2026-05-10: Sincerely Yours
- Log: 2026-05-10 Sincerely Yours
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Makoto Niijima
- Where: Jinbocho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
- OOC Date: May 10, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, November 07, 2012
- Summary: While out on a date in Jinbocho and on the hunt for any literature about cognitive psience, Makoto and Ren run into Ren's shogi master, Hifumi. Makoto proceeds to spend the next few hours talking to this cute girl she just met. Ren talks to her about it afterwards, gently confronting her about her preferences and what it means for their romance. After each of them admit they like someone else, they break up amicably in the end.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Contrary to common thought, the middle of the week is a pretty good time for a date, as long as it's more low-key. There are fewer people out and about, so as long as you plan to make it home before it gets too late, you can have a nice, comfortable time with your partner.
Makoto proposed this date--specifically to Book Town, to find a specific rare book that she's on the hunt for. Ren loves to read, and this seems like a fine time to find a new book store, so they accepted her invitation to a place called Book Town, somewhere they've heard of but had been unable to track down until now. It turns out the proper name is Jinbocho, and it's in Chiyoda Ward. Knowing that alone has them excited.
Which is a good thing, surely. They talked to Ichika about their doubts about this romance, but they don't want to just give up either. The way they've realized they feel about Akechi... complicates things... but it's not like they could with him anyway. Besides, if Makoto asked them out first, maybe they're worrying too much about her preferences. Like Ichika with Tsubasa while they present masc, who prefers that but doesn't only like them like that, just because she might prefer girls doesn't mean that she only likes Ren when they present femme.
They meet up with Makoto after school, still clad in their school uniform. Morgana's prowling around the neighborhood on his own; he and Ren agreed to meet back up at Jinbocho Station later and go home together. The weather is cool and crisp, with fire-colored leaves scattered in the streets, and there are so many book stores it makes Ren almost giddy to see them. Almost.
They do smile over at Makoto as the two of them walk down the street though. "I feel like I'm in Heaven. This was a great idea, Makoto." Some drama creeps into their deep voice as they add, "Let's begin the hunt."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto had mentioned Book Town to Ren long before they started dating, but today after school was their first chance to actually make the trip happen. The fact that it's her chance to show her datemate a place they will probably love- a place Makoto loves- and go hunting for rare books.
Makoto is also still in uniform- the easiest route to Jinbocho is from Aoyama-Itchome, and travelling back to Shinjuku, changing, and then getting to Jinbocho after her usual after school business just doesn't make sense from a travel perspective.
Besides, it's not like the rumours about them are false at this point, and it hasn't caused either of them any more problems than a meeting with Yukari- and honestly for Makoto that wasn't so bad. She even got a new contact out of it! ...and a little more information on the nature of the red armband persona users.
"I told you," Makoto says, as they walk down the streets of Jinbocho, clearly excited herself. "There's no better place for a book lover. I could spend weeks here."
Still, 'the hunt'. Makoto smirks a little. "I'm thinking our target should be books on Cognitive Psience," Makoto says, after a moment. "It's... a fairly niche field of psychology, but I think it might be able to help us understand Palaces and the Metaverse a bit more. At least, with what little information I could find. We're probably going to have to look for old academic journals or the like, though. There's not a lot of information, but if we can use it to help Futaba-chan, it's worth searching for, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Likewise for Ren, regarding Yukari. She was really penitent about having made the wrong assumption about Makoto, and although she said the two of them already worked things out, Ren went out of their way to explain whatever else they could--without spilling too much, at Yukari's own request. Honestly, they were impressed by how much she respects Minako's privacy.
That's neither here nor there right now, however. Right now two literature lovers are on the (book) town. "You sure did," Ren replies.
They enjoy that little smirk of hers. It's fun to bring a bit of their Metaverse selves into the real world. She explains the target, and they nod once, looking thoughtful. "That rings a bell. Have we talked about that before?" Or maybe they heard about it from Dr. Maruki; he has told them he's working on some research, and they've been helping him out with it some when they can.
