Work Text:
04/10/2016
Late Evening
Iwatodai – Makoto’s Apartment
It’s been six years, ten days since the Abyss of Time incident. The waiting game for all the members of SEES, now Shadow Operatives, has been arduous and awkward. Especially with the P-1 Climax bringing them to Inaba during 2012, the Shadow Operatives narrowly avoided an incident meeting their missing member 5 again before the proper date.
Today was Ren’s first day at Shujin, which, according to her, was when her Journey began.
When Fuuka and Kuon hacked into the systems to observe the rigged trial a month ago… All of the Shadow Operatives were livid at how Ren was treated.
Like most things about him, Makoto’s anger was subdued and less obvious than his sister. He maintained his quiet demeanor throughout the trial as they watched. However, to everyone in the room, Makoto might well have been holding up a neon sign with the words ‘I AM BEYOND PISSED’ on it. There was also the fact that his level of anger was causing an actual affect in reality, with the Almighty power of Messiah producing a palpable pressure in the room, feeling much like the day SEES fought the Nyx Avatar.
Makoto leans back on the couch of his living room, looking at the information the Shadow Operative’s resident hackers obtained on his laptop. A large amount of it is things he knew already, since Ren had told him a majority of it during their time in 2009 after July 26th, but…
The full information laid bare makes his blood boil.
“Patience, my Other Self. We both know how her tale ends.” Comes the calm, reserved tone of his true Persona.
“I know…” Makoto sighs. “It’s just… She gave me so much then, and I can’t be there for her now.”
He sighs again before standing up and walking to the bathroom. Shaking his head, he turns the water on, putting his hands under the cool liquid before splashing his face. He observes himself in the mirror.
He’s taller compared to his high school days at Gekkoukan, though he’s still shorter than his girlfriend was the last time the two met back in 2010, albeit the gap is much less now. He’s kept his hair relatively the same, though the length is slightly longer now than in 2009.
“Seeing her like that pains you, yes. But, as you always tell others, ‘Wait and see’. You merely need to believe in her.” Messiah continues.
Makoto runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. Returning to his bedroom for the night, he picks up a small photograph, the one SEES took in January 2010, a week before they fought Nyx. A small smile grows on his face, brought on by the fact that in two more years, everyone would be back together, just as promised.
11/20/2016
Afternoon
Iwatodai – Kirijo Estate, Mitsuru’s Office
The collected former members of SEES, now joined by another mechanical maiden, thanks to the combined efforts of four members, watch the television on the opposite side of the room from Mitsuru’s desk. The redhead leader leans forward, fingers steepled as her eyes are glued to the screen. The only member not sitting or standing around the couches is Kuon, who watches from the balcony, cigarette in her left hand.
Ever since the hard drive containing Sophia’s data was stolen, Kuon has been doing her best impression of a chimney in the winter, much to Fuuka’s dismay.
Thankfully, Kuon’s at least made a habit of not smoking with her dominant hand, meaning the aggressively yellow ring, the sibling to the ones worn by Yukari and Aigis, that Fuuka gave her back in late October 2009 that shored up the elemental weakness of Kuon’s Persona remains untouched by the coder’s new anxiety-induced chain-smoking habit.
And then…
“And now we return to our continued report.” The news anchor on the television says. “This morning, the police have announced that they have detained a suspect who may in fact be the leader of the Phantom Thieves group. The suspect is reported to be a young woman who is still a minor.”
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
“I think this is where she’d say, ‘It’s Showtime’, right?” Junpei murmurs quietly, his arm tightly around Chidori who stares at the screen, stone-faced.
“Yeah, that’d be her all right.” Shinjiro sighs. “Goddamn, like… We were doing crazy shit, but…”
“Says the one who was shot twice, at close range, by a fifty-caliber revolver.” Drawls Akihiko.
Despite his comment, his leather gloves creak as his fists clench tightly.
“I’m still annoyed Shinjiro gettin’ shot was a goddamned benefit for him…” Jin grumbles, raking off his glasses and rubbing a smudge on them.
“What a surprise, to think the one behind all this is just a minor….”
“But considering how quickly they announced her arrest, the police must surely be confident in the outcome of this case.”
Kotone looks at her twin before leaning in and hugging him.
“It’s absolutely horrible that she had to do this though…” Yukari frowns, placing a hand on Kotone’s shoulder.
“It is. And though I am loathe to admit it, Shido’s conspiracy controls so much of the country it’s nearly impossible to get us even the smallest of footholds back in Tokyo. He started his plan cleverly, almost like he knew we’d be able to stand against him.” Mitsuru sighs, unfolding her hands and looking out at the balcony. “Sometimes I’ve considered joining her for one.”
