*After School May 9*
Taking the train to Central Street, you arrived at the arcade that Ryuji said to meet at. You quickly enter inside and see him on his phone, looking up, Ryuji smiles and goes to greet you.
Ryuji: Yo! What's up!
You: W..what's up..
Ryuji: Why the long face?
You: Just still sore AFTER you touched my shoulder!
Ryuji: Hey I didn't know alright, I'm sorry!
You: *Sighs* Finee.. Now you said you wanted to hang out?
Ryuji: Shit yeah I did! Wanted to hang out with my bud you know. We don't know a ton about each other and I figured this might be a good way to learn.
You: Not a bad idea, coming from you.
Ryuji: What's that supposed to mean?!
You *Laughs* Nothing, don't worry about it. Let's have some fun!
You spent the rest of the day with Ryuji playing games and enjoying each other's company. You felt your bond with Ryuji growing stronger. You learned more about what happened with him and the track team when Kamoshida sabotaged it and busted his knee for it. He seemed very passionate about track and running seemed to be the one thing he excelled at. You revealed to him that you were mostly a bookworm that spent a lot of his days alone reading, you made friends with the very characters you read and they were the things that kept you company for many years. Because of your social status and intellect, you had many troubles having friends or girlfriends.
Ryuji: Shit really?
You: Yeah. That's why I snapped earlier at you for teasing me. My experience with having girlfriends has always been one sided. They wanted my money or the fame of dating me, they never lasted longer than a few weeks, just long enough to show off that they dated me.
Ryuji: That's so messed up!
You: It's the life of someone who is rich and good at school. When you have no interest in physical sports or activities, you seem like an object to abuse for personal gain. I guess they thought since I was lonely that they could easily use my money or status to get ahead in life or something. Well intelligence is a two way road, they thought they could use me but in reality I was smart enough to deceive them for awhile. That's when I started getting bullied by a group because they didn't get anything from me. After that is when I had my incident and now I am here.
Ryuji: Man I hate it when people think they can walk over someone just because they seem like an easy target to manipulate! Gahh!
You: Calm down Ryuji.
Ryuji: No I won't! What happened to you was bullshit! You deserved better! No way in hell that was okay!
You: You are right that it wasn't but what's in the past is the past. Besides, if I didn't have my incident with them, I wouldn't have made a fresh start here and met you guys. So for that, I am grateful.
Ryuji: You really appreciate us that much don't you?
You: Yep. You guys are truly my friends. You, Ann, Ren, Mona, and everyone else I made a bond with here in Japan. I must say.. if my life had to be the way it had to be to end up here... I don't mind it.. really.
Ryuji: Y/N...
You: So that is why I want to work hard for you guys. Because... You are my friends. The only ones I got... And I will do anything to make sure to keep that friendship alive.
Ryuji: Right on! Now that is some manly shit I can agree with!
You: Heh, I guess so.
Ryuji: I'm glad to have met you too by the way.
You: Hmm?
Ryuji: You made me understand that even people who have everything can also have nothing. You had money and something in your life that filled a lot of your future. But it didn't mean jack shit if you didn't have friends to help you with your loneliness. So I am glad to fill that void. And you are a pretty cool dude yourself man. With everyone else in the Phantom Thieves, I wouldn't want any other guy to watch my back if it wasn't you.
You: Ryuji...
Ryuji: So let's promise to keep working hard, protect our friends, and have each others back!
You: Yeah..!
Both of you clasp each other's hands and make a manly pact. Both of you stare intently into each other's eyes and seem to understand the meaning of such a bond between friends who want to do everything to protect the ones they care about no matter the cost. You feel a part of your spirit freed from a burden that haunted you long ago. You feel like you can get along with others much better with the new confidence gained. Ryuji and You now share a bond stronger than before, allowing you to understand what he is feeling without talking to him.
Ryuji: Today was great. Thank you.
You: Likewise. We should hang out with the other's like this in the future!
Ryuji: Hell yeah! Wanna go get that food now?
You: Sounds great to me.
You both head out of the arcade and visit a local beef bowl shop and spend the rest of your time eating and enjoying each other's company. You head home after a few hours and return to your bed after taking care of yourself. Taking your last pill of the day, you feel that jolt of energy which causes you to stay awake a little longer. You take the time to rest and relax your shoulder a bit, deciding to remove the bandages and see the damage. After a moment of unwrapping, you look in the mirror and see the massive wound has healed far greater than you expected, causing you to stare in a moment of shock. However, you notice that the scar that is gonna be left behind will be still just as big. You finish up by taking a light shower then re-bandaging the wound so it doesn't open again. You finish up and lay in bed.
