Chapter Text
To be honest, Ren hadn't expected the Phantom Thieves to grow in number so regularly as they were doing. The whole group was born by chance as their first mission had been a question of necessity and survival more than an organized scheme. Ann's drive to revenge her best friend from Kamoshida's abuses and Ren and Ryuji's effort to avoid getting suspended after the teacher's threat for trying to unclose the truth had led the trio together and forged a silent pact. Morgana, met and saved in the same Palace, needed a place to go in the absence of his memories which was why Ren had taken him in. Meeting Yusuke had brought them to Madarame whom he had been an apprentice of.
Now, their actions had drawn the attention of the media albeit performed with casualty. Principal Kobayakawa's personal request to his most trusted student to investigate on the matter had turned out favorable as it granted them a sixth, unexpected member though it also made them wonder their subtetly. Ryuji was certainly the one to blame the most on that aspect since Makoto had earned proof by recording his voice when they thought they weren't observed. Hopefully, the council president could bring the discipline they seemed to need, but her tasks would differ. Being chosen as the strategist meant offering guidance yet she would need time to grow accustomed to the Metaverse and its working first. Thankfully enough, she had proved to learn quickly. He couldn't have imagined someone so rule-abiding like her to own a rebellious heart, but the awakening to her Persona left no room for debate. Added manpower was particularly convenient when the opponents they faced appeared to become stronger each Palace they entered. Kaneshiro's was well guarded basing on their first look at it.
The train brakes slowed down its run to the station outside Central Street, where he had told the younger Niijima to wait for him through message. He stepped off, spotting her in the mass of people he was only recently growing used to after three months in the capital. Her eyes darted around in his search with a hint of what looked like disorientation for some reason.
“Hi, Niijima-senpai,” he greeted, revealing his presence and prompting her to turn her head in his direction. His words were proper enough but the delivery was somewhat casual now that they were in the same group.
“Hello, Amamiya-kun,” replied she, much more formally in tone though he could perceive a hint of shyness. Her irises seemed to regain the focus they had lost in her wait, yet she didn't dare reciprocate the smile he showcased. “Where are you taking me?”
The question ignited a smirk for how it was posed however small. “You'll see,” the boy remained vague, confirming the mysterious vibes Makoto had already noticed when tailing him—a forced action her moral righteousness had made her despise. She hadn't even been that great despite the amount of efforts she had put into it. Her frames of reference had been the detective novels and investigation books she had bought on purpose, but Ren had turned around more than once to talk to her with a hint of an amused sparkle in his eyes when she had thought he had no clue of her presence. Once, he had entered the bathroom at school; when she had realized she had almost followed him in, her cheeks had turned red as beet and her reaction of pure embarrassment had been running away. Sometimes, instead, he had addressed her with a playful “Do you need anything?” at which she had replied she was busy with student council duties and hadn't even noticed he was there. Of course, the way she had stuttered hadn't made her words really believable. Using a book to hide behind without realizing she sometimes held it upside-down hadn't played in her favor, either.
Now that they were on better terms, she didn't have to resort to such tactics anymore. She followed along when he began to lead her out of the station. Her steps, he noticed, were somewhat stiff but no complaint escaped her mouth. Ren didn't mind the silence as a quiet person himself. Ryuji, Ann and Morgana could be loud on different scales, and Yusuke was hard to keep up to at times given his antics. The student council president's seriousness was appreciated to balance the team out and offer a moment of relief from the hustle and bustle of the previous weeks. Ren's arrival to Tokyo had been all but ordinary as his powers had manifested after only a couple days in the city, forcing him to a new reality other than a new life. The hush almost felt like a moment of relaxation, so he didn't try to break it. Makoto did only when they reached the planned spot a few minutes later to read the signboard they had come to a stop by; 'Untouchable'.
“A model gun shop...?” She asked, taking a look from the outside. The warm sun of late June brightened the interior, revealing items, equipment and weapons in quantity. The sight contributed to her confusion since she didn't understand the reasons why Ren had chosen this particular location. She was even more surprised that someone who had been in the capital for only a few months knew a place she, who had lived here all her life, didn't. Then again, she was rather abitual in her movements: home, school, the grocery shop, and occasionally the dojo for aikido. She had never wandered Shibuya so much as lately to follow Ren around and even then, she was too concentrated on the task to memorize the surroundings the way she usually did. “How do you know this place?”
