2026-09-17: The Stars and Our Light
- Log: 2026-09-17 The Stars and Our Light
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi
- Where: Red Light District - Main
- OOC Date: September 17, 2026
- IC Date: January 11, 2013
- Summary: Ren and Akechi go on a date to the planetarium. Akechi, noticing that something is troubling Ren, does his best to be supportive, but there remain dark feelings in his heart...
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's a stressful time for Ren Amamiya right now--but ever since their arrest last year, has it ever been not a stressful time? It's all about how much they're able to surf the wave, or whether it's crushing them beneath it.
Right now, they're... paddling, at least. They know Morgana's okay, at least, but he's refused to come home, choosing to partner with Kasumi instead. That's... not as bad as it could be. Then there's the Homunculus currently at Shujin, who has a target on Makoto's back--and there's still Hana Fukami, mired at Studio 4. The Phantoms are on top of all of these things at this point, but it feels so fragile. Like it could all come crashing down at any moment.
So naturally, Ren's so relieved to have a date today with their beloved and most trustworthy boyfriend, Goro Akechi.
Well, no, there's issues with that too. They told everyone at the shrine visit that the two of them are dating, which everyone was reluctantly supportive of--and that Akechi figured out they're the leader of the Phantom Thieves ages ago, which apparently was not something everyone had realized. Ren got some well-deserved heat for that one. Between that, and a lingering guilt about going out to have fun and be happy with the one they love when Morgana's miserable over his own doomed romance, it's hard to fully enjoy the day.
They do try. They and Goro had agreed on this date a while back to see the planetarium show; that had been the point of the tickets Goro'd gotten them for their birthday, of course, but now it gets to be official. The show has nearly run its course at this point, and there just isn't going to be another chance to see it. It's today or not at all.
So at least they've got things as resolved as they can be, so that they can do today still. Even so...
Even so, when the two of them take their seats, and Ren sets their hands on the armrests and brushes one against Goro's, he might look to see that there's a troubled look marring the would-be wonder on their expression as they watch the show.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
On the other side of the equation, Akechi is on the top of the world- or at least, as close to that as it gets when your inner person is a contradictory mess.
Entrance exams were a breeze. His acceptance to University of Tokyo assured, even if top scores aren't the only thing taken into account.
Having a celebrity Detective attend your University is enough prestige.
Then there's the new experience of having a significant other. Certainly he was going to kill them one day but- that's not the point!
The point is that he's found himself smiling lately, without having to put it on like a sticker, to fake it for a live audience.
That Ren had told everyone- well, that he didn't know, even if he knew Ren would tell them. Even he thought that all the Phantoms would think he knew by dint of him being 'hot on their trail' for so long- implied statements and the like.
Akechi's here today in a nice green checkered sweater vest, though only just now. His brown coat had been checked at the front, along with his scarf, though he still kept his gloves on.
His briefcase, however, was still with him. He didn't exactly trust leaving it with someone else.
As they take a seat and their arms brush, he regards Ren's face, in fact he'd been looking at them ever since they met up, trying to read his expression. He knows that whatever stoic face Ren puts on, it's never quite the whole story.
"... Since it's still some time before the show begins." A gloved hand reaches out, to squeeze the other's forearm lightly and briefly as a surreptitious gesture, "Is everything quite alright? You seem troubled."
At the very least, he's not interpreting it as a lack of enthusiasm for their date tonight. That's the good news. He knows Ren loves the stars- and he can tell himself that all evidence points to Ren loving him.
But something must be upsetting them.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren doesn't think anything of the briefcase. If anything, by now, it's more unusual to see him without it.
For their part, Ren's dressed a little differently from usual too--their own coat (a school issue coat, as it were) and scarf are checked up front with Goro's, and underneath he's wearing a black turtleneck sweater and jeans. Simplistic? Well, yes. They didn't pack much when they originally moved to Tokyo, and while they'd love to get a more expansive wardrobe, they're paranoid about spending too much money. That relaxed for a while, but it's come back thanks to something else that's been on their mind of late, though it's had to take a back seat compared to all their other worries: namely, where they're going to be living after they graduate high school. Hell, where they're going to be living as of next school year. It's only a couple months away now, and they still don't know if they'll stay here or have to return to Inaba.
Seeing Goro did at least lift their spirits enough to let them smile at him when they first joined up at the planetarium. That stoic face they usually wear did return while the two made their way in and found their seats, though, and now that they're here and everyone's settling in... it's hard not to think about everything.
