For some reason, Mishima seems surprised to see me, even though he was the one who invited me to the diner in the first place. He scoots around in his seat and I am beginning to wonder if something bad happened.

"Hi!" he says a bit too quickly. As soon as I take a seat across him, he continues. "So you remember those guys who beat Akiyama-kun up...? Well, it turns out they really were dangerous. I looked them up... and found some seriously scary info."

I'm not surprised. It's thanks to mostly luck we escaped unscathed when we went after those guys last time. Not that I regret it. I'm not sure how intelligent it is but I have a habit of putting myself in danger for the sake of others. I'm ashamed to say I didn't expect Mishima to be like that too.

Then again... I remember what he did for his friend—and I can't deny I've come to see a new side of him that day. At first glimpse, he seems like a pushover but he cares deeply, and genuinely. And he's everything but a coward.

What else could have driven him to fight for the Phantom Thieves this vigilantly? Despite not being an actual teammate, I make myself aware I've always relied on Mishima in the same way as I do on them.

Mishima shakes his head. "Apparently they're part of a gang that's involved in extortion stuff like that all the time. I wish I had known that going in... One slip of the tongue in that act I pulled, and I would've been dead."

I feel his fear, and I can't say it's inappropriate. But bravery is doing the right thing despite being afraid. Mishima's almost surprisingly good at that.

"Yup, dead as a doornail."

> "You showed some real courage."

"I'm glad you're still alive."

"Y-You really think so?" His hand darts up to his hair and his face flushes red. "But I pissed all over myself again while I was researching those guys... Oh," he shakes his head, "maybe I shouldn't say things like that to a girl—I mean..." His voice breaks and I nearly laugh. I hold back, out of courtesy.

"Honestly though..." He looks back up, "you're amazing. You weren't afraid in the slightest. Maybe it's only natural after all the nightmares you've been through..."

I open my mouth to protest, to inform him that I was pissing my pants in an equal manner and that there's absolutely no need to hide or be ashamed for that when he resumes. "But, that aside... there's something else I have to... well... this is a terrible start." Mishima groans. "But there's another reason why I wanted to..." His ears suddenly turn crimson and he stares adamantly at the table. "Y-You see, I wanted to... you... well..."

Before I can even begin to process what he means to say, another voice suddenly calls out. "Yo, Mishima!"

Three guys in unfamiliar school uniforms walk up to our table and Mishima visibly tenses up. "H-Hi there..."

"Woah, it really is Mishima!" one of them exclaims.

"Dude, right?" another replies. "Nobody else could be THIS boring. And who is she?" He waves a hand at me. "Don't tell me you've actually gone and gotten yourself a hot date!"

"Well, the 'hot' is debatable," his friend replies and they laugh together. I turn and roll my eyes, praying Mishima won't let it get to him.

Only then my gaze meets the third guy, the only one who hasn't spoken yet, and I recognize Akiyama.

"Hey," one of Akiyama's friends speaks to Mishima again, "you figured out what you're gonna do after high school?"

Mishima is staring at the table, but his ears are fiery red. "U-Um, not yet..."

"How 'bout the military?" the guy suggests, "Nobody'd ever notice a zero like you stealthin' around."

His friend laughs. "Hahaha, too true! I bet you could sneak in anywhere, huh? You'd be Japan's ultimate weapon! Or," he suddenly points at me, "just get married to your little girlfriend here and be a good househusband!"

I hadn't thought it possible but Mishima's ears turn even redder. His gaze twitches up at me but he can't look me in the eye.

I clench my teeth, preparing to stand and put these guys in their place—all at once if I so have to—when someone beats me to it.

"... Shut up!"

Both mine and Mishima's gazes dart to Akiyama who turned to his friends.

"Akiyama-kun..." Mishima's even forgot his embarrassment, so startled is he.

"Huh? Something wrong?" asks one of the bullies, but Akiyama shakes his head.

