Makoto
March was coming to an end. Almost a year ago, Akira Kurusu walked down the streets of Shibuya for the first time in his life. What came after was the most amazing, wonderful, and terrifying experience of his life. He became a criminal, he was treated like a pariah, but he also saved lives and made some truly amazing friends.
Akira closed his eyes as he felt the salty wind brushing against his face. He tried to focus his mind on just a single moment, but it felt impossible. He was firing his gun at giant ogres. He was running down the side of a pyramid. He was held at gunpoint.
He remembered the waking nightmare Mementos had turned into. Cages of bone, and rivers of blood, and the screaming voices. The Holy Grail towered over him, and Yaldabaoth rained hell down on him and his friends. He could feel his muscles tensing as the air tasted hot and dry. It was the worst memory he had of his entire life. Those moments still flashed in his eyes.
He had defeated a god. It had been a moment of victory and triumph, not just for the Phantom Thieves, but for humanity itself. Yet the nightmare still felt fresh in his mind. It made his stomach churn. His stomach tasted bile as he let out a sigh.
I shouldn't be thinking about this, he told himself. He felt the wind brush against his face and he took in the familiar, salty aroma of the sea. He let it blow away his memories, as he looked around to remind himself just where he was.
The group had stopped at a beach for their last night together, and Akira refused to allow some bad dreams take this away from him. No, he was going to savor this night and engrave it within his mind for eternity. Tonight's our last night together. Can't spend it in the past.
Akira shook the nightmares from his mind. He was sitting atop a large, smooth rock, the ocean's waves reaching out to him, but never actually getting close. He saw his friends scattered nearby, each invested in their own activities as they enjoyed one another's presence.
Ann and Ryuji were talking to one another as they walked on the shores of the sandy beach, large chunks of wood in the blond boy's hands, laughing at something only they knew. Futaba and Yusuke were bickering with each other, probably something that had to do with the crab that the artist was holding in his hand. Finally, Haru, Morgana, and Makoto were on fish catching duty. The black cat was vehemently cheering the two girls as they pulled out another fish for dinner tonight.
He cherished the sight of his close friends, before pausing in silent thought as his mind traveled to Tokyo. All the friends he had left behind. Iwai, Ohya, Sadayo, Mishima, and so many others all lived in that gorgeous metropolis. He wondered if he would ever see them again. Wonder if I'll ever come back... He stared out into the horizon, beyond the crashing waves that reflected the setting sun's rays. I have to. I'll talk to mom and dad about it. I have to come back.
The sunset was beautiful. A ray of orange light glimmered on the sea as the whole beach was bathed in an amber-coated light. He lifted his hand and marveled at his own shadow, before he reached out to outline the falling sun with his fingers. He squeezed his hand into a fist, 'catching' the sun in his hand, before releasing it back to the world. The gentle waves were a calming symphony as he simply took it all in.
It's really beautiful... We're lucky. We have the whole place to ourselves.
He closed his eyes, relaxing at the sun's rays against his skin. He felt at peace, only for past memories to prod at his mind.
"No!" Futaba screamed, and Akira's heart raced.
Futaba was screaming, holding her head as her body vanished before her eyes. She squeezed them shut as she tried to wake up from her nightmare. Akira reached out to her, only to fall as his legs melted away. "No-!" She was gone, nothing left behind as Makoto gasped for air.
Akira turned his head to find the brunette looking at him, tears in her eyes. "Where... Where did we go wro-?" Her skin was burned to ashes in a black fire. Her ashes popped in the fire, nothing left behind as her voice echoed in his mind.
Haru was the only one left. She stared with wide, terrified eyes, tears streaming down her face, only to burn away as the fire tore at her body. It wasn't quick. It was slow. Fire turned her skin black and brittle as she crumbled before Akira's eyes.
"Enjoying the view?"
He came crashing back into reality, and he found it hard to breathe. He coughed into his hand, his eyes watering as his skin suddenly felt hot. "W-what?" He turned to the sound of the voice, but his mind already realized who it was. Makoto Niijima was running towards him concern in her eyes.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you!"
"No, no! I'm fine. Just not used to the air," he quickly lied. "I don't get to go to the beach often. It's salty." Akira had learned that the best kinds of lies were the ones related to the truth.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Her question made him smile, and he nodded his head.