They blink over at Goro when he touches them--and when he asks after their state of mind, their gaze softens. They do love him, and the way he pays attention to them and how they feel is exactly why.
"Yeah... or so I wish I could say," they murmur back in that trick of Japanese phrasing. "But there's some stuff going on right now. Yeah." They don't hold his hand just yet; the lights haven't fully dimmed for the show. "It's..." They flick their gaze down. Their instinct is to try to downplay it, but--they don't want that to be the kind of relationship they have. They want to be able to trust that he actually cares, detective or not. "...a lot."
They lean their head back, eyes shutting. The first thing they should mention, of course, is the part that's relevant to him, so: "...One thing's that I told my friends about us." A beat. "They're... supportive, but they're not thrilled. At least one's pretty upset."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
He nods at Ren's polite phrasing for the idea that he isn't in fact alright. And then he settles in to listen. Telling their friends about-
Oh.
It hits him right away, after all. He's the one that goes on TV to be the 'opposition' to the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
He's quiet for a time, because part of him- yes part of him deeply resents one of them having a major problem with him, even if it only makes sense.
"Well- I can't say this reaction wasn't predictable." He finally says, "And since I presume you'd rather I not ask 'whom' so I can address it more directly..."
His opposite hand fidgets on the arm rest, tapping out a rhythm with gloved fingertips. It wouldn't seem like any song though, if paid close attention to.
Some part of him wants badly to ask Ren to put himself over their friends. The urge to ask if they shouldn't just team up, the two of them from now on is strong.
But, some part of him understands that right now is not the right time- even if couched in the plausible deniability of a joke.
"I wish I had some advice to give you. But the fact is... I don't, actually. Being a part of a group of friends like yourselves isn't anything I have real experience with."
When separated from being the Phantom Thief part at least. "All I can say is that if there's anything you need me to do to help smooth things over- well, I'm willing. And if all you want is my support as you deal with this- then you have it."
The rhythm he's tapping, two quick taps- then a third. It's an agitated thing, but not anything Ren is likely to place.
Because it's the rhythm of what his shots would be for quickly executing a target in an actual firefight.
Some part of him just wishes to remove the problem, just like that.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
If anything, Ren's likely to see right through that 'joking' plausible deniability, and they wouldn't be amused.
Ren does hear that staccato rhythm Goro taps out on his other arm rest. It doesn't sound like any song they recognize, though it's not like they know every song in the world. It doesn't strike them as a song, though. Something about the rhythm... They can't place it, but it stands out to them. And since it's something Goro's doing--something they can't recall him doing before--they make a mental note of it. It's something someone they love is doing while likely agitated, if trying to hide it. They want to remember. They want to know and understand.
For now, though, they don't say anything about it, only roll their head to look back at him as he admits he has no advice. "It's okay," they say softly. "It's not about us in specific. They were more or less okay with that part." They weren't thrilled, but they already said that bit. "The thing that has them worried is... they didn't realize you know about me. Or rather, we'd speculated about it before, but I guess I never thought to confirm it."
That's definitely their own fault, and they know it. They'd always said they 'suspected' it when they were actually damn certain of it. They didn't want their friends to freak out. And once they and Goro dropped the facade and starting talking to each other directly... him knowing didn't feel like a threat, and thus not something to warn them about.
That worries them. They've made a lot of little mistakes like this--things uncommunicated or unasked because they made assumptions. Can they really be a good leader to the others like this?
Goro does offer his support though, and Ren smiles again--a small little thing, but present, like starlight on the edge of the big city. For just a second, they pass their hand over his. It might not be the one that's fidgeting on that arm rest, but hopefully it'll convey some comfort all the same. "Thanks," they murmur.
A pause. "There is one thing," they add slowly, voice still low. "Can you... mm. No, we should talk about this later." (They are in public still.) "But I really do appreciate it, Goro. That means a lot to me."
He really is so sweet. So thoughtful. Who know that this pretentious asshole would be so caring once you peeled back the false outer layers?
"Part of it is probably--well, besides the obvious, they just don't know you like I do. It took us a long while to get where we are now too," they point out. "Trust has to be built directly. I told them they don't have to hang out with you or even like you or anything, and I don't expect you to do that with them either, but if you decided to give them a chance and open up to them like you did to me... Maybe that could help."
They sit upright. The lights are starting to dim. "That's up to you, though. I won't hold it against you if you decide to not."
And just to underscore that and reassure him, once the lights are fully out and the narrator begins the presentation, they rest their hand back on his. This time, they keep it there.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
It's a good thing Ren did not ask, as he'd lie- and probably lie badly about it. But, it's something to keep in mind going forward.
