6/2 – Thursday
Evening
Cafe Leblanc, Attic

Mitsuru
I do have a few questions for you about the circumstances yesterday, but I respect your secrets if you feel the need to keep them. You do not owe me answers.
However, I do wish to inform you that Yukari Takeba is safe.
She suffered a few bruises and some acute fatigue from fighting a foe beyond her normal limits, but nothing that some rest will not heal.

For whatever reason, Ren's fingers idled on the keyboard. His mind struggling to put thoughts into text. Without willing it to, he found his thumb traveling towards the call button. And then he pushed it.

Mitsuru answered nearly immediately. "Hello Ren," she said, in that same firm but kind voice he'd heard previously. "I'll assume you saw my message."

"Yeah," he replied. "Would you...would it be selfish of me to ask to talk to her?"

"To Yukari?" A loud rustling, and quiet voices exchanged, then another rustle. "Not at all. She'd be happy to speak to you."

"Thank you," Ren said, probably to no one, judging the sound of movement on her side.

"Heya," came Yukari's voice. Much calmer than she had been in Mementos, albeit a little strained. "You kids all get home safe?"

"We did." Ren glanced towards Morgana, who was currently snoozing away on his bed. "Thank you, for protecting us."

"Hey, no problem." She laughed, and then coughed, and cleared her throat. "It's my job. Besides, I had to make it up to you somehow. Threatening you with an Evoker and all."

Ren quirked an eyebrow. "Sorry, a what?"

"Oh, uh." A hushed whisper on the other end. "It's sort of...well, Mitsuru could describe it better than I could, you should ask her." An odd dull smack, and Yukari let out a little yelp. "This is managerial abuse," she said, probably to Mitsuru. Muffled laughter.

"I'll do that," he replied. He opened his mouth. Yellow eyes in the dark. He felt he should tell them about her, about Oxymoron's confrontation. He wanted to tell them. "Uh. You're okay, right?"

"Yep. I should be battlefield-fit in a few days, but Miss Commander is making me take a whole week off." She sighed dramatically. "Rough, ain't it?"

Ren couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, yeah. You can put her back on now."

"Aye-aye kid. Uh, take care of yourself." And Yukari's voice faded, replaced with rustling once again.

"It's Mitsuru, again," Mitsuru said. A little stiff, but still kind. "You wanted to know about our Evokers?"

"That's the pistol-looking thing, yeah?" Ren leaned back, head bumping against the wall. "The Metaverse makes our guns work, even though they're just models. But Yukari's didn't." The image of her Persona was burned into the back of his mind. The pistol sure did something.

"The cognitive effect, I'm familiar," she replied. "That effect, apparently, does not extend to particular pieces of technology." Mitsuru seemed to hesitate, silence but for her breathing into the receiver. "The Kirijo Group, long before I became its head, worked to develop a great deal of technology by studying Shadows. Technology that included the Anti-Shadow Weapons, such as Aigis, and Evokers."

The SRU was responsible for creating Aigis? "Pretty prestigious history," Ren said.

"Not...not exactly." She sighed. "Their motivations for doing so were less than ethical. My grandfather, despite his best intentions, caused a great deal more harm than good through his leadership."

"I'm sorry," Ren mumbled.

"But rest assured," Mitsuru continued, "I have no intention of allowing my grandfather's mistakes repeat themselves through me." She paused, clearing her throat. "To get back to the subject at hand though, Evokers are...to be brief, catalysts for summoning Personas."

"Catalysts?" Ren shifted on the mattress. "Why do you need that? Isn't it just sort of..." None of them had masks. He hadn't really thought about it before, but he hadn't seen a single one of the SRU don anything close to that signature of rebellion.

"For some, it isn't necessary," she explained. "But in the past, none of S.E.E.S.–" She cut herself off with a laugh. "My apologies. Before we formed the SRU, Yukari and I belonged to a student organization known as S.E.E.S., with a similar goal. At that point, none of us were able to summon our Persona on our own, we required an Evoker to force our psyche into doing so."