The purpose of the topic turns their expression from thoughtful to serious. Solving the mysteries of the Metaverse has always been The Phantoms' goal, but helping Futaba is of much more immediate concern, given her suicidal ideations. "Right," they agree. "And if we can build on that--"
Approaching motion makes them pause and turn their head. They spot a familiar face drawing near: Hifumi Togo, dressed in a blue-and-orange patterned dress with long white sleeves and a blue shoulder bag. "Oh--hello," she utters. She looks from them to Makoto, and her face clouds. "Um... Goodbye."
She moves to pass right on by, but--
"Wait--did you have something to say? I've got a minute," they reassure her. They nod from her to Makoto and back again. "Hifumi-san, this is Makoto. Makoto, this is Hifumi Togo, my shogi master."
"Oh... Master's a bit of an overstatement... We just play shogi together..." Hifumi murmurs, her beautiful features still overcast with a shadow of... "Anyway, it was nothing important, really. I was just surprised to see you here," she continues, then bows her head to the both of them. "Excuse me; I didn't mean to intrude between you two..."
Ren abruptly remembers how Akechi once told them they're popular with girls. They keep their mouth shut.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"I think so, but only in passing. The explanation of the Metaverse reminded me of it, when we first entered Kaneshiro's palace." That's the main place Makoto can think of it. "I heard the term from Sis once, but there's not a lot of information out there."
Makoto doesn't initially realize why Ren stopped, until she hears the voice over her shoulder and Makoto turns her head to look at the girl approaching him- who appears to now be looking to get away as quickly as possible. "Ah, excuse me!"
Ren thankfully prevents her from leaving, and introduces the two of them. Makoto makes a quick mental note of the name. 'Hifumi Togo'. It's a surprisingly simple name for such an elegant young woman- and the fact that she's Ren's shogi master...?
Still, Hifumi says she doesn't want to intrude between them. "There's no need to be so considerate, Ren's just here to carry my books for me." She does cast a smile to Ren, and is trying to lighten her tone. You know, just a joke to put Hifumi at ease.
...not that she's noticed the way Ren introduced her as just 'Makoto'. It's fine, probably. They agreed to be discreet.
"Is that... a book on shogi tactics?" Makoto asks, gesturing to the book poking out of Hifumi's bag. "I admit I only know the rules, but I'm intrigued to learn how a skilled shogi player things." Makoto smiles towards Hifumi now, her interest in Hifumi's own focus genuine as anything, Makoto stepping forward slightly while still respecting Hifumi's personal space. "Pardon me for asking but could you teach me some strategies? I believe this knowledge would greatly benefit me in the future."
Makoto's attention is locked on Hifumi- after all, given how learning Shogi has helped Ren's strategies, how much could it help her own? And the Phantom Thieves strategist should definitely be taking any opportunity to improve her ability to perform in her role, shouldn't she?
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Mmm," Ren murmurs, mulling on how Makoto heard about it from Sae first. Why's a lawyer informed on an obscure branch of psychology? ...Well, maybe psychology is a big part of winning cases, but it's not like a prosecutor working in Japan really needs to worry about that.
Makoto does her own part in trying to lighten the mood and put Hifumi at ease. Ren affects a gasp and staggers back a step, clutching their heart. Then their expression goes back to its laconic normal as they tuck their hands back into their pockets.
They did agree to be discreet at the start. If Makoto got overwhelmed by how much affection the two of them showed each other at Crossroads Bar and at the fight against the Gourd Lord, such that she felt uncomfortable showing affection in a room full of their friends, it's only sensible, and sensitive, to reel it back. Besides which... calling her by just her name with no suffix by itself implies a certain level of closeness that someone like Hifumi is sure to pick up on.
