Take your time or I'll take your Heart

Chapter 40

After a long and excruciating three and a half hours, we were able to sway the judge in our favor. He was siding with Akechi, since he was a talented detective when he was younger. But with the evidence we gave him, we were able to get him onto our side. He had sentenced Akechi with ten years in jail. After he was released from jail, he had to work two-hundred community hour service and was on probation. 

As time went on, Hinata grew into a loving daughter. Ren and I are very proud of how we both raised her. There were hard times with her, but we were just trying to teach her all about life. And when Hinata was about ten, my father was released from jail. He wasn't allowed to move back in with mom, but he was moved to a nursing home. He was finally able to see Hinata. Hinata was hesitant with meeting him at first, but she warmed up to him. My father apologized with how he treated me and mom. We both had forgiven him and we see him and mom. 

Around the age of fifteen, Hinata grew curious about what happened before we got married. I told her most of the things, but Ren told her about his Phantom Thieves days. She remembered seeing Yusuke, Ryuji, Haru, Makoto, Futaba, and Ann. When she was growing up, they were her 'aunts' and 'uncles' and they've been that ever since. 

"Come here. I want to show you something," Ren said and led her to our room. I followed them and sat on the bed. Hinata sat on the bed as Ren was going through some things in the closet. He pulled out a box and set it on the floor. "It's been a while since I've seen this," he said and pulled out his mask. Hinata walked over to Ren and sat down in front of him. He handed the mask to Hinata and pulled out the clothing he wore in the Metaverse. (I know it doesn't come back to the real world, but whatever.)

"I was known as Joker in the group. Yusuke was Fox, Ryuji was Skull, Ann was Panther, Makoto was Queen, Haru was Noir, Futaba was Oracle, and Morgana was Mona."

Morgana walked over to us and meowed at Hinata. Ren and I could understand what he was saying, since we've heard him speak in the Metaverse. 

"Morgana was part of the group?" Hinata asked.

"He was. He was very skilled and he knew it. We all knew he was skilled. The sad part about Morgana is that he was once human. He believed he was human. We believed he was human. He doesn't know how he got turned into a cat." Morgana hissed at Ren. "Sorry, Morgana. He doesn't like being called a cat. The funny thing is that he can turn into a bus."

"Whoa!" Hinata said.

"Yep," I said. "Your father had one of the best outfits out of the whole Phantom Thieves group."

"Let me see!" Hinata said, getting eager.

"Give me one moment," he said and grabbed the mask. He walked into the bathroom and changed into his outfit. He came out and he looked at himself. "Haven't worn this in a long time," he said.

"That's so cool!" Hinata said. "I want to be a Phantom Thief."

"We can show you around the area, but you can't engage with any of the shadows. Got it?" Ren asked as he pulled out his phone.

"Got it," Hinata said.

"Follow me," Ren said. All of us headed to the train station and Ren opened up the Meta-Nav. He spoke the words and the train station changed into Mementos. (I know you can destroy Mementos in the game. Let's just say that it never happened.)

Hinata looked around in awe. "This is so cool!" 

"We fought shadows down here and took down people who had corrupt desires. We would turn them into good people. But there is one other thing about shadows and distorted people. If their distortions were stronger, they would eventually create a palace. Mementos is just a place where people with distorted desires live. Consider it everyone's palace."

"Wow," Hinata said.

"Now you can understand me," Morgana said.

Hinata jumped back a bit, "I wasn't expecting that."

"They all weren't expecting it when they first came to the Metaverse," Morgana said.

"Hey, Mona, show her your bus form," Ren said.

"Must I?"

"Yes."

"Fine," Morgana said and transformed into a bus.

"Whoa!" Hinata smiled.

"We're not going into Mementos since it is dangerous down there."

"We should head back," I said.

"Alright," Ren said and we left Mementos and headed back to the apartment.

"One other thing I didn't mention. I, as well as the other Phantom Thieves, and your mother, we all have Personas."

"Personas?"

"Yes. It's when we release the inner rebel inside is. To rebel against adults who were doing bad things. Can I ask you a favor, Hinata?"

"What is it?"

Ren slipped off his mask and handed it to her, "I know this belongs to me, but this cannot work in the Metaverse without me. I am done with Phantom Thief work. I want you to have it. To let you know its ok to push against people who are not doing the right thing. To let you know that you can awaken your inner rebel and have a persona."

Hinata took his mask and hugged Ren, "Thank you, dad."

"You're welcome, Hinata," Ren said and hugged her. "Take good care of it."

"I will."

"I know you will."

A few years had passed by and Hinata finished up high school. She had been out for a long time one night. Ren and I tried to call her, but she didn't pick up. We were worried throughout the entire night until she showed up.

"Hinata, where have you been?" I asked her.

She had this look on her face that showed disappointment, but there was a hint of excitement.

"Hinata, is everything ok?" Ren asked.

"Can I show you something?" Hinata asked.

"What is it?"

Hinata pulled out her phone and showed us the Meta-Nav was on her phone.

"Does that mean?" Ren asked.

"I have a Persona. There are others out there who are like you, dad. They want to change the hearts of twisted adults."

Ren smiled, "A new age of Phantom Thieves. I'm sure you'll lead them well. I know you can. With time, you will learn how to steal the hearts of twisted adults. Take your time or you'll take their heart."

~Hey guys! I hope you liked Take your Time or I'll take your Heart. I always wanted it to end like this. Where you and Ren have a child and they're the next generation of Phantom Thieves. I know I have had some interesting endings in the past X reader stories. So I thought about it kind of coming full circle with the title of the story. I hope you liked it and thank you again for your views, comments, and votes. I hope you're just as excited as I am for Akechi's story. I am Fangirl_of_Anime345 and I hope to see you in the next story! BAAAAIIIII!!!!!!!!!!