Amamiya Ren navigated the Central Street crowds to Toyo Cinemas. Makoto and the others were already gathered in front of the entrance. He smiled to himself, watching Makoto giggle at something one of the others must have said.
He had worried that bringing the team as cover would force her into the "responsible one" role. Fortunately, she seemed to be having fun.
Her excitement must have overridden her other instincts.
Inviting everyone who wasn't working on the calling card had been the right move. As much as he liked the idea of a traditional date and of pulling one over on his tails, when it came to actually planning it, the pressure it would put on Makoto was too much. She wouldn't be able to enjoy the film. Going as a group gave them cover with much less risk.
It made things easier on him too. It was frustrating that Hasegawa had snuck up on them multiple times. They hadn't even noticed the initial tails. Even with his Third Eye, Ren wasn't sure if he was seeing everything he should be.
"Yo, Ren!" Ryuji waved as he got close.
Makoto, Haru, and Yusuke followed in greeting him.
"How are Ann and Futaba?" asked Makoto. She held one balled hand up in front of her chest.
She couldn't completely unplug.
"Futaba says she's fully prepped on her end," he replied. "And that so far what Ann's been requesting is easy."
"That's a relief." It was slight, but he could tell her whole body relaxed.
"Alright!" Ryuji pumped his fist just as Makoto loosened hers. "I can't wait to recor-"
Ren turned his head sharply, eyes widening to get his message across.
Ryuji stopped, though he wasn't looking at Ren but behind him.
Ren turned to see Haru making a very similar expression.
"Aaaanyway," Ryuji pivoted. "We should go inside."
Ren nodded.
They headed towards the glass double doors marking the entrance. Ren gave one last look over the people nearby, trying to commit them to memory and see who followed them in. Given they weren't secretive about where they were going, there might be some undercover agents already inside.
Though they had agreed they wouldn't be able to do anything if they were too paranoid, it didn't hurt to be more aware. They had protocols in place to protect their most sensitive matters, but even those weren't foolproof.
If he could just train his third eye.
As they walked through the theater hallways, Ren shifted his vision, trying it again.
Nothing was revealed but the glow of his friends.
A nip at his sleeve brought him back to normal vision. Makoto was giving him a questioning look.
Ren shrugged as if to tell her: "I had to try."
Since they had arrived early, their particular theater was mostly empty when they walked inside. They picked the back corner. Ren sat in the furthest seat, with Makoto next to him and Yusuke on the other side of her. He propped his phone up in his bag, ensuring a line of sight between Sophia and the screen. Ryuji and Haru sat in front of them, with Morgana sharing Haru's seat.
From that position, they could naturally see others but anyone looking at them would stick out.
It wasn't what they would have typically chosen however.
"Can you see okay?" he asked.
"It's fine," Makoto replied.
A polite answer. He raised his eyebrows and waited.
"I'm sure I'll get used to it once the movie starts," she added.
He looked at the screen. She was probably right. It wasn't like they were that far off center. Still, he wanted to make this special for her.
Like she could read his mind, she spoke, a little softer than before. "I'd still prefer seeing it like this than alone."
He grinned as he turned back to her. She gave him a brief nod and raised her hand, her fingers uncurling, before she drew it back and pressed her lips together, thwarting a smile.
Ren realized he had raised his own hand from its resting position on his leg. It seemed so natural to reach out, but they couldn't, not even in a dark theater, not until they knew more about avoiding the police.
He looked over the seats being filled before them. Any one of them could be working for the police, even the one guy he recognized from Untouchable. His third eye didn't show him anything either.
The theater was full by the time the trailers started. It wasn't a surprise given that it was opening weekend. Ren wondered if the police would have been able to get tickets. He reminded himself to thank Futaba again for urging he keep his purchases to cash.
When the main feature started, Makoto leaned in, just a little. Ren peeked out the corner of his eyes, seeing her jaw loosen, her lips just parting, and her eyes widen with anticipation.
He smiled. As he'd hoped, she got used to it once the movie started.
