Chapter 17
School counselor Takuto Maruki was suspended from school after being reported for practicing medicine without a license and administering treatment without patient consent.
Although Maruki vehemently denied the accusations, the school, ostensibly to protect its students but primarily to avoid further negative press after the Kamoshida incident, suspended him pending a full investigation. He would be reinstated only if the accusations were proven false.
This was a major setback for Maruki. His research had just begun. How could he be reported so suddenly?
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the school, Maruki reluctantly left.
At the school gate, Ann watched Maruki, dressed in his white coat, walk away dejectedly. She turned to Ren and Ryuji.
“Do you think it’s true? About Maruki-sensei practicing without a license?”
“No way,” Ryuji scratched his head. “Although most teachers are awful, I think Maruki-sensei is a good guy. He was very considerate during our last counseling session.”
“Me too,” Ann agreed. “If it weren’t for Maruki-sensei, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome Shiho’s incident.”
She looked at Ren. “What about you, Ren?”
Ren’s gaze shifted slightly before he replied, “I don’t know him well.”
In reality, he knew him quite well, considering he and Yu were behind the report.
Morgana: …
The cat, witnessing the entire scene, curled up in the bag, smoothing his whiskers, pretending he hadn’t heard anything.
Afterward, things calmed down. Shujin without Maruki was back to normal. However, the most attention-grabbing news was the renowned artist Madarame’s tearful confession during an interview, admitting to plagiarizing his students’ work. He confessed his guilt, and after turning himself in and a police investigation, he was imprisoned.
After this incident, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, who had stolen their second heart, officially entered the public eye.
After all, the first incident could be dismissed as a coincidence. The second required more scrutiny.
The Phantom Thieves gathered to celebrate their success. Due to their previous positive experience, they once again chose the beef bowl shop where Ren worked as their venue.
Ren: …
Looking at his maxed-out Yoshida Confidant rank, then at his friends chatting merrily, he sighed, resigning himself to another shift.
For some reason, his friends in this life were particularly fond of “team dinners at the leader’s workplace.”
Was it because Ren had to serve them?
Yu didn’t attend this gathering. He wasn’t involved in the Phantom Thieves’ change of heart activities and didn’t plan on participating. While they celebrated, Yu had invited Sumire out to fulfill his promise of “treating her to meat.”
Recalling Sumire’s appetite, Ren imagined Yu’s wallet taking a hit.
He hoped Yu wouldn’t be too surprised.
But wasn’t it about time for Akechi’s Confidant to unlock?
Akechi and Yu attended the same school and sat near each other. According to Yu, Akechi seemed interested in befriending him. It was only a matter of time before Akechi discovered their connection.
But what if he turned the tables and caught Akechi off guard?
Ren pondered.
“Ren, are you done with your shift? Come over here!” Ann called out.
Ren glanced at them, realizing he had been too preoccupied with thoughts of Yu. He cleared his mind and nodded at Ann.
“Coming.”
Instead of deliberately hiding Yu, it might be better to place him right under Akechi’s nose. After all, Yu wasn’t involved in changing hearts.
After their gathering, it started raining. The rainy season had officially arrived, with rain falling three out of every five days. An umbrella became a permanent fixture in Ren’s bag.
Walking home under his umbrella, Ren messaged Yu.
[Ren Amamiya: Are you done?]
Yu replied quickly.
[Yu Narukami: Yes. Ren, you won’t believe how much Yoshizawa-san can eat! I regret not taking her to that eating challenge.]
[Yu Narukami: There’s a ramen shop in Inaba with a secret rainy day menu. The portions are huge! If you finish it, it’s free! It took me many attempts to succeed. I think Yoshizawa-san could do it on her first try. She’s amazing.]
As expected, upon discovering Sumire’s appetite, Yu wasn’t surprised but rather impressed, his first thought being to take her to an eating challenge.
His naivete and eccentric nature stripped his reactions of any malice.
Perhaps Sumire needed someone like Yu to comfort her right now.
[Ren Amamiya: I’ve unlocked a new map. I’m off tomorrow. Can you come with me to Kichijoji?]
[Yu Narukami: Kichijoji? Are you joining a temple?]
[Ren Amamiya: ?]
[Yu Narukami: Will there be a one-eyed fox with a scar?]
[Ren Amamiya: …Do you even hear yourself?]
[Yu Narukami: Okay, I know there isn’t. I used to visit Kichijoji during New Year’s. No foxes, just monks promoting the temple. Are you going to pray?]
[Ren Amamiya: Something like that. I might meet some interesting people, so I’m asking you to come with me.]
[Yu Narukami: I understand. No problem.]
A new Confidant, right? Yu understood perfectly. Every time they unlocked a new area or feature, it usually came with a new Confidant or event.
Kichijoji had a shopping district, far more bustling than Shibuya’s Central Street.
Compared to the more mainstream Central Street, the Kichijoji arcade was more adult-oriented, with bars that didn’t allow high school students and various secondhand shops. Most importantly, it had a jazz club that could boost Persona stats.