“Hey, you told me ‘only one more pack, guttersnipe’ back in high school. That night was the last time I smoked. You can’t go back on that promise there, princess.” Shinjiro growls, albeit good-naturedly.
“Plus, you’re eight months along, Mimi.” Akihiko adds.
“Please don’t join Kuon in her anxiety smoking, Mitsuru. Especially when pregnant.” Fuuka quietly adds.
“Still though…” Ken frowns, looking at the television and running a hand over Koromaru. “It’s horrible that we can’t help.”
“We made an agreement with Ren, that we wouldn’t interfere during her Journeys, and a promise to meet with her again once things have caught up.” Aigis says, nodding as she leans against the young man next to her.
“She said she would call Kuon once the ‘her’ here remembers her time with us when she wakes up the day after she went to sleep before coming back to 2009.” The blonde gynoid continues. “Which would be at some point on July 26th, 2018. That is only one year, eight months, six days from now.”
Just under two years. The thought makes the tension lower, ever so slightly.
“That being said… I am also antsy.” Aigis adds, her right arm snakes around her companion’s abdomen as she clings to him. In response, his left arm wraps reassuringly around her metal shoulders.
“We have breaking news.” The anchor says, causing everyone’s attention to snap back to the television. “The young woman being held in custody has committed suicide.”
The color drains from the faces of every human in the room and on the balcony, and even the two gynoids in the room have an expression of utter dismay and horror.
Did something go wrong?
“No…” Fuuka says quietly, her hands shooting to her face.
“The police have confirmed her death, although details have not been released. To repeat, the suspect has committed suicide while in custody. This station will continue to report any further updates as they arrive.”
“It can’t be…” Metis quietly murmurs, looking from the television screen to Aigis, and then to Makoto.
“It’ll be difficult to uncover her methods now. Perhaps that is why she decided to take this course of action.”
“She’s alive.” Makoto quietly says and slowly nods. While he addresses the gathered members of the Shadow Operatives, his eyes remain glued to the television screen.
“Just like how Akihiko and Shinjiro can feel where Mitsuru is, or Kotone with Yukari… I’ve been able to sense where Ren is after Orpheus became Messiah.” He swallows. “It’s just…”
Every set of eyes, barring Makoto who’s now looking at the floor, turn towards the tall, lanky and brilliantly blue-eyed young man standing next to Aigis, his left arm draped reassuringly across her shoulders. The fingers of his right hand playing with a charred screw hanging on a chain from his neck before he nods.
“Ren’s alive. I can still sense her soul, burning brightly, as it always has.” Ryoji confirms, a gentle smile on his face. “She’s hurting, but she lives.”
A collective sigh of relief from the members of the Shadow Operatives, barring Makoto and Ryoji, that no one realized they were holding.
12/02/2016
Afternoon
Iwatodai – Makoto’s Apartment
Seventeen years since that night. Ever since 2009, the anniversary of December 2nd, 1999 has been less painful because now he has others to share the weight with.
Makoto hears his phone’s notifications going off from the Shadow Operatives’ special secured chat server. He picks it up and looks over the messages.
Makoto exhales, shaking his head. So… It seems Akihiko, Ken and Shinji found their person of interest regarding the Shadow Operatives’ own investigation into the Mental Shutdown crisis then. He looks out the window, seeing the snow piling on the streets of Iwatodai.
He knows exactly what kind of pain Ren is going through right now.
1 year, 7 months and 24 days to go.
12/09/2016
Evening
Iwatodai – Kirijo Estate, Mitsuru’s Office
“So… We’re all just waitin’ for whatever the hell Ren and her team pulls tonight then?” Junpei inquires as the Shadow Operatives watch the television once again as they wait for…
Whatever it is that the Phantom Thieves did for Shido’s Calling Card.
“Indeed. Ren’s lack of explanation of the Calling Card for Shido, barring ‘watch the news on the ninth of December 2016 in the evening’ was quite curious.” Aigis nods.
Makoto says nothing, merely looking at the television, absentmindedly playing with the ring hanging off the necklace he’s wearing.
In an instant though, their wait is rewarded. As right when the news playing on the large screen begins to report once again on the death of the Phantom Thief? The screen begins filling with a piercing, broken static… And a familiar logo begins to emerge from the static…
A red domino mask, the left eye aflame, with a top hat is suddenly emblazoned on the screen with the big bold words TAKE YOUR HEART written beneath it.
“Oh, HELL YEAH!” Junpei hops up from the couch, grinning widely. His excitement nearly bowls over his wife, who huffs in annoyance and grabs his shirt to yank him back to sitting. “Ehehe… Sorry ‘bout that, Chidorita…” He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Forgiven. Don’t do it again, Junpei.” Chidori replies with a frown.
