Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate!
Title comes from "Blue Christmas" by Elvis.
"So," Futaba asked, spinning in her chair, "what are your plans for Christmas Eve?"
Yusuke looked up from his sketchbook. "I have nothing in particular planned. Why?"
Futaba stopped spinning so suddenly she almost fell out of her chair. "What do you mean, you have nothing planned? Isn't Christmas Eve supposed to be super romantic? You've got a boyfriend, you're supposed to have plans!"
"I do have a boyfriend," Yusuke agreed, "but he does not live in Tokyo, so unfortunately, that makes plans difficult."
"Inari." Futaba leaned forward. "Are you telling me that we can save the world, multiple times, but getting to another town is too hard for you?"
"The trip is a long one," Yusuke replied. "And Christmas Eve may be a Sunday, but I have classes on the days before and after. And, unfortunately, I do not have the funds to afford a train ticket, especially one so close to a holiday."
"Forget about class! You'd only be leaving a few days before the vacation starts anyway. And for money… We'll figure something out! We still have some money saved from all the stuff we did in the Metaverse, don't we?"
"That is saved for emergencies, which this is not."
"You and Ren are both going to be alone on Christmas Eve. I'd say that's an emergency."
In truth, it felt like one to Yusuke as well, if he let himself be emotional about it. He'd never had someone on Christmas Eve like this before. Last year, he and Ren had not yet gotten together, and the fight with Yaldabaoth took up much of the day anyway. This year…
Well, he supposed they'd most likely do a video call, and perhaps they could organize something later during the vacation, but Ren had a family to spend New Year's with, even if Yusuke didn't. Most likely, Yusuke would spend his time alone, unless one of his friends who remained in Tokyo was kind enough to let him join their celebrations. And he loved his other friends, of course, but the only one he wanted to spend Christmas Eve with was Ren.
"This will not stand," Futaba declared. "Do you hear me, Inari? It will not stand!"
"I hear you, Futaba," Yusuke agreed dutifully.
"You know what," Futaba said, narrowing her eyes at him, "I'm getting everyone involved in this. We're doing a Phantom Thieves group chat."
"Futaba, please, this is hardly important enough for such a thing."
"I'll leave Ren out of it," Futaba allowed, "in case you want to make it a surprise. But I'm telling the others."
"Futaba-"
"Can't hear you, already doing it!" Futaba grabbed her phone, tapped at it, and began to text. Yusuke's own phone vibrated, and he fished it out of his pocket to read what she'd said.
Futaba: EMERGENCY!
Futaba: inari and ren don't have plans for xmas eve! they won't even be in the same city!
Futaba: phantom thieves, assemble!
Ryuji: For real?
Makoto: What are the dates for Ren's winter vacation? If he still has classes after Christmas Eve, could he come to Tokyo once his vacation starts? Or perhaps Yusuke could go to him?
Futaba: no it's gotta be on xmas eve
Futaba: school is nothing in the face of true love!
Makoto: I'm not sure I agree with that…
Haru: Do you need help getting train tickets, Yusuke-kun?
Ann: Wait a second, why isn't Ren in this chat?
Futaba: so it can be a surprise, duh
Ann: But what if he already has plans? Wouldn't it be best to check in with him?
Ryuji: Yeah, it would suck if Yusuke went all the way to see him and then he wasn't there.
Futaba: none of you fools understand a true romantic gesture
Haru: But Ren-kun might also be planning a romantic gesture!
Futaba: oh shit u right
Yusuke sighed deeply and began to type.
Yusuke: Thank you all for your concern, but I assure you, everything is alright. Ren and I will make plans to see each other again whenever is possible and convenient for both of us. If Christmas Eve is not such a day, so be it.
Futaba: shut up inari, we're going to make sure you have a date for christmas eve
Ann: It'll be like an American Christmas romcom!
Ryuji: Oh yeah!
Ann: Ryuji, how do you know about American Christmas romcoms?
Ryuji: My mom loves them, we watch them every Christmas.
Haru: Those movies are so charming!
Makoto: I think we're getting a little off-topic here, everyone. The first step here should be to contact Ren about his plans and his vacation dates. After that, we can figure out the best next steps.
Futaba: alternatively, i hack ren's phone, that way we can see if he has plans but also keep it a surprise
Makoto: No.
Futaba: boooooooooo
Futaba: fine, we can do it the boring way
"Could you even hack Ren's phone from such a distance?" Yusuke asked curiously.
Futaba let out an affronted gasp and grabbed her phone again.
Futaba: nvm, inari just disparaged my hacking skills, gotta hack ren's phone to prove him wrong
Makoto: Futaba, no.
Futaba: makoto i gotta
"You most certainly do not," Yusuke huffed.
"Can't hear you, already doing it."
"Futaba-"
Futaba cackled as her fingers flew across her keyboard. "And… voila! Wow, Ren takes a lot of pictures of Morgana."
"Futaba! Ren's phone is private!"
"What, are you worried I'll see all the nudes you've sent him?"
"I have not-"
"Nah, you'd just send him tasteful self-portraits anyway."
"Would you stop-"
"Inari, we both know you can't stop me. Might as well just let me do it."
