5/15

"Well?" Akira asks.

Mishima stands from where he'd been sitting at Akira's desk, turns, and shrugs. "It's a pretty good machine. Not high, high end, but very good. I don't see anything wrong with it, either. Nothing weird installed, or anything like that." Mishima glances back at the laptop on Akira's desk, a plain black desktop with a few icons greeting them. "I did notice a few files that look like old game saves. You said your guardian gave it to you? Does he game?"

Akira opens his mouth to state that Sojiro unequivocally does not game, but stops himself. Akira doesn't actually know that. Maybe the old man does enjoy gaming. Hadn't Akira helped Sojioro transport a hefty computer to his house? And on the day Akira visited Shujin for the first time, Sojiro had fielded a call from someone about a computer issue, if he remembers correctly.

"I don't know," Akira says. "He doesn't strike me as a tech guy, but maybe he is. I think he's got a couple of computers at his house."

Although, when Akira thinks, he doesn’t recall seeing any computers when he spent the night at Sojiro's.

"Well," Mishima continues. "That's fine. I think this should be okay to use. Of course, you'd be better off with a full kitted-out desktop, but we can work with this. Are we still going to Akihabara?" A faint note of hope trickles into Mishima's voice.

Akira nods. "Yeah. I'm still not sure what I'm doing. I don't want to scurry across the dark web or deep web or whatever until I know it's secure."

"Well, to do that, we'd need software, which we could start downloading now. But I think you could probably grab a few extra pieces of hardware to help round this thing out."

Akira checks the time on his phone. "Alright. Maybe next weekend, then. I can't today. I've got someplace to be."

"Oh," Mishima says, and glances around Akira's room again.

Mishima had made a big deal of entering 'The Lair of the Phantom Thieves’ when Akira had invited him over. Akira had pointed out this was just his room, and only Ryuji had been over here, and again, only the night before for unrelated reasons.

Morgana sits on the corner of the bed, observing their exchange, completely lost with all the computer talk and not even bothering to fake understanding.

Akira had been reluctant to invite Mishima over, not because of the still-bruised feelings towards the boy over his leaking of Akira's information, but due to the upcoming date he'd set with Makoto.

Akira had texted Makoto the previous evening, letting her know about the rendevous location and time. Ryuji had been useless with fashion tips, and Morgana hadn't been much help either, so Akira hopes the nondescript but casual clothes he chose are appropriate. Sojiro hadn't classified the restaurant as a high-end type of place, just hip, so hopefully, no one expects Akira to show up in a suit and tie.

"Anything..." Mishima lowers his voice to a whisper. "Thief related?"

"No subtlety," Morgana hisses from the bed.

"No," Akira replies. "I'm just going out for a bit. No big deal. But I should get going." He offers Mishima a smile. "Thanks for swinging by. I'm looking forward to the Akihabara trip."

Mishima grins. "Me too!"

#

Akira adjusts the shirt once more. It's an olive green short sleeve that goes well with the slacks and shoes he wears. Akira had put serious thought into this outfit but realized maybe he should apply less. Either way, the clothes were on, and he was around the corner from their rendezvous location, so unless he bolted into one of the over-priced clothing stores dotting the streets of Shibuya, Akira was stuck.

Morgana had insisted on coming, but Akira had first carefully and then resolutely shot this idea down. He did not want to try and explain the constant meowing to Makoto. Though Morgana had proven himself repeatedly, having him around was becoming more trouble than it was worth.

"Alright," Akira says to himself. There was nothing else to do. Akira had gotten this far. All that was left was turning the corner and meeting up with the girl he liked.

What if she doesn't show? His brain suddenly wonders.

Why would you ask that? The rest of Akira wonders.

Akira shoves himself forward - mentally - and the momentum continues down to his legs, which finally move.

When he manages to propel himself around the corner, it only takes a moment to find Makoto. She stands separate from the crowds shuffling their way up and down the sidewalk. Under an overhang, she clutches the strap of her bag in one hand.