“Impressive.” Mitsuru chuckles.
“This has ‘Futaba’ written all over it, based on what Ren told us about her.” Yukari grins, holding Kotone tight.
Jin lets out a low whistle. “Damn, that is some hackin’ skill she’s got if that’s the case…”
“Yo! What is UP everybody?!” A distorted and excited masculine voice calls out.
“I think that one’s Skull, based on Ren saying he was energetic?” Fuuka ponders, leaning into Kuon’s side, the brunette’s arm draped over the smaller woman’s shoulders.
“We are the ones who you all know as the Phantom Thieves.” A different, calmer male voice follows up.
“Yeah, that’s gotta be Fox.” Shinjiro nods.
“The fun part will be figuring out the others, as Ren said they only had two male human members at this time.” Ken chuckles.
“And all of us are alive and kicking.” Follows up another voice, this time decidedly feminine, despite the distortion.
The image on the screen turns into a strange logo of a cat with sharp teeth and blue eyes… Logo based on Morgana?
“Despite what those assholes in power would have you believe~!”
“I think that’s Hawk, simply based on ‘girl who swears’ being a description for her from Ren.” Kuon observes.
“They have been manipulating information to try and hide the truth from the public.”
Makoto smiles, nodding. “This is definitely one way to get the message across…” His hand squeezes around the white ring.
“But we’re here to set the record straight! So please, let us borrow your time!” A bubbly and overly feminine sounding distorted voice follows.
“That’s gotta be Panther.” Kotone giggles.
“The recent scandals of public figures, the accidents caused by psychotic breakdowns and mental shutdowns? Those weren’t just random happenstance.” Comes a new, more mature-toned female voice. “One man is behind every single instance, simply to satiate his own greed.”
“I think we found Queen.” Akihiko chuckles. “Now we get what Ren meant by having experience dealing with people like you, Mitsuru.”
“That man was afraid his crimes would be exposed and shifted the blame onto us! He even manipulated the police for that!” Comes a much younger female voice.
“There’s Oracle.” Fuuka declares.
“We only steal the hearts of criminals, but this asshole tried to blame all of his crimes on us to escape justice! That just shows how little he cares about the victims!”
“The identity of that cowardly man may shock you, he is–” The screen suddenly cuts out… Showing nothing but the broadcast interruption screen…
“OH, COME ON!” Junpei throws his hands in the air.
“Wait for it…” Makoto replies, his eyes glued to the screen.
The screen suddenly returns to the image, the broadcast seemingly only paused, uninterrupted.
“–a current cabinet member of all things!”
“There we go.” Shinjiro chuckles.
“The Minister of State for Special Missions, Shido Masayoshi.” The image on screen changes at that exact moment to display a picture of bald man with a goatee and orange sunglasses.
Makoto clenches his fists. So, this is the man who ruined her life…
“Everything this man has said has been nothing more than lies! And to prove that? Take a look!” Comes a new voice.
“We’ve heard every member of the Phantom Thieves outside of Ren now.” Aigis confirms.
The image on the screen changes once again, and now an image of ten silhouettes standing beside each other with a bright spotlight obscuring them from behind. Eight of the silhouettes the Shadow Operatives don’t recognize, but they are all incredibly distinct. Two, however…
“We’re all still here!”
“I’m sure the people investigating us can tell if this is a lie or not~!”
“Shido himself will soon confess all the crimes he’s committed, please look forward to it everyone~!”
The image changes once again, showing a picture of Shido that has been scribbled on with various little doodles like what a child would draw.
“We’re not going sit back and watch some crook wreck this country just ‘cause of his FUCKING ego!”
“Okay yup, that’s definitely Hawk. Ren said she was fast and loose with the ‘fucks’.” Kotone giggles.
“Anyways…” Comes the first male voice once more.
The picture on the screen shrinks away to nothing, showing a more zoomed-in look on two of the Phantom Thieves in particular… The boy who is speaking has slung an arm around a much taller girl’s shoulders, who has an incredibly familiar silhouette to the Shadow Operatives…
“Ain’t that right… Leader?”
Makoto’s expression changes to a grin as he watches Ren take a few steps forward until her face is right up against the screen, exposing her white domino mask and those strikingly beautiful, piercing silver eyes along with a few stray locks of her raven-black hair.
“Yes! Before that happens, we will take this country!” Ren’s voice is the only one undistorted.
“… Holy shit.” Junpei goggles.
“That’s my girl.” Makoto chuckles.
12/24/2016
Late Afternoon
Iwatodai – Kotone and Yukari’s Apartment
“So, we haven’t heard from Aigis or Ryoji…” Yukari looks at Kotone and Makoto.
