Chapter Twenty-Four

After an early morning and laying about for some while, thinking her situation through with a mostly clear head, Yume comes to the decision that she has… mostly screwed herself over.

"I'm not doing this right," the little girl gripes, slipping out of the large bed. "Only killable characters get sick, and I'm not going down that route, no siree. Not a tragic backstory either."

She almost slips, and decides that no dancing today is probably a great idea. Sojiro was right about that. And she'll need to somehow convince the man to let her go to the park today to see Ryuji. And have a conversation she never wanted to have about her home life. It's not looking like a good day.

Well, she might as well finish screwing what shreds of keeping her independence a secret are left and make them a healthy, warm breakfast.

Now, where are the things for pancakes?

;;;

The blonde girl huffs indigently as she steps out of the doorway. She pouts as the door slams closed, effectively keeping her here until she can find an exit out of Earth's unconsciousness. "Aw, I was hoping for Europe."

"Alice, hee ho!"

The blue skinned demon smiles and waves. "Jacks! It's lovely to see you both!"

"We-hee need your help, ho," Jack Frost says, right to the point. "There's be-hee-en a new demon-ho that's running around and we-hee haven't been able to stop it, ho."

"Oh," Alice tilts her head, rocking her teddy bear roughly. "Is that why you two are here and not back home?"

Pyro Jack, also known as Jack-o'-Lantern, rubs a hand over his pumpkin head to hide a sweat-drop. "Well-ho… we haven't made it through a sin dungeon."

Alice pouts and stomps her foot, hands fisting and going to her hips. "Jacks! You're both better than this!"

"We know," Pyro Jack waves furiously, trying to assure her. "It's just, Japan! It's always Japan!"

Alice sniffs snootily and crosses her arms, fist white around her bear's arm. "It wouldn't be a challenge if it wasn't Japan! Do you two need little ol' me to get you out of this mess, again?"

"Thank you, Alice, hee ho," Jack Frost says with a cheeky smile. "We appreciate the-hee help."

The blonde nods sharply. "Then we can send the others after the new demon!"

"Um, Alice-"

"Lily and Lucy were just saying they were getting bored!" Alice smiles, pleased with her plan. "And they always like to meet new demons! They'll be able to hunt down your problem!"

"Um," the Jacks share a look, unsure how to stop the gathering problem.

"I'm sure Lucifer has better things to do, hee ho," Pyro Jack laughs shakily.

"Nope!" Alice smiles broadly, skipping towards the nearest, cartoonish, red-bordered area to find a sin dungeon. "In fact, maybe I can convince the others to come too! It's been awhile since a group has cleared out Japan, has it not?"

"For good reason," Pyro Jack grumbles.

"Hee ho, sounds like fun!" Jack Frost replies, skipping after her. Pyro Jack rolls his eyes and follows reluctantly. "Maybe we can find out where pesky Nyx has gone off to!"

"Yes!" Alice nods, humming as she cuddles her stuffed animal. "It will be fun! Just like old times!" Her shoulders fall as a thought passes. "Oh, I guess Mr. Butterfly won't join in…"

"He'll get out of his funk eventually, hee ho," Jack Frost pats her shoulder comfortingly.

Pyro Jack sighs as they come up to the red, shimmering border. He just wants to leave this place already. A week and a half in the unconsciousness of Earth feels like way too long. He does pause before following the other two into the sin dungeon. "Well, good luck new demon."

They're going to need it.

;;;

Yume feels… scolded.

She honestly didn't think that could happen. It hasn't happened since years – a lifetime – ago when she was told to make her more illegal practices legal in the workplace. She never would have considered that making breakfast – using a whisk, a stool… a stove… - would be worthy of being scolded. Nonetheless, the first thing Sojiro does – after freezing in horror at the sight of a four year old pouring pancake mix into a hot frying pan from atop a stool twice her size – is get her off the stool and far away from the element before he demands to know what she's doing.

There's a hint of confusion in her tone when she explains she's making breakfast for them.

The quick look of rage takes her aback, but then she's more worried about his soft, strained tone when he explains that a stove isn't anywhere she should be near right now and shouldn't she be resting and why is she making breakfast? 'When she's his guest' get tacked on to the question when it becomes obvious the answer 'for food' isn't what he's looking for.

So, she feels scolded.

Sojiro is disappointed in her.

