Chapter Text
To Ryuji, Sundays were just freaking great. No school, just him home in his pajamas sleeping. Living the dream. This Sunday he was living a different dream; opting to hang out with Ren.
These past few weeks had been crazy. Personas, almost dying, stealing Kamoshida’s heart. At least they had succeeded in that part, had a whole team too. Phantom Thieves (even the name sounded cool); him, Ren, Ann, and their talking cat friend Morgana.
Freaking talking cat. It was a lot to get used to.
“Shibuya Station.” The subway intercom interrupted Ryuji’s thoughts. How the hell was that thing always louder than the crowd?
Quickly replying to a text from his mom (Have fun! <3); he pocketed his phone, making his way out of the subway car. Thankfully the station was pretty empty, weaving through people to the escalator was easy. Much easier than school mornings.
Already awaiting him at the platform was Ren, leaning against the railing scrolling through his phone. As if the dude didn’t already look like a model in the Shujin uniform— how had he never seen him out of it?
Man, thief stuff sure took up a lot of time. Come to think of it, this was definitely the first time the two actually did something besides that. Weekend stuff, not after school. So, yeah. This was new.
Ren could look amazing in anything. Great.
As if reading Ryuji’s mind (if that were possible Ryuji wished the Earth would just open up and swallow him) Ren’s eyes strayed away from his phone, meeting Ryuji. Small smile on his face.
“Fashionably late?” Ren joked, pocketing his phone.
“Yup, exactly. And sorry by the way— kinda woke up late. I mean, of course you would know. We went to bed at freakin’ three in the morning.”
Saturday nights were now dubbed “Thief Skype Night” (Ann’s idea.) Every week was something different; streaming movies, super inappropriate card games, and even spa nights. Last night was filled with dumb online quizzes; one of which told them each what Disney princess they were (Ann: Alice, Ren: Jasmine, and Ryuji: Rapuzel.) Which then resulted in the three watching each movie.
“I know, I know. Not smart, but fun. Morgana stayed awake just to lecture me after I logged off.” At that, Ren looked pretty annoyed. As he should be.
“Jeez, dude. That’s rough. I’m guessing he’s not here? Right about now he’d be sayin’ some shit back.”
“I let him sleep. Not all of us can run on six hours.”
“Dude!” He felt eyes on him. Too loud. “Dude, Ren, buddy. Why the hell did you get up at nine in the morning?” Cool, no one looking anymore. “It’s noon. You had time.”
Just a shrug.
“I’m used to having a schedule. It’s fine. Plus it’s an hour alone to get ready.”
“For real? But your hair always looks messy— not like, bad messy. Y’know what I mean?”
“Mhm.”
Whenever someone replied with an “Mhm” or a “Hm” Ryuji knew he said something wrong. But not with Ren. He wasn’t mad, he wasn’t annoyed; it was just a Ren thing. Conserve as many words as possible, which was fine. Not everyone had the same amount of energy, Ryuji completely understood.
“It takes forever to get the messiness perfect,” Ren continued. Hand now in his hair giving it a good shake. “It’s annoying. I like it though. It’s soft.”
“Man, tell me about it. I have to re-bleach my hair every few weeks. Roots and all that, super freaking annoying.”
“I can’t believe we need to have a salon day now.”
“Oh man— Ann would go nuts! We totally gotta do that!”
“Next weekend,” Ren had a warm smile on his face.Very nice sight. “Today we have a mission.”
“Shoot. What’d you plan?”
“First, lunch. Then you’re helping me shop for thief stuff. And since you’re helping; you get to pick a new weapon.”
“Dude, for real? That money can be spent on more important things like—“
“Ryuji.” Ren made direct eye contact with Ryuji. He could be really intimidating if he tried. “You’re not going to change my mind. Plus Ann came last time and picked something out. It’s only fair.”
“Yeah, but I’ll still feel guilty.” Ryuji thought to himself.
But Ren said it was fine. And maybe it was around time he got an upgrade; so much a metal pipe could do without getting dented.
“M’kay. If you say so, dude.”
“I do say so. And I also say, lunchtime.” He spun Ryuji by the shoulder; bringing the escalator into view. Full of people making their way from the subway car. “Beat the rush?”
“Definitely, let’s go.”
The two had decided on Big Bang Burger. Cheaper than the diner.
“Whaddya gonna get?” Ryuji asked Ren; still in line to order.
