Ren and Makoto walked through Central Street. Metal gates slammed shut over the doorways of several local convenience stores and boutiques. The main shops on Central Street remained brightly lit, filled with people in search of late night entertainment. Although the streets were relatively free from swarms of people, Ren placed himself on the side that received more oncoming traffic. Makoto smiled knowingly and sidled closer till their shoulders were nearly touching.

"He's a good kid."

"Yeah."

"I hope he'll be able to spend more time with Iwai-san. He's lucky to be able to talk with his dad..."

He took her hand and squeezed it. "Actually, Iwai-san isn't his real father."

She looked at him slack-jawed. "He's adopted? Then what happened to his real parents?"

"According to Kaoru they died in a car accident when he was a baby and Iwai-san's been taking care of him ever since."

Makoto narrowed her eyes slightly at his tone. "But that's only half the story."

"Right." He pursed his lips. "Kaoru was basically left on his door step by his birth mother. She tried to sell her own son. Iwai-san refused and took it upon himself to raise him. He even cut ties with his clan. He wants his son to have a good future and not end up stuck with the Yakuza."

"Really? That's incredible. And so selfless, it's almost unheard of..."

Ren nodded solemnly. "But don't tell Kaoru. He deserves to hear that from Iwai-san himself."

She returned his nod wordlessly, processing all that he had just told her. "Wait. Is it all right for me to know? Why did you tell me?"

Ren stopped and wheeled himself in front of her. Their noses strayed within a few inches of each other and they would have collided, had Makoto not stopped in time. When he leaned forward, she saw herself reflected in those calm grey eyes, open and honest.

"I trust you, Makoto." he said simply.

She blinked and blushed an even deeper shade of red. He chuckled warmly and resumed walking, gently pulling her along as if nothing had happened.

"Thanks for coming with me today."

"No need to thank me. It was my pleasure." she responded politely. He tilted his head inquisitively and waited. There were the auto-pleasantries. And now for her real response:

Makoto caught herself and brushed a lock of hair back. "I mean - I wanted to! I uh, had a good time. More than I expected."

He laughed pleasantly. "I see. I also had a lot of fun."

Before I knew it, he became someone important to me… I'm grateful he's in my life.

His sympathetic nervous system kicked in, increasing the blood flow to his face, causing him to quicken his pace.

"What's the rush, Ren?" she giggled.

"Nothing." he coughed, thankful it was dark enough so she couldn't see how red his face felt. They were already at Shibuya Station Square. He stopped at the entrance of the Underground Walkway and with his free hand, fiddled with the front of his bangs. "Um, we still have some free time. So...would you like hang out for a little longer?"

Around this time, Makoto would be prepping for tomorrow's schedule or reviewing her notes before winding down for bed. But if it meant being with Ren for a little while longer...

She nodded and stepped between his feet. "Okay. Where would you like to go?"

...

Buzz buzz whir - buzz buzz whirr

Makoto stood behind Ren with her arms crossed, bearing an expression of blatant incredulity reflected in the gigantic glass case, chock full of googly-eyed, colorful plushies.

"A burger doll? You wanted to come all this way for a burger doll? Wait - is that supposed to be Big Bang Burger's mascot?"

"Jack Frost is lonely," he deadpanned, feeding the machine 300 yen.

Ren eyes were locked on the crane. "Steady, steady..."

It was common knowledge that most if not all crane games were rigged but at the amusing sight of Ren's intense concentration, she had a feeling he could win this. She moved to his left and rocked side to side in anticipation.

"Here we go." He held out a hand. "Give me some luck."

She slid her palm over his.

"Alright." His smirk widened. Target in sight. Lock on.

Ren toggled the joystick to the beat of the crane machine's jingle, maneuvering the crane over his target. Right as the catchy tune looped, he pressed the button to lower the crane. Down went the crane. It stuttered and clamped over the plush. Makoto held her breath. Slowly the claws lifted the boxed burger doll high into the air.

Plunk!

