... In which Akechi asks me to join him for a day at the aquarium, and we share a first, brief moment of sincerity that may determine whether our bond can genuinely deepen.

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

Whenever I can't sleep nowadays, I always browse the Phan-Site, as opposed to checking my other social media or even reading the group chat. I'm not sure when I've gotten into that habit, but for some reason, it helps me calm my thoughts.

I'm almost ready to put my phone away for the night; my lids are heavy, and there haven't actually been that many new posts since last time. But then my phone chimes, making Morgana next to me stir. "Huh. . . ? Who could that be at this hour?"

When I open IM, my gut coils together . . . because it's Akechi. I throw a glimpse over at Morgana, who has scooted up to look at my screen. "Not him again!" He groans, and I don't respond.

Akechi's been to the Metaverse before, Morgana's stern voice rings in my ear. He didn't waste any time the night I returned from our date at the cafe. I don't know when or how, but I'm beyond certain that he heard me speak when we first met. There is probably a lot that this guy's not telling you—much more than you think.

I swallow, recalling my initial shock and confusion . . . and the immediate impulse to defend as opposed to suspect him. I mean . . . if Akechi's been to the Metaverse, what reason would he have to tell me? He doesn't know that I know. If I were him, I wouldn't just tell me—or anyone—either.

On the contrary, my initial shock was quickly replaced with hope. I need to find out if he has the app. And if so . . . whether that means he's destined to be one of us. I've successfully banned all implications that Morgana made about him potentially being the rogue Metaverse user with the black mask from my head. I'm not believing something like that without evidence.

Maybe it's reckless. I force myself to loosen my grip on my phone and take a deep breath. But maybe Morgana is also being overly suspicious, as always. As far as I'm aware, Akechi is looking into the culprit behind the mental shutdowns, whereas the Black Mask is most likely causing them. Maybe that's how he found out? Maybe he's even using the Metaverse for his investigations.

Instead of listening to Morgana, I turn my attention toward the text messages on my screen.

GORO AKECHI

> Apologies for the sudden message. I was wondering if you're free tomorrow?

> A work acquaintance gave me some tickets to an aquarium.

> It'd be a waste to let them go unused, no? Would you like to come along? I've heard it's quite the popular spot.

"Hm." Morgana shakes his head. "What's the plan? Are you gonna keep going out with Akechi? Now that you know his secret?"

I feel a sting of shame for momentarily hesitating before I nod. The fact that he's been to the Metaverse doesn't mean anything by itself, I repeat to myself. Maybe he doesn't even have the app. Maybe he was pulled in against his will? It's happened before.

> "Yes, I'll commit."

"I'm gonna decline."

"I'll decide later."

"Why did I have a feeling you'd say that?" Morgana grumbles, but I'm already typing.

RIN AMAMIYA

> I'd love to!

"Listen." Before I can check my screen for whether Akechi is online and texting back, Morgana places a paw on my chest, forcing me to lower my arm with the phone.

I look at him expectantly and can't help but feel affection in response to the honest concern I see in his eyes. "I know you like that guy . . . who knows why?" he says earnestly. "But we can't rule out any possibility regarding his connection with the Metaverse. I know that his having been there doesn't prove anything by itself; that's the reason I haven't told you or the others earlier. I'm not looking to ruin your little sprouting romance," he says sourly. "But I'm still gonna warn you: don't let your judgment be clouded by something as insignificant as a stupid crush. Be vigilant, Rin."

Morgana hesitates for a heartbeat, then removes his paw from my chest. Another wave of affection for him hits me, and I smile before placing a hand on his head and scratching gently.

"H-Hey, what do you think you're—?!"

> Thank you.

I promise.

Morgana glares at me but does not attempt to resist the affectionate gesture. And I swear to myself that I'll heed his warning. But also that—I look back at my screen and smile when I see a response—I won't allow this to change anything between us.

GORO AKECHI

> Glad to hear it. Then tomorrow it is. I'll send you the directions to Shinagawa Aquarium, so we'll meet there.

> I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

Closing IM, I smile. I'm looking forward to seeing him again too . . . It's only been a week since we went to that cafe, but honestly, if I could see him every day, I would.

"You really like that guy, don't you?" Morgana says more solemnly, lifting his head. "Like . . . like him."

Hoping he can't see the faint blush that creeps across my cheeks, I turn my head away. I know what Morgana is asking, and I also know what the truthful response would be. It can't be that bad yet, right? This stuff takes time . . . but apparently not so much to develop . . . what, interest? An infatuation?

I'm lost on what to call that feeling that makes me miss him the way I do when he's taking his time to text me . . . That makes my heart race and my palms prickle with excitement at the prospect of more time in his company . . . That . . .

"Yes, I do."

