2026-06-04: Did You Enjoy the Show?
- Log: 2026-06-04 Did You Enjoy the Show?
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Aigis
- Where: Port Island Station - Main
- OOC Date: June 04, 2026
- IC Date: Monday, November 19, 2012
- Summary: In anticipation of a heist, Ren heads a short way out of town to sharpen their mind and relieve their nerves by playing a skilled chess player. Aigis watches this, and when the game is done, Ren strikes up a conversation with her.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It might be a strange decision to go all the way to Port Island on the eve of a heist, but Ren got a tip from their shogi master that there's a chess master who likes to play in a park over in this city, and if you put up a good game he might humor you and give you some tips on how to improve your play. Hifumi has been great at teaching them shogi, and shogi has a lot of similarities to chess, but it's not precisely the same. Akihiko's advice to getting better at any game is to play against strong players, and if this guy comes highly recommended from a professional shogi player, then he's got to be good.
It's just the thing to both sharpen their mind in preparation for tomorrow, train up for a future match against their rival, and distract them from their worries.
Ren, who's wearing a black jacket, white V-neck, jeans and black shoes, thus enters a small park not far from Iwatodai Station, where Hifumi had advised them to go. They look around--and sure enough, to one side, there are a couple of chess tables, one of which is occupied by a couple of players. One of them is smiling. The other is sweating. They've got a few watchers already, and Ren approaches to join them.
"I... I concede," the second one says just as they come to a stop, bowing their head.
"Really? Too bad," the first says, still smiling. "Better luck next time."
Ren peers down at the board and its smattering of black and white pieces. The first player is on black, it looks like. They rub a lock of their bangs between two fingers. The second player's giving up, but...
"Mind if I take over white?" they ask.
The first player looks up at them in surprise, and then intrigue, while the second shoots them a look like 'are you crazy' before shaking his head and walking away.
"Go ahead," they say.
Ren sits across from him. "I'm looking to improve my game. A friend of mine named Hifumi Togo said I could find you here." They reach out for the remaining white castle and move it several squares ahead--breaking a seeming check.
The first player watches this keenly. "Is that so? How interesting. Well, you have some talent. Let's see how much further you can go."
Without hesitation, he moves a black knight forward and to one side...
They don't have a huge crowd, but there are a couple of people still remaining from the last game. It's also an open park, so anyone wanted to could walk up and remark on the game and/or its conclusion.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Among the small crowd of spectators is Aigis. She had only stopped by on a whim while on the way back to the dormitories from a shopping trip to the strip mall -- as evidenced by her bag which contains several volumes of software and seeds for several varieties of winter vegetables.
To almost anyone else, she may just look like a student in a frilly teal dress and headphones, but there are a handful of people who know the truth behind her blue eyes and yellow headgear. While she doesn't exactly have an interest in chess, she has discovered that in order to not stand out so much lest she reveal her true nature, she should follow along with what others are doing.
So she spectates, at least for a few moments, prepared to leave precisely five minutes after her arrival, regardless of the game's conclusion. White's player concedes, and the crowd looks like it may disperse early, so Aigis starts to turn to depart ...
Then Ren speaks up.
In recent years, chess software which can rival expert players has gone from the realm of room-size supercomputers to home computers and personal devices -- software running on a consumer-grade smartphone won a major computer chess tournament in 2009 against other software which had beaten human experts. The entire game is not yet mapped out: chess is not 'solved' in the same sense that checkers and tic-tac-toe are, but the beginning and middle are played with heuristics, then the decision-making turns into well-known board states with 10 or fewer pieces in play.
While she already knows how the remainder of this game would turn out in the case of perfect computer players, she is intrigued to see how people would perform.
Unknown to her, she is a familiar sight to the new player at the helm of white's position.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren doesn't notice Aigis at first; from behind, as they approached, she looks like an ordinary foreigner. They don't notice her as they sit down; they're too focused on the chess board. As the player of black makes their move, though, they consider it and their next move. It's easy to see why the original white conceded--it's a bad position, and volunteering to take over was, strategically, not the best move. It got his attention, though, and that's what counts.
