Memory 7: Pain Of Loss

Velvet Room

The more he traversed through his heart, the more Connor began to reclaim more and more of his memories. Although what he had to do was essentially cleanse his mind of the Shadow's existence, or rather, fragments of their real selves permanently. In a sense, it was sending what was left to die. Deep down, he knew for certain now. Even if it was for the best for himself, he became the cold-blooded killer all of the demons inside of him said he was. And now, he planned to deal with the rest of the Shadows buried deep inside of him. Eventually, the light surrounding him and Iris would fade away, leaving them right back in the Velvet Room with both Igor and Anastasia before him. But this time, she had a look of concern and worry on her face. Concern for him...And for his navigator and supporter. Especially when she somewhat stepped back a bit from just being close to him.

He sees the guest and lets out a small laugh. "Welcome back to the Velvet Room, my dear guest. It seems you have been busy. How goes the journey of reclaiming your memories?" He asked with a smile, with Knight slowly walking up to the two of them. His face had grown much more serious. It was like that for the most part during the whole adventure thus far. But after learning of his realization...All he had was...A depressed look. And the sight of it only made the master's smile grow a tiny bit. If that was somehow possible. "It seems you've learned much more about yourself and your predicament during your time outside of this room...And gained an extraordinary new power."

"You mean...Being able to finally move past their words, or...?" He asks while looking down and grabbing his chest tightly. "...I-I know that deep down, I meant what I said...If it means I'll be able to be free again, then...I'll continue to take care of all of the Shadows still within me like I always have...To become the real me again. B-But...That would mean I would be...Killing all that remains of them as people. People who...Are victims like me..." They all stayed there, listening in silence. Slowly, he looks over to the attendant as he slowly takes his mask off, the dark look on his face now washed away by worry. "Does...Does that make me a bad person...? A bad person like those Shadows said...?"

This makes the woman shake her head. "Of course not...You know full well what's right and what's wrong...And of what's best for you. As a person...One who possesses a heart...A human heart full of emotion." He slowly looks down a bit, continuing to stare down. "But...I only worry about your mental state. I knew of the pain this journey would provide, but...Not to such an extent that it would turn you into someone that's very...Unlike you..."

"...I-I'll admit...The amount of power I gained...It felt...Amazing. I was able to fight back and reclaim a part of myself...But it made me feel like...Another side of me took over. Made me...Like that." Slowly, his eyes wandered back to her. "It made me feel...Invincible. L-Like nothing could stop me...But, I lost myself. I became the cold-blooded killer I was called out to be...Lost myself in killing anything that stood in my way. The feelings I had of getting rid of all of the Shadows in my head are true...B-But...I'm honestly scared to be that way again..." He slowly starts to shake his head. "I-I can't be that way...Now more than ever...Not when I have-"

"...Not when you have someone to protect...And to love." She said as she slowly began to sit down on the small desk, staring and listening to him. "Not when...You want to be someone that's not your father..."

"The...The more I remember about my mom, the more I remember about him...The times we talked about him...The times she cried because of him...The times when we left the house just because of how he acted..." He grips his fists tightly, his anger-filled eyes looking at her. "I-It...Makes me hate him down to my core. No...Loathe him. Lothe him for hurting us...For hurting her...For hurting one of the only women I ever loved in my entire life. My only mother...I never want to be like that...Not in the real world...And not anywhere else..."

Anastasia only stared at him, giving him a soft smile. "Then...You must really love that woman in the real world that much to never wish to be like him."

Hearing her say this made Connor then have the serious look on his fade away and leave behind a small smile just from the mere thought of her, with a small Pink tint on his cheeks to go along with that. "...Yeah. I would never think of hurting her...Or even leaving her." He then starts pacing a bit. "She's...An important part of me...A part of my life nobody can take away. I would never trade that away...Not after I said I wanted to be by her side..."

"That's right...You were offered to be at peace in exchange for the memories you made..."

"...I could never get rid of them...Not when we talked together a lot, or when being with her made me happy..." Slowly, he looks up at the ceiling of the classroom. His smile faded away. His eyes slowly closed while his memories began to resurface in his mind. "Even during the times where...Things were at their hardest...Both for me, and for her..."

