It was at that moment Futaba stepped in front of him in a protective manor. Holding out her hands as she glared at everyone. It was an interesting experience to be the one needing protecting for once and it was his navigator out of all people that decided to take up the role. From the left Ryuji, Ann, Kanji and someone Ren thought was Chie appeared from the kitchen.

"Ren is still very much injured, doctor told me he is free to move around but he can't do anything that could re-injure his side. So please be careful around him. Anyone who hinders his recovery will have to answer to Makoto!" Futaba pointed to Ren's girlfriend.

Suddenly all eyes were on Makoto as she got the sweetest smile possible. "I can't let anything happen to our leader, so if I find out someone is responsible, you will answer dearly for it." Makoto just continued to smile sweetly as she offered the very real threat.

Maybe Ren had it wrong this whole time. Maybe Haru wasn't the scariest member of the Phantom Thieves. That title might just belong to his girlfriend. It was common sense to never get on a woman's bad side, but that point was pressed home hard for Ren. A curious thought drifted out from Ren's conscious, if he was the one to re-injure himself did the threat still remain? And why was he suddenly so curious to find out?

"Let me get changed then we can get this little meeting rolling." Rise called cutting the sudden tension easily as she walked past everyone disappearing down a hallway.

Ren moved to the couch as everyone from kitchen filed into the living room. Ren took a spot behind Akechi as he gazed at the chess board. Ren definitely knew way more about Shogi, but chess and Shogi were very similar games. By the pieces left on the board it was clear that an intense battle had unfolded leaving both Akechi and Naoto were in position for an effective way to end one another. The board looked clearly in favor of Akechi but if Ren got a gut feeling Naoto shouldn't be called out just yet. Hifumi had snatched victory from him several times from the jaws of defeat. Futaba, his protector, took a seat next to him before she pulled Morgana from her backpack and set the cat down on her lap as Ren studied the game.

"Check." Akechi called moving his knight into place, it was then Ren noticed the sling Akechi's right arm was in. Ren could only believe it was the injury to his shoulder.

Naoto examined the board intensely before moving a bishop to protect her King by taking the knight. To which Akechi responded by taking the bishop with his Queen. Naoto shook her head before she reached for her rook and moved it across the board. "Check mate." She calmly said.

Akechi had been so busy with his offense that he hadn't seen the trap Naoto had carefully laid down. The second the Queen had moved, the whole game was over. It just went to show how brilliant at both patience and strategy she truly was. It must have been a good game and Ren could only wish he had seen it from the beginning instead of just seeing the tail end of it.

Akechi chuckled as he knocked over his King. "You played me good Nee-san. You had me believing several easy wins was the quickest way to victory while you were in control of the board the entire time. I applaud your victory."

"Your skill in this game is quite impressive, but Goro-kun you really need to think more defensively. You are too fast to look for the most aggressive option." Naoto explained as she moved to pick up the pieces.

"Even a simple game you can turn into a teachable moment." The smile that spread across Akechi's face was both warm and genuine as he helped Naoto picked up the pieces.

"I have a lot to teach, but it's nice to have an apt pupil." Naoto returned the smile with one of her own.

It would seem Akechi was fitting in well with Yu's group. Ren was honestly happy for him, but among his own group he couldn't say the same. As he looked around he noticed Haru, Ann, Ryuji, and occasionally even Yusuke were giving him the kind of half-hearted glances that spoke volumes to their unease to be in the same room as the former traitor. While he could expect that kind of reaction from Haru or even Futaba, Ren knew he'd be needing to speak with his group as a whole about Akechi situation. As Rise returned from the hallway, Ren got to his feet.

"Alright, I'm going to only say this once. The only people in this room that are allowed to hold a grudge against Akechi are Haru and Futaba. Everyone else, I forbid it." That definitely got everyone attention, except for Akechi who only stared at the floor. "If you're mad at him, then be mad at me instead. I'm the one that authorized his change of heart and I know that goes against our rules about everyone agreeing to go after a target. So it's my fault."