Yusuke spluttered, but as much as he hated to admit it, they both knew Futaba was right. The only person who'd ever been able to control her even a little was Ren, and his absence was the whole reason she was hacking his phone in the first place.
"I don't approve," Yusuke stated, for the record.
"Whatever you say. Let me do some digging."
Futaba: currently looking around in ren's phone
Futaba: he's turned into one of those cat people who takes a million pictures of their cat every day
Haru: Aww, I'm sure the pictures of Mona-chan are very cute!
Ryuji: Morgana would probably kill us if he knew we saw those pictures
Futaba: are you saying you don't want a picture of him sleeping on his back with all four paws straight up in the air?
Ryuji: Hell no! Send it to me!
Makoto: Futaba, this is a serious breach of privacy.
Futaba: i guess i'm the only one who cares about ren and inari's relationship then
Ann: It's not too bad, is it? It's not like Futaba is going to share anything publicly.
Makoto: Is no one else going to be reasonable about this?
Yusuke: I too believe that this is excessive on Futaba's part. However, I do not believe we will be able to stop her.
Futaba: inari has accepted the inevitable
Futaba: besides, if i hadn't hacked ren's phone, you might never have seen this picture
Futaba: morgana_sleeping_
Ann: Aww, he's so cute!
Haru: Look how his tail is over his eyes!
Ryuji: Can't believe he still says he's not a cat when he sleeps in patches of sunlight like that.
Makoto: Nothing I say will make any difference, will it?
Futaba: correctamundo!
Makoto: Then would you at least focus on checking if Ren has plans for Christmas Eve?
Futaba: yeah yeah, i'm getting there
Futaba: oracle is on the case!
Ann: Yusuke, if he's not planning anything, what do you want to do?
Ryuji: Yeah, we can't be your wingmen if you don't tell us what to do!
Ann: WingMEN? You're the only other man in this chat, Ryuji.
Ryuji: Wingpeople, whatever.
Yusuke: I do not think any sort of date on Christmas Eve will be possible, so I will have to content myself with a video call with Ren in place of sharing a physical space.
Ryuji: Dude, that's sad.
Ann: What if you could do anything? Forget about the practicalities and say what your heart wants!
Ryuji: Oh, so we're really going full American romcom, huh?
Ann: Shut up, Ryuji!
Haru: And please, Yusuke, know that cost is no object to whatever you wish to do! I would be happy to contribute if necessary!
Futaba: god, it's so nice having rich friends
Makoto: Futaba!
Futaba: what? i like haru for other reasons too, it's not just the cash
Haru: I'm not offended, Mako-chan! I like spending money on my friends. It's the best way to spend it!
Futaba: haru is a beautiful cinnamon roll, too good for this world, too pure
Ryuji: That meme has been dead for years.
Futaba: stfu you'll have been dead for years when i'm done with you
Ann: Guys, this is supposed to be about Yusuke! We're getting distracted again!
Ann: Yusuke, what do you want to do for Christmas Eve?
Yusuke took a moment to think about it. If he could do anything with Ren on Christmas Eve, what would he do? He dismissed any impossible ideas - he was fairly certain Ann didn't want him to forget about practicalities that much - and imagined what he'd want to do.
Yusuke: In all honesty, I would simply wish to spend the time with Ren. The location and itinerary are secondary the company.
Futaba: simp
"Why are you responding to me in the chat instead of aloud?" Yusuke asked.
Futaba: :P
Ann: There's got to be something you want to do, Yusuke! Is there anything artsy you could do together on Christmas Eve?
Ryuji: You could paint his picture in front of a Christmas tree?
Ann: What sort of a suggestion is that?
Ryuji: Hey, at least I had a real suggestion!
Ann: Does that really count as a real suggestion?
Makoto: Are there any museums or special exhibits that you'd like to visit, Yusuke?
Haru: Oh, if you meet up in Tokyo, you could see all the illuminations!
Yusuke took a moment to imagine spending the evening with Ren under the trees strung with lights, and his heart ached.
Yusuke: Such a thing would be lovely, if possible.
Ann: Okay, so we want Ren to come here so you two can see the illuminations together! You can get Christmas cake too!
Ryuji: What if Ren can't come and Yusuke goes to him? Are there any Christmas things in the middle of nowhere or wherever Ren lives?
Makoto: I'm certain there are. We could research it.
Yusuke: Ren would most likely know best. If I end up going to him, I'm certain he would be willing to take command and show me the most pleasing events.
Futaba: yeah, we all know ren will be willing to take command
Futaba: ;)
"I'm not certain what that face is meant to indicate," Yusuke told Futaba, "but I'm certain I do not appreciate it."
Ryuji: Ew, Futaba, that's your brother.
Futaba: mweheheh
Makoto: Setting that aside, and I can't believe I'm asking this, but have you found anything from Ren's phone, Futaba?
Futaba: lots more pictures of morgana
Futaba: his whole chatlog with inari, which i'm not going to look at (you're welcome inari)
Futaba: lmao he still has a couple of notes that start with "KEEP OUT FUTABA," he knows nothing is ever safe from me
Makoto: And I hope you're keeping out of those notes?
Futaba: i mean, i gotta see if they have any xmas eve plans, don't i?