Makoto Niijima. Arguably his best friend and truest confidant on the team. His right hand woman. The sun's rays accented her smiling lips, and her crimson eyes shined in the light. She was beautiful. A unique fire that he was honored to know.
"I'm alright, Makoto. Thanks for the concern." She didn't think he was one to lie, and he wasn't. He just didn't want to trouble her with nothing important. Her sobbing face flashed in his eyes, and his smile grew more. "Please, join me.
"Thank you," she replied, sitting beside him.
"So, why did you come over? Everything okay?" he asked. "Or did you just come over to check on your best friend?"
She smiled at the question, and that made his heart slow down. It was nice seeing her smile. After everything she had gone through, he wanted nothing more than to see her happy. He remembered their afternoon on Waikiki Beach. The way the light shined on her, the way she beamed at him, the way she made him feel at peace, sure of himself.
Akira didn't want to admit it, but he wanted that more than ever.
Makoto brushed a strand of hair from her eyes as she gazed into the horizon of the sun. The sight stole her breath away as her fingers traced against the subtle details of the fishing rod. Akira's hands had held the tool dozens of times over the course of his year in Tokyo, and now it, like the man himself, was leaving. She wanted to hold onto the object for a few moments longer, engrave the feel of it in her mind.
She didn't want to forget a single thing about Akira. She wanted to remember his compassionate smile, his coffee-like scent, his laugh, his grin, his presence...
Her scarlet eyes glided over the gentle waves of the sea, and she found the man sitting by himself atop a large stone. He was admiring the setting sun in quiet contemplation as the breeze gently pushed against him.
"Akira-kun looks so peaceful there, doesn't he?"
Makoto looked at her close friend, Haru Okumura, and she smiled in agreement. "He does."
"I wonder what he's thinking about?" The auburn-haired woman's fingers traced her own fishing rod, her eyes following her careful fingers as she thought aloud.
"He's probably just enjoying the scenery."
"Hm." Makoto could feel a question dancing on Haru's lips, but the girl didn't speak for what felt like a long, drawn out second. Makoto wasn't sure why, she had hoped by now that Haru could trust her. They were practically best friends, weren't they?
Best friends... There's a funny thought. How much had life changed in a single year? Once upon a time, Makoto was alone and listless in a life that felt more like an obstacle course than reality. She merely obeyed what those above told her to do, and she acted according to how she was expected to. Her own future was spelled out for her, and there was only one path, one goal, with no room for leeway.
It was only thanks to Akira that she could find herself again. He destroyed the walls that threatened to crush her, and he shined a light down the dark path. He helped her find her own answers and gave her hope that she didn't think was ever available for her. In turn, she gave herself to the young man as his ally and friend. She wanted nothing more than to remain by his side, but fate had other plans..
It was a bittersweet end for Queen of the Phantom Thieves, but she was proud to be the tactician of the team. She was prouder still to be the shoulder Akira had leaned on.
"I'm going to miss him," confessed Haru with a heavy sigh. She pulled her knees closer to her chest as Makoto felt a slight tug on her line.
She pulled at it, reeling the fish towards the two of them as she spoke. "Akira-kun may be leaving, but he will be back before we... know it!" She pulled on the line once more, and the large fish's head popped out out of the ocean for a moment. "But I understand what you mean. It just won't be home without him," she sighed.
"It's wonderful that the two of you are so close to one another," commented Haru with a smile on her lips.
"Close? I-I suppose we are," mumbled the brunette as a shiver went up her spine. Yes, she thought of herself as Akira's ally, a close ally at that, but realizing that others saw their friendship was... embarrassing. Her fingers loosened around the handle for a moment, and the rod almost slipped from her hands. Her eyes widened as she her grip became tight and she reeled the fish closer to them. "Morgana! Haru! The net!"
"Huh? R-right!"
The small cat and Haru quickly did their part, helping to catch the fish Makoto was reeling in. The brunette had read upon on several fishing techniques, and she had even accompanied Akira to his fishing spot during his time in the city. While she wasn't quite as skilled as their leader, she was adept enough to bring the fish out of the water and into the net Haru held under her.
"Phew. Think that'll be enough for dinner?"
