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Sojiro gave him that one glare. The classic “Not Mad, Just Disappointed” one.
If you asked Ren, it wasn’t exactly fair. First off, it was definitely on him and only him for not setting the reservation himself on his own time. It’s not like he was busy being, you know, imprisoned. (Granted, he could have done it before he knew he was going to prison, but who has that kind of foresight?)
According to Sojiro, Valentine’s Day could be excused.
Valentine’s Day was the day the girl would gift chocolates to the guy. The girl would be the one planning her love confession. Ren knew Sojiro; he knew if Sojiro was in his shoes, he would want to pull out all the stops to charm a lady into confessing and give this rather grand gesture. And he didn’t receive one from the person he truly wanted in the first place.
That’s another thing.
Yeah, he received a love confession or two. It’s not like he took pleasure in turning them down, far from it. He was still grateful that he was able to let them down easy. But White Day was the day those sentiments were supposed to be returned to the confessor. Worse still, White Day would be when Ren would take that initiative.
“You know,” Sojiro interjected, cutting into Ren’s train of thought, “you could’ve told me sooner that it was White Day. I wouldn’t have made you work all day if I knew.”
“That’s okay,” Ren replied as he dried the plate in his hands. “I didn’t have a date anyway.” It’s not like Sojiro was actually there to see him dateless and pathetic.
“Right.” Sojiro scratched at his head. “I would’ve thought you and your friend had plans, though.”
Of course he would’ve thought that. To think that the only one who showed up on Valentine’s Day was, ironically enough, the guy he couldn’t confess to would be the one showing up and giving him chocolate before spending the night with him.
“I mean…” Ren mumbled, sounding almost defensive, “we just hung out. It’s not like either of us had a Valentine that day.”
“Really now?” Sojiro asked him incredulously. “Kid, I’d like to think I know you at least a bit. You don’t seem as sure of yourself as you normally are.”
“It’s nothing,” Ren insisted. “It really was just a sad single pity party.”
“I don’t recall seeing Yusuke showing up here exactly a month ago.”
Ren suppressed a groan within his throat, resulting in a grumble.
If Sojiro noticed, he didn’t comment on it. Instead he shrugged before adding: “As long as there wasn’t any hanky-panky on the premises—”
Ren went deathly pale. “Never say that again.”
“Alright, alright,“ Sojiro relented lightheartedly, holding his hands up. With that, he stepped out to smoke as he usually did at this time. To add insult to injury, Morgana made himself scarce all day and wasn’t even here to help dissipate this pitiful crush he had.
That left Ren alone with his previous train of thought.
Was it really that bad to be single on Valentine’s Day? And was it really that bad to continue that wave of solitude for a month? It really wasn’t that big a deal, not when he’s had so much on his plate for the past month.
That was it. Ren was single. Ren turned down the girls who confessed to him. Ren had no interest in pursuing a relationship. That was it.
He walked over to the sink, which was as empty as he’d left it. No reason for it not to be, considering he holed himself in Leblanc all day by choice. His friends were probably too engrossed in their own White Day plans, anyway.
Which is why his phone vibrated on the counter at that moment.
He glanced at the incoming notification, Ryuji’s icon beaming right at him. It seemed Ryuji had plans this time, unlike him having nowhere else to go for Valentine’s day. At least Ryuji was thoughtful enough to update Ren on his love life. To see that Ryuji managed to achieve the seemingly impossible didn’t make him jealous at all.
He exhaled through his nose. It was kind of pathetic, if you asked him. Here he was, stuck on a guy that was definitely straight but awful at picking up women. Ryuji choosing to spend his Valentine’s day with him instead of uselessly trying to pick up women meant more to Ren than he’d be willing to admit.
The standoffish way he gifted the chocolate to hide how bashful he really was, attempting to play it off as “just” being given by a cashier. The nonstop barrage of stuff to do to kill time that day, from reading Ryuji’s favorite mangas, to playing Ren’s collection of retro games at his disposal, to settling down at the end of the night with a movie Ren forgot he rented before his arrest.
It was a romcom, much to Ren’s embarrassment. But the sound of Ryuji’s chuckle rang throughout his mind, along with his corny attempt at a joke about it being “assault in the wound”
The endless strings of conversations drifting from one topic to another as the movie played in the background. The casual, natural touches and holds throughout the night as they kept chatting about their day; Ryuji about the errands he ran with his mom, Ren and his encounters at work. The way the two eventually settled on the bed when they both got tired. Ryuji’s sudden sobs as he found himself unexpectedly invested in the obligatory airport chase scene between the main couple.
The way they invariably fell asleep by the time the credits ran, messily tangled up and waking up with pins and needles in their limbs the next morning.