“Dunno why they decided to go to Tokyo today. Just to observe whatever the hell the Phantom Thieves are doing?” Kotone shrugs.
“Most likely. Ai’s always been a curious girl.” Makoto nods, walking up to the fridge. “And y’know. Neither of them are in any real danger. Even discounting Aigis being a Wild Card, she’s a walking weapon. And Ryoji… Is Ryoji.”
“God, today’s a mess.” Yukari shakes her head, a small grin on her face. “Ren and the Phantom Thieves fighting against a god, Mitsuru is in labor…”
“Yeah, everything’s going crazy today.” Kotone giggles.
Makoto hums, nodding. “Still… All we can do now is wait and–”
His statement is cut off by his eyes going unfocused, before both twins suddenly lose their footing in unison; Kotone falling back onto the couch, while Makoto slams into the fridge.
“G-GUYS!?” Yukari looks at her partner and Makoto in a panic.
A few tense moments pass before Kotone and Makoto right themselves, the twins staring at one another. For the first time since March 31, 2010, Makoto’s expression shifts into a wide grin.
“She did it.” Makoto breathes, smiling.
“Did we ever doubt her?” Kotone giggles.
“Not once. But I was terrified for her.”
08/02/2017
Evening
Iwatodai – Makoto’s Apartment
While doing a tune-up on the bass Ren got back in 2009, Makoto hears his phone’s notifications going off from the Shadow Operatives’ special secured chat server. Putting the bass down, he looks at the phone.
Labrys: Well, we got good news and bad news.
Labrys: Good news: We found Kuon and Fuuka’s missing AI baby.
Labrys: Bad news: Between when she was kidnapped to when the Thieves found her, someone mangled her code something fierce, so she has memory issues.
Mitsuru: Memory issues how?
Labrys: Sophia was able to recognize Kuon’s speech pattern and voice but couldn’t remember WHO Kuon was.
Jin: Ah you know, they just mangled Kuon and Fuuka’s baby AI, it’s fine.
Jin: (yes that is sarcasm)
Fuuka: I am worried about both of them.
Akihiko: That is concerning.
Shinjiro: I think I just heard Aigis’ guns spooling up all the way from here.
Aigis: That is impossible, human auditory perception is not that powerful.
Ryoji: It’s a joke, my angel.
Yukari: Speaking of, we haven’t heard from Kuon.
Yukari: this is Kotone btw; Yukari fall asleep during our movie and has my arm pinned to the couch, and my phone is on the other side of the room.
Kopis: She is currently locked in her hotel room performing maintenance on Sophia and is hoping to have her memories repaired by the morning.
Kopis: It took quite a while for Kuon-sama to recover from her, crashout, I believe the term is?
Makoto snorts. Finding your kidnapped daughter and then discovering her mind was mutilated is a perfectly valid reason for a crashout.
Eleven months, twenty-four days left.
07/26/2018
Lunchtime
Yongen-Jaya, Café Leblanc
Ren looks down at her phone nervously. After a fairly awkward conversation with Kuon, albeit one clearly overjoyed from both, she was given the contact number of the one person she wished to see from SEES first before getting the Phantom Thieves together.
She inhales deeply before typing out the message.
DM: Mako~<3
Ren: Hey there, pretty boy.
Ren: It’s been a bit hasn’t it?
Ren: Kuon said you’re in Tokyo today.
Ren: Can we meet up?
Ren: Inokashira Park in about 45?
Mako~<3: Good to know you still bang out messages like that.
Mako~<3: But sure.
Mako~<3: See you then.
Ren smiles.
“Well, Dame Voleuse, it seems you have a date.” Raoul chuckles within Ren’s mind. “Time for us to get more presentable, no?”
As Ren walks down the stairs of Leblanc, surprisingly empty at this time of day, she gives a short wave to Sojiro.
“I’ll be back later~”
“See you kid…” Sojiro nods before looking up and noticing Ren’s outfit and doing a near-comical double-take. “… What the hell? You got a date we never heard about or something?”
Ren awkwardly laughs, running a hand through her hair and smiling. “Kind of…” She pauses, looking out the door to check if the coast is clear. “So, long story short. I’m meeting someone I met thanks to Persona Bullshit and I… Wanted to look good when I meet him.”
Sojiro questioningly raises an eyebrow as he stares at his elder daughter.
Ren sighs. “So… Long story short? Time travel was involved. And well…” She purses her lips, a light blush on her cheeks. “I ended up finding someone.”
“Had to travel time to find a boyfriend, huh? Nothing’s ever easy with you, is it?” He chuckles, shaking his head.
