2025-10-18: Vetting Process
- Log: 2025-10-18 Vetting Process
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Yukari Takeba, Akihiko Sanada
- Where: Underground Mall into Big Bang Burger, Shibuya, Tokyo
- OOC Date: October 18, 2025
- IC Date: Friday, July 27, 2012
- Summary: The day before the end of finals, Yukari brings Akihiko to finally check out Ren Amamiya, the guy Minako said she asked out on a date, to see if he's a creep or not. Hilarity--and then sincerity--ensues.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It is a fine Friday afternoon. Although today's exams went... not so great today, and there's still a half-day of them left tomorrow, Ren is in a good mood. After having spent some time together on the roof at Shujin after school, they part ways with Ann, their dear friend with whom they've just become a lot closer, at Shibuya Station. She may or may not be going home right away; Ren isn't either. They're heading down into the Underground Mall to take care of a couple things.
One is to talk to the lady at Rafflesia about a part-time job that opened up there recently. Now that summer vacation is about to hit, it seems like the perfect time to pick up another job--and this one seems perfect for the direction Ren's life is going right now. After chatting for a while, the lady accepts their application. She already has a good impression of them thanks to them regularly picking up the good fertilizer for their pet plant in their attic room, and is happy to take them on. Amazing how doors remain open to you when people don't know about any sordid past you might have. It might help, considering the state of their nails right now, that Ren keeps their hands in their pockets for the duration of the conversation, save to very quickly hand over some paperwork.
The next is to head to the cosmetics shop Ann had recommended them--Body Chop. Like many of the stores in the Underground Mall, it's basically an indentation in the wall with the storefront open to the hallways. Decorated in wood and flowers, it's a welcoming store, with lots of bottles lining the walls and a board advertising their goods. Ren's glanced into it a good number of times before, including when they hung out with Ichika here before. She'd been unable to find the shade of the make-up she wanted. To Ren, it had seemed like there was a lot available, but... now that they're actually looking closer, they realize she and Ann are right: it's just a few basic colors.
Ah well. The basics are what they should start with, anyway. They look towards the nail polish section to see if there's any black there to start...
Caught up as they are in this, they don't notice if anyone approaches them from behind. Fortunately, they have a cat poking his head out of the school bag that hangs from their left shoulder to keep an eye out for them. Morgana's ears twitch as he watches shoppers go by.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Today's exams went- okkkayyyy... like there's a few questions she's pretty iffy on, but she's pretty sure she got a half-decent grade?
What may be more strange to Akihiko Sanada is that after exams, Yukari flags him down coming out of school.
"Hey senpai... I know we have another day of exams tomorrow... but can we take a little detour? Arisato-chan said she's going to try dating some guy from Shujin, who I looked into with someone I knew from Shujin's Archery Club... annddddd...."
She holds up her phone to him, an email received.
To: Yukari Takeba
From: Hana Mori
Subject: Ren Amamiya
omg
tell ur friend absolutely not
he's got a criminal record! :scream emoji scream emoji scream emoji:
like nope radioactive
my bestie said he held up a guy and broke his legs
p.s. looking forward to our next tournie!
"... what do you think?" She said, with a worried expression. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but it sounds... pretty bad. Maybe we should check him out before talking to her... you know?"
-=-=-
And that is why they're here, near Shujin, strolling up together in Gekkoukan uniforms when- "Curly black hair, glasses... pretty sure that's him."
-=-=-
Another train ride later... "Is he buying her makeup? Before the first date?" she whispers, as the two watches him from a distance.
"Okay um... that's way too fast. Could it be he's picking out stuff for her to wear that he likes?"
Yukari says suspiciously, as if Ren might be a super controlling boyfriend, "Maybe we check out what he's buying up close? Um, we're in the same uniform so... I guess, if anyone asks what we are to each other, then... just play along?"
Into the store she goes, as Yukari picks up a bottle of Usaji Ascent Nail Color, looking sidelong at Ren's selections, "Wow, don't see many guys shopping here."
Yukari says, trying to act casual, and not too negative, "Your girlfriend must be real lucky to have such a caring boyfriend."
Casual, super casual, look she's even smiling.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
The exams go...surprisingly, pretty okay for Akihiko Sanada. Though the young man's well deserved reputation for being a meathead precedes him, for his part he's not a bad student. Anything he didn't remember, he can work through with his logical process.
What he would never have expected met him as he walked down the halls of Gekkoukan High. Yukari Takeba flags him down. That's a new one. The pairing are on cordial terms, but seem to be in different universes. Naturally, more than a few heads turn - mainly just Akihiko's band of admirers - to shoot glares towards Yukari.
"Hey, Takeba-san!" Akihiko raises a hand in greeting. He leans forward a bit to read the email and listen to his kouhai, hands stuffed in his pockets. Troubling...
"Well... I suppose Arisato-san is at that age..." Akihiko says, rubbing his chin as he thinks. He can't imagine his Co-Leader would willingly get into a dangerous situation like that... Though, what is SEES if not incredibly dangerous? He can't imagine what goes inside a maiden's heart.
"Well... It would've been better to do this after exams, but... I suppose it'd be difficult to focus while you're worried about your friend." Akihiko says. But, he trusts Yukari's instincts on this kind of thing. She's perfectly reliable after all! The boxing champ cracks a smirk. "I'll come with you to check this dude out with you, Takebe-san. Do you have an idea where he goes?" If he gets violent, he'll have another thing coming!
"Nice eyes, Takeba-san!" Akihiko says, keeping his voice down appropriately. "Should be simple to trail him now that we have a bead on this Amamiya."
Another short train ride over, Akihiko has spent a while considering Ren Amamiya's threat level. He can't really see this lithe young man be able to overpower Arisato-san, and certainly not the Boxing Champ of Gekkoukan. The glasses he wears does seem to give off a relatively innocent image, but looks can be decieving. He'll have to keep his guard up.
Although... That's really the only thing he can analyze. "He could be... That's rather too soon." Akihiko mentally checks off makeup as a bad first date gift. "Sure thing, I've got your back Takeba-san." And he'll follow her lead! Though, he briefly wonders what 'playing along' means? Surely it'd be easier to introduce themselves as club members. For the briefest moment, he sees a Junpei-esque miscommunication in their future.
Still, the silver haired teen is following her lead for now. Akihiko finds himself a little lost in all of the colours. "Ye-yeah." He chimes in alongside Yukari. He's sharing a friendly smile too! "You too must've been dating for a while, right? We're not at that stage yet..."
