Observe and Adapt
This has been so long overdue and I really have no excuse other than work and studies. But it’s here now and I hope you enjoy ❤️
Ryuji was expecting some training with his usually calm and collected leader. Though he happened upon some rather sensitive information that he just couldn’t waste. A bright smile was plastered on the blonde’s face as he strode down the street. There was no school today, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the Phantom Thieves were recently able to inch closer to the depths of Mementos. Though he and Morgana didn’t always get along, Ryuji was happy to help his friend, as well as the souls that needed it in the cognitive abyss.
Upon reaching his destination, he opened the door to Le Blanc. The smell of curry and coffee greeted him; they went surprisingly well together. Or maybe it was just becoming familiar. Either way, he always felt a sense of comfort with it.
“Welcome to Le Blan- Oh, it’s just you,” Sojiro turned and commented, no malice in his tone. He offered a father-like grin.
“The kid’s upstairs getting ready, I think. I can get you a cup of coffee or something, on the house for keeping him out of trouble.”
“Not today, Sojiro-san, but thanks! I don’t wanna have your coffee sloshing around during a run, it’s too good for that.” Ryuji replied thankfully. He’d never cared too much for coffee until he had Sojiro’s.
“Eww! A simple “no thank you” would have done the job!” Futaba exclaimed in disgust, emerging from the kitchen, hands wet from washing dishes.
“What do you mean? I’m just sayin’!” Ryuji defended, caught off guard momentarily. He forgot Futaba would work with Sojiro on mornings he and Ren trained together. Ryuji developed a wicked grin. “You’re lucky anyway if the sloshing only happens on the inside!”
Futaba groaned and flicked the water from her hands at him, causing a chuckle from Sojiro.
“Arrgh, hey!”
“Typical for a Numb Skull to be so vulgar!”
“I am not!”
“Ren! Come down here, you have company waiting! And I’m getting a migraine..” Sojiro called, mumbling the last bit as everyone heard shuffling and the sound of someone descending stairs. Futaba, unworried suddenly about her and Ryuji’s debate, shuffled behind the bar and snickered, ducking as Ren appeared, gym bag slung over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, I was going over notes from the last meeting with Morgana-AAHAH!” Ren jumped and firmly brought his arms to his sides, already feeling a light dust of pink creep on his cheeks as Futaba had successfully snuck behind and tazed the sides of her older brother figure, giggling in amusement as she scampered back to the kitchen. She and Sojiro had promised not to broadcast Ren’s *sensitive* information after the eventful morning not too long ago. So either this was Futaba’s loophole in telling Ryuji, or she was just being her mischievous self, it was hard to tell.
Ren growled and rolled his eyes, walking quickly towards Ryuji, and the door.
“Come on, we should get to training.” Ryuji grinned his energetic grin.
“Right! Later, Sojiro-san, Futaba-chan!” Ryuji didn’t think anything of what happened at first, until he noticed Ren actively trying to hide his face while it returned to its usual color. He grew worried.
“Dude, you okay?” Ryuji was used to his leader’s usual quiet demeanor; it was most often a sign that some scheme was being concocted in that mind of his. But something seemed off, like his leader was shaken instead of contemplative.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just thinking a bit.” Ren assured with a smile as the pair made it to Shujin Academy, where they would be able to use the track and field. They stretched as they watched the track team leave, giving the pair the area to themselves, save for if any other students or faculty decided to use the track, which in their experience was rare.
Once they’ve properly stretched, the two took off on a light jog to warm up. Ren relaxed, allowing himself to loosen and clear his head. The sun felt warm in the cool morning air and, speaking of, the air smelled pure: trees and grass and free of any smoke or other unpleasant city smells. His mental tranquility came to an abrupt shatter as he felt a poke to his side. Though it didn’t cause quite the reaction as Futaba’s tazing did, he still turned quickly to face Ryuji. Ren swore he saw a glint of something in his eyes before he spoke.
“Hey, you looked like you were on another planet. I asked what the plan was for today. You sure everything’s good?” They stopped their jog to take a brief break. Ren smiled at his friend’s concern. “I must just be paranoid.”
“Yeah, everything’s good. Just a little distracted today, I guess. I’m sorry to worry you.”
“Don’t apologize, man. Just checkin’ in, that’s what bros do. Gotta keep you on top of your game, ya know?” Ryuji said with a nudge. In that moment Ren was glad he ran into the “bad influence” at Shujin.
“I planned on sparring a bit for combat practice, then some short sprints for building strength and stamina.” Ryuji beamed, clearly pumped.
