Chapter Two: The Days Owed
Though he felt the urge to go see the rest of his friends, Akira gave in to the temptation of spending another day with Makoto alone. Early that morning, he took the initiative to prepare breakfast for all at the table, including a small helping he furtively fed Morgana. Afterwards, he hurried to snatch all dishes and wash them thoroughly. In the meantime, he managed to catch wind of Sae whispering something to Makoto; resulting in a bright and bashful response on the latter. Akira quietly smiled to himself, remembering one particular evening at Shujin's roof. He wondered if Makoto remembered also.
Taking his rucksack, with Morgana in it, the couple set out to do the things they intended to do the day before: Looking at the new sights, revisiting old favourites, lunch outside, a few moments for academic and professional catching-up, a stolen kiss here, a given one there. In the midst of it all, they experienced a slight thrill of secrecy, minding every place for the possibility one of their friends may catch sight of them somewhere. It was nothing quite like their studying sessions in the student council office, their leisurely strolls at the park, or the quick private trips to the underworld of Mementos, but it was something.
Eventually, they made their way to the planetarium; the darkness afforded them the discreetness they sought for. After some playful prying, Makoto got her boyfriend to tell her about Yasunori, the 'Strider' nickname and, by extension, his stint in the youth correctional facility after Christmas. He conveyed the gist of it, but there was much he chose not to tell. The name Shogo, or his doings, never once came up in the conversation, or the extent to which Akira opposed him and the resulting violence. He desperately hoped she could not tell he was hiding those chapters from her.
"But, why 'Strider'?" Makoto asked, a quizzical eyebrow arching on the question.
"I don't know. Maybe I walk fast, or have abnormally long legs for my build." He suggested jokingly. Despite how he chose to talk about the Juvie days, he could tell she was not pleased. The past was no small affair for Makoto, if she sensed there was a wound in need of healing.
"No, I don't think that's it. They look… pretty normal to me?"
"Normal?" Akira showed a disillusioned face. "So… my legs aren't anything special, you say?"
"They're good legs, I reckon. I mean, they work. They're part of you, so I rather like them."
"Hmm." Akira grinned at her. "They have nothing on yours, though."
"Between you and my sister, I swear…" Makoto covered her face. Across the duration of those two days, Akira saw his girlfriend turn all sorts of red. A memory from last night pried a giggle out of him: Makoto turning pale as she realised what Sae was showing him to then turning beet-red. Then and now, he could tell Morgana was rolling his eyes as far back as they could.
"They're part of you, so I adore them." He planted a kiss on her head. A few minutes later, the spectacle began. Together, they watched the exposition on the birth of stars in music, light and colour. It seemed, from how the day went on, that the crisis was averted. Makoto made no further inquiry on what Akira experienced behind bars. Though neither could see it, Morgana's expression was lamenting, knowing of the fact. Sometimes it seemed to him that Akira still dwelled on things past, but would never speak about them.
It was early evening by the time the show ended. The sky outside was meagrely starlit in comparison to the artificial sky vault inside of the planetarium, but neither Akira, nor Makoto, nor a slumbering Morgana in the former's rucksack, minded at all. Like the day before, Akira was to stay at the Niijimas'. This time around, Makoto insisted to cooking dinner while her boyfriend took coffee-making duties. In the meantime, Sae just sat at the small dining table, taking in the sight that unfolded. Those two looked married already, she thought to herself. A frown crossed the elder Niijima's face, remembering Makoto from several years before.
Makoto never gave the impression of remembering their mother. Sae herself has few, but deeply fond memories of her, having passed away due to illness when both sisters were very young. Regardless, Sae often thought that lack was the reason for which Makoto was such a withdrawn, lonesome child growing up. Their father's murder etched a deep wound in the two, if it indeed it had not also cut deeper in her little sister's heart. When Makoto entered high school, all she had was the values and habits her dad fostered, and Sae – whenever she actually was around. Beyond that, she was quite friendless. For a long, miserable time, it was unthinkable that Makoto would develop further bonds.
