After Akira and I's date and we become a couple, we weren't keeping it a secret from anyone but we weren't willing to showcase to everyone and we were contempt with that. Haru, on the hand was trying to pry every little detail about it, so far all I told her was that I was able to listen to Akira play the violin.
One good thing about having Haru trying to get info out of me was that she did follow me nearly everywhere, so it did give me the opportunity to visit Shinjuku (or kamurocho as I like to call it.) I'm sure Akira would have come along with me, but apparently, her teacher has been helping her with her stamina training.
The reason for traveling to Shinjuku was that a book store there may or may not have a book I was looking for, of course, everything was going well, we found the book store and was about to go in when Haru pointed towards a person that was walking on the other side of the road.
The pink bow tying her hair up in a side ponytail was the giveaway to the person in question, a Shujin student by the name of Takao Eiko. We use to share a couple of classes last year.
"I wonder what Takao-san is doing here?" I said as we watched her walk by.
"She could be here shopping, like we are." Haru said as Takao-san turned and walked down a set of stairs.
I looked up at the sign that was large enough that I would class it as obnoxious. "The After School Salon?"
"Well, that isn't suspicious at all."
"You're right about that… I wonder what short of establishment it is?"
"I thought you wanted a book Mako-chan?"
"You're right."
Even though I said that and I ended getting that book I wanted, my mind couldn't help but think about what Eiko was up to.
We ended up back at Leblanc after our trip to Shinjuku and once again it was just Akira looking after things. Akira was kinda enough to start work on making our cups of coffee without even asking what we liked.
The one thing I did forget was Haru was going to interrogate Akira about our date. And she did just that when she stepped foot into the building.
"You have to tell me when happened on your date with Mako-chan, Akira." Haru said as she stepped by me and walked down the bar to where Akira was working at.
I followed behind her but choose to sit in the booth opposite Akira. "I already told you Haru, Akira took me to Sunset hill in Sakuragaoka Park and let me listen to her play."
"You say that, but I get the feeling that something else happened there that you won't tell me about. Hence why I'm asking Akira-kun."
Looking past Haru to Akira, I shot her a look saying that it was up to her. She nodded like she understood what I was getting across.
"Makotos' not wrong Haru, we rode out there and I played for her. She was very impressed with my finger work though." She said and I felt my face become warm (like I was sitting in front of a fire) at the mention of her finger work.
"AKIRA! Did you have to phrase it like that?"
"What? I could see you looking slightly to the left of me Makoto."
"Makoto… how lewd of you."
I looked at Haru. "It's not like that!"
"And I have to say, Makoto was very good with her hands as well, I don't think I've ever felt so good before." Akira said in a smug way and I just wanted to die. I covered my face with my hands and groaned.
"Oh my," I heard Haru say. "I never would have thought that my best friend would do something like that on her first date."
Standing and slamming my hand on the table, I couldn't help but raise my voice. "We didn't do anything like that!"
There was a brief silence before Akira bursts out laughing… and at that point, I wanted to hit her.
"Makoto's right Haru, we didn't do anything lewd, I am a gentlewoman after all... unless you call holding hands lewd than we held hands a lot."
Falling back into the seat, I let a sigh out as it looked like Haru was having a meltdown. "You okay Haru?"
"Ahh you guy are unbelievably cute together and I can't believe you are dating someone Makoto." She stood only to move to sit next to me. "Why couldn't you tell me you where… dating… him..?"
I did wonder why she stopped talking but that fact that Akira referred to herself as a girl and for the longest time Haru and I thought that Akira was male meant that Haru just put two and two together.
Watching her slowly turn to Akira was funny to watch and more so when she pointed a finger at Akira and shouted. "WAIT! You're a girl?"
At that moment, the bell above the door went and taking a quick glace in that direction showed that Boss had retuned.
"Kids sure are noisier than I remember." He said taking his white trilby and blazer off.
Haru covers her mouth before bowing towards Boss "I'm so sorry, Sojiro-san. I didn't mean to cause a scene."
