Toss.
Turn.
Repeat.
Makoto turned once more, now facing her roommate for the Hawaii trip. Fast asleep. And snoring quite loudly. She wasn't all that sure why they decided to room her with Miss Kawakami but Makoto didn't mind that much when they first told her. Kawakami had always been respectful and courteous to her albeit not seeming completely interested. The past year it seemed she was constantly tired and tonight was one of the few nights she was actually getting proper rest. Makoto couldn't bring herself to disturb the teacher's sleep just to get her to stop snoring. She checked her phone. Only 9:48pm. The proper curfew time they had set was at 10 which she honestly didn't think students would adhere to nor would the teachers feel obligated to enforce. There were only two teachers attending the trip. One of them seemed more interested in getting a tan and drinking at the hotel bar while the other was completely knocked out in the bed beside her. Another minute passed by as the sounds of Kawakami's breathing vibrated around the room even muttering something in her sleep. Some nonsense about a "Becky".
Makoto sat up and stared out through the balcony window. The scenery outside seemed to be so peaceful and quiet. She honestly could have a better attempt at sleeping outside than in her. Not that she was blaming Kawakami's snoring completely. This whole trip Makoto's mind had been scattered. Between the going ons at the school to her activities with the Phantom Thieves, there was a lot Makoto had to think about. But the constant thought her mind was on Ren Amamiya. Joker. The Leader of the Phantom Thieves. The ostracized so called delinquent of Shujin's second year despite the fact every rumour about him was false. He was brave and kind, willing to listen to anyone who needed someone to talk to. He was intelligent and resourceful and she often watched in awe whenever he'd show off his mental prowess in the Metaverse.
She sighed. Damn it. She had always found him a little attractive and when Principal Kobayakawa had asked (well blackmailed) her into investigating them she had found three possible leads to follow in Ren Amamiya, Ryuji Sakamoto and Ann Takamaki. The latter two were probably easier to follow, as Makoto had some idea at least of what their interests and hobbies were. But as soon as she received her task, she resolved to follow Ren. There was just something about him that piqued her interest. Some mysterious quality that drew her to him. It wasn't til Kaneshiro happened and she joined the Phantom Thieves that she got to know him more. And more and more. And not long after she had realized something. Her little interest had transformed into a full blown crush. The blushing constantly school girl kind of crush. The kind she had no experience with, where she had no idea what to do.
After the incident at Sojiro's house she found herself constantly trying to be in contact with him in some way. There was just something about his touch that comforted her. More often she realized she had subconsciously started sitting beside him in their meetings or whenever the gang decided to hang out. Makoto had developed a habit of looking up at him whenever he was discussing strategies. How he'd transform from the laid back, almost reserved Ren to the confident and daring Joker. How dreamy he was when he was being passionate about something. How she adored those sides of him. Her mind wandered to the other day before they had left Japan. Ann had suggested they take a group photo as naturally, Makoto was unsure about how to go about things. Before she knew it she was right beside Ren as he held up his phone to take the picture. Unsure where to look, she asked before she was unknowingly bumped by Ryuji who had been trying to get in better view of the camera. When the photo was taken Makoto found that she had been moved much closer to Ren. There was just something that felt right about standing there by his side. Even though their two blonde friends were there too and Makoto liked them very much there was just something ideal about being next to Ren.
"Damn it…" she swore.
She couldn't help it anymore. She was in love. She groaned once more as Kawakami snored away. Deciding she wasn't going to be able to sleep just yet, Makoto grabbed her phone and the master key. Maybe a walk could clear her head and get her tired enough. Maybe she could hang out in Ann's room for a bit. Knowing the blonde girl, she wouldn't be sleeping just yet. A few minutes later Makoto reached Ann's room. She knew Ann to be rooming with a girl in class 2-D named Tsubaki Sato, a rather plain girl who seemed to be constantly joined at the hip of her boyfriend, Shinichi Nishimura. Makoto couldn't help but think if she would be clingy like that with Ren.
'Get a hold of yourself, Niijima!' she internally grumbled.
