... Join Rin as she dedicates time to her boyfriend, alternatively Ryuji or Yusuke, helping him break free from his "ideal" reality, then unlock his last tier Persona.

******************************************

RYUJI

I don't really know where else to look for more of my teammates so I head over to Shujin. It's worth a shot... somebody's bound to be there.

I didn't expect it to be him though.

"Whoa, whoa—you mean you got scouted by that college!?" A voice that I've heard before, but can't place immediately, cries. But that's not what's caught my attention. There, with two other boys in Shujin gym uniforms, stands Ryuji.

"Pipe down, stupid!" he calls and my heart contorts. I don't know if I'm ready for this yet. I've barely gotten myself to do this to Morgana and Ann earlier, how am I supposed to—

"It's not for sure or nothin' yet, anyway. I'm just sayin' the school's gotten word of something like that."

"Still," one of the boys replies—I'm starting to believe they're on the track team. "That rules! You even made it onto the podium at nationals too!"

Of course, that's it. His reality. I swallow and take the scene in. Ryuji's back on the track team—and he seems to be very successful. Happy? I swallow again.

"I was worried about what would happen after you screwed up your knee," says the other boy, "but I'm glad you were able to bounce back."

So, Kamoshida's abuse still occurred... even here. Does that mean the Phantom Thieves are also—?

"Aw," Ryuji snickers, "you're still jumping the gun with this. I'm just trying my best so I don't get laughed off the team by you guys."

I can't help but smile. That's what he always does... that jokester façade helped him cope with a lot of pain in the past, but now... Maybe here, it's not so much a façade as it is a habit, at this point.

I press against the stone plant beddings that line the front of the school. Ryuji is laughing happily with the other members of the track team... It seems this reality is the one that he wished for... I can't help feeling a tiny selfish sting, realizing that his reality does not seem to be including me.

Moments later, I shake my head. I'm jumping to conclusions. He's not even seen me yet, and here I am, cowering behind a plant pot, trying to slow my hammering heart that is aching at the prospect of having to cause him pain.

I hate that I have to do this, but...

I stand. Very abruptly, so that my elbow bumps into the stone. I barely suppress a pained cry and grit my teeth, then straighten my skirt and shove my glasses up. Then, trying desperately to feign confidence I don't currently possess, I walk up to the three of them.

"Rin?" Ryuji tilts his head but smiles, nonetheless. "What're you doin' here? It's still winter break."

"That's your girlfriend, dude," says one of the boys with a scoff. "Whaddya think she's here for?" The two track team members laugh and Ryuji chuckles awkwardly.

"Maybe she stopped by to congratulate you in person," the other says in a somewhat suggestive tone and I can see that Ryuji's ears are burning.

"Stop it, you guys," he mutters, but it only makes the others laugh harder. Ryuji shakes his head and I swear he even rolls his eyes. Then he takes a few steps in my direction and gives me one of his uber-enthusiastic hugs that almost always end up lifting me off the ground.

"Sheesh, I missed you too, okay, but you didn't have to come here! I would've swung by Leblanc anyway, later," he says in a low voice and I smile into his shirt, then wrap my arms around him too. As tightly as I can.

Everything about him feels, and... is so familiar it's driving tears into my eyes. Because—even though my senses tell me he is who he always is—my brain is screaming that he isn't... and I can't afford to not listen to it now.

"Man, someone sure is popular," one of his track buddies says with obvious jealousy. "Is there any chance you'd want to go eat something with us after practice or are you all booked up for today?"

Ryuji puts me back on my feet but keeps an arm around my shoulders, turning to his friends. His gaze flickers from them to me and I smile.

"It's your choice."

> "I don't mind if you go with them."

"Oh, yeah," says Ryuji, and I can't help but think he sounds a bit disappointed. "I guess we could spend time together later."

I hate that I have to decline him but it wouldn't feel right to go out while he's still... caught in this reality. Even though logic tells me that Ryuji's still Ryuji, no matter the circumstances, something about it just feels... wrong. A nagging voice in my head whispers he could end up choosing to stay here. That, if I'm going by that rule, there's a chance I'll never go out with him again.

