Ren looked at the horizon as he sat with Maruki in the cab, he couldn't stop but feel fulfilled. The journey, the trials it held had great costs, so much bloodshed could have been avoided.

Maruki glanced at Ren, the time he spent trying to help wasn't for nothing. It wasn't his place though, that is what they fought for, wasn't it.

After reaching the train station, he said goodbye to the friends he had grown so close to. Morgana wouldn't stop pestering him about sitting down. It's probably cramped in there with all the souvenirs…

As the train began to move, he felt the presence of someone he had a sour and sweet relationship with pass by. As with everything, it passed and so the train couldn't wait for him to catch-up to things like that. Maybe in another life… He held no regrets over his past now, the pain and torment he overcame was gone.

A brief glance appeared though and for a moment he hesitated. He saw the mask he put on, again. He felt those rushing feelings and memmories flying past, those had to end now.

I did what I did, no need to regret… no. I don't regret a thing…

Ren Amamiya, the former delinquent, smooth talker, savior, Phantom Thief, Joker, Trickster, Inmate and outcast closed his eyes.

…

…

… Tip-tap

…

…

Tip-tap. Tip-tap-tip-tap

The sound of a torrent of footseps woke him, Ren opened his eyes. He saw Shibuya crossing, just as he saw it when he arrived. Only he was farther in than he ever was.

What the-?

He saw everything freeze, he saw only a single moving person as he himself ignited into blue flames. He saw himself looking at him and with his vision fading to light, he felt the Shujin Academy uniform and bag on him.

The rush continued. He knew what he recognised. He felt the deja vu.

Why am I here again?!

He was shoved, forcing him to move along the horde of people.

Is this a dream?

He looked down at the phone he was suddenly holding, he saw the Metaverse app. "How…", he mumbled. He just destroyed it, Yaldabaoth and Maruki. Weren't they enough?

Ren felt no other choice, but to keep walking. Maybe if he followed his previous route he could figure out what was happening. He went to Shojiro, though he should keep a low profile until he figured out the situation.

Yongen-Jaya, Ren could almost taste the coffee and curry. Honestly, he was going burst into tears back on the train if hadn't resolved his mind. Carefully checking if anyone was in, as there should be a couple of customers on this day, Ren took a peek.

There he is… Damn… Damn was really all he could think as he went in and greeted his… guardian, or at least tried to.

Sojiro looked up at Ren, his gaze taken away from the puzzle on the newspaper. "Oh, right—" Ren remember the words, pure nostalgia. The customers didn't leave though.

Propably got here too fast…

Sojiro looked at the customers, directing Ren to the back.

So many fond memories… Please tell me you remember something.

"So you're Amamiya?"

Ren was still deep in rememberence.

Sojiro got a bit frustrated with Ren's daydreaming. "Ahem!"

Ren flinched internally. Guess I should play along… he might not actually remember…

"Yes, that's me. Sorry Sakura-san, I'm a bit… tired from the trip." It wasn't a total lie, he did feel a bit tired. "I hope we can get along well", his respect for the family he gained made him bow politely.

Sojiro was taken aback by the response, not expecting the delinquent to behave so suprisingly well. "Uh-huh…" Ren could hear a muffeld damn under his breath. "Exactly, I'm Sojiro Sakura and will be taking care of you for the next year." He paused to look. "I wondered what kind of unruly kid I got dumped with, so you're the one." He took another pause, scratching his neck before glancing at the elderly customers in the lobby.

"Is now a bad time?" Ren carefully asked, he had gotten so used to a different type of Sojiro, he didn't want to come off as too off.

"Hm? No… Just checking. So…" He turned back and thought for a moment. "Do you know? A customer of mine and-"

"And my parents know each-other?"

Sojiro glared for a moment.

"No offense, I just…" He thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to make things less awkward.

"Guessed, right? You got a smart head on your shoulders there, kid… Well, it doesn't matter how they know each-other, follow me."

As they got out from the back, the elderly couple began walking away. They exchanged some words about the breakdowns, with Sojiro joining in a bit later. The conversation still ended about the same and Ren followed Sojiro up the stairs.

The breakdowns… so this seems to be exactly the same. Maybe Ryuji or Morgana remember me? Propably not, better stay on schedule…

"Four hours for a cup of joe… can you imagine?"

Ren got out of his head, realising a few changes. "Oh… Yeah, that's pretty… I don't know, pretty ridiculous."

"You're telling me." They quickly got to the addic, Ren couldn't almost recognise the place. It was so dusty, dull and cluttered. "This will be your room."

I almost don't recognise this place…

"I'll at least give you sheets for your bed, hope that'll be good."

"It'll be good, thank you so much." Ren really could not stop himself.

"Mhm… It'll be up to you to clean it up though… I'll be leaving after closing up each day. You'll be alone at night-"

"So I shouldn't do anything stupid?"

Sojiro grumbled. "Yeah, at least let me finish."

"I'm sorry…" Ren tried to give a small bow, but Sojiro nearly held him to stop.

"It's alright… really. Just don't make it a habit."

I missed you already… I'm going to try my best this time. … Am I sure Maruki didn't relapse?

"Now then… I got the gist of your situation" Sojiro recounted the events that led to the young man's arrest. "And now that you've got a criminal record, you were expelled from your high school. The court ordered you move out here and your parents approved. Guess they thought you were a pain in the ass… but as long as you keep quiet about who you are and keep up this act, I won't lose a hair on my head."

Ren took a deep, but quick breath. "Because you're in the restaurant bussiness…"

"Because I'm in the restaurant bussiness, exactly. So just behave for the year and you'll be good, so no funny bussiness."

"Understood. Again, thanks for taking me in…" Ren cracked a smile at the thought of one more year there.

"Yeah yeah…" Sojiro patted him on the shoulder while walking behind him. "We'll be going to Shujin tomorow."

"Shujin…"

Sojiro sighed, Rens tone wasn't as clear as he himself thought. "Shujin Academy, the school you'll be attending… We'll introduce you to the staff properly there. Keep in mind, most places wouldn't accept someone with your record. Man, what a waste of my Sunday…" He began walking back down. "Your luggage should be up there, I left it before."

Ren waited for Sojiro to leave.

…

Alright, everything should be the same. Nothing should be different, besides anything that happens from now on… Ren began cleaning up the space while making sure everything was secured, including the crafting bench and sealing beams. He even made sure to make the bed with experience of how it was at the start.

Soon after Sojiro came to see the source of all the raccet. Considering the experience fueled effort, the room was better than before. "Not bad", Sojiro said while checking everything out. "Why don't you go to sleep, nothing better to do, right?"

"Sure."

Sojiro was almost put off by Ren's agreability. "Well I'll close-up shop, don't stay up late. If you get sick, I'll have to take care of you." With that, Sojiro left.

Ren took a moment to remember everything, still feeling the shock of what happened. Did Maruki do something or did something really happen with the Metaverse and the false god.

If he really was simply just somehow sent to the past, he had to make things right. Shizui, Caroline and Justine, Igor, Okumura, Mishima, Maruki, Akechi… It'll be a lot of work, but that's nothing new…

Ren began to wonder to sleep, waiting for what was coming next.

It began.

…

The clinking of the chains awoke Ren, the smell of a cell still heavy in the air. He looked and there they were, "Igor" and the twins. Ren walked up to the cell door, seeing the two prisoners part ways for a clear view of "Igor".

"Trickster… Welcome to my Velvet Room." Its hand reached out to Ren. "So-"

Ren slammed the bars of his cage. He didn't know if this would work, but he still took the gamble. "How about you shut your damn mouth, cup."