Futaba: nothing so far tho
Futaba: gotta check his internet history, this could be dangerous
Futaba: pray for me
Makoto: You've put yourself into this situation out of your own volition. Anything that happens now is your own fault.
Futaba: yeah yeah miss student council president
"I feel that I ought to tell Ren what you're doing," Yusuke stated.
"Tattletale," Futaba countered immediately. "Killjoy. Snitches get stitches, Inari."
"You're breaking the law, Futaba."
"Dude, we break the law all the time, this is nothing new."
"Yes, but…"
"Shush, shush, I think I might have found something," Futaba said, flapping a hand in Yusuke's direction.
Futaba: i believe i may have hit jackpot!
Futaba: looking closer now
Ryuji: For real? What did you find?
Haru: I hope it's something nice!
"Futaba?" Yusuke asked after a few minutes of silence. "What have you found?"
"False alarm," Futaba said after another moment. "My bad."
"Ah." Yusuke couldn't help the way his heart sank at the words. "I understand."
Futaba: doesn't look like there's anything on ren's phone
Futaba: nothing more to discuss here then
Makoto: Well, if Ren has no plans, then perhaps we could help Yusuke make his own plans.
Futaba: even though it would mean skipping school?
Makoto: You were the one who said school was nothing in the face of true love!
Futaba: well, maybe i've grown as a person since then
Makoto: It was twenty minutes ago.
Futaba: yes, and i'm twenty minutes wiser now than i was back then
Yusuke sighed and checked the time. "I ought to head back to Kosei. My curfew approaches."
"Okay, we'll keep brainstorming ideas for you and Ren," Futaba replied. "Stop by Leblanc on your way back, I think Sojiro wants to give you some curry."
"I do have the funds now to feed myself."
"Yeah, but curry."
Yusuke sighed, but he knew this fight, like most fights with Futaba, was one he could not win. "Very well."
"And I'll send you some more of the Morgana pictures."
"No need. Ren already sends me plenty."
"What?" Futaba suddenly looked outraged. "He doesn't send them to the rest of us. How come you get kitty pictures?"
"I believe it can be summarized as boyfriend privilege," Yusuke declared, and he ducked out of the room before Futaba could throw anything at him.
He did stop by Leblanc and pick up curry from Sojiro, then he took the train to Shibuya and returned to his dorm. He spent a moment looking at the picture of him and Ren that he'd hung up next to his bed, then he pulled out his phone.
Yusuke: Are you busy?
Ren: No, just doing homework.
Ren: Why, is something wrong?
Yusuke: I merely miss you.
Ren: I miss you too.
It would be a perfect time, Yusuke thought, to bring up Christmas Eve, which was inching ever closer. Or he could ask about Ren's plans over the vacation, or perhaps warn him about Futaba's hacking. But none of them felt quite right to say, not in that moment.
Yusuke: I was visiting with Futaba earlier, and Boss gave me some curry from Leblanc on my way home.
Yusuke: I would never say this to him, of course, but I believe yours is better.
Ren: We definitely made a lot of variations on it while we were traveling over the summer.
Ren: I still think Sojiro's original is the best, but the one we made in Kyoto was very good.
Yusuke: I wish we could travel like that again.
Ren began typing, then stopped, then began again, then stopped again. Yusuke stared at his phone, then he began to type himself.
Yusuke: Forgive me, I am being maudlin.
Ren: No, you're fine. I miss you too.
Again, they could have discussed winter plans. Again, Yusuke said nothing. He thought Ren might say something for a moment, but he didn't.
Ren: Morgana misses you too.
Ren: morgana_sleeping_
Yusuke: I believe Morgana is too busy sleeping to miss any of us.
Ren: He's probably dreaming about Ann though.
Yusuke: Ah, indeed, his beloved Lady Ann.
Ren: Should I start calling you Lord Yusuke?
Yusuke: I must admit, I've never quite understood why Morgana believes the nickname for Ann is so romantic.
Ren: Haha, I guess that's a no then.
Ren: Only when I'm talking with Morgana, then.
Yusuke: If you must.
Ren: How's Futaba doing? You said you were visiting her earlier?
Yusuke: She is well. School has been going smoothly for her, although she is still incensed at the concept of exams.
Ren: Aren't we all?
Ren: Glad to hear she's doing well, though. She's told me that she's okay, but it's nice to have someone else confirm it. She's not always honest about how she's doing.
Yusuke: A complaint you have also levered towards me.
Yusuke: Am I to assume you are currently also texting Futaba to ask after me?
Ren: Honestly, I probably will.
Ren: Also, she sometimes takes sneaky pictures of you while you're drawing and sends them to me.
Ren: She thinks you make funny faces when you're concentrating, but I just like to see you.
Yusuke: I will have to remember to accuse Futaba of such a thing when next I see her.
Ren: Aww, it's not too bad. I get cute pictures out of it.
Yusuke nearly texted that Futaba had hacked Ren's phone, but he held back once more. If he told Ren such a thing, Ren would most likely ask why, and for some reason, Yusuke still wasn't quite ready to discuss their winter plans.
He was almost positive they wouldn't be able to spend Christmas Eve together. He was uncertain if they'd be able to spend any of the vacation together. They'd spent the entire summer together, and perhaps it was selfish of Yusuke to want more, but want more he did, and he wasn't quite ready to be told he couldn't have it.