Akira feels a great sense of relief wash over him.

She came.

Akira realizes this is the first time he's seen her in anything beyond the Shujin uniform. Makoto wears a plain, sleek, vanilla blouse, cinched with a thin black belt that hangs over dark leggings which end just before her ankles. Akira doesn't know much about women's shoes, but he's pretty sure the black things she wears are fashionable. Still, from what he can tell, she hasn't overdone it, which makes him feel better about not overdoing it.

Knowing that he'll sabotage himself if he stops, Akira starts marching toward her. Makoto stands in the shadow of the overhang, casting her eyes about, and when she sees him, she looks past him at first, then snaps back.

Is that good or bad?

Akira raises his hand in greeting but still must awkwardly close the distance between them before he can reasonably say, "Hi."

"Hi," Makoto replies. "I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you."

Akira grins. "Was it the shirt or the glasses?"

Makoto chuckles. "The glasses. Or lack thereof."

Akira almost reaches up to adjust them but leaves his hand at his side. "So, funny story. I don't actually need those."

Makoto blinks, her head tilted almost imperceptibly to the side. "You don't?" Her smile broadens. "Then, um, why do you wear them?"

Akira feels something tug at his insides. "Originally, I wanted to hide myself away, I think. They're fakes. I guess I figured that if everyone saw me as some stereotypical student with glasses, no one would give me a hard time." Akira shrugs. "But then, Kamoshida leaked my information."

Makoto's eyes widen. "That was Kamoshida?" She demands.

"Yeah. Did you not know that?" Makoto shakes her head. "Oh. Well, yes. It was him. He had Mishima do it and-"

"Mishima?" Makoto asks. "Yuuki Mishima?"

Akira holds up his hands. "We're getting a little off track. To hear Mishima tell it, Kamoshida threatened him. But, you know what? We're talking about Kamoshida during what's supposed to be a happy... thing. How about we go in?"

Makoto takes a deep breath and sets her shoulders. "Yes. I think that's a good idea. I apologize for bringing it up."

"No, it's fine," Akira says, smiling. "Feels nice to talk about it. The only other person I've told is my doctor."

"Well, that stands to reason."

Akira suppresses a laugh. "Naturally." He turns and gestures for her to follow him down the sidewalk. The restaurant is only a short walk away, and Akira can't think of anything to fill the brief gap during the trek. Instead, he tries to admire the restaurant but finds himself nearly vibrating with giddiness at Makoto's proximity. Makoto, for her part, appears to be having similar thoughts, as her cheeks have a hint of red that she seems to be struggling to bring under control.

It's like a cuteness feedback loop or something, Akira thinks.

Joker groans from within his mind.

The restaurant, a two-story building with a sign reading 'Juniper' in English, had a style apart from your traditional Japanese. Carefully pruned vines and feelers streamed down from potted plants that dotted the facade, reaching down almost to the sidewalk. The second story consisted of an outdoor patio area in which several patrons lounged and looked down at the other citizens of Tokyo.

"I'm impressed," Makoto says, staring up at the place. "I didn't realize you knew about places like this."

"I'm just full of surprises," Akira intones, deciding that he doesn't have to mention how Sojiro saved his ass.

Makoto's face falters for a moment, but she says nothing.

Akira increases his speed and reaches the door just before Makoto and holds it open for her. She smiles and steps inside. A fresh wave of A/C washes over them, and Akira breathes a little sigh. Yes, the reservation is for the outside patio area, but hopefully, it'll be a bit cooler up there. It isn't a humid day, but it is summer.

Akira lifts his hand to the maître d’, who nods and approaches him. His partner, a young woman, is having a hushed conversation with an older man and a significantly younger woman. "This isn't right," the older man says, and Akira only glances his way for a moment before giving his information to the maître d’. "I had a reservation for this time. I booked it online."

"Excuse me," the young hostess says. "I do apologize, but according to our system, the reservation dropped."

"That's not-" The man continues, but by then, Akira and Makoto are moving towards the stairs.