Haru nodded her head as Morgana practically jumped up and down in joy. The two girls put the fish inside the cooler they were using to house them, before they began to take apart the fishing rods and return them to Akira's luggage. Morgana was busy with admiring the strong odor of the fish as Haru looked at her Makoto.
"You should talk to him, you know."
"Huh?" Makoto blinked, glancing at Haru.
"You should talk to Akira-kun. You won't have many chances left to," the auburn-haired girl insisted.
"I already said my goodbyes before we left," explained the scarlet-eyed woman, but Haru shook her head.
"Not that. You should just... talk to him." Haru smiled at Makoto, staring into her scarlet eyes. "I think he just wants you by his side."
"How could you know that?" wondered Makoto, a hint of warmth crawling up her neck.
"Call it a feeling," Haru shrugged, before reaching towards Makoto's hand. She took the fishing rod from her and motioned towards the lone man. She smiled widely. "Go. I'll clean up here and start getting the fish ready. It'll be our last dinner together, so I'll make sure to put my all into it!" Her smile seemed to almost gleam in the light of the setting sun. "Come on, Mona-chan!"
Haru didn't say anything else, leaving Makoto to her own devices as the ebony feline watched in confusion. The cat looked at Makoto, and he looked like he was trying to shrug his shoulders. "Maybe Haru's right, Queen. You and Akira are best friends, after all. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you." The cat followed their mutual friend, leaving the ruby-eyed student president to mull over their words.
Makoto's sight fell upon the lone man and she bit her lower lip as a strange worry crawled up her body. They act like he and I have some kind of special connection. Obviously we don't, though! Well, we sort of do, I mean, he and I are the leaders of the group, but they almost made it sound like we were... intimate. Her legs began to move, almost on their own as she took a deep breath. Okay. Back straight. Shoulders up. Just talk to him. You've done that plenty of times.
So what made this feel so different? Just because Haru was pushing for her to speak to him? Was there something she knew that Makoto didn't? Was it because she knew this might be the last time they would ever speak? No, that was ridiculous. They would meet again, even if Makoto had to move mountains to make it happen...
Makoto had left her blue coat in the car, leaving her in her black, turtleneck sweater and matching pants. Her boots were by the large towel the group had brought, helping pin the fabric down against the ocean's breeze. Her feet left imprints on the sandy terrain, before she found herself beside the raven-haired man. She brushed some loose strands of hair as she took in the sight of him.
Calm down. He's just a boy.
She mentally kicked herself for such a blase description of her closest friend. Akira was so much more than a mere 'boy.' He was her best friend! He was the kindest, most compassionate, most level-headed man she had ever known. He was mature, sensible, yet his heart was gentle and compassionate. In many ways, he was how she remembered her father. An unstoppable force for good, with a heart that yearned for justice.
The mere thought sent a shiver to her hand as she swore to herself that Akira would never meet the same end as her father. She wouldn't allow it...
The boy had yet to even notice her presence as he lifted his hand up to block the sun's rays. He was so content. He looked so at peace, and the sun's golden rays made him seem almost like some kind of angel. He was handsome, that was objectively true, but there was something more to him that made Makoto's cheeks burn. Her earlier comment repeated itself, and Makoto once again found fault in it.
He isn't just some boy. He's a man. Already grown and ready to face the world... She was envious, to be honest. To be so sure of himself, to know who he was meant to be...
"Enjoying the view?" she called out to him.
She must have surprised him, because suddenly he was coughing into his hand, gasping for air. "W-what?" He blinked rapidly, looking at Makoto with wide eyes. She ran to his side, worried for him.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you!
"No, no. I'm fine. Just not used to the air," he replied, laughing off the accident. "I don't get to go to the beach often." He waved his hand in the air, as if blowing the ocean's smell away. "It's salty."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm alright, Makoto. Thanks for the concern." He smiled at her, and she relaxed at the sight. He placed his hand on the empty spot beside him. "Please, join me."
"Thank you." She took her place by his side, relief in her voice.
"So why did you come over? Everything okay? Or did you just come over to check on your best friend?" he teased her, showing that spark of Joker in his eyes.
"Just wanted to share the view with you," she answered. "Is that okay?" She found herself blushing, but she passed that off as just the sun's rays.
