Tuesday, 4/19

Makoto closed the door. She went to her room. I need to distract myself , she thought. She pulled out her homework and tried to study at her desk. But when she sat down, she could feel Kamoshida's hands on her shoulders. She burst into tears. It wasn't just for Kamoshida. Sis didn't help me. My grades didn't help me. Dad didn't help me , she thought.

Makoto heard the door to the apartment open and close. Ren? She thought. She opened her door and saw Sae, standing with a look of anger and concern.

Makoto couldn't help herself. She walked up to Sae and hugged her.

"Makoto. Sit down. Tell me what happened." Sae said.

Makoto sat on the couch. Sae sat next to her. Makoto stared at the floor as she explained the events of the past few days to Sae. She told her about Kamoshida, about Ann, about Shiho, about the volleyball team. She even told her about Ren. Makoto finally reached the events that had taken place that day.

"I went to confront Kamoshida. I wanted to judge his reaction." Makoto said.

That's what you would have done, Sis, Makoto thought.

"He had me sit down. He locked the door. He put his hands on my shoulders. I pushed backwards in the chair, then stood up and kicked him. I ran out."

Makoto said. She had stopped crying, but wouldn't lift her eyes from the floor.

"Makoto." Sae said. "Look at me."

Makoto looked into Sae's eyes. There was anger unlike any Makoto had ever said.

"Makoto, I promise you, that I will do everything in my power to put Kamoshida in prison."

"But-" Makoto was cut off.

"No buts. I don't care if the principal knows or if the school's covering it up. If that's the case, they'll go behind bars as well."

Makoto hugged Sae. The promise didn't cheer her up but it made her feel safe.

"Take the day off school tomorrow. Don't worry about dinner tonight. I'll order something."

"Thank you, Sis." Makoto stood up. She went back to her room. She layed in her bed. She didn't feel like doing her school work. I was wrong to doubt Sis. She did help me, even if she hasn't done anything yet. And Ren. He helped me. I should text him to tell him that I am alright. I don't want him to worry, she thought.

Makoto picked up her phone and was about to text Ren when she realized something. Sae was already concerned when she entered the apartment. Did Ren talk to her? If he didn't, why would she have been concerned? I should thank him for that in my text, she thought.

Makoto Niijima:

Hello, Ren. I am texting you to let you know that I'm feeling better. I spoke with my sister.

She said that she will be doing something about Kamoshida. I get the feeling that you spoke with her.

Besides that, I wanted to thank you for walking me home. You took time out of your day to make sure that I was alright.

I would like to repay your kindness, if I can. Also, please let me know when you would like to reschedule our study session to.

He doesn't even know that Sis is a prosecutor. And the whole message sounds so awkward, Makoto thought. She didn't text many people her age.

Ren Amamiya:

I am glad to hear that. I did speak with your sister. I just told her that something happened at school. You told her the full story?

Makoto Niijima:

I did. It felt better to tell someone. But that doesn't matter. When should we have the tutoring session?

Ren Amamiya:

It does matter, Makoto. You should prioritise your own happiness over studying. And it's up to you. Take as much time as you need.

He's right. But I need to make sure that he is being a good student, she thought.

Makoto Niijima:

Sorry. Does Thursday work?

Ren Amamiya:

It works for me if it works for you. You should take the day off from school tomorrow.

Makoto Niijima:

I planned on it. I'll see you on Thursday.

Makoto put down her phone. Ren is being nice to me. Does he genuinely care, or does he just feel obligated to be nice because of today? I hope it's because he actually cares, she thought.

Makoto remembered the file she took from Kamoshida. Was that a bad decision? She thought. She took the file out of her bag and opened it. Most of it was similar to the file Kobayakawa had shown her. The difference was a few key notes written in Kamoshida's handwriting. The most prominent note read:

"Amamiya may be trouble. Will have Mishima make life difficult for him."

The note didn't point to any concrete evidence, but it put some weight behind Ren's allegation against Kamoshida. I'll tell Ren about this on Thursday, she thought.

Wednesday, 4/20

Ren was waiting for class to start when the door opened. It was Ann. She gave a weak smile as she saw Ren looking at her. She took her seat.

"Do you wanna eat lunch together?" Ren asked.

"Sure." Her voice was weak, but she was doing her best to sound normal.

