Author's Note: It's my 21st birthday today! One adult slushie and BURNING tequila shot later, I'm still alive and very much sober! Yay for not being a lightweight! XD
So you know what that means! Whaddya say we finish this story arc up, hm? But of course...
Warning: The following chapter contains content that explains why this fanfic is rated M for "Mm Mm Mmmm!". The paragraphs containing such content are labeled with (XXXXX), so reader's discretion is advised. But hey! I won't tell if you won't! *winky winky*
Enjoy!
Persona 5: Shots Through the Heart
Final Shot: Fly Home, Joker
White Week: Last Day
It's a bright and sunny Friday in Tokyo, as well as the last day Akira will be spending living his lover before he gets ready for his trip back home. Their White Day date was ruined thanks to that hijacking at Shujin, so he was determined to make this the date of all dates.
After making Ann a big breakfast in the wee hours of the morning, Akira had her get ready in a very special something he bought for her. Ergo, the fourth gift of White Week.
Akira is patiently waiting for Ann in the living room in his special outfit for today. Black sneakers, black faded jeans, white T-shirt, and the Phantom Thief leather jacket Ann bought him for their birthday. And today, no glasses.
"You done in there yet, Ann-pan?" he calls out. He hears the sound of her bedroom door open. The sound of one footstep coming slowly after the other tells him that she's hesitant to let him see her. Obviously, she's embarrassed by the outfit.
"C'mon, honey," he urges. "Lemme see you. I gotta know if it suits you." Ann takes a deep breath and slowly walks into the room to reveal her full splendor.
A frilly, glitter peppered white mini dress with a light blue butterfly pattern, a long white see through floral pattern cardigan, and white low heel slippers. All of that was dazzling enough… but the real kicker was the endless river of shimmering yellow silk cascading from the headband he gave her on White Day down her back and over her shoulders. Not one word Akira could think of could even come close to beginning to describing how glorious it is.
The goddess in white blushes profusely as she examines herself.
"Y-You really know how to surprise a girl," she giggles. "I-I seriously thought you'd get me something more… racey." The more the boy stares at her, the more tiny details he starts to notice. The star diamond ear piercings, the light eye shadow, the lip gloss, the light blue nail polish on her fingers and toes, the topaz necklace he got her as a birthday gift, and the heart ring he gave her for Christmas. The dress was the perfect size too and it accomplished its purpose. Not only was it short enough to draw attention to her long, beautiful legs and slim fitting enough to make her body look good, but its elegance perfectly balances her sexyness with cuteness. And if that wasn't enough, it even brought out her sky blue eyes. All of the details, big and small, blended together to make a work of divine art created by the hands of all the gods in existence…
Would Yusuke be able to capture this beauty properly?
Ann bashfully rubs her left arm up and down as she glances at her boyfriend.
"... I-I… look ridiculous, don't I?" she mumbles. Akira just stands up and walks up to her to get a closer look, which makes her even more uncomfortable.
"Hnnnngh~! C'mon~! Don't just stand there~!" she whines. "Say something~! You're making this even more embarrassing~!" With no words coming to mind, Akira settles for pulling her in for a passionate kiss. It wasn't what she asked for, but Ann is always open to kissing, so she happily returns the gesture back with a sweet moan. After pulling away, Akira shakes his head and laughs.
"I'm sorry! T-That's all I can do!" he admits. "This is way more than I imagined! Everything is… perfect! No! Way better than perfect! Your bod is banging in that! And… your hair…!" Akira snickers as he buries his face in her wavy golden locks and hugs her as tight as he can like a stuffed teddy bear.
"So warm! So fluffy! And you smell like a gourmet cake that just came out of the oven! Ahhhh! This was so damn well worth the wait~!" As embarrassing as it was, she couldn't help but smile, giggle, and nuzzle her face into his chest, reveling in the overwhelming affection he's bombarding her with.
"I'm glad you like it so much," she says. "Though you're the one who bought the dress, so some of the credit goes to you." Akira finally lets go of her and smiles.
"Well, you're the one who made it work," he says. Ann gently pulls her hair back behind her right ear.
"Shouldn't we get going?" she asks. "It wouldn't be much of a big date if we spent the whole day standing here." Akira excitedly locks arms with her.
"Hell yeah! Let's go show you off to the world, babe!"
xxx
On the train ride to Maihama, the couple are locked into the final boss fight of "Love vs. Evil", a boss fight that they've been trying to beat all month.
"I still don't get why Futaba made this boss so damn hard!" Ann complains.
"Less talking, more magic shooting!" After about five minutes, the boss is brought down to its last sliver of HP and a quick time prompt shows up on both their screens. At the last second, they press the button at the same time to strike the final blow. When the boss disappears, the game's victory message pops up on the screen: "LOVE CONQUERS ALL!"
Ann jumps from her seat and shoots a fist in the air.
"AAAAAALL RIIIIIIIIIGHT!" Akira leans back in his seat and sighs in relief.
"We rock." After giving him a high-five, Ann notices a bunch of people staring at her. She laughs nervously, bows to everyone in apology, and sits back down. Even after that, she can still feel everyone's eyes on her.
"I think I weirded everyone out," she nervously laughs. Akira wraps his arm around her and pulls her in.
"Nah. I think they're just shocked at how gorgeous you look in that outfit," he says.
"I had a feeling it would draw some attention. I feel like one of this princess dolls little girls play with… I'm not mad about it though. I-I really want to be a girlfriend you can be proud of." Akira kisses her cheek.
"Don't sweat about not being able to do things you're already doing."
xxx
Last time the couple went to the kingdom of dreams, not only was it a celebration party with everyone else, but it ended on a very sour note. This time, there's nothing to worry about now. So here they are, back in Destinyland.
The two gaze at the enormous castle from the center of the amusement park.
"Wow! The castle is amazing!" Ann gasps.
"It's been a while since we've seen it, haven't we?" Akira says. "And… there are people here now since neither of us are rich enough to rent the whole place out like Haru is."
"She seriously thinks like a celebrity… So, which kinds of rides do you like, Akira?" Akira smirks at her.
"Thrill rides, of course! What else do you expect with how much I love a good fight?!" Ann giggles at his answer.
"I guess their both the same, in a way," she says. "Super scary at the start, but kinda refreshing somehow… Just to warn you, I scream really loud on the rides, okay?" Akira starts pulling her towards the first heart pumper he sees.
"Then let's go find out which one of us can scream louder."
xxx
Raging Dragon Coaster. The kart zooms on the twisted rails as the couple compete in a screaming contest, their hands thrown over their heads as they flip up and down.
Ann: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Akira: "RIGHTEOUS! RIGHTEOUS! YEAAAAH!"
xxx
Crazy Curl Cups. The couple laugh out loud and hold on for dear life as the giant tea cup they're riding in spins round and round, bumping into the other cups.