She was really cursing this whole attraction business. It was starting to drive her up the wall. Hopefully hanging out with Ann could get her mind off things. She knocked three times as she usually did. There was no answer. Makoto knocked once more and again was met with no response. Surely they hadn't gone to bed yet. She knocked again, this time calling out to try and get their attention.
"Ann? Sato-san? Are you in there?"
Still no answer. Makoto knew she was probably overthinking this but she couldn't help but worry. They were probably just sleeping. Still, it couldn't hurt to check. With a swipe of the card in her hand she unlocked the door and opened it carefully. Her crimson eyes peered in to find the room completely empty. There was no sign of Ann or her roommate, Tsubaki. Were they out and about? The lights however were left on. Makoto stepped into the room and noticed something lying on the floor at her feet. It was the keycard for this room. She eyed it curiously. If Ann or Tsubaki left the room, wouldn't they bring it with them? That was the logical thing to do. Makoto picked it up off the ground and placed it onto a nearby table. She pondered for a moment. If Tsubaki had left her room at night then she was more than likely sneaking off somewhere with her boyfriend. Probably his room. She pitied whoever was rooming with him. The poor soul was probably playing third wheel now.
Deciding to leave the room, Makoto turned off the light and closed the door. Perhaps Ann was walking around and required her assistance. Yes, that sounded plausible! Makoto began to trudge her way through the hallways before unknowingly stopping at a certain room. She turned to the see the room number. Room 112. If memory recalled this was the room Ren was sharing with that Mishima kid that seemed to be somewhat frightened of her. Makoto didn't know why but she couldn't stop herself from standing closer to the door. She could hear people talking inside.
"FORREAL?" a voice was heard inside.
Makoto facepalmed. Of course Ryuji was in there with them. What caught Makoto off guard was the sound of a female laughing. One that sounded a lot like Ann Takamaki. Why was she in there? It seemed they were having quite an avid conversation. Makoto began thinking if she should reprimand Ann for being in the boy's room or if she should join them out of boredom. It took her a few moments before coming to a decision. It seemed she chose an option she didn't consider before. She knew she shouldn't but Makoto couldn't help but press her ear a little against the door.
"…things like what kind of people we like." that was the voice of Ann "So, time to come clean, Ryuji."
"Me?" Ryuji asked "Uh well… she's gotta have a good personality. I'm okay with anyone who's modest and nice."
Ann scoffed.
"What about if two girls with equally good personalities confessed to you at the same time?" she asked.
"If they're equally nice? Then it'd have to be the one with the hotter bod."
Another facepalm. Makoto could sense Ann's disappointment from the other side of the door.
"So looks are what's most important to you."
"WHAT?!" Ryuji's voice yelled, squeaking a little.
"Your first answer was just superficial." Ann explained "The second answer was your true beliefs."
Makoto could hear the blonde girl exhale loudly, sighing in disappointment.
"Huh, so you really are that kind of guy…"
"That ain't fair!" Ryuji complained.
Makoto supressed a little giggle. It seems that Ann had caught Ryuji in a little bit of a prank though she could sense there was something else there. She wondered though. What would Ren…
"What about you, Ren?" Ann asked "Come on! Spill the beans. What kind of girl is your type?"
Makoto's heart thumped a little as Ann asked the question she herself was about to wonder. Would she be remotely close to what Ren wanted from a girl? Granted she was always told that she was pretty with both herself and her sister Sae inheriting their mother's natural beauty. But she was stoic and quiet compared to other girls. She had seen couples around before and most of the times the girlfriends were all bubbly and energetic, kind of like Ann. The complete opposite of Makoto Niijima. Surely Ren would prefer that kind of girl. What if Ren liked Ann?! Makoto's stomach dropped at the thought and she panicked a little.
"Well…" she heard Ren's voice begin.
Makoto took a deep breath and pressed her ear back against the door. She tried to compose herself. Here was where Ren described everything that wasn't her.
"I guess first off, I'd like someone that's smart. Someone who could understand me intellectually."
"Oh?" Ryuji queried.
"Well that counts you out, Ryuji." Ann quipped.
"SCREW YOU!" the blonde boy yelled.
