Real & the Ideal: A Persona 5R Dark Sun Sequel (Goro Akechi x Amamiya Ren)

13: It's Not Enough

(Kasumi P.O.V, flashback)

I checked my watch as the cold wind blew my hair from my face, easily lowering the temperature of my skin with the below seasonal chill. I'd been waiting a good ten minutes now, and hoped I wouldn't have to wait much longer; I had to attend a gymnastic's practice soon.

I sat in the small garden area of Shibuya's Station Square, taking a rest by sitting against one of the large stone planters underneath some tree's. I continued to patiently await my councilor, who'd been overly excited when he called randomly to ask for a meeting.

That's when I heard his voice in the distance.

"Ah--sorry I'm late!"

I looked up to see Maruki powerwalking quickly towards me through the crowd, with two steaming white paper cups in his hands. He wore a winter jacket and a scarf, and his eyes looked a little stressed.
Before I could reply, he clambered over and took a seat next to me, then politely shoved one of the cups into my hand.

"I truly apologise for this last minute meeting. I wanted to touch base with you on how you're doing, but I also had some information on my research that I wanted to get your opinion on. Since we couldn't meet in my office today - here! I brought a snack."

He gestured to the hot drink in my hands. I looked down into the cup to see the liquid was a soft orange colour.

"It's hot apple cider!" Maruki was beaming happily, seemingly proud that he'd brought a drink made of his favourite fruit with him. "I saw a man selling some at a stall just past here. I thought it could warm us up while we talked."

The councilor was always so thoughtful. I smiled in flattery and took a sip. The heat of the drink, mixed with the sweet flavour, engulfed me in a comforting, calming joy.

"It's great, Takuto-sensei. Thank you..."

Maruki shook his head as we exchanged grins.

"Please, call me Maruki, will you? There is no need to be so formal, Yoshizawa-san."

I felt myself blush slightly. An adult, much older than I, was asking me to call him by his first name. I nodded in respect, trying to swallow my embarassment.

"Ofcourse, Maruki-sensei."

"Now then." Maruki took a sip of his own drink, before beginning the topic at hand.

"How have you been feeling? How is the pain in your chest?"

It had been some time since our last meeting, where I'd explained how my grief was giving me sharp pains in my heart. But since then, time, along with my rigorous training for the gymnastic's preliminaries, was helping me heal.

One day, I began having less flashbacks, and feeling less dread. That one day turned into two days, then it turned into a week.

And all of a sudden, things were starting to look up for me. The guilt on my shoulders from Sumire's passing was becoming lighter and lighter, and the guidance from my counselling appointments was helping dramatically.

"I have you to thank for my progress, Maruki-sensei. Without your help, I wouldn't be able to progress in my life as much as I have. Those pain's are lessening every day, and I have you to thank for that." I gave him an admiring smile.

"My gymnastic's meets have been going much better lately, and my grades are better than ever. My sister's death still weighs on me, but it's become so much more manageable now."