As Makoto reached the bottom of the station steps, many different things began entering and exiting her mind at a rapid pace. The foremost topics that seemed to be taking up the most time and space, however, were Ryuji and Akira. She had just gotten done with submitting her withdrawal form from her college and then just having to just happen upon both of the boys at the same time? For her, that was just too much pressure in a day. Seeing her new and former crush together, just hanging out so casually, was something that she would need to get used to.

What on earth is wrong with me?! Makoto smacked herself on her forehead with the palm of her head, most likely leaving a spot that would remain a slight hue of red. Getting all worked up over some boys?! What the hell am I, some fifteen-year-old girl?! Makoto closed her eyes and began to try and breath slowly and deeply, as if she was winding down from her Aikido training for the day. She was convinced that perhaps a few moments of meditation were all that she needed to be able to move on with her day.

Of course, it wasn't going to work out that way.

The thought of the two boys remained in her head, as prevalent as ever. Makoto began to massage her temples, trying to calm down her frustration that was easily increasing with each passing moment that the boys were stuck in her mind. But the thoughts didn't cease, and Makoto's anger only became more prevalent as it went on. Her brows furrowed and her face was becoming a tad more red. Her odd behavior was attracting eyes of almost anyone happening to pass by, unbeknownst to her. Even if she was aware of her surroundings, although she would admittedly be embarrassed at first, she wouldn't care. Makoto would do anything at this point to stop this constant flood of thoughts about the two boys.

"Niijima-san?" Makoto's ears perked at the smooth and familiar voice coming from behind her. "What are you doing out and about?"

When she turned around, she saw Yusuke—no Futaba in sight, oddly enough. Ever since the two went public went with their relationship, they almost seemed inseparable. So seeing the boy out and about on his own again was a bit odd. Still, if Makoto had to venture a guess as to why he's out here, it would be that he is just people-watching again to gain inspiration that will grace his next blank canvas.

"Ah, so it was just you Yusuke. You caught me a bit by surprise."

"My apologies. I didn't mean to alarm you." Yusuke did a slight bow towards the girl. "I see that your cheeks are red. Perhaps you've been out in the cold for too long?"

"Please, don't worry about it." Makoto waved her hand at the boy, now even more embarrassed that someone that she knew may have been watching her. "What are you doing out, if you don't mind me asking."

A sly smile crept up to Yusuke's face. "I'm sure that you're already aware, but watching the people of Tokyo go about their business through the train system has been a splendid way for me to attempt to capture the essence that will help shape my next work of art. Whenever I am not around any of our entourage or painting, you will most likely find me here."

Makoto smiled and let out a single chuckle. "I figured as much. I didn't think you would want to deal with the Christmas crowds, though."

"On the contrary, I prefer it during these frantic holiday seasons."

A single eyebrow raised in surprise on Makoto's face. "Oh?"

"Yes, it may seem hard to believe, but I wholeheartedly enjoy coming out and observing the public during this time of year. The way that they hustle around the city, hurrying to different locales, just to find those few perfect gifts for friends and family alike is just magnificent, dare I say magical. Ever since the disappearance of Mementos, I find these holiday times to be the best when searching for that certain something that fills me with the determination I need to press onward to my next piece."

"Interesting. So you ventured into Mementos to create some of your work?"

Yusuke dawned an expression of dismay. "W-Wait! You weren't supposed to hear that! I just got so caught up in the moment that I let it slip!"

Makoto smirked. "Don't worry about it, Yusuke. It's almost been a year since that all happened anyways. Whatever secrets we had back then are almost negligible. Although it really does bring into question if we were too good at our job if we were keeping things such as that from each other."

Yusuke pondered over this thought for a moment before nodding his head in agreement with her. "I suppose you're correct. I apologize for deceiving anyone; Kurusu-san suggested that I journey into the area. With his help I was able to mold my art into what it is today."

"I see, Akira was the one who helped you." Makoto looked down at the ground, unsure of what emotion she was supposed to be feeling. "Well, he is probably the most capable out of all of us to help you."

