5/26

Akira expects certain things when he walks into Untouchable.

Akira expects seedy customers, hidden in aisles and behind the covers of violently themed magazines.

He expects the faint aroma of cigarette smoke, mixing with the smell of plastic and glue.

He expects the subdued music curling through the store.

He expects Iwai to be seated at the counter, cap pulled low, lollypop in mouth, eyes pretending to be lazy.

When he steps into the store this time, Yusuke in tow, he does not expect the man to storm from the backroom, scowling, march around the counter, grab Akira’s arm, and haul him towards said backroom.

“I suppose I’ll wait here,” Yusuke calls after them.

Iwai and Akira enter the small chamber, and Akira finds it stacked to the brim with clutter. Boxes of model guns, plastic-wrapped appliances, tubes filled with airsoft bbs. He cannot see the walls.

Iwai slams the door shut behind them and releases Akira’s arm, only to jab him in the chest with a finger stained with tobacco. “I don’t know what you’re doing, runnin’ your mouth about this place, but here’s another life lesson for you, kid. Don’t.”

Akira resists the sudden urge to swat Iwai’s finger away and keeps his voice calm. “Whoa. What’re you talking about?” He feels Morgana squirm inside his bag. “I haven’t told anyone about this place or you.” Akira doesn’t add, I’m not an idiot, though he thinks it.

Iwai’s alight eyes bore into his own, and for far too long to be comfortable, he says nothing. Then, “Makoto and Haru. You know 'em?”

The names dunk his head in a bucket of ice water. Akira’s brain shuts off. “Wha?”

Iwai’s grimace is something to behold. “Yes or no, Kurusu!” It is not a question.

Akira nods. “Yes, yes.” He nods some more. “I work with Haru at my part-time job. And, uh, well… Makoto’s more complicated.”

“Enlighten me,” Iwai says, slowly.

Akira wonders where to start. “Okay. She’s the Student Council President. She was my tutor, but now that’s not happening because of bunch of stuff and-”

“Is she your girlfriend?”

Akira feels his eyes nearly pop from his head. “Huh? No! She’s not my girlfriend. I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Iwai’s eyes move toward the door, and he crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, she’s sayin’ she’s your girlfriend. She came in the other day and asked about your shopping habits.”

Akira knows the big, dumb smile he feels growing over his face is the last thing Iwai wants to see, but he can’t help it. “Makoto said she was my girlfriend?” He mumbles.

“Knock that dumbass grin off your face before I smack it off, kid! What’re you telling people?”

Akira shakes his head. “Nothing. I swear. I haven’t told anyone anything. But Makoto is stalking me. Or was. She was stalking me. I guess she still is.” Is she still looking into the Phantom Thieves? Why? “What, exactly, did you tell her?”

Iwai walks him through the interaction. “Then, the fluffy-haired girl, Haru, bought the model, and they split. So what’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” Akira says. “Makoto followed me around for a while. She had a crush on me.”

“On you?” Iwai asks, the disbelief plain in his voice.

“Yes, and thanks. But we stopped hanging out for a while. But if Makoto knows about this place and how often I come here, maybe she thought she could get information on me from you. But-”

“But luckily for you,” Iwai cuts in. “I’m not an idiot.”

Akira nods. Iwai had played things well. Makoto knew Akira visited Untouchable, but she didn’t know why he came. “Thanks. I’m sorry I caused you trouble.”

Iwai’s grimace softens. “Yeah, covering for your ass isn’t part of our deal. Try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“I will,” Akira says, nodding.

Iwai sighs. “So, what’re you doing here?”

Akira remembers Yusuke. “My friend, the one I came in with, needs a gun. And a burner.”

Iwai doesn’t say anything for a time. “You ever heard the saying, ‘three people can keep a secret if two are dead?’”

“Are you going to kill me?” Akira asks, eyeing the confined space they presently inhabit.

“Not yet,” Iwai growls. “You’ll have to wait on the burner.” Iwai narrows his eyes. “Just what do you kids use those guns for anyway?”

“I told you,” Akira replies, straight-faced. “We’re enthusiasts.”

Iwai smiles. “Good boy.”

“There’s something else,” Akira says.

Iwai’s brows rise. “You need to stop saying that and lead with the point, kid.”

