Makoto (Chapter 7): Summary, Analysis, and Key Moments

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Two days before the infiltration mission, Adena is teaching Makoto to sew. He is clumsy at it, pricking his finger repeatedly and producing twelve crooked stitches, while Adena stitches a pant seam with ease. She teases him, reminding him that he put her through hours of fighting practice the day before, and he counters that at least his skill will help her defend herself. She points her needle at him, joking that he has not seen what she can do with it.

Adena is assembling an Imperial uniform for Makoto, and the remaining work is lining the suit to mimic Imperial padding and cutting the leather for his mask. Makoto reviews the plan with her: they will leave early in the evening, giving them over an hour to reach the Arena, then sneak up the path to the east wing of the castle before phasing through the walls and past the guards. Adena recites the plan back to him, then asks what she should wear. He suggests she tie an apron around her waist like a maid, noting it will be dark and unlikely anyone will see her. She is excited about seeing Pae at the castle ball.

The conversation turns personal. Makoto observes that Adena never talks about anyone except Pae. She deflects, pointing out that he never talks about Hera. He claims there is not much to say, but she presses, noting that Hera must be important for him to go through all this trouble to see her one last time. Makoto deflects again, calling her curiosity exhausting. She asks about his family, and he answers sarcastically that they are the friendliest bunch. She takes him at his word, saying she would love to meet them someday, then flushes and adds that she means if they still see each other after all this.

Makoto feels a pang of guilt at the thought of giving her hope. He reflects that caring for Hera was the only weakness he allowed himself, and Adena is dangerously more so. He believes tragedy follows him everywhere and that he is not worthy of becoming her demise; she deserves a fairytale fate, a life worthy of her light. He tells her they should not see each other after the mission, claiming his unpleasantness might rub off on her. She smiles and says she thinks he is just worried she will make him nicer. He frowns, saying that would be unfortunate because he has a reputation to uphold.

Adena asks how he learned to fight. His throat tightens, and he says he is self-taught. She presses for more, and he explains that his father was a blacksmith and he learned everything by watching him, including most of his fighting. He then steers them to the padded wall he rigged up years ago, hidden behind a shelf of weapons, for punching practice.

During the practice, Makoto guides Adena's form, placing a hand on her back and twisting her hip in time with her movements. He slips and calls her