Dawn's light shone through the window into the loft of Leblanc. Another quiet spring morning in Yongen-Jaya. Ren awoke to the scent of fresh coffee and curry spices drifting from the lower floor.
Below, Sojiro busied himself with his usual routine. He did have to fill the kid in on something that he was unhappy to find out about. But he was going to wait until later to do so. For now, he planned to assure the kid that his own behavior last night was not caused by something Ren did.
'Sheesh, those parents are really something.' Sojiro thought with a grimace, as he once again considered the words that Yu had told him a few days prior.
A few moments later, the sound of a few meows rang out, along with the kid responding to the cat like he understood it, before creaking came from the staircase.
"Morning Ren." Sojiro called out, and when Morgana meowed out in protest, "You too Morgana."
"Good morning Sojiro." Ren said politely. "How are you doing this morning?"
"No need to worry, kid. You didn't do anything wrong. I'll tell you about that phone call when you come back today, okay?"
"Uhhh... Yes, si-"
Sojiro glanced at him lazily.
"Okay boss."
Sojiro smiled.
---
School passed without incident.
BZZZT.
Ren glanced at his phone and saw he had received a text message from Tae Takemi. She was asking him to come in for a checkup. Ren felt a tug on his mind in the direction of Yongen-Jaya. It was weird, but he felt like he had to go see her today or their bond may break.
Quickly texting his friends to let them know what he was up to, Ren headed to Dr. Takemi's clinic. On the way out of the school, Morgana decided to go check on Shiho and Ann, and 'collect information on Kamoshida'. Whatever Morgana was up to, Ren wasn't too concerned. Morgana is smart and tough. Regardless, he wished him well and asked him to meet him at Leblanc around sundown.
---
Ren entered the clinic. It was as empty as it was before. Dr. Takemi was once again sitting at the counter as the sole employee.
"Hello Doctor."
"Ah, guinea pig. I thought you had gotten cold feet." She replied.
"Got a little busy with school and friends. I'm sorry about that." Ren apologized as they entered the examination room.
"Well, it's okay I guess. But today's checkup is going to be very. Very. Thorough." Takemi said with a grin as she pulled out her gloves. "You aren't allergic to latex, are you?"
---
Ren dragged himself into Leblanc with a blank expression on his face.
"Geez kid, what happened to you?" Sojiro asked in shock as he flipped the sign on Leblanc's entrance to closed and helped Ren to a booth.
"Doctor… She…"
"LEMME INNNNN!" Morgana yelled from outside the cafe as he pawed at the doorframe.
"Sheesh."
---
Sojiro had Ren put his school supplies away while he prepared coffee. The distinct aroma of fresh ground coffee beans filled the room as the electric grinder whirrled.
"So, first of all, I want to say that I'm sorry." Sojiro began. When he looked up and saw Ren's pale face, he began to panic.
"Wait, that came out wrong! Damn. Uh."
RING RING BEEP BEEEEP.
"SORRYATTICCRIMEBOYSOJIRODIDNTMEANTHATITSMYFAULTPLEASELISTENTOHIM"
BEEEEEEEEP.
The girl who was screaming nonsense into the phone had hung up, leaving Ren, Sojiro, and Morgana speechless.
"Okay. Well. That was my daughter. I was trying to apologize for two different things." Sojiro raised two fingers.
"One. That was my daughter. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about her. She… has her own issues." Sojiro said darkly.
"Two. I wanted to apologize for the fact that my daughter put microphones all over the cafe to spy on you. She was...worried."
"...I knew about that though?" Ren said in confusion. "Not about your daughter, but about the bugs. I'm a felon on probation. If it makes her feel better, I don't think it's an issue."
Sojiro was shocked.
"Ren, that isn't normal." Morgana whispered.
"Ahem. Well, I asked her to tell me where they are and I have removed them. But she may have left some around. If you find any, just break it and let me know…"
"I think I may find a few, judging from the call…" Ren mentioned to Sojiro.
"…"
"Hahahaha!" the two began to laugh. She blew herself into the boss!
Ren felt a shift in his chest, a weight falling off.
Time slowed to a pause, and a gentle voice began once more.
"I am thou, Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond. It shall be the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of The Hierophant Persona, thou hast obtained the blessing that leads to freedom and new power."
The usual rumble and shaking of chains rang out. But he didn't dwell on it.
---
The following day.
Ren walked towards Shujin, thinking that he truly understood the pain of city dwellers. During the 20-minute train ride, he was closer to another person than he ever wanted to be in his life. Still shaken by the experience, he didn't notice Morgana was trying to pull his claws out of the bottom of his bag.
"Ren!"
Looking up, he saw beautiful Ann and graceful Shiho approaching him with a smile.
'Careful there Trickster!' Pixie's voice rang out with a giggle.
"Hey guys." Ren decided to ignore his thoughts. That tended to solve most problems.
"How are you doing, Ren?" Shiho asked.
"Hm?" Ren hummed. "I'm fine."
"Glad those rumors aren't getting to you." Ann exhaled.
"Well, it's getting difficult to take seriously at this point." Ren pointed out.
"I guess Scathach was right… he is fine." Shiho muttered to herself.
'The Trickster won't let this bother him.' Scathach hesitated. 'But everyone has their weaknesses.'
'Huh?'
"Shiho?" Ann's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh sorry." Shiho apologized.
"Ah, it's fine. I get caught up talking to Carmen pretty easily. She's fun!" Ann said with a smile. "We were just talking about what the plan for… that place is."
Glancing left and right, Ann noted that no one was around them.
"Guess my glowing reputation has its perks?" Ren asked jokingly.
"Anyways, I have to work today. I can't go with you guys." Ann said vaguely.
"Guess we should take a day off. If you see Ryuji before I do, let him know." Ren nodded. A break would do them good.
"Oh Ren. Do you have time after school today? I'd like to borrow you for a while." Shiho suddenly asked.
---