“Right. Sorry.” Akira clears his throat. “I need to know if you can get it by tomorrow.”

Iwai’s eyes narrow. “Tomorrow?”

Akira nods. “Tomorrow.”

“It’ll depend on what you need and what you can pay.”

Akira smiles. “I need a card skimmer.”

#

“Yo,” Ryuji calls as Yusuke exits the Metaverse.

“Ah,” Yusuke says, as he slides his phone into his pocket. “Greetings. What are you doing here? I thought Morgana was to relieve me?”

“Morgana’s running late,” Ryuji replies. “But he’ll be here soon. I came to check up on you. How’s the Palace doing? Still there?”

“Indeed,” Yusuke says and nods toward the old house. “It’s quite odd. I occupy a position within the old house across the block from the Palace.” He nods towards the building they both stand beneath. “And while it conceals me from the Shadows, it is otherwise empty. The place leaves me with a rather hollow feeling.”

Ryuji shrugs. “The Metaverse is like that, dude. It’s a creepy place. I try not to dwell on it too much.”

“That sounds like sage advice. I did not expect that from you.”

Ryuji frowns. “Yeah, thanks. Look, dude, I came to see if you wanted to get something to eat.” Yusuke stares at him, surprise evident, but Ryuji jams his hands in his pockets and says, “Don’t gimme that deer in headlights look. Come on.”

Ryuji brings Yusuke to his favorite ramen place, but unlike with Akira, the conversation is stilted and one-sided. Yusuke cannot stop commenting on the ‘aesthetics’ of everything he sees, even making a remark about how ‘the arrangement of the food coalesces in such a way as to draw the eye of the eater.’

Ryuji has no idea what it means, but he pats the kid on his back and slurps up his food.

“So, he nearly chokes when – out of nowhere – Yusuke says, “Ryuji, might I ask a question? Regarding Akira and Ann?”

Once he’s finished coughing and taken a healthy gulp of water, Ryuji sets his chopsticks down and asks, “What brought that on?”

“Earlier today, when Akira and Morgana took me to the airsoft shop, the manager spoke with our leader. It seems Makoto had been to the store, asking after him.”

Ryuji’s groan is so loud it draws the eyes of the other patrons. “Seriously?” He asks, softer, before letting his head hang over the steaming ramen bowl. “Man, that’s just what we need.”

“After we requested the,” and Yusuke lowers his voice, “device from the owner, Akira walked me through the situation regarding himself, Makoto, and Ann. However, I was left with the impression I did not get the full story.” Yusuke clears his throat then and mutters, “Ann, in particular, did not come off well from the retelling.”

Ryuji shuts his eyes and rubs them with his thumb and forefinger. “Alright, man. Tell me what he said.”

Yusuke does, and when he’s finished, Ryuji shakes his head.

“Okay, so that’s kinda how it went down, but you were right. That’s not the full story.”

“Then, perhaps you could shed some light on the situation for me?”

“Okay, since like day one, Akira and the Prez have had this ‘will they, won’t they’ thing going on. Akira even went on a date with her, but the Prez started talking about how we were the Phantom Thieves.”

“Which we are,” Yusuke points out.

“Well, yeah. But the point is not to let anyone know. So, Akira wanted to let her in on the secret because he’s head over heels for her, while the rest of us were like, ‘Nah.’ Akira got all mad about that, but it wasn’t a big deal until we found out that the Principal was asking about us, and Makoto agreed to investigate us.”

Yusuke frowns. “You do not seem concerned about that.”

Ryuji shrugs. “Well, Makoto only did it because the guy was blackmailing her. She wasn’t really after us. Well, she sort of was, but not because of him. Anyway, she only agreed to look into us for him to get out of the room. Then Makoto tried to tell Akira, but because Morgana overheard part of the conversation, we thought she had betrayed Akira and was secretly after us the whole time, but she wasn’t. But before all this could get cleared up, the thing with Shiho happened. But I don't know, man. Makoto apologized to me for shit I didn’t even know she did. So she’s okay in my book. I just don’t know if we should tell her about our alter egos and stuff. But then Ann freaked out over the Shiho thing and gave Akira that ulti-thing-”

“You refer to the ‘ultimatum?’” Yusuke asks.

