Chapter 6: Tough Decisions (Fool/Lovers)

A/N: This is the first regular interaction chapter, focusing more on a specific character and the impact spending time with Lupin, even just a simple discussion or Q&A session, may have on their current lives. These chapters will have little impact on the actual story most of the time, basically just acting as Social Link (or Confidant) Events. I will be focusing on a specific arcana for each, starting with Lovers. (For future reference, due to Akira having died, the Fool Arcana will be represented by Lupin III)

Lupin arrived at LeBlanc the next day, called there by Ann for a private discussion.

She had questions, and she was going to get answers today. "So, let me get this straight. Akira is your son?"

"Yes, we've been over this. And judging by the… you know… you may have been my future daughter-in-law." Lupin said with a smirk and a wink.

Ann's face turned bright red. "That damned smirk… he really is Akira's father," she thought to herself before continuing. "A-anyway, why do you keep hanging around here? You're always being hunted down, so shouldn't you be running?"

Lupin immediately burst out laughing. "Look, I've been a thief since high school, and always slip through the fingers of everyone the world sics on me, including CIA, MI6, AND Interpol. The police are NO threat to a guy like me."

He then looked Ann in the eyes. "So, what do you think you'll do with the kid?"

After thinking for a moment longer (on top of having had plenty of time to thik about it before this discussion), she decided to keep it. She could take the backhanded comments, but she would never forgive herself if she allowed Akira's legacy to be forever lost.

Sensing her decision, Lupin spoke up. "Whatcha gonna name it, kid?"

Ann looked at him with a very heavy blush. "I was planning to use Akira's surname. If it's a boy, well, I-I was kinda hoping to name it after you, since you're going to be its grandfather."

"Arsene Kurusu," Lupin mused. It's got quite a nice ring to it. And if it's a girl?"

"2 years ago, my friends and I met a very nice girl named Akane, so maybe that?"

"Hey, don't look at me, it's your call."

"R-right. Sorry."

"You don't have anything to apologize for, relax."

At that moment, Sojiro spoke up.

"Something just occurred to me. How recently did you find out about the kid?"

Ann tensed up. "T-the s-same day I-I told the others."

Lupin and Sojiro's eyebrows raised in perfect unison. "Really?" They asked together.

"Okay, okay, fine. I… may have found out about a week before then."

"Wait," Lupin interrupted. "How many months in are you?"

Ann's cheeks turned a faint pink. "I don't really know. The last time I saw him was about 6 months ago…"

"6 Months?! How do you not notice after 6 months?!"

"I can think of a few reasons," Sojiro said. "I've known Takamaki for a few years now, and I can say she's not super attentive all the time. She could also just dismiss any cravings as just her sweet tooth acting up."

"Exactly," Ann confessed. "Thanks, Ji- I mean, Boss."

"Don't mention it, Ann."

"Anyway, you DID confirm it, just in case, didn't you?"

"Of COURSE I did! Do you really think I'd joke about that?!"

Lupin raised his hands defensively. "Chill out! I just wanted to make sure, that's all!"

"Grr…"

"Anyway, 6 months? Are you nervous about this?"

"A little," she admitted. "But I don't want to let Akira down-"

"-And I'm gonna stop you there," Lupin said calmly. "Who are you doing this for? You, because you want this, or him, because you feel like you have to do this?"

"I obviously-"

"You or him? Answer the question."

"Why are you making this so hard?!"

"Because it could determine the rest of your life."

"…Fine. I want this for myself, but also for him. We talked about the idea of children a couple of times, but I never imagined it'd be this soon…"

"That's just how life goes sometimes."

"Yeah… anyway, I need to get going. My parents want to talk to me."

"All right. Take care."

"You too."

As she left, Lupin turned to Sojiro. "Well, I guess that's my cue. Catch ya later."

"Hold it," Sojiro quickly stopped the thief. "Just so you know, Futaba wants to help you."

"I figured that out already. She's REALLY good with technology. Reminds me of Emi."

"Yeah, I do see the resemblance. Anyway, anything happens to her, then so help me-"

"-Jigen, relax. It'll be fine. Now I really need to leave."

"Right. By the way, where's Goemon?"

"Well…"

(Yusuke's Shack)

"Just a little to the left. And raise the sword a bit higher."

"Like this?"

"Perfect! Now hold that position for a moment."

(LeBlanc)

"…he's a bit occupied at the moment."

"Uh-huh."

"Anyway, I'm outta here-"

"Would you just go away?! I'm not interested!" Ann's shouting could be heard close by.

(Alleyway near LeBlanc)

"C'mon, can't you at least hear us out?" A group of thugs had cornered Ann on the way to the station.

"I said no!"

"Relax, girlie, we're not gonna hurt ya. We just want to show you a nice little club we know about, one that you can't find on the official maps."

"And why wouldn't they be on the map? Are they illegal or something?"

"Ugh, just shaddup and let me-"

"-He made it up." A familiar voice spoke up from behind the thugs.

"What the-"

Lupin slowly walked menacingly out of the shadows.

The punks were clearly quite confused. "Get lost, old man."

"Make me," Lupin taunted, blood dripping from every word.

That last sentence caused something to snap in the thugs' leader. He pulled out his gun, ready to fire…

…and before he could, a flash of pink tackled him to the ground, forcing the weapon from his hand. The others pulled out their switchblades, and attempted to strike down the thief, but he easily avoided their attacks, and without even taking his hands out of his pockets, knocked both of them down to the pavement.

The leader sat up. "Is that all you've-!"

The barrel of Lupin's gun was placed on his forehead, point-blank. "You REALLY shouldn't mess with me, boys. I'm not just some man in a jacket. I'm Lupin III. I'm a thief. And sometimes, I have to steal lives."

His finger tightened on the trigger.

*CLICK*

And nothing happened. Lupin simply put his gun away, as the thug leader fainted from terror.

"If you aren't willing to finish what you started, don't even bother trying, chump."

Ann was stunned. This man who had been so relaxed and playful up until this point had just dropped that whole facade for a moment after seeing her in trouble. "Thank you, Lupin."

He turned to her, and smiled appreciatively. "Anytime kid. I hate seeing innocent girls being treated that way."

"Would you really have… you know…"

"No. I don't kill unless I have to. It's a policy of mine to only kill someone in self-defence."

Ann just nodded. She felt like she could understand Lupin a little better now.