Shoutout to my friends Jostine and TeslaRolex for their help

With that said, enjoy

9/28 Wednesday

Ren arrived at the school gate

Makoto arrived at the school gate

-¨Huh?!¨ both said surprised to see the other arrived late, with a lunchbox in their respective hand

-¨R-Ren?¨ Makoto asked surprised ¨Why are you here?¨

-¨I could ask you the same thing¨ Ren said surprised as well

-¨Oh well, I was busy with some duties for the Students Council, plus, 3rd year students are allowed to take days off in order to study for entrance exams¨

-¨Doesn´t that permission start in January though?¨

-¨Well, this was a particular case¨ Makoto said, her cheeks getting pink ¨More important, you can´t arrive late, you are probation¨

-¨Don´t worry, I made sure to inform that I was gonna arrive late, it´s not like I ended in a random Palace again¨

-¨Oh, why did you arrive late? Did something happen at Leblanc?¨

-¨No, everything is fine, I just need some time to get some ingredients and¨ he scratched the back of his head embarrassed ¨I made this for you¨

Makoto just blinked ¨F-For me?¨

-¨Yeah, I was worried about for you, regarding last night¨

-¨Ren¨ Makoto felt guilty ¨I…. I also made you this, I wanted to say I´m sorry¨

-¨Makoto¨ Ren felt guilty as well ¨I think we should sit and talk¨

-¨Yeah, I agree¨

They both headed to the rooftop to have privacy, luckily, they managed to sneak without drawing their friends´ attention, they wanted their privacy

-¨Here you go¨ Ren said as he hander her the lunch box

-¨Thank you, I hope you enjoy it¨ Makoto said as she handed him the lunch box

-¨I am sure it will, I am familiar with your cooking¨

-¨It´s not that big of a deal¨

Ren opened his lunchbox, there were mini burgers shaped like the Phantom Thieves logo, a salad made out of cherry tomatoes with lettuce and carrots, fried rice and teriyaki sauce

-¨Wow, this smells good, don´t mind if I do¨ he started to dig in ¨*Munch munch* This is delicious, the meat is so tender, and this salad is really fresh and crispy¨

-¨I made sure to get fresh ingredients; all boys love juicy meat after all¨

-¨Can´t say we don´t¨ he stopped eating ¨Aren´t you gonna eat?¨

-¨Oh, right¨ she opened her box, inside of it, there was fresh Sanma-no-Nitsuke, accompanied by aubergine, arugula, fries and rice¨

-¨This looks amazing¨

-¨I am glad to hear it; I know you like fish so I made sure to get it fresh¨

-¨Well, here I go¨ she began to eat ¨It´s so tender, you really are a great chef Ren¨

-¨Thank you¨

They kept eating on silence, until

-¨I… I am sorry¨ Ren said

-¨Huh?¨ Makoto was surprised ¨No Ren, don´t apologize, it´s just¨

-¨Makoto¨ Ren said in a soft voice ¨What happened?¨

-¨Why did you tell Eiko the truth? About us pretending?¨

-¨…. I should have asked you first, but I….. I was mad¨

-¨Mad?¨

-¨About how she talked to you like that, she downgraded all you did for her like that, how she downgrades her family and friends that only try to help, and I was trying to let her know what is important, guess I should have been more rational about how I do it tough¨

-¨Ren¨ Makoto was touched

-¨But there is something else, right, what happened last night?¨

-¨I…¨ she felt a node on her throat

-¨Makoto¨

-¨I was jealous!¨ she yelled

Ren was shocked

-¨I was jealous, I mean, you were there with your brother, he never missed a birthday of yours, you have our friends, I was reminded of how my last 3 birthdays were spent alone, my sister only saying that I ordered myself something, only to nag me if I tried, so I was overwhelmed, added to the fact that you told Eiko the truth behind my back, I couldn´t take it anymore, and I snapped at you¨

Ren looked down the floor, guilt on his face

-¨I am sorry¨

-¨No, don´t say that¨ she said, feeling worst ¨I only acted like a child, being jealous over something like that, ruining your birthday, after all you went through¨

-¨You didn´t ruined it¨

Makoto was taken back

-¨You took the time to make me my favorite cake, to make that day the best as possible, I am thankful for it¨

