Persona 5 - The Aftermath

Back together

You know, I really wondered why I even rushed back here.

I mean, I didn't think this through at all. The moment I get back to Inaba, I see a message from Ren saying Rise is coming to Leblanc. Then I drop everything and hurry back here, meeting Dr Maruki on the way. And the first thing I do is grab Rise and kiss her.

Oh wait. She's not pulling away.

We're still...

When did we start holding hands?

Should I stop?

I could kiss her all day long.

I start to move my hands to her waist as our kiss starts to get more passionate, wow she's smooth, she wraps her hands around my neck as I pull her closer.

It's deep. Intimate. Like we just picked up from where we left off 8 months ago. I need her. My heart is racing, her cheeks are flushed, our bodies are in sync. As my arms travel up her body, her lips angle toward mine as she turns her head, seeking the closeness, seeking the affection, seeking the passion. The fire. Craving for more.

Her lips are smooth as butter. They call out for me, they want more of me, and the feeling is mutual. Her fragrant aroma puts me in a trance as I start to lose all rational thought.

My body yearns for more. It screams closer, closer. I can only think of her being closer. But there is no closer for us right now. Other than...

"OKAY ENOUGH!"

Ren puts a stop to that.

Ren: "You two need a room. You've been kissing for 20 minutes!"

Morgana: "I think I've seen too much."

Aigis: "See what you've done? Morgana is too young to see this!"

Oh dear, I just realised we've been standing in the middle of Leblanc, this whole time.

Ren's POV

We all head back to my- I mean Makoto's room.

I thought there would be more talking right now, but all Yu and Rise are doing is stare at each other.

I'd tell them to just kiss already, but they actually would.

"Yu, what are you doing back here?"

Yu: "I... well um..."

Aigis: "Ren, Makoto and Morgana, let's give the two of them some space."

Yeah that's probably a good idea.

The four of us head outside.

Me: "Well that was unexpected."

Aigis: "It was sweet, he came back for her."

Me: "I guess, but how did he do that?"

Makoto: "How did he kiss her?"

Me: "Yeah, well no. How did he know she would reciprocate his feelings? I mean, he's a great guy and anyone would be lucky to have him, but the way he just grabbed her and kissed her, I could never imagine doing that."

Aigis: "Really? Because you strike me as that exact type."

Me?

Me: "How?"

Aigis: "I don't know, your outgoing personality? Your love of jokes? Even your Phantom Thief attire and body language just radiates a kind of confidence?"

Really? Well I do feel pretty good when I'm over there, like I could do anything, or... at least I used to. But everything changed for me after I was caught.

When they... and when he...

Me: "Maybe I had that kind of confidence once, but I lost it."

I can't help but avoid their eyes.

Morgana: "Ren?"

I just... still feel the pain of...

What he did, it still hurts...

Morgana?

I didn't even notice when he climbed onto my shoulder, is he... consoling me?

Morgana: "Do you wanna talk about this?"

I start stroking him as he's holding my shoulder.

Me: "It's hard."

Aigis looks worried, so does Makoto. It's not a big deal, not worth discussing.

Me: "I'm ok, sorry for worrying you guys."

I think the look on my face spoke before my mouth did. They still look a little worried.

Yu and Rise are coming out now.

Yu: "Hey guys, sorry for... barging in and acting the way I did."

Makoto: "Believe me, I know what it's like to have your impulses take over."

I wish I knew.

Me: "So what's going on with you two?"

Rise: "I think, we're dating again."

She thinks? These two seem to talk with their actions more than their words. But hey, if it works for them.

Yu: "Yeah I think so too, hey we should double date!"

It would seem I'm overstaying my welcome.

I start to walk off as I hear Aigis say:

"What about a triple date?"

That stops me in my tracks.

Yu: "Oh no, I wasn't trying to leave Ren out or anything I just thought... I'm sorry buddy."

Me: "It's ok, I'm not in a relationship with anyone so it makes sense for me not to go with you."

Yu: "No, I'm not leaving you out, come with us."

I don't know. Especially if I went alone. But...

Me: "I guess I could invite Sumi-..."

I don't know why that thought just popped into my head... yes I do. Still there's no way I'm actually gonna-

Rise: "Oh Yoshizawa-chan! Yeah that sounds great, you should definitely invite her."

Me: "Uhhhh."

Aigis shoots me a look. It's crazy how someone can scream the words: "You're not getting out of this" with just a glare...

It's not like I don't want to... it would be fun I guess.

Me: "Alright."