He came back with only a small pack of brushes, though, and (Name) raised a brow. “That’s all you’re getting?”

Yusuke nodded, “I have to save money so we can eat dinner.”

That raised even more questions. Yusuke was a terrible mooch— though it definitely wasn’t on purpose and was enabled by his dear friends —and he was always content to let others foot the bill. (Name) had done so plenty of times whenever Yusuke reached into his wallet only to find a few hundred yen. But (Name) did that because they wanted to, and partially because they were worried he wouldn’t eat otherwise. He had a lofty promise of paying everyone back someday, but unless someone were to start keeping track of his ledger, it was generally accepted that paying for Yusuke’s meals were akin to a charity donation.

“... You’re paying for dinner?” The idea was so absurd that (Name) was worried they misheard him.

He was unphased by the suspicion. “I promised I’d start paying you back, didn’t I?” Yusuke said it like it wasn’t a miracle. Someone else (likely Akira, who was responsible for paying for most of Yusuke’s meals) would have said something by now if Yusuke had finally turned over this new leaf.

Meaning (Name) was the first person he was doing this for. They weren’t sure how to feel about that. Probably grateful.

Crocodile tears pricked at the corner of (Name)’s eyes as they pat Yusuke on the back. “You’ve finally learned the value of money… I’m so proud.”

It was Yusuke’s turn to stare at (Name) with a puzzled expression. “I can’t help but feel like you’re patronizing me.”

“Maybe a little,” (Name) laughed. “But, I think I’ve earned it.”

Yusuke’s favorite ramen place was just down the street from his favorite craft store, which was maybe one of the contributing factors to why he rarely ever had money in his wallet. He wasn’t exactly one for holding back on his inhibitions, after all. That kind of easygoing nature was something (Name) greatly admired about Yusuke.

(Name) didn’t even have both feet over the threshold by the time Yusuke finished ordering both of their meals. He spouted the order to the employee behind the counter with deadly accuracy, having (Name)’s favorite and least favorite toppings memorized like the back of his hand. With everything taken care of by Yusuke, (Name) wandered to Yusuke’s favorite seat in the back corner of the restaurant. Its window faced a busy intersection that Yusuke said he drew a lot of inspiration from. Something about the amount of different people who walked through, all with different destinations and goals. 

It was a bit too crowded for (Name)’s taste, but the art inspired from it all was beautiful.

Yusuke took his usual spot next to (Name) with two drinks. (Name) wondered when he committed that to memory, too. “There’s not a lot of people here today.”

Aside from a salaryman at the other end of the restaurant, he and (Name) were the only people there. Muted sounds from the kitchen and the intersection were the only noises heard outside of their own voices, and it was a peaceful atmosphere to enjoy dinner in. “Maybe the weather? It was pretty warm today. Not really ramen-eating weather.”

“I think ramen transcends weather.”

“I know you think that,” (Name) laughed. “Other people don’t.”

The thought really seemed to bother him with the way he ranted about how there’s plenty of different types of ramen that complimented all types of weather, and (Name) couldn’t deny the good points he was making. They weren’t the biggest fan of eating ramen in terribly hot weather, but the meal always tasted better when Yusuke was next to them.

Their conversation meandered from ramen to Yusuke’s artwork to (Name)’s latest homework assignment to their last venture into Mementos to (Name)’s opinion on a passerby’s strange outfit to Yusuke’s sketch of the strange passerby before their ramen finally reached them.

The waiter placed the tray between them but didn’t move when (Name) thanked her. She shifted her weight from her left to her right leg, crumpling the piece of paper she was holding between her fingers. 

Her eyes were focused on the back of Yusuke’s head— and he was seconds away from enjoying his first bite of ramen. “Um—!” It was nearly a shout, and louder than expected, judging by the way the waiter seemed startled by her own voice. Yusuke glanced over his shoulder, and his gaze turned the girl’s face an even brighter shade of red. “Here is the receipt for your meal… Please read it closely!”

The waiter placed the receipt in the middle of the tray, then made a dash back towards the counter and practically threw herself over the register. Yusuke stared, but turned back to his bowl faster than (Name) did. “What a strange way to give the receipt,” he said, before finally taking his first bite of the ramen he had been craving all day.

