[Quick A/N] So, first of all, this chapter has a non-canon (for this story's universe) rejection choice in it, even though I said neither Akechi nor Maruki would get the rejection option written for them. But the path it leads to here isn't long and I wanted to explore it for... reasons.

And second, it might have gotten a little more... heated than any of the previous ones, towards the end, and going forward, others may as well.

Don't worry, nothing actually happens and it's still all T-rated. Just... More than would ever happen in any of these games, so I thought I should mention it.

But since I'm already going canon-divergent I kind of just rolled with it and personally, I think it was absolutely worth it.

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

"Ooh, does anybody want dessert with their coffee? I'll go pick it up, my treat."

"Oh, how kind. Thank you," Wakaba replies to her daughter with a smile.

"All right!" Futaba stands and gives a big grin. "I shall return!"

"Be careful," Sojiro eyes her and Futaba gives a thumbs up before she skips out the café door.

I'm unable to move. I just clutch the counter and try to sit as still as I can, watching Sojiro, Wakaba, and... Morgana, assembled around one of Leblanc's café tables, looking after Futaba, then laughing and joking around, as though this is all entirely normal.

But... Morgana—I take in the young man with the bluish-black hair—he's supposed to be a cat. And Wakaba... I stare at her profile, trying to be as subtle as I can. She... shouldn't be here with us. And I don't mean that in any derogatory way, not even remotely.

"What's the matter, Rin-san?" asks Wakaba then and I have a hard time not wincing back. Apparently, she did notice me staring.

I don't reply, but... really, everything is the matter. Quite literally. I mean—a day that started with waking up in your bed next to a strange boy who later turned out to be your cat who, via unexplainable means, turned into a human, and then finding your friend's dead mother alive and well, having breakfast downstairs—I'm either having a stroke, or a really strange, layered dream. All that's left is to see just how much stranger this day can get.

Right now, I'm having a hard time not standing and running out the door, here and now. It would be kind of rude, but also, I feel like screaming into a paper bag for a couple minutes, and I can't exactly do that in public.

But before I can indulge in thoughts of the sort any longer, the bell indicating someone's entered the café chimes. I look up out of habit and my heart stops. Then skips, then begins racing as though I've run all the way from here to Shujin on foot.

I think part of me was trying to tell myself he was some kind of fever dream apparition, on Christmas Eve. Akechi stands there, in the doorframe, taking in the scene for a heartbeat longer than normal. Then he leans back and taps his chin with one finger, in an awfully familiar fashion. My heart leaps again.

"Sorry... we haven't opened for the day yet," says Sojiro and my head whips around to him. Whatever is going on... that didn't sound like he recognized Akechi at all. But Akechi himself is...

"My apologies," he smiles and gives Sojiro that inconspicuous smile I know so well. "I merely wished to speak with Amamiya-san for a moment."

My head is spinning and I'm unable to move. Not just because he is here—he, whom I thought I wouldn't ever see again, twice now. I have so many things to say to Akechi I feel as though they're cramming up the inside of my skull and will soon burst out if I don't express them, but also... the way he said that... is he...?

"Why don't you go and get some fresh air with her?" suggests Morgana. In my direction, he smirks. "I'll stand guard over your dessert for you."

"You say that now," Sojiro raises an eyebrow, "but when she gets back and her dessert's gone, I'm pretty sure she'll suspect it was an inside job."

"I can definitely see that happening with Mona on guard duty," says Wakaba and they all laugh. Sojiro breaks first, mumbling something about starting the coffee.

Akechi doesn't seem like he cares much about what they say. Without sparing them a single further glance, he makes his way straight to me until he's so close I would only have to stretch out my hand to touch him.

"... You know... don't you?"

My stomach clumps. Yes, that's what I thought. I meet his gaze and Akechi isn't looking away, as though he's trying to tell me something. I'm not quite sure what, though. His voice is hushed and serious, and his eyes are dark. Unyielding. Not allowing a single glimpse beyond that so familiar yet awful wall he has a habit of hiding his true emotions behind. At least... I eye him and swallow the lump that's been building up in my throat... he's not hiding the wall itself anymore.

"We have to discuss this."

I throw a glimpse back at Wakaba, Sojiro, and Morgana, and attempt to ignore my heart that's suddenly hammering for a very different reason.

> "You're... here..."

"What's going on?"

I can't help myself.

Akechi narrows his eyes at me, then shakes his head. "I simply had an odd feeling you'd be... remembering too." He breathes out and averts his gaze for just a moment before it's on me again. "... Come on." The look he's giving me isn't revealing any ulterior motives, all I see is determination, and an odd kind of absolute certainty, My heart sinks.

