2026-10-12: Lunch on the Roof
- Log: 2026-10-12 Lunch on the Roof
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Ryuji Sakamoto
- Where: Shujin Academy - Practice Building
- OOC Date: October 12, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2013
- Summary: While having lunch on the roof, Ren and Ryuji chat about Morgana, and what's going on in their lives of late.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Winter's maybe not the best time to eat lunch on the roof, but honestly, the courtyard has the exact same issue and it's not like Ren or Ryuji can eat in their classrooms if they want to hang out, given that they're in different ones. They'll just have to wear their winter coats.
(The roof is still technically off-limits to the student body. It still isn't locked, so there still is nothing stopping them from hanging out there when they want.)
Ren's lunch today is curried chicken onigiri, tossed salad, and rolled omelets. (They've gotten somewhat better at rolling the omelets.) They don't always have the time to make their own lunch--too often it's just bread and a soda--but after The Phantoms issued their challenge to Morgana and Kasumi yesterday, they were feeling hopeful and energized, so they took advantage of the kitchen once they returned to Leblanc.
Halfway through one of their onigiri, they swallow their bite and look over at their best friend. "So how're you feeling about everything?" they ask, like a good bro would never do. (This is because Ren is only sometimes a "bro.")
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji didn't really think through the plan of eating on the roof. Still, the cool air is nice and the inhospitable weather made talking a little more private. So it was a mixed bag in how well this worked.
Ryuji was dressed in his usual winter attire, pulling his uniform coat around him as he rubs his hands together. He looks over at Ren's lunch with some jealousy, not that his lunch was bad but....Homemade food always tastes better.
"Hmm? Oh, you mean about Morgana...Second one to check in on me RE that." He looks over to his bro, before looking up at the grey winter sky as he thinks exactly where he is on this. "I guess---like I don't hate the guy. Kinda can't stand when he acts all holier than thou despite having some pretty obvious flaws himself. That said---he's kinda a kid."
He reaches into his lunch, something he picked up at the school store, and takes a bite as he continues. "Like Ichika talked with me about it and I realize a lot of it is just the disrespect we have for each other... That and how he is really going too far with Ann. Like she can handle herself but...you know? Sometimes ya gotta speak up."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Catching Ryuji eyeballing their lunch, Ren tilts the bento box his way. "Wanna trade anything?" they offer. They're betting it'd make him feel bad to just get offered something outright.
They nod once at his initial reaction to the check-in and listen silently as they take another bite. It's no surprise to them that Ichika was the first one to check in on him about it.
"It sounds like he and Ann finally had a talk with each other, at least," they reply. "A kid though, huh? He'd hate hearing that."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji doesn't waste time, trading some of his food for one of the rolled omelets. He chows down, making a blissful smile as he swallows. "Thanks dude. You are too cool."
Ryuji nods at Ren's comment, grinning. "Yeah...he would. Maybe more than me calling him...well you know." His grin fades into a more serious expression as he takes another bite of his lunch.
He swallows and looks back at them. "Good. Like I know I used to be a big horn dog but the whole white knight thing reads as so cheesy to me. Like he's trying to win her or something." He stuffs something into his mouth, continuing to talk. "Mmph...Like its their business though so I'm glad it's mostly done with."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren crooks a smile at Ryuji and his appreciation for their omelet, nodding back a 'you're welcome.'
What would Morgana hate more: being called a kid or a cat? It's hard to say. Ren is not eager to find out.
"You did used to be a big horndog," Ren replies. "You know what made you stop? Getting a girlfriend."
They give Ryuji a significant look.
"I'd say it's more he's trying to win her over than to 'win' her. It's not like he thinks she's a prize. But... it's not like you didn't have a point, either." Ren looks out towards the city and polishes off their onigiri. "If you want it to be completely done with, maybe you need to show off your cool side to him. Show him he's been underestimating you."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Yeah. Well. My girlfriend is kinda a horndog too" Ryuji looks kinda proud of that fact. "But yeah. I can agree to that." He nods to them, smirking as he pulls more food into his mouth.
"What's the difference?...I dunno. Just hope Ann and him came to an understanding." Ryuji sighs as he looks into the distance in thought. Ann could take care of herself and it wasn't like Morgana was being a scumbag. Still, there was some part of Ryuji that made him jump at certain things he didn't agree with. It was what got him into trouble.
