Makoto is the law.

"Representing the Emperor, Peter was formerly known as Simon, a fisherman. He and his brother Andrew were some of the first ordained Twelve Apostles of Jesus, who promised Peter a special position in the Church. Peter was the first Bishop - or Pope - of Rome and Antioch, and was later crucified by the orders of the Roman Emperor Nero."

[10 Years Ago]

Sharp eyes watched the street carefully, making sure nothing was amiss. She kept pointing her diligent and attentive gaze everywhere, ready to stop any funny business from happening.

She was here to serve and protect.

"...I hope you know you don't have to be that intense, rookie. You can relax." A strong and rough male voice that was laced with intense amusement spoke behind her.

She swept around, scratching her neck nervously. "Takahashi-san! I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing everything right!"

He laughed. "Don't be so nervous, you are one of the authorities now. You'll get used to this soon." He told her with fatherly gentleness.

She nodded happily. Her unit was full of kind people and she has been enjoying her first week of work as a policewoman greatly. She had to admit it, it was nerve wracking, but also very fulfilling. Makoto knew she had a huge ladder to climb before she made any real changes, but she was more than eager to do it.

Her sister and Eiko had been teasing her all week nonstop. She found an ally with Takkun, but the two women found great joy in making her flustered for being so serious about her first week of proper police work.

She was eager to prove herself. The hardships of college and police academy were behind her now. The future was once again bright and beautiful. It gave her something to properly focus on.

No more time to pine for a guy who had no eyes for her.

She turned to look at her superior. He seemed to be in good spirits that day.

Akiyoshi Takahashi in his 54 years was a veteran of the streets. To many within the force, he was an old fool who insisted on remaining in the lowest end of the job ladder as a patrolling officer, as he always refused advancing to a supervisorial, prestigious desk job opportunity.

To Makoto, though, he confessed that he was just content with staying in the streets, performing his otherwise looked down job with love, honor and dignity. He was married for 30 years now, and he had a daughter in college who was working towards becoming a veterinarian.

"Oi, gramps! Stop coddling the rookie and take over my shift patrolling the other side, I wanna take a break!" A teasing young male voice came from the radio.

Makoto giggled as Akiyoshi looked in a mix between irritated and amused. "Shut up, Tomo-chan! Is that any way to address your superior!?"

Tomoe's joyful laugh could be heard from the other side of the radio.

Tomoe Shiraki was their daredevil. He was slightly older than herself, but not by much. Everyone liked to try to rile him up since he had a more feminine sounding name, but it often backfired on them since he is so high spirited and happy, always with a witty joke up his sleeve. He never failed to make her laugh. She admired the fact that he was helping his mother raise his two elementary schooler younger brothers, which made her resonate with him deeply.

She watched contentedly as they bickered. Then suddenly, they received an alert.

"Dispatch to unit 38 requesting reinforcements in Shibuya Central Street. There are reports of several burglary occurrences in nearby stores. Over." The radio echoed.

"Copy that, dispatch. We'll head there now. Out." Akiyoshi responded seriously.

"That's our cue. Shiraki! Move to the central street. Niijima, with me." Akiyoshi commanded.

Makoto eagerly obeyed.

Not long after, they arrived to mayhem on the central street. Several shop owners rounded on their comrades, Kazuya and Eriko, as they complained.

"Higashi, Yamagata! I'll take over this. Now, I want the three of you to split and go take a sweep over the area. Shiraki will be here soon too."

"Roger that. Come on, rookie!" Kazuya barked at her.

Kazuya Higashi was a bit of a serious man. In his late thirties, he had enough experience in the streets, and was likely going to be a leader himself one day. Despite his grouchiness, Kazuya was brave, loyal, and a man of immense honor. He was married, with a little son on the way.

"Don't mind him, he is in a mood today." Eriko told her with a gentle smile as she passed by Makoto.

Eriko Yamagata, by contrast, was sweet, kind and very calm. She was also in her thirties and was happily engaged to a dentist, who she would often gush about as being very handsome and caring.

Makoto nodded and started her own patrol.

She was Makoto Niijima, 23 years old, a rookie fresh out of the academy. She had a grouchy attorney big sis, a goofy taxi driver brother-in-law and the cutest baby niece who loved to tangle her chubby fingers in her short hair.

She had a crush on one of her best friends, who had a tricky relationship with a gymnast, and was therefore too blind to see her.

