Location: Yasoinaba Station, Inaba.
The first thing that I noticed when I stepped off the train was how quiet and clean the air was. Placing my bag on the ground, I pull my phone out before looking around as I was expecting Akira to be here waiting for me but I couldn't see him anywhere.
"I did tell him the time I was arriving, didn't I?" I said as I opened the text convo between us and I was right, I did tell him and he did say he would meet me here. "So where are you then?"
"Heeeeeeeyy!" I heard and upon looking left I noticed a woman with shoulder-length, light brown hair, (who looked to be in her mid-twenties and wearing a yellow dress top, a light grey, collared short jacket, grey legging and white sneakers) who was waving erratically at me.
"Can I help you?" I asked, gripping the handle of both suitcase and satchel.
I watch her jog towards me before stopping a few feet away. "Your Niijima Makoto, correct?"
"I am, how do you know who I am?" I asked, hoping to find out how this person knew who I was.
"Wow, your even prettier in person… oh, I'm Chie, Officer Chie Satonaka, pleased to meet you." The person I now know as Satonaka Chie said. "And the reason I know who you are is that I'm friends with the Kurusu's."
'Oh, she knows the Kurusu's… I'm surprised that an officer is friends with them, even after clearing Akira's name.'
"Thank you, you wouldn't know why Akira isn't here, would you Officer?"
"It's Chie, I'm off duty for a couple of days. And he's caught up helping Aiko, she'll love you when you two meet." She smiles. "Come on, I'll give you lift to their place."
"Thank you." I said as I followed Chie-san to her car.
As we walked back to her car, she told me to place my bags in the back and climb in front and in doing so, it didn't take long for us to be on our way.
'So, Aiko is his mother… I think this is the most I heard about his family since we've been dating… I-I don't actually know anything about his family.'
I must have let a sigh out as Chie-san taps my arm. "Is everything okay, that was I big sigh there."
"I've just realized that I know nothing about Akira's family… sorry, you probably don't want to hear a strangers' problems." I said looking out the window.
"I have to listen to Yosukes' problems all the time… oh, Yosuke is an old friend of mine from high school and he complains more than some of the people I see when I work." Chie said as we pulled up to a red light. "So don't worry… if it makes you feel any better, since Akira came back, he's been more social, so I can only assume that's because of you and your friends."
"That is good to hear, I remember seeing him shortly after he arrived in Tokyo, he looked like a lost puppy." I laugh at the memory of seeing him walk into the library once, looking lost.
"Yeah, he does have that look about him." Chie said before laughing.
The rest of the journey was filled with conversations about Akira before he left and when he was in Tokyo… It was hard keeping the stories Phantom Thieves free.
Location: Outside the Kurusu House.
As Chie pulled up in front of a modest two-story house with a beautiful looking side garden. "Wow, this is a lovely house."
"Yeah, Aiko has done an amazing job, she's probably decorated most, if not all the gardens in Inaba." Chie said as I heard the passenger door open and close.
"Aiko-san works in landscaping?" I asked as I realized that Chie had got my bags out of the car.
"You would think so, but no, she's a florist. Her shop is in the Central Shopping District." She said, handing me one of my bags before walking up the short path to the front door.
I caught up to her just as she rang the doorbell. "I'm feeling nervous."
Chie turned to look at me. "You'll be fine, the Kurusu's are a friendly bunch."
'I hope your right… god, what if they think that I'm some sort of biker due to my clothes, what if they think that I'm not good enough for him…'
Hearing the doorbell ring brought me out of my thoughts and I watch Chie take a couple of steps back and look up, following her gaze, I saw an open window. "Heeeellllllooooo, Akiiirrraaa. I've brought your girlfriend!" She shouts and before we knew it, there was a commotion behind the door.
After a few seconds, the sliding door opened fully to reveal a waist-high girl with short, neat black hair. She bore a striking resemblance to Futaba, minus the glasses. The little girl flew towards Chie and hugged her. "Hey Io, I had a funny feeling you would get here first."
Io beams up at Chie. "I wanted to see this Makoto that has stollen my big bro."
"You'll get like that when you're older, Io." Chie said as she poked Io's forehead. "Plus, Makoto has my seal of approval."
It's then that I saw Akira walk out the door and holding his stomach. "Why is it that all the women in my life know how to punch, hard."
Placing my bag on the ground, I close the gap between us and wrap my arms around him. "You just have this punchable air to you."
He smiles and returns the hug. "That must be it. Are you staying, Chie or?"
