Author's Note: Gonna be tweaking canon here to avoid spoilers and because trying to research an event ended up spoiling something in the plot for myself. Whoops.
...
"All right, that was a great performance by the dance club! Everybody give them another round of applause!"
A smattering of respectful applause from an audience who already looked like they were bored to death with the event as Makoto let out a sigh.
"...My apologies for being so distracted, Akira. I'm more used to being on the stage talking to the school than in the audience watching, so I'm not sure what to do..." she admitted.
"It's okay. I'm not sure what to do either," he said.
"That's right. You haven't seen what happens during the post festival yet, have you?" she asked. He shook his head. "Well, after the clubs have all been on stage..."
"And now, it's time for your favourite Shujin tradition: the Student Sharing Special! Round of applause, everyone!"
"The Student Sharing Special happens, where the MC calls upon students to share something with the rest of the school," Makoto explained as more respectful applause rang out. "This event is never really popular. The older teachers seem to enjoy it for some reason though..."
"Probably because it lets them find out stuff about the students," Akira guessed.
"Perhaps."
"All right, who has something to say? Anyone? Anyone?!" The MC called out. "No? I'll just have to pick someone then!"
"He's choosing from the crowd? This year's MC is actually somewhat capable," Makoto observed.
"The last ones weren't?"
"No. The one from last year got caught in-"
"Oooh, is that our lovely student council president over there?!"
Makoto let out a quiet but alarmed yelp as the rest of the audience turned to look at her, causing Akira to smirk slightly
"Come on up here, Miss Prez!" the MC called to her.
Makoto turned towards Akira pleadingly. "...Do I have to go?" she asked.
Akira's smirk grew playful and he nodded. "I'll never forget you, 'Miss Prez'," he told her, adopting a saddened, dramatic tone as he spoke as though it was the last time he would ever see her.
"That's not really the proper use for that phrase..."
"Everybody's waiting for you, Miss President!" The suddenly attentive audience let out a collection of cheers and applause as Makoto sighed and began to make her way to the stage, with Akira walking away to grab a seat at the front of the audience.
"Here she is!" the MC began as Makoto stepped in front of the microphone on the stage. "Everyone's favourite student council president, Makoto Niijima!"
"Hello..." she began uncertainly, still adjusting to the surprise of being suddenly called on stage.
"So, with everything that's happened this year, like the Kamoshida scandal, I'd be surprised if you even had time to be studying for your entrance exams!"
"W-Well, I-"
"Now then, on with the show! What would you like to share with us today, Miss President?" the MC asked.
Makoto stayed silent, attempting to think of what to say.
"Miss President?"
"Ummm... I don't really have anything to say..." she quietly admitted. "...I'm sorry."
"That's okay! Here, I'll give you a question!" The MC quickly glanced at the flash cards in his hand, before looking back at Makoto. "What do you think of these 'Phantom Thieves', who were supposedly involved in Kamoshida scandal?"
"What?"
"The Phantom Thieves! They've stirred up quite a storm this year, from their mysterious calling cards, to a site dedicated to supporting them appearing on the internet and even a scandal involving a famous artist being credited to them! Some people are theorizing that they may not be as noble as they appear, or that they might not even exist! So what do you think, Miss President? Do you believe the Phantom Thieves exist?"
"Well... I think they exist."
"You do? Well then, what do you think of their involvement with Kamoshida? Do you think what they are doing is noble or do you think they have personal reasons?" the MC asked as Makoto shifted uncomfortably from side to side.
This could be awkward, Akira observed. Let's change the subject.
"Well..."
An idea popped into Akira's head. Allowing his expression to grow into a genuine smile, he stood up, cupped his hands around his mouth and proceeded to yell "I've always loved you, Makoto!" out loud in front of the entire audience.
The adorably squeaky "What?!" that came from the surprised student president only made his smile grow wider, even more so when a particularly bewildered voice shouted "For real?!" from high up behind him.
"Now this is drama! A boy caught up in the throes of bittersweet youth! A stunning confession of love!"
The audience started up with supportive cheers and comments as Makoto looked at Akira, letting out a groan as her face turned a dark shade of crimson while the MC pointed him out for everyone else to see.
"Sooo, Miss President... What's your relation to this guy? Is he your boyfriend? Or perhaps a secret lover?" the MC said teasingly.
"R-relation..?!" she stammered out.
"My, she's red as a beet! A rare glimpse into the girly side of our stunning Miss President!" Makoto started trying to look away from the audience, Akira, the MC, anything, while the audience let out a sympathetic "aww".
"But, I'm a gentleman! It hurts my heart to bully such a sweet girl! But I do hope you enjoyed our blushing beauty, so let's give it up for her! Thank you very much, Miss President!" he announced to a choir of disappointed chatter as Makoto made her way off the stage.
"Now, who should be next..."
"Over here, over here! This guy's got something!" A voice called out from above.