The fact that Sojiro had no objection to them spending all night at the cafe, oblivious to how Ren truly felt.
He still had that same dream for a month, as corny as it sounded.
It was the middle of the night, with nothing but the sound of crickets and the occasional and distant rumble of an engine from the outside. They were curled up in Ren’s sheets, nuzzling while facing each other.
“Hey, Renren?” Ryuji piped up suddenly.
“… hey.”
A slight yawn before he continued. “… you ever think about what you wanna do in the future?”
“A lot,” Ren answered, “I feel like… even now, without our Personas, we can do so much more for ourselves.”
“Yeah, but…” he trailed off. Ren felt Ryuji’s fingers gently tucking his hair behind his ear.
It was a bit before Ryuji spoke up again.
“… I feel that way too. Like…” A slow blink as he looked into Ren’s eyes. “… like I know what I wanna do now. I’m going to physio, and that’s ’cause you stuck by me. I can take control of myself again, thanks to you.”
“You’re the one who started it all,” Ren admitted. “If it wasn’t for you willing to sacrifice yourself for a guy you never met, I don’t know what I would’ve done. You reminded me that I did good in trying to save someone, and…”
His fingers intertwined with Ryuji’s.
“There are still people who are willing to do good. People who are kind in spite of everything.”
“Ren…”
“I feel free when I’m with you, too.”
The front door’s jingle rudely yanked him out of that.
“I told you,” he grumbled. “I don’t have any plans for White day.”
A couple of pants. “Really? Bummer, dude...”
Instead of that gruff and stern tone he dealt with all day, he heard the last person he expected to be here. Here he was, practically out of breath and clinging onto his bookbag for dear life.
“I…” Ren fumbled over himself. “Sorry, I just—” His usual baritone noticeably cracked. Can I be any more embarrassing?!
“Hey, man…” Another pant. “Don’t even… worry about it. W- water… ?”
Ren obliged and poured him a glass from the sink, immediately heading over to Ryuji.
“Thanks,” he said right before immediately downing the glass. “But didn’t you read my text earlier?”
He hadn’t. Of course he hadn’t.
“Sorry,” Ren lamely replied as he rolled his neck. “I’ve been busy all day.”
“Busy all day, huh,” Ryuji repeated, leaning against the counter. “Guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles for us, huh?”
He still had no idea. And Ren would be eternally grateful that Ryuji was as oblivious as he was.
“Guess so,” Ren replied, lame as ever. “Do you want any coffee or curry.”
“Nah, I got plans for us tonight.”
“Oh, al— tonight? ”
“Yeah man,” Ryuji piped up. “I ain’t gonna leave you alone all night! You’re free, right?”
“Yeah… ?” he responded, admittedly dumbfounded. He had to know that White Day was when couples went on dates, right? A month after the girl hands the chocolates and declares their love to the guy, right? Not only would most places be packed to hell, but they’d be surrounded by couples, all of them mocking the very straight Ryuji and the humiliatingly lovesick Ren with their very existence.
“So, you think Boss’ll let you head to Asakusa?”
“As long as I close up shop, I’m free to go wherever,” Ren responded. “Same as it is every day.”
“Cool! Cool…”
It did not escape Ren how much Ryuji fidgeted with the silver bangle on his wrist. Perhaps Ryuji wasn’t as oblivious to what White Day entailed for everyone else.
“You alright?” he asked him. “You seemed a bit rushed.”
“Yeah, sorry, I kinda wanted to get here before it got too late or anything. All I want is to spend today with my best friend among the couples.”
Oh. Never mind, then.
Ryuji quirked an eyebrow. “What’s with the look on yer face, dude?”
It’s nothing . “We should head out, then.”
“Hell yeah, man!” the blond yelled as he made his way out the door. “This is gonna be awesome!”
Was it? Was it going to be awesome?
The two were walking towards the train station, Ryuji chatting about how his mom needed him to run errands and how a few made him take longer than he really wanted to. The way he talked about her, as corny as it sounded, was endearing. Time and time again, he was reminded of that not-so-hidden soft side to him, knowing that someone who looked so rough around the edges would adore his mom so openly…
That familiar gruff voice called out to him, cigarette still in his hand. “Hey, kid.”
Ren turned toward him.
“Make sure you make it to the Sky Tree by 8.”
He furrowed his brow slightly. “What for?”
“You’ll have to trust me on this,” he answered warmly. “Tell ‘em Boss sent you.”
The train ride was as routine as it usually was. You’d be forgiven for thinking Ren had managed to calm down in spite of Ryuji’s obvious excitement. Maybe that was why he couldn’t stay in his seat and kept fiddling with his book bag.