But... I grit my teeth. He's right. Whatever is going on, the two of us are currently the only ones who aren't affected, for whatever reason. Anything else is besides the point... for now. Even though my heart is screaming something else.

With a final look and a more hesitant nod than I intended, I pull myself to stand. The fact that it's Akechi, of all people, who's walking through that door, with a level head and at least somewhat of a direction, an idea as to what to do in this utterly mad, absurd situation, is so poetic and... perfect I barely believe it's real.

But considering what I said when we last met... disregarding Christmas Eve... I'm not entirely sure how to face him. Then again—who am I to complain?

Without another word, he turns and leads the way out of Leblanc, and I follow on his heel, throwing a last glimpse at Sojiro who gives me an odd wink. Only when I'm already out the door do I understand what he must be thinking and I am suddenly grateful Akechi's walking ahead of me, unable to see the furious blush that's coloring my cheeks.

He halts for a moment when we come across the entrance to the bathhouse, then dips inside. I don't know where he's leading me but I follow, to quickly find myself in the adjourning laundry.

"Well then," Akechi halts and turns back to face me. "Let's try to sort through this situation." His expression is collected, more so than I'd like it to be... But also... what was I really expecting?

I stuff my hands into the pockets of my coat and attempt to face him in an equally collected manner. It's been clear from the beginning that whatever feelings I have for him, there's no way he'd return them. Wasn't that what I told myself? What I came to terms with?

But—I eye him over the top of my glasses, trying not to turn away—actually facing him like this, after everything I said, is making that decision hard to stick with. And the fact that he hasn't yet is cranking up the tingly anxiety over whether he'll bring it up. Or whether he... just doesn't care enough. My gut twists at the thought and I swallow.

It's still good to see him. I won't even attempt to lie to myself. It's so, so good.

"... Why are you here?"

"What's happening?"

> "I'm glad that you're here."

Akechi looks away from me for a moment, then he shakes his head. "It seemed to be the best option I had, considering everything that's currently happening. Somehow I had my doubts that you'd fall victim to whatever madness has befallen everyone else. After all, if there was anyone in the world the universe would spare, it'd be you. The only remaining question is why it spared me as well." He mumbles the last part more to himself, then sighs. "Anyway, we're here to discuss what is happening, aren't we? At the end of last year, I turned myself in to the police as the perpetrator of the serial psychotic breakdown incidents."

Akechi raises a hand to his chin again and tilts his head slightly. His mahogany eyes are burrowing into mine, as though attempting to absorb and analyze my every move. "Your memory of this is still intact, correct?"

I can see faint white clouds from every of his breaths, and suddenly find my head spinning with the realization that he's actually here. That he's... breathing, alive, and here... with me. The thought is almost driving tears into my eyes.

He's here, but also—I take him in, his arms are crossed and he's keeping his distance, not once leaving me out of sight. As though he's wary for some reason. As though there are still lies. Still obstacles. I'm so tired of those.

He's here, but he's... all business. Appearing in Leblanc as he did—no introduction, no explanation, no... anything, just back to the matter at hand. As though nothing happened. As though he didn't sacrifice himself, as though I didn't practically confess to him through a metal shutter, back in Shido's palace.

I force the swirling emotions he's causing—as always—down, together with the urge to yell at him. To cry. To walk up and wrap my arms around him, and scream in his ear that it's not okay to make people think you're dead for that long. That we could have used his help. That we... that I missed him, and that I have no words for how I feel when I make myself aware that he's alive.

But I don't do any of it. I stand there, with my hands in my pockets, and stare at him, trying to convince myself that he's not being so distant because he actually hates me. That he's still calling me Amamiya-san because he's not sure how to bring up the topic of establishing a first name basis since we've gone by last names ever since we first met. I still can't help feeling hurt because it only further increases the palpable distance he's keeping. As though letting me—letting anyone—get close will hurt his pride or something similarly absurd.

"Yes, but... where have you been?"

> "Yes, but... how are you alive?"

I need to know. Give me... anything, I beg in my head.

"Ah, yes..." Akechi looks away and shifts, then shakes his head. "We have greater concerns right now. In fact," he waves dismissively, "I'm a bit offended you think so little of me that you expected me to be dead."

I press my lips together, trying to be neither offended nor impressed by that answer. It's not working that well... at least the latter half.

"Perhaps the most confusing part of my story comes post-detainment," he speaks on—again, as though absolutely nothing is wrong. "Obviously, I was thoroughly interrogated about my involvement in Shido's case..." He raises a hand to brush a few lost strands of hair out of his face and for a moment my traitorous brain imagines what it would feel like to do that myself.

"But for some reason, after questioning, I was suddenly released," he continues. "No explanation whatsoever."

I swallow and try to stay matter-of-factly, like he is, but it's damn hard.

"That's too weird."

> "That's oddly... convenient."