The plot was fairly standard for this kind of movie. Ren didn't mind. It meant he could focus more on Makoto. It wasn't long before she was fully entranced, her hands balled in in fists in front of her, her face locked on the visuals before her.
She had done this the last time they went to see one of these kinds of movies too. It had been just as cute then, but since they weren't dating at the time, it had been harder to justify noticing. He breathed in, remembering the mix of emotions that day and enjoying a small feeling of triumph for where they were now.
––––– ––––– –––––
"Hey Ren..." Sophia's call was becoming routine to him. Her curiosity was abundant. He wondered if she experienced feelings like impatience as she waited for a private moment to ask all her questions.
The theater had cleared out. The group had waited through the credits and then let the rest of the patrons exit first since they were in the back. Ren had watched for tails. He could tell Makoto was doing the same, possibly Yusuke too, but it was never obvious why their artist friend chose to examine any subject.
Either way, they hadn't found any.
The others were descending the stairs to the screening's exit when Sophia interrupted him. Ren stopped and took out his phone. Sophia's image was full on the screen.
"Did you find the movie boring?" she asked.
"No. I thought it was interesting," Ren responded. It was a strange question. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just that Makoto had, I believe it's called, 'eyes glued to the screen,' and Yusuke was watching the movie the whole time too," said Sophia. "But you kept glancing away. Did you not like it as much as they did?"
"Ah," he felt his cheeks bunch around the corners of his mouth as his grin formed. "No one likes these kinds of movies as much as Makoto. When there's a scene I know she'll like, I want to see her reaction."
"Huh," Sophia looked around the bounds of her screen. "So watching Makoto is more enjoyable than watching the movie."
"Yes... and watching Makoto makes watching the movie more enjoyable for me," he replied. Sophia really forced him to consider his actions in a way he hadn't before. Things that were intuitive to him were mysterious to her.
But... maybe they weren't actually all that different.
"It sounds like you spent much of the movie watching us," he added. "Is it not similar?"
Sophia blinked a few times, looking perplexed, before her expression lit up again. "Oh, so this is why 'going to the movies' is enjoyable. I got it."
"One of the reasons," he smiled. "Let's go experience some of the others."
––––– ––––– –––––
Zenkichi loitered in the movie theater lobby. By his calculations, the Phantom Thieves would be getting out any moment—meaning he would get what he came for well before the staff started wondering why he hadn't gone to his particular showing.
Sure, he could have pulled out his badge and saved PubSec the ticket price, but that was liable to attract attention.
Despite his tip the previous day, the Phantom Thieves still viewed him with contempt. All reports suggested they had at least run with the info, heading directly to their old school. So what were they doing at a movie theater in Shibuya now?
Whatever it was, there was still no evidence that they were behind the recent behavior of Alice's fans. What little he heard yesterday was in line with their claims that they were trying to solve the case... which was in turn consistent with his theory that it wasn't them. Either way, they clearly held intel that he didn't and the best way to that intel was through them.
"Those fight scenes were brutal!"
Sakamoto.
Zenkichi was lucky the boy had some pipes.
The Phantom Thieves emerged from one of the offshoot hallways... only, some of them were missing. Sakura and Takamaki.
"They certainly had a different choreography to them than the ones in those super hero movies." It was Kitagawa. "It was quite entrancing."
"The stunt coordinator won a Special Academy Prize a couple years back," Niijima explained. "He's known for being able to set up iconic moments within otherwise gritty, realistic action. When paired with the right director, they can hit a sweet spot of believability and inspiration."
"Whoa Makoto, you really know-" Sakamoto cut himself off. "No wait, it'd make sense you'd be into this stuff."
Niijima displayed a brief moment of horrified surprise before sputtering, "P-plenty of people like this. It's not strange."
"Exactly!" Okumura's smiling face beamed. "I liked how visceral the Foley was whenever Kuroda connected with some guy's jaw."
She made punching motions with her fists as she spoke and punctuated it all with a short giggle.
