The sun was shining as the day began. As Ren and Makoto peacefully snoozed upstairs, arms tightly wrapped around one another, Sojiro and Futaba were downstairs preparing the cafe for business. As Sojiro began prepping the beans for roasting, he looked at the clock on his wall, then to the steps leading to the attic.
"Hey Futaba, mind going to wake him up? I'm sure he's tired from the trip yesterday but it's almost time for me to open and I can't have him coming down when I have customers." He asked as Futaba gave him a salute.
"Yes sir, Sojiro Sir!" She said with a smile as she quickly bounded up the stairs. "Oh, Ren! Sojiro wants you to get your lazy butt u….p?" She started to say before cutting herself off. She was expecting Ren to be sleeping alone like always, but he was clearly not alone. There was a large mass underneath that blanket that was way too big for just one person. "Hmmm, what is this?"
She got up on her tiptoes as she stealthily made her way closer to the bed. The shape began to move slightly as Futaba got closer. She grabbed the edge of the blanket and slowly began to peel it back. She pulled the blanket down just enough to make out a body. This clearly wasn't Ren. Not unless Ren lost even more weight while away. This mysterious female then rolled over and revealed herself to the Great Detective Futaba Sakura.
"MAKOTO!?" Futaba couldn't help but yell as the sudden noise woke up both Ren and Makoto. The two shot straight up in bed, Ren's hair frizzing all over the place.
"What? What is it? Reaper? Mara?" Ren asked still half asleep in his own little dream. Makoto, who was more awake, slowly looked over to see the mischievous grin of Futaba as she looked at the two in bed together. She quickly pulled out her phone and began snapping pic after pic of the two.
"Looking good Queen." Futaba said as Makoto slowly realized what she meant as she looked down and remember she was in her underwear, in Ren's bed. Quickly grabbing the blanket, she pulled it up to cover herself.
"REN!" Makoto shouted slapping Ren on the chest, who grabbed his glasses off the windowsill and put them on.
"Oh hi Futaba." He said yawning, before snapping his head back to the orange-haired girl. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
"I could very much ask you the same question! Since when was this a thing?" Futaba asked sweetly as if the whole situation wasn't embarrassing for the two.
"August 2nd will make it two years…" Makoto said, unable to lie her way out of this. Her eyes fixed on the foot of the bed, unable to look at Futaba.
"That was…..you guys were hooking up when you were supposed to be saving me?!" Futaba yelled, doing the math in her head.
"No not like that! It was after we saved you, while we waited for you to recover." Makoto responded, not wanting Futaba to get the wrong idea.
"And this whole time you two were sneaking around doing lewd knows what behind our back!" Futaba said feigning shock. "My big brother and the class president! The scandal!"
"We didn't do anything lewd!" Ren interjected this time, as Futaba smirked evilly.
"But still, you kept this quiet from our whole team all this time. The betrayal, you don't trust us enough to tell us these things?" Futaba asked placing the back of her hand on her head all dramatically. "Imagine their shock when these scandalous pictures are sent in the group chat for them to see!"
"No don't do that! We wanted to tell everyone...we just wanted to wait. With everything that was going on with Shido and Maruki, it just never felt like a good time to mention it. Then before we knew it, Ren was arrested and we had to get him out." Makoto said hugging herself like she always did when upset.
Futaba frowned as she felt bad for teasing them that much. She put her phone away as she gave the two a smile. "Well, your secret is safe with me! I'm sure you had good intentions. It is Joker and Queen after all." Futaba said turning around and skipping back downstairs, leaving the two alone again. The air hung around them with awkwardness abound.
"Sooooooo…..sleep well?" Ren asked trying to break the tension. Makoto looked like she could leap out the window any second, covering her face. Ren wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in. "Hey, it's alright. You know she was just having fun."
"I know...just...wasn't expecting to have to explain myself….in my underwear." Makoto said sighing as she rested her head on his shoulder. "You can go downstairs. I just need a minute."
Ren nodded as he gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Don't take too long." He said as he got up and quickly threw some closes on. Heading downstairs, he saw Futaba sitting in her usual spot, humming to herself, throwing a sly smile at Ren when he came down.
"What was all that noise about?" Sojiro asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well you see…." Ren began to explain as Makoto came walking down, fully dressed wearing one of his t-shirts.
"Good morning Boss…." Makoto said sheepishly as Sojiro grew that smirk of his own that Ren knew all too well.
