imaphantomthief | IC contact: text/voice/Qwikchat/whatever...

Yeah. Did you knock? I didn’t hear anything.

Not yet. Do you mind?

If you knock? No. That’s what doors are for.

[Screw it, he’s just gonna walk across the street and knock on yours. Thanks to the window leaping incident, he knows where to find you.]

[ It wasn't an INCIDENT. ]

I mean, do you mind having company

[ Oh. nevermind then? Yusuke's down the stairs in a flash to open the door and invite him in. ]

Hello. Please, come in. I just wanted to check up on you, make sure you were feeling alright.

[Patience is a virtue apparently, but Ryūji must be a sinner or something ‘cause he’s running short on it. He takes up that invitation and walks in, though. He can follow some instructions, after all.]

Why, ‘cause the world keeps exploding? That sucked at first, but I guess you just get over it.

[Ok, so you don’t. But it’s probably best not to admit that, right?]

Well, at least that's over with.

[ What a week. Enough existential anxiety for a lifetime, there. ]

I mean, in general. I know that you have more to adjust to than most of us, I am concerned about you getting overwhelmed. [ Beat. ] This isn't condescension. Merely...as your friend.

[ If he says it a lot, it must be true, right? ]

Can I get you anything?

[Ryūji fidgets with his jacket a minute until he settles on stuffing his hands in his pockets. It’s kinda hot here, but all he brought was his stupid uniform. Most of it, anyway. And his gym clothes, but those might even be worse.

Besides, he’s a little ashamed now of the mark on his arm. He’d rather keep it covered up anyway.]

Like what? You’re stuck here too, right?

I was thinking something along the lines of tea, but by all means, feel free to call on me if there is anything more urgent.

[ Remember when you and the other thieves saved his life, despite his angry protests? Not to mention all the close calls in the Metaverse?

No, you don't, Ryuji! And that's sad, but fine. Yusuke will feel indebted to him either way, it's only proper that he help his friend in a time of need and confusion. And evidently, fashion mishaps. ]

You keep wearing your old uniform. Do you have other clothes, yet? Your initial stipend really isn't enough to get started, I could help you, if you would like me to.

Look, I don’t think your stuff would fit me.

[He could just leave it at that, but he’s frustrated. It’s hard to just leave well enough alone sometimes when everything is a big, weird mess.]

Anyway, what’s wrong with it, huh? It was fine at home! Nobody thought anything about it until I got here! What’s with that?

Obviously not my own clothes. We could go shopping.

[ Yusuke breathes in and out, slowly. Ryuji is getting fired up over nothing, which makes his usual calm and composed front a little harder to keep up. ]

There is nothing wrong. However, Americans don't wear uniforms like that...having your own things here might make you feel more at home.

[Ugh. That’s probably true. Ryūji sighs. He kinda doesn’t know anything about America like he thought he did, now that he’s here.

He hasn’t ever traveled before, so he’s not familiar with culture shock, but it’s a real pain. His shoulders slump a little. He is kind of sweating.]

I guess you’re right, but what’s in it for you?

[ In it...for him? Ryuji. ]

The peace of mind of knowing that someone I care for has his feet on the ground, I suppose.

[Oh... that’s... weird. It’s nice, right? That’s probably nice. He jams his hands further into his pockets, and yeah ok, they’re kinda sweaty.]

I guess that’s alright. If you’re sure.

Whether you remember it or not, I owe you my life. In lieu of that, a few outfits will do.

[ Given that imPort housing is free and he has actual income, Yusuke's financial situation is different from what it used to be. Which is not to say he doesn't blow more than he should on art supplies and nonsense, but he lives more comfortably than he ever has. It's really no burden on him whatsoever. ]

Your life? No way.

[That’s the wrong thing to get excited about, but it perks him right up. He’s definitely never saved anyone’s life before! Hell, when it really counts he’s a coward. It must be the super powers.]

You mean Akira, right? But I was there, too? Hell yeah, that’s worth a pair of shorts!

Akira was the one in charge, of course, but you did your part. You, Ann, and Morgana. I was the next one to join, after you rescued me from my guardian, and we changed his heart, together.

[ Ryuji must have only missed him by weeks, if that. He's trying not to let it get to him, with mixed success. They haven't gotten off on the best of feet either time, but before, they were thrown together by circumstance. Now, Yusuke is choosing to be his friend, and just hoping the other boy will accept. It's a strangely vulnerable position, one he's never been in before. ]

I work from home, my schedule is open. We can go whenever you like.

Woah, what? We changed your dad’s heart?

[Actually... that sucks. A lot. He’s not sure how to say it, but he knows a thing or two about lousy dads himself. Ryūji glances away, glaring through a wall for a moment.]

Sorry.

He was not my father. My parents both passed, when I was very young.

[ It's weird to have to explain this to him. Ryuji had helped to convince him that his situation wasn't normal, had been at his side when he learned the truth about the Sayuri. It isn't something that he is uncomfortable talking about, he had no choice but to get used to probing questions from his classmates back then, but it's not fair that he has to do it for Ryuji. Yusuke tucks his hair behind his ear, tries to hide the absurdity of this conversation behind a cough. ]

My mother died because of him. She was an artist, and he wanted to be, so when she had a seizure in front of him, he just watched. He may as well have murdered her himself, so that he could get rich stealing her work. So, do not be sorry, he deserved what he got. He will die in prison.

[Ryūji is uncharacteristically quiet through that explanation. He goes from surprise to regret to fury in quick succession, and it shows clearly on his face.

By the end of it he’s clenching his jaw, and his fists. His nostrils flare as he exhales harshly. He didn’t even know he’d been holding his breath, but man are his lungs craving oxygen.

His fists unclench slowly as he realizes that he should probably react to that. There are cuts in his palm from his fingernails. He should trim those. Later.

He clears his throat, and clasps a hand to Yūsuke’s shoulder. Hearing that really pisses him off. But he’s glad they helped this guy. Maybe he’s got his reasons for being a weirdo.]

Let him rot, then. C’mon, let’s take a walk. Just... do it normally, alright?

[ There he is, the Ryuji he knows. Consuming, righteous outrage over an injustice he could easily look past, so strong as to cause a physical reaction. It's a good thing, in Yusuke's eyes, the reason he has such strong affection for him despite his crudeness and what did he say?! ]

What do you mean, 'do it normally'? There's nothing wrong with the way I walk.

C’mon, have you seen yourself? You jumped out of the window, man.

[That’s weird. Even this guy can’t honestly think that’s normal. Ryūji’s hand retracts so he can stretch some of the tension out of his shoulders. Something even pops, that’s how angry he’d been on Yūsuke’s behalf.

But now, he’s not gonna make this guy dwell on it. He just grins and takes the first step towards the street. Y’know, like a normal human being.]

I do not make a habit of it.

[ That was only like, the second time. The way he walks is tall, graceful, and pretty, like him. Nothing wrong with that! Still, he smiles when Ryuji does, and reaches for his bag hung up next to the coats, by the door. Can't go anywhere without his sketchbook! ]

Let us be on our way, then.

Good. I didn’t wanna have to pretend not to know ya.

[He’s kidding. Probably.

Out in the fresh air, the remaining tension drains away. If that Yūsuke guy can smile after something like that, he must be a little tougher than he looks.]

Gotta be honest, I have no idea where we’re going. I’m just walking.

IC contact: text/voice/Qwikchat/whatever...

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