Saturday, September 10: Afternoon

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Fierce sunlight baked down on Ren Amamiya's face as he accompanied his friends to the hotel lobby. Mishima guzzled some water with one hand, doing his best to beat the intense Hawaiian heat. Ryuji Sakamoto followed close behind, sifting through the bag of sand and shells he'd gotten from the gift shop earlier that day. As the three passed beneath the awning, the blond tilted up his sunglasses and frowned.

"This school trip has been a bust. When are we gonna start doing stuff we can't just do back in Japan?"

Mishima turned to his blond friend. "I mean, we have eaten at some fancy restaurants."

"Forget that." Ryuji threw his hands in the air. "There's one thing this whole trip's been missing: the chance to make a once-in-a-lifetime summer memory!"

Mishima tilted his head in interest. "You have anything in mind?"

"You know, I've heard some other guys were getting all cozy with their girlfriends, or some shit."

Mishima did his best not to laugh at the mental image of a restless Ryuji silently cursing at his roommate's actions the previous evening.

"You mean, like what happened last night?"

Ryuji's eyes lit up. "Exactly! And I was thinking, 'Hawaii's famous for its beaches', and, you know… what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii!"

"What are you getting at?" Ren asked.

Ryuji smirked at the grand idea he'd just drummed up in his head. "We could get some girls' numbers this afternoon, then sneak away with them at night! It'll be awesome! We'll finally have girlfriends for a change!"

Mishima rubbed his arm sheepishly. "I guess that's true, but…"

"Aww, come on!" Ryuji insisted. "I know you're acting all cool, but you're totally coming with. We gotta get some street cred back home!"

Before Ren could answer, his phone's signature ringtone filled the air.

"Ooh! You got a message? What could that—" Ryuji paused suddenly, a subtle smirk spreading across his face. "Actually, you don't gotta answer that in front of us. It might be something about you-know-what…"

"You-know-what?" Mishima repeated. "Must be something personal, then."

The blond then turned around, gesturing with his finger towards the beach.

"Anyways, Mishima! Let's go!"

Mishima's anticipation deflated in an instant. "Wait, what? It's only going to be the two of us now, Sakamoto?!"

Ryuji's impatience surged. "Don't give me that look! We're going to Waikiki! Try and get a little more excited!"

Clumps of sand flew airborne as Ryuji dashed away, leaving Mishima far behind. Mishima let out a dissatisfied groan, hesitating before he rushed to join Ryuji on his self-proclaimed "mission". As the two drew away from view, Ren turned his attention to a more pressing matter—the message on his phone. He opened his inbox, smiling as he noticed just who had sent him his latest message: his team strategist and crush, Makoto Niijima.

[Ren, I hope your day is going well so far. Could you give me a call when you have a moment?]

Saturday, September 10: Afternoon

Royal Hawaiian Hotel - Room 301

"Hello?"

"Hi, Makoto," Ren said as a smile formed on his face. "How's your day been?"

"I just got back from chaperoning a jet ski tour. How did you spend your morning?"

Ren relaxed into his soft mattress. "I went scuba diving with a few of the others. We saw tons of reef fish during our dive, and I even got to feed an eagle ray."

"Sounds like you had fun. As for me, I'm hanging out on the lanai right now. It's great to finally take a little break from my job."

"Do tell. Must've been fun being Mom to someone other than our band of thieves."

"Our classmates are easier to deal with than someone like Skull," Makoto explained. "For one, they actually listen if I ask them to stop running around. Other than making sure no one bothered the locals, we did a lot of what you guys did."

"Did any sharks pop up?" Ren asked. "Didn't see any when I was with the guys."

"There weren't any sharks, but Matsumoto-san managed to a photo of Ms. Kawakami with a dolphin. He wants to put it on the front page of the student newspaper."

Ren struggled to remain composed. "The Shujin Shimbun is getting a swimsuit edition? That's one way to drive up sales."

Makoto laughed softly, bringing a wide smile to Ren's joyful face.

"Say, Ren. Do you have anything planned for this evening?"

"Not particularly."

"You see… I was planning to walk on the beach later. If it's all right with you, would you mind coming along with me?"

"I'm in!" Ren bolted off of the bed but quickly caught himself. "I—I mean, that sounds great."

"Really?!" Makoto shouted, echoing his excitement.

"Of course. Spending time on the beach sounds amazing."

"Thank you! One more thing, Ren." She paused for a moment, her voice sounding smaller. "Should I wear a swimsuit?"

"Of course you should. This is Hawaii, after all."

"In that case, I'll come prepared," Makoto said. "When were you thinking we could meet up?"

"Would forty-five minutes from now work well? I'd like to get the salt out of my hair, first."

"Sounds great, Ren. I'll see you later."

"See you then."

As Ren lowered the phone from his ear, a burst of texts from Ryuji flooded the screen.

[What was that message earlier? Was it from Futaba?]

[Wait, don't tell me… was it a nude?!]

[Come on! You got to make memories with us instead! We bombed it on that beach in Japan, after all!]

