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Traversing the Metaverse was always a strange ordeal for Ann. While the distortions of a Palace rendered a space unrecognizable, Jails seemed to at minimum maintain a stronger resemblance of the real world -- streets corresponded neatly on maps, and even some storefronts remained the same. Still, the medieval motifs and constant menacing of a castle on the skyline was enough to remind Ann of Kamoshida’s castle.
To Ann, the colorful and lively streets of Sendai were a welcome change of scenery compared to the dreary sepia-toned distortions of Ango Natsume’s jail. Gilded paper lanterns adorned every space imaginable, and the familiar aroma of smoke and yakitori made the streets of Sendai reinvigorated the exhausted Phantom Thief. Even the shadows along Sendai station’s promenade seemed to dance along with the music and laughter that accompanied the shifting pink and purple of twilight.
Summer breaks in middle school were always uneventful and dreadfully boring for the part-time model. This summer proved to be much better than the last. The forecast predicted no rainfall at all until the following week, and while Ann enjoyed taking the time to get Futaba used to the outside world, it was nice to be able to finally participate in summer festivities with her friends. So when Sophia was able to find local shops that sold yukata, Ann was more than eager to see what Ren picked out.
God damn, did he look good.
As predicted, Ren opted for a more subdued color for the evening. The monochromatic colors of his yukata ensured he didn’t stand out too much in a crowd while a bold red obi offered just enough intrigue to invite a second look. Vertical stripes of deep charcoal and slate not only made the raven-haired gentleman leader appear taller, but more grown up with broader shoulders and a more squared jawline.
Only a few moments passed before she realized that she was staring at his sleeves. The same sleeves that covered his muscular forearms and only revealed his slender wrists. He was still wearing the wristwatch she’d given him for his birthday, its silver accents reflecting the moonlight above.
Ann wanted nothing more than to wrap her arm around his. It seemed childish, but she’d already started to feel the pangs of envy pull at her heartstrings; he’d already turned a few heads even before she and the rest of the girls fully approached him.
No. We can’t do that now . So instead, she made sure to converse with her friends with the full knowledge that Ren hadn’t taken his eyes off her nearly all evening.
Ann and Ren decided that they’d wait to announce the nature of their relationship to the rest of their friends. While the couple frequently confided in each other, it was Ren that decided to keep things lighter until they graduated high school. They especially didn’t want to announce their relationship this summer -- both were still figuring out their plans for college and didn’t want to sour a summer vacation with their friends by upsetting their current dynamic.
But now, they were alone. They were alone and standing in relative silence, taking in the scenery about them while they waited to write their wishes on tanzaku.
A striking awkward silence that Ann desperately wanted to break.
“You know,” Ann mused, “I never really had a chance to celebrate Tanabata much when I was little. My parents would usually take me overseas during summer vacation.” She peered over her shoulder to find Ren quietly writing on a piece of bright red paper.
The couple didn’t get much time alone since he’d come back to visit for the summer vacation. In fact, they didn’t get much time alone together at all since he’d left Tokyo. Their final year of high school brought even more homework, and Ren had the added challenge of adjusting to his new family home in Nagoya.
“It’s a lot more crowded than I remember as a kid,” he remarked, not looking up from his paper.
Ann’s eyes widened. “You've been here before?”
“Yeah. It was one of the few places my sister and mother could agree on, even when my father was out on sea duty.”
“How are things at home now that you’ve had some time to settle in?”
“Not too bad. I like helping my mom out when I don’t have cram school or anything else after school.”
“Is she teaching again?”
Ren looked down at his arm and picked at his sleeve before returning his attention to the paper in front of him. “Home economics. Mostly cooking.”
The image of an elementary school-aged Ren helping his mother bake cookies tickled at the back of her mind. He’d wear a bright pastel yellow apron, hair tousled and smelling of the sun. “Maybe she can teach me a few things,” she grinned.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind,” Ren chuckled. He finished writing and placed the pen next to a stack of blank paper tags. “Have you figured out what you’re going to wish for?”
“Yeah!” She nodded and smiled before hastily writing down her wish. “Let's go hang these up somewhere!”
Hanging the tanzaku was no easy task amongst the crowd. After a few minutes of searching, Ann finally settled on a spot on a bamboo pole so low to the ground that she needed to squat to reach it. By the time she’d finished securing the ribbon, Ren was already done and quietly reading the wishes on different tanzaku. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips while he tapped his finger on the fan he held in his right hand. He was talking to Sophie, who wanted to see the decorations dance in the warm summer breeze.
Black was a really good color on him. Ann thought to herself, wanting to study her boyfriend for a few moments more. His shoulders remained square and his back a little taller. Ren always had a tendency to slouch in the year they’d been classmates. Joker’s posture was always tall and confident, steadfast and ready for anything. She thought for a moment that Ren was starting to let his guard down, but something just felt different. Electric. Alive.
