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“Are…” Ren scoffed, looking over to see Makoto trying not to sulk. “Are you still mad?”
“No.”
…
She spared him a furtive glance before returning to the view of nature. “N-Not at you.”
He peered into her space. “Really?”
…
Feeling his invasion, she pouted. “Just a little.”
Saving the country’s democracy ought to be rewarded, Sae thought- but the Phantom Thieves could never receive their deserved flowers from any figure; public or private. True heroism could never come with accolades- that was the way of the real world. True change would never come explicitly, only through the journey of generations, working endlessly to erode a political hegemony that the masses were forced to live into from the moment of their births.
So she took it upon herself to bestow upon them at least some respite.
Sae, eyes closed, finally looked up.
—
[20:11]
December 30, 20XX
Hotel Kaneyamaen, Fujiyoshida
—
In one of the dozens of ryokan surrounding the base of Mount Fuji, a competition brewed for the impression of one Niijima Sae. She sat at the low oval table, her back facing the dark blue of the night allowed in by the open tatami doors, offering a small poarch with two chairs and a coffee table, and a splendid view of Mount Fuji in the backgroun, and a wonderful garden and pond area right in front of them. Contrasting the cool night were the warm orange lights of the upscale lounge room.
And in the rest of the room, the now-legendary Phantom Thieves of Hearts in their indoor yukata. Most of them arguing over a bag of stolen chips during the commute here.
‘How did I even end up here…?’
Right-
The workhorse she was, dozens of work-related benefits and prizes came her way only to collect dust under a dusty drawer at her work desk. Though with the occasion being so momentous, she thought they wouldn’t have to go to waste. In this instance, it was one of many privileges she hadn’t planned on using- an all expenses-paid three day, two night stay at one of Fujiyoshida’s finest venues, in one of their most scenic rooms.
She had planned on giving it to the kids, but unfortunately, the only caveat was that she had to be there to avail of it.
After eliminating all the work-related gifts, it was either this, a free consultation with a matchmaking service, tickets to an investment seminar, or coupons for a high-end briefcase and a single pair of orthopedic shoes.
This was the least awkward option. As her luck would have it, that option leaves her as an unwitting and exceptionally unnecessary chaperone. At least everyone was happy with her inclusion on the trip.
And then this ‘competition’ . Sae hadn’t seen Makoto so amped up since her time competing in every martial arts tournament under the sun courtesy of their father. Except it was about cooking, and it was against her boyfriend.
‘Er… A hearty soup would be amazing.’ She announced to her sister and the leader of the Phantom Thieves as they disappeared into the ‘kitchen’ .
Or at least what they could put together for staying in a high-class room; what use was a kitchen when food was right at their beck and call?
Nevertheless, Ren and Makoto got to work on another table with two small cutting boards, tiny paring knives, two portable stoves, and two separate plastic bags of ingredients they put together. The two stared each other down, eager to put their skills to the test.
But Ren’s usual snappy wit was reserved, and Makoto noticed. She was expecting him to try and throw her off her game, but the only thing he was doing was smiling each time she tried to look at him.
‘Just what are you up to?’ She thought, shaking her head as she returned her focus to cutting a healthy bundle of enoki mushrooms.
…
With enough time, Ren and Makoto both returned to the table, setting bowls on either side of Sae’s hands.
The Thieves now watched intently as Sae sat on the low table, observing the two bowls of steaming soup served to her.
On her left was Makoto’s bowl- a perfectly executed tonjiru; an almost golden, rather creamy broth made of miso, dashi, and rendered pork. Swimming in the delectable soup were udon noodles, seaweed, tofu, sweet potato, enoki mushrooms, all topped off with thinly sliced green onions, topping the flavors with the fresh greens.
