[ Ryuji's comment is flattering, really. Maybe he was trying to be cool back during his year in Shujin (a new life and a failed first impression—why wouldn't he try to exude a better aura?), but a lot of it was just incidental. Perhaps being a nationally known thief off school hours adds a certain swagger to one's step. Making friends with a bunch of older women and an ex-yakuza member probably helped, too.

But Ren's face falls as Ryuji continues. Well, maybe not falls, but it shifts into the neutral default that he typically wears, the one he allows his emotions to shine through more often with Ryuji. ]

I'm not going back on this. I made up my mind.

[ It once again begs the question, though, of why his mind never considered any of their other friends before it hopped right to Ryuji, without even looking back. And now that their qualifications as partners are being brought up… Ren still doesn't feel like he could've made any other choice that than the one he did. ]

Besides… Ann is the worst actress I've ever met. [ He loves her, but… really. ] Makoto would just tell me to handle it properly. [ Plus they already pretended to date once before to get information on her friend's boyfriend. Asking to reprise that would probably give off the wrong impression. ] And Haru would be even more unbelievable. [ They'd love her, but nabbing the heiress of a fast food fortune would be an even harder sell than dating Ryuji.

But most importantly: ] What's wrong with dating you, anyway? You're honest and hard-working. And I've seen how much you do for your mom. You're a good son. Anyone would be lucky to date you, Ryuji.

[ Ren deflates a little after he wraps up the sentence. It's—a lot more than he usually says in one go, but seeing Ryuji put himself down gets him riled up. Why can't he see himself the way Ren sees him? ]