But the answer was easy. “Ryuji showed me.”
It was extremely reasonable if she had to admit. It matched with the impression she had got of the blonde and his likings so far. Still, it didn't explain the reason behind their current presence. “Why taking me here, though?”
“For the Metaverse,” Ren repeated what he had hinted at when messaging. “Model guns in real life are just that: toys. But in the Metaverse...”
“They become real,” Makoto concluded for him, widening her eyes in realization.
“Yeah,” the boy confirmed with a nod of his head. Again, her wit revealed sharp and quick. “We haven't used them when you were with us yesterday, but we all have a weapon we bring along in Palaces. They're handful in battles against Shadows, so I figured you'd need one too.”
The wider the set of equipment, the better. The powers she had acquired were formidable, but extra options were always accepted in a world they lacked proper knowledge of. Makoto would need to be careful to hide any toy weapon she was going to buy from her sister to avoid raising any suspicion, but if it would help take down Kaneshiro, she was ready to risk. He had killed her father. That, alone, was enough reason. “Okay, then,” she agreed, following him inside the shop.
The artificial lights barely contrasted with the darkness within Untouchable. The place looked even creepier once inside with the only sound of the air conditioner and the chill breeze it emanated. A single customer beside them scrutinized the set of medieval armors carefully placed on one side, probably for the sake of cosplaying. Ren could tell Makoto didn't feel really comfortable here since the tension in her shoulders returned.
“You brought a friend?” Who she guessed was the owner of the shop inquired, his behavior all but friendly as noted both by his tone and the grimace on his expression. The student council president wasn't sure whether she should feel offended by the fact or if it was his natural stance.
Ren took the endeavor more lightly. “Hello to you too,” he greeted, the shadow of a smile crossing his sharp features. He knew Munehisa Iwai enough at this point not to take any interaction with him personally. So far, he had provided them many weapons and armor sets useful for their investigations with his various collections. He hoped his calmness could soothe Makoto's nerves, as well.
The middle-aged man replied with a subtle scoff and turned his attention on the girl with the intensity of an hawk. He had short gray hair, a stubble, sideburn and earrings. She also caught the glimpse of a tattoo on the neck, hidden by clothes. “This is no place for girls, y'know,” he said, feet on the counter.
“We won't take long, Iwai-kun,” Ren assured on both's behalf then redirected to Makoto with a much gentler voice than the one used by the shop owner: “Come on, choose your favorite weapon.”
The student council president nodded her consent, her eyes leaving Iwai and beginning to examine the impressive collection on one of the shelves on their left. One in particular demanded her attention as soon as she spotted it at the center of the row.
“A revolver, huh?” Ren grinned when he saw her grab her choice. “You've got style.”
Makoto blushed in response to the teasing. “My father had one,” she explained her reasons, voice low as if she didn't want Iwai to listen. The man didn't seem interested in their conversation at all already as he minded his own business at the laptop. “He was a police officer...”
“Oh, really?” The words escaped Ren's mouth on instinct. He didn't mean for a joke to open the doors to heavy topics. Makoto had already shared part of her inner struggles and this wasn't the appropriate place to press. It was clear, however, that her father's memory influenced her mental state even to this day. He had noticed the pain in her irises when she had told the group about her hardships. “Are you alright?” He asked at last, the only question he could pose without sounding too invasive.
“Yes,” she assured a bit too quickly. “Thank you.” Then, she brought the toy gun to the counter, confirming it as her choice. Iwai's gaze raised to her and immediately recognized the item and its price. “It's 3000 yen.”