Kinshiro University/After Classes
October 11th, 20XX

Today was October 11th. Autumn had finally arrived and trumped the summer season. While Connor didn't mind the summer air, he was certainly happy to be hit by the cooler air in this time of year. And that meant he could wear those oversized sweaters he loved so much. But, of course, the season change didn't stop classes. And when there were classes, that meant Connor was much busier compared to back then. Be it with those and practicing making certain dishes with either fruits, vegetables, or both combined. And maybe a little bit of both. And with Haru? Doubly so. And that wasn't even considering that exams were close. But, Connor decided that given how much work they had piled up, he wanted to go see her to help her get some fresh air.

Slowly, Connor walked through the dorm building that she lived in. He was walking through the thin hallway that held many rooms people were occupying in all while wearing his Red sweater and Tan pants this time. That sweater of his covers his hands perfectly. Eventually, he makes it to her dorm and lightly knocks on the door. However, there was no answer. And so, he knocks on it again. "H-Haru? It's Connor! A-Are you there...?" He spoke out, but there was still no answer. He decides to try again for a third and final time, the sounds of his knocking still filling the air. "Haru...?" And like before, nothing. And that only made him wonder. "Hm...Maybe she's not here today...?"

"...Um, excuse me?" A female voice spoke up, making him look over to see a woman approaching him. A student like they were. Seeing her made him curious, just as he made her curious as well. "Do you know Okumura-San? Or...?"

Quickly, he nods in response. "O-Oh, yeah! I'm...A friend of hers. W-We've been friends since...I think...Back in middle school?" Little would he know that what he said was a complete lie. A lie fabricated from his fake memories. But it's not like he knew that by any means. He rubs the back of his fluffy Black and Blue hair while looking away before glancing his eyes back. "U-Um...Why do you ask?"

"...Well, I just saw you knocking on her door and all. There tend to be some really big weirdos walking around here...So..." She trails off before getting back on topic. "A-Anyway, Okumura-San isn't here. She just left a few moments ago, actually. She...Had something she needed to do."

"W-Wait, really? Um...Where did she go...? D-Do you know...?"

From that question alone, she only looks at him as if he just grew a second head. Or maybe even a third. "Y-You're kidding, right? You're her friend! You've known her for years, right? How could you NOT know? Practically EVERYBODY knows!" That only made him even more confused...Wondering on what she meant by that. What was it that everybody knew that he didn't? "It was live on TV last year!" He was still confused. "...Dude, are you serious? Today's the day her father died, bud! Every single person in the whole damn world knows! How could you not know this!?"

It shouldn't have taken him this long, but hearing that made his Blue eyes wide. And it made him feel like the worst person to have ever existed, especially when that very statement made his real memories surface. He clearly remembered seeing and hearing the news even back then. It felt so obvious to him now...But then something hit him. Right now, she was suffering alone. Grieving alone. She needed...A friend. Someone to be by her side. He had to find her now. "Y-You're right...T-Today's that day! I-I got so caught up with other stuff, I completely forgot!" But then, he nods to her. "T-Thank you for letting me know. I'm...I-I'm Going to go find her."

And with that, he turned and began walking away, trying to think and figure out where she could be. Or where she WOULD be. But, it didn't take him long to figure out where.

There was only one place he could think of.

Aoyama Cemetary/After Classes

It took him some time, but Connor eventually made his way over to the cemetery...And began to walk in slowly, his hands in his pockets the whole time. The last thing he wanted to do was run in, especially when this very place...Was where those who passed were laid to rest. A place to respect the dead and to remember them for how they lived. He walked through and kept himself on the stone path, looking around to find Haru while the sun was starting to set. "Where is she...? Where...?" He wondered and thought to himself, trying to find her.