"Oh, I see now. You sly dog." Sojiro said, once again causing Makoto to blush uncontrollably.
"No, it's not what you think!" Makoto began to explain again, grabbing her arms.
"No need to explain. I know nothing happened. An old man like me has an eye for that." He said smiling as he poured the two a cup of coffee. "Sit down, relax. You got some time before my regulars start showing up."
"Thank you Boss." Makoto said sitting down at the counter, sipping her coffee.
"Did you have a good night's sleep? I'm sure that bed isn't the most comfortable." Sojiro said as Ren washed up, getting ready to help Sojiro with his cafe like old times.
"No, no. It was perfectly fine." Makoto said sipping her coffee.
"I'd bet. You were wrapped so tight around Ren, I'd need a crowbar to free you." Futaba added wiggling her eyebrows.
"Easy there Futaba. They are adults now after all. Nothing wrong with that." Sojiro said in his calm manner.
"Wait you knew?" Futaba asked, slamming her hands on the counter. "And you didn't bother telling me?! You know this is the kind of juicy intel I need!"
"Who do you think helped this guy get the girl? He wasn't doing that all on his own." Sojiro teased slapping Ren on the back.
"You did help me with that reservation to that one great restaurant." Ren admitted as Futaba sat back down.
"Oh so that was Boss's idea? Not yours?" Makoto asked giving Ren a sly smile.
"Well….I would've thought of something just as nice….I'm sure…" Ren said rubbing the back of his head.
"I'm sure you would've." Makoto teased, finishing her cup. She stood up and gave Sojiro a quick bow. "I hate to drink and run, but I have to get going. I have to get cleaned up and meet up with my sister. Thank you for the coffee Boss"
Ren quickly left the counter as he walked Makoto out, making sure Futaba wasn't trying to spy on them more. "So I'll see you later?"
"Maybe, if I can finish my work today. Sis is really helping me out with these internship applications. If not," Makoto said giving Ren a kiss on the cheek. "That'll be for later."
"Just don't overwork yourself. I know how you can get." Ren said smiling.
"Oh don't worry, I won't. Though, something Futaba asked got me thinking. Our anniversary is the 2nd. Isn't your birthday also around that time?" She asked snaking her fingers around the back of Ren's neck, running them up into his hair.
"That it is. The 5th. Why you ask?" Ren asked curiously, he wasn't one to really celebrate his own birthday, just never felt like it was something to celebrate.
"I just think we should actually celebrate it this year. After all, you didn't bother telling us last time." She said looking up at Ren.
"You know me. Like playing things close to the chest." Ren said pulling Makoto a bit closer.
"Well how about this. Later tonight we get everyone together and finally tell them about us. Then we can combine the two into one party?" She asked, curious to his response.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea. Nothing but the best from the genius Queen." Ren said taking Makoto's hand and kissing the back.
"Stop, you're embarrassing me." Makoto said blushing. "Well I'll text Ann and Haru later. You get Ryuji and Yusuke." Makoto said smiling. "Now I really need to get going, or else I'll be late. I'll call you when I finished." Makoto said letting go of Ren, giving him one last kiss on the lips before she quickly made her way down the street towards the station. Ren smiled to himself before he turned to go back into the store, but saw Futaba pressing her face against the glass door, watching them. Ren twitched his eye a moment, before smacking the glass door, causing Futaba to jump back and yelp.
"That is just mean! Here I am, trying to get intel and you are denying me that sweet sweet knowledge! Fanfic writers on the internet WISH they could write something as cute as you two!" Futaba said as Ren walked back into the cafe. "PLEEEEEEASE! Give me some intel!" She begged grabbing the hem of Ren's shirt.
Ren sighed knowing he wasn't going to get rid of Futaba was to give her what she wanted. "Okay what do you want to know?"
"Who made the first move? Does Makoto's sister know? What base have you gotten to?" She asked a mile a minute. Ren quickly waved her down after that last one.
"Okay, too much. In order. I did, yes she knows, and none of your business." Ren said as Futaba grinned.
"That means you never got out of first!" She said earning a glare from Ren. "Oh, come on. Give me something! How did it happen?"
"Alright sit down. I'll tell you." Ren said sitting down at the counter as Futaba took a seat next to him, smiling at the storytime. "It started just a little after we took down Kaneshiro, that mob boss we told you about. Makoto was worried that she wasn't able to connect with other people, so she asked me to help her learn how other "normal" students behaved. She even made a new friend at that time, but we quickly learned she was in trouble with this sleazy host that was trying to force her to do something bad things. So Makoto, being the good soul she is, asked me to help stop him."