Sure enough, Hifumi still looks less than thrilled to still be here--until Makoto notes the book in her bag, that is. She blinks up at her, eyes widening a bit--but it's clear that Makoto's interest is genuine, and if it's the girl in a couple who's engaging with her, surely that's not going to cause any problems? So she warms into a smile, the tension in her thin frame melting away. "Oh, yes. I come here to purchase old shogi strategy books from time to time..."
Ren watches the two as Hifumi and Makoto proceed to discuss shogi strategies for several minutes with growing enthusiasm and without once acknowledging them. At first, they're nonplussed; then, a little affronted; and now, they've landed on amused.
"Seems you two are getting along," they remark, tone droll.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
I mean, Sae is a very smart and informed woman. It's probably fine and normal knowledge for a prosecutor to have, right? It can't be case relevant if she mentioned it to Makoto, right? Total coincidence.
Nevermind that she and Ren haven't had a conversation about it at all given what they initially said about, well, talking about it. And even if Makoto is still oblivious to the implications that Hifumi isn't, it's probably for the best right? It means Makoto isn't the jealous sort.
And it's nice to see the way Hifumi relaxes, and Makoto feels a bit more at ease too and once the conversation starts flowing it doesn't stop, it just keeps getting more animated-
And when Ren finds a lull in the conversation, Makoto blinks a few times. "Ah, sorry. It's just that everything Hifumi-san has been saying is so interesting! I must have lost track of time..." She casts Ren an apologetic look.
"Do you want to start looking for the books we discussed, and I'll catch up later?" Makoto's smiling so innocently as she asks, not realizing at all the implications, it's just...
She doesn't get to talk to girls like Hifumi often, and there's so much she could learn!
That's definitely it.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Not the jealous sort. Yeah, that's one way of putting it. It's made all the clearer when Makoto asks Ren to go on ahead with searching for those books they discussed--in other words, she prefers the company of a cute girl she just met over that of their currently masc-presenting enbyfriend.
There is a sting there, of course. It would be hard not to have their feelings hurt a little. But even more than that, what Ren feels is...
Relief.
They nod to Makoto. "Sure. I'll text you if I find anything. Just let me know when you're done." They wave farewell to Hifumi, who bows back; then they stroll around the corner and take a moment to lean on the brick wall and marinate in the implications of that relief.
~ * ~
The search is not successful. Ren pokes their head into several book stores, but no one they talk to has even heard of the term, and none of the psychology sections have anything mentioning it, not even when they pull out books with promising-sounding titles and examine the table of contents. They do get a good book for themself--Master Swordsman, an advanced book they find at Nagiuri Bookstore; the elderly gentleman who runs the place says he'll let them buy their next book if they finish this one, which they take as a challenge--and they pick up a book on expert billiards techniques at a different, more sports-oriented store, but when it comes to cognitive psience, it's just one big goose egg.
That's disappointing. Still, Ren isn't too bothered by it. They head to Jinbocho Station and meet up with Morgana there; they ask him to go on ahead, because they've still got something to discuss with Makoto, and they don't know how much longer it'll take. It's already been several hours, so Morgana agrees and sneaks onto the train.
When Makoto /does/ show, or text ahead, they ask to meet her at a nearby local bookstore/coffee shop they passed by on the way here. When Makoto arrives, they're already there, sipping a cup of decaf coffee. It's not as good as Leblanc's, but it's interesting to experience the different flavor.
"So, how was it with Hifumi-san?" they ask, first of all, once they're both settled.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"Thank you!" Makoto responds, genuinely before slipping back into her conversation.
It's several hours later that Makoto contacts Ren to meet up, and agrees to their meeting point.
So Makoto arrives at the coffee shopbookstore and bows briefly before sitting down. "I'm really sorry, I totally lost track of time," She starts, even before Ren can ask a question- but something seems a little off. Still, she orders something to drink- it would be rude to take up a table this late in the afternoonevening and not.
Still, it's an easy question to answer. "Oh, it was really great. I can see why you asked her to teach you shogi, there's so many strategies I think we could implement based on what she said-" Indeed, Makoto is reaching into her bag to pull out her notebook because of course that came out at some point. "While I'm not big on sacrifice strategies, some of her ideas could be really applicable... decoys, fakeouts, luring in your target..."
