Makoto is letting go.

"Representing the Death, Michael is an Archangel in many monotheistic traditions of abrahamic roots. Mentioned directly in the book of Revelation where he and his angels fought against Satan, Saint Michael is the leader of the Army of God, and the Angel of Death who carries the souls of Christians to heaven. He is often said to use his perfectly balanced scales to weigh the souls of the dead, and is a role model in winning spiritual battles against evil."

[6 Years and 7 Months Ago]

Makoto stared up at the Rainbow Bridge, taking in the sights of the vehicles passing by. With the arrival of the dusk, the metropolis slowly lit up.

Makoto loved this city. Back in the days, she had roamed every single ward in her pursuit of serving and protecting. She had been to every single corner, nook and cranny, the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. She met people from all walks of life. Rich, poor, residents, tourists, students, salarymen, saints, and sinners.

She was born here. She was sure, when the time came, she would die here too.

Makoto hasn't seen her niece in several weeks, and she avoided talking to Sae, no matter how many times her sister tried to reach out to her with care and support. Makoto was too ashamed of herself to face her little family in her depressing state.

Yukino must be growing up a lot now. She misses her deeply. Thinking of her little niece, the brunette looked down at her own wrist. She was wearing a bracelet with a snowflake pendant, symbolizing her little Snowball. It made her feel somewhat sentimental.

…With sobriety for these past days, came back the nightmares, the fear, the guilt, the pain. Makoto barely slept.

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

She already wanted a drink.

She should be at home, not here, but Eicchan was at the doctor and she detested being alone with her erratic mind. Her friend, ever the hypochondriac, confessed she was afraid she might have a terminal disease since she hasn't been too well lately. Makoto was in disbelief, but according to Eiko, two of her uncles and one aunt died of cancer, so she was sure she had it too. In response, Makoto called her an idiot and told her to stop searching for her symptoms online.

Eicchan only obeyed for a single hour before she started googling it up again. Makoto smirked fondly at the thought.

Her mind turned to other matters.

Futaba told her Ren and Sumire patched things up again, resumed their engagement as if nothing happened, and soon got married in a haste. Well, It didn't matter. She had much worse things to deal with than his selfishness and cowardice.

Makoto let the wind breeze caress her hair unimpeded, as her eyes fluttered close. Beside her, leaning forward on the handrails, was Goro Akechi.

"I don't think they'll last." He spoke with derision and disgust as both of them stared at the Tokyo Bay water.

Makoto snorted at hearing his petty declaration.

Right. She was pretty sure Akechi wanted to jump on Ren even more than she did, and that was saying something. Makoto found that to be a little relieving, if not comforting. She wasn't alone in this pining.

She opened her eyes and stared at him with no remorse or pity. "What makes you say that?"

"He is self-centered and has a messianic complex. I hate his 'I'll listen to your troubles' drivel. And he is staying with her because it enables him to be her savior, giving him purpose in his pathetic little life."

Akechi, ever the sore loser.

"Or maybe, they're just, you know, in love?" She told him simply.

Ren rejected her over and over again. Even after their latest debacle. She would have to be dumber than Eiko in a drunken stupor to believe Ren doesn't love or care for Sumire on some level if he is this hellbent on being with the gymnast.

Makoto believes it's genuine.

"Tch. Love? Sumire barely fucking knows who she is, much less what love is. And Amamiya is a scaredy dog, pining for you but being unable to commit to his true wishes, just to stay in his safe and comfortable space of little leader."

"That's a lot of wishful thinking on your part." She told him.

Akechi looked exasperated. "You're truly a phenomenal, rare kind of pushover, Niijima. I have never seen a human being more pathetic in my entire life, just letting others take and take from you until you're just a dry, empty husk."

"I guess you're right. The queen of all doormats." Makoto quipped.

He tossed her a look of disgust, clearly unamused at her careless, self deprecating jest.

At least, she had the company of her enemy in her misery. By now, Ren was likely enjoying his honeymoon with his youthful, cute little wife. They'll soon have little children of their own, whereas Makoto will likely end up God knows where if she doesn't get sober soon.

She doubted she would. It was impossible.

