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Chapter Text

2/3 Night

Days until Maruki Acts: 0

Route to the treasure not secured...

The day of the deadline has come…

Did I really make the right choice?

...There’s no use thinking about it now.

I should get some rest.

\/\/\/\/\/\/

I wake up in the nurse’s office at Shujin Academy, sitting on the couch like I had many times before. I look down and see that I’m wearing my prison garb from the Velvet Room. It’s just like the dream I had when Maruki’s Actualisation began.

“Seems like you can’t reach a decision.”

I turn towards that familiar, calm voice to see Maruki sitting there in the chair next to me.

Maruki looks at me sadly. “In all honesty, I really wanted you to accept my gift of you own free will...”

“But I see that demanding that you make a decision from you is only making you suffer.” Maruki sounds almost disappointed.

He smiles at me, tentacle-like hands appearing behind him. “That was never my intention – so, don’t worry. There’s no need to obsess over it anymore. I’ll bring you your happiness.”

The hands reach out and grab me by the wrists. I try to break free but I’m unable to overpower their grasp and they wrap around my arms. I start to feel sleepy and no matter how hard I try to resist, my consciousness starts to fade. I slump against the couch as my strength leaves me, while the hands wrap around my body.

“Pleasant dreams Ren-kun.”

“For as many days or years as you may have.”

/\/\/\/\/\/\

??/?? Unknown time

.....

...What time is it? Where’s my cell phone…?

...I grab my phone but it doesn’t turn on.

looks like I forgot to charge it...

I’m getting sleepy again...

I should sleep for a little longer...

.....

I don’t want... to think anymore...

Maru... ki...

\//\\//\\//\

??/??/???? Midnight

.....

Wa... up...

Dude... ake up...

Come on man wake up already.

Haven’t you slept enough? We’re really running out of time here.

*Tap tap tap*  ...Is this thing even on?

Don’t tell me Maruki made you brain dead as well as comatose...

Whatever.

I don’t care anymore.

Let’s see you sleep through this at max volume.

Eat this.

Now playing: Mass Destruction

Chapter Text

??/??/????

-Baby baby baby baby ba-ba baby baby baby-

“Gah! woah?!”

I wake up with a start and fall off my bed, crashing to the floor as the as trumpets ring in my ears.

“So loud, make it stop...”

I cover my ears, but it does nothing to mask the sound. It’s like it’s playing directly in my brain. The music won’t stop screaming in my head, I need help.

“Sojiro... Futaba...”

I reach toward the stairs through my blurry vision. I’m take a breath to yell for help when I hear a guy’s voice over the music.

Hmm? You finally awake?

The music suddenly stops, and all I’m left with to prove it was there is a migraine. I lay on the floor clutching my head as the pain started to slowly fade.

Wasn’t sure you’d wake up for a moment there, I shouldn’t have doubted the power of the ‘stay awake’ playlist.

“Who the hell wouldn’t wake up when your blasting music at full volume!” I yell, my voice sounding raspy.

Well, you did sleep through the first 4 playthroughs, I almost wasn’t going to play it for a 5th time.

“You mean you played it 4 times? What’s wrong with you!”

A lot’s wrong with me. Also, I played it 5 times not 4.

The pain fades enough for me to look around and try to find the guy talking to me and figure out what’s happening.

I’m in Leblanc’s attic so I haven’t been kidnapped. But something is wrong, there are cobwebs covering the attic rafters and shelves. There’s also a thick layer of dust covering everything. The shelves, the desk, the couch and tv, the floors, even I’m caked in dust. Everything I collected over the year I’ve stayed here is gone, and so is Morgana now that I think about it. The homey feeling the attic had has completely disappeared.

What I don’t see is the owner of that listless voice. I check my phone, but it doesn’t turn on, so it’s not coming from that. I can’t see any places someone could hide up here or anything that could act as a speaker for him to talk through. Maybe he’s down in the café area and my ears are so messed up by that music I can’t tell. I turn to go downstairs, maybe I can at least use the public phone to call Sojiro, or get Futaba’s attention with her hidden microphones.

I reach the banister when the voice spoke up.

Woah man, you don’t want to go down there right now.

“Why should I listen to you?”

Because it’s midnight and someone will call the cops if they see you. Or hear you for that matter so keep it down.

I hesitate at the idea of the cops, but quickly remember that Sojiro will protect me if that happens.

“Good, when they get here, they can arrest you.”

I’m not in the building.

“What, are you talking in my head?”

Yep, that’s right. So when the cops get here you’ll be the only one getting arrested.

“Why would I get arrested, I live here?”

Not anymore.

“What does that mean?”

Before I tell you that I need you to stop. talking.

“Want me to think at you instead?” I say sarcastically.

Yes, that would be best.

“...Not happening”

Ugh, fine, give me a moment.

The voice goes silent so I take a moment to assess the situation.

The attic has somehow become worse than when I first arrived overnight, it’s like no one has stepped foot in here for years. The first thought that comes to mind is that I’m dreaming. But the pain from the music blasting in my head is still there faintly, and I think a bruise is starting to form from my fall from the bed. The only time I can remember feeling pain in a dream is when Caroline would hit me with her baton which makes the chances of this being a dream low. But speaking of Caroline, I wonder if this guy could be related to her...

