7/31 Sunday
Days until the Cleanse: 21
Soon after she had woken up and eaten breakfast, she felt her phone begin to ring, and that Yusuke was calling her.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Makoto. I would like to discuss something with you right now, if that's all right." Yusuke said. "Are you free right now?"
"Of course." Makoto replied. "Where are you right now?"
"Shibuya Underground." Yusuke replied.
"Great. I'll meet you there." Makoto said.
She made her way to Shibuya underground, keeping an eye out for Yusuke, but instead running into another familiar face.
"Ms. Preeeeezzzzz!"
Makoto turned around to see Eiko running up to her.
"Oh, Eiko, hello." Makoto greeted. "How have you been?"
"I've been alright. You?" Eiko asked.
"I've been… doing alright too." Makoto muttered.
Eiko frowned, not seeming convinced. Not that she could blame her. Makoto wasn't convinced by her own words either.
"I, um… saw a video of that Kaneshiro guy confessing in front of the police station." Eiko told her. "Someone uploaded it and it went viral. Did he… kill-"
"Yes." Makoto answered. "He put out a hit on my father."
"O-Oh… I'm sorry about that." Eiko stammered.
And now things were awkward…
"It's all right. Anyway, how did exams go?" Makoto asked, trying to change the subject.
Eiko frowned, glancing away.
And now she had made it even more awkward.
She mentally chastised herself as Eiko remained silent.
"Sorry, I-"
"I did ok." Eiko told her. "Better than usual… even better than last time. But it's still nothing compared to you or my brother."
"Don't think like that." Makoto told her. "You still improved, didn't you? As long as you did your best, that's good, right?"
"Thanks… I'm glad someone thinks so…" Eiko trailed off. "Still, I wish I could be more like you."
"Just keep studying and I'm sure you'll get there." Makoto encouraged.
"Yeah… I just need to desire it enough." Eiko replied. "But enough about that. I was gonna go grab some lunch. Wanna come?"
"Sorry, Eiko, but I already made plans for the day." Makoto apologized.
"...Oh, I get you." Eiko smirked. "Gonna spend some time with your boyfriend?"
"T-That's not… no, it was someone else!" Makoto stammered.
"You're so easy to tease, Prez!" Eiko laughed. Anyway, let's hang out soon, ok?"
"Sure, I'd like that." Makoto agreed.
"Oh, and I'd be careful around here…" Eiko continued.
"Why's that?" Makoto asked.
"I heard some people talking about how there was this weirdo who kept staring at people as they walked past, sometimes writing things down on a sheet of paper." Eiko explained.
"I see… that is strange." Makoto agreed. "This could be dangerous. Do you know what they look like?"
If this person was stalking people, it might be a job for the Phantom Thieves…
"Well, they have blue hair, and they were really tall, but also really skinny, like they haven't eaten in a week or something." Eiko described.
Makoto paused, resisting the urge to groan.
"Makoto?"
Instead, Makoto closed her eyes, pinched the bridge of her nose, and shook her head.
"I think I'll have a talk with this weirdo myself." Makoto muttered.
"Yes, that sounds like a clever idea."
Both girls neatly jumped out of their skin upon hearing the newcomer's voice.
"Yusuke…you need to stop sneaking up on people." Makoto sighed.
"There he is, Prez!" Eiko shouted. "There's the weirdo!"
"Me? Who are you calling a weirdo?" Yusuke frowned.
"Yusuke, were you staring at people around here?" Makoto asked.
"I was simply doing some people watching for some inspiration." Yusuke explained.
"Inspiration?" Eiko repeated.
"Yes. Like this." Yusuke said, showing her his sketchbook.
"Hey, that's me!" Eiko exclaimed. "And I look amazing! This is some great artwork!"
"I actually find it quite mediocre." Yusuke frowned.
"Hey, that's my picture you're talking about." Eiko grumbled.
"Yusuke's suffering from artist's block." Makoto expressed.
"Oh, I see. Well, you just gotta tell him what you told me!" Eiko grinned. "He just needs to do his best and he'll get there eventually."
"How can you be so sure?" Yusuke questioned.
"Well, I've been talking to our guidance counselor at school." Eiko told him. "His names Dr. Maruki, and he gives, like, the best advice! He told me that if you desire something enough, you can get whatever it is!"