"It's alright Haru, it's not every day you learn that someone aren't who they say they are." Boss said as he walks the length of the bar, hangs his jacket up, unhooks his apron and begins to putting it on.
Haru and I watch as Sojiro-san clips the back of Akira head has he walks by and into the kitchen.
"What was that for?" Akira shouts as she turns to face Boss.
"That's for not telling them soon." We heard Boss say in an angrier tone than normal.
"Ah, well, yeah, that's on me." Akira said with a small chuckle.
It's than that Haru turns to face me. "So, you're dating a girl then Mako-chan?"
I swallow before answering. "Yes, yes I am."
"And you're not worried about what everyone will say about it?"
"I'm not, no." I look past her and over at Akira. "Akira is Akira to me, regardless of gender, I will always love them."
"Aww, that's so sweet. By the way, I support the two whole heartedly." She said with that innocent smile.
This time I was able to hold back my tears but I did bring her into a hug. "Thank you Haru."
After all that, Haru moved back to the other side of the table and we sat in silence as we drank our coffee and I tried to read my new book. I say tried as I my mind kept on going back to seeing Eiko walking into that "Salon".
"Is everything okay Makoto?" Akira's voice broke my concentration.
"Everything is fine, thank you. Why'd you ask?" I asked as I turned to look at her, only to find her sitting next to me.
"Well, it's just that you've been reading that same page for some time now." She said and upon looking down, she was correct.
"Are you worried about Takao-san?" Haru asked and I forget that she can read me like a book sometimes.
I nod my head. "Uh-huh. Being Student Council President, means that I worry about the student body just as much as some of the teachers."
"I think you worry about them more than you should." Haru said and honestly, I do think the same, but if I were going to change, then I should think about doing soon.
"I think that the fact you care so much speaks volumes." Akira said giving me a lite side hug.
I was expecting her to pull away so that she could resume sitting normally but when she doesn't, I rest my head on her shoulder and I internally freak out when she rests her head on top of mine. Judging from the look Haru was giving us, she was basking in the sight of us.
"So, who's this Takao-san and what have they done?" I heard Akira say in calming tone.
"Takao Eiko is fellow Shujin student and I use to share a few classes with her last year. And I wouldn't say she's done anything wrong per say, it's just that we watched her enter a place called the "The After School Salon" in Shinjuku."
"Well, it's not uncommon for students getting a part time job as I actually work at a bar in Shinjuku," Akira began. "but that place isn't so bad, they just get girls to ware a girl's school uniform and wait tables, the only thing is, is that the outfits are a bit provocative, if you catch my drift,"
'I can't believe that a Shujin student was willing to do something like that. Is there a way to get her to stop? I could just tell about how dangerous it is.'
"The bigger problem is, is that places like that are known to be scouting places for hosts."
"But if they only employ females, then why would hosts be hanging around?" Haru said leaning back into the seat and crossing her arms.
"Like I said, they scout them and then rope them into scams and such." Akira said and I felt her tense up.
'Tomorrow is Monday, I'll invite her to the student council room and tell her that she should quit.'
Sitting up, I reach and take a sip of my coffee. "Haru, seeing as we saw her together, can you come with me to student council room tomorrow so we can talk to Takao-san?"
"I would love to Mako-chan, but father wanted to speak to after school tomorrow." Haru said in an apologetic tone before she got a glint in her eyes. "But maybe Akira could join you in my stead?"
We both look over to Akira who had just finished downing the rest of her coffee. "I don't mind doing so, but you think I should be the one to go, seeing as I didn't see her?"
"I don't see why not." Haru said. "You have a rundown of the situation, just say you two were out on a date or something."
The embarrassment I was feeling was enough to die from.
The school day ended on Monday way to quickly as I found myself standing outside the main gate of Shujin waiting for Akira to show up. I was getting quite nervous just standing there waiting for my girlfriend. I was getting some weird looks from the other students, but after about twenty minutes, I could hear the sound of Satanael and the other Shujin students stopped and waited like last time.
When she pulls up, she stops where she did last time and when she takes her helmet off and shake her head and the Shujin students that where outside started talking up storm.
I had to laugh inwardly as when Akira notice me, she more or less bounded over to me, much like a puppy would to it owner.