The incongruity between the sweetness of Okumura's voice and the content of her words was ever unnerving. Zenkichi told himself it was her wealth that made her intimidating. Even with Okumura Foods stock tanking last year, she was probably still loaded enough to exert political influence.
It was embarrassing to admit it wasn't just that though...
Focus Hasegawa.
While the rest of the team continued their banter, the leader, Amamiya, hung back. The kid was hard to read, but there was a way he carried himself today that seemed satisfied. Zenkichi couldn't put a finger on exactly what it was though, or why.
Also, just like the day before at the station, Amamiya was carrying a live cat in his bag. The lighting in the theater made it had to see, but after noticing it once he knew what to look for. It was probably the same cat he had previously seen at the café.
The reports from the other agents hadn't mentioned the cat. They focused instead on dry accountings of where Amamiya had been. Given that the Phantom Thieves mechanisms remained a mystery, it was disappointing they either weren't noticing or weren't reporting something so strange.
What could they be doing with a cat though?
"Hey, think we can do this again when Hypey Man comes out?" Sakamoto was leaning his head back into his hands, both elbows out.
"I've been curious about Love Robot myself," Kitagawa said with a detached affect.
"Oooh! Let's see a scary movie!" Okumura wrapped both her arms around one of Niijima's.
The other girl closed her eyes, shook her head, and muttered. "You're worse than Futaba..."
Seeing them like this, they really seemed like ordinary teenagers who just went to the movies to go to the movies.
Was there something more?
Was this really a distraction to draw attention away from Sakura and Takamaki?
The last report he had read put Sakura at her home. While there was little on her as a Phantom Thief, there was a trail regarding custody after her mother's death. The files indicated mental health struggles. It wouldn't be surprising if movie theaters weren't her thing, but maybe there was more to it.
Zenkichi didn't want to take his eyes off the leader, but maybe it was time to circle around elsewhere.
––––– ––––– –––––
Makoto ascended the stairs to Leblanc's attic. The team had parted ways shortly after conversation about the movie died down. As much as she wanted more time with Ren, she knew it was better to play things cautiously. She went home and studied for a few hours, thinking she might as well get things done now so she would have more time when they were past all of this.
When Ann sent the message that she and Futaba expected to be finished within the hour, Ren had sent a follow up indicating Yusuke and Ryuji were already there. He added that their friends were just about to help Sakura-san with some leftovers from the lunch rush.
Makoto smiled recalling the meaning.
Indeed, when she arrived the two boys were in the back booth with an array of plates. Morgana was on the cut out by the wall, tail slowly waving back and forth. Sakura-san had muttered a wish about them being as good at washing plates as they were at creating them before giving her a knowing smirk.
Stepping into the attic, Makoto found Ren holding a CRT in both arms.
Seeing her arrive, he placed the old television down on the table by the wall, next to an equally old gaming console with its controllers haphazardly placed. It wasn't hard to guess what the boys had been up to.
"Hi." She smiled and made quick strides into his personal space.
...or at least, that was what she tried to do.
Ren stepped back, raising his hands chest height, phone in his right hand. "Wait a sec."
Sophia was peeking out on screen.
Oh.
Right. Even if the others were giving them space, Sophia was still there.
If that was the case, then all those times the previous days...
OH.
Makoto wasn't sure if all the color was draining from her face or if it was becoming bright red. It somehow felt like both at the same time.
"Don't be worried Makoto," the AI said. "I won't be bothered. In fact, I would like to observe more about the 'heart,' so you can-"
"Sophia," Ren drew out her name. "We talked about this."
"But I don't understand," Sophia replied. "Won't everybody be happy that way?"
Sophia's tone had such a honest innocence, Makoto couldn't help but empathize, even as her embarrassment still stung. It was easy to forget that despite her capabilities, Sophia had very limited understanding of people.
"It's not that simple," Makoto shook her head and smiled.
"But Ren said you didn't want to bother others," Sophia argued.