"Desire…" Yusuke muttered.
He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but also deep in thought.
"Well, anyway, I have to get going! See you later, Prez!"
"You have strange friends." Yusuke noted as Eiko walked off.
"… Yes, I certainly do." Makoto deadpanned.
"She said that your councilor's name was Dr. Maruki, correct?" Yusuke asked.
Makoto nodded.
Yusuke seemed to think for a moment before speaking up.
"Well, never mind that for now." Yusuke said. "There was something I needed to speak to you about."
"Was this about the favor I asked you about?" Makoto wondered.
"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make any progress on that task you assigned me." Yusuke frowned.
"That's fine. Take your time." Makoto told him. "So, what was this about, then?"
"A flash of inspiration struck me!" Yusuke said dramatically. "I had a great idea on what to sketch next, but I needed your assistance."
Makoto narrowed her eyes.
"Are you dating anyone, Makoto?" Yusuke asked.
"W-W-What?!" she stammered. "Y-Yusuke, what are you-?"
"That friend of yours mentioned that you were dating someone while you two were talking." Yusuke brought up.
"You were eavesdropping?" Makoto asked.
"No, she's just very loud."
Makoto sighed, muttering to herself. "Eiko, seriously…"
"So, if you could bring Ren over to the boat rides over at Inokashira Park, I would very much appreciate it." Yusuke said.
"W-Wait, slow down!" Makoto exclaimed. "Ren and I aren't actually… wait, why are you assuming it's REN?!"
"Are you not infatuated with him?" Yusuke asked. "From the way that you're always glancing over at him, I assumed…
"I-I thought that I was being subtle about it!" Makoto stuttered. "D-Did everyone notice."
"Possibly." Yusuke stated. "Perhaps you could have hidden behind manga. Ren told me that that was one of your stealth techniq-"
"Yusuke, hush."
"Y-Yes Queen."
Makoto brought him over to the boat rides, offering to row the boat while he sketched.
It wasn't long before they ran into another two people taking the boat ride together.
"Look at all the ducks! They're so cute!" the woman squealed.
"Don't get too excited or you'll fall off!" the man laughed.
"Perfect." Yusuke said, bringing out his sketchbook. "To complete my painting, I must capture all aspects of the heart like love. Not just desire."
"That's what you think was missing?" Makoto asked.
Yusuke nodded. "That is why today, I shall depict the burning passion between man and woman!"
"W-Well, I'm glad that you're so, um… enthusiastic." Makoto said, not sure how else to respond.
She settled for keeping the boat steady as Yusuke muttered to himself at their facial features and angles, and all sorts of other things.
"Yes, yes…!" Yusuke grinned. "Everyone shall admire the art piece I will create. It might even earn the top prize at the next exhibit."
"Yusuke… just have fun with it, ok?" Makoto encouraged.
"Hmm… yes, I cannot dwell on trivial matters." Yusuke agreed. "I must… excuse me, could you remain still."
Makoto bit her lip as the two people in the other boat turned to stare at them.
"Huh?!" the woman gasped.
"Return to your natural angle!" Yusuke commanded, as if it were a completely normal request.
"What the hell are you doing?!" the man exclaimed.
"Rejoice, for I shall preserve your beautiful love so that all coming generations may bask in its glory!" Yusuke proclaimed. "You will become a modern Adam and Eve!"
"Y-Yusuke, maybe we should leave them alone." Makoto suggested.
"L-Legends? A-Art?" the woman stammered.
"This dudes off his rocker." the man said, shaking his head. "Let's just report him."
"Wait, are you using us as models?" the woman asked.
"Yes, this is the romantic love that I was looking for!" Yusuke insisted.
"Love?" the man questioned. "I… guess that's true, but not the love you're thinking of…"
"Wait… are you two related?" Makoto asked.
"This here's my sister, so it's… familial love." The man nodded, before groaning and turning to address his sister. "Ugh… I told you the only people who come here are stupid couples."
"But I always wanted to come to Tokyo and ride the boats!" his sister frowned. "Although… I guess there are some strange people around…"
"Well, there are all kinds of different people in the big city." the brother told her.
"Ohhhh, tell me more!"