Nevermind. She needs to stop thinking about him.

She would be the best police officer in the world.

"Heh, finally, some action!" Tomoe jumpscared her with his chirpiness as he suddenly materializes beside her. "Do you think it's gonna be a full blown Yakuza brawl, Niijima-chan!?"

"Shiraki-san, it's likely just a shoplifter. Maybe even a silly teenager." She replied with a small smile.

"Feh, boring!"

"Stop chatting and start looking, you two." Kazuya's annoyed voice came from their walkie talkies.

"Kazu-kun, don't forget to remove the stick that's shoved far up your ass!" Tomoe replied cheekily.

Makoto felt scandalized at his disrespectful banter, but also somewhat amused. Tomoe was like a more mature, less inconsequential version of Eiko sometimes.

"You're setting a bad example for the rookie. Focus on the task." He reiterated, his tone firm.

Tomoe just chuckled, but Makoto agreed with Kazuya and proceeded to do just that, as diligently as possible.

They didn't find anything amiss, and questioned some passersby, until the radio picked up again.

"I think we spotted our culprit! Come on!" The urgent voice of Eriko rang out from the radio.

"Where are you, Yamagata-san?" Makoto asked.

"Near the Buchiko statue! Um, you guys won't believe your eyes." She said in clear disbelief.

The unit moved swiftly.

Makoto's eyes widened. Eriko was clutching the criminal, and a pile of goods expertly wrapped in a handkerchief that it apparently tried to carry away with its teeth.

Everyone in her unit looked puzzled towards one another. The culprit was none other than a cat. And not just any cat. A cat with a familiar coat color, eyes and face.

A cat that she has known for years now.

"Makoto! Oh thank heavens! Help me out, this mean lady is trying to arrest me!" The little scoundrel screeched out indignantly.

She glared at him to see if it would make him shut up.

He didn't.

"Unhand me, you evil witch! I'm a professional thief, I need all the pomp and circumstance if you want to catch me!" The cat continued to screech against Eriko.

Makoto crossed her arms and the cat eventually stopped struggling after her glares. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"Uh, rookie, do you know this little fella? It seems to recognize you." Tomoe asked in awe.

She sighed. "Yes… That is my friend's cat."

They all looked at her, dumbfounded.

"You gotta be kidding me." Kazuya grouched finally.

She spent the next minutes trying her best to explain that the cat was too damn smart for his own good, and that she would gladly pay for all the damage to the shop owners if need be.

"Well. Make sure to tell your friend to keep an eye on their cat, or else I'm calling animal control next time. Got that, rookie?" Akiyoshi told her sternly.

Makoto bowed, sheepishly. "It won't happen again, Takahashi-san."

He shook his head. "Easy girl. It was just a minor ruckus. Come on gang, it's time to go back to the station." He said to everyone, but then turned to Makoto. "Not you, Niijima. You make sure to take care of this cat."

Eriko threw her a small smile on her way out, and Kazuya just sighed as he left. Tomoe grinned and waved away. "See ya tomorrow, Niijima-chan!"

Akiyoshi nodded at her, with a fatherly smile.

She watched as they all left to report to the station with a small smile on her face.

Then, the next second her face morphed into a dangerous one as she turned to her fellow Phantom Thief.

"You better start explaining, or else…" She trailed off warningly.

Morgana gulped.

[The Present Day]

The Okumura residence was less opulent than one would expect. Haru once confided that this was not her actual inherited state house, as the memories of that place would always bring her back to her father.

Instead, they had a beautifully decorated penthouse. As lavish as it still was, Yusuke and Haru still tried to ingrain some elegant simplicity in their decorative tastes as opposed to excessive displays of wealth.

They had a beautiful outdoor garden on the deck, and Yusuke's own paintings littering the walls of the inside, with a lot of small design choices that allowed him to redecorate to his heart's content as many times as he liked.

Even Morgana, the smug little prick, had his own "mini" cat apartment, reserved as his own personal living space. He would not refrain from telling Ren that Haru and Yusuke treated him like a little prince.

As usual, he was welcomed warmly by his friend.

"It's always a joy to see you again, dearest friend." Yusuke said, bowing to him. Ren resisted the urge to laugh, as his friend was dressed in a Yukata of all things.

"Before you may ask, I am going through an aesthetically enhanced traditional Japanese trophy husband phase." He said seriously. "The false sense of security I will generate in appearing humble and docile will help me draw inspiration for my next painting. Your reaction is precisely what I expected."

