Work Text:
20XX, April 11th
Without fail, there was always something that irritated Makoto when it came to Ann. Be it her naturally bright blonde hair which glowed in the sunlight like an angel’s halo, or her infectious cheery facade when in public, one which subdued to frustration and annoyance in private, or even the rumors that followed Ann around like mold on cheese. The former two were more excusable, but the latter was valid for the Student Council President to worry about. After all, it was Makoto’s responsibility to assure that the students at Shujin Academy lived an honest and forward life.
As Student Council President, students either revered or hated Makoto, but she found herself used to it by now. Anytime she would lament in doubt, her Sis’ words would echo in her ears: Push for your own success no matter what it takes; because no one will be there to do it for you. As cold as those words made the world sound, it was those very words that would push Makoto forward. Sae Niijima had lost everything when she was on the brink of adulthood, and made a life for herself in spite of it. Everything Makoto was setting up for herself was for her own success too. That’s the resolve Makoto held as she strode down the path already paved.
Still, it was always hard to brush off rumors, in part when they’re about yourself, and especially if they’re a little bit true. If there was one thing that Makoto knew of the student body, it was that they loved to gossip. Whether it be the girl from the Newspaper club on the second floor of Shujin, or the second year Mishima who researched rumors online and spread them across the school, it seemed no one was safe. In truth, Makoto had more in common with Ann Takamaki than she’d like to admit, but she had been thankful the substance of her own rumors were far paler in comparison.
While always cordial, Makoto knew what the students said behind her back. They would say she was a brownnoser. They said, no matter the severity, that she would heed any request Principal Kobayakawa would lobby— and to that point, was it a problem if she would? If Sae's lessons were anything to go by, using any avenue for success was critical to survival. Besides, Principal Kobayakawa was a Principal at the renowned Shujin Academy. If there was anyone she could trust, it had to be him.
So that is why the rumors about Ann Takamaki irritated Makoto so much. There Ann was, flaunting herself with a High School teacher, all the while her best friend just so happened to be a starter on Shujin’s renowned volleyball team. Was it a coincidence? Maybe. But Makoto figured otherwise. While Makoto could relate to the grind for success, what Ann was doing for Shiho had been scandalous at best.
That brought her to the present, where she stood across the subject of her frustrations. Ann was someone who got everything handed to her because of her looks. Someone who wouldn’t have to work a hard day in her life if she ever chose it. It frustrated Makoto to no end, but just as her hand coiled into a daring fist, she could feel her old, beat up Buchimaru-kun pencil case threatening to rip in her hand, and she calmed down instantly. Instead, she kept her composure as she leveled an even smile toward Ann Takamaki.
“Niijima-Senpai, what are you doing here? This is the second year’s homeroom.” Ann said dismissively. Of course, Makoto thought, figuring that her newfound position as Student Council President had already slipped Ann’s mind. Not that she anticipated Ann of all people to remember.
Makoto forced the smile to remain as she didn’t let her calm slip. Instead, Makoto did her best to don a mask of companionship, as would be expected from both an upperclassmen and Student Council President. “If you may recall, I was elected to be Student Council President at the end of the last semester. It’s my duty to ensure all the Second Years are welcomed to the start of their new school year. That includes you too, Takamaki-San.” Makoto said cordially, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
It seemed the stare off didn’t last for long, as Ms. Kawakami walked over, her attention fully focused on the blonde. “Takamaki-san, stop bothering Niijima-san and sit down. Class is about to start.” Kawakami ordered. That statement alone seemed to make Ann blush, turning her head down as she pushed past Makoto.
There it was, the strange phenomenon that Makoto had witnessed before. While being the center of gossip and attention, in situations like this, Ann always tried to make herself smaller. It was almost as if she didn’t seek attention.
That idea was preposterous. Given that Ann was an upcoming model, dating the High School superstar volleyball coach, and was envied by almost every girl in school, Makoto doubted Ann hated the attention. So, to watch Ann lower her head onto her desk, making herself as small as possible, almost as if she were trying to shrink away from the world, irritated Makoto to absolutely no end.
“Niijima-san if you would start your speech? I don’t have much time with the students today, and I know this isn’t the only class you’re visiting.” Kawakami criticized, and now it was Makoto’s turn to blush. She found herself so hyper focused on Ann that she lost sight of her goal. Just another reason to find herself irritated at Ann Takamaki.
“Right then.” Makoto reorientated herself, refusing to look toward the right side of the room, lest her concentration slip into frustration once more. With a deep breath, Makoto’s eyes glazed across the homeroom class before her, doing her best to impress an air of authority. “My name is Makoto Niijima, and as you may know, I am your Student Council President. It is my duty to make sure your year happens as smoothly as possible— so please, feel free to rely on me. Together we can raise this prestigious academy to even greater heights.”
20XX, May 7th
It was Makoto’s duty to ensure the safety and happiness of the student body— or at least, that was the task she placed onto herself. But once the truth behind Mr. Kamoshida’s actions came to light, Makoto felt strange.
After all, even though there had been rumors floating around about Mr. Kamoshida, Makoto never thought to take them seriously. This was an Olympic gold medalist, the star, and alumni of Shujin Academy they were talking about. Prior to his confession, the thought of even broaching the subject with Principal Kobayakawa seemed completely impossible. But more than anything, this had been a heinous and terrifying event taking place right under her nose. How many students fell victim to his cruel practices of abuse without her even knowing? Why couldn’t she see it before it was too late? On the surface, Mr. Kamoshida seemed like an upstanding teacher, a role model even. But now? It felt like Makoto’s entire world had been flipped on its head, and suddenly she wasn’t sure who she could trust.
Still, that didn’t mean Makoto didn’t have doubts. Maybe it was Principal Kobayakawa’s words influencing her thoughts, but It was doubtful to be an unprovoked confession. Given the drastic change in his personality, and the calling card from these so-called Phantom Thieves, it seemed coincidence was too unlikely to side with. It was for that reason Makoto believed that these Phantom Thieves existed, and the only thing she needed to do now was to prove it. After all, if it was a coerced confession, that left room for blackmail and manipulation, which could render Kamoshida’s confession invalid.
Even if it was coerced, Makoto didn’t think Mr. Kamoshida’s confession would be too drastically different from the truth. It was easy to judge given the bruises and signs of abuse that the volleyball team had, and that’s without even factoring in Suzui’s attempted suicide. Regardless, it wasn’t about proving if Mr. Kamoshida was unjustly arrested, it was about finding the truth of the circumstances leading to his confession. To that end, Makoto would not rest until she uncovered the truth.
As for who the Phantom Thieves are, there was reason to believe that the culprits were among the student population. There was no proof, but Makoto had three suspects in mind. Ren Amamiya, Ryuji Sakamoto, and finally, Ann Takamaki. The motley crew had been seen traveling to the school rooftop on more than one occasion, and if rumors were to be believed, Ren and Ryuji were slated to be expelled by Mr. Kamoshida himself. If her suspicions were correct, that would give them reason enough to brainwash, hypnotize, or do whatever to Mr. Kamoshida to get him off their backs. That would mean Mr. Kamoshida’s confession was made under duress and could be partially, if not completely, fraudulent.
Then there was Ann Takamaki. When Kamoshida came to the school to confess his sins, it was Ann who stood tall and told him to face justice. It was Ann who told him to surrender himself to the authorities, to live the rest of his life with his guilt. While the rumors before the scandal painted Ann as an opportunist student dating a teacher, now it painted her as a victim. Someone who was blackmailed into having sexual relations with Kamoshida. If that were the case, then Mr. Kamoshida was truly a vile scumbag, but it would further give Ann cause to take him down.
So, that is what brought Makoto to the rooftop. She had to get down to the bottom of this Phantom Thief business, and there was no better way to do it than to confront her most likely suspects head on.
As the door to the rooftop creaked, dying sunlight poured through the opening, temporarily blinding Makoto as she emerged from the building. It had been just as she anticipated; Makoto saw Ren, Ryuji, and Ann sitting at a mismatched grouping of desks near one of the corners of the gated rooftop. They looked alarmed, guilty even as soon as the door opened. Makoto knew she had no better opportunity to catch them off guard. If she was going to strike, now was the time.
“This place is off-limits, you know.” Makoto said with an air of authority. While her eyes bounced between the three students, they eventually fell to Ann Takamaki, whose poker-face completely failed her in the moment.
“...We’ll get outta here once we’re done chattin’. Anyways, what’s Miss Council President want with us?” Ryuji asked nonchalantly. Given his track record, the rude and defensive way Ryuji spoke should have come as no surprise, but his lack of respect to authority still shocked Makoto wordless. Makoto’s eyes fell to him, and while a known troublemaker and a bit of a dunce, she didn't imagine him a complete idiot.
Makoto pondered how easily it’d be to get him to break and reveal the truth. In fact, Makoto considered that he’d be the most stubborn out of the group, especially if he was acting as its leading voice. Makoto figured it’d probably be easier to get the information she needed if she prodded the entire group, so she refocused her attention back to the trio before her.
“The troublemaker, the center of gossip, and the infamous transfer student. Hmm, an interesting combination.” Makoto said, her eyes falling to each and every one of them. That’s when Makoto knew she hit a nerve. It almost appeared as if a lightning bolt passed through Ann, as she sat straight up from the accusation, her dazzling blue eyes narrowing suspiciously toward Makoto. It looked like Ann wanted to say a million things at once, frustration overwhelming her expression.
“Great way to start a conversation…” Ann finally said under her breath, diverting her eyes from Makoto once more. Makoto, for her part, knew she couldn’t let up. This was her chance, she just had to dig a little deeper.
“By the way… It seems as though you got to know Mr. Kamoshida pretty well.” Makoto said, staring straight at Ann. A part of her hated doing this if the ill-fated rumors were true. Especially if Ann specifically had been one of Kamoshida’s primary victims. But another part of her couldn’t help but latch onto her previous assumptions, couldn’t help but wonder if Ann just used Kamoshida, and when she was done with him threw him off to the side. Makoto wondered why she felt so frustrated whenever she looked at Ann. She wondered why she could feel her anger boil when she saw her dazzling blue eyes which shimmered from tears of frustration. Or the way she sighed in defeat from her poor grades as if there was nothing she could do about it. Or maybe it was how Ann always treated the aftermath in such a carefree manner, as if she didn’t have a future to worry about.
Without even trying, Ann pissed Makoto off.
“Not really.” Makoto heard from the unassuming transfer student, breaking Makoto out of her reverie. It was at the point she noticed she had been all too fixated on Ann, and in an attempt to overcorrect her found error, Makoto nearly snapped her neck from the speed in which she turned to Ren. The transfer student was also a hard read for Makoto, whose long bangs, and glasses, which reflected the setting sun, caused almost all details of his face to be erased.
“Yeah, y’know he’s only been here a month or so.” Ryuji reasoned. While Ren’s words were genuinely disarming, Ryuji’s attempt at a casual retort caused Makoto’s uncertainty to rise once more. After all, if the rumors were to be believed, both Ren and Ryuji were going to be expelled by Kamoshida’s recommendation. Makoto couldn’t imagine what Ren could have done in a month to get on Kamoshida’s bad side, but she was sure those rumors didn’t form out of thin air.
“Hm… I heard Mr. Kamoshida used a volleyball team member to spread details of your past record. Don’t you hate him? Mr. Kamoshida, I mean.” Makoto asked, prodding Ren once more..
“What’s all this about? My friend here’s an upstanding guy.” Ryuji defended in frustration. Finally, Makoto knew she was getting somewhere. While Ryuji was known as a troublemaker, something about his sentence made Makoto recoil. After all, if the rumors were to be believed, then everyone was acting in self-defense. Could she really blame them for that? If a confession were coerced in an illegal or unbecoming manner, did that truly mean they were in the wrong? Maybe it was time to move on from Kamoshida and get to the heart of the subject she was actually interested in.
“I don’t mean to offend. Many students have been shaken up by what happened with Mr. Kamoshida. The rumors about that odd, calling card-esque posting aren’t going away either.” Makoto said.
“I didn’t expect someone like you would care about that tactless stuff, Niijima-senpai.” Ann said, her name spoken with vitriolic venom. Makoto couldn’t help but smirk in response, almost as if the subject of her frustrations directly challenged her. Makoto wanted to respond, to one up Ann Takamaki, but she held her tongue. Makoto knew she couldn’t be the one to slip, to show any sense of fealty or lowliness to her opponents. After all, she was Student Council President, she did have an image to uphold.
“I dunno if it was tactless…” Ryuji muttered under his breath. “Anyways, we done here? We can’t leave if you keep talkin’ to us.” Regardless of the fact that Makoto wanted more, she decided it was probably best she not push it. Part of her felt slimy, as if she were sent on this wild goose chase just to preserve Shujin’s image, rather than protect the Student Body. After all, Makoto was being sent on an impossible mission to hunt down Phantom Thieves, all the while the person who was truly harming students was Mr. Kamoshida. She didn’t want to admit it, but the tiniest bit of doubt crept into her mind, and she pondered, if even for a moment, why Principal Kobayakawa was more worried about the Phantom Thieves rather than Mr. Kamoshida, who openly admitted to harassing and harming students.
“At least try to understand my position. Being forced to deal with this horseplay…” Makoto slipped, venting from pent-up frustration.
This, however, seemed to tick Ann off. Her scowl deepened ten-fold; a fiery rage encased in her blue eyes as she shot Makoto the fiercest look Makoto could imagine. “Horseplay!?” Ann spoke bitterly— and for once Makoto felt bad. She hadn’t intended to use that word toward this group of students at all. For their part, they were far more forthcoming than Makoto had anticipated. Still, this whole Phantom Thieves business was far more stressful than she had initially signed up for, and Makoto knew she had a long road ahead of her before it was finished.
The question crept back into her mind. Why was Makoto investigating the Phantom Thieves? Why was this matter Principal Kobayakawa’s primary concern? Why did this trio stick out like a sore thumb, and why did no one else suspect them? Why did they even entertain this banter and pretend like they shouldn’t be the primary suspects? It all made absolutely no sense to Makoto, and yet it was Ann whose words frustrated her the most.
Makoto regained her composure, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she forced herself to reset. She couldn’t lose her cool, not now. Makoto wanted to keep tracking these three, but if they kept meeting at the school rooftop, then they were likely to continue their actions as Phantom Thieves uninhibited and hidden. Makoto needed to see a continued causation outside of this event, and to do so she needed to see them off campus. At the very least if they conducted their meetings elsewhere, they likely wouldn’t target anyone else on campus.
Besides, there would be other opportunities to hunt down the Phantom Thieves, but even this small chat proved useful. With a steady breath, Makoto said “Ah yes, by the way… it’s been decided that this will be closed off due to the incident. I heard some people are coming up here without permission, after all.” Makoto said, letting her eyes linger on Ann for a little too long, before turning to leave. “I’m sorry to have interrupted you.”
As Makoto made her way down the stairwell, she knew in her mind that those three were the main suspects. They fit all too perfectly. While their methods still evaded her, Makoto knew it was only a matter of time before they slipped up, and when they did, she’d be the one to catch them in the act.
20XX, May 9th
Sae had been going to work earlier and earlier, not that Makoto was surprised given the increase in the mental shutdown incidents. Maybe selfish, but Makoto did miss riding the subway together. It was one of the rare opportunities they had to spend time with one another, and yet, it was just another thing that the world decided to take away from her.
Regardless, it was when she arrived at the platform for Shujin did Makoto notice them. No matter where she was, Ann stood out in a crowd, which was almost counteracted by how much Ren blended in. In truth, Makoto found it interesting that the two of them were together so early in the morning. After all, Ren had just transferred less than a month ago, why was he so close to Ann Takamaki already? It didn’t make much sense to Makoto, but she knew there had to be something there.
“Morning… Uhh…” Ann droned off, unable to finish any sort of coherent thought— and this was a side of her that Makoto didn’t often hear. It felt… disarming, almost human. Makoto didn’t mean to eavesdrop, honest, but it was almost too tantalizing of an opportunity to gain some intel on her targets. So, Makoto did her best to blend with the surrounding crowd, keeping an ear out on her targets.
“You have allergies?” Ren asked, which was a harmless enough question by itself. Makoto did see on the news that allergy season was making its mark today, and for those affected to be wary— and while Makoto typically didn’t get allergies, even she had a bit of the sniffles when stepping outside this morning.
“... Allergies? Oh, uh, maybe! I do feel kind of dazed and everything feels weird! But… um… actually… I’ve been having this feeling that someone’s watching me. I hope not…” Ann said, her voice still sounding strangely down. While it was true that Makoto was keeping an open eye on them, she doubted it was her. They’ve been on high alert ever since Makoto busted them on the rooftop, so it had to be someone else. Or so she hoped. “Oh! Maybe I just can’t shake off the feeling of infiltrating a Palace! At the Palace, we’re always cautious of not being noticed, you know! So it has to be my imagination… Yeah.” Ann shrugged.
A… Palace? What was Ann talking about? Was she speaking in code, trying to deliver Ren a message only he would understand? It would prove credence to the theory they were Phantom Thieves if they had to be on alert in this so called Palace when doing… whatever it was that they did. Still, the use of Palace without any context both intrigued, and frustrated Makoto to no end.
As much as Makoto could mull over the word Palace and its meaning in that context for days, her attention was cut short. In an unexpected move, Ann grabbed onto Ren’s arm, and they made their way through the crowd, heading toward the school. Suddenly Makoto found herself unexplainably flustered, replaying the moment of contact in her mind over and over again. Makoto felt flabbergasted at her own naivety, almost as if she had never considered the possibility that Ann and Ren were an item. Sure, rumors went around that Ann was easy to date, but after everything that happened with Mr. Kamoshida, Makoto would have figured that she’d try to lay low and recuperate.
The only question that floated Makoto’s mind was if Ann and Ren were dating. Could that create another point of contention with Kamoshida? Did Kamoshida grow frustrated with Ann, thinking or knowing she cheated on him, and threatened to expel Ren? Would that be enough to give them probable cause? Makoto was unsure, but she wanted to investigate further.
Makoto pushed through the crowd leaving the station, making her way toward the school. Part of her wanted to spy Ren and Ann once more, logically to see if there was anything else new she could discern, and emotionally because she wanted to sate this feeling of frustration from their point of contact. But no matter how much she pushed forward, it seemed the duo was truly long out of sight.
With a sigh Makoto regained her bearings. She knew she couldn’t over obsess on the Phantom Thieves incident. She did have the perfect image that encompassed a Student Council President to uphold. With a deep breath she walked forward, calmly this time, as she made her way to Shujin Academy’s entrance.
20XX, May 10th
Once again, Makoto left the house by herself. By the time she woke up, Sae had already been off to work. Makoto knew it wasn’t Sae’s fault, but with no one home for the large majority of the time, and the pressure that Principal Kobayakawa was placing on her, Makoto was starting to feel lonelier than ever.
Makoto’s mind drew itself to the previous day, and the conflicted feeling she held as Ann latched onto Ren’s arm. After everything she had seen, she thought that the trio had simply been a group of friends, but was Ann actually dating Ren? Makoto didn’t know why, but that didn’t sit well with her. In fact, just thinking about it made her heart rage.
She wasn’t jealous, not in the slightest. After all, even if Ann was the perfect girl to get jealous over, (What? Makoto had no shame in admitting that there were valid reasons to get jealous. Ann looked so effortlessly perfect, and she had a facade of a perfect friendly personality. Anyone would be jealous over someone who had the perfect circumstances in life) she knew for certain she couldn’t be jealous that Ann was dating Ren. …Right? The kid transferred just a month ago, and rumors aside, Makoto knew almost nothing about him.
Surely this couldn’t be jealousy. It just made no sense.
Then, Makoto saw him. The man whose relation confounded Makoto. Normally thoughts of the Phantom Thieves overtook her mind when she looked at him, but now all she could think about was Ann, and that was another point in the frustration column when it came to Ann Takamaki.
Seeing that no one was with him, Makoto decided this was her chance to put down these dastardly confounded feelings once and for all. So, Makoto approached Ren with an even stride, wearing a cordial smile as always. “It looks like you’re attending school seriously.” Makoto said as she closed the distance, catching Ren’s attention. It was always hard to read his expression given his large glasses and his shaggy hair which dipped just over his eyes, but even through all that she could tell he was surprised. Memories of the prior day played in Makoto’s head, and as much as she wanted to reign in her bitter feelings, she couldn’t help but let them slip through. “You also seem pretty close with Takamaki-san if you’re both coming to school together. You just transferred here though… I guess you two really click.” Makoto accused.
“We’re in the same class.” Ren shrugged, as if ignoring Makoto’s snide comment. But the thought of Ann latching onto Ren remained as strong as ever, and that unbridled frustration wouldn’t leave. From their limited interactions, Makoto knew that Ren wasn’t the vocal type, and she doubted he’d give her much more of a response. She wasn’t one to admit defeat in most situations, but for this one, her unjustified jealousy would have to sit on the side lines.
“I see. You seemed a lot closer than that yesterday morning. I heard she was a victim of Mr. Kamoshida, but was that all there was to it…? Either way, closer inspection should clear everything up… Goodbye.” Makoto didn’t care that it outed the fact she was watching them, she just wanted to know the truth. Maybe there was more to the story between the two of them, or maybe there wasn’t. In either case, Makoto knew her heart wouldn’t settle until she got to the bottom of it all.
20XX, June 5th
Plastered all over the news had been Ichiryusai Madarame’s confession, a tearful confession of plagiarism, whose crying visage painted the airways more than any of his stolen artwork had in the last few years. The strange factor of it all had been the sudden turn of his confession, especially as the big art exhibit was about to close. To paint matters in a worse light, it seemed almost entirely like what happened with Mr. Kamoshida. Not only did Ichiryusai Madarame suddenly confess out of thin air, but he also received a calling card from none other than the Phantom Thieves. While some may write it off as coincidental or an opportunist trying to get their name out there, Makoto figured differently. This was definitely the work of a group of individuals who strove to change people's hearts, and somehow found a method to do so.
That reminded her as to why she was in Shibuya in the first place. On the days where Makoto could track them, she often found Ren and Ann spending time in the underground mall, or going to cafés across Shibuya. Even if they didn’t show it at school, these afternoon dates proved, more than anything, that they were dating one another. Still, even with this revelation, Makoto had no additional proof that they were Phantom Thieves. Even so, Makoto hoped that her conflicted feelings would have faded over the last month; but they only grew stronger, which seemed juxtaposed to her mission.
On other days, the trio would meet on Shibuya’s overpass, where they, as a group, would leave to somewhere unknown. Any attempts Makoto made to follow them resulted in failure, as they always managed to slip away by the time Makoto got close. With that said, most recently, they’ve added a new member to their group: Yusuke Kitagawa. From what Makoto knows, he was a disciple of Madarame’s, which if true, meant they had a connection to the newest criminal who had a change of heart. This seemed too convenient to be a coincidence, and only hammered the point further: these students were the Phantom Thieves.
But Makoto needed more than just conjecture or assumptions, she needed proof. Despite all the circumstantial evidence, that’s all it was: circumstantial. Unless she had something substantial she’d never have anything to show for it.
20XX, June 11th
Makoto sat back with her phone out, ready to record at a moment's notice. She hated stooping to tactics such as these, but given Principal Kobayakawa’s recent demands she knew she had to produce results.
Truth be told, Makoto wasn’t so worried about the Phantom Thieves anymore. No, now it was all on this shady business going on with the students in Shibuya. Hearing rumors that gangs were targeting students at Shujin was a terrifying thought, and certainly not something she could solve by herself. But if she had the help of the Phantom Thieves on her side, then maybe, just maybe, they’d be able to stop this crime ring.
“Let’s see him do it, then!” Ryuji yelled, and that was the signal for Makoto to start recording. Something had Ryuji enraged, and for whatever it was, Makoto was glad she stumbled upon them when she did. However, what she wasn’t prepared for were the words “we wouldn’t be doin’ stuff as the Phantom Thieves to start with!” coming straight from his mouth. If she had heard this a month ago she would have run straight to Principal Kobayakawa with the news— but now she stood still. Frozen. Unsure of what to do with this newfound confirmation.
Makoto was ready to toss out the declaration entirely, finding it almost laughable how easy Ryuji made it. A month of sneaking around and he just… says it out loud. No matter what way they could spin it, it was undeniable that Ryuji called themselves the Phantom Thieves. It almost felt too good to be true. Although the more she thought about, Makoto wasn’t surprised, not even the slightest. It was the only lead that made sense. In fact, she was more surprised no one else figured it out yet.
Then, Makoto’s heart skipped as a flash of blonde hair turned the corner. Makoto didn’t see her coming, but for what it was worth, it appeared Ann didn’t notice her either. Something seemed to be on Ann’s mind, a look of frustration plastered on her face as she practically stomped into the recreational area with a death grip on her cup of jagariko. Makoto found herself grateful for her sudden breathlessness, both to conceal herself from the unexpected passerbyer, and anything to combat just how loud her heart was pounding in her chest. Makoto figured her unexpected reaction was based on almost getting caught. Yeah, that had to be it. She wanted to reveal the card up her sleeve when she was ready, showing herself prematurely could prove disastrous. That's all this was.
“You’re being way too loud.” Ann complained as she mumbled with a mouth full of food. If Ryuji's earlier ramblings hadn't put the final nail in the coffin, this certainly did the trick. If Ryuji had been playing a bit or joking, then Ann wouldn’t have chastised him for his audacity. Little did they know, they had already been caught red-handed, and Makoto had just been waiting for the perfect time to strike.
“Who cares? Everybody’s talkin’ about this stuff anyways. It’d just be more suspicious if we were whisperin’.” Ryuji reasoned defensively. While Makoto couldn’t help but agree, seeing a group of students whispering would certainly raise suspicions, it didn’t excuse the fact he loudly proclaimed they were part of a criminal organization for everyone to hear.
Makoto was about to step out and reveal herself when she heard Ryuji start to speak up once more. “We can’t let the cops scare us outta bein’ Phantom Thieves.” He loudly proclaimed. Again. He just said it out loud… again. Makoto was in disbelief it took her this long to gain solid proof, let alone that she had this all on a recording, but it was the absolute best leverage she could amass right now.
Then, Ann said something that confounded Makoto. Something about Madarame’s… Palace? Palace again? Makoto had heard her use the terminology before but decided it was just some code word. Although, given how loudly Ryuji proclaimed they were Phantom Thieves, Makoto figured that the use of code words wasn’t extraordinarily likely. What was a Palace? How did it relate to Ichiryusai Madarame, and did they manipulate this so-called Palace to get him to confess? In any case, it established a clear connection between Madarame and the Thieves, and proved that they were directly involved in his change of heart. With unbounded confidence, Makoto took her courage and stepped forward, taking a photo of the trio.
“You three seem to be having so much fun. I’m a little jealous.” Makoto said with a knowing smile. For their part, while the trio looked alarmed, it didn’t seem to occur to them that she could have overheard their talk about being Phantom Thieves. In any case, it was still a card she held up her sleeve for when the time was right.
“Are you snoopin’ on us again?” Ryuji asked. “We said before, we don’t know nothin’.”
“Why do you think I’m here to question you? Could it be that you’re hiding something? My ears are always open to the troubles of my peers, you know.” Makoto said, hoping they would understand her dropped hint. After all, it would be bad if someone else overheard their conversation, as that would mean Makoto would lose any semblance of leverage over the Thieves.
“You’re really that hungry for a good letter of recommendation? Of course you are.” Ann spoke bitterly. “Nobody would take on your annoying job if they weren’t.” This statement confounded Makoto, mostly because it came completely unprompted. But of course, Ann Takamaki couldn’t relate to someone who had to work hard for everything in their life. While Ann was handed everything due to her beauty, Makoto had to strive in order to find success, and she wouldn’t be deterred from Ann’s petty comments.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Makoto asked.
Ann stepped forward, almost too close, before she said “...You’re student council president, right? Wouldn’t you have known about Kamoshida?” Ann asked accusingly. If Makoto didn’t know any better, she would have thought Ann was accusing her of covering up the scandal before it reached the masses. Which— wait, is that what was on Ann’s mind? This whole time Makoto had a certain image of Ann, but hearing that made her reconsider things, if even slightly.
“Of course not! He honestly was a good teacher until that day—”
“Oh, but you always take the teacher’s side. That’s what a good council president does, right?” Ann asked facetiously. Makoto knew it better than to take Ann’s question at face value— after all, it was her job to assure the safety and happiness of the student body. It was true she heeded the requests of the faculty, because they were the adults and they typically knew best, but that didn’t mean she’d use students as steppingstones for her path to success.
This time it was Makoto’s turn to step forward. She wasn’t going to be intimidated by Ann. She wasn’t going to allow this to flip on its head. Makoto could feel her frustrations burn forward, and as much as she knew Ann didn’t deserve it, she was going to say it all the same. “Then… how about you? What did you do for your friend? You were much closer to her than I was, so how did you help?”
For a moment, Makoto felt a pang of guilt as the question rang out in the dead air between them. She could see real pain register on Ann’s face, and for a moment she wondered if she crossed a line she shouldn’t have.
“There wasn’t any way to help! By myself… I couldn’t do anything for her!” Despite the anger, Makoto could also recognize guilt riddled on Ann’s face. While Makoto accused her of doing nothing to help, it was clear Ann blamed herself just as much. Makoto did her best to reign in her feelings of frustration, deciding it best to try and dissolve the situation. She took a calming breath and closed her eyes, shaking off the remaining of her rising emotions.
“There’s no need to shout.” Makoto said. To Ann’s credit, despite the hurt that registered on her face, her posture deflated, any pent-up aggression dissipating in the moment. Good, Makoto thought.
“If those Phantom Thieves are out there helpin’ people… I’d root for ‘em, no questions asked.” Ryuji interrupts in defense of himself and his comrades. “They’ve gotta be more dependable than some people I know.”
And he was right. As student council president, Makoto should have known what Kamoshida was doing. She should have been there to support her fellow students. Ryuji’s words struck her heart in a way she didn’t know was possible, and Makoto could only feel her resolve fading in response. With nothing else to say, Makoto weakly spoke “... Just make sure you show up to your classes, all right?” before slipping away once more.
Makoto now had evidence that the group of friends had been the Phantom Thieves, but now all she felt was horror. Horror that she isn’t the dependable, reliable person she made herself out to be. She had been telling herself for the past month that life would be back on track if she found proof of the Phantom Thieves, but now she wondered if that was right. She thought Kamoshida was good, but look how that turned out. She had placed so much faith in those in power, but now…
“If only I could…” Makoto whispered to herself before slinking back to the practice building.
20XX, June 13th
Lunchtime
Makoto felt hesitation fill her every step as she approached the teacher’s office. First it was Principal Kobayakawa who pushed her into this corner, demanding answers about the Phantom Thieves (mind, a task even the police couldn’t handle). Then it was Sae, who told her to throw away all unnecessary thoughts and focus on her studies. Finally, it had been Goro Akechi, who had called her the good-girl type of pushover. Makoto knew she was in over her head, but so many people had these expectations on her, and it felt like her perfectly pieced-together world was starting to crumble.
That is why Makoto’s fist hovered just in front of the door for the teacher’s office, finding hesitation fueling her heart with every second that passed by. But Makoto knew that there was no point in stalling, and so she wrapped her knuckles against the door twice before entering. “Ms. Kawakami, please excuse the interruption,” Makoto said as she entered the room. Kawakami lifted her head away from the papers— it looked like she was grading on her lunch break— a look of confusion taking hold of her expression.
“Niijima-san, what brings you here?” Kawakami asked.
“I had been informed that one of your students lost an item on campus, and since we haven’t found anything, I’ll need them to fill out some paperwork.” Makoto reasoned, hoping her lie wouldn’t be easily seen through.
For what it was worth, Makoto thought herself lucky that she was dealing with Ms. Kawakami. Kawakami was the sort of teacher who seemed distant, as if her mind was always preoccupied with something else. It didn’t feel cruel toward the students, but at the end of the day it seemed Kawakami felt simply disinterested. For Makoto’s purposes, this would work perfectly.
“Is that so? Who will you need?” Kawakami asked.
Makoto’s first instinct was to ask for Ren. Given the profiling of the Phantom Thieves, he was likely their leader and the brains of the operation. Despite the rumors, he also seemed fairly calm and wouldn’t be prone to lashing out under pressure. By all accounts Ren should be the obvious pick to send to the student council office.
But something about Sae’s words from dinner the other night made her hesitate on that choice. If Makoto had figured things out correctly, then the only members of the Phantom Thieves had been Ren Amamiya, Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, with potentially the newly added Yusuke Kitagawa. Out of all of them, the only ones in Kawakami’s homeroom were Ren and Ann, and as much as she hated to admit it, it proved difficult to get Ann off her mind. Just another way Ann managed to infuriate Makoto. The safest bet would definitely be to choose Ren, but now something was tugging at her heart, insisting to ask for the blonde instead.
“It was Takamaki-san. If you could send her to the Student Council Office after class I would deeply appreciate that.” Makoto said with an appreciative smile, all the while internally combusting at her own request.
“Oh… sure. I could imagine that Takamaki-san is the type to misplace something. I hope it turns out alright,” Kawakami said, sounding almost more disinterested than when the conversation first started. But as Makoto started to make her way to the door, Sae’s words from the other night echoed in her ears, and she couldn’t stop herself before she started speaking.
“My sister said to me recently that moving up in the world is difficult as a woman. I… would imagine that is the truth, but as a figure of authority, what do you think, Ms. Kawakami?” Makoto asked.
Now this seemed to interest Kawakami more than anything, her eyes flickering up to Makoto for the first time since entering the teacher’s office. “I wouldn’t call myself a figure of authority. Truth be told, I’m hammered with requests from all sides, including from you, Niijima-san. Although I imagine your sister is correct in her initial assumption.” Kawakami said.
“I… I see. Thank you, Ms. Kawakami. Please excuse my interruption.” Makoto said with a short bow before slipping out of the teacher’s office.
20XX, June 13th
Afterschool
Her final class of the day seemed to slip by in an uncharacteristic daze, where Makoto simply toyed with her Buchimaru-kun pencil until the class was dismissed. The whole while she was thinking of her eventual meeting with Ann Takamaki, mixing with her sister's words, joining together in a messy conglomerate Makoto couldn’t navigate.
Ann was different from other girls. Her existence was a common reminder of that, one that gave Makoto too many headaches to count. Ann was a girl that Makoto was sure wouldn’t have to fight the same fight others would in Japan, and yet, there was something somber and sad about her. Something about Ann seemed fractured, something that her perfect looks and perfect personality couldn’t fix. It baffled Makoto, but it was decidedly not long until she would have to confront her.
Truth be told, while Makoto waited in the student council office, she was a little scared that Ann wouldn’t show up at all. Ann wasn’t like Ren, who managed to hold his temper and think through situations logically. Ann had a friendly persona, but it was well known she could be easily irritable given the right conditions. Makoto wouldn’t have been surprised if Ann saw right through Makoto’s ploy and decided not to show up.
Makoto’s heart jolted to life as soon as the door opened. To her joy, Makoto’s eyes first fell to the beautiful blonde hair whose pigtails bounced with every small step— that was until she caught the visage of an annoyed and perturbed Ann, standing defiantly in the doorway. While anticipation had been welling inside of Makoto, confused thoughts started prying into her mind, most chiefly that of wondering why she chose Ann over Ren in the first place.
“You’re earlier than expected. Please, have a seat.” Makoto said cordially. Ann closed the door behind herself, making her way through the room cautiously. It appeared as if Ann was using a controlled rage, careful that her fiery steps wouldn’t set the room ablaze. In any case, Makoto felt as prepared as possible to face off against the subject of her frustrations.
“No need, I won’t be here for more than a minute. What do you want?” Ann asked, her arms crossing in front of her chest. Despite standing, Ann appeared closed off, angry, and annoyed— most probably the worst combination if Makoto were looking to strike a deal with the Phantom Thieves.
Makoto sighed, wondering if her hopes for a thoughtful discussion was perhaps a road too far. “I’ll get straight to the point then. Mr. Kamoshida and Madarame. Won’t you tell me the truth behind the Phantom Thieves’ incidents?” Makoto asked. In truth, Makoto was curious about the terminology of Palaces, but that would be tipping her hand way too early; and besides, she just needed Ann’s cooperation. This yakuza business was more of a threat to the student body than the Phantom Thieves were at the moment.
As soon as the words left Makoto’s lips, she could see Ann tense up. Normally Ann had Ren or Ryuji to fall back on, so her terrible poker face had something to hide behind. But here? Now? She was alone, and there was certainly nowhere for her to hide.
“What are you— you know what, I don’t have to sit and listen to these accusations. I’m leaving.” Ann said, eagerly turning toward the door.
“Wait—” Makoto interrupted, halting Ann in her tracks. “I never imagined you would actually admit to such a thing. Have a listen.” Makoto said, pressing the play button on the recorded video. As the audio played, Ann’s body visibly straightened, and Makoto was fairly sure she wasn’t even breathing. Even as the recording finished, Ann’s composure didn’t change. Makoto wasn’t sure what was racing through Ann’s mind, but figured this would cut straight to the point.
“Both you and Sakamoto-san admitted to being Phantom Thieves, but even so, I can’t discern your methods. Is it blackmail? Hypnosis? What is a Palace? How do you corner someone into making them confess? Won’t you tell me how you did it?” Makoto asked, taking another step closer between herself and the visibly shaken Ann.
“I… I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Ann muttered, almost as if she were trying to regain her sense of reality more than actually rebutting Makoto’s claim. Even so, Makoto knew she drove Ann into a corner, it would just take a little more and then she’d have the Phantom Thieves right where she wanted.
“Are you sure? Do you need me to play the recording again? I’m sure the police would be very interested to have something like this in their hands.” Makoto said. Ann tried to speak, but whatever response she had prepared fell silent, her mouth opening and closing like a gaping fish. Makoto decided it best to ease her concerns, placing her phone back down on the table. “I know this may come as a shock to you, but I don’t mind leaving this secret as long as you tell me the truth. You’ll tell me the truth, won’t you?”
Ann bit her lip in pure frustration, her body shivering despite the warm summer humidity. If Makoto didn’t know any better, she would have assumed that Ann was shutting down, almost as if she never expected to be backed into a corner like this. Yet, despite all this, Ann’s resolve didn’t break. Even if it was hanging on a final string, Makoto could tell Ann was holding onto her rebellious will as if it was the last thing on earth.
“You… never had to face hardship, have you, Niijima-senpai?” Ann asked bitterly. Deflection it was, then.
“Excuse me?”
“Ms. Brownnose student council president will bend over backward for whatever the faculty ask— that’s what they say about you, you know! And for what? A letter of recommendation? But I guess that’s the only way to make your way in this world, by sacrificing everyone else while making a pawn of yourself.” Ann spoke with such venom that it made Makoto shudder in response. Makoto wasn’t sure where this unfounded confidence and frustration was coming from, but Makoto had more than enough to match.
“Are you calling me an opportunist? I thought you of all people wouldn’t stoop that low, Takamaki-san. Especially not after your incidents involving Suzui-san and Mr. Kamoshida.” Makoto said. She knew she probably shouldn’t have, but Makoto knew mentioning Shiho Suzui seemed to have an adverse reaction on Ann, and if that had to be her edge, then so be it.
“Keep Shiho’s name out of your mouth!” Ann yelled, taking a step forward herself, closing the already dismal distance between the two of them. A few days ago, it seemed Ann deflated when Suzui was brought up, but now there was a wave of fiery anger that no amount of water could quell. While Makoto didn’t mind confrontation, this was on a whole other level— unless it was someone who authoritatively was above her, she didn’t get challenged all too often. This was different. Ann was different. Frustratingly so.
“Suzui-san was at the center of the Kamoshida scandal. I’d find it difficult to not speak of her.” Makoto said, if nothing more than to see Ann’s anger boil over.