As the two siblings continued their conversation, she turned to address Yusuke.
"It seems you were mistaken, Yusuke." Makoto frowned.
"Then, the overflowing passion was just a figment of my imagination…?" Yusuke questioned.
"Love comes in multiple forms, I suppose." Makoto responded.
"I suppose you're right. But perhaps this could still make for an excellent piece." Yusuke noted. "Makoto, don't you think so?
"... Yes, I suppose." She nodded.
"Is everything alright?" Yusuke wondered.
"I'm fine." Makoto lied. "Just thinking."
Seeing how those two seemed to get along so well, she couldn't help but feel a little bitter, much as she tried not to.
"I don't have a finished sketch, but this trip has given me plenty to think about." Yusuke mentioned. "Thank you for accompanying me."
"Anytime, Yusuke." she smiled.
She felt her bond with Yusuke grow a little stronger…
EMPEROR CONFIDANT: RANK 4
After their boat ride ended, she went home for the day.
Ren wandered the streets of Shibuya, deep in thought.
Seeing everything that had happened at Futaba's palace had gotten him to think about his own relationship with his mother, and his former friends back home.
With everything that had happened the past few months, he had never really thought to call her.
Although… Even if nothing had happened, he wasn't sure if he would have called her then either.
They weren't exactly on the best of terms at the moment.
"Senpai!"
Kasumi ran up to him, a relieved smile on her face.
"It's good to see you, senpai!" Kasumi beamed.
"Oh, hey Kasumi." Ren greeted. "How's your summer vacation been?"
"It's been good so far, but I've been really busy." Kasumi told him. "There's a big gymnastics competition happening in a few months, and I have to practice as hard as I can so that I can win it."
"I'm sure that you'll do great." Ren encouraged.
"Thank you." Kasumi beamed. "But… What about you?"
"Me?" Ren asked.
"Maybe it's just my imagination… but something seems off about you today, Sempai." Kasumi mentioned.
"There's been a lot on my mind." Ren confessed.
"I see… I've just been so worried." Kasumi whispered. "When I heard about how Kamoshida was spreading rumors about you, and the rumors about you getting involved with those yakuza…"
"Sorry about not telling you much about that." Ren frowned. "I've just been… going through a lot…"
"Sempai… with everything that's been happening recently, I couldn't help but feel concerned." Kasumi told him.
Ren paused for a moment, wondering if he could allow himself to open up to her.
Finally, he decided to take a chance.
"Yeah…" Ren muttered. "To be honest, there was more that was bothering me. It's about my famil- "
"But it doesn't matter."
"What?" Ren gasped.
Kasumi looked up at him, a bright smile on her face.
"There was a lot that I wanted to ask you, but I realized that as long as I'm with you, senpai, nothing else matters." she beamed.
"Oh…"
She tilted her head in confusion. "Senpai?"
He did his best to smile. "It's… nothing. Sorry to worry you."
"Um… senpai." Kasumi stammered. "I… have practice again today, so…"
"Of course, Kasumi-chan." Ren smiled. "We… don't need to talk about any heavy stuff. Instead… I should be helping you out again!"
"Thank you, sempai!" Kasumi beamed. "Let's go!"
Ren followed after her, trying to ignore how tired he was…
8/1 Monday
Days until the Cleanse: 20
She had made sure that they were well supplied on weapons, armor, and thief tools.
All that was left to do was to check up on Ren and see how he was doing with their medical supplies.
She made her way over to Leblanc, waving to Boss behind the counter, who directed her upstairs to where Ren was.
"Hey, Makoto." Ren greeted. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to check up on you." Makoto said. "How's our medicine stock?"
Ren's eyes widened. "Oh, shoot, I forgot. Sorry about that…"
"That's fine." Makoto told him. "We can just go there later."
"Yeah… sorry again." Ren mumbled, frowning.
"…What's wrong?" Makoto asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing." Ren replied.
"Ren." Makoto frowned. "Don't 'nothing' me. If it's too personal, I understand, but please don't pretend like nothing is bothering you."
"It's just… been a rough few days." Ren admitted.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Makoto asked.
"Futaba's Will Seeds really stuck with me." Ren mentioned.
Makoto nodded. "I think they affected all of us."