Ren wasn’t swaggering in the same way as Joker, but he was smiling. Smiling wide enough for wrinkles to form in the corners of his eyes. He was laughing. Laughing with his whole body, loud and contagious enough to do nothing but join in. He was funny . He made jokes that never failed to make Ann laugh, no matter how corny. He was content. Content enough to let out gentle sighs with the full knowledge that he could finally be himself.
This wasn’t Joker. This was her Ren.
It was selfish to want for this moment to last forever, but she didn’t dare chide herself for this brief self-indulgence.
“It’s impolite to stare, Ann,” he chuckled before turning around. He’d put his phone away too.
Even as the features of his face softened at the sight of her, Ann could feel the heat of Ren’s regard. How long had he known she was there?
“Sorry,” the blonde blushed. “You seemed busy and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
He motioned for her to come closer before observing the tanzaku again. A bamboo pole above the couple displayed golden tags wishing for signed copies of Prince of Nightmares and tickets to meet Natsume in person. Some even expressed romantic desires toward the now-fallen Monarch. A separate bamboo pole opposite the display boasted tanzaku in all colors of the rainbow, each expressing wishes one would expect for tanabata: academic success, healthy families, prosperous careers, and luck in romance and love.
Ren’s voice softened, focused entirely on Ann. “It’s nice to see that we were able to make such a big difference in these people’s lives.”
“Something else is on your mind.” Ann gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “You seemed tense until we left the rest of the group.”
Ren’s eyes wandered back to the tanzaku. “My father still hasn’t come home from overseas.” He sighed and his eyes wandered to a few more. “And Kyoko’s just now coming back from Stanford.”
It was a story that was painfully familiar to Ann. Former medical student of Osaka University Kyoko Amamiya was blocked from attending any reputable university in Japan due to an investigation regarding a cheating scandal. She ended up taking on some private student loans to study public health and medicine while abroad - one term in Australia, and two terms at Stanford University. In between terms, she’d taken up a volunteer position in Rio de Janeiro and helps out at her aunt’s clinic when in class or lab.
She always wanted to study abroad. I’m glad she’s finally able to have that opportunity, he’d say with a sad smile.
Kimiko Amamiya was able to keep the certifications that permitted her to work, but no prefectural government or private school would hire her. She instead retreated to her in-laws’ home in Hiroshima. Fortunately, Ren’s parents didn’t have to worry too much about income, but she did end up working longer hours as a caregiver to her elderly neighbors.
Ma probably would have done that in retirement anyway. She never did like when things were too quiet at home. A passing comment, steeped in melancholy.
As a military officer and engineer, Ren’s father was “nominated” to work in the United States. All his family was allowed to know was that the Lieutenant Commander Kaito Amamiya was to deploy on an extended classified assignment for two years as a representative and ambassador of Japan’s submarine force. Even during Ren’s childhood, his work was always secretive, and frequently involved unpredictable tours of duty across the Pacific Rim and the Sea of Japan. Ren tended to dwell on it in their late night conversations, and Ann was too familiar with the complicated pains and pride of having parents working overseas.
Dad was vying for a promotion before I was arrested. Sometimes I wonder if he took that assignment as part of my plea deal or to get back on track for his retirement. Ren hit a home run at the batting cages that night. His dad loved baseball, and his dad was a bit disappointed that one of his favorite pitchers was recently signed to an American team.
Two years was a long time to be away from family, especially when you had no viable means of communicating with them. Although Sae was able to have all of Ren’s previous charges dropped, word still spread quickly about his reputation and he needed to help his mother relocate after his probation ended. Ren lived in Nagoya now, though his future felt so uncertain knowing that The Phantom Thieves had to spend yet another summer placating another mysterious threat.
Painful still was the truth that Ann now realized: Ren still felt just as guilty today about his family situation as he did last year. He only recently admitted to his girlfriend that he wanted to come back to Tokyo to clear his mind and get some space from the stresses that followed him.
“I’m sure they’ll be proud of all the things you’ve accomplished in the last year,” Ann paused for a moment to trace the seam of his sleeve with her thumb. “You might not be able to tell them everything you’ve accomplished. But you’re the top of your class at a nationally-ranked school. You’re an amazing and charismatic leader. A kind, loyal, and caring friend. And a great son that took care of his home while his father and sister were away.”
Ren crossed his arms, his voice remaining soft and low. “Thanks, Ann.” He looked up at the tanzaku again.
“You can always rely on me, Ren.” Ann couldn’t help but feel a spark of joy when a smile curled at his lips again. “What did you wish for?”
A slight tint of pink settled into his cheeks. “I know that it’s a simple one,” he chuckled, “but I wished for happiness and prosperity for my family.”
Ann chuckled into her hand. “I think that’s a great wish.”
“How about you?”
“You'll have to guess!” Ann winked, twirling a lock of her blonde hair in her free hand.
Ren thoughtfully traced the base of Ann’s thumbs with his. “Success in your modeling career?”