I do my best to ignore it and lean my head on his shoulder out of habit, then stuff my hands into my pockets.

"I'll go with you guys then," announces Ryuji with a grin, "how about an extra-large beef bowl and some pork miso soup? Hey," he raises a finger and pokes my cheek, "why don't you just come with us? Let them third-wheel for a bit, I sure don't mind."

Despite the knot in my stomach, I can't help but smile. Ryuji's track buddies snicker in the back, but I focus solely on how to choose my next words.

"Are you happy you can run now?"

> "How are you enjoying the return to track?"

"Uh, yeah it's fun," his grip on my shoulder tightens and I spot a frown. "But whaddya mean? It's just what I like doin', y'know? I get all down when I'm not runnin'."

I swallow, taking in his carefree grin.

> "Do you like this reality?"

"So your leg's fine now?"

Ryuji tilts his head. "D-Do I like it? Haha," he leans away from me to give me an odd look. "What're you talkin' about?" Then, finally, he lets go of me. "Well... I guess I did do a helluva lot of growin' last year. If it weren't for all that, I'd be a totally different person now." He suddenly freezes, then blinks, as though surprised by his own words. "Wait, wha...?"

I grit my teeth harder. It's working—just like with the others, but—

"... Ain't something wrong here?" Ryuji inspects his track buddies, then gives me a long look. "You and I are... Wait, how do we know each other, anyhow? First, we met in front of the station by the school, then... You're my...!"

All of this, I bite my lip and fail to keep holding his intense gaze. It's only confirming that it's wrong to act as though nothing happened. As though we're still who we used to be, as though he isn't...

> "Keep thinking, please..."

"I'll be waiting for you."

"Uh... sure," Ryuji says after a moment of hesitation. Then suddenly, his hands fly up to his head and he releases a pained groan. "Woah! The hell was that...?"

"You okay, Sakamoto?" one of his buddies asks.

The other places a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, what happened to you guys at the station? You finally gonna spill how you got together? I mean, I keep sayin' something's gotta have glitched in the universe for you to get yourself a girl before either of us do," he laughs.

"If I hadn't seen you together, I wouldn't believe you," the other says.

"I didn't believe it until I saw it," his friend admits and they chuckle.

"Uhh, it's nothin'!" responds Ryuji... a bit too quickly.

One of his friends comradely punches his shoulder. "What's with that secrecy anyway, man? Is the story embarrassing or something?"

"Uhh... no but..." Ryuji takes a step back, "I gotta get back to practice!" he finally announces. He's not meeting any of our gazes and my heart contorts at the sight of him, this confused. "See ya!" he calls in our direction, then he storms off on his own. His buddies exchange a look, then they run after him, leaving me alone by the school gate.

I stare after them, unable to contain the overflowing guilt. I know I'm doing the right thing but... everything about this feels wrong. I guess I have no choice but to pick the lesser of two evils.

... It seems all I can do now is wait. I guess I should head home...

***

At least my efforts have paid off, I think and smile as I walk up to the apartment complex where Ryuji lives. Our team is back together—all ten of us, at last—and it's time to prove that we don't need Maruki's tampering to find our happiness.

But first... it's time to meet Ryuji, just like he asked me to, earlier at school.

I've only been to his apartment once, and it was before we started dating. I can't say I'm not the least bit excited. He laughs awkwardly when he opens the door to let me in, mumbling something about the place being a mess. I want to tell him I don't mind—I'm not that much better myself—but Ryuji walks straight through to his room, waving at me to follow.

I do, and when I slip through the door to his room, he's already pacing back and forth, almost anxiously. I want to walk up and place a hand on his shoulder or hug him, but something in the look he throws me tells me it wouldn't be the right thing to do now. So, instead, I sit on his bed and wait... for him to say whatever he needs to get off his chest.

"So, uh... Man, how do I say this..." he runs a hand through his hair and I smile.

"Just say it."

"You haven't invited me here since we started dating..."

> "We've been dating for a while. No need to be shy."