“I’m going to do the challenge.”
How did he say the craziest things like it was nothing.
“What?! You’re gonna die, man. It’s waaay too much.”
“Oh? Way too much for me, or for you?” Still, like it was nothing. Did anything faze him?
“Dunno. How ‘bout we find out?”
At that, Ryuji saw a cheeky grin on Ren’s face. Of course he did it just to egg him on. Unfair (why was Ryuji smiling about it now too.)
“Welcome to Big Bang Burger! May I take your order?” The cashier exclaimed as they moved up to the counter.
Ryuji recognized the cashier; girl from his home room class. She was nice.
“Two Big Bang Burger Challenges, please.” Ren decided to order. Really appreciated.
Talking to people from school outside of school was weird. Not like with Ren— people Ryuji didn’t talk to. Or didn’t talk to him. Whatever.
“Alright, that’ll be ¥2400. And remember! You only have half an hour to finish it.”
“Yeah.”
The two payed; picking a table and taking their seats. She told them it’d be ready in about ten minutes. It was a big ass burger; understandable.
“Doesn’t she go to our school?” Ren was leaning against the table; hand resting under his chin. Eyes wandering.
“What?” Come on, Ryuji. Pay attention.
“The cashier, I’ve seen her around Shujin I think.”
“Oh, yeah. Kodama.” Ryuji scooted his chair in a bit. “She’s in my home room.”
“Hm. I thought she recognized you.”
“Oh, man. For real? Ughhh,” Ryuji pushed his chair back on two legs; hands covering his face in annoyance. “I hate seeing people from school out.”
“Can’t believe I have to go home now.” Ren deadpanned; Ryuji dropping the chair back on all fours, bubbling with laughter.
“Nah, man; it’s different. Like, anyone else from Shujin. I don’t talk to them, so it’s just weird. You’re my friend, I’d like go out of my way to say hey to you if I saw you.”
“Cute.” Still , like it was absolutely nothing.
“Shh. You and Ann are all I got, man. ‘Course I’m gonna be cute or whatever.” And his cheeks felt hot now, great.
“I get it, don’t worry. I’ve talked to maybe five people at school, max. Way too much to handle. Plus, the whole delinquent thing. Hard to seem approachable.”
“Right? It’s so annoying. Everyone’s scared I’m gonna like punch them.” It was Ryuji’s turn to lean against the table now.
Talk about complete 180. Went from embarrassed to immediately bummed out. That’s great.
“They can think what they want. At least we have each other now.” Seriously. Either Ren had a seriously good poker face, or he didn’t know the weight of what he was saying.
He probably did. Nothing went over his head.
“‘Course, Ren. It’s you and me.”
“Allllright! I hear we have two challengers today!”
And nice moment cut off by Kodama; two giant burgers placed right in front of them.
“As you know, you will have exactly thirty minutes to finish the challenge! Good luck!”
With that, a timer was placed in the middle of the table; already ticking. Without hesitating, Ryuji immediately dug in.
“You and me.” Ren followed suit.
“Dude, I’m stuffed . How do you expect me to be good at shopping in this state?”
“Stuffed but still lost.”
“Oh, shuddup. It was only by a little bit.”
“If that’s your definition of a little bit, sure.” He was wearing another cheeky grin. Of course.
A walk was nice after almost dying over a burger. Spring breeze and all that. But Untouchable was literally ten steps away from the burger place (okay, that was dramatic but still.) Stepping into the shop, the two were greeted by the ringing of the bell on the door.
It was completely empty, except Iwai; legs kicked up onto the counter. Promptly kicking them down as the two made their way to the front of the store.
“Hey, kid. Whaddya need today?”
“I have some more stuff to sell,” Ren pulled his bag off, taking out a few treasures from the palace. Smart. “Ryuji, go see if there’s anything you like. I’ll just be here.”
“M’kay.”
Walking down the aisles, there wasn’t really anything interesting to Ryuji. He saw a few model handguns that would be cool for Ren maybe; Ryuji stuck to the shotguns. Next aisle, a cool whip for Ann.
“Alright kid,” Ryuji heard Iwai from the front of the store. “I’ll give you ¥11,000 for it all.”
That was pretty good money considering it was only like three things.
“Thanks.”
He heard footsteps; definitely Ren’s. Now he was looking around for stuff too. Cool.