And yet, here she was now: actively pursuing her dreams, supported by loyal friends, and adored by a young man with whom she, simply put, saved the world. It was astonishing. Now, in the present day, Makoto belonged more to the world of the living than that of the dead. As she continued to look at the two, her expression softened into a half smile. The elder sister hoped this worked out for both. No other could keep up with them if they strayed from each other.
[ ]
Makoto's sense of discipline accustomed her to wake up early every morning and rarely depend on an alarm clock. Today, for good measure, she set it up to trigger at quarter to six, at a precise volume only she could hear, right by her pillow. There was much to do that day; she hoped the rest were soon to awake as well. After sending the necessary text messages and getting dressed, she carefully stepped towards the living room. It was still dark outside, the dawn only beginning to stir. This much light was enough for her to see Akira carefree asleep on the couch under a warm Buchimaru-kun cover.
She smiled at the sight of him, breathing quiet and steady. His hair was as much of a tangled mess now as when awake. No trace of uncommon hardships endured. He looked innocent, paradoxically untouched. She swore to herself she would protect him, so he could always rest easy like this. It was tempting to stay for a few minutes more, but she carried on, awaiting the first of several replies.
"He looks cute when asleep." Sae, an early riser herself, discreetly remarked behind her. Makoto's startled gasp was almost imperceptible to the ear. "He's also quiet. That's a plus."
"Sis!" Makoto whispered. "How long were you standing there?"
"Just a minute. So… you're going to let him sleep in?"
"Yeah. Just a while longer. He may need it. Today is going to be a big day."
[ ]
Akira, Makoto and Morgana made their way towards Yongen-jaya at half past noon. They went through the agreed narrative as they exited the apartment. Makoto was, just by coincidence, in the underground mall, where she ran into Akira and Morgana, after which, she decided to walk her absolutely just arrived boyfriend to LeBlanc where Sojiro expected him, according to the information Akira sent several days ago. Then, they would contact the rest and do something nice for the rest of the day. No words were necessary on his early arrival or his stay with Makoto – that would be a secret between he, she, and the cat.
As soon as they walked back outside from the subway near the Sakuras' neighbourhood, Morgana excused himself to stretch his legs; after all, he spent two evenings cooped up in Akira's rucksack to keep the ambience free from Sae constantly sneeze-and-sniffling. Thus, their feline companion walked off towards alleys he knew by heart, paws bouncing spry as he went.
"Hey." Makoto said. "Don't you want to buy something for Sojiro? It's not nice to arrive empty-handed, you know."
"Yeah, you're right. It flew right over me. There is a store nearby. I'm sure I can find something nice."
"Sounds good. Let's go." She held on to his arm, walking towards a humble second hand store called Yumenoshima. Without Akira knowing, she shot a sharp glance far into the distance, followed by a nod.
Five minutes later, both came out with a modest little present for Sojiro: a small sculpture of a baseball player, bat at the follow through. For all they knew, Boss may not be a baseball fan himself, but he appreciated little trinkets to decorate his office in his home – a quirk the Phantom Thieves, sans Futaba, were surprised to discover.
The sign on the front door read 'Open'. Akira stopped for a brief moment, to both his and Makoto's surprise.
"Is something wrong?" She looked at him.
"No. Not at all. It's just…" His eyes were still on the café's door. "I… really missed this place. You've no idea how bad I wanted to be here again." He said only half of what he thought. Though he was slightly and joyously overtaken by his returning home, he had left another such place days ago. His sense of belonging would probably forever be sectioned into two – he had accepted that, but it did not wholly keep the sadness away. "Let's go inside, Queen."
"Let's, Joker." She said as he led him past the door, her arm still hooked around his.
And then, Akira went flushed and wide-eyed.
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Several voices called out loud in awkward unison. He saw colour all around the café. Seats were taken at the counter and the booths, some by regular, actual customers, the rest by his friends, his fellow Thieves. Sojiro, as usual, behind the counter shaking his head, along with Morgana who seemed to be rolling his eyes. They were all expecting him. Briefly, he turned to look at Makoto, and was surprised to find a mischievous hue in her red eyes.
