pullmeoutalive | P5 Voicetest; Makoto Niijima, Ann Takamaki

[ Thanks for dipping your head just enough, Akira, she's just going to make sure that along with the sniffling and the coughing that there's no accompanying fever. Because maybe she'll be lenient if it's just the former two, but the latter? That's a much bigger problem. ]

So what happens if you feel worse tomorrow? If you really want to go to school, I won't stop you [ just fuss incessantly ] and I know you're concerned about your record, but there are ways to work around it.

[ For starters: He's got Madam President vouching for him, and the administration loves her. ]

You can tell them. Just frame it as you working on your incredible superwoman strength.

[well, at least akira's dry sense of humor never seems to falter, even at times like this. but maybe that's because if he keeps making stupid quips, he can...

deflect.

it's an odd feeling, especially when he fundamentally knows that he can rely on ann and the other phantom thieves. in a lot of ways, he does; his trust in them is what allowed their plan to succeed—his injuries came from a snag in the plan that none of them could have really anticipated.

...even if maybe they should have.

but he's still their leader. he's joker, and he definitely bears th weight of that responsibility on his shoulders. it's why he allowed himself to be caught, it's why even with his memories hazy and that sick, drugged feeling that made up so much of that interrogation sitting over him, he didn't even once consider selling them out. he protected them, and he wants to keep protecting them.

even if sometimes, it means that his way of protecting them is also to try and keep them from worrying about him entirely too much. he's fine. his wounds will heal and they're finish their goals without a hitch, he's resolved to that.]

Nah, I'll save that announcement for when I can actually demonstrate it for real.

[ Ann, you will probably never be able to lift Akira.

Even though she really wishes she could right now, because she's sure maneuvering him upstairs isn't any level of comfortable for him when he's already in pain. But she does manage, and never has the sight of a mattress on a bunch of crates looked more beautiful than her own bed. Because that, at least, means he can finally lie down. ]

Here we are! You've been an excellent passenger.

[ Except for the part where he's still trying to act like he's fine, but Ann already knows better. Arguing that he isn't... well, that's not important right now. What is is that he gets the time to rest and the care he needs, even if she may not be the very best person for the job. ]

[at least he's probably not feverish. he's a bit warm, but it could just be because he's been moving about and the subway station is crowded and also kind of warm.

or maybe it's just the faintest hint of a fever.

he's not telling.

instead, he stifles a bit of a cough—makoto is too formidable a foe.]

...I'll go see the nurse when we get there. [he doesn't really want to just turn around and go back home, he should at least show his face before committing to it, right?]

[it's definitely not any level of comfortable at all, that's for sure. much as he masks the pained expressions (or at least turns away or dips his head when he can't), there wasn't a single moment of that trip up the stairs that didn't hurt.

even as they make their way to the mattress and he can finally sit again, everything hurts. his leg aches, his ribs throb, his lungs feel like they're on fire because of the exertion it took to pull that off.

he sits there, unable to move for a moment; he needs to catch his breath and the thought of actually trying to make himself horizontal sounds terrible right now. but..

well, he'll give ann some credit here and stop denying the sort of shape he's in. for a moment.]

Just... keep this between us. [well, sans morgana, who shares a bed with him and futaba, who probably figured it out between her bugging his phone and sojiro's everything.]

[ ... It's hard to tell. But if he's planning on seeing the nurse, it's a guaranteed method to ascertain just what kind of shape he's in. ]

All right. I'll accompany you.

[ She'd rather he just go home, but this is a decent compromise. ]

I was going to ask if you're sure...

[but let's be real, it's makoto.]

But I kind of think you'd drag me there anyway once we got to school.

[She laughs at that, cheerful and amused.]

I'm pleased that I don't look particularly cutthroat, yes. [THANKS ANN] It sounds as though you've had some trouble.

[The world of models is hard..........

Either way, she lets that go, propping her hands on her hips.]

Honestly, you're right... I can't say I'm pleased by it either. I don't fancy myself a damsel in any particular way.

[Makoto is so intense.

This entirely normal-looking young man has his headphones on, but the music isn't too loud...and well, he's Minato. When she approaches, he's pretty immediate in taking them off, blinking at her blankly.

...?]

Sure. [It's pretty unusual, he thinks, to be approached by someone who looks this no-nonsense, carrying a notebook like that--there must be something to it.] Can I help with something?