“I'm paying for it,” Ren decided from behind. The girl's lips parted but his swift movement prevented her from complaining since he took his black wallet out of his pocket and granted the man the requested amount. It was an action he had planned in advance, hence the quickness. Makoto stared at him in surprise, taken aback by his manners. His gaze didn't linger on hers however as he took hold of the shopping bag Iwai handed him. His muttered thanks received a dismissive wave of the hand in response by the man but Ren could only barely see it as he turned to leave. Just like earlier, Makoto followed along, making sure to remain at the boy's side. The return to natural light caused her eyes to squeeze for a moment before she focused them on him.
“Thank you, Amamiya-kun,” she expressed, still surprised yet sincerely. The softness in her current behavior contrasted widely with the smugness she had confronted him with when blackmailing the group. They were making progress at last. “You didn't need to.”
“I don't mind,” he commented, downplaying his action through a shrug. Despite his reputation, kindness came natural to him so he didn't see it as a reason for her to feel in debt. The sole motive behind his record was his innate desire to help others. The gesture, regardless, incited Makoto to engage into conversation the way they hadn't on their way here.
“I only realized now... Where's Morgana?” She wondered out loud. As much as she had seen so far, the cat hung in the boy's bag to remain close even at school. Apparently, she only knew part of the story since there was no trace of the feline if not for a few hair on the boy's clothes visible in the daylight.
“Roaming around,” Ren replied casually, hands back into his beloved pockets. While talking, they headed to the station. “It happens sometimes.” It made sense as Morgana seemed like the kind of individual who would want his independence. He remained a mystery, though, and for more than one reason.
“Is he really human?” Makoto couldn't help but inquire. She didn't wish to come off as rude but part of her failed to believe it. Then again, she wouldn't have trusted the existence of another reality hadn't she seen it with her own eyes, either. She had thought to know how the world worked but in the matter of a few days, her vision had revealed ignorant. Suddenly, reality around them seemed much more complicated and unpredictable than she had guessed. If there was the Metaverse, did other worlds exist as well? What did its existence entail and what other absurdities could take place in the near future?
Ren shrugged again, unable to provide a definite answer. In the end, the Phantom Thieves lacked insight on many aspects and could be defined rookies even with two heists successfully concluded. “That's what he says.”
Silence followed in which she realized she wanted to talk more with him. It had been the same with Ann earlier. The girl, unlike Ren, was very open about her emotions and quick to voice her opinions; the boy's more closed-off nature made her determined to crack a gap into his armor although she was the same. Another attempt at conversation was the only way she found to succeed on the task. “Regardless, it must be horrible, losing all memories...,” she considered, imagining the scenario if happened to her. Perhaps, the grieving side of her soul would benefit from the occurrence though her inquisitive personality would search for answers restlessly until she found them, preventing her any form of peace. She wondered how Morgana was able to deal with the uncertainty.
“Yeah,” the other admitted, letting his features show the same empathy. Most of the time, he revealed unreadable but the change provided a look inside the walls he had built around himself. Her efforts proved efficient sooner than she had expected. Makoto observed him for a few moments, scrutinizing the glimpse of personality. A few times he had already surprised her with his endeavor. While giving off the impression he didn't care about the world around him, his actions proved otherwise. She wasn't sure she would be here hadn't he and his friends come to the rescue to make up for her careless actions after Kaneshiro in the real world. He had helped her even before that, when getting on the way between her and one of the criminal's minions during their shared investigation to provide protection. In the little time she had spent in the Metaverse, he had been able to command orders with coolness. He was a fearless boy, a natural leader for his calm. The other members who had been with him for longer had realized that and showed their trust by following his orders with obedience. Even then, he didn't treat anyone as his subjected nor he thought he was superior. While there were some hierarchies at least inside Palaces, everyone had their role, their own powers and proved equally useful to the cause. It was clear on an instant for eyes so observant as hers.
Ren, of course, was the leader, dutied with the task of deciding when to enter the Metaverse and make use of his ability to organize and plan in advance. Laid-back in their current interaction, he had sounded confident in the other reality. Whether it was one of the reasons he had been chosen for the role or a simple consequence of it, she couldn't yet be sure. His unique skill of evoking more than one Persona made him the jolly of the team. His adeptness would prove useful to overturn disadvantageous situations, but why was he able to submit a different amount of Personas and the remaining members couldn't?
