25 May
Makoto lies on her bed, and stares at her phone. She flicks her thumb and the PhanSite scrolls. I guess Principal Kobayakowa was right. The Phantom Thieves aren't done. They had apparently succeeded in changing some stalker's heart during the Golden Week break.
Makoto hadn't seen Jessikah during that time. Makoto was concerned.
She shuts her eyes and blows out a long sigh. "What am I going to do?" She mutters.
Her stomach growls.
Food. That is what I'm going to do.
She'd already eaten, but it had been small and tasted flavorless. She ignores her protesting limbs and exhausted mind, and pushes herself to her feet. She trudges in her pajamas, out of her room and into the hall. When she turns into the dining room, a throat clears behind her.
Makoto jumps. Her sister sits in an armchair in their living room. Her eyes are leveled towards Makoto in a look the younger Niijima is very familiar with. What did I do now?
"Hey Sis," Makoto says, giving her a small smile. "I didn't know you were home. Want something to eat?" She begins to turn towards the kitchen.
"This is about Jessikah," Sae says.
Makoto's feet freeze, and she feels a flush spread through her whole body. "Huh?"
"We need to have a talk," she says, and tilts her head to the side.
Makoto does not understand what is happening. She shakes her head and says, "Wait, what? Why?"
"I took her in cause i thought it was the right thing to do," Sae continues. "But with you been acting weird since im starting to rethink it ."
Jessikah...Is sis kicking her out?"
"Maybe i should have her moved"
"No!. Um-"
"What?"
"Wait," Makoto says, shaking her head. "Dont kick her out with her having a record-"
"You know about his record?"
"Yes, but-"
Sae sighs and shakes her head. "You do not have time for this, Makoto. Your studies are supposed to take priority. Your work."
Makoto sits down on one of their couches, across from Sae. "Sis, please. Calm down for a second and let me-"
"Save it" she says, and throws it onto their living room table. The edges of a few pages creep out from the confines. Sae nods towards it when Makoto makes no move.
And the tears come.
She wraps her arms around herself, hugs herself tight, and whispers, "He tried to..." and she can't say the word, but she does manage, "with me." She dips her head and short, wet sobs break from her and she doesn't want to be doing this because she's a Niijima and Dad never cried, even when he was scared, but she can't stop.
And as Sae watches her, realization spreads across her face. She pales. And then Sae stands and barrels her way across the room and drops down next to Makoto on the couch. She reaches out and takes Makoto's hands in her own and she rubs her thumbs across the backs of them like she used to when they were both much younger.
"Makoto," she whispers, and all the anger is gone. "Makoto, it's alright. Tell me what happened."
And Makoto looks into her sister's eyes and sees that it is her sister, her real sister, Sae Niijima, and not the one that's always around and she hates that it's taken this to bring her Big Sis back.
Sae lets go of one of Makoto's hands and pulls her into a hug. Makoto snuggles her face into her sister's shoulder and cries some more.
And cries.
And cries.
And then she tells her what happened.
She ends it with, "She helped take him down." She looks down at the file, still unopened on the table. "I don't care what people say about her."
She remembers the Principal and his instructions. God, was that only this afternoon? "Everyone thinks she's horrible, but she's not. Even the Principal thinks so. She wants me to investigate her.
"What?" Sae asks. "Why?"
"He thinks Jessikah might've had something to do with Kamoshida's confession. That he made him to it, somehow."
Sae strokes Makoto's hair and lets out a hmph noise. "Please. That girl couldn't make anyone do anything."
Makoto rolls her eyes. "You're really scary sometimes."
Sae shuts her eyes and a small little laugh escapes her lips. "I suppose I can be... a bit harsh, at times." Then, she refocuses. "Makoto, why didn't you say anything?"
Makoto doesn't answer for some time. "I wanted to be like Dad."
Sae stiffens. "Oh, Makoto."
Neither says anything for a time.
Then, Makoto asks, "What should I do?"
Sae sighs.
"Sis, I-"
"No, Makoto," Sae cuts in, but her voice is soft. The prosecutor has not returned just yet. "I need you to focus on what's important right now. I know that may not seem fair, but it's the hand life dealt us. Exams are coming up for you. We can talk about this once those are through, and you have some more breathing room. For now, focus on those." Makoto opens her mouth to speak, but Sae continues on. "And don't worry about the Principal. I'll take care of him."
"Wh-what are you going to do?"
"Have a friendly chat," she says.
They stay that way for a little longer, until Makoto realizes she is starving.
"No," Sae says when Makoto tells her she'll make something to eat. "I'll get it." And she stands and moves to the kitchen.
Makoto sits on the couch, feeling light and sleepy and hungry, but better than she has since...
" Please dont throw her out."
Makoto crosses her arms while Sae pulls some dishes from the fridge.
"Like hell im doing that."
Meanwhile at Sadayo's apartment. Ryuji stretches is arms over his head. "Maaannnn, I'm beat. Can't believe how late it got."
Ann nods, frowning. "We talked about a lot of stuff."
"Yeah," Ryuji says, and holds out a fist. "But, hey! We got a plan!"
Ann smiles and bumps fists with him. "Nothing ever gets you down, does it?"
Ryuji rolls his eyes. "Plenty does. Just not for long. C'mon let's get to the station."
They head down the alley towards Shibuya station, past a few pedestrians stalking the night.
"Hey, Ryuji?" Ann asks.
"Yeah?"
"What Madarame is doing...?"
Ryuji shakes his head, and sticks his hands in his pockets. "Pretty messed up, huh?"
"Do you think we can save Yusuke?"
He walks past her and starts heading to the train station.
Makoto shuts the door to her bedroom, crosses the floor and collapses into bed. Her eyes still feel puffy from the tears, but beyond that, she's just exhausted. She buries her face into her pillow, but doesn't shut her eyes.
There's one thing left to do.
She rolls onto her back, and accompanied by a sniffle, picks up her phone. She bites her lower lip, and begins to type.
M.N: My sister was thinking of throwing you out . I'm very sorry.
She doesn't expect a response. Jessikah is probably upset with her right now, and she can't blame her.
A minute after she sends the text, her phone vibrates.
J.S: It's alright.
M.N: No. It isn't.
M.N: Its cause of me I'm very sorry.
She stares at the screen, unwilling to put it away. A few dots appear on the screen. She holds her breath until the message arrives.
J.S: I think she was just concerned about you. I'm a dangerous criminal after all
Makoto smiles, then frowns. She thinks of the file Sae had tossed onto their table. Her heart beating.
J.S: We can talk when i get home? Sound good?
M.N: Yes that sounds good
Makoto smiles as she sets her phone down on her nightstand. This day has been trying for her.