9/24 Wednesday
Days Until Haru is sold off: 17
She had managed to secure some supplies for their upcoming battle, but still thought that it would be for the best to wait on the others to make preparations of their own.
Seeing that she had some free time, however, she decided that she would try and visit Futaba today, to see if she needed help with anything having to do with their promise list.
But there was another reason why she was going to visit Futaba.
Their last target in Mementos had mentioned a Tsukasa.
And she couldn't help but wonder if it was the same Tsukasa that was dating Eiko.
And thinking about Tsukasa reminded her that loves to text her again and again with absurd messages that she couldn't even begin to decipher.
But Futaba, however…
She made her way over to Leblanc, finding Boss at the counter.
She gave a quick greeting to Boss, who told her that Futaba was up in the attic.
"Could check up on those two for me?" Boss asked. "I don't want there to be any… funny business."
"Funny business?" Makoto asked. "Ren's there two?"
"Heh, not him this time." Boss chucked. "Your little artist friend."
"Ah, alright then." Makoto said. "I'll check on them."
Makoto slowly climbed up the stairs, curious as to what sort of… mischief the two of them could be getting up to.
She didn't have to wait long to find out, as she immediately overheard a conversation between them.
"This is the most important part, Yusuke, so you gotta get it right!" Futaba exclaimed.
Yusuke sighed, turning his head before noticing her.
"Oh, what are-"
"Yusuke, pay attention!" Futaba snapped. "I need you to draw the perfect badonkadonk!"
Yusuke groaned. "I'm sorry? What are you even…"
"You know, their badonkadonk!" Futaba continued. Their dumpy! Their superior posterior! Their rhombus that their mombus gave them! Their thicc, dump truck a-"
"As I was saying." Yusuke said, cutting her off. "Makoto is-"
"Oh yeah, good point." Futaba noted. "It probably would look a lot like Makoto's-"
"EXCUSE ME!"
Futaba turned around, grinning at her.
"Oh, hey Makoto." Futaba greeted. "What's up?"
"Do I want to know what's going on here?" Makoto sighed.
"Emergency commissions." Yusuke explained. "It was Futaba's idea."
"He's drawing my OC!" Futaba grinned.
"… Oh, alright. That's… nice." Makoto said, not quite understanding.
"So what brings you here, anyway, Makoto?" Futaba asked.
"Oh, well, I had just some free time after completing some of our preparations." Makoto explained. "What about you?"
"Eh, I'm alright." Futaba shrugged. "Oh, but since you're here, maybe you can help me with something!"
"Something else on the promise list?" Makoto asked.
"Exactly!" Futaba grinned. "I still need to get more used to big crowds!"
"That's true." Makoto nodded. "Where should we go, then…"
The sound of Yusuke's stomach growling made her decision much easier.
"Yusuke needs food badly!" Futaba said, in a deep voice.
"A restaurant, then?" Makoto asked.
"A wonderful idea!" Yusuke declared. "Let us be off."
Makoto hoped that her wallet wouldn't suffer too badly…
She could tell how nervous Futaba was when they got close to the crowded restaurant.
"It's… um… very loud here." Futaba mumbled. "I don't like it."
"Deep breaths, Futaba." Makoto encouraged. "You can do this."
"O-Ok!" Futaba stammered, trying to calm herself down.
"Should we have Futaba order our meal?" Yusuke suggested.
"INARI!" Futaba shouted. "I'm trying to calm down, not get more stressed!"
"Well… it could help." Makoto admitted. "Would you be comfortable with that, Futaba? I don't want to move too fast with this."
"M-Maybe just my food? Please?" Futaba replied.
"Of course." Makoto smiled.
The three of them walked up to the front of the restaurant, ready to order their food.
"And what would you like?" the cashier asked.
"Um… ah…" Futaba mumbled.
Another customer in line behind started to groan.
"Would you hurry it u-"
Makoto shut them up by glaring in their direction.
Not wanting to keep people waiting any longer, Futaba took a deep breath.
"Y-Yakisoba, please." Futaba whispered, barely audible.
Thankfully, the cashier heard her, and the three of them sat down and began to enjoy their meals.
"How'd I do?" Futaba asked.