“You are the most frustrating person I have ever met; you know that!” Ann yelled, not backing down.
“Oh, I’m the frustrating one?” Makoto scoffed. She knew in her heart that she should back off, that she should reframe the conversation to get Ann and the Phantom Thieves to work alongside herself, but she couldn’t. She refused to back down. “I work hard every day to keep up my grades, to make good impressions on those around me, because I know my chances of failure are far higher than my chances of success. I have to be perfect in order to find success in life, and anything less is a disappointment. What about you? You’re a model and your family are well off. You have it all. You don’t have to worry about grades, or finding the perfect person to marry, and you don’t even have to worry about your future career! You can have everything handed to you on a silver platter!”
Makoto felt herself breathless, watching as her words washed over Ann like a waterfall. But instead of dousing the flames, it only caused them to burn bright. Ann stepped forward, and in a surprising action, Ann gripped Makoto by the collar of her shirt, bringing their faces impossible close.
“You have no idea what goes on in my life! You’re making all these assumptions that aren’t even true! That’s what’s frustrating! You think you’re right all the time, you place unfounded trust in the authority above you all to make your life as good as possible. And yet, those same authority figures turn a blind eye when it comes to suicide and sexual harassment. You’re just being used and you’re okay with it. I actually feel sorry for you.” Ann said coldly, and the worst part was that Makoto felt no exaggeration in the blonde’s words.
A dredge of silence developed between them, only unmatched by the short distance between their faces. Makoto could feel Ann’s breath bound off her lips, and she hated every second of it. Makoto’s heart hammered in her chest, and she wanted to do nothing more than to push the girl away. To get as far away before her heart decided it was time to break free from her ribcage.
PI. PI. PI
The noise cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter, jarring Makoto back to reality. Her heart still pounded heavily in her chest, never feeling so grateful that a phone call could interrupt her conversation. Even as the phone rang from Ann’s bag it seemed she wasn’t being deterred, seemingly refusing to place any distance between herself and Makoto. Makoto wasn't sure if she wanted the distance to widen or close, but knew that this stalemate needed to end. Makoto cleared her throat, hoping to gain shake Ann from her anger-filled reverie.
“Go ahead, you can answer the call,” Makoto said.
A slight blush of embarrassment washed over Ann’s face as she realized their situation before she quickly let go of Makoto’s shirt. Ann quickly scrambled to pull her phone out from her bag. “Took you long enough, where are you? You’re usually the first one here!” Ryuji said loudly over the phone speaker.
“Ryuji, now is not—”
“Well, in case you forgot, we’re meeting up at the usual spot for our Phantom Thieves meeting! See ya soon!” Ryuji proudly announced before hanging up the phone. Not that Makoto needed it, but that was the final nail in the coffin, and any confidene Ann had beforehand was completely shattered.
“... that idiot.” Ann grumbled, putting her phone away.
“As loud as always, but it’s what I already thought.” Makoto said with a sense of relief. Despite the rising tensions from earlier, Makoto felt a calm wash over her. Maybe she’d be able to utilize the Phantom Thieves after all.
“So, what now? Are you going to keep this to yourself, or report to those adults you worship so much?” Ann asked bitterly.
“I know I’m just being used.” Makoto said with a soft sigh of admittance. “That’s why I want you to take me to your friends. I want to see with my own very eyes the justice you speak of.” Makoto said. It felt wrong to say this, like she was betraying the trust of every person that placed their faith in her. But at the end of the day, what else was she supposed to do? Ann, for her part, looked shocked more than anything from this declaration, but seemed almost too frazzled to give a decent reply. “You’ll take me to your friends, won’t you? And don’t try to steer me the wrong way either, I know you gather in the Shibuya Overpass.” Makoto said.
Ann bit her lip, but Makoto already knew her answer. Ann really had no choice in the matter, after all.
“... Fine. Let’s go.” Ann said, and Makoto knew that one way or another, her life was about to change in a big way.
20XX, June 19th
Makoto thought that finding the Phantom Thieves would have made her relax in some way, almost as if a pressure would have been lifted from her shoulders. But it seemed to be the complete opposite. Despite getting a name, the Phantom Thieves were no closer to tracking down Kaneshiro, Principal Kobayakawa had threatened Makoto with losing her position if she didn’t produce results, and if they didn’t act fast, then actual harm could befall the student body.
“You seem like you have a lot on your mind.” Sae said flatly as she ate dinner. Makoto could barely taste the food— it felt bland. Normally she tried to make it as delicious as possible given how hard Sae worked (it was the least she deserved), but being so distracted cost her the quality she usually strove for. That seemed to be all too common for her life for the past month.
“Oh… it’s just that exams are coming up soon.” Makoto lied, pushing her chopsticks uselessly against the grains of rice on her plate. Sae raised an eyebrow at that complaint, bringing a napkin up to wipe her lips.
“Is that so? Exams don’t start for another month, and I’ve never seen you stress about passing before. You’re always the top of your class.” Sae said. And while it was true Makoto always strove to be the top of the class, it wasn’t that she didn’t stress about it; she just never showed signs of it.
“This is my final year at Shujin, after all. It’s only natural to feel the pressure mount as more time passes…” Makoto said softly.
“It’s that pressure that will get you far in life.” Sae replied coldly, taking to her chopsticks once more.
“You’re right…” Makoto said, full of uncertainty. Part of Makoto wanted to confide in what was truly troubling her, but she knew it was fruitless. After all, if she revealed all she knew, then Sae would likely swoop into Shujin Academy and arrest Ren, Ryuji, and Ann on the spot. Kaneshiro would get away scot-free, and the student body would be at even higher risk.
“What’s gotten into you? That call from the school the other day worried me, but now this? Has something changed in your life? Are you dating?” Sae asked accusingly. Makoto’s eyes went wide, wondering where this sort of logic was coming from.
“What? No— it’s nothing like that.” Makoto stumbled with her words. This was something the two of them never truly had a conversation about. Sae had been single for all of her adult life, too focused on properly raising Makoto and building a successful career to care about much else. That philosophy was passed down to Makoto, and while a small part in her heart yearned to break free, she knew that would be impossible.
“Good. You don’t need any distractions like that. Getting good grades is all that matters.” Sae said plainly before going back to eat. Then that was that. If Sae had it her way, any unnecessary things like emotions would be neatly filed away, the only thing remaining being the ambition to rise to a challenge, and the drive for success. It had brought Makoto this far— but Makoto could feel something within her changing, and she wondered if it was only a matter of time before it broke.
“Sis… may I ask you something?” Makoto asked. Makoto could see Sae’s face twitch irritably in response, but she nodded in assent, so Makoto felt content to proceed. “I know you’re focused on your career, and that’s extremely admirable, but now that you’ve asked me… have you ever given any thought of dating? I would hate to see you hyper focus on work to the point of sacrificing your own happiness.” Makoto said.
Makoto knew she was stepping on thin ice. Ever since their father’s death, Sae became more and more detached, focusing solely on her work as a means to an end. Where genuine passion and joy used to be found in Sae’s strive for justice, all that remained now is the envious pursuit for success, an unrestless bound of dedication that wouldn’t waver even at the cost of her own happiness.
“What a pointless question. Maybe when I’ve reached my goals I can think about settling down and dating, but for the time being I don't have time to think about something so frivolous.” Sae said sharply. If looks could cut, her eyes would seer Makoto in half, and Makoto could feel every inch of her sharpened stare.
“I… I see.” Makoto replied softly. “In any case, I’ve been thinking lately… About the Phantom Thieves, I mean.” Makoto said, feeling like she needed to clarify given the prior context. “If dad were still alive…Sorry, I… I shouldn’t bring this up while we’re eating.” Makoto apologized softly. Any confidence she had was shot given their prior conversation.
“It’s okay. Keep going.” Sae said. For the first time in quite a while Makoto heard something that wasn’t chiding from Sae’s mouth. It surprised her so much she almost apologized again, before realizing that she was actually given permission to continue her line of questioning. Sae’s demeanor was a puzzle in which Makoto couldn’t fully comprehend, at any point not knowing if she’d get her kind older sister, or the jaded and distant guardian. Regardless, given the positive affirmation, Makoto felt brave enough to ask the question which burned her mind.
“I just wonder if he would’ve been on their side… That’s all…” Makoto pondered.
“Dating, and now this?” Sae said bitterly, slamming her chopsticks down on the table. The large clacking noise made Makoto wince, and she had difficulty keeping eye contact with her sister. Makoto understood why some people said it could be unnerving when they made eye contact with her, because she had the exact same feeling when looking into her sister’s eyes. Despite the fiery red hue, Sae’s stare was as cold as ice.
“The only reason you have time to think about that is because you depend on someone else.”
“No, that’s not—”
“You don’t have to do a single thing, and you’re provided with food, clothes, a home… I’ve had no time to think about such ridiculous thoughts. Would dad have been happy with them? I don’t care. He died upholding some lofty sense of righteousness, leaving all his responsibilities on us.” Sae yelled in an unexpected fit of frustration. Makoto wanted to shrink away and hide, to avoid seeing her sister's untethered anger for another second. But instead, she sat glued to her chair, trying to think of anything to diffuse the situation.
“A-All I was trying to say was—”
“Isn’t it about time you grew up and acknowledged our situation!? Right now, you’re useless to me. All you do is eat away at my life.”
Makoto thought she heard the sound of glass breaking, but no— it was just the sound of her own shattered heart. When her father died, it felt like a void had taken the spot of her heart, something that could never be refilled. But this? Her heart felt like it shattered into a million pieces, and no matter which way she tried to piece it back together she’d cut herself all the same.
“Sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m just… really tired.” Sae said remorsefully. Makoto dared to glance up, seeing guilt riddle Sae’s face, but there was something that remained unsaid. Makoto didn’t trust her words, but she needed to say something, anything, even in defiance of the pain which ached her heart. After a moment, Sae pushed the plate away and stood up, her gaze falling away from Makoto in shame. “...I’ll be eating dinner out from tomorrow on.” Instead of finishing her meal, Sae took her plate and brought it to the sink, placing her leftovers in a small container.
Not another word was spoken between the two of them for the remainder of the night. Any plans to study for class or to research Kaneshiro were thrown out the window. Makoto instead clutched her pillow as she curled up on her bed, doing her best to keep the tears from slipping down her cheeks.
20XX, June 20th
Afterschool
Makoto felt broken as she made her way to the Shibuya Accessway. At every turn she felt like she was betraying people's expectations: Principal Kobayakawa, Goro Akechi, and now her own sister. Even after how much the Phantom Thieves despised her, it felt like the only place she could turn to now.
And just her luck, the Phantom Thieves were gathered. If there was one thing Makoto could take relief in, is that this group of teens were predictable.
Makoto approached the group, overhearing how they wanted to get in contact with Kaneshiro. Makoto wondered why they’d need to do such a thing, especially when their methods were so incredibly shady to begin with. How did they manage to change a person’s heart? What was a Palace? And most importantly, were their reasons for doing so just? Those questions swam continuously in her head as she joined the group.
“What do you want?” Ann asked dismissively. There it was, Ann’s standoffish nature in full blast. But Makoto wasn’t here to start an argument, and in fact, that was the very last thing she wanted to do. Her normal competitive nature felt fractured, and all she wanted to do was prove her worth. To prove that she could be something to someone. To anyone.
“Nothing in particular. I just saw you all together here.” Makoto said honestly.
“That so?” Ryuji asked with suspicion. It wasn’t any surprise they didn’t trust her; truth be told, Makoto had done very little to earn their trust. For the last month and a half, she had been snooping in their affairs, and now she had blackmailed them, plotting to rat them out if they didn’t comply with her request. By all means, it was no wonder they looked at her with such disdain. That didn’t make the hurt pale in comparison, however.
“You seem to be having quite a bit of trouble.” Makoto said. She wasn’t sure what possessed her to say that. Maybe it was her own frustrations with nothing going well in her own life, being a little happy that she wasn’t the only one stuck. Makoto hoped that she wasn’t that selfish, but in this moment, she wasn’t sure what was true.
“So you’re here to check up on us?” Ann asked. “You may be the student council president, but when it comes to what we do, you’re useless.” Ann said bitterly.
“To be frank, yes.” Yusuke added.
“Just stay on your high horse and watch. Or do you wanna eavesdrop, since you’re so good at it?” Ann said bitterly once more. If Makoto’s heart wasn’t already a shattered mess, she figured this would have done the trick. She knew the Phantom Thieves didn’t particularly like her, but to be looked down upon after everything felt demoralizing. Everything she had worked so hard for in life was going to be snuffed out, all because she was powerless to help the students she had sworn to protect.
A surge of faux confidence rose in Makoto. While it could have made sense to be deterred due to all the doubt thrown her way, Makoto wasn’t one to give up. It was like Sae always said, you have to strive for your own success in a world that sets you up to fail. Taking all the hurt in her heart, she balled it up and stringed together the only plan she thought possible. Makoto looked Ann in the eye, more determination in her heart than there had any right to be, her normal slight smile returning to her lips. “So you wish to get in contact with Kaneshiro. That is what you were just discussing, weren’t you? It seemed you just needed to find out where he is.”
“That’s the only way.” Ren chimed in. If that was all they needed to do, then so be it.
“Fine. I’ll help you meet Kaneshiro.” Makoto declared, racing off to make that internal request a reality. She didn’t care how absolutely dangerous or stupid this request was, she was going to prove them all wrong. Principal Kobayakawa, Goro Akechi, Sis, and now, Ann Takamaki.
After this, no one would doubt her again.
20XX, June 20th
Bank of Gluttony
Makoto had attempted to make sense of everything that transpired, and while she felt like she did an excellent job of staying sane, attempting to flee from the so-called Palace when alter-dimensional beings chased you was not something Makoto thought would happen to her today.
They were almost out scot-free as well, with the bank’s entrance getting closer and closer with every stride. They held steady for their unplanned escape until, more shadows appeared by the exit, stopping their escape route. Makoto could feel a helpless dread swarm her, feeling powerless to do anything once more.
“There’s no end to them!” Ann complained. It certainly didn’t help that the Phantom Thieves appeared to be at their wits end, and unlike herself, they had good reason to be. Special powers, shadows, Personas, it all made Makoto’s mind run numb, but none of it mattered now that they were cornered by hulking shadows, just waiting for the order to strike.
"You seem to be in quite a pickle…” A slimy distorted voice spoke from behind them. It was enough to shock Makoto back to her senses. She pivoted on her heel to see the visage of a man who appeared somewhat like Kaneshiro. He was of similar build, but this Kaneshiro had violet skin, greasy hair that extended into a mullet, and topped off with a thin mustache. If Makoto understood how this worked, this wasn’t the real Kaneshiro, but how he viewed himself. That somehow made this all the worse.
“How dare you sneak around, Kaneshiro!” Morgana yelled.
“Those would be my words. However, I do thank you for providing me with such wonderful goods… It’s time you disappear.” And with a clap of his hands, even more shadows appeared. The dread in Makoto’s heart multiplied as she turned to look at the remaining Phantom Thieves for any help— but they looked just as helpless as she did.
Was this… it?
“Managing a bank is tough as it is. So it’s my policy to kill clients who are more trouble than they’re worth. Having one impertinent brat disappear is enough to set an example in that other world.”
“Please stop!” Makoto asked in desperation, hoping for the one percent chance he’d take her words seriously. The way how his face contorted made Makoto think for a foolish second that maybe, just maybe, he was considering her words. But then a small snide chuckle parted his lips, and his objectifying gaze lathered Makoto in his sights.
“Oh, I wouldn’t damage an asset like you. The others are dead men walking, but you’ll be just fine.” Kaneshiro said. Given his tone, Makoto almost wished she’d be lumped in with the other Phantom Thieves, dreading what sort of life this shadow Kaneshiro had envisioned for her. “Your sister is quite a beauty though. I’ll make sure to make her my personal slave. Once I get bored, I’ll just sell her off. Oh, poor Sis… She could’ve been successful, if only her younger sister wasn’t so dumb.” Kaneshiro said with hateful disdain.
So dumb… You’re useless… Good–girl type of pushover… All you do is eat away at my life… These words bounced around in Makoto's mind like an echo chamber, all weighing on her shoulders as just another example of her failures. Makoto had been unable to protect the students from Kamoshida, she hadn’t been able to discern the Phantom Thieves’ true justice from their acts, and now she couldn’t protect anyone from Kaneshiro’s gluttony for profit. Makoto's heart pounded with a nuclear rage like nothing she had ever felt. Everything started going white for her as her anger and frustration pooled together in a searing disdain for the man before her.
“My sister has nothing to do with this!” Makoto yelled as the fiery rage burned her veins. She knew it was pointless to fight, but if there was one thing she was, it was tenacious. Makoto refused to yield, especially when claims like that were leveled against her own sister.
“Then you better start taking customers tomorrow. All you gotta do is endure it and do as you’re told.” Kaneshiro mocked. Makoto's fist tightened, thinking about a life of endentruched servitude. Not only substance trading, but forced prostitution? Were there no depths that this man would seek?
“Endure it… do as I’m told…” Makoto growled, the furnace of her anger illuminating brighter with each and every word.
“You’ll earn three million yen in no time. Although, your life and everything along with it will be a complete wreck by then!” Kaneshiro proclaimed with a wicked cackle. Makoto had it— she was the good-girl type of pushover no longer. Her fist tightened into a death grip as she glared at her opposition.
“I’ve been listening to you go on and on… Shut your damn mouth, you money-grubbing asshole!” Makoto yelled, her vision going white with rage.
Have you decided to treat the path of strife? A calming angelic voice whispered in her ear. Makoto felt strange, as if a piece of her heart had just opened up, finding itself finally free from the confines of its own jail.
“Yes… Come to me!” Makoto ordered the disembodied voice. Then, just as her rage hit its peak, a sharp pain passed through her mind. It started small, but then grew, and pulsed angrily throughout her skull. Makoto could only whimper as she gripped her forehead, hoping for some, any kind of reprieve.
Very well. Let us proceed with our contract at once. I am thou, thou art I… You have finally found your own justice… The calming angelic voice spoke. Despite the searing pain which reverberated in her head, Makoto found something that calmed her. Almost on instinct, Makoto gripped at her forehead, and like peeling an unhealed scab, she ripped the foreign intrusion off her head. As hot blood poured down her face, Makoto felt relief like none other, the pain finally waning away.
Her body suddenly felt energized as her feet no longer touched the ground. Underneath her she could feel the purr of an engine, the revving sounding all too close to a motorcycle. The weight of her clothes felt different, and they stuck close to her skin. Makoto’s gloved hands gripped around the handlebars as she found sudden clarity.
Please… Never lose sight of it again… This memorable day marks your graduation from your false self. The voice pattered away, and finally; Makoto knew what her purpose was. But more importantly, who she was. With unbridled confidence, Makoto revved her Persona, her heart swelling to the hum of the engine.
“I can feel it… My “self”... Me! Gun it!” Makoto yelled, and as she opened the throttle, her Persona raced forward toward the shadows which stood in her way. Makoto made a sharp turned, causing the back wheel to knock the shadows off their feet.
“Wow, nice!” Ann complimented, her voice cutting through the intensity of the moment. Makoto glanced over to the Phantom Thieves, but specifically Panther, and gave a confident nod. They could overcome this; she knew they could.
Despite looking shaken, Kaneshiro quickly reclaimed his deameanor, barking more orders to the recently summonded shadows. “You better earn your keep, or else I’ll kill you!” Kaneshiro announced. It didn’t take long for the other Phantom Thieves to run next to Makoto's side, providing her additional backup. But given the power that coursed through her veins, Makoto knew she couldn’t be stopped. They’d be taking down these shadows even if it were the last thing she did.
“I will never lose heart again, ever. I will go full speed, nonstop! Right, Johanna!?” Makoto yelled. She didn’t know what possessed her, but looking at the enemies in front of her she felt a power swell inside of her. Makoto revved her Persona as she yelled “Mafrei!”, a blast of blue nuclear energy htting all three shadows. The two on the edge were hit, but the one in the center looked like it got hit hard, as it fell down to the ground.
“Let me get the next hit in!” Ann requested. Makoto barely glanced over to Ann, giving her a nod before Ann acted. “Maragion!” Ann yelled, as pillars of fire rose beneath the standing shadows. In their fiery wake, flames continued to lick at their red skin causing them to whither in pain.
“I can handle those two!” Morgana yelled, “Garula!” And one by one, the two red shadows were knocked down as well. Ren, in his long black coat, stepped forward with model gun in hand. “All right, let’s get ready for an All-Out Attack!” Ren announced. Makoto wasn’t sure what it entailed, but she followed the others lead, jumping in with the charging Phantom Thieves as they used their physical might to beat down on the knocked-out shadows.
As soon as they pulled away the shadows were eliminated, and the immediate threat vanquished. But Makoto had her eyes set on someone else. Kaneshiro. “Don’t get all cocky just because I normally behave myself! I am DONE playing nice! Let’s go!” Makoto yelled. Before she could race off, she felt her Persona resist her order. She looked over to the others and saw, especially after that fight, just how drained they all were.
“We know how to get in now. Our objective’s been accomplished!” Morgana declared. And as much as Makoto hated to admit it, he was right. They knew how to break into Kaneshiro’s Palace, the rest would have to wait for later.
“But how are we getting out?” Ann asked. Astute question, but Makoto wasn’t going to wait for an answer. She’d just have to make one of her own. “There’s only one exit, right?” Makoto said. “I’m going on ahead, so follow me!”
Makoto revved Johanna once more as she swiveled the motorcycle-Persona, directing its full energy toward the large bank entrance. The doors fully blasted off its hinges as she drove through, the pathway down to Shibuya still full erected. Makoto, with much more fervor than she anticipated, raced down the slope at speeds she would have found terrifying in the real world.
As soon as she hit the bottom everything became a blur. Her Persona faded, and soon enough she found herself back in the real world, with the Phantom Thieves crowding around her.
Makoto finally took stock of her surroundings. Somehow the others managed to get her up to the Shibuya accessway, but the exhaustion that consumed her body was far worse than she had ever anticipated. If she weren’t in public she could swear she’d fall asleep at a moment's notice. Her consciousness was waning to the point she barely recognized that Ryuji had started speaking, which was saying something considering it had been Ryuji out of all people. “Man, talk about wild…” Ryuji said softly. “That was no aikido—that was some hardcore ass whoopin’!” If Makoto were feeling better, she would have taken pride in his compliments, but at the time being all she wanted to do was sleep.
“I am SO not pissing her off… I feel like she’ll rip off my arm.” Ann muttered.
“She does exude that aura…” Yusuke replied.
“...Oh, stop it! This is the most exhausted I’ve ever gotten these past few years…” Makoto complained. It was one thing to be praising her abilities, but a whole other to make a joke of them. “But… it felt pretty great. I never thought I’d become part of the Phantom Thieves I was after. Sis might faint if she found out.” Makoto chuckled as the realization dawned on her.
“You mentioned her earlier.” Yusuke said. While Makoto was absolutely exhausted, she knew she couldn’t let that keep her down. As a new member of the Phantom Thieves, she couldn’t disappoint them. Not after everyone else she had disappointed. It wouldn’t be right.
“She’s a prosecutor for the district— and she’s investigating the Phantom Thieves.” Makoto explained. After she spoke it seemed everyone became on guard, the Phantom Thieves’ exhausted demeanors shooting up straight as cardboard.
“Wait, ain’t that bad!?” Ryuji exclaimed.
“No need to worry. A normal investigation would never lead them to a world like that. Then again, it must’ve been fate for this to happen…” Makoto pondered.
“What do you mean?” Ann asked. There was so much to unpack with a question like that, but Makoto had to keep her mind on this track. A part of her realized that something like this could have happened, she did question what her dad’s loyalty would have been, after all.
“I can’t be like my sister. I had a feeling that there’d come a time when we wouldn’t see eye to eye anymore. I’m thankful to have a sister who works so hard, but… there are times I feel sorry for her too. And after hearing my Persona’s voice, I clearly understand how I feel now.” Makoto admitted.
“It appears you’re not as reserved as you make yourself seem.” Yusuke said.
“I was just doing whatever the adults told me to.” Makoto said, glancing over to Ann. For her part, Ann looked a little guilty, knowing it was her own words Makoto was repeating. But it was the truth; Makoto had lost sight of what she wanted in life— now, she found that will once more, and she’d never let it go again.
20XX, June 21st
Makoto expected many things for when she woke up in the morning. An email from Principal Kobayakawa to up the pressure on finding the Phantom Thieves, check. A sticky note left on the fridge by Sae giving a list of groceries to buy from the store, check. But a text message from Ann? That was out of left field. Not only that, Ann asked if they could meet in the student council office room during lunch— just a week ago tensions were running high between the two of them in that very room, but given the circumstances of the previous day, could things actually be changing for the better?
Makoto thought it stupid to be distracted by such trivial thoughts when a yakuza boss was hounding her, but there was something relieving about being a Phantom Thief. Despite being under Kaneshiro’s thumb, Makoto felt freer than she had in years. Of course, she worried about hitting Kaneshiro’s deadline, but given the Phantom Thieves track record, Makoto figured she was in good hands.
So no, Kaneshiro was not who she was worried about this morning. Her mind kept trailing back to Ann’s text, something which she almost forgot she needed to reply to. After rereading the text three times over to assure she understood it correctly, Makoto quickly typed “See you then” and tried her best to go about her day.
Class didn’t go any better. Makoto couldn’t get her mind off of Ann and her unexpected text message. Thinking of Ann only led her mind on a wild goose chase, reliving the Phantom Thieves’ infiltration into Kaneshiro’s Palace, and the showy nature of all their costumes. Despite how absolutely exhausted Makoto had felt after leaving the Palace, she couldn’t get Ann’s striking outfit out of her mind. It fit her fiery personality to a tee, and out of all of them, Makoto admittedly had a tough time tearing her eyes away from it.
Before Makoto knew it, she was drawing Ann’s Panther mask on the margins of her notepad. Makoto instinctively blushed and pushed the notepad away, staring straight towards the front of the room, hoping staring at the chalkboard would give her mind some much-needed reprieve.
Makoto wasn’t sure why her mind hyper focused on Ann; truth be told, there were aspects of all the Phantom Thieves she appreciated. She liked Ren’s thoughtful and careful mindset to any situation he was placed in, she liked Ryuji’s honesty, she appreciated the out-of-the-box style perspective Yusuke shared, and she was grateful for Morgana’s veteranship — being the guiding light for the Phantom Thieves.
But Ann? Ann confounded her. For so long Makoto had found herself annoyed by the blonde, but now she felt something else. She felt… envy. Those jealous feelings from seeing Ann latched onto Ren reemerged all over again, and Makoto couldn’t make heads or tails about it. While she appreciated Ren, she didn’t have a crush on him or anything, so why did she feel so… confused? Why did seeing Ann with Ren make her feel this way?
Needless to say, focusing on class was a complete bust. But on the bright side, thinking of Ann made the time go by fast. As soon as class was over, Makoto gathered her belongings and raced to the student council office like there was no tomorrow.
Just as Makoto turned the corner, she almost ran headfirst into the girl she was going to meet. In Ann’s hands had been a premade bento box, and Makoto would have never forgiven herself if she were the cause for it spilling.
“Oh, just who I was looking for. The door was locked so I—”
“Sorry, I was late getting out of my class. Let me unlock the door.” Makoto interrupted, finding it hard to maintain eye contact with those beautiful blue eyes. Makoto fiddled with the lock before getting the door unlatched, stepping aside to let Ann in first. “Take a seat. I promise today will not be as tense as it was last week.” Makoto assured.
Ann did as she was told, but in stark contrast to the previous week, she had a skip in her step as she made her way to the table, actually sitting down this time. “I’m sorry for asking you here like this.”
“Oh, no, it isn’t a problem… I actually find it refreshing to be asked to the student council room.” Makoto said, hoping she wasn’t blushing, lest she admit that this was what she was looking forward to all day long. “Although, it’s somewhat nerve-racking as well.” Makoto admitted.
“...I think I’m a bit nervous myself.” Ann admitted, and how could she not be given their prior meeting? Even though Ann had only been seated for a brief time, she immediately stood up, giving Makoto a deep bow. “Anyway, um… I wanted to apologize. I’m… really sorry for everything.”
“What do you mean…?” Makoto asked, unsure of where this came from. It made Makoto feel… flustered. Unsure of herself. She had been so used to hating Ann Takamaki that this sort of treatment felt unnatural. It almost made Makoto beg for their old dynamic, as at least she knew how to navigate that one.
“You know how I blamed you for Kamoshida’s sexual harassment? Well, I wanted to apologize for that… I’ve honestly been meaning to this whole time.” Ann admitted remorsefully. Then it clicked— Ann was feeling guilty. Makoto knew they both said things of which they weren’t exactly proud. Maybe it was her turn to apologize…
“Takamaki-san…”
“I realized later that Shiho was calling out for me… and I wasn’t there to help her… I didn’t want to admit my own guilt… so I took it out on you, Niijima-senpai. I’m… very sorry.” Ann apologized again. Makoto didn’t know how to take the apology. She didn’t want to demean or belittle it by immediately apologizing afterward, but she couldn’t accept it outright without the guilt in her own heart growing. With a deep breath, Makoto decided to try and navigate this as well as she could.
“...Hey, there is no need for that. In fact, I think the two of us are pretty similar.” Makoto admitted sheepishly.
“Huh…?”
“I was unable to save anyone. Not Suzui-san, and not any of Kaneshiro’s victims. I kept telling myself I wasn’t at fault because I was simply following orders… But that was all a lie. It felt like I would be admitting my own worthlessness had I not shifted the blame off of myself. Fear of that worthlessness was probably why I acted so harshly toward you and your friends …I’m deeply sorry as well.” Makoto finally apologized. While she knew the feeling of guilt had built up, she was surprised by how much she was willing to share, but something about Ann disarmed her. She felt… comfortable, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“I see… In that case, wanna call it even?” Ann asked, a question Makoto never thought she’d hear.
“Even…?” Makoto chuckled. “You’re right… How about we leave this conversation in the past?” It was probably the only way to get past what they said without an endless apology or another argument. This had probably been for the best.
“Mm-hm! Oh, but… one more thing. You’re not worthless, Niijima-senpai. You were a bit reckless, but you’re the reason we found a way into Kaneshiro’s Palace. And you even obtained the power to change people’s hearts. You did that all by yourself, Niijima-senpai.” Ann said, and if Makoto wasn’t seeing things, she could see a faint blush decorating Ann’s cheeks. It was cute.
Makoto couldn’t help but laugh to herself as the unfamiliar wave of comfortability washed over her. “That way of thinking is very much like you, Takamaki-san. When you confronted me about Suzui-san, I realized how dishonest and small I was. You’re always very direct… That’s what helped me finally realize the error of my ways. It turns out I’m a little slow on the uptake at times.” Makoto admitted. She took one more look at Ann and found herself startled by how much she appreciated just having a friendly conversation with a girl her age. Maybe it disarmed her more than usual, but she figured she should see if Ann was just as comfortable. “Hey… can I call you Ann?”
Ann looked surprised at first, her blush only deepening. “Um, yeah! I… I’m going to do the same, M-M-Makoto… rgh, that’s so embarrassing!” Ann muttered.
“How about we get something to eat before we go home for the night?” Makoto said before even realizing what she offered. Her eyes darted to Ann’s bento box, and now full of embarrassment, Makoto added “Unless you think you’ll be too full in a couple of hours. You can ignore my request if you want.” Makoto backtracked.
“Ooh no worries! I know a place! There’s a crêpe shop at Central Street that totally stuffs their crêpes!” Ann offered. Of course, Makoto knew about it. She had spied Ann and Ren getting many crêpes over their adventures the past month, but she figured that was their main date spot. It felt weird to be offered to go to the same location as Ann’s presumed boyfriend, but Makoto wasn’t about to look a gift-horse in the mouth.
“Do you want to split one?” Makoto asked.
“Mmmm, let’s each get a whole one and then we can go half and half on those!” Ann replied, and while that sounded like a lot of sweets for herself, Makoto couldn’t find it in her heart to turn Ann down.
“Yes, let’s! After school today, right? But don’t mind me, you should get started on your lunch.” Makoto said.
“Oh, right. Thanks Ma-Makoto!” Ann stumbled, before opening her bento box and pulling out a pair of chopsticks. Makoto could swear she heard her grumble “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to calling her that” under her breath, but Makoto didn’t dare interrupt.
Just as Makoto's thoughts roamed endlessly during class, Makoto felt she could study Ann for ages and never full decipher what it was that made her feel so… confused. But even if she spent all of eternity studying Ann, Makoto knew she’d enjoy every minute of it.
Before Ann was about to take the first bite, she glanced back up at Makoto with curious eyes. “Did you not bring a lunch?” Ann asked, interrupting Makoto’s thoughts.
“Ah, no. I had a big breakfast, and my appetite has been pretty sour this past month. I’ll be fine waiting until after school.” Makoto excused. Ann’s gaze narrowed, if even slightly, but this seemed like a battle she wasn’t committed to fighting. Instead, Ann simply replied with “If you say so,” before digging into her food once more. Meanwhile, Makoto couldn’t help but watch, wondering if someone like Yusuke would find it as beautiful to observe Ann eat as she did.
“In the Palace yesterday, you mentioned you learned Aikido?” Ann asked, mouth full of food. The question caught Makoto off guard, but she was more than happy to fill the dead space.
“Oh, yes. I’ve really only been taught the basics, but my father insisted that my sister and I be able to defend ourselves.” Makoto explained.
“It must be nice to have a father and sister around to support you.” Ann said, causing Makoto to cringe from the unexpected assumption. Of course, it wasn’t Ann’s fault. There was no way she could have known her father’s untimely passing, but it still stung all the same.
“Actually… My father passed away quite a few years ago. It’s only been my sister and I for a while.” Makoto admitted softly. Makoto’s eyes darted to Ann’s, who fully understood the weight of the statement only a moment after Makoto spoke it. Ann dropped her chopsticks, a look of guilt teeming her expression once more.
“Oh, Makoto, I didn’t mean—”
“No, it’s okay. I appreciate everything Sis has done for me. But with her being at work all the time, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t lonely.” Makoto admitted. Once again, she wasn’t sure why she was just saying her deepest, long held feelings out in the open to Ann of all people, but part of her felt relieved to do so.
“If it’s any consolation, my household is always lonely. My parents are always abroad, leaving my house practically empty most of the time.” Ann mumbled as she stuffed more food in her mouth.
“I see. We really are more alike than I originally imagined.” Makoto chuckled. Then another dredge of silence washed over her. Makoto felt so awkward, and was grateful that Ann decided to even give her the time of day. While Makoto was generally revered as smart and capable, no one usually sought Makoto out as a friend. A lot of people even called her a robot. A part of Makoto wondered if Ann was regretting her choice of spending lunch with her, or maybe, regrettably, Ann and Makoto couldn’t click despite being Phantom Thieves.
“How did your sister take it? I can’t imagine it’d be easy losing your father and then being responsible for your younger sister.” Ann asked. Makoto tried to orient herself given the shift from total silence to a question of this caliber, but no matter what Makoto tried, she couldn’t help but physically recoil. Her mind raced to her last proper conversation with her sister, and the pain erupted in her heart all over again. “Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s okay. She’s been really stressed recently. After all, she’s trying to hunt down the infamous Phantom Thieves, how could she not be?” Makoto chuckled, feeling a little coy despite her underlying emotions.
“Still… I know she’s trying to figure out our identities, but if things are as bad for her as you say they are, I just hope she’s able to destress soon.” Ann said in a moment of sympathy. This was certainly something the two of them could agree on.
“Me too…” Makoto whispered in doubt.
20XX, July 1st
Makoto couldn’t quite believe it— Kaneshiro was already in custody and well under interrogation by her sister. As for Kaneshiro himself, after the Phantom Thieves stole his treasure, he claimed he deleted all the photos he was going to submit to the school. Tracking down the treasure and turning in the calling card early helped relieve an immense amount of stress off Makoto’s shoulders, and for once, she felt as if she could actually relax.
Makoto fiddled with her phone as soon as the final school bell rang— it was a Friday and people normally spent time with others on Fridays right? She had a whole friend group now but… something about it made Makoto nervous. It was almost as if she didn’t belong. But Makoto decided to discard thoughts like that, she figured she just needed to brave through this. They fought a yakuza boss for crying out loud, making friends should be an easy task.
When looking through her contacts she stopped at Ren. He was quiet and a little distant, but given the larger personalities of the other Phantom Thieves, Makoto figured he would probably be the most approachable of the bunch. With tightened resolve, Makoto fired off two texts:
From: Makoto Niijima
I think you may know this already—
But I’ve been ordered by Principal Kobayakawa to look for the culprits.
Makoto didn’t know why she felt so cowardly when it came to making friends. Why did she have to make everything business as usual? Why not ask to hangout like a normal friend?
From: Ren Amamiya
Is he on to us?
Ren responded. Of course that’s where Ren’s mind jumped to.
We seem to be fine for now, but we can’t let our guard down.
I ask that you try not to stand out for a while.
Makoto fired off two more texts, but found herself conflicted. Why was she being so evasive? Was it the crush thing? No, it definitely wasn’t a crush. So what was it?
By the way, I usually spend my time in the student council room.
If there’s ever an emergency, feel free to come find me there.
Also, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to talk when you get the chance.
Makoto left it at that and waited, but she luckily didn’t have to wait long as she got a response back instantly.
I’ll be there shortly.
Ren replied. He was never one to mince words, his texts more than exemplifying that fact. Makoto was originally going to wait inside the student council room, but feeling antsy, she waited just outside the door, lightly bouncing from one leg to the next as she anticipated Ren’s approach. Just as speedy as his texts, it took no time at all, as he suddenly came in vision in the hallway.
“You wanted to talk?” Ren asked as he approached, but Makoto couldn't help but focus on the fact Morgana had his head sticking out of Ren's shoulder bag. Makoto thought it risky for Ren to bring Morgana to school in the first place, but if they hadn’t been caught yet, then maybe they’d be alright.
“There’s something I want to ask you. If it doesn’t get in the way of your studies, that is.” Makoto asserted.
“I can lend an ear.” Ren replied cordially. Makoto stared at Ren and found him an enigma. He was calm, collected, and thoughtful— the exact opposite of what rumors dictated. Of course, those rumors turned out to be started by Kamoshida, but it was unnerving how hard first impressions were to shake. In any case, Ren seemed to be accepting her offer with open arms, so she figured she shouldn’t back down.
With a deep breath, Makoto finally let her stressed thoughts out to the Phantom Thieves’ leader. “Thank you. Well, as you know, I’ve been the quintessential honor student. I believe I’ve been handling my position as student council president with ease as well. A-and I don’t mean that in a boasting way, that’s simply how I’ve thought about it.” Makoto asserted. It truly wasn’t in a self-fulling way either, she just knew where her skillset lay and wouldn’t back down.
Ren didn’t seem to have much of a response, so Makoto decided it was best to continue. “In the end, I was unable to make any kind of impact with either Suzui-san or Kaneshiro. Turns out there’s no use for a rule-abiding honor student when things get rough. Now that I’m a member of this team, I want to do everything I can to help you all. All my studying up to this point has kept me quite narrow-minded. I think… I-I will need to broaden my horizons somewhat.” Makoto admitted, feeling a little flustered as the final words left her lips.
“What do you plan on doing?” Ren asked, as simple as usual.
“My first step will be to learn more about the other students, but I struggle with that. There seems to be a disparity between my tastes and those of my peers…” Makoto admitted, thinking back to her lunch and subsequent crêpe date with Ann. She loved the time they spent with one another, but Makoto always felt this distance, like she wasn’t sure how to actually make friends. Maybe if Ren could teach her…
“That’s not true.” Ren offered.
“Really? I hope you’re right…But I don’t even know where people like to go for fun… Maybe I should start with our group. Where do you and Ryuji like to go for fun?” Makoto asked honestly.