But soon, he finally found her, standing near a specific grave. And that alone made him stop. She was now wearing a Purple long-sleeved turtleneck cardigan with the bottom half of her top undone to reveal her White shirt underneath, with the neck of the sweater covering her perfectly as well. With that was a Black skirt with matching leggings, and wore Brown mary jane shoes. And in her hands was a bouquet of flowers she had slowly set down. She was there...Right in front of him. He wasn't sure how to approach her. Maybe...He shouldn't at this very moment. Slowly, she rose to just stare at the grave, but then looked over to see him. Her Brown eyes were wide. "C-Connor-Kun...? What are you doing here...?"

Now, he froze up...Unsure of what to say. But, he had to speak. Speak up and tell her why he was here. "I-I...I heard today was, well...I-I suppose I don't need to say..." Slowly, he approached her, keeping his hands in his pants the whole time...His Blue eyes were all on her. "I-I...I had to look for you...To be there...I-In case you needed it..."

"...You didn't have to do that for me, Connor-Kun..." She spoke out, shaking her head...The fluff of her hair moved with it. And so, she forced a smile toward him. She didn't want him to worry about her. "You have many other things to worry about than just me, I'm sure-"

But, somewhere inside himself, he saw through it. Saw through her fake smile. Deep down, he had always seen his mother do that to him, despite the pain. He recognized it, even if he couldn't recall his real memories completely. "H-Haru...Everything can wait...I came here...Because I wanted to. H-He...He was your family..." He continued to walk toward her until he met at the grave, the two of them staring at each other. All that could be heard between them were the sounds of the wind. "I-I can't get rid of what you're feeling. But...T-The least I can do is...Be there for you in your time of need...I-If you need me..." Slowly, she turns to look at her father's grave one more, staring down at the ground.

"...My father is gone...Although I'm not the one who directly caused his passing, I...Helped in making it happen..." She spoke, with him listening. He wanted to give her the chance to talk. So he turned as well, with him clasping his hands together and turning toward the gravestone...Staring at the flowers. One hand on top of the other. At this very moment, he was her support. The only person she could confide in at this very moment. "...I was once in an arranged marriage made by my father...I wanted to escape...And that only helped in...Helped in..." It was clear that even after a year, what had transpired still shook her. Even when the main culprits were taken care of, she still held some form of responsibility. And that caused tears to start falling and hitting the ground. "I-It's...My fault..."

He slowly turned to her. "Y-Your fault...? H-Haru...He suffered from that shutdown by Shido...H-He admitted to that on the news. Y-You didn't have a hand in him having one...You...Y-You couldn't have had anything to do with it..." However, he knew little about the whole truth of the matter. And so, tears began to fall even more. The sound of her crying lightly now filled the air. And left him appearing...Confused. "H-Haru...? You...You didn't do it...W-What's..." However, she said nothing. "H-Haru...?"

"...C-Connor-Kun...While the ones who took away my father are gone, I still...He was left vulnerable...Because of me..."

He was only left in wonder...Wondering how she was connected other than just by name. But...How wasn't on his mind at the moment. Right now...Comforting her and being by her side was what mattered most. "H-Haru...I-I..." He spoke softly, looking down now...Those memories of his resurfaced in some form. The day he ran away for himself. For his own freedom. The mere thought of them made his own tears form, even if he couldn't recall every detail. "I-I...I won't leave you...No matter what..." She slowly looked up, her eyes full of tears...His own tears started to pour. "I-I...I understand how you feel...I...I'll always be by your side...Pain and all...Like...I said I would..."

"C-Connor-Kun...I-I..." Just then, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She began to start letting it out...All of her emotions. And just then, she suddenly embraced him, taking him by surprise. To have her this close...It made his heart race, yet...Made those real memories of his only surface that much more. Replacing any sense of happiness with sadness. The guilt of his actions. The guilt of leaving, regardless of if he remembered fully or not...Hurt him just as much. Deep within him, he knew what she was feeling. "Please...Stay by my side..." She softly said, with his eyes glancing down at her.

Slowly, he wraps his arms around her in a comforting manner...Letting his own emotions leak out. As well as his tears. "...I always will..." He softly spoke out. And so, they stood there in silence...Letting her grieve and cry. To let her find some form of comfort in being held. To be cared for. To have someone be there for her when there was currently nobody else.

