2026-08-01: Right from Wrong
- Log: Right From Wrong
- Cast: Kazusa Motojima, Shinichi Nagisa, Ryuji Sakamoto, Ren Amamiya
- Where: Shujin Academy - Classroom Building
- OOC Date: August 01, 2026
- IC Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
- Summary: Kazusa just wants to get out of school and away from Shinichi. Shinichi, though, is laying in wait for her. But he's not after a kiss this time: he's after 'justice' and a forced confession of her wrong-doings. Thankfully for her, Ryuji and Ren intercede on her behalf, but Kazusa doesn't escape unharmed.
- Content Warning: Misogyny, Assault (Shoved against a wall)
(|=================== Shujin Academy - Classroom Building ====================|)
-==================================================== Tokyo/Aoyama-Itchome ====-
Shujin Academy is split between its main classroom building, which faces the
back streets of Aoyama-Itchome, and its practice building out back. The
classroom building is a grim concrete building with sleek glass doors, three
stories tall, with classrooms for the third years on the ground floor, second
years on the second, and first years on the top. The faculty office is on the
second, and the student council room and the library on the third. Vending
machines dot the hallways here and there, and the bathrooms are kept clean. Its
front gates are wrought iron with a circular design, and a stylized clock on the
eastern wall informs students just how late they are.
The foyer is lined with glass cases proudly displaying trophies earned by its
top students, and just past them is the school store, though the yakisoba bread
there is almost always sold out. Billboards across the school announce various
articles and notices of interest. Past there, the walls are gray and white, the
floors are wooden, student lockers line the walls, and the sliding classroom
doors sport diamond windows. The classrooms themselves are rather more sober,
with simple desks and chairs for the students and a taller desk at front before
the chalkboard for the teacher. The windows to the outside seem simple, and even
have yellow curtains that can be pulled shut, but are lined in a diamond pattern
to prevent shattering. We wouldn't want our students to escape, now would we?
There is a fenced-in roof, but the door to it displays a sign stating students
aren't allowed. Despite this, it isn't locked, so nothing stops anyone from
hanging out there anyway--at least, not until they get caught. Oddly, there's
also several small planters there too for growing flowers and vegetables.
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
Why do these things always have to happen around exams? Kazusa's been trying to ignore Shinichi's Homunculus during exams but she is all too keenly aware of his presence.
It's awful, and even when he isn't around she finds herself stressing about him. She really would rather not deal with the homunculus... but she knows she's going to have to, to get the real Shinichi back. But that's for later.
Today she's just hoping to slip out of class quickly and get somewhere safe. I.e., as far away from Shujin as possible. She's got her head down and she's heading for the stairs.
<Pose Tracker> Shinichi Nagisa has posed.
One might expect a Homunculus stalking their prey to hang upon the ceiling like some horrific arachnid, ready for the ambush.
And one would be correct- if it were the Dark Hour.
Today, it's post finals- and one of the side benefits of being possessed by a monster is having absolutely no stress about taking some exams.
No his fixation is upon people instead.
The Homunculus turned his exam in fairly early, left the classroom, and waited. Around the corner towards the stairwell. People milled in and out from exams, as he leaned there, nodding at a few as they came by.
No one stopped to chat him up though, maybe it was the intimidating look in those blue eyes. Does one speak to a falcon on its perch looking for mice?
Animal I Have Become - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqds0B_meys
Head down, it means that she won't notice him as he suddenly comes around the corner and grabs her right arm arm and hauls her up against the wall, heavily enough to hurt.
Then comes down his other arm, to grasp her left as well, remembering what happened the last time when he left her arms free.
"You must think you're real clever, bitch." He growls at a conversational volume, "Tell a guy that you want to make him miso soup every morning, then when he's just trying to be friendly- you cold cock him out of nowhere?"
He roughly presses her up against the wall, so much taller than her that he just looms. "I see now why they called you the 'Demon Queen'. Toying with a guy's heart like that, then trying to throw it in the garbage. But didn't you know? You play stupid games."
The Homunculus' eyes gleam strangely, in this light. "You win stupid prizes. You're gonna confess to everyone here what a twisted, fucked up freak you really are... or I'm going to make you."