"You got it! You actually got it!" She hopped in place and pumped her fist, like when he opened a locked treasure chest. He grinned and raised his palm for another high-five, which she enthusiastically responded to.

She looked around at the other crane games. "That was actually pretty exciting. Are you going to go for another one?"

"No," he replied, stuffing the burger doll in his bag. "But there's just one more stop I'd like to make. The Retro Game Shop. It won't take long, I promise."

She couldn't help but smile at how spontaneous her day became whenever she was with him. "Since we're here. Is it a new game we're looking for?"

They headed towards Akihabara Retro Game Shop while Ren explained on the way.

"Yeah. It's a fighting game that just got released. I think you'll like it. Plus if you beat the game you earn a fighting card which you can exchange for..."

When they got to the game shop, they found several copies in stock. Ren was quite pleased. His list of accomplishments for the day included helping Iwai and Kaoru, acquiring new weapons for his team, a brand new video game, and another cute decoration for his work desk. Best of all, Makoto was by his side. It was time well spent, a sentiment he wrote in his journal later that night.

"Nice. Should we head home?"

---

They made their way to the train station. Ren's eyes roved over their surroundings. Makoto slipped her hand into his.

"Ren. Are you worried about something?"

"Lots of things."

She rolled her eyes a little at his purposely vague response. "We didn't come all the way out to Akihabara just for crane games and the arcade, did we?"

He sucked the cold night air between his teeth and let it out slowly through his nostrils before replying. "Today was a little dangerous."

"Yes. That man tailing us was clearly targeting Kaoru."

"They saw your face too."

"And yours."

"I'll be fine. They've seen me with Iwai-san before. And they know Kaoru's with Iwai so they're not going to start anything. Not if they're stupid." He sighed again. "But you… well, you weren't wearing your school uniform so they can't trace you based on that but..."

"I'll be careful." Her face grew grim and she spoke in a frigid tone as if she had once again donned the mask of the icy, impersonal student council president. "I'm the daughter of a reputable police officer. Do you think this is the first time I had to stay on guard so I wouldn't become a target?"

Ren stopped in his tracks, mouth slightly agape, unable to say anything. He realized, although he knew bits and pieces of her past based on what she confided in him, there was still much he had to learn.

But then, her expression softened with a sudden smile and she touched his arm reassuringly. "What I'm trying to say is, I can handle myself. So please don't worry about me."

He knew that. The smart, headstrong, observant woman who stood before him was more than capable. But still...

"I'm afraid I can't do that," he said gently, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Not when it concerns you."

She knew just as well. Was she not the same? They were too deeply involved in each other's lives to not be concerned for the other. She caught his hand in both of hers as his fingertips trailed down her chin.

"The same goes for you. Ren, I didn't want to say anything in front of Kaoru-kun but I was getting a little worried. You were gone for a long time. Iwai-san called you, didn't he? And whatever he had you do, made that man leave."

He gave her a curt nod. "Sorry, it took longer than expected."

"I see…" She bit her lip, not wanting to pry more than necessary. He gently tipped her chin up.

"It wasn't anything dangerous. He just had me call him. Gave him an excuse to leave."

"And what happens when it does? I know you're helping Iwai-san in exchange for our weapons but is this worth it?"

It's not about the weapons."

He lowered his hand. She kept her head held high.

"Sure, this whole thing started out as a business deal. But the more I got to know Iwai-san, the more I realized, he's not a bad guy despite all the shady rumors surrounding him. He's just trying to make an honest living so his son doesn't get dragged down by his past. And there are people who are trying to prevent him from doing that."

"And you can't bring this matter to the police…?

"Unfortunately, no. If the police got involved, it would actually worsen the situation. He's protecting Kaoru on his own. All his allies are either Yakuza or ex-Yakuza. They're not gonna help him. I can't let him face this by himself."

Makoto could see the determination in his eyes. A resoluteness that refused to abandon a friend, even when he knew the risks. Like when he helped her with Eiko.

"Not one to leave a friend in their time of need. That's just like you." she sighed quietly.