"Er, not exactly..." He hesitates, then throws a look in Mishima's direction. "C'mon, let's just forget him. It's no fun messing with Mishima anymore."

"Whaddya mean, no fun?" His friend shakes his head in confusion, "You're always the one screwin' with him the most."

"I dunno," Akiyama doesn't look at any of them. He's fixating the floor. "Guess I got tired of it." Then, out of the blue, he walks up to our table, coming to a halt directly before Mishima. "Hey, about before..."

Mishima looks up for the first time.

"I've been thinking, well... I should prolly thank you."

Mishima is so stunned his jaw remains slightly open. And Akiyama's friends aren't any different. "Huh?" one of them gawks at Akiyama, "Something happen with you two? Y'know, you HAVE been actin' weird lately, Akiyama... Don't think I haven't noticed all them bruises you've got.

Akiyama startles. "I-I..."

Mishima suddenly sits straighter. He's looking directly at Akiyama. "Um... 'before'? I don't really know what you're talking about."

It is my turn to freeze in surprise. Is he actually going to let this slip? Mishima and I risked our lives for this guy, and he's going to pretend it didn't happen? Well. I throw a glimpse at Mishima, take in his determinate frown, and can't say I don't see why.

"Mishima..." Akiyama is visibly in disbelief as well. But it only takes him a second to process. "... My bad, guess it was someone else." He stares at us in silence for a couple heartbeats, then shrugs. "... You've changed though."

"Huh...?" Mishima looks up again.

"Yo, glasses." Akiyama suddenly turns to me, "I always see you two together... You been coaching him? Or you really his girlfriend?"

Mishima's mouth opens but nothing comes out. He stares at me wordlessly, but there's also something I can't quite place in his eyes. And then I recall his stammering, right before Akiyama and his friends arrived, and I'm hit by a sudden and meaningful realization.

I lock eyes with Mishima who is barely holding my gaze. But he isn't looking away. I swallow and allow myself to acknowledge his feelings and his honest attempt at expressing them. This isn't quite the ideal situation to come forth with my own, but... why not? All I have to do is be certain if I feel the way he does.

In any case, I should think my next words through carefully...

> "I'm his girlfriend."

"Coaching... Something like that."

Mishima jerks around to me and Akiyama laughs. "Ha, good for him. Well, in any case, you're having some kind of influence on him... and I'm kinda jealous." He winks and waves. "Anyways, seeya later."

He walks off, leaving his friends behind. "W-Wait up, Akiyama..." one calls and they hurry after him, not sparing us a single further glance.

Mishima waits until they're out of earshot, then he gives a nervous laugh. "It looks like Akiyama-kun's gonna be just fine. He's a pretty strong-willed guy. You know, I really appreciate that you covered for me but you could've just told them you were coaching me... I don't mind if you take some of the credit—if that's what you're worried about!"

I smile. Then I shake my head.

"Wasn't there something you wanted to tell me?"

> "That wasn't the reason I said that."

Mishima twitches. "N-No? But why...?" Then he presses his lips together. "I-I mean I did want to ask you... but you can't mean that..."

Then, for the first time, he looks up. Directly in my eyes. "You know what, I'm tired of this. I'm just going to say it, okay? I-I asked you b-because I wanted to ask you out. There. I..." He swallows. "I said it." He's still looking at me, his face has turned crimson. "When you said you were my girlfriend, you didn't mean that...?"

Instead of answering, I nod and extend my hand to place it on his. Mishima doesn't retreat, though he's trembling a little.

"Y-You mean... you... you'd say yes?"

I nod again and give him the most encouraging, most genuine smile I have. I'm in a special relationship with Mishima... there's no going back now...

"Woah..." he says after a solid minute of silence. "I didn't actually think you would. I mean... why would you?" He gives a nervous laugh, "You're a real Phantom Thief. A heroine! Someone who risks her life to help people—to reform society and do good! I'm just..." he gives a sad snort, "just the... the backroom guy nobody cares about. The one who could get replaced whenever."