For the sake of that jazz club, Ren had to unlock Akechi’s Confidant.
After exploring the arcade with Ren, watching him sell the old clothes he’d found in treasure chests in Mementos, they walked past small restaurants filled with the aroma of alcohol.
They soon reached a new street, where a familiar figure stood.
Yu was surprised to see Goro Akechi.
Akechi was taking photos, presumably for his social media, and saw Yu and Ren in the camera’s reflection.
He turned around, surprise in his voice.
“Narukami-kun and Amamiya-kun? What an unusual pairing.”
Hearing this, Yu turned to Ren, genuine confusion in his eyes. “You know Akechi?”
He remembered Ren’s less-than-favorable assessment of Akechi during their first meeting, even saying, “The sweet-tooth prince charming is passé,” and repeatedly warning him to stay away from Akechi.
So they did know each other?
Ren didn’t deny it. “We’ve met a few times.”
“I met this underclassman at the TV station. He had some interesting things to say, so we chatted for a bit. Then we ran into each other again at a cafe. Quite a coincidence.”
Akechi approached them with a smile. “What about you, Narukami-kun? You’re from different schools and different grades. It’s surprising to see you two out together.”
Yu looked at Akechi, then at Ren, who remained silent.
“My friend recommended Leblanc,” Yu finally explained. “I always go there after school. He helps out at the cafe, so we became acquainted.”
“Really?” Akechi feigned surprise. “We’ve never run into each other there. I’ve been meaning to ask you out, Narukami-kun.”
Ren: …
Of course they hadn’t met. Yu had only visited Leblanc once, on the day they met, and hadn’t returned since.
“We’re quite fated to meet like this, including you, Amamiya-kun.”
Akechi smiled at them. “How about we grab a bite to eat? I have a reservation at a dessert shop.”
“Shall we go?” Yu looked at Ren.
He could tell that Ren’s Kichijoji trip today was all about unlocking Akechi’s Confidant.
Ren nodded. “Let’s go.”
The dessert shop Akechi had chosen was indeed excellent, and expensive. He enthusiastically photographed the desserts, selecting a few to post on his social media, then put away his phone, satisfied.
“The desserts here are quite good. Sweet but not overly so, with a rich flavor.”
Yu took a bite of his cake. It was indeed delicious, just as Akechi had described.
“How is it?” Akechi asked politely, watching Yu eat.
“I want to send some to Nanako,” Yu murmured, looking at the cake, a serious expression on his face, as if contemplating the logistics of shipping a cake.
Akechi paused, looking at Ren in confusion.
“Nanako,” Ren also took a bite of his cake. “His uncle’s younger sister. They’re very close.”
“I see,” Akechi smiled. “That’s quite a compliment.”
Then he watched as Yu casually stood up and walked over to the counter to ask the owner about delivery.
When the owner asked for the address, he said, “Inaba.”
Owner: …
Akechi: …
He still couldn’t comprehend this new classmate. Despite his excellent grades, his words and actions always left Akechi feeling like he had punched cotton. How could someone so seriously inquire about something so impossible?
Ren calmly ate his cake, waiting for Yu to return. He was completely accustomed to Yu’s eccentric behavior.
Akechi, clearly, was not, his speechless reaction evident.
When Yu returned, Ren said, “They can’t deliver that far.”
“I know,” Yu replied casually, taking another bite of his cake. “But if I don’t ask, how would I know for sure? Wouldn’t that be eliminating possibilities?”
Akechi rested his chin on his hand, sighing. “You two are quite close.”
“I’m just used to his personality,” Ren pushed his glasses up, maintaining his innocent demeanor.
“I envy your relationship,” Akechi said with a smile. “I’d like to make more friends, too.”
Just as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted at the entrance. They turned to see a crowd of people gathering outside.
“Is Akechi really here?!”
“Definitely! I saw the shop’s name in his photo!”
“Ah! Is that Akechi?!”
Akechi: …
Yu/Ren: …
Their dessert outing turned into an escape mission. They slipped out the back door, taking several detours to shake off the enthusiastic fans.
After apologizing, Akechi, not wanting to inconvenience them further, left on his own, leaving Yu and Ren alone.
Ren breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down to rest. Just then, something cold touched his cheek. He looked up to see Yu returning from a vending machine with a cold drink.
“Want some?” Yu offered him the drink with a smile.
Ren accepted. “Thank you.”
“Maybe I should learn how to make desserts,” Yu sat beside Ren, opening his drink. “That way, I can make some for Nanako next time I visit my uncle’s place.”
“Can you be my taste tester, Ren?”
Ren also opened his drink, replying calmly, “You could give them to a girl.”
“Is that a good idea? Giving desserts to a girl might be misunderstood.” Yu looked up at the sky. “Besides, since returning to Tokyo, you’re the closest friend I’ve made. If I had to choose someone, I’d choose you.”
Ren’s fingers twitched, almost dropping his drink.
He unconsciously tightened his grip, condensation forming on the bottle, dampening his fingertips.
It was as if he was being subtly consumed by an unfamiliar emotion, completely unaware.