Shit. He just walked into that one. He can't really take it back right away, as he looks away to examine the frankly dizzying array of colours. Women's makeup is...truly a battleground onto itself.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Ren. A pair of Gekkoukan students, headed your way," a small voice hisses near Ren's ear.
They glance over their shoulder in time to see Yukari and Akihiko entering the storefront. A little odd to see them shopping here when Paulownia Mall's right behind their school, but maybe they couldn't find the right shade either. From appearances, maybe... a girl looking for the right shade of whatever, and her boyfriend tagging along? They don't vibe like a couple, though, and this isn't the best shop for that besides... Morgana shifts in their bag, and their eyes meet briefly. Come to think, didn't they see some Gekkoukan students at Aoyama-Itchome Station, too? That's not too alarming--that's where they'd have to come in--but it seems like they would've come in on the same train... Which makes that odd, because they stopped at the flower shop first. Did they check out some other make-up store aboveground first?
Oh well, it's none of Ren's business. They're about to return their attention to the nail polish when Yukari remarks on a 'guy' shopping here, how their girlfriend must be really lucky. The guy comments on how long they must've been dating, how they're not that far along yet.
Ren tenses; then they shrug. "Sure," they reply, because it's easier to just let people think what they want. It's not like this random girl's assumptions affect them in any way.
Huh. So they are dating. Or at least, that's what they claim... but why would they lie about that to a stranger?
...there's a couple reasons they might, actually. And none of them are good for Ren.
Keeping the both of them in their peripheral vision, Ren grabs a single available bottle of black nail polish and picks it up to inspect it. There's not too much to inspect since this looks to be their only option and they're too new at this to really know what they're looking for... but still.
If they're paying close attention, Yukari and Akihiko would both be able to see at this point that their own nails are painted a lovely rose pink. If not, Ren might turn towards the register and start to walk away before they can notice. Either way, Ren stops in their tracks when they remember they need more than just polish, and frown as they reach into their pocket and retrieve their journal for the notes they wrote down on Ann's recommendations.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
It's true that Yukari has Akihiko's back. She has not told a single member of SEES about the rap battle with Niko! Not a one!
Like she might groan about it at the time, but she's at least not a gossip about her teammates so long as they're doing their job.
"Yeah I think it'd drive me crazy tomorrow if I didn't..."
-=-=-
"Exactly." She says in agreement with his agreement. On the approach, she thinks she hears a weird hiss but wouldn't of course suspect a talking cat in his bag, who would?
So she doesn't think anything of it.
It goes well enough until Akihiko says they're not at that stage yet, and Yukari looks startled, "Huh? O-Oh yeah... haha. Sorry Senpai- I'm just not used to thinking I actually have a boyfriend yet?"
Yukari says awkwardly, trying to recover from the unforced error on her part of being surprised by him being her boyfriend. "...Much less thinking about us getting to that stage." There, decent recovery she thinks!
Yukari isn't usually used to looking at a boy's hands, but she's also inspecting Ren more closely than she would most guys, and is somewhat taken aback by his own nails being rose pink, "... Whaaat the...!" She exclaims softly, as what kind of guy?
"... He's wearing nail polish. What's up with that?" She says quietly, after Ren walks off, adding to Akihiko in a whispered tone, "Is he working as a Host in High School or something? Oh geez... I heard those guys can be super predatory."
Morgana might of course, watching Ren's back see the two whispering as Yukari clocks that he's got some journal out, "I'm gonna act like I'm shopping, maybe... strike up a conversation, guy to guy? See if you can catch what he's got written down there. Then I'll... insert myself back in and comment about how you're getting along so well."
Unfortunately, she does not know the depths of Akihiko's awkwardness. Why would she? He's a reliable Senpai in a fight, maybe a little too obsessed with working out and growing strong but, that doesn't mean anything right? That's just how some guys are!
"Alright... here we go." Yukari says as she walks over in different direction, just away from Ren to not look too suspicious, as she picks up a bottle of her favorite brand of mascara, with the idleness of a window shopper, looking at Ren out of the corner of her eye.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
Akihiko lets out an involentary groan as Yukari manages to cover for them. Let them think that he's doing it towards the makeup, at least. This kind of action is...not his speciality. Actually, opposite of a speciality. Active debuff. At least they don't seem alarm Ren anymore than nessessary.
On the other hand, Akihiko would've missed the light pink nail polish completely. (Aren't finger nails pink anyways?) So when Yukari points it out to him, he has to do a double take. "Hosts are...predatory..." He repeats, again to commit this to memory. If it matters to Yukari, it ought to matter to him too. "I suppose if any men are going to wear nail polish, it'd be those who's appearance is mandatory..." He murmurs. It's not like he'd object, this is just way out of his depth.
"Wait, Takeba-san-" Akihiko's barely able to object before Yukari is out of there. Leaving it to him? You're gonna regret it, Yukari... He sighs and rubs his temple. Then, he considers his appoarch.
Guy to guy... Guy to guy... He should just act normal, right? Wait, but normal him would just leave?! That's unacceptable to him right now! Nnngh...! Then how about pulling from one of his major male friendships in that case? He can only imagine that Shinji would be smoother than him in this situation! Ugh! Akihiko's simply going to have to go all out here, even if he's way out of ideas
So, the incredibly awkward third year comes up alongside Ren's side and claps a hand on his shoulder. Half to see his reaction, and half to get a feeling for the lad's muscle strength. "He-hey, bro! I like you're, uh! Vibe!" Why is Junpei comning out now!!! "We should get some food after this, you, uh, dig? Or do you have work after?" Very subtle, Akihiko. "You know, you're a pretty handsome guy. I'd have to bet you're a host or a idol or something..." He forces a smile as he rubs his chin. This will be fine right?
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
...Okay, that's weird. They already didn't vibe like a couple, and now the girl looks surprised to hear the boy say they are, only to play along with it. Ren is willing to let it go--whatever interpersonal issues these two might have, it doesn't feel like anything creepy is going on--but then, as they're paused to look at their journal, they feel the thump of Morgana's leg on their back. Like a sharp poke on the shoulder to get their attention.
"Look again at them. Don't they seem familiar?" Morgana murmurs, keeping his voice carefully low. The background music on the mall's loudspeakers should help mask his voice as well. Which means Ren has the chance to glance over his shoulder again at the 'happy couple.' Familiar... where would they know them from? They don't think they've seen them around at Tatsumi Port Island, which means...
