2026-02-22: Unforeseen Consequences
- Log: 2026-02-22 Unforeseen Consequences
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Minako Arisato
- Where: Paulownia Mall
- OOC Date: February 22, 2026
- IC Date: Saturday, September 29, 2012
- Summary: Minako spots Ren at the Paulownia Mall and decides to greet him with an enthusiastic arm-hug. They're happy about this attention and welcome it--the problem is that it happens in front of Yusuke and Makoto, who had no idea Ren was even dating anyone in the first place. Things do not go well for anyone after that.
(|============================== Paulownia Mall ==============================|)
-======================================= Iwatodai City/Tatsumi Port Island ====-
A great glass dome surrounds Paulownia Mall, its name displayed in great letters
on its rim. Within this circular structure, made beautiful with water features,
the mall bustles. A central fountain pours out, eternally, surrounded by benches
for weary shoppers; two more pools stand by the entrance, decorated by
well-trimmed hedges behind them. The brown patterning on the floor emphasises
the circular nature of this place, all carved to equal segments; pillars
surrounding the sides provide structure and guidance, separating each store from
the other.
And the shops one can find here are many. Game Parade is a popular arcade,
particularly amongst nearby Gekkoukan students, and its crane game has foiled
many a hopeful date. Kenneth Arnold offers music albums, while Mandragora
Karaoke Bar, up a flight of stairs nearby, offers live music experiences for
those who prefer active participation. Club Escapade is another great option for
music-lovers, alongside those seeking Fortune-Telling services or looking for
shady informants -- but it's only open at night, and technically, it's only for
people who are over 18. Practically speaking, teenagers sometimes sneak in,
anyway... but curious teens ought to be careful, because a few shops over, one
can find the Tatsumi East Police Station. Chagall Cafe, at least, is both open
during the day and open to all ages! Aohige Pharmacy offers pharmaceuticals to
cure any ailment, while Be Blue V offers an eclectic variety of items and
treatments to improve one's health and wellbeing. Finally, Mayoido Antiques
offers unique weapons and armour for those who bring in supernatural
materials... and the proprietor seems to know more than she really ought to
about that world.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
As the colors of the leaves continue to turn and the weather gradually grows cooler, it's more and more cause to spend time outdoors--or at least travel further than one ordinarily might. Ren's got friends all over the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, including Yusuke over in Port Island. Sometimes it's good to head up that way to hang out after school, especially on a Saturday.
Having come here after school (not directly, Ren took some time to study in the library and then eavesdrop on classmates), Ren's still in their school uniform. The summer uniform hasn't changed over yet (that happens on October 1), which is fine; the weather is cooler but still fairly warm. Morgana's in their shoulder bag, and he perches on Ren's shoulder as the two of them walk around Paulownia Mall with Yusuke--and Makoto, who also had business in Port Island today.
"Port Island really is something else, huh?" Morgana says, secure by the noisy crowds in the mall that no one's going to overhear him that casually. "Even their malls are classy! That fountain in the center really stands out in an understated way, and the whole building's structured so elegantly around it!"
"You've been here before," Ren remarks with a fond smile.
Morgana shoves a paw into the side of their head. "I can admire places I've already seen! That's a quintessential attitude for a proper phantom thief--nothing beautiful can ever grow mundane!"
They don't argue with this, but then, why would they? It's a good note. Ren is all about being a proper phantom thief, and indeed got to quietly revel in it when overhearing classmates talking about how much worse things were for them when Kamoshida was still around, i.e. that they're much better off now that his heart has been changed. They just meet Yusuke and Makoto's eyes and let their smile grow into a grin.
Today's a good day.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
The turning of the leaves from vibrant summer greens to the golds and reds of autumn... this liminal time between the seasons, when such a wide range of hues fills the flora around them, is one of Yusuke Kitagawa's favourite times of year.
... If you asked him, though, he'd have a different reason to prefer any time of year. That's just the kind of person he is.
Gekkoukan uniform jacket swapped for a warmer brown corduroy option, Yusuke smiles faintly as Morgana enthuses about the architectural elegance of the mall. "Since the town is built on an artificial island, the designers had a totally blank canvas to work with," he points out. "There were no landmarks to obscure the vision, or define it. It's a kind of freedom that is hard to come by when working in real space."