…It hurts a lot more than she would ever admit to.

"Kid," he grits out with a sigh. "You shouldn't be making food by yourself. Just, how often does this happen?"

"…a lot," Yume mumbles, turning to brood at the tabletop. Is this what it feels like to disappoint a father fig- Correction: is this what it feels like to disappoint a friend that cares for your well-being? Yah, that's probably what this is. "Mr. Sakura, the pancakes are burning."

The man catches the curse and runs for the pan. Yume sits sullenly, watching the scene with morbid fascination. He doesn't say anything, just fitfully flips the batter and makes strangling motions at the syrup bottle when he digs through the fridge. Slowly, Yume relaxes as he moves about, not making another comment about her obvious show casing of independence. She's not normally a curious person – fear is a limiter and smiles are a mask – but when he places the slightly burnt pancake down in front of her and lays out the toppings, Yume has to ask. "Sojiro, if it upsets you this much, why haven't you said anything?"

He jolts, not expecting her to actually ask. Sojiro pours some batter in the pan, stalling for time. "The simple answer is: I can't. Your parents obviously pay someone to take care of you, even though their doing a pi- an awful job of it. Unless you were to end up dead, neither your parents nor your sitter will be brought to justice for this. It's considered an 'in the family' matter and if I bring it to the cops I'll be charged or fined for interfering."

Yume frowns. That… actually makes a lot of sense. Especially since, now that she thinks about it, no one actually asked or pressed the issue of her home life; just a lot of unhappy looks thrown about. She really needs to read up on family laws in this-world Japan if that's what it falls under. She only looked at the overall underage abuse and neglect charges, but if the family laws have their own subsections then it needs further exploring.

"I'm named Futaba's godfather," Sojiro says, sitting down with his own meal. "So I don't have as much leverage as family, but I can still look after her without question. I've looked into your situation. Your sitter has a signed contract with your parents, stating that as long as they get paid they act as your head-of-household. It's pretty standard, and no court would ever take and outsider – stranger or neighbor's – word above the sitter." He gives her an unimpressed look. "Only your parents can terminate the contract, and by now I would have hoped you'd told them about what goes on." Yume's wide-eyed, innocent look irritates his further. "You do know what neglect is, right Yume?"

She lasts for a whole of two seconds before collapsing the mask under his disappointment. Her fork pushes breakfast around on the plate, food suddenly very unappetizing. "I know what it means, Mr. Sakura."

"I'm not angry at you," he says, pointing a fork dramatically at her. Yume looks up under her lashes as he explains. "So don't call me Mr. Sakura. I'm… upset with the situation. There should be someone looking after you. You shouldn't have to buy your own groceries, or cook your own food, at your age. It's also dangerous for kids to be running around without some kind of supervision."

"I have a cellphone," Yume says, glancing to her dance bag in the corner before braving his patient face. "It's for emergencies. All the shop keepers or employees know me, so I know they keep lookout when I'm running. I don't mind cooking and shopping, it makes me feel like an-" she cuts off because she can't exaggerate this, not under Sojiro's tolerant stare, "I don't mind the cooking and shopping much anymore. The independence is nice, and it gives me something to do when I'm not watching T.V." or working through internet records.

"Is your sitter ever with you?" Sojiro asks a tinge desperately.

Yume blinks. "Do you want an answer that will comfort you?"

"You're a brat," he sighs, burying his head in his hands. "At least tell me your parents know."

"I don't like lying to you, Sojiro," Yume answers honestly.

"Yume," he pauses and drops his hands, staring hard at her. "Okay, we'll figure this out. From now on you eat and shop with either myself or Maki, do you understand? No more meals by yourself at the least."

Yume huffs and gives him as sympathetic a look she can. "Ms. Eguchi is with her grandchild all week, and you work for most of the day."

"But you're up early most days," he counters. "I'll make you breakfast through the week. Maki won't mind doing some breakfasts and dinners once I tell her the situation. Mr. Enomoto will put your lunches on our tab if you go to him. You might as well stay in the guest room here until we can get someone to look after you full-time."

No, Yume wants to shout and she knows he sees it when she stops breathing. There's panic building because all she's worked to setting up is about to crumble, and she needs access to her computer. She needs to know what's going on.

