Chapter 3: Discussion

A/N: The music cue is purely to add a unique touch to that specific scene, if this story was a movie or game. Don't expect the music to sync up with the story as you read it. The idea behind that cue is that it would be a transition to an opening, similar to that of the show. Basically, it's there to add a 'Lupin' feel to this story.

*SCREECH*

"For cryin' out loud, Lupin," Jigen groaned. "Why in the hell didja let the kid drive?"

The others were out at the moment, and there were no customers, leaving him with some rare time on his own to manage the cafe.

Alone, that is, until Lupin and his companions came back.

"And we made it! Record time too. Great job Ryuji, you're a natural!"

"Thanks," Ryuji replied.

"Lupin," Jigen said in a dangerously quiet tone. "We need to talk, alone."

The two made their way to the attic, yet to be cleared out since the accident.

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Jigen asked. "That kid is going down a very, very dangerous road, one you can't easily come back from."

"Look Jigen, I get it. But he chose this. His best friend died, and his killer was never brought to justice because of a man giving him the escape of death. Whether he's just fighting for what's right or just angry that he himself wasn't the one to do him in, I don't know. But I do know that I am not the person who said yes, he was."

"I've known him for years now, so I know this: he wasn't thinking about the future. His life is over if he goes any further down that path, and you of all people know that."

"Well, I didn't see you trying to stop him."

"There was no point! He barely listened to Akira, what makes you think he'd pay any attention to me?!"

"Alright, alright. I get it. You're concerned about his future, but you're not his guardian. Why do you care?"

"…"

"Nothing to say?"

"…"

"Listen, he's a good kid. I'll make sure he comes out of this safely."

"How?! If ANYTHING happens to him, someone's going to have to tell his loved ones! I saw how upset Ann was over losing Akira, how's that Okumura girl gonna react?! Or for that matter, what about his mother?! You'd have to drive over to her house and tell her that her only son is in prison, or worse!"

"Don't you know my rule? Never leave a man behind. If something happens to him, I can get him out of it, if he doesn't do it himself! You didn't see him behind the wheel during the chase, he's got what it takes!"

"Fine! But if anything does happen, you're on your own. I put that life behind me, and I'm not going back to it no matter what kind of trouble you get into!"

"I wasn't expecting you to."

"What?"

"I've played the game long enough to know that the world will always adapt to its perceived enemies. You realised that gunslingers were a thing of the past, and it was time to hang up your hat. Now, you're happy where you are. What kind of friend would I be if I took that away from you? So live your life, but just do one thing for me, okay?"

"What's that?"

"Never lose sight of what's right."

"I won't."

"You'd better not."

As the former duo came back down from their chat, Sojiro took Ryuji aside.

"Kid, I'm only going to ask this once. Are you absolutely certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that this is what you want?"

Ryuji thought for a moment. Should he really go through with this? That first encounter with Zenigata was no big deal, but a second time being seen helping a thief? That would be it. He would have to be on the run his whole life, and he'd never see Haru again. He might be able to visit on occasion, but other than that, she'd be left alone. Sure, he owed Akira his life for all the times he'd saved his ass, but was it really worth giving up everything? He recalled the words his persona said to him all those years ago.

"Since your name has been disgraced already, why not hoist the flag and wreak havoc?"

There was only one answer he could give, and he gave it.

"Yes."

Sojiro sighed. "You know, somehow I knew you were gonna say that. You do know that you won't be able to see your girlfriend, right?"

"I do."

"Alright. Well, since you're doing this, you'll need some protection." He pulled a small box out of a secret compartment in the counter. "Use it wisely."

Ryuji opened the box. Inside was a leather holster attached to a shoulder strap, and placed into it was a silver revolver. "Thanks, I'll only use it if I have to."

"Good."

"Well, we should probably get a move on," Lupin said. "We need to get back to the safe house and put an end to that killer."

"Right," Ryuji replied, a look of determination appearing on his face. "Let's go."

A/N: My logic behind this is simple. Since Ryuji's name never came up during the encounter with Zenigata, he couldn't be identified. He could realistically pick back up where he left off in life. However, if he's seen with Lupin again, that's it. For all Zenigata knew, Ryuji was an accessory, not an accomplice. Ryuji didn't expect to have to be the getaway driver, Lupin basically forced him to do it, so the most he'd get is a reduced sentence, possibly community service or something similar. The second time, it can be safely assumed that he's voluntarily working with Lupin, and the hunt is on.