Chapter 42
“Yes, I’ll be home a bit late. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t worry about me. Be careful on your way. Call me when you arrive.”
“Living expenses? I have enough allowance… Okay, I understand. I’ll take care of myself.”
Ren was roused by the muffled sound of Yu’s voice. He hadn’t slept well, the rustling leaves and the hard bench making it difficult to relax. His neck ached.
He opened his eyes blearily, his vision blurry with sleep, rubbing his stiff neck, his mind slowly coming back online.
He had come here with Yu for a Confidant activity and had fallen asleep.
…Fallen asleep.
“Awake?” Yu asked, ending his call with his father, who had informed him of another week-long business trip.
“Don’t worry, you were only asleep for half an hour.”
Ren yawned, not moving, just closing his eyes again and leaning against Yu’s shoulder, as if resuming his nap. Yu didn’t protest, letting him lean.
If Morgana were here, he would undoubtedly complain about their “clinginess.”
After a few seconds, Ren opened his eyes.
“When can we take the next step?” he asked.
He paused, then added, “I mean, in our relationship.”
Yu chuckled softly. “We’re only at Confidant rank 2 after today’s activity. We need to reach rank 8, at least. Isn’t that how it works for you?”
Ren sat up, stretching, his jacket sliding down to his lap.
“…So how many have you rejected?”
“That’s not a very appropriate question right now.”
“Fine, we’ll talk about it when we reach rank 8,” Ren stood up, pulling his jacket on, then walked over to Yu, looking down at him.
Their eyes met, and Yu saw the glint of determination in Ren’s eyes, hidden behind his glasses.
Ren smiled confidently.
“I’ll be waiting for your confession.”
“Looks like I can’t escape this.”
“Of course not. The Phantom Thief leader won’t let you get away so easily.”
“Yes,” Yu smiled back, Ren’s reflection shimmering in his gray eyes.
“I’m looking forward to it, Ren.”
Before they could tackle Sae Niijima’s Palace, midterms arrived. Akechi returned to school, practicing writing with his left hand due to his injury.
This earned him even more praise and admiration.
Akechi politely accepted the accolades, inwardly scoffing. He knew how the public truly felt about him. The fact that it took three days for anyone to report him missing spoke volumes about his lack of personal connections. Not that he cared.
After the exams, following Makoto’s theory, they successfully located Sae Niijima’s Palace.
This was the first time all the Phantom Thieves, including Akechi and Yu, were assembled.
“So why are you different?” Akechi asked, looking at Yu’s unchanged attire in the Metaverse, his tone puzzled. “Why are you still wearing your regular clothes?”
“I don’t know,” Yu mused. “I don’t change in Mementos either.”
“Perhaps it’s because I awakened my Persona in a different other world, so I don’t have to follow the rules of this one.”
“But…” Yu added. “I actually envy you guys.”
Akechi looked at him curiously. “Envy us for what?”
“You get to play dress-up in the Metaverse. Those outfits are so cool,” Yu nodded. “I’m so jealous.”
His tone was so earnest and full of longing that it was clearly genuine.
Akechi: …
Besides being ridiculous, Yu also had a knack for saying the most unexpected things. Why had he even bothered asking?
“Oh? The only member who isn’t a thief. Let me scan you and see what’s going on,” Futaba summoned her Persona, analyzing Yu.
After a few seconds, she dismissed her Persona, a confused look on her face.
“So?” Ren asked. “Why doesn’t Yu have to change clothes?”
“Well…” Futaba frowned. “According to my analysis, he possesses a unique and powerful energy that can even influence the Metaverse. It’s as if the Metaverse itself recognizes him as a potential threat and chooses to ignore him, like a small ant beneath its notice.”
“So even in a Palace, he’s not perceived as a thief.”
Yu tilted his head, puzzled.
“An energy that influences the Metaverse? You mean Izanagi-no-Okami or Izanami-no-Okami?”
Everyone stared at him, speechless.
Those names sounded incredibly powerful! This guy was definitely a bug in the system!
“Don’t overthink it,” Ren extended his hand towards Yu. “Let’s go. This is your first time in a Palace. Stay close.”
From his conversations with Yu, Ren knew his other world also had dungeons similar to Mementos, but they were mostly multi-layered structures filled with Shadows, requiring them to clear each floor and find the stairs to the next level, eventually reaching the source of the distortion.
But Sae’s Palace, if he remembered correctly, involved a lot of climbing, rope swinging, and crawling through vents.