-¨Ren… Thank you, it means a lot that you are not mad at me, I was worry¨

-¨I was worry as well, thought you hated me¨

-¨I could never hate you¨

-¨Well¨ he went for his bag, and took out a Tupperware, containing two slices of cake

-¨That´s¨

-¨Happy birthday¨

Makoto just giggled ¨My birthday was months ago¨

-¨Come on, lighten up¨

-¨Very well¨ she took a slice of cake

-¨From now on, you won´t spend a birthday alone, I´ll make sure of it¨

Makoto was taken back

-¨How can you say stuff like that with a straight face?¨

-¨Would you prefer if I say it with a diagonal face?¨ he said with a smirk

Makoto just rolled her eyes

-¨By the way, I still want to help Eiko, regardless of whether she knows the truth or not, would you help me?¨

-¨Try to stop me¨

-¨Thank you¨

They both kept eating and talking, enjoying their time together as always, but there was one thing that they have to talk about

After school was over, they went to Shinjuku

-¨I see stories online about horrible hosts like Tsukasa all the time¨ Makoto said ¨However, we´ll need solid proof of what he´s doing if we´re going to convince Eiko¨

-¨How are we gonna get proof?¨ Ren asked

-¨I believe some of the promoters around here may know something. As my father always said, finding evidence takes serious legwork¨

-¨Let´s get to it then¨

They started to walked around, looking for a promoter that could help, until

-¨Hm? How ´bout you come to our club and we show you a good time?¨ One promoter said ¨You have money though? You seem like a poor young kid¨

-¨Do you know a Tsukasa?¨ Ren asked

-¨Tsukasa?¨ the promoter said surprised ¨You bastard… You a friend of his?¨

-¨So you know him?¨ Makoto said ¨Regardless, no, we are not friends, but we want to know something¨

They explained the situation Eiko was in

-¨He´s using the sake bottle trick?¨ the promoter said ¨Lemme make it clear for you: Get that girl outta there¨

Ren and Makoto were shocked

-¨Tsukasa´s known for wreckin lives. He ¨breaks a sake bottle¨, then ends up sellin the girls to pay it back. Same thing happened to one of my friends… Dammit!¨

-¨We have proof now¨ Makoto said proudly

-¨You guys are going against him? Well, take him down for me, ok?¨

-¨Come on, it´s almost time for Eiko´s shift to end. Let´s wait for her in front of the shop¨

They headed towards Eiko´s workplace, after a few minutes, she showed up

-¨What do you want?¨ she said pissed

-¨Eiko¨ Makoto said ¨Your ¨boyfriend¨ is infamous around here for tricking girls into debt, then forcing them to sell themselves. Moreover, he´s probably doing it in conjunction with a criminal gang. You need to get out of there¨

-¨You seriously came all the way here to tell me that? After you had the nerve to lie to my face? Get out of here, Makoto! I´ve had enough of your lying bullshit!¨

-¨I have testimony from one of the promoters in the area. You´re not the first girl Tsukasa has lied about a ¨broken sake bottle¨. He doesn´t ask for much at first, but the interest piles up. Eventually he´ll ask you to sell your body for money. Please, reconsider this relationship¨

-¨Shut up! I already have a date planned with him for today. We´re gonna stop by his club, so stay outta my way!¨

Suddenly, Tsukasa showed up

-¨Yo! Did I make ya wait, babe? I came a little later after seein your text, but I guess you´re already here¨ he realized Ren and Makoto were there ¨Heyo, I know these guys. Wanna hop on over to my club with us? It´s gonna be a total blast!¨

-¨They were saying some bad stuff about you, honey¨ Eiko said ¨Like how you get girls into debt and then force ´em to sell themselves… They´re light to me, right?¨

-¨Huh? You believe that crap?¨ he asked offended ¨Listen to me: Nothing like that´s happenin´ here. I´d never lie to you, princess¨

-¨It´s always ¨princess¨ with you¨ Makoto said ¨Why don´t you ever call her by her real name, Tsukasa? Or are there too many princesses in your life to remember?¨