People in the hall have stopped now, to watch this. Both boys and girls. Some of the girls are already whispering.
"... must deserve it..."
"... not the type to go off if she didn't..."
While some of the boys watch on in satisfaction to what they're already regarding as 'justice'.
GAME: You set your shujin summer uniform desc!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"'Ey, you might want to back off there." Ryuji says very calmly and coldly from behind Shinichi. He takes a deep breath as he feels that weird Homunculus aura thing he hated the LAST time. It wasn't that it scared him but it did bother him that HIS class seemed to spawn in these weird things.
"How about we take a walk outside?" Ryuji asks as if to pick a fight. In truth, he was probably going to try to talk down this guy because he wasn't in his right mind. He didn't understand how this particular supernatural thing worked but he sure seemed to attract it.
The delinquent sigh and positions his body so that if this guy starts swinging, he can avoid most of it. He knew that much about fighting.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Despite finals, Ren's been in a great mood all week. It helps that they aren't in Shinichi's class, but they've been doing well accordingly. Maybe not Top Ten well, but easily Top Third well.
With today's exams over, they're hanging out in the hallway, leaning on the wall, school bag slung over their shoulder like usual, scrolling on their smartphone. They're waiting up for Ryuji, just outside his classroom. When Kazusa hurries out, they glance up, then back down. What she's doing isn't any of their business.
At least, it isn't any of their business until they feel a sickening presence follow. They look up again, but this time just with their eyes, at the Homunculus posing as Shinichi Nagisa as he turns from around a corner and heads down right after her, as if he'd been waiting for her. They'd noticed him earlier and carefully ignored him, but this...
Their concerns are immediately proven well-founded. There's a SMACK down below, not visible but audible when the Homunculus slams Kazusa against the wall. Even if Ren couldn't hear it, there's no missing how everyone else stops to stare.
And do nothing about it.
And start gossiping about how she must deserve it.
"Ren..." Morgana murmurs from within their bag, nose poking out over their shoulder, but he doesn't even need to. They've already pushed off the wall, stuck their hands in their pockets, and slouched over to the stairs.
They maintain their typical impassive poker face when they take in the scene below. Inside, their mind is racing, and fury boils inside them, not just at the Homunculus but at their schoolmates.
However, Ryuji's already down there, and he's got the matter handled... or at least, it looks that way at this second. Ren's lips thin, and they take a step to one side just at the corner of the stairs, but keep an eye on proceedings. Who knows what the Homunculus is going to do?
They do also take a quick look around, not at the other students, but for a teacher. Kawakami is the obvious choice, but she's a woman, and they've heard enough secondhand gossip to not trust that the Homunculus would respect her authority. The next obvious choice is 2-E's homeroom teacher, but Ren doesn't know if whoever that is will take them seriously and come with them. Neither are in line of sight right now anyway, and they only want to hunt someone down if they must.
They glance back down. If the Homunculus takes Ryuji up on taking a walk outside, that'll buy some time, at least.
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
Kazusa has been putting a lot of effort into these finals. One might expect it's to make her father happy, but it's not really about that.
Frankly, her father has other priorities for her, and none of them involve her getting high marks. A good performance on her exams is for herself. A silent way of refuting the image her father has of her, while still conforming in some way to his high standards.
And after her midterm scores took a serious hit--and small wonder, considering she had to cram half a semester's worth of studying into a week--she's determined to make the finals count.
And when she leaves she's already running reviews in her head, until--
Am arm grabs her. Her head snaps up. "Wha--" And then she's slammed against a wall. A sharp, bright pain blooms in her back as her spine meets the hard wall. "Ahh!"
A strain from her rhythmic gymnastics practice that had just started to mend is suddenly worsened again.
She suiqrms when her other arm is grabbed, trying to break free, even though she's all too aware she can't overpower Shinichi. "Let me go!"
"I never promised you--" But she quickly cuts herself off. She hates cooking for others. It's too much like what her mom would do. But saying that won't help, and she doesn't know what will, instead.
She's trying to stay resolute, but the height difference is making her feel so small right now. As is the knowledge that the Demon Queen's mask did nothing last time.