... ...
Uh oh.
Ren remembers seeing them--and Morgana must recognize them too--in Kaneshiro's Palace... which means they're Persona Users.
Are they on to them? Are they trying to investigate them? They definitely seem to be keeping an eye on them, as Morgana notes--the two of them whispering together, then the girl sending the guy over their way.
And naturally they're doing this while they're just trying to live their life...
Fine. Stay casual. Don't commit to anything. Definitely don't act like you recognize them. ...So Ren tells themself as Akihiko walks over. They lower their journal, pulling it closer to their chest to keep its contents hidden, just before Akihiko... claps their shoulder?! Ren shoots him a stare. (For the record: they have pretty decent muscle. Not a top athlete--not anymore, a distinction Akihiko might or might not catch on to--but they're in good shape.) They continue to stare as Akihiko... invites them to dinner... then comments on how handsome they are?
Stare. Stare. ...Ren honestly can't tell what Akihiko is trying to do. But they can tell what they're not trying to do, so, casually, they slip their journal and their hand back in their pocket, then give Akihiko their best poker face--and coming from Ren, that's exquisite. Their expression might as well be carved in stone.
"Are you... coming on to me?" they ask blithely. "I don't think your girlfriend would appreciate that... Unless you two have an open relationship?"
Yup.
Ren mentally reviewed their options, and chose:
- Tell him to back off.
- Politely refuse.
> Mess with him.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Yukari just hasn't had any real exposure to the wider world of ~*gender*~ unfortunately, just instead being stuck in the Japanese mindset on it.
"Some girls like that kind of thing? Like- Bishounen?" Yukari replies, as she awkwardly cards her hair with her fingers.
Is that what Minako is into? She'd never have guessed... maybe she wants someone real expressive?
'Wait, Takeba-san-'
It's too late though, she's already walking off and she thinks doubling back would look too suspicious!
She's inspecting the bottle, then picks up another of a brand she knows is almost as good, like a proper shopper.
It's fine, she thinks. Akihiko is their reliable senpai? He's popular with the guys and the girls alike. He's a boxing champ. Sometimes he can be a little... weird, but she's sure he can handle this.
Contact. A hand upon Ren's shoulder. Yukari looks out of her periphery, remembering to switch out what she's window shopping with.
She nearly drops it at what Akihiko says, fumbling it and managing to catch it at the last second before she'd risk it shattering on the floor.
Oh my God
What is he thinking!?
Is he pretending to be JUNPEI?
why would anyone-
why meeeeeeee
The second hand embarrassment is too strong. Taking a deep breath, she strides over to him, catching Ren's reply on the way and gawking for a moment, before-
Fake tittering in a way that's only slightly more believable than Ann.
"Aha. Good one-!" She says, as she puts a hand on Akihiko's arm. "Of course it's not like that. My senpai is uh... quite the jokester! Everyone in his class thinks he's hilarious."
She clears her throat awkwardly, and Ren might notice that her cheeks are a burning shade of red, due to all the second hand embarrassment she's having to endure to back him up here.
"But you know, sitting down somewhere isn't a bad idea? Senpai here is never wrong about someone's..."
Pause.
"... good vibes."
Well death by embarrassment is increasingly becoming an option.
"So how about it?"
There's no way in the world he'll go for this, but she's trying her best to back him up, and well... she doesn't have much to work with!!!
"And besides, when I saw him approach you I realized... it's inconsiderate of him to make him wait for me while I'm shopping at a place like this? So it's better if we just, all go sit down somewhere!"
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
It takes a second, for the gears to visibly clack together for Akihiko to realize what just transpired. His face becomes as red as his sweater vest.
However, the incredibly awkward young man is nothing but at least confident in his masculinity. Plus, not to mention of course, his dedication to helping out his juniors. So, even if he must...!
Mercifully, for everyone involved, Yukari is there to cut Akihiko off before he agreed. He raises his hand ever so slightly to cover his mouth and turns to whisper to Yukari. You know, all casual like.
"Oh, thank you so much for intervening Takeba-san, I have NO idea what I'm doing!"
Akihiko being charming is purely through unconcious charisma. If he has to think about it, it's quickly an unavoidable trainwreak.
"I'm so sorry!"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Interesting. So not only does messing with this guy throw him fully off his stride and turn him bright red, it also brings the girl back out of the woodworks. Ren side-eyes Yukari as she strides back to join the three immediately after leaving to 'browse' with a giggle almost as fake as Ann's at Madarame's shack.
Interesting. The second she returns to reassert control, the boy turns to her and whispers about not knowing what he's doing. So this is the girl's idea--she's in charge, and he's just trying, very badly, to follow her lead.
Either way, they seem to both really want to get him somewhere private to 'talk'...
But how badly do they want that? How much do they really suspect--and how far are they willing to go to confirm it? Ren puts on an air of thinking about it before slowly shaking their head.
"Look, I'm very flattered that you're both so attracted to me, but I'm not interested in joining your polycule. If you're looking for a third, you're going to have to look elsewhere," they reply, still blase. They mess with a lock of their bangs and add, "I have to say, I'm surprised, though. I had the impression that Gekkoukan High students were clean-cut, but you're into some surprisingly kinky stuff. Unless..."
They slip their hand back into their pocket and stare Yukari down. "...is this less about a throuple and more about you building yourself a reverse harem? 'I'm not changing boyfriends, I'm adding one,' sort of thing?" They stare Akihiko dead in the eyes next. "I guess that'd explain why you seem so innocent compared to her..."
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Yukari tries to whisper back immediately in even more hushed tones, "How are you not able to-!"
Yukari's lips might as well have slammed shut at that moment, as she in fact understands that Ren is only a few feet away.
Could it be that their reliable senpais are not in fact, all that reliable!? That they can barely manage, spontaneous conversations with a stranger in public!?
No. Impossible. Of course Mitsuru Kirijo can handle basic conversations. It's not like she couldn't order at a restaurant or anything!
Then Ren... opens fire. "What's a polycule?" Yukari asks, surprised, like she's been taken off guard by the unexpected word, before she works it out through context clues just in time for-
"Kinky!? We're not-!" Yeah she's going even more red.
