Some clothes! But also…

The red light disappeared as soon as it swallowed him. The café was replaced by the underground shopping mall in Shibuya. Like Leblanc, it was drained of all colour barring black, white, grey and red. Also, no one was around.

It was only now that Ren realise how eerily silent the place was, not even the overhead lights hummed. Fluttering broke the quiet. He glanced over to Pixie. “Not exactly where I expected to end up.”

“What did you expect?” Pixie asked, leaning forward and resting her chin on a hand, like she was laying on top of something.

“The streets of Yongen-jaya.” Ren admitted.

“Better temper your expectations then, who knows where we’ll end up next.” She straightened up in the air. “Speaking of where. What now?”

“I’m getting dressed, that’s what.” Ren answered as he marched to the mall’s clothing store. To his relief, the place was filled with clothes, though all of them were completely red.

He touched a nearby shirt on display. It felt like normal fabric. It’ll do. He took the shirt, then grabbed underpants and trousers before heading to the dressing rooms. He would pick shoes and socks later. Right now, he just wanted to get the basics covered.

“Need some help changing?” Pixie teased. Ren grimaced at her. “Still not in the mood huh?”

“Just stay out here and keep a watch out for shadows.” He ordered.

Before she could begrudgingly nod, a curtain in the dressing room rustled. Ren tensed as Pixie swiftly flew between him and the noise. “Joker, if the enemy is too strong: Run.” Pixie warned. He couldn’t fault her advice. “And you’ll have to lose the sheets to run fast enough.” He looked scornfully at her, but his wang pushed against its bedsheet restraints. “In fact, you should throw it away now. It will boost my morale and distract the enemy.”

“What’s with you?” Ren hissed.

“What’s with you?” Pixie reflected. “That’s the real question.”

A third voice – female and perky – called out from the dressing room. “You’re here already!” The words stunned Ren, not due to any magic, but by who owned the voice. Ann Takamaki poked her head out from behind a dressing room curtain.

“Ann!” Ren yelled. “You got dragged here too!?”

She made a conflicted expression. “Well… it’s a bit complicated.”

His eyes widened and his cheeks dyed themselves red. Did she get sent to this ‘maze’ after… masturbating? He wondered.

As if reading his mind, Ann grew an amused grin. “Oh, I’m not the real Ann.”

Ren blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I’m a cognition.” She revealed in a casual tone.

After a short pause, he refocused. Ren needed answers on what this maze was. If this Ann was actually a cognition, she might be able to provide answers. “Whose cognition?”

“Yours.” She replied, giving him a look as if it was obvious.

“Mine?” Ren muttered. “But… how? I’m a persona user, we can’t have things like Palaces!”

The cognition of Ann shrugged, showing off bare shoulders. “That’s all I know.” The corners of her mouth curled into a cheeky smirk. “That, and what I want.”

“Which is?”

Ann hurled the dressing room curtain aside, showing off the scarlet lingerie she wore: Lace bra and panties, with stockings hooked to a garter belt. A choker was on her neck. She strutted forward in ruby-encrusted high heels, her gait one of utter confidence, swinging her hips with subtle exaggeration.

Ren stepped back, mouth agape. His inflating manhood bulged against his sheet wraps. “Ann, what- what are you…!?”

“Hold up!” Pixie declared, hovering up to Ann until the two were face-to-face. They stared at each other for a solid minute. Finally, Pixie moved aside, smiling at Ren. “Don’t worry. She’s not a threat.” The fairy gestured for Ann to continue her solo catwalk.

Ren was rooted, absorbed by the cognition’s beauty. She stopped within arm’s reach. “I _want _you, Joker.”

“Me?” Ren mumbled through quivering lips.

“Did I stutter?” She giggled.

His eyes scanned her from head to toes and back again, taking rest stops at her cleavage. She’s my cognition of Ann. He pondered. And she wants to have sex with me!? Is that even right?

Her eyes beheld his. “Do you want me?” Ann asked, her tone soft and sincere. “You don’t have to. I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to.”

Ren gulped.