"Wow," Makoto says as they step onto the second floor. Though they are only one floor up, the sun is shining, and Tokyo's skyscrapers greet them happily as they follow the maître d’ to their table. "It's beautiful up here."

Even Akira reels at the view.

I really need to thank Sojiro for setting this up.

Makoto sets her bag down and turns to Akira, brows raised in speculation. "How did you hear about this place?"

Akira's mind works at this for a nanosecond, then he answers, "I heard about it from my gang."

The maître d’ pauses to look at Akira before shaking his head and distributing menus.

Makoto smirks. "Your gang?"

"Haven't you been reading the latest RINE chats?" Akira asks. He makes a show of flicking his shirt's collar. "I'm in with the yakuza or some yakuza-adjacent thing. They told me about this place."

"Ah," Makoto says. "So all those rumors are true then? Even all that stuff about being an assassin?"

"Oh, especially the stuff about being an assassin."

A waiter brings water, but Akira and Makoto put off perusing the menu for the time being. To Akira's delight, Makoto doesn't appear to be in any hurry.

"Do you know what surprises me?" Makoto asks.

Akira smiles. "What?"

Makoto opens her mouth, then shuts it again. "Ah, well. Never mind. We don't have to talk about it."

Akira feels his grin fading, but not unpleasantly. "Are you okay? If you want to ask me something, go ahead."

Makoto hesitates, then says, "For all those rumors flying around about you, none of them involve the Phantom Thieves."

Akira manages to keep his face neutral. Before leaving for the date, he had given himself a small pep talk, reminding himself that there was every chance that Shujin's favorite topic - aside from him - would come up. "Why's that surprising?" He asks.

"Well," Makoto says, and takes a small sip of water. "It's just that you arrived only a few weeks before the Phantom Thieves struck. No one had heard of them before the Kamoshida incident. Interestingly, everyone's throwing around these crazy rumors about you, but no one suggests you could be involved." Makoto raises her hands and laughs. "Not that... well, I suppose I'm just wondering why they'd-"

"It's pretty simple," Akira says. This had been another part of his preparation. Or rather, he'd coached himself to avoid this topic, but now that it's come up, Akira finds he can't.

Akira has wondered about this, himself.

"The Phantom Thieves stopped Kamoshida. The abuse is over. His crimes came to light. People got justice. The Phantom Thieves are heroes." Akira shrugs. "And I guess the students at Shujin can't see Akira Kurusu as a hero." He tries to smile and sort of succeeds. "I'm with the yakuza, remember? I carry a knife in my bag. Or a gun. I've got the assault charge. So why would anyone draw a connection between a bunch of heroes and me?"

Makoto seems thoroughly deflated, and Akira kicks himself. That was not what he'd wanted to convey. Akira starts figuring out how to backpedal, but Makoto cuts him off.

"They're idiots," she snaps.

Akira's mouth opens and closes. He blinks. "Who?"

Makoto looks up at him, a new intensity in her eyes. "The other students, obviously."

"You probably shouldn't say that about the students you represent."

Makoto scoffs. "Oh, whatever. I'm already the President. What are they going to do, impeach me?"

Akira laughs. "I guess not."

Makoto leans in. "But seriously. I'm tired of hearing all this horrible stuff about you. I know we're joking, and I'm glad you're comfortable enough to do so, but it makes me angry."

"You don't have-"

"Yes, I do," Makoto insists. "You got me out of that room." Makoto's eyes suddenly widen, and she pales significantly.

Oh shit.

"Hey," Akira says, and before he can think about what he's doing, he's reaching across the table. Makoto's hand sits on the table, and Akira rests his over it.

This brings Makoto back to reality, but she reddens faster than an allergic reaction once she sees Akira's hand covering her own.

"Sorry," Akira says, pulling his hand back. "I just... I didn't want you to get-"

"No, no, it's fine." Makoto rubs her temples. "We certainly have chosen interesting topics of conversation."

"Wanna talk about Buchimaru-kun instead?" Akira asks.