Something about the way she described it sounded awful. He couldn't articulate what, but it unnerved him. "Gotcha. So some of you still need it, but not everyone."

"Correct. Specifically, some of our reserve members still rely on Evokers, while the remainder of Shadow Ops does not. Busy lives make intensive training difficult, after all."

Ren still had more curiosities nagging at him, but he didn't think he'd be able to articulate any of them. "Thanks for explaining."

"Of course, Ren." He could hear her smile on the other end. "Even for little questions like this, I'm happy to answer." Mitsuru cleared her throat. "I don't believe it's necessary, perhaps not even appropriate, to fully coordinate our efforts with the Phantom Thieves. But nevertheless, I wish to be as transparent with all of you as I can be. So, if for any reason you feel the desire to call me, I will answer at any hour that I am able to. I'm only human, but I am here for you."

Ren had to choke down a knot in his throat before he could answer. "Thank you." And those yellow eyes once again floated across his memory. "I...Mitsuru?"

"Yes, Ren?"

"I want to tell you something," he began. "But I don't think...I don't think I'd be able to explain any more. Like, I don't think I'm able to answer any questions about it, or–"

"Ren," she interrupted. "You do not owe me a thing. Not even clarity. Whatever you would like to tell me, if you wish me to hear it without judgement or request for elaboration, I will do so."

He let that sink in, let his brain chew her words up. Then, before his nerves could get the better of him, he unhinged his heart. "Oxymoron most likely has precise control over time. She might be able to start and stop it at will, or alter its flow somehow, or something else to similar effect. She stole someone's name, 'Oxymoron' originally belonged to another person, I don't know who. According to her, she was given the name in exchange for a promise, but I obviously don't fucking believe that for a second." He took a long, unsteady breath.

"Is there more you wish to say?" Mitsuru prompted. Not judgmental. Far more kind than Ren deserved, maybe.

"She left a secret tunnel in Mementos. Maybe more than one, we stumbled across it on accident. It connected one of the shallow paths to where Yukari was, that's how we got there. It opened at the phrase 'Memento Mori'; apparently Oxymoron wants to remind herself of her own mortality. She said power corrupts, and she wants to keep in mind that she'll die. I think that tunnel might not be there anymore, she probably closed it up after she realized we discovered it, but there's probably more of her nonsense hidden around Mementos. I don't know if Yu has any more of those weird glasses, but you should probably give them to any Shadow Ops you send down there. Just in case."

The scribbling of pen on paper. "Anything else?"

"Uh." Ren had to force the next words out. "She threatened me."

And the sound stopped. "Ren," Mitsuru said. "Do you at this moment fear for your safety?"

He shook his head. Then, realizing the gesture wouldn't translate over the phone, he replied. "No. I think...she was probably just trying to scare me."

"Understood." A pause. "If, for whatever reason, you feel that you or one of your friends might not be safe, I will do everything in my power to protect you. I'll trust you to tell me if and when that is the case. Alright?"

Logic said she probably couldn't do much against whatever god-witch had set her sights on him. But logic could get fucked. "Thank you. I promise, I will."


█████
Evening
Cafe Leblanc

The young woman sat down, wordless, and placed a paper bag on the booth next to her.

The Trickster sat down across from her. "I'll assume," he said, gesturing to the bag, "that's what I asked you to retrieve." He paused. "And by your expression, I'll assume you have some sort of grievance to air?"

She scoffed. "Please, for the love of god, stop spending time around ████. He's rubbing off on you in the worst ways, you're starting to sound like him."

The Trickster laughed. "Sorry, sorry."

"But yes," she continued, "I have a grievance."

He beckoned her to continue.

"You're planning on indulging your goddamn martyr complex," she said, bluntly. "You've turned this whole situation into an opportunity to offer yourself up as tribute for the greater good." Her sharp eyes, a warm brown that looked almost crimson, bored into the Trickster. "I thought I could be okay with that. I thought, maybe I might be able to accept that decision. But I can't."

She wasn't wrong. He couldn't agree with her, of course, but it wasn't out of a fault in her logic. "The world is going to die. You know that. Everyone, every living thing. A year from now, this planet is going to be an empty ball of dust and Shadows."