To Sae’s right was Ren’s serving- motsunabe , a Fukuoka classic and a riskier pick. A light-colored, pork infused, rich, miso sauce-based stew infused with garlic, and a good spread of chilli flakes. Wading in the lovely stew were konjac, burdock root, topped with long chives, and the chunks of pork tripe and offal. Not only that, Ren also put down a bowl of rice on the side atop a plate, with more chopped chives sitting under that bowl.
Ren looked Makoto’s way, winking but also wearing a smirk that immediately killed any hints of heart-throbbing intent. This was a battle, and Makoto pushed her dish forward first. “We decided I’d go first, Sis.”
Sae took her chopsticks, taking a small serving of the udon and slurping it. She chewed slowly, trying to do good in her role as a food judge despite… not at all having that kind of palette. Was this the point where she was supposed to make comments on the texture and aroma? If she were to rank it, she’d have to say she liked it; it was exactly what she asked for, in exactly the kind of manner she’d appreciate at home and during this weather.
Then she took the soup spoon, blowing on the broth before sipping it and some of the other parts of the meal.
…
“It’s…” She wiped her mouth with a napkin, setting down her things. “Good. Thank you, Makoto.”
Ren smiled in Makoto’s direction. “It’s good , eh?”
But she didn’t want to take that as praise. It wasn’t wise. She furrowed her brow slightly as she watched Ren push Sae a glass of water to cleanse her palate before putting in his entry.
Sae sipped the motsunabe broth this time, eyes widening slightly; much creamier and richer than Makoto’s soup. Though that made her wonder if she’d feel comfortable eating a decent quantity of it, cholesterol be damned.
‘That’s what the rice is for…’ She realized almost instantly. She took some of the meat, vegetables, and soup in the spoon, then scooped a decent bit of rice onto it and ate it-
“Oh…” Sae covered her mouth as she gulped, right in time for Ren to offer a small saucer of some sort of green hot sauce, with obvious bits of mashed garlic and something that smelled familiar to her… yuzu kosho.
She got another spoonful, but dipped the meat into the sauce and put it all together, this time with a little chives- so much flavor and texture variance. If this really was offal, she’d never be able to tell- no overbearing pungence, and that hint of citrus from the sauce brought it all together.
“I’m sorry, Makoto…”
—
[21:09]
—
Now that some of the Thieves had went out to explore along with Sae, and others stayed/fell asleep (Yusuke) or were otherwise hidden and preoccupied somewhere in the room (Futaba), Ren and Makoto stayed behind as well, just finished washing dishes and now sitting at the porch chairs, being overlooked by Mount Fuji.
“Are…” Ren scoffed, looking over to see Makoto trying not to sulk. “Are you still mad?”
“No.”
…
She spared him a furtive glance before returning to the view of nature. “N-Not at you.”
He peered into her space. “Really?”
…
Feeling his invasion, she pouted. “Just a little.”
Now Ren couldn’t help but gloat now. “A little jealous I saved your sister’s taste buds from being accustomed to under seasoned meals?”
She scoffed back, very offended. “Excuse me?”
“Uhuh, you heard me.” He put up his fists in jest, boxing the air with unnecessary grace and skill. “Fighting words, Niijima.”
She chuckled, standing up to lean against the railings. “How was I supposed to know you’d come in swinging with all of those fancy… accoutrement , hmm?”
He followed her, nudging her with his shoulder. “Nothing fancy about throwaway pork meat.”
“Just…” She sighed again, leaning subtly against him, taking the warmth and scent of the fresh yukata. “I thought I’d get the nod- I’ve been cooking her meals for ages! I should know what impresses her.”
“Never count out the underdog.” He chuckled.
“You must’ve taken some time to really think it through…”
“Or maybe the approach is to think a lot less . I know you struggle to not use that big brain of yours though.”
He looked up at the sky. “So maybe for your sake, I oughta say you have to think of the process, not the intended result; making the dish, versus making her happy. At least that’s what Boss taught me; pretty sure my mom said something similar before.”
…
Makoto kept looking out at the quiet scene. Ren leaned onto the railings with his elbows, giving her the go signal to let her thoughts be known.
