A Gift From Ann

Makoto Nijima was not an expert gift receiver.

Aside from the essentials, such as her clothes and food, Makoto could not recall the last time she ever received a gift from someone.

Not since her father passed away, that is.

Her older sister, Sae, made very good money of course, but most of it had to be allocated toward the exorbitant rent of the abode the two sisters shared. Therefore, Makoto didn't blame her sister for not showering her in presents. With how hard she worked, Makoto was grateful and content with the roof over her head. Even so, due to how distant the sisters were becoming, Sae didn't even provide Makoto with much of a chance to express that gratitude.

This distance hurt Makoto's heart deeply.

It had not always been this way between the two of them, but adolescent life was proving complicated.

However, after the Phantom Thieves successfully stole the heart of the reclusive Futaba Sakura, Makoto would have a chance to practice proper gift receiving. The vigilante group (i.e. only Ryuji) decided to hold a "gift exchange" in order to celebrate their victory (plus, it gave them something to do while they waited for Futaba to awaken and assist in taking down the enigmatic Medjed).

The exchange was held in the attic of Leblanc, where their leader lived.

"I'm sorry my friends, but I could not afford any gifts for you all, so instead, I decided to paint an art piece that captures the bond between all of us," said Yusuke, presenting his compatriots with a magnificent yet, indecipherable piece of art.

"Well it certainly is…eye-catching,"

"That's right Ann, and…and…interpretable?"

"Yusuke, just what the hell am I looking at?"

Yusuke, however, was still standing next to his "masterpiece", eyes closed and with a blissful smile on his face.

"Ah, I'm glad you all are entranced by its subtle beauty, here, allow me to hang it downstairs, the depiction of our friendship should be bewitching all patrons of Leblanc!" said Yusuke, now heading downstairs.

"Wait! We have to ask Boss first! Yusuke!" Akira said as he ran after him.

Ryuji, Ann and Makoto were laughing at the affair. Ryuji then stood up from the couch.

"Well, I got everyone tickets to the amusement park. I oughta help leader talk the pretty boy down, so I'll see you ladies later,"

Ryuji set the tickets down on the table and followed the other two downstairs, leaving Makoto and Ann.

"Sorry about that, I bet those knuckleheads aren't similar to your usual company, Miss Prez,"

Makoto giggled at Ann's remark.

"Well, I cannot deny that, but, I have to admit that I really am starting to feel like I belong here," said Makoto.

"Ohhhh, you mean as a Phantom Thief, right?"

"Yes, but not only that, I meant also as a friend, seeing what happened to Futaba has changed my perspective on things,"

"What do you mean?" Ann looked concerned.

"It's just…" Makoto took a deep breath, "I'm grateful to have so many friends surrounding me…even if I spend most of my time laughing at them,"

Makoto felt her face grow hot. Expressing these feelings so openly to a group she used to be the enemy of was embarrassing, but it was also oddly pleasant.

"Oh trust me, Makoto, that's the best part of knowing those goofballs!"

"Right?"

The two began to laugh once again

Makoto thought of where she was mentally a few months ago. She was depressed, alone, useless, and under Principal Kobayakawa's thumb. Makoto felt like a robot back then, simply following orders. Now, she felt as though those memories were miles away.

She wasn't useless, and she wasn't alone

After they settled down, Ann looked at Makoto with an intense stare.

"But seriously, I'm so glad you feel that way, Makoto. And when Futaba wakes up, maybe we can show her this feeling too!"

"Yeah, I just hope she'll be up to it," Makoto said, sounding unsure.

"Oh don't worry, she will be, just look at how much she's grown alrea-Oh! I almost forgot, I noticed how you pretty much carried this recent mission with Futaba so I got you a little extra gift,"

Makoto chuckled.

"I wouldn't say I carried this mission, we all pitched in, but what do you mean an extra gift?"

"Aw you're too modest Miss Prez! And I mean that I got everyone some Finnish candy, but since the boys are busy, this is the perfect opportunity to give you your extra gift!" Ann said, bouncing with excitement.

Makoto was dumbstruck, not only had she received gifts from all her friends, but Ann actually went out of her way to get her a unique present. She didn't really know how to react. Makoto was not well versed in expressing gratitude, but she would give it her best shot.

Ann handed Makoto a shiny blue bag stuffed with tissue paper. However, when Makoto began to reach into the bag, Ann grabbed her hand.

"You should probably wait until you're home to open it, wouldn't want to risk the others seeing it," said Ann with a wink.

"Oh? Well…okay…if you say so…but, whatever it is, thank you so much, Ann,"

The two high school girls giggled and exchanged a brief hug.