To be her pillar of support.

Cafe/Evening

Tonight was a time of tears, comfort, and support. Primarily for Haru through Connor being there for her on what's without a doubt the roughest day for her this year. It was for last year, this year, and for any future years to come. But right now, at this moment, he needed to be her support. And so, the two of them were now sitting in what appeared to be a small cafe, despite it being dark outside. The both of them were in silence the whole time. And it didn't help that they were the only ones there. They could only sit there, staring at the table and being quiet.

But he felt he needed to speak. And so, he thought of the first thing that came to mind. "...S-So, um...I-I didn't know you were engaged at one point..." He starts, catching her attention. Instant regret then hit him immediately, and so he looked away. "I-I'm sorry...I-I just...It's the first time I heard about it..." He rubs the back of his head, now looking away to not face her Brown orbs. But, his Blue ones then slowly looked back to hers. "I-I...Overstepped, didn't I...? I-I apologize..."

She shook her head quickly in response. "N-No! No, it's fine. I-I don't mind talking about it! Besides...He's no longer around either..." Hearing that, he starts listening. He was...Somewhat taken back that she was willing. And so, she looked down to recollect her thoughts. "He...Was from a rich and powerful political family. We were going to be married last year through my father's arrangement for political gain, though...He was unpleasant to be around. He was always...Controlling me. Belittled me. I...Couldn't stand him. There...Was no love behind it. Although Father had passed, there was a contract to ensure our marriage...But, that was eventually voided. And...I haven't seen him since then."

"...Arranged...By your father..." He softly spoke, thinking about what she had said. To have someone controlling every aspect of your life...Let alone belittle you...It truly did ring familiar to him. He knew and understood it all too well, deep within his mind. The memories that were locked away by his fake ones. His eyes had grown to have the emotion of sympathy. "He...Was never like that before, was he...?"

Once more, Okumura shook her head in response. Her fluffy hair moved a bit with it. "...He wasn't...My father did things that were far from acceptable, but..."

"...He was...Your father still. And you...Feel like not wanting to marry him...Cost him his life somehow..." He finishes, now looking down for a moment before looking up. "B-But that's not true! You...You did...What you thought was best for yourself at that moment. Y-You didn't cause his death or have any part in it, surely...You...Were his daughter..."

Once more, he didn't know what he was talking about. Little did he know about the full details. Maybe...If he truly was going to be a part of her life, as well as the cafe...Maybe it was time to tell him. Tell him who she truly was. "...Connor-Kun? There's...Something I have to tell you...And only between us..." Hearing his name and that very sentence caught his attention. "There's...Much more to everything than just...Shido." That only confused him, leaving him wondering what she meant. "I...I was one of the Phantom Thieves..."

And just then, his Blue eyes began to grow wide. At first, he thought of it as a joke...But then, the pieces in his mind immediately began to fall into place. What she meant by being responsible. The fact she felt this, on top of both her father's death and that she had left to go on a trip with her friends earlier...He knew she wasn't lying. She was a Phantom Thief. The very same ones that were accused and wanted some time ago. "...Then...What you said..."

"...They came to help me in my time of need. To not only stop Father, but...To not be married to that man. We stole his heart, but...That left him..." Haru then began to trail off, now looking down. Those feelings were now returning. Now he knew. He knew who she was now. "...Although the real culprits who murdered my father are no longer an issue, I..." Now, she looked up at him before looking away. "...I'm aware the Phantom Thieves are...Infamous, at this moment. But...That's...What truly happened. I...I would understand if you-"

"...H-Haru...You couldn't have known. N-Nobody would have known what they would have done. You...Didn't know..." He now spoke, having her Brown eyes looking up. "...I-I...I want you to know that...I-I still mean what I said...You did what you thought was best for yourself...T-That's...Nothing to shame yourself or be shamed for...To...Guilt yourself over..." He shook his head now, with his fluffy Black and Blue hair moving. "I-I...I can't stop you from feeling this way, b-but...I..." His eyes remained on her, and a deep inhale and exhale were made. "...I...Still want to be by your side...N-No matter what...Be there...Until you can finally forgive yourself..."