"You mean suspiciously so—yes." He shakes his head. "I was acquitted of all charges. It's absolutely preposterous."

I know it's technically unlawful and what-not, but all I feel upon hearing that is joy. If he went to prison now, I can't help but feel as though it would ruin any and all chances he still has to turn his life around. For someone like Akechi, who is living off accomplishments and goals, the monotony and utter lack of self-determination and ambition a life in prison entails would most likely be worse than death. If that would actually happen... I clench my fists in my pockets, he might as well go insane. Really, this time.

"More than that," he shifts again, "it should be impossible for them to release a confessing suspect after only a brief interrogation... But what's even more unbelievable to me is..."

So many things, I think and smile. Just a little. Then refresh my mind on the oddest things the day has brought.

> "Wakaba."

"Morgana."

"That's right," Akechi nods, eyes lowered thoughtfully. "Wakaba Isshiki. I can't believe she's been brought back to life..." Then he looks up. "For the time being, you seem to be the only one who's still in their right frame of mind. I should get to the point."

I blink, both excited and confused.

"... Let's make a deal."

I startle. This isn't what I expected in the slightest, but then I recall that this is the way he asks for favors. Back when we first worked together, and then in Shido's palace. But what does he want this time?

"What say we join forces on this?"

I blink. He's actually surprised me again—although this surprise is an oddly pleasant one. Did he actually come to me to ask for teamwork—he who was yelling he didn't need or want teammates when we last met?

I'm having a hard time suppressing the rising warm joy. For however odd this day started, I could have never predicted it to develop like this—and I'm not complaining. My head, all by itself, is filling with images of him, back with the Phantom Thieves, of what many things we could do—he could contribute—if this were to really happen.

I'm getting ahead of myself, of course. My friends aren't currently in their right minds, and who knows if he would want to keep to this... deal if—when—they regain their senses. And who knows if his motive is really so simple.

I force myself to look at him in the same way he's looking at me... with caution. I can't afford to trust him unconditionally, especially when he's offering something so unbelievable as teamwork, and I hate it, but... it's damn hard not to hope, still.

"What would we do?"

> "... Can I trust you?"

"You would really want that?"

"Well, I would understand if you couldn't."

He sounds so nonchalant and unfazed that I instantly feel bad about even implying anything like that.

"But, as I said before.... I have no hidden agenda at this point, I can give you my word on that... for however much that's worth," he shrugs but I could swear his eyes have darkened. "In any case, I think it's best to put aside personal grudges and work together on this."

I swallow repeatedly but I can't rid myself of the guilt. He's right—of course he is—and he's currently being a bigger person about it than I.

"In any case," Akechi resumes, "I want to investigate what exactly is happening here. I'm fairly certain you wish to do the same thing, no?"

I nod—that's a given—but also... I don't think I could ever refuse a deal that involves working together with him.

"For the time being, you and I share the same goal. To solve this problem, don't you agree that it'd be safer for us to partner up?"

I hold his piercing yet unreadable gaze and swallow down the lump of uncertainty. The last thing I want to do is suspect him now. But... am I ready for the leap of faith that is trusting him again?

My heart screams yes, but my head's keeping it in check. Whatever the case... he's right about the need for teamwork to deal with this bizarre situation... It may just objectively be best to work with Akechi on this...

"Have you made up your mind?" he asks and I finally look away.

"I guess I don't have a choice."

> "I like making deals with you."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Oh?" A somewhat devious smirk appears on his face. "Is that so? I will keep that in mind then." I would be more concerned for what exactly he means by that if Akechi wouldn't have spoken on immediately. "In that case, well... First," he raises a gloved finger as though to count, "I need information. Can you tell me what happened after... parting ways with me in Shido's palace?"

You mean after we watched you die for us? I ask internally but refrain from saying it out loud. He clearly doesn't want to talk about his side of things, and who am I to press.

It doesn't take long to explain, not nearly as long as I thought. Shido's end, the public's lethargy, and finally Yaldabaoth and our battle for the world. It's not even that much when put into brief enough words.

Akechi listens without interrupting. "... I see," is all he says afterward. He takes a moment, his eyes wander the laundry seemingly aimlessly but I see that he's mentally digesting and sorting through what he just heard.

"Though some abnormalities appeared immediately, the most glaring ones arrived after the new year..." he finally speaks on and for a moment I am confused. What does he mean, some appeared immediately? As far as I'm aware, there was nothing abnormal until the new year and then... today.

But he speaks on before I can ask. "And all of the Phantom Thieves, with you as the sole exception, are living in this altered reality without even realizing it..."

I nod, opening my mouth to ask what he meant with 'immediate abnormalities' when my phone begins ringing. "Go ahead," Akechi says and I hesitantly pull it out, spotting Kasumi on the caller-ID.