"Oh, it's not like that," he shakes his head but his ears turn crimson. "I mean, I guess it's not that weird invitin' ya to my room out of the blue, since you're my girlfriend and all, but it's nothing like that..."

I tilt my head and look at him, over the top of my glasses. In the back of my head, I know this is probably serious, but I can't not tease him in moments like these.

> "Well, now I'm disappointed."

"Really...?"

"W-What—?!" Ryuji jumps around. His whole face is red now. "N-No, I mean, I didn't mean it couldn't be—I mean—if you—I just didn't—!"

I do my best to suppress laughter. Then I gently pat the space on the bed, next to me.

"We can discuss this bit later, but please say what you need to."

> "Let's talk about what you wanted to say first."

"R-Right," he clears his throat. "I-I can't sit right now though." He begins pacing again. "I just wanted to talk about something. I didn't really think about what it would imply if I invited you over now that we're..." Ryuji clears his throat. "What I mean is..." He interrupts himself again, then, to my surprise, he clasps his hands together and bows. "Look, I... I'm sorry! I know I gotta apologize to you!"

I stare at him in shock. There's not a single thing I can think of that he'd need to apologize to me for. I wonder if it'd just be easier to play along though.

> "I forgive you."

"About what?"

Ryuji's head perks up. "Geez, that fast!? You don't even know what it's about yet!"

Oh, so he does know I'm clueless. I give him a cautious smile, hoping he'll take the incentive to explain. At least he stands up properly again.

"Just listen, okay? I want this apology to mean something, dammit." He shakes his head. "It's like, you know how things have been for me? From the new year to a little while ago? How Dr. Maruki gave me a dream life, and I just kinda... went with it? We basically spent last year together, and we even—" He pauses, searching for the right words. "I fell in love with you, goddamnit!" He finally blurts out.

My mouth opens slightly. I confess I hadn't expected him to say it this nonchalantly, and I feel my face heat up.

"And you supported me through a bunch of personal shit, too," he adds and I think I'm piecing together what is bothering him. Still, the fact that he feels it necessary to apologize for...

"I even told you I'd help whenever you needed it, and now, well... Even I know I really let you down."

I swallow. I mean... what he's saying is not technically wrong, but also... it's not like he abandoned me on purpose. And in the end, he had the strength to break free. Isn't that all that counts?

"Don't worry about it."

> "You didn't let me down."

"But you did help me."

"But I did!" he insists. "... Been thinking about it a while, but never seemed like a good time to talk about it. I mean, sure, I could fight with the rest of the team like nothin's wrong... But when I think about what I did to you... I just feel like shit."

Ryuji sighs. "If I just ignored it and moved on, I'd be betraying everything we built up. Either way," he suddenly raises his hands and places them behind his head. "I can't just let this go. Gotta settle things somehow. So watch this!"

I stare at Ryuji who begins doing squats with a kind of determination that could almost be intimidating if it weren't so funny. Somewhere, in the back of my head, I know exactly how he feels, but I also know that he's exaggerating things in his head greatly, and he's overthinking—which is worrying in itself.

"Not... gonna stop... till you say I can," he squeezes out between squats, "can't... forgive myself... unless I do this!"

For a second I wonder for how long he'd actually keep going if I just say nothing.

"Can't believe... how lame I was... shitty thing... to do..."

That's when I have enough.

> "That's the Ryuji I know, but... please stop."

"You can stop."

"This is a little too much..."

"Huh?" He freezes in the middle of a squat. "The hell's that supposed to mean...?" He finishes the one, then hangs his arms. "Ugh—I can't think and flex at the same time! Should've figured this'd be pointless. I tried to think of somethin' good, but even I know I'm dumb."

I can't help it, I snort very hard.

"Hey!" he cries and I can feel tears rising in my eyes from suppressed laughter.

"So, I..." Ryuji clears his throat again, "I really wanted to keep going with the track team. Hoped I could keep it going, maybe get a scholarship and be a star athlete in college. Make life easier for my mom."

I find it easy to stop laughing then. Of course, he'd be thinking of others first.

