Spoiler Alert: Set at 6th Palace

Entry 1: Kiss

Synopsis: About to take on the Battle Arena by himself, Joker wants to strike a deal with Queen.

"Well then Joker, we'll leave you here in the safe room so you can prepare. Take your time and call us when you need help. We'll wait outside."

Everyone nodded in agreement and most filed out of the safe room to let Akira prepare for the battle arena. The last to leave was Ryuji, who tapped Akira by the shoulder and gave him a thumbs up before he slipped his mask on and joined the others outside. When the door clicked close, Akira was standing in front of the empty table, his hands on his pockets as he looked at the two people that remained in the room. Futaba laid on a nearby couch as she stared at her Metaverse-capable laptop, mumbling words as she attempted to scan the potential enemies that Akira could face in the arena, while Makoto leaned on the wall next to the exit, arms crossed and in deep thought.

He shrugged and laid his equipment on the table, organizing them according to their use. After emptying his pockets, he sat on one of the chairs and started to wordlessly fiddle with his pistol. As he silently gauged the condition of his pistol, the clicks from Futaba's keyboard filled the otherwise silent room.

"Ugh... this sucks..."

Akira had just slipped a fresh magazine into his pistol when Futaba groaned in annoyance. Akira kept working but gave her a curious glance.

"It's no use. I can't tell anything..." She sat up and leapt out of her seat. "I'll go outside and scout ahead!"

Akira nodded to acknowledge the girl. She marched out of the room, her now-closed laptop in her arms. Loud casino noises filled the room until the door shut close once more. By then, Akira had finished inspecting his pistol and set it on the table. He was reaching for his knife when Makoto called his attention.

"Joker?"

He turned to Makoto. He saw worry clear on her face. "Yeah?"

"…Be careful okay? I'm almost certain that they're going to cheat again." Makoto shifted her stance, arms still crossed. Akira nodded.

"Anyway, I should give you space to prepare."

Makoto walked towards the exit.

"...Queen."

Her hand was already reaching for the door when he called her. She turned to him. "Yes?"

Akira stood up. "Can I borrow your revolver? I'd like to avoid reloading during the fight as much as possible."

"O-Of course." She took a few steps towards him and held out her revolver, offering the it to him. "Here you go. Are you sure you want mine though? I mean, the others have more am— Ah!"

Makoto yelped as Akira grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her to an embrace. His arms wrapped around her waist and his chin rested on her head. Her face warmed up.

"Mmm… I feel a lot better now…" He nuzzled her hair. "I prefer doing this in reality though... Your mask's getting in the way."

"A-Akira-kun…" Her arms slowly found their way around his back as the tension in her body and mind loosened. She leaned her head against his chest. "…Don't surprise me like that."

"You were more uptight than normal." She could tell that he was grinning. "So I had to adjust."

"I can't help but be worried…"

"I'll make it as quick as possible."

He stroked her hair with one of his hands. She kept her face buried in his chest and tightened her embrace. They stayed like that, comforted in each other's arms.

Akira broke the silence by clearing his throat and said, "How about we strike a deal?"

Makoto looked up at the boy. He had an unusual embarassed look on his face and the hand that stroked her hair paused on her shoulder. The girl tilted her head, curious.

"I'll be back from the arena safe and sound... I'll make it quick, even. In exchange..."

The boy looked away, a hand scratching his cheek tentatively. Makoto can see a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"...K-Kiss me when we get back."

It took Makoto just a second to transition from curious about whatever was in Akira's head to completely red and flustered.

"A-A-Akira-kun...!?"

The boy felt the girl push her head against his chest intensely. He chuckled as he looked down. The girl's red ears gave away her surprise and embarassment. Seeing the girl's reaction, Akira exhaled and stroked her hair in earnest.

"I'll do better if there was a reward waiting for me you know~~"

The girl slapped his back in response.

"...Y-You're being serious aren't you?"

Akira nodded. "Yep."

The girl kept her head on his chest as she thought about it. Akira hummed softly as he waited, his hand matching the gentle rhythm of his humming. After a minute of thinking, Makoto looked up at the boy. He returned the gaze with anticipation.

"Just on the cheeks."

Akira smiled.

"More than enough."

Makoto looked at his chest and slowly nodded. "V-Very well then... I... I'll take your proposal seriously."

The boy smiled in glee. Makoto looked down at his chest again, feeling a little less embarassed.

"I didn't expect you'd agree to it that easily."

The girl looked up. "Did you want me to say no?"

He laughed. "Not at all! I just didn't expect that Miss Student Council President would easily agree with me... Am I that irresistible?"

