It had been a few months since the Phantom Thieves had saved the world. Life was almost back to the way it was. But life for me, it was...different. I no longer enjoyed my hometown as I had used to. Much had changed. Probation. Rehabilitation. Persona. Leader. Justice. Friends. Romance. So much had happened within the year.

My life as a phantom thief may be over, but the bonds I had created and cherished were not. I missed them.

Ryuji, the best freakin runner there was out there. Ann, a successful model, but a better friend. Yusuke, the eccentric painter that knows no bounds when it comes to beauty. Makoto, the honors student who turned out to be the brains and the brawn. Futaba, shyest girl I've ever met. Haru, the sweet botanist. Akechi...the most understood of us all. Morganna, who is still with me.

And Hifumi.

What was just a deal to learn tactics and for her to try out shogi moves, blossomed into love? I wanted it to be. Her long dark hair, her bangs shadowing those verdant eyes of hers. That red hair accessory and her checkered dress...I missed her more than anyone. I had not seen her properly since the day I went home. Sure, we've called and talked to each other. But that is nothing. I wanted to see her. Hold her. Smell her perfume and look into her eyes.

I sighed.

"Hey!" a voice piped up. My head turned to the black cat sitting at the edge of my bed.

"Aren't you tired?" the cat meowed. I nodded. Morgana. Always telling me to go to bed. I laid down and stared at the ceiling for awhile. The glow-in-the-dark stars Yusuke had given me were up there. A wave of homesickness washed over me. Morgana could sense I was upset because he padded over to me. Instead of asking anything, he just curled up next to me. It worked. My eyes felt heavy and soon I was asleep.

Later on that night, my phone buzzed. I lifted it from under my pillow. "Who could that be at this hour?" Morgana meowed irritably.

It was a text. From Hifumi. I replied and fell back asleep.

The next morning, I got up and changed quickly. I looked in the mirror. My black, curly but disheveled hair curled around the round glasses I wore. I brushed my teeth and hurried back to my room. Morgana was waiting. He licked one of his paws. "What's the hurry?" he asked.

"I won't be long." was all I said to him as I left the house. I went to the station and waited for the morning train to arrive. When it did, I looked all over for her.

"Umm..hey there.." A shy voice sounded behind me. I turned and there she was. Hifumi Togo, in her red, blue, and white checkered dress, with her green eyes shyly gazing at a corner and her cheeks flushed pink.

"Hey." I said. "I..I'm sorry," Hifumi blurted out. I smiled gently at her. "Want a match?"

Hifumi blushed. I took her hand and led her to a small outdoor cafe. "It's nice here," she commented. I nodded. "Umm.." she started.

"I missed you," I stated. HIfumi's eyes widened for a second, then she smiled that adorable smile of hers. "Me too."

We sat and drank coffee. We talked and caught up with each other. She was doing well with school and shogi. Of course, I already knew she was, but it felt nice to hear it from her own lips. I told her about my life here. Before long, Hifumi had to leave.

"I'm sorry our time is so short...I wish I could see you more."

"Yeah."

I walked her back to the station. We waited for her train together. I couldn't do this. I couldn't end it like this. Not after for so long.

"Hifumi?"

"Huh?" she gasped. I took her by the waist and gently lowered my head until our lips met. Her lips were so soft and her face looked so cute.

The train sounded. It was here. I let her go. "Bye," I whispered to her. She nodded slowly and hugged me. I watched her get on the train.

"Until next time, Princess," I whispered.