"... Throuple?" She asks in a tone like she's not quite got it either Yukari's eyes stare off into space for a moment as it all clicks, and that whole thing about adding boyfriends rather than changing ones-
Well that's what does it for her, that implication as she suddenly erupts, like she's channeling that embarrassment into a sudden outpouring of anger, "What the heck!? Why would you think we're into anything weird like that! I'm not like that! He's not like that! Why would you even think that's what we're asking!"
(The honest answer? She's still parsing it wrong, as Ren wondering if they're into threesomes. The fact that he inquired if Akihiko is attracted to him and flirted with him she's still glossing over trying to think about that.)
"What's your problem even!? We just wanted to talk but if you're gonna be a jerk then forget about it!"
There's some real anger there now. Sure, they were following him around! And sure they were trying to blatantly suss him out but it was for a really good reason!
(At least she thinks so!)
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
Akihiko lets out a shudder as they're both given a fairly apt dressing down. "I think it's over, Takeba-san... This is going to get back to Arisato-san one way or the other now by now." Besides, something tells him that Ren is harmless physically here, at least. If he wanted to, he could have started a fight any moment by now.
Akihiko lets Yukari get it all out. "Amamiya-san, yes?" The silver haired man turns to address Ren now. "We're club members and friends of Arisato Minako. We had heard that a young man with criminal history was getting involved with our friend, and out of concern we wanted to ensure her safety. I'm sure you'd understand." If he didn't, it'd be just as concerning.
"Also, I'm sorry for coming on to you." He does an awkward little bow.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren of course knows that neither Yukari nor Akihiko are actually trying to hit on them. The fact that they're both so desperately awkward about it makes that clear; the fact that Yukari doesn't know half the words they're using make it even clearer. (It really helps so much to have a guide into the world of queerness and mature relationships. Ren wouldn't know these terms either if not for several frank, honest conversations with their gay ex-coach.)
So when Yukari bursts out in anger, Ren remains calm. Their eyebrows rise when Yukari asks why they'd even think that, but they don't interrupt or argue with her. She's legitimately upset, and it's almost funny, even, because she's talking like she and her friend were just innocently trying to chat them up and they're the one who made it weird.
(Which, in fairness, Ren was weird about it. But they didn't make it weird, it was already weird.)
Fortunately, Akihiko decides to call it here and admits the truth. Ren gives him a thoughtful look, then nods once. "Yes, that's me." So they were just trying to look out for Minako, huh... They shut their eyes briefly. "No, I understand. Of course you'd be worried if you heard your friend asked out someone with a criminal record."
They smile at Akihiko's apology. "It's okay." Adding a teasing lilt to their voice, they say, "I don't mind getting hit on by a handsome stud like you~." A beat--and then they smile and return to their normal cadence. "Just kidding. I was only messing with you two."
...Mostly kidding, anyway. Akihiko is a good-looking guy.
"In that case, I don't mind sitting down somewhere and talking," they continue, looking back at Yukari. "After you."
They'll of course put the nail polish back where they found it--they'll come back later to do their shopping, rather than holding these two up here. Wherever these two want to sit down and talk is fine with them. ...In the end, what they're doing isn't much different from when Ichika and Tsubasa confronted them after school, and Ren ended up friends with both of them. If these two are just trying to look after Minako, they must be good people. That goes doubly so for the fact that they helped fight Strega in Kaneshiro's Palace.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Ren remains calm in the face of all that, and Yukari isn't certain what to think, until Akihiko decides that it's over- "Wha!? Uhhh-"
His logic is in fact good though, and nothing can put the brakes on her anger more than being told that it's going to get back to Minako no matter what they say.
"... Darnit..." She says quietly, as Akihiko gives away what's going on, looking still vaguely torn between being upset and embarrassed.
"You weren't coming onto him." Yukari says to Akihiko with a sigh, before Ren flirts with a 'handsome stud like you', "Oh get serious. And we're not dating either." She says with a glance to Akihiko, "Yeesh... I was going to say like, you were my brother or something."
Man she hopes THAT part doesn't get back to anyone. People might think she has a crush on Akihiko or something.
And then he reacts with understanding, as her being upset gives way to just being low key ashamed, "... Alright, fine. We'll do it this way."
Luckily she'd already put the merchandise back, and decides to head out of the Underground Mall. It's too crowded here anyway.
"Senpai, I think... I should handle it from here. If you wanna stay nearby?"
-=-=-
Eventually, Yukari chooses the one place that Minako would never willingly enter on her own...
... the Big Bang Burger...
It's in that late afternoon space where it's currently dead. And Yukari just grabs a tea, because it'd be wrong to sit down at a business and not buy anything.
Taking a sip, she looks Ren's way. Then sighs, "Let's... start over." Regathering her composure again, which has been thoroughly shaken by the events of before, she does just that, "Arisato-chan told me she had some interest in dating you a few weeks back, so I sent out a text to a Shujin student to find out more about what kind of guy you were. I'd rather not say who- just because I don't want it to come back on them."
Yukari says cautiously, "But they said they'd heard it from a few people you had a criminal record...? Not only that that you'd uh- held some guy up and broke his legs, or... something like that. So I was pretty concerned, you know? I just wanted to check out what kind of guy you were for myself before... bringing it up to her, like I didn't want to..."
She waves an arm, "... freak out over a rumor, or something."
Good job with that one, definitely succeeded at not doing that.
"Andddd well I asked Sanada-senpai to come along because well... believe it or not, he's pretty reliable?"
She's not about to say that it's also because he's a boxing champion. Come on. That would imply she needs him to protect her. And it's not like that's true, even if going to that alley spooked her some about... reckless courage as a girl in a man's world?
"But, that's what was going on."
She might be apologetic about causing a scene in public, but she can't be apologetic about trying to protect a fellow girl.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
"Handsome stud-" Even so, Akihiko is caught pretty off guard by the compliment. He rubs the back of his head a bit. "Thanks?" Honestly, the concept of being flirted with is still pretty negative for him. "W-well... It might as well have been true, Takebe-san..." He doesn't have the words to properly express himself here. Something about, 'if it's believed, it becomes reality,,, or something.
"Your brother...? But why...? For one, we don't even look alike, Takebe-san. We could've just... kept it at being in the same club?" Best not to question it too hard. "Sorry again for making it more complicated, Takeba-san. The pronoun was out of my mouth and..."