“Man, I’m kinda thinking I underdressed.”
“I think you’re fine,” Ren reassured him. “It’s not like they’ll be focusing on you for today.”
“Y- yeah,” he noticeably stuttered out. “No biggie.”
As they offboarded the train, they were instantly surrounded by the immense crowd of people in the station, either leaving, arriving, or simply loitering. It persisted throughout, to the point where Ryuji simply gave up on getting the info center clerk’s attention due to how overloaded she was.
Whatever. There was one destination Ren had in mind either way.
Upon leaving their station, the two found themselves surrounded by even more people as they walked down the shopping areas. The streets were illuminated by the warmest lights, as if drawing people to the stores. The air remained filled with the chatter and laughter of the couples around them, as if this moment in time was for them and them only.
Ryuji kept blinking absentmindedly. “Uh…” An audible gulp. “Lotta, uh… couples here.”
A sigh escaped from Ren’s lips. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about having brought a girl here instead.”
“Hell no, man,” he groaned. “You know my luck’s shit when it comes to that. Y’know? I keep thinking I got this in the bag, and then I always find a way to eff it up.”
Ren scowled at that. Ryuji shouldn’t be doubting himself like this. Not when he has the Leader of the Phantom Thieves doing everything in his power to not hopelessly throw himself at his feet.
“’Sides,” Ryuji interrupted. “A lot of times, they ain’t even my type. Not really.”
“Oh?” Ren’s lip turned up. “And what is your type?”
“Dude, really?” He scratched at his roots. “I don’t think that shit matters.”
“You’re dodging the question.”
“Uh…” The tips of Ryuji’s ears reddened vibrantly. “The- those, um, that are… confident in themselves. Y- you know.”
“No,” Ren teased. “I don’t know.”
“Man, are you really gonna— ?”
He found himself face to face with Ren’s glare. The one he gave before he obliterated his enemies.
“Th- they gotta be smart! And I’d like to date someone who’s nice, but… they gotta be able to stand up for themselves and other people. I’d like someone who’s brave and cool…”
(And under his breath, Ryuji added, “… and charming.”)
Ren smiled sincerely at him. “That sounds more like you. Or, well, more like you now than the you from back then.”
“Heh…” Ryuji rubbed at his neck. “What can I say? You, uh… you changed me, man.”
Oh, that hit Ren straight through his rib.
“What? Yer not gonna tell me your type?”
“Nope.”
“Dude!” Ryuji yelled out. “You turned down every chick our age! How the hell are none of ’em your type?!”
“They’re all great,” Ren responded, sincerity in his tone. “But they’re not what I’m looking for.”
“Whatever, man,” Ryuji scoffed. “I don’t think I need ya to tell me anyway.”
The few stores that weren’t nearing max capacity were still relatively busy. It’s not like either Ren or Ryuji had any particular interest in the assortment of curios that they had no real use for. Even then, they took their time strolling by the windows and checking out the stores they could step a foot into. Ren examined the delicately crafted kimonos in one storefront, while Ryuji was slowly shoving a box into his bookbag. There he was again, as if he was guarding that thing with his life.
Despite it seeming like time wanting to slow to a crawl, it was nearing that time that Sojiro insisted on. As if on cue, Ryuji met him midway on the shopping street.
“So,” Ren prompted. “What do you say we head to the Skytree?”
“S- Skytree… yeah. Yeah. Let’s go.”
Alright, there was something off about him the whole night. Ryuji definitely had something on his mind considering it was White Day. There was no way he could keep up the act of being as oblivious as he was.
Before long, they approached the entrance, which was practically blocked off by a dam of people. To no one’s surprise.
“Man,” Ryuji sighed. “Guess I kinda didn’t realize how much couples like this kinda thing.”
Except Ryuji, apparently.
“I don’t think it’s that big a deal,” Ren reassured him. “I’m having a good time with you.”
“Thanks, man. But you’re the one planning this.”
Was he? Or was this the plan of some middle-aged guy who insisted that Ren had some kinda feeling that needed a romantic backdrop on one of the most romantic days of the year? He didn’t exactly need the Skytree—
“Don’t those two have better things to do than go to a couples destination?” he heard someone mumble.
“To think, these two punks have the nerve to show up here.”
“And on White Day! The entitlement of the youth these days.”
“Do you think they’re… you know?”
Scratch that.
Ren headed to the front desk, cutting in front of several people still waiting on their last-minute reservations.
“Hey kid,” the receptionist greeted a bit too casually, as if he knew something.
“Hello,” Ren responded in turn. “Boss sent me.”
The receptionist tapped at the stand. Right. Maybe he should name him.
“Sakura So—”
“That’s fine, kid,” the receptionist said while lifting his hand. He then pointed towards Ryuji, still in line. “Blondie with you?”
