Sunday, 4/24

Ren woke up a little before noon. The only reason Morgana let him sleep this late is because he was able to feed himself. Ren checked his phone and saw a text from Makoto and a text from Ryuji.

Makoto Niijima:

Would you still like to spend time together?

Ren navigated to Ryuji's text.

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Wanna hang with me and Ann today?

What the hell happened on the roof on Friday? Are they not awkward together anymore? I should ask.

Ren Amamiya:

Can't today. Sorry. What happened with you and Ann?

Ryuji Sakamoto:

I was going to tell you today. I'll tell you another time. Btw, what are you doing besides hanging out with GRAVY members?

Ren Amamiya:

Recruiting GRAVY members. What are you doing excluding a GRAVY member?

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Shit! I forgot Haru! I'll ask her right now. See you at school.

Ren went back to his conversation to Makoto.

Ren Amamiya:

Of course. I'll be down in 20.

Ren jumped out of bed and conducted his morning routine three times faster than normal. He left the apartment and went to the elevator. He looked at himself with the camera on his phone.

Perfect. This is my chance to get to know Makoto. I better not screw this up.

The elevator opened on Makoto's floor. Ren walked down the hall and knocked on the door. Makoto opened it.

"Hello, Ren. What will we be doing today?" She asked.

Well shit, it's supposed to be making up for your birthday.

"Whatever you want, Makoto." He said.

"How about we get some lunch?" She suggested.

"Any idea where?"

"I would like to try something new. You can choose."

I didn't think that that conversation with Sojiro would pay off this quickly. Technically it hasn't paid off. This isn't a date. Or maybe it is.

"Ok. I got a good place." Ren stepped aside from the door to let Makoto out.

The two made their way out of the building and down to the station. They got on the subway.

"So where exactly are you taking me?" Makoto asked.

"It's a small coffee and curry place in Yongen. Iori-san told me about it." Ren answered.

"Ah." Makoto made a face upon hearing Junpei's name.

"Don't worry. It's actually the total opposite of how Iori-san is." Ren offered.

"We'll see." She said.

The two didn't speak much for the rest of the train ride.

Ren led Makoto to a narrow path off of a street in Yongen. It's still the middle of the day, but this feels sketchy, she thought. They went down the path, and Makoto saw the overhang of what must've been Leblanc. She then looked through the windows.

It has an old-time feel to it. It's hard to believe that Iori-san suggested it to Ren, she thought.

Ren opened the door for her.

"After you." He said.

Makoto entered. Leblanc was empty except for the owner who stood behind the bar. He looked up at Makoto and then looked at Ren. He then smiled.

"Hoo boy..." He said. He then went back to whatever he was doing behind the bar.

Ren entered and led Makoto to one of the booths. She sat down and expected him to sit across from her, but he stayed standing. He went over behind the bar and talked to the owner. The owner said a few words to Ren that Makoto couldn't hear, but Makoto saw Ren nod. He then came back to the booth. What's going on here? She thought.

Ren sat down.

"So what do you think?" He asked.

"It's… nice. It has a classic feel to it." Makoto said.

"That's cool." Ren said.

The two looked up towards the menu on the wall.

"What do you get?" Makoto asked.

"I like the Leblanc Special." Ren said.

"I think I'll try that as well." Makoto said.

Ren raised his voice.

"Sojiro! Two orders of the Special, please!"

The owner nodded.

A first name basis? With the owner of a restaurant? What's going on here? Makoto asked herself.

Sojiro got to work on the curry.

"Ren, how do you know the owner?" Makoto asked. She studied his face for a reaction.

"I work here." He said smugly.

What?! Makoto thought.

"You work at a coffee shop?!" Makoto asked in disbelief. She saw Sojiro from the corner of her eye chuckling at them.

"Yeah. Is there a problem?" Ren said.

"You didn't tell me?" She asked.

"I mean, why would I tell you? Up until today, our relationship has mostly been academic." He said.

He's right! I don't need to know that. But why do I care that he didn't tell me? Makoto thought.

"Oh, of course. I'm sorry. What do you mean up until today?" She said.

"We're spending time together, right? That makes us friends as of today." He said.

Friends? With Ren? I don't know if that's what I would call it. But I do want to get to know him, she thought.

"I guess." She said.

Silence came. Makoto ended it.

"So, Ren. What do you do in your free time?"

"You really wanna know?"

"I asked, didn't I?"

Makoto wasn't ready for the answer she was about to get.

