Chapter Text
Ren awoke to their alarm. He felt Akira get up beside him and he groaned at the idea of getting up. His brother chuckled and a few moments later came back over and shook his arm.
“It’s time to get up” Akira said with a slight grin. Ren groaned again and lazily signed no. Akira laughed again. He stopped shaking Ren’s arm and instead started pulling it. Ren made no effort to stop him, and Akira ended up pulling him completely off the mattress. Ren frowned at his brother from the floor and slowly got up. They went about getting ready for the day.
“You’re both going to school today?” Sojiro asked as he put plates of curry down for them. “I wouldn’t judge if you needed the day off” Ren shook his head as he sat down at the counter.
“Nah, we need the distraction that is school” Akira explained as he joined them. Sojiro nodded in understanding. They ate their curry and waved goodbye before heading to school.
When they arrived Kawakami pulled them aside and told them the nurse had explained their absence. She also said that if they needed to step out during class they could. They thanked her before heading to their seats. Ann gave a strained smile at them before focusing back on Kawakami. It was hard to ignore the whispers today. New rumors on why Ren and Akira disappeared yesterday. Most assuming they had something to do with Shiho and left out of guilt. Others saying they must have gone to hospital with Ann and Shiho. Which was only creating more rumors about why the four would have gone to the hospital together. Ren internally sighed, maybe he should have taken Sojiro’s offer to stay home. It was going to be hard to distract himself if everyone kept talking about it. Kawakami tried to get the class’ attention and start teaching but not everyone quieted down. Ren tried to pay attention but soon found himself spacing out just to ignore the other students. Hopefully Akira paid better attention and he can read his notes later. Soon it was the end of the day and Ryuji met the brothers outside their classroom.
“Ready to find the cat?” He asked once the boys spotted him. Akira nodded.
“I’m going to go to the library. Good luck” Ren signed and then waved as Akira and Ryuji left. After they disappeared down the stairs Ren started looking around for the library. It took him a bit but once he found it he headed inside. Looking around he noticed some tables that would be good for studying alone. Just as he was about to head over though the librarian interrupted him.
“I’m sorry, you can’t study here.” She looked nervously around as Ren turned to look at her confused. “um, your presence is a distraction to the other students.” She continued when he didn’t say anything. He sighed but nodded and turned, leaving the library. He was too tired to try and fight it today. Maybe he could go somewhere else to study, or he could explore the city a bit and see what else there was to do after school. As he exited the school he decided to pass through the ally and see if Akira and Ryuji were there or still looking for Morgana. Walking down the path though instead of the boys he found Ann.
“Amamiya-san! Perfect!” She exclaimed upon seeing him. He looked at her confusedly and gave a small wave. “Do you know what your brother and Ryuji are doing?” she asked to which he nodded. “good, I need you to get me back there, they kicked me out” she continued. Ren paused at this, why had they kicked her out? Ann seemed to notice Ren’s hesitance and started talking again. “I don’t know what theyre doing but I know its going to get Kamoshida in trouble and I want in and to help.” At this Ren sighed and nodded pulling out his phone. Moving to stand next to Ann he opened the metaverse app and typed in the keywords before feeling the world warp around them. When the world settled He turned and looked back at Ann. It took her a bit longer to adjust to the disorientation but then nodded when she made eye contact with Ren. He put a finger to his lips before gesturing for Ann to follow him. Leading the way he brought her over to the wall opening they had used last time he was here. Pointing at the opening he turned to look at Ann again.
“Thank you” she said before climbing in. Ren watched her disappear before leaving. He didn’t agree to staying and helping her find the others, and he didn’t want to go into the castle. Akira may yell at him later but he’ll deal with that when it happens. Returning to the real world he headed over to Shibuya. As he walked the streets he realized that the diner Goro brought him to the other day would probably be a good place to study. So he spent a few hours there before heading back to Leblanc.
Soon after he arrived back Akira showed up as well. When he entered the loft he put down his bag on the floor and Morgana hopped out.
