Chapter 28: A Talk with Friends...

(A/N: Sorry I've been gone so long!!!)

(Marinette's pov)

"I can't eat another bite..." Ryuji moaned.

My friends and I were sitting around the rickety table in Akira's room, the hot-pot, semi-empty bottles of soda, chopsticks, and other waste, littering the table. Ann sat on the couch across from Akira and me. Morgana lay on my lap, purring slightly. Ryuji sat on an armchair next to me, and across from him was Yusuke.

"That was delicious, you two!" Morgana said to Ann and me.

"You two would make excellent brides-" Morgana started, but Ann cut him off with a yawn and laid down on the sofa she was sitting on, taking a small nap. I giggled at my friend. Out of the corner of my eyes, though, I saw Ryuji and Akira turn a shade of light pink. Morgana suddenly hopped out of my lap and onto the table... and Ryuji started to lean to the side, towards Ann's... OH MY GOD!!! I smacked both of them up-side the head when I realized where they were looking.

We then started to chat. Ryuji told us how he knew Ann. Apparently, they went to middle school together. Yusuke then asked about our pasts. Ryuji said that his dad left when he was a kid and that ever since then, it was him and his mom. He said he tried to get a track scholarship to make things easy for his mom, but then... Kamoshida happened... and that dream died...

"I'm so sorry, Ryuji-kun," I said to him.

"Don't worry about it, Mari-san... and besides... you two have your own experiences..." Ryuji said. Akira and I looked at each other and nodded solemnly.

"You're pasts?" Yusuke asked.

"You know... we never heard Akira's past in full details... and Yusuke never heard about Mari-san's past in more detail either... care to share you two?" Morgana asked. Akira went first, telling the story about how he defended a woman from a drunk man. Then finding out that the drunk man was a political figure and got sued. Landing poor Akira here... listening to it made me mad all over again... if I ever meet that man...

It was then my turn to tell my story. I told my friends about Lila, the bullying, and everything else, up to the fake suicide. Unconsciously, I reached for Akira's hand and squeezed it.

"So... that's what happened..." Yusuke muttered.

"God d**m it!" Ryuji yelled.

"You two got your reputations ruined because a couple of a**holes didn't like you guys!" He continued.

"And the adults in power did nothing to help..." Yusuke added.

"Those types of people are precisely those whose hearts we need to steal! Who are they, and where do we find them?!" Morgana asked.

"According to my friends back in France, Lila got served justice after my 'suicide'... And the principal and teacher who allowed the bullying to continue got sacked and replaced. So, I doubt we can do anything. Plus, all of that is in Europe, the other side of the globe." I said.

"In my case... it was dark, and I was in shock after everything..." Akira said, squeezing my hand. At that point, I realized we were holding hands. I let go of his hand and stared at my hands in my lap.

"I see... Akira, it was dark, and you were in shock about being arrested... and Mari-san, you already got your justice, but you weren't there to see it..." Morgana said.

"In Akira's case, the victim's information is always kept secret. Finding the man who did it will prove difficult. And even if we got revenge, Akira's past won't go away..." Yusuke said solemnly.

"This world is so messed up!" Ryuji raged.

"The weak are left to fight for themselves, while rotten adults get away with whatever they want!" He continued.

"And those in power don't do anything to help the situation..." Morgana added.

"That's why we exist, the Phantom Thieves!" I commented.

"We are supposed to give the weak hope and fix society! Right?" I asked.

"Can we fix it, though? Nobody would notice..." Yusuke said.

"People would notice! They would see their leaders doing good and those higher up helping those at the bottom! They would live without fear of injustice! I know there is no such thing as a 'perfect society'... but there is always room for improvement! The Phantom Thieves will start that improvement... and hopefully inspire others to do the same! What good are our powers if we don't use them for good?" I said, standing up.

"Mari-san is right! We have to make a change! And our powers are perfect tools to perform that change! Let's aim for the stars!" Ryuji said, obviously hyped up by my little speech.

"Sound good to me! The flashier our missions are, the cooler we end up looking!" Morgana chimed.

"You've all taught me so much..." Yusuke sighed. I smiled at that and sat down. Morgana then sat on my lap, and I started to pet him. Ann then sat up.

"What are you all excited about?" She asked.

"Oh! Did we wake you up? ごめんなさい!" I apologized (Translation: sorry!).

"It's alright... I was already up, to begin with... By the way, Mari-san, your Japanese is getting good!" Ann said.

"Thanks, Ann-chan! I have been living here for a few months now!" I said.

"By the way, this weird feeling came over me while I was listening to you guys..." Ann continued.

"A weird feeling? Do you want to elaborate?" I asked.

"Well, I've only known some of you guys for a short time, but it felt like I've known you guys for most of my life!" Ann said.

"So it wasn't just me who felt like that! Good to know!" I said. Everyone laughed at my remark.

"Maybe it's because of our similar problems..." Ryuji said.

"Similar, huh... I'm the only odd one out..." Morgana said, looking a little sad.

"Morgana... Don't say that! You belong here like the rest of us!" I told the cat, picking him up and holding him like baby Simba from the Lion King.

"Mari-san is right! You are the one who showed us how to be Phantom Thieves, to begin with!" Ryuji said.

"But, I don't have a past to look back on... I have no memories..." Morgana sighed.

"Morgana, that's the whole reason why we're exploring Mementos is to restore your memories... did you forget?" Akira said to the cat.

"That feeling of knowing extends to you too, Morgana." Ann put in.

"Thanks, you guys..." Morgana said.

"Marinette, could you put me down now?" He asked me.

"Ah! Okay, Morgana!" I said, lowering him.

"But not without a hug!" I said, pulling the cat into a big bear-hug. My friends laughed as Morgana yowled and struggled against my hold. I took it all in... being surrounded by people I love, smiling and laughing along with them. I felt so warm and happy... I never want this feeling to end! But... life finds a way... to ruin everything...