Chapter Text
2 / 5 After Practice
After the events that had gone down two days ago, Sumire wasn't prepared for the awkwardness that would come. Not in any way she thought it would, but in that life had truly returned to normal. There was no more metaverse, no more reality threatening events. No more personas.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. She still had Ella, her encouraging presence filling her heart with warmth. Although with the metaverse gone she wouldn't need to use her to fight ever again, hopefully.
She had spent most of yesterday trying to re-adjust, although it was truthfully rather difficult, having her main worries be school and her practice was a far cry from a possibility of impending doom.
None of her friends were at school either. Did she consider them friends anymore? Part of her wants to, yet they did almost condemn her to an entire life as her sister. If it wasn't for Goro’s help, she would have been trapped.
No, they weren't friends. Not anymore, at least.
She pulled out her phone, checking the thieves group chat. It was deathly silent. The messages were of a time that never happened, one where Doctor Maruki never awakened to his persona. The warm greetings left in the chat contrasted the anger and pain Sumire imagined the others truly felt. Futaba-Chan had already blocked her, but everybody else likely needed more time to grasp freedom. She mentally debated if she should send a message before shaking her head, deciding to leave the group chat quietly.
“Goro...” She muttered to herself, unable to forget the one person who stood by her side when all hope seemed lost, her only friend in a world as harsh as this.
He was gone too, although not in the same way the thieves were. Even though he had died, he was still somebody she considered a friend, even with the knowledge that she would never see him again.
She had just finished talking to her coach about Kurusu. As much as she had developed a mild hatred for the leader of the phantom thieves over the course of the third of February, he did not deserve to be in jail for life. He had still saved the world once before, even if he almost doomed it the second time.
Thinking about Kurusu left a bad taste in her mouth, but it was interrupted when she remembered Goro’s last words.
“With this, I've already won. I’d rather it be in your hands than his.” He had spat, before he disappeared for good.
Right. The glove. Sumire hadn't even known anything about a glove or some duel promised between him and Kurusu. But for her friend’s last words to be about it, it had clearly meant a lot to him.
With practice over with for the day, she knew she should probably go get the glove like she had been asked to. She felt a little uneasy at the idea of stealing from somebody innocent, even if she had a personal bias against them, especially while they were in jail. But she would likely never get a chance again. So she swallowed her emotions and made her way to the train station, ready to go to Yongen-Jaya.
The train was crowded and uncomfortable, and yet despite that. It brought a smile to her face as she stood awkwardly, unable to get a seat.
“Far more real than Maruki’s so-called perfection. I'm glad.” Ella stated, her soft voice echoing in the athlete’s head.
Sumire simply nodded with a content sigh, not wanting to draw attention to herself while on the train.
2 / 5: Yongen-Jaya: After Practice
Just as the novelty of the trains returning to their normal, overcrowded state started to fade into the annoyance most people were used to when riding one, she had reached her stop. She made her way out of the train, along with a group of other people who left too. She quickened her pace, wanting to be free of the claustrophobic atmosphere of the station as quickly as possible.
As she left the station, the fresh air of Yongen-Jaya entered her system, and she couldn't help but look around, despite knowing the place already, a small part of herself still taking in her continued existence.
“Come on, Sumire. Stop stalling yourself.” She said to herself, as she stopped taking in the sights and made her way to Leblanc.
The atmosphere was the same, warm comforting feel she was used to, even if she felt a little uncomfortable being inside. Had the thieves told boss? Even if they hadn't, she really shouldn't be invading their space after what she did. Best to make it quick then.
“Welcome.” Sojiro said, before getting back to his work with a frown.
“Are you okay, Boss? You seem a little down.” Sumire responded, instantly betraying her plan to make it a quick visit.
“Its nothing. Futaba’s just been upset since yesterday. Can't figure out why. She won't tell me anything.” Boss sighed. “Say, you’re one of her friends, right?”
Sumire gulped nervously, unsure as to what to say. Should she be honest? Or would that only make it worse? She felt Ella silently push her towards telling the truth, so she did.
“Uh, maybe, I'm not really sure? Why do you ask?” She settled on, a half truth.
Boss let out another gruff sigh. “Just try and keep an eye on her when you can. I’d appreciate it.”
Sumire nodded, forcing a smile onto her face somehow even more awkward than when she entered. “I’ll do what I can.”
Boss nodded back, focused on his work. “Thanks. So, what brings you here?”
Sumire took this as her chance to get out of the conversation before something happened. “Just remembered that I forgot something in the attic the last time I was here.” She lied, already moving towards the stairs.
“Alright. Be quick, I’m trying to keep it clean for when we get Akira back.” He responded.
Sumire nodded again before quickly making her way up to the attic. She couldn't help but frown at the sight of Kurusu’s room, bad memories flooding back. Even two days later, she still felt the hopelessness that she had almost given into when everybody was content to give up and accept Doctor Maruki’s reality.