She tried so hard to be a policewoman. She tried so hard to bring justice, to protect others, to serve and bring reform. She did all she could, and still, it wasn't enough. Tomo-kun chose to betray them. And yet, she mourned him. She was so close to falling in love with him.

She didn't mean to kill him.

Makoto mused all of this as she continued to watch the scenery. She isn't going anywhere in life anyways. Drunk, useless, jobless. Self-destructing little by little.

She wished things were different.

"Say, Akechi." She started.

He turned to her, his face a mix of bored and impatient.

"How do you live with yourself after all you've done to others?" She asked him seriously.

"Tch. What kind of shitty question is that?"

"A deadly serious one." She retorted.

Akechi didn't seem to appreciate her line of thought. "What other choice do I have now, but to keep going?"

She contemplated his words. There were so many things she couldn't even manifest out of her mind. Those things should remain voiceless.

Her mouth was running dry, her hands shaking a little. "What If there was another choice?"

Her enemy looked at her with a calculating gaze, as if measuring her very soul. He was a clever man.

Akechi got her message.

"There is not." He told her in a serious tone.

She tossed him a meaningful look. Akechi grabbed her elbow.

He was forceful. "There. Is. Not. Do you understand me, Niijima?"

She stared at him. His gaze was unwavering.

Makoto eventually nodded just so he could leave her be, and he released her.

She gazed up at the bridge again, while her mind's eyes stared deeply into the abyss.

[The Present Day]

The next day, Sumire and Ren sat down in a booth in Leblanc, in front of Sojiro and Sae.

Futaba was behind the counter, minding the shop with a pensive, curious face.

"Thank you for coming so swiftly, Sae-san." Sumire spoke out, her voice quiet but resigned. He felt as drained as she did.

"No worries, I am at your disposal." The silver haired woman said gracefully.

Ren ran a hand through his fluffy hair.

"Thanks. We just need some legal advice. The thing is… Sumire and I are going to file for a divorce." He said hollowly.

He heard a small gasp from Futaba, who covered her mouth in surprise. Sojiro looked unsurprised, while Sae held on to her unfazed, almost bored expression.

"I see. If it's not a litigation or a mediated divorce, either party can file for it and finalize the process in a single day. Are there any disagreements between either of you?" She asked clinically, while taking a sip of her coffee.

"No." Sumire said simply. Ren also shook his head.

"Very well. In that case, you need to acquire the divorce registration forms from the municipal office, fill up said forms, and file them at the same place they were obtained. Do you own any joint real estate, bank accounts, or vehicles?"

"Ren has a car in his name. The house is in both of our names." Sumire explained.

"In the case of the car, he can keep it, but you must decide whether the house is to be sold or kept by one of the parties."

Ren sighed. "I don't care about the house. Sumire can keep it."

She immediately protested "But Ren, you-"

He held up a hand. "I don't think it's wise for you to move back to your parents. I honestly don't need the house, nor do I think it's worth it to sell it."

"Are you sure?" Sumire asked, biting her lip.

"I'll stay in the den upstairs for awhile, don't worry about it." He said, reassuring her.

"Alright, thank you." She said gratefully.

He nodded, then turned to Sae. "I don't think we'll have any problems in that regard."

"Very well. In that case, you just need the forms, and two witnesses."

Sumire swiftly opened her bag and produced said papers. "You were saying?"

Sae looked unimpressed.

"Well, that sure is convenient." She said dryly and bluntly. "Then allow me to be a witness."

Boss looked between all parties, when nobody else made a move, he let out a deep sigh.

"Alright, I guess I'll volunteer as a witness as well." He grumbled.

After that, the process went swiftly as both Ren and Sumire filled the forms, with Sae and Sojiro signing up as witness of their agreement.

"Alright. Sumire, since you're the one filing for divorce, I recommend you submit the forms yourself. Once you do that, by the end of the day you will both be officially divorced." Sae instructed.

"Very well, I shall be going on my way to do just that." She said, resolutely.

It was strange to watch how easy and fast it was for his marriage to be dissolved, just like that, but Ren had no other choice but try to find acceptance and move on.

Sumire then finally left, with quiet, polite hushed goodbyes.

It was over.