Morgana was the mentor, their guide into an unknown reality. Wind and healing were his specialties. Ryuji was the hothead, a muscle guy whose portentous strength and electrifying hits she had witnessed to in battle. Ann had seemed versatile through her use of fire and a good amount of agility. Yusuke owned the opposite power as he controlled ice. As far as she was informed, he was the one who had created the logo of the Phantom Thieves the television showed after their heists. The drawing was as sophisticated as his language and was also the profile picture of their group chat.
She had become their tactician with her brains and nuclear moves. Her combact style was totally different since she fought meelee with the help of brass knuckles she could evoke any moment in the Metaverse and the use of the knowledge she had acquired in her training in aikido. The fastness in movements and disposing of a vehicle as her Persona made her extremely resourceful. A shiver claimed her spine as soon as she remembered the feeling of adrenaline she had experienced when guiding it. In a life so boring, action had awakened her senses more than it should have.
“How do you feel?” Ren inquired, noticing her distant gaze.
His words had the effect of bringing her back to the current present. “A bit disoriented,” she admitted, raising her gaze to look back at his gray pools. “It's all new.”
“It takes some time,” he justified, proving comprehensive. He shared the same experience, after all. “I honestly thought I was going insane when it first happened to me.” His chuckle followed and Makoto's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but notice his different approach. At school, he was the silent guy who often avoided conversation because feared among students; in the Palace, he had been a charismatic leader. Yet now he was as casual as their overall meeting. It made her realize that powers and record aside, he was just a regular boy who could have fun and be simpathized with rather than stay away from as she had been instructed at first. Was that the reason why his quiet laugh made her lips curl up into a smile of her own?
“That's what I thought yesterday, as well...,” she mentioned, recalling how she had believed her mind was surrendering to the unwavering guilt of her mistakes and sense of inadequacy and entering an insane state that would affect the rest of her life; or that perhaps, she had been drugged by Kaneshiro without even noticing when captured. The materiality of what she had witnessed to yesterday had forced her to rethink her convictions: for how unrealistic it may sound, the Metaverse existed in all its complexity.
“You can ask us if you have any questions,” he offered. He was sure she would think of many with time.
The sun still shone brightly when he made his return to LeBlanc. In only a few months, he had grown attached to the place to a point he began to feel at home whenever he came back from his outings. He and Makoto had parted ways soon after leaving Untouchable when her train arrived first. After his encouragement to share her considerations in the future, he had disposed of enough time to get to know her more personally with the use of basic questions. He had learned that her birthday was in April while he had shared he was turning seventeen on September 10th; she had been student council president for two years already and he had talked of his simple way of living in the small town he came from. Their chatting had been cut short but spending time with Makoto hadn't revealed boring like one could guess after a first approach.
He entered the shop, empty as always. Only an old couple sitting at one of the tables and a young woman at the counter filled it. Her long, ashen hair reached the booth, defining a slender figure. The familiar smell of coffee and curry filled his nostrils, an unconventional combination he had learned to adore. His attention, regardless, remained on the individual he recognized as one of the customers who passed by a few times a month.
“I'll have the usual, please,” her voice reached his ears. Sojiro signaled his understanding through a nod of the head, ready to prepare the house blend. In her wait, as if feeling observed, the woman met Ren's gaze.
“Oh, you're that part-timer,” she recalled. That's the excuse Sojiro had used when they had first met weeks ago. It wasn't technically a lie anymore as he did help Boss out with orders and washing dishes and cups. The brownish pools were mixed with a red rather familiar that seemed to scrutinize him. The sharpness of the gaze, while not unfriendly, reminded him of Makoto. The two differed substantially but all of a sudden he was noticing some common traits that made his mind run with theories it hadn't posed before today. “You said you go to Shujin, right?”
“Yes. And you said you know someone who goes there, don't you?” he was able to remember. He posed the question as a subtle test to confirm the unvoiced idea.
“I do,” the woman acknowledged, but didn't dwell further into the matter. Sojiro placed a cup of plain, black coffee in front of her which she brought to her lips with an elegant, calm endeavor. The proper posture indicated she was a refined individual. “Quite a share of trouble happened at that school in these months.”