Ren clarifies in short order though what the issue actually was, as he furrows his brow, as if that was seemingly unexpected. "Certainly that's a relief- though I admit I am surprised. I thought they were more 'in the know' about my knowledge about your group."
He murmurs, "Though I get why you wouldn't necessarily think to update them. Bringing up the... road we've walked to get where we are as a necessary component would certainly cause mixed feelings, given my position."
A pause. Then-
"I almost wonder, if you had, would we even be here at all?"
It's a moment of self-doubt, certainly. After all, he expects Ren would choose their friends over him. And if their friends had raised more doubts about him, or even demanded they cut ties...
"You're most welcome." He says with a smile, before, "Oh?" Then there's a discreet nod. "Of course. Later then." As he ticks that down mentally for later.
Indeed- he's still a pretentious asshole in so many ways, but- well, one does not want to see what one gets when one peels them back far enough, deeper than Ren has gone.
That is at least, what he would tell himself. Before he then nods and- "Well, I'm not opposed towards doing so with any who aren't averse to the idea." He murmurs, "'Breaking the Ice' so to speak, may be the most difficult part. After all I have some... very rough edges."
Sharp enough that they might cut anyone who barrels into him. "But, I recognize your friends are important to you- so I'm willing to try."
On one level, it's more than he ever hoped- it's one step closer to what he needs. Yet- it's also... terrifying.
It's always terrifying, the thought of putting yourself in front of one more person who you feel may never like you. Much less many.
His ego requires so much validation and reinforcement sometimes that dealing with a whole group is taxing. Still, he's willing to try.
"For now..." As the lights go down, Ren finds Akechi's left hand curling into their own, as he smiles and watches the show. "... just the Stars and Us." He murmurs, before falling silent for the rest of the show.
-=-=-
"The presentation was quite impressive. I admit I didn't expect some parts of the soundtrack." He says afterwards, "I suppose it was an effort to keep up with the times by choosing JPop straight from an anime."
Not that he watched said anime, he just knows now that he's paying MORE ATTENTION to music (Thanks Ren) that it came from one.
"Shall we swing by the Gift Shop on the way out? We didn't get the chance last time."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Mm." That's hard to say, if Ren and Goro would be together or not still if so. Morgana's at least been kept abreast of things this entire time, and he never told them not to date him--but... was he just holding back? It isn't like Morgana to not say exactly what he thinks, but he wasn't exactly crazy about Goro either, even if he didn't necessarily think he was the Black Mask...
It's still a dull ache, thinking about their once-constant companion. Their shoulder bag feels too light now.
The fact that Goro's so willing to try for them, though, continues to ease that mental burden. If only the rest of them could know him like they know him. He might have rough edges under his polished facade, but there's more layers underneath that. (And layers upon layers still...)
"Honestly? They'll probably like you better once they get to see your rough edges," they murmur. "Just like I did."
It does get him closer, yet closer to pulling off the perfect deception, doesn't it? All he has to do is expose his beating heart to his foes, all for the validation of the one he loves and hates the most.
Ren smiles back as Goro's hand curls around theirs. "Yeah. Our light," they agree quietly.
~ * ~
As the two amble out of the auditorium section, Ren smiles affectionately at Goro's remark on the soundtrack. "Good sound coordination too," they agree. "That song really worked. '"That's Deneb, Altair, and Vega," you say as you point to the Summer Triangle...'" They brush their shoulder on his ever-so-lightly. Just a friendly bump, or even an accidental brush, to the eyes of anyone watching. "Really the perfect background track."
The gift shop, huh. Ren brightens at the thought. They might be paranoid about spending money right now, but as long as they stick to their personal budget, it should be fine. "Sure, that sounds fun. I'd love to pick up a souvenir."
Especially with you, their smile may seem to say.
It's a nice gift shop, too, with a wide range of things to purchase. Some of them are way outside of Ren's budget--they spend a long time looking at a mini-planetarium projector--but there's also some cute plushies of stars and planets, including a really 'kawaii' one of Saturn and its rings. Ren picks one up, admiring it, and turns it over--
Oh. There's the price tag. Never mind. They put it back.
They meander along the shelves, looking over posters, photos, jigsaw puzzles... There's a stand of postcards too. They pick one up, displaying a brilliant photo of the Andromeda Galaxy. "Could send one of these out to someone sometime," they muse. It's not really a souvenir, though. If anything, it's a souvenir for someone else.
