The foregoing is how things could have been, in one possible reality. But... should I have chosen my words differently?

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

"I'm his girlfriend."

> "Coaching... Something like that."

"Heh... That so? I'm kinda jealous," says Akiyama and shakes his head.

I'm not trying to steal any credit for Mishima's success or growth, but it may be best to dissolve any preemptive conclusions on both his and Akiyama's part. I glimpse at Mishima who's staring at the table. I mean... I like him, but he's like a little brother—despite our being the same age. Maybe I am coaching him, even if not consciously. He's learned a lot, and maybe the Phantom Thieves and I did have something to do with that.

"Anyways, see ya later."

Akiyama gives a nod, then 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," he suddenly averts his gaze again, "I do appreciate that you didn't freak out when those guys assumed you were... I mean, you and I were..."

I shake my head and chuckle.

> "I've been called worse things."

"They were just teasing you."

"A-ah, yes, of course..." Mishima joins in my laugh. "So... you," he stammers, pauses, and sighs.

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 here 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 those guys said you were my girlfriend... I mean..." He breaks off and at that moment, I feel a wave of terrible guilt, despite not having done anything wrong.

Mishima clears his throat. "Anyway... you can forget I ever said that if you want. I would totally understand if you'd say no. I mean, I didn't really expect anything... I just wanted to make sure I had asked, just in case." His smile is awfully forced. "You probably have a ton of hot, smart guys lined up anyway, so you're probably better off with one of them...!"

I grit my teeth, then shake my head.

> "You're a great guy. I just don't like you in that way."

"It's not because of you."

Mishima nods, and though the pain is still written all over his face, it eases a little. "I understand. That's fine—really. I just hope I didn't ruin our friendship with all of this... Because I don't want to have..."

I vehemently shake my head and give him an encouraging smile. The best I can offer. And—I wasn't lying. I look at Mishima for a moment and think to myself how lucky a girl will one day be to have a guy like him. Earnest, loyal, sincere, hard-working, and brave—so much braver than he seems. But I can't change the way I feel about him... and Mishima is just not my type, romantically. Someone else's face appears before my inner eye and my smile widens.

"Alright, well... I'm happy about that and..." He clears his throat, "let's just forget this ever happened, okay?" He laughs nervously and I nod, for simplicity's sake.

"Anyway... I really have changed, huh? Do you think maybe now I'm starting to be like the Phantom Thieves...?" He finally smiles earnestly. "I'm gonna work even harder now to make sure I live up to your legacy!"

I smile back and eye him over the top of my glasses. Despite this hiccup, Mishima really is showing a passionate resolve. With all my heart I hope our relationship, the way it is now, may thrive in the future, just like it has so far.

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." Mishima 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. That's why I've started writing a documentary on the Phantom Thieves," 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...

"Don't use our real names."

"This came out of nowhere."

> "I can't wait to watch it."

"That's some serious pressure..." Mishima gives a nervous laugh, "but 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 suppress laughter.

"Meh."

"What about a parfait instead?"

> "I'm feeling steak, actually."

"But I only have so much money..."

I almost regret the little joke, at the sight of his frown. Then I remember I basically broke his heart earlier and open my mouth to apologize and tell him anything's fine, but Mishima speaks on.

"You can order anything of course," he even tries to smile, "but it'll have to come out of your own pocket, okay?"

I nod reassuringly and he gives what I believe to be a relieved sigh. "Anyway... let's party until we have to go catch the last train!" He stands and spreads his arms in a grand gesture. "Wooooo!"

If it weren't so sweet, I'd probably mind the odd looks the other customers are throwing us now, but right now I couldn't care less.

We spend a wonderful evening together.

***

My phone rings right outside Leblanc, and I pick up at once when I see it's Mishima. "Wooooo! What is uuup!" he practically screams in my ear and I instinctively jerk the hand with the phone back. "You still rocking into the night, Amamiya-channn!?"

I'm about to ask if he somehow got his hands on alcohol and whether it was a good idea to leave him alone, but then he clears his throat.

"Uh... sorry. I don't know the right thing to say after coming home from a party. And considering I almost messed it up... well."

Guilt bites me again instantly—I know what he's talking about—but to my relief, Mishima just speaks on.

"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!" His tone shifts, "Okay... I'll stop joking around. 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."

"Oh, definitely."

"Your hair?"

"Wait, really? You mean... I actually look confident now? Eheh... Gosh, man, you're gonna make me blush again... I mean—well." He clears his throat. "But thank you."

There's a pause before Mishima continues. "... That documentary I mentioned... 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, "f-friends... okay?"

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

"So, uh, see you!"

He hangs up and I'm left staring at the black screen for a moment. He'll need a while to get over this, but I'm confident he can do it. And make our friendship stronger than ever. The Mishima who saved Akiyama's life? He can do anything. And one day, I'm almost positive I'll be tossing flower petals at his wedding—at him and a very lovely, and very lucky bride.

Until then, all I know is I'm certain I wouldn't have chosen my words differently.