"Did you? Did you get up in his face and give him those crazy eyes?" Futaba asked, invested in the story like it was one of her animes.
"Well I did eventually, only after Makoto exposed him and he tried to make a move on her. He didn't want anything to do with us when he realized I was gonna be involved." Ren said smiling, as he thought about the look on that scumbag's face when Ren told him off.
"And she fell in love right there and you lived happily ever after?" Futaba asked, Sojiro just laughed listening to the story himself.
"It was a little while after." Ren said scratching his cheek.
"Aw! Our little Ren is all grown up Sojiro!" Futaba said, earning a glare from Ren.
You're the little one….
"So what do you plan on getting her for your anniversary?" Futaba suddenly interjected.
"Oh is that coming up already? Are you planning on anything special?" Sojiri asked as the panic began to slowly form on Ren's face. It was at that moment he realized, he had no idea what to do. "I'll take that as nothing."
"Yeah, he has no clue what to do doesn't he?" Futaba asked, shaking her head.
"What do I do? What if she's expecting something special? Oh god, do I even have enough money for that?!" Ren said panicking as he quickly pulled his wallet out and checked his cash situation. "I DON'T THINK I HAVE ENOUGH!"
"Relax kid...You have plenty of time to figure this out." Sojiro said, trying to calm the panicking kid down. "Besides, I can't see that girl being the kind to care what you get her. As long as you get it from the heart, she'll love it. Just breathe and relax."
Ren took a deep breath in as he relaxed himself. Sojiro was right like always. Makoto wasn't a materialistic girl. She cared more about spending time with Ren than she did expensive gifts. However, Ren still wanted to get her something special. Something that would blow her mind. As he began racking his brain on what to get, his phone went off. He quickly checked the id and saw Ryuji's name. "Hello?"
"Yo, just got a call from Ann. Apperently Makoto wants us all to meet back up at the usual spot later tonight?" Ryuji asked. Makoto worked quick.
"Yeah she texted me earlier with the same thing. Said she wanted to talk to us about something." Ren said playing dumb as Futaba looked at him with a smirk. Ren quickly waved her off.
"Well until then, you wanna hang? Me and Yusuke are by the mall." Ryuji added.
"Yeah, I'll meet you there shortly." Ren said before hanging up. He looked at Futaba again, who was still smiling. "Stop." He said to her as he got up and grabbed his bag, Morgana quickly coming downstairs and jumping in.
"Just remember to relax and not stress over this gift thing. I'm sure you'll think of something good." Sojiro said giving Ren the all clear to go. Ren said his thanks as he headed out, making his way to Shibuya Station. Once he got off the train, he made his way down to the underground mall. Ren passed by one of the jewelry stores as he stopped for a moment, examining some of the items in the glass cases.
"Hello there sir. Looking for anything specific?" The girl behind the counter asked.
"Uh I don't know at this moment. I'm still thinking." Ren said looking at a particular necklace.
"Well is this for anyone special?" The girl asked sweetly.
"Yes. For someone very special." Ren said unable to hide his own blush.
"Well, that necklace you're looking at is actually on sale right now. And is very affordable at this moment." The girl said as Ren debated in his head. Makoto could like this very much, but he wanted to be certain.
"Hey Ren, there you are!" Ryuji said running up to Ren, Yusuke taking his sweet time behind. "Huh? You looking at jewelry?"
"Well that is an excellent piece to choose. Would make for a lovely sketch." Yusuke said, making a square with his fingers to examine the piece.
"Oh I was just you know, browsing." Ren said quickly standing back up straight, giving the worst lie he could possibly give.
"I don't think that's your style….anyway come on. We're all going to get some beef bowls." Ryuji said, pulling Ren away. The girl behind the counter was just confused as she thought she had a sale. The three guys headed back up to the central street and made their way to the beef bowl shop, sighing in relief at the air conditioning. The three of them sat down and placed their orders. "So you were your usual reserved self last night. Tell us, what have you been up to?"
"Oh you know, college classes and stuff like that. Sorry my life has just been so boring compared to the amazing things you guys are doing." Ren said laughing a bit.
"Ah don't apologize. If anything you probably deserve the boring life after everything we went through." Ryuji said, patting Ren on the back.
"Indeed. You are the most deserving of the quiet life out of all of us. A chance for you to finally relax and enjoy things." Yosuke said in the calm demeanor of his.