"That's part of it," said Makoto. "But regardless of making others uncomfortable, I prefer to keep these things private."
"Why?"
Because of course I do.
Makoto bit the inside of her bottom lip. She let her eyes fall towards the floor as she tried to formulate a response. Unlike the others, one couldn't expect Sophia would understand social norms.
"Well..." Makoto breathed out. "I don't like the idea of people talking about or even thinking about the things I say or do when Ren and I are alone."
It seemed a little shallow, maybe even vain, when she voiced it.
Ren stepped in closer. There was something comforting about his presence, even before he started speaking. "Makoto and I share parts of our hearts that we normally want to protect. These parts are easily damaged, so they can be hurt even if someone else doesn't mean to. That's why we want to keep them hidden."
Makoto brought both of her hands together over her chest. When Ren explained it, her feelings didn't seem wrong to have.
It felt even more secure when he wrapped his free arm around her back, his hand gripping her upper arm.
Sophia still seemed perplexed. "Hmm..."
A few moments passed before the AI spoke again.
"So then what do we do?"
"Well, what do you do when Ren uses the washroom?" asked Makoto.
Ren's hand jerked away from Makoto's arm. She could feel his chest rise behind her. When she turned to face him, his eyes were wide. "Uhh..."
Makoto frowned.
"She's been in my pocket at least..." Ren's eyes shifted away.
"Yes! I only hear things like RrrrrrrRrrrr and Turluturlu and GaWHOOOOOOoooooooosh and ShhhhhhhhShhhhhhh and-"
The corners of Ren's mouth pushed to the sides. Makoto was sure she was making the same face.
Before Sophia could recount every sound, Ren jumped in. "We don't know what happens to her if I turn off my phone and... I don't think it's right to just shut her down."
He had a point.
What might be reasonable? Makoto pondered for a few seconds before coming up with an idea.
"Sophia," Makoto addressed the screen. "Is there any way you can turn off your ability to hear us?"
"Yes, I can do that," she replied.
"Would you still be able to access everything else on my phone?" Ren was quick to follow her line of reasoning. "Like search and news?"
"Yes, those are separate things."
Makoto dipped her chin into one hand. "Sounds like we have enough to figure out a privacy protocol."
––––– ––––– –––––
If the Phantom Thieves had returned to Shibuya like the reports said, they were long gone by the time Zenkichi made it back out there. He was just about head home when all the screens around the crossing started flickering.
It didn't take long for the people on the streets to pay attention. There was a hush as everyone stopped to listen.
A calling card for Hiiragi Alice.
Zenkichi grinned. It looked like his tip from the day before had paid off.
The 'mysterious' Phantom Thieves of Hearts read each line in turn.
To think, these were just some kids hanging out at the movie theater earlier.
Were they really just kids thought? They must have some connections to pull off this stunt.
Well, next time they met, he'd have a little more leverage to find out.
––––– ––––– –––––
"Whooosh!"
Makoto watched as Sophia mirrored Yusuke's pose, adding her own sound effects. Both had their arms stretched out in opposite directions, the toe on the side of the back-facing arm similarly raised. Despite how dark it was near the 'way out' (as Sophia called it), their forms were clear. The white in their costumes even took on colors from the bombastic lights towards the center of Alice's now-quiet Jail.
"Why 'whoosh?'" Futaba sat cross-legged on the wooden scaffolding supporting them. Morgana sat next to her, his short legs stretched out in front of him.
"Doesn't Fox's pose sound like that to you?" Sophia brought her arms and raised leg in briefly before jutting them out again to full stretch. "Whooosh!"
"Perfect!" Yusuke dropped his pose, taking out a small sketchbook. He looked to Futaba. "Don't you want to contribute as well?"
"Nah, that's way too coordinated for me," Futaba hunched over, resting her chin in one hand.
Yusuke huffed. With his mask up, the lock of hair in front of his face to flounced in the expelled air. "I figured you'd say that."