Ryuji nods. “Yeah, that one. She gave him that, which just pissed him off even more. Because as far as he’s concerned, Makoto is on the up and up, but we vetoed the whole thing, and Ann thinks we shouldn’t have even had to do that because why should Makoto know about us, right? Anyway, everyone’s mad, but no one wants to talk about it.”

“I see,” Yusuke says.

“Really?”

“No. Not at all.”

Ryuji can’t help smiling. “Tell me about it. Shit’s confusing.”

Yusuke sits back and folds his arms across his chest. “Forgive me, for I am little more than a neophyte to the Phantom Thieves, but it seems a lot of our internal issues could be solved if Akira and Ann were to ‘talk it out,’ so to speak.”

Ryuji spins in his chair until his whole body faces Yusuke. “You know, it’s funny you mention that. See, Morgana and me? We’ve got a plan.”

“You’ve joined forces with the cat?”

Ryuji rolls his eyes. “He’s human, remember? But yeah, we have.” His smile grows. “Actually, it’s sorta thanks to you.”

“How so?” Yusuke asks.

Ryuji explains the plan. “So,” he asks, once done, “you in?”

“It’s a bit simplistic.”

“No shit. That’s why it’ll work.”

Yusuke smiles. “Very well. I am in.”

#

Ann takes a breath, then lifts her hand to knock. It is not enough, and she lets her hand fall. Come on, she thinks. What is wrong with me?

But she knows very well what the problem is. When Ann first started to visit Shiho, the issue had been the fear that Shiho hated Ann for her role in the abuse at Kamoshida’s hand. When that had not been the case, Ann had felt relief. But it had not taken her long to discover that the inside of Shiho’s head was far more complicated than ‘does she hate me or not?’ Ann’s visits with Shiho could be fairly straightforward, laid back, and otherwise pleasing. Or, they could be temperamental and filled with bitter emotions that Ann was unsure how to deal with.

Ann shakes her head. This was Shiho, and she deserved a friend, no matter what. Ann raises her hand once more and knocks on the door. A tepid, “Come in,” tells Ann nothing about what she’s about to experience. Gently, Ann opens the door and sticks her head inside.

“Shiho?” Ann calls. “It’s me.”

“Hi, Ann,” Shiho replies, and Ann is relieved to see the girl smiling and sitting in her bed. The lights are on, and the shades are pulled back.

“Your parents aren’t here?” Ann asks, stepping inside. The lights are on too. That’s good.

Shiho shakes her head. “No. They… uh, they needed a break. So… they took a break, I guess.”

“Oh,” Ann replies, then frowns. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Shiho says, and shrugs. “Come on in.”

Ann does, and places herself in the chair beside Shiho’s bed. “How are things?”

“Could be better,” Shiho says. “Though physical therapy is going well. It’s not such a pain once you get used to it.” Shiho blinks. “Well, no. It still hurts a lot. But I suppose I don’t mind doing it as much anymore.”

“That’s good,” Ann exclaims, trying to force joviality into her voice.

Shiho nods. “I guess.” She sighs and glances out the window. “How’re things with the Phantom Thieves?”

“We’ve got a new member,” Ann says. She explains Yusuke. “I’m a little suspicious of Akira, though.”

“Why’s that?” Shiho asks.

“He’s usually very protective of our secret. So, him just inviting Yusuke along doesn’t add up.”

“Why do you think he did it, then?” Shiho asks.

“I told him I would quit the Phantom Thieves after what Niijima,” and Ann looks at Shiho, then lowers her gaze, “did. I wanted him to understand that it wasn’t right what she did. But I think he hasn’t trusted me much since.”

“And you think he brought Yusuke into this Metaverse place, hoping that it would trigger his Persona thing, and then he’d have an extra member so he could maybe replace you?” Shiho asks.

Ann’s eyes widen. “Um, yeah. Exactly.”

Shiho shrugs. “Maybe he did.”

“Don’t you think that’s, I don’t know, twisted?” Ann asks.

“Sure, but so what?” Shiho asks. “Can you blame him? Things get hard, and you threaten to leave.”

“I only threatened to leave because of what happened to you!”

Once again, Shiho shrugs. “What’s done is done, right? Are you going to quit changing hearts because of all this? Didn’t you tell me this Madarame guy is starving kids?”