"Hey? Really?" Boss said, arching an eyebrow.
"Shut up, dad! It's the only thing we could agree on!" Futaba protested. Akira could swear she was no taller than the last time he saw her, but she was different somehow. Even though her choice of attire remained within her usual style, it showed more meat around her bones, and a slight tan on her skin. No doubt she still loved her indoors, but she definitely had acquired some good habits.
"If I recall correctly, only you declined all other proposals." Yusuke chimed in to Futaba's comment, as he always did. The difference in Yusuke was significantly more apparent, having grown taller, though somehow retaining the same lean build he had before. His dark hair was also longer, reaching down past his shoulders. It was now almost a certainty that he took better care of himself, which probably involved eating more than twice a day.
"Inari, don't make me…!"
"Guys, guys, come on." Ann assertively insisted from her seat. "Now's not the time to bicker!" Ann was ever a lovely young woman. No surprise Ryuji and Morgana developed attraction towards her, or that she worked as a model. Now, her image left the old impression an opaque shade. She no longer wore her hair in large, generous pigtails, rather she let it cascade freely down her back and shoulders, and the demeanours of her profession were an extension of her natural mannerisms.
"Eh, it's always fun to watch them." Ryuji said, closely seated next to Ann in the booth. Last time they met, he told Akira he intended to let his natural black hair grow back out. It seemed now he did only partially, leaving the middle top part dyed bright electric yellow, while his natural colour graced the sides of his head. Unsatisfied by the contrast alone, he had lightning streaks neatly shaved above ear-length. He certainly no longer looked anything like a delinquent, but as someone intending to make himself famous his own way. "Don't you think so, partner?"
"Yeah, it's… fun." The surprise was still in the middle of Akira's wit and his tongue."
"He looks quiet." Haru smiled sweetly from the counter. Her appearance was still a delicate, graceful look. But there was something earthly also, in the marks on her hands as she toyed with her hair – which had grown thicker and fluffier - and the boots and jeans. She looked, to credit of her namesake, like somebody ready to greet the blooming spring fully with her hands. Her devotion to gardening and the goods that come from the soil made her more of a fair flower child than she was before. "He really didn't expect it, did he, Mako-chan?"
"Not for a moment." Makoto smiled in satisfaction. "He really wanted to surprise us all by arriving one day earlier." Her hand surrounded his waist, pulling him closer to her. "I guess he didn't expect us to want to do the same."
Akira turned to look at his girlfriend, drinking fully from the naughty joy in her eyes. He mirrored her grin, realising she had fooled them as much as they fooled him. He wanted to let the laughter brewing in his chest fly loose, but as she said, it was their little secret. The young man turned to look at Mona, who had been the key conspirator in it all – from Makoto surprising him, to Ryuji and the rest following suit. He appreciated the setup of events, and made a mental note of adding a helping of fatty tuna to the one Makoto owed him.
"I really missed you all." Akira said finally. "And you too, Boss."
"Don't get mushy on me, kid." Sojiro took his hand to the back of his neck, suppressing a grin himself. "Sit your ass down already." He turned to Makoto. "Take a seat, Makoto-san."
"Thank you, Boss." She said, following Akira to a vacant half of the booth. They sat across from Ryuji and Ann.
"Well, took you guys long enough." Akira commented, looking at Ann and Ryuji and flashing a teasing smirk. "I think I speak on behalf of all when I ask, 'why the delay?'"
"Huh?" Ann blinked in surprise.
"Yup." Futaba agreed.
"Most certainly." Yusuke joined in.
"I joined the group somewhat late, but it was obvious early on." Haru added.
"Everyone could see it." Morgana muttered without the slightest amusement.
"Yo, dude. Why are you all piling on us?" Ryuji protested.
"No such thing, Ryuji." Akira said. "I'm just happy it finally happened… So, how did it happen?"