"Thanks guys. Really means alot to hear that." Ren said smiling at his two good friends.
"So come on tell us. You got a girl back home?" Ryuji asked when their bowls finally arrived. Ren, who was already mid-bite, started coughing at the sudden question.
"What?!" He asked drinking some water to clear his throat, ignoring the staring eyes of everyone else around them, looking at the choking man.
"I asked if you had a girl back home. I mean you were clearly looking at that necklace thinking it would be good for someone. So come on tell us. Who is it?" Ryuji asked, leaning in. Yusuke also seemed curious as he leaned in as well.
"It's…" Ren began as the two got even closer, waiting to hear Ren's big reveal. "No one. I'm not dating anyone."
Ryuji and Yusuke both sighed defeatedly as they turned back to their bowls. "Ren, I don't know how a guy like you can't just get a girl, even by accident."
"Oh you know, just not something I really paid much attention to." Ren said, silently panicking in the back of his head.
That was a close one...I'd rather just wait to tell them with Makoto.
Ren was quickly snapped out of his thoughts when his phone went off again. Curious this time who it was, he pulled out his phone and saw a text from Makoto.
Hello, we're all meeting up at Leblanc at 4. XO -Makoto
"Is that from Makoto?" Ryuji asked, looking over Ren's shoulder. "Did she put X and O there?"
"What? Oh that must've been a typo." Ren said, hiding his phone from Ryuji. "Not cool to look over my shoulder man. Anyways, she wants us all meeting up at 4." He said checking the time as they still had a few hours left.
"Well want to hit up the arcade while we wait? Loser buys the next round?" Ryuji asked as Ren easily accepted. He was never against schooling Ryuji and earning a free meal in the way.
Later than afternoon, after Ryuji was down 3 rounds of beef bowls, the gang all gathered in the usual spot in Leblanc upstairs. Everyone unpacked the snacks that were brought up and began enjoying themselves.
"Oh man this is bringing back memories for sure!" Ann said, smiling as she took a chip.
"Yes, feels like the good old days when we would plan our attack routes in palaces and mementos." Yusuke said chowing down on his pretzel sticks.
"Dumb skull usually needing the plan explained twice because he wasn't listening originally." Morgana said as Ryuji threw a half eaten chip at the cat's head.
"But Ryuji was always sure he didn't mess up though. So that is a good thing." Haru said sweetly.
As everyone continued their talks, Makoto gave Ren a look. He knew what she was silently asking as he gave a subtle nod.
"Hey guys, can I have your attention for a moment?" Makoto asked, standing up as she waited for everyone to focus on her. "There's something important I wanted to tell you."
"Oh is this about you and Ren dating?" Ryuji asked suddenly as the whole room went deathly silent. A pin drop could be heard clearly as everyone stared at Ryuji who was confused at why everyone was looking at him. "What?"
"H-H-How….did you know?" Makoto asked, amazed, as her cheeks blushed bright pink.
"Oh, yeah Futaba told us." He said pointing at Futaba who was now trying to hide herself under the table.
"FUTABA!" Makoto shouted as their big surprise was now ruined.
"I'M SORRY!" She started to cry. "I was just talking to Ann and it all slipped out! I know you wanted to tell us yourself!"
"Yeah I was trying to get this guy to crack the entire time we hung out. He did NOT want to give away the truth." Ryuji said, putting his arm around Ren's shoulder.
Makoto sighed as she hugged herself, shaking her head. "Well so much for that big reveal...We wanted to tell you guys sooner ourselves, we really did."
"Oh don't worry, in fact we had you two pegged for a couple for a while." Ann said, waving Makoto off.
"WHAT!?" Both Makoto and Ren asked.
"Oh yes, there was just something about the way you two interacted that just seemed so much friendlier than usual. I wanted to ask myself, but that would've been rude." Haru said, holding her cheek.
"So was the point of this gathering just to tell us this?" Yusuke asked as he opened another package of sticks.
"N-no. That wasn't just it. Actually, our anniversary is coming up and it also happens to be around Ren's birthday. How do you guys feel about having a party at my Sis's place to celebrate?" Makoto asked, now feeling unsure about the idea. The idea hung in the air a moment as the gang all looked at each other, before smiling.
"We'd love to!" Ann said as a wave of relief washed over Makoto.
"Yeah of course! We gotta celebrate you guys finally admitting to it!" Ryuji said, patting Ren on the back again.