"Senpai!? It's Yoshizawa!" she greets me as soon as I pick up. "I'm in Odaiba right now, and... uh..." The more closely I listen, the more panicky her voice sounds.

"Calm down."

> "What's happened?"

"Um," she hesitates, "I don't exactly understand what I'm seeing, but I'm just going to describe it to you..." I'm getting a sinking bad feeling about all this. "It's that building..." she says, "it's really faint, but I can see that 'Palace' thing that Morgana-senpai mentioned a while ago!"

I tighten my grip on the phone, trying to believe what I'm hearing.

"Amamiya-senpai, I know this is sudden, but... Could you come to Odaiba right away?"

I look at Akechi who's watching me closely, and nod.

"I'll be on my way."

> "Wait for me there."

"I understand," says Kasumi. "I'll see you soon!"

Then she hangs up, leaving me with a sinking feeling of dread I am unable to shake. Something beyond strange is going on, and Akechi is absolutely right... this is worth investigating.

"That was Yoshizawa-san's voice, wasn't it?" he says then. "I believe I heard her mention the word 'Palace'?"

I look at him and clench my fists tighter, then nod.

"I guess she's spotted one."

> "Strange, isn't it?"

"Indeed. A Palace... despite not being in the Metaverse?" He looks back up at me. "You're planning to meet up with Yoshizawa-san, right? I'll join you. We're all but guaranteed to find a clue there."

I agree. Akechi tilts his head and there's that smirk again. The one that doesn't seem to be particularly good for my legs and their ability to support me. "Now that we've made ourselves a new deal, you wouldn't turn me down, would you?"

I force myself to hold his gaze, and shake my head. I mean—I would have offered him to come along anyway. There's no chance I'm letting him slip away, not when I have just found him again. Or, he found me... Suddenly, the thought sinks in and I search for him with my eyes—he's already by the laundry exit. He found me.

I take a step towards him and the exit, then freeze when I realize he isn't moving anymore. I raise my hand to tap his shoulder and ask what is wrong when he suddenly twirls around. I jerk back, almost tripping when his arm jets out, inches before my face, into the opposing side of the doorframe... blocking the exit.

"Not so fast," he shakes his head. Strands of hair fall in his face, making it harder to read his expression. "Actually... Yoshizawa-san can wait a little longer. But... there's something else we need to talk about."

My mouth opens but nothing comes out. Suddenly, my heart is hammering out of my chest, and my palms begin to tingle. I can almost smell the warm leather of his coat, so close is he. I'd honestly almost forgotten about that other part.

I complained about his matter-of-fact ways before but now that his expression is crumbling and he's suddenly losing them, I'm beyond anxious.

"You—!" He releases a frustrated groan and I almost want to groan back. How come he is mad at me? He's the one who's not shown his face to a single soul, over the last... almost two months, despite so apparently being alive. After demanding to fight us to the death. After sacrificing himself so that we could escape.

And he won't even tell me how he survived—'greater concerns' my ass! He is my concern now, I think and swallow. If I weren't so glad he was alive, I'd kill him myself.

"You—will not leave this room without explaining yourself," Akechi hisses through clenched teeth. "You cannot just say something like... like... what you said, back in Shido's palace after... well." He shakes his head. "You cannot—say something like that and simply leave it. What the actual hell were you on, to say... say...!?"

Akechi audibly breathes out—I can still see the cloud of warmth in the chilly air. His arm, despite the deftly concealed yet still noticeable tremble in his voice, remains firmly in place. "I realize it was a somewhat... well, dire situation, but that does not give you the right to say that kind of stuff—it's irresponsible beyond belief. Y'know," he snorts, "if you do that... someone might actually believe you."

It takes me a moment to process what he is referring to... then my heart practically leaps out of my chest. Despite the anxious yet excited wave that hits me, I don't retreat a single inch.

My eyes are on him only. His tightly shut expression beyond which lies whatever emotions, whatever part of himself he's pushing down like he always does. Like I was hoping he wouldn't anymore, from the moment he walked into Leblanc. The hopes he brought... and the fears. I'm leaping at all of them without a second thought.

And he... I look up at him with, as I hope, sincerity. From the first time we met, he's always been special. There was a time when I thought we could happen—a time when I thought I saw genuine care and affection in his eyes.

Then there was the time I want to erase from my mind—the time of cold eyes, wicked smiles, and steel guns. The time of laying awake at night, going back and forth on whether I had imagined it all. Whether he'd really been only pretending—this whole time. Of calling myself weak, of feeling like garbage for yearning with all my heart that I was wrong. That there had been something—anything—genuine about the time we'd spent... fought... laughed together.