Makoto was very thorough. "I'm hoping we can meet up again, I wouldn't mind learning how to play from her myself..." She pauses for a moment, though. They did come on a mission! "What about you, did you have any luck on the hunt?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren watches Makoto respond with a slight, fond smile playing on the edges of their lips. She really is enthusiastic about the several-hour conversation she had with Hifumi, to the point of having apparently taken notes. That's no surprise on one level; Hifumi's brilliant and well-spoken. That's no surprise on another level; Hifumi's beautiful and elegant.
"She's a professional, after all. You can't find a better shogi teacher," Ren replies. They take a sip of their coffee. "Unfortunately, no. I found a couple things for me, but nothing on cognitive psience. I went to several bookstores, too. One place suggested I go to this place that specializes in medical documents, but even they didn't have anything. They did say they'd seen a paper on the subject, though they never got a chance to read it themself, so they know there ought to be something out there. Beyond that, though..."
They shake their head. They take another sip. They consider Makoto.
"...You really did have a good time with Hifumi-san, huh?" they remark, keeping their delivery neutral. "She's pretty popular in shogi matches. Her mom really hypes up how beautiful she is."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"I can see how, she's very focused. I really need to learn the game so I can understand her mindset a bit more. I'm doing my best to translate shogi to general tactics, so understanding the gameplay beyond the rules would be worth it..."
Makoto sighs, but she doesn't seem surprised. "...That's a pity, but not unexpected. It means the research is out there, at least, but if even a place like Booktown doesn't have it, we're probably having to look into medical school archives or something. Do you think that doctor you know would have connections?"
Makoto blinks at Ren's question, but she nods. "Sure. She seems like a really nice person, you know?" Makoto blinks again. "...I mean, I can see why, Hifumi-san is very attractive," Makoto says, as if it was as obvious as the sky being blue, "but that sounds a little weird that her mom puts that at the forefront? She's a skilled shogi player, and a pro, shouldn't she be focused on that?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"She is," Ren confirms. They don't mention Hifumi's... chuuni-esque mannerisms when she really gets into a game, though. That feels like something that should be saved until Makoto can see it for herself.
"I was actually thinking if anyone might have known about it, it's Dr. Maruki. He's a therapist, right? Cognitive psience sounds more like a psychotherapy thing than a general practice thing," Ren points out. "I can ask him and Dr. Takemi, though. Can't hurt to be thorough."
Makoto raises a very good question--and outright admits she finds Hifumi attractive--but to that, Ren can only shrug. "Why's it matter if Akechi's attractive?" they counter, then hesitate a split-second right as they realize they used the exact same verbiage. They shake their head. "It's like with him and his sparkly image. I assume her mom is concerned about 'marketing' her. She is pretty young as a professional, and a girl in a man's world. It's ruthless, but sometimes you have to seize whatever advantage you can get."
They breathe a faint sigh as they lean back in their seat and consider Makoto. "...That's not what I want to get into, though. Just now, Makoto, you agreed you find Hifumi attractive. I care about you as a friend first and foremost, so I'm just gonna come out and ask: do you think you might be a lesbian?"
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
I'm sure it will be fine and Makoto won't be even more likely to cringe herself inside out about her own Metaverse behaviour later.
God help them if Hifumi were a Phantom Thief as well, the dramatics of the group would only heighten, but what are the chances of that?
"That's a good thought, it is his realm of expertise," Makoto agrees. "Still, though, he's a psychologist right? He'd mostly be busy focusing on the students who really really need help after what Kamoshida did, hopefully it won't be wasting his time."
After all, you only see a therapist for the really, intensely bad things- or if you're trying to plead insanity.