“Oh hi. How’d it go?” Ren asked.
“Ann awoke to a persona. We got more proof that Kamoshida is a creep. And Morgana is gonna stay with us now.” Akira said.
“What did Boss say about Morgana?” Ren signed as he looked at the cat staring at his hands.
“I haven’t told him. I was just planning on hiding him.” Akria replied.
“I can be very sneaky. He won’t even know I’m here!” Morgana pipped in realizing that the brothers were talking about him. Ren frowned but shrugged.
“Anyway, why did you leave Ann alone in the castle?” Akira asked.
“Yeah! How could you leave a damsel in distress!” Morgana yowled.
“She just asked me to bring her back to the castle after you kicked her out.” Ren signed nonchalantly. “She wasn’t in distress when I left.”
“Yeah, but she didn’t have a persona,” Akira added. “It was dangerous for her.”
“Is that why you kicked her out? Because that’s hypocritical. You brought me and Ryuji in without persona.” Ren shot back.
“It was Ryuji’s idea to send her back to the real world.” Akria replied, “and that’s not the point.”
“Yeah at least if you stayed with her you knew to stay quiet and out of sight even if you also don’t have a persona.” Morgana tacked on. Ren raised his eyebrow at Akria at Morgana’s statement.
“I didn’t tell them, and Ann never mentioned your outfit” Akira signed behind Morgana’s back. Before they could continue the conversation though Sojiro walked upstairs.
“I thought I heard meowing.” He said as he reached the top of the stairs. Ren froze as Morgana and Akira turned to look at him. “Who brought in the cat?” He asked, looking at the brothers. Ren quickly pointed at Akira.
“snitch” Akira signed at his side before making eye contact with Sojiro. “It followed me here. I figured Ren could use some emotional support cuddles. I’m sorry” Sojiro frowned before looking down at the cat and then at Ren.
“Well, I guess a pet could be good responsibility. But you two have to pay for its food and such. And it can’t be downstairs when we’re open. Understand?” Sojiro asked looking between the two. Akira and Ren quickly nodded. Satisfied Sojiro turned and walked back downstairs.
“That went better than expected.” Akira spoke after Sojiro disappeared.
“So much for being sneaky” Ren signed when Akira turned back to him, making Akira laugh a little.
“At least I won’t need to hide anymore!” Morgana chipped in. “At least not here.” Before either brother could say anything however Sojiro came back up the stairs carrying a small plate.
“I couldn’t resist hearing it’s pleading meows.” He explained as he set the plate down in front of Morgana showing some fish. “Does it have a name?” Sojiro asked as Morgana started digging into the food.
“Morgana.” Akira replied trying to hide a giggle at Morgana’s purrs as he ate.
“Oh. I was hoping I could offer a name. whatever. Again, don’t get used to this. And wash the plate when he’s done.” Sojiro said as he stood up and walked back downstairs.
“Anyway. Back to the previous conversation, are you guys going to go back in?” Ren asked.
“Probably, and Ann will likely be joining us from now on. We didn’t get to explore much.” Akira replied, “I’ll let you know anytime we’re going to head in.” He added.
“Also, if you ever want to join we have enough persona users now that we can protect you” Morgana chipped in. Ren turned his attention to the cat who was now licking his paws after finishing the fish. Ren nodded and laid down on the bed.
“Sounds good. I’m gonna call it a night and head to sleep early” he signed lazily above himself.
“Okay. Good night then. I’m going to work on some homework then I’ll join you.” Akira responded.
“Good night!” Morgana chimed in from the floor.
Ren awoke in the middle of the night to a pressure on his chest. He decided to take advantage of his heightened senses and keeping his eyes closed just let himself smell the area. He could smell Akira next to him and on top of him he smelled cooked fish and fur. It took him a moment but then remembered Morgana was now living with them and must be laying on him. He readjusted slightly to be more comfortable then fell back asleep.