Persona 5 x persona 4

chapter 22

December 3 Saturday

Skull: She's probably about a minute from your location, good luck! I'll be rooting for ya.

The text from Ryuji read as Ren leaned against the wall of the alley he stood in. Ryuji was more than willing to prove he had Ren's back after a small plan was hatched between the both of them to help Ren with his sudden woman troubles. Ryuji had been keeping an eye on Makoto since school had let out so Ren could intercept her on her way home. The plan seemed to be working, but it all depended on the next minute going well. Could Ren find his strong-willed advisor before she escaped back home?

Looking down the street Makoto was supposed to come down, Ren patiently waited. Luckily just as Ryuji had told him she appeared. Ren couldn't help but smile to himself as she walked down the street. She just looked beautiful to him. She wore her typical school uniform and didn't seem to notice him at all as her nose was already stuck in one of her cram books. Her face wore this intense expression of concentration as her crimson eyes scanned over the text. Ren slipped out from his corner and moved to match step with her.

As soon as Ren interacted with what Makoto might consider personal space, Makoto's eyes shifted from the cram book to him then back again. Nothing else happened as she continued walking. Ren was pleased with the small victory that she wasn't actively shooing him away and so he just keep pace with her. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he always enjoyed the silence and just walking with his girlfriend was something he figured he would enjoy. It also bought him time to think about what he was going to say once words were spoken.

Suddenly the book in Makoto's hand gave a sudden thud as she seemed to close it with some force. Ren glanced at her as she put the book into her bag before her gaze found his. They held each other gazes for several seconds as Makoto seemed to be trying to read something about him from just his eyes. She didn't seem to find the answer she was looking for as she looked away and just let out a long sigh. Ren didn't know if that was his cue to try and make amends but before he could think about it too much Makoto spoke instead.

"So, you like to dance?" She asked.

"Yes." He responded simply.

Makoto just looked out clearly avoiding looking at him. "The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't know anything about you. You're a mystery wrapped in an enigma. You don't like letting people in do you?"

Ren looked at her and sighed. She wasn't wrong, he didn't reveal many things about himself. He let other people see him how they wanted to see him. It's not that he didn't want to open up to people, it was just hard to do. Still, whenever his friends had asked him about his past he had been honest. He didn't keep anything from them, he just didn't share anything not asked of him.

"More like no one asks to be let in. I don't see the need to explain myself to people, after all, I came here to Tokyo to keep my head down." Ren felt he needed to explain.

Makoto turned to him, there was a deep look burning in her eyes. One Ren knew he would do anything to not see her have to take again. "Will you let me in then?"

Ren gave her a small smile, one just for her. "Sure." Ren reached up pulling off his glasses holding them out of for his girlfriend. "I don't need these, I wear them to blend in and disguise myself. In a way, they are a mask I wear to keep others away from seeing the real me."

Makoto took his glasses from his hands. "I figured you didn't need them, just never bothered to ask I guess. Wait. These aren't your normal pair."

"No, I got them last night. Teddie makes glasses apparently and sent them for Yu to give them to me. He also crafted a pair for Akechi." Ren explained.