“I sometimes meet him at the arcade, but is that what you really want to do?” Ren asked. His question confounded Makoto. Isn’t that exactly what she just said? She wanted to try new experiences, and offered to do something that Ren and Ryuji do together. How does one not correlate with the other?
“Is that— I would like to believe I am open minded enough for new experiences.” Makoto said.
“That isn’t what he means.” Morgana said as he climbed from Joker’s bag, onto his shoulder. “What’s really on your mind?”
“I… I’m not sure.” Makoto stammered. She tried to ponder what Morgana could be alluding to, but her thoughts felt chaotic, a far cry from her safe, dutiful self from even a couple months again. But on the other hand, a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. A necessary sacrifice in order to live life the way she wanted, but it didn’t help solve the immediate question. “While it’s true I feel a deep sense of relief being part of the team, there’s still this feeling in me that wants me to meet everyone’s expectations. I’m scared that if I don’t, then maybe all of you will just…”
“We aren’t going to leave you.” Ren said plainly.
“What?” Makoto asked, her face blushing ever so slightly.
“He’s right, we’d never abandon you over something like that. You’re part of our team, but more importantly, you’re our friend now. All of us have different interests, but what doesn’t change is our bond. So don’t worry if you have different interests than everyone else, that’s what makes you, you!” Morgana declared.
There was a sense of calmness in Makoto’s heart as a faint smile lifted on her lips. First Ann, now Ren and Morgana… this had been the first time in a long time she thought she had somewhere where she belonged. “Thank you both. I truly appreciate it.” Strangely enough, despite the quiet space between her and Ren, she didn’t feel any pining or longing for the man, just another checkmark in the I don’t have a crush on Ren pile. Still, he made an offer, and she wasn’t going to let it go. “Regardless, if you have the time, I’d still like to see the arcade. I’ve never been to one myself. Do you think you could take me?”
Ren nodded his head in agreement, and Morgana slunk back into Ren’s bag. She felt both content and excited, not only for the arcade, but for her future with the Thieves from now on.
20XX, July 9th
Makoto sat watching the news, seeing the work of the Phantom Thieves put on full blast. Kaneshiro was publicly prosecuted, and with the calling cards posted everywhere, more people, now more than ever, were cheering for the Phantom Thieves. It felt strange for Makoto to be on this side of the reception, but she’d be lying if she didn’t feel proud of their work.
“...I’m home.” Sae announced, sounding utterly exhausted. Makoto’s ears nearly twitched at hearing her sister’s voice, a feeling of both excitement and dread filling her heart. As Sae entered the living room, Makoto could see just how tired she looked. Truth be told, it appeared she hadn’t slept in days. It was alarming, to say the least.
“Hi, Sis.” Makoto said, “You look tired… Is everything okay?” Makoto thought it strange that Sae was even home tonight, given the whole Kaneshiro case. But if she wanted to come home and rest after properly arresting a yakuza boss, then Makoto saw no better time for her to do so.
“Don’t worry about me. How about you, Makoto? Have you been keeping up with your studies?” Sae asked. Straight to the point with the cold, uncaring questions as always. It felt impersonal and distant. This was the Sae that Makoto feared.
“Yes, of course. Though… what is the point of studying?” Makoto asked, hoping to drive any sort of dialogue with her sister. To see if there was anything that could change her mind.
“...What do you mean?” Sae asked skeptically.
“I was just wondering what will be waiting for me at the end… Even if I manage to push through tough entrance exams, I’m still thrust into a competitive society.” Makoto lamented. It was the truth, after all. There was no guarantee for success. No matter how much you try, maybe your efforts will never be seen as enough. What would be waiting for her at the end of this road? Makoto wasn’t sure, and that terrified her.
“What else is there besides success? Don’t ask me such childish questions.” Sae said bitterly, leaving remnants of their last real conversation replaying in Makoto’s mind. Her eyes glanced back toward the television, focusing on something, anything, to stop her mind from wandering to such negative memories.
“Isn’t this the man the Phantom Thieves sent a calling card for? I heard he confessed all his crimes.” Makoto said.
“Even the police couldn’t figure out why. It really… was out of nowhere. This would only make sense if his personality changed… but that would be impossible.” Sae said defeatedly.
“Why does it matter? The police still caught him in the end, right?” Makoto asked.
“I had plans set for a promotion, but no one can take credit for his arrest now with that confession. …Not that a child would understand.” Then just like that, Sae left in a fit of dismissive frustration, leaving Makoto alone once more. Makoto felt as heartbroken as the other night, knowing that the sister she longed for was no longer within reach.
“So she was pursuing the case after all. Promotion… You’ve changed, Sis.” Makoto sighed as she pushed into the couch cushions. The news at this point was just white noise, filling the dead air in the apartment. Despite her newfound friends, she was just as alone as ever at home. By instinct, Makoto pulled out her phone, opening up the instant messenger app, wondering if anyone would be available to talk. But as she looked at the contacts, she scrolled down far enough to find her sister’s name.
Then another idea came to mind.
Makoto opened the MetaNav, and tried to recall Morgana’s instructions. You needed a name, a place, and a distortion, and then you’d be able to travel to someone's Palace. Not everyone had a Palace, but if someone's desires were distorted enough…
With a deep breath, Makoto said: “Sae Niijima.”
After what felt like an eternity, the MetaNav finally chimed back in with “Results found.”
Makoto was disheartened, but not surprised. The old Sae would have been happy to see a criminal like Kaneshiro behind bars no matter the circumstances. Now all Kaneshiro’s arrest meant was a crumbled path to success. When did Sae get so self-absorbed that she looked at everyone and everything as steppingstones to get further in life? Was that the path Makoto herself was headed on? That thought terrified Makoto to no end.
“But… I’ll be okay.” Makoto whispered to herself. “I finally found a place where I belong.”
20XX, July 12th
Makoto found herself hesitating as she stood outside the counselor's room. She had decided to come to visit Dr. Maruki of her own volition, but it still felt unnerving. Makoto had never been to a therapist before, and the thought never seemed to cross her mind until this point. Part of her wondered if it’d be good for her sister to see a therapist too, but another part wondered if she’d brush it off like everything else in life. With a heavy sigh, Makoto knocked on the door.
“Come in!” Maruki announced. Makoto took that as her cue, and stepped inside. The man sitting on the counter had a carefree attitude about him. He was wearing a lab coat, but his shaggy hair, unkempt stubble, short sleeve polo, khaki pants, and sandals had painted Dr. Maruki in a whole other light. His smile beamed as he made eye contact with Makoto, slipping off the counter and onto his feet with extreme haste. “Oh, you’re the student council president. Niijima-san, correct?” The therapist asked.
“Sorry for coming by so suddenly.” Makoto apologized. It was clear Dr. Maruki was trying to enjoy his lunch break, but the truth of the matter had been Makoto didn’t know when else she could approach him.
“Oh no, everyone is permitted to stop by whenever they like!” Maruki revered. “I know the phrase counseling session can make some people nervous, but don’t be. Considering you’re the student council president, I’d rather they didn’t force you to come here at all, actually.” Maruki joked, but little did he know there was some truth to the statement. Makoto had been more than nervous coming here, but she did so of her own volition. Her days of blindly following requests were over.
“Well, I was advised to come, but I still chose to do it on my own.” Makoto said.
“Oh, good! Glad to hear it.” Maruki said, another bright smile lighting up his face.
There was something strange about how the meeting was set up. Makoto had caught Dr. Maruki unawares— it almost felt like she was the one in control of the flow of conversation. Not that she minded. When Makoto was in her element, she could drive dialogue for as long as she needed. “But please, there’s no need to be concerned about my being here. Feel free to discuss anything with me.” Makoto assured as she took a seat.
“Ah, right. So I shall.” Maruki said as he pulled a file from a drawer before taking the opposing seat. Makoto saw that Maruki already had two cups of tea prepared on the table—she had to wonder, was Maruki expecting company, or did he have a cup prepared for a student just in case someone decided to drop by? If the latter, it was just another example of his thoughtfulness. “Heh, you’re sounding more like the counselor in here than I am. Excellent grades, exemplary conduct… Wow, you appear to be the ideal honor student.” Maruki observed as he thumbed through the file, picking up his own cup of tea in his free hand.
“Oh, not at all–in fact, quite the opposite. I’m actually a bit of a mess, and I always have to turn to others for help.” Makoto admitted. She did try and keep a visage of control, but the truth was never that simple. This past month proved that more than anything.
“Well, you sure had me fooled. Even still, getting help isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, it’s wonderful that you have a support system.” Maruki said. That was another thing. A support system. If she hadn’t found the Phantom Thieves, where would she be now? The student council weren’t treated as a group of friends, just as a group of elected students getting busy work done for the school. Other students only ever looked up to her, never taking into consideration her feelings as a fellow student. It was only the Phantom Thieves who understood her true feelings.
“Indeed… Especially lately, I feel like I can’t do anything right by myself nowadays.” Makoto admitted sourly. She gripped the prepared tea, the surface of the mug still warm. The dull pain from the heat helped distract her thoughts from running into a rabbit hole she didn’t want to delve into.
“Did something go wrong for you?” Maruki asked. That was an indirect question which could have a lot of implications, and while Makoto knew it was good to be honest (otherwise, why even come to the counseling session in the first place), she knew there were certain truths she had to keep secret. At the end of the day, she could only focus on herself.
“Yes, but it’s nothing major. I’ve come to understand all too well that it’s a bad idea taking on more of a burden than one should.” Makoto admitted.
“You really do seem like someone with a mature sense of responsibility. However, that may be why people around —especially the adults who should be protecting you—rely on you so much.” Maruki said.
“Adults… who should be protecting me?” Makoto couldn’t help but chuckle from the obvious statement. There was a reason why Makoto had placed so much faith in authority, and it entirely lay in the fact that adults were supposed to be there for the next generation. Maruki aside, these past two months had disillusioned Makoto to most figures of authority. “Had I been clever enough to understand that earlier, things may have gone a bit differently for me.”
“You think so?” Ah… You live alone with your older sister. I see. Pardon me saying so, but it seems you’ve been through quite a lot.” Maruki said, finally putting down the file. Makoto felt sheepish knowing how many intimate details Shujin Academy had on her, but she supposed it was only natural.
“Honestly, it only felt like the norm to me. But our lack of adult guardians has to have been hard on my sister—even now as well… and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard on me, too.” Makoto admitted.
“...Do you still remember them? Your parents?” Maruki asked. It was a fair question, although not one Makoto cared to think about.
“Yes. not as much about my mother admittedly. But my father, without a doubt… In fact, now that I think about it, I may well have grown to be a bit uptight because of that.” Makoto said, gripping tighter onto her mug of tea.
“Is that so… and are you doing okay now? Is your support system adequate?” Maruki asked.
“It’s not as if I have a team of employees or anything, but I do have people that I’m able to rely upon well. Of course, I’d never think of them as replacements for my father or my sister. No one could replace either of them. What I’ve lost won’t ever come back. I just need to keep my chin up and push towards my future.” Makoto admitted, her heart feeling ever so slightly lighter from the admission.
“Mm, I like the way you put that. No one can ever be replaced… yet we need to keep pushing towards our future. With that said, I can imagine it can be pretty lonely being student council president. Students find people with authority hard to approach, after all.” Maruki sighed, almost as if he experienced the same thing.
“Is that why you’ve made efforts to be kind and outgoing with the students? I seem to always see a flock of students following after you down the halls.” Makoto pointed out jovially.
“Is that so? Well, it’s nice to understand the daily lives of the students here. I’d imagine it’d be hard for me to relate or understand them if I didn’t.” Maruki laughed the statement off, but there was something there… something guarded that Maruki was hiding. Whatever it was, Makoto knew better than to pry. She cleared her throat, hoping to change the subject.
“Hmm… well, since we were discussing support groups earlier, I did manage to make a couple friends just last month. Given how busy Sis has been with work, I started feeling lonelier than ever. But now— well, I think I’ve made some genuine connections.” Makoto said with a confident smile.
“Good for you. Maybe authority isn’t as scary as I thought it was.” Maruki laughed once more.
“There is… one thing that has bothered me though.” Makoto admitted through bated breath. She was conflicted if she should even mention this—but maybe that was the point of attending a counseling session.
“What might that be?” Maruki asked. A part of Makoto wanted to keep this line of thought under lock and chain, to never let it see the light of day. She wondered how the truth of it all would affect her dynamic with the other Phantom Thieves. But seeing Maruki’s encouraging smile, Makoto took a deep breath, and then finally voiced her feelings out in the open.
“I-Is it normal to have feelings for your friends in a way which are so… conflicted?” Makoto asked, unsure of any other way to phrase the question.
“Conflicted in what way?” Maruki asked. Makoto’s heart felt like it was slamming within the cavity of her ribcage, threatening to break free at any moment. Despite the protests of her rampaging heart, Makoto decided to push forward, hoping to quell the chaos which swarmed her mind.
“This is embarrassing to admit, but I had been following my newfound friends for about a month before I struck up a real connection with them. ...Stalking tendencies aside, something I noticed was that two of them were definitely dating. And it bothered me.” Makoto said, finally revealing her long held secret.
“In other words, you were jealous?” Maruki asked.
“No! I mean, I don’t think so!” Makoto defied rapidly before taking a deep breath. “It doesn’t make any sense to me. I felt all conflicted when she grabbed his arm, but anytime I spend alone with him I feel nothing. No yearning, no bubbling of joy and anxiety, just pure friendship.” Makoto mumbled.
Maruki hummed as he sipped on his tea, taking a moment to take in Makoto’s words. “I see. Maybe what you’re jealous of isn’t their relationship, but a relationship in general. You are at that age, after all. If I may ask, is your sister in a relationship?” Maruki asked.
“No? Wait, I fail to see how—”
“You lost your mother when you were young, and your father didn’t leave a stepmother to look after you two. What you may be feeling is the absence of a relationship, and seeing others have it may be triggering that want in yourself.” Maruki reasoned.
“I… can’t really argue against that. But it doesn’t happen when I see anybody else in a in a relationship, just those two. And what’s weird is that I don’t feel those pangs of jealousy when I’m around him. My feelings of conflict only rise whenever I’m around her!” Makoto complained.
“Please elaborate, I’d like the full picture here,” Maruki said. Makoto couldn’t tell if Maruki was taking satisfaction in Makoto’s frustration, but she knew she had already come this far— she may as well get a worthwhile answer out of it.
“... Okay. When I first saw her I thought she liked to stick out for all the wrong reasons. I was raised to be as strong and independent as possible, but when I looked at her, this girl who I thought wouldn’t have to work at anything in life, I got so frustrated! All she’d have to do was show off her beautiful natural blonde hair, and flutter her dazzling blue eyes to stun everyone around her to do her bidding.” Makoto huffed, before internally chiding her previously ignorant view. “In the last few weeks, I’ve come to realize just how much pain she had endured, and now my vision of her has flipped. But even still, It feels like I’ve swallowed a swarm of butterflies whenever I talk to her. It can be hard to maintain eye contact, something I’ve always been good at, and my heart feels like it’s going to rip straight from my chest. Which is all a bit of an exaggeration, but still, I don’t understand! I don’t hate her, and I’m no longer frustrated with her in that way, so why do these feelings persist?” Makoto lamented.
Maruki’s mouth opened once or twice before a small chuckle escaped his lips. If there was a joke in her prior statement, Makoto failed to see it. “Niijima-san, I believe some things people need to discover for themselves, but I will try to give you some peace of mind. I can assure you that you do not hate this girl. In fact, like I said earlier, it’s perfectly natural for someone your age to be feeling this way. Trust in yourself, your feelings for Takamaki-san are valid.” Maruki said.
“I-I never said my friend was Ann,” Makoto said, a heavy blush flushing against her cheeks.
“We don’t have many natural blonde, blue-eye students here at Shujin, Niijima-san. Besides, it appears you are already on a first name basis with her. I’d take that as a sign things are going well.” Maruki said with a relaxed smile before taking another sip of his tea.
“But… that still doesn’t explain why I’m feeling this way…” Makoto mumbled.
“Give it time, you’ll figure it out soon enough.” Maruki said, before looking at his watch, “Oh, would you look at the time, lunch is almost over. Here, take this snack, and should anything come up that you want help with, I’ll be there to support you… Though my skills are pretty limited.” Maruki laughed.
Makoto took that as her cue to leave. She grabbed the bag of jagariko from Maruki before standing up, feeling strangely more confident than normal. “Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.” Makoto said, giving Maruki a small bow before taking her leave. Despite not getting all her questions answered, Makoto knew she could keep her head held high, knowing her life was headed on the right path.
20XX, August 5th
It was a little embarrassing for Makoto to admit, but in the interim when the Phantom Thieves were not invading Futaba’s Palace, Makoto found herself unsure of what to do with her free time. Normally she’d be studying for exams, or preparing meals and cleaning the house for Sae when she’d return home. But with school out of session for the month, and Sae staying out as late as ever, Makoto didn’t have all too much going on.
Makoto found herself attending the arcade more and more frequently. Maybe it was because Ren showed her the arcade just a month ago, but it felt comforting to go somewhere familiar. Her timely visit wouldn’t be unaccompanied, as once she stepped through the doors she found a familiar face leaning up against the crane machine. “Ryuji? What are you doing here?” Makoto asked.
“What does it look like? I’m here to play some games. The real question is, what are you doin' here, Ms. President?” Ryuji asked, unmoving from the crane machine. Whether it truly was that comfy, or Ryuji was just trying to look cool, Makoto wasn’t sure. But she decided it best not to get hung up on Ryuji's line of thinking.
“Is it so surprising that I come here to relax?” Makoto asked.
“Uh… yeah? You’re the most studious uptight person I know.” Ryuji said matter-of-factly.
“...Do you want to say that again?” Makoto asked, her eyes narrowing at her so-called troublemaker.
“No ma’am!” Ryuji quickly snapped, his back straightening like a stick. While they worked fairly well together as Phantom Thieves, Makoto and Ryuji hadn't spent all too much time together outside of their Metaverse duties. Makoto wondered if it was maybe time to change that.
“How about this? Why don’t we play this game together? I’ve gotten pretty good at it if I do say so myself.” Makoto said with a confident smile. Ryuji looked over to which arcade machine Makoto was referring to, and scoffed almost immediatly.
“Home of the Dead 4? Isn’t this a little… intense for someone like you?” Ryuji asked. Makoto would be the first to admit, seeing the zombie head prints around the gun holsters unnerved her the first time Ren showed her the machine, but in spite of the creepy design, she thought she had quickly overcome her fear and became proficient at the game. There was only one way to prove it.
“If you’re that confidant, then how about we make a bet? I’ll let you choose the reward for whoever gets the most points.” Makoto said, daring Ryuji to challenge her.
“For real? If you’re that serious about it… how about whoever scores higher gets treated to as many bowls of ramen at Ogikubo as they want!” Ryuji said with a confident sneer.
“You’re on. But be warned, I can be pretty competitive when it comes to things like this.” Makoto said. Ryuji waltzed over and placed enough tokens in the slots for the both of them. The machine before them roared to life with a zombie’s growl, and as Makoto and Ryuji pulled the gun from the supplied holster, a louder zombie screen sounded from the cabinet. Makoto took a deep breath and shot at the screen, confirming herself ready.
Even the first time playing the arcade cabinet, Makoto found herself too enthralled in the gameplay to be scared. Makoto, almost too excitedly, shot at the hordes of undead that walked her way, even shooting towards Ryuji’s side of the screen if she had the chance. If Makoto put any critical thought to the game she was playing, she would have questioned why it was called “Home” of the Dead when they were clearly not in a house at all. It looked more like a hotel, or a business building, given the elevator shaft they started in. Or perhaps even a laboratory, given the underground tunnel ways that looked to house broken down equipment that started this zombie outbreak in the first place.
Fighting her way through a sewer with a giant rampaging brute, an elevator shaft with a spider of massive proportions, a dim hallway with a raving lunatic with a chainsaw, and finally a strange hornet-zombie hybrid that looked like it was made out of glass, the duo finally made it through the set of levels to roll credits. While they waited for the scores to come through, Makoto gave Ryuji a relieved smile.
“That was… fun. We should do this again sometime.” Makoto said, finding herself strangely exhausted. Ren was never this competitive, but she’d never tell Ryuji that, lest the compliment go to his head.
“Yeah— maybe I’ll consider it if you promise not to be so fricken loud when you play.” Ryuji grumbled, side eyeing Makoto before glancing to someone just beyond her. At first Makoto wondered if there was someone else here that he was trying to impress, but it was more than that. It was then that Makoto noticed they had amassed quite a large crowd around them.
“Oh, sorry… I think I may have gotten carried away.” Makoto admitted sheepishly, brushing some of her bangs out of her eyes. She knew she got swept into the game, but she had no idea it was enough to earn so much attention. It was enough to make her blush.
“You don’t say…” Ryuji mumbled. But Ryuji didn’t have much longer to complain, as finally the credits finished, and their final score lines popped on screen. A gasp could be heard amongst the gathered crowd, but what cut through the most was Ryuji’s “For real!?”
Makoto couldn’t quite believe it herself. Ryuji, for his part, managed to hit a high score of 147,000, taking the number 3 spot on the list. That score was impressive on its own, especially because it would have been number 2 if Makoto hadn’t just achieved that number herself with a score of 151,000. The top score was a whopping 154,000, set by someone whose initials were KNG, but Makoto was content with leaving that score for the time being.
“You beat me… is this for real? Here I thought I played my heart out.” Ryuji admitted defeat in a fit of frustration.
“Well, it seems you owe me some ramen.” Makoto said with a smile.
“Yeah, yeah. Do you want to head over now, or another time?” Ryuji asked. One look at the amassed crowd around them and Makoto knew her answer, antsy to get away from a crowd of curious eyes. “I could eat now, let’s go.” Makoto said. With that, the two of them were off.
The train ride to Ogikubo didn’t take all that long, and for what it was worth, Ryuji kept quiet on the train ride over. Makoto wondered if he was being a sore loser, or maybe he just didn’t know how to make conversation with her, but given how bustling the subway station had been, Makoto appreciated the brief bout of silence. Before she knew it, they were at Ryuji’s favorite ramen shop. The owner gave Ryuji a small wave before they were seated.
“How often do you come here?” Makoto asked.
“Not often enough to be recognized…” Ryuji mumbled. Makoto figured that likely hadn't been the truth, but decided to drop it all the same.
“What will you two be having?” The shop owner asked.
“I… I don’t know. What do you recommend, Ryuji?” Makoto asked.
“I normally get the classic with two eggs and six slices of beef.” Ryuji said.
“Then I’ll have a bowl of that,” Makoto said.
“Make that two, pops” Ryuji added, the nickname betraying Ryuji’s prior admittance. Regardless, Makoto felt generous enough not to point it out.
“Coming right up!” The man said, pulling away as he started preparing the noodles.
“I have to say, it smells delicious here. I don’t have the opportunity to eat out often, so when I do it’s a real treat.” Makoto said with a smile.
“Is that so? My mom makes all kinds of food, but I’m not home most days to eat it.” Ryuji admitted. That was a stark contrast between the two. Makoto was normally the one who prepared all the meals, so she was admittedly envious to hear someone have such an easy-going life.
“That’s a shame. I’m normally the one who cooks in my home. Sis is always so busy that I try to make all our meals, even if she squeezes out breakfast before she heads off to work.” Makoto said.
“Your sister… but what about your parents, don’t they do anything?” Ryuji asked. Makoto was grateful for the fact that Ren, Ann, and even Morgana seemed to keep Makoto’s personal details to themselves, but at a certain point Makoto felt it strange that she had to repeat herself so often the past few months. In any case, Makoto figured it best to clear the air.
“My mother passed away when I was young, and my father… Well, his death wasn’t as peaceful as moms, but he passed away when Sae just became an adult. For the last couple of years it’s only been Sis and I.” Makoto said.
“Oh shit… sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay, it’s all in the past. I can’t ever replace them, but I can move forward and make new bonds. That’s what I’m doing with all of you, right?” Makoto asked, remembering her conversation with Doctor Maruki. That truly was the only path forward, was it not?
“Hell yeah! You know, I thought you were the prissiest stick in the mud to ever walk the face of the earth, but getting to know you is totally different.” Ryuji said, beaming as if he had just given Makoto a compliment. She was being treated to ramen though, so she decided to let this one slide.
“First impressions are often wrong, but they make up the majority of our perception of someone. Changing that can be quite the tall task.” Makoto said.
“That’s why it was so hard for anyone to speak out against that bastard Kamoshida. Everyone treated him like a superstar because he was an Olympic Gold Medalist, and they let everything else slide because of it.” Ryuji lamented.
It was sometimes hard to remember just how far-reaching Kamoshida’s abuse had fallen— it wasn’t only Ann and the volleyball team, but the track team as well. In fact, as Makoto now knew it, Kamoshida broke Ryuji’s leg after he provoked him. To think that single moment ensured Ryuji would never have a solid future as a runner was… heartbreaking, to say the least.
“I’m afraid to say, even my perception of him was warped because of it. It was easy to write off any rumors I heard as plain jealousy.” Makoto admitted shamefully.
“Here’s your ramen,” The shopkeeper said. It looked piping hot, but it smelled absolutely delicious.
“Wow, that was fast!” Makoto exclaimed.
“I know, and it’s so good to boot. Thanks pops!” Ryuji said, pulling out the nearby pair of chopsticks before digging into his ramen. Makoto followed suit, and savored every bite. As someone who often cooked, Makoto wondered what sort of recipe they used. She tried to identify the different sorts of vegetables and meats used, let alone the stock base, to see if she could replicate such a flavor at home. Makoto wondered if Sae would enjoy something like this… No, that was a foolish thought. Given how much Sae has brushed Makoto off recently, and the fact she has a Palace, Makoto doubted Sae would offer much of a response.
“I never thought I’d see you bring a girl here, Sakamato-kun.” A woman said endearingly from behind the shopkeeper. She appeared around the same age as him, likely his wife if Makoto were making assumptions. “You two make a cute couple.”
Makoto nearly spat out her ramen in response. Ryuji did spit out his ramen in response. Ryuji quickly fought through a sudden coughing fit in order to correct the misunderstanding. “Oh, no. We’re not dating, we’re just friends.” Ryuji said.
“Is that so? Well, I’m glad you’re making more friends.” The woman said before she continued preparing more food. Makoto, admittedly, had trouble swallowing what food was in her mouth after an accusation like that.
“I can’t believe someone would think we’re dating.” Ryuji said lowly under his breath— to which Makoto agreed. In terms of grades, fashion, and personality, the two were almost as opposite as opposite could get.
“That certainly would be crazy,” Makoto laughed. “But you say that like you have no interest in me, I’m almost offended.”
“I mean, do you have any interest in me?” Ryuji asked.
‘No,” Makoto answered almost too readily.
“Yeah… that’s what I thought. And, uh, no offense, but you’re not really my type.” Ryuji mumbled, picking up a noodle with his chopsticks before slurping it down.
“... I’m afraid to find out what your type is.” Makoto said under her breath.
“Well, what are you looking for in a guy?” Ryuji asked. The question caught her off guard, mostly because no one ever asked her that before.
“In a guy…? I don’t know, I never really thought about it.” Makoto admitted.
“For real? I thought maybe you’d be able to surprise me again.” Ryuji said.
“I don’t know, okay? I wish I had things figured out like Ren and Ann do.” Makoto sighed.
A beat of silence stretched between the two of them, and suddenly Makoto wondered if she had said something wrong. She looked over to Ryuji, and instead of seeing frustration, all she saw was confusion.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ryuji asked. Did… Ryuji not know they were dating? Well, it wasn’t that preposterous of an idea. Makoto had been with the Phantom Thieves for over a month now, and there was no official word from either of them that they were dating. But… they were definitely dating… right?
“I mean, they may be discreet about it, but they’re dating one another. It’s obvious. It’s good to see them happy with one another.” Makoto said, She decided it best not to take another bite of her ramen given how much her stomach was doing twists and turns just thinking about the lovebirds.
“Ren and Ann… are definitely not dating.” Ryuji said plainly. That assertive statement seemed to come out of nowhere, and only spoke to confuse Makoto. Why did Ryuji think that? Makoto wanted to laugh it off, especially given her own assumptions, but Ryuji looked strangely confident.
“What makes you say that?” Makoto asked.
“I’ve known Ann since Middle School, and while she’s never told me, let’s just say I know her type. It’s not Ren.” Ryuji assured. Makoto wasn’t sure what that meant, but she supposed she’d have to take his word for it.
“Is… is that so?” Makoto responded softly, the queasy feeling in her stomach dissipating.
“Why? Do you have a crush on our leader, Mako-chan?” Ryuji teased.
“Please don’t call me that… and no. I thought for a while I may have had a crush on Ren, but whenever I’ve spent alone time with him I’ve felt… nothing. I think it must have been my investigation into the mysterious Phantom Thieves that got to my head.” Makoto said with a soft chuckle, doing her best to hide her true conflicted feelings.
“Oh shit, it’s getting late! Let’s finish up our ramen and get out of here, okay?” Ryuji said.
“Sounds good. And Ryuji…?”
“Mm-hm?” Ryuji vocalized despite his mouth being full of ramen noodles.
“Thanks for today. We’ll have to do this again sometime.” Makoto said graciously. She and Ryuji may be total opposites, but she was grateful to have him as a friend.
20XX, August 26th
Makoto knew why she was tasked with swimsuit shopping— it was for Futaba’s sake after all. But the real question on her mind was why she had to be sitting outside the dressing room, waiting for Ann. It made sense on paper for the two of them to go out shopping together: with Ann’s fashion sense and Makoto’s critical mind, they’d likely be able to procure a swimsuit that Futaba liked. Buying a swimsuit for Futaba was one thing, but waiting for Ann to try out her assortment of swimsuits was a whole other— and now the short shopping trip had extended to over two hours long.
“How do I look?” Ann asked, nearly bursting from the changing room. As soon as Ann stepped out of the dressing room, it unexpectedly took all of Makoto’s willpower to maintain eye contact with her— which was normally easy— but today she found it especially difficult. That said, it defeated the purpose of judging the swimsuit if she averted her gaze, and so Makoto allowed her eyes to travel. The swimsuit Ann wore left little to the imagination, a baby blue base with bright orange and red floral patterns decorating the pieces of swimwear. The design was simple in execution, but could look too much on the wrong person. But on Ann? Not only did the suit look great on her, it also brought out the natural colors of her eyes. By all accounts, it suited Ann tremendously.
“B-Beautiful. However, I do have to worry that we’re—”
“Don’t worry, that’s the last one I wanted to try.” Ann said cheerily as she bounded back into the changing room. For once, Ann’s lack of presence gave Makoto a wave of relief. Makoto tapped her foot nervously against the ground as she looked at the three different suits they had picked out for Futaba. Truth be told, Makoto figured that Futaba would prefer a one-piece suit, given that this is the first time in a long while she’s been in such a public and open location. But Makoto also admittedly thought the suits were cute, so she decided to trust Ann’s judgment.
“Alright, I’m all set!” Ann said as she practically jumped out of the dressing room once again, nearly giving Makoto a heart attack. Luckily for her, Ann was no longer clad in her revealing swimsuit, now dressed in her casual summer outfit of a t-shirt and skirt once more.
“Well, if that’s all we’re here for, then we should get—”
“Hold on, you haven’t tried on a suit yet.” Ann said. It took Makoto a moment to process Ann’s statement, but seeing the white frilly suit in Ann’s hand painted the picture her words hadn’t. Makoto swore she could feel the tips of her ears turn red in embarrassment just thinking of the implications.
“It’s alright, I have a suit at home, I’ll just—”
“Please, won’t you at least try this on? I think it’s perfect for you!” Ann asked with an adorable pout. Somehow she knew how to break through all of Makoto’s defenses.
“Fine, but just this one. Let’s get this over with.” Makoto said as she took the swimsuit from Ann’s extended hand, going into the adjacent dressing room. She knew they were already running late, how bad would it be to make them wait another few minutes?
As soon as she tried it on Makoto had to admit, it was cute. Ann really did have a good fashion sense— plus, she knew her size to a tee. To be honest, it was a little unnerving, but gave Makoto all the confidence that they had picked correctly sized suits for Futaba. As for the suit she was tasked with trying, Makoto had been a fan of the white coloring, and loved the frilly skirt that was part of the bottom.
“How is it?” Ann asked, her voice bounding over the door of the dressing room..
“I like it. You seem to know my preferences fairly well,” Makoto admitted with a small smile, jostling herself from side to side to see the frills bounce with the manufactured wind.
“Ah, I’m glad!” Ann cheered, “Do I get to see?”
Makoto’s face burned bright red. If she were heading to the beach, then sure, she’d anticipate eyes on her. But here? Now? It felt all too sudden. Makoto wasn’t sure why her heart was thundering in her chest, or why her mind was racing a million miles a minute, but she just knew she had to find an excuse, any, to get out of this.
“I’d rather not step out of the dressing room in this right now…” Makoto admitted sheepishly. It was the truth, but hardly an excuse.
After a brief silence, Ann knocked on the door, asking “Then can I come into the dressing room?”
If taken by itself, the request would be innocent enough, but there was no way Ann couldn’t know the mental torture she was pushing onto Makoto. The logical side of her brain tried to reason that it was just her stupid frustrations rising to the surface again, feelings Makoto wished she abandoned long ago. But if she didn’t feel this way for any of the other Phantom Thieves, why did she feel this for Ann? It was preposterous. In fact, if there was anyone she should be comfortable with, it would be Ann. So why did Ann have this effect on her?
“Sure.” Makoto squeaked out, hoping to overcome her nerves at any cost. Ann walked in almost too readily after Makoto unlatched the door, and as soon as Ann’s beautiful blue eyes landed on Makoto, they became as wide as saucers. “You look so beautiful, Mako-chan!” Ann said admiringly. While it was intimidating being under Ann’s gaze, Makoto also felt a sense of safety. Makoto had to remind herself that Ann wasn’t her rival, she was her friend— maybe best friend— and that she shouldn’t let these flustered feelings get in the way of that. Taking a deep breath, Makoto attempted to regain her composure.
“Well, you were the one who picked it out. You really have an eye for these sorts of things.” Makoto said, feeling the ever-present blush radiate warmly against her cheeks.
“I’m being serious,” Ann said, taking a step forward. Suddenly, the air in the dressing room felt like it was sucked out— for all Makoto knew she was suddenly in space. But instead of floating in an endless void, Makoto found her feet planted firmly in the changing room, which felt like it was getting smaller and smaller by the second. “You act so confident and in control all the time, but underneath it all you think you’re never enough. You need to trust yourself, Mako-chan.” Ann said plainly.
Makoto’s eyes searched the corners of the dressing room, hoping for anything to take her attention off of her incredibly attractive friend, but Makoto couldn’t just ignore her. She knew Ann was right— Makoto had a lot of deep-seated issues, but the one thing she could do is try and be more confident in herself.
“So you’ve seen through me. To be honest, I thought I got rid of those doubts when I awakened my Persona. But even now…” Makoto couldn’t finish her sentence, her eyes glancing back up toward Ann, only now realizing just how close the two of them were. Now Makoto found herself unsure and uncomfortable for a whole new reason; a reason her brain refused to fully justify.
Makoto’s earlier unwanted thoughts bubbled back up to the surface. Unlike the searing pain which resonated in her head when awakening her Persona, this was one dull, but ever-present. It made Makoto want to be impulsive. To rip her own heart out, lest it break free of her chest on its own volition. It made her was to step forward, to wrap her arms around the subject of her frustrations and never let her go. It made her want to tip Ann’s chin down and take her lips—
Makoto shut her eyes closed, hoping to shut out any and all similar thoughts away. After all, Sae had propped her to lead the strongest life forward. This society was cruel to women, and to carve a path to your own success you couldn’t take any detours. While Sae never told Makoto that she had to settle down with a man, Makoto knew there was a certain expectation and status to do so when the time came, and she’d be greatly frowned upon if she didn’t, if not disowned entirely.
Another part of Makoto wanted to throw that away, to abandon those debilitating thoughts, just as she had ripped off her mask in the Bank of Gluttony. But regardless, the agonizing question razed the top of Makoto’s mind, and like a stranglehold, refused to let her go.
“Is something wrong?” Ann asked, her voice a whisper. Makoto couldn’t think properly as her eyes shot back open, staring into those ice-blue hues once more.
“No,” Makoto whispered back, taking a brave step forward. Standing this close to Ann, Makoto could make out Ann's sweet, rose scented purfume. A smell that wasn't too overpowering, but lured her in all the same. The bold movement closed almost all distance between the two of them, their faces mere inches apart. Makoto wanted to wait just a moment, to see if Ann would back away, or maybe, hopefully, to see if she’d rise to the challenge and push forward.
Ann didn’t move, and it took everything in Makoto to not nudge forward. Makoto swallowed thickly as she could feel her palms running clammy. She didn’t have many thoughts besides, Ann, and holy shit she’s so pretty, and DONT RUIN YOUR FRIENDSHIP playing over and over in her mind.
Since Ann didn’t make a move, Makoto decided she needed to change her approach. She took Ann’s hand with her right, and squeezed it tenderly. “You… are always looking out for me. You were the first person to make me feel like a real member of the Phantom Thieves. You are so considerate in even the smallest ways, all the way to knowing what kind of swimsuit I’d love, it drives me crazy!” Makoto admitted.
“I… drive you crazy?” Ann asked, her breath bounding off Makoto’s lips.
“In so many ways,” Makoto whispered back. Finally, she decided to just throw away any inhibitions and push forward, consequences be damned.
PI. PI. PI.
Makoto and Ann froze, the unexpected sound causing Makoto’s eyes to open wide. With the horror of what she was about to do washing over her she pulled away, her arms wrapping around her own body tenderly. Ann seemed in a trance-like state for another moment before her phone dinged again, causing her to pull out the untimely device.
“What is it—” Ann said, sounding incredibly frustrated. “Yeah— We’re just leaving now. We’ll be at LeBlanc soon— See you soon.” Ann said, hanging up the phone with an annoyed huff.
“Who is it?” Makoto asked, her voice sounding mouseish. Ann glanced up toward Makoto, looking almost shameful as their eyes connected with one another. Makoto had no idea what was going on in Ann’s mind, but there was no way to misinterpret that moment. Right? They were about to kiss… right? The thought made Makoto sick to her stomach, feeling more on guard than ever.
“Ryuji,” Ann grumbled, “He’s wondering what’s taking us so long. We should— probably check out soon.” Ann said remorsefully, giving Makoto one last glance before turning to the door. “I’ll let you get changed,” Ann said before excusing herself.
“Wait—” Makoto said. As Ann turned, her eyes glimmered with a sense of hope, but something died immediately afterward. She looked drained and tired. Makoto wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt disheartening to see. “—Did you want to… talk about it?” Makoto asked.
“Talk about… what?” Ann asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“About what almost happened?” Makoto asked. It looked like someone zapped Ann in that moment, given the way how her demeanor changed almost instantly.
“Do— you mean the phone call?” Ann asked, her voice sounding back to normal.
Makoto wondered if she had imagined the whole interaction given how Ann was behaving. It felt strange to say the least, but if Ann didn’t notice, or if she was purposefully being obtuse, then there was absolutely nothing Makoto could do about it.
“Oh, no. Not that. It’s nothing.” Makoto said, losing what semblance of confidence she had remaining.
“Oh, okay. I’ll just be outside.” Ann said, quickly exiting the dressing room once more. Makoto wasn’t sure if Ann didn’t notice the moment between them or if Makoto had imagined it entirely, but one thing was for certain: Doctor Maruki was right. Makoto would realize the source of her feelings one day, and no matter how much she may try to deny it, Makoto now knew she had an undeniable crush on Ann.