Futaba, who was gaping at them, just looked in the direction of the door, then back at him.

Ren hung his head down.

Sae, who was the most calm and relaxed individual in the room, glanced boredly at her wrist watch and checked the time. "Well, I must get going now. I will see you all some other time."

"Alright. Thank you for the advice, Sae." He said, still a little crestfallen.

"Anytime, Ren-kun." She said, a little warmer this time.

She got up and moved towards the doors after saying her goodbyes to the Sakuras, but turned back at the last minute. "Oh, before I forget, Yukino is going to have a concert with her band at the school year closing ceremony next week. You guys should come."

"Of course. Wouldn't want to miss seeing the little lady's hard work." Sojiro said with a fond smile.

Futaba gave her a thumbs up, and Ren nodded with a smile, thinking of his surrogate little devil.

Sae then left, and only the Sakuras remained.

"You alright there, kid?" Boss asked, his arms crossed and his face pensive.

Ren shuddered out a heavy breath. "Yes. At least, now I no longer feel stuck. It's just… I guess It just hurts, that's all. We've been together for a long time."

"Well, I get it. I don't think there is any advice I can give you right now, but we're here for you." Sojiro told him supportively.

Ren gave Sojiro a lukewarm, yet grateful smile. "Thanks, Boss."

Futaba, who looked awkward and a bit out of her depth, adjusted her glasses and sat down beside Ren, nudging his shoulders with hers.

"Uh, look, I'm kind of shitty at comforting others but… I-I'm here too, okay?" She said.

Ren gave her a brotherly head pat. "Thanks, Taba-chan."

She hugged him in response.

With the divorce finalized, Ren moved back to Leblanc, and took a few days off from work.

He was feeling lost and adrift. The more time he spent thinking of everything that happened, and all his missed opportunities, the more miserable he felt.

His mind was constantly thinking of Makoto. He tried his best not to, not with the open, raw wounds of his divorce still eating away at him, but she always came back to haunt him.

At least, he could admit it now.

He loved her.

He doesn't think he ever went this ballistic over a woman before, not even with Sumire. The only person that was able to make him feel hot, all consuming jealousy was Makoto.

The fact that she might be with another man, one that happened to be his rival, completely infuriated him.

Sadly, he had to admit that he had no control over it. Did he even deserve her in the first place?

He agonized over the question for a couple of days.

To make things a little worse, Futaba wouldn't leave his side, constantly trying to cheer him up, or make him laugh. While he appreciated her efforts, he was starting to feel smothered and suffocated with her constant fussing over him.

However, he couldn't stay annoyed at his baby sister for too long. A couple of days after his divorce, Futaba had the gall to give him a medal - an actual fucking medal, that she cheekily pinned on his chest - for punching the shit out of Akechi.

He actually found that amusing, but it only lasted until she scolded him for it afterwards.

"Look, while you deserve the medal, you can't really damage Akechi going forward. Aki-kun is REALLY fond of him, and as his third official parent, I must always advocate for my son's best interests."

Ren felt a massive amount of annoyance hit him.

"Right. Akechi. Of all the people for her to date…" He grumbled.

Futaba blinked her eyes several times, then facepalmed. "Waaaait a just second, did you punch Akechi because of an assumption you made?"

Ren flushed, his ears going red.

Futaba covered her face with her hands and started to laugh silently, until she was cackling loudly and madly.

Her brother, on the other hand, felt slightly humiliated and dumb.

"Can you please stop that?" He grumbled.

That only set her off again.

Ren sighed.

Futaba finally stopped laughing and leveraged one of Sojiro's trademark eyebrows at him. "...Did you REALLY think Makoto was dating Akechi?"

He frowned. "Well, isn't she?"

"No." She said dryly.

Ren felt like a complete, utter imbecile.

He rubbed his temples. "Why was she so awfully chummy with Akechi, then?"

Futaba sighed. "Long ass story. Honestly, anything you try to ask me about Makoto, can be summarized with the word 'tragedy'."

He stared at his sister's face, her sad and contemplative face making him think.

"...Did she really suffer that much in the years I was absent from her life?"

Futaba sagged her shoulders a little. "Yeah. I mean, she is fine now, more than fine. But… Yeah."