...which prompts them to think of who they'd send one to. They'd... really just send one to one of their Tokyo friends, huh...? They're persona non grata for their old friends back in Inaba, and while their parents didn't disapprove of their love of space, they weren't all that interested in it, either...
Their expression goes distant for a moment. Then they focus on Goro. "Anything stand out to you?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
That actually elicits a small chuckle from him, and there's something a little sad about his expression as he says. "I admit I'm not so optimistic, but- I will take your word for it." At least he's willing to try, but it's always difficult for him to believe that they'd prefer 'him' over the Detective Prince.
Because he already knows what 'him' truly entails. Ren Amamiya did not fall in love with 'Ruin'. In fact, he thinks they're a monster.
And Goro Akechi knows he is.
At the very least, his lack of optimism regarding how he'll get along with other people fades away when the show begins, with his hand in Ren's.
"Yes, I thought it was quite evocative." He says with a genuine smile, at Ren's enthusiasm, but more the bump of the shoulders.
It seems he's warming up to things, even if his interest is mostly in this because of Ren's passion- at least he can find some genuine enjoyment besides that too.
Fortunately, Ren seems to like the idea of checking out the gift shop. Their smile says as much, "Excellent. And it doesn't look especially crowded right now either." Even though it's just after a show.
Akechi himself sorts through some of the books they have available, mostly the 'coffee table' sort. The kind he can put there... though, perhaps his interest goes beyond decoration this time.
When Ren checks the price tag of the cute plush of Saturn, he notes it, considering maybe doubling back.
"It almost seems a shame to actually use them." He says of the post cards, "But I suppose that's the point of sending something that is special to you rather than a letter."
Perhaps part of him is saying that because of Ren's options of sending outside of Tokyo. He doubts they would want to send to their parents- but maybe their old coach.
Maybe some middle school friends...
He offers no suggestions in that regard, as he doesn't want to bring up anything that might be too much of a downer right now.
'Anything stand out to you?'
"Well- there was..." As he turns back to the place with the Saturn Plushie, his eyes spy something on the way, curious- he walks over and picks out up a package of high quality glow in the dark stars.
With the words (Semi-Permanent!) over them. (Comes off with Rubbing Alcohol!)
He could just buy Ren the plush. But he suspects Ren would say it's too much, even if Akechi can afford it.
"Perhaps these? Since your current housing is in an attic- I imagine that your options for decoration leave something to be desired."
In part because it doesn't really belong to Ren, and in part because- it's a dang attic.
"What do you think?" As he holds them up for Ren to examine.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren doesn't mind if Goro's only warming up to things because of their own passion for them. It means he cares enough about what they love to open his heart to it too.
As for Ruin... just because it's part of him doesn't mean that's all of him. That's a conversation the two of them simply cannot have right now, though, not least because Ren already discarded the possibility.
The astronomy books are good too, but the really nice ones with the full color pictures are also expensive... If there were a Pluto plush, they'd like that--it might be another two years until the world gets their first clear view of Tombaugh Regio, also known as Pluto's heart, but Ren has a soft spot for the dwarf planet. They're always a sucker for the underdog.
Saturn's rings are very iconic, though, so naturally it drew their eye first.
Ren chuckles faintly at Goro's comment on the postcards. "True," they admit. "It's more like a gift than a souvenir." (Well, it's a souvenir for someone else, which is also a big part of Japanese culture. Once again, though, the only people they'd give such presents are right here in Tokyo.) "I'll pick up a few. It'll be fun to send them out to friends. It's that time of year, anyway."
They grab a few more, accordingly--one of Venus, one of the Horsehead Nebula, one of the constellation Orion, one of a meteor shower in winter, and one of the shadow of Mercury on the Sun. What can Ren say? Being here with Goro makes them want to pick postcards that remind them of him. ...even if the point of them is to send them to friends. It's fine.
They ask Goro about his interests, and he walks over in a certain direction. Ren follows, curious to see what he chooses. When he seemingly pivots and picks up something else... when they actually see them--they brighten and grin.
"Oh man, glow in the dark stickers! I love these," they enthuse in that quiet way of theirs, tucking the postcards under one arm to accept the sheet of stickers. "I used to have these all over my ceiling when I was a kid." Their smile turns bittersweet. "Dad wanted me to peel them off once I entered middle school. Thought they were too childish. Mom went to bat for me keeping them up, though. Feels like one of the few times she stood up for me against him."