I frown and grip his hand harder. In an attempt to ascertain whether he is really serious, I draw closer.

"You're not interchangeable, Mishima."

> "You're a hero too, Mishima."

His eyes widen. "Y-You mean that?"

I nod and he shakes his head. "Well... I guess maybe if I can do stuff like what we did for Akiyama-kun, maybe you are right...? I really have changed, huh? Do you think now I'm starting to be like the Phantom Thieves...?"

We laugh together and then, for the first time, he turns his hand and takes mine.

"I'm gonna work even harder now to make sure I live up to your legacy! Still..." he gives a short, disbelieving laugh. "I can't believe a girl finally agreed to go out with me... even one who's a Phantom Thief... not that that's your only quality," he quickly adds. "And..." His face turns even redder, "if you are serious... if you really want to... well," he swallows, "go out with me... you don't actually have to call me Mishima. I think that would be odd... Of course, if you still want me to call you Amamiya, that's..."

I shake my head vehemently and he laughs again. "Fair enough... Rin?" He speaks my name as though it's a forbidden curse word and I can't help but suppress laughter again.

Mishima—Yuuki is showing a passionate resolve...

RANK UP!

CONFIDANT: Yuuki Mishima | MOON ^ RANK 9

~

[You will now earn more EXP from Arcana Burst when fusing Personas of the Moon arcana!]

"You know, I always used to think I couldn't amount to anything." He inspects the table again. "But I somehow managed to step up and help Akiyama-kun with those thugs. It made me realize... there really are things I can do to save people. And," he gives a hesitant smile, "it also made me realize I can definitely ask a girl out if I've already risked my life... Even this girl. Though I have to say, asking you was much harder for some reason..."

I eye him over the top of my glasses and we grin in unison.

"I have started writing a documentary on the Phantom Thieves though," he reveals and I listen up. "The research I did on that gang Akiyama-kun was wrapped up in was actually what pushed me to do it. And now I'm basically putting together a massive log of all your activities from the Phan-Site."

I'm honestly not sure what to think of it. On one hand, the thought makes me excited—to preserve and forward our legacy to a future generation—but also...

> "Will you include the fact that we're now dating?"

"Don't use our real names."

"This came out of nowhere."

"I-I'll keep all personal business out of it!" He promises, fumbling with the lobe of his burning red ear. "I'll show you what I can do! I mean," he shrugs, "I won a composition contest back in 5th grade, so this shouldn't be any more difficult, right?" He contemplates his words for a moment, then looks at me determinately. "At any rate, we should celebrate today! My treat! Screw the fountain drinks... Let's go straight for the fancy fruit juice! It's three times the price, so it's gotta be three times better!"

I want to tell him that that's not how it works, but Yuuki is unstoppable. "I-If you want to make this our official first date... I wouldn't..."

"It's a date."

"What about a parfait instead?"

"I'm feeling steak, actually."

He beams. "You have no idea how happy I am right now...!"

I smile back. He's such a badass... when he's not thinking too hard. And unfortunately, that's his status quo. Maybe someday he'll learn to be just as confident as he is courageous. Until then, I'm happy to be the one who's seen—and come to love—all of him.

"Let's make this evening special, okay?" He stands and spreads his arms in a grand gesture. "You deserve it! O-Of course I'll take you to the station to catch the last train, later...!"

If it weren't so sweet, I'd probably mind the odd looks the other customers are throwing us for how Yuuki is acting but now, I only have eyes for him.

We spend a wonderful evening together.

***

My phone rings right outside Leblanc, and I pick up at once when I see it's Yuuki.

"I still can't quite believe what happened today... I'm sorry. I don't know the right thing to say after coming home from a date with someone I thought was so far out of my league." He laughs. "I wanna ask if you were seriously not kidding, but I feel like I've done that too many times already."