"And yeah, the doc's big dream world would've made that happen. But still... I dunno. When I think about it, I realize maybe it isn't that hard a decision." He kicks the air without looking at me. "I went through all that bad shit, got wrapped up in hating Kamoshida, turned into some delinquent... almost got the both of us expelled, started hangin' out with Ann and Mishima more... and even had my big conversation with Nakaoka and Takeishi, even if they beat the crap out of me. Heh..." He chuckles and I smile along with him. "And of course, I met you. And we... well," he scratches his head and turns, embarrassed. "Well... what I said earlier. Just... really like you 'n stuff..."

I feel warmth in my chest at how genuinely sweet he's being. Instead of a reply, I pat the bed next to me again. This time, Ryuji only hesitates for a moment, then he sits down. I wrap an arm around his waist and lean on his shoulder.

"Geez... how am I supposed to focus on this speech thing I'm trying to give, like this," he grumbles but holds me close. "Y... Y'know, that's all part of my life. It was a real shitshow sometimes, but I came out of everything stronger. I'm here 'cause I beat my problems. I can't just pretend they never happened. Wouldn't be right."

I hold him a bit tighter.

"I know what you mean."

> "You've really matured."

"That's why you woke up."

"Heh, maybe." He ruffles my hair. "And that's why I'll stick with the reality I fought for. The one where we went through all our shit together. The one where we... where I got you to be my girlfriend... somehow. That's where I belong."

I tighten my grip and close my eyes, smiling into his shirt. He's always had it in him. I knew he did. And I'm so happy he's finally found it for himself.

Ryuji grows warmer, and, even more so than before, he's emitting a strong sense of security... and a spark that wasn't there before. But whatever it is, it's contagious.

"Haha... What the hell, man? Didn't know I still had this much power in me. Not bad!"

~

Ryuji's Persona Seiten Taisei has transformed into William!

"Man, I feel way better now that I finally spilled my guts! Maybe tonight I'll finally get some sleep."

I poke him in the side.

"Is that what you need?"

> "Or maybe you won't."

It takes him a full five seconds to understand the implication and If I were to dissect the sound he then makes, it'd probably be 60% panic and 40% excitement.

"Y-You—stop saying stuff like that, man! You speak so little I sometimes forget how brazen you can actually be..."

I give him my most insinuating smile and find his face burning. "Dude, my mom's gonna be home soon," he whispers as though she's already eavesdropping by the door and I laugh. "I mean... I guess I did just drag you over here to listen to me whine, so... if you wanna stay a while, you can. We could watch a movie or somethin'..." he offers after a moment of hesitation and I poke his side again. Then, when he looks at me confused, I nod.

"Look, and..." Ryuji grows serious again and shakes his head, "I know sometimes I'm a real pain in the ass but... From now on, I'm gonna run with everything I've got. So, all you gotta do is count on me, Rin!"

I nod and close my eyes when he pats my head. "I can order somethin' for dinner if you like," he jumps up and I sigh. He can hardly ever sit still and just cuddle for a while, but... also, I've never been bored for one second in his presence.

"I want sushi."

"What do you want?"

> "But come back to me afterward."

"Well, duh!" he grins. "Whaddid you think I'd do, run off with the food?" Ryuji shakes his head, then darts out of the room.

I sigh. Well, who knows, maybe I can make him understand what I meant later. For now... I decide to focus on the prospect of food. Everything else comes—or doesn't come—later. I really do hope it does.

******************************************

YUSUKE

I don't know if it's because I know him so well or just because everything else would make little sense, but... I know that Yusuke will be at the art gallery.

What I don't know is whether I'm ready to face him.

It ends up taking me several days to work up enough courage—several other teammates I can search out and... wake up, or whatever I'm doing, first. It feels wrong and right at the same time and I know I'm procrastinating on Yusuke, technically, but also...

Maybe it's because I know what his reality will be before I witness it. In the back of my head, I do.

And... there he is. I swallow, suddenly frozen solid by the entrance to one of the art gallery's large hallways. Standing perfectly still, among a crowd of people, in front of a painting. I'd recognize that distinct red anywhere at this point, considering for how long it's been a firm part of Leblanc's interior.