Yusuke was nuts.

"Uh, sure. Where is Haru?"

"Inside, with the kids and that wayward sister of yours." He replied.

Ren shook his head and just followed his friend. He immediately spotted the kids laughing and playing together while Haru giggled at whatever tale Futaba was spinning.

"Too bad it doesn't have the same effect if I try to do it. You do that every Friday, you say?" Haru said, seemingly intrigued about something Futaba was talking about.

"Yup! He almost had a brain aneurysm last week. Serves him right for being a dick." His sister said, cackling.

"Serves who right for being what now?" Ren asked with curiosity.

"Hey bro!" Futaba said as she brightened up at seeing him. He grinned as he gave her a hug and ruffled her hair.

"Uncle Ren!" Rei-chan squealed as she ran to hug his leg. He patted her on the head.

"Hello Rei-chan!"

She beamed at him. Behind Rei-chan, was Akio, who waved at him timidly.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ren." The little boy greeted with his sunshine smile.

Ren felt a little pang of longing. Her son was always so kind and polite.

He can just imagine the two of them having cute mother-son bonding moments.

"Hi Aki-kun." He said with a smile.

"Ha! Look just who decided to show up in my humble abode." The smug voice of Morgana sounded behind him.

Ren rolled his eyes and smirked. "Hey Mona. You look fat."

"Hey, watch it! I'm cute, not fat. Right Rei-chan!?"

Rei-chan, who clearly didn't understand him, simply hugged him. "Mona-chan! Let's play with Aki-kun!"

"Gah!" Morgana squeaked out as she smothered him.

"Reika. Be gentler with Morgana." Yusuke scolded her in a fatherly manner.

"Sorry daddy! Come on, Mona-chan!"

The cat sighed but let the kids drag him away.

Ren snickered. Serves him right for leaving him!

"Hello Ren-kun. Tea?"

"Of course. I'd love to."

Futaba spent most of the time on her phone, only stopping to check in on Akio from time to time. Yusuke seemed to sketch on something.

Ah, right, they were building Akio's science fair exhibit.

"Well, we don't want to go over the top so we're using basic DIY materials." Haru stated.

"You better. I don't wanna have to explain to his mom if you got anything too expensive for what is just a grade school first year competition."

Haru simply waved her away. "Don't worry, We're being respectfully frugal."

Futaba just shrugged in response.

Ren felt a little irritated as he noticed that he was being clearly left out of the conversation. Not that he had anything to contribute, but still…

He sighed internally.

He loved Futaba. A lot. She was his sister after all, and yet, she would often prioritize that woman during any situation that has to do with her son.

It sometimes made him feel a little left out, if not unloved, by his own sister. He wondered what other secrets she kept for the sake of her.

It made him feel a little betrayed.

"I believe it's best to go with simplicity as well. There is beauty to be found in modesty, besides, children break many things with astounding ease. I'm still mourning my first attempt at clay vase modeling because Rei-chan shattered it." Yusuke said mournfully.

"Don't worry, my sticky willy, we can always try again with another child-proof hobby." Haru consoled him with a loving pat on the back.

While Yusuke and Futaba bickered over who was building the ocean model with Aki-kun, Morgana and Rei-chan goaded them on.

Haru stayed inside with Ren as they watched the group's chaotic interactions via the massive windows.

"I've been meaning to ask…What is it like, having a child?" He asked.

Haru seemed to contemplate his question. Then she smiled gently at him. "It's wonderful, actually, but not as easy as people might think it is. Anything can go wrong if you're not prepared for that level of dedication. Takes a lot of patience, love and understanding. Oh, and responsibility too."

Ren nodded in understanding, then stayed quiet for a time.

"Sumi…" He started a few minutes later. "She says she isn't ready to have kids yet. But I feel like I'm ready to be a father."

His friend threw him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry Ren-kun, that must be hard. But I'm afraid there is nothing else you can do but wait or work it out with her. I speak as someone who had a child inside their body for 9 months."

Of course, he knew that. The onus of the pregnancy was always on the mother, but it didn't mean that he was going to be a deadbeat dad that just waited for the kid to pop out. He'd move earth and heavens to make the process easier and comfortable for his wife.

But of course, it was up to Sumire. It left him in a difficult spot, but ultimately, one he could do nothing about.