"Hmm... Where is 'this guy'?" The MC made a grand show of looking around before dramatically sighing. "I can't seem to find him! Oh well! Uh, Blondie, step on up here!" he called out, pointing above Akira's head.
"Whattt!?" the unlucky person yelled out, drawing the audience's attention and giving Akira the chance to slip out of the room after Makoto, who was walking up the stairs towards the roof.
"...I made a fool of myself," she groaned as she walked out onto the school roof, Akira close behind her. "The post festival party has never felt that long before..."
"I don't know. Felt like it went by pretty quickly to me," Akira mumbled, which went unheard.
"By the way... I'm surprised you were able to say what you did back there."
"Well," Akira began, taking her hand. "You looked like you were having trouble, so I tried to help."
"Huh... I was at a complete loss for words." She walked forward and gently wrapped him in a hug, resting her head against his chest. "You really helped me... Thank you," she told him.
He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her close. "It's alright."
She closed her eyes, allowing the steady rhythm of his heart to comfort her. "This may be a little rude to say, but you're surprisingly reliable in a pinch."
He looked at her with an eyebrow raised, his silent response of "Really?" going unnoticed by her.
"My sister always says if I get married, my husband should always be someone dependable like that..." Silence filled the roof for a few seconds, until what Makoto had just said hit both of them, causing her eyes to fly open in alarm as she took a few steps away from her boyfriend, her face turning the colour of a beet again. "Oh, um... Uh, forget what I just said!" she said as she laughed uncomfortably.
"H-Husband? C-Can you say that again?" Akira squeaked, his own face going crimson as well as Makoto let out an embarrassed groan. Both stood in silence, the awkwardness hanging thickly in the air until Makoto had recovered enough to look back at him.
"Despite everything that's happened with Eiko... My final post-festival party has turned out to be quite the unforgettable one," she admitted.
"Yeah. Same here. Are they always like this?" Akira asked.
"No. Usually, they aren't very fun."
The two entered a silence again, albeit a much more comfortable one, before Makoto started routing through her vest pocket.
"Oh, right... Here," she said, holding out a small box with "donuts" written on the top in smooth handwriting. "If you'd accept this..."
"Donuts?" Akira asked as he gently took the box off of her, opening it to look at them. "Thank you, Makoto. They look delicious."
"I hope you enjoy it," she told him, allowing herself a small smile, before holding a hand out to him. "Come, let's go home."
Akira nodded and took her hand, and the two began to walk towards the door-
"-they picked me instead of you, I can't believe that they picked me instead of you!" the annoyed grumblings of Ryuji became audible as he barged through the door onto the roof, Mishima snickering close behind him at his friend's misfortune, only for both to stop at the sight of Akira and Makoto in front of them.
"Oh, Niijima-senpai, Kurusu-kun, we didn't-"
"It's okay," Makoto said, cutting off Mishima's attempt at apologies. "We were leaving."
"Oh. Heh," Mishima chuckled. "You two should've seen Sakamoto-kun, he was a big chicken on the stage!"
"Shut it," Ryuji hissed. "You were the one who was suppposed to be picked, not me.
"I know! It's karma!" Mishima laughed as Akira and Makoto shared a glance before walking through the door and down the stairs.
...
Did you get home safely?
Makoto smiled down at her phone as she sent her reply.
Yes, I did. Did you?
Yeah.
Good.
Makoto turned the DVD player on and set a film off playing as she pulled herself into a cross legged position, flicking through a textbook until her phone buzzed again.
Are you free Saturday?
Yes, I am.
Okay. I was thinking a night in would do us some good, between school and Mementos, we've not really had time to relax, have we?
That is true. A thought occured to Makoto as she sent that text, one that made her cringe. There was also something I wanted to try, from my books. We could try it then, if you wanted?
Sure. See you then.
A part of her wondered if she was even doing the right thing. She remembered what she'd been taught in classes about it, and she'd watched the videos Eiko had provided for her on the subject, but actually doing it...
She'd need to be prepared. She might have charged into this unprepared, but she sure wasn't going to risk anything happening. Quickly making a mental list of everything she needed for Saturday, she immediately focussed on the film to push the thought to the back of her mind.
Oh, they're staring at each other through a fish tank. Is that normal?
Maybe it means something? Like the glass is showing their magnified desires?
Could be. Also, Yusuke sent me a drawing he did.
A picture appeared on her phone, showing a drawing of her catching a Heavenly Punisher's blade between her hands and Akira with the gun in its side.
Wow. That looks very impressive.
It is.
...
Makoto emerged out onto the open street from the train station, letting out an annoyed groan upon seeing the rain falling. She went to put her umbrella up, only for the rain to suddenly stop hitting her.
"I fixed it," Akira announced in a goofy tone which made her chuckle.
"I see you did. Thank you," she told him as they huddled closely under his umbrella. "Shall we?"
"Yes." Both linked hands and began to walk along the road to the café.
