fistsofjustice‌:

It’s just another day on the job, though the Boss is finally starting to let him get in on some of the actually ramen making. To say he was pumped about it would be an understatement. 

He’s totally zoned in when the bell above the door signals a new customer, so it takes him a second to get to them, but he’s delighted to see it’s Makoto. It’d been awhile since he’d seen her, even longer if that didn’t include phantom thief business. Walking over to the counter he can’t help the big grin on his face.

“Sup? Hell yeah you can, comin’ right up!”

He turns back to yell her order to the kitchen, then leans across the counter. 

“It’s been a hot minute, work keepin’ you busy?”

He doesn’t comment on how tired she looks, deciding that getting her a good old fashioned bowl of ramen is just the thing to help. 

She collapses onto the stool and leans her elbows on the counter. “You could say that,” she sighs. She’s tempted to just lay her head down (she’s sure Ryuji wouldn’t judge), but she doesn’t.

“Anyways. It seems like you’re enjoying your work,” she says, a hint of fondness in her voice. As unlikely as it had seemed a few months ago, she has grown to appreciate Ryuji’s company. She doesn’t have to worry if he thinks she’s smart or capable. No, that sounds mean -- it’s not like that, really.

From: Ann

To: Mako 😻

💗 : Hey, are you ok?  💗 : Like in general 💗 : I get that your job is super demanding, and you’re not always gonna have a good day but

💗 : idk you seem really run down lately

💗 : You can talk to me

From: Makoto

To: Ann ❤️

  ♛: I’m okay now

  ♛: Since I’m talking to you.

  ♛: Actually...

fistsofjustice‌:

From: Ann

To: Mako 😻

💗 : !!!

💗 : !!!!!!! 💗 : Babe you don’t gotta apologize! I know work is like. A lot. 

💗 : I’m super glad to hear from you tho!!

💗 : You doing okay? Remembering to eat? Like. Actually eating meals?  💗 : When’s your next day off? We don’t even have to go anywhere, you can literally just nap at my place.  💗 : Or even just at your place. I’d rather see you, but getting rest is more important! 

As cliche as it sounds, her heart skips a beat. She hugs her phone to her chest, just for a quick moment, then looks around to make sure nobody saw that.

From: Makoto

To: Ann ❤️

   ♛: Don’t worry, I’m trying to stay healthy. I even take a few minutes each morning to practice kickboxing.

   ♛: It was supposed to be yesterday, but as I’m sure you figured out, my supervisor had a pressing project that just had to get done. I feel like I do all this work and it doesn’t even mean anything.

   ♛: Sorry to whine. Maybe I’ll leave early/on time tomorrow and stop by and we can have a movie night? 

She’s gotten the brunt of another new case, and her eyes hurt from staring at screens trying to find some semblance of a pattern in the data. Her supervisor had left long before she did, but she finds she can no longer pretend to concentrate.

She always berated her sister for working late and not taking care of herself, but now, she’s no better.

It’s too late to cook, and she’s terribly hungry. She remembers Ryuji talking about a ramen shop that he works at (she thinks she recalls seeing him deliver a bowl to a pompadoured receptionist). Ramen may be more of a guy thing, but so is kissing girls allegedly, so that doesn’t faze her.

From: Makoto

To: Ann❤️

    ♛: Hey. 

@crowism

It’s inevitable that she and Akechi-kun will meet, though it’s delayed on account of both of them being incredibly busy. She admits to herself that she’s being overly moralistic; she obviously cannot fathom what he has gone through, but she knows what her father died trying to protect: a sense of justice, a sense that those who hurt others should  be punished.

Akechi-kun hurt Haru-san. Haru-san is her friend, and even if she weren’t, she had done nothing to deserve her fate.

But Ann -- sweet, kind, forgiving, compassionate Ann -- has asked her to speak with him, so she’ll allow him that. No, that’s not the correct phrasing; she hears his condescending response the moment the thought flows through her head. You’ll allow me your time? How charitable. 

She continues to make excuses, but inevitably, it is work that forces them together. She’s assisting in the lab, trying to piece together what has happened in a case with a dead body and no other visible signs. She can’t help but wonder if the cause was a mysterious “heart attack” orchestrated by a certain boy detective.

to: Makoto 

from: Ann

💗 : Notthing really

💗 : I just wanna see you. 

Makoto’s traitorous heart beats faster at those texts. She’s a bit strange for wanting that dream to be true, isn’t she? Even worse, what if she’s being... creepy? 

To: Ann

From: Makoto

♛: Oh.

Kiki had been the most nervous about the cookies for Makoto, since she was closer with her, she’d really wanted to make some Makoto would enjoy, so she’s delighted by Makoto’s response, a giddy smile plastered on her face. 

“I’m so glad!” 

She practically skips in the door when Makoto invites her in.

“Tea sounds lovely!” She feels a little bad partaking in any of the cookies, but since Makoto had offered it might be rude to refuse, so she goes along with it. She slips out of her shoes, not wanting to dirty Makoto’s home, and props her broom beside the doorway. She’s used to intruding into other peoples homes for deliveries, but she’d hadn’t been over to a friends in quite sometime, so she can’t help but let her eyes wander. 

“You’re house is so tidy Makoto! Maybe you can give me some cleaning tips! No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to keep up with it.” She smiles. ‘

Talking to Kiki is always so refreshing. “Please, take a seat wherever you like while I put the kettle on.” She goes to the kitchen and fills the teapot with fresh water, then turns on the stove. Once back in the living room, she takes a seat on her sofa and turns to Kiki.

“Thank you. I find that tidying up as I go helps with keeping everything under control. I wash dishes as soon as I’m done with them, and I fold my laundry as soon as it’s ready.”

