Chapter 49
Winter break was the last high school holiday for third-year students. Their entrance exams in January would mark the end of their high school life, returning only for graduation in March.
Akechi couldn’t be visited yet, as the evidence was still being processed. Only Sae Niijima could see him, reporting he was in good spirits. This reassured Yu.
Yu’s phone chimed. A message from Ren.
[Ren Amamiya: It’s winter break. Want to go out?]
Yu smiled unconsciously.
[Yu Narukami: Where to?]
[Ren Amamiya: Maybe buy some study materials? Are you going back to Inaba after your exams?]
[Yu Narukami: Yes! I need to get a gift for Nanako!]
[Ren Amamiya: Perfect. Leaving now.]
[Yu Narukami: Great!]
Yu grabbed his white coat and saffron scarf, the soft wool adding a touch of warmth. His parents were working, so he left without informing them.
The cold couldn’t dampen his excitement at seeing Ren.
Ren put away his phone, grabbed his jacket and Mona, and left Leblanc. He’d been waiting to message Yu.
It felt good.
Morgana swished his tail. “Why bring me on your date?”
“I’ll ditch you with someone,” Ren replied. “I always run into my friends.”
Morgana: ? He didn’t understand this “mechanism.”
“Meow! I’m your chaperone! Fiend!”
Ren ignored Mona’s complaints, arriving in Shibuya and spotting Yu.
He stood tall, the white coat and saffron scarf stylish, drawing glances. Some girls even tried to get his number.
Yu politely declined, blowing on his hands, his gray eyes watching the dissipating breath like a curious golden retriever.
Ren chuckled, tapping his shoulder.
“Ren,” Yu turned. “Good morning.”
“It’s 10 AM,” Ren said, standing beside him.
“It’s always a good morning,” Yu smiled. “And then it’ll be ‘good afternoon’. I can’t miss a chance to talk to you.”
Ren: … Smooth.
“You’re applying to Tokyo University?”
“Yes, it’s closer to home,” Yu nodded.
Ren nodded. “Wait for me, then.”
“Huh?” Yu blinked.
“I’m applying too,” Ren said, hands in his pockets. “I’ll visit you there.”
Yu smiled. “You’re welcome.”
They both knew that after winter break, Yu would start university, while Ren, his name cleared, would return to his hometown, then reapply to Tokyo U, where Yu would wait.
A brief separation for a better future.
Morgana smiled, watching them. High school students were optimistic.
They started browsing for a gift for Nanako.
“Nanako’s learning piano,” Yu said. “Too bad I can’t get her one.”
Ren sighed. “…You considered a piano?”
“That’s why I said ‘too bad’,” Yu nodded. “Maybe a piano decoration?”
“Good idea,” Ren agreed. “Girls like cute things.”
They searched for cute decorations, easily finding some in Shibuya. Yu felt proud of his ample funds.
Then the clerk said it needed to be pre-ordered.
Yu: …
Ren chuckled, then chose a smaller item. “This will be my gift, then.”
Yu tilted his head. “You want me to give it to her?”
“Of course,” Ren nodded.
“But your name will be cleared soon,” Yu said, his eyes sparkling. “Come back to Inaba with me. Just a visit.”
Ren hesitated. He was curious about Yu’s friends, but they were strangers.
“Let me think about it,” he said. “I’ll tell you when we pick up the gift.”
Yu nodded gently. “Of course.”
He thought: Ren was wonderful. He wanted to introduce him to everyone.
Was that too much?
“Yu?”
He turned and saw his mother, dressed in professional attire and a warm coat, looking at him and Ren.
“Mom?” Yu greeted her. “Are you off work?”
“Yes, I left early. Shopping?” she smiled. “Bringing your friend home for dinner?”
Ren quickly declined. “Sojiro-san is expecting me.”
Yu smiled wryly. “I’ll be home later, Mom.”
His mother looked at them gently, then left.
Ren whispered, “Did your mom figure it out?”
“Probably. She’s perceptive,” Yu said. “She could always tell who was dating in college.”
Ren coughed. “Really?”
“No, just kidding,” Yu replied calmly.
Ren: … When had he become so teasing?
“But even if she knows, I won’t hide you,” Yu grabbed Ren’s wrist.
“Ren, you deserve to be accepted.”
Ren nodded. “Of course! You have the love of Joker, leader of the Phantom Thieves!”
“…That’s not a Japanese thing.”
“It works.”
They parted ways at sunset. Ren boarded the train with a sulking Mona, who vowed never to chaperone again.
Yu watched Ren leave, then headed home, anticipating his mother’s “talk.”
His mother was perceptive.
He understood her concern, but he could make his own decisions.
The train arrived. He stepped forward, then stopped.
Amidst the crowd, he saw a thick fog seeping from the shadows, engulfing the station.
Yu’s eyes widened.
“…Fog?”