Ann: "I THINK I'M GONNA PUKE~!"
Akira: "NOT ON THAT NEW DRESS I BOUGHT YOU YOU'RE NOOOOOT~!"
The ride ends with them dizzy on the floor after crashing hard into another cup. Still a fun time though.
xxx
Outside the couple ride "Tunnel of Fate". Lovey dovey couples eagerly wait in line, anxious to ride the boat that'll take them through a cave filled with cupids, doves, and flashy pink hearts.
...
At the first sight of it, Akira and Ann just walk away without looking back.
Akira+Ann: "Nope."
xxx
As the couple are walking around, Ann notices Akira suddenly stop.
"Huh? What's wrong?" she asks. The sight of a flower garden in the background behind plants a toothy grin on his face as he pulls out his phone.
"The background, the way you look," he chuckles. "It's just too precious! I gotta take a pic!" Ann swiftly goes into model mode, putting her hands behind her back and tilting her head slightly to give off an innocent little girl vibe. Akira readies his camera app and points it at her.
"Smile, gorgeous~!"
*FWOOSH!*
*SNAP!*
The picture was taken. The subject: Her panties revealed by the wind blowing up her dress.
Akira chuckles and smiles nervously.
"... Uhhhhh..." With the shadow over her eyes changing the vibe of her smile from innocent to threatening, Ann reveals the electric whip concealed in her bag.
"... Delete that photo... right now."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
xxx
After hours of screaming on all manner of rides and sight seeing, the two stop to rest and grab some food and sit in the middle of the main amusement square to eat.
Akira stares at Ann's long alluring flawless legs for days, which successfully tempt him into touching them. Ann, of course, bats his hand away and points at him with a smile as if to say "Bad boy!".
"I'm sorry!" he laughs. "I couldn't help it! They're so long and perfect!"
"Too bad! Get my permission first before you touch!" Akira leans in with a mischievous grin.
"...Can I get it tonight?" She returns the grin and boops his nose.
"... Maaaybeee~"
"Cool. Cuz I need to make sure I get this done today."
"Get what done?" Akira suddenly pulls her in by her waist with his left hand and ghosts his right hand up her left thigh in one jerking motion. Her entire body freezes in shock as he grins devilishly at her with his narrow sin red eyes before leaning in ever so closely to the side of her head, blowing gently in her ear to make her shiver, and whispers in a deep, seductive voice.
"... By the time today's through, you'll be marked as mine forever. I'll be all you can think about way after the day you die." He slowly pulls away, stares at her shocked, beet red face, and smiles innocently as he continues to eat.
"... Just wanted you to know!" It takes Ann a minute to recover and start eating again. Usually, a girl is supposed to feel like her life is in danger when a guy does something like that. True, Akira's stunt did leave her breathless... but with anticipation.
... Sooo not fair~!
When they are just about finish their meal, they hear the sound of medieval acoustics in the background. When they look around, they see the band in question in the middle of the square. They're dressed up in medieval musician clothes and everything.
"Fitting for castle town music," Akira says. Ann suddenly jumps from her seat and reaches out her hand to him.
"Hey, pretty boy," she giggles. "Wanna dance?" Akira is taken aback a bit. Not by Ann's sudden request, however.
"Come to think of it, you and I never really had a dance together, have we?" he asks. "But… those shoes aren't exactly made for-" She waves the white shoes in the front of his face. Akira just sighs and takes her hand. She sets her bag down in her chair, putting her shoes inside, and pulls her boyfriend to the center of the square.
(Author's Note: Imagine the Kingdom Dance scene from "Tangled")
As the two twirl and spin around the big open circle, they catch the attention of the band and it urges them to play louder and more sporadically. The music and their dancing combined draw in a large crowd of people, entertained by the show.
The dancing couple notice the audience they've drawn when they start clapping to the tempo.
"Looks like we've drawn in quite the crowd," Akira chuckles as he pulls Ann in.
"I-It's embarrassing if we're the only ones dancing for them," she giggles. Ann breaks away from Akira, prances towards two little girls, and grabs them by their hands.
"Hey! You two wanna dance?" The girls smile as they let the blonde model pull them into the circle. This inspires her man to do the same, so he pulls random people into the circle with him. Before long, everyone was dancing around merrily. Akira never took his eyes off Ann, who was having the most fun playing with the little girls, like a carefree princess being merry with the people of her kingdom. The same can be said for her while she looked at him as her charismatic prince.
For the last two minutes of the song, everyone watched the happy couple dance together. And for the finale, they perform a good old fashioned dip and kiss. After the applause dies down and the crowd scatters, they share a tight embrace.
"... Glad we got this done before I left," Akira says. Ann notices the sun starting the sunset.
"Wow… Time sure flies when you're having fun," she says. "This really is the kingdom of dreams." Akira chuckles as he look around the square, admitting that as magical as this place is...
"... This isn't the place where mine came true." Akira looks down at Ann, who is looking up at him with a bright, flushed smile, which makes him laugh even more.
"... And what're you smiling about?" he asks. Her grip tightens as she giggles.
"I had a thought cross my mind today…" she says. "From the moment you forced your way into my life… all the way up to now… I think I'm at my happiest when I'm with you, Akira." Akira frowns a bit.
"... Even though I'm just a sassy, cocky, reckless, trouble making, perverted show-off?"
"Mm-hm."
"... Even though I've kept such big, life-changing secrets from you?"
"Yep."
"... Even though I'm stained black with sin and I won't have an easy time getting a future where I can take care of you?"
"Even then… And I'm kinda stained black too." Akira strokes her long blonde hair and smiles.
"... I'm really happy you're happy. It's all I care about, really... Just don't raise my pedestal too high." Ann shakes her head.
"I can't help it! You're so amazing!" Akira starts blushing profusely.
"What did I just say?! For real! That's embarrassing!"
"It's true, though! C'mon, you know it's true! You're just coolest guy ever-"
"STOP THAT!" Ann giggles at the sight of him getting flustered and pulls away, the two only being connected by their hands.
"Y'know… Sometimes I think about what my life would've been like if I never met you," she admits as she starts to frown. "... And it's always really scary. I bet wouldn't have taken my modeling seriously, and would've eventually given up… And even worse… I bet I would've just let Kamoshida have me…" Her smile returns as she squeezes his hands tighter.
"But I'm so glad you're the one I'm giving my everything to. It's thanks to your support that I can always keep going. My life's just a big pile of nothing without you in it." She takes his right hand and places on the center of her chest to let him feel her beating heart.
"So thank you… for everything." The sweetness and sincerity of her words prompts him to kiss her forehead.
"You just can't stop being an angel, can you?" he asks.