Second to last aisle; still nothing. Well, he had found another pipe. If anything he’d get that. It would last for a while anyway, and it was cheaper compared to other things in the store.
“Ryuji,” Ren called out. Ryuji guessed he was in the last aisle. “I found something you’ll definitely like.”
Making a quick turn around the corner; there was Ren. Last aisle. Holding a literal battle hammer, laughing a bit.
“You know I’m right. It’s perfect.”
And now Ryuji was laughing. Ren totally didn’t know how to hold it right.
“Holy shit, dude! Duh, of course you’re right. Gimme gimme,” giving up the hammer, Ren handed it to him. Ryuji made sure to demonstrate how to actually hold it right. “This one, definitely.”
“Gun too. There’s one behind the counter I was thinking about getting you.”
“You sure? Don’t waste all your money on me—“
“Ryuji Sakamoto, I swear; if I hear you say it’s a waste one more time. Really it’s not a waste, you need new stuff. It’s going to get used, and without it we can’t do our thing. Not a waste at all. Okay?”
“Shit, man. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize either. Don’t worry.” Ren pushes his glasses up. “It’s team funds, and you’re a part of it. So it’s all fine.”
Usually when people corrected Ryuji it made him feel stupid; again, not with Ren. Maybe he understood the shitty feeling? Whatever it was, Ryuji was really thankful.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s all fine.”
“Good,” the small smile again. “Now, let’s see if you like the gun.”
At the front of the store Ryuji placed the hammer on the counter while Ren asked Iwai about the gun.
“Can we see the heavy shotgun?”
With a wordless nod Iwai was in and out of the back room; replica gun placed on the counter in front of the two.
“¥10,200.”
Shit— that was basically all that Ren had gotten from the treasure. Did they have enough for both? Cause Ryuji really wanted both. The gun was much better than his current; it was padded, and looked way way cooler.
While he was examining it Ryuji felt Ren’s eyes on him.
“We’ll take this and the hammer.”
“‘Kay, that’ll be ¥21,400.” Iwai spoke, nonchalantly. Popping a lollipop into his mouth.
“What?! No way, I don’t need both. For real, Ren.”
“Yeah, you do. For the convention . Remember?” He was giving that serious look again.
Ryuji couldn’t help but let out a loud sigh.
“Yeah. For the convention, how could I forget.”
“Happens to the best of us,” Ren slid the money on the counter; Iwai counting it out and bagging the purchase. Handing it to Ren.
Which resulted in Ren handing it to Ryuji.
“Enjoy.” Ren you asshole (not really.)
“Don’t go getting yourselves in trouble, alright? I don’t want anything bad coming back to me.”
“Of course, thanks again.” Ren called back, already halfway out the door with Ryuji in tow.
Outside the streets were getting more bare. Late afternoon already Ryuji figured. Yup— 17:23. His mom should be getting home already.
“Well,” Ren interrupted Ryuji’s internal monologue. “I’d say mission successful.”
They were already at the station; had they really walked in silence the whole way? Guess so. Already reaching the platform, they stopped at their usual spot.
“Hella successful. And fun too, that’s good.”
“Yeah. I had fun almost watching you die at Big Bang Burger.”
“I swear! You’re such an asshole sometimes, dude.”
“I know. It makes things interesting,” Ren pulled his phone out; immediately rolling his eyes after a quick glance at the screen. “I have to go. I think your line will be here in a bit?”
“Yeah, it will. Don’t worry. And, uh— thanks. For today. And the stuff. And thanks for being patient with the whole wasting thing. And uh,” Maybe he should just stop while he’s ahead? Too bad his mouth wasn’t listening. “you’re like, really nice. People at school shouldn’t be such assholes.”
“Oh— um. Thanks, Ryuji.” See? He should have just shut up, now it was weird and— “The same applies to you, though. I hope you realize that. Text you later.”
And with that, Ren gave a small wave back; heading down the escalator.
Ryuji stood there, heat on his cheeks. How the hell did Ren manage to shift that all around and be nice to him?
“Shit.”
He was good.
(17:27)
(you)
hey mom, i’m on my way home
mom
Alright sweetie see you in a bit just got home myself
mom
Did you have fun with your friend?
(you)
yeah we had fun
mom
That’s good! I like him he seems nice
“Yeah, mom. I like him a lot too.” Ryuji thought to himself. “Different way though. It’s fine.”
“I’m fine.”