I don't know how much sleep I've lost, beating myself up over whether we had done the right thing—whether there would have really been no other way. Whether we couldn't have done something to save him after all.

Whether I wasn't the fool for falling for a lie. For thinking it wasn't too late.

Not once I've shared any of these doubts with the others—I always thought they wouldn't understand. None of them ever spent as much time with Akechi as I did, and even though a part of me rues that, another was yelling at me for being naïve.

Up until Shido's palace. His words—that single 'it wasn't all fake, you know?'—and the way he said my name, from beyond the wall. It still echoes through me like a shrilling siren. I had hope that day. For the first time, I had hope. That's why I told myself I'd tell him—but then...

Well. At least I told him. That's what I was consoling myself with, over the last month. At least I committed to telling him how I feel. I wouldn't have to deal with the potential consequences because he was dead... or so we assumed.

I even came so far as to force myself to accept it was too late—up until he appeared out of that crowd, on Christmas Eve. And now—I look up at Akechi and a not unpleasant shiver runs down my spine. Now, he's here, talking about it... demanding a... confirmation, I suddenly understand.

And now I have to decide whether I can give him that. Whether I can... do this. Without the wall this time. My heart is beating at the back of my throat and I swallow. Recall my thoughts, my feelings, at that moment in Shido's palace.

I have thought my words through carefully then... and I should now.

"I meant every word."

> "I'm sorry..."

I still can't make out his face properly, but as soon as I speak the words, his arm releases the doorframe... then sinks, making room wordlessly.

There's nothing I can say anymore. I try to glimpse back at Akechi as I walk, but his face is a mask. The kind of smile I hoped to never have to see again—the fake one—is plastered on it like a sticky note.

"You really should watch what you say more." He gives a quiet laugh as he catches up to me. "It is simply irresponsible. Well, on my end too, perhaps."

He doesn't elaborate, but I don't think he has to.

"Well. I should probably thank you," he stops when we reach the main street, "for clarifying. Although you could have saved yourself the ambiguities... Not that it matters, of course."

Akechi almost jumps ahead at the first opportunity and something within me contorts. Once more I think back to how I felt when looking at that closed shutter. I can still feel it beneath my palm if I focus. Was I mistaken? Was it all in my head, the feelings I thought I recognized in myself—for him?

Well—I pick up my own pace, to not lose him. It must have been.

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

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> "I meant every word."

"I'm sorry..."

Akechi's staring at me like I'm an apparition. "Are you... serious...?"

There's so much desperate disbelief his voice is seething, boiling over with it and the fact that he still can't bring himself to believe me, even though I have said it twice now, is knotting my gut with a mix between anger and sadness.

"Completely serious."

> "My feelings won't change, no matter how much you ask."

"... You—!" He falters. For the first time in anything but a life-or-death situation, his mask breaks, and I catch a glimpse of genuine... awe. For some reason, the sight is breaking my heart and filling me with giddy joy at the same time. Because what I also see is... affection. More genuine than ever before.

Up until now, it was always only about letting him know how I feel. For principle's sake. Not even in my wildest dreams have I... At least not since we uncovered his plot. My heart performs an elaborate skip.

But Akechi gives me no time to process, or read more of his expressions. Lightning-fast he releases the doorframe and whips around to me. Before I can so much as open my mouth, I'm against the wall. He's hovering over me with an expression I have a hard time defining—but it is holding more genuine softness than I've ever seen in his eyes. They're dark, in the sparse light of the washroom, they appear nigh black.

Only then do I make myself aware that I can't move. He has me pinned between his arms—to my right is a dryer, and to my left a wall. He's so close that the tips of his hair almost brush my forehead. Once more taking in the uncharacteristic expression in his eyes, I swallow.

Not that this is a... particularly bad situation to be in. I force myself to pretend I hadn't imagined it before.

"You..." He blinks. Once, twice... then he finally smiles. "You really don't know what's good for you, do you?"

I shrug, adamantly hoping he can't hear my hammering heart. Then again... I look up at him and smile back. If so, would I really mind?

I pause and allow myself to take him in, to search my heart for any lingering doubts, attempting to determine whether I can truly believe he has genuine feelings for me too when he looks at me in a way that makes my knees buckle and my heart beat thrice as fast.

Well. I almost laugh. Or, maybe I should finally drop the act and admit I have no choice in this anymore. Who knows if I was ever strong enough to resist?

There's no going back now... I make a decision.

"I need to know how you feel."

> "But... are YOU serious?"

His eyes widen and a hint of confusion flashes through his expression before he regains his composure.

"You're really asking me that, eh?" He shakes his head. "You know, if I respond in a way that happens to surprise you, you'll have to believe me, too."

I nod without hesitation. I'm so done with all this deception between us... and something tells me Akechi is too. It may not be based on sound logic, but, then and there, I decide to take a leap of faith and do it—trust him—from here on. To whatever end.

