Spectra (Ryuji x OC)

36 • The World

12/25  Evening

The next day when we went to Leblanc for the Christmas party, Futaba was sitting at the bar, crying.

Sojiro explained to us why after we sat down. Akira has been taken into custody and was now in juvenile hall. Everyone was immediately ready to take action, to do something to get him out of there.

But for the moment, there was nothing we could do. It would take some time to think about just how we would help free Akira.

12/31 Evening

I found everyone standing in the overpass of the train station. It was empty while everyone else was outside, waiting for the new year. I stopped beside Ryuji as he spoke.

"Just look at them all party down there," Ryuji said. "They don't even know. Guess that's fine"

"I wish he-he could be here with us," Ann said softly, staring out the window.

"That said, we have our cellular phones, yes? Was there truly a need to meet?" Yusuke asks.

"Our next move's important. We gotta get pumped," Ryuji said, hitting his fist against the glass.

"Besides, don't you think it's nice talking in person?" Haru asks.

The crowd started cheering even louder as they counted down. Then finally, it was the new year.

"New Years Eve, it sounds rowdier this year, doesn't it?" Makoto said.

"We'll have to brace ourselves," Ann said.

"I'm going to try contacting my father's associates," Haru added.

"Sounds like we're set. We must succeed, no matter the cost," Makoto told us.

"Let's do this," Ryuji said, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we walked in one direction.

Everyone else went their own way to get back to their houses. Ryuji stopped us before we walked out onto the busy street.

"What is it?" I ask.

"There's something I forgot to do"

With his other hand he turned my head towards him and kissed me suddenly. I made a muffled gasp, but then kissed him back.

1/31 Evening

"Magnificent," Igor said to Akira, clapping a little.

I was standing to one side of his desk, while Lavenza was on the other. Akira walked towards us, stopping in front of Igor's desk.

"But you're confined in reality now, even after you escaped the prison within your heart..." Lavenza said. "What an ironic turn of events because you wished for the fortune of others over your own well-being. Still, it will do. You chose the correct path with your own volition. You did not compromise your beliefs for personal gain to the very end"

A card flew down in front of Akira's face and he held his hand out as it stopped, floating above his palm.

"The last arcana you have taken hold of is the World. It is the willpower to stand up in this world on your own feet, unswayed by no one. That will become the basis of hope toward a future with your teammates who share the same belief. Now that you've gained that power, you are no longer an existence that wanders alone"