All Haru could do was just sit there in surprise. For him to hear everything and yet...Still wanting to be close to her. To still wish to associate himself with her...All she could do was sit there. "Even...With you knowing what you do...?"

Then, he nods back to her. He was sure there was certainly more to it. But...this wasn't the time to ask for more information about it. He would likely ask more about it at a later time. His top priority was to console her and be there for her as best as he could. To tell her he would be by her side. Just as he is now. "...I promised to stay by your side...A-And I still want to. P-Phantom Thief...Or not..."

Her eyes were completely wide. To think that he was willing to still stay with her despite today, and of what he had learned...To still be willing to associate himself with her. It...Made her happy. A smile was on her face now. Hearing his words brought her spirits up a tiny bit. The feeling of butterflies in her stomach cropped up once again. "...I'm so happy to have met you...Connor-Kun..."

Hearing that caught his attention, with a light blush now forming on his face...Along with a little smile. "...I-I am too, Haru...I-I'll always...Be beside you, no matter what..." Slowly, those eyes of his moved over to the windows outside...Seeing that it was dark outside. Perhaps it was time to get going. Especially when the cafe would be closing soon. "I-It's, um...Getting dark out...Maybe...We should head home..." Then, his eyes glanced back at her. "D-Do you...Want me to walk with you back to your dorm...?"

Time and time again, he's always offered that to her. And it never made her any less happy to hear it from him. He truly did care for her. And so, she nods before slowly getting up from her seat. "...I'd love that. Shall we...?"

And with that, he now starts to get up from his seat, and the two start to walk out of the cafe and begin to head home. While what happened and what he was told could possibly spell the end of a possible friendship, that was far from the case.

It only made them closer.

Present Day
Velvet Room

"...I-I searched for her the moment I remembered that October 11th was the day her father passed. I had to be there...E-Even if my memories from before I met her were far from real, the ones I made with her...My heart, my feelings...All of that was real..." Connor spoke, slowly reopening his eyes before looking back to Anastasia, who was sitting there on the desk and listening to every word he said. And all while doing it with a smile. Even Iris was listening to him, despite her hesitancy to approach. "...How...Could I trade away those memories I made with her just so I can go back to some false sense of...Happiness...? I would just go back to how I was in April..."

"I see...This has become more than just recovering your memories for you now. You want to also preserve the memories you made. It's what made you yourself again. To protect it, now more than ever...Especially with what transpired earlier." Slowly, she rose and made her way to him, a hand slowly moving toward the back of his head to pet him softly and with comfort. And did so as if...He were her child. Like a mother would. "I think...You have a wonderful person to be with. The fact you think about and are willing to do so much for someone like her...And thinking of your mother even after what happened only proves one thing...You're not the bad person you say you are. The cold-blooded killer you're called out to be."

Slowly, he looks down for a tiny bit and lets all that she said sink in before looking back up at her with a soft smile. "Yeah...I guess so..."

"There will always be someone who judges you for your actions. For the betterment of yourself...For you, as a person. Or for the people you love." But then, her own leer began to disappear. "...But, I must inform you of something. You must not stay focused on the past. Be it your past actions, or the horrible things that were done, it would become an obsession if focused on it for so long." His smile then began to do the same, listening to what she was saying. "You cannot let the results of your escape be the very thing that slows you down. You must keep going...To fight to regain who you really are and to preserve those memories you made. To regain the life you truly wish for."

"I...Know that. And you're right, but..." He grips his hands right after he moves hers away from him. "...After what happened, I-I think I'm strong enough to look past what I did that caused my mom's death, or even the Shadows that were ripped away. I-I've accepted the consequences...It's what I have to live with...But...I-I'm not sure I can fully move on from him...Not from my father..." His head then looks away, glancing at the door he needs to go through. "...Every time I try to think about my mom, I think of him. W-What he did to her...What he did to us. What he did to my Mom, more than anything...I-I'm...Not sure I can ignore it...Ignore how much of an awful man he became...No. Not just that...A man I...I..." He couldn't bring himself to finish.