"The more the merrier," he replied. "It's a gorgeous sight." He was staring at her when she said that, not the setting sun... Makoto told herself that it was just a coincidence.
"You're right," she muttered. He turned his head back to the sun, as she tried to hide her smiling lips. Her ruby eyes were on his face as she mumbled, "The sight's... nice." She lifted a leg to rest on the stone and she hugged it, pulling her knee close to her head as she finally looked at the horizon together.
"Makes me a little nostalgic, honestly." He caught her scarlet eyes glancing at him in confusion and he chuckled. "Don't tell me you've forgotten. Hawaii? It was you and me, staring out into the sea, just like this."
Her eyes widened and a pinkish warmth nipped at her ears. It traveled down to her cheeks as she nodded. "You're completely right. I'm so sorry, that just feels like a lifetime ago. Thinking about all of the things we did after that trip... It's hard to believe any of it happened," she admitted.
"But it did, and I hope we never forget... that I shot a god in the face," he laughed. He made a 'gun' out of his hands and fired at the sun, making the appropriate 'pew!' noise. The two smiled at the triumphant memory, before Akira reached into his pocket. "You know, I still have the keychain you gave me."
"Y-you do?"
As if to answer the question, Akira held up a silver ring of keys and ornaments. The tiki that Makoto gave him smiled at her, resembling a proud, yet honorable, warrior goddess. "Why would I not? My best friend gave it to me, after all."
"I was so worried you wouldn't like it," she muttered, lifting a hand to tap at the wooden trinket. It swung to and fro, still grinning at her. Makoto admired the clear craftsmanship of the trinket, before a question filled her mind. She glanced down at the rock below them, before looking at Akira's grinning face. "Akira, do you really think I'm your best friend?"
"Is that so surprising?"
"I would have thought Ryuji would have that role, considering how long you two have known one another."
"Ryuji is a great friend, and I love him like a brother, but there's always been this disconnect between the two of us. We're just very different people. Nothing wrong with that," he shrugged. He placed the keychain into his pocket, before glancing at her. His silver eyes reflected the sun light well."I guess I just click better with you."
"That's surprising to hear," she commented, as a warmth tickled her neck. She rubbed at it, massaging her skin as she looked away.
"I don't think so. I mean, you and I are practically the Team Mom and Dad," he joked. "We take care of everyone."
The warmth on Makoto's neck intensified at the comment. I know he doesn't mean anything by it, but I wish he worded that differently... She shook her head from side to side and smiled in understanding. "I suppose you're right. We can sympathize with one another when the others are being particularly rowdy."
"Like when Yusuke tried walking out of the car? While it was in motion?"
"Ugh. Don't remind me," she groaned. Despite her frustrations with the artist, the two smiled at the memory. Makoto never acted like this before Akira entered her life, yet even after it was only around him did she feel most comfortable. It was only Akira who could put her worries at ease, and only he that could make her smile this much.
What will I do without him? she wondered, but she pushed the thought aside. That question was too little, too late now, and besides, he would always just be a call away. She didn't need to worry.
Makoto ignored the prodding worries that plagued her mind, and smiled at her friend. "Are you eager to return home?" Her ruby eyes stared at the raven-haired boy, and she caught the way his lips twitched.
"Hm." Akira's smile turned thin as his silver eyes stared out at the setting sun.
The golden rays that danced on the ocean surface were reflected in his eyes as he finally answered. "It'll be hard going back," he muttered, so quietly that she wondered if she was even meant to hear. "I loved staying in the big city. The lights. The excitement. There was just a rush there. You could get lost in the sea of people." He raised his voice, letting her hear him easier.
Makoto's eyes stared at Akira and she could see the gleam in his eyes. It was more than just the reflection of the sunlight, it was... a passion. A radiance that flashed for only a moment, before fading away. "You really liked it in Tokyo, huh? It's funny, usually people from rural areas don't enjoy the big city."
"I'm not most people." He didn't sound sarcastic or offended. He simply sounded like he was noting a fact. He smiled at her and she returned the gesture.