She giggled again, “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” he smirked. “Do I get a prize?”
“Sure. It’s over here though,” Ann led by the hand to a quiet walkway.
It wasn’t intentional, but they’d stopped in front of a jewelry store. A bright yellow sign read: Summer Special - Wedding bands 20% off!
“Ann-chan,” Ren gasped, “We’re much too young to get married!” That one earned a chuckle from her.
Ann rolled her eyes before taking the uchiwa fan from Ren’s hand. “Close your eyes.”
Ren suspiciously searched Ann’s features in hopes for an unspoken hint. It was getting easier for her not to crack, but she still could feel her stomach do backflips and her heart damn near beat through her chest. Finally, he closed his eyes.
She paused a moment before cautiously reaching for his glasses. Before she could get them off, he took her hand in his. His grip felt tender as the golden glow of the paper lanterns above the young couple.
Their eyes met again. Her face was close enough to feel the heat of his breath, and it took a few moments for her to remember to catch hers.
“I’d rather leave them on,” he whispered through slightly parted lips. It wasn’t the abrupt motion that startled Ann. It was those dark grey eyes that always seemed to be peering into her deepest intentions.
His grip softened before he closed his eyes again, and Ann tucked a dark curl of hair behind his ear before slowly drawing closer again. The radiant heat in his cheeks was infectious, and soon she could feel herself blushing again.
Finally, her lips met the warmth of Ren’s cheek. She lingered for just a moment more, savoring the bitter notes of coffee and salt in his hair before pulling away. Ann peered through her eyelashes before asking, “Was that a good prize?”
“I- I think so,” he stammered, avoiding eye contact. The now-bright red flush in his cheeks spread to his ears, though it was hard to see in the dim gold cast by the paper lanterns suspended above. It took a few moments for Ann to realize that Ren was staring at her lips the entire time.
Tenderly, he tipped her chin up towards him and slowly leaned in until their noses touched. Ann could hear her heart pounding in her chest. They were finally alone, just as they both intended all week.
Funny how a familiar blip! immediately ruined the mood.
It was Ren’s phone. He let it ring once more before Ann could interject. “Are you going to check that?” asked Ann. His eyes were still closed. Have his eyelashes always been this long?
“Not yet,” he said in that sweet, low baritone voice that she absolutely adored. Ann closed her eyes, eager for what he’d do next.
Their first real kiss.
She didn’t expect kissing to tickle as much as it did. Ren took his time, lips slightly parted and free hand on the small of her back and pulling her closer.
Ann couldn’t tell if they’d kissed for seconds, minutes, or hours. All she wanted since that moment in Inokashira Park last year was to kiss him. Sweet kisses, passionate kisses, intoxicating kisses. Kisses stolen in quiet corners -- kisses on the hands and cheek when nobody else was watching. Anything to feel the exciting warmth of his lips.
A sweet indulgence that she’d at long last been able to savor.
Far too soon, their lips separated with a sigh, foreheads still touching. Ren broke the kiss first, and it seemed he might be regretting that decision.
Ann put her hand up on his chest and could feel Ren’s heart beating as fast as hers before she opened her eyes. A small part of her took delight in seeing his were still closed. She licked her lips before whispering, “Ready to head back?”
Ren sighed and shook his head, his hair tickling at Ann’s forehead. “No,” he whispered back. “But we should.”
She could see that it pained him to pull away to check his phone. Her chest ached to close the distance between them.
“Yes, Sophie?” He asked.
“Makoto wants you to know that everyone is getting ready to turn in for the night,” It felt wrong to feel irritated by the interruption, but the Phantom Thieves were here on business, after all.
And Ren didn’t seem too keen on mixing business with pleasure. It complicates things, they agreed.
“We’ll head over right now,” Ren’s voice assumed the familiar seriousness it always did whenever it came to the Phantom Thieves. Ann could see how his jaw tensed up as he readjusted his sleeves. He fixed his hair before asking her, “Shall we go?”
“Okay,” Ann started. “...Want to hold hands?”
Something softened in Ren’s eyes at that moment. He smiled before quietly offering his hand.
“Oh, I forgot…” Ann’s blonde pigtails tickled at her shoulder while she rummaged through her purse. “You’ve got some lip gloss on your…” She pointed to the cortner of her mouth before offering her handkerchief to Ren.
“Thanks,” he blushed before turning away to fix himself. They already risked onlookers by being so close to the bustle of the main streets, and the last thing they wanted was their friends’ teasing. And just as quickly as their first encounter, the moment was gone: irreplaceable, fleeting, and forever to be cherished in Ann’s memory.
They walked together, hands joined with the sound of laughter surrounding them. In the distance, colorful paper tags dance in the wind under the bright glow of the fireworks above.
“I wish to be the best model in the world!” a bright yellow tanzaku read.
“I wish for the success and happiness of the one I hold dearest,” read another.
It would take quite a few years, but both wishes eventually came true.