Yusuke: It grows late. I assume Morgana would be harassing you to sleep were he not sleeping himself already.
Ren: Yeah, he'll probably start bugging me soon.
Ren: Are you tired? Do you want to go?
He did, and he didn't. Talking to Ren was wonderful, and talking to Ren was a bittersweet ache. It was bad enough before they were together; it was worse now that Yusuke knew how Ren kissed and was unable to do so much as touch him.
Yusuke: I ought to do a bit of studying before bed, and you ought to finish your homework.
Yusuke: Goodnight, Ren.
Ren: Goodnight, Yusuke.
Ren: I love you.
Yusuke: And I you.
Yusuke looked down at his phone, and in a fit of sentimentality, he kissed the screen. It would not transmit to Ren, and he would not even know, but…
He missed Ren. He loved him. He hoped he could see him again soon.
"Kitagawa-san? Are you alright?"
Yusuke blinked, pulling himself back into reality. "My apologies, Togo-san. I was lost in thought."
Hifumi gave him a look. "You seem to have been lost in thought for days."
"I apologize again. I have had a lot on my mind."
"Are you thinking about your boyfriend?"
Yusuke looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?"
"I may not currently be in a relationship, but I am aware that Christmas Eve is a romantic time for couples," Hifumi said, sounding somewhat amused. "And I too am friends with Ren. Do you two have plans?"
Yusuke's heart sank, as it had for days when he thought about Christmas Eve. "Unfortunately, no. I do not believe we will be able to see each other in person."
"Oh. My apologies. Ren will not be able to visit Tokyo?"
"I do not believe his school schedule will allow it, and mine will not allow me to visit him. We may see each other during the winter break, but we have not yet discussed it."
Yusuke still hadn't brought it up, even though he and Ren talked most days. Futaba and the others had expressed their sympathy, but in what seemed to be a strange turn of events after how invested they were at first, they hadn't offered much in the way of suggestions since. He hadn't brought that up either.
"Winter break is almost here," Hifumi said, which was true. They had exams over the next few days, then the last few days of class, and then winter break. "Shouldn't you speak to Ren about it soon?"
"If we have not yet planned something, I do not believe any plan will be possible," Yusuke admitted. "The train costs alone would be prohibitive. And... if he wishes to spend the holidays with his family, I cannot begrudge him for it."
"I thought Ren didn't get along with his family very well."
To be honest, Yusuke had thought that too, which is why he'd more or less assumed that Ren would come to Tokyo for the vacation. But perhaps he'd been mistaken. Perhaps Ren and his family had taken steps to mend their broken relationship. Yusuke couldn't stand in the way of that.
"Kitagawa-san," Hifumi said, her voice suddenly stern, "you should talk to your boyfriend about this. You can't assume you can read his mind."
"I don't wish to distract him from his exams."
"This has upset you," Hifumi said, with the sort of bluntness that Yusuke found familiar and often refreshing. He wasn't certain if he liked it in this circumstance. "Ren would want to know that this has upset you. He'd want to fix it."
"I am uncertain it can be fixed."
"You could at least ask him that."
Yusuke looked down at the pocket which held his phone. He could pull it out and text Ren now. He could tell him that he longed for a romantic Christmas Eve, and that he wished they could plan something.
But they couldn't, and they both had exams to focus on. Yusuke had to put this out of his mind, and he couldn't introduce it into Ren's.
"Perhaps when exams are over."
Hifumi looked at him with pity in her eyes. "If he isn't able to come, do you have any plans for the New Year?"
"Not as of yet."
"Would you like to celebrate with me and my family?"
Yusuke looked at Hifumi in surprise. They were classmates, and they were friendly, yes, but he hadn't thought they were that close.
"I thank you for the offer, but I'm certain I can find something to do."
"The offer stands, if you change your mind."
"You have my thanks."
Yusuke wanted desperately to change the topic, and perhaps Hifumi could tell, because she pulled out her workbook. "Shall we study for our math exam?"
Yusuke tried his best to hide a sigh of relief. "Yes, I believe that would be best."
"Very well." Hifumi opened the front cover. "We'll begin with geometry."
She didn't mention the vacation again. Yusuke did his best not to think about it.
Futaba: EXAMS ARE THE WORST
Futaba: are you done with yours yet?
Yusuke: Indeed, my final exam was yesterday.
Futaba: booooooo
Futaba: i still have one more
Futaba: i need brain food
Futaba: i'm going to leblanc for curry before i go home and study more
Futaba: wanna join?
Yusuke looked at the empty canvas where he'd been trying and failing to express his feelings for the past hour. He knew that painting away his feelings wasn't always enough to make him feel better, but it often was. Today, though, he didn't think it could. Perhaps company would be more successful.
Yusuke: I will meet you at Leblanc shortly.
Futaba: yeah, i knew i could summon you with food
Futaba: same old inari
Yusuke: I would be offended by the implication if I weren't aware that it is unfortunately true.
Futaba: do you ever talk like you're not trying to hit a word count?
Futaba: anyway, i'm heading back from school now, i'll see you at leblanc soon
Yusuke: I am leaving my dorm presently.