"Thanks for the offer, but Yukiko wants me to pick some things up before I head home." Chie said as she handed my suitcase to Akira and pried Io off. Much to her disdain.
We waved Chie off before Akira held my suitcase out to Io. "Io, can you take Makoto's bags to my room please."
"Why do I have to do it? It's your girlfriends' stuff." Io said rudely and I had a hard time holding myself back.
"Because I haven't seen her in months, plus you can help yourself to some of the stuff in my fridge whilst you're there." Akira said and at the mention of his fridge, Io perks up.
"Sure thing, Onii-san." I watch as she collects the one I placed on the ground before taking the one Akira had and darting off inside.
When it's just the two of us, Akira gives me a small kiss before pulling me into a hug again. "It's great now that you're here, Makoto."
The scent of coffee and curry still seemed to cling to him, even now, and I couldn't help breathe deeply and sink into his embrace with a smile. "I've missed you so much, Akira."
"Same here… sorry about not picking you up, my mom wanted me to help close the shop up early today." He said when we parted from our hug. His hand found mine all too fast.
It was strange to see Akira not wearing his blazer, but considering that it was slightly warmer here than in Tokyo, it was understandable.
"It's okay, I'm grateful that Officer Satonaka was there." I said with a smile. "I can see why you treated Futaba like you did know."
"Yeah, I guessed you would pick that up." He said as we headed towards that door. "But yeah, Chie stopped by and I asked if she could." He said closing the door as I took my shoes off. "Mom, Dad? Makoto's here."
As we walked pasted the stairs leading up, we entered the kitchen/dining room and through a double door archway, I could see the living room. The kitchen area ran the length of the wall with a set of cabinets above, all of which looked top of the line. There was a bunch of ingredients on the kitchen counters.
It's then that I notice an older woman with long, messy black hair that was tied back into a ponytail and was wearing a lovely sweater-jeans combo with a familiar green apron on. She was cutting an apple up into small chunks. We watch her finish cutting the apple before she places the knife down and turning towards us.
Aiko was a slim woman who looked to be in her forties (but honestly, it was hard to guess as she didn't look it at all,) she wore glasses that were similar to Akira's and the little cuts on her face matched what Chie had said.
"So, this is the girl my boy can't stop talking about." Aiko said in a soft tone as she closed the distance between us and wrapped me in a big hug. "You're even cuter in person."
When she lets me go, she holds me at arm's length and smiles. "It's-it's a pleasure to meet you, Kurusu-san." I said as I felt my nerves return to me. I was happy that Akira could sense it as I felt his hand grasp mine.
"Mom, what did I tell you about being overwhelming?"
I watch Aiko let go of me and coving her mouth with a hand. "Oh, sorry." She removes her hand and looks at Akira and spoke in a tone that Akira used when we held up a Shadow. "It's not every day that you bring a girl home."
"This is the first time, Mom." Akira said with a groan.
Aiko smiles. "Anyway, you can call me Aiko, Makoto. You've already meet Io."
"Hey." I heard Io say as she walked past us and into the living room.
"Yes, yes I have."
"Don't mind her, she's still not used to him being so open." Aiko said before she set about taking her apron off. "The apples are cut like you ask, dear, do you want me to do anything else?"
"It's hard to think that I was a quiet person before…" Akira said as he leant to one side and looked over towards the living room. "Where's Dad, Mom?"
"He should be back soon, I sent him out to get some more milk." Aiko said as she hung the apron and took a seat at the table.
Akira nods before we let go of each other's hands before he grabs and puts his apron on. "Well, I hope he gets back soon and I should have everything under control."
Hearing the pat of wood, I look towards the sound and saw Aiko patting the chair next to her. "Sit, I want to know more about the girl who stole my boys' heart."
At the mention of stealing hearts, I felt my heartbeat start to increase. With a quick glance over at Akira showed that what Aiko said didn't faze him at all.
'There was no news about who the Phantom Thieves really are, did Akira tell his family about it? Or did she choose those words without knowing?'
Taking the seat that was offered, Aiko started to question me, mainly trivial things, like my family, age, likes and dislikes, hobbies. Aiko was very surprised and interested when I told her that I trained in aikido.
"I didn't think of aikido… Io's learning Jujutsu at the moment, she's only been doing it a year but she's already ahead of half the class."
"I think it was a smart move in getting her to learn some form of self-defence."
"I agree, at least I know my baby is going to be safe when she's on her way home."