“All right! Let’s do it!” They assumed their regular fighting stances: Ryuji’s more geared for the offensive, Ren’s geared to adapt to his opponent, in this case, more defensive.
“Ready or not leader, here I come!” Ryuji charged, seemingly without a plan, which didn’t surprise Ren as he successfully dodged and blocked the blonde’s blows. Ryuji, growing frustrated, backed off of Ren to think.
“Oh, is it my turn?” Ren taunted, smirking as he does when he has a Shadow cornered. This time he charged, aiming for the spots Ryuji habitually left open, adding to the blonde’s frustration. Though he caught on, and was able to match Ren in blocking and dodging. Albeit not as graceful, but effective. Ren smiled at the progress, but wasn’t about to let up. In fact, he took the opportunity to feign a punch, and when Ryuji’s attention was on his fist, Ren swept his feet out from under him. The offensive blonde fell to his backside and cursed loudly, not in pain, but in defeat.
“Dammit! How do you do that? Get me to your level, dude!” Ryuji groaned, accepting the outreached hand to help him up.
“You’re already on my level. We just have different fighting styles. The only advice I can really give you is to be more adaptable: it’s all in observation and timing. Brute force works with a lot of Shadows, but it won’t work with every match.” Ryuji took this advice in and mulled it over. Ren was right; they had started training around the same time and seldom did so without the other. They both learned about the Personas and Metaverse together through Morgana and they’ve fought at each other’s side since day one. He just needed to be open to different methods, as Ren has been able to do thus far.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. Just need to add a bit of yin to my yang, yeah?”
“Right!” Ryuji was grateful for his friend’s help and guidance, but still couldn’t shake the disappointment of losing, and so quickly. That is, until he recalled today’s events and concocted a devious battle strategy.
“Are you ready for sprints? We can cool off after and go back to Le Blanc, Sojiro’s been showing me how to make curry, I think I could make a good lunch.”
“Actually dude, could we go for another round? I wanna practice your “adapt to your opponent” and “observation and timing” stuff.”
Ren chuckled light-heartedly, both at the comment and in delight that Ryuji was so eager to learn.
“Sure, we can go again.”
The boys assumed stances once more, Ryuji’s looking a bit tighter and more prepared to block open areas. Ren adjusted accordingly, opting to go more in the offensive. It was defense and caution he thought Ryuji wanted to grasp, so he would have to be the one to make the first move. And so he did, but not throwing caution to the wind as his opponent had earlier. He struck slower than normal, becoming more of a teacher than an adversary, and his pupil was doing far better at dodging and blocking.
“What are you smilin’ at?” Ryuji asked.
“I knew you were capable as long as your head was in the right place.” Ren praised, then taunted, “Maybe now our spars will be challenging.” Ryuji knew he was teasing, but if he had any doubts about his plan before, they were thrown out the window as he grinned wickedly.
“Is that so, fearless leader? We’ll see how long you feel that way!” Before Ren could counter, Ryuji managed to grab an oncoming blow and knock Ren off balance, effectively turning him around with his wrist pinned to his back. Ren chuckled.
“You got me, that wasn’t bad!” Ren commended, though grew confused and started panicking as Ryuji took his other wrist, pinning both to Ren’s back with one hand.
“Ryuji, what are you-HHMPH!” Ren gasped at Ryuji’s hand resting on his side, trying and failing to seem unphased.
“Dude, what’s wrong? You were all high and mighty just a second ago…” Ryuji started, lightly kneading his fingers into Ren’s side, already tense in an attempt to keep his giggling at bay.
“Ryuhujiiheh, dohon’t!” Ren managed, not convincing in the slightest that he was unaffected by his friend’s torment. Judging by his encounter with Futaba and Sojiro, and knowing how Ryuji is, he sensed he was in some trouble.
“Don’t what, dude? I’m not doing anything!” Ryuji claimed, adding more pressure, and skittering his hands over to Ren’s belly. The ravenette gritted his teeth, but muffled giggles were still heard, and he was trying harder to break out of Ryuji’s hold.
“Yoohoohoo know whahaht you’re doing-NO! Naaaahahaha!” Ren threw his head back onto his friend’s shoulder and dissolved, unable to fight back cackles anymore as Ryuji’s hand wandered up to his ribs, tickling and teasing in between each one. Ryuji mock gasped.
“No way! Could it be? I didn’t think it was possible!” The blonde continued to tease. He noticed Ren’s knees beginning to give, so rather than expend his energy holding him up, Ryuji swiftly pinned Ren to the ground, straddling his back. Sadistically, Ryuji leaned close to Ren’s ear.