Soon that smile fades, though. "...I did get rid of 'em eventually. Not because I wanted to. But not because they made me, either. When we were about to start high school, my best friend at the time came over to spend the night. When we turned off the lights to go to bed, he got annoyed and said something like, 'You still have those? They're too bright.'"
They fiddle with the corner of the sheet. It's a memory they haven't thought of in a long while. If this were anyone but Goro, would they share this much? For anyone but their closest friends, would they share at all? "...If it'd been my Dad saying it, I would've fought tooth and nail. But since it was Yoshio, I got embarrassed. Felt like maybe it was childish after all that time. I peeled them off the next day, after he went home."
For a moment, they fall silent, simply gazing at the simple sticker cut-outs of stars, meteorites, planets, and moons. Then they smile faintly as they shut their eyes. "I still like 'em, though. I'd love to put these up on the attic ceiling." They meet Goro's eyes; then they grab a second sheet and offer it to him. "And you should too. Maybe your room's different, but the decor in the rest of your place is seriously lacking."
No doubt that's to present a serious, respectable front for when his clients come by, considering his apartment is also his agency. They grin affectionately all the same. "We should both get to be a little immature when it comes to things that make us happy."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Perhaps it's because Akechi is often selfish that he thinks so of post cards. Perhaps it's simply that he has never had anyone to send them to. To him, they're prettier on display than as gifts, though perhaps his tune would change if he received one.
"True enough. We've just started the New Year after all." He remarks of 'that time of year, anyway'.
If he knew of Ren's like of Pluto, perhaps he'd empathize with it. Alone on the furthest reaches of the Solar System, a frigid, hostile place, so far from the warmth of the sun that controls its orbit.
So too do his eyes spy an astronomy coffee mug, with the Scorpio constellation. Something to note for later...
The way Ren's eyes light up cause him to be surprised at first, like he's startled that he got such a reaction from stickers, but then he smiles in a bittersweet way as Ren explains.
"Perhaps your Mother understood just how important they were to you." He says after a short time. That even though he knows Ren does not have the greatest Mother, he can still be charitable to the one time she went to bat for him.
But it sounds right. Part of the reason why his space looked so immaculate, so sterile, so mature- is not only because he hides his true nature. It's because he didn't want any of his childish hobbies getting back to Shido.
You won't find any Tokusatsu Memorabilia hidden in his apartment. He keeps that hobby strictly on his phone. The thing he keeps the most secure at all times, in his life.
Ren then says why they vanished, and the smile subtly dims on his face. "I see. That is a shame but, I can understand embarrassment with your best friend being a strong motivator for taking them down... even in light of how much you rebelled against your father's wishes."
Of all the things, even Ren's former best friend had no idea how important such things were to them.
"But- I think things are much different now, for you. So perhaps its time for you to enjoy the stars in your Attic again."
Perhaps its a place where they all go to lick their wounds, friends bonded by the trauma of their experiences. But that doesn't mean that Ren doesn't get to enjoy some things of their own.
The hypocrisy of such feelings is immeasurable, but- if he is the thesis, then Ren is the antithesis- and vice versa. Ren ought to have a place to put their feelings on display, even if he cannot.
Which is why when Ren suggests them, he hesitates then, chuckles, "A little immature, you say? Well- I suppose I can allow for a little childishness, from time to time."
What an understatement...
He picks up his own stickers. He's not certain if he'll... put them up, he'll have to mull on it, but...
... the fact he's thinking about it at all.
He clears his throat, "There's also one other thing that caught my eye..." As he walks across the room, picking up that constellation Scorpio mug after all.
"... it's quite the lovely depiction... though..." As he turns it around, he shows the back which says 'Because I'm a Scorpio that's why.'
"Not without whimsy. Perhaps you wouldn't mind me purchasing it for you? It reminds me of our first visit here..."
But it's also true that Ren is a Scorpio.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
What'll Goro think when he gets one of these very cards in the mail a few days from now, then? Indeed, the more Ren thinks of who they'll actually send these postcards to for their New Year's greeting (and never mind they've already seen most of the people they'd send them to), the more of them they end up picking up. At least they're cheap?
Not to mention, it's sometimes suggested that Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, are a binary system. In other words, it's an orbiting of two equals, rather than a 'master' (dwarf) planet and its 'subordinate' moon. Not unlike the true form of Sirius, which Ren's talked to Goro about before.