“Are you from the Velvet Room?”

I get no answer, whatever he’s doing he’s no longer paying attention to me. I could probably take this chance to go downstairs right now, but the voice seems to know something I don’t. The guy doesn’t sound malicious so maybe I should try pumping him for information. If he is related to the Velvet Room, or even Maruki, he might be a useful source of information.

After waiting a couple minutes my phone suddenly beeped from my pocket. I took it out and saw that the phone had powered on.

 “What the-”

I thought my phone was flat, it didn’t respond when I tried to use it earlier. I watched as the phone booted up, unlocked itself, and opened the chat app. The phone wouldn’t respond to any on my inputs or turn off when I hit the button.

*Ping*

A notification popped up that said: ??? has added you to the group “Wild Ride” The moment it pinged my phone opened the chat.

??? has changed their name to Mass Destruction.

Mass Destruction: There, you can cooperate and be quiet if we use a chat app right?

I tried backing out to the home screen or out of the chat, but it still wouldn’t take any inputs. I tapped the box to type out a message and the keyboard popped up, so I started typing.

Ren: Mass destruction?

Mass Destruction: It’s the name of the song.

Ren: What song?

Mass Destruction: The one I used to wake you up.

Ren: Oh, that song.

Mass Destruction: Not a fan?

Ren: I prefer jazz/rock.

Mass Destruction: To each their own.

Ren: Now onto the topic at hand- who the hell are you? Are you from the Velvet Room? Or related to Maruki?

Mass Destruction: I’m related to the Velvet Room, I guess. But who I am isn’t important right now.

Ren: I disagree, I won’t trust anything you say until you tell me who you are.

Mass Destruction: ...Seriously?

Ren: ...

Mass Destruction: Come on man we’re wasting time.

Ren: ...

Mass Destruction: Ugh, fine whatever.

Mass Destruction: Maybe this will help make you trust me...

Mass Destruction: I am in your care...

Ren: Nice to me-heet you, ho!

What the- I typed that before I even realised. Why does this guy know about that phrase?

Mass Destruction: Trust me now?

Ren: ...You could have overheard that during shadow negotiations.

Mass Destruction: Shadow negotiations?

Ren: You... don’t negotiate with shadows?

Mass Destruction: I didn’t even know they could talk.

Ren: Then where did you hear that phrase?

Mass Destruction: When I was fusing personas.

Ren: When you were fusing? Does that mean you’re like Lavenza?

Mass Destruction: Who’s Lavenza?

Ren: She’s my... what did call herself? Whatever, she has silver hair, yellow eyes, and wears a lot of blue.

Mass Destruction: You mean your attendant? No, I’m not an attendant, I was the one asking them to fuse personas for me.

Ren: If you were asking for personas does that mean you’re a wild card?

Mass Destruction: That’s right, but I’m a wild card who finished their journey, unlike you who fell short at the finish line.

Ren: ...What?

I fell short at the finish line...?

“?!, Maruki’s deadline!”

Maruki’s deadline was today! I can’t sit around talking to some random guy, Lavenza said that the Metaverse will fuse with reality today. I need to figure out what we’re going to do now that we’re out of time. I try everything I can think of to back out of this chat so I could go to the Phantom Thieves group chat.

Dude you need to calm down.

“I don’t have time to deal with you right now. The Metaverse is going to fuse with reality today!”

Today huh. Tell me, what is today’s date?

“It’s February 3rd.”

Why don’t you check? Your phone should have had enough time to update that data.

“I don’t need to check it’s February 3rd.”

I would never forget today’s date. I’ve been dreading the time it arrived since Lavenza first told us about the deadline.

Well, I guess you’re not wrong... but what about the year?

“It’s 2017.”

Is it though?

“Maruki’s reality started on at the new year, I’m pretty sure about it.”

Come on, humour me, check your phone's date.

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine But then I need to get to work before it’s too late.”

My phone finally responds to my inputs, bringing me back to the list of existing chat logs. I hit the home button bringing the home screen up. The date is sitting there for anyone to see, it reads February 3rd 20... 22...?

“What?”

It reads February 3rd 2022... but that’s impossible!

Looks like you're already too late.

“What did you do to my phone?” I growl.

Nothing.

“Then what’s going on?!”

I’m not saying anything more unless you type it into the chat.

“I have no time for your bullshit!”

Whatever.

“I need to know what’s going on!”

I don’t care.

“Dammit!”

I pull the chat app back up and re-enter the Wild Ride chat.

Ren: Tell me what’s going on! Why is the date wrong?!

Mass Destruction: The date is correct.

Ren: That’s bullshit! There’s no way FIVE YEARS have passed while I was asleep.

Mass Destruction: But it’s the truth.

Ren: ...What...?

Mass Destruction: Five years have passed while you slept.

Ren: That’s... impossible...

Five years have passed? How? Was I in a coma? But then why aren’t I in a hospital?