“Dude, are you ticklish or something?” Before even giving Ren a chance to respond, he latched his hands onto Ren’s ribs again, this time with more vigor and purpose as his fingers prodded and scurried unpredictably. Ren’s reaction was instant: his laughter boomed, boisterous and unfiltered, the moment Ryuji made contact.
“Well? Are you?” Ryuji provoked. Ren shook his head, both at the menace tickling him silly and the unbearable sensation itself, as if a “no” would lessen the feeling. Ren, being unable to reach Ryuji in his position, folded his arms and buried his head there, if anything to hide his face and muffle his laughter, ultimately resigning to his fate. Even if there was a way out, he couldn’t think straight enough to figure it out.
“Oh, Reeeenn~ You’re not answering me,” Ryuji sang slowly, softly yet cruelly tracing light circles in the hollow region of Ren’s underarms. Ren calmed slightly at the somewhat bearable feeling, though still unable to stop giggling like a child.
“Nooohooho! Eeeeheheehee!”
“No, what?”
“Ihaha’m nooohhooot!”
“Dude, are you for real right now?” Ryuji halted his ticklish onslaught briefly. Ren relaxed, but not too much; he knew Ryuji wasn’t finished. Residual giggles came as he spoke.
“Aahaall right, Ryuji, you wihehn.” Ren was ignored as Ryuji continued.
“You lied to me this morning when you said nothing was wrong. You were obviously thinking about something. I have a feeling I know what, now.” Ryuji sported the same wicked grin as earlier, softly kneading again into Ren’s sides and any part of his belly he could reach. Ren began giggling again, though kept his burning face buried in his arms.
“I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and asked you again. You lied, again.” The blonde suddenly pinched at Ren’s hips, earning a squeal. Ryuji chuckled, not knowing Ren was able to produce a sound like that as his friend finally brought his arms down to grab his wrists. Ryuji then saw Ren’s lightened face and forming tears. He was giggling like a little boy; it was honestly adorable. But still, Ryuji continued.
“Now, I ask you a simple question. A question you had no business lying about. And you have the balls to LIE!” His hands shot back up to Ren’s ribs, causing a jolt.
“AHAAHA! RYUJIIHEEHEE!”
“You LIED! TO! MY! FACE!” Ryuji mock-scolded as he squirmed his fingers into Ren’s underarms. Ticklish sensations seemed to send waves through Ren’s body. His legs kicked out behind the two and he squirmed as hard as he could, but was trapped under his friend, who seemed to be rather enjoying this.
“I’m soohoohorryheehee! Ryyheeheeujii!” Ren cackled, barely able to make out the apology. Then Ryuji stopped again.
“That’s three strikes. I know we’re bros and all Ren, but I can’t allow three strikes without consequence.” Ryuji shifted quickly, now sitting on his calves, turned away from Ren. Ren’s eyes widened in fear as he felt Ryuji try to work off a running shoe, now thrashing to try to get away.
“Nuh uh uuuuuh~” Ryuji sang, reaching around and delivering spidery tickles to the backs of Ren’s knees. It was like little ticklish shocks were delivered to his body at once, and he elicited the same boyish giggle from earlier. This was bearable though, and since Ryuji was now on his calves, Ren had enough leverage to turn on his side, going straight for Ryuji’s calf, hoping it would have some effect.
“AH! He-HEEHEY!” Ryuji, caught off-guard, giggled and toppled over, giving his captive that inch he needed to free himself and take off.
“It’s time for sprints!” Ren yelled back, running as fast as he could.
“You get back here, you coward!” Ryuji shouted and took off after him. Ren was usually a decent runner, but he was drained from having laughed so long and so hard. Not to mention… butterflies? It seemed he was actually enjoying the chase. He let a giggle escape when he turned and saw his wily teammate gaining ground.
“Come on, come on…” Ren prompted himself, trying to think of a way out of this. He can’t run forever and there’s nowhere to hide so… Time to give Ryuji a taste of his own medicine.
“Time to go offensive,” Ren prompted, quickly and without warning stopped and turned toward Ryuji.
“SHIT!” he exclaimed, trying to slow himself down, but couldn’t quickly enough. Ren swerved, grabbing Ryuji around the middle in a tackle to the ground. Both boys were fighting for the upper hand, but neither could suppress their grins.
“What’s wrong, leader? Too ticklish for your own good?” Ryuji teased. Ren groaned, but refused to be pinned again.
“I might be a little.”