He returns his attention to his sketchbook as he sits on the bench, pencil tracing wide arcs across the page.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
It's not often that Makoto is out in Tatsumi Port Island- at least, not for things that don't involve immense threats to old friends and Phantom Thievery- but today is an exception.
After morning classes and a very intense aikido exam, Makoto decided she deserved a treat, but wasn't up to a full trip around Jinbocho after that much activity.
On the other hand, she did hear that they had a nice little family owned bookshop in the area, and she was already out and about so why not take a day trip? As such, Makoto has a large paper bag with purchases for her collection, when she ran into Ran and Yusuke.
And despite Ann and Tsubasa's *brutal accusations*, she does not only own one outfit!! ...but she is wearing her only casual outfit anyway, the white tunic blouse, black capri leggings, brown loafers, black fashion belt and a black undershirt.
Morgana's comments about the fountain seem to grab Makoto's attention. "You know, if you saw this sort of thing in Shibuya, you'd think it would be a show of wealth or something. Here it feels like it fits in, rather than for the sake of showing off. I wonder if it's because we're closer to the sea." Yusuke's explanation of a blank slate rather puts that in perspective. "That makes sense, they could make it exactly to their specifications, and cultivate an environment. It sounds like an interesting opportunity to have, to create a new city on new land..."
She does laugh a little as Ren teases Morgana, and Morgana responds back, and yet... "I think that's a nice way to look at it," She admits, before looking over at Yusuke going back into his sketchbook.
"...By the way, Yusuke, you've remembered to eat today, haven't you?" There's real concern in her voice- art is just as exhausting as martial arts, but in different ways, and one needs energy to keep themselves going. And given Yusuke's tendency to lose himself in scenery...
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako Arisato didn't plan to see her boyfriend (her X-friend?) today.
She came to Paulownia Mall a little after school herself, though it was to check out that mysterious antiques store. The sort of place that most people find eclectic; she finds it useful for unique weapons and skill cards. And, in truth, she might have been in trouble when she stepped out...
...had she not slid her new skill card into her bag before she did so.
She pauses, as she spots Ren. Her eyes blink at them -- and she smiles to see their cat boop him with his paw. (She can't hear Morgana and doesn't know, from her).
They're with two people. Yusuke doesn't register at first to her -- she sees him in uniform, and the corduroy jacket is different enough. Makoto isn't someone she has seen before, though her blouse and black undershirt are striking. Friends of Ren's, she thinks.
A grin spreads across her face.
Minako is, as ever, impulsive. She was when she first asked Ren out. She has remained so throughout their relationship. But it's still a surprise, in all likelihood, when she comes out of the crowd quickly -- and then suddenly is attached onto their arm with hers, beaming brightly.
"Ren!" she says, cheerfully. Then, she turns -- looks at Yusuke -- and she blinks. Her fellow Art Club member! "Kitagawa-san?"
Then, she beams at all three of them. "Hi~" Ren must have mentioned her, she decides. "I didn't realize you'd be in town today!"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
In terms of aesthetics, there's something to recommend all of the seasons. For Yusuke, the ultimate aesthete, it's only natural to prefer all times of the year, depending on what time of year it currently is. ...that said, there is certainly something to be said about autumn, the season of appetite.
"Hmmm, you're quite right," Morgana muses on the topic of Port Island as a blank slate. There's a lot to be said about natural beauty, of course, but when he thinks of it like how Yusuke said... "It's incredible to see what humanity can do when they put their minds to it." His tail curls over his back. "Myaha, I can't wait to be human again~! I'm sure I was doing things just as incredible every day!"
Ren's smile squeezes their eyes shut behind their glasses. They're really just hanging out next to the bench on which Yusuke's seated, but they don't mind standing. Maybe that's the gains from all the working out and exercising they've been doing over the past several months talking. That's also a mood booster, really.
"It does feel like it fits in more," Ren comments to Makoto of the fact that they're on the sea. Tokyo is next to it, but it's not literally on top of it. They turn to look at it anew--until Makoto fusses over Yusuke a bit. Ren glances at them both. "There's a Chagall Cafe right here. We can pop in and get something to eat if you're hungry," they offer to the latter. "I've worked a shift or two there, so I can recommend something cheap."