It was strange, but not strange in a way that didn’t raise any flags with (Name). They picked up the piece of paper and noticed nothing was out of the ordinary— except for the bright red, shaky handwriting in the negative space at the bottom.

Consider calling me, please? 

(Name) froze. It was something innocent and cute that should have made their heart skip a beat to witness, but their reaction was something more akin to a flatline. The girl’s number seared into their irises like forbidden knowledge. Something (Name) shouldn’t see.

A gentle tug at their sleeve grounded them. “Is something wrong?”

They pushed the receipt into his palm. (Name) didn’t want to look at it, but there was a similar unknown anguish in passing it off to Yusuke. “Read the receipt closely,” (Name) said, mimicking the waiter’s tone.

Yusuke raised a brow but obliged. (Name) watched closely as he scanned the receipt until noticing the waiter’s number at the bottom. His response was something (Name) had, honestly, expected: “Why does she want me to call her?”

The noise that escaped (Name)’s throat could only be described as a guffaw. “She wants to—” Go on a date with you, but the words never quite made it outside of their mind. (Name) coughed and switched gears. “She’s flirting.”

“Oh,” Yusuke said. He offered very little in the way of helping (Name) deduce however he felt about this. “She wants to go on a date with me? But, I’m a stranger.”

“So what? You’re a… objectively attractive guy.” Their words were sterile and almost didn’t sound like a compliment. But it was easier to say than (Name)’s own personal opinion on Yusuke’s looks, for some reason. “And you were nice to her. That’s all it takes. She seemed sweet!”

They both glanced toward the counter again, but the girl had ducked out of the sight the second she saw them turning.

“I see… should I go on a date with her, then?” Yusuke placed the choice in (Name)’s lap like it wasn’t anything to worry about. And, it wasn’t. Whoever wanted to go out with Yusuke was none of (Name)’s business and they should be happy for him. They should encourage him to go out and experience new things. Yet their words keep dying in their throat.

“Do you want to?” It was the easiest way out. It forced the decision back onto Yusuke.

He shrugged, “I’m not sure. I suppose I’ll have to think about it.”

Yusuke returned to eating his ramen, the thought likely pushed to the back of his mind in an instant. (Name), though, chewed on the thought like they didn’t have a warm meal in front of them.

“They asked him out on a date?! In front of you?!”

The only reason (Name) explained the story was because Leblanc was empty, but Futaba was shouting loud enough that a passerby could hear.

“Yeah,” (Name) sighed. “I didn’t expect it, is all. And, I don’t know why you’re putting so much emphasis on me being there. What does that have to do with anything?”

Futaba looked offended. She kicked the edge of (Name)’s barstool and scoffed, “Um, it has to do with everything! I don’t know how that girl had the bravery to do that when you look like Inari’s partner!”

In the top five most insane things (Name) had ever heard, this had to be the new winner (dethroning Morgana’s explanation of the Metaverse). It took a moment for (Name) to even process those words, having to repeat them in their head before crossing their arms in judgmental dismissal. “Did you play one too many otomes, or something? What are you even saying?”

“Are you playing dumb? Don’t you have a crush on him?” The word ‘crush’ exploded (Name)’s brain into a million tiny pieces, but Futaba cared little for (Name)’s reaction. She turned to the unbiased third party, Akira, who was peacefully drying mugs before being pulled into the argument. “Back me up here!”

“There’s nothing to back up!”

Akira begged to differ. “I dunno. Futaba might have a point. You two are attached at the hip.”

(Name) slumped into their seat. “That’s because we’re best friends! That’s normal!”

It wasn’t like anyone gave Akira this level of grief for playing darts with Akechi every night. (Name) and Yusuke had been friends since they were kids and before the Phantom Thieves came along, Yusuke didn’t exactly have many other people to talk to. 

So it was only natural that they were so close. Yusuke was a better friend than anyone gave him credit for and (Name) couldn’t imagine their life without him. For all his eccentricies, which made him such a wonderful person to be around, no one was as reliable as Yusuke. He was the type of guy to drop everything bring (Name) soup when they were sick and stay there the whole day to keep them company. The type of guy who walked through pouring rain to deliver (Name) an umbrella so they didn’t have to get drenched. He was the perfect guy— in a completely friendly and platonic way.

“Alright,” Akira said. (Name) didn’t like the tone of his voice. “In that case, tell me how you feel about Yusuke-san going on that date.”

