Chapter 31
Shujin’s school trip lasted only three days, and upon the second-years’ return from Hawaii, they faced a change in principals.
This increased Makoto’s workload as student council president, often leaving her with no time for Phantom Thief activities. Ren also seemed to be planning something, rarely going out except for his daily communication with Yu.
Yu had run into him once in Shibuya but noticed he was staking out someone with the owner of the survival game store.
He seemed to be urgently progressing his Confidant ranks, that sense of urgency returning.
Yu sighed, hoping he wouldn’t overwork himself.
Unfortunately, despite promising to rest, Ren continued his nightly grinding sessions in Mementos.
Sitting in class, Yu opened the Phan-Site. New posts appeared with every refresh. After the “Vote for the next target” poll was added, the site’s traffic had exploded, as if the entire population of Japan had flocked to the small forum.
He could even hear students discussing the Phantom Thieves.
Akechi, turning around, noticed Yu browsing the Phan-Site on his phone.
“Are you surprised by how many bad people there are in the world?” Akechi asked, starting a conversation.
Yu shook his head. “Not really. After reading a few posts, I realized some are clearly motivated by personal grudges and not actual malice.”
“It seems we share the same opinion,” Akechi smiled, hearing Yu’s words. “Do you know why I wasn’t initially supportive of the Phantom Thieves?”
Yu looked at him expectantly.
“Because public opinion can be manipulated. This kind of popular vote isn’t true justice. A good person can be turned into a villain by rumors. Mob justice should never override due process,” Akechi looked at the Phan-Site on Yu’s phone.
“And now, this website is losing its balance.”
“A single misstep, and the Phantom Thieves will be torn apart. Those who pursue justice will ultimately be consumed by it.”
Yu considered Akechi’s words, finding them reasonable, but he didn’t think Ren was the type to lose his footing.
He understood Ren quite well. He knew Ren wasn’t trying to be a savior. He simply wanted to clear his name and find the source of Tokyo’s growing malice. Once those matters were resolved, the Phantom Thieves might even disband.
In other words, they wouldn’t be changing many hearts.
“I choose to believe,” Yu closed his phone, his tone gentle yet firm. “As long as they’re still on the side of justice, I won’t change my mind.”
Akechi sighed, looking at Yu with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
“You’re always so stubbornly optimistic. One day, that naiveté will get you into trouble.”
“I’ll worry about it when it happens,” Yu said nonchalantly.
The bell rang, and Yu took out his textbook, ending their discussion.
By now, Akechi had finally realized: Yu Narukami was not easily swayed.
His thinking was clear, his logic sound. He had his own set of principles, difficult for others to break, and he possessed the strength to uphold them.
This made him different, more remarkable than most.
After school, Yu habitually checked his phone. Although he had left Inaba and his Confidants no longer contacted him, he had Ren in Tokyo, so he still checked for messages every day.
But this time, the message wasn’t from Ren, but from someone unexpected.
[Rise Kujikawa: Yu-senpai! I’m having a concert in Tokyo! Do you want to come?]
Rise’s concert?
Yu quickly searched for information online and saw the concert announcements.
He rarely used social media, having created an account solely to follow Rise. After returning to Tokyo, he had also followed Akechi, his two-person following list rarely generating notifications.
[Yu Narukami: When is it?]
[Rise Kujikawa: In two days! I’ve reserved front-row seats for you, Senpai! You have to come!]
[Yu Narukami: Thank you, Rise. Can I bring a friend?]
[Rise Kujikawa: Of course! As long as you come, Senpai! I’m looking forward to seeing you!]
After promising Rise he would attend, Yu felt a surge of excitement. He hadn’t seen his friends from Inaba since leaving, and Rise had been busy with her comeback preparations during his last visit, so they had only met briefly.
This was great.
He opened his chat with Ren, instinctively wanting to invite him.
Just as he sent the message, a notification chimed. He looked up to see Ren, wearing his Shujin uniform, standing beside him.
Noticing Yu had seen him, Ren casually took out his phone and checked the message.
“Ren?”
“Yes,” Ren read Yu’s message. “A concert? You’re inviting me?”
“Yes, Rise’s concerts are very popular,” Yu smiled. “She said I could bring a friend, but bringing too many wouldn’t be appropriate, so I only invited you.”
Ren smiled slightly. “So I’m special.”
“Of course.”
Morgana poked his head out. “Is it that pretty girl on TV? Can I go too?”
“Probably. I’ll ask Rise and bring you in.”
Yu gently patted Morgana’s head, soothing him like a child, and Morgana’s eyes lit up.