Makoto blinks for a second? What's Akechi got to do with this? Still, Ren clarifies quickly enough. "...Ah. Yeah." It's Makoto's turn for her face to turn sour. "...I know all about that sort of thing. It's part of why Sis dresses and acts the way she does, it's the only way to get others in the prosecutors office to take her seriously." Makoto frowns again. Is that why Sae became so harsh and cold?
Is that why Sae has...
Ren's serious tone catches Makoto by surprise. She blinks several times over.
"H-huh!?" The sheer astonishment on her face at the suggestion probably answers their question, along with the sound of her exclamation that maybe gets a few people looking her way before Makoto realizes she's drawn attention and leans forward on the table to whisper.
"I... You're the one who said Hifumi-san was attractive first!" Makoto is going a bit red in the face now. "It's- it's normal for girls to like... be able to objectively notice someone's pretty right? Like Ann's a model, wouldn't it be weird to think she wasn't attractive?"
No, Ren Amamiya, Makoto has not considered the possibility before at all. If it weren't for Tsubasa being X-Gender and looking up associated terms, Makoto would probably only have a surface understanding of the idea.
And the fact that she's now having to consider it has clearly left her slightly startled. "And, I mean, you're my boyfriend sometimes, right?"
Denial is not just a river in Futaba Sakura's palace...
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"It's for Futaba. Of course it isn't wasting his time," Ren says firmly. Dr. Maruki is a kind person; even if they can't tell him why they're asking, they're certain he'd agree it's for a good cause, even if he were the type to think of any student coming to him for help as 'wasting his time.' Considering he's willing to have on-the-spot sessions with students who don't even attend Shujin, he definitely isn't.
It's good that Makoto gets the concept. Not that Ren thought she wouldn't. They've met Sae before, and Makoto is also a girl in a man's world. Of course she'd understand.
Once again, though, that isn't the point. When Ren does get to the point, she reacts fairly predictably.
"I said her mom takes advantage of how she's beautiful. I didn't say she was attractive. That'd imply I'm attracted to her," Ren points out. (Though, objectively speaking, she is attractive. Ren doesn't mention that part. It'd undermine their point.) "Sure, you can notice that someone the same gender as you is objectively good-looking, but acknowledging that isn't the same as being attracted to them."
...So they understand from their ex-coach, anyway. What Ren finds attractive has never been based on gender. Of course, their own gender is pretty loosy-goosy, so maybe it's only natural... That much, they really don't know. They just know how they feel.
"Sometimes. Yeah," Ren agrees, eyes lidding at the mention. "But I've noticed that you're much more attracted to me when I'm presenting femme. I wasn't planning on saying anything until after we were done with Futaba's Palace, but... well, you were the one who asked me out here, yet the moment a pretty girl with similar interests as you showed up, you decided you'd rather spend a couple hours with her instead."
There's no bitterness or accusation in their tone. It's matter-of-fact--just a statement of facts. Ren isn't jealous, either. They're still just relieved.
"It's not like we couldn't be together if you're more attracted to girls than you are guys. But I am a guy some of the time. If you aren't attracted to me at all when I look like a guy, I don't think this," they gesture back and forth between the two of them, "is going to work out long-term." They pause. "...If I'm wrong or I'm overreacting, though, please tell me. I don't want to go forward with this all on my own."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"...Right," Of course. Futaba-chan's definitely worth it. "Sorry."
"That's-" ...that's a really simple conversational trap that Makoto has walked herself into, very easily. Comically easily. It feels like she's talking with Akechi again, a little.
But there's something kind of unsettling by how matter of fact Ren is about it- as well as how cruel Makoto's actions sound when laid out like that. And as much as Ren is trying to keep things neutral, Makoto still finds herself getting defensive. "I- that's-" she starts, but falters just as quickly. "I didn't mean to lose track of time that badly..."
And indeed, Ren puts it all out there and Makoto falls silent for a long time after that. She starts to fidget with the corner of one page of her notebook, folding it in slightly, unfolding it and folding it in again, worrying at the edge repeatedly.