"You were great, Futaba." Makoto praised. "Everyone would be proud."
"Thanks, but… I wish I could have done it a little faster." Futaba sighed.
"That's alright. You just need to practice." Makoto replied.
"I still feel bad for holding up the line." Futaba admitted.
"Don't worry." Yusuke said. "Makoto will deal with anyone who tries to rush you."
"H-Hold on now…" Makoto muttered.
"It's so cool the way that you glared at that guy!" Futaba exclaimed. "You gotta teach me how to do that."
"U-Um… I'm not really sure if I can teach something like that." Makoto admitted.
"Hmm… yeah, I guess I don't know if I could ever be as brutal or scary as you can be." Futaba bluntly said.
"B-Brutal. S-Scary…" Makoto stammered.
She immediately turned towards Yusuke, her eyes narrowing.
"Yusuke, I'm not violent or scary, am I?!" Makoto demanded to know.
"... If I answer honestly, will you hit me?" Yusuke replied.
Makoto groaned while Futaba started laughing.
"Anyway… you like yakisoba, Futaba?" Makoto asked.
"Uh-huh." Futaba nodded. "Yakisoba is my favorite… although I only know how to make the instant kind."
"Well, maybe we can work on your cooking too." Makoto offered. "You might even be able to make your own curry soon."
Futaba's eyes lit up in excitement. "Yeah! Then I can have curry every day!"
Makoto shook her head. "You and Ren seriously need more balanced diets.
"Oh, speaking of Ren… sometimes he brings me yakisoba pan from school to share with me. I wanna learn to make that too!" Futaba added.
"Ren's really sweet to do that for you." Makoto smiled.
"Is that why he's your favorite?" Yusuke asked.
"W-What?!" Makoto gasped. "I do NOT play favorites!"
"So come you're always sitting so close to him during meetings?" Futaba asked, sporting a devilish grin.
She did NOT sit that close to him during meetings!
… Did she?
She thought she was being subtle…
"L-Let's just enjoy our food!" Makoto insisted.
The three of them ate their food, Makoto trying to ignore Futaba's teasing.
She felt a little closer to Futaba.
HERMIT CONFIDENT: RANK 4
After finishing their meals, the two girls went back to Leblanc, splitting up from Yusuke who went off to do his… commission.
"Say, Futaba…" Makoto trailed off.
"Yeah?"
"I was wondering if you could do a favor for me." Makoto muttered.
"A favor?" Futaba repeated. "What do you want?"
"I, well, I'm having a bit of trouble with, um…"
"Yeah?"
"Well, you see, I have this friend…"
"Uh-huh."
"And her boyfriend…"
"Makoto, could you get to the point?" Futaba bluntly stated.
"… Promise you won't laugh?" Makoto asked.
"Nope!" Futaba replied.
Makoto sighed. As awkward as she felt, she didn't really have a choice.
"I need you to help me understand textspeak and… emojis." Makoto embarrassingly admitted.
"Pfft!" Futaba replied, quite clearly trying, and failing, to hold back her laughter.
"It's not funny!" Makoto exclaimed, her face starting to flush red.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry…." Futaba apologized, her laughter dying down. "It's just… emojis don't really seem like your thing."
"They aren't." Makoto confirmed. "But I wanted to understand what they mean, because someone's been texting me messages with tons of them."
"I see." Futaba nodded. "So, where do you want to start?
"Alright, so first of all…" Makoto trailed off. "There was one emoji that he keeps sending… could you tell me what the eggplant emoji means?"
Futaba burst out laughing, before sporting a devilish grin.
"Sure thing."
After a very… enlightening talk with Futaba, Makoto quickly went home, her face not losing its bright-red blush the entire time.
Despite her embarrassment, however, there was one thing that she was definitely sure about now.
Tsukasa was not to be trusted.
9/25 Thursday
Days Until Haru is sold off: 16
She felt like it would be important to get some additional training in before their final confrontation with Okumura.
To accomplish this, she figured that the best method was to seek out Yohei.
After getting in touch with him earlier in the day, she waited until it was late at night before sneaking off to their usual meeting place.
When she arrived, however, she noticed that Yohei wasn't there.
