Catch-22: The Disappointed Look
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Ren introduces Sensei to Mishima for the first time. Interesting doesn't cover it.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way. Robert Kiyosaki
"So…your newest member is an adult?" Mishima whispered to him.
Ren sighed as he looked from his phone for a time. Sensei said that he will be running a few minutes late because of traffic.
"I mean….technically, Haru is our newest member but yes, Sensei is a member," He added.
"I mean…there is nothing wrong with that. It's just that. Is he going to tell?"
He thought that it would be nice to have some company while he waited for Sensei in the Underground Mall. He hasn't been able to talk to Mishima much since everything with Haru started. After tomorrow, he wouldn't have the chance since they were planning to explore the palace. He started telling him about Sensei.
He was surprised that Mishima reacted the way he did. He didn't think anything about him being an adult had anything to do with it. He told Morgana once that they might have changed Mishima's heart as well. He was dangerously close to using the Phantom Thieves as his personal tool.
He wasn't down for that and neither were the others.
"Other adults have found out about us and they haven't said anything."
"Well, they aren't members."
"I still trust them. I trust Sensei. He saved our lives a million times."
"He is still an adult."
"I'm glad that you noticed. I was wondering for a moment if I was in high school again," Sensei said behind them.
"EEEEKKK!" Mishima shouted as he jumped away from him.
Sensei just looked amused.
"Hello, Sensei. No…No…Hello, Mr. Sensei. Wait a minute…what is your name? Never mind. Hello, Mr. Sensei, sir," Mishima said in a panic.
Morgana and Ryuji would get a kick out of this.
"Mishima, was it? Walk with me for a bit," Sensei said.
Mishima looked like he was going to faint right there.
"Yes, Mr. Sensei, sir." Mishima said faintly as he started to follow behind Sensei. He followed closely behind Mishima.
"Would it be helpful to say that I am not a member?" Sensei said after a few moments of walking.
"What?" Mishima said in shock.
His mouth nearly dropped as well.
"I am not a member. Our goals don't align with each other."
"What are your goals?"
"They want to change hearts. I want the truth."
"The truth?"
"I seek the truth. It doesn't mean that I don't care about them. They are my students and I worry. They get into entirely too much trouble without me."
"I believe that you were the one who got into trouble last time," He said with a grin.
Sensei chuckled.
"True."
"So, you don't care about the rotten adults?"
"I care but I have been doing this for many years. I realize that it is never ending. I have been seeking the truth and I haven't found it yet. For my students? One heart changed…then another and another. How long could they do this? How long could you do this?" Sensei asked softly.
Mishima stopped and stared at Sensei.
"Forever."
Sensei stopped and turned around. Sensei reached out and squeezed Mishima's shoulder.
"You have taken on a darkness that even my students don't face. You read their pleas for help. You have to decide to share that information with Ren. You have become the jury and judge of their hearts. Don't be their executioner. Be careful not to let the darkness you face every day overcome you. Don't become the very thing that my students have to change. Understood?"
He never thought of it that way before. It brings things into a new light.
"Yes…Mr. Sensei," Mishima said in awe.
"Good. Now….when is the last time you ate? Sensei said pleasantly.
"Uhh…yesterday? I think," Mishima said as he stumbled the words out.
Sensei gave him a disappointed look as Mishima winched slightly. Sensei pulled out his phone and did something to the screen. He hummed as he put it to his ear.
"Theo? Yes, I have Mishima here with me. He needs a good meal. Make sure he eats everything. If not, have Lila add him to her list. I am sure…yes…wonderful. Thank you, Theo. Of course. Good-bye," Sensei said as he got off the phone.
"uhhh…"
"A man in a blue suit and a woman in a white dress are waiting for you on Central Street. They are going to make sure you eat a good meal and a good meal every day after. Theo really likes to cook and Lila really likes her list. I wouldn't want you to upset them, understand?"
"Yes, Mr. Sensei. You don't have to do this."
"You are one of my students, Mishima. Your health and well-being are important to me. I know that I get timed alarms on my phone. I know how long you stay up at night."
"The site is important!"
"It is but so is your health. Once you get some food in you, we will talk."
"I'm not a kid."
Sensei gave Mishima a look that everyone in the group knew.
Disappointment.
Luckily, it wasn't focused on him. Mishima's eyes darted down.