Because they're standing, and because they're looking at their friends, and because it's fairly crowded, they don't see Minako until she bursts from the crowd and latches onto their arm. "Mya!!" Morgana utters, retreating into their bag, as Ren turns in surprise.
Of course, when he sees who it is, a broad, affectionate grin spreads across their lips. "Minako," they say warmly, enjoying her unexpected but certainly welcome company. The arm hug is very nice, too.
"Oh, yeah. I'm here to hang out with my friend Yusuke. Our other friend Makoto happened to be in the area too," they say, nodding to each of them in turn. They give her a curious look when she recognizes the former. "You know each other? I guess you are schoolmates."
...
...
...Ren apparently does not think to actually tell their friends who this is. They said her name; that's good enough, right?
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Yusuke opens his mouth to reply to Makoto's fussing, only for his stomach to answer for him. He closes his mouth, making a small 'hm'. "I was a little busy at lunchtime," he admits. Ren offers that they stop by Chagall Cafe, and Yusuke turns to answer, only to be interrupted by an UNFAMILIAR ASSAILANT!
... Wait, no, that's - "Arisato-san?" He looks between the newcomer redhead, to Ren, then to the closeness by which Minako clings to their leader's arm, then looks to Makoto.
Then, back to Ren.
He arches a single, quizzical eyebrow, then returns his attention to Minako. "This is quite the surprise. How are you?"
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
I mean, Morgana probably wasn't building artificial islands and the cities atop them to be fair, but Makoto doesn't want to burst his bubble today. That's Ryuji's job and Ryuji isn't here. Instead, she nods to Ren. "Yeah. It's nice to have somewhere like this so close, to be honest. It's a lot more relaxed than Tokyo. I wish I had had the time to come her before we met Kawase-san..."
Ren suggests Chagall and cheap and Makoto does frown a bit. "Well, I suppose it does solve the immediate problem," she admits, "but you really should be taking better care of yourself, Kitagawa-kun. Cooking would be cheaper in the long run, if your dorm has a kitchen." And revealing that may be dangerous for Yusuke as well.
The conversation is then immediately derailed by a mysterious girl ambush hugging Ren out of nowhere?? Yusuke only raises an eyebrow, but Makoto raises a hand to her mouth in surprise by the sudden show of affection. Her eyes dart between Ren, Yusuke, and the new girl, especially since Yusuke *does* seem to know her.
On the upside, the smile on Ren's face at least means it's not unwelcome- and between Yusuke and Ren she does work out Minako's name- unfortunately, there isn't really an explanation forthcoming about who she is.
Indeed, Ren might feel a pair of eyes boring into her as Makoto waits, initially, for the introductions to happen as one would expect. As much as she's used to a more relaxed tone as a Phantom Thief, she still is very used to typical politeness in these situations and it remains her default mode. So when the vague introductions happen, Makoto is left a little more off balance, before finally managing to step into conversation herself.
"I'm Makoto Niijima. It's nice to meet you, Arisato-san," Makoto's tone is genuine, even if she's a little bamboozled by the situation- and you know, she needs to give her name so Minako can choose a proper form of address. The two are clearly close... old friends, perhaps? Maybe someone from Ren's hometown? "If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Ren-ch-" wait, crap, is Ren out to her? "Ren-kun?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako stares at Ren, for a moment. There is an uncomprehending blink of her eyes at them -- and then a look at Yusuke, then another at Makoto. It dawns on her that they haven't introduced her; that they also haven't said who she is, and she isn't sure if they know. They say it so... so calmly, so cool.
But the other side of cool is seeming unaffected. And while they smile is warm, did... did they never tell Makoto and Yusuke that they have a girlfriend? Minako blinks, again, at them. Her face starts to redden with an emotion that she doesn't feel all that often.
Embarrassment.
"I-I'm fine!" she practically squeaks at Yusuke. Then, her eyes turn, looking at Makoto. She exhales, grateful for the fact that Makoto introduces herself and cuts a little of the awkwardness. But not the doubt.
"I'm Minako Arisato. Second year at Gekkoukan," she says. "And Kitagawa-san and I are both in the Art Club."
