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“And now you use that formula to solve for x. Do you get it so far?”
After not receiving an answer, Makoto glanced over from the notes she’d been taking, knowing of Ren’s tendency to sometimes doze off in class.
As it turned out, he was actually looking at her, normally a sure sign that he was paying attention. But, judging by the glazed look in his eyes, Makoto sensed he was distracted. His gaze was much deeper and more intent than necessary for simply holding a conversation.
Makoto blushed, self-conscious to have him admiring her so openly in public.
With his cheek resting against his hand and a gentle smile pulled at his lips, he looked at ease and content, a calming, infectious aura. Secretly, it pleased her to know that this was how he felt and acted in her presence.
But she pushed down that feeling momentarily, not wanting to waste too much of their study session.
“Ren? Are you even listening?”
Ren blinked, surprised. In truth, his focus had drifted a while back, drawn instead to learning the cute mannerisms Makoto fell into as she worked. The determined expression that set on her face as she concentrated, how she would push her bangs away from her eyes, the purse of her lips.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it,” he admitted. His hand kneaded at the back of his neck, as he smiled sheepishly.
“Come on, you need to focus. Don’t you want us to go to the same college?”
Makoto knew that she shouldn’t worry too much. Ren’s grades were good, consistently among the top of his class. Still, maintaining that momentum could be just as difficult. She knew from experience.
“You’re right,” Ren sighed. “I guess I’m just feeling a bit tired.”
Makoto nodded, understanding. Between leading their operations with the Phantom Thieves, helping Sojiro at the cafe and working his different part-time jobs, she could understand that he might be tired. It was part of why she’d offered to study with him. Being a year ahead, she’d already learnt the material his class was covering and could offer him some useful advice and notes and could even get him ahead.
Ren, however, had other ideas.
“But… maybe I could power through, if I had some motivation.”
“What do you mean?”
Makoto’s lips tightened, already wary about where he might be going with this.
“…if you give me a kiss, maybe I can focus for another thirty minutes.”
“What?!” Makoto’s voice rose, gaze darting around anxiously.
Luckily, the other students in the library had been too focused on their studies or scanning the books on the shelves to have picked up on what Ren had said.
If anything, it was her sudden outburst that drew confused looks from others. Makoto sunk back into her seat with a flush.
Rumours of the delinquent transfer student dating the Council President had already been floating around Shujin, thanks to Eiko. Ren’s ‘confession’ to her at the Culture Festival had only added to matters.
While Makoto wasn’t ashamed for anyone else to know of their relationship, it wasn’t their business.
With them being the ‘hot topic’ around campus, she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious, as though people were paying close attention. It was awkward. She actually found it easier to share affection with Ren in public, among strangers, rather than her peers at school; people she knew and had to interact with daily.
That isn’t to say she wasn’t tempted, or they hadn’t indulged in such acts before. Ren’s kisses were always warm, leaving her melting in his arms. Ren’s charm, the way he would look at her with soft, pining eyes wasn’t easy to resist.
They were just normally limited to the privacy of the Student Council Room.
There’d be plenty of time for that later… When they didn’t have an audience.
“I don’t think-” Makoto began to protest.
“I’m so tired of this,” Ren whined, sinking his head against the desk. “I can’t even pick up my pencil anymore.”
The sudden switch in Ren’s mood threw Makoto off. He normally did his best to remain quiet and unassuming at school and could usually study diligently without complaint. Yet, all of a sudden, he was carrying on like Ryuji. He had always had a flare for the dramatic.
Though judging by the familiar, mischievous smirk of the Trickster, Makoto sensed that he hadn’t been tired to begin with. It was all a ploy.
Still, his voice was carrying louder, drawing back the attention of the other library–goers. It was clear that if she didn’t acquiesce Ren was only going to continue.
“Okay, okay, but just this once.”
Ren grinned, triumphant, before sitting upright again. Pursing his lips, his eyes fell closed, but he didn’t shift any closer, as if beckoning her to make the first move.
Makoto swallowed, hearing curious murmurs building around her as other students watched on, their breath held, waiting to see if the rumours were true.
With the desk between them, it took some awkward manoeuvring. Makoto tilted her head, not wanting to push against his glasses. Her eyes slipping shut, she covered the last of the distance between them.
It was only once their lips met, that she felt Ren move. His hands reaching for the back of her head, pulling her against him.
Suddenly, Makoto was drowning in the feeling, the world around her and any reason to feel self-conscious melting away. Ren’s lips were soft, his breath cool and tangy, the aftertaste of what tasted like melon pan lingering in it.
Her hands fisted in the breast of his shirt, finding purchase.
It eventually struck her that the kiss was getting deeper, dragging on longer than she’d intended and she pulled away.
Fog had started to cloud up Ren’s glasses, but there was a dopey, pleased grin on his face.
“There. Are you happy now, you big baby?”
“Absolutely. Although, I can’t help but feel one more would help me go for even longer.”
“Uh uh, a deal is a deal. Maybe if you get this next question right, there’ll be more later.”