[Week 4, Sunday: Makoto]

[purrtagonist]

[like others, Makoto won't be able to find Akira for a few hours after the execution. that is by purposeful design. but eventually? he'll emerge from whatever hiding spot he had curled up in to deal, mostly composed and back to normal]

[keyword "mostly."]

[Makoto will find Akira at the bookstore, draped over one of the couches with an open book propped over his face. he's holding a bottle of chocolate milk. fancy that!]

[time to bother leader, y/n?]

Comments

[justfists]

[of course she's going to bother leader. In fact, she approaches him, waiting to see if he'll notice her approach, before anything else.

She doesn't hate many people but...

She absolutely despises Caren right now.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira can't bring himself to hate Caren. he can't bring himself to resent her for what she did-- calling him out in public, dragging him out of the shadows and into the limelight, forcing his hand into taking her life in front of an audience. he'd like to hate her. it would make things easier]

[but he can't]

[he does hear Makoto's approach before she speaks up, at least. and with the hand not holding the milk, he pulls the book from his face and tilts his head to regard her]

Ah-- hey, Makoto.

[his voice is soft and tired. it's been a long day]

[justfists]

[she can imagine it. With his greeting, she sits down next to him.]

Akira...

[she doesn't know what to say, though she knows something needs to be said. But for the moment, she knows it's okay to be quiet, and her hand reaches out to his arm, lightly resting there.]

... Do you want some company?

[purrtagonist]

[his response is immediate]

Of course. If it's from you? Always.

[as tired as he looks, though. . . he keeps himself together. he has to, doesn't he? if there's anyone he can't show weakness in front of the people who rely on him the most]

[. . .]

Actually, this is good timing. [. . .] I kind of wanted to talk to you.

[justfists]

[that... is not how it works?

In fact, there's a little bit of a surprised look that crosses her face. She didn't think he would want to talk, not that readily.]

What did you need?

[she's specific in her wording here]

[purrtagonist]

[he tilts his head, arching a brow at her, noting that wording. but it doesn't change his response, the way he leans back against the chair, book now closed in his lap]

Did you find yourself wondering why Caren picked me, out of everyone in the audience?

[she'll find him flexing the hand that held the knife he plunged into her breastbone. there are still traces of blood staining the sleeve of his blazer. a h.]

[justfists]

... Yes.

I did.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . he lifts the bottle of milk up, cradles it in his lap. his fingers trace the edges, light and idle. he doesn't look at her, gray eyes affixed on a random spot on the wall opposite]

What did you deduce, Makoto? You can tell me. I know you're smart.

[insanely smart. she's probably figured out a lot more than he's let on]

[justfists]

... Did you two talk, after the trial? That seemed to make the most sense to me.

[though it was still unforgivable. But...]

[purrtagonist]

[he shakes his head]

No. We didn't. Actually, we didn't really know each other.

[they spoke maybe once or twice, but. they weren't close, by any means]

[justfists]

... Then... The trial.

[she squeezes his arm lightly.]

[purrtagonist]

[he turns to look at her again, this time holding his milk bottle out for her to take]

Three votes means three people thought I killed Chuuya. I'm sure Caren thought that, too.

That's why she asked for me.

[justfists]

[She pauses, a little dumb struck that that was what it was. But then, she takes the bottle and... sets it aside for now. This was more something Ann or Futaba would do, but Makoto finds herself angry for him.

Not because it wasn't fair or because it wasn't just.

Though, surely those feelings would have augmented this.

But mostly because she cares and is worried. So, she leans forward and hugs him.]

Akira...

[purrtagonist]

[ah. . . actually-- well, no. he can't reach for the bottle again, because Makoto's leaning in. Makoto's wrapping her arms around him, and pulling him close. and with how much solace he's taken in physical comfort as of late-- with how much he needs this, what with everything happening around them-- he's far too weak to resist]

[so he leans into her, letting out a huffed sigh as he does so]

I'm not done, you know.

[a bit exasperated, but. . . fond as well]

The hair found at the scene obviously wasn't mine. [obviously!!] So she had to have another reason to suspect me, right?

[justfists]

I figured you weren't.

[she allows him that exasperation, given everything going on. And when he continues, she pulls back, to let him continue... and have his milk bottle back.]

What other reason...?

[purrtagonist]

[milk bottle!! actually he's handing it to her again? more like. . . offering it to her, actually. shoving it under her nose so she can catch a whiff of what's inside]

[. . .]

[which, by the way, doesn't smell like milk. . .?]

[his answer to that question is non-verbal]

[justfists]

[she notices that, and pauses]

Coffee...?

[purrtagonist]

Mmm. I made it myself, with a stolen coffee maker and beans from Wildkat.

[he pulls away from her and flops back onto the couch, shoulders slumped, and just]

[takes a swig]

[justfists]

But what does this have to do with the other reason...?

[purrtagonist]

Entry fees.

[. . .]

[annnnnd another swig]

[justfists]

[she pauses, and then thinks about that... Coffee...]

Sojiro... You can't enjoy coffee anymore.

[she pauses, and then her look changes to immeasurably sad]

... This has to do with your home at the coffee shop. But more abstract, like my sense of justice and Yusuke's inspiration.

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

Well. . . you're not far off of the mark. That's what it my entry fee was, a long time ago.

But right now, I can enjoy it just fine.

[and that]

[is the point]

[justfists]

[wait a second.]

You got it back.

[how.]

[purrtagonist]

[smiles a little]

And never lost it, when I arrived here.

[she's getting closer]

[justfists]

[AKIRA.

Her jaw drops, and her entire set of priorities... changes on a dime.]

Akira...!