Chapter 29
The curry that evening was delicious. Ren was surprisingly a good cook, skilled enough to make his own bentos.
Whether out of reluctance or simply finding it troublesome, Ren rarely cooked, usually resorting to bread and instant ramen at school.
Thinking this, Yu voiced his question.
“No particular reason. Cooking occasionally is fine, but doing it every day would take away from my Metaverse time,” Ren replied honestly. “If I stay out too late, Morgana makes me go to bed.”
Morgana bit Ren’s hand. “What?! I’m just looking out for your health!”
“Yes,” Ren patted Mona’s head. “Thank you, Morgana.”
Yu smiled warmly at them, then turned on the TV for Mona, carrying the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Just as he turned on the faucet, he sensed someone behind him and turned to see Ren standing in the doorway.
“Need any help?” Ren asked.
“No, you can keep Morgana company,” Yu said, his hands in the soapy water. “Since you made dinner, I’ll handle the dishes.”
“I’ll be done soon.”
Ren leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his glasses glinting in the light, making him seem quiet and mysterious.
He watched Yu washing the dishes, sleeves rolled up, and commented, “You’d be a good person to live with.”
“Live with?” Yu placed the rinsed dishes on the drying rack. “Why do you say that?”
“Taking the initiative with chores is something most people wouldn’t do,” Ren explained. “You’re just a bit passive in other areas.”
Yu smiled faintly. “Margaret told me during a fortune-telling session that I’m not the pursuing type in relationships.”
After finishing the dishes, Yu dried his hands and walked towards Ren.
“Come on, let’s see where you’re sleeping tonight.”
Ren shrugged. “Anywhere but the sofa.”
Of course, Ren didn’t end up sleeping on the sofa. That would be rude. But Yu didn’t have a guest room, and the study wasn’t suitable for sleeping, so he made a bed for Ren on the floor in his own room.
Yu’s bed was large enough for two, but Ren wouldn’t dream of sharing a bed with him.
It was past 10 PM, the night dark and quiet outside. The closed windows kept out the summer heat, the air conditioning keeping the room cool. Morgana was curled up at the foot of the bed, fast asleep, his belly exposed.
Ren covered Mona’s belly.
Yu changed into his pajamas, watching Ren until he looked up, puzzled.
“What are you looking at?”
“Nothing,” Yu rested his chin on his hand, not bothering to avert his gaze. “You don’t actually need glasses, do you?”
Ren paused. “Why do you think that?”
“People who wear glasses for vision correction tend to squint when they take them off,” Yu explained. “But you don’t. You look at people the same way, whether you’re wearing glasses or not.”
Ren had forgotten how observant Yu was.
“Yes,” Ren admitted. “They’re non-prescription.”
“So it’s to make you seem less conspicuous?” Yu murmured, recalling his first encounter with Ren in Mementos.
Back then, Ren had been wearing his Phantom Thief outfit and mask, the mask disappearing when he summoned his Persona, revealing his true appearance. Yu had been struck by the stark contrast between Ren’s demeanor in reality and in the Metaverse. He was so flamboyant in the other world.
What if… Ren’s true nature was just as striking, his gaze sharp and intense, but he had to hide it due to his criminal record?
Yu understood.
“I’m a problem student. If I don’t act well-behaved, it’ll cause trouble,” Ren lay down, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t want to make my life any worse.”
Yu listened, then smiled. “You’re really strong, Ren.”
“Am I?”
“I’ve been thinking about what I would do if I were in your situation, but I can’t think of anything,” Yu lay down as well, resting his head on his arms. “You’re amazing. I’m starting to admire you.”
Ren looked at him. “Want my autograph?”
“Sure, give me ten!”
They looked at each other and laughed softly. Mona, still sprawled out on the bed, didn’t stir.
The laughter subsided, and the room fell silent again.
After a few seconds, Ren spoke. “Can I ask you a favor after summer break?”
“What is it?”
“Look after Morgana for me,” Ren explained. “We have a school trip after the break. I’m not sure where we’re going, but I definitely can’t bring Mona. He’s been acting strange lately, and I’m a bit worried about him.”
Yu thought for a moment. “I can pick him up from Leblanc after school?”
“Yes.”
“It’s like picking up a child from daycare,” Yu commented.
Ren, accustomed to Yu’s strange remarks, ignored him.
After Yu’s rambling goodnight, Ren spoke again.
“Keep an eye on Akechi too.”
Yu paused, looking at Ren curiously. “Akechi? Why? Is he a daycare kid too?”
“You can think of him that way.”
Someone who lost his parents at a young age, lacking proper guidance, ending up the way he was… calling him a daycare kid wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
Of course, he couldn’t let Akechi hear that.
After summer break, Shujin’s school trip began. Yu had participated in the school trip at Yasogami High last year, but due to special circumstances, both first and second-years had gone together, meaning there was no trip for third-years. The only exception was Makoto, who went as a chaperone.
So, out of the Phantom Thieves, only Futaba, who wasn’t attending school, and Yu, a third-year at Sōyō High, remained in Tokyo.
Mona didn’t count. He couldn’t be brought along.
Remembering Ren’s request, Yu went to Leblanc after school to pick up Morgana. Ren had already informed Sojiro, so there were no issues.