She took a shaky breath, closing her eyes. “You did it. There's nothing to worry about now.” She whispered to herself, keeping her emotions in check.
“You did it.” She repeated to herself, shaking her head out of her depressive thoughts.
With her depressive thoughts successfully cleared away, she got to checking the attic for wherever this glove could be. Eventually, she found it on the bed, underneath the pillow of all places.
Sumire quietly took the now slightly dusty glove and inspected it. She still didn't understand its significance. It was just a regular, black glove. The only interesting part about it was that it was a single glove.
“Cant say i understand, but i suppose i dont have to.” Sumire muttered to herself, before pocketing the glove and quickly leaving Leblanc, saying goodbye to Boss on the way out.
For a moment, as she returns to the train station, she notices a cat. Morgana, maybe? Morgana or not, she quickens her pace to not be noticed, just in case.
2 / 5: Sumire’s Room: Late Evening
When she gets back to her room, the first thing she does is place Goro’s glove on her night stand. For a moment, she expects it to do something. To be something. But it doesn't. It isn't. It really is just a glove.
A glove with personal attachment, one with a story long gone, only told once, not to her. Still just a glove.
With that, she heads to bed, content with pushing through another day.
2 / 15: Shujin Academy: Morning
She can't help but feel a small pang of guilt whenever she passes by one of the former phantom thieves in school. Not that it happens often, given her status as a first year, but it does happen.
Luckily, they all avoid her. Or at least ignore her when they walk past her. Sumire wonders if they do it intentionally or if they’re just so hurt that they don't notice. Whatever the reason, Sumire can't help but feel a little bad. Even if she would do it again to save reality, and herself, in a heartbeat.
Kurusu is the same, really, as the rest of his friends. She heard the news that he had gotten out of jail a couple days ago, thankfully. But the man still seems miserable.
Unlike the others, when Sumire walks past him, he actually says something.
“Wait.” He says, in a broken, damaged voice.
Sumire winces, expecting him to be more angry, but she still turns to face him, forcing a pleasant smile on her face. “Yes, Kurusu-Senpai? How may I help you?” She responds, in an attempt to keep things civil.
There’s silence as Kurusu tries to think of what he wanted to say, surprised that she would even bother to listen to him.
“Why?” Is what he settles on.
Sumire’s smile drops a bit, as she’s unable to keep it on for any longer. She takes a deep breath before looking at him in his eyes, a mild glare piercing through both of their glasses. Her anger at the thief made clear.
“We refused to live our lives under his control. I got what I wanted, so did Goro.”
Kurusu doesn't respond, hanging his head low.
“Have a nice day, Senpai. I hope you can get through your feelings. Same for the others.” Sumire decides to finish with, giving the boy a small, genuine smile.
She can see Morgana peek out from Kurusu’s bag, attempting to glare at her. Sumire smiles softly at the cat before walking off.
3 / 20: Kichijoji: Late Afternoon.
Sumire was walking through the streets of Kichijoji, after having just left the Jazz Jin. After finding Goro there a month and a half ago, she decided to go back whenever she needed to relax. The music was calming, and the drinks were pretty good.
As she went to leave Kichijoji, she noticed a distinct blue glow nearby that she could only associate with one person.
Lavenza.
Her guess was correct, as she noticed the girl standing next to a vague shape of a door. The petite girl noticed her and smiled.
“Why hello, not who I meant to see, but I suppose there’s no harm.” Lavenza said, with a curtsy as Sumire walked up to her.
“Hello Lavenza! What brings you out here?” Sumire asked politely.
“Well, I was originally going to try to locate the Trickster, but I haven't managed to locate him..” she trailed off.
“I see.” Sumire responded, unsure as to who she was talking about. Maybe Joker?
“Enough of that, however, it is nothing for you to be concerned about. I also wished to congratulate you on your victory.” The attendant beamed at the athlete.
“Thank you so much, Lavenza! I'm just happy to be alive, if I'm being honest..”
“I understand, I also wished to give this to you.” Lavenza said, giving Sumire a strange yet shiny orb. “While it holds no magical power, it is rather pretty! I thought you should have it, as a thank you of sorts, for saving reality.”
Sumire held the orb in her hands. It was round, perfectly smooth, and cold to the touch, yet comforting. “Thank you again, Lavenza.” Sumire bowed respectfully.
“I do not think I will see you again, truthfully.” Lavenza admitted. “Have a great day, or life, I suppose I should say?
Sumire let out a small laugh at that. “Have a nice life to you too, I guess?” She smiled, starting to walk away.
3 / 20: Inokashira Park: Evening
Sumire sits alone on a bench, watching the sun start to set with a soft smile on her face.
She held the shiny orb Lavenza gave her to her chest, and thought of Goro’s glove.
“Thank you, both of you. For giving me my life back” She says, gratitute filling her voice, even knowing that nobody would hear her thanks.
While it would take more to truly get her life back together, she had her chance now. To take it a day at a time.
She will never give it up again. Not for anybody.