common enemy [Ryuji Sakamoto x Reader]

chapter fifteen: mementos

It was him; the boy you thought you had learned everything about in the few weeks you had known him. Clearly you were wrong.

You got a better look at Ryuji as he unknowingly turned towards you. He wore a high-collared black leather jacket and long black pants with combat boots. A belt fashioned around his waist held what seemed to look like ammo for a firearm. His hands were covered by a pair of yellow gloves as he held a metal pipe in one and tapped it against the palm of the other. The bright red scarf around his neck failed to avert your attention from the skull mask that adorned his face. His outfit characterized him as a thug, but you knew better.

You assumed that the mysterious cosplayers surrounding Ryuji were none other than Akira, Ann, and Makoto. However, two unfamiliar figures surprised you. You didn't recognize the azure-haired boy standing next to Makoto, as well as...

A giant cat... That looks like... Morgana?

The pure shock of seeing a standing, talking Morgana made you lightheaded. You tightly gripped your arm to try and keep yourself conscious, silently hissing at the pain.

I'm feeling pain, I guess this really isn't a dream, you thought.

The group seemed to finish preparing themselves as they collectively traveled down the set of stairs they were stationed near. As soon as they were out of sight, you stumbled out of your hiding position, catching yourself on a metal rail.

"Alright, let's compile everything I know about Ryuji." You rested your hand in your chin as you leaned against the wall parallel to the stairway. "He's constantly checking his phone and leaving class as soon as it ends, most likely to come and do whatever this is. He knows first aid; the group seemed to be using weapons so I assume they're fighting something and sustaining injuries from it. They activated something called a "MetaNav" that took us to this weird version of Shibuya..."

You closed your eyes, running scenarios through your head. Regardless of what you knew and how you tried to connect it, none of it made sense. You were so damaged from Ryuji's lies that your chest hurt, distracting you from your mission.

There's a deep, wrenching pain in my heart...

You took deep breaths, attempting to calm yourself down.

Wait... Heart...

All of it suddenly came flooding back to you, a tsunami of realization overwhelming you.

"The Phantom Thieves have released a third calling card!"

"It's our duty to punish him."

"Junya Kaneshiro confessed all of his crimes this morning!"

"I know right? Dude, I can't believe he confessed so quickly."

Your eyes shot open as things you had heard in the past few weeks suddenly made sense. All the dots connected, leaving you speechless.

And pissed, of course.

Eyes blinded with fury, you sprinted down the stairs the group had just used.

•••

"Good work, team." Akira praised as the group exited the distortion. You watched them from a distance, fists clenched.

I have to be absolutely sure of what I know before I confront them.

However, your last shreds of rationality were quickly escaping you. The fact that you hadn't even realized they were using you for so long made you even angrier. You grit your teeth together as the group unknowingly approached you.

Akira suddenly noticed your presence, holding his arm out as a signal to stop. "Slow down, I think I see a shadow."

All of them reached for their weapons with tense expressions. You stepped forward, the red glow of the station illuminating your features. They immediately relaxed, surprise adorning their features.

"(F/n)?!" Ryuji shouted. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

A small laugh escaped your lips as he ran up to you. "Stay away from me."

Your voice was firm and commanding, causing him to immediately stop in his tracks as everyone looked on in confusion.

"(L/n)... I know this might be a jarring experience for you-" Makoto began.

"How did it feel?" Eyes wide, your smile grew as you lifted your head to make eye contact with Ryuji, ignoring Makoto's attempt at an explanation. You knew you probably looked insane, but you couldn't help it.

Ryuji took in a breath, frightened by your change in demeanor. "How did what feel? (F/n)... are you okay?"

"How did it feel when you killed my parents?" Your expression broke into anger as you screamed at him, the smile leaving your lips. "How did it feel when you took them away from me?! HOW DID IT FEEL TOYING WITH MY EMOTIONS?!"

"Wha..." He looked taken aback as you clutched your head, tears spilling out of your eyes as you bent forward.

"Was it fun? Seeing those looks on my face when I completely trusted you?" You felt an intense headache come over you as your welled up emotions came flooding out.

"(F/n)! We really don't know what you're talking about!" Ann ran towards you to try and calm you down.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" You threw your hand towards her, emitting a surge of power from your palm that threw all of them backwards. Ann let out a surprised grunt as her back hit a wall. Makoto quickly ran to her to make sure she was okay.

You looked down at your hand in shock; the same look the rest of your friends were giving you. You felt their frightened eyes watching you carefully.

They don't trust you anymore. You hurt her. It's all your fault.

Your negative thoughts barely had time to pass through your head before the searing pain appeared once again. You cried out in pain as your knees buckled, dropping you to the rusted train tracks.

"(F/n)!" Ryuji went to move towards you, but Akira's grip on his arm yanked him back. Ryuji gave him a questioning glare.

"It's happening..." Akira muttered, his fearful eyes ignoring Ryuji and watching your every move, "I didn't think it would come to this."

Ryuji's eyes widened at Akira's words. He turned towards you, shouting. "Hang in there, (F/n)!"

Yet you couldn't hear him. Instead, a deep, mysterious voice filled your head as you writhed on the ground in agony.

How does it feel being powerless?

You dug your nails into the dirt-crusted cement, scraping them to the point where a trail of blood was left behind. Your eyes were tightly squeezed shut, tears leaking out of them.

Do you not wish to exact revenge on those who have betrayed you?

The excruciating pain suddenly subsided. You panted with relief, reaching up to wipe away the tears that stained your cheeks. However, your fingertips were not met with skin. Instead, you felt... feathers? Your hands explored the mask of sharp black feathers that now covered your face.

Why not fight back against those who hold you down? Why not spread your wings and take flight?

Your mind cleared as the voice continued to speak to you. They're right, you thought, all I've been doing is running away. Regardless of the previous pain you had felt, you were now calm and collected. For some reason, you knew exactly what you had to do.

I am thou... Thou art-

"Skip the formalities," you interrupted, lifting your head and rising to your feet. "I already know what to do."

You thought you heard a slight chuckle as you gripped the edge of your mask. You chose to ignore it. You helplessly craved the power you were about to recieve.

"Lend me your wings!" you screamed, ripping off the mask and crying out in pain as it tore away your flesh. "Condor!"