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Despite their current circumstances, Ren was relieved. Thanks to Erina's power , all his friends were free from Marie control and were all ready to overthrow the tyrant. Currently they were all conversing between themselves while he was stood behind the counter. Ryuji, Yusuke, Ann and Futaba were playing cards with A rebel watching, Haru was talking to Erina about this kingdom and what it was like and Toshiro was discussing strategies with Morgana. It made him glad that they didn’t remember the potentially cruel things they did under Marie’s control, he hoped they weren’t forced to do anything too cruel hopefully the worst being only injuring him, remembering the bruise from their last fight freeing Yusuke and Makoto .
‘Speaking off’ Ren thought after realising that Makoto wasn’t around the cafe, could she have gone upstairs? Or maybe she just went to the toilet? Or maybe-
“Hey Ren?”
Suddenly Ren was startled out of this thought as he turned around swiftly to see Makoto with a startled look. “ s-sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you ,”
Ren blew it off casually simply laughing it off “no worries, what’s up?” he asked curiously
As he awaited Makotos response, he noticed her grip her wrist slightly and how she was fidgeting slightly “ can I talk to you, in private?”
“ of course,” Ren replied reaching to her hand to reassure her giving it a light squeeze
Makoto smiled lightly at this action, “ thank you Ren, let’s talk outside,”
Ren nodded along following her outside as well calling out to everyone saying they were going out to discuss something , many of them paying them mind saying to be careful except the card group who were more focused on their game, as he left though he did hear yusuke mention something about a penniless beggar.
Now outside and both in their thief attire, they stood in an alley with Ren leaning against a wall.
“Again , thank you Ren,” Makoto said “ I know we have everything we need to plan and get ready for Marie but there is something important I need to ask you,”
“ it’s no problem Makoto, anyway what’s up,” Ren asked curious and a little worried as to what was on her mind. He noticed her glance nervously towards the side as though she didn’t want to look him in the eye, instinctively he took a hold of her hand and gently squeeze reassuring her “ what’s wrong,”
Makoto took a deep breath , collecting her thought before finally speaking them “ when I was under Marie’s control, I know it was probably unavoidable that I hurt some people but...,” Makoto hesitated for a second continuing “ I need to know, did... d-did I hurt you Ren?”
Hearing this took Ren of guard ,he wasn’t expecting this to be what was worrying her. “Makoto of course...,”
“Ren please!” Makoto sharply cut in shocking Ren “ be honest with me,”
“o-only a few scratches,” Ren squeaked, cursing himself for that as he saw Makotos look, telling him she knew he was lying.
“ Ren... please,” Makoto sighed before looking him in the eyes as well squeezing his hand harder. Ren took a deep breath before finally replying “ there’s a bit of bruise on my chest from the fight but that’s all,” after saying that he immediately saw Makoto’s face filled with guilt from causing her boyfriend this pain and seeing this he immediately jumped in to console her “ Makoto, this wasn’t your fault,”
“ wasn’t it though?” Makoto replied “ I should have known that Marie attack was dangerous yet I just stood there and let myself be controlled by her,” Ren hated hearing the pain and guilt in her voice and could hear her voice breaking a little, it broke his heart seeing his strong hearted girlfriend sound so defeated.
“ Makoto... ,” Ren said quietly trying to put his hand to her cheek to comfort her but she turned away from it, as though she was repulsed by the thought of him touching her after what she did.
“ and because of my actions it led to me hurting people. Hurting the citizens of this place, hurting our friends, I even hurt you Ren ,” Makoto voice broke more and more as she continued , sounding like she was a the verge of tears. the guilt she felt, the pain she felt, they were eating away at her and Ren had noticed this and wasn’t going to stand for it.
“ Makoto look at me!” Ren demanded, surprising Makoto as her sad expression changed to one of the surprise “ you didn’t hurt me, you didn’t hurt anyone. All of this was Marie’s fault Makoto , she just used you to do her dirty work,” Ren once again tried to put his hand to cheek, this time Makoto melted into his touch the placing her head on his chest .
“ But I,” Makoto tried to question until cut off by Ren once again.
“ But nothing, I know you Makoto, you would never stand for injustice like this, you want to destroy it right?,” Ren said “ that’s why your going to become commissioner, right,”
Makoto now looked at him once again shocked but quickly smiled warmly at him, which he returned. ‘Honestly, he always knows what to say,’ Makoto thought. She then returned her head to his chest this time though wrapping her arms around his waist “ thank you Ren,”
Ren returned this by holding the back of her head close to him and saying “ anytime Makoto, beside you still need to show Marie you fist of justice,”
Ren looked down to her , seeing her face glow a little red with a small blush. “Ren!” Makoto whined, causing Ren to laugh with Makoto following suit shortly after. To both this was bliss, simply in each other presence , each others warmth. Nothing could break such a perfect moment.
“ Ah, yes perfect,”
The sudden voice startled both Ren and Makoto as they both try to untangle from each other only to see Yusuke there with his hands making a frame around them. “ oh please could you get back to your previous position, I must capture the passion between lovers,” Yusuke said
Both were now blushing messes practically glowing with how red they were, “ Fox what are you doing I thought I told you all I was speaking with Queen in private,”
“ my apologies , I was so enamoured by this moment that I forgot why I came here,” Yusuke replied “ Toshiro would like to commence our attack and would like everyone present for a final check of the plan,”
Once both had recovered somewhat from there shock Makoto said “ w-we will meet with everyone shortly Fox, thanks for letting us know,”
Yusuke simply nodded before then adding “ oh before I leave may you both be the models for my new art piece, I must be able to capture this moment on a canvas”
“ Let’s discuss this later Fox,” Ren said, some what interested in a painting of him and Makoto
Yusuke smiled in satisfaction before leaving them. Ren and Makoto both looked at each other before sighing, both a bit sad that their time together was cut short.
“ guess we should get going,” Makoto said looking a bit down
Ren placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort “ yeah let’s get back home.” Makoto nodded back at As they made there way back to LeBlanc.
‘it’s Showtime,” Ren thought. It was now time to make Marie pay for hurting this kingdom, hurting his friends and for hurting his Queen.