I smile into the phone, trying to suppress my own laughter. Seven times. I was counting.

"But that was so fun, right? I've never stayed that late at a diner before. You think it's the power of that fancy fruit juice? I mean, it did cost three times the usual price! Or maybe it was just that we were together, and... Haha, okay, I'll stop joking around." His tone shifts, "I think I'm just really happy to hear that one comment from Akiyama-kun... You heard what he said about me... but do you really think some part of me's changed?"

> "The sparkle in your eyes."

"I didn't know you were that good at holding hands."

"Your hair!"

"Wait, really? You mean... I actually look confident now? Eheh... Gosh, man, you're gonna make me blush again... I think my face is not gonna catch a break either if we keep seeing each other. But thank you. You know, I'm really happy about the thing with us too. It just... still feels way too much like a dream..."

One day, I'll make him realize he doesn't have to feel that way—unworthy, as I know he has all his life. This is something I firmly promise to myself, then and there.

"... That documentary I mentioned," Yuuki continues, "starting today, I'm going to start writing it seriously. And once it's finished, I want you to be the first one to read the script! It's our promise! A vow between..." he coughs, "g-girlfriend and boyfriend... okay?"

I hum and can't help but feel an excited tingle. Maybe I'm looking forward to this documentary after all.

"So, uh, I'll definitely take you out again soon. I promise. Until then... see you!"

He hangs up and I'm left feeling warm—and excited, for a future that seems a little brighter, now, with the prospect of us in it.

******************************************

Yuuki doesn't take long to reach out to me again. This time, he's bringing me to the park—quite the romantic site, especially on a sunny day like this, I have to admit. And he's clearly put some effort into this. He's wearing a different jacket, and something else than just his uniform pants, for once. I spot flowers peaking out of his bag and smile.

He beams back. "I'm so glad you're here. I know it's silly but for some reason, my brain kept telling me you wouldn't show. That all of this was still a bit too good to be true."

I hug him in response and he locks his arms around me as well.

"I-I brought you something—!" He produces the flowers I spotted earlier. "I hope you like them... I had a special bouquet arranged, just for you."

I smile and take the flowers—they're quite gorgeous. And they smell fantastic.

Yuuki beams, then cautiously reaches out to take my hand. We stroll a while, enjoying the beautiful park scape, then finally sit in a quiet spot, on the fence.

"You know, I've been thinking about what Akiyama-kun said to me... How I've changed. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to run away, back when I saved him." He reaches up to scratch his neck. "And I was wondering, if it's true, is that the reason you went out with me?" He shakes his head. "Had I asked you sooner, would you have turned me down?"

> "You've grown. It's attractive."

"Eh, probably."

"R-Really?" Yuuki beams, "That's a first. It... feels good hearing that, honestly. I mean, it's not like I am a completely different person or anything. I was pretty desperate at the time, so I don't remember much... But in the back of my head, I was thinking what you would do in that situation, Rin. I mean, you put yourself on the line to stop Kamoshida, and probably other villains too. So, I thought there had to be something I could do myself."

I scoot closer and put a hand on his shoulder.

> "That was courageous."

"But you were afraid."

Yuuki laughs, then leaps to his feet. "Haha, I was only acting out of fear though. You know... I've always wanted to change. I wanted to grow from the dull nobody everyone messes with to the famous, world-renowned hero. Even more so when I met you." He gives me a somewhat melancholy smile. "That's why I didn't ask you out sooner. I wanted to make sure I was worthy of a woman like you. But..." he shakes his head, "then, you helped me realize something important."

I suppress the urge to ask for how long he's had a crush on me, considering he's talking about 'not asking me sooner', for the sake of listening to what else he has to say.