"Hmm... Perhaps." Akira reddened, not anticipating that response. Seeing his reaction, Makoto smiled triumphantly as she continued, "And maybe it's about time I give you a reward for being such an understanding study partner and fearless leader."

"Oh, you understand my plight?"

She slapped his back again. He smiled in response. "You're so cheeky."

She pressed her head against his chest and sighed.

"You always get me worked up... I can't believe I have such a troublesome boyfriend..."

Akira chuckled.

"A troublesome boyfriend for Miss Student Council President... Not a bad match, if you ask me."

A small smile formed in Makoto's lips. A few moments after, she pulled away from him. "I have to go. The others will wonder what we're doing here if I stay any longer."

"Aww… Are you sure you don't want more?"

He gave her a self-satisfied smile, egging her on. Makoto pouted.

"You always tease me whenever you get the chance." Makoto moved away from him, intent on giving him the space to prepare again. There was disappointment in Akira's eyes but he kept the smile on his face.

"Can't help it when you're that cute."

With slightly pink cheeks, she huffed at him, urging him to resume working. Akira pouted before he straightened his coat and the hems of his sleeves. He readjusted his gloves on his hands and repeatedly opened and closed his hands to check their fit. When he was satisfied, he turned his attention to her and the revolver on her hands.

"Borrow your revolver?"

He extended an open hand towards her. She looked at his hand first before putting the revolver on his hand. "Here..."

Akira smiled at Makoto. "Thanks."

She watched him feel the weight of the gun and try aiming with it with his two hands. After trying it out, he grabbed the pistol on the table and tried aiming with the two of them.

"You know, you can use somebody else's gun if you wanted more ammo," said Makoto. Akira shook his head as he slipped the two guns into his coat.

"Queen, you don't understand..."

He gave her another self-satisfied smile.

"This is my lucky charm."

Makoto shook her head but couldn't resist smiling. The boy turned to the table and pocketed the items on there one by one. As she watched him pocket all sorts of things, she started to think back into their talk.

After pocketing a couple of Megido Bombs, Akira noticed that the girl hasn't moved from her place. He glanced at her. She had an unreadable expression on her face.

"Queen? I thought you were leaving the room already...?" asked the boy as he sorted through the few remaining items on the table.

"Well..."

Akira stopped what he was doing and looked at the Makoto. The girl walked up to him and touched his left cheek with one hand. Akira blinked as he stood still, confused.

"Q-Queen...?"

She tiptoed and Akira felt something soft and warm on his right cheek. Immediately after that, Makoto made a beeline for the door, as if to avoid the boy's reaction. She stopped right in front of the exit.

She exhaled deeply. "W-What I gave you... was a better l-lucky charm r-right?"

Akira touched his pink right cheek. The soft feeling that was there moments earlier lingered. He nodded slowly.

"Y-Yeah..."

The girl tucked a stray strand of hair to the back of her ear. "Th-There's m-more of that if you come back to me safely..."

The boy grunted, surprise pausing his usual eloquence.

"B-Be safe alright? ...I'll see you later."

She didn't wait for a response and exited the room. The boy remained on his spot in the room, still dumbfounded and scarlet.

Slowly, a stupid smile crept into his face as his hand never left its place.

-X-

As the shutters closed in front of Akira, the rest of the Phantom Thieves waved at him, wishing for his safety in the upcoming ordeal. Akira waved at them and thanked them for their wishes.

His gaze, however, was focused on only one person's face in the group.

She wordlessly waved at him, her face still hinted with pink. Her gentle expression calmed the boy.

After the lock sounded shut, he watched them leave. She gave him an encouraging smile as she left with the others.

He touched the spot that she just kissed with a gloved hand. It still felt fresh and real.

The Joker smiled as he stepped into the arena, feeling luckier than ever before.

A/N: Hey guys! I've been brimming with ideas of OTP Makoto x Akira having short offscreen interactions ever since I finished P5. In order to give that a proper outlet and have it not bother my main project, I've decided to put them together in a collection of sorts. If you liked this short, there's around 2 more of these sitting on my computer (next to all the reports that I should be doing as a responsible working adult ugh). They're going to be of similar length compared to this one although the vibe and degree of Makira love might be different. Also, expect a really weird update schedule; I like to edit and refine my drafts. This particular one was done as early as last week but I went on an editing/proofreading spree just so I can feel comfortable posting this. Beep boop.

About this short: Hoo boy. My headcanon for Makoto x Akira is very teenagey. Like both are trying to be mature about it but they clearly don't know a lot about relationship things. Uhh... yeah... that's pretty much what I have to say for this short xD Comments are highly appreciated though!