“Yeah, but-”

“Look,” Shiho says. “I don’t want to be in the middle of all this, okay? I don’t want to be an excuse. You guys go out there and do all these things and have all these adventures, and I’m stuck in here, but it’s like I’m still somehow a part of it. Not in a good way, though. So, whatever, okay? Just patch things up and get back to saving lives or whatever.”

Ann is about to reply to that when there’s another knock on the door.

“Shiho?” Comes a voice, far too young to be the girl’s mother.

Shiho sits up a little straighter and calls, “Come in,” then glances at Ann and says, “Sorry, I forgot to mention. Someone else was going to come by.”

The door creaks open, and a young girl sticks her head inside.

Tired eyes beneath long brown hair and thin. So very thin.

“Oh,” the girl says, when she sees Ann. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.”

“It’s okay,” Shiho says. “Come in, Mika.”

Something about the girl reminds Ann of someone, but she cannot recall who.

“Hi,” the girl says, as she walks towards Shiho’s bed, falling into the other chair. “You’re Ann, right?”

Ann nods. “That’s right. And you’re Mika? It’s nice to meet you.”

Mika smiles, sinking into the chair. “We’ve met before. I’m not surprised you don’t recognize me. I don’t have any makeup on.”

Ann squints at the girl, trying to place her. Mika suddenly lifts her hands and strikes a pose, touching her fingertips beneath her chin so that her arms form a small heart. She gives a winning smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, and Ann suddenly realizes.

“Hey, yeah. I do know you! You’re from that shoot earlier in the Spring, right? The one for Sweet magazine at Tokyo Tower! I was there too.”

“Ding ding,” Mika says, smiling. “That’s me.”

“Wow,” Ann replies, then shakes her head. “Wait, how do you two know each other?”

Mika gestures down at her hospital gown. “You haven’t guessed?”

“We attend physical therapy together,” Shiho says. “She’s staying a few rooms down.”

“The sessions aren’t boring,” Mika says. “But it can be pretty crummy being stuck here all day without anyone to talk to.”

“She’s my friend,” Shiho says.

“And Shiho’s mine,” Mika replies. The two girls smile at each other, but it lacks the warmth Ann expects from such a declaration.

“That’s great,” Ann says, surprised to realize she means it. She cannot always be here with Shiho, so knowing her best friend has a friend calms her.

“So, how’s the modeling biz?” Mika asks.

Ann shrugs. “Oh, you know,” she says, glancing at Shiho. How much did Shiho tell her? I can’t imagine she would mention the Phantom Thieves. Shiho meets her gaze and gives a nearly imperceptible shake of her head. “The same, I guess.”

“Then I won’t be back anytime soon,” Mika says, barking a laugh.

“Mika,” Shiho says. “I don’t think-”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mika replies. “I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Ann looks from one girl to the other. “What’d you mean?”

“It’s nothing,” Shiho says. “Nothing, any of us, want to talk about, I’m sure.”

“I mean,” Mika drawls. “I probably should say something. After all, we’re in the same industry, right Ann?”

Ann feels very uncomfortable all of a sudden. She meets Mika’s gaze. “I think what you’re saying will upset Shiho, so I’d like you to stop.”

Mika grins, and Shiho sighs. “Shiho’s not trying to get me to shut up for her sake, Ann. She’s doing it for yours.”

Ann looks back at Shiho, who shrugs.

“What do you think I’m in physical therapy for?” Mika asks.

“I have no idea.”

“Really? Hadn’t you heard? I would’ve thought someone would be talking about it. But I guess I’m old news.”

Ann wants to feel annoyed, but she doesn’t. Instead, all she feels is dread. Ann shakes her head.

“My motor functions got all fucked up when I overdosed on pills, trying to kill myself,” Mika snaps.

Ann says nothing.

“Now, I’ve got to relearn how to walk. All because-” She stops, settles back in her chair, and stays quiet.

“I’m sorry,” Ann replies. “I really am.”

Mika shrugs, deflated. “Thanks.” She looks up at Ann. “Do you know the manager over at Harajuku Gals Modeling Agency?”

Ann shakes her head. “I don’t know him personally. I’ve seen him around shoots before.”

Mika nods. “Stay away from him.”

Ann does not stay for much longer.