"What if they come back?" Yume thinks fast. "My parents or my sitter, what if they come home and I'm not there?" He doesn't say anything for a moment. "I don't want you in trouble. And you said you would be if you interfere with the sitter."

"Kid," he grits out.

"I can come over in the morning," Yume assures him. "But I can't stay here."

He watches her for a long moment, probably knowing there's a deeper plot at foot. Still, he can't argue because there's a very real chance he might end up in jail just for trying to help. Wakaba's been warning him not to dig too deep, for situations like this.

"You check in every day," he says, writing down his home phone number. "Call in the morning, so I know if you're coming or not. If you haven't called by eight, I'm going to your apartment and you'd better be there."

"Hai," Yume nods seriously. If that's all he's asking for, she's not going to push it. "Do you want my number?"

"Sure," he says, even though he already has it from Wakaba. The relief with her trusting him enough to open up and let him know what's really going on is not going to be broken by admitting it, though. "Now, finish your breakfast and go back to bed. You're still recovering."

"Um," Yume swallows and turns the full force of her pleading expression on him. "I don't think I can go to dancing today-"

"Don't worry; I'll phone in for you."

"-but I promised I'd meet Ryuji at the park today," Yume turns up to innocence and panic levels on her face when he frowns. "It's just a quick stop at the park to say hi. He has baseball and it's one of the few times we see each other."

"Yume," the man sighs.

"Please, Sojiro," Yume begs. "I'll go right to bed after, but don't make me break my promise."

He stares a bit longer before huffing. "We take my car, and you're not out there for more than five minutes."

She breaks into a grin and has leapt up to hug him tightly without thinking. The girl doesn't notice the surprised, soft expression molding onto his face. She's too busy hearing her heart pound and denying that this is what it's like having a father who cares (who's alive to care). "Thank you."

"Whatever," he scoffs, embarrassed. "Now, hurry it and finish eating."

"Hai!"

;;;

"Is that guy your father?" Ryuji asks, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at the man a few dozen feet away.

Yume shakes her head, negative. "He's been looking after me, though. So, he's kind of like one."

Ryuji frowns at a stray thought, and then turns a slightly strained smile her way. "It's nice he came out here with you, then. My pops usually dumps me and runs, even when I'm sick."

Yume frowns and pats the boy, careful not to hug him at risk of passing along her cold. "Remind me to give you my phone number next time we see each other. That way, you can phone me when you're sick and I'll make sure you're okay!"

"What, like a mother?" he makes a face.

"No, like a best friend or– or an older sister!" Yume smiles winningly at his horrified face. "What do you say, lil' bro?"

"No way! I'm taller than you!"

"Doesn't matter," Yume reaches up on her toes and ruffles his hair.

Ryuji lets out a cry and tries to noogie her in return. "It does! Wait, when's your birthday?"

"December-"

"Ha! I'm older than you too!"

"But you'll always be little bro to me," Yume mock sighs, dodging his attempt.

"Yume!" Sojiro shouts from his bench, making the kids pause mid-motion. "Time's up!"

"I've got to go," Yume says hurriedly while the black haired boy takes the distraction to mess up her hair. "Ack- Ryuji!"

"I'll see you Sunday, lil' sis," Ryuji taunts as she makes faces at him. "Kick your cold's butt!"

"You got it!" Yume waves and runs over to Sojiro, who scolds her for being too active and then demands to when and how she met Ryuji. "He helped up when I fell in the park, back when I first started dancing."

"Hmm," Sojiro narrows his eyes and sends a look over his shoulder. Then he turns back and says with the utmost seriousness, "Don't lead that kid into trouble."

And Yume smiles blindingly because he knows her so well.

;;;

Haru takes a deep breath and tries not to fidget. It wouldn't do for her to show weakness now, while she waits at the corner for her driver. The silence is pressuring, though. She tries to shake off the edge creeping up on her, but it won't go. The part of her that's strongly against her getting close to anyone is smugly rearing its head. It's been two weeks, but she's so used to Yume showing up that being alone and unable to talk about her day has her stomach rolling.

And here she was worried about Yume's first day in Himura's class. Now she's tense because her friend never showed up.

The car ride passes in silence with nothing more than a raised eyebrow from her driver when she's by herself at pick-up. It takes everything in her not to run to a phone once inside her family's suite apartment. Her father has visitors, so she smiles and makes small talk and lets herself be shown off. Nobody notices when she pockets the phone in the room, and for one of the few times she's grateful at how unnoticeable she can be.

