common enemy [Ryuji Sakamoto x Reader]

chapter sixteen: persona

"Now that we're on the subject," Akira began, his expression turning serious, "There's a few things I think I should share about (L/n) that you guys may find interesting."

Everyone quickly quieted down, interested by this sudden development.

"(L/n) is going to get a persona," Akira stated without a doubt. This was met with shocked expressions from the whole group.

"How do you know that?" Makoto asked, intrigued.

"I can't explain it; it wouldn't make sense to you. Let's just say I've got an intuitive feeling."

There was a short pause as they processed the information.

"Well," Ann broke the silence, trying to make light of the situation, "she would make a good teammate."

Ryuji scowled. "I don't want to put her in danger like that."

"I'm not planning on it." Akira sighed, "In the end, it's up to (L/n) whether or not she wants to join us. I just thought I should let you guys know so you wouldn't be surprised when it happened."

"Besides, (L/n) can take care of herself, right?" Ann patted Ryuji on the back."

He stared into the distance. "Knowing her current mental state, I'm not so sure."

And now he really wasn't sure.

The team helplessly looked on as you ripped the mask off, another surge of power forcing them to try and keep their footing. Blue flames licked the skin where the mask had once been, covering the bloody flesh and cascading down your body.

Shielding his eyes from the light, Ryuji watched as you arched your back, crying out in pain as a pair of jet black wings ripped out of your shoulder blades. You panted, experimentally stretching out the wings and flapping them. Easily getting the hang of it, you bent down to your knee, strongly beating your wings the moment you leapt from your position. You caught yourself in the air, beginning to hover.

The flames continued to eat away at your clothing, leaving you in a different attire. A black leather jacket covered a white crop top that had appeared on your torso. Black leggings stretched down the bottom half of your body. Your school shoes had become into a pair of white armored boots.

Nearing the end of your tranformation, the waterfall of power exiting your body slowed to a stop. The thieves stopped clutching at the ground, rising to their feet and regarding your new form.

"I won't let you use me anymore!" You hissed, flying forward at an extreme speed.

They could barely comprehend your figure as you shot down from above, turning through the air, eventually crushing the heel of your heavy boot onto Ryuji. At least, that was what you meant to do. Instead, Akira had narrowly managed to dive into Ryuji, pushing him out of the way.

"Ryuji, what the hell are you doing just standing there?!" Akira scolded him, throwing his knife at you to try and push you backwards.

You flipped away, hearing a metallic clang as the blade of Akira's knife bounced off of your boot, falling to the ground.

Makoto sprung into action, running forward and blocking your foot with her arms, grabbing your leg and slamming you into the ground. Your head pounded from the imact, but you used your wings to push yourself up, sliding away from your opponent.

You heard the clicking of of a gun, turning to see Akira and the boy with blue hair aiming their firearms at you. You dodged the bullets as they narrowly flew by, eventually hitting the ground. You aimed your wings at them, shooting razor sharp feathers. However, you were too late. You felt a stinging sensation in your arm as one of the bullets came in contact with your skin.

Ann's whip whistled through the air as it tightly wrapped around your wrist. In response, you flew upwards, dragging her with you. You swung your arm down while she was still attached, leaving her to fall to the ground.

Everyone backed away from you, panting. You held your arm close to you, trying to stop the bleeding with your hand, to no avail. Unfortunately, you were beginning to feel exhausted.

I've probably used too much power.

Hoping to at least get a few more hits in, you dove down from the air with incredible speed.

Ryuji stood up and faced you head on. "(F/n), I never wanted to lie to you about this-"

He sharply inhaled as he held up his metal pipe, your boot slamming into it. He strained his arms to push against you, speaking through gritted teeth.

"-and I don't know what you're talking about with your parents."

"Bullshit." You spat. You flipped backwards, landing on the train tracks.

"(L/n), he's right. We are indeed the Phantom Thieves, but we don't kill." Akira explained. "You're not in the right mind right now to see that."

"Why do you continue to lie-" You began, stopping in your tracks when you saw the look on Ryuji's face.

He looks... so sad...

Somewhere deep inside you, you knew they were right.

Ryuji was never a killer. He's too kind.

You froze in place as Ryuji carefully approached you, gently taking your hand into his.

"Please believe us."