“Yeah,” Ren confirmed, abruptly vigilant. Wording and body languages were only two of the traits prosecutors studied to determine the sincerity of the accused. The woman didn't look on alert right now, likely unaware of his record but past traumas warned him anyway.
“Head upstairs,” Sojiro chided, not unfriendly in front of customers. “We have clients now.”
Ren hummed his agreement. Sojiro didn't want him around during working hours if not to help out, a rule established on his first day in Tokyo. Unconsciously, he had given him a way out of further interaction with the unbothered woman. He exchanged another glance with her before directing to the attic that also worked as his bedroom. His brain continued to work, considering the possibilities.
Could she be...?
The woman's name, he discovered, was Sae. She was, in fact, Makoto's older sister. Searching “Niijima” and “Tokyo, Japan” had granted a compelling amount of informations to appear on his phone as well as pictures to confirm her identity.
The Niijima family was well-known in Tokyo for their generational efforts to improve the country. The long line of police officers who had kept the streets safe and ensured criminals to justice had allowed to the creation of a respected name all over the capital. Sae was only their latest pride in her accomplishment to pass the bar test as one of the youngest in the country at 18. The media had been particularly interested in the achievement since Ren found a good amount of interviews and articles from then. He watched some clips, even.
The first listed off some random, updated details starting from her age to her profession as a prosecutor, birthday, and height. He found the latter particularly impressive since the woman was barely shorter than him whereas Makoto only reached his nose with the tip of the head. The second was a simple series of trivia about the family that mentioned the existence of a younger sister no one was sure what career wanted to pursue in the future. The student council president had never been put much in the spotlight, it seemed, not a particularly startling detail considering her clear introversion. He was sure the poor girl didn't need any added pressure, either.
In the third, an eighteen-year-old Sae sat across from a male host on set, both on leather chairs and dressed business-like for the broadcast. Her crossed legs hinted at a relaxed body language born from an amount of self-confidence not many girls her age possessed. After such a fulfilment, a sense of pride wasn't a surprise. The program was specialized in discussing extraordinary performances and hosting famous people, which was why she felt particularly content with having been invited. The man in front of her didn't look older than fourty-five. Hayato Minamoto had built himself a name on his talent to address records and surprising results through a wit sense of humor and good questioning.
"Now, Niijima-san," he began slow. "You're a high schooler who has managed to pass the bar exam, correct?" He questioned just to inform the public. His features expressed into a somewhat wide grin as if in disbelief. It felt nice to her, being boasted first thing into the interview.
“Indeed,” the teen confirmed, a hint of satisfaction in the tone of her voice. Part of her was glad for the information to be shared especially since the show was famous enough to reach a good amount of people. Papers and videos all over the Internet had certainly helped spread the news just as well. She had worked hard for it, so a little bit of bragging wouldn't hurt anyone when considered a youthful sin. Still, she tried to keep up a prim behavior for the sake of the Niijimas reputation. “And, as far as I am informed, I am the youngest to ever have been able to pass it in our country.”
“Definitely,” the man nodded his head. Part of his cleverness as a host sat in the knowledge he made sure to acquire on the topics he was going to cover live. He didn't lack personal comments followed by explicative gesturing: “I think that's amazing! What does it mean to you, such an achievement at your age? You're practically a prodigy.”
“To me, it certainly is an accomplishment to be proud of,” the young woman answered as, in contrast to Minamoto, her hands remained still. “I have been preparing myself for the past three years, so being recognized for my results makes me feel honored.”
The man nodded his head again on repetition. He seemed interested in the conversation. Though that may only be because he was passionate about his job, he looked genuinely fascinated by the success the girl was reaching in her new field. “It must be a pride for your father as well,” he guessed. By mentioning one of the most beloved police officers of the capital, he showed to know what kind of questions could pick up the attention of the citizens.
“He... certainly is.”