"Well." His eyes shut for a moment and I sense his grip on the wall tense. "How fortunate that, when I thought I'd die, there's nothing I regret haven't done more."

His hand slides to the back of my neck and before I can react, he's tilted my head up, leaned down, and kissed me.

A million fireworks go off in my gut and wherever my hands have previously been, I lock them around his neck before he can break the kiss. I shut my eyes tightly and lean into him in an attempt to commit every part of this experience to memory. After all, I have no idea when or if it will ever happen again.

I could have stood there and kissed him—running my hands through his hair and into the collar of his jacket, pretending the Palace, Kasumi, and the whole world didn't exist, but he's got more self-control than I, apparently.

His gloved thumb lingers on my cheek a moment longer after he breaks the kiss, then he turns. I almost stumble into the dryer from the sudden lack of support.

Akechi takes one step, then another. Then he turns back. I still can't fully read his expression but there's something new in it—something warm, affectionate... something that makes my chest ache in the best way possible.

"Yoshizawa-san's waiting, no? Let's go."

He's smiling, and I smile back, urgently fighting the odd tears that are suddenly starting to fill my eyes. I don't want this to have been the last time. Then why do I get this ominous, sinking feeling that's what it was?

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

What happens next is a chain of hectic and somewhat frightening events and revelations, though some of them I can't help but find satisfying, pleasant even. Meeting with Kasumi, entering the palace... just the three of us, Akechi and I fighting alongside one another, in his true form, with his true power.

I can't say I'm not a great deal happier about that then I probably should be, given the circumstances.

In retrospect, it feels so unreal. Kasumi... Sumire. Maruki. The world, our reality, what is real and what isn't? It's hard to tell, at this point.

I find it harder and harder to keep a level head. If Akechi weren't there with me, to remind me to stay on guard and grounded, to throw out remarks and observations, to guide and support in battle, I don't think I would have been able to. Especially after our trio is reduced to a duo, and it's just the two of us. Like that was ever meant to happen, I think with delight. Like he and I were not always meant to end up like this... or maybe we were.

The Showtime we end up improvising seems to be implying the latter.

By the time we get out of the palace, my head is swarming with hectic thoughts. Worry about Sumire. Confusion and doubt about Maruki, and uncertainty what to do about his set time limit.

Akechi seems more pissed than anything, even though there's a certain unnervingly serious undertone in his voice, whenever he speaks now. I can't quite place it, but it's worrying me more and more with the second.

"I had spent all that time investigating the people around you so I could set you up..." His eyes are narrowed and I can't help but smirk at the way he's referencing that now. "To think, Takuto Maruki of all people would be the mastermind behind this absurd situation... And he happens to be warping the very fabric of reality while ranting about making everyone's dreams come true. Talk about incomprehensible motives... I can't even begin to wrap my head around such intentions."

Akechi looks up at the faint outline of the palace and I can't help but wonder, once more, what drives his determination to resist Maruki so insistently. Of course, he is right, we can't allow ourselves the luxury of giving into a temptation like that, but... there's something about the way he keeps repeating it over and over that's making me think there's more to his rejection than meets the eye.

"At any rate," he looks back at me and crosses his arms, "we need to figure out our next steps."

I nod, but my mind is a mess. There are so many things that worry and confuse me but I also realize that when I look at Akechi, I'm looking at the one sane, grounded constant that I want to rely on to guide and be there with me through it all. It's almost ironic... almost absurd. But so, so beautiful.

"You'll stay with me, right?"

> "Thank you for being here with me."

For a second a faint smile flashes across his face. "As I said before... we share the same goal, so naturally, I will pursue it with you." He shakes his head. "It seems as though we cannot do anything for Yoshizawa-san now, it'd be suicide to march back in there at the moment. We need intel first. If we're going to stand up to Maruki, we have to know more than nothing."

He's not wrong, I realize this. And I agree, but also... I tense. The way he said that, and the way he is looking back now, as though he is—

"I'll do some investigating on my own," he says. "I hate that we have to do what he says, but Maruki told us we have to wait until January 9th. Let's meet up here next week. Although," Akechi turns and my gut twists at the prospect of him leaving, "I imagine both our lives will be very different if you choose to live in this reality, as your friends have been."

He takes a step forward but I have him by the sleeve before he can move. He's stunned—for a tiny moment, he is. Then the shit-eating grin is back. "What's the matter?"

This time, it is I who cannot allow him to leave due to... unresolved things between us. I have a feeling he knows this very well.

> "Come back to Leblanc with me."

"You can't leave now..."

"Why do we have to go our separate ways?"