Futaba gave Akechi a sideways glance as she pet Morgana. "I need a solid answer, Akechi where you the one that caused my mom to have a mental shut down? Yes or no…"

Akechi looked directly at Futaba as his lips pressed into a thin line. He was silent for several long seconds as if he seemed unwilling to fully answer, before his gaze returned to the floor. "Yes it was me who caused that."

There was pain that reflect behind Futaba's glasses. Ren could see this was hard for her but mixed with that pain was something more than just sadness. There was a spark of understanding. "Yeah, I kind of figured… but, you weren't the one that caused all my suffering. That was Shido who manipulated everything from the shadows. He stole her research and covered everything up; blaming me for her death! You were just the pawn and while I can't forgive you for my mom, doesn't mean I find you to be someone beyond forgiveness."

That was surprisingly mature for Futaba, Ren was impressed. Reaching out he gave Futaba a pat on the head, a silent reassurance of his approval. Futaba inched a bit closer to him and slightly leaned against him. It was easy to tell that there was still pain there, but Futaba was able to step past and strive forward. The mood however switched to Haru who could no longer look at anyone. She fidgeted with her fingers in her lap as she bit her lower lip. She was uncomfortable, but Ren knew this needed to happen. If the group was to move forward everyone needed to accept Akechi in some way, even if it was to simply hate him. Haru finally seemed to find her voice as she leveled off a gaze on Akechi. Akechi for the most part bowed his head to her.

"When I was younger my dad was a fantastic father, he cared for me. It's only been the past few years that be became distant and cold… Despite all that I still loved him, and I think if we had succeeded in changing his heart he would have gone back to that person he was before. But we'll know for sure now!" Haru's hands balled into fists in her lap as Akechi twitched as if he had been struck. "So I need to know. WHY?! Why did you have to kill him?" Tears started to mist in her eyes as she looked to Akechi for answers.

Akechi took a deep breath. "Because that's how Shido handles all of his problems. As word was starting to break about the abuse of his employees and his own ambitions to ascend into the political sphere, Shido began to worry that his tarnished image could reflect negatively on his upcoming campaign. Shido has always been careful to keep his manufactured image protected from all threats. As I'm sure your Navigator can confirm, one of our own hackers hacked the phansite and boosted Okumura up so you guys would attempt to steal his heart. You took the bait, just as Shido planned. I hung in the shadows and watched as all of you made your way through Okumura's Palace. I had been there several times myself. After you guys stole his treasure, I executed what remained of his shadow knowing the Thieves would get blamed for his death. Two birds with one stone. But Shido wasn't done there, he ordered me to plant a card in Kobayakawa's office and take him out as well. Further discrediting everything you guys did. Because that's what Shido does. He ruins you before the silent elimination. After all Kobayakawa had plans to expose Shido to the police."

"Shido had him killed all because of a connection?" Haru sounded mortified.

"Okumura had donated a lot of money to Shido as well as several of his various affiliates. If people knew that money came from the backs of abused workers, people might question Shido himself if he was willing to take money from someone like that. While I was one of his assassins, I know I'm not the only one. It's easier to kill someone so they can't ever come back and expose him for the man he truly is. Granted not all of his problems have been solved with blood, if he doesn't kill you, he'll discredit you to the point that no one will ever believe what you have to say." Akechi reached up grabbing at his chest. "Make no mistake; if you don't change that man's heart, most of the people in this room will end up dead. He has already made plans to kill the original Phantom Thieves and he'll no doubt find out about my betrayal and kill me. Sae-san will be next in his crosshairs which will lead him to Nee-san and Yu-san. I can't say for sure he'll stop there, but he would definitely kill everyone I mentioned as he doesn't want any information about the cognitive world to escape his influence. People's lives mean nothing to him."

A silence enveloped the room before Ryuji spoke up. "How many people? How many people did you kill for Shido?"