"Please Niijima-san, you must give yourself and the others more credit. It wasn't just one single source that helped me become the artist—alas, the person—that I am today. You mustn't think that it was solely due to the help of just one person. Just like any of our operations, it has all been a team effort in the end." Yusuke finished with a proud smile, seeing his friend perk up and put on a smile that mirrored his own. "I'm glad to you see that you're not upset."

"You've certainly helped improve my mood." Makoto confessed. "I was having a bit of a rough time before this talk of ours."

"Ah, may I enquire as to what brought you to that state?" Yusuke rubbed his chin with his hand.

Makoto waved him off once more. "It's nothing Yusuke."

"Obviously that isn't the case otherwise you wouldn't be acting this way." Yusuke remained adamant.

Makoto looked down once again. "I just feel like it's something so silly."

"If it is making you feel this way, perhaps it isn't as 'silly' as you deem it to be?"

Makoto sighed. "Yeah, I suppose you're right." Makoto walked over and placed herself beside Yusuke, leaning up against the wall. Yusuke matched her movements, folding his arms and finding his place against the wall also. "I'm not sure where to begin, honestly."

"Perhaps it would be a good idea to start with what is actually making you feel upset?" Yusuke offered his suggestion.

"To put it bluntly, it has to deal with Akira and Ryuji."

"I see. I can't imagine that they'd actively try to do something that would upset you." Yusuke pondered.

"Well, they didn't. At least, not intentionally."

"Then what seems to be the problem?"

Makoto shook her head. "Look, it's already common knowledge amongst our group that I had asked Akira to be my boyfriend a long time ago."

Yusuke looked down at her in shock. "This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

Makoto looked back at the blue-haired boy with her own shocked face. "Oh, um...I'm sorry, I just guessed that someone would have told you."

Yusuke looked back forward. "Well, what's done is done. Let's not dwell on it, hm?" He saw Makoto nod out of the corner of his eye, seeing her turn her head back forward. "Continue."

"Well, as you can imagine, he turned me down. He tried his best to be gentle about it, but it still hurt all the same."

"So much that the scars still linger?" Yusuke's question earned another nod from the usually so stern girl. "I could imagine. I never quite felt that way about another person until I realized my feelings towards Futaba, but I could guess that the feeling of rejection would just be soul-crushing."

Makoto gulped down the pain she felt at her friend's blunt observation. "That's one way to put it, yes."

"And so how does Ryuji factor into this?"

"Come on Yusuke, you're smart. Do I really need to say it?" Makoto, in her mind, was practically begging the boy to put two and two together.

"It would certainly help." Yusuke was earnest.

Ugh, why are boys so dense? "I've unfortunately developed those same feelings that I once had for Akira for Ryuji."

Yusuke cocked his head sideways for a moment, as if in thought, before nodding his head in understanding. "I see. And you say 'unfortunately' because…?" Yusuke trailed off.

Makoto pondered over that question for a moment before shrugging in defeat. "I…I'm not too sure."

"Do you feel that it is wrong to have feelings for Sakamato-san?"

Makoto quickly became apprehensive and turned to look at Yusuke once again, only this time with anger in her eyes. "Wait, what?!"

"I am simply asking you a question." Yusuke replied calmly. "And I'm guessing that, by that reply, I've received my answer. It isn't like you to lash out so suddenly, Niijima-san."

Makoto became red-faced at her friend's conclusion. "Ugh, no. Listen, I don't think it's wrong for me to have these feelings for Ryuji because I think that I'm better than that."

"Oh?"

"I'm more worried about having to deal with the same issue as before."

"You're afraid of being rejected?" Yusuke asked the girl.

Makoto paused for a moment, facing back forward once more and leaning against the wall again. "Yeah," she admitted. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"Tell me, after you were rejected by Akira, did your friendship with him change?"

"Not really. I mean, there was definitely some type of rift between us, but it was nothing that a bit of time couldn't fix."

"Then if nothing happened and most of the wounds have healed up, what is stopping you from pursuing a relationship with Sakamoto-san?"