Ren sat back in his seat. He noticed Mishima looking at him.

I'll get my revenge. Nothing harmful, just jokes.

Ren stared back at Mishima as he plotted his revenge.

Morgana shits in his bag? That'd be good. But then the school would be looking for a cat.

I could tell Kawakami that Mishima was telling me about how hot she looked? No. He could get in trouble.

Ren considered a few more ideas. He couldn't settle on anything.

I'll ask Ryuji about this. His impulsivity could be useful for this.

Mishima finally looked away. The bell rang for class to start.

Ren and Ann stood up from their desks as the bell rang. It was lunch time.

"Courtyard again?" Ann asked. Her voice was still a weakened version of her normal one.

But there are people in the courtyard.

Ren was about to suggest the roof but then he realized.

I can't suggest the roof after what happened with Shiho. That was shitty to even consider.

"Yeah." Ren replied.

The two sat on the same bench as the last time they had lunch together.

"Ann. This may be a little weird to start with, but I need to know. Is Shiho, uh, still alive?" Ren asked.

That was painful to ask. Hopefully she's not offended.

"No, no, I understand. She's alive, but she's in a coma. They don't know when she'll wake up." Ann said. She was downcast.

Ren nodded, considering his next words carefully.

"It's great that she's alive. This may seem off topic, but do you know what President Niijima's sister does for a living?"

The question caught Ann off guard. She gave yet another weak smile.

"You're right. That is pretty off topic. But no. I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was talking to Niijima-senpai. She knows the situation." Ren said.

Ann grumbled at that.

You could have a at least a little faith in your president, Ann. Why do Ann and Ryuji think of Makoto this way?

"And she said that her sister would be taking action. I don't know how good that is, but if she's Niijima-senpai's sister, then she's gotta be someone who can do something."

Ann smiled at that.

"I guess. It's good to hear that Miss President cares for once." She said.

Ryuji and Ann have the same name for her? Maybe Ryuji still has a chance with Ann.

"Moving on, do you want to talk about what happened, Ann? It must be hard to not be able to talk with anyone." Ren said.

Ann's smile faded.

"It's just… hard, you know? Shiho has been my only friend for the past few years. She's the only one who doesn't just think of me as some slut. She's the only one who's been honest with me over the past few years. She's done so much for me, and now that she just tried to kill herself and I did nothing to help her, I feel so weak compared to her. She supported me through the rumors, and I let her do that."

How do I respond to that? That's such a tremendous level of trust from someone that I just met last week. Ann is too nice. I don't deserve to be friends with her. Shujin doesn't deserve to have her as a student.

"Ann, you're not weak. You stood up to Kamoshida. You told him no. You helped me when I first came here. You were and still are one of the only people who's been nice to me. You didn't let Shiho do anything. It was Kamoshida. If you still feel like you owe Shiho, then you can support her while she's in the hospital. When she wakes up, you should visit her. I bet that it will make her happy."

Ann's smile returned, and seemed to be like the only genuine smile she had made all day.

"Thanks, Ren. Will you come with me to visit her sometime?" Ann said.

"Of course. I'm looking forward to it." Ren smiled as he said it.

I handled that beautifully.

The two ate their lunches, but it was difficult to make small talk given the week's events. Ann was still in a good mood from what Ren said.

Ren spoke up.

"You remember how I was starting a club?"

"Yeah. Can Shiho still join?" Ann asked.

"Of course. We can ask when we visit her." Ren answered.

Ann smiled.

"I have other news of the club. We have a new member who's actually a gardener. Her name's Haru." Ren explained.

"Haru…?" Ann questioned.

"That's the problem. None of us know her last name."

"That's weird. But if she's a gardener, she can help!" Ann said cheerfully.

"Yeah. So I'll be telling Niijima-senpai that we have meet the club requirements. When she approves the club, we can have a small establishment party or something."

"That sounds fun! You want me to make something for it?" Ann asked.

Ren shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. I was thinking that we just get some food and hangout somewhere. It's not like we have enough money to do something super nice."

"That's true. Well, either way, I am still excited for whatever we do!"

"Me too, Ann."

The two finished their food and went back to the classroom to get some work done before class resumed.

Ren got back to his apartment after school. He was about to start his homework when he saw a text from Junpei.