"Well, it was just something I really needed to say before you left." Ann looks over at the nearby clock to check the time: 4:45.
"Oh. It's almost time for the parade," Ann says. "You wanna go?"
"Totally. C'mon." After letting her get her bag and put her shoes back on, Akira pulls her in the opposite direction of where the parade is taking place.
"Huh? Akira, we're going the wrong way." Akira grins mischievously as he sets his sights on the Castle of Destiny.
"No, we're not. Trust me."
xxx
Usually, normal people would stand on the side of road to watch a parade. Unfortunately, Akira is far from a normal person. For the Destinyland parade and firework show, he'd much rather watch it from the top of castle, no matter how prohibited it is.
Ann follows her boyfriend as he climbs up the metal ladder on the side of castle without a single word.
"Can't help but notice you haven't said anything about how crazy of an idea this is!" Akira calls out. Ann smirks.
"If almost one year of knowing you has told me anything, it's that you're a maniac!" she calls out. "I'm not surprised by this at all!"
"You know me so well!" Ann keeps the conversation going to distract her from how high they're climbing.
"Hey, you know one of the little girls we were dancing with back there?" she asks. "The one with the braided ponytail?"
"Yeah. What about her?"
"I actually met her before earlier this afternoon when you went to use the bathroom. At first, she thought I was one of the princesses, but then she told me she's seen me in magazines before. She said she wanted to be just like me when she grows up! Hahaha! It was amazing!"
"Well, she made one hell of a good choice for a role model! … Though there's always only gonna be one you. Nothing will change that."
The two finally reach the castle roof. Ann brushes her hair back, the wind lifting it up and letting it flow free, as she looks out on the horizon and the entire lit up amusement park. Everything from the buildings to the rides glow beautifully in the night sky.
"It's amazing up here," she lightly gasps. "How close are we gonna be to the fireworks?"
"Definitely the closest we can get without the risk of getting burned," Akira says. He puts his right hand into his pocket and walks over to Ann.
"We got a little time before the show starts..." he says. "Now seems like a good time as any for this." Ann turns to him and her eyes widen at the tiny black box he is waving in his hand.
"The final gift of White Week… and this one is extra special." Ann puts her hands over her heart and smiles, anticipating a very heartfelt speech.
"Hey, Ann… Tell me," Akira says. "Do you… know why I became a Phantom Thief in the first place? Do you know what triggered my desire to become one?"
"It was because of what Kamoshida was doing, right?" she asks. "Plus, he leaked your info and threatened to have you expelled for no reason." Akira shakes his head.
"Well, there's all that too… but none of those are the main reason."
"Oh… Then I dunno." Akira frowns as he recalls the first time the two talked at Big Bang Burger... and the face she wore back then.
"... Your tears," he says. Ann tilts her head.
"My… tears?" Akira nods.
"When Morgana told me about how to change a person's heart and what it might do to the victim," he says. "I was hesitant cuz I didn't think anything Kamoshida did was worthy of death…" Akira grips the box hard in his hand.
"But then, you and I talked… The whole time, my heart was hurting like crazy while I stared at your face. The tears flooding down your cheeks, your swollen red eyes, the sound of yours sobs. I've told you so many times how painful it is for me to see you cry. That first time was definitely the most painful out of all of 'em. So when I found out that bastard was making you cry so much, my mind was set… I was gonna do whatever it took to save you, even if it meant murder. I never wanted to see you cry like that again. That's what convinced me to dive head first into the Phantom Thief business." Akira chuckles as he looks down at the box.
"So, long story short…" he says. "You're the #1 reason why I became Joker in the first place." Of course, Ann couldn't help but be moved by his revelation.
"Akira… I didn't know that," she says. Akira grins.
"Well, duh! I never told you! … Anyway, not only did you keep me from becoming a heartless and cold person, but you helped me become a greater man in the process. Again, I don't think anyone could be more grateful to someone else for anything than I am to you for that. You say I've done so much for you and that debt can never be repaid... But it's really the other way around..." Akira's eyes narrow and glimmer with affection as he talks.
"You've done way more for me than you could possibly know... Everything good that's happen to me over the past year, everything I've gained… it's all because of you… You're always striving to be a better person, even though you're breathtaking already... You're strong, unbelievably sweet and kind, and your loyalty and compassion is second to none to the point where you'd even lay down your own life... That's the Ann that I treasure, the Ann that I love from the bottom of my heart..." Ann wipes a tear from her eye as her blush bolded and her heart is blanketed in warmth.
"That's why... I'm determined to make sure you get all the happiness in the world…" he says. "All the happiness that you rightfully deserve… cuz you gave a trouble making sinner like me so many things that I don't deserve… There's no Joker, no Akira Kurusu, without Panther... without Ann Takamaki... So…" Akira pops open the black box to reveal a pair of platinum diamond encrusted promise rings with "Akira x Ann" engraved inside.
"Please… promise to be mine forever?" The young Vague model didn't even need to think about his proposal. She's been ready to say yes since the day she became aware of her feelings for him. On the other hand, she didn't really need to though.
"Stupid moron," she says sweetly. "... I already am…"
She gladly offers her right hand to him and he puts one of the rings on her ring finger. Afterwards, he puts the other ring on his right ring finger as well and shows it to her.
"This makes it even more official then," he chuckles. "... Never take that off, okay?" Ann slowly shakes her head as she rubs her ring with her finger and thumb.
"Not ever," she says. At that moment, music starts blaring from the parade road.
"Oh! It's starting!" Ann exclaims as she jogs towards the edge of the rooftop, Akira following her. The two sit comfortably on the edge to get a perfect view of the show. Ann's sky blue eyes widen with amazement as the floats are driven down the road, dancers of all kinds performing on each one. Even from the height and distance they're at now, the entire show is still able to be enjoyed to its fullest.
As awe inspiring as it was though, it paled in comparison to the firework show. A wide array of brightly colored sparks flying through vast night sky that can only be described as heavenly. And even more so for the couple watching from atop the glowing castle.
"... I think this beats the sunset in Hawaii," Ann gasps. "... It's beautiful." As she gazes at the spectacle in the sky, her betrothed stares intently at her, which he has been doing throughout the entire show, too starstruck to tell her the obvious.
… Not as beautiful as you...
xxx
After what could only be described as a day filled with enchanted tenderness, the trouble making couple have finally returned to the apartment for their last night together.
Ann happily stretches out, more than satisfied with how the day went.
"God, today was the best~!" she exclaims. "I got to skip exams and spent the whole day at Destinyland with the world's best BF! It seriously couldn't be any better!" All Akira does is chuckle as he puts down his bag. Ann turns back to him with a bright smile.
"So hey, what was your favorite part of the day?" she asks. The boy didn't even need to think.