So she suffered…

…And he wasn't there when she needed him.

Futaba quickly changed the subject and bullied him into playing games with her. Ren complied, mechanically, but his mind was running in circles, asking a single question, over and over again.

What happened to Makoto?

Ren was surprised when Haru and Morgana stopped by Leblanc the day before Yukino's concert.

Morgana, the little dick, strutted around the place like he owned it. Ren tossed a playful glare at him, but soon scratched the idiot behind his ears.

He also had to admit he missed Morgana.

"Let's have a chat. And please, I'd like one of your best brews." Haru said simply.

He raised a stern eyebrow at her, but complied. Haru looked unperturbed, and Morgana was surprisingly relaxed.

"I heard about you and Sumire. I'm sorry about that." She said with a small tinge of regret in her voice.

Ren crossed his arms a little, and stared at Haru, pointedly.

Haru sighed. "Listen, everyone around you sensed things were not okay, they were just too afraid to say it. You and I spent weeks working together, and everyday, the person I was seeing before me was a stranger, not the friend I know and care about."

"So you're basically admitting you knew I wasn't going to take it well. Did you also orchestrate it?"

"…Yes." She said with honesty.

"And you expect me to be okay with your actions?"

"Of course not. Just as I actually didn't expect you to go and punch Akechi in front of my guests."

She said it so nonchalantly that he was sure she actually didn't care about the scandal part.

"My marriage is now over thanks to it." He said coldly.

"Your marriage was over the day you got married." She said in exasperation.

Her patronizing tone irked him. "You had no right."

"Alright, I'll give you that." She said, a little more resigned and humbler this time.

He scoffed. "Weren't you the one to tell me that we couldn't force Makoto back into our group?"

Haru shared a look with Morgana, then returned her attention to Ren. "Yes. And frankly, that is indeed still her prerogative."

"Then why do all of this?" He asked, frustrated.

Haru leveraged an eyebrow at him. "Because this has absolutely nothing to do with our group or her personal struggles, but with my friends Ren and Makoto being obtuse about how they feel for one another."

"This is ridiculous." Ren grumbled.

"I'm serious. I really shouldn't have to scheme and intervene to see my two friends reconcile somewhat, but I felt it was necessary. Had you and Sumire been blissfully happy and in love, trust me, I wouldn't have lifted a single finger to interfere."

"And what if we were ?" He insisted, with no other reason other than the wish to be a contrarian.

"You weren't. You didn't spare a single glance to Sumire all night, but I did. She looked trapped, tired, miserable."

Well, that was true.

"Can I give my opinion?" Morgana asked after both Haru and Ren stayed quiet for a time.

Ren motioned for him to speak.

"I think you guys are all overcomplicating things. You know, I spend all my time with the kids, and they have taught me something really interesting: The art of being blunt and honest."

"And your point is?" Ren asked impatiently.

"My point is, you and Haru should apologize to one another, and be good friends again. Then, you go and talk to Makoto, apologize to one another, and be good friends again. There really is no need to make things so heavy and loaded, when life can be much simpler and happier." Morgana said smugly.

Freaking Morgana.

"That's actually a really good point, Mona-chan, thank you. What do you say Ren-kun?" She said a touch too innocently, offering her hand.

Ren shook his head, and a small smile formed upon his lips.

"Alright. I'm sorry for ruining your gala by punching your 'guest'."

"And I'm not sorry for interfering in your life, you're welcome." She quipped as she shook hands with him.

"I hate you so much right now, Haru." He said, without any real heat.

She beamed at him. "It'll pass, you can thank me later when you're happily married to Makoto."

He shook his head. If only…

That same night, as he was lying alone in bed, Ren felt a heavy weight fall on his shoulders.

Could things really be that simple? He didn't know.

Contemplating the years that passed him by, that painful realization came back again.

He lost a lot of time being stubborn, believing things would finally be different for him and Sumi.

Believing that he could get over Makoto.

And in the dark of his room, Ren Amamiya faced the demons he had been hiding from in the past decade and a half.

She had to accept at least one more call before her shift ended. Tonight was busy, and she was absolutely tired and looking forward to going to bed.