No, it's when Ren reaches for the queen to make their move that they glance at the crowd--and realize they recognize that blonde girl. They blink once, startled, because while the circumstances weren't one where they could react to her directly, she's still clearly a robot girl--and yet, even from the front, she looks like a normal if maybe a bit eccentric girl.
They shake their head a bit. They complete their move.
"Check," says black's player, moving a bishop.
"Not for long," Ren retorts, focusing back on the board. That might or might not be talk--but it won't be because they gave up.
To Aigis's analytics, there's still a way for black to make it out of this... though it might be no more than a thread of silk into hell.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
'Eccentric' just about describes Aigis. She stares unblinkingly at Ren as they make their move, similarly baffled as to why they would even consider picking up that abandoned board state. White loses in most of the mapped-out scenarios -- the game may as well be rigged.
And yet, she must admit, the odds are nonzero. People make mistakes. They're more prone to sacrificing material when they had no need to do so. The 'perfect' play of a computer typically involves far more frequent defensive plays and retreats, they have the long game in mind, they won't take the bait. That's the framework behind her software's analysis.
Her analysis has shortcomings, as she's found out, especially when it comes to the 'extracurricular activities' that SEES takes on. It's a good start, but what good is 'perfection' when she's not strong enough to stand on her own and spare SEES from the supernatural in the first place? The answer doesn't lie in upgrading her own systems further, but to gain more data by watching other people and fill out the parts of the map that her engineers hadn't explored.
The software side of her has its shortcomings. The human part of her needs to grow. She watches Ren make their move out of check, then turns her head to stare at black's player.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
In the end, Ren does end up losing; they're at too much of a disadvantage against a much more experienced player. However, they manage to continue the game by five more moves before they're finally put in checkmate.
The original player gives them a nod of approval. "I'm impressed. If you'd made it three more moves, that would've been enough to convince me, but you surpassed even that."
"Thanks," Ren murmurs, smiling slightly. "Then I can rely on you to teach me something good?"
He laughs. "Twist my arm, why don't you? All right. Let's recreate the game, and I'll show you how you could've come back from behind..."
It takes a while longer after that; the other spectators have left by then. Once they're done discussing the game and alternate moves, though, it's starting to get dark. The player of black checks his watch.
"Well, I ought to get going. A shame... I wanted to play you fresh," he laments. "Oh well--another time." He pulls out his phone; Ren does the same, and they exchange contact information. Before long, the chess master waves goodbye, then heads off, whistling to himself.
Ren watches him go with a muted smile. That smile fades as they tuck their hands in their pockets, and they look over at Aigis.
"Hi," they say. "Did you enjoy the show?"
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
While Ren doesn't turn things around entirely, they make an impressive showing. Winning would have taken a miracle, but they got farther than Aigis had expected.
She is, in fact, one of the last spectators to remain, quietly standing adjacent to the discussion without providing her own commentary. She's well aware of how much additional time she has spent here, far more than she had intended, but she wanted to see how this ends.
As Ren's opponent walks off, Aigis begins to take her leave as well, but something else happens that she never saw coming: Ren greets her.
'Hi. Did you enjoy the show?'
Her eyes widen in surprise and she turns back around to face Ren. Her voice, on the other hand, comes out calm and matter-of-factly. "I was not aware you were putting on a performance. I did enjoy seeing how your game turned out, however."
Aigis pauses briefly as she glances at the departing master before she continues. "I am not certain what I would enjoy more: a fresh game between you two, as he wants, or another game where you take on an initial poor board state. Reality is not so symmetrical, I have found."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"The show was technically for him," Ren replies, nodding towards the chess master's back, "but you did have front row seats."