I'm sorry to bother you.

[ Makoto offers up a more rueful smile, reminding herself that she doesn't need to be all that business-like with someone around her age. Ann and Haru would have been much more approachable, even if they've called her the more diplomatic one. ]

I was actually wondering, would you be able to tell me what the crime rate is like here?

Not... drag, precisely. Just... firmly encourage.

[ So yes, drag. ]

[he's definitely giving her a look.]

I wouldn't get a say in the matter, would I.

Inspire-- no, not exactly.

[He's inspired to eat... that's about it.

However, if he thinks about it, he puts his fingers to his chin as he tilts his head in contemplation to one side.] Though perhaps hunger in itself could be inspiration. People do many things and experience much out of hunger...

[So basically he's just hungry. As usual.]

... You ran out of money for food again?

[ YUSUKE. YUSUKE!!!! ]

[ Ann glances down at the bed, before she lowers herself down to perch on the edge of it, close enough that she can support him if he needs it, but also poised to move the instant he flops over. Or eases himself into a flop, more likely. ]

This isn't something I have to pinky promise, is it?

[ Her tone is casual enough, but the worry is plenty palpable in her eyes. Ann's never been a very good actress, after all. Honestly, if she had the choice, she'd have the whole gang back here to help take care of him, but Akira doesn't want this spreading too far.

... Which she thinks isn't going to work in his favor, even if she keeps her mouth shut, because Makoto is observant and Haru is nurturing and Yusuke is fussy and Ryuji is... well, even Ryuji's been worried. Still, she can probably hold her tongue on this one. ]

[ yeah thanks for letting that go, Ann is still learning how to speak Tactful Modelese... ]

Right?? And honestly, it just sounds boring... I thought models were supposed to inspire people to want to be dynamic or something like that. Damsels?

[ Look, she is totally smiling serenely okay. ]

I'd say I'm granting you plenty of say by allowing you to get on the train in the first place, Akira-kun. I'm taking your concerns into consideration, aren't I?

No pinky promises.

[he offers ann a weak smile, shaking his head to that. he knows she's worried—can can read it pretty plainly in her expression, after all.]

I know they'll all have suspicions. They'll get in touch and ask questions. [they're probably all going to figure it out and fuss in their own way.

if ann caught on easily enough to stay behind just for that alone, there's not getting around the fact that the others are going to pick up on it. they're probably just waiting—which, well, probably works out for the better right now.]

Just the part about getting up the stairs. And the walking, just don't bring up that. [she doesn't have to lie about him being hurt, he just doesn't want to spring those worries on them needlessly. the whole thing is unsettling for him too, after all.]

I'm starting to think you're just humoring me by not dragging me back to Leblanc by my ear.

[there may or may not have been another thought here, but it gets a bit lost in him turning his head away to cough into his sleeve.

he definitely overdid it in the metaverse like a dummy.]

[... Um.

What.]

I...

[...??? What kind of question is that, Makoto.]

Er, I guess it's about the same as it would be in any city...? [Aside from the revenge website. What year is this even, we just don't know.]

Officer Kurosawa could probably tell you more, at the Police Station.

You are quite right. This doesn't feel inspiring at all.

[A huff, softly irritated. She keeps her poise, but...there's definite annoyance to her tone.]

I certainly do not wish to give off the wrong impression here... and while I do not wish to skip a job I gave my word for...

[Ugh.]

Perhaps so. But instead of worrying about that, please do your best to make this day easier on yourself.

[ He so overdid it. ]

[he did, even if he's living in denial. he sighs as at the train pulls in—at least makoto is here to ensure he doesn't just space out and miss the train.

but he's also cautiously avoiding eye contact too. what a punk.]

You don't have to make a big deal about it. We all get colds sometimes...

... Think maybe we could talk them into changing it back? Or start with the theme and then switch it up?

[ ... although she doesn't want to damsel at all. ]

Okay, okay. You have my word, I won't say anything about the stairs or how heavy you are-- you've been putting on muscle, haven't you?

[ She thinks maybe Morgana had mentioned something about him and a treadmill, but that had been a while ago. But now that Akira's at least in a position where he can rest more easily, Ann can breathe a little more. ]

I've gotta up my game, then!

P5 Voicetest; Makoto Niijima, Ann Takamaki

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