"To...?" I see nothing but genuine confusion in his expression, and in that moment, it is hard to not grab him by the collar and begin shaking him. For a heartbeat, he is silent, then he scoffs... just a little bit. "What for? There isn't much else we can do now."

I don't release his sleeve. In fact, I clutch it tighter. Just to make absolutely clear he will have to drag me along if he wants to leave now. I don't know what it is about leaving him out of my sight, but I don't like the thought. And it has nothing to do with lacking trust.

He stares at me for a moment longer, his mahogany eyes dig holes into mine but then he's the first one to look away. "... Fine. I suppose, maybe we could brainstorm some more together. Though I really don't see a reason."

That isn't the reason, I mean to scream at him as I practically drag him through the city and towards Leblanc. That is definitely not the reason I want you to stay. I'm trying not to think about the kiss, and how badly I just want to shove him into a dark alley and tell him to do it again—and not stop that time—but I'm fighting it. It's getting late and Sojiro will be worried if I don't show soon.

Where would Akechi even go if I hadn't brought him here? I think as I shove the door to Leblanc open and pull him through. He's not resisting even though he's probably much stronger than me. I cannot answer my own question and it makes me uncomfortable... more so than I'd like to admit.

Sojiro greets me with a raised eyebrow. "You're late," he says, then his eyebrow goes even further up as he notices Akechi behind me. "... Ah," he says in a tone that speaks volumes. I shoot him an angry glare. Then I remember he's not exactly wrong in assuming what he assumes and can't help but blush.

"Well..."

Part of me wants to walk over and physically force Sojiro to stop grinning so suggestively... another wants whatever he is assuming will happen when he leaves to actually happen.

"... I suppose I will be heading home then." He's still not loosing the grin as he hangs up his apron and steps forward from behind the counter. "Morgana's out too, at least for now. I don't know when he was going to be home though, so you two better lock—!"

"We were just going to work out a problem we're currently facing... that is all." Akechi steps forward from behind me and takes a seat on a chair by the counter. "I will be leaving shortly."

We'll see about that, I think grimly as I watch Sojiro mouth 'oh, sure' and make his way out the door, not without throwing a couple more looks back. Sometimes that man truly is the epitome of insufferable.

"Your face is redder than your Thief outfit gloves. Don't tell me it's that easy to get under your skin, nowadays."

I twirl around to Akechi and indeed sense an awful heat in my cheeks and ears. Instead of hanging my jacket up as I do, I wish I could bury my entire head in it.

"So... what was it that you asked me here for again?" He leans back and casually crosses his legs. One hand rests on the counter, the other is raised, finger tapping his chin in an automated fashion.

I cross the space between us, then step behind the counter to wordlessly offer him coffee. Akechi nods and I don the apron and begin brewing, desperately thinking about what I'm supposed to respond to his question.

Truth be told, I have no idea. I just kind of... dragged him along without thinking. Without intending anything other than to make sure he didn't up and disappear on me again. Maybe also that I wouldn't have to fight picturing him alone somewhere. In an empty apartment, a lively café, a deserted street... anywhere, be it surrounded by passersby or not. If he weren't here with me, he'd be alone. For some reason, the thought sickens me, suddenly.

"Made up your mind yet?" he asks when I place the coffee before him. "About what you're going to respond?"

I throw him a glare, then grit my teeth.

"What happened between us..."

> "I wanted to stay with you."

"I didn't want to be alone."

Akechi takes a sip from his coffee, then looks up. "You really are... odd, you know that?" He shakes his head. "All the way here I've been thinking, trying to come up with plausible reasons for you to want me—me, of all people—around... You are aware that this isn't really going to work, yes?"

I clench my jaw and watch his gloved finger tap the counter in an erratic pattern. Any and all thoughts of how he may be right I shove down. It doesn't matter, I make myself aware. I don't care about the past. Whatever happened cannot be changed, but what happens in the future... it is all unwritten. And if he thinks I will allow the past to cloud my judgment, he's got another think coming.

I cannot tear my eyes away from him, as he sits there, staring into his coffee. His face is collected, yet not artificially so. I see genuineness—for the first time in forever, there is nothing fake about him. For some reason, the sight warms my insides almost as much as making myself aware that he's alive.

I'm not sure how naïve or blind I'm being, or how smart, but then and there I cannot help but be convinced that he's not pretending anymore. Not when he said he wanted to work together, that there was no hidden agenda, no scheme, no... anything remotely dishonest in his actions and motive anymore.

And, why would there be? Shido is dealt with. Akechi wouldn't have any reason to remain our enemy. Wouldn't I, in fact, be the narrow-minded one if I kept clinging to that part of our past?

I move closer to the counter and he looks up.