Futaba: :P
Yusuke wasn't entirely certain what Futaba meant by sending him such an emoji, but she did it often enough that he assumed it was some sort of term of endearment in her mind, or perhaps simply a way to end a conversation. He put his phone in his pocket, cast one last glance at his unfinished painting, and left for Leblanc.
He met up with Futaba not far from the station in Yongen-Jaya. "Thank you for the invitation to join you for curry."
"Yeah, well, I figured you'd probably just be brooding in your room otherwise," Futaba replied. "Was I right?"
"You… may not be entirely incorrect." Brooding would not be Yusuke's preferred word to describe his actions, but it was close enough to the truth.
"'Tis the season to be jolly, Inari, not brooding."
"While your knowledge of American Christmas carols is impressive, I do not feel it currently applies."
"Boo, it totally does."
"As you say."
They entered Leblanc together, and Yusuke cast his customary glance over at the Sayuri. It always caused a pang in his chest, but today it seemed worse than usual, perhaps because of the season. The new year was a time to spend with family, but the closest Yusuke had to one was a painting on the wall.
"Sojiro!" Futaba declared the second they passed through the doors. "We hunger! We demand curry!"
"You do know I might have customers in here, don't you?" Sojiro asked dryly.
"Well, do you?"
The answer to that was self-evident; the café was empty except for them. Yusuke had noticed it was often sparsely populated, and he wondered how Sojiro was making ends meet. He wished sometimes that Sojiro would allow him to pay, even though it would strain his own finances, but Sojiro was steadfast that he didn't have to.
"Oh, fine," Sojiro huffed. "You both want curry?"
"If it would not inconvenience you, Boss," Yusuke replied, figuring that someone had to make up for Futaba's rudeness.
"It's fine," Sojiro dismissed, as he always did. "Sit down. I'll bring the curry over."
Futaba went to the middle booth, where they always sat when all the Phantom Thieves assembled. Yusuke normally preferred the front booth when he was alone, as it had the best view of the Sayuri, but he joined Futaba instead.
"You finished with your exams yet?" Sojiro called to Yusuke as he scooped curry onto their plates.
"Indeed. My final exam was yesterday. Kosei's exams are always a few days before Shujin's."
"Not fair," Futaba complained. "I wanna be done with exams."
"I also began my exams before you did. We did an equal amount of testing."
"Then I want to start my exams when I start and end when you end."
"That would not be possible."
"Doesn't mean I can't want it."
"You only have one left," Sojiro said, setting their plates down on the table. "And you're doing well on them so far, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but they're boring!" Futaba complained. "And half the stuff is nothing I'll need to know anyway!"
"All knowledge is beneficial," Yusuke scolded. "You never know when something might become useful."
"He's right," Sojiro agreed. "You'll survive your exams."
"Well, if I don't, you all had better mourn me!"
"We will," Yusuke promised, "although that will not come to pass."
Futaba stuck her tongue out at him, then she began shoveling curry into her mouth. Yusuke followed suit, although he ate at a more dignified pace.
"Do you have plans for the New Year?" he asked Sojiro politely.
Sojiro looked surprised. "Of course. We'll-"
"I need coffee!" Futaba cried. "Sojiro, help me make coffee!"
"Oh, no." Sojiro hurried after Futaba as she ducked behind the counter. "You're not touching my speciality beans again!"
After a brief scuffle and some discussion too quiet for Yusuke to make out, Futaba returned to her seat with a pout and Sojiro made her a cup of coffee. "You were saying, Boss?" Yusuke asked.
"Ah, I was just going to say we'll do the usual," Sojiro said, although he looked a bit uncomfortable as he said it. "Futaba and I will do the same thing we did last year."
The mention of the last New Year celebration caused a pang in Yusuke's heart, and from the look on Futaba's face, she felt similarly. Sojiro didn't remember Maruki's altered reality, but they both did. Yusuke had hazy alternate memories of the true events as well, but more clearly, he remembered a cozy New Year with a mentor who loved him.
Futaba, he knew, remembered a New Year with a mother who still lived.
"Indeed," Yusuke said after a pause that went on a beat too long. "I hope you both enjoy the time together."
"You can join us if you want, Inari," Futaba offered. "We've always got room for one more."
It was the second invitation to a family event that Yusuke had received recently. He wondered how pitiful he looked when people mentioned their plans to encourage such a thing. This offer felt a bit less awkward than Hifumi's, given that Yusuke knew both members of the family, but it still felt like inserting himself into a place he didn't fully belong.
He wondered if he'd rather be uncomfortable or alone on New Year's.
"Thank you for the offer. I will consider it."
Futaba and Sojiro shared a look, then Futaba turned to Yusuke. "So, how were your exams? Do you have easy exams because you're all just art kids who don't care about anything you can't paint anyway?"
"No," Yusuke replied dryly. "Kosei is a far more prestigious school than Shujin, you know."
"Yeah, for artsy kids and weirdos," Futaba countered. "Why would you ever need math?"
"All knowledge is beneficial," Yusuke repeated, "and math can be helpful in ensuring correct perspective in paintings."
"You know," Sojiro said as he washed dishes, "I considered enrolling you in Kosei, Futaba."
Futaba's head whipped around. "You what? Why?"