"That's... I guess..." This isn't how this sort of thing plays out, right? This isn't how relationships work. "...I guess I sort of... felt like it would all come together over time. It's not like..." She doesn't find them attractive? No, she does. She finds Ren Amamiya very active- when she's presenting as a woman.
"...I told you I didn't get this sort of thing, right? That you're the first person to ever ask me out?" She's... pretty sure she did, didn't she? "And the first date, it was nice. I thought 'oh, this is how it goes for everyone'. It was nice. It was sort of... how I guess I imagined my mom and dad's relationship was like. It seemed kind of like how this sort of thing went in manga sometimes."
A dinner. Chat. Quiet comfort. Simple, easy, uncomplicated.
Normal.
"But that night at Crossroads was the first time I guess I felt..." She pauses again, trying to find the right word- and when she does it feels more analytical than earnest. "...attracted to you. When we'd finished putting the look together you looked so happy and confident and I thought that that was like... the spark, I guess?"
She's making excuses, isn't she. Justifying herself. Trying to make it not her fault, trying to make it be normal. There's a sharp intake of breath as she braces herself to say something that might hurt.
"...but yeah. That's the first time I felt attracted to you like that. The rest of the time... not so much."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Don't apologize," Ren replies, just as firmly. "We can't tell Dr. Maruki who it's for, so it's easy to worry if he'll help or not. He will, though. I guarantee it."
"Yeah. It's easy to lose track of time when you're having a good time with someone really pretty, right?" This time, Ren is sympathetic, dark eyes softening behind their thick frames. They can see her fidgeting, hear her stammering.
After that, though, they fall silent--let Makoto work through her feelings with her own words. Their chest does squeeze painfully at that admission of how she assumed it would all come together over time, but they know, thanks to ex-Coach Himuro, how confusing being gay can be in a homophobic society.
"You did," they at least confirm. It's true too sometimes that love starts slowly, so they can get why she had that impression, but... it was more like two close friends, huh. It wasn't until she presented as femme that Makoto first felt a spark.
It'd be a lie to say it doesn't hurt at all. Still, Ren nods once. They were already prepared for this--already talked it over with Ichika. They're glad they did.
"It's not just that either, is it," they murmur, gaze steady. "There's someone else you've got feelings for, isn't there?"
They don't name a name. If a face flashes in Makoto's mind, they'll both know.
AS: Ren Amamiya has readied for combat as Arsène! He is now fully healed! AS: Makoto Niijima has readied for combat as Johanna! She is now fully healed!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"I hope so..." Still, it's not like Makoto has talked to Dr Maruki yet, despite pressure coming from the School Administration. There's too much else to do, after all, and it's not like she's gone through anything warranting seeing a therapist...
Makoto's still got a lot of societal perceptions to shake...
"Ah- y-yeah." She was the one in the wrong, wasn't she? Why was Ren being so sympathetic? So kinda about her ditching them? Or is something else going on?
Makoto definitely looks more than a little ashamed now that she's admitted it- so when the second new piece of information Ren has hits, Makoto looks utterly thrown.
"H-huh? What are you talking about?"
Of course a face flashed through her mind. Of course it did. A very pretty face, flamed by fluffy hair and a sweet expression.
"I don't... Haru's just my best friend..."
Any court might as well call that a confession, for the name that came to mind.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren smiles, expression still understanding.
They don't say a word. It is tantamount to a confession. And, bittersweet as it is, that just makes them even more relieved.
Ah, they can't help but think, it's okay for me to be in love with Akechi.
They know it's selfish of them. At least this way, though, they're both in the same boat. Neither of them has to feel guilty about hurting the other.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Ren continues to be so calm, so... together about this, compared to Makoto.
Makoto Niijima, who has never once in her life had to consider she was anything but normal. Sae never seemed to mind that she'd never been interested in boys, especially after Dad died. It meant Makoto could focus on her school and future career without distraction. It meant she could prepare to the harsh life for a woman in a man's world.