Akechi looked unwilling to answer but spoke anyways. "17 people in total, in directly of course. Ren was going to be the first one I got my hands bloody for." He looked down at his hands. "Wakaba Isshiki was the first."

Ren noticed Futaba suddenly perk up. "What happened with my mom?"

Akechi once again went silent, as if he didn't want to answer. "Honestly, unlike you all, I didn't have a magic talking cat to guide me through my powers. I explored palaces at my leisure and didn't understand at all what I was doing. The only guidance I received, if one could call it that, was through Loki's urges. I'd just feel what he wanted me to do and I'd just go with it. Isshiki's Palace was a maze of laboratories, Shido had told me to look into. He at first made it appear as if Isshiki's research was dangerous. Considering I didn't understand the Metaverse fully back then and I knew it was a dangerous place. I also knew I needed to gain Shido's trust. When I reached the end of the maze there was Isshiki's cognition. Her cognition seemed to see through Shido's plan before me and instantly attacked me, probably realizing Shido wanted to me to kill her. Not understanding anything I struck back against her with deadly intent. The Palace collapsed after that and I barely made it out. That was the first time Shido actually acknowledged me, it felt wonderful and I knew my plan would work. It wasn't until my fourth victim that when I realized my actions had deadly consequences. By that time my web of lies had become so convoluted I lost myself. I found my Palace the day after the truth was revealed to me. My inner self despised what I had become and I despised it because I knew it was true. So instead of killing it, I tortured it. Took out all the conflicting issues that I held in my heart and threw them at myself. With Loki's help, it split me, but from it I gained the power to call the madness through Loki. I locked away my feelings and became as cold and ruthless as my father. I am no better than him honestly, and I have every intention to pay for my crimes, but first I know I can help you bring him down. So please let me repent in this small way." Akechi bowed low not looking at anyone.

"17?! Just you? How many people has Shido had killed?" Ryuji grasped as he got to his feet and started to pace.

"I can't say for sure, but if you include the lives he has utterly destroyed the number could easily be in the triple digits." Akechi explained as he balled his hands into fist. "These aren't people like Ren who got simple probation. These people literally hold no accountability and are looked upon with shame by anyone who knows them. Shido crushed their souls so they wouldn't dare speak against him. His crimes date far beyond my appearance in his life."

"Ya know the more I hear about this Shido guy the more I want to punch him in the face!" Chie punched her hand into her fist. "But I don't need to hear any more about how scummy this guy is. Let's get down to how we are gonna knock this guy off his high horse before the house comes down around us!"

"That sounds like a proper transition. Thank you Satonaka-san." Makoto nodded towards the older woman before turning her attention to everyone. "We already have two letters of introduction. This Sunday is probably the best day for all of us to try and get the last three as all of us have the day off. Then we can send the card that night and go after Shido himself on Monday. Shujin has an optional assembly that day we could all skip and be off of school by one in the afternoon. That is if we can figure out what to do about you, Yusuke."

"That should not be a complication, I shall just explain that I require a day to express my imagination." Yusuke added a flourish of his hands as he spoke.

"What? Did he just causally say he was going to skip school like it was no big deal?" Ryuji blinked.

"Yusuke are you sure that is a good idea? Couldn't that put your scholarship in danger if they catch you?" Makoto looked uneasy.

"Heavens, no. I'm under a scholarship for art. Art is all about expressing yourself with some medium, it's not uncommon to take a field trip out into the world to gain inspiration for your next piece. As long as my art teacher knows before I venture and my grades don't drop; they are perfectly fine with me expressing myself." Yusuke explained.

"For real?! You can just play hooky like that?" Ryuji sat back down and just stared at Yusuke.

"It's not a privilege I intend to abuse, but I've used it a few times for Phantom thief affairs." Yusuke shrugged.

"Well that settles that, unless any one has any objection." Makoto looked over the group.

"I do." Ren called.

"The floor is yours." Makoto nodded to Ren.

"Akechi, what about you? Your school has no doubt noticed you're missing. Could that raise any flags for Shido?" Ren asked.