"I've been thinking of my own relationship with my mother." Ren said.
"How is it, if you don't mind me asking?" Makoto wondered.
"…Distant." Ren replied. "She hasn't called me once since I arrived in Tokyo."
"What?!" Makoto gasped. "That's awful!"
"To be fair, I haven't tried calling her either." Ren admitted. "I think it would be… too awkward. Maybe she thinks the same. Or maybe she doesn't want anything to do with me."
"Ren…" Makoto trailed off.
"I guess… I've just… gotten used to it." Ren whispered. "My father… my old friends… everyone leaves. And my mom, she said…"
"What did she say?" Makoto asked, concerned.
Ren paused for a moment, and she could tell that he was struggling not to cry.
"Ren, I-"
"After my assault charge, she told me that she wished I had never been born, and that I just kept ruining her life." Ren muttered.
"T-That's horrible!" Makoto cried.
"She quickly apologized, but… I know that it's true." Ren mumbled.
"Why would you say that?" Makoto frowned.
"Because it's true!" Ren insisted. "If I hadn't been born, then dad wouldn't have left, and mom wouldn't have had to deal with any stigma. If I hadn't gotten into trouble all the time at school, mom wouldn't have gotten any grief from the teachers. And if I hadn't gotten involved with that one man and gotten that assault charge, then-"
"Then that man would have had his way with that poor woman." Makoto pointed out. "You did the right thing, like when you awakened Arsène and saved me at Kamoshida's palace. Do you regret stepping in?"
"… No. I'd do it again if I had to." Ren replied.
"No matter what anyone says, I'll stand by you." Makoto promised. "Because I know that you're a good person."
Ren glanced away and shut his eyes, not wanting her to see him,
"You don't need to hide from me." Makoto whispered.
Slowly, she reached towards his glasses, gently taking them off as if they were the most delicate thing in the world.
"I'm here for you." Makoto promised. "Always."
Ren hesitated, but eventually began to speak.
"I… just… I'm afraid." Ren admitted. "Afraid that… everyone will leave me again. That I'll… be all alone."
That must be why he worked so hard to help others. And why he had trouble saying no to people.
"I guess… I just said what I thought people wanted to hear, and do whatever they asked." Ren admitted. "I thought it would get them to like me more. To… not leave, I guess."
"I think I understand how you feel." Makoto sympathized.
"Really?"
"For a long time, I spent so much time trying to live up to the expectations of others… to the point that it felt like I was losing a part of my own identity." Makoto whispered.
Ren glanced up to her, eyes widening.
"I always tried to please everyone, trying to be the perfect 'good girl'. I was so afraid to step an inch out of line, to express what I wanted. I'd just be called bossy." Makoto confided. "I entered this lonely spiral of self-loathing. When the school staff would get angry with me, or when my sister would berate me, I blamed myself. I tried to be kind and patient with everyone… except for myself."
"Makoto…" Ren whispered.
"I… I felt like I could never be myself, because 'myself' wasn't good enough for anyone." Makoto admitted. "But it's different now. I have friends that like me for who I am. Like you, and Eiko, and the rest of the thieves. And everyone on the team feels the same about you."
"Still… I don't know how to keep those friendships." Ren muttered. "How I have to act."
"You're Ren Amamiya. That's enough. You don't need to be anyone else." Makoto told him.
Hearing those words, Ren cracked a small smile.
A genuine smile.
"Someone very special told me that I should follow my heart. That I should be who I want to be, not what anyone else wants me to be." Makoto told him.
"Heh… sounds like a pretty cool guy." Ren joked, still smiling.
"Not that cool. He's a bit of a dork." Makoto teased.
"Then it's no wonder why you get along with them." Ren teased back.
Both of them laughed, grinning from ear to ear at each other.
"I… probably look a little silly with this dopey grin on my face." Ren chuckled.
"Actually… I think your real smile is much more handsome than your fake one." Makoto smiled.
Both of them paused, Ren turning away as his face reddened.
"Uh… t-thank you." Ren mumbled.
"D-Did I say that out loud?!" Makoto exclaimed. "I-I, um…"
"Thanks."
"Huh?!"
"Thank you… for giving me a reason to smile." Ren expressed.