Makoto smirks. "Want to talk about the book you picked out?"

Akira smiles. "I would."

They spend some time discussing the finer points of 'The Lies of Locke Lamora.' It is a very harmless and easy conversation. Then, they order food at some point, and at some later point, it comes.

For a time, Akira and Makoto's date behaves as it should. And maybe, in another life or universe, it could've continued that way. Maybe, if you zoom out far enough, you can pretend destiny wove this. That this happy moment between two young people who care for one another is all that will ever need to happen. That the story can end here. Wrapped up. This is what we all want, right? This is what we'd hoped to see. Akira and Makoto together, woven around each other and content to discuss an excellent adventure/fantasy story.

But Akira's only read so far. Makoto knows how the book goes. Akira does too, if he bothers to think about it.

And we all know how this story is going to go.

We want to stay here – in a world that ceases to exist beyond the pleasant boundaries of this table's earshot. Two people, happy in one another's company, discussing safe topics of fiction. It's easy enough to imagine this going on forever and ever and ever.

Easy enough.

But it doesn't.

Conversational pitfalls play out, and the topic leaves the sheltered realm of fiction and returns to the reality of Akira and how he's come to reside in Tokyo.

"You know," Akira says, as the food arrives, and immediately after Makoto makes a flippant remark about the RINE chats. "You should start a wager or something, which insane story about me is true. Then, we could rake in the cash."

Makoto raises a brow at this. "You think I should knowingly deceive the other students at Shujin?"

Akira nods. "Uh, yeah." He picks up his sandwich and takes a bite. It's good. "I could be your inside horse," he says, once he's swallowed. "Give you the real information. You post that online, and when I make the big reveal, you collect all the money, and we split it." He almost says it could cover the lavish costs of his intended second date but can't quite bring himself to say it.

Makoto nods. "Well, if we're going to go that route, I'll have to know what the story is."

Akira ponders this. "Let's see. How about, I'm some abandoned orphan raised by the matriarch of some minor gang. Thanks to her tutelage, I rose through the ranks and managed to elevate the gang as well. But then, some jealous contender wanted my spot, so they framed me for-"

Makoto gives a small, awkward laugh. Akira shuts up. "Yes," Makoto says. "That's quite the story. Specific too. But, Akira, I was hoping for the real thing."

"Ah," Akira says. "Right."

Why not? A voice in his head asks. You already told Ryuji, and the rest of the Thieves.

Makoto's not one of us, Akira thinks.

No, but you'd like her to be more.

"You know," Akira says. "I want to tell you. I do. I think it's important that I tell you what happened that night. But..."

"But this might not be the place for it?" Makoto asks, face falling a bit.

Akira nods. "I'm sorry. Maybe when we're not in such a nice place. When we're somewhere dreary. Maybe if you came to the cafe."

Makoto tilts her head. "Cafe?"

"Point is," Akira says, shaking his head. "Is that I'm having a good time, and I don't want there to be any secrets between us, so maybe we could..." Akira trails off. Makoto's face has frozen. Before, it had been relaxed and vibrant. It is now stiff and controlled. Akira blinks. There's been very little perceptual change, but Akira can recognize it, and even as he marvels at how he can recognize it, another part of him worries about what this means.

"No secrets," Makoto says solemnly.

Akira kicks himself for that. He'd just been talking and hadn't been watching what he was saying. "Listen, I-"

Makoto holds up a hand. Akira stops speaking. Makoto sucks in her lips, and her eyes glaze over. It appears she is thinking about something very hard.

Then, Makoto finally says, "Akira, why did you lie to me about Takamaki and Sakamoto?"

There is no voice in Akira's head offering counsel. Instead, his thoughts are quiet and decidedly unhelpful. "H-huh?" Akira asks.

"During our last study session, you told me that Sakamoto intended to ask Takamaki out. You showed me all those texts indicating such. But, according to Daisuke Takanashi, Takamaki and Sakamoto had been on a date already."