"Luckily the injuries I sustained from our battle" Akechi motioned to his shoulder and sling. "Along with my excuse that I'm exhausted from my work as both a detective and a celebrity have afforded me a little leeway with my studies. Shido believes I was involved in a bike accident. He is rather upset I'm not at his beck and call but so far, I don't believe he knows of my betrayal. If we tarry on this issue for much longer though, my deceit will no doubt be discovered."

"Then all of our bases are covered." Ren finalized.

"Not exactly." Makoto started. "We haven't discussed what we are going to do about the two of you."

This was the conversation Ren wasn't looking forward too. As the person that had been nominated the leader of the Phantom Thieves, this was the first real decision he probably wouldn't have much input in. He didn't want to get left behind. And there was Akechi who had almost threw away all of his humanity to exact vengeance. He deserved at least to face his father at the end of this all, if nothing more than to get some atonement for his crimes.

"Ah yes, quite the predicament. Or is it? I'm left hand dominate and Ren has no such restrictions on shooting. Also, we are both powerful Persona users." Akechi seemed to take a charismatic approach to the problem. "I don't believe our mobility has been impaired."

"Ren does!" Futaba suddenly interrupted. "With his broken rib, he can't breathe too heavily because it might put strain on his side. No heavy exercise."

Ren both hated and respected his navigator at that moment.

"Should we leave it to a vote?" Haru asked taking the diplomatic route.

"Why don't you all discuss it among yourselves? I'm abstaining from voting. Can the two of you come to the kitchen with me?" Yu asked as he moved towards the kitchen.

"Sure Narukami-san" Akechi slowly got to his feet and followed Yu.

Ren sighed giving his friends a good look before also heading towards the kitchen. Yu was in the middle of grabbing a coffee as Ren stepped in. Akechi joined Yu in grabbing a cup of coffee, with Yu's assistance. Ren suddenly felt like the odd one out before a third cup was poured. Yu closed the door between the kitchen and the living room effectively cutting off any hope of hearing what the others were talking about. Ren had to admit he wanted to be part of this decision, but maybe it was better this way. Yu sat down at the table and motioned for the two to join him, with no real reason to resist both boys did.

"Don't look so depressed." Yu informed both of them.

"Easy for you to say, I've devoted years of my life to ruining Shido. Literally threw parts of myself away, but in the end, I don't get the final say whether I'll even be able to help take down my father. Granted my hands are so stained maybe the karmic justice of knowing I got so close only to be denied." Akechi wrapped his one good hand around his cup as he started into the dark brew.

"Naoto will go to bat for you." Yu shrugged.

"Nee-san is amazing, but I don't know if her words alone can sway everyone. I've done some terrible things." Akechi lamented.

"I told them if there is a grudge to hold then they should hold it with me. With the exception of Haru." Ren replied after he took a slip of his coffee. "So why are you abstaining Yu-senpai?"

"Because I don't want anyone to look to me for leadership on this. It has to be a group decision." Yu explained before he looked between the two of them. "But it won't be all gloom today for the both of you. I bring offerings." Yu suddenly smirked before he reached into a pocket of the coat he had been wearing and pulled out small two rectangular boxes and set them in front of the boys.

Ren reached forward to pick up the box before him. It was light box and as Ren examined it, he figured out what it was. A glasses case. Opening it, a set of black glasses almost identical to the ones he normally wore. It was only as he pulled them out that he realized there was a few distinct differences. This new pair was far better built than his original pair, even if they were just a cheap pair he had picked up on the train ride to Tokyo. Also along the side there were several bars of color giving the glasses a touch of style that he didn't have before. The last major difference was that while the lenses appeared clear, there was a slight Red tint to them that only appeared in the right light. Pulling off his old glasses; he put the new ones one, surprised to find how well they seemed to instantly fit. As if they were custom built.

"They are a gift from Teddie that arrived in the mail yesterday. He makes glasses for the Persona users in our team. To get a pair means you are officially part of the investigation team. I know Ted has plans to make everyone in the Thieves a pair, but apparently you two are the first to receive them." Yu explained.