"Whoa, I didn't think it was going to be that big a deal," Sojiro said, laughing. "They've got specialty programs for lots of things, not just art. They've got one for computer sciences. I thought you might like it."
"Did you decide otherwise?" Yusuke asked.
Sojiro shrugged. "I thought about it when I was first preparing to take Futaba in, but after she came to live with me, she obviously didn't go to school at first. Once she was ready to, she wanted to go to Shujin, and it is much more affordable."
Yusuke thought about his own school fees, only possible due to his scholarship, and nodded. "I understand."
"I could have annoyed Inari all day long," Futaba sighed. "And instead I only get to annoy him outside of school hours."
"We would have been in different classes, especially if you were in the specialty program for computer sciences."
"Yeah, you've probably never taken a technology class. Sojiro, sometimes Inari is even more technically inept than you!"
"I feel we both should be offended," Yusuke mused.
Sojiro snorted. "That's life with Futaba, kid. Haven't you figured that out by now?"
"Now I think I should be offended," Futaba said, crossing her arms and pouting. "You two gang up on me, Ren doesn't send me sleeping Morgana pictures…"
"Would you like to see one he sent me yesterday?" Yusuke asked, reaching for his phone.
"Yes!"
Yusuke pulled up the photo and passed his phone to Futaba. It showed Morgana sleeping, curled up on some sort of black bag. Yusuke had made a quick sketch of it, then another sketch based on it of Morgana's Metaverse form in a similar pose. Ren had cooed at the first and cackled at the second, apparently loud enough that he'd woken Morgana and incurred his ire, both for waking him and for the picture. Yusuke had apologized. Ren had told him it was hilarious and he didn't have to. Morgana had vehemently not agreed.
Yusuke had missed Ren so hard it hurt.
"Aww, cute Mona," Futaba cooed, looking at the picture. "Hey, Sojiro, look, it's Morgana!"
For some reason, Sojiro's eyes first flickered to the stairs that led to the attic where Ren had stayed, then he looked over at Futaba. Force of habit, Yusuke supposed. "Good cat," Sojiro proclaimed after taking a look at the picture. "I'm glad he's there to keep Ren company."
"Indeed," Yusuke agreed. While the other Phantom Thieves had dispersed enough that they no longer saw each other in person nearly as frequently as they had last year, they mostly still lived in Tokyo. Ren, out in the country, was alone but for Morgana.
Yusuke would gladly go join him if he could. He would rather, though, selfishly wish that Ren could join him instead.
"I'm gonna bully Ren until he sends me pictures too," Futaba declared, pulling out her phone. "It's not fair that you're the only one who gets them, Inari. Just because you've stuck your tongue down Ren's throat doesn't mean you should get special cat picture privileges."
Sometimes, Yusuke thought it was quite awful when Futaba spoke.
"No bullying Ren," Sojiro called from the kitchen.
"You're not in charge of me!"
"I'm your father, I am in charge of you!"
"Are not!"
"Am too!"
"Are not!"
"Am- Why am I having this argument with you? No bullying Ren."
Futaba scowled and put her phone away. "Later," she mouthed to Yusuke, so he supposed Ren would only have a temporary reprieve.
"Here," Sojiro said after a moment, leaving the kitchen with a steaming mug. "For you. Congratulations on finishing your exams."
Yusuke looked down at the mug and found that it was full of a rich, creamy hot chocolate that smelled absolutely delicious. Futaba draped herself across the table to look at it.
"Ooh, you made the good stuff!"
"And I'll make it for you once you're done too," Sojiro replied, "but this is Yusuke's."
This seemed to be some sort of Sakura family tradition, or at least something Futaba and Sojiro had planned before. Yusuke looked down at his steaming mug and felt emotion choke him.
"Thank you," he managed, although his voice came out thicker than normal. "I appreciate it greatly."
"You're most of the way through your last year of high school," Sojiro said, looking a bit uncomfortable with the gratitude. "Someone should celebrate that with you."
"Hey, Sojiro, remember, Inari is just your son-in-law, you can't adopt him," Futaba called. "You're supposed to adopt Ren."
Yusuke blinked. He wasn't quite sure where to start with that, but he decided to go with the most obvious issue and countered, "Ren has parents."
"Yeah, and? Not like he has good ones."
"He hasn't mentioned anything about them being too awful since his return," Yusuke countered. "They've allowed him back into their home, now that his criminal record has been expunged."
"You've got a really screwed up standard for good parents if you think that letting him live in their home is enough," Futaba said. "They suck, Inari. Sojiro should adopt Ren."
"I don't think his parents would be willing to relinquish custody permanently," Sojiro said. "But I have told Ren that he's welcome to come back and live here while he's in university, if he goes to one in Tokyo."
Yusuke knew that Ren had planned to go to university in Tokyo; he didn't know that Ren might be staying at Leblanc once more while he did. The thought of it was warm and reassuring, almost enough so to overpower the aching cold in his chest of Ren not being back yet.
"Good," Futaba declared. "How soon can he move in?"
"One step at a time, Futaba. How's the cocoa, Yusuke?"
Yusuke lifted the mug and took a sip. The cocoa was warm and rich, and it was sweet but not too sweet. "Perfect."