"...You really hate your dad that much, huh?" Iris then finally spoke, slowly approaching him from behind to make him look. "From all I've seen and heard of him...He's a giant asshole."

He shakes his head. "...I-I don't think even hate can describe my feelings...I-I want to tear him apart, But...That...Wouldn't make me any better than him, I don't think. The least I can do now is...Remember what he did, and become better than him...Become someone...Not like him..." He then looks over to the Velvet Room attendant. "...I-I only want Haru to be safe. A-And once this is all over...I might be able to put the pain behind me...Maybe. I only...Want to live my life with her."

She stood there, listening to everything he said, until she gave him a warm smile. "You truly do have a strong love for her inside of you. More than that...You too wish for her to not feel what your mother felt...To keep her safe."

In response, he nods, smiles, and looks at the door once more. "I-I think...This journey has taught me a lot more about myself than what happened all those years ago...Maybe I'm much more like the Phantom Thieves than I thought I was..." He lets out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "I always tried to ignore them myself when they were popular...I never understood the attraction. But here I am...I-I have a codename, and I'm now fighting to steal back my heart and reclaim my memories. What were the odds...? I-It's almost ironic..."

"...Ah, yes. The girl is also a Phantom Thief, correct? Not just a Persona-User?" This caught his attention as well, making him tilt his head once more. "You became aware of who she truly was on that day...Did knowing what she was capable of change your mind about her by any means?"

He quickly shook his head. "Never...It never made me stray away for a single moment. How could it? She was my first-ever friend...The first person I ever developed feelings for once I became older...Besides...We both did something to make us act the way we did...I don't have much room to talk badly...Not that I do anyway." Then, once again, he rethinks of the past. His eyes looked up to the dark ceiling once more. "After all, just as I was there for her...She was there for me..."

November 5th, 20XX
Connor's Apartment/Morning

Once more, time had passed since the day Connor ran to look for Haru. To be there as her emotional support. Better yet, it was the day he learned that she was a Phantom Thief. The very thing that he didn't think much of or care about until...That one day. But at the moment, it was the last thing to think about or discuss, especially in public or during a time when their focuses were on both classes and exams. When she was ready to talk more about being one in the past, he would be ready to listen. Even if it didn't matter to him. Since then, the two of them have begun to message each other frequently. That was, except for today. He had his own issue to think about. As far as he could truly remember, today...Was his mother's birthday. A day that was no longer the same for him.

Within the living room, just near the kitchen, Connor slowly began to sit down on the couch and placed what appeared to be a candle on the coffee table just close by. And once it was set up, he took out a match from a box full of them he brought with him and lit that up to light what was on the table. After doing this and blowing out the flame on what he just used, he only sat there...Staring at the candle inside his dark apartment. This apartment he was always in alone. Sat here alone. Ate here alone. Cooked here alone. Sleep here alone. And he did his college work here alone. While he appreciated having Haru, it did feel lonely in this very place.

He continued to sit there, his Blue eyes staring at the flame before sighing. "If only Mom would come here more often...I hate having to celebrate like this every year. Especially when it's her day..." Once more, his false memories fooled him. However, his thoughts were then cut off by a knock on the door. That alone took him by surprise. Who could it be that's at his home at the moment? He wasn't expecting anyone. "I-It's open!" With that, whoever it was soon walked through the door, surprised to see it was Haru. He didn't invite her this time around, so...He was very shocked to see her visit him. "H-Haru...?"

"Good morning, Connor-Kun. I thought I'd come by to visit you. It's been some time since we have." She spoke with a soft smile before approaching him, seeing what he was doing. "What are you doing?"

"O-Oh, well...Today's my mom's birthday. I-I'd celebrate it with her, but...You know..." She knew full well what he meant...Even if he meant something else by his very botched memory. Though, it's not like she was able to know that. Then, he quickly moves a little bit to the side to give her a spot on the couch while looking up at her. "A-Anyway...How are you feeling? You know...Dealing with all of those exams and schoolwork on top of...Well..."