Also, they were being a bit facetious, but given how she responded to them, better to play it straight.
"I enjoyed playing it, so it sounds like we both ended up entertained." They muse on what she says next, though. "I'd like to at least try a game fresh." They quirk a slight, lopsided smile. "I already know what playing him at a disadvantage is like. I want something new before I go back to that."
Reality is definitely not symmetrical, though. Ren nods in agreement there. At least in this case, it was a low-stakes thing like a game of chess. If Ren had failed to impress him, they would've just had to find some other skilled player to practice chess with--a loss, but hardly the end of the world.
"Do you want to play a game?" they wonder. Though, then they glance up at the darkening sky. "...Maybe not right now. I assume you've got somewhere to be." Their gaze goes next to the bag Aigis is carrying.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis smiles faintly, and her excitement becomes more apparent. "You were playing to demonstrate your capabilities. I comprehend."
Playing a game fresh sounds better to Ren, too -- Aigis is outvoted. She doesn't seem too perturbed by that, though, and responds understandingly, "That would provide more novel data, yes. I cannot fault you for that. Do not let my own preferences stop you from pursuing what you wish."
Games are a space to experiment and try things out to later apply in the real world, or so Aigis has come to view them. Granted, this is for games such as Drake Adventure, like Minato and Reiya have been teaching her, so that may not exactly be the best base to use ...
Ren's offer to play a game causes Aigis to pause in consideration. "I would in other circumstances. However, I do have to return to my dormitory before curfew. I also have some gardening to attend to."
She doesn't recognize Ren as a Gekkoukan student, despite their age. "You are not from around here, are you? Perhaps we could exchange contact information to set up a game for another time."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren nods. "That, and to prove I was worth his time." That hadn't been the plan, but when they looked at the board and saw a possible way forward, they had to seize that chance.
As for her preferences... "I won't," they say straight-faced.
Drake Adventure would definitely be tough to equate to a game of chess. Ren, having just recently picked up one of the first games in the series, can attest to this. They haven't gotten that far in, though; they've been too busy with other things to play more than twenty or thirty minutes a day, if that.
They nod as they spot those seeds in the bag. Some good winter vegetables, they see... They ought to touch base with Haru sometime soon about what she plans on planting next themself. "Figured."
However, Aigis indicates interest in playing a game another time. Ren looks up at her thoughtfully before nodding again. "Right. I'm from Tokyo." More or less, anyway. "I attend Shujin Academy." They take out their phone. "I don't mind if you don't." And, once contact info is exchanged... "Are you good to head back to the train station? I can walk you there if you want--I'm headed that way anyway."
Probably not necessary, since Aigis is headed for the Iwatodai Dorm, but that's at least on the way. However she responds, though, they add, "I'm Ren Amamiya, by the way. What's your name?"
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis inclines her head slightly as she regards Ren. "You were quick to spot a way to continue. You must be a mentally resilient sort."
She notices his interest in the seeds. "Someone I am close to has requested that we grow spinach. It just so happens to be one of the plants better suited to surviving this time of year. I am told that it is more sweet when grown in the winter, as well, though I am hoping to confirm this for myself this season."
Some Soul Spinach can even be good for those long stretches in Tartarus or Mementos; it's something to graze on and keep you going.
Aigis brings out her own phone -- it's mundane technology compared to the rest of her, sure, but it would be strange for her not to have one in this day and age. "I am originally from Yakushima, but I reside in Iwatodai these days. I attend Gekkoukan High School, myself." She nods as Ren asks about heading to the station. "I am, and you may. I am simply known as Aigis. It is a pleasure to meet you, Amamiya-san."
She hasn't really taken the time to venture out beyond her own area; the possibility simply hadn't occurred to her. Yet here Ren is, far outside of their own domain, so she asks: "Do you happen to know anyone else who goes to the nearby school?"
Maybe she could stand to do some more exploring of her own sometime.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren smiles slightly at Aigis's observation. They appreciate the compliment. "Thanks."