Mass Destruction: How much of February 2nd do you remember? Did you meet Maruki that day?

February 2nd? Umm... we tried to secure the route to Maruki’s treasure, we tried to push on late into the night, but we ran out of strength. We couldn’t keep going anymore and had to leave before we could get through Maruki’s Eden. Morgana and Futaba said we were so close to the treasure. We were all so frustrated when we had to give up.

After we returned, we held a late-night meeting to figure out what we should do. Whether we should accept Maruki’s reality or not. Whether we should give Maruki the calling card and hope we could get to the treasure in time without a secured route. But we couldn’t come to a decision. Makoto ended the meeting, saying that we get some rest and come up with a plan tomorrow. But everyone knew we were just hoping that Lavenza’s prediction and Maruki’s words about the fusion of the Metaverse and reality were wrong.

Akechi was the most upset out of all of us. He called everyone cowards, holding back none of his anger at us. He said that our failure to secure a route was a betrayal of his trust. That I failed my role as leader. That I should have been able to pull us together and at least secure the route. But we failed, and now we couldn’t even decide what to do about it. Akechi left Leblanc saying that he’ll do things ‘his way’ and that he won’t let us get in the way of following his justice.

After Akechi left everyone returned home and I went to bed. I laid there for what felt like hours thinking about what Akechi said and struggling to decide whether to accept Maruki’s reality or fight it. Even if it would be too late, should I have fought fate like Akechi was going to? Or should I just give up all the pain it was causing me and accept the actualization. I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next I remember is being woken up by that song blasting in my head.

No... wait a second... wasn’t there something else that happened before I woke up...? Right... wasn’t there a dream with Maruki? He... apologised to me... for forcing me to choose. Then he summoned those tentacle-like hands he wrapped Sumire in to make her persona go berserk and used them to bind me. It felt like I was being forced asleep and I barely remember Maruki wishing me pleasant dreams with a smile before I blacked out.

I look at the chat, how much should I tell Mass Destruction... He knows about Maruki, so does he know about the actualization? Does he know about the Phantom Thieves too? I was only asked if I met Maruki on the 2nd so should I just tell him about what happened in the dream?

I mulled over it for a minute before deciding to tell him about the dream.

Ren: Maruki appeared in a dream after I fell asleep.

Mass Destruction: Of course it was a dream, those are always more important than anyone expects.

Mass Destruction: No wonder I didn’t notice what he did until after he did it.

Ren: Wait were you watching us? How? Why?!

Was he watching us from the shadows? For how long? Does that mean he does know about the Phantom Thieves? It would at least explain why he knows Maruki but... how did we never notice him?

Mass Destruction: The how of it isn’t important right now, and the reason why I watched you is because I have a vested interest in Maruki’s reality.

Ren: Why does it matter to you?

Mass Destruction: That’s for later, what did Maruki do in your dream?

Ren: Umm, He apologised for making me choose between realities. Then he said he’ll take away my pain before wrapping me in those tentacles things that we saw covering Mementos

Mass Destruction: I see...

Ren: Maruki did something to me right? That’s why I slept for 5 years?

Mass Destruction: That’s right...

Ren: What happened to me?

Mass Destruction: ...You never woke up on February 3rd.

Mass Destruction: Your friends spent the whole day trying to wake you, but you never even responded.

Ren: They really did that?

Mass Destruction: Yeah, they did.

Mass Destruction: They desperately kept trying to wake you up until the deadline passed and Maruki’s Actualization took full effect, fusing the collective unconscious with reality.

Mass Destruction: But after Maruki’s reality became the real reality they got up and left without looking back.

Ren: Why? What happened?

Mass Destruction: I wondered that too.

Mass Destruction: So, after investigating your condition and the state of reality I realised that Maruki Actualized you out of his reality.

Ren: What do you mean?

Mass Destruction: Maruki used his actualization to force you into a state akin to a coma.

Mass Destruction: But having a friend in a coma with no hopes to wake up would only cause pain for your friends.

Mass Destruction: So in order for your friends to live happy lives he erased you from the world’s cognition, and erased everyone’s memories of you.

Ren: Maruki erased me from the world?

Mass Destruction: Mhm, it’s like Ren Amamiya never existed.

Ren: But why did he do that?

Mass Destruction: His logic seemed to be that if you couldn’t decide on a reality then you would be happiest not living in either.

Mass Destruction: But he didn’t have the heart to kill you outright, so he decided on an eternal, dreamless, coma-like sleep.

Mass Destruction: He was also worried that being around you may make your friends aware of the change in reality.

Mass Destruction: So he removed anything that he thought could trigger their memories, like you and everything related to you, personas, the Phantom Thieves, and Mementos.

Ren: What kind of escalation is that?!

Ren: He talked about how he wanted me to live in his reality free from pain. But when I was conflicted he just removed me from reality? What the hell man.

Mass Destruction: That’s what he thought was right.

Ren: It’s totally effing wrong!

Mass Destruction: Obviously, that’s why I’ve spent the past 5 years trying to wake you up.

Ren: You’ve been trying to wake me up?

