Chapter 12: Fangirl Now, Work Later (Hermit/Emperor II)
(Safe House, Outside)
[Background Music: Wicked Plan (P5 OST)]
"It's like anime in real life!"
"Beg pardon?" Goemon responded to Futaba, who'd suddenly appeared behind him as he was training.
"You know, you're a samurai! Your sword has that cool glowy effect when drawn at night, and you do that cool thing with it when you swing and then place it in the… scabbard? Is it called a scabbard? Anyway, the damage doesn't show up until you place it back in! Inari did that too, is that just a thing that the Goemon Ishikawa line is able to do, and because the first was his persona, he could do it too? I'm rambling aren't I? Yeah, I'm definitely rambling, but it's just so cool-" she suddenly doubled over, breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?" Goemon asked her, concerned.
"Yeah- *GASP* I'm fine- *WHEEZE* I just haven't talk that much in a while- *PANT*"
He smiled. "You're quite an excited one, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
"I can imagine," he remarked, chuckling lightly. "You remind me of Murasaki…"
"Who's that?"
"My old fiancé."
"Oh. It didn't work out?"
"No. There was an incident with a ninja cult, long story."
"Okay… well, is there someone you've got your eye on now?"
"No, what about you? Is there someone who's captured our little hacker's heart?"
Futaba's cheeks turned a bright scarlet. "Huh?! W-well, I, um…"
Goemon laughed. "What's his name?"
"Promise you won't tell Jigen?"
"That's your secret to reveal."
"Thanks… he's a classmate of mine, just as much of a geek as I am. His name's Daisuke Mifune, supposedly the cousin of a fortune teller Akira knew a couple of years back."
"Does he know?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well, if you're as subtle with him as you are around me, he probably has some idea."
"Heh, heh, yeah, I guess that's true… oh, I'm acting weird again, aren't I?"
"No need to be embarrassed about that. Personally speaking, I find your behaviour rather amusing."
"Anyway, I ought to get going. I'll leave you to train."
"Nice talking with you."
"Same here."
(Safe House, Living Room)
[Background Music: Confession, Secret (P5 OST)]
Meanwhile, Ann was on the verge of tears. "He had WHAT on him?!"
Ryuji sighed. "I found this in the pocket of this jacket. It's labelled 'Kurusu Akira, for Takamaki Ann.' Must have been a gift for you."
"Well, what's inside?"
"I figured you should just see for yourself."
He handed Ann the parcel.
"What is this- !" She suddenly gasped.
"What? Ann, what's wrong?!"
"He… he was going to…" Tears started streaming down her cheeks as she showed the contents of the box to Ryuji.
Now it was his turn to gasp. Inside the parcel was a small box, and it held a small, glittering object. "A ring? Then he had plans to-"
Ann broke down, sobbing into his shoulder.
"Ann…"
"Why? Why did he have to die? WHY?!"
"It'll be okay, I promise. Akira has already been avenged, and we're gonna take down Yamakawa's subordinates and finish the job, once and for all."
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?! HOW DARE YOU TELL ME IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY! I LOVED HIM, AND HE DIED BECAUSE OF SOME SELFISH BASTARD!"
"Ann, listen to me, okay?! He's gone, and you're devastated. But now you have a choice to make. You can let your grief consume you, or you can live the life he would have wanted for you. Do everything in your power to raise his child to stand against injustice, and don't let his death destroy you."
"But I-"
"I know it's hard. After Haru's death, I had a lot of difficulty accepting that. But I realised that losing my soul to grief and despair isn't what she would have wanted. It still hurts, the wound is still fresh, after all, but I'm not gonna let that pain get in the way of living my life."
"You're right. It hurts even more now that I know his intentions, but now, I'm gonna make sure he can rest in peace. Let's finish this… together."
"Right. For now, though, you should rest. Don't push yourself too hard."
Ryuji left the room, leaving Ann to lie down on the sofa and think.
"Akira?" She called.
After a moment, she got an answer. "Yeah? What's up?"
"Well, I found the ring…"
"Ah, right, was it too soon?"
"No, it's okay. We were dating for over three years, after all."
"…Ann?"
"Yes, Akira?"
"I just wanted to ask, if I'd gotten the chance, what would have been your answer?"
"…"
"Ann?"
A small smile appeared on her face as her cheeks began to turn pink. "Well… I… would have said-" she hesitated.
"What? You would have said what?"
"I-I would have said… yes."
"You would?"
"Yes."
"I'm happy to hear that."
"Well, married or not, I'm giving our child your last name."
"Really?"
"Yes. As for the first name, I was thinking Akane if it's a girl, and Arsene if it's a boy. What do you think?"
"I like both of those. They're both nice-sounding names."
"Yeah, they are. Oh, sorry. I've gotta go."
"No need to apologise. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
"Bye."
Ann sighed, relaxing into the couch as Lupin and Goemon walked over to her.
"Hey," Lupin said gently. "You doing okay?"
"I'm fine, just a bit tired."
"Alright. Just let me know if ya need anything."
"Thanks. Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Why are you helping to take care of me?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, you're a thief. Cops are constantly hunting you down. Wouldn't a pregnant woman just slow you down?"
"No, not at all. You needed help, and I gave it. As my son's girlfriend and potential fiancé, you're like a daughter to me."
"Oh, well I'm flattered, but are you sure it's not too much trouble?"
"Absolutely not."
"Alright…"
"Don't worry about it, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Lupin."
"Don't mention it."