"Pick up," Haru mutters, crushing the scrap paper in her fists as her legs swing on her bed. "Pick up, pick up, pick up."

Click. "Ishii family household, Ishii Yume speaking."

"Hi Yume," Haru can't stop her smile. Relief floods through her and she has to bury her head in her hands to keep steady.

"Haru!" The older girl stiffens, worried as a few coughs sound before Yume's back on the phone. "I'm so sorry! I got really sick last night. Were you alright today?"

"Yes," Haru blinks, conflicted. She wants to talk about her day, wants to go on about everything that's happened in detail, but that's rude when her friend just admitted to being sick. T-talking can wait, right? Until Yume's better. "I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"No," something thumps lightly across the line. "Sojiro wants me to be sleeping it off, but I've slept so much today I can't keep my eyes closed. Please, Haru, tell me something interesting."

"Well," she giggles a bit. "I don't know if my day counts as interesting…"

"Ooo," Yume coos, "what happened?"

So the floodgates open. It's not the same as talking in person, but this is nice. Haru relaxes and lets the words flow, and she feels wanted. Noticed.

And, after she has successfully convinced Yume to put the phone down and go have a nap, Haru feels powerful.

;;;

His hands twist the phone guiltily. Akira has the number inputted, the dial tone waiting, and all he needs to do is press send. He's nervous, though. His parents made him go to a fancy dinner and they stayed up much later than he's used to. He barely remembers getting into the car before falling asleep, and woke up in his bed regretting he wasn't able to phone his friend until late the next night. So, with heavy eyelids the boy swallows his fears – she won't stop being his friend after one day without contact (right?) – and hits the button to connect him.

It doesn't cross his mind she might not answer, even during eleven at night. "Ishii fam-" there is coughing and then a sigh, "family household, Ishii Yume speaking."

"Are you alright?" Akira asks, more awake as he hugs a pillow to his chest. "Yume?"

"Akira?" He can hear the smile in her voice. "Hi! Yes, I'm just recovering from a cold. Oh, I'm so sorry if I didn't answer your call last night!"

He leans his back against the wall with a soft, relieved breath. He tells her he didn't call and explains why. Then he talks about what happened during the dinner, making sure to exaggerate every detail. Ignoring the coughs, her laughter feeds his sassy quips as he makes up quotes about members of his parents society groups.

"Go to bed," he finally commands, never once commenting on how his own eyelids droop and how he's only upright by burying himself in pillows. "You need to rest and get better."

"I will," Yume answers and he can hear the yawn turn into a few coughs. "Thanks for phoning, Akira. You really cheered me up."

He puts a warm cheek against a cool pillow. "Have a good night's sleep, Yume."

;;;

In the morning she won't question why she feels refreshed, or why it was the first sleep in a long while without a dream.

A/N: Thanks for reading! This chapter gave me a lot more trouble than it should have (and then Ann and Haru got official birthdays and the thieves got proper years they were born, so I had to comb through and change my notes once again. Oh well, the only thing so far that needed to be changed here was one line in chapter 11.). Hope people are having a nice December!

Thank you, mayurie, for your review! I'm glad you're enjoying! Now if only Yume would admit she looks up to Sojiro… It's all coming together, however slowly. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, Avatar . NIX, for your review! Getting sleep isn't as easy as it should be, and I hope you were able to get some. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, Guest, for your review! Sojiro was still under the impression someone was checking up on her, so he wasn't sure why a sick Yume was allowed to go running around. And Persona-world law was the only reason nobody ever brought it up since Yume looked healthy and cared for. You're right, he really does… I might need to read it now. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, guisniperman, for your review! I'm glad you like it! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again for reviewing!

Thank you, A is for Anon, for your review! The Metaverse really is going to have a lot of people being beat up. Got to love boss fights and angry shadows. That's going to have a lot more impact later… for now it's just an annoying tick she can't shake. Thank you for your review, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, InnocentSerenade, for your review! Very close; Sojiro was under the impression someone was checking up on her, so it's even more worrisome she's been doing it all by herself. The laws in the Persona world are just more different than Yume realized. Other-Akira will start to come more, but it's sadly going to be a while before he pops up again. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Now, the next chapter… (lots to cover, so it should be a bit longer)