Chapter 53
[Three Daily Occurrences Worth Recording in Yu Narukami’s University Life]
① Visiting Akechi
Click. The dorm room door opened, and a young man carrying a paper bag entered.
“Narukami-kun,” he called to Yu, who was reading at his desk. “Your friend is here.”
Yu looked up. The young man with short, ash-gray hair wore black-framed glasses and warm-colored casual clothes, a book open in his hands. He looked fashionable, the glasses adding a sharp edge to his handsome features, an edge that softened instantly when he smiled.
“Thank you! I’ll be right out!”
Yu Narukami, a second-year student, was a prominent figure at Tokyo University. Handsome, kind, and consistently at the top of his class, his future was bright. However, he was notoriously single, having rejected confessions from numerous women and even a few men.
Just as everyone was gossiping about who could possibly melt this ice king’s heart, an underclassman started visiting him regularly, and they realized he was already taken.
The following year, that underclassman entered Tokyo University with top honors, becoming Yu’s junior.
Countless people sighed: As expected, top students flock together.
Yu’s roommate, who was listening to music, took off his headphones. “You two always go out on this day of the month. What do you do?”
He teased, “Regular dates? Is it a romantic outing?”
“Although I’d love to say it’s a date, unfortunately, it’s not,” Yu placed his book on the desk. “We regularly visit a mutual friend.”
“That’s a boring answer. Are you sure it’s not a date?”
“Even if it were, I wouldn’t tell you,” Yu said, leaving the room amidst his roommates’ good-natured teasing.
He opened the door, finding Ren leaning against the railing, playing on his phone.
“Morning,” Ren greeted him.
“Morning. Why didn’t you come inside?” Yu asked as they walked towards the stairs. “Were you waiting long?”
“No, I just arrived. I saw your roommate returning, so I asked him to call you,” Ren sent his last message, then put away his phone.
“Are you free after visiting Akechi?”
Yu nodded. “I don’t have classes today.”
“Good, Ryuji invited us to a get-together. He said everyone will be there. He specifically chose today,” Ren explained.
Yu smiled. “Okay, no problem.”
Six months after Yu entered Tokyo University, Goro Akechi was officially charged and sentenced. However, being a minor and having been manipulated, his clear remorse and cooperation with the investigation, providing crucial evidence against Shido, significantly reduced his sentence.
Although Akechi could recall details only the perpetrator would know, the method of the mental shutdowns remained a mystery, even with his claims of using some form of mental manipulation…
The outcome wasn’t ideal, but Akechi avoided a life sentence. Shido, however, would likely die in prison.
After Akechi’s sentencing and transfer, Yu visited him once a month.
Back then, Ren was still in his final year of high school, visiting Tokyo during breaks to accompany Yu. After entering Tokyo University, he never missed a visit.
Initially, Akechi had been annoyed by their visits, but Yu persisted, and Akechi eventually resigned himself to their monthly appearances, like a grumpy plush toy being poked and prodded.
Honestly, Akechi had a right to be annoyed.
He had never met anyone so shameless!
“How old will Akechi be when he’s released?” Ren asked, calculating the years during their visit, separated by the prison’s visiting glass. “Will he still be able to attend university?”
“Probably not. He’ll be an adult by then,” Yu replied. “But it’s okay. There are other options besides university. What kind of job do you think he should get?”
Ren and Yu pondered this in silence.
Akechi, sitting across from them, listened to their discussion about his future career, his expression impassive.
He wanted to see what they would come up with.
“Detective work is out of the question. He’ll have to switch careers.”
“How about freelance work?”
“Freelance work is too unstable. Maybe he could open a flower shop.”
“Opening a flower shop requires capital. Does Akechi have any money?”
They both looked at Akechi, expecting an answer.
Akechi: …
He felt a vein throbbing in his forehead, wondering why he subjected himself to this monthly torture.
“I’m not opening a flower shop!”
“Why not? Don’t you like flowers?”
“Who would buy flowers from a convicted criminal?”
“A pastry chef who likes sweets. It would be a heartwarming story.”
“…Shut up!”
Akechi rubbed his temples, feeling like he had served another month in prison just by talking to them. He returned to his cell with the guard. Just as he relaxed, the guard handed him something.
Akechi took it. It was a box of chocolates.
“Someone who visited you earlier brought this,” the guard explained. Yu and Ren visited so often that even the guards recognized them. “It’s been inspected. Here you go.”
“Thank you,” Akechi said politely.
After the guard left, he opened the box, revealing individually wrapped chocolates, no brand name, just simple plastic wrapping, as if homemade.
He tore open a wrapper, the rich aroma of dark chocolate filling the air, a hint of bitterness present.