"The parade," he says. "Definitely the parade." Ann looks up at the ceiling, daydreaming about the show.
"Mm-hm! Mine too! Weren't those float with all the characters dancing on it the cutest things?!"
"O-Oh… yeah…"
"And the fireworks! That was the closest I've ever been to them! It was really scary, but the show was really pretty up close! It totally makes up for the one that got rained on last year!"
"Huh… Must've been something else…" Ann giggles at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asks. "You were there sitting right next to me. What, did you space out through the whole thing?" Akira slightly blushes as he turns away and scratches his cheek with his finger.
"... A-Actually… Y-Yeah…" Ann's eyes widen with slight surprise.
"... Wait, for real? The whole thing?"
As surreal as the parade itself and fireworks show was for Ann, the sight that Akira beheld was enough to completely capture his attention. Shooting stars disappearing in the night sky in the background as his love is blanketed in a goddess' radiance, her stunning white dress shimmering in an array of bright colors from the luminous rainbow hue of the castle of dreams, her luscious hair of gold flowing gently in the breeze, the angelic innocence in her soft smile, and her sky blue eyes were brought out in full glory. The world's most dazzling princess sitting happily on her castle of imagination. To him, that sight was a million times better than some explosions and lit up floats.
"... Pretty much…" he finally admits as he walks up to her. "... The show went on for so long… and the lights were probably really bright and pretty… but I didn't see any of it…" He stops directly in front of her, places a hand on her cheek, and looks her straight her eyes. This atmosphere was ridiculously familiar. It's the same as when they went on the Seaside Park Ferris Wheel together. Ann had done the same thing he did tonight.
We went all the way around, she had said. … But I didn't see any scenery.
Naturally, it was only fitting that he told her the reason why just like she did.
"... All I saw… was you."
The sweet sound of those words make her heart flip and fills her eyes with glimmering affection as she smiles and blushes profusely. As she said before, be it near him, directly next to him, or trapped in his embrace, she feels the safest and the happiest when she is with him. That fact couldn't be more true now.
No longer needing to ask for it like she did the first time, she traps his face in her hands and pulls him down to her slightly to start gently pecking at his lips. He wraps his left arm around her microscopic waist and starts kissing her back, which she responds to by wrapping her arms around his neck to pull him in further. The string of light kisses consist of the two taking turns chasing after each other's lips. They stop for a brief moment to gaze into each other's eyes, which are both narrowed and contain the burning fire of desire within them. A desire that had been building within Ann ever since Akira's little stunt at the square.
They resume with Akira sending his tongue to infiltrate her mouth and chase after hers. She lets out a few cute little moans and entrusts her weight to him as the two make contact and wrap around each other. After gently pushing her to make her back up against the wall, Akira slowly slides his hands under her dress, rubs all over her vase like torso, and lets his left hand grip her butt and his right hand settle on the side of her waist. Worst case scenario, she'd either push him away in embarrassment or pull back for a brief moment to protest before continuing. This time, her moans just get louder and her face turns redder as she wraps her right leg around his thigh and pulls herself in closer, seductively rubbing her buxom bod against him and allowing her ragged breaths to flowing into his mouth.
Akira sensually rubs his hand up and down her waist, tickling her and making her tremble. After about a minute, he slides his hand higher up her body, undoes her bra from the front, and gropes at her ample breasts. Successive loud shrieks escape her mouth and she blushes profusely, yet she just tightens her grip on him, sends her tongue deeper into his mouth, pushes her body harder against his, and sways it from side to side, aiming to increase the pleasure.
While any form of kissing was her favorite wholesome thing to have Akira do to her, having her chest felt up was her favorite form of foreplay. And Akira has done it more than enough times to know that if he passionately kisses her and fondles her boobs at the same time, the ecstasy will overwhelm her mind and she'll go crazy with longing, which is exactly what he wants. Especially during romantic times like this when her emotions are peaked.
After what feels like hours (but were really minutes) of heavy flirting, she attempts to talk in between the hot kisses.
"Mm…! H-Hey…! S-Stop… t-teasing me…!" she gasps hoarsely.
"Hm? … I don't know what you mean," he whispers before kissing her again.
"Y-You know…! Mmhm…! Exactly w-what I'm t-talking about…!"
"Nope. I really don't." He pulls his lips away and rests his forehead on hers, still feeling her up and looking her dead in her eyes, which are clouded with overwhelming ecstasy.
"If there's something you want from me," he says in a deep tone. "All you have to do is tell me." She shuts her eyes and whimpers, still feeling the intense pleasure in her chest and her rump.
"Y-You should! Mm~! Already know by now! Ahn~!" He chuckles and shakes his head.
"Can't be completely sure unless you tell me… You're daring enough to be with a no-good devil like me, so I'll grant any wish you want in exchange. Anything you want me to do, I'll do. That's the "deal" you made with me." He presses his body harder against hers and lightly licks her lips once just to tease her even more, retreating before she could catch him.
"But you have to tell me what it is… So go on, bad girl... Tell me what you want."
A natural recurring theme of their foreplay is that before they start dashing any further towards second base, Ann has to tell Akira that she wants him. Even after he gets her super turned on, he won't take a single step further until she gives him the word. And he does this every single time. She's happy that 25% of the reason for this is because it's his way of restraining himself from forcing her into it when she really doesn't want to, but she's also frustrated that the other 75% is so he could torture her when she really wants it. And considering that, despite her protests to sudden flings, she always ends up wanting him, it frustrates her every time.
Ann lets out a scream when he squeezes her left breast hard, pinching her tip between two of his knuckles, and grips her gluteus maximus tightly. Then Akira puts on a devilish, lustful grin and whispers in her ear.
"... C'mon... Say it." She bites her lip as she turns her head to look deep into his eyes while showing all the longing in hers.
"...Please… I want you..." Akira pulls his right hand away from her chest, pushes her chin up with his finger, and presses his thumb on her lips, which prompts her to lick and suck on it. He then quickly sweeps her up by her thighs and carries her into her bedroom.
XXXXX
In the middle of what promised to be a very long night of passion, the two lovers decided to take a short break. Ann is lying on top of Akira under the sheets since he let her take the lead this time, her bare, sweat drenched body glued to his as she indulged in her habit of showering his face with affectionate licks and kisses like a puppy marking its territory after a round as if she's giving him some kind of reward.
"I can confidently say you're definitely not too heavy for me," Akira chuckles.
"You know that's not what I meant back then," Ann pouts. Akira slowly runs his fingers through the river of silky gold running down her back.
"... Hard to believe anyone could have hair this beautiful," he says. "Thank God you decided not to dye it black."
"I think you praising it is the biggest reason I take such good care of it," she giggles. She then pushes herself off of him and stares into his eyes with a concerned expression.
"Hey… This is good for you too, right?" she asks.