"Yeah and she's not afraid of using me as a punching bag." We heard Akira say and we both chuckled at that.
"Come now Akira, you didn't complain when I threw you about."
We watch him turn around with a spoon in hand and was pointing it at me. "Well yeah, someone had to see how well you would do in a combat scenario and everyone was too scared to."
I laugh when I remember that, no one wanted to step onto the mat and it was up to Akira to get treated like a ragdoll whilst everyone else watched. After a few seconds, my eyes go wide when I realized that he mentioned combat… gracefully we were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and the sound of one male and cat could be heard.
'I was wondering where Morgana had gone."
"It looks like with have visitor, Morgana." I heard Akira's father say to Mona and I was looking forward to seeing Morgana after all this time.
"At least know Akira will stop going on about today."
Whether or not Akira was fazed by what Mona said like I was, masked by his poker face. "We can hear you, Morgana." He said, leaning against the counter and popping the spoon in his mouth.
We heard Morgana grumble something as he and Akira's father walked in. His father was about as tall as Akira was and was of a larger build, he had short, slick backed, brown hair, facial hair that was neatly trimmed and suited him well. The button-up shirt and blazer combo with suit trousers reminded me of Ushimaru-sensei.
Morgana hoped up onto my legs as Akira's father passed Akira a plastic bag. "Hello Mona, it's nice to see you again." I ran a hand over his head.
"Same to you, Makoto." He said as he closed his eyes and pushed more into my hand.
As I was fussing Morgana, I didn't realize that Akira's father was standing next to me. "Ahem." I snap my head to look at the man who was looking at me serious look on his face. "So, you're Niijima Makoto?"
"Eiji, please." Aiko said as she placed a hand on the back of my chair.
He wafts a hand at Aiko and the tension in the room became thick like butter.
"It's nice to finally meet you, the way my son kept on talking about you, it was hard to imagine that they called you Queen." He said in a jovial tone and the tension disappeared as fast as it came.
With the mention of my Phantom name, I look over at Akira. "Wait… they know, don't they?"
"Yeah, I accidentally left some of the prototype calling cards that Yusuke had worked on out and Io found them and went running to mom."
"I did tell him he should make sure that anything linking us to the Phantom Thieves was hidden." Morgana said as his tail batted my leg.
"What? I thought I put them away."
"So, all this time I've been picking my words carefully when I didn't have to?" I said and I couldn't help the angry tone I said it in.
"You didn't tell her, Akira." I heard Aiko say as my eyes bore into said man as hard as possible.
I watch him shake his head instead of talking and the urged to throw Morgana at him was hitting max. The lock on my face must have done something to him as I saw him falter and cower in on himself.
"Akira my boy," Eiji said in a disapproving tone. "What did I tell you?"
"I know dad," Akira looked from Eiji and over to me. "I'm sorry, Makoto, I've been meaning to tell you, but with moving and settling back here and then school, it… kinda slipped my mind." He said as he turned back to the counter and went back to preparing dinner. The only sound that could be heard was the chopping of the food and the TV from the living room.
Picking Morgana up and placing him on the chair, I walk over to him and place my right hand on his back. He jolts slightly at the contact. "Akira, I'm not mad at you, just annoyed, the number of times that we video called you could have told me during them."
The cutting stops as he hung his head ever so slightly. "I know and I'm truly sorry, I'll make it up to at some point, that I can promise you."
"Well, since I've been at university, my aikido has gotten a little rusty." I say and watched as he visible shudders but he still smiles as he looks at me.
"Sure, I'm game for that."
"Good." I said as I finally saw what was counter. The apples that Aiko cut earlier, the jar of honey, a couple of pots of yoghurt, a bottle of red wine, an open packet of chocolates, a cup of black coffee, that by know, is probably cold, a range of spices in smallish bowels and you couldn't make Leblanc curry without rice.
'Feels like I've never left Tokyo.'
"Leblanc curry I see?"
"Of course, I wanted to make it for you."
"We have curry and coffee night every week." Aiko said and I could help but smile at Akira.
'If he keeps it up, he could become a great chef.'
"Want any help?" I asked as I leant against the counter and crossed my arms.
When he stops and looks at me, he smiles again and nods his head. "Sure, you know what to do."
I was glad that we spent so much time together back in Tokyo, so much so that I helped him make curry on numerous occasions when it was just the two of us. As we metaphorical danced around each other, it reminded me of those days and the days we spent fighting as the Phantom Thieves. I couldn't help but laugh internally as when one of us moved pasted one another, we high-five each other, like we did whenever one of us stepped in after the other during a fight.