"Man, that sounds like a lot of work. Plus if he finds out my other job, I don't think I'll ever be cool to anyone ever again." Ryuji blinks before his eyes widen. Crap. Well at least his bro didn't know the details. "Errr...forget I said anything."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Fair," Ren says with a bit of a laugh. "My point is more that you acted like that because you wanted to have a girlfriend. Well, Morgana wants to have a girlfriend too. It's just that he's got his eye on someone specific--" They give Ryuji another pointed look. "And until Ichika came along, you would've taken attention from anybody."
They sober after that. "Me too, though." They're pretty sure they did, since the two of them talked before they all met in Mementos and they both had a pretty positive vibe, but they don't know the details just yet.
Ren breathes a rueful little sigh. "I guess it wouldn't be cool if you did it to be cool, anyway. It's got to come from the heart." They nudge him with their elbow. "Fortunately, when it comes to thinking with your heart, you're a genius."
It's that sincerity and willingness to jump without hesitation at things he didn't agree with that got the two of them to be friends, after all.
Ryuji mentions an 'other job' that would make him uncool, though. Ren raises their eyebrows--but when Ryuji immediately tries to shove the lid back onto Pandora's box, they give him a solemn look and let him: "Already forgotten."
When he wants to talk about whatever it is with them, he will.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Ouch." Ryuji laughs as Ren gets him exactly. Still he has a point about Mona. He scratches the bridge of his nose as he adds. "Yeah...you got me. And whose to say if I don't revert if Ichika ever gets sick of me. But yeah...I guess you're right on Mona."
"Nah. It would be trying to hard...But thanks, dude. You always know what to say. You're kinda built that way." The blonde puts down his lunch and leans back on the bench, relaxing into his seat. "Honestly, when we beat them, I'll be glad to have the little jerk back...Too quiet without 'em." He says this genuinely but mostly thrown away.
When Ren just drops it, Ryuji sighs. What a true friend. He feels like kind of an asshole keeping it from him. What's the harm. "Wait....fine but you can't tell any of the others. Not Makoto. Not Futaba AND DEFINATELY NOT ANN, MONA OR TSUBASA...so you know how I'm Akiba a lot with my job at the model store."
Ryuji gets an intense look on his face. As if he's about to tell Ren that he is secretly some kind of super hero who fights those with black hearts. Not what comes out of his mouth next. "So...I got a gig at the Butler cafe. I'm kinda popular too. It pays great but it's embarrassing as hell. Like Ichika knows and now you do....actually don't tell your boyfriend either. He seems the type who'd figure it out and come by to gloat."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"I'd like to think you wouldn't. You've grown a lot since you two started dating," Ren replies, picking up some salad with a pair of chopsticks from their bento box.
As they chew, they smile at Ryuji when he thanks them for knowing what to say. That's reassuring to them, too. Once they swallow, they add, "It's not as fun if there isn't some banter. ...Though the banter's not fun if there's no respect, either."
They know that well from Goro... not that they're going to compare Ryuji and Morgana to themself and Goro (out loud).
Their eyebrows rise again. "I won't. Promise," they reply, and fall silent to listen. They do remember his model store job in Akiba. When he reveals it's actually (additionally?) a job at the butler cafe, they stare.
They stare some more.
They stare down at their lunch.
"It's kinda hard to picture..." they admit. "But don't worry. I won't tell anyone at all who doesn't already know."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji laughs and scratches the back of his head. "Heh. Maybe." He knows he probably has changed but it was hard to tell since he still felt like himself.
"Yeah. Like the whole C-A-T thing---" He pauses as he is pretty sure that spelling it made bringing up the word in regards to Morgana Ok. It wasn't the smartest thought but for the moment, Ryuji isn't going to stress on it.
"--feels kinda similar to Tsubasa. Like Morgana could be trapped in a body he doesn't feel is right...I thought about that and I kinda felt like an ass...And I'm not comparing...well I am...but like if I can look at Tsubasa and get it, it feels like I have to get Morgana too. So I'm gonna try to be better about it. If not for Morgana, then for my own sake. Get me?"
Ryuji watches them, looking nervous for a moment. Was it right to tell them? When Ren reacts, Ryuji smiles awkwardly and nods. "Oh yeah dude. I don't even see it and I'm in the suit. That said, it's a lot of physical movement and routines, which I'm good at...The way of talking took a lot of work and I think the customers felt bad for me while I was figuring it out. Honestly, if you need a job, you could do worse. Just need a lot of Guts and Skill to survive a shift....Heh, I wish there was a way to make money with my food reviews."