"I already told you. I'm afraid of being rejected."

"I believe there's something more than that to be hindering your progress." Yusuke turned towards the girl.

Makoto looked back with a confused expression. "What?"

"You're not such a selfish person that you wouldn't proceed with your own accounts just because of your own fears. You're not afraid of rejection; rather, you're afraid of what the rejection will entail."

Makoto's gut became tight as if she had just been punched. Amazingly, her friend was probably right. Rejection was something she could deal with. Losing one of her best friends because of some stupid feelings was another thing entirely.

"And as for Akira, it is most likely some form of feelings that linger. I remember reading somewhere that 'No matter the case, your heart will always be set aflutter by the sight of an old flame.' Perhaps seek out what wisdom you see in that statement, hm?" Yusuke tried to remain as polite as he could possibly sound to his friend.

Makoto nodded. "I'll try to keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice, Yusuke."

"It is of no problem to me. I am simply just trying to be as helpful as possible to one of my dearest companions."

"Why aren't you always this levelheaded, hm?" Makoto teased Yusuke, a smirk accompanying her.

"I feel insulted. I may not be what people deem to be such a 'normal' person, but I am much smarter than people give me credit for." Yusuke turned his nose up.

"You keep on skipping meals because you spend all your money on art supplies and constantly mooch off of us." Makoto replied with a stern look of disbelief. "'Eccentric' doesn't even begin to describe you."

Yusuke's eyes shot wide as he dramatically turned away from facing her. "L-Let's not bring up bad habits. My art will help pay you all back tenfold!"

"I'm sure it will, Yusuke." Makoto smiled at her friend, even though he couldn't see her. She checked her phone, noticing that she left it on silent since she left the admissions office at her college. In her notifications, she saw a text from Ryuji. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to be going. Thanks again for all the advice and for listening to my problems."

Yusuke turned back towards his friend. "Think nothing of it. If you ever need to vent, feel free to contact me. Or any of the others, for that matter. We may not be the most functional group of friends, but we can certainly be there in each other's times of need when it is most urgent." Yusuke bowed and faced opposite of Makoto again, walking off towards his usual watching spot. "Until next time, Niijima-san."

Makoto watched the boy walk off into the crowd, a slight chuckle coming forth at his usual odd behavior. She then went back to her phone, striking up her response to her friend.

Makoto: Sorry, I was busy. I ran into Yusuke at the station.

Ryuji: No biggie. So what time did ya want to hang out?

Makoto: Well, I'd still like time to study.

The girl stood there patiently waiting for a response. She concluded that the boy must be thinking about what time he and Akira would be finished with his shopping. For an answer, she received a text moments later.

Ryuji: Don't you have time for that on our date? ;)

Makoto instantly stopped her breath, feeling her heart skip a beat. Wait, what? I-Is he being serious right now? She was unsure how to respond. Thankfully, she didn't need to bother as she felt her phone buzz once again. She eagerly looked at it.

Ryuji: Shit, sorry. Akira wrestled my phone from me and sent that. How's 7 sound?

Makoto was a mixture of thankful that it was nothing more than a mere prank and disappointed that that is all it was. Still, she kept her disappointment to herself and pressed on with the conversation normally.

Or so she thought. A somewhat dubious plan, unlike her, hit her as her fingers began rapidly tapping up against her phone without a chance to think over if it was a good idea to tease the boy like this. By the time Makoto sent the message, even if she wanted to regret it, it was far too late to do anything about it.

Makoto: Aw, what a shame. I was looking forward to our little date. ;)

A fleeting feeling of proudness was all Makoto could feel for a moment. Unfortunately, that's all it was: fleeting. Almost instantly, the regret hit her like a kick in the head and settled in place. Oh my god. She was racing over every possibility that she could in her head with no means of escape in sight. Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod! What did I just do?! What on earth is wrong with me?!

Sweet relief would soon find its way to her though, as she received a delayed response just a few moments later.

Ryuji: Um…I mean, if you wanna go on a date sometime, I'd be fine with that.

