Ren's POV

I'm definitely not nervous right now.

No really I'm not.

I'm actually kind of excited.

I know I was reluctant to invite Sumi, but the truth is, it's just fun with her around. And to be honest, when I'm not with her I catch myself thinking about her.

Oh shoot, I haven't seen her in months, then suddenly ask for a date... and she said yes? Has that only just occurred to me now? This past week I let Ann take me shopping, I say Ann but everyone, (other than Sumi), was there, I think I found some nice clothes, the fabric feels good on my ski- she's here!

She's got the long haired glasses look with the scarf, oh great, NOW I'm nervous, she's so cute!

Sumi: "Senpai! It's so good to see you again."

Don't stutter, don't stutter, don't stutter.

Ren: "It's great to see you too Sumi, I'm in love."

Nice. She's red as a tomato right now.

Sumi: "Wh... What? D-Did you just say what I think you said? You said you're... in- wait a second? AGAIN senpai? You did this last time we went shopping."

I burst into laughter.

Ren: "AHAHAHAHAHA!

Sumi: "Would you please stop teasing me!"

Stop looking like you enjoy it!

Ren: "But I am in love."

Sumi: "Senpai!"

If only you knew how serious I am.

Rise: "Wow, are you two sure you're not a couple?"

She says as she arrives hand in hand with Yu.

Sumi: "Kujikawa-san, Narukami-kun, it's a pleasure to meet you again."

Rise: "You can just call me Rise. And the pleasure is mine."

Yu: "Yu is fine, great to see you again."

We decided to meet at Leblanc, and yet Makoto and Aigis are nowhere to be found, I had to sleep on Sojiro's couch because they were just...

Aigis: "Sorry we're late everyone."

Sumi: "Makoto, Aigis-san, lovely to see you two again."

First name AND without the honorific? Just how close ARE they?

Makoto: "Nice to see you again Sumire."

Sumire: "You look well Makoto, I hope you're feeling better."

Makoto: "I'm ok, thank you Sumire."

I instinctively pull her close.

Sumi: "S-Senpai?"

Me: "Sorry, sorry, I don't know what came over me!"

Sumi: "It's ok, just a little warning next time would be nice."

She's not pulling away? She's blushing!

The other four just stare at us in shock.

All of their eyes and expressions, even Makoto's, just say, how are they not dating?. I get it okay? It's not like I don't want to, to be honest, I can't stop thinking about her, it's just... I'm in my own head. I overthink. But today it's about all 6 of us, I'm going to try to have fun... and I'm going to invite Sumi over tomorrow for a date.

I hope she's not busy, I think she should be free until 7pm. I just have to try not to think about asking her and just do it.

The 6 of us make our way over to Seaside park. I invited Morgana but he said: "Being around all you couples makes my fur itch, I'll hang out with Futaba."

I haven't seen the guys yet, maybe we should all spend new years together. We start to go on a couple rides, and it's fun... (not quite as fun as being a Phantom Thief) but still fun. I love seeing that smile on Sumi's face as we ride together.

Right now we're in line for the bumper cars, it's tedious but I want to be able to hit Yu for all those jokes he was making. That'll make it all worth it.

Me and Sumi are just waiting in line together with Yu, Rise, Makoto and Aigis behind. When we get to the front of the line, the worker asks, "do you two want to ride together?"

"Separate cars ple-"

"Let's ride together Senpai!"

Sumi wants to ride with me? It's not an issue but... actually, "I'd love to!"

"Me too!"

Oh shoot was that out loud? To my surprise, the other four are riding together too. My brain starts to go haywire as Sumi jumps into the car with me... don't freak out, don't freak out.

Will people see us as a couple? Maybe they will if I put my arm around... what am I thinking? Makoto and Yu put their arms around their girlfriends, is it really so bad if I want to do the same to Sumi?

"Are you going to be alright driving Senpai?"

"Hey I drive all the time remember?"

"In the metaverse."

"Still counts right?"