She waited a few minutes, which quickly turned into half an hour.
Right as she was about to leave, she heard someone enter the warehouse she was in.
She turned around, gasping at the sight before her.
"Kiritani-san!" Makoto exclaimed.
Yohei slowly made his way inside of the warehouse, breathing heavily as he clutched his side.
Makoto's eyes widened when she saw blood dripping onto the floor.
"What happened?!" Makoto exclaimed. "You're hurt."
"It's… nothing." Yohei insisted. "I just got a little sloppy."
"Sloppy?" Makoto repeated.
"It's nothing." Yohei insisted. "Don't worry about it."
"H-Hold on, let me call an ambulance!" Makoto exclaimed.
"NO!"
Yohei quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her from moving.
Makoto winced, the pain of his grip a lot worse than she thought it would be.
Seeing the pain that she was in, Yohei slightly loosened his grip.
"...There's no need for an ambulance." Yohei insisted. "I'm doing fine."
"You're bleeding." Makoto said matter-of-factly.
"It's nothing that a few bandages won't fix." Yohei muttered.
"I really think you should…"
"I told you, I'm fine!" Yohei snapped.
Worried as she was, Makoto relented, seeing the ferocity of his denial.
"Alright, but what happened?" Makoto asked.
"An accident." Yohei vaguely said. "Listen, I'm not going to be able to train with you today, so go home."
"…Fine. Just make sure that you get your injuries checked out." Makoto sighed.
Before she could leave, however, someone burst into the warehouse that they were in.
"K-Kiritani-san!"
They both turned towards the source of the voice.
An injured man limped into the warehouse, a panicked expression on his face.
Makoto recognized him as one of the men from the homeless camp.
"What's wrong?!" Yohei yelled.
"H-Hunters…" the man gasped. "They were attacking the camp!"
"Alright, I'm coming!" Yohei exclaimed.
"W-Wait!" the other man stammered. "You're bleedi-"
"Forget about me, let's just go!" Yohei commanded.
"Hold on, who are these 'hunters'?" Makoto asked. "What's going on?"
"Go home." Yohei coldly stated. "This doesn't involve you. Don't get mixed up in this."
"I want to help!" Makoto argued.
Yohei sighed. "We don't have time to argue. Do what you want."
Makoto followed the two men over to the homeless camp, and was greeted to a horrible sight.
Several people were laying on the ground, battered and bruised.
The few people that were still standing up were trying to put out some fires around the camp.
"What on Earth happened here…" Makoto whispered. "This is horrible."
"Y-Yohei!"
Several members of the camp ran up to Yohei as soon as they saw him arrive.
"Tomo-san, are they still here?" Yohei asked.
"No, they left a bit ago." Tomo frowned.
"Who were they?" Makoto asked.
Tomo's eyes widened when she spoke up. "What's she doing here?"
"There was no time to argue with her. She insisted on coming." Yohei frowned.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Makoto asked.
"It's alright. We have things mostly under control now." Tomo replied.
"So, the people who did this…" Yohei muttered. "…they were-"
"The same punks from before." Tomo frowned. "Those homeless hunters."
"Homeless hunters?" Makoto repeated.
"People who get their sick kicks taking advantage of people like us." Tomo frowned. "They'll assault us, burn our camps, and take what few possessions that we have."
"That's awful." Makoto whispered. "Why would they ever do that?"
"I don't know, and I don't care." Yohei scoffed. "I don't concern myself with why trash acts the way it does."
"I suppose that a lot of people just don't care about people like us." Tomo sighed.
"Still, to go out of your way to do something like this…" Makoto frowned.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't here to protect all of you." Yohei apologized. "I'll strive to be more vigilant in the future."
"It's all right… don't blame yourself." Tomo insisted. "If it makes you feel any better, no one has any fatal injuries."
"And I'll make sure that it stays that way." Yohei promised.
She followed Yohei, helping out any of the homeless that she possibly could along the way.
As Tomo has said before, however, there wasn't really much left that she could do.
After Yohei had gone around the entire camp, she decided to speak up.
"Um…"
"You're still here?" Yohei asked.
"I just wanted to apologize for holding you up." Makoto frowned. "If I hadn't asked you to meet me at the warehouse, you might have gotten back to the camp on time."