"I don't know yet."

> "I may have a crush . . ."

I have to lift my hands and bury my face in my palms before I can say it. Yet there's no reason to be dishonest about it, and immediately, Morgana groans. "I figured. Well, at least you're admitting it. Hm, I suppose it'd be best to let this thing run its natural course . . . as long as you don't lose your head completely."

Peeking at him through my fingers, I nod.

". . . Teenagers," I swear I hear him mumble before I bury my face deep in my pillow and allow my eyes to fall shut. Despite how tired I am, it takes a while before I can drift into sleep.

***

Despite how late I went to bed, I wake up early the next day. When Sojiro asks if I have plans for the day, I am tempted to tell him the truth, but I end up making an excuse. I'm going to Shinagawa with one of my friends . . . It's not exactly a lie. But I haven't told him that I've been going out with a guy yet, and I don't really feel like finding out what he'll do with that news today.

I grab lunch on the way to the aquarium. It takes me a while to find it, even though Shinagawa is only two subway stops away from Shibuya. The aquarium itself is inside a hotel, and I feel a little out of place, wandering in all by myself.

It is only when I spot Akechi that my tension eases. He waves me over to the ticket booth, and I am tempted to run up and slide my arm into his of my own accord, as I have the last few times and would do with any of my other friends. Ryuji and Ann like walking with our arms linked, and ever since I did it with Yusuke once, he asked me to do it more.

I've never quite dared to ask Makoto, who is my senior, about it yet . . . Maybe I should, I think now, as I give Akechi a smile instead. She's always so professional and collected, and I admire that about her, but . . . maybe it would make her feel more connected.

We exchange greetings, then pay for our tickets and make our way down the hall toward the bigger tanks. "It's been a while since I've come to a place like this," Akechi says after a minute or so of serene silence.

Tanks surround us on all sides now. The hallway is tinted in a calm yet magical shade of blue, and the movement of the fish is almost hypnotic. I can make out a few people on the far side, but it's not crowded.

The sight is lovely, almost mesmerizing, and I bask until Akechi suddenly stops in his tracks, turning to face me. "Sorry if this isn't exactly the kind of place you were imagining visiting for our next date. I . . . hope you still consider it one?"

I stop as well and frown, confused at his suddenly grave voice. Then I nod emphatically. I can't say I've imagined coming here . . . ever before, but now that I'm here—I drop the frown and spin in a circle, taking it in—it's actually really nice. Maybe I could even come back here someday.

Then the true meaning of his words sinks in, and I stop so abruptly that I nearly trip.

> "You won't stop asking me out, will you?"

"Do I have a reason to not consider this a date?"

The way he sounded just now . . . I can't tell whether he's worried that I may want to stop seeing him or if it's his way of telling me that he does.

Akechi seems genuinely taken aback by my question. "I didn't have any intention of doing so," he says slowly, shaking his head. "As long as you can honestly say that you enjoy spending time with me . . . what reason would I have?"

Morgana's warning breaks through the giddy happiness that bubbles up inside me from his words. For a moment, I wonder if there is any way to bring up the Metaverse or discreetly ask for the app. But how?

"Truthfully . . ." Akechi suddenly turns away, then raises a hand and places it on the nearest glass surface. A school of small fish darts by, and we follow them with our eyes. "The last time I went to an aquarium was with a different girl. It was back in middle school, and it was the last time we ever spoke."

I take a step closer, instinctively . . . eagerly. Is he actually going to share something personal for once? My heart skips a beat at the prospect; I didn't realize just how much I've been waiting for him to talk about something that's meaningful to him, even if it's in the past. Neither of us has done so yet, and it feels like a step in the right direction.

Akechi gives me a look, as though to check whether I want to know. I nod eagerly.

"She was in my year, but other than some occasional small talk in the hallway, we had barely spoken. This was before I made my name as the second Detective Prince, of course." The hand he still has on the glass clenches into a fist. "I invited her, at my expense, because of a childish infatuation based on subjective, superficial impressions and lies I indulged in inside my head."

I barely recognize his voice, all of a sudden. It's deep and grim and oozing so much spite that I wonder whether he can physically taste the acid.

"Suffice it to say—" Akechi abruptly disconnects from the glass and turns to me. "She politely told me that she wasn't interested. After I'd paid for her ticket, of course. And, as I've mentioned, it was the last time I ever spoke to her."

At the back of my head, I register the change from "last time we ever spoke" to "last time I spoke to her" and suddenly wonder which one of them it really was who decided to stop talking.

"Anyway . . ." The word slips out of his mouth like venom. "You don't have to pay that old story any mind. I told it only to explain why I wanted to know whether you—" He cuts himself off, but I know what he meant to say—the reason he was so uncharacteristically hesitant about whether this was the right place to bring me.