#

Morgana stares up at Akira, eyes wide and concerned. “Are you ready for this?”

The two stand in the Shibuya Underground, around the corner from Rafflesia. Akira knows there’s nothing to fear here, but after his last confrontation with Haru, he’s not been looking forward to this. Akira would’ve quit Rafflesia, but between the money he’d required for the computer, plus the funds he’d need to pay for Iwai’s card skimmer, he needed all the income he could acquire.

“I think,” Akira replies.

“Because Haru is probably still really mad at you. And Haru is scary when she’s mad.”

“Yeah, thanks. I remember.”

“I’m just saying. Because if she’s working with Makoto, you must be even more guarded.”

“I got it.”

Morgana nods and retreats into Akira’s bag. “Okay, well, I won’t hold my breath. Good luck.”

“Your pep talks never cease to inspire,” Akira replies.

Silence from the bag.

Given that Iwai confirmed Haru was working with Makoto to trail Akira, it followed that some of her anger towards him was an act. How much was up for debate. It was unlikely Makoto and Haru anticipated that Iwai would disclose their visit to Akira, so he had that going for him. All that remained was to find out what they really knew and find another way to throw them off.

Akira takes a few more deep breaths, shoulders his bag, turns the corner, and marches towards the flower shop.

“Good evening, Akira-kun,” Hanasaki calls as he approaches.

“Hello,” Akira replies, and spies a figure behind a fichus plant stiffen. Then, a pair of violet eyes glare from behind the leaves a moment later.

Akira enters the shop, moves past the register and the display shelves, and enters the backroom.

A few seconds later, Haru enters with a bag of fertilizer in her arms, gazing pointedly at the ceiling, nose upturned.

“Hey, Haru,” Akira says. Morgana’s head pops out of the bag.

Haru sets down her charge, crosses her arms, and turns to regard him. Then, just before her glare can rip the flesh from his bones, she turns to Morgana and says, “Hello, Mona-chan.”

Morgana meows. “Oh yeah, she’s still mad.”

Akira tries on a smile, but it does nothing to faze her.

“Hanasaki-chan wants us to feed the jasmines. I assume you can handle that without me, yes?” Haru turns her back and begins to head back out towards the storefront.

“Haru, come on,” Akira blurts. “I need your help.” Haru hesitates for only a moment. “Can I just talk to you for a second?”

Haru makes a small humph noise but stops walking. “You may speak at me, Kurusu-kun. I will not promise to listen or respond.”

Akira rolls his eyes. “Okay, fine. Look. Things got out of hand with Makoto. I need to talk to her.”

Morgana glares up at him. “What are you doing?” He demands.

Akira pats the air in his direction. Not now, Mona. “I know she’s upset with me. I need you to convince her to talk to me. Please.”

No response.

“This is your plan?” Morgana asks. “How is this helping?”

“Mona-chan seems upset with you, too,” Haru replies.

“Haru, please. I’m begging you.”

Haru turns one eye back on him. “Mako-chan will speak with you when she’s good and ready. And that’s if she deigns to do so.”

Akira tries to squeeze as much pathetic into his voice as he can. “I don’t want her to hate me.”

Haru flinches at that. He sees it, but before he can act on it, she blurts out, “You should’ve thought of that before you brushed her off. Before you got mean. You told her all those nice things, asked her out, and then you just decided to ignore her and act like a jerk? Now you want to speak to her?” Haru shakes her head. “Get bent, Akira.”

Akira is taken aback by Haru’s outburst, but part of him realizes it is not wholly undeserved. “Please,” Akira says. “I have to explain. I have to.”

Haru frowns, and her shoulder slump. She appears tired over her words. Her head tilts forward, and she stares at the ground for a time. “I will speak with Mako-chan, regarding you. It may or may not be on your behalf.”

Akira feels the air rush from his lungs. “Thank you.”

“I will need something in return.”

“Anything,” Akira replies.

Haru turns, a touch of crimson on her cheeks. “I will need an afternoon with Mona-chan.”

Akira and Morgana stare at her. “Huh?” Akira asks.

“Me?” Morgana asks. “What’s she want with me?”

Haru brings the index fingers of both hands together and says, shyly, “I don’t have any pets, but I like looking at cat pictures. I’d like to, um, take some pictures with Mona-chan.”