Then, a beat. Makoto's question confirms it. Ren never told their friends about her. She smiles -- and tries to hide the disappointment and embarrassment that remains. "I'm, um. I'm their girlfriend." A beat. "It's nice to meet you, too, Niijima-san."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Yup, there it is. Ren sneaks a Look at Makoto when Yusuke admits he hasn't eaten. At least Makoto has a lot of good advice for him, if he'll listen to it. Cafe Chagall will solve the immediate problem, but she's right; he really does need to dedicate some time to taking care of himself.
Then Minako arrives, and the matter of Yusuke's eating habits will have to wait.
Makoto introduces herself--and in doing so, makes Ren realize that... they've never told this particular subset of their friends that they have a girlfriend? They only ever told Ryuji and Ichika... Tsubasa probably knows by proxy, and they sort of... never told anyone else...?
Which means when Minako blushes, they feel their face heat too in mortified empathy. "O-oh, sorry," Ren stammers as they rub the back of their neck. Minako introduces herself back as who she is to them, but-- "I, uh, guess I never mentioned I'm dating someone now." They reach a hand forward to try to take Minako's in theirs in silent apology--though maybe Minako won't want to take it... or maybe she'll accept the hand, but not the apology.
They don't tend to talk about their personal life; they didn't really think it would be an issue, especially after going on a double date. Does it really affect their friendships with the team if they all know they have a girlfriend or not?
"She's really great, though. We started dating right after finals," they add to Makoto and Yusuke, tone gentling. To Minako, they add, "These are a couple more of my friends, like Ryuji and Ichika." The two she does know! Hopefully that makes things less awkward.
They really, really hope that. They hate that look in her eyes.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Yusuke nods to Makoto. "It's..." He waves a hand vaguely, tailing off as Minako's presence means the topic of his food habits must be put to bed. She explains how she and he know each other. "Yes, though we haven't had much occasion to talk before now, unfortunately."
The information of who Minako and Ren are to each other causes Yusuke's other brow to join its fellow in a surprised rise, before the Gekkoukan boy marshals his expression. "Since finals?" He repeats. "You've been together for some time, then."
Inwardly, he casts about for a topic that can be safely broached.
"What are you working on in Art Club at the moment, Arisato-san?"
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"O-oh!" Makoto may be one of the most socially inept people in her circle, but every so often she can realize when she has stepped into a hornet's nest. In this case, it's from the sting she feels as that disappointment and hurt crawl onto Minako's face.
"I'm sorry, I can be kind of out of the loop on these things-" Makoto starts, as if trying to cover for Ren's mistake, even as she feels some anger toward them at the same time. And then Ren straight up says she didn't tell Yusuke or Makoto, and, well, that attempt to defuse falls by the wayside. "Ah..."
Makoto pauses for a few moments, wondering what to do here. She's clearly stepped in it, and badly, but also Ren probably should have introduced her properly and, you know, told them she had a girlfriend in case they met up! Makoto's feelings on the matter are, at best, complicated. She feels mad at Ren and something else she can't put her finger on is bugging her, and Minako is clearly not feeling great about things...
Yusuke, though, has a solution...? Talking about Art. Okay. Yes. That is a typical Yusuke response.
"...Um, Arisato-san, we were just talking about heading over to Chagall Cafe, would you like to join us?" She's offering her best smile, as awkward as the situation is. "This hasn't been an ideal meeting for you, but it would be nice to get to know Ren-chan's girlfriend some. It's my treat." Makoto's budget can definitely stretch to something for Minako given she caused at least a significant portion of distress.
That said, Makoto might not realize it herself, but Ren might find the vicious eyes of Queen staring at her, in this moment. The sort of look she usually saves for Ryuji, Ann or Tsubasa saying something stupid while on a Metaverse mission.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako's heart sinks a little when Ren says they never mentioned they were dating someone. (They guess they never mentioned. Are they not sure!?) There is a flicker of anger, then; Minako's smile tightens, before she squeezes Ren's hand when they take hers. And...
And even if she took their hand, she isn't sure that she accepts the apology. Or, maybe, a little voice whispers, it's her fault.
"Oh, that makes sense," Minako says. She smiles -- there's a ghost of the usual brightness, something a little forced, when Ren says she is great. They must mean it. "Don't worry about it, Niijima-san. It, uim. It happens."
It was just...
...just an oversight.
She looks at Yusuke at the question. She blinks, and she hesitates for a second. "Uh, I was... working on a sculpture," she says, lamely. She winces, as she finishes: "But it's come out all wrong and I... might need to start over."