“Daaaaaaaaaaad!” Ren whines, frowning as the blush darkens. She sharply inhales to compose herself. “Futaba’s gonna be out all day with Yusuke. I might bring him by so you can meet him.”
“Why, need to make sure I approve of him or something?” Sojiro gives a light smirk to Ren.
“We kind of… Made an agreement back in 2010.” Ren awkwardly rubs the back of her neck. “He’s probably going to ask for… Your blessing.”
Sojiro snorts, shaking his head. “With how you’re acting? This is one is definitely different from that other boy. Sounds like you found someone good.” He nods, stroking his beard. “Sure, bring him on by.”
“Thanks, dad~” Ren beams at Sojiro as she leaves, the bell jingling as she exits.
Afternoon
Inokashira Park
‘Holy SHIT.’ Makoto thinks to himself as he walks through Inokashira Park and spots Ren, standing near a bench, looking out at the water, her hand on her chin in thought.
He knew she was friends with a model, and her talent for fashion back in 2009 was a clear indication of that, but this? She definitely picked out her outfit to show off, for him specifically.
Ren, or rather, Ms. Punk-Fashion Runway Model is wearing a black crop-top with a red-and-white splatter design that exposes her midriff and navel, a black-white-red plaid skirt (is that the Shujin uniform’s skirt?), thigh-high stockings attached to her skirt by garters on the front and fancy black heels. He also sees that she’s not wearing the fake glasses and has deep maroon lipstick on.
She is definitely, definitely showing off. Holy hell does she look good.
It’s kind of funny, while he’s aged eight years since, Ren’s still the same as she was last time he saw her. The full weight of the whole ‘time travel romance’ thing between them hits and Makoto now feels a level of awkwardness that makes him feel a level of timidness that he’s not felt in a long time. It’s like he’s sixteen again, about to walk into Ren’s dorm room after she texted him that she wanted to discuss the 7/7 Full Moon Operation.
He slowly approaches her.
‘Breathe, Ren. Calm down.’ Ren thinks to herself, her thumb rubbing against her chin. ‘It’s probably going to be worse for him because you haven’t really aged a day, comparatively…’
“You’re going to work yourself into a frenzy, Dame Voleuse.” Raoul says with a small chuckle. “Détends-toi, tout ira bien.”
Still, the nerves are getting to her, and there’s a swarm of butterflies nesting anxiously in her stomach. She sincerely hopes the two can pick up right where they left off without any issue. While Ren did turn 19 this past July 15th, and Makoto would have turned 25 last year on November 1st, Ren’s seen bigger age-gaps during her time in Inaba, Tokyo, and Port Island.
Ren hears someone approaching her and she removes her hand from her chin.
“Hey, Ren.”
Her heart jumps. The sheer warmth and devotion in those two simple, laid-back words. The sound of the voice is slightly different now, clearly older, but…
She turns towards the voice and just… Looks.
Makoto’s visibly older now. He’s closer in height to herself, probably only five centimeters of difference now. His hair’s a little bit longer, and his sense of style has…
Well.
His outfit makes him look like he’s the frontman of an American emo band from the early 2000s.
Mr. Alternative Press wears a leather jacket over a blue-and-black shirt with the logo of a skull bearing the Roman Numeral XIII (ha, ha) on the forehead, faded jeans, black sneakers and a set of more modern-looking silver headphones around his neck. Beneath that, Ren can see a silver necklace with something white hanging on it hanging around his neck.
Overall, he’s far better-looking than when they were in Gekkoukan together.
But the way he stands, slightly slouched with his hands in his pockets, is exactly the same. And then there’s the look he’s giving her, the very same look he’d always give her when they’re alone, sapphire eyes sparkling with a level of love and tenderness reserved solely for her.
Makoto cocks his head ever so slightly, looking at Ren. “… You good there, Ren?”
“… I need to come up with a new nickname for you.” Ren finally says, as a blush begins spreading on her cheeks. “Because ‘pretty boy’ grew up into a sexy man.”
He lets out a small snort and chuckle, walking up to Ren.
“S’been a while.” Makoto speaks up once they’re within arms-distance to one another.
“Has it? Last I checked it was only a couple hours for me.” Ren smirks.
“Bitch.” He smiles before laughing. “It’s been eight years for me.”
Ren beams upon seeing that smile and hearing that laugh again. Before she can say anything further, the action she expected her to do is performed by Makoto.
Then again, as he just said, eight years of waiting for him.
Makoto surges forwards, pulling the taller girl into a hug. Ren happily returns the embrace, resting her head on his shoulder as Makoto’s left hand finds its way onto her back, while he laces the fingers of his right hand through her dark locks on the back of her head.
“I missed you so fucking much.” Makoto says, barely above a whisper.