He thumped his chest. "It's the deal I made. Besides, 'If you're gonna accomplish something, you must keep at it all the way to the very end!', right?"

She folded her arms. "Don't use Like A Dragon to justify your actions."

"I can't help it. The influence of the chivalrous Yakuza knows no bounds! Hey, we should watch it again some time."

She laughed at that. "Sure, when it comes out on Blu-ray or DVD. Then we could have a movie night with everyone."

"Or just the two of us."

She smiled up at him, running a finger along her bag straps.

"Listen," he said, laying his hands on her shoulders. "It's a complicated situation but not one without a solution. We just need some time. I promise I won't make you worry needlessly."

"If that's what you intend on doing, then make sure you see it through. I won't stop you." She placed her hand over his. "But please be careful."

He nodded and squeezed her shoulders reassuringly.

Because they stopped to use the restroom, their race to the platform only netted them a shrill whistle of the departing train and a PA announcing the next available times.

"And that's what happens when you drink your fill of unlimited diner coffee." Ren remarked wryly.

Makoto elbowed him lightly. "Come to think of it, I didn't get to drink the coffee you made."

"I know! You made me drink TWO cups or otherwise have it weigh forever on my conscience to let perfectly good coffee go to waste! It's only fair that you come back with me and drink your share to balance it out." He smirked and rustled the game shop bag. "Also! Got a shiny new game here just begging for a test run. What say you?"

"Oh. I…"

Makoto wanted to. She really did. Ren could tell but he didn't want to force her.

"Or another time."

She tapped her chin. "Don't you think it'd be more fun as a group? We could invite everyone to hang out and play video games this Sunday."

"Sure. That sounds good."

"Then I'll consult with everyone on the group chat." Out popped her phone. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. "Then again, maybe I shouldn't distract them from their studies..."

He chuckled quietly to himself. It wouldn't make much of a difference or a distraction if Makoto sent the text now or later. He was sure that at least half of them were procrastinating at this very minute. "I'll sent out an invite Saturday evening. How's that?"

"Okay." She pocketed her phone. Another train arrived. They climbed aboard and sat close together, keeping an eye out for anyone needing a seat.

"As for the test run," Makoto continued, "I think you and Futaba would have more fun with that."

"Yeah. She goes crazy for games like this. Five hundred yen says she already knows I bought the game."

She nodded assent. "I hope this will cheer her up a bit. She seemed a little down when you brought her to school last week. I felt guilty about it. If I didn't bring her to those places she wouldn't have remembered those bad memories."

Makoto felt Ren's hand envelop hers in the space hidden between their bags. "It's neither of your faults. Besides, she's going to have to face that eventually and with this experience, she'll be better prepared for it. She told me afterwards she was glad we bumped into you."

"Really?" she asked, lacing their fingers together.

"Yeah. You helped out a lot that day. We covered more ground than possible if it was just the two of us."

She smiled in relief. "I'm glad. If she ever wants another tour of the school, I'll be glad to accompany you."

"We'll be sure to take you up on that. Although," he said with a smile. "She appears to be showing interest in Kosei High."

"Oh? Is that right?" Her eyes lit up. "Yusuke?"

"Though she'd never admit it, even under threat of having her Neofeatherman action figures dismantled and rearranged." he said in a low voice, smiling at her conspiratorially.

She covered her mouth and giggled. "Oh, Futaba. And Yusuke's just completely oblivious."

"I think it's fine to let them go at their own pace. We'll just watch over them in the mean time."

The train rolled to a stop and Makoto used that momentum to bump against Ren's shoulder. "Can I see the game case?"

"Oh?" he said, arching both brows. "Looking for tips and pointers are we?"

She playfully elbowed him again. "You brought me out all the way here. It's only fair."

He placed the case in her lap. They spent the rest of the ride to Shibuya Station comparing the playstyle and combos to other fighting games they played at Shibuya's arcade.

"So from what I heard online this game is notoriously hard. There's a certain technique..."