Mass Destruction: Yeah, I wasn’t making any progress until now, but it seems Maruki’s attention has finally been spread thin enough that he couldn’t actively focus his actualization on you.

Ren: He couldn’t focus on me anymore?

Mass Destruction: He is actualizing the whole world's dreams right now, something had to give somewhere.

Mass Destruction: And after you’ve been comatose for five years with no issues, he probably thought he could leave you alone.

Ren: So he trapped me in eternal sleep and then abandoned me?

Mass Destruction: Yeah, but it was the perfect chance for me to break you out of his actualization and finally wake you up.

Ren: How did you wake me up exactly?

Mass Destruction: By playing music in your head.

Ren: But how did you play music in my head.

Mass Destruction: Magic.

Ren: ...Seriously?

Mass Destruction: Seriously.

I spent a few minutes processing that information. Maruki seriously trapped me in eternal sleep, then made it like I never existed. How hypocritical could he be? How is that helping anyone! Would he have done this if we didn’t accept his reality and failed to steal his treasure? Or was he planning this all along...

Ren: Thanks for waking me up, you saved me.

Mass Destruction: No problem.

Ren: But what do I do now?

What can I do if I’ve been erased from reality? Do I have to live in the shadows, living on the streets? Can Maruki’s reality even be reversed at this point?

Mass Destruction: That’s the question alright: what will you do?

Ren: What do you mean?

Mass Destruction: You have an important choice to make.

Mass Destruction: Do you want to live in Maruki’s reality or not?

That’s the same question Maruki asked me when I first confronted him in his palace. I’ve asked myself that question so many times, all the thieves did. It got to the point where I lost sleep over it, but because of that, I knew my answer.

Ren: I don’t want to accept Maruki’s reality.

Mass Destruction: ...

Mass Destruction: I’ll rephrase the question.

Mass Destruction: Will you live in Maruki’s reality or fight to end it?

Ren: My answer’s the same. There’s no way I can live in this reality, I’ll fight to end it.

Mass Destruction: Is that really true?

Ren: Huh?

Mass Destruction: If that’s how you felt about Maruki’s reality why did you fail to end it 5 years ago?

Ren: It wasn’t that simple.

Mass Destruction: It was that simple, you just couldn’t make the choice.

Mass Destruction’s words remind me of what Makoto said in our last meeting. “I wonder if our problem’s that we really can’t deny Dr Maruki’s reality.”  Was she right? Were we so conflicted about which reality we wanted that it interfered with our infiltration? Was a reality without pain really that enticing to us…?

Ren: ...

Ren: What the hell do you know anyway?

Ren: Maruki offered a world where we could forget our pain and everyone could live happily.

Ren: Do you think you could have made a choice in that situation if you were in my place?

Mass Destruction: I already did.

Ren: What does that mean?

Mass Destruction: During my journey I was faced with the chance to forget about the coming end of the world.

Mass Destruction: We could have forgotten all our pain and lived happily, ignorant of the coming end.

Mass Destruction: But my friends and I decided that we wouldn’t forget our pain, that we wouldn’t run away from the deaths of those we loved.

Mass Destruction: We decided we would overcome it. That we would fight against our guaranteed deaths and change the fate of the world.

Mass Destruction: And we succeeded, your welcome.

Is he serious? he’s not exaggerating? He really did face a similar choice...? Mass Destruction’s journey... if it was anything like my journey there must have been really hard moments, moments you would want to forget. But He and his friends were able to face their pain, their fear, and changed their fate, just like what Lavenza praised me for doing when we faced Yaldabaoth.

Yaldabaoth... now that I think about it, he also offered me a deal, a choice. He offered to return the world back to before Mementos fused with reality and allow the Phantom Thieves to wreak havoc across society. Wasn’t that the same sort of choice that Maruki gave us, or Mass Destruction faced? I was faced with risking the fate of the world or living in willful ignorance. You could even argue that mine was a harder choice than Mass Destruction’s, since in his case the world would be destroyed regardless.

But it was so easy to refuse Yaldabaoth’s deal and gamble the world. There was no doubt in my mind that we would win.

What made it so easy back then? Why couldn’t we do the same with Maruki? Wasn’t it the same ‘deal’ that Yaldabaoth offered, believing in the future or living in ignorance?

Mass Destruction was right, I fell up short. I should have been able to at least make a choice, even if it was to accept Maruki’s reality. But I couldn’t even do that, Akechi was right, I really am a coward.

Ren: ...

Ren: Who are you, really? Why did you wake me up?

Ren: Why couldn’t you have let me sleep?! At least then I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore...

Mass Destruction: …

Mass Destruction: …I’m the one person Maruki couldn’t ‘save’.

Ren: …He couldn’t save you? Even with all his power?

Mass Destruction: You could say that we’re the only two people abandoned by reality.

Mass Destruction: You were abandoned out of Maruki’s kindness.

Mass Destruction: And you I was abandoned because of his failures.

Ren: His failures? What is it about you that he couldn’t save?

Mass Destruction: …

Mass Destruction: I’ll tell you after you decide whether you’ll live in this reality or fight it.

Mass Destruction: So? What will it be?