"Oh. That. Don't worry about that." Yohei told her. "I was preoccupied even before you asked me to meet with you over there."
"You were?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah, now get going." Yohei told her. "Kids shouldn't be out this late at night."
Makoto nodded, noting that Yohei's tone had softened a bit.
She could tell that he cared deeply for his fellow homeless, and for her as well.
She felt a little closer to Yohei.
DEATH CONFIDENT: RANK 5
She left the homeless encampment, quickly making her way back home for the day.
9/26 Friday
Days Until Haru is sold off: 15
"How's the coffee?"
"It's good. Thank you."
Enjoying another little lunch date on the roof, Ren and Makoto quietly enjoyed each other's company.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been available to spend time together, just the two of us." Ren apologized. "Things have been… so busy. The moment we got back, we got involved with Okumura…"
"Hopefully we finish this soon…" Makoto said.
"How's the Eiko situation going?" Ren asked.
"Her boyfriend's been sending me some… suggestive texts." Makoto frowned. "It'll break her heart, but I feel like I have to show her.
Ren squeezed her hand with his own.
"If that Tsukasa guy has any distorted desires…"
"It'll be ok." Makoto assured him. "Although I wonder if might need your help again down the line…"
"Well, at least it wouldn't be pretending in front of them anymore." Ren said.
"...I wish we didn't have to hide or pretend at all…" Makoto whispered.
"What do you mean?" Ren asked.
"We can't tell the team, we can't let anyone at school know, we can't let sis know…" Makoto trailed off.
"I don't want you to get in trouble, or have any rumors spread." Ren admitted. "I don't want to see you hurt."
"I told you that I'd stand by you, no matter what." Makoto told him.
She didn't want to push Ren out of his comfort zone, but…
"I know, I know…" Ren said, taking a deep breath. "I guess…"
"Yes?"
"I'd be comfortable telling our friends." Ren replied.
Makoto nodded. "I'm sure they'd take it well."
"And then… if we're telling people, then maybe I'll just stand up in front of the whole student body and shoot out my feelings towards you." Ren joked.
"Please don't do that." Makoto giggled. "I don't know if my heart could handle that."
"Ok, but more or less scary than telling your sister?" Ren asked.
"R-Ren, stooop." Makoto stammered, failing to hold back her laughter.
The two of them both started laughing, laying down to look at the sky.
"Say, Mako…"
"Mako?"
"You don't like it?" Ren asked.
"No, that's not… actually, I think I do like it." Makoto answered.
It was certainly an improvement over some of his other nicknames.
"I was wondering if you were free a week from today." Ren wondered.
Makoto thought for a moment before nodding.
"Yes, I'm free then. Why?"
Ren glanced over and grinned at her.
"Cause I'm going to take you out on a really nice date, of course!" Ren beamed. "Just the two of us."
"O-Oh. That sounds… wonderful, Ren." Makoto replied. "Where are we going?"
"Hmm… well, where would you like to go?" Ren asked.
"Um… Maybe… the arcade again. I still remember the last time you brought me was a lot of fun. And we could go out to dinner together." Makoto suggested. "... Sorry, I didn't really look into any places that are more… romantic."
"That's fine, we can look into it later for next time." Ren smiled.
"Next time… yes, exactly!" Makoto nodded.
"And… I might just have a little surprise planned." Ren teased.
"I see. I'll be looking forward to it, then." Makoto beamed.
As lunch ended, the two of them descended from the room, Makoto's head already flooded with possibilities for their upcoming date.
With their equipment up to date and their items restocked, Makoto went off to the Velvet Room as soon as school ended.
Instead of meeting her inside, she saw that the twins were already waiting for her outside of the Velvet Room.
"There you are, Inmate!" Caroline shouted.
"It feels like it's been a while since you last came here." Justine added.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Makoto replied, grinning at them. "Did the two of you miss me?"
"W-What?!" Caroline gasped. "No, of course not! Why would I care?!"
"Exactly. E-Enough of your nonsense, Inmate." Justine added.
Makoto let out a small smirk, amused by their unconvincing denial.