Akira's brain runs in reverse. Takanashi? What the hell did he have to do with anything? Ryuji and Ann had confronted him together, but what Akira recalls from the description of that encounter was how Ryuji had promised Maehara that the Phantom Thieves had changed Takanashi's heart. Neither Ann nor Ryuji had mentioned anything about saying they were on a date.

"I-" Akira starts.

"So, either Takamaki and Sakamoto lied about it to Takanashi, or you lied to me."

"Why were you even talking to Takanashi?" Akira asks. "I don't even know why they would be-"

"The Phantom Thieves targeted Takanashi. Surely you know this?" Makoto replies. "Maehara put a Request up on the PhanSite shortly after it went live, but before the new criteria for posting were implemented. Soon after, Takanashi caught up with Maehara and attacked him. Only, Sakamoto and Takamaki arrived and thwarted him, and when Takanashi asked what they were doing together, Takamaki claimed they'd been on a date. After I heard about his change of heart, I asked him to the Student Council office. I spoke with him. I spoke with Maehara too, and he confirmed it. Takanashi and Sakamoto had claimed to be on a date." Makoto leans back in her seat and seems neither fired up nor exasperated in Akira's eye. She doesn't appear to be much of anything. Rather, Makoto comes across as though she's reading off a mental checklist. Just citing facts one after another, with no emotional context. "And that's not all," she says, before Akira can interject. "Takanashi's change of heart happened approximately at the same time as our study session, Sakamoto's sojourn to Shibuya Underground, and Takamaki's trip to the hospital to see Suzui. All confirmed via your texting.

"But you know all of this, don't you, Akira?"

Makoto stops talking and stares at him. Akira's mind reels. A single sentence. That was all that had undone this.

No time to worry about how it happened, a voice says. You need to do something about it.

Akira remains silent, staring first at Makoto, and then at his food. Then, finally, he leans forward and asks, in a low voice, "What is it you want to ask me, Makoto?"

"I already asked, Akira. I want to know why you lied to me." When Akira makes no reply, Makoto asks, "Was it to use me as an alibi? But, of course, that would only work if we knew how the Phantom Thieves change hearts. Maybe you can time it. I don't know. After all, Kamoshida confessed during a schoolwide assembly. That's quite convenient timing."

Akira exhales. Actually, that was a coincidence. "Is that what you're really asking? If I'm one of them?"

"If you are, why haven't you told me?"

"If I was, could you blame me?"

"Akira, I-"

"I was walking home one night. I don't even remember from where. I think it might've been a manga cafe, but it could've just as easily been a ramen shop I used to frequent in my hometown."

That's it, a voice Akira hates whispers. Take back control.

"It was late because I always tried to stay out as long as possible before going home. I didn't want to interact with my mother any more than necessary. So anyway, I'm walking home and staring off into space. I'm on autopilot. The next thing I know, this commotion shakes me back into reality. I look around and see some guy standing next to this big car. He's wobbling and has his hands all over this young woman. He's muttering all these things to her. 'You look just like her.' 'It's been so long.' And then he's yelling at her, 'Get in the car.' She's crying and sees me, and I'm just a kid. I'm just some kid who doesn't want to go home, who's never been in any trouble. And she asks me to help her. She calls to me.

“And you know something? Something I didn't realize until later? That wasn't fair, Makoto. It wasn't fair that she asked me to help her. It wasn't fair that life put me in that position, that there was no one around to help. I was, am, just a teenager. But I didn't hesitate. I think back on that moment a lot. I know that I didn't hesitate. I moved across the street, grabbed the guy, and shoved him off her. And because he was so drunk - I could feel the booze that made his shirt cling to his chest - he stumbled, fell, and hit his head." Akira smiles a little when he sees the look of shock on Makoto's face. "No, he didn't die. It was barely a scratch. But then he starts claiming that I assaulted him, and the next thing I know, the police show up. And, what do you know? The woman who pleaded for my help? She said the same damn thing - that I assaulted him. That I'd come out of nowhere and attacked him. 'Open and shut.' That's what the judge said. And so I'm here. And so I'm at Shujin, and I've got a lunatic gym teacher leaking my information to the student body, and that just isn't fair either, but at this point, who cares?