Ren couldn't help but shake his head, looking away from his phone and smirking to himself. He could make memories with "the boys" if he really wanted to, but his mind quickly drifted to the thought of Makoto in her swimsuit. Ren's face flushed bright red as he stepped in the bathroom, readying himself for the upcoming evening between himself and his Queen.

Saturday, September 10: Evening

Waikiki Beach

The warm sea breeze immediately passed through Ren's hair, pushing dark black strands towards his stone-colored eyes. Ren quickly raised his hand to clear his view, taking in the serene ambience which now surrounded him. The saline-scented air, palm trees, and teal sky offered an amazing change of scenery from the urban backdrop of eastern Japan. It was only moments before he caught sight of Makoto through the strong sunlight of the early evening. She sat comfortably on a bench near the beach's entrance, taking in the tremendous view of the ocean ahead. As Ren drew closer, Makoto perked up, looking him in the eyes and returning an inviting grin.

"Hi, Ren. It's nice to see you. Sorry to ask about doing something so suddenly."

Ren returned a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. Being a chaperone sounds like a rough job. You've been doing great, Makoto."

"Thank you." A modest smile spread across Makoto's face. "There's a lot they don't tell you about being a chaperone. Like the meetings. The constant meetings. This is the first free moment I've actually had today."

"I think it worked out perfectly," Ren said. "Most people have cleared out by now, so we should have the beach to ourselves."

"I'm fairly surprised there are so few people out here. Hawaii is well known for its beaches, after all."

Ren put a hand to his chin. "Maybe it gets too cold for some people at this time of night."

"That's always a possibility," Makoto said. "They might also prefer to spend the night in so they can get a break from the heat."

Ren pointed towards the open sea. "Now, then. You ready to check things out?"

Makoto nodded, joining Ren as he made a beeline for the water.

"You know what that says?" Ren asked, gesturing towards the yellow insignia on the food truck's banner.

Makoto brought her hands together. "Garlic shrimp. I've heard that's a famous Hawaiian dish."

"Want to give it a try?"

"If you were feeling up to it, then sure." Makoto turned to Ren in interest. "Are you adventurous when it comes to food?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, sometimes."

The brunette's eyes widened in surprise. "That's amazing. I always just stick with the standard fare. Then again, vacations are about experiencing new things. Let's give it a try."

The two approached the ordering window together, gathering the cashier's attention with a friendly wave.

"Hello," Makoto said. "We'd each like the garlic shrimp, please. Ren would also like the loco moco, with a side of spam musubi."

"That'll be eleven dollars."

Ren took care of paying the cashier as Makoto took their food trays into her hands and bowed in respect.

"You two from Japan?" the cashier asked, adjusting his oversized straw hat.

Makoto moved a lock of hair behind her ear. "Ah. Yes, we are."

Immediately, the man's expression lit up. "How about them Phantom Thieves, huh? The guys that steal hearts!"

The brunette brought her hand to her chin in surprise. "Wait. How do you know about them?"

"Heard about it on the news! They're all the rage in Japan, yeah?"

Makoto gently nudged Ren with her elbow. "Seems like we're even making headlines abroad…"

"Say, if you run into them, tell them I say hello and ask them to change peoples' hearts, so everyone loves shrimp! Ha ha!"

"O-Of course," Makoto said. "I'll do just that."

Ren and Makoto waved goodbye and made their way to the center of the beach. They quickly scouted out a long bench which offered an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean. The two Phantom Thieves each took a seat next to each other, ready to indulge in the delicious food before them.

"We should play some Hawaiian music," Makoto suggested.

"Just a second."

Ren turned to his phone, quickly starting up his music app in moments. A song with a powerful bass line and electric guitar played over the speakers. Makoto scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Um… Ren? Are you sure this is Hawaiian music? It sounds a lot like our Palace playlist."

"Turns out, it is the Palace playlist," Ren answered, somewhat embarrassed. "One moment."

Ren quickly silenced his phone. After a brief pause, the calm timbre of a ukulele and pedal steel guitar filled the air instead.

"This food looks amazing," Makoto said, facing her food.

Ren turned to her with his trademark grin. "You're going to help me finish all the shrimp, right?"

"I'll get such a food baby if I do that."

He persisted, his welcoming eyes working wonders on Makoto's reluctance. "Want to be adventurous today?"

Makoto grinned in kind and softly beckoned for Ren to scoop some shrimp onto her tray. The moment she took a bite, a burst of flavors stole her breath away.

"Oh, my goodness. This is some of the best shrimp I've ever had. Actually, I haven't had shrimp in a while. The last time was at a place Sis and I visit from time to time."

"What's it called?" Ren asked.

"Cuisine de Carnot. It's well known for its French dishes."

Ren brushed a small bit of his hair to the side. "Isn't it a couple blocks past the arcade in Shibuya?"

"I think so." Makoto reached for another spoonful of food. "Sis likes to stay late and work on cases with co-workers there, so I often go over to the arcade while she finishes up."