"Heroes aren't heroes because they're famous... It's because they fight for other people. Looking back on it, what I really wanted to change was the weak me. The me on the volleyball team who let wrongdoing go unpunished, even though I knew it was unjust... The cowardly me who looked the other way when people I knew were in need of help... And that's what I realized I had done when I saved Akiyama-kun... so I thought I had no excuse to procrastinate on asking you out either, anymore."

He sighs, then crosses his arms. "... Tell me the truth. I only changed because you stole my heart, right?"

I freeze. He can't know how close we came to doing exactly that. Has he that little confidence in his own ability to grow he wrongly concluded this all by himself?

"I didn't do anything."

> "The only way I stole your heart was in the traditional sense."

"You changed yourself."

"Huh?" His eyes widen and his arms drop. "You mean I didn't have a change of heart? I-I mean, you're right about stealing my heart in the traditional sense," he laughs nervously, "but... I thought..."

He pauses, then presses his lips together. "No, it really was you. You changed my heart. All this time, I've been looking up to the Phantom Thieves, pretending to be a collaborator... And now I'm finally able to stop pretending..."

I mean to tell him that he wouldn't have ever been pretending. That his work was crucial, that we all valued it—maybe we should have expressed it more. But he keeps talking.

"Truth be told, I had accepted that I was a zero... That my existence was meaningless. But I've learned. I may not be able to change the world, but I can change myself. Whether I sulk about my inability to do anything, or hold my head high and look to the future... My perception shapes the boundaries of my world. It all comes down to what's inside my heart."

He smiles at me in a way that says what is in his heart is me.

"I might still mess up every so often, but as long as you're here with me, I'll be able to stand up again. So, I may not be the best person around, but you can feel free to rely on me whenever you need me! Especially now that we're... well." He chuckles. "And... no matter what the world says, I'll be rooting for you... just like you were for me!"

With that, Yuuki takes a determined step forward and reaches out a hand. I don't hesitate taking it, but he doesn't stop there. Before I can so much as make a sound he has pulled me into his arms. His head turns at the last moment and he plants a somewhat awkward kiss on my cheek. "Right!"

I suppress an amused snort. Then I pull back slightly, lock my hands around his neck, and kiss him properly. For a moment he is stunned, but in the end, it is I who has to break the kiss and grin up at his crimson face. "R-Right...!"

I feel a strong bond with Yuuki...

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion

And break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret

Of the Moon, granting thee infinite power...

~

RANK UP!

CONFIDANT: Yuuki Mishima | MOON ^ RANK 10 [MAX]

NEW ABILITY: Salvation Wish [Allows backup members to earn the same EXP as current party members.]

~

[Your Moon Confidant has increased to MAX Rank! You will now earn more EXP from Arcana Burst when fusing Personas of the Moon arcana!]

[FUSION UNLOCKED: You can now fuse Sandalphon, the most powerful Persona of the Moon arcana.]

He's not releasing me, and I'm perfectly happy if he doesn't for a while.

"You know what? I'm going to find you an awesome request!" he beams. "That's all I can really do for you right now... Well, besides making sure this date is a success. But... I think it is so far, no?" He doesn't even wait for me to reply. "But I'm working on that documentary too. I even plan on making it into a book someday. I'd bet anyone who reads about the Phantom Thieves would find the hidden courage within themselves. Maybe that means I can use that book to change people's hearts!"

I shake my head and grin. His excitement is contagious, and honestly, he's right. This story is definitely one that deserves to be told—and I feel like Mishima is the perfect voice for it.

"I'm sure you will."

> "Make it a bestseller."

"You have to write it first."

"All right, I'm on it!" He grins back. "Oh, but before that... To top the day off, let's grab a bite to eat before we head home. What's a date without food, after all? My treat, of course. Just you wait, once I get all my book royalties, I'll take you somewhere really fancy. Hehe, you'd better be looking forward to it!"

I take his arm and we stroll through the park a while longer before we find a place to eat. We spend a wonderful day alone together... One of many to come, so I hope. When it starts getting dark, he accompanies me back to the station.