She's laughing! Just hearing the sound of her laughter puts a smile on my face. Does she have some kind of special power to dispel anxiety?

We're in the bumper cars, Yu is confused as to why I keep bumping him. It's because you're Mr funny man!

Makoto is surprisingly competitive, actually, both Aigis and him are, well I don't exactly like to lose either.

Yu shouts from his car, "Well don't you two look cute together!"

He's looking at me but what is he... I was so focused on the bumper cars I didn't notice, Sumi is holding onto me! Her eyes are shut so tight she must be nervous, it's so cute.

A gentleman would ease up a little. But I'm a trickster.

I start going FASTER, and ramming into people even more.

"S-SENPAI! You're going too fast!"

"You want me to go faster!?"

"SENPAI!"

"Okay I'm sorry, I couldn't help but mess with you a little."

"Just wait until time is up Senpai."

"Time ran out about 30 seconds ago."

It's only now she opens her eyes and sees that everyone has stopped already... but she's still holding onto me...

She's kinda drawing attention to us... everyone is staring as we get out of the bumper cars. Might as well give em what they want.

I wrap my arm around her waist and walk her out the bumper car area, as everyone stares...

Makoto's POV

Seriously, how are Sumire and Ren not dating already? He's literally got his arm around her, and she's a tomato. But she's smiling.

But he's wearing a mask. He's hiding how scared he really is. Much like me. I have to tell Aigis about my dreams. I just need to get it out.

I breathe deeply. "Aigis, I need to talk to you."

She looks... calm and happy as she turns to me. But what I'm about to tell her is... maybe I should wait, at least a little while.

Sumire seems to understand my intentions. Apparently my face is easy to read. "Senpai, Yu-kun, Rise-chan, why don't we get in line for the ferris wheel?", she's trying to give me and Aigis some alone time.

Yu: "Oh yeah that's a great idea! I suppose Makoto and Aigis can just meet us when we get to the front."

Thanks Sumire... not really.

I guess I should be grateful, might as well get this over with.

Aigis's face is just rattled with confusion and concern. "Is everything alright Makoto?"

"Yeah everything is fine, especially because I'm here with you."

Where did that just come from? Aigis is turning red!

"Ma-Makoto-"

I wrap my arms around her. I just want to feel her warmth right now. Besides, it comforts me. For months now I haven't been able to tell anyone about the nightmares. And they're getting worse. I'm afraid one day Aigis will be...

No! I can't think like that. In fact don't think! Just act!

"Ai-Aigis, I need to tell you about my dre-"

"Aigis? Wow it's been quite a while since I've seen you."

Aigis: "Jason? Wow, I haven't seen you in four years!"

Who's... Jason?

Aigis let's go of me and goes to hug this- huge man standing behind me.

Aigis: "Last time I saw you was during the Aircraft highjacking on... May 1st 2012."

Jason: "Yeah, I was really impressed by you that day, you took out the highjackers with ease."

Aigis: "It was a team effort, you give me too much credit."

Jason: "If you spell team A I G I S, then you are absolutely right."

She's giggling at his joke! Have I ever made her laugh before? Wait a second WHO IS THIS GUY!?

Me: "Uh, Aigis? Who's your friend?"

Aigis: "Oh! Forgive me! Where are my manners, Jason, this is Makoto, Makoto, this is Jason. We met a couple times when I was back in the shadow ops, he works for the SAT."

Me: "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jason: "The pleasure is mine, your friend there is the fiercest agent I've ever seen in the field, I was disappointed when I heard she quit."

Aigis really is somethi- wait. What do you mean she quit?

Aigis: "Jason, shhhh, I hadn't told him yet."

Me: "You quit the shadow ops?"

Aigis: "Yeah, last week."

Me: "But you love being a shadow op, and won't Mitsuru need you?"

Aigis: "I do love being a shadow op, but not as much as I love you Makoto, and I wish to spend more time together, as for Mitsuru, she completely understands, and approves, in fact she also wishes to visit you. Everyone does."