"I'm aware of the threat we're facing," she replied, her tone not a single notch duller.

"Whether or not I do this," he continued, "Oxymoron is going to reset time. That either leaves us alone on a doomed world or wipes our memories, resets us completely, undoes everything we've done and every bond we've made."

"Assuming," she cut in, "that you believe her."

"I do," the Trickster said, "and that's why I'm offering my life." He twirled a lock of hair between his fingers. "It's not recompense, if that's what you were worried about. I don't think I deserve to die, even to save the world. But if my death will protect the people I love, then I'll do it. No questions asked."

Silence for what felt like a minute. "That's bullshit," she said.

He smiled. "I know. It's an unfair situation–"

"Not the situation," she snapped, "you." She sighed, running a hand across her short, unkempt hair. "Your whole hypocritical spiel. You failed, we failed, whatever. You say you're not doing this out of guilt, but you're still getting ready to fall on your sword at the first offer to 'make things right.' And, if it wasn't worse, you're killing yourself for her."

Another short silence. "I don't have any choice."

"You could stay," she said, firm. Stubborn in that way that only she was. "You could stay and fight with us. Fight for the people you love, protect them on your own terms."

He could have laughed. "You're not serious. Are you honestly planning on trying to throw down with mortality itself?"

"Wouldn't be the first god we've beaten," she replied.

"This isn't a god," he shot back. "We're not talking about a corporeal aspect here. This is a fucking primordial." The Trickster let out a short, angry breath. "You can't kill death."

"So what's the point of whatever the hell you're doing?" She crossed her arms. "If it's so hopeless, why are you even trying in the first place?"

The Trickster didn't know how to respond to that, for a while. He was frustrated, probably just at her being right, but he wouldn't let himself speak from that frustration. "We're hopeless, but we're not the only iteration. There will be more, and I'm going to do everything in my power to give them hope."

She laughed, dry and bitter. Then she stood up, dropping the bag on the table between them with a clatter, the clinking sound of the glass inside. "Take your name, then. Let her kill you, if it'll make you happy. If you need so desperately to prove something with your death, then fine. But leave me out of your goddamn will." And then she turned on her heel, walking towards the door.

"████," the Trickster called.

She stopped, glaring back at him.

"Thank you." He smiled at her, trying to meet her cold gaze despite the tears blurring his vision. "For everything you've done for the Phantom Thieves. For me. You're one of the most important people in my life, and even if you hate me after today, I'll still love you." He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You're one of my best friends. And I'm happy to say you've surpassed me."

A pause. "I didn't..." she mumbled. "I didn't want to beat you like this. I never wanted this."

"None of us did," the Trickster said. "But we'll make do, I think."


6/3 – Friday
Morning
Shujin Academy

Under ordinary circumstances, Kawakami asking Ren to stay behind after class would have been absolutely mortifying. It still sort of was, standing in front of her desk, listening to classmates whisper gossip about him just behind his back. But something about the previous day made him feel...stronger, maybe. Safer.

As soon as the last student shuffled out, Kawakami cleared her throat. "Now then," she said. "Given that I'm your homeroom teacher, Principal Kobayakawa asked me to talk with you."

"Mhm," Ren replied.

She rested her chin in one hand. "About you cheating the exam," she continued, casually.

If she'd expected Ren to flinch, he decided not to give her the satisfaction. "And you think I cheated because?"

From her reaction, she probably hadn't been expecting that sort of response from him. "You performing better than...than all of your peers is extremely unlikely," she said, slowly, "that you...considering your..." It was like she was trying to recite some sort of badly-memorized script, blinking and staring off and mumbling her words. It was only then that Ren noticed the bags under her eyes, the exhaustion in her tone. "Your particular background–"

"My economic background?" Ren retorted. "Or my criminal one? Which one might make it difficult for me to succeed on an exam?"

She just shrugged. "Either. Both. It doesn't matter. Point is, there isn't a precedent here."

Maybe he was angry. Maybe he'd just run out of patience to give. "So test me again. If I'm really so unlikely to do well, prove it."