"And now I'm sitting with the girl I like, and she's asking me if I'm a Phantom Thief. So I'm asking you again, if I were, could you blame me for keeping quiet about it?" He leans in a bit further, just for added effect. "Don't you think I've been burned enough times? Why would I risk that again?"

Makoto is silent. Her eyes aren't bulging, but they are wide. Then, finally, after a few moments of silence, she takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Thank you for telling me that, Akira. I do appreciate it. And I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry about everything that happened to you." She folds her hands together. "But I can't help but think you just weaponized your own story to try and throw me off. I understand it. I do. But the fact is that it's highly probable that you used me as an alibi for you and the other Thieves, which I suspect to include Sakamoto and Takamaki. And you've kept up that lie. You've told it again and again. You haven't even denied it since we started down this road. So you know what I'm asking and what I suspect. I want to know if it's true. And I want to know if you're just using me, or..." And here, Makoto trails off for a moment, then shakes her head and fixes Akira with a much sterner gaze. "Or if you actually do like me. Because if you did, I can't imagine why you would keep lying."

So much for taking back control, Joker mutters.

Akira stares at Makoto. What can he say? He's only got one out.

You've got more than one, his father's voice comments. But you're not willing to walk down that road.

"If I wanted to tell you the truth," Akira says. "Could I trust you with it?"

"Akira," Makoto almost whispers. "I've known you for, what? A month? A little more? Doesn't it feel longer than that? I'm not trying to arrest you or expose you. I just want to know. After everything that happened between us, and then Kamoshida, and today, I want to know, and I want you to trust me and know that I'm not going to betray you. You saved me. Do you think I'd give you up after that?"

Akira does not. And Akira imagines himself spreading his hands as if to be handcuffed, adopting Joker's little smirk and saying, 'You got me,' and accepting everything that comes from that.

But Akira knows he can't do this.

Because Akira is not the only Phantom Thief.

"If," Akira says slowly. "If I were a member of the Phantom Thieves, then it stands to reason there are additional members. And if I were a hypothetical member of this organization, I couldn't just bring someone into our confidence without discussing it with the others. I'm sure you can understand that."

Makoto sighs. "So you need to talk this over with Sakamoto and Takamaki?"

Akira shrugs. "If they were members of this group, and if I were a member of this group, that would be a reasonable assumption." Akira clears his throat. "And if I were going to discuss it with them, it would be tonight, before I saw you again tomorrow. I would discuss it with them and give you my answer at school. Hypothetically, of course."

"Of course. Hypothetically."

Naturally, the rest of the date is super fucking awkward.

#

Akira waited desperate and anxious hours for Ann and Ryuji to make their way to LeBlanc. He had waited for Ann to introduce herself to Sojiro, and then led the two upstairs, where Morgana awaited.

Akira launched into a summary of his date, and while Ryuji seemed interested and Ann did not, both had sat up straighter once Akira got to the point.

"Dammit," Ann spits. "She knows?"

"She doesn't know," Akira points out. "She suspects."

"Sure sounds like she knows," Ryuji states, crossing his arms.

"Fortunately, Akira didn't give himself away," Morgana says. "He kept everything hypothetical."

Akira casts a glance at the cat. "What? You think she was wearing a wire or something?"

The cat moves its hind legs in the approximation of a shrug. "Why not?"

"We were on a date," Akira replies. "Why would she wear a wire to our date?"

"Maybe the date was a cover to get you to confess to being a Phantom Thief," Ann suggests.

Akira shakes his head. "No way."

"Either way," Ryuji says. "Akira didn't confess to nothin'. But what do we do now?"

Akira clears his throat, and the others look to him. He is their leader, after all. "I think we should tell her."

Ann's face falls, but to Akira's surprise, Ryuji speaks first. "Eh. I don't know, dude."