I stare at the screen blankly. My choice… I type up my answer, then erase it and type another answer. I go back and forth like that a few more times before giving up and throwing my phone on the bed. I lie down on the bed, causing a puff of dust to fly into the air and reminding me of how much time has passed. I grabbed my phone, lit up the lock screen, and stared at the date.

February 3rd 2022, 5 years after Maruki’s actualization changed reality. From what Mass Destruction said, my friends didn’t get put to sleep like I did. They’ve been living in this reality for the past 5 years. I wonder what kind of lives they’re living now. Are they living the lives they dreamed about? Or did Maruki find a better dream for them and changed their lives? Maybe they returned to the lives that I saw when I tried to wake them up from Maruki’s reality. Is it okay to end Maruki’s reality at this point? 1 month into the actualized reality is one thing, but would anyone want to give up 5 years of a perfect life for an uncertain future? I...

Ren: I don’t know what to do...

Ren: Is it really okay to end this reality after so long?

Ren: Would my friends accept me after making a choice like that?

Mass Destruction: Then are you going to live in this reality?

Ren: ...

That is another option. I could make a life for myself in this reality. Maybe I could even become friends with everyone in this world too. But I can’t do it, I can’t yes to that question. Something deep inside me is telling me that this reality is wrong, it’s always said that, from the very start. I wonder where that feeling is coming from. It feels similar to how I felt when Yaldabaoth offered me his deal. This feeling is the reason why I was never able to accept Maruki’s reality, all the way up to the deadline. If I could just discard this feeling... I feel like I could accept this reality. But...

Ren: I... can’t decide what I want to do.

Mass Destruction: ...

Mass Destruction: Then you should talk to your friends and find out what their lives are like in this reality.

Ren: Is that even possible? Where would I even find them?

Mass Destruction: That won’t be a problem.

Mass Destruction: You’re lucky that you woke up today.

Ren: Why?

Mass Destruction: Maruki tried his best to erase your friends’ memories of you.

Mass Destruction: And while he did succeed in erasing you from their memories, he never managed to completely remove you from their hearts.

Mass Destruction: Despite not remembering you, your friends always find themselves drawn here around the anniversary of the world’s fusion with the collective unconscious.

Ren: The anniversary... you mean the 3rd?

Mass Destruction: Yeah, starting today, for the next week, your friends will visit the café at some point.

Ren: Are you sure?

Mass Destruction: Positive, it’s happened every year for the past 4 years, I’ve even confirmed that they’re all in Tokyo right now.

Ren: If you know where they are can’t I just go to them?

Mass Destruction: Do you really think working adults have the time to talk to a stranger like you?

Mass Destruction: Or that you could enter their workplaces?

Ren: Hahaa, right... there’s no way it would work out.

Mass Destruction: We know that they’re coming here, so as long as you stay in the café, you’ll be able to meet them.

Ren: But that doesn’t solve them not talking to strangers about their lives...

Ren: And Sojiro gets upset at elderly people staying at Leblanc for hours, there’s no way he would let me hang out for hours every day.

Mass Destruction: You should get a job at the café, nobody thinks it’s strange for an employee to always be there, or to talk about their lives with them.

Ren: Right... I’ll need to ask him if I can work here again when he comes in later today.

Mass Destruction: And after he calls the cops on you for breaking and entering, I’m sure you’ll get the job.

Ren: That’s right, Ren Amamiya doesn’t exist in this world.

Ren: Although, if my friends are still drawn here because their hearts remember me, doesn’t that mean I could snap them out of this reality? Including Sojiro.

Mass Destruction: ...That’s true, you could, but I wouldn’t recommend it. While you’re not being monitored by Maruki anymore, your friends and the idea of Ren Amamiya are.

Mass Destruction: I’m using my powers to keep Maruki from realising that you’re awake, but I don’t have enough leeway to extend that protection to your friends.

Mass Destruction: So unless you’re ready to make your choice right now, you absolutely can’t wake them up.

Ren: Then how do I get a job?

Mass Destruction: You’re the one who knows the man, he’s one of your bonds isn’t he?

Ren: Right...

Hmm... what to do? I need to get a job here today, and I don’t have a home in this world. I kind of like living in this attic too, I don’t really want to find somewhere else to live. How can I get Sojiro to give me a job and take me in... Aha! That might work.

Ren: I’ve got an idea.

Mass Destruction: What is it?

Ren: It’s a bit of a dumb idea, and it relies on Sojiro being like I remember him being in the old reality, but it should work.

Mass Destruction: Lay it on me.

Chapter Text

02/03/2022 Early morning.

“Ah-Ah-AHCHOO! I-It’s s-so c-cold.” I say, shivering.

Mass Destruction: You’re right, this is a dumb idea.

Ren: Shut it.

I’m currently sitting in the corner of the ally leading to the bathhouse opposite Leblanc. I’ve been out here for a few hours now, and I’m freezing. I’m wearing the clothes I wore to fight the winter cold during February 2017, but now they’re full of holes.

Ren: I can’t believe these clothes are so riddled with holes.