"Yes, I'm okay now...Thank you for being there for me and talking with me." Slowly, she sat down next to him, staring at the candle. It was lit so brightly yet beautifully within this dark apartment. She was far from used to seeing his home in such a way, especially after all the times she did visit him. The two of them stared at the lit candle in pure silence, taking in the sight. "...Hey, Connor-Kun?" Hearing his name made him look over at her. "Without us talking or with you cooking, your home is...Very empty and quiet. Doesn't it ever feel lonely living like this...?"

That question did make him wonder a little bit. But he nods lightly. "W-Well...Sometimes. It's always so hard to forget how lively things were before...When my family was always home. But, I've gotten used to that...I-I think..." He spoke based on what was fake in his mind, with him looking back to the candle. "I-I...Never did tell you how my family passed, did I...?" Once more, silence filled the apartment. "Well...My family and I were returning from a trip one day...To Miura Beach actually...A driver didn't see where he was going, and he hit us. Everyone didn't make it but me...And I ended up in a coma..." Everything except that last bit was incorrect, but he didn't know that. How could he?

All she does is listen in on his story, her eyes filled with sadness. Although it was a complete, unintentional lie, hearing him did hurt. Of all the people to have that happen to him...To her, he was the last one. "That's...So sad...When did this happen?"

"I think...Two years ago? N-No...Maybe it was three years ago...? I-It might have been three...My memory has been so...Strange since then, but...I'm able to remember most things...I-I think..." Even if his memories were incorrect...Something in him felt, strange. As if...It wasn't right. But it was all he had to go off of. It was proof that slowly but surely, the very threads that were keeping his false memories together were starting to disappear. Slowly, but surely...His real self was resurfacing more and more. But then he looked over at her. "B-But...What about you, Haru? Do things ever get lonely where you live...?"

That alone makes her look down for a moment before looking back up. "Well...I think I've always been used to being alone...At least, until I met my friends last year. They might be far away now, but...I don't mind it. After all..." A smile then forms on her face. "Your company is more than enough."

Hearing that made a blush form on his cheeks, and led him to look away a little bit while rubbing the back of his Black and Blue hair. "M-My company...? Y-You don't surely mean that...I-I'm just-"

"But I do! Being with you since college began has been so much fun, at least...With whatever time we have to spare." When hearing all of this, he looks back at her...His soft, Ice Blue eyes took in the sight of her. "...But, it's been so nice doing the things we have. The cooking, the ideas we try to come up with for the cafe, and even just talking...It's been such a wonderful time." And she spoke with her smile still intact. Things between them from then to now had certainly grown...And were much different. Much different than how it was seven months ago. "And for...Being there for me in my time of need. I can't possibly thank you enough."

He wasn't sure what to say...But all he could do was smile. A gave her a soft and warm smile. "H-Haru...I...I enjoy the time we do share together too...I-I love it a lot...Thank you for...Being here for me..." Just being with her like this made him...Happy. Made his heart race. There wasn't a doubt in his mind concerning just how much he liked her. It made the pain of being alone much more manageable, even if they both only had so much time. His eyes then go back to the candle, with something clicking in his brain. "...A-Actually, a question...W-When IS your birthday? S-So that...I can keep that in mind...O-Oh...M-Mine's March 18th...S-So..." Maybe giving her his would help.

"Hm?" She paid attention to his question, but decided to answer with a giggle. "Oh, I see. Well, mine is December 5th. Why do you ask?"

December 5th...So he had a month to try and get something for her by then. That was good. That gave him time to do something for her. So he nods. "W-Well...Just wondered since I'm, well...Y-You know..." Though, thinking about it...The last thing he'd want is to make her feel sad because of this. So, maybe he should make the most of today instead of moping or being sad. "A-Actually, um...I was thinking of grabbing some stuff to try out a new dish I had in mind...D-Do you want to go with me?"

That made her eyes light up. And, somehow...Her smile grew brighter. It was a smile he was starting to love more and more each and every time. "Of course! I just so happen to have thought of a few ideas myself!"