Ren’s eyes widened. “Y- yeah.”
“Both of you, follow me.”
It took more pushing through people than anyone would want to admit just to get to the elevator. In seemingly no time, they found themselves seated at a table in a dimly lit room.
Oh. So Sojiro knew this whole time. He knew this whole time and this was his way of playing wingman. He supposed he’d take it over Sojiro trying to set him up with any of the girls he’s met. (Minus Futaba for obvious reasons.)
After uncharacteristic silence in near darkness, Ryuji finally spoke up. “I… wanna talk.”
“Talk” was never really a good word when it came to only two people. Sure, “I want to talk” doesn’t carry as much weight as “We should talk” or the dreaded “We need to talk” from the other person. That did not stop the dread from seeping in and the fear that he and Ryuji might not be friends anymore became a real possibility.
It was obvious from the way he acted. Sure, he still conversed with him as easily as ever, as if nothing really changed between them. But the increasingly obvious signs of nervousness and hiding something couldn’t be ignored, and they culminated to this moment in time.
Ren swallowed and braced himself for the worst.
“Sorry if this blew a hole in your plans,” Ren told him.
“I…” Ryuji let out a nervous laugh. “I didn’t exactly have a plan, if I’m bein’ honest. I’m just happy you’re here with me.”
Shit, this is going to sting.
“I mean…” Ryuji scratched at his scalp, a light blush dusting his cheeks. “It’s nice… being up here with you.”
Before either of them continued, a waiter stopped by to fill their water glasses. The romantic music started creeping in through the sound system as the lights started to dim further until they shut off completely.
“I know, it’s been a month,” Ryuji cut in just before the room darkened completely. “I’ve been thinkin’ about it a lot.”
“Thinking?” Ren asked him, worry creeping into his voice. “Thinking about what?”
“About what you said. About us.”
The windowpane’s panels opened, revealing the night sky illuminated by the lights from the copious buildings in Tokyo. The horizon seemed so clear from where they sat, even in the dark. The moon shone brightly above.
And all those lights refracted so softly onto Ryuji, sitting across from him with the most bashful smile he’s seen on him. His eyes looked so full of hope, and his cheeks were clearly redder than they were before.
And most damningly, he held a bouquet of roses in his hands.
He took the bouquet, at a loss for words. “Ryuji, I—”
“I know, I know. A month’s way too long for an answer. But I feel the same way.”
Okay, now Ren was lost. “The same way?”
“You know how we talked about what we wanted for our future? Y’know, on Valentine’s Day.”
No.
Ren tried to hide the look of mortification on his face to no avail.
“About how I feel free with you?”
“Yeah,” Ryuji answered as if it was nothing. “It made me realize… I feel free with you, and you feel free around me.”
“Well, that—” Ren stammered slightly.
“And when you said you loved me… I was starting to fall asleep. I felt kinda bad, and I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
Oh no.
Oh, no no no no nonononono—
“I feel free when I’m with you, too. I love you.”
NONONONONONONONONO—
“The more I thought about it,” Ryuji cut in again, “the more I realized I’ve felt the same for a while.
“Love’s when ya feel free to be your true self. It’s when you’re each other’s rock through danger or just to talk. Love’s when someone sparks something in you, and you wanna be better because of them.”
Ren was utterly dumbfounded on what to say.
“Yeah… sorry for takin’ a month—”
So he didn’t say anything.
Without any warning, Ren’s plump lips swiftly met Ryuji’s drier ones. He felt him squirm slightly, clearly anxious as he tried to push their faces closer and trying to stick his tongue into Ren’s lips. Ren involuntarily let out a giggle as he guided Ryuji into tilting his head, resting his hand on his goosebumped nape.
All too soon, Ren pulled back to see the stupefied look on Ryuji’s face.
“Wow…” he let out, like some kind of numbskull.
“‘Wow’ indeed,” Ren teased.
“Man, don’t make fun of me now…”
“I can’t help it,” Ren cooed. “You’re cute when you’re being a dork.”
Ryuji chose to ignore that.
“What’s in the box, anyway?”
At that, Ryuji instantly pulled out the box he stashed in his bag. “I kinda thought you’d like these pistachio cookies I found. They’re supposed to go great with coffee.”
Despite being unable to see himself, Ren knew he was grinning like an idiot. He truly was a man after his own heart.
“So.” Ryuji rubbed at his nape again. “Are we dating or what?”
Their mouths met gently again, more than capable of answering that question.
Sojiro knelt down on the kitchen floor, scooping a can of tuna onto a small bowl.
“Do you think those two figured it out yet?”
Morgana let out an exasperated meow.