Seeing Morgana’s excitement, Ren felt a sense of relief.
He had noticed Morgana’s unusual behavior lately and had tried to talk to him, but Morgana had been evasive, refusing to reveal what was troubling him. Ren couldn’t just tell him he knew about his fears.
So, although he had been trying to comfort Mona, it hadn’t been very effective.
After Mona happily retreated into the bag, Yu and Ren walked towards the station.
“Why did you come to see me today, Ren?” Yu asked. “Aren’t you busy lately?”
“Yes, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you in person,” Ren thought for a moment. “But now I think it can wait.”
He had come to tell Yu the truth about Akechi being the culprit behind the mental shutdown incidents.
Akechi considered Yu a friend, and Yu had genuinely befriended him. So, when the truth was revealed, Yu would undoubtedly be hurt. Learning that a friend he trusted was a villain would be devastating.
That’s why Ren had wanted to talk to Yu in person.
But Yu was currently excited about the concert and had invited Ren to join him. He could sense Yu’s enthusiasm.
It was only two days. Akechi wouldn’t do anything drastic in two days.
Ren thought: He would tell Yu after the concert.
“Alright, tell me when you’re ready,” Yu said, unconcerned. He looked up at the sky. “So, since we’re here, want to go for a walk?”
“Sure,” Ren had cleared his schedule for today. “Where to?”
“The park,” Yu closed his eyes, feeling the gentle breeze. “The wind feels nice today. Let’s go enjoy it.”
Inokashira Park had a pond where people often went boating. There was also a small hill nearby with a winding path. They had expected a crowd, but the hill was surprisingly deserted. They decided to climb it.
“I’ll stay here,” Morgana jumped out of the bag. “I’ll explore the area. Call me when you’re leaving.”
Watching Morgana go, Yu and Ren exchanged glances.
Mona was giving them some alone time. What a good cat.
Although it was a small hill, climbing it was still tiring. Yu was slightly out of breath, but the fresh air invigorated him.
“Nice view,” Yu commented.
Ren, standing beside him, nodded. “It is.”
From the top of the hill, they had a panoramic view of the pond, people boating on the water, the green leaves of the trees swaying in the wind.
It was a beautiful spot.
“I came here with Yusuke before,” Ren said, hands in his pockets. “He was looking for inspiration, observing couples.”
“Really?” Yu leaned against a nearby rock, not noticing the “Loose Rocks” warning sign.
“So this is a popular spot for couples?”
“I guess so.”
Yu nodded seriously. “That’s a shame. We’re not a couple.”
“It’s fine,” Ren replied calmly. “High school students can’t get married. Therefore, high school students can’t date.”
His logic made Yu laugh. He leaned back against the rock, which suddenly shifted, sending him tumbling backward, the laughter still on his face, replaced by a look of surprise.
Ren, startled, reached out to grab him, but Yu pulled him down as well.
Fortunately, the rock only shifted slightly, and they both landed on the soft grass.
“Ow, ow,” Yu winced, looking at Ren, who had fallen on top of him. “Ren, are you alright?”
Ren pushed himself up, his wrist stinging. He wasn’t sure what he had hit, but it didn’t feel like a broken bone.
“Ren?” Yu called out to him.
Ren looked down, and their eyes met.
Yu’s eyes were gray, a pale, misty gray, a seemingly cold color, yet warm and inviting, especially when he smiled, like the midday sun.
It was natural for anyone to be drawn to him.
Thinking this, Ren leaned closer, their eyes locking, their breaths mingling. He stopped just before their lips touched.
They remained in that intimate position for a long moment.
“Ren,” Yu finally spoke, his voice as casual as ever. “If this continues, things will get complicated.”
Ren looked at him. “Complicated how?”
“High school students can’t get married,” Yu reminded him gently. “You said so yourself.”
Ren: …
He sighed, unsure why.
He got up, then pulled Yu to his feet. They continued to admire the view as if nothing had happened.
But after pulling Yu up, Ren didn’t let go of his hand, and Yu, seemingly oblivious, let him hold it.
“This is a nice spot,” Yu commented. “We should come here more often.”
“Sure,” Ren replied softly. “I’ll come if you invite me.”
“Then I’ll invite you often.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t fall again.”
“Accidents happen. Besides, it’s not like I’m going to ask you to marry me just because I fell on you.”
“We could.”
Ren looked at him. “Could what?”
“I don’t know,” Yu paused, then chuckled softly.
“Let’s just say ‘yes’ for now, and figure out the details later.”
“At least right now, that’s how I feel.”