In the moment it happened, (Name)’s mouth dried up to the point they couldn’t answer Yusuke’s questions. Now, though, everything unspoken spewed out in word vomit. “Well, he can do whatever he wants to. I think it’s good that he could broaden his horizons!”

But, (Name) continued, which was a mistake. “She seemed nice. But, I don’t know. Yusuke takes time to warm up to people, so I’m not sure how well they would work together on a first date like that.”

Akira leaned on the counter, propping his chin on his palm. “Who would he work well with, then?”

They should have realized the most cunning Phantom Thief was leading them into a trap, but (Name)’s mind was running too fast to notice. “I just feel like he has to know someone really well to date. That’s just what I think, though! I don’t wanna speak for him, and maybe I’m wrong! I’ve just known him for so long that I don’t think dating a stranger would end well.”

“So, under those conditions,” Akira started. He had a smirk that indicated (Name)’s impending doom. “You would be the perfect candidate for him.”

(Name) had thrown the thought out immediately when Futaba it, but Akira’s pointed statement forced them to ruminate on it. Yusuke and themself as a couple. It was like there was a blindspot in their view of their friendship with Yusuke that prevented them from ever considering what it would be like to be dating. They expected to be met with an instant visceral reaction— something that inherently told (Name) that they were destined to be best friends forever. What happened instead, though, was (Name)’s heart starting to race the more complex their imagination got.

Going on dates. Holding hands. Kissing? (Name) could have thrown up. In disgust or delight— it wasn’t clear yet.

Futaba poked (Name)’s shoulder with no response. “They turned into stone!”

“I thought maybe you were in denial, but I guess you never thought about it at all. Sorry for forcing you into this revelation.” Akira turned back to the kitchen to make (Name) an apology coffee, but he seemed more smug than remorseful.

Enough of Futaba jostling their stool freed (Name) from their frozen state and stopped their daydream from going through every possible hypothetical romantic situation. They let out a loud sigh before dropping their head onto the countertop. 

“So what? This revelation doesn’t do me any good,” they groaned, muffled against the grain.

“What are you talking about? Now you can be proactive! Chase after that Inari!” Futaba’s well-meaning but overconfident encouragement made (Name) melt into the countertop even more.

“I can’t,” (Name) sighed. “Yusuke went on the date.”

Clattering in the kitchen. Gasps of horror at the bar. Children crying in the streets. Futaba pushed up (Name)’s dead body by the shoulders until she could effectively yell into their face again. “You didn’t mention that!”

“We didn’t get to that part of the story before you started grilling me!”

For once, Futaba conceded, and gently placed (Name) back into an upright position. They continued, “he said I always encouraged him to try new things, so he decided to go on the date. He’s on it right now, actually.”

Futaba winced at the explanation. “Critical damage…”

She was right that the date went from not very effective to super effective damage after (Name) came to this unfortunate realization. But, if they were going to be honest with themself, the sulking started before the full understanding. It was why (Name) found themself restless in their home, worrying about Yusuke on his date, before deciding to drown their sorrows in coffee and good company.

 Akira slid a mug over and (Name) wasted no time in taking a sip. The apology coffee had extra sugar.

(Name) had a restless night, and they would have liked to blame it on the evening coffee excursion rather than the horror that was realizing feelings for a dear friend. Morning light blinded their bleary eyes as they awoke much earlier than they normally did.

It was a Saturday and (Name) really wanted to sleep in and laze in bed. Anything to ignore the new elephant in the room. So they shut their eyes only to head what had apparently woken them up in the first place: knocking at the door.

They didn’t want to get up at all, but there was really only one person who would be at their door this early in the morning— and it was the person behind their current struggle. (Name) moved on auto pilot, not bothering to change out of pajamas or fix their bed head to answer the door.

Yusuke looked radiant with the sun shining behind him. (Name) wondered if he had always been this bright. “Good morning. Did I wake you?”

(Name) yawned, “good morning. You did, but it’s no big deal. What’s up?”

“I wanted to go get a blessing at the shrine. Will you come with me?”

Maybe their brain was slow from lack of sleep. Or, maybe going to the shrine for an urgent early morning blessing and bringing along your best friend was an extremely Yusuke thing to do. And, no matter what strange things (Name) was feeling about their relationship, one fact remained true: every weird thing Yusuke wanted to do was a wonderful adventure that (Name) could never pass on.