Right now, though, that bittersweet look remains. "Perhaps," they echo of their mother. It wasn't the one time she took their side against their father--there's also the support she gave them for their ice skating, which played a big part in convincing their dad to let them pursue it--but it feels to them like it may as well be. They're not sure if it'd be better or worse if she understood what the stars mean to them.
They glance at Goro and wonder how they would've gotten along with his mom if she were alive today. For obvious reasons, they keep that thought to themself.
"It's easy to rebel against someone you already don't get along with. It's a lot harder to rebel against a friend," Ren replies. "That's why I don't mind if the others aren't crazy about us... hanging out. I'd love it if you guys got along," not least because it'd encourage Goro one step further towards coming around to their Justice, "but I also want them to think for themselves."
Things are different now. They have true friends who accept and value them for who they are--even if they do mess up from time to time. Thinking about that makes them feel better about themself as the leader too. Makoto still needs to chew them out, but they want honest feedback. If she's got some for them, they'd better face it head-on instead of dreading it. It's not like her getting mad at them means she's...
...off the team or anything...
"... ...Yeah. I could use a little more light in my life right now," they say, this time decisive.
They don't know how much longer they'll get to stay in that dusty old attic, but they'll leave their mark on it all the same. Their own little way of saying, 'I was here.'
Ren smirks when Goro talks about a little childishness. "Right. That's why the laser guns, right? Because it's just time to time," they tease, elbowing him. They soften and add, "Seriously, though. It makes you feel a lot better when you can be even a little bit more free in your personal life too. I guarantee it."
A heartbeat's pause.
Then they draw close and whisper sultry-voiced in his ear, "And I'd really like to see the view of those stars from your bed one day..."
They draw back with a broad, devilish grin and a wink. That does get interrupted by Goro fetching that mug and showing it to them. The constellation art is nice--it's a color print of the stars themselves, rather than dots connected by lines as constellations are often depicted--but the writing on the back gets a chuckle out of them.
"Perfect," they say affectionately. "I'll be sure to drink my morning coffee from it every day."
In other words, they don't mind at all.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Oh no. His one weakness... a weakness great enough that he might even ignore that Ren is supposed to be pretending to be dead if he were to ever receive one in the future.
*Ahem* Anyhow...
He'll be touched when he receives it.
Still, there's something sad about Ren indicating it's only 'Perhaps'- but he accepts it with a nod. He's not going to claim he knows their Mother better than they do, of course. Or that it's an intrinsic quality of all Mothers to stick up for their child.
He's executed enough good Mothers and bad Mothers and every kind of Mother in-between to know the difference.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't think all women have one thing in common as a result.
'Or someone who doesn't even know you exist.'
It's actually something of a struggle not to let those words slip, right now, when it comes to rebellion against Father figures. Still, he keeps that under wraps. That moment of shared- rebellion, in a sense.
Instead he responds finally on their friends, "It would be nice." He says after a time, "Perhaps I'll have better luck if I started with those who I'm already acquainted with."
Makoto and him at least share an odd- kinship of sorts, even if he doesn't want to admit it. As does Haru and him.
Then there's Tsubasa and Ichika. There's places he can start with...
... but he suspects there will be tougher nuts to crack. Ryuji and him will likely get along like oil and water. Yusuke and him aren't likely to share too much in common.
Then Ann- he's not certain where he stands, exactly there. He knows she doesn't really like him- it's just, how far does the distaste go?
Still, as he makes a mental plan of how to approach this, he nods, "As for myself- I won't force the expectation upon them that we get along for your sake as well. Even though- I will try to make an effort on my side."
For Ren's sake, at least.
Light in Ren's life? Well- "Then I think there's no better place to start than here, myself."
But- when Ren ribs him on the laser guns, his eyes narrow, but as he gets elbowed, he seems to take it in better cheer until, "Ah-" And that startles him enough that he has a flush in his cheeks, "W-Well..." He swallows, as suddenly the idea of putting up star stickers in at least his BEDROOM that SHIDO or his PEOPLE should NEVER EVER SEE seems more like a possibility.
"... one day." He manages a smile at the thought, as he recomposes himself, "However-" Oh no, not that shit-eating grin, "That bit about the lasers sounded more like jealousy than judgment. Are you telling me you wouldn't enjoy your own armaments being more in tune with your 'picaresque' image?"
As he teases them right back. Nope, he's absolutely not going to ever teach anyone how to do that trick. Never ever.
"That image alone is more than enough to justify the purchase." He finally says, with a wink. "How about we check out then- see where the rest of the evening takes us?"
Perhaps it's a rough time for Ren... but he does his best at least today, to bring a little more light to it.