Makoto was unsure of how to respond at first. Part of her wanted to immediately respond with something along the lines of 'Are you kidding? Of course I want to go on a date with you!' Deciding that that might not be the most appropriate response with the sudden question looming over her head, Makoto instead chose her next words with the upmost care.

Makoto: We should probably talk about this in person first, huh?

Ryuji: Yeah, you're right. I hate to say it myself, but we should wait a few days too. All this crap is a little too sudden.

Makoto frowned, but was very intrigued by the young man's thought. It was oddly mature of him. She kept forgetting that, despite hanging out with him for months now, he wasn't the same idiot boy that she got to know when she first joined the Phantom Thieves.

Makoto: So we're cancelling the plans then?

Ryuji: Yeah, I hate to do it, but discussing it all while I'm still on this little adrenaline high might not be our best idea.

Makoto: You're right. I'm not doing much better myself. So when do you want to talk about this?

Ryuji: I dunno, Christmas? It'd be pretty damn convenient.

Makoto: I'd like that. I'll talk to you in a few days then?

Ryuji: Yeah, of course! I'll see you then! Bye! Get home safe!

Makoto: You try and do the same, Ryuji. Bye.

Makoto slipped her phone back into her purse. She couldn't help but just stand there and stare off into space, trying to dissect the situation that just unveiled itself. While backing up to lean against the wall, only one thought could pass the girl's mind.

What the fuck just happened?

"What the fuck just happened?!"

Akira grabbed onto his friend's hands that were tightly gripped onto his shoulders, trying to prevent the aggressive boy from shaking him any further. "Ryuji, you need to calm down."

"How can I calm down?!" Ryuji said with a huge smile across his face. "You stealin' my phone from me was the best thing you could've ever done, bud!"

"Okay, that's great, but could you please-"

"I would have never thought I'd get this far in a million- no, a billion years!" Ryuji stopped shaking his friend and started jumping up and down in place, pumping his fists into the air as he did so.

Morgana sat perched on a nearby bench where they had just been sitting, taking a break after purchasing Yusuke's present from Ryuji. "It certainly is something amazing. Who knew that a girl like Makoto had such poor tastes." Morgana meowed proudly at his teasing, but it didn't seem to have any effect on the boy as he watched Ryuji continue to jump in place. "Yeesh, I don't know if I've ever seen anyone this happy before."

Akira turned towards his feline friend. "I don't know, there was that one time we went to that really expensive sushi shop."

"Hey, that fish was a gift from god and you know it."

Akira rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his friend. "So not to bring you down off of your high right now, but she didn't actually say 'yes.' You know that, right?"

Ryuji stopped almost immediately and turned back towards his friend. "Huh? Yeah, of course I know that. Just the fact that she wants to talk about it at all makes me so damn excited!"

"'For real?!'" Akira did his best impression of Ryuji, trying to make it obvious that he was mocking the boy.

It didn't seem to get through, however. "Yeah! For real! God, I can't wait 'til Christmas now!" Ryuji embraced his friend tight. "Yo, fuck whatever you got me for Christmas. This is the best thing you could've done for me, man!"

Akira returned the hug with a smile of his own. "So you're saying I've got myself a new pair of running shoes?"

Ryuji immediately backed out. "Now let's not get too hasty here."

Akira chuckled. "How do we proceed now then?"

Ryuji shrugged. "I dunno, I'm still on a rush right now. Let's hit up that beauty shop a few blocks down to look for somethin' for Ann." Ryuji began pacing off towards that direction and turned back to his best friend. "Oh yeah, dinner's on me tonight, man! Ogikubo ramen for sure!"

Akira wasn't going to argue. He just smile and walked with his friend, who chattered his ears off the whole rest of the way.

Hey guys! So this came out a little bit later than anticipated, but I'm glad it's finally out. I'm hoping to coincide the Ann and Akira thing alongside next chapter's release, so think of it as getting two chapters at once if you really want to read into it. Anyways, thanks everyone for reading and I hope that you have a great day!