"Well, outside of school, I have a lot going on. GRAVY just started. I work at Leblanc on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I have study sessions with a very cute- I mean very kind student council president. Finally, I visit shady doctors and test experimental drugs." Ren said. He let it sink in before adding, "Oh, and I play video games sometimes."

Did he say CUTE?! He called me cute! But he corrected himself. I should just pretend not to notice, Makoto thought. She was trying not to blush.

"That's… interesting. Is the shady doctor part true?" She asked.

"It is." Ren smiled.

"And this doctor is paying you to test these drugs?" She studied his face again for a reaction.

"You could say that." Ren said while chuckling.

I'm gonna leave it there. He wouldn't agree to do something like that if he wasn't being compensated, she thought.

"So what do you do in your free time, Makoto?" He asked.

Makoto didn't expect the question to come up.

I'll play his game, she thought.

"Unlike you, I don't have much going on outside of school. Student council isn't as time consuming as you may think. Besides that, I read and watch movies. I also tutor a delinquent."

Ren laughed.

"What kinda movies do you like?" Ren asked.

I shouldn't have mentioned movies, Makoto thought as she blushed.

"Oh, you know, the normal stuff…" She said.

"What's the normal stuff?" Ren narrowed his eyes.

Makoto blushed even more.

"Like… Yakuza movies." She said sheepishly.

Ren laughed. Makoto didn't like that.

"Don't laugh at me!" She said.

This made him laugh more.

"No, no, don't worry. I'm laughing at the fact that we have similar tastes in movies." He managed to explain despite his laughing.

He likes Yakuza movies? Maybe he's just joking with me. I should test him, she thought.

"Oh? What's your favorite movie?" It was Makoto's turn to narrow her eyes.

"Oh, you know, the normal stuff…" Ren said in a high voice, mimicking Makoto.

He's making fun of me, but it's actually kind of funny, Makoto thought. She laughed.

"But if I'm being real, it's Like A Dragon. No other movie comes close." Ren said in his normal voice.

He knows his stuff. He wasn't joking , Makoto thought to herself.

"It's mine as well. The action scenes are just so… riveting." She said.

"Yeah. What a great movie." Ren said.

The two sat in silence as their curry arrived. Ren devoured his curry. Makoto was more cautious. But upon taking her first bite, she realized why Ren ate his curry so quickly. It was by far the best curry she had ever had. She quickly ate hers as well.

"That might have been the best curry I have ever had. Thank you for bringing me here, Ren." She said.

"No problem. I hope you enjoyed your post-birthday celebration." He said.

Makoto was reminded of how she spent her actual birthday. She was happy that Ren tried to make up for her loneliness on that day.

"I did." She said.

Ren stood up upon hearing that. He made a look that said "Ready to leave?"

Makoto was confused.

"Don't we have to pay?" She asked.

"I'm paying. But not right now." Ren answered.

"Oh. I guess we can leave."

I kind of want to spend more time with you, Ren. But I can't tell you that. You wouldn't understand, Makoto thought.

As the pair left Leblanc, Makoto turned back to Sojiro.

"Thank you for the curry, Sojiro." She said.

"Don't mention it. Have fun with the world's best dad!" Sojiro replied.

Makoto made a confused look and was about to question what Sojiro had said when Ren pushed her out of the store.

"ThankyouSojirogoodbye!" Ren yelled.

The two were now outside Leblanc.

"What was that about?" Makoto asked. She was still very confused.

"I'm a dad." Ren said.

He is very charming when he wants to be. I wouldn't put it past him , Makoto thought.

She laughed at her own thoughts. The two began to walk to the station.

"So do you believe me?" Ren asked out of nowhere.

"Hm? About what?" Makoto was confused.

"Me wanting to genuinely get to know you. Do you believe that after today?" Ren explained.

He shouldn't have brought it up. Now I remember how manipulative he was and can be. Maybe he was faking it today so I would think positively of him. But he was being honest about his activities outside of school, and he has similar interests as me. He was too honest with me to be manipulative. To answer the question honestly, yes but no. I've still never spoken with him about his assault. He could be hiding his violent side. But I want to get to know him. So I can't say no, Makoto thought.

"Yeah. I do believe you. You proved yourself." She said.

Ren was pleased with her response.

"That's good. Because I want to revisit my previous offer. For you to join GRAVY." He said.

I forgot about that! He wouldn't invite me to his club if he didn't want to spend time with me. But besides Ren, I doubt that the other club members want to spend time with me . But if I spend time with them, their opinion of me could change. And then I wouldn't be so... Makoto thought back to her birthday. Lonely.

"Before I agree, I have a few questions." Makoto began.

