Persona 5: The Delinquent and his lover: Full Edition

Distance. Part 2

Makoto tried to be as quiet as she could be, peeking through the crack of a barely opened door in a room next to the study of Haru's father. She had been hiding since Akira came in that morning. From there, she could see and hear everything that was happening with Akira and the Okumuras. At that moment, Akira was showing them something in his cellphone. Makoto didn't know what it was, but the faces of Haru and her father told the whole story. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't good.

"That... that's enough, young man." Said Okumura, clearly disgusted with the video. He stood up and began pacing along the room while Akira put away his phone. He looked straight to Akira. "I'd like to cut to the chase. I can't let that video become public. So, how much do you want?"

"I'm not sure I'm understanding you correctly." Said Akira, not liking one the question he was asked.

"Don't play dumb with me... Kurusu was it? You know the kind of damage that video would cause to my campaign and that's why you came here today. So, name your price. Whatever you want, it's yours. You just have to delete that video and any copy you might have."

Makoto was so angry she was about to march right into the study and punch the man in the face, but she didn't get the chance. On a good day, Akira couldn't have controlled his temper after listening to what Haru's father had just said, and Akira hadn't had a good day in a long time.

"That's what worries you!? Your campaign!?" Asked Akira.

"Well of course! I have worked years to get the opportunity of building this country into an utopia. And now for all of it to come to nothing because of that idiot-"

"How about taking a minute," cut in Akira, "just a minute to think about the fact that you're about to marry your only daughter to a sick, violent degenerate!? How about taking a second to consider Haru's feelings on all of this!?" As he spoke, the boy walked to Okumura, furious to his core.

Okumura was taken aback at Akira's reaction. "I... I didn't know what kind of man Inei was. Since he was a Sugimura, I thought he was an upstanding man, just like the rest of his family."

"Sure! Because unlimited money and power always bring out the best in people."

"Look here Kurusu, I don't-"

"No! You look. Look at your daughter. Look at her!!!" Cut in Akira, mercilessly laying into the older man. Okumura turned towards Haru. She was quietly crying, one hand clutching her chest and the other covering her mouth. She looked like a perfect representation of despair.

"Do you see it now!?" Continued Akira. "Do you have any idea how lousy she's felt all this time? Torn between her own feelings about marrying a guy she didn't even know and trying to be the daughter you expect her to be!?"

Haru sobbed. Akira seemed to have hit the nail with his words.

"You should have thought of her." Said Akira. "You should have been there to comfort her, to protect her, instead of being the one who put her in danger. All you did was using her to advance your political career, your own selfish desires, while all she wanted was to make you happy... You don't deserve to have her as a daughter... What kind of a father are you!? What kind of a man are you!!?"

Okumura looked at Akira in horror but couldn't help but think. Then he walked towards Haru and kneeled down in front of where she was sitting. He looked at her with regretful eyes, like he was really seeing her for the first time in a very long time.

"You're right... God, you're right about everything." Okumura said. "Haru... I'm so sorry..."

Father and daughter quietly embraced. They stayed that way until Haru managed to calm down.