He would have to keep an eye on Yu.
Sae Niijima’s Palace was a giant casino, representing the gamble she had taken by accepting the Phantom Thieves’ case while facing demotion.
To progress, they needed casino chips. Being high school students, they were unfamiliar with gambling, so Akechi, despite his injury, handled the games, allowing them to clear the first floor.
But they soon reached a dead end, requiring them to use a grappling hook to reach the upper levels.
Ren turned to Yu. “Hold on tight. I’ll take you up.”
Yu’s eyes lit up. “We’re flying?”
“Yes,” Ren nodded, grabbing Yu’s hand. The grappling hook latched onto a distant point, and they were pulled upwards.
Watching Ren and Yu swing away, the others were silent.
Akechi rolled his eyes. “I’m the one with the injured hand, you know.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen two people use a grappling hook together,” Ann commented. “I know Narukami-senpai doesn’t have one, but since he’s not perceived as a thief, why doesn’t he just go straight to the top?”
“Perhaps it’s for the sense of participation,” Yusuke suggested. “Participation is important!”
“Just let Tokyo explode,” Ryuji sighed. “I can’t handle these two lovebirds.”
Morgana kicked Ryuji. “Don’t say such things!”
“Yes, yes, I know. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself,” Ryuji sighed again.
Haru watched them, then commented, “The leader is so cool.”
“Flying through the sky with the person you like. So romantic!”
Everyone: …
Another hopeless romantic.
Just as they were teasing Haru, Futaba suddenly shouted, “Everyone, hurry! There’s a fight going on up there!”
They quickly used their grappling hooks to ascend, Ryuji and Yusuke helping Akechi, who was still hampered by his injured hand.
As Akechi reached the upper level, he saw the end of the battle.
A giant, white Persona slashed through several red Shadows, instantly defeating them. The high-level Shadows didn’t even have time to react before being sent flying, dissolving into black smoke.
Akechi: …
He didn’t recognize that Persona. Damn it, how many Personas did Yu have?!
He grumbled, “So violent.”
Ren, hearing his words, replied calmly, “As long as he’s not violent towards people, it’s fine.”
Just then, a yellow Shadow appeared, and Ren instantly defeated it with another unfamiliar Persona.
Akechi: ?
He deadpanned, “You’re violent too.”
So he was the only one limited to two Personas?!
He would get them back for this someday!
With Yu’s help, they progressed smoothly through the Palace. Yu was so powerful that even elite Shadows were no match for Izanagi-no-Okami. The Phantom Thieves finally understood why Ren had initially kept Yu out of the Palaces.
With such an overpowered ally, they wouldn’t gain any experience, and even Futaba’s navigation skills were unnecessary.
A Persona with all affinities could defeat any Shadow without a weakness.
They reached the treasure, secured its location, and retreated.
Back at Leblanc, Ren saw Yu waiting for him on the sofa.
Yu was tall, and the sofa was a bit small, making him look slightly awkward, but the black and white Morgana curled up on his lap improved the image.
“Wasn’t I awesome?!” Morgana boasted, kneading Yu’s lap. “If it weren’t for me, things would have turned out differently!”
“Yes, you were amazing, Morgana,” Yu stroked his ears.
“When I return to my human form, I’ll be even cooler than Ren, flying through the ceiling!” Morgana’s ears drooped. “But I still don’t know who I am. I can’t remember anything. It’s so frustrating.”
Ren walked over to them. “Don’t worry, maybe Yu knows. He awakened his Persona earlier than us. He might have more information.”
“Me?” Yu blinked, then thought for a moment. “I don’t know about Morgana’s situation, but we had a similar case with Teddie. He didn’t know who he was either.”
Morgana’s eyes lit up. “Did he find himself?!”
“Yes,” Yu replied with a smile. “He’s a Shadow.”
Ren/Morgana: …
Don’t say such terrifying things so casually!
Ren frowned slightly. He knew from his past life that Morgana was a being similar to a Shadow, but not just a Shadow. He hadn’t realized there was a similar being in Yu’s world.
“But so what if he’s a Shadow? He’s still our friend. He can live however he wants,” Yu comforted Mona. “Same for you, Morgana. No matter who you are or how you want to live, we won’t judge you. We’ll support you.”
“So it doesn’t matter.”
Morgana opened his mouth, then simply swished his tail, resting his head on Yu’s lap.
He understood why their leader was attracted to this guy. He was so radiant and kind. It was natural to be drawn to him.
From now on, he approved of this marriage!