"You're correct. You aren't a child but who will run the site if you get sick?"
"No one really. I mean, it could run itself for a few days. Sort of. Not really. Crap, I really didn't think about that," Mishima said as he scratched the back of his head.
Sensei smiled softly.
"Get some food. We will talk later after I finish some training, right?"
"Ye…Yes…Mr. Sensei."
"Good. Coming, Ren?" Sensei said as he turned to him.
"Yes, Sensei. Seeya around, Mishima," He said with a wave.
Mishima mumbled a bye as he bowed before taking off.
"Aren't you worried that he won't meet up with Theo and Lila?" He asked as they started walking toward the entrance.
"No. Not really. They could catch him," Sensei said with a smile.
He just shook his head and grinned back.
"But thank you for that. I was worried about him. He was getting more and more intense as of late. I thought we might have to change his heart or something."
"I notice. Hopefully, our future talk will stop you from doing that."
"As long as you give him the "disappointed" look, I think that we will be good."
"The "Disappointed" look? You and the others keep talking about that. I think that I look the same."
He laughed.
"You stare at us and you have a really intense stare. You aren't smiling. Sometimes, you even frown just a little. Boss has one too, but it isn't as intense or as scary. We had an entire conversation about it. It was kind of funny."
Sensei gave him an unreadable look then sighed. He took out his phone and hit the app.
The world changed around them as well as their clothes.
He glanced over at the Velvet Room. He saw Caroline on the side and Justine sitting on top of the door. He glanced over at Sensei who was adjusting his sleeves.
It should only take a moment to pick up a World persona and a few new personas. Although, getting close to Sensei was a lot easier than some of his other bonds. Most often than not, their conversations and training sessions left him exhausted. It wasn't a physical thing. It was a mental thing.
Sensei made him think.
Slowly, he made his way toward the door.
"Get inside, inmate," Caroline said as she raised her baton. He felt his body tighten up as he waited for the blow. It didn't hurt. Not really. Not anymore.
The blow never came.
"I believe that I informed you before that you are to never hurt my student in my presence." Sensei said coolly.
His head jerked toward Sensei who was holding Caroline's baton in the air. Judging by Caroline's expression, she was just as shocked as he was.
"He…He is our inmate," Caroline rambled out.
"Yes, we are in charge of his rehabilitation," Justine said as she jumped down from her door.
"Sensei, it is okay…."
Sensei tilted his head and looked at her.
"Inmate? Rehabilitation?" He said as he let go of her baton.
"Yes, and you have no right to get involved!" Caroline shouted.
"That is where you are wrong. It is my duty as their teacher to make sure they are safe and well learned. Right now, I see you about to hit my student."
"It is what he deserves! We are his wardens!"
"Is that what he deserves?" Sensei said flatly.
Oh, shit.
"Yes, what he desires," Justine said with the nod of her head.
"What does he desire? IS that true, Ren?" Sensei said as he turned to him.
He looked from Sensei to the twins.
"I desire a lot of things…but," He said as he rubbed his wrists. Even if they are inside of his head, he could feel the chains around him.
"Very well. You two are dismissed. I hope that you can hold off fusion any of your personas until I figure out how to fusion your persona. If Veles and I can figure out how to make cards, we can figure out how to make personas," Sensei said as he waved off the twins.
"What are you talking about?" Justine said.
"You are being replaced."
"You can't do that!" Caroline shouted in a panic.
"I just did."
"No…no…that is impossible. We are his wardens…You can't…" Justine said calmly. At least, she tried to be calm. Her eyes were growing wider and wider at Sensei's words.
"Your arrogance makes you foolish. I'm not my students. I have been fighting shadows for years. You think that Joker is the first wild card that I have met? You think that you two are the first attendants I have met? No. I'm done with your excuses and your childish attempts toward my student. You two are dismissed from your positions."
His heart dropped into his stomach when he saw the looks on Caroline and Justine. They were devastated. He didn't know if Sensei could do that.
He was pretty sure that Sensei would figure out the way.
He might not agree with all of the things that the twins did or said but he was fond of them.
"Sensei…please, let them keep their positions," He said.
"Why?" Sensei asked.
"I'm not a fan of the hitting but I like them. They aren't perfect but it's like we are taking our journey together. We are learning together and becoming stronger together. I'm thankful for it."
Caroline and Justine stared at him in awe.