"No. You're not." There was an undertone of joy to her agreement. Akira had never been like other people, and that's always what made him so easy to talk to. Things just felt natural around him. "Make sure to keep in touch, okay? And I better not see your grades slip either," she chided, elbowing his side. "I've got a list of schools that I think will be perfect for you." The fact that they're the same schools I'm aiming for is just a coincidence, of course...
"Of course." He chuckled at her elbowing, nodding his head as she stopped poking at him. "If you can, can you make sure your sister knows how much I appreciate everything she's done for us?"
Typical Akira. Always thinking of everyone else, she thought with a mental chuckle. "Of course."
"And don't forget about what you've done either."
"I'm sorry?"
She was blushing as Akira began to explain, his eyes returning to the vanishing sun. There was just a fraction of light left as the sun vanished under the sea. "You were instrumental to the team, Makoto. You were practically our leader. The others might have looked to me as their confidante, but you led us to victory."
"A-Akira... That's ridiculous," she argued. She knew the young man was humble, but she couldn't believe how little credit he was giving himself. "You are our leader. You were the one who saved the world! It was your Persona who shot that so-called god!"
"We had all of Tokyo giving us a power boost. Satanel and I just got lucky that it was us," he calmly explained. "I pulled the trigger and gave the final blow, but..." He paused, before closing his eyes and sighing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start an argument. I just wanted you to know how fortunate we all were to meet and fight beside you. You're smart, kind, courageous... I could go on, but your face looks red enough."
Makoto was indeed red from the praise, her face practically a glow with scarlet embarrassment as his hand firmly squeezed her shoulder. "I appreciate all that you did for us. Your parents, your father especially, would be very proud of you," he promised her.
His words were so simple, so earnest. She brushed a stray hair from her head as she struggled to speak. There was a sense of giddiness inside of her that she barely contained. She knew, in her heart, that her parents would be proud of the woman she was growing into, but to hear another believing the same was uplifting. She closed her eyes as the sun bid them good night, and the wind whistled by the pair.
"Thank you, Akira. That's... that's very kind of you to say."
"I meant every word."
"You're always like this. You always seem to know just what to say to make someone happy. That's an amazing gift," she commented. Though she had long gotten used to it, he still found ways to surprise her. He truly was unlike anyone else.
"I just want people to be happy. Course, I wouldn't lie to make someone happy. I try to mean every word I say," he quickly explained. He scratched the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly.
"Honest, kind, hard working... Your own parents must be amazed at the son they've raised," she complimented. Actually, come to think of it... Akira's never really mentioned his parents before. I've never heard him say a word about them before. "Akira? I- Huh?!" Makoto's crimson face as she saw her friend begin to take off his coat. He carefully laid it down on the stone as he stood up. "W-what are you doing?!"
"I just realized something, Makoto." He looked at her, teeth flashing. "We're at the beach."
His hands grabbed the hem of his shirt and he pulled at it, peeling the white shirt off of his body. He stretched a bit, allowing Makoto to see his muscular frame quite clearly. Her blush only got worse as he flexed his body. He certainly had a roguish charm to him, easily helped by his toned physique. Be that as it may, she still averted her eyes as he turned to her. She didn't understand why it was so hard to look him in the eyes.
"We're at the beach," he repeated. "But we haven't even touched the water!" He rolled his shoulders and grinned at the brunette. "Care to join me?"
"I-I didn't bring my bathing suit, and... um..." She finally looked up at him, and he had that enticing smile on.
"Who said anything about bathing suits?" Akira laughed at a joke only he seemed to hear, before he turned and ran towards the ocean. She heard him let out a 'whoo' before he jumped into the water, landing it in and immediately feeling the harsh, stinging chill. "Ooh! Cold!"
"Alright! Way to go, man!" Ryuji cheered from the sidelines. He had a mischievous grin on his face, before he ran forward, pulling at his own clothes. "Cannonball!"
"W-wait a second, Ryuji!" Ann tried and failed to slow the young man down. She cringed as he cried out from how cold the water was, before diving under it to help adjust himself to the temperature. "Darn it... Oh, what the hell?" Ann threw her jacket onto the group's towel, before running forward, kicking up sand as she chased after her friends. "Wait for me!"
Akira grinned at his friends joined him, before he turned his head to those still watching. He moved into the more shallow end of the water, and he held a hand out to Futaba as he shouted out to her. "Care to join us?"