He lets out a sigh. "I'll hang around for a little longer. But I really need to get back to the dorm and study for tomorrow's exams." Though, before he leaves, he out to off some self-defense advice. "I don't think I'm wrong in feeling like Amamiya-san won't be an issue but... If something happens, yelling fire is more effective than yelling help." It's sort of a pain, isn't it? But more rubberneckers will come to look at the cool fire.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren laughs quietly when Yukari tells them to get serious and Akihiko awkwardly thanks them. "Sorry," they offer to her and Akihiko both, since, well--they were being a jerk on purpose. They nod when Yukari clarifies what they already figured, i.e. that the two of them aren't actually dating. "Good to know," they say anyway, to save both of them some (further) embarrassment.
When the trio splits, Ren gives Akihiko a nod farewell. Akihiko's advice about fire vs. help is dire... but Ren's heard that too. The fact that he gives her such straightforward, practical advice, both on that and one the excuse they should've gone with, raises Ren's opinion of him. Then Ren leaves with Yukari
For...
...the Big Bang Burger...
Awkward. Still, it's Yukari's choice. Ren doesn't comment on it--just gets a soda to match her tea. ...and a Saturn fries. They're hungry by now, and that seems like the least questionable thing currently on the menu. They place it in the middle of the table so Yukari can have some if she wants, but they won't be offended if she turns them down.
For now, they nod and listen to her explanation. So Minako's been thinking about it for that long, huh... That's not surprising, but it does make Ren smile a little and rub the back of their neck. That smile fades when Yukari explains exactly what she heard back from her Shujin friend. They don't comment on the lack of name; they understand that, too, and it doesn't matter anyway.
"I get it. It's only natural the two of you'd be worried after hearing something like that," Ren replies quietly. Whether 'Sanada' is reliable or not, they don't remark on--though they admit they're more inclined to think that after he dropped the attempted act. "I'll be straight with you then." As opposed to queer, they think, and just barely manage to hold back a smile at their own mental joke. "It's true I have a criminal record. I stopped a drunk guy from accosting a woman; he fell over and hit his head on his own but accused me of assaulting him, then took me to court; he had better lawyers and so he won; and that's what happened. I've never held anyone up and I've sure never broken anyone's legs. A lot of overblown rumors get spread about me, though, so I'm not surprised you heard that."
They pause to grab a fry. They're much better when they're still hot. "For the record, Arisato-san already knows this. We talked about it a while back. She asked me out knowing fully well I have a record." Their dark eyes drop to the table as they munch gloomily, then sip their drink. "That's part of why I told her we should talk about it more after finals." They meet Yukari's eyes. "I like her too. She's fun and sweet and I like being around her. But I don't want people thinking less of her because she's dating a 'criminal.'" They shrug, the motion stiff--something easier to see since they've set their bag (with Morgana) under the table. "I plan on talking that through with her tomorrow or Sunday after finals are done, though. I don't want to keep her waiting longer than either of us has to."
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
It'll probably get back to Minako anyway that Akihiko posed as her boyfriend. But, well, those are the consequences. So long as it doesn't become a rumor around ALL of SEES and ALL of the school - and it'd better not, because she's been holding back their secrets!
As for why she chose the Big Bang Burger... well, she knows Minako is a big Wild Duck fan, and nope the Big Bang Burger is not a real substitute for it in her mind.
Yukari doesn't accept his fries at first, she might later, but she's on a diet right now so willpower. Come on... you can do it.
That smile when she says that, she's worried that she gave something away. But it's done now, it's better to say than not to say.
And Ren is straight with her after, as opposed to queer. Though she wouldn't think that, at all.
The tea is put down, and her full attention is clearly upon him as he speaks on the matter. There's subtle changes to her expression, at times she might be surprised. Others she might be dubious. But also... sympathetic.
And she doesn't answer him first, like she's mulling over what he's said. Turning it over in her head. She'd like to believe it was a bald faced lie... but she's certainly seen the system isn't entirely just.
That cop, who almost killed Merry - almost shot Shinjiro, and his fellow Officer for Pete's Sake!
Despite her being quiet though, it's clear she's still paying attention, as he notes she knows. That she looks surprised about.
"She does?"
She'd like to say why didn't she say anything? But it's obvious isn't it? 'What would they think if they knew I was dating someone with a record?'
He looks her in the eyes, and she looks back as if trying to separate what's true from the lie and is coming back with a lot fewer lies than she thought.
Eventually she tears her eyes away from his, she continues looking away from him for a few moments, like she's sorting through all her thoughts on the matter. Then dips her head. "Geez..."
Then a few more moments later she's making eye contact again. "...even if I was inclined to believe you there. ... And maybe I even am. But it's hard to give you the benefit of the doubt? It's your word against... theirs. And it's not like there's anything I can do to find out the truth."
A small shake of her head, "I even looked it up online. Juvenile records are sealed like that. And I bet you don't have anyone who can back it up?"
It's not like she's staring daggers in him anymore. If anything, her hard edges are blunted by a little awkwardness here. By him being straight with her.
"... But, if it's true what you're saying, and she knows already? It's not like I have any right to tell her who she should, or shouldn't date?"
Minako, always smiling. And beneath the smile... perhaps Minako herself fears she's empty.
"You're right though, she's all those things. But, there's reasons she needs someone to look out for her. That's all. Anyhow..."
Despite the awkwardness permeating the air right now, she keeps herself going though, "...I do believe you like her." She says quietly, "And maybe your story sounds believable too..." She allows, trailing off for a moment...
... thinking of all the times her Mother thought she'd found a great guy...
... thinking of all the times that they showed their true selves soon after...
... and how it shattered her a little more each time...
She snaps out of it and her volume rises some as some of the awkwardness she's showing dissipates, "...but I don't think I have the luxury of believing it, not yet. You know what I'm saying? Not because I don't think there's a chance you could be a great guy for her, but because if I'm going to properly look out for her... I've got to keep my eye on the possibility you're not."
Then, with far more conviction even than before, she says, "But I'll tell you this much at least, no matter what - there's no chance I'd ever think less of her, no matter what kind of guy you turn out to be. Got it?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Oh yeah. This is a funny story. Ren will almost certainly share it with Minako later. If it gets back to all of SEES, though, that's not on them.
Yukari refuses the Saturn fries. Understandable, really. Maybe Ren should've gotten the Venus salad instead? Oh well. They munch some more through the conversation.
