"Damn brat, I'll sue!"
Ren Amamiya woke with a start.
Cold concrete. Metal bars. A juvenile detention cell.
Accused of a crime he didn't commit. Japan's ninety-nine percent conviction rate wasn't as reassuring as it sounded. At least today was the last day.
He stretched, changed, and started his morning workout. Exercise had been a constant since he was young—self-defense too. In the shithole that was his home in Inaba, a small group of older kids, and one adult, had been the only people who cared about him. They taught him how to protect himself. Sometimes they took him out of town entirely, just to keep him away from his parents.
Knock knock.
"Wake up. You're getting out today."
"Thanks, Saonaka."
"Why don't you call me Chie or onee-san anymore? Haaah… Come on. Let's finish your discharge. Kanji's giving you a ride to the station. Probation paperwork and all that."
Paperwork done, Ren stepped outside. The air felt strange—freedom always did, after a while. Temporary freedom, at least. Tokyo was waiting.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted to a few months ago.
He'd woken up then just as confused. Not knowing what was right, or what was his. Memories that felt like a life—but not a past life. Sometimes it felt like he'd stolen someone's body. Other times, it felt like he'd always been Ren.
I still don't understand what happened, he thought, adjusting his glasses. But at least these hide the glare. Thanks, Teddie.
A familiar voice snapped him out of it.
"Oi, Ren! Ready for an adventure to the wonderful world of not fucking here?"
Kanji stood by the car, paint-stained slacks and a worn black Lotus Juice T-shirt.
Ren chuckled. "Nice to see you too, Kanji."
They'd barely started driving when Kanji said something that made Ren freeze.
"So… Naoto, Rise, and Yukiko are really mad you never wrote back. Or took any visits. Only thing we got was that note thanking Ted for the glasses."
Kanji shot him a sideways look. Years of experience told him exactly how bad it was to have those three upset with you.
How does senpai do it?
"You better apologize," Kanji added.
"I just… didn't want them getting a bad reputation for associating with me," Ren muttered. "Nao-nee's a detective. And I was scared. I thought I might've lost everyone."
Kanji winced.
"Ren. We all know that charge was bullshit. Inaba's outside Naoto's jurisdiction—she couldn't touch it. And you know Mitsuru would personally execute you if you'd actually assaulted someone. You're not like that. None of us are ashamed of you."
"…Thanks," Ren whispered as the station came into view