And Ren just seems, okay with it. Okay with the fact that Makoto doesn't love them. And that's... hard to deal with as well. Should breakups be easy? Why does it feel like it's easy?
"...I mean... it's... being around Haru feels a lot like it did with Tsubasa-kun, before... everything happened."
A way she doesn't feel toward them now.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
If Makoto doesn't like that it's easy, at least Ren's smile fades when she brings up Tsubasa.
"...You mean before the fire." A beat. "Before they came out as X-gender?"
In other words, when people still thought they were a girl. Sure. Tsubasa was--still is--a close friend of hers. It makes sense that Makoto might think that these feelings are regular best-friend feelings. However, that only begs one essential question:
"What about now?
"You said 'did.' The past tense. How do you feel about Tsubasa, compared to Haru, nowadays?"
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
"...yeah." Makoto says, quietly. "Back when we were in middle school and first year."
What about now?
"...I..." The worrying at the corner of her notebook has gotten worse, shifting from folding and starting to become closer to scrunching.
"...Things have been different. I mean it's... It's not like we could just pick things up where we left them. For a long time I thought the same thing everyone else at school did about them."
That they were an arsonist, some kind of psychotic criminal, 'the wrong sort of person'.
"If I hadn't gone through what I did with everyone, if I didn't know about the Psychotic Breakdowns, I might not have even given them a chance."
She wouldn't have. She wouldn't have been in a position to even reunite with them.
"...It's not the same feeling," she finally admits. "I just... I thought it was... we'd both changed a lot since the fire."
Based on the timeline, Makoto was still grieving her dad, and then her closest friend at the time started a fire and everyone around her told her they were dangerous. It's reasonable to think, honestly.
"Tsubasa-kun's a friend, and an important one but... they're just a friend."
Just a friend.
That's what they say, isn't it, when they have feelings for someone else.
Makoto looks down at her hands, as she is forced to acknowledge the truth of the matter.
"...I do feel... 'like that' about Haru, don't I?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
As Makoto slowly goes through the before, during, and after of The Incident, Ren patiently listens. It's more complicated for Tsubasa than they made it sound, sure, and Makoto details how--but ultimately, she still comes to the same conclusion.
They take a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"I had a feeling," they reply, because Makoto doesn't need them to confirm what she already knows at this point to be the truth. "Ichika does too. I talked about this with her a few days ago--wanted to get her advice. She brought it up before I even mentioned it."
Their coffee cup rises to their lips; they take a long sip from it, then set it back down.
"...I'm honestly relieved to hear it. If you feel 'like that' for Haru, that means we're the same." A beat. "Because I feel 'like that' for Akechi."
They give Makoto a moment to absorb this. Then they lower their gaze to their reflection in their cup. "...I didn't realize it until after I asked you out. Even then, I was in denial for a while. It clicked when I was talking everything through with Ichika."
They shut their eyes, fingertips brushing the lips of their cup. "Funny how that worked out for both of us, huh? It leaves me reassured. We're on even footing this way."
That's important, if they're going to go back to being just friends.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Makoto winces a bit when Ren says they'd noticed- and a bit more when she mentions that Ichika has too. "No way..." She murmurs, had she been that obvious?
...has Haru noticed?
When Ren says they're relieved, Makoto's eyes widen in shock- not because of who Ren says, but they say that they're relieved at all. And even more that Ren implies that he likes Haru too?? "Wait-"
Makoto blinks as she processes it all. There's a few silent moments, while Ren is slowly laying out the situation. They're on 'equal footing'... even if it doesn't quite feel that way to Makoto. "I guess... I guess we kind of are." Makoto says, after a few moments, the tension slowly leaving her body.
She almost wants to laugh at the comedy of errors, but she's not fully sure she's there yet. But for Ren to be in love with Akechi, of all people. That's a lot to take in- but in some ways, she can appreciate Ren's position. It's difficult to want someone in your life who's dedicated to hunting you down, even if it's not the same.