“Count me in. Let me get dressed, though.”

(Name) grabbed a clean set of clothes and splashed cold water on their face to both wake them up and wash away any funny ideas that could get in the way of completely friendly and platonic bonding between two best friends. It did little other than add some frostbite to their morning, because (Name) couldn’t focus at all as they walked to the shrine.

They should have asked about his date, how it went, and if there was a second date upcoming. However, the word date was suddenly taboo and their body rejected the idea of saying it. 

That topic was off the table, but (Name) couldn’t find anything else to say, either. Their regular small talk felt like a hefty task with a whole new weight of unspoken feelings on them. Did you have a good night? On your date. Fuck, don’t talk about that.

The shrine was a short walk, and with it being so early in the morning and not any sort of important holiday, no one was around. (Name) followed Yusuke to the front of the shrine and took a curious note of how focused he looked; Yusuke was always someone who became fully engrossed in whatever he was doing, but there was a certain level of intensity to his stride that made this trip feel more like a mission than a casual event.

They had always visited the shrine together during New Years, so (Name) followed the usual routine. They rang the bell and Yusuke threw two coins into the offering box. It took (Name) bowing for them to realize they had no idea what kind of blessing they needed today. Success? Luck? They needed both of those things desperately. Love? That made (Name) want to puke.

Clapping their hands, (Name) decided to ask the gods for, simply, an okay day today. In other words, as long as (Name) was still alive by the end of it, they wouldn’t have to feel abandoned by the gods.

(Name) glanced at Yusuke again after their last bow. His gaze still held the same fervor that they noticed on their walk there, and when Yusuke turned to look at them after all was said and done, (Name) shied away. 

“Thank you for coming with me. I needed a blessing of luck today.” Yusuke was absolutely superstitious, but not usually in the way where he needed support from a blessing.

(Name) raised a brow. “Why’s that?”

“I went on the date with Nijika-san last night.” Yusuke was still looking at (Name)— they could feel his stare burning into their skin.

But that was a dull pain in comparison to the way their heart just dropped into their stomach. With a clenched jaw, (Name) nodded. “Ah, it went well? So you want good luck for your relationship?”

Through their peripheral vision, they saw Yusuke shrug. “It didn’t go bad. She was very nice.” There was a pause. Yusuke didn’t often think too hard before speaking, but something was slowing him down. “She asked if we could go on a second date, but I declined.”

That got (Name) to turn back toward him. They studied his face— Yusuke had his usual, neutral expression. No sign of sadness or anger. It was just an objective statement to him. 

“Why’s that?”

It turned out the blind spot (Name) had for their relationship was still there in spite of it all. Because Yusuke’s next move was extremely unexpected; he reached out to grab (Name)’s hands, tugging them closer. His palms were warm and he held onto (Name) like they were something precious. Something short-circuited in their brain and (Name) was, once again, frozen.

“I’ve never thought about being in a relationship before. Not until I went on that date.” Yusuke lifted their hands up, holding them closer to his chest. “And, when I did, all I could think about was you.”

(Name) squeezed Yusuke’s hands to confirm they were still in reality. Not in a dream conjured up by the (Name) who slept in today. And his hands were real, which meant Yusuke’s words were really what (Name) was hearing, and that expectant gaze of his was really awaiting their response.

The only words (Name) mustered were not much substance. “You thought of me?”

Yusuke nodded, “I thought that, if there was anyone I would like to go on a date with, it was you.”

With his words echoing (Name)’s own lamentations, they let out a deep breath. “It’s funny. Last night, I was mourning our relationship because you went on that date.”

“I’m sorry,” Yusuke frowned. He rubbed his thumbs against the back of (Name)’s hands. “I was very slow to realize my feelings for you…”

(Name) laughed, which alleviated pressure for both of them. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad you went on the date. Especially if it led to this!”

With new courage, (Name) stepped forward and pulled Yusuke into a hug. It wasn’t the first time they had hugged, but it was now— the first hug of a new era. 

“I like you a lot,” (Name) said. They had all but danced around the direct wording.

Yusuke smiled. “I like you as well.”

It was terrifying, but the unknown never felt more familiar. And there was no one better to navigate it with than each other.