"Even though we saw each other yesterday, it's so nice to see you." She said as she brought me into a hug, one, that I was all too happy to return.
"Holy shit, I can't believe that the Robot has a bf."
"Aww, and I wanted to his girlfriend."
When we part from our hug, Akira looked pasted me and to the others. "What are they talking about?"
"I'll tell you when we're alone." I said, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear.
She smiles brightly at me. "Sure, so, shall we get going?"
I nod my head and lead her inside.
The rest of the student body were talking up a bigger storm then earlier due to me leading Akira into the building and it was understandable, it wasn't every day that a hot girl who looked like a guy was walking around Shujin.
After signing Akira in a visitor, the lie we were using was that she wanted to look at how Shujin teaches as she was looking to become a teacher, so I was showing her around. Surprisingly, it worked like charm. The problem happened when we got to the second floor and ran into Kawakami-sensei.
"Oh, good afternoon Kawakami-sensei." I bowed slightly.
Kawakami-sensei was probably the only teacher I truly liked at Shujin and I was hoping that she wouldn't ask to many questions.
"Good afternoon to you to, Nijima-san and good afternoon.."
"Ah, apologies, Kawakami-sensei." Akira said in rather charming tone before bowing. "My name is Akira Kurusu, Kosei High, tried year. I hope you don't mind my visit here today."
Kawakami-sensei looked at her for a few seconds before responding. "And what is your reason for your visit today?"
"Well, even though I am a Kosei High student, I was thinking about becoming a teacher and Makoto was willing to give me a tour of Shujin Academy."
"Well, that is very kind of you Nijima-san, please stop by the faculty room when you've finished and I can introduce you the teachers that are still here and give you brief run down on things." Kawakami-sensei said looking slightly flushed.
"We will do sensei." I said and as we pass Kawakami-sensei, she puts a hand on my shoulder and leans in close.
"You best keep a close eye on that one, if not one of the other students might take him."
"Good luck to them then."
After that, we made it to the student council room with no more interruptions. I was somewhat nervous letting Akira in here seeing as I spend just as much in this room as my own home, so to me, this was my second home.
"So, this is this school's council room."
"What? You never been in the one at Kosei High?"
I heard the thud of her helmet on the desk as I closed the door. "Only a couple of times when I had to take some documents."
"Understandable." Turning around, I saw that she had sat down in the chair that was next to my bag.
"So," She began in that same serious tone as yesterday. "are you willing to tell me about why the other students are you calling you a robot? They did it the last time I was here as well, if I remember correctly."
"I… I suppose so seeing as we have time before Takao-san is finished with her club." I move over to the chair next to her and place my bag on the floor before sitting down. "I was never the best at making friends when I was little, especially after my father passed away."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Her hand found mine.
"Thank you. So, with my Sis taking care of everything, I devoted myself to studying so that I could lessen the burden on her."
"Ah, I get it know." Akira said with a squeeze of her hand. "So, how did you become friends with Haru-chan?"
"I would say it was like I imagined anyone would make friends, but she forced herself into my life."
Hearing Akira laugh will always put a smile on my face. "Now that, I can believe in."
It was odd how comfortable sitting in silence with Akira was and with the spare time, I pulled my notebook and pencil case out of my bag and began running over what discussed yesterday, and one thing stuck out with what Akira said.
"How do you know about what hosts do and about that place?" I asked as I looked over to her, only to find her slumped over the desk with her head propped up by her hand… it was criminal how hot she look just doing that.
"Huh?" She looked at me with lidded eyes. "Oh, that. I got dragged in there as I was heading to the bar I work at. The mamma at the bar wanted me to come in to train and I dragged into that "salon" when I walked by."
The thought of seeing Akira wear the provocative school outfit she mentioned started to run rampant in my mind till I shook my head clear.
"So that clears up that, but what about the other?"
"Well, when I was leaving that place, a host ran up to me and started to shout some nonsense about how I was on his turf or something, I stopped listening him as soon as he started." She said as she closed her eyes fully.
"It's just goes to show you how handsome you are if people think that."