Yusuke must have sensed me because he turns before I move. "Ah, you came too, Rin. I was just thinking about contacting you." He spreads his arms and waves, and I move closer, almost automatically. As soon as I've reached him, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and points ahead. "Take a look."

I stare up at the 'Sayuri' with both sadness and admiration. I've never quite gotten used to how beautiful it actually is and even though it deserves to be here—more than deserves the praise—something about all this still feels wrong.

"My mother's painting," Yusuke says, "is finally receiving the public attention that it deserves. It's on display for this week only, so I'm glad we have this chance to view it together."

I swallow. All my creeping suspicions about what Yusuke's wish would be have been confirmed and my own determination to burst his bubble has never been lower. How can I begin to—?

"... I am truly blessed," he says and beams down at me. "I've waited so long to see this painting here. My drive to create a masterpiece of this caliber grows stronger every day... But with you as my muse, and thanks to my sensei's patronage, each day also brings me closer to painting such an impactful masterpiece. Nothing in the world could make me happier than I am at this moment."

I blink, doing my best to ignore the urge to run and not disturb him any longer—none of these wake-up-calls have been easy so far but this one, I already feel, might be the worst.

Still... something he just said was...

> "Whose patronage was that?"

"Your... who?"

"Why, my sensei, of course," Yusuke smiles. "Madarame."

I can't help my eyes from widening in surprise... shock? Both, maybe. But... also, it's not so far-fetched to think that, in an ideal reality, Madarame would have been the honest, reliable teacher Yusuke wanted and deserved.

"Even after Mother's passing, Sensei never stopped advocating her work to the public. Not only that, he took me in and cared for me when I lost my only family... I truly cannot thank him enough."

What could have been, I think bitterly and wrap my arm around his waist, if Madarame had a change of heart sooner... or never became distorted to begin with.

I peek up at him and my chest aches from the genuine smile he cannot seem to lose. Yusuke is so happy... It seems this reality is the one that he wished for...

"Ah," he exclaims and turns to me suddenly, "I just had a wonderful idea! Why don't you come to join us for dinner? I have told him that I'm seeing someone a while ago and Sensei's been very interested in meeting you. Don't worry—he'll even pay for the meal!"

I swallow. Really, it's as though all of Yusuke's problems have been erased without a trace. Now he's even inviting me to meet the man he presumably loves like a father, in this reality. I should be overjoyed for him, but something about all this feels so wrong it's sending uncomfortable chills down my spine. It's happy, but it's also all so... fake.

> "Must everything be perfect?"

"Isn't it a bit too soon?"

"Is Madarame a good sensei?"

"Well," Yusuke tightens the grip around my shoulder, "I wouldn't say that everything has to be perfect at all times, but... what's this about, all of a sudden?"

I swallow, trying to gather up the correct words within me.

> "The 'Sayuri' looks great there."

"Where else could that be?"

"The... 'Sayuri'? That's not the painting's name..." I frown. But before I can question, Yusuke suddenly tilts away from me. "No, wait. That seems... Something's not right," he shakes his head and releases my shoulder.

I swallow again, multiple times, but I can't swallow the huge lump that's formed in my throat.

> "I have faith in you."

"I'll be waiting for you."

"What is..." Yusuke staggers a few steps back, then his eyes lock onto the painting. "Could I be making the same mistakes as I did before?" He squints, then shakes his head. "Rin, I..." He's not meeting my gaze anymore. "Actually—I'm sorry... but I'd like to be alone for now."

I watch him storm off as my vision begins to blur from uncried tears. It's the right thing to do, I tell myself over and over, but they're soon streaming down my cheeks. Doing the right thing feels like shit sometimes.

But it seems all I can do now is wait. I guess I should head home...

***

It does take a while until my efforts pay off. But when they do, I don't hesitate to follow Yusuke's request to see me. I've been to his apartment a number of times now so I find it without issues.

I smile as I ring the doorbell. Our team is back together—all ten of us, at last—and it's time to prove that we don't need Maruki's tampering to find our happiness.