Their relation was no news to him, but they found little time to talk in detail throughout the visits across the past year. Akira was quite eager to hear it all. The events themselves were a simple matter, but the narration was muddled by Ryuji and Ann's perspectives as each took over the storytelling at several points. Confusing as it was, Akira expected no less from those two than pure sincerity.
"Wow." Morgana meowed with ambiguous tone.
"Hmm…" Akira brought two fingers to his chin in contemplation. "Well. What matters is that you're happy together. I think that calls for a toast!"
"You might want to hold on a bit on that!" Makoto hurried. "You see, there are several motives to this little gathering today." Her eyes turned to all of her friends as she spoke. "The year we met was probably the toughest one of the toughest times of our lives. We were all in the brink of losing our way, our futures, and ourselves." Perhaps unconsciously, her voice summoned a type of solemn confidence as she spoke, an unmistakable signature to somebody who had once been a student council president, and who someday shall become a police commissioner. "We found our way once again when we all met. But there was so much more to it than that. We rescued each other." She reached out to the cat, gently scratching under his chin.
Akira and Morgana looked at her, enthralled.
"It was something momentous. And the events that followed were no small matter either." Her expression relaxed. "I'd say because of all that happened, and all we fought through, we simply forgot to enjoy just living."
"Mako-chan." Haru said, visibly moved.
"By my count, that year we forgot to celebrate, well, all of our birthdays. Actually, we only actually talked about that after Shido's incarceration." Makoto turned her eyes to her boyfriend. "And we couldn't quite return to that kind of normalcy while our group was divided. So now that you're here, it's time we make up for all those missed birthdays. It's time we celebrated us. All of us."
"Yeah!" Ryuji called out.
"Keep it down, will you?" Ann scolded. "But yeah… yeah!"
"We cheated a bit on that, though." Haru said before running to the back of the counter. "We did buy you a present, Akira-kun."
"Guys…" Akira felt the blood rise to his cheeks.
"It was Makoto-san's idea, I might add." Yusuke said with a neutral expression.
"Yusuke!" Makoto shot him a gaze as red as her face.
"Please forgive my lack of discretion." His smile was moderate. "On that, you are not alone. I have a gift of my own to give, but we can talk about that on another occasion."
Haru and Futaba walked towards the booth, joined then by Morgana and Yusuke. The young woman with the fluffy hair carried a white, unadorned box of middle size, which she put in front of Akira.
"Before you open it, all credit must be given where it's due." Makoto said. "It was at Boss' recommendation."
"Really?" Akira's tone sounded more juvenile than he may have been aware of. Sojiro's response was a grumble after his typical fashion.
With measured movements, Akira unpacked the present, trying not to look like am eager child opening a present – which, in a way, he was. The packaging tightly held the artefact in the box, so he had to put some effort into pulling it out. As his hands felt the surfaces behind the plastic wrapping, an image of the gift started forming in his mind. He already knew what it was by the time it was out of the box. Yet that knowledge did not dull his surprise in the slightest. His own French coffee press.
"Guys…" He found himself speechless. The pleasure in his eyes said it all.
"I hope you like it." Makoto kissed him on the cheek. "It may feel a bit redundant seeing how you can use the café facilities here, since… you live here, but this one is your own."
"It's also the one thing we could all agree on." Futaba climbed on top of the booth to plant a kiss of her own on the top of his head. "We can't go wrong with that. You're essentially like Sojiro now – oh what's with that face?"
The sudden cartoon-like sternness in Akira's face from Futaba's comment softened instantly. He took the bulky glass cylinder in his hands and held it up high as if looking at a delicate sculpture. Judging by the brand and the make, this was indeed a good purchase, nowhere as highly priced as its more luxurious competitors, but more functional. It was no wonder Sojiro Sakura would recommend it.
"This is my French Press. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My French Press is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life. Without me, it is useless. Without my French Press, I am useless." Akira spoke as he held the cylinder, a hallowed look in his eyes. Makoto was trying to hold her laughter in.
"Uh… what?" Ryuji said.
Akira looked surprised at his companions.