“I’d bet… But hey.” Ren says, pulling back from the hug and smiling at Makoto, tears in the corners of her eyes. “We did it.”
No more words are said by Makoto, who merely lunges in for a kiss with a clear hunger. Ren most definitely doesn’t mind Makoto being more forward. It was honestly kind of cute how Makoto would normally let Ren take the lead the majority of the time, but she always found that when Makoto took the lead were always the more interesting moments.
Ren closes her eyes, leaning into the kiss with a purr of contentment. This sensation still feels so good regardless. He still feels soft against her lips. It feels right. Even if it has only been a few hours for her, she knows Makoto waited eight painful years for this. And the sheer aggression in his kiss, despite his characteristic gentleness, shows how much he longed for this moment.
Much like their second kiss as a couple in her dorm room in 2009, the pair remain connected until their lungs scream for air and force them apart.
“I love you.” Ren begins, smiling and blushing heavily.
“Now and forever.” Makoto finishes, leaning forward so their foreheads rest against one another.
“I’m so happy to see you…” She giggles, beaming at him. “Good to know you still feel as strongly about me…”
“Ren. Like I said… You chose me, of all people, for some goddamned reason. You’re mine. And I’m yours.” Makoto’s arms tighten around Ren, who returns the gesture. “What was eight years of me waiting for you, compared to us having the rest of our lives together?” He chuckles, smiling at Ren.
“… The waiting honestly did suck ass though.” He quickly adds with a mumble, shaking his head.
Ren chokes out a sobbing giggle. “Yeah… I’d bet…”
Due to the proximity, Ren notices what is hanging on the necklace he’s wearing. The ring. The one Makoto got for Ren that carries a Null Light enchantment on it. It must have stayed behind after the events of the Abyss of Time. Which means the rest of her SEES gear probably also stayed behind?
“… You’ve got my ring, still.” Ren breathes.
“Hmm? Yeah.” He looks at Ren, reluctantly letting go of her. “Why would I get rid of it? It’s yours.”
Ren has an idea, and her expression slowly morphs into a grin. “So, I kind of wanted to introduce you to my father before I drag both my Phantom Thieves and SEES to Leblanc tomorrow. That ring can let us have some fun then~” She giggles.
“More than pulling you across the counter into a kiss will?” Makoto smirks. “Because I was thinking of that as the Phantom Thieves introduction to me.”
“We can do both, y’know.” Ren replies, a playful grin on her features. “So, coffee?”
Makoto smiles at Ren. “Are you making it?”
The couple, finally reunited, fully pull themselves away from their embrace and instead intertwine their hands.
“That could be arranged… But pops will probably be the one to do so, since he’ll also be grilling you.” She giggles, leaning into Makoto’s side as they begin their walk. “Be prepared.”
“Ren. C’mon now.” He chuckles. “My future father-in-law is not as scary a concept to me as what I had to deal with back then.”
“You’ve not seen Boss yet, MakooOOoo~”
Late Afternoon
Yongen-Jaya, Café Leblanc
Makoto walks with Ren leading back to Café Leblanc, where the former members of SEES and the Phantom Thieves will be meeting the next day. It’s small, out of the way and nestled inside of an alleyway.
The bell jingles as they enter.
“Ah, you’re back.” Comes a gruff, male voice.
Makoto quickly scans around the café. Much like the exterior implies, it’s small, cozy and homey. The speaker is the sole occupant currently. Based on what Ren’s described, this can only be Sakura Sojiro.
“… So, you’re the guy, huh?” Sojiro says as the couple enters, looking directly at Makoto, his eyes scanning the young man up and down.
“That I am, yes.” Makoto replies, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yuki Makoto, pleased to meet you, sir.”
“… Older than I thought you’d be.” Sojiro says, raising an eyebrow.
Makoto shoots a quick glance at Ren, the unspoken ‘does he know?’ on his expression. Ren merely nods and smiles.
“Just a few years older, yeah. Though to be fair when we met originally, she was the older one.” Makoto says with a small shrug as he takes a seat at the counter.
Sojiro looks at Ren, eyebrow raised.
“Time travel, remember? I showed up in Iwatodai as a transfer student as a third year.” Ren nods, sitting down at the counter on Makoto’s left. “He transferred into Gekkoukan as a second year. So, when we started dating I was technically the older one… Despite being seven years younger than him in actuality.”
“Right… I’m already getting a headache thinking about that.” The older man shakes his head and looks over to Makoto. “So, how do you take your coffee?”
“Actually, mind if I make it?” Ren smiles at Sojiro. “I know exactly what he likes.”
Sojiro slowly raises an eyebrow at Ren’s wording but nods. “Go ahead.”