Wouldn't it be unfair, downright cruel, of me to still suspect him now? Any personal feelings that still pleasantly writhe in my gut at the thought of him, aside—someone who's seeking to be better, to make up for their wrong should be given the chance to do so. It was our policy with every of our targets... and even though we didn't change Akechi's heart in that sense... if he managed to do so himself, why would we treat him any differently?

I shake my head when I make myself aware I'm still overthinking all this when there really is no reason. I have long made up my mind about trusting him from here on, so why am I going on about all this?

It's the right thing to do, and—the only thing I can do, right now.

> "It will work if we make it work."

"I am not that easily deterred."

He laughs quietly. "You think that is within our power? After all that..." He pauses and I know exactly what he means... but it is meaningless. "Well." He takes another sip from his coffee and finally looks at me properly. There's suddenly an odd gleam in his eyes that wasn't there before. "Fine by me." I've only seen that expression once. Back in the laundry... moments before he kissed me.

"If that is what you really want... Though your reasoning eludes me."

Then, for a moment, a different expression flashes across his face though I can't make it out properly before he's concealed it again. "It would be wasteful to not make use of the time we are given now, anyway."

I frown, unable to make sense of what he means, but the thoughts are quickly quenched by the greater meaning of his words.

I don't think. Only slip up onto the counter, then across, to lean towards him. I nearly overshoot and fall but Akechi has me by the waist before I can slip. He's pulling me closer and then he's kissing me again, and for some reason I don't think he'll stop like last time.

I wrap my arms around his neck, then I cup his face instead, trying to hold it together from the million happy sparks that are exploding beneath my skin, making it tingle and heat up, as it does.

Before I know it I'm lying face-up on the counter. He's above me, his hands are cradling my face and I close my eyes, reaching up to pull him closer. Whatever doubts I had have long evaporated. I can't think when I can feel his gloved thumb caress my cheek and his hair brush my face as he's kissing me in a way nobody ever has. Or ever will, I think and smile, embracing the bliss that is this forbidden, stolen, impossible moment.

It is until it's not anymore, anyway.

"Hey! W... What the hell do you think you're doing on my counter!?"

We jerk apart as the voice of Sojiro cries and I catch sight of him in the door, carrying a large bag of what seem to be restaurant supplies.

I don't think my face has ever been as red as in that particular moment.

"Y-You know," Sojiro narrows his eyes and looks back and forth between the two of us, "she has a room upstairs, and all that. But seriously, this is a restaurant. You can't just be doing that stuff anywhere!"

If I weren't so embarrassed myself I'd probably notice the quite flustered expression he's trying to conceal.

Only then do I realize I'm still lying backward on the counter, digging my fingers into the sleeve of Akechi's jacket.

"It's... nothing!"

> "This is not what it looks like..."

Sojiro throws me an amused smile as he's carrying the supply bag to the back and into the kitchen. To my surprise, it's Akechi who's looking at me like he's questioning my sanity.

"You... really just said that," he narrows his eyes, "like, unironically so. What..." he lets out a quiet snort but can't suppress his grin. "What else would it be then, if it's not what it looks like?"

I playfully swat at his face and only catch a strand of hair. But I'm laughing too.

"Fine. Perhaps it is what it looks like."

> "Then what would you have said?"

He doesn't hesitate for a single moment. "The truth," he says, "or something like 'you know the answer to that, don't you?', most likely."

"I heard that!" calls Sojiro from the back and at least Akechi helps pull me off the counter before he returns, still glaring at us as though we've committed a fatal sin. Well... part of me wonders if he's wrong in that regard.

"To think I wouldn't have returned if the deliveryman hadn't left these supplies at my home address instead of here," he mumbles, "some of this stuff goes bad so fast, it needed to be put in the fridge, and..."

I refrain from asking why he didn't just put it in his fridge at home. I feel like if I push him, things might only get more awkward.

"Anyway," he gives both of us an urgent glare, "... behave yourselves, okay? I doubt I can find more excuses- I mean reasons to come here again tonight. And lock the door up, for heaven's sake!" He snorts and turns, then leaves the café, not without throwing multiple glances back.

"... He really cares about you," Akechi says with a smile and I place a hand on his shoulder, reassuringly. Of course, his own father was the main source of pain in his life for most of it.

He looks back at me after a few moments, and there is an expression I actually haven't seen before in his eyes. I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, then rest my head against his shoulder. He's not retreating and I'm not planning on letting him go any time soon.

"... Make it work, you say?" He says after a long silence, and I smile into the soft leather of his jacket. We will, I know we will.

I'm in a special relationship with Goro Akechi. There's most certainly no going back now.

Then, and only then, he extends his own arm to wrap it around my waist and for a while we just stand there, I'm drinking in the moment that is different from the previous one but equally as warm and perfect. Like every moment with him might be, from here on out. I hope with all my heart that it will.