She's dimly aware of the crowds, but she's not really expecting any help. Maybe... if she just says what he wants to hear... calm him down. Keep him from hurting her. Keep him from hurting anyone else.
'Ey, you might want to back off there.'
Kazusa tensed. This is exactly what she didn't want. More people getting involved, more people getting hurt. She didn't want this thing going after anyone without aPersona. "S-Sakamoto-san, just--" Her voice is shaky. "Let me handle this."
She's too distracted by Shinichi to notice Ren--indeed, Shinichi is taking up so much of her attention and field of view that they escape her notice for the moment.
Her heart is racing, and she tries to tell it to calm down. "... fine. If it's a confession you want, then... just leave everyone else alone and I'll give it to you."
<Pose Tracker> Shinichi Nagisa has posed.
It's a good thing she didn't finish that sentence, he has a hair trigger enough as is, the Homunculus might think she's saying he's lying.
"I'll let you go when you go down dogeza and apologize to the whole school for your usual bullshit. I'm not so selfish to come at you for some petty revenge. Girls like you that only take- but never give anything back to anyone. They're a cancer."
Ey, you might want to back off there.'
Ryuji sees the boy from his year turn his neck around so far that he might swear he hears the crack-pop of vertebrae. Almost like he doesn't know the limits humans are supposed to have for 'joints'.
"This isn't any of your business, Sakamoto." He says, with a look like he's a lit fuse, waiting for the detonation to come, "So why don't you take a hike? Word is, you could use the rehab."
His attention doesn't even notice Ren Amamiya. Indeed- perhaps he thinks that Ren would be on his side even, even if he hangs with Ryuji.
'Let me handle this.'
'If it's a confession you want, then... just leave everyone else alone.'
"Heh. 'Leave everyone else alone?' Like I'm the real villain here? You're the only person anyone has a problem with. This is about justice. Let me tell you how you're going to handle this."
As he releases the pressure on her left arm to let her start to follow instructions.
"Get down on your knees, forehead to the floor. Then tell everyone what a stuck up little bitch you've been, who acts like she's better than everyone else. Apologize for all the shit you've pulled- your whole attitude. Really sell that you're going to change and do right by everyone from now on."
Whispers continue, people seem more uneasy now that Ryuji has gotten involved, but he's not exactly popular with the student body right now, whereas Shinichi's star has been on the rise.
Snippets of remarks can be heard, blending together from the peanut gallery of everyone who's stopped to watch.
"... want to see this, it'll be just like Kamoshida..."
"... you think she actually will..."
"... justice. Kinda like the Phantom Thieves..."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"For real? You think I can't tell you're not ok with whatever this is!" Ryuji growls, keeping his attention on Shinichi for any sign this guy is going to escalate things. Something tells Ryuji that as much as these Homunculus things make his skin crawl, he needed to be extra vigilant with watching this guy.
That is why when Shinichi launches a verbal attack that Ryuji winces as he's taken aback. This guy is mean. Very fucking mean.
"Heh." He visually chokes down the urge to do more than talk. That remark about his limp was a low blow. "Doesn't mean I'm gonna let you bully some girl either. Call me old school or whatever but I ain't about to let ya do that."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Kazusa tells Ryuji not to interfere, to let her handle it. This surprises Ren, but a second lightning-fast thought makes them realize the sense of it. Kazusa knows this is a Homunculus, and she believes Ryuji's just a normal student. She's trying to protect him by keeping its wrath on herself.
Which is the first thing to really convince them that she's turned over a new leaf and actually cares about other people now. It would be so easy for her to throw him under the bus in a terrifying situation like this. They wouldn't even necessarily blame her for it, since she's the one that monster's after. And what that monster wants is...
'Justice.' To make Kazusa grovel and say she'll do right going forward. Considering how gendered the Homunculus's reason for this 'justice' is, and considering how it doesn't hesitate to threaten Ryuji for trying to interfere, it makes Ren sick to their stomach.
"This is unacceptable," Morgana whispers, indignant, echoing their thoughts. "This is no way to treat a lady!"