"Thank you," Justine said.
"You don't des…" Caroline said as she was cut off by Justine's hand over her mouth.
"Hmmmm…." He said as he turned from him to the twins.
He walked around the twins to examine them.
"My student has made an interesting case. I'm not sure if you can put aside your arrogance to help him."
"We can," Justine said as she nodded her head.
"And you?"
Justine removed her hand from Caroline's mouth.
"You have no right. NONE! You're not my Master! You are nothing but a worm. We can crush you, can't we, Justine?! Can't we?!" Caroline shouted toward her sister.
His head jerked toward Sensei. He expected Sensei to yell or scream but instead he lowered his glasses and stared at Caroline with such a sad look.
"You are much like Mona. Scared of something taken away from you. You believe this is the only thing that makes you worthy. You hold it too tightly and do more harm than good."
"That…That isn't it!" Caroline said in a panic.
"We want to be good like our sisters," Justine whispered softly.
They have sisters?
Caroline jolted and looked at Justine in surprise.
"We don't have any sisters," Caroline said.
He could hear hesitation in her voice.
"You're right. We don't….I think," Justine mumbled in confusion.
"Hmm…very well. My student has pleaded your case well enough and I see you have room for growth. For now, I will not replace you. But this is my last warning, Caroline and Justine. Harm my student in any way shape or form. I will act. Do we have an understanding?"
Justine nodded while Caroline looked like she was about to protest again. Finally, Caroline nodded her head.
"Good. Coming, Joker?" Sensei said as he turned away from the twins.
"I still don't think that he can do anything," Caroline mumbled.
Sensei didn't bother to turn around, but he held out his hand and produced two skill cards in between his fingers.
"The act of fusion is the combination of personas or souls to become stronger. Of course, there are sacrifices in the name of art. It could be a loss of abilities, skills, etc. Some things don't always go as planned. It's a strength is gained in the soul and in the mind," Sensei said as the two cards folded into his hand. It glowed red for a moment.
A moment later, he produced a new skill card.
Caroline's face turned pale.
"I'm not too worried. I will figure it out as I go along," He said as he walked into the Mementos.
"Who is he?" Justine said.
"He is Sensei," He said with a shrug.
"No, he is someone else," Caroline demanded.
Sensei was right. Caroline was a little bit like Morgana.
"No, he is Sensei. I need to get going. I don't want to get on Sensei's bad side. We will talk about it later," He said before he took off after Sensei.
Sensei wasn't very far. He was leaning against the wall and flipping the skill card between his fingers. Slowly, his one skill card becomes two, then there, then four.
"You tricked them."
"Yes and no. Card thing was a slight of hand. Other things, yes, I did. I don't think I could remove them if I tried. I couldn't stand to allow them to abuse you every time you went in there. You boldly walk in there but I still see you."
He was surprised that Sensei noticed. Then again, Sensei noticed a lot of things.
"How long could you see them?"
"Forever. I talked to them earlier when we were at Futaba's palace to lay down some rules. Apparently, it didn't stick. So, I decided to do something about it. Normally, I would do it privately but they only seem to show up when you are around."
"I think you scared them."
"Good. Hopefully, it will be the last time."
"So, you met other attendants? What were they like?" He asked.
He chuckled.
"Overdramatic. Very overdramatic. The other one would crush you. You can't really charm your way with her as you can with the twins."
"I don't charm the twins."
Sensei lowered his glasses and smiled.
"Okay…I do a little bit."
Sensei laughed.
"Shall we? I like to finish early. So, you have a chance to rest before the palace tomorrow."
"You don't have to worry so much, Sensei. I mean, I know that I'm the leader and everything but I can handle it."
"I realize that but you do know that I do this for everyone. Just ask Ann about the photographer or Mikoto about your principal."
"You scared them, didn't you?"
"Only a little."
End of The Disappointed Look
Next Chapter: The Plan to Fight
A/N: :smiles innocently: Yes, Yu knew what he was doing and got the reaction he wanted from the twins. Ren is like it is Sensei. He does this all of the time. XD Yes, I plan to write a chapter Yu being terrifying for the others. His big brother thing isn't just for Ren. I also have one planned for Yu to visit all of Ren's social links. So, he can go and terrorize them too. Anyway, thanks for the wonderful reviews, kudos, etc. Read and Review if you wish.