Sojiro nodded, looking pleased. "I used to make this recipe for Wakaba when she had a long day, and Futaba liked it when she was little too. It's always been something for special occasions."
The little ways Sojiro showed his care would never cease to touch Yusuke. "Thank you for including me in this tradition."
"You're basically family at this point, Inari," Futaba said. "You're an in-law. You get to be included in the family stuff."
"I have never really been included in… family stuff before," Yusuke admitted. "Since my mother died, I have had no family to do it with."
Sojiro frowned at him. "I thought Madarame was your foster father."
"Technically," Yusuke agreed, "but our relationship was always closer to sensei and student than familial."
"Can I punch him?" Futaba asked. "I missed the opportunity to beat up his Shadow, so I want to punch him now."
"He's currently in prison, and I doubt the prison guards would allow you to enter for the sole purpose of punching him."
"Boo."
"You can join us for family events," Sojiro told Yusuke. "You're always welcome. Your other friends too, if they don't have a place to go."
Yusuke had always thought the Phantom Thieves were somewhat like a family. He hadn't expected that to extend to Sojiro as well.
"Thank you, Boss. I appreciate that deeply."
Sojiro nodded gruffly and ducked back into the kitchen. "He'll break out in hives if he talks about emotions too much," Futaba told Yusuke in a stage whisper that was most definitely loud enough for Sojiro to hear. "But that nod means that he's glad and he wants you to join us for holidays."
Sojiro didn't contradict Futaba, so Yusuke figured her translation must have been accurate enough. "Thank you both, then."
Futaba nodded definitively and scraped the last bit of curry off her plate. Yusuke finished his as well, then he wrapped his hands around the mug of cocoa and savored its warmth.
"Futaba, do you require any assistance in studying?" he asked, trying to think of what a sibling-like figure might do in this scenario. "Exams at Kosei are not exactly the same as Shujin, but I have most likely already covered all the material that will be tested on tomorrow's exam."
"Nah, I've got it covered," Futaba dismissed. "I should probably go look over my stuff, though. See you later, Sojiro!"
Sojiro waved distractedly as Futaba left, apparently engrossed in preparing more curry. Yusuke looked down at his mug again, which was still half full. He didn't want to leave yet, but he also wasn't sure if he really wanted to just sit in the booth alone.
He looked over at the Sayuri and wished his mother could be there with him in life, not just in a self-portrait.
"You can stick around as long as you like," Sojiro called from the kitchen. "You still hungry?"
"No, thank you," Yusuke replied, looking down at his empty plate. "Do you require assistance in the kitchen?"
Sojiro shrugged. "Finish your cocoa before it gets cold, then you can help if you want."
Yusuke wasn't much of a cook, but he knew how to follow a recipe; he'd had to learn some cooking skills by necessity over the years. "Thank you again."
"Why are you thanking me? You're the one who's going to help out."
Yusuke was certain Sojiro understood what he meant, but he was equally certain that Sojiro wouldn't admit to such a thing without being pressed. That was alright. He understood.
He savored the last of his cocoa, and he knew that he had a place here, if he wanted it, whether Ren was here or not. It was a good feeling.
He still wished Ren could be there too.
Yusuke woke on the morning of Christmas Eve and stared at the ceiling. He was wrapped up in his duvet, and he'd never been particularly bothered by cold weather, but he felt like there was ice in his chest, like a Shadow had hit him with a well-placed bufu that had done more damage than usual.
He'd sent Ren a text at exactly midnight, a brief "Happy Christmas Eve, I love you." He hadn't gotten a response. He knew that was likely because Ren hadn't been awake - even when Morgana wasn't harassing him into bed early, the habits he'd instilled were hard to break - but it still ached to see the text unread and unanswered. There was still nothing, but it was early yet. Yusuke knew he was being irrational.
And yet, was it truly irrational to want his boyfriend there on one of the most romantic days of the year?
He rolled over in bed, pulling his duvet up to his chin and staring at the wall. He had no plans for Christmas Eve, not without Ren. They hadn't even scheduled a time to call each other. Otherwise... He was certain his friends would welcome his presence, if he went to visit them, but he didn't want them, not today. He loved them, he loved spending time with them, but this was Christmas Eve, and he wanted Ren.
He knew, however, that no matter how much he longed for him, that wouldn't change the truth.
His phone buzzed. He checked to see if it was Ren and saw that it wasn't, so he set his phone aside again. A moment later, it buzzed once again. Once again, he ignored it. Only on the third time it buzzed did he finally pick it up and check his messages.
Futaba: hey, come on over to leblanc
Futaba: inari pick up your phone
Futaba: INARIIIIIIII
Yusuke: My apologies, Futaba, but I am not currently in the mood to visit Leblanc. Perhaps later.
Futaba: what are you doing instead, brooding? just come over already
Yusuke: Perhaps later, Futaba.
Futaba: inari, i didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice
Futaba: i've already hacked your phone
Futaba: if you don't came to leblanc right now, i'll post all your progress pictures of your unfinished paintings online
Yusuke: You would not dare.
Futaba: do you really want to test me right now?
Yusuke considered it. He didn't think Futaba would truly do as she threatened, but he also knew Futaba well enough to know it wasn't entirely impossible. If he wanted his pictures safe, he'd have to acquiesce to her demands.