Ren leaned back against the bench, smirking in admiration. "I'll have to challenge you to a duel one of these days."

"It's a deal," Makoto said. "You, me, and a game of Outrun."

Makoto turned towards the bright orange hue of the evening sky, savoring its growing beauty as the sun continued on its descent below the waves.

"How beautiful," she whispered, reclining against the backrest as a solemn expression formed on her face.

"You doing all right?" Ren asked.

"Mostly." She paused for a moment and let out a quiet sigh. "I just thought about something, that's all."

Ren turned to Makoto with a tender expression. "I'm all ears if you want to talk about it."

Makoto rolled out the tension building in her shoulders. "It's about my sister. I was thinking about what she'd do if she saw me laid back like this."

Ren rested his arms against his knees. "I know your sister means well, but it sounds like she's far too hard on you. You're already at the top of your class and have a solid chance of making it into a good college. Why is she treating you like that?"

"I… I'm not sure. Truth be known, I haven't given it much thought."

Ren put his hands together. "Has she always been this way?"

"There used to be a time when Sis was different." Makoto's lips dipped into a frown. "She was brighter. More positive. She took everything in stride, putting forth her best effort to pursue her dreams. But our father's death definitely changed her. I don't think I've seen Sis smile once since we attended his funeral. All she seems to care about now is making sure I match her expectations. That, and her job with the prosecutor's office."

Ren softly looked into Makoto's eyes, doing whatever he could to lend her support in this moment of vulnerability.

"Come to think of it, when I think about how much my relationship with Sis has changed, one incident between us really stands out. We were eating dinner one night and we started talking about the Phantom Thieves. I suggested that our father would have supported the team if he was still alive. To say Sis didn't take it well is an understatement. She exploded. Sis couldn't stop talking about how I was a drain on her life—how useless I was to her."

Ren's face lit up in solemn surprise. "So, that's why Kaneshiro's taunts made you awaken your Persona. He called you useless, just like your sister once did."

"At that moment, I realized that I deserved the same things as everybody else. I was tired of living behind a mask everywhere I went. I just wanted to be myself for a change. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I can be myself and make Sis happy at the same time."

Makoto's normally-upright posture deflated in sorrow.

"Ren… I know this isn't the best moment to ask for advice, but I need your insights. How can I make sure my new path doesn't tear me and my sister apart?"

He remained silent for a brief moment, examining Makoto's story in delicate detail. Turning back towards her, he issued his reply.

"I would stay true to yourself, Makoto. I'm here for you, too. I'll always have your back, no matter what obstacles stand in our way."

A rosy hue took hold on Makoto's face as she turned back to face Ren. "Thank you, Ren. I—I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. You're incredibly sweet, and above all, really kind."

An endearing smile spread across Ren's smiling face. "Thanks, Makoto."

"This reminds me. I'd like you to have this."

Makoto reached down towards her side, revealing a small box in her right palm. She gingerly opened the lid to show the tiki keychain inside.

"I know it's not the most impressive souvenir, but I hope it'll remind you of all the memories we've made together."

"I love it," Ren said, a wide smirk spreading from one end of his face to the other.

Makoto sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I'm really glad you like it, Ren. Could I put it on for you?"

Ren nodded. Makoto gently grasped the keychain in her hand and moved it up to Ren's neck. After securing the chain to his liking, she set the box down next to his side.

"Makoto," Ren said.

"Yes?"

"Come to think of it, there's one memory I've wanted to make for a while now."

"Really?" Makoto's voice filled with surprise. "What did you have in mind?"

Ren gently set down his hand on top of Makoto's, looking tenderly into her garnet eyes.

"I want us to spend the rest of the night together. Just you and me, Makoto."

Makoto's face flushed deep red. "Are… are you sure, Ren?"

"Of course I am. You're wonderful, Makoto."

Makoto briefly hesitated before returning Ren's gesture, holding his hand firmly in hers. Her heart pounded within her chest as she thought over her next move.

"Ren, I um… I hope this isn't too forward, but… there's a memory of my own I'd like to make today. Would that be okay?"

"Absolutely. What is it?"

Makoto turned to Ren and stammered something into his ear in a meek voice. Ren quickly blushed in return.

"I'd love to, Makoto."

Makoto nodded, prompting Ren to deeply envelop her in his warm embrace. She melted into him, holding her arms against his back and broad shoulders as their lips gently touched. Ren ran his hands against Makoto's supple skin, pulling her closer towards him as their embrace drew stronger yet. They each held steady against each other, savoring every moment they spent in their soft cocoon of warmth and love. After a near eternity, their lips parted, just as the evening sun delicately settled behind the horizon. Makoto kept her gaze firmly settled on Ren's charcoal eyes, smiling with the force of a thousand suns as he spoke to her once more.

"I love you, Makoto Niijima."

She leaned forward, planting her lips tenderly against Ren's and holding him even stronger.

"Ren Amamiya. Like a true phantom thief, you've stolen my heart. I love you, too."