Kawakami didn't respond for a moment. Eyes slowly closing and opening. Then, she straightened up, and smacked both hands into her own cheeks with violent force. Ren flinched. "This is so dumb," she grumbled. Irritated, definitely, but maybe not at him? Her gaze was sharper now, and she stared at Ren as if trying to pick him apart. "You didn't cheat." It wasn't a question, but Ren shook his head anyway. "Good. Good."

"Uh," he said.

"Sorry that I doubted you," she said, and she smiled in a way Ren could tell was fake. But, a comforting sort of fake. An 'I'll take care of this, don't worry' sort of fake. "I'll make sure to let Kobayakawa know." And she gestured towards the door. "You can go now. Have a good rest of your day."

Ren didn't know what to say to that. So, he didn't. He just turned and left the classroom.

Ann was leaning against the far wall, a scowl on her face, arms crossed. "I swear," she began, "if she so much as–"

"Hey, it's all good," Ren interrupted. "Kobayakawa thinks I cheated on the exam, but Kawakami's going to tell him I didn't. No worries."

"Oh." The tension left her. "Well, that's good." Ann pushed off the wall. "Kinda expected worse."

He shrugged. "Yeah, me too."

"I'm glad it worked out though," Morgana added from Ren's bag.

"Uh," Ren paused. "Hey, Ann? About what you said yesterday–"

She stiffened. "I'd rather not talk about it." Hands in her pockets. "I mean, I don't regret that I told you, but it's still not something I'm comfortable with myself, I guess. It's too...too fresh a wound, if that makes sense."

"It makes perfect sense," he said, quietly. Loud enough for her to hear, but probably only barely. "I just want to say thank you. Like, obviously I don't want you to force yourself to share anything you're not ready to yet. But the fact that you trusted me enough...that means a lot. So, thank you."

She didn't say anything for a little bit. When she finally did, it was with a soft, honest smile. "I trust you with my life Ren. I honestly do. And I'm like, just so so happy to be your friend."

Ren found a quiet laughter bubbling into his throat. "Yeah. Ditto."


6/3 – Friday
Evening
Cafe Leblanc, Attic

That evening's parcel was yet again, rather barren, with only a single scrap of paper inside.

"Is it another note?" Morgana asked.

Ren shook his head as he extracted it. "I don't think so." And a single glance confirmed his guess; the paper was a printed excerpt from some sort of online magazine, the title and summary of an article. "Confession 'Maid' After Shocking Change of Heart," he read. After taking a moment to simply let the awful pun wash over him, he continued. "Owner of Shibuya-located maid service admits to exploiting workers, skimping wages and funneling women into pornographic subsidiary company. By Ichiko Ohya."

Morgana's fur ruffled at the summary. "That's disgusting. You think this is telling us to change his heart?"

"Maybe." Ren rubbed the back of his neck, checking the other side of the paper just to be same. "If that were the case, why not give us his name?"

"Hm." He tilted his head in thought. "Well, Oxymoron does seem like she's trying to make us get our hands dirty. She might just be forcing us to investigate."

"Or there's something about that investigation that matters." Ren shrugged. "Not like we have a choice either way."

Morgana nodded, sitting back on his haunches. "Where should we start?"

"Uh." Well, out of all his friends, Ann was probably the one who might be most acquainted with a maid service, considering she lived on her own. But even then, it was sort of a long shot. "Probably Mishima. There might be some requests on the Phan-site, or he might know someone."

"Hm," the feline said. "He does seem like the lonely type."

Ren was about to chastise Morgana, but...no, yeah. Mishima definitely did.


6/4 – Saturday
Early Morning
Aoyama-Inchome

Ren almost didn't notice Ann was next to him in the crowd of students standing at the crosswalk until after the light had turned green. "Oh, hey, Ann."

She started at his voice; probably interrupting whatever had been on her mind. "Hey Ren." And there was something small in her voice that felt almost cataclysmic.

As soon as they reached the other side, Ren scooted towards Ann through the dispersing crowd. "Everything going okay?"