She looks at Makoto, then, and there is a blink. She hesitates at the offer -- but then she smiles. She isn't sure. She feels like she is intruding. But, she thinks, she would almost certainly make things worse.
"Sure," she tells Makoto, with another smile. Then she glances at Ren. "If... that's okay?"
Inwardly, she kicks herself. She shouldn't have asked that.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Oh. This is going downhill, very fast. Ren's attempts to make it better are in fact making it worse. Minako lets them take her hand, but her smile is forced, her eyes flickering with anger. But what can Ren do about that? They can't go back in time to tell their friend group they have a girlfriend before they all happen to run into each other. (Honestly, if Ryuji hadn't gotten a girlfriend of his own, they might not have told anyone. Maybe Ichika at best...)
What's more, they can sense Yusuke's discomfort, and Makoto's stare may as well be a pair of daggers stabbing into them repeatedly. Sweat beads on the side of Ren's face as the overhead lights glare off their glasses, hiding their eyes from view. Wh-why is it suddenly a problem that they don't talk much about their personal life? It's not like they care about anyone here any less...
But even that thought makes them feel uncomfortable. Like they're trying to dodge responsibility for hurting people they care about. They genuinely don't know what to say, though. They did mean it when they said Minako's great. What else do they need to say?
Even Yusuke's attempt at changing the subject doesn't help: Minako's sculpture has come out all wrong and she might need to start over. Intellectually, they know it's just a coincidence, but as a big literature-head, the symbolism may as well be set up in neon flashing lights. Ren flinches, though they manage to hold back an outright grimace, and--unless Minako holds on to them--slowly pulls their hand away.
Makoto makes an offer. Minako tentatively accepts. "Of course it's okay," Ren says in a hurry. They mean it, but on the outside, the rushed way they say it might make it seem insincere. "Uh, let's go."
Inside their bag, Morgana is wincing. He keeps his head down. This is not the time to interfere.
As the four head over to the cafe, Ren casts about their thoughts for something--anything--to say that might ease this oppressive atmosphere. "Uh, so--" Their dark eyes dart across their friends and girlfriend. "...is... there anything any of you want to know...?"
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
If there is a double-meaning in how Minako speaks of her sculpture project, perhaps it's for the best that Yusuke completely misses it.
"That's unfortunate," he says, genuinely sympathetic. "I find myself frustrated at the canvas fairly often myself. Just remember that while it might make things take longer, making mistakes and running into dead ends is as much a part of the creative process as actually completing the work - and I often find that what I paint after such a setback is better for having struggled with it in the first place."
Don't ask Yusuke how many canvases he's had to drown in turpentine to clean. The number is high.
The tension in the air is so thick that Fox could cleave it in twain with ease... and Yusuke is at a loss for how to defuse it. Also, the possibility of food is a siren song to him, so he is amenable to Minako joining them at Chagall.
"I would like to hear how you first met," he answers Ren's awkward inquiry about anything they might want to know.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto's hope, in this situation, is that maybe being inclusive could make things a little less awkward. She's not in fact sure she's not making things worse- but she has chosen how she wants to approach things and it's too late to abort-
Fortunately, Yusuke is able to take the art conversation seriously and as if nothing happened. Or, perhaps, art overrides social awkwardness. Maybe both??
Still, Ren does ask if there's anything the others wanted to know, and Makoto nods, seconding Yusuke's motion a little too eagerly. "Yes! I'd like to know as well!" After all, Ren has a lot on their plate, so meeting a girl from another school independent of running into her with Yusuke seems a little unusual.
Still, she feels a little bad for Minako too, who seems to be even more uncomfortable... "Honestly, it's pretty rare to meet someone else in Ren's social circle who isn't from Shujin, I was initially kind of surprised to find out they were friends with Yusuke."
And the other big presence in Ren's social circle from another school is Akechi, and well... That's a much more dangerous engagement.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"That's true... I shouldn't just give up on it," Minako says to Yusuke. "I admit I don't quite have your experience, Kitagawa-san. I'll keep at it."
When Ren's hand slips out of hers, Minako doesn't resist -- but there is a glance at him and a smile. A somewhat strained smile, all told. She winces at the way they sound rushed to say it's okay -- is it insincere? Embarrassed?