But first... it's time to meet Yusuke. I do wonder what he asked me here for when he finally opens and waves me through. I step over heaps of art supplies and glimpse at a large canvas with my face on it. He's not stopping until we reach his bedroom and I cautiously sit on his bed, careful to not knock anything over, then look at him expectantly.

"I know my call was rather sudden. I can only apologize." Yusuke isn't facing me. "We've already decided we're going to oppose Dr. Maruki, so I know it's far too late to say anything, but..." He wraps his arms around himself and I contemplate whether I should stand and hug him... but then decide to give him space until he's ready to let me closer on his own accord.

The fact that he can't even bring himself to face me stings, though.

> "What's wrong?"

"Why are you not looking at me...?"

Yusuke doesn't reply immediately. For a moment he hesitates, then he finally turns around. Under his eyes, I spot dark circles. "I just can't keep averting my eyes from the truth...!"

I wince from the unexpected, almost angry, energy in his voice.

"I betrayed you and all we stand for! How can I pretend I'm still worthy of our lofty ideals? Or... of you...?" He buries his face in his hands. "I'm... I'm an utterly hopeless fool!"

My chest tightens with discomfort. I hate that I know where he's getting this from but also... it's all nonsense. And hearing it from him, hearing him say that he's unworthy of me because he succumbed to temptation once... I swallow.

> "Why are you saying this?."

"No, you're wrong."

Yusuke lowers his eyes to the floor. "... Forgive me. Let me start from the beginning." He clears his throat. "You gave me my strength. You taught me to face the truth without fear... You even taught me what it means to love... and to be loved, unconditionally. That strength you gave—that anger—is how I rose up against Madarame. I saw him for the fraud he was, and I freed myself from his lies... And..." he sighs, "just look at what I've become. Dr. Maruki gave me a false security. He showed me a life spun from my deepest desires, and fool that I am, I welcomed it! What indescribable humiliation...! How could I be such a detestable, narrow-minded sheep of a man!?"

I hate myself for nearly starting to laugh. I know he's kind of having a full-blown existential crisis but Yusuke is very good at being unintentionally funny in the worst situations.

And... I look at him with softness, hoping to convey my own emotions—that I don't detest or blame him, that what he did wasn't weak, just... normal. After all, he wasn't the only one who submitted to Maruki's reality at first.

In that case, he ought to call... most of our team weak.

"Calm down."

> "Take a deep breath."

I jump when Yusuke throws his arm back in anger. "I cannot! This is no time for calm!" He scoffs. "And you! You of all people deserve to shame me, but still, you say nothing!? I betrayed you, and everything we have... we are...! I have spat on the very principles of art! And more than that—I have spat on us—on what we've become, the bond that I thought so unbreakable, so powerful, before. You helped me find my answers, you became my light and my inspiration to keep pushing, and I—! How could I ever still tell you that I love you without shame...?"

I open my mouth to protest but Yusuke is faster. He raises a hand to grip his own collar. "I'm nothing... Not even worth the empty words I spoke... I can't even bring myself to look you in the eye... let alone be near you. Forgive me, Rin..."

I feel a sudden chill. Yusuke's always had dramatic tendencies but... he is honestly beginning to worry me. I don't know exactly how much of what he's saying is exaggerated, and how much of it he really, honestly believes.

I have to find a way to make him understand.

> "Such is the human heart."

"Isn't there beauty in it?"

Yusuke startles, then finally looks at me. "Are our hearts truly so deluded? Are we foolish enough to cling to these misguided fantasies!?" He shakes his head. "You offer me mercy I do not deserve! There is no beauty in this! I was a slave to my hubris all along. How did I ever believe the meaning of true beauty was within my grasp...? I was just a fool, lost in dreams!"

I can't help but smile. Something about this worked, and I know if I keep going, I can get him out of this pit of misery quicksand he's run himself into.

"So, you're giving up?"

> "It's a beginning, not an end."

"I... see," Yusuke tilts his head. "Perhaps there is truth in that." He turns and sways back and forth for a few moments, deep in thought. "I can only apologize," he says at last. "You've saved me from repeating my mistakes once more. Compared to the grand legacy of my mother's art... I am still but a chick toddling in her shadow as she soars."

