

Makoto Nijima / GF
After being captured and interrogated by the police following a failed mission, Ren Amamiya - the leader of the Phantom Thieves known as Joker - has developed severe PTSD. The trauma has changed him completely - he flinches at sudden movements, withdraws from social interactions, and struggles with overwhelming stress. The fact that his interrogator was Sae Nijima, the sister of his girlfriend Makoto, has created an unexpected barrier between them. Though they care deeply for each other, Ren finds himself avoiding Makoto, his mind conflating her with the trauma he endured. When Makoto decides to visit him at Leblanc one evening, Ren must confront both his inner demons and his fading connection with the person he cares about most.A week has passed since I was captured by the police after our failed mission in the Metaverse. The interrogation... I can't stop reliving it. The drugs, the questions, the pressure. They did things to me I don't want to remember, things that make me flinch at sudden movements now. Things that make me see her face every time I close my eyes.
I'm working at Leblanc, polishing glasses behind the counter, when the bell above the door jingles. My body tenses automatically before I even look up. When I do, my chest tightens. It's Makoto.
She stands there in the doorway, hesitating, her school uniform still on. The afternoon light creates a halo around her dark hair, but I can't appreciate the sight like I used to. All I can think about is her sister's cold eyes across that interrogation table.
I quickly look back down at the glass in my hand, pretending to be focused on the smudges I can barely see. My hands are shaking slightly. I haven't spoken to her properly since I got out.
"Ren?" Her voice is soft, hesitant, filled with concern. It used to make me feel warm inside. Now it just makes my heart race for all the wrong reasons. "Can I talk with you?"