“A LITTLE? Do you call begging for mercy a LITTLE?” Ren ignored the question, and took an open opportunity to drill his thumb into Ryuji’s hip bone. The eccentric blonde shrieked and tried to jerk away, but Ren now had his chance: he took both Ryuji’s wrists in one hand, pinning them above his head, and smirked at the surprise that took over his friend’s features.
“H-Hey, come on, man… W-We can talk about this, right?” Ryuji asked, wobbly smile willing itself on his face. “I was taking your advice! Adapting and being observant and stuff, that counts for something, right?!”
Ren suppressed a chuckle to keep his menacing smirk from fading. While what Ryuji is saying is true, he’d already been tickled mercilessly by Sojiro, Futaba, and now Ryuji: he believed it was finally his turn to dish out a punishment.
“You did take my advice, and I commend you for your quick thinking and improvement,” Ren began, testing the waters by tracing feathery light circles on Ryuji’s hips. Immediately he jerked at the sensation and bit his lip. “It was a bit unorthodox though, don’t you think?” Ren sensed he’d already found one of Ryuji’s more sensitive spots, and moved to pinch at his sides instead: he’d save that for later. Ryuji screwed his eyes shut, determined not to give his friend the satisfaction of breaking him so quickly.
“It wohorked, though, aahaand don’t think Ihehe won’t reheemember to uhuhse it against you-EEP! SHIHIHT, NOHOHOHO! Stahahaap!” Ren smirked at the boldness his friend had for making such comments in his position, and without warning brought his free hand to his ribs, teasing his fingers over and in between them. In hindsight, Ryuji supposed he asked for that, now cackling wildly and trying to throw Ren off of his waist.
“That’s a lot of tough talk for someone who can’t take what he dishes,” Ren teased spidering his way into the hollow of Ryuji’s underarm. The atomic blonde’s madman-like cackle seemed to be traded in for a happier, bubblier giggle, not too unlike the boyish giggles Ren made earlier.
“Whohoho said I couldn’t tahahake ihihit? Eeeh hee hehe! Dohoho yohour WOHOHORST! AAHH Heeheheehe!”
“My worst?” The ravenette was quite enjoying the reactions he was eliciting from his eccentric partner, and began to see why it might have been fun for his friends and caregiver to tickle him silly. He relented, allowing Ryuji a moment to catch his breath-he was gonna need it.
“Just remember, you asked for this. Here lies Ryuji Sokamoto…” Ren started.
“Dude, did you just start my eulogEEHEEE! REEHEHEN! BWAAHAHAHA!” Ryuji absolutely screeched when Ren’s hands darted at lightning speed and latched onto Ryuji’s hips. One hand kneaded and drilled for all it was worth, while the other skittered and teased the taught skin on the bone. It was maddening: If Ryuji could think straight in that moment, he wouldn’t be able to tell you which sensation was worse, not to mention the unpredictable pokes and prods at his belly and sides to keep him guessing.
“REEHEHEN, I CAHAHAN’T!” He pleaded, pounding at the ground under him and flailing his legs out behind them. Ren finally broke his façade and laughed at his friend unraveling in front of him.
“You can’t what?” Ren halted, but left his hands on Ryuji’s hips: just the threat had Ryuji giggling and squirming still. Ren chuckled at the realization.
“I’m not doing anything to you!”
“Yehehes you aaaare hehehe!”
“Then answer me, you can’t what?” Ren pressed, curling his fingers once as a warning, sending a jolt through the blonde. He gripped Ren’s wrists and cackled, shaking his head.
“Tahahake it! Ihihihi can’t tahahake this! Eehehehe! I gihihive man, you wihihin!”
Sensing he was truly reaching a limit, Ren detached his hands from Ryuji’s hips. Ryuji sighed, and some residual giggles poured out as he caught his breath.
“Remind me… NOT… to piss you off anymore…” He said light heartedly. Ren laughed, climbing off his friend and sitting on the grass next to him.
“I was never mad, I… I don’t know really, I was excited, nervous, then I felt like I might have gotten carried away. I’m sorry about that,” Ren apologized, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Ryuji smiled, patting the grass next to him, suggesting Ren lay back on the grass too. He obliged.
“You’re good, dude. You’ve got a lot going on, in the real world and the Metaverse. I can’t believe I have to be the one to tell you you’re allowed to have fun sometimes, ya know? Even if I almost died.”
“Don’t act like you didn’t try to kill me earlier, you started it!” Ren retaliated, probably sounding much more immature than he ever had, and the two laughed. The whole air around them was positive and light, and both felt their bond deepen.
“Just watch yourself, Joker. You got lucky today. Next time I’ll wreck you.”
“We’ll see about that.”