It's... honestly nice to see that Yukari doesn't immediately call them a liar. The only thing that takes her aback is the news that Minako already knew about this. So she didn't tell her friends, huh... Ren's not mad about that, though. That's not really something they'd want her sharing with people they don't know--and never mind that Ren technically did know Yukari and Akihiko. But that's only in passing and as Persona Users. Chances aren't great that Minako knows that about them...
But: "Yeah. You can ask her if you want," Ren replies. It is obvious why she'd keep it a secret, beyond respecting their privacy.
Eventually, though, Yukari might not call them a liar, but she tells them she can't take their word. And... that doesn't feel good, but they understand that too. If they were lying--if they were just that good an actor, suckering first Minako and then her friends in--then it'd be too late to put her guard up after Minako got hurt. Yukari's just being a good friend. Ren understands that. It hurts, but in a numb, dull way they've gotten used to over time.
"That's true." That they don't have anyone who can back them up, they mean. Ultimately, the court found them guilty. That's as far as most people are willing to think. "For all you know, I could be lying to make myself look good. It's only sensible for you to doubt me, for your sake and hers," Ren continues. When Yukari confirms that, they just nod. "Right. I don't hold it against you. I appreciate that you're at least hearing me out directly and not just making assumptions based on what your friend heard secondhand."
They smile a little as Yukari makes her conclusion. "Got it," they reply.
They're glad Minako has such a passionate, faithful friend on her side. She reminds them a little of Ryuji in that way.
...Not that Ren would ever, ever tell this poor girl that.
"So, since we have that clear, let's introduce ourselves properly. You already know it, but my name's Ren Amamiya. Yours?" they prompt. ...With proper introductions, it might be an opportunity to ask about their nails, if Yukari is so inclined. It doesn't have anything to do with Minako, though... or does it?
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Ren does offer that she can ask her about it, "Hmm... well. I'm gonna have to I guess. I've gotta tell her this happened. It wouldn't be fair to ask you to keep it from her either. That was always the plan really."
No matter how it went down with Ren, she was going to use it for whatever talk she had with Minako later, to advise her more properly going forward.
She can see that it stung, what she said, but she can't afford the luxury of preserving Ren's feelings at what she regards as what'd be at expense of Minako's.
"You could be." She agrees, "But I hope not... for Arisato-chan's sake. I guess, if you'd told me that a month ago, I'd have definitely thought you were just outright lying to get into her good graces?" She thinks of Junpei, jumping around like a little kid, calling himself a Superhero, "Who wouldn't want to present themselves as the hero in that kind of situation to a girl they just met? But well... the world's more complicated than that..."
And sometimes people get hurt by the Law, who absolutely didn't deserve that treatment.
"Thanks." It would be easier if he did hold it against her though, it would make saying all this, being the cynic, the 'voice of reason' easily. "Anyhow, when she talks about you, I'll be as fair as I can be."
(It's for the best that he doesn't explain that she's like Ryuji.)
"Oh-! That's right, we didn't exactly... introduce ourselves because..." She clears her throat, then, "Yukari Takeba. I'm a Second Year at Gekkoukan, class 2-F. I'm glad we cleared the air, Amamiya-san."
She then raises a hand to the side of her head, gently carding through one side of her hair she looks off to the side looking a little awkward, "Maybe a weird question but... do you work at a Host Club or something?"
She thought Minako said a cafe, but now she's wondering if that wasn't a cover for something.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Huh. What happened over the past month that made Yukari more open-minded...? Ren's very curious, but they choose not to grill her about it. She's a Persona User. It might well be something she wouldn't be able to talk about to someone she thinks is a normal person.
So they simply nod. "Thanks." Being honest to Minako and open-minded about Ren is the most they can ask of her. It's fine. "Nice to formally meet you, Takeba-san. And your clubmate earlier was Sanada-san, right?" They offer her a slight smile about clearing the air. "Me too."
They blink, startled, at her question, though. "What? No. What about me makes you think that?"
...They're gonna make her say it, huh? But this time, it's because they sincerely don't get it, rather than because they're trying to mess with her.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
"Yeah. Akihiko Sanada. He's my Senpai at Gekkoukan and the Captain of the Boxing Club. Believe it or not, he's actually really popular...?"
Which is why Yukari had no idea he'd FALL TO PIECES the moment he had to approach a stranger to put on an act.
"So I guess first impressions aren't everything in his case."
Ouch.
However...
... he seems genuinely confused on why she asked the question, and Yukari feels she can't just 'back it up' and say 'forget it' now that she's put it out there.
Otherwise it'd be all weird again?
"... Oh it's just, I don't know many guys who wear nail polish? Especially that well."
She doesn't sound like she's down on it per se reflexively, it's just more like she's trying to figure out the reason.
Like him being a Host at a Club was the only thing that made sense to her.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"He is a good-looking guy. I was messing around earlier, but that's just objective fact. That'd get him a lot of fangirls alone," Ren remarks. Akihiko Sanada... They'll remember that name, as well as Yukari's. "I'm guessing he's more about his sport than about dating or acting or whatever, though, huh? Not that that's a bad thing." They smile. "I like sincere people."
Which is not the same as saying they dislike liars. One can drape oneself in falsehood but still have genuine convictions. ...Just look at Akechi.
But then the topic turns to host clubs. Yukari seems to hesitate, but then admits: it's because of the nail polish. Ren's gaze turns blank for a second, before they hold out their hand and look at their painted nails. "Oh."
'Especially that well.' Ren almost laughs at that. "Yeah, a female friend of mine did them for me today... That's why." Well, Ann did their right hand, anyway, but they had her tips and instructions for the left, and she oversaw the whole thing, so it still counts. They pause. There's a lot of excuses they could make; plenty of lies; plenty of truths. They are not really about to come out about their gender to someone they barely know, however much of a good person she seems to be. "It's not something I've regularly done up 'til now. I just decided to give it a try today, for fun." They shrug. "Why not?"
It sort of misrepresents the situation... but it's also 100% the truth.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
"Yeah. That's true enough. And that's maybe why I didn't expect... what happened earlier."
Yukari had figured his 'cool vibe' of dismissing the girls fangirling him had been just that, him being the cool senpai, and a focus on his sport.
She didn't realize he couldn't handle a situation like she threw at him at all. "He's real sincere about getting stronger."
She's not into that herself, but she can respect it as something she wants for herself. Even if it's not in the same way.
"Oh hey, well she did a great job?" Yukari says as Ren explains it, at first figuring that it's because she wanted to practice doing it on someone else, and he was humoring her.