Mass Destruction: They have spent 5 years sitting in that attic, it would be more strange if they weren’t eaten up by moths and rats.

Ren: ...I guess.

Ren: Speaking of strange, if my clothes are like this why am I okay? I was comatose for the entire time, shouldn’t I be unable to move or talk because of muscle atrophy?

Ren: Apart from a slightly scratchy voice I’m perfectly fine.

Mass Destruction: Maruki wanted you to spend the rest of your life asleep in that attic, so he would come by every day and use his powers to provide you with nourishment so you would starve or die of dehydration.

Mass Destruction: He also maintained your body’s strength so it wouldn’t get too weak and have a heart attack or something.

Ren: If Maruki’s been doing that every day won’t he notice I’ve woken up?

Mass Destruction: No.

Mass Destruction: After 2 years Maruki’s time started to get taken up with granting the wishes of the world, he just didn’t have time to keep restoring you every day.

Mass Destruction: So Maruki used the knowledge gained from his higher mastery of his powers to freeze your body in time so he wouldn’t need to pay attention to you anymore.

Ren: I can’t believe he put me into eternal sleep just to leave me alone like that. It just doesn’t feel like something he would do...

Mass Destruction: Well you’re going to need to accept it if you want to live in this world.

Ren: Right...

Ren: if I’ve been frozen in time, does that mean that I haven’t aged?

Mass Destruction: That’s right, you’ve only aged 2 or so years so you don’t look that different, are you disappointed?

Ren: I’m disappointed in Maruki more so than how old I am or what I look like.

Mass Destruction: On the bright side your friends wouldn’t expect you to be so young, so it should help with your disguise.

Ren: Right, my disguise...

A gust blows down the street and I tried to curl up more to stay warm.

Ren: Why couldn’t Maruki’s actualization take effect in summer, I’m going to get frostbite.

Mass Destruction: Well maybe some frostbite will make the owner have some more sympathy for you.

Ren: Not funny.

Mass Destruction: Not trying to be.

Mass Destruction: What is your plan here again? That’s the reason your out here after all.

Ren: The plan is to wait for Sojiro to arrive and start setting up for the day.

Ren: I’ll try to ask for a job and if I’m lucky a place to stay too.

Mass Destruction: Will he really take in someone who looks homeless?

Ren: I don’t look homeless!

Mass Destruction: Keep telling yourself that.

Ren: ...Well he took me in when I was on probation. How different is a homeless person compared to a criminal?

Ren: Anyway, if he agrees I’m set for meeting my friends over the week.

Ren: And if not... I’ll have to come up with a new plan, maybe revisit the idea of meeting my friends at their jobs.

Mass Destruction: Hopefully he’ll be kind enough to do so.

Ren: Right, I can only hope that Sojiro is still the same as he was in the previous reality.

Mass Destruction: Just remember, nobody can find out who you are, you need to use a different name.

Ren: I know, I’ve already got one in mind.

Mass Destruction: And remove those glasses, you need to disguise your face at least a little.

Ren: But the glasses are the disguise...

Mass Destruction: Not in Tokyo they are. All your friends know you with those glasses, they’ll remember you if you wear them so take them off already.

Ren: ...So the disguise has become my true face and my true face the disguise.

I take off my fake glasses and put them into the pocket with the least amount of holes in it.

Ren: I still think I should have left my phone in the attic though. Will Sojiro really believe I need help if I have a working phone on me?

Mass Destruction: Maruki’s practically removed the idea of pain and difficulty from his reality. As long as you look vaguely in trouble and say you are everyone will believe you.

Ren: If you say so...

Mass Destruction: What kind of person is the owner though? Will your plan really work?

Ren: I guess I can tell you.

Ren: His name is Sojiro Sakura. He is the owner of café Leblanc and its specialty, his special curry scientifically designed to pair with his coffee.

Mass Destruction: You don’t normally think about mixing curry with Coffee, it’s a strange combination.

Ren: Maybe, but it’s the best flavour combination in the world, nothing can beat Leblanc curry and coffee.

Mass Destruction: I see, wish I could have tried it.

Ren: Could have? You not in Tokyo?

Mass Destruction: Far from Tokyo I’m afraid.

Ren: Yet you were still able to wake me up and see what I’m doing now.

Mass Destruction: With magic.

Ren: Right...

Mass Destruction: What arcana is he?

Ren: Huh?

Mass Destruction: He’s one of your bonds right, what arcana is he?

Ren: Oh, so you know about that stuff too.

Mass Destruction: All wild cards form bonds with people.

Mass Destruction: They’re what give us the strength to continue and eventually finish our journey.

Ren: Lavenza said something similar.

Ren: Sojiro is my Hierophant.

Mass Destruction: What is he like?

Ren: He was a little cold at first. But after we got to know each other it turned out he was a big softy, he’s practically family to me now.