When the whispers bring up Kamoshida and the Phantom Thieves, they grit their teeth.
Dammit. No, this needs a teacher's interference. They'll gamble on Kawakami; she'll listen to them without question, and that's what counts the most right now.
'Keep him busy,' they mouth to Ryuji, then bolt to one side, down the hall to their homeroom.
They come to a stop at the doorway. Kawakami's there at her desk, talking to Dr. Maruki. Both look over at them, and Maruki smiles.
"Amamiya-kun! Just who I was looking for," he says. "Would you--"
"Sensei," Ren interrupts, lancing him with every iota of urgency through their stare. "Come with me. Right now."
Then they launch back towards the stairs.
Dr. Maruki's expression is startled, then concerned. He chases after them a second later.
"Hey, wait!" Kawakami utters, and follows in their wake.
The two come to a stop at the stairwell, where Ren is waiting. They maintain direct eye contact with both, standing just past the stairs out of the way, then look down at where Kazusa and the others are.
Kawakami takes one look and scowls. "HEY," she calls, loud and sharp to cut through the chatter. "What in the world is going on here?"
Dr. Maruki is more hesitant, staring at the tableau with an oddly horrified expression. He shoots a look back at Ren, but Ren only silently urges him on with their stare.
So he puts on a smile and steps past Kawakami to approach the Homunculus. "Hi there. Nagisa-kun... wasn't it?" he says, maintaining a friendly air. "So glad I finally found you--I've been meaning to reach out. Could we talk somewhere private, please?"
From where they lurk, Ren seeks Ryuji's eyes and, once they've made eye contact, gives him a slight nod.
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
That might be the only bit of luck Kazusa is going to get here. She has no idea what to do--
Well, that's not entirely true. She could just go dogeza like Shinichi's Homunculus wants and rattle off a confession like he wants. Some of it might even be true. She has changed--or she's trying to, at least.
But genuine change isn't what the Homunculus wants. It's conformity, submission, and erasure. The same things her father wanted.
And Mina Harker would urge her to hold fast to herself.
That only take, but never give back. Kazusa doesn't point out that she stopped foisting her chores on him. Kazusa winces as she hears the crack-pop of the vertebrae.
She shouldn't have said the part about leaving everyone else alone. But she's silent, cheeks flushed as she listens to his demands. Get on her knees, apologize...
Tell everyone how she's going to change and do right by everyone. If only he knew...
But her gaze is fixed on Shinichi as she tries to quell the trembling in her body. (It's not working.) Ryuji reasonably points out she doesn't want this. "Sakamoto-san... please... s-stay out of this."
Does she sound concerned for Ryuji? No, it must just be the stress she's under, surely.
But finally her arm is released, and she grits her teeth as she feels the blood flow starting again. Silently she turns--but it's only so she can brace her left arm against the wall as she starts to lower herself to her knees. Pain still flares in her back and a small whine escapes her thraot despiteher best efforts.
Maybe it's that slow descent that gives Ren justenough time to find two staff members and drag them to the site of the incident.
'HEY'
Kazusa is already on her knees but she tenses, looking up in shock and worry as she sees Kawakami and Maruki both. Is this good? Will the Homunculus respect their authority? Her gaze swivels back to Shinichi, who looks so frigtheningly taller now as she waits to see his reaction.
<Pose Tracker> Shinichi Nagisa has posed.
'Heh.'
'Doesn't mean I'm gonna let you bully some girl either.'
"What about this looks like bullying to you?" He says, as he turns around, still holding onto her right arm, glaring him right in the eye. "She's been a hateful bitch to everyone in this school. The boys. The girls. Why do you think they call her the 'Demon Queen'? Face it, asshole. You're on the wrong side, this time."
Just like with Isabeau Fontaine... Ryuji finds that nobody in the crowd is going to back him up. Whether it's a guy picking on a girl or not. It's like they agree, based on her past history.
Sometimes the people that are perceived as bullies are the easiest victims.
She starts to lower herself down, and he gives her a severe look while keeping Ryuji in his periphery.
'HEY,'
'What in the world is going on here?'