"Yeah, the rumours about hosts being idiots holds true as well as you would think that after telling the ass hat that I was doing nothing of the sort, but nooo, he just had to keep yelling at me."
"And what did you do?" I asked as I was now very interested in this story.
"I did the sensible thing and tried to walk away."
"Tried?"
"Yeah, when I started to walk away, he grabbed my free arm, so I hit him… with my helmet."
"Oh my god, Akira. You didn't?"
"I did and my helmet still has a slight dent where I broke his nose, what's more, some of the people nearby seemed to be on my side, so I didn't even get the cops called on me." She said as she sat up and stretched.
Before I could ask any more questions, there was a knock at the door. I close my notebook and sat up straight. "Come in."
When Takao-san walked in and closed the door, she walked over the chair opposite me with her phone out. Judging from how she didn't notice Akira, it was safe to assume that she didn't see Akira at all.
"Thank you coming Takao-san."
"Whatever, Prez. Can we get this over with, I've got places to be." She said as she puts her phone away.
"I'll try and be quick. You've been spending time in the red-light district lately, haven't you?"
"I have, yeah, I've got job over there."
"And how is it? You haven't run into any trouble have you?" I said and I was hoping that I was able to come across as concerned.
"Whaddya mean? It's just a normal café. They make a wear a cute costume and stuff. Oh, and I don't hafta do anything weird. It's all totally legal." Eiko said in a somewhat hostile tone.
"You've got to admit that the outfits are a bit revealing though." I heard Akira say as she leant on the desk.
"Huh? A bit, but I don't mind it and there's a strict no touching rule. The worst I get is some weird old guys gawking at me." The smug look she was wearing was oddly annoying.
"I see…" I said as I crossed my arm. "So, beyond that though, why are you working there? How's your financial situation?"
The smug look soon disappeared. "…Uh, fine? I mean, I can just ask my parents for cash whenever I want, so..."
"I see."
"But they'd totally bug me about what I'm buying if I did that, so that's why I'm working at that salon. I get some good spending money, plus some of the guys who come in there like, mega pamper me."
"Mega pamper?" I asked as it was the time hearing a phase like that.
It then that Akira pats me on the shoulder. "You should know all about that Mako-chan, I pamper all the time."
I have to admit that ever since Akira and I started dating, she has been spoiling me a lot.
"I understand that." I look at Akira as rest my hand onto of her.
Eikos' cough brought us out of our moment and when I look at her, that smug look was back. "So, you're not going to tell right...? Hold up, doesn't that mean you two were in Shinjuku together? What's up with that, Miss Pres?"
"We were on a date." Akira said with a confidence that I couldn't muster, though the embarrassment that I was feeling was more than enough.
"Hah! I knew it, after what happened last time, the rumour mill about you two have been going off like crazy, Prez."
I went wide eyed at the mention of rumours as I didn't hear any about me our Akira. "What rumours are you talking about?"
"I get it, you've been basking in glow of having a bf."
Akira coughed before looking away from everyone. "I'm-I'm a girl… not a boy."
There was silence as the revealment that Akira was female was revealed to Eiko. I was more surprised that Akira told her that. What happened next was understandable as Eiko looked between Akira and me before standing and slamming her hands on the table.
"OH. MY. GOD! The handsome guy has been a handsome girl all along and what more you're dating her." That smug look returns as she sits back down. "I have to say that you've surprised me Prez. I would nether have pictured you as a lesbian."
I'm sure that my face must have been beat red. "A-a-anyway, I don't plan on telling anyone."
"I get it! So, we're like, protecting each other's secrets?"
"Thank you. I was worried that you were getting wrapped up in some shady business, but it seems that my worries were unfounded."
"Btdubs Prez, I was wondering, is that a Buchimaru-kun pencil case!?"
I could feel Akiras' smile upon me as I was more shocked that someone knew of Buchi-kun. "You know Buchimaru-kun?"
Eiko nods her head. "I had like, tonnns of Buchi stuff back when I was a kid. What a blast from the past!" She leans forward. "Wait, why's it so beat up!?"
