Annkoto - P5

Annkoto - Chapter 19: What Happened to Following Your Heart?

Makoto is on her way back home. It's still Wednesday, August 3rd, and as soon as Makoto steps off the train, an overwhelming sense of gloom encapsulates her. Her and Sae haven't been on the best terms recently. Bad days consisted of yelling and slamming doors, and good days were when not a word was spoken between them.
Makoto opens the door, and doesn't bother to announce that she's home. She hears her sister's voice in the living room, she must be on the phone.

Sae: "With all respect sir, we cannot sit back and let Medjed ruin the lives of the citizens."

Sae: "I understand that the opportunity to reveal the Phantom Thieves' identities is a lot to pass up, but it really is too risky."

Sae: "Sir I-"

Sae: "..."

Sae: "My apologies, it won't happen again sir."

Makoto peeks around the corner to see her sister, who's sitting on the couch with her palm on her forehead. There's a glass filled halfway with some version of alcohol on the side table. Sae doesn't drink much, so this is strange, but she definitely wasn't drunk.

Makoto: "Sis?"

Sae: "Huh? Oh... Hi Makoto."

Makoto: "Is there something wrong?"

Sae: "I'm sure you've seen the news covering this Medjed group."
She's surprisingly calm. Makoto has seen her as unapproachable for a while now. It may have something to do with the drink she keeps taking sips from.

Makoto: "Yes, they're the group trying to get the Phantom Thieves to reveal their identities correct?"

Sae: "And I take it you also know about how they will damage Japan's economy if their needs aren't met?"

Makoto: "Yes... May I ask where this is coming from?"

Sae: "It's public information, I assumed you would know anyway."

Makoto: "..."

Sae: "I'm sorry, Makoto. Sorry for treating you so harshly."
She finished the glass of alcohol she was holding.

Makoto: "Are you okay Sis?"

Sae: "...I wasn't ready for Dad to die. The responsibility he left for me to take over... I've only ever seen it as a burden I've been forced to bear."

Makoto: "..."

Sae: "I admired him for so long... how passionate he was about his job, while still being able to care for us. Now I can't even do either of those things."

Makoto: "Sis..."

Sae: "I started to despise him... for burdening me with this pain. Even if it's not his fault. And now that I have the job I've always wanted since I was a kid, I've lost that passion. I've always thought that if I just followed my heart, I would be happy."

Makoto: "Sis."

Sae: "But now I realize that I've been taking it out on you. I want to change that. Even if I can't change my work life."

Makoto: "Sis! I don't want you to deprecate yourself anymore, please."

Sae: "Makoto?"

Makoto: "We both want to finish what dad started, right? You don't have to take on everything by yourself, I can help too, I want to help."

Sae: "Makoto, you're still in high school-"

Makoto: "So what? I'm tired of doing everything any adult asks of me. I want to change the world. I'm not useless anymore!"

Sae: "You've changed Makoto. Didn't I tell you that you have to focus on getting a higher education? Without that, a woman can't do anything in this world."
The alcohol's effects seem to be wearing off, Sae has put her guard up again.

Makoto: "And who made up those rules? These are the barriers I want to break by changing the world. Don't you want to break them too? What happened to following your heart?"

Sae: "That's enough. I'm not going to allow myself to be lectured by my younger sister."

Makoto: "What?"

Sae: "You heard me, we are done with this conversation."

Makoto doesn't want to give up, but her sister's glare prevents her from persisting further. She heads into her room for the night.
...
Makoto (Internal): (I was so close, but she pushed me away again.)

Makoto: (Sis, when are you going to accept yourself?)

Makoto: (Is she really that far gone? It can't be because of dad, right? Did someone else hurt her?)

Makoto: (I thought I could try to convince her to break free, without us changing her heart. It looks like stealing her treasure might be necessary after all.)

bzzt bzzt

Makoto looks at her phone: (It's Ann!)

(SMS)
Ann: "Makoto-senpaiii~"
Makoto: "Yes, Ann-chan?"
Ann: "Would you like to go on a date soon?"
...
Makoto: (I'm so lucky to have her.)