"But yeah...I imagine if Morgana or Ann or Tsubasa figure it out, I'll be hearing 'Ryuji, serve me tea' or 'Ryuji, that isn't very dignified' or bullshit like that. Ugh..."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That's the thing: no matter how much someone changes, they're always still themself.
It is reassuring to Ren though that Ryuji's starting to get why Morgana gets so upset about being called a cat. Ren's lucky enough to not experience dysphoria since they're genderfluid and thus this body is also fine, but they know how rough it's been for Tsubasa and how much happier they are now that they're on hormones. If seeing their experience makes Ryuji more compassionate, that's good for everyone. Ren nods accordingly.
Was it right to tell them? That's something only Ryuji can decide. Ren's not laughing at them or making fun, at least. "Honestly, I need to cut down on part-time jobs. I already got a few I hardly even do anymore. Even without those, I got five I'm juggling. Fortunately, I can just do shifts whenever, so it's not too hard."
They rub their chin when Ryuji laments their blog. "There is such a thing as professional food reviewers," they say slowly. "I don't know how you'd get into the business, but it's basically like a reporter for food, right? Maybe you could ask Amano-san about it. See if she has any advice. I still got her number if you need it."
They smile nervously at Ryuji's prediction of how he'd get made fun of. He's probably not wrong... They pat him on the shoulder.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"So yeah. That's my big secret job. I make enough that Mom was able to quit one of her jobs...though she isn't happy she's relying on me so hard. But man, she's sleeping well again so--" Ryuji nods proudly, glad of this part. It's part of why he puts up with the Butler thing.
When Ren puts a hand on his shoulder, he smiles and nods. "Yeah. It's not easy being Ryuji Sakamoto, lemme tell you. I got people expecting stuff of me now. It's great but it's also a pain. I can't just veg out and read Manga anymore."
He pauses and decides to pry just a little. "So you don't gotta get too detailed but what is it that you see in that Akechi guy? Like I'm not judging that you're into guys but---Why's it gotta be a jerk like that? You deserve better dude."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"That's great. Good for both of you," Ren replies, crooking a smile. They know Ryuji worries a lot about his mom and wants to support her, so they're sincerely happy for him that he's found such a well-paying job while still in high school.
They snort at his playful complaining about how people expect things of him, though. "Poor you."
The question about Why Akechi gets a blink--it wasn't anticipated... but, well, it's not unexpected, either. They scratch their cheek with one painted nail as they stare off into the distance. "Hmm... He's actually really sweet and thoughtful once you get past his walls. Yeah, he can be a jerk, and he definitely is before then, but once he cares about you, he really cares."
Their gaze gentles as a smile creeps up the corners of their lips. "He sees me for me. He cares about me, not just the idea of me or what I can do for him. And... that makes me really happy."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Thanks dude." Ryuji smiles.
He smiles even more when Ren reacts to his woe is me thing. He finds himself laughing. "Yeah...definitely. Poor me" He says it as if he's honestly kinda proud of where he is.
But he keeps it cool on the topic of Akechi. Ryuji listens to Ren's answer, noting that he threw them for a loop by asking it. Still, he wanted to know exactly who they were putting them all in danger for. Akechi could destroy their lives by opening his mouth.
So when Ren explains that Akechi is a caring guy who appears to making them happy, Ryuji keeps his eyes on the field in the distance. He lets the words wash over him as he thinks about it. Finally, he just nods. "Fine. I support you....but if he hurts you I'm gonna kick his ass. Make all his fangirls cry about his black eye."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
He could. Ren, by this point, trusts that he won't, though.
And therein lies the problem...
They chuckle when Ryuji says he'll kick his ass if he hurts them. They're sure he means it, but it's funny to them anyway because they trust Goro not to hurt them. "Thanks. I know you've always got my back."
It might be less funny some indeterminate point later on, but that's a problem for Future Ren. At least there's no problem at all anymore with Shinichi Nagisa, whose Homunculus has been taken out as of yesterday. Ryuji, as his classmate, is sure to be glad about that too.
The problem for Present Ren: eating the rest of their lunch before break runs out. Actually, that's a problem for Present Ryuji too?!