At first Shinichi's lip curls. Kawakami is a woman after all, why should she have authority in this circumstance? But so too is Doctor Maruki.
His face relaxes into an easy smile.
"Nothing, sensei." He says, letting go of Kazusa fully, "Motojima-chan had something she wanted to say to everyone, but maybe it should wait until after exams..."
As his eyes dart towards Kazusa, "... that sound good with you, Motojima-chan?" As if daring her to contradict him with that look.
Then stepping towards Maruki, there's a thin smile on his face, "Been meaning to huh? What about?" He seems affable, even jovial. But as he gets closer to Maruki, there's something just off about this picture to the school Counselor.
Really off.
As he heads off with the teachers, he first darts a look at Sakamoto, but then, at they step away, his gaze slices to Ren Amamiya.
And makes direct eye contact.
Like he suspects he's the one who's responsible for this.
"Be seeing you, Sakamoto. Take care of that leg." He says, while looking directly at Ren, before it breaks away- and he keeps walking with the school Counselor.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji catches Ren's plan and finds the corner of his mouth twitch. Nice. They were going to out smart this guy. He catches some of the background chatter about Kamoshida, feeling himself tense. Great. More reasons to keep this interaction peaceful.
"I don't see what the problem is. We're just gonna have a chat. See if we can fix his tone or somethin'." Ryuji's eyes move to look at Kazusa.
Ryuji can't really argue as Shinichi explains who Kazusa is. She is a bitch. She is someone who has been a pain to run into. That said --- she didn't deserve to be humiliated like this. Even if he didn't know what was inside this girls head, right is right.
Ren returns with the teachers and Ryuji smirks at Shinichi.
Then is until he hears the remark on his leg. The blonde growls, wishing he could punch that smug asshole's face.
"Hey Motojima, you ok?" He turns back to the girl, keeping his distance from the Demon Queen as he watches Shinichi go.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Between Kazusa's slow descent and Ryuji keeping Shinichi's Homunculus distracted, there's time enough for the teachers to intercede. Ms. Kawakami doesn't look impressed at the Homunculus's excuses.
"It can definitely wait 'til after finals. Now break it up. You're blocking the stairs for everyone else," she snaps. The crowds of watching students would even seem to back up this assertion, except when she turns around, she adds, "That goes double for the rest of you! No gawking and get yourselves home already!"
Fortunately, with Dr. Maruki also here, this gamble has turned into a sure bet. "Well, let's get some privacy before we get into that..." he's saying as the two pass Ren by.
Yes. He's definitely noticed something's wrong. He is doing his utmost not to let on about it to anyone.
When the Homunculus locks eyes onto Ren, they meet them without flinching--without even blinking. Just two cats (or rather, a cat and a horror from the beyond) staring each other down.
Between Maruki luring away the Homunculus and Kawakami making sure the crowds disperse, there's nothing stopping Ryuji from approaching Kazusa to check in on her. Ren lingers too, still at the top of the stairs. They don't want to crowd her, and they trust Ryuji to handle this. He might be coarse with his words, but he's got a good heart.
Ren's presence ought to discourage any remaining gawkers, too. They don't get rumors about them as much anymore, but they're still the feared and reviled 'criminal delinquent.'
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
It doesn't escape Kazusa that there's barely anybody else standing up forher. And, frankly, she doesn't blame them. She certainly wouldn't have stood up for anybody before... why should she expect the same of them for her?
Later, when she has more time to process things (and when she's no longer trying to manage the safety of others in the immediate present), she'll be surprised that Ryuji did stand up. Sure, they had a conversation that... wasn't terrible, but... one decent conversation can't be enough to make up for all the grief she gave him, too, right?
But the arm is released, and Kazusa is quick to snatch it back to herself, nearly hugging herself. That look... Kazusa looks away from the Homunculus, down at the floor. "... m-maybe after finals," she says meekly.
When Shinichi finally steps away she slumps against the wall, her breath coming in uneaven pulls as she shakes. It takes her a moment to even register that Ryuji is speaking to her. She's pretty clearly not okay, but it's too hard to admit that directly. She closes her eyes. "My back... I..."