"Yeah. As long as you're happy with it, of course it is." Ann sighs in discontent.
"So, you're not happy then." Akira sits up.
"What?! I just said I'm happy with it!" he exclaims.
"You said that you're happy with it as long as I am. That's not okay." Akira cocks an eyebrow and laughs a little.
"Uh… A-Am I getting scolded for not enjoying myself?" She gives him a narrow eyed look.
"That depends," she says. "Have you been holding back?"
"W-Well… yeah! I-I mean, if I didn't, it would hurt and that's not what I'm trying to do!" Ann sighs in disappointment, then leans in.
"Hey, you'll do anything I want you to do, right?" she asks. "That was the "deal"?"
"Your wish is my command, my sin stained goddess." She slides over to straddle on his lap and places a hand on his cheek with a warm smile on her face.
"Then do me a favor… and don't hold back anymore… I'm happy that you're putting me first, but it doesn't work if it doesn't go both ways…" Akira bites down on his lip.
"... You sure?" Ann hugs him tightly and whispers in his ear.
"Remember what I told you the first time? … Anything you want, it's fine… And honestly… I'd be okay with feeling you so much, its hurts…" Akira's eyes switch from left to right and back as he thinks, then he looks back at her.
"... Does that mean it's my turn now?" Ann pulls away and nods with a toothy grin.
"Mm-hm!" Akira can't help but laugh a little more at how his girlfriend, who had been traumatized out of the act of having relations, loses all of her inhibitions once he gets her nude and in the mood. Like flipping a secret switch only he, as her lover, could find.
"... Okay," Akira mumbles. "T-Then… um…" He slowly rolls over to get Ann on her back and hovers over her.
"Just… hold me as tight as you can," he says. Ann hugs him with all her might and pecks and licks him multiple times on his cheek for good measure.
"... Anything else?" she asks. Akira squeezes her as tight as he can in turn.
"No... Just stay like this." Ann starts laughing.
"This is all you wanted?!" she asks. "Wow, you really didn't have anything to-"
"... Hiiii-YAAAH!" Ann shrieks as he suddenly lifts her up into the air. Before she knew it, she had been pinned to the wall and suspended from the ground, her arms and legs wrapped tightly around her lover. The impact of her being pinned didn't surprise her half as much as his sudden entry. And that didn't shock her a quarter as much as the flash of his evil narrow eyes and his mischievous grin.
"Dumb ass," he snickers. "For as long as you've known me, you should've known that wasn't all of what I want." After recovering for the Akira's preemptive strike, Ann weakly smiles and giggles at him. The rebel's smile slowly turns into a serious look.
"... Last chance to back out," he warns her. "Your bod... feels way too good... Once I start, I don't think I'm not gonna be able to stop… You sure you want it?" Ann stares deep into the eyes that she has become so familiar with. The calm dark grey displays his angelic kindness, loyalty, and selflessness while concealing the shade of crimson red that displays his animosity, mischievousness, and sinfulness. These eyes reveal all the good and evil that make up his soul, which is everything she adores. She was in love with a dangerous man and showed no fear in doing so. She just wanted all he could give.
She leans in and takes her time seductively sucking on and licking his lips, which tempts him into French kissing her. After pulling back out, Akira whispers in her ear.
"...I love you so much, Ann-pan…" Ann smiles as he squeezes her as tight as he can, feeling her chest being compressed by his squeeze.
"I-I love you too… Kira..." she lightly gasps. He inhales sharply through his nose and reveals his red eyes of desire, remembering the promise he made to her earlier.
By the time today's through, you'll be marked as mine forever. I'll be all you can think about far beyond the day you die.
"... Keep saying that…"
With those words, Ann gasps as Akira began relentlessly pistoning himself into her, powered by genuine love. Compared to all of the other times they shared relations since Valentine's Day, he was most aggressive he's ever been. Each impact was hard hitting and sent a violent surge of pleasure all throughout Ann's body. The overwhelming force of his movements disabled Ann's ability to keep herself from screaming in ecstasy. The only thing she can do is hold him tightly and brace herself for his thrusts.
She suddenly feels the storm of pleasure slowly subside and Akira start to slow down. After all that lightning fast build-up, the last thing she wanted was for him to stop. She remembers what he told her to do before he started.
"... I-I love you!" she exclaims.
Hearing those words spurs Akira to continue moving at the same vicious pace as before. Once again under fire, she arches her back and wraps her legs tighter around his waist to pull him in as deep as she can. Akira lets his tongue slither in and out of her left ear and up and down the side of her neck while he grabs her left bosom and caresses it all over, increasing the ecstasy tenfold. The lewd moans and the ragged heavy breathes on his neck tells him he's doing it right.
Sensing him about to slow down again, she gets a shout out.
"I-I love you…! A-Akira…!"
In response, he kept up the tempo, stopped going for her neck, and kissed her deeply. All the while, he feels himself getting lost in her. The strawberry taste of her lips, the flower smell of her perfume, the springy feel of her body, the thunderous sound of her heart. He was getting lost in all of it, like sinking into an endless abyss, and it was draining him of all reason.
Fearing losing control completely and hurting her, he attempts to break the lip lock. But she strengthens her grip to keep him within kissing range.
"Mm-mm! N-Not enough!" she gasps. "K-Kiss me more! Mmmm~!" He bends to her will and continues sucking at her mouth, his mind sinking deeper and deeper into the void. At this point, there was nothing there to rein him in. All that was there was his bottomless longing for her that drove him onward.
I adore this girl! he thinks loudly. There's not a damn thing I don't love about her! All the treasures in the world don't mean anything! There's nothing I want more than her! Her smell, her taste, her beating heart, her beautiful body, all of it! … To have all of her all to myself…
After an eternity of French kissing, Ann loosens her grip on his head and his sinful red eyes radiate in full glory.
I'll give her my everything in turn!
With his mind completely lost in her being, all that was left was his primal urges. His feral instincts make him pull out of the kiss and bite down and suck hard on her neck like a vampire. At the same time, his moves become more aggressive to the point where she can feel a little pain mixed in with the pleasure within. Naturally, she cries out, but rather than push him away, she grabs the back of his head again to hold him in place and pulls him in as deep as she can. Like she said, she'd be happy if she felt him so much, it hurts. A blissfully painful state of euphoria.
"I love you, Akira!" she cries out again. Akira moves with reckless abandon, his teeth sink deeper into her, her eyes start to leak, and their grip on each other tightens as she continues to scream and they both feel a climax approaching fast.
"I love you…! I love you…! I-I… I LOVE YOU!"
Then, take it in… Take it in…! ALL OF IT…!