"Oh, um, when I said that I wanted to revisit the offer, I meant that I wanted to retract it." Ren said.

What?! But… But… Makoto could barely think because she was so embarrassed.

"Nah, I'm just joking. What were your questions?" Ren corrected himself.

Makoto nervously laughed.

"Well, I, first, I was wondering if GRAVY actually does gardening." She said.

Ren jokingly looked offended.

"Of course. GRAVY takes gardening very seriously." He said.

"That leads me to my next question. Do I have to have any gardening knowledge?" Makoto questioned.

"Do you think that Ryuji knows anything about gardening?" Ren asked rhetorically.

"Good point. Here's my final question. Will our studying sessions continue if I join the club?" Makoto said.

I would like them to continue, even if he jokes around too often, she thought.

"I would love for them to continue. I've enjoyed studying with you very much, Miss President." Ren said.

The pair was getting closer to the subway station. A silence took over. The pair boarded the train. They spoke little to each other on the train ride. They then made their way back to their apartment building. Ren walked Makoto to her door. As they stood at the door, Makoto thought about what had happened that day.

He picked me up. We went to Leblanc and ate. We talked about what we do outside of school. We left. We talked about his club. He asked me to join. I asked a few questions. Ren said that he enjoyed studying with me. Makoto remembered what else Ren had said about his study sessions with her. Back in Leblanc, he called me cute. He called me cute! But what does he mean? Makoto contemplated.

Before she went into her apartment, she turned to look Ren in the eye.

"Sorry Ren, but I have one more question." She said as she began to unlock her apartment door. She maintained eye contact with him.

"Shoot." He said.

"Um, I was wondering why you called me cute earlier?" Makoto said sheepishly.

Her door unlocked. She moved to go inside but was still waiting for an answer from Ren. Finally, he spoke.

"Makoto, there's one thing that you must understand about me."

"And that is?" Makoto asked expectantly.

"I'm a dad." Ren said.

He began to walk back towards the elevator. Makoto was too confused by his answer to stop him from leaving. She stood in her doorway completely puzzled by the enigma that was Ren Amamiya.

As Ren got on the elevator, he started to laugh. Hysterically. Thankfully there was no one on the elevator to witness it.

I guess "I'm a dad." is a get out of jail free card. It seems to just confuse people and let me change the subject or leave. It's perfect!

As the elevator went up to Ren's floor, he checked his phone. He remembered that Ryuji had asked him to hang out.

I wonder how his day went. I should ask.

Ren Amamiya:

Just recruited a new member for GRAVY. How'd your day go?

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Dude! That's sick! My day was crazy. I hung out with Haru and Ann at Big Bang Burger.

Ren Amamiya:

And there were no problems?

Ryuji Sakamoto

The complete opposite! I was killing it with the ladies! I could be dating both of them soon!

Ren Amamiya:

Care to tell me how that happened?

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Of course! Let me call you about it in a few minutes when I get home. It's kind of a long story.

Ren Amamiya:

Alright. I'm excited to hear the tale of Ryuji the Lady Killer.

Ren chuckled as he put away his phone as he stepped out of the elevator. He made his way back to his apartment. He sat on the couch and was about to turn on Super Rash Toes when he got the call from Ryuji.

This will be good.

"Hello?" Ren said as he picked up the phone.

"Whaddup dude?! It's Ryuji." Ryuji said.

"Yeah I know. You got your story ready?" Ren said.

"Of course. It all started…" Ryuji began.

Ren knew that he was about to hear an incredible amount of bullshit, but he was still surprised by how much there was.

Earlier that day...

Ryuji looked at the text from Ren.

Ren A:

Can't today. Sorry. What happened with you and Ann?

Ryuji thought back to the rooftop on Friday. What happened? We literally just awkwardly said hi to each other. She then left. So nothing happened. I'll tell him later, he thought.

Ryuji S:

I was going to tell you today. I'll tell you another time. Btw, what are you doing besides hanging out with GRAVY members?

Probably hanging out with Miss President, Ryuji thought.

Ren A:

Recruiting GRAVY members. What are you doing excluding a GRAVY member?

Ryuji S:

Shit! I forgot Haru! I'll ask her right now. See you at school.

Ryuji went to his messages with Ann.

Ryuji S:

Bad news. Ren is busy today. He said that he's recruiting members.

Ann T:

Oh.

Oh?! What the eff does that mean?! Ryuji thought.

Ryuji S:

You cool if I invite Haru?

Ann T:

Of course!

Ryuji breathed a sigh of relief and began a new conversation with Haru.

