Unknown Train Station – Night

As Makoto waited for his response.

"mewhehehee…," the snickering voice pierces the air surprising both Makoto and Akira out of their quiet moment.

"You two make a really cute couple, you know that?" Morgana says, walking towards the two of them from the platforms edge. Both lovers turned to face Morgana. Makoto, and Akira reflexively separate; both their faces flush red with embarrassment. Akira raised his hand, gesturing a 'hey' to Morgana.

"Sorry for ruining your moment. I figured it's about time I said something; before anything else happened between you two…" Morgana said with a mischievous grin on his face.

Surprised, Makoto spat out, "What!? No-Nothing was going to happen."

Despite Akira's face also hurting red hot right now. He never wanted to miss an opportunity, turning to Makoto he asks, "R-really? That's disappointing…"

"…Urgh! Why do you always-Never mind!" Makoto spits out clearly more flustered than before, and desperate to change the topic.

"Anyway… Morgana, how long have you been skulking around, watching the two of us?" She asked inquisitively, with a stern look on her face.

Morgana spat back with a defensive edge, "I was not skulking! I knew that idiot Ryuji would mess up his own plan. So when he was busy getting himself in trouble… I took the responsibility of checking the front of the train."

Morgana composed himself a little before continuing with a more imperious tone. "By the time I checked all the train cars, and got to the last one… You two were already sitting next to each other. I thought about saying something… but somehow, it really felt like I would be intruding. So I just decided to wait, and see how things played out first."

Makoto felt a bit guilty for speaking so impertinently a moment ago. Morgana was here because he cared for Akira, and he had tried to be considerate all things considered, "I'm sorry, Mona... Back at that station, I was so focused on finding Akira that I didn't even notice you."

Morgana looked very pleased with himself. Makoto turned to Akira. He was massaging the back of his neck, no doubt he had a lot on his mind right now.

She spoke to both of them, "Akira and I were just about to get something to eat, we would love for you to join us."

Morgana nodded.

Makoto steps to Akira's side locking arms. She pleasantly says, "Akira, I'm sure you have questions. I'll fill you in while we find a place to eat…. And Akira, we're both here for you."

The trio then made their way out of the small country-side train station.

Makoto, and Morgana nervously told Akira about how they had been listening in through his phone the entire time. Weirdly, Akira only said, "I guess that's what I get for trying to pull a fast one on the phantom thieves… Just don't make a habit of spying on me, alright?" With a sly grin on his face.

Before either of them could inquire any further about him; Akira tried to take Makoto to a nearby clinic that had just come into view, "You have to get a check-up, you could have a concussion from the fall."

Makoto protested, "I don't have to do any of that… I have been chasing after you all across the countryside. There are two things I want to do… Have dinner with you, and ...talk to you about what happened today."

Slightly irritated, and ignoring her, Akira ran inside by himself. He returned a few moments later with a new shoulder bag, and produced from within some bandages, disinfectant and bottle water; He made a big fuss about tending to Makoto's bruises. When Makoto finally acquiesced, she felt a bit guilty seeing him go to so much trouble for her minor injuries. 'I was here to take care of you, not the other way around.'

After Akira was satisfied with his nursing, the trio finally found a place to eat.

Big Bang Burger – Night

Makoto and Akira sat opposite one another in a cosy booth by the window.

"Really you want to eat here?" asked a puzzled Makoto.

"It's one of the only places open this late… also I wanted something familiar right now…" responded Akira in a very matter of fact tone.

Morgana, who had been hiding in the shoulder bag, said whimsically, "I am not surprised at all. He always came here, when he felt down on his luck."

Makoto was really surprised to learn this. It made her realise, just how much about Akira she didn't know. She grew a little bit depressed as her insecurities grabbed her thoughts. 'No wonder I don't know how to help him. What kind of girlfriend wouldn't know where her boyfriend likes to go when they feel down?'

Morgana perhaps sensing her mood, continued speaking but this time with mischief in his voice. "Actually Makoto... remember when you asked Akira if he could pretend to be your boyfriend?"

Now that he was actually her boyfriend, Makoto became suddenly rather embarrassed: thinking back, 'how could I have asked him to play such an intimate role so lightly.'

"…Well the first time you asked, you also said he may not be charming enough to play the part, and decided against the plan."

Akira's eyes began to go wide, as he realised what Morgana was getting at.

"After you told him to 'take a hike' like that, he got pretty depressed… It put both his chances to be your pretend boyfriend, and romantic ambitions in jeopardy… So he moped at Big bang burger night-after-night attempting to eat that gigantic challenge burger. After a whole week of this, he finally ate the stupid burger, and more importantly… he also somehow worked up the resolve to win you over no matter what! ...At your next meeting, he did everything he could to take his charm up to the next level."