“That’s another advantage you have; family.”
In spite of her slightly darkening expression, he smiled back. “As far as I know, we have the same resources.”
“Huh?”
“My mom’s told me she always wanted a daughter-”
“Hey!”
She blushed, laughing a bit. “Do you know what you just said?”
“I said it.”
“But did you hear it?”
…
He sputtered, suddenly looking at the distance. “Uhuh. Sure did. So?”
“Ugh…” Her head found its home on the crook of his neck and shoulder as he bent down a bit more. “You have to stop joking with the truth.”
“Oxymoron, much? But no . It’s not a joke. I’m just saying it like I was . Big difference.”
“Hmm.”
His arm arced around, securing itself around her far waist, pulling her in even a bit more while she reflexively dug more into him and looked up; clear routine. “You know, I don’t mean to trivialize anything, but for how much misfortune you’ve endured in such a short span of time, it’s a miracle that you’ve always been blessed with the people to carry that burden with you.”
A smile wrinkled its way onto his face. “Karmic balance, I guess. Let me share that with you.”
…
“I’ve gotten used to things changing; I’ve had to. You said it yourself… but the more I think about it…”
Snow began to gently trickle down the sky; nothing intense. The crystals moved down gently as if swaying to the rhythm of a dream.
“I’m fine with the idea of not being a Thief anymore, with the idea of people moving away… it’s natural that things move out of your orbit as time goes on. When I think of you though…”
He coughed gently into his hand, breathing out tersely. “I don’t think I’m capable of accepting that possibility.”
“Ren…”
She craned her head to him as he looked down slightly, cheeks a bit red- from the cold, of course. He mentioned he preferred more temperate climates. She cupped his cheek. “I know exactly what you mean.”
Makoto allowed herself to giggle, looking away for a second. “How do I say this…” Then she refocused onto him, drawing him in with the sincerity of her eyes. “I’ve never had the opportunity to want for much, and then suddenly, everything came during the most intense period of my life- and whatever you had, I was blessed with all of it; friends, mentors- a family. All the things I’ve longed for-”
She traced her finger down his cheek, draping it onto his heart, feeling the beats hasten for a moment. “Have a line that I can trace directly to you . I never realized how much of a presence you have in my life now, and I still want more.”
He let out a small laugh, tracing his eyes around the different dimensions of her face and settling for her eyes after dancing over the lips. “You got an estimate?”
“The present, for one. And… the future-”
He hugged her- suddenly, tightly- warmly . “Give me yours too.”
With no (allotted) time to think about the implications, she giggled and returned his hug tenfold. “Deal.”
Pulling back slightly, bound by warmth in an embrace of the cold, their gazes flickered over towards the same spots on each other’s faces- sparking, and banishing the cold of snow from their presence.
Makoto- “AH!”
-was immediately tickled at the waist, falling into Ren as he pulled her waist and face in with his hands.
She scoffed into the kiss- she wasn’t even going to chide him anymore as their lips met, and her hands pulled him closer by the neck, tiptoeing only slightly as she pushed back against him.
Ren- “Ow!”
As Ren clutched his thigh, Makoto pushed his chest back with a smirk. “Jerk.”
“You know, biting me would’ve achieved the same effect-”
“And give you a reward after tickling me?”
“Oh, so maybe I should bite you as punishment-”
“Hey!”
They scuffled a bit, Ren playfully trying to pin Makoto to the railing as she giggled relentlessly, his hands going between tickling her and-
The tatami doors opened.
It was Sae.
They stopped immediately.
She blinked. Twice.
…
Sae sighed. “I’m not paying for another room.”
…
Makoto, now mentally dying in another plane of existence nodded. “Right.”
…
Ren sighed- “And we’re not about to either…”
“REN!”
The older sister turned around. “At least go somewhere else…!”
“That sound good to you-”
“W-We’re having this conversation i-in front of her?”
…
“Yes-”
“REN!”