Tomorrow, her snowball was going to perform with her band, and she wouldn't dare miss it for the world.

She didn't have to wait much longer. A caller was trying to connect with her line, so she swiftly got her game face on and prepared for another session with a random confessor.

"You have reached out to the Confessional. My name is Hanna, and I will be your personal priestess today." She said, her voice warm and approaching.

"Hello, Hanna." A voice whispered, hoarsely.

She froze, her eyes widening.

"Mr. Red? I-Is that you…?"

He stayed silent on the other side.

Makoto frowned. What was going on?

"Dearest confessor?" She tried again.

He stayed quiet again, but she swore she heard a small sniffle.

Was he… Was he crying?

She almost called out his name then and there, but held back.

"I'm here for your troubles." She said gently, trying to be soothing and comforting. "No matter what."

His sniffles got louder. He was crying earnestly now.

She felt a little agitated and worried. Beside her, was her dearest friend Agnes. She petted her dog to give herself some comfort as she sat there feeling helpless while he cried.

Dozens had called her, and cried their hearts out. She was always there for them, because she knew how it felt to be alone in her sorrow, and so she comforted them, lifted them up.

And yet, none of those times broke her heart as much as it did now.

"Sorry, Hanna..." He sniffled out eventually.

"Don't be. You're not alone, my esteemed confessor. I am always, always here for your troubles, judgment free. Take your time."

"Thanks." He stuttered out. "Can you keep talking? Just so I don't feel so alone while I try to gather my thoughts."

"Of course, anything you need. Do you wish to hear a story?"

"I'd love to."

Makoto closed her eyes. She remembers the times she went to the church in Kanda after Aki-kun was born, just to feel like she had a shelter to run to emotionally.

The parish priest there told her a wonderful story once which resonated a little with some parallels of her life.

She smiled, and closed her eyes. "Let me tell you the parable of the prodigal son. A man once had two sons, and the youngest asked his father for his share of the state. The father, then, divided the property between his sons."

This often made her think of herself and Sae, and their father's legacy being passed down to them.

"The younger son set off on an adventure in a distant land and squandered all his wealth by having an immoral lifestyle."

Just like she threw the rest of her future away by succumbing to drinking and partying irresponsibly after she couldn't cope with her sins.

She hummed to herself. "A famine took over the land not long after he spent all he had. He starved and got a job to escape such starvation, but received nothing to properly sate his hunger."

She had him for a fleeting moment, she lost him the next.

"When he finally came to his senses, the younger son decided to return to his family, and beg for forgiveness and to be his own father's servant. Yet, while he was still a mile away and before he could say anything, his father threw his arms around him, and embraced his son, weeping with love and joy."

Not so dissimilar to how her sis welcomed her back with open arms, care and love when she hit rock bottom.

"He tried to tell his own father that he had sinned against him and the heavens, but the father did not let him finish as he swiftly asked for the servants to bring his son the best garbs, and to kill a calf in celebration."

Her sister spared nothing in her quest to aid her, she went to the ends of the earth to help her regain her foot, even when Makoto felt undeserving of it.

"His brother, who worked day and night, and had felt as if his father was unjust for giving his undeserving son a warm welcome while he slaved away and received no gratitude in return, refused to go in and celebrate the return of his brother. Do you know what the father said in response?"

"No. What did he say?" Mr. Red, who was calmer now, asked.

Makoto smiled. "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found."

And so was she, Makoto, the prodigal daughter, who found her way back in the end from the darkness of her own life.

"That sounds powerful." He commented.

"It is. Do you know what this story represents, Mr. Red?" She asked to bring closure to her tale.

He seemed to hum to himself. "That even though we are lost and might feel undeserving, we will always be welcomed back by those who love us?"

"You could say that, but it is a bit more profound. His father's love was unconditional, Mr. Red. Regardless if his son was faithful or not, his father loved his son. And so does God, who loves us sinners."

"That's really deep." He said gently, chuckling a little, voice a little shaky.

A couple of tears descended from her eyes, but they were not unhappy ones. "We are all sinners, Mr. Red, but under God's love and sacrifice through his son, even a murderer can be forgiven and be made into a new creature."

Like she, and even Akechi, did.