But . . . I raise my eyes to meet his. The way he stands now, with his arms crossed and a deep frown on his normally bright face, seems so very different from the way he's been so far during all our previous encounters. He may not be playing games this time, it suddenly hits me. He may not be following the steps of some carefully crafted plan to impress or challenge me or making a calculated move, expecting me to retaliate. He brought me here—to a place that he evidently associates with heartbreak—for what?

I take another step closer. For . . . a trial, I suddenly think. A trial, not in the sense of a challenge, but to see for himself whether I'm going to act the same way that girl did—or whether this . . . whatever we have between us, has an honest chance. To determine if we can even become closer?

I let the thought sink in, and then I wonder if I'm misjudging the situation. He might have planned to tell this story all along; this might have been his move. I mean, technically . . . just because someone rejected him in an aquarium a long time ago, there's no logical reason to believe I'd do the same thing, just because of the place.

But, in either case . . . I give him a sincere smile. Whether he's testing our bond or just trying to play with me, as always . . . I know my answer. I'm just not sure how to convey it so that it'll be absolutely clear.

Akechi doesn't seem like he expects a response at all. He's staring past me at the tank; the aqua light paints pretty specks of blue in his hair and on the metal surface of his briefcase that stands between his legs, but his arms are still crossed. He looks tense, almost defensive.

I take my hands out of my pockets and cross them, mirroring him. Noting that we are entirely alone in the hallway now, an idea rises in my mind . . . Maybe I do know a way to convey what I don't have the words for. That I don't really mind where we are or what we do. That I wouldn't want to stop going out because all I really care about is seeing him. That I'd never want to not see him anymore—Metaverse be damned. No one is here, and yet my heart hammers out of my chest anyway. I'd much prefer to be back in Leblanc for it, but . . . there's hardly a better way to show him that I want to get closer, is there?

I look around one last time, then swallow my rising anxiety, take two steps forward, and wrap my arms around him. Akechi startles, tensing up as though I've threatened him. I ignore his lack of response and, for one heartbeat, press my cheek into the soft fabric of his vest. Because even though he's not reciprocating, he isn't shoving me away or protesting at all, either.

I shut my eyes for a moment and pray that he understands. Then, almost instantly, I let him go.

"Oh?"

I nearly topple over when the familiar voice calls out from behind, and I stare at . . . Ohya, who makes her way toward us with a cheeky grin. My face reddens with embarrassment at the thought that she may have seen what I just did, and I take one step backward, nearly tripping into Akechi.

"I thought I recognized those glasses! Look who it is! And you're here with—w-wait, what!?" Her head whips around to Akechi. "The second Detective Prince!? My eyes weren't deceiving me, were they? Were you just—?"

I battle the urge to hide my face in my hands and curl up into a ball of embarrassment there, on the spot. Of course, she saw us. I swallow and dare peek at Akechi, whose face is blank and collected. Though I've become good enough at reading him at this point to know that he has to be just as distressed as I am.

Ohya looks back and forth between the two of us, presumably taking note of my flushed face and drawing her conclusions.

Why did it have to be her? I bury my clenched fists in my pockets. Of course, the one who has to stumble over us has to be the only journalist in Tokyo who actually knows me. And she's far too inquisitive to just let this slide.

I sigh silently, then frown. What's . . . actually the worst that could happen? It's not like she could write a news article about my public indiscretions. And I've already told Akechi that I don't mind if people spread rumors about us dating. I curse my lack of confidence and force myself to look up at Ohya.

> "Sorry, but it's not really any of your business . . ."

"It is what it is . . ."

Ohya looks taken aback for a moment, then she bursts out laughing. "Oh, really?" she says, shaking her head. "How very interesting . . . Though I gotta say, I am curious why you're here, being so close with Akechi-kun."

I don't really know why, but I take a step toward him. Before I can respond, Akechi startles me by leisurely draping an arm around my shoulders. "Oh, I invited her," he says brightly. "This is a quite popular date spot, after all . . ."

Ohya's eyes widen even more, and I gather all my willpower to keep myself from sinking into the floor with embarrassment. I'm not ashamed of being seen with him; I have to remind myself. But the way he's putting us on the spot so casually goes against my natural instincts.

"May I ask who you are, though?" Akechi continues after a short pause. "Are you familiar with Amamiya, by any chance?"

"Oh!" Ohya wakes from her shocked stasis. "Uh . . . don't mind me. I'm just a reporter. She helps me with my articles sometimes." Then she smiles again, even more cheekily. "But Amamiya-san, who would have guessed I'd ever find you on a date with the famous teen detective?"

