Ryuji Sakamoto's awakening proved one crucial point—Personas could indeed be deliberately triggered, not merely granted by rare chance.
This realization carried profound meaning for Rinto, leaving him with mixed feelings.
Over these past three years, had he missed countless opportunities?
Had he, perhaps, rescued those victims who stumbled into the Metaverse too early, inadvertently preventing their awakenings?
Like Takamatsu Tomori, Iseri Nina…
Misumi Uika, Ijichi Nijika…
And even earlier friends like Yukino, Mai, Mashiro, and so many others.
Why are they all girls' names? That's embarrassing…
Shaking off that thought immediately, Rinto's rational side intervened.
While he deeply yearned for companions, for brothers (or sisters) who shared his abilities to stand by his side, it could never justify deliberately endangering others or standing by when he could intervene.
Besides, things had finally improved, hadn't they?
He now had Takamaki Ann and Sakamoto Ryuji—not to mention the mysterious Morgana.
Rinto had finally found the comrades he'd dreamed of, and the Phantom Thieves were officially assembled!
"I'll take Sakamoto home first. You girls be careful too."
With Ryuji slung over his shoulder, exhausted to the point of collapse, Rinto waved goodbye to the Yoshizawa twins and Ann.
After all, this was Ryuji's first awakening—just like Ann's previously—and fatigue had hit him all at once.
Thank god we don't have to go to a love hotel this time. I'd rather die than set foot there with another guy.
Though the Yoshizawa twins had originally planned to head home with Rinto, seeing him carry off the blonde hedgehog sparked an odd pang of jealousy—as if they'd just been NTR'd by a blond delinquent.
Fortunately, Morgana took this chance to proudly declare.
"You can count on me! I'll make sure these two young ladies get home safely—not a single hair will be harmed~!"
The little cat was so earnest that the twins burst into giggles, immediately reaching down to pinch his cheeks.
Thus ended the Phantom Thieves' first official day of activity, with Rinto carrying Ryuji toward the boy's home.
...
"...Thanks, Leader."
On the way home, Ryuji weakly broke the silence.
He was genuinely injured, yet spiritually fulfilled.
"You saved my life… Hell, you gave me a chance to start over. I swear, no matter what trouble you face in the future, I'll stake my life standing by your side—I'll be your ally for the rest of my days."
Rinto answered sharply, "You're just a high school student. Can you even handle your own life first?"
Though Rinto was genuinely glad Ryuji remembered and appreciated him, being idolized as a savior left him feeling uneasy.
"Helping you was no trouble. You awakened your Persona mostly by yourself; I barely did anything."
"To be honest, I was also testing you. I wanted to see if Persona awakenings could be triggered intentionally. You were basically a convenient test subject. Considering this a favor is weird, isn't it? At best, it was a mutually beneficial exchange."
"…Leader," Ryuji stared at him, bewildered. "Has anyone told you you're a seriously awkward dude?"
How dare a mere blond hedgehog criticize me…?
Rinto deliberately jostled him roughly, making the wounded boy beg for mercy—though it did lift Ryuji's spirits again.
Soon, pleas of mercy turned into hearty laughter.
Ryuji laughed wholeheartedly, tears streaming from his eyes:
"Whatever you say, you're my hero. If you insist on calling it a transaction, fine—I'll pay you back with my life."
"Besides, after all those embarrassing things I shouted in front of you earlier, we're basically sworn brothers now! From now on, just call me Ryuji, and I'll call you Boss Rinto! Big Bro Rinto! Whatcha think?"
Rinto raised an eyebrow. "First, my family name isn't Rinto. Second, we're the same age, so stop making me sound old."
Rinto found this amusing—and admittedly heartwarming:
"Think whatever you want. Just promise you'll use your new Phantom Thief powers responsibly and not turn criminal."
"Of course!" Ryuji answered passionately.
Despite his rough, reckless exterior, Rinto trusted him deeply, especially after seeing the guilt and remorse Ryuji carried for his mother back in the Palace.
Even now, exhausted yet glowing with excitement, Ryuji looked like nothing more than an eager child.
"We'll be heroes of justice—improving society, just like you've been doing all along, Leader! I'll stick by your side and keep doing this from now on!"
"We don't even need fame—just that Phantom Thief Request Channel's enough! We'll help people suffering silently and make bastards the law can't touch repent—starting especially with that bastard Kamoshida! Our first big Phantom Thief mission, I'll definitely—gah, fuck, that hurts!"
Rinto sighed. "Maybe talk a bit less? And stop yelling 'Phantom Thief' openly on the street. Lower your voice."
Can this guy really keep the Phantom Thieves' identity secret? I'm seriously worried…
As Ryuji groaned in pain, the two of them passed by a Yoshinoya beef bowl restaurant.
Outside, an employee was putting up a poster. As the pair chattered by, she turned her head curiously.
"Phantom Thief? The kind that makes people repent? …Hmm~."
The young woman, a South Asian mixed-race beauty with caramel-toned skin, studied Rinto's retreating back thoughtfully.
Something felt familiar about him…but she couldn't place exactly where she'd seen him before.
---
Elsewhere, later that same evening.
"Onee-chan…"
Holding a pillow in her arms, Yoshizawa Sumire gently knocked on her older sister's door.
"Sumire? What's up? Want to sleep with your big sister tonight?"
Kasumi, who'd just been finishing her nighttime stretches, warmly pulled her younger twin inside, seating her on the edge of the bed beside her.
With their hair let down before bed, the twins looked nearly identical, except for their different pajamas and Sumire's beauty mark beneath her eye.
Yet anyone who knew them could immediately distinguish the two by their distinctive auras.
Sumire, notably quieter and more withdrawn, leaned into her sister's embrace, seeking comfort.
"Onee-chan, what should I do…? After Takamaki-senpai, now there's another person who can fight alongside Rinto-senpai…but I'm still useless."
"What can I do to join them without annoying Senpai or making him hate me?"
"Hmm…" Kasumi sighed, equally troubled.