Coffee for both made, now the awkward conversation begins.
“So… You and my daughter, huh?” Sojiro looks at Makoto.
“Yes sir, Sakura-san. We met just as I started my second year of high school at Gekkoukan.” Makoto begins.
Sojiro snorts. “Enough of the ‘Sakura-san’ or ‘sir’ crap, just call me Sojiro or Boss. Everyone does.”
Makoto nods. “As you wish, Sojiro-san.” There’s a tiny grin on his face.
Sojiro looks at Ren and sighs. “I can see why you like him, kid. He’s just as much a smartass as you are.” He shakes his head. “So… What do you see in Ren then?”
“Well, first off, I waited eight years, three months and twenty-six days to be reunited with her.” Makoto says, his statement causing a sharp inhale from Ren. “What I see in her is someone who completes me in a manner I never thought possible. And I say that as someone who’s a twin. Ren gets me. And she’s a woman I wish to spend the rest of my life with.”
“You kept count?” Ren stares at Makoto, wide-eyed with her face nearly the same color as her lipstick.
Makoto looks at Ren, smiling. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” He looks back at Sojiro. “Long and short, she’s an amazing woman, more than I ever could deserve.”
“Says blue Jesus over here.” Ren deadpans, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Eh?” Sojiro looks at Ren in confusion.
“So…” Makoto begins, taking a sip of his coffee. “How much do you know about Personas, Sojiro?”
“Not a whole lot. Ren, Futaba and the cat gave a basic breakdown. I know they’re representations of your soul or… Something.” Sojiro shrugs. “Why?”
“My twin sister and I have the same power as Ren, the Wild Card. We can wield multiple Personas. And much like Ren’s did, our initial, True Persona, evolved during our Journey, near the end of it.” Makoto nods. “My Orpheus became Messiah.”
“… ‘Messiah’?” Sojiro repeats, blinking. “As in…?”
“The savior figure, yes. There’s a reason why I called him blue Jesus.” Ren giggles. “He and his sister almost died to save all of humanity.”
Makoto nods. “In any case… Ren and I had a few… Discussions during our time together in 2009 and early 2010. And…”
“Kid, if you’re asking for my blessing, don’t.” Sojiro chuckles. “Because I know Ren. Even if I said no, she’d ignore it and say yes to you, anyways. Girl’s a punk, always has been… Once she stopped being so damn timid, anyways.”
“HEY!” Ren pouts, shooting a playful glare at Sojiro. “He’s only known me as a living beacon of charisma and charm!”
Makoto chuckles. “Yeah… She definitely only got timid around romance but uhh…” He rubs the back of his neck.
“That being said… She already did say yes back then.” Makoto smirks, causing Ren to turn a spectacular shade of red. “Well, I guess that makes it easier then.” He looks at Ren, smiling at her.
Ren regains her composure, clearing her throat. “By the way… Mind if I take over the café tomorrow? I’ve basically got both gangs coming by so…”
“Sure thing, kid.” Sojiro nods. “Do you need me here?”
“… Do you want to see all the Phantom Thieves get confused as hell when he kisses me over the counter and proposes to me?” Ren smirks. “Because that’s part of our plan.”
Sojiro strokes his beard and chuckles before looking at Makoto. “Hoo boy…” He shakes his head, grinning. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, kid.”
“I can handle it.” Makoto smiles, his left hand moving and gently gripping Ren’s right hand, lacing their fingers together. “I know exactly what buttons of hers to press.”
Ren looks away, blushing.
Sojiro looks between Ren and Makoto before nodding. “You’ve definitely improved your tastes, Ren. I’m not going to find out in a few weeks how he’s actually a serial killer, right?”
Ren whines, her head slamming onto the countertop. Sojiro chuckles with a smirk as he watches Ren’s reaction.
“Unless you count Shadows, no. I’m just a sweet, innocent boy.” Makoto deadpans.
Ren pulls her face up from the counter before hopping off of her chair. “Anyways!” She tugs on Makoto’s hand, smiling at him. “Want to actually see my room?”
“Sure…” Makoto nods, getting off the chair and smiling at Ren.
“Use protection you two. And try not to make a lot of noise.”
“DAD!” Ren whines. “We’re just going to be talking, jeez!”
Makoto opens his mouth to say something before Ren shoots a glare his way. His mouth slams shut and he nods. He was used to Ren’s glare after she fully stopped wearing the fake glasses in 2009 after the incident with Strega…
But eight years without seeing her like this means it’s going to take getting used to it again. Her glare is genuinely more intimidating than Mitsuru’s.
He decides to merely shake his head and chuckle as Ren drags him up the stairs towards the attic, which he was told back in 2009 is now fully converted into Ren’s bedroom. Ren opens the door and pulls Makoto through it, while he kicks the door closed behind them.