"It… it's from that famous movie!" He looked utterly heartbroken from their lack of reaction. "Makoto, please tell me you know the one I'm talking about!" He looked at her like a lost puppy.
The only thing in the way of a response from her was a quick nod before she broke into open laughter. She indeed knew which film he talked about – they had seen it together after renting it from a video store in Kawasaki when she visited. Though she was not presently capable of saying, the reason to her amusement was imagining Akira in white skivvies, sitting at the bathroom while cradling his French Press, only to then throw hot coffee in the drill instructor's face. Morgana offered Makoto a compassionate look, having watched the film himself and harbouring an approximate idea of what she was laughing at.
"Oh, my stomach…" She started to calm down. "That was only third of the creed. Were you really going to make the rest about coffee too?"
"I was thinking of winging it, but now all I want to do is make some coffee." Before heading to the sink to wash his present, he confirmed what everyone would have. As if he had never left at all, the memory of each of his friends' favourite came like a reflex, even Ryuji, whose palate was particular like a child's.
"There's something else, though. But that's kind of a gift for all of us." Ann said as Akira joined Sojiro at the counter. "We'll tell you when you get back."
"Hurry, Akira!" Futaba added.
"Thanks, Boss. I know it was also from you." The black haired young man said to his mentor in the art of coffee.
"Think nothing of it, kid." His smile was rough but warm. "It's good to have you back. The attic is still yours to do as you please."
"I'm glad to hear, Boss."
"Good. Now, you heard Futaba. Hurry and take care of your own." Sojiro urged him while he handled an order from one of his regular customers.
"On it, Boss."
[ ]
When the afternoon turned to evening, the former Phantom Thieves climbed the stairs to Akira's humble abode, just like old times. Yusuke and Haru insisted on catching up after taking care of the dishes. In a hushed comment, Futaba told Akira that Boss routinely came up to tidy the place. He even took care of Akira's plant. Though she liked teasing her dad, this was something they agreed to keep between them.
All eight took seat in their spot of choice. The scene in Akira's room, though different by the inevitable changes that come with time, conjured old memories of Phantom Thieves' meetings, differing kinds of studying sessions, and industrious nights at the crafting desk. The air was free of the old tension from their double life. The purpose they had back then was consummated, and now the force that held them together was naught but loyalty and the deep affection they bore one another.
The hours passed, and it became evident they would all spend the night. Arrangements were agreed upon early; the girls would take the bed, the boys would sleep spread about wherever they may find a place. Between then and now, each found something to do in the room like they used to. Some played video games, others read, and others talked long into the night. As of late, it was rare for them to feel so free and careless like this, each crossing a threshold in their lives, so they seized the moment.
It was nearly time to turn in, the only people still awake being Akira and Ann. Unsurprisingly to the latter, Akira deviated his eyes from the book he was reading to look at Makoto sleeping away on his bed next to Futaba and Haru. Ann herself felt her eyelids heavy, head on a slumbering Ryuji who made a fair pillow for the Finnish blonde.
"Hey. So about that other present…" Ann yawned at length. "I guess we can talk about it in the morning. I mean it's not that much of a surprise, but you know." In the mirth of the evening, the mysterious present from the retired Phantom Thieves to themselves went as something of an afterthought. Regardless, Ann felt prompted to say something, if at least to put one more smile on her friend's face. "I heard you like Gorillaz…"
"Huh?" The mention of the British band's name pulled Akira straight from the book.
"Nevermind. Night, night." She huddled up against her boyfriend, comfortably laying on top of several covers and blankets they lay on the floorboards like a picnic.
"You're sure you don't want to go to the bed?" Akira asked, intending to go to sleep in Futaba's gamer chair with Morgana on his lap.
"No, I'm good." Ann fell asleep almost instantly.
Akira looked at the first human friends he made here over a year ago. They looked like two sleeping lions. Yusuke took the couch, the only surface long enough for him to sleep. Futaba slept next to Haru, head virtually laying on the fluffy cloud that was her hair. Makoto slept nearest the edge of his bed. Would be nice, he thought, if he could join her someday soon.