Akechi sighed, popping a chocolate into his mouth.
“…So bitter.”
He grumbled, but a small smile played on his lips.
② Gathering with Friends
Being the heiress of Okumura Foods, Haru had generously booked a popular, difficult-to-reserve restaurant for their gathering.
Everyone was already there when Yu and Ren arrived.
Their friends, scattered across the globe pursuing their dreams, had finally reunited. They chatted and laughed merrily.
“You’re here!” Ann, spotting them, called out. “Hurry up, Leader! We were waiting for you two!”
“The protagonists always arrive last,” Ren replied casually. “It just proves I’m the main character.”
“…Still so full of himself.”
Morgana popped out of Ren’s hat, perched on his shoulder, and greeted everyone. “Everyone! Long time no see!”
“Oh! Mona has better manners,” Futaba said, adjusting her glasses.
Yu and Ren sat down at the empty seats reserved for them. “Why the sudden get-together?” Yu asked.
“It’s because of these two,” Ryuji pointed at Yusuke and Ann, who had returned from their studies abroad. “They suddenly came back, and we don’t know how long they’ll be staying, so we decided to have a get-together. Otherwise, who knows when we’ll see each other again.”
Time had passed, and except for Futaba, still in high school, and Yu and Ren, attending Tokyo University, everyone had scattered, chasing their dreams. But just like their friends in Inaba, even after long separations, they felt no distance between them.
True friends never feared separation.
They shared stories of their experiences and achievements, their conversation flowing easily, eventually breaking into song, accompanied by drinks.
Futaba, still underage and unable to drink, filmed them, laughing.
After a while, Haru stood up.
“Everyone! Since we’re all adults now, let’s play a game only adults can play!”
“Huh?” Makoto looked surprised. “What kind of game is that?”
Haru held up a stack of numbered papers. “King’s Game!”
Yu’s eyes lit up. “Oh! I’ve played that before! I was the king once.”
Ren looked at him. “When?”
“A long time ago,” Yu reminisced. “Back in Yasogami High. It was fun.”
“I agree,” Yusuke nodded. “We don’t have any shocking secrets anyway.”
“Alright! Unanimous agreement!” Futaba raised her hand. “Let’s begin!”
They each drew a number. After a moment, Ryuji looked up.
“Don’t just stand there! Who’s the king?”
“I am! Lucky me!” Ann placed the King card on the table. “Ahem, Number 5!”
“Tell us the last time you kissed your lover!”
Everyone’s eyes sparkled. This was the perfect start to a King’s Game!
Who was the lucky Number 5?
Ren placed his Number 5 card on the table, replying calmly, “This morning.”
Everyone: …
“No! It can’t be Ren!” Ann jumped up. “That doesn’t count! I meant Number 4!”
Ren chuckled.
Yu, sitting beside him, placed his Number 4 card on the table, replying with a smile, “This morning.”
“Why is Narukami-senpai Number 4?!” Ann wailed. “I don’t want you two to answer!”
Unable to cheat any further, Ann reluctantly passed the King card to Futaba, who shuffled the cards and dealt them again.
“Who’s the king this time?” Yusuke asked.
Yu adjusted his glasses, a smirk playing on his lips. “Sorry, it’s me.”
“Alright,” Yu announced. “Number 2, sit on Number 6’s lap!”
“Aaaaaah!” Ryuji yelled, throwing down his Number 2 card. “No way!”
Yusuke calmly stood up, holding his Number 6 card. “Is that so? The King’s orders must be obeyed. Sorry, Ryuji.”
“No!” Ryuji jumped out of his seat. “That’s not how King’s Game works! How did we go from truth to dare?!”
Makoto sighed, looking at Yu. As a student at the police academy, she easily saw through their little scheme.
“It’s just a game. No need to cheat.”
“You two.”
Yu replied calmly, “I didn’t cheat. I just, as the king, wanted to know Ren’s number. It’s the King’s prerogative. You can’t question it.”
“That’s not how King’s Game works!” Ryuji yelled, pointing at Yu.
“I’m revoking your kingship! Everyone, join me in overthrowing this tyrant!”
Ren nodded seriously. “I support the overthrow of the king! Long live the new king!”
Yu looked at Ren, shocked. “Ren, are you betraying me? Betraying the king?”
“By overthrowing the old king, I become the new king,” Ren placed his hand over his chest, a glint in his dark eyes. “Phantom Thieves, let’s go!”
“Persona!”
“Down with tyranny!” Futaba filmed them, adding fuel to the fire.
“Now we can be kings!”
“Damn it! This king won’t be defeated so easily!”
③ Forever Young
After their boisterous evening, Sojiro picked up Futaba, and everyone reluctantly parted ways.
