[ Somehow, in spite of everything that had happened throughout the dream so far, the ending takes Yusuke by surprise. In books, and television shows, at this point the hero usually talks the anti-hero down. Perhaps they reach an accord. Maybe they take the hand that's offer to the and begin their long, and difficult road back to redemption.

They don't get shot out of view of those trying to help them, and die alone. Even if death is inevitable, there's more of a production to it. More of a sense of finality. Not just... everything being over.

He understands, why Ren didn't share this story. It's less his, more Akechi's. But still-- living with that knowledge... ]

Eventually, maybe. But when? Days, months, years after you remembered it? How long were you going to shoulder this one alone?

[ He exhales, a little sharply. When he closes his eyes he can still see the scenes imprinted on the back of his eyelids. ]

We went through a lot more than I had initially thought in this other life, didn't we? [ Rescuing him from his corrupt guardian. Makoto and her bike, and that burst of power. Futaba overcoming her demons. It had all seemed dark, and deep, but ultimately positive - rescuing people from themselves. Nothing that involved murder and murderers, and the cold sting of failure on a large scale like this. ]