"Sorry if I upset you two… maybe this will make up for it?" Makoto said… holding out a plushie for them.
"Mothman!" both twins exclaimed, before greedily snatching it from her hands.
"Just so we're clear, this is for research purposes only!" Caroline insisted.
"Research. Of course." Makoto smirked.
"Exactly. And nothing else." Justine specified.
"Anyway, did you want to go somewhere with me?" Makoto asked.
"That's right!" Caroline confirmed. "So hurry up and fuse your persona or whatever so we can get going."
Makoto did just that, assembling a strong team of persona before heading back out to see the twins.
"Alright, so where did the two of you want to go this time?" Makoto asked.
"We wanted to visit a repository for these so-called 'art exhibits'." Justine explained.
"Apparently, these places collect all of these pieces just for the sake of displaying them." Caroline added.
"From what I've heard, art can be seen as an expression of the heart, echoing the soul of its artist." Justine said.
"That sounds like an art museum." Makoto noted. "There's one over in Ueno."
"Excellent! Let's get going, then!" Caroline grinned.
She nodded, leading the twins in the direction of the museum.
The twins wasted no time looking around the museum at all the art on display.
"It appears our prior information was correct." Justine noted.
"So, this is 'art', huh." Caroline stated. "I did hear that it involves human aesthetic sense or something."
"Caroline, will you really be able to properly appreciate this art?" Justine sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Caroline snapped.
"Please don't shout. The signs prohibit it." Justice pointed out.
"Oh yeah?! Well is there a sign that prohibits me from shoving a Megidolan up you-"
"Please don't fight." Makoto pleaded. "It'll disturb the other patrons."
"...Of course." Justine said.
"Fine, fine…" Caroline whispered.
Were they actually… listening to her?!
"Why don't I show you around." Makoto offered. "There are plenty of art pieces to see, after all!"
She led them through the museum, exposing them to the many different styles of art.
"So many pieces… art definitely takes many forms." Caroline considered.
"There were some pieces that looked photo realistic." Justine said. "But why not use a camera?"
"Well, art has existed longer than cameras." Makoto explained. "And different artists might have a different interpretation of a scene."
"So what's with the portraits? What's the point of painting some regular human?" Caroline asked.
"Some people ask for portraits for special occasions. Painting people can also be good practice." Makoto answered.
She was glad she had at least picked up some art knowledge from Yusuke.
"And the landscapes… why paint some dull buildings or mountains?" Justine explained. "I'm just not sure why people paint at all. So that other people can look at it?"
"Well… art can… offer a look at the people and the places in the past. Their customs, their beliefs… art can give insight into those things." Makoto continued explaining. "And also… some people just find beauty in it."
"Beauty… well, I suppose we saw art of flower fields and noblewoman." Justine noted.
"... But also dusty mountains and wrinkly old men." Caroline added. "And then there was one exhibit that just looked like a bunch of scribbles! I get that different artists will have different levels of skill, but that art piece looked like it was made by a child."
"No, if anyone is the child here, it's you. Even I saw something special in that painting." Justine boldly stated.
"What are you even going on about now?" Caroline asked, rolling her eyes.
"That painting was clearly meant to represent the darkness in human's hearts." Justine answered. "It seems you lack aesthetic sense, Caroline."
"EXCUSE ME?!" Caroline shouted. "I think it's more like you're lacking sight, Justine!"
"Aren't you both lacking sig-"
"Quiet, inmate!" They both snapped.
"If you think I'm lacking sight, it's because you're lacking a brain." Justine countered.
"Oh yeah?! Well I think you need a good shock to yours!" Caroline exclaimed.
"What a beast you are, always resorting to violence." Justine sighed.
"Don't make me blast you with-"
"ENOUGH!"
Both twins turned to glance at her in shock.
"I told you two to stop arguing!" Makoto scolded, glaring and pointing at the two of them.
"But she started i-"
"I don't care who started it! I'm ending it!" Makoto cut them off. "If you two don't stop misbehaving, I'm taking both of you back to the Velvet Room. And no more plushies!"
For a moment, the twins just stood there in surprise… before hanging their heads in shame.
"We're sorry…" Caroline apologized.
"We'll be good from now on." Justine promised.