With that, the sinful ecstasy explodes, violently surging through their bodies like raging torrents. Akira just shuts his eyes tightly and grunts as his girl digs her nails into his skin and she screams bloody murder, both of their bodies tensing up, jerking, and writhing around in each other's arms, a blazing hot, fuzzy, numbing feeling preventing them from figuring out whose body is whose. And as if time had frozen, the massive flood of carnal pleasure went on seemingly without end.
After the heat of passion melts frozen time, then ebbs away completely, the two lovers finally relax in each other's embrace. Akira, having recovered his mind from the void, finally removes his teeth from her neck, leaving some deep teeth marks and a hickey behind, and pulls his head away as he catches his breath. He opens his eyes to stare at her crimson red face, drenched in sweat, eyes damp with tears, and a little drool coming out of the left side of her mouth. Very similar to the to her face when she awakened her Persona back in April, but way more intense.
She recovers enough of her own mind to barely be able to speak as she forces out a single word.
"... A-A... A... kira..." Akira uses his thumb to wipe off the drool before stealing her lips. Ann weakly tries to take in his air to get her lungs working right again and calm her pounding heart. When they separate and she recovers her breath, she opens her pleasure clouded eyes, looks into his, and smiles blissfully.
"U-Um… T-That's... not all of it… is it?" she asks. Akira smirks as he lightly squeezes her breast and secures her left hand in his right.
"Look who's starting to get it…" he says in a deep, mischievous tone. "I've got a bunch more stuff I wanna try… You don't mind, do you?" Ann pulls him in for a tight embrace and whispers in his ear.
"... I can't get enough…"
xxx
After a few more hours of sweet love making, the couple lie down on Ann's bed for another rest, the limp from the waist down Ann happily enjoying Akira spooning her from behind.
To break the silence, Akira starts prodding all of the weak point on her body. His hands going on a journey from her ears to the nape of her neck, down her waist, across her stomach, to her belly button, and finally ending the trip on her passion fruits, making her mew in delight, especially at the end.
"Nnnn~! God, that's so dirty~!" she moans. "Something so bad shouldn't feel this good~!" Akira grins mischievously.
"Glad to see we're sharing a favorite spot on your bod," he chuckles. Ann looks over her shoulder and reaches out to pinch his cheek.
"My boyfriend is so naughty~!" she giggles.
"Well, my girl is just as guilty cuz she lets me do what I want!" After he pecks her cheek, Ann touches his nose with hers.
"You're like a wolf in sheep's clothing," she says. "You act like a good boy most of the time, but your devil side is out when you're having fun." Akira smirks at her.
"Well, I always have fun when I'm with you, so I guess that means it's always out."
"It makes me happy to hear you say that." Ann rubs the spot where Akira bit her.
"Speaking of wolves, they bite just like you do too!" she says.
"I told you I wouldn't be able to control myself. That was on you."
"I'm not complaining and I don't really mind it. I was just surprised is all."
"Is that so? ... Y'know, for a girl who wore a dominatrix outfit, you sure turn into one hell of masochist when we fool around."
"Just cuz I wore a dominatrix outfit and like using whips doesn't mean I am one." Akira chuckles as he pulls her hair back behind her ear, gazing at her body as the moon's luminance blankets her.
"... You really are gorgeous, you know that?" he says. When he goes in to steal her lips, she pulls back slightly.
"Easy, bad little boy~" she whispers, remembering for an instant that she's just barely older than him.
"What'd you call me?!" he snickers. Ann starts to feel her eyelids get heavier.
"Hey… I'm a little tired," she yawns. "Mind if I doze off for a bit?" Akira kisses her cheek again.
"Go ahead, Ann-pan," he whispers. "Rest those pretty eyes of yours." Ann lays her head down on her pillow and lets her eyes close. Akira caresses her side to help ease her to sleep, which doesn't take long at all.
"She falls asleep so fast," he mumbles to himself.
Akira's heart warms up a little as he watches the love of his life be carried away to dreamland. The most peaceful sight he could ever see.
... My Ann… is too perfect...
At that moment, he feels his stomach rumble unnaturally.
"... I gotta use it." He tries to slip out of bed. Then like twin cobras, a pair of arms lash out, wrap around his neck, and yank him back in, making his face crash straight into the deep valley of Ann's breasts.
"Who- MMPH!"
"HEY!" Akira looks up and sees Ann giving him a pouty face with puffed up cheeks and puppy dog eyes.
"Where are you going~?! What're you doing~?!" she whines. "You can't just leave a pretty girl in bed all alone, you know~!" Akira struggles out of her cleavage, allowing him to breath again.
"Pwah! Hah! S-Sorry. Nature's calling," he says. "And I'm pretty sure you don't want me to answer the phone in your room, let alone right here in your bed." Ann grumbles for a bit before letting him go.
"You have til I count to a hundred," she says. Akira jogs straight into the bathroom and shuts the door. Ann starts counting out loud.
"... 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-!"
"Whoa whoa whoa! That count's way too fast!" Akira shouts.
"9! 18! 27!"
"Now, you're just skipping numbers by nines!"
"36-45-54-63-72-81-90-99!"
"CUT IT OUT, ANNIE!" Ann starts raging around in the sheets.
"100! Akiraaa, where are you~?!" she whines.
"Barely started in the bathroom!"
"Hurry up~! I'm looonely~!"
"It's only been like ten seconds! Hold up!"
"A-ki-raaa~! Cooome ooon~!"
"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND HOLD YOUR HORSES?!"
"... Uwaaah…!"
After about a minute, Akira walks out of the bathroom and sees a displeased Ann in bed.
"What took you so long~?" she grumbles. Akira dives back into bed and starts punishing her with hard pinches and noogies.
"Ow ow ow ow ow ow! Okay! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Akira smacks Ann on her head, incredibly annoyed.
"Don't you go turning into Futaba, dammit!" he coldly demands. "I'm fine with just one needy baby, thank you!" As she rub her head, Akira smirks at her and pulls her in close.
"Still… It's nice to see you're so addicted to me," he says.
"Wasn't that your master plan from the start?"
"Yeah, it was… Safe to say it actually worked."
"Hehehe! It sure did." After staring at him for a bit, she closes her eyes and extends her chin to request a kiss. Naturally, he granted her request without delay.
"Hmhm… Hey, Akira. Guess what?" she asks.
"What?" She lightly pounces on him and nuzzles on his cheek profusely.
"I like you, I love you, I wanna be with you forever~!" That sudden declaration makes Akira laugh.
"Ahahaha! That is still hands-down the cutest and sweetest thing I've ever heard you say!"
"Wait… It is?" Akira blushes and scratches his head.
"Honestly… my heart skipped a beat when you first told me that … You're a really lovable person." Ann lets out a cute 'aw' and hugs him tightly, which he repays in kindness.
"... Sooo… up for round… whatever number it is?" Ann asks. "I lost count."