"What was the thing you wanted to try?" Akira asked as they walked along.
"Oh, um..." A dark blush crept onto her face as she lowerered her gaze. "I-I'll explain when we get there," she said quickly.
"Oh, okay." Both resumed their walk in silence, Makoto's face finally returning to it's usual colour when they arrived outside of Leblanc. Opening the door for her, Akira allowed Makoto to step inside first, before stepping inside and closing the door after himself.
"Hey, boss," Makoto greeted Sojiro.
"Hey. Did Akira tell you?" he asked.
"Tell me what?"
"I've got to close up early today. So you're free to stay here until you want to leave," Sojiro explained.
"O-oh, okay."
"So don't leave a mess." Sojiro took off his apron and folded it up, before heading for the door. "Lock up after me, will you?"
"Sure. Makoto, you okay to head upstairs? I'll be up in a moment," Akira asked. Makoto nodded and set off towards the stairs, checking her bag to make sure she had everything, the nervous feeling in her stomach growing worse every step she took into the attic. Quickly making her way to the bed, she sat down and started scanning the room around her, trying to distract herself from what she had planned.
"Where's Morgana?" Makoto called out.
"Ann asked if she could take him for the day. Morgana agreed, so I didn't see why not," Akira answered as he made his way upstairs.
Come on, Makoto, a voice in her head told her. Do it.
"A-Akira?" She asked as she stood up from the bed.
"Yes?" He walked up into the attic to see Makoto stood up, legs shaking as she walked towards him, hands held behind her back. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing." She walked up to him, close enough for him to smell the shampoo in her hair again, and gently guided him to the couch before stepping away. "I-I wanted to show you something."
"Oh?" he asked curiously.
Crossing her arms at her waist, she began to pull up her t-shirt up and over her head, showing off her new white bikini top to Akira. "W-What do you think?" she asked, turning from side to side to show off the sides of the top.
The curious look on Akira's face quickly vanished and was replaced with a look of complete bafflement. "Erm... It suits you?" he said hesitantly, confused as to what she was doing.
That's not what the guys said in the videos Eiko sent me, Makoto thought.
"O-Oh. M-maybe you should have a c-closer look?" She offered, walking over to sit next to him on shaky legs, internally questioning why this wasn't going how the videos did.
Akira looked away in embarrassment. "M-Makoto..."
She looked at him worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"I-I... I don't want to."
She blinked. "Y-you don't want to...?" That's definitely not how it went. "W-Why?"
"It-It's not you, I-I-I just... I-I'm sorry, but can you p-please put your clothes back on...?
"O-of course." Makoto pulled her top back over her head and covered herself back up, cringing at what had just happened.
Both settled into an awkward silence for a while, until Akira spoke up again. "I'll... I'll go make us some coffee."
"Y-yes. C-Coffee would be nice," she admitted. Akira turned around and set off walking downstairs to make it, leaving Makoto to sit on the couch and hide her face in embarrassment.
I didn't think if Akira wanted to do this she thought. I didn't think if I wanted to do this. I did all that research, did all the preperation and didn't think if this was what we wanted-
"Makoto?" Akira's voice called up the stairs, drawing her out of her thoughts. "It's ready."
Makoto stood up and made her way down the stairs to the ground floor, where she noticed Akira had placed her coffee on a table in a booth for her to sit in and was busy making his own coffee. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to finish making his.
"I-I'm sorry, Akira," she told him. "To b-be honest, I did not want to do that either."
"Why did you?" he asked.
"I-I thought that if I did that, i-it might lead to somethi- the one thing I haven't learned anything about yet. I thought if we did it..."
"...You could learn about it," he finished.
"Yes."
"Makoto..." Akira reached across the table and took one of her hands in both of his, running a thumb in a soothing manner over her knuckles. "I understand. But if we do it when we aren't ready, we'll both regret it later. Once we are both ready, then we'll talk about it," he told her.
"Are you sure?"
He smiled at her. "Of course I'm sure."
She smiled back, before taking a sip of her coffee. "In that case... Can you teach me about coffee?"
Akira nodded, before taking a sip of his coffee. "Yeah. But not now. For now, let's just relax and enjoy some peace and quiet."
"Of course." Makoto reached into her bag, pulling out a textbook." Shall we study?" she asked.
Akira's smile grew wider and warmer, and made the fluttering sensation in her chest grow stronger. "I'd like that."
...
Author's Note: Apologies if some scenes felt rushed, I did not enjoy writing the scene in the attic at all. Even implying that sort of thing is something I do not like, but I felt it was a lesson Makoto had to learn.
But this is it for Educating Makoto. I'll probably go back and fix some things, might add a chapter detailing Akira's feelings, but I enjoyed writing this fic a lot, and I'm very happy with the warm response it got. Shout out to the r/Fanfiction Discord and its users for helping me with this fic. I hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you all in the next fic, hopefully!