I wished that I could have kept it in better shape, but time erodes all things… "Well, it was given to me when I was still in elementary school… I'd like to buy a new one, but they stopped selling Buchimaru-kun merchandise."
When Eiko started to laugh, I wanted to make her stop… this was one of my most treasured gifts my father ever gave to me, but when Akira started to laugh, I didn't know what to feel.
"You have to admit, Mako-chan. You're kinda reserved, so having a cute pencil case just doesn't seem to mach."
"My image of you done like, a complete three sixty today."
Akira stopped laughing as I guessed she had to do the same as me and question how Eiko got this far in far. "Um… isn't that a full circle?"
"Mmm, I dunno. I'm just real surprised that's all, like, you don't really look like the kinda person who'd be into that stuff. I mean, most of us thought you were kinda like a robot, but I guess I just had to get to know you better."
"I will admit, I can see where you are coming from." I said and I truly did.
"Hey, why don't we trade phone numbers!?" Eiko said as she pulled her phone back out. "I really wanna talk to you more about Buchimaru-kun… and you girlfriend."
"O-oh, um… OK." I couldn't help but stutter as I apart from Haru and Akira, this was the third time handing my number out.
It took only a matter of seconds for us to trade numbers.
"And saved." Eiko said before going wide eyed. "Oh crap, it's this late already? I've gotta get to work. I'll send you tons of pics of my Buchimaru-kun collection later though. Bye byee!"
And before Akira or I could do or say anything, she was out the door. "She was all over the place…"
"Yeah, if felt like a tornado blew in and out."
"But, honestly though, I'm in shock. She thought I was a robot.." I said with a pout.
"Beep boop." Akira said and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and her antics, but I couldn't do any as Akira scooted her chair closer before pulling me on her lap and wrapping me up in her arms.
"Don't let that get to you, Mako. You are you and I'll love you not matter what." She said in a whisper and a small kiss on my cheek.
I couldn't help but freeze up at simple gesture as it was my first kiss… I buried my head into her neck with the hope that she wouldn't tease me but I'm sure Akira knew that by how red in the face I felt.
"I… love you too." I mumbled as I returned the hug.
We sat there for what felt like ages and I wouldn't change it for the world, but we both knew that we couldn't sit like this forever.
Pulling away, I wrap my arms around Akiras' neck and look at her. "It was almost inspiring to meet someone so distinct from myself… present company excluded of course."
"Oh?" Akiras' small smile was bright.
"Yeah, I'm going to try to look at things a little differently from now on. Hopefully that will change the way the other students perceive me."
"I pray that it does." Her grip on me tightens, like she didn't want me to leave.
"I will say that it's going to be interesting speaking to Takao-san more, now that I have her contact information."
"Yeah, I can honestly say that I haven't talked to some like her."
"There's not many people like that at Kosei?"
"Oh, there are, I just don't talk to them that much."
"Understandable, even I had trouble understanding what Takao-san was saying sometimes. Anyway, I'll let you know if anything important happens." I said as I place my head back on her shoulder.
"Sure, I might as well see this though to the end with you know." I felt a hand run and down my back before her head rested against mine.
It was a shame that we would have to part at some point, but with the silence filling the room once again, I was truly content with how things were. I brought my left hand down and placed it above her heart… I could have easily fallen asleep just listing to her if it weren't for said person speaking.
"You want me to take you home or are you coming over to Leblanc today?"
"I'll come over today, if that okay…" I felt her nod her head. "but first we need to head to the faculty room if we want to keep this lie going."
I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard her groan in displeasure.
Authors Notes
With the release of Persona 5 R on everything tomorrow, I do plan on streaming it on Twitch (search for Tiny94) just after midnight tonight (UK) time. So, if you want to come hang out for a couple of hours, feel free to stop on by. This will be my first stream every, so I hope everything goes will.
The second chapter is here. I hope you all enjoy it just as much as I enjoyed writing it. The rest of this story will follow Makotos' Confidant route, so look forward to more.
For those of you who somewhat care and want to ask stuff, I have Twitter (Under the same name,) so come say hi.
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.