As the last of the ingredients went into the pot, there was a round of applause from Akira's parents.
"Wow, so that's how you Phantom Thieves work then." Aiko said with Morgana in her lap.
"Only when making curry, Mom." Akira said as we both lent against the counter next to each other.
"Still, you two were in sync with each other, it's like you both knew where the other was."
I couldn't help but feel embarrassed with what Aiko was saying as the only other people at ever complimented me were the other Thieves.
"I haven't seen you move like that since you were a kid, Akira." Eiji said before nudging Aiko. "Kinda reminds me of how we were back then."
Aiko nods as Mona jumps onto the table. "You can thank my training for that."
"If you say so, Morgana." Both Akira and I say at the same time and we all laughed.
"You laugh but it's true." He said as he turned his nose up at us.
We watch Akira walk over to the cat and picked him up and into a hug. "I know, Morgana, me, Ryuji and Ann wouldn't have had an idea on how to deal with Palaces."
We laugh again as we watch Mona try and escape. "Gah, stop this, this instant Joker!"
"I think Morgana's had enough, sweetie." Aiko said as she stood up and walked over to the doorway that led to the living room. "Io, you want tea or coffee?"
"Tea please." I just heard Io over the ruckus that Akira and Morgana were causing. Aiko then looks at me.
"Tea or coffee, Makoto?" And before I could Akira stopped his assault and looked at his mother.
"Neither, I was planning on showing her around Inaba whilst dinner cooks." He said as he puts Morgana down on the table.
"Nice idea, Akira, if you two ever wanted to settle down around here, nows the perfect time." Aiko said and I felt my face heat up.
'Living together!? I've never even thought about it… we've only known each other for about two years and we've been going out for eighteen months of that… are we even at that point?'
"Could you not, Mom!" I heard Akira say and I was grateful that he brought me out of my thoughts.
"What?" Eiji chuckled. "I was only a few years older than you when I moved out."
"I don't think we're there just yet." I said before Aiko looked at me with a warm smile. "We've only known each other for only eighteen months…"
"That's more than enough time." She said with a wink.
When Akira's hand find mine, a sense of calmness washes over me as he speaks. "That's enough guys, can't you see you're making her uncomfortable!"
"Your right," They both look at me but it was Aiko you spoke up. "we're sorry, Makoto. It's just too much fun teasing him."
I took a deep breath in and out. "It's okay… Ryuji and Ann use to tease us when they found out."
"Ugh… don't remind me." Akira said with a shake of his head. "Shall we get going?"
I nod. "Yes, let's."
We heard Eiji laugh as we left the room and walked towards the front door. As I crouched to put my boots on, Akira sat next to me before rubbing my back.
"I'm sorry about my parents."
"No, it's okay… I'm just not just to this sort of comradery."
"You and Sae aren't getting along?" He slipped one shoe on and was trying it up.
"Things have gotten better after we saved humanity, but there are some moments when it slips back to how it was before." I said and I was grateful that I swapped to slip-ons.
With both of my shoes on, I felt a furry little cat brush up against me. "Are you coming with us, Morgana?"
"It'd be like old times, but after my outing with Eiji, I need to lay down for a bit."
"You've got the lay of the house, Mona." I heard Akira say as I pet Morgana on the head.
When Morgana dashing upstairs and both of our shoes on, we step outside and into Inaba's heat. As we started to walk down the empty road, my hand found his and we lace our fingers together.
"I'm sorry to hear about you and Sae, by the way." He said as he swung our linked arms overly dramatic.
"It's fine… now, if you don't mind, my love, how about you show this gal around town?"
I watch that smirk appear on his face and in an instance, Akira had thrown me onto his back and had started to sprint down the street. I think I screamed his name until we hit a T-junction.
Location: Kurusu's household, Akiras' room
Exploring Inaba was fun when I wasn't being carried on Akira back. It was surprising to see this town so busy, especially the shopping district when there were a large JuneS store a short trip away but Akira told me that back in twenty twelve, the shopping district and JuneS started to work together to help Inaba thrive and grow and it worked. Much to everyone's surprise.
By the time we got back, the curry could be smelt throughout the house and I couldn't help realise how hungry I was. Apart from being more spicier than what Boss makes, it was good. It had also been some time since I was able to sit down and have a meal with family… don't get the wrong idea, I do meet up with everyone else a few times a month, but with both Haru and I being at university, the free time we had was getting smaller and smaller.