She shrugged, and then she laughed, and then she locked eyes with the cement under her feet. "Went to see Shiho yesterday," she said, as if it would explain everything.

"And is she okay?"

Ann's silence said far more than perhaps she had intended it too.

"I'm so sorry," Ren said.

"She's..." Ann gestured at nothing, clearly struggling for words. "It's hard, Ren. It's so hard to watch her in pain." And she glanced up at him, tears in her eyes. "Is that selfish of me?"

He shook his head immediately. "I know she'd feel the same way if it were you hurting."

"But it's not me," she replied. "I promised, Ren, I promised I'd be there for her. But she..." Ann's voice caught and she had to pause, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "She asked me when I'd be back. And I couldn't tell her, I just, I wanted so badly just to make an excuse to stay away. It was like my heart didn't care about her anymore, that she wasn't the Shiho I–" And she cut herself off.

Ren wasn't sure what to say. He took a long, deep breath before responding. "She is though. She's in pain, but it's still Shiho."

Ann was silent for a few seconds. Then, she nodded. "Yeah. I know, it's just...I feel like I keep trying to look for reasons to run. And I hate that, I hate that I'm so scared of her."

"Would it help if you brought someone else along?" Ren offered. "I know you said no last time, but maybe if there's someone to keep you accountable."

She gave him an odd look. "Huh. Yeah, that...yeah. That's a good idea. Uh...would you?"

"Would I come with you?"

Ann nodded.

Ren chuckled. "Yeah. Of course I would."

She smiled. "Thank you, Ren." Ann faced forward again, eyes up. "I think that'll help, just you keeping me company."

"You still have to introduce us properly," Ren teased.

She chuckled, and the sound eased his heart. "Yeah. Got me there."

"And uh," he continued, "you can always talk with me, of course, but maybe it'd help to talk to someone else too?"

She gave him an odd look. "Like Ryuji?"

Ren felt Morgana wriggle his head out of his bag. "Like me!" the not-a-cat declared.

He laughed. "Sure, sure. But I meant, like, a therapist."

"Oh." Ann nodded. "I guess so. Oh, I heard Shujin got a mental health whatever a bit ago."

"Yeah, I've been seeing him," Ren said. "He's...I mean, it's not a fix-all, but sometimes it helps just to talk."

She shrugged. "Eh, what the hell. I'll give it a try sometime."


6/5 – Sunday
Afternoon
Shibuya Central Square

Ren hadn't expected to wake up to good news. But he did.

Yusuke
Madarame apologized to me this morning.
He said he'd call a press conference, that he would make things right by my mother.
I may be preemptive in saying so; but I think we succeeded.

And now, watching news reporters try to stumble their way through addressing Madarame's public confession on the massive television screen overlooking Shibuya's Central Square, Ren felt utterly satisfied. Judging by the sound of Ann and Ryuji high-fiving nearby, and Morgana's loud purring from inside his bag, they all felt the same way. Ren turned to glance towards Yusuke, only for the young man to grab him in a tight embrace.

"My mother can be at peace," he said, through what might have been tears. "She can finally, finally rest. Thank you, Ren, Morgana. Thank you. Thank you."

And Ren reached up to pat his back with a smile. "Couldn't have done it without you."

After a few minutes, the Thieves relocated closer to the subway entrance as a proper crowd started to gather in the square, all staring at the large screen with confused expressions and murmuring voices.

"So," Ryuji said, "what's with the bag?" He gestured to a large roller-suitcase that Yusuke had brought with him. "Planning a trip or something?"

"In a matter of speaking." Yusuke rubbed the back of his neck. "Madarame's home is currently under police investigation, given that he admitted to hoarding stolen paintings. So, I need to find a new place to live."

"Oh shit," Ann mumbled. "We...we didn't know." Ren felt his own gut sour at the thought of Yusuke being without a home.

He gave her an odd look. "Nothing at all to be worried about. Kosei has student dorms available, I've already gotten in contact with them to begin the necessary steps towards ensuring I can stay there. Considering my scholarship there, it shouldn't be too difficult." Yusuke adjusted his grip on the suitcase. "Still, it may take a few days for them to get back to me. Perhaps even longer, if there is no availability."