"Sure," she says.
And they want to know how she met Ren. She looks at them, then at Yusuke and Makoto -- and it's a fond smile that breaks across her face, at the memory. It's funny, she thinks, how a good memory can lift her mood. "Well... we met in Leblanc, with my brother, first. But the first time we hung out, just the two of us, it was at a bookstore, near here," she says. "Bookworms, owned by a nice old couple. They have amazing stuff."
She beams. "And then I gave them a tour--" She looks at Ren, and shoots them a grin. "And it was the best tour ever~"
She winks at them, then. Is she putting the charm on a little extra, now?
Yes.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren is not an art person themself, for all that they support Yusuke in his quest for true beauty, so they don't weigh in on Yusuke or Minako's art frustrations. They certainly get being vexed when something you're pouring your heart into goes badly, though...
But at least Yusuke takes them up on their offer. Makoto, too, though it's startling how emphatic she is about it. Still, Ren breathes a soundless sigh of relief and glances at Minako. She takes point on explaining, and it seems to lift her spirits. That lifts their spirits too, and they smile at her, eyes crinkling with warm affection. They nod in confirmation--and when she winks, they laugh a little.
"It was. We spent all afternoon together," they agree. "That was last June."
They rub the back of their neck again when Makoto comments on their social circle. It's actually pretty broad, but... is that something they should say? A lot of people they know are people they have deals with, and not necessarily friends, like Ohya or Dr. Takemi... Would it be weird to mention they hang out with a disgraced politician some Sundays so they can learn how better to make speeches? If they told themself from a year ago that, their past self would definitely think it weird... But would their friends think that? Should they talk about themself more?
They're overthinking this. Obviously it's different when it's your girlfriend. They just have to do better by her going forward. Didn't they want to get more serious with her?
The quartet reach Cafe Chagall, Ren in the lead. They open the door for the others and wait for them to enter. When Minako goes, they reach out to brush their hand on hers--not hold it, but at least touch it. There's an apologetic look in their eyes as they look at her. Let's talk later, they mouth.
They can be more open about having a girlfriend without having a serious relationship talk in front of their friends too.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"Even in failure, we learn - we become more familiar with our materials and medium, about which techniques we think work the best for us, and can then take those lessons forward." Yusuke is very clearly in his element in this subject, at least. "Don't be discouraged, Arisato-san."
Neither in art nor romance.
"A full tour of the mall?" He looks impressed. "I still haven't fully explored the place, I'm sure there's all sorts of hidden treasures." He's familiar with the art store here, of course, but hearing about Bookworms catches his attention too. "I'll have to see if they have any art books," he says, half to himself.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
The lift to Minako's spirits, and in turn Ren's, is a good thing and Makoto tries to give Yusuke a surreptitious thumbs up as they make their way into Chagall, hopefully when Ren and Minako can't see her. But Makoto isn't sure she can make the Baton Pass here.
Especially since the part of the conversation she can latch onto is Bookworms. "Really? Bookworms was why I was in town today, it really seems to be a hidden gem."
Still, how much more can she add? She *is* interested in the story, but there's something a little odd about the way she seems to take it in- a bit academically, the way she engages in so many things. At least she's not taking notes (this time). "It sounds like a great way to meet someone," Makoto adds to Yusuke's observations, "and Paulownia seems a really nice place to spend an afternoon." It's not her best conversational effort, but it's not her worst!
With conversation going, Makoto will ask more questions, of Kotone and Ren's relationship as well as life on Tatsumi Port Island and about Gekkoukan- if, perhaps, more academically- or even interrogationy?- than someone might usually expect.
At least she's not giving Ren a look that can kill for the rest of the day.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"I'll do my best," Minako answers Yusuke., with a smile at him. Then, she nods -- and she beams. "They might, and it's worth checking back later, either way. Since it's a used bookstore, the stock is always changing."
She looks sideways at Makoto -- and catches the way she seems to take it like a lesson, rather than a story. "It was!" she says. "Like they said, we spent all afternoon together."
As they reach Chagall -- and Ren brushes her hand -- Minako looks at them. She blinks, before there's a small smile on her face. Then, she mouths: Sounds good.
They can talk about it, and...
And everything will be fine?
...right?