Makoto turned back to Ren. The couple were seated on the wooden platform, their legs dangling over the edge. It wasn't ideal, but the Jail did give them some cover to just be themselves. There were no tails here.
Haru, Ann, and Ryuji had already left. Ann said she had had enough of the Jail and Ryuji followed her. Haru volunteered to go with them. It would help keep their relationship under wraps.
It was the same reason Yusuke and Futaba stayed with her and Ren. When they left the Metaverse it would seem less suspicious, especially since Futaba was headed the same direction as Ren.
Having Yusuke there to look after the others was reassuring. There were no safe rooms after all. It was another way Jails differed from Palaces. Though the shadows seemed to have thinned after their battle with Alice, it was better to be careful. Morgana alone was probably enough to keep their navigator safe, but given all the unknowns, the more responsible parties available the better.
"It looks like they're having fun." Makoto wondered if Sophia felt restless when confined to Ren's phone or if it was just as normal to her as her three dimensional body in the Metaverse.
"Yeah." Ren lazily kicked his feet in alternation as he leaned back slightly, palms against the flooring for support.
She looked out over towards the castle. "It's strange being here now, like it's more eerie without as many shadows."
Ren nodded. "Nothing to distract us from what it's really like."
"I suppose." The garish colors and bright lights reminded her of Sis's Palace. While things were better now, she still found herself recalling it more often than she should.
Perhaps it was all just in her head.
Sis and Alice might have been classmates. Makoto wasn't sure. Their shadows both dressed provocatively, but the way they carried themselves... it wasn't really that similar.
Sis's shadow exuded brutality, turning into that metal monster.
Makoto shivered.
In contrast, Alice-
Ren's hand landed atop Makoto's in the small space between them. She looked over as his fingers gave hers a light squeeze.
"What's on your mind?" he asked.
"I was just thinking about Alice..."
He looked at her unwaveringly, saying nothing, like he knew she wasn't telling him everything, but he didn't press it. Instead, he turned his head towards the castle. "What about her?"
"Um, well, the bunny..." Alice's tone, her outfit, everything... it was hard to put into words. There was one thing in particular that had been bothering her though. "Um, what did Alice mean when she asked if you came back so you could be hers?"
"Ah. That." Ren leaned forward, looking down towards his dangling feet.
"When you and Ryuji first came here, did something happen?"
"Nothing more than I told you," he continued to face the crossing. "But she was like that last time too."
"Hm." Makoto stared into the crossing as well. The whole idea bothered her.
"She gave up pretty quickly when I didn't play along," Ren leaned back, letting escape a light chuckle. "That's how we ended up in that trash pile underground."
Makoto glanced over at him. Now Ren seemed like the one that wasn't saying everything.
He looked back at her, waiting, as if to see if she'd say something more.
When she didn't, he conceded. "Well, she did tell me to answer my Queen properly."
Barely finishing his sentence, Ren grinned as he wrapped an arm around her. Pulling her closer, he started planted kisses atop her head. "How's this? Is this proper?"
Makoto squirmed, half-heartedly pushing him away. "Hey! Wait!"
He didn't let up. Instead, he increased his grip on her. She could feel him smiling as his lips repeatedly ruffled her hair.
She tried to hide her own smile as she moved her head, attempting to dodge, but to no avail. "That's-"
"Not proper enough?" he teased through a laugh. "I guess I'll try harder."
Her weak-willed 'resistance' continued. She knew he loved the chase. Soon, she was laughing too.
Only then did he ease off. He kept her close, so that her head naturally came to rest on his shoulder. She rose and fell as he sighed contently.
"I hope Alice turns back to normal," he raised his chin. "And we can put all of this behind us."
"Me too," said Makoto.
She thought about all the things they had planned for the summer—the camping trip, the seaside park, the private moments...
It was a pleasant wish.
However, she was sure Ren knew the reality as well: Looking over the still-intact Jail... things were far from over.
Author's Note: Too bad Akechi didn't get to see Ren become "basement trash" in Alice's Jail.