They returned to reality in silence.
Ren really hated that they noticed.
They had only spent a few minutes in the Palace, so the day was still long. The sun was shining.
Ren looked down the road, then back at the shack.
Rubbing his neck, he said, "I promised I'd tell you guys, so let's head to Leblanc."
"Are you sure, Ren?" Shiho asked.
"Yeah... I trust you guys," he said quietly.
The team couldn't help but smile.
Ryuji ran up and patted him on the shoulder. "Let's go, dude. I'll cover the snacks!"
The loft that was Ren's current room was quiet. He knew that he had to tell them this stuff eventually.
He looked at the unfinished room and up at the rafters where he did his exercises, and steeled himself.
"So, I was not treated so well by my parents," he muttered.
The team listened, their faces showing support and encouragement. No judgment or disbelief.
"I mean, maybe it wasn't so bad, but it was hard for me. They made me do a lot of chores all the time and, uh..."
"Ren, it's okay," Ann said gently. "We can wait if you aren't ready."
"No." Ren took a breath and shook his head. "It wasn't like they beat me or anything. I was only ever punished when I did something stupid..."
Orihime reached out and held his hand.
"That's enough for now," Shiho said softly and came over to give him a hug.
The others followed after.
He was quiet.
He was expecting questions.
Maybe disbelief and doubt.
Was it not that bad?
Wasn't it normal?
---
Ren woke up feeling much more rested than usual. He felt refreshed, despite immediately being embarrassed by remembering yesterday.
'Not a good look for a leader,' he thought.
Before he could continue, Berith's voice rang out in his head.
'Sounds like the Hierophant is here already.'
'Yeah, I woke up a bit late today. Let's go see him.'
Ren came down the stairs, his steps noticeably lighter. Sojiro glanced at him and said, "The bags around your eyes look better now. I'm glad you're getting decent rest."
He paused and then said, "I'm sorry for the lack of an actual bed."
Ren just smiled. He appreciated this man greatly. He was almost like a fathe—
Shaking his head, Ren explained, "I was actually going to ask if you mind if I bought one and built it up there."
Sojiro looked at him with a raised brow. Where was he going to get the money for this? Run himself ragged again?
"Kid, that's totally fine. Tell me if you need some work, and I'll pay you for your time."
Ren felt the bond between him and his mentor grow.
---
"Kid, why in the flying fuck would I have something like that?"
Ren had entered Untouchable when it was empty and directly dropped the bag that Iwai gave him onto the counter. Iwai gave a laugh and called him to the back room.
Ren gave a shrug. "I don't know, man. Why in the flying fuck did you buy an Olympic medal from a random teenager?"
"I hate your lip, even though I respect it, you little fucker."