20XX, September 9th
Makoto found herself bored, which was strange since this was the first vacation she had been on since… well, she wasn’t sure when the last time she had been on vacation. Maybe that was the point of vacations, to be able to find a pocket of time to sit back, relax, and be bored.
Truth be told, it has been nice to get a break from it all. Sae, Kobayakawa, even the hard work of the Phantom Thieves. It all had built and built and built, and while Makoto enjoyed her reprieve, she knew everything would be waiting for her the moment they landed in Japan again. Even now she was sitting at a desk, mindlessly studying her “just in case I have free time” textbooks.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Makoto’s head sprung from her book, wondering who could be knocking at this time of night. Kawakami? One of the other student chaperones? Makoto knew the students weren’t supposed to be out too late, but if her mind focused on certain second years, that theory couldn’t be ruled out completely.
“Coming!” Makoto said as she stood from her chair, making her way over to the door. But seeing her unexpected guest on the other side nearly left her speechless. “Ann?” Makoto said breathlessly.
“The girl I was sharing a room with took off to her boyfriend’s room!” Ann complained as she charged into the room— and by itself it didn’t seem like a terrible predicament— in fact, Makoto would have thought Ann would appreciate the peace and quiet. Still, frustration was inbound as Ann collapsed on the closest bed.
“It is late, and it is against the rules to have… co-ed bedrooms. Would you like me to report them to Kawakami?” Makoto offered. Ann groaned in defiance, tossing and turning on the bed.
“Oh, no. I don’t want to disturb their alone time. I’m just annoyed that she took the key! I stepped outside for just a second and the auto lock kicked in! I can’t get back in my room!” Ann complained again. Suddenly the full picture became clear.
“Ah, I see, How long do you imagine she’ll be out for?” Makoto asked.
“I don’t know? All night, maybe?” Ann said.
“A-All night? That’s— Well, I’ll have to pretend like I didn’t hear any of this.” Makoto said softly.
“You know, you’ve really changed, Makoto. You used to be such a snoopy teacher's pet, but look at you now! I’d never imagine that the old Makoto would let something like that slide.” Ann said with an unexpected cheer. Maybe there was reason to celebrate, because even though it had only been a couple months, long gone was the yes-man student council president.
“The old Makoto… well, maybe I wouldn’t have. I suppose my time as a Phantom Thief has forced me to change in ways I never expected. To be honest, I have all of you to thank for that.” Makoto said graciously.
“You and I both. I used to be so passive, but now I won’t let anyone trample over me or my friends.” Ann said with a beaming smile. That statement surprised Makoto. It was true, at the start of the year Makoto had observed Ann try to wither away and hide at the slightest sound of criticism, but that was never her public personage at large. Ann was always known for her dashingly good looks and fiery attitude. To think she’d have a side of her that was seen as a pushover was almost astounding to think about.
“I never got to meet the old you,” Makoto said. After a look of confusion littered Ann’s face, Makoto figured she needed to elaborate. “Not properly, anyway. Of course I saw you around the school, but I didn’t really get to know you before you became a Phantom Thief, so it’s hard for me to imagine. First impressions aside, you’re always looking out for everyone, so it’s hard for me to think that you just… wouldn’t do that.” Makoto admitted.
Ann grimaced, her hands gripping the comforter below her. “Truth be told, I blame myself for not standing up sooner. I know Kamoshida had so many people behind him, but I should have spoken up and done something. If I had, then maybe Shiho—”
“You can’t blame yourself for that. It’s easy to think in “should haves” or “could haves”, but at the end of the day any abuse dealt lies at the feet of the aggressor. Besides, you were also one of his victims, I can only imagine how poor your emotional state was back then.” Makoto reasoned. She had hoped it’d take the weight off Ann’s shoulders, but the blonde still held that guilt ridden look in her eyes.
“Yeah, maybe…” Ann said in a whisper. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring the mood down. Can we, um, talk about something different?” Ann requested.
“Of course.” Makoto said, looking out towards the doorway. Even if she didn’t want to pay it much attention, she very much doubted that Ann’s roommate would be returning to her room for the night. “Well, know that you can stay here for the night. There’s an extra bed in here due to how the room assignments landed, and I’d hate to imagine you sleeping outside your door like a lost puppy.” Makoto said.
Ann chuckled, her beautiful smile burning brightly on her face. “Thank you. You’re right, it’d be too much of a hassle for me to go anywhere else. I was thinking of going to Ren’s room, but that’d be weird, right?” Ann asked.
Makoto was going to affirm her statement, but then something else came to mind. Ryuji did reject the notion that Ann and Ren could be dating, but something also bothered her. Could Ann have reacted so strangely in the dressing room because she was already taken? Admittedly at the time, Makoto didn’t think much of it, but now the possibility seemed all too real. This was her chance to make sure of it once and for all.
“Why would that be weird? I mean, you’re dating Ren, right?” Makoto said, glancing to Ann’s face to see if she’d give any tell-tale signs. Given the immediate look of surprise that befell Ann, she was either caught, or Makoto was completely off base.
“What? Where did you hear that? Ren and I are just friends.” Ann said defiantly.
“I-Is that so? I just thought—” Makoto started. As she stumbled on her words she noticed Ann raise her eyebrows in suspicion, and Makoto figured she may as well come completely clean. “Back when I was, uh, stalking you all, I saw you and Ren go on many dates. Specifically in Shibuya. Granted, now as I talk about it, I realize that’s a common occurrence for any Phantom Thief member.” Makoto said, trying to save face.
“Is that so? I'll have you know, I heard rumors from some students during exam week that you and Ren were dating. I was used to hearing rumors about myself, but hearing them about you certainly caught me off guard.” Ann laughed. Makoto racked her brain for a moment before the realization hit her.
“Oh, those rumors. They do have some merit to them, but only because Ren and I pretended to be in a relationship to help out a student in trouble. Eiko must have spread word that the student council president was dating the delinquent.” Makoto laughed.
“Wow, that’s great to hear. For a little while I wondered if two of my best friends were secretly dating under my nose.” Ann teased. But behind the teasing nature, Makoto could see Ann hurting. Why was she seemingly distraught over baseless rumors?
“Would… would that have been a problem?” Makoto asked.
“Not a problem, per say, but it’d feel weird. I mean, we’re a tight knit group, and to possibly ruin the dynamic would be bad. Right?” Ann said in response, her voice running a mile a minute.
Makoto felt like her heart was shattering in her chest. She had stupidly thought that maybe, just maybe, that moment in the dressing room meant something. That maybe Ann felt conflicted because she too had a crush on Makoto. Maybe the two of them could share their feelings and skip off into the sunset together. Somewhere along the lines, Makoto’s crush ended up crushing her, and there was nothing she could do about it.
“Right,” Makoto whispered. She couldn’t look back at Ann, her heart weighing too heavy in her chest to think properly. After all, Ann gave her official answer— she had no interest in the Phantom Thieves, thinking it’d do nothing but ruin their group dynamic. Truth be told, Ann’s words held merit, but it still felt crushing to hear all the same.
“Hey, why don’t we spend this time getting to know each other better?” Ann asked. Whether she picked up on Makoto’s downward spiral, or she was just trying to be friendly, Makoto wasn’t sure. But if she was going to share a room with Ann, she may as well do so while not focusing on her crush.
“I feel like I haven’t really hidden much from you all though.” Makoto admitted sheepishly.
“C’mon, you know, things like what kind of people we like… So how about it? What type of people do you like?” Ann asked.
The question came almost out of nowhere, enough to the point that it completely blind-sided Makoto. Not only did Makoto not know how to articulate her… preferences, she also was now juggling her defeated feelings for her crush. Out of all questions Ann could have asked, why did it have to be this one?
“I… honestly don’t know.” Makoto whispered. “My dad raised both Sis and I to be very independent, and in my more formative years when it was only Sis, she insisted I focus solely on my studies. Even she hasn’t had a boyfriend, or at least one I’ve ever known of.” Makoto admitted, hoping to get the conversation on her sister rather than herself.
“Hmm… that’s sort of dodging the question. After all, you can feel attraction without putting much focus on it. It’s not something you force, it’s something you feel naturally. Like, what qualities do you look for in a partner?” Ann asked. Quickly realizing that this wasn’t something Ann was going to give up on, Makoto decided to take a calming breath.
“I— I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt super strongly towards a guy like that before… in that way.” Makoto mumbled.
“Are you sure? The way you mentioned the possibility of Ren and I dating earlier… were you maybe jealous at the idea of him and I dating? Because I could totally see you being into the quiet, observant, calm and collected type.” Ann said, all too confident in her guess.
“No— I like Ren as a friend, but he’s not… he’s not my type.” Makoto grumbled, finding it harder and harder to avoid saying what her heart so wished could be let free.
“Okay, I’ll have to take your word for it, then.” Ann hummed. For that, Makoto felt an unbearable amount of relief. Still, she decided the conversation shouldn’t die with her— and even if Ann would never be interested in her due to being a Phantom Thief, that didn’t mean Makoto couldn’t learn her preferences.
“What about you, Ann? What’s your type?” Makoto asked, feeling both brave, but also restless to get the conversation off of her for once.
“My type…” Ann said softly. Her demeanor suddenly shifted; Ann looked antsier than normal as her eyes bounced from Makoto to the far walls. “Makoto, we’re friends right? This means I can tell you anything, right?” Ann asked. The question made Makoto’s stomach do flips, but she could see Ann was looking for comfort and security, and as a friend, Makoto knew she should offer her at least that much.
“Of course. No matter what is on your mind, I’ll always be happy to listen.” Makoto said with a soft smile.
“Alright…” Ann said, taking a deep breath before to calm herself. “Well, I know there were all those rumors floating around ever since Middle School. Everyone says I’m easy, or that I’ll date anyone. Truth is… I’ve never had a real boyfriend. My parents were always away, and since I was a single child I always felt so lonely. I ended up going on a lot of first dates with a lot of different guys— but it never went past the first. No matter how much I was attracted to them, something always seemed off. It always felt like they were using me. So I always left before it could advance any further.” Ann said.
“I… I see.” Makoto said softly. That hadn’t been what Makoto expected, but she knew that no matter what, she’d always be there to support Ann. That last thought made Makoto ponder just how much had changed in these last few months— from bitter enemies to best friends, oh how time flew.
“You know, there is someone who was my type.” Ann said, capturing Makoto’s attention once more. Despite the strong declaration, Ann looked shaky, scared even, as she prepared to speak again. “Despite all the people who wanted to date me because of my foreign looks or perceived beauty, there was always one person who stood by me because of me. That… was Shiho.” Ann said, her eyes falling to Makoto once more.
Suddenly it made sense why Ann’s voice wavered with uncertainty. Ann was looking toward Makoto, almost as if she were waiting for an answer of some kind. It took a moment for Makoto’s mind to process what Ann was insinuating, but as soon as she had she immediately took to sitting down next to Ann. Makoto trusted action to take strength when her own words failed, so she reached over and grabbed Ann’s hand, squeezing it to give Ann even the smallest miniscule amount of comfort.
“Okay— so what about Shiho makes her your type?” Makoto asked, hoping the question was open ended enough to make Ann more comfortable.
For her part, Ann seemed instantly relieved, a familiar smile lighting up her face once more. “Oh… I… I think what I appreciated the most in her was her kindness and willingness to be there for others. You know, she was one of the first students to give Ren the time of day after he transferred. If that doesn’t show just how big her heart is, I don’t know what would. I know it’s ironic, being a model and all, but I just want someone who sees past my looks and wants to be with me because I’m me. That’s how I try to approach the world now. I think everyone would benefit from having a Shiho in their lives… Is that too much to ask?” Ann asked.
Makoto couldn’t help but laugh— Ryuji’s odd statements and Ann’s passionate reactions, it all made sense now. Even if Ann didn’t like her back in the same way, it didn’t mean she couldn’t be here in full support of her. “I don’t think so, no.” Makoto answered. “But… have you ever tried to do anything about your, uh, feelings, for Shiho?” Makoto asked.
Ann averted her gaze once more, and immediately Makoto regretted asking. But Ann, for her part, squeezed Makoto’s hand back, almost as if she were saying it’s okay. “I guess… It was right after we transferred to Shujin Academy. I had a particularly bad string of first dates, and that’s when I brought the subject up to her. I said it would be so much easier if I could date her instead of all these men.”
“How did she take it?” Makoto asked, fearing she already knew the answer.
“She told me she was flattered, but she’d prefer if we just stayed friends. I presume she just doesn’t swing that way, but she’s never told me one way or another.” Ann admitted with a simple shrug.
“I can’t imagine how tough it must be to be around her even after the rejection.” Makoto whispered, feeling the underlying pain in her own chest.
“Oh, in that aspect it got even easier. I no longer had to hold onto those feelings and could just… move on. If you let it simmer for too long then the crush can become absolutely crushing. It’s better to get rejected and move on.” Ann said plainly.
Now, if Makoto was thinking logically, she’d take Ann’s advice to heart and reveal her crush right here and now. But in a way, Makoto already had her answer, didn’t she? Why put herself through further torment when she already knew the result?
“Is… is that so?” Makoto said. She cursed her heart for drumming in her chest. Makoto knew Ann wasn’t looking to date anyone in the Phantom Thieves, which meant there was no shot her feelings would be requited. By all logical senses it would dictate that Makoto should just speak her feelings out now and get them rejected, so she could form a healthy friendship with Ann that could last in the future. But instead, Makoto decided to keep her feelings bottled up, feeling more cowardly than when she was a simple yes-man for Principal Kobayakawa. “So… are there any other girls you like? Or is it a Shiho-specific thing?” Makoto asked.
“I don’t think it’s Shiho specific. Truth be told, I’ve found myself attracted to both men and women, it’s just that Shiho was the first person I met that I thought oh, this could work.” Ann admitted, before glancing over to Makoto. “But if we’re looking at physical type— then I guess someone around my height, with dark hair.” Ann said.
“Well, there are plenty of people who fit that sort of description in Japan. I know you’ve denied my dating accusations, but from everything you’ve described with Shiho, it sounds like Ren would be a perfect partner for you, even if he's on the tall side...” Makoto said. But something in Makoto's heart felt brave, something in her felt like speaking out and letting her truth be known. With a deep breath, she said "Honestly, if I didn't know any better, it sounded like I'm your type." Makoto said with as much faux confidence as possible.
Ann blushed profusely, but after a moment a laugh broke heavenly from her lips. “T-that's funny, Makoto. But seriously, it's like I said; I wouldn't want to date Ren because I feel like I’d be scared to ruin a friendship. And, uh... you don't need to worry. Just because I like girls doesn't mean I fall head over heels for every girl I see. You're my friend, and I'm happy that way.” Ann surmised. There it was, absolute confirmation that Ann would turn down Makoto. By all logic, Makoto felt she should just pack up her feelings and throw them away, but something made her long— made her hold on—and she knew they wouldn’t go away unless she confessed her feelings out in the open. But her confidence was shattered, and Makoto knew she had to move on.
“I… don’t wish to overlook the elephant in the room. I appreciate you having the confidence to tell me your truth. I can’t imagine it was easy.” Makoto said, now feeling guilty that she couldn’t do the same.
“Oh… admittedly, I was a little scared, but you’re my friend. I knew in my heart that I could trust you. I know Japan can be a country that’s slow to change, but I’m glad to hear you’re open-minded enough to not ruin our friendship over it.” Ann said with a blazing smile. If only she knew, Makoto thought.
“Ann, please know something like your preferences would never ruin our friendship.” (Especially because I like girls too. Especially because I like you).
“I’m glad to hear it! It’s such a shame that Japan is so… passive about it. I’ve never seen a society so apathetic about homosexuality. They accept it exists, but don’t care enough about the current laws and how it affects society to change it— and the shitty adults who run the country would rather keep the status quo over making real changes for someone like me! I think it’s crazy that, if I fell in love with a woman in Japan, I wouldn’t be able to marry her!” Ann complained.
“While that is ostentatious, it’s not like there’s a wealth of countries open for same-sex marriage.” Makoto said.
“Makoto— you know we’re in Hawaii, right? If we so chose to do so, we could walk down the altar together tomorrow morning and be newlyweds.” Ann said.
“We— what?” Makoto said, feeling her cheeks light aflame once more.
“It was a joke—but seriously. It’s crazy to think two women could get married here… I hope Japan wakes up soon.” Ann said. When Ann put it like that, it did feel absolutely crazy that same-sex marriage wasn’t legal in Japan. Makoto knew her own feelings may not be requited, but that didn’t mean that she was doomed when it came to love.
If someday, Makoto ever did find her match, then would Japan have changed by then? Or would it remain as stagnant as ever? As Makoto pondered the question, she couldn’t help giving Ann’s hand one final squeeze, as she whispered out loud: “Me too, Ann. Me too.”
20XX, September 12th
Makoto sat at the dining room table, her Buchimaru-kun pencil case laid out next to her book, with a pencil in hand. Exams weren’t for another month, but she did have to make up for a week without studying. Despite it being her first night back, she had already hit the books, doing her best to catch up to the remaining third years who didn’t have to chaperone the school trip.
The front door opened, which only meant one thing. “Hey, Sis,” Makoto said automatically, not raising her head from the book.
“You just got back from your trip and you’re already studying? How diligent.” Sae said, focused only on Makoto’s work ethic as per usual. Makoto, amidst her studying, gripped onto the travel bag next to her. While she was completely enthralled in her book, something more pressing came to mind.
Perhaps her last real effort to change Sae’s heart in the real world.
“I have souvenirs for you,” Makoto said with a smile, reaching for her bag. Ever since discovering her sister had a Palace, Makoto tried to imagine ways to change her heart without going to a Palace. While Sae’s drive for success seemed to completely consume her life, it didn’t mean she was completely unwilling to change her ways. All Makoto had to do was find that silver bullet, and take care with its aim.
“... The principal of Shujin Academy has passed away.” As soon as those words hit Makoto she dropped her bag, any intention of delivering her gifts suddenly put on hold. She whipped her head to face Sae, shock and horror filling her heart. “He suddenly stopped while crossing the road and was struck by a large vehicle. Death by external trauma. They say suicide seems to be a strong possibility…”
“Principal Kobayakawa committed suicide!?” Makoto would be lying if she wasn’t absolutely shocked by the notion— but was it truly possible? While he always placed immense pressure on Makoto, it was likely in result of the pressure placed on him. Makoto knew he was a very stressed man dealing with the Kamoshida news, the dealings with the yakuza, and the rumors regarding the Phantom Thieves, but had it all been enough to make him commit suicide?
“But would someone about to kill themselves try to go to the police station? He even used a taxi to get there.” Sae surmised.
“Do you mean… this might be another incident?” Makoto asked, referring to the mental shutdown incidents. For what it was worth, Makoto wasn’t even sure if her sister had heard her question, too silent and focused on her own musings to acknowledge Makoto’s line of thinking.
“Even if he had a sudden shift in his state of mind… it’s still unnatural. I can only suspect that he had a “change of heart”.” Sae said. Makoto felt scared, terrified even, as Sae's logic finally crossed a line Makoto desperately hoped it wouldn’t. People were going to start coinciding the Phantom Thieves’ work with the mental shutdown incidents, and by the end they’d be branded enemies of Japan. It was a slippery slope, one Makoto hoped they could avoid.
“Are you saying he was targeted by the Phantom Thieves?! But that’s impossible!” Makoto exclaimed.
“How are you so certain?” Sae asked, finally paying attention to Makoto. She knew she had slipped slightly, but maybe it was the only way to gain Sae’s attention, and more so, clear the Phantom Thieves’ name.
“W-Well… In prior cases, the changes of heart seemed to be done to make people confess their crimes. It’s hard to explain, but this incident seems contradictory to their usual modus operandi…”
“Did Principal Kobayakawa seem any different to you lately?” Sae asked. It was just like before, ignoring every word out of Makoto’s mouth, her head likely full of only her own thoughts. Sae was in full interrogation mode.
“I don’t really know. He rarely contacted the students, after all…” Makoto lied. It was true that he didn’t talk to the students, but he did talk with Makoto. All the while he was stressed, but he never had a shift in personality.
“I see… Could something have happened during the school trip?” Sae pondered. “Ah, you’re studying. I’m sorry to bother you.” Sae said, excusing herself. For a moment there, Makoto thought Sae was returning home to be a big sister for once, but she was only fully focused on this case. And instead of even consoling Makoto given the proximity she had with Principal Kobayakawa, Sae was looking for the facts, feelings be damned. She only viewed Makoto as a source of information. That hurt more than being called useless.
A part of Makoto wanted to act alone, to change Sae’s heart now. But another part knew that wasn’t right. Knew she had to wait for the other Phantom Thieves to agree. But how could she ever bring up such a selfish request?
“Makoto?” Sae said, surprising Makoto.
“Hm?” Makoto responded, surprised to hear that Sae was still home. Sae opened her mouth, almost looking like she wanted to say something, but then she stopped herself. Sae turned back to the hallway, readying herself to leave.
“... Never mind. It’s nothing. Just don’t get dragged into trouble, okay?” Sae requested, before pacing down the hallway, the door clicking shut in her wake. This time she was alone for real, and Makoto knew no amount of studying would help her learn anything in her current mindset. Her arms dropped to her side, where she felt her travel bag by the floor.
She forgot to give Sae her souvenirs. Although Makoto doubted Sae would take them in the first place, it still hurt. Sae was too obsessed, too hungry to prove herself capable. Makoto could relate, but Sae’s desires were… distorted. Makoto had known for a few months that Sae had a Palace, but the reality of it grew more and more out of control with every conversation they shared.
20XX, October 8th
Makoto thought it strange to spend time so lackadaisical, especially as the entire Phantom Thief trope walked down the intimidating streets of Akihabara. Music and lights poured at them from all directions, and Makoto found it hard to keep her focus one way or another. But still, she found it good to give Haru some peace of mind as they awaited her father’s change of heart..
Haru had been tearing herself apart ever since they had stolen her father’s treasure, and while it was understandable to be worried, they handled Okumura like they had all the other Palace owners. They just needed to distract Haru and make her feel more at home with the other Phantom Thieves until the change occurred.
Makoto found herself side-tracked as she passed by the Tokobushiya Goods Store. She couldn’t help but stare at the Motorbike figure, and while it certainly wasn’t something she could justify spending money on, it just felt so… right. Part of Makoto wanted to spend her money with reckless abandon, but she knew if Sae saw it then she’d be chastised into next week. She didn’t need another reason for Sae to yell at her, after all.
“Did something catch your eye?” Futaba asked as she strode up to Makoto’s side.
“Oh— you could say that.” Makoto said, forcing herself to look away from the expensive figure.
“Hmm, is it the Motorbike figure? That is SO you!” Futaba exclaimed. Her loud voice caught the attention of the other Phantom Thieves, and while Makoto didn’t mind attention, she felt a little unnerved as all remaining six members stared at them.
“I… suppose it does remind me of my Persona and I in the Metaverse,” Makoto admitted quietly.
“What’s the best about figures like that is that you can customize it however you want! There are so many add-ons that you can buy that the end result could be crazy!” Futaba said. That pushed Makoto to glance back at the figure, and if what Futaba said was true, well that simply amazed her.
“Oh wow— to think a figure so small could be…”
“Are you two going to sit there and gawk, or are we going to actually hit some places up?” Ryuji complained. “I want to hit the arcade already.”
“What? No fair! I wanted to stop by all the retro gaming stores!” Futaba said.
“Here I thought we were going to that tea shop for Haru. It seems we’re all of a different mindset today.” Yusuke surmised eloquently. Makoto sighed, already knowing she was going to have to play mediator.
“We don’t have to stay as a group all day. Why don’t we split up? I can stay with Futaba, whoever wants to go to the arcade with Ryuji can do so, and the rest can go with Haru for her tea shopping.” Makoto offered. At the very least, her proposition made even someone like Ryuji stop and think.
“That— is a fine idea! Ann, Haru, let us be off!” Yusuke proclaimed, racing away with great passion.
“I think Yusuke may be more excited for the tea than you are, Haru. Are you sure you’re okay paying for us?” Ann asked.
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Seeing everyone happy is all that matters to me.” Haru said with a delicate smile. Makoto knew the doubt and fear must be eating Haru from the inside out, but that’s why they were all together today, to try and distract her. If it managed to help her in any way, then this would be all worth it.
“It looks like Morgana, and I are stuck with you,” Ren said toward Ryuji.
“Wait— why can’t I go with Lady Ann?” Morgana complained.
“Because I doubt they’d let a freakin’ cat in a tea shop.” Ryuji said.
“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not a cat!” Morgana yelled. As much fun as it was to see Ryuji and Morgana have another one of their back-and-forth rants (hint: it wasn’t fun at all), Makoto decided to play mediator one final time in order to settle the dispute.
“That’s enough, everyone. We have our groups. Let’s meet back here in an hour, okay?” Makoto said.
“Well said. Stay safe, everyone.” Ren said before the Phantom Thieves fractured into their separate groups, with Ann and Haru quickly giving Yusuke chase.
As soon as they were alone Futaba nudged Makoto, giving her the biggest grin possible. “So, are you going to buy that figure?”
“Wha— no. It’s way too expensive. There’s no way I can afford it.” Makoto said.
“Really? That’s a shame. If it were me I’d just ask Sojiro to buy it for me. He’d do it with no questions asked.” Futaba said. Makoto sighed, not that she’d ever ask Sae to comply with such a ridiculous request, but she knew it was an impossibility either way.
“So, what store do you want to hit first?” Makoto asked, hoping desperately to forget about the Motorbike figure and its ridiculous price point.
“Oh, there’s this really small retro game shop just around the corner! Let’s go there first!” Futaba said, nearly trampling over her own legs to get there faster. Makoto followed closely behind, and quickly eyed the small shop in question. Makoto would have thought this was an antique shop if it wasn’t filled with old gaming cartridges.
As Futaba shopped around, Makoto held up a single cartridge that read Punch Out, causing a question to spring in Makoto’s mind. “Say, I know you’re quite into games, but why are you looking at these older ones? I’d imagine you have all the necessary technology to play all the newer ones.” Makoto said.
Futaba chuckled with her normal sneer, the edges of her lips turning into an almost-wicked smile. “Don’t get me wrong, my PC can run basically any game, but there’s something so fun about older games. There’s so much you can learn about how the game was designed, and how it influenced future games. Besides, there’s no better way to preserve a game's history than owning it yourself.” Futaba explained.
“I— see. I didn’t expect such a convoluted answer, but I suppose that makes sense.” Makoto admitted.
“How about you, have you ever played games?” Futaba asked, eyeing the Punch Out cartridge in Makoto’s hand.
“No. My father was pretty strict when I was growing up, and ever since he passed away, Sae always pushed me to study. But when Ren showed me the arcade I just— I had more fun than I’d like to admit.” Makoto laughed, throwing the cartridge back into the pile of used games.
“Is that so? I always imagined you were the stick in the mud type, but you might be able to level up.” Futaba said.
“First Ryuji and now you…? Can you please not call me a stick in the mud…”
“Hey! How about I buy some retro games and I will show you how to play them! You can learn from the oldies and work your way up! It’d be like a real-life progression quest!” Futaba exclaimed. That idea didn’t sound half bad on paper. It’s not like Makoto was averse to gaming, and it’d be an excuse to get closer with Futaba.
“Oh— sure. Maybe once exams are over and if we find ourselves with an abundance of free time.” Makoto said.
“Sheesh, I forgot most people function in the daylight.” Futaba said. It surprised Makoto by how much Futaba was able to focus on the conversation given the fact she was thumbing through every cartridge she came across.
“Are… you suggesting I stay up all night playing games with you?” Makoto asked.
“Of course! How else are you supposed to fit a gaming session in if we’re also busy doing our other important work? Give me a little credit at least.” Futaba demanded, and while her logic made… some sense, it left out a very real consideration. What about sleep?
“Well… I just imagined you wouldn’t play games on important nights…” Makoto admitted honestly. Futaba’s eyes went wide, as if she never even considered the possibility.
“Maybe you are just a stick in the mud. What a shame.” Futaba reasoned.
“Fine!” Makoto yelled. She wasn’t going to sit back and let someone call her a stick in the mud again, she’d prove them all wrong, she could unwind when need be. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but once exams are over I’ll have a gaming night with you.”
“Hehe. Another win for Futaba!” Futaba decreed. While spending a sleepless night playing games sounded less than idea, Makoto knew it’s what would make Futaba happy, and seeing a smile on her friend's face was more than worth the effort.
20XX, October 16th
To say all the Phantom Thieves were frazzled was an understatement. After Kunikazu Okumura’s untimely death, doubt began to seed its way through the group. Was this our fault? How did this happen? We stole the treasure like normal! These questions and more swelled their minds, and it seemed there was no escaping it.
Haru seemed meek and sheepish—more than usual, at any rate. Not that Makoto could blame her. When Makoto’s father passed away in the line of duty, Makoto felt heart broken, like a void had taken a place in her chest where her heart should have been, and there was no hope of it ever having been filled. While Okumura seemed less than an ideal father-figure, Makoto figured it would have been soul crushing all the same.
That’s what brought Makoto to the school rooftop. On more days than not, the third year could be found gardening, but the rooftop remained as vacant as ever. Makoto didn’t see Haru in any of the hallways either, so she could only surmise that Haru went home for the day. Makoto wanted to be there for Haru, to comfort her in any way she could, but it felt impossible all the same.
Makoto decided to leave the rooftop, deciding there was nothing there for her. Makoto understood that Haru likely needed time away from everything, to focus on herself, especially when the true reason for her father’s death remained a mystery, but Makoto wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone. Even if she detested the Phantom Thieves for potentially causing her father’s death, Makoto wanted to be by Haru’s side, to help her through her pain.
As Makoto turned the corner of the stairwell, she almost found herself colliding with a different Phantom Thief, one whose blonde hair was almost not bright enough of a warning sign to stop her collision course. Makoto’s shoes skidded on the floor as she recoiled backwards, doing everything in her power to not run straight into Ann.
The most surprising part had been Ann’s focus and lack of self-awareness. Despite almost crashing straight into her, Ann’s eyes remained forward to the far wall of the hallway, as if she didn’t even recognize another student was there. Ever since Okumura’s death, the Phantom Thieves went into a stage of denial over their ideals and values, and while Makoto couldn’t read minds, she had to figure that was what Ann was thinking about. Makoto also couldn’t ignore the fact that exams started the following day, and while doubtful, that too could be the cause of concern on Ann’s face.
“Ann, I’m surprised to see you still at school. Is something troubling you?” Makoto asked. Ann’s head sprung up, her eyes running wide like a deer caught in headlights. A smile lifted on her lips, but Makoto could tell it was a facade; a fake face to hide the pain she was holding underneath. What was going on?
“Oh, I didn’t see you there, Makoto. I’m fine.” Ann said. But her lies were as bad as her acting, and Makoto refused to see a friend in pain. Haru may have already left school for the day, but Ann could still be helped. Makoto wondered the best way to navigate it though— if Ann was being closed off about her issues then maybe the best way to get at them would be to try and sidestep it all together?
“You know, exams are starting tomorrow. I have some free time tonight if you want to study together.” Makoto said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Ann’s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but then they flattened into a thin line, her gaze falling back to the far wall of the hallway.
“I appreciate the offer, but the truth is… Shiho’s moving away today…” Ann said, and suddenly the pieces were all falling into place. Ann wasn’t torn up about the moral ambiguity of the Phantom Thieves, nor was she worried about exams, what Ann was mourning was the loss of a connection. It made Makoto feel inconsiderate for not even thinking about it.
“Is that so? How long until she leaves?” Makoto asked somberly.
“In a few hours, I think. Before she goes, she wants to see the school roof again.” Ann said. Makoto had to wonder if this was some sort of ritual for Suzui, something she had to do in order to try and overcome her own trauma. It sounded painful to think about, but if Suzui wanted to do this of her own accord, then who was Makoto to stop her?
“Actually, since you’re here, I have a favor to ask.” Ann said. Makoto perked up, feeling readily available to try and help out her friend. “It’s still hard for Shiho to climb stairs, do you think you could help me carry her?” Ann asked.
It was an interesting ask, but one Makoto should have expected. “Of course!” Makoto said readily. Taking Shiho up four flights of stairs would probably be exhausting, but not more exhausting than a full day in Mementos, so Makoto figured there would be no harm in that.
PI. PI. PI
Ann’s phone rang in her jacket pocket, and as soon as she pulled it out she said “It’s Shiho. She’s waiting at the school entrance.” Makoto didn’t have to be told twice, as she followed Ann down the staircases of Shujin Academy.
“I… didn’t ask you why you were still at school, Makoto. I’m sorry if this is at all an inconvenience.” Ann said as they made their way down.
“Oh— I was actually looking for Haru, but she didn’t seem to be on the rooftop. I figure she must have gone home already, and in retrospect, it’s probably for the best Haru didn’t stick around today.” Makoto said.
“Ah… I feel so bad for her. She put her trust in us and we…”
“Ann, we don’t know what happened. We took the treasure like we always do. What happened was… unexpected, but there has to be a reason for it. There just has to be.” Makoto insisted.
Any further conversation detailing the Phantom Thieves became mum as they reached the school entrance. There, Makoto saw the unassuming former volleyball player. Her long black hair was tied back in a high ponytail, with a pink hairband standing out against the muted colors of her clothes. Shiho’s eyes looked dark, and as Makoto stepped closer, she could see dark rings forming around them. Shiho was evidently not sleeping well, not that Makoto could blame her given everything that happened to her.
“Alright, Shiho! Are you ready to do this!” Ann said with an unexpected cheer. Makoto could tell Ann was trying to lift her friend’s mood, which seemed to work maybe marginally due to the fact Shiho’s lips curved at the corners. But underneath it all there seemed to be a pervasive downtrodden energy that accompanied it.
“... Yes… Are you here to supervise, Niijima-senpai?” Suzui asked, her eyes flickering up at Makoto before glancing away again. Shiho looked nervous, like a scared little rabbit. It made Makoto’s heart tremble with sadness watching the girl stand so unsurely.
“Nothing like that. I’m here to support you and Ann. If you need it.” Makoto said warmly, hoping it would make the girl feel ever so slightly more comfortable. Shiho glanced from Makoto to Ann, the latter giving Shiho a nod of encouragement.
“I was thinking you could hold onto us from both sides. I’d assume climbing the stairs would be much easier if you could put your weight on us.” Ann said.
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble…” Shiho said with uncertainty.
“I wouldn’t be here otherwise.” Makoto said with a calming smile. For her part, Shiho seemed to let her guard down as she walked forward to the duo. Both Makoto and Ann straddled to Shiho’s side, allowing her to lay her arms around their shoulders. As a connected trio, they pushed their way through the school.
The climb up toward the roof took about double the length of time that it normally would have, and despite Shiho placing her weight down onto Ann and Makoto, she was completely out of breath by the time they reached the rooftop. Makoto had never been happier to see those blue doors, but Makoto could tell Shiho felt differently. There was a fear in her eyes, and suddenly Makoto wondered if this was a good idea in the slightest.
“Ann, Makoto… I’m pretty heavy, huh? Thanks for the help.” Shiho said in a joking manner. Makoto was happy that she could be jovial despite the circumstances.
“Isn’t Makoto super reliable?” Ann asked.
“Mm-hm, just like you were telling me.” Shiho responded with a soft giggle. Makoto wasn’t sure what that meant, but given Ann’s reaction, it seemed like something she’d rather Shiho have kept to herself.
Makoto blinked and she noticed that Shiho was walking toward the fences, her fingers slipping around the metal links. Makoto’s instinct was to walk forward and pull her back. While the fences were newly installed due to the incident, Makoto didn’t trust them to not fall over if weight were applied, and worst of all, if Shiho fell along with it.
“We’re so high up…” Shiho said softly. Makoto wanted to be overprotective, but figured she needed to take on a different kind of role than the overprotective, over-assuming Student Council President.
“I wouldn’t put my weight on these fences. They were put up with haste.” Makoto warned.
“... Is that so? It’s just… I can look out over the courtyard from here.” She shook her head in disappointment. “To tell you the truth… I wanted to reenact that moment. Wearing these clothes, standing here again… I wanted to know what it would feel like.” Shiho admitted.
“...What about back then? What were you thinking?” Ann asked encouragingly.
“I… I didn’t want to die.” Shiho admitted. “I just needed to escape… It was like another person inside of me was screaming, telling me to come up here… It almost felt like that person was trying to kill me…”
Ann looked away in shame.
“But I know that person was part of me too… My weakness. So, I wanted to see if she would show up again now.” Shiho said optimistically.
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” Makoto asked with confidence.
“Yeah… She doesn’t exist anymore.” Shiho admitted with a beaming smile.
“... You’re so strong, Shiho. The only reason you can stand here now is because of how hard you worked for your rehab.” Ann said.
“Maybe… but that was all thanks to you, Ann.” Shiho admitted. There seemed to be something unsaid between them, unspoken, but most definitely understood as Ann stepped forward. Her eyes went wide, and it looked like she was on the verge of tears.
“Me?” Ann asked. Suddenly, Makoto felt like the odd one out, watching a special moment she had no right in attending. Instead of backing out, walking down the stairs and leaving them to their privacy, Makoto stayed planted in a fit of unexpected fear. Unable to turn away, Makoto stayed silent as she watched the emotional conversation between the two women.
“Because I saw how hard you were trying, too. Trying to be strong, to be cool… Wanting to be an action star… Striving to be a better model… You were so positive… Your eyes sparkled with motivation. With you putting that much effort in, I couldn’t just let my life go to waste in a hospital bed. That’s why I wanted to stand again… it was because of you. Being able to change others… That’s what true strength is.” Shiho said passionately.
“Shiho… I’m not strong… I’m nothing without you. I’m just a lonely, scared girl…”
“Ann… I’m sorry… for deciding to transfer schools…” Shiho admitted with disappointment.
“Shiho…” Ann shook her head, wiping a stray tear that fell. “I’m… I’m going to become a real model! That way you’ll be able to keep seeing me… and keep giving life your all… I’m gonna be in a bunch of magazines, and I’ll say tons of good stuff in interviews… So… So…Stay healthy, work hard, but not too much… and keep in touch. Just… take care of yourself…” Ann requested as tears slipped down her face.
“Ann…” Shiho said, walking over to hug Ann. “I love you…” The declaration seemingly came from nowhere, causing Makoto to freeze on the spot. “Once I can smile again from the bottom of my heart, I’ll come visit…”
“Y-yeah…” Ann said between sobs. Shiho ended their tender embrace almost as quickly as she started it, whispering something to Ann before making her way to the rooftops exit. Despite Ann keeping her face lowered, frantically wiping tears away, Makoto motioned to help Shiho down the stairs, only to find the figure of two adults standing in the stairwell. Given their disposition, Makoto figured they were Shiho’s parents. Before Shiho left, she turned to face Makoto, a small smile on her lips.
“Please, keep Ann safe, Niijima-senpai.” Shiho requested. Makoto couldn’t help but smile in response. “Of course, stay safe yourself, Suzui-san.”
By the time Ann wiped away her tears, Shiho was already gone with her parents, and a look of immense regret took recognizable shape on her face. “I need to be the number one model around.” Ann declared, more to herself than to anyone else. “I made a promise with Shiho, so there’s no turning back now. I’m gonna study how to properly exercise and even relearn how to walk the runway. I want to pick up on some other languages and cultures too, so I can start doing overseas events. Because, well… the only way I can help Shiho is to show her how hard I’m working.”
Makoto couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. She was so incredibly worried about Ann earlier, but looking at her now, Makoto knew she’d be alright. A second chuckle slipped Makoto’s lips as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, walking over to Ann's side with confidence. “You’re as motivated as ever, I see.”
“...Mm-hm!” Ann cheered nonverbally. “If I can do that, Shiho… She’ll definitely…!” But then the tears started to come down once more. “Dammit, I told myself I wouldn’t cry today… but it just… won’t stop…” Ann lamented. “I guess… I’m alone again, huh…?”