Ren sighed. "I know."

Haru gave him a friendly smile. "You're always welcome to come and spend time with us and Reika if you want to understand more of the experience, but I'm afraid it's not only fun and games, and sometimes I am terrified of where we may be heading."

"How so?" He asked, genuinely curious at her exasperated undertone.

"I'm afraid Reika has a lot of tantrums and she has a few little spoiled princess moments that I'm trying my best to curb. I'm constantly worried she'll grow up like those elite youths that look down upon others if I don't ingrain a sense of humility in her from early on. It's stressful, but Yusuke-kun and his deep understanding of life at the opposite end of the wealth spectrum helps."

"Ah, yes, I imagine that must be tricky. But Rei-chan is a good child." He said with a smile, while he watched said girl strangle a resigned Morgana with her love of cuddling.

Haru beamed at him "Thank you, Ren-kun."

His eyes strayed to the child actively building his school project, as the adults helped. Ren furrowed his eyebrows.

"Do you think she has any troubles with Aki-kun?"

Haru raised an eyebrow at him. "Hmm… I would wager so. Children are children, even the most blessed of them have their difficult moments. But Akio has always been an angel, or so I hear."

"It must be hard for him… With no father figure in the picture, and all." Ren said nonchalantly.

Haru narrowed her eyes, as if saying 'I know that you're fishing for something, mister.'

Her face returned to her general pleasant expression.

"Of course. Ask anybody without a father, or even a mother. Myself, Yusuke and your own sister know that experience very well." She said with a mysterious smile.

Ren felt a pang of self consciousness. Of course he understood what she meant, but…

"Well," She continued, without waiting for his input. "This is nothing new in our little group of misfits. And as Makoto herself said to me a few times, she'll be both the mother and the father of Aki-kun. And so far, she has done well."

He almost wanted to say 'I wish she told me he was mine', but that would expose a lot of his own history with her.

They got so drunk that he doesn't remember how far they've got, if at all, in their indiscretions. He was stressed out and angry that week after Sumire unceremoniously dumped him, but that was no excuse for his actions.

He looked at Akio again, and studied his face, maybe for a sign of something or another…

The child looked nothing like him. Or her, for that matter.

He shook his head and decided to respond to Haru, realizing he stayed quiet for too long.

"He seems like a lovely child."

Haru gave him a genuine smile. "That he is, Ren-kun, that he is."

He and Futaba left together, as apparently, Akio was going to have a sleepover at Haru and Yusuke's.

"You always seem very protective of Aki-kun." He started nonchalantly later that evening as soon as they arrived in Leblanc.

"Eh, he is precious, who wouldn't?" She responded, while she started to prepare Wakaba's curry. Ren decided to help, as their father was away, having a day off.

He cleared his throat and elbowed her playfully. "So… Do you know who his dad is?"

Futaba snorted. She just elbowed him in response.

He elbowed her back.

"I'm just curious. I'm just wondering how she is managing, that's all." He insisted, trying to appear nonchalant.

Futaba just rolled her eyes. "A likely story."

"Come on?" He asked with an innocent face.

"No idea in the slightest." She told him in a deadpan.

Ren was incredulous. "There is no way you don't know. You spend a lot of time together, you know."

"Nah. Sorry to disappoint. I don't know shit."

He felt real irritation coursing through his body.

"...You're awfully protective of her. Aren't you?" He said, trying to mask his very real annoyance with a teasing tone.

Futaba just grinned, then went back to her task.

Ren felt restless. Until-

"Maybe he is your child with her, then. You know, with how much you take her side and keep her secrets."

Futaba made a fake look of shock. "Oh no! You found out my secret! Whatever shall I do now!?"

He couldn't contain his laugh. "Damn you."

She laughed with him, and he decided to leave it at that.

But later, just before he left for home, Ren felt that he had to get something off his chest.

"Hey, what happened to being siblings? You know, you used to come to me for anything…" He told her sadly.

Futaba stared at his face, then sighed and hugged him, burrowing her face on his chest.

"I still love you, dummy. You're my brother, no matter what. I'm not picking sides."

"That's not how it feels sometimes. You're very secretive, and you know, distant." He told her, letting the hurt out.

She extricated herself from him, looking apologetic.

"Look, I keep asking Makoto to just tell everybody what happened with her already. But it's a difficult situation. Like, seriously messed up. I have been telling her for years now to just come out with it."