"...So... What happens now?" She asks, after a few more quiet moments.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
If Makoto doesn't feel like they're on equal footing, that's fair. At least Haru is one of them--a member of the Phantom Thieves. Akechi is the detective who loudly proclaims on TV interviews what a problem the Phantom Thieves are. This is without taking Ren's suspicions into account, but those they'll keep to themself a while longer. Or, if they can finally exonerate him, forever.
"I guess... we go back to being regular friends. If that's okay with you," they reply just as quietly. "We'll probably still get gossip about us, but that doesn't really matter anyway." It was happening before they started dating, after all.
"For what it's worth," they add, "I had a really good time while we were together. I care about you a lot still. But it seems like you're exclusively attracted to women, and even if you weren't, we're in love with different people."
They cradle their coffee cup between both hands. "...I did warn you before that maybe I'd been rebounding on you when I asked you out. Looking back, I think that probably was true. You and I were both feeling vulnerable that day. So, I'm really sorry. I hope... you're not too upset things ended up this way."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
It's less to do with who they're interested in, and more... that Makoto feels like she's the one most at fault here, despite Ren's insistence that they aren't. Still... she can berate herself in her head more easily on her own.
There is a marked note of relief when Ren says they can go back to being normal friends, at least. "Of course!" Makoto responds, readily- though at least this time she remembers they're in public, despite the exclamation. "I was... a little worried that wouldn't be the case."
The matter of gossip... weirdly, doesn't seem to worry her. "...Yeah. Rumours are gonna happen. Especially after everything. It... is what it is. They'll move on soon enough."
And even if they don't, Makoto and Ren will know why they're wrong.
"Thanks," Makoto replies more softly when Ren says they had fun. "...And I mean, if we're still friends well... we'll still be hanging out. Though I understand if you want some space once we're done with Futaba-chan's Palace."
Still, the reasoning still hangs over them. "...Yeah. I guess I've got a lot to work out about myself now, too."
Makoto just nods again, when Ren mentions they were rebounding. "Right." Makoto's still going to have to unpack her feelings about that day herself. Was it the rumours? Was it her emotional state? That's a lot more work than Makoto really knows how to do yet.
"...I'm sorry too. For making you walk me through this because I didn't really understand myself." She sighs a little. "It's not how I imagined my first relationship going but... I think I'm okay with it." She gives a smile- if a tired one- to her friend.
"...I think... maybe we should finish our drinks and then go home for the day. You're gonna be okay, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Honestly? Me too," Ren admits, relief in their own smile at Makoto's enthusiastic positive about going back to being friends. They rub the back of their neck. "If I'd had it together better after Minako broke up with me, I wouldn't have gotten you mixed up." Clearly Ren believes they're the one most at fault. Still-- "Though on the other hand, if we hadn't gone out for a bit, maybe you wouldn't have realized what you actually like." Their smile warms as they meet Makoto's eyes. "It's worth it to me if it means you get to be closer to your truest self. I hope you feel the same."
This just means there's no hard feelings on either side. Ren's being fully sincere; if the end result of the two of them dating is Makoto's lesbian awakening, they're genuinely glad about it.
As for the gossip, it never really did bother Makoto, did it? Ren was always more worried about how it'd affect her than she's been. The reiteration here does put them more at ease, though. They nod in agreement.
"No, you're fine. But... I guess... I needed space with Minako," they say, smile fading. "We agreed to stay friends, but I think it hurt more than I wanted to admit to myself. I was afraid of hurting you like that, too--especially with me falling for Akechi, of all people, after I'd already asked you out. Honestly, if you need some space after this, I understand." They shut their eyes as they lift their coffee cup. "So let's agree we're both sorry and move on. I'm incredibly relieved it turned out as well as this."
They smile back to her. Still, as refreshed as they feel getting this resolved, Makoto obviously needs more time. They nod in agreement. They'll ask after her too, but for now-- "Yeah. Thanks."