I smile as I think about the Sojiro. When I first met him, he was cold and shut me out of his life. He even threatened to throw me out the moment I caused any trouble. But after I spent some time working with him, he warmed up to me. And when Futaba came into the picture we grew so close we became a family, the three of us together. By the time I created a ‘blood oath’ with him he was my father, someone who taught me important lessons and would stand by me no matter what, but wouldn’t hesitate to call me out if I needed it. ‘Family runs deeper than blood’, our small family moto. It saved me when my supposed family abandoned me, and I know it saved Futaba too. I’m not sure if Sojiro feels the same as me and Futaba, but when I called him ‘Sojiro’ instead of ‘Boss’ for the first time he just smiled and gave me a hug. I even caught his sniffle and wipe his eyes when he thought I wasn’t looking. I truly feel like I would hate the idea of family without Sojiro, he taught me what a family really was when I needed it most.

Mass Destruction: Family huh.

Ren: Is that a problem?

Mass Destruction: No, I was just thinking about how I agree with you.

Ren: What do you mean?

Mass Destruction: My Hierophant was an old married couple.

Ren: Couple? As in Plural?

Mass Destruction: ...Yes? I became an orphan when I was young and didn’t have any family by the time I entered Gekkoukan High.

Ren: Oh... I’m sorry for your loss.

Mass Destruction: Whatever.

Mass Destruction: Anyway, I met an elderly couple and formed a bond with them.

Mass Destruction: Some people may have looked at us and thought that they were just being kind to their customer, but I knew it wasn’t like that.

Mass Destruction: Their kindness was something I never really had in my life growing up, it was really meaningful to me.

Mass Destruction: We didn’t know each other for very long, but near the end they really felt like grandparents to me.

Ren: Sounds like they are nice people.

Mass Destruction: They were. I wish I could see them again.

Ren: Oh, are they...

Mass Destruction: It’s okay, we left no regrets.

“Ah-Ah-Ahchoo!” I sniffle. “Damn it’s cold.”

“You okay, kid?” A deep voice asks me.

I look up and see Sojiro standing at the café door, looking straight at me.

“A-A little c-cold.” I say.

“Hmm...” Sojiro gives me an appraising look. “Get in here kid, I’ll give you some coffee to warm up.”

I stare at him a little shocked, I didn’t expect Sojiro to reach out to me first.

“Thank you, sir.” I jump to my feet, pocketing my phone, and run into the café.

\//\\//\\//\

“Here you go.” Sojiro says as he puts a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Thank you sir.” I pick up the cup and take a sip. “Mmm, it’s good.”

I feel all the tension in my body disappear as the coffee’s warmth flows through me. Its flavour hasn’t changed. I feel a smile stretching across my face when I realise that and chuckle a little.

Sojiro brings a hand to his chin. “Is it really something to get so giddy over?”

“Of course it is! This is the best coffee I’ve ever had.”

“Heh, well thanks kid.”

I’m not joking about what I said either, this is great coffee. I thought so when I arrived in Tokyo and still think so after a year of drinking it. Even in Maruki’s world it hasn’t changed, I guess he couldn’t beat perfection.

...It’s honestly reassuring that this hasn’t changed.

“Jeez kid, are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“You look like you’ve gone through hell.”

I look down at myself. “Heheh, I guess I do look like shit.”

Sojiro sighs. “I don’t mean your clothes, well not just them, I mean your face too.”

“My face?”

“You have a face none of my customers have had in years. The face of someone defeated.”

“I...”

Well, what can I say when he calls me out to my face. Defeated... he’s not wrong, I lost.

I lost and I'm licking my wounds. Lavenza made it very clear that the fusion of Mementos and reality was permanent. Now that the deadline has passed Maruki has become an all-powerful god beyond even Yaldabaoth. Even persona users are unable to resist his actualization now. I was affected by his actualization, and the moment Maruki finds me awake, he’ll likely put me straight back to sleep.

Mass Destruction seems to think it’s possible to fight against him if his questions are anything to go by. But does he actually understand what’s happening? Even if he’s right, can I trust him? He is a wild card but that doesn’t automatically make him trustworthy, Akechi is likely a wild card too after all.

My best bet to stay awake may be to convince Maruki I’ve accepted his reality, but can I do that? Can I live in this world? Maybe I can, if Sojiro’s coffee is still the same then maybe this world hasn’t changed as much as we feared it would...

Sojiro shrugs “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to kid.”

“No I-, I don’t mind.”

What can I say though? Not the truth at least, he’ll think I’m crazy. I don’t think that’ll help my job prospects very much. Maybe I can twist it into something that sounds sane? HA! Yeah right! Time to lie through my teeth.

I slouch over the counter, bring my hand to my face, and lean on it.

I let out a long sigh. “I... lost my job.”

Sojiro looks shocked.

I make a frustrated expression. “Once I lost my source of income my university warned me that they’ll kick me out if I didn’t find another source.” I growl. “I failed, and true to their word they kicked me out. That was last year.”

“Why didn’t you ask your family for help?” Sojiro asks while stroking his goatee.

“I-,” I hesitate for a moment at the question before I bring my hands into my lap and look down at them sadly. “I’m an orphan.”

Sojiro gasps. “An orphan? Losing a job is one thing, but you almost never hear about Orphans these days.”

I file that information away for later before letting out a pathetic chuckle. “Hahaha, you’re right. Because of how few of us there are orphanages get so little funding that mine wouldn’t help me when I asked for help.”