I should feel happy that my friends want to see me. I am happy... but I just can't help this thought from plaguing my mind...

Am I just getting in the way of their lives? Do I really belong here?

Jason and Aigis continue to chat, reflect and reminisce, they've clearly had some good times together, I can see her face glow as she talks about being a shadow op. She's radiant as the moon. Am I just taking that away from her?

Ring ring.

Me: "That's Ren calling, they're almost at the front of the line. We should head back."

Aigis: "It was great seeing you again Jason."

Jason: "You two Aigis, if you ever want to join the SAT, give me a call, I'd give you a great recommendation."

Aigis: "Thanks Jason, but I think I'm happy where I am."

Then why do you look so sad...

We start to make our way to the ferris wheel, maybe I should tell he- no, I don't want to ruin this day for her, I'll tell her another time.

Ren: "Wow you two were gone a while, did you play some games?"

Me: "No we just talked a bit, and Aigis met an old friend."

Sumire: "And you said what you needed to say?"

No. I was interrupted.

Me: "Kinda."

Aigis: "Oh is there something you need to talk about?"

Me: "No it's fine."

Yu: "It's ok, if you want to talk alone then-"

Me: "I SAID ITS FINE!"

Everyone is just quiet now. I... I didn't mean to...

Yu: "Alright I'm sorry man."

Me: "No I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell like that."

Aigis: "Are you ok, Makoto?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm fine, it's just been a long day."

Rise: "Oh was it not fun for you?"

Me: "No no that's not what I- (sigh). It's been really fun, I'm glad we did this. We should do this again, I... I guess I do have something to say."

I can't tell them about the dream. Definitely not. Think of something! Anything!

Me: "I'm actually a twin."

That was the best I could come up with? They're just confused.

Aigis: "You're a twin? I didn't know you had a sibling."

Ferris wheel worker: "It's time, I'm assuming you're going as couples?"

Oh yeah the Ferris wheel. We all start to go inside couple by couple, and it's just me and Aigis.

Aigis: "Are you sure you're alright?"

She's still worrying, I'm sorry Aigis.

Me: "Really, I'm fine, why do you ask?"

I can't let her worry about me, I don't want to ruin her day.

Aigis: "What you said about being a twin, that was a lie right?"

Me: "Actually no. I really do have a twin sister."

I've never actually told anyone this story before.

Aigis: "But I've never heard or seen any record of you having a twin?"

Me: "That's... because she died during pregnancy. About 8 months in, she died."

Aigis: "I'm sorry, I had no idea."

Me: "I've made my peace with it, still it would've been nice to know my sister."

Aigis: "Did she have a name?"

Me: "Minako. Funny enough, my parents were going to name me Minato to match. But after they found out about the miscarriage they decided to name me Makoto."

Aigis: "Minako and Minato huh? It's cute." She giggles.

It's like time stopped the moment we reached the highest point of the wheel. It's a festival of colour as we watch the sun set. The wind gives us a sway in the air that's actually quite pleasant, I'm glad it's just me and Aigis right now, "There's no one I'd rather share this moment with."

"Ma-Makoto- where did you learn to talk like that?"

I said that out loud didn't I?

Stupid Yu, teaching me the way of the chad.

Although the red in her cheeks is so adorable it makes me just wanna hold her. I start to approach her slow as a snail, letting her crave my touch as I approach. I rest my hand on the back of her neck to hold her silky hair in my hand. I start to sense her lavender perfume, as it makes me picture the two of us in a meadow, just me and her, watching the sun in the distance, I'd never leave her side. Never wish to be apart. Never leave this moment. She gazes deep into my eyes like she's in a trance. She refuses to blink as she stares into them, without words she whispers, 'more'. And she yearns my name.

"Mako-"

I let my lips interrupt as I kiss her without hesitation. I let my senses dull and enhance to feel her lips with intensity. She's gotten better at this. She pulls me closer almost squeezing me just to bring us together.

"I love you Aigis."

"I love you too Makoto."

Maybe... what she doesn't know won't kill her.