So spinach is a good winter vegetable... They nod thoughtfully. They're sure Haru knew that already, but they sure didn't--especially the part where they're sweeter when grown in this season. "I'll have to try that... I have a friend who I help garden too."
With permission granted, the two of them can start heading back to the station. "Likewise, Aigis-san." It's an unusual name, but between being a robot and looking like a foreigner, Ren imagines it's actually pretty normal for her. Really, it's weird how normal she is. She has a flat affect, but lots of people do. You could never tell just by looking at her that she's not human. How did that happen?
"Yeah, lots," they reply. "I'm friends with Yusuke Kitagawa and Minako Arisato, and I'm acquainted with Arisato-kun, Sanada-san, Takeba-san, Aragaki-san, and recently Yamagishi-san, if you know any of those people." That's a private joke. Of course she knows all of those people. Ren is not privy to SEES's full member list, but they've seen enough red-bands in supernatural places and know enough from Minako (however inadvertently) to be able to put it together. "Oh, and I have a friend whose sister goes there too. Ririka Kawase, I think. We haven't really met." (Not as Ren Amamiya, at least.)
"What about you?" they wonder, genuinely curious. "Do you happen to know anyone who goes to my school?"
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Genuine warmth shows through Aigis' smile. "I have found gardening to be an enjoyable and worthwhile endeavor. I am learning much about the nature of life in the process. I hope you and your friend enjoy the activity, too."
Aigis' smile grows slightly wider at being called 'Aigis-san,' honorific and all. Some people in her life omit it in a way that causes her some discomfort. Asking Aigis herself how she's so surprisingly normal may not lead to anything; she hardly has any idea. How does a robot acquire a Persona? How does a dog, for that matter? The rest of the world may never know. ... but there's a chance they will.
Ren jokes, but Aigis doesn't manage to discern that. As they rattle off the names of a good chunk of SEES, she tilts her head and stares at them curiously. "Aside from Kitagawa-san, all of the people you mentioned live in the same dormitory that I do."
While she has actually encountered a few members of the Phantom Thieves out in various supernatural spaces, she hasn't had the pleasure of meeting their real identities. Unfortunately, she shakes her head 'no', then turns her gaze away. "I believe that I do not. Not directly. It is ... perhaps for the best that I do not stray too far from Iwatodai."
A flicker of recognition sparks in her eyes and she looks at Ren. "There was a discussion via a text messaging application about the rumored behavior of Arisato-chan's romantic partner, a Shujin student whose given name is Ren. While they mentioned no surname, if that is you, then you have my sympathies for having to endure such falsehoods."
She regards Ren with a measure of regret. "If I have that correct, then, please ... do what you can for her. She is quite important."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
The nature of life, huh... Ren can't help but smile back. They're starting to realize how she's able to pass for human so well, flat affect and all. "We do."
"Is that so? What a coincidence," they say deadpan of the dorm. Then they shrug a bit, rethinking their own statement. "Maybe not that big a coincidence, though, considering Minako-chan. Most of those other people, I met because of her."
They frown a little as she speaks of not straying from Iwatodai, but... they can guess a few reasons why that might be. Better not to stick their nose in that one; they're sure she wouldn't be able to explain it to a presumed normie like them.
The mention of those rumors take them aback, though, and when they recover, they grimace. "Right... Of course those rumors made it here too." If they spread all the way to Sumaru, of course they'd have spread here too. "Yeah, that's me. Thank you, Aigis-san."
Something in their eyes flickers at Aigis's request. Even so, they nod. "We broke up, but I will--as a friend. Which we still are."
Maybe it's fine to not push themself to advertise their personal life, if Minako doesn't advertise hers either beyond what's necessary. Ren will have to think on that.
The train station and the dorm are both close by now. It won't take much longer for Aigis to make it home, and from there, for Ren to start on their trip back.