Despite taking a few days to recover, she hasn’t let her cleanliness slip. Having control over one area of her life makes her feel a bit better, and she’s doubly grateful for this decision now that Kiki has come to visit.

From: [Ryuji] To: [Makoto]

[Ryuji Sakamoto is typing … … … … … …]

💀: I thought I had it 💀:But I think I accidentally deleted it 💀:🤨🙃🤨

Sigh.

From: Makoto

To: Sakamoto-kun

♛: I know there’s something you’re not telling me.

fistsofjustice‌:

Another person mentioning glitter. Makoto has taken today off from research, exercise, or any of her other usual endeavors, so she is not sure whether there is any glitter in her place or not. She justifies this break by reasoning that she doesn’t feel all that well.

from: Makoto

to: Kurusu-kun

♛: You’re glad you’re here? I’m sorry, but that’s a bit strange…

♛: I haven’t noticed any glitter.

You ignore the pang in your chest at how, unfamiliar this conversation is. But it’s her. She made it back from the party, and she’s okay. You’ll take the blessings you have. 

from: akira to: makoto

🗡️: This place is… interesting.  🗡️: But I’m glad I’m here with everyone. 🗡️: There are people still in Tokyo that I miss though. 🗡️: Are you doing okay here?

From: Makoto

To: Kurusu-kun

♛: Interesting is one word for it, I suppose.

♛: Yes, there are people I miss as well. 

12/29 @ 5:34 pm From: Akechi To: Niijima

Ⓐ: Ah. Ⓐ: Haha, of course. Ⓐ: I will do my best. Ⓐ: Take care of yourself, as well.

Well. This is a bit awkward. Neither of Makoto nor Akechi-kun is very good at this, it seems.

From: Makoto

To: Akechi-kun

♛: Yes.

♛: By the way, you and I may be seeing each other more frequently.

fistsofjustice‌:

@crowism

She notes his absence from his usual television programs, of course. She doesn’t want to be overly intrusive, but…

to: Akechi-kun

from: Makoto

♛: Hello, Akechi-kun. 

♛: I hope you are doing all right. You can let any of us know if you need anything.

12/29 @ 5:33 pm From: Akechi To: Niijima

Ⓐ: Thank you, Niijima-san. Ⓐ: Haha, I imagine you saw the announcement on television as well? Ⓐ: I hope it did not cause you to worry. I am not actually ill, I just needed a few weeks to focus on other work.

She frowns.

To: Akechi-kun

From: Makoto

♛: Yes, I did.

♛: Your other work is actually what I am concerned about.

fistsofjustice‌:

From: Makoto

To: Sakamoto-kun

♛: Will do.

♛: Perhaps Ann would have a pair?

From: [Ryuji] To: [Makoto]

💀: Yeah… 💀: Could you ask her?  💀: I uh 💀: Don’t have her number    

From: Makoto

To: Sakamoto-kun

♛: Um. I could?

[Makoto is typing ... ...]

@fistsofjustice​

She flies around for a while, but can’t seem to spot Makoto around town, so she tries a few of her favorite haunts: the bakery, the library, but to no avail. She doesn’t want to intrude, but she figures she might as well try her house as well, since she does know her address. Gliding in she lands next to the door and rings the doorbell, a little nervous since she hasn’t been over before. Her broom clutched in her hand, she grins when Makoto opens the door.

“Sorry to intrude,” she starts, tapping her foot in her nervous excitement, “But, I remembered that you like fruit pastries…it’s no French tart, but I made you some jam cookies!”

She holds out a green metal tin, with little holly leaves printed on it. It rattles ever so slightly, Hiding inside are two dozen or so little jam filled heart sandwich cookies, each carefully dusted with sugar that makes them sparkle, “I thought you could share them with your friend that likes sweets, so I made you lots!”

She grins, obviously pleased with herself, “The red ones are strawberry and the orange are apricot.” There’s also a few lemon ones but I didn’t make enough lemon curd…I hope you like them!“

She smiles wide, "oh and um, Merry Christmas Makoto!”

Makoto isn’t expecting anyone. Ann would likely text first before coming over, and she can’t think of anyone else who would come for a visit. She’s been resting at home for a bit in the wake of everything that happened at Christmas, and it’s been refreshing.

The doorbell interrupts her thoughts, and Makoto reluctantly gets up to answer the door. Her slight annoyance turns to delighted shock when she sees Kiki, a tin of cookies in her hands. She takes the tin, smiling softly. Kiki is really a lovely person.

“Thank you so much, Kiki.” She cannot help but take the lid off the tin to see what’s inside. “Oh, they look delicious!”

She notes his absence from his usual television programs, of course. She doesn’t want to be overly intrusive, but...

to: Akechi-kun

from: Makoto

♛: Hello, Akechi-kun. 

– You see the small crown icon pop up on your screen, and it’s mostly a relief. While things aren’t the same as they were, you’ve been able to make contact with Makoto. She hasn’t shut you out. At least, not yet. 

from: akira to: makoto 🗡️: It’s okay. I’m glad I’m here.  🗡️: I could do without the glitter, though… 🗡️: Did it eat your house too?

Another person mentioning glitter. Makoto has taken today off from research, exercise, or any of her other usual endeavors, so she is not sure whether there is any glitter in her place or not. She justifies this break by reasoning that she doesn’t feel all that well.

from: Makoto

to: Kurusu-kun

♛: You’re glad you’re here? I’m sorry, but that’s a bit strange...

From: [Ryuji] To: [Makoto]

💀: It’s a weird request, but uh 💀: Let me know if you find any 💀: I’ll buy you lunch or somethin 💀: It’s kinda an emergency

Sakamoto-kun is a rather strange person.

From: Makoto

To: Sakamoto-kun

♛: Will do.