But then he says, "For fun? Huh." She seems a little surprised, "That's a little unusual for a guy, though I don't mean that like it's a bad thing."
She says, as she cautions it, "I bet there's a lot of girls who'd love a boyfriend who's interested in hearing about things like that. Most guys don't even notice the work their girlfriends put in?"
A lot of guys know girls have whole routines, they just don't know how extensive they are, to the point where they can't recognize what someone might look like without it.
Yukari has extensive routines herself, but, it's not because she hopes a guy notices. It's how she wants to present who she is to the world.
"So... then, I'm guessing you weren't actually buying makeup for Arisato-chan?" She's not accusing him of it being for him, after all, he mentioned a female friend. "But for a friend. Okay."
There's a touch of awkwardness again, like one knows how it looks but she's trying not to reflexively assume that he's 'playing the field' and 'dating numerous girls' without better evidence than that, "I guess I was worried because I thought you were picking out something for her before the first date. She's someone who's only just gotten into it a little..."
She's heard of boyfriends who can be super controlling with that kind of thing, not that she thinks it's what's going on now.
It's more like her own way of an apology, explaining the behavior - what she thought.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren just chuckles. Even without him saying as much later, Akihiko definitely had no idea what he was doing. "What exactly did you tell him to do, anyway? ...Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Don't worry, I think it's funny." Now they think it's funny, anyway. They nod thoughtfully when Yukari confirms Akihiko's really into his sport--or at least, into getting stronger. That much they couldn't tell either way, but... good to know. They bet he's got a lot of opportunities to grow stronger as a Persona User...
Yukari seems to take their response more or less in stride. She's clearly making certain assumptions, but Ren doesn't clarify or correct anything. Once again: it's easier this way. As long as she isn't going to get a bug up her butt about it, it's fine. ...Until Yukari hazards that lots of girls might want a boyfriend who listens to their interests. Ren shrugs. "Probably. That's not relevant to me, though."
They pause at her follow-up question. Was that what she thought? And between that and thinking he might be a host... Ren smiles awkwardly. "Nope. I don't even know what kind of make-up she likes. She doesn't seem like she uses it a ton." Something that Yukari confirms--though maybe she'll start using it more going onwards. They consider what else she has to say. If Minako's just starting to get more into cosmetics, maybe that's something they could do together...
"Oh, and just to be clear," they add, because they did cotton on to that insinuation of the possibility, "that other girl is just a friend. No romantic interest on her end or mine, I promise." Ann even turned down what she thought was their imminent confession of love! That was funny.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
Oh no that question, "Uhhhh, nothing weird? I just said, approach you and start some 'guy talk' or something? I didn't think that'd be so hard really..."
There's something glum in that final statement, like she's still incredulous about how bad he was at it.
"Oh, well... I mean it might start to be?" If Minako decides to get more into it, that is. Though she has to hope Minako wasn't just humoring her. She just... wanted another girl in SEES to share her passions with, "Not yet at least." She confirms what she'd already confirmed again. "But who knows?"
Then... Ren puts it out there, the pink elephant she was kind of dancing around, "Hmmm." She hums on that matter, "Well, okay." Part of her is a little incredulous, but well - she knows a lot of guys say they have female friends, and vice versa.
It's just you always wonder if one of them is just waiting for the right opportunity to become more than just that. A favorite trope all over Japan after all is that of the 'childhood friend'.
"Do you have a lot of female friends?" Yukari asks, trying to keep it casual, even if it's a little more personal, "Or is she the only one?"
Something about the nail polish, something about the whole thing... makes her wonder if Ren has a lot of female friends.
"Feels like a guy who thinks getting his nails painted could be fun might, have a few at least?"
Why is she making it SOUND like that though? It's like she doesn't know whether or not all of this is suspicious or not.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Damn. That was his idea of guy talk?" Ren bites back their next thought on that, which is, Does he not have any friends or something? That's rude to say out loud, not to mention cruel. It does remind Ren of a certain Detective Prince, though... though even Akechi isn't that awkward, good lord. No, his lack-of-friends-derived weirdness manifests in a totally different way.
Who knows indeed? It'd suck for Ren and Yukari both if Minako actually has zero interest in make-up going forward. Still, even if that's the case, there are surely other interests all three of them can share with her going forward. At least, Ren knows Minako likes nature walks, and that's something they did a lot growing up in Inaba. That'd be nice to do again. They also both like to read, to the point that Minako's friends with an elderly couple that owns a book store. They both like coffee, to the point that Minako invited Ren and Sojiro to taste Chagall Cafe's Pheromone Coffee--and as they get to know each other better, they're sure to find more and more mutual interests. That's another thing Ren's looking forward to experiencing with her.
Yukari seems to take their reassurance in stride... at first. However, her follow-up question makes it apparent to Ren that she doesn't quite trust them on that count either. Ren leans their cheek on one hand and simply looks at her for a moment as she pushes a little further.
It kind of reminds them of Akechi suggesting they have a lot of female friends. Someone better make sure never to get him and Yukari in a room together.
"I do, yeah," they reply. "And they're all just friends. Arisato-san's the only girl I'm interested in dating right now."
...especially since if Minako does have a romantic rival, it sure isn't another girl...
But no. Ren put a stop to that. They made sure of it. Minako deserves better than to have a datemate who's casually flirting with someone else in a haha-just-kidding-unless? kind of way.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
"Aha..." Yukari chuckles softly, a bit nervously, "... I guess? He sounded more like he was pretending to be a version of another guy we know butttt..."
Little does Ren know, Yukari is asking the same question to herself. Like she's actually a little worried about Akihiko and is having a hard time admitting or expressing it.
Did she just assume all of their senpais were really competent in everything? Did she just assume the popular guy could handle a simple conversation?
... Well... yeah...
And well, it's clear that Ren picks up on her suspicion, but dealing with Yukari Takeba is knowing there's always some low key suspicion at baseline.
It's just who she is.
"Huh. Well alright... I guess I just don't know many... or well really any guys who really are just friends with 'a' girl, or ... several girls?"
And indeed, it might feel like she's implying something, except...
"But... well, if it is like you're saying, then- I think that's nice?"
There's something awkward about the way she puts it, like she's actually trying to believe him here, and trying to process that he's being genuine.
She might just, really not be used to a guy who treats girls as just friends rather than... prospective girlfriends.