"After all that, you still want more?!" Akira laughs.
"I told you, didn't I? … I can't get enough." Akira rolls over with her in his arms to pin her to the bed again and smirks at her.
"Hmph. Gluttonous Gal," he says.
"Prideful Pervert."
"You know you love me." Ready to continue the night of passion, Ann whispers to him before pulling him in for another hot kiss.
"... More than anything in the world…"
xxx
It's the crack of dawn. After a mind-blowing night of bliss, the two fell asleep in each other's arms, Akira having accomplished his goal of marking her as his forever.
The young rebel is the first to stir awake and, to his delight, Ann's peaceful and innocent sleeping face is the first thing he sees.
Is there ever a time when you're not beautiful? he thinks to himself. His hand gently glides across the side of her smooth, bare body.
It caused her so much pain... yet she's let me screw this cursed body to my heart's content since I came home from juvie… How I won her heart, I still have no idea.
That's when his phone alarm goes off, making Ann stir out of her sleep, her eyes semi-focused on his face.
"... Mm~... Oh... Mornin, Agiwa..." she groggily says. Akira turns off his alarm and caresses her right cheek.
"A-ki-ra, you ditz," he chuckles. "Sorry. That woke you, didn't it?" Ann nuzzles her face into his chest.
"Not really… What time is it?"
"I set the alarm to 6:30, so…"
"Kay…" Akira pulls her in and squeezes her tightly.
"So… do you wanna go to the ceremony?" he asks. "Makoto said it's fine if we don't as long as we go to the party." Ann thinks hard as she is blanketed in the warmth of boyfriend's embrace. This will without a doubt be the last time she'll able to feel it in bed for a while. So naturally, she wants to feel it for as long as she can.
With a sweet moan escaping her mouth, her tightest squeeze on his body, and a kiss planted on his neck, Akira takes the hint and hugs her back.
"... Yeah… Me too…"
The two spent the last morning of White Week sleeping in each other's arms before getting ready for their last moment together as a group at the graduation party. The whole day was an irreplaceable Treasure.
...
Afterwards came the day before departure.
xxx
Sojiro sent Akira out to say goodbye to all of the friends he's made during his time in Tokyo.
Having gone around to all the districts to see all the friends that were just roaming around, Akira hopped on a train to Shibuya with Morgana in tow.
"So Mona, if we do find a way to turn you into a human, what're you gonna do after that?" Akira asks. "I doubt my folks would let me take care of some random kid…" Mona goes into deep thought.
"Hm… You think the chief would let me stay with him and Futaba?" he asks. That's when Akira's phone rings. He pulls it out and smiles when he sees Ann's Caller ID. He couldn't have picked up faster.
"Hey! I was just about to call you again!" he exclaims.
"Sorry. I had a quick shoot this morning," she says. "Anyway… you wanna meet up in the mall for a sec?"
"Yeah, of course. Already on my way."
xxx
Ann is standing in the Shibuya Underground Mall, patiently waiting Akira to arrive.
She suddenly feels a pair of strong arms wraps her stomach and a pair of lips smash into her cheek, which makes her giggle.
"I'm so glad you came!" she exclaims.
"Did you really think I wouldn't?" Akira asks. Ann turns around to hold his hands and sadly smiles.
"I know this won't be the last we'll see each other," she says. "But it's still sad. Especially when it's on our nine month anniversary of all times!"
"Right?! It's like a huge middle finger from the universe!"
"I'm definitely coming over on the holidays though. And I'm gotta try all the food in your town while I'm there!"
"I know you're probably most excited about the sweets, but how about the food at my house?" Ann gets a little flustered.
"Y-Your house? As in… your mom's home-cooking?"
"That too. Plus, I never really cooked anything other than curry during White Week, did I?" Ann nervously smiles.
"Honestly, the thought of that makes me so nervous… but I'm really excited too. But do think your parents will be okay with me?" Akira puts on a big smile.
"No doubt! They'll adore you! Thanks to you, I'm not even worried anymore!" Ann smiles for a bit before groaning.
"I just realized something," she says. "I'm gonna have to go on a serious diet first so I can eat all I want when I'm there."
"I-I don't really think you need to worry." Ann digs into her bag and whips out a magazine.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" she says. "This is for you. It's a copy of next month's Vague. They did a special feature on me." Akira takes the magazine and gazes at Ann's picture on the front cover.
"I'll be sure to subscribe once I get back home," he says.
"I actually talked about you a little bit in the interview… and about Shiho too… I wonder if she'll ever get around to reading it."
"I'm sure she will… It's for her bestie, after all." Ann puts her right hand over her heart and nods with determination.
"... Modeling can be super tough sometimes," she admits. "But… I'll never give up. No matter what, I need to stay strong, not just for Shiho, but for people everywhere. Oh, and of course… for you." Akira gives her a warm smile, admiring her conviction.
"Don't forget, though," he says. "If you ever feel like you're gonna falter, if you ever need me, anytime and anywhere… I'll come running to push you on." Ann blushes as she smiles and gives him a tight hug around his waist.
"You haven't even left yet… but I can't wait til we're back together again." Akira hugs her back.
"You and me both."
"I still have a long way to go… but I promise… I'm going to a proper lady someday… just for you…" Akira lightly pushes her away with a look of concern on his face.
"T-That doesn't mean you're gonna get rid of your sexy succubus side, are you?!" he asks. "I still need her!" Ann rolls her eyes.
"Calm down. She'll still be around."
"Good." The couple share a loud laugh before staring into each other's eyes for what will be the last time for a while. Her beautiful sky blue eyes and his eyes of red sin concealed behind dark gray. Two pairs of eyes that they've become so accustomed to and adore so much.
The young rebels share a one last kiss, quick and simple, before sharing a tight embrace.
"... I'll never be able to say it enough," Akira whispers. "... I love you so much, Ann-pan."
"... I love you too, Kira…"
xxx
And so, the day of departure is here. All of his belongings are packed and ready to be shipped tomorrow. Having said his sorrowful goodbye to his guardian, Akira proudly makes his way to Shibuya to catch the train ride back to his hometown.
As he is walking into the central square, Akira stares intently at the sky in reminiscence. When he first arrived in Tokyo, the vast blue looked like it was poisoned with distortion, like the current state of society was being reflected in it. But now, the blue looks brighter than it has ever been.
Back then, I wanted this entire world to be reduced to ash, he thinks. Or rather, I wanted the society that wronged me to burn.
*honk honk!*
And I actually managed to do it. Set the current world ablaze and create a better one from the remains. Though it'll take some time for it to form completely.
*honk honk honk honk! honk honk!*
Still… the sky of a free world is always really bright, huh?
*honk honk honk honk! honk honk honk honk! honk honk honk honk! honk honk honk honk!*
… Okay, who the hell keeps honking their horn like crazy?!
