Chapter Text
Opening: Make My Story (lyrics by Jonathan Young)
I know what I have to do now
It's my life, my one and only
Oh yeah, my one and only
Wiped my tears a thousand times
But my regrets are here to stay
I'm not expecting any time
For me to ever catch a break
Follow my way
I'll keep it close though frustrating
Follow my way
I'm aiming for the life that lies beyond
It's no regular dream, I will run to the brink
(I know what I have to do now)
So many lives, every person that's breathing
I think I've found the right thing
Make my story!
I'll make my existence a statement they won't forget
It's a big decision I have to live with
Through all the tears, I'm stronger than the rest
There will be a day when I'm looking back on my life
I will find a way so that I can say that
I kept on going, passing every test
February 15
The guys were hanging out at the arcade after school.
"I still never expected to actually be getting Valentine chocolate," Ryuji said, "But Makoto had a nice set she handpicked from a gift shop."
"Really?," Ren said, "Sumire made the one she gave me personally."
"Same with Haru," Morgan said, "I guess I'm gonna have to get used to being omnivorous. But if other non-meat foods are as tasty as chocolate, I think I can manage."
"Ann brought me a box of chocolates almost as big as her," Yusuke noted, "I'm not even sure where she found it."
"Sojiro mentioned that Futaba had managed to get her chocolates to Akechi," Ren added, "Guess she's serious about her feelings. By the way, I had a weird dream where all the female confidants we have were complaining about me two-timing with all of them. I don't even know where it came from, I've only ever been dating Sumire."
"Let me guess," Ryuji said, "It wound up with you on the floor from getting creamed."
"Yep," Ren said, "And then Sojiro tossed me a pity chocolate."
The four guys looked at each other, then laughed about the situation.
March 2
Ren finished filing his report on Remnant with the Speedwagon Foundation.
"This has been one hectic year," he noted.
He then noticed there was a new prisoner at the foundation's special prison for criminal Stand users. Father Roche had officially been successfully tried for his actions.
"The world is starting to change big time," Sojiro said, "During my youth, Stand users could easily get away with almost anything."
"The Speedwagon Foundation has started programs to educate people on Stand power," Ren explained, "And finding judges and prosecutors with Stands so that defendants who were also Stand users can't claim ignorance."
'This sort of world is going to be important,' Ren noted, 'One day a new style of protector is going to rise.'
March 3
The gang was gathered at Leblanc for an important announcement.
"For the time being it looks like Strike Back will be going underground," Ren said, "We've all got our own lives outside of being Phantom Thieves, after all."
"That's true," Ryuji said, "We're at an important point in our lives. Until we're older, we can't risk continuing being Strike Back."
"So, it's a temporary disbandment?," Haru asked.
"Phantom Thief Joker will still maintain his position as Lord of Crime from behind the scenes," Ren clarified, "But in the meantime, Ren Amamiya still has to finish his internship with Speedwagon. Plus, there's Ryuji track team scholarship on the line, Sumire's training camp, Makoto and Haru are getting ready for college, Ann's got her modeling career and Yusuke has his art career."
"And I'm going to be starting high school soon," Futaba added.
"Not to mention I need time to adjust to being a human permanently," Morgan agreed.
"We'll always be a team, and all connected," Ren assured them, "But for the time being, Katsuki was Strike Back's final target."
They all raised a toast.
"We are the river in a dry land. The last ace in a lost hand. The heartbeat for a tin man. We are Strike Back, now and forever."
March 13
Sojiro walked in on Ren as he was tending the counter.
"So, you ready for tomorrow?," Sojiro asked.
"What's tomorrow?," Ren asked.
"White Day," Sojiro explained, "You know, the day guys dote on their girlfriends."
Ren freaked out.
"Oh crap! I haven't even gotten anything for Sumire!"
Sojiro sighed.
"Guy can plan complex heists but balks when it comes to this? Well, since you've helped my family out all this time, I'll return the favor. I've got the recipe for the ultimate date."
Ren nodded and started listening.
"Now, first off you're gonna need a gift," Sojiro said, "This won't work without one. As far as last minute ideas go, you can't go wrong with flowers. Just make sure to buy them first."
"Looks like all that time working at flower shop is going to pay off," Ren noted.
"Good," Sojiro said, "Now, only present them near the end. Surprise her. Next thing is the location. The right atmosphere is important, but it's also gotta be peaceful. That new aquarium exhibit in Shinagawa should be suitable."
"Yeah, Sumire likes that place," Ren said.
"Now, this is the crucial part," Sojiro said, "Once the date part's over, you gotta take her out to dinner. Somewhere nice. Tricky part is getting reservations. All the fancy places get booked pretty fast around White Day. But I might be able to help get you an opening at this one place I know of. Anyway, once you get to talking over dinner, that's when you give it to her."
"Pull out the flowers then, right?," Ren noted.
"You're catching on," Sojiro said, "Now the rest is on you. Do your prep, and make those reservations."
"Got it," Ren said, "By the way, how often has this worked for you?"
"Nine times out of ten," Sojiro said with a smirk, "And the tenth was Wakaba."
"Ah, so I've got a good shot then," Ren said with a smirk of his own.
He headed upstairs to make the reservation. Luckily, mentioning Sojiro's name got him a table for two without issue. He then went to buy the flowers, selecting amaranths since they were Sumire's favorite. Then, he got some rest for tomorrow.
March 14
Sumire was pleasantly surprised that Ren had remembered White Day. She was also pleasantly surprised that the date he had planned was hitting all her White Day fantasies.
"I must say, I'm impressed, Ren," Sumire said as they took their table for dinner, "I knew you could be romantic, but this goes above and beyond."
"I'm just glad it worked out so well," Ren said, "I was nervous the whole time I was planning this."
It wasn't really a lie, but he did leave out that the idea was last minute. The nearby curtain then lifted up to show a spectacular view of the city.
"Wow, it's gorgeous," Sumire said.
"There's one more thing I have," Ren said, pulling out the bouquet.
Sumire gasped in delight when she took it.
"Amaranths," she said, "Representing undying love. You remembered."
"I hope our love can be the same," Ren said.
Sumire smiled and nodded. It was probably the best night of her life since she first met Ren.
March 19
In an undisclosed location, Ironwood met with his four remaining followers.
"It seems our attempts to gain power in a single country have fallen flat. We'll need time to build ourselves back up."
"How do we proceed?," one of the followers asked.
"We work to play both sides," Ironwood said, "If the law comes after us, we hide among the criminals. If the world of crime turns against us, we work with the law. And in the meantime, I want each of you handling a region across the world so that we can try to broaden our network."
He placed an ancient blueprint on the table.
"As for me, I'll be spending time looking for something that might turn things in our favor."
March 20
Little did Ironwood know, two individuals were entering Shibuya from different directions. Both of them had the same star-shaped mark on their necks, though the younger of the two had it as a tattoo. The older one had it as a birthmark. The older woman entered the SIU and approached Sae.
"Ah, you must be Miss Kujo," Sae said.
Meanwhile, the younger girl was being admitted to Shujin. The new principal looked over her record.
"We're happy to have you here, Miss Joestar."
The two women smirked. Their bizarre adventure would happen years down the line, but the groundwork for their shared destiny was being laid out today.
THE END!
Ending: Smooth Criminal (by Michael Jackson)
As he came into the window
Was a sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
She ran underneath the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was her doom
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
Will you tell us that you're okay?
There's a sound at the window
Then he struck you, a crescendo, Annie
He came into your apartment
Left the bloodstains on the carpet
And then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down, it was your doom
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
You've been hit by
You've been hit by
A smooth criminal