Her accepting the invitation made his own eyes light up. "O-Okay! T-Then...We better get going!" He quickly blows on the candle to put it out so something didn't happen while they were gone and quickly grabs onto his wallet and keys. The two of them wasted no time in exiting the apartment, locking it, and walking off. And all the while, they began to talk to each other. "S-So...What kind of dish do you have in mind...?"

However, unknown to them since they were focused on talking, someone was watching them from the opposite direction of where they went within the apartment building. Slowly, the person walked toward the door, staring at it before staring at Connor in the distance. That person was revealed to be Alena once more while still wearing her nurse attire. She watched him, seeing the happy expression on his face. "He looks...So happy. Happier than any of the other times...I'm glad...Glad to have something like my son slowly coming back..." A smile then began to creep up on her face. "I'm...I'm finally getting closer...Closer to having him back..." However, since she couldn't stay long, she then began to walk away to leave the complex.

Unknown to her, how much damage she's caused him and his mind.

Present Day
Velvet Room

"...Just being there for her, being a part of her life...Her being a part of MY life, and vice versa...T-That was more than enough for me. I-It meant...The entire world to me." Connor spoke before he glanced at Anastasia, who was standing and listening to him. "...I-I know we live in an age where money and status mean so much to the world, but...I didn't care what or who she really was. Famous, infamous, or not...She's someone I want by my side. H-How could I...Discard her? As if...She was nothing...?" He slowly looks back to the door, seeing it slowly open before him. It was ready for him to pass through. And he was ready to continue himself. "I-I have to keep these memories with her...Remember what my father did so I can be better...To remember my mom for the woman she was...To keep going so I can go back home. Back home to Haru...Right now, I have to protect her...And keep our memories and my mom's alive..." And he said this...With full confidence.

Hearing what the guest was saying only made her smile and nod at what he was saying. Each and every time he talked, all she could do was listen. She was admiring all of what he said and thought out loud, even if he wasn't supposed to be a true guest. And in response, she grasps his shoulder, making him look back. "Then...I shouldn't keep you waiting. There are still many Shadows left inside of you. Many more obstacles stand in your way before your heart fully heals...Before you regain all of your memories."

Many more were left. Four of the twelve were slain, and only eight remained. Once they're gone, his journey within his mind will be over. Even if Iris was still weary of him, she knew...She had to stay close. To see it to the very end. Especially when she was remembering certain tidbits now. "...I have to see this through now, don't I?" She now asked, making them look at her as she approached them...Her hair returned from the Black color it's been stuck on for a while to its normal Rainbow color. "That beach...I remembered it completely. I didn't even need to think about it too much like last time. We're getting closer, Glasses...I think if we finally finish this, we'll both remember who we are. Maybe...I can FINALLY know what I am. Who the hell I am. Besides...Someone's gotta make sure you're alright in case something happens." She gives him a little smirk. "...Wanna get going?"

He only stood there, listening. But then smiled back at her once more. His soft but wounded smile. Knight then fully, yet slowly, turns to her fully and gives her a light nod. "...Y-Yeah...Let's go, Iris. I-I...I'm ready to see what else of my memories are left..."

Interrupting them, Igor began to laugh and clap. And the very sound of that made them all look at him. "This has truly been quite the sight to behold! While the journey has been difficult, I have a hunch that these very next Shadows within your heart will pose much more than just a threat to your well-being! But, I have high hopes that you will prevail and reclaim your true self! I look forward to seeing what is to come! Now..." He motions his hand toward the door, with the Phantom Thief readying himself. "...Go. Show us your dedication to free yourself!"

Adding to it, the Velvet Room attendant only smiles and nods once more. "Go then...Knight, Iris. May the both of you be safe."

He then gives them a bob of his head. The young man was ready to continue. Ready to see all that was left of his memories. And just like that, the young man moved over to the front of the door as the girl reformed into her bird shape on his shoulder. A deep breath is taken before exhaling. "...I'll be back home soon, Haru..." And then, unlike before, when he only walked through it, he sprints right to it and through the door. Sprinting to return home.

Sprinting to reclaim what's rightfully his.