Makoto Niijima 23/04

The thieves are lucky they put Joker in charge of the money. Yes he uses it on personal expenses, for maid services, fortune telling, and meals, but considering he also negotiates with shadows for it, it's probably well deserved.

He keeps them in good weapons and armor, as well as buying a lot of medicine, and that's truly the main purpose behind it. He's the treasurer, and does not have the status to invest it as it could be. Besides, that would be deeply suspicious from a minor.

Makoto probably could have done better, but Makoto has been in charge of the budget ever since it became just her and her sister. She's gotten very good at it.

Ryuji might not have been too bad. He cares enough about Thieving to stay on budget with the money

Ann is rich enough that she doesn't need to know how to hold back on clothing purchase, Makoto decides looking at Ann's extensively exhaustive collection of clothing. She probably wouldn't have held back on everything else either, and then they would be running around mementos beating up shadows for lunch money.

Makoto wonders why she needs all those shoes. How she got all those clothes. Why? She knows Ann is fashionable, but the reality of it is beyond her expectations.

Yusuke is the opposite. He seems to have no concept of money. His room has no proper bed, his fridge lacks electricity, he is growing his own food, and he has a jester doll Crafted by an Italian artist that he paid three hundred thousand yen for.

Makoto wants to cry upon hearing that, but resolves to find a way to be in charge of his budget somehow, because this is deeply upsetting to her. No wonder he is always hungry. Clearly it is possible to live like that, but that doesn't mean he should!

Futaba has a similar problem, casually mentioning she made a puzzle game that is making million, and just didn't feel like bothering with a contract as she had made it when she was bored!

That horrifies Makoto. If she could have made that kind of money, maybe she wouldn't have had to sell her old home. Maybe she and her sister could have stayed sisters, instead of her sister putting all her time and energy into work to make sure Makoto grew up in a stable economic home environment and could go on to do the job of her dreams.

To just have that chance, and not do anything with it! To not even be that deeply worried about the money lost! Makoto can't even imagine.

Haru comes off as a sensible individual. As the daughter of a prominent businessman, Haru would be more money-sensitive, Makoto assumes. She keeps on assuming that until one day she and Haru go grocery shopping together.

Watching Haru put ten whole turkeys into her cart, with the explanation that it's better to buy in bulk, illustrates to Makoto that there is a class difference between them that is not something she should easily forget. They are both Orphans, but Haru is a rich orphan, and it is not something she should have forgotten.

She should see if she can get Haru to invite Yusuke over for dinners. The way he lives is worrying. Haru's grocery shopping could mitigate the food issues at least. Maybe it's a bit too much, too soon, but Haru will probably agree that Yusukes food situation is worrying if Makoto tells her more about it. And it's not like it's a huge secret. Yusuke talks about his money situation in many little ways, so it's not like it will be too invasive? And it will help it get better, right?

Makoto hopes so.

For all she dislikes Goro Akechi, they both understand living on a budget that one person provides for the household. Provided they stay on the topic of money, shopping with him is an almost pleasant experience. Almost.

She understands why he is always happy to take Sae up on the experience of talking business over sushi, for all she deeply resents him for her having her sister's time and attention, when it can be so hard for Sae to focus on her.

The days where she might have pictured the three of them eating sushi together will be staying ,just dreams. Maybe in a better life.