In all fairness, I was looking forward to finally resting and I glad that I would be able to spend the night with Akira and not in some hotel, although Akira did mention that the Amagi Inn was an experience to behold.
I was also intrigued to see what Akiras' bedroom was actually like seeing as the attic in Leblanc didn't show anything. So, when he led me to his room, it dawned on me that this would be the first time that I would be entering a boy's room.
My thoughts must have shown on my face as Akira takes a hold of my hand. "There's nothing to worry about, Makoto. Just think of it like my room at Leblanc."
"It's going to be a bit harder than that, Akira."
I watch him open the door and gently pull me in. It was surprising to see that his bedroom was like mine but only bigger. And that I mean by the fact that he was able to fit a decent looking two-seater couch, a small coffee table, a sizeable TV. It would look more like a second living room if his bed, a couple of bookshelves, wardrobe and a desk with a laptop were here.
"Huh." I said as I noticed my suitcase and bag was on the couch and a mini-fridge sitting next to the desk.
'This is not your typical bedroom… I never would have thought that having a mini living room in your bedroom would work.'
My facial expression must have been easy to read as Akira smiles. "I know it not normal to have this set up in a bedroom but it's great not having to sit at a desk or my bed if I want to relax."
"I can see that." I said taking my luggage and moving it over towards his bed. Once they were there, I turn to see Akira standing by the TV. "So, what is my handsome boyfriend up to?"
I notice the tell-tale sign of his smirk appearing as he turns the TV on and flips over to a blank channel. "Well, I was thinking that we could watch a couple of movies."
"I can't think of a better way to end the day." I said as I moved over to the couch and sat down. "And what movies have you picked out?"
At that, he turns to face me holding several of my favourite Yakuza films. How he found them out was beyond me as I've never told anyone what my favourites were… unless he asked Sis about it, which knowing the both of them, they would have.
"You asked Sis didn't you?"
He nods his head. "Well, yeah. Even though we've seen some of the Yakuza movies during my year at Shujin, but after looking online, I found out that there were more films than I like to count." He sits on the edge of the table. "So, I asked Sae about it and these were the ones that I was able to get."
"You could have asked, Akira." I said feeling a little annoyed at the way he does things.
"Then it wouldn't be a surprise then, would it?"
"And you know how I feel about those."
"Well, it wasn't a bad one though." He said as he brought the movies in front of him. "If you pick the film, I've got a small bottle of Malbec wine in the fridge."
I watch him stand and walk over to his mini-fridge before I turn back to the selection. I was surprised that he was able to get a copy of Agitator, Onibi and Afraid to Die as it took me three days to find a physical copy of Afraid to Die as it came out in the sixties but it was well worth it in the end.
As Akira placed the small bottle of Malbec and a couple of glasses on the table, I hand him the DVD case and take the bottle off the table.
"You really did say small bottle."
"Well, a normal bottle coasts five times of that one and I don't exactly have the biggest fridge so…" Akira said as he popped the disc in and walked around to sit next to me with remote in hand.
"You didn't have to do this for me, Akira." I pour the wine into the glasses and hand him one as we both lean back into each other. "The day has been perfect already."
"I wanted to make it more perfect." He said as he navigated the menu and started the film.
With a clink of our glasses, we take a sip of the wine and the sweetness of it was a bit too much for my liking, but it was good nether the less. As I rested my head against his chest, I felt his hand rest on my hip before he pulled me closer.
"I love you, Makoto."
"I love you too, Akira."
Authors Notes
I'm back and with a new one-shot and I know that this story has been told many times already but I wanted to write this story nether the less.
It was fun creating the Kurusu family given the fact we don't have any info on them. A little bit more info on here. Aiko is 42 years old and owns a florist on the shopping district in Inaba. Eiji is 48 years old and is a teacher at Yasogami and Io is 8 years old and attend the school Nanako did when she was 7.
Honestly, if I ever write another one-shot that features Akira's family in it, I might just use these characters again.
I know Morgana didn't get as much love in this, but he's got his own problems to worry about in Inaba… like the other cats in the neighbourhood.
For those of you who somewhat care and want to ask stuff, I have Twitter (Under the same name,) so come say hi. At the current moment, I'm trying to post most, if not all the photos I've captured when playing games.
If you do like my work and you have an idea for a story that you want writing, then please, feel free to comment/review and I'll see about writing it at some point.
Walk Tall and Be Fierce, my Friends.