Makoto found herself conflicted. Ann was grieving the loss of her close friendship, even the loss of her once crush, and she felt almost powerless to do anything about it. But Makoto wasn’t going to let that stop her. She walked forward with all the confidence in the world and wrapped her arms around Ann, refusing to let her go through this by herself.
“You’ll never be alone as long as I’m around. I promise you that.” Makoto whispered soothingly. She was never one for physical comfort, given her dad had always been averse to it, and her sister even more so, but something about this felt right. It felt like something she had been missing her entire life, and part of Makoto’s sorrowful heart felt cured the moment she held tightly to Ann.
“Makoto…” Ann whimpered. “... Makoto… I—” But as the words escaped her lips she suddenly stopped. Her whimpering and crying stopped too, as her body ran rigid within Makoto’s arms. Something changed, but Makoto couldn’t put her finger on it. She wondered if this was too much for Ann, too overwhelming. Makoto pulled away in concern.
“Ann, is everything—”
“Y-yes. Everything’s fine. I…” Ann looked exhausted, her eyes looking everywhere besides Makoto. “Thank you for being here with me today. Losing Shiho is… she…”
“You didn’t lose her, Ann. Sure, she may be moving away, but she’ll always be your friend.” Makoto said assuredly.
Ann wiped her tears, another fake smile appearing on her lips. “Yeah, you’re right… And besides, I have everyone else too now. I’ll never be alone again.” Ann said. Despite her declaration, Ann had pulled away, both physically and emotionally. Makoto wondered if she took it a step too far, but there was no use mulling it over. Ann would come to her when she was ready.
20XX, October 28th
Everything felt as if it were moving all too fast. Makoto tried her best to keep it together, to stick it through because that’s what she was supposed to do. She was the lead strategist for the Phantom Thieves, the figure head who was supposed to remain levelheaded regardless of the scenario.
But this was Sis they were talking about.
Makoto wanted nothing more than to change Sae’s heart, but something about this didn’t sit right with her. Maybe it was the blackmail Akechi had on them, forcing them into agreeing with him. Or maybe it was his insistence that they go after her sister, like it was some long-held vendetta of his. As much as Makoto wanted to change Sae’s heart, she wanted to protect her too.
“I-I’m sorry. I actually have plans today…” Makoto lied. She knew it was a lie everyone could easily see through, especially because they all cleared their schedules specifically to hold this meeting with Akechi, but Makoto didn’t care. She needed any distance she could buy, enough to calm her tormented thoughts.
“I see. That’s unfortunate.” Akechi said. It made Makoto scared he was about to suggest they all go without her— that would hurt even more than going today. More than that, she didn’t trust Akechi. Didn’t trust his methods and certainly didn’t trust his reasoning. If what Morgana had said was true, Akechi had been to the metaverse far earlier September, which meant he was lying about something. Whatever the truth had been, they’d figure it out.
…But maybe not today.
“Will you tell your sister about this?” Haru asked, and a part of Makoto felt insulted, but it was an understandable worry.
“Of course not. It’s just…”
“You seem awfully evasive today. Is something the matter?” Yusuke asked. Makoto felt like screaming— she had hoped they would all understand and leave her alone. Or maybe it was because those two could relate that they felt the need to speak up? After all, Yusuke had to go after his Sensei, and Haru her own father. Maybe it was because of their experiences that pushed them to ask this of her.
“I just can’t make time today.” Makoto insisted.
“Let’s call it a day then and resume this tomorrow.” Akechi said. Makoto found herself relieved to hear Akechi say something for once. A day wasn’t much respite, but it was more than she could ask for.
“I’m sorry, everyone.” Makoto said as she stood from the LeBlanc booth. She gave Akechi one last courtesy glance before making her way to the front door. Makoto knew everyone's eyes were on her, all these expectations were on her, and even though she had steeled herself for this day to come, it was no use. Makoto thought herself reasonably shaken, especially after the fate that befell Okumura. After all, if they target her sister and steal her treasure, would the same fate befall her?
Makoto wanted to be strong for the group. She was seen as their lead strategist for a reason. But right now her mind was clouded, and there was nothing she could do to shake it.
She didn’t head for the subway station right away; too afraid she’d run into her fellow Phantom Thieves right after disbanding for the day. Instead, she found herself milling around the shops in Yongen-Jaya. She wasn’t really paying attention, just hoping for any sort of distraction for as long as her legs could move.
Makoto found herself face to face with a back alley medical clinic. Makoto could remember Ren mentioning it once or twice, but the outside of it seemed shady at best. For it to be tucked away, as if hiding from the world, didn’t boast a huge deal of confidence when doctors were supposed to offer your health as a service. Although if you were a resident of Yongen-Jaya, it made sense that you’d come to this clinic— ease of access often outweighed prestige, after all.
“You’re my guinea pig’s friend, weren’t you?” Makoto heard, the unexpected mature voice sending chills down Makoto’s spine. She glanced over her shoulder to see a woman— a little taller than Makoto herself, with short, royal blue hair, a lab coat, and an emerald, green dress which stopped all too short. Makoto thought she had seen her somewhere before, but she couldn’t place where…
“Excuse me, what did you say?” Makoto asked.
“A few months ago Amamiya had me do a house visit to Sakura-san’s house.” The doctor said. Suddenly everything clicked.
“Ah, you’re Dr. Takemi. Thank you for your help back then, we truly appreciated it.” Makoto said with a short bow. Makoto felt a little embarrassed not remembering this striking woman, but to be fair they were dealing with a lot back then, so she couldn’t blame herself too much.
“No need to thank me, I didn’t do a whole lot. Not like you and your crew.” Takemi said. Makoto wasn’t sure what she was insinuating, but multiple possibilities came to mind, and none of them were good.
“E-Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re—”
“I’ve already told my guinea pig, but I know you changed Oyamada’s heart. I don’t care that the media is trying to spin the Phantom Thieves as villains, I know you're out there fighting for the people's justice. They just don’t get it.” Takemi said confidently. Hearing the doctor call Makoto a Phantom Thief in broad daylight made Makoto physically cringe, but she was grateful for the fact there were no strangers around.
“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Makoto stumbled. Even if Ren admitted to it, Makoto would be caught dead before she outed her identity as a Phantom Thief to a relative stranger.
“Hm, is that how you want to play it? Either way, your secret is safe with me.” Tae said nonchalantly. “Regardless, are you here for a check-up?” Tae asked.
“Oh, no. I was just… looking around.” Makoto said, her voice dropping unenthusiastically. Her no-longer distracted thoughts plunged back to her sister as the cold reality she'd soon have to face settled in. I'm really going to have to invade Sis' Palace. Makoto thought, the concept still sounding completely unbelievable to her.
“You seem down. Unfortunately, I’m not that kind of doctor, but I can—”
“No, it’s okay. I have a counselor I can talk to.” Makoto said.
“Very well. If you’re ever feeling sick then feel free to come pay me a visit. It’s the least I can do.” Tae offered. Makoto gave her a slight nod, and then Tae was off, heading into the medical clinic.
Makoto exhaled deeply as silence washed over her once more. It had been eerily quiet, with only the occasional sound of birds chirping filling the air. It made her heartbeat all the louder, and Makoto wanted it all to stop. With her conflicted thoughts in tow, Makoto decided she should head straight to the station.
As she approached the Yongen platform, Makoto could see that not all the Phantom Thieves had gone home yet. Laying against the entrance wall was Yusuke, with an easel planted before him. A part of Makoto wanted to turn away and run. After all, she did tell them all she was busy. But Yusuke glanced over, and Makoto already knew it was too late.
“What are you doing here? I figured everyone would have left by now.” Makoto asked as she walked over to her fellow Phantom Thief.
“Ah— I attempted to leave with everyone, but I got distracted on the way out. I seemed to have spent the last of my money on this easel from the secondhand store.” Yusuke said, as he made another stroke with his paint brush.
“Are you really painting here of all places?” Makoto asked. She looked around, and while she knew artists tried to find the beauty in everything, this alleyway didn't feel particularly awe-inspiring.
“An artist finds inspiration in the most unexpected of places, after all.” Yusuke said. While that certainly may be true, if Yusuke stayed here all night then he’d be sleeping out in the cold. Makoto sighed, knowing Yusuke was too preoccupied to even think about getting to Kosei's dormitories. A part of Makoto wished she could be like Yusuke, let her mind get swept in whichever direction so that she doesn’t have to hold onto this guilt or pain. But Makoto figured that would be an impossibility for someone like her
“I would hate to interrupt your inspiration, but the sun is going to be setting in the next hour. How about I buy your train fare and we can head home?” Makoto asked.
“That— that would be most certainly generous. I’ll choose to accept your offer, thank you.” Yusuke said. Makoto wished that Yusuke would be at least a little more considerate to his own financial worries, but Makoto was in no mood to chastise. As the two of them entered the train station, an earie silence befell them, and Makoto pondered if she had ever spent any alone time with Yusuke before this. After all, he (along with Futaba) were the only members of the Phantom Thieves who didn't attend Shujin Academy— it stood to reason she wouldn't spend nearly as much time with him as she would the others. Still, the thought surprised her all the same.
“I know you must be feeling… conflicted, given the situation with your sister. I hesitate to give advice, but when these emotions of conflict rise within me, I tend to find a visit to Mementos to be more than relaxing.” Yusuke said. Makoto was surprised to hear the consideration, especially since Yusuke tended to be more internally focused— but maybe it was unavoidable given the situation. In any case, Makoto appreciated the advice.
“Mementos… relaxing… I never imagined I’d hear those two words used together." Makoto chuckled to herself. "But you know what? I feel like I can punch some shadows today. How about we go just the two of us?” Makoto asked.
“Punching shadows wasn’t necessarily my intention, but I suppose we all have our outlets. That’s a wonderful thought, we’ll head to Shibuya, then.” Yusuke said. The two of them transferred to the Shibuya line and boarded. It didn’t take all that long, and as soon as they reached Station Square they prepared themselves to enter Mementos.
Without Morgana or the rest of the Phantom Thieves, they only had Makoto’s Persona, Johanna, as transportation. Makoto wasn’t used to traversing with someone else on her bike, but she figured she’d have to make it work. Yusuke, for his part, brought his newly bought easel, and suddenly Makoto understood what Yusuke had found calming about Mementos. Amongst all the misshapen chaos of the constantly changing railways, Yusuke found inspiration. Well, if Makoto got to punch some shadows, and Yusuke got to find his inspiration, then it’d be a win-win for both of them.
Makoto was surprised to find Johanna didn’t feel heavy with the addition of Yusuke. In fact, Johanna surprisingly glided across the rails of Mementos as if there wasn’t a single bump in the road. It didn’t take very long to encounter their first shadow, and as soon as she had, Makoto pulled Johanna perpendicular to the train tracks. “Do you mind if I take it by myself?” Makoto asked.
“Not at all. I’ll be on standby if you need.” Yusuke said. While Makoto appreciated Yusuke’s offer, they had been in the upper levels of Mementos where the shadows never appeared to be much of a threat. Once Yusuke was off Johanna with an easel in hand, Makoto revved Johanna, crashing forward into the shadow conglomerate. The mass of enemies exploded into an array of shadows— three Pixies, to be exact. Makoto knew that the Pixies stood no chance, even three versus one, but that made it all the better.
Makoto tightened her fists, her brass knuckles feeling cold even through her gloves. Makoto knew she could take them out easily with her pistol… but there was no fun in that. She was ready to punch something, and that’s exactly what she was going to do.
Makoto got the first move in, leaping toward a Pixie and slamming it into the railway. The first Pixie dissipated into a fit of shadows, leaving the total count down to two. As Makoto regained her bearings, one of the Pixies used Zio, a flurry of light lightning bolts shooting her way. Makoto wasn’t sure why she found herself so incredibly focused in the middle of battle, but the small stream of lightning was easy enough to dodge.
Whether it was because Makoto dodged the prior Pixie’s Zio, or just that the remaining Pixie didn’t have enough confidence, Makoto wasn’t sure, but the third Pixie used Tarukaja on its remaining ally. While a strong aura enveloped the second Pixie, Makoto knew its attack would never hit her.
Makoto found herself impatient as she went in for another hit. She punched the buffed-up Pixie with an uppercut before slamming it into the far wall. Then, with a spin on her heel, she pulled out her colt revolver, shooting down the final Pixie. They dissipated into shadowy flames like always, but instead of the celebratory cheers from the Phantom Thieves, this time Makoto had been met with complete silence.
“That… felt good. Thank you, Yusuke, this hel—” Makoto found herself choking on her words as she turned on her heels, spying Yusuke hard at work painting on his newfound easel again. “Wow, you sure work fast. What are you painting?” Makoto asked as she joined her fellow Phantom Thief.
“That scene— that anger— that frustration— it was simply too artistic to ignore.” Yusuke said, and as Makoto turned to look at the easel, it was clear he already made far more progress than he had when they were in Yongen-Jaya. While he was only using the color black, Makoto could tell the shape he was making was based on her, and to be honest, it felt empowering.
“This looks… incredible. How do you work so fast?” Makoto asked.
“Every moment is fleeting. You must be ready to capture the essence of it, lest it slip from your hand like grains of sand.” Yusuke said with another masterful stroke. Makoto had to agree, there was something calming about coming to Mementos to do such an everyday task— watching Yusuke gave her a calm that she never anticipated.
“I see.” Makoto said.
“I… apologize if this is inconvenient, I simply couldn’t help myself. If you’d prefer, I can stop for the time—”
“No, it’s okay. This has helped.”
“I am glad that is the case. I regret to say, I understand how it’s like to target one’s guardian. While his actions were utterly despicable, Sensei still raised me from childhood. At times it’s hard to know if you’re fighting for the right side. I know it is not easy. But know that we are here to support you.” Yusuke said as he continued to paint.
“That’s right. Our group has targeted so many people close to ourselves… you went after Madarame, Futaba requested we go after her own heart, and we targeted Haru’s father too. I feel so… selfish for feeling this way.” Makoto admitted ruefully.
“No, I think you are warranted to feel this way. While Madarame was my caretaker, I eventually learned he was not a good man. Even still, I found it impossible to discard all feelings of loyalty and care for him. I do not wish to speak on Haru either, but her father was abusive in many ways. Your situation is different, and for that I cannot fully relate, but know that you have my undying support.” Yusuke said.
“Thank you, Yusuke, I appreciate it.” Makoto said. She glanced back down to the throbbing red tunnels of Mementos, and while they were surely going to Sae’s Palace the following day, there was still a lot of time before they had to leave Mementos for the night. “How about we beat up a few more shadows before going home?” Makoto asked.
“Very well— let’s be off.” Yusuke said, folding the easel’s stand. As soon as the two were back on Johanna, Makoto raced forward. There was no avoiding the collision course Makoto was going to have with her sister's Palace, but now Makoto had faith, not only in herself, but her fellow Phantom Thieves to overcome this and prevail. If there was anyone she was going to place trust in, it would be this motley crew.
20XX, October 29th
To say Makoto felt disgusted would be an understatement, and to watch Akechi’s almost pure joy in hunting down Sae felt even worse. For the initial infiltration of Sae’s Palace, the squad consisted of Joker, Panther, Queen, and the newly added Crow. Looking at the latter’s metaverse outfit, it felt gaudy, almost reprehensible to see this man clad in pure white clothes. Regardless of if his intentions were truthful, it was clear he thought of himself as some sort of paragon of justice. Of course, the Phantom Thieves had reason to distrust Akechi, which was why they had Futaba bug his phone, but this wasn’t some happy-go-lucky coincidence for them to team up. It was orchestrated, and Akechi had them right in the palm of his hands.
It was only a matter of time before Akechi would show his hand. But until that time, all the Phantom Thieves could do was sit back and wait.
“What’s the matter? You look ill, Queen. Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet.” Akechi said with a smug smile on his face. Makoto did her best to control her frustration, balling her fists, while forcing a fake smile on her own lips.
“I’m fine.” Makoto assured Akechi, doing her best to remain calm. It was true that Makoto found herself disheartened when she said the word Casino and it clicked. After all, that meant Sae saw her job as a gamble with the highest stakes. You either win or you don’t. There was no room for right or wrong, just, or unjust, it was winner takes all. Makoto knew Sae had lost sight of herself, but to think she was this far gone…
“You know, you can always just ask if you ever need to take a break,” Ann said, placing a calming hand on Makoto’s shoulder. Makoto forced herself to hold eye contact with Ann, because even if things were still slightly awkward for her given her unreciprocated feelings, Makoto knew she could always lean on Ann if need be.
“Thank you, Panther. But like I said, I’m fine. We should continue moving forward.” Makoto said. Ann looked a little hurt as the words came from Makoto’s mouth, but there was no avoiding it. They had to infiltrate Sae’s Palace sooner or later, they couldn’t keep looking back at Makoto and wondered if she could do this. Makoto knew she could— She’d just have to power through it like everything else.
“This vent seems to be our way in— are you ready?” Ren said, looking back at the trio.
“Ready as I’ll ever be. Ah— where are my manners? Ladies first.” Akechi said, glancing at the other two teammates. Makoto wasn’t sure why she kept focusing on Akechi’s outfit, but something about it seemed off. Wrong. Maybe it was because he wasn’t a real Phantom Thief, and so that’s why he stuck out like a sore thumb, but she figured it had to be something more than that.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to be the last one through.” Makoto said. That raised one of Akechi’s eyebrows, a small chuckle slipping from his lips.
“I understand you have reasons to distrust me, but believe me, for the time being we are on the same side. As long as you all hold up your end of the bargain, I’ll do my best to cooperate with you Thieves.” Akechi said. Even so, Makoto wasn’t going to budge.
“That still doesn’t change the fact that I’d prefer you to go first.” Makoto said coldly. Akechi’s lips tightened to a thin line before another soft chuckle broke them apart.
“Very well then. After you, Joker.” Akechi said. So Ren led the way, followed by Akechi, then Ann, and finally Makoto. Despite her fear of the dark, the darkness of the vent was a nice reprieve from the neon lights, blaring music, and the sound of slot machines permeating through the walls. But Makoto wasn’t given long, for the moment she appeared from the other side she heard a chillingly familiar voice.
“Welcome! Come on out, you petty thieves.” Makoto turned to see a foreign figure clad in a beautiful black dress, with lace traveling up from the midriff to her spiked choker. The woman wore a large flapper with a yellow rose on the brim, and thick black eyeliner matched only by her dark lipstick. But even under the gaudy appearance, Makoto could tell that this was her sister.
“She can see us!?” Ann exclaimed.
“You’re after the Treasure, are you not? Come on down and I will tell you where it is.” Sae proclaimed. Makoto’s heart beat rapidly in her chest when she finally made eye contact with Sae. It wasn't the gaudy clothes or even the tattoos that told her this wasn’t her real-life sister, it was her cold, maniacal golden colored eyes.
“What if it’s a trap?” Ren asked, straight to the point as ever.
“It’s not a lie, I only wish to do this fair and square. You aren’t going to run, are you?” Sae said provokingly. It made Makoto’s mind rage like no other, but she knew she had to keep her calm— it was the only way she’d be able to save her sister’s heart.
“We should do as she says. There is no point in hiding any longer.” Akechi reasoned. And so, despite her heart pounding achingly in her chest, Makoto and the other Thieves made their way down to confront her sister.
“So you’ve come." Sae proclaimed. "The Treasure is located on the Manager’s Floor, at the highest point of this building.” Sae said. But something was wrong, because unlike Futaba who wanted the Phantom Thieves to change her heart, Sae should have been combative. Sae was the most competitive person Makoto knew, and she never wanted to lose. This Palace existing was proof of that.
…So why was her shadow being so forthcoming?
“...Why are you telling us this?” Makoto asked.
A small chuckle escaped Shadow Sae's lips, the edges lifting to an uncanny smirk. “It’s as I said before… I wish to go about this in the fairest manner possible. First, I ask that you come up to my location. We will continue this there…” Sae said. She lifted her hand up, as if she were about to snap, but Makoto knew she couldn’t let this chance slip away— she had to try and reach out by any means necessary.
“Sis, wait!” Makoto yelled, causing Shadow Sae to hesitate (if even for a second). Her cold, golden hued irises locked onto Makoto, as if realization had dawned on her. “How did it… turn out like this? You didn’t use to be like this.” Makoto pleaded as she took a step forward.
"Oh? So it's you, Makoto. I never would have imagined you to join such a feckless group." Shadow Sae released a second chuckle, this one more hefty as the wave of surprise washed away from her expression. Sae lowered her hand, and as her golden-hued eyes landed on Makoto, she couldn't help but selfishly think that at least this Sae was open to having a discussion. “Even still, you pelt me with such naive questions again. I’ve told you already, to survive in this world you need to succeed. All I’ve done in life was set you up for success, and what have you done in return? You’ve leeched my money and food, and now instead of setting up for your own future, you run around with a group of rotten Thieves. Forget setting you up for success, you’re my greatest failure.” Sae said coldly, with a slight maniacal glint in her eyes. It almost looked as if she was enjoying the misery her words intended to cause. This didn't feel like the Sae Makoto knew. But it strangely felt... familiar.
“I—I’m not a failure! You’re the one whose falling, Sis. You’re so wrapped up in your own journey of success that you can’t even see that you’re being manipulated!” Makoto yelled. Shadow Sae looked almost appalled that Makoto even thought to talk back, but she held onto her composure all the same.
“That’s where we differ. Everyone is manipulating those below them, it’s just a matter of how you use it to your own advantage. The game may be rigged against you, so what do you do? Do you sit back and accept it? Or do you strive to have it be in your favor? All my life I’ve been dealt the worst cards, it’s only fair I change it to my favor.” Sae said.
“How is any of this fair? Innocent people will be arrested because of the government's antsiness! All the while the true culprit is out there at large, just laughing in the shadows, watching as they kill two birds with one stone. Don’t fall into their hands, please, Sis.” Makoto urged, taking another step forward.
“Innocent? Guilty? Do you think I care about something like that? If I catch the Phantom Thieves, I’ll get my promotion— I’ll get the recognition I finally deserve. This world is survival of the fittest, and I’ll take any road to get me there!” Sae proclaimed.
“Sis… you’re just jealous of other peoples’ success. Is all this jealousy worth it in exchange for your sister’s freedom?” Makoto asked, wincing as she was scared she already knew her answer.
Another chuckle escaped the Shadow Sae’s lips, the corners of her mouth twisting upward ever so slightly. “Maybe if you weren’t so useless you would have understood not to stand with the Phantom Thieves from the start.” Sae reasoned coldly. The answer struck Makoto's heart, but it hadn't been unexpected. Not in the slightest. It didn't help dull the pain in any way, however.
“I… I see. You truly have lost yourself, Sis.” Makoto whispered softly. She felt defeated, foolish even. Makoto thought back to the souvenirs she had bought for Sae from Hawaii, thinking it was incredibly naive to assume she could change from being granted a gift. But were reason and logic really too far gone for her sister? Makoto hoped not, but every word from her sister’s shadows mouth didn’t bode well.
“Enough of this idle chit-chat. I’ll be seeing you on the top floor.” This time, Sae completed the snap of her fingers, and in that instant they disappeared. Given Sae's vanishing act, all of Makoto's strength felt sapped in that moment, and she collapsed onto her knees on the spot. She didn't care how weak she appeared, all she cared about was her sister. If they weren't careful, then—
“Queen, I do not envy you. That was cold, even for the Sae-san that I know.” Akechi said as he strode up to Makoto’s side. Makoto instinctively shrugged Akechi off, his words feeling dishonest and fake.
“No matter how much I deny it, that’s my Sis now. The only way to make her better is to change her heart… right?” Makoto asked as she looked behind her shoulder, up toward Ann and Ren.
“That’s right, Queen. We’ll change her heart for sure!” Ann said, reaching her hand for Makoto. With a heavy breath, Makoto accepted the offer and stood back on her feet. She couldn't give up, not now. Not when so much was on the line.
“We already voted on it, and we have no choice but to move forward. Are you ready, Queen?” Ren asked. Makoto knew they were right— while there was a slip-up in regard to Okumura, they weren’t going to be perturbed. The only way forward was to change her sister’s heart, not only for the Phantom Thieves’ future; but for Sae’s safety as well. Makoto took a deep breath, readying herself for the battles to come.
“Of course. Thanks, you two. We’ll change Sis’s heart for sure.”
20XX, November 11th
Catching Sae’s eye was all it took to break open her cognition of the High Limit Floor. In truth, a small part of Makoto wished Sae didn’t notice the Phantom Thieves. It was only recently that the Phantom Thieves found proof that Akechi was planning on selling them out, and getting closer to Sae’s treasure would only push his plan further into action. But it wasn't like Sae would stop her ambitious raid on the Phantom Thieves if they didn't steal her treasure. No matter which way Makoto looked, she was stuck, and getting out alive felt slimmer and slimmer. They were playing into Akechi’s hand just as he had planned, and there was no avoiding the train wreck that was about to occur. Makoto's only hope was that her sister could be reasoned with, otherwise, all their days were numbered.
As soon as the trial ended the Phantom Thieves made their way out of the courtroom. It was clear everyone was anxious to secure a route to Sae’s treasure, but Makoto found herself sluggish. She could barely make it to the hallway of the courthouse before her legs failed her, causing her to stop in her tracks. The other Phantom Thieves either didn't notice or were too preoccupied to turn back around, all besides Haru. She glanced back, and with a sympathizing look, she ran to Makoto's side. “Mako-chan, are you alright?” Haru asked compassionately. Part of Makoto felt grateful for her sudden care, but another felt selfish. That part wished Haru abandoned her and let Makoto stew in her own misery. Makoto looked at the girl with fluffy auburn-colored hair, and wondered if the same thoughts were going through her mind just a month ago. After all— Makoto was thinking in pure hypotheticals, Haru had to live in that reality where she lost her father. Makoto thought herself selfish to feel so conflicted based on a possibility, especially when the future was still in their hands.
“I'm fine. We should probably get—”
“No, it’s okay to take a moment to yourself.” Haru said. While Makoto tried to push herself forward, she could feel her legs resist. So she decided to take Haru’s words to heart and just… stay still. She felt all too aware of her surroundings, of her shoes touching the carpeted floor, of the cramped space in the hallway, and the stale air which filled the gaps. It felt oppressive, like her sisters will was dominating the halls, and one wrong move would lead to death on either side. But Makoto also knew that time wasn't on her side, that she couldn't just laze around and take a day off. They had specifically changed Sae's cognition to secure the Treasure route, doing any less would result in an absolute failure.
“Is it? We just changed Sis’ cognition, but we have no idea how long that’ll last. We need to head to the Palace now and—”
“Mako-chan, I know what you’re going through.” Haru said, stopping Makoto in her thoughts. Makoto wanted to speak out, to spill her anxiety, but fell silent in the moment. Despite wielding a big axe and rocket launcher in the Metaverse, there was something warm and compassionate by being by Haru's side, where she showed to be a natural gentle caretaker. Makoto could feel herself relax to sound of Haru's compassionate voice, and, if even momentarily, put Makoto's heart at ease. “I felt so scared, so conflicted when we were targeting my father. But I also sought out his change of heart because I knew it’d be best for the world… and for him. His… death was heart-crushing, but that wasn’t any of your fault.” Haru said.
Makoto felt it hard to breath as she watched Haru. Makoto envisioned herself in Haru’s shoes, waiting for a change of heart, waiting for something, anything, and then for the worst to happen. Ren dies. Sae dies. And Makoto is left all alone. Makoto’s heart threatened to break in two just from the simple thought, it was too much to bear. “But… Sis doesn’t deserve to die." Makoto whimpered. "We may have a plan in place, but what if it goes awry? What if her Shadow dies right in front of us? Not only would we lose Sis, but Ren too…! I don’t know if I’d be able to—”
“Take a deep breath and focus. Nothing will ever turn out perfect, but you’re going to stretch yourself thin if you over analyze everything. You need to take take things one step at a time, especially now of all times. Let’s secure the route to Niijima-san’s Treasure, and we can figure out the rest later.” Haru said with a calming smile.
While Makoto’s mind and heart throbbed painful, she knew Haru was right. The only way to secure their future was to follow through with their plan. It was risky, but otherwise all their lives may as well be forfeit. With a deep breath, Makoto did her best to regain her bearings.
“You’re… you’re right. Thank you, Haru. I… don’t know how you can look at any of the work we do optimistically after what happened with your father, but I appreciate it nonetheless.” Makoto said honestly.
A bright smile lit up on Haru’s face. There was something calming about her, as if she exuded a calming aura that extended to all of her friends. In any case, Makoto appreciated the third year’s companionship. “It’s because I’ve seen your justice, and I agree with it. Don’t doubt yourself, Mako-chan. We may have been defeated once, but we won’t be caught off guard again.” Haru said.
“Thank you for this, it’s helped tremendously. How about we catch up with the others before they worry about us.” Makoto said, feeling a newfound energy within herself, eager to change the future for the better.
“Yes, lets!” Haru said, and while it didn’t resolve Makoto’s stress, she did walk back into Sae’s Palace with a renewed resolve.
20XX, November 12th
Makoto would have thought securing the route to Sae's treasure would have caused her unease to settle, but it only seemed to do the opposite. Everything hinged on their plan succeeding, and if they failed, multiple lives could be lost. It was their final gamble.
Still, Makoto found it hard to focus on her studies, which was rare for someone like her. Even when she lost her father, she applied herself to the bone, but now? Makoto found worry and doubt cloud her mind. Was there really no other avenue to assure everyone's safety? To clear their names? To out the person behind all the atrocities? Makoto felt more unsure than ever, but knew she had no choice but to move forward on this path. it was their only chance.
"Niijima-san, how have you been?" A familiar voice spoke. Makoto looked up to see Doctor Maruki, with a juice box in hand, standing in the hallway. Makoto knew it was a lunch break, but she didn't see him often out and about, much less alone from the feckless students who chased after him. Truth be told, Makoto lamented the fact that he would be leaving in just one week. Part of her wanted to make time for another visit, but another, understandably so, had been so wrapped up in her sister's metaverse business and their plan for survival that any time to give to ccounciling seemed to fall to the wayside.
"Are you asking for casual conversation, or as my counselor?" Makoto responded.
"I suppose I've been found out. Like I've said, the last thing I want is to force the student council president to come to my sessions, but... I've noticed you've been rather downtrodden recently. I may be overstepping, but since I'm leaving in a weeks time, I thought it necessary to reach out before—well, you get the picture." Maruki admitted. Makoto figured it was something like this, and while she wanted to be hyperfocused on the Phantom Thieves goals, she knew she couldn't just shut it out. Makoto felt like she was digging herself into a deeper rut, with no escape, and finally someone was reaching out a hand.
"I wouldn't be opposed to a small chat, if you have the time." Makoto said. A smile lit up on Maruki's face as he heard those words.
"Wonderful." Maruki said. "Did you want to talk in my office, or—"
"Would it be alright if we spoke outside? I feel like I need a breath of fresh air." Makoto admitted with a heavy sigh. Concern befell Maruki's expression, but he did his best to keep the smile everpresent on his face.
"Of course, wherever you're most comfortable." Maruki said. He led the way to the bottom floor of Shujin, finding an empty corner in the courtyard for the two of them to sit. "Please know you don't have to say anything you don't want to. I don't want to force you to say anything you're uncomfortable with." Maruki said.
"Thank you..." Makoto whispered. Even detailing back to her prior visit, Makoto had found it a little unnerving how easily she felt herself at ease with Doctor Maruki. Maybe it was his personable nature, or maybe it was some other unknown quality entirely. In either case, Makoto was glad to have at least one dependable adult she could rely on. "Truth be told, I've been having difficulties at home lately. As you may now, my sister is a prosecutor, and now she's the head on a dangerous case." Makoto said, her voice growing more hushed with every word.
"Niijima-san, huh? I'd be lying if I said I never heard of her. I can only imagine someone as prolific as her is— well, that doesn't matter. If it's a dangerous case... are you scared for your own safety?" Maruki asked.
Makoto felt surprised at his question. At first, her irrational thoughts made her think Maruki was insinuating that Makoto was connected to the investigation, that her own life would be at forfeit if the investigation went through. While that was the truth, there was no way for Doctor Maruki to know Makoto would be directly connected, so she quickly discarded that possibility. The next thought which entered her mind had been because of her connection with Sae—if someone were to go after Sae due to the dangers of the investigation, it would stand to reason her family could be a target as well. If Makoto were hedging bets, she figured it would be the latter.
"N-No. It's not my safety I'm worried about. When push comes to shove, I can protect myself. But Sis... She's working night and day, tiring herself to the bone for this. It's like she has blinders on, and refuses to see the world around her. Whether someone comes after her, or her own ambitions cause her to lose sight of her own safety, I fear for her all the same." Makoto said. She knew she was navigating dangerous territory, because if she dared say the wrong thing then her identity could be blown. Not that she wouldn't trust Maruki to keep it private, patient confidentiality and all that, but it would always be one worry which would impress itself into the back of her mind.
"I see. That is a cause for concern. I... apologize. While I may be able to help you, it'd be hard to give advice for someone who is shutting themselves off. I fear I don't have much guidance in this matter." Maruki admitted bashfully.
"No, it's quite alright. Even just saying this has helped ease my concerns. I... am still scared, but I have to hold out hope everything will be alright in the end." Makoto said.
"It's understandable if you don't feel that way, but I admire your bravery nonetheless." Maruki said in praise of Makoto. While she still had many worries to assauge, she was glad to feel some relief from her tormented thoughts. It certainly didn't assure their plan would go off without a hitch, but it did leave her feeling more self-confident the more she released her inner-anxieties.
That left an awkward silence as Doctor Maruki sipped from his juice box. While Makoto was on the subject of her feelings, she felt compelled to update Doctor Maruki on what had changed in her life since they last met. After all, it had been over four months at this point, and a lot had changed for her.
"I—I finally understood what you were advising for me the last time we spoke. About Ann, I mean." Makoto clarified. Doctor Maruki's eyebrows raised unexpectedly, mild interest showing on his face.
"I am glad to hear you came to understand your own emotions." Maruki said earnestly. Makoto could feel herself force a smile on her lips, but inside she was just as torn about this as she remembered.
"Me too... Even if she doesn't hold similar feelings for me, I'm glad to have made that realization about myself." Makoto said with detachment. This piqued Maruki's interest, placing down his now-finished juice box in order to give Makoto his full attention.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did that make you feel?" Maruki asked. Makoto thought it was a strange question, but a harmless one, all things considered.
"I was originally overwhelemed with so many thoughts, but suddenly everything clicked into place. It just... made sense. But when I learned that Ann had no interest in me, my heart felt... broken. But the more I listened to her, the more I was grateful I had her as a friend at all." Makoto said.
"Do... you imagine your feelings for her have faded?" Maruki asked. There was a solemn expression on his face, one that seemed far more introspective than the conversation would have let on. Makoto wanted to question his intention, but figured it'd be best to leave it be.
"I don't know... Everything else in life has been so crazy, I haven't really been able to think about that." Makoto admitted.
"In any case, I'm glad to hear you still remained friends. Speaking of, am I keeping you from seeing her? I'm sure she'd appreciate your company today of all days." Maruki said, another oddly specific statement.
"I-I—What's special about today?" Makoto asked with furrowed eyebrows. Maruki looked surprised given the response, and a troubled look appeared across his face.
"I just assumed you—It's Takamaki-san's birthday, if I'm not mistaken." Maruki said. Makoto went wideeyed, sudden feelings of guilt and sorrow taking hold of her heart. Here Makoto was, claiming she was a Ann's close friend, and yet she didn't even know it was her brithday! Her heart broke in a whole other way, and suddenly Makoto felt like she needed spring up and go, to grovel at Ann's feet and beg for forgiveness. "I had no idea..." Makoto lamented, her jaw clenching tightly. Makoto wasn't used to having a close-knit friend group, and yet, she questioned the validity of her connections, the validity of her bonds. Had she not been inquisitive enough? Had she not cared enough to ask? It made her tremble in a way she didn't know possible.
"Makoto, I— Oh, hi Doctor Maruki, I didn't see you there." A woman said. Makoto glanced up, and just her luck, it had been the subject of conversation. Makoto felt like a crummy friend as she stared at Ann, internally wondering if Ann was judging her for her forgetful transgressions.
"Hi there, Takamaki-san. I hope I'm not stealing Niijima-san away from you. We were just having a small chat." Maruki said casually. If there was one thing he was good at, it was getting those around him comfortable (which said a lot, given how awkward this situation could have turned out if Ann overheard a single word in the past minute).
"Oh, it's alright. If you two are—"
"No!" Makoto sprang up defiantly. Her voice echoed across the courtyard, making even herself jolt from just how powerful her voice had been. But she didn't care. She didn't want Ann to walk away. Not now of all times. Makoto felt a wave of guilt wash over her as she looked at Ann, braving up the courage to painfully admit "I... didn't realize it was your birthday. I'm sorry for being a forgetful friend, you deserve better." Makoto said earnestly.
Ann's eyes widened at the statement, staring at Makoto with disbelief. "Makoto, how— No, sorry." Ann stopped herself, biting her bottom lip as soon as the words left her lips. Ann appeared conflicted in a way Makoto didn't anticipate, but it made Makoto squirm all the same.
"You don't need to apologize, Ann. I should have—"
"I purposefully didn't tell any of you." Ann interrupted. From sorrow to immediate confusion, Makoto's internal lament ceased as she stared at the blonde, expectantly hoping for an explanation. "I figured it'd only be a distraction. We're all so busy, you especially, that I doubted we had any time for something like birthday celebrations. So— don't sweat it, okay!" Ann said with her faux smile. Makoto could tell she was hiding sorrow underneath, but there was no chance she could point it out, especially not in front of Doctor Maruki.
"I appreciate your consideration, Ann. But I promised you that I'd be here for you too. I meant it, for both the good times; and the bad." Makoto said. Ann appeared shameful and closed off as soon as Makoto spoke. Ann's gaze fell from Makoto once more, looking just past her to stare at Maruki. Whatever sort of debate Ann was having in her head, it appeared she didn't want Makoto to be any part of it.
"I know you're likely busy since you're leaving next week, but would it be possible to squeeze in an appointment?" Ann asked Maruki, almost as if Makoto wasn't standing right there.
A nervous chuckle escaped Maruki's lips, the man looking a little bashful considering the circumstances. "I would love to. Right now, however, I'm afraid I—"
Makoto couldn't take it. Whether it be the look of sorrow on Ann's face, or Makoto's expression of guilt, she wasn't sure. But Makoto knew she had to leave before it consumed her. "Actually, I've said everything I needed to. Thank you, Doctor Maruki, for your help." Makoto said with a short bow.
Maruki, for his part, appeared taken off guard; but forced a smile on his face all the same. "If you say so. I hope everything turns out for the best. As you know, if you ever need anything, please feel free to reach out to me."
Makoto exhaled a breath of air she didn't know she was holding, and after giving Ann a brief smile (as if saying best of luck,) Makoto took down for the halls of Shujin Academy once more. Makoto unfortunately felt her mind was more confused than before her visit to Doctor Maruki, but it proved to her she should only push her focus to what was important. She had to save her sister and the Phantom Thieves, even if it was the last thing she'd ever do.
20XX, November 18th
Makoto could feel her nerves stand on edge as she waited for Sae to come home. If Sae came home, that is. Assuming Akechi was being honest, then the investigation would be reaching its conclusion in just a few days’ time, which meant the likelihood of Sae working late nights was more likely than ever. Still, Makoto held her phone in her hand, the text message sent telling Sae to come home immediately still unreplied to.
“I’m home,” Sae announced as the door creaked open, causing Makoto's heart to nearly jump out of her chest. In all honesty, Makoto thought it may have been impossible to lure Sae home with such a message—assuming she read it. If she did, then in spite of her distorted desires, that showed she had some semblance of reason or care left in her.