You: Shit! I was supposed to talk to Kasumi!
You rush to your phone and look at it. You notice a few messages have popped up on the screen and look at it.
*Kasumi Text: Hey Senpai! I hope you are up for listening to me!*
*Kasumi Text: Did you get my text btw? My phone acts up quite a bit so I just want to know if so.*
*Kasumi Text: Senpai? You there?*
You respond.
*Your Text: Yes! Sorry! Was caught up with having fun with a friend and taking a shower afterwards. I hope it's not too late for that talk?*
You wait a moment for a response. You see she has seen your text and has tried texting but nothing pops up. After a moment you think that maybe she just didn't respond.
*Kasumi Text: No it's not too late for that chat, I am sorry to have bugged you on your time!*
*Kasumi Text: Also sorry again about my phone, it does this sometimes.*
*Your Text: No worries. What did you want to talk about then?*
*Kasumi Text: Well you know I am in gymnastics right? Well lately I've been not performing as well as I hoped I would be. I've asked another for help and he's been very good at encouraging me at it. However I still find myself lacking something, so I was hoping that sometime next week you could maybe come and watch me? Maybe you can notice something about my performance and tell me about it. I could definitely take another persons opinion on the matter other than my coach.*
*Your Text: You want me to help you? I don't know anything about gymnastics..do you really think I could help?*
*Kasumi Text: I could tell the look in your eyes that you have the ability to read people quite well. Almost like staring into their souls and seeing who they really are. If I had you watch me and see my spirit, maybe you can find out what's causing me to be unbalanced.*
*Your Text: That is one way I guess you could put it. Well.. If it means to help you I don't mind spending some time with you.*
*Kasumi Text: Really?! Oh thank you so much Senpai!*
*Your Text: No problem Kasumi. I look forward to it!*
*Kasumi Text: Great! I'll be sure to let you know a few days before the meet when it will happened and where.*
*Your Text: Perfect.*
*Kasumi Text: Well I should head off to bed soon, Mid-terms are just around the corner!*
*Your Text: Yep! Be sure to study!*
*Kasumi Text: I'll do my best! Well.. Good night Senpai!*
*Your Text: Night Kasumi.*
You end the text and put down the phone. You notice the time and quickly get ready for bed. Knowing your future plans with Kasumi and possibly others, you feel a sense of warmth washed over you. Something truly that you always wanted and you now finally have. You close your eyes and smile the night away....
*Morning May 10*
You take your pill after waking up and getting to school. You decide to walk with Ren to school once again since you had a little extra time. You stopped by at Leblanc.
Sojiro: Ahh! He returns. Came to get Ren for School?
You: Yep. I got a little bit of time, can I get a drink?
Sojiro: Coming right up! Have a seat.
You: Thank you.
You take your seat and watch Sojiro prepare your coffee. After a few minutes he places the cup at your hands and you promptly pick it up and take a sip. The warm feeling filling your body causes you to sigh and relax from the taste.
You: It's delicious as before.
Sojiro: Thank you. Say, you guys are about to have exams don't you?
You: That is correct.
Sojiro: Say, do you think you could help Ren study after school today? I can close the shop early today so you guys can have it for yourselves.
You: Yeah, I don't mind helping him out.
Sojiro: Perfect. I've seen him study quite a bit for it so I am hoping you can give him a nice extra push to get a good score.
You: I'm probably one of the best people you could have asked, I was pretty smart back in the states, top of the class.
Sojiro: Then I really struck gold, well then, I am less worried closing early today.
You: No problem. Also here, for the coffee.
You place down the money for the coffee. Sojiro smirks and takes it with a nod.
Sojiro: Thank you. You don't really need to pay, I like having you over and helping out that useless guy up there is payment enough.
You: Honestly, don't worry about it. Paying for coffee is the least of my worries. Consider it a token of our friendship.
Sojiro: So we're friends now?
You: Are we not? I thought the wonderful conversations we have over coffee is a dead give away. Unless I am mistaken?
Sojiro: *Chuckles* No that definitely would count. Well I appreciate this friendship that we have Y/N.
You: Likewise Boss.
You feel your bond with Sojiro strengthens and the taste of his coffee has become even more special. Each sip you take makes you feel more lively and ready for the days hardships better. You have the urge to try different blends that he can make for you and see what type of effect they will have on your efforts.