"Hey hey, don't be too loud." Ren said.
"S-sorry." Ryuji apologized "Well? Go on."
"I suppose I'd like them to be in touch with themselves…"
"You'd like them to touch themselves?" Ryuji asked before a slap was heard.
"Ren's not like you, bonehead!" Ann shouted.
"You didn't have to hit me!" Ryuji yelled back before turning to Ren "What did you mean, though?"
Ren pondered for a moment.
"Well I guess I'd like them to have a mix of femininity while enjoying other things that girls typically wouldn't. To be okay with liking things most girls don't. Like someone that's a bit of a tomboy…" he explained.
"That doesn't even sound possible. Are there even girls like that out there?" Ryuji asked.
"I'm sure there are." Ann commented "Do go on, Ren."
It seemed like there was something that piqued Ann's interest. Their dark haired friend continued.
"I want someone I can rely on. Someone with a strong will who can go beyond what's asked of them. Even if it's something that'd put them in danger. Someone who I can share my feelings with and understands me."
He smiled a little as he thought of a certain someone. The two blondes looked at in as he continued to speak. Makoto stood by the door, eagerly listening to Ren.
"But I want her to rely on me too. Whenever she has any worries about the world. When she feels bogged down with school or work. Whenever she feels scared or lonely, I want to hold her hand and let her know that everything's going to be okay."
Makoto smiled at the thought. Ren could be so selfless at times. She remembered the times when he'd go out of his way to listen to her. When she was scared of the darkness at Sojiro's house he let her hold onto him. When she wanted to go to Shinjuku to check out the rumours of students working there he accompanied her without any hesitation. He really was someone she could rely on.
"Woah that sounds deep, bro." Ryuji commented.
"And really romantic! Ah I wish I could have someone like that too!" Ann beamed.
Ren chuckled a little.
"Yeah. Someone like that's amazing."
"What about looks? Do you have any preference?" Ryuji asked.
"Preference? Since when do you use words like that." Ren joked.
"Hey I know stuff too!" the blonde yelled.
Ann laughed.
"Yeah I'm curious too!"
"Uh what do you want to know?" Ren asked, playing with his frizzy hair in embarrassment.
They were so going to find out who he liked. Makoto leant into the door more. She could feel her heart beat so fast. Like it were to leap out of her chest.
"Let's start off easy. Light or dark hair?" Ann asked.
"Dark hair." Ren answered, almost instantly "No offence, Ann."
"None taken."
"Oh oh, I have a question!" Ryuji said, bouncing in excitement "Tits or ass?"
Ren, Ann and even Makoto almost fell over in disbelief. Of course Ryuji would ask something like that.
"That's err… not something I'm really comfortable answering." Ren laughed awkwardly.
"Pfft whatever, you're totally an ass man." Ryuji said in jest.
"And what makes you think that?"
A lecherous grin graced Ryuji's face.
"Oh no reason. I may have caught you staring at a certain somewhere once or twice."
"Ryuji!" Ren yelled, jumping out of his position on the couch.
"Ren!" Ann shrieked "Don't tell me you've been looking at my butt this whole time!"
"No not you!" Ren shouted back before realizing what he said.
The pigtailed blonde joined Ryuji in the smirk department. Bingo. The two founding (non-feline wishing he was non-feline) Phantom Thieves had just caught Joker. Makoto blushed at the thought. Was she the one that…
"So you were looking at-" Ann began before Ren cut her off.
"Don't finish that sentence, please!"
"Fine fine, we're just playing with you!" Ann said, laughing Ren's moment of weakness off.
The bespectacled boy sighed before laying back down.
"Well?" Ann asked "What do you like? Appearance wise that is."
Ren stared up into the sky. Truth be told he could only picture one girl in his mind right now. A slight smile appeared on his face as he thought about her. Noticing their friend was off in lalaland thinking about that girl they eyed each other before the male in the blonde duo decided to ask something.
"Do you prefer cute or hot girls?"
"Hm?" Ren pondered "I don't know about being one style but… if I had to describe her in one word…"
"Her?" Ann asked, almost knowing that Ren had someone in mind.