Good. This was good.
“Hi Sis…” Makoto said, sounding apprehensive.
“Is something the matter? Your text sounded urgent.” Sae asked. Cold. Distant. Makoto knew she couldn’t squander this chance, but it still hurt to see Sae like this.
“This… came in the mail. I tried my best not to read it, but… it’s addressed to you.” Makoto said, handing over the red and black card to her sister. Sae ripped the calling card from Makoto’s hand, pacing herself around the couch before sitting in the one-seater.
“Madame Sae Niijima, a great sinner of jealousy. You have lost yourself amidst your obsession with success. For its sake, you are even willing to promote injustice as justice… From, the Phantom Thieves.” Sae repeated. Makoto knew those words all too well, as they were the very words she chose for the calling card. Still, it pained to see Sae’s disgusted expression in response. It hit a nerve, just as they hoped it would.
“Like I said, I found it in our mailbox…”
“To think they would send me one… They brand me a criminal and plan to change my heart?” Sae complained as she ripped it up. “What nonsense! They only care about disposing of those who are an inconvenience for them! Fine… I’ll just have to catch them first!” Sae proclaimed.
This next part was going to be difficult to navigate, but Makoto needed to confirm a few things if their plan was going to go off without a hitch. She just hoped she could do so without raising suspicions. “And when you do… you’re going to interrogate them, right? In some kind of underground room, was it?” Makoto asked, knowing her questions were completely conspicuous.
“Why do you ask?” Sae asked.
“Oh, I just remembered you mentioning something like that before…” Makoto lied, hoping that was enough to get Sae off her track. Makoto had hoped that Sae would be too wrapped up in her eventual accomplishment that she wouldn’t worry about revealing such facts to her little sister.
Luckily for Makoto, the gamble worked.
“That’s right. It will be in a special interrogation room underground. My time will be limited, but I will do whatever it takes to make them divulge their secrets!” Sae announced.
There was an odd air in the apartment after Sae’s proclamation, and for a split-second Makoto could feel her head throbbing. In a blink-and-miss-it moment, Makoto swore she saw the black-clad shadow version of Sae sitting across from her, smiling wickedly toward Makoto as if saying “Let’s do this fair and square!”. It sent shivers down Makoto’s spine, but as soon as she blinked makoto found herself back in reality, sitting across from her real sister.
“I should probably be going back. It’s late, but I should contact the director and let him know about this calling card…” Sae said, glancing to the crumbled, ripped mess of the former calling card. Sae’s cold and distant red eyes fell on Makoto, and for once there was… sympathy? Understanding? Whatever it was, it felt foreign, and Makoto felt completely unnerved by it. “I expect things will calm down a little once this case is over. Once that happens… why don’t we go on a trip to some hot springs? Just the two of us.” Sae offered. This felt strange. This felt like the old Sae. The Sae which Makoto wanted to save. Makoto couldn’t stop the tears which pricked at her eyes, desperately hoping she could hold onto this moment forever.
“Sis…” Makoto whispered in premature grief. If they failed, it wasn’t only Ren that could die, but Sae as well. The Phantom Thieves would then forever be on the run, looking over their shoulders for the rest of their days. Makoto lost her mother and her father, the last thing Makoto wanted to lose was her sister. Tears now flew unconditionally down her cheeks as Makoto yearned for the sister that had been lost all this time. “Um, I-I’m on your side! I won’t let anyone do anything to you!” Makoto said. She couldn’t stop her whimpering as the tears continued to flow.
Sae, for her part, walked over and gave Makoto two slow head pats. It felt… oddly familiar. Nothing Sae ever did, but someone else. Makoto could faintly recall a time when her mother would do something like that to calm her down, and suddenly she felt like she was a child all over again. “What an odd girl…” Sae said affectionately.
“Do you need to make a call?” Makoto said as she wiped her tears away. “I’ll head up to my room then.” Makoto offered. She didn’t wait for an answer, as she already knew what had to be done. If anything, this proved there was something to fight for when it came to Sae. She could be saved. They all could be. The Phantom Thieves had to pull this heist to exact precision, all their lives depended on it.
20XX, November 19th
“It will be alright. I want to save my sister no matter what.”
It was those words which spurred Makoto forward as they made their final trek through the Palace. Alarms were blaring, shadows were on high alert, all the while the casino’s music and sounds blasted through the entire Palace. If this mission hadn’t been life or death, Makoto would have found the circumstances thrilling. Still, she kept her focus no matter the situation: Through the missing treasure, the initial confrontation with Sae, and even when she transformed into a monstrous beast, Makoto refused to lose her composure.
The latter had shaken Makoto to her core, unable to believe that this mishapen monstrosity was what Sae thought of herself. Or maybe that’s what the world had warped her to be. None of this excused her actions, but Makoto could understand Sae, now more than ever. No one should have to face the pressures she did after their father died. And as fate would have it, Makoto got the final hit in on the hobbled monster, Sae finally going down in a sea of shadowy flames.
“So I’ve lost…” Sae whispered as she crumbled to the floor. While it was no longer the deformed monstrosity that had taken her place, it was still her warped shadowy appearance. That didn’t stop Makoto from running to Sae’s side, making sure that none of the damage they landed had been fatal.
“Sis!” Makoto yelled as she kneeled next to Sae. Sae’s golden irises wouldn’t look up to meet Makoto, the shadow’s focus remaining straight on the ground below. Maybe it was hubris to think that the shadow would immediately come around after a grueling battle, but Makoto had to hold out hope that maybe, just maybe, her sister’s heart could still be saved.
Akechi scoffed from behind, his voice full of disdain. “That’s only a Shadow. Why are you so…”
“Quiet!” Ann yelled. For his part, Akechi mumbled an apology, one which Makoto decided to accept and move on from. Makoto placed a hand on Sae’s back, and despite being a shadow, she felt so incredibly real. Was this really the reflection of her own heart? Was that monstrosity truly how she saw herself? Makoto vowed to never allow Sae to go through this alone anymore. Not now, not ever.
“We’ll go grab the Treasure.” Ryuji said as he and Yusuke parted away from the others. The plan was underway, but Makoto couldn’t leave Sae’s side. She refused to. Makoto could only assume how crushed her sister was after losing— after all, her entire ideology was based on winning. Makoto started to rub Sae’s back soothingly, hoping it’d trigger something in her sister, anything to get her attention.
“Makoto?” Shadow Sae finally asked. There was something in her voice, almost like a plea for help. A plea for understanding. Makoto wanted to be by her sister’s side, but she would never betray her friends for it. Makoto continued to rub light circles in her sister’s back, as she wondered the best way to help her.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to bring light to evils which can’t be judged by law. That’s all the Phantom Thieves have been trying to do too. But these aggressive investigations? Twisting the truth for your own personal gain?” Makoto shook her head in defiance. Makoto thought of her conversation with Sae the previous night, how it was like a switch was flipped. She was so kind, so caring, and she actually wanted to spend time with Makoto. If anything, Makoto wanted her back. “Please… You have to think back to the feelings you had when you first wanted to be a prosecutor. Think about your justice, Sis.” Makoto urged.
“My justice…” Sae said under her breath. Makoto knew she was getting through to her, she just needed to try a little more.
“Try to remember how you used to be…” Makoto insisted.
“How I…” Sae mumbled.
The other Phantom Thieves started talking behind Makoto’s back, but unless it was Futaba’s signal, Makoto didn’t care. She refused to leave Sae’s side. She refused to leave Sae out of her sight. They left Okumura’s palace when it started falling apart, and that’s when he was killed. They would not make the same mistake again.
“We found it!” Yusuke announced. Makoto knew that meant Ryuji and Yusuke performed the swap, holding an empty briefcase. It was truly fortunate that Sae decided to hide her treasure in order to gain the upper hand on the Phantom Thieves.
“All right, we don’t need to stay here any longer!” Morgana insisted as he tugged on Makoto’s arm. “... Are you alright?” Makoto knew this meant they had to get ready for Akechi’s back-stabbing plan, but the last thing she wanted was to leave Sae’s side. She would be the last one to stay if it were the last thing she did.
“I am. Let’s go.” Makoto said as she stood on her feet. It was precisely at this time that Futaba discovered the bad news.
“Huh!?” Futaba exclaimed. “Enemy readings! When did they…!? They’re gathering outside!”
“For real!? The hell’s goin’ on!?” Ryuji asked.
“Look at those numbers!” Yusuke exclaimed.
“This doesn’t look good…” Ann said.
“We defeated the Palace ruler and even stole the Treasure, yet the Shadows are still restless…” Morgana said. “It doesn’t make any sense… What’s going on here?”
“There are more coming!? This’ll be dangerous if we don’t do something!” Futaba said. “Huh?”
“We need to go now! Those guys in black suits are almost here. We’ll be done for if we get surrounded!” Morgana ordered.
“A team this large would be discovered immediately. We had best split up for our escape.” Makoto said, intending to stay by Sae’s side. “Although, we’ll need someone to act as a decoy… No, that’s too dangerous.” Makoto threw out. She found it difficult to keep the flow of conversation up while maintain the act. None of the Phantom Thieves were trained actors, after all; to throw Akechi off their scents would take far more than just this. Still, she found herself proud of the other Phantom Thieves, especially as one slip up could mean life or death.
“Go, everyone.” Ren insisted.
“Joker!? Are you planning on distracting them by yourself!?” Makoto asked.
“Let him do it, Queen. He’s quiet, but once his mind’s made up, he’s not gonna take no for an answer.” Ryuji said. “I’m sure you ain’t gonna die. It’s you we’re talkin’ about here.” Ryuji said as he handed Ren the empty briefcase.
“Please don’t do anything reckless, okay?” Haru requested.
“I’ll never forgive you if you don’t make it back.” Ann said.
“We still haven’t fulfilled our deal, remember?” Morgana said.
“Even more are coming!” Futaba alarmed them.
“This truly is a painfully reluctant parting!” Yusuke said.
“It’s seems we had best hurry.” Akechi said.
“... We’ll see you later.” Makoto said, hoping desperately that would be enough to throw Akechi off. Their entire plan hinged on it, after all. One by one, the Phantom Thieves scattered, all taking various routes back to the entrance. Finally, with Akechi gone, and Ren on distraction duty, that left Makoto with one final task.
“Why… haven’t you left you?” Shadow Sae grumbled, looking Makoto in the eye. “You haven’t taken my…”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m on your side. I won’t let anyone do anything to you.” Makoto assured Sae as she kneeled before her. “Please, look out for yourself. You don’t know where an enemy may be lurking.” Makoto requested.
“Makoto… you are smarter than I have given you credit for.” Sae said with a soft chuckle.
“Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Makoto said with as much joy as she could muster. Despite the stress of the plan, Makoto had to hold faith that everything would work out. It had to. Makoto stood back up, giving Sae one last look, as the final bittersweet words fell from Makoto’s lips. “Stay safe, Sis.”
20XX, November 20th
It had been understandable why, but Makoto found herself more anxious than she anticipated. If all had gone well, their plan would go off without a hitch. Given Futaba’s text, it seemed Sae did take Ren’s phone, but there hadn’t been an update since then. By all accounts, Ren should be alive, and yet…
“I’m home,” Sae announced as she stepped through the apartment door. Makoto’s heart raced in her chest, springing up from the couch in response. Sae looked tired, more so than usual, but there was something different about her. She seemed frazzled, but more importantly, awake.
“Sis, how did—”
“You can drop the act. I know you are a member of the Phantom Thieves.” Sae said as she walked down the hallway, her cutting gaze falling directly on Makoto. Makoto’s heart pounded in her chest, the tone of Sae’s voice harsher and more commanding than Makoto anticipated. Did we fail? Makoto pondered.
“Sis—”
“No. Before you ask any questions, I need to know: Why?” Sae asked, her height seemingly impossibly large as she crossed the short distance to Makoto. The question was simple in nature, but had so many different meanings. Why this plan? Why not tell her? Why join the Phantom Thieves? Makoto could have guessed any of them and have been valid, but she decided to hedge her bets on the latter.
“Sis… I… I joined the Phantom Thieves to uphold and bring light to evils that even the justice system cannot catch.” Makoto said, echoing the same sentiment she made toward Sae’s shadow. And as intimidating as Sae’s shadow had been, the real thing was so much worse.
After an impossibly long silence, Sae let her shoulders slump, as she pulled Makoto in for an unexpected embrace. Makoto couldn’t remember the last time Sae voluntarily hugged her, and any attmept to move or argue melted on the spot.
“Do you know how reckless this was?! When I learned that you were involved, I couldn’t stop thinking that something could happen to you.” Sae said, her voice angry— but within the emotion, Makoto could hear care and compassion. Sae was back. Her Sae was back.
“I… Understand, Sis.” Makoto whispered back as tears started to well in her eyes. They stayed like that together for longer than Makoto anticipated, but she didn’t have to hear anything else—she knew everything went off without a hitch. Sae was alive, Ren was saved, and the Phantom Thieves didn’t need to disband. They succeeded.
Sae finally parted away from Makoto, taking a deep breath as if to stop herself from crying. “Well, given what I heard from Amamiya, it sounds like you have a tight-knit group. I… will have to trust you all will remain safe.” Sae said. If Makoto didn't know any better, Sae was giving her consent to Makoto being a Phantom Thief. That was far more than Makoto could have ever asked for.
“Speaking of— I can assume so based on… everything. But I just have to confirm, is he… alive?” Makoto asked. A faint smile raised on Sae’s lips, and all worries were washed away from Makoto’s heart.
“Yes. He’s alive. I dropped him off at LeBlanc before coming here.” Sae said. For the first time since Futaba took down MedJed did Makoto feel a true sense of accomplishment. They succeeded— against all odds they truly succeeded. It was everything Makoto could have wished for and more.
Makoto nearly fell to the ground in relief. She could finally tell the others. Although Makoto was sure there would always be a piece of doubt in her heart until she saw Ren alive with her own two eyes.
“That’s a relief. I was confident our plan would succeed, but the risks were literally life or death. Then I saw Ren’s suicide on the news and I… Well, it’s hard to maintain faith, even if a broadcast is part of your plans.” Makoto admitted honestly.
“If I’m being honest, my mind is still trying to figure out what’s true or not, but… I would never forsake you, Makoto. I hope you know that.” Sae said “I do have a few questions if you don’t mind. I understand that Akechi is the one behind the mental shutdown cases, but… was it you who decided to invade my—Palace?” Sae asked.
“We can discuss the intricacies of the plan tomorrow, but for tonight… Oh Sis, I’m so glad you’re back.” It was Makoto’s turn to initiate the hug, grasping tightly onto Sae.
“I suppose I am back. I’m still confused—I don’t feel like I’ve had a change of heart, but it’s like I’m looking at the world without blinders on for the first time in years. I can’t say I agree with everything you’ve done, Makoto, but I know you’re doing what you think is best. For that, please know I’ll always be here to support you.” Sae said.
“I’ll be here for you too, Sis. I won’t let anything hurt you.” Makoto repeated, as tears now streaked her face once more.
Sae hummed, returning the embrace, and resting her head against her sister’s. “Heh… you truly are an odd girl.”
20XX, December 18th
Today was a day worthy of celebration. While it wasn’t officially the Phantom Thieves’ final act, they did take down their strongest adversary yet. Shido had confessed to his crimes on television, and all wrongful accusations were lifted from the Phantom Thieves. Even Ren could attend school again—truly there was no better time to celebrate than now.
“Hey… When are we going to make the toast?” Yusuke asked, getting the celebration back on track. There had been a lot of bickering back and forth, along with Sae delivering information regarding Shido’s prosecution. If all went well, he’d be taken down legally too—it’d only be a matter of when, not if.
Sojiro cleared his throat, holding up his glass as he prepared to make a speech. “Right, let’s get back to it. Uhh, today is truly—”
“Cheers!” Ryuji yelled, then Futaba, and then the whole chorus chimed in, making it hard for Sojiro to get in. So, despite Sojiro’s best efforts, Makoto decided to go with the flow, as she was swept up in the celebration bustle. "Cheers!" She repeated.
PI. PI. PI.
A phone rang, cutting through their celebratory cheers. Makoto turned to face Sae, seeing her grab her phone. Sae's expression of happiness fell down to her normal scowl, which Makoto knew meant work was calling. “I need to go. It seems Shido’s been transferred to a hospital. Oh, one more thing. It’s fine to celebrate, but keep it in moderation, okay?” Sae requested. “Considering that Ren’s finally back, all of you need to take your education seriously again.”
… The Phantom Thieves did not celebrate in moderation.
To be fair, after they had risked their lives in a grand total of seven different Palaces, and after having succeeded against their toughest enemy in Masayoshi Shido, it was hard not to celebrate. The Phantom Thieves had long eaten all the prepared food Sojiro brought, and now they were all unwinding with cups of decaf coffee, and juice for Ryuji and Futaba. In the closer booth sat Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke, while at the bar sat Haru and Futaba, with Sojiro by the coffee maker.
Makoto noticed that Ren was sitting with Morgana in the furthest booth, thumbing through a crossword. A part of her wondered why Ren was being so secluded— if anyone should be celebrating this victory, it should be him. Makoto picked up her cup of coffee and joined him.
“Just from a quick glance, I think 34 across may be Christmas.” Makoto said as she sat down. Ren’s eyebrows shot up before a soft chuckle escaped his lips. “How did I not get that?” Ren asked as he filled in the blanks.
“We’ll have to thank Niijima-san the next time we see her. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without her.” Morgana said, his front paws reaching out to the table.
“Honestly, I think she’s a little sick of all the thanks. She’s just glad to be doing the right thing.” Makoto said. Her eyes drifted away, wondering just how different the world would have been if they failed. Would the rest of the Phantom Thieves be arrested by now? Or would Akechi have picked them off one by one? Makoto wasn’t sure, but regardless, she was happy for the result they got.
“…To think Christmas is only a week away.” Ren said as he filled out the rest of the crossword.
“With how crazy all our lives have been, it’s not too crazy to forget the holidays are coming up.” Makoto said, before glancing at the Phantom Thieves leader. He didn’t really talk about them, but Makoto did know he had family. Was he planning on visiting them? Or was it part of his probation to stay away? Either way, Makoto figured it’d be nice to ask. “Do… you plan on visiting your parents for the holidays? I’m sure they miss you.” Makoto said.
Ren released a sigh of discomfort as he laid back against the booth cushions. Makoto lost her confidence after she watched Ren's posture deflate, but if Ren was planning on backing out of the question, he certainly made no motion to do so.
“My parents were never the… celebrating types. It never mattered how well I performed in school; they always treated me like I was a mistake. After the incident with Shido, they seemed all too eager to ship me off, to make me learn what it was like in the real world… or something.” Ren revealed.
Makoto felt her heart break, mostly because she could relate, if even a little bit. “Wow, I’m… sorry to hear that.” Makoto said.
“This is the first I’m hearing of this too. Who would have imagined…” Morgana pondered.
“It doesn’t matter. I have Sakura-san and all of you now. I know I’ll have to move back in with them once I’m finished with this school year, but for the time being I refuse to miss another moment here.” Ren said, a smile breaking on his face. Maybe this was a Christmas present for him after all—but Makoto could relate. These friends were more than she could ever ask for.
“I… see.” Makoto said.
“How about you, Makoto? Any Christmas plans?” Morgana asked.
“M-Me? I… I’m not sure. In the past my father used to cook an amazing karaage. My sister started making it in his stead on Christmas Eve, probably one of the rare times you’ll actually see her cook— which is a shame because she can cook really well when she puts her mind to it. So, I imagine I’ll probably spend the day with Sis.” Makoto said.
“It’s good to see you two get along after everything.” Morgana said.
“Me too. It’s strange, having her be so involved in our Phantom Thief business, but it also fits like a glove. I… I’m just glad she’s not our enemy anymore.” Makoto said with a sigh of relief.
“Do you have… any other plans?” Ren asked. Given the way he was looking at her, and the insinuation, it almost sounded like he was asking Makoto if she wanted to spend time with him on Christmas.
“I… If you’re offering for us to spend time with one another, then I appreciate the offer, but I’d—”
“No, sorry. I just…” Ren looked around before leaning in and whispering, “Maybe it was my imagination, but for the longest time I thought you had your eyes set on Ann. With everything winding down, I figured it might be a good idea to see if she wants to spend Christmas with you.” Ren suggested.
“I— I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Makoto pouted. She thought she managed to control her crush, make it go from a raging fire to a doused flame. It also helped that she had to focus so incredibly much on her sister, Akechi, and Shido, that she didn’t have any time for crushes or feelings. But now that everything was unwinding…
“To think I would have such fierce competition in our own Queen— it looks like I’ll need to step up big time.” Morgana announced. That made Makoto’s ears turn red with embarrassment, but luckily everyone else was so incredibly loud that it drowned Morgana’s proclamation out.
“Look, even if I did have… feelings, or something… It just wouldn’t work out, trust me. It’s best to leave that alone.” Makoto insisted, first glancing at Morgana, then toward Ren. Ren, on the other hand, didn’t appear convinced.
“Leave what alone?” An unexpected voice sent a shock through Makoto’s system. She looked over her shoulder to see Ann standing by her side, all the while Ren and Morgana appeared to have the most shit-eating grins on their face. It was like Ann had a superpower to know when people were talking about her, and at this point, Makoto found it unnerving.
“It’s nothing—” Makoto stammered. Ann appeared unconvinced, but decided not to question Makoto's statement regardless.
“Well, do you mind if I sit down? I can only take so much of Ryuji and Yusuke’s energy before it wears me out.” Ann laughed. Makoto glanced over to Ren and Morgana, as if she were pleading Help me. Instead, they seemed to do just the opposite, as Ren stood from the booth preparing to leave.
“Oh, sure. We should probably check in with the others anyway. Right, Morgana?” Ren asked. Morgana seemed disappointed, but went along with it all the same.
“... Fine.” Morgana pouted as he leapt from the booth down to the floor. As soon as they evicted themselves, Makoto expected Ann to take their place across from her. But instead, Ann sat right next to Makoto, forcing Makoto to scoot inward on the booth.
“I wonder what they were off to in a hurry… oh were you doing a crossword?” Ann asked.
“N-No, that was Ren. I did help him out a little, though.” Makoto said.
“It must be a relief that this is all finally over, right?” Ann asked.
“More than you can imagine. Just a few months ago I couldn’t even think of settling down with my sister for Christmas, and yet Christmas is now right around the corner.” Makoto admitted bashfully.
“To think the holidays are coming so soon. It’s crazy to think how much has happened recently.” Ann said, her voice dropping with a sense of disappointment. Makoto wondered if she said something wrong to cause such a reaction, now questioning every word that came out of her mouth.
“Yeah… it’s pretty crazy…” Makoto whispered, finding her will to talk dwindled. She found herself nervous, whether that be the close proximity, or something else entirely, Makoto wasn't sure. But it made her hands run clammy and her heart pump with a voracious vigor all the same.
“I… um… I think I’m a little jealous." Ann finally admitted. "My parents are always so busy that they miss everything. My first modeling job, my birthdays, most holidays. It's why I don't like to celebrate those sorts of things. But they seem to always make it home for Christmas. I’m not so sure about that this year though… Maybe it’s because our adventures as the Phantom Thieves are starting to wind down, but Shiho, then my parents… I guess… I’m alone again, huh?” Ann asked somberly.
Ren’s words came back to Makoto’s mind, and she wanted to be brave. Wanted to extend her hand and offer Ann a place in her heart. But Makoto felt scared, knowing the truth of Ann’s feelings. Makoto sighed as she looked away, wondering why Ann decided to seek her council out of everyone. But Makoto refused to lament on her emotions, especially when Ann decided to confind in her. “Like I told you on that day Shiho left, you don’t have to worry about being alone—I’ll always be here for you, whenever you need.” Makoto said reassuringly.
Before Makoto knew it, she was wrapped in a warm embrace, and Makoto suddenly felt it hard to breath.e “Oh… Makoto… I…” But no other words came from Ann’s lips, she fell silent as her arms tightened their hold. For her part, Makoto wasn’t sure what was running through Ann’s mind, but Makoto’s mind was panicking, her heart racing a mile a minute and Makoto was scared Ann could hear it all. But if her heart was going into overdrive, her brain had been shortcircuiting, causing any and all logical responses to fall to the way side.
Makoto quickly decided she needed air, and brought a little distance between the two of them. But only then did she notice just how grateful Ann looked. Then, it felt like her heart had exploded. What was once a doused flame, had erupted back into a raging fire all over again, and Makoto realized just how screwed she was.
Then the guilt settled in, feeling absolutely disgusted with her rampaging emotions and thoughts. This was a friend who was feeling incredibly lonely, and in her hour of need Makoto was about to thinking about how much she had a crush on her—a crush that was certainly unrequited. Makoto backed away, not caring when she finally collided with the wall, just doing everything in her power to create as much space between herself and Ann as possible.
“Mako-chan, is something the matter?” Ann asked with concern, scooting inward to close some of the created distance.
“No, it’s nothing. I think I’m just tired. I should probably go.” Makoto muttered. She knew she had to leave, to get as far away from Ann as possible. It was the only thing she could do right now.
“Are… are you sure? Did I say something to upset you?” Ann asked. It hurt to see the genuine concern on Ann’s face, especially because Ann did nothing wrong. This had all been on Makoto and her unnecessary feelings.
“No— I just need to go home. Exams are next week, after all.” Makoto lied, but there seemed to be no rebuttal from Ann. With a disappointed look, Ann scooted out of the booth and allowed Makoto to leave.
Makoto found her mind such a wreck that she didn’t even say bye to any of the other Phantom Thieves before leaving, meeting the freezing cold air as she raced toward the subway station.
20XX, December 24th
Invading the depths of Mementos, waking up in the Velvet Room, and ascending holy-looking stairs to fight a false god was apparently all in a day's work for the Phantom Thieves. But to that end, this was officially the final mission for the group. With the metaverse app gone, there was no way to continue their work as a team. It was strange, thinking that all their adventures would end, tied neatly with a bow on Christmas Eve of all days.
Makoto walked into her home, slowly shuffling off her shoes. “Sis, I’m home!” Makoto yelled out, hoping for a response. She waited for a moment as she walked through the hallway, but it had been strangely quiet. Was Sae out of the house? That would be strange, given the fact it was Christmas Eve. Makoto pulled out her phone, seeing a text message which read “Call me when you can.” It was from two hours ago—that was when the world was going topsy-turvy… did Sae notice? Without delay, Makoto dialed her sister’s number, hoping she’d answer sooner rather than later.
PI. PI. PI
After three rings her sister managed to pick up, responding with the usual “Hello, this is Niijima.” Makoto had never been happier to hear her sister’s voice, a sense of joy bounding in her heart.
“Hey sis,” Makoto said.
“Makoto—!, I’m glad you’re safe. I can’t explain the phenomenon that we experienced, but it’s been an hour, and everyone is acting like it didn’t happen. Was that the work of the Phantom Thieves?” Sae asked. It wasn’t accusatory, but Sae was definitely on the mark.
“Something like that,” Makoto said with a sigh. It would take too much time to explain, but Makoto was glad Sae wasn’t brainwashed like the general public had been.
‘In any case, I’m glad you’re safe.” Sae said, sounding relieved on the other end. Makoto bit her bottom lip, selfishly hoping for Sae to continue the conversation, to say something like I’ll be home soon to prepare dinner. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten tomorrow is Christmas, but nothing like that ever came.
“Are you not coming home? It’s Christmas Eve,” Makoto finally asked.
There was hesitation on the other end of the line, and Makoto already knew Sae’s answer. She couldn’t blame her, not when she was fighting for true justice. But just once Makoto wanted to act like life was normal. “I know. Unfortunately, the Shido case is too involved to sacrifice even a night. I’ll be home late, so don’t feel the need to stay up for me.”
“I-I can at least have some dinner prepared for when you come home,” Makoto offered.
“That… would be nice. But don’t stress yourself out too much. Enjoy the night.” Sae said. “By the way, I hate to ask this of you, but I am going to need someone who can corroborate Shido’s crimes and testify against them. Do you know where Ren Amamiya would be at this hour?” Sae asked. Makoto’s heart raced in her chest at the request, but knew her sister must have had a good reason.
“I… I last parted ways with him in Shibuya. You do realize given his record that he’ll get—”
“I know. I won’t bring him in unless he consents, but I can’t use any of the other Phantom Thieves without outing their identities. If only Akechi was alive… Well, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Ren is treated fairly.” Sae said.
“Of course. Thanks, Sis.” Makoto said.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll see you later.” Sae replied, and with that she hung up the phone.
Makoto sighed. This felt so wrong, just an hour ago she fought against a fake-god and now she was sitting in her apartment, wondering what to make for dinner. It felt absolutely unreal.
Makoto looked in the fridge and found herself surprised to see that Sae had bought ingredients for her family's karaage recipe. Her dad made it every Christmas Eve before he passed, and it was one of the few traditions Sae upheld after his death. While Makoto never directly made it, she often helped Sae with the preparation.
How hard could it be?
It turns out, it was more involved than Makoto anticipated. As Makoto coated all the pieces of chicken with the flour, ginger, garlic, sugar, and sake mixture, she couldn’t help but feel a little empty. Not because it wasn’t challenging, it just felt wrong. There was a joy she had helping her father, and later on her sister, with preparing this meal. Doing it alone felt hollow.
As soon as Makoto left the chicken mixture to marinate she pulled out her phone. She almost texted in the group chat but decided against it. Almost everyone was likely dealing with their own Christmas Eve plans, and she surely didn’t have enough to feed everyone.
That was, until she realized she had a missed text message on her phone. Makoto’s heart raced in her chest once more, realizing it was from none other than Ann.
From: Ann Takamaki
I couldn't bring myself to say it earlier... But can we meet up, just the two of us? My parents are still out of town, and I’d ask Shiho, but she lives so far away now. Is it okay if I come over?
It felt as if cupid personally decided to strike an arrow through Makoto’s heart. Makoto knew the fates had a way of messing with her heart, but Makoto couldn't find it in her to turn Ann away. Makoto rushed to respond.
From: Makoto Niijima
Yes, that’s understandable! Sae is out for the night, so I’m all by myself too. Come over any time, I’m making dinner.
Great, I’ll be over in a little bit!
Ann replied, and with those simple words Makoto’s heart was pumping in her chest. Makoto stopped herself from cooking for a moment while she allowed her heart to settle down. She had to remind herself that Ann was a friend seeking reprieve from loneliness. Ann wasn’t looking for a girlfriend, especially not one within their tightly knit friend group.
Makoto did her best to continue preparing the food to the best of abilities—because not only was she cooking for Sae, but she was now preparing for Ann as well. Makoto found herself lucky that Sae continued to buy portions for three even after their father’s passing. This time they wouldn’t have leftovers is all.
DING
Makoto jumped when she heard the sharp sound. Originally she thought it was the timer, but upon reflection it was clearly the doorbell. Makoto practically ran to the front door and opened it—and it was like a dream. Ann was dressed warmly, in a red letterman jacket, with two additional layers underneath, and black pants to match. In her hand had been a large cake box, and Makoto could only help but wonder if she had this planned from the start.
“Welcome!” Makoto said, finding herself short of words at the moment.
“I managed to get a Christmas cake, so I hope you don’t mind.” Ann said. Makoto gladly took the box off Ann’s hands to allow Ann to take her shoes off. Makoto headed back to the kitchen and wondered just how big the cake was—it felt heavy, if that meant anything.
“Feel free to come in and relax, dinner should be ready shortly.” Makoto said as she placed the cake box on the counter. Makoto turned on her heel and headed straight to the cooking chicken. While Makoto tried to reorient her thoughts back to cooking—mostly making sure the meat didn’t burn—she couldn’t help but feel she was on cloud nine. Because even in the vastness of her imagination, Makoto never imagined Ann visiting her on Christmas Eve. Yet, here Ann was, of her own volition, and they had the space all to themselves. If Makoto didn’t know any better, she would have said this was a dream.
“What are you making?” Ann asked as she sat her purse on the couch.
“Karaage. It’s my father’s recipe, and for the last few years Sae made it in his stead. Since she’s out busy with the Shido investigation, I figured I’d prepare it this year.” Makoto declared.
“Oh… well, I hope I’m not intruding on some family time.” Ann said sheepishly, making her way over to the kitchen.
“It’s no problem, like I said in my text, Sis is out for the night. I… I appreciate the company.” Makoto said, doing her best to hide her blush.
“If you say so…” Ann whispered. “Is there anything I can help out with?” Ann offered.
“No— sit back and relax!” Makoto insisted. And it worked out as she anticipated. She finished frying the marinated chicken, and had it laid out on a plate. The dish was actually much easier to make than Makoto had thought—maybe she’d have to make it for Sis from now on.
“Do you want water—or something else? Dad used to let sis and I have sake or wine for Christmas Eve.” Makoto said.
“Your dad, a cop, let you drink?" Ann asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Just a small cup, and not until I became a teenager.” Makoto said, feeling a little embarrassed.
“Well, if miss prosecutor won’t get mad, then I suppose a small glass of sake won’t hurt.” Ann grinned.
“She’s a defense attorney now… but sounds good. I’ll get the glass warmed up.” Makoto said. As soon as she finished preparing their food and drinks, Makoto sat across Ann at the dinner table, feeling a little bashful.
“You know, it feels strange. This is supposed to be Christmas Eve, but it feels so…”
“Lonely?” Ann asked.
“Yeah. I’m thankful you were available, Ann. I don’t know what I would have done.” Makoto admitted.
“Yeah! You probably would have eaten all this food by yourself.”
“That—isn’t what I meant, but I appreciate the sentiment.” Makoto said, chuckling slightly under her breath.
“Should— we do a toast?” Ann asked.
“I don’t think that’s something you normally do with sake, but why not? What did you want to toast to?” Makoto asked.
“Hmm. Well, here’s to the Phantom Thieves, for making their last mission to dispel the complacency of humankind—or something! Oh! And to our fearless strategist, who faced trials and tribulations, including being blackmailed by yakuza, having to steal her own sister’s heart, and having to wrangle all of our voracious personalities.” Ann said with celebratory glee.
“I think Ren did most of that last point. The other two, however, are true.” Makoto said, feeling a blush settle on her cheeks. “And here’s to the wonderful Panther! Whose heart is as accepting and open as she is fierce. Between all of the Phantom’s competing personalities, you remained the heart and soul of our group. Without you, I am sure we would have lost our way.” Makoto said.
“Aww, stop it—I—’
“We’re here to celebrate, are we not? Accept the compliments, I won’t hear anything else.” Makoto said.
“Fine, fine. To the two of us!” Ann cheered.
“To the two of us!” Makoto said, raising her glass in the air before drinking the smooth liquid. As soon as their glasses hit the table, Ann perked up with a heavy sigh.
“Well, let’s dig in! Thank you for the meal!” Ann said, before biting into her first piece of the karaage. As soon as she took her first bite her eyes went wide, and she dropped the piece on the plate. For a second Makoto wondered if she cooked it wrong, or maybe Ann simply didn’t like it. But Makoto knew those worries were unfounded as soon as Ann spoke. “Wow, this is sooooo good Makoto. I’m not as big of a fan of meat as Ryuji, but this just melts in my mouth! I’m sure he’d be so jealous.” Ann teased as she took another bite.
“Is that so? I’m just glad it turned out okay. Sis prepares it so well; I still have a lot to learn from her.” Makoto admitted.
“Please, this is amazing!” Ann said with pure joy, taking another bite. Makoto sighed, knowing there would be no talking Ann down. So, Makoto decided to join in, taking a bite of it herself. As soon as the chicken hit her tongue she found herself strangely amazed—it reminded her of exactly how her father prepared it.
“Oh… wow.” Makoto said, bringing a napkin up to her lips.
“It’s good, right?” Ann said gleefully.
The remainder of dinner went just about as well, the two spent idle chit chat between bites. But to Makoto’s dread, the dinner waned all too quickly, and she worried that Ann would just leave, and Makoto would be all by her lonesome again. But then she glanced over to the counter and saw the cake box, and knew she could find a way to keep Ann for longer.
“Maybe we can have cake a little later tonight? I’m feeling pretty full after that meal.” Makoto said.
“Sure thing! Do you, uh… want to sit on the couch? It’s a little cold.” Ann asked.
“Of course. I’ll clean up and join you in a minute.” Makoto said. Without any complaints, Ann got up from the table and Makoto got to cleaning. She grabbed the plates, washed them, and placed them in the drying rack. Afterwards she took the remaining karaage and placed it in a container in the fridge—it was never as good reheated, but she hoped her sister wouldn’t mind.
As soon as she was done in the kitchen, Makoto turned the corner to sit on the couch. She had noticed Ann was sitting toward the center, so no matter which side she took she’d be awfully close. So Makoto sat on the left side, pressed as close to the edge as possible. Ann, for her part, seemed to make it her mission to be as close to Makoto as possible, and scooted inward, closing the distance between their legs to mere inches. Despite the newfound proximity, Makoto did her best to not get distracted.
“Excuse me if this question is a little personal, but why are your family away during the holidays?” Makoto asked, trying to strike up any form of conversation. Ann looked surprised, but not disheartened by the question.
“More like gone year-round.” Ann complained. “I hardly see them, and when I do it’s usually for dinner and then they’re off again. They send me enough money to buy groceries and clothes, but it’s times like these that I wish they were just home.” Ann pouted.
“I… I see. While different, I suppose I can relate. I was scared that this year I’d have to spend Christmas all by myself, but then you texted me last minute. You’re like my knight in shining armor.” Makoto chuckled, hoping she wasn’t being too obvious about her crush.
“Aww, stop that! But, uh, I know how hard life has been on you, so I decided I should get you something.” Ann said as she pulled her purse onto her lap.
“You— No, you didn’t have to do anything for me. I didn’t—”
“No, it’s okay. Just take it, you deserve it.” Ann said, taking out the small, wrapped package from her purse. Makoto hesitantly grabbed for the present, feeling guilty that Ann had picked anything up in the first place. But what was done was done, she’d have to accept it and be grateful for it.
Makoto tore off the wrapped, and her breath was suddenly sapped away. The gift was the motorbike figure she saw the day they visited Akihabara. Makoto desperately wanted to have it, but knew it was reckless to spend her limited funds in that way. She glanced from it, to Ann, then back at the figure, her heart swelling three times its size from pure joy. “How… did you know? I’ve wanted this ever since I first saw it…! It’s so little, but you can still buy separately sold parts to customize it however you want. This is so amazing… thank you, Ann.” Makoto said with absolute admiration.
“It’s no problem. I saw you eyeing it and, and just as Futaba said, I thought it was so you. I had to get it for you!” Ann cheered.
“You always notice the littlest details. I… I don’t have any words to show my appreciation.” Makoto said, finding herself more flustered than she anticipated.
“You don’t have to, we’re friends, remember?” Ann said.
“Friends…” Makoto whispered. Her thumbs scoured the edges of the packaging as she pondered why the word felt so terrible in her mouth. No, she knew why. Here Ann was, blissfully unaware of Makoto's feelings, buying her a present like this as if it were no big deal. Makoto had to wonder if Ann knew, would she still have bought her this gift? Would she have wanted to spend Christmas Eve together? Makoto knew it was selfish to hold onto these thoughts any longer, it did a disservice to Ann, and it did a disservice to their friendship. Even if she were outright rejected, it'd be better than this feeling that swarmed Makoto's heart.
“Ann, I…" Makoto's breath caught in her throat, but after a second she forced herself to contintue. She couldn't be disuaded, not now. "When I first met you, you frustrated me to no end. I thought it was because I was jealous of you. Jealous of your life and how you lived it. Then that perspective was flipped on its head, and then I became a member of the Phantom Thieves. Even then, my feelings never changed, I just… grew to understand them better.” Makoto said. She didn’t care if she was about to be rejected, she needed her feelings out in the open, now more than ever.