I have to, once more, suppress laughter. Yusuke reminds me of a lot of things... but certainly not a chick.

"I dreamed of flying at her side," he sighs, "yet for all my leaps of faith, I only plummeted from my nest, again and again... What I needed... was a teacher. To grasp the beauty in my mother's work... I needed a guiding hand, to offer criticism and validation as I earned it." Then he takes a few steps in my direction until he hovers directly in front of me. I have to look up considerably to still meet his gaze, considering how tall he generally is—and the fact that I'm sitting.

"But why was I so convinced that my teacher must be someone in the art world?" Yusuke asks. Then, before I can comprehend what he is doing, he suddenly has me by the shoulders. "After all, I have a woman like you...!"

I blink up at him and feel my face heat up.

"And our talks together have already led me to so many beautiful revelations..." Yusuke smiles, "as have all the... other things we've been doing. Indeed, I couldn't have asked for a better source of strength and inspiration."

Instead of an answer, I stand and wrap my arms around his neck, then pull him down for a kiss. Yusuke startles for a heartbeat, then he embraces me tightly.

I don't let go of his neck, even after we break the kiss.

"I'm happy about that."

> "I will continue to do my best."

"You truly honor me," he mumbles and I hold him a little tighter.

Yusuke clears his throat. "My point stands... there is still a great deal I can learn from you. And if that's true... then I've found my teacher... and my muse. And with her, the path to truly grasping my mother's art." He cups my face in his hands. "I will not lose my way again... Let us walk that path together!" Yusuke beams. I feel a soft tingle through the warm palms of his hands and close my eyes with a smile.

I have a feeling he will go forward with much more confidence, from now on.

"I see... So this power is both my core and my essence."

~

Yusuke's Persona Kamu Susano-o has transformed into Gorokichi!

"Rin," his thumb is caressing my cheek, "this reality of ideals and perfections—it's not wholly wrong. Truly, there are parts of it I find almost painfully beautiful."

I can't really say I disagree. The look on his face when he told me about how appreciated his mother's painting is, the happiness when he spoke of Madarame—the way he would have ideally been—flash before my inner eye and I have to suppress a sigh.

"However... you have helped me see clearly again. I believe I wish to return to our own reality. It suits me far better to paint with both ugliness and beauty upon my palette."

I raise my own hand to brush away a lost strand of his hair and smile.

> "That's the Yusuke I know."

"You good now?"

"Ha! Indeed." He eases his grip on me but doesn't release me entirely. "Let us return to our true home. To the reality where I discovered true beauty... to the reality that was kind enough to have me fall in love with you... and have my feelings be reciprocated."

I tighten my hands around his. They're much bigger than mine but warm and comfortable to hold.

"... Ah, but first... you know what they say about fighting on an empty stomach."

I nearly laugh again. Can't say I'm surprised he would bring up the topic of food eventually, at some point, in this conversation.

"That reminds me—I haven't even offered you any tea yet. And you brought some kind of treat with you too, didn't you? Like last time? Is it sweet bean jelly? Or maybe a baked dessert, like dorayaki? Or perhaps you brought..."

I swallow, regarding his excited face, and my empty bag. I actually forgot.

> "... How about we go somewhere to eat?"

"We can always order takeout!"

Yusuke stops for a moment, I could have sworn the emotion that flashes across his face is disappointment. It is swiftly chased by new excitement though. "Good idea! I was thinking of offering you to stay a while longer... since I've already requested your presence here, and all."

I nod, grabbing him by the hand.

"We can always come back here afterward..."

"We can start teaching you more about beauty... later."

> "And after, it's time for some new... beautiful revelations."

"W-What are you—?" Yusuke lets me drag him out of the apartment and it takes him until we're already out on the street until he apparently realizes what I mean.

"Wait! You... What are you scheming...?" he asks with so much honest indignation that I nearly laugh. When I look back at him, his face has a distinct pink hue. "When you say such things, my mind will only wander off on its own," he mumbles and I tighten my grip on his hand.

Maybe some of those fantasies we can soon bring to life.