↳ CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

LIVE AND FERN ↲

MONDAY, MAY 02 | EVENING

DID KAORI HAVE TO DO WHAT SHE WAS ABOUT TO DO?

No, but she did it anyways, because she knew that she would never be able to live with herself if she didn't.

Her mother may have done many things, but mama didn't raise no bitch. Kaori knew what proper etiquette meant and what was expected for her to do. It was painfully ingrained into her brain when she was younger, but she supposed some good came out of it.

It was late into the evening, the moon had just settled itself on the sky a few moment ago for everyone to see.

The small brunette had already ate some Cup noodles for dinner, considering that her mother still hasn't returned from her business trip (though it wouldn't change much if she had), and had changed from her school uniform into some more comfortable clothes.

She had a small teal coloured bag in her hands and strolled down the familiar streets of Yongen, while reminiscing about the events that had transpired in the past few days.

It was a real rollercoaster of emotions, mostly anxiety, and felt like a wild fever dream for the most part. Kaori still can't believe that all of it happened and that it actually worked. Fighting a demon version of your abusive gym teacher sounded like a bad episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved to Kaori, not something she would actually do in real life to stop her and her friends from getting expelled.

But she did do it, so now she can cross that off her not existent bucket list.

Everything was scarily normal now, her expulsion was put on hold (although she was sure her mother would have done something to prevent that anyways) and Kamoshida confessed his crimes this dreadful Monday morning and got put into police custody because of them.

Yes, everything was turning around for Kaori. School became bearable and she had actual friends now, the only other thing the young girl had to worry about now was her easily avoidable and easy to please mother.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips, as she turned another corner and to her surprise already arrived at her destination, Café Leblanc.

It was a small little building that didn't particularly stand out amongst it's neighbours. A soft orange light shone through the windows, indicating that it probably still was open. Kaori remembered the countless times she had passed the building on her way to various places, but never actually entering it.

She always did wonder what it was like inside. She saw many different people come and go to this place, from her next door neighbour to the back alley goth doctor, everyone was welcome at the Café. There was something so homely about it, that every one can't be helped but be drawn to it, and as a bonus the coffee tastes incredibly delicious as well from what she gathered.

The bitter smell of coffee filled Kaori's sensitive nose as she stepped closer to the entrance of the building, a customer just opening the door and leaving with a content smile at the same moment, flashing his smile at the girl while he passed her.

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Another customer bid their goodbye, while Ren was stuck again behind the counter of the café, helping Sojiro out by washing a few dishes and taking a few orders here and there.

He didn't mind though, it was the least he could do after basically living at the man's café for free, and he had to admit it sometimes was nice to do some simple work to distract from school and what not.

He dried another small coffee cup with a towel, as the bell above the door chimed once again, signalling that another costumer entered the small restaurant.

The frizzy haired boy raised his head slightly, wanting to take small peak at the person entering, expecting another middle aged man or woman, only to be met with the familiar sight of his classmate entering with her usual insecure look on her face.

Her golden eyes scanned over the noisy room, before finally settling on the tall boy by the counter, making her mouth form into a small smile. The brunette moved to sit down on one of the tall chair by the counter and carefully placed her teal coloured bag on it.

Sojiro, not far off chatting with one of his regulars, noticed the looks that the two teens were giving each other and walked closer to Ren, as he just finished drying the cup and placed it back on the shelf.

"You know the girl?" The man asked curiously, eyeing the brunette as she pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear, waiting idly for someone to take her order.

Ren nodded, "She's just one of my classmates," he replied simply, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

Sojiro smiled and opened his mouth to say something, but ended up simply nodding at the answer that the teen gave him instead. "Well, take her order will you?" He asked, before waking off again to continue his chat.

With a tired sigh, but conviction in his heart Ren walked over to where Kaori was sitting with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" He asked a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"A few things actually," she replied vaguely, "But, could I get a coffee first? Cream, three sugars. I've been dying to try one from here for ages."

Ren simply nodded, heading on to prepare the girl's coffee. It came to no surprise to him that Kaori likes her coffee quite sweet, considering that she devours a carton of strawberry milk every chance she gets.

With the coffee finished Ren returned to his friend and classmate and placed it in front of her. Kaori thanked him and took a small sip from it, being pleasantly surprised by how good it actually was. Ren only nodded in responds, already continuing to dry the remaining dishes as they began to speak.

"What's in the bag?" He asked, eyeing it curiously.

Kaori smiled and placed her cup back on it's saucer, "Right, the reason I actually came here today," she replied, taking the bag and slowly and carefully pulling out its contents.

The frizzy haired boy let out a fake gasp and put a hand on his chest, "Wait, you mean to tell me that you didn't just want to drink coffee?"