Ryuji S:

Hey Haru. Wanna hang out with me and Ann in Shibuya?

Haru O:

That sounds wonderful! Will Ren be coming?

Ryuji S:

Nah. He's recruiting a new member apparently.

Haru O:

That's interesting. I am excited to meet whoever he finds. Should we meet at Big Bang Burger on Central Street?

Ryuji S:

Sure. I'm leaving right now. I'll tell Ann.

Ryuji went back to his conversation with Ann.

Ryuji S:

Haru's coming. We'll be meeting at Big Bang Burger soon.

Ann T:

Omw!

Ryuji put his phone in his pocket and left for Central Street.

Ryuji was waiting outside of Big Bang Burger when he saw Ann and Haru walking up together. He waved at them. Their eyes found him and they walked towards him.

"You guys ready?" Ryuji asked.

Haru nodded. Ann looked awkward. The trio headed inside and got in line. Luckily, there weren't many people in front of them.

"So what're you guys gonna get?" Ryuji asked excitedly. Big Bang Burger was a common spot for him.

"I'm going to get the Pluto Burger." Haru said.

"Ooh! That's really good! I'm gonna get that, too!" Ann said.

I guess she also really likes Big Bang Burger, Ryuji thought.

"What will you be eating, Ryuji?" Haru asked.

Ryuji scratched the back of his head.

"I'm gonna take the challenge!" He said confidently.

Haru looked concerned. Ann looked surprised.

"A-are you sure? Isn't it supposed to be huge?" Ann asked.

"Yeah. But It won't be a problem." Ryuji was still confident.

"You're so brave, Ryuji." Ann muttered.

The trio ordered their food. They sat down. Ann sat next to Ryuji while Haru sat across from him. Haru started the conversation.

"Did you guys come up with anything for Club Day?"

Ryuji excitedly looked at her.

"Yeah! We can have a table! And we can put some plants on it!" He said.

"Ryuji, I think that's a great idea. You should be the club president instead of Ren. He's not even here today." Haru said.

"Damn right." Ryuji said. "You guys got any ideas?"

"None as good as yours, Ryuji." Ann said.

"Thanks, Ann." Ryuji said.

Their food was ready. Ryuji stood up and went to the counter to grab the tray. He brought it back to the table.

"I can't believe you're gonna eat that, Ryuji. That's soooo impressive." Ann said about the burger Ryuji had ordered.

"Just sit back and watch." Ryuji said.

He got to work on the burger. Once Ann and Haru finished their burgers, they did as Ryuji said. Sat back and watched.

"Ryuji, you're like, sooo cool for eating that whooole thing." Ann said.

"Yeah, I agree. You're pretty awesome Ryuji." Haru added.

"Fanks, guysh." Ryuji said with a mouth full of food.

He finished the whole burger. He stood up in the middle of the restaurant and beat his chest.

"I AM THE KING!" He proclaimed.

The other people eating looked on at him in amazement. Ann and Haru both giggled at him.

"We should spend more alone time together, Ryuji." Ann said.

Haru didn't like that.

"No! He's mine! And only mine!" She protested.

Ryuji sat back down and laughed.

"Ladies, ladies. I have time for both of you. You can both spend alone time with me!" He said.

Ann leaned against him.

"Oh Ryuji. You have such a way with words." She said.

"I know. I'm effin' cool." He replied.

Ren was barely holding back his laughter as Ryuji finished his story.

This is incredible. I thought that lying came naturally to me. But Ryuji… he has so much confidence in stuff that is so painfully fake that it is astounding.

Ren heard Ryuji speak on the other end of the phone call.

"So what'd ya think?" He asked.

"Ryuji, lemme tell you: that's some cool shit." Ren said.

"I know, right?! Sorry to have taken all the girls in GRAVY already." Ryuji said.

"Don't worry about it. I've got my eye on someone anyway." Ren said.

"Oh?! Who's the lucky girl?!"

"I'll give you a hint. She has dark hair. And she's cute."

Ren could hear Ryuji scrambling around on the other line. He then heard the faint sound of scribbling on a notepad.

"Let's see… If I narrow it down… I get… Kawakami?" Ryuji guessed.

He narrowed it down from what I gave him? How?!

"Sure, Ryuji. I'll see you tomorrow." Ren said.

"Yes! I knew I was right! See ya!" Ryuji said as he hung up.

That was the most chaotic phone call. I wonder what Ann and Haru thought of their day with Ryuji. I should ask.

Ren Amamiya:

So how was your day with Ryuji? He sounded like he had fun.