"Well," Ryuji said, "you can always stay with one of us till then." And he started. "Wait, uh, not me though. Sorry. Not really any room in my house for a third person."

Ann snorted. "Dude, you can't offer and then take it back." She leaned on his shoulder, snickering. "Whatever though, you can crash at my place if you want to, Yusuke."

Yusuke smiled. "You're very kind, Ann. Would...er...would your parents be alright with you bringing a boy over, though?"

She shrugged. "My parents are in, like, Australia right now. So it doesn't really matter what they'd think."

"Well said," Ren chuckled.

An odd expression came over Ann's face. "Uh. I should probably like...clean though, first. It's been literally months since I've had anyone else over, I'm pretty sure there's a mess literally just about everywhere." She winced. "Could you give me a day?"

Yusuke smiled. "Of course. Well, that leaves one." And he turned to Ren. "I do believe you have a comfortable couch in your room. Might I be able to sleep there for a night, while Ann cleans?"

"I mean," Ren replied, "I've gotta check with Sojiro first, but you're always welcome to crash on my couch."

Morgana popped his head out of his bag. "So long as you don't snore, I'll allow it too."

Yusuke chuckled. "Thank you both. To Leblanc then?"

After a quick glance to Ann and Ryuji, both of whom gave him a thumbs-up, Ren nodded. "To Leblanc."


6/5 – Sunday
Evening
Cafe Leblanc, Attic

Belly full of curry, head full of laughter and chest full of pride, Ren was about ready to pass out. But Yusuke seemed a lot more reticent. He sat on the attic couch, quiet, flicking the tips of his fingers together.

Rather than sit on his mattress and risk disturbing Morgana, who looked fast-asleep on the bed, Ren took a seat on the couch next to him. "Something on your mind?" he asked.

Yusuke nodded, eyes locked on the floorboards. "Quite a lot, actually. Not quite sure where to begin."

Ren shrugged. "Start anywhere. Whatever comes to mind."

"Well," Yusuke said with a soft smile, "I'm happy. I'm very happy."

"That's good." He returned the smile. "We accomplished something really big. I'm pretty ecstatic about that myself."

Yusuke shook his head. "Well, yes actually, that is part of it. But..." He sighed. "I've been thinking quite a lot these past few days. About my place in the world, about where I belong. I was Madarame's student for the longest time, that was the only role I felt like I needed. But now, I've abandoned that title."

Ren just nodded, silently gesturing the young man continue.

"I'm a Phantom Thief," Yusuke said, firmly. "I belong as one of you, I feel that without a shadow of a doubt." He finally glanced towards Ren, smiling with his eyes. "But it's not like before. I'm free, I don't have to be just a Thief, just an artist, just a student. I'm...I'm me." Yusuke placed a hand on his chest. "It's a strange feeling. Good, but strange."

"Sounds it," Ren said. "Any idea where you're going from here then?"

"I wish to continue working alongside you four," he replied. "And continuing my education, honing my artistic talents. I don't think I've abandoned my dreams, simply shifted their priorities."

"I'm glad," Ren replied, quietly.

"Beyond that though..." Yusuke took a deep breath, then a long sigh. "Something Madarame's Shadow said, it's been sticking with me. He mentioned Sayuri."

Ren quirked an eyebrow. "His Treasure? Or the altered one in his storage room?"

Yusuke shook his head. "No, not the painting, the person. My mother's mistress." Oh! Right, right, Ren couldn't believe he'd forgotten. "I'm not sure why she never made an effort to get in contact with me, after all this time. Madarame said she loved my mother, but then why wouldn't she..." He trailed off. "I want to meet her. I'm not sure if she would want that, but I think I need to find her. For my own sanity, if nothing else."

Ren reached out and put a hand on Yusuke's shoulder. "I think that's a good idea. And I'm happy to help you find her, I know the other Thieves will be too."

Yusuke smiled softly. "Thank you, Ren." He looked about to say something further, but then hesitated. Turned his gaze towards the stairs. He felt sort of tense at Ren's touch.