Yusuke: Very well. I will be over presently.
Futaba: good, see you soon!
Futaba: (that is a threat)
With the mood Futaba appeared to be in, Yusuke had expected nothing less.
He got dressed slowly, splashing water on his face and staring at his reflection like something out of an old American movie. He looked drawn. He tried to force a smile, but it looked more like a grimace.
He was being dramatic, he knew, but he thought he was owed that, at least for today.
The ride to Yongen-Jaya felt somehow both longer and shorter than usual. The walk from the station to Leblanc seemed endless. His phone buzzed again; Futaba once more, asking where he was. He still had heard nothing from Ren.
He pushed open the door to Leblanc, only to find that it appeared to be dark and empty. "Futaba? I'm here. Boss?"
"Hey, Yusuke," a voice said, a voice Yusuke hadn't dared to hope he would hear in person any time soon. "Happy Christmas Eve."
And Yusuke had questions - of course he had questions - but before he asked them, he settled for grabbing Ren by the shoulders and kissing him as hard as he could.
"How did you manage this?" Yusuke asked, when he and Ren were up in Ren's bedroom above Leblanc.
"Well, it wasn't easy," Ren admitted. "And it took a long time for all the pieces to fall into place, so I didn't know if I'd be able to actually make it here. That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to be disappointed if it didn't work."
Yusuke thought about that for a moment. He'd been bereft enough thinking that he wouldn't have Ren for Christmas Eve with no expectation that it ever could have been possible; if he'd been expecting him and that had been ripped away, he would have been inconsolable. "I understand."
"I had to get permission from my parents first, which actually wasn't that hard," Ren said. "Then I had to get permission from my school, which was harder. I had to convince them that it was okay if I missed the last few days before the vacation. But it was after exams, and I pretended that I had Christian family in Tokyo and I wanted to celebrate Christmas with them, and eventually, we figured out a deal."
"A deal?" Yusuke repeated, remembering how Ren had so loved making deals with anyone and everyone back when they were Phantom Thieves. "What sort of deal?"
"Nothing serious," Ren assured him. "I just have an extra assignment to do over the vacation. It'll be easy. And it's worth it, to see you."
"So… you left yesterday after school?" Yusuke asks, putting the pieces together.
Ren nods. "I took an overnight train to Tokyo. Got here at like three in the morning and immediately passed out in bed. Woke up about an hour ago and got Futaba to text you to come over."
"Futaba knew all along, I imagine?"
"Ah, kind of," Ren admitted. "Makoto texted me when Futaba hacked my phone to warn me that she was doing it, and I didn't want her to say anything to you and figured she might be with you already, so I texted her and told her not to mention anything."
Yusuke recalled Futaba's strange behavior when she was looking through Ren's phone, how she'd declared that she'd thought she found something and then immediately dismissed it as a false alarm. She must have gotten Ren's message and backtracked.
"She was fine with keeping it a surprise for you, especially once I explained why, but she insisted on bringing everyone else in," Ren added. "So they all know. Haru helped pay for the train ticket, and the others put together an itinerary for our day."
"And Morgana?" Yusuke asked, realizing at last that they were far more alone than he was accustomed to being when with Ren. "Did he not accompany you?"
"He's with Futaba. He said he'd give us our privacy today, and then he'll probably go back to being a third wheel tomorrow." Ren smiled. "But for today, you've got me all to yourself. What do you want to do with me?"
Yusuke thought about the things he'd imagined doing with Ren if they could possibly see each other on Christmas Eve. He'd imagined going out to eat, and seeing the illuminations, and perhaps strolling through the park. But with Ren in his arms… Well, he wasn't quite ready to let go yet.
"Hold you, for now," he admitted. "And… talk, perhaps. We can wait a while to go out, can't we?"
"Of course we can," Ren agreed. "I might fall asleep on you, but I'll try my best not to."
"Don't worry. Even sleeping, I find you enchanting." Yusuke could stare at Ren's face for ages, sleeping or awake, and never grow tired of it.
"I'm more entertaining when I'm awake, though," Ren countered. "We're right above a café, I could get a cup of coffee."
Yusuke's grip around Ren tightened unconsciously. "Not yet," he pleaded. "Give me a few minutes longer."
Ren turned and kissed him, soft and slow. "Yusuke," he whispered when he pulled away, "you can have all the time you want."
"I want all of it. Every minute. Every second."
Ren kissed him again. "Then it's yours."
They would have a full day ahead of them, Yusuke was sure. They would go out and celebrate Christmas Eve like all the other couples, and probably, before the end of the day, they'd be ambushed by their friends. If not, they'd certainly be ambushed the next day after school. But they were together, and they'd have the whole vacation to go out and do things. Yusuke wanted everything he could have with Ren. He wanted to go out with him, but he also wanted to just stay in sometimes, to lie together like a couple could and listen to the faint sounds of people in the street. He wanted everything, and while the break wouldn't be long enough for all of it, at least they could start.
"I love you," he told Ren, laying his head on Ren's chest.
Ren ran a hand through Yusuke's hair. Yusuke had imagined that for so long, and now he knew what it felt like.
"I love you too. Happy Christmas Eve."
"With you, it is the happiest."