Kazusa opens her eyes again when the teacher orders the crowd to disperse, keeping a wary eye as everyone departs. She glances over, to see the direction that Shinichi's Homnunculus is leaving in--
And blinks as she finally spots Ren, who doesn't seem to be moving away. As far as she knows, Ren doesn't seem care for her, and she has no reason to think that they had a hand in fetching the teachers as she looks down at the ground again. (They shared a table to study once, but she's not under any illusions that that changed their standings with each other.)
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Hey! Woah!" Ryuji looks around for girl to maybe catch her if she fell. He doesn't really want any rumors to start so he was hesitant to get in there himself. Especially with this particular girl. "Maybe we oughta get you to the nurs---ah fuck, that's where the asshat is right now. Shit ok...I'm open to ideas cuz I'm not thinking of anything."
Ryuji stands next to Kazusa, crossing his arms as he tries to think of something he can do without half the school assuming something completely insane. "Ok...I'm gonna go try to sneak into the nurse's office and get you some aspirin." He then commits to the mission before anyone can stop him.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Ryuji, wait--"
But he's already off like a shot before Ren can stop him. They scratch their head, then head down the stairs to where Kazusa is slumped on her knees. Seating themself on the bottom stair so they're on more or less equal level, they rest their hands on their thighs.
"I'll keep you company while he takes care of that," they state. It might take him a while, and in the meantime she's still here, in pain. However, they've got just as much of an idea as her that their company might not be welcome, so they add, "Unless there's someone else you'd rather I get for you?"
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
Kazusa gets it. Under any other circumstance, she wouldn't really be up for being helped up by Ryuji. Right now though... well, what part of her reputation is even intact at this point? Questions for later.
But Ryuji is at least trying to help. She'll need a bit more than Aspirin though, probably. "Wait--" She sighs.
It would still have been nice to have the company.
And suddenly, she does. She blinks and looks over to Ren, staring at them for a moment. There's an offer to keep her company. Kazusa looks uncertain--confused, even, but she nods. "I'll... I'll text my brother. I'm not sure where he is right now..."
She fishes her phone out of her bag and makes the text. She looks at her phone for a moment, then glances back to Ren and puts the phone away instead.
There's a long moment of silence as she works up the courage to ask a simple question. "... why are you helping me? I know I haven't exactly treated you well, either."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren nods when Kazusa says she'll text her brother. Yeah, that's about what they figured. That's fine. At a time like this, it's only natural for her to want someone she actually gets along with around. She has a point; he might have already left his classroom after exams, so fetching him directly isn't the wisest option. Ren came over because Ryuji might take a while to return.
They're silent while she gets her phone and contacts Kazuhiro, eyes on the nearby stairwell window. It's pretty overcast today. They're going to go straight home after this, get some rest for tonight, go over their notes for tomorrow's exams...
When Kazusa finally speaks up, they blink at her. It's a fair question, given how everyone else reacted. However, they just shrug and reply, "Ryuji's my friend. I've got his back."
It's true enough.
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
'Going home to study' was also Kazusa's plan. (Well, 'go back to her studio to study' was the plan, but close enough.) Now, though...
Kazusa looks at Ren, frowning thoughtfully at the answer. "That's it? I know you don't like me." Or at least, she's assumng that much. "But Sakamoto-san tries to help and... that's all it takes?"
She looks off in the direction Ryuji left in. "... I don't get why he stepped in, either... I haven't really been any better to him..." she reflects quietly. She tried to apologize--though that conversation turned awkward fast, and she's pretty sure the apology was terrible as a result.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That's it? I know you don't like me.
"So?"
Of course, Ren understands why she thinks that way. That's how most people think, they're pretty sure. It makes sense, even--of course you don't want to go to the aid of people you dislike. Being a Phantom Thief--being Joker--has helped them crystallize their beliefs on doing what you believe is right, no matter what, though. 'No matter what' means even for people who suck.
And Kazusa doesn't even suck as much as she used to. So there's also that. Still, Ren's prepared to leave it at that--but then she reflects on Ryuji's actions, despite her own. Ren glances over their shoulder in the direction in which he left too, but soon looks back at Kazusa.