Ren quickly pulled his hand back. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

Yusuke shook his head. "No, no, it's not...I'm simply..." He sighed. Then he turned back to Ren, his entire face flushed. "Simply working up the courage for something."

"Something?" Ren asked.

Yusuke took a deep breath. "This is sort of difficult for me," he said. "Sort of very, very difficult for me."

Ren hadn't the faintest idea what he was talking about, but he sat patiently. "Hey, take your time. I'm not going anywhere. If you want to talk about this tomorrow–"

Yusuke cut him off with a laugh. "Oh, I'm positive I won't have the guts tomorrow." He cleared his throat, scooting a bit closer to Ren.

Was he trying to get in to whisper something? Ren leaned closer, about to turn his head, make it easier for him–

He wasn't sure how Yusuke's lips had found his. They were there, and Yusuke was kissing him, Yusuke was kissing him!? Ren's jaw might have dropped if that hadn't caused his entire brain to collapse at the controls.

Yusuke broke the kiss. Still blushing. Eyes darting across the room, looking everywhere at once, then at Ren, then away. "So."

"Uh," Ren stuttered. "So. You, uh. Yeah?"

Yusuke laughed, sort of giddy, sort of uncomfortable. "Yeah." He cleared his throat. "I think I'm far too much a coward for words," Yusuke said, a little too fast, "but I needed you...I need you to know what you mean to me."

Oh. Oh. "So, you're, uh." Ren begged his voice to cooperate. "You like me?"

Yusuke nodded. "Very much so. But that being said, you are still my dearest friend. I do not wish to lose you." He closed his eyes, a skewed smile on his lips. "Considering your heart pines towards another, I am more than content continuing our friendship as it is. To kiss you every day would be lovely, but simply to be your friend would bring me more joy than I could ever–"

And Ren's brain finally started ticking away again. "Hold on, back up. What was that about my heart?"

Yusuke gave him an odd look. "Well, you're in love with Ryuji. I wouldn't want to get in the way of that."

Ren's mind exited the premises yet again. "I'm what."

"In love with Ryuji," Yusuke repeated.

"I'm what!?" No, he obviously...Yusuke was clearly...he wasn't possibly... "How, uh, what–" He stood up. Then he sat back down again. Ren felt his entire spine deflate as he leaned back against the couch, eyes spinning in his head. He was in love with Ryuji. Was he? Was that what this was? How the fuck was he supposed to know!? "I am?" he finally squeaked out.

"Aren't you?" Yusuke asked, with an utterly lost expression.

"Am I?" Ren buried his face in his hands, letting out every molecule of air in his lungs. "What the fuck. What the fuuuuuck."

After a moment of silence, Yusuke cleared his throat. "Ren, are you or are you not in love with Ryuji?"

Ren responded with a long, drawn-out groan.

"Understood." Yusuke's hand on his shoulder. "I hate to be the bearer of good news?"

Ren's hands dropped off his face. He turned his head towards Yusuke, who looked currently halfway between laughter and tears. "I'm...I don't...I don't think I'm prepared to be in love. How...like, how do you know, you know?" He sighed. "What the fuck, Yusuke. Like, I like Ryuji, but do I like him or do I just like him?"

"Well," Yusuke replied, "I can say for a definite certainty that you're not going to find out by asking me."

"But you're the one who told me I was in love with him!" Ren raised up his arms, then let them fall back down. "Apparently, you're the first person who thinks that."

"Oh, Ann thinks so too."

Ren stared at him. "...she does?"

Yusuke nodded. "Yes. I confirmed with her a few days ago. It felt prudent, considering my feelings and her being your friend longer than I."

Ren looked back towards the ceiling. "Why, the fuck," he said, "does everyone know I'm in love with Ryuji except me?"

"Well," Yusuke laughed. "Perhaps you should kiss him about that. Apparently, that tends to elucidate things."

Ren felt his cheeks heat up. "I will banish you to the downstairs booths, I swear to god." And then he laughed, and he didn't know where the laughter came from, but once it started he couldn't find it in himself to stop.