Ryuji and Makoto meet up at her place to begin their studies together. Since Sae won't be home for a while, the two are basically free to do whatever. But Ryuji didn't come here for the fun of it, it's just business... or so they think, initially.
First, they became busy working on figuring out what Ryuji's preferred method of studying shall be. First Visual, then Audible and then Verbal.
They tested it out in different ways, with Makoto even putting on her phone's microphone to record Ryuji's voice and the latter did exactly as he was told with no resistence, as he was enjoying himself, surprisingly enough. Which was strange, considering, studying really was one of his least favourite activities in his sparetime.
His good mood was easily explainable though: Makoto was really patient with him and didn't belittle or pity him, EVER, sometimes she'd scold him to focus on the subject at hand as he was sometimes cracking jokes, but it didn't bother him. He felt like he was finally getting a grip on himself and his life as a whole.
He felt at ease, knowing someone got his back and that factor alone motivated him into becoming more invested in the learning session... and after testing his memorization, it turns out, Ryuji is more of the Verbal type. Meaning, he prefers saying it out loud to himself to remember it well, which also gives him to process of what he had just learned and putting it into question to understand.
With the notes, they still need some time to work on that, but for a first time, Makoto was quite satisfied with her student and herself.
Now the two decided to call it quits for the day and chill for now. Makoto prepared for herself and Ryuji some ice cold coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it. While sipping on their drinks in her room, only now does Ryuji realize, where he exactly was: Makoto's room. And while taking a closer look at his surroundings, he nodded, while chuckling to himself.
Ryuji: "Yup, this room definitely screams "you", Makoto."
Makoto: "Hm?"
Ryuji: "Oh, it's just that, it only starts dawning upon me RIGHT NOW, that, I am in your room. Your own territory. And just looking around myself, I can definitely verify, that everything screams Makoto to me. Everything is so clean and organized, spacey too, I could literally work out in here, without breaking anything."
Makoto: "Heh, is that supposed to be a compliment?"
She said, while taking another sip of her iced coffee.
Ryuji: "If I was insulting you, you'd kicked my ass straight out of the door."
Makoto: "Touché."
Ryuji: "No, but seriously, I really don't mind the way your room looks. But to me personally, it kind of feels... how should I put it... "oppressive"?"
Makoto: "What do you mean by that? That sounds off to me."
Ryuji: "Oppressive, in a way, that affects ME, I mean, not you. Obviously, you chose to be organized and strict on yourself, because you were raised that way..."
However... he then began speaking in a mildly melancholic tone, which Mako was quick to catch up on.
Ryuji: "If only, I had the privilege to be raised that way..."
Makoto: "Are you OK?"
Ryuji: "You know, Makoto... I am not one to be dropping any truth bombs here, but, only now does it hit me: I am not at home anymore. I am at a girl's place, where the family mostly consists of people working for the law... and what am I, as opposed to either you or your sister? Just a simple troublemaker with a knack for annoying my enemies and peers alike. Heh, what a contrast, amirite?"
Makoto: "Admittedly, yeah... it is kind of off-putting, I'll admit. But what are you trying to say? That you are not worth my time or something?"
Ryuji: "I never said that. Your assumptions are saying so, I am only stating the facts here. Take this for what you will."
Makoto felt as though, she had to put something straight with him and hearing him self-pity himself on that level, it mildly annoyed her. Not in a bad way, though, as she felt that NOW is a good time than ever to be more than just a tutor for him. She puts her drink on her desk and crossed her legs, while looking at Ryuji with an almost motherly scolding look.
Makoto: "Ryuji. Now you are starting to kind of upset me with your attitude. Your implication of me "only wasting my time teaching you", is a personal jab at myself and I am not a fan of that. I get that your self-esteem is not the best and you see yourself as too "replaceable", but this is kind of crossing a line to me and this isn't the first time."
Ryuji: "Go on, I am listening."