I force myself to swallow my mortification and give her a smile. It's not like I can blame her for being surprised. Akechi and I couldn't be more different in almost every aspect. But maybe there is some truth to the famous saying, "opposites attract" . . .

"And unlike you, he's pretty hardline anti-Phantom-Thieves, right?" Ohya crosses her arms. "So, based on the familiarity you two share, are you two . . . dating, then?"

I tense up. I can't say I haven't asked myself this question before, and I know my answer if Akechi ever asked, but I also don't want to say anything to Ohya before we have exchanged or at least implied confessions between ourselves.

Then again . . .

> "I think so . . ."

"That's kind of personal."

"It's complicated."

I decide to screw my inhibitions just this once. His answer from earlier was not quite a confession, and yet . . . did it not imply this? There's no reason to think that he'd refuse me if I confessed . . . right? My heart is still racing, and I don't look at Akechi as I utter the words. The fact that he doesn't release me, even tightens his grip on my shoulders, gives me hope.

"Oh, you actually responded?" Ohya's eyes are wide again. "I was just kidding. I'm no model journalist, but I'm not dumb enough to pry into the private lives of high schoolers. Hah," she says, putting her hands on her hips. "I thought this report would be boring, but I got a nice surprise out of it. Well, enjoy your date, and see you next time I need info." She gives us a theatrical wave, then spins around and stalks away.

"You . . . think so," Akechi says when Ohya is out of earshot. "An interesting response."

I still can't meet his gaze.

"I'm not surprised that you have some friends in the media," he continues. "Although I hope she was being serious when she said she wouldn't pry into our lives . . . or even write a piece on us." He eases his grip on my shoulder and tilts his head to look more closely at me, but he still doesn't let me go. "If I heard right, you two have some sort of professional agreement?"

I nod, but I can't bring myself to explain my deal with Ohya when he still hasn't brought up what I implied to her about the two of us.

"So . . ." Akechi begins, and I dare peek at him over the top of my glasses. "What exactly did you mean earlier?" he finally asks. "Did you say that because it was what she wanted to hear?"

I clench my jaw, then finally look him in the eyes.

> "I told her the truth . . ."

"I would say that we're dating . . ."

"What would you have said?"

Akechi's eyes widen for a moment. "You—?" He hesitates, then pivots around and grips both my shoulders. "Why would you say that?" he urges. "Someone might get the wrong idea if you keep saying things like that carelessly."

Oh, and when you said that we were on a date, that was different, of course . . . I think and smile up at him, suddenly relieved.

"Well, if that's how you see things . . ." Akechi releases me, and I have to battle earnest disappointment. "I'll keep that in mind going forward."

Is that all I am getting for now? I think as I loop my arm through his after all, when he turns. He lets me, and I think that maybe I can live with that for now.

I have no idea when or how all of this happened or where it's going, but I can't help but feel optimistic about the future. I don't know if it will feel different whenever I see him again or if it's not going to matter all that much. I just hope that I've given him enough incentive to at least try to take this—what we have—in a more serious direction.

I want him to open up to me, I think suddenly, and tighten my grip as he slowly leads me through the blue-tinted hall. Around us, thousands of fish make their rounds, and I watch them keenly, feeling satisfied that I may have been able to give him some good memories to associate with this place.

As we keep walking, the thought sinks in that it's not really important to have an official, secure confirmation of our current relationship status. What matters is that I feel like I've, for the first time, managed to convey to him that I would like it if we became closer, and that's a victory I'll take. Everything else will hopefully come sooner rather than later.

***

We spend a few more hours in the aquarium, more or less wordlessly, just watching the wildlife and soaking in the atmosphere. I hadn't considered this before, but somewhere along the way, I realize that I enjoy being around him in silence almost as much as talking to him.

"Well," Akechi eventually speaks first, and I take note that we're back at the entrance and that my stomach is growling. It didn't even feel like that much time has passed . . . "This was much more enjoyable than I thought. Thanks for today. But we should head home, lest you'll be late for dinner."

I nod and smile brightly, despite the unwilling tingle I feel at the thought of going our separate ways.

The entire subway ride back to Shibuya I spend pondering whether today really meant as much as it felt it did and whether I may be naive or be rushing things. I still don't really know that much about him, but I also feel like he won't actually open up more unless I make an effort to get closer. And so far, I can't think of a reason to not try and do exactly that . . . Morgana's reveal about his having been to the Metaverse perks up at the back of my head, but I shove it back down.

Even the obvious crush I have on him aside . . . I want to be his friend, too. More than anything, that's something he seems to need but would never openly admit. It might be apprehension rather than a genuine lack of desire to share personal problems. And then and there, as I exit the subway, I resolve to myself that I want to do my absolute hardest to make him feel safe enough to open up to me—as a friend, or as whatever else we could be.

Only time will tell.