Annkoto - P5

Annkoto - Chapter 12: "I Think I'm..."

Tomorrow arrives, and it's Sunday 7/10. The Phantom Thieves set up a plan to study together in Leblanc. Ren, Ryuji, Ann and Makoto are seated downstairs in one of the booths. Ann is sitting on one side with Makoto, and Ryuji is on the other side with Ren. Morgana's next to Ren in his unzipped bag.

Ryuji: "Did'ya hear that the PhanSite has been blowing up recently? We're totally famous!"

Makoto: "We are here to study, correct?"

Ryuji: "C'mon can't we talk about it just a little bit?"

Morgana: "You haven't even opened your books Ryuji. It's been 10 minutes. You're going to fail for sure."

Ryuji: "Hey I bet you couldn't do half the stuff we learn in school!"

Morgana: "Of course I could! I watch Ren study all the time!"

Ryuji to Ren: "You study all the time? You can't be leaving me hanging like this dude..."

Ann, as if she's yearning for help: "Makotooooo!"

Makoto: "Yes, Ann-chan?"

Ann turns red: "C- Can you help me with these math equations?" Makoto smiles at the sight of her face.

Makoto: "Of course. So mx plus b stands for..."
...
Ryuji: "I feel like I've never seen some of this stuff before..."

Ren: "Are you gonna be alright?"

Ryuji: "I might need to head to the temple and use my last piece of effort to pray."
...
Makoto: "This English word... Agoraphobia? The suffix -phobia must mean it's a fear of some kind."

Ann: "I think it's the fear of open spaces. You don't hear about it too much."

Makoto: "You're really good at English, Ann-chan."

Ann: "Leave vocabulary and long sentences to me! I suck at proper grammar though."

Makoto giggles: "Hahaha, you're cute Ann-chan."

Ann is like a tomato: "I- I- Uhm."

Ryuji: "Alright lovebirds. Makoto, weren't you the one who said we need to focus on studyin'?"

Makoto: "Yes, sorry Ryuji." She said this with the most satisfied looking smile, and rosy cheeks.

...

Evening comes around, and the Phantom Thieves, minus Yusuke, part ways for the night.

Ann: "Bye Ren! Bye Ryuji!"

Ren smiles and waves at Ann.

Ryuji: "Hey, don't you usually come to this train station?"

Ann: "I'm gonna do some extra studying with Makoto tonight!"

Makoto: "You two have a good evening. And you as well Morgana."

Ryuji: "Are you for real? We've been studying for hours already! Or is it that kind of studying?"

Ann: "Sh- Shut up!" Makoto starts giggling.

Ren laughs a bit: "Have a good night girls."

Makoto: "You too Ren."
...
Ann and Makoto are walking side by side. The sky is a beautiful gradient of orange and pink.

Makoto: "May I hold your hand?"

Ann: "Heehee, yes you may Makoto."

Makoto: "It would be my pleasure."
She steps closer to Ann and comes in contact with her palm, sliding her fingers in between hers, interlacing their hands.

Ann: "I really love this."

Makoto: "Well I love you."

Ann gets flustered: "Actually, Ren gave me some advice the yesterday, and I've been searching for an identity that suites me since last night."

Makoto: "That's great! If you have any questions, I can be of assistance, Ann-chan. My research has been... rather obsessive."

Ann giggles: "And to think I was the one educating you back at the train station."

...

They arrive at Makoto's home.

Makoto: "I promise that my sister won't be coming home tonight, she has a late meeting far from here and is staying at a hotel."

Ann: "...I'm sorry for what happened last time I was here."

Makoto: "Ann, I completely understand-"

Ann: "I shouldn't have run away. I'm the reason that we felt so distant that week."

Makoto: "Ann, you don't have to beat yourself up, I forgive you."

Ann: "Th- Thank you Makoto."

Makoto: "And I hope you accept my apology for causing you to worry when I was out with Eiko."

Ann: "I forgive you Makoto, it was all a misunderstanding anyway."

Makoto: "Now did you want to continue your math studies? Once you memorize the Quadratic formula-"

Ann: "Makoto, I think I'm bi."

Makoto: "O- Oh! That's wonderful Ann." She hugs her. "Finding yourself is really difficult, you must really have been searching hard last night."

Ann: "Yeah, I may have pulled an all-nighter. But I found articles and videos of people describing their experiences with finding themselves, and coming out. I could relate to all of their insecurities. Not to mention the discrimination they face..."

Makoto: "Yes, I looked into that as well. Japan doesn't even recognize same-sex marriage."

Ann: "And Ren said something that confused me the other day. He said that being bi was the attraction to 'more than one sex or gender.' So I ended up researching a ton about gender expression, there's so many diverse people out there!"

Makoto: "To think about the discrimination that transgender people face, when not even gay marriage is legal."

Ann: "Yeah... I wonder how many people we know might be closeted because of these greedy adults and politicians."

Makoto: "That's all the more reason to change their hearts right? I'm sure this has been on Ren's radar for quite some time."
...
Makoto: "So about... uhm, you being bi..."
Ann holds Makoto's right hand with both of her hands.

Ann: "Makoto, would you be my girlfriend?" She says with the most sincere face.

Makoto: "Yes, Ann, yes!" She hugs Ann tightly.
They hold each other for a while to savor this moment together.

Ann: "W- Wow, so it's official, huh?"

Makoto: "Yeah I guess so..."
They still have their arms around each other, but they've leaned back and are looking into each other's eyes.

Ann: "I'm not sure about making this public though, besides our friends."

Makoto: "Of course. I would cause quite the commotion if the student council president were to be..."

Ann: "Yeah... that wouldn't go so great. I never want you to face that kind of bullying."

Makoto: "Thank you Ann... And speaking of school, are you really going to be alright for finals tomorrow?"

Ann: "Uhm, about that..."

Makoto giggles: "Ahaha, don't worry, I'll help you, then you can stay here for tonight."

Ann: "I would love to."