“Hey, Makoto!” Morgana calls out from Ren’s bed, hopping off of it as Ren pulls Makoto to the couch.
“Hey Morgana, long time no see… Well. For me.” He chuckles as Morgana moves and sits on his lap. He smiles, running his hand over the not-cat’s fur.
“Am I getting kicked out so you can have some ‘private time’, then?” Morgana looks up at Ren, who huffs in annoyance.
“Oh, come on Mona! Not you too!” She says with a pout.
“Huh?”
“Sojiro implied the same thing just now.” Makoto gives a half-shrug.
“Hey! It’s not my fault for thinking that! You two were incredibly active back in 2009!”
Now both halves of the couple blush. And neither can exactly deny it.
Then again, nearly every member of SEES was pretty bad about it back then. It was a co-ed dorm, and they fought for their lives all the time, plus there was literally no adult supervision.
Those walls were not soundproof, and Ren’s room was directly next to what became Mitsuru’s threesome nest.
“Besides, isn’t today your guy’s anniversary?” Morgana smirks up at the pair, inasmuch as a cat can smirk.
Both Makoto and Ren blink.
It’s… July 26, 2018. They became a couple during the twins’ Journey… July 26, 2009.
“Oh… Holy shit.” Makoto looks at Ren. “It is.”
“Does it count though? There was kind of a… Eight-year gap of me not existing for you.” Ren giggles.
Makoto shrugs. “I mean…”
Ren looks at Makoto before leaning in and gently kissing him. After they pull back, Makoto smiles, rubbing Ren’s cheek.
“Something on your mind, Ren?”
Ren bites her lip and nods. “Umm…”
“We can go to my apartment here in Tokyo if you want.” Makoto smiles. “It’s relatively close by.”
“Why do you have an apartment in Tokyo?” Morgana looks at Makoto. “I thought you were all headquartered in Iwatodai?”
“We are, but sis and I have a recording studio here because Tokyo has an excellent music scene. So, an apartment near it made more sense than traveling from Tokyo to Iwatodai every time we were using it.” Makoto nods.
“Hmmm…” Ren pauses before nodding. “Show me.” She smiles.
Late Afternoon
Makoto’s Apartment
The train ride and walk back to Makoto’s apartment is spent in silence and shared headphones, held hands and entwined fingers.
“Oh, wow.” Ren kicks off her heels at the door before kissing Makoto again and wanders in eagerly. “This place is really nice, Mako~” She says, looking around with a wide grin.
“Thanks.” Makoto chuckles, closing and locking the door behind himself. “Since this also has a small recording room in it, the whole apartment is soundproofed.”
Ren smirks. “Oh, so we can get loud huh?”
… Oh, for fuck’s sake. That’s not what he meant but…
“Pretty much.” He shrugs, chuckling and shaking his head.
Ren looks at him as they reach the living room and giggles.
“… What?” Makoto cocks his head, looking at Ren with confusion.
“It looks like my lipstick isn’t as smudge proof as I thought it was…” She muses, giggling harder and drags the pad of her thumb across his lips. “Sorry about that.”
Makoto rolls his eyes.
What Ren says next though…
“Wanna help me get the rest of it off? Or… Maybe… See how much I can spread it~?” She says in a breathy purr, smirking at Makoto.
And that’s what does it.
Makoto grins, grabbing Ren by the waist and tossing her down onto the couch before moving atop her, burying his fingers in her long hair and kissing her again with a growl. She hums into the kiss, her hand snaking around to the back of his neck as they kiss. The couple has several hours before he needs to bring Ren back to Leblanc, and they have eight years of lost time to make up for. They pull back from one another only when their lungs force them to.
“Just one thing…” Ren looks up at Makoto, a playfully bashful expression on her blushing face.
“… Being?” Makoto raises an eyebrow, looking down at Ren.
“So… Remember how I had a whole different body in 2009?” She begins, grinning.
“How could I forget…” Makoto mutters.
His expression shifts to a frown as he recalls how Ren literally faded away in front of his eyes while he held and kissed her. Ren places a hand reassuringly on his cheek, her thumb running along his cheekbone.
“Hey…” Ren’s voice breaks Makoto out of his recollection.
“… Yeah?”
“… Be gentle with me.” Ren says quietly. “… At least to start with, anyways.” She adds, with that playful smirk now on her features once more.
OH.
Ren said she never…
Right.
That makes sense.
Well.
“I’ll do my best. No promises though. I know what you enjoy.” Makoto chuckles, leaning down and kissing Ren once more.
He’s got a girlfriend to make happy.
And they have a life together to figure out.