"She apologized to you, Ryuji. Don't you remember that?"

Ryuji replies with an actual human shrug. "Sure I do, but what's that got to do with anything?"

"I agree with Ryuji," Ann says. "I don't see why Niijima needs to know about us. And, well..." She trails off.

Akira keeps himself under control, and calmly asks, "What?"

Ann meets his eyes. "Well, I think you want to tell her only because you like her. But that's not the same as having a legitimate reason to tell her."

"Yup," Ryuji says, nodding sagely. "What Ann said."

Akira feels a slight grin spread over his face. He can understand this, but ignores it to say, "Ryuji, you told Mishima about us. And Ann, you told Shiho."

Ann's spine straightens completely. "Hold up. Shiho deserved to know about us after what Kamoshida did to her. It's not the same thing at all!"

Ryuji reaches out a hand and pats her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Yeah," he says. "And, uh, Mishima does run the PhanSite. I know you guys don't like how I spilled the beans, but wouldn't this all be much more difficult if Mishima didn't know about us?"

"To get even more technical," Morgana says, almost but not quite smugly. "I'm the only one who hasn't given us away to someone."

All three fix Morgana with gazes that manage to all translate to, 'Yeah, and why do you think that is?'

Morgana shifts about, uncomfortable. "M-my point is that if we're going to tally up who's told who what, then Akira, you're not exactly innocent here. You told Takemi, Plague, or whatever we're calling her now."

Akira rolls his eyes. "Yes, but she'd practically figured the whole thing out. Besides, she's one of our main contacts. We couldn't function without her medicine."

"That's Morgana's point," Ann says. "Takemi is valuable to us. Shiho deserved to know, and Mishima may be a bit of a clutz, but he does run our website, and even if he messed up with the Nakanohara thing, he's the reason we're targetting Madarame now.

"But Akira, what does Makoto bring to the table? What does Makoto knowing the truth do for us?"

"I kinda like the Prez," Ryuji puts in. "But like you said before, man. We can't just tell people because we feel like it, right?"

Akira doesn't remember phrasing it precisely that way, but Ryuji is right. And the frustration boiling within him is fed by the absolute truth of what his friends are saying.

"It isn't like Makoto is useless. She's brilliant. If we could have her brain on our side-"

"To do what?" Ann asks. "Help us with our homework?"

"Actually," Ryuji mumbles. "That might not be so bad."

"She figured out our whole strategy based on a single throwaway sentence you guys said to Takanashi, Ann. If that's not impressive, I'm not sure what is. She's not just a good student."

"I'm not sold," Morgana says, arching his back.

"Shouldn't we be bringing Takemi into this?" Ryuji asks. "She is an honorary member, after all. So this does kinda concern her."

"Forget Takemi," Akira says, and sits on his bed. "I'm asking you guys."

"I think you have our answer," Ann replies.

"Sorry bro," Ryuji says. "But unless we've got a good reason to tell her, I don't think we should."

Morgana trots over and rests a paw on Akira's leg. "Listen, maybe our concerns are overblown. But we don't know that. Doesn't the fact that she's spent the time necessary to figure all this out bother you? We've no idea what her intentions are."

"It's Makoto," Akira says, looking at them all in turn.

"And you're the only one that means anything to," Ann says.

The silence stretches, but though Akira seeks some kind of solution, he finds none. How can he argue with their points?

"If we're not going tell her, we do need to have some way to explain all this."

"What's to explain?" Ann asks. "That you lied about Ryuji and me? Why not just tell her it was all an excuse to get the conversation away from studying, to show her what a romantic you are? Then again, you could just blow her off."

Akira glares at Ann, and Morgana speaks up. "Look, why don't I tail Makoto a bit, tomorrow? Maybe I can figure out why she's so intent on figuring all this out."

"I..." Akira starts. "I don't think that's it, Morgana. I think she just wants to know why I lied to her."

"Then my explanation still works."

"Then why didn't I just say that on our date?"