Akira is about to say, “Deal,” when Morgana hisses, “Conference!”

Akira looks down at the cat and then at Haru, who finally meets his eyes. “I need to confer with him, for a second.”

“Naturally,” Haru replies.

Akira scoops Morgana up and retreats further into the flower shop’s backroom.

He sets the cat down alongside some rhododendrons.

“No. Freakin’. Way,” Morgana says.

“Mona, please. You’d be helping me out.”

“I am not a feline fashion model! I don’t take pictures with cute girls! I’m a human trapped in a cat’s body! I’m a Phantom Thief, for crying out loud! Your whole plan for getting access to the Palace hinges on me!”

Akira kneels and clasps his hands together. “Morgana, please. I need your help. Just do this one thing for me.”

“This is a distraction! How does you talking to Makoto help with anything?”

“If my lies didn’t throw her off, then we need to know what she knows. This could give us an in to figure out-”

“Oh, give me a break!” Morgana hisses. “You just want to start talking to Makoto again! You don’t care about what she does and doesn’t know about the Phantom Thieves. You were happy when Iwai told you she was still looking into you. Don’t shake your head! Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Akira sighs. “Morgana… please.”

“No. Explain it to me, Akira. Explain why we need to do this. How does this benefit the Phantom Thieves?”

Akira doesn’t lie. Morgana spends the majority of his time around Akira, so it’s natural that he understands and notices Akira’s tells. “Okay,” Akira says. “You’re right. I was happy. I am happy that Makoto is still looking into the Phantom Thieves. I believe her, Morgana. I don’t think she means us any harm.”

Akira doesn’t lie. But he doesn’t tell the whole truth either.

“But let’s not forget, Morgana, Makoto’s sister is a public prosecutor. So even if I believe Makoto isn’t against us, that doesn’t mean for sure that she’s not. And, if Makoto does know about us and starts piecing things together, there’s no guarantee she won’t give it to her sister. Or her sister won’t just find out and deduce it all alone. If that happens, we need to know what’s coming. One way or another, Morgana, Makoto, and Haru are loose ends, and we need to know what they know.

“And you are in a perfect position to do that. Haru might let something slip to you. Makoto might join you two, and then she’ll let something slip. It might be small, but it isn’t as if they believe you can convey information to us. You may be human, but you look and sound like a cat. Even if I don’t get to talk to Makoto, you could help us determine what they know.”

Morgana frowns. “I guess that’s a good point.”

“I’d like to reconcile with Makoto someday,” Akira says. “But that isn’t what this is about. It’s about keeping us all safe. Please, Morgana. Let’s do this.”

Morgana rolls his eyes and stays silent for a time. “Fine,” he eventually says. “But I’m not wearing any stupid hats.”

#

Ohya shoves her way into Crossroads, and wonders if she’s forgotten about any shots she took earlier because Akira Kurusu is standing alongside the bar.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Ohya says, as she slides into her usual seat, eyes narrow. “What’re you doing here?”

“I came to see you,” Akira says. He’s smiling at her, but it’s a different kind of smile. A cocky one. One she’s never seen him wear. What’s he got going on that’s so special?

“You just came here hoping that I would show up?” Ohya asks.

“I figured you would. Lala-chan told me you were here most nights, so it wasn’t that crazy of a bet.” Ohya waves down Lala, and Akira leans in closer. “So, I was wondering.”

“Stop the presses.”

“Nice. I was wondering, remember how Madarame has that storage unit?”

“I remember how we suspect he has one but can’t confirm it.”

Akira’s grin grows. “It’s confirmed.”

Ohya stares at him. “How do you know that?” Akira shrugs. “Don’t play that shit with me. I’ve had a rough few days.”

Akira’s face softens. “Okay, okay. Sorry. But look. I’ve got an idea to see what’s inside. I need your help. Are you in?”

Ohya shakes her head and shouts over at Lala, who still hasn’t approached. “Lala-chan. Let me have my usual!”

“Going home alone and waking up with a crushing headache?” Lala-chan asks.

“Oh ha, haa, haaaaaaaaaaaa,” Ohya replies. “Seriously.” And then she looks back at Akira, and she allows just a tinge of respect into her voice when she says, “I was never not in, cuz."