Like it's not even a slight against Ren, necessarily, but just her distrusting the intentions of most guys.
Maybe being a Persona User really has changed her perspective more than she understands, on more than she'd like to think?
"Anyhow. I don't wanna come away from this with you thinking I'm trying to judge how you live your life... for anything other than for... her sake, really..."
In a sense, Yukari doesn't know how to live her life - so she doesn't want to judge other people for that, if possible. She knows it's gonna happen to some extent, but...
"... What am I even talking about?" She murmurs, like she doesn't know where that aside came from, "What I'm really trying to say..." As she self-corrects, "...just don't break her heart."
Because it might break into pieces so small, that Minako might believe she never had one in the first place.
"That's all I ask."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Maybe eventually Ren will learn that Yukari is suspicious at baseline. Here and now, they assume that it's because she's worried about her friend dating a potential creep, and that it's something they're just going to have to deal with. After all... she's not wrong to be suspicious. Ren's gotten changed in an all-boys locker room before, and so Ren knows well how guys can be about girls. There are definitely guys and girls out there who sincerely believe that being just friends with the other simply isn't possible, that someone will get romantically interested in the other.
Still, when Yukari says she doesn't know any guys like that, Ren raises an eyebrow. Considering Yukari came here with Akihiko, someone she ultimately explicitly said she wasn't dating... does that mean she doesn't see him as a friend, just a club senpai? And even if that's true... "Do you not have any guys you're just friends with, Takeba-san?"
Or does she think any guys she's friends with must be attracted to her? That's... sad, if so. She doesn't strike Ren as being so stuck-up or conceited as to believe that everyone must be in love with her, so if she sincerely thinks that, she must have had or seen a lot of boundary violations from guys in her life. That must be difficult to deal with...
So when Yukari gets herself mixed up and ultimately comes down on that she doesn't want them breaking Minako's heart, they give her a firm nod. "I won't. I promise," they say.
Even if she can't fully believe them, it's the least they can do to reassure her.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
That's sure a question, and Yukari looks pensive for a few long moments, like she's genuinely considering it.
There's Junpei, but Junpei asked her out ... several times... and if he gets a whiff that she might change her mind, he asks again.
Most of the guys on SEES? She'd look at as teammates. Though even there has degrees, some are antagonistic, some she just doesn't know so well.
And she bets at least several has a crush on her, even if she doesn't know about it. That's not out of being conceited, to her that's just... how it likely is?
Then there's Minato... and well, he tried that line on her recently. And what's more, she didn't even mind that much? But, can you really call someone like that a friend?
Would she even want to?
"Not really?" She finally answers, "I live in a Co-Ed dorm. Sanada-Senpai lives there too, as does Arisato-chan... and her brother too. Though, the boys and girls are segregated off outside of the common floor downstairs."
It is perhaps sad, but- "I guess I just took it for granted it's just how it is? Though, it doesn't help that almost every boy in my year has tried to confess to me. It's not like I like that though... I just have to put up with it."
Well that likely confirms things to Ren. Indeed, if most people said it, they'd be boasting, but it sounds like she's genuinely annoyed by it?
But he does respond with a promise, "Well, good. I'll hold you to that." She says, with a smile, like she at least appreciates him indulging her that much.
"Anyhow... I should probably get back to Iwatodai. It was a stretch coming here with one day of Finals left as is and I don't want to keep you when you've gotta study yourself but..."
A pause, her gaze lingers, "... I guess I'm glad I came, actually."
Not only was it going to drive her crazy if she didn't... well, despite the disastrous beginnings, Ren turned out not to be too bad a guy.
"Also maybe don't tease girls about joining a... what'd you call it? A polycule?" She says like she's offering just one last piece of advice, "That's definitely gonna give someone the wrong idea about Arisato-chan and you."
She's not even gonna ask if a Throuple is different or the same. Nope. She'll look it up on the internet later.
And probably be very scandalized shortly after.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren waits for her to think it over. The fact that she takes her time on it means she's taking it seriously. ...The fact that she takes her time on it means she's probably going to answer in the negative. It means there's no one who's obviously just a friend to her among the guys she knows. Eventually, she does indeed answer in the negative. Ren's frowning by now, but the expression is concerned.
"I see. That really sucks," they reply with genuine sympathy. "I'm sorry you have to put up with that, Takeba-san."
Even living in a co-ed dorm, she doesn't have any guys she can just be friends with normally... It really does say a lot about her--and her circumstances.
Still, no need to belabor the point. Especially so when Yukari meets their eyes and says she's glad she came. They smile in return. "Same here. It's nice to meet some of Arisato-san's friends." A beat. "Good luck to you and Sanada-san on the last of your finals. Just one more day and then we're free," they joke. Aside of course from school on Monday when they get their grades... but still. They gather what remains of their small meal to finish it up before leaving--but pause when Yukari brings up the polycule. They hold back a smirk and instead politely remind her, "I was teasing about how I wouldn't join it. But I'll keep that in mind."
After all, there's so many people out there who only hear what they want to hear. It'll just make it easier for them and Minako both if they keep more circumspect about their savage jokes.
<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.
"Oh ah- thanks?" She replies, as if she didn't expect him to sympathize with that? It does suck, but she doesn't expect a guy to understand.
If it's the opposite, most guys would love a lifestyle where a bunch of girls are confessing to them, right? So they think that she should like it.
"Yeah, it was nice." She agrees, despite the suspicion, as it did indeed go way better than she thought.
She may not trust Ren, because in a sense she may not trust any guy wanting to date Minako, but he acquitted himself well within that space of distrust.
"... Haha, yeah. I haven't even really thought about what I want to do for Summer Vacation yet."
Except well, the SEES Reward for their efforts, but she's not about to say she's going to Okinawa? That feels like a brag.
But his last statement? "Well yeah but someone might think you have... experience in that kind of thing!" She flusters a little, like look- it's not every day she gets teased about what she thinks are threesomes!
But she also recognizes how AKIHIKO MADE IT LOOK!!! In some weird sense. Which is why she's not too harsh on that teasing.
"I guess see you around? Especially if you're going to be swinging by Iwatodai City to see her."
She picks up her tea and tosses it, she doesn't exactly want to carry it on the train because she's worried she'll need to use the restroom on the way back if she does, then heads out after picking up her bag.
She'll swing by and grab Akihiko before going back.
Assuming he's not laying in wait now to challenge Ren to a fight? Look, she can't rule that out.