Tsukasa remained quiet

-¨Tsukasa?¨ Eiko asked confused

-¨Hahaha¨ he laughed nervously ¨What´re you freakin out for? You just texted me, remember? I could never forget you, Makoto¨

And there was the slip

-¨I knew it¨ Makoto said ¨I´m the one who texted you. ¨I´ll b 5 mins late 2day, bb¨. I even added tons of emojis at the end to make sure it seemed like Eiko. Admit it. Every girl you get money from is your princess, right? You can´t even remember names anymore¨

Tsukasa got nervous

-¨Don´t you see, Eiko? This is who your ¨boyfriend¨ really is!¨

-¨B-But… You tricked him!¨

-¨But she is right you know?¨ someone said

They looked at the direction of the voice

-¨Who the hell are you?¨ Tsukasa said surprised

-¨Hiro!¨ Ren said surprised

-¨What are you doing here?¨ Makoto asked surprised

-¨Ren told me what you were planning, so I stayed here for one more day, I decided to gather more evidence, and I did¨ he took out some papers ¨I have testimonies from members of the families from which someone, mostly teenage girls, that suddenly disappear, and the name Tsukasa appears a lot, of course there was no evidence to truly tied him up, but with what you gather Makoto, and with his slip of tongue, we might have something now¨

Eiko was shocked

-¨Now do you believe us?¨

Eiko just glared at Makoto ¨What would you know about love, huh? Tsukasa´s all I have! Just leave me alone, bitch!¨

And with that, Makoto had enough, she walked towards Eiko, and slapped her hard in the cheek

Everybody was stunned

-¨Suddenly my teeth loosen up¨ Ren thought

-¨Wha¨ Eiko said shocked

-¨Wake up!¨ Makoto said angrily ¨You already know the truth, you just don´t want to believe it! Stop lying to yourself!¨

Eiko turned her back, finally accepting the truth

-¨B-But… Tsukasa is the only one who cares about me… nobody else asks me about my day, or how work is going… Nobody else treats me like I´m special¨ she looked at Makoto ¨A perfect girl who lives up to everyone´s expectations could never know how I feel! Stop trying to feed me your honor student bullshit!¨

-¨This has nothing to do with being an honor student. I just can´t rest knowing there´s such evil in the world. And I damn sure won´t keep quiet while my friend has her life ruined!¨ she then glared at the host ¨As for you… apologize to Eiko! And stay away from her from now on!¨

Now Tsukasa was pissed

-¨You´re really startin to annoy me with this shit, you bitch! Don´t think I´ll go easy on you cause you´re a chick. I´m gonna teach you a lesson you won´t forget¨

Makoto took her fighting stand ¨I dare you!¨

But before any punches could be throw, Ren walked towards Tsukasa, feeling rage

-¨Get away from her¨

-¨W-What was that, you bastard!?¨

-¨I believe I was clear enough, your fight is with me, so leave her alone¨

-¨Ren¨ Makoto was shocked, was Ren being serious

-¨Ok, have it your way¨ the host said and deliver a punch at Ren, who just took it

-¨Ren!¨ Makoto said alarmed

-¨You son of a¨ Hiro said enraged, ready to go towards Tsukasa

-¨Don´t worry Hiro¨ Ren said in a calm tone, despite taking a full blow to the face, he just looked at the host with a cold look on his eyes ¨Is that the best you have? You are only talk¨

Tsukasa was scared, just who was this kid?

-¨I come from a long line of police officers¨ Makoto said while defending her friend ¨If you really want to start something, be my guest, though I assure you, you will pay for what you just did¨

Tsukasa looked at the deadly duo and began to run away

-¨Dammit… I´ll remember this!¨

-¨He wasn´t so tough after all¨

-¨Ren, are you okay?¨ Hiro asked concerned

-¨Yeah, I barely felt anything, he has no muscle for sure¨

-¨Ugh¨ Eiko said ¨This sucks!¨ and ran away as well

-¨Eiko!¨ Makoto yelled

People that witnessed everything began to talk

-¨People noticed what happened¨

-¨Ren¨ Hiro said ¨You two should go, I´ll take it from here¨

-¨Thanks bro, follow me Makoto¨

-¨Right. Staying here now is only going to cause us more trouble. Thank you for your help Hiro-san¨