She felt the two of them growing even closer…
FOOL CONFIDANT: RANK 8
"About your mother…" Makoto trailed off.
"What about her?" Ren asked.
"I think you should call her." Makoto encouraged. "I think it would be good to at least have closure."
"Maybe you're right." Ren agreed. "I guess we'll have to see each other again soon eventually. I… think I will call her soon."
"I'm glad to hear it." Makoto smiled. "Oh, and don't worry about the medicine, ok? I'll grab it on my way home."
"Are you sure?" Ren asked.
She nodded. "You just get some rest, ok?
They talked for a little while longer before she left to grab the medicine and went home for the day.
8/2 Tuesday
Days until the Cleanse: 19
With all the preparations in order, Makoto decided that tomorrow would be the day that they would steal Futaba's heart.
She decided to get in a quick workout to help calm her nerves.
Nothing too intense, though. The last thing she wanted was for her body to be sore on such a big day…
As she started her workout, however…
"Heeeey, Ms. Prez!"
Eiko ran up to her at the gym, a wide grin on her face.
"Hello, Eiko." Makoto smiled. "It seems like we're bumping into each other a lot lately."
"Haha, yeah, I know! Talk about a coincidence!" Eiko grinned. "I actually came here to get strong like you!"
"Really?" Makoto asked.
Eiko nodded. "I felt… so helpless back when we were dealing with those Yakuza. I ended up causing everything a bunch of trouble."
"It's not your fault." Makoto said. "But if you want… I could help you get stronger.
"Aww, you're the best, Ms. Prez!" Eiko praised. "So, what are you gonna teach me? Martial arts? Oh, oh, am I going to learn how to use one of those staff things? Oooooh, I'm soooo excited!"
Her enthusiasm wouldn't last, however, as only an hour into their workout…
"P-Prez, t-tell Tsukasa I love him." Eiko panted.
"Eiko, you're not dying." Makoto said, shaking her head.
"It feels like I am…" Eiko groaned.
"I… don't think I made it too hard." Makoto bashfully said. "At least, this wouldn't be too difficult for me…"
"Y-Yeah, but you're like, superhuman!" Eiko exclaimed. "It's like you have limitless energy! Like a rob-
Makoto glared.
"Robust! A robust fighter!" Eiko quickly said. "... Sorry, wasn't thinking."
"Well, I suppose we've done enough for now." Makoto concluded.
"Great! Wanna head to the bathhouse together?" Eiko asked.
"Bathhouse?" Makoto repeated.
"Yeah, there's a nice bathhouse over in Yongen-Jaya." Eiko told her. "We could go together, if you'd like?"
"Oh, well… alright." Makoto nodded. "That sounds nice."
She had never really gone to a bathhouse or a hot spring with anyone aside from family before, but maybe it would be a nice experience.
As the girls arrived at the bath, Makoto quickly dipped herself in the water, only part of her head poking out.
"You're so shy, Miss Prez!" Eiko giggled. "Just relax!"
Eiko casually got out of the water, humming to herself without a care in the world as she made the way over to make the water a little hotter.
"Ahhhhhh… that's so nice." Eiko said, giving a blissful sigh.
"It is really nice." Makoto admitted, giving a small smile.
"I hear this place works wonders on your skin. It really brings out your charm!" Eiko told her.
"Really…?" Makoto asked. "That's… interesting."
"Thinking of a certain bad boy, Miss Prez?" Eiko smirked.
"I-I'm… um… m-maybe…" Makoto mumbled.
Eiko giggled again.
"You know, we should go on another double date sometime!" Eiko suggested. "Ooooh, we could even have a double wedding! How exciting!
"W-W-Wedding?!" Makoto stammered. "I-I think it's a little early to be thinking about getting married…"
"Really? Well, I guess that you'll be going to college, huh?" Eiko brought up.
"Are you not?" Makoto asked.
"Well… Tsukasa-kun said that after high school I could just work at his club full time." Eiko said.
"Really?"
Eiko nodded. "He told me I could join, but I told him that I was going to finish high school first."
"That's a good idea." Makoto nodded.
"Tsukasa brought it up to me several times." Eiko mentioned. He must really care about my well-being."
Makoto couldn't help but frown. If he kept bringing it up, he might have ulterior motives.