Ann shrugs. "I don't know. But it's not like she's got any real proof, right?"

"Yeah," Ryuji replies. "You were with her while Ann, Mona, and I changed Takanashi's heart. She's got no clue about Palaces or the Metaverse."

Akira leans back and fully lowers onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Dammit,” he says.

#

"Why?" Haru demands, gripping Makoto's hands in a vice grip. "I need to know!"

"Haru, I..." Makoto trails off.

"Why won't you tell me what happened?" Haru asks, then gasps. "Oh no. Don't tell me. Was it horrible? Terrible? Did he invite another girl along?"

"What?" Makoto asks. "Of course not!"

Haru sighs, and releases some of the tension in her grip. "Well, that's a relief."

"I just..." Makoto says, and can't finish the sentence. This time, Haru just stares at her, imploringly.

Makoto sees herself reflected in Haru's eyes. The two sit together in a small cafe only a short distance from where Makoto's date had taken place. Haru had posted herself there hours ahead of time, diligently waiting for Makoto's 'after-action report.'

Hypocrite. How else can Makoto think of herself? All that time she just spent calling out Akira on his lies, and here she was, having befriended Haru under false pretenses. It shamed her. And Makoto would have no more of it.

"Haru?" Makoto says.

Haru stiffens as if expecting some blow. "What is it, Mako-chan? Seriously."

"I need to tell you something."

And just like that, it all comes tumbling out of her. The early days of getting to know Akira, her suspicions following Kamoshida's confession, the strange gut instinct she followed, and her reason for approaching Haru in the first place. "I'm not sure what I wanted to do or why I wanted to find out," Makoto says, unable to stop herself from talking. "Maybe I wanted to help? Maybe I just wanted to play games. So, when I asked for your help, I was hoping your working relationship with Akira would provide some clue into his activities as a Phantom Thief. I lied to you. I'm very sorry."

A range of emotions pass over Haru's face. Confusion in wide eyes, hurt in a pouted lip, anger in furrowed brows, and a kind of acceptance in closed eyes and a deep breath. "I see," Haru finally says.

"But, hanging out with you has been really fun. I don't... I don't have many friends. Actually, I don't think I have any friends. Not like you. So please know that while my initial intentions were dishonorable, being your friend has been great." Makoto sighs. "I'm sorry, that didn't sound so good. I'm-"

"You do like him, right?" Haru asks.

"Huh?" Makoto replies, blinking.

Haru stares at her and releases her grip on Makoto's hands. "Do you like him? Or was that a lie?"

Makoto shakes her head. "No, it's not a lie. I do like him. I even... I, well, yes, I do like him."

Haru nods, as if in confirmation. "I believe you." She takes a deep breath and holds it.

And holds it.

And holds it.

After about thirty seconds, Makoto asks, "Um, Haru? Are you-" But then Haru releases the air in one large exhale.

She smiles. "It's fine. I forgive you."

Makoto feels her eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yes."

Makoto cannot help herself. "But why? I haven't been honest with you from the start."

"Well, maybe not, but I don't know if I'd call you a liar," Haru replies. "I'd be pretty upset if it turned out you didn't even like Akira after all this. I do consider him a friend, after all." She shrugs. "But beyond that, you seem like you could use a friend. I know that feeling too."

Makoto feels something rise behind her eyes, and she manages a meek little, "Thank you."

"Besides," Haru says, a hint of crimson in her cheeks. "I've enjoyed spending time with you as well."

They sit in silence for a short time.

Then, Haru's eyes widen, and she says, "Okay. So. Wait a minute. Akira is part of the Phantom Thieves?"

Makoto nods. "I'm almost positive. He's planning on discussing it with his teammates - hypothetically - and will get back to me with his answer tomorrow."

Haru leans back in her chair and plays with a strand of her hair. "Wow. That's... huh."

"What is it?" Makoto asks.

"There was a woman," Haru replies. "She came to the flower shop one day and ordered eleven flowers." Haru relays the story.