#queenstead

In comparison, the courthouse was a familiar sight to Akechi, evident in the easy manner he carried himself throughout their entire exchange. He laughed a polite laugh and swept an open palm to the side to gesture for Makoto to enter first. “I could never turn down an invitation from you, Niijima-san. You caught me on a free day but, I would have made time for you even if that wasn’t the case.” If a task popped up later anyway, he would have to come to the courthouse regardless; the decision was a simple matter of a hypothetical two birds one stone. 

It was clear that the younger Niijima was similarly interested in law and order; to come and observe a trial in her free time was true to her studious nature. They made idle conversation while crossing over the tile floors of the courthouse, making their way over to a court clerk’s office for a roster of possible cases to sit in for the day. 

“Mako-chan!” Pure delight could be heard in Haru’s voice. That Makoto went out of her way to get her that tea cup set was a super kind gesture. Especially considering their promise of ‘having a tea party together very soon’ from not too long ago. Of course a tea loving and wealthy girl like herself, already had a fair amount of very expensive tableware like these. However, these definitely will be her new favorite set, after all, it was the only and first one she got from someone very important to her. 

Makoto’s surprise was... well, surprising, yet not all at once. The Priestess may take pride in her hard work and the fruits of that labor, but she never let it go to her head. That balance was one of the things that Ann was talking about when she mentioned her envy, along with the brunette’s intellect and poise and strength and... well, the list could go on and on, really. It seemed that both girls had one thing in common; namely, they both were blind to their greatest strengths... though being put on the spot sure didn’t help Ann’s issues with eloquence.

“I mean, isn’t it obvious? You’re so... together, y’know? Nothing shakes you, or at least you’re good at hiding it when you are--”

The praise that came from Makoto cut that train of words off neatly, the Lovers gaping at her friend for a moment as she failed to conceal her surprise. What could Makoto be jealous of when it came to her?! As the other’s words sank in, though, Ann had to smile in response. Leave it to the Queen to uplift her so easily.

Random Starters : accepting! 

It was a little surprising to have Makoto suggesting that trip. Usually going to the mall, was rather something Ann would like to do. But that didn’t mean that Haru wasn’t excited to go. “Mako-chan, that’s a splendid idea! It’s been a while, since the last time I went to the mall myself. Would you like to go shopping to extend your wardrobe, or are you looking for something specific?”  

“Yeah, I think so too,” He nods his head in agreement, knowing fully well what she means.  “That’s how I keep myself motivated in terms of my running,” He frowns, trailing off wistfully for a brief moment.  “...I try to reach the speed that was I at, before - maybe even surpass it if I can.” He shrugs his shoulders.  “It’s not even about just the running itself - I want to push myself as far as I can so that I can do a good job fighting with all of you guys.”

As a Phantom Thief, he had always considered his speed to be his greatest asset - if he didn’t have that, then what else was left...? Chuckling, he runs a hand through his hair sheepishly in response to her comments about academic.  “That is a bit harder to get motivated about.” He jokes.  “But it is pretty satisfying proving all of those teachers wrong, sometimes.”

He didn’t know about Makoto but he was having the time of his life decorating Cafe Leblanc, eagerly covering the store in fake cobwebs and hanging paper pumpkins from the windows.  Usually he wasn’t the decorating sort and come Christmas time, he would probably be complaining about all the decorations.  But Halloween...? He’d always harbored a special fondness for Halloween.

Too bad that the others couldn’t be there to decorate with them but at least spending time with Makoto wasn’t so bad - might actually be a chance to get to know his newest teammate.  As far as he could tell, Makoto had always seemed like a pretty serious and studious sort of person.  But at least she’d never seemed like the sort to join in on the gossip and bullying.

Deep Ass Starters. ¦ accepting

“Ah, could it be that this is directed at me, Niijima-san?” It seemed that Sae’s little sister really did become a lot more bold, since she became a part of the phantom thieves. And while she may had a point with what she just said, there was just no way he could let her in this easily. Especially not with the goals he had in mind for now.