(Ann's Perspective)
Ann leaned against the windowsill of her apartment, fingers lightly tracing the condensation on the glass. Shibuya was quiet tonight. Even with the endless pulse of the city lights, something in the air felt… still.Like the moment right before a storm.
She'd always had a sense for change—call it intuition, or maybe just the years of playing observer while trying not to be noticed herself. But lately, the changes were no longer subtle.
The Phantom Thieves were different.
Makoto had been quiet, unusually introspective. Yusuke had started asking strange questions about the nature of beauty and the soul—as if trying to understand something deeper, more primal. And Ryuji... well, she had changed in a way none of them could ignore. But it wasn't just the transformations or the sudden shift in energy that unnerved Ann.
It was Ren.
There was something in his gaze now. Something deeper, almost electric. When he looked at her, it felt like he saw things—layers of her she hadn't shown anyone.
And worse… when she looked back, she didn't want to look away.
He'd always been calm. Steady. Mysterious in that charming, unreadable way. But lately, there was this pull around him, like gravity had grown stronger. His presence lingered in a room even after he'd left. And Ann found herself reacting before she even realized it—brushing her hair back a little slower, holding his gaze a little longer.
It was stupid.
Or at least… that's what she kept telling herself.
She turned from the window, pulling her knees up to her chest as she settled onto the edge of her bed. Her mind raced, unwelcome thoughts trailing behind every memory she'd tried to dismiss.
The way he'd caught her during that last Palace escape, hand warm on her waist. The way his voice had dropped when he asked if she was okay, like the question meant more than just the moment. The slight smile he gave her, like he already knew the answer.
She hadn't said anything to the others. Not even to Makoto, who had started watching Ren with that same quiet intensity.
But something was changing. In all of them.
They were drifting toward something they didn't understand—together, yet alone in their confusion. And Ann was caught in the current, somewhere between fear and fascination.
Her phone buzzed beside her.A message from Ren.
"You alright? Just checking in. You seemed quiet today."
Ann stared at the screen, a slow, uncertain smile curving her lips.
Yeah. Just thinking. Thanks for checking in.…You doing okay too? You've been different lately. Not in a bad way. Just… different.
She hesitated before sending it.Then tapped the screen.
There was no going back now.
And maybe… just maybe… she didn't want to.