She actually held back the urge to sob. He needed her now. "I hope you know that, despite all your sins and sorrows, Mr. Red, you are never truly alone. You are just as beloved. Please, remember that."

He started crying again. She silently shed a few tears in solidarity, thinking of the pains of her own life.

He calmed down again after a while.

"Thank you Hanna, thank you. I don't know if I deserve it, but your compassion is truly appreciated. I feel so alone… I am so lost. My life is falling apart." He confessed.

"I'm here for your troubles." She said, compassionately as she wiped out a few tears.

"Thank you. Sometimes…" He started. "It feels like Nobody needs me or wants me anymore… That I no longer hold any useful value to others in my life, especially since they are all doing quite well without me."

Her voice was a little choked with emotion. "Perhaps that's just your perception, Mr. Red. Surely they must care for you?"

"It's not that I think they don't care about me, I know they do, but… I just feel purposeless now. Like I have wasted my time and life trying to be a hero, only to fail in the end."

Oh, if that didn't hit home for her. She knew that feeling very well.

"Where does that leave me?" He continued. "What is the meaning of my life, now?"

That was a question that she knew she could answer with utter conviction.

She smiled. "You see, Mr. Red, I had the exact same question once. But a friend, now long gone but still dear to my heart, once told me something that I now live by. Would you like to know her words?"

"Yes. Please." He asked, sounding lost and miserable.

"She said… 'Hanna, we can't put our reason for living into words, because it's something very simple, silly: It comes naturally to you. And everyone already has one, they just don't realize it yet.'."

She remembers her friend's grin, and her encouraging words when Makoto thought life had no meaning at all.

Makoto let a couple of tears slide down her face.

"What is most important, Mr. Red, cannot be seen with one's eyes, after all."

I love you, is what she wanted to say, but couldn't. You, and Aki-kun, are my reason.

But instead, she just stayed quietly in line with him, waiting for him to recompose enough to talk to her again.

"Thank you." He said sincerely, after her words. "Thank you so much. I'm sorry for pushing you away."

Makoto felt like bawling her eyes out too. "I'm sorry too."

"I missed you so much. Every single day." He told her earnestly.

"I missed you too, so much." She confessed.

"I'm not in a good place right now… My life is crumbling before my very eyes. But if there is one thing that I just need, right now, is a friend. So please. Can you be my friend again?"

"Oh Mr. Red. Always." She whispered. "I'm just a call away."

"Thank you" He said, voice full of emotion.

"You're welcome, my dearest confessor."

"I have to go now." He said, his voice tired. "I need to wake up early for a special little girl's concert, but… Can we talk more again later?" He pleaded.

She smiled happily. "Of course. And for what is worth… I have a hunch this special little girl wouldn't want you to miss her show."

That made him finally chuckle. "She is the cutest snowball, the spitting image of her aunt, bossiness included."

Her heart skipped a beat, and a tiny, pleased little smile formed upon her lips "Well, we can't all be perfect, Mr. Red."

"Jokes on you. That is what I like about her aunt the most ." He said, teasing.

She bit her lip. "W-well, I heard the aunt and her little son will be there too."

"Do you think she'll be mad if I hang around them? I heard her son is attached to a guy I just punched in a fit of rage, so I don't want to bring grief to her little boy because of my actions." He asked bluntly, likely wanting a signal from her.

Well, Aki-kun was indeed concerned over Akechi's slightly crooked nose, but Goro seemed fairly unperturbed about what happened after the fact. To be honest, she actually thinks he partially deserved it, for acting like a clown at the gala around her just to provoke Ren's attention.

"I'm sure it will be fine. I also heard that said man is well and hale, so as long as you behave, it wouldn't be a problem."

"Well, then I will be a very good boy." He said, voice full of mischief.

Makoto hid her face with her free hand. How can he just stupidly get away with saying such things!?

"Very well my dear confessor, good luck with your quest tomorrow." She said, voice laced with humor.

"Thank you, my most esteemed priestess." He responded, his voice a mix of gratitude with his usual joking tone.

Her grin was a little wider now. "Sweet dreams, Mr. Red."

"Sweet dreams, Hanna." He whispered back.

To be continued…