A small giggle escaped Kaori's mouth as she finally managed to pull out the contents of the bag and placing it on the counter, only to be met by a confused looking Ren.

"A potted plant?"

A blush spread across Kaori's face as realisations just hit her on what she had done, "It's-It's a fern actually," she managed to stammer out, avoiding eye contact with Ren and instead focusing her attention on the potted plant in front of them, "In Slavic folklore, ferns are believed to allegedly guarantee someone to be happy and rich for the rest of their life if they see one."

Ren listened intently to what Kaori had to say, even if it was nonsensical rambling, and nodded along, wondering were she even learned that stuff from.

"I figured since you only just moved here and with the horrible things that happened to you, you could use a little bit of happiness and your room could use a little bit of oxygen," she explained, fiddling nervously with her hands on her lap, "B-But that's not the point, the point is that I... I wanted to thank you for saving me from being crushed by a giant volleyball."

The girl took a small pause and then let out a short breath, "I mean, it's not everyday that you experience your near immediate death and get saved by someone you met two weeks ago in the subway."

"It was nothing, really," He replied humbly, "Anyone would have done the same thing in my place."

Kaori shook her head and smiled at the boy, "Yet, you were the one who did. So, please accept Debra as a thank you."

Ren raised an eyebrow at that, "Debra?"

Another embarrassed blush crept on Kaori's cheeks, "I named it," she admitted shamefully, "I know it's weird and stupid, but I name all my plants. You don't have to call her that if you-"

"No, it suits her." The boy interrupted her, before she could get to another round of nonsensical rambling. He smiled at the petite brunette and took the potted plant in his hands, admiring it, then going back to work after he saw the disapproving look of Sojiro in the corner of his eye.

Kaori didn't notice however and ran a hand through her hair, a habit she always had when her hair grew greasy and it was in desperate need of a wash, before continuing to talk.

"I, uh, also wanted to apologise for my behaviour in the past few weeks," she began, making Ren look at her in mild confusion as he didn't recall anything that would warren any kind of apology from her.

"Ryuji told me how worried and upset you and Ann were about me when I was gone and all moody and depressed afterwards," the girl took a small breath before continuing, "And even though you only just met me, you cared more for me than some other people I have known my entire life. So, I'm sorry for making you worry about me."

Ren finished drying his last coffee cup and placed on the shelf behind him. Unbeknownst to Kaori the look on his face softened at the words she spoke. He didn't know why, but a hint of sadness and guilt laced her carefully spoken words and he can't help but feel sorry for her sake.

Kaori continued to play with her hair, her eyes staying on the warm coffee in front of her, "I just really hate it when I make people worry. I guess I just didn't have someone who worried over me for such a long time that I-I forgot what it felt like."

The frizzy haired boy turned to face the girl again and gave her a soft smile, "Hey, it's alright," he spoke up, gaining her attention, "Don't worry about it, pun not intended, that's what friends are there for, to worry about you and care about you and save you from impending doom by the hands of a volleyball."

Kaori returned the smile, but instead of giggling about his quip or thanking him for the kind words, another thing plagued her mind, "Y-You consider me a friend? But you only just met me."

"Of course, you're my friend," he replied like it was common knowledge to everyone, "Or would you prefer to be that one girl that sits behind me in class and has a serious addiction to strawberry milk?"

Kaori shook her head, "No, friend is fine. It's actually better than fine. It's- It's really great actually..."

A brief moment of silence filled the room as the two simply smiled and stared at each other, a familiar feeling of a deep connection filling Ren, only for a familiar voice to ring in his head.

I am thou... Thou art I...
Thou hast established a new vow...
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Aeon Persona
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

The voice passed and while Ren was momentarily distracted, Kaori finished the rest of her coffee and placed some money on the counter.

"Well, it's getting late. I should probably head back home," she said, grabbing the teal coloured bag and getting up from her chair, "Thank you for the coffee. It was really delicious."

Ren snapped out of his trance and nodded at the girl, "No problem. Thank you for the fern." He awkwardly took the plant in his hands once more, "I'll be sure to take good care of her."

Kaori nodded back at him, "I'm sure you will. I'll see you on Children's day then. Good night."

"Good Night."

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↳ A/N:

It's me, I'm back again, writing a fluff piece instead of progressing the story even though we're already fifteen chapters in and aren't even done with the first arc. Hurray! But you know what they say, all good things take time.

Anyway I again wanted to thank all of you, who actually read this mess and comment, vote, and are patient with the updates, it means a whole lot to me. 2020 has been throwing so many sticks and stones at us, and I sincerely hope that you're all okay and well wherever you are and that this story so far and other stories as well help to give you a little bit of joy in these times.

Also have this Comic I found on Pinterest.