"Elegant." Ren continued.
"Elegant?" Ryuji asked.
"Yeah, elegant. Beautiful with a powerful aura." Ren began to explain "But delicate as well. Someone with a soft touch."
"Oh I don't know if soft is what I'd describe that…" Ryuji mumbled thinking back to the time Queen had been afflicted by Marin Karin and punched the living daylights out of him.
"Elegant, huh?" Ann wondered "You mean kind of like royalty?"
"Yeah!" Ren said almost a little too enthusiastically "Like a Qu…"
His eyes widened as he looked to his side. Both Ryuji and Ann were smiling at him, looking at the dark haired boy expectantly. Makoto almost fainted against the door. Her eyes were wide open as was her mouth. Was he about to say Queen? Did Ren like her that way? Her hands began to shake. The things he was saying about his ideal girl. Maybe her ears were playing tricks on her but it almost sounded like he was describing her. Was this true? Ren's ideal girl was… Makoto Niijima? A part of her wanted to open the door right there and then and tell him that she felt that way about him too. But what if she was wrong? What if she was only hearing what she wanted to hear? What if he didn't feel that way about her?
She stepped away from the door. No, she shouldn't imagine the worst. She had to truly believe that he was in love with her like she was with him. Makoto stumbled. Love. She really… was in love with him. His words began to play in her mind. Everything he said. Was it really about her? If it was, he described her as strong. Makoto chuckled a little to herself. Was she really strong? A few months ago she was such a pushover, someone who just did as she was told without arguing. If it wasn't for the Phantom Thieves, if it wasn't for Ren Amamiya she would still be the same. She was glad to have him by her side. She smiled. The thought of him staying by her side was a comforting one. If it were up to her, he would be there forever. Maybe that was enough, just to be by his side. Makoto smiled again as she began to make her way back to her room. Perhaps tomorrow she would ask him to spend some time with her. Just the two of them side by side, basking in the warm Hawaiian sun. They needn't talk or have to do anything in particular. Being with him would be enough. Everything about it felt right to her.
It was all ideal.
Ren stared up into the darkness of the ceiling. They had spent the past half hour making sure Mishima was okay after the poor guy almost destroyed both the toilet and himself. At least now he was getting some sleep and wasn't glued to the porcelain basin. Ren chuckled. Even through all the hurling he could have sworn he heard Mishima mutter something about the Phan-site. He turned to his side. On the bed he was supposed to be sleeping on was Ann, lightly snoring. Beside him Ryuji was sprawled out on the floor, his head not even resting on the pillow. Ren turned once more and stared up at the ceiling.
Their conversation about ideal types was still fresh in his mind. Everything about Makoto was ideal to him. The way her short brown hair rested against the pale tones of her skin. The way the light would shimmer in her red eyes whenever she focused on something, as if they were shining rubies. He especially liked the way her hands felt. Not that he was bold enough to hold them but whenever they'd come in contact by accident he would relish the feeling. And she would get so flustered about it too, something he adored about her. She could be so cute at times. He sighed in admiration. With a flip of a switch (or the donning of a Persona mask) she would instantly transform into the opposite of the prim, proper and somewhat cutesy Makoto into something much more terrifying… and if Ren was honest with himself, a little bit sexy.
Queen.
He often watched in awe whenever she fought with them in the Metaverse, using her aikido skills and Johanna to tear through Shadows. And it wasn't just her physical prowess. She was incredibly intelligent and a great strategist, often assisting Joker in giving out secondary orders to supplement his own. They worked perfectly together, that is whenever their plans actually did work. But even if some of their more outlandish strategies didn't pan out, the Phantom Thieves couldn't deny. Joker and Queen were the ultimate duo. They were powerful, intelligent, strong willed people and even if they sometimes acted a bit rash at times, they believed in their justice. The pair that perfectly complimented each other. And unbeknownst to either one, were completely in love with each other.
Ren exhaled and closed his eyes. Even in his sleep he would think of her. Every part of her. Every moment he had spent with her. Every moment he would spend with her in the future. Sure, he might be getting ahead of himself but every thought he had about her, about them.
It was all ideal.
