ITS YA BOY. Here is an intermission chapter I woke up with in my head. Next chapter should be returning to 1000+ words. Bare with me while I work out an effective routine. Life is tough!
-Raoul
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CHAT LOG
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[Seeker]
Mitsuru, I've been watching Ren. Izanagi has confirmed that Ren is a wildcard, we weren't wrong. He has been with a boy and two girls often. Their team is already building up fast. This nest may be extremely large. Shall I make contact?
.
.
.
The Velvet Room will also not open its doors to me.
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Ren woke pretty well rested for a change. Perhaps it was opening up to his friends. Perhaps it was knocking out a chunk of the Palace. He was still unsettled by hearing the voice interrupt his bond formation with Ann. But overall there seemed to be no immediate issues. He was aware that something was looking for him. But what could it be?
"You okay?" Sojiro asked.
"Yeah, just a bit stressed still. A friend collapsed yesterday," Ren revealed.
Sojiro raised his eyebrow. He took initiative to share something about himself?
"Are they okay?" Sojiro asked with narrowed eyes.
"We brought her to Takemi. It seems it was just low blood sugar, but she needs to rule out diabetes."
"Get her on that then."
"Will do, Boss," Ren chuckled at his guardian's caring nature. His unease fading a bit with the man's presence.
"Thanks for listening," Ren muttered with a smile.
'No problem, kid,' Sojiro thought as he smiled back.
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CHAT LOG
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[J0ker]
Who changed everyone else's name?
[Panther]
Ryuji. It's just for this chat.
[J0ker]
I'll talk to someone I know about cyber security so this chat stays private.
[Lucia] added [Lucia]
[Lucia]
End to end messaging will work better. I'll send you a program for you and your friends. Contact Yu.
[Lucia] left the group
[Dove]
JOKER?
[Everyone is typing]
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"These guys always know how to irritate me," Ren grumbled.
"SOMEONE HACKED OUR CHAT?!?" Morgana screeched.
"Woah, what scared you, little guy?" Sojiro asked in surprise. "Head to school soon, Ren."
"Yes, sir."
'One step at a time,' Sojiro mentally sighed.
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Shujin courtyard
"Ren, who was that? How? Who is Lucia? Who is Yu?" Shiho asked in a panic as Ren approached.
The team had serious looks.
"Calm down a moment, everyone," Ren gently said.
Everyone took a deep breath and waited for him to continue.
"That was the cybersecurity expert I mentioned. She is trustworthy. I met her through a guy named Yu. He and his friends took care of me in Inaba when I was a kid," he smiled.
'HE'S SO CUTE WHEN HE SMILES FOR REAL!' Ann and Shiho squealed mentally.
"It's good to see you smile, Ren," Ryuji suddenly said. "You always look so… sour? Dour? I don't know the word. But it's nice to see you relax."
"But the Metaverse is a huge secret!" Morgana groaned in frustration.
"About that…" Ren awkwardly began. "I think that they may be aware of it already?"
?!?!
"How?!" the group exclaimed.
"A few reasons," Ren exhaled, thinking of his Tarot deck. Yu also had one, and it was clearly related to the Velvet Room.
"Yu studies psychology too, regularly. He said it was for work in the past, even though he works for the Kirijo Group."
"Woah, that's a big group…" Ann muttered. "Don't they make phones though?"
"I know I can trust them, but I hate that they keep forcing my hand!" Ren sighed. "I guess I'll talk to him. But I'll keep it vague."
"If you trust them, I will." Ryuji shocked the group. "I trust YOU, Ren."
"Thanks, Ryuji," Ren replied gently.
'I feel like I should hang out with him soon,' Ren thought as he felt the bond between himself and Ryuji grow stronger.
"Awh. The bromance is real," Ren said dramatically.
Ryuji just huffed out a laugh as the rest of the team enjoyed the atmosphere.
BZZT
Ren's phone buzzed. He opened the message to find it was a file to install to his phone for an encrypted messenger app. At least, that's what Lucia— Fuuka— claimed. He was sure she still had access to it.
'She's an angel, essentially. She will keep secrets. And if they are aware of the Metaverse…'
RING
"I'll talk to you guys about that private messenger app later. Let's get to class. I'll figure out how to use this thing," Ren said as he squinted at the screen.
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