“Makoto, you don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do! This has been eating away at me for the better part of the year, and maybe I’m going to ruin both of our Christmas’ by saying this, but I need to stop running away from it. Ann, I—”
“Makoto, I’m home.” Sae announced from the hallway. Any nerve Makoto had was cut short, stalling just as Ann became as frozen as a statue. As soon as Sae passed the hallway her eyes went wide. She glanced from Makoto, to Ann, then back to Makoto. Makoto suddenly found herself rescinding her wish of Sae joining her for Christmas Eve, all her momentum dropped in that instant. “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize we had a guest. It’s good to see you, Takamaki-san.” Sae said.
“Right back at you.” Ann said with a hesitant smile. After Ann spoke, another awkward silence developed. Sae shifted uncomfortably on her heels, as her eyes bounced back to Makoto.
“Was I... interrupting something?” Sae asked with furrowed eyebrows. While Makoto wanted to scream yes, to tell Sae to leave so she could safely confess her feelings to Ann, she knew that wasn't fair or right. Besides, this had been Sae. Makoto had no idea how she'd react to something like that...
“No… Ann and I were just chatting. I made dinner for you, Sis. Although, it’s already away in the fridge.” Makoto said.
“So diligent to clean even on Christmas Eve… That’s my fault. I thought I’d be out later than this. Thanks for making dinner, I appreciate it.” Sae said with a fond smile before turning to the kitchen. Once it was just the two of them again Ann turned back to Makoto, looking a little remorseful.
“So… you were saying?” Ann asked.
As much as Makoto wanted to continue the conversation, to let her feelings be known, she knew now was not the right time. Makoto had no idea how Sae would react if she overhead, not only because she was focusing on something like romantic feelings, but because it was romantic feelings for a girl. No—Makoto couldn't risk it, not anymore. Besides, Makoto thought back to Ann’s words, or rather, one word in particular: Friend. Makoto already had her answer, she just needed to accept it.
“I… I appreciate your friendship, Ann. I truly do.” Makoto said, feeling absolutely cowardly as the words left her mouth. Makoto was usually good at reading people, especially Ann with her terrible acting skills, but in this case Ann appeared as a mystery. Ann’s breath hesitated, but nothing on her face showed she was expecting anything differently.
“Right. Me too, Makoto! Say, how about we dig into some cake?” Ann asked.
“Sure thing.” Makoto said with a soft sigh, getting up from the couch and already missing the close proximity.
“I see someone bought cake.” Sae said as they entered the kitchen.
“That was me. I was on my way here and it was on sale! I thought it was a Christmas miracle, so I couldn’t help but buy it!” Ann said. She opened the box to reveal the cake inside— it appeared to be a strawberry shortcake, with frosting and strawberries lined decoratively on the top.
“It looks wonderful, thank you, Ann.” Makoto said honestly.
“Of course, anything for you, Makoto!” Ann said. As soon as the two of them took a slice of cake, they joined Sae at the table who was now enjoying her dinner.
“This is good, Makoto. Maybe I should leave you with the Christmas dinner preparations from now on.” Sae chuckled.
“Mmm, maybe.” Makoto said.
“Tell me, Takamaki-san, what brings you here on Christmas Eve?” Sae asked between bites.
“My parents are out of town— I didn’t want to spend it alone so I called Makoto, and she said I could come over. I really hope I’m not intruding on any family bonding or anything like that.” Ann said.
“No worries at all, I’m just surprised. I would have figured someone like you would have a boyfriend to visit if family weren’t available.” Sae said.
“Sis…”
“Ahh, no. Unfortunately, I’m not dating anyone.” Ann laughed it off. Makoto desperately wanted to get the conversation off of Ann's romantic life, the one thing she did not want to think about for the rest of the night.
“Say Sis, what happened with the case? I know you were going to bring Amamiya in, but—”
“Wait, you turned Ren in?” Ann asked with surprise. Sae gave Makoto a short look before wiping her lips once more.
“I was only going to do it with his permission. Besides, I ended up taking a different route.” Sae said, a faint smile rising on her lips. “Just as I was asking Amamiya if he’d testify, up walks Akechi offering to turn himself in. Some would call that a Christmas miracle.” Makoto could feel her jaw drop, the line of thinking sounding completely and utterly preposterous. After all, Futaba reported his death. There was no way...
“A-Akechi? He’s alive?” Makoto asked, her fork slipping from her hand and clattering on the below.
“Yes. I know you all said he died in Shido’s Palace, but it seems he survived. He claims the details are hazy, but he willingly took Amamiya’s place. I won’t look a gift-horse in the mouth.” Sae said, taking another biteful of the fried chicken.
“My mind is still spinning… we fought a false god just a few hours ago and yet, Akechi’s survival seems more improbable to me.” Ann muttered.
“Maybe it’s best I don’t know what the Phantom Thieves do from now on. I fear my heart couldn’t take it.” Sae said with a smile.
“Oh, no need to worry about that, we couldn’t go to that other world now even if we tried. It’s all gone, so now we have to entrust the future to adults like you, Sae-san.” Ann said with an encouraging smile.
“I… see. Well, to say the least, I’m glad that you’re all safe” Sae said, taking another bite of the chicken. “Oh, and Takamaki-san, it’s getting late. How about you stay the night?”
“Thank you for the offer, but I couldn’t possibly—”
“Sis is right, it’s no trouble at all. I’d worry if you had to take the trains so late at night. You can have my bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch.” Makoto offered.
“Makoto, I couldn’t—”
“I’m serious. I’d worry if you left. Stay the night and you can leave in the morning.” Makoto offered. Ann hesitated, but forced herself to smile all the same.
“Alright then— but let’s finish our pieces of cake first.” Ann said.
The gravity of Makoto’s offer sat on her for the remainder of the time she sat at the dinner table, the once delicious cake tasting absolutely plain. Maybe it was nerves of showing someone her room, or maybe it was because Ann was the person going to stay in her room. In any case, Makoto felt real fear in her heart, and didn’t know any way to quell it. Makoto tuned out any conversations as she finished her cake, making the death march to the sink in order to clean her plate. She knew she had to double, no, tripple check her room before Ann could even dare step inside, lest one thing be out of place.
As Makoto finally stepped into her room, she desperately hoped it wouldn’t be an absolute mess. To her luck, the bed was completely made, just as she left it, and all her study materials were put neatly away, just as she did every night. There was nothing to worry about—nothing at all. Makoto could finally take a deep breath to try and calm her nerves.
“Wow, your room is sooo cute, Mako-chan.” Ann yelled, causing Makoto's anxiety to spike once more.
“It’s… it’s alright.” Makoto said, doing her best to hide her blush.
“These Buchimaru-kun plushies are absolutely adorable! I’ve noticed your old pencil case, but to imagine you liked it this much. When did you start collecting them?” Ann asked.
“Can we please… drop Buchimaru-kun? It's embarrassing.” Makoto admitted. After all, this was in complete contrast to her Queen person where she was strong, confident, and in control. Makoto wondered if this room made her look like a little girl in Ann's eyes. Which was fine if they were friends, but since Makoto was crushing on her...
“Fine. Come here,” Ann said.
“W-what?” Makoto stuttered, but looked over to see Ann was already sitting on the edge of Makoto's bed.
“I want to watch the snowfall; won’t you join me?” Ann pleaded. Makoto would swear that Ann had some sort of psychic powers that manipulated her to sit next to her, but truth of the matter was, Makoto found herself hapless to stay by Ann's side. She'd go to the ends of the earth to make Ann happy, and if watching the snowfall did that, then by Johanna, that's what she'd do.
“Oh… sure.” Makoto whispered. She sat next to Ann on the bed, looking toward the windowsill, peering out to the snowing city.
“It’s so beautiful!” Ann exclaimed as she looked towards the beautiful snowfall. But Makoto’s eyes fell on Ann, and she admittedly couldn't tear her eyes away from her. There was so much she appreciated about Ann, so much more than words could ever describe, but more than anything, she was happy to share their life together. A soft hum escaped Makoto's lips as she fondly whispered “More beautiful than you know.” Makoto nuzzled into Ann's side, enjoying the scent of her rose-scented perfume as she basked in their shared warmth. Makoto sighed heavily as her eyelids started to droop, feeling the most content she had felt in all her life.
Life could not be any better.
20XX, January 4th
It felt like Makoto was walking on water as she walked through the apartment door. Not that it was a bad thing, everything felt great. Makoto was great. Her relationship with her sister was great. Everything was great. But as Makoto shed her purse in the entryway, she wondered why the wallpaper looked all so slightly off. Not that it was different by any means, just that if she decided to stare hard enough, she’d see it had faint sharp edges to it.
“Dad, we’re home!” Makoto yelled as she walked into the apartment. Everything felt okay, but… the words felt foreign. Felt off. Like they shouldn’t have existed in her mouth. It was like Makoto had been seeing reality, but everything was ever so slightly distorted, and yet she couldn’t put her finger on what the distortion could be. Makoto had noticed something felt off ever since Ren delivered his cryptic message, but Makoto couldn’t place why. It was just strange all the way around.
“Welcome home, how are my two favorite daughters today?” Mr. Niijima asked. Makoto could see him cleaning the dishes in the kitchen, his hands all sudsy from the soap. Makoto couldn’t help but laugh as she walked to his side, “It’s supposed to be your celebration. What are you doing washing dishes?” Makoto asked, swiping the next from the pile to make her point.
“I was sent home early today. What else was I supposed to do while I waited?” Makoto’s father asked jovially.
“It’s almost uncanny how our free time has lined up like this. Not that I’m complaining, of course.” Sae said as she turned the corner. “Is… is that food I smell? Dishes and dinner? You really should have left something for us to do.” Sae chided.
“I don’t mind. I’ve only worked this hard for you two, you know? I know we’re all so busy, but if it means you two can spend quality time with one another, I’ll gladly fall on the sword.” Mr. Niijima said with a kind smile. “Speaking of which, dinner is almost ready. I made enough for four in case your friend joins us again.”
“My… friend?” Makoto asked in confusion. For a moment Makoto thought that her father must be refering to one of Sae’s friends, but his tired red eyes fell on Makoto. She attempted to wrack her brain around what he could mean, but putting any thought to it seemed to give her a headache.
Sae clicked her tongue with disapproval, lightly tapping her father’s shoulder with the back of her hand. “Father, I know it’s not exactly common in Japan, but Takamaki-san is Makoto’s girlfriend. Please, get it right.” Sae insisted.
Oh, that’s what he must have meant.
Yes.
Makoto’s girlfriend.
Ann Takamaki.
This was normal.
… Right?
“Sorry, forgive this old brain of mine. Well, tell me, is your lovely girlfriend going to join us tonight?” Her father asked. And the more Makoto tried to think about it, the sharper the headache became.
Her girlfriend.
Ann Takamaki. Her girlfriend.
The thought of Ann filled her heart with absolute joy, but something felt… off.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
“Oh, I’ll get it. That’s probably her.” Sae said as she turned back down the hallway. Makoto stopped washing the dishes and ran to the hallway, feeling compelled to see it with her own eyes. And there she was, Ann Takamaki, her girlfriend in all her majestic glory. All of Makoto’s worries and troubles felt like they melted away as soon as she laid eyes on her, every wrong edge of the world fading away as reality suddenly felt heavenly. Ann walked in with a thick red-puffy jacket, brown gloves, and thick pants. Her face was barely poking outside a red scarf and a gray knit beanie. Somehow, though, Ann managed to make the winter outfit look absolutely stylish.
“Sorry I’m late!” Ann apologized as she took off her shoes in the entryway.
“Ann… you came!” Makoto said in disbelief. She wasn’t sure why she thought Ann wouldn’t arrive, or why Ann wouldn’t be invited in the first place, but now it felt all too right. Because Ann Takamaki was her girlfriend. Why wouldn’t she be having dinner with Makoto’s family on a night of celebration?
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss a celebration, especially not for my… girlfriend’s… father… Huh, that’s weird.” Ann mumbled, grabbing her head in pain. Makoto straddled to her side in concern, butterflies swarming her stomach in sudden fear.
“What’s… weird? Are you feeling okay?” Makoto asked.
“I— Nothing. Nothing’s wrong.” Ann said, shaking off the pain before giving Makoto a wide smile. She leaned in, giving Makoto a small kiss on her cheek, before moving her way into the apartment. The point of contact was brief and chaste, but it still lit Makoto's heart aflame, her face matching with a flushed blush.
But why did Makoto find herself with such a pained reaction? This was normal… right? This was their normal. Makoto wasn’t sure why she had to remind herself that had been the case, but when she did the dull ache in her head subsided.
“Alright, break it up you two, let’s settle down for dinner.” Sae instructed.
So, Makoto decided to go with the flow. Makoto sat down next to Ann, as her father pulled out plates and plates of food. As Makoto looked around the table, she could only feel a sense of gratitude, knowing that all the people she loved most were sitting around her. She had a caring father, a hard-working sister, and a loving girlfriend she could embrace and talk to when things got tough. Everything was absolutely perfect.
Yes, that’s what Makoto had to assure herself. Everything was perfect — she wouldn’t trade what she had for the world.
20XX, January 9th
Everything made immediate sense as soon as reality shattered. Makoto was still holding onto Ann’s hand, but now it all felt wrong. Makoto, in that moment, knew that her deepest desires had been brought into the world: Her dad was alive, she had a happy and healthy relationship with Sae, and she was openly dating Ann. It was everything she had ever wanted, only now realizing just how fake it all was.
“Huh?” Ann vocalized as she came to her senses. So much stayed the same, but it felt unraveled. Like Makoto had finally stopped viewing the world through the lens of a kaleidoscope. The biggest change had been from across the table, where Morgana the human, now became Morgana the cat.
“Was— what was that?” Makoto asked as she brought her hand up to her head, her head throbbing in pain.
“I remember now. We stole Madarame-sensei’s treasure, and he was arrested. Why did I think I was his pupil again?” Yusuke asked in disbelief.
“It’s the same for me. I spent the last week with my father, and we all know…” Haru said, her voice trailing off.
“Mom is gone… Just like before.” Futaba whimpered.
“My dad too… We just celebrated his promotion, but I could tell something was wrong. It was all a lie.” Makoto whispered. It seemed to take a moment for everyone to catch up, but Makoto knew—it was their deepest desires which they held inside, now bubbled up to the surface of society. Someone accessed their wants, and used it to make them all complacent. But… who? Why?
“But it felt so real. Shiho was never abused by that bastard Kamoshida, which meant she never moved away. And Makoto and I—” Ann stopped herself as soon as she realized what was about to come out of her mouth. She ripped her hand from Makoto’s, whether it was from shame, regret, or disgust, Makoto wasn’t sure. While that certainly should have been the last of her priorities, it still tore Makoto’s heart apart all the same.
“We can debrief about it all later, but for now we need to go help Ren. He could be in some real danger!” Morgana warned. Makoto knew that’s where her worry needed to lay—Ren was in danger trying to save reality again, but Makoto couldn’t help but feel… zombie-like. She was grateful to be woken from the false reality; after all, their journey as Phantom Thieves taught them to be cautious of complacency. But after experiencing such a perfect world…
Everyone in the group, even Ryuji, appeared shaken. But they were working with so many unknowns, and given Ren’s cryptic messages, he had to know what was happening. Given new resolve, the group left LeBlanc without further discussion, their collective mind geared toward saving their leader.
Even still, Makoto couldn’t help but wonder why they were placed in such perfect realities. Why would an enemy place someone into their ideal dream world? If Makoto wanted, she could try and shut everything out, to desperately hope to go back to that world where her father was still alive.
…But it was all fake. Makoto knew that. There was no point in living in a fake world because it meant all the pain and hardships you’ve endured would go to waste. The Phantom Thieves were who they are today because of what they endured and grew from, not because they were handed everything on a silver platter. As painful as it was to admit, Makoto knew she was better off without that false reality, even if a deep part of her heart yearned for it all the same.
Makoto found herself so lost in thought she didn’t hear the pair of boots crunching snow next to her. She shot her head up, only to see it was Ann by her side. Ann looked more than troubled—disturbed was likely the truth, as the group moved forward in silence. Ann’s fist clenched and unclenched, her normally slack posture completely tense. If Makoto didn’t know any better, she would have assumed Ann would want to hound Makoto about her twisted desires, about how Ann was forced to date Makoto in that other world.
Makoto knew she shouldn’t blame herself, but thinking that Ann was forced to be in a relationship without her consent, especially given everything that happened with Kamoshida, made Makoto’s stomach twist in ways she didn’t know possible. It was no wonder Ann looked so visibly upset, and to that point, there was nothing Makoto could do to make it up to her.
“Makoto… What we experienced… what was that?” Ann finally braved in a tense whisper. Makoto wasn’t sure how to respond, but she knew she couldn’t take on a frustrated Ann, nor was she in any position to properly comfort her. As much as it hurt Makoto, she knew the best thing to do was to put some distance between them until the truth of it all could be solved.
“It’s hard to say. The entire reality seemed to be an illusion. My father was brought back from the dead, after all.” Makoto deflected. She felt like an asshole, purposefully dodging the subject, but she couldn’t deal with this. Not now.
“Right…” Ann whispered. As much as Makoto’s heart drummed in pain, she knew there was nothing she could do. Not for Ann, nor for herself. Makoto bit her lip in frustration, ready to punch whoever delegated them to such a twisted perfect reality.
20XX, January 18th
It was supposed to be a bonding experience for the Phantom Thieves, Morgana’s recommendation. But everything still felt stilted… awkward. Makoto found herself laying against a tree as the other Phantom Thieves seemingly enjoyed their time in the snow, with Ren and Akechi now collapsed over one another. Makoto thought it strange that, given everything Akechi had done to the Phantom Thieves, Ren found himself so incredibly happy to have his company. It was more than that, Ren sought out his friendship. It was hard to trust Akechi, for obvious reasons, but it had maybe been worth it if only to see Ren’s smile.
Maybe that was why Makoto found herself envious as she spied on the Phantom Thieves fun in the snow. It wasn’t like she was forbidden in joining, in fact, she was sure Ryuji and Haru would pull her in sooner or later. But it wasn’t the joy they were having that made Makoto envious—no, it had been the joy one girl in particular was having.
Makoto thought she had long gotten over this petty feeling of frustration. For a while she even thought she had disbanded her crush on Ann completely. But then Christmas rolled around, and then Maruki’s reality hit her like a truck. Now, Makoto was mourning something that should never have existed in the first place.
Makoto figured that could be why she was feeling so frustrated. Everyone was trying to lift up one another's spirits, to show that this real world was still worth living in. But Ann never once showed a hint of mournfulness for her lost dream. Okay, that wasn’t true either. She did show sadness when it came to Shiho—but Makoto's fake relationship with Ann never seemed to be a concern of hers.
Just another nail in the coffin, Makoto supposed.
Makoto felt like a total creep, but she couldn’t help herself. Even though life at home seemed to go back to normal, her cognitive father was no longer in existence, and for her luck, Sae seemed to forget any memories from early January. Makoto wished she could be like her sister, forget it all ever happened, that way she wouldn’t be missing her dad like it was so incredibly fresh, and she certainly wouldn’t be mourning her relationship with Ann.
It felt like Makoto was going through a break-up, even though she never started dating Ann in the first place, and at the end of it she just wished she could throw it all away and start anew.
“Is everything alright, Niijima-senpai?” A voice startled her, causing Makoto to nearly fall from surprise. Behind her had been the newest Phantom Thief, the cheerful, supportive, and hardworking Sumire Yoshizawa.
“I’m glad you could make time in your busy schedule to join us, Yoshizawa-san.” Makoto cordially said. Sumire was an interesting girl to think about— after all, she had her cognition changed by Dr. Maruki for far longer than anyone else. By that point, Sumire had fully assumed a life living as Kasumi. If anyone, Sumire should be the one mourning the life she lost, and the life she took on, but here she was with bright eyes and an ever-brighter smile.
How did she do it?
“It’s no trouble at all. In fact, I’m sorry I didn’t arrive sooner. Please, accept my apologies, Niijima-senpai.” Sumire said with a short bow. Makoto couldn’t help but chuckle—while she appreciated Sumire’s gumption in treating her seniors well, as a member of the Phantom Thieves it simply felt odd.
“Didn’t we talk about being more casual?” Makoto asked.
“Ah, we did, didn’t we? Sorry Nii— I mean, Makoto-san.” Sumire said. Makoto wished to correct her, but decided it was more trouble than it was worth.
“That… that’s a bit better... Why don’t you join in on the fun? It looks like they’re having a blast. Besides, if my intuition is correct, it’s our leader you really want to spend time with; right?” Makoto said. Makoto glanced over to Ren, who was now gathering a snowball in order to throw at Akechi, once again his joy infectious to the point of causing her to smile.
On the other hand, Sumire’s face turned almost as red as her hair. Her eyes fell from Ren, her words now a stuttering mess. “I-I…”
“It’s okay, I was just teasing you. But, I have to ask. I find it hard to balance my Student Council duties along with being a Phantom Thief. I assume it’s even harder for you being such a proficient gymnast.” Makoto pondered.
“It’s why I didn’t join the Phantom Thieves in October—I felt it just wouldn’t work out. Now that the year is winding down, and given everything with Doctor Maruki, I know now is the time to focus on being a Phantom Thief. Our reality is at stake, after all.” Sumire said poignantly.
“When you put it like that, it’s hard to debate. Still, I’d say it’s good to have fun every once in a while. Go join the others, I’m sure they’re all waiting for you.” Makoto insisted.
“Why don’t you join them too? Is there something bothering you, Nii—Makoto-san?” Sumire asked. Makoto should have just left it alone, should just dodge the question and move on. But she glanced at Ann one more time and could feel her heart break once more. Whether it was because Sumire could read minds, or maybe Makoto was just that obvious, she finally asked “Does it have to do with Takamaki-senpai?”
Makoto sighed, knowing any lies would be seen through. “Something like that…” Makoto said noncommittally.
“Your father was brought back by your own wish, correct?” Sumire asked probingly.
“...Yes. My father was reinserted in my life as if there was no issue. He’s been gone since I woke up to reality, and my sister doesn’t seem to remember anything about it.” Makoto explained.
“...Your father wasn’t the only change in that reality, was he?” Sumire surmised. Makoto had lost all will to fight against it—the truth was plainly obvious to anyone who could see it. Makoto thought she could just bottle it up, but given Sumire's reaction, she figured that may not apply.
“Even if that’s the case, what could I do about it?” Makoto asked.
“I think you should tell her how you feel.” Sumire said. While Makoto’s face burned bright red, she could feel the rest of her body run cold and rigid. The thought scared her, now for more than one reason. If her assumptions on Ann’s feelings were correct, then she likely hated Makoto’s guts after that reality. There was no way— “Tell her how you feel!” Sumire repeated.
“I-I’m sorry, I—”
“If you two were together in Maruki’s reality, then it’s what you both wanted! Doctor Maruki isn’t the type to force someone into a relationship they didn’t want to be in.” Sumire surmised. Makoto found her heart flutter, because everything they learned when infiltrating his Palace proved that point, and yet—
“That’s—”
“Besides, it’s better to tell your crush early! Otherwise, those feelings can become actually crushing.” Sumire advised. Makoto still felt cold and rigid, but a chuckle managed to escape her lips.
“You know, I think I’ve heard similar advice before.” Makoto admitted.
“Then how about we walk over there, I’ll distract the others, and you can take Takamaki-senpai all to yourself!” Sumire said with a big smile.
“I assume there’s no way of me getting out of this… very well. Let’s get this over with.” Makoto said with complete resignation. With a deep breath, Makoto and Sumire started their trek toward the playful Phantom Thieves. Makoto couldn’t help but smile as she watched the group either build snowmen, throw snowballs, or in the case of Ren and Akechi, make snow angels.
“Senpai, I am so sorry I’m late!” Sumire apologized loudly. For what it was worth, the Phantom Thieves all stopped what they were doing to great Sumire, doing just as she told as she stole all the attention. All of the Phantom Thieves stood up and almost immediately surrounded Sumire, ready to get her to join in on the festivities. All the thieves, but one.
Ann’s blue eyes looked cautiously over at Makoto, almost as if they would shatter like ice if someone made the wrong move. Makoto could feel a well of guilt overtake the swarm of butterflies in her stomach, and it made her want to be sick. Still, she knew Sumire would never let her off the hook if she backed out now, so Makoto stepped forward hoping to put all bad blood in the past.
“A-Ann, I was feeling a little cold and was wondering if you wanted to go to the nearby café to grab some hot chocolate? I’d… prefer not to go alone.” Makoto requested. If Ann wanted to lay onto Makoto how disgusting and perverted her dream had been, she’d prefer it not lambasted in front of the other Phantom Thieves.
Ann looked shocked, and for a moment Makoto wondered if she even properly processed her statement. After a couple tries, a sound finally broke from Ann’s lips, nodding her head to accentuate the statement. “Y-yes! Of course!” She sprung to her feet, her boots sinking into the fresh powder below. “Should we ask the—”
“No. I’d rather it just be… the two of us.” Makoto requested sheepishly. She knew Ann had every right to throw this request in her face, to get angry and leave her be, but Makoto desperately hoped she would agree.
“Oh— oh, right. Sounds great. Yeah.” Ann said nervously. It wasn’t the vote of confidence Makoto was looking for, but it also wasn’t the despair and anger Makoto had been anticipating either. Makoto didn’t dare hold onto hope, but it was hard to discard it entirely. With a deep breath, Makoto decided to lead the way, ever grateful to Sumire’s distraction to allow something like this to even happen.
Makoto had made up the excuse on the spot, so she was grateful when they came across a coffee shop fairly quickly. Makoto truthfully didn’t care where she went or what she ordered; her stomach too upset to even consider ingesting something. No, all she cared about was getting alone time with Ann and settling this all once and for all. Then maybe, finally, she could move on.
“Two hot chocolates, please.” Makoto ordered.
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do.” Makoto said, her voice distant and cold. Ann didn’t complain further, but also didn’t add anything else to the conversation as they waited for their drinks to be made. Makoto could feel her nerves stand on end, and wondered what was going through Ann’s mind. Makoto pondered if she thought this whole charade was crazy, or maybe she thought Makoto experienced some form of amnesia, forgetting her twisted dream had become a reality. Unfortunately, no such amnesia befell her. She knew exactly what dream Doctor Maruki erected, and she had to live with it for the rest of her life.
“Here you go— two hot chocolates, with extra whipped cream especially for you.” The barista behind the counter said with a quick wink. Makoto didn’t think much about it, giving them a soft smile before turning to find a table.
“Where should we… sit?” Makoto pondered.
“You aren’t interested?” Ann asked.
“Excuse me?”
“That barista— they were flirting with you, you know.” Ann pointed out. It pained Makoto to admit, but this was probably the most normal conversation the two of them have had since— Christmas? That thought made Makoto shudder.
“How about we swap? I know you like sweets a lot more than I do.” Makoto offered. Ann glanced from the hot chocolate, to Makoto, then back to the hot chocolate.
“Are you sure?” Ann asked.
“Yes… but let’s please choose somewhere to sit.” Makoto complained. She found it strange how easy it had been to get back into the flow of things with Ann. As much as Makoto expected there to be awkward energy or disdain, Makoto found none of it. She wondered if she manufactured the thoughts, or maybe Ann was suppressing her frustration in order to maintain a friendship. In either case, Makoto would know her answer soon enough.
As soon as they found a table, Makoto and Ann swapped drinks, Ann getting the hot chocolate with the tower of whipped cream. “So… what did you want to talk about?” Ann asked, her voice mouseish.
This had been a conversation Makoto pictured for over a week now, but every time she imagined it, she had thought it would be Ann starting it off—finally letting her frustrations out and ending their friendship once and for all. But now it was hard to imagine Ann’s fiery spirit lashing out at her, especially behind that hot chocolate with the obnoxious amount of whipped cream.
With a deep breath, Makoto figured she may as well take the plunge. “I figure it’s time we discuss the elephant in the room. I’ve been avoiding it for long enough.” Makoto said. She felt like she was hyper analyzing everything, watching the way Ann's breath hitched, how her gloved hands fiddled with the mug, or how her eyes swayed away from Makoto’s. But no matter how many times Makoto thought to run the conversation in her head, it never turned out like this.
“Right.” Ann whispered. It appeared as if a great deal of shame had washed over her, and even more than that, Ann looked terrified. Makoto hated making Ann feel like this, but she knew she couldn’t run from it any longer. If a friendship is to be broken from it, then so be it, but Makoto couldn’t live like this anymore.
“I was scared to bring it up since we’re teammates. But no matter how much that reality had been out of our control, it still happened. To ignore it and pretend like it didn’t happen be… ludicrous.” Makoto said earnestly.
“So what? Do you think it’s impossible to be teammates after that?” Ann asked, the will in her eyes looking more fragile than ever.
“I—I suppose that’s up to you. I can understand if you’re frustrated with me after everything, but if you could find it in your heart to forgive my twisted desires, then I would hope we could move forward together.” Makoto stated solemnly.
Ann was rendered speechless again. Unlike the time out in the snow, her body wasn’t so tense. Her mouth opened and closed like a babbling fish, but with many non-verbals leaving her lips, it was clear her thoughts were in disarray.
“Y-your twisted desires? What are you talking about?” Ann asked. Makoto froze in that moment. Did Ann not remember what happened in Doctor Maruki’s reality? Did she truly lose all her memories like Sae had? No, that was impossible given what she’s said. So what? Was she lying, trying to make Makoto save face?
“If I must be direct, Maruki made his reality based on our wishes. Your wish was to be reunited with Shiho— and you got it! But my selfish wish… Not only did I want my father back in my life, but I also happened to be—” Makoto lost her words. Ann furrowed her eyebrows, but it seemed the message wasn’t getting across. Makoto motioned her hands between the two of them, hoping that would signify… something.
Regardless, Ann didn’t seem to get it.
“It’s okay. If it’s what you’re talking about, I can explain—”
“No! It shouldn’t be on you! You’re always like that, willing to take the blame if it means your friends can be happy. It was my own distorted desires that manifested in that dream world. It was those desires that forced you to— No. If you don’t want to be friends with me after that, I understand.” Makoto said, feeling tears prick the corner of her eyes.
“Makoto—”
“Sorry, I … This isn’t how I wanted this to turn out.” Makoto whispered, glancing down at the table. This was nothing like the blaming matches she imagined in her head, but this was most definitely worse. Ann looked shattered, confused, and hurt—and Makoto decided she would rather see Ann rage than see this.
“Wait— You’re wrong, Makoto. Those couldn’t be your desires.” Ann said defiantly.
“That’s just the thing, they were! There’s no confusion, my mind is crystal clear, and it’s unfortunate that Maruki’s reality had to bring it to light! Because truth is Ann, I like you. A lot. Like, a lot, a lot. I’m crazy about you, I can’t stop thinking about you, and yet I’m scared of ruining everything. Our friendship, the Phantom Thieves, is all at risk if I admit these feelings. So, I’ve kept them bottled up for the past six months… that is, until I was shown just how wonderful it was to be your girlfriend. And now you know why you were manipulated without your consent. My wish came true, and it came at the cost of your freedom. That is my truth, and I am so incredibly sorry.” Makoto said, feeling her pain and sorrow fuel every single last word.
The silence that enveloped them was thick. Makoto could swear this is how corpses felt when buried, surrounded by nothing but a claustrophobic tight space. Makoto was in a cafe, but it felt like the walls were closing in. Maybe a relation to a corpse was apt because Makoto wasn’t sure her heart could take it. It couldn’t take the silence, the quiet contempt on Ann’s face, the way how she struggled from disgust to confusion to— relief?
“Makoto… I thought I did something wrong. I thought you hated me—”
“Ann, I could never hate you,” Makoto said soothingly.
“All— all this time I thought—Back when we were trying on swimsuits, I thought you were going to kiss me, and so I leaned in. The next moment you had pulled away and I was so confused, and I wondered if I saw something that wasn’t there. Then I tried to get over these feelings, and even tried to act as natural when talking about our types. Then I thought Maruki gave me my dream in sacrifice of your own free will. But you… you wanted this? This entire time? I—Is this my dream come true?” Ann asked.
“Ex-excuse me?” Makoto scrambled to say. She could feel a huge weight lift off her shoulders, but in response her stomach felt all the queasier. Makoto couldn’t discern how or why this was happening, but Ann was right, this moment, right here and now, felt like the real dream.
“Sorry— this is my fault. I couldn’t even follow my own advice. I should have just told you from the get-go, then maybe we wouldn’t have had to deal with… all this.” Ann said with a heavy sigh.
“That makes two of us, then.” Makoto smiled softly. She felt giddy— too giddy. Makoto decided to hide behind her cup of hot chocolate, desperately hoping she wouldn’t immediately regurgitate the beverage.
“Do… you ever think back to the time in the dressing room? I do. I always ask myself what if.” Ann said in a hushed voice. Makoto smiled as her fingertips traced the mug, finding her strength of will growing stronger by the second.
“Well, you don’t have to ask what if anymore.” Makoto said softly. She pushed the mug away from her, already meeting Ann halfway across the table. Makoto wasn’t sure where all the bravery came from, but with everything out in the open she finally felt at peace with herself.
“Is this… really okay?” Ann asked. Despite her voice being a hushed whisper, her breath bounded harshly against Makoto’s lips, wanting her to drive forward even more.
“Only if you want it to be.” Makoto whispered back, taking every ounce of power in her body to not press forward.
“Oh… I do—” Ann said, and Makoto didn’t need to hear any more, their eyes finally fluttering closed.
It was short. Chaste. Makoto felt the taste of strawberry against her tongue and wondered why it felt so incredibly soft. Everything in Makoto wanted to preserve the moment, to savor it, but it seemed the universe had other plans, as the pair cleaved in two just a moment later.
A mixture of excitement, anxiety, and fear welled up in Makoto’s heart as soon as the cold air rushed between the two. For a moment Makoto wondered if she made the wrong move, if maybe she acted too rashly. But as soon as her eyes opened, she knew those anxious thoughts were wrong.
Ann sat across the table, her eyes wide like a deer in headlights, with her hand hovering her lips. Makoto wasn’t sure if she was touching her lips out of disbelief or if she were trying to savor the feeling, but in either case Makoto found an eager part of her heart wished to reenact the moment for ever and ever.
“Wow- that was- um…”
“Amazing?” Makoto asked, wincing slightly after realizing she interrupted Ann’s thoughts.
“Better than that.” Ann chuckled. From what it looked like, a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and if it was like anything Makoto was feeling, then she was glad they could relish in it, if even only for this moment.
“So… this is for real. I can’t— quite believe it.” Makoto chuckled.
“More real than you know.” Ann hummed approvingly. Makoto wanted nothing more than to shove their mugs off the table and capture Ann’s lips with her own once more, to kiss her passionately and valiantly make up for lost time.
… But now wasn’t the time nor place to do it, unfortunately. It only took one look, but it seemed Ann understand that too.
“I, um, am glad we could come to an understanding.” Makoto said, sharing a small smile with Ann, “But given everything with Doctor Maruki, I think it’s imperative we—”
“—Deal with him first. Right. We have the deadline to worry about, after all.” Ann said, disappointment crossing her face. Makoto first thought it was simply the fact that their newly discussed feelings would have to be put on hold, but the more she looked at Ann, the more she wondered if something else was on her mind.
“Don’t worry, once Doctor Maruki is dealt with, we’ll be back to leading normal, everyday lives. We’ll have plenty of time to figure ourselves after that.” Makoto said assuredly. But Ann looked more troubled as time passed, her lips flattening to a thin line.
“… But you’re graduating in March. Then you’ll be off to some prestigious school, and I’ll be all alone again. I know you promised that I’d always have you, but I just have a bad feeling this is all coming out at the wrong time.” Ann admitted. It was true to a point, Makoto was planning on getting into law school in order to pursue her dreams, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be there for Ann, far from it.
“What did I tell you when Shiho left? You’ll always have her, just like you’ll always have me. We’ll figure this out together, okay? So, until then, don’t give up on me. I won’t give up on you either, Ann.” Makoto said, taking Ann’s hand into her own. Ann for her part still looked conflicted, but she forced a smile on her face all the same.
“... Right! If you want me, then you’re stuck with me!” Ann exclaimed.
“That’s right,” Makoto chuckled. “How about we finish up our hot chocolate and return to the others before they start getting curious?” Makoto asked. As much as Makoto wished she could whisk the day away alone with Ann, she knew they’d never hear the end of it from the others if they did. So instead, Makoto opted to enjoy this small quiet moment between the two of them just before the chaos of their lives engulfed them once more.
“Good idea.” Ann laughed, her voice sounding angelic upon Makoto’s ears.
While their future was far from certain, Makoto knew this moment, and more like it to come, would be all worth it.
20XX, February 13th
Life as they knew it started to wind down: for real, this time. Doctor Maruki had been defeated and reality had been restored to its natural order. Through the efforts of the Phantom Thieves and their compatriots, Ren’s incarceration drew to an end, which only left the Phantom Thieves to do the one thing they knew best: celebrate!
While their time as Phantom Thieves may have come to an official close, their bonds felt as strong as ever. But just as surely as the sun would set, this celebration too would come to an end. As the night waned, the Phantom Thieves started trickling out of LeBlanc one by one, the only ones remaining being Futaba, Morgana, and Sojiro in the far booth, and Ren and Makoto at the bar.
Today everyone seemed to be having the time of their life— everyone besides Ren. Which could have been missed given the smile he plastered on his face or the laughs he shared, but underneath it all he seemed… tired. Exhausted. Detached. Makoto was never good with this sort of thing, but as the former lead strategist, she figured it was her job to make sure her friend was okay.
“Do you… want to talk about it? Your time being arrested, I mean.” Makoto asked, her hands cupping the mug of decaf coffee Sojiro had prepared. Ren kept his head down, his glasses fogging up from the steam which rose from the mug. Makoto could see his jaw clench, Ren’s hand tightening against his own mug in a frustrated manner until his knuckles turned white.
“There’s not much to talk about. From my perspective, I was only arrested for ten days.” Ren admitted. Beyond his fogged-up glasses, Makoto could see just how fractured he was. Makoto wasn’t sure if she had ever seen him display an emotion quite like this, and it was unnerving all the same. “Tomorrow’s Valentine's Day.” Ren added, as if it were a rightful tangent given the state of the conversation.
“So, it is. Do you have any plans?” Makoto asked instinctually. She watched as Ren’s breath hitched, and very quickly she realized that was the wrong question to ask. Memories of their day in the snow replayed in her mind, and suddenly, everything fell into place.
Ren was mourning.
“No. Even if I wanted to, that no longer…” Ren started, but he didn’t need to finish his sentence for Makoto to understand. With a heavy sigh he pulled off his fogged-up glasses, wiping them with the edge of his sleeve. Makoto understood that his glasses were fake in order to hide his intimidating gaze, and for a moment Makoto could understand why. His eyes were pitch black with a hint of red in them, and the way he stared felt like he was seeing right through your heart. As much as she hated to admit it, the feeling had been unsettling.
“How about you? How have things gone with Ann?” Ren asked honestly, plopping his glasses back on his face. Makoto could feel a rush of heat flood her cheeks as now she was the one feeling evasive. There was good news to share, she thought anyways, but it’s been almost a month since their confession, and nothing had happened. It was true they were extremely busy, but…
“Did I ever tell you what Maruki’s reality did to me?” Makoto asked. Ren blinked once, twice, three times, as he pondered the question. Makoto was sure he was trying to relate what that had anything to do with his original question, but if he was going to judge her, he surely didn’t show it.
“I know your father came back, and I know you had a lot more family time with Sae than normal.” Ren surmised. Makoto had thought her trials and tribulations were obvious to anyone with eyes, but to be fair, Ren had been dealing with far more than he signed up for when facing Maruki, so Makoto couldn’t blame him.