Ren couldn't help but notice the unease Sae tried to hide even through a video. Albeit Taro Niijima was alive at the time, the relationship between the two didn't seem idyllic back then. A simple quarrel was a possibility but a nagging feeling told the boy there was more to the story. Obviously, Sae wouldn't talk about the matter live on TV so he didn't expect to find answers by prolonging his vision. He continued to watch regardless out of a sense of curiosity. The next questions were more light-hearted until the interviewer raised a compelling point: “Your family has always been zealous on justice,” he noted. “The Niijima name is associated with help around the city and respectable careers. Most of them have been police officers but some have chosen a path in the field of law like you.”
“You did your homework, I see,” Sae jested with a subtle smile. The answer ignited a laugh from the people watching them live. Minamoto proved his dedication again with the careful researches he had made before inviting her. “A few members of my family have, indeed,” she confirmed more seriously, intertwining her own fingers to rest on her lap. “I have always felt drawn to the law and the justice it represents. Studying and researching the matter convinced me all the more. It is the path I was meant to follow.”
Meant to follow. Ren exchanged a curious glance with Morgana who was watching along. Sae's words highlighted the same idealism that Makoto still showcased, too. Her decision to study and take the bar exam wasn't a forced action to live up to the family name's expectations, but a genuine drive to follow similar aspirations despite the young age. It was the same reason why Makoto had rebelled to the Principal's orders despite her reputation as the most rule-abiding student of the school.
“So that's what guides you?” The man in the clip inquired curiously, resting his chin on his palm. “The justice characteristic of your family?”
“I have always been a firm believer in justice,” Sae considered, a trait inherited from her father. “The law exists to preserve our society from chaos. It is a system that needs to be maintained and nurtured through those who believe in it. That is what has always motivated me; I will use my skills to the best of my abilities so to keep the order of the world intact. I intend to work hard to change the country and help the many people in need.”
“That is a... powerful exclamation,” Morgana commented during their watch. His muzzle curled up into a frown. “Didn't Makoto say she can't be like her sister though?”
“Maybe something has changed,” Ren reasoned, lowlier than usual. There was more to the story; now, he was sure of it. His curiosity spiked, prompting him to research further. News and articles on the older sister were the highlight but there were some about their late father as well. He clicked on an interview from eight years ago.
At the time, the man was probably in his fourties by the look of it. In fact, his features were sharp but young and he was devoid of any beard. The rolled-up shirt sleeves of a not so overly-professional attire allowed a glance to the refined muscles expected from a police officer to bear the physical demand of his job. Unsurprisingly, his irises were of a ruby color both daughters had hereditated in different shades. Sae's were more brownish but Makoto's were as vivid as his. That wasn't the only trait they had in common since the man presented brown hair ruffled in spite of its shortness. Ren had no idea what their mother had looked like but it was safe to assume Sae was her closest representation when Makoto was a female copy of Taro on a physical level. For sure, the family possessed good genes many people would be envious of.
Curiously enough, Taro had been interviewed by Hayato Minamoto, too.
“Managing your double duty as a father and a police officer at the same time must be difficult, isn't it?” The host began the discussion with a versatile question to satisfy the thirst of the public on more fronts. The wording could either lead the other man to discuss his job more in insight—the excuse behind which he had been invited—or to share personal details for the curious. Minamoto's career had yet to reach its peak back then but he had already understood that the private aspects of one's life often claimed views more than heroic speeches. It almost appeared disrespectful now but Taro's fate wasn't known at the time.
“I'm not even sure I actually manage,” the officer joked, less serious than his daughters in the approach with the public. “My eldest is sixteen. But my youngest is only ten so she requires the attention. It's difficult to give them much considering how many hours my job takes every day.”
“The age gap between them is quite significant,” Minamoto considered. Most siblings were closer in age if there wasn't another one in the middle. “Is that a positive or a negative to their bond?”
“This is an interesting question,” Taro pondered while wrapping his arms in front of his chest. “Makoto has always looked up to Sae a lot,” he recalled with a chuckle born from the affection he held for them. “Of course, as a teen, Sae demands more indipendence and privacy but Makoto would follow her around like a duckling all day.”