Yu and Ren, instead of returning to their dorms, went to Yu’s house, which was closer.
Yu’s mother opened the door, looking surprised.
“Why are you home so late?” she asked, glancing at the clock. “I smell alcohol. Have you been drinking?”
“Yes, we had a get-together with friends,” Yu replied, taking off his shoes and handing Ren a pair of slippers.
“Sorry for coming so late. We lost track of time, and the dorms were closed,” Ren apologized politely.
“Don’t worry about it,” she smiled warmly. “This is your home. You can come back anytime.”
Ren smiled, bending down to take off his shoes. Morgana jumped from his shoulder into Yu’s mother’s arms.
“I’m home!” Morgana meowed.
“Mona,” she said, petting him gently. “Your owner reeks of alcohol. Poor kitty, having such an irresponsible owner.”
She pointed towards the bathroom. “Both of you, go take a shower! Don’t bring that smell into the house!”
Yes, Ren had already been accepted by Yu’s parents.
Initially, they had been confused. Yu had always been a kind and considerate boy, popular with girls. They had taught him to be respectful of others’ feelings, never imagining he would choose a boy.
After several conversations with Yu and meeting Ren, they had accepted it.
Life was already difficult enough for their son. If they opposed him, wouldn’t that be too cruel?
After accepting Ren, they gradually realized he was a good person, his academic achievements rivaling Yu’s, easily admitted to Tokyo University, quiet but diligent, a truly remarkable young man, a perfect match for Yu.
Their last vestiges of doubt disappeared.
Exceptional individuals supported each other, overcoming any obstacle. They firmly believed this.
After showering, they went upstairs to Yu’s room, which was mostly unchanged, except for a few of Ren’s belongings in the closet and on the desk.
Yu flopped onto the bed, yawning. Ren, drying his hair, glanced at the bed, then sat on a chair, waiting for his hair to dry before joining Yu.
“Did you look at the sky?” Yu suddenly asked. “The weather is nice tonight. The moon and stars are bright.”
“Huh?” Ren thought for a moment. He hadn’t looked.
Yu turned over, facing Ren. “I always wish my room had a skylight at times like this.”
“Then I could watch the stars from my bed.”
“Sounds nice,” Ren placed the towel aside, intending to return it to the bathroom later. “Want to go to the balcony?”
Land was expensive in Tokyo. Although Yu’s family was wealthy and had a balcony with a view, it was small and probably wouldn’t offer much of a view of the stars.
Yu thought for a moment, then sat up.
Seeing his expression, Ren knew he was about to suggest something ridiculous.
“Let’s go stargazing!” Yu exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. “Somewhere high up! Just the two of us!”
Ren sighed, but smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
“Let’s go now!”
So, instead of resting, the two university students, having showered and changed, left the house, venturing into the Tokyo night in search of a good stargazing spot!
It was so late that even the subway had stopped running, the streetlights casting long shadows.
They didn’t take a taxi, instead walking and chatting, enjoying the quiet night. They walked for an hour, reaching Inokashira Park. The park lights were still on, and a few stray cats were curled up on benches, asleep. Startled by their arrival, they weren’t afraid, just lazily grooming themselves under the warm glow.
They watched the cats for a while, resisting the urge to pet them, worried about being seen by Morgana, then continued their trek, climbing the small hill.
Reaching the top, Yu finally saw the stars he had been longing for.
“So bright!” Yu exclaimed, spreading his arms as if to embrace the night sky. “Ren, it’s beautiful.”
“Yes,” Ren nodded. “The moon is nice too.”
After admiring the view, Yu lay down on the grass, his gaze fixed on the stars, his silhouette barely visible in the darkness, his happiness palpable.
“Come on!” Yu called out. “Lie down with me, Ren.”
Ren chuckled, lying down beside Yu, who immediately took his hand.
“It’s so nice,” Yu sighed contentedly.
“No matter what I want to do, you always go along with it, without even asking.”
“Same for you,” Ren exhaled. “You do the same.”
They laughed together, a shared joy only they understood.
So carefree, so young, so free from worries, sneaking out in the middle of the night after showering, lying on a deserted hilltop, watching the stars, not caring about classes the next morning or their freshly laundered clothes.
It was a wonderfully romantic and spontaneous adventure.
They were so perfectly suited, so in sync.
“Ren, look! The Big Dipper! It’s so clear!”
“Yes, that constellation over there looks like a Shadow.”
“…Don’t think about Shadows right now.”
“Then what should I be thinking about?”
“Our 8 AM class tomorrow. Will we make it?”
“Ren, even top students can skip class sometimes. We’re university students now.”