Mona was curled up in Yu’s arms, listless.
“You seem down,” Yu stroked his ears. “What’s wrong? Are you upset that Ren and the others are on their school trip without you?”
“It’s not that,” Morgana averted his gaze. “I just have some questions I can’t figure out. Maybe I’ll understand later.”
“Don’t worry,” Yu smiled, ruffling his fur. “I believe in you. But if you have any problems, make sure you tell me. Ren entrusted you to my care.”
“Okay,” Mona forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Reassured that Mona wasn’t in immediate danger, Yu left Yongen-Jaya. Instead of going straight home, he went to the shopping district in Kichijoji, searching for something specific.
Mona poked his head out of the bag. “What are you looking for?”
“Textbooks. I heard they sell good, cheap ones here,” Yu said, looking around the bustling street. “But I rarely come here, so I’m not sure where to find them.”
“Really?” Morgana thought for a moment. “Why don’t you ask that detective kid?”
Yu looked at Morgana. “You mean Akechi?”
“Yes, Ren often meets him around Kichijoji. You might run into him here. He should be familiar with the area.”
“Good idea.” Yu took out his phone and called Akechi.
In Mementos, Akechi had found his target: a politician who, in Akechi’s opinion, posed no threat to Shido. However, Shido believed in eliminating all potential rivals, even if it meant going too far. This opposition party politician’s speeches had been gaining traction, his approval ratings steadily rising.
Before he became a true threat, his reputation had to be destroyed.
Akechi thought impassively: Shido was a truly ruthless and paranoid man.
Bang. Akechi pulled the trigger, watching coldly as the Shadow he had shot began to rampage, emitting an ominous red glow.
Just as he holstered his gun and turned to leave, his phone rang.
He took it out and saw Yu’s name.
Strange. This was the second time Yu had called him in Mementos. Although entering Mementos required the Metaverse Navigator, could the signal really reach this far? These were two different worlds.
Despite his doubts, Akechi answered the call.
“Narukami-kun?”
“Ah, Akechi! Are you free right now?” Yu’s voice was as calm and polite as ever. “I’m in Kichijoji right now. Do you know where they sell textbooks in the shopping district? I heard there’s a good shop around here.”
Akechi sighed, wondering how many times he would have to endure this. “Just for that?”
“Huh? Is that a problem?”
“Not really,” Akechi ignored the rampaging Shadow behind him, turning to leave. “If you’re looking for textbooks, walk straight ahead, then turn into the alley after the secondhand clothing store. You’ll see a bookstore there.”
“I see,” Yu started walking. “Thanks for your help.”
“But why are you buying textbooks?”
“I want to learn some new things… or something?”
Akechi: …
You overachiever! Studying even during summer break! Wasn’t being first place enough for you?!
Akechi seethed, saying sarcastically, “You’re quite the studious one, Narukami-kun. You must be aiming for a top university.”
“Tokyo University, probably,” Yu replied casually. “It’s closer to home.”
Akechi was speechless again.
He called Tokyo University “closer to home”? Did he know how difficult it was to get in?!
He should just assassinate this guy.
He wouldn’t be so infuriating if he were dead.
Yu, of course, was oblivious to Akechi’s thoughts. He stopped, his attention caught by a commotion nearby.
“Huh? There’s a politician giving a speech here. It’s still early. I might listen for a bit. Have you ever attended a political speech, Akechi?”
His voice was always the same, calm and unhurried, as if nothing in the world could faze him.
Every single time, Yu’s composure irritated Akechi. He didn’t understand why, but the feeling was always there.
“A political speech at this hour?” Akechi feigned composure, suppressing his irritation. “What’s he talking about?”
“…I don’t know.”
Yu’s tone was hesitant.
“But there’s something strange about him,” Yu said. “The politician looks like he’s having a seizure. What’s happening? Is it a mental shutdown?”
Akechi paused, a sudden realization dawning on him. “What’s the politician’s name?!”
“The sign says Ryo Suzukida.”
That name… it was the Shadow he had just shot.
Akechi whirled around. The rampaging Shadow behind him glowed ominously red. It seemed to notice Akechi’s gaze, looking up at him, its dark, empty eyes filled with terror.
Akechi’s ability could cause Shadows to rampage, including cognitions.
A rampaging cognition in the Metaverse would cause a mental shutdown in the real world, leading to extreme behavior. This was how Akechi dealt with those he didn’t want to kill.
“Oh no!”
Yu’s voice, usually calm, was laced with panic. Mona cried out in alarm. Before Akechi could ask anything, a gunshot rang out.
Bang. Akechi’s eyes widened.
The call disconnected.
The sound was deafening, echoing the shot he had fired at the Shadow.
Unlike his usual missions, this gunshot reverberated in his mind, refusing to fade.
Akechi frantically called Yu back, but the call wouldn’t connect. Ignoring the Shadow in Mementos, he returned to the real world. Just as he exited, a news alert flashed on his phone.
[Breaking News! Politician Ryo Suzukida suffers mental shutdown during speech, grabs bodyguard’s gun and fires! Reports of injuries at the scene!]
[Another Mental Shutdown Incident! Politician Opens Fire!]
“Damn it!” Akechi called Yu again.
“Please be okay…”