Ren glanced over at Akechi as he slipped on a pair of square, thin framed, brown glasses. Like Ren's they had those same bars of color along the side of the frames just after the hinges. The glasses if anything gave Akechi a more astute look than he normal had. They definitely seemed to fit his personality in the same way all the investigation teams glasses did. As Akechi looked around in them, Ren caught the tan tint of the glasses if not for but a moment. He never really looked at Yu and the others glasses before, but he quickly got the feeling all of them had a slight tint.

Ren couldn't tell how exactly how he looked in his glasses but they were similar enough to his old pair that he had a clue. Picking up his old pair he put them back into the box his new ones had come in. These new glasses actual held some meaning and while the old pair had served him well, Ren definitely preferred the upgrade.

"These are wonderful. I'll have to write Teddie-san a thank you letter." Akechi adjusted them to get the perfect fit.

"Tell him when you see him on the ninth. Naoto is dragged you with us to Inaba and she won't take no for an answer." Yu informed him, before he looked towards Ren. "So I guess both of you are coming."

"You're going too Ren?" Akechi asked.

"Yes," Ren nodded.

"The plan is to leave here midday and get to Inaba by train at about 2100. Ren, you and Futaba will be staying at our friend's inn. Morgana has been allowed to stay under special exceptions so try not to let the other guests see him." Ren nodded which caused Yu to continue. "Akechi you be staying at Naoto's estate which sits on the outskirts of Inaba."

"That is enough!" came the voice from the front room Ren identified as Naoto.

Then silence.

While Ren couldn't make out exactly what Naoto was saying, she seemed to be saying something that captured everyone's attention. No other voices preceded hers until she finished talking. Yu turned toward the door to the kitchen just as Naoto entered. She looked pissed. Yu got to his feet moving to the coffee machine and pouring his partner a mug before handing it to her. The relationship between the two of them could be pretty much summarized in that one moment. There was just an understanding between them that went beyond words. They probably would have made a great couple if they didn't already have their perspective significant others.

"Thank you." Naoto quietly muttered as she took a sip from the mug.

"Kids acting like kids?" Yu seemed to understand.

Naoto said nothing letting her silence spoke volumes. Ren looked at Akechi as he stood from the table and walked to Naoto. However, before Akechi could even say anything Naoto pinned him with a stare. Akechi froze in place under that intense stare, like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Ren watched the interaction with interest. It wasn't that long ago something like that wouldn't have affected Akechi, but it would seem that accepting those pieces of himself had given him a change of heart. There was a kindness in his soul now, one that was burdened by the guilt of his actions. One that Ren trusted despite everything that happened.

Naoto lessened her stare after another sip of her coffee. "Sorry. As intelligent and battle hardened as your group is Ren-kun doesn't mean I can't see them as children at times."

"What happened?" Akechi spoke first and Ren was happy to let him ask.

Naoto leaned against the counter of the kitchen next to Yu. "Ren-kun have you ever felt your friends hold you to ridiculously high standards?"

Ren raised an eyebrow at the question, getting a gut feeling to where Naoto was going with this. "Perhaps."

"And that's the problem. For the first time since this all has begun for you; they saw you bleed. If their almighty leader can bleed what does that mean for the rest of them? They're rattled but trying to struggle through it." Naoto explained pausing only to take another sip of coffee. "Goro-kun's betrayal is still very fresh in their minds coupled with the fact we adults went after the Palace without going as a whole group also has them on edge. They are using any excuse they can find to mask their fear and I'm afraid they are directing it at you Goro-kun. Goro-kun, you did show them that Ren-kun is indeed a mortal."

Ren sighed having understood the problem before Naoto explained it to the room. As a leader he had always tried to do the cool thing, be the shining example his team needed; yet be there for them at any turn. It was his fault they held him to this standard. He rarely showed any of them how human he could be. His probation had changed him in a deeply profound way that even among his friends he remained guarded giving them the carefully curated imagine he presented them. Joker was his release from it all. Joker was Ren's true self; calm, confident, assertive. Joker manifested who Ren felt like deep down; free from all the chains and responsibly that Ren had tying him down.