Makoto: "I want you to remember this well: You. Are NEVER. A waste of time. Ryuji. I may not be aware of the full details of how you were raised and frankly, I don't even care. You are you. You are taking longer than others to catch on and that's completely fine, you won't ever see ME belittle you to a point, where I am outright making fun of you for your weaknesses. Screw what Morgana says about you, I never once thought of you as a "useless clown on the sidelines". And if you want these study sessions to be a success, follow my rules. Listen. Do as I say. That's that. But this only works, if you are also willing to trust me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee for anything. Am I clear? Yes? Or no?"
Hearing this firm and yet so gentle encouragement from her, Ryuji began to feel strange. Normally, he'd be indifferent over generic encouragement speeches, but Mako has done it in a way that felt far more personal to him, as though, she actually understands him and how he ticks. He would normally roll his eyes and scoff, but this was legitimately different this time. He began smiling and laughing out loud, feeling really understood now.
Ryuji: "Oh man, and for a moment, I expected you to bore me to death with the generic "friend- and fellowship is everything" bullcrap. You really hit the nail on the head, lady!"
Though she seemed to have succeeded in reaching Ryuji's heart, she comically began pouting and crossing her arms, acting childish now to hide the fact, she genuinely felt embarrassed over how this conversation changed direction in mood all of a sudden.
Makoto: "I am being serious here, I am never going to make encouraging speeches like that again, if you find it amusing getting all serious, hmph!"
Ryuji: "Aw, c'mon, don't be like that, I fully understood where you're coming from. No need to get THIS upset with me now."
He sighed loudly in relief as he leans back in his seat with a smile, feeling so understood for once.
Ryuji: "Really, thanks a lot for that. You're actually the first to not give me that generic friendship speech and it really is a breath of fresh air to me. And yes, I hear you. I'll do my best to not disappoint you."
Makoto: "But don't forget. You are not doing this for me, you're doing this for yourself. You made this decision and I simply want you to stay true to your word. I am just helping you, I am not your life support."
Ryuji: "Yeah, I know... still, it really feels good, y'know. And besides, you roasting Morgana, that made my day. At last, I am not the only one that legit is so fed up with his nonsense. I realize, that is who he is, but do I have to always eat it up, when he insults me? I don't know about you, but I always felt like I was being put at an unfair disadvantage here, catch my drift?"
Now, it was her turn to press on the tear press, as it struck her as well: She may understand Ryuji far more than she truly realizes at first and she starts feeling it now, looking back on her own life...
Makoto: "Heh... I know, all to well, what you are talking about... if only I had known better back then..."
Ryuji: "What did you say?"
Makoto: "Ehhh, forget it. I was mumbling to myself out loud. I guess, maybe I am also the Verbal type, or am I not?"
Both began chuckling, as that joke had perfect timing for them...
Ryuji felt as though, he and Makoto began understanding each other...
Priestess & Chariot Arcana! Level up! Level 2!
With their session over and done with, Ryuji grabbed his stuff and took his leave, but before doing so, he actually stopped for a second, wondering about something. He hesitated for a moment, until he found the courage to ask, not knowing whether or not this is the right moment for it or not.
Ryuji: "You know, I was wondering... we don't always have to study and just leaving it at that, y'know. I also feel like, umm, y'know... hanging out with ya. I know you probably will say No, but what the hell? You seemed kind of lonely, so I wondered... why not? You a regular at the gym?"
Hearing this request from him, considering she really was mostly alone, she felt as though, this is a not so bad of a request to her, as she did desire someone to talk to, while everyone else is out and about... but hearing this from a guy made her feel weird and her cheeks mildly reddened in the process...
Makoto: "Umm, kind of...? I-I mean, nobody ever asked me to join them at the gym... but I do desire a proper training partner for my Aikido... and let's go for that, AFTER studying, OK? First work, then fun, as I always say."
Ryuji: "Sure, I am down for that. Haha, I'll be the best training dummy you could possibly have, I swear!"
Makoto: "Don't get ahead of yourself now."
Ryuji: "I know, welp, see ya!"
Makoto: "Bye!"
After she closed the door, she sat down on the ground, right in front of it, feeling her heart beating quite quickly in frequency, wondering if he may have something to do this... until she said:
Makoto: "No, I need to focus. This is a bond, purely based on professionalism. I shouldn't bring in my personal feelings, otherwise, it may create a false image of me..."
THE END