Ann Takamaki:

It was awkward.

Ren Amamiya:

From the way Ryuji told the story, it sounded far from awkward.

Ann Takamaki:

He gave you the fictional version then. Haru and I can tell you tomorrow.

Ren Amamiya:

He sounded pretty confident. I am excited to compare his version to yours.

Ren put away his phone. He decided to just play video games for the rest of the night.

Makoto was studying in her room when Sae got home. Makoto left her room to greet her.

"Hey, Sis. I'm glad you're back." She said.

"So am I. But it won't be for long. I only came back to take a bath and deliver some news." Sae quickly replied.

"News?" Makoto asked.

"Yeah. Because today is a Sunday, the detectives conducted an official search at Shujin. They didn't want students spreading misinformation investigation, so that's why they waited for today." Sae explained. She didn't look happy about what she was explaining.

"Did they find anything?" Makoto asked.

Please please please please please, Makoto prayed.

Sae hesitated before answering, but finally answered Makoto's question.

"They found… evidence. Kamoshida's office was a pit of lust. Nude photos of students, inappropriate videos, files detailing encounters with students, files detailing planned encounters with students… It's awful. I'm so sorry for what happened, Makoto." Sae said.

Makoto was horrified with what she heard, but ecstatic that there was that much evidence of Kamoshida's crimes.

"Is it enough to send him to prison?" Makoto asked.

This made Sae laugh.

"Makoto, even if it wasn't, I would make sure that that man spends the rest of his life rotting in a cell." She said.

What's that supposed to mean? I am happy that it's Kamoshida receiving the punishment, but what about in other situations? Does Sis just send people to jail based on her personal feelings? Does she care that much about winning? She thought.

Sae noticed Makoto's hesitation.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked.

"No, no, it's nothing. Thank you so much, Sis. I'm going to get back to studying. After all, midterms are coming up." Makoto said as she turned away and headed back to her room.

"That's a good idea. I'll be leaving soon enough. Don't worry about making dinner for me." Sae said.

When Makoto got back to her room, she fully realized what the Sae had told her.

Kamoshida is going to prison. I'll never have to see him. He's going to pay for what he did to me. To Suzui. To all those other students , she thought.

She was so pleased with the news, she felt the need to share it with someone.

Makoto Niijima:

Evidence has been found against Kamoshida. He will likely go to prison.

Ren Amamiya:

Really? That's great. Do you want to talk about it?

Yes. I want to talk with you , Makoto thought.

Makoto Niijima:

It's alright. This is off topic, but when will the next GRAVY meeting be?

Ren Amamiya:

That reminds me.

He didn't answer my question. And he's not typing, Makoto thought.

Makoto got a new message notification.

GRAVY

Ren Amamiya:

I am happy to announce that we have a new member. Makoto Niijima.

Everyone do your best to make her feel welcome at our next meeting, which will be after school on Tuesday.

We'll be on the roof again.

He should've told me he was going to add me! Now I'm unprepared, Makoto thought. Despite her surprise, she made a mental note to have the club find a new meeting location besides the roof.

Makoto Niijima

Hello, everyone. I am excited to be the newest member of GRAVY.

Bullshit! We know that you just want to investigate me and Ren!

Ryuji, you're the only one who thinks that. Please don't think that he speaks for the rest of us, Niijima-senpai.

I could've guessed that it was Ryuji , Makoto thought.

Makoto Niijima:

Please call me Makoto. We are in a club together. Also, could everyone say their names in chat so I can create your contacts?

Ann Takamaki:

No problem. This is Ann.

Haru Okumura:

This is Haru. I am so happy to have another third year in the club!

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Call me skull! You don't deserve to call me Ryuji.

Ren Amamiya:

If she calls you skull, then you have to address her as your Queen, Ryuji.

Ryuji Sakamoto:

Sorry, Makoto.

Makoto Niijima:

Apology accepted. See you all on Tuesday.

That was… a lot. I didn't think that Ann would be so kind to me. Maybe I judged her wrong. Haru seems like she's happy about being in the club. My relationship with Ryuji could use some work, but I'm sure that he'll change his opinion when I tell him about Kamoshida, Makoto thought.

She went to bed actually excited for what the first meeting with GRAVY would bring.

Author's Note: So I fucked up. Big time. I cross posted this on a whim without checking everything, and it turns out that none of formatting came with. This fic probably doesn't make a lot of sense without the formatting, so that's my bad. I believe that I've fixed all of the chapters, but let me know if anything's off. Thanks everyone for understanding, and thank you even more for reading.