He frowned. Was it really that bad and serious? He knew about the alcoholism, but what else happened?

He was now worried for her. "Why won't you tell me? Aren't we family?"

"Duh, of course. I love you lots Ren, but… Think of it like this. You had your confidants, right? So imagine going around and telling everyone the secrets of that person that chose to trust you?"

Well, he sort of told Sae back during the interrogation, but then again, that was a matter of life and death. And he tried his best to not sell out anyone.

"You don't trust me anymore?" He opted to ask.

"I do. It's just Makoto who doesn't." She told him bluntly.

That hurt massively. As if seeing his kicked puppy look, Futaba sighed.

"Hey, you know I'm a lesbian, right?"

He nodded. She took a long time to come out, but eventually told him that out of the blue, and never mentioned it again until now.

"Well, that is MY thing, and I choose who, when and how to tell it. Get it? So yeah, I can't go around telling Makoto's stuff. That's up to her. All I can do is to encourage her to try to forgive you and open up, it's just that she won't budge. I can't do miracles, buddy." She told him sincerely.

That actually made him feel a lot better. His sister matured, and he felt proud of her for being a loyal, caring friend.

Maybe, he would have to deal with being tormented without knowing what really happened with that woman.

'You could always reach out to her instead of pestering your sister, you know?'

He ignored the traitorous voice in his head. Besides, he tried it once, but she rebuffed him.

Ren ran a hand through his fluffy hair. "Alright. Sorry for being so pushy, it's just… I just wanted to check. And hey, I love you, okay? I want you to know that."

Futaba grinned. "Eh, love you too, dummy."

"Thanks for reaching out to The Confessional. My name is Hanna, and I will be your personal priestess today."

"Good evening Hanna." He whispered.

"Hello, Mr. Red." Her voice was chirpy. He smiled.

"I don't have much of a confession to make, but I would like to reflect a little. Can you help me?

"Of course! I'm more than happy to."

"Thank you, my priestess. So… I did as you suggested and spent some time with my friends, the ones with kids. Well, just one couple, but it was pretty enlightening."

"I'm glad to hear that. Can you tell me more?" She asked, voice laced with interest.

He grinned.

"They have a little daughter, about five years or so. They're rich and influential people, but they're trying their best to teach humility to their child to prevent her from becoming arrogant."

Silence.

"...Oh." Hanna squeaked out, then cleared her throat. "My apologies. I-Is that so?"

He frowned. He hoped that she was alright.

"No worries. Anyways, It makes me think, There are so many aspects of child rearing that I actually never considered, that…"

"...That?" Hanna inquired, her voice suddenly a little subdued.

He was a bit too worked up to properly notice it. "Well, you see, my friends had another kid over today. He is the little son of an estranged friend of mine. It's a sort of messy situation, to be honest, one of my own doing, but… I'm worried." He said as he poured his heart out.

Damn it, it ended up being a confession anyway. The dam was open against his will.

"...H-how so?" She prompted.

Ren frowned, as his eyes widened. Wait… Hanna's voice just now…!

'No, stop imagining her already, damn it!'

His mind was filling in the stupid blanks.

"...Dear confessor?" She prompted quietly.

"Ah… I'm sorry, this ended up being a confession anyways." He told her apologetically.

He expected Hanna to make a joke or a kind comment, but she stayed quiet, only her breaths coming out of the line.

"Hanna?" He prodded.

"Ah, my apologies, Mr. Red. Please, continue." She told him in an apologetic tone.

"Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern."

"Just a little cold. My deepest apologies, my dear confessor."

She didn't sound well. Maybe he should let her rest?

It was late anyways, and he was so damn emotional over this he might end up holding her up all night with this drama of his own creation.

"Ah, nevermind… You don't sound alright and I don't want to make it worse if it's anything serious. Please get well soon, alright? I can call some other day, maybe…" He said sheepishly.

"A-are you sure? Here at the Confessional, we're always ready to listen, no matter w-what…" She responded, trying to sound positive.

His heart clenched. He didn't want his Hanna to be sick.

His eyes widened.

His Hanna?

'What the fuck, Amamiya. You are a married man!'

With his heart pounding, he decided to nip it in the bud.

"Yes, I'm positive. Please get well soon, Hanna."

"Very well. Thank you, Mr. Red. Goodnight."

She hung up abruptly.

He went to bed feeling indescribably sad and unfulfilled.

To be continued…