Spoilers for late October, particularly after the Festival.

Rank 5 charm, rank 10 Priestess...life is good right about now.

I figured the post-festival party was the perfect way to celebrate. I'm just gonna put the idea forward that this is nigh-impossible in the story given how it could unfold later.

On another note, I finally got the All-Out Attack quote where Makoto says "Fist of Justice". Haha, I was worried they took it out of the game or something.

"...Are we really no match for him?"

Akira shook his head and smiled, clasping her hand and letting go in a small act of reassurance. He would have held it for longer, but there were too many students around. "Don't worry, Makoto."

Makoto smiled in both affection and mild exasperation. "Does anything ever break your confidence?"

"Not yet."

She nodded and leaned her back against the wall, subtly standing close enough to let their shoulders touch. "And now, it's time for your favorite Shujin tradition - the Student Sharing Special!"

Makoto couldn't help but scoff at the word 'favorite'. "This event is never very popular."

"Two strikeouts, huh?"

Makoto laughed softly and nodded. "Honestly, yes. The older teachers seem to enjoy it, though."

"For some reason."

"You're two for two, Akira-kun."

"Alright, does anyone have something to say? Anyone, anyone?!"

Makoto put a hand to her chin in silent thought as Akira watched the MC gesture energetically and motion to the audience. "No? I'll just have to pick someone, then!"

"Someone's eager."

"Indeed. Choosing from the crowd...the MC this year is actually somewhat capable."

"...I suppose there's no chance we can run, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oooh, is that our lovely student council president over there?!"

Akira frowned, gesturing at the stage with his left hand and tapping the toe of his shoe against the floor in one of his many tics. "That, uh...is what I meant."

Makoto paled, glancing between Akira and the stage a few times as she squeaked out a, "Huh?!"

"Come on up here, Miss Prez!"

She looked down before raising her gaze to Akira pleadingly. "...Do I have to go?"

Akira smiled softly, nodding after a beat and adjusting his glasses. "I'll never forget you."

She groaned, pushing his shoulder as he chuckled. "I'm pretty sure that's not how you use that phrase."

Before she turned to go on the stage, Akira took off his glasses and called her again. "Makoto."

The president turned, eyes clearly unhappy with the current situation but showing a bit of hope at the sound of his voice. He smiled reassuringly and winked in a way that only she would be able to see. "I'll be in the front row. I told you not to worry, right?"

Makoto seemed cheered slightly by the statement, quietly bowing her head for a brief moment before making her way to the stage amidst rousing cheers. She stood, rather hesitantly, at the microphone as the MC belted out, "Here she is: everyone's favorite student council president, Makoto Niijima-san!"

Makoto fumbled with her hands, leaning slightly towards the mic and mumbling, "Hello…"

She snuck a quick scan of the front row, breathing a sigh of relief as she saw Akira in the front row, sitting in the seat closest where she was standing. He smiled, cocking his head towards the MC as he said, "Now then, on with the show! What would you like to share with us today, Miss President?"

"Er…"

"...Miss President?"

"I...don't really have anything to say. Sorry…"

The MC deflated slightly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. Unfortunately for Makoto, he was the kind to bounce back quickly. "Here, I'll give you a question! Do you think the Phantom Thieves are really Shujin students?"

Akira narrowed his eyes slightly even as Makoto recoiled, unable to hold back a surprised, "What!?"

"We're all dying to know what Akechi-kun was going to say about their true identities. Some people theorize that they go to our very school…"

Akira couldn't help but scoff at the attempt to garner intrigue in the audience. He had already mentioned the whole Shujin deal… "So, are they from Shujin? What do you think, Miss President?"

"What do I think…?"

It was then that Akira decided that a bail-out was in order. So, he stood, slipped his hands into his pockets and shouted, "I've always loved you!"

He grinned cheekily as Makoto squeaked out a high-pitched, "What?!"

The MC took the outburst in stride, pointing enthusiastically at Akira and chattering away. "Now this is drama! A boy caught in the throes of bittersweet youth! A stunning confession of love!"

Akira remained standing as Makoto blushed furiously, finding nothing easier to do than simply stand and stare wide-eyed at her boyfriend. The audience was already eating up the show, whoops and cheers melding together into a respectable cacophony. Makoto looked up and groaned as Akira watched her amidst the MC asking, "Sooo, Miss President! What's your relation to this guy?"

"R-relation?!"

Makoto's hand shot to her mouth, one knee crossing slightly over the other as her blush deepened, hesitantly looking Akira in the eye before quickly averting her sight. "My, she's red as a beet! A rare glimpse into the girly side of our stunning Miss President!"

"He's…"

Akira's ear picked up Makoto's mumbles, but the MC was going on again before she could muster the will to continue. "Bu~t I'm a gentleman! It hurts my heart to bully such a sweet girl!"

"No, um...well…"

The MC's hype train paused for a moment as Makoto spoke up, looking at Akira steadfastly as she held the mic and spoke. "Er...he is my b-boyfriend. That is our, um...'relation'."

"Ohoho! Now that is some news!"

Akira looked genuinely surprised for a second, but the happiest smile crossed his face as her words sank in. Makoto smiled softly as a roar echoed throughout the auditorium, stepping back from the mic and rushing off the stage. She seized Akira's arm and pulled him as quickly as she could out of the place. Akira, still stunned from her confession, simply went along with it, counting on her to guide him. The excited shouts and cries of the students followed them until they managed to escape to a secluded location.

"Roof's illegal, Miss President."

"You are the last person I want to hear this from!"

Akira chuckled as Makoto practically threw him into one of the spare folding chairs, pulling up one of her own close to his and sitting down with a small huff. "I made a fool of myself…"

"I wouldn't say that."

Makoto gave him a dull look. "The post-festival party has never felt that long before. I must admit I'm impressed you were able to say what you did before."

Akira smiled warmly, putting an arm around Makoto's shoulder to urge her to lean on his shoulder. She complied, relaxing as she let out a breath. "I should be saying that about you. That was...incredible."

"I don't know, I was...quite flustered."

"You could have lied."

"Mm, that would've left a bad taste in my mouth. Besides, I had to pay you back somehow. You're quite reliable in a pinch."

"Oh, am I?"

Makoto smiled and closed her eyes, taking one of Akira's hands and lacing their fingers together. "You are. Sis always said that if I get married, my husband should be someone dependable like that."

Akira looked up at the sky and smiled happily, even as Makoto stiffened against him and babbled, "Oh! Um…forget what I just said!"

"...Makoto?"

She tried to look up at his face, but he simply squeezed her hand, resting his head carefully on hers and murmuring, "Can you say that again?"

"H-huh? Oh, I-..."

She whined softly and nuzzled against him, effectively lifting his mood as he turned in his seat and cupped her cheek in a palm. "Please?"

"Akira-kun…"

Akira simply smiled lovingly and kissed her, taking off his glasses and tucking them into his blazer pocket. He pulled away after a moment to say, "Y'know, I was telling the truth. I love you."

Makoto returned the expression warmly and scooted closer, pushing her bag under the chair with her foot. The donuts could wait for a few minutes. "I love you, too."

They leaned towards each other again, foreheads bumping affectionately before Makoto happily accepted another kiss.

When, at the end of the date, I saw that the item Makoto gives you is simply, and rather charmingly, called "Makoto Donuts", I had to laugh a bit. I imagined that she had a brand name and everything.