"I'm willing to play the scapegoat, if…" Akechi started.

"Stop." Ren's voice cut off Akechi before he could finish. This was louder than Ren had ever spoken before and that fact alone caused Naoto and Yu to both looked at him. "I'm not going if you aren't." Ren's gaze flicked to Yu. "I assume you can lead them?"

Yu crossed his arms across his chest. "Maybe."

"Shido needs to go down, with or without us. Yu-senpai I trust you." Ren looked towards the other man.

Yu shook his head. "Fine, but on one condition." The nod Ren gave Yu allowed him to continue. "You'll both sneak into the Palace anyways."

Ren and Akechi looked at each other surprised by Yu's words. If that was the condition then Ren would have to abide by it. Still how would everyone take it if they snuck in despite the vote to keep them out? Ren's group had always been very tightknit. Sure there was also some jeers between Ryuji and Morgana but rarely did they actually fight. Morgana leaving was the only real hiccup the group had had. And with that Morgana brought Haru into the fold. Even so Ren had blamed his own failure of leadership on Morgana leaving. He should have never let the situation play out like that. It had been a learning experience in leadership and a mistake he never intended to repeat.

"Why?" Ren asked his mentor.

Yu let his arms fall to his sides as he leaned against the counter next to his partner. "Simple. You are the ones fate chose for this job. It isn't my job to bring down Shido. It's both of yours. I'm happy to help with that, but I didn't come here to swoop in and fix all of your problems."

"I agree with Yu, this is your fate. We may have a role in this fate, but it is not ours." Naoto emptied her cup and set it down.

"Deal." Ren announced.

Akechi looked towards Ren before he let out a good-natured sigh. "Alright I shall follow your lead Ren."

Ren smirked at Akechi. It was at that moment the door to the kitchen opened again and Kanji stepped in. He gave everyone a look before motioning them all out of the kitchen with a silent gesture. Everyone obeyed and Ren found himself once again in the living room. He felt again like an inmate awaiting the judge's words deciding his fate. It wasn't a feeling he wanted to ever experience again and the fact his friends were making him feel that way made the whole situation worse.

"So ummm. We decided it's probably best if both you and Akechi sit this one out. Considering your restrictions."

If Ren didn't think it could get any worse, he was wrong as it was Makoto handing down his sentence. It hurt as the one person who he thought would stand by him, just betrayed him with the best intentions. Ren understood their reasoning but he refused to let any actual anger stay on his face. Instead he slid his hands into his pockets and shrugged like it was no big deal in the long run. Yu from the corner of his eye gave him a look. It would seem he would be sneaking into the Palace after all.

"If that's what you want." Ren said causally.

"That's it? You aren't going to like get mad?" Ryuji asked a bit surprised.

"Ren is far more mature than to let something like this rile him. You might take a page out of his book Ryuji." Ann commented.

"I'm fine with this." Ren lied through his teeth, it felt dirty but he had agreed to the deal.

It was then he caught Makoto's sharp gaze. Her dark red irises bore directly into his grey gaze. Behind that look he knew the gears were working. She didn't believe him and she was trying to figure out his motive before he revealed his hand. Ren quickly looked away, but the move no doubt gave rise to even more suspicion within his girlfriend. It was a hard spot to be in. When she learned the truth. Ren didn't even want to think about that. That was a problem for future Ren.

"Ren…" Makoto cut in, her look still piercing him.

"You voted. I'm respecting the vote." Ren calmly dictated before he looked towards Akechi. "Let's not get in their way." Ren turned putting his back to his friends as he headed back to the kitchen.

"Sure…" Akechi's voice was a bit meeker but he followed Ren's cue.

Everyone watched them go before Ryuji broke the silence. "I told ya he'd be pissed."