Makoto paused, realizing that she had just scolded two people who could probably kill her in an instant… and they listened.
"Well… good. As long as you understand." Makoto said. "As for your earlier question, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder is a phrase that comes to mind."
"What's that mean?" Caroline asked.
"Well, just as there are different styles of art, there are people with different senses of aesthetic." Makoto explained. "So, an art piece that looks amazing to one person might look incredibly mediocre to someone else. So neither of you are wrong, per say…"
"Hrmp… another cop-out answer… but I suppose you might have a point." Caroline admitted.
"Still, this'll require some further study." Justine noted. "Let's continue the tour."
As they finished looking over everything in the museum, Makoto slowly began to realize something.
She had noticed that neither of them had given a reason for why they wanted to go there.
"Alright, the assignment is complete!" Caroline grinned. "Let's go back now."
"Before that, I'm curious… you never told me why you wanted to come here." Makoto stated. "What does it have to do with my rehabilitation?"
"O-Oh, we didn't?" Caroline gasped. "Well… It was Justine's idea!"
"Me?!" Justine exclaimed. "Well, erm… you see, I thought that perhaps art can be used to… well… peer into… one's heart! Yes, exactly. Into the heart, desires and all."
"Hmm… desires and all…" Makoto trailed off.
It was some interesting insight into art, even if Justine had probably just come up with that on the spot. Still, Makoto would try and remember it.
"That's not very convincing at all." Caroline scoffed.
Justine frowned. "Well, I recall you being very excited to come here, so perhaps you could explain it."
"I was not excited!"
Makoto shook her head at their antics.
"Did the two of you just…want to spend some time with me?" Makoto asked.
"No!" Both twins simultaneously shouted.
Makoto couldn't stop herself from giggling at their swift denial.
"S-Stop laughing, Inmate!" Caroline snapped. "Still…"
"I… I suppose that it wasn't that bad." Justine admitted.
"Yeah…" Caroline agreed.
"Well, in that case, I'd be happy to spend time with you two again sometime." Makoto beamed.
"You would-er, I mean, yes, of course you would!" Caroline smirked.
"We will continue to honor you with our presence." Justine smiled. "And…"
"Hmm?"
"We want to try making some art of my own." Justine admitted.
"You'll be the first to see it, so you'd better be grateful!" Caroline stressed.
"Of course. I'm sure you two will do great." Makoto beamed.
She felt a little closer to Caroline and Justine.
STRENGTH CONFIDENT: RANK 7
After saying goodbye to the twins, she headed home for the day, and went to sleep for the day.
… Or at least tried to, as thoughts of her date with Ren kept her up late into the night.
She slowly brought out her phone and texted out a message.
Makoto: Good night.
A second later…
Ren: Good night, my Queen.
She smiled, drifting off to sleep, her dreams filled with thoughts of her special someone…
Makoto's Confident Progress:
THE FOOL - Ren Amamiya: Rank 9
THE HUNGER - Igor: Rank 8
THE CHARIOT - Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank 8
THE MAGICIAN - Morgana: Rank 7
THE FAITH - Eiko Takao: Rank 6
THE TOWER - Chiaki Yasui: Rank 7
THE SUN - Shiho Suzui: Rank 8
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 7
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 6
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 6
THE STAR - Hifumi Togo: Rank 6
THE DEVIL - Mitsuhide Matsuoka: Rank 4
THE HANGED MAN - Munehisa Iwai: Rank 4
THE DEATH - Yohei Kiritani: Rank 5
THE EMPEROR - Yusuke Kitagawa: Rank 6
THE EMPRESS - Haru Okumura: Rank 5
THE LOVERS -Phantom Ann Takamaki: Rank 6
THE HERMIT - Futaba Sakura: Rank 4
THE STRENGTH - Caroline and Justine: Rank 7
THE JUSTICE - Goro Akechi: Rank 4
THE PRIESTESS - Kasumi Yoshizawa: Rank 4
THE FORTUNE - Phantom Thieves of Heart: Rank 6
THE JUDGMENT - Sae Niijima: Rank 5
THE COUNCILOR - Takuto Maruki: Rank 6
Are the Phantom Thieves just? Yes 80.3%