Life Will Change Book 2

Chapter 1: The Thieves' Reunion

Hi everyone! I'm back from my little break, I feel great! I'm ready to tackle Strikers!

So, first thing, obviously this book will be significantly shorter than its predecessor, there's nothing I can do about that. Secondly, while it is not 100% necessary to have read the first fic, I would recommend doing so in case I need to mention something I altered within it to fit my canon. Or if you just need a proper introduction to how I write Akira. (I wouldn't want anyone getting confused by a change no matter how small.) Time will occasionally be set aside for character interactions, even if it is ultimately inconsequential to the plot itself.

Finally, the mandatory warning: The game contains some subject matters I am not accustomed to writing about. I will be doing my best to handle these subjects with proper respect in context of the story. Because these topics are things that happen in the game's story, some of which are crucial details, they are not things I can avoid writing or skip over without losing context on what's going on. If you are sensitive to these topics, then you have been given your warning, and I understand completely if you back out of the story when they show up. Please remember, I do not wish to put these things in. They are not there to be supported or encouraged in any way, but they are necessary to the plot. This will not be a prolonged occurrence through the story, but it will be there for a small portion of it. Strikers is a lot more toned down in terms of the mature subject matters, but the game is still rated for mature audiences only; so I'm not taking any chances, just in case.

Begin!

~Normal POV

7/24 - Monday

The past few months of staying in his hometown had been... not the best for Akira. Not impossible by any means, but certainly tough. He had Morgana to keep him company, of course, and his parents were supportive and loving to him. But ultimately he did miss living near his Phantom Thieves family.

It wasn't hard to tell either. He didn't do much to hide it. It was only natural that he'd miss everyone. He took any chance he could to visit though; making special time with each of them, according to their schedules. Sometimes Ann would come visit him instead and he'd show her the few places of interest his hometown had to offer. On rare occasions, one of the others would come visit him too, on the odd weekend where they were available to do so. His parents also enjoyed these visits, it let them get better acquainted with the people their son treasured so deeply. And as they had said previously upon meeting the Phantom Thieves last March, "They're always welcome in our home."

Most of the time, Akira's brief trips to the city were for individual outings. There were a few exceptions to this, but it just ended up that way due to how their schedules could conflict a lot. He understood, of course. Makoto and Haru had started college this year. (And with Haru being in college, Ryuji had to devote more of his free time to finding ways to spend it with her.) Futaba was going to public school again so her schedule was actually filled nowadays. As close as they all were emotionally, they did have lives outside of the group. But they still had texting and group chats to keep up with each other. The last time Akira had actually gone to visit was nearly two months ago. (And that included him and Ann going on a double date with Yusuke and his girlfriend.) It had been ages since the whole gang had done anything as a group.

But yesterday evening, after surviving several months in his hometown's high school, salvation finally came in the form of the Phantom Thieves group chat. It was summer vacation now, and they suggested the brilliant idea of spending the whole break together with a family trip. Akira didn't have to think twice about accepting the offer, and immediately said they'd meet up at the hideout today. Thus, he let his parents know what the plan was, and had spent the previous night packing. (Making sure to actually bring a yukata this time, just in case they went to a festival or something.) Morgana was a little disappointed that they couldn't bring his bed, but since they were going on a trip anyway, it wouldn't make much sense to do so. The two boarded the first available train to Tokyo early this morning. It was almost 2 in the afternoon now and they were already on their way to Yongen.