Futaba blinked, dumbfounded by their leader's question, before she took a deep breath. Makoto could see her eyes squeeze shut as she pulled her arms close to her chest. Makoto could hear her thinking aloud. "Courage check... Passed! I'm coming too!"
The smaller girl ran as fast as her legs could carry her, before leaping into the air as high as she could. As luck would have it, Akira was able to read the situation and he moved forward, kicking water up as he came to Futaba's rescue. Makoto winced as the young girl collided with the older boy, sending them both falling into the water.
The two laid half-submerged in salty sea, staring at one another. Her body pinned his against the wet sand and their faces were mere inches apart. Makoto was about to call out to them, worried that they were hurt, before the two began to laugh. Akira not only stood up against Futaba's weight, but held the girl in his hands, feet dangling over the wet sand as a wave pushed against him.
He gently dropped her onto her own two feet and Makoto could see the young girl was soaking. Unlike the others, she had forgotten to take off her unnecessary clothing, meaning her entire jacket was now soaking wet, along with her shirt, hair, and practically everywhere else on her body. The two exchanged some words, before Akira helped the girl get out of the heavy, wet jacket.
Makoto sighed in relief, before smiling contently as the breeze played with her hair. She watched as Yusuke began to frame what he saw, using his fingers to create a border as his mind planned out a painting. Haru was holding Morgana in her arms as she skipped towards the auburn-haired girl skipped towards the water.
"Come on, Mona-chan! Let's join them!"
"H-hey! Haru! No! C-cats don't like water! W-which is totally unrelated to me not liking water! Let go!"
"Hmm... What an excellent sight. 'Oceanic Memories...'"
Makoto could see Yusuke take out his sketchbook from his bag, before he began to quickly jot down what he saw. She saw Futaba and Akira quickly splashing one another, calling out their attacks as Ann and Ryuji raced one another in the waist-high water. Haru carefully took off her coat to join the others, Mona watching just out of the ocean's reach.
The ruby-eyed brunette watched her friends with bemusement and exasperation, before she began to to walk towards them. True, her sweater would probably end up wet, but why not? I'm only young once... With a growing smile, Makoto ran to Haru and splashed water at the girl's back, making her cry out in surprise. For a moment, she was worried she had actually offended her friend, but a face full of salt water quickly proved that Haru could give as good as she took.
The group of friends laughed and played together, uncaring of the chilly water or the salty breeze. They would worry about that later. For now, the group merely wanted to enjoy their time together. Makoto dropped her serious facade and joined in the festivities, even taking Futaba onto her own shoulders for a battle against Ann and Ryuji. She laughed with the younger girl and Akira as Futaba pushed Ann off of Ryuji's shoulders, and the blonde model pulled Ryuji down with her.
Despite the joy in the air, Makoto couldn't deny there was a small nagging in her head. She told herself she was just being paranoid, as she raced to join her friends.
END
A new story begins. Welcome to 'Hearts Freely Given,' the exciting tale starring Akira, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru. This story takes place in the same universe as my other story, Just a Delinquent, and just like that fic, I hope to have an unique depiction of Akira, as well as an epic love story. I hope you stick along with the story, because I'm excited to tell it!
Much like Just a Delinquent, this story has a series of goals for me to hit. In Delinquent, I wanted people to hate Yu Narukami, before cheering for him. In this, I have three major goals.
1. Portray (a) character(s) suffering from post traumatic stress disorder properly, and semi-realistically.
2. Write the four characters, Akira, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru, and make them each feel like a part of a greater whole. Akira, especially, needs to stand out as unique in a sea of Akiras and Rens. This chapter focuses on Makoto, and her denial over her feelings for her best friend. It also implies and sets up Akira's own arc...
3. Here's the biggest one, arguably. Write a realistic polyamory relationship. This is still Dork Akira from my two other stories, 'Just a Dork,' and 'The Tragedy of Kindness.' He is going to end up with all three girls. The hard part is, I don't want this to just be some wish fulfillment story. This is really going to look into how a relationship like that can form, how it thrives, and how the world looks at it.
I hope you stick around, friend. See ya next chapter, where we take a look into Futaba's point of view, and her own relationship with Akira...