An amused laughter from the public convinced Minamoto the interview was being a success so far. Children would often ignite that kind of reaction. Letting interviewees show their human side connected them with the viewers and raised the interest for future interviews. So he tried to dig in: “Are they much different?”
The officer's lips pursed in thought. His daughters were an ongoing discovery that never failed to entertain him. They walked through different stages of life since one was in high school and the other only a child; adaptness was crucial to provide for both especially as a single parent. It was like a second job, paid with love rather than money but all the more satisfying. “Well, my eldest is somewhat of a firecracker, she's really assertive for her age,” he admitted mirthfully. “Socializing doesn't bother her, but Makoto is much more shy. She's quiet, listens to both me and her sister, and requires a lot of that affection I was talking about earlier. Like, a real lot. She practically runs to me as soon as she hears the door knock open in the evening every day.”
Ren laughed along with the public from the clip. Even someone so introverted like Makoto had been a child with a need for affection and some spoiling. The mental image was cute when compared with the seriousness he had grown to associate her with. Loss was likely a factor at play in her current personality. Sometimes suffering shaped one more than happiness would.
The video continued in the face of his silent considerations: “We've talked a bit about your personal life with two daughters, but what does your job mean to you?”
So far, Taro had allowed a touch of carefreeness to guide his words but his attitude shifted along with the matter of discussion. He followed the flow of the conversation, appearing resolute in his answer: “It means a lot, to be honest. I've been a police officer for longer than Sae was born, but when she came into the world, my priorities switched immediately,” he didn't hide. “Before, I felt like helping people was my duty. That hasn't changed, but now I keep the city safe for my children too. They're just kids, but they inspire me on my job more than they can realize. It's something only a parent can understand.”
His fervent conviction fired within the red eyes, impossible to exhinguish. Years of career had exposed him to any sort of criminal and amplified his belief to be on the right path. He wouldn't let the chance for some words of encouragement slip through his fingers in a setting where he could be heard even if he was already proving his dedication thanks to his everyday actions at work. “You know, my badge is more than a testament of my role,” he started off, glancing to the other people inside the room he had found himself in for the program. Their previous hilarity had left space to an attentive listening. “It represents my dedication to dedicate my life to the purpose of helping others. I believe it's more blessed to give than to receive, and I do just that: I work for others and try to make my existence useful.”
The depth of his words was spoken without filters. The joy in his gaze depicted a man who had found his peace despite the loss of the person he had started a family with. Ren felt admiration form in his chest. Remaining faithful to their ideals despite unfortunate occurrences was a rare trait that accomunated them. In opposition to him, Taro had been recognized for his pure intentions.
There wasn't a satisfying amount of information about the man's death. People believed it was merely an accident but Kaneshiro had confessed to his crime of ordering his death inside his Palace. Taro's investigation on his organization had led him to a dangerous path that had eventually taken his life. According to the report of the tragedy, he had died on an instant though the lack of suffering was barely a relief when leaving two daughters so young to face the world alone as orphans. A news so sudden must have shaken the siblings' psyche more than he had seen so far. Ren's relationship with his parents wasn't idyllic but he couldn't even imagine losing one like that. The disrespectful attention they had received had added another obstacle in their recovery since the prosecutor, he found, had sometimes been surrounded by journalists at her exit from the office to be asked about the event in the weeks following it. During the parade in Taro's honor organized by his police department, the same had been done to a troubled fifteen-year-old Makoto, which had forced Sae to take her away. Ren's jaw clenched with annoyance for the treatment they had endured. Insensitiveness ruiled over the hearts of many individuals, causing further pain to who was already suffering. At least, the research had supplied him with some added information. The family was under exposure from time to time, Makoto the only one spared from media attention so far if not for mere mentions every now and then and that particular time. Sae had almost half a million followers on socials instead albeit she barely seemed to use them by the general lack of posting. Still, pity enveloped his heart more than anything. It was like the Niijimas were cursed with hardships despite the good they had done through the generations.
The prospect of avenging them by defeating Kaneshiro's Shadow gave him new purpose to enter the Metaverse and ruin the criminal's reign as soon as possible.