When he looks ahead to search for the car, he is shocked to see a light blue van parked in the middle of the square. The car itself didn't surprise him. It was who was in the car that caught him off guard: his band of thieves.
His best bro and his lover are waving to him from the side of the van.
"Yoooo! You over there!" Ryuji calls out.
"Hey! Look this way!" Ann shouts. An entire ocean of confusion flooded his mind.
"... Okay, what the heck?" he mumbles. As he is staring at the van, Yusuke casually walks up to his side.
"After we said we'd disband," he chuckles. "My word." Akira chuckles as he follows him to the van. Ryuji smirks at Akira.
"Sorry about the weird parkin' job," he says. "The car just died on us right here." Ann lightly bangs on the side of the door.
"Hey Morgana, are you done yet?"
"Huh?! Morgana?!" Akira peeks inside the open hood to see his cat friend working on the engine. Mona, with screwdriver clenched in his teeth, scratches his ear with his hind leg.
"Hnnnnngh! What the heck am I in charge of the car again?!" he whines.
"There you are, you stupid cat!" Akira exclaims. "I was looking all over for you!" He turns his attention to the inside of the car, seeing Yusuke jump in with everyone else.
"And I thought we were done," Yusuke says.
"It's fine. We're on break," Haru assures.
"Exams are done too, right?" Makoto asks. "C'mon, Akira-kun. Why don't you let us drive you home?" Akira shoots narrow eyes at everyone.
"Well now, my goodbyes from yesterday feel pointless," he grumbles. "And I wasted money on a train ticket, thank you very much." Ann pulls his face towards her and kisses his nose.
"Oh, just shut up and get in the van," she giggles. One look in her eyes was enough to get him to submit. He couldn't possibly say no to spending a bit more time with everyone.
He sighs and hops into the van, sitting down in the center of the middle row. Futaba, who is sitting in the back, hugs him from behind.
"You really really gotta go?" she whines. Ryuji shuts the door and nudges him.
"C'mon, man. No one's forcin you to leave, y'know," he says.
"I know. I'm going back cuz I want to," Akira says. "There's no place like home, after all."
"Still, wipin' your slate clean ain't so easy. See what I mean?" Ryuji gestures everyone towards the black spy car parked a little ways away.
"At it again, huh?" Ann sighs.
"Yeah, we noticed them following us a few times during the week," Akira says.
"Things must be slow these days," Yusuke says.
"Don't mind them," Makoto says. "What they think of us doesn't really matter."
"Yeah. She's right," Ann says. "We can totally do whatever we wanna do." Akira smirks and sits back comfortably in his seat.
"I don't mind. Honestly, they probably should keep an eye on me," he jokes. "There's no telling if and when "Kira Akira" will be up to no good again." Everyone laughs out loud at his jest before Mona hops in, finding his place on Akira's lap.
"The car's fixed," he announces. "Just had to… "borrow" a plug." Makoto turns the ignition key and the engine starts without incident.
"Nice job! On the first try," she says.
"Alright, let's roll!" Ryuji shouts.
As the gang's car pulls into traffic, Akira sees the men in black are frustratingly trying to start up the stalling car. He laughs and pets Mona along his back.
"You little cat burglar!"
"Mewhehehehe!"
"Anyways," Ryuji says. "Now that we gotcha, we ain't takin ya straight home!" The van pulls up onto the freeway.
"Hey, can ask something?" Haru asks. "My friend's in trouble and I'd like everyone's input."
"A person in need?" Akira asks.
"Ooooh! Sounds like fun," Futaba snickers.
"If this is any more work, count me out," Yusuke says.
"Aw, don't be like that, Yusuke."
"You know you want to, Inari~!"
"I'm getting out."
xxx
Everyone kept chatting and screwing around with each other, hanging to the last sentimental moment they'll have together for a while, as the van cruised down the road. It was like hanging out in the Mona Car while driving through Mementos. So even without the dreaded Metaverse, their Phantom Thief selves still remain and these selves are what tie them all together.
After hours of rolling down an empty road, the van zoomed out of a tunnel. Everyone jumps from their seats at the first sight they see.
"Look! The sea!" Ann exclaims. They all cheer as they gaze at the vast glimmering blue ocean and the seagulls flying beside the car. The rest of the gang was too busy staring at it to see Akira notice the buildings far off in the distance. They're almost to Kamakura now… but why ruin the moment by telling them that? That's what he settles on as Makoto turns on the radio.
"Man, this all ain't feelin real to me just yet," Ryuji sighs. "Like "It's gotta be a dream" y'know?"
"Hm… a dream, huh?" Ann asks.
"I wouldn't mind that," Yusuke admits.
"We're free to do whatever we want, after all," Morgana points out. Ryuji nods.
"Yeah, guess so," he says. "If you wanna change the world, all you gotta do is see it differently, am I right?" He grins as he nudges both Akira and Ann.
"And that is what aesthetics are!" The both of them smile at their idiotic, but golden hearted friend, then at each other. Akira then stares at the sunroof door.
"... Scuse me for a minute. I've always wanted to do this." Akira carefully stands up, opens the roof door, and pops his head out. He is immediately welcomed by the force of wind blasting in his face, blowing his hair back, as he stares down the horizon ahead, feeling a familiar sensation he experienced months ago. Oneness with the wind without any sense of being pinned to the ground. It's the same feeling he had when he shot the bullet of sin that sent the god of the distorted world to oblivion.
He closes his eyes to take in the the weightless feeling, then takes a deep breath and drums on the roof before shouting as loud as he can.
"... WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO~!"
As his entire band of misfits laugh at his sudden outburst, he spots a stray black crow flying beside him, far from where its kind is usually supposed to roam, and nods with great approval.
You and I have that in common, he thinks. To hell with the natural order.
The crow caws before ascending into the sky, roaming freely beyond the clouds, just like a thief does…
We can go wherever we want… and no one can stop us.
Last Target: Hit
Author's Note: Well, it's been a surprisingly long and hard journey, but we've finally reached the end… of the Tokyo Arc. For those of you who want more, don't worry. As I said back in the note of the previous chapter, I will be doing an after story of what happens when Akira finally returns home. But first, I'm diving straight back into True Protector. Once that's finished, I'll update this story with a brief sneak peak of the after story, its title, and its release window.
So, for those of you who are here just for this story, I hope to see you back here relatively soon. And for those who follow me and have read the first few chapters of True Protector, I'll see you back at the Abyss of Time.
P.S.: I'd like to take this time to thank all viewers of this story. Over seventy thousand views and 36 reviews, this is my most popular fanfic to date. I know it's most likely because this couple is so new, but still. Thank you all for your love and support! And I promise that the after story won't disappoint!
Peace! :)