-¨Don´t mention it¨

They headed towards Crossroads

-¨I can´t believe I actually hit one of my friends¨ Makoto said ashamed

-¨That was the right move¨

-¨Really? I hope so… Wait, what am I saying? Are you allright? You took a punch to the face¨

-¨I already told you, it did not hurt, don´t worry¨

-¨How could I not? What if he was armed or anything, you could have¨

-¨But nothing happened, ok?¨ Ren reassured her with a small smile

Makoto was once again touched with his kindness; it was one of the many reasons she

-¨You know, I have a bad habit of acting in the moment. I can´t help but get swept up in emotion… That´s why I always have to take extra care to keep myself composed, My father was the same way¨

That part made Ren worry, it was a reminder

-¨That´s not the proper way to act though. There´s not telling what would have happened if you hadn´t stepped in¨ she looked at her surroundings ¨That aside, this place is… interesting. How did you ever find somewhere like this? You know so much¨

-¨I came here when looking for info regarding Kaneshiro, but I´ve been a regular since¨

-¨So you come often? It´s hard to believe you´re really a high schooler. You have so much more life experience than me… Honestly, spending time with you and getting to know Eiko has given me a great deal to think about. There´s so much you can miss by living with your head buried between the pages of a book. I thought I knew how the world worked… But the more I spent time with you guys, the more I realized how naive I was. I see now that there are some things I need other people to teach me. Do you remember how Eiko said I would flunk a test about love? Well, um¨ she got nervous ¨I don´t know how to study that subject. What should I do Ren? I can´t learn about romance by myself¨

Ren remained quiet, thinking very carefully, he wanted to tell her his true feelings, but there was the thing about his father, he knew hiding the truth was wrong, but, he also knew what Makoto could possibly do, and he was scared, but right now, he didn't care about that, he wanted to be by his side, more than just friends, nothing else matter to him

Because he loved her

He gently grabbed her hand

-¨Huh?¨

-¨I´ll be your study partner¨ he said with a smile

Makoto´s eyes went wide, did he just seriously?

-¨Um, I´m not exactly the most well-versed in these matters, so allow me to confirm this. S-Sorry if I´m mistaken, but um… Do you… like me?¨

-¨I do, for a long time actually¨

-¨O-Oh¨ her cheeks turned red ¨You really mean it, right?¨

-¨Of course¨

Makoto felt a rush of emotions, this can´t be real, right? She just admitted to her feeling for Ren yesterday, and now he was confessing? It seemed to good to be true

But, she felt happy

-¨If, um… If it´s all right with you… let´s start dating¨ she grabbed his hand ¨For real… This is so embarrassing, sorry if I am having troubles expressing myself¨

-¨Not at all, I am really happy Makoto¨

They left the bar, Ren accompanied Makoto to her house, hesitantly, she grabbed her hand

-¨It is ok if I do this right?¨

-¨Of course, we don´t have to ask for permission¨

-¨What a relief, anyway, sorry for bringing it up, but we can´t tell my sister, not for now at least¨

-¨I understand your reasoning, don´t worry¨

-¨Good¨

They finally arrived at her house, standing in front of the door

-¨All right then, we´ll talk later¨ Ren said

-¨Yes¨

There was a silence between the two, until Makoto wrapped him in a big hug

While surprised at first, he returned it, they embraced each other for a while

After finishing the hug, Makoto entered home, suddenly, her knees went weak

-¨That's was way crazy¨ she said feeling tired yet happy

Meanwhile, Ren was going back home, feeling happy as well

But soon, they will find out

That happiness won´t last eternally

And that is the end of that and

THEY ARE TOGETHER, YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

I hope I made justice to this, I ve been looking foward to wtie this, I know it was a short chapter, but i am pretty sure it is worth it

As for what comes next, well, it is time to get back to the main plot of the game, but let me tell you, these two are not safe yet, after all, you guys know there is an elephant in the room that needs to be talked about, and more over, you guys know whose Palace is next, so be ready, because ebverything will go south from now on, but hey, at least they are together

Thank you for reading, leave any reviews or send PM and i will gladly answer

I will try to make another chapter before the years end, but in case i don´t make it, merry christmas and happy new year

I love you all

Peace