Sojiro lets out a frustrated groan. “Of course not, those funds are for kids. You’re a grown adult, you should have been able to take care of yourself.”

I genuinely wince at his words. “You’re right... After I got kicked out of university I kept trying to get a new job. But as I continued to get rejected, I had to start selling what I owned to make ends meet. Eventually I ran out of things I could sell and had to give up the place I was renting. That was a year ago.”

“So you became homeless and lost your place in society.” Sojiro finished for me.

“Yup, all I have left are these worn clothes and this cell phone,” I pull out my phone and show it to Sojiro. “Since no one would hire me if I didn’t even have a phone.”

“Just when I thought things were getting better... should’ve figured that we were just waiting for the scales to tip.” Sojiro grumbles to himself. “So, I guess that means you don’t have money for that coffee, or this plate of curry I’m about to give you.”

Sojiro lifts up the plate and my stomach rumbles.

I blush and swallow. “T-That’s right...”

I stare more at the plate of curry than at Sojiro, not letting it leave my sight as he moves it around.

Sojiro sighs and places the plate in front of me. “Take it, I’m not gonna starve a hungry kid in my own café.”

“Thanks sir!” I smile brightly before digging into the curry. “I pro’ise I’ll ‘ay ‘ou ba’ ‘a’er.”

“Don’t eat with your mouth full. And don’t call me sir, everybody just calls me boss.” Sojiro sounds strict but I see the slight smirk on his face.

I swallow my current mouthful. “Sorry boss, I promise I’ll pay you back later.”

“Don’t bother, I can spare the loss of one customer’s money.”

I shake my head “Nope, I’m paying you back. I won’t accept charity, I not giving up yet.”

Sojiro smiles with his eyes closed for a moment, then looks at me sternly. “Your morals are worthless if they get you killed, you know.”

I point my spoon at him. “I’m not dead yet! I won’t let my morals kill me, but I’ll follow my justice until I reach my limit.”

“Hmm,” Sojiro studies me for a moment. “Watch the café for me for a couple minutes.”

Sojiro walks around the counter and to the door. “And don’t mess with anything.”

With that he steps outside and I go back to eating my curry as I wait. I finish the plate and consider sneaking a second plate, I could probably get away with it if I tried, but I decide not to go against Sojiro’s trust. While I’m wondering how to pass the time my phone buzzes.

Mass Destruction: Well, that went well.

Ren: Yeah...

Mass Destruction: Feeling bad for lying?

Ren: ...A little.

Mass Destruction: You shouldn’t be, if you told the truth Maruki would already be here.

Mass Destruction: That curry would have been your last meal.

Ren: Well that’s dark.

Mass Destruction: And true.

Mass Destruction: Anyway if you think about it you didn’t lie that badly.

Ren: What do you mean?

Mass Destruction: You did lose your job (Phantom Thief), you did get kicked out of society (Maruki’s reality), and technically you were erased from reality so that does mean you have no parents, making you an orphan (Way to steal my backstory by the way).

Ren: How comforting (Eff you). And I was basically an orphan when I first came to Tokyo.

After a few minutes of chatting with Mass Destruction the bell at the door rang and Sojiro walks in carrying a bundle of cloth in his arms.

“Here take these clothes and go take a bath, the bathhouse is just down the alley opposite the café.”

I stare at him dumbfounded.

“What are you looking at me like that for? Get in the bath, you’re filthy.”

“Umm, okay then...”

I get up and take the clothes from Sojiro and walk out the door.

“Oh yeah, catch” Sojiro tosses something at me.

I catch it easily and look at it, it’s a 500 yen coin.

“Use that to pay for the bath.” Sojiro says.

“But I ca-” Sojiro closes the door before I could say anything more.

I sigh, alright then, let’s take a bath.

\//\\//\\//\

I spend a long time soaking in the bath, letting it work out the stiffness of my body I’ve ignored up until now. 5 years of sleep sure makes you as stiff as a board, or is it technically only 2 years?

After maybe half an hour I get out and get dressed in the clothes Sojiro gave me, a short sleaved pink button up and blue jeans. After getting dressed I return to Leblanc, the bell ringing when I open the door.

“Ah, you’re back,” Sojiro points to an apron laying on the counter. “Put that on.”

“Umm, okay.” I put it on. “Why am I doing all this? A bath, new clothes, and now an apron?”

“I won’t have a scruffy, dirty kid around my customers. Now get over here and clean some dishes.”

“Uh, right!” I run over to the sink with a big smile on my face.

“Oh right, we haven’t introduced ourselves to each other yet.” Sojiro rubs the back of his neck as he turns to me. “I’m Sojiro Sakura, but as I said before, just call me boss.”

I take a breath, okay, here we go. Mass Destruction said I can’t tell anyone who I really am, and I’ve already started constructing a new identity. This is where everything begins for my life in Maruki’s world.

“I’m Akira Kurusu, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too kid, now get to work. Prove to me you can work and there may be a job for you here.”

“Right!”

I start scrubbing dishes and helping Sojiro get ready for when we open.