"Something wrong, Prez?" Eiko asked.
… Still, without concrete evidence, it felt reckless to make any accusations.
He did send her strange texts sometimes, but that itself wasn't much…
"I… just hope you two are safe." Makoto said. "I just hope that that gang isn't messing with you anymore."
"Oh, don't worry. Since those Phantom Thieves took care of them, we haven't been bothered at all." Eiko beamed. "Although…"
"Hmm?"
"Tsukasa-kun said that those Yakuza made him pay a lot of money to make sure I was safe." Eiko confessed. "So I've been paying him back for all of it."
Tsukasa was giving her so many red flags that she was sure even her Matador persona would be jealous…
"Is… that what you want?" Makoto asked. "To work at one of his host clubs?"
"I'd love to be able to help out Tsukasa-kun however I can." Eiko mentioned. "You and Tsukasa-kun are the only ones who care."
"Eiko…" Makoto trailed off. "Actually… your brother was very worried about you when you got kidnapped. He was very panicked when he came up to me and asked me to help him find you."
"I see… that's nice." Eiko said, giving a tiny smile. "We… don't get along that well, and everyone's always saying how disappointing I am compared to him, but… I'm glad that he doesn't completely hate me."
The two girls sat in silence for a few moments before Eiko spoke up again.
"To be honest, I feel a little envious of you, Ms. Prez." Eiko admitted.
"Envious? Of me?" Makoto questioned. "Why would you be envious of me?"
"Because you're amazing, Prez!" Eiko exclaimed. "You're smart, strong, and you have so many friends! It seems that everything goes perfectly for you…"
"That's not true, Eiko." Makoto told her. "I… have my own share of troubles.
She opened up to Eiko about the trouble she had faced before, from her parent's deaths to the rocky relationship that she had with her sister.
"A lot of people knew me as 'Prosecutor Niijima's little sister.'" Makoto explained. "The principal would always compare me to her, telling me how great and accomplished she was compared to me… usually when he wanted me to do something for him."
"That does sound awful." Eiko frowned. "I-I had no idea… I already knew that your father was dead, but I still said…
"It's fine, Eiko, I know you didn't mean anything about it." Makoto smiled. "To be honest, I'm a little envious of you too, Eiko."
"For real?!" Eiko gasped. "Why are you envious of me?"
"You're so… free-willed, and it seems like you already have a solid idea of what you'll do in the future." Makoto told her. "But I feel like I'm still learning how to assert myself, and I'm still unsure about my own future."
"I guess I understand now." Eiko nodded. "But I'm sure that you'll figure it out soon, Prez, and you'll be amazing at whatever you do!"
"Thank you, Eiko. Thank you so much." Makoto beamed.
She felt the bond between them growing much stronger.
FAITH CONFIDANT: RANK 6
The two girls talked for a while longer after everything they could think of, eventually saving goodbye as they finished bathing.
Makoto went home for the day, making some final preparations for the infiltration tomorrow before going to sleep.
Makoto's Confidant Progress:
THE FOOL - Ren Amamiya: Rank 8
THE HUNGER - Igor: Rank 6
THE CHARIOT - Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank 5
THE MAGICIAN - Morgana: Rank 6
THE FAITH - Eiko Takao: Rank 6
THE TOWER - Chiaki Yasui: Rank 5
THE SUN - Shiho Suzui: Rank 6
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 5
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 5
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 4
THE STAR - Hifumi Togo: Rank 3
THE DEVIL - Mitsuhide Matsuoka: Rank 2
THE HANGED MAN - Munehisa Iwai: Rank 2
THE DEATH - Yohei Kiritani: Rank 2
THE EMPEROR - Yusuke Kitagawa: Rank 4
THE EMPRESS - Haru Okumura: Rank 3
THE LOVERS - Ann Takamaki: Rank 3
THE STRENGTH - Caroline and Justine: Rank 5
THE JUSTICE - Goro Akechi: Rank 4
THE PRIESTESS - Kasumi Yoshizawa: Rank 3
THE FORTUNE - Phantom Thieves of Heart: Rank 4
THE JUDGMENT - Sae Niijima: Rank 4
THE COUNCILOR - Takuto Maruki: Rank 5
Are the Phantom Thieves just? Yes 40.1%