You finish your coffee in time for Ren to come down the stairs. You both nod at each other and begin to head to school. You are walking to the school gates with Ren and you begin to tell him about the plan after school.
Ren: Really? Sojiro said that?
You: Yeah, the Boss wants me to help you with your studies before the exams tomorrow. I am sure you don't mind.
Ren: No, not at all. I really appreciate it.
You: Perfect. I'll make sure you know what you are doing for the next 3 days of exams.
Morgana: Wow, getting some helpful tips from Y/N Ren? That is an opportunity of a lifetime!
You: Not really Morgana, I want to help out my friends as much as I can.
Ren: Well let's do our best!
You: Right!
You both head to the classroom and proceed through the day.
*After school*
You and Ren head off towards the station and begin talking about problems the exam may have and discuss how to solve them. Ren mostly listens as you begin to teach him the techniques you generally use to solve problems that you normally do. He understands what you are teaching him and seems to get a foothold on the process as you reach the Cafe.
Sojiro: Ahh you're back. I guess I'll get ready to close up shop. You two make sure you study hard and don't forget to lock up when you are done.
Ren: Leave it to me.
Sojiro: I'll be counting on you. Good night the both of you.
Ren: Night Sojiro.
You: Night Boss, take care.
Sojiro leaves the store and turns the sign over as you and Ren take a seat, pulling out your text books. Taking your pill before hand, you spend hours helping Ren study for the exams. Using your puzzle solving methods, Ren gains good ground on the material and you feel confident that your help was massive to his efforts.
Ren: Whew. I made some good progress.
You: Glad to hear it. The process works when you realize that solving each question is actually a puzzle. You take pieces that you can recognize and start to put them together, and if you find pieces that don't match you take them out of the equation. Once you do that, it should limit the options you have to answer with, and that's when you can apply them to the puzzle and see which fits, it should save you time on each question while also giving you the right answers.
Ren: I never knew that solving math problems can also be applied to something like history.
You: That's why my puzzle process works really well with these problems. You can apply the same method to nearly everything you see. It should really help you understand the problems by using what you know or barely know, then letting you take out the fake pieces and then applying the remaining to find the right answer. History is the same thing, if you know a piece of a topic in history, but are missing the other pieces, you can use the puzzle method to match one of the pieces you already got connected and if they align then you can use that to solve the question. It's how I got so far in school and people could never really understand my thinking process. So far.. You're the only one Ren who was able to apply my method and succeeded.
Ren: Yeah, once I realized that the method is almost like strategy with using your time and knowledge wisely to formulate a plan with that alone, you can eliminate any possible routes that don't work and focus on the ones that have potential.
You: Wow, that is a good way of putting it. I guess what I have been doing is exactly that, strategy. I think we can probably apply this sort of stuff outside of studies.
Ren: I was thinking the same thing, I really think we can work with something like this as a form to help us infiltrate Palaces.
You: Right. And this is one of my puzzle solving methods that I thought would be the easiest to understand and apply first.
Ren: So are you saying you have more than that method when it comes to solving problems?
You: I do. The other ones I have are more complex and take a bit more time for someone like you, but for me it's like a habit that I have that has perfect execution. I mainly use complex methods these days since I can without issue, making my answers perfect scores.
Ren: That is amazing.
You: It's nothing really, I just had years to develop these methods from reading detective books and puzzle books. I learned from them the methods I just told you about.
Ren: Well maybe you need to tell me these complex methods sometime in the future.
You: When the time is right and you perfected the method I taught you then I will be happy to teach you the others.
Ren: I look forward to it!
You feel your bond with Ren grows stronger. Using the methods that you came up with, you feel that you and Ren can join your minds and process plans of strategy and apply them in your teamwork. Ren can also be a second mind you can rely on to solve a problem which should help increase the chance of success for solving problems and piecing together puzzles more efficiently.
You finish out the night by helping Ren out more, he feels confident now since the method has proven to be very useful. You say your goodbyes and leave for your home. You had taken your last pill for the day before leaving Leblanc so you would be ready for bed by the time you got there. So taking a quick shower and getting into your night wear. You begin to close your eyes and anticipate tomorrow, the days to show off your skills once more.....
Thank you guys for reading this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know your thoughts in the comments on how you thought the chapter was, I really enjoy hearing your guys thoughts. I will See you all in the Next one!