“It wasn’t… only that. In that reality, Ann and I were dating. And unlike Sis who can’t remember what happened during that time, Ann and I remember everything.” Makoto said.
“I fail to see the problem.” Ren responded plainly. If only it were that simple! Makoto thought, but the truth of the matter had been… it was. It should be painfully simple. Makoto had passed the hurdle of telling Ann her feelings, and in fact, already went through some of the motions by dating her in a fake reality. By all means, it should be easy to reach out and just… be together.
So why was this so difficult?
“We reconnected a few weeks ago before Maruki’s deadline. At the time we admitted our feelings and we even— well, that’s not important. What was important was that we agreed we needed to hold everything off until things stopped being so crazy.” Makoto admitted.
“Is… that so? Luckily for you, it seems life has started to unwind.” Ren chuckled, deciding to brave a sip of his piping hot coffee.
“I just— I don’t know how to initiate. What should I do?” Makoto asked. She could feel herself deflate in this moment. Here she was, Student Council President, the one who was supposed to be headstrong and confident, deflating at the simple idea of asking a girl out on a date.
“Here’s my advice. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, right? It’s customary to give someone chocolate. Why don’t you make it special for her?” Ren asked.
“I-I’ve dabbled with desserts in the past. I know she loves cake, maybe I could make her a chocolate cake?” Makoto pondered.
“Perfect. You’re already taking her interests to heart. Make her a chocolate cake, and if you’re looking for a place to host dinner at the last minute, I’m sure Boss wouldn’t leaving the place to you two.” Ren offered.
“Ren… are you sure this is okay? I really don’t want to step on any of your plans.” Makoto insisted. But one look into Ren’s eyes and she knew he was being genuine. Even after everything that happened to him, he was still looking out for his friends. That touched Makoto’s heart more than she was willing to admit.
“Like I’ve told you, I threw away those plans when I accepted Maruki’s offer. If I can help out my friends in any way, then I’ll do it no matter what.” Ren said.
A smile broke out on Makoto’s face as she nearly lept off the barstool, wrapping her arms around the Phantom Thieves former leader, and saying with unriddled glee “Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, I missed having you around.” Makoto said, giving Ren one final squeeze.
Ren simply chuckled in response, and Makoto decided she should let him go before she suffocated him to death. Makoto, with an unbridled joy, could feel a smile lift against her lips, just as a faint smile traced against Ren’s. With deep appreciation in her heart, Makoto looked at Ren and said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a cake to bake.”
20XX, February 14th
Makoto shouldn’t have felt so nervous as she stood outside Café LeBlanc’s door, but there was no hiding from the truth. If she had butterflies in her stomach, then those butterflies had butterflies. Makoto had admittedly never done something like this before, and with Maruki’s reality being upended and Ren being freed, they truly only had their lives as normal students to look forward to.
On the other hand, Ann had already been informed to drop by Café LeBlanc, so the worst-case scenario would be that Ann catches Makoto being a gigantic coward outside the shop, which somehow seemed incredibly worse than any alternative. So, with a deep breath, Makoto stepped into the café. “Good evening. Sorry to barge in like this…” Makoto announced herself as the door’s bell rang. Makoto glanced from Sojiro behind the counter, to Ren washing dishes, and it almost felt homey.
“Oh, are you— you should have just told me.” Sojiro said as he glanced between Makoto and Ren.
“She’s not here for me.” Ren cleared up immediately as he walked around the counter. “Do you want me to put the cake in the fridge?” He offered.
“That would be wonderful. She’ll be here soon.” Makoto said with a faint smile. Ren took the boxed cake from Makoto’s hands and brought it to the fridge.
“She’ll? Well, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll leave the store to you.” Sojiro offered, just as Ren predicted. Before he could hang up his apron for the day, the front door flew open once more, and with it, the cold winter air rushing inside. Makoto’s heart pounded in her chest as she turned on her heel, daring to hope her dream had come true—and there she was.
“I raced down here as fast as I could after I got your message. I… honestly thought you forgot about your promise.” Ann admitted sheepishly, a light blush coloring her cheeks. She walked forward and in a bold action, immediately wrapped her arms around Makoto’s waist like it was a normal everyday practice. Makoto felt herself start to sway, instinctively wanting to place her arms on Ann’s shoulder and start a short little dance.
Makoto hummed as she instead wrapped her arms around the small of Ann’s back, pulling Ann closer than she could ever imagine. Her head had found its place between Ann’s shoulder and her fluffy red scarf, and Makoto suddenly decided this had to be heaven. “Give me a little credit at least.” Makoto mumbled, happy that Ann couldn’t see her flushed red face.
“You two— ahh, I see. Well, you kids have fun.” Sojiro said as he quickly left the coffee shop. The door’s bell echoed as the door slammed shut for the third time in the last five minutes, and as much as Makoto could have stayed in Ann’s embrace for eternity, she decided to cut her time short.
“I’ll try to stay out of your hair, but I’ll make you whatever you want.” Ren said. Makoto could tell he was trying to stay true to his word, but that was likely a signal of some sort to go sit down so he could serve them some food and drinks. Makoto chuckled to herself as she reached down for Ann’s hand, intertwining their fingers with one another.
“Thank you Ren, I appreciate it.” Makoto said graciously.
“We should… probably sit, right?” Ann asked, motioning to the booth.
“Yes, lets.” Makoto said, and despite it being customary to sit across from your guest, Makoto didn’t want to be apart from Ann. So instead, she kept their hands linked as they sat on the same side of the booth. “I’m… sorry I couldn’t book us dinner at some fancy restaurant. I know that’s what you’re supposed to do, but—”
“No worries, we’ve been busy, I get it.” Ann laughed, waving off the apology entirely.
“Here’s some coffee. Decaf.” Ren said, placing the cups down. “I can make some curry too, if you’d like?”
“While it doesn’t feel like a Valentine’s dish, I’ll take it.” Makoto said honestly.
“Me too!” Ann cheered. After Makoto gave Ren a silent thank you, he was off to the kitchen to make curry. Ann relaxed herself into the booth, her free hand now grasping the mug of coffee. “It’s been a while since we’ve had some alone time together.” Ann said.
“So it has. With our adventures dying down, I’d wager we have a lot more alone time to look forward to. Although… it’s quite hard to imagine our time as Phantom Thieves being over for real this time... It’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, now that we don’t have to run around as Phantom Thieves, we can dedicate more time on our studies’.” Makoto said earnestly.
“You do know that’s more of a you thing than a me thing, right? I’ve always struggled with my exams…” Ann lamented.
“Well, it’s a good thing you have me. I’ll help you study— if you want, that is.” Makoto offered.
“Hmm, any excuse to have more alone time with you.” Ann smirked. “So… what do you plan on doing after you graduate? I had heard you wanted to study to become a police commissioner?” Ann asked. Makoto froze when that question came up—because yes, once upon a time she would say that had been her dream. But now? After everything they experienced? Makoto wasn’t so sure.
“I did originally, yes. I’m still studying hard in order to apply to law school. But as I spent more time thinking about it, I realized how… wrong that felt. As a Phantom Thief, we rejected structured authority because it failed us time and time again. I still want to seek justice, but I need to do it in my own way. I’m not fully decided, but I think I’m going to work to become a Private Investigator, to dig up the truths that the police and society would rather bury away.” Makoto said defiantly.
“Wow, that sounds so you, Mako-chan. I mean, you were the one snooping on us originally.” Ann joked.
“I suppose that’s true. Although, I wish you’d forget that last part.” Makoto responded bashfully. “And what about you? Are you still vying to be a world class model?”
“Hmm, it’s definitely part of my plan. But… did I ever tell you where Panther came from?” Ann asked. Makoto tried wrack her brain around the idea, but nothing came to mind.
“Not that I’m aware of, no.” Makoto said.
Ann chuckled, her free hand gripping the mug tighter than before. “When I was a kid I was always so inspired by female superheroes. I even thought to myself I’d be able to become one someday if I worked hard enough at it. I guess that became true, in a way.” Ann said jovially. “I guess my dream is to be a symbol of inspiration and empowerment for girls across the world. Whether that be as a model, or maybe even an actress, I’m not sure. But I won’t stop striving for it until I obtain it.” Ann admitted.
“Wow, that’s— that’s amazing.” Makoto said.
“I know it’s lofty, but I figure if I’m going to dream, I may as well dream big.” Ann said with her ever infectious smile.
“I’d say the part of it that’s most lofty is the dream of becoming an actress.” Makoto joked. To that, Ann frowned.
“Come on. You haven’t even seen me perform in English. I’m like a totally different person!” Ann insisted.
“I’m… not sure that’s how it works, but I’ll choose to believe in you nonetheless.” Makoto said teasingly.
Ann released a hefty sigh as she leaned over, resting her head onto Makoto’s shoulder. “Who would have ever thought we would match so well? A model and a private investigator, what an interesting combination.” Ann mused.
“You stand in the spotlight, while I search in the shadows. Strangely fitting indeed.” Makoto hummed in response. Makoto relished in the brief moment of silence as she could hear her heart resonate fondly in her chest. It wasn’t the rapid, out of control beat she had gotten used to when around Ann, this had been more subdued, like it finally found its correct melody. Makoto figured she could get used to this.
“Here’s your curry, let me know when you’re ready for dessert.” Ren said as he dropped the plates before them.
“Thank you, Ren.” Makoto said as she sprung open her eyes, almost forgetting he was in the same room as them.
“Oh yeah, speaking of dessert, this is for you… I know it’s typical that the girl buys chocolate for the guy, and I didn’t know what the procedure was in this case… but since you invited me out I figured I’d bring this to you.” Ann said as she pushed a golden box forward, all tied in a red ribbon. “It’s heavy because I filled it with love.” Ann teased.
“Ann, I—”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just take it as my token of, uh, feelings, from me to you.” Ann said with an illuminating smile.
“I may have something for you too, but as Ren said, it can wait until after we finish our curry.” Makoto said with an knowing smile.
“Ooh~ Now you have my interest.” Ann leaned into Makoto playfully.
“And I didn’t before?”
“Oh, no, you’ve always had that.” Ann said with a wink. Now it was Makoto’s turn to blush, feeling flustered all over again.
“We should dig in before the curry gets cold.” Makoto said, doing her best to distract herself. Dinner for the most part came and went—the curry was delicious, with at least three different spices which Makoto couldn’t identify. Ren had his own unique blend which Sojiro never made, but that made it all the more alluring.
After Makoto and Ann finished eating, Ren came and readily took their plates. “Shall I get your dessert prepared?” Ren asked as suavely as possible.
“Yes, that would be lovely. Thanks, Ren.” Makoto said with a deep well of gratitude. Makoto could see the look of anticipation in Ann’s eyes, but neither dared say a word until Ren came back with perfectly sliced pieces of chocolate cake. Ann’s eyes went wide for a moment before she glanced back at Makoto.
“You got us— cake? Oh Makoto, you know the way to my heart!” Ann cheered, picking up the fork, all too ready to dig in. “Is this for real? This tastes SO good.”
“I’m glad you enjoy the choice. Admittedly, I was scared that I over-thought the recipe. I seldom make desserts, after all.” Makoto admitted confidently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. In that moment, Ann dropped her fork. Makoto suddenly worried that there was something wrong with the cake, or maybe even worse, Ann hated the cake all together. Makoto craned to look at Ann’s expression, to see if there was any way to tell what was going on without words. But Ann's expression had been indecipherable, and it drove Makoto insane.
“You— you made this?" Ann excalimed, and suddenly a wave of relief washed over Makoto. "You know my view of you just shot up five hundred percent, right?” Ann said. It took a moment for Makoto to decipher what Ann had meant by that comment, but by the end of it she came out flustered and blushing once more.
“While I think something increasing on that scale is quite literally impossible, I appreciate the sentiments.” Makoto said as she tried her best to keep her composure. “I was intimidated by the challenge at first, but I did the best I could. Especially since I didn’t want to tip off Sis either.” Makoto admitted.
“Why not? It’s delicious!” Ann exclaimed as she took another bite. Memories of the week where they were under Maruki’s illusion came forward in Makoto’s mind, and while her fake-dad and brainwashed sister were friendly and accepting in that fake reality, Makoto knew that was likely too good to be true.
“As much as my sister has taught me to be independent, that was something that was forced onto her due to my father’s untimely passing.” Makoto started. Ann put down her fork as Makoto spoke, giving her complete undivided attention. “Growing up, my family was rather… traditionalist, let’s say. There wasn’t ever an explicit thing said, but there were expectations that we would lead our lives in a becoming manner. Sis can be very… strict. Maybe it was her warped desires talking, but she made it clear I should be solely focused on my studies. This was before she learned we were Phantom Thieves though… Still, I have reason to believe she’d react negatively if she found out I was dating anyone, let alone I was dating you.” Makoto said.
“Is… that so? My parents are so carefree, they barely check in nowadays. They wouldn’t care who I was dating, whether it be an old man, or the prettiest girl in town.” Ann said. Makoto could tell she was trying to be flirtatious, but Ann quickly physically cringed as she thought it over more. “T-That’s to say… I’d prefer a strict unbending guardian over none at all.”
“Regardless, that’s the situation we find ourselves in. I’d prefer if we just kept… this, whatever this is, to ourselves for now. If that’s okay?” Makoto asked. Ann still had that infectious smile on her lips, but it looked like a facade, masking her true feelings. Makoto had to admit, it hurt to say this too, but there was nothing she could do in the present to avoid it.
“Sure. Just… let me know when you’re ready. I’ll be here by your side the entire time.” Ann said with a comforting smile.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Makoto replied softly back. After that, a wall of silence dredged between them, and Makoto couldn’t help but feel it was completely her fault. She gripped at her fork and uneaten slice of cake and wondered if she ruined everything. Ruined Valentine's Day, ruined their date, ruined their relationship. Makoto knew she had to get out of her own head, but she also knew she needed to fix things.
“If… you don’t mind me asking, what are your plans after this?” Makoto asked, her voice barely a hushed whisper. She refused to look Ann in the eye, too intimidated by her prior denial to see her disappointed face.
“After… this? Nothing. Nothing at all!” Ann exclaimed. Makoto knew this was her [atj to patch things up, to maybe make the night a little more special. Despite the nervousness she felt, Makoto decided to take that plunge.
“Did you want to spend some time together tonight?” Makoto asked, hoping it wasn’t a bridge too far. She still refused to look Ann in the eye, too scared of the wrath that may ensue.
But what came wasn’t wrath at all, but instead a warm giggle. It caused Makoto to finally look up, and she saw the infectious smile she loved so much once more. “Well, if you don’t want Sae-san to know about us… we could go back to my place? If you want to, I mean.” Ann offered
While it had been Makoto’s idea originally, she now found herself at a loss for words, the idea suddenly becoming all too real in her mind. After a moment she realized she had been staring too long and decided she needed to say something, anything, to let Ann know it was alright. “Oh. Good. I mean— definitely! Yes That sounds— amazing.” Were all words that stumbled out of Makoto’s mouth.
Ann giggled once more, and given the way Makoto felt more and more flustered, she couldn’t tell if this was a dream, or her greatest hell. “Great! Sounds great!” Ann cheered. With that, Ann continued on to finish her piece of cake, all the while Makoto finally started biting into hers. It was far fluffier than she anticipated, and although a little rich for her tastes, she figured if someone was in love with chocolate they would die for this cake.
As soon as they finished, Ann and Makoto brought the dishes up to the counter, spying Ren in the corner of the café, his attention focused on some photo on the fridge. “Do you need us to help with the dishes?” Makoto asked, finally capturing Ren’s attention.
“No, don’t worry, I’ve got it. Stay safe and have fun.” Ren said as he waved them off. The two of them walked outside to the light snowfall. It was freezing, even through Makoto’s winter attire, to the point she wondered if her fingers would freeze over despite her gloves.
“It’s colder than I expected.” Ann said as she cupped her breath before rubbing her hands together.
“I was grateful that Sakura-san kept the café so warm, but it is quite the shock stepping outside.” Makoto admitted.
“Do you want to, um, hold hands? It is cold, after all.” Ann asked. Makoto lamented blushing at such an innocent request, so instead of justifying it with any words she reached out and took Ann’s hand in her own.
“You don’t have to qualify it, you know. We’re girlfriends now.” Makoto said as they walked forward, hand in hand.
“So… it’s official?” Ann asked, a small smile lifting up on her lips.
“Given everything we’ve gone through, I can say that for certain.” Makoto said.
The subway trip went surprisingly quickly, Makoto finding herself hyper focused that they were holding hands! In public! It was exhilarating in a way she didn’t know possible. On one hand, she felt rebellious, but knew that she had performed far more rebellious acts than holding hands.
Makoto found herself with bated breath as she entered Ann’s home. The air was still and cold, feeling almost dead inside. Ann took off her red scarf and leather jacket as she flicked on the light. As Makoto took off her blue overcoat, she couldn’t help but notice it was still relatively cold, but Makoto preferred the indoors to the howling winds outside.
“I figure we could cozy up in my room if you’d like?” Ann offered.
“S-sure! That sounds amazing.” Makoto said. She followed Ann down the hall— Ann had already seen Makoto’s room, so this should have been expected, but Makoto’s heart raced all the same. It was a strange feeling, going into someone's room. It was a place that was so private, so personal, and now Ann trusted Makoto with hers.
The first thing Makoto noticed as she stepped into Ann’s room had been the wall-length open closet. It made sense given the fact that Ann was a model, but to imagine so many clothes in a single space was a little overwhelming. In the far corner of the room had been a gray padded chair with a giant heart cushion— cute, Makoto thought. Just in front of it seemed to be a trunk, with a make-up mirror, brushes, and hairspray, all next to a bag of mango chocolate (either Ann got chocolates from someone else, or she decided to have an extra bag herself just in case. For the latter, Makoto couldn’t exactly blame her for, and if it were the former? Well, Makoto’s jealous streak was glad she had been the one invited to stay with Ann).
Next to Ann’s closet had been a shelf dedicated solely to shoes (something else which astounded Makoto). Just beyond it, Makoto could see Ann’s messy bed. It was twin sized in a silver frame, with a bright red comforter decorating the top. While the rest of the room had intrigue about it, Makoto couldn’t observe much more before Ann came up from behind, interrupting her thoughts.
“Sorry, I should have cleaned up the place. I honestly wasn’t expecting to invite you over tonight.” Ann laughed.
“To be fair, I kept my plans for you tightly lipped until the last moment, so I can’t criticize.” Makoto said.
“Regardless, let’s sit on the bed. The view from my window isn’t nearly as good as yours, but I still find it calming to watch the snow fall.” Ann offered. Makoto took that invitation gladly and sat on Ann’s bed. But after a moment, Makoto realized she was the only one on the bed. Makoto looked behind herself and saw Ann in deep contemplation, as if a sorrowful thought just entered her mind.
“What’s on your mind? I assure you; I don’t bite.” Makoto asked. With a sigh, Ann sat down next to Makoto.
“I was just thinking about your graduation. You’ll be leaving Shujin soon.” Ann said.
“I won’t be gone-gone, you know? I hope you won’t miss me too much.” Makoto joked.
“You don’t even know. I’m gonna be so dead out here… But it’s got me thinking… you’re looking to law school to further your career, but what should I do? As a model I can only get so far while being in Japan. But to reach outward would mean to study abroad… We just figured this out and it’s suddenly going long distance.” Ann mumbled.
“Can I tell you something…?” Makoto asked. Ann nodded, giving Makoto the agency to continue. “When I was a Phantom Thief, I was driven by one goal: to help those who were unjustly suffering. And that hasn’t changed, of course. That goal still keeps me going. But now I have something else, too.” Makoto said, grabbing ahold of Ann’s hand. “Now, I have someone I want to be happy. I want to stand beside them— not as a Phantom Thief, but as myself.”
“You can be really sappy, you know that?” Ann laughed, squeezing Makoto’s hand back as a smile broke out on her face once more.
“You’re special to me, Ann. I’d say I wouldn’t trade this for the world, but I guess I sort of did… But please know I’ll always be right here for you.” Makoto insisted.
“This is ridiculous— we’ve barely started dating and I’m already talking about long distance.” Ann laughed as she wiped away an invisible tear.
“That’s alright. We can just make it up as we go along, I suppose.” Makoto giggled. She glanced over at Ann, and finally the searing emotion rose inside her heart again. “Who knows how long we have, but I want to take advantage of every second we have.” Makoto said, her eyes beaming toward Ann.
Ann shifted her position to face Makoto, noticing the change in mood. “When you put it like that… we have so much time.” Ann whispered, her voice quiet and hushed.
Makoto couldn’t help but notice how the distance between them shortened, and found herself pushing forward more and more. “I promise I’ll never leave you, Ann. You’ll have to fight to get some real alone time.” Makoto said, closing the distance between their faces even more, now mere inches apart.
“You can sound really stupid when you want to,” Ann whispered back. Makoto couldn’t take it anymore, pushing forward with all her might and catching Ann’s lips with her own. The kiss was hazardous at her, her nose colliding with Ann’s, but neither let that interrupt the flow as their lips pressed against one another. It started small, like their first kiss at the café in January, but it quickly evolved. Ann pushed forward as she swept her hands, one behind Makoto’s head, the other on the small of her back. Makoto could taste the mixture of Ann’s strawberry chapstick and the remaining richness from the chocolate cake pooling together to create a mixture that screamed Ann. Makoto wasn’t sure where her hands were roaming, too focused on her tongue and how it mingled with Ann’s.
Then, just as Makoto thought it was over, she felt Ann bite into Makoto’s bottom lip. It wasn’t harsh, but sent a feeling of electricity through Makoto’s body all the same. Makoto pushed forward without reserve, as the kiss deepened once more, this time Makoto holding Ann by the back of her head, refusing to let go.
Try as she might, Makoto soon realized she’d need air, and pulled away, panting for a breath of fresh air. Makoto had only ever kissed someone once before, and that was Ann. Not even in her wildest dreams did she envision it could become something like that. A part of her wanted to dive in again, to experience the heat and passion with Ann once more, but another felt shell shocked. As if she needed to force herself into taking a break, lest she get swept up and truly lose herself next time.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“Do not apologize for that. Ever. That was… amazing.” Ann said, equally out of breath, her hand hovering over her lips in open contemplation.
“Did… did you want to, um, cuddle? I’m feeling a little tired.” Makoto said honestly. As much as she wouldn’t mind making out with Ann further, it was getting late, and for the first time ever, Makoto lamented having school the following day.
“Yeah, come here.” Ann said, wrapping her arms around Makoto. Even though she was still wearing her fluffy white turtleneck and pants, Makoto felt like she could fall asleep like this. Truth be told, it didn’t matter how she was dressed; being with Ann made her feel the most comfortable and safe she had in years. And so, the two slowly dozed off in each other's loving embrace.
20XX, March 3rd
It was a bit of an impromptu meeting for the Phantom Thieves. Ever since the true collapse of the Metaverse, everyone had gone about their lives, doing their best to progress forward in the only way they knew how. It also certainly didn’t help that exams were the following week, with graduation the week after. In truth, everything was starting to ramp up, and the group found it harder and harder to meet with one another.
“Actually, I’ve got some news, too… I’m in the middle of looking into studying abroad— just short-term. I’ve been wondering what would be the smartest move for my career, so…” Ann announced to the group of gathered friends. It was an unexpected announcement for the majority of the group, but not for Makoto. Given where everyone was headed, it made the most sense for Ann, and while Makoto approved, she’d be lying if she didn’t say she would miss Ann immensely.
“Both Haru and I are looking for places to live on our own, starting next month. In fact, our moves will probably occur around the same time as Ryuji’s.” Makoto said to the rest of the group. It was helpful that Makoto wasn’t graduating alone, at the very least she’d not be alone when transferring schools.
“I plan to keep learning about the business while also attending college. That’s why Mako-chan and I were talking about how we won’t be able to get together like we used to.” Haru said.
“Aren’t you going to tell them too?” Sojiro asked, glancing over to Futaba.
“So, um… I passed the entrance exam! I’m gonna be a high schooler starting in April. First high school, then college… Then, I can finally research cognitive psience for real.”
“Even you, Futaba? No— I apologize. I should be wishing you all the best of luck.” Yusuke said. While unsaid, Makoto could tell the sentiments were shared across the room. Everyone was going to miss one another in a different way, but it was also inspiring to see everyone step forward to reach their goals. Truly the definition of a bitter-sweet moment.
“Nah, you do have a point—we are going our separate ways…” Futaba said.
“We’ll always be connected.” Ren said it best.
“Mmhm. Plus, this isn’t a permanent farewell.” Haru said.
Even after their assurances, Yusuke still appeared troubled, his expression showing pure sorrow and frustration. “...It seems you’re all taking great strides forward. I, however, will not be going anywhere until I’ve completed my current painting. No matter how many years it takes, I will express this feeling that’s grown within me since we first banded together.” Yusuke said.
“That’s still some kinda stride though, ain’t it?” Ryuji observed.
“No matter what we may go through, or how many times we may stumble, we’ll follow the path we believe in… That’s what the Phantom Thieves are all about!” Morgana cheered.
“Stop trying to be such a cool cat!” Futaba criticized.
“I am NOT a cat… Yeah, I guess I am.” Morgana admitted.
“There’s still no way I’m acceptin’ Doc’s reality, but if it weren’t for goin’ through that, I dunno if I woulda felt this way now.” Ryuji said. “It’s like, followin’ through with what I wanna do in life… I guess I learned how to really believe in my future?” Ryuji said, and Makoto knew she couldn’t have said it better. Ryuji was right, they were all heading down their own paths, but they decided these paths for themselves. And now, no one could take that away from them.
“In that case, wouldn’t you say Sumire learned the same thing?” Ann said. “I mean, she is at training camp right now.”
“Indeed. While her viewpoint may differ from the Phantom Thieves’ beliefs, there’s still much we can learn from her.” Yusuke said.
“We’ve all gotta keep livin’ with our eyes focused on our dreams… Otherwise, Dr. Maruki’s gonna give us all kinds of shit.” Ryuji said.
“... You’re absolutely right.” Haru said.
As a silence settled among the group, Makoto could feel Ann squeeze her hand from under the table. Makoto had originally wanted to keep their relationship a secret due to Sae, but Ren, Morgana, and Sojiro already knew about it. Surely she could trust the other Phantom Thieves with something like this.
“I… have something else to announce in regard to that.” Makoto said, holding tighter onto Ann’s hand. “While it’s true I’m looking to move out in preparation for law school, that isn’t the only change I’ve decided to make in my life. To some this may be obvious, to others a complete shock, but Dr. Maruki’s reality did awaken something in me.” Makoto took a deep breath, and with an encouraging smile from Ann, she decided to push forward. “I learned that I shouldn't hide my true feelings, and Ann—She makes me smile every day, and even if there’s distance between us, I know my heart will always yearn to be with her.” Makoto said, as she brought their conjoined hand up from hiding.
“I won! You owe me, Ryuji!” Futaba exclaimed. Not only her tone of voice, but the context of her statement sent Makoto’s mind whirling. From what had been a heartfelt confession was now made into normal Futaba mockery.
“E–excuse me?” Makoto stammered.
“Damn, what does a kid like you even need money for anyhow?” Ryuji complained, fishing out his wallet.
“While I’m sure everyone loves hearing that it’s official, it’s not coming as a surprise to anyone here.” Ren clarified after seeing Makoto’s shocked expression.
“Ex—excuse me?” Ann said, now the one to blush.
“Anyone with eyes could see the way you two felt for one another. Well, everyone besides Ryuji.” Morgana criticized. “Coming in hand-in-hand the day we awakened from Doc's reality was the final nail in the coffin. You two have been head over heels for each other for so long it’s unbearable.” Morgana said.
Makoto could feel a heavy blush flush her cheeks, but there was no point in hiding it. After another affirmative squeeze from Ann, Makoto decided to stumble out some sort of make-shift sentence. “Oh... That’s all I wanted to say, then.” Makoto admitted bashfully, her face bright red.
“Well, I’m very impressed. You’ve all become quite mature.” Sojiro interrupted. “So let me throw you a little celebration in honor of the next chapters of your lives. Order whatever you’d like, on me.”
“Thank you.” Makoto said, happy the pressure was finally off of her. While their futures together were far from certain, this meeting proved more than anything that their bonds would be eternal. No amount of distance could cut what happened between all of them. They would be Phantom Thieves, now, and forever.
20XX, March 15th
Graduation day seemed to pass Makoto by in a blur. She had been tasked with giving the opening and closing speeches for her class, and while the pressure felt immense, it was far easier than some of the tasks she had been assigned earlier in the year. There was a sense of freedom that accompanied graduating Shujin Academy, but Makoto knew this was truly only the beginning.
“Congratulations on graduating, you two!” Ann said as they gathered outside the school's entrance. Both Makoto and Haru were holding their encased diplomas, wearing their red corsages to signify their graduate status.
“Mm, thanks!” Haru cheered.
“Makoto’s last big speech as council president got me all teared up. That was such a nice ceremony.” Ann said with a light sigh, wiping away an invisible tear upon instinct.
“Keep it in your pants, you can praise Makoto later.” Ryuji said.
“Unnecessary comment aside, this year really flew by, didn’t it?” Makoto said.
“We made so many memories together… I might even remember those better than what we did in school.” Haru giggled, and Makoto had to agree. While school could be stressful, it was nothing like the memories she made with the Phantom Thieves otherwise. Both inside, and outside the Metaverse.
“Yeah. But it is gonna suck not seeing you two at school anymore…” Ann lamented. And there it was again, the creeping sadness which seemed to overtake Ann anytime thoughts of her leaving sprang up.
“You’re one to talk, aren’t you going abroad in a month? I’ll be losing you too!” Futaba complained.
“Dude, I think Ann’s going to be missing Makoto for a whole different reason…” Ryuji commented. While Makoto was happy that she and Ann came out to her friends, Ryuji’s constant teasing comments left a lot to be desired.
“Makoto-senpai! Haru-senpai!” Sumire yelled from afar, running as if she’d lose sight of the unmoving group if she didn’t reach it in time.
“You came to the ceremony too?” Makoto asked.
“I wanted to tell you… in person… Congratulations on your graduation!” Sumire said reverently, giving both Haru and Makoto a short bow.
“Thank you.” Makoto said bashfully. Makoto glanced from Sumire to the rest of the group, before her eyes fell on Ann once more. She couldn’t help but smile stupidly as she looked at her girlfriend, feeling that sense of joy bubble up from within.
“What are you staring at~” Ann asked as she snaked her arms around Makoto’s waist.
“Just my beautiful girlfriend.” Makoto hummed, wrapping her arms around Ann’s back.
“You know, I think you deserve a reward for graduating. What do you say?” Ann whispered as she stared lovingly into Makoto’s eyes.
“I’d say I’ll take whatever you give me.” Makoto whispered back. Just as their faces were mere inches apart, Ryuji made a gagging sound, interrupting their moment.
“Ew, they’re doing the lovey-dovey thing again.” Ryuji complained.
“Get a room!” Futaba yelled.
“Shut it!” Ann yelled. Makoto felt the romantic nature of the moment already ruined, but she didn’t let that stop her. She grabbed Ann by the edges of her hoodie and pulled down, forcing their lips together. It was short, in mind that they were in complete public surrounded by their friends, and so Makoto left it as a brief chaste kiss, before they separated once more. Ann smiled in response, giving Makoto a look of complete satisfaction. Despite Ryuji and Futaba's disgruntled nature, Makoto couldn't envision a more perfect moment.
“It’s still weird, y’know. Not you guys, but everything. It’s all coming to an end.” Ryuji said bashfully. Makoto finally forced herself to turn in order to address Ryuji, but as soon as she shifted she stopped in her tracks, a cold sweat tracking down her forehead.
In the distance, by the entrance to Shujin’s platform, stood the one person Makoto didn’t expect to see. Her sister. Makoto could feel fear swell her heart, and the more Makoto studied Sae, the more the fear seemed warranted. Sae looked strangely sheepish, like a loud noise could spook her away. Makoto could tell both of them wanted to hide, to pretend like they hadn’t noticed one another, but now that they had made eye contact it appeared Sae wasn’t going to be deterred. Makoto’s mind started reeling as Sae cautiously approached the group, wondering how much she saw, and more importantly, what she was thinking.
“Sis— what brings you—”
“I was hoping to catch the end of your speech, but work ran longer than I thought.” Sae said, her eyes glancing toward Makoto, then Ann, then over to some distant object far away, refusing to meet Makoto's gaze once more. “I— sorry, I’m not in my right frame of mind. I’ll see you when you come home, I’ll be waiting.” Sae said, turning around almost robotically as she left the group as immediately as she approached.
Silence encroached the group as soon as Sae parted, and it wasn’t until she was completely out of sight did Ryuji say, “Was that weird, or was it just me?” Makoto looked to Ann, who looked shameful and regretful. Makoto didn’t want Ann to blame herself, it wasn’t her fault, but a part of Makoto’s heart felt crushed. Makoto was at least grateful Sae hadn't chastised her in public, but wondered what would change the moment she arrived home.
“Makoto, I’m so sorry. If I knew she—” Ann started.
“No, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.” Makoto sighed. Another silence dredged between the group as the reality of the situation dawned on each of the members. Makoto couldn’t maintain eye contact with anyone, feeling ashamed that something like this brought down everyone's mood.
“Do you really think your own sister would condemn you for a relationship like this? I would imagine her to be more open-minded about that sort of thing.” Yusuke surmised, the first to cut through the silence. Makoto clenched her fist as she pondered his words. I mean… it’s possible, Makoto thought.
“We’ve never talked about something like this." Makoto admitted."In Maruki’s reality she was fine with Ann and I dating, but she was brainwashed and then proceeded to lose all memories of that week. Given the way she was so shaken up just now… I don’t know. I’m sorry, I have to go.” Makoto said.
Before Makoto could get too far, she felt someone tug on her shoulder. “Wait, I’ll come with you. We do this together, right?” Ann said. And as much as Makoto wanted, no, needed, Ann’s support, she knew it would be a bad idea to show up to her house with Ann in tow. Sae would either explode or shut down, and there would be no in between.
“I… think it’s best I talk to Sis alone. But… if you really want to come, I may need you nearby for after? I hope you’re prepared.” Makoto said.
“For you? Anything.” Ann replied, a reassuring smile lifting on her face.
After giving apologetic partings, Makoto and Ann headed to the platform to head towards Makoto’s apartment. They didn’t say another word to one another as they rode the train, their interlocked hands and gentle squeezes being more than enough to fill the other with comfort.
By the time Makoto reached her apartment, she forced herself full of confidence. When Makoto had first ripped off her mask, she had assured herself she was done running. Now was the time to make good on her promise. Giving Ann one last look and taking a deep breath, Makoto unlocked the front door, and took a cautious first step inside of her apartment. “Sis?” Makoto called out as she slipped off her shoes. As she took a few more steps inside she could smell something— was Sae trying to cook?
Makoto braved herself and turned the corner, witnessing Sae slumped over the kitchen counter, all the while their fryer was sizzling. It took a moment, but Sae finally lifted her head. She looked tired, but also scared. The latter wasn’t a common look for Sae, and that made it all the more frightening. “You… came home sooner than I expected. I was hoping to have dinner ready.” Sae said. Her voice sounded fractured, frazzled. Makoto had never seen her like this, not even when Makoto had been revealed to be a Phantom Thief.
“You don’t have to beat around the bush, Sis. I know what you saw.” Makoto said. Sae shivered at the accusation, her eyes falling back down to the cooking food. The silence spoke volumes, proving Makoto’s suspicions. Sae had seen everything.
“So, you admit it, then.” Sae sighed.
“When I became a Phantom Thief, I promised myself that I’d no longer compromise myself for anything. You may disprove of it, but I’m sorry Sis, this is who I am. I like Ann Takamaki. A lot. And no matter what, that isn’t going to change.” Makoto said defiantly. She wasn’t sure where she was going with the statement, but in any case, she was going to stand her ground no matter what.
“Why are you making it sound like I’d have a problem with that?” Sae asked.
“What…?” Makoto vocalized. Now it was Makoto’s turn to be confused. She could feel her fierce will of rebellion dying down, simmering into a pool of jumbled emotions. “What? I mean, given your reaction—”
“I just saw someone kiss my little sister in public. It doesn’t matter who it is, I’d still be… frazzled.” Sae admitted, shaking her head in indignation. “I… apologize if my reaction made you think I didn’t approve of your choice in a partner, that was never my intention.”
“... So… you don’t hate the fact I like girls?” Makoto asked. Sae’s eyes widened and her lips curved into a short smile. A laugh broke from her lips, and suddenly Makoto was wondering if she missed a joke somewhere.
“What? No. Like whoever you like. It’d be hypocritical of me to say otherwise.” Sae said.
“...Sis?” Makoto asked, still feeling like she was missing something.
“No. Sorry. I know I hounded on you to stay independent, to focus on your studies… but you just graduated. It’s good to stay focused, but happiness is also important. Does she do that? Make you happy?” Sae asked. Finally, a question Makoto could answer.
“More than you can imagine.” Makoto responded.
“Then that’s all that matters. I just wish you would have told me sooner.” Sae said, looking over to the pan. “I should have figured it out on Christmas Eve after I saw she gifted you that toy. Have… you been dating since then?” Sae wondered.
“No. Only official since Valentine’s Day.” Makoto admitted.
“Over a month? Well, I’m not surprised, given the fact you were a Phantom Thief under my nose.” Sae said exhaustedly. “But from now on, no more secrets. Okay?”
“No more secrets.” Makoto agreed.
“Alright. I’m sorry if I’m pulling you away from your friends, but I’m making you a celebratory dinner. I hope you don’t mind.” Sae said.
“Not at all. But— are you sure you don’t want me to cook?” Makoto asked.
“It would be cruel to ask you to make your own celebration meal. How about you call Takamaki-san? I’d like to get to know her better, especially if she’s making my little Makoto so happy.” Sae said.
“A-Alright. She’s actually right outside. I’ll go grab her.” Makoto said. If Sae had any question as to why Ann was waiting around, she certainly didn’t ask it. Makoto ran outside and opened the door, seeing her girlfriend sitting on the steps in wait. It was almost adorable, like a lost puppy waiting at the doorstep waiting to be let in. Ann’s face lit up as soon as she saw Makoto, and given the lack of tears or yelling, it was clear Ann figured it had been good news.
“How did it go?” Ann asked.
“Good. Come on in, we’re having dinner here.” Makoto said.
“Oh— okay!” Ann stumbled as Makoto took her hand. Makoto could feel herself rushing inside, barely waiting for Ann to take her shoes off before they rounded the corner. “Hi, Niijima-san. Uh, thank you for having me.” Ann said, giving Sae a short wave.
“You can just call me Sae, as long as you promise to treat my little sister well.” Sae said with the slightest bit of edge in her voice.
“Sis…” Makoto complained.
“Oh, don’t worry. She’s just trying to be protective.” Ann said, trying to assuage Makoto’s concerns. “Honestly though, getting on Mako-chan’s bad side is the scariest thing I can imagine. I will do my best to make her happy.” Ann exclaimed.
“That is what I like to hear. Regardless, welcome. Dinner should be finished soon.” Sae said as she turned her attention back to the cooking fish.
“By the way, Sis, what are you making? Makoto asked.
“Only your favorite dish, aji furai.” Sae said confidently.
“I didn’t know that was your favorite dish.” Ann hummed.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite…” Makoto mumbled.
“Is that so? Then why did you force our dad to make it every birthday?” Sae asked teasingly.
“I—I didn’t force him! I just— asked nicely.” Makoto admitted sheepishly. But Ann erupted in laughter along with Sae, and for once it all fell away. The pressures and the doubt. For once, Makoto felt like the world had stood still. She knew life would continue on, that there would be other hurdles to jump, but for the time being she relished in the simplicity of the moment, surrounded by those she loved most.