Junpei Iori:

Hey R0n. Heard what happened at Shujin. To help you take your mind off it, I turned the Wi-Fi on for you.

Don't play too many video games.

He used a number in my name. Wow. I'll save video games for later. I have to finish my homework before I go to Leblanc.

Leblanc was empty. Again.

It's better this way. Don't have to worry about my customer service yet.

"Welcome. Get started on your coffee for tonight. You want some curry with it?" Sojiro said.

I have food at the apartment. But Sojiro's curry is great.

"Yes, please."

Ren started on his coffee. He used the same ingredients as last week, but he was hoping to perfect this brew before moving on. He finished brewing the coffee and tasted it. Much better.

Sojiro noticed Ren sipping his coffee.

"Are you still improving? Or do I need to fire you?"

The jokes about firing me are not appreciated. But I'm not gonna tell him that.

"Yeah. It gets better every time."

Sojiro handed Ren his curry.

"Good. It's important to make sure that you're bettering yourself everyday."

Ren nodded.

It's not like that's a controversial idea. I don't think anyone would disagree with that.

Ren sat at the bar and ate his curry. He was even able to finish his coffee with it.

"You find out what happened to the girl?" Sojiro asked.

"Just learned today. She's alive, but she's in a coma."

"Do you feel better now that you know?"

"Yeah. You give good advice, Sojiro." Ren said.

"Quit the flattery. Finish your curry."

Words to live by.

Ren ate the last few bites of his meal. He thought about what had been going on in his life. His first week in school had been pretty eventful. Too eventful.

Ryuji's great. He may not be the smartest, but he's already been a great person to spend time with. I guess I'm helping him just by hanging out with him. Ann's great, too. She been so nice to me. I guess I helped her today with what we talked about. Makoto's… Something else. It's been complicated with her, but I still enjoy spending time with her. Maybe there's something there. I'll have to find out.

"Hey, Sojiro?" Ren spoke up.

"Yes?"

"How do you know if a girl likes you back?" Ren asked.

"I dunno. I never really needed to know." Sojiro answered.

I thought he was good with women. He was even trying to give me lessons the other day.

"Really? You seem like you know what you're doing with women." Ren said.

He is friends with Tae.

"You got it wrong. I meant that I already knew that girls liked me back." Sojiro chuckled as he said it.

Ah. I have been bamboozled.

"Oh. My bad."

"No problem. If you still want my advice, then just ask the girl if she likes you. Be upfront." Sojiro said.

I am gonna throw that piece of advice in the trash. There's no way that that would work with Makoto. I'll just tell Sojiro it's helpful.

"Thanks. I think I'll try that." Ren said.

"I am sure you will. I am also sure that it won't work. You wanna know why?"

"Why?" Ren played along.

"Because you're not Sojiro Sakura. Time for you to go, kid. Have a nice night."

Ren thanked Sojiro and left. On his way back to the station he thought to himself.

Sakura. I forgot that that was his last name. He did tell me to just use his first name. That's weird. I guess he's like Haru.

Ren got back to his apartment. He fed Morgana and sat down on his couch.

Time to play games for the first time in Tokyo.

He plugged in his Switch to the TV. To celebrate the return of an internet connection, he started up his favorite multiplayer game. Super Rash Toes. He went into online matchmaking. He quickly got into a game. As quickly as he got into the game, he lost.

Who is this person? I am getting dominated.

He challenged the other player to a rematch.

I am ready this time. I can win.

He lasted about 20 more seconds this time.

Shit! I gotta try again.

Another rematch. Another loss.

Ren turned on his voice chat.

"Hello, hello? Can you hear me?" He said.

An encrypted voice responded.

"All I hear right now is a loser." The voice said.

"You motherfu-! Fine! Let's play again and see what happens." Ren was getting angry.

They didn't need to see what would happen. Ren lost again.

"Fine. I accept that you're better. Can you at least tell me your name?"

"Call me Alibaba. Send me a friend request if you wanna play again." The encrypted voice said.

He really gave me his gamertag instead of his name. People these days.

"Nah, I wanna know your real name."

Alibaba disconnected from the lobby.

Ren was about to get off the game for the night but remembered what Sojiro told him Monday night.

Knowledge is power.

He sent Alibaba a friend request.