"Doing what's right means doing it even when it's hard. 'Hard' includes when it's for someone who's been a jerk," they say. "And that guy--" they do not refer to him as 'Nagisa-kun' "--was being a creep."
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
'So?'
Kazusa looks at Ren expectantly, clearly waiting for more. She's trying to shift her position just a little to ease the strain on her back. But there isn't a follow-up. "Hmm."
Doing the right thing even when it's hard. Even for someone who's been a jerk. It's her, she's been the jerk. A few months ago, she might've bristled at that characterization. Now, though...
There's a barest hint of a laugh. "... yeah, i guess I deserve that one. I don't like being that way. I'm trying to change, it's just... hard."
But as for the 'creep'. "... yeah. But... please don't try to go do the right thing with him, okay? He's just--" How to put this? "--going through something right now. When he comes out of it later, I'd rather... not give him more things to regret." That's the closest she can think of without spilling the word 'Homunculus' to someone who shouldn't know it. "Okay?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
I'm trying to change, it's just... hard.
Her barest hint of a laugh is met with the barest hint of a smile. "Yeah. I can tell."
That it's hard? Or that she's trying to change? Ren doesn't clarify.
They do give her a long look after that, though. It lasts through her warning about how Shinichi is 'going through something.' With those piercing eyes of theirs, it might be uncomfortable for her, but that's not their intent. In the end, they nod once.
"Okay."
And that's it.
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
Ren can tell, they say. Kazusa gives them a long look. "You can, huh...?" She doesn't really press for the clarification.
And the warning is accepted remarkably easy. Those eyes are a little unnerving, but Kazusa is doing her best not to look away--at least not while she gives the warning/plea. She nods. "... Good."
That's it. And this time she won't question it.
There's a long pause. "... never thought I'd be relying on the likes of you two in a moment like this." Truthfully, she didn't expect anybody on her side. "... sorry about that rumor. I hope it didn't mess anyting up for you." She didn't cause it, her Homunclus did.
... but it's the type of thing she would've done,so on this count, she'll take the hit.
It's not like she can really explain the truth, right?
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Once again, Ren thinks the conversation is over. Once again, Kazusa continues it--but they're not vexed. They shrug at her comment... and at her apology, they quirk a tiny, lopsided smile. It all worked out in the end, but they're not going to explain that much to her. It's something they could explain, but it's very much a personal matter.
"It's fine," they thus say. "No harm done. It was just annoying." They glance at her sidelong. "You were going through something too."
Which might explain to her why they took her request not to confront 'Shinichi' about anything at face value. It's not even a deception, is it?
<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.
She nods quietly. Going through something. "... yeah. I was." NHow she's finally at a loss for words.
Which is when there's a shout of "Onee-chan!" from down the hallway. A first-year--taller than Kazusa, with messu black hair (and on the basketball team if Ren follows that), comes rushing down the hallway.
And he's followed by a girl from Kazusa's class--a girl her height with short brown hair in a bob. "Kazu-chan?" she asks. "What--"
"I'll explain later," Kazusa says quickly. "Just--please help me up? Just be careful with my back."
Between Kazuhiro and Wakana (Kazuhiro is her brother, so there's a lot less weird about him helping her up) both help get Kazusa standing. Wakana takes Kazusa's schoolbag for her while Kazuhiro lets Kazusa lean on him, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders.
Kazusa starts to hobble off, but at a word Kazuhiro pauses. Kazusa glances back over her shoulder. "Hey, um... thanks for keeping me company. I... hope it wasn't too hard. Can you let Sakamoto-san know I left? I appreciate the help but I just... I want to leave now."
And small wonder, she sounds really tired right now.
With a nod to her brother, the three of them make their way for the front gate.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
When Kazuhiro and Wakana arrive to help, Ren backs away up the stairs, but doesn't yet fully leave. It's only once she's back on her feet and ready to leave that they turn to leave. That, however, is when she calls to them.
They glance over their shoulder back at her too. "You're welcome," they reply, followed by, "Will do."
They'll shoot Ryuji a text to let him know the mission isn't necessary anymore, but after that, they're going to make their own way home.