Akira was practically red hot from having his privacy trampled on for the second time this night. He couldn't look Makoto in the face right now, turning his head to stare out a nearby window; feeling his face and hands sweating profusely. 'Traitor! Morgana will suffer the consequences for this ultimate betrayal.'

Makoto was still processing what she just heard, but a massive grin had crept across her face. She had no idea that Akira had this side to him. Beneath that calm quiet demeanour, he could be a surprisingly emotional guy. And now that she thought about it, she did remember Akira being amazingly charming that day. She couldn't help but giggle knowing how hard he must have been trying to earn her affections.

Akira was clearly not happy being the one teased for a change, getting up, "I'm going to go and order our food."

Makoto with a solid grin on her face, just watched him walk away still clearly a little bit flustered.

Morgana spoke, grabbing her attention again, "I know you must be thinking the same thing… What can we do for him right now? …But the truth is getting him to talk about it will not be so simple… "

Makoto cast Mona with a quizzical look.

"You must have noticed it too… Akira does not show any of us that side of him. When he was with his parents that was the first time I ever heard him sound like the scared sixteen year-old that he should be. As long as we're around, he'll just put up a brave face only showing and saying what we need to hear or see. Anything that might get in the way of that will be repressed. Up till now most of what I understand about him only comes from inference and guesswork to be honest."

Makoto's good spirits evaporated at what Morgana was saying. 'Truth is, I hadn't noticed. How could I be so naïve, did I honestly believe that it would be enough if I was with him, that he would just open up eventually? I'm such a fool.'

Morgana ever observant of the mood, "Come on, don't be so down… He trusts you more than anyone, you know. He's come to rely on you quite a lot over the last few months."

Makoto feels a sense of relief wash away most of her insecurities. She finally speaks up, "You're very kind Mona, but despite being his girlfriend… I really can't think of a way to help him, no matter how much I want to be there for him," her mood swinging between worry and frustration as she spoke.

Morgana responds, "I can't say I have an answer for you… All someone like me can do is give him company, and try to remind him to consider all those people who care about him… If there is anyone that can break through his guard to help him, that's you Makoto… But if you need any advice, I'll always be glad to help."

Makoto took Morgana's words to heart. 'Curse my inexperience in these matters. I know I want to help him, and that will just have to be enough. I will find a way for his sake.'

"Please excuse me Mona, I need to use the restroom," She got up, leaving Morgana alone till Akira returned.

"Sheesh… How would these kids manage without me?" he says to himself with a bit of tiredness in the voice.

Morgana stared at Akira bringing back two trays of food. 'Still they would muddle through somehow I think, but since I'm here; I'll help them as best I can.

Akira sets both trays down on the table. Taking his original seat, he looked back at Morgana who'd been staring at him the whole time, "hm? …where's Makoto?"

"She just needed a moment to collect her thoughts, she'll be back soon." Morgana said before continuing after a small pause, "...more importantly, you don't seem well yourself."

Akira responded matter-of-factly, "That's because you told her stuff she didn't need to know. I would like to keep some things private you know; you should apologise," he asked looking straight at Morgana.

Morgana simply sighed ignoring Akira's deflection before continuing, "I know you're in pain right now, and all of us want to help you… So please, let us."

Akira responded in a defeated tone, "What do you want from me?"

Morgana snapped back at him, "What do I-want, from-you!? …Nha-uh-uh what do you want from us!?"

Regaining a little composure, Morgana continued, "You can be as evasive as you like with me. But Makoto is worrying herself sick for your sake! So when she asks you; please have the decency to be honest with her, if not yourself."

Akira felt like he was struck dead by Morgana's reply. Morgana had never spoken to him like that before, Akira had no meaningful words to say back to him, "…Morgana…I-I'm sorry..."

Akira continued massaging his tired face with his hands, "…but right now… I just want to have dinner with both of you…"

Morgana concluded, "…Alright then… that's what we'll do."

After a few moments of awkward silence. Makoto returned to her seat. She picked up on the mood, "Did something happen while I was gone?"

Akira responded first, "…It's nothing, let's eat… And Makoto… sorry for making you worry."

Those words seemed to lift a weight off Makoto's shoulders, 'whatever happened, he is opening up to me even if only a little.

Smiling back at Akira, Makoto got up out of the seat opposite him, and silently took the seat right next to Akira. Both of them felt very hot at their closeness. Taking his hand in her own; as she talked, "You don't have to apologise for that today… you've been through a lot… and I want you to know I am here for you, no matter what."

Akira simply nods.

Makoto drags her tray to her new seat. She picks up a few fries, and tries feeding them to Akira. After a moment, he smiled accepting her offer.

Morgana finally broke their little moment, "mewhehehee…"

Makoto and Akira laugh their embarrassment away before desperately munching their food down. Trying their hardest to enjoy their peaceful meal despite their frustrations.

The trio pass the hour's away, spending time relishing each other's company.