"Also Ren's birthday needs to be celebrated. It would be a crime against the world if we didn't give our great leader the party he deserves." Yusuke added.
"If we're having a party, I demand sushi!" Morgan interjected.
"Is it okay with Sae that we have the party at her place?" Haru asked Makoto.
"Mhmm, it was her idea actually. And it would be nice to give Boss a break from constantly having to feed us himself." Makoto said sitting down on the bed next to Ren.
"Sae Niijima comes in clutch! I think this will be the first time any of us has actually seen Sae's place." Futaba said thinking aloud. "Unless Ren here is hiding something else." She began teasing as both Ren and Makoto quickly said no to her.
"Since that's settled, I'm gonna call Sis and tell her it's all set. Be right back." Makoto said sweetly, heading downstairs to make a phone call.
"So Ren tell us. What are you planning on getting Makoto for your anniversary? Knowing you it has to be something super special." Ann asked as Ren blushed, trying to think of the best way to say he doesn't know.
"Well...I...Um…" Ren began to explain, before Futaba decided to butt in.
"He has no clue actually." She said coldly as Ren fell sideways on his bed. She was 100% correct but that didn't mean it hurt any less.
"You have no worries, I'm sure you can think of something!" Haru said with a slightly embarrassed chuckle.
"That necklace you were looking at earlier would make a lovely gift." Yosuke said as Ryuji agreed. "Yeah, that would look great on Makoto!"
"No, Makoto isn't the kind to really go for something flashy." Ann said, thinking.
"Maybe something practical that she can use? Like a new appliance for her apartment?" Futaba asked.
"Oh yeah, nothing says "I love you," like a toaster." Ren said, sighing defeatedly.
"I think you should get Makoto something she loves that someone only you would know she likes. Surely there must be something like that." Haru said as the lightbulb in Ren's head finally clicked.
"Wait...that's it…" Ren said, pulling out his cellphone. He quickly began scrolling the internet. The gang looked at him curiously, as he scrolled the websites and found exactly what he was looking for. "What do you think about this?" He asked showing his phone to his friends.
"Hmmm…." Yusuke said, examining the phone intently. He then grew a small smile and nodded his head. "That would be most satisfactory."
"Oh my god that's so cute! She'll love it!" Ann said, clapping her hands together.
"Yes, that's exactly something Makoto would love!" Haru said excitedly.
"What is something I would love?" Makoto asked as she came up the stairs catching the tail end of the conversation.
"Oh just Ren looking to buy you a…" Ryuji began to blab before getting an elbow in the gut from Ren.
"It's your surprise! Don't be trying to ruin your own surprise Makoto!" Ann said sweetly. Makoto looked around at everyone and sighed as she shook her head.
"Well that's fine. Everything is all set with Sis. Party will be on the third. Futaba be sure to invite Boss as well. He deserves to be there as much as we do." Makoto said as Futaba nodded and saluted.
"I'll get him there even if I have to drag him!" She shouted.
"No need to get rough." Makoto said laughing embarrassed.
The rest of the evening was spent planning the party together. Everyone wanted to make it fun for Ren and Makoto. Ren kept stealing glances at Makoto who seemed to be having a ball with this. He couldn't remember a time he saw her so happy. Finally being able to share this with their friends must've been as much of a burden off her back as it was his. As the night got later and later everyone decided it was best to leave the planning to the next time. Everyone got up to gather their things to leave, but stayed just to watch as Makoto gave Ren a kiss good night, everyone hooting and cheering as they did.
"Oh yeah that's our Joker!" Ryuji said grinning madly.
"You two are just the cutest together." Haru said, giving them a loving look.
"They are a real power couple if I ever saw one." Ann added as Makoto fumed at them, blushing deep red now in her cheeks. As they all left the cafe, Makoto still embarrassed by everything, Ren laughed to himself as he locked up the downstairs and went back up, laying down in his bed.
"Sounds like this party is gonna be huge." Morgan said taking his usual spot on the bed with Ren.
"Yeah, Makoto seems really pleased with it." Ren said looking at his phone at his notification.
Thank you for confirming your purchase. Please use the tracking ID Number to track progress of delivery.
"I hope she likes this." Ren said out loud, mostly to himself.
"Makoto would love anything you give her. You need to relax." Morgana said stretching.
"I know, but I want to give her something special that means alot. Show her how happy I am that she's in my life." Ren said sighing as he took his glasses off, placing them next to his phone.
6 days before the party.